Honorary mayor's race begins in Riverview

The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2012 honorary mayor's race June 10 at Salute! Sports Grill.

Four candidates announced they will be "campaigning" for votes by raising money for the chamber and their respective charities of choice: Lisa Kennedy of Alley Cat Pest Control; Stuart Mackey of Mackey Productions; Gabrielle Perham of Mace Multimedia; and Wendy Milenkevich of The Preserve at Alafia.

Mike Self of S&S Taco's/Pizza's & Stuff, Riverview's current honorary mayor, emceed the event.

Kennedy's charity is Faces of Courage, which offers free camps and events to women and children affected by cancer and blood illnesses. Mackey's is LifeCare of Brandon, which provides information and counseling on the difficult choices of an unplanned pregnancy.

Milenkevich chose Joshua House, a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected children, and Perham, the Riverview Boys and Girls Club.

Each will be hosting various fundraisers during the next several months, so look for information about them in the South Shore News & Tribune's Things To Do column. Every dollar collected equals a vote, so vote early and often.

For information, call (813) 234-5944.

Cherry's has been sold

After more than three years in business in Apollo Beach, Jill Canavan, owner of the Cherry's Restaurant on U.S. 41, is moving on.

On May 31, she sold the eatery to Michael Cain and Linda Campbell of Valrico, who are renaming the building Mama Iguana's American Grille & Wings. The Cherry's staff will stay on with the new restaurant.

"This was a good fit for all of us," Canavan said. "I had a heck of a run here, but now I'm going to go on hiatus and see how normal people live … what it's like to have a weekend off."

Canavan said she couldn't have made it without the community's support.

"I am going to miss everyone," she said, "My plan is to sleep, rest and support my other half."

For information on Mama Iguana's, call (813) 641-9333.

Yes, they are open

Contrary to some rumors flying around recently, Five Guys Burgers & Fries at 10685 Big Bend Road, Riverview, and Ozzie's Buffet & Grill, 3074 College Ave. E., Ruskin, have not closed.

Agent gets certified

Michele Herndon of Keller Williams Realty has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification.

The National Association of Realtors offers the certification to agents wanting to help buyers and sellers prevent foreclosure. The program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers and limit the risk of both.

Herndon has assisted clients with closings of 30 distressed properties recently.