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Volume 17 Issue 15

Inside:

The New Tampa Chamber Is Off To A Fast Start!

July 24, 2009

See pages 3 & 10!

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

There Are 9 Registered Sexual Offenders Living In New Tampa By Michael Smith Our job here at the New Tampa Neighborhood News is to bring you the local news that affects you. Sometimes it’s good, but sometimes it’s bad. As you can see from the photos at right, the bad news in this story is that our area is not exempt from the presence of sexual offenders. The good news is that there are enough resources available to keep you informed about these individuals and help you keep your children and families safe. The statewide sexual offender database maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) shows that there currently are 1,464 registered sexual offenders and predators living in Hillsborough County. Under Florida statutes, there are several offenses which, upon conviction, will qualify an individual as a sexu-

Registered Sexual Offenders Living In Our Distribution Area (Zip Code 33647)

Luis G. Alverez 8730 Tessara Ln.

Corey P. Jeffrey H. Warren Robert H. Maria M. Beahon Brooks Brett Cowie French 10203 9481 High- 17112 Car10883 10405 Devonshire land Oak rington Park Dragonwood Meadow Lake Dr. Dr. #906 Dr. #510 Dr. Spring Dr.

Steven D. Layland 9151 Rockrose Dr.

Ray C. Sassaman 8415 Fenwick Ave.

John T. Stollhaus 8221 Stockton Way

al offender, including: kidnapping, false imprisonment, or luring or enticing a child (where the victim is a minor and the defendant is not the victim’s parent); sexual battery; lewd or lascivious offenses commited in the presence of persons who are less than 16 years old or who are elderly or disabled adults; procuring a person under the age of 18

for prostitution; promoting a sexual performance by a child; possessing, producing or distributing computer pornography involving minors; and buying or selling of minors for the purposes of pornography. Not all sexual offenders are classified as sexual predators, however; that is a special determination that must be made by a judge in

cases where the circumstances warrant it. Conviction means that the person was found guilty, either in a trial or by entering a plea of guilty or “no contest,” whether or not adjudication was withheld in the case. According to Det. Joseph Venero of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s See “Sexual Offenders” on page 4.

According to a TPD report, the shooting took place at around 9:30 p.m. on July 12, when 72-year-old Marcos Trujillo called 911 to report that he had just shot someone who was trying to break into his apartment at 6103 Coral Bay Rd. in the Compton Place at Tampa Palms apartments. Once officers arrived, they found 36-year-old Carlos Humberto Ibanez

Arias lying face down on the ground in a pool of blood outside the residence with a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Attempts to resuscitate Arias were unsuccessful. According to TPD spokesperson Laura McElroy, there was no indication that the two men knew each other, even though Arias also lived in the Compton Place complex, in a different building. She also said that it didn’t appear that he had ever actually entered Trujillo’s apartment. Several of Trujillo’s neighbors, however, reported that they had seen Arias acting strangely earlier in the evening, banging on the windows of cars and other apartments, barking like a dog and turning cartwheels in the parking lot. Others said that when they heard the gunshots, they simply assumed the noise was from fireworks

left over from the Fourth of July. Family and friends of Arias, who could not be reached for comment, told reporters that he was a hardworking, religious man with a wife and children, and that he may actually have been attempting to preach to his neighbors when he was shot, although they could not explain his bizarre behavior. McElroy says that the case has been referred to the State Attorney’s office to determine if the shooting was justified. A decision had not yet been made as this issue was going to press. In 2005, then-Florida Gov. Jeb

Police Investigating Shooting Death In Tampa Palms

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Swin Flu Visiting New Tampa?; Plus, Auto Burglars Back On The Prowl, Protesting The Planned Part-Time Closing Of Flatwoods Park, Chamber’s Kick-Off A Smash Success & Much More!

The Return Of The Deacon Blues AND The Funny Divas, Avocado Dishes Up Great Latin Food, New Tampa’s Growing National Night Out Presence, Fit4Life Can Help With Your Fitness Goals & More!

See pages 3-26!

See pages 27-48!

See “Shooting” on page 9.

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

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Investigators with the Tampa Police Department (TPD) and the Hillsborough State Attorney’s office are trying to determine whether an elderly Tampa Palms man was justified in shooting another man to death who he thought was trying to break into his apartment.

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Michael Smith

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New Tampa’s Business Community Packs New Chamber’s 1st Event! In the 16-year history of the old New Tampa Community Council (the original NTCC), there were very few breakfast or lunch meetings. I’d even go so far as to say that precious few of that group’s evening meetings (at least of the ones I attended, which was quite a few) could possibly match the energy I felt when I attended the first-ever event sponsored by the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce (the new NTCC) on July 13. The delicious luncheon hosted by Polo’s Italian Grill owner/chef Paul Proscia and the Chamber on an otherwise unassuming Monday afternoon, was more than just a “standing room only” event. It was as though an electric current was going through the entire room that let the more than 60 people (which felt like closer to 100 to me, because the place was so packed) who showed up for the new Chamber’s first official event know that many people who had no interest in the civic mission of the old NTCC definitely feel the New Tampa community needs, wants and is willing to work towards the success of its new Chamber. NTCC vice president Scott Estes, who is the president-elect for the Chamber (elections are coming in September; see below for more info), told

An editorial by Gary Nager those who attended of the NTCC’s past accomplishments (including the Taste of New Tampa), how the Chamber got rolling and what he sees as the future of the organization — a Chamber driven by an involved, excited membership and not just by a Board of Directors. Iin my mind, the luncheon was a clear indication that the Chamber already is well on its way to accomplishing that goal. The theme of the discussion by the day’s featured speaker — local podiatrist Dr. Steven Levin, DPM (who was joined by his wife, office manager and Registered Nurse Diane) — was “Putting Your Best Foot Forward,” which was a great way to describe how everyone who attended seemed to feel about the new organization. There were plenty of faces I had seen before at the event, including several of the NTCC’s own Board members, but after so many years of trying to build the old NTCC into a powerhouse community group and seeing the Chamber generating so much excitement in its first effort, I have to again applaud (as I did a few issues ago) the former Community Council Board members for having the courage and vision to recognize that, during this time which is being marked by so much economic uncertainty, that the time for

New Tampa Neighborhood News

Table of Contents

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

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondents

Kate Kramer • Melissa O’Brien • Matt Rubin

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

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

Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 17, Issue 17, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, August 3, 2009. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2009 JM2 Communications, Inc.

transforming the Council into the Chamber finally had come. Of course, this newspaper and yours truly have always been big NTCC supporters and that won’t change with the Chamber. In addition to running the NTCC page in this newspaper every month (see page 10), I joined the Events committee (one of four major Chamber committees — Public Relations, Membership and Finance being the others), which already has met and is already working hard to ensure the success of the upcoming fourth annual New Tampa Art Festival (Nov. 14-

15), the next Taste of New Tampa, the monthly “Connections” networking events at Stonewood Grill & Tavern (the fourth Thursday evening of each month), the first Chamber breakfast meeting (which was held July 21, with former Tampa City Council member Shawn Harrison as the featured speaker) and many more. Yes, the Chamber is off to a great start, so let’s keep the momentum going! Visit NewTampa.org or call 293-2464 to join the Chamber (and/or a committee), run for the Board or otherwise get involved!

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES..............................Pages 1-28 Sexual Offenders (cont. from page 1)...........................4 Killer-For-Hire Sentenced To 25 Years.........................4 BBD/S.R. 54 Intersection Is Pasco’s Second Worst.....6 New Tampa News Briefs..........................................8-9 Swine Flu Cases Found In Local Area, Two Vehicles Stolen In Tampa Palms, Bicyclists Protest Planned Park Closure, Two Die In Separate Crashes On I-75 Shooting (cont. from page 1).......................................9 New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter..10 New Tampa Community Calendar.......................12 Tampa Firefighters Grill Off, Educate At BJ’s.............13 Shoppers Flock To Sweetbay Grand Opening............14 Lose Weight With Metabolic Research Center......16-17 Visit Mar-Go Interiors’ New Location.......................20 New Tampa Sports Updates......................................22 Local Kids Win Medals At Taekwondo Junior Olympics

Neighborhood Magazine Fit4Life Offers High-Tech Training & Therapy.......27, 42 The Deacon Blues Band Returns & More!....................28 August Entertainment Includes Concerts & More........29 Avocado Offers Latin American Specialties..........32-33 Neighborhood Nibbles.........................................34 A Life Largely Unchanged by Ashley Darby..................37 Girl Scouts Ask Residents To Help ‘Pay It Forward’...38 New Tampa’s National Night Out Events..................40 Local Inventors Take Second In National Contest.....44 The Goddard School Offers Diverse Curriculum.......45

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Sexual Offenders’ Continued from page 1

Office’s Sexual Predators Unit, whenever a person who is designated as a sexual offender in Florida moves, they have 48 hours to report their new address to the Department of Motor Vehicles. That information is then updated in the state database. “If they don’t, it is a third-degree felony,” says Venero. In October 2004, the Florida legislature passed what is commonly referred to as the “1,000-ft. rule,” which says that anyone convicted of certain crimes involving minors after that date is prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a school (public or private), day care center, park or playground while they are still on probation or active community control. In Hillsborough County, the restrictions are even tighter, banning those who are designated as sexual predators from being within 300 feet of places where children gather. However, Venero points out that each case is different, and restrictions are determined upon a case-by-case basis. The individuals who are currently listed by the FDLE as living in the 33647 zip code (which includes all of

New Tampa) are: • Luis G. Alverez. Birthdate: Jan. 1, 1979. Address: 8730 Tessara Ln. Sexual offender. • Corey P. Beahon. Birthdate: May 16, 1981. Address: 10203 Devonshire Lake Dr. Sexual offender. • Jeffrey H. Brett. Birthdate: Oct. 29. 1979. Address: 9481 Highland Oak Dr., #510. Sexual offender. • Warren Brooks. Birthdate: August 5, 1961. Address: 17112 Carrington Park Dr., Apt. 906. Sexual offender. • Robert H. Cowie. Birthdate: March 13, 1973. Address: 10883 Dragonwood Dr. Sexual offender. • Maria M. French. Birthdate: July 18, 1968. Address: 10405 Meadow Spring Dr. Sexual offender. • Steven D. Layland. Birthdate: March 23, 1946. Address: 9151 Rockrose Dr. Sexual offender. • Ray C. Sassaman. Birthdate: July 7, 1940. Address: 8415 Fenwick Dr. Sexual offender. • John T. Stollhaus. Birthdate: September 14, 1936. Address: 8221 Stockton Way. Sexual offender. Complete information about these individuals, including charges and registration status, is available on the FDLE website, www.fdle.state.fl.us.

Killer-For-Hire Gets 25-Yr. Sentence By Michael Smith Another man connected to the 2006 murders of a pair of Wesley Chapel High students has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. On June 18, Commie Lateel Pattmon, 27, of Tampa, pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder for killing 20-year-old Jeremy Henry, who was found shot to death a week after being named as a “person of interest” in the double murders of Derek Pieper and Raymond Veluz, who were 17 and 18 years old, respectively. Their bodies were found on July 28, 2006, on a dirt road in the Trilby area north of Dade City after police say the WCH students became involved in a feud between rival drug dealers. Shortly after the two teens were killed, investigators with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) announced that they were interested in talking to Henry about the case. Although he was never brought in for questioning, Henry contacted a local newspaper to say that he was not involved in the shooting of the two teens, but was quoted as saying he “knew a little” about the case. On Aug. 13, 2006, he also was found dead after having been shot multiple times.

There were no further leads in either case until last summer, when PCSO investigators announced that a witness had come forward and implicated two Commie other men in the death Pattmon of the teens, Luc PierreCharles, a former classmate of Pieper’s at WCH, and Tyree Jenkins of Zephyrhills. Jenkins was arrested the same day the announcement was made, but it took a months-long manhunt to locate Pierre-Charles, who was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service last October. Earlier this year, Pierre-Charles was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. During that trial, Pattmon testified that Pierre-Charles had initially offered him $2,500 to “get rid of” Henry because he was afraid Henry would give him up to police, but later agreed to kill him for $1,000 in cash, a gold necklace and 14 grams of crack cocaine. Pattmon was originally charged with first-degree murder, and could also have have faced life in prison, but he made a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty of the lesser charge. Jenkins, now 23, is scheduled for trial later this year.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

BBD/54 Intersection Is The 2nd Worst In Pasco County! Although residents often complain about all of the ongoing highway construction in our area that makes driving a nightmare, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) says that sometimes the completion of those projects can actually make problems worse. Late last month, the PCSO released its quarterly accident report for the first part of 2009, which lists the top 12 intersections in the county where accidents caused by aggressive driving have occurred, and, thanks at least in part to the completion of the widening of S.R. 54 between U.S. 41 and S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, the intersection at S.R. 54 and Collier Parkway in Land O’Lakes now tops the list — with the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel close behind in second place. PCSO spokesman Kevin Doll says that the new, wider stretch of S.R. 54, along with the proliferation of new communities and businesses all along that stretch of roadway, have contributed significantly to the number of accidents resulting from high-speed, aggressive driving. “Wherever you have more traffic and higher speeds, you’re going to have

more aggressive drivers and more accidents,” Doll says. That’s why PCSO officers joined forces with the Florida Highway Patrol and the New Port Richey Police Department on June 30 for a special one-day campaign, dubbed “Operation Collier Crunch,” to target aggressive drivers within a five-mile radius of the county’s most problematic intersection. Over the course of that campaign, between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 19 officers from the three agencies saturated the area and issued a total of 184 citations for a variety of charges, along with 46 warning tickets. “That’s why we [create] these lists,” Doll says, “so we can focus our efforts on the areas where we get the most complaints and where the most accidents occur.” Doll says that there is no specific behavior that qualifies as aggressive driving; rather, it is a combination of behaviors that draws an officer’s attention — and results in citations. “Usually, it’s speeding, along with tailgating and multiple lane changes,” he says. “But really, it could be whatever the officer considers to be unsafe movements [based on the conditions].”

There also is no specific charge for aggressive driving, but it is noted on the citation that is issued to the driver, Doll says, and can be taken into consideration by the judge in the case, especially if the driver has a history of similar offenses. In the past, the worst intersections for aggressive driving accidents and complaints have all been in western Pasco County, and indeed, intersections in that part of the county still make up the bulk of the county’s top-12 list. Last year’s top spot, for example, was the intersection of U.S. 19 and Flora Ave. in Holiday, followed by the intersection of Rowan Rd. and S.R. 54 in New Port Richey. That intersection is now third on the list, while the Flora Ave. intersection didn’t even make the top 12 this year. The 2009 list also includes: Regency Park Blvd. and Ridge Rd. in Port Richey (4); U.S. 41 and S.R. 52 in Land O’Lakes (5); Cobblestone Dr. and S.R. 52 in Hudson (6); U.S. 19 and S.R. 52 in Hudson (7); Little Rd. and Ridge Rd. in New Port Richey (8); Hicks Rd. & S.R. 52 in Hudson (9); Louis Ave. & Holiday Lake Dr. in Holiday (10); Little Rd. and New York

Ave. in Hudson (11) and Mile Stretch Dr. and U.S. 19 in Holiday (12). According to the report, the number of crashes linked to aggressive driving this year has actually decreased compared to the first quarter of 2008. This year, there have been 685, compared with 817 in 2008. Also, there were eight fatal accidents that resulted in eight deaths during the first quarter of 2008. While the number of fatal accidents remained the same this year, the death toll increased by two. — Michael Smith

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

W ESLEY C HAPEL Possible Swine Flu Closes HGCC Camp Temporarily

Health officials around the country are preparing for what they say could be a major re-emergence of the H1N1 virus, aka swine flu, during this year’s flu season, and a few cases have already appeared in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas. Just as this issue of the New Tampa Neighborhood News was going to press, officials at Hunter’s Green Country Club (HGCC) announced that they would be closing the club’s summer camp program for a few days after a counselor at the camp came down with what her doctors suspected to be swine flu, although that had not yet been confirmed at our press time. According to HGCC camp director Allegra Campos, the club’s child care and day camp activities were suspended until Monday, July 20, after the facilities had been cleaned and sanitized. “It’s strictly a precautionary measure, and after that, the camps will reopen,” Campos said. Meanwhile, Dr. Mitch Forman of New Tampa Urgent Care told us that he had treated two documented cases of swine flu at his Wesley Chapel office, located in the Shoppes of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel. Forman says that the symptoms of H1N1 mirror those of the ordinary flu, and include high fever, coughs, sore throat, body aches and fatigue, and it is spread in the same way, too, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of those who are infected. Forman adds that although there have been a few U.S. deaths that have been attributed to swine flu, most patients who have been infected have recovered without any long-term effects. The H1N1 virus can be treated with common antibiotics, but they are most effective when administered within the first two days of the appearance of the symptoms, Forman says. Otherwise, the symptoms typically subside within 7-10 days. The problem, Forman says, is that health officials are worried that this flu virus, which has shown the ability to quickly change its genetic makeup, will develop the ability to mutate even more quickly once it becomes more widespread during the upcoming flu season. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, world health officials are closely monitoring the flu virus’ behavior in the southern hemisphere, which recently entered its regular flu season. As of June 11, the virus had appeared in more than 70 countries and affected more than 1 million people. In the U.S., there had been a total of 40,617 confirmed or suspect-

News Briefs ed cases in the U.S. and its territories, along with a total of 263 deaths. For more information and regular updates, visit cdc.gov.h1n1.

Vehicle Thieves Strike Again In Tampa Palms

For those who continue to leave their vehicle doors unlocked and/or leave valuables (including keys) in plain sight inside their vehicles, here’s another cautionary tale from the Tampa Police Department (TPD). On July 13, two vehicles, including a 2007 Land Rover and a 2007 Ford F150 pick-up truck were both stolen from a residence in the Cambridge 1 neighborhood in Tampa Palms. According to TPD investigators, the same Ford pick-up was broken into on July 8, 2008, when the owner left it unlocked with the keys inside. A week later, on July 13, 2008, the pick-up itself was stolen using the keys that were taken in the earlier break-in. Then, on July 13 of this year, the pick-up was stolen again, made possible by the fact that the truck’s locks had not been changed since the 2008 incidents and no other anti-theft devices, such as an alarm, were being used. The owner also had left the keys to the Land Rover inside, which made it easy for the thieves to steal that as well. There are no leads in the case, investigators say, but anyone who has seen either of the vehicles or who may have any other information is asked to call the TPD District 2 office at 931-6500.

“It’s silly to have made all those improvements to these facilities and then not use them to their full potential,” he says. According to Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation director Mark Thornton, his department is facing cuts of more than $14 million over the Bicyclists protesting the possible part-time next two years, including $5 milclosing of county parks, including Flatwoods, lion from the budget for the rode their bikes to a recent budget hearing. regional park system, which (Photo courtesy of SWFBUD.) encompasses about 18,000 acres and includes four different recreprograms in which residents would ation areas, including Flatwoods. To adopt the parks and manage them or deal with those cuts, the department is help out in other ways,” Thornton said. looking at cutting 45 full-time employ“We’re also talking with the Southwest ee positions, including 20 that are curFlorida Water Management District rently vacant because of the county’s (Swiftmud), which owns the property, ongoing hiring freeze. The department to possibly help out with the operating also is considering closing all of its parks cost. We’re leaving no stone unturned.” for two days per week, starting in OctoThornton adds he is confident that ber of this year, if the current budget is there are enough volunteers who would approved as proposed, but none of the be willing to help the parks stay open, at parks will be closed permanently (as least for this year, but the issue could some rumors had suggested) and there return again in fiscal 2010-11, because will be no reduction in hours on the of the additional cuts the department is days that the parks remain open. He expected to face. There will be two also said that the specific days for the more public hearings on the 2009-10 closures have not yet been decided, and county budget, on Tuesday, Septemthat the department is looking at a vari- ber 8, and Thursday, September 17, ety of options that may allow the parks after which it is scheduled to go before to remain open seven days a week. the County Commission for adoption. “We’ve talked to several groups, For more information, visit including SWFBUD, about volunteer Hillsboroughcounty.org.

Bikers Protest Proposed Flatwoods Park Closing

More than 30 bicycling enthusiasts were among the estimated 700-plus county residents who flooded into a public hearing on the proposed 200910 Hillsborough County budget on July 16, to protest, among other things, the proposed closure of the riding trail at Flatwoods Wilderness Park for two days per week. Alan Snel, who represents a group known as South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (aka SWFBUD), led a long line of riders as they pedaled approximately five miles between the Seminole Garden Center on Central Ave. to the meeting at the All People’s Life Center on E. Sligh Ave. “We have this huge resource, and it needs to be open seven days a week,” says Snel, who points out that the trails are very popular, not only with bicyclists, but also with the walkers, joggers, skaters, and others who use the facility every day. He also notes that bicyclists have donated many hours of work to maintain and keep up the trails.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Two Die In Separate Crashes 42-year-old Teresa McLamb of WesOn The Same Stretch Of I-75 ley Chapel.

The stretch of Interstate 75 just south of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. claimed two lives earlier this month, as a Plant City mother of two and a 16-year-old Seffner girl were killed in separate accidents that took place just hours apart. In the first accident, which involved five vehicles, Jeffery C. Nicoll, Jr., 21, of Hudson, was traveling north on the interstate just before 2 p.m. when he failed to notice traffic slowing down in front of him. As a result, Nicoll’s 1993 Oldsmobile slammed into the rear of a 2001 Toyota Rav 4 driven by 40-year-old Jason Edwards of Plant City, who was traveling with his wife Rachel, 34, and their two sons, Jake, 3, and Harry, 6. The impact forced the Edwards’ vehicle forward into a 2004 Chevrolet pick-up driven by 68year-old Michael Szemak of St. James City before it flipped over and landed upside down. Nicoll’s car, meanwhile, hit a 2003 Mitsubishi SUV driven by 21-year-old Jeffrey Larcher of Merritt Island, and the SUV was propelled forward into a 2005 Mercury van driven by

Rachel Edwards, who reportedly was not wearing a seat belt, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she later died. Harry Edwards was transported to University Community Hospital in serious condition, as were three passengers from Nicoll’s vehicle — Kevin Land, 18; Sara Sims, 19; and Jessica Phelps, 20. Nicoll himself suffered minor injuries, as did Jason and Jake Edwards. None of the other drivers or their passengers were injured. Charges in the accident are pending following a full investigation. In the second accident, which took place at around 3 a.m. in the same area as the first, 17-year-old Arielle N. Warkow of Seffner was driving south in a 2004 Ford Explorer, along with her sister, 16year-old Britney B. Warkow, when the older girl lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway and overturned. Arielle suffered minor injuries, but Britney, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. That crash also remains under investigation.

“Shooting” Continued from page 1 Bush signed into law S.B. 436, commonly known as the “Stand Your Ground” law, or “Castle Doctrine,” and it basically does three things: it establishes the presumption that a criminal who forcibly enters or intrudes into your home or vehicle while you are there is liable to cause death or great bodily harm, therefore allowing the use of force, including deadly force, against that person. The law also removes the so-called “duty to retreat” if you are attacked in any place you have a right to be, which means that you no longer have to turn your back on a criminal and try to run when attacked. Instead, you may stand your ground and fight back, meeting force with force, including deadly force, if you reason-

ably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others. It also provides protection from prosecution for persons using such force under such conditions, and prohibits criminals and their families from suing victims for injuring or killing the criminals who have attacked them. In May of this year, a Hillsborough County judge rejected the “Stand Your Ground” defense posed by a local tow truck operator who shot a man who was attempting to take back a vehicle that the tow truck operator had impounded in 2006. Also this year, a Pasco County judge denied a defense motion to declare another defendant who had claimed protection under the statute immune from prosecution, and ruled that he had to stand trial for a shooting that took place in 2008. Both of those cases have been set for trial.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

2008-09 NTCC Board of Directors

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

President-Jerry Miller

Board Members:

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

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

Website: NewTampa.Org

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

Administrative Assistant:Position vacant!

WELCOME TO THE NEW TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE! Well the inaugural New Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon can be summed up in one word, AWESOME! With more than 60 local business owners, managers and employees in attendance, the member and nonmember support was amazing. We were forced to turn folks away who didn’t RSVP which was very hard for us, but it’s just an example of how important it is that we PLAN to be at these events and not just show up. We are so proud of our local business community and are so pleased with the support for this first event and want to thank everyone who came to Polo’s Italian Grill in the New Tampa Center (next to Publix) for the occasion. Special thanks goes to Polo’s owner and chef Paul Proscia, for hosting the event and for providing truly outstanding food — and plenty of it! We also thank our first guest speaker, podiatrist Dr. Stephen Levin, whose discussion topic was “Putting Our Best Foot Forward,” which made Dr. Levin the obvious choice to kick off the new Chamber. A chamber of commerce is a wonderful way to give back to your community and it seems that we have a tremendous number of businesses who want to do just that. We are putting together our next events and will pubTodd J. Wiener, DMD, PA General Dentistry 14201 Professional Plaza • 14201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd

lish them on our calendar, look for it on our web site — NewTampa.org. Unfortunately, this issue went to press before the Chamber’s first-ever breakfast meeting, which was held July 21 at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club and featured New Tampa’s own Shawn Harrison as the guest speaker, but we were looking for another great turnout (we will report on the breakfast in our next issue). As most of you know, Shawn has represented New Tampa on the Tampa City Council and the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) and has recently announced his intention to run for the District 60 seat in the State House of Representatives. District 60, which includes New Tampa, Temple Terrace, Lutz and Thonotosassa, has been represented by Republican Dr. Ed Homan and Shawn hopes to keep the District filled with another GOP member. He planned to discuss the issues that affect New Tampa at the breakfast, as well as answer questions on the issues he hopes to run on in the upcoming election. Also, don’t forget to mark you calendars as the last Thursday of each month is our connection event at Stonewood Grill & Tavern located at 17050 Palm Pointe Dr. in Tampa

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Palms, 6 p.m.7:30 p.m. We hope even more of you will make the effort to attend our monthly meetings, as they will always feature guest speakers who can offer insight into our community and its continued development in all Podiatrist Dr. Steven Levin (far left) was the featured speaker at the packed first New Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon. areas of our daily lives, both business Bruce B. Downs Blvd. This site garand personal. In the new Chamber’s nered nothing but positive feedback last infancy, we are very encouraged by the year, although the location of the 2009 support and enthusiasm the community Art Festival had not been finalized at has shown toward our transformation our press time. There are bigger and from the Community Council to the better plans for this November’s event Chamber. ALL NTCC members are and the live entertainment was being encouraged to join committees and finalized at press time. As New Tampa’s help. Check NewTampa.org for mem- only juried art festival, the Chamber is bership information and more upcomproud to take over the festival, which is ing events. sure to be a good time again. And Speaking of getting involved, we remember, this is a pet-friendly event. are still accepting applications for the We have formed our nominating Chamber’s administrative assistant posi- committee for the Board of the Chamtion, and hope to fill that position ber. As always, we are looking for dediASAP. Apply at NewTampa.org. cated men and women who would like to give something back to the commuArt Festival Update nity we know and love. If you would The fourth annual New Tampa like more information about running Art Festival will be held the weekend of for the Board, send your inquiry to November 14-15 and with the blessinfo@newtampa.org and the committee ing of Grace Episcopal Church in will contact you. Tampa Palms, which last year hosted Have a safe summer. the Art Festival for the first time, we will be back on Grace’s grassy plot at Jerry A. Miller the corner of Tampa Palms Blvd. and President

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Vacation Watch Program

In response to a number of recent home burglaries that occurred while local homeowners were away on vacation, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) has announced that it offers a free vacation watch program. For more information, call the TPD District 2 office at 931-6500, or visit the TPD website at tampagov.net. Click on the links for “Programs and Services” and “Neighborhood Watch” to find a form that can be downloaded and faxed to the department.

Call For Artists & Crafters

The Tampa Palms Women’s Club is seeking local artists and crafters to participate in its annual “Arts & Crafts Under the Palms” show & sale, which will be held Saturday-Sunday, October 17-18, at the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center. For more information, call 9772261 or send an e-mail to: tampapalmswomensclub@yahoo.com.

Volunteer Drivers Needed

The American Cancer Society is in need of volunteer drivers to take cancer patients to and from their life-saving cancer treatments for its “Road to Recovery” program. Schedules are very flexible and training, maps and directions are provided to the drivers, who are required to have a valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, and a vehicle that is in good working condition to participate. For more information about being a Road to Recovery volunteer, please call (800) 227-2345.

Host Families Needed

Volunteers are needed to host international exchange students through AYUSA International, a nonprofit high school foreign exchange student organization. We welcome teenagers from more than 65 countries worldwide and provide host family placement and ongoing supervision for 5- and 10-month academic programs. These exceptional young people look forward to a warm bond of friendship with your family and a rewarding cultural exchange. Host families are asked to provide meals and a bedroom, either shared or private. Students pay for all of their own other personal expenses while in the U.S. For more information, contact AYUSA Community Representative Erin Leschak at 245-4836 or visit www.ayusa.org.

Addiction Support Group

Monday, July 27 – Higher Ground Ministry, a Christ-centered

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

Tampa Bay Newcomers

Tuesday, July 28 – The Tampa Bay Newcomers will hold a luncheon meeting for club members and those who are interested in joining at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPG&CC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). The meeting will begin with a social at 10:30 a.m., followed by the meal and a program on container gardening presented by Annie’s Garden. To R.S.V.P., call Marilyn Smith at 977-6861. For membership and other information, call Mallory Gerstein at 907-0386.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, July 29 – The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Circles New Tampa Bistro (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the Pebble Creek Collection shopping plaza). For more info, including a speaker schedule, call 760-4426.

New Tampa Kiwanis Club

For more information, call Matthew Riddell at 907-6565.

New Tampa Evening Rotary

Thursday, July 30 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:15 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). For more information, call Sherri Ferguson at 892-9782.

New Tampa Rotary Club

Friday, July 31 – The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPG&CC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). On July 31, the club’s guest speaker will be University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt, and on August 7, Gil Thelen, former publisher of The Tampa Tribune, wil give a talk entitled “Our Fractured Media World.” For more information, visit www.newtamparotary.org or contact Matt Palmer at 972-9235 or matt.palmer@earthlink.net.

noon; bowling begins at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kathy Hall at 545-7093 or by email at cheshirekat191@aol.com.

Florida Writers Association

Saturday, August 1 – The Florida Writers Association meets on the first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.noon, at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Shops at Wiregrass mall in Wesley Chapel. All meetings are free and open to the public. The topic of the August 1 meeting will be a synopsis workshop presented by former Time/Life editor Molli Nickell. Call 907-7739 for more info.

‘Bowling For Pets’ Sake’

Saturday, August 1 – The St. Francis Society Animal Rescue will host a fund raiser entitled “Bowling For Pets’ Sake” at AMF University Lanes (13109 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace). Registration for the event begins at

Wednesday, July 29 – The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa meets every Wednesday at 11:45 am at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd). For additional information, please send an email to info@ newtampa kiwanis.org or visit www.newtampakiwanis.org.

New Tampa P.A.R.

Wednesday, July 29 – New Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (P.A.R.) is a professional networking group that meets every Wednesday at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 5:30 p.m., for networking and nine holes of golf. There is a one-time $35 membership fee, and weekly greens and cart fees are $20. For more information, contact Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100 or by e-mail at clewandoski@westcoastfinancial.com.

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, July 29 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who are dedicated to helping their businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Heritage Isles Country Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.).

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Firefighters Grill & Educate

According to the National Fire Protection Association, on average, 2,900 structure fires and 5,000 outside fires are caused by gas-fueled and charcoal grills every year. So, BJ’s Wholesale Club in Tampa Palms is proud to have partnered recently with Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) for the second annual Firefighter GrillOff to promote safe grilling practices. The event showed off the grilling skills of local (although not from either of New Tampa’s stations — TFR Station Nos. 20 & 21) firefighters while educating the public Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 12 kicks up the about barbequing safely. The heat on their grilling techniques as they work to Firefighter Grill-Off was held defend their title from last year's Annual Fire on July 11 at the BJ’s located Fighter Grill-Off at BJ’s Wholesale Club in at 6290 Commerce Palms Dr. Tampa Palms. (behind Staples). Teams from four Tampa supports the Tampa Rescue Public firehouses — Robles Park Station No. Education office. 5, The Old 1-2 Fire Station (No. 12), Children and parents who attended North Tampa station (No. 13) and the the Grill-Off got to tour the inner East Tampa station (No. 18) grilled up workings of a modern fire truck and delicious dishes to compete for a $500 viewed a historic antique fire engine, BJ’s gift card and, of course, bragging both of which were on public display rights. BJ’s donated $1,000 to the during the event. — Submitted to New Friends of Tampa Fire Rescue, which Tampa Neighborhood News

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Shoppers Flock To The Area’s Newest Sweetbay Supermarket Anytime you offer free food and other giveaways, you can expect to draw a crowd. But officials with Sweetbay Supermarkets were still surprised by the response to the June 27 Grand Opening of the newest area Sweetbay, located on the southwest corner of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at 6425 County Line Rd., in the recently-completed The Cypress shopping center. (Note-The center also is home to L.A. Fitness, which opened the previous week.) Despite the threat of thunderstorms that hit the Tampa Bay area later that morning, hundreds of eager shop-

pers began lining up before 7 a.m. to be the first to see the brand new, 38,000-sq.-ft. store, and to collect some Grand Opening giveaways, such as canvas shopping totes filled with free samples, which were handed out to the first 500 shoppers. The event also included live music, cooking demonstrations, activities for kids, free blood glucose screenings and more. The blood glucose screenings were offered to promote one of the new store’s special features, an in-house wellness clinic operated in conjunction with USF Health. According to a spokesperson, the clinic will be staffed by an advanced registered nurse practitioner, and will offer a variety of walk-in services, such as physicals for school and sports, treatment of minor injuries, vision and hearing screenings and more. “This servHundreds of local residents lined up to be the first to shop at ice helps makes the new store (and to receive some free goodies).

Store leaders cut the ribbon on the new Sweetbay Supermarket in The Cypress shopping center at County Line Rd. and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. our shoppers’ lives more convenient and the comprehensive care that USF Health provides is exactly what we want to offer the community,” Sweetbay president and chief operating officer Mike Vail said. The Grand Opening celebration will continue in the coming weeks with a variety of special events and activities, including a visit from the Tampa Bay Rays Street Team on Saturday, July 11, and a visit by Tampa Bay Lightning mascot “Thunderbug” on Saturday,

August 8. For more details about these special events, visit sweetbay supermarket.com. Meanwhile, the regular supermarket hours are 7 a.m.-11 p.m. seven days a week. The store telephone number is 907-2024. The wellness center will open with limited hours beginning on Thursday, July 16, and will be operating on a full-time basis by early August. For more information, call 973-CARE or visit myhealthcare.usf.edu. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Permanent Weight Loss Is Within Reach At Metabolic Research Center By Melissa O’Brien According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in this country over the past 20 years. Being overweight or obese, as calculated by a person’s body mass index (BMI), and its associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the U.S. health care system, not to mention the implications to an individual’s quality of life. Excess weight can cause heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and increase a person’s chances of infertility and cancer. For many people, weight and diet are lifelong issues that represent years of frustration and sadness. The people at Metabolic Research Center (MRC), with full-time offices in Brandon and Citrus Park and a parttime office in nearby Tampa Palms, want to help those struggling with being overweight to set a course toward a healthier lifestyle. On Friday, July 24, MRC’s Brandon office (on LithiaPinecrest Rd.) will be hosting an Open House, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The event is open to the public and guests will be treated to free consultations with MRC’s trained weight loss experts. There also will be free BMI measurements, weighins and more.

“This is the only time during the year where we slash our membership prices,” says Stephanie Skantze, marketing manager for the New Tampa location in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park Blvd. “It’s a great opportunity to check us out and find out what makes us different as a weight loss/management center.” Metabolic Research Center began more than 25 years ago with a program that provides a nutritionally-balanced approach to weight loss. While you may have not heard of them through a national advertising campaign, the company has grown in size and location through its positive client testimonials and word-of- mouth endorsements. There are nearly 70 independentlyowned and operated centers in 15 states (including a company-most 21 locations in Florida) across the country, including the three in our area. New Tampa’s center, in the Tampa Palms Professional Park (across from Freedom High School), is the Tampa Bay area’s newest location. While it is only open once a week (Thursdays), plans are to extend its hours in the future. According to Skantze, MRC is different from so-called “fad” or other diets in its overall approach. “We look at weight loss from a holistic stand-

Client Shields Clark lost 50 lbs. in 17 weeks with a healthy weight loss program and nutritional counseling from Metabolic Research Center. year, it is critical to have a support syspoint,” says Skantze, who lives in New tem and to continue to weigh in twice Tampa and started working for the company after her mother had her own a week in order to maintain your accountability. Our clients find that it is weight loss success with the program. a fun and safe environment that is “We make sure that this is the last meant for them to feel good – where weight loss program you ever do by having both a weight stabilization and a people support one another and maintenance program. On your weight encourage each other.” MRC does not sell pre-packaged loss program, you follow a well-defined food, but shares diets, supplements menu, spend time looking at the (which may include all-natural appetite underlying emotional reasons why you suppressants and fat burners) and eat and work on eating smaller, more menus created by the company’s regisfrequent, balanced meals.” Stephanie adds that after achieving tered dieticians and physicians with its clients. They incorporate food from all your initial weight loss goals, “we’ll four food groups and focus on weight move onto maintenance. In the first

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

management for life, using principles that address both sound nutritional practices and life management skills. More than simply making better meal choices, Skantze says MRC’s philosophy teaches clients how to overcome the emotional side of eating. “What also makes us unique is the relationships we develop with our clients,” says Skantze. “We stay with the client as long as they want, providing that emotional support and encouragement they may need. A lot of companies are getting into the weight loss business but they don’t have the years of experience and results we have. Our company has not changed its fundamental plan in the past 20 years because it is what works for our clients.” After joining MRC, staff members review each client’s medical history and work with him or her and design a specific plan of action. The program guarantees a 3-5 pound weight loss per week. According to Skantze, many of the trainers, who take company coursework before becoming certified to teach the program, are former clients themselves. “It is a job of true passion for many people,” says Stephanie. “It makes it easier for them to understand the emotional pieces and struggles of weight loss.” For Meadow Pointe resident Leslie Thompson, MRC was what she needed

to shed an extra 30 pounds she had trouble losing. “I already was exercising,” says Thompson, who was working with a pilates teacher who recommended MRC. “I have arthritis in my knees and was taking medication which made me retain a lot of water. I started the program in mid-December of last year – thinking it was a bad time to start. But they didn’t limit my food groups and I stuck with the program.” Thompson says that by March of this year, she hit her goal weight. “In April, I dropped six pounds below my goal and I have not fluctuated since then,” she says. “Anyone who is overweight knows that it is easy to put on even a pound. But you have to be focused, embrace the program and work it the way it is structured. Since starting, my cholesterol has gone done. Before I went on the program, my cholesterol was high — about 216. Since I went on the program, my cholesterol count has dropped 30 points.” Shields Clark of Temple Terrace started attending Metabolic Research Center when his blood pressure went up to 140/85 and his weight was 254. “They guarantee that you will loose three pounds in a week,” says Clark. “I lost 50 pounds in 17 weeks and I feel pretty good. My blood pressure is now 120/76 and my knees

don’t hurt me as badly as they did. My Dad always had problems with his knees and I did not want to have the same issues. The program has changed my eating habits. I was even able to go on a cruise, enjoy the food and still lose a pound.” The New Tampa Metabolic Research Center is located at 17407 Bridge Hill Ct. in the Tampa Palms Professional Park. The office is open on Thursdays by appointment only. Other MRC locations are in Brandon at 435 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd. and Citrus Park at 6607 Gunn Hwy. For more information, visit eMetabolic. com or call (813) 643-5066.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Visit Mar-Go Interiors’ Great New Location On ‘Furniture Row’ I may not know the difference between a swag and a cornice, but I do know where I’m going to go if I ever need either one — the new Mar-Go Interiors located just east of the intersection of S.R. 56 and I-75. After building a successful local following for twelve years on S.R. 54 just east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, Mar-Go owner Maria Gorter saw how the downturn in the local economy was affecting her business and decided that a new location with more traffic and more potential customers looking to buy furniture and accessories for their homes might be just what she and her staff of dedicated decorating consultants needed — more clients seeking outstanding window treatments, blinds, flooring, decorative accessories and so much more. “This is a lot smaller store than our location on S.R. 54,” says Maria. “But, we’ve had a lot more people coming in to see what we offer in the month that we have been open here than we did in six months on S.R. 54.” Even though her old location (which is still the workshop where the window treatments are created, as well as the warehouse for the business) was larger and had frontage (and signage) right on S.R. 54, Maria says the new

location in the new “Furniture Row” on S.R. 56 (the same plaza also includes Haverty’s and Ashley Furniture stores, as well as KraftMaid Cabinetry and Flooring, plus Shapes Fitness and the Texas Roadhouse restaurant), “is a place customers can see from 56 and they’re driving in to improve the look of their homes. We are thrilled with this store.” According to Maria’s daughter Lana, who works part-time at Unique flooring options abound at Mar-Go Interiors. the store with her mom, the success of Mar-Go (L. to r.) Pat Thompson, Judy Dechant and Maria Gorter if not for longInteriors is attributable to the people time employee welcome you to the new Mar-Go Interiors off S.R. 56. who work there. Judy Dechant, “From my mom to everyone who who has been working with Maria since after her father, long-time sports broadworks full- and part-time here, we have 1999. Fellow decorating consultant Pat caster Jim Karvellas, passed away. Even a wonderful time together and I think local artists already have begun displayThompson had Maria help her create ing their art in the new store. the customers know they are in a place the perfect look in her home a decade If you need any kind of help with people who really want to help ago and became an employee of the with decorating your home, visit the improve the look of their homes — and store after again hiring Maria to new Mar-Go Interiors at 26240 really like each other.” “refresh” the look of the same house For example, Maria says she’d Golden Maple Loop or at Mar-Go. last year. Consultant Jamie Karvellas never feel comfortable going back to com. Or, call 991-9660 and tell was Maria’s friend and neighbor who her native Greece for an extended stay Maria & Co. we sent you! — GN began working at Mar-Go Interiors

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Local Kids Win Medals At Taekwondo Junior Olympics New Tampa is home to a pair of rising stars in the sport of taekwondo, and they just happen to be brother and sister. Christopher Cao, 11, and his sister Vivianna, who is 9, have only been studying taekwondo for about three years now, but both of them have already achieved black belts (1st Dan) and both performed well enough to win medals at the 2009 Taekwondo Junior Olympics and National Championships, which were held in Austin, TX, June 30-July 5.

Christopher Cao shows off his gold medal-winning form.

Christopher Cao, 11, and his sister Vivianna, 9, show off the medals they won at the 2009 Taekwondo National Championships. Christopher won a gold medal in the boys 12-13 age group for the Black Belt 1st Dan Forms division, while Vivianna won a bronze medal in the girls 8-9 age group for the Black Belt 1st Dan Forms, as well as a silver medal in the girls 8-9 Black Belt 1st Dan Board Breaking division. Christopher and Vivianna are the children of Thuy Van Chau and Calvin Cao of Cory Lake Isles. They study at the Taekwondo Master Academy on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms. In August, the siblings will be traveling to Korea to participate in the World Han Ma Dang Taekwondo Competition.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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State-Of-The-Art Technology + Personalized Attention = Fit 4 Life By Michael Smith Let’s face it, unless you already happen to be a world-class athlete or a supermodel (and if you are, please accept my heartfelt congratulations), then chances are that you would like to get in better shape -- whether that means shedding a few pounds, having the stamina to play a few sets of tennis without having a paramedic crew on stand-by, or simply being able to keep up with your children on an afternoon in the park. Most people who try to get into better shape usually take one of two paths: they either purchase a membership at their local fitness club (and usually only go once or twice before quitting), or they buy a piece of home fitness equipment (which they use once or twice and then abandon). The problem is, getting in shape is hard work, and it takes a lot of determination and dedication to succeed. However, if you’re looking for a way to train smarter, not harder, and achieve some pretty impressive results along the way, then you will want to check out the programs available at Fit4Life in Tampa Palms. Forget what you think you know about health clubs, because Fit4Life is far different from the typical gym. Yes, the 3,000-sq.-ft. facility does have a lot of different exercise machines with all kinds of weights, levers and pulleys, but, rather than leaving you on your own to try and figure out how to use

them properly, each workout session at Fit4Life is personally supervised and custom designed to meet the individual client’s personal fitness goals. “Everything here is one-to-one,” says Fit4Life owner and president Travis Monday, who adds that there are never more than five people trainMen and women alike get great results at Fit4Life, whether ing at any given time at the facility, “because they’re seeking fitness, spine strengthening or injury rehab. we want to keep it as dard” of workout equipment, because private and non-distracting as possible.” its design creates less friction and uses The machines used by the trainers smaller weight increments than other at Fit4Life are not just your old run-ofkinds of machines, which makes it easier the-mill workout machines, either. The to customize for each individual. It also facility exclusively utilizes the MedX line utilizes movements that complement of equipment, which was invented by the body’s natural mechanics. For that Arthur Jones, who also invented the reason, clients at Fit4Life can achieve groundbreaking Nautilus technology better results in less time than those that is now standard in practically every who use other types of machines. gym in the country. As its name “In your typical hour-long workimplies, the MedX technology was iniout, there is only about eight minutes tially designed for medical applications, of actual work,” he says. “But, with our to help test and strengthen the muscles program, you get three times as much of the lower back by specifically targetwork in half the time.” ing that area. From there, the technoloJanette Pearce, a retired registered gy expanded to include other machines nurse who has trained at Fit4Life for that target other areas of the body for about a year and a half, says that she use in treatment and rehabilitation, and was very happy with the results she then to include machines specifically for received. exercise and strength training. “I had a significant drop in my Now, Monday says, the MedX line body mass index (BMI), and lost inches is considered to be the “Gold Stanall over,” says Pearce, who adds that the

Fit4Life training concept, with fewer repetitions of each exercise and close, personalized attention, was “terrific.” “The entire staff was very professional, but also very personable and friendly, too,” she says.

Spine Strengthening & More

There are those people, however, who can’t work out because they suffer from back pain or other health issues, and for them, Fit4Life also offers a complete program of physical therapy, again, using the MedX machines, along with a variety of other cutting-edge therapies, such as ultrasound, electro therapeutic point stimulation (ETPS, which is basically an electronic form of acupuncture) and H-wave therapy, which uses very low-frequency electric stimulation to relieve pain and treat injured muscles. See “Fit4Life” on page 42.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Does The Return Of The Deacon Blues Have To Include That Guy?

I am extremely proud to say that I recently joined a group that has had a longstanding reputation in the Tampa Bay area. No, it’s not another networking group or Rotary Club. It’s the Deacon Blues Band, a hardrocking, working blues band that has been playing gigs in our area for 11 years. The Deacon Blues The new Deacon Blues Band includes (l. to r.) Dr. Mitch Seleznick, Dr. Michael Omori, Chris Cary, Gary Nager, Todd LeBlanc, Michael Marth, started at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Bernie Desrosiers, Kelly O’Keefe and Dan Provost. Not pictured: Dr. Tracy Sanson, Anne Desrosiers, Woody Parrett and Joe Kelly. with former St. Mark pastor Comedy Tour at Peabody’s, Following the group’s first smash Fr. Eric Peters as the Blues Brothers-imialso include the talents of “comeback” performance at the USF tating front man and harmonica player, Medical School graduation party in late Aniria Wilson, Robin Savage, but Fr. Eric was still performing with the Alissa Bissonette, Cindy June, the Deacon Blues band is now group, even though he had long since Schlotterback, Catherine Larlooking to play some local gigs and moved from St. Mark to St. Elizabeth already has at least one scheduled as we son, Angel Parker, Sharon Ann Seton Catholic Church in Citrus Gabaree and emcee Long go to press. On Friday, August 28, 7 County. p.m., the Deacon Blues will be the fea- Island Mary, most of whom Today, the band, which has always tured act at the Northdale Golf & Ten- got their starts at SideSplitters been led by lead guitarist/vocalist Comedy Club on N. Dale nis Club’s “Beer & Blues Concert on The Funny Divas include (l. to r.) Long Island Michael Marth and included keyboardist Mabry Hwy. I know first-hand the Clay,” at 4417 Northdale Blvd., Mary, Aniria Wilson, Susan Saiger, Catherine Bernie Desrosiers, baritone saxophonist Tampa. For tickets (which are for sale that all of the divas have the Dr. Kelly O’Keefe, Dr. Michael Omori Larson & Robin Savage. ability to make the average to the general public) call 962-0428 on bass guitar and Dan Provost on alto adult man or woman pee themselves — office), in the Shoppes of Amberly. or visit NorthdaleGolf.com. sax, now also includes Dr. Mitch The cover charge to attend the and who wouldn’t want to be there to If you’d like to book the new Seleznick and Wharton High teacher Funny Divas show at Peabody’s is see that? Deacon Blues to perform at your Joe Kelly on rhythm guitar, Chris Cary only $5! For additional information, Peabody’s & The Palms are club, or for your party or other event, on percussion, Woody Parrett on trumvisit PeabodysTampa.com or Funnye-mail Bernie Desrosiers at berniejd@ located at 15333 Amberly Dr. (next pet and Dr. Tracy Sanson, Anne DivaShow.com. — GN to the palatial Neighborhood News mindspring.com or call 361-2808. Desrosiers, local music teacher, church musical director and owner/leader of Funny Divas Invade Showkidz (a singing, dancing and acting Peabody’s Aug 1! troupe for kids of all ages) Todd My pal Susan Saiger and her LeBlanc and a certain newspaper editor standup comic friends— the Funny on vocals. Divas — will make a second appearance FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY Marth has played with members of in New Tampa on Saturday, August 8, the backing groups for Duke Ellington, 7:30 p.m., at The Palms Lounge at Gloria Estefan, Della Reese and Dave Peabody’s in the Shoppes of Amberly • Access to Discount Dental Plans Reinhart (the drummer for Rick Derplaza in Tampa Palms. If you know any• Most insurance plans accepted/In-network ringer). Desrosiers has played with the one who attended the group’s smash Beaver Brown Band, which was the appearance at Toast Wine & Cigar Bar • Nitrous Oxide Available group playing the Bruce Springsteen-like in the Oak Ramble Plaza last month, • Tooth Colored Fillings music in the movie “Eddie and the you know you don’t want to miss the Cruisers.” Parrett played with Sammy • Crowns, Bridges, & Veneers Divas this time! Spear & His Orchestra (which was the In addition to Suzi, the Funny • Whitening, Zoom! 2 & Take Home Kits late, great Jackie Gleason’s Divas, who proudly present the latest leg • Implant Dentistry orchestra)...and the list goes on and on. of the “That’s What She Said” Standup

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Great Concerts & More On August Entertainment Calendar! There is still one full month of daily recreation complemented by the unparalleled Florida sunshine to be enjoyed this summer. And, the Tampa Bay area has a variety of events coming up that are sure to end this summer with a bang. Appealing to a wide range of interests, the following list of activities includes some of the highlights.

Free Admission At MOSI

Through Sunday, August 2 – Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), is offering one free children’s admission (regularly priced at $19.95) with the purchase of one adult or senior admission ticket. Admission includes all of the museum’s regular exhibits, as well as the special “Animation” exhibit, sponsored by The Cartoon Channel, as well as admission to one IMAX movie. Also, on Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., MOSI will host the 2009 “Back-to-School Fair,” which will includes exhibits and information on child wellness, tutoring and more. MOSI is located at 4801 E. Fowler Ave. For information, call 987-6100 or visit mosi.org.

Green Day

Monday, August 3— In support of the long-awaited eighth studio

album, “21st Century Breakdown,” which was released in May this year, the multi-Grammy Award-winning poppunk band Green Day (“American Idiot,” “When I Come Around”) is making its first tour of the U.S. and Canada in three years. Green Day will perform at the St. Pete Times Forum (401 Channelside Dr.), 8 p.m. Tickets cost $22.25 and $46.75 and are available at the Forum ticket office and through Ticketmaster (287-8844 or ticketmaster.com). For information, call 301-2500.

Kenny Chesney

Saturday, August 8— Tennessee native Kenny Chesney grew up in the same hometown of Nashville legend Chet Atkins, but didn’t show much interest in music himself until college, when he received a guitar as a Christmas present and joined a local bluegrass band. He began writing songs on his own, and released his debut album, “My Wildest Dreams,” in 1993. Chesney then landed a deal with RCA Records, and that led to 1995’s “All I Need To Know,” which scored two Top 10 hits. His most recent album, “Lucky OId Sun,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard magazine on Nov. 1. Kenny Chesney, along with Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum, will

perform at 7:30 p.m., at the Ford Amphitheatre (4802 U.S. Hwy. 301, at the Florida State Fairgrounds). Tickets cost $30.50 and $71 and are available at the Amphitheatre ticket office or online at livenation.com. Call 740-2446.

The Jonas Brothers

Tuesday, August 18— As if seeing them everywhere from the 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards to “Saturday Night Live” wasn’t enough, the Jonas Brothers (“S.O.S.,” “Burnin’ Up”) bring their 2009 World Tour, which also features “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and up-and-coming band Honor Society, to the St. Pete Times Forum (401 Channelside Dr.), beginning at 7 p.m. The tour features an ambitious production, with a massive 140-foot-wide stage, a one-of-a-kind circular water screen, multi-color laser effects, motion automated video screens, a giant crane levitating over the audience, and more. Tickets for the Jonas Brothers World Tour were still available at our press time. Prices range from $26.75$86.75 and can be purchased at the Forum ticket office or through Ticketmaster (287-8844, ticketmaster.com. For information, call 301-2500.

Hippiefest & Rockstar Mayhem

Saturday, August 8 & Tuesday, August 11 - Pay one price and see a lot of good bands at each of these two diametrically opposed music festivals. First, flash back to the ‘60s with the second annual “Hippiefest,” a concert for love and peace in the tradition of Woodstock, when it comes to Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall (1111 N. McMullen-Booth Rd.) on August 8, 7 p.m. The lineup includes The Turtles, Mountain, Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, BadFinger and Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night). Tickets cost $51.50-$88 and are available at the Ruth Eckerd ticket office or online at rutheckerdhall.com. For information, call (727) 7917400 or visit hippiefest.net. Harder rockers should check out the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which begins at 12:15 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre (4802 U.S. 301 N.). This year’s co-headliners are Marilyn Manson and Slayer, with supporting acts Bullet for My Valentine, All That Remains and Killswitch Engage. Ticket prices range from $19.75 to $62.05, which includes a copy of Manson’s new album, “High End Of Low.” For info, call 740-2446 or visit livenation.com.—Andrew Stein & MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Avocado — For Great Latin Food & Outstanding Prices

Avocado Café & Bakery in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (south of Tampa Palms) is one of those great little places you always hope to find. It’s small, casual, clean and has great food at even better prices, served by happy, friendly people. Owner Kathiana Figueroa is from Venezuela and her menu does offer some specialties from her country. But Kathiana, who first moved to Florida seven years ago to earn her Master’s degree from Florida Metropolitan University, says she came back to Tampa a couple of years ago because she loved the people, the climate and the food. Kathiana and her family believe they serve the best pressed Cuban sandwich in town, but making a claim like that is a little tough in a town like Tampa, where there are so many “authentic” Cuban sandwich shops. Thankfully, I’m not that big on Cuban sandwiches (so I don’t think my opinion matters much in this case), although I will say Avocado’s is yummy. On the other hand, my favorite dishes so far at Avocado are the hot lunch specials, including the shredded roast pork, the slightly tangy, unbreaded palomilla steak and the ropa vieja (which literally means “old clothes” in Spanish, but is actually shredded flank steak in a zesty red sauce), all served

with what might be my favorite black beans and rice in the area. I am also partial, however, to the plantains and the white corn arepas (think thicker white taco shells), which you can get topped with those incredible black beans, shredded beef, chicken or pork and cheese. I’ve yet to try the “Reina Pepaida” arepas, which is a seasonal specialty featuring shredded chicken with mayonnaise and avocado. I also have yet to sample the deep fried empanadas with shredded beef, picadillo (ground beef), chicken, potato and cheese, or the other “Venezuelan delights” (e.g., tequenos, mandocas and patacon), but I’ve heard rave reviews. For breakfast, you can’t beat Avocado’s bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on pressed Cuban bread and I also love the home-baked chocolate chip cookies, guava (and other fruit) pastries, cakes and other tasty baked goods —especially with a perfect café con leché. In other words, Avocado really is one of those great little finds — and Kathiana even teaches zumba classes in our area. Ask her where and when and please tell her we sent you! Avocado Café & Bakery is located at 14941 BBD Blvd. (near Acropolis) and is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Call 631-9703. — GN

For delicious (clockwise from bottom left): palomilla steak, pressed Cuban sandwiches, shredded roast pork and decadent desserts, visit our friend Kathiana Figueroa at Avocado Café & Bakery in the Oak Ramble Plaza.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles

For our latest round of New Tampa dining “Nibbles,” we have an ice-cream eating contest, a new location for one long-time favorite and another fave’s new “summer stimulus package.”

Sushi Ko’s New Location

By the time this issue reaches you, Sushi Ko, formerly located behind the Boston Market in Highwoods Preserve, will likely have re-opened in its new location, in the Publixanchored New Tampa Center, in the space previously occupied by Kado Japanese Steakhouse. Sushi Ko brings Grand Opening specials and the same great sushi, Japanese and even Chinese cuisine to its new, larger space, at 19050 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Call 978-8586.

Double what you see here for Remington’s “Summer Stimulus Package!” fresh, hot corn bread and sweet rolls, all for just (drumroll please) $20! Remington’s also has plenty of other daily specials, as well as the largest entertainment patio in Wesley Chapel (with live music or karaoke Wed.-Sun.) and check out Remington’s new fresh seafood raw bar, too. For additional information, call 973-1208.

Remington’s Summer Stimulus Package

Bruster’s Ice Cream Contest

My buddy Abe Srour at Remington’s Steakhouse (27405 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel) is proud to help cashstrapped consumers with an unbeatable “Summer Stimulus Package!” Now, any time Remington’s is open this summer, you can get two tender, delicious 11-12-oz. top sirloin steaks, with your choice of two sides, plus two salads (house or Caesar), two NY-style strawberry cheesecakes and

If you’ve ever watched those competitive eating contests and thought “I could do that,” here’s your chance. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, located at 20303 BBD Blvd. in front of Live Oak Preserve, will host its first ice cream eating contest (with prizes!) for kids ages 6-17 and a separate contest for those 18 and older, on Saturday, July 25, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. There also will be a DJ, balloon artist, crafts and more. Call 907-7458. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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A Life Left Largely (& Surprisingly) Unchanged By Ashley Darby Nobody believed me, but I couldn’t blame them: I’ve always been quite the hypochondriac. But this was different, this didn’t go away. It just hurt, everything hurt, and I thankfully believed myself. I checked myself into the ER three nights in a row before they gave me attention past a few pain shots and pills, and I finally received an MRI. A few hours later, the doctor came in to suggest that I wait for an ambulance that would transfer me to another hospital where I would soon be receiving emergency surgery. It had been discovered I had a “mass” on my lower spine, a mass that entangled all of the nerves connecting to a handful of necessities below my belly button: all of the nerves that threatened to snap at any moment and cause me to lose use of whichever part of me to which the nerves were attached. I wasn’t surprised, but my parents were — and so was my boyfriend. Now, they all believed me. My stay began with an extreme surgery and a purposely broken back, followed by days of lying on my stomach, incapable of movement. I soon progressed to lying flat on my back, and was eventually granted the luxury of lifting my head. Slowly I learned to stand, began to take my first steps, and noticed my one inch growth from a surgically improved posture. A morphine drip followed by weeks of night sweats, a horrendous case of bed-head, and days of physical therapy later and the worst had past. It was only a few weeks before I was back in my parents’ house, learning to walk long distances again and beginning to relive my normal life. Not long after and I was back in Orlando, 20 pounds lighter and sporting a seven inch scar down my spine (photo, right). So I continued on as I had before. I went to

bed at night and woke up in the mornings. I pet my dog. I ate lunch and dinner. I kissed my boyfriend. I watched reality television. I went to class. I even drank beer. Then a call came from my dad. He said he was sorry, but it wasn’t over. The doctors had sent the “mass” off for testing, just precautionary testing, because it was presumably nothing to be worried about. But, it was. The tumor came back identified as an eppendymoma, a very rare brain cancer that only occasionally appeared on the spine, and was grade 2 cancer. People ask me: what did I do? Well, I called my boyfriend and requested he come home from school. I spent about fifteen minutes crying about it and feeling sorry for myself. But, that phase soon passed and I realized that I still went to bed at night and woke up in the mornings. I still pet my dog. I ate lunches and dinners. I kissed my boyfriend. I watched reality television. I went to class, and I drank beer. I even continued to be a hypochondriac. What else could I do? I get a variety of reactions from others regarding my “situation.” The older women and men that fill the waiting rooms at Moffitt look at me like I am extremely out of place, until finally building the nerve to ask why I, being so young and looking so healthy, would be sitting in the same seats as the much more obviously sick people. One of my boyfriend’s friends continuously called me “cancer girl” during a game of pool until I politely advised him to “shove it.” One med school student, after requesting the story behind my scar, replied with an enthusiastic “Cool!” before regressing, explaining that eppendymomas were something he had studied but thought he would never encounter. All of these responses have been taken as lightly as

possible, as has much of my journey. The doctors continue to tell me that I do not take my situation seriously enough, but I disagree. As I asked before, what else can I do? I have undoubtedly been one of the lucky ones thus far; only losing my ability to participate in anything physical or lift anything over twenty five pounds. So, my athletic days are done and I will forever live without the thrill of another roller coaster or jet ski ride, but are either of those really that much of a loss? These are, of course, just a few of the many possible repercussions there are with any illness, which includes extensive doctor visits, treatments, unimaginable medical bills, and the neverending anxiety that something is still wrong — even though I believe I am prepared to handle these issues. The worst part is the still-unanswered questions, particularly in a case as rare as mine and at the young age of only 20. Nobody can tell me how I got this cancer, where it came from, or why it happened to me when there have only been 25 reported cases of this type of cancer and perhaps only six — EVER — that have appeared on a person’s spine. When I ask the doctors if it will come back, the answer is that, yes, it is

more than likely. But, nobody knows for sure. So now, I wait to find out if my little unwelcome growth will ever return, and if so, when? How old will I be? Will it grow on my spine or in my brain? I just have to wait to find out. So, what do I do while I wait? Whatever I can: I go to bed at night and wake up in the mornings. I pet my dog. I eat lunch and dinner. I kiss my boyfriend. I watch reality television. I go to class, and dang it, even though I’m not quite 21 years old, I do drink the occasional beer. What else can I do? Ashley Darby is a New Tampa resident and a published author. Her first novel, entitled Paper Wristbands, is available at BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and other websites that sell books.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Girl Scouts Are Asking Area Residents To ‘Pay It Forward’ By Michael Smith Part of the Scout motto is to “Do A Good Turn Daily,” but the members of New Tampa’s Cadette Girl Scout Troop 732 are taking it a step further by asking members of the community to pitch in with a few good deeds of their own. Earlier this year, the members of the troop kicked off their Silver Award campaign called “We’re Paying It Forward, New Tampa,” which is based on the concept of repaying a good deed that has been done for you by doing one for someone else. The Silver Award is one of a series of awards Junior-Ambassador Girl Scouts (ages 412) must achieve to move through the ranks of the program. The project began in February, when the girls of the troop, who are all in middle school, held a Valentine’s Day project where they created gift bags for patients and their families at the Children’s Cancer Center on W. Cypress St. in Tampa. Since then, the individual members of the troop, who each have to perform at least 40 hours of work to achieve the Silver Award, have done other things, too, such as volunteering

at the A Kid’s Place shelter, or other smaller acts of kindness, and each time, they hand out cards to the recipients and ask them to “pay it forward” to someone else. “It doesn’t have to be a big thing,” says Troop leader Joanne Pastorak. “It could be mowing someone’s lawn, walking their dog, or even just getting their mail while they’re away on vacation. The important thing is that all of us in New Tampa begin to think about doing nice things for each other as often as we can.” You don’t have to wait to receive a card from one of the girls in order to participate in the “Pay It Forward” effort, either. Cards are available at several local businesses, including Miracle’s/Maggie’s Tea Room and Cross Creek Animal Medical Center on Cross Creek Blvd., Dairy Queen, Chik-Fil-A and Circles New Tampa Bistro on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Farina Orthdontics, Quest Martial Arts and Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay. Once you do a good deed for someone (or have one done for you), you can log on to the Troop’s website, werepayingitforward.blogspot.com, to let others know about it.

Members of New Tampa Cadette Girl Scout Troop 732 include (l.-r.) Katherine Malyszek, Laura Arose, CatherinePahl (with sign), Sabrina Williams, Anna Pultorak, & Kelly Peretz. (Note-Troop members Emily Hill & Delaney Messina not pictured).

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

More Local Communities Offering National Night Out Events By Michael Smith

officials and members of local communities. New Tampa has always been well represented in participation in the National Night Out, especially in Hunter’s Green, which has hosted the area’s longest running celebration. Newer events have been added in recent years, in Heritage Isles and Tampa Palms, and this year there will be two all-new events as well, in the Equestrian Parc condominium complex and in the Grand Hampton subdivision on County Line Rd. The

The 26th annual “National Night Out Against Crime” will be held on Tuesday, August 4, and this year there will be a few new events hosted by communities in and around the New Tampa area. National Night Out, which is organized each year by the National Association of Town Watch (and on the local level by members of local Neighborhood Watch groups), began in 1984 and now is held in 10,000 communities across the country each year. The goal of the event is to encourage support for, and participation in local anti-crime programs, such as Neighborhood Watch, to heighten crime prevention awareness and to foster and strengthen partnerships between Local National Night Out events allow area residents to get up close and personal with armored Tampa Police vehicles. law enforcement

hours and location for each National Night Out event is as follows: Equestrian Parc: 7 p.m.-9 p.m., at the community clubhouse, located at 18201 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. Grand Hampton: 6 p.m.-10 p.m., also at the community clubhouse, which is located at 8301 Dunham Station. Heritage Isles: 6 p.m.-10 p.m., at Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.) Hunter’s Green: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.,

at Capt. Nathaniel Hunter Park (9456 Highland Oak Dr.) Tampa Palms: 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at Club Tampa Palms (16402 Tampa Palms Blvd. W.). All of the events will include demonstrations and exhibits by members of the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa and/or Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, and/or other local agencies, information, games and other activities for children, plus food, beverages and much more. See you there!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Fit4Life”

Continued from page 27 “We can’t put people in the gym until we relieve them of their pain,” says Lisa Michelangelo, MPT, clinical director of the Fit4Life physical therapy program. “But, we have one of the most progressive programs out there.” In addition to treating adults, Fit4Life also offers a pediatric physical therapy program to treat everything from torticollis, which is a muscular condition found in infants, where the neck is twisted because of problems at birth, to sports-related injuries and other issues in older children. Michelangelo also says that under Florida law, patients can be treated by a physical therapist for up to 21 days without a prescription, and all of the therapies used at Fit4Life are approved under most insurance plans. Tampa Palms resident James Macchiarola says that the therapists at Fit4Life were able to identify and treat his back problems when other doctors and specialists could not. Macchiarola, who is 40, says that he went to Fit4Life for treatment of a shoulder injury that he got when he was playing baseball a few years ago, but didn’t think of them when he began suffering severe pain in his lower back last summer. Instead, he says he went to his primary care physi-

cian, who then referred him to an orthopaedic specialist, who treated him with steroid injections that he says only dulled the pain for a couple of days after each shot. So, he then tried other treatments, including visiting a chiropractor and even an acupuncturist, who he says made the problem even worse. He was at the point where he was considering surgery, he says, and then, earlier this year, he happened to run into Michelangelo, who also happens to be his neighbor, at a local function, and when she saw him limping around in pain she told him to come by Fit4Life. After his first evaluation, he says that Michelangelo and her staff were not only able to correctly identify his ailment, which turned out to be what is called piriformis syndrome (caused when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle in the lower back) and successfully treat it within just a few weeks. “It was just unbelievable,” he says, adding that he is now pain free, and is even able to play golf two to three times a week, which would have been impossible before. “I know it sounds hokey, but they really have given me my life back.” Monday says that such results are actually fairly common. Studies conducted by MedX and the University of

Whether you want six-pack abs or the right look for that little black dress, you can’t go wong at Fit4Life!

Florida in 1986 showed a success Photos this page by Thompson Studios 994-2000. rate of greater than 90 percent in patients who were treated with the vidual results will vary, depending upon MedX technology, and a more recent the patient’s condition, age, and other survey of 190 of Monday’s own factors). patients/clients showed that 95 percent For more information, or to of them reported that they were in schedule a personal evaluation, call good to excellent condition a year or 907-7879, log on to www.myf4l. more after their treatments ended. com or visit Fit4Life, which is locatAnother 89 percent who came to ed at 17419 Bridge Hill Ct., in the Fit4Life as a “last resort” before under- Tampa Palms Professional Center going surgery were able to forgo having (off Commerce Park Dr., near the the surgery, he adds. (Of course, indiNew Tampa Community Park).

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Local Students Finish Second In Inventors’ Competition Future allergy sufferers may one day be able to get immediate relief in the event of a life-threatening attack, thanks to an invention created by a team of home-schooled students from our area. The team, made up of students Grace Nobles, 6, of New Tampa, Marisa Meglino, 7, of Wesley Chapel, Catie Tomasello, 6, and Colby Tomasello, 7, of Land O’Lakes, came up with an invention called the “EpiWatch,” which is a watch that also incorporates a delivery system for a dose of epinephrine, which is used to

alleviate the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as to foods or certain insect bites. The EpiWatch design also includes a cell phone for dialing 911 and a GPS beacon to help direct emergency assistance to the victim’s location. The idea was good enough to give the team the second-place finish in the Kindergarten-through-third-grade division of the national ExploraVision inventors’ competition, which is sponsored by the Toshiba corporation and the National Science Teachers Association. For winning second place, each of the team members received a $5,000 savings bond and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the official award ceremony on June 5. In addition to seeing all the sights of our nation’s capital, the students also had an opportunity to meet Florida Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and TV personality Bill Nye (The Science The students meet Florida Congresswoman Ginny Guy). — MS Brown-Waite.

Grace Nobles, Catie Tomasello, Marisa Meglino, and Colby Tomasello show off a prototype of their invention.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Goddard School’s Curriculum Focuses On The ‘Whole Child’ By Michael Smith Parents who are looking for a preschool program that goes beyond reading, writing and arithmetic may want to consider The Goddard School, which is now accepting student applications for the 2009-10 school year. According to owner Brad Toston, The Goddard School, which is part of a franchise headquartered in the Philadelphia area, has a curriculum that focuses on “the whole child,” and includes such areas as music appreciation, art history, nutrition and even manners, in addition to traditional pre-school subjects like reading readiness, math and science. “We give them all the tools so they are very well prepared for a lifetime of learning,” Toston says, adding that play is an important part of The Goddard School’s curriculum, which is known as the Flex Learning Program. “Play removes stress from the environment, which allows children to learn easier and faster,” he says. That’s why, in addition to having teacher-directed activities during their classes, students at The Goddard School also have periods of free time throughout the day, during which they can explore the “interest centers” that are a part of each classroom and focus on different areas they are interested in, such

as science or computer technology. In addition, although the school is licensed for 154 children, Toston says that enrollment is kept at around 130 students, to ensure a lower pupil-toteacher ratio in the classrooms. “That gives each child more individual attention,” he says. Toston also says that teachers at The Goddard School are “generally better qualified” than those at other programs. All of the lead teachers have at least earned their Bachelor’s degrees, he says, and all teachers are required to go through both state-required yearly training and advanced training through the “Goddard University.” The Goddard School program is open to children from 6 weeks of age through pre-school, and is adding a voluntary pre-kindergarten program for children who will be at least 4 years old by September 1. (After-school care for children up to 10 years of age also is offered, and a private kindergarten program is planned to be added for the 2010-11 school year). Right now, the school also is in the midst of its summer program, which runs through August 21. Toston says the theme of the program is “Hurray for the USA,” and focuses on a different state each week. Students can join the summer program on a week-to-

The Goddard School, located in the Tampa Oaks professional office park near Fletcher Ave. & I-75, is part of a national franchise with more than 320 locations around the country. week basis, but enrollment during the school year is month-to-month, as long as there is room available. Toston says there still is some space available for the 2009-10 school year, but it is filling up quickly. Right now, the school is offering 50-percent off the first month’s tuition to all new students. Parents are welcome to come and tour the school, which is located at 13401 Tampa Oaks Blvd. (in the Tampa Oaks office park near I-75 and Fletcher Ave.), but they are asked to make an appointment first. To make an appointment, call 978-8100. For other information, visit www.goddardschool.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL W

Bridge players wanted for occasional smallgroup party Bridge, weekday, day-time, New Tampa. Intermediate or advanced beginners only. Fun; not ferocious. Free. Call 907-2541.

H E L P

W A N T E D

Join OrthoTechnology’s Winning Team! Ortho Technology, an international orthodontic supply distributor located in New Tampa, is seeking talented energetic candidates for the following full-time positions: Inside Sales: Skilled salespeople for established territories! Proven track record of success in B2B phone sales, exc. communication & computer skills req’d QC Inspector: Entry level position responsible for accuracy of outgoing orders. 1-2 yrs exp w/QC responsibilities. Ability to stand/walk for entire shift, close vision, basic color differentiation and basic math req’d. Small parts/med device experience a plus. We provide a great work environment, excellent benefits package and growth potential. Submit resumes to careers@orthotechnology.com.

Classifıeds

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

HOME

IMPROVEMENT

Need home maintenance? Almost any job, large or small, ext/int, fencing, screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 9730194 or 727-2582. Quality Handyman, specializing in Home Improvements, repairs & installations of all types from A to Z, including telephone & computer cabling. 18 years of exp. No job too small. E-mail eddieperdomo@yahoo.com or call 451-6541 for questions or Free Estimates. Greg’s Paperhanging. For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate. RAYMOND PAINTING. Interior & exterior, pressure washing, paper hanging, plaster, stucco, tiles, concrete, clean & seal pavers. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARBOR GREENE RESIDENT. We Work 7 Days. Call 994-5124. Dan Turner Decorating Wallcovering Installation. The most important thing about the wallcovering you select is...the installer. Don’t sacrifice the beauty of wallcovering, turn to the experts. Call today for a free consultation. Licensed & insured. Call 928-2160

CLEANING SERVICES HERE I COME! I specialize in all types of cleaning: houses, apartments, townhouses, garages, etc. Best prices in the Bay area. References available. Call for a free estimate. Call 735-7979. Bright Cleaning of Tampa. Residential & Commercial. Move-in & move-outs. Good references & good prices. Free estimates. Call Edna & Francisco at 562-6772. D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE. We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, call 758-9710. Isn’t life busy enough? Save time. We can help. Your satisfaction is our first priority. Guaranteed, affordable, reliable, quality domestic svcs. Free estimate: Chelsea Maid Company @ 994-6662. LEBOM Cleaning service. Are you tired of cleaning? Call us & let us do the dirty job for you. Residential & Commercial. Move in/Move out. 6 years working for the best. Good references. Great prices. Licensed! Call325-7904 now for a free estimate.

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

These are the Color Classifieds Your Neighbors R E A D! Call Julie Rinaldi @ 910-2575 to order your ad today! mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available. Licensed & Insured. Call Bill @ 973-3825. Lawn maintenance * commercial & residential * rentals * HOA clean ups * investment properties * complete lawn care at prices you can afford! Service that you can depend on. Call Ken 334-3460. Enjoy your time & let A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service do the work for you. We provide landscaping, lawn maintenance, clean-ups, tree & hedge trimming, sodding, sprinkler repair & fertilization. Other services also available. 907-LAWN

P O O L

S E R V I C E S

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

P E T

S I T T I N G

Animals’ Best Friend says, “Pets Deserve Good Love & Care, Even Times When You’re Not There!” In-your-home pet-sitting svcs, including dog walks, multiple & overnight visits, administering meds, plus love & attention. Licensed, bonded & insured. Call 765-5515 for a free consultation. Or, visit www.animalsbestfriend.net. Professional Pet Care Exp’d. pet sitters. We walk, play, feed & administer medicine, all in the comfort of your pet’s home. We also bring in mail, water plants & help maintain home security while you’re away. Bonded, insured & trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR. Call For The Love Of Pets at 545-8406 or 416-3126. Or visit www.ForTheLoveOfPetsOnLine.com. Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye - we say hello. Cats are happiest when in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. We help deter crime by bringing newspaper/mail & rotating lights/blinds, giving your home that lived-in look. Licensed, bonded & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com.

Graphic Electric, Inc. Electrical contractor available. Service upgrades, room additions, remodels, pool equipment, ceiling fans, low voltage lighting, etc. Any electrical worked needed. Licensed insured & bonded. Call 532-9160. All major credit cards accepted. Trash removal. Trash clean-up, garage cleanouts. Will haul furniture, appliances, yard debris, lowest rates guaranteed; starting at $40. Call 285-4674.

P I A N O

T E A C H E R

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

LAWN MAINTENANCE

COMPUTER SERVICES

NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commercial lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Sprinkler repair, tree trimming,

Beautiful outdoors! Construction superintendent at your service! Landscape design, clean-up & mulching, repairs for roofs, screening, sprinklers,

GE Side by Side Stainless steel refrigerator for sale, only $450! 25 cu feet, ice & water dispenser on the door. Great condition, call 2948311.

New Tampa townhouse, 4/3.5/2 2400 SQ. FT. Upscale brownstone located in Arbor Greene. Features granite countertops, stainless appliances, walk-in master shower with garden tub, 2 headed pools, clay tennis courts, basketball courts, & beautiful community center. $1650/mo. Call Bill @ 918-5451 or Sherri @ 918-0635. Town Home for rent in Meadow Pointe, gated 1 car garage, 3br, 2& ? bath, loft—Maint. Free. $1250/mo. Please call 541-3158.

Shared Office Space Available Want to start a new business with small overhead costs or just need space for special events? Several rooms (large & small) available during the week or evenings. Please call Jean Tripp at 802-9298.

S E R V I C E S AVA I L A B L E

P/T Massage therapist. Please send résumé to PO Box 47254 Tampa, FL 33647 or fax to 994-3080.

Clean-outs—abandoned homes, garage cleaning. Pressure washing; odd jobs—painting, tile work, etc. Contact Sure Window Cleaning 926-9943.

New Tampa Pet Sitting Service. Lots of love & care for your pets. Great experience & references. Recommended by Angie’s List. Licensed, Insured & Red Cross Certified. Call Marina @ 416-5301.

THE GAS DOCTOR. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE. Residential * Commercial * Industrial. * New Construction & Remodels * Natural & LP Gas Piping Systems. Gas Appliance Installation, Service & Repair. Providing connections for: Gas Lights, Ranges, Dryers, Fireplaces, Furnaces, Generators, Grills, Space Heaters, Water Heaters, Pool Heaters, Firepits & Tankless Water Heaters. TECO Rebates on Natural Gas Appliances. 5162927 or thegasdoctor.com. License # MG 24668

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

drywall & shelving. Garage clean out, help with moving, packing & storage. Pressure washing, painting inside & out. Professional service at bargain prices! Call Dennis 601-4560.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 15 • July 24, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com