CARROLLWOOD AREA
Vol. 1, Issue 7, October 2013
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
®
Your neighborhood. Your magazine.
The Community & Local Business Magazine Directly Mailed To 14,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila
By Lenay Ruhl This past July, the Mellow Mushroom in Tampa celebrated eight years of serving “classy pizza and beer” to the Tampa Bay community. Bringing more to area than just original recipes and local brews, this locally owned
Mellow Mushroom offers customers a taste of the psychedelic consciousness of the ‘70s. The original Mellow Mushroom opened its doors in Atlanta, GA back in 1974, inspired by the “mellow,” hippie culture that was sweeping the nation. The Tampa franchise, themed after the Grateful Dead rock band, vividly portrays the band’s infamous time living on Ashbury Street in San Francisco. Painted across the wall are the famous lyrics from the Dead song, “Truckin,’ – “What a long, strange trip it’s been.”
According to their website, “The Mellow founders dreamed of a world where happiness could be found in the simplest things; like a mouthwatering slice of pizza and an ice cold beer.” Rated as having one of the best beer selections in the world, Mellow Mushroom in Tampa succeeds in the original, mouthwatering mission. “We have something for everyone, no matter what style of beer they like to drink,” says general manager Stefan Hicks. Mellow Mushroom Tampa is owned by Greg Warren, who brings years of
The Brain Balance Achievement Center Changing Children’s Lives By Julie Kanehl Let’s be honest, being a parent is the hardest, most wonderful thing you’ve ever done. But hard gets harder when your child is diagnosed with a learning disability or disorder. The label in itself can be hard to swallow, even when you know that a label doesn’t make a child and even when you know
that a label doesn’t make any difference in who your child really is, what they can become or what they can achieve. That said, it can still be hard to know what to do next with regard to your child’s individual success at home, in school and in life in general. When your child is diagnosed or given a label of ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, autism, Tourette’s, an As-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
Remembering Joshua Griffin................................3 Community Calendar.......................................4-5 Community News Briefs..................................6-7 Brickhouse Cardio Club....................................8-9 Carmen Dorso..............................................10-11 FHPC Bazaar................................................12-13 Whole Foods Market.........................................15 Bill Currie Ford............................................16-17 Hattie’s Beanery............................................18-19 Local Spotlight..................................................20 Walk for Children.........................................22-23 Great American Tailgate.....................................28
perger’s Spectrum disorder, a learning disability or a processing disorder, it’s hard to know what to do. For parents and families this can be a scary and overwhelming time, and while these issues have become almost commonplace over the last two decades, the answer to the root of the problem has See “Brain Balance” on page 26. Susan, a Sensory-Motor Coach at Brain Balance in Oldsmar works with student Autumn McGinnis
restaurant experience to his popular location. The vibrant eatery has a staff that complements its eclectic style, all young and very friendly. Most of the staff has worked there a long time, and the team is proud to see their regular See “Mellow” on page 24.
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JoinThePinkArmy.com. y Get screened. Donate. Florida Hospital Carrollwood is proud to be a stUong leader in the prevention and detection of breast cancer. As part of our mission, we are committed to helping keep our community healthy through early diagnoses and celebrating our survivors.
Enlist today at JoinThePinkArmy.com.
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(813) 558-8025
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From The Editor Alexis Selby
Joshua Griffin - Forever Missed,
Directly mailed once a month to 14,000 households in zip codes 33618, 33624 & 33613
But Never Forgotten In the early morning hours of September 2, tragedy struck the Tampa Bay Area with the heartbreaking death of beloved resident Joshua Griffin. What started as a day of celebration quickly turned into a devastating nightmare – a terrible, unexpected accident. And now, a community of loved ones is left shocked; mourning and grieving the loss of such an amazing man; a man with such a promising future ahead of him, who had so much left to give to this world. To all of us who had the pleasure of knowing Josh, we were truly fortunate. He was a caring, compassionate man, a man of God, who had a personality that could cheer you up no matter how bad your mood. There was just something about Josh; it was his presence; he could brighten up the room, simply by walking in and smiling. Even if you had just met him once, it was impossible not to like him. Everyone loved Josh, whether you had
known him your whole life or had just met him for the first time. “Thousands upon thousands have been touched by this tragedy,” writes Joshua’s father Jeff Griffin. “Joshua was so loved by his brothers and sister – he was their best friend. Joshua, only 29 years of age, with his whole bright future ahead, has left his girlfriend Denele heartbroken, along with everyone else he has come in contact with. Truly, a man full of life and a man filled with the love of God.” The outpouring of support from the community is a true testament to the power of Josh’s presence and the immeasurable affect he had on others. His love knew no boundaries. He touched the lives of so many, including my own. Josh had such a love for life, and just being around him, made you feel that way too. Although Josh is no longer with us in physical form, he is not gone, and he certainly will never be forgotten. His presence will forever live on in
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@neighborhoodnewsfl.com Editorial E-mail: alexis@neighborhoodnewsfl.com © 2013 Carrollwood Neighborhood News is published by M Selby Publications, LLC.
our hearts and his spirit and being will continue to bless all those he came in contact with. In honor of Joshua Griffin, the Griffin family has devoted a Memorial Fundraiser on his behalf. All donations are welcome and all proceeds will be going towards local charities by means of a foundation the family is starting. This will also result in a yearly event that will happen in Josh's name. For more information or to donate please visit www.YouCaring.com/NonProfits/Joshua-Griffin-memorialfundraiser/87416 or the Joshua Griffin Memorial Page on Facebook.
Publisher Matt Selby Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Linda Viega Mike Bird Accounting Manager Alexis Selby Marketing & Development Ashley Knoblach Art Director Tony Sica Graphic Artists Dat X. Do
Editor Alexis Selby Correspondents Erin Aldrich Julie Kanehl Lenay Ruhl Marcy Sanford Pamela Sica Katie Thomas Kim Thomas Dara Tucker
Nothing that appears in Carrollwood Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Carrollwood Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of Carrollwood Neighborhood News is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Carrollwood Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Carrollwood Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Carrollwood Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Carrollwood Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Carrollwood Neighborhood News 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. Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by M Selby Publications, LLC.
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Community Calendar All About Amore Cat Hospital’s Official Grand Opening Come join All About Amore Cat Hospital on October 26 from noon to 3 p.m. as they celebrate their official Grand Opening Event. In addition to prizes and food, there will also be cats available for adoptions and a Kitty Costume Contest! All About Amore Cat Hospital “We are a full service cat hospital and we strive to provide the most stress-free experience for your feline family member,” says doctor and owner Dr. Susan Mango. “We look forward to you allowing us to provide the care for your kitty with compassion and love, after all we are ‘All About Amore’.” Dr. Mango truly cares about animals and volunteers with Paws for Friendship, Inc., a non-profit organization of volunteers sharing the unconditional love of their personal pets with people in need, throughout the world (PawsForFriendshipInc.org). She also works with Lap of Love, a Veterinary Hospice and In- home eu-
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held on October 5 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa will be hosting this great event, which will have vendors, raffles and light snacks. Tickets are $15 and are nonrefundable. Space is limited to first come first serve, so reserve your spot today! Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa is located at 4920 Newkirk Drive in Tampa. For more information please call Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa at (813) 443-4665 or visit www.BrickhouseCardio.com.
Mini-Basketball League Teaches Fundamentals, Character thanasia service (LapOfLove.com). All About Amore is located at 6178 Gunn Highway in front of Walmart. For more information please call (813) 280-2928.
Helen’s Fall Festival Zumba Bash Looking for a great way to burn calories, shed stress and have fun? Join Zumba instructor Helen Gonzales for “Helen’s Fall Festival Zumba Bash”, a co-ed 90-minute master Zumba class
Elementary school children will have a chance to learn basketball from experienced coaches in a positive environment when they join a new minibasketball league at Corbett Preparatory School of IDS. Corbett Prep and the Marvin Harvey Basketball School of Excellence are accepting children in first through fifth grade for a new basketball league that will play on Saturdays throughout the fall. Children will be grouped by age, with first and second graders (ages 6-7) playing together and third through fifth graders (ages
8-10) on their own teams. The program can accept as many as 60 children in each of the two age groups to form teams of 10 players each. The league will start on Oct. 5 with tryouts and an instructional camp. Games will take place once a week on Saturdays, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Practice will occur once a week at 6 or 7 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays. Mini-basketball is a great introduction to the fundamentals of basketball, adapted for children’s mental and physical development. The ball is 27.5 inches and the basket 8.5 feet tall, and the focus is on player development rather than keeping score. Games are divided into four quarters of 10 minutes each, with a 2-minute break between quarters and a 5-minute break at halftime. Each player must play two quarters. The mini-basketball league also strives to teach and model honesty, work ethic and teamwork – traits that benefit players on the courts, classrooms and throughout their lives. The program is based on internationally acclaimed Coach Marvin Harvey’s philosophies found in his books Winning Within Reason and Seven Principles for Teaching Basketball.
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The cost is $125 per child, or $55 if your child is part of the Marvin Harvey Basketball School of Excellence for the 2013-14 school year. For more information, please contact Program Director Ivan Romero, iromero@corbettprep.com, or (813) 961-3087, ext. 312.
Blessing of the Animals St. Clement's Episcopal Church in Forest Hills will welcome a different array of faces on Saturday morning, October 5th. There will be a large group of people AND PETS surrounding a priest who will be saying prayers for the gathering of dogs, cats, hamsters, snakes, turtles, fish – even a goose
and pig have joined us in the past! A wondrous variety of creatures great and small that have warmed the hearts of their owners will come for their special day of prayers and blessing. It's called the annual Blessing of the Animals, and the custom is conducted this time of year all over the world in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all animals and all creation. St. Clement's celebration will take place on Saturday, October 5 either in front of the church or in the church sanctuary - depending on the weather. Come at 10:00 a.m. to register, meet, greet and participate in the blessing service. A light lunch will be served in the Parish Hall after the blessing. For the safety of all, please
bring your companion animals for the blessing on a lead or contained. For more information, visit the St. Clement website at www.StClement.net, check out their Facebook page at Facebook.com/WorshipUnderTheOaks, or call the church office at (813) 932-6204. St. Clement Episcopal Church is located at 706 W. 113th Avenue in Tampa, off North Boulevard between Linebaugh Avenue and Country Club Drive (Fowler Avenue).
75th Anniversary of a Mercury Theatre Original Radio Broadcast October 30 will mark the 75th anniversary of Mercury Theatre’s original radio broadcast of Howard Knoch’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. To celebrate, MAS Community Theatre will perform a live staged recreation of the broadcast
at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center on October 4, the Ruskin Firehouse Cultural Center on October 25 and the Carrollwood Cultural Center on October 26 and 27. It will mark the first time MAS Community Theatre has toured a show in the Bay Area. The recreation of the original Mercury Radio Theatre broadcast of Howard Koch’s The War of the Worlds is being produced through a special arrangement with Anne Koch. The Carrollwood Cultural Center is located at 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa. In addition to The War of the Worlds, the Carrollwood Cultural Center will also host a staged comedy, a jazz concert, a blues and gospel artist, and a classical music concert. Performance tickets can be purchased at the box office, online at www.CarrollwoodCenter.org, or by calling (813) 269-1310.
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Community News Briefs
Althea Massage & Spa Joins the Breast Cancer Fight and Raises Money for Tampa Mom Althea Massage & Spa has joined the fight against breast cancer. When Spa owner, Donna Confalone heard about Ashley’s story – a young Tampa woman pregnant with her first child and currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer – she wanted to support Ashley’s cause. During the month of October Althea Massage & Spa will donate 10% of all sales to Ashley’s Foundation. “I was so moved by Ashley’s story that I wanted to find a way to help her and her family,” says Donna Confalone, LMT, owner at Althea Massage & Spa. “As a local business owner, I am passionate about finding meaningful ways I can give back to my community and make a difference in someone’s life.” To learn more about Ashley’s story, please visit www.youcaring.com/medicalfundraiser/kicking-cancer-for-ashley/85394
Volunteers Needed & Training Provided at LifePath Hospice LifePath Hospice offers guidance and support to individuals with lifelimiting illnesses and their families.
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Serving as a LifePath Hospice volunteer can challenge your spirit, fill your heart and enrich your life. If you have 2–4 hours per week to share yourself with another, please consider volunteering with LifePath Hospice! Volunteers are men and women of all ages who have a sincere desire to help others. We are seeking volunteers of all ages, and Veterans. Volunteers are prepared for their role with a free, comprehensive training program. No previous experience in the medical field is necessary. Through training, hospice volunteers learn how to give the gift of the heart by providing emotional support and companionship for our patients and their families and much-needed breaks for caregivers. To register for upcoming Fall Classes, email Vickie McDonald, Volunteer Recruiter, at McDonaldv@ChaptersHealth.org.
Patient TVs Combine Latest Technology in Medical Care & Entertainment At Florida Hospital Carrollwood Remember when the TV in your hospital room was just for watching your favorite shows? Not anymore! The patient TVs on the new Surgical Care Unit at Florida Hospital Carrollwood provide more than just entertainment. Patients can watch television, surf the internet, order their meals, communicate with nurses, and most importantly, access health and wellness information – all through an interactive patient care system called the GetWellNetwork®. “Keeping patients and their families informed while in our hospital is absolutely vital in facilitating the best possible outcomes and providing a
positive patient experience,” says Robin McGuinness, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Florida Hospital Carrollwood. “We want and encourage patients to take an active part in their care.” By providing patients with tools like the GetWellNetwork, Florida Hospital Carrollwood is helping patients take more control of their healing process. In addition, this technology helps to improve hospital staff efficiencies so they can spend even more time at the bedside caring for their patients. GetWellNetwork is one of many innovative features of Florida Hospital Carrollwood’s Surgical Care Unit. The 25-bed, all private room unit also includes many of the latest safety features for patient care; Florida Hospital Carrollwood is taking a lead on creating the safe hospital of the future. The GetWellNetwork® provides patient engagement solutions that help health care providers engage, educate and empower patients along the care continuum. Their patient-centered platform, delivered across multiple technology platforms including mobile devices, computers and televisions, enables providers to implement a revolutionary care delivery model called Interactive Patient Care™ to improve performance and patient outcomes. The company further extends the value of existing IT investments by integrating seamlessly with electronic medical record and patient portal applications.
About Florida Hospital Carrollwood Florida Hospital Carrollwood is a member of the Adventist Health System. It is a 120-bed community hospital specializing in Spine and Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery, Cardiac Services, Neurological Services, General Medicine, Wound Heal-
ing, ENT, Diabetes Management, Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery, as well as other services that meet their mission of healing the mind, body and spirit. For more information please visit Floridahospital.com/Carrollwood.
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS WOWs on First Day of School Corbett Preparatory School of IDS first and second grade “Mighty Monkeys” watched in amazement as rockets carried to the sky goals they had set for the new school year. “Be caring,” “be a risk-taker,” “be a helper” and “be prepared by doing schoolwork” were among the many objectives the children had drawn on slips of paper, which they then rolled up and tucked into one of three rockets. Everyone counted down together, and the rockets sizzled and launched skyward before fluttering down with mini-parachutes. Like the rockets, teachers said, the children would learn to go sky high in the 2013-14 school year. The rockets represented one of many WOW moments marking the first day of school at Corbett Prep. Classes from PreK3-8th grade participated in WOW activities, a tradition that lets teachers showcase how they merge brain-based research with creativity and fun. Corbett Prep teachers benefit from ongoing training to help them develop lesson plans and activities to encourage every learner’s gifts and talents. The results? On the east and west sides of campus, children were actively engaged in learning and sharing inspiring ideas. Many students worked in teams, whether they had known each other for years or just met, and laughed, smiled and gasped over the
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surprises teachers had in store. The youngest children, the PreK3 class, planted flowers as a lesson in how people and flowers grow. Across the street, the sixth-, seventhand eighth-graders joined in the middle school scavenger hunt. The middle school students had read Wonder by R.J. Palacio during the summer and participated in activities based on the book’s message: “When you have a choice, choose KIND.” Other WOW activities included fifth grade MISSION POSSIBLE. Showing their solidarity boot-camp style in camouflage hats, the students explored strategies for success in the
coming school year. The multiage third and fourth grade “All Stars” created a recipe for a “friendship pie,” listing the ingredients included in a good friendship, capping off their lesson with a snack of apple pie. In third grade, the “Navigators” honed cooperation skills as they worked in pairs to build foil boats and see how many pennies their creations could hold. All the lessons were designed with the goal of having students recognize the value of individual work as well as teamwork. It was the beginning of a new year and personal growth opportunities were in abundance. The first- and second-grade “Brilliant Bugs” whispered their wishes for the school year to butterflies before the insects fluttered away into the trees and clouds. One butterfly the children nicknamed Hank refused to go, choosing instead to land on a teacher’s hand. Headmaster Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman urged the stu-
dents to ask Hank to carry additional wishes for them. Her hope for the year, she said, was for children and teachers to “always have success, joy, happiness and work hard, with lots of love.”
The Florida Hospital Pink Army Movement Sweeps the State Launched in the fall of 2010, the Florida Hospital Pink Army, an initiative to create greater awareness about breast disease and the importance of annual screening mammograms by engaging the community and having a little fun, is a movement that is sweeping the state by storm! In its second year, the Pink Army movement, which started in Volusia and Flagler counties, has quickly spread throughout the entire state, and as a strong leader in the prevention and detection of breast cancer, Florida Hospital Carrollwood encourages you to join the battle. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer found in women, but through awareness, education and the advanced treatment programs at hospitals throughout Florida, it can be defeated. The fight has been long and difficult, yet because of their efforts, cancer deaths have begun to drop at
all stages of the disease. The Pink Army has invested in specialized training, and armed their teams with the latest technology. The Florida Hospital Pink Army campaign aims to enlist individuals to help create greater awareness about the life-saving benefits of annual mammograms and early detection, all while having fun with friends and family. Members who join the Florida Hospital Pink Army as enlistees will receive an Army number and dog tags. Soldiers can move up the ranks and earn free rewards by performing different missions, such as enlisting additional soldiers, volunteering, attending events and hosting Pink Parties. These parties are small gatherings hosted by soldiers that informally and intimately educate women on the importance of early detection when fighting breast cancer. By enlisting in the Pink Army, you become a vital part in the fight against this terrible disease. Be part of a courageous group of individuals who represent every walk of life, who are united in the fight against breast cancer. For more information or to enlist as a soldier in the Pink Army please visit www.JoinThePinkArmy.com.
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Burn Calories, Shed Stress, & Have Fun With Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa By Alexis Selby If you are ready to jumpstart your workout routine and get in shape while having a blast, than Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa, a unique studio specializing in fun cardio based Zumba classes, is right for you. Zumba, an aerobic fitness program featuring dance and movements inspired by various styles of upbeat music, is perfect for people of all athletic levels and abilities, and the knowledgeable instructors at Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa do an exceptional job of tailoring the routines for each individual student. The brightly painted walls and open, spacious layout create a welcoming, fun environment and give students plenty of room to move around. The studio also has a stage for instructors to stand on so that they can easily be viewed from every part of the room. “I'm really optimistic about the future,” says Brickhouse Cardio franchise owner Carmen Haas. “ We offer a huge workout area which allows us a lot of room for growth and more students.” Carmen has a passion for teaching Zumba which traces back to her own personal experience. Turning 62 last year, she was first introduced to Zumba when she decided to take a class at her local gym. “I joined a gym because I decided to make a conscious effort to really dedicate myself to losing weight,” says Carmen. “I tried a few different programs, including a Zumba
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class, which I had not previously been exposed to – I really enjoyed it!” One class led to 2 and 2 to 3, and before she knew it, she was hooked! She adds, “You have to find something that you really enjoy doing, because if you enjoy something you are more likely to stay with it. I really love what I do!” In addition to enjoying her workouts and having fun, Carmen experienced another welcomed side effect –
losing weight! And, as Carmen continues to Zumba, she continues to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, steadily getting closer to her goal weight. Just from speaking with Carmen, I can tell she really cares about her students. She has such a beautiful soul, and inspiring personality and her story is one of encouragement – proving that age is just a number and it is never too late to take control of your health
Zumba is perfect for people of all althletic abilities and is a fun way to get in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
and get in the best shape of your life! Carmen says, “The goal for me is not only to invest in my own health, but to bring other people along who want to have a goal of losing weight and getting fit. I have seen it work in my own case so I know it works. Taking Zumba is my own personal testimony. It’s my story and I can help you too. Together we can do this.” As a part of the Brickhouse Cardio franchise, a state-of-the-art franchise that is sweeping the nation, Carmen and her experienced instructors are privy to some of the best Zumba training available. They are certified in many different types of Zumba, including basic Zumba Fitness, Zumba Gold – a low impact class ideal for the active senior or beginning Zumba student – and Zumba Toning – Zumba classes incorporating the use of more weights to really help you tone your body. Brickhouse Cardio Tampa is also in the process of adding yoga to the schedule. For a complete list of classes and their scheduled times please visit www.BrickhouseCardio.com. More and more, people in this upcoming generation are choosing a sedentary lifestyle, opting for video games, computers and television as opposed to sports, dance and other activities. Carmen says, “There is not a lot of activity with the younger generations.” Because of this, Carmen stresses the importance of setting a good example for your children and grandchildren and emphasizes how crucial it is to stay active and maintain a
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Owner Carmen Haas has a passion for teaching Zumba! healthy lifestyle, not just for yourself, but also for your family and loved ones. The older you get, the more important it is to stay active and keep moving, and not allow your body to deteriorate. Carmen says, “It’s kind of frustrating to see people my own age so out of shape, having to have knee surgeries and hip surgeries because they don’t take care of themselves.” Zumba is such an energetic, happy way to exercise, and is a great way to release tension. “When you come to Zumba and turn on the music, you leave behind all the stresses of your day and the outside world,”
says Carmen. With Zumba, each person is on their own individual level of what they can accomplish, and the best part is that every student is able to participate, regardless of their skill level, thanks to the wonderful instructors at Brickhouse Cardio Club Tampa who demonstrate modifications, allowing each student to go at their own pace based on their individual athletic abilities. “Zumba is perfect for anybody who wants to get fit,” says Carmen. “It really is for every ‘body’!” Brickhouse Cardio Tampa is conveniently located at 4920 Newkirk Dr. in Tampa. Their studio is open 6 days a week with classes offered throughout the day. For more information and a full schedule of classes please visit www.BrickhouseCardio.com or call (813) 443-4665. On October 5 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Brickhouse Cardio Tampa will be hosting “Helen’s Fall Festival Zumba Bash”, a 90-minute master class with Zumba instructor Helen Gonzales, complete with vendors, raffles and light snacks. For more information please check the community calendar section located on page 3 or call Brickhouse Cardio Tampa at (813) 443-4665.
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OCTOBER 2013
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Real Estate Agent Carmen Dorso – When Expertise Matters! By Alexis Selby If you are like most, purchasing a home is the single biggest investment you will ever make. And, whether you're buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, it is important to have a trustworthy realtor on your side, one who will represent your best interests throughout the entire home-buying process. That realtor is Keller Williams agent Carmen Dorso, whose comprehensive services and familiarity dealing in the local market can help save you time and money, making your home-buying experience more enjoyable and less stressful. “I offer the most comprehensive customer service,” says Carmen. “Being a realtor comes natural to me. My main priority is to make sure my clients are always 100 percent happy.” Having the right realtor is just as important for homeowners looking to sell – it is necessary to be aware of exactly what your home is worth, and, more importantly – how to market your house to ultimately find the perfect buyer. As a knowledgeable profes-
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sional who has helped many Tampa residents buy and sell residential property, Carmen knows how to handle every aspect of the sale process – from strategically marketing and showcasing your property to making sure everything's signed, sealed and delivered by the closing date. When you become a client of Carmen’s, he will work diligently to get you top dollar for your house and go above and beyond to make sure your needs are met. Carmen’s mission is to provide the top echelon real estate service based on the highest standard of values, ethical integrity, and commitment to his clients. He says, “By maintaining this level of service, I will gain the loyalty and trust of home-buyers and sellers who will become lifelong clientele. In addition, I will support and honor those that provide me with this opportunity. I will work interminably for my clients to reach all of their real estate goals.” Building strong customer relationships is important to Carmen, and in addition to keeping in close contact with clients throughout the entire buying/selling process, he also follows
up with clients monthly, quarterly and yearly to make sure they are just as happy a year from now as they were on the closing date. He is always truthful and honest, and has a rock-solid commitment to making sure that at the end of the day his clients are completely satisfied. He genuinely cares about the people he works with and loves the fact that he is helping their dreams come true. Carmen believes that when finding potential clients it is about quality, not quantity. He advocates the importance of finding an agent who is the “right fit” for you and Keller Williams agent Carmen Dorso has a rockyour desired goals. Each solid commitment to his clients. case is different, and regardless of whether you looking for; which is why, before signare a client of his or not, Carmen ing with someone new, Carmen likes wants to make sure you are repreto establish a relationship to determine sented properly by an agent who will if he is the right agent to represent help you achieve exactly what you are
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Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
you. By focusing on a select number of clients, he is able to devote himself fully to the ones he does have, allowing him to give them the quality time they deserve. As a Keller Williams agent, Carmen has access to a huge support system, as well as the most advanced training and up-to-date statistics about the market, which serves as a huge advantage when helping clients. He is very adamant about staying current on the latest market trends and takes continuing education courses and attends frequent meetings throughout the year to ensure he is at the top of his game. Educating his clients and keeping them well informed about what is
going on is also a top priority for Carmen. He says, “I am constantly educating my clients, it’s a natural trade of mine.” Carmen’s passion for real estate stems from his desire to beautify homes, and what really separates him from other realtors is his attention to detail and inherent ability to look at homes from a positive, yet critical eye; allowing him to see what minor additions and improvements will really help your home sell faster and for more money. “A lot of people just see the basics with a home, but I go on beyond the basic things to see what is really needed in a home,” says Carmen. “I am in tune with the aesthetics
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
of a home and what it should look like and how it should be presented to people.” Carmen is very family-oriented, and when he is not working hard for his clients, he is spending time with his girlfriend and her three children. Together, they enjoy seeking out new restaurants in the area, particularly locally-owned “mom and pop” restaurants where Carmen says he “gets so much more enjoyment when he has the ability to be in his own neighborhood and find a family-owned restaurant off the beaten path.” Carmen is also an avid exerciser, whether it be running, biking, swimming, or weight training. “I am more of a free spirited
individual who likes to enjoy life,” adds Carmen. Before becoming a real estate agent, Carmen worked in the golf service industry. An avid golfer who has played golf his entire life, Carmen has played nearly every golf course in the Tampa Bay Area and beyond. Carmen is very knowledgeable in all aspects of residential real estate, with a specialized focus in Tampa Bay golf real estate, property, homes, and condominiums in Tampa and the surrounding areas. He says, “As a lifelong golfer, I can assist in finding that perfect golf development for you and your family. Throughout the Tampa Bay area many wonderful golf course communities exist that can be enjoyed, and with my knowledge of the game of golf I'm positive that I can find the right golf-based community for you. If you're looking for the highest level of service, integrity, and commitment, then you've found the right realtor.” To contact Carmen Dorso please call his cell at (813) 3177162, his office at (813) 994-4422 or email him at Carmen@CarmenDorso.com. For more information please visit his website at www.CarmenDorso.com.
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OCTOBER 2013
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Mark Your Calendars, Everyone – On October 19th, the FHPC Bazaar Is Going to Truly Amaze! By Pam Sica If you have never been, you really need to check out one of our community’s renowned annual events. Each October, the Presbyterian Women of the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church sponsors their Holiday Bazaar featuring an extravagant array of hand-made crafts (needlework, papier-mâché, gourd art, ornaments, wreaths and more), baked goods, garden items, unique treasures nestled in their Antique Attic, books and puzzles, as well as enticing breakfast and lunch aromas wafting from their kitchen. Artfully displayed in their magically transformed fellowship hall on the northeast FHPC campus, located at 709 W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa, this year’s Holiday Bazaar will be held on October 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The elves are busy at work nine months out of the year preparing for this spectacular six hours of shopping delight and their wares will most certainly appeal to one and all. They swoop up some amazing finds from
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donations (thanks to members and friends), and garage and estate sales, and often ferret out the most innovative things to repurpose and recreate into beautiful and unique items that are ready for gift-giving or even assimilating into your own home décor. This year, for instance, whimsically fashioned pet beds are being offered for the first time. Imagine this – the crafters started out with cast away, mismatched The FHPC Bazaar will feature an expansive array of beautiful and unique itens that are ready for gift end tables and with just a giving, or even assimilating into your own home. few tools, a spot of creativity and some elbow grease, as well as a little painting of Pinterest have been vividly brought and a bit of sewing, they magically to life right here in your community. transformed them into luxurious staOther items the elves have been worktions for your special pets. ing tirelessly to create will dazzle you, If you are a fan of Pinterest, you including Yoyo Christmas trees, standwill love this bazaar! Inspiration for ing Santa gourds, a jolly old St. Nick many of the crafts this year were drawn from ideas featured there. From burlap gourd, crazy crocheted dolls, scary cats, repurposed lanterns, mosaic pumpkins, door hangers to button art, the pages
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garden angels, Halloween cinderblock art, framed animal collage art, gingerbread ornaments and so much more! The elves have been especially productive this year, no doubt. So, do you have a particular need for a beautifully painted Halloween Chair where you can put out your favorite candy basket for those hungry
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
If you are a fan of Pintrist, you are going to love this Bazaar! So many wonderful crafts and DIY creations have vividly been brought to life right here in your community! Trick or Treaters? You will also enjoy checking out the fanciful chairs that have been artfully decorated with winter and Christmas holiday décor. They are truly sensational! Burlap is big this year, so the elves jumped in feet first and started creating wreaths, pumpkins, footballs, witches’ hats, cute button ornaments and more. For a special someone, there is even a re-worked cobbler’s bench (the elves are a bit sad to see that go, for sure)! As you might well imagine, there is so more than I could possibly tell you about in just this article – I suspect you’ll just need to come and enjoy this holiday bazaar ex-
travaganza for yourself. I did manage to catch up with this year’s Bazaar Chairwoman Sheri Webb and she could not have expressed it more succinctly. She says, “The Bazaar is a labor of love for the Forest Hills family, with the proceeds going toward local and global missions. The many people who come back to the FHPC Bazaar year after year, as well as those who have found us for the first time, are truly amazed by all that we have for sale. It’s heartwarming to see friends who shop a little, enjoy breakfast, shop a little more, and then stay for lunch before going home with their treasures!”
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
The church is fortunate to have new leadership this fall. Pastor Claudia Sanow Henderson is rolling up her sleeves and using her many gifts to reenergize her new congregation. Consider this poignant remark she candidly made; “Life is always better when we acknowledge that God is part of it. We’re all in it together. You don’t have to be rich or have a special talent, because together, God turns us into works of art, full of possibilities.” Well, I’d say that pretty much sums up what the FHPC Bazaar is all about; it is a celebration of how folks can work together to benefit both themselves and
their neighbors. Do consider coming by (it’s best to come early so you don’t miss any of the magic) and enjoy a fun time while getting a huge head start on your holiday shopping. It’s affordable, magical, and a one-of –a kind local event that you just don’t want to miss! The Forest Hills Presbyterian Church is located at 709 W. Linebaugh Ave in Tampa (just a block west of Florida Ave). There are two parking lots (on the east and west sides of the church). For more info please visit fhpctampa.com. Remember, at the stroke of 8:00 a.m., the magic begins. Hope to see you there!
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OCTOBER 2013
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Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
Whole Foods Market Carrollwood Provides Free Healthy Eating Resources Hello, beautiful Tampanians. My name is Nicole Sampson and I have a confession to make: I am helplessly addicted to healthy food. Which, coincidentally, is what led me to become the Healthy Eating Specialist at the Whole Foods Market Carrollwood. So, what is a “Healthy Eating Specialist” you ask? Well, it encompasses a lot of things, but the bottom line is this: I am here to help you learn how to eat well, at a reasonable price and help promote a healthy lifestyle for you, your family and our entire community. Whether it’s giving you a personal one-on-one guided tour of our store to help you navigate for a certain dietary restriction (like gluten free, vegan and many others), to come to your children’s school and help educate both students and teachers alike about the benefit and ease of eating nutritionally sound diets or just to be available to answer questions via email or phone — you will be able to rely on me, as well as Whole Foods Market Carrollwood, to provide you up to date information about a wide range of subjects. In addition, I also offer quick and easy cooking classes to get you excited about being in the kitchen. These free courses teach you about how to incorporate our Four Pillars of Health Eating and how to cut out some of processed foods that have snuck into your diets By incorporating the following Four Pillars you can be sure that your family is being well taken care of and will continue to benefit over many years of delicious foods. 1. Whole foods: A "whole food" is any food in its most essential, pure, delicious and basic form: an asparagus spear or a fillet of salmon. 2. Plant strong: No matter what type of diet you follow — including those that incorporate meat— begin to reconfigure your plate so that the majority of your meal is made from plant-based foods. 3. Healthy fats: Get your healthy fats by eating whole plant-based foods like nuts, seeds and avocados. Work to minimize the amounts of extracted oils and processed fats you cook with. 4. Nutrient dense: Reconfigure your plate to be mostly whole plant foods, all of which are rich in nutriCarrollwood Area Neighborhood News
ents. Choose a rainbow of foods to harness as many nutrients as possible. Stop by the Healthy Eating Station at Whole Foods Market Carrollwood to taste one of my recipes, seek advice for adding more whole grains and vegetables into your diet or to sign up for a free personal shopping tour. Stay healthy, friends! Here is a simple fall recipe to tantalize your taste buds that uses all our Four Pillars of Health Eating: Pumpkin Pecan Cookies Makes about 30 cookies 2 cups pecans, toasted 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 3/4 cup pureed pumpkin 1 tablespoon orange zest 3/4 cup freshly squeezed OJ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup chopped, pitted dates Preheat oven to 375. Put pecans and oats into a food processor and pulse until a fine meal forms. Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves and pulse to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients to the food processor. Blend until smooth puree forms. Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in pumpkin mixture, slowly folding it in with a spatula. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of batter onto 2 parchment lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches. Flatten slightly and bake for 20 minutes, until just browned. Cool briefly and store in an airtight container.
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OCTOBER 2013
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When You Shop Bill Currie Ford, You're Family! By Matthew Selby When deciding where to purchase your car or truck, it is important to choose a dealer that has history, integrity, and a commitment to their customers; one that goes above-andbeyond the initial purchase to ensure ultimate customer satisfaction. Bill Currie Ford, a dealership dedicated to their customers, has all these qualities and more, and takes pride in creating long-lasting relationships with their customers. Too often, the relationship between a dealership and a customer unfairly ends after the purchase is made – this is never the case at Bill Currie Ford. It’s Bill Currie Ford’s long-term commitment to their customers that makes them unique, offering perks that last the lifetime of their vehicle – from friendly service, to free car washes and expert maintenance. This makes a difference. Maybe, that is why so many of our families trust their family when it’s time for a new car or truck. Located at 5815 N Dale Mabry
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Hwy. in Tampa, Bill Currie Ford has been a staple in the community for over 50 years, earning them the honorable title of “Tampa’s First Family of Ford”. Family owned and operated by three generations of Curries since Bill Currie Jr. and his family celebrated the grand opening of Bill Currie Ford in 1960, for over five decades Bill Currie Ford has maintained one of the largest selections of quality, new and preowned vehicles in the state of Florida. In 1978 Bill Currie Ford was recognized as the top Ford Truck retailer in the United States, and when Bill Currie III came along in 1980 the dealership became actively involved in the Tampa community; this helped lay down the dealership’s foundation for years to come in this wonderful city. Bill Currie Ford truly understands how important their community is. Taking this to heart, Bill Currie III came up with their slogan, "If we don't take care of our customers, someone else will", which reflects their unwavering commitment to the happiness of their customers. The same
The friendly staff at Bill Currie Ford is dedicated to the happiness of their customers, and will go above and beyond to make sure your car-buying experience is truly unforgettable! holds true no matter which department you are dealing with; adopting a strict standard of quality that has never been compromised, even to this day, all departments at Bill Currie Ford do everything possible to ensure 100% satisfaction 100% of the time. Following in the footsteps of her
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grandfather and father, Jennifer Currie Bellomo, who has been running Bill Currie Ford for the past 10 years, proudly runs her family’s legacy. Jennifer, like many local business owners in our area, takes great pride in her community and has lived in Carrollwood for over 30 years. She gets her
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
Bill Currie Ford has one of the largest selections of quality, new and pre-owned vehicles in the state of Florida. dealership involved with as many local charities as possible to further help the health of our Tampa community. For over 20 years Bill Currie Ford has held a women's only fishing tournament to help raise money for All Children's Hospital; and the results have been tremendous! Last year, over 170 young fisherwomen competed in the tournament; raising thousands of dollars for All children's Hospital!
The Bill Currie Difference Bill Currie Ford cares; the owners
and staff don't just work here, they live here. Treating customers like family isn't just a saying for their dealership, it's everything. Jennifer Currie says, "We care about each customer and their experience. We want their experience with us to be the best one they have ever had buying a car or truck and we will do anything it takes to make that happen. We take things personal; if something isn't done right and if someone is not happy with us it is our name that is on the line. This isn't just a business, it's our family, and
Owner Jennifer Currie takes pride in her family’s legacy and treats her customers like one of her own!
treating our customers like one of our own is a top priority." Unlike many dealerships where you may never meet the owner, chances are, if you come to Bill Currie Ford you will! On your next visit, just ask for Jennifer and if she is here she will make sure to personally come meet with you. Price is always a concern when buying a new vehicle, and you can rest assured that the price you get from them will be the lowest in the area and you'll walk away feeling good about your decision with a smile on your face. The family plan is another great perk you get when you choose this dealership. A $2,500 perk to be more accurate. The family plan includes great bonuses that include free oil changes for 2 years, a free car wash with every service, complimentary loaner cars if needed, a friends and family referral program, $1,000 trade assistance, and much more!
October Means Truck Month October means big discounts and huge rebates during truck month at Bill Currie Ford, and you can bet that the home of the Ford F-150 won't let
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
you down. This is it; this is the best time to upgrade your old vehicle and drive home in your dream Ford Truck for the lowest price of the year. The F150s are priced to sell, boasting prices of less than $20,000; I have my eye on the 2013 F-250 4X4 and know the friendly folks at Bill Currie will take care of me when I stop by this month. Nothing beats the experience you will get buying a truck in October like you will at Bill Currie Ford. With an unparalleled selection and outstanding customer service, there really is no other Ford Dealer like Bill Currie Ford. “Tampa’s First Family of Ford” and “home of the F150”, Bill Currie Ford will provide you with a legendary experience! So, stop by today and put a new Ford in your driveway! Bill Currie Ford is located at 5815 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, and is open Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information please visit www.BillCurrie.com. For Sales: (888) 255-1156, Service: (813) 554-5360 and Parts: (800) 7528203.
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OCTOBER 2013
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Experience Truly Amazing Coffee at Hattie’s Café & Beanery! We’ve all had that substandard cup of coffee. You were up late or got up too early, and you grabbed whatever you could find and drank it just because it was dark and steaming. Whether you got it from a convenience store, fast food joint, or your office’s machine, you choked it down because it woke you up. It doesn’t have to be that way. Hattie’s Café & Beanery, quickly becoming popular for their unique and appetizing food menu, also serves up first-class coffees and teas. Their well-known Nest Egg sandwich or scrumptious gluten-free quiches can pair wonderfully with a foamy latte, or individually brewed pour-over coffee made from socially conscious beans. “Of course, we’re proud of how much the community is loving our food; I created this menu, and it makes me feel proud to see how people react to what we’re serving,” says owner Bruce Boore. “But people can sometimes be so distracted by the great food that they don’t notice the amazing things we’re doing with coffees and teas.” Hattie’s sources their coffees from
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socially and ecologically responsible vendors, including Portland Roasting and Thrive Farmers. Portland Roasting has dedicated their company to creating a zero, or negative-carbon, footprint. They have dug wells and built schools in impoverished areas that grow their coffees. Thrive Farmers is based in several Central American countries and is working to expand. Their program allows vendors to buy directly from the growers, increasing the small farmers’ incomes by up to ten times what they would otherwise make. However, the family-run café goes far beyond conscientious sourcing to make their drinks great. Their crew of trained baristas turns out perfectly foamed lattes and cappuccinos made with a delicious espresso, as well as iced coffees and a frappe they’ve dubbed the “Coffee Crush”. “We have trouble keeping enough iced coffee on hand,” says Jonathan Boore, Bruce’s son. “We make a concentrated coffee that’s cold-brewed, using no hot water. This keeps out a lot of the acid and char that can make coffee sour or bitter.
Hattie’s Cafe sources their coffee beans from socially and economically responsible vendors, including Portland Roasting and Thrive Farmers. Our iced drinks are smoother than you’ll find anywhere I’ve been.” Jonathan explains that roasting incredible coffee is as much an art as a scientific process. “We also roast our own beans on-site,” he says, smiling. “That’s where I get to have my fun. Running the café is a really rewarding
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job, and I love our menu. But, when I get to roast the green beans into coffee for my customers to enjoy, that’s my favorite part. I really get into the zone then.” Each variety of coffee bean from around the world can be roasted in many subtle, different ways to bring out the bean’s best character-
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
Jonathan Boore (L) has two goals when roasting coffee - highlighting the flavor that already exists in the bean and providing the taste and level of roast that his customers are asking for. Roasting their own beans in house, Hattie’s offers customers a delicious array of unique coffees and teas. istics. Some coffees may have fruity tartness, or spice flavors, while others a cocoa smoothness, or dark and earthy note. Some coffees stand up well to higher temperatures, creating a darker, more ‘roasty’ flavor. Jonathan says, “I have two goals in roasting; I want to highlight the flavor that already exists in the bean and I also want to provide the taste
and level of roast that my customers are asking for. I love talking to our guests about what they love about coffee, and to show them the roasting process. People are always surprised to learn how much goes into each roast. It’s more than just a process of heating the coffee beans. And the end result? Oh my gosh; If you’ve never had fresh-roasted cof-
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
fee, you’re missing out.” Of course, excellent coffee comes at a price. On Mondays through Wednesdays, that price is currently a whopping 69 cents for a 12-ounce cup. “Look,” Bruce says, “just because it’s high quality doesn’t mean we have to hurt people’s wallets. We want people to leave here happy.
Happy and caffeinated.” Hattie’s Café & Beanery is located at 17695 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Lutz They are open Mon. – Thurs. 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information please call (813) 898-2777 or visit www.HattiesBeanery.com.
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OCTOBER 2013
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Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
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OCTOBER 2013
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Every Child Deserves a Voice Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech
By Dara Tucker Saturday, October 19, at the Carillon Parkway/Catalina Marketing Field the 4th annual Tampa Bay Walks for Talk to benefit children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech will be held. The event is a family-fun filled day including a walk, lunch, and games for kids. Onsite registration and check-in begins at 10 a.m., and the walk begins promptly at 11:15 a.m. There is a family meet and greet after the walk at 2 p.m. Proceeds from the walk will benefit CASANA’s (The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America) apraxia programs and research. CASANA is a source of inspiration and instrumental in helping many families and professionals gain the knowledge in apraxia needed to move children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) to develop meaningful speech. For many
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families it is the first place they look to for support after their child is diagnosed. According to CASANA Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder that first becomes apparent as a young child is learning speech. For reasons not yet fully understood, children with apraxia of speech have great difficulty planning and producing the precise, highly refined and specific series of movements of the tongue, lips, jaw and palate that are necessary for intelligible speech. Apraxia of speech is sometimes known as verbal apraxia, developmental apraxia of speech, or verbal dyspraxia. The most important concept is the root word “praxis.” Praxis means planned movement. To some degree or another, a child with the diagnosis of apraxia of speech has difficulty programming and planning speech movements. Apraxia of speech is a specific speech disorder. This difficulty in planning speech movements is the missing key of childhood apraxia of speech. The challenge and difficulty that children with apraxia have in creating speech can be confusing to parents, especially when they observe the skill of
learning to speak developing, seemingly without effort, in other children. Brenae Solis, the walk coordinator for Tampa Bay, turned to CASANA when her daughter Emily was diagnosed with apraxia at 22 months old. Brenae explains, “There was nowhere to go to in Florida for support at the time. CASANA is the national apraxia not-for-profit organization that is run out of Pittsburg. They helped me create a walk and support group here in Florida. The proceeds of our Tampa walk go to CASANA.” CASANA’s mission is to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia so that each child is afforded their best opportunity to develop to their full potential. CASANA is a 501(c)3 public charity and is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the needs of children with apraxia of speech. With the help of fundraisers like the 4th annual Tampa Bay Walks for Talk, CASANA is able to provide multimedia information on CAS to families, professionals, policy-makers
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and other members of the public, provide network and partnership opportunities for parents and professionals to benefit children with CAS, facilitate better public policy and services for children affected by the disorder, create training and educational opportunities for families and professionals, and support apraxia research, especially research which identifies effective treatment and
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
Caleb and his siblings, Hannah, Nina and Jonah will be walking on October 19 to raise awareness for apraxia. therapy for children with apraxia. In addition to raising funds for apraxia, the walk is a great way for families to connect, raise awareness of the disorder, and celebrate children with apraxia. The day will include food, fun, crafts, games, entertainment and music for the kids. If you register a child with apraxia of speech make sure you contact Justin LeWinter at justinl@apraxia-kids.org by October 9 with the child’s first and last name, child’s age, and your Walk name too. There is a special gift to present to each child on the day of the Walk in celebration of the children everyone will be there to support. Also be sure to register for the walk by Sunday, Sep-
tember 22 to receive an official Apraxia Walk t-shirt in your size. Jen Alfieri has a team walking for her son. Jen had never heard of apraxia before her third child, Caleb, was diagnosed at 33 months. Jen explains, “I knew something was wrong when he still wasn’t talking at two-and-a-half. I went to our pediatrician first, and then we went to Early Steps several times before we went to FDLRS (Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System). It was very frustrating because we were told so many different things before we got his diagnosis. He now receives support through the TALK Program in the school system and private therapy. He’s making great gains with the combination of the two. The other day he strung three words together. Every child is different. For most children speech works itself out, but Caleb was one of 1,000 that it didn’t. I encourage moms to trust your instinct if you think something in wrong. Early intervention is critical.” Join a great cause, Saturday, October 19, and have a fun day at Carillon Parkway/Catalina Marketing Field, 120 Carillon Parkway, in St. Petersburg. Adult walkers are $20, and children under 18 are $10. For more information about the walk, or to donate to the walk, visit www.apraxia-kids.org.
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
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OCTOBER 2013
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“Mellow” Continued from page 1 customers hanging out on a frequent basis. “We attract a cooler clientele,” says Stefan, as he poured a glass of sangria for Meg, a customer seated at the bar. “Every woman that comes in here will swear by that,” he says, as he gestures towards the freshly delicious white wine and citrus fruit sangria made in-house. Meg shared how she lives in St. Petersburg, but her daughter plays soccer in Westchase. She laughed as she confessed that she and her husband actually argue over who gets to take their daughter to practice, and who is staying home with the rest of the kids. “Whoever gets to take her to practice gets Mellow Mushroom that night for dinner,” says Meg. Meg and her husband are originally from Atlanta, so Mellow Mushroom is nostalgic for them. Meg says that the flavor and atmosphere has not changed over the years, and she loves to come back because it has, “good vibes, good food, and good service.” She smiles as she shakes her head, lost in her own memories. One thing was
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obvious – that her experience at Mellow Mushroom was about more than just the pizza. Looking over the menu, the restaurant does offer more than just pizza, even for those who do not remember the ‘70s. Their versatile list has something for everyone – whether you love pizza, salad, hoagies, munchies, or just stopped by for the alcohol. Family friendly, Mellow Mushroom also has a kid’s menu complete with many tasty options. Along with their tangy, delicious sangria and close to 200 different beers, the restaurant also provides a full liquor bar. For customers unsure of which beer to select, they also let you sample them. They have a combination of microbrews and almost 30 beers on tap, some seasonal. Arriving at dinnertime, the staff was quick to greet me, seat me and feed me. They immediately were able to describe a multitude of their local beers, letting me review the extensive menu. True to his word, Stefan poured me a glass of the fresh sangria and brought me a salad while I waited on the main course. There is as much flavor in their food as there is color on the walls of this chill dinner choice. I started out
with the enlightened spinach salad; a mixture of fresh spinach, dried cherries, apples, homemade candied pecans and feta cheese. I alternated dipping my salad into the balsamic vinaigrette and their signature, creamy dressing, called Esperanza. Now, the menu describes the dressing as “a flavor you’ll never forget,” but I personally thought that Stefan calling it “crack sauce” as he handed it to me was slightly more accurate. It was addicting. For an appetizer, the Bruschetta tastes as beautiful as it looks, with fresh tomato, basil and feta drizzled over toast.
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If you are looking for something lighter, order the Creole Shrimp Po’Boy. The breaded shrimp was tucked into a toasted hoagie roll. It was not overbearingly spicy, yet still offered enough flavor to keep you wanting more. Now, as to be expected in a place with such positive energy, there is only good karma at the Mellow Mushroom. Order the Kosmic Karma for a delicious red sauce pizza topped with sun dried and Roma tomatoes, as well as mozzarella and feta cheese, seasoned with a hint of pesto. One of the more popular pizza items, it is a signature pie at Mellow Mushroom.
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
For meat lovers, they have the Mighty Meaty, which also has red sauce and mozzarella, but is topped with bacon, ham, ground beef, pepperoni and sausage. The menu also has many vegetarian options that can easily be transitioned to a vegan order, and includes the option to have gluten-free crust. Since 2005, Mellow Mushroom has created a place in Tampa for nostalgia, local beer tasting, weekly specials and live music. There are also carry-out and gift cards available. Although it is a nation-wide franchise,
locals can visit the Mellow Tampa Facebook page to find out what is going on at their local eatery. Just off the beaten path, but well worth the drive, Mellow Mushroom Tampa is located at 11955 Sheldon Road. Hours are Mon. – Thur. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. For more info. and a list of upcoming events please call (813) 926-3600, visit www.MellowMushroom.com, or their Facebook page by searching Mellow Mushroom Tampa.
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
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“Brain Balance” Continued from page 1 not been agreed upon. The popular although controversial approach to “fixing” it, however, is to use modern medicine. There is another option. Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer a medicine-free, educationbased Brain Balance Program that comprehensively helps each child reach their fullest academic, social, and physical potential. The Brain Balance Center of Oldsmar, located at 4022 Tampa Road, is one of more than 50 Brain Balance Centers in the nation. Steadily growing because of their proven success with children diagnosed with issues like these, parents and families are embracing the individualized programs available for their entire family. Using personalized and comprehensive assessment tools, the educated and certified teachers, nutritionists, coaches and professionals at Brain Balance assess your child’s difficulties, and then work with your child, your entire family and even his or her teachers to facilitate growth. Brain Balance Center of Oldsmar is owned by Director Larry Polnicky, whose own son, Ben, made incredible
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advances in the program that they attended out of state. Larry was so impressed with the program that he opened the Oldsmar location so that other children like Ben would be able to make progress without medication. How? The Brain Balance program believes that your brain can change. That’s a bold statement, but when your child begins to speak, after being told that they would not be able to do so, or when your child’s grades improve dramatically despite being told that they wouldn’t be able to succeed, the reality kicks in. There is another option, indeed, and thousands of children’s lives have been improved based on this program. Program Director, Heather Lascano, takes the time to find out what the world looks like from your child’s perspective. She comes to Brain Balance of Oldsmar after years in pharmaceutical drug development as well as years of patent, business, and contract law, and has used tools like yoga in her own small business to aid many people with a variety of ailments. Her experience, her “out of the box” approach and her dedication to truly helping people make Heather a unique fit. Is your Child Disconnected? This “brain-based, not drug-
(top row, L-R) Heather Lascano (Program Director), Andrea Bartelloni (Academic Evaluator and School Liaison), Henri Lasane (Sensory Motor Evaluator), Bonita van Dorseer (Teacher and Parent Group Leader) (bottom row, L-R) Anne Sweeny (Teacher), Maria Mogollon (Assistant Director), Patricia Hoover (Sensory Motor Coach) Not pictured Susan Rose (Sensory Motor Coach) based” program is based on Dr. Robert J. Melillo’s research on neurobehavioral disorders. Dr. Melillo, who is a worldrenowned neurologist, professor and author, believes that all of these conditions, which were previously thought to be unrelated, are in fact related, and
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can be grouped into what is called Functional Disconnection Syndrome. Brain Balance is not a medical facility, and so it does not employ doctors, write prescriptions for medications, or accept insurance. What it does do is offer hope, options, proven techniques
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and a personalized approach. In his book, Disconnected Kids, he explains how these conditions all find a commonality in the way that the brain works, and while if you were to take a child with any of these conditions and give them an MRI Scan, or any other number of medical tests, there would be nothing to find. The brain is not damaged. These issues are all connection issues, and research has proven that the left hemisphere of the brain and the right hemisphere of the brain have distinct responsibilities, abilities and functions. Most of us can easily be labeled “left-brained” or “right-brained” but research has found that when one-half of the brain has a deficiency, it leads to these connectivity issues, which can result in a “disconnect” between a child and their ability to learn, communicate and succeed. The goal is to challenge the hemisphere of the brain that is showing a deficiency and to stimulate it so that it will learn to function. One parent said, “We drive 2-1/2 hours one way and our son is worth every minute and mile spent on the road. Just 20 sessions and my son’s reading fluency and word reading has markedly improved. We are so proud of him! He loves coming to Brain Balance. His confidence has improved
greatly too. Thank you to such an awesome team of professionals who understand and care about children with learning challenges. It’s also a soft place to land as a parent.” Another parent writes, “”I am so proud of Jalon. I’m also so thankful to Brain Balance for all that they have done and are continuing to do for him. I have been telling everyone about Brain Balance and I will keep trying to spread the word because I believe in this program. Unlike any other therapy, Brain Balance treats the whole child. They were the first to run blood tests and do other extensive testing to test every level from Jalon’s primitive reflexes to food sensitivities and identify the weaker hemisphere of Jalon’s brain. Once they received these results they were able to come up with a program that addresses his sensory, academic and dietary needs. The result is that in just a couple months Jalon has made amazing strides and is now meeting or surpassing his peers in many areas.” The Brain Balance program is tailor-made for each individual child and generally works with children from kindergarten age to ninth grade. Each program generally consists of one or two 12-week after-school programs, where each child participates in a range of activities that help them to
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
improve the connections between both hemispheres of their brains. One of the best parts of the Brain Balance Program is that the educated and experienced staff realizes that when a child is effected, the entire family is effected, and as a team, they gather around to give the child the support that he or she needs from every angle. The program itself gives the child a physical and cognitive activity program that will, in time, change the way the brain reacts. Combined with the right nutrition, and armed with the role that nutrition plays in your child’s behavior, certain behaviors can be changed right away. While we’re all comfortable with traditional allergies, there are foods that may affect the way your child learns, or reacts. It may be strawberries that are the trigger, or the ingredient that holds their favorite candy together, but with an understanding of all of these things, progress can be made. Focusing on areas such as academic performance, social abilities, cognitive function, sensory and motor skills, visual-spatial organizational skills and nutrition, your child will be given every opportunity to make advances that you might not have thought possible. Polnicky says, “In a study where 60 of the students had ADHD, 82% of those students were shown to no longer exhibit any signs of ADHD after one 12-week program.” He adds, “Two-thirds of the students improved by two grade levels, and one-third of the students actually improved by four grade levels; 100% had some improvement, and 0% had no improvement, so even if I didn’t know from personal experience that this program worked, we have the research to back us up.” One parent wrote a testimonial saying, “Brain Balance truly made our home more peaceful. He is a completely different child than when he started the program. What you offer to kids and their families is priceless!”
Is this Program for your Child? The Brain Balance Mission Statement is “to make the Brain Balance Program available to as many children as possible, that each child may reach their greatest physical, mental, social and academic potential.” If your child has been diagnosed with a neurobehavioral disorder like ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, Tourette’s, or any number of learning disorders, don’t lose hope. There are answers beyond the drug store. The best way to find out more about Brain Balance is to come to one of their free information events. The Brain Balance Center of Oldsmar holds parent lectures where parents and professionals alike can gain a unique window into a child’s brain function. Their lectures offer insight into how the brain normally develops and what may interfere with the stages of typical development. Parents can also come in for a free tour, sit down one-on-one with the Center Director and see for themselves what all of the buzz is about. The truth is that people come from all around the world, and cross state lines to come to Brain Balance Centers. Their innovative, holistic approach to children and families has changed the lives of thousands of people. We are lucky to have a Brain Balance Center right here in Oldsmar. The next free informational event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m and will feature: Ending the Struggle: Understanding the Brain Balance approach to improving academics, behavior and social skills without medication. Please RSVP as seating is limited. The Brain Balance Achievement Center of Oldsmar is located at 4022 Tampa Rd., Suite 6. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call 813-475-6977. You can email them directly at oldsmar@brainbalancecenters.com, or visit them at brainbalancecenters.com.
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Bill Currie Ford Teams Up To Host Ford’s Great American Tailgate In Support Of Metropolitan Ministries Bill Currie Ford, a longtime local Ford dealership, participated in a big way in Ford’s Great American Tailgate event for the Tampa area on Saturday, September 7. The Bill Currie team, with community generosity, set a goal to fill a Ford F-150 and a vintage Mustang convertible, graciously provided by the Mustang Club of Tampa, with emergency items to help struggling families – they succeeded, collecting 2200 pounds of food. In addition to a food drive in support of Metropolitan Ministries, Bill Currie Ford accepted donations, with a focus on much needed items, such as
canned goods, peanut butter, boxed cereal, diapers and toddler Pull-Ups. Bill Currie Ford, in conjunction with Ford Motor Co., also sponsored Drive 4 UR Community, Ford’s initiative to raise money for local nonprofits through their dealerships. For every test drive taken that day, Ford donated $20 to Metropolitan Ministries. At the end of the day, Bill Currie Ford had 130 test drives, raising $2600! The Great American Tailgate event featured a variety of familyfriendly activities, including bouncy houses for the kids, a football toss, and a dunk tank, as well as a raffle for a 60inch flat screen TV as the grand prize. Tim Joslin, General Manager at Bill Currie Ford, says, “We have served the Tampa Bay community and the surrounding area for 53 years and feel that it is important that we support the community that has supported us for so long. The current economic conditions require all of us to examine our commitment to one another and to reach out and help where and when Bill Currie Ford, with help from the community, man- we can. To be able aged to collect over 2200 pounds of food - wow! to sponsor a food
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drive in support of Metropolitan Ministries’ “Biggest Food Drive Ever” Campaign is a significant way for Bill Currie Ford to show that we do care and that we are here to help those that have come upon hard times in Tampa.” Bill Currie Ford has served the Tampa Bay area for more than 50 years, earning them the moniker of “Tampa’s First Family of Ford.” They have one of the largest selections of quality, new and pre-owned vehicles in the state of Florida. In addition to selling vehicles, they are also are an active member of the community. Bill Currie Ford is located at 5815 North Dale Mabry Hwy. in Tampa. For more information, contact Christy Vannette, Community Relations Manager, at (813) 872-5555 or email at cvannette@billcurrie.com.
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A dunk tank (above) and bouncy house (bottom) were two of the many fun activites featured at the event.
Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News
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Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News