Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Issue 06-13 by Neighborhood News

Volume 21 Issue 6

Inside: Don’t Miss The 2013 ‘Taste Of New TampaTM!’

March 16, 2013

See pages 3 & 8!

The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE 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 • The Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg NEW TAMPA: Arbor Greene • Cory Lake Isles • Cross Creek • Easton Park • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • The Hammocks • West Meadows

Quail Hollow Elem. Parents Updated About School’s Two-Year Closing By Matt Wiley & Gary Nager The students, teachers and staff at Quail Hollow Elementary (QHE) are in for some big changes next school year, as the Wesley Chapel area’s oldest elementary school will close for two years for major renovations. Although only 93 people signed in during a public meeting on March 6 to discuss the renovations and the plans for new attendance boundaries for QHE’s current students, the room was filled with an estimated 200 or more parents, students, Pasco School District administrators and not only QHE staffers, but also the principals of the two schools that will each welcome a portion of the current QHE student population. Built in 1974, QHE, located north of S.R. 54 on Quail Hollow Blvd., will begin to undergo some heavy renovations after school lets out for the summer at the end of the 2012-13 school year. Current QHE students will be split between Wesley Chapel Elementary (WCE) and WaterGrass Elementary, depending upon where they live. Beginning August 19, or at the start of the 2013-14 school year, students who live south of Quail Hollow Blvd. will be attending WCE (located on Wells Rd.), while those who live in the rest of the QHE attendance areas north of Quail Hollow Blvd. will attend Wa-

terGrass Elementary (located north and east of WCE off Curley Rd.). QHE principal Michelle Berger introduced WCE principal John Abernathy and WaterGrass principal Scott Mitchell, noting that both schools will welcome QHE students and staff “as if they were already students of those schools, not just temporary visitors.” She added, “(The renovation) ultimately will be a good thing for Quail Hollow Elementary. We were the first school built in Wesley Chapel, and after the renovations are complete, it’s like we’ll be new all over again.” The renovations will update the school’s aging infrastructure, including plumbing and electrical wiring, as well as include permanent walls, which most of the school’s current “pod”-style classrooms are lacking. Some classrooms at QHE don’t even have windows. “The actual interior design hasn’t yet been designed by the architects,” said assistant superintendent for administrative services Ray Gadd, who told those in attendance at the meeting that the total cost of the renovations is currently estimated to cost between $8.5$10. Although that number is only an estimate right now, he said it would include all architectural design, engineering, permitting and construction costs. Kurt Browning, the superintendent of schools for Pasco County, explained that the

renovations are part of the next round of “Penny for Pasco” improvement projects, although the second ten years of “Penny” funding doesn’t go into effect until 2015. He thanked the voters in attendance for helping to pass the second ten years of Penny funds, “because we couldn’t Ray Gadd (standing), the assistant superintendent for administrative make these renova- services for Pasco County Schools, takes questions from current Quail tions without it.” Hollow Elementary parents about the plan to relocate their children at He also said the WaterGrass and Wesley Chapel elementaries the next two years. school has to close because, “It’s just too hard to make these ren- ideal. Shady Hills and Quail Hollow were both designed by architect Eoghan Kelley in ovations with children running around.” Gadd noted that since the next round of the 1970s and are the first of the School DisPenny funding doesn’t begin until 2015, the trict’s seven Kelly-designed schools that will District will bond those future funds to pay be renovated using Penny for Pasco funds. “It costs us about $21 million to build a for the renovations to QHE and to Shady Hills Elementary in northwest Pasco, which new school,” Gadd said at the meeting. “But, we can renovate these seven schools for a lot also will close at the end of this school year. Berger explained that her school was less, so it just made sense to us to upgrade built “about the time I graduated from col- them instead.” He added that QHE will be lege,” when open “pods” were thought to be See “Quail Hollow” on page 14.

Patty Wolf - The Smile & Spirit Of Wolf’s Den - Remembered At Memorial

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Plan Could Build Elevated Lanes Along S.R. 54/56 Corridor, Pilot Dies In Plane Crash, Tighter Water Restrictions Have Begun, Lots Of Local Business Features & More!

Local 5Ks Push Physical & Emotional Limits, Where To Get Your Irish On St. Patty’s Day, Toast Is More Than Just A Wine Bar, Lots Of Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes & More!

Pages 1-32

Pages 33-40

See “Patty Wolf ” on page 15.

Patty Wolf, the wife of Wolf ’s Den Restaurant owner Roger Wolf, finally lost her nineyear battle with cancer on February 28.

ECRWSS

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

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

Also Inside This Issue!

lot, considering that Roger was an enlisted U.S. Marine who was among the first combat troops deployed in the Vietnam War. At a memorial service held March 5 at Lifepoint Community Church on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (in front of Hunter’s Green) and presided over by Lifepoint Pastor, the Rev. Brad White, an estimated crowd of more than 300 people came out to honor Patty’s memory and to show their support for Roger and Patty’s mother, Alice Beck; the couple’s son, Shawn Wolf and his wife, Christine; Patty’s sisters, Pam BeckDanovich and Debra Smitz; and the couple’s granddaughter Allyson. Roger recalled that he was told Patty may have only had months to live when she was first diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2003, but she refused to even consider that possibility. Nine years and too many surgeries and chemo treatments later, she was still

Dated Material Please Rush!

Unfortunately, I never really got to know Patty Wolf, the even more popular wife of Wolf’s Den Restaurant owner Roger Wolf, in part because the first few times I met her, I didn’t realize that she wasn’t just another one of the friendly servers at Roger’s always-busy diner on S.R. 56. I also didn’t realize that she was already five or six years into what has now ended up

being a nine-year battle with ovarian cancer — a battle she finally lost on February 28. If you ask Roger, his beautiful, alwaysoptimistic wife of 35 years was so much more than just a pretty face. She was the smile and spirit of Wolf’s Den. “Everyone who ever met Patty here knew she was something special,” Roger said at his restaurant a few days before Patty passed. “These last few months have been the hardest of my life.” And, that’s saying a

Postal Customer

By Gary Nager

Milorian Studios To Provide Our Video Production Services Look For Our First ‘Taste of New Tampa’ Preview Video By March 15, Plus Our Live Taste Coverage & More! Do Not Forget The Taste! An editorial by Gary Nager minute video about your business, as well as

What seems like two lifetimes ago, I graduated from the University of Florida College of Journalism & Communications in Gainesville with a B.S. degree in Broadcasting with a news emphasis. A little more than 30 years later, I have held the same job in the print journalism business for 19 years (as of last month) and, although I love what I do, I’ve always wanted to get back to my first love — writing for film and TV. My problem is that I’ve never been a “techie,” but, since I’m now living in an age where people create videos that “go viral” with their iPads and even their cell phones, I assumed that it must be easier than ever to create videos that people will want to watch. Not so much. The fact is that there is no personal electronic device that can create videos that look as truly professional as what you see on “real” TV, whether broadcast or cable. And, there really is no substitute for experience when it comes to shooting and editing quality video. So, even though we’ve already achieved some local success with some of the short videos we’ve shot, I figured out pretty quickly that I really need an experienced studio with quality equipment to do the kind of broadcast programming I’ve wanted to do since I was in my 20s. Enter Milorian Studios, located off S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel in the Brookside Professional Park, and president/owner Carlos Flores-Gordon. Carlos, who has worked for more than two decades in the music, film and TV production business, is a long-time New Tampa

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Camille Gillies • Bonnie Mason • Kathleen Schiop Marketing Director Ashley Knoblach Senior Graphic Designer Porsha Lamos Advertising Sales Rep Taylor Gardner Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 21, Issue 8, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, April 1, 2013. 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. © 2013 JM2 Communications, Inc.

& Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reader who says he has wanted to work with me for some time, but especially since we posted our first video efforts on our website: WCNeighborhood News.com. And, after touring his beautiful, fouryear-old building, which features music and video production studios and editing equipment the likes of which I’ve never seen before (it’s been more than ten years since I even toured a TV or radio station studio) and seeing the type of high-quality work Carlos and his amazing crew create at Milorian — for about a third of what it would cost in Miami or New York — he and I sat down and talked about working on a few projects together. “As a long-time fan of yours and the Neighborhood News,” Carlos told me when we met, “I definitely feel a synergy with what you’re trying to do in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel markets. Let’s work on something together.” Since I felt the same kind of kinship with Carlos and the impressive studio he quietly has created right in my own back yard, I suggested that I would like to start with a professional video shot on site during the upcoming Taste of New TampaTM on Sunday, March 24 (see pages 1 and 22-23 for details) — especially when Carlos said that he and his crew can provide any type of service needed to create such videos except for the actual writing — which of course, just happens to be our specialty here at the Neighborhood News. Carlos offered to first shoot a Taste preview video (which we hope will begin being shown on our website by Friday, March 15), create a short live feed from the Taste (which will air live on our website as the event is unfolding) and then compile a 2-3 minute video to wrap up the event. Our goal after those productions is to then offer a package of services no one else can match for your business — a package which will include a similar 2-3

a 30-second commercial you can air on any cable or broadcast TV station (as well as on both our website and yours) and a package of ads in the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. In other words, we want to create a professional-quality, multi-media image for your business. For more information about video production and advertising, call general manager Nikki Bennett at our office at 910-2575. You also should check out Milorian.com to see the kind of work Carlos & Co. have already done. I’ll be stunned if you’re not impressed.

Even though you live in Wesley Chapel and always have a multitude of things to do any weekend, I hope you’ll at least attend — if not consider having an exhibitor booth for your business — at the 20th annual Taste of New TampaTM on Sunday, March 24, noon-6 p.m., in Primrose Park in Tampa Palms. The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce is expecting to host 30-40 restaurants, all serving samples of their respective cuisines and adult admission costs just $5 in advance or $10 the day of the event (with each “taste” costing $1-$3). For more info, see page 8 or visit TasteofNewTampa.info.

Table of Contents

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES....................Pages 1-42 Pasco MPO Considers Elevated Lanes For S.R. 54/56 Corridor........4 ‘Fields’ Proposal Period Closes; Porter Proposal Rejected ...................5 The Good, The Bad, The Widening Of Bruce B. Downs....................6 Don’t Miss The 20th Annual ‘Taste Of New Tampa’ Mar. 24!...8

Wesley Chapel News Briefs.....................................10 Brush Fire Burns 30 Acres Near Meadow Pointe Wesley Chapel-Area Plane Crash Victim Identified Domestic Charges Dropped Against Commissioner Schrader Relays For Life Coming Up For Wesley Chapel High Schools Swiftmud Implements Tighter Water Restrictions............................ 11 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar................................12 2013 Health & Wellness Festival A Success............................13

Local Business Updates.................................18-29 SK Financial CPA Helps Make Financial Goals Attainable.......18 Spinner Law Firm: Legal Advice You Can Trust......................20 Royalty Lawn & Landscaping: Yards Fit For A King.............. 22 Medi-Weight Loss Clinics Can Help You Shed Those Pounds.........24 Maria Cherrez-VanGalder: An Honest Real Estate Agent........26 Anchor Title Helps Protect Your Real Estate Investments.......28

Local Sports Updates........................................30 High School Baseball Is In Full Swing In Wesley Chapel

Neighborhood Magazine Recapping Two Area 5K Races................................................33 Have A Bite With Your Vino At Toast!...................................34 Get Irish On St. Patty’s Day At Winners & Mulligans.............35 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes’...............................37

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS....................38 For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Pasco MPO Considers Elevated Lanes Along S.R. 54/56 Corridor By Matt Wiley As Wesley Chapel and the rest of Pasco County continues to grow and more vehicles travel area roads on a daily basis, more roadways will be needed to handle the larger volume of people traveling throughout the county, specifically east and west between New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel along the S.R. 54/56 corridor. On February 14, the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) heard the results of a transportation study that examined the possibilities for creating mass transit lines along the nearly 28-mile S.R. 54/56 corridor between U.S. 19 in New Port Richey and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Among the options considered in the study are elevated lanes that would be reserved for toll lanes, express buses or a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which is similar to a light rail system. The S.R. 54/56 corridor is a key arterial in the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA)’s Regional Transportation 2050 Master Plan. According to the TBARTA website, the plan was adopted in 2009 and includes future “priority projects” that connect regional transit for the seven counties in West Central Florida (Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Mana-

tee and Sarasota). The S.R. 54/56 corridor is the only “priority project” that remains solely in one county. Mike Coleman, a representative and engineer from Jacksonville-based RS & H, Inc., which conducted the study, presented several “feasible alternatives,” including toll lanes at “grade” — meaning at the same elevation as the existing roadway — as well as elevated bus and toll lanes. Since the widening of the S.R. 54/56 corridor is capped at six lanes, Coleman presented elevated lanes as seemingly the only alternative, but with several options, none of which would be inexpensive to construct. “In order to get (the project) built, it will take private funding,” said Pasco County Board of County Commissioners chairman Ted Schrader. The project could cost as much as $2 billion. Coleman explained that the study examined several elevated alternatives, with tolls set at $0.14-per mile and $0.21-per mile, with either two or four elevated toll lanes in the median or on the shoulder of the corridor. Traveling the length of the corridor would cost drivers around $5 in each direction. There also is the option for an express bus to operate in one of the lanes in each direction. Several Board members joked that they would gladly spend the $5 to get to New Port Richey from the eastern part of

A conceptual design of what elevated lanes could like in the median of the S.R. 54/56 corridor between U.S. 19 in New Port Richey & BBD Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Source: TBARTA

the county, rather than having to mess with all the stoplights along the corridor. The study estimated that by 2035, if built, the S.R. 54/56 corridor could generate as much as $50 million per year in tolls, which, Coleman said, “is very attractive to private investors.” Pasco planning and growth management administrator Richard Gehring explained that the Orlando area is being looked at as a model. “(Orlando) is way ahead with their use of toll roads,” Gehring said. “All this attention to managed lanes is really important.” Coleman explained that a similar project was constructed along I-95 in Broward County, which saves drivers an estimated 20-25 minutes in drive time, as well as providing traffic congestion relief. District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano expressed funding concerns, which

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Schrader quickly addressed. “Private capital firms have money in the hundreds of billions of dollars,” he explained. “These firms are looking for projects to invest in.” Schrader stressed that moving forward, it is important to make clear that the taxpayers would not foot the bill for the project and that it would have to be constructed with either a P3 (public, private partnership) or completely through private funds. “As long as we keep working our data, we’ll have more detailed information coming (to the MPO) in the future,” Gehring said. “Because it has the private funding option, (the project) seems more probable.” For more information, and to see the TBARTA Master Plan, please visit TBARTA.com.

Fields At Wiregrass Proposals Close, Pitch By Porters Again Rejected By Matt Wiley After receiving design and operations proposals from nine different companies for the planned “Fields at Wiregrass” sports complex in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), Pasco officials have made their recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for which company should operate the facility. Of the two operations proposals, the county’s purchasing department has recommended a proposal from Blue Marble Strategic, LLC. The second proposal came from a group that included Wiregrass Sports, LLC, better known as the Porter family, who also donated the 200 acres of land for the project inside the 5,000-acre DRI. Originally, the Porters were going to both build and manage the facility, but negotiations between the family and the county fell apart late last year. “It is important to note that Wiregrass Sports, LLC, recently terminated negotiations with the county for nearly the same scope under a previous solicitation,” wrote Pasco director of purchasing Scott Stromer in a memo to the BOCC. Stromer explained that the terms that were attached to the latest “Fields” operations solicitation were very similar to the

terms upon which the Porters previously could not come to an agreement with the county. “The Purchasing Department is very concerned about the precedent that may be established by allowing an offeror to terminate negotiations, which resulted from a formal competitive process, only to have that same firm submit a similar proposal in response to a new solicitation for similar services,” the memo states. Stromer recommends in the memo that Pasco County administrator John Gallagher should meet with Tampa-based Blue Marble Strategic, LLC, and that the reviewing of design proposals be suspended until the operations proposal from Blue Marble can be fully evaluated. The window for submitting proposals for both the design and operations of the sports complex closed on February 15. In addition to the two operations proposals, Pasco County received seven proposals for the design of the project, which will be built with $14 million in county tourism funds The seven companies that submitted design proposals include:

*St. Petersburg-based George F. Young, Inc., which, among numerous other services, specializes in designing parks and athletic facilities *Tampa-based Long & Associates, which designed Strawberry Crest High School in nearby Plant City *Valrico-based Cribo Philbert Weaver Group (no other information available at our press time) *Jacksonville-based Ervin Lovett Miller, which built the Boston Red Sox Spring Training facility in Ft. Myers, as well as the Jacksonville Zoo botanical gardens *Tampa-based King Engineering Associates, Inc., which helped design the original master plan for the Wiregrass Ranch DRI *Orlando Based Bellwood-Herbert & Company, Inc., which designed the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

*Clearwater-based Deuel & Associates, which reconstructed Carpenter Field in Clearwater, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Spring Training home;

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The Good, The Bad...The Widening Of BBD In New Tampa By Gary Nager & Matt Wiley Photos by Matt Wiley Even though it appears that the widening of the portion of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from Pebble Creek Dr. to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms is complete, there are still lines of orange on both sides of from Dona Michelle Dr. north of I-75 to around Palm Springs Blvd. south of the interstate. Somehow, we’ve been given misinformation all along (which we, sadly, have passed on to our readers) about the effect the ongoing widening of I-75 would have on the BBD project. Because of the possible need for a mass transit envelope along BBD, the former manager for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) told us at the ribbon cutting and opening of the new New Tampa Gateway Bridge on February 27 (see below) that BBD can’t begin to be widened in the area under and around the interstate overpasses until the temporary steel bridge currently supporting the northbound side of the interstate is removed (when a wider, permanent bridge will be completed) — and that bridge work won’t be completed until the end of 2013! Former District 7 FDOT spokesperson Don Skelton said he didn’t realize that neither FDOT nor the Hillsborough County Public Works department had

made it clear that area residents will still have to be funnelled down to two lanes from four lanes at both Dona Michelle Dr. and Palm Springs Blvd. until that bridge work has been completed. Hillsborough County Public Works spokesperson Steve Valdez says he apologizes for the misunderstanding after confirming that the fourlaning of the full length of Phase I of the BBD widening project won’t actually be completed until the end of this year.

Open Sesame, New Tampa Gateway Bridge

Speaking of bridges, the beautiful, new New Tampa Gateway Bridge now is open to traffic, allowing New Tampa residents access to other parts of the community without always having to get on BBD. The $12.8-million bridge spans seven tenths of a mile and connects New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows to Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms, at the entrance to both Freedom High and Liberty Middle School. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was present at a New Tampa Chamber of Commerce-sponsored ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 27 that was held on New Tampa Blvd., on the West Meadows side of the bridge. “Combined with the widening of Bruce B. Downs, (the bridge) will give the residents of New Tampa the traffic relief

(Above) Once drivers along the newly widened BBD Blvd. reach the area around I-75, they will still have to merge down to two lanes from four until the end of 2013. they deserve,” Mayor Buckhorn said at the ribbon cutting. “Although this bridge has seen its share of controversy (see WCNeighborhoodNews.com), most area residents have been waiting a long time for it to be built. Over the long term, the bridge and the convenience it provides to the surrounding neighborhoods will improve the quality of life for area residents.” In addition to relieving congestion

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (center) cuts the ribbon on the New Tampa Gateway Bridge over I-75, with representatives of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Palms Owners Association, on February 27.

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along BBD, especially for those who live near the I-75 interchange, the bridge also will provide easier and quicker access for emergency vehicles. The overpass includes a five-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the two-lane roadway, and an eight-foot multi-use trail on the north side. The bridge construction began in May 2011 and, originally, wasn’t expected to be completed until July of this year.

Do Not Miss The 20th Annual ‘Taste of New TampaTM!’ Sunday, March 24, Noon-6 p.m., in Primrose Park, Tampa Palms By Gary Nager As this issue arrives in your mailbox, the 20th annual Taste of New TampaTM is only about three weeks away. The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host the 2013 Taste on Sunday, March 24, noon-6 p.m., in Primrose Park, across from Freedom High and Liberty Middle School off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms. Not only is this year’s Taste a milestone event that promises to be the biggest and best ever, it also will be the first major public event that will allow residents of Wesley Chapel and all of the New Tampa communities located north of I-75 to access the event without having to go all the way south on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., as the new Gateway Bridge (see page 6) will provide virtual door-to-door access for Taste attendees. And, what a Taste it promises to be! In the years that I was either the chairman of the Taste or the president of the organization that put it on, we averaged about 35 restaurants and beverage providers each year, with a high of nearly 45. Last year, only 15 restaurants participated, in part because the event got moved at the last minute from the Shops at Wiregrass mall to Paul R. Wharton High, but also because the economy had made it a lot less cost-effective for local mom-and-pop restaurants. This year, however, I convinced the Chamber Board to reduce the cost to attend to just $5 per person in advance and $10 per person the day of the event (children 12 and under still get in for free) and to allow participating restaurants to charge from $1-$3 per “taste” (the restaurants will set their own prices). And, so far, that strategy seems to have helped encourage more first-time restaurants to participate in the Taste. One of the featured newcomers among the 20+ restaurants that already have committed to participating will be Domani Bistro Lounge, located on N. Florida Ave. in Old Seminole Hights. Co-owner and executive chef Alex Knezevic says that with many of New Tampa’s favorite upscale eateries (Ciccio’s,

Selmon’s, etc.) closing, he hopes the Taste will be a way for him to get New Tampa residents to drive 15 or 20 minutes to try Domani Bistro’s awesome cuisine, including the nonfried crab cake pictured here. “For me, it was a no-brainer to participate,” Alex says. I hope other restaurants outside of New Tampa will realize what a great way this event is to introduce their restaurant to a large group of people who may never have heard of them before. I hope the Taste will get New Tampa talking about Domani Bistro Lounge!”

which also is located in Oak Ramble Plaza and which recently unveiled an exciting new menu (see page 50). Hector says he will offer wine, coffee, Daily Bread bakery items and some of his bistro-inspired new menu items. Also in the Taste for the first time are PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub & Grille (see page 35) on E. Bearss Ave., PDQ Fresh Tenders on S.R. 56, World of Beer in Tampa Palms, Oakley’s Grille on BBD in North Palms Village, the not-yet-open (at our press time) Little Greek Restaurant in the New Tampa Center, Winners Grill on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel (see page 52), Full Circle Pizza & Grill in the Pebble Creek Collection, Whole Foods Market (which is also a $500 sponsor; see complete list on next page), the USF Embassy Suites Hotel on E. Fowler Ave. and You Say When Yogurt in Highwoods Preserve. I also have received very positive “maybes” from a number of other restaurants that have never participated before that had not yet confirmed their participation at our press time, including Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms, Burger 21 on BBD in the new Trout Creek area, CherryBerry Yogurt in Highwoods Preserve Acropolis Greek Taverna and Jersey Mike’s Subs in the Oak Ramble Plaza and even, I hope, Lee Roy Selmon’s, which now may or may not be planning to open

More First Time Restaurant Participants

Of course, not all of this year’s firsttime participating eateries are outside of the immediate area. Among those that have committed already — and there are at least 20 others who have said they are interested, but simply hadn’t finalized their participation at our press time — is the new Takara Sushi & Sake Lounge in the Oak Ramble Plaza on BBD just south of Tampa. Owners Eugenia and chef Hunter Yu are excited to offer samples of their sushi and other Japanese dishes, as well as, perhaps, some from Hunter’s home country of Korea. Also serving samples at the Taste for the first time will be co-owner Hector Gonzalez of Toast Fine Wine Bar & Café,

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on S.R. 56. Feel free to stop in to any of these eateries and tell them you want to see them participate in this year’s Taste. Maybe you can turn their “maybes” into “Yeses!” Among the returning Taste restaurants this year are Café Olé on Cross Creek Blvd., Bruster’s Real Ice Cream on BBD, The Baker’s Gallery in the Pebble Creek Collection, Sam’s Club on S.R. 56, Peabody’s in the Shoppes of Amberly (Tampa Palms) & Tijuana Flats. Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Chili’s, Boston Market, Burger Monger, the new Petra’s Express Middle Eastern Cuisine Marco’s Pizza, La Cubanita Café, Taste of Boston, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and several others. In other words, I fully expect to have 35-40 restaurants and beverage providers participating in this year’s Taste.

Sponsors, Entertainment & Our First Live Taste Video!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how important the sponsors and business exhibitors are to the success of the Taste. Without these participating businesses, who spend from $275 to $10,000 to help offset the cost of the event, this likely wouldn’t be the 20th anniversary of this great event. I also hope, if you’re still interested in sponsoring or having a business ex-

hibitor booth at this year’s Taste, that you will call the Chamber’s executive assistant Jayne Baker at 293-2464 or visit TasteofNewTampa.info to get signed up today! But hurry! Every sponsor of this year’s Taste will be interviewed on camera in our first-ever Taste of New Tampa video! See page 3 for more details about the video and our planned live video feed, in partnership with Milorian Studios in the Brookside Professional Park!

Current 2013 Taste Sponsors!! $2,500-$4,999 Primrose School of Tampa Palms Florida Hospital Tampa & Wesley Chapel (bottled water provider)

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A. BB&T Bank New Tampa Neighborhood News Tampa Bay Times

$1,500

Mini Cooper of Wesley Chapel

$500 New Tampa Family YMCA Regina Ramalheira, RE/MAX – First In Real Estate Sign-A-Rama We Love Logos Standard Pacific Homes Whole Foods Market

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

W ESLEY C HAPEL

News Briefs

Brush Fire Closes Meadow Pointe Blvd.

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after not hearing from Dr. MacManus after he took off from Tampa North Aero Park, located off S.R. 54 in Lutz (just outside of Wesley Chapel) around 8 a.m. on February 24. Some of the wreckage still was on fire when the debris field was located on February 25 near S.R. 52 and Ehren Cutoff. PCSO received a call around 2:46 p.m. February 25 about a small plane that may have crashed in the Wesley Chapel area Sunday night, about four miles north of Birdsong Blvd. The investigation has been taken over by the FAA and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board). No further information was available at our press time.

Charred brush is all that remains of a brush fire that closed a section of Meadow Pointe Blvd. on March 6. The road was reopened around 9 p.m. after a brush fire closed Meadow Pointe Blvd. between S.R. 56 and Chancey Rd. for about three hours. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies assisted Pasco Fire Rescue (PFR) in containing the blaze in the Meadow Pointe area. PFR reports that the fire burned an area of about 30 acres and was contained by 17 firefighters using small back burns. No structures were harmed, or in danger, during the fire. An investigation is under way to determine the fire’s source. No further information was available at our press time.

Domestic Charges Dropped Against Comm. Schrader

Plane Crash Victim Identified

The victim has been identified in a small plane crash that happened just north of the Wesley Chapel area on February 24. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), 59-year-old Dr. Harold Cameron MacManus, a Tennessee resident, was killed when the small aircraft that he was piloting on February 24 crashed in a wooded area near S.R. 52 and Ehren Cutoff. PCSO says that a relative contacted

Charges of domestic battery have been dropped against District 1 Pasco County commissioner Ted Schrader, weeks after a physical altercation with his wife of 30 years. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Schrader, 57, who is the chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners was arrested and charged with domestic battery, following an argument with his wife that

WCH & WRH Annual Relays For Life Fast Approaching!

It’s that time of year again, time to put on those walking shoes and support the American Cancer Society (ACS) in its battle to find a cure for the deadly disease that affects more than one million new patients each year. Both Wesley Chapel (WCH) and Wiregrass Ranch (WRH) high schools are hosting Relays in the coming weeks. Be sure to donate, or join a Relay team to show your support for a good cause. Wesley Chapel High - Friday, April 12, 6 p.m. - So far, WCH has raised more than $10,000, with 17 teams and more than 140 people already taking part. Wiregrass Ranch High - Friday, April 26, 6 p.m. - So far, WRH has raised more than $5,000 with 22 teams and nearly 180 people taking part. Additional teams may still sign up to participate in both of these Relay events. For more information, visit RelayforLife.org and enter zip code 33543, 33544 or 33545 in the “Search for an Event” box. turned physical at their Dade City home on February 3. Schrader spent one night in the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center. The PCSO report says that Schrader and his wife, Julia, had been Commisioner arguing on Friday Ted Schrader night. Early Saturday morning, the report says, Schrader entered the couple’s bedroom to talk to her. According to the report, the couple sleeps in separate beds. His wife, who was lying in her bed, turned over to avoid talking with him. The report says that he grabbed her by the wrist and ankle to pull her toward him, resulting in several bruises, and that alcohol was a factor in the case. Published reports say that Schrader’s

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wife asked a judge for a “No Contact,” which would prevent Schrader from being at the couple’s home and from contacting his wife while the case was being investigated. During a Pasco County Commission meeting February 5, Schrader opened by issuing an apology to his wife and family, as well as his colleagues. “Before we start the meeting, I’d like to take a few minutes to apologize for the recent events that occurred over the last few days,” Schrader said. “I’d like to first apologize to my wife, to my family for any embarrassment I might have caused. I’d like to apologize to my Board of colleagues. This brings embarrassment to the (BOCC) that I don’t take lightly.” According to the Pasco County Clerk of Court & Comptroller’s office, the charges against Schrader were dropped on February 20. — MW

Swiftmud Tightens Water Restrictions Despite the rain that usually accompanies winter’s cold fronts, annual rainfall in our area still is well below normal levels. Due to the lack of precipitation, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (aka Swiftmud) has increased its water restrictions across Tampa Bay — New Tampa and Wesley Chapel included. According to a February 26 press release from Swiftmud, the water management district’s governing board voted to increase existing water restrictions for Tampa Bay, due to the lack of rainfall in January. The release says that our region’s rainfall currently is 3.5 inches below normal. Due to the lack of rain, Phase III water restrictions went into effect on March 13. “For the last several months, we’ve watched the conditions decline,” said Paul Senft, chairman of Swiftmud’s governing board, in the release. “If we do not receive significant rainfall in the coming months, we may have to extend these restrictions into other areas of the District.” These restrictions, which affect Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, will stay in effect until the end of July. Phase III water restrictions limit lawn watering to once per week, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., on the specific day, determined by address. However, hand watering of shrubbery or plants can be done

any day, as long as it is done between the specified hours. In addition, homeowners associations must suspend any requirement to replace lawns, pressure wash or engage in activities that increase water use during this water shortage declaration. “The order supersedes deed restrictions,” says Maggie Wilson of the Tampa Palms Community Development District (CDD) and Sanctuary at Tampa Palms Home Owner’s Association. “If you’ve been taking care of your lawn, it shouldn’t really be affected.” Car washing also is limited to once per week under the new restrictions and decorative fountains may only be used for four hours per day. According to the release, the increased restrictions come not only because of a lack of rainfall, but also because Tampa Bay Water (TBW), which supplies the water for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County water utilities, as well as for the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey, is relying on its desalination plant and regional wellfields as its main water supply while its C.W. Bill Young Reservoir undergoes a renovation. For more info, including a chart explaining which days are acceptable for lawn watering by address, please visit SWFWMD.State.FL.US and click on “Water Restrictions.” — MW

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

W ESLEY C HAPEL

Community Calendar

WC Red Hat Society Chapter

The Wesley Chapel chapter of the Red Hat Society invites women over 50 to join in the sisterhood of wearing red hats and pursuing fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment of lifelong dreams and happiness, as well as the occasional nosh. For more info, send and email to LivinGood326@verizon.net.

Experienced Networking Professionals (ENP)

Monday, March 18, 7:30 a.m. — This networking group meets Monday mornings at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and at 8 a.m. for networking at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd). For info, call Cindy at 505-3065.

Free Networking Int’l

Monday, March 18, 8 a.m. — Free Networking International (FNI), a group of area business owners, meets each Monday for networking and discussion at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., off S.R. 54). For more information, call Stacy Dalton at 469-5499.

Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking

Monday, March 18, 8 a.m. - The Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking (WCBFN) is a free gathering of local business leaders in the South Central Pasco and North Hillsborough areas. WCBFN meets Mondays at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, located at 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd. (off S.R. 54). For more info, call John Roth at 377-2622, email John.Roth@IBuilderz. com or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Walking Club

Monday, March 18, 9 a.m. - The Walking Club meets at the Meadow Pointe III Clubhouse every morning, Monday-Saturday to walk the path along Meadow Pointe Blvd. All are welcome, even strollers, but no dogs please. Walking has unlimited benefits, so put on your walking shoes and come on out. For more information, contact Susan Johnston at 767-7071 or email Susan@WalkTheWalkHC.com.

MOMS Club Of WC

Monday, March 18, 10 a.m. — The Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club of Wesley Chapel, a non-profit social group for stay-at-home mothers, meets the third Monday of each month at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.) for activities, field trips and more. For more information, e-mail Heather at WCMoms@yahoo.com.

Wesley Chapel Toastmasters

Monday, March 18, 6:15 p.m. — The “Wesley Chapel Speaks” Toastmasters Club meets on the first and third Monday of every month, at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (26944 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). Club meetings are open to all interested parties. For more info, call 406-5931 or visit Toastmasters84.org.

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets every Wednesday at Ciao Italian Bistro in the Shops at Wiregrass mall (2001 Piazza Ave.). Call 862-8989 or 391-3895 for more information.

Networking For Your Success

Friday, March 22, 7:15 a.m. — The Wesley Chapel Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Friday at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.) For additional information, call Lynne Wilson at 695-6466.

Special Needs Support Group

Mothers Of Preschoolers

WC Sunrise Rotary Club

Tuesday, March 19, 7:30 a.m. — Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who work to support each other through qualified business referrals, meets Tuesdays at Heritage Church (1854 Oak Grove Blvd.). For more info, email Tim at Tim@TampaHomes24-7.com.

East Pasco Networking Group

Meadow Pointe I Community Fair

Tuesday, March 19, 9 a.m. — The East Pasco Networking Group meets every Tuesday at Beef O’Brady’s (1660 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Shops at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza). For more information, call Frankie Ammons at 479-7997 or e-mail Frankie@studioglory.com.

Wesley Chapel Networking On The Nines

Tuesday, March 19, 3 p.m. - Networking on the Nines, put on by Insurance of New Tampa, is a great way to meet new friends and clients or strengthen existing relationships, while playing a nine-hole scramble at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). For more information, call Susan at 435-6350.

Wesley Chapel Rotary Club

Wednesday, March 20, 12:15 p.m. —

Florida Writer’s Association

Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. - The Florida Writers Association New Tampa/Wesley Chapel group meets the first Saturday of every month at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.) Writers of all genres are welcome, as well as those who are published or wishing to be published. Presentation topics include editing, marketing, options for publishing, navigating social media, and more. Meetings are FREE to attend. For more information, please email Cindy at Cindy.Campbell@OmnificPublishing.com.

Thursday, March 21, 8 a.m. — The Networking For Your Success group meets Thursdays at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For additional information, call Shawn Clark at 888-711-2032 or visit NetworkingforYourSuccess.com.

Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. Learning Your Function, Inc., is a new nonprofit group dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and their families through support groups, education and advocacy. The group meets at Crossroads Community United Methodist Church (26211 County Line Rd.). For more info, call Jim Cracchiolo at 469-2455, or visit LYFInc.com.

Business Networking Int’l

the meeting. Tickets then go up to $18. For more info, please contact Judy at 600-9848 or email Info@Women-NCharge.com.

Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. – The Meadow Pointe I Community Fair is approaching and will feature more than 50 vendors at the Meadow Pointe I Clubhouse (28245 County Line Rd.). The event is FREE and will include appearances from the Easter Bunny, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Spiderman and three Toy Story characters. For more info, send an email to MP1CC@yahoo.com.

Women-N-charge

Friday, April 5, 11:30 a.m. - The ladies of Women-N-Charge will be having their monthly networking meeting at the Pebble Creek Country Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.). This month’s meeting will feature Michelle Northrup, mother of triplet boys and an amazing entrepreneur.The lunch costs $15 online (at Women-NCharge.com) up until the Tuesday before

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Tuesday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. - Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is a non-profit group which meets to build friendships between mothers of infants to kindergarteners in the local community. MOPS meets the second Tuesday of each month at Victorious Life Church, located at 6224 Old Pasco Rd. For more info, email Debbie at VLCMops@yahoo.com.

WC Republican Club

Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m. - The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at Wesley Chapel Hyundai (27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). The club is open to Republican men and women who are interested in “good government.” New members are welcome. For more info, please contact Mike Moore at 777-6171, or email WCRepublican@ATT.net.

Community Calendar items that appear in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News are printed free of charge. Submit your information & photos (in any digital format) to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhood News.com, Attn: Matt Wiley.

2013 Health & Wellness Fest A Success! The 2103 Health & Wellness Festival, presented by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) and Florida Medical Clinic is a wrap, after an impressive turnout at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall on February 23. “This event was a great opportunity for the people of Wesley Chapel to consult medical professionals free of charge and meet physicians in the surrounding area,” said Hope Allen, a WCCC spokesperson. “The most important thing that we hoped we accomplished was to promote awareness of living a healthier lifestyle.” Vendors big and small from the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, including Florida Medical Clinic, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) and the new FHWC Wellness Center, Pura Cycling, New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center,

/Dr. Duga & Associates Pediatric Dentistry and many more, lined Paseo Dr. at the Shops at Wiregrass mall under skies that were sunny, but with a sometimes blustery wind. Many of the exhibiting medical professionals providing free health services, from blood pressure tests to cosmetic consultations. “It’s a great event,” said Dr. Bill Scheu of New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center in between administering free spinal screenings. “We’re out here ‘talking health’ to people. You can’t beat it.” The WCCC previously held the Health & Wellness Center at The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping plaza, but has decided to once again hold next year’s event at The Shops at Wiregrass, due to the positive feedback from vendors and the outstanding community turnout. - MW

(Left) Area residents take advantage of free health screenings and consultations, such as (right) the FHWC Wellness Center’s balance tests, administered by Kim Risch and Linda Harris.

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“Quail Hollow” Continued from page 1 remodeled by the same architect that redesigned Sterling Park Elelemntary in Seminole County, and he showed some pictures of those improvements to the QHE parents. The closing announcement came as a shock to teachers and staff, Berger explains. “We knew that (the announcement) was coming,” she said. “We just didn’t think it would be so immediate. There’s a lot of uncertainty for the staff. They don’t yet know which school they will be at or what grade they may be teaching and they may not find out until the end of this school year.” Berger says none of the QHE staffers (including the principal herself) will be without jobs and that QHE teachers will be given the option to teach at either school — or a completely different school — if they choose. Once the renovations are completed, current QHE teachers also can choose to remain at their new schools. Gadd said the District plans to “fast track” QHE and Shady Hills so the schools might only be closed for two school years (2013-14 and 2014-15), but admitted that the process could take 2-3 years. The reaction from many parents has been “understandably emotional,” Berger said at the meeting. “We know our parents love the school, but wouldn’t you like to see your child in a classroom which has its own walls?” (Note-Virtually every parent in attendance at the meeting agreed.) She added, “We’re a very small (only 350 K-5 students and 50 ESE (or special needs kids), tight-knit community. Some of

my students’ parents went to this school and they’re sad to see it close, but (closing for renovations) wasn’t an emotional decision. It was a well-thought-out decision. Of course, we know there’s just no good time to close and remodel a school.” Quail Hollow’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president Dawn Showalter agreed. “As parents, we were all stunned by the announcement,” she explains. “The majority of parents are unhappy. They just wish that (the closing) didn’t have to happen while their kids are in the school.” Both Abernathy at WCE and Mitchell at WaterGrass promised to have events on campus and other opportunities to tour and get to know their schools before the end of this school year. WCE will receive about 150 QHE students, while WaterGrass will receive closer to 200 and both schools will add six portable classrooms to accommodate them. Gadd assured the QHE parents that their children and teachers would not all be “sequestered in portables or treated as a separate school population.” Instead, they would all be integrated into the schools so that some students and teachers would be in portables and some in regular classrooms. Gadd also noted that QHE’s preKindergarten program will be shifted to Veterans Elementary on S.R. 54, which is actually closer to the southern portion of QHE’s attendance boundary than WCE or WaterGrass. He noted, however, that Veterans is already too full to accept QHE’s K-5 students because, “even with portable classrooms, areas like the cafeteria would not be able to accommodate a large enough number of the Quail Hollow students.”

(L. to r.) John Abernathy, Scott Mitchell & Michelle Berger, the principals at Wesley Chapel, WaterGrass & Quail Hollow elementaries, respectively, promised the QHE parents their children would be in good hands the next two years.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

“Patty Wolf ” Continued from page 1 driving herself to both the Wolf’s Den and her well-known, 18-year-old dog grooming business, The Classy Canine on Massachusetts Ave. in New Port Richey, until mid-January, even though she was regularly receiving hospice care at home. “Until the last few months,” Roger said at the memorial, “you would never even have known she was sick. She never, ever complained and she still always had that smile for everyone.” Patty even made sure she was helping out at Wolf’s Den for Roger’s 2012 Christmas Eve party, an annual event where the restaurant has served thousands of free meals for those in need the last four years. Patty, 53, also had been a tireless fund raiser, for the American Cancer Society, one year raising $10,000 by herself for a local Relay for Life event. When I interviewed him for a story about Wolf’s Den last year, Roger told me that he was working in his father’s restaurant in Lake Geneva, WI, when Patty — then an 18-year-old Bunny at the Playboy Club in the same town — walked in. And, even though many of the other Bunnies had frequented the restaurant before, Roger says he turned to another employee and said right away, “That’s the woman I’m going to marry.” What he didn’t tell me, however, is that Patty rebuffed him several times be-

fore she even agreed to go out with him. “What is it about the word ‘never’ you don’t understand, Wolf?” Undeterred by her many rejections, Roger persisted and eventually won the heart of the young college student who wanted to be a veterinarian but who ended up working at the restaurant before falling in love with and agreeing to marry her suitor — who was 12 years older than his wife. During his remembrance at the memorial service, Roger recalled how, at their wedding, Patty’s father told him that Patty was the apple of his eye, so there were, “no returns on this one.” Nor did he ever consider such a return. Although I had never been to The Classy Canine, there’s no doubt that Roger’s patrons all knew how much he loved his wife, and had heard that the couple also had taken in Patty’s mother after Patty’s father passed away — nearly 20 years ago — and how important mother and daughter were to each other. “If Patty said something wrong, mom would lie and say she was right,” Roger said during the memorial. “And likewise, if mom said something wrong, Patty would lie to cover for her. They were two inseparable peas in a pod and they always backed each other up.” Also sharing the Wolf family’s home in Wesley Chapel are four shih tzus. “They were Patty’s babies,” Roger recalled. And, Snoopy, the youngest of the four, was next to her when Patty passed. Rev. White was stunned, but not re-

ally surprised, by the turnout at the memorial service, because he had gotten to know the Wolfs very well and had spent a lot of time enjoying Roger’s food at the Wolf’s Den. “I was with Patty when she welcomed Jesus into her heart as her Lord and Savior a few weeks ago,” he said during the memorial. “I know that Patty lives in heaven and is no longer sick.” But, here on Earth, and more specifically, in Wesley Chapel, at a popular little restaurant known as the Wolf’s Den, there is a great void in the hearts of those who work and dine there, a sadness that Roger says is made only a little less sad in the knowledge that Patty is no longer suffering.

Rest in Peace, Patty. You and Roger and your mom and all of your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers, just as I know you’re all in the thoughts and prayers of (in Roger’s words, recalled from my 2011 article about the Wolf’s Den) “the almost cult-like” followers of that still-terrific restaurant. The soul of that restaurant may have passed, but Patty Wolf still lives on in all of us. A foundation to help fund scholarships to veterinary school programs is being established in Patty Wolf’s name at Central Bank. For more information or to make a donation, call Mary Ann Yaney at Central Bank ((20701 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) at 929-4477.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

SK Financial CPA: Focused On Helping You Meet Your Financial Goals By Bonnie Mason With the tax season now upon us, wouldn’t it be nice to find a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm that is 100-percent focused on meeting its clients’ financial goals and saving money to positively affect the bottom line? “Clients come to us because they want a professional to help them manage the financial part of their business,” says Shams Khan, the president and owner of SK Financial, located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56. Shams is both a licensed CPA and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to help serve not only your tax needs, but also all of your financial planning needs, both personal and business. SK Financial CPA is a full-service accounting firm primarily focused on helping small- to mid-sized businesses with quality financial services to help relieve its business clients from dealing with day-to-day accounting, bookkeeping, tax planning and preparation, human resources (HR), and payroll activity so they can focus on their core business. “We like our clients to think of us as their internal accounting department," says Khan. SK Financial also provides financial planning services for new business start-ups to give them a better chance of being a success from the start.

Experience Counts

Shams has more than 12 years of experience in accounting, tax preparation, consulting and personal financial planning services to individuals and businesses. His financial focus is in a number of areas, including real estate, healthcare and advisory services. SK Financial’s Wesley Chapel clients include physicians’ offices, home healthcare agencies, independent clinics and pharmacies, as well as real estate agents and brokers, mortgage firms and even individual real estate investors. And, every member of SK’s staff, including Registered Financial Consultant Allan Paull — who has more than 19 years of experience in the securities and insurance industries — brings unique strengths and experience to serve the firm’s clients. “Having held positions with Marketing

One securities, former banking firms Fortune Bank and AmSouth (known as Regions Financial), Allan is a great asset for SK Financial’s clients,” says Shams. “In addition to his expertise in financial services, Allan was a real estate broker with WC&F Reality Advisers working with the resolution trust, which gives him a solid foundation in the business of real estate.” Shams is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) and the Florida CPA Society. He also volunteers at numerous not-for-profit organizations in the Tampa area that need accounting and business advice. Shams and his wife Umayma live in Wesley Chapel. An architect by trade, Umayma currently stays at home to raise the couple’s two sons, Ryaan and Yamaan, ages four and five years, respectively. According to SK Financial’s client Walter Urquia, you won’t be disappointed with the firm’s services. “I have being doing my personal and business taxes with Shams for four years, and it is always a pleasure to deal with him and his staff. I’d give them 10 stars!” Be sure to check out Google Reviews to see many more reviews of the staff and services at SK Financial CPA.

Clients like Distinctive Lawn Care of Wesley Chapel help keep SK Financial busy with clients. Shams says 50 percent of SK’s business is gained through referrals from current clients. “I have had Mr. Khan do my business and personal taxes for several years,” says P. Stephen Nash of Distinctive Lawn Care. “I have been extremely satisfied with his professionalism, as well as his very reasonable pricing. I’m pleased to give Shams and SK Financial a 5-star rating as they exemplify exactly what I am looking for in an accountant."

Shams Khan (left), CPA & CFP, the president and owner of SK Financial CPA (located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56), and SK Financial’s Registered Financial Consultant Allan Paull ing weekly evaluation meetings; and saving money through using the latest technology to increase your tax savings significantly — often enough to cover your annual fee for service and even more! Wesley Chapel business owners and residents can trust that SK Financial has their back. Whether you’re looking for weekly accounts payables and receivables, monthly bookkeeping services, or a CPA on a year- round basis, SK Financial helps you get the job done. The firm also has a second office, open by appointment, in downtown Tampa (on Kennedy Blvd.), making it convenient for business owners in both Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Maximizing Your Refund

“SK Financial helps Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Sub-S

The SK Financial Difference

Shams knows there are many CPA firms available to his clients, so he makes sure SK Financial services always include these three things — easy accessibility through a policy to return phone calls within 24 hours (which ensures client satisfaction by making every client a top priority); hold-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Corporations, sole proprietors, and individuals prepare and manage their taxes,” says Shams. “Business tax is one of the most challenging areas in tax law and SK Financial knows how to take advantage of every business tax incentive, avoid costly fines, and keep more money in your pockets.” SK Financial CPA also offers a free consultation and anyone taking advantage of the free consultation will receive a special report on “How to Drastically Reduce Your Taxes By As Much As 65% This Year and Put Thousands Back in Your Pocket!” If you have delayed completing your 2012 taxes, it’s not too late to have the experts at SK Financial work with you to ensure you receive all of the tax breaks you should legally receive.

How SK Financial Saves $

Clients who implement one of SK Financial’s more than 100 tax and management strategies into the way they manage their business find success in saving money. Here are the top three ways Shams helps you to save money. 1. Automate your accounting department to avoid computer and software costs. This implementation saves on direct/indirect payroll and overhead costs. SK Financial provides the skilled, experienced professionals you need to handle your daily accounting and bookkeeping plus helps you develop policies and procedures to streamline your process.

2. Implement tax strategies to save on taxes with SK Financial's proactive accounting and tax advice and guidance. 3. File taxes early or on-time to avoid unnecessary penalties. Shams and his staff adhere to strict deadlines to ensure you don’t pay any penalties. If SK Financial doesn’t file any form or make a tax deposit on time, the firm will pay any tax penalties on your behalf.

How About A 100% Money-Back Guarantee?

SK Financial stands behind its services. “The most important thing we do is to help our clients achieve their goals and save money by implementing simple tax management and strategies,” says Shams.

Your satisfaction is assured through SK Financial’s no-risk 100%, no-questionsasked, money-back guarantee. “If you ever find that our tax and accounting professionals did not help you and you are not satisfied with our efforts to help you deal with the IRS, we want to give you your money back... period,” says Shams. “No hard feelings, and you won't have to ask twice.” To schedule an appointment for your free consultation with SK Financial CPA, in either the Wesley Chapel office (in the Seven Oaks Professional Park, 2210 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101) or the downtown Tampa (201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 950) location, call Shams Khan at 322-3936 or visit SKFinancial.com.

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Spinner Law Firm Celebrates Ten Years In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! By Kathleen Schiop It’s never an easy task finding a professional to assist us with our needs. Even more difficult is finding an attorney, especially when you have been involved in a crisis situation, such as an auto accident. Do you pay attention to the advertising saturating TV or radio? Or do you instead trust recommendations from trusted friends and family members, or members of your community, who have undergone the same experiences themselves? Charles Spinner, Jr., Esq., is an attorney specializing in personal injury and auto accident litigation whose business was founded upon exactly that idea. Now celebrating its tenth year in business, Spinner Law Firm (located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off of S.R. 56) has made a commitment to providing the highest quality legal services to residents of Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’Lakes & Zephyrhills. Spinner says that most of the firm’s clients still come primarily from the referrals of its many satisfied clients. Spinner, 42, says he was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a practicing attorney in Buffalo, NY. His memories of going to court, observing the legal process and seeing how his father helped people motivated Charles to want to help people the same way. After graduating from the University of Dayton (OH), he received his Juris Doc-

tor degree from the University of Toledo (also OH) College of Law in 1996. He is admitted to practice in all Courts of the State of Florida, and also is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. After working for several years as a civil trial and insurance defense attorney, he founded Spinner Law Firm in New Tampa (Pebble Creek) in 2003. His mission was to make it easy for the residents of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa to receive client-focused legal representation without traveling to downtown Tampa. Spinner says he truly believes that, “The practice of law is not a product but a service. You build trust in the community by being a zealous advocate and presenting a personalized, local option for quality service with honesty and integrity.” In early 2012, the firm’s offerings were enhanced by the addition of Anissa Morris, a seasoned and experienced attorney who specializes in estate planning (preparation of wills and trusts), probate and trust administration, and family law. Morris also supports the firm’s litigation efforts, giving clients the benefit of a team of experienced attorneys, which Spinner says can be important in the presentation of personal injury cases. Office administrator and legal assistant Vicki Portfolio has been with Spinner Law since the beginning, and Vicki’s genuine, caring demeanor makes clients feel welcomed immediately to the office. Mary

Margaret Caporali, who has been with Spinner Law since 2005, is the firm’s personal injury assistant, who is responsible for compiling insurance information, medical records and other essential paperwork and pieces of evidence for the firm’s personal injury clients. Paralegal Judith Risley has worked as a legal assistant for 25 years and has vast experience in providing support in all areas of civil litigation. The firm’s community relations and marketing efforts are spearheaded by Heidi Jacobsen, who recently celebrated her third anniversary with the firm. So, whatever your legal questions may be, the team at Spinner Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to answer them. Spinner himself says he is “very proud” of the firm’s A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Growing With The Area

Starting from humble beginnings, in a one-room office he shared with a local CPA in the Pebble Creek Collection in New Tampa, the firm has grown with the local community. Spinner says he moved to his current location in Wesley Chapel four years ago, which turned out to be a great relocation for the firm. “We moved to Wesley Chapel from New Tampa at a time when there were more people and businesses in New Tampa than in Wesley Chapel,” he says. “But, over these four years, the population growth has

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Attorneys Charles Spinner, Jr. & Anissa Morris head up the legal team at the Spinner Law Firm, located off S.R. 56.

shifted the other way, with Wesley Chapel adding a new hospital, a major shopping mall and a community college. These are exciting times in this community and we are blessed to be part of it. He adds that he’s still close enough to New Tampa not only to serve both communities, but being in such a central location (off S.R. 56, between I-75 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd.), ‘'we’ve been able to help clients from the entire area, including Zephyrhills, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.” The move helped broaden the firm’s client access, and Spinner Law is busier now than it ever has been.

“Early on, in addition to personal injury, we handled a broader range of cases, including family law (divorces, child custody arrangements, etc.) and even consumer bankruptcies.” Spinner says. “Over the years, we have streamlined our areas of practice to focus on injury law, and estate planning. We still take on marital and family law matters on a limited basis, mainly to service our existing and former clients when they need us.” He adds, “The personal injury (auto accidents, slip & falls, brain injuries, dog bites, drunk driver injuries, etc.) side of our practice has really taken off because we have found that a lot of people in this community prefer to hire someone who lives and works in the area, where everyone at the firm will know their name and where they will get the personal attention and responsiveness they deserve.” And, based on the reviews we’ve found, the firm does get the job done for its clients. “Spinner Law Firm is thorough and efficient, a great law firm to work with,” says Rachel, a local, satisfied client. “Wonderful support staff...they are some of the most polite and cheerful I have experienced. I love that they deal with the insurance companies so I don't have to — just as they said they would!”

A Trusted Partner

In addition to the legal help Spinner Law Firm offers to the area, the firm also participates in many community organizations and functions. Spinner himself is a

member of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club. The firm’s many charitable endeavors are in the competent hands of Heidi Jacobsen, Spinner Law Firm’s Marketing & Community Relations Director. Spinner says the firm will again have a booth at the upcoming Taste of New Tampa (see page 1) and will again sponsor the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary’s Spelling Bee. In addition, the firm has conducted toy and clothing drives for the Fisher House, and last year encouraged an online vote for favorite teachers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, with the teachers who earned the most votes receiving roses that Jacobsen hand-delivered to their schools on Valentine’s Day. When not busy with the firm, Charles enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife Carrie have four daughters, ages two through nine, and he says taking care of his young family is like having “a second full-time job.” In what little free time he has, Spinner says he enjoys tennis, running and outdoor sports, such as fishing. He also enjoys dining out and says he reads this publication’s dining reviews religiously for the latest dining info. For more information about attorneys Charles Spinner, Jr., and Anissa Morris and the staff at Spinner Law Firm (26843 Tanic Dr., Suite 101), call 991-5115, email cspinner@spinnerlawfirm.com or visit SpinnerLawFirm.com.

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Royalty Lawn & Landscaping Will Treat Your Lawn Like Royalty! By Matt Wiley Royalty is a word used for one of royal blood or royal status. With Royalty Lawn & Landscape, you won’t be the only one treated like royalty; your lawn and landscaping will make your home look like it’s suited for a king or queen. Royalty Lawn & Landscape’s name is self-explanatory — it’s a full-service lawncare and landscaping company catering to the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, as well as parts of Lutz and Zephyrhills. Royalty owner and Wesley Chapel resident Brian Cholnik takes pride in not only his care and maintenance of your property — whether residential or commercial — but also his customer service. “We care about our customers because we know how much they care about their own properties,” says Royalty owner and Wesley Chapel resident Brian Cholnik. “We do high-end work for a mediumprice. There are companies in the area that are cheaper than us, but they usually do very minimal work for that price.” For Cholnik and Royalty, maintenance is the main priority. If Royalty sets a schedule with a customer to take care of their landscaping on a specific day each week, weather-permitting, Brian promises

they’ll always be there. “If the weather is going to be bad in the afternoon, we’re there as early we can to make sure we keep our schedule with our customers,” he explains. “Worst case, we’ll be there early the following day. We service about 375-400 customers on a weekly basis, but we’re always looking for new customers to add to the family.” In fact, that is the request that Cholnik says that he gets from people most. Not specific requests for their landscaping (although Cholnik always sees to these special requests personally), but whether or not Royalty is accepting new clients. “A lot of neighbors get a little jealous of our customers,” he says. “They’ll call me to say that they want better landscaping, too.” Royalty provides a wide range of landscaping and lawn-care options, from the company’s basic residential service (which includes weekly mowing, trimming, edging and cleanup), to Royalty’s premium residential package that, in addition to the services provided in the basic package, also includes planter and flower bed maintenance, shrub and bush maintenance, and, of course, clean up. Royalty also offers re-mulching and irrigation repairs.

Royalty takes care of everything from basic lawn care to full blown landscaping, which, Cholnik says, represents 90percent of his customers. If you’re considering some new landscaping for your home, with Royalty, the process is simple. “Basically, customers call us, we set up a free consultation and Brian Cholnik, the owner of Royalty Lawn & Landscaping, give them some will help you design landscaping fit for a king. ideas,” Cholnik explains. “The way “We can do projects a third at a time. It Florida’s climate is, it’s warm and can sup- may take three months, but we’re flexible. port tropical plants, but we still have cold We accept credit, where most companies spells. I try to recommend fewer of the only want cash in hand.” tropical plants and more plants that can While Royalty offers many lawn and survive if it does get cold.” landscaping services, there are certain servCholnik says that he and his landscap- ices that the company does not offer. ing team then will draw up pictures for the “I’m very clear with customers about customer and figure out costs, depending the services that we can and cannot proupon the customer’s budget at that time. vide,” Cholnik says. “If there’s something “We can go from there,” he says. that we can’t do, I make recommenda-

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This is an example of the what your yard can look like if you hire Brian Cholnik’s Royalty Lawn & Landscaping crew. tions and point them in the right direction, especially with fertilization and pest control.” Since fertilization and pest-control companies typically serve customers on a less-frequent basis, Cholnik says that he and his crew keep an eye out for issues associated with those services, even though Royalty may not offer them. “If we see a problem pop up, we’ll let those companies know ahead of time be-

fore it gets worse,” Cholnik says. “We try to educate our customers about proper fertilization, which we don’t provide, but there are some companies that we highly recommend.” In addition to offering a place for current and potential customers to learn Hillsborough and Pasco County watering schedules and the ability to price out landscaping projects, Royalty’s website also offers an entire list of companies that

Cholnik recommends to his clients for services that Royalty doesn’t directly provide. And, Brian says, in a struggling economy, small businesses “piggy-backing” off of one another is something that is essential for survival. “Larger companies gave us a chance in the beginning, so we try to do the same,” he explains. “We try to make good relationships with other companies in the industry. We’re not here to undercut anyone. We just recently moved into Wesley Chapel Nursery (located off S.R. 54, just east of the bend at Curley Rd.) for storage. Having them so close, it allows us to do more. We both benefit.” Kelby Reed, a manager at Wesley Chapel Nursery, agrees. The nursery deems itself a “one-stop shop” for landscaping supplies, but also sometimes need a place to refer customers. “Brian’s been buying supplies from us for quite some time,” he says. “It’s great having Royalty on-site because we sometimes have customers that come in looking for services we don’t offer, so we have a hand-in-hand relationship. We definitely help each other out.”

The Origin Of Royalty Cholnik, 32, says that Royalty began as a hobby in 2007, and a way to make money on the side while he was working at

an architectural firm. Now, he has a crew numbering nearly a dozen. “I realized that I enjoy being outdoors and from there, (Royalty) became its own monster,” Cholnik says, jokingly. “I can’t complain. I’m making a living and making people happy about their landscaping. My customers are proud of their homes and want to protect what they have. It can be tough to keep up with homeowner association requirements in the communities in this area. But, that’s where we come in.” Royalty client James Morrow can’t complain, either. “I’ve been using landscaping business for 28 years, since I moved to Florida,” says Morrow, who lives in Seven Oaks with his wife Vena and golden retriever Deuce. “I’ve changed companies many times because of reliability, or lack of follow-up. But, Brian’s very professional, whether by email or by phone, and his prices are very competitive. If you want something special done, he’ll get it done for you. About the time I’m thinking something in the yard needs attention, I look outside and (Royalty) is already here working on it.” For additional information about Royalty Lawn & Landscaping, please visit RoyaltyLawns.com or call 4699013 and please tell Brian the Neighborhood News sent you!

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Medi-Weight Loss — Your Non-Surgical Medical Weight Loss Option! Medi-Weightloss Clinics®, with a location convenient to New Tampa on S.R. 54 in Lutz, offers expert medical help for losing weight without surgery or fad diets. Whether you’re trying to lose 10 pounds to fit into your favorite bikini or 100 pounds to save your life, weight loss isn’t easy. Kelli Maw, MD, the medical director at the Lutz location, noticed that many of her patients were looking for a program that would help them lose weight and, for many, the traditional, run-of-the-mill local weight loss options didn’t seem to be enough. That’s why Dr. Maw says she decided to join Medi-Weightloss Clinics®. Dr. Maw, MD has more than 20 years of experience in family medicine, public health, and epidemiology. She holds a Master’s degree in public health, and is a graduate of Columbia University in New York City, NY, and the Institute of Medicine in Yangon, Myanmar. Dr. Maw is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. After nine years as the medical executive director for the Hernando County Health Department, she sees her position with Medi-Weightloss Clinics® as a natural progression of her preventive care advocacy, especially in the prevention of chronic diseases related to obesity. “There are no magic bullets in medi-

cine to prevent chronic diseases, but maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle is as close as it gets,” Dr. Maw says. “One of the greatest things about Medi-Weightloss Clinics® is that we coach people to embrace a healthy lifestyle that puts them back in charge of their health and their weight.” With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to get into shape. With 85 locations in 21 states, including 25 locations throughout Florida, MediWeightloss Clinics® is the nation’s premier physician-supervised weight loss program. Since 2006, the Lutz location has been offering local residents a way to lose weight and keep it off, without having to resort to fad diets or invasive surgery. “At Medi-Weightloss Clinics®,” Dr. Maw says, “we have physicians and nutritionists on staff, and, in addition to the physical aspects of weight loss, we stress nutrition and education. We are committed to seeing patients keep the weight off. We focus on education and a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and learning appropriate portion sizes.” All Medi-Weightloss Clinics® physicians are members of the Society of Bariatric Physicians and have expert experience helping patients with significant weight problems, especially those who

Dr. Kelli Maw (right) of MediWeightloss Clinic on S.R. 54 in Lutz will help guide you through every step of the process of your medically-supervised weight loss program. have weight issues and other associated medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.On average, patients lose 7 pounds the first week and 2-3 pounds each week thereafter for the first month. Since opening, the Lutz location has helped its patients drop more than 30,000 pounds combined. The program begins with a 90minute initial consultation, where the patient receives a comprehensive exam that includes a review of his or her medical history, a physical, EKG, blood work, a body

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fat analysis and weight and BMI measurements. Dr. Maw will discuss the patient’s goals with them and make diet and exercise recommendations as well as provide vitamin supplements and an appetite suppressant, if applicable. During weekly follow-up visits, which last 15-20 minutes, patients receive supplemental injections, a weight analysis and weight loss support. Medi-Weightloss Clinics® patients also receive access to the Signature Patient Website, which features delicious, healthy recipes and hundreds of exercises. Patients also can track their weight loss success and log their fitness activities on the website. Dr. Maw also keeps patients’ primary care physicians informed about their progress, allowing healthcare providers to align their care, such as lowering blood pressure or cholesterol medication dosages when warranted, which is an advantage of the physician-supervised Medi program. And, Medi-Weightloss Clinics® aren’t just about losing weight, but helping patients embrace a healthy lifestyle, improve self-esteem and prevent chronic diseases. “We will coach and support you so that you can take charge of your weight and health and feel your best again,” says Dr. Maw. She adds, “We often don’t experience discomfort when we are gradually gaining

weight because in our society food is associated with celebrations, holidays, family gatherings, and other happy occasions.” However, the reverse can be true when trying to lose weight. But, with the support and guidance of the professional Lutz staff, the process of losing weight doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Let Medi-Weightloss Clinics® help you make this summer the best bikini season yet! The Lutz/Wesley Chapel MediWeightloss Clinic is located at 24420 S.R. 54, about a mile or so west of where S.R. 54 meets S.R. 56. For Client Erin Blackwell lost 106 lbs. at the more information, call 909-1700 or Medi-Weightloss Clinic on S.R. 54 in visit MediWeightLossClinics.com/ Lutz. Your results may vary. Locations/Lutz.

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Maria Cherrez-VanGalder - Honestly Helping Local Home Buyers & Sellers By Bonnie Mason Are you thinking of buying your first home? Or, perhaps you’re a homeowner who wants to sell? Real estate consultant Maria Cherrez-VanGalder, with Charles Rutenberg Realty, has the skills, knowledge, passion and honesty to help you through the often daunting home buying or selling process. Finding the right realtor is a process. Maria says, “The most important thing when choosing a real estate professional is to find someone you can trust. Don’t be afraid to interview several agents before choosing one you feel comfortable will represent your interests." “Your realtor should know the market you are buying or selling in, have access to the latest industry tools and proven relationship skills necessary to close the deal,” she says. Maria’s past clients will attest that you can depend upon her history of success and integrity in a business not always known for its great integrity. She is an experienced negotiator with expert knowledge of the New Tampa community — where she both lives and works — giving her an edge on obtaining the best results for her clients. Maria learned the hard way — she lost her down payment funds on the first home she wanted to buy, due, for the

most part, to the strict credit requirements in place in the early 1990s. Later, she learned there was no reason to lose her down payment and vowed to become more educated about the home buying process. It is with this determination that Maria helps first-time home buyers through the entire process — from building credit to closing on a new home. “It was a hard lesson to learn, but I feel it’s part of what makes me work even harder for my clients,” she says. Maria received her real estate training with Mark It Realty Group with Broker Mark Weiss in 1998 and in 2002 began her career with Charles Rutenberg Realty, which is based in Clearwater, although Maria works out of her home in the New Tampa area and helps both buyers and sellers in her community. She also serves Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes and the Carrollwood area where she first began her real estate career. With more than 4,000 agents in Florida, Illinois and New York, Maria can count on the support she receives from Charles Rutenberg Realty — believing completely in the company’s mission and tradition of excellence.

In The People Business

Maria understands that every client is unique and she treats every one of them

with respect — always considering the way she would want to be treated in any situation. Client Elizabeth Welliver (with Maria in photo above) says, “While selling my home in Hunter’s Green, Maria put forth great effort in advertising and also hosted several open houses. She does her work with passion and is obviously willing to do all she can to help her clients. Maria New Tampa resiident and real estate consultant Maria applies the concept of ethics in Cherrez-VanGalder of Charles Rutenberg Realty promises her clients — whether they are buying or selling their her work as a realtor.” Maria says that a high perhomes — honesty, ethics and hard work. centage of her clients are repeat customers who come back to her parents moved her and her five siblings whenever they are ready to buy or sell a from Ecuador to New York City. That home for the second or even third time. experience of being in a new place and Her clients know that they can rely on the wanting to find “your place” has made relationship they built from their first enher into the compassionate agent her counter. clients experience every day. Maria has “I don't measure my success by sales, two adult children — Rob, who lives in but by the relationships I build along the New York City, and Dianne, who lives in way,” she says. California. Maria and her husband Mark Maria was just 14 years old when her have been married for 21 years.

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First-Time Buyer Advice

Maria’s main advice to any homebuyer, especially first-time home buyers, is to buy only what you can afford. “Anytime a client can’t comfortably afford the mortgage on a home, I advise them to be patient and wait,” says Maria. “Many potential home buyers need to reassess their budgets to learn where they may have to make cuts. And, clients may even come to the realization that they need to save more money before taking the plunge into home-ownership.” Many first-time buyers are right now finding it more difficult to obtain mortgage financing, due to the increase in restrictions brought on by the most recent nationwide financial crisis. Maria recommends taking whatever steps you can to fix your credit. “Although it may take some time to fix your credit,” she says, “you’ll still have time to buy at a low interest rate.” Maria provides her clients with a variety of options for getting help to fix their credit.

Preparing A Home for Sale

Maria suggests sellers be as objective as possible when pricing their homes. She says you can be competitive by obtaining at least three free market analyses from different real estate agents to allow a fair assessment of the value of your home and the current market. And then, price yours to sell. Another recommendation from Maria to sellers is to de-clutter each room

and closet in their homes. A home on the market should be clean and clutter-free. If necessary, rent an off-site storage unit for excess furniture and other items. What about current homeowners who are “upside down” in their homes? Maria suggests staying in your current home until the market changes. She says, “The local market is becoming a seller’s market — home prices are slowly increasing across the Tampa Bay area. However, there are investors out there who are paying cash for homes and winning bidding wars with cash payments. This is good for sellers because they are selling at their asking price and sometimes higher.” Perhaps the most important thing Maria says to remember about the current market is that many listed homes in our area are going under contract in 30 days or less and there are still many short sales locally, as well as REOs (real estate owned by banks). And, while she says that the current market includes a high percentage of repeat home buyers, new home builders in the area also are ramping up to benefit from an expected increase in first-time buyers. For example, Lennar Homes is building at Easton Park and Meritage Homes at Bassett Creek — both in K-Bar Ranch — and both also are offering a variety of incentives, to make it easier for most home buyers to purchase. “I see a bright future,” Maria says. “The curtain is rising to reveal a whole new picture.”

Part Of The Community Maria is extremely active in the New Tampa and Tampa Bay communities and says she is passionate about helping others. For example, she is a Board member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP)’ Tampa Bay chapter. NAHREP members act as advocates to help Hispanic families achieve the American Dream of becoming homeowners. Maria also is a member of the North East Tampa Women in Business (NETWIB) and the Hispanic Professional Women's Association (HPWA) groups, where she helped in fund-raising efforts

for migrant children and families. And, last October, Maria raised money for the American Cancer Society and participated in “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” event in downtown Tampa. If you are in the market for a real estate consultant, Maria Cherrez-VanGalder is the advocate for you. New Tampa resident Maria Cherrez-VanGalder, is a short sale-certified, full-time real estate consultant for Charles Rutenberg Realty in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 679-9595, or visit MariaFloridaRealtor.com.

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Anchor Title Protects You & Your Important Real Estate Investments By Camille Gillies With the Tampa real estate market starting to bounce back and more people considering buying or selling a home, now may be a good time to brush up on your knowledge of the title business. If you’ve ever purchased property, chances are pretty good you’ve bought title insurance. That’s because most lenders require buyers to purchase title insurance as security for any real estate investment. But, do you really know what title insurance covers, or what a title company does? One expert on the subject is Anthony Fowkes, owner of Anchor Title Services, LLC, which is headquartered in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. A licensed title agent who started Anchor Title eight years ago, Tony says the title industry is not well understood. “Most people probably don’t understand what we do,” Tony explains. “Basically, we are a non-interested third party between the bank, the buyer and the seller. We specialize in researching, delivering and recording closing documents, preparing settlement costs and closing statements, disbursing settlement funds and providing title insurance.”

Unlike homeowners or flood insurance policies that show up in your mailbox for renewal every year, title insurance for your home is a one-time premium, and rather than protect against hazards such as hurricanes and fires that may befall your home in the future, title insurance protects against loss from hazards that potentially already exist. When purchasing a home, you are actually purchasing the title to the property, and that title may be limited by rights and claims asserted by others. Problems can arise when deeds, wills and trusts contain improper wording or incorrect names; outstanding mortgages and judgments exist, or the seller didn’t pay his taxes and there’s a lien against the property; or there are easements that must allow construction of a road or a utility line; pending legal action against the property could affect the purchaser; or incorrect notary acknowledgments are discovered. How do you know whether any of these issues are associated with your real estate purchase? The title company does a search of public land records and when title problems are uncovered by the search, they try to resolve them. Unfortunately, hidden hazards may emerge after closing: a forged signature on the deed prevents the buyer from taking

(L. to r.) Anchor Title’s post-closing manager Nahybi Amaya, agency manager Arlette Soler and owner/agent Anthony Fowkes can be found in the Cory Lake Professional Center.

ownership; an unknown heir of a previous owner claims ownership of the property; instruments were executed under an expired or a fabricated power of attorney; or mistakes were made in the public records. These hazards can be as costly to a homeowner as any natural disaster — which is where title insurance comes into play. The title insurer pays for defending an attack on the title and will either “clear” or perfect the title or pay valid claims – all included in that one-time charge you pay at closing.

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A Standard Of Excellence Anchor Title had no claims last year and was recognized by its underwriter, Stewart Title Insurance, with Stewart’s 2012 Foundation of Excellence Award and its 2012 Pacesetter Award for Anchor’s high volume of business. “We conduct business all over Florida,” Tony says. “Because we have many locations, we can make closings very convenient for our customers. If you’re refinancing your current residence, we will even come to your home. We also work

with an attorney on short sales, if our clients need that type of expertise.” Tony adds, “Many of the area’s top lenders and Realtors use our services. Anchor also handles numerous for-sale-byowner transactions. Our relationships with people are very important to us. We strive to be accessible to our clients, giving out our cell phone numbers and always having someone available to answer and return phone calls. It also helps that our staff is multilingual.” One of the big things that Tony says separates Anchor from its competition is that, “We’re more modern. We’ve streamlined our technology to speed up the process so we have the ability to quickly access anything we need for our clients.” Among the lenders on Anchor’s client list is Meriam Ibrahim, a senior mortgage banker with Chase Bank in Tampa. A top producer with eight years of experience, Ibrahim says the service she has received from Anchor Title has been “phenomenal” and that the title company’s people are the main reason. “I give them a file and they run with it,”Meriam raves. “They offer amazing customer service. It’s the individuals themselves who set the company apart from other title companies. I’ve used them for several years and find them far superior to the national title companies I’ve used.”

In the real estate community, Christy Ianuzi, a Realtor with Prudential Tropical Realty in Tampa, says the team at Anchor Title is personable and professional. “They care when there’s a problem and try to figure out a way to make things work,” Christy says. “They make sure the job gets done and when you need a closing to happen, they find a way to do it. We use them as much as possible.”

A Look At The Market Working closely with the real estate and mortgage industries, Tony has keen insight into the Tampa Bay area real estate market – and the signs of life he says he is witnessing may pleasantly surprise you. He says that Tampa’s inventory, or the amount of time it takes to sell all of the properties currently on the market, is “drastically low,” which is driving home prices higher. In fact, he says inventory overall in the Tampa Bay area, including New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, is at just 3.4 months, down from its high of 18.9 months of inventory. “The deals are not really out there now,” he remarks, noting that recently he’s seen some homes get five offers the first day they are on the market — and some sellers even receive above-list-price and cash offers. “Hedge funds are investing in the

Tampa market and are buying homes with full-price cash offers. The hedge funds, first-time homebuyers and international investors are the ones driving the (Tampa Bay-area) market.” He adds that financing is getting a little easier because confidence in the market has strengthened, adding, “There are tighter (financing) guidelines (now), but they are loosening.” Tony gains perspective on the industry at home as well, as his wife Lindsey is a Realtor with Prudential Realty. The couple lives in Cory Lake Isles with their daughters, ages 5 and 2. Tony moved to Tampa in 2003 after

graduating from West Virginia University in Morgantown with a Bachelor’s degree in criminology and anthropology. He worked in sales and eventually decided to pursue a career in the title industry and open his own business. He says he is proud of his knowledgeable staff at Anchor Title, which includes agency manager Arlette Soler, who has 13 years of title experience, and post-closing manager Nahybi Amaya. Anchor Title’s main office is located at 10347 Cross Creek Blvd, Suite B, in the Cory Lake Professional Center. For more info, call 907-7333 or visit AnchorTitleServices.net.

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Winning Starts Early For WCH, WRH Varsity Baseball Squads By Matt Wiley Bust out the peanuts and Cracker Jack, as high school baseball now is in full swing at both Wesley Chapel High (WCH) and Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH). Coming off of a 19-7 season last year, head coach Jeff Swymer’s Wiregrass Ranch Bulls are off to a solid start, second in Class 7A-District 9 (to Steinbrenner High in Tampa) as of our press time. “We’re 7-1 right now, so you could say the season is going pretty good,” Swymer says. “As long as we continue to hit like we are right now, we’ll be in good shape. We have 7 of our 9 starters hitting .400 or above.” Swymer says that the Bulls are hoping to have a 20-win season, but have a tough road ahead of them, facing a strong district of mostly Hillsborough teams, including Steinbrenner (8-0 at our press time) and Gaither (3-5). “We don’t really get a night off this season,” Swymer says. The Bulls’ success on the diamond early in the season is thanks in part to the Drury brothers, Zach and Austin. Zach opened the 2013 season by pitching a nohitter against Sunlake High, striking out 16 in the Bulls’ 4-0 victory. Zach, a righthanded junior, is off to an All-Star start,

with a 3-1 record, 43 strikeouts and a microscopic 0.33 ERA in 21 innings. Swymer says that another key to the Bulls strong start is junior infielder/pitcher Michael Campoamor, who is batting .565 and already has nine runs and 10 RBIs (runs batted in), compared to his sophomore season’s 27 runs and 17 RBIs. Wiregrass Ranch High’s Alex Goebel hits a grounder down the Sophomore third base line during the Bulls’ 9-3 win at Freedom on March 5. catcher Alex Goebel also has been a big conalready has 36 strikeouts under his belt, as tributor so far, with a .360 batting averwell as two wins and a sparkling 1.67 age, 9 hits, 6 runs and 7 RBIs. ERA in 21 innings so far. At the plate, third-baseman Kyle ‘Cats Off To Winning Start Custer, also a senior, leads the Wildcats in At nearby WCH, head coach Chuck hitting with a .611 batting average, 11 Yingling’s District 5A-8 WCH Wildcats hits, 7 runs scored and 7 RBIs. are looking to improve on last year’s 1411 record. Already 8-2, Yingling is optimistic about this year’s team. “We’re doing really well,” he explains. “We’ve had two tough losses (to Tampa Catholic and Ridgewood), but we’re performing well. We’re improving every day.” Standouts for WCH so far this season include senior pitcher Chase Ingram, who

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Yingling says he also has his eye on senior center fielder Justin Ortiz. “His batting is starting to wake up,” Yingling says. “He’s just a good, allaround athlete.” To go along with his .308, Ortiz has 8 hits, has scored 8 runs and has 4 RBIs. He also leads the Wildcats in stolen bases this season with six. “We’ve got a well-rounded team,” Yingling says. “We’re much better than last year. We’re actually capable of substitutions this season, too, because we have more depth and we can rest our players. That’s important.” WCH and WRH won’t square off until Tuesday, April 16, but it promises to be a tight game. Last year’s matchup went to the Bulls 1-0, but Yingling hopes this season will go a little differently. “They’re a good club with a lot of talent,” says the WCH coach of his team’s “cross-Wesley Chapel” rivals. “It’s a nice rivalry. Hopefully this year, we will be more productive.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Runners Pushing Their Limits & An Olympic Visitor Highlight Local 5Ks Wesley Chapel Rotary’s ‘Honest Abe’ 5K

Honesty is a virtue, and, honestly, is there a better way to spend a Saturday than being outside and helping to raise money for a good cause by running a 5K? The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon didn’t think so when they put on the third annual “Honest Abe” 5K on February 16 to benefit the Boy Scouts of America. Also sponsored by St. Leo University, just outside of nearby Dade City, the 3.1-mile run began at 8 a.m. in front of American Consulting Engineers, located on Cypress Ridge Blvd.. (near I-75 and S.R. 56), and attracted more than 60 runners. We had no word at our press time about how much money was raised to benefit the Boy Scouts. However, there only could be one winner, and Mattera Tyler crossed the finish line first, clocking a speedy 16:24 for the 5K distance.

‘Wishes For Wharton’ 5K

That same day, runners who needed a little inspiration, despite the nice weather, to get out and run were able to

Left: “Honest Abe” poses for a photo with two participants before the start of the “Honest Abe” 5K run (above) on Feb. 16 meet one of the world’s fastest men — a former Olympic gold medalist — who served as the official starter of another local 5K race? Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion in the 100 meters — and bronze medalist in 2012 — appeared at the “Wishes for Wharton” 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run, an annual event also held on Feb. 16, on Wharton’s campus on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.) in New Tampa. Gatlin also was promoting his affiliation with Track Nation, whose mission is to “bring the world of track & field together under one common goal that inspires us all to become one voice.” Net proceeds from this year’s race will again be given to “Wishes for Whar-

Former Olympic 100-meter champ Justin Gatlin ton,” which provides the awaits the start of the “Wishes for Wharton” 5K run, school’s teachers with grants also held on Feb. 16. to spend on various classroom materials and resources. Wharweek before the Wharton race, says he is ton principal Brad Woods estimates that hoping to get a chance to compete for his this year’s nearly 150 runners and the second 100m gold at the 2016 Olympics race’s sponsors helped the event raise in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After running “between $4,000-$5,000 this year.” 9.79 — the fastest 100 time ever by anyCongratulations go out to Wharton one over age 30, at the 2012 Games in track & cross country runners McKenna London — and finishing an eyelash beGraves — who was the overall race winhind Jamaican teammates Usain Bolt ner in a time of 17:50, 28 seconds better (9.63) and Yohan Blake (9.69). than his personal best — and women’s Gatlin said that he plans to run in winner Mariah Henderson (20:31). the world championships in Russia later Graves said after that he, “really liked this year, with an eye towards Rio 2016. meeting Justin Gatlin and what he said “That’s probably my last real chance about ‘going for it’ in whatever we do.” to win another Olympic medal,” he said. Gatlin, who turned 31 less than a “That’ll be my last hurrah.” — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Toast Wine & Café Is So Much More Than Just A Wine Bar! By Gary Nager Photos by Matt Wiley When local favorites like Ciccio’s Lodge and Lee Roy Selmon’s exited the New Tampa area over the last few months, Toast Wine & Café (located minutes south of Wesley Chapel in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of Tampa Palms) co-owner and wine expert Hector Gonzalez already had the idea for transforming Toast from “just” a wine bar that also served some interesting flatbreads, salads and cheese platters, into more of a sitdown restaurant. Well, to that end, the interior of Toast has undergone quite a few changes — Hector and his partners have greatly expanded the kitchen, changed the former cigar smoking room into the new walk-in humidor (which means no more smoking inside the place), reduced the number of bottles of wine and added a new coffee area, as well as a few more tables and chairs. But, the biggest change at Toast is the new menu. There’s a little something for just about everybody on it and quite a few new items warrant rave reviews. Hector, who has his “Level 1” wine sommelier certification, has more wine knowledge than just about anyone I know. While he’s had no formal culinary training, he has been doing food pairing meals at Toast with a lot of great Bay-area restaurants and caterers since Toast opened 4+ years ago and, like so many of you, he’s also a big fan of cooking shows on the Food Network. He’s been working on this new menu for at least two years. My favorite new items on the menu are the jumbo lump crabcakes, which are loaded with lump crab and topped with a semi-spicy peri peri pepper aioli and served with mixed

You can’t go wrong with Toast’s “Top Shelf” Cuban sandwich (above) or jumbo shrimp cocktail Bordeaux (right).

greens. Assistant editor/ photographer Matt Wiley raved about the jumbo tiger shrimp cocktail Bordeaux and we both enjoyed the beef tenderloin trio, which is three amazingly tender filet mignons, one of each topped with goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes, Maytag blue cheese and an Adobo beer glaze. If you’re looking for sandwiches, Toast now has artisan slider sandwiches, where you can choose 1-3 sliders from pork cushon (belly), chicken burger, filet mignon and roast chicken Co-owner Hector Gonzalez of Toast Wine & Cafe in the Oak Ramble Plaza (on BBD south of Tampa Palms) and you can add your choice of invites you to try his excellent new menu items, including some of the best lump crabcakes you’ll find anywhere. an incredible potato gratin or wild mushroom risotto. Three sliders and a side is a nice “small plate” meal for two. There’s also a variety of panini sandwiches and everyone at the office enjoyed The Veggie, which combines spinach, buffalo mozzarella, roasted red peppers and oregano. But, my favorite sandwich so far is a bit of a surprise to me, because I’ve never really been Cuban sandwich guy, but Hector’s new “top shelf” pressed Cuban, with Genoa salami, cappacola, pork cushon, pickles and a spicy Coney Island mustard is just outrageously good. And yes, Toast still offers its wine tapas, from a mini Caprese salad to antipasto pairings, cheese and fruit and more, as well marshmallow fluff to peanut butter, strawas a chicken and cheese quesadilla and the alberry jam, chocolate “gravy” and pumpkin ready-popular flatbreads, of which my fabutter and with names like the “Fig vorite is the not-so-traditional pizza version, Capone,” “PB&J All the Way” and with tomato sauce, mozzarella, black olives The pork cushon and roasted chicken “Gimme S’Mores from Orlando-based and roasted chicken. sliders, Toast’s wonderful French press Daily Bread Bakers. coffee and Daily Bread jams, peanut And, oh yeah, Toast still has a great seGreat Coffee, Too! butter and other toppings, selection of lection of fine cigars, an even better selection Also new at Toast is truly delicious coffine wines and the tasty beef tenderloin of fine wines (try a glass of the Urban Malfee, including everything from freshly trio are all good reasons to visit! bec-Tempranillo blend) and even a variety of brewed or French press coffee, which Heccraft beers to which the aforementioned in the area,” Hector says, “so we now open tor says he creates from a variety of gourmet Matt Wiley gives two thumbs up. at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast.” And, if you menbeans from a And, speaking of beer, if you’re looking tion this article when you visit, your next private roaster, for a little something different to do on St. latté is on the house! to awesome Patrick’s Day (Sunday, March 17, 2 p.m.Don’t expect omelets or egg dishes (at Segafredo 5 p.m.), Toast will have corned beef & cableast not yet), but Toast does have popular Zanetti Italian bage, Irish cheese trays and those Top-Shelf low-fat Greek yogurt and oatmeal, which espresso and Cubans and great craft beers and every can be served with raisins, almonds, fruit, caffé lattés. “Leprechaun” in attendance will receive an cinnamon, granola or brown sugar. There’s “We saw a “I Got Lucky at Toast” T-shirt. also Cuban cheese toast (my next item to need for a great Toast Wine & Café is located at sample) and a variety of sticky, tasty breakcoffee and 14921 BBD Blvd. For info, call 632fast buns topped with everything from breakfast place 3105 or visit ToastWineandCafe.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Do You Have Plans For St. Patrick’s Weekend? Here’s Some Suggestions! By Gary Nager I may not be Irish, but I do have green eyes, so I’m excited about two upcoming local events for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Yes, the day for the “Wearin’ o’ the Green” is actually Sunday, March 17, but in this space I’ll tell you about some local hangouts that aren’t waiting until Sunday to begin the festivities. I’ll also tell you about two local car services who can get you home safely.

Great Food At Winners For St. Patrick’s Weekend! Right here in the Wesley Chapel Village Market (Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at S.R. 54), our buddy Gerry Malynowsky at Winners Grill promises outstanding Irish cuisine all “St. Patty’s Weekend,” Fri.-Sun., March 15-17. Winners will have great prices on truly delicious, traditional Irish corned beef & cabbage, Guinness hot dogs, Irish corned beef tacos, authentic Colcannon potatoes, Shepherd’s pie (photo)

and corned beef Reuben sandwiches. There also will be plenty of green beer and other special drinks. For more info, call 973-7474 or visit Winners at 5429 Village Market.

All-Weekend Bash At Mulligans At Pebble Creek Golf Club St. Patty’s Day will be a familyfriendly two-day celebration for the Irish and “wanna-be Irish” when St. Patrick’s Days arrive at Mulligans Irish Pub, located at the Pebble Creek Golf Club (PCGC), on Saturday, March 16 & Sunday, March 17. Green beer will be flowing and there will be lots of great Irish eats, including corned beef & cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, fish & chips and more, plus $5 Guinness pints, prizes, and live bands. On Saturday, PCGC will host a St. Patty’s Golf Tournament, followed by live music in the evening. Then, there’ll be more contemporary and Irish bands (including a bagpipe player), plus an Irish buffet at Mulligans’ all-day Sunday St. Pat’s Bash, which will begin at noon and will stay hopping late. More than 1,000 people attended last year’s Bash, which will spread from the pub and banquet room to the outdoor veranda and oak-shaded courtyard overlooking the Pebble Creek Golf

Course, so this year’s 7th Annual BASH is sure to be a blast! There is no cover on Saturday and just a $5 cover on Sunday, although kids under 12 will be admitted free and there will be free parking, too. Mulligans Irish Pub is located at 10550 Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., opposite WalMart. For info, call 973-3870, x225.

St. Patrick’s Weekend Extended To Fri. At PJ Dolan’s! Meanwhile, a few miles south of Mulligans, PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub & Grill, located on E. Bearss Ave. (just west of BBD), will begin celebrating St. Patty’s Day on Friday, March 15, and the festivities will continue all day Sat.-Sun.. The fun begins at 3 p.m. Friday, with green beer, corned beef & cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, fish & chips, bangers & mash and Guinness brats. There also will be karaoke on Friday night, 8 p.m.12:30 p.m., when you can sing everything from “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” to your favorite U2 song with no cover charge.

Then, a full Irish breakfast will be served Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. On Saturday night, Funkin’8 will play live, beginning at 8 p.m., and there will be a $5 cover charge beginning at 8 p.m. On Sunday, breakfast will be served 8 a.m.-noon and the celebration will resume at 3 p.m., with a $5 cover, unless you bring in the ad on page 52 of this issue, which will allow you free admission for you and a guest. There will be great free door prizes throughout the night and a great time is virtually guaranteed for all. For more info, call PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub & Grille (2836 E. Bearss Ave., in the Palms Connection plaza) at 374-2338 or visit PJDolans.com.l

Get Me Home Safely! Of course, local law enforcement will be out in force all weekend, so if you can’t drink responsibly or designate a driver over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, I suggest calling either of the car services that advertises in this publication to get you home safely. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Instead, call my buddies Ace Jenkins at Ace in the Hole Car Service (8105446) or Jay at Glow Wheels (9661530) and tell them the New Tampa Neighborhood News sent you!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Shopping, Retail & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! By Gary Nager

Sorry, This Time, I Got It Wrong On Lee Roy Selmon’s Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get confirmation about whether or not MVP Holdings Tampa, the parent company of Lee Roy Selmon’s, has been negotiating on a different piece of property on S.R. 56 than the one we reported in our last issue, but what we do know is that Selmon’s is not coming to that site. I had spoken with someone who is part of the team at MVP that has been looking for a new location for Selmon’s in the Wesley Chapel area since the location on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa closed a few months ago. He said, the day before we went to press with our last Wesley Chapel issue, that the company was close to finalizing an agreement to build a new Selmon’s on S.R. 56, somewhere between I-75 and where the Texas Roadhouse restaurant is located, and that the new building was either opening or beginning construction in April. I was never told, however, that the site we showed in our last issue was the correct location, so that mistake is on me, and we received a phone call from ANT of Florida, LLC, the owner of that parcel, who said that the owners are “not currently in negotiations with Lee Roy Selmon’s, nor have we ever been in negotiations with Lee Roy Selmon’s, nor are we currently in negotiations with anyone for that site.” The ANT spokesperson also said the

Christian Brothers is a growing franchise with locations in 11 states, including three in the Tampa Bay area. Local owner Marty La Barbera, whose previous career was in criminal justice, says cars have always been his hobby, but now, he has three master mechanics working for him during his “retirement.” “What attracted me to the Christian Brothers brand is that my mission is always to contribute to my community and my faith is part of that. I wanted to be part of a Owner Marty La Barbera (far right) and his team of master mechanics at the new Christian Brothers Automo- company that promises quality care, tive on BBD, less than a mile south of County Line Rd. honesty and integrity.” Marty also promises that you’ll LLC had been sent a Cease & Desist letbe stunned by not only the beautiful waiting ter by Texas Roadhouse to stop talking to area, but also the immaculate condition of or about Selmon’s, even though my inforthe garage. mation didn’t come from ANT. I also was Christian Brothers Automotive’s New Tampa location is open Mondaytold that the “white stakes” I mentioned Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the last issue were not stakes at all, but on Saturday. Call 991-7007 or visit PVC pipes for the utilities for the site. CBAC.com for info and tell Marty & Co I greatly regret rushing to get the that you read about them in the Wesley story into print until I had all the facts Chapel Neighborhood News. straight about what the exact plan is Photo by Matt Wiley

for opening a new Selmon’s. Hopefully, I’ll have a correct update soon.

Christian Brothers Auto Opens In Trout Creek Area

For those of us who have been ripped off by unscrupulous auto repair shops (I know I have!), I suggest visiting the new Christian Brothers Automotive, located at 20303 Trout Creek Dr., with frontage on BBD (near Burger 21 & Auto Zone), less than a mile south of County Line Rd.

Fine Thai Express A ‘Ruby’

If you’re looking for truly delicious Thai food, but you’re in even a little bit of a hurry, I suggest that you visit the new Fine Thai Express, which has been open about a month at 27427 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54), in the Pinebrook at The Grove plaza (in the former Silver Ring Café space). The new restaurant — which specializes in takeout orders, although there are a few tables for dining in — is owned by the same wonderful folks who own Thai Ruby (in

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

the Shoppes at Amberly plaza) in Tampa Palms, which is more of an elegant, traditional sit-down Thai restaurant. Bottom line? “The Express” has equally delicious food as Thai Ruby, and a great menu, whether you dine in or take out — with slightly lower prices. You can’t go wrong with the crispy duck (which is offered, as many “Express” entrées are, with your choice of 17 different sauces) or with the Pad Thai or other popular Thai noodle and fried rice dishes, fresh spring rolls and other appetizers and yummy Thai soups. For more information or to make a takeout order, call 501-4924. Fine Thai Express is open Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and 4.p.-9 p.m. on Sunday. Please tell them you read about the restaurant in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News!

Veggies & Stuff Produce Stand Opens On BBD

If you want great deals on the freshest produce, we suggest a visit to our friend Jeffrey McCullers’ new Veggies & More Produce Stand, located at 14529 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., less than a mile south of Tampa Palms, next to the new Compass Self Storage facility. With hundreds of fresh fruits and vegetables — locally grown, whenever possible — from avocados to beautiful tomatoes, Veggies & Stuff also sells fresh, homemade sweet breads, raw honey, live herbs and flowers and guarantees your satisfaction. And, if you mention that you read about the stand in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, you’ll receive 10% off your first purchase. Veggies & Stuff is open every day at 10 a.m. and stays open until 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, and until 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D H O M E

PHYSICAL THERAPIST – An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080 HELP WANTED - Medical Billing Personnel, parttime, flexible hours, Local PT Clinic. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Join our mission to create greater awareness for our clients. By using cutting edge promotional marketing methods, we bring the products to the local market. We strive to create strong presence in our community for the products and services we represent, we go above and beyond for a level of success that far exceeds our competition. Contact Us Today (813) 5014915. 29140 Chapel Park Dr. Wesley Chapel www.centurionconcepts.co HELP WANTED - Licensed insurance agent needed for Wesley Chapel P&C Agency. One year of agency experience preferred. Must have 4-40 or above license. Part-time and full-time openings available. Good customer relationship and organizational skills required. Competitive salary with bonus structure. If interested, please forward your resume to info@insurancenewtampa.com

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TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE - New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! Call Chris Today @ (813) 857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com AQUATEC POOL SERVICE - keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call (813) 312-5694 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FOR FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 6 • March 16, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements?Ask about our HOA SPECIAL! FREE ESTIMATE! (813) 420-4465 LAWN CARE - We Specialize in Residential Lawn & Landscape Maintenance! Landscaping, Mulching, Cleanups, Palm/Tree Trimming & Sprinkler Repair also available. Owner Operated over 17 years. Call us today for Reliable Service for everything that grows @ your property (813) 973-3825 or visit: ntlcpropertymaintenance.com

CLEANING

SERVICES

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies & more than 300 clients in New Tampa! For more information, Call 758-9710. M.Y. CLEANING SERVICE - Offering Residential cleaning. We offer complete bath & kitchen cleaning, as well as dusting and polishing furniture. We provide our own supplies. Free estimates! Your satisfaction is our priority! With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554. CLEANING, LAUNDRY, YOU NAME IT!$68.00 introductory special, Mon-Wed. Make your list, put us to work! Anna's Housekeeping - A BBB Accredited Business Servicing Florida since 1991. We have private housekeeper rates with agency Backup coverage! Licensed and all housekeepers are background checked. Call 813.985.1150.

M I S C E L L A N E O U S CAR SERVICES – Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.

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