Carrollwood- December, volume 5, Issue 12, Tampa Bay news & Lifestyles by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 5, Issue 12, December 2017

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

Samantha Taylor Fitness for Women: Change Your Life Now By Marcy Sanford When I first met Samantha Taylor, she had 1 location in Land O’ Lakes. Now, 3 years later, she has 4 locations across the Tampa Bay area and is about to open her 5th! Her newest studio in Westchase has only been open 4 months but many health conscious women around town already knew her. Samantha started her personal trainer career in the Westchase area and quickly became one of the top personal trainers of all

Lifestyle Gyms before branching out on her own. “One of the first ladies to join in Westchase reminded me that I had come to her house 22 years ago to train her,” Samantha says. “I would bring my bench with bars and dumbbells and set up in her living room. She said she was so excited when she saw my sign go up at my new studio.” Samantha Taylor Fitness for Women offers proven fitness and nutrition programs that See “Samantha Taylor” on page 26.

Carrollwood Country Club - A Hidden Gem in The City By Marcy Sanford The Carrollwood Country Club has been providing outstanding amenities to its members since 1972, but Director of Membership Renee Constantine, says that many Tampa residents do not realize this hidden gem is in their city. Nestled in the

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor Carla Selby.................................3 Grout Tech.......................................................6-7 The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm........................10-11 The Hen House.................................................14

Mother's Restaurant......................................20-21 A Necessary Conversation.............................24-25

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

Cerapiel........................................................16-17

middle of heart of Carrollwood Village, the serene surroundings at the Carrollwood Country Club make you feel like you’ve stepped into your own personal vacation retreat. Best of all, the private country club has something for everyone in the family. Championship Golf Course – See “CCC” on page 28.

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From The Editor Carla Selby

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles Holidays are many things to many people. For some, the primary function of a holiday is its religious significance. It is a time when specific spiritual opportunities are available to experience. For others Holidays are opportunities for friends and relatives to get together and celebrate life. Most people get a few days off during the Holidays so there is an opportunity to renew family bonds or spend time with good friends. Relatives that you haven't seen in a while join together with you to celebrate the family that you belong too. Our lives have become so hectic and stressful that we spend way too little time with the people we love. This causes all sorts of health

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problems, both emotional and physical. When I was very young I used to hear adults talk about "stress" all the time, and it seemed like a "fake" disease or an excuse for people to get together and complain about work and other responsibilities. Now that I am in my 30s and I am dealing with "adulthood" and all its glory, I can attest that stress is one of the most unpleasant things I have ever dealt with. What it does to our bodies AND our hearts, it's a scary thing. We all need some time to cool off, to step away from our daily worries and to decompress… and the Holidays are the perfect time to do that, and to really worry about what's important in life. I encourage you to remember that this time

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 © 2017 Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Art Director Tony Sica

Publisher Matt Selby

Editor/Creative Director Correspondents Carla Selby

should be used in ways that above all, give you peace and happiness. Remember that Christmas is not in the size of the tree in your house, or even the amount of lights decorating your front porch. It is not in the amount of gifts we send or the greeting cards we get. Christmas is in our hearts. Christmas it's in the kindness we show others, and the smiles of our loved ones. Christmas is what we make of it with those who we care about the most, so make it a great one. My best wishes for all of you during this season, and a wonderful new year 2018.

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Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Mike Bird Vicky Forte

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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Grout Tech - Your Tile and Grout Specialist! By Katie Thomas Grout Tech is a family owned business serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Grout Tech specializes in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles. Throughout the years, Grout Tech has grown through its many referrals from happy customers. People really appreciate that Grout Tech saves them time and money, but it is the excellent service provided that has really helped this business grow. You may think you need an entire new floor due to broken tiles or just overall dinginess, but Grout Tech asks you to consider saving money and time by using their cleaning and repair services. Grout Tech can renew existing grout and tile to its original beauty by cleaning and maintaining the tile and grout lines. John Cole and his wife were ready to re-tile their entire bathroom before calling BJ at Grout Tech. John shared, “Our bathroom tile was over 40 years old it was looking grungy and very dull. We called

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With the help of Grout Tech, even the dirtiest and oldest of floors can be restored and renewed to their original beauty and splendor. Grout Tech and we are extremely pleased with our results! We saved so much money by having the grout in our shower resurfaced and the tile cleaned and it looks brand new.” Before you spend thousands of dollars remodeling and re-tiling your bathroom or kitchen be sure to call Grout Tech for a FREE estimate on cleaning or repairing old dingy tile and grout. Grout Tech can breathe new life into your existing tile work, making everything shine like new at a

fraction of the cost. The floors in our homes, especially in heavy foot traffic areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms, take a daily beating. After a few years, they just aren’t as beautiful as they once were. To renew the dull back to beautiful, Grout Tech works with you to find out what fits your budget and which services will get you the most bang for your buck. Because grout is a porous material, trying to remove stains is

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seemingly impossible. Grout Tech owner BJ explains, “Color sealing grout lines is one of the many services we offer and it is definitely the most effective way to create a perfect, new look.” Using a step-by-step process, Grout Tech begins by using a cleansing product to remove all bacteria and surface dirt with special machinery. They will then apply a color seal (of your choice). Once the sealer is applied the grout lines will be permanently

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Before protected from any stains. The color seal also guarantees against cracking, chipping and peeling. Additionally, they will also cosmetically fix or replace chipped or cracked tiles, making your bathroom or kitchen tile like new again. BJ from Grout Tech is happy to set your appointment, come out and give you a free estimate. She stresses, “It is important for me to be respectful of our customers’ time so I will always arrive at the time we set.” In addition to always arriving in a timely manner, BJ says that they can keep their prices low because they are a family owned business and not a franchise. She explains, “What many

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people don’t understand is that franchises are often forced to charge more for their services because they have to maintain their franchise fees, but not with Grout Tech.” Not only does Grout Tech keep its rates competitive, but the company will also honor any other quote as long as it is in writing. Carla Bartow, a satisfied customer, shares her experience, “When BJ came out to give us a quote, she looked at the job and I could tell immediately that she knew what she was talking about. We had our family room, kitchen and dining room re-grouted. They also regrouted the tub, shower and base of

our toilet in our bathroom. They were fantastic! Not only were they professional and reliable but they also completed the job much faster than we had anticipated.” Repeat customer John C. says, “I had Grout Tech come out to my place three years ago. The service was excellent and the price was great too. I recently rehired Grout Tech to come out to complete my other two bathrooms, which they’ll begin working on in June. I chose Grout Tech once again because their professionalism and skill is unbeatable.” Another satisfied client, John F. says, “My wife and I had a bad experience with a grout service

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company we hired off Craigslist. The work was terrible and they lacked professionalism. My wife found Grout Tech and we were so happy the connection was made. Grout Tech worked miracles on our floors and solved all our grout and tile problems. They performed work for us back in 2014. We loved that they were great with our pets and felt really comfortable having them in our home working. We hired them again in 2016 due to their excellent service and we were again completely satisfied with the service they provided. I wouldn’t consider using any company other than Grout Tech.” If you need assistance in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles Grout Tech is at your service! If you are tired of scrubbing until your hands are sore trying to clean stained, old grout, call Grout Tech today! It is amazing just how much better your bathroom and kitchen areas look with crisp, clean grout lines! To find out more about Grout Tech’s services or for a free estimate call BJ at 727-768-6828.

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The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm Earns the Trust of Businesses and Families By Marcy Sanford The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm, located at the top of Carrollwood in Tampa, has continued its pace of strategic growth since moving north from downtown in 2008. The firm consists of fifteen lawyers, supported by 17 paralegals, legal assistants, law clerks and administrators, which power the firm’s growing presence throughout Florida. Evidenced by its “AV” rating by Martindale Hubbell, The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm has earned its reputation as a well-trusted name in the Tampa Bay Area and beyond. The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm represents a wide range of clients including Fortune 500 Companies, local family run businesses, and individuals needing help with estate planning. An example of the firm’s diversity occurred last summer when the firm had near simultaneous trials representing a physician in a medical

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malpractice matter, a world-wide mall developer in a premises liability action, and an individual against guardianship attorneys involving the improper handling of a guardianship estate. In this latter action, following a two-week jury trial, partners Ron Denman, Chuck Bavol, and Grant Kindrick recovered a record $16,400,000 verdict from the jury. However, regardless of the matter, the size of the client, or the nature of their legal issue, one thing is always the same – everyone at The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm believes in dedication to the client’s best interest. “We want our clients to trust us and know that we are always doing what is best for them,” said Managing Partner Robert Bleakley. “We pride ourselves in finding strategic ways to close cases and solve client’s problems that result in the best possible outcome for our clients.” At The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm, you’ll find four senior partners, each

Managing partner Robert Bleakley and attorney Christina Hebert with greater than 25 years of legal experience; six partners whose experience ranges from 7 – 25 years in the profession; and five associate

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attorneys (“the Young Guns”) with experience ranging from fresh out of law school to 10+ years of experience. It is with this younger group of

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attorneys that Bleakley seeks to mold the future of the firm. Bleakley noted, “For many years the firm sought to recruit experienced attorneys from other law firms to join our firm. A few years ago, it occurred to us that our firm philosophy, process, and procedure were unique, and we wanted to develop young lawyers into our culture from the very beginning so they could grow and develop and carry on the work of the firm long after the senior partners have retired to the golf course.” Business & Corporate Law: Bleakley says that although the firm’s roots have typically been in the representation of large businesses or carriers in auto and trucking liability matter, medical device litigation, professional liability, product liability, premises liability and workers compensation matters, since moving to Carrollwood just over 10 years ago, the firm has significantly grown small business practice. Many of the firm’s lawyers have friends, neighbors and people they know through their church or social circles, who need representation for their small business. Most of these small businesses and individual clients had never contacted an attorney until they had an issue arise. “Most of the time with our smaller business clients, we are hired because they receive a notice about something and realize there are holes in their policies. Or if it is a family owned business, they may realize that Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles

they could be personally responsible in a legal issue and want to protect their assets.” The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm provides legal representation to businesses of all sizes from sole proprietors to start-up and emerging companies, private and public corporations, limited liability companies, and other business organizations. Because they have corporate and employment attorneys on staff, they can help you with the legal steps to form a new business or the contracts and legal documents needed to protect your employees and your company. If you do have a legal issue that arises, you can trust that they will handle the issue in a timely manner so that you can get back to focusing on what is important to you. Their expert trial lawyers are committed to helping you protect and preserve your assets. Estate Planning, Wills, & Trusts: Whether you need a simple will or trust or are looking for business succession planning, The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm can help. Christina

Hebert joined the firm more than 10 years ago and has over 20 years of experience representing individuals and families in their estate planning needs. The firm has assisted hundreds of families in the North Tampa area with these necessary documents and does so in a neighborhood environment helping the client feel at ease with the process. It is important for anyone who has assets to set up a will or trust. Otherwise, your assets will pass according to state laws and those may not be consistent with your wishes. Having a will or trust written by a legal professional will protect your loved ones and favorite charities. If you are a family run business or a large corporation, you may want a plan of succession for your business and the Bleakley Bavol Law Firm can help develop that. Bleakley credits the firm’s focus on building trust with its clients as the reason it has been so successful. “Trust is so important; the client has to know that their lawyer is looking out for them. Most people start with a

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preconceived notion that lawyers are only looking out for their own best interests. Here, we teach our lawyers to prove otherwise. Anyone can say they put their client’s first, but at this law firm we strive to prove it every day.” At The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm you get the best of two worlds: the experience, professionalism, and competitiveness of a large downtown firm combined with the trust, friendliness, and convenience of a neighborhood law office. The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm provides personalized attention from lawyers who truly care about you and your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your business. The Bleakley Bavol Law Firm is located at 15170 North Florida Avenue in Tampa. The firm is open 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri., and by appointment outside normal office hours. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call (813) 221-3759 or visit www.bleakleybavol.com. DECEMBER 2017

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The Hen House - A Gathering Place… Where You Can Also Shop, Celebrate & Create! by Carla Selby What happens when 3 happy hens decide to get together to share their passion for pretty things, parties and people? The Hen House! Your go-to gathering place during this Holiday season and beyond. The Hen House offers a wide variety of unique clothing, jewelry, gifts, home decor, candles, artisan crafted goods, spectacular florals, creative workshops… and so much more! There's definitely something for everybody at the Hen House. Crafting at home alone? Don't have all the right tools? The Hen House has all you need to finish that lingering craft project. The hens warmly invite you to come over and craft with them! They have a fully stocked craft bar with many supplies for you to use. They welcome you and your unfinished craft projects during craft bar hours, which are Tuesday through Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm. Cost is $10 per hour. Have you ever dreamed about painting but do not know where to start? The Hen House offers a beginner open studio with Kim Seymour every Thursday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. This is an instructor moderated class where the basics are taught and you can come with an idea of what you would like to paint and they will happily show you how to bring it to life. The hens prefer that you sign up for all of their classes, including Open studio, in advance by visiting their

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website www.thehh.con or by calling the store. Need to decorate a table for a special occasion or want to send that special someone a little something to brighten their day? The Hen House is also a full service floral boutique! So you can find gorgeous fresh flower arrangements for your table or a beautiful bouquet for a loved one. Do you have a special request? Contact the hens directly to place a special floral order for your next big event. The Hen House also accommodates small private parties for

special occasions such as birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers and such. So, whether you want to do a little Holiday shopping for yourself or your loved ones, if you are wanting to try something crafty, simply looking to throw a small party or if you just wish to curl up in their Cozy Coop (aka Hospitality Corner), The Hen House will have a perch ready for you! Your little chicks are always welcome, too! We encourage you to log on to www.thehh.com for a list of their incredibly fun December Workshops.

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Some of them include painting a beautiful reindeer on a wooden pallet, bringing your own small piece of furniture to give it a new look, creating your own decorative wreath for Christmas and so much more. Please purchase your desired workshop online to reserve your spot or call the Hen House directly. The Hen House is located at 11730 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618. Phone Number is: (813) 2644367.

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A Passion for Waxing Creates a Career By Deborah Bostock-Kelley It has been said when you live your passion, you never have to go to work a day in your life. For Cerapiel owner Lina Diaz, this statement has never been truer. She walks upstairs to her salon tucked into the left corner of a shopping complex, never checking the clock, never counting down till break time or end of day, and spends her day making her clients feel beautiful in her womenonly waxing salon. “It feels so good to be here,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like work at all. I get to work with so many different personalities. Every day is different and I’m excited to meet the next person.” The words cera and piel mean skin wax in Spanish and Lina merged the two words to name her company. “We do the whole body – hairline, eyebrows, face, underarms, arms, bikini, legs, even toes – everything,” she explained the services available to her female

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clientele. A licensed esthetician since 2013, Lina discovered she had a gift with body waxing and although she enjoyed working in someone else’s salon, her dreams were bigger. Encouraged by both her clients and her husband, she transitioned in April 2016 from employee to business owner. Lina describes herself as naturally hyper, and the task of waxing requires concentration, so it was the perfect match to use her ability and funnel her boundless energy. Lina and her staff are considered masters of body waxing. One simply needs to read her 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook to see the common denominator – “professional… friendly… fast… affordable.” Lina uses an exclusive cloth-free wax from Spain and takes time to get to know her clients. For new clients, she reviews every step of the procedure as many are nervous about pain involved. She’s discovered the

service feels more comfortable for her customers when she explains the process in layman’s terms. “Often, they say afterwards, the anticipation was worse than the skin waxing,” she explained. “What separates us from the competition is I decide how much time I spent with my customers. This is a private personal service. I know all my clients by name – they’re not a number. I pride myself on our personal touch.” After the first waxing, Brazilian takes no more than 15 minutes to complete. Lina recommends coming in every 4 weeks for follow-ups. “Through the constant maintenance of waxing, the hair grows back thinner and finer. The process is less painful when you come in regularly.” A testament to her ability, in a little over a year, Lina has amassed nearly 2,000 clients who come in recurrently for service. She credits her coupon on Groupon and consistent referrals for introducing

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Camila Mafla, Lina Diaz and Haley Burns Cerapiel to Carrollwood and the surrounding neighborhoods. They discover the incredible job she and staff do and become steady clients. Though already deeply

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Cerapiel is located at 3418 Handy Rd, Suite 204 discounted at the regular price of $40, for new customers, Lina offers an introductory Brazilian service at just $20. If clients bring in 3 referrals, they get $10 off their waxing service.

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All waxing service is by appointment only and Lina makes scheduling extremely convenient on her website or by text to her cell phone. Holiday specials include three Brazilians for $99, a savings of $21, three full bikinis for $89, a savings of $16, and three bikini lines for $79, a savings of $11. Lina also offers treatment for home care in the form of Ultralux, a

natural vegan skincare that hydrates and exfoliates. Gift certificates are always available for purchase in the salon. Lina summarized what she enjoys best about providing wax services to girls and women in her community. “I love that I can turn my ability and passion into results for someone. This is definitely not boring. Action is my passion.” Cerapiel is located at 3418

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Handy Rd, Suite 204. Cerapiel is open Tuesday through Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 11am-7pm, and Saturday, 11am to 5pm. To learn more, find out about additional services, or to make an appointment visit the website at www.cerapiel.com or call Lina at (813) 240-8792. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Mother's Restaurant Good Food, Good Friends and Good Living By Carla Dubis If you love fresh flavors, innovative seasonal cuisine and an atmosphere where you are greeted like a member of the family, then Mother’s Restaurant is the place for you. Nestled in the heart of Westchase in Tampa, Florida, Mother’s Restaurant is your new home away from home. Mother's Restaurant, ran by Joseph Busicchia and business partners Joel Olinski and Brad Spoor, has a relaxed home-away-from-home atmosphere consistent with their philosophy to approachable, affordable dining. The team at Mother's understands that the right restaurant experience can turn the ritual of going out to eat into a celebration of good food, good friends and good living. Mother's Restaurant owner, Joseph Busicchia, says "We are committed to providing your family with a combination of well thought out, simply-prepared food and energetic family-friendly atmosphere that maintains the highest quality standards."

What makes Mother’s Restaurant different? "Experience. Our team has over 96 years of restaurant experience and we are committed to bringing you the freshest, seasonal food at affordable prices," says Joseph. "Our scratch kitchen, lead by Chef Primo Amicucci, has cultivated long-standing relationships with local farmers and food purveyors in the area enabling him

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to create signature, mouth-watering dishes that are unique and delicious." So whether you are going for brunch, lunch or dinner, be ready to be wowed by Chef Primo's culinary skills. If you're stopping for lunch, make sure to order a few of their "shareables," to enjoy with coworkers or friends on any given day. Like the mac and cheese bites, made with truffle oil, smoked chipotle gouda, served with cheese dipping sauce, or the Mom's Potachos. This shareable favorite consists of smashed yukon gold potatoes, flash fried, white cheddar, chopped bacon, diced red onion, tomatoes, smoked chipotle gouda cheese sauce and sour cream. And, if you're a seafood lover, like me, you will absolutely love the Smoked Fish Tacos. Slow smoked fish spread, pickled jalapeños and cabbage, served on the most amazing malanga root shells. This is a dish you will not want to pass on. Julie Neppel says this about her experience at Mothers; "Just awesome!!! The cocktails are great, food was excellent and the staff too! Gives you a neighborhood feel. Loved it. Had a blast. No complaints at all! Definitely going to be a regular spot for us. My mouth is still watering from the mac n cheese bites!!! Mmmmm. Support these guys!" Mother's dinner menu offers some of the same lunch favorites and shareables, but it is enhanced with a larger variety of sandwiches, including several types of juicy burgers, as well as multiple salad and flatbread options. But they definitely take it to another level with their main courses, like their

Smoked Fish Tacos braised skirt steak risotto; slow braised skirt steak, traditional cacao e peppe risotto and mushrooms. Another dinner dishes worth mentioning are the braised pork shank served with garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, celery, shallots and flash fried parsnips, and the chicken saltimbocca, served with garlic, prosciutto, sage, provolone cheese, house made saltimbocca sauce, fire roasted artichoke hearts, capers and tomatoes atop angel hair pasta. Make sure to enjoy your food with a crafted cocktail or a glass wine. Mother's bar is headed by business partner and one of the top mixologist in Tampa Bay, Joel Olinski. The bar boasts a drink menu of handcrafted, custom cocktails that incorporates only the finest ingredients combined in creative ways. “The Drunken Piggy” is one of their signature drinks, and it consists of bourbon, apple simple syrup, plum bitters and walnut bitters served in a smoked glass, topped with a slice of candied-peppered bacon and a filthy cherry. Gin S. from Tampa says; “Three of us ordered the Drunken Piggy craft cocktail and three ordered Moscow Mules. The ladies with the

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Drunken Piggy raved it was simply the perfect drink…fantastically perfect. We ended the night sharing the bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and followed Joel’s recommendations to add a few filthy cherries we strongarmed from him, and OMG!!! Delicious!!! It was an amazing night, with amazing food and amazing service. By the time we left we felt like we had visited with long known friends at a neighborhood restaurant we had been going to for years! We already have plans to make this our go to hangout!” Another popular drink is Mother’s famous “Poptini,” which is a martini with a twist, as it is served with a frozen colorful Popsicle inside the most delicious concoction. They are not only a pleasure to see but also to sip. And only at Mother’s you’ll be able to enjoy a “Mamarita,” which is Mother’s version of the traditional Margarita, but what makes it truly unique, it is the fact that comes served with watermelon ice cubes. In addition to an extensive wine list, Mother's proudly serves their own private label wine, vinted especially for them in Italy.

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Braised Skirt Steak Risotto

Don’t leave without trying their home made desserts! There’s always room for dessert at Mother’s. Especially when the options include a very unique orange mocha crème brulino, the traditional and always delicious bananas foster, a moist four-layer chocolate cake, a chocolate bread pudding with Jameson whisky sauce or a gingerspiced carrot cake, all served with a side of vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Weekly Specials, Live Entertainment and Family Friendly Events On Mondays, let someone else do the cooking and cleaning and head to

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Mother’s for their incredible 7-dollar Sloppy Joes and Chicken Pot pies. On Tuesday’s let Mother’s take care of your kids! All kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. Get over the hump and head to Mother’s on Wednesdays for 5-dollar flat breads and Poptinis. Thursday nights have a more classic and romantic vibe with half off bottles of their finest wine selections. The second Thursday of every month is for adults only. Mother’s restaurant invites you and your friends to LOL at their comedy night. Come enjoy a shareable and your favorite drink while laughing out loud at some of the funniest local comedians.

Drunken Piggy

Mother's Restaurant kicks it up a notch on the weekends and features live music on Friday and Saturday nights. They also host fun parties and community events. Everyone and their ‘Mothers’ are invited. Pun partially intended. In addition, they have a daily late-night menu to accommodate everyone’s schedule. Saturday and Sunday Mother’s restaurant offers brunch from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The brunch features bottomless mimosas, bloody mary's and sangrias for only $12.99 per person! Enjoy your drink of choice with a twist on a classic and get yourself some Crab Eggs Benedict. They also offer classic omelets, a variety of

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quiches, chicken and waffles and their French toast sliders that is to die for. If you have little ones, there's something for them as well! With delicious and affordable kid's breakfast options like "wakey wake eggs and bakey," your kids will be happy and so will you. Joseph Busicchia says "It is our number one goal to build excellent, long-standing relationships with our guests so that we can continue to serve you and your family again and again. We welcome you to our table!" Mother's Restaurant is located at 12227 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33626. Please log on to mothersfl.com for more information or call 813-814-1533.

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A Necessary Conversation Takes Unflinching Look at Bullying, Mental Health, Gun Violence and Those Left Behind to Pick Up Pieces A Necessary Conversation, an original theatre production joining two short plays dealing with bullying, mental health, gun violence and its aftermath will be on stage in the Straz Center for the Performing Art's TECO Theatre on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Written by two teachers, Peter Nason and Deborah Bostock-Kelley, A Necessary Conversation features two poignant performances that debuted in 2017 to stellar reviews and positive audience response Nason's 47 Reasons to Live at the Tampa Fringe Festival and BostockKelley's 11:11 at Tampa Bay Theatre Festival. His tells the tale of the inner workings of a potential school shooter and hers explores the survivors left behind. After seeing each other's production, Deborah and Peter realized the messages they were writing about were perfect bookends for one another. The gun violence topic was timely and the plays provided an opportunity to start a

DECEMBER 2017

conversation educators, parents and teenagers should be having. “When I wrote the play almost 10 years ago, I put it away because something similar to the events in it happened AFTER I was writing it, so it sat in a drawer for years. I tweaked it a few years later, and a student of mine—Caleb Brening—suggested that I send it out,” said Nason. “Little did I know, but the world has gotten crazier, and the events in the play are more pertinent now than they were nearly a decade ago when I wrote it. In some ways, it’s as if I woke up and wrote the play this morning.” Directed by Nick Hoop, 47 Reasons to Live, a dark reflection on a school shooting, will not leave you like some performances do. Caleb Brening’s performance as James will get under your skin and stay there long after the show ends. “My play deals with educators trying to figure out what to do with a very troubled student. It poses some very tough questions because

that’s the tough world that we face— as teachers, as parents, and as teens,” said Nason. “How do we reach that troubled kid? What do we do to help him…but also to help ensure that those kids who could be affected by his actions remain safe?” In Bostock-Kelley's 11:11, the play examines how mothers in a grief support group attempt to put on the façade of a normal life after experiencing a parent's worst nightmare - the traumatic and violent loss of a child. Directed by Bostock-Kelley, 11:11 features the talents of Amy C. Ragg, Monique Brown, David Fraga, and Kym Welch, familiar faces to Tampa Bay community theatre. “This was written in 2016 after I saw another Facebook post about a child who killed himself because of in school and online bullying. His parents never knew, and only discovered the tormenting he went through after his suicide,” said Bostock-Kelley. “11:11 examines the other side. What if the bullied child

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couldn’t take it anymore, and something inside just breaks? And what happens to the family left behind?” In August 2017, Bostock-Kelley submitted an application and applied for a grant and the opportunity to fund their theatre project. In September 2017, she was honored to be one of two recipients awarded Theatre Tampa Bay's Jeff Norton Dream Grant. She reached out to the Straz Center with their concept and the venue graciously helped make their vision a reality. "Now more than ever, we need to have this dialogue," she said. "Before the digital age, you could go home and get away from the bullies. I can’t imagine being a bullied child today in the technology world. There’s no place to escape. Compounding this topic, no matter what your stance is on guns, gun violence is an epidemic. You just need to log on to social media to learn about another in this series of senseless tragedies. When is the next

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one too many? How many more hashtag-names-strong do we need before someone says no more?" A Necessary Conversation features two performances, 3pm and 7pm on January 20. The evening show includes a question and answer talkback session following the production. The talkback panel includes Robert Allen, a father who recently lost his bullied son to suicide; Freddy Barton, Safe and Sound Hillsborough, an organization founded in 2013 to address violence

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in the family, school, or neighborhood; Wendy Malloy, Tampa volunteer lead, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America; Emily Surak, 2017 Miss America's Teen Miss Central Florida Outstanding Teen who volunteers with Crisis Center and is using her platform to discuss teen suicide prevention; The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay; Ashley Ryan Lord from Anti-Bullying Action Committee for Hillsborough County/ Kids on the Block, and other expert speakers still

to be identified. Everytown- Moms Demand Action, Tampa Chapter is the community partner and the recipient of ticket sales of the evening show. Both playwrights hope A Necessary Conversation will cause the reflections, the remembrances of over 200 school shootings since 2013 and start the discussion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what can we do to fix a broken child and stop violence before it happens. A Necessary Conversation will be presented at TECO Theatre

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January 20. Performances are 3pm and 7pm. The evening show includes question and answer talkback panel. Tickets for day show are $15 and evening show with talkback are $20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.lifeamplified.ticketleap.com/anecessar yconversation012018. Stay up to date with the performance by liking A Necessary Conversation on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/a necessaryconversation012018.

DECEMBER 2017

“Samantha Taylor” Continued from page 1 work. Part of her success comes from her understanding of the issues we all face when it comes to food and nutrition. “I was a food addict,” says Samantha. “Like most people I was taught the wrong way to eat food. I had to learn how to change my relationship with food. I still love food and enjoy it but have made the decision to not eat food that causes diseases and is bad for my body.” Samantha says that on her 40th birthday, her husband challenged her to give up sugar. “It seemed like a massive thing to do because I was a sugar addict but my first goal was to go 3 months without sugar.” Samantha says that giving up sugar and other harmful foods does not mean you have to eat bland, boring meals. In fact when you are a member of Samantha Taylor Fitness you have a nutrition educator developing yummy recipes for you and giving you customized grocery lists to make your weekly meal planning a breeze. “Everyone loves the zucchini lasagna,” says Samantha. “For my birthday the staff made our no sugar, low carb,

DECEMBER 2017

gluten free cheese cake. It is delicious.” Samantha has these and other holiday treat recipes for cookies and chocolate pecan pie posted on her web site for Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles readers to check out. Another special offer just for our readers this month is 10% off the entire program. “I’d like to motivate people to start getting in shape before the New Year. Don’t put it off any longer. In December you need to start thinking and planning for January.” Don’t be that person, who gains weight during the holiday season, be the one who loses it and get 2018 off to a great start. Samantha has helped many clients who thought they were too old or too far-gone to lose weight. Her client Kate, just celebrated her 65th birthday by going zip lining, mountain climbing and horse back riding. “When Kate first came to me she was 50 pounds overweight,” said Samantha. “When I met her, she was one of the most upset people I’d met for she felt hopeless. She said she could not believe how fat and old she had gotten and that it was just who she was and she’d come to accept that.” Samantha told Kate that she had to make up her mind to live

Samantha Taylor differently and Kate accepted the challenge because she didn’t have anything else to lose. Fifty pounds later and Kate is a totally different person with a new outlook on life. “I’m so glad that God brought Samantha into my life,” she said. “Feeling this good at 65 and celebrating my birthday like this has been absolutely amazing.”

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Samantha also sees a lot of clients who have been exercising their whole lives but have stopped seeing results. “Judy who is 62 worked out for an hour and a half every day for 2 years but was not seeing any results. She joined my program and lost 31 pounds in 4 months. She was overtraining and her nutrition was not in line. She just came to a

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seminar we held on surviving the holidays without gaining weight and said, ‘I don’t tell myself I’m on a diet just that I made some adjustments to

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my nutrition. Samantha showed me the way to do that.’” In addition to the nutritional education and support, Samantha Taylor clients also have a Life Coach cheering them on and helping them through the program and 30-minute exercise programs tailored for the way they want to work out. “We have 2 different types of 30-minute exercise programs. Personal training is a more private, customized training either 1-on-1 or in a semiprivate or small group setting and Fitness Boot Camp is a faster paced, more intense group workout led by our personal trainers.” When you talk to Samantha, her enthusiasm is infectious and her desire to help others impressive. “Our country is in a massive health crisis. One out of 3 people die from cancer and one of 2 suffer from heart issues. We need to change that. My goal is to open 20 locations throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. My mission is to positively impact 10,000 families in those communities over the next 5 years.” An ambitious goal for sure but one that does not seem impossible when Samantha is taking it on as a challenge.

If you want to be one of those people positively impacted, if you’ve struggled with weight gain and are ready to make a change, schedule an appointment with Samantha Taylor Fitness. With just 30 minutes of exercise 2-3 times a week and guided nutritional support; you’ll be on your way to a happier, healthier you. Be sure to mention you read about the program in Tampa Bay Neighborhood News & Lifestyles to get 10% off when you join in December. Samantha Taylor Fitness has studios in Land O’Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood and Westchase. The Carrollwood

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location is located at 5020 Gunn Hwy, #250. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (813) 377-3739 or visit www.SamanthaTaylorFitness.com.

DECEMBER 2017

“CCC” Continued from page 1 One of the shining stars at the Carrollwood Country Club is its golf course – 27 holes of Champion Ultra dwarf greens means you have 3 different courses to choose from. The conditions of play are always excellent thanks to the greens keeper Chuck Cakmacki or the “Mad Scientist of Grass” as he’s known around the club. “CCC’s golf course is consistently in fantastic shape because of his skills and knowledge,” says Renee. Another reason CCC members love their golf course is because members have the choice to walk instead of ride a golf cart. “Many courses do not give you that option,” says Renee. In addition to being able to play 3 varying course rotations, CCC members also have access to full practice facilities, a dual driving range, 2 putting areas and a chipping area. Those that need some guidance and tips can improve their swing with the help of the Club’s golf pro. Tennis & Aquatics Center: The sparkling Junior-Olympic swimming pool is the centerpiece of CCC’s Tennis & Aquatics Center. Surrounded by a beautiful deck with cabanas and lounge chairs, there is plenty of room for parents to relax and recharge while their children enjoy a swim. Younger kids love the fenced in Splash Pad and the covered playground. The center also features 8lighted Hydro Tennis Courts, a fitness center with state-of-the-art

DECEMBER 2017

Left to right: Renee Constantine, Danny Black, Jim Kelly, Kathy Wan, Gil Cote, Shawn Gordon, Chris Cary and Chuck Cakmakci equipment, group exercise classes, and certified personal trainers, and pristine locker rooms. CCC is the home of the Carrollwood Village Swim Team, a competitive USA Swimming Team. CCC is also home to the Carrollwood Village Master's Swimming Program, an adult team for competitors, triathletes, or just those who enjoy swimming laps and being part of a fun group. Their Swim America swim lesson programs are for children and adults of all ages. They also offer tennis lessons and clinics for players as young as 3.

And during spring break and summer children can enjoy sports camp. Social Activities: Your social calendar will be full when you join CCC. From movie nights and BBQs by the pool, to special dinners and live entertainment throughout the week, CCC truly has something for everyone to enjoy. CCC has one of the best chefs in Tampa preparing food to delight all diners and when you’re a member, you get to enjoy some of the best dinner events around town – Surf & Turf, Prime Rib Night and a delicious Pasta Buffet. For special events CCC really

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pulls out all the stops with unbelievable brunch buffets, entertainment for the adults and activities for the kids. “Some of our most popular events are our Mother’s Day Brunch and Christmas and Easter Buffets,” said Renee. No matter what your reason for joining, you’re sure to enjoy all the benefits offered to members at CCC. "We have loved being members at Carrollwood Country Club," said Katie Armstrong. "Our children love the swimming pool and have become stronger swimmers through lessons and the swim team. Our daughter

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and her friends have been to summer sports camp twice and are already asking to go next year. We always have so much fun when we go and have met and become friends with many new families. Everyone there from members to staff is always friendly and welcoming. The weekly pasta nights are a family favorite but the event we like best is the 4th of July party." Special Event Facilities: CCC has 4 distinctive banquet rooms and a spacious terrace where you can host your special event. From weddings, bar and bat mitzvah and quinceaneras to business meetings and golf outings CCC expert staff

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will help you plan the perfect event. When you host your party or meeting at CCC you’ll have the benefit of experienced catering staff creating gourmet cuisine, an onsite event coordinator to oversee every detail, complete audio visual services and luxury condo hotel accommodations for your guests. These facilities are available to the public but member of CCC get priority options and a discount on facility rental. Another benefit of being a member of CCC is the more than 17 golf courses and facilities across the country where you will have reciprocal benefits You can take in a

round of golf, play a tennis match, enjoy a swim, or dine at a 4-star restaurant in clubs all across the United States from Florida to Arizona, Maryland to Georgia. Schedule a Visit Today: If you’ve never been to CCC, you don’t know what you’re missing. Schedule a tour today to view the best country club facilities in the Tampa Bay Area. Next year when

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you’re lounging by the pool or enjoying dinner on the terrace, you’ll be glad you did. Carrollwood Country Club is open every day except Christmas. They are located at 13902 Clubhouse Dr. For more information about membership or banquet facilities or to schedule a tour, visit www.carrollwoodcc.com or call 813-961-1381.

DECEMBER 2017

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DECEMBER 2017

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