13-09 NTNN 1-48 web by Neighborhood News

Volume 17 Issue 13

Inside:

Cerise Bistro & The Lodge: Mmmmm!

June 26, 2009

See pages 27 & 38!

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

Get Involved In Planning New Tampa’s Transportation Future! By Michael Smith If you’re interested in what’s in store for the future of our area’s transportation network (and if you live in New Tampa, how can you not be?), then now is your opportunity to play a part in planning that future. That’s because the Hillsborough County Transportation Task Force, along with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) and the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are in the process of completing a transportation plan for the entire Tampa Bay region that will include not only highway improvements, but also a range of transportation alternatives, such as buses and light rail, and they are asking for the public’s input on what residents think the plan should include and how it should be implemented. On June 5, representatives from

the three groups, as well as a spokesman for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART), held a public workshop at the New Tampa Regional Library, which attracted a crowd of about 50 area residents. Bob Campbell, director of the transportation division of Hillsborough County’s Planning & Growth Management department, said that the meeting was one of series of such meetings held around the county specifically to update citizens and get their comments on the transportation plans. Campbell explained that each of the different groups was working to coordinate their efforts to get things moving as quickly as possible. First of all, he said, TBARTA, which was created by the state legislature in 2007 to create a unified transportation plan for the entire Tampa Bay region, approved the final version of that plan earlier this year. Now, since the first phases of the regional plan will

This artist’s rendering is one vision of what Bruce B. Downs Blvd. could look like in 20-30 years. be implemented here in Hillsborough County, the MPO will have to update the county’s Long Range Transportation Plan to reflect the changes mandated by the regional plan. And finally, Campbell said that HART is in charge of analyzing the different alternatives for implementing light rail service. Hillsborough County

officials, meanwhile, also are contemplating a referendum to be added to the ballot in 2010 which will include a tax increase to generate some of the funding for the various projects. Campbell said that referendum was recommended to the Board of County Commissioners by the Transportation See “Transportation” on page 7.

Shelby Humbert would be replaced with a part-time teacher/administrator. “We do not see this change affecting your child’s preschool education or experience,” the letter continues. “Indeed, Grace Church is fully committed to support the program of Grace Preschool to the same high standards as you have come to expect.” However, on May 27, the day after Humbert was terminated, inspectors from the Hillsborough County Childcare Licensing Program paid a visit to the Grace preschool, and according to program manager Linda Stoller, the school was issued a citation because county and state rules require any childcare program to have a director on site “for the majority of the program’s operating hours.” Stoller says that the inspection was not brought on by the firing of Humbert, but was a part of the Grace pro-

gram’s annual recertification process. She said that although Grace was technically in violation of the requirement of having a full-time director, the school would be allowed to continue under a provisional license that would give church officials six months to hire a new director. In addition, Grace officials apparently did not anticipate the reaction from both parents and teachers at the school, many of whom were very upset over losing Humbert, who had guided the program for the past three years. Many of those parents decided to remove their children from the program, and, after a meeting with church

Grace Episcopal Church Preschool Closes Its Doors

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Home Invasion Thieves Strike In New Tampa, Capturing Precious Moments With Matt Clark Photography, Lots Of New Tampa Little League & Lacrosse News & Much More !

A Review Of The New Ciccio’s & The Lodge Restaurant, Hunter’s Green Country Club’s 20th Anniversary, A Fourth Of July Entertainment Guide & Much More!

See pages 3-26!

See pages 27-48!

See “Grace” on page 4.

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

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

Dozens of local parents have been sent scrambling to find new places for their children to attend preschool next year, after it was abruptly announced earlier this month that the pre-K program at Grace Episcopal Church in Tampa Palms will be closing its doors after this summer. According to a May 26 letter sent

from Grace pastor Rev. Benjamin Twinamaani to parents whose children were already enrolled for the 2009-10 school year, “Grace Church has been subsidizing the Grace Preschool and the budget deficit for the upcoming school year will be even greater than it has been in the past. Therefore, Grace Church has decided to reorganize.” The letter also says that as part of the reorganization, preschool director

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Michael Smith

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Remembering My Friend Ina Saiger (1929-2009) An editorial by Gary Nager I’m pretty sure most of you don’t know who Ina Saiger (née Cohen) was, even though she lived in Tampa Palms the last couple of years of her life. Truth is, I never really knew her, either, although I believe I actually met Ina years before I ever met her daughter Suzi, who became my good friend and stand-up comedy writing partner a little less than a year ago. Just so you understand the type of woman you’re dealing with here: Ina, who passed away May 26 at the age of 80 from complications from a stroke following surgery on her lungs, decided at age 71 that, after years of playing competitive tennis herself, she would become a tennis teaching pro. She was the pro at the world-renowned Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada from 1998-2007

(she also taught a little at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club), and I’m almost positive she gave my boys lessons somewhere around 2000 or 2001, when we used to stay at the Cheeca year after year. Nearly a decade later, when she and I became friends through her daughter, Ina already had suffered some health setbacks and probably only weighed around 90 lbs. soaking wet. But, she and her sweet standard poodle Jane would sit with Suzi and me on the back porch of Ina’s house 1-2 days each week as we all worked together to refine Suzi’s stand-up material. Ina, for years a heavy smoker, always came up with more of Suzi’s top one-liners than I ever did, but somehow, she decided that one day, she and I were destined to do a little comedy

New Tampa Neighborhood News

Table of Contents

15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Advertising E-mail: NewTampaNN@aol.com Editorial E-mail: NTNNEdit@yahoo.com

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES..............................Pages 1-28 Grace (cont. from page 1)..............................................4

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondents

New Tampa News Briefs................................................6 City Changes Trash Collection Schedule, Police Investigate Home Invasions, Single-Vehicle Crash Kills Wesley Chapel Man, Murder Suspect Arrested In Wesley Chapel

Advertising Sales & Billing Manager Julie Rinaldi Advertising Account Executives

Transportation (cont. from page 1)................................7

Kate Kramer • Melissa O’Brien • Matt Rubin

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 15, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, July 6, 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.

act of our own together. She said the only way the act would work was if I played straight man Ed MacMahon to her wise-cracking Johnny Carson. So, even though I didn’t know her long, Ina’s grace, wit and sincere spirit will always be with me. Her and Suzi’s relationship was not only beautiful, it was unique. They fed off each other’s senses of humor like few mothers and daughters I have ever met. But, even though she’ll no longer be helping Suzi polish her act, the gift of gab — and laughter — she gave her daughter will surely live forever.

Rest in Peace, Ina Saiger. (January 4, 1929-May 26, 2009)

New Tampa Community Calendar...........................8 New Tampa Business Briefs.........................................10 Mar-Go Interiors Re-Opens, Zayda’s Boutique Opens At Alteration Studio, LA Fitness, Sweetbay To Open This Month New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter....12 Florida Hospital Receives Cardiac Accreditation.....14-15 Local Photographer Helps Capture Memories.............16 New Tampa Education Updates..................................18 New Tampa Sports Updates..................................20-22 NTLL Tournament Of Champions Results............20-21 Local Lacrosse News....................................................22

Neighborhood Magazine A Visit To The New Ciccio’s & The Lodge.....................27 Hunter’s Green Country Club Celebrates 20 Years.........30 Beer Runners Delivers Beer & More...............................32 Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre Treats Pets......34-35 Cerise Bistro..............................................................38-39 Neighborhood Nibbles.................................................40 Your Guide To Fourth Of July Fireworks........................44

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Grace”

Continued from page 1 officials that was held on May 27 to discuss the future direction of the school, half of the school’s 15 teachers reportedly resigned as well. “Shelby really made the school,” says Yasmeen Newman, whose three children had attended the Grace preschool the past three years. “Under her direction, the education that Grace had to offer was just amazing. [I believe] it was the best preschool in New Tampa.” Although Newman planned to enroll her daughter at Grace for the upcoming year (and had paid the $150- per-child fee to hold a spot for her), she says she changed her mind after Humbert’s firing and requested a refund. It is unclear how many of the 80-plus parents who had also preenrolled at Grace did likewise, but, after a meeting of the church’s Vestry (similar to a Board of Directors), the decision was made to close the preschool program altogether after this year’s summer camp activities end in August. Grace officials did not return several calls seeking comment, but, according to Jim DeLa, director of communications for the Episcopal Dio-

cese of Southwest Florida, which oversees not only Grace, but all of the Episcopal churches in the Tampa Bay area, all of the parents who paid to register for the 2009-10 school year will be receiving refunds on or before July 1. He also says that the church has been in contact with other preschool programs in the area to help find places for the students who were displaced by the closing, and that Grace also has donated its classroom supplies and other materials to other programs as well. One of the local programs that opened its doors to students who were to attend Grace is Family of Christ Lutheran Church and school in Tampa Palms, where director Jennifer Snow (who actually started the Grace program 13 years ago before moving to Family of Christ) says they were able to open up a new classroom to accommodate some of the students. Although she has not been associated with the program at Grace since she left for the opportunity to start up the program at Family of Christ, Snow says she is very sad to see the program close. “It just crushes me,” Snow says. “That program was my baby, and its closing will definitely leave a hole in the community.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA Trash Collection Changes

The City of Tampa’s Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management announced earlier this month that as of Friday, July 3, the department will discontinue holiday make-up days for collection of residential waste following single-day observed holidays. Instead, collections will resume on the next regularly scheduled pick-up day. The new policy will affect residential garbage, recycling and yard waste collection services for any customer whose regularly scheduled collection day falls on a City of Tampa-observed holiday, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas, which are both two-day holidays. The first residential customers who will be affected are those whose regularly scheduled collections days are Tuesdays and Fridays, since Friday, July 3, is when the Fourth of July holiday will be observed. Residential service for those customers will resume on Tuesday, July 7. Yard waste and recycling collections also will resume on the next scheduled day for those services. According to City of Tampa public affairs director Liana Lopez, the new policy is being implemented as part of the city’s Efficiency & Effectiveness Task Force initiative, which aims to streamline operations, increase efficiency and improve service quality, while at the same time reducing costs in all city departments. If you have questions about the policy change, call the Solid Waste Department at 348-1111, or visit TampaGov.net/solidwaste.

Police Investigate Invasions The Tampa Police Department is looking into two separate home invasion-style robberies in and around our area over the past several weeks. In the first, police say the victim answered a knock on his door at the Eagles Point apartments in Tampa

News Briefs Palms (on 46th St.) just after noon on June 9. A black female asked for someone who did not live there, and after she was told no one by that name lived there, she went away. Shortly thereafter, she returned to the door again, and when the victim answered it again, two black males pushed their way into the apartment. They ordered the victim into a bedroom, and one stood over the victim with a handgun while the other went through the apartment. The thieves stole two laptop computers, a Blackberry, an Xbox game system and some games, a small safe and $300 cash. Investigators canvassed the neighborhood, but were unable to find anyone who had witnessed the event. The victim was not harmed. In the second case, which took place at 1:40 a.m. on June 18, at the Equestrian Parc apartments in Highwoods Preserve, a pair of victims was robbed after they answered a knock on the door shortly after 1:30 a.m. Police say several black males, at least one armed with a handgun, burst into the apartment and ordered the victims to lie on the floor. The suspects then ransacked the home and fled, taking nearly $3,000 worth of cash, electronics and other items. There were no other witnesses, but police say the suspects are known to at least one of the victims, but they have not cooperated with the ongoing investigation. If you have information regarding either of these cases, please call the Tampa Police Department’s District 2 office at 931-6500.

around 2 a.m. on June 19. As his 2006 Chevy van began to enter a left-hand curve, the vehicle went off of the roadway, and when Carreras attempted to steer back onto the road, the van began spinning and crossed over the westbound lane of Wells Rd., where it struck a raised curb near the entrance to Wesley Chapel High. The van overturned several times, the report states, and Carreras, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the van and ended up underneath the right side of the vehicle as it came to a rest on the school grounds. Carreras was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which remains under investigation. (Editor’s note: During this year’s legislative session, state lawmakers passed a bill that allows law enforcement officials to issue citations to adults who are seated in the front seat of a vehicle and not wearing safety belts. In the past, officers could only issue citations if they stopped the driver for another reason. The new law goes into effect June 30. Citations will cost $30, but Hillsborough County will add an additional $10 fee for court costs).

who had been living at 6923 Angus Valley Rd., was arrested at his home after midnight on June 11 by detectives from the Waterbury Police Department. A spokesman for the department said that Tavares was allegedly responsible for the death of 66-year-old John Buttery, who was found strangled to death in his apartment in March 2002. DNA evidence was found at the scene, but no suspect was identified until Tavares’ DNA was added to a national database following a conviction for burglary and larceny in 2008 in Florida. Tavares was charged with one count of first degree murder, and is now in Connecticut awaiting trial.

Suspect Arrested In WC

A 23-year-old Wesley Chapel man was arrested earlier this month and charged with the 2002 murder of a man in Waterbury, CT. According to reports, Noe Tavares,

Crash Kills WC Man

A 56-year-old Wesley Chapel man was killed in a single-car accident in which he veered off the road and was ejected from his vehicle as it overturned several times. According to a preliminary report issued by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Felix Carreras Jr. was driving east on Wells Rd. near Boyette Rd. at

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Transportation” Continued from page 1

Task Force in October of last year. “Current revenues fail to meet the transportation needs of the area,” Campbell said, noting that the preliminary cost estimates for the Long Range Transportation Plan (to be adopted in November) call for more than $8 billion through 2035. Meanwhile, Bob Clifford, chairman of the TBARTA Board of Directors, said that one of the benefits of having a regional plan is that it will help attract federal and state money that this area has failed to receive in the past. TBARTA’s approach to creating the regional plan, which includes not only Hillsborough, but also Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Hernando and Citrus counties, aims to create a transportation network not only between those seven counties but also other areas of the state. “Our way of growing over the last several decades is unsustainable,” Clifford said. So, the regional plan, which has short- and long-term goals for implementation, includes special managed lanes on highways for buses and carpool vehicles and both short- and long-distance bus and rail service. By 2035 (the midpoint of implementing

the plan), the regional network is expected to include 159 miles of managed traffic lanes, 226 miles of longdistance express bus service, 46 miles of local express bus service and 116 miles of light rail. The network will then be expanded over the remaining 15 years of the plan, until is is completed in 2050. Not only will the plan help to alleviate congestion on the region’s roadways, Clifford said, it also will benefit the economy by creating and providing better access to jobs, and will result in environmental benefits, such as reduction of greenhouse gases and fuel consumption. He also pointed out that of the top 30 metropolitan regions around the country, Tampa Bay is the only one without a light rail system. “So, we need to get on with it,” he said. “But, we are still looking for options and alternatives to implement it, and want to hear ideas from you about paying for these improvements and if you think it’s even worth it.” The majority of the residents at the meeting were interested in hearing about the plans for light rail service, which Ed Crawford of HART said his agency will be charged with implementing. He said that the first changes will come with the addition of “a significant number of new buses that will be added to HART’s existing fleet later in the year, thanks to funds received

through the [federal] economic stimulus act. The agency will then phase in new and improved express service, which Crawford said will be the precursor to light rail, beginning with a corridor between the USF area and downtown. The agency is planning to begin construction on that corridor in 2010 and expects tobe finished by late 2011, he said. He said that the plan for light rail will follow the same basic routes as suggested by the Committee of 99 for the Tampa Rail Project of 2002, which was preliminarily approved, but failed to receive funding. “We’re resurrecting those plans, and looking at the same alignment with different eyes,” Crawford said, adding that the first rail corridors could be finalized by early 2010. Most of the residents who spoke at the meeting seemed to be excited about the prospect of light rail coming to the area. “It’s definitely overdue,” said Hunter’s Green resident Ray Scott, who asked if other types of rail, such as under- or overground, had been considered. Crawford pointed out that elevated rail costs about two-to-three times more than surface rail, and there are other problems with underground rail because of Florida’s high underground water table. But, he said that everything is being looked at until the

plans are finalized, which is why input from the public is needed. There will be one more formal presentation on the workshop tour, which will be held at the Temple Terrace city council chambers on N. 56th St. on Tuesday, June 30, beginning with an Open House at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation and discussion to begin at 6:30 p.m. Otherwise, the presentation is available at TBARTA.com, and a survey is available at HillsboroughCounty.org/ transtaskforce. The official deadline for filling out the survey is June 30, but comments and suggestions will be accepted through the fall.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Football & Cheerleading Registration

Tuesday, June 30 – The Wesley Chapel Bulls (formerly the Vipers) will hold a registration event for their football and cheerleading programs, 6 p.m.8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel District Park (7727 Boyette Rd.). Hillsborough County residents are eligible to participate for the Bulls. Visit wesleychapelvipers.com.

Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (P.A.R.) is a professional networking group that meets every Wednesday at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 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. Contact Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100 or by e-mail at clewandoski@westcoastfinancial.com.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, July 1 – 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). Call 760-4426.

New Tampa Kiwanis Club

Wednesday, July 1 – The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa meets every Wednesday at 11:45 am at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd). Visit newtampakiwanis.org.

New Tampa P.A.R.

Wednesday, July 1 – The New

Wednesday, July 1 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who are dedicated to helping their businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Heritage Isles Clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr.). For information, call Matthew Riddell at 907-6565.

Evening Rotary Club

Thursday, July 2 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:15 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). On July 2, City of Tampa Water Department director Brad

Baird will be the group’s guest speaker. For more information, call Sherri Ferguson at 892-9782.

To register or for more information, call 866-3200 or visit joyfulservants.org.

New Tampa Rotary Club

Philip Klein Concert

Friday, July 3 – The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPG&CC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). Visit newtamparotary.org.

Florida Writers Association

Saturday, July 4 – 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 9077739 for more information.

Vacation Bible School

Wednesday-Friday, July 17-19 – The Joyful Servants Church of New Tampa will host a Vacation Bible School, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. each evening, at the church’s future building site on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. (behind Muvico Starlight theater). Activities will include age-appropriate worship, recreation, arts & crafts and more, all with adult supervision. The VBS is open to children ages 4-12 and costs $15 per child or up to a maximum of $40 per family.

Saturday, July 18 – The Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue at Trinity United Methodist Church (33425 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel) will host a concert by singer/songwriter Philip Stanley Klein, who will perform selections from his latest CD, “In Awe Of You,” beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but an offering will be received. For more information, call 760-3269 or visit shoreshdavid.org.

North Tampa Arts League

Wednesday, July 22 – 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 you would like to promote your organization’s upcoming events in this space, send information & photos as early as possible before the event to Attn: Michael Smith at NTNNedit@yahoo.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Business Briefs

Mar-Go’s Re-Opens On ‘Furniture Row’ Mar-Go Interiors owner Maria Gorter (center of photo below) has celebrated the Grand Opening of her new location on what I call Wesley Chapel’s “Furniture Row,” next to Ashley Furniture and Haverty’s (and yes, Shapes Fitness, too) with a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. At 1,400-sq.-ft., the new Mar-Go’s is only about a third the size of the original store, which is still open for business (as Maria’s “warehouse”) on S.R. 54, just east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Maria says, however, “We already have so much more traffic, so many more people who can actually find their way to the S.R. 56 store.” Like the original location, the new Mar-Go’s is filled with all sorts of decorating books, window treatments,

objets d’art and so much more. For more information, visit the NEW Mar-Go Interiors at 26240 Golden Maple Loop, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., call 991-9660 or visit mar-go.com. Also, look for a MarGo’s story next issue. — GN

Zayda’s Boutique Now Open At Alteration Studio

My dear friend Pegah Stegeman and her family are proud to announce the Grand Opening and addition of “Zayda’s Boutique Gently Used Upscale Clothing,” at their Alteration & Tailoring Studio, located at 3823 Turman Loop, Suite 102, in the professional plaza directly behind Dunkin’ Donuts on BBD at Mystic Oaks Dr. in Seven Oaks. With labels like Guess, Caché, White House/Black Market, Gap, Polo by Ralph Lauren and so many more already coming in from Pegah’s happy alterations customers, Zayda’s Boutique has something for just about everyone. “So many of our customers have these wonderful

with an indoor Jr. Olympic-sized lap pool, a full-sized indoor basketball court, a wide variety of top-of-the line exercise equipment, plus free weights and more. The company is offering special discounts for preopening membership packages. For more informaPegah and Zayda Stegeman celebrate the Grand Opention, call 435-6040 or ing of Zayda’s Boutique. stop by the sales office, designer clothes that no longer fit them which is located at 20311 BBD because they’ve lost weight that even Blvd., in the Shops of New Tampa we can’t alter them enough to make at Wesley Chapel plaza. them fit,” says Pegah. “But, we’ll gladly Meanwhile, the other anchor tenconsign them.” ant in the new 350,000-sq.-ft. plaza, a For more information, call 907Sweetbay supermarket, also is expect5999, visit alterationstudio.net or stop in the Redfern Prof. Park.—GN ed to open by the end of the month, according to leasing agent Karen LA Fitness, Sweetbay Set Goss. The plaza also will include a Five Guys Burgers and Fries, HardTo Open This Month ee’s, Pita’s Republic, China Wok and Area residents who are looking for a new place to work out may want Hungry Howie’s, as well as a hair to try the new LA Fitness center, salon, a nail salon and a dry cleaner, which is now under construction in although construction of those spaces The Cypress plaza just south of Coun- is not yet complete, and they will be ty Line Rd. at BBD Blvd. opening later in the year. According to a spokesman for the For more information about California-based health club chain, the the The Cypress plaza, visit 50,000-sq.-ft. facility is set for a midunitedamericanrealty.com. For leasJune opening and will offer a state-of- ing information, call Goss at 977the-art workout experience, complete 5201, ext. 207. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

2008-09 NTCC Board of Directors

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

President-Jerry Miller

Board Members:

Scott Estes, VP Matt Palmer, Treas. Rachel Haviland, Secy. Connie Bladon Fred Burns Jeremy Connelly Seema Jain

PO Box 46775, Tampa, FL 33646 Information: (813) 293-2464 Fax: (813) 973-8259

Website: www.NewTampa.Org

Rodney Koschman Kristen Kipp William Malone James Markley Regina Ramalheira Mary Ann Yaney

Contractor: Serena Ramos, Admin. Manager

WELCOME TO THE NEW TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE! It finally is here! The first meeting of the New Tampa Chamber will be a lunch meeting on Monday, July 13, noon-1:30 p.m., at Polos Italian Grill on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Owner Paul Proscia has agreed to host our first Chamber luncheon and our guest speaker will be Stephen Levin, DPM, of New Tampa Foot & Ankle, who will be discussing “Foot Health and How it Affects Our Complete Health.” Dr. Levin will be speaking for 15 minutes with 5 minutes for questions. Admission to the luncheon is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. The menu has not yet been determined, but there will be a short list of items available to choose from that will be sure to please. Space is limited, so those wishing to attend must RSVP by Friday, July 10, to info@newtampa.org or by calling the Chamber hotline at 293-2464 and leaving a message. We have had a great response for applications to the Chamber. We have about 50 members already and that number is increasing each week. So far, those who have joined are looking forward to volunteering to make the New Tampa Chamber the best it can be! Areas available for volunteers to apply for are Membership Committee, Events Todd J. Wiener, DMD, PA General Dentistry 14201 Professional Plaza • 14201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd

Planning Committee, Finance Committee and Sponsorship Committee. We encourage all applicants to join a committee in order to make this Chamber a success and New Tampa a better place to live and work. Our first dinner will be held in late July and will feature our own former Tampa City Council member Shawn Harrison as the guest speaker. As most of you know, in addition to representing New Tampa on the City Council, Shawn also was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) and recently announced his intention to run for the District 60 State House seat currently held by Dr. Ed Homan, which includes New Tampa, Temple Terrace, Lutz and Thonotosassa. Please go to NewTampa.org for the details, which are being finalized as we speak. We hope you will make an effort to attend our monthly meetings, as we will always invite guest speakers who can offer insight into our community and its continued development in all areas of our daily lives, both business and personal. In its infancy, we are very encouraged by the support and enthusiasm the community has shown toward our transformation from the Community Council to the Chamber.

ALL Chamber members are encouraged to join committees and help. Check our website for membership infor and more upcoming events.

Thanks, Serena

We would like to thank Executive Assistant Serena Ramos for her efforts the past two years. Serena is leaving her position to spend more time with family. Serena brought her administrative skills to the NTCC, and that allowed us to upgrade our services to the community. Visit our web site if you’re interested in being her replacement.

Art Festival Coming Up

Now that another successful Taste is in the books (go ahead and mark your calendars for April 18, 2010, for next year’s Taste), the Chamber has its sights set on the fourth annual New Tampa Art Festival. We in the process of finalizing details, which will be avail-

able on our website. The dates will be November 14-15, but the location is yet to be determined. We had a very positive response last year and there are bigger and better plans for this fall’s event. In July, we will be forming our nominating committee for the Board of the Chamber. As always, we are looking for dedicated men and women who would like to give something back to the community we know and love. If you would like more information about running for the Board, send your inquiry to info@newtampa.org and the committee will contact you. Finally, remember that the kids are out of school, so please watch out for them on the streets of New Tampa. Have a safe summer. Jerry A. Miller President

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Earns Cardiac Accreditation By Gary Nager Although there is still no update to report about its parent company (Adventist Health System)’s plans to build the first-ever hospital to be physically located in Wesley Chapel (in the Wiregrass Ranch development), Florida Hospital Zephyrhills (FHZ) was recently proud to announce that its Heart Institute has earned a prestigious national accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC). At a news conference held May 27 at the hospital, FHZ president and CEO John Harding; Heart Institute administrative director Gwen Alonso, R.N., M.S.N, C.C.R.N.; and Emergency Department director Kim McDermott, R.N., M.S.N.; told a small gathering of reporters that the SCPC accreditation was the culmination of a two-year journey and an important collaboration between the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and the hospital’s separate Emergency and Cardiology departments. “We’ve been doing 150 open heart surgeries per year and calling our Heart Institute a Chest Pain Center without being accredited since 2006,” Harding said. “But, for the last nine

months, the SCPC has looked closely at every aspect of that care, so we are very proud to have earned the SCPC’s seal of approval.” Harding and Alonso said that the goal of any cardiac care department is to save lives and, as Harding put it, “Time is tissue when you’re talking about a heart attack. If the hospital isn’t able to get your heart ballooned within 90 minutes of the heart attack, precious heart tissue will be destroyed.” In order to be accredited by SCPC, FHZ had to improve its front door-to-triage (when the nurse decides whether or not you’re actually having a heart attack or some other type of incident and front door-to-doctor times. “We are proud that 85 percent of our patients are now door-to-triage in 5 minutes and 92 percent go from front door to seeing a doctor in 30 minutes,” said Alonso. “Our goal is to keep reducing those times, but we are certainly proud of our record so far.” McDermott also noted that simple things, such as improved outdoor signage, also have contributed to the improved response times at FHZ. Considering that heart disease is still the number one killer in this country, those response times become even

more important when the person suffering with the cardiac incident is you or a member of your family. “Before, our emergency and cardiology departments and EMS were three separate entities,” said McDermott. “Today, we all work together as one cohesive unit and that definitely helps save lives.” FHZ and University Community Hospital on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at Fletcher Ave. each are closer to a portion of Wesley Chapel’s still-growing population, but Harding says both are outstanding, SCPC-accredited Cardiac Care facilities that provide quality care for people in this area. Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is a full-service, 154-bed, mission-based facility operated by Adventist Health System, the largest non-profit hospital system in the U.S. It is located at 7050 Gall Blvd. (U.S. Hwy. 301) in Zephyrhills. For more information, call (813) 788-0411 or visit FHZeph.org.

(Top) Gwen Alonso and John Harding of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills at the accreditation news conference. (Above) As soon as you arrive, you know you’re at an accredited chest pain center.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Cardiologists like Dr. Ghazanfar Khadim have access to the latest technology to provide the finest care possible at the now-nationally SCPC-accredited Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Heart Institute.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Let Matt Clark Photography Capture Your Special Moments, Too! entered the advertising world as a graphic designer, and worked for the three largest advertising agencies in the Tampa Bay area as an art director over a 20-year span of time. A couple of years ago, however, he decided to break out on his own. “I wanted to work for myself,” says Clark, who lived most of his life in the Lakeland area before moving to Tampa eight years ago. “You get to a point where you have all the tools and know-how to start your own business.” He operates Matt Clark Photography out of his home in the Northwood subdivision in Wesley Chapel. He offers both professional and commercial photography and also incorporated an advertising design shop that he calls AdGumbo. Clark has done commercial photography for clients like Publix Supermarkets, Marriott Hotels, Circle K and the Home Shopping Network. “These companies have very high standards and expect high-quality work,” says Clark. “And, this highquality expectation overflows into everything I do. What makes me stand apart from other photographers is my technical and post-production skills. Being an art director for so many years, I have both a professional and a creative eye. I use retouching and other techni-

By Melissa O’Brien There are special moments in life that, if captured through photography, can become timeless keepsakes. An adoring glance at a wedding, a look of pure joy from a playful child – these are the moments a professional, experienced photographer can capture that most amateurs cannot, at least not as consistently. Photographers, after all, are artists who have the ability to turn once-in-a-lifetime experiences into something that can last forever. Matt Clark, owner of Matt Clark Photography, has more than 20 years of experience capturing those special moments. From weddings and graduations to portraits and commercial photography, Clark’s passion for his profession has helped create lasting personal memories and memorable advertisements for many clients and businesses. “I cover events like a photojournalist would,” says Clark. “I look for opportunities to take high-quality candid photos. I really try to find moments that will capture a memory for a long time. I look for things that other people do not see.” Clark began his career in photography working in real estate offices photographing houses. From there, he

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cal aspects like color correcting to create the perfect photograph.” What also makes Matt Clark Photography stand out is Clark’s ability to capture a special moment. “At special events, what I am being commissioned for is to capture the memories that will last a lifetime,” he says. “A time when a family is all together doesn’t happen very often and it is important to capture the rarity of the moment. People look at their wedding photos for their entire lives and it is great for them to see the multiple generations of their families having a wonderful time.” When asked about changes and trends in photography over the years, Clark admits that today’s digital photography is better than when he worked with film. “There is no waste anymore with digital cameras. It fits into the ‘green’ trend. You don’t have to develop things before you see them and use those chemicals in the process. And, as for presentations, people are now purchasing leather-styled ‘books’ with wedding photos rather than traditional photo albums.” For Hope and Brian LaFrazia, hiring a qualified wedding photographer was very important. “We got married on November 6, 2008, at Sunken Gardens,” says Brian. “I’m a graphic artist and knew Matt through working with him. I was very confident that he’d be in the right place in the right time.” LaFrazia, who lives in Tampa Palms, says Matt was setting up at the wedding hours ahead of time. “We knew our wedding would be a challenge to photograph because we held it at night,” he says. “It was an outdoor ceremony in the oak garden reception area at Sunken Gardens and Matt was able to capture all the detail we wanted outside. He was prepared and came

with very powerful flashes. He captured special moments like us walking down the aisle after the ceremony with our guests blowing bubbles (photo, above). It looks like a staged shot, it was so good, but it was very spontaneous. During our reception, one of my favorite shots is when Hope and I were dancing. My eyes are closed and I was really enjoying the moment. I had no idea that Matt was there taking the picture. He was very inconspicuous and in the right position all the time.” Ari Rothman, the Florida Manager of Brand Marketing for Circle K convenience stores, has worked with Clark on a number of occasions. “Matt is an artist and a photographer,” says Rothman. “He has a great creative mind and can pick up on things that other people don’t see. He has worked with me on projects for point-of-purchase advertising, corporate conferences and design logos. I can give him ideas of what I want and he runs with it. He works hard and is easy to work with – always meeting his deadlines. Matt has good vision when it comes to photography.” Matt Clark Photography offers wedding packages, portraits, modeling portfolios and commercial photography. He has traveled within a 200-mile radius of Tampa for beach weddings and other business and special occasions. For more information, call 383-8367, or visit mattclarkphotography.com. For graphic design information, visit www.adgumbo.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Education Updates

Freedom High FPSA Team Racks Up More Trophies In State Competition In what may very well be our last education column for the 2008-09 school year, we want to recognize the Freedom High Florida Public Service Association (FSPA) team, which won

first place at the FSPA State Conference in Ocala in April. According to team advisor Steve Channels, Freedom’s team has won the State title six of the last seven

years, but this year’s competition was closer than ever, with just six points separating the top five teams. FSPA is a club specifically for high school students who are studying or are considering studying in the fields of criminal justice, teaching and/or firefighting. During the four-day state conference, students compete in a variety of team and individual events, which cover a variety of topics, from a Brain Bowl competition to Parliamentary Procedures to obstacle courses and even talent competitions. The Freedom team — which includes Karinna Baez, Celena Bedosky, Robert Grubbs, Joe Hemingway, Nicole Hornstrom, Heidy Pagan, Elizabeth Palomino, Matt Paules, Alana Perrone, Scott Richardson, Jon Shoen, T.J. Woodham and Rachel Zaris — won the overall title by just one point over the secondplace team from Space Coast High. In addition, the team members also won trophies in a number of

other individual and group events. Some of those winners include: Alana Perrone, who won first place in the Test Construction competition, Nicole Hornstrom, who won first place in the Extemporaneous Bulletin Board competition, and the Brain Bowl Team B, made up of Mike Grubbs, Rachel Zaris, Jon Schoen and Karina Baez, which also took first place in that competition. All of those wins helped the Freedom team achieve enough points to win the overall State title. In addition to conducting meetings and taking part in the annual State Conference, the Freedom FPSA team members also participated in a number of community service projects, including visiting local children’s shelters and nursing homes, and some also served as teaching assistants at elementary and middle schools here in New Tampa, including Tampa Palms Elementary, Liberty Middle School and others. — MS

Here, some of the Freedom High FPSA team members and advisor Steve Channels show their trophies to FHS principal Andy Farkas (at far right).

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NTLL Wins Two Tournament Titles & Begins All-Star Play!

Congratulations go out to all of the New Tampa Little League (NTLL) park champions, as two of the seven NTLL park champs also ended up winning the District 25 Tournament of Champions (ToC) earlier this month. Here’s a recap of the NTLL baseball and softball park champions and their ToC results. Senior (ages 13-16) Softball — The Bandits grabbed NTLL’s first 2009 ToC title, as Syd Boynton pitched a complete game, striking out 13 and scattering 7 hits over the 7 innings in a 10-1 romp over the Land O’Lakes (LOL) Gators. Jordan Brett went 3 for 4 and Ashley Booth had a big at bat that started the Bandits’ rally and finished the big inning with a clutch RBI single. Brooke Gaias ripped a two-run double and Ashley Wilson ripped two singles. The Bandits rebounded from blowing a 7-3 lead in an 8-7 loss to LOL in the second of three meetings between the two. In the NTLL park championship, the Bandits defeated the Thunder 12-3 in the final game. Major (ages 11-12) Softball — The NTLL Force defeated LOL, after losing the second of three ToC meetings between the two clubs. Alexis Salamin, Trystan Riebsome and Kallie Golicher drove in 2 runs each, and Monica Moore, Gabby Jacobs, Skyler Boynton, Haley Hawkins, Kam Beach, Riebsome and Salamin each had 2 hits, while Jenna Widell and Mollie Golicher stroked one hit apiece. Jenna Widell and Kam Beach handled the pitching, with defensive support at 2B from Alyssa Wash on 2 hot grounders and bunt rotation, and OF support from Abby Delisle, rounded out a “team” contribution from each player. In the NTLL park championship, the Force defeated the Thunder 3-1 in the finale. Minor A (10-11) Softball – After defeating the NTLL Glory, 6-5, in the finals of the NTLL park championship, the NTLL Thunder finished with a 2-2 record as the runners-up in the District 25 ToC, losing 5-3 in the final game to LOL. No other info about that game was available at our press time. AAA (10-11) Baseball – The NTLL Marlins lost 24-11 to Lutz in the final game, to finish as runners-up in the ToC, despite a 4-2 ToC record and scoring nearly 9 runs per game throughout the tournament. After splitting their first two ToC games with Lutz, and with Marlins leading 5-4 in the top of the 5th inning and only 6 outs away from the win in the finale, the team ran out of pitching and committed 8 errors in the final 2 innings. The Marlins were led by Noah Ford who went 2-2 with a 3B, a HR and 2 solid innings pitched. Ricardo Viloria also had 2 hits, 2 runs scored and played super defense. Spencer McCabe, Henry Havre, Gerry Borelli, Nick Deck-

er, Kyle Fontenot and Zack Belusic also had RBIs. In the NTLL park tourney championship game, the Marlins squeaked by the Pirates 9-8. Major (11-12) Baseball – The resilient Dodgers (4-2), who had to fight their way out of the losers’ bracket, reached a championship rematch with Temple Terrace by rallying from 2- and 3-run deficits in the first four innings against the eventual champs. In the semifinal, Justin Mackler started the scoring in the second inning with a 2-run double, after singles from Brendan Ina and Matt Tonelli. The Dodgers added 2 runs in the third on a Ricky Condon single and added 6 more in the fourth, as Omar Delgado crushed a 2B to the left field corner, which was followed by a single from Daniel Stein. Derek Moore pitched a great 4-2/3 innings and Ethan Thomas closed it out. Mason Strickland and Thomas had 3 hits each in a 14-hit outburst. The defense was solid again with the OF of Andrew Werner, Alex Beyrent, Delgado and Mackler getting lots of chances. The Dodgers’ firepower ran out in the rematch finale in a 12-2 loss to Temple Terrace. In the park championship, the Dodgers beat the Athletics 8-4. Junior (13-14) Baseball – The NTLL Marlins finished in fifth place of the ToC, with a 1-2 record. In their only ToC win, the Marlins came from behind to top Temple Terrace 7-5, on solid pitching from Tristan Deluna and Ryan Lawson. Trailing 5-3 in the sixth with two outs and two runners on base, the Marlins got a triple from Lawson and a double from Zack Zaversnik to take a 65 lead 6-5. NTLL added an insurance run in the 7th on its by Deluna and Andres Saez. Daniel Saez, Anthony Parrino, and Jared Huff also had hits for the Marlins. In the NTLL park tournament, the Marlins just got by the Red Sox 4-3. Senior (15-16) Baseball – The NTLL Yankees (4-1) lost 10-6 in the ToC championship game to North Seminole. We had no further information at our press time.

New Tampa Little League 2009 Softball All-Stars

SENIOR SB

(playing at Zephyrhills; Play begins 6/27)

Manager NICOLE JORDAN CHELSEA ALYSON SHANNON BECKY TAYLOR JESSICA KATLIN EMANI LALENA LEXIE ASHLEY

Bob Brett BOUCHER BRETT CLARK CONDON FALLON FISHER GAIAS GOLDIN HALL MAYS TORO WALTERS WILSON

MAJOR SB (at Manager KAMRYN SKYLER HALEY MAKALEIGH KALLIE MADDY MARIA NIKKI SHAI LYNN NICOLE

Zephyrhills; begins 6/27) Joe Golicher BEACH BOYNTON BURNS DOOLEY GOLICHER HALL HORVATH KEESEE MORALES-FORD STANNARD

LEAH VAIL JENNA WIDELL 10/11 SB (*at Braden River; July 17) Manager Mile Ackroyd ASLEIGH ACKROYD CARLEIGH FLETCHER MOLLIE GOLICHER ERICA MATICH REBECCA MITCHEM AMANDA PASTORE KAYLA PRISCO EMILY SMALL COURTNEY VOGLER ALYSSA WASH *-Advances directly to Sectionals)

9/10 SB (at Zephyrhills; begins 6/27) Manager Lou Pastore MACKENZIE ALLEN ALINE DAYAA ALEX DIXON KELSEY EGGSWARE EMILY GRESHAM CARLEE JACOBS DANIELLE KEESEE ASHLEE MARKOVITZ MALLORY McMANUS EMMA POOLE ALEXIS RIDOLPH GRACIE SEIDL

2009 NTLL Fence Club Name HR King (8 HR) Chase Niswonger 4 HR Tyler Coringrato Derek Moore 3 HR Clay Coringrato Erick Cantos Greg Aiello Joe Wintrick Paul Albear 2 HR Anthony Grampietro Collin Brich Collin Stickley Connor Stoll Conor Grady Dalton Smith Nash Larsen Mason Strickland 1 HR Kaitlin Hall

Division Team Major

Cubs

Major Major

Phillies Dodgers

AAA Major Major Major Jr.

Dodgers Phillies Athletics Rays Red Sox

Major Jr. Major Major AAA Major Major Major

Yankees Yankees Athletics Athletics Marlins Cubs Orioles Dodgers

Jr. SB

Bandits

(first girl in NTLL history w/HR over fence)

Name Maddie McCabe

Division Team Maj. SB Thunder

(1st NTLL Major SB girl w/HR over fence)

Kaitlin Hall, Chase Niswonger & Maddie McCabe

Aaron Guiang AAA Alex Broderick Major Alex Montgomery Major Anthony Mazza Junior Colman Etelkozi Major Henry Havre AAA Hunter Creech Major Jacob Jarabek AAA Jonathan Baughman AAA Myles Henderson Major PJ Harris Jr. Ryan Lawson Jr. Vincent Shanberg Major Zach Zaversnik Jr. Johnny Colon Major Nick Kranick Sr. Ashley Wilson Sr. Chris Blatz Sr. Ethan Thomas AAA Noah Ford AAA

Athletics Pirates Pirates Orioles Cubs Marlins Phillies Pirates Cubs Cubs Phillies Marlins Cubs Marlins Rays Yankees Bandits Yankees Marlins Marlins

The following divisions do not advance to ToC play: AAA (9-11) Baseball – The Marlins beat the Pirates to win the park title, despite losing their first game of the tourney. AA (9-10) Baseball – The Cubs beat the Rays 5-4 in the Minor AA NTLL park championship. Both teams advanced to the finale without a loss. A (8-9) Baseball – The Yanks topped the Orioles for the park title. Minor A (9-11) Softball – The Thunder defeated the Glory 6-5 in the final game, after the two teams split two previous NTLL tournament games. Minor B (8-10) Softball – The Racers topped the Brakettes in the title game. Minor C Softball – The Racers won the NTLL park championship.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Little League 2009 Baseball All-Stars JUNIOR BB (playing at NTLL; begins 6/27) Manager Michael Caruso PAUL ALBEAR COLLIN BRICH TRISTAN DeLUNA PJ HARRIS BRETT KAMINSKI BRYAN KARMANN ALEX KRANIK RYAN LAWSON CARSON MARPLE BRIAN MORAND TUCKER NEUHAUS JAMES ROLL ZACK ZAVERSNIK MAJOR BB Manager GREG ALEX ERIK RICKY TYLER LAINE ANTHONY LOGAN ALEX CHASE DANIEL COLLIN 10/11 BB Manager GARRETT ADAM TYLER TYLER HUNTER ZACHARY

(at NTLL; begins 6/27)

Chris Aiello AIELLO BRODERICK CANTOS CONDON CORINGRATO FONTENOT GRAMPIETRO KRUSA MONTGOMERY NISWONGER STEIN STICKLEY

(at Lutz; begins 6/27)

Jeff Strickland BACK CHRONISTER GARAM HATHCOAT HUSEBY KITCHEN

SCOTTY KISHAN DALTON LOGAN MASON ETHAN

McGUIRE PATEL SMITH STORTS STRICKLAND THOMAS

9-10 BB TM#1 (at LOL; begins 6/20) Manager Pete Belusic JONATHAN BAUGHMAN ZACKERY BELUSIC MIKEY CULUMBER CLAYTON CORINGRATO AARON GUIANG JEFFREY GUTTENTAG BRYCE MARTIN EDDIE THINGER RICARDO VILORIA SPENCER McCABE TANNER DOUGLAS EVERRETT HARRIS HENRY HAVRE 9-10 BB TEAM#2 (at LOL; begins 6/20) Manager Andy Trujeque AUSTIN APPEL ALEX BAIG KYLE FONTENOT AUSTIN FOREST HARRISON GRAHS JACK MCMAHAN AARON MUENCH MYLES MYLET MAX PLAGER NICHOLAS RAKOCZY BRIAN SEYBOLD DAVID TRUJEQUE TYLER WOODY

Our thanks to Monica Wooden and the New Tampa Little League website (eteamz.com/ntll) for providing the information on these pages.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

A Little New Tampa Lacrosse News Like ice hockey, lacrosse is a legitimate sport that gets short shrift from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), which doesn’t sanction either sport and considers both to be “club” programs only. But, that hasn’t stopped lacrosse from becoming a major player in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Here are some updates on New Tampa’s lacrosse players/teams.

The Raiders’ Perfect Season

Our first kudos go out to the New Tampa Raiders Middle School Gold lacrosse team, one of several Raiders teams (representing more than 200 boys and girls players from second grade through high school) playing in the West Florida Lacrosse League (WFLL), under the auspices of the fiveyear-old New Tampa Lacrosse Association, which also is the parent program for the high school club teams at Wharton and Freedom high schools. The Middle School Gold Raiders, who practice at Benito Middle School on Cross Creek Blvd., finished the season a perfect 21-0 by averaging nearly 12 goals per game while giving up fewer than three.

Lorenzo On Team Florida

We also congratulate former Wharton High sophomore Maurice J.

(MJ) Lorenzo, who was one of two players participating in the Tampa Bay Fire Under-17 competitive lacrosse program selected to play for Team Florida, which will represent Florida in the “Battle of the Hotbeds” tournament at the University of Delaware July 25-29. This is the second year in a row Lorenzo, the WFLL 2009 Boys B Division “Midfielder of the Year,” has been chosen to play for Team Florida. Lorenzo is transferring to St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, a school which has won 17 state titles.

Dance An All-American!

The Tampa Bay Fire elite competitive Lacrosse club is proud to announce that U.S. Lacrosse has selected Eric Dance, a defenseman who recently graduated from Freedom, as a high school All-American! Dance, who also is a starter for the Fire’s Gold/U-19 team, has been playing for the Fire since its inaugural season in 2006. Eric will be attending Division III powerhouse and perennial national champion Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. Dance and two other members of the U-19 Fire are the first to be recognized as High School All-Americans from the WFLL. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Palms - Great 3/2 w/ loft townhome on conservation. Move-in ready with all the amenities you may need. Gated community close to USF. $218,000

Riverview - This lovely Pavilion home w/ huge tiled sunroom & open floor plan make this a great place for entertaining. Upgrades include extra large master suite w/ retreat, large master bath w/ dual closets & dual sinks. Great backyard. Convenient to Cross Town and much more. $225,000

Temple 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. Perfect for first time homebuyers. $118,000

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT IRENE OCASIO AT (813) 632-9452 For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Ciccio’s/The Lodge Offers Variety, Value & Outstanding Food! By Gary Nager Long-time readers know how much I loved the old Ciccio & Tony’s Restaurant in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center. But, now that proprietor Robert Garofano and his partners have moved Ciccio’s into the former location of The Lime and renamed the restaurant Ciccio’s/The Lodge, I have to say that I have never seen a better or more eclectic combination of menu items in this town. The Lodge is another concept the partners first started on S. Howard Ave. in South Tampa and I can certainly understand why it’s already doing better than The Lime did here. First of all, the move to the larger space allows those of us who loved Ciccio’s to still enjoy most of those menu items (brick oven pizzas, pastas, etc.). But, the menu for The Lodge is just so...different...that I can’t imagine anyone could possibly eat there and not find something new to love. For example, The Lodge appetizers include everything from Asian chicken pot sticker dumplings, crispy calamari and seared rare tuna slices to baked or fried chicken tenders, baby corn dogs and my favorite so far — a trio of skewers with sesame tuna, grilled chicken and New York strip steak. There’s also 20 different types of “Lodge American Sushi,” most of which is cooked, by the way. I might not have tried some of the items I’ve loved, if not for The Lodge’s friendly

When you order one of The Lodge’s “TV dinners,” you can get your choice of The name may be a bit confusing, but black-and-white-sesame-crusted tuna (left) or tilapia (or many others!) with Ciccio’s/The Lodge is awesome! a huge variety of delicious side dishes, including some delicious dessert items! servers convincing me of how great it all is — and it is! My favorites so far are the “Tampa Roll” (cooked grouper with crispy onion, cucumber and sesame aioli), the “Little Piggy” (Asian sweet and spicy pulled pork with jicama, cilantro and scallions and a jalapeno aioli) and the “Fiery Buddha” (sweet and spicy grilled steak, cucumAmerican sushi? Yup, Like this Tampa roll (left) of grouper, crispy onions, cucumbers bers, jicama and fried onions and sesame aioli. And, try the decadent ultimate turtle ice cream pie (right) for dessert. served with two spicy sauces, and stir frys, Pop’s citrus grilled chicken In other words, you’ve never had one of which is a little sweet). breast, different Mac n’ Cheese choices, choices like these anywhere. Plus, the I also flipped for The Lodge “TV chicken “Fit for Life,” tilapia “Fish for bar is gorgeous and the drink prices are Dinners,” where your main dish is Life,” an Asian lettuce chicken wrap, better than The Lime’s, so please go served on one plate, accompanied by a shrimp tacos and so much more. check out Ciccio’s/The Lodge! trio of sides, everything from salads to The unique sides include The Ciccio’s/The Lodge is located at desserts, many of which are items from Lodge’s own crispy tater tots, sautéed 16023 Tampa Palms Blvd. W. It is Ciccio’s. I still think my favorite entrée veggies, cheddar mashed potatoes, open every day for lunch, dinner and is the black-and-white-sesame-crusted black beans and rice and even decadent late-night and catering is a specialty. tuna, although you also can choose desserts like tiramisu, a fudge brownie, For more information, call 975from a variety of “slider” mini-sandor vanilla pudding with Oreo crumbles. 1222 or visit ciccioandtonys.com. wiches, Ciccio’s wraps, California bowls

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Hunter’s Green Country Club Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary! Not too long ago, we reported that Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club celebrated its 20th anniversary in business. Now, TPGCC’s sister Club Corp club, Hunter’s Green Country Club, also has celebrated its 20th year of existence with a series of great events — from an elegant art show and sale to a cool ‘80s party, plus golf and tennis tournaments and much more. Membership director Star Garcia says that following the recent re-design of the beautiful HGCC golf course, which now finally has the Tom Fazio-designed course’s signature hole as its 18th, everyone in New Tampa who has thought about membership before should come out and check out the club again. For additional information, call 973-1000 or visit HuntersGreenCC.com. — GN

Whether you enjoy tennis (above), golf (top right) or being Addicted to Love (top left), Hunter’s Green Country Club had a 20th Anniversary event you could have enjoyed, if you were a member! Photos provided by HGCC

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Thirsty? Don’t Make A Beer Run, Call Beer Runners By Michael Smith How many times has this happened to you: you’re in the middle of hosting a great party or at home watching an exciting sporting event, and you get up for another cold one only to discover that you’ve run out of refreshments. In the past, the only two options were to do without or to nominate someone to make a “beer run.” Now, however, there’s a new business in town that will save you the trouble (and possibility a ticket for DUI, if you and your guests have already enjoyed a few rounds). It’s called, appropriately enough, Beer Runners, and, for a reasonable fee, they will bring beer and other “adult beverages,” as well as sodas, snacks, smokes, or just about anything else you might need, right to your door. Beer Runners, located at on S.R. 54 in the Freedom II plaza (between Saddlebrook Resort and Curley Rd.), is the brainchild of three area couples, James and Rhoda Matrisciano, Kim and Jon Fox, and Wilson and Polly Palacios. James says that his wife originally thought of the idea a while ago, but it never came to fruition until last

year, when the three couples were at a Halloween party and the supplies ran out. James, who doesn’t drink, was the one who was picked as the designated driver, and he says he remembers somebody saying, “I wish there was a service for this.” The rest, as they say, is history. The store opened on January 1, and although the business is still not providing enough income to allow any of the partners to quit their day jobs, Matrisciano says that word of mouth is growing. Weekends are the busiest, of course, but they’ve also gained a few customers who receive orders on a regular basis. They’ve also gotten a few unexpected calls, such as the order for 66 beers to be delivered to Spring Hill, when someone wanted to console a friend over losing a business deal. Beer Runners delivers everything from six-packs to kegs, including all Budweiser and Miller products, as well as a good selection of imports and microbrewery beers. Many are on hand at the store (you can also stop by and pick them up, if you’re in the area), while special orders are placed each Monday night and are usually available for pick-up or delivery by Tuesday, although some of the microbrews and

James Matrisciano and his fellow Beer Runners can bring the kegs for your next party right to your door. other special orders can take up to a couple of weeks, Matrisciano says. A basic list of products is available on the business’ website, usbeer runners.com, but if you’re looking for something that’s not listed, Matrisciano says, just call and ask for it. If nothing else, he says, the driver will stop at the store on the way over and pick it up for you. He adds that Beer Runners’ prices are certainly better than those at convenience stores, and comparable to, and even better than supermarket prices, in some cases. On top of the cost of the products, delivery within a three-mile radius of the store costs $5,

and an additional 65 cents per mile beyond that. To ensure that those placing orders are old enough to drink, Beer Runners only accepts credit cards for sales, which are processed before each delivery is made. And, if the person accepting the delivery doesn’t have ID matching the credit card, the delivery driver walks away, and Beer Runners will not refund the purchase. Matrisciano says the drivers also have the discretion to refuse a delivery if they feel the customer has had too many already. Matrisciano says that the Wesley Chapel location is the “concept location” for a business that the partners hope to one day franchise nationally. For now, the entire staff consists of the six partners, but they are accepting applications for delivery drivers. For additional information, visit usbeerrunners.com, call 791-9900, or stop by the store at 30036 S.R. 54, which is open 4 p.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesdays, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m.2 a.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sundays. Beer Runners is closed on Mondays.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Let Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre Care For Your Pets By Melissa O’Brien Try to imagine how the poor Siberian husky — left battered, bruised and broken in a ditch on Morris Bridge Rd. — must have felt when he was spotted by a UPS driver. The dog had no identification and was near death, but fate had a different plan. The kind and caring driver took the dog to Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre in the Cross Creek Center plaza and there, under the gentle care of Timothy Hodge, DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) and his staff, Morris B., as he was officially named, began his long journey to recovery. “He was the sweetest dog you’ve ever seen,” says Dr. Hodge. “He had a lot of major issues, including bone fractures, punctures and other open wounds. But, you’d look in his eyes and know he wasn’t ready to be put to sleep. So, we decided as a staff that we would take on rehabilitating him and finding him a good home.” After many surgeries and procedures totalling about $25,000 worth of care, Hodge and his staff placed a happy and healthy Morris in a new home. “He lived in our office for more than a year and then in September of 2007, after carefully considering many

people who wanted to take Morris home, we placed him with a family,” Dr. Hodge says. “He is like the bionic dog. He has metal and bones holding Morris has a new his joints together, home, thanks to but the day he first Dr. Timothy started to walk brought tears to all Hodge & his staff. of our eyes.” Morris B’s story is just one example of the type of care and commitment Dr. Hodge and his staff provide for their clients’ animals. The animal hospital, which also provides a number of other services, including boarding kennels (separate for cats and dogs), animal dentistry and grooming, opened six years ago in New Tampa with a goal of providing the latest in veterinary medicine with compassionate care. “Our business is a combination of our high-quality level of care and compassion for both pets and their owners,” says Dr. Hodge. “We are dedicated to ensuring proper diagnostic assessments, routine vaccinations, wellness and follow-up care. We encourage routine check-ups so we can establish a baseline with the animal to make it easier to find

any hidden diseases.” The Cross Creek Animal Centre uses the latest technology to assess an animal’s health and overall wellness. “With modern veterinary medicine, we are more on par with what human medicine can do,” says Dr. Hodge. “We offer on-site ultrasound, X-rays, and if need be, EKGs (electrocardiograms). We have a full in-house lab to give our clients results quickly and we use a reference lab if more testing needs to be done. We also perform laser surgery, which is so much better than with a scalpel because there is less pain, bleeding and swelling.” Dr. Hodge says he recently became certified in stem cell therapy, which his office now offers to clients. “This is not to be confused with embryonic stem cell therapy,” he says. “It is using fat cells harvested from the pet in need. These cells are then sent to a lab in California and are grown into cells that can help an animal repair itself. It has proven very successful in horses and can help dogs with conditions like arthritis, joint disease and tendon and ligament injuries.” Dr. Hodge, who lives in Cory Lake Isles, has lived in the Tampa area since receiving his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State

University in Starkville, MS, in 1995. He worked in Florida for a number of externships (experiential learning opportunities, similar to internships, offered by educational institutions) and liked it here so much that he decided to move to Tampa. He worked as an associate for seven years at another animal hospital before deciding to open up his own office in 2003. Dr. Hodge is a member of the American Veterinarian Medical Association (VMA), the Florida VMA, the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation, the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society and the Veterinary Surgical Laser Society. Dr. Hodge says in these tough economic times, his office tries to help clients who may have trouble paying for the medical care of their pets. “We try to assist our clients with their financial obligations,” says Dr. Hodge. “We offer different options of pet insurance and are happy to talk to clients about third-party financing plans that offer zero or very little interest. This allows clients to pay for any necessary pet care over a period of time.” Alecia Collins, who also lives in Cory Lake Isles, brought her two dogs to Dr. Hodge for care. “My dogs are like my kids, says Collins. “I had a yellow and a black lab and recently lost my

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Greene, brought her then-year-old puppy Oreo to the Centre when it opened. “I was new to the neighborhood and from day one, you could tell the office has very caring people who make you feel at ease,” says Verga. Technicians Eniko Pomales and Paula Hendrickson “Then, when she was eight years old, examine a canine patient. Oreo developed yellow lab, Montana. It was the most thrombocytopenia (a disease where the intimate experience to have to let go of immune system attacks the dog’s blood your dog and I couldn’t have asked for platelets). It was terrible and we almost a more loving, caring, interested doctor lost her. Dr. Hodge treated her right to help me through my worst time.” away and referred her to a veterinary Collins says that Dr. Hodge went specialist and we were able to save her. above and beyond in his care for MonDr. Hodge researched medicines for tana – visiting the dog at Alecia’s home her and put her on Imuran, which is after hours and having many long disused for human patients following kidcussions with her about Montana’s care. ney transplants.” She says Dr. Hodge took her cues on Verga then saw a huge difference how she wanted to care for her dog and in Oreo. “Dr. Hodge never gives up while they tried many things, ultimately, and the amazing emotional support she lost Montana. that you get from that office call made “Dr. Hodge always gave her the it easier on me,” she says. “They call best of care,” she says. “He is an avid you at home to make sure the dog is dog and animal lover who offers top-of- fine. Now, after consulting with Dr. the-line care. I have recommended his Hodge, we are using a more holistic practice to many people.” treatment in Oreo’s diet and it has Margie Verga, who lives in Arbor made a huge difference for her. My

neighbors (knowing that Oreo has a condition) call her ‘the healthiest sick dog they have seen’ because she looks so good. At Dr. Hodge’s office, you can feel the caring as soon as you walk in the door. We know Oreo is receiving the highest possible level of care — and when I board her there, I trust them completely.” Cross Creek Animal Medical Centre is located at 10028 Cross Creek Blvd. The office is open MonTues. & Thurs.-Fri., 7 a.m.–6 p.m., 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Wednesday and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. For more information, call 994-6929 or visit crosscreekvet.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Cerise Bistro Brings Japanese-Inspired French Cuisine To New Tampa! By Gary Nager If you’re at all like me, when you saw last issue’s “Neighborhood Nibbles” column about the new Cerise Bistro in the Cross Creek Center plaza, you probably asked yourself, “Just what the heck is Japanese-inspired French cuisine anyway?” Chef and owner Kazuo Schimada, his wife Michiko and their family hope your curiosity will be piqued enough by the pictures and descriptions on these pages to experience one of New Tampa’s most unique fine dining experiences (without the fancy prices). Michiko says Kazuo, who worked as a chef in French restaurants in Tokyo for 30 years, would have loved to open an authentic French restaurant here, but she says that would have required separate chefs cooking appetizers, main dishes and desserts, so he chose instead to do more of a bistro concept, so he and a sous chef can do all of the cooking themselves. All I can say is that the concept works exceedingly well. Cerise (which means “cherries” in French) is an elegant-looking bistro with truly delicious food. The menu isn’t huge, but literally everything I’ve sampled in my four visits to date has been outstanding — and

Whether you prefer a delicious seafood tomato pasta (left), a great New York strip “beefsteak” with cognac and port wine sauce (center) or crispy, tender roast duck, you won’t find better quality food at better prices than you will at Cerise Bistro. the presentation is truly French, too. In addition to menu items that are all served with side dishes, Cerise features different special “fixed price” dinners each month. For June, you can get a shrimp tempura appetizer with cold cherry soup, a tomato salad, your choice of “devil” chicken (baked with bread crumbs and dijon mustard) or sautéed snapper with cream and demi glace sauce and chocolate or vanilla ice cream, coffee or tea, all for just $21.95! For just $8 more, upgrade your meal to a marinated scallop appetizer, your choice of an incredible roast duck (topped with orange sauce and served with seasonal vegetables) or cream croquette prawns with tomato sauce and Cerise’s fluffy and delicious tiramisu. The entire Cerise menu is packed with wonderful lunch and dinner items.

I can personally vouch for the wakame (seaweed) salad, marinated salmon and tempura crabstick appetizers. The other main dishes I’ve tried have all been nothing short of outstanding. The seafood pastas are served with your choice of ginger, tomato or cream sauce and the lump crabmeat (there’s also scallops, shrimp and fish in there) is as sweet as the servers. The New York “beefsteak” is available with your choice of garlic and onion sauce or cognac and port wine sauce with fresh mushrooms and it is very tender and cooked correctly to your order. The aforementioned roast duck and the snapper meuniere (lemony butter sauce) are probably my two favorite entrées so far, as the snapper was very fresh, firm and complemented perfectly by the super-light sauce. My sons also

loved the teriyaki chicken. All of the veggies are also obviously fresh and even the real French bread (served with pre-softened butter, yum!) is properly crusty on the outside and super-soft on the inside. Although the menu will likely still grow, Cerise offers monthly lunch specials, too. For example, the June lunch specials include a tuna sandwich and Cerise salad, beef yakiniku (thinly sliced with teriyaki sauce), Yakisoba (Japanesestyle noodles with Napa cabbage, onions, zucchini and paprika) and sautéed flounder. I’ve also yet to sample the “Japanesque” beef curry, ginger beef, orange prawns, “Hamburg” steak, grilled chicken or snapper fricasée for lunch or dinner, but otherwise, I’ve already been through the whole menu — and I want more!

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(Above) The Schimada family will serve you a delicious lunch or dinner at the new Cerise Bistro in the Cross Creek Center plaza. (Below) Try the tiramisu for dessert. Cerise also offers wonderful beers and wines to complement your meal and is proud to offer 10 percent off your dinner entrée or $1 off your lunch entrée with the coupons from their ad in this newspaper. There’s even a full catering menu, with larger platters of many of the items from the regular menu and a few unique selections, such as Shalyapin fried chicken and shrimp and caprese (mozzarella and tomato) salad. Just give the restaurant a call and 3-5 days notice and you’ll have a party your guests won’t soon forget. And, all of the prices at Cerise are very fair for the quality of the food. Cerise Bistro is located in the

space in the Cross Creek Center plaza formerly occupied by Mazzola’s Little Italy (but you won’t recognize it) at 10032 Cross Creek Blvd. It is open for lunch and dinner MondaySaturday. For reservations and information, visit Cerise-Bistro.net or call 994-2430.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles — The Latest News In New Tampa Dining These days, despite the economy, it seems there are always new and delicious dining options opening in our area. Here are some new (and one not quite so new) ways to have something delicious to eat and/or drink.

Wood Fired Pizza To Open June 27 In Palms Connection

A few short issues issues ago, I told you about the delicious Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar getting ready to open in the Cody’s Roadhouse-anchored Palms Connection plaza on E. Bearss Ave., just west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Well, owner Peter Taylor’s delicious, thin-crust pizza (below) cooked in his hooded 850-degree oven is set to open its doors on June 27, or about the day you receive this issue. Do yourself and your taste buds a favor: If you think you might enjoy a

true Neapolitan pizza cooked in under two minutes, made with homemade fresh mozzarella, genuine San Marzano tomatoes and naturally leavened dough infused with Florida’s finest wild yeast, go and check out Wood Fired ASAP — and tell Pete we sent you! The Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar is located at 2822 E. Bearss Ave. For more information, call 240-0293 or visit Wood-FiredPizza.com.

YogoMisu Also Opens In Palms Connection

In the “good old days,” frozen yogurt was intended to be a “healthier” way to enjoy something that tasted like ice cream, but was lower in fat and calories (remember the “Seinfeld” episode with then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani?) than ice cream. Well, while folks like me never really caught on to why frozen yogurt became so popular, it seems that the “craze” died out, as many yogurt chains went the way of the dinosaur. But, do yourself a favor, if you want to enjoy a truly cool and refreshing frozen yogurt that really has that slightly tangy true yogurt taste, go check out the new YogoMisu in the Palms Connection, next to the Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar. Owner Selim Mansouri lets you add truly fresh fruit

(everything from bananas and strawberries to pineapple, blueberries, etc.) and toppings (chocolate chips, marshmallows, etc.) to his yummy plain yogurt. In addition, YogoMisu features delicious crepes topped with fresh fruit, yogurt, chocolate and other sauces. And, right now, you can get one crepe or frozen yogurt free with the purchase of one of equal or greater value. I plan to do a complete review of YogoMisu in a future issue. YogoMisu is located at 2816 E. Bearss Ave. Call 442-5233.

doing so immediately — but only if you like outstanding wines, craft beers and top-notch cigars at great prices, as well as quality entertainment, an upscale crowd and even great food. Yes, food. Wine connoisseur and co-owner Hector Gonzalez has been refining Toast’s menu of wine-appropriate munchies, from delicious panini sandwiches, to a truly delicious cold antipasto plate and even a gourmet smoked salmon (all pictured below). Toast recently hosted my friend Susan Saiger and the “Funny Divas” comedy show and also has open mic nights, wine and food tasting events and more. Meet your friends at Toast! Toast Fine Wine & Cigar Bar is located at 14921 BBD Blvd. Visit ToastofNewTampa.com or call 6323105 for more info. — GN

Toast Adds New Menu Items

If you haven’t yet checked out the Toast Fine Wine & Cigar Bar in the Oak Ramble plaza on BBD (just south of Tampa Palms), I suggest

Check out the great food, as well as quality wine, beer and cigars, at Toast.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Light Up Your Fourth With One Of These Celebrations This year, no matter where you are planning to be in the Tampa Bay area on the Fourth of July, there is sure to be an opportunity for you to catch some fireworks, as well as live entertainment, activities for the kids, and plenty of good old patriotic fun.

Fireworks At Channelside

The biggest and best local Independence Day celebration has to be the annual bash hosted by the Channelside Bay Plaza (615 Channelside Dr. in downtown Tampa). Every year, hundreds of revelers flock to the courtyard of the entertainment and shopping district to get a ringside seat for the fireworks show over Tampa Bay, and to enjoy the holiday at one of the plaza’s many restaurants and bars, which include the popular nightspots Howl at the Moon, Margarita Mama’s, Dolce Vita and more. This year’s celebration, which also includes face painting, balloon artists and other kid-friendly activities, kicks off at 2 p.m., while the fireworks show gets under way at 9 p.m. For more info, call 223-4250 or visit channelsidebayplaza.com.

Fireworks At The Pier

If you don’t feel like braving the traffic in downtown Tampa, or are planning to be across the Bay in Pinellas County on the Fourth, you might check out the annual “Fireworks at the Pier” celebration on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg (800 Second Ave. NE). This year’s 10-hour extravaganza kicks off at 1 p.m. with a free concert by Cool Daddies, the first of several that will be held throughout the afternoon and evening, in addition to lots of other fun things to see and do, culminating with the fireworks display that begins at 9 p.m. For more information, visit stpetepier.com.

More Pinellas Events

Pinellas County also will be where

you can find a couple of other Independence Day celebrations, including the annual “Clearwater Celebrates America” event at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater, and a new event, the “Rock n’ Wings concert,” which will be held at Albert Whitted Airport near downtown St. Pete. The “Rock n’ Wings” show will feature Amanda Overmyer, who was a contestant on season seven of “American Idol” in 2008 (she finished just out of the top 10), along with local acts the Greg Billings Band and Drew Street Mary. There also will be arts and crafts and other exhibits, great food, and a decent view of the fireworks show at the Pier (above). Gates open at 3 p.m., and tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12 (children ages 5 and under get in free). There also are a limited number of V.I.P. tickets available for $25 per person which includes complimentary food and beverages and a meet-and-greet with Overmyer. To order tickets online, visit rocknwingsconcert.com. Meanwhile, the Clearwater Celebrates America celebration, which gets under way at 4 p.m. at Coachman Park (301 Drew St.), will once again feature local favorites John and Mary K. Wilson performing a selection of patriotic music along with the Mostly Pops Orchestra. Admission is free. Gates open at 4 p.m., the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and the fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit myclearwater.com.

A little closer to home, the Westfield Mall on S.R. 60 in Brandon will host a two-day event that will stretch into Sunday (although most of the good stuff will take place on Saturday). The fun begins at 10 a.m. Saturday with live music, inflatable fun for all ages, Punt, Pass & Kick competitions for kids ages 5-14 (space is limited, and pre-registration is required), professional and amateur rib cooking contests, live radio broadcasts and more, topped off by the fireworks display at 9 p.m. The Blast will continue on Sunday, beginning at noon. For more information, visit westfield.com/Brandon/news.

‘Sparklebration’

Those readers who live closer to Pasco County can head up to Dade City, where the annual “Sparklebration” kicks off on Friday, July 3, with the “Star Spangled Spectacular” concert

featuring the Mostly Pops Orchestra and special guest vocalists John, Mary K. and Paul Wilson. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Friday in the Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County Fairgrounds (36722 S.R. 52). Tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 at the door (advance tickets are available at the Fair office, the Dade City Chamber of Commerce and at Bingham Realty in Zephyrhills). The “Sparklebration” continues on Saturday at the fairgrounds, where gates will open at 4 p.m., and there will be continuous live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, pony rides, watermelon, apple pie and hot dog eating contests and more. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission costs $3 for adults (children 10 and under are admitted free), and parking costs $5. Call (352) 5676678 or visit pascocountyfair.com/ sparklebration.

Brandon Blast

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 13 • June 26, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com