New Tampa Neighborhood News July Edition

Volume 21 Issue 15

Inside: Skating Under The Stars In Flatwoods Park!

July 20, 2013

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I-75 Bridge Work Above BBD More Than 500 Days Ahead Of Schedule

By Matt Wiley Although it may be holding up the completion of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. widening from Pebble Creek Blvd. in New Tampa south to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms, the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56 actually is ahead of schedule.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 spokesman John McShaffrey says that the $95-million project, which Prince Contracting, LLC, began in October 2011 to widen the 11.4-mile section of the interstate from four lanes to six lanes — and eight lanes near the interchanges — is cruising right along.

“The whole project is well ahead of schedule,” McShaffrey explains. “If you go by (Prince’s) schedule, they’re more than 500 days ahead. It looks very likely that they are going to finish that job early, depending on how much rain we get.”

And, part of that project includes the new, widened overpasses above BBD, which could now be open to traffic in both directions in late November to early December, McShaffrey says.

“After that happens, (Prince) will take

the temporary bridge out and do all of the BBD widening underneath,” McShaffrey explains. “There’s a lot that can’t be done (for the widening of BBD) right now because of the location of the support structures for the existing temporary bridge.”

However, he admits, the I-75 widening north of S.R. 56 is not moving nearly as quickly.

I-75 Work Creeps Along Between S.R.s 54 & 56

The contractor currently widening a separate portion of I-75 — from S.R. 56 to north of S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel — is racking up quite a bill, as the company is being charged each day until the project, which already is about six months behind schedule, is completed.

The $22.8-million project to widen the 4.3-mile stretch of I-75 from four lanes to eight, which began in March 2011, will not be completed until around September, says John McShaffrey, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

“The contractor is having difficulties with the project,” McShaffrey says of Better Roads, Inc. “(Better Roads, Inc.) is making progress on the project, but not to probably

anybody’s satisfaction.”

McShaffrey says that a lack of resources in both personnel and equipment is to blame for the delay and that Better Roads is being assessed financial penalties of $5,809.88 per day while the project is still being built, since running out of the original number of contracted construction days.

The fines would have begun in April, but the number of contract days had already been extended to June 1.

Following the completion of the northbound I-75 overpass, which is “Those financial penalexpeted to be done by early December, this temporary bridge over ties will accrue until the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. will be removed so the BBD widenproject is done,” he exing underneath the bridge can finally commence. plains. “Even though they are working six days a week, they’re not work- lowed number of days to 703.

McShaffrey also says that more days ing with (large) enough crews to get the projcould still be added to make up for changed ect done in a timely manner.”

When Better Roads was awarded the working conditions and additional work, but project, the initial contract granted the com- at our press time, Better Roads already could pany 565 days to complete the widening, but, be assessed for 41 days of penalties. The total in May, 138 additional days (which were ne- financial penalty will not be determined until gotiated for in the contract) were added to the job is done.

McShaffrey says that when Better Roads make up for weather delays, holidays and other time extensions, extending the total al-

See “I-75 Widening” on page 8.

Body Of New Tampa Man, Recovered From S.C. River, Coming Home

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE

U.S. Rep. Ross Comes To Town, Zoning Change In Primrose Circle, Textbook Thief Caught In Tampa Palms, Lots Of Local Business Features & More!

Bucs’ Josh Freeman Teaches Fundamentals At Football Camp, Skaters & Bikers In Flatwoods After Dark, La Berry Is La Delicious & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 1-36

Pages 37-52

ECRWSS

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

Crews searched for as long as possible, but were unable to locate his body the first day and struggled against the weather and unpredictable water levels along the river to recover him during the next 16 days. Hill was initially located on June 20, but crews were not able to safely retrieve him that day and strong currents moved him down river. Due to continuous high water levels and dangerous conditions, Hill was not relocated until July 3 and wasn’t finally retrieved until two days later.

During the span of the search, 36 agencies and organizations contributed nearly 6,000 hours to aid in the recovery See “Rafter Found” on page 8.

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

Also Inside This Issue!

“We believe that high flows on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River freed Mr. Hill's body so that he could begin his journey home to his family,” said USFS spokeswoman Michelle Burnett during a July 5 press conference. “Since this effort began, our main objective has been to safely recover Mr. Hill. Every day, Mr. Hill's family has been foremost in our minds and our hearts go out to Mr. Hill's wife and his children. We hope that our efforts will finally bring some closure to the Hill family.”

USFS reports that on June 19, Hill was taking part in a guided whitewater rafting trip put on by Southeastern Expeditions, a company that provides tours of the river, when he and three others fell off of the raft. All of the rafters were wearing helmets and life jackets, but Hill was not found and is believed to have gotten caught in a rapid, where he drowned.

Postal Customer

The body of a New Tampa man has finally been recovered, following a whitewater rafting accident and 17-day search of the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River in South Carolina.

Thomas P. Hill, 51, a Hunter’s Green resident and a Sherwin-Williams Tampa district sales manager, fell out of a raft during a whitewater rafting trip on the

Chattooga on June 19 in Oconee County near Long Creek, SC, which is located along the state’s border with Georgia. Hill had been in Helen, GA, to attend a Sherwin-Williams sales conference.

According to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Hill’s body was recovered around 11:30 a.m. on July 5, following more than two weeks of failed attempts to retrieve and return his body to his wife Linda and four children in New Tampa.

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Matt Wiley

Editorial - Jake’s New Tampa Connections Come Up Big...Again My younger son Jake turned 21 in April, which means both of my sons are now “legal” and I’m just so proud of both of them.

Jared (now 24) is in our home state of New York for the summer, selling systems for Vivint Home Security, where he has been among the company’s top-rated rookie salespeople since he began working for Vivint in January.

Even though Jake isn’t at the University of Florida (the school that gave Bachelor’s degrees to both his brother and his dad), he’s doing great at (sigh) Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he is planning to earn a degree in Psychology, with plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Sports Psychology.

Or, at least he was doing great until last week, when his ankle got turned the wrong way after having an opponent fall on him during an intramural flag football game. He was on the ground, waiting for an ambulance, for more than 35 minutes, and who was holding Jake’s hand, telling him it was going to be OK (no matter how ugly his ankle looked)? Cory Nelson, Jake’s buddy (and captain of the intramural team) from Paul R. Wharton High.

Also sticking around to make sure he got into the ambulance OK were Wharton grads Chris Blatz and Brian Christiansen.

It was Cory who mentioned to me, in a message on Facebook.com, how much the situation reminded him of the last time Jake was on the ground with a possible serious injury, which happened about a decade ago, when my kid got hit square in the forehead by a baseball bat thrown to him by another friend, as we were celebrating our New Tampa Little

New Tampa Neighborhood News

15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Camille Gillies • Bonnie Mason • Kathleen Schiop Lauren Saslow Senior Graphic Designer Porsha Lemos Advertising Sales Rep Taylor Gardner 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 21, Issue 17, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, August 5, 2013.

New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2013 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager League (NTLL) Majors division Devil Rays team, which had just won the NTLL Majors park championship.

That time, the father of another of Jake’s friends, Francisco Diaz, was the first to reach my son, who already was sporting a huge lump on his forehead and even though he never lost consciousness, he was definitely woozy and scared, especially with all of his young friends on hand to see his head take on a newly grotesque shape. Although a Tampa Fire Rescue engine with trained paramedics arrived within just a few minutes, they allowed me to transport Jake to the emergency room at University Community Hospital (now Florida Hospital Tampa) myself because he didn’t seem to have injured either his neck or his spine.

Thankfully, Jake suffered no lasting injury from that incident, nor does it seem he’ll have anything other than a long period of physical therapy in order to rehab his ankle, which was dislocated, but apparently not broken, no matter how ugly it looked to his stunned friends and intramural teammates and opponents.

But, my reason for writing this isn’t to talk about my kid and his many trips to the ER, it’s about a group of young (dare I say it?) men and women, most of whom grew up from a young age in New Tampa and attended Wharton (and some, Freedom) High.

Just knowing that even though Jake (who is starting his senior year at FSU this summer) is 300 miles from home for at least the next year, he has so many friends (not all of whom are even from Tampa, much less Wharton grads) who won’t let him go through whatever trials and tribulations he may encounter alone, is very comforting to his dad.

So, here’s a public thank you to not only Cory, Chris and Brian, but also Jake’s friend at school Stephen Winchip — who is from Stuart, FL, and who rode in the ambulance with him — and to Jake’s wonderful girlfriend Natalie (who is from the Daytona Beach area), who is helping him every day as he recovers.

Anyone who knew Jake as a youngster probably remembers him as my “little peeps,” who was still only 5’-1” tall and 105 lbs. when he finished the ninth grade at Wharton. But, even though he’s about 5’-11” and 190 lbs. today and is much more “buf” than I ever was as a young man, he’s still my little peeps and I’m just so appreciative for all the love and support he’s gotten from his “family” of friends at FSU, so many of whom (many not mentioned here) he’s stayed friends with from Wharton, the NTLL and the old New Tampa Soccer Association.

Jake’s already assured me that as soon as he feels well enough, he’s going to start

wheeling himself up and down his apartment complex’s parking garage, in order to get some sort of cardio and strength training in until he’s able to walk normally and resume his usual workout regimen.

But, without the actions of these young men — which speak so loudly for their parents and the way they were raised — who knows how much worse off emotionally Jake might be?

So, the next time someone tells you there’s no spirit of community in New Tampa, tell them about my son and his amazing friends, all of whom have told me they know Jake would have done the same for them. Thanks again, guys!

Table of Contents

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES..............................Pages 1-40

Rep. Ross Tackles Tough Issues At Town Hall Meeting.......................4 Zoning Change Coming To Primrose Circle In Tampa Palms............6 . . . .

New Tampa News Briefs...................................................................10 Textbook Thief Caught In Tampa Palms TECO Prepares To Move Lines For BBD Widening Shoppes At Morris Bridge Breaks Ground Estancia Community Approved In Wiregrass Ranch......................12 New Tampa Community Calendar................................14

Local Business Updates.................................16-31

New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter..............16 Dr. Bakay Understands Your Kids, Professionally.....................20 Missy Hileman Makes Real Estate A Family Matter.............22 Boss, Arrighi & Hoag: Small Firm, Big Firm Experience.........24 Custom Windows & Doors: Well Worth The Drive!..............26 Bella Mia Hair Designs Will Design Your New Look...............30

Neighborhood Magazine

Local Kids Train With Bucs At Freeman Camp......................35 Skaters & Bikers Invade Flatwoods After Dark.........................38 Fit 4 Life Will Bring Fitness Into Your Life..............................40 La’ Berry: A Family-Owned Frozen Yogurt & Coffee Shop....44 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes’...............................46

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS....................48 New Tampa Rotary Donates $18,000 To Local Groups.......50

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Rep. Ross Tackles Tough Immigration Issues At Town Hall Meeting In Lutz

By Matt Wiley New Tampa’s U.S. Representative Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland) has been making the rounds around the 15th Congressional District and getting an earful about tough issues, especially immigration.

During July 2 town hall meetings in both Lutz and Brandon, a total of more than 300 District 15 residents listened to and asked questions of their Congressman, many of which concerned student loans and the deficit. But, the topic that received the most attention at the Lutz-area meeting, by far, was immigration.

“I went through the whole immigration system myself,” explained Lutz resident Pamela Gomez to Rep. Ross, as she stood at the microphone inside the packed Lutz Elementary cafeteria. “My family struggled, so we know how hard it is with the current, broken immigration system.”

And, in response to some of the sometimes angry people in attendance, who expressed their unhappiness with the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S., Gomez added, “I just want to address some of the xenophobic things that have been said in this meeting.”

Gomez, a University of South Florida (USF) graduate, said that she works with kids from all over the world at a local community center in Lutz and that she wants to see those kids given the same opportunity to contribute to society that she did.

“We see the human cost every day,” she said. “Families are separated… You said you don’t support a pathway to citizenship? Well, I want valid reasons (why or why not).”

Following a round of applause for her emotional statements, Rep. Ross replied, stating that his grandparents, too, were immigrants, except that they were from Hungary. He had to stop halfway through his response to calm a tense exchange between Gomez and another member of the audience who had a different view about immigration. “(My grandparents) had an opportunity to come here and become citizens, legally,” Ross explained. “But, there exists, today, the same path to that citizenship for everybody. What we first have to do is rec-

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ognize that we have a system that has been broken for over 30 years and in order to bring that into play, we’ve got to start strengthening our borders, allow for enforcement of laws and, most importantly, for those who want to be here, like yourself, allow you the opportunity to earn that citizenship and be a productive member of society.”

Rep. Ross also said that he believes that just because someone has been here for an extended period of time doesn’t automatically give that person a right to citizenship.

“I think that citizenship needs to be earned,” Ross explained. “I believe, first and foremost, that if we can take away most of the people that are in (the immigration) line that are here for economic reasons, mainly for job purposes or education purposes, then we’re going to reduce the number of people in that line.”

Gomez asked if Ross would support the U.S. Senate’s plan (S. 744, the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013”), which was passed on June 27 and could spend more than $46 billion on border security, in order to catch and deport as many as 90 percent of those who cross the border illegally; require employers to electronically verify the legal status of their workers (E-Verify); and offer a 13-year path to citizenship to people currently living illegally in the U.S., among many other requirements.

“I would not vote for the Senate bill as it is, today,” Ross said.

What does Rep. Ross think the House will do with the Senate’s immigration bill?

He says that the House probably will not take up the Senate’s bill at all. Instead, he explained, the House will take up certain parts of the Senate’s bill, including border security, an E-Verify program, a guest worker program and an expanded visa program, and then draft its own immigration bill.

“Already, out of the House judiciary committee, they’ve passed out an enforcement bill, a guest worker bill and they’re working on an extended visa bill. I believe that those three components, along with an E-Verify component, will come out of

nancial incentive for them to return to their own countries when their temporary visas expire.

However, Ross’s program also would have provisions, including enrollment requirements, a visa preference allocation system, a biometric identification card requirement, U.S. worker protections and visa increases due to extraordinary and unusual employment circumstances. The program also would not offer need-based federal assistance to those workers.

For more information about Rep. Dennis Ross and other bills he has sponsored and co-sponsored, please visit DennisRoss.House.Gov.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross answered questions from the crowd at a town hall meeting at Lutz Elementary on July 2. the House and be put together as one package and sent over to the Senate. It is probably going to be done during the month of July, before the August recess.”

In January, months before the comprehensive Senate immigration bill was passed, Rep. Ross introduced his own take on one aspect of immigration: the Legal Agricultural Workforce Act (H.R.242), which would establish a non-immigrant temporary agricultural worker program that would put limitations on the number of people who could come to the U.S. to work each year, by month, and offer a fi-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

City Approves Zoning Change To Land In Tampa Technology Park West DRI On Primrose Circle

New development could be coming to the Tampa Technology Park West Development of Regional Impact (DRI), also known as Tampa Palms Area 8, as a recent zoning change could spark new interest in a long-underdeveloped area next to the Marriott SpringHill Suites Hotel and Tampa Palms Professional Park.

According to documents submitted to the City and transcripts, from the June 6 Tampa City Council meeting, Council members voted unanimously to approve a Notice of Proposed Change from developer Great American Corporation, which owns 12 acres of the 126-acre DRI, located off of Commerce Park Blvd. between I-75 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., on Primrose Lake Cir. The zoning change is from PD-A (Planned Development-Alternative: commercial, office, hotel, high tech, light industrial and government services) to PD-A (commercial, office, hotel, hightech, light industrial, government services and congregate living facility), but it would allow for not only for the conversion of already available office or commercial square footage into an assisted living facility and/or a skilled nursing facility, but also for an increase to the number of hotel rooms on the parcel. Before the zoning change, the property was approved for 127 hotel rooms, but has been

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modified to allow as many as 300. And, if an assisted living facility and/or a skilled nursing facility is built, they will be allowed no more than 150 beds each on the site.

The change also alters the amount of space that any development would have to be from buffering wetland conservation areas in some places, but that distance would be made up for in other areas.

Originally, areas on the site were supposed to sit 15 feet from wetlands, but the rezoning has changed the restriction to 10 feet in specific areas, although the space lost will be added to other parts of the property. The property will still average a setback of 30 feet from wetlands in total.

The rezoned section of the DRI was originally part of the Tampa Technology Park (TTP) DRI that was initially approved by the City in 1986, with more than 1,700 acres of mixed use land featuring commercial office, light industrial and high technology development. In 1991, the DRI was split into Tampa Technology Park East and West, separated by I-75.

The TTP East DRI includes the Highwoods Preserve Corporate Campus on the other side of I-75, as well as the Richmond Place and West Meadows residential communities. In addition to Tampa Palms Area 8, the TTP West DRI also includes Tampa Palms Areas 3 & 4. — MW

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“I-75 Widening”

Continued from page 1 won the contract, the company did have the resources to complete the project. He explains further that FDOT researched the company before the contract was awarded.

“They have to be in good standing with the State,” he says. “They have to meet certain qualifications and have the bonding capacity to take on the job, which they did, or it wouldn’t have been awarded to them.

Sometime after getting the job and starting work on it, (Better Roads) got behind.”

Currently, the most work that still has to be done is on northbound I-75 in front of

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the rest area, about three miles north of the S.R. 56 interchange and a mile or so south of the S.R. 54 interchange. Northbound traffic currently still is being shifted to the widened southbound lanes. McShaffrey estimates that, at our press time, the project was about 90-percent finished.

“They’ve got a large amount of the project done, and it won’t take a lot to finish it up,” McShaffrey explains. “But, it will take a commitment (from Better Roads) to continue working out there and that’s what we’re looking for. We hope (the completion date) ends up being sooner rather than later.

It’s an important part of the road.”

At our press time, Better Roads, Inc., had not returned calls for comment.

“Rafter Found”

Continued from page 1 process, USFS reports. Rescue crews (photo) included teams from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia consisting of shore hiking teams, on-river search teams, in-water search teams and rescue divers.

Hill had been a Tampa sales manager for Sherwin-Williams and worked for the company for 27 years.

“We are very thankful to all the people involved in the search operation to bring Tom Hill home to his family in Tampa,” Sherwin-Williams announced in a written statement on July 5. “Your hard

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

work, the long hours away from your families, and your concern and prayers mean so much to Tom's family and to our SherwinWilliams family. You have our deepest respect and gratitude. Thank you.”

Photo: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

N EW T AMPA Textbook Thief Taken In Tampa Palms

News Briefs Brock could spend 20 years in prison and be forced to pay a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss of the offense, which could total nearly $6 million at its maximum amount.

An Oklahoma man who was arrested in Tampa Palms could face 20 years in prison for the theft of millions of dollars in textbooks.

TECO Moving Power Lines According to the U.S. Attorney’s OfFor BBD Widening Project fice (USAO), Christopher J. Brock, 44, Driving through Tampa Palms, it’s was arrested on June difficult to ignore the sound of saws cut20 at 16287 Enclave ting down branches along Bruce B. Village Dr., inside the Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Promenade at Tampa It may be loud, but the intense trimPalms condominiums ming of trees along the roadway during complex for defrauding the past several weeks is in preparation for his former employer, the next segment of BBD widening that is Hoboken, NJ-based expected to begin by early next year. textbook publisher Christopher Brock According to TECO (Tampa Electric John Wiley & Sons, Company), the utility company is trimout of more than $2.8 million worth of ming back foliage and preparing to move textbooks. its existing power lines so that there will Brock lived in Yukon, OK, and be enough room for the project to widen worked as a higher education publishing BBD from four to eight lanes between representative and district sales supervisor Palm Springs Blvd. and E. Bearss Ave. for the publishing giant. A USAO press Cherie Jacobs, a spokesperson for release states that Brock, who remotely TECO, says that the project, which will used the corporate computer system of move about one mile of power lines beWiley & Sons, diverted more than 16,000 tween 2-15 ft. from the roadway, is extextbooks to himself, designating them as pected to be completed by the end of “free educational samples.”

2013. “This work will involve typical conThe release states that Brock made up struction equipment and noise,” Jacobs fictional professors to send the textbook explains. “But, no service interruptions are samples to, but they were actually shipped expected.” to addresses that he controlled. However, some of the people he listed as recipients were actual professors.

Brock allegedly sold the materials that he received to textbook resellers who would send payment to him through the online service PayPal, which put the money into Brock’s bank accounts,.

USAO reports that Brock’s offenses caused Wiley & Sons to suffer a $2.8-million loss. Brock reportedly spent the money received on personal expenses, including expensive furniture and TECO crews trim back overgrown foliage along scuba equipment.

Bruce B. Downs Blvd. between Palm Springs If convicted of wire fraud, Blvd. in Tampa Palms & E. Bearss Ave.

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Dr. Saleh says that his practice will take up about 3,000 square feet of the new plaza, leaving about 5,000 square feet for other tenants. Construction, which began in May, is expected to be completed by January.

“The area is growing, so it’s an open invitation to anyone who wants to move in,” Dr. Saleh says of prospective tenants. “I’ve gotten calls from dentists, and even people hoping to Ground has been broken on the Shoppes at Morris Bridge, bring a restaurant to the which will be an 8,000-sq.-ft. building located on Morris plaza.”

Bridge Rd., just north of Cross Creek Blvd.

Dr. Saleh says there will Jacobs says that TECO is footing the be about four additional vacant spaces $800,000 bill for the relocation of the once he moves his practice in, each with power lines. between 1,200-1,500 sq. ft. of space, but Shoppes At Morris Bridge can vary depending upon the size of the Breaks Ground business or businesses that end up moving Construction has begun on the into the plaza.

Shoppes at Morris Bridge, a new medical This will be Dr. Saleh’s third locaand retail plaza located on the west side of tion, with additional offices in both BranMorris Bridge Rd., just north of Cross don and Brooksville. But, he says, the Creek Blvd.

New Tampa area is his home.

The owner, Dr. Mohamad Saleh, a “We’ve been busy in Brandon and neurologist and New Tampa resident, will thought that our niche would do well in anchor the 8,000-sq.-ft. plaza with a third New Tampa,” Dr. Saleh says. “I’ve gotten location for his practice, which will speseveral calls from interested parties, so far, cialize in both neurology and wellness. but I’m in no rush.”

“It’s going to be nice and elegant,” For more information, please call Dr. Saleh explains. “We’re going to have (352) 232-0884. — MW an outside seating area and a gazebo.”

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Estancia Community Officially Approved For Wiregrass Ranch DRI

By Matt Wiley At long last, homes will soon be going up inside the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in a newly formed Community Development District (CDD) called Estancia at Wiregrass, located north of the future Chancey Rd. extension and east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., between S.R.s 56 and 54.

In January, we reported that Standard Pacific Homes (SPH), a builder from Orange County, CA, had purchased 677 acres of land from the Porter family, who

own the Wiregrass DRI, to build a thenunnamed community consisting of 1,181 single-family homes spread out across four gated and un-gated neighborhoods. The community will be named Estancia.

At the June 25 Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, the Estancia community’s CDD was officially approved by the BOCC with a unanimous vote. “(The approval) is great,” says Frank Messina, Tampa Bay division manager for SPH. “The development is staying right on schedule. We hope to have the home

models completed during the fourth Estancia at Wiregrass Ranch quarter of this year and to begin sales in early 2014.”

SPH is no stranger to the area, having already built homes in several large communities in the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel areas, including Seven Oaks, Meadow Pointe and Tuscany at Tampa Palms.

The four neighborhoods inside Estancia, three of which will be gated, will feature a Tuscan-style, “Euro cottage” or Mediterranean look in front, which, as Messina described in January, will be much different than most other homes in the area. Each neighborhood will be built around a clubhouse, which will feature similar architecture to that of the homes in the community. The Source: PascoCountyFL.net clubhouses will feature pools, tennis and basketball courts, fitness rooms and other amenities.

According to documents sub- The Estancia at Wiregrass Ranch CDD, which was mitted to Pasco County, construc- approved by Pasco County on June 25, will be home to tion costs for the infrastructure of 1,181 single-family residences and include more than 675 acres off BBD between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56. the project, before any homes are built, are estimated at more than Estancia will be bordered to the south by the future $44 million, which will be paid for Chancey Rd. extension and to the east by the future Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. by issuing bonds.

Map source: PascoCountyFL.net, updated by New Tampa The Porter family did not reNeighborhood News turn calls for comment.

MAP

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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July 2013

MOMS Club Of New Tampa - The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of New Tampa is currently open to new members in the New Tampa area. The MOMS Club offers a variety of daytime activities for mothers and their children, opportunities for Moms’ Nights Out and many more benefits. For more information, or to join the club, email MOMsClubNewTampa _ southeast@yahoo.com.

Sunday, July 21

Zen Meditation Group - Enjoy meditation? Looking for a new way to relax? Check out the FREE Zen Meditation Group that meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Arbor Greene Community Center (18000 Arbor Greene Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.) Aerobics Room. People of all faiths are welcome. You only need an interest in meditation and a more peaceful and relaxed mind and life. For more info, call Jeremy at 528-6285.

Monday, July 22

Community Acupuncture - A Monday night community acupuncture and discussion group is forming at Ion Medi-Spa (8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite 130), 6:30 p.m. Topics include needle-free acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, stop smoking and customized weightloss programs. For more info, call 960-8833 or visit IonMediSpa.com.

‘WeWork’ At LifePoint - “WeWork,” meets Mondays evenings at 7 p.m. at LifePoint Church (8702 Hunter’s Lake Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. {BBD}, in front of Hunter’s Green). The group is designed to help you search for jobs, improve interview skills, write a resume, negotiate a job offer, improve your attitude, develop networking skills or discover your gifts. For more info, call 907-9818, or visit LifePoint.tv/WeWork.

Tuesday, July 23

FoodAddicts. org or call Roz at 355-4197.

CBC Networking - Come together with like-minded professionals at the Christian Business Connections (CBC) Networking group, which meets every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (located at 5338 Primrose Lake Cir. near the New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms) for a “meet & greet,” followed by a meeting, .

For more info, email Shawn@TPACorp.com.

Friday, July 26

New Tampa Rotary Club - The New Tampa Rotary club meets for breakfast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). For more information, call Eric Longphee at 202-1105 or see the story on pg. 50!

Saturday, July 27

New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts group bike rides/runs at Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris Bridge Rd.) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. For additional information, join the Facebook group or email NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com.

New Tampa Dog Pack - Do you have a dog? Enjoy scenic nature walks? Join the New Tampa Dog Pack on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m at Flatwoods Wilderness Park (at the 18205 BBD entrance) and on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Compton Park (16101 Compton Dr., Tampa Palms). For more info, please visit MeetUp.com/New-Tampa-Dog-Pack.

Wednesday, July 24

Thursday, August 8

BNI Millionaire Makers - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets every Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club at 7:15 a.m. (10550 Regents Park Dr., off BBD Blvd.). The $13 meeting fee includes a hot breakfast. Contact Lisa Jordan at 621-6015 for more details.

Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI, a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their respective businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.). For more info, call Ed Gleason at 299-4475.

New Tampa Noon Rotary - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday for lunch at noon at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). Guests are always welcome.

New Tampa Evening Rotary Club - The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club. New members are always welcome. For info, call Liz DeAmbrose at 956-6487 or email homenet@gte.net.

Tampa Toastmasters - Great speeches & great topics. Come hone your public speaking skills. Tampa Toastmasters meets every Wednesday 7 p.m. at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) New guests are always welcome. For more information, call 428-6356.

August 2013

Northeast Tampa Women In Business Meeting - The Northeast Tampa Women in Business group meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). For info, visit NETWIB.org or call 843-2354.

Sunday, August 11

Club Corp. Charity Golf Classic - This year, Club Corp.’s Charity Golf Classic will be held at TPGCC & will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s “Augie’s Quest”, the Employee Partners Care Foundation. & the New Tampa Rotary Club. The cost to play, with cart and BBQ dinner, is just $45 per person! Dinner only costs $15 per person.

For more info, call Andrea Bianchi at 972-1991 or visit ClubCorp.com.

Thursday, July 25

Free Real Estate Webinars - Local real estate Broker associate Lance Mohr will be hosting FREE 30-40 minute real estate webinars on Thursdays and Saturdays, at 7 p.m., covering topics such as home pricing, conditioning, marketing and understanding real estate stats. To register and tune in to the webinars, please visit TBSellerWebinar.com or call Lance at 317-4009.

Food Addicts In Recovery - Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a support group without any dues, fees or weighins and is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. FA meets at Florida Hospital Tampa at (on BBD) in the Camelot A room at 7 p.m. For more information, visit

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

2012-13 Board of Directors President-Regina Ramalheira

Board Members:

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

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

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ʻ‘W orking To Im prove The Q uality O fLife In N ew Tam pa!ʼ’

Non-Officers: Dr. Rachel Haviland Mark Lange Dr. Earl Meyer

Executive Assistant: Position Available!

Social & Business Networking Events Heating Up The Rest Of The Summer!

Delicious Social Networking At Toast July 25!

The Board of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that our next “Social Networking” event will be held at Toast Cafe & Wine Bar (14921 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Oak Ramble Plaza, the same center as Acropolis) on Thursday July 25, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

The event is free to attend and will Toast Café & Wine Bar feature special pric- had a special on these ing on Toast’s deli- filet sliders the last time cious appetizers and the Chamber held a networking event there. equally great deals on Toast’s amazing selection of beverages — including fine wines, craft beers and even awesome coffee drinks!

With a couple of exceptions (see below), the last Thursday of each month will usually be a free (to attend) Chamber Social Networking event at 5:30 p.m., at either Toast or at Stonewood Grill & Tavern (17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa Palms).

July 25 - Toast August 29 - Stonewood September 26 - New Tampa Chamber Business Expo - at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (see below for additional info) October 31 – no Social Networking event planned, due to Halloween November 28 – Toast December 26 – no Social Networking event planned due to Christmas

Join Us At Our Upcoming Chamber Luncheons!

The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce also offers its members and prospective members an opportunity to join us the second Tuesday of each month for our fun, informative and tasty Chamber luncheons at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr., inside the entrance to Hunter’s Green; Chamber members & guests are always given access through the gates!) on the following dates: Tuesday, August 13 — Our guest speaker is attorney David Lanigan, a member of our Chamber, speaking to us about “Small Business Laws & Proposed Changes”

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Tuesday, September 10 — Former Tampa Bay Lightning All-Star Brian Bradley will provide a motivational team speech and answer questions.

Annual Business Expo & New Board Member Announcement!

The Board of the New Tampa Chamber also hopes you will join us at our annual Business Expo & new Board member introduction at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (8310 Galbraith Rd., next to the Muvico Starlight 20 movie theater). This fun event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept.ember 26, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to sell merchandise, offer discounts to other members (as well as to the public), pass out marketing materials to promote your business — and restaurants are welcome to attend and provide food samples, too!

A New Tampa Chamber Member business booth costs just $50 and we can accommodate only 75 total booths, so book your table early. If you’re not currently a New Tampa Chamber member, the cost is $125 (for the basic Chamber business membership) + $50 to be included. Space is extremely limited because this event is so popular, so reserve your booth today!

Also, if you’re interested in becoming a Board Member of the New Tampa Chamber, please call the phone numbers listed below for an application.

As always, the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce appreciates your support, and wants to support you with new business ribbon cuttings and sponsored events.

Just call our hotline at 293-2464 or call Board president Regina Ramalheira directly at 245-8893!

In Search Of New Chamber Executive Assistant

The Chamber Board was saddened when our Executive Assistant Jayne Baker resigned her position.We are accepting applications and need to replace her quickly. The position pays $10 an hour and is really very part time. The duties are to pick up the Chamber’s mail, email our members on Mailchimp about our events each week, as well as the morning of our events.

Again, just call our hotline at 2932464 or Regina Ramalheira at 245-8893!

Recapping Our July 9 Chamber Luncheon At Hunter’s Green Country Club Identity theft is becoming more common and affecting more people each year, and, in many cases, it can be months before the victim even knows that there is a problem. And, during the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Hunter’s Green Country Club on July 9, William Muhammad, of Legal Shield, addressed Chamber members and guests about the dangers of identity theft in our ever-evolving, technological world. Last year, Muhammad explained, identity theft resulted in the theft of more than $5 billion in the U.S. alone.

“The biggest commodity, today, is your personal information,” Muhammad explained. “Look at Google. Aggregators wouldn’t work so hard to collect your info if it wasn’t so valuable.”

Muhammad explained that Tampa is the current leader in tax return fraud, which, along with the theft of financial information, social security and driver’s license numbers, is the most common type of identity theft.

“The worst part is, your insurance company doesn’t care,” Muhammad said. “They have your info saying that you did the crime.

If someone steals your information and gets in trouble in Wichita, KS, the warrant is will be for you.”

Muhammad explained that one of the fastest-growing types of identity theft is of medical insurance information. People can get their hands on your information and can change things, such as prescription allergies and other sensitive information, which is extremely difficult to have changed back.

Sometimes, he said, identity thieves will even commit “synthetic” identity theft, taking info from several different identities and creating a whole new person.

The most important thing, he ex-

Ads appearing on the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce page in New Tampa Neighborhood News are available to Chamber member businesses only.

Call 293-2464 to get yours!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

William Muhammad of LegalShield talked about identity theft at the New Tampa Chamber luncheon on July 9. Photo by Matt Wiley plained, is to understand the danger and having the right perception about identity theft.

“If we don’t have the right perception, how do we protect ourselves?” he asked.

“Most people don’t find out that their identity has been stolen until 14 months later. Be mindful, check things. Ask questions. We have to be more vigilant and take a proactive role to keep track of these things.”

Muhammad closed with a few tips. At gas pumps, once the receipt prints, press clear on the pump. Otherwise, your information remains in the pump’s computer, he said. At hotels, when you check out, keep the room card. He noted that you usually aren’t required to turn it in, plus all of your personal information is on that card. If you leave it in the room, your info could end up anywhere.

Also, Wi-Fi hot spots usually are not secure, he explained. Passwords, he said, aren’t for security; they’re for controlling the number of people using the network.

For more info about Legal Shield, please visit LegalShield.com.— MW

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Psychologist Dr. Scott Bakay Can Help You With Your Children Or Teens

By Camille Gillies Scott Bakay, Psy.D., knows that one of the biggest hurdles to seeking professional help for a personal problem is making the initial call to the therapist’s office.

“I know it can be difficult to make that first call,” concedes Dr. Bakay, a psychologist whose office is on E. Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace. “That’s probably the hardest part about going to therapy.”

Most of Dr. Bakay’s patients, however, don’t make that breakthrough phone call, themselves — their parents do. That’s because this soft-spoken psychologist specializes in treating children and adolescents ages six through 19. His areas of expertise include behavioral problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, anxiety and child sexual abuse. Dr. Bakay’s services also incorporate a full range of psychological testing for gifted intelligence, learning disabilities, ADHD and conduct disorder.

In 2010, Dr. Bakay earned his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, with an emphasis on child and adolescent psychology, from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Atlanta. He previously earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in

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2006 from Argosy University and his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Georgian in Athens in 2002. His Master’s coursework included treating depression and anxiety during a year-long internship at Morrison Family Services, a nonprofit community-based mental health center in Portland, OR. He says he chose that particular internship because it allowed him to pursue his interest in community mental health.

After earning his doctorate, Dr. Bakay spent two years in Largo, FL, at Directions for Mental Health, an outpatient community health facility focusing on the treatment of underserved children and families. In 2012, he began consulting with Psych/Care, a Tampa-based concern focusing on geriatric mental health. In March of this year, Dr. Bakay opened his own practice on E. Fowler Ave. near I-75, a few minutes south of New Tampa, and he continues to consult with Psych/Care.

He says his areas of expertise include behavioral problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, anxiety and treating victims of child sexual abuse. Dr. Bakay also offers a full range of professional testing for gifted intelligence, learning disabilities, ADHD and conduct disorder.

Behavioral Concerns

“Parents sometimes worry about a behavior that’s totally age appropriate, so I offer a free 10- to 15-minute consultation to help them determine whether their child’s behavior is normal or needs professional attention,” Dr. Bakay says.

How do you know whether your concern warrants a call? Some red flags for parents and caregivers to consider include these signs: • Youngsters who are Psychologist Dr. Scott Bakay, who specializes in helpstruggling academically • Those who are exhibiting ing children and teens, has an office near New Tampa on E. Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace. emotional and behavioral probronment of kindergarten,” Dr. Bakay lems, such as signs of depression or “actnotes, adding that parents often feel reing out” sponsible for their children’s behavior. “I • Children displaying conduct at never judge the parents. Instead, I proschool that results in multiple contacts vide parent training to help them learn from the child’s teacher new methods or refine skills they may alAccording to Dr. Bakay, it’s best to ready have. I might suggest a change in catch behavioral problems early. For exdisciplinary methods or implementing ample, if a problem crops up in kinder(and being consistent with) a rewardsgarten, parents shouldn’t wait until the based program.” child reaches the third grade to address For instance, if a child won’t do his that problem. or her homework, a parent might pro“A child may be having trouble adjusting from the free-play environment of vide an incentive at the end of the week, such as getting to stay up a bit later, getpreschool to the more structured envi-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

ting to watch an extra TV program or spending special time with mom or dad.

“I suggest that the rewards be free, easy and entertaining for the child,” Dr. Bakay emphasizes, noting that he never advises parents to buy expensive items that can start to add up.

Child Sexual Abuse

Although Dr. Bakay treats depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD and numerous other mental health issues, he specializes in child abuse, specifically consulting with children who have been victims of sexual abuse. He chose that specialty after completing his practicum at the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy in Atlanta, a nonprofit agency where he conducted psychotherapy with children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse or other trauma. Encouraged by a professor from Argosy, Dr. Bakay found it rewarding to help victims of abuse deal with their trauma as best as possible and return to everyday childhood experiences.

“To see the progress that these kids make and be part of the healing process that makes them want to run and play and become normal kids again, seeing that result and knowing how resilient they are, makes it easier to hear their stories,” he explains.

Dr. Bakay points out that warning signs of sexual abuse include bed wetting, symptoms of depression and avoiding a particular person. Treatment often incorporates play therapy and using play as words because many young children have difficulty finding their words; acting out a scene with dolls or toys is a more effective means of communication for them.

It’s most beneficial if a child is treated early to prevent future complications of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Similar to the PTSD that many soldiers experience from military combat, triggers in the environment may cause children to re-experience their abuse. Unfortunately, boys tend to hold off on dealing with the abuse until later in life, which is a subject area that Dr. Bakay has studied in detail.

The reasons, according to Dr. Bakay, that boys are more reticent to report the abuse may be due to the stigma attached to it — these children are often confused, not understanding or acknowledging that they were abused, they feel ashamed, they fear people won’t believe them and, if they were abused by a man, they fear they might be gay or people will think they are homosexuals.

On the positive side, Dr. Bakay says that even if treatment is delayed, boys can be helped to deal with their abuse, and come to learn that even though someone has abused them, doesn’t mean that they will become abusers, too.

Family/Marital Therapy

In addition to treating individuals, Dr. Bakay also offers guidance to families.

In cases of divorce, he meets with parents to discuss strategies that will lessen the negative impact on their children, teaching parents to work as a team for the benefit of the kids. He also evaluates how children are adjusting to the divorce.

In all cases, Dr. Bakay focuses on building rapport and trust with each patient, which at first may involve weekly sessions, with the frequency of visits decreasing over time.

“A person might go from seeing me weekly to every other week, to every third week and then just every month,” he explains. “Therapy is not something that should last a lifetime. In fact, research has shown that many people show improvement rather quickly.”

He adds that each patient is still unique and much depends on the problem at hand. “Some people may require only a couple of sessions and an occasional ‘booster shot’ to tweak their skills,” he notes.

Dr. Bakay moved to the Tampa Bay area three years ago and lives with his wife in New Tampa. He has three stepchildren and a newborn son.

For appointments and more information, visit BakayPsychology.com or call 503-5390. Dr. Bakay’s office is located at 6275 E. Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Real Estate Is A Family Thing For Missy Hileman Of Century 21 Bill Nye Realty

By Bonnie Mason Real estate is a family matter for Missy Hileman. Her professionalism, communication skills and passion to help families find the perfect home in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area is what makes Hileman a top-producing residential Realtor for Century 21 Bill Nye Realty, located on S.R. 54, just east of Wesley Chapel in Zephyrfhills.

“I'm a hands-on Realtor,” Hileman says. “It’s important to me that I return every phone call or email I receive from current and potential clients.”

Hileman received her Realtor license when she was just out of high school, but she admits she learned about professionalism through her exposure to the real estate industry early in life — from her parents, Bill and Andrea Nye, who have owned and operated Century 21 Bill Nye Realty since 1977.

“Obviously, it’s in my blood,” says Hileman.

The leadership skills, confidence and determination she gained through her role as Captain of her Division I collegiate soccer team at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, where Hileman played for four years, resonates with her clients.

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Dawn, a Lutz resident and satisfied Hileman client, says, “Missy is amazing at making sure all bases are covered. She will exhaust all resources until a resolution is achieved. We would never have closed on our house without the persistence Missy displayed. We were blessed to have her on our side!”

Hileman says she is diligent throughout the entire process of purchasing or selling a home — and her clients say that diligence shows.

Kellie, an Arbor Greene resident, says, “Missy is an absolute miracle worker!

Through her, we bought a new home and sold our home within 45 days!” Hileman says she stays abreast of all homes newly listed in the area and notes that because houses are not staying on the market very long, home buyers need to be one of the first few to view a home that’s newly listed on the market.

Hileman is optimistic about the future of real estate. Currently, in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, she says, the housing market is trending upward with a low inventory.

“Houses are appraising higher and selling quickly, which is great for anyone selling a home,” Hileman says, adding that pricing a house to sell is a key factor in a quick sale.

“If a house stays on the market for more than three weeks right now, then the house is not priced right for the area,” she says.

Hileman also says that potential clients should not be scared off by the Zephyrhills address of the Century 21 Bill Nye regional office.

“When I decided to go full force into real estate more than five years ago, I wanted to stay close to my home and family, so we branched out to the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area,” Hileman says. “It just made sense to stay in my own community where I know so many families.”

Hileman is a Realtor who knows The Hileman family includes Realtors her community and has a keen sense of Missy and Scott and their three children (l. what a family is looking for in a home. to r.)

Drew, David & Ella. Photo from 2012 “Missy is like a bulldog with a smile,” says Christy, a Hunter’s Green res- ical therapist who works with rehabbing patients at the new Florida Hospital Wesident. “She used her vast knowledge of ley Chapel (FHWC). Born and raised in real estate and her own experience as a the Tampa Bay area, Hileman has a Masmother, wife and active professional to ter’s degree in physical therapy from Nova help our family begin a new life and realSoutheastern University in Fort Laudize a dream, (and can do the same for erdale and is passionate about children you), whether you’re buyers or sellers.” and their families. Missy and her husband More Than Just A Realtor Scott have three children of their own and In addition to being one of the top are active members in the New Tampa producers at the Century 21 Bill Nye Recommunity. alty office, Hileman also is a licensed physScott also works in the family busi-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

ness — on the commercial side, where he specializes in land brokerage and development at Nye Commercial Advisors in Wesley Chapel. Formerly a professional indoor soccer player for nine years, Scott continued to play the last few years of his career while obtaining his MBA in Finance from the Loyola University Sellinger School of Business & Management in Baltimore, MD. Scott is one of three Certified Commercial Investment Members at Nye Commercial Advisors and also an Accredited Land Consultant through Realtors Land Institute since 2006. Plus, he was a member of the 2012 Class of Leadership Tampa Bay. He has been involved in Rotary since 2004, and is a past president of the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club, where he is still a member of the Board and has participated in and has organized many events to support local, regional and national charities.

Nye Commercial Advisors is a full service commercial real estate brokerage firm owned by Missy’s father, Bill Nye. Nye Commercial offers a wide range of services including: land brokerage, investment sales, buyer representation, tenant representation, leasing, property management and development services.

Truly a family business, Hileman’s brother, Brent Nye, also works at Nye Commercial Advisors, and her sister

Molly is the office manager for Century 21 Bill Nye Realty in Zephyrhills.

Missy and Scott and the entire Nye family pride themselves on family and community involvement. She stays active with running, and clients often will see her at Flatwoods Park, and the entire family has participated in local road races.

Missy has volunteered as a soccer coach through the New Tampa Family YMCA, has helped with local clean-up details with the New Tampa Noon Rotary, and often can be seen using her physical therapy skills as a service to local kids in need. She has been a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Tampa Palms with her family since she was in college.

So, if you’re considering selling your home, call Missy Hileman, who will provide a free market analysis. Or, if you’re looking for a new home in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, she is ready to help you find the perfect home to fit your family’s lifestyle.

Call Missy Hileman, licensed Realtor, at 833-6804 or send her an email at Missy.Hileman@century21.com.

Century 21 Bill Nye Realty is located at 34619 S.R. 54 in Zephyrhills. For Nye Commercial Advisors, located at 2800 Windguard Cir., Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel, call 973-0214 or visit NyeCommercial.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Boss, Arrighi & Hoag — A Small Law Firm With Big Firm Experience

By Kathleen Schiop Boss, Arrighi and Hoag, P.L, is a nineyear-old law firm with four locations in Florida — St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Vero Beach and the Tampa office, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park Blvd. (near the SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel).

The firm, which includes eight fulltime attorneys, can handle a wide variety of cases in any part of Florida, including business law (Chapter 11s, business debt & even BP Oil claims), criminal defense (including DUIs and sealing and expunging records), as well as wealth preservation and asset protection (personal bankruptcies, estate planning, Power of Attorney, probate, trusts, wills, foreclosure defense, short sales, tax law, etc.), family law (including divorces and child custody cases), personal injury law, insurance claim disputes and insurance litigation, sinkhole problems and especially real estate law — one of the specialties at Boss, Arrighi & Hoag’s New Tampa office.

Statewide-Reach, Local Roots

Attorney Brian D. Arrighi is a coowner of the firm and the managing attorney for the Tampa location. He earned his B.S. degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and before the U.S.

24

District Court, Middle District of Florida. He also is a member of the Florida and Hillsborough County Bar Associations.

Arrighi has been living in and practicing law in New Tampa since 2005.

“I’ve always recognized the potential for growth (in New Tampa), and I feel the area has been underNew Tampa resident served in the aspect Brian Arrighi is the of choices for legal managing attorney at counsel,” Arrighi the Tampa office of explains. “Our firm also is a title com- Boss, Arrighi & Hoag, pany, and with all of P.L., in Tampa Palms. the homes here, it was a good fit to try to expand our title services in this area.”

Also primarily serving at the firm’s Tampa office is associate attorney Matthew W. Kindel, who practices in all areas of family law and criminal defense. Prior to joining Boss, Arrighi & Hoag, Kindel was an Assistant State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Polk County, advocating on behalf of the people of the State of

Florida for more than three years.

Kindel is a Polk County native and lifelong Floridian who received his B.S. in Political Science from Florida Southern College in Lakeland and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. He is a graduate of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Leadership Institute, and has served on the Institute’s Young Lawyer’s Division Events Committee and Youth Services Committee. Kindel also has been involved with Lawyers for Literacy and has spoken to students about the law and the legal process.

Recognizable Experience

As for the firm’s other partners, who are not based primarily at the Tampa office, Christopher W. Boss is the managing partner of Boss, Arrighi, & Hoag, who practices primarily out of the firm’s St. Petersburg office. Boss is a frequent lecturer on the areas of real estate and bankruptcy and he has spoken to numerous trade and industry organizations. He also is a periodic commentator and legal analyst on various real estate and bankruptcy matters, often interviewed by local media, including the WTVT-TV Fox Channel 13 and WTSP-TV Channel 10 news, WFLAAM 970 (Fox News Radio)’s “Duncan Duo” radio show and numerous newspapers and magazines.

Boss received his undergraduate degree from Stetson University in DeLand,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

and his J.D. degree from Stetson University School of Law in St. Petersburg. Boss also teaches business law as an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa.

Brian M. Hoag joined Boss, Arrighi, & Hoag in January 2011 to lead the firm’s litigation department. He represents clients in personal injury claims and wrongful death claims stemming from automobile accidents, premises liability, products liability, sinkhole claims, first- and third-party insurance claims and disputes and commercial litigation. Hoag obtained his undergraduate degree in finance, from Florida State University in Tallahassee, and his J.D. degree from the Stetson University College of Law, where he and Arrighi attended at the same time. While at Stetson, Hoag also earned his Master’s of Business Administration degree.

Title Services

“Our firm is a title company, and a full-service legal firm, specializing in real estate — anything from development to residential home sales, we handle it,” Arrighi says. “I’m confident our short sale and foreclosure service is the best, but that’s not all we are. In Hillsborough and Pasco, the seller typically picks the title agency and pays for the services. We do the title work itself for the seller, for the same fee that everyone else does it for, but, in addition, we also give you a legal review of the contract. So, if any legal process comes up, you

have an attorney right on hand.”

He adds that, “We hold your hand throughout the home-selling process, versus the average title agency, who will tell you it’s time to find an attorney if something is beyond what they do. So we’re there offering it all in one nice little package for the same price.”

Outstanding References

One New Tampa resident named Tracy who utilized Boss, Arrighi & Hoag had this to say about the firm: “Brian - We closed on our house and I wanted to say ‘thank you’ to you and your team for an amazing job. With all the horror stories you hear about short sales, ours just seemed to be painless with the support of you and your staff.”

Sue, a divorce client of Arrighi’s, said that he was more than helpful in handling her unique case. “My situation was a little out of the ordinary in that my ex and I are older, have three teenage children, and were dealing with my ex’s substance abuse, squandering family assets, plus monthly government pension check and disability income as opposed to ‘normal’ job-related income, etc. But, if (Brian) was surprised at my circumstances, he didn’t show it.

“However,” Sue continued, “there were times when he didn’t have answers to my questions, but he always told me he’d research them...and then delivered. He analyzed everything, and he came up with an amazing, creative plan that protected my unique situation.

“He’s straightforward, but rest as-

sured: if the law isn't being followed or there’s any game playing by the other side, he’s quick to counteract. He’s a family man himself and has compassion in abundance.

I can’t say enough about him. Picking the right attorney is crucial...Brian Arrighi is not an expense — he’s an investment!”

Arrighi also says that at the Tampa Palms office, “Two or three of us are here pretty much most of the time, but the other attorneys will rotate in to handle different clients, depending on what they need. I’m always here, and Matthew Kindel handles most of our family law services at this office. I handle most of the consumer protection and business transactions, buying and selling businesses, contracts, disputes, setting up the deals, forming the corporations. But if a client calls and says, ‘I want to set up a will,’ the attorney who handles that for our firm will be here and will see them here anytime they need to meet, so they never have to go outside their local area to work with us.”

Arrighi also notes that the local office has been handling “a lot” of foreclosures and short sales here in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

“Our standard client today is a homeowner who purchased in 2006, but then had a decrease in income and now, their home is underwater, they’re spending their retirement savings to keep up with the bills and they don’t know what to do,” he explains. “Hopefully, they come to us before their situation becomes a crisis.”

Another advantage of working with

Boss, Arrighi and Hoag, Arrighi says, is that, “We have big- firm experience, but with small-firm customer service. The odds are that we can handle your case. If not, we’ll know someone who can and will point you in the right direction with a referral.”

The Tampa office also offers seminars for homeowners with distressed properties, as well as in the areas of family law and bankruptcy.

“We do the seminars right here, and we actually have one coming up on Saturday, August 10, 10:30 a.m. to noon,” Arrighi explains. “At that seminar, we will be addressing what your options are if your home is ‘underwater,’ and how detailed we get depends upon the number of people attending. We discuss the options different banks offer, likely outcomes, and generally heighten awareness about the situation.”

Arrighi adds that most people don’t know what they’re up against legally when it comes to a foreclosure or short sale.

“Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad information floating around,” he says. “For example, there’s a Debt Relief Act which is set to expire at the end of the year, which means that if you’re going to short sale, you’d better do it before January 1, 2014.

In some New Tampa communities, like in Live Oak Preserve, if you’re, say, $100,000 upside down, and you short sale now, you can get out of the debt, and you’ll be fine.

But, if you wait until January, that’ll be a $100,000 taxable gain. A lot of people don’t know that. We’re running out of time so we’ll be pushing that, saying if you’re

going to short sale, and you’ve been on the fence about it, do it before January.”

Perhaps the most important thing Arrighi stresses is that, “We want more people to not be afraid to call us. We want to be known as your neighborhood firm. I give out a lot of information on the consultation side, so we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation today. More than anything, we’re a good firm. There are a lot of bad ones, out there, but we aren’t... and we’re local.”

Boss, Arrighi, & Hoag, P.L.’s New Tampa office is located at 5321 Primrose Lake Cir., off Commerce Park Blvd. For your free consultation about any legal issue, or for more info, call 251-2921 or visit ProtectYourFuture.com.

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Custom Windows & Doors — Well Worth The Drive From Wesley Chapel!

By Matt Wiley There’s a cliche for getting in someone’s way, “You make a better door than a window.” However, when it comes to Custom Windows & Doors (CWD) in Port Richey, just a few miles west of Wesley Chapel, they’re good at making both.

For the past 21 years, since Bob Leggiere moved to Port Richey from Yonkers, NY, with his family and business that he began 20 years earlier, CWD has sat in the same location on U.S. 19, providing a number of services for both residential customers and area home builders in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Today, since Bob’s recent passing, Carole Leggiere and her son Gary run the family-owned business that provides everything you need for the outside of your home. The friendly staff at CWD is committed to making sure that all of the windows and doors sold at CWD meet all required codes, as well as coordinating proper permitting and even showing you how to install their products yourself, if you’re more “hands-on.” CWD even provides free quotes!

CWD carries everything from aluminum or vinyl sliding glass doors, fiberglass, steel and security doors, storm doors, French doors with decorative inserts or raise and lower mini-blinds, sidelites and transoms, to any type of window, whether the regular aluminum framed or even or

acrylic or vinyl windows to replace the screen in a lanai. CWD also offers fabricated doors, customized to your liking.

And, with hurricane season about to kick into high gear, it’s a good idea to make sure that your home is prepared.

Whether you need hurricane shutters or impact-treated windows, CWD will make sure that your home is fully capable of weathering the storm.

In March 2012, the State of Florida changed its boundaries for the wind-blown debris areas near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, forcing more builders to install windows that are resistant to stronger winds in more new homes. It is highly recommended that homes that had windows installed prior to 2012 have new windows installed so that they are up to code, or resistant to 140 mph, in most areas of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, a service that CWD is happy to provide. A stop in at the 2,000-sq.-ft. showroom will give you plenty of ideas about how to better safeproof your home, while at the same time making it easy on the eyes.

“I normally recommend impact-resistant windows because they’re good for much more than just protecting your home against a hurricane,” says Gary. “They’re burglar-resistant, as well, and energy-efficient. They even help eliminate noise.”

Since the windows are made to withstand getting hit with debris flying at high speeds in a storm, it is extremely difficult to

just smash an impact window.

As far as conserving energy, Gary explains that not only will customers notice a decrease in kilowatt-hours used on their bill, but in many cases, they will be rewarded with energy credits, or a discount, Carole & Gary Leggiere of Custom Windows & Doors on U.S. 19 on their bill in Port Richey will help you outfit your house for a hurricane, or to from TECO just improve your home’s “curb appeal.” or Duke (fortor in the area of a new kind of storm shutmerly Progress) Energy. ter: the Nautilus Rolling Shutter System, CWD offers hundreds of different inwhich works almost like a window shade. serts and styles of windows, featuring op“They’re hurricane roll-down shutters tions from PGT Industries, Silverline that are much easier to use,” says Carole.

Windows & Doors, Custom Window Sys“Especially for older people, the problem is tems, Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors and that the panic sets in when a hurricane is Soft-Lite Windows. Window options also coming and they can’t get their heavy include single- and double-hung, roller, shutters down. It’s too hard for them. casement and picture windows, all of These shutters make it simple. Just grab which are Florida-approved and Energy them and pull.”

Star rated.

CWD also sells the classic hurricane Plus, CWD also sells hurricane shutstorm panels, which are less expensive, but ters to help protect your windows. In fact, still serve the same purpose. They also Carole says that CWD is the sole distribu-

Another great thing about CWD is that almost all of the work is done with inhouse staff and very little subcontracting is ever used, except on large projects that may include Stucco work or room additions, which CWD does also offer.

Despite the number of services offered, one of the most important to consider is the customer service provided.

When Bob started the business in New York and later brought it to Florida, one thing always has remained the same: the company’s devotion (Left & center) Custom Windows & Doors can completely transform the entry to your home with French doors and sidelites or decorative door inserts. to exemplar service, no-pres(Right) A Nautilus Rolling Shutter System from Custom Windows & Doors can protect your home in a hurricane. sure sales environment and knowledgeable staff and skilled CWD can even completely change your carry accordion, Colonial and Bahamastemporary vinyl window so there’s not a installation. front entryway to fit your vision for your style shutters. To measure up to the new gaping hole in your wall and the A/C is “Customers might come in to get a home. Gary says one of the more popular codes, homes usually need to be equipped blowing air straight outside until it can be screen repaired, but will see the showrequests is to either make a double door with either impact resistant windows, or replaced,” Gary explains. room,” Carole says. “They’ll sit down with entry way a single door entry with two non-impact resistant windows with some us and realize that we’ll work with you and Knock, Knock sidelights, or vice versa. sort of hurricane shutter, whether they are that it is affordable to do some improveCWD also features a door department Plus, he says, you never have to worry rolling or the classic panels, Gary says. ments to your home. We’re here to help.” on the premises, along with doors galore in about a product not being the correct size.

Tired of all of the dirt around your For additional information about the showroom, including vinyl, glass slid“Sometimes, customers will tell me pool that your screened-in lanai doesn’t ing, fiberglass, steel, double, sliding, stained that they went to a big box home-improve- Custom Window & Doors, located at seem to do much about? CWD offers 7940 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, please glass inset and security doors. ment store and they were sold a door, but many vinyl window options that can revisit Custom-WindowsAndDoors.com “Everything we offer is custom when they got it home, it didn’t fit the place screens and still allow the same door frame,” he explains. “We can alter the or call (727) 841-9490. The CW&D amount of light. Vinyl windows have other made,” Gary says. “Any configuration you showroom is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 want, we can do it.” products and still have them meet all waruses, as well.

By configuration, Gary means that ranties. We can design any sort of door you a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 9 a.m.-noon on Sat“If you have an emergency, such as if a CWD can outfit whatever door you choose urday. Other appointment times are want. We can really increase your home’s kid kicks a soccer ball and shatters your with whatever glass insert you might want. available by request. curb appeal.” window, we can come out and install a

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Bella Mia Hair Designs Can Help You Make An ‘Informed’ Hair Decision

By Bonnie Mason Tired of the same old look? Abby Harris, the owner of Bella Mia Hair Designs, and her team of stylists have the knowledge and experience to give you the best cut and style to complement your features and fit your lifestyle. Whether it’s a classic look like the “bob,” one of the latest outré styles or an ombre hair color technique (where hair is colored lighter at the bottom and darker at the top), the pro stylists at Bella Mia Hair Designs, conveniently located in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center shopping plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., at BBD’s intersection with New Tampa/Cross Creek Blvd.

Abby Harris purchased Bella Mia Hair Designs nearly six years ago. The salon’s previous name was The Bostonian and Harris was a stylist there for 8 years.

“I want to bring a complete salon experience to local residents,” says Harris, who explains that there is a big difference between “getting a haircut” and a true salon experience. “We work with our clients to make sure they have the information they need to make the right decision about the hair style they choose.”

For example, a bob may not be the best style for someone with an oval shaped face. And, a longer hair style may not be the best for someone always on the go. An

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informative and honest consultation before the cut is what all clients at Bella Mia Hair Designs always receive.

“If I have a client who wants a style that I know is not exactly the right one for their specific features or lifestyle, I will tell them,” Harris says. “Ultimately, it’s still the client’s decision, but we try to guide them with the knowledge we have.”

Harris received her cosmetology license through a vocational school in New Jersey when she was 18 years old, before studying with renowned hair care expert Vidal Sassoon in London.

“Education is what really sets us apart from our competition,” Harris explains.

The stylists at Bella Mia have all studied in New York City, London, Miami, Las Vegas, Italy and even Bulgaria. Each year, Bella Mia’s team of stylists attends a Redken educational training program in which they learn the latest and greatest in color and design. The “Redken method” is the educational technique of cutting and styling that all Bella Mia stylists are trained to follow.

Harris explains that utilizing the one method of education allows for more uniformity in colors and products at Bella Mia. Also, the Redken “language” is universal among its stylists.

“Our belief is that we have learned from the best and use the best products in the industry,” says Harris. Other product

The professional stylists of Bella Mia Hair Designs, located in the New Tampa Center shopping plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., less than two miles south of the Pasco County line, include (l. to r.) Ken Patten, owner Abby Harris, Jessica Curtis, Lauren Rathbone, Rachel Kampert, Tyra Davis, Sarah Romine and Martina Petrova. lines carried in the salon include Rusk, Wayne Grund, Chi and Tigi.

Training To Be The Best

After almost three years working at Bella Mia, senior stylist Martina Petrova left Tampa for an opportunity to join the Arrojo Studio, NYC, owned and operated

by Nick Arrojo, the original stylist for The Learning Channel (TLC)’s “What Not To Wear” TV program.

“I completed my fast track apprenticeship program in a few months and be-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

came a full-time stylist at Arrojo Studio,” says Petrova, who returned to Bella Mia two years later and has worked with Harris since then to develop a training program for the other stylists at the salon.

“Basically, I’m teaching classic fundamentals of hair cutting and design,” Petrova explains. “The idea is to master the classics, and when you do, the creativity is limitless. There is always something to be learned; I'm learning every day. Excellent results set us apart and continued education is the key to success.”

For nearly four years, prior to settling in Tampa where her immediate family moved from New Jersey, Harris says she traveled the world while working on cruise ships in her early years. Having visited more than 40 different countries and designed hair for thousands of cruise ship passengers, Harris says with certainty, “Hair with big waves is Martina adds some color to Wesley Chapel resident still popular and of course, Robin Warnberg’s hairstyle. “I come in for a cut, some the classics with structure color and some therapy,” jokes Warnberg. within a haircut like a ‘bob’ will always be here.”

Petrova says that she loves being able to create easy-to-care-for hairstyles for her Bella Mia Hair Designs stylists strive clients, through proper shape and using to make their salon a welcoming and correct products. comfortable atmosphere for families.

“Beautiful hair should be a comple“We want our clients to bring their ment to someone’s lifestyle and personalentire family to Bella Mia –— everyone ity,” Petrova says. “I love the craft and the should experience the salon style — even pursuit of perfection. Hairdressing creates children,” says Harris, whose chic salon works of art. It has to be both beautiful portrays a sense of pampering to everyone and functional.” who visits, but with a family feel. “We In addition to in-service training for work together as a family — there is a carstylists, two associates, who also are liing camaraderie between stylists and we censed, also work at the salon. Harris ofare in a great place to offer our clients the fers her associates a chance to learn from best techniques known worldwide. I’m her in-service training and day-to-day opdefinitely very excited about the future of erations in styling techniques. The proBella Mia Hair Designs.” gram is approximately 10 months of an Need more coaxing? “I am truly imapprenticeship with the salon.

pressed with Bella Mia Hair Designs,” says Mariana Iordanova, a Bella Mia customer. “I always feel warmly welcomed and like part of their family when I am there. The staff is made up of friendly professionals who can meet all of your different styling needs. My personal stylist is Martina, who is a very highly trained professional and always gives me the best hair advice. I recently had an agave hair treatment that was superb. From specialized treatments to just a quick trim, Bella Mia is the place to go!”

Harris lives in Wesley Chapel with her husband David, who also helps out at the salon with daily operations and mar-

keting. The couple has a two-year-old son, Luca, and another baby due in October.

Bella Mia Hair Designs is located at 19038 BBD Blvd. in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza. The salon offers cuts and styles, hair color and highlights, body perms and straightening for men, women and children. Facial waxing also is available.

It is open Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sat. For more info, including about Bella Mia’s $69.95 color, cut, treatment & blow dry special (restrictions apply), call 632-3552, visit BellaMiaHairDesigns. com or see the ad on page 18.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Josh Freeman Football Camp Puts More Than 200 Kids Through The Combine At WCH

By Matt Wiley For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the season is never really over, as it takes months of off-season training to be prepared for the next NFL season.

So, even though school is out, more than 200 kids from across the Tampa Bay area came out for the annual ProCamps Josh Freeman Football Camp at Wesley Chapel High on June 19-20.

Battling the summer Florida heat and rain, the campers got pointers from several Bucs players, new and old, including wide receiver Vincent Jackson, retired linebacker Derrick Brooks, and of course, current Bucs QB Josh Freeman himself.

“Football teaches life lessons here and there,” Freeman told the campers. “It’s all about getting out there, having fun and competing.”

The two-day camp split participants into small groups, which each worked with a different “coach,” who would teach them different fundamental football skills. After a certain amount of time, the groups rotated. Day 1, unfortunately, was rained out just as the kids

were about to play their scrimmage games, but they were able to squeeze a few in during Day 2 before the rains came.

“I really liked playing the games,” said Cade Zois, 7, of Land O’ Lakes. Zois said he learned to look through his “window,” or where the eye opening in his football helmet would be, when gazing down field.

For the Bucs’ Jackson, who ran most of the first day of camp because Freeman was late due to a “personal matter,” said teaching fundamentals and community service are keys for success.

“We have a passion about our community,” said Jackson, who has his own “Jackson in Action 83” charity which helps military families. “We know what it means to give back. We were once in these kids’ shoes.

They’re learning the fundamental skills (of football). It’s that kind of stuff that they’ll use Clockwise from top: Tampa Bay Bucs QB Josh Freeman (right) talks with campers during his recent football camp at WCH; Bucs WR Vincent Jackson works on pass-catching skills; Jackson and in the future.” a ProCamps coach help campers learn how to take a snap and get into the proper position to throw For more information about future a touchdown pass; and campers compete to see who has the fastest feet.

Josh Freeman Football ProCamps, visit ProCamps.com/Josh Freeman. For Vinseason public workout schedule, as well as cent Jackson’s Jackson In Action 83 Founinfo about purchasing tickets to Tampa dation, Inc., visit JacksoninAction83.org.

Bay Bucs pre- and regular-season games, And, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ previsit Buccaneers.com.

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Flatwoods Moonlight Skating & Biking Group Blazes Trails In The Dark

By Lauren Saslow In 1996, a dozen stealthy inline skaters, led by Seminole Heights resident Sally Eakle, rolled onto the Flatwoods Wilderness Park trail at the park’s main Morris Bridge Road (MBR) entrance after hours. The successful skate gradually became a monthly gathering that was cleared officially with the rangers and publicized only by word of mouth and occasional fliers.

Over the years, the title of the skate has morphed from the “Full Moon Skate” (sometimes even “Harvest Moon” or “Solstice Moon,” depending upon the time of year) to “Skate In The Dark” until finally settling on its current moniker, the “Moonlight Skate/Bike.” At its peak, Eakle says, participation topped off at more than a hundred skaters. Nearly two decades since its inception, twenty or so skaters — and now some cyclists, too — continue to assemble in the parking lot outside the ranger station at twilight on the second Friday of every month and advertise through social media.

Eakle is still a familiar face here. She and the other regulars greet each other warmly with hugs, then stroll over to the ranger’s office to pay their $5 fee and sample one of fellow skater Jessica Wright’s freshly baked cookies, always displayed modestly in a Tupperware container next

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to the group’s sign-in sheet.

The sweet treats are how Wright, the group’s professional inline speed skater — who currently is sponsored by Flyke Racing USA — acquired the nickname, “Skates for Cookies,” which now is embroidered on her custom silver skate boots. Towering at more than six feet tall without skates, Wright easily is identifiable in her fashionable athletic skirt and signature knee-high socks.

(Note-More information about Jessica Wright can be found at FlykeUSA. com/athletes/jessica-wright.)

As participants fill in parking spaces near the MBR entrance to the park, the eclectic group of adult skaters — which includes quad, aggressive, inline fitness and inline speed skaters — sit sprawled across the pavement by their cars booting up and adjusting their wheels. A few road and mountain bikers unload their gear, too. You can hear the ripping of Velcro as they adjust wrist guards and the snaps from helmets clicking under their chins.

Helmets are mandatory in the park. Other protective gear is optional, but recommended for safety.

“Group photo,” announces Diane Loweke, Wright’s co-director of the event.

This is part of the monthly tradition, and usually includes at least one smiley photo and one goofy shot. Photos are posted on the “Active in Tampa” page on Face-

book.com and the group’s website (ActiveinTampa.com) that Loweke and Wright manage.

The group rolls out at 8:20 p.m. Gustafo Adolfo Martinez Hidalgo, a New Tampa resident originally from Venezuela, begins shooting video as he weaves through the groups of skaters on the wide trail. But, as darkness falls, he is forced to stop shooting. He pockets the camera and falls inline with the chatty group of fitness skaters.

(Left) Lauren Saslow (left) and Theresa Valdez cruise Now, the only light on the trail through Flatwoods with only the moon lighting their way. comes from the moon and the lights secured to the helmets and Left photo by Gustafo Adolfo Martinez Hidalgo (Right) One of the amazing creatures you can see in Flatwoods during the bikes of participants, as well as the glow necklaces and bracelets Moonlight Skate. Right photo by Flatwoods ranger Clint Perigard everyone wears on their person. of individuals in attendance, especially Halfway around the loop, at the newcomers, for safety purposes. While “Four Corners” water station (aptly most skaters in the loop are of intermedinamed for the intersection where four ate to advanced skill levels, it is by no parts of the paved and unpaved Flatwoods means a race, so everyone looks out for trails meet), Wright and the other inline each other. Once all are accounted for, the speed skaters pick up the pace and conskaters and bikers continue back along the tinue along what has been dubbed the homestretch, headed south past the “Y” Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. extension, water station — where two parts of the keeping pace at more than 20 mph. The loop meet with the BBD extension — remaining skaters and bikers congregate at until finally returning to their starting the small pavilion to rehydrate, snap picpoint at the MBR entrance to the park. tures of the moon, pose for candids and The seven mile paved loop — eleven wait for any additional skaters to catch up. miles for those completing the four-mile Loweke closely monitors the number extension — is just the beginning. Most

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thing is bathed in silver — it’s a sublime experience.”

Although the skate is occasionally cancelled due to inclement weather, it generally convenes yearround. Summer start times are later due to the longer A recent group of Moonlight skaters and bikers poses for a shot at the daylight hours.

Flatwoods Wilderness Park trail main entrance off Morris Bridge Rd. Despite the cold, heat, humidity or of the skaters and bikers will meet afterbugs, Herrick offers this word of advice to wards at a centrally located watering hole novice night skaters and bikers, “Prepare — the Tijuana Flats on E. Fowler Ave. — to have fun.” to continue socializing over Tex-Mex The next Moonlight Skate/Bike food and some beverages. The restaurant meets on Friday, July 19, 8 p.m. has been accommodating by allowing the (which is the same evening this issue large party to push tables together and reaches most mailboxes in zip code linger until closing time.

33647) at the Flatwoods Wilderness Master skater Bryan Herrick of Cape Park Trail main entrance (13330 MorCoral makes the three-hour trek to skate ris Bridge Rd., Thonotosassa 33592). with a great group of people. Even 30The cost to skate or bike is $2 for time National Inline/Quad Speed Cham- parking and $5 for the ranger who pion and Guinness World Record Holder works after hours. Intermediate and (clocked at 61 mph downhill), Debbie advanced skaters and bicyclists are enRice of Sarasota, has attended the Mooncouraged to bring: a helmet, bug spray, light Skate, as have some of the Tampa water bottle and LED lights and/or Bay (Roller) Derby Darlings. glow-in-the dark necklaces.

Herrick admits his favorite part of the For more info, including the Aumonthly skate is, “Skating through the gust Moonlight Skate day & time, visit woods at night on a smooth paved trail.

ActiveinTampa.com or Like the “AcWith a full moon and a clear sky, everytive in Tampa” page on Facebook.com.

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Fit 4 Life — After 12 Years, Still Succeeding Where Many ‘Big Gyms’ Fail!

By Gary Nager

Although there have been times when I’ve done my working out elsewhere, I was one of Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy’s original clients, back when owner Travis Monday first opened in 2011, in the office plaza adjacent to the Shoppes at Amberly retail plaza where our office already was located.

Since Travis first opened Fit 4 Life, which has now been located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park Dr. (opposite the New Tampa Recreation Center) since the end of 2006, the New Tampa area has added a YMCA, about a dozen other local and national fitness centers and every housing community, apartment complex and country club have someplace nice for people to work out, too.

And, I thought I heard something about a problematic economy affecting business for most people, too.

So, how have Travis, who is a Certified Personal Trainer, and his wife and physical therapy (PT) assistant/Certified Personal Trainer Fiona, and their staff continued to make it against such odds?

Travis, who today has a beautiful, young family of his own with Fiona (photo), says that making his fitness and PT studio a true family environment may be the biggest reason of all for Fit 4 Life’s success.

“I personally get to know every single person who trains or has therapy here on a first-name basis,” he says. “But, we also

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make sure all of our employees are the same type of happy, friendly people we are, people who love helping you look and feel better and really care that achieve — and are happy with — your results.”

Of course, not everyone is, like Travis, originally from Wisconsin — and it does seem that every person I’ve met from the Badger State is so nice that it makes native New Yawkas like me a little suspicious (just kidding). But yes, all four certified personal trainers, five LPTs, three PT assistants and three front desk and billing employees always have a smile and a kind word of encouragement for you. It makes coming to Fit 4 Life at least two times a week — for only 30 minutes! — a motivational pleasure.

And, that is the studio’s motto: “Never face another workout alone and unmotivated!”

MedX — Still The Industry Standard For Fitness

Of course, all that niceness alone wouldn’t be able to keep Fit 4 Life in business, and Travis and Fiona pride themselves on not only the professional training of their staff, but also the quality of the fitness and therapy equipment on hand at this intimate fitness studio.

Travis is particularly proud to have been be certified in the “Super Slow Method” (where you take ten seconds to complete each rep of each exercise and do as many reps as you can at that pace until you reach full exhaustion) on Fit 4 Life’s MedX Health equipment since 1996, and to have been one

of the first facilities in Florida to have MedX’s state-of-the-art circuit and spine-strengthening equipment.

“People can claim whatever they want, but MedX is still the industry standard,” Travis says.

“An insurance industry study found that MedX has a 94-percent success rate with physical therapy clients nationwide, and our success rate with our therapy clients has been 95 percent, so we’re right on that mark.”

The other important thing is that Travis makes sure he properly trains each trainer and therapist on the MedX machines — e.g., The Monday family (l. to r.) Molly, Travis, Fiona and how to adjust each machine so that each client does each exercise Madison) invites you to be part of the family at Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy in Tampa Palms. in the proper position, maintains the proper speed (with no forced balls for ab workouts and much more. or herky-jerky motions) throughout each “Although we’re not yet big enough to exercise and completes the number of reps it have fitness classes, pretty much any worktakes to reach full exhaustion. out you can do at a national chain you can do here now,” Travis says. “We are a full-serNew Equipment, Nutritional vice fitness center.”

But of course, no matter how good the Counseling & More equipment and training are at Fit 4 Life, In addition to the centerpiece MedX when you’re only working out twice a week circuit and spine-strengthening equipment, for a total of an hour, those who are serious Fit 4 Life continues to add new equipment about losing weight and getting in the best in order to be able to give a little variety shape of their lives have to also include during your twice--a-week, 30-minute proper diet to achieve the best results. workouts. Today, the studio has a complete To that end, Travis has brought in free weight room, cardio equipment (treadlong-time training client Kim Thompson, a mill, bicycle and elliptical machines), fitness

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Certified Health and Nutrition Counselor, Educator and Life Coach, to help keep clients motivated to eat properly.

“Kim does a free consultation with each new client and will recommend one of five different on-line diet programs, based on each client’s dietary needs. She also is available for ongoing counseling, so she can tweak any of the dietary programs to maximize your results,” Travis says.

“And the clients really love her, too.”

Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy helped me lose nearly 50 pounds almost seven years ago, and although I’ve put a few of those pounds back on, I know my workouts there will help me never go back the fat man I was at that time.

Fit 4 Life accepts most insurance plans and Medicare for physical therapy clients.

For more info about Fit 4 Life (17419 Bridge Hill Ct.), including the current $299 special (for eight fitness sessions plus one nutrition consult), call 907-7879 (Top) Travis works with a client on Fit 4 Life’s spine strengthening machine. (Above) Fit 4 Life’s free weight room. or visit MyF4L.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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La’ Berry Frozen Yogurt & Java Café Offers Unique Options

By Gary Nager We know we've told you about quite a few new frozen yogurt and/or ice cream places in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa the past several issues, but owners and Wisconsin natives Linton Paterno and his mother Annie promise that a visit to the new La’ Berry Frozen Yogurt Café, located in the Trout Creek Commons plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (next to Burger 21) in New Tampa, is still a unique experience.

Both Annie and Linton have worked in restaurants their entire working careers — a combined 65 years of experience. And Linton, a frozen yogurt fanatic, promises that there are several differences between La’ Berry and the other yogurt shops in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa.

“For one thing, La’ Berry (the corporation) promises that you won't find our yogurt anyplace else in Florida and all La’ Berry cafés, including ours, make the yogurt fresh every day,” Linton says, noting that the biggest difference is that 90 percent of other frozen yogurt shops purchase their product pre-frozen. “We believe you can really taste the fresh-made difference.”

The Georgia-based company, which started in the business in 2010, today has seven locations, although the New Tampa store is the first in Florida.

La’ Berry's creamy, unique frozen yo-

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that no other shop in Florida carries her favorite Door County Coffee. Founded in 1993 and located “in the heart of Door County,” in Forestville, WI, the company’s website says you will find a 20-year tradition in every delicious drop of Door County Coffee. Door County offers more than 100 freshly roasted coffees including regular, decaf, a variety of flavored coffees, Fair Trade organic (Left) The mother-and-son owners of La’ Berry Frozen Yogurt & Java Café in New Tampa, Annie and Linton Pacoffee and the company's terno, invite you to check out the trendy shop’s delicious smoothies (right), frozen yogurt, pastries & Door County Coffee. popular seasonal coffees.

“I know a lot of pargurt (my favorite of the rotating flavors so vitamin & mineral blend, high-energy ents who come in with their kids enjoy far are the peanut butter and banana) also blend, and “Doctor’s garden.” having a latté or a cup of flavored coffee, is used in the shop's delicious smoothies.

And, also available exclusively at La’ and the reaction so far to our Door And, the selection of 80 amazing toppings Berry is Chloe's Fruit Soft Serve, which includes everything from Pop Tart pieces has only three ingredients — fresh fruit, fil- County Coffee has been great,” says Annie. “I knew it would be. The coffee is to chocolate “rocks,” and fresh strawberries tered water and a touch of organic cane very smooth and we always have a regular and raspberries to hot fudge, hot caramel sugar, to prevent the product from freezand a dozen other sauces, even a spicy siring. La’ Berry offers a rotating variety of at roast, decaf and a daily featured flavor.”

La’ Berry’s Java Café menu also offers acha sauce that college students love! least two Chloe’s Fruit Soft Serve flavors, Customers can even customize their all of which are non-dairy and also fat- and espressos, cappuccinos, lattés, macchiatos, own smoothies, choosing their own fagluten-free.But, Linton says that best of all, and a flavored coffee of the day, depending upon the season. The current flavors, at vorite “froyo” flavor, toppings to mix in “It’s delicious!” our press time, include blueberry cobbler, and even “boosters,” such as regular and cinnamon sugar biscotti, orange crème and Don’t Forget The Java! vanilla whey protein, collagen “fresh face,” vanilla crème brulée. And, for those on Annie, an avowed coffee lover, says weight-loss fat burner, fiber blend, multi-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

La’ Berry’s frozen yogurt comes in a variety of flavors with as many as 80 amazing fruit & candy toppings & sauces.

La’ Berry’s delicious Door County Coffee the go, you can enjoy your coffee in La’ Berry's trendy café, or get your java on the makes a great caramel macchiatto. run and pull into the shop’s designated "Coffee Addict" parking spot. "We will come out, take the order and deliver it to your car," Annie says. "You can even call ahead (phone number and address below), so we can bring it out to your car as soon as you arrive!"

La’ Berry Frozen Yogurt & Java Café is open Monday.-Thursday., 7 a.m.-10 p.m., 7 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fri., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sat. & 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 20304 Trout Creek Dr., next to Burger 21, on BBD in New Tampa. For more information, call 345-8537 or visit LaBerry FrozenYogurt.com. See the ad on page 31 for great coupon specials, including buy one, get half off on frozen yogurt, 20-percent-off your entire check or $1 off an order of $4 or more.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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

Update On Team Bohannon’s New Office

In our last issue, we told you about the move of Team Bohannon, the office of the husbandwife-&-son team of Realtors Doug, Annette and Dale Bohannon and their buyer consultants Kyle Williams, Kevin Mize and Janneth Santana and seller consultant Janie Targington, but we The Keller Williams office of Team Bohannon (l. to r. gave you an incorrect address for Dale, Doug & Annette Bohannon, Kyle Williams & the team’s new office and have ad- Kevin Mize; not pictured are Janneth Santana & Janie Targington) is located in Seven Oaks, off BBD. ditional info this time around.

Team Bohannon had been more about changing lives,” Doug adds. based at the Coldwell Banker office in the “They already have changed our lives and New Tampa Center shopping plaza for the the lives of our team by welcoming us into past 18 years, but always had its own staff their family. We are forever grateful.” under the Coldwell Banker umbrella. Now, For more information about buying Doug, Annette, Dale & Co. have opened or listing a home with Team Bohannon, their own Keller Williams office at 3902 please call Annette Bohannon at 979Flatiron Loop, in the professional plaza next 4963, visit NewTampaRealEstate.com or to Bright Horizons Childrens Center of see the Team Bohannon full-page ad on Seven Oaks (off BBD at Mystic Oak Dr.) in page 2 of this issue.

Wesley Chapel.

Casa Ramos Opens — See “Since the shift in real estate in 2007 only one real estate company both grew and Our Full Review Next Issue saw an increase in volume, and that was If you haven’t yet visited the new Casa Keller Williams, which is now the largest real Ramos Mexican Restaurant, located in the estate company in the U.S.,” says Annette. space previously occupied by Sushi Tsu in “The company’s philosophy and ours were a the Shoppes at Amberly in Tampa Palms, I perfect match.” Keller Williams now has hope you’ll make an more than 700 office across the country attempt to visit soon. with 77,000+ agents.

Casa Ramos, “There were five things that attracted which is part of a 40Team Bohannon to Keller Williams,” she restaurant chain of adds. “1. The training program, 2. The “cul- “Azteca” Mexican ture,” 3. The coaching 4. The cap system & restaurants based priprofit sharing & 5. The technology.” marily in Washington “We found out that Keller Williams is state and Oregon, but

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now with six locations in Florida (the closest being in Winter Haven), has delicious fajitas (photo below), burritos, enchiladas & more.

Visit Casa Ramos (15363 Amberly Dr) in person, online at AztecaMex.com, call 977-2266 or see the ad on page 7!

Pack, Ship & Tech Fix It Now Open In Pebble Creek

The Pebble Creek Collection, located on BBD at Pebble Creek Dr., has seen a lot of change the past few months (and we’ll have a complete update on all the new businesses in the plaza in our next issue), and most of the change is good news for New Tampa-area residents.

One of the newcomers, only open a couple of weeks at our press time, is Pack It, Ship It & Tech Fix It, a name that may be a little tough to remember, but a store that has lots of products and services you need — and a “green” conscience.

Owner Sameer (Sam) Sharieff’s store offers boxes and moving supplies, environmentally safe packaging materials, stationery supplies, discount “green” batteries and ink and toner supplies (for all ink jet and laser printers). Services include U.S. Postal Service stamps and Priority Mail services, P.O. boxes, FedEx and DHL domestic and international shipping services and professional logo/business branding services (web design & development, custom printing, copies, faxing, scanning, laminating), as well as U.S. and international passport pictures.

The “Tech Fix It” side of the business features diagnosis and repair of computers, laptops and cell phones, software installation troubleshooting, virus removal from

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Windows-based computers and Sam even special-orders parts and installs programs and apps for all laptops and cell phones and recycles old electronic gadgets, too.

Pack It, Ship It & tech Fix It is located at 19651 BBD, Suite B-1. For more info, call 994-3800 or see the ad on page 32!

Las Palmas Changes Hands

Also in the Pebble Creek Collection, a long-time favorite eatery is under new ownership, as new owner Ramses Garcia and his family have taken over from former owners Todd & Bonnie Rudge at Las Palmas Café.

Garcia, who is of Cuban descent, promises that Las Palmas will still feature the same delicious Cuban specialties (like the merluza a la Rusa pictured above), but he will be bringing his family’s authentic touch to everything from Las Palmas’ already delicious pressed Cuban sandwiches to palomilla steak, ropa vieja and more. There may also be a name change coming in the future, but for now, please tell Ramses and his family you read about Las Palmas in the New Tampa Neighborhood News!

For more info about Las Palmas Café (19651 BBD, Ste. C-3), call 907-1333, visit LasPalmasCafe.net or see the ad on page 47.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

PHYSICAL THERAPIST – An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080 HELP WANTED - Looking for licensed hairstylists. full time or part time looking for the right person to work in a fun, family atmosphere.

If interested call (813) 973-1514 and ask for Bonnie.

HELP WANTED - Medical Billing Personnel, part-time, flexible hours, Local PT Clinic.

Fax resume to (813) 994-3080.

HELP WANTED - Hiring housekeeper, with car and valid driver’s license. Spanish a plus. Call: 813.758.9710 or 813.758.9745 NOW INTERVIEWING - Experienced Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner & Medical Assistant position. F/T or P/T. To inquire please email resume to bobbie@fwctampa.net or call (813-994-0611 opt.1) and ask for Bobbie.

HELP WANTED - Transaction Manager for Top Producing Real Estate Team. Must Have: At least 1 yr Real Estate experience and working knowledge of listing file from pre-listing to closing. Excellent organizational skills, time management skills & work ethic. Dedication to exceptional customer service. Perform & multitask well in a fast paced environment. Attention to detail, Outlook, Word, Excel, Top Producer, ResNet and MLS skills. A "Yes, I can do it" attitude, confidence & maturity, Email resume with salary history.

HELP WANTED - New Tampa medical office needs back office clerical support. 15-20 hours per week. Must be very detail-oriented. Some phone responsibilities as well as filing and other clerical duties. Email resume to Sara at doctor@floridawoundcare.com. No phone calls please.

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CAR SERVICES – Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.

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Classifıeds H O M E

I M P R O V E M E N T

DRY WALL SPECIALIST - Not a handyman.

Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident.

State Certified. Call Ron for free estimate (813) 784-5999 NEED HOME MAINTENANCE – Almost any job, large or small, ext/int, fencing , screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 973-0194 or 727-2582.

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, clean & seal pavers, roofing leaks, etc. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free Estimates. Your Neighborhoond Arbor Greene Resident. We work 7 days. Call 994-5124.

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional and personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. (813) 215-1177

EDUCATION

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PROFESSIONAL TENNIS LESSONS - Recently relocated USPTA/PTR teaching professional available for private/group/team tennis lessons. Former Head Tennis Professional at the #2 and #3 Tennis Resorts in the U.S. Past coach of former #1 singles player at the University of Florida. Call Steve Brady at (843) 422-3993 or email sbrady@hargray.com AFTER SCHOOL CARE - Drop off/pick up, Help with Homework, Transportation to after school activities. Age appropriate recreational activities. Snack/ Meal Preparation. Licensed, Bonded and Insured Acti- Kare Responsive In-Home Care 813-319-9143

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JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements?Ask about our HOA SPECIAL! FREE ESTIMATE! (813) 420-4465

P O O L

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TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE - New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! Call Chris Today @ (813) 857-5400 or visit www.TranquilityPoolService.com AQUATEC POOL SERVICE - keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call (813) 312-5694 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FOR FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

WEST COAST FLOORING INC - Hardwood, Laminate, and Carpet; Over 25 years experience in sales and installations; Repairs: Large and small jobs; We even do exterior pavers; Free estimates - Call Doug at (813) 215-4817 HANDYMAN SERVICES - Handyman Services, Disposal and fan installations. Painting, dry wall repair, calking, tile and wooden floor installations, gutter cleaning, and much more. Great prices!

Call 813.907.6994.

D & D PRESSURE WASHING - licensed and insured. We clean driveways, sidewalks, homes, pool decks, screen enclosures, fences and other items. Free estimates. Call Dina or Doug 813-949-5131

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

FITNESS & WELLBEING TAI CHI CLASSES - open to the public at the Club Tampa Palms. Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus and reduced stress. New Beginner 6 week courses starting every few months. Adults Course: Thursday evening’s 7-8 pm. Seniors Course: Tuesday afternoons 12-1 pm. Space is limited! Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness training and more.

With more than 30 years of training and teaching experience. Please contact me for more details or go to: chuan-fa.org. Peter #787-7560 or E-mail peter@chuan-fa.org LICENSED MOBILE MASSAGE THERAPIST Available seven days a week, 9am -9pm. $55 for 1 hour! Types of massage available: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aroma Therapy, Hot Stone, Corporate Seated, Pregnancy, Sports & Injury Rehab.

References available. www.barkdollmassagetherapy.com CALL (727) 372-6389 Lic #MA47546.

GROUP THERAPY CLASSES – 4 groups starting: 1) Adult Stress Management, 2) Children’s Social Skills, 3) Parenting Skills, and 4) Mind-Body Wellbeing. Cost: $20-$30 per week.

Conducted by licensed therapists with over 10 years of experience. Limited Space, Call Today. We also provide individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

Call Dr. Brad Palermo, Licensed Psychologist – (813)-666-5885 www.Tampa-Therapy.com SENIOR CARE HELP - Homemaker, Companion, and Personal Care Services. Light Housekeeping, Transportation, Wellness Checks Meal Preparation, Respite Care. Alzheimer's Care, Licensed Bonded and Insured Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care. 813-319-9143

CLEANING

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V&J CLEANING SERVICES, LLC. -Residential Commercial cleaning. Quality service. Affordable rates. Reliable, flexible scheduling. Supplies & equipment provided. Call Elizabeth for free estimates 813.454.3082.

CLEAN FIRST TIME - Let Clean First Time of Hillsborough serve you! We offer office cleaning, new home/renovation construction cleaning, Community Center cleaning, window cleaning and more, at times and intervals to suit you! We are fully insured and can provide current references. If a good work ethic and attention to detail are important to you, give us a call!

813.313.8468 BELLA’S CLEANING SERVICES - Reliable, affordable, professional, detail oriented. I have references. Free estimates. I have many satisfied customers in New Tampa, with five years experience. Call: 941544-7451.

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies & more than 300 clients in New Tampa!

For more information, Call 758-9710.

M.Y. CLEANING SERVICE - Offering Residential cleaning. We offer complete bath & kitchen cleaning, as well as dusting and polishing furniture. We provide our own supplies. Free estimates! Your satisfaction is our priority! With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554.

DISCOUNT JUNK REMOVAL!!! - No job to big or to small! Same day service. Senior discount.

Servicing the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel, as well as surrounding areas for over 11 years. Furniture, yard debris, garage clean out, and any other items. Call Lamar Today – 813.285.4674.

COMPUTER SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT – in your home or small business. A+ certified computer tech with 20 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. Remote assistance available. References available upon request. Call 9578342 for free estimate.

DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? - WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, installation, networking & virus removal. WE COME TO YOU! Servicing residential & businesses, w/ over 25 years experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank (813) 973-4507 today! www.WSICA.COM; Wsica@wsica.com

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TAMPA CAT LADY- Professional Cat-Sitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, & RedCross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com.

NEW TAMPA PET SITTING SERVICES Under New Ownership! Please call Larisa at (813) 546-3887. Thank-you for your business over ALL these years! Please call Marina at (813) 416-5301 for references!

M I S C E L L A N E O U S TURN YOUR CLUTTER INTO CASH! Garage & estate sales, inventory liquidation,& appraisal services. We'll sell it for you online! We evaluate & appraise your products then get you top dollar. We do the work you get the cash. Ask me how, contact Mary at 813-428-5793

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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New Tampa Rotary Donates $18,000 To Sixteen Local Charities!

By Matt Wiley

Whether it is in the workplace, across the globe, or right here in New Tampa, Rotary clubs are built on the motto of “Service Above Self” and the New Tampa Rotary Club is no different, having recently made a substantial donation to local groups and charities that share similar values.

During the “breakfast” club’s June 21 New Tampa Rotary meeting at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, a total of $18,000 was donated to 16 local charitable groups around the area, from money raised through the club’s fund-raising events throughout the year, including its annual Casino Night.

“We provide service to the community, both physically and financially,” explains New Tampa Rotary president Peter Gambacorta. “This year, we provided funds to our 16 selected local charities in amounts from $500 to $7,500 each.”

The amount donated to each group was need-based, Gambacorta explains.

“Basically, we look at what we gave each group the year before,” he says.

“Some (donations) go up and some go down, depending on their needs.”

Sometimes, he says, if a specific group is working on a project and needs a little extra money, the club leadership tries its best to accommodate those requests.

The New Tampa Rotary has supported many of the groups that received donations at the meeting for several years, such as the OASIS (Outreach Assisting Students In Schools) Network of New Tampa.

“The New Tampa Rotary has supported us for about 10 years,” says OASIS executive director Ginger Bean.

“They’ve really helped us get our name out in the community and are one of our oldest and most loyal supporters.”

OASIS Network collects gently used clothing and toiletries for needy students at all of Hillsborough County’s public schools. Bean says that the Rotary Club’s donation will be saved for when a certain clothing item or size is missing from the charity’s shelves. “(The Rotary donation) usually is used when the shelves run dry,” Bean explains. “If we run out of something in particular, like a certain size of a specific type of clothing, we can run out to the store and have money in the bank to buy it for the kids.”

The Fisher House at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, which provides free communal housing for the family members of U.S. military veterans undergoing extended stays in the hospital, also received a donation from the club, but not only in the form of a check.

“Once a month, the Rotary Club

donates a catered lunch that is brought in for those staying at the Fisher House,” explains Fisher House manager Paula Welenc. “(The Rotary) takes the time and effort out of it for us, which is wonderful.

It’s especially great for families who are staying with us from out of town because having a family member in the hospital is a very stressful time for them. They don’t have to worry about that meal for a day.

The New Tampa community opens its arms to them. It’s very inspirational.”

Tampa Fisher House manager Paula Welenc accepts a New Tampa Rotary Club donation from previous president Dennis Loomis (left) and Brad Page.

Service Abroad, Too

But, donating money and meals isn’t the only way that the New Tampa Rotary Club provides service. Members of the club will be traveling to Honduras in April of 2014 to work on clean water and sanitation projects.

Gambacorta gathered funds and got a grant from Rotary International for a similar project in Peru two years ago, but didn’t make the trip. This time it will be different.

“We’re going to go down for five days,” he says. “One of the days, we will put some bio-sand filters in homes that will allow them to have clean water. The next day, we’ll be building a latrine at a school.”

A Rotary “Pet Park” also is in the works for the New Tampa Community Park near Liberty Middle School on

Commerce Park Blvd., but the group is still waiting to receive the final budget to apply for the funding. The New Tampa Rotary will pay for the fences, a water feature, wastebaskets and concrete benches.

“That will be our Legacy project,” Gambacorta says.

Rotary “Pigfest” also will be making its return on February 22, 2014, and will be a multiple Rotary Club event. Although a final location for the event has not yet been determined, Gambacorta says he is hoping to have it at Primrose Park, where this year’s Taste of New Tampa was held. For more info, about the New Tampa Rotary, please visit NewTampaRotary.org.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 15 • July 20, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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D L O S 6 Bed + Of fice/Den + Theater/Game Room Office/Den 4.5 Bath | 4 Car Garage | 6,566 SF | Built 2012 1.5 Acr e Lake Estate | Offered Acre Offfer f ed for $1,695,000

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