Valrico
29
September 2022
Volume 19, Issue 9
Ph: 813-657-2418
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
LIFETIME NETWORK FEATURES QUEENA’S STORY OF INSPIRATION
REBUILDING TAMPA BAY PRESENTS HOUSE KEYS TO DESERVING VALRICO RESIDENT
Our community brain injury have knows both the made it harder for tragic and heroic Phu to express her stories of Queena thoughts in an orPhu. Years later ganized manner. after her tragic “For 14 years, she story, Phu conhas been expresstinues to thrive. ing her thoughts “Although Queena and feelings has had to stay through facial exhome for a long pressions, tone of time as a precauvoice, and body tion during the language,” Nguypandemic, she still en said. “She has did maintain most struggled to modof her therapy ulate self-control schedule,” said Queena Phu’s life story was a recent episode on and self-awareLifetime’s #TextMeWhenYouGetHome series. her mother, Vanna ness, and as a The documentary aired on August 15 and can Nguyen. “She has result she can be watched on the Lifetime app, Hulu Live on been as hard at sometimes react demand and is available for rent on Amazon. work as ever. She impulsively in sosmiles through cial situations. most of her home therShe was always a more apy visits and her sesreserved person, even sions at Stay in Step before the attack, so Recovery Center.” being in the limelight Phu’s life story was a and having so much recent episode on Lifepersonal information time’s #TextMeWhenshared has been hard YouGetHome series. for her.” The documentary aired According to Nguyen, on August 15 and can Phu never liked havbe watched on the Lifeing her life story being time app, Hulu Live on in the media over and demand and is available over again, but this for rent on Amazon. “In February, we re- year, Phu has started to learn to be ceived a contact from AMS pictures via proud of herself. “We hope that this docour contact form on Queena’s website,” umentary will reach people all around Vanna said. “They had been researching the world, raising awareness about safestories of women who had been the vic- ty and self-defense,” Nguyen said. “We tim of violence so they could tell their hope that Queena’s story will touch peostory in their own words and found ple who have gone through traumatic or Queena’s story and blog while doing very low points in their lives and show their research. We filmed the interviews them that you can turn your life around on March 9, and the show was released if you never give up.” August 15 of this year.” If you would like to learn more about Since the attack in 2008, Phu’s cog- Phu, you can visit her website at www. nitive impairments due to her traumatic joinqueena.com.
When Valriher home’s repairs co resident Terri more difficult. She Hughes reached frequently volunout to local nonteered with RTTB, profit Rebuilding hoping one day it Together Tampa could help her. Bay (RTTB) for fiRebuilding Tonancial assistance gether Tampa Bay in repairing her executive director roof and air conJose Garcia said ditioning unit, the when he heard organization did about Hughes and her one better: saw her woodThey built her a frame home, he new home. knew she would be In partnership a good candidate with Hillsborfor the project, ough County and which addresses its Reconstruction and affordable single-family Replacement Program, homes while most other contractors tore down projects focus on multiher decaying woodunit homes. Hughes will frame home, constructed not have to pay a mortin 1955, to make room gage. Instead, a lien will for the new structure, a be placed on the home 1,217-square-foot, confor 20 years, after which crete-block home featurtime the lien will be foring two bedrooms and given. This is done to entwo baths. The new sure the home stays in Valrico resident Terri Hughes digs, costing $225,000 Hughes’ family to prowas presented the keys to her new to build and taking nine vide affordable housing home, constructed between a months to construct, partnership between Hillsborough for generations to come. are fitted with a walk- County and Rebuilding Together “She has trusted us in shower in the master with her most valuTampa Bay. bedroom, stainless steel able asset,” said Garcia. appliances and all of the latest ener- “No matter how many times we make gy-saving technologies. dreams a reality for area families, it Hughes, who has been living in an gives me such satisfaction to see the apartment during the home’s construc- look of happiness on their faces when tion, was teary-eyed when presented we finally hand them the keys to their with the keys to her new home. new home.” “It’s an indescribable feeling knowFor more information about Rebuilding I will not need to worry about the ing Together Tampa Bay, visit www. flooring coming loose or falling through rttb.org. For more information about it and the roof no longer caving in on us,” Hillsborough County’s Affordable Housshe said. ing Services, call 813-246-3150 or visit Hughes had moved into her former www.hillsboroughcounty.org. home in 1988. A single parent, she worked in the construction industry to support her small family. She now has a TONY SALADINO AWARD.............PG 3 grandson, Trace Thomas, whom she has TRIBUTE WALL ..................................PG 5 raised since he was born in 2003. As her health declined, she was unable to work, EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 25 making finding the money needed for FOOTBALL PREVIEW...............PG 34-35
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
By Libby Hopkins
At Urban Air Adventure Park, guests will jump, soar, race, climb and play among wall-to-wall trampolines. Climbing walls, dodge ball, a tubes playground, go-karts and laser tag are just a few of the activities to enjoy. Bowling, mini golf, a multilevel ropes course and much more are offered at this ultimate indoor playground. Read the full article about this year-round indoor park on page 15.
By Michelle Caceres
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