New Tampa Issue 13-11 by Neighborhood News

Volume 19 Issue 13

Inside: Check Out The New 900º Woodfired Pizza!

June 18, 2011

See page 50!

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

‘Ready Or Not World, Here We Come!’ More Than 1,000 Graduate From Freedom & Wharton At Fairgrounds By Sean Bowes Hundreds of smiles and cheers, along with the occasional ear-splitting whistle from friends and family members of the 2011 graduating seniors from New Tampa’s Freedom and Paul R. Wharton High sent the soon-to-be alumni off in style. Freedom students were the first of the two groups of local graduates to rejoice, donning their gowns late in the afternoon on June 8 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Originally, the commencement was scheduled to take place at the University of South Florida (USF) Sun Dome; however, delayed construction forced graduates and their families from all Hillsborough County high schools to the Fairgrounds to enjoy their respective receptions. During their separate graduation celebrations, the senior classes from

Freedom and Wharton sat neatly in folding chairs, looking sharp in their royal blue and white ceremonial gowns, as distinguished Hillsborough County School Board members, principals and administrators looked out to them — a new supply of young students stepping into the “real world.” Wharton principal Bradley Woods, beamed at the podium as he got ready to hand out diplomas to the class of 538 (including 94 students with a weighted GPA of 5.0 or higher). “This group of students has accomplished more in their four years than any group of students before them,” Woods said. “The school will truly be a different place next year.” Woods has much to be happy about. In addition to recently being named the Hillsborough ParentTeacher-Student Association (PTSA) Principal of the Year for 2011, this

school year marked the first time Wharton received an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. Freedom High’s graduating class of 2011 is composed of 480 students, 184 of which are honors graduates with weighted GPAs of 4.0 or higher. At the ceremonies, the honors graduates from both schools wore white satin gowns. Freedom’s Valedictorian Elisa (l. to r.) Freedom High grads Jazmyn HolRachel Berson earned a 7.8 GPA, ston, Devon Houston and Kayla Howard and Salutatorian Hae-in Kim proat Freedom’s graduation ceremony. duced a 7.4 GPA. Wharton’s Valemade her smile, “even though she was dictorian is Rebecca Fisher with a 7.4 annoying at times,” she said. GPA, and the Salutatorian is Sarah Graduates from both schools Hayes (6.9). Each young lady spoke to include students who plan to become their peers about fond memories from members of the workforce, attend local high school and looked forward to and distant universities, or join the meeting new goals in the future. armed forces. Kim looked back on growing up with her younger sister, who always See “Graduation” on page 31.

The 2011 Hurricane Season Is Here...Are You Ready?

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Saying Goodbye To Michael Smith, Local Restaurant Owner Beaten By Her Husband, Goat Carcasses Found In Dumpster & Much More!

Our Exclusive Summer Movie Previews & Reviews, Visits To Tampa Smoothie & The Beautiful Boca Raton Resort, A Review Of 900º Woodfired Pizza & More!

See pages 3-36!

See pages 37-56!

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

School on Cross Creek Blvd., Dr. Richard F. Pride Elementary in the Cross Creek/K-Bar Ranch area, and Pizzo Elementary on the campus of the University of South Florida, off E. Fowler Ave. If your plans include leaving the area in the event of a hurricane, map out your evacuation route. I-275, I-75, Bruce B. Downs Blvd., and Morris Bridge Rd. are the main evacuation routes for New Tampa, according to Hillsborough County Emergency Management. Here are some other tips for getting ready for the season: See “Hurricane” on page 33.

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

of Emergency Management. “Taking the time to prepare today can help keep you and your family safe if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens our state this season.” Local emergency management officials say that the key to a safe hurricane season is preparation — make sure you have geared up and gathered supplies before a storm hits. Hillsborough County Emergency Management officials tell residents to “Know Your Evacuation Zone, Have a Plan, and Know Your Plan.” The New Tampa area has five hurricane shelters that can be used in the event of a named storm hitting the area, including Nancy Bartels Middle School (pet friendly) in Live Oak Preserve, Paul R. Wharton High on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Louis Benito Middle

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

Ripped screen enclosures, power outages and severe flooding can be expected if a hurricane hits the Tampa Bay area. Fortunately, there is still time to prepare for any major storm, which meteorological experts say are likely to hit our area this season. June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane

season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be expecting between 12 and 18 named storms to form before this year’s season ends on November 30. “As we begin the 2011 hurricane season, I encourage all Florida residents to create a family disaster plan and build a disaster supply kit,” says Bryan W. Koon, director of the Florida Division

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Sean Bowes

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Saying A Sad Good Bye To Michael Smith (1964-2011) It’s been a really tough few weeks here for all of us at the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. First, our office was stunned by the news that, a few days after we featured a story about Joy of Tokyo Japanese Restaurant in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. south of Tampa Palms, the restaurant’s owner, Lixin (Lisa) Tian, was beaten so badly by her husband (Chunping Lin, see page 8), that she had slipped into a coma and at our press time, was still in intensive care at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the prognosis for her survival wasn’t very good. Lisa had worked hard to correct some early problems in her kitchen and I was hoping to spread that word to the community, but the restaurant has been closed since her beating by her husband on May 20. Then, as we went to press with our last Wesley Chapel issue, I had to say good bye to Goldie, my sweet, 11-yearold golden retriever. Goldie was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, so her passing wasn’t unexpected, although any animal lover will tell you that it’s still like losing a member of your family. Her never-growling demeanor and penchant for bringing you any laundry left on the floor are already sorely missed and I have to thank Dr. Sree Reddy and his entire staff at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital on S.R. 56 for the wonderful care

New Tampa Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Adv. E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: NTNNEdit@yahoo.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Senior News Reporter Sean Bowes Correspondents Camille Gillies • Melissa O’Brien

Art Director Billing Manager Tony Sica Ashley Knoblach Advertising Customer Service Manager Nikki Bennett

Advertising Account Executives Jared Nager • Kelly Porter • David Zacharia

Office & Distribution Assistants Porsha Lemos • Cyler Porter 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 19, Issue 15, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, June 4, 2011. 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. © 2011 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager they gave to Goldie and the way they handled our sorrow. The day before we lost Goldie, Michael Smith, my primary news reporter and managing editor the last ten years, gave me two weeks notice. He said he wanted to take a significant amount of time off to travel out west with some friends and although I had hoped for more like a month’s notice to replace such a long-standing department head, I had no choice but to let him go. I felt I needed at least that much time to not only find a suitable replacement but to also allow Mike help train whoever got the job for at least one issue. But, two weeks and one last Wesley Chapel issue was all I got and Mike did his usual professional job of getting that issue completed. A few of his stories from that June 4 issue also appear in this New Tampa edition, which is somewhat surreal for everyone here at this office, because on June 8, I got a phone call from his lifelong friend Travis that Michael Smith had passed away the day before. Now, we all knew that Mike had serious health issues. He was born with only one kidney and that kidney was deformed, which meant that he spent the first 16 years of his life on dialysis,

enduring a difficult childhood medically that was made even more painful by the taunts of his classmates. Mike’s sister, Deborah Torvit, who is a couple of years older than he was, says that she often had to protect her too-slight brother from taunting bullies, and his mom, Betty Sesman, says she was told by doctors not to expect Mike to live much past age 20. At age 16, however, Mike received the first of six kidney transplants, the last two of which he had just before See “Editorial” on page 32.

Former Neighborhood News managing editor Michael Smith (1964-2011).

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES................................Pages 1-36 I-75 Widening Under Way...........................................6 News Briefs..................................................................8, 10 Local Restaurant Owner Beaten By Her Husband..............8 Goat Carcasses Found Dumped Illegally..............................8 Golf Cart Stolen From HGCC............................................10 Power Line Stops Traffic On Bruce B. Downs....................10 Body Found In Pond Off Bearss Ave...................................10 New Tampa Community Calendar..................12 Tampa Palms Women’s Club Luncheon Recap........13

Local Business Updates............................16-27 New Tampa Chamber Newsletter.........................16 Gov.’s Veto May Delay PHCC Wiregrass Campus.....17 Tampa Bay Limousine................................................18 Euro Pilates Helps A Baby Boomer In Need..............20 Tampa Pathology Laboratory.....................................24 Book Swap Celebrates Grand Opening......................26 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Business Briefs............27

Local Education Updates..............................30 Two New Tampa Students Excel At Intel Int’l Science Fair

Neighborhood Magazine Our Exclusive Summer Movie Preview.....37, 52 Our Exclusive 2011 Summer Camp Guide................40 Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition.....................42 Tampa Bay Newcomers Honor Azilee Fagan.............46 A Visit To The Boca Raton Resort & Spa...................48 A Review Of 900º Woodfired Pizza...........................50

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS..............54

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Interstate Widening Begins Between Hillsborough & Pasco By Michael Smith Drivers who have become accustomed to seeing traffic cones, warning signs, heavy machinery and construction workers during their daily commute on I-75 between Pasco and Hillsborough counties will be seeing them for at least another year, as highway officials begin a new phase of construction that they say will ultimately result in smoother driving between the two counties and beyond. The newest phase of work, according to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) spokesman John McShaffrey, is the widening of the interstate, first between S.R. 56 and C.R. 54 in Pasco County, and then later this year, from the area of Fowler Ave. in Hillsborough County north to S.R. 56. McShaffrey says that most of that roughly 15-mile stretch of highway will be increased from four to eight lanes, including three travel lanes in each direction and one auxiliary lane in each direction to assist drivers entering and exiting the highway at the interchanges and currentlyunder-renovation rest areas.

McShaffrey says the prep work for the widening of the 4.3-mile section between S.R. 56 and C.R. 54 officially began in March and is expected to continue through 2012, at a cost of around $22.5 million. “That’s a fairly simple project, because it doesn’t include any bridge work,” McShaffrey says. Meanwhile, the lower section, between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56, will be let out for bid in June, he says, and, if the process goes as usual, work should begin there by August or September. That 11-mile stretch of widening is expected to cost somewhere between $125 million-$140 million, although McShaffrey notes that many bids have come in much lower than expected recently, as contractors compete against each other for work in the slow economy. That portion of the widening will probably not be completed until 2015. The Fowler Ave.-S.R. 56 portion of the project also will include a couple of changes to the existing interchanges at I-75 and Fowler Ave . and at I-75 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. At Fowler Ave., an additional lane will be added along Fowler Ave.

to Morris Bridge Rd. and a concrete separator will be installed for safety and improved traffic flow for vehicles turning south from Fowler Ave. onto Morris Bridge Rd., and the bridge on Fowler Ave. over the Hillsborough River also will be rebuilt. And, at BBD and I-75, FDOT will be replacing the mainline bridges over BBD to accommodate the widening of BBD and leave room for the eventual addition of light rail or some other future mass transit facility in the median of BBD. That portion of the project also will be let out for bid later this year. McShaffrey says that most of the work is federally funded through gas tax revenues, with some state This view is looking north at the money in the mix as well. C.R. 54/I-75 interchange. Originally, McShaffrey C.R. 54 — grouped together as one says that the widening project also included all of the interstate work that massive project. However, he adds that funding for the entire project was we have seen in our area — including not going to be available for a numthe addition of the new interchange ber of years, and some of the money ramps at S.R. 56 and the reconstruchad, in fact, been allocated to other tion of the rest areas on both sides of areas. the interstate between S.R. 56 and

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

So, when some funding did become available, FDOT broke the widening work up into phases to allow it to begin sooner. As a result, the ramp work is expected to be completed by early next year, and the rest area renovations, which include a test project for a new type of concrete in the parking lots, is scheduled to be finished by early 2012, although McShaffrey says it will most likely be finished by the end of this year. He also adds, however, that there still is no money for the widening of the interstate north of S.R. 54. He says that FDOT’s ultimate goal is to widen the interstate to at least three lanes in each direction all the way up to the Wildwood area, where the Florida Turnpike joins I-75. “That is going to be some time in the future, though,” he says. In the meantime, he says that drivers can expect some lane closures while the work is going on in our area, adding, however, that FDOT pays special attention to make sure that those closures don’t affect the normal flow of traffic, especially during the busiest times of the day. “What we’ve done over the last 15 years is implemented a dedicated effort to maintain the same number of lanes during construction as when there is no construction, especially

during peak travel times,” he says. So, he notes that whenever there are lane closures, they will occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. (or 6 a.m. at the latest), and workers try to coordinate north- and southbound closures with the typical patterns of traffic flow. There are usually electronic signs posted along the construction areas as to when closures will occur. Notices of upcoming I-75 lane closures are listed on the FDOT project website, MyTBI.com, where you also can see photos and get other updates about ongoing and future projects.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA Husband Arrested For Beating Restaurant Owner Lixin (Lisa) Tian, the mother of a University of South Florida student, and owner of the Joy of Tokyo Japanese restaurant in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., is still in critical condition at our press time in St. Joseph’s Hospital, after sustaining a severe beating from her husband on May 20, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HSCO) deputies said. According to published reports, a search warrant in the case states that Tian had, “multiple skull fractures, was suffering from brain swelling, and her condition was critical.” Tian’s husband, Chunping Lin, 45, was arrested five days later and charged with attempted murder, domestic violence and child abuse. The 160pound, six-foot Chunping Lin male was arrested at 14911 Lake Forest Dr. in the

News Briefs Lake Forest subdivision, which is his neighbor’s home. Reports did not state the reason for the child abuse charge; however, an unnamed source says Lin may have hit his 12 year-old son with his vehicle. Unfortunately, the story that ran in our last issue about Joy of Tokyo came out only a few days prior to the incident. The restaurant has been closed since that day.

Skinned Goats Found Illegally Dumped Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies still have made no arrests, and have no new leads in a case involving eleven skinned animal carcasses behind a local shopping center. Joe Servas, general manager of Marco’s Pizza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., and his delivery driver discovered something far less appetizing than discarded pizza sauce or pizza boxes when they walked out to their pizzeria’s dumpster late Saturday afternoon, in the Shoppes at Live Oak plaza in front of Shumard Oak Dr., which faces attractive homes in the Live Oak Preserve community.

because of their size. However, Hillsborough County Animal Services confirmed that all eleven animals were likely goats that were illegally dumped behind the shopping center and that The skinned carcasses of eleven goats were found in this they were dumpster behind The Shoppes at Live Oak. skinned and prepared in a fashion “We found animals stacked high typical for food consumption. from the dumpster,” said Servas. Ali Vavi, owner of the local Indi“They were all the same size and (they an food restaurant, the Apna Kabab were) skinned.” House, which sells dishes made with Initially, Servas and his co-worker goat meat, was upset to hear about thought that there were only three or the illegal disposal. even four dead animals that were in ”It is bad for business,” said Vavi. the dumpster. However, HCSO He added that one whole goat sells deputies arrived from a call to the for roughly $150, depending upon pizzeria, located at 20305 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. where they found a total the market and wholesale prices. By this estimate, the suspects discarded of 11 skinned and decapitated animal roughly $1,650 worth of goat meat. carcasses in the garbage bin. The type A spokesperson for HCSO says of the animal was not initially discovthere are no new leads in the case. ered because their hooves/paws were Anyone with new information removed as well, according to HCSO about the case is asked to contact spokesperson Debbie Carter. HCSO at 247-8200. — Sean Bowes Earlier in the case, there were reports that the animals could have See “News Briefs” on page 10. been dogs, or perhaps even deer

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“News Briefs” Continued from page 8

settled after the electric company fixed the problem, and the normal (busy) traffic resumed later that afternoon.

Burglar Bogeys With $10,000 Golf Cart

Body Found Floating In North Tampa Pond

Hunter’s Green Country Club (HGCC) is well-known for its scenic beauty. The club features an 18-hole championship golf course, an exclusive list of members and world-class tennis courts. However, on May 21, a stillunidentified male was spotted around 9:30 a.m., taking off in one of the golf course’s luxury golf carts. Initially, patrol cars were dispatched to the golf course, but neither the suspect nor the golf cart could be found. Luckily, later that morning, an HGCC employee noticed a bicyclist riding on Longwater Run Dr., near the golf course who matched the description of the alleged thief. Tampa Police Department (TPD) Officer Chris Foster apprehended the suspect, who was carrying a backpack filled with several cans of black spray paint, screwdrivers and wrenches. Eventually, the suspect admitted knowledge of the golf cart, and directed officers to a home in Pebble Creek Village at 9700 Cypress Brook Rd. The golf cart was found behind the

One of the golf carts at Hunter’s Green Country Club was stolen and spray-painted. Tampa Palice officers have made an arrest, but have not identified the suspect house, spray painted black, and the suspect was charged with grand theft auto, possession of burglary tools, and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Power Line Stops Traffic On BBD & CC Blvds. A live power line fell down across the intersection of Cross Creek Blvd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. on June 3 around 1 p.m., shutting down both north and south sides of Bruce B. Downs’ traffic until the power line could be lifted. Tampa Electric Company (TECO) was called to the scene

to secure the area and correct the problem. “We don’t know what caused the downed power line,” said Andrea Davis, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department (TPD). Police detoured traffic around the power line, which was a “live line” for a streetlight. Traffic backed up for roughly three hours until the road reopened once TECO cleared the power line at 4 p.m. “That is not a good road to be stuck on,” said Cherie Jacobs, spokesperson for TECO. The disorder

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has no leads at our press time regarding a woman’s body that was found floating in a retention pond at Ashton Park Apartments, located at 14609 Banyan Bluff Drive, near the intersection of Bearss Ave. and 22nd St. A resident of the apartment complex called authorities around 9:15 a.m. on June 10 to report the body in the pond. HCSO’s deputies and dive team, as well as Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office representatives were on the scene to investigate the case. A crowd soon formed on the sidewalk of Bearss Ave. as divers retrieved the woman’s body. “The death does not appear to be suspicious,” HCSO spokesperson Larry McKinnon said at the time. “The body appears to be have been there for a few days.” The Hillsborough Medical Examiner’s Office is currently working to discover the cause of death, added McKinnon. — Sean Bowes

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies cordon off an area to prevent onlookers from getting too close to a woman’s body found in a retention pond in the area of Bearss Ave. and N. 22nd St.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Ladies’ Foodie Club A new club for women in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas who enjoy socializing, trying out new restaurants and cooking ideas, sharing recipes and other food-related activities, is now forming. For more information, send an email to Eileen.jones@yahoo.com.

MOMS Club Of New Tampa The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) club of New Tampa, which offers a variety of activities for stay-at-home mothers, is looking for new members. The club boundaries include all of the New Tampa area, except for Tampa Palms, Grand Hampton and Live Oak. Call 994-4272 or visit Moms ClubNewTampa.webs.com.

New Tampa Noon Rotary Club

Wednesday, June 22 – The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr., inside the Hunter’s Green subdivision).

Business Networking International Wednesday, June 22 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Heritage Isles Clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron Wednesday, June 22 – The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol squadron meets every Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., at Tampa North Aero Park (4241 Birdsong Blvd.). For more information, visit WesleyChapelCAP.com or call Cheryl Spence at 973-7270.

New Tampa PAR Wednesday, June 22 – New Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (PAR) meets each Wednesday for golf and networking, 5:30 p.m., at Heritage Isles Country Club (10630 Plan-

tation Bay Dr.). Membership costs $25 and each round of golf costs $16, which includes nine holes of golf and range balls. For more information, contact Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100.

New Tampa Evening Rotary Club Thursday, June 23 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). For more information, call Kimberly Weisgarber at 391-3974.

New Tampa Rotary Club Friday, June 24 – The Rotary Club of New Tampa meets every Friday, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). For more information, visit NewTampaRotary.org or contact Karen Frashier at 375-2663.

Alzheimer’s Support Group Thursday, June 23 – The USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is starting a new support group for individuals who have memory loss or who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The group will

meet on the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. at the Institute (4001 E. Fletcher Ave.). There is no cost to attend, but reservations are requested. Call 974-4355 with questions and reservations.

Independence BBQ & Karaoke Saturday, July 2 - Cory Lake Isles residents and their guests are invited to bring your family and your lawn chairs to the Beach Club for a barbecue and to vote for the first “Cory Lake Idol.” Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Cory Lake Beach Club (10441 Cory Lake Dr.). Call 982-2977 for more info.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Thursday, July 7 – The USF Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute has a support group for friends or family members who are caregivers for victims of Alzheimer’s disease. The group meets every first Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Institute (4001 E. Fletcher Ave.). There is no cost to attend, but reservations are requested. Call 974-4355 with questions and for reservations.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Tampa Palms Women’s Club Keeps On Giving Back! Five separate non-profit organizations have been recognized by the Tampa Palms Women’s Club (TPWC) for their efforts in giving back to the community. On June 2, TPWC hosted its 13th-annual potluck luncheon at Compton Park to give some money to groups who also help others. The TPWC, which annually hosts (in October) the “Arts & Crafts Under the Palms” craft show and sale at the City Plaza shopping center, presented checks to the following groups: God’s Pedal Power Ministry (GPPM), Kids and Canines, the Outreach Assisting Students In Schools (OASIS) Network, Resources in Community Hope (R.I.C.H. House), and the University of South Florida (USF) Women in Leadership & Philanthropy. GPPM is a Faith-based non-profit organization run by a multi-denominational group of volunteers who are dedicated to helping kids and adults in need. Since 1997, GPPM has refurbished and given away over 3,000 bicycles to people who have been referred to this ministry. Along with the bike, the new owner is given a positive message, a bike safety lesson, a new safety helmet and a Bible. Working in a depressed neighborhood two nights a week to repair bikes

for those in need, GPPM estimates that the group’s members have repaired more than 3,000 bikes, too. The bikes are provided to adults and children based on need. Adults who have lost their transportation to work and children whose families cannot afford bikes are some of the recipients of the new and used bikes that have been reconditioned and donated by GPPM. Mike Olsen of GPPM mentioned that the organization is still actively looking for tricycles for donation to the group “Everyday Blessings Inc.,” a licensed child care agency. Kids and Canines is an assistance dog-training program based at the Dorothy Thomas Execptional Student Education Center. The Kids and Canines program, which costs $72,000 a year to fund, began as a Hillsborough County Florida Public School anti-truancy initiative in 1998. Students are paired with an assistance-dog-in-training and teach them basic and advanced commands over the course of 18-24 months. Once fully trained, the dogs graduate from the program and are matched with individuals in central Florida with disabilities or children with autism. Carrie Burke of Kids and Canines told a story about Casper, a service dog

who had gone through the training program, and how successful his training turned out. There is a book entitled Casper the Friendly Service about Casper’s story of becoming a service dog told from his point of view. Tampa Police Department Officer Debbie Boles, representing R.I.C.H. House, explained some of the ways donations are used to help at-risk children to avoid becoming a statistic, and, as an alternative become, successful individuals. R.I.C.H. House uses all donations for children, helping to provide them with an environment where they can avoid gangs and other detrimental influences. The OASIS Network was specifically developed as a unique and effective way of directly distributing donations of children’s personal items to Hillsborough County’s most needy public school children. Direct communication and cooperation with schoolbased social workers and other school representatives make OASIS possible. OASIS was formed in 2001 by New Tampa volunteers who have worked closely with Hillsborough County Schools for many years, and have become increasingly concerned with the overwhelming number of local public school children who remain in

desperate need of life’s basic necessities. Ginger Bean of OASIS thanked everyone at TPWC for their generosity for donating clothing, toiletries, shoes, and school materials to Hillsborough County students who are at need for basic supplies. The last donation was given to USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, whose mission is to empower USF women students and faculty to become leaders and philanthropists who will impact the University of South Florida and their communities through leadership and generosity. For more information about the Tampa Palms Women’s Club, which is itself a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to welcome members of the Tampa Palms community and provide educational and fundraising programs, visit TampaPalms WomensClub.com. For God’s Pedal Power Ministry, visit GodsPedal Power.org. For Kids and Canines, visit KidsandCanines.org. For the OASIS Network, visit OASIS-Network.org. For USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, visit USFWeb2.usf.edu/wlp/index.asp. For additional information about the Tampa Police R.I.C.H. House, call 274-5618.

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New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

2010-11 NTCC Board of Directors President-Rachel Haviland

Board Members:

15310 Amberly Dr., Suite 250 Tampa, FL 33647 Information: (813) 293-2464 Fax: (813) 388-4408

VP-Said Iravani Treasurer-Lesley Zajac Secretary-Connie Bladon

Matt Palmer Craig Miller Earl Meyer Lee Hoffman

Non-Officers: Regina Ramalheira Executive Director: Karen Frashier

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

Taste of New TampaTM Proceeds Fund Local Organizations! Profits from the annual Taste of New Tampa™ have been shared each year with the volunteer groups who helped out with the event. Without the dedication and hard work of all of those involved, the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce could not put on such a great event! The Chamber would like to thank Lawton Chiles Elementary; Boy Scout Troop 177; Hands On Tampa Bay; the Paul R. Wharton High School Band; Venture Crew; Troop 142; Tampa Blades; Freedom High School Boosters and basketball team; McDonald Training Center; and members of the NTCC board and events team for helping to make this year’s Taste of New Tampa™ another great success!

Chamber Welcomes New & Renewing Members

The New Tampa Chamber continues to grow and we are delighted to welcome Gunter & Gunter Insurance as our first-ever Platinum Member! Both Joyce and Gary Gunter have supported Chamber events and are offering a discounted voluntary insurance program for New Tampa Chamber members. For info about the Gunters, please visit GunterandGunterInsurance.com or call 973-8680.

about how to join the New Tampa Chamber, please visit NewTampaChamber.org or call 293-2464.

Upcoming Chamber Events

Representatives from each volunteer organization were presented with checks at the Chamber Connections networking event at Stonewood Grill & Tavern on May 26.

We also welcome Marquis of Tampa as a new Silver Member and the following new Basic Members to our Chamber: Bhola Aneja, CPR-Cell Phone Repair, Executive Med-Club of Tampa, Essentials Massage & Facials of New Tampa, Stacy’s Gluten-Free Goodies and Tampa Mediation Inc. We also appreciate the continued support of this month’s renewing members: Rotary Club of New Tampa and New Tampa resident Judith Silvasi-Patchin. We recently expanded our Board of directors and are proud to announce

the addition of Earl Meyer of Meyer Team Business Coaching, Inc. (5413597, MeyerTeam.biz); and Lee Hoffman, independent agent for AFLAC (545-2656). We thank them for stepping up for these volunteer positions. All of our members are listed in the brand new membership database on our website at NewTampaChamber.org. Please stop by our web site to see the Who’s Who of New Tampaarea businesses. Remember to support them when you need their products or services. For more information

Networking on the 9s, Wednesday, June 22, 3 p.m. at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.). $15 greens fee. We also invite you to join us on Thursday, June 30, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., at Stonewood Grill & Tavern for the Grand Opening of Etica Accounting Services. Owner Andrea Tocco will cut the ribbon celebrating the opening of her new accounting firm during Chamber Connections, our monthly free networking event for Chamber members and prospective members. Stonewood always serve some great free appetizers RSVP now for this event online now at NewTampaChamber.org. Continued on next page.

Somerset Professional Park - 15283 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647

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New and renewing members also are invited to the Chamber luncheon on Monday, July 11, at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) to receive their Chamber plaque. The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members.

Save The Date For The New Tampa Business Forum! The New Tampa Chamber is busy planning the first annual New Tampa Business Forum on Thursday, September 29, 3 p.m.-8 p.m. The forum promises to be an networking event not to be missed, featuring a keynote speaker as well as a “Personal

Brand in Businessland 2.0” workshop presented by Bernie Borges (CEO of Find and Convert and author of “Marketing 2.0”). A Chamber member business expo and networking event with cocktails will follow the keynote. Presenting sponsorhip opportunities are available. Please contact the Chamber for more information and to become a sponsor by calling 293-2464. Join our Facebook page to receive regular updates on Chamber news. Simply visit Facebook.com/NewTampaChamber and click on the “Like” button to join us!

Governor Vetoes Funding For PHCC’s Wesley Chapel Campus

Unless something can be done about Gov. Rick Scott’s veto of funding for a planned Pasco-Hernando Community College campus in Wiregrass Ranch, this artist’s rendering may be the closest we get to having the school built for quite a while. Plans for building a new local campus for Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) were put on hold, at least for the foreseeable future, after Fla. Gov. Rick Scott cut funding for the project from the 2011-12 state budget. PHCC officials had hoped to break ground on the new campus this summer, on 60 acres of land off S.R. 56 in the Wiregrass Ranch development in Wesley Chapel (which was donated to the college by the Porter family for that purpose), and to open the facility to its first class of students by January 2014. The college already had received more than $45 million in installments from the state for the new campus over the past five years, and was scheduled to receive the final $6.9 million in this year’s state budget. That amount was part of a package of college construction projects across Florida totaling more than $100 million. Scott, however, vetoed the entire package when he signed the state’s $69.1-billion budget last week. That final total reflected a record-high total of cuts from the budget passed by the state legislature, equalling more than $615 million. A statement issued by PHCC officials reflected their disappointment with Scott’s action. “The residents of Pasco County can rest assured that this project will move forward, though the completion may be delayed,” the statement says. “We will continue to pursue this

funding in future years and thank the Pasco County legislative delegation for their support and efforts this year.” The last part was a nod to District 61 State Rep. Will Weatherford (RWesley Chapel), who championed the PHCC project and helped get the funding included in the budget. Not everyone supported the project, however. Florida TaxWatch, which scans the state budget for what it deems to be unnecessary expenditures, had labeled the PHCC funding as one of its “turkeys” for this year, and had urged the governor to veto it. Scott, meanwhile, did leave funding in place for roadway improvements to Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., which will eventually be the main thoroughfare within the 5,000-acre development. That funding is believed to be part of the incentive package offered to officials at Raymond James Financial, who recently signed a letter of intent to purchase property in Wiregrass for a new office facility there. That new facility — along with the Shops at Wiregrass mall, the new Florda Hospital Wesley Chapel currently being built by the Adventist Health System and University Community Hospital and the PHCC campus — are all part of the Porter family’s overall plan for developing the former ranch property over the next few years, with the goal of eventually making it into one of Pasco County's premiere communities. — MS

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Let Tampa Bay Limousine Chauffeur You In Style! Tampa Bay Limousine Offers High-Quality Service At A Price You Can Afford! By Melissa O’Brien When people think of special events like a wedding or a prom, hiring a limousine service is always a top priority. You want to arrive in style for the big event and ensure that everyone is treated like royalty. But, what about a limo service for just an evening out on the town? Or instead of schlepping to the airport economy parking lot, wouldn’t it be great to have a driver waiting there, just for you, after a long, tiring flight? Tampa Bay Limousine, based in New Tampa and owned by Seven Oaks resident Rony Rodriguez, has just the right vehicle for any event or travel need you have. From a stretch Hummer limo to a Lincoln Town Car sedan, a Cadillac Escalade ESV or Suburban LT or larger passenger van, Tampa Bay Limousine has a vehicle that can pick you up on time, in style, and with the type of personalized service you will come to appreciate. A night out at the recent Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game is what inspired Land O’Lakes resident Lorie Fossa to call Tampa Bay Limousine.

“Hiring Rony made the entire experience very enjoyable and stressfree,” says Fossa. “He was absolutely awesome. Rony was prompt and the car was as clean as can be. We asked for the Escalade to make it a little easier to get around town. After the game, he was right out front waiting for us, and I felt like a celebrity. There was no wait, and it was wonderful. I always thought of limo services just for special events, but now we would use one for just dinners out in town.” Rodriguez grew up in the Bronx, NY, and moved to Tampa to be closer to his family after they relocated here. He went to college in Long Island at the State University of New York at Farmingdale and worked in management in Radio Shack for 20 years. When Radio Shack wanted to move him to Raleigh, NC, Rony decided to leave the company and try a different career path. He worked for another limousine company before venturing out on his own in 2008. “The company I worked for was going out of business and one of their major clients was the Saddlebrook Resort,” he says. “I knew

From this ultra-luxurious Hummer limo to a basic town car, Tampa Bay Limousine is based in New Tampa and can get you where you’re going in style. like to get to know my regular a lot of clients there and still drive clients,” he says. “I make sure I know many of them today. A lot of my clients are from the New Tampa/Wes- their likes and dislikes, their rhythm ley Chapel area, but I can drive people when arriving and departing from the airport, what kind of water they like to to and from all over the Tampa Bay have in the car and what newspapers area. I also have two full-time drivers they read. I make sure I know where and five part-time drivers. All of my they want to be picked up at the airstaff drivers have their Public Vehicle port and I’m always waiting where License, which is a very extensive process that involves vehicle safety and they want me to be when their flight arrives. It depends upon where you’re background checks.” going or what you are doing, but each He adds that one of the keys to person is unique and has their own set his business is getting to know his of expectations.” clients. “A lot of limo company ownBecause Rony is not part of a ers hire out all of their drivers, but I

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large company, he says he is able to keep his prices low. “I can give my clients the same quality services as the big companies at a lesser price,” he says. “I also like to make sure I receive feedback from my clients to make sure everything is satisfactory. I will call them to ensure that they are happy with their service. For business people, it’s a service that efficiently gets you where you need to be on time and in comfort. And, for kids going to the prom, it’s creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a safe environment.” Tampa Bay Limousine is open 24 hours a day. “Our vehicles are cleaned and maintained daily,” says Rony, who is a member of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. “That should be the norm for limo services, but sometimes it’s not. It’s important to me to maintain a clean image for the vehicle and my drivers. All of my drivers wear black suits, white shirts and ties.” Felix Martinez, who lives in Sun City Center, says that because of his positive first experience, he is looking for the next reason to hire Rony and Tampa Bay Limousine. “A group of colleagues and I decided to have a night out,” he says. “I looked at a number of limo services

on-line and liked Rony’s website. At first, we thought we’d take a Lincoln Town Car, but Rony suggested the stretch limo, so that we would not have to have a passenger in the front seat and we could all sit together.” He adds, “The first colleague he picked up lives all the way over in Clearwater. She told me she felt like a million dollars when he arrived and she was so pleased with his service that she put a compliment on his website. He was very attentive to our needs. He waited outside for us at the restaurant. I’m not even sure if he ate dinner or not, but he was right there when we wanted to go. The women all said what a gentleman he was. If it sounds like I am saying all good things about him it is because that is the experience we had with him.” Tampa Bay Limousine is garaged northeast of the Tampa airport and downtown Tampa with depots throughout the area. The company serves not only New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, but also Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Brandon, Riverview, Lutz, Port Richey, Odessa, Zephyrhills, Dade City, Lakeland, Sarasota and Bradenton. For reservations and more information, visit NewTampaLimo. com or call 474-1111.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

A Baby Boomer’s Journey: From Pumping Iron To Pursuing Pilates At Euro Pilates By Kathleen Devine It’s true! I am a baby boomer and chances are so are you if you're reading this article. Officially, boomers are those born between 1946 and 1964 and there are approximately 78 million of us. Unofficially, there are very few things boomers want more than financial security — but those things surely include health and mobility. If you want or need more proof of whether or not you're a boomer, take a look at how and where you exercise. The days of pumping iron, working legs and chest three days a week and arms and back two days, have gone the way of “no pain, no gain” workouts and high-impact aerobics. Boomers are the fastestgrowing segment of the health club market and Pilates is the perfect solution for boomers because it provides a full-body workout without the usual wear and tear. Like most of us who refuse to believe we are really getting older, my age "limitations" hit me in slow waves through my 40s, creeping up on me until one day I could no longer run because of chronic lower back pain. Even more shocking to me was the fact that bending over to tie my shoes actually took my breath away. How did this happen to me, a tough Army girl who was Airborne- and Air Assault-qualified. I pumped plenty of iron in my 20s and 30s and did every aerobic exercise known to man, not to mention some tough exercises unique to Army training. I was still jumping out of planes at age 39, when I was (unofficially) pregnant with my first child and retired after 23 years of service at the young age of 45. But, it took me five more years to find Pilates and take control of my body. I had driven past the big blue

sign for Euro Pilates (located on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., near the intersection of County Line Rd., in front of Live Oak Preserve) almost daily for about a year and I always meant to stop and check it out but it was constant lower back pain (LBP) and a family member’s suggestion to try Pilates that finally made me pull into the studio on a whim. Euro Pilates owner Maria Ivanova greeted me at the door and I hesitantly told her about my failed attempts at reducing my back pain. I also felt compelled to convince her I had always been athletic, something of a hard sell at 215 bloated, menopausal, stressed-out pounds. Serendipitously, she had just had a cancellation and challenged me to a workout right then. I was in! There was no way I was going to let a 30-something, 110lb. waif scare me (a hard-nosed military “boomer”) away from an unplanned workout. It tuned out to be the best thing I have ever done for my back, my body and my family. I knew after that first 55-minute session that my body had been worked in ways I had never experienced before. A familiar saying for those new to Pilates is, “I have never worked so hard, moving so little.” I was soaked and humbled because exercises I had done hundreds of times in gyms I could barely master because of the focus, coordination, balance and muscle involvement required by Pilates — and by Maria! Instinctively, I knew that Pilates made sense for my body. So, in May 2009, as I left my first session with Maria, I committed myself to getting healthy again. As I looked at package options to help reduce the cost, I saw a quote by Joseph Pilates that read, “In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference

and in 30, you'll have a whole new body.” Little did I know then that I would start seeing the difference around my third Pilates session! I started doing private sessions three times a week for about three months, which was an expensive proposition for a retired soldier but an investment I had to make to forego injections and surgery. I also knew at this point that multiple physical therapy programs had not worked, chiropractic alone did not work and that living with an 8/9 pain level controlled by muscle relaxers and pain killers was not working for me. Add to that the stress of my husband’s five tours to Afghanistan, two moves in two years, two kids, a pending adoption and the chance of more deployments in the future and you get the idea that my body was controlling me instead of me controlling it. That was until I met Maria and started my Pilates program. Maria knows just how far to push you and can read your body like a book. She hovered over me like a drill sergeant, barking commands, poking and prodding muscles that I was sure she could not really see, telling me over and over that I wasn’t “fully engaged.” I wanted to work hard but she worked me harder. After the third session, I noticed that my pants were getting a little looser and that my bloated stomach had gone down a bit. I chalked it up to just water weight loss but I also noticed I had more energy and that my back was feeling a little better. I started doing other types of exercise on my non-Pilates days. I also incorporated chiropractic care into my routine, along with neuromuscular massage — both expensive therapies not covered by my insurance but it was working and my back pain continued

Kathleen Devine at 215 pounds... to decrease. Despite the best health care possible, I had to become my own back “expert” and advocate. The National Institutes of Health reports that back pain is so prevalent that 75 percent-85 percent of all Americans will suffer back pain sometime in their lives and will spend more than $50 billion to try and cure it. Micah Richeson, D.C., the owner of Cypress Creek Chiropractic (a local chiropractic care center), says stress plays a big role in the patients he sees with neck, shoulder and low back pain. “Most patients have not only physical stress, but also bio-chemical stress and mental/emotional stress,” say Dr. Richeson. “And, most people's spines are just deconditioned and there is a lack of flexibility and strength so the body doesn’t hold an adjustment the way it should.” Dr. Richeson believes that you must treat the whole body and not just the symptoms, saying, “I like Pilates because it complements what I am addressing structurally and functionally and it helps with form, balance, circulation and even oxygen levels,” which in turn helps reduce stress

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I am able to coach the age 5 & 6 soccer team at our church, I am able to keep up with my three beautiful children (including an eight-month old), my husband thinks I look great and I am now a Stott Pilates instructor at Euro Pilates hoping to ...and more than 40 lbs. lighter (that’s her, far right), inspire, train, teach, thanks to owner Maria Ivanova (in front) and Euro coach and mentor other boomers to Pilates, located in the MidFlorida Federal Credit Union building on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. take charge and make a change! and pain levels. Combine that with Euro Pilates, located at 20401 therapeutic massage to address soft tisBBD Blvd., Suite 202 (on the secsue issues and nutritional awareness ond floor of the MidFlorida Federal like I did, and you can really make a Credit Union building), offers a difference in your quality of life, too. variety of options for those new to I am not 100-percent pain-free Pilates. There are introductory spetoday, but I will take a 2/3 to 3/4 cials, small group classes, training pain level any day and I no longer for you and a workout buddy, need pain pills. I have lost more than four-week Boot Camp classes that 40 pounds and 25 inches and, at age are limited to only seven people, no 52, I feel better than I did at 42. monthly fees and the opportunity There are still certain exercises I simto connect with others in a personply cannot or should not do, but al, supportive environment. For Pilates has changed the way I look at more information, call 756-4000 or health and fitness and how I see visit EuroPilates.com. myself keeping in shape as I get older.

If you are looking to try Pilates for the first time, here are a couple of helpful hints to ensure you get the safest workout and the best training possible: • Visit a studio to observe before taking your first session or class • Check for organization, cleanliness and look for a clutter-free workout area • Talk to other clients as they are leaving a session or class • Talk with the instructors and/or the owner • Check out the class size – six or fewer is best • Ask about training and certification • Research the different Pilates methods on-line and see if one appeals to you • Listen to your body and if it hurts, don’t do it

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Pathology Laboratory Nearing Three Decades Of Service By Gary Nager With the interest in TV shows like “CSI” still strong, the medical practice of pathology has seen ever-increasing interest from the general public for more than a decade. Here in Tampa, Jose V. SuarezHoyos, M.D. (aka “Dr. Suarez”), has been a practicing Anatomic and Clinical Pathologist (who has been testing tissue samples and performing private autopsies in the Tampa Bay area) since 1983. Dr. Suarez, who received his Doctor of Medicine & Surgery degree in his native Colombia in 1967, completed his four-year residency in Pathology at the Institute of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, in 1973. In 1974, he was Board-certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology. He opened and became the medical director of Tampa Pathology Laboratory (TPL), now located on N. Armenia Ave. (only 20-25 minutes from Tampa Palms), in 1983. In other words, while pathology may only have had heightened interest on TV the last ten years or so, it is nothing new to Dr. Suarez. Many of the top physicians in the Tampa Bay area — and around the country —

have been sending tissue samples to TPL since it opened for testing to determine whether or not those tissue samples are normal, inflammatory, premalignant or malignant. Dr. Suarez, who says that pathology is, “the most basic specialty in medicine,” also has been performing an ever-increasing number of private autopsies at Bayarea funeral homes for families and friends of deceased persons who want to find out or confirm the cause of death of a loved one. “Private autopsies are generally about getting some closure,” says Dr. Suarez. “Some people just want to confirm what the hospital has told them, but others order private autopsies when they have concerns that their loved one’s cause of death was medical malpractice.” Dr. Suarez says he currently performs 50-70 private autopsies per year and notes that inquiries regarding autopsies can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling TPL at 932-0374.

A Little Information About Pathology

Pathology is the study and diagnosis of disease, which addresses four components of disease: cause/etiology,

mechanisms of development (pathogenesis), structural alterations of cells (morphologic changes), and the consequences of changes (clinical manifestations). General pathology (also called investigative pathology, experimental pathology, or theoretical pathology) seeks to understand the mechanisms of injury to cells and tissues, as well as the body’s means of responding to and repairing injury. The term general pathology also is used to describe the practice of both anatomic and clinical pathology. Anatomic (or anatomical) pathology is a medical specialty that Dr. Jose V. SuarezHoyos of Tampa Patholois concerned with the diagnosis of gy Laboratory (TPL) on N. Armenia Ave. disease based on the gross, micro- is one of the best-known, most respected genscopic, chemical, immunologic and eral pathologists in the Tampa Bay area. molecular examination of organs, although pathology also has four subtissues, and whole bodies (autopsies). specialties — neural, dental, urinary Anatomic pathology is itself divided and gastroenterological. into subspecialties, the main ones Clinical pathology is a medical being surgical pathology, cytopatholospecialty that is concerned with the gy, and forensic pathology. Anatomic diagnosis of disease based on the labopathology and clinical pathology ratory analysis of bodily fluids such as (which is the diagnosis of disease blood and urine, and tissues using the through the laboratory analysis of bod- tools of chemistry, microbiology, ily fluids and tissues) are the two hematology and molecular pathology. branches of pathology. General pathol- Clinical pathologists therefore have to ogists like Dr. Suarez practice both work in close collaboration with medanatomic and clinical pathology, ical technologists, hospital administra-

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Tampa Pathology Laboratory receives and tests tissue samples from not only all across the Tampa Bay area, but across the country as well. tors and referring physicians to ensure gy and the couple's two daughters are the accuracy and optimal utilization of both doctors practicing in Tampa. laboratory testing. With 24-hour turnaround times TPL processes an average of for most tissue testing, everything 80,000 biopsies per year, testing tissue from on-line viewing, faxing and a fleet samples not only from the Bay area of in-house couriers and contracts with but from all around the state of Florida national parcel carriers for getting and many other U.S. states. Dr. Suarez patients back their reports as quickly as also is an expert in Endoscopic Ultrapossible, you're sure to agree that sound-Guided Fine Needle AspiraTampa Pathology Laboratory is “Your tions, which have significantly Path to Immediate Results.” improved the accuracy of of endoscopTampa Pathology Laboratory is ic biopsies in the early diagnosis and located at 6515 N. Armenia Ave. staging of malignant tumors. (between Busch Blvd. & HillsborDr. Suarez, who is a sailor and ough Ave.) in Tampa. For more chicken farmer in his spare time, is information, call 932-0374 or visit married to a Ph.D. in clinical psycholo- TampaPathology.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Book Swap Grand Opening Packed With Authors & Visitors! By Gary Nager Although the store’s been open for a couple of months already, the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel location of Book Swap (the second in the Tampa Bay area; the other is in Carrollwood) celebrated its official Grand Opening all day on June 11, with refreshments and plenty of great, free raffle drawings. Owner Cynthia Floyd says she has been thrilled with the response so far to her second location and she hopes the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel communities will continue to come to check out the new Book Swap, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. on the side of the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza facing S.R. 56 (next to the Taste of Boston restaurant, directly across from the Shops at Wiregrass mall). Book Swap is a great place to buy and sell great new and used hardcover, paperback, audio books and much more and Floyd says, “We know there’s a Barnes & Noble right across the street, but we hope people will come here first because we have some really unique items and prices you won’t find over there. Plus, we will gladly buy your used books, too.” Floyd, who has owned her Carrollwood location for more than 15 years,

was thrilled to have several authors and illustrators on hand for her New Tampa Grand Opening. “We’ve had some big-name authors do book signings at our Carrollwood location,” Floyd says. “But these days, there are so many outstanding self-published authors out there and we were thrilled to have quite a few of them here for the Grand Opening.” Among those who attended the event was Wesley Chapel resident Ami Blackwelder, who describes herself as a “forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre.” Amy says her sci-fi book, The Shifters of 2040, is being shopped around for a possible film adaptation, despite the fact the book was self-published. She has written more than a dozen novels, some of which have been influenced by her many experiences as a teacher in third-world countries in Asia. None of the other local authors and illustrators on hand at the Book Swap event were local, but they were all very personable and available to chat about their work. Lakisha Spletzer, who considers herself to be a cross-genre fiction writer, has self-published four novels in the sci-fi and horror genre. And, Tampa-based author Norma J. Pinner has only had one novel published,

Book Swap of New Tampa owner Cynthia Floyd (standing) welcomed (l. to r.) illustrator Ana Bruno and authors Lakisha Spletzer, Norma J. Pinner and Wesley Chapel resident Ami Blackwelder to a well-attended Grand Opening book-signing/meet the authors event on June 11. event was sci-fi and horror illustrator although she says she has written 38 and animator Ana Bruno, who has had others of all different genres. She says many of her illustrations published and her one published work, Rising Sun, utilized in movies, TV shows and more. The Indian Princess, is based on the If you enjoy reading, a visit to true story of her ancestor, who actually was a Cherokee princess who chose not Book Swap of New Tampa is a must! Book Swap of New Tampa is to marry her intended and ran off with open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 an Irishman instead. Norma says she has been offered a movie contract to do p.m. For more information, call 9297490 or visit Book Swap at 1946 an adaptation of the book. BBD Blvd. or at BookSwapFL.com. Also attending the Book Swap

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW TAMPA & W ESLEY C HAPEL

Business Briefs

Bostonian Hair Studio Re-Opens

Owner Joseph Caetano is proud to announce that his Bostonian Hair Studio has re-opened in a new location in the same Shoppes of Wesley Chapel plaza as Dickey’s BBQ and The Hungry Greek restaurant on BBD, less than a mile north of S.R. 56. The new salon, which Caetano designed and built basically by himself, is only a few doors down from his previous location in the same plaza, and is situated between the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corp recruiting offices in the plaza. More important, however, is that the casually elegant new location is situated directly across BBD from the under-construction Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. “We believe that the hospital and the future Raymond James Financial Services corporate office in Wiregrass will provide lots of business for everyone in this plaza,” the former Tampa City Council member says, adding that he definitely is looking for additional professionally trained stylists, color specialists and nail technicians. For more information, call 9789292 or stop in the Bostonian Hair

Studio at 2653 BBD, Suite 115.

Thank You, Budget Blinds! There’s no doubt that the summer in Florida starts waaaaaay before June 21, so if any part of your home or office heats up when the thermostat starts approaching triple digits, now is the time to call our friends Jim and Elaine Trotter of Budget Blinds. Our front office was constantly 10º-15º warmer than the rest of our space until Jim and Elaine came to visit us and designed custom-made vinyl blinds (right) that were installed a few days later and are now keeping us cooler, keeping our energy costs down and providing some security for our office. For your free consultation and more info, call 909-9000 or visit BudgetBlinds.com.

Salon Athena Under New Ownership

After taking over Salon at the Walk in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza in New Tampa almost seven years ago, owners Arno and Barbara Schlappig have expanded their business in the local market with the recent acquisition of Salon Athena, located in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs

P.J. Dolan’s Irish Pub Opens In Bullseye’s Space If you’ve been looking for a new, authentic Irish pub, with real shepherd’s pie, fish & chips and plenty of Guiness (and other Irish beers) on draught, check out the new P.J. Dolan’s Irish Pub, which opened in the Palms Connection plaza on E. Bearss Ave., just 1/4-mile west of BBD. The guess here is that this space in the plaza, which Our office is a lot cooler, thanks to Budget Blinds! was previously occupied by Remington’s Steakhouse, Cody’s Blvd., just south of Tampa Palms. Roadhouse and Bullseye Saloon, may Barbara will manage the new salon, finally have found the right place for while Arno will continue to focus his the right space. efforts on Salon at the Walk. Besides P.J. Dolan’s (2836 E. Bearss the traditional professional styling and Ave.) is open ever y day from 4 p.m. color services, Salon Athena also offers (2 p.m. on Fri.)-2 a.m. Call 374Keratin smoothing treatments, hair 2338 or visit PJDolans.com. — GN extensions and services on ethnic hair. In addition, the salon will feature a private area for manicures, pedicures, facials, and waxing. “The mission of Salon Athena is to ensure you receive the finest quality service in a warm, friendly atmosphere that will make you feel like a goddess,” says Arno. For more information, visit or call either the new Salon Athena (14933 BBD, 910-2770) or Salon at If you’ve been craving authentic fish The Walk (18059 Highwoods Pre& chips, check out the new P.J. serve Pkwy., 979-2899), or see the Dolan’s Irish Pub on E. Bearss Ave. ads for both salons in this issue.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Two New Tampa Students Excel At Intel Int’l Science Fair! As further proof of the achievements made by some of the outstanding students in our area, we would like to recognize Academy at the Lakes junior Sophia Sokolowski and 2011 Wharton High graduate Jasmine Roberts, both of whom took home multiple awards from the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which was held in Los Angeles in May. After finishing first in the Biochemistry division at the Pasco County Regional Science Fair earlier this year Sophia Sokolowski (left) with Sir Richard J. (where she also received the Future Roberts, Ph.D., and fellow Pasco County Female Scientist Award and the Out- student Aubrey Jones at the ISEF Internastanding Achievement for Ability and tional Science & Engineering Fair. Creativity in In Vitro Biology Award), 1,000 community service hours and is and second in the statewide competition, Sokolowski, 16, was chosen to be a member of the Bible Based Fellowamong the more than 1,500 high ship Church of Temple Terrace. One school students from 65 countries to of her objectives in life is to become a compete in the ISEF, considered the medical doctor (general surgeon). Jasmost prestigious educational competimine will attend Johns Hopkins Unition in the world. versity in Baltimore, MD, in the fall. At the ISEF, Sokolowski’s project, At the Intel ISEF last month, which examined the way in which a Roberts competed against more than certain set of proteins interact in the 1,500 science projects from the USA, body to affect hearing, received a pair Canada and from 65 different counof Special Awards from the U.S. Army tries (Japan, China, UK, etc.). She and U.S. Air Force totalling more won second place and brought home than $5,000. more than $12,000 from the Fair. As talented as she is in the lab, In addition, last month Jasmine however, Sokolowski, who is a resident won the Wharton High School Goldof New Tampa, also excels outside of en Wildcat Award and Science Excelit as well. She has been a professional lence Award. opera singer for five years, and in FebJasmine has competed and placed ruary she took part in the Opera in the State and Regional Science and Tampa Chorus’ “Night of Stars” conEngineering Fair for seven straight cert with the legendary tenor and con- years. For 2011, her science project ductor Placido Domingo. She also was entitled “Monocytic Gene Cell recently performed in Opera Tampa’s Therapy: Potential Treatment For production of “La Traviata. Alzheimer’s Disease.” Jasmine is conducting cutting edge technology On To Johns Hopkins! research at the University of South Roberts, 18, graduated with a weighted GPA above 6.2, which ranks Florida (USF) Johnny Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Center under her as one of the top-10 students in the mentoring of Dr. Marcia Gordon. her graduating class of nearly 540 stuShe has been conducting research dents. She has logged more than

investigation on a treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease for the past four years. She is literally conducting surgical (making incision on top of scalp & drilling holes into the skull) cutting technique procedures. Jasmine went through extensive training in the lab to receive her own personal IACUC number. This IACUC number allows her to work on cutting edge projects in the lab that require conducting surgery. You may remember Jasmine from her 2006 science project, for which she received national recognition. Entitled “How Safe Is Fast Food Restaurant’s?” Jasmine science project garnered her an opportunity to appear on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Good Morning America,” Wharton High graduate Jasmine “Inside Edition,” CNN and Fox Roberts took home more than $12,000 News. from the ISEF Fair.

Honors & Awards Jasmine is one of the first students in the Hillsborough County School District to be a Science World Champion by winning at the Intel International Science Fair. She also was the first Wharton High student to win first place & MVP awards at the Regional level three consecutive years. In 2010, she was Wharton High’s first-ever State Science Fair first place winner and MVP Champion. She also was the first student in Hillsborough County Regional Science competition to win first place & MVP awards five times over the last six years and the first student to conduct surgical procedures at the Hillsborough Regional Science Fair. This summer, Jasmine will be working for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. She has an eight-week paid summer internship and, after the eight weeks, internship, she will present her find-

ings to the NIH scientific committee. In the U.S., more than 5 million people suffer with Alzheimer’s and by next year, nearly half a million new cases are expected to be diagnosed. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. The increased numbers of people with Alzheimer’s will have a significant impact on our states’ budget infrastructures, healthcare systems, families and caregivers, as the baby boomers generation (people born between 1946-1964) becomes older. The significance of developing a new treatment for Alzheumer’s will 1) save taxpayers millions of dollars in healthcare costs, 2) improve the quality of life for Alzheimer’s victims, and 3) increase the survival rate of individuals. Jasmine would like to thank both Ms. Carmen Austin (Science Dept. Head) at Wharton High School and Dr. Marcia Gordon at USF for their patience and support.

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“Graduation” Continued from page 1

ars. Wharton’s senior class president, Alana Kohn perhaps put it best: “Ready or not, here we come!”

Bettie D. Campbell, a retired school teacher, traveled from Miami to watch her niece, Victoria Perry, receive her diploma from Wharton. “Education is so important…,” Campbell said, “I am so proud (of her).” Campbell added that Perry plans to stay close to home, as she will attend USF in the fall. Wharton and Freedom both featured an impressive group of graduating students. Each school boasted incredible athletes and dedicated schol-

Note-Due to the death of former managing editor Michael Smith (see page 3), we were unable to compile a list of the athletic and academic achievements of this year’s graduating classes from Freedom & Wharton. If your graduating senior won an academic or athletic scholarship or any other notable accomplishment, we want to know! Please submit info & photos to NTNNedit@yahoo. com, Attn: Sean Bowes, by Tuesday, July 5, to have your student’s achievements noted in our next issue.

The stands at the Florida State Fairgrounds were packed on June 8, as more than 500 Wharton High students received their high school diplomas.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Editorial” Continued from page 3 and then a few years after he came to work for me. It is somewhat unusual for one person to receive so many transplants, but apparently, Mike’s blood type and other factors allowed to accept kidneys that other potential recipients could not. But, every time that kidney failed, Mike had no choice but to go back on dialysis, which if you’ve ever known anyone who has had to suffer through this process three days a week, every week, you’d know just how difficult and draining that can be on someone’s psyche, as well a their health. Somehow, Mike not only endured, he excelled at pretty much everything he did, especially writing and reporting, and those talents had taken him to any number of small community newspapers like ours, the last one before he moved back to Florida in North Carolina, where this very private person who talked very little about his family, made quite a few friends who loved him to the very end.

A Difficult, But Worthwhile Relationship Mike and I had been through a lot together over the years. I will never for-

get the day that he came to work and his skin was as grey as cigarette ashes. I had never seen anyone look like that and suggested he go see a doctor. He confided in me that his transplanted kidney was failing and he dreaded going back on dialysis. But, for about a year, Mike was getting his dialysis treatment three days a week. Unfortunately for him, during that time, he was arrested unfairly for violating his probation on a previous charge of “theft of services” because he had stopped payment on a check to an auto repair shop that never did the work they claimed they did. Because of recent cases involving criminals who committed truly heinous crimes while on probation, the state and local authorities made it increasingly more difficult to get out of jail on probation violations, so Mike spent several days in a jail in Lee County, missing at least two dialysis treatments during that time. Although I paid for the lawyer that ultimately got him out of jail (and got the charges dropped against him), Mike paid back every penny out of his bi-weekly paycheck. Things definitely seemed better with Mike once he had his sixth and final kidney transplant a few years ago, but considering that all five of the previous kidneys he had received ultimately failed, I’m sure Mike felt that the most

recent transplant ultimately would fail him as well. And apparently, that’s exactly what happened. Although he never confided in anyone here at the office about how serious his condition was, his sister says his doctor apparently told Mike last October that unless he either got another kidney or went back on dialysis, he had less than a year and, most likely, only a few months, to live. Deborah says Mike refused to accept another kidney that might actually save someone else’s life, instead of putting it into what he called “this broken body.” He also said he wasn’t going to deal with dialysis anymore, which meant he was basically accepting that his time on this earth was not going to be long. The only thing that actually surprises me now is that he waited as long as he did to give his notice, knowing how little time he was likely to have left. Although he had been estranged from his mom for years, Betty says she and her son made their peace at the end, which basically started on June 5, when he was so weak that he couldn’t stand up or catch a full breath. Deborah called her mom and his friends Travis and Kevin, who were already planning to come to Tampa anyway to take a long-planned road trip, to come be with her and her brother.

Mike was admitted to University Community Hospital on June 6 and survived long enough for Kevin and Travis to be holding his hands when he passed. The three friends who had planned a months-long road trip to Colorado to go camping and to a number of outdoor concert events (Mike was a big alternative and hard rock music lover) were at least able to all be together before Mike’s body succumbed. Travis says that shortly before he died, Mike said, “I’m already on that mountaintop.” Our art director Tony Sica, Mike’s closest friend at the office, said afterward that although Mike never intimated how little time he likely had left, he did tell Tony that he had recently read the Bible cover-to-cover. Considering that Mike had never talked openly about religion (although he had said his mom was a staunch, practicing Christian), Tony said that “should have at least been a hint that something was going on.” But again, Mike was such a private person that Tony still had no idea the end was so near. I also have to admit that I am feeling a little guilty that I gave Mike a hard time about how long it took him some issues to submit his stories for our issues. Considering how weak he must have been — Deborah says his doctor actually put him in touch with hospice

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in October — it’s amazing that he was able to not only write, but research and do the interviews for as many stories as he did the last seven months.

Thank You, Skinny’s & Santo’s! As soon as I got the news that he had passed, all I could think of was doing whatever I could to bring Mike’s family and friends together to celebrate his life. I wanted to meet his sister and his mom and share stories of what an outstanding reporter and editor Mike was for us and how respected he was among members of our city, county and state governments, developers and business owners. Long-time New Tampa Community Council Board member and Hunter’s Green Neighborhood Watch coordinator Carol Poland told me after hearing the news that she could, “always count on Mike to get the real story and get the word out for this community.” Carol couldn’t make it to the “celebration,” but our insurance man Tom Higgins did join us at Skinny’s Sports Bar on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel. Tom and Mike spoke often about his health and insurance issues, but even Tom didn’t know Mike was so near the end. Bucky, Skinny’s co-owner who had played pool with Mike for years, was happy to have the celebration at his

establishment and Ken, Skinny’s coowner and the owner of Santo’s Italian Grill in the same plaza, provided delicious food (wings, pasta, salad and garlic bread) for us. I so appreciate both of them for their graciousness and hospitality. If not for them, I might never have met Mike’s mom Betty, his sister Deborah, her husband Bart, Mike’s friend Kevin, Kevin’s mom Veronica and Mike’s friend Kathy or gotten to share stories about our respective relationships with Mike. In addition to working together, Mike and I had many other things in common. We’re both trivia buffs who had tried out, unsuccessfully, for “Jeopardy.” We both have written unpublished children’s books, poems and other non-news materials. And we we’re both big music lovers. Mike didn’t start as managing editor with me. He began, as is my new full-time employee, Sean Bowes (see Sean’s first stories for us in this issue), as “news reporter” and quickly worked his way up to news editor and managing editor. Sean indeed has some very big shoes to fill. Long-time freelance correspondent Melissa O’Brien, who was devastated by the news of Mike’s passing, perhaps summed it up best: “I can just picture him on a mountain road, cranking some great tunes!” Rest in peace, Mike.

“Hurricane” Continued from page 1 • Gather Food Supplies: Stocking up on water, canned foods and dried meats and nuts are a good idea, but don’t forget things like manual can openers, juice boxes and whole grain crackers which make a nice substitute for bread. • Know Your Escape Route: Plan an evacuation route and triple-check that all family members know the plan. Also, having the address and phone number of an out-of-area friend is a wise idea in case anyone is separated. If you have pets, check ahead to see if your plans accommodate them. • Disaster Equipment: Items like camping stoves, gas generators (which should never be operated indoors or garages), and fully-equipped first-aid kits seem like expensive investments, however it could pay off greatly if there is a power outage for an extensive amount of time. • Protecting Your Home: Placing an “X” in duct tape across your large windows is not going to be enough if you plan on riding out a storm with 111 mph or higher winds (Category 3 or higher). Applying hurricane shutters, bracing garage doors and removing anything on your patio that could

potentially become airborne is crucial. • Know Your Insurance: Flooding is not typically covered in homeowners insurance. Check with your insurance company to find out what your coverage includes. With any luck, this hurricane season will be as quiet for the Bay area as it has been the last 8 seasons, but it would be smart to start storing supplies now to avoid any headaches in the future. You can also sign up for Hillsborough County’s Emergency Service Email to keep you informed with safety tips and storm updates. And in case you were wondering, the first five named storms for the 2011 season will be called: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, and Emily.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Keeps Carpet One Helps You Fall In Love With Your Home Again By Melissa O’Brien There truly are many spectacular homes in Florida, including many in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas. They are well-built and, in some of the very first communities to be developed here, the neighborhoods are still as beautiful today as they were 20 years ago. Inside, however, some of those homes may need a little updating — a chance to have a fresh new look to make you fall in love with your house all over again. Keeps Carpet One, located on S.R. 54 on the border between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, can help you give your home a fresh, new look. “We are a flooring and carpet store but also much more,” says owner Leslie Egan. “We offer our clients design services for the entire home, including window treatments such as blinds and plantation shutters, as well as wallpaper, area rugs and a large selection of tile products. Our customers like our accountability and the fact that we take pride in all the work that we do.” Keeps Carpet One is family owned and operated and has been in business for 21 years. As a co-op of the worldwide Carpet One, Egan says the store receives all of the high-quality, brand-

name products like Relax, Tigressa, Bigelow, Resista Soft Style, Hanover Hills Hardwood, Rustic River Hardwood, and Mirror Lake Laminate. According to its website, Carpet One has enormous buying power and partnerships with all of the major brands, mills and manufacturers. “Unlike some other big-box stores who contract out their installers, all of our installers are in-house and many of our employees have worked here for years,” says Egan, who owns the business with her husband Scott. The Egans bought the store from the Keeper family in 2008. “This gives our customers peace of mind — knowing that we are accountable for the services we offer and and that they can rely on us to fix something should there ever be a problem.” Egan says she wants the people of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa to know that Keeps Carpet One is there to help and offer the best service possible. “There are not many places in the area that offer the services and variety of flooring and decorative treatments that we do,” she says. “We also have a number of guarantees available, at different price points, that would allow you to have the carpet installed, and if you don’t like it after a certain period of

time, you can still replace it with something else. We also offer a lot of ‘green’ carpeting and materials. We also take great pride in the fact that we recycle padding and cardboard boxes.” Egan says that in addition to “green-friendly” carpet, Keeps also offers carpets that There’s a tremendous selection of carpet from which to choose at are guaranteed to Keeps Carpet One on S.R. 54, just a few miles east of BBD. never stain. “You can pour flooring selections, window treatments bleach or wine on them and they won’t and even new wallpaper that would stain,” she says. “For example, Lee’s look good on your walls. Egan says all Carpet is made of corn and is guaranestimates are free and Spanger’s prices teed to never crush or stain. It is a very are very competitive. unique fiber. We also offer a Dura As far as styles go, Egan says wallCeramic tile. It looks like tile, but can paper is coming back, “with a be installed right over your existing tile. vengeance. There are some really aweIt’s easier on the legs and a lot warmer some wallpapers with textures — some than standard tile and is guaranteed are very modern and look like leather never to crack or chip.” or suede,” she says. “But, we still have In addition to flooring services, tried-and-true styles that will appeal to Keeps Carpet One also offers design everyone. When we go to decorating services from designer Debra Spanger. shows, we find that a lot of wallpaper is Debra can come to your home and coming back into style.” offer you suggestions and ideas for “Plantation shutters also are some-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

thing that can add value and a classier look to your home,” continues Egan. “They look great from the road and they are easier than blinds to clean. Plus, they cut down on UV light coming into the home.” The showroom at Keeps Carpet One is about 4,000 sq. ft. with another 1,500 sq. ft. for storage. “We have samples of everything,” says Egan, who encourages people to check out the samples and take them home. Karen Harwell, who lives in Zephyrhills, says she has been using Keeps Carpet One’s services for about 12 years. “The sales department is very professional and helpful,” Harwell says. “They always have given me suggestions and I have never had a problem with what they suggest. I have had them install carpeting and vinyl flooring and it has always been a smooth process. They have done every room in my house. When a company has been there for years and years, it says something about them.” William Williams, who lives in Chapel Pines in Wesley Chapel, found Keeps Carpet One because he drove by the showroom every day for about a month on his way to his new home. “We bought a new house that needed new flooring,” he says. “The staff was extremely helpful, with no high-pressure sales. They showed you

Laminate and wood flooring options also abound at Keeps Carpet One. the warranties they offer and I decided on what we wanted. And, the price was reasonable.” He adds, “When the installers came to my house, they were on time all the time and stayed late and cleaned up everything. The foreman answered all of my questions , they left all the carpet remnants, and I was very happy with the process. For anyone who is looking for good carpets or flooring, you will know that you are buying quality product and workmanship there.” Keeps Carpet One is located at 34120 S.R. 54 W, in Wesley Chapel. For more info about the company’s products and services, visit KeepsCarpetOneZephyrhills.com or call 782-6712. The store is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Summer Of 2011 Movies — More Blockbusters Than Ever Before? wobbles around once more as Jack Sparrow in this installment of “Pirates,” available in 3D in some theatres. Sparrow joins female pirate Angelica (Penélope Cruz) on an epic journey for the search of the fountain of youth, along the way running into the infamous buccaneer, Blackbeard.

By Sean Bowes The summer heat is here, and everyone is looking for a way to keep cool. So, hit the movie theatres, stop by the concession stand for popcorn and cold refreshments, and enjoy some of the hot new movie releases in the area while you chill out.

“The Hangover Part II”

(R) – The sequel to the raunchy, liquor-and-drug filled 2009 comedy, Hangover II features the same crude humor from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and the loveable Zach Galifianakis. This film should be worth watching for some unforgettable scenes, but leave the kids at home.

“X-Men: First Class” is being hailed as one of the best comic book movies ever and is already raking in big bucks at the box office.

“X-Men: First Class” (PG-13) – Since opening on June

3, this comic book action flick has received positive reviews from film critics worldwide and is definitely a hit at the box office, too. Rottentomatoes.com has rated this prequel to the X-Men chronicle 4.4 out of 5 stars. Directed by Mathew Vaughn, and starring an all-star cast of mutants and scientists, this movie promises answers to the questions from the previous X-Men films, while keeping up with plenty of “The Hangover Part II” is another riotous romp, this super-hero vioence and action. time in Bangkok, instead of Vegas.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (PG-13) – Johnny Depp

“Fast Five” (PG-13) – The fifth installment of the “Fast and Furious” series, starring once again Vin Diesel and Paul Walker as they blaze through the streets in muscle cars. This time the duo are hiding from authorities in Rio de Janeiro See “Movies” on page 52.

Paul Walker (left) and Vin Diesel take over the streets of Rio in “Fast Five,” the fifth installment of the “Fast and Furious” action series.

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Presenting Our Exclusive 2011 Local Summer Camp Guide! AAP Fitness

Looking for “family friendly” fun this summer that also offers you and your children a great way to get active? AAP Fitness offers AAP Fit Camps! These are a great family activity and are a wonderful way to get your child involved in healthy exercise! The camps are for children 8 and older with their parents! Visit AAPFitness.com for more information and our class schedule!

Academy At The Lakes

Full- and half-day summer camps for kids ages 3-Grade 9, with one-week sessions June 20-August 5. Join Academy at the Lakes for a summer of fun that includes: arts & crafts, cheerleading, cooking, dance, drama, field trips, music, photography, sports, academic reviews, and much more! To register, call 948.7600 or visit AcademyattheLakes.org/campus-life/ summer-program for an online brochure.

America’s Ballet School

Dance all through summer 2011! Join ABS this July and August for special camps, workshops and intensives as well as the continuing adult ballet classes and Saturday pre-ballet classes. Princess Dance Camp: July 11-15, July 25-29, Aug. 8-12. For ages 3-6, to explore princess stories through ballet and movement, creating a unique dance they will share with parents on Friday. International Summer Intensive: Aug. 1-20; A program for serious dancers ages 12 and up, to study with a world-renowned faculty that allows for the dancers’ artistic and technical growth. For more info, call 558-0800 or email americasballet@gmail.com.

Camp IDS 2011

For the 15th consecutive summer, Independent Day School-Corbett Campus (IDS-CC) will host one of the largest summer camps in the Tampa Bay area. Divided into seven weekly sessions from June 20 to July 29, Camp IDS 2011 will offer more than 70 different full-day and half-day camps in a broad array of fields – academic, communications and technology, performing arts, visual arts, recreation and sports. Free morning extended care: 7:15 a.m.-8 a.m. After-camp care also available, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Bus transportation also available. IDS-CC is located at 12015 Orange Grove Dr., Tampa 33618; Call 961-3087 or visit IDSYes.com/camp-ids.html.

Camp Seal

Now providing a fantastic aquatic camp program for children ages 4-12. Each camp week will center on a theme where your child will enjoy a variety of activities such as swim lessons, recreational swimming, outdoor sports, indoor games, arts and crafts and much, much more! Each child will receive personal attention from our talented and dedicated profes-

Family Of Christ Christian School/CDC Summer Camp

Soccer Fun & Games- August 1-5, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Ages 5-12) For more information visit our website at FusionFutbol.com.

sional camp staff that will encourage them to develop their imaginations and individual abilities while enhancing their selfesteem. For more information, call Melanie at 229-7946 or visit CampSeal.net.

The Family of Christ Christian School and Child Development Center Summer Camp will have weekly themes that include outside games & athletics, computers, arts & crafts, cooking projects and age-appropriate field trips. We have certified teachers on hand, offer full- & part-time programs and offer multi-child discounts. Separate groups for: Kindergarten, 1st-3rd grades, and 4th-8th grades. We also offer: Summer VPK, 3 & 4-year-old Summer PreK. For more information, call 558.9343, ext. 10. A downloadable brochure is available at: FamilyofChrist Tampa.com/summercamp.

Carrollwood Day School

Fusion Futbol Soccer Camps

Hunter’s Green Country Club Camps

Even the youngest kids can learn to swim at Camp Seal!

Carrollwood Day School (CDS)’s 2011 Summer Camps & Enrichment programs are available now and are for campers entering 1st grade-12th grade. Each camp session is one-week long, and are running each week through August 1. CDS offers an array of camps, from sports to art to robotics, so there is sure to be something perfect for your child. All camps are $150 or $250 per week! Sign up today at CarrollwoodDay School.org. The camp information and forms can be found under Quicklinks or Community. If you have any questions, please contact the Camp Director, Donna Holyman, at dholyman@carrollwoodday school.org or call 920-2288.

Each camp is designed to develop the technical aspects of each player’s game. Some camps are designed for more intensive training, while others focus on enhancing the player’s love of the game. All of the camps are designed to meet the developmental needs of each player, ranging from the youngest recreational player to the aspiring player who wishes to play at a higher level. Each day the players are given an opportunity to go to the pool, which will be supervised by a certified lifeguard. Summer Camp 2- July 11-15, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Ages 5-15)

HALO Academy Camp

The HALO (Hope, Achieve, Learn, Overcome) Academy, located at Grace Episcopal Church on mberky Dr. in Tampa Palms, is offering a unique blend of academics, enrichment and summer fun, with morning and afterschool care available. HALO promise to offer each camper “Hands-on projects that will intrigue and excite the mind for only $35 per day or $160 per week. For more info, call 316-6171 or visit HaloAcademy.com.

Come join Hunter’s Green Country Club for a summer filled with excitement. We are offer a variety of amazing activities for campers every week! Kid’s Choice Activities include: Fun Fridays with wii, moonwalk and waterslide time. NEW 2011 Themed Tracks: Cooking classes, golf, cheerleading, flag football, volleyball, nature, film club, soccer, dance & basketball. Additional Daily Activities: Daily swimming, music, group games, movies, arts & crafts & much more. Afternoon Snack included! Field trips and special

Discovery Point

Discovery Point Seven Oaks is an award-winning center providing care for children of all ages. Our summer camp features fun-filled activities, including weekly field trips, water-play days, cooking activities, art and crafts and more. Reading and other educational curriculum will be incorporated in a fun and creative way. Our camp is separated into age specific groups to ensure that all of our kids have a summer to remember! FLEXIBLE days and hours can be custom designed to meet YOUR family needs. Please stop in for a tour (we’re located behind Sam’s Club) or call 994-2700 for more information.

Excel Music

Excel Music, located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd., is offering three outstanding one- and two-week camps for kids as young as age 4. For kids ages 12 & up, Excel has three one-week (starting July 11) “Rock Band” camps. Also starting July 11, for ages 5-18, is a two-week (Mon.-Fri.) “Musical Theater Showcase.” And, for ages 4 & up, Excel has a one-week “Group Violin” camp July 25-29. And, private lessons are available all summer long at Excel. For more information, call 9911177 or visit ExcelMusic.us.

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guests will be added fun for all! (Additional fees will be applied for field trips and will be based on group rates. Exact locations, dates, guests & costs will be announced in May.) For more info, call 474-7285.

Master Academy Tae Kwon Do

Help your child build a strong mind, positive character and good physical health this summer with Master Academy’s Tae Kwon Do Summer Camp. The Academy offers physical fitness, summer enrichment, affordable field trips and unique in-house projects. Students are eligible to enroll weekly, monthly or for the entire summer. Register early and receive $20 off registration and 10-percent off weekly fees. For more info, visit MasterAcademyTKD.com. or call 978-9696. Master Academy Tae Kwon Do is located at 14515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of Tampa Palms.

MB Sports Camps

MB Sports Camps are Nike-sponsored sports camps with professional training for beginners, intermediates and advanced players in Tennis, Soccer, Golf, Lacrosse, Volleyball, and Softball. MBSC’s coaches all have many years of experience and the programs are ideal for campers trying to make travel teams, play more tournaments, or the young beginner who wants to learn more about the general skills of their sport. Campers train 5-6 hours per day and have the option of attending fun evening activities like: Bowling, Laser Tag, and more. For more information, contact Maria by email at maria@mbsportscamps.com or call 1-(800) 836-6473.

New Tampa Dance Theatre NTDT is offering its popular and exciting Summer Program for the beginner through advanced student, ages 3adult, June 20-30 (Mon.-Fri.) with 1-3week options available. There are multiple programs from which to choose: half- & full-day camps exploring the creative world of dance, Intensives designed for the serious student, and daily afternoon or evening classes for all ages. Each program allows students the opportunity to participate in a variety of classes, as NTDT is

equally proficient in multiple artforms (classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop and creative movement). For more information, visit New TampaDanceTheatre.com or call 994NTDT(6838). Contact: Dyane ElkinsIronWing, Artistic Director.

New Tampa YMCA Camps

Summer camps at the New Tampa Family YMCA focus on nurturing the potential of children and helping them grow in spirit, mind and body. We encourage fun and friendship and provide the opportunity for young people to build self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills and make lasting memories. Summer camps are offered at 12 Tampa Metro YMCA locations, but the New Tampa Family YMCA offers full-day camps with field trips each week or half-day specialty camps including preschool, volleyball, basketball, soccer, flag football, art, drama, cheerleading, teen camp and more! Visit TampaYMCA.org for more information or contact the New Tampa Family YMCA at 866-9622.

PROtential Sports Camp

Do your kids like sports and being outdoors? If so, they’re going to love our summer camp! We offer hands-on instruction for Golf, Tennis, Basketball, Swimming, Football, Volleyball, Baseball, Soccer, Horseback Riding, Lacrosse & Recreation Games for ages 5 – 15. Our staff includes present & former pro and collegiate athletes (NFL, NCAA, etc.). Field trips to Build a Bear, Laser Tag, Busch Gardens, Waterskiing, Bowling & More; Golf taught by the Rick Bradshaw & Jim Dent School of Golf. Full summer and weekly programs available. Fee: $120/week. For more information, call 8439460 or visit ProtentialSports.com.

Wendy Rice’s ‘Summer Camp For Your Brain’

If your child has ADD or ADHD, Dr. Wendy Rice, Psy.D., of Rice Psychology Group, is offering two “Summer Camp for your Brain” sessions this summer (June 20-July 14 & July 18-August 11) that can help kids with “learning differences” think effectively, focus better and remember more. Classes are held in Carrollwood & South Tampa, Mon.Thur., 9 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. For more info, call 969-3878 or visit RicePsychologyGroup.com.

USF Soccer Camps

East Lake and Fishhawk Ranch in Lithia. Reserve your spot today and register online at USFSoccerCamps.com and BullsSoccerCamps.com.

You Do The Dishes

If your child loves art, then this summer camp is for you! You Do the Dishes in the Shoppes at Amberly in Tampa Palms is now offering Art Fest 2011 for children ages 7-13. Workshops will be held Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. during the following dates: June 20-24 & June 27-July 1; July 11-15, 18-22, 25-29; and Aug. 1-5. The cost is $200 per session, which includes all materials. Children should bring their own snacks and lunch. Space is limited and advance sign-up is necessary! For info, call 975-1700 or visit You Do The Dishes (15357 Amberly Dr., off BBD in Tampa Palms) or YouDoTheDishes.com.

George Kiefer’s USF Soccer Camps and Denise Schilte-Brown’s Bulls Soccer Camps have established themselves as one of the premier soccer camps in the Southeast region, for all skill levels, with 10 summer camp locations throughout Florida for male and female players of all ages. Day and overnight camps will be offered at the USF Campus in Tampa and additional day camps will be offered at the following satellite locations: Fort Walton Beach/Destin, Clearwater, Largo, Wesley This summer, you can draw (pun intended) out the artist Chapel, Westchase, Brandon, Gainesville, in your child at You Do The Dishes in Tampa Palms.

Terrace Community Middle School Camps

Full- and half-day camps for 6th-8th graders. One week sessions run June 20July 14, Monday-Thursday, $75-$85 per half-session. Join us for ceramics, photography, zumba, music, sports, academic review, computer classes and more. To register or for more info, visit TCMSTornadoes. com/slam.

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Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition — For Great Smoothies & More! By Camille Gillies When you’re in the smoothie, tanning and nutrition business, it’s hard to find a better location than being situated next to a popular fitness center. This was never more apparent than on a recent visit to Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition, when several workout-clad men and women bellied up to the fashionable smoothie bar to place their proteinpacked orders. Without a moment’s hesitation, these well-toned customers made their requests, rattling off exactly what they wanted, obviously regular patrons of the establishment. This welcoming father-and-son business, located in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza next to Lifestyle Family Fitness in Tampa Palms, is owned by the Granda family — father and son both named Gil. These Tampa natives cater to health-conscious consumers who enjoy staying in shape and nourishing their bodies with fresh, vitaminfilled ingredients. Whether you are gearing up for a workout or cooling down from one, Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutri-

tion blends specialized ingredients to optimize your athletic performance. “If it’s a preworkout shake, we may include a supplement like Creatine that feeds the muscles,” the elder Granda explains. “If it’s post-workout, we will make a recovery shake to replace nutrients you may have lost during exercise.” Tampa Smoothie also offers weight gain, weight loss and energy smoothies, tapping into the shop’s vast assortment of supplements to achieve different effects. If you are trying to eat healthy on the run, Granda recommends a meal replacement shake, which compensates for protein, fiber and vitamins that are contained in a typical meal. He said that the business, unlike most smoothie bars, features fresh fruit instead of sugary, fruit-flavored syrups. “Our fruit is purchased fresh, then sliced, frozen and thawed, creating its own natural juices,” Granda

There are so many great smoothie choices at Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms that it can be difficult to choose. says. Non-fat milk is often used as the to accomplish and one reason is due smoothie base but customers may opt to the home cook’s equipment. for fruit juices if they prefer. “Our blenders are made specifi“The goal of a smoothie is to cally for smoothies,” Granda stresses. achieve the taste and consistency of a “They crush the ice and fruit into the milk shake,” he says. If you’ve ever creamy consistency you want in a made a smoothie at home, you know smoothie.” He notes that the current the correct consistency can be difficult customer favorite is the strawberry-

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(L. to r.) In addition to this traditional tanning bed, Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition also offers stand-up tanning. The lounge area is clean and comfortable. The store offers many specials, including two free tans when you buy a bottle of tanning lotion. banana smoothie, a cool, fruity and guilt-free treat guaranteed to satisfy your shake craving. Because the store also specializes in nutritional supplements, Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition also offers a variety of protein powders, including such interesting flavors as cookies-and-cream, cake batter and mocha. For those who like their smoothies plain, protein may be omitted, but Tampa Smoothie — unlike many smoothie shops, according to Granda — does not charge extra for

protein powder. And the added protein helps satiate your hunger for a longer period of time. All of the shop’s smoothies are made to order and if your favorite combination is not on the menu, Granda promises to make it to suit your preferences. A rule of thumb the owners enforce, he says, is having customers taste before they pay. “We will change it or redo it,” he was overheard telling a customer, after proclaiming his taste rule. Once your healthy concoction is

in hand, you can take it to go or hang out at a table within the brightly lit yellow,-and-brown space. Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition is a pleasant spot, with stainless steel ceiling fans spinning from exposed black duct work and a lounge area equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi and a flatscreen television. Beyond the smoothie counter and cozy lounge area is the tanning salon, which offers three stand-up beds for nine-minute quick tans and a traditional horizontal bed for a more

relaxed experience. Granda says that plans also are in the works to offer spray tanning, the newest tanning trend. Granda assures that the tanning bulbs are changed frequently and the beds are sanitized after each use. Disposable eye protection or goggles also is offered. Tanning packages are available, as well as special discounts for college students and those with military, law enforcement and firefighter IDs. A reward program offered to smoothie regulars. For example, the Plum Reward program gets you half off your first smoothie and a free smoothie after your tenth purchase. Tampa Smoothie, Tanning & Nutrition, located at 15309 Amberly Dr., Ste. A, is open Monday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday -Thursday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; and from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. on Saturday. Call 866-4328 or visit TampaSmoothie.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Bay Newcomers Honor Breast Cancer Pillowmaker By Gary Nager

other fun activities, as well as amazing sushi and hibachi grill specialties created by Sushi Tsu’s talented chefs. But, the highlight of the afternoon was definitely seeing Azilee’s appreciation for being so honored during the luncheon. Mays actually brought her pillow to the luncheon so Azilee could sign it for her. “Vonda had tears in her eyes because she was so happy to finally meet the woman who helped her feel so much better,” says Davis. “After the luncheon, mother told me, ‘Susan, I just felt like the belle of the ball,’” Cannon told Davis following the event. “I told her to tell Azilee that she is the belle of the ball,” Davis said, adding that Joanne’s Fabrics, which carries the fabric Azilee uses to make the pillows, “is definitely interested in her pattern. We think it would be just wonderful to be able to offer the pattern at Joanne’s Fabrics stores all across the country, so mastectomy patients at other cancer centers could have a pillow, too.” Rodriguez agrees, saying that “The motto of the Tampa Bay Newcomers is ‘Bloom Where You’re Planted.’ What better way to do that than to be able to provide something so wonderful for women who really need these pillows?” Tampa Bay Newcomers was founded in 1952 to extend the hand of friendship for women who are new to the Tampa Bay area. The club is both a social and community service organization. Monthly luncheons are

If you’ve ever known anyone who has had a mastectomy due to breast cancer, you know how difficult it can be for them following that surgery. Well, when a member of the Tampa Bay Newcomers, a Bay areawide social group with nearly 240 members (many of whom live and work in the New Tampa area) which meets regularly for coffees, luncheons and other events, had one of their own dealing with this trauma, they also heard about an 88-year-old angel of mercy who had created and sewn more than 1,200 specially-designed pillows for mastectomy patients at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer & research Center, Tampa Bay Newcomers past president Diana Davis suggested that the group honor this sweet South Carolina resident. “It’s an unbelievable story, actually,” says Davis. “Our member, Vonda Mays, had received one of the pillows while she was at Moffitt. And she told my son, John Kiluk, M.D., who is a breast cancer surgeon at Moffitt, that the pillow was just perfect for supporting her following her surgery. My son said that the mother of a nurse at Moffitt was the woman who had sewn all of these beautiful pillows.” Registered Nurse Susan Cannon’s mother, Azilee Fagan, age 88, designed the pattern for the pillow and had personally sewn 1,200 of them the last several years for patients at Moffitt. So, Davis contacted current Newcomers president Marilia Rodriguez to suggest that the group honor this seemingly fragile lady to the group’s recent luncheon at Sushi Tsu Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms. And, Becky Nolan, a member of the Newcomers’ own “Stitchery Group,” got her group to sew 80 of the pillows and present them to Fagan at the luncheon. I have to say that the Newcomers are definitely a fun group of ladies. The luncheon at Sushi Tsu, hosted by owners A.J. and Tonya, featured line-dancing Line dancing, anyone? The Tampa Bay Newcomers demonstrations and have all kinds of fun at their events!

Diana Davis (left, standing), Tampa Bay Newcomers president Marilia Rodriguez (right, standing) and (l. to r., seated) stitchery group member Becky Nolan honored South Carolina resident Azilee Fagan and her daughter (and Moffitt Cancer Center nurse) Susan Cannon at a recent Newcomers luncheon held at Sushi Tsu Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in Tampa Palms. held throughout the Tampa Bay area day, June 28, but you have to be a Newcomers member to attend. and feature local speakers. For membership and other The next club function is fashion show and luncheon at Nordstrom’s in info, visit TampBayNewcomers. com or call Beverly at 907-9464. the International Plaza mall on Tues-

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‘Summer Staycations’ — The Boca Raton Resort & Club! By Gary Nager Although I absolutely adore our local Gulf coast beaches, as a native New Yawka who grew up body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean, it’s still a great getaway for me to be able to spend some quality time enjoying the sun, sand and surf of the Atlantic coast, especially when I find an absolute palace of a place less than a four-hour drive from New Tampa. The Boca Raton Resort & Club, a Waldorf-Astoria Resort, is one of the oldest and most spectacular resorts in Florida, having been added to and renovated many times in the 80 years the resort has been situated in its idyllic location. It was famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner who envisioned “the world’s most architecturally beautiful playground,” a dream that took form in 1926 with the opening of the Cloister Inn. A splendid building in the gracious Mediterranean style, the Cloister Inn acted as a residence for Mizner and his beloved pet monkey Johnnie Brown, as well as a haven for its illustrious roster of glamorous guests. Over decades, the Cloister Inn evolved into the Boca Raton Resort & Club, a quintessential Florida retreat that has played host to countless celebrities and public figures seeking a private enclave of luxury.

A Little Histor y Lesson

The original 100-room Cloister Inn opened on n February 6, 1926, as the most expensive 100-room hotel of its day. In 1928, the Cloister Inn is purchased by Philadelphia magnate Clarence Geist and expands to include the former Cabana Club and a new golf course. In 1930, after a whopping (especially at that time) $8 million in renovations, the Cloister Inn re-opens as the Boca Raton Club and is run as a private club until Geist’s death in 1938. In 1940, U.S. Army Air Corps trainees occupy the resort during World War II, citing the property as “the most elegant barracks in history.” In 1944, real estate and theater entrepreneur J. Meyer Schine buys the club for just $3 million and opens it as the Boca Raton Hotel and Club. In 1956, Arthur Vining Davis, the former CEO of Alcoa, buys the hotel and surrounding property for $22.5 million. In 1969, Davis’ namesake company Arvida Corp. begins a $14 million expansion, adding the 27-story tower, golf villas and a conference center to serve business needs as well as leisure travelers. In 1980, the Boca Beach Club replaces the old Cabana Club, a $20-million addition set on half a mile of private Atlantic Ocean beach. In 1988, the property becomes known as the Boca Raton Resort &

The guest rooms in every part of the Boca Raton Resort & Club are spacious and elegantly appointed.

The Marina and rear view of the beautiful Boca Raton Resort & Club. Club and acquires the Boca Country Club, comprising luxury homes and condominiums, a golf course, tennis courts, fitness center and dining facilities. In 1991, the Boca Raton Resort & Club undergoes an $11 million renovation. In 1996, a $10 million tennis and fitness center opens as construction begins on the Mizner Center. In 1997, Blockbuster Video magnate H. Wayne Huizenga and Florida Panther Holdings Inc., now Boca Resorts Inc., buy the resort for $325 million. The Resort Golf Course undergoes a $6.5 redesign by famed golf architect Gene Bates. The following year, the Mizner Meeting and Conference Center opens. In 2000, the Grand Piazza is completed, including the beautiful Bar Luna and Italian ristorante Lucca. In 200, the resort unveils the magnificent Spa Palazzo, a sanctuary of health and well-being in an exquisite building modeled after Spain’s Alhambra Palace. In 2002, the luxurious, eight-story Yacht Club opens with an exclusive 32slip marina at the Club’s base. In 2003, Salon di Palazzo opens; new golf practice and croquet greens debut. In 2004, an affiliate of the Blackstone Group purchases the Resort for $1.2 billion. Yet another refurbishment of the Resort begins in 2005 with a new lobby, redesigned rooms and the

opening of the Boca Bungalows and Cielo restaurants. And in 2007-08, there was ongoing expansion and redesign of the Resort, including the Beach Club, the new Palm Court restaurant, a new sushi bar by Masaharu Morimoto of “Iron Chef” fame and New York City’s renowned Serendipity.

A Sea Of Great Eateries

Between the main resort, the Beach Club and the Boca Country Club, the Boca Raton Resort & Club features no fewer than 14 incredible restaurants and bars, including everything from the freshest seafood and prime steaks to the famed frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3. You can enjoy a buffet or cooked-to-order breakfast at the Palm Court, superb Mediterranean cuisine in the upscale Cielo, located on the 27th floor of the Tower, the best sushi in town at Morimoto, a casual oceanside atmosphere featuring contemporary seafood at the Seagrille restaurant at the Beach Club and so much more. Unfortunately, my stay at the Resort was only one day and night, so I can only tell you that the casual 501 East and sophisticated Tuscan cuisine of Lucca were both wonderful. I also got a chance to watch a Lightning playoff game in the beautiful Bar Luna. I will

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have to go back to sample the Resort’s too-numerous-to-name-them-all fine and casual dining options.

How About Some Playtime? The Resort features two championship 18-hole golf courses, a total of 30 tennis courts (18 at the resort and 12 at the Country Club), bicycle rentals, indoor basketball, fully-stocked fitness centers, chess, checkers, croquet, historical tours, lots of activities for the kids at “Camp Boca,” about a dozen shops, multiple pools (I stayed in a spectacular room on the 14th floor of the tower, so the Tower Pool was the most accessible for me), power boat and waverunner rentals, fishing, boating (including stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and even boogie boards), catamarans, parasailing and there’s even big-screen movies and a half-day Everglades airboat tour. But, my favorite activity had to be hopping aboard “Mizner’s Dream,” a comfortable ferry boat ride from the main resort to the Beach Club. I got in a little body surfing, soaked up the sun and thoroughly enjoyed my day at the beautiful white sand Boca Beach Club.

Spa Ser vices, Too

Although I didn’t have time to enjoy any of its services, I heard many of the visitors to the Boca Raton Resort raving about Spa Palazzo. As beautiful

I’ve never been to Spain’s Alhambra Palace, but I feel like I have after seeing the magnificent Spa Palazzo at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. If you’re looking for an unmatched place to relax and enjoy outstanding salon and spa services, this is your place!

as it looks from the outside, this “sanctuary of peace and tranquility” is equally spectacular inside, offering everything from licensed massages to facials, baths, wraps and other salon and spa services. You can even make an appointment to get a safe spray-on tan! In other words, I definitely plan to return to the Boca Raton Resort & Club and I definitely suggest you check it out, too, especially this summer, when the rates are low and you and your family or that special someone may just be looking for a little summer “staycation.” The Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldor f-Astoria Resort, is located at 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For reser vations,

You can take a ferry ride on “Mizner’s Dream” to and from the Boca Beach Club to enjoy the sun, sand and lots of water-based activities. directions and more information, including some outrageous package

prices, call (888) 543-1277 or visit BocaResort.com.

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900º Woodfired Pizza Truly Has Something For Everyone! By Gary Nager There’s an old saying that says you shouldn’t try to be all things to all people, but it’s still nice to find local restaurants with something delicious for just about everyone. Case in point: The new 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass mall. If someone in your family loves New York-style pizza, this sparkling new eatery has got you covered. But, if someone else feels like trying true Neapolitan-style thincrust pizza baked in just a couple of minutes in a 900º (Fahrenheit) authentic Italian wood-burning oven, 900º Woodfired Pizza is the only pizza restaurant equipped with both types of pizza ovens — a traditional NY pizza oven and a wood-burning Neapolitan one. In addition, as their names indicate, 900º Woodfired Pizza owners Roberto Maganuco (who also owns Caffé 365 Italiano in the mall) and Steve Falabella are both real Italians and New Tampa residents who also offer a variety of outstanding pastas (served properly al denté without

(Above) If you’ve never tried an authentic woodfired Neapolitan-style pizza, visit 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass mall! (Right) Co-owner Roberto Maganuco is proud to use only the best and freshest ingredients imported from his native Italy. ordering it that way), delicious salads, sandwiches, calzones, wings and more — all at very fair prices. “We use only the best ingredients here,” says Roberto. “Real Bufala mozzarella, real San Marzano tomatoes, the finest Antico Molino Caputo flour from Napoli (Naples) and the best and freshest toppings. And, we adhere to the standards set forth by the Association Verace Pizza Nepoletana (VPN) for our woodfired pizzas.”

(Note-The VPN promotes the art of pizza making as it has been done in Naples for 200+ years.) The restaurant may not look very different from most other pizza places, despite its vaulted ceilings and immaculate appearance) but it’s really also an outstanding Italian ristorante. As you walk in, several varieties of New York-style pizza pies are on display and sold by the slice, usually

including “Grandma’s Pizza,” a thinner-crusted square pie than your traditional Sicilian-style square (with that delicious pizza sauce on top of the cheese and topped with baked onions), at least one “white” pie with fresh tomatoes and basil, but no sauce, plus other favorites like

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The list of antipasti, pastas and calzones also is impressive, with everything from a traditional Caprese (mozzarella and tomato) salad to Spiedini (fresh mozzarella wrapped in proscuitto di Parma and served on a bed of arugula and cherry tomatoes), a unique bruschetta (woodfired focaccia bread, plum tomatoes, oregano, garThis penne Bolognese is made with fresh mushrooms lic, basil and extra virgin olive oil) and “Il Gran and a savory pink meat sauce and served al denté. Piatto,” a cold antipasto sausage, pepperoni, veggie, etc. Even for two with assorted Italian meats, if you fully intend to enjoy a woodmixed olives, fontina cheese and fired pizza, it’s tough to walk past roasted peppers. these piping-hot pies without samThe pastas are to die for. Seriouspling at least one slice. ly. My favorite so far is the penne Both the scrumptious woodfired bolognese (left), which is loaded with and NY-style pizzas are available with fresh mushrooms and a not-too-heavy everything from the traditional to pink meat sauce, and is one of the truly gourmet toppings like broccoli “Create Your Own Pastas” on the rabe, spicy salami and cherry tomamenu, which means you get to toes. You can even get a 36-inch-long choose from spaghetti, penne or rectangular woodfired “Pizza al tagliatelle (long, flat pasta ribbons Metro” with your choice of toppings similar to, but thinner than. fettucserved on boards (although I haven’t cine). I also enjoyed the “O Spaghetseen one yet). to,” which is spaghetti topped with

cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. I will likely try the “Pesto alla Genovese,” which features fresh basil, crushed garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, pine nuts and extra virgin olive oil. There’s also “polpette” (meatballs), “Pesto alla Siciliano” (tomato sauce, almonds, basil and olive oil), “La Spaghettata” (a big bowl of spaghetti, homemade tomato sauce, green and black olives, capers, chili peppers, garlic, parsley and olive oil) and beef and veal tortellacci with a classic meat sauce...and more! I also have to try the unique calzones and the lime-marinated woodfired chicken wings. When I saw the order at right come out, I had to take a picture of it and I heard at least one customer raving about them. There’s even a pizza and pasta kids menu and a woodfired Nutella dessert pizza available, as well as house red and white wines, Italian Peroni Nastro Azzurro birra (beer) on draft, Heineken, Miller Lite and Amstel Light in bottles, Italian mineral water and Coco-Cola brand fountain drinks. The new 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass

The woodfired wings and focaccia bread look delicious, don’t they? mall (next to Cosi Café and Caffé 365) is open daily for lunch and dinner. For additional information, call 527-6940 or visit 900Woodfired.com.

Do you have a favorite restaurant you’d like to see reviewed in these pages? We’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at NTNNedit@yahoo.com or visit NTNeighborhoodNews.com!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

be missed. In the film, a group of teenagers are shooting their own horror movie when they witness a disastrous train wreck; which they will soon find out was no accident.

“Movies” Continued from page 52

For Great Summer Movies, visit

Muvico Starlight 20 Theater in New Tampa 18002 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. Tampa, FL 33647 813.558.9755 Flip to their ad on page 7 for a “FREE POPCORN” coupon The trailers for “Super 8” never show what is so terrfying to these four young would-be filmmakers.

“Kung Fu Panda 2” (PG) – Available in some theatres in

Can Ryan Reynolds and his power ring (and his fellow Green Lanterns) save the world and deliver at the box office? street races, and car theft. Car buffs and action junkies will get their engines revving from this movie.

3D, this sequel to the original features the voices from Angelina Jolie, Jack Black and Jackie Chan. This time Po (Black) joins other animal kung fu masters to stop an evil villain from taking over the world. The plot may sound tired, but critics confirm that the movie is wildly creative and fun to watch. The International Movie Database (IMDB) gave the film 8.1 out of 10 stars.

“Green Lantern” (NR) – DC Comics fans get a chance to see

if comic actor Ryan Reynolds deserves to wear the green tights and power ring of Hal Jordan, a former Air Force pilot who leads a group of intergalactic freedom fighters against a brilliant super villain. “GL” was being released as this issue reaches you. Expect to be impressed by the film’s 3D effects.

“Super 8” (PG-13) – Produced by legendary Steven Spielberg (Jaws, E.T, Back to the Future), and directed by the up-and-coming director J.J. Adams (Star Trek, Mission Impossible III), “Super 8” is an action-packed thrilled that should not

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • 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 part-time positions: Admin Asst – Human Resources (9a-2p): Advanced Microsoft Office and prior HR Administrative exp. required; ADP Workforce Now Module(s) a plus. Product Labeler (10a-2p): Special Project lasting for approx one year. Must be able to place labels accurately, read small print and lift 30 lbs. Visit our website at www.orthotechnology.com for additional information and other job opportunities. We provide a great work environment and growth potential. Qualified candidates should Submit resumes to careers@orthotechnology.com. Seeking Full-time Physical Therapist for Tampa Palms Outpatient Facility. Please send resume to (813) 994-3080. Part time Medical Assistant. Must have lab/blood draw experience. Wesley Chapel office, family medicine. evening and Saturday hours. Fax resume to 813-994-0085. New Financial Advisors office in Wesley Chapel located in Live Oak is looking for a FT Administrative Assistant. Flexible schedule. Pay range $10-15 per hour. Must have working knowledge of Word and Excel. Must also be able to type 50 wpm. No Smokers. Please e-mail your resume, photo, and contact information to: yourjobposting@yahoo.com. Piano/Voice/Guitar Teachers with Music Degrees & teaching experience wanted. Teaching to begin as soon as possible if you’re selected. We have students in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Lessons given at student's homes. Very Competative Pay Rates. FT/PT available. Kelly Wagner 727-734-3888 Apply at www.pianolessonsinyourhome.com. Part-Time Community Representative. Personable, friendly individual to assist with realtor outreach program for established real estate development. Duties include calling on realtor offices and giving presentations at meetings. Average 8 - 10 hours per week. Create your own schedule. Send resume to csummerson@crown-tampa.com.

COMPUTER SERVICES 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

Classifıeds

adjust the lock or hinge. Replace your garbage disposal, sink or toilet. Clean and vacuum the dryer vent. Remodel your kitchen or bath. Install a kitchen backsplash. Call Joel at (813) 907-9993. FLORIDA FLOOR SYSTEMS INC. COLUMBIA LAMINATE from $2.49SF COLUMBIA WOOD from $4.99SF MOHAWK/SHAW CARPET from $1.99SF MATERIAL, LABOR, INSTALLED CALL DAVID 813-943-4772 FLORIDAFLOORSYSTEMS.COM, FREE ESTIMATES

P E T

CLEANING SERVICES

P O O L

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE. We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, call 758-9710.

ENJOY YOUR POOL, WHILE WE MAINTAIN IT. KJ POOL SERVICE. Servicing pools for over 6 years. FIRST MONTH FREE, PLUS FREE EVALUATION & QUOTE Owner & Operator. LICENSE, BONDED & INSURED. Office: 813.909.9466 Cell: 813.748.9817. kjpoolservice@yahoo.com. Visit our website @ kjpoolonline.com

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. Images Cleaning Svc. Pressure Washing Commercial/Residential, driveways, walks, decks, enclosures & homes. Gutter cleanout, trash removal, move in/out cleaning. 30 years of experience. Starting @ $50. Call Robin @ 813.240.1981. The Happy Hauler - Smith's Cleanup Service Junk Removal, Garage Cleanouts, Small Buildings Torn Down, Above Ground Pools and Playsets Removed. Available for all your hauling needs.Call Don 813-727-6655. CYD PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICES Residential & Commercial – Weekly, Bi-Weekly & Monthly Rates – Flexible Scheduling including weekends. Green Cleaning Solutions available upon request. We provide all cleaning supplies. Quality Cleaning at AFFORDABLE prices/ 5 years Experience. You’ll have the same cleaning professional every time! CALL CATHERINE AT 813-965-4162. Bright Cleaning of Tampa Inc. Residential and Commercial. Free Estimates. We are family owned and operated. Good References upon request. Lowest prices Please call us at (813)562-6772.

L A N D S C A P I N G 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. Call 933-1120 or visit www.EverydayGardenersClub.com Exterior Designers create exterior design transformations. All types of Landscaping, Decorative paintings and Murals, Faux Painting, Mosaic tables, New Sod installed. Catterton Landscaping and Siobhan’s Magical Garden Fairies “The Exterior Design Professionals”. (813) 751-9915 Cattertonlandscape@gmail.com

Need home maintenance? Almost any job, large 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 @ 973-0194 or 727-2582.

LAWN MAINTENANCE

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. FREE ESTIMATES.

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. 907-LAWN

Greg’s Paperhanging. For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate.

B U Y I N G

Home Maintenance - Need help around the house? Install a ceiling fan or light. Fix that sticking door,

Take it to Tampa Palms Hometown Jeweler. Jeweler on staff w/ 35 yrs. exp. Charles Jewelers, 972-4653 (next to Stein Mart on Bruce B. Downs).

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.

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 long. Don’t sell to the fly by night companies.

S I T T I N G

Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye – we say hello. Cats are happiest 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. Insured, bonded, & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit us at www.TampaCatLady.com.

S E R V I C E S

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE - New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! Licensed, Bonded & Insured. CALL CHRIS TODAY @ 813857-5400 or visit WWW.TRANQUILITYPOOLSERVICE.COM to see why we are NEW TAMPA’S # 1 CHOICE! New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. Our technicians follow strict National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) standards. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Service guarantee. Licensed & Insured. Call 813-780-8616 TODAY and get 1 MONTH of POOL SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

LICENSED MOBILE MASSAGE THERAPIST 9am -9pm, Mon, Tues & Wed. $55 for 1 hour! Types of massage available: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aroma Therapy, Hot Stone, Corporate Seated, Pregnancy, Sports & Injury Rehab. References available. www.barkdollmassagetherapy.com CALL 727-372-6389 Lic # MA47546.

R E A L

E S T A T E

PREMIERE TAMPA REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT COMPANY. Purchase Investment Properties From Us At 5060% Of Market! Looking To Deal With Serious Repeat Cash Buyers ONLY! Call BILL Directly For Special Pricing at 813-480-2119 Foreclosure Homes & Bank REO listings by email at www.TampaForeclosuresToday.com. Team Bohannon, Coldwell Banker 813-982-7512

T A I C H I L E S S O N S Tai Chi Classes open to the public at the Club Tampa Palms. Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus and reduced stress. New Beginner 6 week courses starting every few months Thursday evening’s 7-8 pm. space is limited. Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness training and more. With more than 31 years of training and teaching experience. Please contact me for more details. Peter today #787-7560 or E-mail chuan-fa@tampabay.rr.com

O F F I C E

S P A C E

Tired of working out of your house? Is a long commute getting to you? Need space in New Tampa? Cory Lake Professional Center is your answer!!!! Office suite available. 950 Square Feet. Short term / long term options. Call David at 813-494-8654.

S E L L Y O U R S T U F F Turn your clutter into cash! Garage & estate sales, inventory, liquidation, & appraisal services. We'll sell it for you online!We evaluate & appraise your products then get you top dollar. We do the work you get the cash. Ask me how, contact Mary at 813-428-5793.

M U S I C

L E S S O N S

PIANO LESSONS for all ages. MA in Piano Graduated, the Juilliard School Royal British Class Instructor in New York In-House or In-Your-Home Lessons Weekdays or Weekends, $20/half-hour Call: 727-437-9938 piano2001@live.com

B A B Y S I T T E R D R I V I N G S E RV I C E Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at 813-966-1530.

CLASSIFIED RATES 1 issue.........................$35 2 issues........................$50 6 issues.....................$120 26 issues...................$300

BABYSITTER/NANNY is available for sitting jobs. Days, evenings, weekends, overnight/ I also do pet sitting. 973-1216, 220-7030 or hughjul5@aol.com

THESE ARE THE CLASSIFIED ADS YOUR NEIGHBORS READ! CALL DAVE AT 910-2575 TO GET YOUR AD TODAY!

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS CLASSIFIEDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! Visit www.ads.ntneighborhoodnews.com to set up your ad today!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com