Riverview/Apollo Beach
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C E L E B R A T I N G
December 2018 Volume 16, Issue 12 Ph: 657-2418 1 6
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
60 N E W S
Local Teen Hosts Concert To Benefit High School Best Buddies Program
Options For Future Southshore Transit Opportunities Discussed At Meeting
Musician Billy Joel School’s Best once said, “Musicians Buddies program. want to be the loud voice “Leaven Brewing has for so many quiet been open for almost hearts.” Seventeen-yeara year and is becomold Riverview High ing a local fixture for School student, Riley neighbors and friends Stanley, is the voice for to meet up with their many quiet hearts of stufamilies and dogs to dents in the Best enjoy some good Buddies program at food and beverages,” Riverview High School. “I Stanley said. “Jillian started playing guitar and K.J., the owners when I was about 8of Leaven have been years-old and began to very supportive of me; sing when I joined the they gave me my first Seventeen-year-old Riverview High chorus department at School student, Riley Stanley will be paid gig when I was Riverview High School,” hosting at concert at Leaven Brewing only 16-years-old. It in Riverview on Saturday, December was a great success Stanley said. “I have 22 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. He will be always loved music. I donating all his tips from his perform- and a lot of fun. They first heard The Monkees ance to Riverview High School’s Best are excited about this and The Beatles when I Buddies program. Leaven Brewing is performance and that located at 11238 Boyette Rd. in was about seven and it the money raised will Riverview. created a connection to be going to Best music that continues now, and I think Buddies at Riverview High School.” would always be a part of my life. In fact, Stanley hopes to raise as much money many of the songs I play now are songs as possible for the Riverview High from The Beatles that I loved as an eleSchool’s Best Buddies program as they mentary school student. ”Best Buddies is prepare for the annual Friendship Walk in an organization that helps people with downtown Tampa on Saturday, May 4. “I intellectual and developmental disabilities would be happy with any amount of by creating personal relationships money that I can raise, but the more the between them and their fellow students. better, of course,” Stanley said. “I would “Growing up I had the opportunity to also like to raise awareness for the Best spend a lot of time around children with Buddies program. It would be great to get special needs,” Stanley said. “These more people involved.” important interactions have given me a If you would like to check out some desire to help others. I joined Best of Stanley’s live performances, you can Buddies as soon as I got to Riverview visit his YouTube Channel at High School.” Stanley will be hosting a https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAN4 concert at Leaven Brewing in Riverview Llx6l4naqfHWgcUSzoA/videos. To learn on Saturday, December 22 from 7 p.m.more about Best Buddies, visit www.best10 p.m. He will be donating all his tips buddies.org. Leaven Brewing is located at from his performance to Riverview High 11238 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.
Riverview reshigh-speed ferries locatident Jim Johnson ed in Gibsonton and looks forward with Apollo Beach would anticipation to quickly transport workrelief of southeast ers downtown. Hillsborough Gannett Fleming County’s congestconsultant Jeanette ed roadways. He Park said mobility hubs learned of a possicould be constructed ble plan to help where people could alleviate that conpark and share rides, gestion at the where bike rentals Southshore Transit would be available and Study where you could maybe Reevaluation get a cup of coffee meeting held at while you’re waiting for Riverview resident Jim Johnson looks Southshore over plans to increase HART bus service your bus. in the Southshore area. Regional Library “The idea is to creand hosted by the Hillsborough ate an area that is pleasant so people Metropolitan Planning Organization. can connect with different modes of transJohnson, who is also a board emeriportation,” she said. tus member of The Greater Riverview All five phases come at an estimated Chamber of Commerce, has lived in price tag of more than $15 million dollars. Riverview since 1957 and has watched While these proposals might give his community transform from a sleepy some Southshore residents hope for less Tampa suburb to a booming metropolis. congested roadways, these proposals “There was a time when you could must be approved by HART’s board and take a nap on Highway 301, which was the funding secured. only two lanes, and not get hit,” he joked. For more about the Southshore That wouldn’t be recommended Transit Study and its findings contact today. Sarah McKinley at the Hillsborough A big fan of HART’s bus system, Metropolitan Planning Organization at Johnson prefers keeping his car at home 273-3774 or mckinleys@plancom.org. and leaving the driving to someone else. Looking at maps detailing possible expansion of the bus service, he is In This Issue intrigued by the proposal. “This looks promising,” he said. The recommendations presented by STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL CONCERTS ...PG 3 consulting group Gannett Fleming recommended a five-phase process to increase NEW SPORTSPLEX..............................PG 9 bus service in Riverview, Gibsonton, TECO MANATEE VIEWING ...............PG 12 Apollo Beach, Ruskin and Sun City Center. TOYS FOR TOTS ................................PG 15 In the first phase, Hwy. 301 and Hwy. EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 2526 41 buses would offer increased frequency during peak times as well as Saturday SPORTS CONNECTION......................PG 34 service. A park-and-ride lot would also be CHALKLINES .....................................PG 38 constructed on Gibsonton Drive. Each phase would build upon previREAD MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE ous phases, adding additional routes and www.ospreyobserver.com frequency. In phase five, two proposed
By Michelle Caceres
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A Coach Bingo was recently held at the Winthrop Barn to raise funds for Impact, which commits teens to healthy relationships. L-r: Kerrie Hoening, Impact Bingo Coordinator, Terry Vassalotti, coach bag winner and Angie Kagey, Impact's Executive Director.
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