Touring Ybor City’s Last Cigar FactoryBy Bob Sanchez In July, a small group from the Sun City Center Photo Club toured the J. C. Newman Cigar Company to see first-hand how cigars are still made in Ybor City. For the senior rate of $12 per...
Florida Re-Opens: Phase 2
As of Friday, June 5, 2020, all but three Florida counties – Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade – have now entered “Phase 2” of reopening after the COVID-19 outbreak. Here’s a breakdown of what that means in a handy chart provided by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office:
Read the complete Executive Order here for a full list of all businesses that may now operate and what, if any, restrictions they must follow.
This means
In addition to the restrictions that have already been lifted in Phase 1, you will begin to see more obvious shifts toward normal service and operations at bars, pubs, restaurants, and retail stores. Bar-top seating will be allowed with proper social distancing. Retail stores and gyms can operate at full capacity. Movie theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, bowling alleys, and other similar entertainment venues may operate at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitation.
Busch Gardens will open soon, and Disney World plans to phase into park re-openings in July. Some other area attractions have already opened their doors. Each of these attractions will have COVID-specific protocols in place. Call ahead or check their websites before heading over.
This does NOT mean COVID-19 has disappeared or that the risk has been entirely mitigated. Sanitation and social distancing protocols currently in place are still encouraged. Seniors and anyone with underlying medical conditions should limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19. Everyone is encouraged to avoid congregating in groups larger than 50 persons.
And, in Sun City Center…
Starting on June 15, 2020, the SCCCA will transition to opening these Community Association designated club rooms:
Amateur Radio, Apple Users, Art Club, Billiards, Bunka Art Stitchers, Ceramics, China Painters, Computer Club, DAV, Dollhouse Miniatures, History Society, Lapidary, Model Railroad, Needlecrafters, Photo Club, Potter’s Wheel, Sawdust Engineers, SCC Travel Club, Sew’n Sews, Shell Crafters, Stained Glass, Seniors VS Crime Office, Weavers and Woodcarvers.
In addition, the outdoor pool, walking pool and Atrium walking path will now operate without the session closures. The outdoor pool usage clubs (Deep Water/Shallow Water Aquasizers and Water Volleyball) may also resume.
The Fitness Center will remain as-is with the two-hour sessions with one and a half hours of usage and then closure for thirty minutes for cleaning and sanitizing between sessions. There will be continued monitoring for lesser capacity with social distancing and the suggestion of masks to be worn.
There will be no non-dedicated club usage, meeting/social room usage of the facilities this time.
This is for Community Association and Freedom Plaza card holding members only, No guests. King’s Point Gold Card holders may attend their affiliated club activities. Hours of Operation for all facilities at this time will remain 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hillsborough County Library Update
Beginning Monday, June 8, 2020, book drops will be open Monday-Friday at all Hillsborough County Library System library locations to accept returns. Your returned items will be placed into quarantine and will still appear as “checked out” on your account. They will be checked in when safety and staffing permit. This will not change the number of items you are able to borrow. Items can be returned to these locations regardless of where you borrowed them from.
Touring Ybor City’s Last Cigar Factory
Alafia Brewing Company and the Queen of Beer
Alafia Brewing Company and the Queen of BeerBy Andrea L.T. Peterson Thanks to a reader recommendation, we discovered the Alafia Brewing Company in Gibsonton. When the Editor asked if I wanted to check it out, I thought: “I’ve been alcohol-free...
Late Summer Reflections
Late Summer Reflections By E. Adam Porter Editor, News of SCC & South County A famous pirate troubadour from Mississippi croons through the sound system down the hall, There’s something in the wind tonight, some kind of change in the weather… I sit...
May the Bluebirds of Happiness Nest in Your Yard
May the Bluebirds of Happiness Nest in Your YardBy Andrea L.T. Peterson It’s been about five years that the Audubon Club of Sun City Center has been aggressively monitoring the area's bluebird population, which had been steadily declining....
Field Trip to a Tea House
Field Trip to a Tea House By Diane M. Loeffler On August 10, four local friends visited the Lavender and Lace Tea Room in Lake Alfred. Andrea Olson and I live in Sun City Center’s Community Association, Annette Rawlinson lives in Kings Point,...
Pottery Club Wins Again at State Fair
Pottery Club Wins Again at State FairBy Kai Rambow “I saw a program on PBS about ugly face jugs and I became inspired,” reflected Terrie McNamara. “I had also just broken a pot on the kiln and said ‘Oh, my gosh, perfect teeth.’ I wanted to do...