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Volume 18 Issue 4

WESLEY CHAPEL Inside:

Romance? Think Don CeSar!

NEWS

See page 27!

February 13, 2010

The Direct-Mail Newspaper Serving Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Since 1993! THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IS DIRECTLY MAILED TO: WESLEY CHAPEL: Aberdeen • Belle Chase • Brookside • Chapel Pines • Country Walk • Lexington Oaks • Meadow Pointe • New River • Northwood • Pinewalk • Pine Ridge • Saddlebrook • Saddleridge Estates • Saddlewood • Seven Oaks • Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg NEW TAMPA: Arbor Greene • Cory Lake Isles • Cross Creek • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • West Meadows

WCH’s Sean Gaudet Named Pasco’s Teacher Of The Year! By Michael Smith Wesley Chapel High (WCH) drama teacher Sean Gaudet is one of an increasingly rare breed these days. While more and more teachers are expressing dissatisfaction with the demands of their profession — the long hours, the low pay, the pressures of being held accountable for their students’ success — Gaudet, who recently was named Teacher of the Year by the Pasco Education Foundation, seems genuinely happy spending his days in the classroom. Before joining the WCH faculty 11 years ago, the 40-year-old Massachusetts native was a customer service team leader for a grocery store that was bought out by the Whole Foods Market chain, and, while the harsh winters of his home state were one of his reasons for heading south, Gaudet says he had another dream in mind as well. “I always had this romantic vision of being a teacher in a small town in

Florida, where people would recognize you at the grocery store and that kind of thing,” he says. “It just seemed to me like a good life.” After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1992, Gaudet became certified as a teacher, but he says the system in Massachusetts is very hard to break into, so, after spending nine years in the grocery business, he just up and moved to Tampa, where his father lives, “to get back on my track,” as he says. He came to Florida with no job and no home of his home, and at first found that it wasn’t much easier to get work as a teacher here. But, he eventually was hired to head up the drama department at WCH, mainly, he says, because no one else wanted to. Now, however, even though he himself had limited theatrical experience in his own days as a student, performing in one production of “Hello, Dolly!” as a senior in high school,

Wesley Chapel High drama teacher Sean Gaudet has been named Teacher of the Year by the Pasco Education Foundation. Gaudet says he is now living his dream. who they really are, rather than simply “I love my job,” he says. “I feel on studying and passing tests. fulfilled, and I love my students. It’s “It’s less of a forced march,” he very rewarding, and I don’t know why says. “Unlike in, say, math, where if I’d ever want to change that.” you flunk a test, it’s just another test, Gaudet, with his easy-going attibut here, when you’re working on a tude and neat ponytail, could almost play or film and you flunk, it also pass for a high school student himself, affects a lot of other people who are and he seems to enjoy a great rapport counting on you. So, [drama] really with those in his classes. Part of that, teaches cooperation and accountability, he says, is because of the nature of his and how to play together nicely, and class, which allows students to focus on there are quite a few adults I know expressing themselves and finding out See “Gaudet” on page 4.

Wesley Chapel Man Receives Life Sentence For 2008 Shooting

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Local Dealer Responds To Toyota Recall, A Visit To The Fabulous Don CeSar Resort & Spa, Valentine’s Gift Ideas From T’s A Look At The New FHZ Orthopedic Boutique At The Grove & Other V-Day Institute, High School Soccer & Recommendations & More! Basketball Updates & More!

See pages 3-26!

See pages 27-36!

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS & SPORTS UPDATES

Abrams had advanced towards him. Several prosecution witnesses testified, however, that it was Stoddard who had brought the gun to the fight, and that he had shot Abrams first in the leg, and then two more times after Abrams fell to the ground. Stoddard was originally charged with first-degree murder, but after deliberating for 90 minutes, the seven-woman, five-man jury reduced the charge to second-degree murder. Circuit Judge Pat Siracusa then handed down the life sentence, which See “News Briefs” on page 4.

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

who Stoddard believed had broken into his home and stolen some of his belongings, including a TV, DVD player and a Playstation video game console. Edward K. After the shootStoddard ing, Stoddard went on the run and was finally arrested on May 7, 2008, after a brief standoff with police at a residence in Dade City. During his trial, Stoddard claimed that it was Abrams who had pulled the gun while the two were arguing in the driveway of a home on Mangrove Dr., where the two men lived, and that he had only shot the younger man after

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 2801

Two years ago, Edward K. Stoddard kept authorities guessing as to his whereabouts for more than two weeks, as they sought him for questioning in connection with a deadly shooting in the Angus Valley area of Wesley Chapel. Anyone who wants Stoddard now

will know where to look for him for the next 25 years, however, since he was sentenced in January to life in prison after being found guilty of second degree murder. The shooting took place on the afternoon of April 23, 2008, after Stoddard, who is now 30, confronted a neighbor, 26-year-old Doug Abrams,

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Salvation Army, Goodwill Success Another Sign Of The Times An editorial by Gary Nager I remember a time, a few short years ago, when a number of folks (especially those who lived near S.R. 54) were none too thrilled about a Salvation Army Thrift Store opening in Wesley Chapel. There were those who said it wasn’t the right image for the community, others who were concerned that vagrants would congregate outside the building (located west of the corner of S.R. 54 and Old Pasco Rd.), etc. Flash forward to the 2008 and 2009 holiday shopping seasons. Although I have no hard numbers or proof of this, I’m betting that there were more people shopping in the Salvation Army store BOTH years than there were at the nearby Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center (the one visible from the intersection of I-75 and S.R. 54), despite the presence of retail giants like Best Buy, TJ Maxx and Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Grove. I had never done any serious shopping at a Salvation Army store before, but whether you need clothes, a 27inch-TV, knickknacks for the house or a complete living room package, the quality of the merchandise at the local donation/retail center is definitely higher than I expected and the prices are always at least fair. And, every now and again, you come home with a really great bargain. It’s almost like flea market shopping, something I personally Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483

Website: WCNeighborhoodNews.com Adv. E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: NTNNEdit@yahoo.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondent Melissa O’Brien

Advertising Customer Service Manager David Zacharia Art Director Billing Manager Tony Sica Ashley Knoblach Office & Marketing Assistants Jacob Glenn • Karen Glenn

Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 18, Issue 6, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Friday, February 26, 2010. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2010 JM2 Communications, Inc.

never really got into, although I know many men and women who like nothing better than to bargain hunt at the flea market on a Saturday afternoon. I therefore wasn’t surprised that I heard no quibbling over the impending opening of the new (and significantly larger, at 25,000 sq. ft.) Goodwill Industries Donation & Retail Superstore, which opened February 6 in an even more visible location right smack dab on S.R. 56, just east of I-75. Considering that it just opened, I’m sure the merchandise at the new Goodwill store will continue to evolve, but right now, it’s really loaded with nice clothes for men, women and children and lots of decorative household items. There currently isn’t as much of a selection of furniture or electronics as there is at the Salvation Army store, but I’m sure there will be a lot more of those to come as more people see that the sprawling new store is now open. All I know is that both stores are welcome additions for anyone who wants to try to save some money on nice gently used and some new merchandise while helping a good cause. Both Goodwill and the Salvation Army help people in need and until the local economy comes all the way back, more and more of us will definitely appreciate the value of both stores! The Wesley Chapel Salvation Army Thrift Store is located 27040 C.R. 54 (Wesley Chapel Blvd.). Call 991-6830 for hours and more info. The Goodwill Industries Superstore is located at 2390 Willow Oak Dr. For more info, call 751-2047.

You can pick up this three-piece leather sectional couch for just $200 at the Goodwill Industries Superstore on S.R. 56 — if a certain editor doesn’t beat you to it!

Table of Contents NEWS UPDATES...................................Pages 1-13 News Briefs (cont. from Page 1)..................................4 Local Man Acquitted On Bomb Threat Charges, Photographer Offering Clicks For Crutches, Homeless Bandits Arrested Gaudet (cont. from Page 1)...............................................4 WC Toyota Working Overtime On Recall Repairs............6 BBD Widening Begins In New Tampa..........................8-9 City Of Tampa Studying I-75 Bridge Impacts.................10 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar.........................13 BUSINESS UPDATES...................................16-23 USF Dermatology......................................................16-17 Insight Family Eyecare....................................................18 Fl. Hospital Zephyrhills Orthopaedic Institute..........22-23 EDUCATION UPDATES....................................24 Young Inventors Honored, WCE Wildcat Walkathon Encourages Fun & Fitness, Donations Needed For WCH Fund Raiser LOCAL SPORTS UPDATES..............................25 WRH Soccer Team Finishes Second In District; Girls’ & Boys’ Basketball Teams Enter Postseason

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE

A Valentine’s Visit To The Don CeSar Hotel...........27,31 V-Day Gift Ideas From T’s Boutique..............................28 More Local Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas............................29 A Review Of The New Panda Buffet In Tampa Palms....32 Neighborhood Nibbles...................................................33 WESLEY CHAPEL COLOR CLASSIFIEDS...34

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

“News Briefs”

Continued from page 1 requires Stoddard to serve at least a 25 years under Florida’s mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.

Man Acquitted Of Threat To Blow Up State Atty.’s Office

In other court news, another Wesley Chapel man was acquitted January 13 of charges that he had threatened to blow up the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office last fall. In that case, jurors agreed with defense attorneys for Michael J. Wynperle, who argued that it couldn’t be proven that it was their client who made the threatening telephone call on August 4. Wynperle, 36, has a long history of issues with the justice system, and had even been arrested in 2005 after threatening to blind State Attorney Mark Ober by putting lime powder in the air conditioning system of his automobile. That charge was eventually dropped, but Wynperle also made several other phone calls in which he insulted Ober and blamed him for what he felt was persecution by the state, but he denied ever saying that he would blow up the state attorney’s office. Wynperle’s case was bolstered by the fact that the receptionist who had taken the threatening call testified that she couldn’t be certain that it was actually Wynperle on the phone, even though she had positively identified his voice from a recording the day the call was made, and by the fact that no one in the state attorney’s office apparently took it as a serious threat.

Photographer Trading Studio Time For Crutches

We have all been touched by the images and reports of the devastation in Haiti ever since the island nation was struck by a terrible earthquake on January 12, but the tragedy really hit close to home for Lutz photographer Jessica Dana, whose husband and other family members are from there. Fortunately, Dana says that none of her family members were injured in the ‘quake, but she still wants to contribute to the relief efforts, so she is now offering free studio time to anyone who donates a pair of crutches that can be sent to Haiti. Dana says that she knows a doctor who recently visited Haiti and he told her that there is a great need for

crutches, because so many people were injured and had to have limbs amputated after being crushed by falling buildings and other debris. “Haiti is already such a suffering country, and this just makes it ten times worse,” Dana says. Dana says she has worked out an arrangement with a local medical supply company, My Supply Depot, located at 16122 N. Florida Ave. in Lutz, which has agreed to sell pairs of crutches for $35 to anyone who wants to participate in Dana’s “Crutches for Clicks” campaign. She will then trade a 45-minute mini photo session (regularly valued at $75) to people who bring those crutches to her studio. In addition, she also has pledged to donate 10 percent of her total sales during the campaign to the Haitian relief effort. “I just thought this was a good way for me to contribute, and also a way for people who wanted to do something to get something in return for it,” Dana says. The “Clicks for Crutches” campaign ends Wednesday, March 31. For more info, or to schedule a photo session, call 949-8652 or visit JessicaDanaStudios.com.

Homeless ‘Troll’ & His Fellow Bandits Arrested

who [need to] learn how to play together nicely, too.” Since his class isn’t based in strict academics, Gaudet says that he was very surprised to be nominated and named as the county’s top teacher. “My job as director is to make other people look good,” he says. “My time in the spotlight is usually limited to introducing other people and then getting out of the way, so it’s a little weird to be in the spotlight myself. But, it’s also extremely flattering.” When he isn’t teaching, Gaudet says he enjoys spending time with Renee, his wife of ten years, who also

is a teacher, and his daughter. And, contrary to what you might think, he isn’t secretly working on a novel or a movie screenplay of his own, but is content to let his students be the ultimate expression of his life’s work. “It may sound strange, but teaching is my art,” he says. “My job, ultimately, is to be obsolete, because if I’ve done it right, then my students shouldn’t have any need for me when they’re finished.” You can see the results of Gaudet’s inspiration upon his students later on this spring, when they present their work in a one-act play festival that will be held in March, and at the WCH film festival in April. Some of their work also can be seen online, at GaudetWC.com.

third man, Christopher L. Johnson, 24, stood nearby in a threatening manner. Morris then reportedly told the mechanic to hand over his money, but the mechanic managed to get away and called police. When deputies from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, all three of the would-be robbers were arrested on charges of strong-arm robbery. Johnson also allegedly began arguing with the offi-

cers, and eventually had to be sprayed with pepper spray when he began kicking the windows of a patrol car after being placed inside. He was charged with an additional count of obstruction of a police officer in the course of his duty. All three of the men are listed as having no home address, but at our press time, all three were enjoying temporary accommodations courtesy of the Land O’Lakes jail.

“Gaudet”

Continued from page 1

A trio of would-be bandits was arrested earlier this month after they attempted to rob a man who was walking along S.R. 54. According to reports, the victim, who works as a mechanic at the Toyota of Wesley Chapel dealership on S.R. 54, was walking back to work after picking up lunch from a nearby restaurant when he was accosted by the three vagrants in the parking lot of the former Shell gas station at 28104 S.R. 54, near the I-75 interchange. One of the men, later identified as 27-year-old Jimmy L. Morris, reportedly told the victim, “I am a troll. This is my bridge, so you will have to pay a toll to pass.” Meanwhile, one of the other men, Dylan Patrick O’Shea, 18, was trying to pry a metal pipe from the ground to use as a weapon, and the

(L. to r.) Jimmy Morris, Daniel O’Shea & Christopher Johnson have been arrested for attempted robbery on S.R. 54 near I-75..

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Wesley Chapel Toyota Working Overtime On Recall Repairs By Michael Smith For years, Toyota has been among the top-selling, highest-rated brands of vehicles in the U.S., but now, as news of potential dangerous safety hazards on a number of different models continue to surface, the local Toyota dealership has its hands full with calls from worried customers. “Our phones have been on fire,” says Danny Geist, who is the service manager for Wesley Chapel Toyota at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., adjacent to the intersection of S.R. 54 and I-75. The headaches for the Japanese automaker started last November, when some Toyota owners began reporting cases where the gas pedals in certain models were getting caught under the vehicles’ floor mats, causing them to accelerate out of control. “Part of the problem was that when the gas pedal was trapped under the floor mat, by pressing down on the brake pedal, (drivers) were also still pressing down on the gas,” Geist says. That issue prompted a massive recall by Toyota that included more than 4 million of the company’s most popular models, including: the 20072010 model year Camry, 2005-10 Avalon, 2004-09 Prius, 2005-10 Taco-

ma and the 2007-10 Tundra pick-up trucks. At the time, Toyota officials advised drivers to remove the floor mats from the affected models and announced plans to fix the problem by installing new, shorter gas pedals less likely to be trapped under the mats. In January, however, the automaker announced a second recall of vehicles whose gas pedals were prone to sticking part way down, which resulted in a number of reports of accidents caused by “runaway” vehicles. That recall affected another 2.3 million cars and trucks, including approximately 1.7 million that were already under recall for the floor mat issue. The list of affected vehicles provided by Toyota includes: certain 2007-10 Camrys, certain 2010 Highlanders, certain 2009-10 Rav4 models, certain 2009-10 Corollas, 2009-10 Matrixes, 2005-10 Avalons, 2007-10 Tundras and 2008-10 Sequoias. Geist says that the problem has been traced back to pedals that were made by two specific manufacturers, according to the Toyota factory representatives who visited the dealership last week. He also noted that letters have been mailed out to the owners of the vehicles that include those pedals. Geist suggests that if you own one

of the suspected models, you can either wait to receive a letter in the mail, or you can call or visit the dealership, and they can check your car’s VIN number to see if your vehicle is on the recall list. If it is, he says that the dealership does have the parts to make the The expansive service department at Wesley Chapel Toyota repairs in stock, has been extra busy tin light of the recent recalls. and it only takes about 30 minutes advise that you should put the car in to correct the problem, depending, of neutral and steer to the side of the course, upon demand. road, then shut the vehicle off and have But, Geist says that Wesley Chapel it towed to the dealership. Toyota has one of the largest service For more information about the departments around, with 44 service recall, visit Toyota.com. The service bays and two dozen mechanics, and department at Wesley Chapel Toyota they have been staying open for extend- is regularly open Monday-Friday, 7 ed hours to handle recall repairs for a.m.-7 p.m., and 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. both customers and for the vehicles that on Saturdays, but Geist says that they have on the lot. during the recall period, they will be In the meantime, if you own a open until 11 p.m. six days a week, Toyota and experience any problems and also on Sundays, if necessary. with sudden acceleration before you For more info, call 407-5799 or visit can have it serviced, safety experts WesleyChapelToyota.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Bruce B. Downs Widening Begins A New Chapter In New Tampa An editorial by Gary Nager When I attended last month’s public hearing hosted by Hillsborough County public works officials at Paul R. Wharton High about the impending widening of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. between Palm Springs Dr. in Tampa Palms and Pebble Creek Dr., my first thought was, “Wow! Another major New Tampa road project beginning construction in my lifetime!” My second thought, however, was “Uh-oh.” The $40-$42 million widening project now beginning is just the first three years of what is shaping up as at least five years of reduced speeds and even greater tie-ups somewhere on BBD. In other words, it’s definitely going to get and stay worse along New Tampa’s main drag long before it gets better, especially considering that the other two phases of the BBD widening in Hillsborough (from Bearss Ave. to Palm Springs Dr. and from Pebble Creek Dr. to the Pasco County line) may not yet be fully funded and at least one segment may not begin building until after the first segment is completed, even if funding for it becomes available (more on this below). Of course, that means the current bottlenecks on

BBD will just be moved to the northern and southern ends of the first phase of the BBD widening project when it is completed in 2013. Just for clarity’s sake, a few years back, Hillsborough broke BBD into five segments: •Segment A - From Bearss Ave. to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms •Segment B - Palm Springs Blvd. to Richmond Place Dr. (across from the BBD entrance to Flatwoods Park) •Segment C - Richmond Place Dr. to Pebble Creek Dr. •Segment D - Pebble Creek Dr. to the Pasco County Line Rd. •Segment E - County Line Rd. to S.R. 54 (all in Pasco County) The widening project now under way in Hillsborough includes Segments B and C, a 3.5-mile section. The county previously planned to then do the 1.5-mile Segment D before the 3.6mile Segment A, but moved Segment A up on the priority list a couple of years ago and already has full funding for that longest segment, which is scheduled to begin being widened in 2011. But, while Segment D already is designed, former county engineer Scott Passmore, who is now working for the construction engineering firm for the project (KCI Technologies, Inc., of

The current left turn from northbound Bruce B. Downs Blvd. onto Pointe of Tampa Way will no longer be available when the BBD widening project is completed. Tampa), says that while Segment D construction site less than two miles currently is not funded, some new fedlater — for at least two years! eral stimulus funds may make funding Passmore also notes that although of that segment a reality soon, too. there will be plenty of lane closures In addition, although there was no making an already difficult drive along mention of it at the Hillsborough pubBBD even more stressful, the county lic hearing on January 6, Pasco County doesn’t anticipate any actual road cloalready has begun the process of widen- sures during construction of any of the ing its three-mile section of BBD from phases. He adds that although there its current one or two lanes in each might be some issues with some of the direction to three lanes in each direcsegments of the bike path along BBD tion (with additional turn lanes), a proj- during the construction, the bike path ect (as reported last issue) that is itself “has to remain open throughout expected to be completed by the end of the construction.” this year. In other words, when that Other Issues To Deal With construction is concluded, those three If you’ve ever been on a major lanes in Wesley Chapel will have to be roadway when it’s been under confunneled down to two lanes crossing struction (and who hasn’t?), you’ve the county line and then down to the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

probably seen those blue signs that sometimes include the names of the businesses on the other side of the construction. Other times, the signs simply say “Business Entrance,” which is all the construction contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc., is required to provide in the case of this first phase of BBD widening. But, District 7 Tampa City Council member (and Tampa Palms resident) Joseph Caetano has pledged that the city will provide signs that say the actual business names on them. “Even though Bruce B. Downs is a county road and the widening is a county project,” Caetano said at the january 6 public hearing, “all of those businesses (not including those in front of Pebble Creek and Live Oak Preserve) are in the city, so I will get the City Council to provide better signage, because doing business during road construction is hard enough. People definitely still need to be able to find those businesses.” Caetano already has played a role in one improvement now included in the plan — a traffic signal and the ability to turn left out of the Publixanchored New Tampa Center plaza (in front of the McDonald’s and Mobil gas station) at S. Regents Park Dr. Currently, the median on BBD in front of the plaza is closed off, so drivers can only make a right out of that plaza exit.

“It’s hard enough to get out of that shopping center now, without the construction slowing things down even more,” Caetano told interested residents at the public hearing. “A signal and a way to turn left there is definitely the right thing to do.” Caetano also is trying to help out the Frost family, which owns the McDonald’s franchises at both the New Tampa Center and next to Red Lobster in Tampa Palms. The Frosts and the owners of the 7-11 gas station, as well as several other business owners in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms aren’t happy with the fact that the current left turn from BBD northbound into the plaza at the McDonald’s and 7-11 will no longer exist when the construction is completed. “If you’ve ever tried to make the left turn onto Tampa Palms Blvd. in front of Red Lobster during rush hour, you know how hard it can be to get through that turn signal,” John Frost said during the hearing. “And, we’re not the only ones upset about that turn going away.” He notes that he is in discussion with Marriott International, which is in the process of building the SpringHill Suites hotel off Commerce Park Blvd. (near USAA Insurance). “The Marriott people told us they didn’t know the turn wasn’t going to be there anymore,” Frost said. “It’s hard enough to get back there behind

our plaza now, with the turn in place.” Caetano said he didn’t know if there was anything that could be done about the turn going away, but promised to continue to work on the issue.

Green Vs. Green?

Considering the crazy fluctuations in the cost of gasoline, more people than ever are talking about — and pushing for — additional mass transit opportunities, both Tampa Bay areawide and in the New Tampa area. Even so, even the strongest proponents of bringing a light commuter rail system to BBD have to be wondering if this whole BBD widening wouldn’t be a lot easier if the designers of the project didn’t have to include the 20-footwide light rail “envelope” along the entire length of BBD. We were originally told that the only way the light rail would work would be if it went down the center of BBD, so instead of landscaped medians, we’d have commuter trains in the middle of the roadway. Now, however, the BBD widening has been designed to include the rail envelope on the east side of BBD — the same side as the existing 10-footwide BBD bike path. Although light rail may never happen along BBD and even the most realistic estimates say it won’t happen until somewhere between 2025-2050, Passmore did admit at the public hearing that, in some locations along BBD, there may not be enough room for both a rail envelope and the BBD bike path. He didn’t elaborate on where the bike path might have to at least be reduced in size, but how much fun will it be to have to ride your bike alongside speeding trains? I’ve never felt that the light rail system, as proposed, was a good idea for our area, but even the strongest proponents of it would have to agree that pitting one form of green transportation against another would not be ideal. In other words, if it were up to me, I’d rather save the bike path than worry about trains that may never come. Of course, that’s not my call.

Familiar Faces & Struggles

It just so happens that I was about 20 minutes late for the start of the meeting, in part because the traffic on BBD was particularly gridlocked that evening. It’s only five or six miles from my office to Wharton High, which normally takes 15-20 minutes, even during rush hour. That night, however, it took more than 35 minutes for me to make that same trip, but while it was frustrating, I felt it also was fitting. No one who made their way from any part of New Tampa could possibly think BBD doesn’t need to be widened, even though some in attendance I spoke with wished it were only being widened to six lanes total, instead of eight. I also always like it when public officials, most of whom (whether elected or staff members) don’t find their way “up here” from downtown very often, get a first-hand taste of our traffic issues. I’ve been attending meetings like this since 1994 and I have to say it’s always like old home week for me whenever I go back. Many of the people who attended this most recent public hearing are folks who have been involved in New Tampa’s transportation woes as long (or at least almost as long) as I have, from Joe and Debby Amon of Pebble Creek to Bill Schneider of Tampa Palms and from Lutfi Jadallah of Meadow Pointe to Councilman Caetano himself. Like I said earlier, it’s nice that another New Tampa road project is being built in my lifetime — and I’ve been waiting for this one for a looooong time.. But now, here comes the really hard part for us — trying to live — and make a living — in this area while this project is being built. I know it’ll end up being worth it when it’s all said an done, but until then, let’s try to keep our spirits up and our road rage down.

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City Examines Issues Related To The I-75 Bridge Project By Michael Smith While the widening of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. is now under way in both Hillsborough and Pasco counties, the City of Tampa has agreed to delay the start of construction on its planned bridge over I-75 between Tampa Palms and West Meadows. The decision to do so was an effort to placate residents of the two subdivisions who will be most affected by the bridge—residents who expressed fears that if the bridge was built before the widening of BBD began, their neighborhoods would become a bypass route for drivers looking to avoid the dust and delays caused by the widening. However, city officials continue to work towards moving forward with the project, and recently revealed the results of a traffic safety study that the city had commissioned to look at issues related to the bridge project as it would affect the two neighborhoods — West Meadows and Tampa Palms Areas 4 & 8 (nearest to Commerce Park Blvd.). The city hired consulting firm Vanus, Inc., to conduct the study, and according to a presentation given by Vanus representatives and city officials to the members of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Palms Community Development District (CDD) earlier this month, the purpose of the study was fourfold: 1) to identify the citizens’ concerns; 2) to collect current data; 3) to perform necessary traffic analyses; and 4) to make recommendations for potential improvements. The Vanus study concluded that the top areas of concern for residents of the two subdivisions were the potential for cut-through traffic, especially on Tampa Palms Blvd. and on New Tampa Blvd., the effects that traffic would have on the safety of pedestrians, bikers and other drivers, the delays that traffic would cause within the two neighborhoods and other issues related to the decline in quality of life that the traffic problems would be expected to cause.

Vanus’ study looked at both the major roadways and side streets that would most likely be impacted by the bridge project, and included speed and volume counts on all of the roadways and at specific intersections within the project area, turning movements at the intersections and an analysis of the accidents that already occur in those areas. The main roadways examined in the study were New Tampa Blvd. (specifically the segment between Meadow Pine Dr. and BBD), Commerce Park Blvd. (between W. Tampa Palms Blvd. and the Freedom High/ Liberty Middle School campus), the entire length of Tampa Palms Blvd., both east and west of BBD, and Amberly Dr. The study also specifically looked at issues related to access to the Liberty/Freedom campus, access to the New Tampa Center plaza at BBD and New Tampa Blvd., school bus stops on New Tampa Blvd. and access to the West Meadows Community Center. After looking at all those things, the consulting firm made a list of 36 separate recommendations to improve traffic conditions within the study area, both now and when the bridge is built. Most of the recommendations, 14, target New Tampa Blvd., and especially the access to the New Tampa Center. The study noted the hazardous conditions that currently exist at the entrance to the plaza from New Tampa Blvd., where through traffic has to compete with vehicles trying to get into and out of the plaza and the lines of cars that queue up at the BBD New Tampa Blvd. intersection. The study notes that as part of the BBD widening project, dual left turn lanes will be installed from eastbound New Tampa Blvd. to northbound BBD, and an additional eastbound lane will be added for vehicles going across BBD to Cross Creek Blvd. Therefore, they did not recommend that a traffic signal be installed at that entrance, but they did call for one at the plaza entrance at BBD and Regents Park Dr.

S. (which was not originally included in the BBD widening plans, but which has now been added, see the BBD widening story which begins on page 1). Vanus also suggested revising the timing of the existing traffic signal at BBD and New Tampa Blvd., restriping the roadway to reduce some of the confusion for drivers, and changing the landscaping in the median of New Tampa Blvd. to give drivers clearer lines of sight in all directions. Meanwhile, on the Tampa Palms side, many of the study recommendations dealt with access to the school campus on Commerce Park Blvd. Vanus noted that the area becomes a traffic nightmare, especially on school days, when buses mix with both student drivers and vehicles driven by parents trying to pick up their children. “No kids who attend Liberty Middle live on the other side of I-75, so all the cars (driven by parents picking up their children from Liberty) go down there and turn around,” says Maggie Wilson, a consultant for the Tampa Palms CDD. “So when the bridge opens, it going to become an even bigger mess down there.” Among the recommendations that Vanus made to alleviate the situation at the school campus are additional turn

lanes at the school’s northernmost driveway, as well as a part-time traffic signal at that driveway and additional speed limit signs along that stretch of Commerce Park Blvd. Wilson says the CDD Board was told that the city is working with officials from the Hillsborough County School District to make those recommended changes. Other recommendations targeted the intersections of W. Tampa Palms Blvd. and Amberly Dr. and at W. Tampa Palms Blvd. and the Shoppes at The Pointe Plaza, which are both noted as places where accidents frequently occur, and at the intersection of New Tampa Blvd. and Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., where Vanus noted that a traffic signal may be warranted in the future. Although we were unable to reach city transportation officials for comment, Wilson says the city officials she’s talked to have said they are committed to either make the recommended changes themselves, or to work with other entities, such as the Hillsborough County School District, the CDD and the Tampa Palms Homeowners Association, to get them done. A complete copy of the traffic study results can be found at the website for the West Meadows community, West-Meadows.org.

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W ESLEY C HAPEL

Community Calendar

Cancer Survivors Wanted

The Survivors Committee from the American Cancer Society’s Wesley Chapel Relay for Life is looking for cancer survivors and their caregivers to participate in the Relay, which will be held at Wesley Chapel High School on Friday, May 7, beginning at 6 p.m. Survivors and their caregivers will walk the first lap after the opening ceremonies of the event, and there will be a free dinner and dessert following the opening lap for those who participated. All participants also will receive a free T-shirt and other gifts. For more information, please contact survivor chair Shanon Weiss at (484) 336-0527 or by e-mail at wcsurvivorchair@yahoo.com.

Wesley Chapel Toastmasters

Monday, February 15 – The new Wesley Chapel Toastmasters Club meets every Monday, 6 p.m., at the American Consulting Engineers Building (2818 Cypress Ridge Rd., off S.R. 56). Club meetings are open to all interested parties. For more information, call (352) 567-1508 or visit www.toastmastersd84.org.

Free Networking Int’l

Monday, February 15 – Free Networking International (FNI), a group of area business owners, meets each Monday for networking and discussion, 8 a.m., at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26140 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). For more information, call Stacy Dalton at 469-5499.

Business Networking Int’l

Tuesday, February 16 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who work to support each other through qualified business referrals, meets every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at Song & Dance Studio (27221 Foamflower Blvd.) in Wesley Chapel. For more information, contact Nancy Cross at 789-7836 or by email at nancycross@crossrealty.com.

East Pasco Networking Group

Tuesday, February 16 – The East Pasco Networking Group meets every Tuesday morning, 9 a.m., at Beef O’Brady’s (1660 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Shops of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel plaza).

For more information, contact Frankie Ammons at 479-7997 or by e-mail at Frankie@studioglory.com.

Wesley Chapel Rotary Club

Wednesday, February 17 – The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Las Vallarta Mexican Restaurant (in the Village Market shopping center at S.R. 54 & Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). For more information, call 263-7188 or 383-6683.

Civil Air Patrol

Wednesday, February 17 – A new Civil Air Patrol squadron now meets every Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., at Tampa North Aero Park (4241 Birdsong Blvd.). Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the volunteer civilian auxiliary arm of the U.S. Air Force, and membership is open to youths ages 12-18 and their parents. Adult members perform search-and-rescue, disaster relief and other emergency services, while teen members, or cadets, learn through leadership and character-building activities, including flight training. For more information, visit wesleychapelcap.com or call Cheryl Spence at 973-7270.

Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble, a community group of brass and woodwind players, meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54). New members are encouraged to join. For more information, contact Glenn at 746-4821 or by e-mail at trombonegww@juno.com.

Sunrise Rotary

Friday, February 19 – The Wesley Chapel Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Friday at 7:15 a.m. at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26140 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). For more information, call Lynne Wilson at 695-6466.

PACA

Thursday, March 11 – The Pasco Alliance of Community Associations (PACA) meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the Land

O’Lakes Community Center (5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd./U.S. 41). The meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.myPACA.org, or call president Bill Parsons at 991-6003.

‘Savvy Senior’ Series

Thursday, March 11 – The Pasco Education Foundation, Inc., will host another of its “Savvy Senior” workshops, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., at the New River Library (34043 S.R. 54). The “Savvy Senior” series is intended for residents 55 and older and includes information on a variety of topics, including estate and financial planning, healthcare and more. There also will be refreshments and door prizes. The workshop is free to attend, but space is limited, and pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call 310-9772.

ATTENTION: To make sure that our Community Calendar is current, we are asking all club and group representatives to please update their meeting and contact info for 2010. To do so, please send an e-mail to ntnnedit@yahoo. com. You may also submit info by fax at 910-2483 or by regular mail to: New Tampa Neighborhood News, 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa FL 33647, Attn: Community Calendar. Please keep in mind, also, that our Wesley Chapel edition is published every four weeks, and our deadline for editorial submissions is two weeks prior to the cover date of each issue. Please call 910-2575 if you have any questions. Thank you. — MS

Networking For Your Success

Thursday, February 18 – The Networking For Your Success group meets every Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m., at Song & Dance Studio (27221 Foamflower Blvd.) in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call John Anglada at 298-3232 or visit networkingforyoursuccess.com.

Free Resume Workshop

Thursday, February 18 – With unemployment in the county currently at around 13 percent, the Pasco County Library System and Career Central are teaming up to offer a free resume workshop, 6 p.m., at the New River branch library (34032 S.R. 54). Space is limited, so the workshop will be first come, first served. In addition, the Career Central Mobile One Stop bus will be at the library on the first Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., to offer job search assistance. For more information, call 788-6375.

Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble

Thursday, February 18 – The

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USF Dermatology Offers Comprehensive Care For Your Skin By Melissa O’Brien One of the many great quality-oflife features about New Tampa is its close proximity to the University of South Florida (USF). In addition to offering our community great sports and arts events, we auspiciously benefit from being neighbors to a teaching hospital with its many medical advancements and the expert care it provides patients. These benefits include the great team of physicians at the USF Health Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. “One of the most important things we want New Tampa residents to know is that we are here to serve the community,” says professor Neil Fenske, M.D., Chair of Dermatology at USF Health, who was recently named among four dermatologists in the Southeast and 17 nationwide as America’s Top Doctors for Women in Women’s Health magazine. “A lot of patients think they need a referral to see us, but they can come here of their own volition to see our doctors.” “When you come in to see us, you have the added benefit of having

a resident with a physician,” he adds. “It increases the quality of care to have two sets of eyes looking at you and every patient has a team working for them. Dermatology is one of the most competitive and difficult medical specialties. Because it is so competitive, we have the best and the brightest residents.” The physicians at the USF Health Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of both common and rare skin disorders in patients of all ages. From psoriasis and eczema to aging skin and Mohs skin cancer removal (a form of surgery that removes the least amount of tissue), USF Dermatology offers a wide range of services for patients. It is staffed by a team of physicians certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Physicians in the practice in addition to Dr. Fenske include Philip Shenefelt, M.D., Basil Cherpelis, M.D., George Cohen, M.D., and Mary Lien, M.D. Physicians Jane Messina, M.D., and L. Frank Glass, M.D., are dermatopathologists with the team but do not see patients. Patients can often receive same-day

Dr. Neil Fenske, M.D., heads up the USF Dermatology Dept. appointments because of the office’s physician extenders – Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) and Physician’s Assistants (PA) who also can see patients. Dr. Fenske started the department 33 years ago. “It is the only job I have ever had,” he says. Fenske, who lives in South Tampa and is a member of the Ye Mystic Crewe of Gasparilla and the USF Boosters, adds “I have trained many residents who now work throughout the Tampa Bay area and throughout the country.” Dr. Fenske also adds that there has been an evolution in the practice

of dermatology over the years. “There has been a dermatological metamorphosis,” he says. “It is not just acne and warts. Twenty-five years ago, a small part of the practice was skin cancer and melanoma. Across the country now, there is more skin cancer in an aging population. For many years the popular thing to do was to go to the beach. There is a whole wave of older patients who didn’t use sunscreens when they were young. In more recent years, because of people’s interest in remaining youthful, dermatology also transformed into a surgical specialty which is now a major part of our training program.” Dr. Fenske says the beauty of USF’s program is that they offer comprehensive dermatological care. “We have a complete menu of services,” says Dr. Fenske. “We need to be comprehensive providers of services because to be accredited, we need to offer comprehensive training opportunities for our residents.” Some of the other services USF Dermatology offers include cosmetic and general dermatology, treatment for acne, rosacea, sun-tanned skin, laser vein therapy, pediatric dermatol-

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USF Dermatology staff regularly go out into the community to perform community outreach. They offer “Melanoma Monday” cancer screenings and have performed free cancer screenings at sporting events and at community functions around the Tampa Bay area. Sandra Koch of Carrollwood says she likes the USF Dermatology practice because the doctors are knowledgeable about the latest procedures and have perfected their techniques. “There are doctors who perform cosmetic procedures out of their office, but it is not their first specialty,” she says. “Dr. Fenske has perfected his techniques and for him, it is almost like an art. He takes all the necessary precautions and does it with finesse, so I think the results you get are better.” Koch says she first visited the office for a discoloration on her face

but since then has had other cosmetic procedures done as well. “The office staff is, by far, the most professional I have ever been to,” she says. “They make you feel right at home and answer every question you have. I think the community does not take advantage as much as we should of the USF Hospital. They are up on every latest procedure because they are a teaching hospital. Dr. Fenske is always on the cutting edge of knowing what is new.” USF Health Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery has two offices — 12901 Bruce B. Down Blvd. on the USF Campus and 17 Davis Blvd., Ste. 402, on Davis Islands. Both offices are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call the USF office at 974-4744 or the Davis Islands office at 259-8694 or visit www.usfdermatology.com.

Dr. Fenske and two members of his team, residents Sarah Bair, M.D., and Brooke Baldwin, M.D., examine a patient for signs of cancer. ogy, Botox, skin cancer screenings and treatment for skin of color, for which there is a growing need in the community but which few physicians offer. The group even offers hypnosis to

reduce anxiety, needle phobia and pain during cutaneous surgery, as well as reducing postoperative discomfort. In addition to the work they perform in the office, the members of the

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Let The Insight Family Handle Your Family’s Eyecare Needs By Michael Smith Let’s face it, there are a lot of places you can go nowadays that promise to have your new eyeglasses ready in an hour or less, but do you really want to trust your vision to just anyone? If not, then you need to make your next eye appointment at Insight Family Eyecare, at 27607 S.R. 56, Suite 101, in the Seven Oaks retail plaza in Wesley Chapel, where Dr. James Robinson, O.D., and Dr. Leslie Church, O.D., offer a full line of professional services that those one-hour places just can’t match. The husband-and-wife team (he’s a midwesterner from a small town in Kansas and she’s a south Florida native) met while studying at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL, where they both earned their Doctor of Optometry degrees, and have been practicing eyecare in the north Tampa area for 10 years. They both continue to work in private offices, but decided to open Insight Family Eyecare three months ago after noticing that many of their patients were coming from the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas.

“There’s just been [next to] nothing up here for the longest time,” Church says. Now, in addition to carrying a wide selection of glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses for children and adults from designer labels like Coach, Prada, Versace and Nike, as well as other high-quality yet affordable lines, Robinson and Church also offer complete diagnostic exams, specialized testing and fittings to make sure that your family’s vision is the best that it can be. “From the minute you walk in the door, the entire experience here is unique,” Robinson says. “We like to think we’re more thorough in our exams, we can do extra testing, if necessary, we offer better quality products and are more precise with fittings and adjustments than most other places.” “We think it’s like buying a Kia versus a BMW,” Church adds. “It may cost a little more, but the quality is incomparable, and you definitely get your money’s worth.” Being as theirs is a family-oriented practice, Drs. Church and Robinson also emphasize the importance of eyecare for children. That’s why their practice includes machines and testing

methods especially designed for patients as young as six months of age, which you won’t find at most of the chain outlets or in-store optical centers. In fact, Robinson and Church recommend routine eye testing for children beginning at six months, then again at two years of age, and then again when they are ready to start school, just to be sure there are no problems with their vision. “It’s just like any medical condition,” he says. “The earlier (problems) are detected, the better the outcome is likely to be.” “There are a surprising number of children who are labeled as learning diabled, when they actually have a vision problem,” Church adds. Insight also offers specialized testing for wheelchair-bound and disabled patients, as well as those who are unable to communicate verbally. The office can accept a large number of insurance plans and can file insurance claims directly for most patients, even though, as Church says, many people aren’t even aware that their medical insurance includes eyecare coverage. “A lot of people will go to WalMart or other places like that and pay

The husband-and-wife team of Dr. James Robinson and Dr. Leslie Church offer quality eyecare for every member of your family. out of pocket when they could have used their vision benefits,” she says. Regular store hours at Insight Family Eyecare are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. The website is currently under construction, but for more information, call 406-4993 or visit the Insight Family Eyecare page on Facebook.com.

SEVEN OAKS FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

• Access to Discount Dental Plans • Most insurance plans accepted/In-network • Nitrous Oxide Available • Tooth Colored Fillings

• Crowns, Bridges, & Veneers

• Whitening, Zoom! 2 & Take Home Kits • Implant Dentistry

• Extractions, Root Canal Treatment • Digital X-Rays

Welcoming new patients of all ages

Over 14 years experience Seven Oaks Professional Park (Next to Samʼs Club)

2112 Ashley Oaks Circle Dr. Lee Daniels

(813) 907-7313

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Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Responds To Your Orthopaedic Needs By Melissa O’Brien As Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and other bedroom communities in eastern Pasco County continue to grow, so does the need to expand the scope and availability of quality health care services for those areas. As we have previously reported, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills (FHZ) has answered this need and continues to do so, with the opening last October of the FHZ Orthopaedic and Spine Institute (OSI). This new, stateof-the-art office specializes in orthopaedic and spine care, pain management and podiatry for adults and children. “We opened this new facility in order to respond to the needs of the community,” says Alicia Geib, FHZ’s assistant vice president overseeing practice operations. “We have an older population in our community, but our community also is growing. As the community grows, we are able to accommodate a wider spectrum of people of all different ages.” The OSI is located in a separate building about a quarter-mile away from FHZ’s 28-acre campus on Gall Blvd. This Christian-based, not-for-

live in Wesley Chapel – or anywhere in eastern Pasco County, you have access to high-quality care literally right in your back yard.” The physician team at the OSI is led by medical director Samuel The Orthopaedic & Spine Institute of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills combines the experience Agnew, M.D., a Boardand talents of (l. to r.) medical director Dr. Samuel Agnew, Dr. Mazen Abboud, Dr. Joseph certified orthopaedic Condon, Dr. Randolph Knight and Dr. Paul Murphy. surgeon. Dr. Randolph Knight, M.D., is an OSI profit hospital is a member of the hip and knee replacements, sports orthopaedic surgeon with more than Adventist Health System, which owns medicine, arthritis treatment, spine fac25 years of experience practicing in 38 hospitals in ten states and is the tures and kyphoplasty (a procedure eastern Pasco County. Paul Murphy, largest not-for-profit, Protestant designed to treat the pain caused by M.D., also is a Board-certified healthcare system in the U.S. Estabspinal fractures sometimes associated orthopaedic surgeon and Mazen lished in 1985, FHZ (formerly East with osteoporosis). In addition, the Abboud, D.M.P. (Doctor of Podiatric Pasco Medical Center) has experienced OSI also offers foot and ankle care, more than 35 additions or renovations, podiatry, hand care, pain management, Medicine), is Board-certified in Podigrowing to its present-day capacity of physical and occupational rehabilitation atric Medicine; while Joseph Condon, M.D., is Board-certified in Physical 154 beds in a 407,000-sq.-ft., fulland imaging services. service healthcare facility. “What is important is that we are and Rehabilitation Medicine and Pain Management. The OSI can care for patients with easily accessible in the community,” Geib says the OSI physicians can a range of orthopaedic, spine, pain says Geib. “You don’t have to travel perform fracture care, evaluations, take management and podiatric conditions. outside of the area or drive into the X-rays and offer pain management in At approximately 5,000 sq. ft., the city (of Tampa) to get highly qualified the office as well as more complex facility is a one-stop-shop, staffed by a care. It is that way with all of the servorthopaedic services and surgeries at team of highly-trained physicians, ices at our hospital. We also specialize the hospital. In addition, the OSI nurses, therapists and radiology techin cardiac care, radiology, and women’s offers a high-tech radiology departnologists. Services at the new facility services and emergency patients [expement where films can be viewed include general orthopaedic surgery, rience] little to no wait time. If you

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instantly by a radiologist on-site. “We also are fortunate to be able to offer the kyphoplasty procedure because there are not many practices that specialize in it.” Eventually, the office plans to expand its imaging department with ultrasound and an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine. For Dr. Knight, working at OSI means being a part of a great team. “When I was in solo practice here, I was busier than I wanted to be,” says Dr. Knight, who grew up in St. Petersburg and has practiced in Florida – and Zephyrhills – for most of his career. “For many years, I was the only orthopaedic physician in town. As the area grew and the hospital was built, it made sense to create the Institute. By being together we can cross-cover each other and make sure we are taking care of everyone who needs to be taken care of in the community.” Dr. Knight is a general orthopaedist who says, “About a third of my practice is replacing hips and knees. Zephyrhills is a large retirement community. In fact, we have the largest number of adult tricycle injuries in the U.S.” For patient Donna St. Cyr, the new facility hasn’t changed the quality of care she has been receiving for the past 11 years, it just changes the loca-

tion. “Dr. Knight has performed all of my orthopaedic surgeries,” says St. Cyr. “I broke my wrist at Lakeland Mall and before that I had a knee problem that he helped me with. He has taken good care of me. He is a very caring person and he takes the time to listen to you. I have told many people about him.” The Orthopaedic and Spine Institue, an outpatient office of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, is located at 6748 Gall Blvd., about 8 miles east of Wesley Chapel. The office is open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 782-1200.

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W ESLEY C HAPEL Donations Needed For WCH Relay Fundraiser

Education Updates

The Wesley Chapel High (WCH) faculty and staff Relay for Life team will hold a “Crop for a Cure” scrapbooking fundraiser on Friday, March 19, p.m.-8 p.m., at the school. All proceeds from the event will support the

American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life of Wesley Chapel. The team is currently seeking local organizations to support the event by donating door prizes, small items for goodie bags, or food and beverages. For more information, please contact Adeline Brill at 794-8700.

Young Inventors Honored At Seven Oaks Elementary

As part of the school’s annual Young Inventors Fair, Seven Oaks Elementary students in grades three through five were asked to create an invention or adapt an object that already exists. Above, the winners are: (l.-r.) Karlye Finn (alternate), Scott McCleod, Lindsay Elfering, Robbie Sabow, Jessica Kenville, Alex DaGama, Jake Hracho, Lauren Conway, Stefano Marconi (alternate) and Alexi Depp. In the back row are fair coordinator Shannon Schultz, Seven Oaks Elementary assistant principal Shirley Ray and principal BJ Smith.

Students Focus On Fun & Fitness At Wildcat Walkathon As part of its ongoing effort to encourage students to stay fit and active, Wesley Chapel Elementary (WCE) held its annual “Wildcat Walkathon” on Friday, January 22. For the walkathon, the students collected donations from family and friends and then walked or ran around a track set up within the schoolyard, with punch cards to record each lap Amanda Novotny’s third-grade they took. class won a Chik-Fil-A party by completing All proceeds from the event are used to purchase new physi- the most laps during the Wildcat Walkathon. “We want our students and staff cal education equipment for the school, and the class with the highest at Wesley Chapel to reap the rewards average number of laps received a free of being physically fit and live a long Chick-fil-A party at the school. and healthy life,” says WCE physical education specialist Chris Gorman, who adds that the school also recently opened its Wildcat Student & Staff Wellness Center, which has 27 different activity stations that teachers can utilize for physical education. The teachers can also use the center before, during, and after school.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

WRH Boys Soccer Team Finishes Second In District The Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) boys soccer team had a rough end to their season, but still had reason to celebrate after earning the best record in the school’s history and finishing second in Class 4A, District 8. The Bulls finished the season at 18-5-2, led by an outstanding performance by senior Steven Esoff, who scored 33 goals throughout the season, nearly half of the team’s total scoring output.Unfortunately, Esoff was held scoreless in WRH’s final two games, a 4-0 loss against Land O’Lakes High in the District championship, and a 5-1 loss to Mitchell in the Region 4A-2 quarterfinals, where midfielder Joey Miller scored the team’s only goal to allow the Bulls to avoid a second straight shutout in post-season play. WRH coach David Wilson had hoped to get another shot at Land O’Lakes, which the Bulls would have had if they could have gotten past Mitchell, but he praised his team’s heart and effort. “They’re young, but they played well all year and we’ll definitely be even better next year,” he said.

Wiregrass Ranch High’s Alexander Maxson (right) battles for a ball in the 4A District championship game vs. Land O’Lakes. Meanwhile, a little north at Wesley Chapel High, coach Brian Dorkowski led his team to a 10-14-1 record in District 4A-7, capped off by a 3-0 shutout at the hands (or feet) of Land O’Lakes in the first round of the Region 4A-2 tournament. The Bulls and Wildcats played each other twice during the season, and the WRH won each of those games by a score of 2-0. —MS

W ESLEY C HAPEL WRH & WCH Girls Basketball Teams Advance To District Championships

Both the Wiregrass Ranch (WRH) and Wesley Chapel High (WCH) girls basketball teams advanced have to their respective district championship games. Unfortunately for us (and our readers), both of those games were yet to be played as this issue went to press. The Bulls (20-6) advanced to the Class 4A, District 8 championship with a 40-33 win against Citrus High on February 5. Kelly McCaffrey led all scorers with 12 points, while Kayla DeLoach contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and 8 blocked shots. They were scheduled to host Lecanto in the district championship game on Saturday, Feb. 6. Meanwhile, the Wildcats (19-2) won their Class 4A, District 7 semifinal game, 50-32 over Mitchell High, also on Feb. 5, to earn a rematch with Gulf High for the district title. Simone Brown led the Wildcats with 13 points, while Hannah Noble had 12 and Shantel Houston got into

Sports Briefs foul trouble early but still finished with 11 points. The Wildcats traveled to Gulf High on Feb. 6 for the championship game, hoping to avenge a 37-47 loss to the Bucs back in December.

Williams Records A TripleDouble In Win Over WCH

In varsity boys basketball, WRH senior Eric Williams scored the 1,000th point of his career on the way to a trible-double while leading the Bulls to a 67-57 victory over the WCH Wildcats on February 4. Williams finished the game with 18 points, 14 rebounds and a schoolrecord 18 blocks for his first tripledouble of the season. The Wildcats’ Tommy Roldan led all scorers in the game with 30 points. With the victory, the Bulls were 20-5 going into the Class 4A, District 8 tournament, which was scheduled to begin on February 10, while the Wildcats were 12-10 going into their conference tournament, which started on February 8. We will have all the results in our next issue. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Experience The Magic Of Valentine’s Day Any Day At The Don CeSar! By Gary Nager The next few pages of this issue are devoted to giving you some romantic ideas for St. Valentine’s day — Sunday, February 14. I may not have all the answers, but since Valentine’s Day is still mainly about her, I’ve come up with a quick guide to some of the best places to bring that special someone to stay, dine and/or shop for her not only for this most romantic of holidays, but every day.

The Most Romantic Hotel — The DonCeSar ! If you’ve lived in the Tampa Bay area for any period of time, you’ve probably heard of the DonCeSar, A Loews Hotel, aka “The Pink Palace.” Originally built by Thomas Rowe to be a replica of the Royal Waikiki Hotel, the Don became a military hospital in 1942,when Rowe’s estranged wife allowed it to fall into disrepair. Some say the hotel is actually haunted by a woman named Lucinda, the great love of Rowe’s life, although I’ve seen no evidence of ghosts any of the times I’ve stayed there. Now restored to even greater glory, the Don, one of the Bay area’s most famous destinations, still sits alongside the crystal blue waters and white sands of St. Pete Beach. It’s also easily, in one man’s opinion, the most romantic hotel you can bring that special someone to this Valentine’s Day — or any day, for that matter.

(Above left) There’s no more romantic place you can stay than at the Don CeSar, a Loews Hotel, aka “The Pink Palace.”(Above right) Even the lobby at the Don is the perfect combination of soothing and exciting. (Below) One of the Don’s elegant guest rooms. As visually stunning as the Don is from the outside (and many couples have gotten married in the hotel’s spectacular courtyard), it’s even more breathtaking inside. The elegant lobby is home to the Maritana Grille, an outstanding culinary experience (see below), as well as the impressive Lobby Lounge. Every desk clerk, bellman and bartender makes you feel like someone special. The guest rooms provide even more luxury. No appointment has been left without proper attention to every detail, from the thirstiest towels to the most comfortable beds to the best skin and hair care sundries. All of the TVs are high-definition flat screen models and even the furnishings themselves are an invitation to romance. The Don also features an elegant European-style spa, magnificent shops, a spectacular outdoor pool and spa and multiple lounges inside and out. In

other words, whether you want to enjoy the fun and funky nightlife of St. Pete Beach or never come out of the room except to eat, you won’t be disappointed at “The Pink Palace.”

Spectacular Dining At The Maritana Grille

The elegant Maritana Grille is the dining centerpiece of your stay at the Don. With a four-diamond rating from AAA the past 14 years, the Maritana Grille features New American cuisine with Floribbean accents. The food and its presentation even more spectacular than the huge aquariums, one of which is “protected” by CeSar, the resident moray eel. During my most recent visit to “The Pink Palace,” Executive Sous See “Don CeSar” on page 31.

CeSar, the moray eel, enjoys watching you eat dinner at the Maritana Grille.

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The Best Place To Shop For Her? T’s Boutique In The Grove! I have to admit that the main reason I keep coming back to T’s Boutique in the separate plaza in front of The Grove shopping center on Wesley Grove Blvd. (off S.R. 54) in Wesley Chapel isn’t the great selection of gifts “for her.” No, it’s because owner Theresa Loftin is a great, fun person to talk to who really knows the kind of gifts women want. Anytime I’m stuck when looking for a gift, I visit Theresa and she comes up with anything from a cool dress in University of Florida (or other schools’) colors to a great T-shirt for the upcoming Gasparilla parade to scented Tyler candles to beautiful, unique handbags and costume jewelry. T’s Boutique has everything from an extensive line of Vera Bradley handbags to hand-painted glassware for any occasion and so much more that it’s useless for me to try to describe everything in the store. All I can tell you is that if you’re looking for a unique gift for any woman of any age or size, with Theresa’s help, you can find the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day or any day. But, speaking of Sunday, February 14, Theresa had a couple of special events prior to V-Day that were not only planned to be fun get-togethers, but also great shopping opportunities.

“Men are often at a loss when it comes to buying something appropriate for Valentine’s Day,” Theresa says. “That’s why I gave them a free keg to kill — to interest guys in coming here to shop for their special someones.” In fact, Theresa offered two exclusive shopping days, one for women only with free margaritas and an exclusive “men only” shopping experience and yes, she was serious about that keg, so too bad you missed it, guys! The good news is that it’s not too late to stop in at T’s Boutique before Valentine’s Day, so please tell Theresa we sent you! T’s Boutique is located at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 101. The store is open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more info about T’s Boutique’s next unique shopping opportunities for men and women, call 973-4405. — At T’s Boutique in The Grove in Wesley Chapel, you’ll find great gift ideas for her for Valentine’s Day, from handGN painted glasses (top) to unique handbags & jewelry (bottom right), Gasparilla shirts, coffee mugs and more!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Here’s Some More Of Gary’s Favorite Valentine’s Day Options! Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, girlfriend or even your mom this Valentine’s Day, here’s a few of my favorites: • The most romantic restaurant — Charley’s Steak House? To me, a restaurant can’t really be all that romantic if the food isn’t great, so few things are more enticing to me than enjoying a full order of (in my opinion) the best tuna sashimi in the Tampa Bay area (and that’s saying a lot!) and the best New York strip steak (photo) in one outstanding meal at a very fair price. Plus, although I usually eat at the bar at Charley’s for the Manhattanlike ambience and people-watching, the restaurant does have some private dining areas for those seeking a more romantic backdrop for that great Valentine’s meal. Charley’s Steak House is located at 4444 W. Cypress St., off the Lois Ave. exit of I-275. Call 3539706 to find out more about Charley’s special Valentine’s Day menu February 8-14.

• The most romantic European-style spa — Saddlebrook Resort & Spa Tampa & Spa Moritz! We have lots of great salons and spas advertising with us, but there’s no doubt in my mind that if you want to get her a gift of a day of beauty, the best place you can go in Wesley Chapel is the European-style spa at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa (off S.R. 54). The most romantic choice in New Tampa is Spa Moritz, located on Commerce Park Blvd., opposite Freedom High in Tampa Palms. Anyone who lives in Wesley Chapel has surely at least heard of Saddlebrook, the world-class golf and tennis resort and spa located right in your own backyard. Saddlebrook has amazing dining at Dempsey’s Steak House and The Tropics restaurant, but I also can vouch for the outstanding massages and “take me away” feel of the resort’s beautiful spa. From a complete beauty makeover to a hot stone massage, a gift card to the Spa at Saddlebrook is a great gift idea for her AND for you! Saddlebrook Resort & Spa Tampa is located at 5700 Saddlebrook Way, off S.R. 54, between

A gift card to Saddlebrook Resort & Spa Tampa will put a smile on her face, too! Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (C.R. 581) and Curley Rd. For more information, visit Saddlebrook.com or call 973-1111. Meanwhile, Spa Moritz also is elegant and classy-looking, has welltrained hair stylists, nail technicians and massage therapists and some of the best spa treatments you’ll find anywhere. That’s why I believe a gift card from Dyan and Dennis Piller’s Spa Moritz (photo) is one of the best gifts you can give to someone you really want to see smile. Spa Moritz is located at 17401 Commerce Park Blvd., in the OrthoTechnology building. Call 971-4772 or visit SpaMoritz.com for more information.

• The best place to buy that perfect rose bouquet — A Special Rose Florist! For me, the whole dozen red roses thing has been done to death, so I long ago decided that if I was giving a dozen roses, they’d have to be in assorted colors, just to be different. Although she’s at least 10-15 minutes from any part of Wesley Chapel, my friend Rose O’Berry at A Special Rose Florist, located in the Shell gas station on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. just south of Tampa Palms, knows that I love giving roses of as many different colors as possible, so she always has a great selection for me. At any rate, if you have to give roses this Valentine’s Day, I know you won’t find better quality flowers of any kind than you will at A Special Rose. And, if you call A Special Rose today (Feb. 12), Rose will give you 10-percent off your order! Call A Special Rose Florist (14546 BBD Blvd.) at 979-9453 or visit ASpecialRose.com. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

“Don Cesar”

Continued from page 27

Chef Scott Lazlo created what he called an “amuse bouche,” but I called the most delicious crab cake ever. He said the cake, which was topped with a giant slab of Alaskan king crabmeat, was actually held together by chopped scallops instead of bread crumbs and topped with caviar. Yum! The rib lamb chops and pan-fried salmon were equally spectacular and the service was second-to-none. I also thought the Sunday brunch served in the Sea Porch Café was a deal at $19.95 per person, as the omelet station had every ingredient imaginable and the French press coffee and fresh baked goods rocked my world. In other words, if you’ve never been to the Don CeSar or haven’t visited recently, you owe it to yourself and your special someone to check it out. For more info about the DonCeSar, a Loews Hotel, call (727) 3601881 or visit LoewsHotels.com.

You can enjoy outstanding lamb chops (top) and crab cakes (left) at the Maritana Grille or have Thomas (above) make you the omelet of your dreams at the Sea Porch Café at the Don.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Panda Buffet Is A GREAT Chinese Buffet! There, I Said It! By Gary Nager I will freely admit that I’ve never been a big fan of buffet-style Chinese restaurants. A buddy of mine back when I lived a few miles outside of New York City in Westchester County, NY, once summed it up this way: “I want my Chinese food to be so fresh that it sings to me. You can’t get that from heat lamps.” You can therefore imagine how skeptical I was when the new Panda Buffet restaurant opened last month in the Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms. Well, in this case, I was wrong. Owner Lixin Shi and his family have created a clean, comfortable, casual place with really good Chinese food at prices you can’t beat. Shi, who also owns the Golden China takeout place in Highwoods Preserve (behind Boston Market), has gone to great lengths to use delicious ingredients for dishes both commonplace and unique and best of all, the crowds of visitors have been big enough that the food never seems to sit so long as to get to the point where it seems or tastes like it’s been sitting out too long. The sushi bar at Panda Buffet provides standards like California roll and

unique items like seaweed salad roll, and all of the items I’ve sampled have looked and tasted fresh. I really like the appetizers, like the egg rolls, teriyaki chicken on a stick and pan-fried dumplings. I also have enjoyed the Brazilian beef with broccoli so fresh and crisp it might actually sing to you, the chicken with broccoli in garlic sauce and the roast pork with mixed Chinese vegetables. The 100-item (I’m guessing) buffet bar, which allows you to enjoy all-you-can-eat of everything from fresh salads to fresh fruit, from pizza pies (seriously) to hot apple pies and from candied yams to you-peel-’em shrimp, all for the ridiculously low price of $6.99 for lunch, $9.99 for dinner on weekdays and $10.99 for dinner on FridaySunday (when Panda Buffet adds fresh oysters on the half shell to your choices). And, crab lovers (like my son Jake) can simply add $4 to any lunch or dinner order and enjoy all the fresh snow crab legs you can eat. Panda Buffet does also offer a complete a la carte dine-in and takeout menus, but trust me, you’re going to want to try the buffet first, if only to see which dishes you like the best and

to sample one of the best values in Chinese food anywhere in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel — where seniors (60+) get a 10-percent discount, kids under 3 eat for free and kids 3-9 cost just $3.99 for lunch and $6.99 for dinner. Panda Buffet (17012 Palm Pointe Dr. is located just south of the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and I-75, a few minutes from most of Wesley Chapel. It’s open every day for lunch and dinner, so call 9788938 or stop in anytime!

At Panda Buffet, you can enjoy all you care to eat of great (clockwise from lower left): chicken with broccoli, you-peel-’em shrimp, fresh sushi, egg rolls and pan fried dumplings.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles—Checking Out World Of Beer & More! When last we checked in (in these pages) with Tampa Palms World of Beer (WoB) franchise owners Philippe Theodore and Jason Rappaport, they and their staff were at an event for Reeves Porsche-Audi serving a few of the hundreds of beers now being enjoyed every day at the new WoB in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, behind Olive Garden and next to Stonewood Grill & Tavern. The Tampa Palms location of WoB features a classy-looking bar area downstairs, a private upstairs party room and literally hundreds of beers from around

TVs and taps abound at the new World of Beer in Tampa Palms. the world — including dozens of the popular German and Belgian offerings,

as well as most of my favorite beers from places like Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Philippines. You’ll also find lots of great flatscreen TVs, great beers, fine wines and a selection of finger foods you definitely should try. And, with the ad in this issue, you can get half off your first draft beer (through March 31). World of Beer is located at 17004 Palm Pointe Dr. For more information, call 632-0020 or visit WoBTampaPalms.com.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day

At Café Ole!

My friends at Café Olé in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. hope you will try “A True Taste of Spain” when you celebrate Valentine’s Weekend on Saturday, February 13, with a fixed-price threecourse dinner, a Flamenco dance show and much more! Call Café Olé at 907-5242 for all of the details! Next issue’s Nibbles will take you inside the newly expanded Santo’s Pizza & Pasta and more! — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

Join OrthoTechnology’s Winning Team! Ortho Technology, an international orthodontic supply distributor located in New Tampa, is seeking talented energetic candidates for the following full-time positions: Distribution Associate: High energy individual needed to receive, restock, pull & pack customer orders. Fast paced environment. Basic math & computer skills, ability to stand/walk for entire shift & lift up to 50 pounds required. QC Inspector: Entry level position responsible for accuracy of outgoing orders. 1-2 yrs exp w/QC responsibilities. Ability to stand/walk for entire shift, close vision, basic color differentiation and basic math req’d. Small parts/med device experience a plus. We provide a great work environment, excellent benefits package and growth potential. Submit resumes to careers@orthotechnology.com. P/T Massage therapist. Please send résumé to PO Box 47254 Tampa, FL 33647 or fax to 994-3080. P/T Medical Asst. for doctor’s office in New Tampa. With experience. Good salary & benefits. Fax resume to 632-7114 or call 632-7111. HR Manager Tampa, FL based Dental Office Plan, direct & coordinate HR activities to maximize the strategic use of human resources & related personnel policies & regulatory compliance. Apply in duplicate. BK PARASHER DDS. P. A 11017, N. Dale Mabry, St # A, Tampa, FL 33618. Home Health Worker. New Tampa-Wesley ChapelZephyrhills. Reliable People W/Experience. Needed for Various Hours. Call Mary M-F 9am to 4pm only. 813.788.1717. Lic HHA 299992388 RN’s in Pasco for HHA - PT/Per Diem, Medicare - Assessment Experience a Plus - Call: 727.259.2337 RECEPTIONIST - Healthcare management company in Tampa Palms has a position open for a courteous, seasoned receptionist w/ multi-line phone system and experience and a willingness to help. Computer skills required - Please send resume to: Tamiami.resume@yahoo.com. Medical Asst. for Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine private practice. Responsibilities include triage, asst doctor during office visits, obtain patient test results, chart preparation, telephone call backs, file management and medication refills. Assist front office to inc answer phones & schedule appts. Fax resume to 975-4301. House Keeper wanted 5- 6 Hrs. per week, laundry and ironing. Call 813-632-2710.

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OWN A CATTLE FARM IN COSTA RICA for just $600,000. One hour from San Jose City. Ten acres with 2 homes, one for owner w/cable TV and phone, and one for foreman. 30 heads of Brahman Cattle, 3 pure breed "paso fino" horses with new stables. For information and pictures contact Gerardo Acosta at acosta.gerardo@hotmail.com or ph.813-504-3240.

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2 office + Reception and Cabinet Area. Location: 33647 zip in Commerce Park Professional Center. Estimated Cost $900/1000 per Month 3yr/1yr. 10X15 =150 11x11 =121 14x16 =224...Estimate Sq ft: 550 Sq Ft. Also Include 1 closet and Unisex Bathroom. Available Jan 1 2010. Address: 5307 Technology Dr Tampa, Fl. 33647. Contact: Bob Lamb 813.340.3000.

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FREE GUITAR WITH LESSONS! Don't worry about spending money on an instrument if you or your child doesn’t stick with it. Get a new guitar free when you sign up for 3 months of lessons. Offer good while supplies last. For more information visit Bigel Music, 20435 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 813-907-6363.

Home day care in a loving home. 10 years experience. We encourage social development activities, games, play times & more. Infant & up. CPR & first aid. Reg. R23PA0154. Call Hilda @ 388-9148.

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NEED EXTRA MONEY…We can turn your unwanted, old or broken gold jewelry into CASH! Take advantage of high gold prices which may not last long. Don’t sell to the fly by night companies. Take it to Tampa Palms Hometown Jeweler. Jeweler on staff w/ 35 yrs. exp. Charles Jewelers, 9724653 (next to Stein Mart on Bruce B. Downs).

AURORA - Creations for your Body and Soul. Unique jewelry pieces that enhance your inner and outer beauty. Contact us at (813) 388-6746, AuroraCreationsandMore@gmail.com or AuroraCreations.biz.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Start your own Business. in 2010 partnering with the doctors who created Proactiv Solution. No parties, no inventory, no paperwork, no experience necessary, part-time, full time, free training, minimal start-up and huge earning potential. Call: Diane at 813-541-1114.

T A I C H I L E S S O N S Tai Chi Classes open to the public at Club Tampa Palms. New Beg. 6/week course. Tuesdays 7-8 pm starts Feb. 16th, Cost-$60. Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus. On going classes Tues. 2:30-3:30 pm, Wed. 8-9 pm. Cost-$10/class. Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo, Fitness training and more. With more then 28 years of teaching and training exp. Call Peter today to find out more #787-7560. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS. St. James 16202 Bruce B. Downs, Tampa, Fl 33647 Admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to studentsof the organization. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other organization-administered programs.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 4 • Februar y 13, 2010 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com