East Lake - Vol. 7, Issue 12, December 2014 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 7, Issue 12, December 2014

Your neighborhood. Your magazine. The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In East Lake & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Anchorage, Bay Arbor, Boot Ranch, Brookers Landing, Crescent Oaks, Cypress Cove, Cypress Lakes Estates, Cypress Run, Cypress Trails, Deer Hollow, Grey Oak, Eagle Cove, Eagle’s Cove at Lake Tarpon, Eagle Ridge, Eagle Trace, Eagle Watch, East Lake Oaks, East Lake Woodlands, Hunters Wood, Keystone Bluffs, Keystone Palms, Keystone Ranchettes, Lansbrook, Lansbrook Village, Meadow Ridge, Nature’s Watch, Oak Hill Acres, Pine Ridge, Regina Estates, Ridgemoor, Tarpon Woods, Wentworth, Whispering Lakes, Woodfield

Treat Yourself to a “New You” for the New Year at Salon Solei!

House of Hobbies, located on U.S. Highway 19 in Palm Harbor, has been the go-to source for hobbyists for more than half of century! Bob and Barbara Kotimaki recently celebrated the 52nd successful year of their family-owned business, which they still work at, along with their daughter Jen. House of Hobbies has been the source where hobbyists find the projects that inspire them and where they can reliably find everything possibly needed for model building. Since opening in 1962, House of Hobbies has provided our community with a place to find unique hobbies that cater to creative expression, family bonding, tradition and the rewarding

satisfaction that comes from finishing something with your own two hands! Bob, Barbara and Jen embrace the classic traditions of what ties a family together. “We are all about providing a place for family shopping,” says Barbara. Finding a hobby that you can enjoy with your kids or grandchildren is so rewarding. We have multiple generations of families as customers and it is one of the reasons we haven’t retired. We love to see the excitement in kids’ faces when they come in and find and hobby of their own…we love the joy in the eyes of our older customers who can teach their own favorite hobbies to their family members. This is a

place to get all the parts to build your hobby while building and strengthening the ties of family.” In this age of gaming and browsing the Internet, many parents are realizing the need to get their kids to See “Hobbies” on page 38

Dining Contest Winners...........3 Community Calendar.............4 News Briefs........................8-9 HoneyBaked Ham..........10-11 Dogs for Adoption at Canine Estates...................12 Holiday Family Time..........14-15 Jewel Sight and Jewels We Buy..................18-19 ToyMakers of East Lake...............24-25 Motion Council..............26-27 Brix 33 Fine Wines & Bistro........................30-31 Top Restaurants in 2014 Dining Contest................34

ECRWSS

By Katie Thomas

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Postal Customer

House of Hobbies is All About Bringing Families Together Through Hobbies

See “Salon Solei” on page 42

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

Meet the stylish team of professionals at Salon Solei: (L-R) JB, Kim, Jessica, Destini, Marie, Marissa, Kerry, Emily, Beth and Nicole -

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year to be together, which means lots of celebrations, get-togethers and holiday parties, where there will be photos which is exactly why you should come into Salon Solei and treat yourself to a new “do,” get your nails done, and be ready for every single photo “op” that comes your way this season! Salon Solei is conveniently located in the Shoppes of East Lake on East Lake Road, just north of Tarpon Woods Blvd, and they make it easy to make an appointment, as you can call or book online. You will even be reminded of your appointment with a text message the day before. Salon Solei is an upscale and fashion-

forward salon that has been turning heads since 2003. Offering a full-range of services for hair and nails, the staff is particularly proud of their commitment to continued education so that they can give their customers precisely what they are looking for. Strictly a Redken and Pureology salon, Salon Solei has four Redken Certified Haircolorists, who earned the prestigious certification at the Redken Exchange on 5th Avenue in New York City. When it comes to your hair color, why would you choose someone less certified? One of Salon Solei’s Redken Certified Haircolorists, Kerry Smith, just got the news that she has been chosen to travel to the Redken Symposium in

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Julie Kanehl

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DECEMBER 2014

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

Congratulations to Winners of Neighborhood News & Lifestyles’ 2014 Dining Contest! From The Editor Kim Thomas We are excited to announce the winners of Neighborhood News & Lifestyles’ 2014 Dining Contest. Each year, we look forward to this contest because it is exciting to see how many responses we will get, and it gives us a chance to give back to our readers as a thank you for your support. This year, as in the past, our readers responded with gusto, with hundreds sending us their votes for favorite restaurants in the area. We have some excellent eateries and in some of the categories, we wish we could announce two winners because it was a close contest right up to the last entries! Not surprising to us, some of your favorite restaurants also happen to be some of our favorite advertisers and while we congratulate all of the top contending restaurants, we want to give special congratulations to the excellent restaurants that advertise in

Neighborhood News & Lifestyles. Zen Forrest was the number one pick for an Asian restaurant. East Lake Cafe was the number one choice for breakfast. Best of Philly Cheesesteak House was the number one favorite in the sub shop category. The Salt Rock Tavern was your pick for best happy hour. Mystic Fish was the winner in the seafood category and also was the overall winner! We aren’t surprised these restaurants were voted into the number one spot by readers. Just stop in to any of them and you’ll see why! See a full list of the top-voted restaurants from Neighborhood News & Lifestyle’s 2014 Dining Contest on page 34. Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual dining contest and congratulations to the randomly chosen winners who will receive dining gift certificates to popular local restaurants. The Grand Prize Winner of Neighborhood News & Lifestyles’

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

2014 Dining Contest is Lois Powell, a resident of the Boot Ranch neighborhood in East Lake. Lois will receive $100 in dining gift certificates to local restaurants! Congratulations to the runner-up winners, who will each receive $25 in dining gift certificates: Steve Szynkiewicz of Lansbrook Windsor, Patricia Bochert of East Lake; Earlene Rosato of Tarpon Woods; Cheryl Puccini of Whispering Lakes; and Ernie Meier of East lake Woodlands. Thank you all for your entries!

Check out the Winning Restaurants on page 34!

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to nearly 15,000 households in zip code 34685, 34688 & 34677 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 943-2946; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2014 Eastlake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Correspondents Tim Selby Alexis Selby General Manager Julie Kanehl Katie Thomas Jim O’Reilly Dara Tucker Editor Art Director Kim Thomas Dat X. Do Advertising Sales Graphic Artists Matt Selby Dat X. Do Tim Selby Tony Sica Jim O’Reilly Accounting Manager Jared Nager Doreen Selby Linda Veiga Nothing that appears in the East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. East LakeArea 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. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc.

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Community Calendar

EL Community Library Events Tues, Dec. 16, 6:30–7:45 PM–– Tapping Solution to Stress––Learn stress-free living through “tapping,” a technique for dealing with seemingly impossible situations. Tapping, also known as EFT, is a powerful tool for improving your life on multiple levels. Taught by EFT- certified instructor Suzette Greiner-Roth, this free program is offered to library members of all ages (minimum age is 10 years old). Register today - space is limited! Mon, Dec. 29, 1–2 PM––Bits & Pieces Puppet Theater: Winter Tales––For families with children ages 4 and up. Winter Tales includes three favorite winter stories: The Elves & The Shoemaker- performed with hand puppets; Hans Brinker & the Silver Skates with shadow puppets and Scrooge’s Sing-Along with marionettes. These stories will warm your heart. No registration. Come on by. Wed, Dec. 31, 10 AM–12:30 PM–– Happy Noon Year––Ages 2 and up are invited to our singing dancing cele-

bration of the new year! No need to register, come on down. Sat, Jan. 3, 9 AM–2 PM––East Lake Farmer’s Market @ the Library! Back for its second season, the farmer’s market showcases all types of local vendors from around the Tampa Bay area. Market runs from Nov. to Apr. on first Sat. of the month. From local honey to cheese, to handmade crafts and everything in between, there is something for everyone! Wed, Jan. 7, 6:30–7:45 PM–– ELCL BOOK CLUB––This month’s selection is “Somewhere Towards the End: A Memoir.” Sat, Jan. 10, 12–2 PM––Sewing Class––In this fun Basic sewing class you’ll learn how to thread a sewing machine, wind a bobbin and make a potholder in your very first class. Please call for the supplies list and to register. You can do it! Sun, Jan. 11, 2–3 PM––Concert @ the Library - Bayside String Quartet––Advance tickets are available at the library circulation desk for a donation

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of $10 per ticket or $40 for season tickets. Tickets also available at the door. Proceeds benefit the library. Join us after each concert for a complementary wine and cheese reception. Wed, Jan. 14, 6:30–7:45 PM–– Night Life @ the Library: Chocolate Making!––Fun, entertaining and sometimes offbeat workshops for grownups! In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, this month’s program is chocolate making, presented by chocolatier Michelle Palisi. Enjoy demonstrations and samplings of some delicious treats! Program requires a $5 non-refundable materials fee at the time of registration. Please make your payment by cash at the reference desk. In-person registration only (Dec. 10 - Jan. 7) for this workshop. Sat, Jan 17, 11 AM–12 PM–– Little Artists––Special programs for families on the 3rd Saturday of each month. This month Little Artists ages 3-7 create a masterpiece with Miss Daniele. Please register, so there is enough for everyone. Dress accordingly; art can be messy. East Lake Community Library is located at 4125 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor. Please call the library at 773-2665 for more information.

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Annual Eagle Gala Sat, Jan. 24, 7 PM––Cypress Woods Elementary School PTA is pleased to host an upscale evening of fun just for grown-ups and it’s for a great cause! Reserve tickets now for the Annual Eagle Gala “Be Center Stage” fundraiser at beautiful Cypress Run Golf & Country Club at 2669 St. Andrews Blvd. in Tarpon Springs. Wear your little black dress or that just-right tie and strap on your dancing shoes! The evening will feature a live band, dancing, rock-star karaoke, dinner and drinks, a silent auction and raffle, photo opportunities and much more! Most importantly, all proceeds go to benefit Cypress Woods Elementary School classrooms. See www.eaglegala.com for tickets, sponsorship opportunities (includes complimentary tickets) and other donation information. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $35 per guest. For more information, email info@eaglegala.com. Tax-deductible sponsorship packages include: Bronze ($200), Gold ($500) and Platinum ($800) and provide name/company brand recognition in multiple formats at the event and throughout the school year. See you there!

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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DECEMBER 2014

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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Community News Briefs

Salon Solei Stylist Kerry Smith Chosen to Audition Live in Las Vegas for Elite Spot as Redken Artist Neighborhood News and Lifestyles offers congratulations to one of Salon Solei’s Redken Certified Haircolorists, Kerry Smith, who just got the news that she has been chosen to travel to the Redken Symposium in Las Vegas in January 2015 to audition live to become a Redken Artist! Kerry says, “This has been a dream of mine for the twenty years I’ve been doing hair, and it is a great honor that Redken would consider me for such a prestigious position. I am beyond excited to head to Vegas and show Redken what I’ve got!” It takes a lot of work and talent

to be one of the very few chosen for this honor. Salon Solei owner Marissa Insolia says, “The Redken Artist Network is a group of individuals (less than 500 in the U.S.) with specialized talents that collectively offer advanced training to Salon Professionals at all levels. They are the individuals that do in-salon education classes to teach stylists the latest tips, trends, and techniques! To get to this point, Kerry has had to go through a long application process including submitting a video of herself demonstrating and teaching haircoloring techniques. Being chosen to live audition is quite the honor, and we wish her luck as she embarks on this journey!” Read the feature article about Salon Solei on the cover of this month’s issue of Neighborhood News and Lifestyles to find out more about this excellent salon and the amazing team of hair and nail professionals. Holiday Giving Tree at East Lake Community Library Dec. 1–Dec. 18––The Haven of

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RCS and East Lake Library are sponsoring a Holiday Giving Tree program for children whose lives are disrupted by domestic violence during the holidays. The library will have a holiday tree adorned with brightly colored ornaments, each listing the needs of children in the Haven's shelter, transitional living and outreach programs. Beginning December 1, patrons can choose one or more ornaments and purchase an appropriate gift for that particular child with the ornament attaced to the item. Unwrapped gifts should be brought to library by December 18 for distribution to the children. Gift cards and cash donations will also be accepted. The East Lake community Library is located at 4125 East Lake Road in Pam Harbor. For further information, please call (727) 773-2665. Tampa Bay Lightning Honors Madeline Robinson of Wheelchairs 4 Kids The Tampa Bay Lightning recently honored Madeline Robinson, of Wheelchairs 4 Kids, as the 11th Lightning Community Hero of the year. Robinson received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Founda-

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tion and the Lightning Community Heroes program, which will be donated to Wheelchairs 4 Kids. Robinson is the driving force behind the local non-profit organization, Wheelchairs 4 Kids, with a mission to provide hope, confidence and resources to children with physical disabilities. Her drive was ignited while previously working with children’s charities and repeatedly noticing children with wheelchairs that were too small, broken and/or irreparable. Robinson realizes that it is difficult for families to acquire funding for wheelchair replacements. Kids grow quickly and children who are in wheelchairs outgrow their chairs and need replacements more frequently, which is a financial hardship on many families. Seeing a real need, Robinson started Wheelchairs 4 Kids in April 2011. Wheelchair 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization providing wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, and other assistive devices, while also hosting fun activities to give children with mobility challenges an opportunity to live life to its fullest. Robinson continues to serve as Executive Director for Wheelchairs 4 Kids and to date she has impacted the

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

lives of close to a hundred children in provided assistance. The donation from the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program is greatly appreciated but there is more work to be done! Robinson says, “We received a $50,000 donation which will be used to help pay for many of our kids on the waitlist, but there are more!” If you’d like to find out more about how you can help provide wheelchairs to children in need, please visit the website, www.wheelchairs4kids.org or call (727) 946-0963. Wheelchairs 4 Kids is located at 1976 Pinellas Avenue South in Tarpon Springs. Local Rabbis Captured in Worlds Largest Group Photo Rabbis from the Tampa Bay Area are seen among a sea of black hats as they pose for a group photo in front of Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. They are among 4,200 rabbis from around the world who are in New York for the International

Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries, an annual event aimed at reviving Jewish awareness and practice around the world. This year’s conference carries an added significance as millions around the world mark twenty years since the passing of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, the movements leader and considered the most influential rabbi of modern history. Pictured below, left-to-right, are Rabbi Shalom Adler, Director of Chabad of Pinellas County; Rabbi Mendy Dubrowski, Director of South Tampa; Rabbi Pinny Backman, Director Chabad at USF; Rabbi Pinchas Adler, Program Director @ Chabad of Pinellas County; and Rabbi Levi Hodakov, Director, Chabad of Clearwater

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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‘Tis the Season for Honey Baked Ham®! By Katie Thomas The holidays are here! Parties full of holiday cheer, drinks, delicious food and the warmth of family and friends are upon us and nothing makes a party complete quite like a fully cooked and ready to serve Honey Baked Ham®. Since 1957, having a Honey Baked Ham® at the center of a holiday feast has been a tradition for many families. Some of us wait all year to savor the taste of a perfectly sliced ham or turkey breast with sweet, crunchy glaze. Your local HoneyBaked store has made it even more convenient to pick up your favorite products this holiday season with three pick-up locations. Now, in addition to the main HoneyBaked store in the Walmart plaza on U.S. 19 North in Port Richey and the satellite store in the Longleaf community of the Trinity area (located just off of Starkey Boulevard on Town Ave.), you also can pick up your Honey Baked Ham® at the Winn Dixie located at

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DECEMBER 2014

1640 U.S. 19 in Holiday. With more locations, HoneyBaked hopes to help serve up more stress-free holiday meals for customers through greater ease of purchasing and serving its products. HoneyBaked is committed to making your order and pick-up services quick and efficient, so you can focus on what really matters this holiday season – your family and friends and the wonderful time you will spend with them! It is this focus on customer service and convenience that prompted HoneyBaked Ham to offer products at Winn Dixie. Lisa Shippy-Gonzalez, owner of the Port Richey HoneyBaked Ham store and the satellite store in Longleaf, is excited to bring her customers another way to shop conveniently. “Adding the Winn Dixie location to our other two locations in Port Richey and Trinity really gives our customers a whole new way to shop for their favorite HoneyBaked products. They can go into Winn Dixie and pick up everything

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

Isn’t it great to have a choice this year? Whether you choose to go all out and have your entire holiday feast prepared exclusively by HoneyBaked or just pick up a ham, a dessert, or a couple of sides, you’ll love that you made your life a little easier this year! ‘Tis the season for making memories with your loved ones and a HoneyBaked gives you more time for fun!

they need for a holiday party without having to stress about pick-up times, driving all over town for different ingredients or getting the perfect holiday dish. We have partnered with Winn Dixie for complete customer convenience!” If you'd like to pick up your Honey Baked Ham® from Winn Dixie, just head on over and pick one up. No call-ahead or order is neces-

sary because Lisa stocks Winn Dixie daily to make sure the grocery story has as many HoneyBaked products as they will need for customers. Winn Dixie manager Bob says, “It has been a great experience pairing up with Lisa’s HoneyBaked store. We are really happy to bring two great community businesses together for the convenience of our shoppers.” Of course, you still can order

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

your entire menu from the HoneyBaked stores in Port Richey and the satellite store in Longleaf, so that you can complete your meal with sides and desserts. Call ahead or order online and your meal will be ready and waiting. Get your family a ham or smoked or roasted turkey breast along with classic side favorites that include: Yukon Gold Mashed potatoes, Potatoes Au Gratin, Sweet Potato Soufflé, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, Cornbread Dressing, an array of premium desserts and more. My mouth is already watering! “Our storefront allows you to see the hams, turkeys and other products you want just like in a normal retail store,” says Lisa. “We can make your holiday meal easier and everything tastes homemade! Customers love that they can shop at our store and save themselves the hassle of cooking, buying ingredients, preparing and presenting everything – we can do it all, so you can enjoy that time with your loved ones!”

Pick up your Honey Baked Ham® at Winn Dixie located at 1640 U.S. Highway 19 in Holiday from 6 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. If you choose to order from one of your two local HoneyBaked stores, call and place your orders as soon as possible! The HoneyBaked Ham Company of Port Richey is located at 8637 US 19 in Port Richey; call (727) 815-3739. The Honey Baked Ham satellite store in Trinity’s Longleaf community is located at 3104 Town Avenue, Suite 106; call (727) 372-7014. For a full description of menu items, catering information and store coupons visit www.honeybakedonline.com

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Adopt a Rescue Dog from Canine Estates! “At any given time Canine Estates can have up to 35 dogs, some are special needs,” says Dolly Smith, of the Canine Estates rescue organization. She adds, “Most recently we took in a whole family of Chihuahua’s, all fleainfested. There were five in total and then there were nine! At only 1 year old and just a baby herself, this little one gave birth to four puppies. Thankfully the puppies were born safely under the care of our vet tech.” Canine Estates is a local nonprofit organization that fosters and adopts out small dogs. Dolly says, “Canine Estates is not simply a rescue, we do not pick and choose the dogs that we take in. We take the ones others overlook, the blind, the sick or those very old. Deep down we always hope a “Special Person” will come along and adopt, because in the end they just want a warm bed and someone to love them. Some of our dogs are special needs dogs like Ray Charles, a Cocker mix that came to us with severe cataracts and after we did surgery, his vision was successfully restored in one eye.” Dolly says that

Ray does not let his vision get the best of him; at 10 years old he still loves taking leisurely walks by the beach, a romp in the yard playing catch, or some wrestling. Will you be Ray’s special Person? Another Special Pup is Barney, a beautiful Shih-Tzu mix who has limited vision in only one eye due to glaucoma. Dolly says, “Everyone at Canine Estates loves Barney. His eye was saved when we took him to our vet and an ophthalmology doctor. He is so very sweet and loving and just draws you to him. Barney does take medication in his eyes but he doesn’t mind it. Dogs do exceptionally well with limited eyesight or even totally blind.” Ray and Barney are asking Santa this year for a Home of their very own! Can you help us help them? Everyone can do something: volunteer, donate, foster or by sharing our stories in the hope others may help. Dolly urges, “Make an appointment and meet some of our dogs at Canine Estates, you never know – your best friend just may be there to greet you.

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There are other dogs on the list for a “Home for the Holidays” that you may love! Prissy, a twoyear-old Min Pin mix weighing 16 pounds with a beautiful black shiny coat often described as regal looking! Puppy, one of the Chihuahua family, is three years old and weighs only 5 pounds! Puppy would love another small dog as a companion or he can fly solo! He craves attention. Courtney is a Doxie Chihuahua mix, and is two years old and weighs eight pounds. She loves chew bones, toys and gets along with other small

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dogs but likes to be the leader! Contact information: (727) 412-0558; (239) 851-1468, www.CanineEstates.com; or email Director@CanineEstates.com. Find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/ CanineEstatesInc.

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

3/2/2 1890 htd sq ft. This home is located in Cross Creek of Eastlake Woodlands. Just freshly painted, carpet, 18" tile flooring. Formal lv and dining rooms, kitchen overlooks family room w/wood burning fireplace. Master bedroom w/master bath w/dual sinks, garden tub, walk in shower. Extended lanai w/view of the fountain & pond. $340,000.

3/2/2 1708 htd sq ft. Just move right into This home which offers wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, designer style laminate flooring, vaulted lace ceilings, plant shelves. plus much more! Fabulouse pond view! $245,000

4 Bedrooms · 4 Baths · Den · Great Room · Recess Ceilings · Unique Bonus Room Design · 3,905 Square feet · 3 Car Garage

3 Bedrooms · 3 Baths · Den · Great Room · Recess Ceilings · Bonus Room ·3,199 Square feet · 3 Car garage 1710 htd sq ft - This townhome shows like a model! from the quaint courtyard to the superb view of the pond & Golf course you won't be disappointed. Foyer w/crown molding & tile flooring which flows into the dining room & the kitchen which has white cabinets w/raised panel doors & glass doors to display your pieces, pullout shelves, corian counters w/breakfast bar. Living room w/crown molding, gas fireplace w/wood mantle & designer style laminate flooring. The master is on the first floor w/custom valances & a pocket door leads you to the master bath w/dual sinks w/corian counters & white vanity & new walk in shower w/frameless shower door, linen closet & walk in closet. 1/2 bath is just off the foyer for your guests. Upstairs there are two generous sized bedrooms w/guest bath w/shower & tub. This home has many new features including new roof w/solar fan, designer lighting & fans plus much more! $215,000

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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Make The Most out of Family Time This Holiday Season! By Julie Kanehl The holidays are the most hectic time of the year, which is kind of funny when you think about it, because it’s supposed to be the time of the year when everyone comes together to enjoy each other’s company, share what they’re grateful for and rejoice in the greater meanings that are the basis for the festivities! Instead, we find ourselves busier than ever, more stressed than ever, and probably not feeling at peace with the holiday season. Is this ringing any bells? Well, here are some helpful tips to minimize the stress and maximize the togetherness! The first is to create a holiday to-do board! It’s easy and it doesn’t have to be fancy or “Pinterest” worthy! Just have everyone in your family write down a holiday activity that they would love to participate in during the next couple of weeks, and together as a family you can work together to make those things happen! These activities don’t need to be fancy or expensive!

Here are some examples: Making sugar cookies, decorating them in the kitchen and sharing them with friends and family! How about choosing a night to go look at Christmas lights in your pajamas? No one will know! What about packing up a picnic of holiday goodies, your favorite movies and showing up at your best friend’s house for a holiday movie night? Maybe your little one wants to see everyone go ice-skating

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at the mall, or perhaps see a holiday movie on the big screen? Maybe it’s as simple as having hot chocolate by the fireplace, if you have one, or fire pit even! Whatever ideas your family comes up with, it should be a great conversation–starter and set the tone that the holidays really should be about being together, instead of accumulating mass quantities of stuff! Be Creative! Another idea is to spend some

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holiday time being creative! With all of the fancy phone apps, it’s not hard to take a picture that will make a beautiful holiday card, so grab a friend or a neighbor with a smart phone and take some fun pictures that really show your family’s personal sense of style! Pictures can be printed off cheaply all around town, and you can even handcraft your cards from scratch. There’s nothing like a handmade holiday card! If you are too busy, you can easily have

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

your picture made into a card that is ready to pick up at the store the next time you go out for milk. One of my favorite activities is a Holiday Themed Game Night! You can use your family’s favorite board games, play your own version of “Minute to Win It” or even have contests like “Who can go the longest without using their iPhone/Tablet!” Set the stakes high – maybe the winner gets to choose the next holiday movie or control the remote control for the next two hours. Perhaps they get to open the first present when it’s finally time! Think outside the box! If you’ve never tried it, maybe this is the year to get your family or friends together to make a gingerbread house! Or everyone could make his or her own and you’ll have a whole village of gingerbread. Have a contest! Set the rules, and then get out all of the old Halloween candy for decorating, and use whatever else is left over in the pantry from cereal to chips to make your own unique creation! Take lots of pictures and you won’t believe how much fun you’ll have! This is really a great activity for people of all ages, artists and non-artists alike, and it’s a tasty

activity too! Give Back! Of course, eating is an essential part of the holiday, so getting together to bake is a given, but maybe you can do something different this year and bake for someone else! Do you know of anyone who is in need? Maybe going through a hard time? It doesn’t take a holiday to reach out and help others, but sometimes this time is the best time to do just that. If you’d like to give back this season, there are myriads of opportunities out there. Many of the local churches and synagogues offer opportunities to help the needy! This can be as easy as donating clothes from your own closets to going out and helping to serve the homeless. Whatever you decide to do this holiday, do it with love and kindness. For these are the roots of every holiday celebration, and to be together at the holidays is really the greatest blessing of all. Happy Holidays from all of us at Neighborhood News and Lifestyles! We look forward to serving you in 2015!

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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DECEMBER 2014

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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Let Jewel Sight Help You Put Some Sparkle in Your Holiday! By Julie Kanehl Jewel Sight is a shopping experience unlike any you’ve ever had. Buying and selling fine jewelry, Jewel Sight offers a completely personalized one-on-one shopping approach that you just won’t find anywhere else. Away from the hustle and bustle of the mall and other busy retail spaces, Jewel Sight offers appointment-only consultations where they can help you choose the perfect present for the one you love. Experienced, trustworthy and professional, Jewel Sight offers their clients the opportunity to skip the retail middleman and buy diamonds and jewelry directly from them! Safely and conveniently located on the second floor of the Hancock Bank building, on US 19 in the Countryside area, Jewel Sight offers a private showroom experience for customers who want to either shop in peace, or have the option of selling one of their pieces with discretion. Owned and operated by husband and wife team, Ron and Dana Conrad,

Jewel Sight offers everything from beautiful loose diamond stones, perfect for fitting in one of their many settings, to rare colored gemstones, many of which are GIA Certified, like their striking orange sapphires, tanzanite, rubies, emeralds and more. Jewel Sight’s beautiful showroom features jaw-dropping rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets in every style, fashion and budget. Avoid the Hustle & Bustle, and Shop with the Experts! Ron and Dana have been in the jewelry industry for more than 25 years, and starting in the estate jewelry industry for an auction company, they quickly developed both an eye for quality jewelry and the expertise that the field demands. Their experience appraising jewelry really gives them the opportunity to be knowledgeable and upfront with their customers about the kinds of jewelry they are looking at. Whether they’re looking to buy or sell, the Conrads can explain the minute details of each piece, explaining very clearly what makes each

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piece unique. For many years, Ron traveled the country going to trade shows from here to Las Vegas and everywhere in between, and taking beautiful pieces into retail spaces as a wholesaler. After many years on the road, Ron wanted to stay in one place and offer these valuable and exquisite pieces directly to the customer, without hav- Ron Conrad, owner of Jewel Sight & Jewels We Buy ing to always work with the retailer as a middleweren’t even aware of it! man first, if you will. Of course, Jewel Jewel Sight, also known as Jewels Sight remains a popular choice as a We Buy, which is their buying division, wholesaler in the area, and is often the has been in the Hancock Bank buildfirst choice for jewelers when they are ing for eight years, and they recently looking to bring something specific expanded within that same building to into their shop for a customer. Have a larger suite. If you’ve never been to you ever been to a jewelry store and Jewel Sight, you’ll be impressed when asked for something specific that they you walk in the door. It’s like somedidn’t have? Perhaps they asked you to thing out of a movie. Once you’re come back in a few days? It’s possible buzzed in, you are welcomed into this that you’ve already purchased someelegant suite where you can shop to thing from Jewel Sight, and you your heart’s content or speak to Dana

DECEMBER 2014

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and Ron about a piece that you might like to sell. Complete with comfortable chairs, a mini-bar with coffee and snacks, and jewelry cases filled with sparkling jewels, you’ll wonder why you ever shopped anywhere else. Their personal, yet completely non-pressure, approach makes it easy to find something special for the one you love, and it also ensures that you won’t be buying the same thing that’s being sold on every mall corner in America. Ideally, jewelry is an investment, but the line can get blurry when people aren’t quite sure what they’re buying. The mystery is solved when you shop with Jewel Sight, for they know, without question, what they’re looking at, what you’ve brought them to possibly sell, and of course, what they’ve got to share in their cases. Also, because many stores come to them when they’d like to sell their jewelry, Jewel Sight can offer many high-end designer jewelry lines at a

liquidation price. That means, customers who shop directly with Jewel Sight can get major jewelry brand name pieces for a fraction of the price. Recognized by the Better Business Bureau and members of many jewelry associations including Jeweler’s Board of Trade, Southern Jewelers Trade Association, and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, Jewel Sight is really a familyowned business that offers really big savings to customers and businesses alike. Get the Price You Deserve for Your Jewelry! If you have jewelry that is sitting in your jewelry box unworn, perhaps you should think about selling it to Jewels We Buy, the buying division of Jewel Sight. Ron and Dana can sit down with you privately and look at your jewelry pieces. They can have them appraised and even give you

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

some insight into the piece. Their expertise in estate pieces makes them the ideal group to go to when selling your jewelry. They will be able to recognize value that an untrained eye would miss. One of the things that Ron and Dana seem to enjoy most is getting to know their customers and sharing stories about where they received their jewelry pieces, and the many histories behind them. Many are generational stories, and many don’t know the piece’s history at all. Many people find out that what they thought they had, they didn’t, or that a piece of jewelry they thought wasn’t valuable at all, really was! That’s what makes Jewel Sight and Jewels We Buy so special, because where else would you be able to sit down one-on-one with jewelry experts who are interested in having a cup of coffee and a chat while they look over your jewelry with a loop? Retail jewelry stores may have many sales people at the counter, but the jeweler is most times in the back, busy at their bench, or even off-site. Don’t leave the value of your jewelry to be judged by someone who isn’t a true expert in the field. The truth of the matter is that many jewelry stores that say they will buy your jewelry will simply weigh the gold and give you

the market’s minimum, not taking into account the gemstones at all. Instead, let the Licensed Jewelry Brokers at Jewel Sight and Jewels We Buy be your first choice for fair value. Whether you are looking to find that one-of-a-kind jewelry piece that will really make this holiday a hit, or you’re looking to sell your jewelry to a company you can trust, choose Jewel Sight and Jewels We Buy. Their experience, expertise and personal approach to buying and selling jewelry will change the way you look at jewelry for good. Jewel Sight and Jewels We Buy is located at 28163 US 19 N. in Suite 205 of the Hancock Bank Building, in Clearwater, Florida. To make an appointment, please call 727-799-3030 or toll-free 888785-3030. For more information, visit JewelsWeBuy.com online.

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The ToyMakers of East Lake is Making Smiles One Toy at a Time! By Julie Kanehl In this world there are precious few who truly put their talents towards helping others, without the expectation of pay or press, and without specific season. The ToyMakers of East Lake are an amazing group of men and women who donate their time, their love and their talents to creating toys for children in the hopes of simply bringing a smile to their faces while they are in the hospital, recovering from an illness, or facing distress of any kind. These ToyMakers of East Lake are busy elves all year long, making thousands of toys for children with only the hope of a child’s happiness as their return. Their mission: “To provide brightly painted, simple wooden toys to children in physical or emotional distress,” is simple yet powerful, and their all-volunteer, all non-profit organization is one that makes a great difference, especially to the lives of a

child. With their simple mission and the love and efforts of their many volunteers, they have made a difference in thousands of lives! Authentic & Handmade with Love! ToyMakers of East Lake is an offshoot of a ToyMakers group that began with humble beginnings in Pasco County. Starting with just a few tools and a desire to help children in 1982, ToyMakers have delivered more than a quarter of a million handmade toys to local children in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, and even Alachua counties to hospitals such as All Children’s Hospital, Tampa General, Shriner’s Hospital in Tampa, and Shands Pediatric Clinic in Gainesville, just to name a few. Toys have been delivered to children as far away as Mexico, the Caribbean and South America in the aftermath of disasters, and are often delivered to local fire departments and first responders, who really appreciate having something to give to

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children when they are in a crisis. The ToyMakers of East Lake organization began in 2007 by ToyMakers such as Gene Watson, who puts so much love and attention into his toys that you can’t help but smile. Located right here in Palm Harbor, ToyMakers of East Lake is an Outreach Mission for the East Lake United Methodist Church, who believes in their cause so much that they have proToyMakers is a fun and fulfilling way to make a vided them with a space difference in the community for a beautiful workshop. Through donations, creating toys out of wood using simple pledges and gifts, their toyshop is a patterns and bandsaws. Making all wonder to behold. Maybe you can’t kinds of toys, they are most famous for see it when you’re driving by, but their cars, “Batmobiles” and “Daisy there’s a whole lot of magic going on Racers”! in that shop. Many busy elves donate Each car is made by hand, and several mornings a week to carefully carefully sanded to remove any sharp

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East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

Children cherish these simple, old-fashioned toys handmade with love edges. Each wheel is created, laced onto straws and painted with care, and then put together with more than glue at its heart. Next, they are meticulously painted by hand with lead-free paint donated by Sherwin-Williams, and given to boys and girls who clutch them to their chests and can’t wait to race them around their rooms. Maybe it’s the love that’s so present in each car, maybe it’s that each one is unique, just like every child, or maybe it’s that many children have never been given a handmade gift that can raise their spirits so quickly. Whatever the magic is, it’s real, it’s palpable and it’s truly touching. I took my own children to the ToyMakers of East Lake Open House and Silent Auction on Saturday, November 15th at the East Lake United Methodist Church. Each of my children were given a handmade car and given many chances to race their car on a handmade ramp outside the event. My three-year-old daughter wanted to do nothing but “race” her pretty car for hours, and she hasn’t slept without that gem of a car since that day. Children know a gift made with love when they receive one. While I was there, not only did I

get an amazing tour of their toyshop and get to meet some of the kind people who volunteer their time for this wonderful cause, but I also learned that there’s more than one mission here. There’s obviously the declared mission of making toys for children who are suffering, but also I saw that there was a ministry here of adults, many of whom are retirees, who found a renewed purpose, a whole new group of friends, and a renewed faith in the world through volunteering. I was so moved by the program, that I want to volunteer! Why don’t you join me? You Can Help! Current President of the ToyMakers of East Lake Board, Bob Helms, is like many volunteers who thought they’d come by one Saturday a month, but fell in love with the mission, and in doing so, found himself at the shop on a very regular basis. Soon, his wife, Janet, joined the cause as well, and today they are both on the Board, hoping to help lead ToyMakers of East Lake to help even more people. Bob says, “ToyMakers are people like you and me! You don’t have to be

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

Gene Watson (right) is one of the founders of ToyMakers of East Lake able to operate complicated woodworking machinery to be a volunteer here. We have one volunteer who really enjoys tracing patterns onto the wood, and we have others who love to paint daisies on the Daisy cars.” He adds, “Whatever you can do, there’s a way you can help.” ToyMakers of East Lake is always looking for volunteers! In addition to making beautiful toy cars, Toy Makers of East Lake also makes boats, airplanes, helicopters, and walking duck and penguin toys, just to name a few! These walking toys are a really wonderful way of helping kids who need to be walking as part of their therapy – while walking their ducks; they don’t even realize that they’re doing their therapy! A third ministry is their bicycle program. Toymakers of East Lake collects used, discarded and out-grown bicycles, and refurbishes them and gives them to people in need – for both children and adults! Working with local schools and other charitable

organizations such as Homeless Working Adults, they even help send used and refurbished bicycles to Haiti and other areas in need after a crisis, so that those people can get work and provide for their families. Additionally, ToyMakers of East Lake is proud to partner with students who are part of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which provides scholarship opportunities for students in our area who have very bright futures, but need help financially. These students need volunteer hours as part of the program, and many of the students who volunteer for ToyMakers of East Lake have found themselves coming back once their volunteer requirements have been met! They become volunteers for the love of helping others instead of just for credit! So, this year, if you’re looking for a way to give more than presents, and you’d love a way to give back and “pay-it-forward,” you can help by volunteering, donating, or even sponsoring this worthy cause! Every little bit helps! Whether you can donate your time, commit $5 a month, or simply donate the old bicycles in your garage, the Toymakers of East Lake would be very grateful, and you’d be helping a cause that doesn’t just help children at this time of year, but one that helps local children all year long. So, what do you say? How about I see you at the shop? The ToyMakers of East Lake’s Workshop is located at 2690 Tanglewood Trail in Palm Harbor, behind the East Lake United Methodist Church. If you would like to donate, sponsor or volunteer – and ToyMakers needs experienced woodworkers – please visit the website at toymakersofeastlake.org or email them at toys@toymakersofeastlake.org.

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Motion Council – Put Your Body in Motion! By Alexis Selby Here to debunk some of the common misconceptions you might have in regards to the chiropractic profession and enlighten you on the importance of implementing such care into a part of your healthy lifestyle, Jason Hurley, DC, FIAMA, of Motion Council is paving the way for the future of chiropractic care. Helping to define the influential role visiting a chiropractor plays in leading an active, pain-free life, Motion Council is a complete wellness center that focuses on helping you to maintain optimal health both internally and externally. Offering a synergistic combination of chiropractic acupuncture, massage therapy and nutritional counseling, Dr. Hurley’s practice centers around the premise of stimulating movement in your joints. “My goal is to put motion back in your body, which is why I named my practice Motion Council,” says Dr. Hurley. “If you have joint mobility, your pain tends to decrease.” Many people have this idea that if you go to a chiropractor once you have to go for the rest of your life. Dr.

Hurley says, “Chiropractic is nothing to be scared about; treatments are both safe and effective. If you try it once and it’s not right for you, there is no harm to your body by not following up with subsequent treatments and you don’t have to come back; but why not give it a try, because if it does work, it could really change your life!” Consider this – when you make the choice to eat healthy, such as a diet full of fresh vegetables and hearty proteins it’s something that you should do for the rest of your life. “If you want to make the most of your life and live a good quality life, chiropractic is just one small piece of the puzzle,” says Dr. Hurley. So instead of viewing going to the chiropractor as something you have to do, why not consider it a positive addition to a healthy lifestyle? Your Chiropractic Care Could be Covered by Your Insurance! For many living with back pain, cost is the major factor deterring them from seeking help. Well, did you know that Motion Council’s chiropractic care, massage therapy and nutritional guidance could be cov-

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ered by your health insurance? And, that all it takes is one quick call to your insurance company, for Motion Council to find out if you are eligible to receive insurance-covered treatments. That being said, what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose by calling Motion Council today to see if you are covered! Stress – A ContributJason Hurley, DC, FIAMA ing Factor to Back Pain Contrary to what by your stress level, your nutrition, you may believe, not all back pain is and many other factors. You would be caused by physical factors, such as surprised at how much of a difference spinal deterioration or an accident or getting toxins out of your body can fall. Dr. Hurley says, “Much of back help your back.” The nervous system pain is mental in origin, or at least is hard to define yet it dictates much brought on by things besides actual of what happens in the body. Dr. back injuries. The spinal cord controls Hurley adds, “It is the part of the everything in the body and the brain means by which back pain can desends messages to the rest of the body velop.” Stress isn’t the only factor through this cord. The key is the when it comes to back pain, but it is nervous system, and that is affected

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East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

something most people do not think about when it comes to back problems. Taking everything into consideration, Dr. Hurley looks at all the factors which can be contributing to your back pain and develops a unique program balancing the perfect combination of nutrition, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and exercise. From there, he starts you on the road to recovery, rebuilding your body one step at a time. The Motion Council Difference At Motion Council it’s not just what they offer that makes them different; in fact Dr. Hurley stresses more so that it’s what they don’t do that makes them so unique. First and foremost, at Motion Council you will never be required to have an x-ray taken, if you do not want one. Dr. Hurley says, “We only take x-rays based upon ‘medical necessity’. If you don’t want to take x-rays and I determine there isn’t a current need to, then we will not take x-rays.” Quite often x-rays are used to generalize symptoms that are not deemed “normal”, and the fact of the matter is, the outcome of Chiropractic treatments isn’t a spine reflecting a perfectly straight line. We are all different; it’s

all about how we function. Dr. Hurley adds, “I don’t use generalized symptoms as scare tactics. I am very practical with my patients in finding out what is going on with their spinal health.” The truth is, you know your body better than anyone else, and therefore how you feel is the most accurate source for which Dr. Hurley bases his care. By helping you to tune in to what your body is saying, he teaches you to listen to your body, which in turn helps him to develop a unique program tailored to your specific ailments; not just something generalized from an x-ray. Dr. Hurley says, “It is my goal to help my patients understand what it feels like to feel good again. Usually after a couple of treatments they begin to experience some relief. I help them to learn about their bodies and teach the importance of making adjustments a routine part of their life. After a while they become more familiar with their bodies so they know when they need to come in. The key is maintenance and not letting your pain get too far gone to where you have to start the road to recovery all over again.” Furthermore, at Motion Council, you can never expect to receive elaborate unnecessary care and will never be told you have to come in x amount of

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

times a week for x amount of months for care that you may or may not need as your condition becomes better. Instead, Dr. Hurley constantly re-evaluates his patients from treatment to treatment and only sees them on a need-be basis. Eventually, it is his goal to get you to a point of maintenance to where you never have to feel pain or discomfort again. Dr. Hurley believes in the importance of using his hands when adjusting his patients and does not rely solely on that of mechanical instruments. “In the Greek language Chiropractic means ‘to do with hands’, and although using instruments is a great adjunct, my practice focuses on the use of my hands,” says Dr. Hurley. “A lot of my patients have come to me after seeing other chiropractors who have only used instruments. And, although instruments are a great addition to my practice I feel it necessary for them to be considered just that – additions. They are not meant to supplement the use of hands.” Born and raised in the Tampa Bay, Dr. Hurley has a huge sense of community pride and does all he can to stayed involved via local organizations and sponsorship affiliations. This August Motion Council is celebrating their two-year anniversary, with over

750 patients served since opening – wow! In his career Dr. Hurley has worked on professional athletes in various different fields, including Lightening Players and pro tennis players, but it is helping individuals like you and me where he prides himself and his work. He says, “I am all about family and delivering quality, personalized care. My patients like to come see me; I improve their lives, and that means everything to me!” If you are living with back pain, you are not alone! So many Americans trudge along day to day just dealing with their pain, eventually getting to a point where they forget what it feels like to be normal. Well, Dr. Hurley would like to change that. It is his mission to show you what it feels like to be yourself again – to live a normal, healthy pain-free life! So, what are you waiting for – don’t you want to feel good again? Motion Council is located at 3687 Tampa Rd suite 202 in Oldsmar. They are open Mon. and Wed. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Tues. 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.; and Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. They are closed on Thurs., Sat. and Sun. For more information or to see if your treatments could be covered by insurance call (813) 749-7162 or visit www.MotionCouncil.com.

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Brix 33 Fine Wines & Bistro By Katie Thomas Trinity welcomes the arrival of Brix 33! Located on State Road 54, Brix 33 Fine Wines & Bistro encompasses everything an upscale restaurant and wine bar should. From relaxing music, tasteful décor and splendid wines to choose from to a fully stocked wine store, tasting parties and deliciously prepared menu items. Wining and dining doesn’t get better than Brix 33. The relaxed atmosphere paired with the delectable dishes and unique wine selections will have you coming back time and time again. Brix 33 provides the community with exceptional dining, well-rounded retail selections of fine wines, and a perfect social atmosphere. Brix 33 is the brainchild of Richard Scherch, Dan Clark and Mark Malowski. Richard, once an engineer, handles the administrative side of the business, and is the talent behind the subtle yet gorgeous detailed touches in décor. Dan is the former proprietor of The Wine Loft and has more than 25 years of experience in the wine industry. Execu-

tive Chef Mark is a culinary artist who hails from New York and spent part of his career running some of the finest kitchens in hotels. Dan, Mark and Richard are passionate about Brix 33 and the opportunity to bring the pairing of a fabulous menu and hand-selected wines in an atmosphere that is hip, laid back and open. You’ll enjoy the great music playing in the background, and a helpful hostess will give you a tour through the retail store where, if you’d like, you can try a sampling of wine from the Wine Station wine dispensers. Brix 33 features a beautiful bar to sit at, a lounge area and a full dining area. The retail side of Brix 33 is fully stocked with wines from regions around the world of all different bodies and tastes. Whether you want a bold red or a crisp white, Brix 33’s wine selection has something to suit your taste. All wines in the retail section of Brix 33 are labeled by type and you can find the prices on the upper right hand label of each bottle. Dan says, “We don’t have any wines that we have not tasted and approved our-

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selves. Every wine is hand selected with care. Our goal is to provide our guests with unique choices that are affordable. We strive to offer selections that have value in taste, so you may find a ten-dollar bottle you love that tastes like a fifty-dollar bottle. We want

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everyone to relish and enjoy the goodness of a fine handcrafted wine.” Brix 33 offers a bar for patrons, a private event room that seats 24, a lounge and a full dining area. The bar offers 50 bottles of wine by the glass and more than 30 craft beers. You

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

won’t find any large screen televisions at Brix 33, which I found to be refreshing – it’s all about the wining and dining at Brix 33! The owners want to provide an atmosphere where you can gather with friends, enjoy the food and wine, all while having great conversation! Richard says, “We want people to come in and feel comfortable in an atmosphere that is conducive for building relationships through conversation. What better way to enjoy company than with a good bottle of wine and artfully crafted food?” The unique and personal touches at Brix 33 really make this wine bar and bistro stand apart from other local watering holes. Richard, Mark and Dan collaborated in the design and build to make Brix 33 unique with personal touches that are relative to wine. From tasteful glass decanters filled with wine corks to vintage windows from old wineries across the nation to specially made wine box tables and wine bottle light fixtures – Brix 33 is the perfect place to expand on your knowledge and love of fine wines! Perfectly complementing the fabulous, social atmosphere and the great selection of wine, Brix 33 offers a full menu of fresh, seasonal items that are prepared in-house by chef Mark. Each

menu item is artfully presented and prepared with the finest ingredients that are healthy, fresh, seasonal and local. Chef Mark makes everything from scratch and everything is made to order! The produce is bought locally, as well as the seafood, so when you eat at Brix 33, you are receiving the freshest seasonal items available. Brix 33 only serves all-natural meats with no nitrates, antibiotics or hormones. Guests’ favorites include the Pan Seared Sea Bass, the Buffalo Rib Eye and Mediterranean Flatbread, but there are so many great choices, you are sure to find your own favorite. Chef Mark creates new Blackboard Specials every week based upon what ingredients he chooses from the market, and you can truly taste the freshness in each bite! Servers at Brix 33 are knowledgeable in wine and beer pairing, so if you are curious about what food to order that will compliment your beverage choice, just ask! If you haven’t visited Brix 33 yet, a great way to get to know the new wine bar and bistro is to check out their “Wine Down Wednesday” tastings and “Appy Hour” offered on Thursdays. Wine Down Wednesday allows you to pay only $10 and sample some appetizers with six different wine

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

samplings! If you love any of the wines that you taste during Wine Down Wednesday and decide to purchase a featured bottle from the retail store, you will receive a special discount of $3.30 off of one bottle. On Thursday’s “Appy Hour” a selection of appetizers are offered at $6, so it’s the perfect place to gather with friends for a special, yet affordable, evening out. Richard, Dan and Mark wish to send a special thank you to all of their customers who have already made Brix 33 a favorite spot in the neighborhood! Richard says, “Without the continued support of our guests, we could have never made this possible. We love the Trinity community and are excited to meet new faces, while expanding our business.” Brix 33 is a great addition to the Trinity area. There is no place quite like it and you will love the vibe! Book a holiday party or corporate function

in the private event space or just head over for a visit and support your new local wine bar and bistro at Brix 33! The guys are always changing up their specials and they are big on discounts for fellow wine lovers, so make sure you check out Brix 33’s Facebook page for upcoming specials. Currently, if you buy six bottles of wine you will receive a 5% discount, or buy a case of twelve bottles and receive a 10% discount. Brix 33 is located at 8351 State Road 54 in Trinity. Brix 33’s retail store hours: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Tues.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–midnight on Fri. & Sat.; noon–10 p.m. on Sun. Lounge and restaurant hours are: Tues.–Thurs., 4–11 p.m.; and 4 p.m.–midnight on Fri. & Sat; and 4–10 p.m. on Sun. For more information, visit www.brix33.com or call (727) 835-7912.

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“Hobbies” Continued from page 1 unplug in order to connect with them. Hobbies provide a fun way to bond over a fun, creative project. More is built than the final project when you teach a child to create something with her or his own hands; self-confidence is built, pride in craftsmanship is built, and relationships are built. Many parents and grandparents are looking to get back to basics with their families. Whether it be a grandparent looking to bond with their grandchildren or new parents looking for a way to spend time together that doesn’t include a television set – there is a visible shift in the way families are spending quality time together. Barbara explained to me that in the past few years, more and more families come in together to find a hobby that they can work on together. “It seems that families are getting back to basics. Rather than sitting down on the couch for an evening of television watching, people are coming in to find a hobby they can sit down at the table and work on together as a team…as a family unit. It is so rewarding to see so many people coming in to find a way to get back to traditional family values. Dads are bringing in their daughters to help them start building model cars, grandparents come in to show their grandchildren the hobbies of their past. There truly is no better way to bond than through building something together and more and more people are realizing this.” Bob has always been a hobby enthusiast. He has made sure throughout the years that House of Hobbies always provides a place where a person can walk in and find the hobby meant for their personal liking. Barbara says, “There has never been a hobby he was not interested or involved in. He was

Jen, Bob and Barbara are the friendly and helpful folks that make House of Hobbies the only hobby shop you’ll need! determined to provide a hobby shop which provided all facets of model hobbies.” Bob is more than a hobby enthusiast. Talk to him about your hobby for just a few minutes and you will see that this guy is a hobby aficionado. He can give you advice, help you with repairs and show you exactly what you need to finish your project! If you are looking for someone who knows the ins and outs of model hobbies, Bob is your guy! House of Hobbies has all of the components you need to start a new hobby, finish a current project, learn something new, and even start your own tradition that can be passed down for generations to come. Walk into House of Hobbies and you will find yourself immersed in a sea of hobby treasures. From wood and plastic models, R/C products, rockets, trains, planes, pine cars, educational products and figurines of all types – House of Hobbies truly has it all for the hobby enthusiast! You will everything from dollhouse materials to tank engines, plus everything you need to adhere, paint and put finesse into your project!

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The personal satisfaction that comes from building something with your own two hands is a great feeling whether you like to work quietly on your own project, or share it with someone else. Sharing your hobby is all part of the fun, especially when you can spark the imagination of a child! The holiday season is now and there truly is no better gift than a new hobby or the tools to continue an old one. Not only are you giving the gift of a cool and creative outlet to your

DECEMBER 2014

loved one, you are bringing back the old-fashioned experience of building something amazing! Start your own family tradition and build something together. There is no better gift than that! House of Hobbies is located at 37700 US Highway 19 N in Palm Harbor. Hours are Mon. – Sat., 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. For additional information, please call (727) 943-5800.

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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“Salon Solei” Continued from page 1 Las Vegas in January 2015 to audition live to become a Redken Artist, a great honor and a huge accomplishment for a hair professional (see the news brief on page 8). In addition to being Redken Certified Haircolorists, The Salon Solei stylists hold numerous other certifications and achievements. Many of the stylists also are Keratinologists, who are trained in Keratin treatments, including the Peter Coppola Keratin Concept Treatment, Keratin Express Blow Out by Coppola, and the GK Hair Taming System, all of which are formaldehyde-free and will reduce frizz by up to 95%. Keratin treatments also reduce styling time drastically, and are life-changing for many. Owner and Nail Technician Extraordinaire, Marissa Insolia, puts her heart and soul into her salon. Hiring and investing in some of the best stylists around, and truly listening to what her clients are looking for, Marissa has created a salon that is both high-end and top-notch, while remaining warm, welcoming and

friendly. Marissa offers some really amazing nail treatments at the salon, ranging from traditional manicures and spa pedicures to the latest in nail fashion and application including Shellac, OPI Gel Color, and Essie Gel. They offer a luxury almond spa manicure as well different luxury pedicures. However you like to get your nails done, Marissa is professional, fun and committed to making her customers feel comfortable. Perhaps that’s why she’s added a whole new level of safety to her pedicure area. Each of her pedicure chairs are brand new, state-of-the-art pipeless pedicure spas. She even offers disposable liners for peace-of-mind and the ultimate level of sanitation, customer service and safety. Marissa’s brother, Dr. Jason Levy, a local foot and ankle surgeon (Countryside Foot & Ankle), has seen a number of foot issues, including infected ingrown nails and fungal infections stemming from unsanitary salon equipment. He applauds his sister’s efforts to maintain a superior level of cleanliness and eliminate transmission of disease. Gail from Palm Harbor de-

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JB gives Marissa's 95-year-old grandfather, David Levy, a hot shave. (Photo by Believe Photography) scribed Salon Solei, “Big city salon service in a warm, welcoming, fun atmosphere. Tried many high-end salons from Tampa to Clearwater and found this gem in my backyard.” She adds, “A high level of professional (and always continuing) education

DECEMBER 2014

across the board. Immaculate. Easy online booking. Top shelf salon without being pretentious and overpriced.” Recently remodeled, Salon Solei always keeps things fresh, and this year they added something entirely

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

new and really unique to their salon; they have a full-time barber on staff! Marissa said, “Our barber, JB, is amazing! She does straight razor face shaves with hot towels and hot shaving cream, and cuts that include straight razor neck and sideburns. Our customers have been giving rave reviews!” Salon Solei has fantastic online reviews, each mentioning their favorite stylists by name, and of course many people seek out Salon Solei because they have so many Redken Certified Haircolorists on staff. One thing’s for sure, if you’re looking for a salon that can make you look great, Salon Solei is ready – whether you want a conservative trim, a daring pixie, the latest in ombre or balayage, or a classy updo for a holiday party, make your appointment and the staff at Salon Solei will have you cham-

pagne-ready in no time! Salon Solei loves their clients, which is why they go above and beyond to help educate them in how to do their hair. Marissa says, “A lot of women don’t know how to style their hair at home.” She adds, “I often joke about what my hair looks like without products!” Admitting that from start to finish, her pixie takes at least six styling products, there’s no question her hair hits all the marks! It’s amazing. Marissa finds that some of their clients take the product knowledge that their stylists give them and go to big-box stores to buy the products. She says, “It actually says right on the bottle that the products aren’t guaranteed by the company unless they are purchased in a salon. Plus, product sales are what keep small businesses like mine in business.” She

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

adds, “What’s more, we’re actually cheaper than those stores.” To help encourage their clients to shop local, Salon Solei has introduced Club Solei, which is a rewards program that earns clients points that are good toward both products and services. The club is totally free and easy to join, and they keep track of everything for you! Salon Solei is offering some amazing holiday gift sets that include awesome, top-of-the-line Redken and Pureology hair products at a discount, and they include an extra free product! Always offering fun incentives for their clients, Salon Solei is really stepping it up for the New Year, offering a free makeover competition! Open to everyone, if you would like a free makeover or know of someone that you would like to nominate, just submit a photo and a story to marissa@salonsolei.com before January 1st 2015, and Marissa, who is also a very talented photographer, will include a headshot! Salon Solei is the perfect place to get pampered…so what are you waiting for? There’s a gorgeous new you waiting at Salon Solei!

Salon Solei is located at 2659 East Lake Road, at The Shoppes at East Lake in Palm Harbor. Hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed on Sunday and Monday. OPEN Monday, 12/22! Please call 727-789-5858 to book an appointment or visit online at www.salonsolei.com, where you will find bios for all of the stylists and staff. Follow Salon Solei on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Want to join the Salon Solei team? Email Marissa at marissa@salonsolei.com.

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TRINITY DENTAL CARE IES C N GE E! R E EM ELCOM W

(727) 372-2001 Toll Free: 1-888-tooth AK www.trinitydentalcare.com

We perform the following procedures: - Preventive Dentistry Dr. S. Shayes - Dr. A. Eskandari - Crowns, Bridges - Dentures, Partials, Repairs - Tooth Colored Fillings - Gum Treatment #DN15492 #DN15013

- Root Canals - Teeth Whitening - Dentistry for Children and Adolescence - Invisalign (the clear braces) - etc.

Evening & Saturday Appointments Available 1843 Health Care Drive, Building #1 Trinity, FL 34655

• Nitrous Gas (Happy Gas) • Warm blankets, neck rolls and head phones in everyroom • 12 Month Interest Free Financing Available • Most Insurances Accepted • Evening & Sat. Appts. Available • Now Accepting Care Credit ®

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Exam (D0140) and X-Ray (D0272 or D0220)

$39.99

(at the corner of Mitchell Blv & Little Rd, behind Walgreens)

EXP. 01/30/2015. WEEKDAYS ONLY. New patient only. Cannot be used with insurance. Coupon needs to be presented at time of service.

The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for another service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee, service, examination or treatment.

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DECEMBER 2014

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DECEMBER 2014

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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DECEMBER 2014

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles