New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 25, Issue 15, July 14, 2017 by Neighborhood News

Volume 25 Issue 15 July 14, 2017

Inside:

So, Have You Tried Rolled Ice Cream Yet? In Neighborhood Magazine

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Young YMCA Lifeguards Earn Kudos For Saving Teghan! By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

celeste@ntneighborhoodnews.com

On a sunny day just before school let out for the summer, the New Tampa Family YMCA pool was busy. Four teenage lifeguards were on duty as people enjoyed the pool and young synchronized swimmers were training for the upcoming Junior Olympics. Teghan Fender, a 10-year-old who has been on the synchronized swimming team at the New Tampa YMCA for three years, was participating in the practice, doing what she does most afternoons, for several hours at a time. As Teghan and her teammates were swimming laps, something about the way her legs were moving caught lifeguard Aviana Jividen’s attention. It didn’t look quite right. As Aviana watched, Teghan blacked out and sank to the bottom of the pool. Aviana jumped into action, and TJ Hernandez, another of the lifeguards on duty that day, helped pull Teghan out of the water. “We do practices every month,” recalls Aviana, “so when you actually see it happen, your adrenaline kicks in and you think of all the training that you went through.” Assisted by lifeguards Emma Cutkomp and Alfred Briceno, Aviana and TJ began lifesaving procedures as 9-1-1 was called. “They stayed calm, worked together and did what was needed to save Teghan’s life,” says aquatics experience director Lacey Boldman. “All the monthly drills and scenario practice was put into action and they remembered all the steps necessary to make the rescue quickly and efficiently. A life was saved

Also Inside This Issue: News, Business & Sports Updates Heroes Who Saved Woman From Pond Honored By Carnegie Foundation; NT Rec Center Gets Some Repairs, Curling Fever At FHCI; Local Mom Helping Military; Madison Provides Shriners Hospital Support; Lexus Dealership Set For Dec. 2017 Opening; School Grades Are Out; Soccer Players Headed Overseas & Local Business Features!

Pages 3-34

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Zammy Spreads His Love To Shriners’ Kids; Go Craft Yourself Anytime You Want; Irish 31 Opens; The Latest On Firehouse Subs & Frogury; Plus, More Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes!

Pages 35-48

Teghan Fender (center) with the New Tampa YMCA lifeguards who rescued her (l.-r.): Alfred Briceno, Emma Cutkomp, Aviana Jividen and TJ Hernandez.

because of their vigilance and quick action.” Teghan’s mom, Brenna, was in the shower when she got a call that something scary had happened to her daughter. She immediately headed to the pool. “When I arrived, Teghan wasn’t moving, but they said she was breathing,” says Brenna. “Running out to the pool and finding it silent, with onlookers frozen against the fence while a

small group huddled together over a figure that I knew was my daughter, was an experience I’ll never forget.” Over the next couple of days, Brenna pieced together what had happened. “Teghan did several laps in a row with very few breaths,” Brenna explains. “She then attempted a 50-meter zero under, trying to swim the distance without taking a breath.”

“I thought I could make it because the wall was just a few yards away,” Teghan remembers. “The next thing I remember, I was out of the pool, lying on a towel, and I was so confused.” Tampa Y aquatics experience executive Amanda Walker explains that what happened to Teghan is called a shallow water blackout. “With shallow water blackouts, you don’t even realize sometimes that you need to take a breath,” explains Amanda. “Your brain genuinely plays tricks on you and you pass out.” Thanks to the quick action of the four lifeguards, Teghan was conscious by the time paramedics arrived, and was transported to the hospital, where she stayed in the pediatric ICU for a couple of days, while doctors ran tests to ensure that there was no underlying medical cause for her blackout. When Brenna considers that the four people who saved her daughter’s life were all just teenagers, “it was stunning to think about,” she says. “They were so attentive. It was a pool full of people, so who thinks they need to be watching the experienced swimmers? The lifeguards were so prepared and obviously took their training seriously. I absolutely credit the YMCA for that — selecting the right people for the job and training them so well.” Brenna says that on the way to the hospital, Teghan was already asking if she had to miss school the next day. She was given the all-clear to return to her fourth grade class at Lake Magdalene Elementary just in time for the last day of school later that week. Within just a couple of weeks, surprise! — Teghan was back in the pool again.

See “Lifeguards” on page 5.

Andreychuk Finally Makes The Hall...And New Tampa Shares His Joy! By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com For more than a decade, a familiar face around New Tampa and one of the community’s leaders, long-time area resident Dave Andreychuk, has been greeted by many a local, eager to say hello, to thank him for the Stanley Cup he helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win in 2004, and, of course, to tell him he should be in the National Hockey League (NHL) Hall of Fame. But now...finally...those same fans have a chance to say this: “It’s about darn time!” Andreychuk received what many feel was a long-overdue call on June 26, telling him his wait was over: the former Lightning captain is an NHL Hall of Famer. “It’s a great feeling,’’ Andreychuk says. “I’m happy the call finally came.” Andreychuk, who moved into Arbor Greene in 1999 after signing with the Lightning, before his family moved to their current home in Hunter’s Green, said he was on his way to the airport when his cell phone rang around 2 p.m. He looked down and saw a Toronto number. “Can it be?,” Andreychuck thought.

Unsure if it was the media calling to ask him his thoughts on not being selected again, or someone from the NHL, he answered to discover it was Lanny MacDonald, fellow Hall of Famer and currently the chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, with good news. “It was really a surprise,’’ Andreychuk said. “I had no idea. I immediately pulled over to collect my thoughts. It really was very exciting.” A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Andreychuk says he knew his day would eventually come. He has been eligible since 2009, and he thought each of the last two years might have been his day. This year, he says he hadn’t been giving it nearly as much thought. He only hoped that he would make it into

See “Andreychuk” on page 4.

WCNT-tv One-Year Anniversary Party Ends With A Surprise Marriage Proposal!

though no one An editorial by Gary Nager actually heard For those who don’t her say it, she know me personally, I was did say yes. separated in 2006 and have Obviously, been divorced since 2009 and, those who stuck although I’ve done a lot of around for it dating and had a few relationwere glad they ships since then, I honestly never thought too did and Jannah seriously about getting married again. and I thank the Two-and-a-half years ago, when I was a hundreds of member of the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary you who have Club, a fellow club member and I who had already posted known each other through business only prior well wishes on to that, met by chance at what used to be Stage (Left): A happy couple. (Right): The New Tampa Rotary’s beautiful thank-you to a certain editor. Facebook. Left (now Brunchies). She was sitting with a them, I wasn’t actually planning anything other Getting A Taste-y Reward! few other fellow club members and invited me than to have a kick-butt invitation-only party to Although I am now a member of the to join them at their table. thank all of our friends and sponsors, but... New Tampa Noon Rotary Club (which meets By the end of that super-fun evening (it A couple of weeks before the event, I Wednesdays at noon at Mulligans Irish Pub became my birthday at midnight that night), decided that Jannah and I should also do a little in the Pebble Creek Golf Club), the Rotary Jannah McDonald (who was working for the dance routine during the song’s 45-second club that put on the successful 2017 Taste of American Cancer Society at the time, but bemusical interlude and it was during our first came the marketing and events coordinator for lesson (anyone who knows me can tell you that the Pasco Education Foundation shortly after I maybe can sing a little bit, but have never been that evening) and I had arranged our first date, much of a dancer) at the Rhapsody Ballroom on where we embarked on a journey that has had a N. 56th St. just north of E. Fowler Ave. that I few ups and downs (as all of our friends know all decided that there would be a surprise ending too well). But ultimately, the good times far out- to the song (you can check out excerpts of the numbered the bad, which led to the night of the song and the entire dance on our “Neighborone-year anniversary party for WCNT-tv (Wesley hood News” Facebook page). Chapel & New Tampa Television), which was The evening did not go off without a held in and outside of my office on June 30. hitch, which had me concerned about whether When we hired mine and Jannah’s favorite we would even get to perform the song, much local band — Restless Soul (search “Restless less whether I would get to spring the beautiful Soul” on Facebook) — to not only provide the faceted garnet-and-diamond ring I got a great entertainment for the event, but also to learn a deal on from my friends at Leiva’s Jewelry (in song (“Saint Valentine’s Day, by Bruce Springthe New Tampa Center shopping plaza) on her. steen’s guitarist, Miami Steve Van Zandt, who Although we had a little more than 100 recorded the song with his own band, called Lit- people on hand at around 7, the skies opened up tle Steven and the Disciples of Soul, which was — as they so often do during the summer here released in February 2017) for us to sing with in Florida — around 7:15, while everyone was New Tampa Neighborhood News enjoying the truly amazing food from my friends Jessica and Carl Meyers of Little Italy’s Family Address: Restaurant & Catering in Lutz, Ramses and Ana 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Garcia of Las Palmas Café and Phil and Natalia Phone: (813) 910-2575 from Olde Heights Bistro in Seminole Heights, Advertising E-mail: plus the incredible desserts from Nothing Bundt Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Cakes (right now in Carrollwood, but looking Editorial E-mail: to secure a Wesley Chapel location) and my EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com friend Evelyn Barreno from 7 Layers Bakery. Publisher & Editor The plan was for our song to open the Gary Nager band’s second set — and for us to do a Facebook Live event for the song — at 8 p.m. But, by the Marketing/Advertising Representative time the rain stopped shortly before 8, more than Tom Damico half of the people had left. Undaunted, we went Advertising Sales & Office Assistant ahead and performed the song when the rain Jannah McDonald gave us about a 15-minute window and I ended Assistant Editor / Photographer the song by asking Jannah if she would marry John C. Cotey me “some Saint Valentine’s Day?” And yes, even Staff Writer Celeste McLaughlin Correspondents Brad Stager • Andy Warrener WCNT-tv Video Producer & Editor Gavin Olsen Graphic Designers Blake Beatty • Georgia Carmichael

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-17

Heroes Honored By Carnegie Foundation..............6 New Tampa Rec Center Fixes Playground, Roof...8 Curling Club Takes To The Ice At FHCI................10-11 Military Mom Starts Package-Shipping Nonprofit...12 Madison Provides Support For Others..................13 New Lexus Dealership About More Than Great Cars...14 Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permis- New Tampa Community Calendar..............................18

sion. 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 25, Issue 17, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, July 31, 2017. 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.

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel is actually New Tampa’s original, or “breakfast” Rotary Club, which meets Fridays at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC). In the spirit of Rotary, I agreed to help (more like forced myself on) the Rotary’s Taste coordinator (and now, newly inducted president) Karen Frashier and her committee with restaurant procurement for the event and the rest, as they say, is history. Or so I thought. At their club’s annual banquet at TPGCC on June 23, Jannah and I were invited as honored guests and even though it was on one of my deadline Fridays, we were thrilled just to be there. Imagine my surprise, therefore, when I received the plaque on this page from outgoing president (he of the newly shaven head) Brice Wolford. Calling me “Mr. Taste” was pretty sweet, but I had to acknowledge the amazing “You Believed. You Made It Happen” inscription in these pages. Thanks so much!.

Local Business Updates..............22-31 PHDermatology Offers Many Treatments........22 Discovery Village Make Seniors Feel At Home.........24 Karen Tillman Sells Both Big And Small.............26 Vitale Institute Helps With Breath of Fresh Air..28

Local School & Sports Updates..30-32 School Grades Are A Mixed Bag For New Tampa...30 Soccer Players Headed To England To Hone Craft.32

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Zammy Brings Smiles To Shriners Hospital....35 Go Craft Yourself, Anytime You Want..................36 Irish 31 Opens, Noble Crust Right Behind............38 Firehouse Subs Serves The Community...............40 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’.........42 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds...........44 @NTWCNews

*New patients only. See clinic for details.

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‘Andreychuk’

Continued from page 1 the Hall while his parents, Roz and Julian, were still around to celebrate it with him. “That’s really what I wanted,’’ he said. “So, that it happened now, and they can celebrate it with me, is the best thing.” Andreychuk will be officially inducted on Monday, November 13, in Toronto. His inclusion into the Hall of Fame comes after a 23-year career that began when he was drafted in the first round by Buffalo in 1982 and made meaningful contributions in Toronto, New Jersey, Boston and Colorado before coming to Tampa Bay. Andreychuk is the NHL’s all-time leader for career power-play goals with 273 (Brett Hull is second all-time, with 265), and is the 14thleading all-time scorer with 640 goals. His 1,639

games are seventh all-time, and his 1,338 points tie him with Denis Savard for 29th on the alltime scoring list. But Andreychuk’s greatest moment was captaining the Lightning Stanley Cup team in 2004. Outside of Amalie Arena, there is a bronze statue of him holding the Cup over his head. He said he remembers taking the Cup home to Hunter’s Green the night the Lightning clinched their first championship, to party with his teammates, and then bringing it to the clubhouse a few days later to share it with the Hunter’s Green and New Tampa community. “The support I’ve always gotten up here has been great,’’ Andreychuk said. Andreychuk is currently the Lightning’s VP of Corporate & Community Affairs, and continues to be active in the community as a hockey ambassador. In fact, the Captain (as many in New Tampa still call him) was on hand as a dignitary for the opening of Florida Hospital Center Ice.

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‘Lifeguards’

Continued from page 1 In early July, just barely a month later, Teghan and her team travelled to California to compete in the Junior Olympics. Brenna says there was never a doubt she would get right back in and swim again. “She’s worked too hard,” Brenna says, “I couldn’t keep her from competing at the Junior Olympics.” Brenna says Teghan has always loved to be in the water. “She was the kid who thought she could swim before she was two years old,” she says. “I’d tell her to jump to me and she’d jump into the water next to me.” Based on research she’s since done, Brenna understands that it’s unlikely to happen again, as long as Teghan makes different decisions. That doesn’t make the lingering anxiety go away, though, as her daughter continues swimming. “It’s been over a month now, so it’s getting easier,” Brenna explains, “but I’ve had a knot in my stomach that’s been hard to get rid of.” Brenna is incredibly grateful to the YMCA lifeguards. To provide just a glimpse of the appreciation she and Teghan have for them, they hosted a thank-you pizza party with homemade brownies and goodies, where Teghan had a chance to talk with the lifeguards who saved her life. “It was really good for Teghan, especially,” Brenna says, “because she wanted to see them all.” Now that Junior Olympics is over, Teghan is getting a brief break from her synchronized swimming practices. Her mom says she loves reading Harry Potter and mak-

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ing her own music videos, and is excited about joining her school’s safety patrol as a fifth grader in the fall. But, when the swim season starts again, Teghan will be right back in that place she loves the most, practicing synchronized swimming in the New Tampa YMCA pool again. Luckily for all of us, the New Tampa Y lifeguards will be there, too.

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Local Heroes Add A Carnegie Award To List Of Honors For Pond Rescue By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com They have been honored by the Tampa Police and Firefighters, by the City Council and by Mayor Bob Buckhorn. But, when Lisa Missana and Shane Mitchell were presented with medals from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, the West Meadows residents who last year pulled a drowning woman from her submerged vehicle couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the distinguished bronze medals in the cherry wood cases. At Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms on June 29, Cash Kaschai of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission officially presented Mitchell and Missana with their Carnegie Medals, which were announced back in March. “He just said this was the highest award a civilian gets in the United States,” Missana said, “and that’s crazy. That is crazy.” “This is kind of incredible,’’ Mitchell said. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was established in 1904, after the Harwick, PA, coal mine disaster that claimed 181 lives. Two of the victims entered the mine after the explosion in a rescue attempt. Three months after the disaster, Carnegie set aside $5 million for the Commission to recognize civilian heroes while also providing financial assistance to those disabled and the dependents of those killed helping others. In 113 years, only 9,953 Carnegie Hero Medals have been awarded (from more than 89,000 nominees). Kaschai said that those awarded Carnegie Medals don’t think about dying when they put themselves in danger trying to save others

(Above): New Carnegie Hero Fund Medal winners and West Meadows residents Lisa Missana (left) and Shane Mitchell (right) were awarded their medals from former winner Cash Kaschai on June 29 at Stonewood Grill & Tavern for saving the life of Marla Zick in March 2016. Top right: Sam Harris, Missana, Marla Zick, Mitchell and Maurice Rolle. (The latter is a Neighborhood News file photo from Apr. 2016.)

Tampa Palms, on the way to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. The car, heading east, rolled down the bridge, smacking into the white brick retaining wall and leaving black marks as it scraped against it all the way down. “Every time I drive by there, I can’t help but look over at the marks on the wall,’’ MitchHow It Happened... On March 31, 2016, Zick suffered a sei- ell said. Maurice Rolle was driving behind Zick, zure while driving her gray Mustang over the Gateway Bridge, linking West Meadows to and watched in terror as the car rolled past the

and, in fact, about 20 percent of the medals are awarded posthumously. The medals, he said, are befitting the heroism and swift selfless action Missana and Mitchell showed in saving 26-year-old Marla Zick’s life last year.

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end of the retaining wall, missed a cement light post and a tree before rolling between two bushes and into the retention pond at the corner of Meadow Pine Dr. and New Tampa Blvd. Sam Harris was driving toward the bridge when he saw Zick’s car careening out of control. He pulled over, and then got out of his car and ran toward the pond. He called 911. Mitchell was taking his 7-year-old son to school and was driving down Meadow Pine Dr. when he saw the car slip between the two bushes and into the pond. The car had yet to sink and Mitchell had a wincher on the front of his truck, so he pulled it up close. He said he thought at the time it would be as simple as hooking up the car in the water and pulling it out. Rolle grabbed the hook at the end of the wincher chain and headed into the water, only to discover, however, that the water was too deep to reach the car. Missana was a few minutes behind Mitchell on Meadow Pine Dr. and also on the way to drop her son off at school. She saw the car in the pond, and grabbed her phone to start taking pictures. She saw Mitchell and Rolle yelling at an unconscious Zick to get out of the car. Then, the Mustang started to sink, nose first. Missana remembers three bubbles coming up. Rolle described the scene as total chaos. Mitchell started into the water, and Missana

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slipped off her shoes and, after briefly flashing back to the times she had seen alligators in the pond, followed him in. Thankfully, Zick had been driving with her window down. Mitchell and Missana took multiple turns, unsuccessfully, trying to get Zick’s seat belt unclasped. Because the water was green and murky, neither could actually see the car. Missana screamed for someone to get her scissors. Before she could go back under to cut Zick free, however, Mitchell came up and said he had freed her. Mitchell and Missana then went back under and, after a few attempts, were able to pull Zick through the open window and to the surface. The Tampa Police Department had arrived and helped them pull Zick to shore, where paramedics tended to her before taking her to Florida Hospital Tampa. The rescue took all of two minutes, although it felt like two hours to Mitchell and Missana. “It felt like an eternity,’’ Mitchell said at the time. “I remember when I stopped to catch my breath, I was just thinking, ‘Oh my God, if I don’t get her out she is going to die. I can’t stop.’ It felt like such a long time, and I dove so many times.” Mitchell and Missana said that they don’t feel like heroes. They didn’t think about saving Zick, they just did. “She was going to die if we didn’t do something,’’ Missana said. That is the essence of being a hero, Kaschai said. A former Carnegie Medal honoree himself in 1972, Kaschai was 19 years old when he remembers steering his car into a guardrail to avoid a 110-gallon gas tank flying at him. The

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tank had come free from a semi-truck transporting tomatoes, which had smashed into an AMC Gremlin on the other side of the road. “I still remember glass raining down all over,’’ he said. “And flames 25-30 feet high.” Inside the car were two paraplegics, Kaschai said. They were on fire, and along with two other men, he helped pull them out and roll them in the dirt to put the flames out. “It was kind of cold that day, and I had a t-shirt on under a button-up shirt, and a pullover sweatshirt,’’ he said. “I remember it burned through three different places all the way through to my chest.” Kaschai said a moment like that stays with you forever. “And it will for Lisa and Shane, too,’’ he said. It was fitting that Missana and Mitchell received their award at Stonewood Grill & Tavern, since that’s where they came together with Rolle, Harris and Zick for the first time, a week after the pond rescue. Although they have received dozens of accolades for their actions, including a photo shoot with National Geographic for an as-yet unpublished piece, and a recent appearance on WFLA-TV’s “Daytime,” Missana and Mitchell still feel all the awards and recognition are much ado about nothing. What they take the greatest joy in, however, is the continuing relationship and friendship they have with those involved. Mitchell and Missana still talk to Zick, who is now living in New York. When she is in town, they get together for dinner. “I think the coolest thing was to see Marla graduate from school and move on and be able to live her life,’’ Mitchell said. “That was the best thing. We’ll always be connected. Sometimes, you need that in your life.”

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New Tampa Recreation Center Gets Roof & Playground Repairs By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com City officials say the New Tampa Recreation Center should be back to full speed following repairs to a roof leak that caused damage to the pit and TumbleTrak area. On June 23, a portion of the ceiling fell through, closing a portion of the recreational side of the gym for repairs. The damage interfered with summer camps and regular City of Tampa classes, forcing parents who have children in the NTRC’s popular gymnastics program to drive their kids to the Wayne C. Papy Center in Seminole Heights for two weeks. “I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but this is the best solution for all of the children in our program. If you need help with transportation, talk with some of the other parents to possibly set up a carpool” read a text sent to parents following the issues with the roof. The area of the roof that was leaking was repaired the same day, according to Ocea Lattimore, director of the city’s Logistics & Asset Management Department. A couple of screws had started to back out of the metal roof at a joint in the metal panel, Lattimore wrote in an email to the Neighborhood News. That repair cost $300, and Lattimore says that the other areas in the roof with the same detail were inspected as well. The insulation, however, must be repaired. The vendor that was scheduled by the city to do the repairs said the 5’ wide in-

sulation was a special order with a two-anda-half week wait time. As of July 3, the Lattimore’s department was researching other vendors for the insulation in hopes of speeding up the process. Tampa District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera, who represents much of New Tampa, says he was informed of the leak the day after it was discovered. “If something happens out here, I want to know about it,’’ says Viera, a Hunter’s Green resident who offered to do what he could to nudge along the process. “I’ve always worked in the private sector. Things run a little bit slower in the public sector.” This is the second significant repair done at the New Tampa Recreation Center in the last two months. In May, the turf under the outside playground equipment split at the seams, closing that area for a month. The turf was replaced under warranty at cost of $16,500. The rec center has been a point of contention for many New Tampa residents. It has been planned for expansion for five years, but twice has had the money earmarked for the project diverted to another project elsewhere in the city. Last year, the City Council voted to provide funds for the Cuscaden Park pool in Ybor City instead of the $1.5-million, 14,000-sq.ft. NTRC expansion. At a recent town hall meeting hosted by Viera at the rec center, local attorney Tracy Falkowitz drew loud applause when she complained to Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s chief of staff Dennis Rogero that

the NTRC has been getting shortchanged by the city. The recent inconveniences caused by the playground being closed and local parents having to drive to Seminole Heights for dance lessons is likely to raise more eyebrows. “I can say that the way I looked at it, it’s symbolic of the rec center and the need for more attention to the New Tampa area,’’ Viera says. “It needs more attention.” The City Council should receive Buckhorn’s fiscal year 2017-18 budget on Thursday, July 20. Prior to the need for these playground and roof repairs, however, the new budget was not expected to include any additional money for the NTRC expansion. For more info, visit TampaGov.net and search “parks-and-recreation.”

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Curling Fever Has Local Residents In Its Grip At Florida Hospital Center Ice! By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com It is Saturday night in Wesley Chapel, a typical summer night where a 90º+ day has given way to a torrential downpour. But, inside chilly Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI), the atmosphere couldn’t be a more perfect for the Tampa Bay Curling Club (TBCC). A cart with plastic pitchers of beer is hoisted onto a rink — where stones and brooms and a collection of mismatched locals with rubber bands on their shoes (to keep from slipping) — men and women, ranging in ages from 15 to 70, are ready for their favorite night of the week. In a cacophony of stones clacking together and teammates cheering each other on, club president Bernie Skerkowski’s voice seems to boomerang off the boards. “No……no……Yes! Sweeeeeep! Sweeeeeep!” Skerkowski teaches the sport and runs the curling program at FHCI, but he also is on a team — Curl Jam — in the inaugural season of curling that is now less than halfway through its first season in the Tampa Bay area. He is exhorting his teammates to brush the ice, which is covered with tiny droplets of water that harden into little pebbles of ice, and smooth it out so the 42-pound stone that he has just slid towards the “house,” or target, can pick up some steam and trajectory. “Sweeeeeeeeeeeep!” When the stone finds its mark inside the house, he flashes a smile towards his teammates, and is greeted with two thumbs up. This happens on all five sheets (or rows)

Although the sport of curling is definitely in its infancy at Florida Hospital Center Ice, more than 60 people already are participating in the first-ever curling league in the Tampa Bay area, including curling vet Scott Gargasz (squatting) of Advanced Hands.

of ice on one of the three NHL-sized rinks every Saturday night at FHCI, over and over, by an enthusiastic group excited about being curling pioneers in Wesley Chapel. The “Spirit of Curling,” a common phrase used in the game by players to describe the sportsmanship, camaraderie and etiquette that is supposed to define the sport, is on display.

“We can’t wait for Saturday nights,’’ said DJ Bonoan, a computer engineer who formed a team, House of Chapel, with his friends Noah Bethel, Orlando Rosales and Billy Still. Bonoan and his teammates have so embraced curling’s arrival, he is documenting their first season on a blog called TheHadjiChronicles.com, where he posts a video series he shoots and edits called “STONED.” “We’re always thinking about it,’’ Bonoan says. “I’m at work, looking at better strategies for playing, looking for game plans, trying to figure out better ways to get the stone down the ice. Man, we love it!” Bonoan has even downloaded a curling game app for his cell phone. Skerkowski isn’t surprised that Bonoan and others have quickly developed an obsession with curling. He and FHCI general manager Kevin Wolter had talked about hosting a curling league long before the doors were even open at the facility, with both feeling it would be a big hit in the community. When they were able to convince developers to build room for five sheets of curling ice (one sheet for each game being played), they knew they could make it work. “I am still a little surprised,’’ Skerkowski says. “It’s more people than I expected. When we had our informational meeting, I thought we’d get 30-40 people out, but we had 100.”

Big Numbers, Big Fun!

The TBCC (visit TampaBayCurlingClub.com) currently has 63 members, and 80 percent of them had no curling experience when they signed up. The league, which has 10 teams, is co-ed, although, if interest increases, Skerkowski is open to a women’s-only league in the future. The league already utilizes five sheets every Saturday. The Orlando Curling Club, which has been around for a few years, usually only has access to three or four, according to Skerkowski. “They can’t believe how many we’ve got,’’ says Skerkowski.

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The league has recently been accepted into the Grand National Curling Club (GNCC), a 150-year-old organization that has more than 4,700 members, or roughly a quarter of all curlers in the U.S., according to its website. Skerkowski says getting in the GNCC was a coup for a club so young. “Even they (GNCC) were surprised by how many members we have,’’ he said. The current TBCC league, which was about to complete (at our press time) the fourth week of a 10-week season, is just the tip of the, well...iceberg. By the start of the next season, an influx of snowbirds returning to Florida and word of mouth is expected to increase the number of local curling participants. The 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in February in PyeongChang, South Korea, which will give the sport another boost, with the TBCC expecting to see an influx of new members as a result. Wolter says there could also be plans for a Sunday morning league, which are very popular up north, as well as bonspiels, or weekend tournaments. “It has been very successful so far, so we can definitely see this expanding into a number of different things,’’ he says. Curling reminds many of shuffleboard, a popular game with the older set in Florida, although it is more commonly referred to as “chess on ice” and dates back to the 1500s. Each game is played on a rectangular sheet of ice which is roughly 150 feet long and 16 feet wide. At FHCI, the five sheets of ice are laid down side. The ice is “pebbled,” a process where small droplets of water are frozen across the surface. Without pebbling, Skerkowski says, the stone would barely move. With it, the stone is able to glide more effectively and spin, or curl...hence the name. While players take turns “throwing,” or pushing, the stone, their teammates play the role of sweepers, using a broom to brush the ice to the front and side of the stone. The brushing reduces friction underneath the stone and allows its path, speed and spin to be manipulated. Teams alternate shots and are aiming for the house, the area that looks like a target, as they try to score points for being closest to the center. Each team throws eight stones to complete an “end” (or inning, like in baseball). Although the number varies, a typical match consists of eight ends. “When we were first got here, I was thinking, ‘How hard could this be?,’’’ says Bonoan, who is no stranger to working out. “But, I’ll tell you this, it’s a lot more challenging than it looks on TV. I was actually sore after the first Learn To Curl class.” Although curling is huge in Canada — where national finals are televised — and in the northern U.S. (it has even been featured in an episode of “The Simpsons”), the only time most Americans ever see the sport is during the Winter Olympics. The game enjoyed a spike in popularity when it returned as an Olympic sport in 1998, after its exclusion from the Olympic programs since 1924. In 2010, it was prominently featured during Olympic TV coverage, creating another boost of popularity. “People laugh at it, but when it is on during the Olympics, everybody watches it,” Skerkowski says.

Catching The Fever...

New Tampa resident Raquel Aluisy,

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who convinced best friend Janice Tuffy to join her and started researching the sport before it even started at FHCI (only to find the closest clubs were in Orlando or Fort Myers), says “I remember curling during the Olympics, watching it at 3 a.m. when I was little, and thought it looked so cool and fun,’’ Aluisy says. “A couple of months later, they announced it at Center Ice and I called Janice and said ‘WE’RE DOING IT!’” Raquel and Janice met Chris Ansey and Dave Hobbs at one of the Learn To Curl classes in May, and decided to form a team, Kuch’s Kurlers, for the league. “Everybody was just so friendly and nice,’’ she says. “We all learned together, fell together and got back up together.” Raquel tried to recruit others, “but all my friends at work think I’m crazy.” Saturday night may not ideal for many, but Raquel has no problem making her way to Wesley Chapel for league matches. At least, so far. A Tampa Bay Lightning season ticketholder, she expects a few of the hockey games to conflict with her curling career. “That will be a tough choice,” she says, laughing. Mike Meyers of Dade City watched curling during the last Olympics, and when he read that an ice rink was being built nearby, he told his wife if they ever started curling, he was going to play. One of the first few curlers to sign up at FHCI, Meyers and his son Chris, who is 15, play on Get Your SHEET Together. On a recent Saturday night, Chris found

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(L.-r.): Liz Mitchell was just “along for the ride” until she got curling fever herself, Tampa Bay Curling Club president Bernie Skerkowski guides his stone, and Annie Gargasz gets busy sweeping. the bulls eye a few times, although the team brooms, most members have fell short against License to Curl. gone online to buy their own, “He’s not a big sports kid at all, but he which start at around $50 for a fiberglass has picked it right up,’’ Mike said. version if you shop around. There are Their teammates, Danny Winters and specially-made curling shoes, which is anhis fiancé Liz Mitchell of Wesley Chapel, other cost for the serious player, there are signed up together. Danny says he was de- slider slippers to share and you can get by bating trying the sport out after stumbling with rubberbands to keep from slipping. across a curling demo one day at FHCI, You do not, however, need the most when his 8-year-old son Avery nudged the expensive piece of equipment, the stone. guy at the sign-up table and said ‘My dad The FHCI is leasing 16 of the granite wants to try it out.’” stones for the league, for a cost of $6,000 That guy happened to be Skerkowski, a year, but will eventually own them. who closed the deal with Winters. “I was along for the ride,’’ said Mitchell, who admits she has also developed a fondness for the sport. It’s not cheap to curl, a fact that nearly scared off Mitchell and others. To join the Tampa Bay Curling Club, the annual dues are $75 (which covers insurance) and to register a team is $250 (or what amounts to $25 a match). That comes out to $250 per player, though Skerkowski says a team of eight that alternates the weeks they play cuts that in half. Ice time is not cheap. In fact, the league started a three-week hiatus after the games June 24 because other scheduled events need the rink. And creating the particular curling sheets is time consuming. “We’ve made it as cheap as possible,’’ he says. “Nobody is making any money off this.” While the club provides some

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Some teams have also decided to buy matching uniforms for the games. “It’s been worth every penny,’’ says Bonoan. “I can’t wait to see what other stuff they have planned.” For additional information about upcoming Learn to Curl classes, current league standings and future curling leagues at FHCI, visit TampaBayCurlingClub.com or contact club president Bernie Skerkowski at (813) 758-2279.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The STANO Foundation Sends Care Packages To Support Our Military By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

celeste@ntneighborhoodnews.com When single mom Paula Stano’s only son, Jordan Viches, went into the Marines straight out of Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass Ranch High in 2013, the only way she could communicate with him was via old-fashioned letter writing. Jordan told his mom that receiving the letters “felt like Christmas,” but that some of his friends never got any letters at all. So, Paula started writing letters to Marines other than her son as well. That became the beginning of a journey that has led her to where she is now, as the founder and president of the STANO Foundation, a 501(3)c non-profit organization that sends care packages to members of the military who are deployed and stationed both in the U.S. and abroad. As her son’s military career continued and she became aware of needs of his fellow Marines, she began soliciting donations from friends and acquaintances. Jordan was stationed abroad in Japan, but some of his friends were deployed to countries such as Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, so she started sending them packages. “They would ask for things like two-ply toilet paper or black crew socks,” she says, “or a certain kind of cracker or chips or candy they couldn’t get where they were stationed.” So, as her efforts grew, she created the STANO Foundation (which is her last name developed into an acronym: Supporting Troops Area-wide, Nationally and Overseas), and her efforts continue to be supported by the community and continue to reach more members of the military in more areas. “We send out packages every month now,”

(Above left): Paula Stano and her son, Jordan Viches, by Melissa Korta Photography. Military members (top right) helped by the STANO Foundation and its volunteers (bottom right) mug for the camera.

she explains. “We reach out to the community and ask if they have loved ones stationed in the United States or overseas, and then we send them packages.” Paula says that, twice a year, the foundation sends out an especially large number of packages. First and foremost, prior to Christmas, about 600 boxes are mailed. In late June and early July, roughly halfway through the year and just before the time we celebrate Independence Day, the STANO foundation sends out another 300 boxes. “We make sure each person gets an individual box,” she says. “We ask them about the things they miss the most, their favorite snacks

and allergies, and then we try to accommodate each person’s individual needs.” While her efforts grew from simple letter writing into an official nonprofit serving hundreds of troops, the operation is still based out of her Wesley Chapel townhouse. At our press time, she was getting ready for her big July shipment. “You should see my living room right now,” she says. “It’s amazing.” It takes an incredible effort, a lot of donations of supplies, and additional donations to pay for the shipping. “Shipping is our largest expense,” Paula says. “It will cost $6,000 to ship the boxes in

July,” which means her cost is closer to $12,000 at Christmas time. Paula is thrilled that Tech Data, based in Clearwater, has partnered with her to pay for shipping the July boxes and also to collect many of the items that need to be donated. She’s reaching out to the community to solicit the additional donated items and to provide the funding for boxes that are shipped throughout the rest of the year. A supply list can be found on the STANO Foundation website at STANO.org. Some of the most wanted items include sunflower seeds, beef jerky, protein powder, travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste and deodorant, to name just a few. “Items can be dropped off at Ideal Massage (in the Summergate Professional Park) in Wesley Chapel (behind Sam’s Club) or people can contact me and any of our Board members will do a pick-up of items that you would like to donate.” Anyone who would like to sign up a loved one in the military to receive a package from the STANO Foundation also can do so via the same website. Jordan is still an active duty Marine, currently stationed in Moscow. “He’s loving it, and I’m hoping to go see him in September,” she says, adding that Jordan is one of the foundation’s Board members, helping the foundation to know who needs what and help make sure the packages meet the needs of those who receive them. “There’s no way I could do this by myself,” she says. “It really does take a village.” For more information, visit STANO. org or find the foundation’s Facebook page by searching “STANO Foundation.”

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Madison Davis ‘Paying It Forward’ By Helping Shriners Hospital Kids By BRAD STAGER

One of the top songs on Madison Davis’ playlist is “Titanium,” sung by Australian recording artist Sia. It’s a song about prevailing over adversity, and when the refrain, “I am titanium, I am titanium” comes around, the New Tampa 12-yearold sings along with the words coming from a place deep within her. That’s because Madison recently had titanium rods surgically inserted in her back to correct a severe case of scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. The rods are attached to her spine in order to hold it straight. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a case of scoliosis is considered severe, requiring surgery, if a stillgrowing person has a curvature of 45 degrees or greater. She is well on the road to recovery following the six-hour surgery she underwent at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa (located on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida; see story on page 35 of this issue) in March, and her experience of overcoming a tough challenge at an early age has taught her to be generous. Madison has formed a foundation {and applied for 501(c)(3) status} called Not on My Back, which raises money for rolling backpacks that she gives to children, including patients at Shriners who either have scoliosis or have had a spinal surgery. Money is raised through fund-raising events and a GoFundMe page (GoFundMe. com/MadisonDavis). At our press time, the page showed that $5,625 of Madison’s $10,000 goal had already been raised.

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To Madison, the rolling backpacks her project provides relieve a painful burden from the backs of children with scoliosis and is a way she can make a difference in the lives of others. “It’s for a good cause, to give kids something they need and to make sure they’re not alone,” she says. According to Madison’s mother, Helena Hampton-Davis, her daughter wants to express appreciation for the life-changing work that the doctors and staff at Shriners perform. “She decided she wanted to do something nice for Shriners and that’s when she decided she wanted to start her own foundation,’’ says Helena. “We’ve committed to Shriners for 100 backpacks and we’ve already delivered 50.” Helena adds that the backpacks are “fully loaded” with school supplies when they are presented to recipients. The personal strength and generosity of spirit Madison displays has earned her a role as a member of the Shriners team, as a patient ambassador. The hospital’s public relations manager Lisa Buie says Madison is an inspiration to everyone who meets her. “She is a delightful young woman, and we couldn’t be prouder of her,” Buie says. There are many people who are proud of Madison and some of them gathered at her family’s home in Heritage Isles on June 24 to celebrate both her accomplishments and National Scoliosis Awareness Month, which is observed in June each year. “Madison has a team of people who support her,” says Helena. Professional artist and graphic designer Morgan Welch, who designed the fashionable “Curves are for hips, not backs” t-shirts that attendees wore, is part of that support team.

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Another is Mercedes McDowell, who sells Premier Designs jewelry at in-home events and is planning one of the jewelry company’s “Parties with a Purpose” to raise money for Madison’s foundation. Helena also acknowledges the daily, routine support her family received. “There are people who came to the house to check on her,” Helena says. “They brought food, gifts, cards and stuffed animals.” Madison and her family also want to raise Madison Davis, center, with her mom, Helena Hampton-Davis, and her dad, Mike Davis. awareness about scoliosis and within their circle of According to the American Association of support, they have definitely succeeded. Neurological Surgeons website, as many as nine Anytime a child goes through a tough million people in the U.S. have scoliosis, which situation, it’s always a challenge for their par- can develop in infants and toddlers, but most ents, too. Madison’s father, Mike Davis, says his frequently begins when children are 10-15 daughter has become a role model for him. years old. Severe scoliosis also can put pressure “My strength is really listening to her,” on the heart and reduce lung capacity. Mike says. “Instead of complaining about the Treatments range from wearing a supportsituation, she’s helping others.” ive brace to surgery. Madison’s operation was Through dealing with the curvature of her performed by Geoffrey Cronen, M.D., a spinal spine and the surgery to correct it, Madison has surgeon at Shriners. His prognosis of Madiacquired insight as to what is required to prevail son’s prospects for a fulfilling life is positive. in such a situation. “She’s a great person and has a bright fu“It takes courage and strength, and you ture,” Dr. Cronen says. Madison says that future includes designwill get those from your family, friends and doctors,” she says. “You have gifts that God gives ing clothes and exploring careers in medicine and law. “I want to help people,” she says. you and you will discover them.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Hi-Tech Service To Be A Hallmark At WC Lexus; Oh...The Cars Are Nice, Too By JOHN C. COTEY When Patrick Abad, the managing partner and VP of the Lexus of Wesley Chapel dealership scheduled to open later this year, regaled the June 21 audience at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)’s Economic Development Briefing with updates about the area’s next luxury car dealership, he drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd. And, he did a lot of that without even mentioning the cars. Thanks to a local family median income in the $80,000 range, an influx of new homes on the horizon and rapid business growth, Wesley Chapel has become a hot destination for luxury car dealers. Lexus of Wesley Chapel, being built just south and west of Wesley Chapel Toyota at 5300 Eagleston Blvd. (south of State Road 54 between Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and I-75), will be joining what is growing into a booming luxury car market that already includes MercedesBenz of Wesley Chapel, which opened in 2015, and Audi Wesley Chapel, which will open a little later this year than Lexus. Abad wowed the WCCC audience with details of what will be a state-of-the-art facility that he expects will revolutionize the local carbuying experience. “We have visited over 40 Lexus dealerships in the last 18 months, and we took the best from each one,’’ Abad said. “When we sat down with the architect, we said we want all of these things.” Those things include simple, but expensive touches like the $2 million being spent on a double car wash. “Lexus said we didn’t have to build a car wash,” Abad says, “so we didn’t... we built two.” A pavilion, equipped with a grill, refrig-

erator and televisions and able to host small corporate events, will link the Lexus dealership to the adjacent Wesley Chapel Toyota dealership. Inside, a cafe featuring fresh sandwiches and a smoothie machine, massage chairs, a business center and even a “quiet” room for those working while they wait for their cars is being incorporated into the dealership. Abad is part of the Wil- (L.-r.) Randy Newbold of Williams Automotive Group, Steve Domonkos of the Shops at Wiregrass, Eric Johnson of Williams Auto, liams Automotive Group of Jennifer Tussing of the Wesley Chapel Chamber and Patrick Abad, the managing partner and VP of Lexus of Wesley Chapel. Wesley Chapel, which also oping to happen in this market,’’ Abad said. “And, Lexus will hire 100 people, and Abad said erates Wesley Chapel Toyota and Wesley Chapel we’ll be ready.” they are looking more to the customer service Honda on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (or C.R. 54), High-tech customer care, though, will be and hospitality industries. He also said he has the Wesley Chapel Used Superstore on S.R. 54 a centerpiece. “Technology like you will not see received 1,200 applications from all over the and Tampa Honda on N. Florida Ave. country — even one from a director of conin any other store,’’ Abad said. Williams Automotive, run by brothers When Lexus owners pull in, radio-fre- cierge at a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in California. John and David Williams, has been chasing a quency identification (RFID) will alert their Lexus will hit the ground running. Abad is Lexus dealership — there are only 236 in the customer service rep inside. An electronic tire handling a promotion called the Founding 100, country, Abad says — for years. They even did reader will tell you if you need new tires before which will provide various perks for the first 100 their own market study, which showed a need you even take a seat inside. WiFi in the poles in customers to buy a Lexus at the Wesley Chapel for a Lexus dealership in Wesley Chapel, and as the parking lot will allow employees to better location. It includes upgrades like a lifetime warone of about 500 applicants, presented it yearly address customer needs via their tablets. ranty, lifetime oil changes and car washes, as well in the hopes of being awarded one. Once choAs for sales, gone are the days of what Abad as other VIP services. sen, the process included five thorough on-site called the “27 steps of the sale process.” With The promotion already has been a hit. Six interviews at Toyota. smarter shoppers these days due to computers months before Lexus is set to open, 95 cars al“Two grueling years,’’ Abad said, adding and the internet, Abad said sales reps do not have ready have been pre-sold. “The average Lexus that it was the first time in 12 years a new dealer to drag customers through all 27 steps. store sells about 100 monthly,’’ Abad said. “We’re had been brought into the Lexus family. He said “Customers are all at different spots in the doing 100 the first week.” Or more. Abad added that the success of Wesley Chapel Toyota, cho- process,’’ he says. “If they come in and know that Lexus of Wesley Chapel they may widen the sen as the WCCC Large Business of the Year in the price they want to pay, what their car is promotion for additional customers. 2015, played a big role. “I think this is going to be great for the worth, what they want to buy, can’t we just skip The new dealership is being built on eight steps 1-22 and go right to 23?” community,’’ he says. “I think you are going to acres of land, and though the standard Lexus In fact, due to tablet technology, Abad said be proud of what we do.” dealership is roughly 20,000-sq.-ft., the Wesley in some cases it might be feasible to skip right For more information, check out Chapel location will be 64,000-sq.-ft. to 27, and sign the paperwork for your car on a Lexus of Wesley Chapel’s website at Lexus “It’s bigger because we know what’s go- tablet in your own driveway. OfWesleyChapel.com.

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JULY 2017 Saturday, July 15

Bay Chapel Food Pantry - Free food for needy families. Open every Saturday from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. behind Christian Brothers Automotive at 20300 Trout Creek Dr. (off BBD). For more info, visit BayChapel.com/foodpantry.

Sunday, July 16

The Learning Experience (TLE) New Tampa Grand Opening - The Learning Experience, a premier childcare center and preschool, will host a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and opening event, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.. Come take a tour of this new facility, located off County Line Rd. (near LA Fitness). For more info about TLE, see the ad on page 19 of this issue.

Friday - July 21

Rotary Club of New Tampa - The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday for breakfast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). For more info, contact David Lanigan at (813) 760-6548 or dave@davidlanigan.com or visit NewTampa Rotary.org. The Deacon Blues Band Concert To benefit The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — See story on page 19 of this issue.

Meditation Group - All faiths and all levels of meditation experience are welcome at this free meeting at Sanctuary Wellness Center, 8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite 120, 10 a.m-11 a.m. For more info, search “The Sanctuary Wellness Center in New Tampa” on Facebook or “New Tampa Intuitive Development Center” on Meetup. St. James Church 30th Anniversary Celebration - St. James United Methodist Monday - July 24 Church (16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) kicks off a season of celebration, highlight- New Tampa Democratic Club - The New Tampa Democrats meet the 4th Mon. ing its 30-year history, with a message from former pastor Morris Hintzman at its of every month at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). 9:30 and 11 a.m. services. Guest speakers and highlights lead up to a churchFor info, email newtampademocraticclub@gmail.com or call (813) 563-0845. wide celebration on Sunday, September 10. More info at StJamesTampa.org.

Tuesday - July 18

English As A Second Language (ESL) - The ESL group meets Tuesdays at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD Blvd. in Pebble Creek), 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Classes are taught by a native English speaker. The cost is $40 each semester for the workbook & class materials. For info, call Holly at (813) 360-2077. Keep It Local - This seat-specific networking group emphasizes small, local businesses. Meets meets every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at GrillSmith at The Shops at Wiregrass. For more info, call Marino Cecchi at (813) 513-9001.

Wednesday - July 19

AUGUST 2017 Wednesday - August 2

Live Oak Preserve Food Truck Rally - Open to the public! Features fresh produce, a variety of vendors, and food trucks. Summer events held the first Wednesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. 9401 Oak Preserve. Info at Facebook. com/LiveOakPreserve.

BNI Millionaire Makers - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets Weds. at Heritage Isles Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.), at 7:15 am. $13 to attend includes hot breakfast. Call Lisa Jordan at (813) 621-6015 for info. Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI, a group of business pros dedicated to helping their member businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wed., 7:30 a.m., at Mulligans inside Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.). Call Bill Sullivan at (813) 994-1143. Partners In Network (PIN) - Partners In Network is a group of professionals, one specializing in each area of business. Meets every Wednesday for lunch at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 11:30 am. For info, call Georgianna Strickland (813-477-7306) or Ken Fernandez (813-334-6000) or email gstrickland@ strategicmarketingarts.com. Rotary Club Of New Tampa Noon - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets Wed. at noon at Mulligan’s Irish Pub (in Pebble Creek Golf Club). Guests welcome. For info, call Valerie at (813) 317-8886.

Thursday - July 20

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Deacon Blues Band Benefit Concert July 21!

The Deacon Blues Band, which has been rocking the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area since 1998, will play another fun concert to raise money for yet another great cause in our area. The band, which started as Father Eric and the Deacon Blues (Fr. Eric was a Priest at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa for several years), plays multiple charity events each year and is available for hire. The band’s keyboardist, long-time New Tampa resident (and Wharton High hockey goalie) Bernie Desrosiers spearheads many of the charitable events by the Deacon Blues and this time is no different. On Friday, July 21, 7:30 p.m., at Peabody’s Palms Lounge in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms (15333 Amberly Dr.), Desrosiers, his wife Ann and their youngest daughter Nicole (below; also a professional performer at Busch Gardens, in addition to being a backup vocalist for the band) will perform with the Deacon Blues at yet another great concert, this time to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Nicole is a type 1 (aka juvenile) diabetic herself. And, the band’s saxophonist, Dr. Kelly O’Keefe, will be one of more than 9,000 cyclists, 2,000 volunteers and

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Joe Whiskey’s & O’Brien’s To Both Host Fund Raisers For Troy Duncan July 15!

For those who have lived in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel for any period of time but have somehow never seen the Troy Duncan Band perform...I wonder how that’s even possible. Former Skinny’s Sports Bar owner Ken Santo says that Duncan’s group was his “house band for four years before they became famous.” Since then, the Troy Duncan Band has made regular appearances at both O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill in the Wesley Chapel Village Market, as well as at Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar, which has occupied the same space Skin27,000 spectators participating in the “El ny’s once did in the Pinewalk at The Grove Tour de Tucson” Ride to Cure Diabetes, one of the largest century (100-mile) char- plaza (next to Cody’s Roadhouse) on S.R. 54 for more than a year. ity rides in America, which also benefits Santo and O’Brien’s co-owner/general the JDRF, November 17-19 of this year. manager Randy Goodwin and Joe Whiskey’s The suggested donation to attend owner Mike Izzi all agreed that they wanted to the concert at Peabody’s Palms Lounge, do something to help Duncan, who has been which also will raise money for JDRF (you fighting a two-year battle against cancer and was also may sponsor Dr. O’Keefe’s Novemrecently diagnosed again with leukemia. The ber ride), is $10 per person (there also countrified rock singer and guitarist was still bewill be a 50/50 raffle). The stated goal of ing treated at Shands Medical Center in Gainesthe JDRF is to “Create a World Without ville at our press time. Diabetes,” which is the sixth leading killer And, like so many entertainers and hospiof people worldwide. tality industry folks, Duncan has no health inThe Deacon Blues Band has performed surance, so the people who have benefited from previous benefit concerts for the Silver his shows all decided to give something back. Shield Foundation, the Moffitt Cancer To that end, both O’Brien’s and Joe WhisCenter, the Tampa Fisher House, the St. key’s are hosting fund raisers to benefit Duncan Elizabeth Homeless Shelter, Hurricane Kat- — and help defray some of his ever-increasing rina victims, Haiti Earthquake Relief, at the medical costs — with benefits at both locales on Taste of New Tampa and many more. Saturday, July 15. For info, call Peabody’s at (813) Both bars will offer plates of delicious 972-1725 or search “Deacon Blues Band food for either $5 (at Joe Whiskey’s) or $10 (at Benefit Concert” on Facebook. — GN O’Brien’s) per plate, with proceeds being donated directly to help Duncan.

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O’Brien’s, will have entertainment all day, including Nunes at Night, featuring cancer survivor John Nunes, performing in the evening. Joe Whiskey’s Troy Duncan Fundraiser will be held 1 p.m.-7 p.m., with DJ music and karaoke hosted by Alan O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Joe Hudson Brady. Whiskey’s Sports Bar will both Both bars host benefit events for popular also will offer local musician Troy Duncan of drink specials, the Troy Duncan Band, who has 50/50 raffles, been diagnosed with leukemia. silent and/or live auctions and so much fun to support an outstanding local musician that you really need to check out both events. The smoker-friendly Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar is located at 27429 County Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 973-8336 or search “Troy Duncan Benefit July 15th” on Facebook. O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill is located at 5429 Village Market, also in Wesley Chapel. For more info, visit ObriensWesleyChapel.com, search “Obriens Wesley Chapel” on Facebook, or call (813) 973-9988. — GN

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Fabulous 5BR+Bonus/3BA/3CG, 42" Maple Cab Kitchen w/ Island, Granite Counter, Stainless Steel Appliances. Walk to Seven Oaks Elementary! Enjoy the Resort Style community pools w/ Kids Splash Park, Tennis, Mini Theater, Fitness and more! Great Value $347,900

Mercy Barragan 813-494-6797

Open Floor Plan w/ High Ceilings, 2,217 SF, 3 Large Bedrooms all w/Walk in Closets, 2 Baths Large Kitchen w/Stainless Appliances, Breakfast Bar & Closet Pantry Double Sinks. Playground, Grilling Area Short Drive to Shopping, Restaurants and Major Highways $223,500

Cynthia Filippi 813-784-1634

CFilippi@BHHSflpg.com CynthiaSellsTampaHomes.com

mercy@mercybarragan.com www.MercyBarragan.com

EASTON PARK

Gorgeous! 5 Bedroom, 4 Bath, Bonus Room, 3085 sq. ft.,Hardwood floors, 3 Car Garage. Salt water pool, brick paved lanai w/outdoor kitchen. Conservation & Pond Views, Offered at $368,000

PEBBLE CREEK

LAND O’ LAKES

Ronnie Preusch 813-361-9595

rpreusch@BHHSflpg.com

Custom Home on 4.55 acres, gated & fenced. Main Ronnie Preusch House has 3845 sqft, 4Bd, 3.1B, 3+ CG, Office, 813-361-9595 Pool/Spa. In-Law Suite 1000 sqft, 1Bd, 1B, Carport. Loaded with Upgrades. Offered at $839,900.

rpreusch@BHHSflpg.com

AMora@BHHSflpg.com AngelaMoraRealEstate.com

Custom Home in the Gated Community of Homestead of Saddlewood 6204 sq. ft. on 1.86 Acres, 4 Beds, 4.1 Baths, Bonus Rm, Master Suite features adjoining Office/Workout Rm, Den, Gourmet Kitchen, 5 Car Garage, Salt Water Pool/ Spa. Offered at $729,900

Ronnie Preusch 813-361-9595

rpreusch@BHHSflpg.com

LIVE OAK

In the rapidly expanding Darby area of Dade City, this Georgia Bickford prime property contains 3 buildings and 3 sheds and 813-713-6492 can provide a perfect haven for the nature lover while at the same time has development potential. Possible seller financing! Priced right at just $10,150 per acre!

On The Go! Check out our Mobile Site. Search For Homes Find an Agent GOOD TO KNOW!

Beautiful 4/4 on cul de sac in Live Oak Preserve. 4433 sq. ft., 24 hour gated community, loaded with upgrades, including wooden floors, HUGE bonus room, a heated salt water pool and spa. Owner providing one year warranty. Offered at $555,000

Kelly L. Sullivan 813-767-5885

ksullivan@bhhsflpg.com Kellysullivanhomes.com

gbickford@BHHSflpg.com GeorgiaSellsFlorida.com

ZEPHYRHILLS

BUY, SELL OR RENT

swedig@BHHSflpg.com rwedig@BHHSflpg.com

Angela Mora Hablo español también! 813-482-1452

HOMESTEAD OF SADDLEWOOD

THIS WELL LOCATED 123+ ACRES

Regardless of whether you want to buy, sell or rent, we can help! Have a home you would like to lease? Our certified property management services are second to none. Contact Rick or Sue Wedig for all your real estate needs. A true one stop shop. Our mission: Exceeding your expectations by providing outstanding customer service! Call us direct at 813-712-8498.

Large Shade Trees and Beautiful Landscaping are just the First things you will Love about this Home! Boasting 1,510 SF, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths and 2 Car Garage, a Spacious Foyer

Rick Wedig 813-712-8421 Sue Wedig 813-712-8498

1830 Bruce B Downs Blvd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Stephanie Boulden Title Manager

sboulden@CapstoneTitleLLC.com

Beautiful 3. 5 acre parcel located just Northeast of Zephyrhills Patty Hurlburt with Lovely Grandfather Oaks throughout the property. The 813-997-0864 Property is “L-Shaped” with 330’ of frontage on Shannon Road. There is an older mobile home in place that is not habitable in its current condition. Call Patty for Details!

phurlburt@bhhsflpg.com

PHDermatology Offers Skin Cancer Treatments, Skin Care & More! By BRAD STAGER

Keeping your skin healthy or enhancing its appearance can be challenging, but the medical and aesthetic professionals of PHDermatology (formerly known as Palm Harbor Dermatology) provide state-of-theart skin care at four locations, all within a reasonably short drive from New Tampa: Westchase, Brandon, South Tampa and Palm Harbor. PHDermatology’s Board-certified doctors treat skin diseases and disorders, including skin cancers, and its State-licensed aestheticians provide personalized skin guidance and permanent cosmetic procedures to help you look your best. Visitors to the South Tampa office, located on S. MacDill Ave. (at the intersection of Azeele St.), may recognize Margaret Rinker, M.D., who treated patients at Tampa Palms Dermatology from 2004 until 2014. Dr. Rinker earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Her dermatology residency was through the University of South Florida (USF)’s College of Medicine in Tampa and she is Board-certified in dermatology. According to Dr. Rinker, treating skin diseases, particularly cancers, is the primary focus of PHDermatology. “Skin cancer is the biggest thing we do here,” says Dr. Rinker. “Being in Florida it is extremely prevalent, especially in our elderly population.” She adds that there are many other conditions that warrant dermatological attention, such as acne, rashes, eczema and psoriasis.

The skin care professionals of PHDermatology are ready to provide a range of medical and aesthetic dermatological services. When it comes to treating skin cancer, margins of the excised material, more skin PHDermatology offers screenings, biopsies is removed from the patient to be sure all and treatments. The medical professionals cancer is removed. at all four offices use Mohs Micrographic Dr. Rinker says the procedure is rarely surgery to treat patients with both basal and useful for melanoma cancer, as it does not squamous cell cancers, the most common work effectively with those kinds of tumors, forms of skin cancer. Dr. Rinker says it is the and melanoma has a greater tendency to most thorough and convenient way available metastasize, or spread quickly. Mohs surgery differs from usual skin to treat skin cancer patients. “It’s all done in cancer surgery in that a doctor can determine the office, under local anesthesia.” In Mohs surgery, the tumor is removed, if all the cancer has been removed while a patient is still in the office. The alternative is frozen, sliced and systematically examined to send the removed specimen out to a lab under a microscope, while the patient is for analysis and, if it is determined that not all waiting to see if all of the cancer has been of the cancer was removed, another surgical removed. procedure would need to be scheduled and If cancer cells exist too close to the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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performed. “This allows you to wait until you know it is clear before you close it up,” Dr. Rinker says. “It also offers a cosmetically better outcome and a smaller scar.” All four of PHDermatology’s offices are set up to perform Mohs surgery. The determination of whether or not to use Mohs surgery is decided on an individual basis, depending upon the size and location of the cancer. Patients with melanomas can be treated in the office, if it is caught early enough. If not, patients are referred to the Moffitt Cancer Center, which is located on the USF Tampa campus. Precancerous lesions, such as actinic keratoses, can be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). A photo-sensitizing solution is applied to the affected area, which is then exposed to light. Patients need to completely avoid the sun for two days after treatment. PDT also is used to treat acne and sun damage.

Other Available Treatments

In addition to treating skin diseases and disorders, PHDermatology offers a variety of treatments, services and products that can enhance an individual’s appearance. Dr. Rinker says there is nothing superficial about the benefits these options offer. “Skin conditions, because they’re visible to everyone else, can cause a lot of stress, anxiety and even social isolation,” she says. M22 IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Rejuvenation is used to treat blemishes like freckles, uneven pigmentation,

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birthmarks, age and sun spots, as well as rosacea. The pulsing light penetrates the skin tissue of the targeted area, creating heat. The body’s healing process removes the treated skin while collagen and elastic fiber are produced. Sessions typically last less than one hour and depending upon the need, the treatment may be administered from one to six times over a period of a few weeks. Patients can resume their normal activities immediately after the treatment in most cases, although it is recommended to stay out of the sun for a few days and apply sunscreen as well. Dr. Rinker also notes that loose skin, such as around the waist, under the chin and on the arms, is often the result of fatty deposits. CoolSculpting is a method that eliminates that fat by freezing it with a device that applies targeted cooling. The fat is then reabsorbed and eliminated by the body. Also available at PHDermatology is the Silhouette InstaLift, which is an alternative to traditional face lifts, whereby sutures are inserted into the cheek area to reposition and elevate facial skin, contour the face and give a more youthful appearance. As the body absorbs the sutures, collagen is produced as part of the healing process. Most activities can be resumed following the treatment, with benefits generally lasting about 18 months.

Skin Care From A Familiar Face

People interested in a personalized skincare program using selected products from manufacturers such as SkinCeuticals, ClearChoice, Obagi and Avene, among others, can get guidance from onsite,

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such as areola restoration following a mastectomy. Some of the other aesthetic services available at PHDermatology include Botox and filler injections, a variety of facials and hair removal. Dr. Rinker notes that providing aesthetic care, as well as medical treatments, enables PHDermatology to accommodate a greater range of needs. “My number one priority is medical care,” she says. “We are the experts in skin care, so we want to make it (aesthetic care) available for people who want it.” PHDermatology patient Ethel Murphy says that Dr. Rinker has been her skin care specialist for Dr. Margaret Rinker displays the business end of a the last 15 years. “Anything from CoolSculpting device that removes unwanted fat by Botox to laser skin treatments, freezing it so the body can eliminate it. skin cancer treatments, PDTs and photodynamic therapies/blue light licensed aestheticians. One of them is treatments,” Ethel says. “I have also had Leanne Carter, who joined PHDermatwo types of skin cancers, basal cell and tology’s South Tampa office six months squamous cell carcinomas. Her treatment ago, after working in New Tampa for 20 years, first at the old Bostonian Hair Salon is customized, specialized, and very individual to each patient. Dr. Rinker knows in Tampa Palms and then at her own business, Facial Accents by Leanne. Carter my skin sensitivities. My outdoor lifestyle needs (which include playing tennis and says being part of the PHDermatology boating regularly) have to be met in conteam gives her the opportunity to better junction with my skin cancer.” serve people’s needs. She adds, “My treatments go beyond “The level of skin care I can offer what happens at her office. She will send clients is highly elevated working in a me the latest research about the treatdermatology practice,” she says. ments from medical journals that she Carter also provides permanent subscribes to. I do not have to do the eyebrow and eyeliner cosmetic solutions, research on my own and I always trust her as well as postsurgical skin care, chemical peels and dermaplaning treatments. She is medical judgment. The treatment and care I received at the office is wonderful. also trained in reconstructive techniques,

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It’s all about preventive measures in the fight against skin cancer.” Another PHDermatology physician who might be familiar to Neighborhood News readers is Isabel Valencia, M.D., who worked at Tampa Palms Dermatology from 2008 until 2013. She treats patients at the Westchase PHDermatology office on Sheldon Rd., one mile north of Linebaugh Ave. Dr. Valencia also is Board-certified in dermatology, earning her Medical Degree from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia. She completed her dermatology residency at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, FL. PHDermatology was founded in 2008 by Dr. Amy Ross, who earned her M.D. degree at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, where she also completed her dermatology residency, followed by a dermatologic surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. She, too, is Board-certified in dermatology. Dr. Ross opened her practice in 2008 as Palm Harbor Dermatology, reflecting the office’s Pinellas County location. As the practice grew to four offices, it was renamed PHDermatology. To learn more about PHDermatology, visit PHDermatology.com, see the ad on pg. 20 or call toll-free, (855) 743-4968. PHDermatology’s offices are located at: 310 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa; 4197 Woodlands Pkwy., Palm Harbor; 11601 Sheldon Rd., Westchase; and 621 Medical Care Dr., Brandon.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Discovery Village At Tampa Palms Offers Luxurious Assisted Living entrées and desserts that keep our residents’ taste buds tingling. You’ll also love the selections during themed parties and other special events.

Special to the Neighborhood News

Tampa’s newest and most advanced senior-living community is now open! Discovery Village at Tampa Palms, located in New Tampa, is located just minutes from the area’s best shopping, entertainment and health care facilities. This 105-unit residence features suites and upgraded one- and two-bedroom apartment homes, and offers three levels of care, making it the perfect community for seniors of any lifestyle. Our Supervised Independent lifestyle is ideal for independent seniors who desire only minimal assistance with everyday activities. For those seniors needing a bit more support, we offer an all-inclusive, no care level Assisted Living lifestyle which provides complete assistance with all activities of daily living. Lastly, Discovery Village’s all-inclusive no care level Memory Care lifestyle is designed to accommodate seniors with dementia-related diseases. Each lifestyle comes with our exclusive three-year “rent lock” program which provides a financial value unlike any other senior-living community in Hillsborough County. Discovery Village at Tampa Palms is established from a new era of bold, energetic senior living, complete with resort-style amenities and a wealth of social and recreational activities. The community’s Grande Clubhouse offers a sensational dining room that provides three gourmet meals with tableside service daily, as well as a private dining room for special family celebrations. There also are numerous social areas that are convenient for entertaining and mingling with neighbors, including a game room complete with a full-size pool table and several card and other game tables for hours of friendly competition. Residents can enjoy daily happy hour celebrations or evening nightcaps in The Legends Club & Bar. The clubhouse also hosts the luxurious Silver Cinema Movie Theater, complete with a theater-style popcorn machine, so residents can keep up with the newest releases or reminisce with one of their favorite childhood movies. Of course, to ensure they always look their best, a full-service, professional beauty salon and spa with barber shop is available to all of the residents of Discovery Village.

Celebrations - Activities

Stay active and continue to enrich your life with Discovery Village’s Celebrations program. Our full-time Activities Director ensures that there is always a variety of activities and events going on. From exercise to parties, seminars to games, you’ll find something to enjoy with friends and neighbors each day. Whether at the community or on-the-town, you’ll find it difficult to decide what to do next!

Dimensions - Wellness

At Discovery Village at Tampa Palms, residents enjoy a fun and outstanding lifestyle, whether they need supervised independent, assisted living or memory care. services all make life the best it can be. Happy & Healthy Health and wellness are top of mind Sensations - Dining at Discovery Village at Tampa Palms. Some of the most exciting times hapThe senior-equipped fitness center includes state-of-the-art exercise machines, pen three times a day at Discovery Village. That’s when residents sit down in the as well as free-standing weights and yoga “Sensations” dining room to enjoy healthy, mats, ideal for even the most health-condelicious meals made from scratch, complete science enthusiast. Year-round water fitness can be enjoyed with friendly tableside service, sparkling china and linen tablecloths and napkins. in the outdoor heated pool (photo on next Our Executive Chefs prepare daily page), which boasts a gradual-entry ramp to menus filled with international cuisines and streamline access. For residents who might artistically prepared meals to suit every palbe feeling a bit under the weather, relief is always close by with a fully monitored nurs- ate. Using the freshest ingredients available, our chefs create mouth-watering appetizers, ing station available on-site. The Discovery Zone Media Center will blow residents’ minds with a plethora of cognitive brain fitness tools, as well as a multifunctional craft center and activity room for inspiring the creative soul. Additional services include an on-site medical director, on-site therapies and an on-site, Medicare-certified home health care agency to ensure all of your health and wellness needs are met. But, what makes Discovery Village at Tampa Palms so unique are the six lifestyle programs that come together to create a senior living experience unlike any other. These programs provide residents with fun, stress-free and easy living. Socialize with neighbors, enjoy fine dining, get out and about with chauffeured transportation and take advantage of the health and wellness opportunities. Plus, weekly housekeeping and concierge

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Social, intellectual, spiritual, physical, medical and emotional wellness are important aspects of life at Discovery Village. Residents have ample opportunity to get involved in our comprehensive wellness programs. From yoga to water aerobics, educational classes to spiritual gatherings, there is always something fun and interesting going on at our communities to fill your mind, body, and soul. Our professional team members are always nearby to help you enjoy the best possible quality of life.

Connections - Transportation, Maintenance, Security

When you need to get out and about, our professional drivers will get you there with our complimentary scheduled transportation. Check the schedule for regular trips to nearby locations such as dining, shopping, religious services and other fun

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Florida Educators Insurance!

excursions or for personal appointments, like going to your doctor’s office. Just make a request with the Concierge a couple of days in advance and we will make sure you get there on time.

Impressions - Housekeeping

Our housekeeping team makes a lasting impression in keeping your community and home clean, allowing you more time to do the things you enjoy. Expect excellence from dedicated and conscientious team members who are committed to the utmost in quality for the care your home deserves.

Expressions - Concierge Services Concierge services at all of our communities take the hassles out of your life and put conveniences in. We can make reservations to local restaurants or a must-see show. Need a beautiful flower arrangement sent to a friend or family member? We’ll have them delivered. We’ll also help make your move

Neighborhood News

smooth and stress-free. We can assist with scheduling your move, disconnecting household services, help with furniture layout and placement and offer complimentary interior design consultation. We are at your service! At Discovery Village, residents are graciously cared for by a team of uniquely remarkable professionals offering the utmost in comfort, happiness and healthy living. The elegance and splendor of the community are carried throughout, from furnishings to décor to luxury-appointed senior apartment homes. Every detail was thoughtfully executed to provide residents with a sense of elegance and pride. Discovery Village at Tampa Palms will forever change the landscape of senior living and deliver on our promise of exceptional care and exceptional value. For more information, call (813) 605-2400, see the ad on pg. 43 or visit www.DiscoveryVillages.com to schedule a tour today and enjoy lunch on us!

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Florida Educators Insurance, with its office in Wesley Chapel, is one of the largest insurance agencies in the Tampa Bay area. As an independent agency of Horace Mann, Florida Educators Insurance works with many of the largest companies in the world, both for insurance and for financial services. Owner Gary Cucchi says insurance is complicated in our area because of the unique challenges: flooding, hurricanes and sink holes, among others. Insurance companies will suddenly stop writing certain lines of business in Florida, pull out completely, or have to raise their rates because of the risk. In the case of flood insurance, Gary says, “66-80 percent of flood losses occur outside flood zones and your homeowners’ insurance policy likely does not cover flood damage. We are right in the heart of summer storms, so people should call their insurance company or us if they are not 100-percent sure of how their policy handles flood and water damage. Insurance is only good if it covers your specific needs.” It is important that the insurance agency you choose has knowledge of doing business in this area and has a large enough staff to spend time on the annual reviews. And, Gary says, your best options for which carriers to use can change. “The biggest thing we do is educate our clients,” Gary says, “Not only do we serve educators and their neighbors, family members and friends, but we also educate our clients about their insurance and retirement plans, to be sure they have the right strategy and coverages, so their family is protected, now and in the future.”

You may see the Florida Educators Insurance School Bus riding around town (see photo, with Gary, right, and former New York Yankees pitcher Orlando Hernandez). “If you see the bus, then you know our agency is participating in a community or charity event ,” Gary says, adding that Florida Educators Insurance was giving away so many bikes to schools for the “Bikes for Books” program that he needed something bigger to carry all of them. He adds that in 2016, Florida Educators Insurance spent at least $100,000 to provide reading and attendance incentives, school supplies, teacher appreciation gifts, and more to local schools in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Florida Educators Insurance is located at 26809 Tanic Dr., Suite 101, (behind the Gate gas station, near I-75). For additional information, call (813) 600-3268, visit FloridaEducatorsInsurance.com or see the ad on pg. 16 of this issue. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Karen Tillman-Gosselin & Renynold Gosselin Sell More Than Just Luxury Homes worked with her “behind the scenes” since they both got their real estate licenses in 2000. Renynold recently retired from a 30-year career with Verizon and is now Karen’s fulltime partner in real estate. While Renynold was born and raised in Tampa, Karen has also lived here nearly her entire life. She moved to the area as a child, when her father was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. “We know the Tampa Bay market so well from living here,” she says. The couple bought a home in Tampa Palms more than 30 years ago, back when the closest grocery stores were either at S.R. 54 or in Temple Terrace, where their daughter attended school because there were no schools built in Tampa Palms yet. “We’ve seen such growth in this area,” Karen says.

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

celeste@ntneighborhoodnews.com According to long-time Tampa-area real estate agent Karen Tillman-Gosselin, whether a person is looking to sell or buy a home, it is most likely the most important and largest financial decision that they are making. “Having a real estate agent who can listen to your wants and needs and help you find that one house you will make your home is crucial,” Karen says. “That agent needs to put you first, then properly coordinate all aspects — from negotiations and inspections to ensuring that the transaction becomes a reality.” Karen knows what it takes to do that. During her decades-long career in real estate, she has sold more than $150 million of real estate. She has been so successful, in fact, that she was named one of the top 25 agents in the Tampa Bay area in 2005 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Karen currently is one of the top 10 producers at Smith & Associates Real Estate, a boutique firm based in South Tampa that has been in business 45 years and is the largest independent real estate office in the Tampa Bay area, with 245 agents and $1.2 billion in transactions in 2016. Karen joined Smith & Associates in 2012. “It’s a big company, but not as well known in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel as it is in South Tampa,” she says. Prior to joining Smith & Associates, Karen worked for many years for local offices of Florida Executive Realty, Keller Williams and Casa Fina Realty. “I find Smith to be a good fit for me,” she says. “It just feels right. I like their reputation

Setting The Stage Properly

The husband-and-wife team of Renynold Gosselin & Karen Tillman-Gosselin of Smith & Associates Real Estate can help you buy the luxury home of your dreams or help you sell your home. and that the company is really big on giving back to the community, in both time and money.” Smith & Associates’ commitment to the community is especially important to Karen. She is highly involved in many community organizations that are meaningful to her, including the Rotary Club of New Tampa, the Board of Directors of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (as its current

membership chair), and several other organizations, including some at the University of South Florida. Although Smith & Associates is known as a luxury firm — and Karen does sell luxury homes and specialize in relocating executives to the Tampa Bay area — she also represents buyers and sellers at any price point, even firsttime home buyers. Karen’s husband, Renynold Gosselin, has

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Karen first got into real estate when she was working as an interior designer, often staging homes for sale for real estate agents. She uses that background in interior design to be sure her clients’ homes look their best. “My experience as an interior designer means I can stage a house so it looks good and sells faster,” she says. Karen and Renynold agree that one of the most important parts of selling a house is ensuring that it has great photographs online. “First impressions are so important,” says Renynold, “and now, those first impressions are the pictures they see online.” He adds, “So many people are moving into the area from up north, and buyers tell their agents which houses they

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want to see, based just on pictures.” So, Karen and Renynold provide a 3D tour of each home they list. The tour is so comprehensive, it can even be viewed in virtual reality to feel like you’re actually walking through the home. While they take a lot of photos themselves, they will hire a professional photographer — and will even do drone photography if it’s needed. And, with all of their years of success helping buyers and sellers, they know when it’s needed. “We make sure we have the right price, the right pictures, and the right advertising,” Renynold says. “Each house is unique.” Karen says she and Renynold are by their clients’ side throughout the entire process, paying attention to every detail. “It can be very overwhelming to sell a house,” she says. “It’s not easy to put a house on the market, especially with kids and pets, and people often want to see it at the last minute, so we try to have a calming effect on all of that.” Their expertise can make the entire process much easier on buyers and sellers. “There are always new situations and you have to figure out what to do in that situation,” Karen says. “If something unexpected comes up, that’s why we’re there. We try to keep everything as simple and open as possible. An inexperienced agent doesn’t know what to do, but we know how to handle those problems.” Dennis and Fran Loomis are currently working with the Gosselins to sell their home in West Meadows and buy a home in Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, located just north of Wesley Chapel in San Antonio. They are repeat clients who love working with Karen and Renynold, first selling their home in Tampa Palms in 2004, then moving to

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builder just repainted the whole thing.” Dennis says the most important thing is that she treats everyone well. “Karen represents larger transactions, but (even for smaller transactions) she spends time with you just like if you were selling an $800,000 home,” he says. Karen says that’s a hallmark of her and Renynold’s business. “We work with everyone, from CEOs to first-time buyers, and it doesn’t matter who the seller is, they all deserve to be treated the same,” she says, adding, “We love what we do, because it is all about making sure that the client’s needs are met.” For more information, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation in your home with Karen Tillman-Gosselin, visit FineHomesOfTampa.com, call (813) 6291502, or see the ad on page 2 of this issue. The Gosselins specialize in luxury homes (such as this one in Westchase that is currently listed by Karen and Renynold), although they can help you buy or sell virtually any home in any price category. a new construction home in Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club (TBGCC), then selling that home and moving back to the New Tampa area, in West Meadows, in 2008. “We’re probably the only people who moved into the same retirement community twice,” jokes Dennis. He says he continues to work with Karen and Renynold because, “they do a fabulous job. We have a lot of trust in both of them.” On a recent Monday, Dennis told us, “Our home in West Meadows went on the market on Friday, and we had five or six people look at it over the weekend, and we expect to have a contract today. Karen goes to all the showings, even when she’s not representing the buyer, and she also shows up at inspections.”

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He says Karen also has been a constant advocate for him and his wife. “In my experience, most real estate agents want to get the sale and get the commission, and aren’t really interested in what’s in the best interest of their client,” Dennis says. Not so with Karen, he adds, citing how she helped him list his home at a higher price point than expected, and negotiate aggressively so the final price of the home remained high. He says he also appreciates Karen’s attention to detail. “During the construction of our first home in TBGCC, she went in and put tape on the wall everywhere the paint needed to be touched up,” explains Dennis. “Well, we walked in and saw 50 or 60 pieces of tape. The

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Vitale Institute Provides Ear, Nose & Throat Services, Plus Plastic Surgery! By BRAD STAGER Your ears, nose and throat are not only close to each other, they are interconnected by a system of ear canals, sinus cavities and throat passages. Paul DiPasquale, D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy), navigates this complex, inner terrain on behalf of his patients at Vitale Institute in Wesley Chapel’s Summergate professional center, just off SR 56, between Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and I-75. As a Board-certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), Dr. DiPasquale treats allergies, as well as sinus and hearing problems. He also provides aesthetic care, since he is a Cleveland Clinic Health Systems (in Cleveland, Ohio) trained Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons (FAACS), offering whole body, as well as facial, plastic surgery services. He opened the Vitale Institute here in 2009. Dr. DiPasquale, who earned his D.O. degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO, says there’s not much difference between Medical Doctors (M.D.s) and Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.s). “D.O.s are very similar to M.D.s,” he says. “We practice pretty much the same medicine. They do the same surgeries I do; they just don’t really treat patients with manipulation.” D.O.s and chiropractors both manipulate muscles and joints in treatments, but D.O.s tend to focus on larger structures of an afflicted area and chiropractors focus on more specific parts of an area needing treatment and are most often concerned with the alignment of a patient’s skeletal structure. Also, D.O.s can prescribe medicines, while chiropractors cannot.

Dr. DiPasquale also is a member of the American Academy of Osteopathic Surgeons, the American Board of Osteopathic Surgery and the American Osteopathic Academy of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery. He says his combination of certified skills distinguishes his practice among local ENT specialists. “I’m the only ENT that I know in this area, M.D. or D.O., who can do ear, Dr. Paul DiPasquale is the otolaryngologist at the Vitale Institute, nose and throat and located off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. general plastic surgery,” Dr. DiPasquale says. begins with lifestyle changes for allergens “I’ve been trained in both.” that can be avoided, such as particular foods According to the American Osteopathic or chemicals. If the allergy is to something Association (AOA) website, their physicians more pervasive, like pollen, then a regimen of adopt a hands-on philosophy emphasizing “a controlled exposure is prescribed to reduce whole-person approach to treatment and care” the body’s immune response to the substance. through specialized training in the musculoTraditionally, that has meant allergy shots, skeletal system, which consists of the body’s but Dr. DiPasquale offers an alternative in the muscles, bones and nerves. Treatments can inform of sublingual immunotherapy, which clude actual manipulation of bones and muscle involves administering allergen formulations, structures, such as the spine, but the priority is customized for each patient, as drops under still on preventing disease. the tongue. Like allergy shots, this increases a Patients at Vitale Institute can expect the patient’s tolerance to the substance and reduces least invasive treatment possible to relieve their allergic symptoms. afflictions, especially for allergies and sinusitis, “Now, we can treat allergies a different an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining way,” says Dr. DiPasquale. “Instead of taking the sinuses that can cause sinus blockage. Claritin or Zyrtec every day for the rest of your In treating allergies, Dr. DiPasquale life, you can take sublingual immunotherapy

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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for one or two years.” He adds that the treatment is new enough that it does not yet have as widespread insurance coverage as traditional allergy shots, but more insurance companies are starting to include it. He also notes that effectively treating allergies is important to avoid possible future sinus problems. “Allergies lead to sinus disease,” he says. “If you don’t have normal sinus flow, you get sinusitis.” DiPasquale says this illustrates how patients benefit from the range of allergy and sinus treatment options offered at Vitale Institute, as opposed to seeing two different doctors — an allergist and an ENT specialist. “I felt I could help patients more if I could combine both of them,” he says. “We keep it all together, combining allergies and sinuses under one roof.”

Balloon Sinuplasty, Too

Just as he offers an easier, painless option for treating allergies, Dr. DiPasquale also is able to do the same for patients needing their sinus drainage pathways enlarged. Sinus surgery to relieve blocked or narrowed passages has been around since the middle of the 18th century. In the early days, incisions were made and bones were broken to accomplish this. Since the 1950s, however, endoscopic tools and techniques allowed doctors to be less destructive and invasive by working through the nose opening and being more precise in their work by using tiny video cameras. Dr. DiPasquale says that the latest technique, which has been available for about 10 years, is balloon sinus dilation, and it is even less invasive and risky. The procedure involves guiding a balloon through the nasal opening

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and into a nasal passage, then inflating it. The surrounding drainage passage wall expands to accommodate the balloon and retains its shape after the balloon is removed. He notes that the procedure typically takes less than an hour and recovery from any discomfort is usually within 1-3 days. Dr. DiPasquale has been performing balloon sinuplasty since 2012. “Before, when I trained, we were surgeons,” he says. “Now you’re trying to treat that patient with a minimally invasive surgery with maximal results.” Other nose and throat conditions and procedures Vitale Institute is ready to assist with include nasal polyps, sleep apnea, snoring, chronic sore throat, hoarseness, oral biopsy, as well as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Plastic Surgery & Audiology

Some patients are more concerned with how their nose looks, rather than how it is working. As a Board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. DiPasquale can help with that as well. “I can work with the aesthetics as well as the functionality,” he says. In addition to rhinoplasty (a surgical procedure that reshapes or resizes the nose to enhance its appearance), Dr. DiPasquale also performs procedures like breast augmentation, male and female breast reduction, tummy tucks and liposuction. He also provides skin care services such as lesion removal and Botox injections. Patients needing audiology testing, treatment and services also are well-served at Vitale Institute, whether they are suffering from hearing loss that needs to be evaluated or to have an infection resolved. Balance disorders (e.g., vertigo) related to the ear also are treated. An extensive selection of hearing aids is available, including some that are small enough

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to fit inside the ear canal. There also are hearing aids that can receive audio streamed directly from smart devices such as phones, TVs and music players. Audiology services are primarily administered by Alaina Hodges, Au.D., a Board-certified Doctor of Audiology, or audiologist. Dr. Hodges received her Clinical Doctorate of Audiology from the University of South Florida in Tampa and is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, Florida Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Meanwhile, Dr. DiPasquale says that keeping his patients informed is an important part of his treatment manner. “If you can educate a patient, they’re your biggest advocate.” That assessment is borne out by testimonial comments his patients have written online, such as Vitale Institute’s Facebook page, where 18 reviewers unanimously award the practice five out of five stars. “Dr. DiPasquale is the best allergy and sinus doctor I’ve ever seen. I had the balloon procedure and am breathing better than I have in years! My allergies are under control again, too. The staff is fabulous and friendly. Highly recommend making an appointment,” a patient named Maria wrote. Out of 26 Google Review entries, Vitale Institute has a 4.6 overall rating, including this comment from Letitia Budzienski: “We’ve been going to the Vitale Institute for years. We absolutely love that we can get multiple needs met in one place.” For more information, visit VitaleInstitute.com, call (813) 406-4400 or see the ad on pg. 30 of this issue. The Wesley Chapel office is located at 27516 Cashford Cir., Suite 101. The recently-opened Zephyrhills office is at 6719 Gall Blvd., Suite 107.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...Massage Green Spa! Todd and Kelly Phillips have figured out a way to deliver bliss to their customers at Massage Green Spa in the Publixanchored New Tampa Center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at New Tampa Blvd. Due to their success, they have already opened a second location, in Brandon (in April 2017), with a third coming to Carrollwood. The concept is simple: create a fresh, clean environment and beautifully designed waiting room; while offering quality massages, infrared heat therapy, facials and aromatherapy. The spa also includes options for couples, like a couples massage room (pictured). Massage Green Spa is a membershipbased spa, although non-members also are welcome. You’ll get a better price with a membership, with a variety of different combinations from which to choose. And, if you’re unsure about joining, the spa offers introductory pricing for your first visit only. “Green” is more than just a word at Massage Green Spa. The spa was built with recycled cellulose drywall and decorated with hand-cultured stone. Part of the spa’s mantra, in fact, is “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Buildings.” “We think our price points are a little better than our competitors,” Todd says. “And, while it is still a subscription-based model, it’s a little less by-the-throat aggressive than some others. It is truly a monthto-month commitment. At other places, if you want to leave after two months, you’re still paying for another 10. Not here.”

To complement the great massages, Massage Green Spa now has a full-time aesthetician on staff for facials, with Skin Script, an all natural-enzyme based product line. What Todd says truly sets Massage Green Spa apart from others is its Full Spectrum Infrared Therapy, powered by Sunlighten. He says that the benefits of heat therapy have been around forever. Todd also notes that infrared therapy aids in detoxification and dissolving toxins in the blood, helps with fat loss, chronic fatigue and skin disorders. And, he says that 30 minutes of infrared therapy can burn 600 calories. Massage Green Spa is located at 19040 BBD Blvd., next to Publix in the New Tampa Center and is open Mon.Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sun. For more information, visit MassageGreenSpa.com or Facebook/ MassageGreenTampa, call (813) 3337703, or see the ad on pg. 26.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa DoE School Grades Are Still Among The County’s Best By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN School Name celeste@ntneighborhoodnews.com CHILES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

School grades have been announced for the 2016-17 school year. Of the 12 public schools located in New Tampa, most maintained their grades from the 2015-16 school year. However, two schools — Liberty Middle School and Tampa Palms Elementary — improved by a letter grade, while just one school, Heritage Elementary, dropped a letter grade. Letter grades are assigned by the State of Florida Department of Education, based on statewide standardized assessments. High schools also have a graduation component, based on how many students graduate in four years. The letter grades then reflect the percentage of points received, of the total number of available points. Both New Tampa middle schools are now rated A, with Benito maintaining its A rating and Liberty improving from a B. Turner/Bartels K-8 School maintained its B rating. Of the elementary schools in the area, Chiles, Clark and Pride all maintained their A ratings, with Tampa Palms jumping up from last year’s B. Hunter’s Green maintained its C rating, and now Heritage is the second elementary school in our area to also be rated C. Both high schools in our area, Freedom and Wharton, maintained the C grades they received last year. While the school grading system has

CLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HERITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HUNTER'S GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TAMPA PALMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BENITO MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL WHARTON HIGH SCHOOL TURNER-BARTELS K-8 SCHOOL

LA Achievement Math Achievement Science Achievement 2017 2016 2015 80 80 81 A A A

2014 2013 2012 2011 A A A A

68 65 53 79 76

73 61 56 76 77

71 52 57 76 72

A C C A A

A B C A B

A B C A A

A B B A A

A B C A A

A A B A A

A B A A A

65 58

68 68

71 58

A A

A B

A A

38 49 65

34 48 66

47 57 61

C C B

B B A

B A A

B B A

many critics, they are widely used by parents as a measure of how well their child’s school is performing. “The school grades are a snapshot based on school grade calculations and assessments which are subject to change by the state,” says Tanya Arja, a spokesperson for Hillsborough County Public Schools. “While we celebrate the successes and look for ways to improve,” she continues, “a parent really needs to look at how well their child is doing and if they are making gains. Parents can get a much clearer picture of the education their child is receiving at a school by touring a school, getting involved and talking with the teachers and administrators to see the hard work they put in every day to ensure student success.”

Congrats to Chiles Elementary in Tampa Palms, which earned an “A” grade from the State of Florida Department of Education for the 15th straight year, and scored the highest among New Tampa schools in English Language Arts Achievement, Mathematics Achievement and Science Achievement.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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SPOTLIGHT ON...Primrose School of Cross Creek! Primrose School of Cross Creek, located adjacent to the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd., is an accredited early education and child care school serving infants through kindergarten, after-schoolers, their families and the local community. The school’s Balanced Learning® approach helps empower children to reach their full potential by nurturing curiosity, confidence, creativity and compassion. This Balanced Learning® is researchinformed and combines the best thinking of renowned early learning philosophers with modern wisdom from the latest child development studies. The professional staff at Primrose knows that a child’s interests can lead to exploration, discovery and understanding of the world. That’s why the Balanced Learning® approach integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) throughout the day to make learning fun! Primrose School of Cross Creek pays close attention to all facets of a child’s growth, including social, emotional, physical, creative, cognitive and character development. The school’s proprietary programs in music, art, gardening, life skills and foreign language were developed especially for its curriculum. When it comes to helping your child reach his or her full potential, Primrose leaves no stone unskipped, unpainted or unturned.

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Working together toward a common goal is something practiced every day at Primrose School of Cross Creek. The school fosters meaningful relationships with families, school staff and the community to help optimize each child’s learning and growth through its Primrose 360 Connect™ email and phone app that delivers daily peace of mind and engagement in your child’s learning experience. It’s a fact that children learn better when they are engaged. That’s why purposeful play and nurturing guidance from teachers are key components of this Balanced Learning® approach. Come see how this time-tested approach with a strong emphasis on life skills and character development can help your child develop and excel. Schedule a tour today! Primrose School of Cross Creek is now enrolling for the 2017-18 school year. For more information, see the ad on page 36, visit PrimroseSchoolofCrossCreek.com or call (813) 994-6800.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017w • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Local Soccer Players Headed To England For A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Like most serious soccer players, Tampa Palms’ Patrick Callahan has dreams of playing professionally, and there are few places better to do that than in England’s Premier League. And, while he is still years away from playing at that level, the chance to play and study nearby in one of soccer’s hotbeds was too good for Callahan and recent Liberty Middle School student and Lutz resident Julio Plata to pass up. Both players were recently awarded scholarships to Brooke House College football academy in Market Harborough, England, less than an hour north of London by train. Brooke House College is similar to Bradenton’s IMG Academy and Saddlebrook Prep in Wesley Chapel, in that it attracts international athletes to board at the school while undergoing intensive training in their sport while maintaining high academic standards. The two-year scholarships are valued at roughly $45,000 per year. That includes travel costs; the academy went to Budapest, Hungary, for a tournament last month. “They have a lot of great facilities,’’ said Callahan, who completed his freshman year at King High last spring. “It’s a great school, they have a really nice gym and training facility. When you train, they have you wear a vest tracking everywhere you run, it’s state of the art. School is like 5-6 hours a day, with small classes, tutoring and you train like six days a week. That’s the amazing part, that you get to play that much.” Callahan’s father, John, encouraged his son to accept the scholarship offer. John was

practice and play with the college players there. “That’s what I’m expecting at Brook House, a high level of play,’’ he said. The first day of tryouts for this unique “futbol” academy consisted of soccer drills and scrimmages, with Brooke House College coaches Mickey Adams and Lawrie Dudfeld looking on. Callahan, who is tall and fast for his age, said was nervous at first. “I rememTampa Palms resident Patrick Callahan (left) and former Liberty Middle School stuber I messed up dent Julio Plata both earned two-year scholarships to play soccer in England. one or two times, pleased with both the athletic and academic and they were aspects of the program. like, ‘All right, big guy, get back to it,’” Patrick “He will be SAT-ready when he’s done,’’ said. “At first I was playing kind of iffy. But in he said. the scrimmage, I felt I was doing good and The 15-year-old Callahan currently plays standing out. I felt that’s what got me to the club soccer for the Temple Terrace-based Flor- next day.” Plata, 13, who has been playing for the ida Soccer Club (FSC) Spirit of Tampa Bay U16, and already has some experience play- FC Tampa Rangers club team, felt he did well ing soccer abroad. His mother, Grace Amparo in the drills. A midfielder, he said he just tried Callahan, is from Ecuador, and on past family to keep the ball at his teammates’ feet. “I really just wanted to pass the ball and summer trips to her country, he would often

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not lose it,’’ he said, smiling. Day 2 featured a number of games, and Callahan remembers scoring a particularly impressive goal — beating two defenders before depositing the ball into the upper corner — that caught the coaches’ attention The coaches pared down the group, and announced they would be picking two players to receive the scholarships. Callahan and Plata were among more than 20 finalists at the final day interviews. Callahan wasn’t sure he pulled it off in the interviews, but was relived to hear his name called. “At first, I was so excited,’’ he says. “I called my grandma, she lives with my aunt, and I heard them screaming and excited on the other line. I posted a picture with the news on Instagram and, in an hour, gained like 100 followers. That was really cool, too.” For Plata and Callahan, the Brooke House College football academy opportunity is a chance to hone their soccer skills with top, hand-selected competition. Founded in 2008, the program boasts more than 70 players ages 13-19 filling four club teams that play in the Junior Premier League and other leagues, while also competing in various cups across Europe, and has produced 12 professional players. Callahan and Plata, though, both say that if they can come back better players than when they left, it will help their chances to play collegiately in the U.S. They are both awaiting their visas from the British Consulate in New York, and are eager to book their flights. “It’s a little nerve-wracking,” Plata says, “but I’m excited to go.”

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017w • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Zammy The Sheepadoodle Spreads His Joy At The Shriners Hospital! By GARY NAGER

Although I had never encountered a sheepadoodle until January of this year, when New Tampa resident Todd Pitner brought his sweet, then-year-old, 100-lb. sheepadoodle named Zammy into our office for a story in our January 13 issue — after a photo of Zammy, taken at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, went viral (more than a million hits) on Reddit. And, my life hasn’t been the same since. Although I currently live in an apartment, if I ever do move into a house, I’m going to buy a sheepadoodle (old English sheepdog and standard poodle) because I have never seen a better disposition on an animal of any size or breed, much less on a giant stuffed animal come to life. Since that first story, Zammy has appeared on WCNT-tv, replacing yours truly on set with my co-anchor Susanna Martinez, and I promised Todd that if he ever wanted us to do a follow-up, all we needed was someplace to go where I could see — and chronicle — Zammy’s instant rapport with literally everyone he meets. So, when Todd asked me and WCNT-tv production assistant Gavin Olsen (who starred as the voice of Zammy in that WCNT-tv segment) to tag along and watch this gentle giant work his magic with the children in the Shriners Hospital on the Tampa campus of USF, we were both thrilled to tag along. And of course, Zammy didn’t disappoint. Whether the kids were wheelchair bound or walking, teenagers or toddlers, or even Shriners Hospital staff, Zammy gave

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everyone a few happy minutes of his time and I didn’t see one kid, parent or hospital staffer leave him without a smile on their faces. I thank Shriners Hospital Tampa’s public relations manager Lisa Buie for not only letting us accompany Zammy on his mission of good will, but also for getting everyone in these pictures to sign a release so we could show them. Look for more Zammy exploits in future issues — and on future episodes of WCNT-tv.

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The Shriners Hospitals for Children-Tampa is a 60-bed nonprofit specialty care facility that has served 60,000 patients since it was established in 1985. For more information, visit ShrinersHospitalforChildren.org. To keep up with Zammy, check him out on Instagram @ZammyPup.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Feeling Crafty? You Can ‘Go Craft Yourself’ Pretty Much Anytime You Want By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com When she wasn’t working as a software salesperson, or in real estate or defense manufacturing, Samantha Harrison says she was working on crafts. Many of her projects — other than adding an artistic touch to her young daughters’ rooms and their home — were gifts for friends that always seemed to be a hit. Combined with a Pinterest account burgeoning with projects she was hoping to get around to one day, the road to a crafting career was already in the works. “You know, you should do this for a living,’’ her friends would tell her, and one day, Samantha agreed. In February, in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center off Cross Creek Blvd., Samantha and her husband Brian opened Go Craft Yourself, a concept that combines crafting with affordability and availability. While Go Craft Yourself does hold crafting events and themed outings, its scheduling flexibility is one of the things that make it stand out from its few competitors in the Tampa Bay area. It’s this simple: Do you want to craft? Then come on in. “You can walk in the door anytime,” Samantha says. “You pick a project and do it, and take it home with you that day. You don’t have to make an appointment; you don’t have to come to a scheduled workshop. We’re open every day but Mondays, so we’re pretty much always here.” Go Craft Yourself is located right across the way from the popular Children’s Dentistry office of Dr. Greg Stepanski, and shares the

Lindsay Rewald works on a craft with her daughters Hayley (left) and Madison. The Rewalds decided to drop in to Go Craft Yourself on Cross Creek Blvd. after a doctor’s appointment. plaza with a number of other kid-friendly busi- a project they liked, and started crafting. nesses where parents are often stopping by so “It’s a great concept,’’ says Rewald, who their children can see doctors and dentists and was stenciling the family name over the letter R take their music and martial arts lessons. onto a rectangular piece of wood she planned “It seems like everybody’s kids go to the to hang in the family room of their home. It dentist right across the way,’’ Samantha says, is Go Craft Yourself’s most popular project, laughing. Samantha says. That’s how New Tampa’s Lindsay Rewald Madison and Hayley were working on discovered Go Craft Yourself. Her young a similar project, painting their first names to daughters, Madison, 12, and Hayley, 9, were hang in their bedrooms. visiting their doctor’s office when they noticed “It’s fun,’’ Hayley said. “And, we will definitely be back,’’ her the crafting center. mom added. The three of them walked right in, found

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One of the things Rewald says she liked about Go Craft Yourself is the workspace. The shop is more than 3,000 sq. ft., with a half dozen or so large, square wooden tables set up to handle large groups. While the Harrisons looked around for the right studio, more expensive locations right on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. didn’t fit their needs. For a better price, they chose a far more spacious locale. “The space is one thing that definitely makes us different,’’ Brian says. The Harrisons made the distinct, dark wood tables in the studio themselves, as well as the front counter and the wood-slatted wall behind it. There is a children’s area in one corner, with chalkboard walls, and in another corner is a work area. On Father’s Day, children were able to fill a squirt gun with different colored paints and then fire away at a stencil, creating a unique gift for their dads. Most of the crafts offered are wood-oriented, like signs, custom serving trays, planter boxes and wall decorations, although the studio also has painting for kids and various other crafts. Pricing is per project and varies depending upon the project. Though you can walk right in and start crafting, Go Craft Yourself also offers workshops for serious crafters ages 18 and older, and is available for private events. Go Craft Yourself is currently running “Christmas in July,” where crafters can come in and make gifts for the upcoming holiday, or festive decorations for the home and tree. With Halloween and Thanksgiving quickly approaching as well, crafting season is about to kick into full gear and the art shop plans to

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Samantha and Brian Harrison opened Go Craft Yourself in February of this year. offer a number of season-themed activities. in college at Stetson and Liberty universities. “We are versatile,’’ Brian said. “We had However, the jobs that followed, she says, a whole bridal shower come in one time, and lacked a connection for her. they wanted something that we typically don’t “They weren’t very creatively-driven offer. But, we showed them something else, jobs,” she says. and they ended up making really nice cusTwo years ago, the Harrisons moved to tom-designed pieces for the wedding.” West Meadows for Samantha’s new sales job. Samantha said that as the business grows, However, since college, she says she has always it will offer kid camps, with room to handle 70 imagined herself as a CEO or owner of a combudding artists at a time. She also is hoping to pany, leading to Go Craft Yourself. work with nearby schools on projects. She is “I just never knew what that looked like, already working with Benito Middle School, until we figured this out,’’ she says. “This where currently, students can come in and decfulfills that desire.” orate pavers for $10, which will then be used Samantha says that while there are similar for a pathway at the school. crafting studios in Tampa Bay, there aren’t any Samantha was born and raised in Melthis area. And, there also aren’t any where you bourne, FL, and studied business and religion can walk in, sit down and begin crafting some-

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thing special at a moment’s notice. Go Craft Yourself definitely has an artistic feel to it, and even includes a sitting area with coffee and Wi-Fi for those taking a more leisurely approach to their project. “People love the atmosphere,’’ Samantha says. “There’s no time limit, no pressure, you can sit here all day if you want. We try to provide a calm, relaxing environment.” There also is the convenience factor, she adds. Instead of buying crafting supplies that you will use a few times and then store away until you end up with bottles of dried paint and crusty brushes, it’s more pragmatic to use what you need. No storage, no clean up. And, it’s cheaper. “We make it easy,’’ she says. Go Craft Yourself is ideal for a girls night out, birthday parties and team-building events, Samantha says, adding that her customer base has expanded every month. “We’ve grown significantly since we opened in February,’’ Samantha says. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know new people. We get a lot of repeat customers, and I see a lot of them with the same passion for crafting I have.” Go Craft Yourself is located at 10311 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite A, in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center, and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and 2 p.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 345-8498, visit GoCraftYourselfFL.com or see the ad on pg. 32 of this issue.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Irish 31 Now Open, Noble Crust To Open Monday In Shops At Wiregrass! By GARY NAGER

Two of the Wesley Chapel area’s most anticipated new restaurants are finally here, as the fifth location of Irish 31 officially opened in the Shops at Wiregrass on July 7 and the second location of Noble Crust is set to open a few days after you receive this issue — on Monday, July 17 — very close to Irish 31 and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt (see ad on pg. 3) in the mall. Although I missed the actual Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on July 6 (I arrived a little late; the ribbon-cutting photo on this page was taken by Steve Miller of Stephen John Photography), Irish 31 owner Jay Mize and general manager Mike Forsyth were on hand for it — as was former Tampa Bay Lightning star and New Tampa resident Brian Bradley (who works for the Lightning; he gave away some cool memorabilia), as hundreds of people found their way inside to check out the cool décor, the unique menu and the South Tampa vibe. I have only sampled a few items so far on Irish 31’s chef-driven menu, but I did enjoy the boneless wings with Thai chili sauce and the corned beef and cabbage “boxty” (almost tennis-ball-sized balls of mashed potatoes, mixed with generous helpings of corned beef and cabbage and fried to a golden brown; Irish 31 also has loaded and just-potato boxty), served with an “Emerald Isle” dipping sauce. I’ll keep you posted. As for Noble Crust, long-time New Tampa resident and Noble Crust Wiregrass GM Will Perez says he’s excited to “finally get this place open.” I am, too. I’ve sampled

— and loved — almost everything on Noble Crust’s unique “Seasonal Italian fare with a Southern soul” menu. Try the unique kale Caesar salad, topped with a crusted, softcooked egg and a smoky Caesar dressing and the gnocchi appetizer that was such a hit at the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. The biggest problem with both Noble Crust and Irish 31 is the already-difficult parking at the mall. Hopefully, valet parking will be added, especially on the weekends, but both new eateries are welcome additions to the local restaurant fold. Look for more pics on the Neighborhood News Facebook page and on the next episode of WCNT-tv.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...Academy At The Lakes! Academy at the Lakes (AATL), a co-ed, independent, day school today serving more than 460 students in PreK3 through 12th grade, will celebrate its 25th anniversary (see new logo, right) during the 2017-18 school year. Academy first opened its doors in 1992, with an enrollment of 32 students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Since that time, the school has grown to become one of the Tampa Bay area’s most outstanding PreK-12th grade college preparatory schools, featuring a beautiful lakeside campus and exceptional academic, athletic and arts programs. “We have very strong academics, but so much more,” says Mark Heller, who has been Head of School for 10 of AATL’s 25 years of existence. “We equip students with a set of skills that will last them for the rest of their lives.” Heller adds that emphasizing things like good manners and even just mastering the basic handshake helps prepare students to interact easily and effectively with the world beyond AATL. He refers to this part of the school’s routine as its “hidden curriculum.” One way that schools, independent as well as public, measure student success is how many of their graduates who apply to college are accepted. According to information provided by AATL’s marketing office, that figure is 100% for the years 2014-16, with $7 million in scholarships offered for that same period. The school’s growth has been synony-

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mous with the growth of Pasco County and the surrounding areas. Centrally located in Land O’Lakes, only 20 minutes or less from most of New Tampa, AATL employs more than 100 faculty and staff members, and partners with area businesses to be a resource for the broader community. Academy at the Lakes will kick off its 25th anniversary celebration with a school-wide Day of Service on Wednesday, September 20, the 25th day of the school year. On this day, all members of the school community — students, faculty and staff — will engage in community service opportunities throughout the Tampa Bay area. For more information, visit AcademyattheLakes.org, call (813) 909-7919 or see the ad on page 11 of this issue.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Firehouse Subs — Serving Great Subs...And First Responders Across The Country Submitted to the Neighborhood News

SARRK RESTAURANTS,

LLC, is the owner and operator of nine Firehouse Subs location in the Tampa Bay area. Through a valuable partnership with the Impact Group, Sarrk Restaurants, LLC, became one of the earliest franchisees to sign on with Firehouse Subs, with its first location that opened in New Tampa in 2002 that was later relocated to the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza in 2012. The New Tampa Firehouse Subs was the 51st location for the franchise. Since then, the company has grown to become a national & international brand in 44 states, as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, totaling more than 1,000 locations, making Firehouse Subs one of the fastest growing fast casual restaurant concepts. All restaurants have a focus to provide the highest in Quality, Service and Cleanliness, all based on a Firehouse Subs’ firefighter theme. And, for the Sarrk Restaurants, LLC, owner Sarju Patel and the public, the brand has become much more than that. Firehouse’s current marketing drive focuses on a new slogan, “This Sub Saves Lives.” And it really does! Through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, the company’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, which has granted more than $25 million to hometown heroes in 46 U.S. states (plus Canada and Puerto Rico) since it was established in 2005 to provide lifesaving equipment to more than 2,800 first responder organizations.

All of Patel’s valued team members that make this company run to its optimum are expected to learn what the foundation is all about and, in turn, educate the community. The live saving equipment that is provided is truly remarkable. This part of the business is so strong, that the company’s own analysis has shown that the restaurants that raise the most foundation dollars has a higher percentage of sales than restaurants that do not embrace this aspect of the business. The old saying “Giving is Receiving” is very much alive and true. Funds are raised in three ways — customers can donate their loose change into canisters at the register, they also can “round up” their Firehouse purchases to the next dollar and/or purchasing a five-gallon pickle bucket for only $2. Firehouse of America will donate 0.13 percent of your purchase in 2017 at all U.S. Firehouse Subs locations to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. This percentage will result in a minimum donation of one million dollars. The Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Firehouse Subs co-founders, Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, traveled to Mississippi, where they fed first responders as well as survivors. As they traveled back to Florida exhausted and exhilarated, they knew we could do more and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was born. Locally, through the funds raised from all Firehouse locations in the Tampa Bay area, here is a list of some of the Equipment that local organizations have received to date, valued at over $100,000: AED Defibrillator — Pasco County Sheriff’s Office; Personal

Wesley Chapel Firehouse Subs Staff

Tuna Salad Sub Brownies & Cookies

Meatball Sub

NY Steamer Sub

Locator Devices – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office; Fire Prevention Safety materials to educate the community – City of Seminole Fire and Rescue; See-Doo water craft and trailer, surf rescue sled, life vests, ropes and helmets – City of Treasure Island Fire Dept; John Deere Gator Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and Medlite Transport Deluxe System – Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue; RoboteX Inc Avatar Tactical Robot – Largo Police Department; Extrication Equipment – Tampa Fire Rescue Station 13; AED Defibrillator – Clearwater Central Catholic High School

What About The Food? — GN

Of course, most people still know Firehouse Subs for their steamed meat, toasted subs and everyone in our office has their favorite. I’m partial to the semi-spicy tuna salad sub and the steak-n-cheese sub (and I also really enjoyed the savory chicken noodle soup,too). Graphic artist Blake Beatty and assistant editor John Cotey both prefer the NY steamer sub, which features corned beef and

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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pastrami. Sales rep Tom Damico enjoyed the hook & ladder sub, which comes with smoked turkey breast, Virginia honey ham, and melted Monterey Jack. And, billing manager Stephanie Smith said she really enjoyed the crispy, toasted sub roll on her meatball sub, as well as the zesty tomato sauce. You can add your favorite dressings and toppings to any Firehouse sub, but the chain is famous for serving its subs “Fully Involved®,” or loaded, complete with mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a kosher dill pickle on the side. The pickles are pretty tasty, too. And, the fresh-baked, fudgy brownies are to die for and everyone in the office enjoyed the white chocolate macadamia nut and chocolate chip cookies, the Miss Vicki’s chips and Coca-Cola “super fountain,” where you can combine more than 100 different sodas and sparkling waters. The Wesley Chapel Firehouse Subs is located at 1824 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. For more info, call (813) 977-3181 or visit FirehouseSubs.com. Or, see the ad on page 38 of this issue for $2 off when you buy a medium or large sub, chips and a drink. @NTWCNews

Rolled Ice Cream & Boba Tea Help Set Frogury Apart From Its Competition! By GARY NAGER As you’re probably already aware, there are a lot of frozen yogurt and ice cream shops in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. So, how do any of them distinguish themselves from everyone else? Jackie Chan (not his real name, but the name he goes by), the owner of the Frogury Frozen Yogurt Café, has been open for almost five years, next to Five Guys in the plaza across from LA Fitness at the corner of County Line Rd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. A few months ago, we told you that Jackie had added a taste sensation that is becoming popular all over the U.S., especially on and near college campuses — rolled ice cream and frozen yogurt. As you see in the photos on this page, Jackie takes fresh cream and pours it onto an ice-cold, circular “pan.” He’s happy to mix in anything from Oreo cookies to almonds to a variety of fresh fruit, including the fresh banana he added to mine. While the cream is chilling, Jackie mashes up your mix-in until as smooth as possible and then rolls it out flat. He then takes a steel spatula and rolls the now-firm

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ice cream into, well, rolls. He then scoops up the super-cold rolls and places them side-byside into a cup, adding virtually any topping you want. I tried to keep it healthy with fresh strawberries, although I also added chocolate syrup and whipped cream. If you’ve never had rolled ice cream, it is significantly colder and more dense than softserve yogurt or ice cream and most “hard” ice creams, too. And the flavor? Out of this world! As someone who still prefers “real” ice cream to any kind of frozen yogurt, I can tell you that if you haven’t yet sampled Frogury’s rolled ice cream, you owe it to yourself to visit and try it out today!

Boba Tea, Anyone?

Although I’m not the biggest ice tea fan, either, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed my most recent foray into Boba, or “bubble” tea, which was first created in Taiwan in the 1990s and has been gaining popularity in the U.S. since the ear;y 2000s. Bobas are ball-shaped, chewy bubbles of

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tapioca to which a variety of flavors, especially jellied fruit, can be added. Jackie had me try the traditional, “plain” bobas in iced black tea (there’s also green tea and other flavors) with milk, which was yummy, even though I’m still not a big boba fan. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think. A woman visiting the shop named Suzy says she comes to Frogury

every day, just for the tea. “It’s the best in town,” she said. “It’s why I’m a regular here.” Frogury (6431 County Line Rd.) is open Mon.-Sat., 11 10a..- p.m., & noon10 p.m. on Sunday. For 20-percent-off your purchase or buy-one, get-one-free smoothies, see the ad on pg. 46. For more info, call 994-1960 or visit Frogury.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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

The Chamber Expands!

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more exciting or complicated for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC), on June 28, the WCCC announced that it was merging with the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce (GPCC), which immediately increases the WCCC from nearly 600 to more than 900 business members. The announcement, made at the Culinary Institute at Land O’Lakes High, featured (photo, top left, l.-r.) Pasco Economic Development Council (EDC) president and CEO Bill Cronin WCCC Board chair Jennifer Cofini and CEO Hope Allen, as well as GPCC Board chair Michael Cox and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. Allen was excited to

announce that the two chambers had formed an alliance back in January and “would become one Chamber of Commerce.” Under the agreement, current members of either chamber would have reciprocal membership in both. And, even though Allen admitted the merged chambers didn’t yet decide on a name, the same joint task force that created the merger, “will continue to meet every two weeks to help make that decision. Our drop-dead date to come up with all the details is January 1.” Other issues to map out include the fact that there are still other four other chambers also serving Pasco and how the new merged chambers will fit into that structure, as well as the fact that the WCCC also serves New Tampa, which is in Hillsborough County.

“I did some research and we actually have 160 business members located in Hillsborough,” Allen said. “We will continue to provide the same services and opportunities for those businesses as usual.” Since our last issue, the WCCC has held ribbon-cutting ceremonies on June 21 at Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing (photo on next page) on U.S. 41 in Land O’Lakes (it was a dual ribbon cutting with the WCCC and the Central Pasco Chamber), on June 29 at The Salt Room Wesley Chapel (photo, top center) and on July 6 at Irish 31 (see story on page 38). Coming up this month are free ribbon-cutting events for two new preschools: The Goddard School for Early Childhood Develop-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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ment of Wesley Chapel on Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m.-noon, and at The Learning Experience of New Tampa (20780 Trout Creek Dr.) on Thursday, July 20, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. The Chamber also will host another free Coffee Social on Tuesday, July 18, 8 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions (2653 BBD Blvd., Wesley Chapel), another Economic Development Briefing at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) on Thursday, July 27, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., featuring Shauna Nadeau of CareSync ($15 per WCCC member, includes buffet lunch); and another free Final Friday networking event at Prime 19 at Cheval Golf & Athletic Club (4312 Cheval Blvd., Tampa) on Friday, July 28, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Please note that not all Chamber

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events are free, although most are open to the public. For info (including all start times for these events), call (813) 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Have You Tried Menchie’s?

Now that you know Irish 31 is open, you should also visit its neighbor, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, which has now been open for several months in the same outparcel building as Irish 31 at the Shops at Wiregrass mall. Menchie’s, which was founded in California in 2007, has grown into the largest selfserve frozen yogurt franchise in the world, with more than 540 locations in the U.S., Canada and twelve countries from South Africa to Eng-

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land and from The Bahamas to Japan. Menchie’s is always adding new flavors and tie-ins, like the new chocolate caramel biscuit Twix flavor (photo, below) and a tie-in with the new “Captain Underpants” movie. And, there are dozens of toppings and sauces, from my favorite hot fudge, marshmallow and peanut butter sauces to everything from fresh fruit to gummy candies. If you’re looking for a great deal, Menchie’s is currently offering buy-one, get-one-half-off and 20-percent-off coupons in the ad on page 3 of this issue. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt is located at 28356 Willet Way and is open every day from 11:30 a.m. (noon on Sun.) until 10 p.m. Mon.-Thur., until 11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. and til 9 p.m. on Sun.. For more info, visit Menchies.com or call (813) 991-0365.

News & Notes

• New Tampa’s new Racetrac gas station and convenience store is now open at 5220 Cypress Preserve Dr. (off BBD), featuring some of the lowest gas prices in our area. • The Fat Rabbit Pub & Grub is expected to open in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center within a few days after this issue arrived in your mailbox. • If you want to know more about everything opening up in Wesley Chapel, and you haven’t yet checked out Episode 25 of WCNTtv — Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television — visit our Neighborhood News page on Facebook now! — GN

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING. Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements? Ask about our HOA SPECIAL & FREE ESTIMATE! For more info, call (813) 420-4465. HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC High-quality professional Services: Weekly or bi-weekly year-round full-service lawn care starting at $90/month: Mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554.

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Classifieds

“WORK-FAMILY DECISION MAKING” STUDY EIRB #0002537. Be a part of a study about work and family! To participate in this study you and your partner would need to: (1) Complete a short eligibility questionnaire, and (2) Meet with a researcher for a 90 minute in-lab session. You will earn $70 per couple for your time. Contact the research team at USFWorkFamily@gmail.com to sign up. WANTED: PIANIST/ACCOMPANIST Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel is seeking a talented pianist/ accompanist to play for the traditional worship service, accompany the choir, soloists, special programs, etc. Contact Julie Pearson, Choir Director, music@trinitychurchwc.com. HIRING PERSONAL TRAINER. Private Women’s Studio with Boot Camp & Personal Training in Wesley Chapel & Land O’ Lakes owned by Samantha Taylor. Please no phone calls or walk ins.To apply part time: www.lolfitbodybootcamp.com/hire-pt. PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT). An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide custom, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080.

POOL SERVICES TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call Chris today @ (813) 8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com Highest quality salt and ozone generators, pumps, motors, filters. Marcite, quartz and pebble finishes. Pool cleanups and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing. Paver decks and driveways. Mention this ad for $69 pool service. Call or text 813-244-7077. Visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been 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 FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

SPACE AVAILABLE SERENITY SALON & SPA SUITES Wesley Chapel. 1 suite available for rent. Call for details: 813-312-5247 or 813-997-6302. Great location!

HOME IMPROVEMENT

PET SERVICES

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CAT SITTING Tampa Cat Lady Professional CatSitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds and smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle and play with your kitties and clean and dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, and Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. You may visit TampaCatLady.com and submit a service inquiry or call 813-994-9449.

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional & 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. Call 813-215-1177. GREG’S PAPERHANGING. For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed and insured, clean, quick and reasonable. Call 973-2767 for a free estimate.

Not getting the results you want from your current advertising?

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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: 813-7845999. MILLENNIUM HOME REPAIR.Professional Handyman. Cabinet Installation, dry wall repair, tile installation & repair, some plumbing, laminate flooring, light fixtures, interior painting, appliance installation, pressure washing, paneling, window repair, awning installation, carpentry, garbage disposal, fence repair, crown molding, window blinds, seal baths & showers, TV mounting & more. Call 813-400-1408 or email TYCOONUNION@YAHOO.COM.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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SUNSHINE CLEANERS Top Quality...Great Prices

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

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 15 • July 14, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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