11-09 NTNN 1-48 by Neighborhood News

Volume 17 Issue 11

Inside: Check Out The NEW Polo’s!

May 29, 2009

See page 29!

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

New Tampa Community Theater, Ice Rink Are Coming By Michael Smith While New Tampa has continued to grow and evolve over the years, residents have often complained that there is little for families to do here in the community, outside of golf, parks, movies and the public library. But, that is set to change, now that the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has agreed to set aside land (see map) in the heart of New Tampa for a combination community theater and ice rink/sports complex. The move came on May 6, when the members of the BOCC unanimously voted to allocate a little more than 13 acres of land within the 81-acre parcel formerly owned by St. Joseph’s Hospital on the west side of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (BBD), just south of New Tampa Blvd., for the theater and sports complex, which actually are two separate

projects that have both been in the planning stages for several years. The county purchased the land from the healthcare group in 2004 to use for stormwater retention ponds that are needed for the widening of BBD. However, according to Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Pete Fowler, there is more land than is needed for the ponds, so the remaining usable acreage, about 36 acres, was set aside for what is now being called the New Tampa Community Park (not to be confused with the City of Tampa’s existing New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms). It is within those 36 acres that the theater and sports complex will be built. Fowler says that whatever land is left over after the two facilities are completed will be used for hiking trails, a dog park and possibly sports fields, although nothing has yet been finalized.

The theater is the long-time dream of Doug Wall, president of the New Tampa Players community theatre group, which has been looking for a home of its own since the troupe was founded back in 2001. In fact, Wall also was on the Board of Directors of the now-defunct New Tampa Cultural Center, a nonprofit company that was formed in the fall of 2001 expressly for the purpose of finding a home for the theater group (and the arts in general). With support from former Tampa City Council member Shawn Harrison, the Cultural Center group received more than $20,000 from the city in 2003 for a feasibility study that concluded that the New Tampa area needed and could support a cultural center, but the idea died on the vine after running into opposition from both city and county officials, who felt that the proposed cultural center would compete

Police Department (TPD) are battling a new wave of break-ins that have occurred since the beginning of the year, including 15 burglaries that took place in one night earlier this month. According to TPD Patrol Sgt. J.F. Preyer, those recent break-ins took place in Cory Lake Isles, where eight residents were victimized, and Arbor Greene, where another seven vehicles were broken into.

As has been the case in the past, the thieves’ usual targets are small, easyto-carry electronics, such as I-Pods and GPS devices, that are often left right in plain view within the vehicles. “It’s become an epidemic,” says Preyer, who adds that the number of auto burglaries has been steadily rising since the beginning of the year. And, as usual, the typical offenders are teens who are out looking for a few kicks, a few easy bucks and sometimes, bragging rights at school. “This year, the kids have a new term for it, ‘carhopping,’ which we’ve never heard anywhere else but in New Tampa,” says TPD Det. Heather Bishop, the lead investigator on the auto burglary cases. Both Bishop and Preyer are quick to point out, however, that despite what many people think, the offenders aren’t always “bad” kids from other parts of town, either.

Park Site

for patrons with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in downtown Tampa, and the Cultural Center group subsequently disbanded in 2005. Since then, the Players have been forced to stage their productions at a variety of locations both within and outside of New Tampa, including the University See “Theater” on page 4.

Young Auto Burglars Taking Advantage Of Unlocked Vehicles

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Update On S.R. 56 In Wesley Chapel, New Tampa’s ‘Fountain Of Youth’, Local High School Sports Updates & Much More !

A Review Of The New (& Improved) Polo’s Italian Grill, Pamper Your Pooch At The New Tampa Pet Resort, Our Exclusive Summer Camp Guide & Much More!

See pages 3-28!

See pages 29-52!

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

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

Police officials say that it could and should be one of the most easily preventable crimes, and yet, every year, dozens of vehicles and garages in New Tampa are “broken into,” mostly because drivers continue to leave their vehicles unlocked. It’s become a problem once again this spring, as officers with the Tampa

“These are not kids from ‘over there,’” Preyer says. “We’ve seen supposedly good kids who make good grades and (in at least one case) are going to go to Ivy League schools.” He cites the case of four teens who were arrested earlier this year after breaking into more than a dozen vehicles in several neighborhoods around the New Tampa area. The four were all students at Freedom High in Tampa Palms, had no prior records and were driving one of the teens’ mother’s vehicle while committing the crimes. “We thought (the wave of thefts) might slow down when we caught those four, but that hasn’t been the case,” Preyer says. See “Burglaries” on page 4. Dated Material Please Rush!

By Michael Smith

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Think Foreclosure is your only option...Think Again!

+HOSLQJ KRPHRZQHUV DYRLG IRUHFORVXUH DQG Ă&#x20AC;QG VROXWLRQV - Owe more than your home is worth? - Struggling with rising payments? - Facing unforeseen circumstances? - Need to move on to a new chapter? You are not alone. Thousands of Tampa homeowners are facing the same tough challenges every day. Now more than ever, there are steps you can take to avoid foreclosure. You need guidance, confidentiality and someone who understands the serious choices you are facing about your home, your family, and your life. The wrong decision might make it impossible for you to repair your credit or purchase another home for 5-10 years. Foreclosures, short sales, and mortgage modifications can have vastly different impacts upon your future. If you would like to speak with someone who understands these difficult choices, please do not delay. You have options, and you do not need to go through the process alone. As Certified Distressed Property Experts, Doug and Dale Bohannon provide FREE information that compares and contrasts ways to avoid foreclosure. Call them today at 813-979-4963.

Doug Bohannon, CDPE Dale Bohannon, CDPE

8QGHUVWDQGLQJ *XLGDQFH &RQĂ&#x20AC;GHQWLDOLW\ ([SHULHQFH 2

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 17, Issue 11 â&#x20AC;˘ May 29, 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

WC & NTNeighborhoodNews.com — (Finally) Taking Our Publications Into The 21st Century! An editorial by Gary Nager If you check out a certain ad in this issue, you’ll note that we’re kind of poking fun at ourselves for being, seemingly, 100 years behind the times because, until now, our newspapers have never had a website. I resisted doing an on-line version of our newspapers for a variety of reasons. Originally, it was primarily because I was afraid that once the website was up and running, I would have to personally be responsible for updating it on an ongoing basis. In my opinion, few things are as frustrating as a stagnant website. Even today, there are far too many websites that still list events that took place a year or more ago as though they were still newsworthy. As a publisher of monthly newspapers (already an oxymoron of sorts), I cringed at the thought of our website trying to claim that something that happened months or years ago was still “news.” More recently, it’s been obvious that newspaper websites, especially daily newspaper websites, have been cannibalizing the printed newspapers themselves. Why would people pay to buy a newspaper when they can get the same

information any time, any place, without paying anything? The big daily papers, not just here in the Tampa Bay area, but across the nation, also have taken big hits in their advertising revenue because traditional newspaperheavy businesses like real estate companies and car dealerships have found that advertising on-line is less expensive while still delivering reasonable results. Thankfully, even though our Wesley Chapel edition is still less than a year old, we have been mailing the residents of both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the same New Tampa/Wesley Chapel edition for more than 15 years. Our company is so well-entrenched in the communities that receive our publications in their mailboxes that when new businesses open, many of our wonderful readers and other area businesses all tell the new people they “have” to advertise with us. So, with some trepidation, we sat down a couple of months ago with Steve Weir and Aaron Houck of Gecko Media (907-1122), a web-design and hosting company located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park (off S.R. 56) in Wesley Chapel, and began designing

New Tampa Neighborhood News

Table of Contents

Advertising E-mail: NewTampaNN@aol.com Editorial E-mail: NTNNEdit@yahoo.com

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES..............................Pages 1-28 Theater (cont. from page 1)...........................................4 Burglaries (cont. from page 1).......................................4 S.R. 56 Extension Work Is Delayed Again......................6

15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondents

Kate Kramer • Melissa O’Brien • Matt Rubin

Advertising Sales & Billing Manager Julie Rinaldi Advertising Account Executives Lisa Ross • Sandra Nelson

Art Director Tony Sica Graphic Designer Sandra Nelson Office & Marketing Assistants Jacob Glenn • Karen Glenn

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 17, Issue 13, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, June 8, 2009. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2009 JM2 Communications, Inc.

(drumroll, please!) NTNeighborhoodNews.com and WCNeighborhood-

News.com (both of which bring you to the same website), which recently “went live.” When you visit the site, please note that it is still a work in progress, with more features coming soon. Our website will eventually include archives of virtually every issue and downloadable versions of nearly every usable photo we’ve ever taken, as well as a Daily News Item of the Day

(anything from school and other events to major accident reports to a new restaurant opening) to and much more. That stuff will take time to upload, but the site already includes advertising information, downloadable versions of our most recent New Tampa and Wesley Chapel issues and other cool surprises. We hope you like the site and will provide as much feedback as possible. For info, e-mail NTNNedit@ yahoo.com or call 910-2575.

New Tampa News Briefs................................................7 Cross Creek Condo Damaged By Fire, Teens Injured By Gunfire At Party, Tampa Firefighter Arrested After Multiple Crashes, Tornado Touches Down In Wesley Chapel New Tampa Urgent Care Is Open Late..................10-11 New Tampa Community Calendar.......................12 Look Younger With Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery.....14-15 Check Out Oakstead Family Dentistry.........................16 Pinebrook Plaza At The Grove Re-Opens In Style.......17 Happy Customers Love Salon Athena....................18-19 New Identities Hosts Bucs Cheerleaders......................22 TGI Friday’s Is Coming To Highwoods Preserve........22 New Tampa Education Updates..................................26 New Tampa Sports Updates..................................27-28 High School Sports Wrapup..................................27 Inroducing the Fusion Futbol Club.............................28

Neighborhood Magazine Polo’s Italian Grill Is Better Than Ever......................31, 38 Pamper Your Pooch At New Tampa Pet Resort.........32-33 New Tampa Relay For Life Raises $85,000...................34 ‘Print Pink’ Tile Wall Is Unveiled...................................35 Grab A Glass Of Vino At WineStyles.............................36 Neighborhood Nibbles...........................................40-41 Our Exclusive 2009 Summer Camp Guide.....................44

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSFIEDS................46

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Theater”

Continued from page 1 Area Community Center and the Carrollwood Cultural Center. “For seven years, we’ve been trying to get land from the city or the county to build a theater,” Wall says. Now, Wall says he is happy and excited to be able to move forward once again, although on a slightly smaller scale than what the group previously had envisioned. The cultural center was to be just that, an all-encompassing center with two theatres for performing arts, display space for visual arts, and classrooms and other facilities for other arts-related activities. Wall says the new plan calls for a single theater with about 250 seats, although additional facilities, such as dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces and administrative offices, will eventually be added over time. “Our goal is to build a state-of-theart performing arts center for community theater, with everything that is necessary to put on a full scale production,” Wall says. Wall says that his group is in the process of going over all the numbers, but the current estimate is that the theater will cost between $4 million-$5 million, while the other facilities will cost an additional $1 million-$2 million.

Wall says the group has been working to raise money for the theater for several years, through fund raisers such as the group’s annual “Broadway Comes To Tampa” gala, which was held last month in downtown Tampa and raised around $10,000 more towards the project. Wall says, however, that the group will now embark on a full-scale capital campaign to raise the rest, since county officials have made it clear that although they were willing to provide the land, it is up to the individual groups to come with all of the money they need. The only other stipulation was that each group was required to submit a business plan to the county for review and that they need to start construction within the next five years. Meanwhile, Jim Mennie, the president of Tampa Bay Sportsplex, Inc., says he has only been waiting for a “dirt commitment” in order to move forward with his company’s plan, which includes an 85,000-sq.-ft. facility with a pair of ice rinks and seating for around 300, for both hockey and recreational ice skating, as well as a full-fledged aqua center with an Olympic-size pool and diving facility. In addition, Mennie says the complex also will include a full-service restaurant, food court, pro shop, fitness center and public meeting rooms. “We are creating a true New Tampa town center,” Mennie says,

“Burglaries”

The problem has gotten so bad recently that TPD actually resorted to using its reverse 911 system to call local residents to warn them about the thefts and remind them to lock up their vehicles after the break-ins in Cory Lake Isles and Arbor Greene. The department also has been handing out fliers to warn of the problem and helping organize Neighborhood Watch groups. “We just can’t seem to get the word out enough,” Bishop says. One problem, the officers say, is that many people who live in New Tampa feel that they are safe from crime because they live in gated com-

munities. That is a false assumption, as proven by the break-ins in Cory Lake Isles and Arbor Greene, both of which are gated (and guarded) communities. So, what can you do to avoid becoming a victim? The simplest way is to make sure your car’s doors are locked and the windows are closed at all times. Also, keep valuables out of sight by locking them up in the trunk or bringing them inside your home. For more information, or to schedule a TPD officer visit to your community’s Neighborhood Watch group (or if you are interested in starting one), call the department’s District 2 office at 931-6500. You also can get information there about registering your cell phone to receive future reverse 911 notifications.

adding that one of the proposed names for the ice rink/theater complex is “New Tampa Town Center,” although that has not yet been finalized either. Mennie says that he would like to get the community involved in the planning of the complex, and also wants to reach out to the Hillsborough County School District for a possible partnership which would allow the facilitie at the sports complex to be used by student athletes. Mennie also is crunching the numbers for his project, and estimates that

the complex will cost between $6 million-$8 million, of which he has “some.” He says he also plans to solicit funds from a variety of public and private sources, including selling the naming rights for the facility and the sale of monogrammed paver bricks that will be installed throughout the complex. He is hoping to hold a Grand Opening on July 4, 2011. For additional information and ongoing updates about the plans for the sports complex, visit tampasports plex.com.

Continued from page 1

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

S.R. 56 Extension Project Faces Yet Another Delay As they say, 20 years from now, we can (hopefully) look back on all this and laugh. In the meantime, however, drivers in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa can look forward to several more months of congestion that may eventually be alleviated, at least in part, by the extension of S.R. 56 eastward from where it now ends at the Shops at Wiregrass mall to Mansfield Blvd. in the Meadow Pointe subdivision. That’s because officials with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) now say that the extension project will be delayed by at least three months, and most likely more, thanks to a dispute over utility work at the intersection of S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (BBD, aka C.R. 581 in Pasco County). The extension is all but complete, save for the striping, street signs, signals and a few other finishing touches, but, according to FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson, all of the work at the intersection has to be completed before the roadway can be opened to the public. The primary issue, Carson says, is the relocation of utilities at the intersection, and who should pay for that relocation. The utilities, which include both above-ground and underground distribution and transmission lines, are

owned by Tampa Electric Co. (TECO), but officials with TECO are unwilling to pay for the lines to be moved. “State law is very clear,” says TECO spokesman Rick Morera. “If it is a developer-driven project, then the developer should pay for the relocation of infrastructure.” The developers that Morera is referring to include the developers of Meadow Pointe, Seven Oaks and Wiregrass Ranch, all of whom are sharing the costs of the extension project and intersetion work. However, FDOT and Pasco County officials contend that it is a public project, which means that TECO has to pay the costs for moving its lines, which Morera says could cost around $600,000. “At this point, we’re ready to start work as soon as payment is made,” Morera says. Whether or not that will happen is unclear, however, since the matter is now in the hands of attorneys for the utility company, FDOT and Pasco County, who will continue to try to resolve the issue. Carson says that once the utilities are moved, it will take a minimum of three months for the remaining work to be completed. Morera, meanwhile, could not say how long it will take for TECO to move the

lines, once it is determined who will be responsible for paying for it. This is only the latest in a history of delays related to S.R. 56. The extension, which will eventually go all Although the roadway is already paved, Pasco the way to U.S. Hwy. 301 County officials say the opening of the extension of in Zephyrhills, was supposed to be opened to S.R. 56 to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe Meadow Pointe Blvd. by will be delayed several months. this fall. That apparently will will consider opening the southern end not happen now, even though Pasco of Mansfield to link with Kinnan St. in officials have said that they are anxious Hillsborough County. That would then to move forward with the project, because it will offer an alternative route allow drivers to get from the Cross Creek area to Wesley Chapel, and viceto drivers while BBD and S.R. 54 east of the interstate are being widened, two versa, without having to travel on BBD. projects which are nearly ready for con- It also would provide additional access to Dr. John Long Middle School and struction as we go to press. In addition, although Pasco Coun- Wiregrass Ranch High, both of which are located near the northern end of ty officials have long opposed such a connection, they also say that once S.R. Mansfield Blvd. We’ll keep you posted. — MS 56 is opened to Mansfield Blvd., they

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

News Briefs

Hidden Fire Damages Cross Creek Condo

More than 50 firefighters from Tampa, Hillsborough and Pasco counties responded to a three-alarm fire that struck at the Villas Condominiums on Cross Creek Blvd. on April 28. Fortunately, no one was injured and only one unit was damaged by the actual fire, although several adjacent units also suffered some smoke and water damage. According to Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) spokesman Capt. Bill Wade, the fire started in an exterior support column and spread inside the walls of the two-story wood frame building, which includes a total of 10 condominiums. “That was a very unusual situation, because the fire was burning inside the walls and floors of the building, and the firefighters had to tear out walls and floors to get access to the flames,” Wade says. They also used one of TFR’s thermal imaging cameras, which employs infrared technology to detect hidden hot spots, to find and extinguish the flames before they were able to spread to the common attic of the building, which might have allowed the fire to spread to all 10 units, Wade says. No one was home at the time of the fire, but police and firefighters were able to rescue several cats and dogs from the affected units. Investigators later determined that the cause of the fire was heat from a torch that was being used by contractors to patch asphalt in the parking area close to the support column. Somehow, the heat from the torch caused a small fire which apparently smoldered inside the column before being detected. The total damage to the units at the Villas was estimated at about $200,000.

TFR investigators look for the source of the fire, which apparently started inside this exterior support column.

Three Teens Injured By Gunfire At Party

Three area teenagers were injured after gunshots were fired at a Wesley Chapel house party that apparently got out of control earlier this month. According to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) spokesman Kevin Doll, the teens were among as many as 100 young people who attended the May 3 graduation party at a home on Oakwood Dr. PCSO deputies were dispatched to the home early that evening because of a neighbor’s complaints about loud music, but they found nothing else out of the ordinary and left, only to return at around 2:15 a.m., when the department received several reports of gunshots being fired. The most seriously injured of the three was 18-year-old Marquis Dixon of Dade City, who was shot in the chest and had to be admitted to a local hos-

pital, while Robert White, 17, of Zephyrhills was shot in the hand and treated by paramedics at the scene. The third victim, Jnasia Clower, 14, also of Zephyrhills and reportedly a student at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School in Wesley Chapel, was shot in the knee and also transported to the hospital. None of the injuries was considered to be life-threatening. According to Doll, investigators received conflicting information from guests at the party, although one published report stated that two young men began firing handguns after the host of the party began trying to get everyone to leave. PCSO has no further information about the suspects, and is asking for the public’s help in identifying them. Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to call the PCSO Tip Line at (800) 706-2488.

Tampa Firefighter Arrested After Multiple Crashes

A veteran firefighter with Tampa Fire Rescue was arrested April 26, after authorities say he was involved in five separate accidents within the space of less than 10 Mitchell L. minutes. Smith According to reports, 50-year-old Mitchell Lee Smith, a 19-year veteran of the department, crashed into three mailboxes, a metal cable TV box and another vehicle that was parked on the street in the Pebble Creek neighborhood where he lives. The reports say that all of the accidents occurred between 8:07 p.m. and 8:13 p.m., and that the total damage was estimated at around $800. Smith was arrested at his home about two hours after the accidents, and was charged with four counts of

leaving the scene of an accident and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. He was released from jail after posting a bond of $1,250.

Tornado Touches Down In Wesley Chapel

In a preview of what forecasters say could be a busier-than-average 2009 hurricane season, Mother Nature showed her unpredictable side last month when a pair of tornados touched down in Pasco County. Damage was minimal and no injuries were reported after either tornado, the first of which struck at around 8:30 a.m. on April 14 in the Trinity area, while the second hit just moments later in Wesley Chapel, focusing on the Aberdeen subdivision, which is on the north side of S.R. 54 just east of Curley Rd. That’s where several homes were damaged and at least one vehicle, a Toyota Highlander SUV (photo) was overturned by the high winds. According to reports, approximately 50 homes around the county suffered at least some damage and several thousand Pasco residents were without power for several hours. Investigators later estimated that the top winds in the Wesley Chapel area reached around 80 mph, which classifies the funnel that touched down there as an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The strongest tornados, which are classified as EF-5, have winds in excess of 260 mph. — MS

A tornado flipped this 4,000-lb. SUV like a pancake. (Photo courtesy of Jay Trujillo)

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Urgent Care — Open When Your Family Needs Care! By Kate Kramer Medical needs don’t always occur when your family’s doctor’s office is open, but waiting in an emergency room can often take hours. Mitch Forman, M.D., realized the need for an after-business-hours medical facility when he worked in the busy emergency room (ER) at University Community Hospital (UCH) about five years ago. “There were a lot of people waiting forever in the ER to get some simple needs taken care of,” he says. “The big thing we want to do is keep people from waiting in the ER for 6-8 hours.” Forman is a Board-certified family practice physician and the owner of the two New Tampa Urgent Care locations (the original on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa and the newer location on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel in the Shoppes at New Tampa Plaza, next to Bonefish Grill). Forman, who graduated from the University of Florida Medical School in Gainesville, previously worked in an emergency room in St Louis, MO, for five years where he met his wife, Pat. The Formans moved to Florida in 1998, and Mitch worked at Spring Hill Regional Hospital from 1998-2000 and at UCH from 2000-04. The couple

opened the first New Tampa office in Highwoods Preserve in 2003, and Mitch continued working at UCH for several months until he established the business. He opened the Wesley Chapel office in 2006. Pat and Mitch live in New Tampa with their two daughters, Jennifer, 5 and Jessica, 13. In addition to being a co-owner, Pat serves as general manager for both New Tampa Urgent Care offices, and when needed, uses her skills as a Registered Nurse (RN) to also help with patient care. Pat, who worked in hospitals for 15 years before opening the business with her husband, also knew there was a need for an emergency medical center in the area. “Primary care offices are so overwhelmed these days, and ERs are crazy,” she says. “We’re here to fill the gap between the primary care office and the ER.” Pat says some ER doctors and staff members have even referred patients with less critical injuries to New Tampa Urgent Care for treatment, as the offices do not require appointments. Instead, patients can walk in and sign a list to be seen by the doctor. While patients with more severe and urgent needs will be treated first, Pat says New Tampa Urgent Care’s policy is to always

try to keep the wait time to no more than 15 minutes, depending upon the crowd and the severity of each patient’s needs at the time. “We’re in a society of people who want things quickly and now,” she says. “Here patients are not waiting weeks for an appointment.” New Tampa Urgent Care doctors treat a variety of ailments, including coughs, colds, allergies, bone injuries and lacerations. The office also offers on-site X-rays, stitches, IV fluids and basic lab tests for complete blood counts, strep throat, pregnancy and drug screenings. Along with medical treatments, New Tampa Urgent Care offices also Michelle Clark and her sons Ethan, offer a weight-loss program which Aiden & Evan have been to see Dr. focuses on either a low-carbohydrate Mitch Forman and LPN Lisa Rice at or low-calorie diet, depending upon New Tampa Urgent Care several times. the patient’s goals. Those participatfriendly and efficient service.” ing in the program come in for weekly While the number of patients each visits to get prescription appetite suppressants and vitamin B12. Both offices doctor sees varies, Pat says, on average, doctors see 4-5 patients per hour. Along also have all electronic records, so docwith Dr. Forman, the New Tampa tors can easily transfer patient history Urgent Care offices have two other information between the two offices. Board-certified family practice physi“I think the range of services we cians—Family Practice M.D.s Jennifer offer makes us different than other Wetherington, and Sin Lee. Together, physicians’ offices,” Pat says. “And our the offices have about five nurses and patiients really appreciate our fast,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

medical students and seven medical assistants. Along with the more convenient hours, Pat says a unique feature of New Tampa Urgent Care is that patients will always see a doctor, not a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant. If Mitch or one of his colleagues determines that a patient needs to go to the hospital for a specific treatment, they can skip the process of going to the emergency room and are directly admitted to the specific part of the hospital where they need to be treated. Pat says New Tampa Urgent Care doesn’t call temporary agencies, so all full- and part-time employees are very familiar with the office procedures. One employee, Lisa Rice of Wesley Chapel, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), has been working with the Formans for about two years. She says she also brings her family to the office for emergency medical attention if needed. “Besides having the knowledge, [Dr. Forman] definitely gives the best patient care and has the best bedside manner,” she says. “He treats his patients and employees like family. Both Pat and Mitch are incredible and wonderful people to work for.” And, Rice says New Tampa Urgent Care is a much faster way for community members to get the medical attention they need.

“Not every emergency needs to go to the ER,” she says. “There are lots of things we can do here. It’s amazing all of the kinds of treatments we have.” Pat says that sometimes, patients might put off going to the doctor because they know the traditional doctor’s office will be closed or they will have to wait too long in the ER. New Tampa Urgent Care gives patients access to medical care when they can’t or don’t want to have to wait for ‘normal’ business hours. “Our offices provide a place close to where they live to get them access to medical care when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to get it,” Pat says. Then, after being treated, if a patient needs to go to their primary care physician, both New Tampa Urgent Care offices can send that patient’s records directly to his or her primary care physician. For patients who may not have a primary care physician, Pat says the offices also have a referral list of doctors to help patients find the right doctor for their needs. “It’s a good starting point to get a physical condition under control,” Pat says. “We’re providing people with the care they need. People just want help and that’s what we’re here for.” Mitch also encourages everyone to get the medical attention they need right away.

“Most doctors are closed on the weekends and won’t offer same day appointments, but you don’t have to go to the ER or wait until Monday,” he says. “Come and see us.” While pricing depends upon a patient’s insurance, Mitch says co-pays at New Tampa Urgent Care are generally less expensive than for a hospital visit. Patients usually pay from $75 or less as a co-pay. Pat says the office has received numerous cards and even sweets in gratitude for their services. And, while New Tampa Urgent Care does advertise with the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, the office doesn’t use much additional advertising — other than word-of-mouth, which she says has been a tremendous bonus for the business. “We build our business by having smiling faces,” Pat says.

Some ‘Smiling Faces’

Beyond caring for their medical needs, patients say the friendly atmosphere at New Tampa Urgent Care keeps them coming back. Michelle and Charles Clark of New Tampa and their three sons — Ethan, 8, Aiden, 5, and Evan, 2 — have visited the facilities for two years. Michelle says she decided to try the Highwoods Preserve location when her sons needed medical attention, and their regular pediatrician’s office was closed. She says, especially with her oldest son’s asthma, it’s good to have a doctor she can count on close by. “At an emergency room, it would take forever, and here the wait is usually not even 10 minutes,” she says. “Knowing Dr. Forman is here is great. I would refer him to anyone.” Since they began visiting New Tampa Urgent Care, the Clarks and Formans have also become friends outside of the doctor’s office, and in their spare time Mitch and Charles enjoy playing golf together. The friendly environment is also what brings Abbie Hundt of Wesley Chapel back to Dr. Forman when she

has medical needs for her sons Logan, 4, and Hayden, 2. Abbie says she has been coming to New Tampa Urgent Care since it opened in Highwoods Preserve, and has since begun going to the Wesley Chapel location, which is closer to her house. “The number one reason we come here is Dr. Forman. He’s just outstanding,” she says. “He’s never in a rush to get us out the door. He takes his time and gets to know you. He knows all of us by name, and I consider him to be like a family member.” Jean DeRenzo of New Tampa recently visited the Wesley Chapel office with her mother, Victoria DeRosa, who lives in Wesley Chapel. While DeRenzo says emergency rooms do offer quality service, the wait times are “crazy.” “You are there for hours and hours,” she says. “The treatment may be good, but it just takes all that time for a little treatment.” While DeRosa was unable to comment due to a medical condition, DeRenzo says her mother loves Dr. Forman. The two only come to the office from time to time on the weekends, although DeRenzo says the friendly atmosphere makes her feel like a regular patient. “Whenever there is problem on the weekends, we come here,” she says. “Mitch is such a great guy and a very kind-hearted, nice individual.” For more information about the two New Tampa Urgent Care offices (at 18101 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa, next to Sukhothai Restaurant) and 1644 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel), call 972-1030 for the New Tampa office and 929-3600 for the Wesley Chapel office. The Wesley Chapel office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The New Tampa office is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Pat says a website is coming soon.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Subjects Wanted For New MS Drug Study

The University of South Florida College of Medicine is looking for volunteers to take part in a two-year clinical study of a new drug for patients with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The study will compare the safety and effectiveness of the new drug, alemtuzumab, to the current FDAapproved therapy, Rebif. Participants must be between 18-55 with active RRMS who have or are currently receiving treatment and have shown symptoms within the past 10 years. For more information, or to enroll for the study, visit CAREMS.com or call toll-free (888) 396MS-CARE.

Operation Medicine Cabinet

Saturday, May 30 – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is holding a one-day event to collect and safely dispose of any old, unused or expired prescriptions and over-thecounter medications, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at a number of different locations around the county. Nearby locations include: Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry on E. Fowler Ave., the Sweetbay supermarket at 2525 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., and others. For more information, or for other locations, call 679-9259.

Addiction Support Group

Monday, June 1 – Higher Ground Ministry, a Christ-centered support group for those afflicted with addiction, meets every Monday and Wednesday evening, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at The Dwelling Place (410 County Line W. in Lutz). For more information, call 949-1912.

New Tampa Noon Rotary Club

Wednesday, June 3 – The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Circles New Tampa Bistro (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the Pebble Creek Collection shopping plaza). For more information, call 760-4426.

New Tampa Kiwanis Club

Wednesday, June 3 – The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa meets every

Wednesday at 11:45 am at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd). For more information, please send an email to info@newtampakiwanis.org or visit www.newtampakiwanis.org.

New Tampa P.A.R.

Wednesday, June 3 – New Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (P.A.R.) is a professional networking group that meets every Wednesday at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.), 5:30 p.m., for networking and nine holes of golf. There is a one-time $35 membership fee, and weekly greens and cart fees are $20. For more information, contact Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100 or by e-mail at clewandoski@westcoast financial.com.

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, June 3 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their respective businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Heritage Isles Clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr.). For more information, call Matthew Riddell at 907-6565.

day, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). On June 5, the club will hold its annual donation to charities breakfast, and on June 12, the club will hold its installation dinner and there will be no breakfast meeting. For more information, visit www.newtamparotary.org or contact Matt Palmer at 972-9235 or matt.palmer@earthlink.net.

Florida Writers Association

Saturday, June 6 – The Florida Writers Association meets on the first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.noon, at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Shops at Wiregrass mall in Wesley Chapel. All meetings are free and open to the public. Call 907-7739 for more information.

Health Expo

Saturday, June 13 – Dr. Stephanie Bien and the Cenegenics Medical Institute are sponsoring a New Tampa/Wesley Chapel Health Expo, noon-3 p.m., at Sports + Field (2029 Arrowgrass Dr., off S.R. 56). More than 30 area health care providers in a variety of specialties are expected to participate.

Tampa Palms Women’s Club Potluck Luncheon

Thursday, June 4 – The Tampa Palms Women’s Club will host its annual Potluck Luncheon, 11 a.m., at the Compton Park Community Center (16101 Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms). In addition to the luncheon, which will include dishes made by club members, the group also will be awarding checks to representatives of local charitable groups and recognizing its USF scholarship recipient for 2009. For more information, call 971-3294.

Saturday, June 20 – “That’s What She Said, The Funny Diva Show,” featuring New Tampa’s own stand-up star Susan Saiger, will perform at Toast Fine Wine & Cigar Bar in the Oak Ramble Plaza (on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of Tampa Palms, 7:30 p.m. Toast (14921 BBD Blvd.) offers a variety of entertainment and wine tastings. To find out more, call 632-3105 or visit ToastofNewTampa.com.

North Tampa Arts League

Wednesday, June 24 – The North Tampa Arts League meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m., at the Compton Park Community Center (16101 Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms). All community artists are invited to attend. For more information, call 972-0897. If your group has an upcoming event you’d like to promote for free in this space, please e-mail Attn: Michael Smith at NTNNedit@yahoo.com.

FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

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

• Crowns, Bridges, & Veneers

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

• Extractions, Root Canal Treatment • Digital X-Rays

Welcoming new patients of all ages

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

2112 Ashley Oaks Circle

New Tampa Rotary Club

Friday, June 5 – The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Fri-

Funny Divas Invade Toast

SEVEN OAKS

Evening Rotary Club

Thursday, June 4 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:15 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). For more information, call Sherri Ferguson at 892-9782.

For more information, call Mary Ann Yaney at 765-8113.

Dr. Lee Daniels

(813) 907-7313

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery — New Tampa’s Fountain Of Youth! By Gary Nager Even though the economy is shaky at best, it seems that adults searching for ways to look younger and feel better about themselves are still willing to spend their hard-earned money in that pursuit. That’s good news for Boardcertified plastic surgeon Gerard Mosiello, M.D., of Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery (TPPS) in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms — and even better news for you! “Women who really want to have their breasts augmented, lifted or reduced will still opt for surgery, even in a bad economy,” says Dr. Mosiello. “But, a much larger percentage of people out there simply want to look and feel younger, so when you have a consultation with us, we will offer you many different options to help you improve your face, your skin and the way you feel about yourself without necessarily having to have the expense and recovery time of an operation. In other words, plastic surgery isn’t just about surgery anymore.” As mentioned in our last issue, Dr. Mosiello is also the medical director for Leanne Carter’s Facial Accents Boutique (located adjacent to TPPS), which means that Leanne refers any procedure or treatment that involves

injecting anti-aging dermal-filling products into your face or body (e.g., Botox, Restylane, Juvederm and others) to Dr. Mosiello, who says there is a tremendous difference between what he and TPPS Gerard Mosiello, MD can offer to those looking to reduce or eliminate wrinkles and other imperfections than the many other doctors and even dentists who are now performing (or overseeing) these types of procedures. “This is a hot topic in my business these days,” Dr, Mosiello says. “I have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (since 2000), which means that I have had 8-10 years of post-medical school training in every type of procedure performed by those other physicians who now call themselves ‘cosmetic surgeons.’ Today, there are even non-physicians and even spas offering these injectables, but a Boardcertified plastic surgeon is the only professional specially trained to completely evaluate the physical conditions of the face and body to provide patients with a complete package of treatment options to best suit their needs and offer the

The staff of Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery also includes (l. to r.) Mary Mosiello, Jennifer Palmiero, Leanne Carter, Carol Bailey and Erica Bailey.

most favorable results and safest outcomes. Plastic surgery is NOT ‘cookbook medicine.’ It’s a scientific art form and a profession only we have taken years to train for.” He adds that most of those other physicians and dentists getting into injectable treatments have taken little more than a weekend course and only observe while a nurse practitioner administers the treatment. “Plus, they don’t have the ability to do a face lift or eye surgery when those injectable treatments are no longer the best option.” Dr. Mosiello says he used to do all of the injectable treatments at TPPS himself, but has recently turned over those responsibilities to one of the most

experienced nurse practitioners in the business — Jennifer Palmiero-Puleo, ARNP, MPH, who graduated from the University of South Florida in 2000 with dual Master’s degrees in nursing and public health and is a national authority on Medical Aesthetic procedures. Dr. Mosiello says Jennifer actually provides seminars and courses that educate physicians and nurse practitioners on the correct injection techniques for Botox and other dermal fillers. “We waited two years to bring Jennifer into the fold,” adds TPPS office manager Carol Bailey. “She had her own very successful practice in South Tampa and has helped many other medical professionals throughout

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

the country as an invaluable clinical resource. Jennifer’s patients value her personable, caring demeanor and appreciate the superior results she provides.” Palmiero-Pulo has been providing Medical Aesthetic Services at numerous reputable Tampa Bay area facilities since 2001, and has been featured numerous times as an industry expert on NBC-TV and Fox-TV News. “Jennifer has even more experience with the injectable treatments than I do,” says Dr. Mosiello, who earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, graduating with honors in the Alpha Omega Honor Society. He completed his residency training in general surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ, followed by residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. Dr. Mosiello, who has years of expertise in body countouring (breast augmentations and lifts, tummy tucks and liposuction) and reconstructive surgeries (such as breast reconstruction following mastectomies and skin cancer surgeries), earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, followed by graduate studies at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City. His wife Mary, a physical therapist, also works in at TPPS.

“My husband was the first plastic surgeon to open an office in New Tampa,” says Mary. “I’d say 75-80 percent of our patients live in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.” Andrea Boyd, a patient who has had a breast augmentation and liposuction performed by Dr. Mosiello and “several” anti-aging treatments from Palmiero-Puleo, says she loves Tampa Palms Plastic Surgey. “Jennifer is awesome and I definitely recommend consulting with Dr. Mosiello about any type of plastic surgery or treatment,” Andrea says. “The office is friendly and very professional. And they really do outstanding work.” On Thursday, June 25, 6:30 p.m., Dr. Mosiello, Jennifer PalmieroPuleo, Leanne Carter and local dermatologist Dr. Debra Shelby will host “Bridge to Beauty,” a seminar that will help answer a lot of questions about the best — and most affordable — ways to stay younger-looking longer. Attendance is by reservation only and there will be a nominal fee to attend. Call TPPS for more info. “Our last seminar was very well-received,” says Bailey. Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery is located at 15243 Amberly Dr., just west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Somerset Professional Park. For consultation appoinments and more information, call 631-1500 or visit TampaPalmsPlasticSurgery.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Take A Short Ride To Visit Oakstead Family Dentistry! By Gary Nager Even though there’s certainly no shortage of family and other dentists in Wesley Chapel, if you receive this newspaper in your mailbox and you just happen to be looking for a new dentist for your family, I definitely recommend chatting and meeting with Jake Pedraza, D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry), of Oakstead Family Dentistry in the Oakstead Professional Park on S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes. I might not have ever met Dr. Pedraza myself, if not for my buddy and New Tampa resident Fran Griesser, a local rep for Benco Dental, one of the largest dental office design and equipment supply companies in the U.S. Fran told me, “You really have to meet Jake. He’s a real family guy (whose wife Christina is his office manager), very personable and he’s got state-of-the-art equipment.” That was enough for me. So, I took a short drive to about a mile west of where S.R. 54 meets U.S. Hwy. 41 in Land O’Lakes and found Dr. Pedraza’s sparkling new office in an equally new professional plaza. When he said he was a graduate of the University of Florida Dental School and a “big Gator fan,” I knew we were

going to be friends right away. But, I was even more impressed by all of the technology in the sparkling, immaculate office AND the one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency he served in Jacksonville after completing his DMD degree. Dr. Pedraza may look even younger than his age (30), but he definitely knows his stuff. “AEGD is a residency that concentrates on surgery,” he says. “I consider surgical dental implants to be my specialty. And, while I’m comfortable with all areas of family, general and even cosmetic dentistry, other dentists are already referring patients who need implants to me. I’m definitely trying to grow that part of my business.” He adds that, “Family-oriented general dentistry is my bread and butter. I can pretty much take care of just about everyone in the family, from young kids to older adults.” As for the high-tech equipment throughout the office, Dr. Pedraza says, “Fran really helped with every aspect of the design of the office and he set up all of the equipment and computers.” Oakstead Family Dentistry is a “paperless” office, which has high-definition TVs in every exam room, an internet café with complimentary

The friendly staff at Oakstead Family Dentistry in Land O’Lakes includes (l. to r.) Christina and Dr. Jake Pedraza, Sandi Boston and Stacy Rogers. refreshments, video games for the kids In addition to Dr. Pedraza and and the lowest-radiation digital X-rays. Christina, Oakstead Family Dentistry “This is definitely a one-stop shop also features two “expanded functions” for the entire family,” says Dr. Pedraza, dental assistants — Sandi Boston, who who graduated from Gulf High in New has 20 years of experience, and Stacy Port Richey. He notes that after previRogers, who has five. The office defiously having an office in Brandon, he nitely combines quality dental work chose a location for his practice that with the friendliest possible service. would allow him to draw patients from The Pedrazas don’t have any kids, all across the growing area around the but it’s O.K. “Right now, this office is Suncoast Pkwy., from as far west as our baby,” Jake says with a smile. Trinity and as far east as Wesley Chapel. Oakstead Family Dentistry “This area is growing a lot more (2638 Narnia Way, Unit #102) is than ‘old’ New Port Richey,” he says. open Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. “Plus, I’m still close enough to draw Saturday and evening appointments from New Tampa, Lutz and Wesley and affordable financing options are Chapel, too. There’s still more houses available. Call 949-2229 or visit replacing cow pastures in this area, OaksteadFamilyDentistry.com to find despite the shaky economy.” out more.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Pinebrook Plaza At The Grove Celebrates Its Grand Re-Opening By Gary Nager For those, like me, who remember the old Pinebrook Plaza, there’s no doubt that the recently revamped (for $1.25 million) and re-opened Pinebrook Plaza at The Grove (on S.R. 54 at Gateway Blvd.) is a vast improvement over the old one. That was evident to the hundreds of visitors who celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of the 26-year-old plaza May 2. With a couple of live bands, an inflatable slide for the kids, prize giveaways and specially priced food and beverages, the Grand Re-Opening was a hit with folks of all ages, many of whom were already regulars at the plaza (as the stores began reopening in January of this year). Plaza owner Mark Rosenthal of MSR Investments of Tampa reportedly was on-site for the all-day event on a very warm Saturday, but this reporter didn’t get to chat with him. I did, however, get to talk with several attendees — all of whom said they like the way the plaza looks now AND the businesses located there. The Pinebrook Plaza’s lineup includes everything from Any Lab Test, where you literally can get ANY lab test performed (from DNA and HIV/STD testing to cholesterol and drug testing and complete blood work-ups), to

Moody D’Avirro Insurance, The Hair Place, Bed Pros, Metro PCS and the businesses that keep drawing me back to the plaza, the Silver Ring Café, Skinny’s Sports Bar and Santo’s Pizza & Pasta. Silver Ring Café owner Tim Booth says he went through quite a few samples of his delicious ropa vieja (Above) Kids at the Grand Re-Opening of the Pinebrook Plaza at The with black beans and yellow rice and noted Grove enjoyed the inflatable slide. (Above right) You’d give thumbs-up, that, “a lot of the peotoo, if you just won free Busch Gardens tickets. ple here told me they (Below) The plaza was packed as the band played. didn’t even know we were here until today, so this was a success for us.” Meanwhile, many of the regulars at Santo’s still had to order some delicious New York-style pizza, even though there were hot dogs, bratwursts and chicken sandwiches for sale at very low prices for the event. Among the prizes given away were Busch Gardens tickets and dinner for two at Santo’s. Even if you missed the event, you can visit the Pinebrook Plaza at The Grove (27415-27435 S.R. 54) literally anytime!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Salon Athena — Where Happy Stylists Create Happy Customers! By Gary Nager If you’ve been thinking about changing your look, the new owners of Salon Athena in the Oak Ramble Plaza (on Bruce B. Downsd Blvd., south of Tampa Palms) hope you’ll consider checking out one of the New Tampa area’s nicest salons. The stylists and colorists at Salon Athena have decades of experience between them and always take time before they begin working on your hair to make sure they create precisely the look you really want. New owners Elie Khadij and his cousin Fadi Achkouti have both lived in the New Tampa area for more than two decades. Fadi previously owned The Greenery Pub near the University of South Florida and Elie was one of the original stylists who worked for more than 20 years at the now-closed Bostonian Hair Studio. Three months after Bostonian owner and Tampa City Council member Joseph Caetano declared bankruptcy, Elie and Fadi talked to former Salon Athena owner William Tseh, who was trying to devote more time to his original Salon Athena in South Tampa. By February of this year, the deal

was done and, in addition to Elie, former Bostonian stylists Gwen, Sherri, Jen and Felicia came to Salon Athena to join four of William’s former stylists — Tiffany, Vickie, Lauren and Maher. All of these stylists had outstanding reputations and have been able to keep their clients happy by working at the new Salon Athena. “I have to say that we had so much fun for so many years at the Bostonian,” says Elie. “It’s the kind of feeling I was Co-owner Elie Khadij (far right) and the friendly, professional staff at Salon Athena hoping to create here — and in the Oak Ramble Plaza. we have! These are all styling professionals who really enjoy free Keratin Complex Hair Therapy by He adds, “We also make sure our coming to work every day.” Coppola, which transforms dry, frizzy, stylists stay up on the latest styles and Those happy stylists and the fact overprocessed, colored or even “virgin” the most current, cutting-edge techSalon Athena has a comfortable waiting niques. The stylists all travel to different hair into shiny, healthy-looking, frizzarea offering free coffee, water and free hair. Lisa says the three-day process cities for continuing education and we other beverages and snacks, are already also bring in industry professionals who is well worth it, as her curly hair often bringing in an impressive number of turned to frizzy and unmanageable in provide additional training for them.” happy new customers. the central Florida humidity. Neighborhood News ad sales rep Fadi, an electrical engineer-turned“It really was so much fun the day Lisa Ross just happened to walk in on entrepreneur, says, “Hair styling is an they put the treatment in my hair,” says one such recent training session at art. This business is all about creativity Lisa. “Every stylist in the salon, plus Salon Athena — and because she had and we definitely encourage that cre(Exclusive Beauty Supplies salon and exactly the type of hair the trainer was ativity in our stylists and provide a great looking for, she became the happy “test spa consultant) Phyllis (Williams), had a environment for them.” case” for Salon Athena’s new, chemical- chance to apply the product. They all

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

got to feel what the Keratin Complex is supposed to feel like while it is being applied and work with my hair a little.” Three days later, Salon Athena stylist Sherri washed the product out and cut and blow-dried Lisa’s hair, creating a whole new look she truly loves. “Everyone tells me how much they love the way my hair looks now and Phyllis told me that the Keratin Complex treatment will last at least five months. Now, instead of trying to blow my hair straight every day, all I have to

(Left) Exclusive Beauty Supplies consultant Phyllis Williams explains to our own Lisa Ross how the Coppola Keratin Complex Hair Therapy treatment. (Above) Lisa’s smiling because she loves her new look! do is work on it with my hands for a minute and I’m good to go. My hair is straight, shiny and smooth now. I’m looking forward to a frizz-free summer!” Salon Athena specializes in both styles and color treatments for men and women, although there are also other services available, too. For example, although Salon Athena doesn’t bill itself as a “spa,” it does offer former Bostonian employees Brenda, who does manicures and pedicures; Rebecca, a licensed aesthetician

who does facials, makeup application and waxing (including bikini waxing); as well as licensed massage therapy by Marisela. These services are all only available by appointment on specific days and times, so please specify that you want these services when you call for your appointment. “We like being a one-stop shop for men and women who want to look their best,” says Elie. Salon Athena also sells a wide variety of hair care products to help further “Bring out the goddess in you,” with full product lines by such famous names as L’Oreal, Redken and

Grund, as well as hair brushes and other hair care needs. Salon Athena is located at 14933 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Oak Ramble Plaza (between Acropolis and Mr. Dunderbak’s). It is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Walkins are permitted; however, appointments are preferred and highly recommended. Call 910-2770 for an apppointment, or for a free consultation about the Keratin Complex Hair Therapy treatment.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Bucs Cheerleaders Invade New Identities For Another Makeover

It’s Almost ‘Friday’s’ In Highwoods Preserve!

By Michael Smith While the members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team are sweating it out on the practice field in order to get ready for the upcoming season, the 30 members of the team’s cheerleading squad have a much easier way to prepare to boost the team’s fans’ spirits along the sidelines this fall. In what has become an annual rite of Spring, the Bucs’ cheerleaders descended upon the New Identities salon in Tampa Palms earlier this month to spend a day being pampered and primped, and to receive the look that will be seen by thousands of home fans over the course of the season, and even more (although in typically very brief glances) during the team’s televised games. The makeover also helps the cheerleaders prepare for the arduous task of being photographed for the squad’s official calendar, for which they may have to travel to some mundane location such as Hawaii or the Florida Keys, as they have in the past. It’s also a great gig for New Identities owners Marc and Kelly Rockquemore, since the salon has been the cheerleading squad’s official style headquarters for the past six years. New Identities got the job because the cheerleading squad’s coach, Sandy Charbonneau, has been a long-time client at the salon. It’s not all just fun and games, though, because the team has strict rules about how each cheerleader looks, and Charbonneau also tries to coordinate an overall look for the squad as a whole. That means that before getting started on their respective makeovers each cheerleader has to sit down with Charbonneau and the stylist for a comprehensive consultation, “to evaluate where they are and where they want to be,” Rockquemore says.

Speaking of makeovers, workers are busy remodeling the former Bennigan’s restaurant on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in front of The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza into a new TGI Friday’s restaurant that is scheduled to open in that location sometime in late June. Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader Jaime Hanna gets her makeover from stylist Amy West. And, they’d better be happy with the final results, too, since they are contractually obligated to maintain their appearance throughout the season, Rockquemore says, and have to get approval from the coaching staff before they can make any major changes. Of course, the job also nets plenty of free publicity for the salon, Rockquemore says, since the cheerleaders not only appear at football games, but also at a variety of other events throughout the year. And, in 2007, the makeover event was even featured on an episode of the NFL Network show, “Making The Squad.” Of course, Marc and Kelly and the stylists at New Identities are no strangers to the national spotlight. In addition to the NFL program, the salon also has been featured on a number of other shows, including Fox-TV’s “Ambush Makeover,” The Learning Channel’s “Wedding Story” and MTV’s “True Life,” and also is the exclusive salon for the annual “Fashion Week Tampa Bay” event. For more information about New Identities, which is located at 15307 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza, call 979-0760 or visit newidentitiessalon.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Real Estate Guide FloridaExecutiveRealty.com

Doug Muehl

Marc Stern

(813) 760.0809

(813) 340.7939

Tampa Palms - This stunning model perfect 4 bd/3.be + den Damaras II pool home by Hannah Bartoletta is in the highdemand gated village of Kensington in the premier golf-course community of Tampa Palms. $625,000

Wesley Chapel - Two 5 acre parcels. Buy 1 or combine the 2. One parcel has barn, 5 stalls, fencing, well & electric. Peaceful, gated community, ready for you to build your dream home. Call for Details.

Temple Terrace - Charming 4 bd/2.5 bath updated doll house. Stone fireplace in family rm. & totally remodeled kitchen. Paved patio w/ overhead arbor. Plenty of covered parking & storage make this a must see. $200,000

Nathan’s Court - This maintenance free former model home is in the highly desirable community of Hunter’s Green. Relax by the pool and spa on your brick pavered lanai overlooking peaceful conservation. Upgraded kitchen, hardwood floors, custom window coverings, and a conservatory with custom built in book shelves are just a few of the upgrades. Ready to move in, everything is here. $247,000

VISIT OUR NEW SITE AT WWW.HOMEVALUESINTAMPA.COM TO GET THE “VALUE” OF YOUR HOME

Heritage Isles - 5 bd/3 bath home with spectacular views of #7 Fairway of Heritage Isles Golf & CC & loaded w/ upgrades: stainless steel appliances, gorgeous maple cabinetry, & window treatments. $319,000

NOW SEARCH THE MLS ON OUR WEBSITE FLORIDAEXECUTIVE.INFO

Get in line with our clients below. Call us to help you sell or buy. Arbor Greene LD

Tampa Palms LD

Arbor Greene LD

Crystal Cove

Tampa Palms NG

Tampa Palms

CT RA

NT CO

N PE

Cory Lake Isles

CT RA

NT CO

N PE

Northwood

CT RA

NT CO

N PE

CT RA

N PE

NT CO

WE CONTINUE TO NEED MORE LISTINGS!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Hunter’s Green -This 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath pool home is nearly 3300 sq. ft. w/ unique master suite, open kitchen with island, and large front yard. Situated on 1/3 acre with lush landscaping. $429,000 RICH CAPUA (813) 325-0405

Ventana -Model perfect home with granite and stainless steel, fresh paint, new air handler and conservation and pond views galore. $275,000

Seven Oaks -Model home sits on conservation & has 4 beds/3.5 baths, plus den/office. Upgrades include custom pool/spa, beautiful window treatments & not to mention a great location. $350,000

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL JUDY CURRY (813) 355-7097

Brownstones of Soho - This new construction end unit has Brazilian oak floors in living area with granite in the bathrooms, and kitchen that has stainless steel appliances. Call for more details. $289,900

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL PATTY KAMPSEN (813) 240-3762

• RESIDENTIAL LOANS • REFINANCE • 100% FINANCING • FHA • VA 3325 W. Bearss Ave Tampa, FL 33618

New Tampa - Fabulous conservation and water frontage. Brand new interior paint and carpeting. There is an aquarium window in kitchen that offers a fantastic view. Great split floor plan with open family room. $225,000

Victoria Terrace -A lovely 1200 sq. ft. condo, in popular Victoria Terrace. A few features are nice wood floors, Berber carpet, wood fence, enclosed patio, and backs up to the pool. $118,000

CHRIS KELLISON (813) 468-3245

• CLOSINGS

• SHORT SALES

• 1031 EXCHANGES

• REFINANCES

5303 Technology Dr. Tampa, FL 33647

Office 813.961.3900 Fax 813.676.1989 www.dhmloans.com

Office 813.961.3391 Fax 813.960.8959 www.ETOTB.com

JANE FLOYD (813) 961-3900

PHIL CLARK (813) 961-3391

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Grand Hampton - Spectacular 3/2 home on a gorgeous conservation pond homesite. Granite counters, SS appliances, ceramic tile, maple cabinetry and so much more $250,000

Heritage Isles - Popular five bedroom plus loft, three bath pool home. Hardwood floors. Center island in kitchen. Large corner homesite. Golf course community. $260,000

Seminole Heights - Fabulous 1952 bungalow. 2/1 main house with 1/1 efficiency. Totally renovated. Granite counters, maple cabinets, hard wood and ceramic tile floors, new roof, AC. Much, much more. $129,900

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SEE THESE FINE HOMES CALL PETE RADEKA (813) 760-1979

We’ve Got You Covered RELOCATING ACROSS TOWN -ORACROSS THE WORLD... YOUR LOCAL CONNECTION WITH A NATIONAL PRESENCE. Let me connect you to unmatched relocation services anywhere in the world. I welcome the opportunity!

Jane Gowarty, RCC - Relocation Director 1-888-200-6077 • 813-972-3430

FLORIDA EXECUTIVE PROPERTY SERVICES WESLEY CHAPEL NEW TAMPA LAND O’LAKES/LUTZ RENTALS • 2/2/1 home, 1166 sq ft, $975 • 4/3/3 pool, 2961 sq ft, $2800 • 3/2/2 home, 1529 sq ft, $1000 To view our rentals online • 2/2/1 condo, 1223 sq ft, $1000 • 2/1 condo, 1110 sq ft, $850 • 3/2/2 home, 2053 sq ft, $1275 please go to our website • 4/2.5/2, 2548 sq ft, $1800 • 3/2.5/1 townhome, 1685 sq ft, • 4/2/2 home, 1564 sq ft, $1125 www.ferleases.com $1300 • 3+den/2/3, 1554 sq ft, $1600 or email to Irene@ferleases.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT IRENE OCASIO AT (813) 632-9452 For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Education Updates

Liberty MS Book Battlers Finish Fourth In The County

Local Student Takes Second At National College Equestrian Competition We want to congratulate New Tampa’s Alisha Mayes, who came in second in her division at the 2009 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s Alisha Mayes National Finals, which were held in with her ribbon, Tennessee in April. above, and in the Mayes, 20, saddle, at right. who graduated with honors from Wharton High in 2007, is now in her junior year at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where she also is a member of the college’s Equestrian Club. Mayes has been riding since she was about 12, and competed in several local events before heading off to college. Now, in addition to being a member of the Equestrian Club, she also is on the Hunt Seat team (Hunt Seat refers to the style of riding based on the tradition of English fox hunt-

ing). To make it to Nationals, Mayes had to qualify in a regional event in her class, Equitation on the Flat (which simply means that she and the horse don’t jump over any obstacles, as in the hunter/jumper competition). From there, she went on to the Zone competition in Statesboro, GA, where she placed first in her class (the highest placing ever by a UCF student), and thus qualified for the Nationals, where she came in second. Mayes is the daughter of Daren and Sheila Mayes. — MS

Congrats also go out to the Book Battle II team from Liberty Middle School in Tampa Palms (above), which placed fourth out of 48 teams in this year’s edition of the school district-wide literary competition. The students had to answer questions based on reading material that they have studied throughout the year. Team members include: Rohit Iyer (team captain), Xiaoyi Ren, Trisha Ramadoss, Haoqing Wang, Sheela Ranganathan and Anima Shrestha.

WELCOME TO FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Neeraja Jasthi

• Cleanings (Ages 4 and up) • Crowns, Bridges and Implant Crowns • Veneers • Zoom & Take Home Whitening • Root Canals & Extractions

FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY 20441 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (across the street from Wharton H.S., in front of Live Oak)

“Let Our Family Be Here For Yours”

866-9913 26

Dr. Neeraja Jasthi, DMD

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Wharton Grabs More State Track & Tennis Titles Lamotte Earns County Honor

By Gary Nager The spring high school sports season, like the 2008-09 school year itself, is over and New Tampa’s Paul R. Wharton and Freedom high schools have had some exciting results - especially the crowning of some more individual state champions in track and field and the boys tennis team becoming the first Hillsborough County school ever to repeat as State champs. The boys tennis team, coached by Marcie Scholl, rolled to District and Regional crowns and didn’t disappoint at the Class 3A States, as the Cats’ #1 singles player, junior Michael Alford, as well as sophomores and #2 and #3 singles players Ben Hwang and Rohit Navelkar, respectively, all took home individual State titles. The school’s top doubles team of Alford and Navelkar lost in the State finals, as did #4 singles player Bryant Fuller. The Wildcats actually tied St. Thomas Aquinas of Miami for the State title, with both teams scoring 13 points apiece. On the track, the Wharton girls were led by State champion London Enos, a junior, in the pole vault (11 ft.) and hurdler Amani Bryant, who suc-

Meanwhile, Freedom High’s Monique Lamotte, who also excels on the soccer field, won the Larmon Furniture award as Hillsborough County’s Flag Football Player of the Year, after gaining more than 1,000 yards of total offense for the Pats.

Pacholke & Leppla Get Freedom Jobs

The Wharton High boys tennis team is the first in Hillsborough County to repeat as state champs. cessfully defended her State title in the 300 hurdles (a personal best 42.80). Bryant also took second in the 100meter hurdles (14.78). The boys team also had two State champs, as Sean Obinwa, who had only been running for four months and only chose to try out for the track team after not making the boys soccer team, won the gold medal in the 800-meter run (1:53.56). Obinwa also anchored the Wildcats’ first place 4x800 relay team, which also featured John Grellner, Nick Swain and Gilbert Rodriguez. The 4x400 relay squad, also anchored by Obinwa, finished 3rd.

Congratulations go out to Tampa Extreme AAU basketball co-founder and former Land O’Lakes High girls

basketball coach Laurie Pacholke, who was named the new girls basketball coach at Freedom. In addition, former Wiregrass Ranch High head coach A.J. Leppla was named the school’s new baseball coach, after a 13-12 season at Wiregrass Ranch. Both announcements were made by Patriots athletic director Elijah Thomas. Freedom had been searching for a new baseball head coach since Jonathan Reinbold resigned in the middle of the season (Nick Cardieri finished the season as interim coach).

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Fusion Futbol Replaces Black Watch & New Tampa Soccer By Gary Nager When my younger son Jake was seven years old, the New Tampa Soccer Association (NTSA) had just implemented a rule that prevented kids who weren’t already eight years old from “playing up” with the Under-9 (U-9) competitive Comets team (the youngest competitive age group). So, we took Jake to the tryouts for the U-9 team for the Black Watch Soccer Club, which practiced and played its games at a complex on 30th St. (Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of Fowler Ave.), behind what was then the Stroh’s (now Yuengling) Brewery plant. At that time, the NTSA, which offered both recreational and competitive programs (mainly for New Tampa residents), was only a few years old (it was founded in 1992 by former Board member Kirk Collins), but Black Watch already had a rich 20-year history of success as a competitiveonly program that attracted kids from all across the Tampa Bay area and even beyond. Black Watch, which was named after a program in Scotland, had already won several Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) championships in its many age groups, and was widely considered the top competitive program in the Bay area. Jake played one season with Black Watch, but the allure of not having to travel seven miles or so to the 30th St. complex several days a week brought us back to the Comets the following year. One of the kids on the Comets team in Jake’s age group was Khalil Marriott, the son of Lloyd and Val Marriott, who now have three sons, all of whom have grown up playing soccer with the NTSA. Fast forward about a decade. The NTSA has grown geometrically from a few hundred rec and competitive players to more than 1,700 (making it by far the largest youth sports organization in New Tampa, with more kids than all of our area’s youth football programs combined), with nearly 30 competitive boys and girls competitive teams (including more than one team in most of the younger age groups) and more than 100 rec and travel teams overall, all practicing and playing games at the New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms and at Benito Middle School on Cross Creek Blvd. Although the relationship between the two clubs has historically been a little shaky (in part because

many New Tampa parents didn’t appreciate that several of the top players in our area chose to play for Black Watch instead), about nine months ago, the Boards of the two programs got together to discuss the possibility of joining forces. “We were basically looking for more field space, an opportunity to improve the product on the field and to be able to do more in the community,” says Marriott, who is now the president of the new Fusion Futbol Club of Tampa Bay, which literally is a “fusion” of Black Watch and the NTSA, including a seven-member Board with roughly equal representation from both programs. Meanwhile, Fusion’s director of soccer operations Jim DiNoble, who was the director of coaching at Black Watch the last nine years, says that Black Watch was hoping to be able to develop a recreational program of its own, as many of the younger siblings of competitive Black Watch players would spend a lot of time at the complex with their competitive brothers and sisters. “The merging of soccer programs is a trend all across the country, not just here in the Tampa Bay area,” says DiNoble. “Black Watch has always provided some ‘youth academy’ clinics and programs for those younger kids, to get them involved in the game, but now, they can be part of an organized program, where they can learn the proper way to play from a very early age and help fuel the competitive side as they get older.” And, the former NTSA benefits from adding the sprawling Black Watch complex to its inventory of practice and game fields. Fusion’s new competitive teams, which are holding tryouts at all three field sites now through June 1, will simply be called “Fusion” and not Comets or Falkirk or Celtic or any of the individual team

names used by Black Watch. Even the team colors of the Fusion squads will be a melding of the two programs, with the black and yellow of Black Watch and the royal blue of the Comets (see logo). This fall will be the first season for Fusion’s competitive teams, although both Black Watch and New Tampa are coming off successful campaigns, as the U-13 Comets boys and U-15 and U-16 Black Watch boys all advanced to the Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) State Cup Final Four. Although none took home a State title, both the Comets and the U-16 Black Watch teams made it to the final game before losing, with the U-15 boys losing in the State semifinals. “The important thing,” says Jose Torres, the new director of administration for Fusion who has been a Board member and coach for the NTSA for more than a decade, “is that we can begin teaching our young kids the proper way to play and help them learn to fall in love with the game and keep them in the program right through high school.” Coaching is obviously a big part of the equation and Fusion’s director of coaching for the boys teams Mauri-

cio Pesaresi, who has been involved with the NTSA since 2003, says “it’s important that we teach the proper techniques and tactics from the very beginning and continue to teach those proper techniques every year.” To that end, Torres says Fusion will continue the NTSA’s move to take away the “team” concept for U-5 and U-6 players, instead employing the “soccer academy” concept, with an emphasis on instruction and fun. “No merger is simple,” says Marriott, “but this one just made sense.” He adds that Fusion is proud to announce that Puma has signed on as a major sponsor of the Fusion Football Club, rather than making the club choose between Nike (Black Watch’s former sponsor) or Adidas (which sponsored the NTSA). Marriott, whose wife Val is the present of the PTA at Heritage Elementary, says, “As long as we always put the kids first, our plan is for this program to become an even bigger difference-maker in the community.” For more information about the Fusion Futbol Club of Tampa Bay, or the Fusion competitive tryouts, visit FusionFutbol.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Paul Proscia’s All-NEW Polo’s Italian Grill—Better Than Baci! By Gary Nager Photos by Sandra Nelson Long-time New Tampa residents can’t help but remember the old Baci Italian Grill in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center shopping plaza in front of West Meadows. It was our area’s very-much-welcome first Italian restaurant that wasn’t also a pizzeria and owner Keith Williamson’s California-inspired Italian cuisine was an instant favorite. But, Keith eventually sold Baci and the place, to be honest, hasn’t been the same since, although it’s always been at least O.K. The most recent owners, Bob and Maureen Polo, made just a few minor changes to the old Baci menu, but also changed the restaurant’s name to Polo’s Italian Grill. Considering that the place is small, doesn’t have a bar (although it does have wine and beer; more on that below) and can’t be seen from Bruce B. Downs Blvd., it pretty much HAS to have great food to really capture the attention of the locals. Well, the new Polo’s is, in my humble opinion, the BEST restaurant that has occupied this location. And, although a name change could (and really should) be coming, the new Polo’s is a labor of true love for new owner and chef Paul Proscia, a fellow New York native with many years of experience creating cuisine for other restaurants owners. Paul, who was pre-

Among our favorite appetizers at the NEW Polo’s Italian Grill are the eggplant “towers” (left) and the calamari fritti (center), both served with two sauces. New Polo’s owner Paul Proscia (right) has a red-hot winner on his hands! both in the kitchen and chatting up viously a chef at the famous Gurney’s the customers. Inn, Resort & Spa in Montauk, Long “I love all the repeat business Island, NY, was most recently the Chef we’ve already been getting since we de Italian Cuisine at Donald Trump’s took over,” Paul says, flashing his evereven-more-renowned Mara Lago present smile. “And, everyone’s been Resort in West Palm Beach. “There also was a Chef de Cuisine giving me great ideas about dishes to of French food at Mara Lago and since add, whether as specials or as new menu items.” I already had the Italian dishes down cold, I spent a lot of time learning the A Tour Of Polo’s Menu differences between French and Italian Depending upon how hungry you cuisines,” says Paul. “I’ve already are, Polo’s antipasti (appetizers) can changed the Polo’s menu quite a bit, either be a delicious way to start your but over time, you’ll see a lot of meal or the entire meal itself! French and French-influenced dishes The right-sized portion of tender, being added, too.” lightly battered calamari fritti comes not In other words, even if you just only with a zesty marinara, but also ate at Polo’s a couple of months ago with Paul’s own light and delicious (Paul basically took over the restaurant hint-of-lemon aioli dipping sauce. The around the time of the Taste of New excellent appetizer portion of two fried Tampa), you should definitely check it crabcakes also is served with the same out again. You’ll find basically the aioli sauce. I also loved the unique eggsame pricing as before, but with larger portions and the difference in both the plant “towers,” which are two layered towers of fried eggplant, fresh mozquality of the food and the presentazarella, roasted peppers and sliced tion will definitely jump out at you. tomatoes, served with a basil pesto aioli You can tell Paul’s having fun.

AND a roasted pepper aioli. Yum! Other appetizers include a jumbo shrimp cocktail, jumbo shrimp scampi, a portobello mushroom caprese, aged provolone and fresh Prince Edward Island mussels — I saw a plate of these babies go by and just the aroma of the red garlic sauce (white garlic sauce also is available) had me reaching for the fresh garlicky Italian bread served with every meal at Polo’s. Speaking of the bread itself, it’s served with another unique dipping sauce of extra virgin olive oil, carmelized onions, green olives, red peppers and spices. “We do get a lot of ‘more bread and dip’ requests,” Paul says. “It is a nice way to start a meal.” You also can begin with antipasto or house salads, although I recommend the unique Caesar served in a deliciously edible encrusted parmesan shell. Or, See “Polo’s” on page 38.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Pet Resort Pampers Your Pet While You’re Away By Melissa O’Brien Florida is internationally known for its fantastic vacation places. After all, what could be better than spending quality time at a spacious, luxury resort with your friends, playing games outside in the wonderful weather, taking a dip in a custom-designed, beach-entry pool or chilling out in a spacious, airconditioned condo? Does it sound like someplace you would like to go? Well, unless you have four legs, fur or feathers, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you’re the owner of a furry or feathered friend, the New Tampa Pet Resort (NTPR) is the place for you. NTPR, located on E. County Line Rd., just west of the I-75 overpass, has been pampering people’s pets since it opened last year. The unique 5,000-sq.-ft. pet resort was designed by owner Lisa Golicher to be, in her words, “The one-stop animal center that meets and exceeds all our clients’ animal service needs. My feeling is that pets deserve a safe and fun environment to give pet owners peace of mind when they are away.” Golicher created a place that would exceed the expectations of many pet owners.

“We want our clients to know that their pets are in good care,” says Golicher. “We make sure they are getting all of the exercise and attention they need. We also offer day care services for people who just want to drop their pet off for a day at the resort.” Just stepping foot into NTPR, you know it is not your average boarding kennel. The resort offers a variety of spacious units for both dogs and cats and other pets (including birds and guinea pigs). Each spacious dog villa is air-conditioned with raised beds. Water comes in a heat-sanitized dish from a special filtration system to ensure it is pure. If you want to go the extra mile for your pet, you can choose a private doggie villa, which includes a bed, clean sheets, and a television tuned to the “Animal Planet” network (or whatever your canine likes to watch). This is all under the watchful eye of a webcam so that owners can “visit’ their pets while they are away. For cats, multi-level kitty condos with webcam access are available to appeal to a cat’s playful, adventurous nature. For playtime, cats can venture out of the condo in a secure, safe room under the watchful eye of a staff member. Soothing classical music plays

throughout the resort to create a calm environment for the animals. What leaves a very big impression on most clients is the custom-designed, bone-shaped pool in the outdoor area of the facility. Here, dogs can either dip their feet If the canine guests at the New Tampa Pet Resort get tired of socializing indoors... into the shallow “beach” area or Greene, was the president of the Semidive in for an all-out swim. The pool nole County Humane Society before has a salt generator and an ozonator, moving to New Tampa 17 years ago. which Golicher says reduces harsh “We are very active in the comchemicals in the water and leaves your munity,” says Lisa, who is member of dog’s coat feeling soft and silky. the New Tampa Community Council. Golicher notes that there are four “We have teamed up with the Humane different play areas in the resort and Society of Tampa Bay and for every the animals are first tested to see if they new customer we have, we give five how they will interact with others. dollars to assist in the care of animals. “If customers choose to use our We have already donated $500 in the daycare options, we go through a first quarter of this year. We also behavior test to see if the animal can donate any extra food we have to play with the pack,” says Golicher. “If Nanny’s Education Children’s Zoo they do well, we pair animals with sim- (off of Livingston Ave.) My husband ilar temperaments for play.” Joe also is on the Board of Directors of Golicher, who lives in Arbor the New Tampa Little League.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Golicher says that family is very important to her. “We are big into relationships and family,” she says. “Our customers are part of our family and we have the same staff members as we had when we first opened. We know that people’s pets are members of the family, as well, and we make sure they receive the best treatment in our care.” In addition to boarding and daycare services, NTPR offers grooming, specialty treats from the resort’s “pet boutique” and animal training. You can even have an animal birthday party or wedding. The facility can accommodate up to 60 pets – even housing pigs and rabbits in addition other animals. And, since the facility is new, it is built according to the highest hurricane code standards for Hillsborough County. “We have a set of procedures in place in cases of emergency,” says Lisa. Complementing the services of NTPR, Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine (DVM) Mara Ricci has opened New Tampa Animal Hospital right next door to the resort. For Lutz resident Dominic Fariello, boarding his dog at NTPR has been a positive experience – except for one thing. “They treat our dog Sampson so well he comes home with an attitude,” says Fariello, with tongue in cheek. “He likes to go there and play

...they can head out back for a refreshing dip in the pool, which includes a handy poolside fire hydrant. with his best friends. He got close to says Veschi. “When faced with a busianother dog named Mamie and when ness trip, I was looking for a place that my wife and I went on our honeywould have genuine concern for my moon in Italy, Sampson and Mamie dog. I found New Tampa Pet Resort got married. The staff dressed them in to be clean and well-organized. The a veil and a bow tie!” people are very nice and I was thrilled Fariello finds the NTPR staff very to find out that they have daycare. I friendly. “I do not always get a lot of get a report card every day as to how notice for when I am going out of she spent her day. “ town,” he says. “They are very accommodating to me and I find their prices exceptionally reasonable.” Meadow Pointe resident Christina Veschi had never used a boarding kennel before getting her German shepherd, Kiev. “There are many quality daycare places out there for our children, but not so many for our pets,”

Veschi says Kiev has been classified as a “social butterfly.” “When Kiev is there, she plays soccer, goes into the pool and plays with bubbles,” she says. “I have used both the overnight boarding and the daycare services. Because she is still a puppy, she can wear me out. When she is there, I don’t have to worry about her being bored. I tell a lot of people about New Tampa Pet Resort. It has all the facilities I need in one place. I plan to use the vet next door, too.” New Tampa Pet Resort is a member of the American Boarding Kennel Association, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and is accredited through the Better Business Bureau. Hours are Monday –Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., 9 a.m. -1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday pickup and drop off are at noon and 5 p.m. The facility has 24-hour security, fire monitors and video surveillance cameras. For info, call 949-6877 or visit newtampapetresort.com.

Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A. Pediatrics Board Certified

Solo Practice! Practicing 14 years in Tampa Graduate of UF & USF Residency All Children’s Hospital

• Same Day Appointments 4444 E. Fletcher Ave., Suite B

813-903-0060

Most Medical Insurance Plans Accepted!

CITY PLAZA AT TA M PA PA L M S

1 MILE NORTH OF BEARSS AVE., CORNER OF BRUCE B. DOWNS BLVD. & TAMPA PALMS BLVD. WEST

CITY PLAZA AT TAMPA PALMS

Bru

I- 2 Bearss

ns Dow B. ce

I-7 5

Fletcher Ave.

Busch Blvd.

56th St.

Fowler Ave.

30th St.

•PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS RESTAURANTS •RICHIES CLEANERS •CHINA CITY •CICCIO & TONY’S •SUNTRUST BANK •TAMPA PALMS ANIMAL HOSPITAL WRAPPERIA & PASTARIA •TAMPA PALMS TRAVEL WORLD •SUBWAY •THE LIME •THE UPS STORE •WASHINGTON MUTUAL

d. lv B s r. lm D Pa rly pa be am Am T

•PUBLIX •STEIN MART •ALLSTATE INSURANCE •ANTIQUE ARMOIRE •BENEFICIAL •BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO

•CHARLES JEWELERS •EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS •ELLEN’S HALLMARK •GAURANG NANAVATI, DDS •FRAME BY FRAME GALLERY •GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS •NATIONWIDE INSURANCE

I-275

MANAGED BY CROSSMAN & COMPANY

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Relay For Life Raises More Than $85,000! By Michael Smith New Tampa residents once again showed their generosity by helping participants in the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life, which was held locally at Wharton High on April 17, raise more than $85,000. The money goes towards a variety of ACS programs, including patient education and support, research and development of new treatment strategies, and more. The event also serves to

recognize those who have survived their battles with cancer and to honor those who succumbed to the disease. The top fund raising teams at this year’s event were: Hunter’s Green Elementary, $10,759; the Liberty Middle and Freedom High PTSA groups, $8,220; and MetLife, $7,223.

(Top right) The color-coordinated team from Hunter’s Green Elementary not only raised the most money, but also took home the prize for having the Most Spirited Team. (Right) Walkers, including Honorary chairperson Ellie Edwards (far right), circle the Wharton High track.

New Tampa’s Premier Storage Facility Location - Location - Location - Location - Location

WANT T YOUR GARAGEE BACK??? SPACE PLUS SELF STORAGE

+ Climate and non-climate controlled units + State-of-the-art security system + Access 7 days a week + 24 Hour access available + Truck Rental SELF STORAGE ASSOCIATION

MEMBER

www.spaceplusstorage.com newtampa@spaceplusstorage.com

17231 Dona Michelle Dr.

813-463-8890

13100 66th St. N., Largo

727-475-5499

COMMITTED TO QUALITY...COMMITTED TO YOU

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Print Pink’ Tile Wall Is Unveiled On Saturday, May 2, officials with the Shops at Wiregrass mall, Pasco County and the American Cancer Society (ACS) unveiled a special “legacy wall” of hand-painted ceramic tiles created as part of the mall’s “Print Pink” campaign to raise money for breast cancer programs administered by ACS. Below (l.-r.), mall GM Greg Lenners, Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri, Megan Camp and Cindy Kozlowski of You Do the Dishes Paintyour-own-pottery studio, Cynthia Corbin and Nancy Britton of ACS, and cancer survivor Della Haberle in front of the wall. Above right, Judy Powell and Roberta Dowell of Land O’Lakes

remember family member Tammy Mealer, who lost her battle with cancer in 2007. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

WineStyles Is Wesley Chapel’s New Place To Hang Out & Enjoy A Glass Of Vino For anyone who was unhappy when the Cork & Olive in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwood Plaza closed earlier this year, I have a suggestion for you: Check out the new WineStyles store and tasting bar in the newest section of the same plaza, right at the corner of County Line Rd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. According to local franchisee Troy Melquist, who has lived in eastern Pasco County since 1991, WineStyles (which has nearly 150 stores in two dozen states, plus Mexico and Puerto Rico) was named the 2007 Franchise of the Year by an industry publication for good reason. “I’ll be honest that I was a beer drinker before I decided to open this WineStyles,” he says. “But, I’m definitely having fun with this.” Melquist, who still also does TV production (he has shot high school games for the Sunshine Network and the Florida High School Athletic Assn.), says WineStyles is a unique concept that already is developing an impressive following here. “I can get just about any bottle of wine you want,” he says. “But, WineStyles also features a lot of proprietary and exclusive wines that no

Troy Melquist of WineStyles in front of SuperTarget puts out more food for his Grand Opening last month. one else can get, not even ABC.” He adds that most of the wines in his store cost from $10-$25 per bottle. “We don’t ask what type of wine you prefer, we ask what style,” he says. “Our whites are divided into ‘crisp,’ ‘silky’ and ‘rich’ and our red categories are ‘fruity,’ ‘mellow’ and ‘bold.’ We also offer “Bubbly,” “Nectars” (dessert wines) and “If You Insist” (wines costing more than $25).” The local WineStyles (1051 BBD Blvd.) has a great national wine club you can join, plus karaoke and other entertainment. For open hours and additional information, call 994-2200 or visit WineStylesStore.com. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

LETS TALK DIRTY GROUT!!

Before

After

For most, the old fashion mop is the cleaning tool of choice. Although this appears to work fine at first, eventually you will start to notice the tile getting darker in the traffic areas. Mopping no longer gets the job done. Dirt and soil from the mop has been absorbed into the grout between the tile leaving it dull and dingy. Next you break out a toothbrush. It’s amazing what you can do with a toothbrush and several long days of tedious labor on your hands and knees, however, if you have more important things to do with your time, there is a better way.

Tile & Grout Cleaning & Sealing Is Here!!!!!

TILE & GROUT CLEANING ONLY

Call Us Today, for the best cleaning and an Incredible Low Price,

Expires 8/31/09

Call Babysoft. Our powerful truck-mounted cleaning system will restore the natural beauty of your ceramic tile and grout quickly and economically. With Babysoft’s tile and grout cleaning, your floors will sparkle once again, and you will save time and money.

991-7545

For Cleaning & Sealing

Fast. Effective. Affordable.

BABYSOFT TILE & GROUT CLEANING

(813) 991-7545

$0.49 PER SQ. FT.

ANY 3 ROOMS CARPET CLEANING

$99.95

Up to 300 Sq. Ft. Expires 8/31/09

SOFA & LOVE SEAT

$149.95 Scotchgard extra Expires 8/31/09

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Polo’s”

lisipo” (your choice of fresh sea scallops or Continued from page 29 fresh clams sauteed in garlic, white wine, try a cup or bowl of made-fresh-daily lemon, fresh basil, pesto lobster bisque, cream of chicken or and tomatoes in red or Paul’s own Italian wedding soup. I white sauce over linguihaven’t sampled any of them yet, but I ni), seafood cioppino heard raves about the bisque. (jumbo shrimp, sea Paul’s pastas include everything scallops, mussels, clams from the most basic spaghetti marinara and the sweetest crabmeat ever) and a to the unique penne “rustica” with dead-on baked lasagna. your choice or chicken (d’pollo) or Other dinner entrées include the jumbo shrimps (d’pesce). The dish is Italian basics (eggplant, veal or chicken sautéed with fresh garlic, sweet Italian parmigiana, chicken or veal marsala, sausage and broccoli (for the chicken chicken Francaise and veal picatta version) or artichokes (shrimp version) milanese), some true New York Italian in a creamy pink or scampi sauce, topped with mozzarella and all baked in favorites (like veal saltimbocca), plus a HUGE casserole dish. I told Paul that lobster risotto, portobella risotto and the dish easily serves two hungry adults lobster valencia (lobster claw meat (maybe four). There’s also three-cheese sautéed in garlic pesto sauce, with artichokes and tomatoes). I haven’t samor lobster ravioli, a classic penne alla vodka, spinach manicotti, seafood “Pol- pled any of the great-looking steaks and chops (12-oz. New York strip, 8-oz. filet and rack of lamb) on the menu yet, but I plan to try all three! There’s even a specially priced “Tasting for Two” entrée which includes a crabmeatstuffed Maine lobster tail, a 1/2-rack of lamb AND petite filet, with two dipping sauces, fresh asparagus and your choice of garlic mashed potatoes or risotto. And YES, Polo’s IS open for Even the rich chocolate mousse at the lunch, too! In addition to a nice selecall-NEW Polo’s is to die for!

tion of pastas, parmigianas and marsalas, the lunch menu also Among our editor’s favorites so far at the NEW includes great subs, more salad Polo’s Italian Grill are the seafood cioppini pasta options, plus a unique variety (left) and plump, tender chicken parmigiana. of subs, grilled wrap sandwiches and even quesadillas! And, if you need a larger room than the Polo’s sells all of its wines by the restaurant, he is partnering with the glass (from just $5 for the J. Roget Cal- nearby Pebble Creek Country Club, ifornia brut sparkling wine to $10 for where he can provide food for up to the wonderful Capezzana “Conti Con- 135 guests (or more). tini” sangiovese) and has Beaulieu And, best of all (at least for me), Vineyard “Century Cellars” California Paul has given my son Jake an opportuhouse wines by the glass, as well as half nity to not only bus tables and wash and full carafes. Beer drinkers will defidishes, but also learn a lot about cooknitely enjoy imports like Peroni from ing. Polo’s would’ve gotten a great Italy, Estrella Galicia from Spain and review anyway, but this didn’t hurt! Heineken (Holland), as well as Sierra Polo’s Italian Grill (19040 BBD Nevada, Budweiser and Michelob. Blvd.) is open every day except MonFor dessert, Paul makes a decadent day at 5 for dinner and Tuesday-Frichocolate mousse, plus a light and deli- day, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for lunch. cious tiramisu and more. Paul also plans to add Saturday Catering isn’t just available, it’s a lunch in the near future and there is specialty. Paul has a great catering live entertainment on Friday nights. menu, but has no problem coming up Call 615-0087 or visit PolosItalian with new dishes for your next big party. Grill.com for reservations and info.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles – Quick ‘Bites’ From New Tampa’s Dining Scene By Gary Nager From an area that was virtually devoid of restaurants a decade or so ago, New Tampa is now a hotbed for those seeking new culinary experiences. The last several weeks have been particularly newsworthy, with new restaurants opening, established ones adding new menu items and specials and one noteworthy eatery exiting the scene.

Snapper Meuniere at the new Cerise Bistro is one of our editor’s new favorite dishes.

Check Out The New Cerise Bistro

Although its menu describes the

food at the new Cerise Bistro in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. (at Kinnan St.) as “Japanese Style French Cuisine,” the bottom line is that Cerise (which means “cherry” in French), which has replaced Mazzola’s Little Italy in the plaza, is an elegant, casual fine dining restaurant with outstanding food. Although a larger review is coming in a future issue, everything I’ve sampled so far at Cerise, which is open for both lunch and dinner, has been outstanding, and the prices are very fair for the quality and quantity of food. Among my favorite dishes to date are the roast duck with Dijon mustard and port wine sauce (dinner only), the New York “Beef Steak” (I call it New York strip) with cognac and port wine sauce (also dinner only) and the snapper meuniere (lunch and dinner). I also enjoyed the teriyaki chicken (lunch and dinner), the wakame (seaweed) salad appetizer and the seafood ginger pasta (lunch and dinner). Cerise Bistro (10032 Cross Creek Blvd., behind the Shell gas station) is closed on Sundays, but is open Monday-Saturday for lunch (11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) and dinner

(4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.). Call 9942430 or visit Cerise-Bistro.net.

Circles New Tampa Bistro offers several delicious varities of Eggs Benedict.

Circles Adds Brunch

Inspired by the success of their fund-raising New Tampa Noon Rotary Club Sunday brunches, my friends Donna and Chef Louie Sinudom of Circles New Tampa Bistro (in the Pebble Creek Collection plaza) recently began offering a fantastic Sunday brunch. Circles offers a great variety of omelettes and other egg dishes, including an incredible choice of eggs Benedict selections, as well as thick-slice French toast, pancakes and other great breakfast choices. For those who want lunch for brunch, try the “Spanish-American War” (a sirloin steak topped with olives,

peppers, onions and American cheese), unique sandwiches (including a hummus sandwich), great salads and more. The food is not only delicious, the price is right, too, as most of the yummy breakfast options range between $5-$10 and most of the lunch selections cost $8-$13. Circles New Tampa Bistro is located at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (behind Wasabi Japanese Steak House). It is open for Sunday brunch 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info, call 973-7703. Reservations are suggested, but are not required.

You just can’t beat the large cheese pizza and pitcher of beer special for just $9.99 at Peabody’s.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Peabody’s “Happy Hour” Specials

Our friends at Peabody’s Billiards & Games, located next to our office in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms, are offering a unique “economic stimulus” package of “Happy Hour” specials, that are available from open until close every day of the week. For example, Monday is “Pizza Night,” when a large, true New Yorkstyle cheese pizza and a pitcher of your choice of Bud, Bud Light or Bud Select costs just $9.99 (toppings for the pizza cost extra). On Tuesday, you can’t beat $4.99 “All You Can Eat” wings. Wednesdays are “Dollar Daze,” when all call and well drinks and slices of cheese pizza cost just $1 each (pizza toppings cost 25 cents each). On Thursdays, Peabody’s awesome burgers cost just $4 with chips, or $5 with some of the best French fries in town. Fridays are “Steak Daze,” when a 10-oz. sirloin steak costs just $7.99, and all-you-care-to-drink call drinks and beer set you back just $12. On Saturdays, the all-you-can-eat wings cost just $6.99. In other words, if you don’t like great pizza, wings, burgers and steaks at unbeatable prices – or pool, darts and more - don’t go to Peabody’s, but if

you do like them, PLEASE tell them we sent you! Peabody’s is located at 15333 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes of Amberly, Tampa Palms. For more information, call 972-1725.

Ropa Vieja at Avocado Cafe and Bakery is an unbeatable value.

Avocado Is Open For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Although it’s been open for about a year, it was only recently that our office discovered one of our area’s best values – Avocado Café & Bakery, located between Acropolis and Mr. Dunderbak’s in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., south of Tampa Palms. You can’t beat the value and the food is outstanding. Owner Kathiana Figueroa and her family are from Venezuela, and Avocado combines the best of many different Latin-inspired

KEEP IT RUNNING GREAT!

cuisines, from Cuban sandwiches and specialties like outstanding roast pork, ropa vieja, picadillo and palomilla steak to empanadas, fried plantains, arepas (thicker white meal corn cakes), carne mechada shredded beef and many more. Everyone at our office is basically addicted to the lunch special of your choice of shredded pork, ropa vieja or picadillo, with rice and your choice of beans or plantains for just $4.99. There are also avocado and chicken avocado salads, a great egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich, soup of the day, and some wonderful baked goods and café con leche. We’ll do a larger story about Avocado in the future, but we really suggest going to check it out now. Avocado Café & Bakery (14941 BBD Blvd.) is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Call 631-9703.

Ciccio & Tony’s Restaurant. The bad news is that The Lime’s last day in business was Cinqo de Mayo (May 5). But, not only was that last day a wonderful celebration of a great place that never did live up to its success in South Tampa, the good news is that The Lime’s larger location in City Plaza will soon be home to a combination of Ciccio & Tony’s and another South Tampa concept owned by the same group, The Lodge. The current Ciccio & Tony’s location in the plaza will close when Ciccios/The Lodge opens sometime in June. Garofano says the plan is to open another concept in the Ciccio & Tony’s location, but was unable to share what that concept will be at our press time. We’ll provide a more complete update in a future issue.

The Lime Closes On Cinqo de Mayo

We have good news and bad news to share about The Lime, the Brazilianinspired Mexican restaurant in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center owned by Robert Garofano and his partners, who also own the adjacent

Co-owner Robert Garafano (left) and his friends still have reason to smile despite the closing of The Lime.

MV33781

Running Great Automotive TIRED OF PAYING HIGHER AUTO REPAIR PRICES IN NEW TAMPA?

Call us for a FREE comparison price quote! Most repairs done while you wait. No appointment needed!

WE’RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! (less than 5 miles from BBD & I-75 )

• Courtesy Shuttle • Towing Available TRANSMISSION FLUSH

79 95

Neighborhood News Coupon Only. Most Cars. Expires 6/26/09

Factory Maintenance Extended Warranties Diagnostic Center Fuel Injection/Carbs Alignment/Front End Transmissions/Clutches Brakes • Tires Mufflers/Exhaust A/C Repairs • Emissions Electrical Radiator • CV Joints & Struts

CUSTOM EXHAUST SYSTEMS

FUEL INJECTION SERVICE

69 95

Removes All Fluid. Helps Smooth Shift

• • • • • • • • • • •

Cleans Injection. Improves Mileage. Improves Power. Neighborhood News Coupon Only. Most Cars. Expires 6/26/09

TUNE-UP SPECIAL From $4995 Most Cars Replace Spark Plugs, Ignition Inspection, “Check Engine” and “Service Engine” Light Diagnostics included

CHECK OUR TIRE PRICES FIRST. You’ll Be Glad You Did!! FREE

Lube, Oil, Filter, Tire Rotation & Emissions Inspection W/Our TUNE-UP Special!

Neighborhood News Coupon Only. Most Cars. Expires 6/26/09

Lube, Oil & Filter, Brake Flush, Cooling System Flush, Transmission Flush, Rotate Tires, Check Brakes, Check Wheel Alignment 95 From (Most Cars/Trucks Extra)

$179

Neighborhood News Coupon Only. Most Cars. Expires 6/26/09

OIL CHANGE

13 95

10W-30 With Filter & Lube Up To 5 Qts. Most Cars / Trucks Extra

Neighborhood News Coupon Only. Most Cars. Expires 6/26/09

COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH $49 95 Removes Scales That Cause Overheating.

Neighborhood News Coupon Only. Most Cars. Expires 6/26/09

Bearss Ave

Nebraska Ave

30,000 MILE SERVICE

Skipper Rd

Running Great Auto Fletcher Ave

14513 North Nebraska Avenue

971-0642 www.RunningGreatAuto.com

HOURS: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Saturday, 7:30 am - 1:00 pm

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Check Out Our Exclusive 2009 Summer Camp Guide!

Summer is just around the corner and there are plenty of local summer camp programs that offer fun, exciting and educational experiences for youngsters of all ages. Here are just a few.

cooking classes, cheerleading, flag football, volleyball, nature, drama, dance, arts & crafts, swimming and more. Call 973-4220.

Academy At The Lakes

This year’s “Summer at the Lakes” program at Academy at the Lakes (2331 Collier Pkwy. in Land O’Lakes) includes eight week-long sessions beginning June 8. Half-day and full-day programs are available, and activities include everything from sports and drama to cooking and even academics. For more information, call 9487600 or visit academyatthelakes.org.

There are more than 60 full- and half-day programs at “Camp IDS 2009” at Independent Day SchoolCorbett Campus (12015 Orange Grove Rd.). Activities include sports & recreation, field trips, academics, visual and performing arts and much more. Camp begins June 15 and is open to students from Pre-K through the 8th grade. For more info, call 961-3087 or visit idsyes.com.

Discovery Point

Kidz Kraze

Come discover why the Discovery Point Child Development Center (27830 Summergate Blvd., Wesley Chapel) summer camps are different. The camps feature weekly field trips, flexible scheduling, hot lunches and snacks, fun-filled activities and water play days. For more info, call 9942700 or visit DiscoveryPoint.com.

Hunter’s Green CC

The Summer Activities Camps at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.) feature Fun Fridays with moonwalks and waterslides,

Independent Day School

Before your young ones start driving you crazy, drive them to “Kamp Krazy” at Kidz Kraze (10347 Cross Creek Blvd.). Sessions begin June 8 for children ages 5-11, and activities include arts & crafts, movies, field trips, an “American Idol” talent competition and more. Weekly, monthly and fullsummer rates are available. For information, call 907-0700 or visit kidz-kraze.com.

New Tampa Family YMCA

The New Tampa Family YMCA (16221 Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms)

hosts more than a dozen full- and halfday camp programs for ages 3-16. Activities include beginning and advanced swimming and other aquatic programs, sports clinics and more. Visit tampaymca.org or call 866-9622 for more info.

PROtential Sports

Help your children develop their full athletic potential with the wide variety of sports camps offered by PROtential Sports. Instructors include current and former professional and collegiate athletes, and weekly and full-summer sessions are available at five different locations around the area. For more information, call 8439460 or visit protentialsports.com.

Bigel Music

If your kids are musically inclined , but you’d rather see them playing a real instrument than the “Guitar Hero” video game, then you might want to enroll them in one of the summer programs offered at Bigel Music (20435 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). In addition to workshops for all types of instruments, this year Bigel also is hosting its “Summer Rock Band” camp, where participants will actally stage a concert to show off their newly-learned skills.

For more information, call 907-6363 or visit bigelmusic.com.

You Do The Dishes

Kids ages 7-13 can learn all about art at the summer art camp program hosted by You Do The Dishes paintyour-own-pottery studio (15357 Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms). The program includes instruction in various art styles and techniques, including watercolor, printmaking, drawing, printmaking and more, and all supplies are included in the cost of tuition. For more information, call 9751700 or visit youdothedishes.com.

Pasco County

The Pasco County Parks & Recreation Department also offers summer camp programs at all of its parks and activity centers around the county. Camps run June 22-July 13 for children ages 5-13 (children completing Pre-K are not eligible). However pre-registration is required. Registration is available if you stop in any Monday-Friday before 5 p.m. at the Land O’Lakes Recreation Center on Collier Pkwy. (north of S.R. 54). Call 929-1220 for additional information.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

150 ater

We Come To You!

l. Wnk a G Ta

HAND WASH HAND HAND DRY DRY HAND HAND WAX WAX CALL JAY FOR ESTIMATE

966-1530

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

Join OrthoTechnology’s Winning Team! Ortho Technology, an international orthodontic supply distributor located in New Tampa, is seeking talented energetic candidates for the following full-time positions: Inside Sales: Skilled salespeople for established territories! Proven track record of success in B2B phone sales, exc. communication & computer skills req’d Distribution Associate: High energy individuals needed to receive, restock and pull & pack customer orders in a fast paced team oriented environment. Basic math, computer skills & ability to stand/walk for entire shift & lift up to 50 pounds required. Experience with FedEx/UPS shipping a plus. We provide a great work environment, excellent benefits package and growth potential. Submit resumes to careers@orthotechnology.com.

Classifıeds

or small, ext/int, fencing, screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 9730194 or 727-2582. Quality Handyman, specializing in Home Improvements, repairs & installations of all types from A to Z, including telephone & computer cabling. 18 years of exp. No job too small. E-mail eddieperdomo@yahoo.com or call 451-6541 for questions or Free Estimates. Greg’s Paperhanging. For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate. RAYMOND PAINTING. Interior & exterior, pressure washing, paper hanging, plaster, stucco, tiles, concrete, clean & seal pavers. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARBOR GREENE RESIDENT. We Work 7 Days. Call 994-5124.

Professional Tech Support in your home or small business. A+ certified computer tech with 15 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. References available upon request. Call 957-8342 for free estimate.

HOME

IMPROVEMENT

Need home maintenance? Almost any job, large

NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commercial lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Sprinkler repair, tree trimming, mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available. Licensed & Insured. Call Bill @ 973-3825.

Burke’s Landscaping. Complete landscape maintenance & installation, monthly lawn cutting from $45/mo. Call 388-5254 today or visit www.burkeslandscaping.com.

Bright Cleaning of Tampa. Residential & Commercial. Move-in & move-outs. Good references & good prices. Free estimates. Call Edna & Francisco at 562-6772.

COMPUTER SERVICES

LAWN MAINTENANCE

Custom Stone Fireplace Design. Design. “A beautiful fireplace is the centerpiece of your home.” Quality interior & exterior stonework, complete outdoor fireplaces, other stone work available upon request. Free estimates. Visit customstonefireplace.net or call (866) 949-5556. 949-5556.

HERE I COME! I specialize in all types of cleaning: houses, apartments, townhouses, garages, etc. Best prices in the Bay area. References available. Call for a free estimate. Call 735-7979.

Medical Asst. for Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine private practice. Responsibilities include triage, asst. doctor during ofc. visits, obtain patient test results, chart preparation, telephone call backs, file management & medication refills. Assist front office to include answer phones & schedule appts. Fax resume to 975-4301.

Everyday Gardener’s Club. Full-service property maintenance available for residential & commercial. One-stop shopping with licensed, insured professionals. Specializing in landscape design with conceptional drawings & renderings available. Let your imagination & our professionals come together to create dreams that will last a lifetime. Visit www.everydaydesigns.net. Call 933-1120 or 303-4368.

Enjoy your time & let A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service do the work for you. We provide landscaping, lawn maintenance, clean-ups, tree & hedge trimming, sodding, sprinkler repair & fertilization. Other services also available. Call 907LAWN (5296).

New Tampa Cleaning Service. Home & office cleaning. Cleaning homes in this area for six years. Best prices. Call Mercia or Carlos at either 9942094 or 391-9159 for a FREE estimate.

P/T or F/T Medical Asst. for doctor’s office. Experience preferred. Good salary & benefits. Fax resume to 632-7114 or call 632-7111.

L A N D S C A P I N G

Dan Turner Decorating Wallcovering Installation. The most important thing about the wallcovering you select is...the installer. Don’t sacrifice the beauty of wallcovering, turn to the experts. Call today for a free consultation. Licensed & insured. Call 928-2160

CLEANING SERVICES

F/T Dental Assistant with experience needed. Full benefits package. Office located in Tampa Palms. Please fax resume to 910-3323.

These are the Color Classifieds Your Neighbors R E A D! Call Julie Rinaldi @ 910-2575 to order your ad today!

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE. We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, call 758-9710. Isn’t life busy enough? Save time. We can help. Your satisfaction is our first priority. Guaranteed, affordable, reliable, quality domestic svcs. Free estimate: Chelsea Maid Company @ 994-6662. LEBOM Cleaning service. Are you tired of cleaning? Call us & let us do the dirty job for you. Residential & Commercial. Move in/Move out. 6 years working for the best. Good references. Great prices. Licensed! Call325-7904 now for a free estimate. Residential housecleaning. New Tampa area. Ironing available. Free estimates, references available. Call 971-2392 for our special holiday rates. J & H housecleaning. We clean apts., houses & offices. Dependable & Reliable. Call 956-7138. Susan Nelson's Cleaning Service. Reliable, honest & experienced w/great references. Call 310-0614. 4 Brothers Commercial Cleaning Services, LLC. Full-Service Commercial Janitorial Cleaning Service, which specializes in commercial offices such as doctors, insurance, real estate, etc. We do construction clean-ups as well as Move-Ins & Move-Outs for apts. & private homes. We have our own supplies & can provide excellent references. Call for a Free Quote at 960-4427 or email us at 4brotherscleaning@gmail.com.

Lawn maintenance * commercial & residential * rentals * HOA clean ups * investment properties * complete lawn care at prices you can afford! Service that you can depend on. Call Ken 334-3460.

P O O L

S E R V I C E S

Tranquility Pool Service. New Tampa Owned & Operated! Great pricing w/outstanding customer service. Relax & enjoy while we keep your pool in pristine swimming condition! Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Call Chris today for a free quote @ 857-5400 or visit us at www.tranquilitypoolservice.com to see why we are New Tampa’s #1 choice! Aquatec Pool Service has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. We offer quality WEEKLY full service at an affordable price & follow strict National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) standards. Licensed & insured. Call 780-8616 or visit our website www.aquatecpool.com to see why you should choose us.

P E T

S I T T I N G

your pet’s home. We also bring in mail, water plants & help maintain home security while you’re away. Bonded, insured & trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR. Call For The Love Of Pets at 545-8406 or 416-3126. Or visit www.ForTheLoveOfPetsOnLine.com. New Tampa Pet Sitting Service. Lots of love & care for your pets. Great experience & references. Recommended by Angie’s List. Licensed, Insured & Red Cross Certified. Call Marina @ 416-5301.

S E R V I C E S AVA I L A B L E THE GAS DOCTOR. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE. Residential * Commercial * Industrial. * New Construction & Remodels * Natural & LP Gas Piping Systems. Gas Appliance Installation, Service & Repair. Providing connections for: Gas Lights, Ranges, Dryers, Fireplaces, Furnaces, Generators, Grills, Space Heaters, Water Heaters, Pool Heaters, Firepits & Tankless Water Heaters. TECO Rebates on Natural Gas Appliances. Call 516-2927 or visit thegasdoctor.com. License # MG 24668 Beautiful outdoors! Construction superintendent at your service! Landscape design, clean-up & mulching, repairs for roofs, screening, sprinklers, drywall & shelving. Garage clean out, help with moving, packing & storage. Pressure washing, painting inside & out. Professional service at bargain prices! Call Dennis 601-4560.

B U Y I N G

G O L D

NEED EXTRA MONEY? We can turn your unwanted, old or broken gold jewelry into CASH. Take advantage of high gold prices which may not last. Don't sell it to the fly-by-night companies. Take it to Tampa Palms’ “Hometown Jeweler.” Jeweler on staff with 35 years of exp. CHARLES JEWELERS. Call 972-4653 (in City Plaza, next to Stein Mart, off Bruce B Downs).

P I A N O

T E A C H E R

Professional piano teacher w/classical European education welcomes students of all ages & skill levels. Emphasis on technical preparation & development of performance skills. Music theory & history incorporated in lessons. Call 3175862 for an appt. or more information.

Kittens & Mother need a good home. Very adorable. Call 986-1214.

Animals’ Best Friend says, “Pets Deserve Good Love & Care, Even Times When You’re Not There!” In-your-home pet-sitting svcs, including dog walks, multiple & overnight visits, administering meds, plus love & attention. Licensed, bonded & insured. Call 765-5515 for a free consultation. Or, visit www.animalsbestfriend.net. Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye - we say hello. Cats are happiest when in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. We help deter crime by bringing newspaper/mail & rotating lights/blinds, giving your home that lived-in look. Licensed, bonded & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com. Professional Pet Care Exp’d. pet sitters. We walk, play, feed & administer medicine, all in the comfort of

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Palms

T JUS

Tampa Palms

TED

LIS

G DIN

PEN

RA ONT

Tampa Palms

TED

LIS

T JUS

5 bedroom 3.5 bath new construction. 18x18 ceramic 4 bedroom 3 bath recently updated w/ new roof in 4 bedroom, 4 bath + den + bonus room, 3 car garage. tile floors, coffered ceilings, lush crown moldings, 2009, new paint, new carpet, hardwood floors in Hardwood floors, newer carpet, custom fireplace, thick granite countertops, 42" maple cabinetry, stain- formal living room, custom window treatments, new interior paint & landscaping. Chef's Kitchen w/ less steel appliances & oversize 30’screened lanai. new screens on lanai, pavered pool deck, custom 42” cherry wood cabinets, custom paneled GE reStunning front elevation w/ stack stone accents comfountain, separate private pavered patio, overfrigerator & thick granite countertops. Custom pliment this custom home, $374,500 sized spa & outdoor kitchen, $359,900 pool/spa feat. a hand-laid pavered deck, $499,900

Tampa Palms

T LI

JUS

TED

Tampa Palms

D IN

SOL

DAY

Tampa Palms

TED

LIS

6BR+Study+ 2 Game Rooms!, 5 full bath, 5083 sqft, exquisite granite kitchen counter tops, 42-in maple cabinets with crown molding, cozy fireplace, custom plantation shutters, outdoor kitchen, sparkling pool/ spa on a beautiful private conservation home site. $798,500

The Reserve

TED

T LI

JUS

Custom Hannah Bartoletta 4+den+gameroom, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath. Expansive formal dining room, Cozy Custom Hannah Bartoletta home nestled in the 5/5.5, 5,246 sf, office, bonus room & media/exerover 4700 sf, pavered driveway w/ sideload garage. exclusive Tremont of Tampa Palms. 3 bedrooms + study & living room. Perfectly detailed w/ crown cise room, custom masterpiece featuring deep Master, bonus room & guest room down w/ 2 bedrooms den, 2244 s.f., 2 bath, 2 car garage. Pristine hardwood moldings throughout, upgraded appliances, granmolding, elegant fireplace, new interior paint & 1 bath up. Soaring two story entry.Turn key condition grand formal foyer. Oversized kitchen w/ thick granfloors in the formal living room & dining room, ite counter tops, maple cabinetry, lush tropical w/ new paint inside & out. Massive pavered lani w/ sum- ite counters, 42" maple cabinetry. Sparkling pool w/ newer a/c, solar heated pool large fenced rear yard garden setting, pool & spa. $1,195,000 mer kitchen, pool & spa overlooking large pond view with lush mature landscaping. Offered for $299,000. stunning, hand laid pavered pool deck. $589,900

Tampa Palms

ACT

TR CON

5 bedrooms + den + game room, 3 bath, 3,808 sf, fireplace, crown molding, 42" maple cabinetry, Corian counters, built-in entertainment center, pocket sliding glass doors, oversized lanai with pool on conservation. $710,000

Windsor

NG NDI

NEW CONSTRUCTION! 3 bedroom + loft, 2.5 Custom 4 bed+den+gameroom/5, 4375 sf, featur- 4/4, 4270 sf, on conservation, marble floors, 3 firebath, 2,360 sf, upgrades include crown moldings, ele- ing 14' ceilings, 20x20 travertine style floors, 42" places, granite counters in all baths & kitchen, gant coffered ceilings, 18x18 tile floors, 12 ft. ceilings maple cabinetry, granite counters & stainless steel newer stainless steel appliances, newer marcite and 8 ft. door, staggered maple cabinetry, elegant appliances, 3 bedrooms & den down with game- finish on heated pool/spa, outdoor kitchen, fenced granite counters, conservation homesite, $269,713 room, neutral colors throughout, expansive lanai backyard, & much more, $579,000 with pool & spa, $750,000.

Tampa Palms D

STE

LI UST

Hunter’s Green

West Meadows

T RAC

CON

DIN

PEN

Completely Remodeled! 4126 s.f., 4+Den, 4 full Maple plank hardwood floors, plantation shutters, 4 bedroom 3 bath, 2553 sqft, travertine, Aus3+Den(or gameroom), 2 bath, 2,033 sq ft, wood baths on almost 1/2 acre wooded home site. Recent crown molding, expensive custom window treatfloors, decorator perfect tile & paint thru-out. tralian cypress floors, maple cabinetry, seamless upgrades include a new roof, new hardwood floors ments, new interior paint, new carpet in bedrooms. glass showers, custom tile trim, new faucets, sinks Kitchen has raised panel cabinetry, white applion the first floor, new granite counters & maple Remodeled kitchen, stainless steel GE Profile appliand counter tops, stainless steel appliances, pool ance package with refrigerator included, a recipe cabinetry, new a/c, new hot water heater, new ances, 42" Maple cabinetry, granite counter tops and desk and closet pantry. Pool with tranquil wateroverlooking serene pond. $329,900 paint inside and out, side load garage, outdoor tumbled stone back splash. This pristine property is front view. $229,900 kitchen with custom pool/spa package. $579,900 in turn key condition. $400,000

Tampa Palms

Arbor Greene

TRA

CON

NG NDI

Hunter's Green

For Rent or Sale. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2,056 sf, NEW CONSTRUCTION! 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,909 sf, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,538 sf, remodeled villa, custom Suarez home, volume ceilings, 42" maple open floor plan, high end upgrades, oversized kitchen hardwood flooring, granite, stainless steel apw/granite, maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances. pliances, new A/C unit, new carpet, located on cabinetry, large greatroom with an abundance of decorator plant shelving, private fenced rear yard, Master suite features coffered ceiling, walk-in closets, a private fenced homesite surrounded by a massive master bath, conservation homesite, $249,624 mint condition. $219,000 manicured garden setting. $189,900

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 11 • May 29, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com