Vol. 4, Issue 8, August 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
Enjoy a World Class Haircut at Rigby’s Barbershop in Westchase!
Don’t Lose Your Cool – Call Jaime, Your Central Air Conditioning & Heating Specialist! By Marcy Sanford At the heat turns up this summer, it’s good to know you have a locally owned company you can turn to if your AC begins to lose its cool. Bay Area resident Jaime Guerrera, owner of Jaime Central Air Conditioning & Heating Specialist, has years of experience in the air conditioning and heating business and knows that honesty with your customers and performing high quality work is what keeps a company in business. “Much of our
business is in the Lutz, Odessa and Westchase area and many of our new customers come from referrals,” says Jaime. “I live here locally and am proud that when I go places in the community, I run into so many happy clients. We stand behind our work and are proud of the loyalty our customers have to us. We always treat our clients with the utmost respect and are proud that when we’ve finished the job, we’ve earned their trust and loyalty.” Jaime Air has probably helped one of your neighbors and friends
keep their air conditioners running smoothly. “Jaime Air did a great installation. My wife was very happy with how clean they kept our home during this difficult renovation here. The new system cools fast and it's very quiet due to the new ductwork they installed. Now all our rooms are the same temperature. We got a new Trane system for less than the price the other company quoted us,” says one happy family. See “Jaime AC” on page 14
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Host a Highschool Exchange Student!..................3 Community Calendar & News Briefs..........................4-5 More Space Place...................8-9 RAYS UP For Our Community....................10-11 Farrell Carpet Cleaning.....18-19 Victory Gymnastics...........20-21 A Grateful American.........24-25
ECRWSS
See “Rigby’s” on page 22.
The lovely ladies at Rigby’s Barbershop took time mid haircut to smile for a picture with one of their happy customers!
Postal Customer
Named after her first dog, Rigby, Shawna wants Rigby’s Barber Shop to be as comfortable and familiar to her clients as their favorite pet. And from the moment you step into Rigby’s you feel welcome. When you walk through the front door, you’re greeted with a smile and a cheery “hello,” from one of Rigby’s expert barbers. Not to mention, they also offer free beer!
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
After years of living in the Westchase area, barber Shawna Burnham realized there was not a comfortable place for men, where they could go to get a top quality haircut and shave. She opened Rigby’s Barber Shop at 11655 Countryway Boulevard to fill that void, and quicker than a 5 o’clock shadow grows in, Rigby’s Barber Shop became a hit, and is now one of the top places in the area for men to go to get a high quality trim!
Comfortable, Friendly Atmosphere and Free Beer
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Marcy Sanford
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Host a Highschool Exchange Student! The month of July is a great time to consider sharing your America with an exchange student from another country. “Hosting an exchange student not only is an opportunity to share what you most love about the U.S., it helps you to see the U.S. through fresh eyes,” says Tampa resident, Ms. Lee. She invites local families open their heart and home by hosting an exchange student sponsored by PAX – Program of Academic Exchange (PAX). PAX students, from 70 European, South American, Asian, or African countries, are eager to experience American activities—backyard barbecues, birthday celebrations, and holidays—and to share their country and culture with their host families. They arrive to the U.S. for the upcoming school year in August. They are 15-18 years old, have studied English for three years, and are motivated to learn more about the U.S. by attending high school and living with a host family. They are covered by comprehensive medical insurance and have their own spending money. Volunteer host families provide PAX students with a warm and supportive home environment, a seat at
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the family dinner table, a bed, a quiet place to study, and encouragement to engage in everyday American life. All types of families—single parents, young couples, retirees, and parents with kids of any age, especially with teenagers—are welcome to host. “I've been working for PAXProgram of Academic Exchange for 5 1/2 yrs now,” says Ms. Lee. “During that time, I have placed 31 students from 13 different countries with awesome host families throughout the Tampa Bay area. It is the most inspiring work I've ever done. Connecting these inspiring students with awesome host families is so exciting. When the students get to host their host family in their country, that is the best of the exchange program in action! I have a host family visiting their Chinese Daughter in China right now; so sweet, especially since their adopted daughter is from China! I'm excited to go to Thailand some day soon & other countries to
see my exchange kids, too!” Founded in 1990, PAX is a notfor-profit educational organization and one of a select few U.S. Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Programs chosen to participate in its prestigious U.S. government-sponsored FLEX and YES programs. Each year, more than 1,100 teenagers visit the U.S. as PAX exchange students to be Ambassadors of their country and help us to create peace in the world through understanding. For more information on how to host an exchange student please call Karen Lee at (727) 329-8060.
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to 15,000 households in zip codes 33626 & 34677 220 S. Safford Ave. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: alexis@nnlflorida.com © 2015 Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Matt Selby Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Linda Viega Mike Bird Jared Nager Accounting Manager Doreen Selby Billing Assistant Tina O’Reilly
Editor Alexis Selby Correspondents Kim Thomas Julie Kanehl Katie Thomas
Marcy Sanford Dara Tucker
Art Director Tony Sica Graphic Artist Dat X. Do Marketing & Development Ashley Knoblach
Nothing that appears in Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc.
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Community Calendar & News Briefs HAUTE Accessories Week Returns For Its Signature Fifth Season Tuesday, September 1 at 6:00 PM and the last ending on Friday, September 4 at 11:30 PM. HAUTE Accessories Week, a platform exclusively for accessory Designers & Artists, is an event created to spotlight the contributions accessory designers make to the fashion industry. Everyone is invited to witness the tremendous creations of these talented individuals in an atmosphere of unmatched ambiance. Want to update your wardrobe in a minute? Add a cool, new piece of accessory! HAUTE, spotlights the contributions accessory designers make to the fashion industry; featuring the unique and creative works of independent and emerging accessory designers. Schedule and Venues: LookBook: Opening Night Mixer & Style Exhibit Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m Sponsors, Media Reporters, Blog-
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gers, Photographers, Designers, Models & You. Learn more about the event and their fabulous designers. Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists will proudly display their craft. Experience a live makeup and hairstyling exhibition. Free to attend and complimentary hors d' oeuvres. HAUTE 5 Year Cocktail Celebration Wednesday, September 2 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Join in the festivities as they celebrate 5 fabulous years of showcasing accessories on the runway. Cocktails & hors d' oeuvres will be served. Little Black Dress & Black Tie Party - 3rd Edition Thursday, September 3 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Lets see you ladies accessorize the famous Little Black Dress (LBD). Join for a fun evening with their models, Designers and other attendees. Have your photos taken on the red carpet, show off your LBD accessorized. Lots of fun in store. Get your accessories from the our
participating Designers in HAUTE Accessories Week; Accessorize that lil black dress, and work it like you are a model on the catwalk at their Little Black Dress & Black Tie Party. Gents…..a little black tie or bowtie will do! Complimentary hors d' oeuvres. Tickets are $20.00, or free with purchase of ticket to Friday's Designers Runway Presentation – show proof of purchase. Main Event: HAUTE Designers Runway Presentation & Designers Boutique Friday, September 4 from 6 p.m. – 1 p.m. at the Carrollwood Country Club, located at 13903 Clubhouse Drive in Tampa. See Designers exclusive accessory collections for the first time on the runway. Designers will also display items for sale within their Designers Boutique. Enjoy viewing Designers signature pieces within their Museum setting. All Designers runway collections are available for sale after the show.
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Tickets are $45.00. Complimentary hors d' oeuvres served Admission to Little Black Dress & Black Tie Party and Opening Night Press Party are included if you show proof of purchase. Boutique owners and buyers may be eligible to receive a complimentary pass to attend the event. Please send an email request to events@thefashionmovement.com to be considered. Press/Media must submit an application for their requests for 1 pass per media outlet to - events@thefashionmovement.com Photographers must submit an application for their requests for 1 pass per company to - events@thefashionmovement.com Limited Exhibitor/Vendor space available, please email haute@thefashionmovement.com For venue information or to purchase tickets for any of the events please visit www.Facebook.com/events/95816 9007546880/.
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The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Dancing with Our Stars 2016 is Looking for Stars, Volunteers and Sponsors!! Join in the festivities and fun at the 4th Annual Dancing With Our Stars Event! Whether you would like to participate as a volunteer, dancer, sponsor, or guest everyone is welcome! This year’s event will be held on Oct. 17th at the Eleanor Dempsey Performing Arts Center at Bishop McLaughlin, located at 13651 Hays Rd, in Spring Hill. From Salsa to hip hop to line dancing, dancers and local business owners from all across the Bay will once again light up the stage at the 4th Annual Dancing With Our Stars event. Hosted by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, this is a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy some exciting entertainment as people from all over the Tampa Bay Area gather for this spectacular event. Making up the show are our own stars – local businessmen and women who have volunteered to showcase their talents as well as business while raising funds to benefit the chamber and its programs. With crowds filled to near capacity, the past three Dancing With Our Stars Events have been a huge hit, leaving the audience on the edge of
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their seats as dancers shook, rattled, rolled and swung, dressed in elaborate costumes ranging from pirates to cowboys to the Incredible Hulk. The Central Pasco Chamber is very excited to host Dancing With Our Stars at the Eleanor Dempsey Performing Arts Center (EDPAC), an 880-seat state-of-the-art facility fully equipped with professional sound, lighting and stage! “Several of us have visited EDPAC and were amazed that we have this hidden gem in our area. There will also be availability to have our VIP After Party there,” says CPCC DWOS chairperson Carla Collier. For those of you who would like to promote your business and would like to become a STAR now is the time. Call today! This is an excellent event to strut your stuff while networking. If you would like more information on being involved with this event as a STAR, VOLUNTEER, OR SPONSOR please contact CPCC DWOS chairperson Carla Collier at (813) 928-3622. The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is a not for profit organization whose dedicated business and community partners work toward improving the general welfare in the Central Pasco/Northern Hillsborough area so that its citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper.
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Adding Value and Comfort to Your Home with Custom Designed Furniture Custom furniture may sound expensive, but with today’s technology and computerized woodworking equipment that is no longer the case. Personalized furniture is now available at very affordable prices and offered in a wide array of attractive colors and finishes. Home organization has benefited greatly from this trend. Custom closets are quickly becoming a standard option for homeowners. Improving the storage and organization in a closet can add as much as three times the usual capacity of the old standard rail and shelf. Beyond the benefits of extra storage, custom closets look great and can add value to the home. Additional benefits include finding clothing or accessory items faster, enough space to keep clothes neatly pressed instead of crushed and the additional room to add new clothes. With the high cost of construction utilizing the benefits of a wall
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bed can create the opportunity for dual purpose rooms. An underused guest room can become an exercise room, home office, media room or hobby room. With the Murphy bed it can quickly convert back into a guest room. Today these beds fea-
ture easy lift mechanisms and use standard high quality mattresses that will offer the same great comfort as a standard bed. Home offices or study areas can be designed to fit specific needs and accommodate one or more users. With many options such as book
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cases, drop down tables, built in filing and storage a highly functional custom business or work center can be a great addition to any home. Areas such as the garage can be transformed with innovative storage solutions that can allow enough room for the car to get back into the
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garage. Utility rooms including laundry rooms and pantries can all be made to accommodate more. Today new homes feature many of these as standard options and if they were not included, become some of the first purchases by the new homeowner. Remodeled homes are also benefiting since many of these “must have” conveniences can be great additions and provide more space, particularly if the home is a downsizing project. In the Tampa bay area a good place to see examples of these great ideas is the More Space Place. They
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have two showrooms conveniently located in Palm Harbor and St. Petersburg. At their showrooms skilled space designers can help turn custom concepts into realty. With 3-D design software the concept layout can be seen before it is purchased and installed by More Space Place’s professional installers. If the preference is for a free in home consultations you can call (727) 580-0405 or (813) 6541551. For the locations of the showrooms or for additional information you can check out their website www.morespaceplace.com.
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“RAYS UP For Our Community” Energizing Tampa Bay with the Magic of Rays Baseball! By Katelyn Thomas There are many reasons we love our Tampa Bay Rays! Of course, there are the games, where every inning has its white-knuckled, yellout-loud moments and the breaks are filled with laugh-out-loud antics that keep the live audience participating. There is no doubt, as you watch them heat up the diamond, that the Rays players have their heads and their hearts in the game. Furthermore, they have put their hearts into the Tampa Bay community and have put their heads together to make a real difference for the people living here.
Spanning the organization from the players to the management, the Tampa Bay Rays make it their team mission to stay active, both on and off the diamond. The Rays organization is much more than entertainment and finely tuned athleticism – though we do love that! From the players and their families to the corporate employees, the Rays are dedicated to making a difference in the community. One way that the Rays have been a positive force in Tampa Bay is through the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that supports youth education development. The Tampa Bay Rays and their support team continually
pitch in to help families and individuals in our community through charities, volunteer programs and partnership affiliates. This Summer: RAYS UP For Our Community! Most recently, the Rays created a new campaign called “RAYS UP for Our Community.” Launched on June 1st and lasting until September 20th, the “RAYS UP for Our Community” campaign focuses on four key areas – Kids, Heroes, Health and Education. Additionally, every game during each two-week campaign flight will highlight a partner agency “Everyday MVP” on the telecast and social media.
The four key areas of focus each have a Rays team ambassador, including pitchers Chris Archer and Matt Moore, manager Kevin Cash and infielder Evan Longoria. Each campaign has a deep personal meaning for them. Tampa Bay Rays president Brian Auld says, “We enter the 10th year of Stu Sternberg’s ownership with a renewed focus on our mission to energize our community through the magic of Rays baseball. The ‘RAYS UP For Our Community’ campaign celebrates our community partners and helps share their successes with a wider audience.” Rays pitcher Chris Archer “threw out the first pitch” on the
Rays Manager Kevin Cash Ambassador for RAYS UP for Health
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new campaign with RAYS UP for Kids on June 1st. Archer dedicates his time and support to programs that focus on kids in the communities of Tampa Bay, and he is a mentor and advocate for children. As part of RAYS UP for Kids, each of the 5,600 students who celebrated their graduation at Tropicana Field received vouchers for four tickets to any Rays game in the homestand from June 9th –16th. Matt Moore heads up the RAYS UP for Heroes campaign from June 29th to July 12th. Matt chose RAYS UP for Our Heroes, stating, “Baseball is our national pastime but we wouldn’t be able to enjoy it without the great men and women who protect us. I grew up on an Air Force base so I know firsthand that American heroes, like my dad, sacrifice every day to keep us safe. Your Tampa Bay Rays are committed to energizing our community through the magic of Rays’ baseball and supporting those who give so much for our freedom. Join us as we rally our community around active duty military, Veterans, first responders and their families.” RAYS UP for Heroes highlights the “Everyday MVPs” in our community to thank them for their service and dedication to the safety of our community. For the period of August 2–16, the “RAYS UP for Our Community” campaign switches to Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash’s focus, RAYS UP for Health. Cash and the Rays organization is inspired to promote health within the community and give thanks to healthcare professionals in the Tampa Bay area. With his daughter born with a congenital heart condition, Kevin Cash has experienced that we have another sector of heroes in Tampa Bay – the ones who look after our health. Cash will be working with Rays’ partners to raise awareness for health in our community with RAYS UP for Health! Rays ambassador Evan Longoria will RAYS UP for Education. The RAYS UP for Education part of the RAYS UP for Our Community campaign will last from September 7th until September 20th. Since 2006, the Rays Baseball Foundation has Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
teamed with the Tampa Bay Times to promote “Reading with the Rays– –Read Your Way to the Ball Park,” made possible through a partnership with public library systems. Evan Longoria sponsors “Reading with the Rays,” which, because of his sponsorship, has grown to nine counties with more than 20,000 children participating annually. He is passionate about supporting children’s education and continues to find ways to make “Reading with the Rays” excel. Evan Longoria and the Rays received the Outstanding Business Partner of the Year from the Florida Literacy Coalition and will receive the 2015 Friend of Newspaper in Education Award from the Florida Press Education Services on July 23rd. Longoria’s dedication to education is outstanding.
How Do You RAYS UP? So, the question is, “How Do You RAYS UP?” The Rays want to hear from you! There are “Everyday MVPs” of all ages in Tampa Bay who set out to make a difference for others, and the Rays want to hear your stories. All summer long, fans are encouraged to submit stories answering the question, “How do YOU Rays Up?” If you are an “Everyday MVP” then join the big leagues and tell the Rays what you are doing to make a difference in Tampa Bay. Log on to www.raysbaseball.com/raysup to be inspired to RAYS UP for Our Community! You also can check out #RaysUp on Twitter and Instagram!
Rays Pitcher Chris Archer is the Ambassador for RAYS UP for Kids
Rays Infielder Evan Longoria sponsors “Reading with the Rays” and is the Rays Ambassador for RAYS UP for Education
Rays Pitcher Matt Moore shows support for First Responders, Veterans and Active Duty Military in the RAYS UP for Heroes campaign
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“Jaime AC” Continued from page 1 Whether you need your AC repaired or replaced, would like to find out how to cool a room better, or want to lower your energy costs, Jaime Air can help you. The company offers free estimates and second opinions and guarantee they have the lowest prices with the highest quality work. Air Conditioning Repairs Air Conditioning Units take a beating in the hot Florida weather where they rarely get a break. Jaime Air can repair all major brands of air conditioners. If your unit needs repairs, Jaime is personally involved to make sure everything is done correctly and in a timely manner. And since Jaime Air’s service techs aren’t paid on commission, you can rest assured that they won’t try to sell you unnecessary parts or services. Air Purification & Duct Sanitation There are several signs that could indicate you have mold growing in your ductwork. If you see staining or water damage around ductwork, condensation inside, or
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smell a musty smell, you should get your ductwork checked for mold. If left untreated, mold can make you and your family sick. Jaime Air can install UV-C lights to prevent mold growth in your system. They can also install electronic air cleaners to help remove pollen and dust. However, in some cases you might want to have your ductwork replaced and the professionals at Jaime Air are experts at doing this in a timely, cost effective, and unobtrusive way. In fact, dirty ductwork that is over 12 years old in Florida can be replaced for about the same cost as having it cleaned. As an extra bonus, you might find that the airflow throughout your house improves with new ductwork. “There is no reason for one room to be hotter than others in your house,” says Jaime. “But some times the ductwork that was originally installed is too small for the room to get sufficient air or the purpose of the room has changed over the years and therefore new ductwork is needed to get more air into the room. We can fix your ductwork so that every room in your house will be cool as you want it to be.”
New Air Conditioner Installation The average life span of an air conditioning unit in Florida is 7 to 10 years, although some higher end models can last as many as 17. If you find yourself in need of a new air conditioning unit, Jaime Air will help you find a system to fit your home and budget. They install many different brands of air conditioning units and are licensed dealers for two of the top brands – Trane and Bryant.
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“Jaime Air installed a new Bryant system for me. I got proposals from a few of my local dealers and Home Depot. The sales person Jaime Air sent did not try to up sell me. He explained the brands available for my home as well as the size and the model. He was the only one who measured my home to be sure I had the right size unit. All of this took less then an hour and he exposed a bunch of myths the other dealers told me.
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The system I chose was a Bryant two-stage model that is now keeping every room in my home at the same temperature. The install took 7 hours and they double sealed all of the ducts and put a plaster like seal on it. I needed a new duct box, plywood stand, and electrical breaker and Jaime Air did not charge me extra for it.” “Jaime Air did a great job in our home. We had 5 bids for the same Trane system. They came to our home and explained which system was the best one for us to buy. The installers were able to finish the job the same day. They did a great job and left our house clean. We saved $1,000 on the same system quoted by others.” When he isn’t helping people beat the heat, Jaime is active in local charities including the USO, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Oldsmar Cares. Jaime Central Air Conditioning & Heating make service calls Monday through Saturday. You can call
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them any day of the week, whenever you have a problem, at 813-601-0764. En Espanol 813-601-3147. Log on to www.jaimeair.com for more information.
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Call Farrell Carpet Cleaning for Carpet, Upholstery and Tile Cleaning…and Just About Everything Else! By Kim Thomas Nothing feels better underfoot than truly clean floors and who doesn’t love the freshness and renewed life of thoroughly cleaned upholstery! With Farrell Carpet Cleaning at your service, you will feel like you have new carpet, tile and upholstery! Farrell Carpet Cleaning is licensed and insured and can handle everything from the aftermath of party spills to cleaning the flooring of large commercial buildings. Like the other Team Farrell companies, Farrell Carpet Cleaning is committed to maintaining its great reputation and building a business based on referrals and repeat customers. All technicians at Farrell Carpet Cleaning are trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), which is an internationally recognized organization that sets the industry standard worldwide. Farrell’s technicians are certified in carpet and upholstery cleaning, water and flood
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restoration, odor control, and tile and stone cleaning. Through their training and certification, the professionals at Farrell Carpet Cleaning know how to properly care for and protect flooring and fabrics of all types. The company even cleans Oriental rugs, which are taken off-site for proper cleaning and drying and then they are protectively wrapped and delivered safely back home to you. Farrell Carpet Cleaning wants to make your life easier by providing the services that you need. An online
tool on the website, FarrellCarpetCleaning.com, allows you to choose from a menu of services, get a quote and set up an appointment with a technician.
One Call Can Do it All with Team Farrell! Farrell Carpet Cleaning is just one part of the group of companies that make up Team Farrell. “We want to be the sole source provider for customers,” says Farrell Carpet and Tile Cleaning COO Tom
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Persinger. “From building and roofing, to AC, electrical, plumbing, to maintenance and maid services, we want to be the one company that does it all for our customers.” With a fleet of more than 60 vehicles, Team Farrell services customers throughout the Tampa Bay Area. You may think that to maintain your home or office in all needs – from large-scale building and remodeling projects, to air conditioning and heating needs, and from tile, carpet and upholstery cleaning to a weekly or biweekly clean-
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ing and landscaping/lawn service – you would need a list of numbers for a lot of different companies, right? Not with the Farrell companies. Team Farrell truly does it all and is proud to be accredited with the Better Business Bureau and advertises its rave reviews from Angie’s List and Home Advisor. Already well-known throughout Tampa Bay for stellar service as a roofing, building and remodeling contractor and as a home maintenance and service provider with Farrell Roofing and Farrell Home Services, the growing Port Richey based company has recently added more professional members to its team and new service companies including: Farrell Carpet and Tile Cleaning, Farrell Outdoor Services and Farrell Air Conditioning, as well as Ms. Twister, which focuses on providing residential and commercial cleaning services. Another division, Farrell Rescue, is there for customers to help with fire, water or mold damage.
Meet the Leaders of Team Farrell Team Farrell started with one focus – roofing. A roofing contractor, Steve Farrell had a strong work ethic and an even stronger commitment to have things done right and with his wife Tina at the helm, Farrell Roofing was founded in 2006. With the Farrells in charge of providing the type of stellar services that they’d want for themselves, the company quickly became successful, and their customers began requesting more services. In 2011, contractor Rich Allen joined Team Farrell with a focus on Farrell Home Services. More recently, Tom and Jill Persinger joined Team Farrell. The Persingers were first neighbors of the Farrells and then customers. Chatting one day, Tom mentioned wanting to do something with the blank canvas of his and Jill’s vast front
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Tom and Jill Persinger are not only dedicated to providing their clients with the highest level of quality customer service, but are also committed to building a better community! yard. He had the right neighbor in Farrell! “I’ve got a team of people,” said Steve. With Team Farrell on the job, the Persinger’s yard now features a man-made pond, fountains, and a stone bridge perfect for hanging out with the neighbors! Jill and Tom both had career backgrounds that were a good fit for the services that the Farrell companies wanted to add. Jill is a Florida State University graduate with a degree in Marketing. After graduating, she immediately went to work in sales for a large commercial janitorial company. She worked her way up to the position of senior vice president with the company. Now, Jill is co-owner with Tina Farrell of Farrell Carpet and Tile Cleaning, and she is one of the owners of Ms. Twister, along with her hus-
band Tom, Tina Farrell, and Sophie Anastassiou. Tom Persinger knows a lot about managing teams to provide great service. His background includes being VP of Operations for 38 school districts in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, before becoming COO of Atlanta-based One Source Facility Services. Steve Farrell and Tom Persinger are partners in Farrell Air Conditioning. Team Farrell not only is committed to providing for every home maintenance need of its customers; the company is committed to building a better community. Farrell Home Services and its sister companies support more than 40 Tampa Bay Area charities. More than that, if you use Ms. Twister cleaning services for anything from a one-time cleaning to weekly or
bi-weekly cleaning, you can feel good knowing that Ms. Twister donates a portion of its profits from every job to support local Pasco County breast cancer programs. Ms. Twister is currently installing a special program where they will offer free cleaning for patients who are undergoing breast cancer treatment. For a sparkling clean carpet, tile and upholstery, and stellar customer service, call Farrell Carpet Cleaning at (727) 772-7553 (SPARKLE) or log on to FarrellCarpetCleaning.com. Farrell Carpet Cleaning is located at 6840-B Commerce Avenue in Port Richey. Log on to www.GoTeamFarrell.com for more information about other Farrell companies.
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Victory Gymnastics – Where Talent Meets Heart By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Located in Oldsmar, Victory Gymnastics Training Center’s mission statement proudly reads: Victory’s goal is to develop a world-class training program to continuously produce local, state, regional, national and international competitors. Dedication, desire, courage, respect and a serious work ethic are some of the traits the coaching staff wishes to instill in its young gymnasts. Co-owned by Head Coach Viktor Savitski and Business Director Tanya Wray-Savitski, Victory Gymnastics was founded as a way to educate and train, while still making becoming a champion fun. While a student in their summer camp program, eight year old Mary Nuyianez explained her favorite part of the camp, “I like the bars because I like to swing around because I’m like a monkey everywhere,” her fellow camper is striving to reach the highest goal. “I want to go to the Olympics,” said Avery Schuesler, 11. Since opening their doors, Victory Gymnastics has seen their fair
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share of champions. A testament to this, the reception area is filled with tall trophies and plaques boasting the talents of hardworking gymnasts of all ages who train there. Tanya says, “Victory Gymnastics Training Center had a fantastic Competitive 2014-2015 Season! Our owners, coaches, and parents couldn't be more proud of these young athletes!” Victory had numerous State Champions in each level and would like to recognize them here: LEVEL 1 Brianna- Vault Sydney- Beam LEVEL 2 Bella- Vault Paige- Vault LEVEL 3 Jazmine- Floor Bridget- Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor, and All-Around Alexa- Vault and Beam LEVEL4 Anna - Vault, Bars, Floor, and AllAround Miranda- Vault Katie- Beam Rebekah- Vault
LEVEL 6 Alex- Vault Emma- Vault, Bars, Floor, and AllAround LEVEL 9 Farin- Beam Would we also like to recognize our regional qualifiers: Level 8 Emily Level 9 Farin
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“We also have a graduating senior Raegan Gunderson who will be attending Florida State University in the fall,” adds Tanya. “Raegan has trained with Victory for 7 years and has won several State Championships! She also coaches our future champions and is a wonderful role model. We will dearly miss her spirit in our gym!” Victory Gymnastics has an excellent team of coaches, lead by Head Coach Viktor Savitski, a former Elite gymnast from Ukraine and a National
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Team Member with a Masters Degree in Physical Education. During the past 30 years, he has coached an Olympic Bronze Medalist, Wendy Bruce, Olympians Morgan White, Mohini Bhardwej, and National Champion Ashley Shible. Savitski is joined by team coach Philippe Flegeau, Team Coach Tracy Bartlett, Recreational Program Director and Team Coach Quincey Canham, Recreational Coach Irina Gagarine, pre-school and Recreational Coach Jennifer Piccari and Team Coach Carina Michellone.
The spacious 13,000 square foot gym is fully equipped for children to train on the balance beam, bars, floor and vault. Instructors are USAG Safety Certified, background checked, and anyone coaching at competitive levels, has completed all the specialized training necessary. At Victory Gymnastics they even have programs for the very young, and boys and girls can start as young as 18 months through their Parent and Me Class. After age three, Mini-Stars
teaches the student circuits and basic gymnastics positions, as well as tumbling skills, bar elements, and balancing skills. Super Stars is by invitation only and holds the best of the best of the three to five year old age-range. After age five, boys continue to train with “Oldsmar Boys” Gymnastics, located within Victory’s Gym, while girls begin their progression from Level 1 to Level 3 recreational gymnastics, to competing in a team. “We are a professional gymnastics school. The students master each level and eventually they can choose to compete in a team, if they want to,” said Tanya. If you’re not sure if your child will take to gymnastics, Victory offers a free trial class to test the waters. If they’re anything like nine year old Fallon Johnson, who’s been training for 4 years and is excited about her first competition this fall, they’ll definitely be back. “I’ve been doing this since first grade. I love the floor because you get to do all sorts of tricks – especially front walkovers,” said Fallon. “I like it here. I love doing the skills.” “Yeah,” Avery added. “If you’re almost there and you’re so close, they say you can do it! This will be our first competition in September.” Besides their Summer Camp, in addition to gymnastics and tumbling classes for all skill levels, Victory Gymnastics Training Center also offers camps during Thanksgiving, winter and spring. They also offer Open Gym
times, gym rentals, and private lessons. You don’t need to be a gymnast to have fun at Victory Gymnastics Training Center. The Center offers a 90-minute birthday party that includes an obstacle courses, a 20 foot Tumble Track, trampoline and other games and activities. All you need is the cake and the birthday child! During summer, the Birthday Party Room serves double-duty during camp as a lunchroom. While at Victory Gymnastics, don’t forget to check out their pro shop. Filled with everything a gymnast might need, including hand tape and leotards to snacks and drinks to keep the hard-workers hydrated, Victory’s pro shop is a one-stop shop for all of your gymnastics-related essentials. “We are very proud of the outstanding achievements of our gymnasts. Gymnastics is more than a sport – it can enhance the “brain/body” connection, help to develop social and organizational skills, improve sensory processing, postural control, bi-lateral integration and body awareness,” explained Tanya. “More importantly, these kids are having a lot of fun!” Victory Gymnastics Training Center is located at 805 Stevens Avenue in Oldsmar. To schedule your child’s “Free Trial Class,” or learn more about Victory’s Gymnastics’ programs, call (813) 925-0060 or visit online at www.VictoryGTC.com.
Victory Gymnastic Gymnast: Emma Brkljacic Twelve year old, Emma Brkljacic competed as a level 6 gymnast in the state meet in Coral Springs earlier this year. At her state meet she scored in first place in three events; bars, floor and vault. Her all around score was 37.975 putting her in first place for her level and age group. Emma is entering 7th grade at Dunedin Highland Middle School Center for Gifted Studies. She lives in Oldsmar with her parents and three siblings. Emma has been competing in gymnastics for six years, four of those years at Victory Training Center in Oldsmar. Emma would like to continue gymnastics throughout high school and into college. Her ambition is to attend Louisiana State University or the University of Florida and compete in gymnastics at the collegiate level while studying physical therapy. Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
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AUGUST 2015
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“Rigby’s” Continued from page 1 “Before Rigby’s Barber Shop opened, men did not have a place to go that was just for them. There was nothing like this in the area,” says Shawna. “I wanted to open a barber shop where men would feel comfortable. Our all female staff of barbers specialize in men’s haircuts. We focus on customer service and listen to our clients to make sure we give them the style they are looking for.” “My haircut at Rigby’s was one of the best haircuts I have gotten in a long time,” says Rigby’s customer Oscar. “They have friendly staff, late hours, comfy chairs, and free beer, what more can you ask for? Plus it is very affordable. It is the best barbershop in Tampa hands down.” “We want Rigby’s to be a place where men enjoy coming to get a haircut. We’ve tried to create an atmosphere that is very relaxing for men,” says Shawna. “Our regular customers know where our beer fridge is and will help themselves; we usually have sports on the television. It’s a really good, friendly environment. Guys seem to be happy when they’re here.”
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Experienced Barbers and Great Quality Haircuts Each customer at Rigby’s has his favorite barber, but all of the barbers have one thing in common – years of experience. “All the ladies who cut hair here are expert at men’s haircuts,” says Shawna. “They all have many years of experience. At Rigby’s we want to make sure that our customers are our number one focus. Every barber here really takes time to talk to their clients to make sure they give them the best haircut possible.” Rigby’s customers certainly agree that a haircut and shave at Rigby’s is better than one you’ll get anywhere else. Rigby’s customer Dan says, “After a series of worst-haircutevers from multiple places, I finally found a great barber at Rigby’s. Thanks, Wanda.” Shawna says she has had men thank her for opening up Rigby’s. “I had one of my customers tell me that he used to leave hair places thinking ‘That was Ok’ but after coming to Rigby’s, he would leave feeling like he could take on the world. A great haircut can really make a difference in your attitude and mood. We’re happy that when men leave Rigby’s
they feel better and happier than when they arrived.”
Haircuts for All Ages Rigby’s barbers also have a special touch with young men and have even had customers as young as 2-months old. “I was so happy with the results of my son’s first professional haircut,” says Lynn. “They were patient and gave my little 2-month-old a good looking fade. They even gave him a
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little certificate for his first cut and saved me some of his locks. We'll definitely be back.” “I’ve been taking my son Gavin to Rigby’s for several years now. We’ve always been very happy with his haircuts,” says mom Jen. “He feels very comfortable with all the barbers at Rigby’s and they always do a great job.” The barbers at Rigby’s promise they’ll have your son looking spiffy be-
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The barbers at Rigby’s do an excellent job of creating an atmosphere that is very relaxing for men. fore he can squirm out of the chair and at Rigby’s young men’s first haircuts are always free.
thing extra. Be sure to look for the ad in this month’s Neighborhood News and Lifestyles for a special offer.
Great Quality Haircuts at a Great Price
Walk-Ins Always Welcome
With haircuts starting at $16 (young men under 12 are only $14) and beard trims at $7, Rigby’s Barber Shop is a great deal. But this month Shawna is offering customers some-
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At Rigby’s, they know that when you’re ready for a haircut or shave, you don’t want to have to make an appointment – you want it now. That’s why you’ll never have to make an appointment at Rigby’s. Walk-ins are al-
Step inside Rigby’s for a world-class haircut by one of their expert barbers! Oh, and while you are here getting a trim, don’t forget the FREE BEER! ways welcome and it is rare that you’ll have to wait, but if you do, you’ll find their chairs so comfortable that you won’t mind. Plus there’s always that beer fridge to check out. Rigby’s Barber Shop is located at the corner of Countryway
Boulevard and Race Track Road at 11655 Countryway Boulevard. They are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, visit their web site www.RigbysBarbershop.com or call (813) 855-4549.
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A Grateful American: How Passion and Professionalism Inspired Gifts of Gratitude Some of Deb Benson’s most cherished childhood memories are from visits to her grandfather’s farm in Temple Terrace, where she would fish in his lake. Since then, the landscape has changed dramatically, but Benson still visits that farm — almost every weekday. As a manager in the Florida sales operations department at Verizon Wireless, Benson’s office building stands where that farm once was, and she can see the old fishing lake from her desk. Benson has led and inspired many people in her 26year career with Verizon Wireless, working within nearly every department, including customer service, marketing, operations and sales. But, it was only eight years ago that Benson assumed a personal leadership role that would touch tens of thousands of lives outside her company. Around the Fourth of July holiday in 2007, Benson was searching for an engaging way to teach her
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sons about the expression of gratitude. As she researched ways to show appreciation for the selfless men and women who defend our country, she had an idea to have special coins made that they could present to soldiers and thank them for their service. Benson found that unique military coins are often collected by service members, or even earned through achievements or to enhance morale. So Benson and her family designed a coin of their own. As Benson set out to place a small order for a few of their new coins, she discovered that to qualify for a price break, she would need to purchase 2,000. Inspired by a legacy of family patriotism and her professional passion to connect with others, Benson decided to expand the idea rather than scrap it, and that was the beginning of the Grateful American Coin program. Focused on providing a tangible
way to display gratitude to those who serve our country, the Grateful American Coin program quickly went through those first 2,000 coins. By selling the coins to others who wanted to say “thank you” to our military, the Grateful American Coin program was able to donate proceeds from each sale to organizations that provide support services to the severely injured men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, the Grateful American Coin has recognized over 51,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and veterans. Additionally, it has donated more than $113,000 to partner organizations, including The Special Ops Warrior Foundation and Paws for Patriots. Even more powerful than the numbers are the personal stories behind each of the 51,000 coins. While waiting to board a recent flight, Benson “coined” an Army helicopter
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pilot to thank him for his service. After receiving the coin, he went to the Grateful American Coin website, where he realized he had received his coin from the organization’s founder. When the plane landed, Benson was walking out when she heard someone say, “it’s you, it’s you!” She turned around to find the Army pilot waiting on the jetway for her to express his heartfelt appreciation.
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“It’s inspiring to show sincere gratitude to the people fighting for our freedom every day,” said Benson. “Their personal stories are the most beautiful gift, which I never expected.” Grateful American Coins have been framed by recipients, laid at an unmarked grave in Normandy and buried in the caskets of servicemen, but one of the most impactful moments for Benson was learning about a 13-year-old who received a specially designed coin for the families of the fallen after his father passed away. Dealing with the death of a parent can be very hard, and this young man was no exception. It was difficult for him to talk about it, so he used the coin to drive the conversation. When
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he went to bed at night, he would leave his coin out on the nightstand as a signal to his mom that he wanted to talk about his loss. This is just one of many encouraging and emotional stories shared on Grateful American Coin’s website and Facebook page. The coin was thought up as a way for Benson to show her sons whom the true heroes are in today’s world. And if they’ve ever stopped to think about the 51,000 experiences those coins have generated, they’ve probably realized that their mom is one, too. If you’d like to donate, purchase coins, or read the stories of those who have given or received coins, please visit www.GratefulAmericanCoin.org.
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AUGUST 2015
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Hot Tuna Offers the Very Best in Culinary Perfection!
By Matthew Selby Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille is the perfect summer spot to tantalize your taste buds in a way that’s only describable as “perfection on a plate”! Conveniently located at 3689 Tampa road, Hot Tuna is just a rocks throw away from Citrus Park and the Westchase area. If you’re reading the online version of this publication and live somewhere else in Tampa Bay, trust me when I say that Hot Tuna is well worth the drive from anywhere in the West Central area of Florida! Since opening just over two years ago, owner Hanh Ho has made a big splash in the local restaurant market and is already considered a staple here in our community. “We are very lucky to live in an area with so many delicious restaurants to choose from,” says Jason, a regular here at Hot Tuna. “I absolutely love oriental cuisine and consider myself as a bit of a “sushi snob. While I do enjoy a handful of Sushi places here in the Bay, nothing compares to the freshness and taste of the rolls here at Hot Tuna. I have to agree with Jason on the freshness. The Ahi Tuna, for example, is offered at many restaurants these days but the seared Ahi Tuna perfectly seasoned with Asian seven-spice and
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miso-garlic drizzle at Hot Tuna is out of this world! Hot Tuna’s menu is sure to make you smile. Offering so much more than just their famous sushi, Hot Tuna offers a diverse selection of culinary delights for every taste and palate. Many times when a patron walks into what they think is primarily a sushi joint they don’t expect to be wowed by the other items on the menu. If customers walk into Hot Tuna with that mindset, they will absolutely be blown away by their experience and certainly will have a completely different feeling as they walk out the door with a full, happy belly. The steak for example, is definitely one of my favorite items on the entire menu! It’s a perfect 12 oz. USDA Choice center - cut New York Strip, served with a shiitake teriyaki glaze. The aroma alone as they set it down on your table could quite possible give a vegetarian an appetite!
to choose from, sometimes the hardest decision you will have to make all day is which roll/rolls to choose! If you are looking for a good recommendation I suggest you try the Volcano Roll. I personally cannot visit Hot Tuna without ordering this roll. It’s indescribable! So, even if you think you might not like sushi, I can almost guarantee you will find something that you’ll love. But, if I’m wrong, and sushi really isn’t your thing, not to worry, because as stated before they have plenty of other options to satisfy your hunger! Their selection of appetizers alone is grandiose. From lettuce wraps, chicken wings, mussels and eggrolls to panko crusted crab cakes, crab Rangoon and steamed edamame, they offer a little bit of everything. Their menu is just as extensive, with options from the land, sea and
sky, including specialty salads and sushi choices, as well as hearty entrées featuring lobster, steak, teriyaki bowls and so much more! So if you are looking to tantalize you taste buds with culinary perfection, stop in and find a new favorite dining spot at Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille, where you’ll find excellent taste, beautiful presentation, attentive service and a fun, contemporary vibe. Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille is located at 3689 Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Hours are: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. on Mon – Thurs.; from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–10:30 p.m. on Fri.; from 12 – 10:30 p.m. on Sat.; and 12–9 p.m. on Sun. For more information, call (813) 818-TUNA or visit www.HotTunaSushi.com for the full menu!
Sushi The Sushi rolls at Hot Tuna are always delicious and can be very healthy depending on the options you choose. They have many fabulous rolls listed on their menu, but if you are looking to change up a specific roll, they will also accommodate you to create exactly what it is you desire. Hot Tuna has so many different rolls
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