Florida Aquarium Honors Our Military This Memorial Day

Florida Aquarium Honors Our Military This Memorial Day

This Memorial Day Weekend and every day, The Florida Aquarium remembers the fallen and thanks all military members and veterans for protecting and serving our country. Join them Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 24 – Monday, May 27, 2019, with amazing animals and plants that call the Aquarium home. The Aquarium is open every day: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

During this upcoming holiday weekend, all active duty, veteran, retired or drilling reservist or National Guardsman can receive two free* general admission tickets. Additional guests (up to four people) also can get an exclusive 50% off Aquarium general admission ticket. To receive this ticket promotion, a valid military ID must be presented at The Florida Aquarium ticket office. Tickets are not available for advance online purchase.

While at the Aquarium, go from tree level to sea level and see more than 14,000 animals, including native Florida birds and otters, to sharks, alligators, seahorses and more. You are sure to have a fantastic experience. Sights include a large simulated wetlands environment located under a tall glass atrium, shallow bays, and beaches, and a coral reef ecosystem encompassed in half a million gallons of natural seawater.

After exploring all the exhibits inside, come aboard the 72-foot Wild Dolphin Cruise catamaran for a 75-minute excursion around Tampa Bay for a chance to see wild dolphins and seabirds in their natural habitat. (Reservations and an additional charge are required for the Wild Dolphin Cruise.)

To learn more about Memorial Day at The Florida Aquarium and all of the upcoming events offered at The Florida Aquarium year-round, visit the website.

 

*Offer includes any active duty, veteran, retired or drilling reservist or National Guardsmen and must be redeemed with a valid military ID at The Florida Aquarium Ticket Office. 

August 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

August 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

In this issue… Celebrate graduation with new firefighters, relive the fun of the pancake breakfast and pool party, get some “creative junk therapy,” catch up with the Security Patrol, get some education about dementia and human trafficking,...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Your Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations is reaching out to SCC neighborhood residents to join the kick-off for residential solid waste customers in the unincorporated areas. Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management is hosting a meeting...

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio ClubsReady to Help in a Community EmergencyBy Paula Lickfeldt Five days a week, Monday through Friday you can find members of the Sun City Center Amateur Radio Club in their "club room," which is in the hurricane resistant...

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s VetsA Breakfast Get Together for All Veterans, Their Spouses and Their FriendsBy Diane M. Loeffler Thursday mornings are special for veterans who are within driving distance of the Ruskin Bob Evans restaurant. A large area is set aside for veterans...

Camp Bayou gets ready for summer!

Camp Bayou gets ready for summer!

Camp Bayou Gets Ready for Summer!

By Dolly Cummings, Director Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center

 

There’s lots of sun and fun this season as Camp Bayou gets ready for summer! Saturday, June 1 is National Trails Day. There will be cart tours, scavenger hunts, and other activities. New this year is our guided Fern Walk, starting at 9 a.m. Explore the wild west side of Camp Bayou, for a trail that is less traveled. No registration necessary. An 8 a.m. Fun Run will hit the trails for an easy 5K. Those who complete the run will be treated to ice cold watermelon slices as a reward. Register here.

The Third Saturday Paddle Tours continue through the summer, as weather conditions allow. Be sure to reserve your space if you wish to join the group. Call 813-641-8545. You can rent a canoe or kayak for just $25 or bring your own for a $5 donation. Please arrive by 9 a.m. for a 90-minute tour. 

Save the Date: Saturday, August 3, 2019 is our annual Back to School-Back to Nature event, 9 – noon. Kids visit various nature stations and get a free school supply item, plus raffles for backpacks, binders and more!

Teachers: the school year may be just about over but it’s never too early to book your field trips for the fall. Fill out this request form to secure your preferred day.

Camp Bayou is always looking for a few good volunteers to help with youth programs, plus other tasks that keep the Center running smoothly. If you are interested in volunteering, fill out this volunteer form.

The Center is open from Thursday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks. General admission is still free.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (B.O.L.D.), and Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management. Camp Bayou is located three miles south of SR-674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. Visit the website.

 

In the photo: Kids enjoy discovering critters at Camp Bayou! (Photo courtesy Camp Bayou)

Steps in Coral Conservation Celebrated

Steps in Coral Conservation Celebrated

Newly out-planted mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) are growing in Biscayne National Park (BNP). This important act of conservation is a direct result of a partnership between The Florida Aquarium and Biscayne National Park. As an important...

July 2022 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

July 2022 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Save the date for SCCCA Family Fun Day, welcome Jeff Parsons to the SCCCA Board, enjoy the beauty of local nesting birds, celebrate a truly great photo exhibit, catch up on local road improvements, remember our veterans as we...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Your Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations is reaching out to SCC neighborhood residents to join the kick-off for residential solid waste customers in the unincorporated areas. Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management is hosting a meeting...

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio ClubsReady to Help in a Community EmergencyBy Paula Lickfeldt Five days a week, Monday through Friday you can find members of the Sun City Center Amateur Radio Club in their "club room," which is in the hurricane resistant...

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s VetsA Breakfast Get Together for All Veterans, Their Spouses and Their FriendsBy Diane M. Loeffler Thursday mornings are special for veterans who are within driving distance of the Ruskin Bob Evans restaurant. A large area is set aside for veterans...

Amsterdam Newest Non-stop Service

Amsterdam Newest Non-stop Service

Amsterdam Newest Non-stop Service

By Kai Rambow

 

Delta Airlines recently celebrated their inauguration of non-stop service from Tampa to Amsterdam. The following non-stop options are now available to us:  British Airways and Norwegian to London Gatwick; Edelweiss to Zurich; Icelandair to Reykjavik; and Lufthansa to Frankfurt.

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Your Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations is reaching out to SCC neighborhood residents to join the kick-off for residential solid waste customers in the unincorporated areas. Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management is hosting a meeting...

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio ClubsReady to Help in a Community EmergencyBy Paula Lickfeldt Five days a week, Monday through Friday you can find members of the Sun City Center Amateur Radio Club in their "club room," which is in the hurricane resistant...

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s VetsA Breakfast Get Together for All Veterans, Their Spouses and Their FriendsBy Diane M. Loeffler Thursday mornings are special for veterans who are within driving distance of the Ruskin Bob Evans restaurant. A large area is set aside for veterans...

Coffee with a Cop June 25

Coffee with a Cop June 25

Deputy Jeffrey Merry would like to invite you to join your neighbors and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies for “Coffee with a Cop” on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, 8 to 9 a.m., at the Ruskin Dunkin Donuts location, 717 Cypress Creek Blvd.

Deputy Merry says this is an opportunity to have a conversation with your local patrol deputies and detectives. He has invited Sheriff Chronister to attend.

 

August 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

August 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

In this issue… Celebrate graduation with new firefighters, relive the fun of the pancake breakfast and pool party, get some “creative junk therapy,” catch up with the Security Patrol, get some education about dementia and human trafficking,...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Your Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations is reaching out to SCC neighborhood residents to join the kick-off for residential solid waste customers in the unincorporated areas. Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management is hosting a meeting...

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio ClubsReady to Help in a Community EmergencyBy Paula Lickfeldt Five days a week, Monday through Friday you can find members of the Sun City Center Amateur Radio Club in their "club room," which is in the hurricane resistant...

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s VetsA Breakfast Get Together for All Veterans, Their Spouses and Their FriendsBy Diane M. Loeffler Thursday mornings are special for veterans who are within driving distance of the Ruskin Bob Evans restaurant. A large area is set aside for veterans...

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

By Kai Rambow

 

“I went all the way around, and I probably stopped at ninety percent of the tables,” commented wheelchair-bound veteran, Patrick Clarahan.  “Just about every table, people were very easy to talk to.  There were a few tables at which I had to wait, but it wasn’t that bad.”

The wait was due to the tremendous response from community veterans. Hundreds showed up to learn about services available to them. Pam Smith-Beatty, a 21-year veteran herself, is the Women Veterans Program Manager with the VA.  When asked about the focus on women, Smith-Beatty illuminated: “A lot of times they don’t think of themselves as veterans. Women do so many things, they often push their service to the side and we don’t think about it. In reality, that service means that you’re eligible for health benefits, care, loans and the GI bill. If you’ve ever served in any service, you should look and see what you’re benefits might be.”

Not knowing what is available was a common theme. Manuel Guevara with The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay shared how very few veterans knew about their center. “It is the epicenter for crises or referral.  We answer the 211 calls, the substance abuse hotline, and the suicide prevention line.” Just about any question related to mental health and well-being can probably be answered by this center.  More importantly, they can let veterans know where to find help.

Clarahan was enthused to learn about some extracurricular activities that should help him get out of the house more.  “Because of my disabilities, I spend a lot of my time watching TV.”  This well attended event was clearly helpful to many veterans.

 

In the photo: Bud Brubaker and Bill McKiernan volunteered to let Marine veterans know about the Leathernecks club.

May 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

May 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… The Photo Club members wow us once again, the SCCCA announces a very important Town Hall meeting; a local Club donates thousands for lifesaving equipment; we visit the reopened Tampa Theatre; make some local Family Connections;...

April 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

April 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Visit the Arcadia Rodeo, laugh and learn with Phoney Baloney, marvel at the blue Angels, enjoy Gazebo concerts, celebrate local volunteers, appreciate Andy Ledoux, take a Nature Break, join a grief support group, explore the...

March 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

March 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Hear from the newly elected SCCCA Board Members, see who helped SCC residents get their COVID-19 vaccine, get away for the day at Apollo Beach Preserve, mark your calendars for a very special livestream theater event, enjoy a...

The February 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS

The February 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS

In this issue… Get to know the SCC Beautification Corporation, discover who won the SCC Photo Club’s Best of the Best contest, get up to date on local infrastructure projects, stay on your toes with the Ballet Club, explore art and nature at...

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The August 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Recall the fun of the Fourth of July Breakfast and Pool Party, find a new and interesting story in local Book Nooks, meet a neighbor who’s a real clown, and get to know a creative local sculptor. Then, discover an idyllic North...

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

SCCCA Pool Party Aug 10

The SCC Community Association will sponsor a pool party on August 10, at the Community Pool off Cherry Hills Drive. Music will be provided by local musician Marc Chamberlin. The café will offer food and drink specials, and the water volleyball club will be...

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

Third Annual Christmas in July a Tremendous Success

The United Methodist Church of SCC, in partnership with The Kiwanis Club, hosted the Third Annual Christmas in July event to benefit Southshore area children on Saturday, July 13 in the LEC Hall.    Approximately 200 kids and their parents, came to...

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Waste Management Meeting — Important Change

Your Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations is reaching out to SCC neighborhood residents to join the kick-off for residential solid waste customers in the unincorporated areas. Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management is hosting a meeting...

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio Clubs

SCC and KP Amateur Radio ClubsReady to Help in a Community EmergencyBy Paula Lickfeldt Five days a week, Monday through Friday you can find members of the Sun City Center Amateur Radio Club in their "club room," which is in the hurricane resistant...

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s Vets

Bob’s VetsA Breakfast Get Together for All Veterans, Their Spouses and Their FriendsBy Diane M. Loeffler Thursday mornings are special for veterans who are within driving distance of the Ruskin Bob Evans restaurant. A large area is set aside for veterans...