Coffee with a Cop June 25

Coffee with a Cop June 25

by | May 16, 2019 | News

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.

 

JUNE 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

JUNE 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Meet the SCC History Contest winner, enjoy Coffee and Conversation, save the date for the July 4 Pancake Breakfast, get to know Executive Secretary Alisha Marshall, commiserate at the Rainbow Bridge, honor our Veterans, get a...

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Jun 26, 2019 |

Back 2 School Supply Drive The Boys and Girls Club needs your help!   Supplies Needed Black pens, blue pens, red pens, blunt-tip scissors, bottled glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, disinfectant wipes, dry erase markers, erasers, hand sanitizer,...

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Jun 21, 2019 |

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is in need of additional Crossing Guards for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. FROM THE HCSO “The Crossing Guard Program is seeking energetic and reliable candidates for a rewarding opportunity to serve the children...

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Jun 5, 2019 |

HCSO Community Resource Deputy Jeff Merry says residents need to watch out for new telephone scams: “Please be cautious when providing personal information over the telephone. There has been an increase in social security fraud telephone scams targeting...

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

Jun 2, 2019 |

Dozens of staff children attended National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at South Bay Hospital recently. This annual event is an educational program in the United States and Canada where parents take their children to work with them for one day....

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

May 29, 2019 | ,

In this issue… The new South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic welcomes patients, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day is commemorated in a very special way, and employees at South Bay Hospital bring their children to work for the day. Save the date for...

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

May 29, 2019 |

The Gulf Coast Regional Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be holding office hours in Sun City Center on Wednesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., in the Old Town Hall Ann Marie LeBlanc Room, 1002 Cherry Hills Drive. Meet your local staff and...

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

Veterans Fair Draws Tremendous Response

by | May 15, 2019 | Features

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.

Saluting Our Veterans

Saluting Our Veterans

Saluting Our Veterans By E. Adam Porter, Editor, and the News Team This month, I asked our reporters to join me in the Editor’s Corner to share about some of the veterans who have made a difference in their lives. If you are a veteran, thank you for your...

The November 2020 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The November 2020 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Relive a “Fantastic Day,” celebrate 25 years of dedicated service, mourn a “Loss to Our Community,” look back in time to 1962, “Meet the Candidates” for the SCCCA Board of Directors, go “Behind the Scenes” at Dancing With the...

A Guided Tour of Native Florida in SCC

A Guided Tour of Native Florida in SCC

A Guided Tour of Native Florida, Right Here in SCC By Diane M. Loeffler On the first Tuesday of the month, without fail, John Lampkin is at the West Campus Nature Trails at 9 a.m. ready to take you on a free tour. This is your chance to see how this area...

Local HLAA Members Make Windowed Masks

Local HLAA Members Make Windowed Masks

Local HLAA Members Make Windowed MasksBy Paula Lickfeldt Imagine being deaf or hearing impaired and using lip-reading as a way of conversing. Now imagine the onset of a pandemic that causes everyone to wear a mask over their mouth, rendering lip-reading...

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Jun 26, 2019 |

Back 2 School Supply Drive The Boys and Girls Club needs your help!   Supplies Needed Black pens, blue pens, red pens, blunt-tip scissors, bottled glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, disinfectant wipes, dry erase markers, erasers, hand sanitizer,...

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Jun 21, 2019 |

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is in need of additional Crossing Guards for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. FROM THE HCSO “The Crossing Guard Program is seeking energetic and reliable candidates for a rewarding opportunity to serve the children...

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Jun 5, 2019 |

HCSO Community Resource Deputy Jeff Merry says residents need to watch out for new telephone scams: “Please be cautious when providing personal information over the telephone. There has been an increase in social security fraud telephone scams targeting...

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

Jun 2, 2019 |

Dozens of staff children attended National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at South Bay Hospital recently. This annual event is an educational program in the United States and Canada where parents take their children to work with them for one day....

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

May 29, 2019 | ,

In this issue… The new South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic welcomes patients, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day is commemorated in a very special way, and employees at South Bay Hospital bring their children to work for the day. Save the date for...

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

May 29, 2019 |

The Gulf Coast Regional Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be holding office hours in Sun City Center on Wednesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., in the Old Town Hall Ann Marie LeBlanc Room, 1002 Cherry Hills Drive. Meet your local staff and...

Chalk Festival: Art on the Street, Literally!

Chalk Festival: Art on the Street, Literally!

by | May 13, 2019 | Features

Chalk Festival: Art on the Street, Literally!

By Diane M. Loeffler

 

Florida loves to throw a party. There are festivals and expos somewhere in central Florida nearly every weekend. The Chalk Festival may well be one of the most visually pleasing of all them. This year’s Chalk Festival theme was “The Chalk of the Town.” The event is usually held in Venice, but this year it was on the streets of Sarasota.

Getting there was an easy drive by car, but you could also hop on the bus provided by Glory Tours and let them drop you off right at one of the entrances.

Artists sat on the pavement and completed their masterpieces under a bright, Florida sun. Signs listed their names and the state or country from which they came. Some artists came from as far away as Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Lines crept past the works of art. Some onlookers asked the artists about their creations. A handful of the chalk drawings needed to be viewed from a specific place to see the 3D effect. A few artists set up lenses mounted so that observers could get the full effect.

If you would like to visit the Chalk Festival next year, you may wish to check their website, “chalkfestival.org”, or check the schedules provided by the local travel groups to see if they will have a bus going there. The two local bus options are Glory Tours, Kings Point North Clubhouse, and Sun City Travel Club, Community Hall, 1910 South Pebble Beach Road.  

The Florida Aquarium Releases Sea Turtles

The Florida Aquarium Releases Sea Turtles

The Florida Aquarium’s Animal Response Team successfully released two green sea turtles back into the Atlantic Ocean at Matanzas Inlet. “It’s always a great day when you get to see turtles go back into the wild after being rehabilitated. Izar holds a...

Blossoms of Asia at Selby Gardens

Blossoms of Asia at Selby Gardens

Blossoms of Asia at Selby GardensBy Kai Rambow Stunningly beautiful with seemingly infinite varieties, orchids fascinate even people who don’t pay much attention to flowers.  Selby Gardens does a tremendous job of creating thematic displays showcasing...

Clubs Strut Their Stuff at Another Successful “Hi, Neighbor!”

Clubs Strut Their Stuff at Another Successful “Hi, Neighbor!”

Clubs Strut Their Stuff at Another Successful “Hi, Neighbor!”By Bob Sanchez Hundreds of residents poured into Community Hall for “Hi, Neighbor!” on November 7, when representatives from 94 clubs and organizations welcomed them with smiles, colorful...

Saluting all who serve

Saluting all who serve

Saluting all who serveBy E. Adam Porter, Editor The dogs started barking as he came up the walk. They are always excited to see him, as are his not-so-little-anymore brothers, who got to the door just seconds after the Golden Retrievers. My eldest son,...

Home for the Holidays with the 2019 Golf Cart Parade

Home for the Holidays with the 2019 Golf Cart Parade

Home for the Holidays with the 2019 Golf Cart ParadeBy Bob Sanchez Mark your calendars for the Home for the Holidays Golf Cart Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 14. CA Director Larry Smith, the event coordinator, says that residents from Sun City...

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Jun 26, 2019 |

Back 2 School Supply Drive The Boys and Girls Club needs your help!   Supplies Needed Black pens, blue pens, red pens, blunt-tip scissors, bottled glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, disinfectant wipes, dry erase markers, erasers, hand sanitizer,...

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Jun 21, 2019 |

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is in need of additional Crossing Guards for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. FROM THE HCSO “The Crossing Guard Program is seeking energetic and reliable candidates for a rewarding opportunity to serve the children...

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Jun 5, 2019 |

HCSO Community Resource Deputy Jeff Merry says residents need to watch out for new telephone scams: “Please be cautious when providing personal information over the telephone. There has been an increase in social security fraud telephone scams targeting...

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

Jun 2, 2019 |

Dozens of staff children attended National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at South Bay Hospital recently. This annual event is an educational program in the United States and Canada where parents take their children to work with them for one day....

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

May 29, 2019 | ,

In this issue… The new South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic welcomes patients, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day is commemorated in a very special way, and employees at South Bay Hospital bring their children to work for the day. Save the date for...

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

May 29, 2019 |

The Gulf Coast Regional Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be holding office hours in Sun City Center on Wednesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., in the Old Town Hall Ann Marie LeBlanc Room, 1002 Cherry Hills Drive. Meet your local staff and...

South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic to Open May 21

South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic to Open May 21

by | May 10, 2019 | News

The highly-anticipated VA South Hillsborough Outpatient Clinic is scheduled to open May 21. Located at 12920 Summerfield Crossing Boulevard, at the corner of US-301, the 50,000-square-foot clinic expects to serve more than 10,000 Veterans residing in Riverview, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Gibsonton, Wimauma, and Apollo Beach.

Open House May 14

The medical team will be led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patricia Mossop; and the services provided will include: primary care including women’s primary care, radiology, audiology, dietary and mental health counseling, laboratory, pharmacy, physical medicine and rehab, respiratory therapy, social work, prosthetics, telehealth, podiatry, and patient advocacy.

While there are no geographical restrictions on where Veterans may receive care, patients of providers moving from the Primary Care Annex to the new South Hillsborough clinic and existing Haley patients will be given priority. Patients who wish to have their care transferred to the new clinic should discuss this with their Primary Care Physician.

Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA health care should contact the VA’s Enrollment & Eligibility Office at 813.972.2000 ext. 1710, or visit “www.tampa.va.gov/patients/eligibility.asp” for further information. An open house is scheduled for May 14. The first patient day will be May 21.

 

Note: Some facts provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Cygnet Yacht Club Awards

Cygnet Yacht Club Awards

Cygnet Yacht Club AwardsBy Paula Lickfeldt, Photo by Rich Link On May 3, the members of the Cygnet Yacht Club had dinner at Club Renaissance. They had a night of socializing and awarded the trophies that the members had won the month before....

Meet Your Neighbor: Young Chung-Hall

Meet Your Neighbor: Young Chung-Hall

Meet Your Neighbor: Young Chung-HallBy Ilona Merritt It was a cool morning when I met Young in the Tillers & Toilers Garden. She radiated warmth and friendliness, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting and informative visits I...

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Jun 26, 2019 |

Back 2 School Supply Drive The Boys and Girls Club needs your help!   Supplies Needed Black pens, blue pens, red pens, blunt-tip scissors, bottled glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, disinfectant wipes, dry erase markers, erasers, hand sanitizer,...

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Jun 21, 2019 |

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is in need of additional Crossing Guards for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. FROM THE HCSO “The Crossing Guard Program is seeking energetic and reliable candidates for a rewarding opportunity to serve the children...

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Jun 5, 2019 |

HCSO Community Resource Deputy Jeff Merry says residents need to watch out for new telephone scams: “Please be cautious when providing personal information over the telephone. There has been an increase in social security fraud telephone scams targeting...

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

Jun 2, 2019 |

Dozens of staff children attended National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at South Bay Hospital recently. This annual event is an educational program in the United States and Canada where parents take their children to work with them for one day....

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

May 29, 2019 | ,

In this issue… The new South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic welcomes patients, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day is commemorated in a very special way, and employees at South Bay Hospital bring their children to work for the day. Save the date for...

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

May 29, 2019 |

The Gulf Coast Regional Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be holding office hours in Sun City Center on Wednesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., in the Old Town Hall Ann Marie LeBlanc Room, 1002 Cherry Hills Drive. Meet your local staff and...

The Comics Club Celebrates 30 Years

The Comics Club Celebrates 30 Years

by | May 1, 2019 | Features

When it comes to fun businesses, selling comic books, games and toys ranks up there with the best of them. That’s exactly what The Comics Club in Brandon, Fla., has been doing for since 1989. For D.J. Stamper, owner of The Comics Club, it just gets better and better with each passing year.

“It’s a golden age for comic books, comic book-related movies and television shows, and for entertainment retailers like me who get to be at the center of it all at our comic shops,” said Stamper.

According to Stamper, it was in early 1989 that he made the decision to start a mail-order business selling comic books to fans and collectors. Starting with 3,000 comic books from his own collection, Stamper grew the business year-by-year, accumulating an ever-growing inventory of comic books and other collectibles. When his inventory reached 20,000 comics, in 1994, he launched The Comics Club into the retail world with a brick and mortar store. Today, his inventory has expanded to more than 120,000 comic books, plus thousands of graphic novels, as well as hundreds of games and toys.

“My love of comic books, especially the amazing artwork that the medium is known for, has been part of my life since I was a child growing up in Michigan. I have spent my adult life as a self-professed comic book pusher, trying to get as many people as possible involved in this great fun hobby,” says Stamper.

In celebration of its 30 years in business, The Comics Club has been offering monthly discounts on selected merchandise at 30 percent off, the sale changing to offer different items from different categories of merchandise (comics, games and toys) each month. But the first big event of the year, Free Comic Book Day on May 4, will be extra special this year.

“We’ve been helping fans enjoy their hobby for three decades now. It’s always brought me great joy to see a fan get that hard-to-find comic that fills out a collection, or to listen to them talk about their favorite games. It’s just that kind of business – much more fun than it is work.”

The Comics Club is located at 714 W. Lumsden Rd, Brandon, FL. 33511, For hours and other information, call 813-653-4111.

Saluting Our Veterans

Saluting Our Veterans

Saluting Our Veterans By E. Adam Porter, Editor, and the News Team This month, I asked our reporters to join me in the Editor’s Corner to share about some of the veterans who have made a difference in their lives. If you are a veteran, thank you for your...

The November 2020 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The November 2020 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

In this issue… Relive a “Fantastic Day,” celebrate 25 years of dedicated service, mourn a “Loss to Our Community,” look back in time to 1962, “Meet the Candidates” for the SCCCA Board of Directors, go “Behind the Scenes” at Dancing With the...

A Guided Tour of Native Florida in SCC

A Guided Tour of Native Florida in SCC

A Guided Tour of Native Florida, Right Here in SCC By Diane M. Loeffler On the first Tuesday of the month, without fail, John Lampkin is at the West Campus Nature Trails at 9 a.m. ready to take you on a free tour. This is your chance to see how this area...

Local HLAA Members Make Windowed Masks

Local HLAA Members Make Windowed Masks

Local HLAA Members Make Windowed MasksBy Paula Lickfeldt Imagine being deaf or hearing impaired and using lip-reading as a way of conversing. Now imagine the onset of a pandemic that causes everyone to wear a mask over their mouth, rendering lip-reading...

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Back 2 School Supply Drive

Jun 26, 2019 |

Back 2 School Supply Drive The Boys and Girls Club needs your help!   Supplies Needed Black pens, blue pens, red pens, blunt-tip scissors, bottled glue, glue sticks, colored pencils, disinfectant wipes, dry erase markers, erasers, hand sanitizer,...

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Crossing Guards Needed for Upcoming School Year

Jun 21, 2019 |

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is in need of additional Crossing Guards for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. FROM THE HCSO “The Crossing Guard Program is seeking energetic and reliable candidates for a rewarding opportunity to serve the children...

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Social Security Phone Scams Increase

Jun 5, 2019 |

HCSO Community Resource Deputy Jeff Merry says residents need to watch out for new telephone scams: “Please be cautious when providing personal information over the telephone. There has been an increase in social security fraud telephone scams targeting...

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

South Bay Hospital Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day

Jun 2, 2019 |

Dozens of staff children attended National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at South Bay Hospital recently. This annual event is an educational program in the United States and Canada where parents take their children to work with them for one day....

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

The June 2019 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!

May 29, 2019 | ,

In this issue… The new South Hillsborough Veterans Clinic welcomes patients, the 75th Anniversary of D-Day is commemorated in a very special way, and employees at South Bay Hospital bring their children to work for the day. Save the date for...

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

Senator Rubio Mobile Office in SCC on June 5

May 29, 2019 |

The Gulf Coast Regional Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will be holding office hours in Sun City Center on Wednesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., in the Old Town Hall Ann Marie LeBlanc Room, 1002 Cherry Hills Drive. Meet your local staff and...