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+ USF radio show to host breakfast The University of South Florida radio talk show, “People, News & Fashion” will spend Thanksgiving serving food to those in need in Plant City. The show, along with several businesses in Plant City and Lakeland, will host a Thanksgiving Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St., Plant City. Participating businesses include Allusions By A. Lekay, Pinup Girl Cosmetics, My Touch Barber Show, Jay Hunt Designs and Head Over Heels. For more information or to participate, call (813) 754-3834.
FREE • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 7, 2013
Springhead students enjoy annual fall fest.
Wrestlers enter squared circle for Marshall GQ.
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SAFE HAVEN by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
NEW LIFE IN BLOOM A father and his adopted daughter fled the Philippines after two natural disasters hit the neighboring province. They have found refuge in Plant City.
Editor’s note: Names have been changed to preserved anonymity. There were just 35 miles between Robert and the sheer destruction that crumbled Bohol in the Philippines. In the early morning hours of Oct. 15, a 7.2 earthquake rocked the province. Robert and his family lived across the strait in Cebu City. But, they were not spared from the natural disaster’s effects. They constantly felt the incessant aftershocks.
The ground didn’t shake like other earthquakes. Robert lifted his hand, moving it in a circular motion. The quake had set their world into swirling vertigo. “It was horrible,” Robert said. “There were so many (aftershocks.) You kept thinking, ‘Oh boy,it’s not over yet.’” Then, Typhoon Haiyan nailed the already tattered province. Robert heard stories of panic. Of looting and devastation. Even on his
own island, he saw his neighbors’ fear. “When something like this happens on an island like Negros, it changes the attitudes of the people,” Robert said. “And there’s no escaping. “You feel totally helpless; There is no plan,” he said. “There is no infrastructure.” Help was slow to come. He knew what he had to do. Rob-
SEE REFUGE / PAGE 4
Amber jurgensen
A father and daughter are hoping to rebuild their lives in Plant City.
+ Photo archives to present films The Plant City Photo Archives and History Center recently was awarded a set of four films chronicling the history of the civil rights movement. The films together are titled, “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle,” and were selected for this program by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History with support from the National Endowment for Humanities. The photo archives is partnering with community organizations to offer screenings and presentations that will begin in January 2014. The programs will take place at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, the Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City Campus, the Improvement League’s Bing Rooming House African-American Museum, Bruton Memorial Library, Bealsville Recreation Center and Union Station. Additional support for the community programs is provided by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council. For more, call (813) 754.1578 or visit plantcityphotoarchives.org.
This week’s winner is
Nancy Polk
See her photo on PAGE 14.
HOT OFF THE GRILL Michael Eng
Carey Willis, of Carey Willis BBQ and Catering, loved serving barbecue fans at this year’s Plant City Pig Jam, which took place Nov. 23, at the Randy L. Larson Four-Plex. For complete coverage, including a list of winners, see page 7.
governance by Michael Eng | Editor
FAITH by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Christ Community Café to dish out City to consider food, fellowship after Thanksgiving sale of alcohol Volunteers from
at McCall Park
Plant City-area churches organize and run the café.
It’s not cold yet. But the Evangelical Presbyterian Church’s Dorcas Circle is beating out Jack Frost by knitting about 60 different articles of clothing. From beige beanies to colorful scarves, the group will be passing the accessories out during interdenominational Christ Community Café’s free lunch this Friday. Christ Community Café tar-
SEE CAFE / PAGE 4
Plant city commissoners will discuss the ordinance change at the Dec. 9 meeting.
Amber Jurgensen
Organizers are excited to donate handmade scarves and other clothing at this week’s Christ Community Café lunch.
The Plant City Commission will consider changing its ordinance regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages during special events held at McCall Park and the Train Depot. The commission is scheduled to discuss the change at its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building, 302 W. Reynolds St.
INDEX Calendar.......................2
The consideration comes at the request of 10 Plant City civic groups that regularly host community events. The ability to sell beer and wine would make their events more successful and, in turn, boost the local economy. In addition to McCall Park and the Train Depot, some
SEE CITY / PAGE 4 Vol. 1, No. 18 | One section
Crossword...................14
Obituaries...................10
Opinion ........................6
Sports.........................11