Two Sections, 44 Pages of Community News
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Riverview/Apollo Beach
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July 2018 1 6
Y E A R S
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Volume 16, Issue 7 Ph: 657-2418 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
Couple Gets Engaged At ‘Senior’ Prom Community Rallies Behind 24 Families By Mia Cafaro Affected By Apartment Fire months ago at the Town N’ Country
The newly engaged Jaime Rodriguez and Luz Rivera pose for a picture at the senior prom hosted by Hillsborough County at The Regent.
By Kate Quesada
When fire broke out at the Allegro Palms Condos in Riverview last month, more than 80 people were displaced from their homes. But from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to students at Spoto High School, the community assisted officials and rallied behind its residents, helping them find places to live and replacing lost items and clothing. According to Eric Seidel, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer, 24 households were damaged by the fire, which is likely to have been caused by one of two lightning strikes in the area. Metropolitan Ministries, the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross began work right away to help the displaced and upon hearing of the need, the community responded quickly with help for the victims. “Retail stores on Bloomingdale Ave., Target and Wal-Mart, got involved with donations,” said HCSO Community Resource Deputy Clifford Fletcher. “We partnered with them by delivering clothing, beds and other items to the apartment collection center.” Six of the families had ties to nearby Spoto High School, so when school English Department Head Adam Sherman and Ninth Grade Reading Team Leader Millie Fleming realized some of their own needed help, they jumped into action. Along with the
The community rallied behind victims of the fire that caused more than 80 people to lose their homes at The Allegro Palms Condos in Riverview last month with donations through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Spoto High School.
school’s Resource Officer Katherine Brown, Principal David New and Assistant Principal of Curriculum Deanna Fisher, they sent out information to the school community letting them know what the victims needed. “Our community really stepped up
Continued on Page 5
In This Issue
NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT...............PG 3
NEW SCHOOL SIDEWALKS................PG 4 MEET COMMISIONER WHITE.........PG 11 GIFT OF HAIR LOCKS ........................PG 13
READY TO VOTE?............................PG 14 MONSTER TRUCK ...........................PG 21 SPORTS CONNECTION.................PGS 42‐43
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On June 22, the lives of Jaime Rodriguez, age 78, and Luz Rivera, age 69, changed forever when Rodriguez popped the question at the ‘senior’ prom hosted by Hillsborough County at The Regent in Riverview. At first glance, the prom looked like any other party, complete with loud music, elaborate costumes, and dancing couples. The prom court strutted their way out to center stage, and the king and queen were crowned. It was after this that a surprise event took place. Rivera was asked to come to center stage, much to her surprise. Rodriguez followed her out, telling the emcee, “If I get down on a knee, you’ll have to help me up.” “When I first saw this lady, I thought, This is it!” Rodriguez announced to the crowd before asking Rivera to marry him. She gave an ecstatic “Yes!” and he slipped an engagement ring on her finger. The couple then danced to Love Me Tender, and was congratulated by groups of supportive friends. Rodriguez and Rivera met six
Senior Center. They started dating two months ago with a dinner trip to Bahama Breeze. Rivera’s daughter Variluz Soto, who was there for the proposal, said “They party every day.” Rivera was married to Soto’s father for 38 years before they divorced. After the divorce, she did not think she could ever see herself with anyone else until she met Rodriguez. When asked if he had been married before, Rodriguez quietly answered that he had been married four times, before playfully putting a finger to his lips. Rodriguez and Rivera have not yet made any wedding plans, but are already scheming for their honeymoon. They plan to either take a cruise, or visit Puerto Rico, where they are both originally from. “Our life is going to change,” said Rivera. The heartwarming proposal was done in public so the couple could share their joy with their many friends and declare their love for one another. “It shows you can find love at any age,” said Frances Duran Brea, the general manager for the Town N’ Country center. Rodriguez and Rivera will be spending the rest of their days side-by-side at the Town N’ Country center, where more adventures are sure to come.
Hillsborough County Public School employees became certified yoga instructors over the summer thanks to the Breathe For Change pragram. The training took place at Dawson Elementary School. The program, started by former pre-K teacher, Ilana Nankin, offers certification with 200 hours of instruction over 16 days. See full story on page 12.
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