Two Sections, 36 Pages of Community News
Valrico
33 C E L E B R A T I N G
1 7
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
New Affordable Apartment Complex Opens In Valrico For Seniors
By Kate Quesada
Laburnum Gardens, an 81-unit apartment complex for seniors, opened earlier this month in Valrico.
maximum income for prospective residents ranges from $18,760 to $40,140, depending on family size. “Such public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly valuable as State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) funding has significantly declined in recent years,” said Pratt. Amenities at the complex include a
clubhouse and community area, elevators in all buildings, a nature trail and boardwalk and a shuffleboard court. “In order to build a strong economy, people need a place to lay their heads at night so they can take care of their families and take care of their lives,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman. “That foundation is key to a successful community and economy.” Laburnum Gardens is located at 1146 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For more information, visit the development’s website at www.laburnumgardens.com or call 278-5273.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
P O S I T I V E
12 C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Former Valrico Resident Is 2020 Florida State Teacher Of The Year
By Kate Quesada
Dr. Dakeyan the University of South Graham has another Florida, but credits his title to add to his success to the foundaname this month. tion he received at local Graham, who spent area schools. many years in the “If it weren’t for Valrico area attending Hillsborough County local schools, was Public Schools, I wouldselected as the 2020 n’t be where I am Florida State Teacher today,” he said. “That of the Year at an education, that foundaawards ceremony in tion, that learning, that Orlando in late July. passion for education The event was and passion to remain Dr. Dakeyan Graham, who attended the end of a long Valrico-area elementary and middle a student of life all road for Graham, a schools, was named the 2020 Florida came from my journey band, orchestra and State Teacher of the Year last month. through Hillsborough music theory teacher at King High School County.” who found out that he was nominated for In his new role as Teacher of the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year Year, Graham will travel the state, speakin December, an honor that he won in ing at schools and with legislators about January. the needs of his profession. He also has Florida’s 74 school districts sent their trips planned for Washington DC and winners to the State Teacher of the Year California to meet with the Teachers of Program committee and five finalists were the Year from other states. chosen based on their student gains, “My biggest goal for the year is to community involvement, teacher leaderpromote a greater understanding of colship and instructional practices. lective equity and the importance of workGraham, whose parents still live in ing for students and teachers,” said the Bloomingdale home where he grew Graham. “I hope to inspire action while up, was honored to have been chosen as bringing awareness to the issues our one of the finalists and even more honstate faces in education.” ored by being named the Christa To learn more about the Florida State McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, the Teacher of the Year process, visit statewide Teacher of the Year. www.floridateacherslead.org. “I was able to learn so much through the process and had the honor of meeting and getting to know an amazing group of educators and legislators,” said Graham, who spent time with many representatives from the Florida Department 26 of Education in panels and one-on-one meetings during the final interviews. A student at Lithia Springs 9/11 HEROES RUN .............................PG 9 Elementary for third through fifth grade, Graham also attended Burns and BLOOMINGDALE SQUARE................PG 13 Rodgers Middle Schools and graduated NEW FLORIDA LAWS........................PG 18 from King High School, where he will return to teaching after taking a year of CHALKLINES .....................................PG 32 leave to fulfill his role as Teacher of the Year. He also received his bachelor's and READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE master's degrees in music education from the University of Florida and PhD from
www.ospreyobserver.com
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
A new apartment complex in Valrico is helping to solve one of the area’s more difficult problems. Laburnum Gardens, located on Bloomingdale Ave., opened earlier this month and is offering affordable rental apartments for seniors. “All 81 units at Laburnum Gardens are reserved for seniors with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area’s median income,” said Todd Pratt, Hillsborough County’s Media Relations Strategist. Pratt explained that the maximum monthly rent will range from $502 for a one-bedroom unit to $904 for a two-bedroom apartment. Five of the units are designed for people with mobility challenges and two are for those with hearing or vision disabilities. “It is good and it’s clean, and the biggest thing is that it is new; brand-new,” said resident Armando Ocasio. “There are a couple of people that are in wheel chairs and it makes it easier for them and it’s comfortable.” Developed by Southport Development, Inc., the complex was partly funded by Hillsborough County. The
27
August 2019 Volume 16, Issue 8 Ph: 657-2418
2 for $7
Create Your Own Love It Ice Cream Expires 9/14/19
Buckhorn Elementary, with the help of local Keller Williams realtor Brenda McGlothin, surprised 75 third, fourth and fifth grade students who earned a 5 on their FSA or FSAA tests with congratulatory signs in their front yards. The teachers of the students and McGlothin helped deliver the signs over the course of four days from July 8-11. Read full article on page 3.
3426 Lithia Pinecrest Rd • Valrico (813) 681-2223 (located behind Chili’s)