17-09 NTNN 1-52 web by Neighborhood News

Volume 17 Issue 17

Inside: Sushi Ko’s New Menu & Location!

August 21, 2009

See pages 44!

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

New Hillsborough County School Year Starts August 25! By Michael Smith By the time you receive this newspaper, there will be just one more weekend of freedom left for the thousands of Hillsborough County public school students, as the Hillsborough School District (HCSD) begins the 2009-10 school year on Tuesday, August 25. According to Steve Ayers, the District’s director of parent and community relations, the projected first-day enrollment for the new school year is just over 180,000 students in grades K12, which is relatively unchanged from last year. This will mark the second year in a row that the District has seen almost no increase in enrollment, after experiencing record high increases just a few years ago, during the height of the real estate building boom. The lack of growth in enrollment is reflected in the fact that only three of

the 12 public schools in the New Tampa area are projected to open the new year with more students than they were designed to accommodate. Those schools are: Wharton High, which is expected to welcome 2,366 students, or 101 percent of the school’s design capacity, on the first day of school; and Dr. Richard F. Pride and Hilda B. Turner elementaries, both of which are expected to open at 101 percent of their respective capacities — Pride with a projected first-day enrollment of 941 students, and Turner, with 891 students. Ayers notes, however, that these numbers are likely to fluctuate as the new year progresses. All of the other New Tampa-area schools are projected to open the new year under capacity, although several are close enough to full that the District has not allowed any choice assignments at those schools, according to George Gaffney, the former Wharton High

principal who currently is the general director of Area 3 schools (which includes all of the schools in New Tampa). Just a few years ago, nearly all of New Tampa’s schools were overcrowded, but with a pressing need for new schools all across the county, District officials simply added new classroom wings to several of the schools here over the past few years. Now, Ayers says, HCSD has no plans for any new schools here or anywhere else in its current Five-Year Plan, which extends through the 2012-13 school year.

Pride Elementary Welcomes New Principal

Speaking of Pride, the Lions welcome new principal Cindy Land, who replaces former principal Jamie Johnson, who resigned over the summer. This year, Land says her numberone goal is to put to rest the controversy that erupted at the school last year, as

New Pride Elementary principal Cindy Land is proud to be leading the Lions this year. administrators, and especially Johnson, clashed with some parents of students at the school over the construction of a cell phone tower on the school grounds. The parents claimed that they should have been notified so as to give their input and voice their concerns before the tower was built, and further, that Johnson refused to See “Back To School” on page 22.

Trying To Help Out Local Fund Raisers In Our Distribution Area

Also Inside This Issue!

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Two Area Residents Survive Rattlesnake Bites; Plus, Park Closing Update, Lawsuit Filed In Student’s Hazing Death, News From The New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce & Much More!

Photos From New Tampa’s National Night Out Events, A Review Of The New Menu At Sushi Ko, Your Chance To Win In Our 2009 Dining Survey, Funny Divas & Deacon Blues Entertain & More!

See pages 3-30!

See pages 31-48!

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Ofc. (3rd Class) Brandon DeVore. about six months ago, and says he fell in love with the sport, and now regularly rides with a group of friends at New Tampa’s Flatwoods Park and on the Suncoast Trail in Pinellas County. He See “Fund Raisers” on page 24.

ECRWSS

As a member of the U.S. Coast

Postal Customer

Biking For A Good Cause

Guard, New Tampa resident Brandon DeVore spends a lot of time on the high seas, rescuing stranded boaters, chasing after drug smugglers and picking up those would-be immigrants who are trying to float their way to the U.S. Lately, however, when he’s not on the water, DeVore has been spending a lot of time in the saddle of his bicycle, as he prepares to take part in the 21st Annual Intercoastal Waterway Century Ride, a 100-mile bike ride that will be held on Sunday, October 25, in Cocoa Beach. DeVore, whose actual rank is Petty Officer Third Class, is assigned to the Coast Guard cutter Venturous, which is based in St. Petersburg when it isn’t out on patrol for up to 60 days at a time. The 26-year-old Tampa native has been on full-time active duty with the USCG for the past three years. “And it is a very rewarding job,” he says. DeVore took up bike riding only

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

Given the state of the U.S. economy, we know times are tough all over, but even in a tough economic climate, there still are a lot of charitable causes and organizations that are in need of help, in the form of both monetary contributions and volunteers who give of their time and effort — and thankfully, people in our community are willing to roll up their sleeves to help.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been contacted by a number of local folks who are looking for help with raising funds for a variety of worthwhile causes, so we thought we would present just a few of their stories in the hopes that our readers might find one or more of the causes that tugs at their heartstrings and offer some assistance.

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Michael Smith

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 17, Issue 17 â&#x20AC;˘ August 21, 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Do We Need More ‘Good’ News In The Neighborhood News? Throughout the more than 15 years that I’ve owned and edited this newspaper, there have always been people who have said that we have focused too much on “bad” news — e.g., the crime and other bad things that happen to good people in our area. Although those complaints have always seemed to come from a sometimes very vocal, but still not very large (based on our own evaluations of our mail and phone call volume), minority of those of you who read this publication every month, we still take them very seriously. Throughout our history, I’ve heard some of you say you turn to your daily newspapers and/or local TV news if you want to hear about the bad things happening in New Tampa — and turn to the Neighborhood News to focus on the good things in our community, such as the charitable work our residents do and the success of our young students and athletes (rather than focus on area crime or school overcrowding). My news writers and I (and current managing editor Michael Smith is, by far, the best pure news reporter I’ve ever worked with) always approach the news of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the same way — it doesn’t matter to us if it’s good news or bad, all

An editorial by Gary Nager that matters is that we try to get the stories right for our readers. And, the fact we’re still in business more than a decade and a half since we first became your community newspaper is a clear indication to us that the vast majority of you appreciate the way we cover the news — good and bad — that happens in your (our) community. In fact, the aforementioned Mr. Smith and I are proud that the vast majority of the calls we handle start out with, “My wife and I love the Neighborhood News,” or “We read every issue cover-to-cover,” or our personal favorite, “It’s the only local publication I read, the only way I find out what’s really going on in this community.” And, truth to tell, as New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have grown and “matured” as communities, there simply has been more bad stuff going on that we felt we had to report — or we’d not only feel like we were acting irresponsibly, we estimate that we’d also be letting down 75-95 percent of our readers if we only reported the good news and ignored the bad. In other words, while Mike and I don’t personally believe our local coverage has become more bad-news-oriented, we do believe there have been more bad things happening that we, as your community newspaper, have had to report.

However, while some of those bad things almost have to be front-page stories, there’s no rule that says that “bad” news has to appear on page 1 every issue. So, while we’re not going to change how we cover your local news, we will seek to change the locations of some of those stories. In other words, even though we don’t put pictures of the registered sex offenders living in our area on our cover every month, we still promise to keep you up on the bad news you need to know, without beating you over the head with it. For example, in this issue, we have

two of the good news features you might have otherwise missed (if you didn’t read this issue cover-to-cover) on our front page — our Back-to-School and local fund-raising coverage. In addition, if you or your child or your friend has done something great (especially if it was for people who live and/or work in our distribution areas) you believe is newsworthy, please send off an e-mail to us at NTNNedit@ yahoo.com. Put “Here’s a good news story” in the subject line of your e-mail and we will try to give that story a little coverage — on page 1, if possible.

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

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondents

Kate Kramer • Melissa O’Brien • Matt Rubin

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

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

Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 17, Issue 19, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, August 31, 2009. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2009 JM2 Communications, Inc.

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES..............................Pages 1-28 Family Files Lawsuit In Son’s Death At College...........4 New Tampa News Briefs..............................................6 Two Residents Survive Pygmy Rattlesnake Bites, County Commissioners Vote Against Park Closures, Cypress Creek Town Center Developers Fined S.R. 56 Extension Set To Open By End Of August......8 New Tampa Community Calendar.......................10 New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter..12 Tampa Palms Publix Set To Undergo Renovation......15 Local Vet Cares For Pets Like They Were His Own....16 Get Back-To-School Shoes For Kids At Little Feet.....20 School (cont. from page 1)........................................22 New Tampa-Area Public Schools...............................23 Fund Raisers (cont. from page 1)...............................24 New Tampa Sports Updates......................................28 NTLL All-Star Round-Up

Neighborhood Magazine New Tampa Residents Enjoy A ‘Night Out’............31, 48 Recapping Lowry Park Zoo’s ‘WaZoo’...................34 New Identities Nets Ponytails For ‘Locks Of Love’.......36 Bruster’s Ice Cream-Eating Contest Photo Gallery....39 Our Exclusive 2009 Dining Survey & Contest.....40 Neighborhood Nibbles.................................................41 Sushi Ko Adds Chinese Menu At New Location...........44

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSFIEDS..............50

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Kowiak Family Files Suit In Son’s Death At College By Michael Smith Earlier this year, we told you about Harrison Kowiak, the Wharton High graduate who died in 2008 while taking part in a fraternity-related activity at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. Now, after a months-long investigation, Kowiak’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the college, the fraternity and the students who were involved in the activity, alleging that their son’s death was the result of hazing. The suit, which was filed in Superior Court in Durham County, NC, on July 30, names the university and two of its employees, both the local and national chapters of the fraternity, Delta Chi and Theta Chi, respectively, and 21 students who were members of the fraternity at the time of the incident as codefendants. According to Justin Leto, the Miami-based attorney who is representing the family, the lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount, only damages in excess of $10,000. According to the complaint, Kowiak, who was 19 and starting his sophomore year at the college, was taking part in the pledge process to join the fraternity. On the evening of Nov. 17, 2008, he and one other pledge

were told to dress in light-colored clothing and meet with the members of the fraternity for an “undisclosed activity.” He and the other pledge were then blindfolded and driven to an off-campus Harrison Kowiak farm, where they were then instructed that they had to retrieve the fraternity’s “sacred rocks” from the opposite end of an unlit field. Meanwhile, other fraternity members, who were dressed in dark clothes, lay in wait in the field to prevent the pledges from getting across. The complaint says that the activity was known among frat members as “Bulldogging,” and was a longstanding initiation tradition during the last week of the pledge process, aka “Hell Week.” The lawsuit alleges that Kowiak was “repeatedly pushed, shoved and tackled” as he attempted to traverse the field, and further, that Kowiak, who was attending college on a golf scholarship, weighed only around 160 pounds, while some of the other frat members who were doing the tackling were also members of the college’s football team,

weighing in excess of 250 pounds. At some point during the exercise, the complaint says that Kowiak was so severely injured that he was unable to stand, and was also wheezing and gasping for breath and eventually became disoriented and unresponsive. Rather than immediately calling 911, the fraternity members elected to drive Kowiak to a hospital about 20 minutes away, and once they arrived, they told hospital personnel that he had been injured during a flag football game on campus. His injuries were so severe, however, that Kowiak had to be airlifted to another hospital in Charlotte, NC, where he passed away the following day. The autopsy report noted that he had died from blunt force trauma to the head, and also had numerous bruises and abrasions to his back, torso and other areas of his body. The lawsuit claims that LenoirRhyne administrators, including the two defendants, one of whom is the Dean of the college while the other served as the fraternity’s faculty advisor, were aware of the tradition of hazing carried out by the members of the Theta Chi fraternity, but did nothing to stop it, even though it violated the policies of the college, the bylaws of the national and local chapters of the

fraternity and the state laws of North Carolina. It also alleges that Dale Taylor, the executive national director of Theta Chi, Inc., not only knew about the “bulldogging,” but also condoned it, saying that such activities were “not unusual” and were in fact, “team building exercises.” Although Kowiak’s parents, Lianne and Brian Kowiak, who live in the Arbor Greene subdivision, did not wish to comment on the lawsuit, attorney David Kirby, of the law firm Kirby & Holt in Raleigh, NC, who also represents the family, issued this statement: “Losing their son has been devastating for this family. You send your son off to college to learn and become part of a college community. You don’t expect him to lose his life pledging a fraternity. There is absolutely no reason for this dangerous activity to still be occurring in this day and age, and it needs to be stopped immediately.” Leto, meanwhile, says that once jurisdiction has been established in the case, it could take from a year to up to 18 months for the case to come to trial. Lenoir-Rhyne University and fraternity officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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News Briefs

Two Area Residents Bitten By Pygmy Rattlesnakes

Two New Tampa-area residents – a 36-year-old man and an 87-year-old woman – are on the mend after being bitten by pygmy rattlesnakes in a pair of separate incidents. In the first, Randy Scraggs was wearing flip-flops and walking his dog on the driveway of his home in the Grand Hampton subdivision at around 9 p.m. on July 31 when he was bitten on the ankle. He told reporters that the bite felt like “a pair of tiny needles.” With the help of a neighbor, Scraggs, who works as a surgical nurse at Tampa General Hospital, was able to kill the snake, which was later identified as a young pygmy rattler. Scraggs was treated with antivenin at Tampa General and was released after three days. In the second case, 87-year-old Ester Orrino also was bitten after she encountered a small pygmy rattler that was lying on the doorstep of her home in Hunter’s Green on the morning of August 10. According to reports, Orrino at first didn’t realize that the 7-inch creature was actually a snake, and nudged it with her cane, but when it didn’t respond, she attempted to pick it up, and that’s when it bit her on the middle finger of her right hand. Described by family members as a “tough lady” who grew up on a farm in Italy, Orrino first attempted to care for the wound herself (after killing the snake with her cane), but was eventually convinced she had to go to the hospital. She received several doses of antivenin at University Community Hospital (UCH) and was released two days later. According to UCH spokesman Will Darnell, Orrino is the sixth snakebite victim to be treated at the hospital this year, and UCH typically treats around a dozen or so victims per year. Most cases are not serious, Darnell says, providing that the victim stays calm and gets treatment ASAP. Bringing

Pygmy rattlesnakes may be small, but they pack a powerful bite. the snake in for identification, if possible, is also very helpful. “(Snakebites) can be fatal, especially for kids or senior citizens,” Darnell says. “Even bites from small snakes can do a lot of damage, and time is tissue (damage), as the saying goes.” Earlier this year, a 16-year-old Wharton High student also was bitten by a pygmy rattler when he reached into some bushes for a basketball, and last year, a New Tampa mail carrier was bitten by an eastern diamondback rattler hiding in a mailbox on his route. Pygmy rattlers are the smallest of the six species of poisonous snakes that are found in Florida, with full-grown adults measuring only around two feet long, but are also among he most abundant and most aggressive of those venomous species. They also don’t usually shake their usually-very-small rattles before striking, and are known to strike repeatedly when they are disturbed. For this reason, Gary Morse, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, says that the best course of action when encountering pygmy rattlers, or any kind of snake, for that matter, is to leave them alone.

new fees for those who use them. The county is in the process of finalizing its budget for next year, and looking for ways to cut more than $140 million from that budget, thanks to shrinking tax revenues from declining property values. One of the proposals that had been suggested at an earlier budget hearing was to close the county’s 14 regional and wilderness parks, including Flatwoods Park here in New Tampa, for one or more days per week. After an outcry of disapproval from many bicyclists and other regular park users, however, that idea was scrapped after a unanimous vote by the BOCC at a budget workshop on Aug. 13. “Our parks and trails improve the quality of life of our residents,” District 2 commissioner Ken Hagan said. Parks Dept. director Mark Thornton said the county could afford to keep the parks open by cutting back on staff positions and by charging some new fees for park users. He mentioned as possibilities a $2-per-car entry fee (with available yearly passes for $50 per person or $100 per family), a $5 boat ramp fee and an increase in the fee for overnight camping to $24. Those fees, however, would need to be officially voted on by the members of the BOCC before they can be put into place. The county will hold two public hearings on the final budget plan, on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and on Thursday,

Sept. 17, both at 6 p.m., where they will also vote to adopt the budget. Both meetings will be held at the County Center building (601 E. Kennedy Ave.) and will also be available for live viewing at hillsboroughcounty.org.

Mall Developers Fined

The developers of the Cypress Creek Town Center mall in Wesley Chapel were fined almost $300,000 for violating the terms of their building permit at the site, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is still reviewing the permit to determine whether or not the project should be allowed to move forward. According to a release issued by Army Corps spokesman Barry Vorse, the mall developers — Sierra Properties, Inc., and the Richard E. Jacobs Group — have agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $297,000 for violations of the Clean Water Act at the mall construction site just east of the I-75/S.R. 56 interchange. Vorse noted that the permit for the mall, which was issued by the Corps in May 2007, allowed the developers of the 1-million-plus-sq.-ft. mall to fill in more than 50 acres of wetlands on the site, but required them to perform the work in such as way as to prevent any other environmental damage to the surrounding ecosystem. That system includes Cypress Creek, which is a tributary of the Hillsborough

County Commissioners Vote Against Park Closures

Last week, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted against closing the regional parks on certain days, although they may still decide to impose some

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

River and a protected waterway. However, the Corps suspended the building permit in February last year after muddy water and runoff from the site breached the developers’ containment system and flowed into Cypress Creek on three separate occasions. The developer also cleared almost an acre of forested wetlands that they was supposed to have been preserved against any impacts, Vorse said. In addition to paying the fine, the developers have been cooperative in working to improve their containment measures at the site, he added, and have agreed to restore wetlands affected by the runoff and also to replant the wetlands that were cleared illegally. However, although the fine settles the runoff situation that has already cleared, Vorse says that the Corps’ permit review section in Tampa is still looking at other aspects of the building permit to decide whether it should be reinstated, revoked or modified. That decision is expected in a few weeks. Dee Layne, spokesperson for the Sierra Club of Tampa Bay, which has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Corps’ permit, says the fine isn’t enough, but should help to bolster their claim — that the massive project shouldn’t be built as planned in such a environmentally sensitive area. “The damage that they have done at that site far exceeds the amount of

the fine,” Layne says. “And, it points out what we’ve been saying all along, that the project is too big. They need to reduce the overall footprint and allow for more permeable surface.” Layne says the lawsuit is on hold while the Sierra Club awaits the final decision on the building permit. “That was the intent of the suit, to make the Corps pull the permit, review it, and make them (the mall developers) do it right,” Layne says. “And that’s what they’re doing. Now, we just have to wait and see what they decide.” A Jacobs Group spokesperson says the company remains committed to the project, and plans to move forward once the permit review is completed.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

S.R. 56 Extension Project Set To Open By End Of August! By Michael Smith According to a Pasco County official, the issues that have been holding up the opening of S.R. 56 between Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (BBD, aka C.R. 581) and Mansfield Blvd. in the Meadow Pointe subdivision have been resolved, and the county’s “game plan” is to have that part of the extension open by the start of the new school year, which begins in Pasco County on Monday, August 24. In addition, the second phase of the extension project, between Mansfield Blvd. and Meadow Pointe Blvd., could open by December. We recently spoke with Pasco County’s Engineering Services director Jim Widman, who said that the project is once again “moving along very well,” after being delayed while county officials and Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) worked to resolve the issue of who should pay for the relocation of the utility poles at the BBD/S.R. 56 intersection. Widman said the power company finally agreed to move the poles, and now that has been completed, there are just a few more finishing touches that need to be done before the roadway can be opened up to traffic between BBD and Mansfield Blvd. “The road is essentially connected,” Widman said. However, Widman adds that workers still have to add two eastbound lanes to S.R. 56 on the western side of the intersection, which, when it is completed, will have a total of three left-turn lanes (turning onto northbound BBD), three through lanes (continuing east on S.R. 56) and two right-turn lanes (heading south on BBD). Currently, there are only two left-turn lanes, two through lanes and two right-turn lanes, so Widman says one lane is now being added to the inside of the roadway and the other on the outside. There also will be another eastbound lane added to S.R. 56 on the east side of the intersection. That lane

will be built along the southernmost edge of the roadway, and will include a pair of curb cuts to allow access to the Publix-anchored Shoppes of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel shopping plaza. The plan has always been to make S.R. 56 six lanes wide where it passes by that plaza and the Shops at Wiregrass mall, before tapering down to four lanes east of Mansfield Blvd. There currently are only five lanes on that side of the intersection, however, because the owners of the plaza objected to the original plan, which included only one entrance from S.R. 56 into their plaza. Now, they have agreed to build the lane themselves, Widman says, and will not only build two entrances from the eastbound lanes, but also a left-turn lane from westbound S.R. 56 into the plaza. Widman says, “That’ll allow us to add a third through lane on that side.” Then, all that’s left is to re-surface the roadway with skid-resistant asphalt, add striping and signage, and it’s ready to be opened to traffic, Widman says. “Our game plan is to get all this done before school starts, so you might see them out there working at night,” he says. “But, everything is finally coming together, and the name of the game is to hurry up and get it open.” When it first opens, there won’t be a traffic signal at the S.R. 56/Mansfield Blvd. intersection, Widman says, because, until the extension is opened further eastward, drivers will only be able to turn left onto Mansfield from S.R. 56 or right onto S.R. 56 from Mansfield. The design does call for a signal at the intersection, but Widman says the county will conduct traffic counts once the roadway is opened to determine when a signal is necessary. The same goes for a planned signal at the main entrance to the Shops at Wiregrass, which also is included in the overall design but has not yet been built because the volume of traffic going into and coming out of the mall has not

The long-awaited eastward extension of S.R. 56 from Bruce B. Downs Blvd. to Mansfield Blvd. (in blue), should open by August 24.. warranted it yet. The overall road plan for the area calls for S.R. 56 to eventually be extended all the way to U.S. Hwy. 301 south of Zephyrhills. That won’t happen any time soon, but workers are

already paving the stretch of the roadway between Mansfield Blvd. and Meadow Pointe Blvd., and Widman says that part of the project should be finished by December, or possibly even sometime sooner.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Miss New Tampa Pageant

Applications are now being accepted for the Second Annual Miss New Tampa Pageant, which will be held at the Pebble Creek Community Center (18715 Bent Tree Lane) on Sunday, September 27. Contestants must be between the ages of 4-19 and live in either Hillsborough or surrounding counties. No pageant experience is necessary. All entrants will receive an official Miss New Tampa T-shirt. For more information, call Vicky McShane at 714-6513 or visit www.missnewtampapageant.com.

Call For Artists & Crafters

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

Host Families Needed

Volunteers are needed to host international exchange students through AYUSA International, a nonprofit high school foreign exchange stu-

dent organization. We welcome teenagers from over 65 countries worldwide and provide host family placement and ongoing supervision for 5- and 10-month academic programs. Host families provide meals and a bedroom (shared or private). The students pay for their other personal expenses while in the U.S. For more information, contact AYUSA Community Representative Erin Leschak at 245-4836 or visit www.ayusa.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’

Friday-, August 21-Sunday, August 23 – The Carrollwood Cultural Center and DJ Productions present a youth production of “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring middle- and high-school students from the Summer Broadway Series camp program. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, at the Carrollwood Cultural Center (4537 Lowell Rd.). Tickets will be available at the door and cost $10 for general admission and $5 for children ages 10 and under. For info, call 269-1310 or visit www.carrollwoodcenter.org.

New Tampa Family YMCA

Birthday Bash

Saturday, August 22 – All area residents are invited to come and help the New Tampa Family YMCA (16221 Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms) celebrate its eighth birthday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.. There is no cost to attend, and the event will include a Zumba party, bounce house and other games and activities, plus food, music and more, as well as the opportunity to win a variety of giveaways, including free and discounted memberships. For more info, call 866-9622.

Tampa Bay Newcomers

Tuesday, August 25 – The Tampa Bay Newcomers, which offers social events and community service activities for new residents, will hold its monthly luncheon at Mimi’s Café (11702 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.). The program will be entitled “Saving the Best For Last: Creating Our Lives After 50” with author Jean Peelen. For more information, or to make a reservation, contact Marilyn Smith at 977-6861 or by e-mail at dsmith9429@aol.com.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, August 26 – The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Circles New Tampa Bistro (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the Pebble Creek Col-

lection shopping plaza). For more info, call 760-4426.

New Tampa Kiwanis Club

Wednesday, August 26 – The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa meets every Wednesday at 11:45 am at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd). For more info, please send an email to info@newtampakiwanis.org or visit www.newtampakiwanis.org.

New Tampa P.A.R.

Wednesday, August 26 – New Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (P.A.R.) is a professional networking group that meets every Wednesday at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 5:30 p.m., for networking and nine holes of golf. There is a one-time $35 membership fee, and weekly greens and cart fees are $20. For more info, contact Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100 or e-mail clewandoski@westcoastfinancial.com.

Business Networking Int’l.

Wednesday, August 26 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who are dedicated to helping their businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Heritage Isles Clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr.). Call Matthew Riddell at 907-6565.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Evening Rotary

Thursday, August 27 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:15 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). On August 27, the group’s guest speaker will be Ashley Morton of Rotaract. For more information, call Sherri Ferguson at 892-9782.

New Tampa Rotary Club

Friday, August 28 – The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPG&CC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). On August 28, the club’s guest speaker will be Rotary District 6890 Randall Kizer; and on September 4, the club will welcome Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools MaryEllen Elia. For more information, visit www.newtamparotary.org or contact Matt Palmer at 972-9235 or matt.palmer@earthlink.net.

Community Safety Rally

Saturday, August 29 – The members of the New Tampa Cub Scout Packs 360 and 180, along with Boy Scout Troop 180, will host a Community Safety Rally & Game Day, 9 a.m.noon, at Compton Park in Tampa Palms. The event will include displays by the Tampa Police Department,

Tampa Fire Rescue and others, a variety of games and activities for the whole family and information available about joining the Scouts. For more information, visit www.Pack360Tampa.org.

Florida Writers Association

Saturday, September 5 – The Florida Writers Association meets on the first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Shops at Wiregrass mall in Wesley Chapel. All meetings are free and open to the public. The group’s featured speaker on Sept. 5 will be author/screenwriter Barbara Cronin Harrington, who will discuss aspects of writing in the crime genre. Call 9077739 for more information.

New Tampa Bridal Fair

Saturday, September 12 – Calling all brides-to-be! New Tampa Marketing & Concierge Services, Inc., presents the first New Tampa Bridal Fair, noon-3 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (8310 Galbraith Rd., across from Muvico) in New Tampa. On-hand will be caterers, bridal gown and cake makers, photographer/videographers, professional makeup artists, hair stylists, tuxedo rental shops, wedding planners and more! For attendance, sponsorship and participation info, call 763-8115 or visit NewTampaMarketing.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

2008-09 NTCC Board of Directors

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

President-Scott D. Estes

Board Members:

Matt Palmer, Treas. Rachel Haviland, Secy. Connie Bladon Fred Burns Jeremy Connelly Seema Jain Jerry Miller

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

Website: NewTampa.Org

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

Administrative Assistant: Position vacant!

Art Festival Cancelled; Estes Takes Over As Chamber President Although the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce definitely has kicked off its programming with a bang, there is some sad news to report. First of all, the Chamber’s Board of Directors, at its August meeting, voted to cancel the fourth annual New Tampa Art Festival, scheduled for November 21-22. Considering all the effort that it took to get the Chamber off the ground (and the transition from the Community Council to the Chamber), a majority of the Board members felt there wasn’t enough time to give the Art Festival the attention it needed to be a success this year. Although we still feel the Art Festival is a viable event that we hope to revive next year, we just didn’t feel like we had the time to ensure that success between now and November, In the other sad news, the Chamber’s charter president Jerry Miller has given up the position of president for personal reasons a few months earlier than he had planned. Jerry will be traveling more in the next year and will not be able to devote the effort that is needed to make this organization a success. Jerry will, however, remain an Todd J. Wiener, DMD, PA General Dentistry 14201 Professional Plaza • 14201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd

active member of the Chamber Board of Directors and the Events Committee chair, where he is currently involved in the planning for next year’s Taste of New Tampa. It has been my pleasure to work with Jerry, and on behalf of the board, we all wish to thank him for his four years of dedicated service to the New Tampa community. The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce has seen a lot of change as of late. We have also seen an enormous amount of excitement building from businesses and from our community towards our organization. As we facilitate the change from the Community Council to the Chamber of Commerce, and our organization grows, our members will no doubt be a catalyst of positive change in our community. We want to encourage everyone to join the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, if you have not already done so. You can join as a business or as a resident of New Tampa. We actually have members from all over Florida who have stepped up to join our ranks. Many of the benefits of membership include opportunities to

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Former Tampa City Council member Shawn Harrison (4th from left) was joined by New Tampa Chamber of Commerce Board members (l. to r.) Matt Palmer, Connie Bladon, Mary Ann Yaney, Kristen Kipp, Regina Ramalheira, Rachel Haviland and former president Jerry Miller at the July 21 Chamber breakfast held at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. grow your own business, member to member discounts, networking and becoming a part of New Tampa. Get involved, be an active member of one of our committees and help us shape the future prosperity of our New Tampa area.

Breakfast A Hit, Too!

Following on the heels of the hugely successful inaugural luncheon held at Polo’s Italian Grill on July 13, the first-ever New Tampa Chamber Breakfast held on July 21 at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club was also a success. Although it didn’t quite match the more than 60 local business folks who attended the luncheon at Polo’s, with almost 40 Chamber members present, guest speaker Shawn Harrison

(the former Tampa City Council member who is now a candidate for State House District 60 and also is a member of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority , or TBARTA) spoke on many topics, including upcoming changes to our transportation situation, going with the theme, “Helping Your Business Get There.” We know that great things are coming for our new Chamber and if these events are any indication of things to come, we have a wonderful future indeed! Respectfully, Scott D. Estes President

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publix In City Plaza At Tampa Palms To Be Renovated By Michael Smith Tampa Palms-area shoppers can look forward to some big changes at the area’s oldest shopping center, City Plaza at Tampa Palms. The Publix grocery store that has anchorsed the plaza for more than 20 years and the exterior of the plaza itself are scheduled to reeeive a major makeover. Officials for Publix, the plaza’s owner and its management company have all declined to comment on the renovations, but, according to plans that are now under review by the City of Tampa’s Office of Land Development Coordination and Zoning, the 46,791-sq.-ft. Publix is going to be completely torn down and replaced by a new 54,000-sq.-ft. store. The plaza, which was built in 1988 and measures a total of 431,214 sq. ft., is designed with two wings on either side of the Publix store, and the plans show that the entire middle section will be demolished, along with 6,386 sq.-ft. of the existing store spaces on either side, which are all currently empty, to make room for the new grocery store. In addition, the plans show that the entire facade of the plaza will be redone, with the existing parapets to

be extended and others added, new roofing installed, and new exterior finishes all the way around. The drivethrough lane at the southern end of the plaza (near the newly renamed Chase Bank) will be removed, as will some of the existing support columns that run the length of the plaza. We do not have official confirmation at this point, but we understand that construction on the project is supposed to begin in January and could take eight months or more. During that time, a large portion of the parking lot will be fenced off, but both entrances (near Chase and the other near the SunTrust Bank) to the plaza, as well as the businesses located on either side of the construction area (see map) expect to remain open. Steve Rothfarb, the owner of the Frame by Frame art gallery. which is immediately adjacent to what will become the construction zone, says he has heard about the plans for the renovation, but is still waiting to hear about all the final details. “Nothing is official yet,” he says. “But, in any case, I’m not planning on going anywhere.” Rothfarb, who has been a tenant at the plaza since 1991, adds that “it’s about time” the plaza received a new

Starting in January, City Plaza at Tampa Palms will undergo an extensive renovation. Stein Mart, Frame-By-Frame (FbF) Gallery & Ciccio’s/The Lodge are among the many businesses that will remain open during the construction. look, and he says he thinks it will ultimately be good for business. Susan Johnson, the subdivision/DRI coordinator for the city’s Land Development department, says that the plans have already been reviewed once and resubmitted to the department after some revisions were made. The remaining review process could take another few weeks or more. We will keep you posted.

World Of Beer Is Coming

In other business news, we have also learned that another section of Tampa Palms will be home to a whole

new World of Beer by the end of ‘09. City officials approved the necessary permits for the pub-style bar and restaurant earlier this year, and work is now under way to get the 2,500-sq.ft. space ready in the Pointe of Tampa Palms plaza (at the other end of the plaza from Coffee Beanery). The owners of the franchise business say World of Beer should open in about four months. Once it does open, the World of Beer will feature about 500 brands of beer from around the world, along with a selection of wines and a light menu. It will also feature both indoor and outdoor seating.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Seven Oaks Veterinarian Cares For Pets ‘As If They Were His Own’ By Kate Kramer Last month, veterinarian Sree Reddy, D.V.M., of the Seven Oaks Pet Hospital in the Cypress View Square Plaza on S.R. 56, met Gidget, a sixmonth-old puppy found on the side of S.R. 54 in Zephyrhills near Bealls. Gidget was not only abandoned, but severely injured — completely lacerated and bleeding from the neck to the abdomen with bite holes all over her body and one ear partially torn off. But, Dr. Reddy, didn’t give up. “I saw this dog, and I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “She was in real pain, but in her eyes she looked like she wanted to live, so we continued treating her.” Dr. Reddy already has performed three surgeries on Gidget and says she likely needs three more before returning to normal. He presumes the wounds were the result of Gidget being used as bait in a dog fight. Originally, Dr. Reddy thought Gidget also needed a skin graft, but her skin has healed so well that she may only need some additional stitches. For now, Wesley Chapel resident Cindy McCraine (who found Gidget) says the puppy is recovering well and is very happy — especially when playing fetch.

“Dr. Reddy was the only person willing to help us with Gidget’s injuries,” she says. “He cares about the pets as if they were his own.” Dr. Reddy grew up on a farm in India caring for sheep, goats, cows, dogs, cats and chickens. “I love pets and any large domestic animals,” he says. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” In 1998, Dr. Reddy graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine–Hyderabad in India and came to the U.S. for his residency internship. He started practicing veterinary medicine in Alabama in 2000 and then in Iowa. In 2004, he moved to a Clearwater practice until 2007, when he opened Seven Oaks Pet Hospital. Dr. Reddy owns two cats named Romeo and Hermine. Along with emergency and critical care, Dr. Reddy also can perform radiowave surgery which, unlike traditional scalpel surgery, seals nerve endings and closes off blood vessels while cutting. He says this process decreases postoperative pain and swelling, resulting in faster healing time. Dr. Reddy also uses laparoscopic spaying and will offer laser laparoscopy starting this month. Unlike normal spaying, which requires a 3-5-cm inci-

sion and about two weeks to heal, he says laparoscopic spays require about an 8-cm incision, but take only about two days to heal. Reddy says laparoscopy also can be used for liver or kidney biopsies, where he can look in the abdomen and take a small piece of tissue without complications.

A Holistic Approach

Along with traditional Veterinarian Dr. Sree Reddy of Seven Oaks Pet “Western” veterinarian servicHospital has a “hands-on” approach to care. es, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital also integrates Eastern medical practices editor/owner Gary Nager, who brings his golden retriever Goldie to Seven such as acupuncture, herbal and diet Oaks, says the wellness plan saves him therapy and traditional Chinese veterihundreds of dollars a year. “And everynary medicine for pets. one who works there really seems to And, because animals cannot tell love animals,” Gary says. “That’s really the doctors exactly what is bothering them, Dr. Reddy says yearly exams with important to me.” Additionally, Reddy is on call 24 blood work are very important. “Such hours a day, seven days a week, to hanexams help doctors understand an animal and prevent major problems before dle any pet emergencies. More Success Stories they start,” he says. Along with treating your pets’ To that end, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital offers wellness plans which, for just medical needs, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital $270, includes unlimited physical exams also works with several organizations to rescue stray animals, including Big for one year, plus up to two vaccinaHeart Rescue, Florida Lab Rescue and tions (blood and lab work are extra), Greyhound Rescue & Adoptions of but Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Bay. Microchipping also is available to help owners safely recover a lost or even stolen pet. Missy Medveczky, the owner of Big Heart Professional Pet Sitting Inc., says she recommends Dr. Reddy to many of her clients. As a vet technician herself, Medveczky (who lives in Dade City) has worked for eight years with various veterinarians and says she sees something different in Dr. Reddy. “It’s rare to have someone with such complete passion as Dr. Reddy,” she says. “He’s constantly researching and finding different treatments. He’s great and honest.” Along with her pet sitting business, Medveczky helps animals with her nonprofit animal rescue group, Big Heart Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. and takes any rescued dogs and cats needing medical attention to Reddy. Many times, according to Medveczky, holistic medical treatment offered at most vet offices is not enough and those pet owners have to go to a specialist for a truly holistic approach. Medveczky says she likes how Reddy integrates both holistic and conventional methods. “He’ll look at each animal individually and give individualized care,” she says. “He knows which treatments are best for each animal. He truly cares about these animals and is one of the

most compassionate veterinarians I have ever met.” She adds that Dr. Reddy gives each animal a thorough examination before determining treatment. “You’re not going in for a tenminute exam — you get your money’s worth,” says Medveczky. “He talks to you for quite a bit and wants to find what’s best for your pet.” Medveczky also uses Reddy for all of her own pets — two American pitbull terriers, a bull mastiff, a rottweiler, a hound dog and two cats. One of Medveczky’s rescues, Clover, a three-month old cat, suffered nerve damage when she was dropped in midair by an osprey. Reddy treated the kitten with acupuncture and electrosimulation and was able to get Clover walking again. Now, Medveczky says Clover can run faster than some of her other cats. Medveczky also appreciates that Dr. Reddy isn’t afraid to refer cases to specialists or other veterinarians in order to provide the best possible care. “If he doesn’t feel that he is th best person to handle a particular situation with an animal, he’ll refer you to someone who is,” she says. “He always wants to be 100-percent sure about what he’s doing [in any situation]. He truly always has each animal’s best interest at heart.”

In 2007, Lynette Malinchak of New Tampa turned to Dr. Reddy out of frustration when her 12-year-old golden retriever, Sampson, had a recurring urinary tract infection. At previous vets, Sampson underwent many cycles of antibiotics, but still had the problem. Rather than just treating Sampson’s symptoms, Reddy sent bacteria the dog’s urine to a lab to determine exactly what type of bacteria it was. “We had been dealing with this for three or four months, but Dr. Reddy took care of the problem,” she says. “After 10 days on the new antibiotic, it was gone.” Dr. Reddy also helped Malinchak’s 3-year-old golden retriever named Bella, who suffered from skin infections and dandruff. Before treating Bella, Dr. Reddy took pictures of her skin to a dermatologist. He then explained all of the treatment options to Malinchak and together, they decided that the right shampoo and diet would be a less invasive treatment for Bella.

“He doesn’t just automatically prescribe something,” she says. “He takes an all-around approach and understands how important our pets are to us. Plus, he’s always available. A lot of vets are hard to talk to, but he finds the time. If you need to talk to him directly, it’s never a problem.” Malinchak says she also appreciates that everyone who works at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, in addition to Dr. Reddy, really seem to care for her dogs. “You never feel rushed there. He always takes time to explain everything and is very informative and friendly,” she says. “Plus, Bella actually pulls me into the office and has a big smile on her face when she goes there. That’s definitely a good sign — they must be doing something right.” For more information about Seven Oaks Pet Hospital (located at 27227 S.R. 56), call 929-4100 or visit sevenoakspet.vetsuite.com. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Babysoft Carpet Cleaning Now Offers Tile & Grout Service By Michael Smith If you own carpeting and/or rugs, you may already know that Chris Kallas, owner of New Tampa’s Babysoft Carpet Cleaning, offers what his customers say is the best carpet cleaning service around. Now, however, he is branching out to offer complete kitchen and bath tile and grout cleaning and sealing services, too. Kallas, who was born in Greece, came to America 40 years ago, but still speaks with the heavy accent of his homeland. Before getting into the carpet cleaning business, he worked as a carpet installer for 25 years, inspired by his mother, who made rugs and blankets from the wool of sheep raised on the family farm back home. Eventually, however, he says grew tired of struggling with the huge, heavy rolls of carpeting and decided to go into business for himself. “Installing carpet is hard work, and you have to be on the floor all the time,” Kallas says. Unlike the big carpet cleaning franchises that offer quickie room cleaning specials, Kallas approaches his work like a true Old World European craftsman, says his partner Monica Smith. “He’s the most meticulous person

you’ll ever meet,” she says. “His workmanship is legend among his clients.” Smith recalls the case of one client who was trying to sell her home and was told by her Realtor that she would be better off getting rid of her old carpet altogether. Instead, she called in Kallas, who was able to clean the carpet so well that the Realtor thought the homeowner had replaced it. Kallas says that he is able to get such good results not only because of his attention to detail, but also because he uses only the top-of-the-line equipment and cleaning products to get the job done. For example, his main weapon against carpet stains is the RX20 Rotary Jet Extractor, which has a cleaning head that spins at an amazing 130 rpms, which means that its five cleaning nozzles pass over the carpet 650 times every minute. He also uses only the best cleaning chemicals, including special ones that are safe to use around children and pets. “Anyone can go and get a machine, but Chris has really invested a lot of money in his equipment and time in really learning the business,” Smith says, noting that Kallas is accredited by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Whatever his secret is, Kallas’ cus-

tomers really appreciate Chris as a person — and the results that he achieves. “He’s fantastic,” says Meadow Pointe resident Marie Cioffi, who has used Kallas’ services for eight years, mainly because of her dog, who she says does a lot of damage to her rugs. “It got to be so bad that I was embarrassed for him to come in, but he did a wonderful job.” Karen Cionci, who lives in the Whitehall neighborhood in Tampa Palms, says she tried some of the other big carpet cleaning companies, but wasn’t happy with the way they left her carpets soaking wet. “I started with Chris because I knew that he did a lot of other places where people are very, very particular, like I am,” she says. “Plus, he’s very friendly, gets the job done quickly, and is very neat and always on time. I would definitely recommend him.” Kallas says that he decided to begin offering the tile and grout cleaning services in response to many of his clients who had asked about it. Just as with the carpet cleaning service, he uses only the best tile and grout cleaning equipment — as well as a new chemical from DuPont that actually shaves away the outer layer of grout, revealing the clean grout underneath.

Chris Kallas, owner of Babysoft Carpet Cleaning can also clean your kitchen and bath tile and grout. For a limited time, Kallas is offering an introductory special. Order 500 sq. ft. or more of tile and grout cleaning and sealing (which helps to preserve the grout) and you’ll receive free carpet cleaning for up to three rooms of carpeting (up to 600 sq. ft.). For more information, call 991-7545 to make an appointment.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

For Quality Back-To-School Shoes, Step Into Little Feet By Michael Smith Well, the new school year is just around the corner, and with it comes a long list of things that parents have to buy or pay for in order to get their kids ready for the first day of classes. For example, at one elementary school in our area, the supply list for kindergarten and first-grade students calls for: a backpack, two packages of pencils, two boxes of crayons, one box of markers, one pair of scissors, eight glue sticks, two bottles of glue, two composition books, three spiral notebooks, two boxes of tissues, two packages of baby wipes and a bottle of hand sanitizer. The expenses could really add up, especially for those parents who have more than one child, and that list doesn’t even include things like physical exams, immunizations, activity fees, and of course, new clothing and, of course (at least for most kids), new shoes. Fortunately, Little Feet Shoes, in the Seven Oaks Plaza in front of Sam’s Club) is offering parents an opportunity to get some great deals on high-quality and fashionable shoes for girls and boys. The business was formerly known as Big Feet, Little Feet when it was locat-

ed in the Shoppes of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel plaza at S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd., but owner Diana Ciccarelli says she decided to narrow her focus to kids’ shoes only when she moved to her new location last month, and now carries nothing larger than a size 6 (boys and girls sizes). But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of different styles and brands to choose from. While Little Feet is an independent Stride Rite retailer, the store also carries many of the other topselling brands, too, such as Kid Express, Crocs, Robeez, pediped, the very popular girls’ line Lelli Kelly, and more. With more than 4,000 pairs of shoes in stock at any given time, “you certainly won’t come in and not find something you like,” Cicarelli says. Of course, she also adds that there’s much more to buying shoes for your children than simply looking for the latest styles and brands. “In young children, the biggest thing is fit,” she says. “Between the ages of zero and four, children outgrow their shoes about every three months, on average, so they need to have a good pair of shoes. It’s all about proper development.”

Ciccarelli says the most common problem she sees is children who come in with shoes that are too small, which can cramp the child’s feet, inhibit proper growth and even result in leg and back issues down the road. Some parents go the other way by The popular pediped line is just one of the brands buying shoes that are offered at Little Feet Shoes in Wesley Chapel. too large, so they can last a little longer, but Cicarelli says that need,” Ciccarelli says. In addition to shoes, Little Feet can be dangerous for young children, also carries a wide selection of dance too, because it could cause them to trip and ballet shoes, leotards and other and fall. The best way to avoid these accessories, custom hair bows, iPlay problems, she says, is to have your swim suits, socks, belts, children’s sunchild’s feet accurately measured and then select shoes that fit them properly. glasses and more. The store is open Monday-SaturIt also helps to have a knowledgeday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and noon-5 p.m. able salesperson who can recommend on Sundays. And, through Sunday, the right shoe in special cases, such as August 30, the store is offering a buythe line of shoes from Tsukihoshi. one-get-one-at-half-price special on all They’re not only machine-washable, Stride Rite brand shoes (second pair of but also come in wide and extra-wide sizes and include a special cup built into equal or lesser value only). For more information, drop by the heel to help stabilize both the foot and the shoe. the store (27607 S.R. 56), call 991“All of my staff members have 1785 or e-mail buylittlefeetshoes@ kids, so they know what kids want and yahoo.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Back to School”

Continued from page 1 discuss the matter with them after the fact. Several parents even went so far as to transfer their children to other schools. Johnson, meanwhile, said that the school needed the revenue that would be generated by the tower (the school receives a portion of the annual rent paid by the cell phone tower company to the School District, which was estimated at around $8,000 per year). She also said that as principal, she had the authority under School District policy to allow the cell tower to be built at the school. That was, in fact, the case, but, in the wake of the protests at Pride and other schools around the District where cell towers were being built or considered, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted earlier this year to amend the county’s regulations regarding cell towers to require public hearings to be held before any new towers can be built. However, the new regulations will not affect the tower at Pride. That may seem to be a lot to overcome, but Land, who served as assistant principal at Lawton Chiles Elementary in Tampa Palms the past four years, says she and her staff are

looking forward to the new year, and she plans to institute an “open-door policy” at Pride to improve communication between the school and the community. “We’re putting all of the challenges from last year behind us,” says Land, who has been in education for 15 years. “Pride has been an A school since it opened (in 2001), and we definitely plan to continue that.” Although Pride has been overcrowded for several years, Land says the new 12-room classroom wing, which opened at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year, helped to ease that situation, although the school still has four portable classrooms on campus. She also noted that a lot of work was done over the summer this year to help with the flooding that used to occur at the school seemingly every time it rained. “The entire campus was re-done over the summer to improve the drainage in the front and rear parking lots, and also between the buildings on the campus,” Land says. That, she adds, will also help with problems that the flooding used to cause at dismissal time, as parents lined up to pick up their children after school. As far as curriculum and programs go, Land says that she plans to follow in Johnson’s footsteps.

“Jamie did a fantastic job of keeping the school on the right track, and we want to continue that, although we may tweak some things as we go along,” she says. Land also invites all Pride students and their parents to visit the school when it holds its Back-To-School Open House on Monday, August 24, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. In addition to visiting the campus and seeing their new classrooms and teachers, parents can also stay afterward for a Meet-the-Principal session with Land beginning at 2 p.m. For more information, call the school office at 558-5400.

Test Exemption Policy Suspended

In other news, earlier this month the members of the Hillsborough County School Board voted to suspend the District’s long-standing policy of allowing students with perfect attendance and good grades to skip some of their final exams. Gaffney says the change is a “proactive, precautionary measure” aimed at keeping kids who may be sick, especially with swine flu, from wanting to come to school anyway in order to qualify for the exemptions. Gaffney says that School District officials participated in meetings over the summer with officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which are expecting a major outbreak of swine flu once the official flu season gets under way later this year. “We as a District are working very closely with (the CDC) to get direction on this,” Gaffney says. School Board officials, meanwhile, have said that they will form a committee to examine other incentivebased programs for this year.

from 1997-2007, and boasted a record of 213-73, left the school to take over as director of basketball operations at the University of South Florida, his alma mater, where he also played between 1982-86. During his tenure at Wharton, Tonelli led the Wildcats to one Elite 8, three Sweet Sixteen, and six regional State playoff appearances, as well as three district championships and three district runner-up finishes. In a statement issued by USF, Tonelli said that it was an easy choice to return to Wharton. “The opportunity came about for me to go back to Wharton and I just felt like it was an opportunity for me, the sake of my family and professionally, that I couldn’t pass up,” he said. In other coaching news, Freedom High athletic director Elijah Thomas announced earlier this year that the school had hired Andrew “A.J.” Leppler as that school’s new head baseball coach. Leppler, who led the Wiregrass Ranch High baseball team to a 13-12 record last year, replaces former Freedom coach Jonathan Reinbold, who resigned in the middle of last season. Freedom also named former Plant High defensive coordinator James Harrell as the Patriots’ new head football coach, replacing former coach Marquel Blackwell, who was dismissed last year after being arrested for DUI.

Popular Coach Returns

In sports news, Wharton High basketball fans will no doubt be happy to see popular boys basketball coach Tommy Tonelli returning to the sidelines of the Wildcats games this year. Tonelli, who coached at Wharton

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa-Area Schools Are Among The State’s Top-Rated

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Harold H. Clark Elementary

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Grades 6 - 8 9020 Imperial Oak Blvd., Live Oak Preserve 907-6801 Principal: Nadine Johnson

Grades 6 - 8 10101 Cross Creek Blvd. 631-4694 Principal: John Sanders

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Grades K -5 18201 East Meadows Rd., Heritage Isles 740-4580 Principal: Shirley Porebski

Grades K - 5 10310 Lion’s Den Dr. 558-5400 Principal: Cindy Land

Grades K - 5 6100 Tampa Palms Blvd. – 975-7390 Principal: Kimberly Keenan

Grades K - 5 9190 Imperial Oak Blvd. 907-9066 Principal: Donna Ares

Grades 9 -12 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 631-4710 Principal: Bradley Woods

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Fund Raisers”

Continued from page 1 says he’s been building up towards his first 100-mile ride, but says that, “I told myself that if I was going to do it, then I want to do it for a good cause.” That’s why he and a group of seven other local riders decided to band together to raise money during the Century Ride for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Tampa Bay, through the organization’s Team in Training program. DeVore says he is hoping to raise $2,000, of which he already has about $600, but has trouble raising money because he spends so much time at sea. So, he’s hoping some New Tampa bikers or those whose family members have been affected by leukemia will help him meet his goal. For more information, or to make a donation, visit DeVore’s fund raising website at pages.teamintraining.org/sun/waterway09/bdevore.

Eagle Scout Project Needs Money & Materials

Another local hero is 17-year-old Tampa Palms resident Joe Gazzillo, who has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America since he was in the second grade. Now, he’s a member of St. Mark’s Troop #148, and he’s working to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest honor the Scouts bestow upon their youth members. As part of the requirements for becoming an Eagle Scout, Gazzillo has to plan, organize and carry out a community service project, and for his project, he has chosen to build a wildlife garden at Lawton Chiles Elementary in Tampa Palms, where his brother attends classes. Gazzillo says that he was looking for a project to do when he learned that his brother’s science teacher, Sharon Cutler, a former Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year nominee, wanted to create a natural habitat for the turtles and some of the other animals that she keeps for her classes. So, he met with Cutler to get some of the specifics of what she was looking for, such as a fence buried at least two feet underground so the turtles can’t dig their way out, and set about gathering materials and other supplies that he needs to complete the 400-sq.-ft. garden. “I want to put in some native plant species and make it something that they can add to over time,” Gazzillo says, adding that he hopes to start work on the project by mid-September. He says he could use either donations of materials, such as concrete blocks, bricks or pavers; or funds, in the form of checks that can be made out to Boy Scout Troop 148. For more information, or to make a donation, e-mail joegazillo4eagle@hotmail. com.

Help The ‘High Heel Hikers’

Next, we have New Tampa mom Aimee Lucas, who is best known locally for her efforts to get the skateboard facility built at the New Tampa Community Park. This year, Lucas and a group of her friends, known collectively as “The Real Housewives of New Tampa,” are participating in the sixth These clones of the pop star Pink hope to annual High Heel Hike, which this year benefits actress Jenny McCarthy’s see you at the 2009 “High Heel Hike.” Generation Rescue organization for the door. VIP tables for six people also children with autism. are available for a donation of $1,000. The High Heel Hike, which is Visit the website for more information. organized by Plant City artist Jules Burt, is basically a 1K walkathon where ‘Boobies’ & Breast Cancer women take to the streets wearing, as Although the above headline may you might have guessed, high heels and cause concern for some of our readers, usually, a variety of wild wigs, makeup don’t worry, because it simply refers to and outfits. Each year’s event is geared a group of area women who call themtowards raising money for a particular selves “Team Boobie Lovin’,” who are charity or cause, and some of the recipi- working to raise money for the Susan ents in past years have included Easter G. Komen for the Cure’s annual 60Seals of Florida, the H. Lee Moffitt mile Breast Cancer Three-Day (3-Day) Cancer Center & Research Institute, walk, which will take place in Tampa and the National Music Foundation. All Bay over the Halloween weekend. of the past events have been held in the The team is led by Patti Morris, Hyde Park area of Tampa, but this year, who lives in Palm Harbor but who there will actually be three different works at the Metlife Insurance office in Hikes, one on Saturday, August 22, in New Tampa, as do many of the members of her team. Morris, who was diagPlant City; one on Saturday, Septemnosed with breast cancer in 2008 after ber 26, at the Westshore Plaza mall in undergoing months of chemotherapy Tampa, and the last on Saturday, and radiation treatment, celebrated a October 3, in Boca Raton. Lucas and year of being cancer-free on August 4. the rest of “The Real Housewives” ill Now, in an effort to help others participate in the Westshore Hike. make the same successful recovery, Lucas, who says that she and Burt Morris, Patti’s daughter Krista and a have been friends for some time, was group of eight friends and co-workers inspired to participate in this year’s are planning several special events to event by a friend whose son has autism. help raise money for the 3-Day. The “I’ve been wanting to do it for a group’s goal is $20,500, of which they while, so I thought this year would be have already raised more than half. the perfect opportunity,” Lucas says. The first event will be a golf tourThe fund raising goal for the three events (combined) is $75,000, of which nament that will be held at Pebble Creek Golf Club on Friday, September the Real Housewives are looking to 18, with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The chip in as much as possible, and Lucas cost for entering the tourney is $75 per says her team has been challenged to a person, which includes greens fees, fund raising duel with some of the lunch, prizes, and “a lot of fun,” Morris teams from South Tampa. says. There also will be a Hole In One If you’re interested in helping out, shootout with a possible prize of visit the website and click on the fund $50,000, and a putting contest. Wear a raising link. Then, search for the “Real pink item of clothing to be eligible to Housewives of New Tampa” page and you can make your donation through the site. Individuals and local businesses are urged to contribute, and sponsorship opportunities also are available. If, on the other hand, you’d like to receive something more tangible than personal satisfaction for your donation, Burt and the other High Heel Hike organizers are putting on a special event, “GlamBall,” on Monday, September 28, at Floyd’s Night Club at the Seminole Hard Rock casino off Orient Rd. and I-4. Tickets for the event, which is billed as “A Night of Debauchery & Glamour” on the website (there also will be food, beverages, entertainment, a silent auction and more), cost $75 in advance or $95 at

enter a special “Pink” raffle. Krista’s 30th birthday party will be a fund raiser as well. The party will get under way at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, at the Blur nightclub in Dunedin, and it will feature live music, raffles, contests for best Boobie Lovin’ costume, and more. And finally, on Friday, October 9, the team will host the “Fashion for a Cure” fashion show, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites (8310 Galbraith Rd.) in Highwoods Preserve). The show will include clothing and accessories from local stores, modeled by the team members and their friends. Tickets will go on sale the first week of September and cost $25 per person, which includes light hors d’ oeuvres and beverages. For information about any of these events, or to find out how to make a donation to the team, send an e-mail to pmorris1@metlife.com.

Sponsors & Players Sought To ‘Tee Up For Our Troops’

On October 9, 2009, the third annual “Tee Up For Our Troops” charity golf tournament will again be held at the MacDill Air Force Base golf course, a private course that usually only club members and those stationed at the base (and their guests) can play. The tournament, which is being organized again by New Tampa Noon Rotary Club member Valerie Casey, will again benefit the Tampa Fisher House, a 16,000-sq.-ft., 21-room home located adjacent to the James A. Haley Veterans Adminiustration Hospital. The Tampa Fisher House, which opened in 2007, the “home away from home” for families of wounded military members and veterans who receive treatment at the VA hospital. We’ll have more info in our next issue. For information about sponsorships ($750 for a foursome) or individual play ($125 per golfer), e-mail valcasey@tampabay.rr.com. To tell us about a fund-raising or other event you’re working on, visit NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT IRENE OCASIO AT (813) 632-9452 For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Sr. Softball All-Stars Wins Sectionals Congratulations go out to the New Tampa Little League (NTLL) Senior League (ages 14-16) Softball All-Stars, who finished 2-1 in pool play at the State tournament finals but did not advance to the champsionship game, after taking home the championship at the Florida Section 4 tournament (photo). At the State tourney, the NTLL All-Stars beat Southside 10-8, lost 10-4 to Lehigh and beat Port St. Lucie 6-2, but despite finishing in a three-way tie for the best record, lost the “average runs against” tie-breaker. Nonetheless, the Senior Softball All-Stars finished Districts, Sectionals and States with a sparkling combined record of 7-1. Here are the other results of NTLL’s 2009 Baseball and Softball AllStar teams: Section 4 All-Star Tournament: •Ages 10-11 Softball: Runner Up Champions •Ages 9-10 Baseball: Runner Up Champions

District 25 All Star Results: •Senior (14-16) Softball: Dist. Champions •Ages 9-10 Baseball: District Champions •Ages 9-10 SB: Runner-Up Champions •Little League (11-12) Softball: Runner-Up Champs •Ages 10-11 Baseball: Runner-Up Champs •Little League (11-12) RunnerUp Champs •Junior (13-14) Baseball: RunnerUp Champions We also congratulate Clayton Coringrato and Jonathan Baughman of the Age 9-10 NTLL Baseball All-Stars, who each hit home runs (Coringrado hit 2) at the Section 4 Tourney. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Area Residents Enjoy ‘National Night Out’ Activities On August 4, residents from our area joined people in communities across the country for the 26th annual “National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime,” which is an event designed to help prevent crime by getting people out to meet their local public safety officials, to learn more about how to protect themselves and about the importance of participating in programs like Neighborhood Watch. This year, in addition to the longerestablished NNO events in Hunter’s Green, Heritage Isles and Tampa Palms, there was a new event organized by the residents of the Grand Hampton subdivision (Grand Hampton developer LandMar Group, LLC, and Community Kids take part in the indoor activities Clubhouse owner Hampton Golf proat the Heritage Isles event. vided hot dogs, snacks and beverages for of more than 600 HG residents (thanks the event, which was held at the Comto Community-Wide Neighborhood munity Clubhouse). Wartch coordinator James Lombardi, All were well attended, and as you the community’s webmaster Josh Bodcan see from the pictures on this page diford and the Hunter’s Green Master and page 48, everyone apparently had a Association. great time enjoying their community’s Meanwhile, Grand Hampton big night out. organizer (and TPD officer) Fred “National Night Out and Neighborhood Watch are very instrumental in Arnold says he is happy with the 30 or so fellow residents of his community helping us to do our job,” said Tampa who attended, some of whom signed up Police Chief Stephen Hogue, who visitto participate in the community’s new ed all four of the events in our area. “It Neighborhood Watch program. helps to open a great line of communi“If we want to help protect our cation between us and the community community, we have to start someand between the community residents place,” says Arnold. Unfortunately, we themselves.” Hunter’s Green (HG) celebrated its For more “Night Out” photos and info, 15th annual Night Out with attendance turn to page 48.

As always, getting to sit behind the wheel of a real fire truck was a huge draw for kids at the Hunter’s Green National Night Out event.

Above, Tampa Police Department Patrolman R.A. Cullifer shows off the bells and whistles of his motorcycle at the NNO event in Tampa Palms.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘WaZoo’ Rocks; ‘Zoofari’ Is Next! Although it was a hot, muggy evening, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the food and fun at the 14th annual “WaZoo,” which was held at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo (1101 W. Sligh Ave.) on August 1. The annual beer-tasting event, which has been named one of the “10 Great Beer Festivals in the U.S.” by USA Today, was presented by J.J. Taylor Distributing and attended by more than 3,600 people. The net revenue generated by those attendees and sponsors was reported to be around $110,000 to benefit the wonderful programs at the zoo. Lowry Park Zoo was named the #1 zoo in the U.S. by Parents magazine this year and a visit any time is perfect for kids of all ages. At WaZoo, a panel of judges picked the following three beers as “Best in Show” among more than 250 being served at the event, although none of these were among my many favorites: 1st-Malheur (Belgium) 2nd-Cigar City Brewing Barrel Aged Wee Heavy (Tampa) 3rd-DeProef Zoetzuur Flemish Ale (Belgium) As impressed as I was with the beer selection, I also have to give big props to the Rusty Pelican restaurant

The beer was flowing at Lowry Park Zoo’s “WaZoo” on August 1. on Rocky Point, which offered delicious grilled grouper and scallops throughout the event. The entertainment was great and the hospitality, as always, was top-notch. I absolutely can’t wait for the 23rd annual “Zoofari” food festival, which will be held at Lowry Park Zoo on Saturday, November 7, 7 p.m.11 p.m. As always, expect the very best restaurants in the Tampa Bay area to participate and enjoy a great art auction, headline entertainment (headliner not yet announced at aour press time) and much more, all for just $75 (if you register on-line at LowryParkZoo.com, or $80 by phone). It’s well worth the price! For more information, call 935-8552, stop by the zoo’s office or visit LowryParkZoo.com. — GN

If you visit Lowry Park Zoo, the one-month-old Indian rhinoceros calf pictured above should have a name. The zoo’s naming contest ended August 14.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Identities Salon Event Nets 41 Ponytails For Locks Of Love!

The New Identities Hair Studios of Tampa Palms and Riverview are proud to announce the results of a very special recent charity event. On this page are pictures from New Identities’ charity hair-cutting event for the Locks Of Love organization, held over two weekends in August at the Brandon Town Center shopping mall. In total, the staff at New Identities cut off and collected 41 ponytails of 10 inches or longer during the event, in an effort to supply hair pieces for this amazing children's charity! New Identities has collected approximately 83 additional ponytails for Locks of Love over the past few months, so the total to be sent to Locks of Love is 124 ponytails!! The Locks-Of-Love organization (LocksofLove.org), is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 in the U.S. and Canada suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. The organization meets a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia

areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers. New Identities Hair Studios has been heavily involved in fund raising for Locks Of Love for many years. All hair services during the event were complimentary to the public, and New Identities was forwarding the 124 hair donations to Locks Of Love as we went to press with this issue. The New Identities Hair Studios staff also raffled off a $350 (retail value) “Basket of Beauty” that was won by Amanda Rachwal of Land O’Lakes. Owners Marc and Kelly Rockquemore say they are proud to support this wonderful organization. As we have reported many times, New Identities Hair Salon is also the salon of choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders!! For additional information, visit either of New Identities’ locations — at 15307 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms (979-0760), or the South Shore location at 10639 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview (741-1177) or visit NewIdentitiesSalon.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Bruster’s Ice-Cream-Eating Contest Brings Out A Crowd! There’s little doubt that Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, located on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in front of Live Oak Preserve, can put a smile on almost anyone’s face. But, it was a little harder for some folks to smile after indulging in Bruster’s recent IceCream-Eating Contest & Carnbival! The contestants were divided by ages (6-9, 10-13, 1417 and 18 & older) and a great time was had by all, as Bruster’s owners Matt and Judy Provenzano also served up DJ dance music, face painting, balloon animals and hula hoop and dance contests (plus Marco’s Pizza) on a hot afternoon in late July. Unfortunately, we had to leave before we got the winners’ names, but the event itself was definitely a blast! Visit Bruster’s Real Ice Cream at 20303 BBD Blvd., on the web at Brusters IceCream.com or call 907-7458 to find out about Bruster’s August specials! — GN

The staff at Bruster’s got to do a little dancing of their own during the event.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Our Dining Survey & Contest has a whole new format — simply tell us your ten favorite restaurants in New Tampa, your 10 favorites in Wesley Chapel and your ten favorites in the entire Tampa Bay area (you can even include your favorite coffee houses, sandwich and smoothie shops, etc.). The bottom line is still the same — all entries have a chance to win one of at least ten $20 (minimum; it could be more!) gift certificates to a local dining establishment AND an equal chance to win a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice in the Tampa Bay area! If your name is selected at random to be our Grand Prize winner, we’ll give you $100 to the restaurant you select as your “#1 Favorite in Tampa Bay!” Enter by fax, U.S. mail or e-mail (don’t forget to include ALL of your personal information — name, address, community you live in, zip code & daytime telephone number — on all e-mailed entries) or enter at our website (NTNeighborhoodNews.com) by Friday, October 30, 2009, to be eligible! — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles: Wiregrass To Add Steakhouse, Night Club & Yogurt For our latest Wesley Chapel dining “Nibbles,” we have the newest planned openings at the Shops at Wiregrass, plus the opening of a new bagel shop on S.R. 54 and the re-opening of a local favorite sushi bar.

Prime Bar, Aja & Yogurt At Shops At Wiregrass The way new places keep opening at The Shops at Wiregrass, you might not think the economy was in such bad shape. In addition to the mall’s existing upscale eateries like Cantina Laredo, GrillSmith and Yamato Japanese Steak & Sushi, the mall’s main office has confirmed signs around the Shops that the Prime Bar Steakhouse and Aja Night Club will open before the end of 2009. Aja, which has a hot local sister club already open in Channelside, will be an equally upscale dance club. The Channelside location is around 12,000 sq. ft., but Wiregrass officials didn’t say

Signs proclaim that the second Tampaarea location of Aja Night Club is coming to The Shops at Wiregrass.

whether the new Aja will be that big, or exactly when it would open, other than to say it should be “sometime this fall.” Even less information was currently available about Prime Bar, but the mall spokesperson we spoke to said that it is expected to be a “prime steakhouse” which should be open by the end of the year. Opening by around the time you read this, between Cantina Laredo and The Brass Tap in the Shops, is You Say When Yogurt Shoppe, a new frozen yogurt chain with an existing location in the Brandon Town Center and new stores opening in Sarasota, Miami, Jacksonville and near USF, as well as at Wiregrass. I’ve yet to sample it in Brandon, but it definitely looks delicious — and on my diet!

Circles Adds ‘Full Circle’ Dinners

As we head into our 2009 Dining Survey & Contest (see preceding page), I hear that now may be the best time ever to re-visit Circles New Tampa Bistro in the Pebble Creek Collection, which has been named your favorite restaurant (and mine) in New Tampa for several years running. Owners Donna and Chef Louie Sinudom were finalizing the details of Circles new “Full Circle’ Dinner Spe-

cials — their own twist on the two-entrees-forone-low-price “stimulus” specials being offered by many chain eateries. At Circles, two people will be able to enjoy two great entrées (the Chicken Napolitana above is just one possibility), plus your choice of a glass of wine or a decadent dessert for one low price. Call Circles New Tampa Bistro (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Pebble Creek Collection) at 9737703 to find out more.

York-style bagels in virtually every variety, but Bagelicious is so much more than just a bagel place. Yes, Bageliciouc has great bagels with a huge variety of cream cheeses and even real Nova Scotia salmon (photo), but there are also yummy bagel breakfast and lunch sandwiches, fluffy omelets and other egg dishes, wrap sandwiches, grilled hamburgers, soups, salads and even great pastries, cookies and coffees. Please remember to tell Linda & Co. we sent you! Bagelicious & More is located at 30032 S.R. 54 E., next to Beer Runners. Call 406-4403.

Bagelicious & More Opens

I have already eaten a couple of times at the yummy new Bagelicious & More, located in the Freedom II Plaza on S.R. 54 east of Saddlebrook Resort, and I have to say it’s a delicious addition to the area for everything from early morning breakfast to late lunch Monday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Owner Linda Carr and her friendly crew feature house-baked fresh New

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Sushi Ko Moves To New Tampa Center & Adds Chinese Menu! By Gary Nager I have been a big fan of owner Tim Chan’s Sushi Ko Japanese Restaurant since it opened a couple of years ago behind Boston Market and FedEx Office (formerly Kinko’s) in the Highwoods Preserve area. A couple of months ago, Sushi Ko closed that location and recently re-opened in the former location of Kado Japanese Steak & Sushi in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tim, who had previously added a Chinese Dim Sum menu at his old location, has now expanded his Chinese cuisine offerings in his new location — and I, for one, believe the new menu is going to be a big hit. First of all, the sushi and Japanese fare in general are still top-notch. I am still partial to sushi chef Tan’s awesome tuna tataki, and Tan is always happy to split the dish between the tuna and tilapia or grouper or whatever white meat sushi he has in-house. But now, in addition to Japanese appetizers like deep-fried soft shell crabs, steamed or fried pork dumplings (gyoza), edamame (soy

If you’re at all like our editor, you’ll start your meal at Sushi Ko Japanese/Chinese Restaurant in the New Tampa Center with a combination tilapia and tuna tataki, crispy Chinese egg rolls and the best barbecued spare ribs in town. bean pods), sumai (steamed shrimp dumplings) and a wonderful miso (tofu) soup, you also can enjoy great Chinese appetizers, like egg rolls, spring rolls, chicken or beef on skewers and what I believe are the best barbecued spare ribs I’ve had anywhere in Tampa. Seriously! For main dishes, in addition to my Japanese favorites, including chicken or steak (there’s also salmon) teriyaki, deep-fried chicken or grouper katsu and chicken, steak, or vegetable teppanyaki-table-style entreés, there’s a whole new world of Chinese main dishes available at Sushi Ko, too. Although I’ve only sampled a few of those Chinese entrées so far, I

already love Tim’s new beef with broccoli, roast pork or chicken with garlic sauce and, especially, his delicious Young Chow fried rice, although I have him hold out the shrimp for me because I’ve developed an allergy to shrimp. Also on the new Chinese cuisine menu are a variety of noodle dishes, from veggie, chicken, pork, beef or shrimp lo mein, to Chow Mei Fun (thin, stir-fried rice noodle dishes) and Chow Ho Fun (wide noodles stir-fried with mixed veggies). Other favorites I plan to try are the sesame chicken, Szechuan beef and Mongolian roast pork (with scallions, onions and sweet soy sauce).

For seafood, there’s several shrimp, scallop and salmon dishes, as well as Chef’s Specialties such as bourbon chicken, orange beef, Seafood Delight (scallops, shrimp and crabmeat with mixed veggies) and General Tso’s chicken. If you want to go even crazier, try the Seven Star for two, which combines beef, chicken, pork, scallops and mixed veggies in another great brown sauce, all topped with breaded white meat chicken, breaded shrimp and sweet and sour sauce (on the side). There’s even a Seafood Delight featuring shrimp, lobster, crab meat, scallops and mixed veggies with garlic sauce. Since Sushi Ko also is open for

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Among our editor’s favorite new Chinese dishes at Sushi Ko Sushi Bar, Japanes & Chinese Cuisine Restaurant are the beef with broccoli (far left) and Young Chow fried rice (center), although Sushi Ko still also has outstanding Japanese cuisine, including Teppanyaki-style steak or chicken (served with fried rice). Sushi Ko may not have teppanyaki (hibachi) tables, but the cuisine is hard to beat! lunch, you might want to check out still have soft drinks and great green Tim’s Chinese lunch specials, all of tea. Until he has his license (and he’s which are served with fried rice and working on it!), you can bring your your choice of an egg roll or wonton own alcoholic beverages to Sushi Ko. or egg drop soup. All 20 of the lunch Sushi Ko Sushi Bar, Japanese & special dishes cost only $6.50-$7.25 Chinese Cuisine Restaurant’s NEW and includes such favorites as shrimp address is 19050 BBD Blvd. It is with lobster sauce, Moo Goo Gai Pan, open every day for lunch and dinKung Pao chicken, vegetable delight ner (Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.and pepper steak with onions. 10 p.m., 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on Unfortunately, Sushi Ko currently Friday, noon-10:30 p.m. on Saturdoes not have a liquor license, so all of day and noon-9:30 p.m. on Sunthose wonderful Japanese beers, hot day). and cold sakes and even great wines For additional information, call Tim served at his old location are not 978-8586 and please be sure to tell currently available, although he does Tim and his wife we sent you!

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“Night Out”

Continued from page 31 were unable to attend or get pictures of the Grand Hampton event before our press time. Meanwhile, at Heritage Islaes, an estimated 120 people attended the community’s first-ever inside NNO event. “Being inside definitely drove down attendance a little this year,” says co-organizer Barbara Adams, “but we were happy that Kennedy BBQ, which is re-opening our clubhouse restaurant soon, was able to provide hot dogs for the kids.” — MS & GN

Above: Tampa Police Chief Stephen Hogue and Lt. Tom Wolff meet the organizers of the Hunter’s Green event. (Right) Tampa Palms kids get up-close-and-personal with a police horse and (below left) a delicious-looking cake!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

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

Classifıeds

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P E T

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Animals’ Best Friend says, “Pets Deserve Good Love & Care, Even Times When You’re Not There!” In-your-home pet-sitting svcs, including dog walks, multiple & overnight visits, administering meds, plus love & attention. Licensed, bonded & insured. Call 765-5515 for a free consultation. Or, visit www.animalsbestfriend.net. Professional Pet Care Exp’d. pet sitters. We walk, play, feed & administer medicine, all in the comfort of your pet’s home. We also bring in mail, water plants & help maintain home security while you’re away. Bonded, insured & trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR. Call For The Love Of Pets at 545-8406 or 416-3126. Or visit www.ForTheLoveOfPetsOnLine.com. Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye - we say hello. Cats are happiest when in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. We help deter crime by bringing newspaper/mail & rotating lights/blinds, giving your home that lived-in look. Licensed, bonded & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com. New Tampa Pet Sitting Service. Lots of love & care for your pets. Great experience & references. Recommended by Angie’s List. Licensed, Insured & Red Cross Certified. Call Marina @ 416-5301.

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ATTENTION ALL REALTORS! The Real Estate "POWER TEAM" has moved to RemaxFirst in Real Estate. Now hiring new team members. Please call Regina Ramalheira at 813245-8893. New Office/ great Bruce B Downs location in front of Live Oak.

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

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M U S I C

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Beautiful outdoors! Construction superintendent at your service! Landscape design, clean-up & mulching, repairs for roofs, screening, sprinklers, drywall & shelving. Garage clean out, help with moving, packing & storage. Pressure washing, painting inside & out. Professional service at bargain prices! Call Dennis 601-4560. Clean-outs—abandoned homes, garage cleaning. Pressure washing; odd jobs—painting, tile work, etc. Contact Sure Window Cleaning 926-9943. Graphic Electric, Inc. Electrical contractor available. Service upgrades, room additions, remodels,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 17 • August 21, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com