Vol. 4, Issue 2, February 2015
Your neighborhood. Your magazine. The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To Over 15,000 Homes In 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
See “V & T” on page 18.
By Marcy Sanford
Victory Gymnastics student and Level 3 State Champion Bridget Gunther
At Victory Gymnastics Training Center, the core belief is that “Movement is the architect of your child’s brain. The pathway to an undiscovered ‘Educational Treasure Chest’ is hidden in the beam, bars, mats, trampoline, vaulting horse, and our coaches’ hearts.” Co-owned by Head Coach Viktor Savitski and Business Director Tanya Wray-Savitski, Victory Gymnastics Training Center has the goal to develop a world-class training program to continuously produce Local, State, Regional, National and International competitors. “We are very proud of
the outstanding achievements of our gymnasts,” says Tanya. When you walk into Victory Gymnastics Training Center in Oldsmar, you know this is a gym that embraces its gymnasts! The reception area is filled with trophies and plaques honoring the stellar accomplishments of the gymnasts who train there. The coaches and staff at Victory Gymnastics Training Center know that gymnastics is much more than a sport, it is a way to teach children to draw upon the treasures within themselves – those hidden gems of determination, honor and triumph that will See “Victory Gym” on page 20
6th Annual Public Safety Fair.......3 Community Calendar & News Briefs................................4-5 Mount This! Fish Company...8-9 Brain Balance of Tampa.....12-13 Zoho Stone....................16-17 Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge...........................22-23
ECRWSS
Victory Gymnastics – Where Champions Train!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Postal Customer
With a different chain pharmacy on every corner, it is nice to know there are still locally owned pharmacies where you can get personalized, attentive customer service when filling your prescription. You can find all that and more at V & T Pharmacy in Westchase. Conveniently located at 11967 Sheldon Road, in the same plaza as Mellow Mushroom and Grill 54, V & T Pharmacy is your local pharmacy! Whether you need a prescription filled or are looking for an over-the-
counter medication or other pharmacy-related items, V & T Pharmacy in Westchase is sure to have exactly what you need. Building relationships with their customers is something that is really important to owners and head pharmacists Ivy and Thuan Le. A husband and wife team, before opening V & T Pharmacy, both Ivy and Thuan were pharmacy managers at large corporate pharmacies. With a young family, not wanting to sacrifice time away from their children due to long hours and alternating schedules, Thuan and Ivy decided
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
By Alexis Selby
Dated Material Please Rush!
V & T Pharmacy Is Your Local Pharmacy!
to open their own pharmacy. The driving force behind their decision and the inspiration for which the name was derived, are their beautiful daughters Vyenna and Tianvy, hence the V and T. They opened their first location at 4040 West Waters Avenue, in February of 2011 and due to their success, to better serve the growing need of their customers, they recently opened their new location this past August. With a combined total of over 20 years experience as pharmacists, Thuan and Ivy have the knowledge and understanding to help their customers with an unprecedented level of proficiency and will happily lend advice and answer questions you might have regarding your medications. Alternating between the two
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
From The Editor Alexis Selby
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
6th Annual Public Safety Fair Gathering into the beautiful, newly constructed Bill Castens Gymnasium in Northdale, hundreds of Carrollwood and Northdale area residents, as well as people from all over Tampa Bay, came to enjoy the 6th annual Public Safety Fair hosted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Northdale OWLS and the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department. Featuring a variety of different guest speakers, as well as presentations, displays, and other information related to crime prevention and personal safety for the general public, the Public Safety Fair provided a wealth of knowledge on how to protect oneself from becoming a victim of crime – from cyber crime, to identity theft, to everything in between. It really was quite interesting and I, myself, definitely learned quite a bit of useful information on how to protect myself against such crimes.
Local businesses, restaurants, vendors and other informational sponsors also joined in on the action to show their support for the Public Safety Fair and had booths lining the walls of the gymnasium, allowing visitors to browse amongst the vendors during breaks between speakers. My husband Matt and I also joined in the fun, representing the Neighborhood News & Lifestyles; we met so many great people and it was nice to hear such positive feedback from our readers who get our magazines monthly. Breaking for lunch, guests enjoyed free food provided by Red Robin, Taco Bus and PDQ, as well as a delicious cake and other sweets from Whole Foods. During the breaks there were
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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
also raffles, where guests won some exciting prizes and gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants. In addition to all the wonderful displays and speakers, there was also a shredder truck outside, allowing guests to dispose of documents and other paperwork that contained confidential information. Concluding at 1:30 p.m., the 6th Annual Public Safety Fair was a huge success and guests were already talking about how they couldn’t wait for next year’s event!
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
The Tijuana Flats Just In Queso Foundation and Bill Currie Ford Partner For U.S. Troops Proceeds from Ford’s Drive 4 Ur Community program at “Horsepower for Heroes” event funded care packages overseas. Teaming up with the Tijuana Flats Just In Queso Foundation Bill Currie Ford of Tampa to hosted the “Horsepower for Heroes- Drive For Your Community/ Annual Mustang Car Show” to benefit soldiers serving overseas.
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In honor of Veteran’s Day weekend, $20 donations were made by Ford Motor Co. for every test drive at Bill Currie Ford during the Horsepower for Heroes Event, with a $20 per test drive match provided by The DeBartolo Family Foundation. Proceeds were used to fill and ship care packages overseas to the United States armed forces. Entertainment for the family was provided, including live music, a Tampa Mustang Car show and food served by Tijuana Flats restaurants. “We have served the Tampa Bay
community and the surrounding area for 54 years and feel that it is important that we support those who are willing to pay the ultimate price for our safety and freedom,” says Tim Joslin, U.S. Army (retired) Command Sergeant Major and General Manager of Bill Currie Ford. “Being allowed to serve in the Army for 23 years I have firsthand knowledge of the daily struggles endured by our military member’s and their families. Anything that our team at Bill Currie Ford can do to make life just a little easier and more normal for our deployed service members is considered an honor. Serving
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these brave men and women in any way we can is important to all of us. We are honored to host this event alongside the Tijuana Flats Just In Queso Foundation, and the Tampa Mustang Club.” “The team at Bill Currie Ford has been a great community partner of ours over the past year,” says Brad Kaemmer, Chief Executive Officer of Tijuana Flats. “Their mission to serve and give back to the community is synonymous with ours. We adamantly support the commitment of our armed forces and believe this is a great way to recognize their tireless efforts during such a paramount weekend.” Other sponsors include Tampa Buccaneers QB Josh McCown and Family, Dealer Socket, Support The
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
Troops Inc. To learn more about Tijuana Flats’ Just In Queso Foundation visit www.tijuanaflats.com.
2015 Florida Walk Dates: BROWARD/MIAMI-DADE February 28th - Vista View Park, Davie CENTRAL FLORIDA - March 7th - Lake Eola, Orlando GREATER TAMPA BAY March 14th - Elva Rouse Park, St. Petersburg PALM BEACH - March 21st Okeeheelee Park, West Palm Beach JACKSONVILLE - March 28th Seven Bridges, Jacksonville SARASOTA - April 11th Phillippi Estates Park, Sarasota Check their website for Tallahassee and Ocala Walk dates! Start a team or sign up as an individual today! Go to WalktoDefeatALS.org
About the Tijuana Flats Just in Queso Foundation® & Community Initiatives Tijuana Flats’ Just In Queso Foundation provides aid to individuals, communities and organizations in markets where Tijuana Flats restaurants are located. Since the establishment of the Foundation in 2007, over $3M have been raised to support four core missions: Military Support; Education Initiatives; Disease Research and Treatment; and Local Community Support.
About Bill Currie Ford Founded in 1959, Bill Currie Ford, the premiere new Ford car and truck dealership in Tampa, FL, has been family run for more than three generations. For 55 years, the dealership has grown and prospered forging strong bonds with not only their wonderful customers, but the community as well. They are proud to be an automotive leader in the Tampa Bay area.
Walk to Defeat ALS! BE A HERO! You don’t need a red cape to be a hero, just join The ALS Association’s Florida Chapter at one of their statewide Walk to Defeat ALS events this spring! Form a team, invite your family, friends and coworkers, and help The ALS Association Florida Chapter fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Register today!
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
There is no registration fee. Your vehicle must be an antique, custom, classic or street rod. There will also be a DJ and a 50/50 raffle. The Antique Car Show will take place at J.F. Swartsel No. 251 F. & A.M., located at 3901 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd. in Lutz (at the corner of Lutz Lake Fern Rd and Sunlake Blvd.) For more information please email David Lambert at DLambert7907@gmail.com, or visit MasonPost.com/fl/jfswartsel251/.
First Annual Valentine’s Day Antique Car Show and BarB-Que Chicken Dinner Join in the festivities on February 14, 2015 from Noon to 4 P.M. for the Masonic Lodge’s First Annual Valentine’s Day Antique Car Show and Bar-B-Que Chicken Dinner. The first 40 people who register will get a free meal!
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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Mount This! Fish Company By Alexis Selby Living in Florida you are bound to either enjoy fishing or know someone who does. And, as a fish enthusiast, you know just how awesome it feels when you hook an amazing catch. That being said, what better way to relive that exciting experience, than with a replica fiberglass fish mount! Proudly displayed on your wall, a beautiful replica fish mount will happily commemorate a fish of a lifetime, while allowing you to either filet and eat the real fish or release it back into the wild to allow other anglers to enjoy the same exhilarating experience! Using the most advanced technology, top-of-the-line materials, skilled fiberglass workers, and talented painters to produce a fish replica in a timely manner, Mount This! Fish Company, a locally-owned Florida business, does an exceptional job of bringing to life your most prized catch and provides anglers and fishing enthusiasts of all levels with the absolute highest standard of quality and value in a fishing trophy. In the past, fish replicas would take anywhere from 3090 days to produce, but at Mount
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This Fish Company they strive to have popular items in stock along with offering a quick turnaround time for custom replicas. Established in 2001, Mount This! Fish Company (MTFC) has been elevating the standards of fish mount replica production. Huge fishing enthusiasts themselves, owners Troy and Jen Denson share a love of fishing and respect for marine wildlife that really shines through in what they do. From the detailed scales, to the unique speckles, this husband and wife team
Co-owner Jen Denson, holiding a beautiful replica mount of a record-size Large Mouth Bass. takes pride in reproducing the rich vibrant colors and true beauty of each species in every mount they create.
Custom Fish Mounts Over the past thirteen years Troy and Jen have focused on three major markets to sell their products. The first market is the angler who wants to commemorate a catch. Whether it is
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someone’s first catch, the catch of a lifetime, or one to add to the array of fish they have caught during their time, each one is special and unique in its own way. Their fish replicas allow the fisherman to capture a memory while choosing to release the catch or filet it for dinner. With thousands of molds to choose from, all the angler needs to
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ect for the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which included 42 suspended replicas, and are currently working on items for a chain of ship stores (similar to our West Marine) opening in South Korea.
Fish Mounts Make Great Gifts! provide is the length, measurement or weight of the catch and using their expertise and knowledge of the various fish species Troy and Jen will recreate your fish to resemble the way it looked during the memorable day you caught it. (If you have a picture, that’s even better, as it allows them to produce a replica that is as close to the real thing as possible.)
Nautical Décor MTFC’s second focus is on the retail customer who would simply like to decorate their home or outside area with nautical décor. Not all of MTFC’s customers are fisherman. Whether it’s the little boy that wants a shark themed room, or the homeowner who wants to decorate a room or tiki bar with fish replicas, MTFC offers a wide variety of sculpted species. MTFC’s half sided fish replicas are another great option and an affordable
way to decorate with a unique style.
Corporate Fish Mounts MTFC’s third focus is providing a large quantity of replicas to corporate accounts; usually to decorate a new establishment or to use as a point of sale. These businesses vary from seafood or sushi restaurants to seafood markets, and marine related companies. Working with both interior designers and the owners themselves, MTFC will assist in producing a look that will be sure to wow customers. MTFC's extraordinary reputation has spread throughout the country and the world and has earned them the ability to be a vendor for Bass Pro Shops®; each year Bass Pro Shops® opens new stores all over the country and they decorate with a variety of fish replicas, many of which come directly from Mount This Fish Company. They also recently finished a proj-
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
Looking for the perfect gift to get your favorite angler.... As a fisher "woman" myself I know that nothing says I love you more than a commemorative mount of one of your exciting catches. For my birthday last year, I got a stunning mount from MTFC of a 32” Blackfin Tuna I caught in the Florida Keys that past year – it was one of my favorite gifts of all time and every time I look at that magnificent fish replica on my wall, I get flash backs of that awesome vacation! Thank-you so much Troy and Jen! My husband and I are avid fishermen, and as such our walls are lined with fish mounts – all of which have been masterfully created by Troy and Jen and the amazing artists at Mount This! Fish Company. We are very particular with our fish and when it comes to fish mounts we only go with the best of the best – which is why time and time again, when we want to celebrate a wonderful fishing memory, we know
that Troy and Jen will do an amazing job of capturing the beauty of our prized catch and create a mount that in itself is a masterpiece work of art! Whether you are an avid fisherman, homeowner, decorator or business owner looking for fish replicas or other unique nautical décor, Mount This! Fish Company serves to commemorate and/or decorate, offering the highest quality products, exceptional prices and extraordinary customer service. Give Troy and Jen a call today and commemorate the wonderful memories of that exhilarating catch with a stunning replica fish mount from Mount This Fish Company! Mount This! Fish Company is located at 4280 Hwy US1 in Rockledge Florida. Although they are a few hours outside of Tampa Bay all you have to do is send them a picture or measurements of the fish and they can conveniently mail your prized replica right to your doorstep. For more info please call Troy at (321) 403-6677 or email him at troy@mountthis.net, or visit their website at MountThis.net. Like them on Facebook (Mount This Fish Company) for specials, contests and the chance to win prizes and giveaways.
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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Brain Balance of Tampa May Have the Answers to Help Your Child Reach New Milestones of Success When your child is labeled with ADD or ADHD, it is beyond frustrating! Brain Balance Center of Tampa in Oldsmar wants parents to know that there is hope. ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders and is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, and the symptoms can make it very difficult for a child to succeed in school. Many parents are finding success with the programs at Brain Balance Achievement Centers for ADHD and much more. Brain Balance use proven strategies to help children exercise their brains. Brain Balance helps children who have ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette’s, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities or Processing Disorders, to work beyond those challenges and become more successful socially, developmentally and cognitively. Brain Balance Achievement Center of Tampa, located in Oldsmar, takes a whole-child approach that is personalized and focused on finding causes, rather than masking symptoms. There are more than 50 Brain Balance Achievement Centers in the nation, where children are given an individualized program that includes nutrition, sensory motor coaching and academic skill improvement. Employing Florida Certified Teachers who have impressive resumes in the fields of Behavioral Sciences and Exceptional Education, Brain Balance takes a “brain-based, not drug-based” approach. Brain
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Balance is an education facility, not a medical facility, and they make it a lot of fun for kids to come, play, grow and change! Brain Balance Program for ADHD The Brain Balance Program® is the most comprehensive approach to overcoming the symptoms of childhood learning and developmental issues like ADHD. It offers a cutting-edge, integrated approach that combines three core modalities into one program, integrating physical, sensory motor, and cognitive exercises with nutritional guidance to effectively address the root cause of these issues. Brain Balance’s unique, whole-child approach has helped thousands of kids reach their physical, social/behavioral, and academic potential. The Brain Balance program comes directly from Dr. Robert J. Melillo’s research on neurobehavioral disorders. Dr. Melillo, a worldrenowned neurologist, professor and author, strongly believes that condi-
tions such as ADD, ADHD, Tourette’s, Autism spectrum disorders and processing disorders, which were previously thought to be unrelated, are in fact related, and can be grouped into what is called “Functional Disconnection Syndrome.” In his book, “Disconnected Kids,” Dr. Melillo explains that if you were to take a child with any of these conditions and give them an MRI scan, or
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any other number of medical tests, there would be nothing to find. Their brain is not damaged. These issues are all connection issues, and research has proven that the left hemisphere of the brain and the right hemisphere of the brain have distinct responsibilities, abilities and functions. Research has found that when one-half of the brain has a deficiency, it leads to these connectivity issues, which can result in a “disconnect” between a child and their ability to learn, communicate and succeed. The goal is to challenge the hemisphere of the brain that is showing a deficiency, and to stimulate it so that it will learn to function. The Brain Balance Achievement Center of Tampa is located at 4022 Tampa Rd., Suite 6. For information or to schedule a tour, please call 813-475-6977. Email oldsmar@brainbalancecenters. com, or you visit online at www.brainbalancecenters.com.
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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Transform Your Mantel, Transform Your Home at Zoho Stone Architectural Products By Julie Kanehl They say that the home’s fireplace is a natural focal point, gathering place and a symbol of peace, warmth and tranquility for your family. Builders know this, and even in Florida, fireplaces are one of the most requested items on a homebuyer’s checklist. Not because they need the warmth, but because of how important and historic gathering around the fireplace actually is! In Florida, where we don’t often need the fireplace for heat, it’s the mantel however that steals the show! So what does your fireplace mantel say about your home? Is it majestic? Is it the perfect place to gather around, take milestone photos in front of and decorate each season? It’s more likely that your fireplace mantel dates your home. The mantels at Zoho Stone Architectural Products are a style unto themselves! Imagine a fireplace that is worthy of its reputation, one that would represent your personal style, update your home’s aesthetics and even raise its
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value! When you transform your mantel, you transform your home. Zoho Stone Architectural Products can do that and more using state-of-the-art lightweight, precast fireplace mantels. These incredible, made-toorder and long lasting fireplace mantels are made of gypsum cement, with the addition high-tech composites, glass fiber reinforcement and crushed natural stones, but look like they are meticulously carved stone. The Zoho Stone Architectural Products showroom, located 34318 US Highway 19 North in Palm Harbor, is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a unique and impressive way to update your home’s hearth. There is an impressive selection of Zoho Stone’s fireplace mantels on display, and the staff can personally help you navigate the many choices offered.
Zoho Stone Architectural Products (or Zoho Stone for short) is known as a premier precast architectural elements supplier and has been hailed for their dedication to researching, testing and basically producing a product that is completely unique. In fact, you could say that their approach has revolutionized the industry in weight, cost and artistry. Zoho Stone’s factory in California has been creating everything from fireplace mantels to architectural panels for buildings,
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schools and hospitals since the 1980s, and they ship their products all over the country, and of course, the Tampa Bay Area. President of Zoho Stone, Michel Zohouri, says, “Our fireplace mantel collection is perfect for the homeowner who wants to remodel or upgrade the look of their old mantel or fireplace. Our mantels create a memorable centerpiece in the home, and the
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
value that it adds to the house is phenomenal.” He adds, “Studies have shown that homes with a nice fireplace mantel not only sell faster, but one can recoup up to double the amount that he or she has spent on the addition of a beautiful fireplace by the increase in the added value of their home.” Customers from all over the Tampa Bay Area have come to Zoho Stone for fireplace mantels. Zoho Stone has one of the largest selections of precast fireplace mantels in the country, and each of their mantels is
created using a handcrafted mold and perfect for indoor or outdoor use. (An outdoor fireplace by the pool is a remarkable idea!) Brooke said, “I received my mantel that was custom made for me and it is perfect! The detail work and craftsmanship is amazing. Even the installer said it was one of the best quality mantels he had ever seen.” Let Zoho Stone Create Your Dream Fireplace Mantel When you visit Zoho Stone, you’ll
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
be welcomed by a professional staff, all of whom are eager to help you find your dream mantel, which will work perfectly for your home. With so many design styles, colors and textures to choose from, the hardest part is figuring out which mantel to choose! Michel says, “Our mantels are very detailed, fabricated by hand and most are made to order. We have over 50 designs to choose from and 10 of them are adjustable.” The first step is to determine the size of your firebox, or your actual fireplace insert. That dictates what options you have for design. Between classical, contemporary and modern styles, there are options that are designed to fit your exact taste and fireplace surround. Michel adds, “We have a foolproof measurement system for determining the size of your mantel.” Next, you can customize your mantel by choosing a color and a texture that best fits your home. Textures include Smooth, Travertine, Sandstone, Aged Stone, and now you can even choose to have a Venetian plaster marbleized design. Whether you prefer something with smooth, contemporary lines, or you love the scrolls and flourishes of
their classical collection, there’s a mantel that will speak to you. Some have artistically carved shells, while some feature a fleur-de-lis, yet others have columns and a Mediterranean feel. The options seem truly endless. The Zoho Stone website also is a great place to start, since it offers you a chance to view their entire mantel catalog. Of course, nothing is better than visiting the showroom and seeing some of them in person. Their mantels are truly remarkable and would make an incredible addition to any home. The best part is that you can have your completely custom-made mantel delivered in an average of four to six weeks! That means that you can completely transform your living room just in time for the New Year! So, what are you waiting for? Visit Zoho Stone to choose the new mantel that fits your home and your style, because when you transform your mantel, you transform your home. Zoho Stone Architectural Products, LLC, located at 34318 US Hwy 19 N in Palm Harbor, is open Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and by appointment on Sat. For more information, call 727-2306956 or visit www.ZohoStone.com for more details.
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“V & T” Continued from page 1 locations, Ivy and Thuan are proud to be a part of the Tampa community and enjoy making a difference in the lives of their customers. “I got into pharmacy so I could help people,” says Ivy. “Another reason is for my parents; they are getting older; I wanted to get involved in the medical field so I could take care of them.” Providing individualized attention to their customers is something that Ivy and Thuan strive to do each and every day. Ivy says, “We have very personalized service and we get to know our patients on a personal level. We know our customers by name. We know their stories because we take the time to listen. Our customers are more than just a number or a prescription. We really enjoy it because we feel as if we are really making a difference in their lives. We have even had customers bring us baked goods.” “They provide the best service and free delivery,” writes one customer. “I decided to try V&T pharmacy after CVS couldn't get my medication in for 3 days; V&T got it ready and delivered to me in 1 hour. They also have a variety of over-the-
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V & T Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy, and in addition to filling prescriptions and compounding their own medications, also has a large selection of over-the-counter items. counter medications on the shelves, and canes/walking sticks.” V & T Pharmacy is a full service compounding pharmacy that is specifically designed with the customer in mind. Utilizing the newest techniques and latest technologies, Ivy and Thuan, along with their state- certified pharmacy technicians, prepare customized medications and provide people in the Westchase Area with a friendly place to get their prescription filled. At V & T Pharmacy, Thuan and
Ivy work with their customers to customize a medication to meet their specific needs and are able to prepare products that are not commercially available. In addition to selling pharmaceutical grade supplements and compounding oral medications, V & T Pharmacy also compounds topical creams, hormones, such as those used in hormone replacement therapy, ointments, and other medications that require unique dosages. “Everything we do is customized,” says Ivy. “Every com-
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pounded medication is specifically tailored to our customer’s needs and requirements, ensuring that they receive that exact strength and dosage required.” Although they don’t currently offer veterinary compounding, that is definitely something Ivy and Thuan are looking into for the future as they continue to expand and grow. They do, however keep a stash of doggie treats at the pharmacy, for customers who like to bring along their furry friends. We have patients who live as far away as St. Pete and Clearwater who will only use our pharmacy,” says Ivy. “Because of this we offer a free mailing service; customers just have to pay their co-pay (if they have insurance) or whatever the cost of the medication is and we mail the medications for free. We are very fortunate to have such loyal customers.” Further adding to customer convenience, V & T Pharmacy also offers free delivery within a 10-mile radius of each of their two locations. Once again, customers are only responsible for their co-pay if they have insurance or the cost of the medication if they do not have insurance. “In addition to free delivery we also offer very competitive pricing for customers who do
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
not have insurance and have to pay for their medication out of pocket; our prices are often significantly cheaper than other pharmacies,” says Ivy. In addition to personalized attention, Ivy and Thuan strive to provide prompt, efficient service. “As long as we have the medication in we will get you your prescription within 15 minutes,” says Ivy. “If we don’t have the medication, it will be here the next day. When you call the pharmacy, you always speak with a live person right away; not several different automated messages. Having our own pharmacy allows us to help peo-
ple the way we intended to do when we first became pharmacists.” V & T Pharmacy has two locations to better serve their customers. Their newest location is at 11967 Sheldon Road in Westchase and can be reached at (813) 9263470. Their other pharmacy is located at 4040 West Waters Avenue in Tampa and can be reached at (813) 443-4732. Both pharmacies are open Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; the location on Waters is also open on Sat. from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. To fill your prescription online, please visit www.refillrx.com.
Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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“Victory Gym” Continued from page 1 empower them to conquer the balance beam in the gym, and also equip them to handle other challenges that will come their way.
Team Coach Philippe Flegeau Philippe is champion gymnast from France with 20 years of instructional experience and a solid background in anatomy and first aid. Philippe is very knowledgeable technically, extremely detail oriented and adept in assessing students’ skills and abilities when he coaches.
Team Coach Tracy BartlettMaggiacomois Tracy is a native Texan who began her gymnastics career at the age of 2. From the age of 9 until she was 12, she trained under the tutelage of Bela Karolyi as an optional gymnast. She has coached many state champions and helped several gymnasts through to the collegiate level.
Recreational Program Director and Team Coach Quincey Canham Quincey was a competitive gym-
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Victory Gymnastics student and Level 2 State Champion Addisyn Gullo nast herself for 10 years at Gemini, coached by former Gemini’s Head Coach/now Owner/Head Coach Viktor Savitski. Quincey oversees Recreational Program and coaches Level 1& 2 Competitive Teams.
Recreational Coach Irina Gagarine Irina remembers being a little girl, enjoying dance and gymnastics; she loved the coaches who gave her clear and simple direction. As a coach, she does just that. She combines unlimited desire for excellence with unstoppable fun in the progres-
sion process. Irina has MA Degree in Physical Education from the Moscow Academy of Physical Culture and a Sports Degree with specialization in gymnastics. She was a member of the USSR National Team, and also has 10 years of coaching experience.
Pre-School and Recreational Coach Jennifer Piccari Jennifer is in her 32nd year of teaching elementary school. She currently teaches at St. Joseph Catholic School in Tampa. For the past 7 years, she has been coaching pre-school and
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recreational classes in the afternoon to the young up and coming gymnasts at Victory GTC. She enjoys seeing the children succeed in their goals and takes pride in their accomplishments. The 13,000 square foot gym is well equipped for the girls and boys to train on the balance beam, bars, floor and vault. Boys of age 5+ are trained by “Oldsmar Boys” Gymnastics, which is located within Victory’s gym. Students of every skill level are welcome at Victory Gymnastics Training Center, and are challenged to push themselves, receiving guidance from experienced coaches. Dedication, desire, courage, respect and a serious work ethic are some of the traits the coaching staff wishes to instill in its young gymnasts. And we do mean young! Children can start learning as early as 18 months old in the “Parent and Me” class. From toddlers who are just learning to tumble, to those who aspire to win championships, Victory Gymnastics Training Center offers training for USAG Girls’ Competitive Gymnastics Program, Girls’ Recreational Gymnastics, and Tumbling. Private lessons are available, as well. Adjacent to the reception area is a Pro Shop, stocked with essentials like hand tape and snazzy leotards, and
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Victory Gymnastics Gymnast: Katelyn Meister Twelve year old Katelyn Meister is a Level 8 gymnast who attends Farnell Middle School in Tampa. She has trained at Victory Gymnastics Training Center in Oldsmar for the past 5 years and has achieved impressive results during this time period. Katelyn is a 3 time All Around State Champion and 2 time Regional All Around Champion. In 2013, Katelyn received the highest All Around score on both days of the XCEL Regional Competition out of over 200 gymnasts from eight states and left the competition with six gold medals. She was also selected as one of six gymnasts in Florida to compete as a member of the state team at the Regional Championship and “Team Florida” was awarded the 1st place title in the Region! Most recently, Katelyn was recognized as a Level 7 All Around State Champion as well as a Level 7 Regional Silver Medalist on Floor in 2014. plenty of snacks and drinks. A Birthday Party Room is brightly decorated and doubles as a lunchroom during summer camps, and sometimes it’s a quiet place for parents to catch up on emails, or they can enjoy watching from the spacious observation area. Many students who train at Victory Gymnastics Training Center excel at the sport of gymnastics. In fact, Victory sends congratulations to its own Lindsey Walker, a senior at Alonso High School and winner of the Gene Stowe Scholarship, who is walking on to the University of Florida Gator Gymnastics team with a Full Academic Scholarship! Lindsey is also one of the coaches of the preschool and recreational classes at Victory and will be missed when she moves away to be a Gator! Head Coach Viktor Savitski is a former Elite gymnast from Ukraine and National Team Member with a Masters Degree in Physical Education. During the past 30 years, he has coached an Olympic Bronze Medalist, Wendy Bruce, Olympians Morgan White and Mohini Bhardwej, and National Champion Ashley Shible. Many of his gymnasts have been awarded full college scholarships. Gymnastics is more than a sport! It can enhance the “brain/body” con-
Katelyn started gymnastics when she was 2 years old and has truly enjoyed the sport over the past 10 years. Her goal is to continue training and compete in collegiate gymnastics someday. nection, help to develop social and organizational skills, improve sensory processing, postural control, bi-lateral integration and body awareness. Plus, these kids are having a lot of fun! In addition to gymnastics and tumbling classes for all skill levels, Victory Gymnastics Training Center also offers a variety of seasonal camps – Spring, Summer, Thanksgiving and Winter – in addition to hosting Birthday Parties, Open Gym times and Gym Rentals. And, you can sign your child up for a FREE TRIAL CLASS. Or if you have a toddler, try the “Parent and Me”class as a great way to bond with your child and help them to dig from the “Educational Treasure Chest of Gold” at Victory Gymnastics Training Center. To schedule your child’s Free Trial Class, please call (813) 925-0060 or visit online at www.VictoryGTC.com, where you can submit your inquiry as well.
Victory Gymnastics Gymnast: Anna Garufo
Anna is from Palm Harbor, Florida, where she lives with her parents and two brothers and is an honor roll student in the fourth grade at Plato Academy. Anna began taking gymnastics classes at the age of 4, when her parents couldn’t get her to stop flipping around on the furniture at home. She is now 9, attends Victory Gymnastics Training Center in Oldsmar, and is more passionate than ever about the sport. Anna recently competed at the USAG Level 4 State Championships, where she became an All-Around State Champion for the second year in a row. Her highlight of the season was achieving her goal of a 9.8 score on bars - her favorite event. Anna credits her exceptional coaches at Victory with always pushing her to be her best. These days, Anna spends about 15 hours a week at the gym, her “home away from home”.
Victory Gymnastics Training Center is located at 805 Stevens Avenue in Oldsmar (off Douglas Road, two blocks before the Nielsen Complex on the left). For more information please call (813) 925-0060 or visit www.VictoryGTC.com
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Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge – Tampa Bay’s Newest Local Hotspot By Alexis Selby Starting the New Year off with a bang, Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge wowed guests with a rockin' grand opening celebration New Years Eve. Showcasing the fabulous creativity of talented chef Paul Syms, appetizers were served throughout the night, including jumbo shrimp, seared scallops, fresh tuna, and other tantalizing preparations. Listening to the rhythmic music of live singers, guests danced the night away as they enjoyed Tampa Bay’s newest upscale venue. Encompassing the best of both worlds, Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge features both an upscale restaurant where diners can enjoy fabulous chefprepared delicacies, and an upstairs lounge where patrons can relax on the couches and unwind after a hectic day at work. “Our vision for Dulcet was to bring upscale fine dining to New Port Richey, while at the same time having a lounge that complements the upscale dining,” says owner Nelson Ohihoin. “The challenge was fine tuning both so that they blend and fit together, therefore satisfying both sec-
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Intertwining two concepts, The Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge brings upscale dining to New Port Richey, providing guests with an elegant venue where they can enjoy a delicious meal in the main floor dining room or handcrafted cocktails in the upstairs lounge. tors without sacrificing the effect of each other.” They have definitely done a remarkable job! Nelson and his partners spared no expense with their vision, creating a venue that is sure to wow even before you walk through the doors. Walking up, guests take a stroll down the red carpet as they are greeted and let inside
by a handsomely dressed gentleman. Very Miami-esque with white walls, LED lights, an in-wall waterfall and soaring ceilings, Dulcet really has brought something unique to the Tampa Bay Area. Modern and elegant, this new local hot spot is perfect for those who want impress their date or significant other with an excep-
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tional fine dining experience. Family friendly, Dulcet is also great for families who want to enjoy a meal like none other. Featuring a menu influenced by European, American and Asian cuisine, the restaurant has an excellent selection that is guaranteed to impress. Doting on chef Paul Syms, expect to be wowed by your meal, whether it be the presentation and attention to detail or the freshness and flavor of their fabulous preparations. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Paul brings with him an extensive resume and a unique cooking style, which is very indicative of his European upbringing. Set to open within the next month, Dulcet is expanding their restaurant to include a back patio, the Cavalaire Patio to be more specific, which will showcase island, Caribbean and African – inspired cuisine. “It’s kind of like two restaurants in one,” says Nelson. “Having the patio will allow us to offer a broad range of prices so that everybody can find something that they can afford.” This new addition will have a more laid-back, relaxing atmosphere and although the menu is different,
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guests can still expect to find the same quality of chef-prepared meals as they would inside the elegant dining area. Perhaps, instead of dinner you have come for drinks – head on upstairs to the VIP lounge area and relax on their couches with a cocktail in hand; or maybe you would prefer to sit at a high top at the balcony overlooking the lower level. If you come on the right night, you’ll be in the perfect spot to watch the live band and singers.
For nights without a live band, Dulcet has a solution– large vertically inverted projection televisions showcasing musicians that have been filmed doing live performances, which really make you feel as if you are at a live show. In addition to presenting bands Dulcet will also project mood-setting scenes, such as those depicting nature and different parts of the world, to create a relaxing, soothing atmosphere. Throughout the week Dulcet will feature different musical genres, such
as Jazz on Tuesdays, Latin on Thursdays, Top 40 on Fridays and Saturdays and International music from different parts of the world every Sunday. Monday is Hospitality night and Wednesday is Ladies Night at the lounge. They also plan on having live music at least once a week, including live performances by the Black Honkeys and other local favorites. For more information and an upcoming list of live performances please visit their Facebook page. Looking for a romantic spot to celebrate Valentines Day? With its amorous ambiance, you’ll really impress your date if you take him or her to dinner at Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge. After your meal, if you’re not
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ready to head home just yet, than you always have the option of continuing the night upstairs with an after dinner cocktail. So, whether you are looking to enjoy a world-class dining experience in their restaurant or a fabulous, funfilled evening upstairs in their lounge, Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge is sure to impress and make for an unforgettable evening! Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge is located at 6220 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey. They are open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Mon. – Sun. For more information please call (727) 4947654, visit www.TheDulcet.com or view their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/theDulcet.
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles