Vol. 6, Issue 4, April 2018
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Your community. Your magazine.
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The Premier “Shop Local� Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila
Carrollwood’s New, Classy Cigar Lounge By Matt Selby Torch Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge, conveniently located at 15407 N Dale Mabry in Carrollwood is as inviting as it is classy. Featuring a beautiful space with contemporary
design, new-fashioned leather furnishings and a warm relaxed atmosphere, Torch is destined to be a lounging sanctuary for enthusiasts of fine cigars and spirits. See “Torch� on page 14.
Ehrlich Animal Hospital 1 9 7 6 5 41 1 55 By Marcy Sanford
Dr. Farid Saleh attends to an older furry four legged patient
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Tribeca Film Festival 2018...................................3 Summer Camps 2018........................................6-7 Renew Spa and Wellness Center.....................10-11 JC Audiology Announcement.............................18
Michael Lansford -Custom Residential Design....24
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
Take Me Out To The Ball Game.........................22
For more than 20 years, Ehrlich Animal Hospital & Arthritis Therapy Center has been the place for loving pet owners to take their favorite furry friends. Originally started by Dr. Langbenh and Dr. Farid Saleh, Ehrlich Animal Hospital now has 5 veterinarians and a staff of more than 30 pet professionals to take care of any pet needs – from annual exams and check ups, to senior pet care,
grooming and boarding, surgery and dental care. They recently welcomed the newest member of their team, Dr. Brian Gibbs. Pet owners love the caring staff at Ehrlich Animal Hospital! They also enjoy the convenience of having one place for all of their pet’s veterinary needs and the fact that Ehrlich Animal Hospital is open 7 days a week and offers early morning and after work hours. See “Ehrlich� on page 28.
“Scarface” and “Schindler’s List” Casts Reunite for 17th Annual Tribeca Film Festival By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
In 2001 Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff created the Tribeca Film Festival to encourage economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Running April 18-29, presented by AT&T, now in its 17th year, the annual Tribeca Film Festival features 45 documentaries and 51 narratives debuting over the course of the 12-day festival. The Festival recognizes new and emerging voices as well as established talent. From over 8,789 submissions, the 2018 Film Festival showcases 96 films from 103 filmmakers. The Competition portion of the Tribeca Film Festival features 12 documentaries, 10 U.S. narratives and 10 international narratives; 14 Spotlight Narratives, 15 Spotlight Documentaries; 5 Midnight, 16 Viewpoints selections; and 11 Special Screenings. The lineup includes 74 world premieres, 6 international premieres, 9 North American premieres, 3 U.S.
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premieres, and 4 New York premieres from 30 countries. This year’s program includes 46 debuting filmmakers and 18 returning directors. This year marks the largest number of female-directed submissions. Forty-six percent is the highest in the festival’s history. The Festival will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” and the 35th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s “Scarface” with screenings and conversations with some of the cast members including Liam Neeson, Sir Ben Kingsley, Embeth Davidtz, Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. In addition, Tribeca Talks: Storytellers will feature Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Spike Lee, John Legend, Jamie Foxx, and Tribeca Talks: The Journey will showcase Sarah Jessica Parker’s journey through film, Broadway, television, books, and fashion. The Festival champions the independent storyteller, innovative writing and filmmaking, and creative expression in its many forms – celebrating the storyteller by providing a
diverse welcoming audience. Competing films will vie for $165,000 in cash prizes, in addition to artwork from the Artists Awards program, offering work from acclaimed contemporary artists in select categories. Presented by CHANEL, an individual woman writer or director will win $25,000 for the 6th annual Nora Ephron Award. The award recognizes a woman who embodies boldness and excellence in storytelling like the late filmmaker. On TribecaFilm.com, Cara Cusumano, Tribeca's Director of Programming of Tribeca Enterprises said, "In a year that has reminded us more often of our divisions than our connections, this Festival's program embraces film's unique power to overcome differences - that connecting with stories not our own is the road into our deeply programmed human capacity for empathy and understanding," she said. "We hope that in representing a wealth of undiscovered stories and unique perspectives- including those of a record number of female directors- these 96 films offer a collective journey towards narrower divides and smaller obstacles."
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Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to 15,000 households in zip codes 33618, 33624 & 33613 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: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2018 Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Publisher Matt Selby
Art Director Tony Sica
Editor/Creative Director Correspondents Carla Selby Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Mike Bird
Julie Kanehl Marcy Sanford Katie Thomas Kim Thomas Dara Tucker Deborah Bostock-Kelley Michelle Naktin
Nothing that appears in Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Carrollwood Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Carrollwood Tampa Bay 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.
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Your Kids Can Have a Blast This Summer at Camp By: Marcy Sanford
From making new friends to learning new skills or perfecting favorite hobbies summer camp can be more than just a place for your child to spend the day while you’re at work. A great summer camp will make them excited to come back the next day and be one they’ll still be talking about next summer. To help you on your search, here are a few of our favorite camps in the area.
Arts & Dance Carrollwood Cultural Center 4537 Lowell Rd. (813) 269-1310 www.carrollwoodcenter.org Children will explore all different types of art through music, theatre, visual art, dance, and crafts activities each day.
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Themed weeks include space, legends & fairy tales, wizards, western, superheroes and mystery. Ages 4 – 12 Elite Animation Academy 5215 West Laurel St. (813) 321-3939 www.eliteanimationacademy.com Campers can choose from traditional animation (paper and pencil drawing) or digital computer animation classes. Ages 8 – 18 Tampa Museum of Art 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza (813) 274-8130 www.tampamuseum.org Camp themes are based on the Museum’s permanent collection and current exhibitions. Classes include mixed media, 3D art, portraits and people, printmaking, illustration, digital photography and painting. Ages 6 – 17
The Hen House 11730 N. Dale Mabry Ave. (813) 264-4367 www.TheHH.com Each week will offer fun filled days of creating art with professional artist, Galina Abele. Projects will include printmaking, clay canvas, painting, collage, pastels & more!
Westchase Music School 11301 Countryway Blvd. (813) 925-0102 www.westchasemusicschool.com Campers will have fun with musical yoga, rhythm stick games and body percussion while also learning about folk dances, music and technology and get the chance to try out different instruments. Ages 4 – 12
Music
Sports
Rockatar 12631 Race Track Rd. (813) 749-7150 www.rockataracademy.com Students learn the basics of music and singing, have the chance to play keyboard, piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums, work together to form a band and end the week with a concert. Ages 4 – 12
Protential Sports Various Locations (813) 843-9640 www.protentialsports.com Flag football, basketball, tennis, and aquatics camps for boys and girls of all athletic levels. Ages 3 – 17
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La Fleur’s Gymnastics 10205 Anderson Rd. (813) 264-5000 www.lafleurstampa.com
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Gymnastics instruction, games, ball skills, swimming and more combined to give your child a fitness boost. Ages 4 and older Carrollwood Country Club 13903 Clubhouse Drive (813) 961-1368 www.carrollwoodcc.com Certified professional instruction in golf, tennis and swimming. Ages 6 - 13
Horses In the Breeze Ranch 7539 Gardner Rd. (813) 264-1919 www.inthebreezeranch.com Each camper is assigned their own horse and receives horse riding lessons and gets to go on trail rides on the 300 acre property. Ages 5 – 17
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The Red Ranch 11604 Innsfields Dr. (866) 888-7131 www.theredranchfl.com Learn to care for horses, meet a wide range of other farm animals and learn fun facts about them, learn the basic fundamentals of riding. Participate in archery, kickball, soccer, basketball, tug-owar, relay races and arts and crafts. Ages 5 and up Suncoast Stables and Riding Academy 1108 Altamont Ln. (813) 368-0666 www.suncoaststable.com Horsemanship camps where campers learn about horse safety, grooming, tacking up, riding and caring for horses. Ages 5 – 18
Engineering & Science Adventures in Engineering 10701 Sheldon Rd.
(813) 454-3115 www.adventuresinengineering.org Campers explore, discover, create, and have fun in projectbased camps that develop the innovative thinking needed for today’s world. Ages 6 – 12
Every Topic You Can Think Of Camp IDS 12015 Orange Grove Dr. (813) 961-3087 www.corbettprep.com More than 60 different camps are available and with half-day camps, campers can try two very different activities during the day archery or broadcasting in the morning and painting or cooking in the afternoon. Academic camps include math, science, reading, writing and technology. Chinese, French and Spanish language camps available. Ages 5 – 17
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Carrollwood Day School 1515 W. Bearss Ave. (813) 920-2288 www.carrollwooddayschool.org Offers a wide array of activities from sports to art to robotics. Ages 6 – 18 Berkeley Preparatory School 4811 Kelly Rd. (813) 885-1673 www.berkeleyprep.org More than 100 camps offered everything from robotics to debate, fine arts to woodworking and any sport your child wants to play. Ages 4 – 18 Academy at the Lakes 2331 Collier Pkwy. (813) 948-7600 www.academyatthelakes.com Camps offering many activities, including sports, arts, recreation, science, technology, and academic review. Ages 3 – 14
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Renew Spa and Wellness Offers Affordable Wellness in Carrollwood By Deborah Bostock-Kelley There’s an oasis in the heart of Carrollwood, only a month old, disguised as part of a shopping complex. With a vibe of Morocco meets Miami, Renew Spa and Wellness offer high-end services at an affordable price. Director Toni Anne Mastroianni has over 20 years’ experience in the spa & retail industry. She handpicked the results driven products lining the wood paneled walls and displays to include the highest quality products with a reasonable price tag. “The concept for Renew really came from 20 years in the spa business,” she explained. “I took what I felt were the best modalities, coupled with the best products and put them together in one package.” Designed with the customer in mind, Toni Anne describes the shopping area as “Sephora meets Apple.” The products are accessible for the customer to test and the employees all have hand-held systems to assist you. Touch screen consoles also make the shopping and checkout process a breeze. Enter left, just before the refreshment area with infused-water and tea and discover the technologyfree Meditation Lounge and six Zero Gravity Chairs, bathed in soothing blue light. The chairs recline helping to put the body in a balanced position, taking the pressure off the back and helping you power down, relax, catch up on some much-needed rest and enjoy a regenerative 20 minute “power nap.” “There’s countless research that shows power naps in the middle of the day make you more productive. Meditation and naps help boost your
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immune system, get you centered, and help you focus on your goals, allowing you to be more productive,” she said. You can choose to listen to guided meditation playing in your headphones or relaxing music piped through the lounge. The Meditation Lounge can be enjoyed as a service on its own or as part of a package for pre and post treatment. “We will also have meditation experts come in and actually do guided meditation,” she said. “When you pair in conjunction with massage, it really readies your mind and body to receive a much better massage. That twenty minutes of ultimate relaxation before and after can really bring it to another level.” Now refreshed from your nap, walk down the long hall with rectangular light and shadow patterns appearing overhead from stunning gold Kozo Moroccan lights that illuminate the walkway. The three coffee-colored aesthetic rooms feature hydraulic tables to give her aestheticians a more comfortable position during treatments. Toni Anne has taken every scenario into consideration, not just you, but for the betterment of her employees, which in turn gives you the best possible service. Facials use products by Eminence, an organic brand out of Hungary, popular in luxury hotels like Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons. “I’m giving the same exact facial and I’m offering it for $59.95,” she said. “We’ve paired it with ZO in order to maximize results for all skin types and conditions. The power of those two products working together is extraordinary.” In order to provide the best massage, Toni Anne has partnered
Renew Spa And Wellness Ribbon Cutting - Photo Credit: Uphill Marketing Group. with Bodhi + Sol utilizing organic essential oils paired with allergy-free apricot oil in a 50 or 80-minute massage within one of the five treatment rooms. “The oils are sourced right from
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where they are grown, in season and imported directly to the U.S.,” she said. “No chemical, no fragrance, no manufacturing, vegan, green trade approved, the efficacy of the oil is unmatched. In my years of working
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with oils, that is the best of the best. Once you experience the massage, you understand what an elevated treatment it is.” Renew Spa and Wellness also offers oncology massage. “We do a full oncology massage for people with cancer and in active chemo. We can give tremendous relief to people who are in excruciating pain.” You can also choose to add on enhancements like warm stones for deeper penetration into your muscles, dry brush which encourages cell renewal and you take the brush home, and foot and hand or body scrub with a nourishing body butter application to soften the skin and lock in moisture. Uniting with Replenish IV Solutions, who have researched and sourced highest quality vitamins that go into their IV drips, Renew Spa and Wellness offers IV Therapy. “This boosts you from a cellular level to refresh you and get your body on a path to recovery,” said Toni Anne. Under the direction of medical director Dr. John Sosa, the IV therapy room offers nurses that will provide IV vitamin therapy for weight loss, immune boosts, flu and cold prevention, cancer and chemotherapy Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
recovery and other health ailments. You can also add Vitamin B12 to your IV therapy. Also available, a five-hour drip helps with post-traumatic stress and addiction. Nurses and first responders receive a complimentary upgrade. Toni Anne summarized how her concept for the all-encompassing spa came to be: “I want people to see the world that maybe they don’t drive to every day. This could be a Ritz or a Four Seasons. You receive the equal treatment and just pay less. We have affordable wellness here. Our modalities were chosen for their synergistic relationship. People want to look good and feel good and I really want to help them do that.” A monthly membership is $59.95 and includes a massage, facial, or IV drip plus a 20-minute session in the Meditation Lounge. Renew Spa and Wellness is located at 14352 North Dale Mabry and is open Monday through Saturday 9am – 9pm and Sunday 10am-6pm. To learn more visit www.renewspaandwellness.com or call 813/450.1852 to schedule an appointment. For Ad Info 813-928-6124 • info@NNLFlorida.com
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“Torch” Continued from page 1 With a world-class selection of over 150 cigars in a beautiful, walk-in humidor, a row of private humidor lockers, a huge selection of whiskeys and spirits, beers on tap or by the bottle, wines by the glass or by the bottle, and an expansive selection of specialty craft cocktails, Torch offers something for everyone to enjoy. Managing partner, Michael Sauceda, takes pride in stocking those hard to find bourbons and scotches, which are paired perfectly with one of their many premium cigars. “We created this place for the community to unwind in a comfortable setting, while enjoying a great premium cigar and cocktail of choice,” says Michael. Boasting the perfect setting to enjoy a drink and a fine cigar, Torch provides a truly upscale lounge experience which attracts a wide demographic of patrons; from the younger professionals who are just starting to explore the complexities of a fine premium cigar, to the wellseasoned cigar aficionados. “Everyone is welcome at Torch, whether you are a man or a woman, from 18 to 100 years old, no matter if you know a lot about cigars or even if you don’t even smoke at all,” says Michael. Anyone looking for an unparalleled experience is welcome at Torch, and you will enjoy the utmost in service, pleasure and relaxation. Michael invited me to come over and experience his new location and immediately upon entering I noticed how beautiful and classy the lounge was, those leather tufted button chairs sure were comfortable. Everything is brand new, including the state of the
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art ventilation system that everyone can appreciate, from the cigar lover to the non-smoking patrons. Torch is far from your ordinary Cigar Lounge. Being a “Diamond Crown” lounge, meaning you’ll always have access to the finest Diamond Crown series Cigars produced by J.C. Newman Cigar Company. Diamond Crown cigars were created in 1995 in celebration of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company’s 100th Anniversary. Stanford J. Newman joined Carlos Fuente Sr. to create a super-premium cigar unlike anything that was out in the market, and the Diamond Crown's recipe of blending 6-7 individual tobacco leaves in a single cigar was unheard of at the time. The resulting cigar was the
complex and flavorful Diamond Crown that went on to become one of the most revered in the industry, landing numerous high ratings from Cigar Aficionado and securing its spot in the humidors of serious smokers around the globe.
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My Cigar Pick The Diamond Crown Julius Caeser named after the founder of J.C. Newman Cigars, is my favorite stick in the humidor. Dressed in an Ecuador Havana-seed wrapper draped over a Dominican binder, and
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featuring an eclectic mix of Caribbean basin and Central American fillers, this gem of a cigar is nothing short of fantastic. Enjoy smooth and robust flavors galore, including rich coffee, sweetness, spice, and wood. Pair it with a 4 roses single barrel Manhattan in the evening or a cappuccino with the paper and call it a day. it doesn’t get a whole lot better than that! Torch Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge invites all of you to experience YOUR very own Cigar lounge sanctuary. Please stop by and pay them a visit soon. We think you’ll be very impressed and we’re confident you will have an excellent time! Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Torch Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge Location: 15407 N Dale Mabry HWY, TAMPA 33618 Phone: 813- 515- 6147 Contact Michael Directly: Michael@torchdiamondcrownlounge.com
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JC AUDIOLOGY ADDS AUDIOLOGIST AT THEIR LUTZ CLINIC Local audiologist Dr. Judith L. Reese is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jennifer Steed to her Lutz practice, JC Audiology, where she has served more than 2,200 patients since she opened the clinic in 2005. “We’ve seen a steadily increasing number of patients here.” Dr. Reese explains. “With new hearing technology and studies concluding how important it is for hearing loss to be treated for enduring cognitive benefit, I needed another expert to help so that patients won’t have to wait so long for appointments.” Dr. Steed has the expertise to step in immediately and serve those seeking hearing help. She is a highly experienced audiologist who has served thousands of patients in her career with the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center in Lakeland as well as in Ear, Nose, and Throat practices in the central Florida region. She is an honors graduate from the University of South Florida, and she earned her Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) degree there in 2003. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and the Florida Academy of Audiology, and
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has served as a mentor for graduate Audiologystudents and was the lead audiologist on pediatric craniofacial/cleft palate team meetings through Children’s Medical Services Polk County. Additionally, she has provided seminars and lectures to the community regarding hearing health, hearing loss and current treatments available. Dr. Steed is proficient in diagnostic testing with patients of all ages, including difficult to test populations, and her years of experience in hearing aid selection and fitting, counseling and preceptor roles, all make her one of the most well-respected dispensers of hearing technology around. “I have a passion for helping people communicate well,” She explains. “And communicate with purpose.” Dr. Steed is driven to provide quality hearing health care and enrich the profession, saying: “I have worked as a clinical audiologist since 2003, and have witnessed first hand the life changing power of my profession. We are made with the desire to interact with each other: friends, colleagues,
children, grandchildren, spouses, neighbors. Hearing loss that leads to withdrawal, isolation and depression robs individuals of this basic and elemental sense. My desire is to be the link that restores hearing to people so that their quality of life is forever changed for the better. I enjoy teaching and passing on the knowledge I have gained in these past years, and currently serve as a mentor and preceptor to graduateaudiology students.” In addition to treating hearing loss
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with the proper testing of hearing in a soundproof booth calibrated annually, and fitting people with the right devices for their hearing loss, JC Audiology is also home to Dr. Reese’s Tampa Bay Hearing Aid Hospital, where they average more than 100 hearing devices serviced every month. For more information on hearing loss, and the expert treatment for it, contact JC Audiology at (813) 949-1331.
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“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” By Tom Bostock
The iconic strains of that familiar song, “Take Me out to the Ballgame,” written by a 29- yearold-song writer, Jack Norworth, who had never attended a single baseball game when he wrote it in 1908, but drew his inspiration from a bill board advertisement, blares out of loud speakers and echoes across the stadium on this special day. Off-key, you join in the refrain, vainly chasing some semblance of the actual tune but nobody seems to care. Vendors of all ages, hawking overpriced hotdogs, cold drinks and beer, climb up and down the stadium seating rows like a swarming colony of ants, selling their wares and adding to the general controlled-chaos ambience. Sitting in the outfield section, in an uncomfortable wooden seat,
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dressed in your too-big Little League uniform and cap, with your Dad in the adjacent seat, life is good. Holding your genuine Spaulding outfielder’s baseball glove, pre-autographed by your favorite player, in front of you, you wait patiently for that errant fly ball that will be your trophy of a lifetime. That is, if the other kids in your row don’t get to it first. It’s no big deal if it starts to drizzle; if the players can handle it, you can too. It’s that special time, when all losses of the previous year are wiped clean, and an undefeated team strides out onto the field, bright with promise and anticipation. After the playing of the National Anthem, unblemished by needless kneeling and protest, the home team will take the field, and those magical words, indelibly etched forever in the minds and hearts of every
living baseball fan will ring out. “Play Ball!” That or a similar scenario is getting ready to be enacted by millions of baseball fans across the country and around the world in just a few short weeks. For baseball fans in the Tampa Bay area, that will be Tropicana Stadium and the Tampa Bay Rays, formerly the Devil Rays, their hometown professional team. Here are a few fun facts about professional baseball in Tampa/St. Petersburg. Did you know that the Rays were not the first professional baseball team to call the Tampa Bay their home? For a single season, the Senior Professional Baseball Association called St. Petersburg its home. The teams were made up of 35-year-old and older former major league players. According to ML.com, “the St. Pete Pelicans were their first and only league champions.”
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Do you know where the “King of Swat” hit what may have been his longest home run and one of the longest ever recorded? Yep. That’s right. In 1919 in a Spring Training game, Babe Ruth connected with an unbelievable, 587- foot blast against the New York Yankees at Plant Field. When today’s Rays take the field this year, it will be a different team from last year. Gone is the perennial slugger and all star third baseman, Evan Longoria. He and his 4.5 million-dollar contract are now San Francisco Giants, a move that didn’t make many fans very happy. He had been the team’s longest tenured player. The team also expects to lose starting pitcher Alex Cobb to free agency while another free agent, Logan Morrison, is reportedly being courted by the New York Mets, according to Mets former General Manager, Jim Duquette in
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his predictions for his top 25 free agents. According to mlb.com, if the season started this week, you would probably see the following starting lineup for the Tampa Bay Rays: Centerfield – Kevin Kiermaier, Left field – Denard Span, Third Base – Matt Duffy, Designated Hitter – Corey Dickerson, Right Field – Steven Sousa Jr, First Base – Brad Miller, Second Base – Daniel Robertson, Catcher – Wilson Ramos, Short Stop – Adeiny Hechavarria. With
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equally skilled backups at most positions, this is a potentially potent line-up in anybody’s book. The pitching line-up is in equally good hands with starters, Archer, Snell, Faria, and Eovaldi. There is also a talented bull pen of both right and left handers to step in if any of the starters falter. Currently consisting of Jennings, Colome, Rome, Stanek, Kittredge, Rose, Alvaredo, Hu, Hudson, and Andriese, there is also a wellstocked minor league system with strong, young arms just waiting
for the chance to show what they can do in the big leagues. If there is a better game than baseball, I don’t know it. Nothing beats second guessing the umpires and reflecting on their dubious parentage when the call doesn’t go your team’s way. Suggesting that the umpire needs a tin cup, whitetipped cane and dark glasses has become a national past-time. What can beat sitting in your seat when it’s the bottom of the 9th with the score tied 2 to 2. There are two outs with bases loaded. Your team is up. The pitcher lets a fastball fly, a white blur, headed for the plate at lightning speed. In less than a blink of an eye, your batter lifts his right front leg while flexing the muscles in his arm holding the bat. Physics takes over! The bat, swinging at more than 95 miles an hour makes solid contact with the spinning ball moving at a similar rate of speed. The ball is propelled off the bat at a speed of more than 100
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miles an hour! You gasp and then hold your breath, hoping against hope for a base-clearing home run. The umpire yells, “foul ball,” as the ball flies harmlessly over the foul pole and out of the stadium. You die a little inside. “Strike one!” the umpire signals. “You need a guide dog,” you respond. Another pitch corkscrews its way to the plate and into the catcher mitt with a resounding thud. “Strike two.” The air is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. The pitcher winds up again and lets another fast ball go spinning towards the plate. It seems like the crack of the bat can be heard six counties away. The ball begins its inexorable arc toward the outfield fence and over it! The crowd erupts. You won! If you could bottle that feeling, you would be a millionaire! That is the thrill and mystique that is baseball. It’s time to make a memory. Get out there and support your very own Tampa Bay Rays.
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- If You Can Dream It, It Can Be Built Michael W. Lansford Custom Residential Design
By Marcy Sanford
If you’ve ever watched House Hunters on HGTV, you know the first thing the realtor says to the buyers is, “tell me what’s on your list.” You also know that the homebuyers never get everything that is on their list. With a custom designed home from Michael Lansford you will get everything on your list and much, much more. Michael Lansford has been helping people build the homes of their dreams for more than 40 years. Before starting his own Custom Residential Design business, he designed and built homes all across the Tampa Bay area including many homes in Carrollwood and surrounding the golf course at Carrollwood Country Club. By the time the Tampa native struck out on his own, he’d designed and built hundred’s of homes in the area. Starting his own Custom
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Residential Design business allowed Michael to have the flexibility to help his clients create a home truly built just for them. “The first question I ask all of my clients is, ‘what is on your wish list?’ Some people have a list that is 2 to 3 pages long, some just have a few ideas written out on a notepad. I’ve even had people come to me with a rough drawing they did of the house they wanted,” said Michael. No matter how long the list or how unique the requests, Michael makes sure that he includes each one when designing the new home. What would your dream home include? Open floor plan, gourmet kitchen, designer --closet, spa-lake bathrooms, energy efficient, outdoor living space? One of the biggest benefits of building your own custom home is that you can design your home around your needs, tastes and personality instead of trying to adapt something that is already there
to suit your needs. With a custom designed home, your floor plan is yours and can be reworked as needed to capitalize on your lot’s best assets or updated to accommodate life changes. Michael designs many custom homes around our area’s beautiful lakes such as Lake Keystone, Lake Pretty and Lake Alice, and has developed a reputation as the person to go to when one wants a stunning lake house. “With lake lots you always want to maximize your view. I try to bring the lake view into the house and take advantage of the view at every opportunity whether it is an infinity pool that looks like it extends into the lake or a foyer that gives you a direct view to the water.” In fact, Michael says that entry foyers can be one of the most important rooms in the house as they give guests an introduction to the home. “The foyer gives visitors a feel for the home and an idea of what the people
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who live there are like,” added Michael. While many of the homes that Michael has designed are on large lake lots, he has designed homes for every size lot imaginable throughout the city of Tampa and across the United States. No matter what how much acreage is available for the home, a few things always remain the same – Michael’s attention to detail and determination to give his clients a home they’ll love forever. When you have a custom designed home, you have the flexibility to adapt that home to your needs, even down to details such as how many electrical outlets should be in the family playroom and where they should be located. You can have a beautiful spiral staircase with a wine cellar underneath, a custom wall of bookcases to accommodate your private library or a gallery-like design to showcase your art collection. Another benefit of a custom
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designed home is that you get to choose the architectural style that you want. Contemporary, Tuscan, Victorian, Mid Century Modern, Queen Anne? Not sure of the name of the style you like, but know what it is when you see it? Michael can help you determine how you want the outside of your home to look. One of the recent trends he’s seen is clients choosing the clean lines and look of West Indies architecture. Over the years, Michael has received numerous design awards and most of his business has come from word of mouth and referrals.
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He works with the area’s top builders to make sure that each home lives up to the homeowner’s dream. “It makes me feel good when I’m finished with a house and I get compliments from the homeowners and thank you’s. I enjoy the reward of seeing a finished project and I’m fortunate to be able to do what I enjoy doing.” Are you ready to make your dream home a reality? Call Michael Lansford Custom Residential Design at (813) 265-4022 or email Mlansford@tampabay.rr.com to set up an appointment.
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The Next American Idol Might Just Live In Wesley Chapel By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
Today, when you type “Zach” in Google search, it’s not the last name “Braff” or “Galifianakis” that pops up, but a lesserknown “D’Onofrio” immediately auto-populates. Until his life changed on March 11, unless you knew the young man selfdescribed as “funny, dorky, and nice,” you wouldn’t realize the significance of the search results. On that Sunday night during primetime on ABC, the Wiregrass Ranch High School student stole the hearts of judges and viewers alike in his televised audition for the reboot of American Idol. Overnight, the seventeen-year-old became what dreams are made of. No one could have predicted that the cute bespectacled kid, a collector of quirky socks, in lucky clover socks, with a higher pitched speaking voice would have a deep crooner’s singing voice that shocked the judges and the nation. Katy Perry grew wide-eyed when the teen began serenading the judges with Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and decided to join him in a slow dance. Zach didn’t miss a beat, continuing his perfectly pitched rendition while he danced and dipped the celebrity with Lionel Richey and Luke Bryan dancing together behind the judges’ table. After the song’s conclusion, Luke asked the singer if it was “his real voice” and Zach assured him it was. Luke later tweeted that Harry Potter just walked in and slayed us, tagging the teen in the post. One beautiful song, one unanimously awarded golden ticket and a giant bear hug later by proud mom, Darci, Zach is headed to Hollywood. But first this down-to-earth young man must finish his AP homework and his dual enrollment, go on multiple interviews, win Superior for the state thespian competition and place as Jazz Vocal finalist in Pasco Spotlight on Talent. Once teased for his unique speaking voice, Zach is learning that being different makes you completely memorable. It helps that his background story is one made for television. “I have not been singing very long because I was afraid to share my voice. My speaking voice and my singing voice are completely different. Some people at school made fun of my speaking voice and that made me very shy. I decided to give singing a try and it made me feel so good. At that point I did not care what anyone thought about my speaking voice,” Zach said. “I really started singing on my own at age 15, but I have grown up in a musical family.” Zach’s parents, Darci and Bryan, own the Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz, where Zach played supporting roles as Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Farquaad in Shrek the Musical. It was friends at school that showed him the information about Tampa Bay Idol and encouraged him to audition. Zach walked away from that competition with a ticket to skip the line of the American Idol auditions in Orlando. After another successful audition in Orlando in front of the producers, Zach
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headed to New York to audition in front of the celebrity judges. Between being seen on promotional commercials to the actual audition, he is learning how to deal with being an overnight local celebrity. Darci said that he has fans in Publix and Walmart. Kids on Instagram are tweeting congratulations and things like, “OMG that’s Zach. He goes to my school!” Zach can take it all in stride because he has a tremendous mom, dad, and sister to keep him grounded and serve as his support system and cheerleaders. “My mom has been there for me at every audition and helped me through every moment of this journey. My parents are my inspiration. They work hard and follow their dreams. They started Dreamhouse theatre because they believe in the Arts and this is very inspiring to me. If it were not for them, I would not have the confidence I have today,” he said. “They have always supported me and my dreams and I love them very much.” Though moving through to the finals seems like a very
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strong possibility for this lover of Frank Sinatra and other oldschool crooners that he says “inspires him to keep the classic music alive,” Zach has a dream beyond music. After graduation, he plans to go to medical school in New York, while pursuing a musical career. Zach realizes the importance of being a role model for younger kids watching his journey. “I feel that I am ready. I am excited to be a role model for kids younger than me that may not have the confidence to follow their dreams. I also want to let kids know that what people say about you or your voice, does not matter. You can do anything you want in life! Don’t let anyone stop you from following your dreams,” he said. From an unknown theatre and chorus kid with the quirky socks and higher speaking voice to the potential next American Idol with 697,000 search results in Google, Zach is one to watch. “Do not worry about what others think or say,” he said. “Just be YOU.”
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“Ehrlich Animal Hospital” Continued from page 1 Improving the Lives of Senior Pets: If you’re lucky enough to have a senior pet, you know how much they become a part of your heart. It is difficult to see the dog you remember scampering after toys as a puppy moving slower and with difficulty. Ehrlich Animal Hospital offers therapies and treatments for senior pets with arthritis that will have them chasing after their favorite toy again. “Dogs and cats often don’t always voice their pain,” said Dr. Saleh. “Some of the signs that they might be suffering from arthritis include not wanting to go for walks, not playing, taking a longer time to stand up and lay down.” Dr. Saleh says that animals will tolerate a lot more pain than humans. Therefore, by the time they are groaning, they are probably really hurting. “We have lots of different therapies for pets with arthritis – Including diet and nutritional supplements. Weight loss in overweight pets can make a big difference. They can also take medication.” Dr. Saleh says that often a combination of therapies works best but that he has seen great effectiveness with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies. Because both therapies use blood and tissue from the animals’ own body, there is no negative reaction and you may see a benefit to your pet within just one week. “We looked into stem cell therapy because our dog Griff had been on medication for arthritis for more than 6 years but we noticed he was slowing down and we wanted to ease his pain. We could tell he was not comfortable anymore,” said the Smedley family. “One of the most important aspects of this treatment is how we see a huge positive response from Griff and how he feels…you can’t fake feeling good…he feels dramatically better than he did a few months ago.” In addition to PRP and stem cell therapies, Ehrlich Animal Hospital also offers K-laser treatment to target affected areas. All procedures can be done in house on the same day. “We started offering stem cell and PRP therapy about 7 years ago,” said Dr. Saleh, “and we’ve seen really good
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results. One patient had stopped lifting his leg to pee because it hurt so badly. After stem cell therapy, he was able to lift his leg again.”
Emergency & Diagnostic Care: Ehrlich Animal Hospital is home to a full service lab and surgery center. They can do most tests in-house including digital x-rays, dental x-rays and ultrasound. They know that animals can get nervous when visiting the vet and so want to make sure their comfort and care is in capable hands and that you don’t have to run all over town to find out what’s wrong when your furry friend is feeling ill. They even offer tours of the facilities to owners. “Anyone is welcome to come in at anytime and take a tour,” says Dr. Saleh. “We know that it can be stressful when you have to drop your pet off for tests and want you to have a visual of where you pet is and know that they are being cared for.” “My husband and I just realized yesterday that we have been coming here for over 17 years! They always treat our dogs (and us) with a high level of respect and dignity. They have literally ‘dropped everything’ a few times to help us get through several doggy emergencies!” says a loyal woman about her experience at Ehrlich Animal Hospital. “We believe they have provided us with the best medical care available in the Tampa Bay area. The entire reception team treats us like royalty! They are always there to answer our questions and meet our special needs. God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts !” No matter what is ailing your pet, Ehrlich Animal Hospital’s loving doctors and staff will make sure that they are doing all they can to help him or her heal while keeping you informed the whole time.
Keeping Pets Healthy: A big part of the day at Ehrlich Animal Hospital is keeping pets healthy and most of the patients at Ehrlich Animal Hospital have been with them since they were pups or kittens. Owners can choose from multiple Wellness Packages for every phase of your pet’s life at a budget that works for you. “Hands down this is the BEST vet practice in Tampa. Thanks to Dr. Saleh and his knowledge my dog was correctly diagnosed and cared for until the end. The entire staff is amazing.
The front desk is always kind and the focus is on the long term care for your pet. I can’t thank them enough for giving me the additional almost three years with my dog. My new puppy is also getting the best possible start with the excellent team here. They cover everything...food, boarding, emergency care, surgery, grooming. When they say they will call they do. They follow up, and more than once on Dr. Saleh’s day off he still called me if it was urgent. The care and compassion for you and your pet is unmatched. You can’t go wrong here.”
Bed & Breakfast: Your vacation can be truly stress free when you board your pet at Ehrlich Animal Hospital. They offer worry-free boarding for dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets. Kitties are able to lounge in cat condos just for them in a separate, quiet section of the hospital away from the hustle and bustle. Dogs get to hang out in large walk-in sized runs with raised cots to rest on and have a fenced-in, covered outdoor area they get to play in 2 times a day.
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Not Just for Cats & Dogs: Ehrlich Animal Hospital also offers veterinary care for birds and reptiles. “I just wanted to say that this is the most professional, affordable and friendly staff I have ever seen in any office,” writes one happy iguana owner. “My 4-year old iguana suffered burns from overhead lighting and Dr. Saleh and Dr. Danielson both treated him with the most loving and expert care I could possibly ask for.” No matter what your pet needs from kitten to cat, puppy to dog, hatchling to reptile, chick to bird you can rest assured that Ehrlich Animal Hospital will provide them with the best care possible for many years to come. Ehrlich Animal Hospital & Arthritis Therapy Center is located at 8009 Gunn Highway. They are open Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information about their services, visit their website at www.ehrlichanimalhospital.com. To schedule an appointment, call (813) 920-0566. Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
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