New Tampa Neighborhood News Issue 13-16 by Neighborhood News

Volume 24 Issue 13

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What’s New At Café Olé?

June 17, 2016

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Hoop, There It Is: New Tampa Resident Sets A Guinness Record By John C. Cotey Justin Dargahi doesn’t have the smoothest shot around. His form isn’t ideal, his finish isn’t textbook. In fact, you could argue he looks a little awkward as he fires the basketball towards the rim, jumping forward a bit, landing on his right foot. “My shot’s been laughed at all my life,’’ Dargahi says. Until it starts going in, which it almost always does. Swish. Swish. Swish. Dargahi, who lives in Hunter’s Green, is one of the newest entries into the Guinness Book of World Records, for that not-ideal, non-textbook, awkward-motion shot, after he made 26 three-pointers from the NBA range in one minute. Shooting at the top of the key from 23 feet, 9 inches away, Justin broke the old record of 25 threes in a minute held by Oregon’s Dan Loriaux, who also holds the record for most treys made in one hour (1,077) and in 24 hours (10,381). “I told some friends that I set the record, but they just told me to come see them New Tampa resident Justin Dargahi recently made it into the Guinness Book of World Records when it’s official,’’ Justin said, laughing. for making 26 NBA-range (23’-9”) three-point shots in one minute. Well, it’s official. Justin says the record doesn’t sound like the Three-Point Shootout, held during the The former Land O’ Lakes girls basketball assistant coach set the record Jan. 4 much to some, who are convinced that an NBA’s midseason All-Star Weekend, twice. It takes consistency and resilience, Jusin the Land O’Lakes High gymnasium. His NBA player could set it if they tried. But, he record-setting morning, for which he had to says some have, most notably former Boston tin says, and the fortitude to throw up almost file an official application, as well as hiring Celtics All-Star forward Paul Pierce and for- a shot a second. After about 10 shots, most basketball officials and recording the event, mer NBA journeyman and sharpshooter Ja- shooters’ arms grow weary. After 20, they was finally certified by the Guinness Book of son Kapono, who led the NBA in three-point hurt and after 30 the ball gets heavier, and shooting percentage twice and also won the shooting form becomes a bit unraveled. World Records last month.

Also Inside This Issue: News, Business & Sports Updates Montelione Replacements Line Up In District 7, First-Ever U.S. Crystal Lagoon Coming To Wesley Chapel, Skating Facility Hosts Hard Hat Tour, Local Engineer Brings The Chill, New Tampa Rotary Keeps Busy, Prep Teams Wrap Up Spring Football & Local Business Features!

Pages 3-40

Neighborhood Magazine

Local Model Shows Off Looks & Model Behavior, Café Olé Perfects Spanish Cuisine, Girl Scouts Make Their Mark In Tampa Palms & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes!

Pages 41-52

On Justin’s most recent attempt, which was the fifth time he had tried to break the record, he missed his first shot but then made his next six. Halfway there (at 30 seconds), he had 16 makes and only five misses. And, with 7.8 seconds left, Record No. 26 swished through the net. Justin, however, thought he had only made 25. After missing his final four shots, he extended his arms in agony, despite the cheering from the girl basketball players on hand. “We had to make sure and check the video,’’ he said. In all, Justin shot 38 times in 60 seconds, and made 26, for a remarkable 68.4 percent. “It’s a little bit of notoriety, that’s nice,’’ said Dargahi, who works for Future Home Realty, which has six Florida offices, including one in Wesley Chapel. The official Guinness Record certificate now sits over the fireplace in his home, a testament to setting a goal and achieving it. His next shot at fame, he says, may come from the free throw line, where the current record is 52 made in one minute from that 15-foot distance. For Justin, the road to the record books was a natural one. He grew up a shooter, always drawing crowds and breaking records at the pop-a-shot games you find at arcades and theme parks. He first played organized basketball at Tampa Baptist and Tampa’s Cambridge Christian, and had college aspirations. But,

See “Hoops” on page 19.

Former BayNews 9 Reporter Set To Co-Anchor WCNT-tv! As you’re receiving this issue in your mailbox, the first-ever episode of WCNT-tv — the only video news and information program devoted to the residents and businesses of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa and the exclusive webcast partner of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) — is being recorded and is expected to premier on its own Youtube.com channel on Sunday, June 26, 7 p.m. While that announcement itself is pretty amazing, I am even more excited to be able to announce that former Bay News 9 on-air talent Susanna Martinez has agreed to coanchor these webcasts with me. WCNT-tv, which is a partnership between Full Throttle Intermedia and the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, will come to you from the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Studios. Susanna, whose roots are in television journalism, helped launch Bay News 9, the Tampa Bay area’s first 24-hour local news channel. For six years, Susanna worked as

an on-air television news reporter, bringing some of the area’s most significant stories and weather-related news into the homes of millions of viewers throughout the 11th largest media market in the country. Prior to moving to Tampa, Susanna was the main news anchor Susanna Martinez at WKAG-TV 43 in Hopkinsville, KY, where she started her broadcast career. “Like Bay News 9, I think WCNT-tv will create another local phenomenon and I am excited to co-anchor the program with Neighborhood News editor Gary Nager,” says Susanna, who also is the public information officer for the Southwest Florida Water Management District (aka “Swiftmud”). The first news segment Susanna and I will produce will feature a video look inside

the new Florida Hospital Center Ice (see pg. 10), as well as some updates to our now-famous maps of the Wesley Chapel area, each of which have attracted tens of thousands of page views on our Facebook page and thousands of click-throughs to our website. WCNT-tv’s first Wesley Chapel Chamber Featured Business will be VIP Pest Control, which we featured in these pages a couple of issues ago. At our press time, I couldn’t yet announce which restaurant would be the first featured in WCNT-tv’s “Gary’s Neighborhood Dining News” segment, but it will be a delicious visit to an awesome restaurant anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, because of our limited dining options in our local area. For more WCNT-tv information and updates, visit NTNeighborhoodNews. com or see the ad on pg. 38. — GN

In Loving Memory Of Dick Strom An editorial by Gary Nager Somehow, even though he passed away on May 29 and friends and family were invited to be received by his family at a memorial service on June 5, I didn’t find out until June 9 that my friend and Cross Creek resident Dick Strom, 61, had lost his battle with cancer. A friend asked me if I had heard Dick had passed at an event that day and, even though I knew he wasn’t doing well following multiple rounds of chemotherapy, I felt my knees buckle when I heard the news. Kathy, his wonderful wife of 38 years, and Dick didn’t have much time to mourn the passing of their son Patrick, who died in a single-car accident in Hunter’s Green in 2012 before Dick was first diagnosed with cancer. The Stroms and their friends started a nonprofit organization in Patrick’s honor in 2014, called “Trick’s Kicks,” which has held two golf tournaments and other fund raisers, all with the purpose of donating “Kicks” (athletic shoes, which Patrick, who liked to be called “Trick,” loved) to children in need. I reported about the second “Trick’s Kicks” golf event in October of last year and Dick was already battling cancer, where I first met the Stroms’ older son Michael and Michael’s future wife Dee. “Cancer sucks,” Dick told me, “and chemo is really hard on your body. But, I’m not giving up. I have so much to live for.” His only “complaint” or “question?” “If you’re going to take me anyway, God, why did you have to take Patrick first?” One of the events Dick was on hand for was Michael and Dee’s wedding, but since then, he started posting on Facebook

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Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Advertising Sales & Office Manager Mary Dorey Billing Manager Jillian Reilly Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Staff Writer Celeste McLaughlin Correspondents Anu Varma Panchal • Andy Warrener Graphic Designers Blake Beatty • Georgia Carmichael 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 24, Issue 15, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Friday, July 1, 2016. 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, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

about the toll not only the cancer but also the treatments themselves were taking on him. Even so, it feels like yesterday (Top): Dick & Kathy Strom (Above) Patrick & Michael Strom that Dick and I were coaching youth basketball against each other at Benito Middle School, when both of our younger sons were playing in a Saturday youth league. I, of course, was among the most...let’s say vocal...of all of the coaches and Dick was one of the quietest (although some of his on-court expressions while biting his tongue were priceless), but somehow, we developed a mutual respect for each other. I didn’t really get to know him, however, until he and Kathy lost Patrick, but the love he had for his entire family (including his new daughter-in-law) was just so obvious every time we spoke. Dick was a Project Manager for KFORCE who managed installation of EMC Hardware for federal customers for many years. He also was a faithful and devoted member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church and the consummate family man. It’s never easy for me to say goodbye to someone, especially a true fighter and amazing man like Dick Strom, but it’s even harder to not express my feelings about it here. Rest in peace, Dick. I know your only consolation is being reunited with Patrick.

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-19

Luis Viera Officially Enters District 7 Race.................4 Lagoons Are A Hot Amenity In Wesley Chapel.........6 Cory Lake Isles CDD Hoping To Preserve Marker......8 Florida Hospital Center Ice Shows Off Progress.......10 Polar Pods Can Help You Stay Cool This Summer.....12 New Tampa Rotary Finishing Busy Fiscal Year..........14 New Tampa Community Calendar.............................18

Local Business Updates.............20-27

Dental Health=Overall Health At Terrace Smiles....20 Great Florida Insurance Specializes In Service.........22 New Tampa Foot & Ankle Can Treat Your Feet!......24 Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals...............................26

Local Education & Sports..........30-38

New Tampa Team Wins Top LEGO® Honors.......30 Local Seventh Grader Aces Math Portion Of SAT...32 Farina’s Scholarship Has A Dominican Connection....32 Freedom, Wharton Conclude Spring Football....34-35

Neighborhood Magazine

Local Male Model Builds A Fan Base..........39 Café Olé Deliver Delicious Spanish Cuisine..........42 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’........46 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds........48 Girl Scouts Leave A Bike Rack Legacy At TPE.........50 @NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Four Candidates Vying For Montelione’s Vacant Dist. 7 City Council Seat By John C. Cotey After two months of lining up support and organizing a campaign, Tampa lawyer and Hunter’s Green resident Luis Viera has officially entered the race for the Tampa City Council District 7 seat being vacated by Lisa Montelione. Montelione turned in her resignation June 10 with intentions of challenging Republican incumbent Shawn Harrison for the Florida House District 63 seat in November. Montelione, who earns $42,078 as a City Council member, will continue to serve on the Council through Nov. 8. Viera joins three others in the upcoming special election —Dr. Cyril Spiro of Cory Lake Isles, newspaper editor Gene Siudut of Tampa Palms and former police officer Orlando Gudes of the Copeland Park area near Busch Blvd. City Council elections are usually held in March in odd-numbered years. An official date for the special election had not been announced at our press time, but the winner of it will serve until the District 7 seat is up again in 2019. Viera, a single father whose son attends Lawton Chiles Elementary in Tampa Palms, is an attorney with Ogden & Sullivan, P.A., a civil trial practice firm in Tampa, and a former Temple Terrace resident. This is his first time running for public office. “I took a long look at the process and took a look at life’s responsibilities, and made that personal assessment that I

felt this was something I could do,’’ Viera says of his approach. “I wanted to make sure there was good support for me in this race. I wanted to make sure I’m doing well in that regard.” Which he After a few months exploring his options, Hunter’s Green is, if endorseattorney Luis Viera has filed to ments are any run for the District 7 seat. indication. While all municipal elections in Tampa are nonpartisan, Viera already has a number of top Democrats lined up behind him. Since entering the race on June 1, he already has big-name endorsements, such as from U.S. Rep. (14th Congressional District of Florida) Kathy Castor. “As an active member of our Tampa community, including work in the City of Tampa Civil Service Board, with the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association and with his autism foundation, Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation, he (Viera) has proven to be a strong advocate for our community and a fighter for those who need a clearer voice in the community, something that I strive to do everyday in the halls of Con-

gress,’’ Rep. Castor said in a statement. Viera also claims the endorsements of current Tampa City Council chair Mike Suarez, former state Rep., U.S. congressman and Florida gubernatorial Cyril Spiro hasn’t held any candidate Jim fund raisers yet, but still Davis and forleads the field after raising mer state Rep. more than $10,000 in May. Mary Figg, who represented the Lutz area in the Florida Legislature in the 1980s. “We’ll have more endorsements forthcoming and more community leaders supporting our efforts,’’ Viera says. Will endorsements translate to votes in New Tampa and throughout the diverse District 7? Perhaps. Viera says the support he has already received will help when it comes to building on the work already done in the district, which runs north from Waters Ave. to County Line Rd. and includes Forest Hills, Terrace Park, the University of South Florida and New Tampa. “I plan on fighting for respect for this part of the city,’’ he says. Viera, who held a fund-raising event

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

in June, has another scheduled for Friday, June 29, hosted by Columbia Restaurant Group president Richard Gonzmart.

Spiro Leads District 7 Candidates in Funds Raised

Speaking of raising funds, Spiro, who works in health care data analytics and has been on the Cory Lake Isles Community Development District (CDD) Board of Supervisors the past five years, had a good first month and led the District 7 pack with $10,989.83 raised in May, including $1,989.83 of his own money, plus six $1,000 donations. Spiro was pleased with his first month’s total, considering he has yet to hold an official fund raiser. Meanwhile, Siudut, who recently held a fund raiser at the University Club in downtown Tampa, raised $9,425 in May, according to financial reports. “We wanted to get to $10,000 our first month, and including in-kind (noncash, which totaled $1,280.22) donations, we did, so we’re very pleased,’’ said Siudut. Viera, who wasn’t in the race at the time, and Gudes, who said he has yet to begin fund raising, did not file financial reports for May. Gudes said he has been spending his time setting up a campaign headquarters, meeting with the local community to identify their needs, and was waiting for Montelione to officially resign, “before we put things in full gear.”

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Keeping The Buzz Going About Wesley Chapel’s ‘Crystal Lagoon’ By John C. Cotey

CRYSTAL LAGOON First-ever man-made lagoon in U.S. Approximately 7.7 acres (350,000 sq. ft.) 18 million gallons of water to initially fill 100x less chemicals than a pool. 50x more energy efficient than a pool. Completed sometime in 2017

Will I Be Able To Use It?

• • • • • •

Cur ley

The days of housing communities in Florida being built around golf courses designed by PGA professionals could be numbered, judging by the level of excitement created by news that a Crystal Lagoon — first announced nearly two years ago — is finally ready to break ground a few minutes north of New Tampa. In the planning stages since an official announcement in November of 2014, the construction of the first-ever man-made lagoon in the U.S. is expected to be the knockout amenity offered by the $100-million residential development which will be called Epperson in Wesley Chapel. Epperson, which is part of the Tampabased Metro Development Group’s “Connected City” project that will have approximately 2,000 home sites, is located north of the Bridgewater community on Curley Rd. north of S.R. 54. Homes are already being built and Metro expects to have lots available by the fall. There is no date yet for the completion of the lagoon, but expect it to happen sometime in 2017. The original Epperson Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) has been dormant for years, after the original developer (Lennar Homes) sold the property to Metro in 2007, just before Pasco County’s housing market collapse. The 8-acre (nearly 350,000 sq. ft.) lagoon was originally announced for Park Place, which has since been renamed Epperson to honor the legacy of the Epperson family, which previously owned the land. The original plan to break ground in 2015 was held up by permitting issues, particularly approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, delaying the project. Renderings of the lagoon show a spectacularly blue body of water large enough for kayaking, paddle boarding and small human-powered boats, with sand beaches and a recreation area. “An idyllic beach paradise,’’ says the Crystal Lagoons website. “The Lagoon, roughly the length of five football fields, will have crystal-clear turquoise water and will be surrounded by a sandy beachfront,’’ said Kyle Parks of St. Petersburg-based B2 Communications,

toward potable water to fill the lagoons.” Potable water means water that is fit for human consumption. “Our plan is to fill the lagoon during non-peak usage times of the day,’’ Parks wrote. “In normal conditions, rainwater will keep the lagoon at its optimal level after that.”

Elam Rd

Epperson Development

Watergrass Elementry 54

ass

rp Ove which does public relations for Metro, in an email. A huge get for Wesley Chapel, Crystal Lagoons was founded in 2007 by Chilean biochemist-turned real estate developer Fernando Fischmann, who created a system based on pulses and ultra sonic filtration that can take virtually any kind of water and purify and maintain it at a low cost. He developed the first lagoon at San Alfonso del Mar on the west coast of the South American cone. His patented system uses small sensors and injectors to treat the pool water when needed in specific areas. The system can sense when an area needs an injection of cleaner, like in the case of someone going to the bathroom in the water or spilling something into it. Crystal Lagoons is the only company in the world with the technology, which is patented in 160 countries, and claims it currently has more than 300 projects in development in 60 countries. According to Crystal Lagoons, its system is more efficient than a swimming pool, will use 100 times less chemicals and is 50 times more energy efficient, while consuming only 2% of the energy needed

by conventional filtration systems. The lagoon uses 30 times less water than a typical 18-hole golf course. But, where will the water come from? Any water, even salt water, can be used in the lagoon, thanks to the effectiveness of the filtration system. However, for the 18 million gallons required to initially fill the lagoon, Parks said Metro is “leaning

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The lagoon will be a private amenity for the residents of the Epperson community. However, Parks says, some limited access could be provided to guests in the form of day passes or some other means. Although pristine beaches are just a drive away, the lagoon offers clear salt- and chlorine-free water that won’t leave your eyes stinging. It will feature its own beach and will be just a short ride by golf cart or bike for Epperson residents. “Much more convenient,’’ Parks says. Metro expects the lagoon to be a major draw to Epperson, and its other sites. Epperson will be the first community in the U.S. to have a Crystal Lagoon, and there are also plans to build another lagoon in a new Wesley Chapel community called “Mirada” in the Cannon Ranch area just south of S.R. 52, as well as one in Southern Hillsborough County near Wimauma and another in North Ft. Myers. For additional information about Crystal Lagoons, please visit CrystalLagoons.com.

@NTWCNews

Cory Lake Isles CDD Fighting To Preserve Monument Sign By John C. Cotey When you enter Cory Lake Isles (CLI) off of Cross Creek Blvd., and weave your way down Cory Lake Dr. until you can only turn left or right, you can’t help but notice the perfectly manicured orange brick marker with resplendent palm trees rising towards the clouds from behind it. For many residents, the sign symbolizes what Cory Lake Isles is all about, with a nod to its brick roads and driveways and gorgeous landscaping that reflects a naturecentric view. “It gives you the first impression of the community,’’ said Cyril Spiro, the chair of the CLI Community Development District (CDD). That is why the CDD is trying to save the marker, as builder M/I Homes is poised to build a home over it. The three lots M/I is building on — with the marker situated on the middle one — was bought from the original developer and founder of Cory Lake Isles, Gene Thomason, who named the community for his son Cory (who is now a local Realtor). Whereas the view of the property when approaching the “T” at Cory Lake Dr. used to be the marker in front of a swatch of green grass, trees and a glimpse of Cory Lake, one home already has been built and two more would completely obscure the lake’s view. Roughly eight months ago, M/I Homes went to the CLI Property Owners Association (POA) for approval to build on the lots. At first, residents assumed that Thomason had an easement around the marker, essentially making it public property and mean-

headlights from shining through the front of a new home. M/I was initially unwilling to consider that, Spiro says, but in a meeting last week the POA presented a design variance that the home builder has agreed to look at. Another The Cory Lake Isles CDD Board of Supervisors is negotiating with possible soluM/I Homes, which plans to take down the monument sign on Cory tion: M/I ofLake Dr. just off Cross Creek Blvd. to build one of three new homes. ficials have told the CDD to ing that any home construction would have make them an offer for the property. to be built around it, thus preserving it. Now, after some additional meetings But, when subsequent CDD meetings with engineers revealed that there was no and study, the CDD is preparing to do just easement for the sign, Spiro says he and other that. The land has been privately appraised, “and we are ready to make M/I an offer,’’ CDD supervisors were shocked. “My immediate reaction was, ‘How can Spiro says. Spiro, who also is running for the Tampa that be?,’’” he says. “I had assumed that was public property … and that’s when the con- City Council (see story on page 4), is pitching the idea of buying the property as less of an fusion set in.” The CLI CDD then asked M/I Homes expense and more of an community asset. Doto consider the marker when building a home ing so would put Cory Lake Isles in control of on the lot where the sign sits, suggesting a the land. Any homebuilder the CDD chooses wraparound driveway that comes in from the to use to put a home on the lot would have to left side. The house, then, would be behind do so while preserving the marker. To pay for the cost of the land, which the marker, which Spiro thought was reasonable because it would also keep nighttime could approach six figures, the CDD could

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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tap into its reserve funds, where the District would essentially be borrowing the money from itself and paying itself back, or it could take out a standard loan. He estimates the cost could be as little as $12 a year to each of the roughly 1,000 homeowners in the community to save the marker. Spiro, who is campaigning for the City Council on a platform that includes using technology to connect communities and their representatives, hopes to get Board approval to poll CLI residents about how they feel about the marker. However, he says in many conversations with residents, has never heard from anyone who thinks the marker isn’t worth preserving. And, while the CDD isn’t in the business of buying and selling real estate, there’s a good chance the land could one day turn a profit, paying back the loan and then some. Spiro and the CDD are continuing to negotiate and fight for ways to save a marker they feel is important to the community. “I know that the attraction of Cory Lake Isles to owners is the lush green of it all,” Spiro says. “The red brick roads, the trees at every home, the lake...Take out (the marker) and you’ll have a home and a big front door (that greets visitors), and it just sends a completely different message. We are a community of big homes, but that’s not all that we are, and I think (this would) give the impression that this is a community that was developed and put together to make a profit as opposed to appealing to the people and the lifestyle they want to live.”

@NTWCNews

Hard Hat Tour Gives Community A Look Inside ‘Florida Hospital Center Ice’ By John C. Cotey Hockey participation is up. Youth and adult leagues are growing. Hockey fever has again consumed our area during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2016 Stanley Cup playoff run. The timing couldn’t be any better for ZMitch LLC managing partner Gordie Zimmermann, as he oversees the construction of the $20-million, 150,000-sq.-ft. Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI) complex in Wesley Chapel, which is taking shape just north of the interchange of S.R. 56 and I-75. Zimmermann gave a sneak preview hard hat tour May 25 of the progress for roughly 175 Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce members and other local leaders. The massive facility — Zimmermann calls FHCI the “largest skating complex south of New York” — will feature three NHL-sized hockey rinks, and one Olympic-size rink (which is bigger than an NHL rink), as well as a 17,000-sq.ft. multi-sports pad that can accommodate ice skating, curling, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse and other sports, while also hosting corporate events, much like Top Golf in Brandon. The complex will also have a sportsthemed restaurant on the second floor, overlooking the rinks, a sports performance center and one for sports skills which can also accommodate training and activities like yoga, pilates and even dance classes. Florida Hospital, which secured naming rights last May, will also have staff on hand. “This hard hat tour was for the business community, to understand how the building works,’’ Zimmermann said. “Business are

Nope, it’s not ice yet, but it will be soon, as the Florida Hospital Center Ice complex should be completed by September and open in October or November.

going to reap the rewards (of the facility), from restaurants to rental companies, hotels, gas stations, you name it. Everyone here is going to benefit.” Zimmermann said the economic impact of FHCI, according to a study the developers commissioned, will be $20-30 million a year, and maybe more, as high school, college and National Hockey League teams (on their way to games at Amalie Arena or in Miami against the Florida Panthers) fill hotel rooms, mostly on the weekends. He said about two million visitors are projected to visit FHCI annually. “It looks great, this place is going to be incredible,’’ said District 2 Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, who took the tour last week. “I think you’re going to see a big impact on local businesses.” Zimmerman said plenty of opportuni-

ties exist for local businesses looking for exposure. He said companies can buy anything from naming rights to the rinks (on the ice or dasher boards, for example) to any of the three zamboni machines (which most people are familiar with when they resurface the ice between periods of a hockey game). The Lightning’s recent success on the ice, and the organization’s impressive work off the ice with its stellar community outreach program – including sponsoring the Bay area’s 18-team high school league — continues to help cultivate local interest in hockey, which will be the main event at FHCI on most nights. But, Zimmermann says it will be far from the only event. “The success of the Lightning is definitely helping create even more excitement for hockey in the area, and that’s good for

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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us,’’ says Zimmermann, who says he already has a line of hockey teams and skaters eager to start using the facility. He is hoping for a soft opening of FHCI in September, with a Grand Opening roughly six weeks after that. ““It’s definitely big,’’ said WCCC CEO Hope Allen. “I think it’s going to completely change the landscape of Wesley Chapel. It really solidifies us as a destination. And more than just regionally, but also nationally and internationally.” Two weeks ago, Zimmermann visited to the refrigeration company that will be handling the ice at FHCI. CIMCO, which is based in Toronto, a city with more than 200 ice rinks, is the largest ice rink builder in the world, says Zimmerman. It has installed more than 5,000 ice surfaces worldwide, including at 80 percent

@NTWCNews

of the NHL facilities. CIMCO already has piped two of the rinks at FHCI, laying down roughly 13.5 miles of polyethylene pipe per rink. By the time all of the rinks are comGordie Zimmermann pleted, more than 65 miles of refrigerated pipe will have been laid beneath the surface. “Like piping all the way to Ellenton,’’ Zimmerman quipped. “It’s all very high-tech equipment.” So high-tech that each rink could have its own atmosphere. Figure skaters like their ice a little softer, so temperatures could be kept at 24-26 degrees on one rink, and 2224 on another for hockey players, who prefer a harder surface. The temperature five feet above the ice will be roughly 55 degrees, and the stands should clock in at a cool 65 degrees, Zimmerman said. The building’s lobby temperature will be like any other commercial building. According to membership statistics, USA Hockey, the official governing body for hockey in America, has added almost 100,000 playing members since 1999, from 434,678 to 533,172. In the southeastern region, however, Florida now has more registered hockey players than any other state, with more than 12,000, almost twice as many as any other

southeastern state, with the exception of Virginia (10,063) and Maryland (9,607). But, to keep that growth rising requires many more sheets of ice so that local teams can practice, as well as play. Right now, practice for local high school teams at Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Wharton and Freedom can involve trying to find time in Brandon or a longer drive to other ice facilities (like the JP Igloo rink in Ellenton and the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar), and there are few places for others, such as adult league players, figure skaters and speed skaters to train. Nearly a dozen high school varsity and junior varsity teams will use FHCI as their home ice. Zimmerman says the facility will also be a boon for girls hockey, another growing sport. “Nobody has ever been able to give them any ice time,’’ he says. Curling, a Canadian sport that seems to gain a little more fame every Winter Olympics year since becoming an official Olympic sport in 1998, could end up being a big draw, Zimmerman says, similar to how shuffleboard has had a bit of a revival with younger players in St. Petersburg. The sport, where players slide stones on a sheet of ice towards a target area while teammates, or sweepers, help guide the stones to their mark with a special “broom,” could end up becoming a popular local adult league sport. “We’re starting a full-blown curling league,’’ Zimmerman said. “I think it’s going to be huge.” For more information about the FHCI, visit their website at FloridaHospitalCenterIce.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Engineer Putting The Freeze On Florida’s Heat With Polar Pods! By John C. Cotey Tampa Palms resident John Fisher wasn’t working on anything in particular when a good friend from St. Augustine called him for help. Steve Parry, a lifeguard, had developed a concept borne from personal experience, after spending a night partying and then figuring out the next day at work that he had overdone it. He started suffering from heat exhaustion, and as the day dragged on, he felt worse and worse. So, he wandered into a nearby restaurant, asked to sit in the cooler, and after a few minutes of being camped out on a pickle bucket, started to feel better. “My head came out of my hands, and I was like ‘My God, what just happened, man?,’’’ Parry told Fisher. What had happened was that Parry’s body core temperature had been rapidly brought down, and the life had returned to his body. “I’d pay money for this,’’ Parry thought to himself. That sparked an idea to create essentially a mobile cooler to help people suffering from heat exhaustion. But, Parry couldn’t do it alone. Enter Fisher, who earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida in Orlando in 1982, and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) degree from the University of South Florida in 1987, and a little free time on his hands. “I thought it sounded like a great idea,

Tampa Palms resident John Fisher (left) brings his 50º Polar Pods trailers to outdoor events to help bring anyone’s core body temperature down fast. and I liked the challenge of it,’’ said Fisher. $20 worth of diesel fuel per day to keep the partment hasn’t officially rolled it out yet. Fisher has now helped create three Po- temperature optimal. The fire department will use the Polar Pod lar Pod mobile cooling/heat illness-preven“This whole thing is engineered to do as a fire rehabilitation vehicle. tion stations, with more on the horizon. one thing – bring the body’s core tempera“It was a lot of trial and error,’’ says ture down as quickly as possible,’’ Fisher says. Perfect For Outdoor Events Fisher. “The technical part of building this Heat exhaustion occurs after you have Fisher also extolls the Polar Pod’s efis not easy. It’s a tricky little recipe.” been exposed to high temperatures, often fectiveness at festivals and concerts. While The Polar Pod is a 20-foot-long by enhanced by dehydration. It can lead to diz- showing off the pod at its storage unit on 8-foot-wide ice cube on wheels. Patrons ziness, headaches, vomiting and fainting. Nebraska Ave., he stops and runs to his pickenter through thermally insulated and temThe best treatment is drinking fluids up truck to grab a copy of a newspaper. pered glass doors, with seating on padded and cooling down, and it only takes a few In it, he has circled an article about benches for up to 18. The inside tempera- minutes in the Polar Pod to get your body two deaths and almost 60 hospitalizations ture is 50 degrees, and for those cooling temperature back into a safe range. at the recent Sunset Music Festival held at down, there is a 5-gallon water jug and a Of the three Polar Pods already built, Raymond James Stadium, where roughly 46-inch HDTV to watch. one already has been sold to a fire depart- 30,000 music fans were crammed together Each Polar Pod runs on a ment. Fisher can’t say which one, except on a scalding hot May day. 208VAC/10kW generator, and costs about that it’s in a major city, because the fire deWhile Fisher — who has tried to get

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his Polar Pods into the event for two years — notes that the deaths could be the result of drug use, he says festivals where large crowds gather in Florida’s stifling climate often lead to heat exhaustion and tents and misting fans alone lose their effectiveness. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that was part of the reason,’’ he says. Some promoters have rented the Polar Pod for their events, paying $650-$750 for a full day. Fisher said he has set up Polar Pods at events like the Big Guava Music Festival at the Florida State Fairgrounds last year, as well as at the 97X (WSUN-FM) Backyard BBQ at Vinoy Park last month. Fisher says the Polar Pod can also can be a lot of fun. He encourages revelers, most of whom are just trying to catch a little cold air, to keep the party going once they enter. “We’ll even put some Jimmy Buffet on the TV,’’ Fisher chuckles. Most recently, the Polar Pods were used at the Country 500 Music Fest in Daytona Beach, where promoters charged $10 for a wristband for unlimited use of the Polar Pod. Fisher says the lines stayed long all day. “That was a huuuuge event,’’ Fisher said. “We had both of the Polar Pods there and the lines were nonstop.” Fisher, who has taught electrical engineering classes at USF, says he has met with the USF College of Public Health and the USF College of Medicine for advice on how to effectively treat heat exhaustion through quickly lowering the core body temperature. He also set up a pod at USF football practices last spring, squeezing the team’s entire offen-

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sive line inside to test its effectiveness. “Generally, on really hot days, people are grateful that we are there,’’ Fisher says. Fisher, who also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from USF in 2000, adds that he and Parry are still developing a business plan for their Polar Pods. They would like to see more fire departments get interested, and they continue to see a market for events like marathons, triathlons, festivals and concerts. “We see people dragging when they walk inside, and just come alive in the Polar Pod,’’ Fisher says. “You just don’t get it until you step inside. And, when people do, they’ll tell us, ‘Oh my God, you guys are geniuses.’” For more information about Polar Pods, visit ThePolarPod.com, or call 995-1350 or (904) 962-1793. Or, email info@thepolarpod.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Rotary Club Of New Tampa Caps Off Its Fiscal 2015-16 Year place to live for everyone.”

By Celeste McLaughlin

At about the same time this publication arrives in mailboxes on June 17, the Rotary Club of New Tampa is holding its weekly breakfast meeting at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. This particular meeting will have some special guests, representing the 19 charities that will each leave the breakfast with a check in hand, as they are this year’s selected nonprofits receiving donations from the club as it closes it 2015-16 fiscal year. The process of vetting 501(c)(3) organizations to determine which ones are most deserving and in need of the New Tampa Rotary’s support culminates each year at this annual event, where the checks are presented to the charities. “We invite the organizations we support to have breakfast with us so we can present them with the contributions we are giving them for the year,” says Karen Frashier, who will be installed as the 2016-17 president-elect of the club later this month. She says it’s an exciting time for the original New Tampa Rotary, as they provide money to these nonprofits, “so they can continue doing their good work in the community.” The installation banquet for the club’s incoming officers will be held Friday, June 24, 6 p.m., also at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. Current

Service Project In Costa Rica A group of 15 people from the New Tampa Rotary Club and the University of South Florida Rotaract Club it sponsors visited Alajuela, Costa Rica, for six days in May. For the third time in four years, the New Tampa club visited this area to support the efforts of the Rotary Club of Alajuela. While there, the group painted a local public school and visited its previous projects in the area, including a playground and a butterfly garden. They also visited an active volcano, ziplined the rainforest canopy, and toured local sights.

Members of the Rotary Club of New Tampa and the USF Rotaract Club did an international service project in Costa Rica for the third time in four years. club president Lesley Zajac will pass her leadership in building an accessible playgavel on to incoming president Brice ground at Rotary’s Camp Florida, along Wolford, and New Tampa Rotary memwith Kaboom!, the MetLife Foundation ber Joyce Gunter will be installed as the (headquartered in New Tampa) and other new Governor of District 6890, West clubs in the district. The New Tampa RoCentral Florida USA. tary was awarded the “Governor’s Choice Project” and the “Club District Conference In Orlando Award-Local Communications Award” for large clubs Twelve members of the New Tampa (it currently has 65 members), along with Rotary also recently attended the Rotary the 2015-16 Rotary International PresiDistrict 6890 Conference, held in Ordential Citation Gold Level “for helping lando on May 20-21. Rotary make a difference in the lives of At the conference, the club was people all over the world.” recognized by the current Rotary District “I love working side-by-side with all 6890 Governor Tom Wagner for its of these wonderful friends!” says Zajac. “We all have fun together, and we are working hard to make Tampa a better

International Convention In South Korea

Four New Tampa Rotary Club members also joined tens of thousands of other Rotarians at the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, South Korea, May 28-June 1. The members who attended include Joyce and Gary Gunter, and Steele Olmstead and Pamela Jo Hatley, who went to visit their son, Joe Olmstead. Joe, a Rotary Youth Exchange student, is completing one year of cultural study in South Korea, where he lived with a family, went to school and learned the language. For more information about the Rotary Club of New Tampa, and to register for upcoming events, visit NewTampaRotary.org.

The twelve New Tampa Rotary members who attended made up one of the larger contingents at this year’s Rotary District 6890 annual conference in Orlando.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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JUNE 2016

Friday - June 17 - 7:00 AM

Rotary Club of New Tampa - The original New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday for breakfast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). The meeting on June 17 includes the club’s annual check distribution to the many charities it supports. For additional information, contact Kim Payne at 388-6299, visit NewTampa Rotary.org or see the story on pg. 14 of this issue.

Saturday - June 18 - 7:30 AM

Thursday - June 23 - 7:30 AM

Christian Business Connections (CBC) - The Christian Business Connections (CBC) networking group meets every Thur. at 7:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5338 Primrose Lake Cir., off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms). For more info, email Shawn@TPACorp.com.

Friday - June 24 - 6:00 PM

Rotary Club of New Tampa Installation Celebration - Rotary Club of New Tampa hosts its All Star Installation Celebration at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.), installing new officers for the club and District 6890. To register, visit NewTampaRotary.org.

Saturday - June 25 - 10:30 AM

New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, Self-Defense Seminar - Join Jon Touchton, a retired police officer with 25 years’ cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts experience, to learn self-defense tactics and techniques to avoid and escape group bike rides/runs leaving from Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris various real-life attacks. For more info, visit PaladinKarateandDefensiveArts.com. Bridge Rd.; not from the BBD entrance) every Tues., Thur. & Sat., 7:30 a.m. For more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com. Saturday - June 25 - 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Grand Opening Event at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital & Seven Oaks Pet Depot Tuesday - June 21 - 7:30 PM Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting. Event includes Zen Meditation Group - Looking for a new way to relax? Check out the FREE food, wine, ice cream and giveaways, plus raffles, educational info, promoFREE Zen Meditation Group that meets Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. People of all tions and goody bags. For more info, visit SevenOaksPet.com. faiths are welcome. For info, visit MindfulnessSangha.com or contact Parker at 813-382-2216 or mindfulnessmeditation@verizon.net.

Tuesday - June 21 - 9:30 AM

JULY 2016

English As A Second Language (ESL) - The ESL group meets Tuesdays at Tam- Friday - July 1 - 11:30 AM Women-n-Charge - Join the vibrant ladies of Women-n-Charge on the first pa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD Blvd.), 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Classes Friday of every month from 11:30am-1:15pm at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 are taught by a native English speaker. The cost is $40 each semester for the Regents Park Dr.). Includes lunch, a feature speaker, and time to network. We workbook & class materials. For more info, call Heather at 753-8567. share our talents, build relationships, and share our resources with other women in business. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for all guests. Please register Wednesday - June 22 - 7:15 AM at Women-n-Charge.com. For more information, please contact Judy at BNI Millionaire Makers - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets Weds. 813-600-9848 or admin@women-n-charge.com. at Heritage Isles Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.), 7:15 a.m. $13 to attend includes a hot breakfast. Call Lisa Jordan at 621-6015 for info.

Monday - July 11 - 6:30 PM

Wednesday - June 22 - 7:30 AM

GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club - The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club meets the second Monday of every month at the New Tampa YMCA at 16221 Compton Dr. For more info, visit the website at GFWCNewTampaJuniors.com.

Wednesday - June 22 - Noon

If your organization is sponsoring an event that is open to the general public — whether it’s free to attend or not — please submit your info (with photos in any digital format) at least 3-4 weeks in advance to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. It will appear in these

Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI, a group of business pros dedicated to helping their member businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wed., 7:30 a.m., at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr.). Call Lee Hoffman at 545-2656. New Tampa Noon Rotary Club - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wed. for lunch, noon, at Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd., in the Cross Creek Center plaza). Guests are always welcome.

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‘Hoops’

Continued from pg. 1 there were few spots on college basketball rosters for slightly-built 6-footers who weren’t great defenders. “I was always by far the best shooter on the basketball teams I played on,’’ Justin said. “But, I wasn’t at good playing defense.” Instead, Dargahi went to USF — where he once won $1,000 in a three-point shooting contest at the school — and graduated with a degree in journalism. He continues to shoot hoops. On a recent blazing hot afternoon at Hunter’s Green’s Capt. Nathaniel Hunter Park, Justin shows off his gift, moving around the court and firing up shots, or “shot puts,” he jokes, many from a few feet behind the arc. Swish.

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Swish. Swish. “I’ve never been better,’’ says Justin, who is 34 years old. “My range keeps getting better.” Justin still plays on Sunday mornings at Cambridge Christian on N. Habana Ave. with his old high school teammates and friends, and though he lives across the street from the court at Hunter’s Green, he doesn’t get out to shoot as much as he would like. Still, he recently sent a letter to the University of South Florida basketball program — which has sorely lacked a pure outside shooter in recent years — asking coach Orlando Antigua for a chance to walk on to the team. He figured if he can make the Guinness Book of World Records for his uncommon gift of deadeye, long-range shooting, why not? “Wouldn’t that be a great story?’’ Justin asks with a smile.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Terrace Smiles Stresses Overall Health Through Proper Dental Care By Brad Stager Just as some people consider the eyes to be windows to the soul, Dr. Brian Witt, D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry), views the mouth as a portal to the body, with a direct influence on your overall health. It’s a perspective that guides how dentistry is practiced at Terrace Smiles, located minutes from most of New Tampa off E. Fletcher Ave., a couple of miles west of I-75. “We help people feel better as well as look better. That’s why I do what I do,” says Dr. Witt. “Dentistry has been linked to the health of our bodies. Everything is connected. The studies are very clear today that heart attacks, strokes, heart disease and diabetes are often all related to infections in your mouth. So, making sure that your mouth is completely healthy with no gum infection and no tooth infection protects your heart and your blood vessels from stroke and heart attack.” It’s not just Dr. Witt’s opinion either. Research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, MD, cites a connection between poor oral health and increased risk of heart disease. The increased amount of bacteria and infections resulting from poor dental health also create problems for people who have diabetes, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, one of NIH’s institutes.

Oral Infections Are More

The members of the team at Terrace Smiles, located near the Fletcher Ave. exit off I-75, are (front row, l.-r.): Dr. Brian Witt, Noelia Rodriguez, Melissa Massey, Shirley DeSouza and Jamela McFadden. (Back row, l.-r.): Joshua Tardieu, Tyler DeSouza and Amr Soliman.

Problematic With Diabetes

With the American Diabetes Association (ADA) reporting that as of 2012, 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, the implications for the disease’s impact on personal health — especially for diabetic patients who have infections in their mouths — are substantial. “Diabetes is very closely linked to personal health because a diabetic has trouble healing,” says Dr. Witt. “So, if you have infections in your body, a diabetic can’t

control their blood sugar, so they get worse and diabetes is a huge killer of the body. Therefore, being able to control their blood sugar for a diabetic is very important, and if they have an infection in their mouth, they won’t be able to do that.” According to Dr. Witt, ensuring optimal oral health adds up to a very important outcome. “What we do here is we help save lives,’’ he says. “By keeping people’s mouths healthy without disease, we keep their bod-

ies healthier and we help save their lives.” Terrace Smiles also offers an array of cosmetic dental services. Dr. Witt says there’s nothing superficial about that aspect of his practice. “The other thing that we do here is we help give people confidence. Because, when their teeth are straight and aligned and beautiful, and they’re confident about their smile, they’re happier, so they’re more able to go out in the world and be more social.” Terrace Smiles is capable of fulfilling a wide range of dental needs, from exams and cleanings to several more complex procedures. “We’re a full-service dental office,” says Dr. Witt. “I’m fully trained in all aspects of general dentistry. We also offer several advanced dental care procedures here, including laser gum surgery, tooth implants, implant dentures, full mouth reconstruction, smile makeovers and even orthodontics.” Providing an extensive line of treatments means patients don’t usually have to deal with multiple providers to get the dental care they need. “People don’t like to be referred to other offices,” says Dr. Witt. “People become accustomed to the way that they’re treated here and they don’t want to go to other places. Unless it’s an extremely advanced case that requires a specialist, I’m fully trained to take care of their needs.” Even with all the research showing how important dental health is to your health, a lot of people are reluctant to visit a

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dentist until major problems develop. “The biggest challenge getting people in is getting the word out that their health is dependent upon the health of their mouths and the health of their teeth,” says Dr. Witt. “Less than 50 percent of the population gets dental care. That’s a lot of people who aren’t seeing a dentist.” Recognizing that people are reluctant to seek dental treatment influences how the staff at Terrace Smiles interacts with patients, who are referred to as “guests” by everyone at the office. “We understand that dentistry is something that people are afraid of, so we take pride in the fact that we are extremely gentle and we help people get through their fear of dentistry by gently getting their work done,” says Dr. Witt. It’s an approach that resonates with Lisa Van Sickle of New Tampa. “The entire staff is attentive, organized and professional,” she said. “The technology I’ve been exposed to is cutting edge.” Susan Wenrick of Temple Terrace chose Terrace Smiles when her 80-year-old aunt, who lives in Zephyrhills, required dental treatment. “She loves it and feels very comfortable here,” Wenrick says. “They’re very friendly and one-on-one. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere.”

Care Worth Traveling For

Terrace Smiles’ office manager, Shirley DeSouza, says the practice takes care of people who come from far beyond the Tampa Bay area. “We have patients who travel from

Canada to see Dr. Witt. We have a patient from New Jersey now, who came down just to see us.” Dr. Witt says empowering people to maintain their oral health and bright smiles is an important part of the routine at Terrace Smiles. “We teach them how to brush their teeth when they’re here,’’ he says. “We teach them how to properly care for their teeth on their own.” Dr. Witt’s home care advice is to brush twice a day and floss daily. But, even with a diligent regimen, he says people still need professional cleanings with checkups. “The reason it is so important that people see their dentist on a regular, strict schedule is that bacteria and infection build up over time and only dental instruments can remove it,” he says. “You can’t remove an infection at home. You can keep everything healthy, but it’s building up over time, so every 3-6 months you need to come in to the dental office so we can clean out the places you can’t reach.” Witt, who was born and raised in Tampa and now lives in Land O’ Lakes with his wife and their two children, says he committed to a professional life of dentistry at a young age and achieved that goal with the support of his family. “They’d never had a doctor in the family so they felt like, ‘Okay, whatever,’ and they supported me the whole way as I became a dentist.” Dr. Witt earned his D.M.D degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville 1995 and established his own dental practice in Temple

Terrace in 1999. He moved Terrace Smiles from the city’s business district to its current pastoral setting on Telecom Dr. in Telecom Park, just south of E. Fletcher Ave., seven years ago. Dr. Witt is a member of local, state and national dental associations as well as both the Temple Terrace Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, which recognized Terrace Smiles as a 2016 Ed Hanna “Business of the Year” finalist in the Health & Wellness category. While family and dentistry are Witt’s greatest passions, he makes it a point to involve himself and Terrace Smiles in projects that benefit the larger community. He has donated dental supplies to villages in Ghana, supported the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program as well as the He-

roes Health Fund, a nonprofit organization founded by actor John Travolta to assist uniformed services personnel and other first responders whose jobs expose them to potentially dangerous levels of environmental toxins. Whether it is his daily work at Terrace Smiles or the community projects he supports, it all comes together in what Dr. Witt says is the reason he became a dentist: “To help people. To make people well.” You can learn more about all of the dental services available at Terrace Smiles (located at 13214 Telecom Dr., Tampa) by calling 977-7000. Or, see the ad on page 8, visit TerraceSmiles. com or the Terrace Smiles Facebook page, where you also can view testimonial videos of patients.

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OFF

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

GreatFlorida Insurance Agents Help You Protect Your Home, Car & Business By Celeste McLaughlin

Bill Sullivan, the owner of GreatFlorida insurance in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, says the local area – especially nearby Wesley Chapel – is experiencing growth, with lots of new businesses and new families moving into the area. He wants to help these people be sure that they’re properly covered and paying the best rates possible when it comes to their insurance needs. So, on May 25, GreatFlorida Insurance hosted a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) ribboncutting event, “to let people know we’re here,” explains Bill. “We offer traditional home, auto, boat and motorcycle policies, along with renter’s policies, general liability and umbrella coverage,” Bill says. “We also offer a wide variety of insurance products for business owners, such as commercial property insurance.” GreatFlorida Insurance is a network of independent, franchised insurance agents that has been in business since 1991, with more than 100 offices located throughout Florida. Bill owns the New Tampa location, which originally opened in 2005 with a previous owner. That owner sold the business to Bill in 2013. Bill says he made the purchase because the previous owner — who was retiring— had a very well-run, diligent and ethical business, a business that he has been able to build on and grow

over the last three years. Bill earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and then worked in investment banking for 25 years in New England. Looking to make a change, he and his wife Julie moved down to Florida in August of 2012. Bill got his “2-20” insurance license so he could sell all lines of Property & Casualty Insurance. Julie also works in the office as the office manager and customer service agent. She is a Licensed “4-40” Sales and Service Representative. The Sullivans also work with two agents – who also hold “2-20” licenses – Nicole Weaver and Julie Morgan. GreatFlorida sells policies from many different auto insurance companies, including Travelers, Safeco, Mercury, Progressive, and Hartford, and homeowners insurance companies that include Prepared, Heritage, Safe Harbor, and Peninsula.

Looking Out For You

Bill says statistics show that 85 percent of people are inadequately insured – either they have too much or too little. For example, Bill says he often sees empty-nesters who had high limits when their teenage children were driving and two parents were commuting to work, but now that it’s just the two of them – and maybe they’ve even retired and aren’t commuting anymore themselves – so, do they really need all that coverage? The agents at

(L.-r.) Julie and Bill Sullivan, Julie Morgan and Nicole Weaver of GreatFlorida Insurance on Cross Creek Blvd. provide outstanding insurance service for your home, auto, business & more. GreatFlorida Insurance want to help clients be sure they’re neither over-insured nor under-insured. Not only do people’s life circumstances change, but the way insurance carriers price policies change, too. Bill says insurance carriers are “fickle” and the things that change in a year can have a big impact on the price of an insurance policy. “One year, insurance carriers like a certain area, and the next they don’t. Rates change and go up, so we think we should review your policies at least every 12-18 months.” That’s why the agents at GreatFlorida Insurance automatically and proactively watch to see if rates increase whenever your

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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policies come up for renewal. “Most people buy a policy and then don’t look at it again for four or five years,” he explains. “People view it as time consuming. So, we do that ‘dirty work’ for you to take that away.” That’s exactly why Wesley Chapel resident Kathleen Zagaros says she switched her home and auto insurance policies to GreatFlorida. She was frustrated that her former agency didn’t seem concerned that her policy renewal prices were going up and didn’t offer her any alternatives, prompting her to wonder, “If you have to start doing your own research to find a better policy, why have an insurance agent?” When Kathleen reached out to

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GreatFlorida, however, she says she found something very different. “Bill and Julie provide excellent and personalized service,” she says. “They want to find the best policies for their customers. Instead of you having to call them, they already know and have other options to present to you. I was able to change my homeowners insurance as well as our car insurance for less money and better coverages!” Kathleen says she also likes that she can do business with the Sullivans over the phone and via email. “It’s so easy and not stressful at all!,” she says, adding that she likes that she has an advocate if she’s in an accident. “If you are involved in an accident, they are right there to help you through the claims process.” Kathleen says Bill and Julie and their employees understand what good customer service is all about and go out of their way to provide it. She says they all have great senses of humor and that talking with them is like talking to a good friend or a close neighbor. “Julie’s title is ‘Director of Customer Happiness & Office Operations,’” Kathleen says. “I think that says it all!” Because she is such a happy customer, Kathleen says she highly recommends GreatFlorida Insurance all the time. And, Bill says she’s not alone in her endorsement. “A good majority of our business comes through referrals,” says Bill, “I take that as a compliment.”

Flood Insurance

One tip Bill is always sharing with clients: Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage from a flood.

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“A lot of people are dismissive about flood insurance because they’ve never experienced a flood and think it won’t apply to them,” says Bill. “But, for as little as $299 annually, you can have peace of mind should something happen.” “I personally went through it up north,” Bill says. “I never would have thought I needed flood insurance because I was far inland. But then, it rained for 14 days straight and we had water damage, and I paid for all the damages out of pocket. It was a costly lesson.” He stresses that, especially in Florida, water damage leads to other issues, too. “With our heat and humidity, we need to be concerned about mold,” says Bill. “Mold is toxic and airborne, and the cost of having a home repaired and remediated is expensive.” He says this can be a huge problem for snowbirds who may leave their home for a few months at a time. “If there’s any water damage while they’re gone, it doesn’t take long for mold to take hold and grow substantially. “ Bill says if a Realtor refers someone to GreatFlorida for a homeowner’s insurance quote, he and his staff always provide a flood quote, too. “The lender doesn’t require it, and the client doesn’t have to take it, but we still highly recommend it.” “All of Florida is a flood zone,” says Bill, “to what severity depends on where a home is located.” To find out how GreatFlorida Insurance can help you, call 994-1143, see the ad on pg. 3 or visit NewTampa. GreatFlorida.com. GreatFlorida Insurance is located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite C.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Foot & Ankle — The Specialist For Your Feet! By Anu Varma Panchal

Often overlooked, usually mistreated and rarely pampered, your feet are the unsung workhorses of your body. But, undetected problems with your feet can often lead to larger problems that can affect your back, your gait, your lifestyle, and your general health. In the Wesley Chapel offices of New Tampa Foot & Ankle, longtime New Tampa resident Stephen Levin, D.P.M., helps anyone from age 0 to 100 fix those issues before they get out of control. And, with the latest in laser technology and a new shock wave therapy (see below), he is able to treat some of the most common and painful conditions with noninvasive, highly effective in-office methods. A native of Baltimore, MD, Dr. Levin got his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Urban Studies from the University of Maryland in College Park in 1992. He then obtained his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree from the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia in 1996. He completed a two-year medical and surgical residency at Montgomery Hospital Medical Center in Norristown, PA, in 1998, and then moved to Tampa, working in private practice until he opened New Tampa Foot & Ankle in 2002. Dr. Levin moved his New Tampa location to its current location off of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel in 2007, then opened a South Tampa location in 2012.

Dr. Stephen Levin, D.P.M., can help alleviate many common foot problems at New Tampa Foot & Ankle, located off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. Dr. Levin is Board-certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and also is on staff at both Florida Hospital Tampa and Wesley Chapel, St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s North, Tampa General Hospital, the New Tampa Surgery Center and the Ambulatory Surgery Center on E. Fletcher Ave. He has operating room privileges at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, St. Joseph’s North and the New Tampa Surgery Center. Until recently, Dr. Levin was the president of the Hillsborough County Podiatric Medical Association for 10

years, and in 2005, was selected as the Young Practitioner of the Year by the Florida Podiatric Medical Association. At his Wesley Chapel office, Dr. Levin uses state-of-the-art technology to fix some of the most common foot problems, including heel pain and fungal infections.

A Wide Variety Of Services

Among the many services offered at New Tampa Foot & Ankle is Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), the method by which Dr. Levin treats heel pain. Developed in Europe

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and FDA-approved in the U.S., the technology consists of a console and a wandlike attachment that emits shockwaves on the area of pain. Heel pain (such as plantar fasciitis) can be caused when certain ligaments are irritated, causing thickening, swelling and subsequently, pain. Traditional treatments have called for anti-inflammatory injections or home therapy, such as physical therapy, ice and wearing orthotic inserts. EPAT uses acoustic shock waves to stimulate or signal the body to increase circulation, says Dr. Levin, allowing the area to heal itself more quickly and effectively. While he says some patients feel sensitivity after their initial treatments, they usually acclimate to the feeling (which he describes as a rapid pulsing) as the treatments continue, generally weekly for three to five months. “The technology has been around for one or two decades, but it has become more amenable to an office setting,” says Dr. Levin. “There’s no downtime, no medications and no infections.” In addition to heel pain, toenail fungus is a major concern of Dr. Levin’s patients. “It’s unsightly; it’s embarrassing,” he says, adding that the fungus can be caused by trauma and even by pedicures in unsanitary conditions. To treat toenail fungus without oral medications or topical creams, Dr. Levin uses a treatment called NovoNail, a laser that works painlessly by running over the

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infected nail. This creates enough heat to kill the fungus that causes the infection. Dr. Levin says three or four 20-minute treatments over the course of a year is enough to cure most cases. In severe cases, Dr. Levin can use the laser to remove the toenail, make a tiny incision for the laser to clean and resurface the nail bed and file down any underlying bone spur, and then stitch up the incision. Within a year, he says the new toenail has usually grown in over a clean nailbed. Heel pain and fungal infections affect a large number of patients. However, Dr. Levin handles many other issues affecting your feet and ankles, such as Achilles tendon problems, ankle instability, flat feet, arthritic foot and ankle care, bunions and corns, geriatric foot care, and warts. He also treats feet when crushed by injury and the feet of diabetics, who have poor circulation and nerve damage so they cannot feel blisters or sores and need special shoes with more room and protection. He also treats children for problems such as Severs Disease, a growth pain-related irritation of the heel, as well as ingrown toenails, warts and flat feet. Some problems can be solved by wearing the right kind of shoes and to this end, Dr. Levin carries a plethora of foot-related products for patients to buy at reasonable prices. You can be sure they work well, because Dr. Levin says that either he, a staff member or a member of their families have tested or tried them out, such as Vionic flip-flops (Dr. Levin says those flat flip-flops Floridians tend

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to wear everywhere don’t do our feet any favors) and custom and semi-custom orthotic shoe inserts. Also available is a line of hypoallergenic creams and lotions, as well as tools such as pumice stones, plus compression hose and shoes for diabetic patients. The office accepts many forms of insurance and also offers in-house financing options. Clearly, Dr. Levin’s services are in high demand. Since he started his own practice, it has grown to include a staff of seven, and he says he will add a new doctor at the end of this summer. He also says he currently sees an average of 150200 patients a week in his Wesley Chapel office, while his colleague, Dr. Martin Port, sees patients in the South Tampa location at 3704 Euclid Ave. Dr. Levin knew that Wesley Chapel would be the ideal place for his practice, as he had been keeping an eye on the projected growth of this area since moving to Florida 18 years ago. He met his wife, Diane Pellegrino Levin, when he was at the (then) University Community Hospital (now Florida Hospital Tampa) and she was an Emergency Room nurse there. The couple and their three children, David, 18; Sam, 11; and Sarah, 9, are active in the community, gymnastics and soccer. New Tampa Foot & Ankle is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and is located at 26827 Foggy Creek Rd., Suite 104, off S.R. 56. For more information, call 973-3535 or visit NewTampaFootandAnkle.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Let Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals Manage Your Property! By Celeste McLaughlin

“As I approach 30 years in the real estate industry, my business model has remained pretty much the same,” says John Simone, a Realtor who has been providing full-service property management in the Tampa Bay area since 1997. John is the Broker-owner of Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals, located at the corner of E. Fletcher Ave. and N. 56th St. (just south of New Tampa). “Whether I’m helping a client with the purchase and sale of an asset, or helping ‘accidental landlords’ who find themselves in a position where they can’t sell but need to move, one thing remains the same: our customer service.” His company handles properties on behalf of those properties’ owners throughout the Tampa Bay area, including in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Town ‘n’ Country, Valrico and even Sun City Center. Many of the company’s clients are full-service management clients. That means John and his staff advertise the property, show it to prospective tenants, recommend and coordinate property maintenance, thoroughly screen potential tenants, execute lease agreements, and collect rent and deposits from tenants. Other clients hire Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals just for placement, which means the company’s only role is to find and screen a tenant for a property, plus

(L.-r.): Becky Crum, John Simone and Megan Mitchell are the part of the professional team at Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals, which wants to manage your rental property for you.

help with determining an accurate rental rate and providing an attorney-prepared lease to be executed by the property owner and tenant.

New Technology & Old-Fashioned Service

During his nearly three decades of working in the industry, John says he has seen a lot of changes. “So much of our office is automated now,” he says. “Owners have 24/7 access to their ‘owners portal,’ which

is complete with statements, copies of all bills and notices, funds that can be electronically deposited, and much more. Tenants can have their funds electronically transferred, too. Heck, we even take credit cards.” This is very different from when the office was newly opened, but John says some things are exactly the same as they were back then. “While the technology has changed ten-fold, our customers and clients can and always do count on one thing,” John says. “They will always be

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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greeted by a live person when they call my office.” To help provide that excellent customer service John is so dedicated to, he has recently hired Becky Crum. Becky is a Realtor/property manager and marketing specialist dedicated to providing landlords and tenants with answers to all of their questions. John and Becky also work with Megan Mitchell, who also is a Realtor and the company’s office manager. Megan’s friendly voice has been answering the phones at Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals since 2008. Two additional Realtors also work for the company – Laurie Anderson, who started with Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals in March 2003, and Souad Monsour, who’s been with the company since 2010. “We are an office with many years of experience,” John says. “We are all here to help property owners with what are probably their largest investments.” John has held a Florida real estate Realtor’s license since 1988 and has had his Broker’s license since 1990. He has been a member of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR) for more than 25 years. He also is a member of the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) and National Association of Realtors (NAR). His office also maintains memberships in the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), as well as in the Florida Asso-

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ciation of Residential Property Managers (FARPM). Doug Gwynn, Ph.D., is a retired professor who taught at the University of California. When he moved to New Tampa more than a dozen years ago, he was looking for a home near the University of South Florida when he came across John’s office. He says John helped him find the “perfect place” — a home in the Lake Forest subdivision at the south end of New Tampa — before Doug turned his attention to investment properties. “John is a high-quality person, and I really like his approach,” says Doug, who says he has had investment properties in both California and other parts of Florida before he began looking for investment properties here. “He gives me complete, reliable information, and as my agent, he puts my needs ahead of his own.” He adds, “I wouldn’t invest in the area if I didn’t have John. I have learned over the years to trust him. He’s flexible and he’s never dishonest. I have met some property managers who are unsavory — coming up with nonexistent bills and such things — but I know I can trust John.” And, in terms of finding renters,” Doug says, “John tends to choose exclusive renters, carefully screening them to be sure they have good credit and no criminal record, and then he interviews them, too. And, since I own very nice properties in nice neighborhoods, my renters tend to stay in my properties a

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long time, often five or six years.” If you’re an owner who wants to rent your property, then John, Becky, and their team would like to invite you to view a short video on why hiring a professional property manager might make sense for you. The video can be viewed at BayAreaRentals.net/tampabay-property-management. Bay Area Real Estate & Rentals is located at 13312 N. 56th St. It is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., although the phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For additional information, including a full list of services and management contracts, visit BayAreaRentals.net. You also can see the ad on page 11 or call 988RENT (7368).

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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I PASSION T T EXCE LLENCE A G M R W I O T R Y K

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Located on a Conservation/Pond Lot in Live Oak Preserve, this Angela Mora Beautiful Home Boasts 2,459 SF, 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths and Hablo español 2 Car Garage. Pond view. Great Amenities including a Pool, también! Fitness Center, Basketball/Tennis Courts and Walking Trails. Close to Major Highways, Shopping and Restaurants, this 813-482-1452 could be Your New Home! Call for a private viewing today. AMora@BHHSFloridaProperties.com AngelaMoraRealEstate.com

Move in ready 3548 sq ft home. 4 BD, 5 BA, plus Robert Marvin & office suite, and bonus room. Heated pool with extra- Debbie Marvin large (41’ x 13’) screened lanai, 3 car garage, located 813-892-3917 on conservation and cul-de-sac home site. Numerous RPM/Real Pro upgrades thru-out. Offered at $440,000. Debbie and Robert Marvin 813-892-3917 Move Team

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4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Den, Custom Home on Ronnie Preusch 4.55 acres, gated & fenced. Main House has 3845 813-361-9595 sqft, 4Bd, 3.1B, 3+ CG, Office, Pool/Spa,/ Loaded RPM/Real Pro with Upgrades. Septerate In-Law Suite/office 1000 Move Team sgft 1Bd, 1B, Carport. Great property for Horses or even other outbuildings. Offered at: $845,000 rpreusch@BBHSFloridaProperties.com

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Residential - Commercial - Property Management Title Morgage Insurance - Home Warranty Auction

4 year old home with breathtaking view of pond Jennifer Kibiger 813-469-1481 with woods from screened lanai. 4 bdrms, 3 baths, hardwood in living areas, tile in wet areas, and carpeted bedrms. Stainless steel appliances. Granite countertops throughout. Offerred at $255,000 jkibiger@BHHSFloridaProperties.com jkibiger.BHHSFloridaProperties.com

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Spacious, Plus a Perfect Location, 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths Pool Home Granite, Travertine, Crown Moldings Updated Master Bath (2016) New AC (2015) & Exterior Paint (2016) Large Fenced Yard on Cul De Sac $250,000

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ROSEWOOD GRANDE

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An EXQUISITE Pool/Spa Home on Conservation Lot in Cynthia Filippi Gated “Pinecrest” COMPLETE Chef Inspired KITCHEN 813-784-1634 REMODEL IN 2013 BRAND NEW MASTER BATH IN 2016 with Quartz Counters 3593 SF 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, Bonus Room & 3 Car Garage. Wood Floors, Soaring Ceilings, Tiled Fireplace, 2 Story Balcony Staircase Ideal Location Offered at $499,000

CFilippi@BHHSFloridaProperties.com CynthiaSellsTampaHomes.com

Renee Chichester August Delivery 3564 sq/ft 5 / 3.5 / 3 plus study and 602-615-7066 gameroom. $566,148 Completion in August 2016. Tile RPM/Real Pro roof, paver drive, on cul-de-sac, wood floors through Move Team living areas, upgraded tile, wrought iron railing www.rchichester.bhhsfloridaproperties.com rchichester@bhhsfloridaproperties.com

Absolutely stunning “Rosewood Grande” 3 Bedroom 2 Bath home with $25,000 of amazing upgrades. Located in beautiful Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, a 55+ gated community with outstanding amenities. 29406 Blackwolf Run Loop San Antonio, FL 33576 Check out this property on my website: BillsTampaBayHomes.com Offered at $264,900

Bill Radebaugh Office: 813-712-8461 Cell: 813-455-1560

www.BRadebaugh.FloridaProperties.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & RENTALS

WESLEY CHAPEL

Tenants- are you looking for a condo, townhouse or house to rent? Call Sonia at (813) 690-5427

Looking for Value?? You’ll find it in this spacious 2514 SqFt,4BR,Office,3.5 Bath built in 2006, low Pasco taxes with NO CDD and offers resort style pool, playgrounds & dog parks! GREAT PRICE, HURRY AND CALL TODAY. $229,900 MERCY BARRAGAN 813-494-6797

Mercy Barragan 813-494-6797

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1830 Bruce B Downs Blvd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Sabrina Simpson Title Manager 813-712-8435

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Owners- do you own a property that needs to be rented out and managed by the best management team in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel? Contact Terry Now!

Terry Hill Terence M Hill PA (813) 956-2383

thill@bhhsfloridaproperties.com www.RentAhomeWithUs.com

New Tampa’s LEGO® Masterz Take Robotics Title At Internationals By Celeste McLaughlin

On a recent weekend in May, 72 teams of kids, ages 9-14, from three continents, converged on LEGOLand California for the FIRST LEGO® League North American International Championship Tournament. The team that took home the trophy for first place in the “Technical – Robot Programming” category was New Tampa’s own LEGO Masterz. “Competing and winning on such a prestigious platform was quite a fulfilling and learning experience for this team,” says the team’s head coach, Shuvanker Ghosh. LEGO Masterz is made up of New Tampa residents – sixth grade students Aaryan Anand, Arko Ghosh, Ishita Mishra, Amaia Modolo, Rahul Vijay, and seventh grade student Aarush Prasad (photo). All attend Williams Middle Magnet School, near E. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa. Both school teams and community teams compete in the FIRST LEGO League, where teams of up to 10 kids apply science, engineering and math concepts (“plus a big dose of imagination,” says their coach) to develop solutions to real-world challenges. Although the six kids who make up LEGO Masterz all happen to go to school together, they are actually part of a community team, which means they’re not affiliated with any school, so anyone can actually join them. The kids and their coaches – both Ghosh, who is Arko’s dad, and Niraj Mishra, Ishita’s father – get together every

The LEGO® Masterz of New Tampa were proud to take the Robotics Title at the FIRST LEGO® League International Championship at LEGOLand California in May. Sunday for three or four hours, meeting at Ghosh’s home in the Live Oak subdivision. When competitions draw close, they meet more often. The team competes in four areas, based on an annual theme. This year’s theme was “Trash Trek.” During this season, which coincides with the school year, they

participated in six competitions, including practice competitions, a showcase, and then qualifying, regional, state and international tournaments. In addition to the kids’ impressive international competition win, the LEGO Masterz also won the state championship and had the highest robot performance score (see below). They also won the

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West Central Florida Regional Championship and, again, scored the highest for their robotics performance. The robotics portion of their project involves designing, building, and programming LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots to perform “missions” on a large table top “playing field.” One portion of the competition is an evaluation of the team’s robot design. Another part is the real fun: the 150 seconds during which the robot completes its missions. In this year’s “Trash Trek” competition, all teams were given 14 missions related to real-world trash issues, such as demolition, salvage, composting and repurposing. The teams build and program a robot to move LEGOs around to represent these tasks. Each mission and the tasks that comprise it are worth points. For one part of the competition, the teams get three chances to show what their robot can do. The team with the most points during their best run wins. The members of the LEGO Masterz team say that in their best run, they completed eight missions. That means, in just two and a half minutes, their robot started at base, completed a mission, and returned to base eight times. Watching the kids switch out accessories between missions, it’s easy to see what a well-oiled machine they are, readying their robot for its next task and racking up the points with their impressive speed. In addition to the robotics portion of the competition, the team also researched

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and created a project based on the “Trash Trek” theme, trying to build a better way to reduce trash. They spoke with experts and decided to deal with a problem in single-stream recycling: glass. According to the team, broken glass is such a big problem that some communities don’t even collect glass for recycling anymore. So, their project finds a way to deal with glass so it can continue to be recycled. The LEGO Masterz are also judged by their commitment to the FIRST LEGO League’s “Core Values,” such as “gracious professionalism.”

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“The core values, like how people treat each other, are really important,” explains Ishita. “That’s why we have them written on our shirts. You must have good values to move on in the competition.” To participate on the team, Ghosh makes sure the students stay on the honor roll at their school, and the team works hard. “But, we have a lot of fun, too,” he says, “like when they all jump in the pool after practice.” To learn more about the FIRST LEGO® League in Florida, visit FirstInspires.org/robotics/FLL.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Local 7th Grader Scores 800 On Math SAT Farina Rewarded For Humanitarian Efforts New Tampa resident Aarush Prasad has always been good at math, but when he got his SAT results back in February, even he was a little stunned at the results: A perfect 800 on the math portion of the important college entrance exam. Even more amazing id the fact that Aarush is only a seventh-grader. “I was a little surprised,’’ says Aarush, who attends Williams Middle Magnet School on E. Hillsborough Ave. “I was pretty excited when I found out.” Aarush was honored for his accomplishment by the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) on May 16 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Duke’s beautiful campus in Durham, NC. The Grand Recognition Ceremony honored seventh graders across the country who earned exceptional scores on either the ACT or SAT. The last four years, Duke TIP has named 35-60 students a year as William and Dorothy C. Bevan Scholars for getting perfect SAT math scores, which means they scored equal to or better than 99 percent of all college-bound high school students who took the test, not that they answered every question correctly. Aarush’s mother, Veenu Gupta, is an instructor at Aloha Mind Math on Cross Creek Blvd. She said she told her son before the test to focus on the math section, since

Aarush Prasad that was his strongest subject. He says he took some mock tests and read study guides to prepare. “I told him to focus on getting a better score in the math,’’ Veenu said. “But a perfect score is really amazing.” Aarush, who was on the Math League team at Williams that won top Hillsborough County School District honors last year, also plays the viola for the school orchestra, competed in the U.S. Chess Nationals this past fall and can complete a Rubik’s Cube in less than a minute. — JCC.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that New Tampa resident Sergio Farina has earned some recognition for more than just his academic achievements as he graduates from Tampa Jesuit High as the outgoing President of the school’s Student Body for the 2015-16 school year. After all, Sergio is the son of my friends Lisette and local orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina, the man responsible for the beautiful smiles of thousands of New Tampa kids, including my sons, Jared and Jake. Sergio Farina But, Sergio is more than just a great student from a wonderful family. Also known as “DJ Svrge,” Sergio is a DJ and music producer who, through his passion for music, “adopted” a school in the Dominican Republic and provided it with a water well and electricity — two important, basic needs the school was lacking. Sergio was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from Boston College (BC) for the Carroll School of Management Honors Program — based on his academics, leadership and service accomplishments during his years at Jesuit. This is a full merit scholarship, with summer international experience, service and internships abroad. BC’s Presidential Scholarship was awarded to only 14 students from around the world, representing only 0.2 percent of the Early Action applicants for the incoming freshman class of 2020. Students were selected based on superior academic achievement and promise, leadership potential and a demonstrated

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commitment to serving society. They will be prepared to be global leaders. The school announced, “As Jesuit’s student body president, it’s fitting Sergio Farina would earn a collegiate Presidential Scholarship.” JesuitTampa.org also noted that Sergio won this year’s Charles J. Lashley Award, for outstanding characteristics of student body leadership, “the highest honor Jesuit confers upon a graduating senior.” The former Jesuit linebacker says that in 2009, he helped co-found with some of his family members in the Dominican “A Smile for a Sole,” a nonprofit organization that grew out of the Farina family’s vacations in the Dominican Republic. Sergio visited schools, plantations, and fishing villages, to distribute clothing, toys, and supplies. But, after six years of “doing the same thing,” he decided to help the Escuela Hermanas Mirabal school in Cucama a little more. “I had fond memories of seeing kids running around the remains of the basketball court — rims broken and nets long gone, clenching pencils, determined to learn. I decided I would provide the school with its two biggest needs: water and electricity” — at a price tag of $10,000. After one year, “DJ Svrge” reached his goal. “When I arrived in Cucama, the entire student body, as well as their parents, embraced me, taking photos with me. I was overwhelmed by their gratitude. I was just a kid who felt a strong social responsibility to provide what many take for granted.” He may be “just a kid,’ but Sergio is a young man who hopes to inspire others to “Piensa Grande” (“Think Big”)! — GN

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Backs Shine As Freedom Blanks King In Spring Football Game Story & photos by Andy Warrener The Floyd Graham era is off to a pretty good start. Although the new Freedom High coach joined the team after spring workouts had begun, his imprint on the team has already been established, as the Patriots ground up the host King Lions for 143 rushing yards in two quarters of a 7-0 jamboree win on May 19, despite dressing out only 30 players. Running backs Carlos Rodicio and Xavier Freeman gained most of those yards, with Rodicio scoring the game’s only touchdown on a 5-yard run. A rising senior, Rodicio was not a huge factor in Freedom’s ground game in 2015, but you can expect him to be a lynchpin in this year’s rushing attack, after he gained 65 yards on 7 carries. “He’s going to be a huge factor on offense this year,” assistant coach Dave Sevier said. “He’ll play slot, running back and outside linebacker. He’s a downhill running kid that takes it and goes.” Freeman, a rising junior, didn’t log a carry in 2015 but was explosive against King, picking up 50 yards on seven carries, including runs of 21 and 22 yards on the Patriots’ only scoring drive. The coaches are pleased with rising junior quarterback Deshard Hughes, who threw a pair of interceptions but showed off his athleticism and hit receiver Donta Acree for a nice 25-yard gain in the first quarter. The Patriots are high on Hughes, but they also played Amar McRae under center.

Xavier Freeman (above) and Carlos Rodicio (right) combined to run for more than 140 yards in two quarters in a 7-0 spring football win over King on May 19. McRae seems like the better run option, as he broke off a 28-yarder. Only two starters return on the offensive line, but the Patriots’ coaches are pleased with what they see in tackles Bryant Young and David Springs. Freedom’s line created quite a bit of running room against the Lions in two quarters but their ability to come together as a group will dictate the fortunes of the 2016 Pats. Defensively, rising junior linebacker Brendan Abel showed flashes of promise against the Lions. He made a crushing hit to separate a receiver from the ball on King’s first possession, and swarmed to the ball the rest of the night. Rising juniors Jayland Desue and Miguel Quiles created havoc in King’s backfield with a combined two sacks and two tackles for losses.

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Wharton Football Heads Into ondThe Summer With Questions only had 20 on six carries against Hillsborin sacks (5). Story & photos by Andy Warrener ough. But, Mitchell said he still plans to lean The Paul R. Wharton High Wildcats on the running back, who has 1,000-yard concluded a spring season filled with quespotential, in 2016. tions, losing 14-0 to Hillsborough High on “He (King) is the man on this team May 19, but still leaving tough-to-please this year,” Mitchell said. coach David Mitchell moderately happy. Rising senior wide receiver Justin “I think we played better than we Brown, who didn’t thought we catch any passes in would,” Mitchell the spring game, said. “We raised the gained 25 yards on bar. There’s still two jet sweep rushroom to get better, es, and established but as a group we himself as the top played well; there’s threat among a nothing to be upset group of wide about.” receivers that will The biggest be mostly new. question Wharton The Wharton was looking to defense played well, answer — who limiting Hillsborwill be the starting ough’s speedy runquarterback this fall ning back Duran — may have been Bell for most of Wharton defensive end Lavel Dumont makes a stop. figured out, even if the two quarters of the Wildcats’ choice didn’t even play in the action at the jamboree, which was hosted by spring game. King High. The Wildcats started Andrew Curtin, Bell did manage one score – on a 25who struggled, then Harrison Hawk, who yard run – but those were the only points also struggled. But, rising sophomore Reput up by Hillsborough’s offense, as the shae Soloman, who is listed at only 5-foot-6 Terriers’ second touchdown was scored on and 125 pounds, played well enough during an interception return. spring drills to impress Mitchell. Soloman Mitchell believes the Wildcats should was ineligible for the spring game, but be fine on defense, too, as veterans AJ Mitchell said, “He’ll be the number one guy Hampton (rising junior), rising senior Chase unless someone beats him out.” Goode, and rising senior Justin Visconti Rising junior running back Shannon return. Goode was second on the team in King, who ran for nearly 400 yards in 2015, tackles (71) in 2015 and Visconti was sec-

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Rising sophomore Cade Coleman had a drive-killing tackle-for-loss in the second quarter against Hillsborough. Fellow LB Christian Thompson and lineman Lavel Dumont combined for a sack that thwarted a Terriers drive, and defensive back Hunter McCain had a hit that broke up a sure completion deep in Wharton territory. “Our defense will be solid but we have to keep them off the field,” Mitchell said.

RB Shannon King is expected to be “the man” for the ‘Cats.

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Justin Zabinski — A Working Model Known For His Model Behavior the big water. “I do like hanging here at home, too,” he says. But, being home also means serving, cleaning up and helping out any way he can in many local soup kitchens, especially in Pinellas County, where he actually graduated from high school while splitting time between Pinellas Park and Wesley Chapel. “I know I can’t do this type of work forever,” he says. “So, I’m just enjoying the opportunity I have now and will always take the time to give back to help others who aren’t as fortunate as I’ve been.” For additional information about Justin Zabinski, or to book him, visit his “Official Fansite” on Facebook.com.

By Gary Nager

When we first told you about model and longtime Wesley Chapel resident Justin Zabinski, it was more than a decade ago. And, while a lot has changed for the 25-year-old Wesley Chapel resident, a lot has stayed the same, too, as Justin continues to be a blessing not only for his father — well-known local resident Leo Star — but for homeless men, women and families and disabled children, among others. “Whenever Justin flies in from a modeling shoot,” Leo says, “no matter what time he gets in, he’s up at 6 the next morning to help serve in local soup kitchens. He has thousands of fans (nearly 8,000 at our press time), but he always volunteers his time to help others.” Leo says that Justin even helps put on events where the host charity can charge admission, and all the proceeds are donated to that charity. “He never takes anything for himself,” Leo says. I was happy to catch up with Justin and his dad a couple of weeks ago, before he flew off to New York City and then Los Angeles for modeling shoots. Justin, who certainly looks and acts the part of the “laid back surfer dude,” says he is still in search of “the perfect wave, although I have gotten to surf on some amazing beaches in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and California.” Among his many modeling credits are AllAmericanGuys.com, Rugby and Polo by Ralph Lauren, APC (France), Tony Meliilo fashion show in NYC, Bruce Weber, GQ Magazine (Germany) JC Penney, Hang Ten, American Living and Levis. He also has been featured in At Large magazine,

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Justin Zabinski and Leo Star

which calls itself, “The definitive magazine for contemporary culture, art entertainment and men’s style.” Justin also been featured in People magazine and he is currently working as a cover model. “I love all of the messages I get from fans,” Justin says. “Even though there are always some haters, too. I just don’t let any of it affect me.” As for his love life, Justin says he’s simply too busy right now to worry about finding the right girl to settle down with, although he admits he would like to find that certain someone “someday.” In the meantime, Justin hopes to see a lot more of the world, especially more of the world’s best surfing beaches, from Fiji to Australia and anywhere else he can chase

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Café Olé On CC Blvd. Is Still My Favorite Restaurant In New Tampa

Pan-seared Chilean sea bass

Grilled lamb chops in red wine reduction By Gary Nager

THERE IS

absolutely no doubt in my mind that Café Olé, the continental and authentic Spanish restaurant located in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. (at Kinnan St.; behind the Shell gas station) is still the best restaurant in New Tampa, hands down. I know, some of you still haven’t tried it because you think it’s too pricy or because you think you don’t like “Latin” food. At owner Frank Aliaga’s Café Olé, however, you can get so much more than just delicious authentic Spanish dishes — like real seafood paella, seafood colossal or shrimp in garlic sauce tapas — none of which I can eat because of my shellfish allergy. In fact, even though I can’t enjoy those three dishes (all of which are pictured on these pages), everything I can safely enjoy at Café Olé is much better than anything you can get anywhere else in New Tampa.

Such As, For Starters?...

Although most of my favorite tapas dishes at Café Olé are usually included on the daily tapas specials list created by the restaurant’s “Sauce Man” Chef Wilson, I love the chicken raviolis on the next page (Café Olé sometimes offers lobster and even veal raviolis, too) in a creamy tomato sauce that is a perfect dipping complement to the amazingly crispy Italian-style bread served upon request with your meal (which already is served with pre-softened butte, which is so much better than any dipping oil, in one man’s opinion). I’m also partial to Café Olé’s Little Neck clams tapas in garlic, white wine and onions and Galician-style grilled octopus (pulpo a la Gallega), both of which are still among the non-fish seafood I can safely eat). If you’re craving lobster, shrimp, mussels and scallops, There’s even unique bruschetta, fried calamari and traditional Spanish chorizo sausage Salteado (in herbs and a light red wine sauce) on the tapas menu. But, there’s little doubt in my mind that Café Olé’s incredible fresh fish, steak

and lamb and veal entrées are what keep me coming back for more. Whether you dine in or take out for lunch or dinner — and the only-slightly-smaller lunch portions are priced so well, it’s a perfect way to try Café Olé without breaking the bank. The lunch specials usually come with the classic Salade Olé, which comes with the best balsamic house dressing in town. The full-sized salad is more than worth splitting for dinner, too. Whether you prefer the Chilean sea bass shown on this page without the shrimp and creamy white wine and lemon sauce, grouper, mahi, snapper, salmon or corvina, you really can’t go wrong with Café Olé’s fresh fish, which is always served with a starch (usually potatoes or rice) and sautéed, fresh julienned veggies. As for the fish on the actual menu, the pescado de la casa (fresh flounder sautéed with onions, garlic, olives, capers and finished in a fresh tomato sauce) also is outstanding. I’ve also never had a sub-par steak, lamb or veal shank or lamb chops and although the prices aren’t cheap, neither is the quality of the food. Although I’ve had very good lamb chops at other local restaurants, the grilled

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Bone-in cowboy ribeye w/shrimp

lamb chops (in some sort of red wine reduction sauce) were the best I’ve had in New Tampa this year. And, I’ve had everything from New York strip to filet mignon to bonein cowboy ribeyes from the specials list and all were tender and tasty, with sauce or without. Aliaga and his top-notch staff have worked hard to keep up the quality at Café Olé, even though the place has gone through so many additions and changes the last couple of years. When Aliaga opened the restaurant six years ago, it was only about 30 seats and 1,500 square feet. Today, after annexing two other adjacent spaces in the plaza, it is more than 4,500 sq. ft., with seating for nearly 200 people (book a party there and I know the food will be a major hit), with a kitchen that is at least three times the size of the original. Café Olé also hosts the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meetings every Wed. at noon. Attend one time as a guest and you’ll love the food so much you’ll probably join. The recently revamped bar areas is now much more spacious, and still features premium liquors, Spanish and other imported, micro-brewed and domestic beers and the

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Seafood paella

Chicken ravioli tapas

Seafood colossal

Mozzarella strawberry bruschetta

best wine list in New Tampa. I recommend any of the Spanish reds (ribero del duero, tempranillo, rioja, etc.) or other equally upscale (but not overpriced) red or white wines.

And, Speaking Of Specials...

If you check out the Café Olé ad on page 40 of this issue, you’ll see that Aliaga & Co. are making it less expensive for you to enjoy your favorite beverages Mon.-Thur.

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And, you can even enjoy $3 Estrella or Mahou draft or bottled beers during any of the COPA America and Euro Cup soccer games. You just have to root for Spain at the Euro. And, coming soon is DJ entertainment on Fri. & Sat. nights and weekend brunch! For reservations (not required, but suggested on weekends) & more info about Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd.), call 907-5242, or visit CafeOleRestaurant.com.

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The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Shopping, Retail & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! Brass Tap Adds Alcohol

If you’re like me and not particularly into beer, you may have been avoiding The Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, even though you like the location, live music and other “stuff” going on there. Well, avoid it no more. Owner Jeff Martin is proud to have added a full, premium liquor bar (photo below) at the Wiregrass Brass Tap and will soon unveil a “new BBQ and more food concept” in the

vacant former location of 100 Montaditos, which is adjacent to The Brass Tap (which has seven locations throughout the Tampa Bay area) at the mall. For more info, stop in at The Brass Tap ((2000 Piazza Ave.), call 991-4343 or visit BrassTapBeerBar.com/Wiregrass.

Pinot’s Palette Owner Wants You To Paint, Drink & Have Fun!

Speaking of unique drinking options in our area, even if you think you have no artistic ability whatsoever (I’m in that group, by the way), I promise that you and your special someone — or your group of friends or business associates — will have a blast at Pinot’s Palette, which is located just south of S.R. 56, in the same Shoppes at New Tampa plaza as Bonefish Grill. Owner James Serrano has been working hard to establish himself in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel community and if Serrano’s theme of “Paint, Drink & Have Fun” doesn’t work for you, I’ll be really surprised. Ask about his next “Black Light Party,” how you can win a stay at a Sandals Resort and about all of the cool upcoming paintings (like the “Day’s Done” pic in the next column that you can learn to create), as well as the craft beers and reasonably priced

wines you can enjoy when you visit Pinot’s Palette. There’s even a great summer camp program your kid (ages 6-12) can attend. For more info, stop in at 1718 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., visit PinotsPalette.com/Wesley Chapel, call 428-6590 or see the ad on pg. 19 of this issue.

The WCCC’s Record Months!

In addition to joining forces with this publication and Full Throttle Intermedia to create WCNT-tv, our new online TV webcast (see pgs. 1 & 38), the Greater Wes-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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ley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) just finished off its two craziest months ever, in terms of adding new members — the Chamber added a one-month record of 25 new members in Apr.— and in terms of total events (see photos of three on the next page) in one calendar month (22 in May). It was “such crazy awesomeness,” as WCCC CEO Hope Allen told me just before the Chamber’s last event in May (the free Final Friday networking event at Pincher’s Crab Shack) and although there’s a little dropoff in activity this month, June still started with several outstanding events, not all of which we were able to attend. On this and the next page are some of the WCCC events (and WCCC-member-hosted events) that have been held in/near New Tampa that might be of most interest to you.

Econ. Development Briefings Hosting Top-Flight Speakers

Although you have to be a Chamber member to attend, I think you should call (994-8534) or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com and join the WCCC sometime before it hosts its next Economic Development briefing on Thursday, June 23, 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) — but only if you want to

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The WCCC recently cut some ribbons at (l.-r.) Great Florida Insurance (see pgs. 3 & 22) on May 25, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen on June 6 and Sweet Party (see ad on pg. 3). 26 and he wowed the know what’s really happening on the north group with his encyside of S.R. 56 across from the Tampa Preclopedic knowledge of mium Outlets (TPO) mall. what’s happening ecoThe guest speaker will be Lisa McCafnomically in and around frey, the managing director of retail services Tampa, Hillsborough for Colliers Arnold, which is managing the and even in hot-as-blazproperty on that side of S.R. 56. es Wesley Chapel. As our exclusive maps of the area that He leads the “nonhave appeared in previous issues have told charitable nonprofit” you, everything from a Cabela’s to Ford’s Santiago Corrada Visit Tampa Bay, which Garage (see below) have been rumored to be finding a home in that area, but McCafPhoto: OurTownFla.com spends more than $10 million of Hillsborfrey hopefully will be able to confirm and/or ough’s “bed tax” funds collected from every deny at least some of those rumors. hotel stay in Hillsborough, to help attract The WCCC’s economic briefings have major conventions and events like hosting been on quite a roll of late, with McCaffrey the upcoming 2017 NCAA National Chamfollowing on the heels of Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter in April (as we reported pionship Game at Raymond James Stadium. “That game is becoming almost exactly in our last issue) and Visit Tampa Bay president/CEO (and long-time New Tampa like a Super Bowl-type event, which we’ve hosted successfully before,” Corrada said resident) Santiago Corrada (above right) in during the briefing. May. Corrada addressed a crowd of about 50 at the WCCC’s Economic Development Cheddar’s Opens; briefing (also at Pebble Creek) on May

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Ford’s Garage Getting Closer

Ford’s Garage, which mixes the vibe of “old school” service stations with burgers and craft beers, is one step closer to becoming one of Wesley Chapel’s new neighborhood hot spots. Eric J. Hendra of Hendra & Associates, a consulting engineering and surveying firm in Tampa, officially submitted a preliminary site plan application for Ford’s Garage of Wesley Chapel in March to Donna Huber, Pasco County’s senior development review technician. The restaurant will be located adjacent to the planned Pollo Tropical on the northeast corner of S.R. 56 and Grand Cypress Dr., directly across from TPO. It will be owner Marc Brown’s fifth Ford’s Garage location. Brown, of South Tampa, started the chain in Fort Myers in 2012 and recently opened a location in Brandon. Brown and his ownership group have a licensing deal with Ford Motor Co., so car enthusiasts will enjoy the décor, if previous locations are any indication. Ford’s Garage will have 7,211-sq.ft.

of indoor seating, and a 1,192-sq.ft. patio area, according to the proposed site plan. The restaurant will include 92 parking spots and “static mounted Ford vehicles and an antique non-working fuel dispenser.” Meanwhile, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, the growing, Texas-based chain with 100 company-owned restaurants and 65 franchises (including Brandon and Pinellas Park), opened in front of TPO (at 2391 Sun Vista Dr., off S.R. 56) on June 6. We were on hand for the Wesley Chapel location’s “family & friends” pre-opening event, which also included a WCCC ribbon cutting and hundreds of invited guests. With its prime location in front of TPO, reasonably-priced full liquor bar and fresh-tasting food at very fair prices, it’s understandable why Cheddar’s has been drawing long lines for dinner since it opened. If the quality and service continue from what we’ve seen so far, Cheddar’s should be a monster hit in our area, which is hurting for reasonably-priced restaurants with great grilled entrées and made-from-scratch sides. For info, visit Cheddars.com.— GN

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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HELP WANTED HOME CLEANERS NEEDED Earn $252 weekly part time up to $400+ weekly full time. Work your schedule, your area. Car and phone required. Call 813-9851150. NOW HIRING SERVERS. Call 813-907-1688 for more information. Or apply in person at Ginza Endless Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar, 6417 E. County Line Rd. #104. AWARD WINNING REAL ESTATE TEAM with an overflow of serious prospects. Seeking professional full-time real estate agents who want to expand their horizons, make more money and have a fulfilling life. Great training available. Keller Williams Tampa Properties. Contact Annette Bohannon - 813-431-2840. TERMITE TECHNICIAN NEEDED Must have at least one year of experience, a clean driving record, no criminal record and be able to lift 50lbs. Call VIP Pest Control at 813-234-8888 for details. SPANISH-SPEAKING MEDICAL BILLER wanted for New Tampa med. equip. company. Gathers billing info; checks if complete. Bills insurance carriers. Resolves disputed claims, discrepancies. Data entry skills, Microsoft Office proficiency, time mgmt, organization, professionalism, cust. svc & attn. to detail. Send resume: Richard.Jones@solarusmedical.com. PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT) An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide custom, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. ROUTE SALES, MEDICAL Fills customer orders by driving to customer accounts within FL; unloading & shelving product, inventory verification. Increase sales volume by providing cust. service and suggestive selling techniques. Overnight travel 2 nights/month. Send resume to: richard.jones@solarusmedical.com. MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST with computer experience in intergy (greenway) practice management system. Knowledge of insurances. Busy phones. M-F 9-6, 35 hours. Also, L.P.N. or M.A. for allergist office. Please fax resume to 813-558-9421 HIRING PERSONAL TRAINER Private Women’s Studio with Boot Camp & Personal Training in Wesley Chapel & Land O’ Lakes owned by Samantha Taylor. Please no phone calls or walk ins.To apply part time: www.lolfitbodybootcamp.com/hire-pt PIZZAMAKERS & LINE/PREP COOKS WANTED (exp’d. preferred) at New Tampa’s favorite authentic Chicago-style pizza place. Bring Resume during business hours to Full Circle Chicago Pizza at 19651 BBD Blvd. (in the Pebble Creek Collection).

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POOL SERVICES TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call Chris today @ (813) 857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! ALL-STAR POOL SERVICE & REPAIR Expert repairs and installations of pumps, motors, filters, timers, salt and ozone generators. Marcite for $2,400. Tile repair and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing, pressure washing and deck repair, paver and eurocote decks. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE MONTH Pool Service. Call or text 813-244-7077. See our display ad. www.allstarpoolsoftampabay.com

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JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements? Ask about our HOA SPECIAL & FREE ESTIMATE! For more info, call (813) 420-4465. AMERICAN PRIDE LAWN CARE SERVICE, LLC Our services include weekly lawn maintenance with mulching decks on all mowers, precision edging, string trimming, hedge, shrub, palm, and tree trimming. We also offer landscaping, pruning, and sod replacement. Free estimates. Licensed and Insured. We are an Owner/ Operator Company built on service and trust. References available. For more info, call (813) 458-4778. HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC High-Quality Professional Services: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Year-Round FullSvc LawnCare starting at $75/month: mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554.

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CLEANING SERVICES B CLEANING SERVICES: Over fourteen years experience! Commercial & residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies and more than 300 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 758-9710. ANNA’S HOUSEKEEPING A BBB-Accredited Business Servicing Florida since 1991. $68 introductory special, Mon-Wed. Cleaning, Laundry, You Name It! Make your list, put us to work! We have private housekeeper rates with agency backup coverage! Licensed and all housekeepers are background checked. Call (813) 985-1150. M & Y CLEANING SERVICES Residential & Commercial cleaning: Dusting, vacuuming,mopping, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms and more. Weekly, Bi-weekly, monthly, or one time cleaning. References available. 8 years experience.We clean your properties like our own. Call us TODAY for a FREE estimate. Mila: (813)516-3554.

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MISCELLANEOUS SEWING MACHINE REPAIR Expert sewing machine repair and parts. 25+years experience. In home/business service or we have a weekly pickup at Quilters Quarters in Zephyrhills and Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City. We service all makes and models including electronic,embroidery and sergers. FREE ESTIMATES Southern Sewing Center (813) 994-4300. BRIDGE PLAYERS WANTED. Intermediate level. Rubber bridge. Not a formal social group; primarily we get together to play bridge. Weekday-only schedule and playing frequency relate to individual availability. Hosted at member homes, no frills. 1-2 tables, about 3 hours. Start at 1:15 pm. Call Harry at (813) 907-2541 or Dolores at (813) 929-3070. FOR RENT. Mobile home. Newly remodeled 2 bedroom/1bath in Wesley Chapel on 1/3 acre. Fenced, carport, screened patio, and shed. Private in-country setting with trees on corner lot. $700/month. First, last and security. For info, call 813-841-0710.

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SUNSHINE CLEANERS Top Quality...Great Prices

$5 Oﬀ Any Size Comforter $2.79 Press Only* $3.49 Drycleaning & Press* $1.59 Men’s Business Shirts * Some garments incur additional charge. Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Girl Scouts Leave A Legacy At TPE

The Girl Scouts of Troop 966 donated a bike rack to Tampa Palms Elementary as part of their Bronze Project encouraging bike safety. The girls, pictured here with TPE principal MaryAnn Lippek are (l.-r.): Kaitlyn Graulich, Carissa Smith, Mallory Yee, Emory Seay, Lily Scalabrin, Isabella Cruz (in back) and Alexander Dominique. Gina Jasreman is not pictured. By Celeste McLaughlin Scout Juniors. They have done all of the work and submitted their application; When the eight girls (see photo) now they are waiting to hear if they will who make up Girl Scouts Troop 966 get receive the award from the Girl Scouts of together every other week, they meet at West Central Florida. Compton Park in Tampa Palms. They’ve Earlier this year, the girls decided just completed fifth grade, but they’ve they wanted their project to support been a group since they were in kinderkids. “The Girl Scout law says to care garten. While a few girls have come and for our neighborhood,” says Mieke, “so gone over the years, the core group has they found a good cause in safety when stuck together. going to school.” “Six of the girls started together She explained that their research as Daisies, then moved up to Brownfor the project included interviewing ies, then Juniors,” explains their leader, their school principal, local police, the Mieke Caris. “They are Juniors in fourth crossing guards, and kids and parents on and fifth grade, and have now bridged to bicycles. They sold Girl Scout cookies be Cadets, which is the Girl Scout rank and held other fund raisers to support for sixth grade girls.” their efforts. Now, as they leave Tampa Palms ElUltimately, the girls designed a proementary (TPE) and move on to middle gram of bike safety that was supported school, they are leaving their mark at the by the TPE’s PTA. At a PTA meeting, school where all but one girl attended, the local group Bike/Walk Tampa Bay in the form of a bike rack and a bike gave a presentation on bike safety, the safety program that will continue, even girls discussed their project, and the PTA after they’re gone. gave away bicycles and helmets. Throughout this past school year, “The Girl Scouts then placed a bike the girls have worked to complete their rack for all students to use in years to “Bronze Award” project, the highcome to store their bikes safely,” says est award that can be received by Girl Mieke proudly.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 13 • June 17, 2016 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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