Details Inside. Homeowners Association Is Hoping THINGS to DO Residents Will Want to Fill Additional Photo: Miriam Leech Page 6 Patrol Shifts, Especially on Weekends

VOLUME XXXIII ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2013 CITIZENS ON PatROL By: Miriam Leech ARE EYES AND EARS OF Bloomingdale commUNITY While driving through the Bloomingdale area it is not uncommon to spot them guarding crosswalks, assisting motorists or directing traffic. Santa These volunteers are members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office IS coming bacK to (HCSO) Citizens on Patrol (COP) SANTA Bloomingdale! initiative. They serve a vital role in our Page 5 neighborhood, and the Bloomingdale DetailS INSIDE. Homeowners Association is hoping THINGS TO DO residents will want to fill additional Photo: Miriam Leech Page 6 patrol shifts, especially on weekends. As volunteer COPs, Bloomingdale resident The COP program consists of trained volunteers whose primary job is to patrol Kathy Samuelsen and her partner, Kelly Polick, BHA MEMBERSHIP neighborhoods and act as another set of eyes and ears for law enforcement. “It takes keep their eyes and ears on the Bloomingdale DRIVE Continued on Page 8 area during the evening hours. Page 10 AREA RESIDENTS taKE to THE STREET By: Kim Miller NEW RECYCLING FOR SIXTH ANNUAL PLAZA BELLA PINK WALK GUIDELINES Page 14 Plaza Bella (Bell Shoals Road and Bloomingdale Avenue), hosted its 6th annual breast cancer awareness walk on Saturday, Oct. 19, in CAN-DO UPDATE conjunction with breast cancer awareness month. Page 16 Roz Creager, Green Boutique owner, originally came up with the idea of the Pink Walk after BHA INs & OUTs being part of the American Cancer Society, Page 17 and serving on its board for 13 years in Tampa. She chaired the breast cancer fashion show, and SCHOOL NEWS was part of the Making Strides Against Breast Page 21 Cancer fundraisers held in Tampa. Said Creager, “I thought why we don’t do something like this out in Brandon?” Six years and five events later, $80,000 has been raised by the walk for breast cancer treatment and research. Roz hopes this year’s total exceeds the $23,000 raised at the Photo: Kim Wallace 2012 Pink Walk. Continued on Page 5 Green Boutique owner, Roz Creager, captures the enthusiastic crowd prior to this year’s Pink Walk. “I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” Henry David Thoreau Let us put our experience and expertise to work for you… If you’re looking to sell, buy, need advice with short sales or foreclosures, considering new construction… Give us a call!!! We are a Certified Distressed Property Expert! 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Offered at $189,900 $460,000 4406 Castlebar Way • BloomingdaleDonna&AlexWa920lkerAcademy Dr (Parkland Estates) A special greeting of Thanksgiving time to express to you our sincere appreciation Oversized backyard, cul de sac, Bristol Meticulously maintained and beautiful, Greens in Bloomingdale, you will love for your confidence and loyalty. this pool home has all the charm & beauty everything about this home. We are deeply thankful and you could ask for. 5 BR, 3 full baths, 2 half Open floor plan, 4 BR, 3 BA, +dining room bath, formal areas+ large family room w/ + office + 3 CG pool home. Partially fenced extend to you our best wishes fireplace. Updated throughout to include backyard and lots of privacy. SS for a happy and healthy granite, SS appliances, hardwood floors, appliances in kitchen with center island. newer roof, gorgeous landscaping. Just 2591 SF. Offered at Thanksgiving Day under 3400 SF. Offered at $292,713 $340,000 www.DonnaWalkerTeam.com 050667-01 2 2 THE BLOOMINGDALE GAZETTE YoUR commUNITY NEWSpapeR SUZANNE JONES Editor - The Bloomingdale Gazette P.O. Box 7221 YOUR INSIDE connectionS Brandon, Florida 33508 - (813) 681-2051 Email: [email protected] Website: www.BloomingdaleGazette.com Bloomingdale Homeowners Association, Inc. P.O. Box 7221 - Brandon, Florida 33508 - (813) 681-2051 Email: [email protected] TONY DEL CAStillo Website: www.BloomingdaleGazette.com General Manager Brandon & Southshore Times BHA Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 11268 Winthrop Main Street, Suite 101 the Offices of Bloomingdale Special Taxing District: Riverview, Florida 33578 - (813) 661-2438 3509 Bell Shoals Road Email: [email protected] Valrico, Florida 33596 Directors at Large: The official publication of the BHA since 1980 President: George T. May IV William H. Knight Dina White Treasurer: Dennis Osborn Billy Hightower Joanie Wilson The Gazette is delivered free to Bloomingdale residents on the Secretary: Daniel Berkowitz Mary Galin Ken Smith first Saturday of each month. #1 Keller Williams Individual Brandon Agent 2003-2012 A special greeting of Thanksgiving time to express to you our sincere appreciation for your confidence and loyalty. We are deeply thankful and extend to you our best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day If you want your home ...call the agent that has SOLD rather than become a “HOUSE SOLD” JUST LISTED... name 813-661-2476 Steve Moran, P.A. www.stevemoran.com 050670-01 NOVEMBER 2013 3 YARD OF THE MONTH Bloomingdale Special taXING DISTRICT 3509 Bell Shoals Road Valrico, Florida 33596 (813) 684-6667 Office (813) 684-2358 Fax [email protected] Photo: Suzanne Jones David P. West, President Kevin & Joy Merschdorf Mike Chanen, Vice President 3925 Applegate Circle (Bloomingdale West) Mark Horst, Treasurer Yard of the Month is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Bloomingdale Jereme Monette, Secretary Send your Yard of the Month nominations to: Mark Vargo, Trustee [email protected] or call (813) 681-2051 Robert Ellis, Trustee Winners will recieve a $25 gift card redeemable at Ace Hardware of Bloomingdale Pre-K to Grade 12 Reading Writing Math Grammar Study Skills Homework SAT/ACT Prep Better grades start at GradePower Learning School doesn’t always have to be a struggle. In fact, some kids love it—and not just because of friends or good grades. �� school. It just takes GradePower Learning to show them how. �� Ages� �� Grades� �� Subjects. Enroll Today! �� Lithia Pinecr est Rd Rd Miller S Bloomingdale Ave Rd th ea lbr Co gradepowerlearning.com Join in the conversation! South Brandon �� 813.689.6527 �� 044496-01 THE BLOOMINGDALE GAZETTE Santa AND MRS. CLAUS MAKE THEIR 26TH ANNUAL VISIT to Bloomingdale December 7, 2013 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. BLOOMINGDALE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION is pleased to sponsor this special holiday tradition and charity food drive in the Bloomingdale Community. FREE EVENT Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus Share a holiday wish list Bring your camera to capture the moment Bloomingdale Special Taxing District (BSTD) Office For more information or to volunteer, Please bring a non-perishable food 3509 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico, Florida call (813) 681-2051 or e-mail us at donation. Donated food items will (BSTD office is located behind CITGO ad Sun Trust Bank) [email protected] distributed to a local food bank. SIXTH ANNUAL PLAZA BELLA PINK WALK (CONT.) READING, WRITING, AND ‘rITHMETIC HELP comeS to Bloomingdale By: Suzanne Jones Money raised from the walk is donated to a charity selected GradePower Learning celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 10 with a Brandon by Plaza Bella and the Kiwanis Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. The new educational facility is Club. This year’s recipient was the located in the Royal Oaks Shopping Plaza, on the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue Brandon Outreach Clinic, which was and Lithia Pinecrest Road. Staff presented with a $1000 check. The YMCA’s LIVESTRONG program and educators were on hand also benefitted from a gift basket Photo: Kim Miller to explain the new learning center’s offerings and teaching raffle. The baskets were filled with Pink Walk participants take to the sidewalk for the 2013 event. products donated from the various approach to the area-business businesses in Plaza Bella. representatives and others who attended the event. Approximately 370 walkers participated in the 2013 Pink Walk, GradePower is a North some registered as individuals, some as American company that teams. The largest team registered was originated in 1984 when founder from River Hills, with 57 members. Dr. Nick Whitehead opened Participants choose between two the Oxford Learning Center in routes. The first route, known as the London Ontario Canada. Now “Diva Strut,” starts at Plaza Bella and Photo: Kim Miller a franchise company, Oxford/ goes to the Bloomingdale library and Brandon Outreach Clinic gratefully accepts check GradePower offers an array of Photo: Suzanne Jones from Brandon Kiwanis Club. back. Roz explained that many of the educational programs in 140 Center Director Andrew Learned wields the survivors, those presently in treatment, centers across the U.S., Canada, Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon cutting or who just finished treatment choose the Bahamas and Bermuda. scissors at GradePower’s October grand opening. this route. “It gives them a sense of accomplishment,” explained Roz. The The Bloomingdale-area GradePower Learning center offers after-school second route (a 5k) can either be walked educational support for students of all ages and grades. Offerings include: SAT/ or run from Plaza Bella to Natures Way ACT Test Prep, A.P.

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