We're moving ...

For the last year, we have brought you 60 & South, a news blog designed to promote dialogue about life and events in our part of the suburbs. Now, we’re making way for something new: The Brandon page.

Starting today, we’ll take our footprint to this location. Our new locale will make locating news about east Hillsborough County much easier to find on our site. In addition to blog posts, Web-only stories and discussions, you’ll find a central location for all of the news that happens from Thonotosassa to Sun City Center and all points east. Please bookmark the Brandon Page, visit often and leave a comment. We’re waiting for you.
 
--Sherri Day, east Hillsborough bureau chief

Cockroach Bay restoration begins

RUSKIN -- Construction crews have started working on the 43-acre Cockroach Bay restoration project, led by the nonprofit Ecosphere Restoration Institute.

We first wrote about the project when the company received a $750,000 grant as part of the national stimulus package.

During the one-year project, construction crews and nursery professionals will remove invasive species, regrade the land to create marshes and uplands, and put in native plants.

Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer

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Tent city hearing Aug. 25

Just a reminder for those who've been keeping tabs on the tent city project for homeless people in Hillsborough County.

A county zoning hearing master will rehear the tweaked proposal Aug. 25. The meeting starts at 6 p.m., and will take place at the County Centerin the 2nd Floor boardroom.

Click here for the latest story on the project.

Chandra Broadwater, Times staff writer

A Boutique on Bloomingdale

  

Tammie Borden has dreamed of opening a clothing store since her high school days in New Orleans.
Along the way she worked in catering, married Cornelius Borden, relocated to Panther Trace after Hurricane Katrina and gave birth to her daughter, Christina, now 2.

Late last year, her older brother died of a heart attack. Not long after, Tammie said, she was laid off.
Her brother, musician Charles Bacot, had always told her to follow her dream.

And so the timing seemed right.

The result is the Velvet Rope, a Bloomingdale boutique that sells cocktail dresses, ball gowns, studded T-shirts and casual wear for the slightly self-indulgent.

The Bordens cut the ribbon on their new store last Thursday in a ceremony attended by about a dozen well-wishers from the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. (Shown here is graphics designer Georgia Carmichael, a Chamber ambassador).

“Hopefully we can be successful,” Cornelius told the group. “I think we can. I think we will. I know we will.”

So far, the business is progressing nicely, Tammie said. “The prices are affordable. They are $20 on up to $800. You can come in here and not be overwhelmed by the prices.”

Buyers of prom and homecoming dresses also can be confident that the styles are one of a kind.

“You can tell people you bought it at the Velvet Rope,” Tammie said. “But you won’t find another one like it.”

The Velvet Rope is at 1042 Bloomingdale Ave. The store opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday. On Thursdays, hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 381-3865.

Props due for a couple former Newsome athletes

Newsome High School has been well represented the past week in terms of former athletes who wore a wolves' jersey.

University of South Florida walk-on guard Chaz Hine (left), a 2007 Newsome graduate, recently received a scholarship from Bulls' coach Jim Leavitt, Times USF beat writer Greg Auman reported on his blog.

"He's a dream," Leavitt said. "He works his tail off, does well in school. He's been here for two years, and we're putting him on a full scholarship."

Also, Bryce Loudermilk, a 2009 Newsome graduate, captured the cross country three-race series sweep in Lithia on Friday night, cruising to a winning time of 16 minutes and 50 seconds in the final 5k (3.1 miles) put on by the FishHawk Road Runners.

Loudermilk will compete in cross country at Florida Southern College in Lakeland this fall.

Kevin Smetana, Times Staff Writer

Learn CPR for children and adults at free Brandon class

BRANDON -- Parents, babysitters and caregivers can learn CPR for infants, children and adults at a free four-hour class held at the Brandon Family Support & Resource Center.

The class will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at the resource center located at 1277 Kingsway Road in Brandon. The class is free, but space is limited. Participants are encouraged to register by calling (813) 870-4747.

FishHawk tidbit available for the gobbling

For those of you who appreicate keeping up, here's a news tidbit about Newland Communities, the creator of FishHawk Ranch in Lithia.

Last month, the group got the thumbs up from Hillsborough County commissioners to expand a community development district to include another 35 acres Newland purchased in 2006.

Located on the north side of Dorman Road, the site backs up to the Chapman Crossing neighborhood and is on the east side of the Garden District, said Tom Panasney, vice president for operations in Newland's Tampa office.

"It's a small parcel, and is approved for about 90 units," he said. "We'll probably end up building 50 or 60."

- Chandra Broadwater, Times staff writer

Enjoy a free day of yoga, Pilates and tai chi at Serenity Stream

RIVERVIEW -- To celebrate its first anniversary, Serenity Stream Yoga & Wellness is offering a day of free yoga, Pilates and tai chi classes, as well as a health fair.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Participants can also obtain free blood pressure screenings while visiting health and wellness exhibits.

The location is 11954 Boyette Road, in Riverview. For more information and class times, visit www.serenitystream.com or call (813) 368-6546.

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Inland Port Systems withdraws application

SUN CITY -- A developer pushing for a giant warehouse in Sun City withdrew its application to change the county's comprehensive plan today.

The comprehensive plan amendment would have paved the way for a 2.6-million-square-foot distribution hub off U.S. 41 outside the county's urban core.

Inland Port Systems' attorney, David M. Mechanik of Tampa, sent a letter to the Planning Commission today that states the company intends to refile and "make every effort to address issues raised during the process and to further resolve many misconceptions regarding the project."

The application received much criticism from residents who were worried about large trucks traveling on local roads, as well as the impact on environmentally sensitive land nearby.

The Planning Commission and its staff had each recommended that the county deny Inland's request to change the comprehensive plan.

Hillsborough County commissioners were scheduled to review the application at a public hearing Thursday evening, but that has been canceled.

Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer

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Sun City Center to hold town meetings on golf courses

SUN CITY CENTER -- The Sun City Center Community Association is planning two town hall meetings to find out whether residents are interested in buying two community golf courses.

WCI Communities Inc, which developed much of Sun City Center and runs its golf courses, notified the association in July of its intent to sell three golf courses in the community as the company wraps up its case in bankruptcy court.

The association has right of first refusal on two of the courses. The association plans to hear from residents before making a decision at a later meeting.

The meetings will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday and 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 9 at the community hall, 1910 S Pebble Beach Blvd. For more information, call (813) 633-3500.

Saundra Amrhein, Times Staff Writer

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