Carrollwood - Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2016 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Your neighborhood. Your magazine.

Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2016

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila

Simply Pho Vietnamese Noodles & Grill by Alexis Selby Recently celebrating their one year anniversary, Simply Pho Vietnamese restaurant has brought a whole different experience to the Carrollwood community. Born in Vietnam, owners and brothers Anthony Pham and Thai Bao Pham had a dream of sharing their love of Vietnamese food and culture with the rest the world and decided to start right here in Carrollwood. And, for the past year they have experienced an over-

whelming support from the community, acquiring quite a loyal following of customers who absolutely love the flavorful creations and unique options on their menu. As Anthony was recently deployed overseas in the Air Force, I had the pleasure of speaking with his wife Loann Nguyen. “My husband and his brother had this vision of introducing authentic Vietnamese food to the Carrollwood community,” says Anthony’s See “Simply Pho” on page 28.

Pose by Pose Yoga - Building a Community, One Class at a Time! By Alexis Selby Creating a true sense of community in the Tampa Bay area, Pose by Pose Yoga is helping people to grow emotionally, physically and mentally in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere where they can unwind and let loose from the outside world. Building this location from the ground up, owner Jennifer Leavy specially designed her studio with yoga in

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Maloney’s Local Irish Pub.........................................3 Community Calendar/ News Briefs..................4-5 Sound Exchange...............................................8-9 Medical Weight Loss, LLC............................12-13 Wheelchairs 4 Kids Jail-N-Bail............................14 Old McMicky’s Farm ‘Mission I Do’.............18-19 Holy Hog Barbecue......................................22-23

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185

Plantation Animal Hospital...........................16-17

mind, creating a place where members could feel welcome, and relaxed, as if they were walking into their own home. She says, “The difference in our studio is that we are not a place that was modified for yoga, we are a studio that was specifically designed around what would work best for our goals. We built a library for our instructors to continue to educate themselves and relax; a 500 square foot lobby and made room for a couch so our guests

could sit; a place for a break room where instructors and members could enjoy tea and snacks.” Although this is her first yoga studio, Jennifer has been teaching yoga training for over 15 years. A certified Yoga Alliance instructor, Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge in all facets and applications and is able to expertly guide her yogis and help them to get the most out of their practice, See “Pose by Pose” on page 24.

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Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle

Maloney’s Local Irish Pub Comes to Carrollwood!

Directly mailed once a month to 15,000 households in zip codes 33618, 33624 & 33613

By Alexis Selby With a brand new location at 12904 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Maloney’s Local Irish Pub is excited to announce its expansion to the Carrollwood community. With established locations in South Tampa and Westchase, Maloney’s has been a favorite hangout amongst local patrons for years, and now with its newest location opening just over a month ago on the corner of South Village Dr and Dale Mabry Hwy, the fun, festive atmosphere that Maloney’s is well know for, has been brought right here to Carrollwood. Quickly gaining regulars, since opening, many locals have already made Maloney’s their go-to spot for a good time and great company. “Maloney’s is your neighborhood bar, it’s like a Cheers; you come in and everybody knows you,” says co-owner Todd Wingard. “That’s what we are trying to establish here in Carrollwood. We want to be known as your local bar.” Opening the first Maloney’s in Westchase over 6 1/2 years ago, owners Todd Wingard and Brian Pfeiffer had a vision to create a cozy, homey place where guests can unwind and let loose. “We want you to think of us as your second home; where you can come to hang out and relax, whether it’s just for a beer after work or for dinner,” says Brian. Taking over the location where World of Beer used to be, Maloney’s in Carrollwood features a spacious open patio, with big barrel tables that can accommodate parties and groups of all sizes. Walking inside, you will find a long bar top, where you can sit and chat with your friendly bartender as you sip on your favorite libation from their full liquor bar, whether it

Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle 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 © 2016 Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle Publisher Matt Selby Advertising Sales Jared Nager (Manager) Linda Viega Mike Bird Accounting Manager Alexis Selby Marketing & Development Ashley Knoblach Art Director Tony Sica

be one of their great craft beer selections or famous signature cocktails. Not wanting to sit at the bar? No worries, they have plenty of tabletops where you can sit and mingle with friends. And, with 22 flat screen TVs showing your favorite sporting events, there is no reason not to come to Maloney’s to root for your team! Serving a delicious fusion of traditional Irish fare and gourmet pub food, it’s ok to come hungry at Maloney’s Irish Pub. Enjoy a feast for your eyes when you order off their tantalizing food menu, which has a variety of great options to choose from, including some Irish favorites, such as fish n’ chips, shepherds pie, bangers and Mash, herb crusted salmon and stout chicken. They also have a great selection of gourmet burgers, European flatbread pizzas, sandwiches, wraps and salads. Oh, and did I mention their famous wings? "We have the best wings in town,” says Brian. Their fresh, never frozen, jumbo wings come in your choice of one of their 10 signature sauces. With live music Friday and Satur-

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day nights, and different food and drink specials throughout the week, there’s always something fun happening at Maloney’s. Their next big event…. St. Patrick’s Day of course!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day At Maloney’s Irish Pub If you’re looking for a rockin’ St Patrick’s Day party, Maloney’s in Carrollwood is the place to be on March 17! With live Irish music all day, including the Fickle Souls from 1 p.m. 4 p.m., Pat McGroin from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Keegan Ritz and the Woodsman from 10 p.m. - 3 p.m., you can dance the night away as you drink green beer and jam out to some great vibes! They will have some excellent promotions all day long, as well as plenty of giveaways and specials. Maloney's has insane lunch specials all week, anchored by their famous Wednesday $6 Burger day! So, come experience a bit of Ireland in Tampa’s own backyard at Maloney’s Local Irish Pub! Todd says,"We do it better than everybody else. We have great service, a comfortable envi-

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Editor Alexis Selby Correspondents Julie Kanehl Marcy Sanford Pamela Sica Katie Thomas Kim Thomas Dara Tucker Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Nothing that appears in Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle 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.

ronment and a nice covered patio. Maloney’s Local Irish Pub is an awesome place to hang out and meet friends.” Make sure you ask for Cliff Denny, the Proprietor, and mention this article for a special surprise! Maloney’s Local Irish Pub in Carrollwood is located at 12904 N Dale Mabry Hwy. They are open Mon. - Sun 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. For additional information please call (813) 252-5526, visit www.MaloneysLocalIrishPub.co m or like them on Facebook at Maloney’s Local Irish Pub Carrollwood.

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Community Calendar & News Briefs 8th Annual Caspers Company Sporting Clays Challenge Benefiting the Children's Cancer Center Friday, March 4, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, 10514 Ehren Cutoff, Land O’Lakes The Sporting Clays Challenge has grown into one of the fastest growing fundraisers in Tampa Bay. This is a unique event for novices and experts shooters alike to enjoy a recreational and competitive activity, as they network and raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Center. This event was launched in 2009 by a group of Bay area friends who are outdoor and shooting enthusiasts and continue to support the event each year on the committee. For the past three years Caspers Company has been the title sponsor. This year’s Sporting Clay Challenge will again take place at the Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’Lakes on Friday, March 4th, with registration at 9:00am and a shotgun start at 10:00am. Lunch will be served following the event at12:30 p.m., with an

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awards ceremony taking place at 1pm. For additional information please visit childrenscancercenter.org/sportingclays-challenge/

For more information or to purchase tickets please call (813) 265-4000 or visit CarrollwoodPlayers-Theatre.ticketleap.com/inishmaan.

The Cripple of Inishmaan Staged Reading at the Black Box Theater at Carrollwood Players

FREE Community Easter Eggstravaganza

Saturday March 5, at 8 pm and Sunday March 6, at 3pm at Carrollwood Players Theatre, located at 4335 Gunn Hwy, Tampa Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland in 1934, this very Irish play is a strange comic tale in the great tradition of Irish storytelling. As word arrives on Inishmaan that the Hollywood director Robert Flaherty is coming to the neighboring island of Inishmore to film MAN OF ARAN, the one person who wants to be in the film more than anybody is young Cripple Billy, if only to break away from the bitter tedium of his daily life. Meet a bevy of unforgettable Irish characters in this staged reading that is sure to inspire your Irish spirit just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Adult language. General admission is $10.

Sat., March 19th, 3 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 3714 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa Bring your Easter Basket and come celebrate on Saturday, March 19th, on the front lawn of the church. They’ll have games, crafts, stories, refreshments, a photo with the Easter Bunny and an Easter Egg Hunt. Come and join in the fun! All are welcome! Call (813) 961-8747 for more information.

Thriving and Surviving in 2016 Wed. March 23 from 12 p.m. 1:30 p.m. at Jimmie B Keel Regional Library Senior Information Resources will present “Thriving and Surviving in 2016” at the Jimmie B Keel Regional Library located at 2902 W Bearss Avenue in Tampa on Wednesday, March

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23, from noon-1:30 pm Panel members will discuss ways to protect assets, must-have legal documentation, social security payout options, tax saving tips, and more. Questions from the audience will be addressed with time permitting. This is a FREE lunch and learn event that is open to the public. Community resource material will be available. A box lunch will be provided by Horizon Bay Lutz. Seating is limited. Reserve by calling (813) 949-0752.

Tampa Carrollwood Rotary Charity Golf Tournament The Tampa Carrollwood Rotary Club is pleased to announce their 33rd Charity Golf Classic Tournament held on Friday, April 1, at East Lake Woodlands Golf and Country Club. The Tampa Carrollwood Rotary Club is a volunteer service organization made up of local business leaders. They appreciate the consideration and support they have received the past 32 years for their charitable efforts. “Our success is only assured with the support we receive from

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you,” says Tournament Committee Member Robert Weisman. Their most important charity sponsorship each year is “Hugs for Kids”, a weekend camp for children with cancer or other blood disorders and their siblings held the first weekend of December for 80 – 120 children at Rotary Camp Florida in Brandon. In 2015 they celebrated their 13th anniversary of camp sponsorship. At this time, the Tampa Carrollwood Rotary Club is asking for your support in the form of a door prize, gift certificate, auction or raffle item to be awarded at their Golf Tournament. All individuals and companies supporting their Charity Golf Classic Tournament will receive recognition in their Tournament Program. Please send any prizes or gift certificates to the address below or call and they will gladly pick them up. Please be sure to include a business card so they can give you proper recognition in their Tournament Program. Your support is greatly appreciated. In total there is only space available for 120 golfers, so if you are interested in joining in the tournament as a single, or foursome, or want to become a sponsor, contact Robert Weisman at (813) 485-8111 or on his cell at (813) 265-1372.

CBA Presents Andy Hamilton with Award The Carrollwood Bar Association(CBA), with local attorneys serving Carrollwood and the North Hillsborough County communities, recently presented to Andy Hamilton, left, the Brian Weakland Award for Hamilton’s outstanding leadership as President of CBA in 2015. The award was presented by Joe Kalish, right, a founding director and past president of CBA. Established in 2000, CBA has a luncheon on the second Thursday of each month at the Carrollwood Country Club, with continuing legal education speakers. CBA members include attorneys with a wide variety of specialties and non-attorneys who

Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle

support CBA’s goals and values. Attorney members have a listserv and a monthly roundtable of attorneys, which allows the attorneys to share their knowledge and experience with other attorneys. CBA’s mission is to serve its members and the residents of Carrollwood and surrounding areas by fostering respect for the law; advancing the competent, collegial, and ethical practice of the legal profession; and providing programs and services to members that will enhance the quality of their legal services for those in need of legal services. For more information on CBA, its members and their specialties, go to the CBA website at www.carrollwoodbar.com.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Opens Its Newest Location in Carrollwood The doors to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen’s new Carrollwood location, opened February 1st at 11 a.m. The restaurant at 11004 N. Dale Mabry is over 8,000 square feet, seats approxi-

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mately 285 guests, employs approximately 200 employees and features a scratch-made menu, including favorites like hand-battered onion rings, house-smoked baby back ribs, savory Santa Fe Spinach Dip and Cheddar’s Legendary Monster Cookie. So, if you are looking for a yummy made-fromscratch meal, I recommend you go check them out! For more information please call (813) 964-5300 or visit www.Cheddars.com.

Mary Jo's Performing Arts Summer Camps 15906 Mapledale Blvd., Tampa, (813) 969-0240, mjpaa.com/summer Experience a summer of fun and excitement in the performing arts! Keep active all summer in dance, acting, musical theater, voice and music for ages 2 1/2 & older. The weekly themes include Frozen Fun, Fairy & Fantasy, Be a Rock Star, Princess & Pirates, Broadway & More! Take the stage this summer and perform in a wide variety of styles and venues. Mary Jo’s Performing Arts is located at 15906 Mapledale Blvd., Tampa. Classes fill quickly so register online now at www.MJPAA.com/summer or by calling (813) 969-0240.

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Sound Exchange Is the Place to Go to Sell CDs, Records, and More By Deborah Bostock-Kelley With locations in Tampa, Brandon, and Pinellas Park, Sound Exchange is easily accessible to those in the South Tampa community. The stores are home to tens of thousands of CDs, vinyl records, and movies. Whether you’re searching for a heavy metal album or a classic film on BluRay, you’re likely to find it here. And it’s not only music and movies on the shelves: you’ll find a selection of freshly serviced turntables, reel-to-reel tape decks, and other vintage stereo equipment. Comics, music and pop culture books, and collectible figures round out the inventory. This place is an entertainment lover’s dream. Erin Stoy, Marketing Director and Vinyl Buyer, said that Sound Exchange purchases all of its used items from the public. Staff stays busy purchasing items every day - from a seller who brings in a handful of CDs to trade towards new items, to a collector ready to part with his complete music collection. “Customers have the option to take cash or store credit,” said Erin. “The store credit option is a 10% bonus over the cash offer. Many customers have been selling to use for years because they know when they come here, they will get a fair price.” Sound Exchange uses sales history data, current market conditions, and decades of experience to identify the

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appropriate offer for an item. They regularly purchase items from individuals liquidating the estate of a family member who has passed away. Music and stereo equipment that might normally be discarded can find a new, appreciative audience. Sound Exchange regularly seeks vintage hi-fi. “We buy turntables from most eras – anywhere from the late 1960s to recently manufactured turntables of good quality,” she said. They also purchase reel-to-reel players, amplifiers, receivers, and stereo speakers, especially from the “golden era”

of the 1970s. And if you have stereo equipment that you’d like to use but is not working properly, Sound Exchange can even repair it for you. Each location boasts its own personality. “All three stores have a slightly different flavor and clientele,” said Stoy. “There’s commonality, of

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course, but because we buy so many used items over the counter, the selection in each store is different based on what people bring us.” She reports that many customers shop at all three stores, because there is different inventory in each one. The Sound Exchange inventory is

Carrollwood Neighborhood Lifestyle

Sound Exchange in Tampa is located at 14246 N. Nebraska Ave. and can be reached at (813) 9789316, hours are Mon. - Sat. 11am – 9pm, Sunday 11am – 7pm; Brandon at 805 W. Bloomingdale Ave., (813) 651- 9316, hours are Mon. Thurs. 11am – 8pm, Fri. -Sat. 11am – 9pm, and Sun. noon – 6pm; and Pinellas Park at 7688 searchable in real-time on the company’s web site. New and used CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, stereo equipment, and new vinyl records are all listed there. If a customer wants an item available at a location not convenient for him, he can make an online reservation and have it delivered to his closest Sound Exchange. Customers can also visit Facebook

46th St North, (727) 545-0042, hours are Mon. - Thurs. 11am – 8pm, Fri. - Sat. 10am – 8pm, and Sun. noon – 6pm. For more information please visit their website at www.SoundExchangeTampaBay.com or their Facebook page at Facebook.com/SoundExchangeTampaBay.

to see new arrivals in all Sound Exchange stores. “Our Facebook page always has daily photos of new and interesting items,” said Stoy. “We are not a niche-market kind of store. We carry all kinds of music and movies, whatever we believe will interest our varied customers. Having three locations enables us to buy a lot of good quality used product from the public.”

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Medical Weight Loss, LLC, Helps Make Losing Weight a Reality By Deborah Bostock-Kelley For many people, losing weight is at the top of their bucket list. For others, it is the only way to become, and feel healthy again. Many of us have tried yo-yo diets, or buy the expensive celebrity promoted trends, that pop up in social media and TV and radio commercial hype. The failed weight loss remains, and people are discouraged. However, Medical Weight Loss, LLC at (813) 269-SLIM has been proving for years, that weight loss, whether 10 pounds or 120 pounds, can be done, safely and affordably! Many different diseases, such as diabetes, auto-immune problems and heart disease, are linked to being overweight. We know about these things. Weight loss is not just a matter of looking good, but, is a medical program of improving your health and reducing your risks. Feeling better, is also a great by-product of slimming down. Medical Weight Loss, LLC (269SLIM), opened in 2007, and is headed by Dr. Gail Jachimek. The

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main clinic is located at 5111 Ehrlich Road. Their other clinics are in Wesley Chapel, FL., Lake Geneva, and Waukesha, Wisconsin. Their prices have not increased since they began the medical weight loss practice. Their program combines pharmaceutical appetite suppressant medication, fat burning injections and pills, and a clinically proven diet with medical doctor and nursing support and counseling to help their patients reach their “target” weight goals. This physician supervised program helps those who have before tried and failed to lose unwanted pounds. Dr. Gail says, “We opened the clinic because I was entering menopause and gaining weight. When I asked my primary physician, as well as my doctor friends, for help, I got extremely rude responses. I was told to “push away from the table”. Dr. Gail does not want her patients to go through the same degrading experience. At the time, Dr. Gail was living on chicken and salad, and practicing level 3 kickboxing. She says, “I had always been thin, so I also assumed that

anyone over weight deserved to be overweight because they were ‘eating chips in front of the television,’ etc.” When the unexplained weight gain happened to her, she was then convinced that other factors were involved. She wanted an answer. Determined to learn more, Dr. Jachimek joined the Medical Weight Loss, LLC has been proving for years, ASBP (American that weight loss, whether 10 pounds or 120 pounds, can Society of Bariatric be done, safely and affordably! Physicians) and went to their symposiums for further educaing with the same frustrating weighttion and tools. She discovered that gain situation she had faced. They there are many contributing factors to have since opened 3 more clinics in weight gain - not just your diet. Florida and Wisconsin. Some of the major contributing “At Medical Weight Loss, we factors included hormonal imbalhave an internal medicine MD, as well ances, thyroid issues, environmental as an endocrinologist MD, that have toxins, autoimmune disease, type 2 been treating our patients so that the diabetes, etc. It was then that she, root cause of these problems can be opened the clinic to help people deal- addressed. Our registered nurses and

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supportive staff are there for you to help you every step of the way.” Medical weight loss plans are not new, and many, are similar, but those programs usually involve significant upcharges and hidden fees. Dr. Jachimek’s 269-SLIM program is different. Her program is focused on the long-term results, meaning, not only will the process safely take off your weight during the active phase of the program, but also prevent the pounds from returning during the “maintenance phase”...(which is free)! This is no diet trend – This is looking at your medical history, evaluating your EKG, bloodwork and lifestyle. Then, their doctors propose a plan for you, and prescribe appropriate pharmaceutical appetite suppressants, fat burning injections, vitamin therapy and fat burning supplements. “The program is simple, inexpensive and easy to follow. We give

Medical Weight Loss LLC is located at 5111 Ehrlich Road, Suite 128 in Tampa Dr. Gail Jachimek you a large list of foods to buy/choose from,” says Dr. Jachimek. “The program is easy, because it is food bought in the grocery store, (no special foods to order) just regular meats, fruits and vegetables on our list. This factor also makes it more affordable, because you don’t

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have to buy special foods, or cook separate dinners if you have a family.” Under the supervision of their medical doctors, patients can drop 20 to 30 pounds in the first month. Dr. Jachimek said that it is common to see 5-10 pounds dropped in the first week. “We have had patients that have lost 17 pounds in their first week, as well as patients that have lost over a hundred pounds on our program”, says Dr. Jachimek. Accountability is also a major part of the program. Keeping the patients safe and on track, nurses evaluate, and treat them weekly to provide support and give suggestions on how to maintain a proper diet. Dr. Jachimek stresses that there are no price surprises at Medical Weight Loss, 269-SLIM. The initial visit is $195 and weekly visits are just $55. That’s it! This may be what you have been waiting for. As their slogan says, “With 269SLIM (MEDICALWEIGHTLOSSLLC.COM) there are no hidden

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fees…just pounds gone”. Medical Weight Loss LLC is located at 5111 Ehrlich Road, Suite 128 in Tampa, 33624. For more information or to set up an appointment, call (813)-239-SLIM (7546). Or visit their website at www.medicalweightlossllc.com. Their staff and nurses will be glad to answer your questions!

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Wheelchairs 4 Kids Jail-N-Bail – A Fun Way to Help Tampa Bay Area Kids Gain Mobility! By Amy Paterson Wheelchairs 4 Kids, a local 501 (C) 3 organization, is dedicated to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities by providing wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications as well as assistive and therapeutic equipment at no charge to the families. Many children in the United States faced with living with physical disabilities are in wheelchairs that are too small, in disrepair, or do not fit the needs of the child. Children outgrow their wheelchairs before government or insurance programs will allow for a replacement. Not only is it unsafe for a child to be in a chair that is inadequate for their needs; it can impact their health in numerous ways including scoliosis, respiratory problems and pressure sores. In addition, families are faced with trying to care for their special needs children in homes that have not been modified to meet their specific circumstances. Wheelchairs 4 Kids is working hard to address this neglected need. We hope that you will take a moment to visit our website at www.wheelchairs4kids.org and become

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a fan of our Facebook page. You’ll be able to follow what we are up to! You can also see a several videos of our work on our YouTube channel. Do a Little Time! Wheelchairs 4 Kids is holding its 5th Annual Jail-N-Bail, and we are looking for community leaders to “do a little time” for a GREAT cause for our annual Jail-N-Bail fundraiser! JailN-Bail will be held at Charley’s Steak House on April 29, 2016. “Felons” will be asked to raise $3,000 - $5,000 in bail! It is a great way to help us give these kids the independence they so deserve! Wheelchairs 4 Kids will be “arresting” prominent citizens in the Tampa Bay Area for various charges such as insider trading (retired NFL players using connections to get ahead

in Fantasy Football), to impersonating an actor (local business owners/lawyers appearing in commercials). The sillier the crime, the better! Of course, your charges and bail are negotiable. You can even split the bail with a co-conspirator! On April 29th, Jail-N-Bail “Inmates” will turn themselves in at Charley’s Steak House (AKA The Big House) where they will be photographed, issued prison garb, handcuffed and held in a holding cell with all of the other “felons.” I understand that the prison guards are notorious for sneaking in food and beverages! Those arrested will be ordered to appear before Judge Julie and Judge Steve Weintraub (owners of Gold & Diamond Source) to answer to charges. Raise bail or be locked up in the Wheelchairs 4 Kids “jail” for one

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hour, and once bail is met, the guilty will be released with great fanfare. Wheelchairs 4 Kids’ Jail-N-Bail is not only a way to help local children who need wheelchairs and handicap modifications, but it also is fun and great exposure for your business. “Jailbirds” will receive several copies of their “Wanted” poster, and will have a page on Wheelchairs 4 Kids’ website with a personal wanted poster and charges. Bail can be met on each inmate’s personal webpage, where supporters can make a secure, online donation toward bail in advance. Wheelchairs 4 Kids will design custom e-mail blasts that “inmates” may send to friends and post on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Collect bail in advance – you never know what will happen in the jail. A riot may break out and you don’t want to miss the fun! If you are able, please help Wheelchairs 4 Kids in its effort to help local children in need. If you have questions, suggestions, comments, or would like to find out how you can help, please contact Wheelchairs 4 Kids at 727-946-0963. Wheelchairs 4 Kids, 501 (C) 3 organization, is located at 1976 S. Pinellas Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689. Log on to wheelchairs4kids.org for more info.

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Dr. Johnson

By Matt Selby Pets are so much more than just animals; they are family! They are always there to provide affection and support and love you unconditionally, no matter what. So, when it comes to their health, as a loving parent, it is up to you to find them a doctor who will treat them the way you would; providing them with the most compassionate, comprehensive care in welcoming, relaxing environment. You will find all this and more at Plantation Animal Hospital, where doctors Rhonda Johnson, DVM, and Ellen Bishai, DVM along with their wonderful staff, will care for your furry friend with knowledge, professionalism and above all – love! In addition to cats and dogs, Plantation Animal Hospital treats the occasional ferret, gerbil, and many other smaller animals. At Plantation Animal Hospital the doctors are extremely knowledgeable

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regarding the various facets of veterinary medicine and together have many years of experience working as Veterinarians in the Tampa Bay Area. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Bishai are very passionate about what they do and their level of expertise is perfectly complemented by their love for animals. Adding to the friendly atmosphere at Plantation Animal Hospital is the exceptional staff, which will assist you in providing quality, customized care for the individual needs of you and your pet(s). Customized care at Plantation Animal Hospital includes working with the budget of each client. Vet bills can get expensive and the Doctors understand this. You and your family will always be at the forefront of every decision. No other veterinarian that I’ve ever came across cares more about keeping costs down for their clients. “Everything is a case by case basis, we always do what’s best for the pet and owner.” says Dr. Johnson.

Growing up in California, Dr. Johnson attended the University of California at Davis for her undergraduate studies. Later attending Iowa State University in 1995, she graduated with honors with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and a Masters degree in Immunology and Microbiology and was the recipient of many academic awards and scholarships. After graduation, Dr. Johnson moved back to her husband’s home state of Florida and has lived in the Tampa Bay area since. She has practiced in St. Petersburg and Tampa for nearly 20 years and currently lives in Carrollwood and loves having a practice so close to home. Dr. Johnson strives to be a lifelong learner and loves all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery. She is especially interested in chronic ear issues and dental health.

Dr. Bishai Recently joining Plantation Animal Hospital this past October, Dr. Bishai completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida, earning her BS in Biology and a minor in music history. Prior to enrolling in veterinary school, she attended the University of Florida, where she completed a doctorate de-

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gree in Cellular Microbiology in 2007. Upon graduation, Dr. Bishai decided to fulfill her lifelong dream and enrolled in veterinary school, and completed her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012. Graduating from veterinary school, she returned home to Tampa. Dr. Bishai loves all aspects of veterinary medicine (but admits she has a soft spot for kitties) and is always striving to learn more and she stays up to date on the most current therapies. She enjoys volunteering for spay and neuter days at local shelters and cat rescues whenever she can. In addition to spending time with her own furry feline friends – Fuzzy Man, Rogue, and Chimera – she also enjoys playing and listening to live music and currently plays the Viola in the University of Tampa Orchestra. “I enjoy working here a lot,” says Dr. Bishai. “Everyone here is truly invested in taking care of the animals, not just in a medical capacity, but in supporting the family. Everyone cares about everyone. That makes a huge difference!” The doctors and staff truly care about the wellbeing of their patients and believe that properly educating the pet owners is key to having a healthy pet. Dr. Johnson says, “Good

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communication is super important because we are dealing with pets that can’t express themselves and it is up to us to figure out what is wrong and how we can help them. We try really hard to educate “parents” to the best of our ability. We currently give out a puppy/kitty educational package and are working on putting together a new client hand-out folder, so whenever a new client comes in we can educate them on what they should do about heartworms and other illnesses, as well as what we offer, how to select a good food for your pet and other important things that every pet owner should know.” Dr. Bishai stresses the importance of heartworm prevention, in not just dogs but cats as well. She

says, “All of your animals need to be on heartworm prevention in the state of Florida, even cats.” Heartworms are spread by contact with mosquitoes; therefore cats are just as susceptible as dogs, especially if you have an outside cat. She adds “Fleas may be annoying, but heartworms can be fatal. It is a lot easier and much less expensive to prevent heartworms than it is to treat them.” Although, if your dog or cat does have a case of heartworms, the doctors have the necessary medicine and expertise to tackle just about any case and will do all they can to save your pet and bring them back to full health. At Plantation Animal Hospital the doctors understand that not everything is going to be the same for every pet,

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which is why they tailor each service to your pet’s individual needs and work hard with you to develop a unique program just for them. “Everything from early detection blood work all the way down to how often we recommend dentals, is greatly dependant on the type, breed and lifestyle of the pet,” says Dr. Johnson. Plantation Animal Hospital offers a wide range of services, including full, comprehensive surgical services, diagnostic imaging, cytology, a wide range of dental services (both anesthetic and non-anesthetic), 1 year and 3 year vaccines, boarding (for their clients only), annual and bi annual wellness programs, microchip placement with registration included, and prescription diet plans. They also carry a variety of flea and heartworm prevention products and have a full pharmacy in the clinic, as well as an in house laboratory. Plantation Animal Hospital offers cold laser therapy, which very few clinics in the area offer. A relatively new technology, cold laser therapy is a noninvasive procedure that uses lasers to stimulate cell regeneration and increase blood circulation, which in turn promotes wound healing and helps to reduce inflammation. It is also used to treat dogs with arthritis and soft tissue injuries.

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For all of their surgical procedures, the doctors use multistage anesthesia and insert IV catheters to ensure your pet is getting all the necessary fluids. During the procedure your pet is monitored closely, and a technician is always present, whose sole purpose is to monitor blood pressure, EKG trace, heart rate, temperature and saturated oxygen. They also use the Bear Hugger external warming blanket – the same type of warming system that is used in human medicine – to ensure your pet is comfortable the entire time. As you can see, at Plantation Animal Hospital your pet is truly treated as one of the family! Dr. Johnson says, “There isn’t a single member of my staff that doesn’t treat these pets as if they were their own. Our favorite part about what we do is working with the animals and helping them; when we actually see success and say ‘wow, what we did made a huge difference’.” Plantation Animal Hospital is located at 4585 Gunn Hwy. in Tampa. Their hours are Mon., Tues. Thurs. and Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wed. and Sat. 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. For more information please call (813) 968-3393 or visit www.PlantationPetVet.com.

MARCH 2016

Old McMicky’s Farm $30,000 ‘Mission I Do’ Military Dream Wedding Winners Sam and Chris Married in February Brides amputee brother who was saved by the groom acted as best man Submitted Over 100 guests gathered at Old McMicky's Farm to witness the wedding of a loving and deserving couple, Samantha Dilberian & Christopher St Onge. Sam and Chris are the winners of the 3rd "Mission I Do" $30k Dream Wedding Giveaway. The Farm received dozens of entries from local deserving military couples and narrowed the entries to 4 worthy couples. In November, voting was opened to the public and over 65,000 votes were received. Samantha Dilberian & Christopher St Onge have a story strait out of a Hollywood movie. In 2010, Samantha’s brother Bryan graduated basic training and was stationed in Fort Drum, NY. He showed Samantha’s picture to Sgt. Christopher St. Onge in an effort to get himself out of doing pushups. It must have worked because Samantha soon got a

MARCH 2016

friend request on Facebook. Bryan and Chris deployed together to Afghanistan in March 2011. Just a few months later, on July 1, 2011 their squad was hit by an I.E.D. killing SPC Waters, and wounding Samantha’s brother, Bryan. Samantha’s family was told Bryan had lost both legs and left arm and a lot of blood, but was stable. Samantha received message after message filled with support, love prayers, shoulders to lean on, but then a familiar name came through her inbox. It was Chris, checking in on Bryan’s progress. How good it was to see his name. Someone that was there with Bryan, someone who helped save his life. Chris and Samantha often spoke. He checked in on Bryan, she asked how the rest of their deployment was going. Little conversations that brought Samantha the most comfort she had felt in months. After Bryan healed, he could not wait to get back

to his unit in Fort Drum. Samantha made the trip with him, and of course got to spend some time with Chris. Chris and Samantha started dating, but could only see each other on weekends due to their work schedules and the long distance. It was a 6-hour drive from Brooklyn to Fort Drum,

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but they made the trip almost every weekend. In December 2012, Chris got recruiting orders to Tampa and asked Samantha to join him. She had to leave her family and her life, but there was no hesitation. She knew Chris was the one for her, and she knew it was

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time for them to start our lives together. This past August, on their 3year anniversary, Chris proposed. A few weeks later, Chris received an email announcing a dream wedding giveaway from Old McMicky’s farm in Odessa, FL. It couldn’t have been more perfect timing. Chris is a true hero, a bronze star recipient. There is no one more deserving. “This wedding gift is in appreciation of the service and sacrifice of those who currently serve or have served in our military. It is my firm be-

lief that everyone who serves in our military is helping to keep our families safe, so we thought one way to show our appreciation is to help them to start families of their own.” said Ralph Zuckerman. Old McMicky’s Farm is thankful for the generosity of all of our vendor partners and media partners who help make ‘Mission I Do’ a reality. For a fill list of all partners - go to https://www.oldmcmickys.com/com munity-giving/mission-i-do/. The Farm also thanks Brigadier General

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Gary Brown, USMC retired and Vincent Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for making the PSA video announcing “Mission I Do’, and a special thanks to Blue Skies Events for donating wedding coordination at the Farm for all four couples. About Old McMicky’s Farm: Old McMicky’s Farm, located on the Historic grounds of Camp Keystone (Established in 1946), is part of a cherished 70 year-old Tampa Bay tradition. The Children’s Educational Farm is dedicated to providing fun, educational and hands-on guided tours to groups, the general public and kids birthday parties. This unique farm is nestled on a beautiful 40-acre lake and is both rustic and elegant. The Farm also hosts special events such as Barn Weddings, Company Picnics, Corporate Events, Charity Events, and Private Parties to support their educational programming and community giving. Everyone at the Farm is dedicated to continuing this wonderful tradition for kids and families in our Tampa Bay community. OMF is dedicated to giving back to the community in many ways. The Farm’s “1000 Kids” Program’s goal is to host 1,000 kids a year in the Tampa Bay area who are facing serious challenges for an awesome, educational and fun day at the Farm, at No Charge. The Farm was honored

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to host 1276 kids in 2014 under the “1000 Kids” program in its introductory year, and in 2015 the farm welcomed and additional 1036 kids facing challenges for a great day under the program. The Farm’s “Mission I Do” program provides Free, All-Inclusive Dream Weddings to Veteran’s and is now open to all active military in the Tampa Bay area. The third free “Mission I Do” wedding is coming up in February 2016. The Old McMicky’s Farm Child Adoption Education Day brings more prospective adoptive parents in to the process to find more families for our local children in foster care. Over 450 people came out to the event to learn more about adoption, making it one of the largest child adoption education events in the nation. For more information about the Children Adoption Education Day go to: www.oldmcmickys.com/child-adoption-education-day/ More information about the farms community giving programs can be found at www.oldmcmickys.com/community-giving/. To learn more about Old McMicky’s Farm please visit www.OldMcMickys.com or call 813-920-1948. Follow us on FB at www.facebook.com/OldMcMickysFarm.

MARCH 2016

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MARCH 2016

By Matthew Selby Holy Hog Barbecue has quickly become a local favorite in the Carrollwood community since opening their newest location in the same plaza as Carrabba's and Pet Supermarket. Owner/operator and lifelong Tampa resident Danny Hernandez says, “We want to be known as the hometown smokehouse of Carrollwood.” If Danny’s name sounds familiar to you, it’s because he and his family have been serving the community some of the best Cuban food around since 1979 with their restaurant (the original) Pipos’ Cafe. Danny has taken his passion for cooking award winning food from the

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Cuban kitchen and transferred his talent into the BB-Q world, also winning awards for his unique, one-of-a-kind barbecue recipes. “Our recipes are ours all the way down to the sauces, rib rubs and butt rubs. We created them and that means our flavor is unique to anything else you’ve tried,” says Operations Manager Matt Strickland. The unique flavor is absolutely delicious, from their mouth watering meats, which are smoked in the pitmaster’s smoker, all the way to their yummy sides. Many restaurants skimp on their sides in terms of flavor, but you wont find any of that at Holy Hog! Their sides are highly decorated and well thought out. In fact, the jalapeño mac n’ cheese has won the

Mayor’s ‘Mac n’ Cheese Throwdown for the past 2 years! I’ve personally bought this side in bulk for my office as a special treat. The pan size that normally feeds 25 people was devoured in full by 15 people in about an hour if that gives you any indication of how amazing this stuff is. It’s smothered in cheese and has just the right amount of spicy kick to really set off the full flavor. In addition to their famous jalapeño mac n’ cheese, the menu is filled with a huge variety of other homemade sides, including fresh, never frozen, collard greens, and other delectable favorites such as cowboy baked beans, corn fritters, homemade

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mashed potatoes, black eyed peas and fried okra to name a few.

MEATS FROM THE SMOKER Holy Hog offers a fabulous selection of seasonal menus - the holiday version is set to release right around the time you’re reading this article. The pulled pork was the first thing I tried on my first-ever visit to Holy Hog almost a year ago and it’s been a constant craving for me ever since. The sandwich is piled high enough to put you in a relaxed state of “food coma”, so the only problem you might have with this sandwich is figuring out if you want to go back to work

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or take a nap. On my next visit I tried the smoked chicken, and being a southern boy myself, I know the difference between a good smoked chicken and the dry tasteless meat all too many restaurants end up serving instead. Holy Hog’s smoked chicken is absolute perfection, from the crispy outer skin to the juicy meat, all the way through to the bones. Drizzle on some of their famous BBQ sauce and it’s the perfect smoked chicken that is sure to satisfy your craving for delicious food! The Texas style brisket is another excellent choice from their ex-

tensive menu and is very popular amongst Holy Hog customers. Brisket isn’t something that can be taken lightly either - when it comes to brisket I tend to be very critical and only expect the best; Holy Hog is yet to disappoint. I have tried their brisket many times, and out of everything on the menu, this is my favorite! If you have never been to Holy Hog before, this is my recommendation for you, as I can assure you that you'll take one bite and fall in love. Tender, juicy and delicious, if you’re in the mood for a sweet meat, the burnt ends are for you. Dubbed ‘BBQ candy’ by the pitmasters them-

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selves, nothing beats this meat in terms of sweet, tangy flavor! The burnt ends sandwich is something my wife has to get at least once a month and this is someone who eats obsessively healthy on a daily basis. Saving one of the best for last, the St. Louis Ribs are fall off the bone fantastic! These St.Louis (meaty) style ribs are mouth watering with any of all three of their sauces - sweet, spicy and mustard-based. But if you're like I am, I don't use sauce on these smokey ribs, the flavor alone is spot on and the dry rub that they are cooked/smoked with is all they need, in my opinion.

CATERING In addition to their location in Carrollwood, Holy Hog has three

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other locations in the Bay area, as well as a food truck, and two units inside Amalie Arena. (The Downtown location just unveiled their Southern Kitchen Breakfast.) So no matter where your next event takes place, there’s a convenient location within driving distance that can provide catering - a sure way to make a memorable impression on your guests. Give them a call and have them cater your next work or family function. You and your guests will be in for a real treat. Remember, if you want to add some Cuban or American food to that order, it’s an easy addition. They will customize your order to what ever it is you need because it is all about the customer. Holy Hog Carrollwood is located at 11417 N Dale Mabry Hwy. in Tampa. Their hours are Mon. Sat. 11 a.m. - p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. For more information or to find out about other locations, please call (813) 961-4464 or visit www.HolyHogBbq.com.

MARCH 2016

“Pose by Pose” Continued from page 1 whatever it is they wish to accomplish. From the physical benefits to the emotional benefits to the mental benefits, there are many different reasons why people choose to take up yoga. Whether you are looking for a stress relief from your daily life, to recover from an injury, help with depression or anxiety, add a boost to your normal workout routine, or simply want to take up a new hobby and meet new people, practicing yoga is a great foundation that can help you in nearly every aspect of your life. Jennifer knows first hand the benefits of yoga. She says, “Yoga completely changed my life. I was suffering from a major stomach issue. I went to the doctor and she said they only way to fix the problem would be to get on medication… for the rest of my life! I asked if there was another alternative and she said, ‘well there is one other thing - it’s called yoga’. So I tried yoga, and within three classes my problems were gone! The combination of low-impact exercise and stress relief was the key for me. Yoga truly helped me, and I realized that what I

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did, other people could do too!” Pose by Pose yoga offers a wide variety of classes throughout the week, including Fit Club- Stretch and Tone; Meditative Flow - Amrit Yoga; Yoga 101; Mindful Yoga and Meditation; Align and Refine; Release and Relax; Energy Flow; and Flow and Let Go. Partnering with USF, Pose by Pose also offers an Adults over 50 class. Recently adding kids yoga to their list of offerings, with the help of her Jennifer’s eight year old daughter Megan, this class has really began to flourish. A born natural, Megan quite often assists her mother in teaching the classes and is able to bring a youthful perspective to yoga. Jennifer says, “Our program is based on the premise that ‘yoga is therapy’. We understand that every body is different and that the ‘one size fits all’ mentality has no place in yoga. We cultivate and adapt our yoga classes for the people in the room. Each class is specially designed to meet the needs of our members.” Cathy says, “It’s just nice and homey and warm and friendly. This is my fourth class, I’m just trying them all to see where I can fit in. I recently took a class with Emi - it’s like she read my mind. My shoulder and hips

Pose by Pose Yoga’s Jennifer Leavy and her daughter Megan felt so relaxed and I felt 4 inches taller when I left here. After my class I feel myself smiling all day long, that’s what yoga does.” Pose by Pose Yoga is much more

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than just a studio.They are also a full yoga training facility, and teach those who wish to become yoga certified. They are a Yoga Alliance Registered studio and on the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Offering 200, 300, Prenatal , as well as CEU renewal classes for those who wish to

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maintain their certification, Pose by Pose provides you with everything you need to help you pursue your dreams of becoming a yoga instructor. Pose by Pose also offers the following advanced specialty training classes:

Prenatal Program Starting in late February Pose by Pose will begin offering a prenatal training program for 200 hour certified yoga instructors. This will be an intentionally small group of individuals, so contact Jennifer at (813) 5014987 for more information or to reserve your spot today. You can also stay tuned by visiting their website, www.posebyposeyoga.com, or Facebook page.

Teaching Seniors The population of seniors looking to do yoga has grown significantly over the past few years. There are senior’s classes in most studios as well as assisted living homes. The

challenge to a yoga teacher is that seniors come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. The Teaching Seniors classes will focus on a few stages of life, remembering that these stages can happen at all different ages. This class is offered in conjunction with an opportunity to intern in the USF OLLI Program, a yoga program for Adults over 50. Each class will focus on teaching you the best way to deliver the benefits of yoga (asana and pranayama) appropriate to the student’s ability and comfort level. The actual structure of the classes may vary based on the student base, but a gentle class focused on increasing mobility, functionality as well as becoming comfortable in a yoga class is the main focus. Pose by Pose also offers monthly workshops, including workshops in meditation, chakra, heart opening, and various styles of yoga. Former information or a list of upcoming workshops please visit www.PoseByPoseYoga.com. This month, Pose by Pose will be

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opening up a small shop within their studio, where guests can buy yoga-related items such as blocks and other props, mats, apparel, bracelets and accessories. Jennifer says, “We are a family and a community. We want you to feel welcome, which is why we offer you a place to sit, allowing you to relax before and after class. We have a break area where you can enjoy some hot tea before or after your yoga session. We don’t stack classes on top of each other because we want you to be able to take your time. Our teachers come early and stay late to make you feel comfortable.” “We come early and leave late not because we have to but because we want to,” adds instructor Emilianna. “This is our house as well. I want people to come in and feel the warmth, so our students can have the experience that this is what yoga really

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is. It’s about having support and forming a community.” Giving back to the community is very important to Jennifer, and when she is not busy at the studio, she and Megan volunteer at local preschool and elementary schools teaching the fundamentals of yoga to the students. Together they have taught at St Thomas Aquinas, Genesis, and several other local schools. They have also volunteered at the Joshua House and The Spring. “It’s about being part of the community,” says Jennifer. “It’s about supporting the community that supports us.” Pose by Pose Yoga is located at 17761 Hunting Bow Circle in Lutz. For more information please call (813) 501-4987, email info@PoseByPoseYoga.com, or visit their website at www.PoseByPoseYoga.com or follow them on Facebook.

MARCH 2016

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MARCH 2016

“Simply Pho” Continued from page 1 wife Loann. “A place where people can get healthy options and unique food at a great price. We want to thank our customers for their support over the past year and for so graciously welcoming us into their community.” Using fresh, all-natural ingredients, Simply Pho’s menu is an excellent representation of Vietnamese cuisine, offering flavorful dishes that not only taste great, but are good for you as well. Healthy is a word that came up numerous times throughout my interview with Loann. She says, “Vietnamese food is in itself very healthy. From the herbs and spices to the fresh ingredients, our menu gives you many different healthy options to choose from.” As their name indicates, Pho is their specialty. A Vietnamese delicacy, Pho is a staple in the Vietnamese diet and is loaded with nutrients and minerals that come from the beef-based broth. “Pho is a main meal in Vietnam; many eat it daily - some even eat it three times a day, seven days a week,” says Loann. The broth is made out of beef stock, that is simmered for 25 hours. This allows it to absorb all the proteins, minerals and nutrients from the beef. Then we add noodles and your choice of protein, such as chicken, beef or seafood, with the option to upgrade to filet mignon or Kobe beef. For those who are vegetarians, we also offer a vegetable-based broth and you can add other vegetables to your Pho.” Loann says, “A lot of times when new customers come and read the menu description about Pho, they don’t really know that it’s actually a full meal. Even though it’s a noodle soup, it’s a big portion. Most new customers are surprised when the bowl comes out and they realize how much

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food there is.” Seeing as how this is their specialty, there was no way I was leaving without first trying some of their Pho. Loann recommended the beef Pho. Loann was right - the portion size was huge! Loaded with rice noodles, and tender, juicy beef, and served in a flavorful, yummy broth, from the first bite I was hooked! Served alongside the Pho is a variety of herbs and vegetables, including basil, bean sprouts and jalapeños, depending on the flavors you want to add. Sitting down with me, Loann guided me on the proper way to eat Pho. She says, “What I tell my customers, is to always try the broth first to make sure it is to your liking. Every Vietnamese restaurant has their own way of creating the broth. If you want it sweeter, add Hoisin sauce; if you want it spicier add Sriracha. Those two main sauces always go with Pho. If our both is to your liking leave it the way it is.” In my case the broth was perfect - no need to change a thing! Loann continued, “Next you stir up the broth to mix the noodles and protein and add whatever herbs and vegetables you want; I usually squeeze a little lime in there as well.” Taking her advice, I added some bean sprouts and basil and squeezed a little lime into it. The result was amazing! A lot of times when you have healthy food, you sacrifice flavor and taste, this is not the case with their Pho! For as healthy as it is, the flavor was incredible! Feeling a little sick or under the weather? Pho is the perfect remedy! “Because of all the minerals and nutrients, there are many health benefits from eating Pho,” says Loann. “It can help to get rid of headaches, and helps to boost the immune system and digestive system, as well as aiding in the regulation of the body. On the

weekends many of our customers will come in here after a night out to help them feel better.” Not in the mood for Pho? Not to worry, there are many other tantalizing options that are sure to get your taste buds excited! Taking traditional Vietnamese recipes and adding their own special touch, the Pham brothers have created uniquely delicious selections for every taste and preference. With a huge selection of gluten-free and Vegetarian options, their menu features a fantastic variety of dishes, including appetizers such as their fried

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or steamed dumplings, crab rangoon, roasted quails, spring rolls and egg rolls, as well as a few Vietnamese salads to choose from. The rest of their menu is just as diverse, with a whole section devoted to a variety of noodle preparations; with your choice of soft Vermicelli Noodles or Vietnamese Angel Hair Noodles topped with their mouth watering marinated grilled meats and served with lettuce, bean sprouts, sliced cucumber, crushed peanuts and accompanied by a house fish sauce. There is also a section for stir-fried

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noodles, rice platters, and chef’s specials, which include Shaking Beef Steak and Braised Duck. New to the menu is their Beef Short Ribs Platter which is sure to satisfy! They have also recently introduced the Salmon Rice Platter, which is set to be on their menu this March. Served in a teriyaki sauce and topped with onions and cilantro, this generous portion of salmon is grilled to perfection and accompanied by a side of steamed vegetables and steamed rice - yum! Simply Pho also serves beer, wine

and sake, so you can always choose to add a refreshing libation to perfectly accompany your meal. At Simply Pho the presentation of the food, is just as important as the food itself, allowing you to eat with your eyes before you even take the first bite. Then as you smell the alluring aroma of the spices and herbs, you are instantly drawn in and before you even take the first bite, you have already begun the experience. And that’s just it - at Simply Pho, it’s about the whole experience; from when you initially walk in and are warmly

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greeted by a smiling face, to the elegantly welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service, to the incredible presentation and authentic quality of the food. At Simply Pho you get the full Vietnamese experience! “I used to live in New York and have had Vietnamese food from many different places,” says server Sam, “I believe in their food so much that I drive all the way from Riverview just to work here. The food speaks for itself. I am a true believer that if the food is good, everything else will fall into place in a restaurant. I love it

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here. From the ambiance to the service to the food, we have the whole package!” Simply Pho is located in the Palms of Carrollwood on the NE corner of Fletcher and Dale Mabry at 13149 N Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa. They are open Sun. Thurs. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. For more information please call (813) 960- 5678, visit their website at www.SimplyPhoTampa.com or like them on Facebook at Simply Pho & Grill.

MARCH 2016

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MARCH 2016

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