Vol. 5, Issue 1, January 2016
Your neighborhood. Your magazine. ® The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To Over 15,000 Homes In Citrus Park, Westchase & Surrounding Areas
This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Arlington Park • Aston Villas • Bay Arbor • Berkeley Square • Calf Path Estates • Enclave At Citrus Park • Fawn Ridge Fawn Lake • Forest Lakes • Hampton Lakes • Highland Park • Lake Chase • Mandolin • The Eagles • Tree Tops Twin Branch Acres • Waterchase • West Hampton • Westchase • Westchester • Westwood Lakes • Windsor Place
Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry Provides A Happy Experience With Plenty of Heart
See “Monticciolo” on page 20.
Since its opening 6 months ago, Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park has become a place its residents are happy to call home. “It is like one big family here,” says one resident. “Everyone is treated like family and there is a home like atmosphere. The staff is very caring and everyone is treated with love and care. There are lots of family activities and the food is good.” Located at 13810 Sheldon Road in the heart of Citrus Park, Arbor Terrace offers carefree living for every stage of your life. Residents at Arbor Terrace are See “Arbor Terrace” on page 18
The New Year. A Fresh Start. A New Beginning.........................3 Community Calendar & News Briefs.............................4 Homebound Heroes...........6-7 Sparkle Power........................8-9 Mood Meter...................10-11 Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award.........14-15
ECRWSS
By Marcy Sanford
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
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Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park – Carefree Living for Every Stage of Your Life
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
Did you know that as much as 20% of the population has a fear of going to the dentist? Avoiding the dentist can affect more than your dental health, it can ultimately affect your physical wellbeing. If you’re one of the thousands of people who avoid the dentist, you’re not alone! But don’t let your fear of going to the dentist keep you from your best smile yet. If you want an experienced, educated and committed dentist who puts your comfort and health first, then make an appointment at Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry.
In the scheme of things, dentistry is one of the newest fields in medicine, and studies show that not caring for your teeth and gums can lead to serious health issues in the rest of your body, including your heart! That’s why, when Vincent J. Monticciolo, DDS, MBA, JD became a dentist, he aimed to create an experience that was relaxing, happy and stress-free for his patients. By doing so, Dr. Monticciolo has created a dental practice that focuses on providing dental care that extends to the whole person, putting you at ease and allowing you to receive the care you need without the
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Julie Kanehl
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Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
From The Editor Alexis Selby
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The New Year. A Fresh Start. A New Beginning. For me, the beginning of the New Year signifies a time for hope, inspiring you to make changes or do things differently. It can be an exciting time, filled with enthusiasm and anticipation, as we think about our potential for the upcoming year. It is a time of reflection – honoring what has happened, what is currently happening, and what is yet to come. Celebrating milestones in our life such as the New Year allows us to contemplate our lives in a way we often don’t do. Constantly moving through life on autopilot, it is easy to get caught in the daily grind, dragging along week by week with our routines and schedules. The New Year is a break in this pattern. It is both an ending and a beginning. It is an opportunity to stop, reflect, and start again. As we move into this next chapter of life, it is important to think about what we accomplished in 2015. A lot
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can happen in the span of a year, and I'm sure for most of us 2015 was filled with many wonderful experiences, and challenging ones as well. Take a moment to look back upon the beautiful memories you created this past year. I'm sure if you think about it, there were many. Too often, memories are forgotten and as we get caught up in our routines we lose sight of what is truly important to us and forget about just how lucky we are. Also – just as important – take some time to reflect on what didn't go so well, as it is only by acknowledging these hardships that we are able to let go of the past and move forward into the future. The challenges we have faced give us strength and courage, and in some way or another have helped shape us into who we are today. As we look towards the future, embrace it with an open heart. Honor
Directly mailed once a month to 15,000 households in zip codes 33626 & 34677 220 S. Safford Ave. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: alexis@nnlflorida.com © 2015 Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Matt Selby Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Linda Viega Mike Bird Jared Nager Accounting Manager Doreen Selby Billing Assistant Tina O’Reilly
your past, cherish the beautiful memories, and be willing to let the challenging times go. In the words of Brad Paisley, “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!”
Editor Alexis Selby Correspondents Kim Thomas Julie Kanehl Katie Thomas
Marcy Sanford Dara Tucker
Art Director Tony Sica Graphic Artist Dat X. Do Marketing & Development Ashley Knoblach
Nothing that appears in Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc.
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Community Calendar & News Briefs Paul Gigante’s Milestone 50th & H4 Benefit: Helping Our Homeless High Schoolers Achieve Higher Education Sunday January 24th from 37pm at Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Rd in Tampa As a professional school photographer since 1991 and DJ since 1982 in Tampa Bay, Paul Gigante has seen the need to help less fortunate homeless high school seniors, as they transition the crucial time after graduation to the start of their college careers. His goal is to raise $50K at his benefit to help as many as possible from the Class of 2016 in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The H4 Benefit will be held at Skipper’s Smokehouse on Sunday January 24, 2016 from 3pm-7pm. Entertainment will include the USF “HOT” Pep Band, The Butch Ryan Band, local DJ’s and others. The cover charge is a birthday card for
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Paul with a donation payable to the “H4 Benefit.” “As a middle school principal, I have had the good fortune to work with Paul Gigante as my “official” school photographer for many years. Paul is someone you can count on and I support his efforts for the H4 Benefit. There are many deserving kids who need help to make their college dreams come true, and I have no doubt, that Paul will be successful in his efforts!” -Shae Davis, Raymond B. Stewart MS Principal “Paul, what a unique and great idea! To celebrate your milestone birthday with friends and family and everyone else who shares the gift of helping kids who need a break! Count me in!” -Max Ramos, Former HS Principal and District Administrator
Corporate/local business partnerships/personal and family sponsorships are now available. At the benefit, there will be silent auctions, sports memorabilia, gift baskets, a 50/50 , auctions, cornhole tournament, photo booth and other fundraising opportunities. Even if you are unable to attend this fun and rewarding event, please consider donating to the “H4 Benefit.” For sponsorship opportunities, questions or if you can/want to help, contact Paul Gigante at (813) 3404080 or by email at paul@giganteproductions.com.
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Homebound Heroes: Helping Our Veterans, One Home at a Time! By Matthew Selby It’s not everyday you meet someone who has a selfless mission to help others in need with no desire to line his own pockets. We’ve all become increasingly aware of so called charities that although may do some good, do so at the expense of making their owners and operators rich in the process. Roy “Bucky” Shell isn’t built that way. He saw too many of his friends come back from serving our country overseas only to be stuck battling a never-ending inner war. After careful consideration upon what Bucky wanted to do for our veterans, he came up with an idea. It was then that he decided to start Homebound Heroes, a privately funded non-profit organization that provides mortgage free homes to returning war veterans. I asked Bucky to describe what Homebound Heroes is all about and he said, “Homebound Heroes is something I’m very proud of. It’s only in the beginning stages, but it has a huge potential. My goal is to eventually get it to a point where we can help hundreds of veterans; we just need to get the word out. We are dedicated to providing mortgage free homes to returning war veterans who have served our country. A majority of our returning heroes suffer from multiple levels of PTSD and have found it very difficult to make the transition back to a civilian lifestyle. Homebound Heroes was created to help relieve the pressure as they make one of the biggest investments of their lives. By providing a house for
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these brave veterans we can help them adapt to their next mission of succeeding in America and turning their new house into a home.” PTSD is an overwhelmingly big problem for a large percentage of our veterans. It’s crippling for many, leaving them with merely a shell of their former selves. Our heroes need help! Fed up with the lack of help our servicemen and women were receiving, Bucky decided to do something about it. Bucky was especially upset with organizations who claim to be “all in for vets” but really are just all in for their salary. This is not the case with Homebound Heroes. Homebound Heroes is committed to ensuring that over 90% of all received donations goes directly towards providing mortgage free housing for our veterans. Homebound Heroes is currently working on providing two local veterans with a mortgage free home – Michael Yancey, a veteran of the Army National Guard and Marine Bobby Malina.
Michael Yancey Michael joined the Army Na-
tional Guard in July of 2003 then went to basic training and advanced individual training. In the summer of 2005 his unit was put on alert that they were going to be deploying to Iraq. During his first tour he took on many responsibilities. From defending Abu Ghraib prison and taking control of all detainees inside the facility to PSD (personal security detail) to convoy security. After returning home just a couple days before Christmas 2006 Michael started doing his weekend drill with his unit, which he continued for the next few years. Then, in early summer 2009 he was informed that the 53rd Infantry combat brigade was going to be deploying again and needed volunteers. “I made the decision to volunteer and by early 2010 I was on a plane headed overseas again,” says Michael. “Our mission was fob security at camp Patriot Kuwait. We were in charge of convoy security for all ammunition and explosives coming from our military boats going to the ammunition holding area.” “I saw many things that have changed my perception on life,” says Michael. “I am thankful for my understanding wife and my beautiful daughter. Joining the military was
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one of the best decisions I have made. It gave me a new sense of confidence and pride.”
Bobby Malina Growing up in Palm Harbor, Bobby has been an athlete his entire life. All County his senior year for football, Bobby was voted on the Pinellas County All Star Team. Bobby had scholarship offers to play college football, but in March of 2003, just a few months before graduation, the United States of America declared war on Iraq. After that he didn’t feel college was a top priority anymore and the following weekend he went to the recruiting station and stood outside for a few minutes and thought, “The Marines say they’re the best of the best; let’s do this.” Bobby went to boot camp in October 2003 and was meritoriously promoted to PFC (private first class; E-2, the rank above private) for superior work before graduation in January 2004. In his military career Bobby deployed three times and has been on 200+ convoys, 200+ security patrols (mounted/dismounted), and has escorted EODs to many weapon caches. On his 2nd tour to Iraq his vehicle was blown up by IED’s twice on October 8, 2005 and October 17,
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2005. Bobby is very lucky to be alive. After returning home his 3rd time Bobby got out of the Marines. In that time the VA diagnosed him with PTSD and TBI (traumatic Brain Injury) from the explosions. “I didn’t think I needed to seek help until after a blackout where my brother told me I was going house to house in my neighborhood trying to clear them, calling for air strikes, and talking to people that weren’t there,” says Bobby. “Luckily I have a very understanding wife who tries to understand what I have been through. We just take it one day at a time and try not to dwell on the things that don’t go our way. I’m just happy I’m still alive and have the chance to see my son grow up.”
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Nominate a Hero For a minimum $20 donation, you can nominate yourself or a fellow veteran. A form is provided on their website. If you are nominating yourself, please fill out all sections. If you are nominating a fellow veteran, please fill out as many of the sections as you can. Bucky says, “Our mission is to serve the brave men and women that have served our country to protect our freedoms.” If you have the ability to help one of our heroes in need, any donation helps. For more information or to make a donation, please visit HomeBoundHeroes.com, call (727) 638-4418, or email info@homeboundheroes.com.
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LOCAL 15-YEAR-OLD STARTS A NON-PROFIT AND JOINS FORCES WITH CORPORATE CONFERENCE COMPANY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED
Sparkle Power and IQPC Exchange team up to benefit Ronald McDonald House After multiple stays in the hospital, a local 15-year-old girl has used her experience to recognize a need of others. While at the hospital, Caitlin Shannon found herself dreading long days in the hospital awaiting tests and procedures and thought that many other children in her position, or worse, may experience the same feeling. When thinking about her experience, Caitlin, the oldest of four siblings, says, “When I was 13, I was in and out of the hospital and surgery centers for two years. It gave me an amazing outlook.” Caitlin has put her thoughts into action. While most 15-year-old girls are busy trying to take the perfect selfie, Caitlin is helping others. With the support of her family, Caitlin has created a charity called Sparkle Power. The name is significant because “sparkle” represents goodies that brighten a patient’s day and “power” represents the power of a positive
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attitude to help a patient recover faster. Through Sparkle Power, Caitlin brings joy to children that find themselves hospitalized for extended periods of time by bringing them ‘care packages’, that she simply calls Sparkle Power Boxes. A Sparkle Power Box consists of items to banish hospital room boredom and includes things like coloring books, crayons and even socks for cold hospital rooms. Her inspiration for the boxes came from little things she received while in the hospital. She recalls, “When I would get a small gift, like Chapstick, a personal comfort item, or something small like we have in the
Caitlin Shannon (left) is a remarkable teenager who started the Sparkle Power charity to boost the spirits of children who are receiving medical treatment at hospitals Sparkle Power goodie bags, it really brightens your day.” Caitlin’s mom, Brooke Shannon, is in awe of her daughter’s level of philanthropy. When asked about Caitlin’s inspiration to create Sparkle Power, Brooke said, “It really touched her heart when she saw other children
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alone, bored or really not having anything to get them through the day and she had her siblings and my husband and I to visit and bring little goodies, but she noticed that some of the other children in the hospital would be lonely and sad. She thought maybe, once she was feeling better, she could do some-
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thing to help brighten these kids’ days and maybe that would help them recover a little faster. That’s what prompted her to come up with her charity. Now that she’s feeling better, she wants to give back to her community.” One look at this amazing young lady’s charity Instagram account, @sparklepoweroffical, and even the coldest heart will begin to melt. Viewers are met with the smiling faces of children that Caitlin has helped and the stories of hope and courage that each child possesses. It is clear to see that Caitlin has a huge heart and cares deeply for each and every child she helps. Since security protocols at some hospitals make it difficult to deliver the packages directly to patients, Ronald McDonald House charities seemed like the perfect way to get the care packages in the hands of the families. Ronald McDonald House provides no cost housing to families with children that are long term or frequent patients at nearby hospitals. Moved by Caitlin’s dedication to helping others, a corporate conference company called IQPC Exchange took notice of Sparkle Power. While its parent company, IQPC, is a worldwide
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business, IQPC Exchange itself only has two offices in the United States, including New York and one here in Tampa. The company plans and hosts multiple nationwide conferences for executives and thought leaders from Fortune 1000 companies. IQPC Exchange has now joined forces with Sparkle Power to help children and their families with extended hospital stays. To take it a step further, IQPC Exchange has expanded the care packages to include items for not only the patients, but for the families as well. Items include non-perishable food items, toys for siblings, toiletries and more. IQPC Exchange has placed Jessica Yeshaiek in a lead position of the efforts and she could not be more thrilled. Jessica’s college sorority was heavily involved with RMH and she’s ecstatic to be involved with such an incredible mix of caring organizations. IQPC Exchange has also begun bringing the items to the conferences and getting the attending executives onboard with participating in creating the packages to give to the families. One of the attendees tweeted a photo of the packages and said how much he loved being a part of the ‘social responsibility.’
Yeshaiek said, “It is really heartwarming for us to have a chance to give back to the Tampa Bay community. We are proud to be part of an initiative to support Sparkle Power and Ronald McDonald House by assembling the Sparkle Power goodie bags at IQPC events around the country, then delivering them to The Ronald McDonald House to give to deserving families.” With the help of more companies like IQPC Exchange, Caitlin and Sparkle Power will be able to reach more families. Sparkle Power, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company.
If you would like more information on ways to get involved and support Sparkle Power through IQPC Exchange, contact Kristen Schipfer via phone: 813-658-2584, email: Kristen.Schipfer@iqpc.com. Or, email Caitlin Shannon at caitlin.sparklepower@yahoo.com; follow Sparkle Power on Instagram: @sparklepowerofficial for updates. Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Caitlin Shannon on receiving Trinity Family Physicians’ Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award! Please read the story on page 14.
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Give the Mood Meter a Green Light to Manage Emotions A friend moving to a new town leaves one student in blue. A child angry about cleaning his room when he wants to play says that he feels red. And when a teacher plays the upbeat chorus of Pharrell Williams’ song Happy, the students start dancing, exclaiming “that’s yellow, that’s yellow!” Students at Corbett Preparatory School of IDS are seeing their emotions in color this year after teachers introduced them to the “Mood Meter,” a visual representation of what they might be feeling. Part of a broader initiative called RULER that Corbett Prep is implementing for social and emotional learning, the Mood Meter asks students to assign each emotion a color as a first step to managing feelings appropriately. The Mood Meter is one of the fundamental tools the RULER approach uses to help school communities learn — as the acronym says — to Recognize, Understand, Label, Express and Regulate emotions. Developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, RULER of-
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fers research-based methods to help children and adults identify, process and manage emotions. Ten Corbett Prep teachers and administrators studied RULER in depth during professional development last summer at Yale University and are rolling out additional concepts to the rest of the faculty this school year. This program adds to and complements the many strategies at Corbett Prep for encouraging a climate of dignity and respect. RULER goes far beyond the Mood Meter, but the color identification provides a good starting point to anyone who wants to build selfawareness, learn to regulate emotions and create an environment that fosters achievement. With these three simple steps, family members can begin to value emotional intelligence at home. The process first begins with children and parents identifying how they are feeling openly together and, in doing this, they learn to make more thoughtful decisions. 1. Name your emotion. As Dr. Marc Brackett, the director of the
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence says, “If you can name it, you can tame it.” The Mood Meter helps pinpoint emotions with its simple square split into quadrants of red, yellow, blue and green. Each color corresponds to different emotions, which students learn to categorize based on their level of energy and pleasantness. Feeling pleasant with high energy puts you in a happy state of yellow. High energy and unpleasantness, however, shifts to red, which reflects emotions such as anger or fright. Pleasant and low energy is peaceful green, and unpleasantness and low energy show up in the blue quadrant with feelings that may include loneliness or disappointment. Every color is valued and has its purpose. Knowing how to regulate each quadrant is the key. Early Primary Division Leader Marla Vildostegui says the Mood Meter has helped her kindergarten class become more mindful about how their emotions change throughout the day and affect their actions. Their vocabulary improves as well, as they graduate from
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saying they feel “fine” to using words such as “ecstatic” or “serene.” Teaching subtle distinctions between similar feelings empowers students to recognize the full scope of their emotional lives, see how their feelings fluctuate and eventually learn to manage their emotions, Vildostegui says. 2. Think about how you want to feel. All emotions are valid. But certain emotions are more beneficial depending on what you want to accomplish. Feeling outraged could help you make a passionate argument in a debate, but backfire if you need quiet time to write or study. Michelle Hill, Intermediate division leader, says it helps her to know where her students are on the Mood Meter so she can encourage them to make deliberate shifts during the school day for optimal learning to occur. RULER-inspired charters also hang in Corbett Prep classrooms to remind students of agreements they created together — how they want to feel at school, what they can do to have those feelings and guidelines to prevent conflict. Families can create
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charters, too. 3. Shift your feelings. You may know you want to move from red (anger) to green (peaceful) but feel
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stuck. Having strategies at the ready make it easier. Does a certain kind of music invigorate you? Will a walk outside improve your concentration?
Do you feel uplifted when you look at a beautiful photo or read an inspirational quote? The Mood Meter even has an app that lets you log
your feelings and prompts you with suggestions if you need a change. With enough practice, it can become second nature. Schools that use the Mood Meter and RULER report that they have a healthier school climate where students are less likely to bully others and more likely to demonstrate better leadership skills and increased attention. Students may perform better academically as their work habits improve and distractions shrink, and teachers develop more positive relationships with students and experience less burnout. Attaching feelings to colors is simple enough for the youngest students to grasp, but the exercise benefits people of all ages. Whether your goals are for the classroom, the office or the living room, emotional awareness puts people in control of their feelings instead of the other way around. Corbett Preparatory School of IDS is located at 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Tampa. For more information, visit corbettprep.com, or contact the Admissions Office at (813) 961-3087 or by email at info@corbettprep.com.
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Trinity Family Physicians Surprise 15-Year-Old Caitlin Shannon With the Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award Caitlin Shannon is remarkable! She makes a difference to so many children in the Tampa Bay Area who are hospitalized by giving them something to smile about! Caitlin created Sparkle Power, a charity organization that gives goody bags filled with fun items to bring “the power of a little sparkle” to children who really need something to lift their spirits. It is no surprise that the 15-year-old was chosen by Trinity Family Physicians’ own Dr. Stephanie Eldridge and Dr. Amir Shirmohammad as the second recipient of the Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award. Committed to their patients and active in the Tampa Bay Area where they both grew up, the husband-and-wife team of physicians started the Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award to bring recognition to individuals who make a difference in the lives of others locally. Dr. “Shirmo” explains, “There are so many terrible things going on around the world. Dr. Eldridge and I
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just felt that we have to do something to make people feel happy and good.” With this Award, the doctors are able to honor individuals who work to put smiles on the faces of many, and they hope you will feel inspired at hearing Caitlin’s story. Caitlin suffered irreversible nerve damage during gall bladder surgery when she was just 13 years old. In and out of hospitals for two years while doctors searched for what was causing her excruciating pain, Caitlin bonded with many children and their families and resolved to make a difference for them. Wise beyond her years, she shares, “When someone is first diagnosed with a chronic illness or chronic pain, other people are so good about coming to the hospital and being involved in the first weeks but then it always dies down. I just wanted to do something to bring them happiness.” Caitlin and her family started collecting markers and crayons, stickers and notepads, and other items to
Dr. Amir Shirmohammad (right) and Dr. Stephanie Eldridge (left) with their new daughter Violet in Dr. Eldridge’s arms, surprise Caitlin Shannon (center) with a gift basket, and choose her as the second recipient of Trinity Family Physicians’ Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award! make up Sparkle Power bags to give to children at local hospitals. Sparkle
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Power is proof that one young girl with the right team behind her can do
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tinue to bring happiness to little ones in the hospital. Caitlin’s mom Brooke is a powerhouse herself and she gave her daughter some brilliant advice worth sharing. Brooke said, “I always talk to her about building your team. We all have people who want to help and support us – they are on our team – and it’s important to build your team. Like our guy at Sips Specialty Coffee House [on Gunn Hwy.] – he sees us coming and has our order ready every time, and before I can say, ‘We’re in a hurry,’ he is handing out the coffee and muffins. He is on our team.” I Trinity Family Physicians gave Caitlin a basket of think I can speak for Dr. goodies for a little Sparkle Power of her own Shirmo and Dr. Eldridge when I say that after meeting Caitlin, we a lot! Now Sparkle Power is a all want to be on her team! 501(c)(3) non-profit that can con-
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Caitlin is active in her high school’s drama program and according to her mother Brooke; she is an amazing and attentive big sister to her three younger siblings. Her charity, Sparkle Power, is sure to continue to grow and bring smiles to children throughout Tampa Bay who are in our local hospitals. Currently, Caitlin is running Sparkle Power out of her bedroom, which her mom says is stacked with trays and bins of supplies for the Sparkle Power bags. One local school has gotten onboard, teaming with Sparkle Power and gathering supplies through the holidays to fill the bags that will put some sparkle in a child’s day. It is our hope that Sparkle Power will continue to gain the support of local businesses and schools throughout Tampa Bay, bringing a dose of happiness to even more hospitalized children. (To learn more about Sparkle Power, please read the story on page 8.) If you’d like to donate funds or supplies, email caitlin.sparklepower@yahoo.com, and follow Sparkle Power on Instagram: @sparklepowerofficial for updates.
Nominees Now Being Accepted for the Next Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award Trinity Family Physicians’ Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award will continue to honor individuals who make a difference. If you know someone who makes a difference in the lives of others in Tampa Bay, Trinity Family Physicians and Neighborhood News & Lifestyles want to hear from you! Please submit your nominees (and tell us why they qualify) for the next Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award by email at editorial@nnlflorida.com. Trinity Family Physicians and Neighborhood News & Lifestyles ask that you please share your thoughts and comments with us on our facebook pages: facebook.com/trinityfamilyphysicians and facebook.com/neighborhoodnewslifestyles. Trinity Family Physicians is located at 1817 Cypress Brook Dr, Suite 101 in Trinity. Please log on to trinityfamilyphysicians.com for additional information about Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmohammad.
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“Arbor Terrace” Continued from page 1 living happier, fuller lives thanks to expert care provided by the highly trained and certified staff and the unique Arbor Terrace engagement program which focuses on the individual resident and his or her abilities and interests. With four levels of care, ranging from minimal to full assistance, no matter what your needs, the caring staff at Arbor Terrace can help you or your loved one. “As they grow older, each person’s needs are different,” says Senior Care Counselor Di McGauley. “We customize and provide the right level of service to our residents so that they can maintain as much of their precious independence as possible.” Arbor Terrace offers upscale services, exceptional dining, quality care, and a full calendar of events each day to appeal to a wide variety of interests.
Active Living When you live at Arbor Terrace, you have access to fun and informative events every day. Engagement director
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Michelle Lauletta makes sure that there is a class or group to meet every interest. She says, “Our residents have social interaction that they wouldn’t have if they were just sitting at home watching TV.” Michelle plans daily, weekly, and monthly classes, trips, and special events to help keep residents at Arbor Terrace involved and active, even events that include outside family and friends. On any given day, residents of Arbor Terrace have choices like these: - Walking Group - Philanthropy Group - Arts & Crafts - Games - Music - Movie - Computer Training - Religious Group Whatever your interests are, you’re sure to find an activity at Arbor Terrace that will keep you engaged and active. “We want to make sure our residents are having fun and enjoying living,” says Di. “We have a lot of activities for them to choose from but we also conduct surveys to make sure that we are offering the classes and activities they want.”
In addition to the daily list of activities, Arbor Terrace residents enjoy monthly get-togethers, socials, and outings. Di says, “Each month we have a themed party that we invite and encourage residents’ family members to attend.” At the December event, residents, friends, and family members enjoyed looking at the decorated trees, singing carols, and eating delicious cookies and treats. Di says that the roaring ‘20s party was a hit with residents and guests, and that a Valentine’s Day ball and a St. Patrick’s Day party are coming up next.
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There are also plenty of outings for residents who are interested, such as attending plays or Rays games, shopping trips, lunch groups, and casino trips.
Carefree Living At Arbor Terrace you’ll enjoy the best in carefree living. With three meals served daily in the elegant dining room, weekly housekeeping, laundry services, and your own personal activities director, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy life. Arbor Terrace also offers many upscale amenities for its
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residents, such as concierge services and the Siesta Key Salon & Spa, where you can pamper yourself with a manicure, pedicure, or massage.
Luxurious Living From cozy living rooms and libraries to lively cafés, Arbor Terrace offers plenty of spaces for you to gather with friends to watch a movie, play a round of bridge or relax and
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enjoy a good book or magazine. Arbor Terrace also has outdoor patios and courtyards where you can garden or take a stroll surrounded by trees and beautiful flowers.
Assisted Living At Arbor Terrace their goal is to help residents live the life they want. “We have many different levels of care and services that we offer,” says Di.
“We have couples who live here who require different levels of care but want to stay together and we are able to help them do that. All of our services are customized based on each individual’s needs. This gives our residents the opportunity to add services as they need them.”
Memory Care More than 50% of people 85 years of age or older have some form of dementia. At Arbor Terrace their trained professionals can help you and your loved one understand the disease. Di says, “All of our employees go through extensive dementia training and are
trained in how to engage and care for people at all different stages of the disease. We focus on what the resident can remember and can accomplish instead of on what has been lost. Our award-winning Dining with Dignity program is another way that we help our residents live an independent life.” If you or a loved one needs help living life to its fullest, call Arbor Terrace to schedule a VIP tour. Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park is located at 13810 Sheldon Road. For more information or to schedule a tour, call (813) 333-9996 or visit their website at www.at-citruspark.com.
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“Monticciolo” Continued from page 1 stress and anxiety that often accompanies dental work. By providing a wide variety of sedation options for patients, the phrase “sedation dentistry” and the name Dr. Monticciolo have practically become synonymous in our area. Sedation is an option, though most times it isn’t needed as most patients can fly right through their appointment with ease without any kind of sedation at all. But, it’s a blessing for those who need it. Whether you’re there for a routine cleaning, or you’re there for a follow-up appointment that might include a tooth extraction, a crown, dental implants or a root canal, the doctors at Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry are ready to give you the care you deserve, while giving you the extra care that you may need to feel at ease. Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry also offers teeth whitening, sealants to protect your teeth from cavities, crowns and bridges, cosmetic dentistry, root canals, bonding, gum surgery, and Invisalign (braces). “We offer all phases of dentistry,” says Dr. Monticciolo. “Very seldom do we have to refer patients out. Seda-
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tion dentistry is big for us – not everyone does that. We get a lot of referrals from general dentists, especially those with high anxiety patients who want to do the sedation.” If you’re sure you want sedation, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Dr. Monticciolo is an active member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and the Florida Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He’s been trained and certified in the safe and effective use of I.V. Sedation for dental procedures, and he also is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Best of all, Dr. Monticciolo invested in additional monitoring equipment for his sedation patients called Capnography. That means you’re safe to relax, breathe easy and smile!
“Happy Is Back!” I’m sure you’ve seen the signs all around Tampa Bay that exclaim that “Happy is Back!” That’s because Dr. Monticciolo recently opened up his brand new office in New Port Richey, located at 5139 Little Road, across the street from Starbucks and McDonald’s. His new office is a 6,500-squarefoot facility that includes 17 private dental suites; an on-site denture and partial lab; a full porcelain lab; a preop sedation room; state-of-the-art equip-
ment in dentistry including lasers for implants and gum procedures; entertainment options galore for patients including personal televisions, DVD capability and wireless blue-tooth headphones. There is even a sedation lounge for guests who are waiting with patients who are being sedated! Phew! It’s quite the experience! In addition Dr. Monticciolo is also working on a third location in St. Pete, which is scheduled to open towards the end of February. His longterm goal is to expand his practice to locations throughout Tampa Bay, with talks of opening future offices in Seminole, Brandon, and Spring Hill. Each of the Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry offices offer care by additional associates: Fadi Fares, DMD; Chelsea Fenton, DMD; Juan Marcos, DMD; Peter Rodenbostel, DMD. An Endodontist and a Periodontist also service patients at both practices ensuring that Monticci-
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olo Family and Sedation Dentistry patients’ needs are met with as much ease and convenience as possible. The entire staff at Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry is friendly, personable, and eager to make your experience positive. It’s important to note that while having all of the toys in the world can make for a fantastic experience, it’s really the exceptional care given by the doctors at Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry that stands out and keeps patients coming back time and time again. Patient Angela Hutcheson-Smith exclaimed, “[He’s the] best dentist ever. I have followed Dr. Monticciolo to his new offices for the past 10+ years, even though he is an hour’s drive from my home!” More than a Fancy Slogan, Dr. Monticciolo is an Award Winning Dentist with Heart While many people have heard of the name Monticciolo, seen the fancy marketing campaigns
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Dentistry From The Heart
Vincent J. Monticciolo, DDS, MBA, JD and even heard his name praised by friends and family, what most people don’t know about Dr. Monticciolo is that he’s a down- to- earth family man who has an almost- unbelievable drive to learn more, and do more, for his patients and for his community. A graduate of the University Of Detroit’s School Of Dentistry, Dr. Monticciolo began earning accolades very early and was selected to the Honors Clinical Program right out of school. Some of his accomplishments and awards earned in dental school include: Dental Class President, earning the Francis B. Vedder Society Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics Award, Alpha Sigma Nu from the National Jesuit Honor Society and Omicron Kappa Upsilon from the National Dental Honor Society. As if that weren’t enough, Dr. Monticciolo earned his Law Degree in 2013, all while practicing dentistry full time and volunteering additional time in the dental field.
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Dr. Monticciolo’s passion extends far beyond the realm of education and into the communities where he lives and works. Seeing so many people from all walks of life that could not afford the dental care they needed prompted him to begin a charity called Dentistry from the Heart in 2001. Beginning as a Valentine’s Day gift to the community, he offered free dental care one February day to hundreds of people who lined up outside the door. Since then, this charity has become a worldwide phenomenon that has stretched to include all 50 states, as well as five other countries around the world. “We do over 300 events a year,” says Dr. Monticciolo. This year’s Dentistry From The Heart will be on February 5, 2016 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Port Richey office, located at 5139 Little Rd. Patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Dr. Monticciolo is always looking for dentists and other volunteers who would like to donate their time to help with this remarkable event. If you are interested in being a volunteer and donating your services please, please call Monticciolo Dentistry at (813) 885-3345.
Dental Care Delivered In 2012, Dr. Monticciolo started “Dental Care Delivered,” a mobile dental service that provides care to residents of long-term assisted living facilities and nursing homes along the west coast of Florida. Many of these patients desperately need dental care and would suffer greatly without it. Dr. Monticciolo and his team of associates and volunteers have really made a difference to the people in our community, making “happy dentistry” far more than a slogan. Dr. Monticciolo says, “From Sarasota, to Sun City to Brooksville, we pretty much service
The entire staff at Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry is friendly, personable, and eager to make your experience positive. the entire west coast of Florida.” Dr. Monticciolo’s latest adventure involves putting his passion for helping others onto paper. This past year his writing was recently published in two books – both of which were best sellers. In the book titled Common Sense But….Uncommon, which was co-written alongside author Brian Tracy, Dr. Monticciolo talks about the power of giving back. He writes, “The true power of giving back is something to make you smile!” If you’re looking for a dentist who has experience and education, a dental team that can’t be beat, all the
top-notch clinical tools and patient options available, and a heart for giving, then what are you waiting for? Make an appointment for a “happy dentistry” experience at Monticciolo Family and Sedation Dentistry. Monticciolo Family & Sedation Dentistry has two locations, with a third location, which is set to open in St Pete at the end of February: 8327 W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa and 5139 Little Rd. in New Port Richey. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (813) 885-3345 or log on to www.HappyDentistry.com.
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