Vol. 4, Issue 6, June 2015
Your neighborhood. Your magazine. ® The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To Over 15,000 Homes In Citrus Park, Westchase & Surrounding Areas
This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Arlington Park • Aston Villas • Bay Arbor • Berkeley Square • Calf Path Estates • Enclave At Citrus Park • Fawn Ridge Fawn Lake • Forest Lakes • Hampton Lakes • Highland Park • Lake Chase • Mandolin • The Eagles • Tree Tops Twin Branch Acres • Waterchase • West Hampton • Westchase • Westchester • Westwood Lakes • Windsor Place
Think Sweeties by Mili for Superior Homemade Delicacies! By Deborah Bostock-Kelley When you think of homemade, owner and chef Milouska Kennis wants Sweeties by Mili to be first café and bakery that comes to mind for freshness, quality of ingredients, and unparalleled flavor. Though some bakeries may claim to make homemade, chef Mili explained that unfreezing a pastry and heating in the oven does not constitute homemade. She is proud that her decadent Swiss chocolate rum truffles and chocolate truffles don’t all look identical in the display. They were rolled out by her hand, not by a machine. Serving breakfast, lunch and a
wide array of sweets, Sweeties by Mili is proudly celebrating two years at its location in Citrus Park at 11961 Sheldon Road this month. One of a kind, family-owned and operated, Sweeties by Mili is where everything, from the ganache in the brownies and the dulce de leche and strawberry marmalade in the cakes and cookies, to the mayonnaise in the chicken salad and even the buttery croissant, have been hand created from the talent and imagination of chef Mili. Originally from Peru, chef Mili combines her love of baking native Peruvian desserts with her degree from the prestigious and European-inspired See “Sweeties” on page 18.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From an Advertising Perspective...3
Community Calendar & News Briefs................................4-5
Realtor Gigi Gauthier............8-9 Sandra Makram, D.D.S
Park...............................10-11
ECRWSS
See “Pediatric Dentist” on page 14
Arbor Terrace of Citrus
Postal Customer
children who started coming to me when they were young toddlers are growing into big kids now. It’s fun to see, and really gratifying!” Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase is always very excited to welcome new patients to the practice, so if you
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
Since opening her practice in 2011, Sandra Makram, D.D.S. has become a well-known and highly trusted name in the Westchase area – and for good reason! As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Makram’s compassionate, knowledgeable care, coupled with her calm, friendly demeanor and innate ability to work with children has allowed her to help kids all across Tampa Bay to
achieve and maintain bright, beautiful, confident smiles. In the past four years Dr. Makram has really enjoyed growing with the Westchase community and her patients, especially those who have been coming to her since the very beginning. “It’s been really incredible to watch the kids grow and develop and to see how they continue to change over the years,” says Dr. Makram. “I’ve been here enough time now that
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Alexis Selbyy
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Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
From The General Manager Matt Selby
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
From an Advertising Perspective
Directly mailed once a month to 15,000 households in zip codes 33626 & 34677
You may have noticed that we added Citrus Park in our logo this month. Since we’ve expanded into the zip code 33626, which is considered by many as the “Westchase” area, a few years ago we’ve run into the same issue. Even though we list all the neighborhoods in which we direct mail our publication on our front cover header, which is over 20, people still think we only mail to the specific neighborhood actually called “Westchase.” In truth, this editorial is directed towards local Business owners and serves to prove why reaching their target market of local customers with our magazine is so effective. With that being said, if you don’t own a local business and are strictly a consumer, I still would like you to read this, so stay with me. When you flip through our pages month in and month out you’ll see the same simple concept- the notion of fueling a “shop local” mentality. Our readers know this about us and they understand we aren’t trying to provide them with anything other than what we are, and that’s a quality local publication that prides itself on covering what’s going on in the entire zip code of 33626 and surrounding areas and the intricate web of entrepreneurial innovations our local business owners possess. If you read my “shop local” feature a while back, I briefly touched on how impressed I am and continue to be with the business owners in our community and their story. Every single one of you have a story to tell and most of you probably have already come to the
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conclusion that if you could just tell everyone that special story of yours, you’d have a lot more customers; customers that understand not only your business but also YOUR unique and inspiringly powerful journey. Our readers want to know what sets your business apart from competitors in the area. They want to know why they should spend their hard earned dollars with you and not your competitor down the street. The pages of Alexis and Matt Selby at a Tampa Bay this magazine offer you a chance Rays game. Enter to win these same press to tell that story! level seats! See ad on page 22. Here’s something we aren’t: we aren’t “that publication” that allows advertisers to anything comparable! If you find pay to write their own “advertorial” something comparable with our all about how great they are and how quality and distribution we’ll beat everyone else is left in the dust. We their price, and that’s a guarantee! take the confidence our readers place In most cases we can even beat the in our words extremely serious, so we price of a media outlet with lesser have a very straight forward way of quality and circulation! Our readers doing things. Yes, we do business know we focus on the local busifeatures on our advertisers, because nesses heavily so they use us as a rethey are loyal to us and spend good sourceful tool to find goods, services, money to place an ad within the dining and entertainment. pages of our publication. It’s not to Readers go through our magasay however, we don’t provide feazines cover to cover, taking the time to ture articles on non advertisers as not only read over the articles but to well. For example, Ciccio Cali realso take a second and see what kind of ceived a great dining feature in our deals our advertisers are running. very first issue of our New Tampa Building a business is all about edition just because we love their building credibility and developing a food and enjoy the experience my relationship with each customer. We wife and I receive every time we visit. create your ad, help you with a marWe write these stories as a thank you keting strategy and tell your story, all to the fantastic local businesses in our at no extra charge! My family has area. Ad campaigns with us are been in this business here in the Bay simple, effective and cheaper than area since 1994. You can trust us to
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
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.
give you the very best exposure in your market, bar none! If you’re contemplating advertising with us I can personally guarantee nobody will work harder for you than my team!
Call us today to schedule an advertising strategy appointment. We reach every single home in the zip code 33626, every single month with our magazine. It’s time your business reaches its ENTIRE local market too!
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Community Calendar & News Briefs First Annual Golf Tournament of Believing Tampa Foundation Believing Tampa Foundation proudly welcomes you to join in their first annual charity golf tournament, which will be held at the Westchase Golf Club, located at 11602 Westchase Golf Drive in Tampa, on Saturday, June 6th.
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Registration begins at 7 a.m. with a shotgun scramble starting promptly at 8 a.m. The registration fee of $100 for individuals or $380 for a foursome includes the greens fee on the beautiful Westchase Golf Club, a cart and a prime lunch served when players finish their rounds of play. You can register online by credit card at www.westchasegc.com/believ-
ing or mail entry with check payable to “Believing Tampa Foundation” 7008 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614. For more information, please contact: aline@believingtampa.com Believing Tampa Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to helping people who suffer with spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other neurological impairments to have access to advanced rehabilitation therapy. Since insurance companies do not cover the specialized long term therapy that activity based exercise centers offer, potential clients who are not able to afford rehabilitative therapy costs do not have the opportunity to seek recovery options that are beneficial to their well being and quality of life. This event will help to fund a therapy assistance program that would enable the individual to participate in a ther-
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apy program geared towards recovery. The Westchase Golf Club is located at 11602 Westchase Golf Drive in Tampa. For more information on the golf tournament please email aline@believingtampa.com or visit www.believingtampa.org/events or www.westchasegc.com/believing.
Tampa Bay Youth Expo – Educate. Train. Empower. Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Tampa Bay Youth Sports Expo (TBYSE) is the region’s premiere forum to educate, train and empower youth, parents, coaches, and sport administrators in effective youth development through sports. This one-day event gives young athletes the opportunity to sharpen their skills, while learning invaluable information that is applicable in both sport and life. Join us for everything youth sports related – all under one roof. Interactive Skills Zones The Interactive Skills Zones are a series of scheduled skills development sport clinics for girls and boys ages 615 presented in 30 minute sessions throughout the day starting at 10:00am-2:00pm. Clinics will be of-
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fered in basketball, baseball, football, hockey, tennis, volleyball, cheer & dance, golf and soccer by professional teams and local professional trainers. Each skill zone gives participants the opportunity to engage in sports training and activities. The zones are designed for youth to learn and practice their favorite sport while being introduced to new ones. There will also be a Kids Fun Zone for children between the ages of 3-5. Specialty Clinics Join Pro Players representing football, basketball, baseball, and
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hockey as they provide tips and instruction on how to improve your game at the Expo Specialty Clinics! The clinics provide various specialized fundamental skill stations tailored to provide the competitive edge needed for high performance. A liability waiver is required for all players participating in the Interactive Skills Zone and Specialty Clinic. *Group rates are available for schools, teams and leagues. Please contact Ken at info@tbyse.com for more information. See “Calendar/Briefs� on page 6.
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“Calendar/Briefs” Continued from page 5 Workshop Zone Building the Student Athlete Live workshops and demonstrations will cover nutrition, training, injury prevention, and college recruitment & NCAA guidelines. Workshops & Demonstrations are presented in 30 minute sessions throughout the day in the main stage area starting at 10:30 am-2:00 pm by local organizations and leading sport experts. Exhibit Zone Stop by the Exhibit Zone to pick up products and services related to youth sports, kids and families. Tampa Bay Convention Center This year’s activities include: • 9 Interactive Skills Zones • 4 Specialty Clinics* • LIVE Workshops & Demonstrations – Building the Student-Athlete • Exhibit Zone • Character Awards • Tyler’s 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and more! About The Skills Center, Inc We believe sports offer young people the skills and knowledge they need to function effectively in life,
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thus The Skills Center, Inc. was created as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit sport based youth development organization, “Creating CHANGE through Sports” Using sports as a powerful learning tool, we teach youth how to transfer the skills learned naturally through sports to other environments in their lives such as school, work and community. We offer school day, afterschool, and summer programs as well as leagues, skills development trainings and travel teams. Mission: To intentionally utilize athletics as the mechanism to accelerate academic achievement, build character, and promote health & fitness for young people ages 3-18 in Tampa Bay. Vision: Our participants are wellrounded individuals who achieve their life goals through academic achieve-
ment and sound character based on integrity, responsibility, respect, sportsmanship and teamwork. 100% of the proceeds will benefit The Skills Center’s afterschool and summer programs for at risk, delinquent and low-income children and teens. To learn more about The Skills Center go to www.theskillscenter.org
Tampa Bay’s Premier Community Day School Raises Funds for Nepal Relief Effort On Mon., May 4, 2015, the Hillel Academy student body began a two-week fundraising effort to help the victims of the earthquake in Nepal. The tragedy in Nepal offers an opportunity to teach Hillel Academy students about showing empathy towards
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others no matter their nationality or religion. In addition to raising funds, the students studied the Jewish values of helping others, performing acts of kindness and humanitarian aid. They also learned about the geography of Nepal and earthquakes. Hillel Academy parent, Yoav Rappaport, is working for International Medical Corps, doing GIS mapping work to help relief workers reach affected areas. His team has been working in Nepal since the night of the earthquake. He will share valuable information including first hand stories with Hillel Academy students. Donations raised by Tampa Bay’s premier community day school during the two-week period were given to the International Medical Corps. For more information please visit www.prnewschannel.com/2015/05/ 04/tampa-bays-premier-communityday-school-raises-funds-for-nepal-relief-effort/. Hillel Academy accepts applications on a rolling basis. Please call the Admissions Department for information, (813) 963-2242. Hillel Academy offers morning bus service from North Pinellas county, the Westchase area and South Tampa.
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Whether Buying or Selling a Home, You Can Count on Realtor Gigi Gauthier By Marcy Sanford With her infectious laugh and caring attitude, Gigi Gauthier has a knack for making you feel completely at ease. Combine that with her extensive real estate experience and you have a real estate agent who will help you find the home of your dreams and will guide you in the right direction every step of the way. If you’re looking to buy or sale a home, you can count on Gigi. She has more than 17 years of experience in real estate and loves helping her clients. “The best part of being a realtor is helping people find their dream home,” says Gigi. “For me, real estate is not just about making a sale but about helping people find the home that is best suited for them.” Because she worked with homebuilders in new construction for many years, Gigi is able to look out for her clients and help them spot potential construction flaws or issues that could
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be costly in the future. She also has experience helping both individuals and investors with short sales, foreclosures, and bank reo properties. “Real estate is starting to come back from the decline,” says Gigi, “but home prices are still good and mort-
gage rates are excellent. Now is a great time to consider buying a home.” In addition to her buying and selling expertise, Gigi’s caring, fun attitude helps take the stress out of buying or selling a home. She takes pride in helping her clients in a caring and
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honest way. Gigi doesn’t just show you a house or list yours when you want to sell it, she’ll give you all the information and guidance you need to help you through the process. In addition to helping people find their perfect homes, Gigi is also passionate about helping find new homes for those who can not do it on their own – abandoned puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats. Gigi donates $500 from every home sale back to Paw Print Hearts - a 501c3 non-profit organization that saves animals from high kill shelters and helps them find their forever homes. Gigi founded Paw Print Hearts while she was volunteering for the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter, now the Pet Resource Center, where she saw many young and healthy animals being killed because there was no space left for them. “After some research, I realized that there were some states where the animal shelters had space and had people who wanted to adopt dogs and cats,” says Gigi, “so I decided to start Paw Print Hearts to help connect people who wanted a pet with dogs and cats that had been abandoned.” Over the past year, Paw Print
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For help finding the home of your dreams, contact Gigi Gauthier. Gigi is a licensed real estate agent with Charles Rutenberg Realty. With 17 years of real estate experience in the Tampa Bay area, she can help you find your new
forever home. If you’re looking to buy a new home or want to sell your current one, put her expert knowledge to work for you today and call her at (813) -333-2499 or (813) 928-0743.
In addition to helping people find their perfect homes, Gigi is also passionate about helping find new homes for those who can not do it on their own – abandoned puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats. Hearts has saved nearly 600 dogs and 80 cats from being euthanized. Paw Print Hearts has sent dogs and cats to Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Connecticut where they find their forever homes. The challenge is getting the animals there.” Gigi says that Paw Print Hearts relies on volunteers to make the 32-hour round trip to Pennsylvania with a load full of furry cargo. “About 2 or 3 times a month, we rent
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a van and two of our volunteers will drive the dogs and cats to Pennsylvania. We can usually get 25 dogs in one van with 2 cats sitting up front with the driver.” For more information about Paw Print Hearts, to make a donation, volunteer, foster or rescue a dog or cat, visit their web page www.PawPrintHearts.com.
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Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park Provides Home-Like High-Quality Senior Living By Deborah Bostock-Kelley There are some people who are perfectly suited to their profession. Michelle Lauletta, the Engagement Director at Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park, is one such person. This gregarious woman with a contagious big laugh and even bigger heart is doing her “dream job” with her “dream team.” Her face lights up when she talks about the people she works with and preparing activities for the senior citizens who call this newly opened assisted living and memory care facility home. Conveniently located in the heart of the Citrus Park and Westchase areas, Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park opened just a month ago at 13810 Sheldon Road, and unlike a sterile hospital environment, this fabulous state-of-the-art community evokes the feel of a luxury hotel or resort. “We are not at all clinical,” said Michelle. “We try very hard to be as home-like as possible with the normal activities of daily living.” Three types of apartments are available for rent – studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom companion suites with a shared bathroom and kitchenette. Small pets are welcome, but the resident has to be able to care for the animal. The benefits of an assisted living facility are plentiful. “Right away, they have the social interaction they wouldn’t have if they were just sitting at home watching TV. They have friends who are going through the same things they are,” said Lauletta. “We keep them physically and mentally active. We do exercises every morning. Their health is moni-
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tored. We have nurses on site working here 24 hours a day. Families have that piece of mind that their loved ones are safe. We try to keep their lives as normal as possible.” Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park provides different levels of assistance, based up on the individual needs of each resident. The first floor offers a secured memory care for residents that require round-the-clock specialized care. The second floor offers the Bridges program and includes a higher acuity level of care provided by their ECC license (Extended Congregate Care) which also allows the residents to age in place. The third floor is for Senior Assisted Living. “Bridges is for early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s where the same question is repeated throughout the day. They’re not needing a secure community, but needing a little more attention,” explained Lauletta. “Part of our training is how to deal with this. Some people need redirection, some people
need distraction, some people just need you to sit and listen to them and that’s what Bridges is all about.” Lauletta said that so often the Bridges group of residents gets lost in assisted living communities because they are not yet in memory care where that is addressed one-onone, but not able to live anymore in assisted living. “We try to reach out to them and to gear our activities for their needs,” she said. “We set them for success and want them to feel good about themselves.” When visiting the nurses’ station, several students from Rasmussen College were beginning their first day interning at the facility. When asked about their first impression, they responded, “It’s a great facility with a great staff. The residents are very pleasant. We love it!” Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park showcases rooms themed to the Tampa Bay area. The “Tampa Theatre” features a media room with comfortable seating and a big screen
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TV. “We will do popcorn and a movie,” Lauletta said. The “Siesta Key Salon & Spa” provides a place where the residents can get pampered in the salon every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The Multi Purpose Room offers a kitchen, couches, TV and tables for the residents to play games with staff and a state-of-the-art com-
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Engagement Director Michelle Lauletta puter lab connects seniors to the Internet. At Arbor Terrace’s Ybor City Bistro and Café guests can enjoy a Friday afternoon happy hour and a cappuccino machine. The Longboat Key dining area is reminiscent of dining in a five-star restaurant. Cream fabric tablecloths cover each table, napkins are balanced in a perfect erect column on the center of each placemat, and a single beautiful rose and baby’s breath sit in the center of the table. The dining room also boasts a private dining area with a wide-screen TV for guests to bring
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family to share a private meal. Arbor Terrace at Citrus Park also offers a special dining program called Dining with Dignity that enables those that have lost their ability to handle utensils or chew food to enjoy the same five-star meal other residents enjoy. “It’s gourmet dining made in a way that guests can eat with dignity,” said Lauletta. In 2014, Arbor Terrace’s Dining With Dignity dining program received National recognition, becoming the newest winner of the Best of the Best Awards at the annual Assisted Living
Federation of America conference. Besides many planned activities within the facility, like indoor bowling, baking and cooking, residents can participate in many diverse types of outings, from luncheons called the Lunch Bunch to Mystery Rides. “We have mystery rides where it’s not a planned excursion,” said Lauletta. “We’ll go to the Causeway and watch the dolphins. We try to keep our residents busy – physically and mentally. “The emphasis here is on the resident, not on the marketing aspect of filling the community. Other commu-
nities will spend hundreds of dollars to get someone in and then ten dollars to keep them in,” explained Lauletta. “Our philosophy is let’s take care of the residents that are here. This is their home. They don’t live where we work, we work where they live.” Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park is located south of Sickles High School at 13810 Sheldon Road in Tampa. For more information or to reserve a suite please call (813) 333-9996 or visit www.at-citruspark.com.
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“Pediatric Dentist” Continued from page 1 are looking for a pediatric dentist who will take exceptional care of you and your child, give Dr. Makram a call today at (813) 854- 5800 and schedule a consultation. Two and a half years after opening Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase, Dr. Makram welcomed a little one of her own – which has allowed her to assist parents with an even higher level of understanding, as they navigate this detrimental stage of their child’s life. She says, “Being a mom has really helped me become a better dentist because I’m able to understand more of what the challenges are at home. Now I am able to discuss these challenges from a different perspective – that’s a big thing.” At her practice, Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase, Dr. Makram does a great job of making her patients feel comfortable and relaxed, and her highly trained staff – many of which have been with her from the very beginning – create a warm, friendly environment that promotes the healthy growth of each child as a whole. Conveniently located inside the Westchase
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Commons Office Park, at 13027 W. Linebaugh Ave., Suite 102, Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase provides gentle dental care to children ages 1 to 16 years old. For parents with young babies, Dr. Makram recommends that they come in for their first visit at around the one-year mark, or more specifically 6 months after the eruption of their first baby tooth. This is not only for the child, but more significantly to educate the parents and familiarize them with proper brushing techniques and exactly what they should be teaching their children, as well as what to expect as their children’s teeth continue to form. “The most important aspect of the first visit is to not only introduce the children to the dental environment so they become comfortable with coming into the office but also the informative session with the parents so I can answer any questions they might have, such as what kind of toothpaste to use, what to expect with a teething baby, and how to brush their child’s teeth,” says Dr. Makram. “I am very big on educating the parents. We have seen cavities in kids as early as two years old because of habits that are occurring at home.
Dr. Makram and her staff do an exceptional job of creating a warm, welcoming environment that is family friendly. Dental health is really all about prevention and education and the parents are a big part of that. We need to make sure we get our kids on the right track from the very beginning.” Dr. Makram not only enjoys getting to know the children, but the parents and families as well. She says, “It’s so nice to have that relationship
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with the families; to have that closeness and get to know the moms and dads, as well as the kids. Building relationships with families has been key and I’m really fortunate for the opportunity to continue developing the friendships with the families as they mature and grow.” Dr. Makram’s passion and love of
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dentistry extends outside of her practice as well, and she and her staff at Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase are highly involved in the community and have business partnerships with several local elementary schools. Throughout the year Dr. Makram also hosts Dental Health Presentations at preschools and elementary schools in the area, where she teaches students the importance of good dental hygiene and healthy dental habits. Dr. Makram truly cares about the community and does all she can to ensure children in the area receive the best knowledge regarding dental health. As Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase continues to grow, due to word of mouth and referrals from happy patients, no matter how busy she gets, Dr. Makram promises to always provide the same level of quality dental care, and personalized attention to each and every child. She says, “Over the years our practice has been getting busier and is beginning to flourish, but no matter how busy we get I don’t ever want to lose those one-on-one interactions with the children and their parents, because that’s what makes us unique. It’s always a hard balance, and a lot of practices, as they expand, lose that per-
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sonal touch and feel. My main goal as we grow is to maintain that personal relationship with the families and provide them with the quality dental care that they deserve!” Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase is located at 13027 W. Linebaugh Ave, Suite 102 in Westchase, inside the Westchase Commons Office Park. They are open Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment please call (813) 854- 5800, or visit www.WestchasePedo.com.
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“Sweeties” Continued from page 1 Notter School of Pastry Arts in Orlando, to come up with a variety of delicious desserts to showcase at her café and bakery. Family owned and operated, Mili’s mother, husband and brother’s wife all work at the bakery and her daughter assisted before she began working on her Master’s degree. “Since I was a kid I have always baked for my grandmother and my mother,” explained chef Mili. “I love to make cakes. We have a specialty cake that I created myself called House Cake that is so different than the ones you eat here (in America). It has pastry cream, strawberry homemade marmalade that my mother makes here, homemade dulce de leche and Chantilly cream on top.” Besides a delicious dessert menu, chef Mili recently increased her hours due to breakfast requests from her lunchtime customers. “We have homemade croissants, real eggs (not the packaged kind), bacon, cheese, ham and turkey, and bagels,” she said. Lunch features your choice of
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A quick look among their alluring selection of sweets and your mouth is guaranteed to start watering with anticipation. Everything on their menu is made from scratch using the finest quality ingredients. croissants: plain, cheese, ham and cheese, tuna or chicken salad. But, if you have ever wondered what heaven tastes like, press your fork into the blonde and chocolate four layers of the House Cake. Savor the creamy dulce de leche and the moistness of the cake and the lightness of the icing. Know somewhere angels must be singing this cake praises.
Another item Sweeties by Mili is known for is their signature familyrecipe, Alfajor, a light, crumbly and tender cookie filled with dense dulce de leche and pressed together. The cookies truly are the ying to the caramel’s yang. Moving into chocolate confections, chef’s Mili’s choice to continue using the Swiss chocolate she
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grew comfortable with in pastry school has made the difference between a great truffle and an extraordinary one. Handcrafted and absolutely decadent, the chocolate is mouth-watering and the rum in the Swiss chocolate rum truffles is subtle and not overpowering. “The Swiss chocolate is more expensive for me, but you can taste that it is really
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good quality,” said chef Mili. Chef Mili’s chocolate croissant is another fabulous selection, with buttery, flaky goodness filled with rich Swiss chocolate – any chocoholic’s dream. Or, if you are in the mood for a cookie, even the butter cookies with a zigzag pattern of Swiss chocolates evoke a reaction of “oh my God” upon first bite. First time guest Beatrice Rose, was invited to Sweeties by Mili by café regular Marcy Rey. Beatrice says, “I
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think it is a great place to bring your family. The food is delicious. My friend has been here more than a couple of times and her husband had ordered a birthday cake and that’s what I’m going to buy today. Everything they make is homemade. It’s in a great place and the atmosphere is very nice – beautiful, clean, sophisticated – so I would recommend it to anyone.” Chef Mili prides herself on a menu display of customer favorites and offers a cozy environment that in-
vites guests to eat and socialize. But, if there is a special treat that you don’t see it on the menu, it’s more than likely Chef Mili can research a recipe and make you a custom order. “I love that,” she said. “By order, I can make anything. I get orders for desserts from other countries that I have never made before. I love when I have to look the recipe up and just make it.” Sweeties by Mili carries glutenfree cupcakes every day and can make sugar-free and gluten-free desserts by order. “I want everyone to know that
this is a family business,” said chef Mili, “Everything we make is really completely homemade and you see and taste the difference.” Sweeties by Mili is located at 11961 Sheldon Road in Tampa. They are open 7am – 8pm, with breakfast served 7am – 11am, Monday through Friday; 10am to 7pm with breakfast available until 1pm on Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. For more information, please call (813) 298-0492, visit www.SweetiesByMili.com or Facebook.com/SweetiesTampa.
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