New Tampa Neighborhood News 17-12 by Neighborhood News

Volume 20 Issue 17

Inside: Why You Should Vote In The Aug. 14 Primary!

August 11, 2012

See page 3!

The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE IS DIRECTLY MAILED TO: NEW TAMPA: Arbor Greene • Cory Lake Isles • Cross Creek • Easton Park • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • The Hammocks • 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 • The Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg

‘Gateway Bridge’ Ahead Of Schedule, Eyes December Completion By Matt Wiley New Tampa and Wesley Chapel commuters will soon see more than just stationary construction vehicles and contracting crews crossing the span of roadway that stretches across I-75, between the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and S.R. 56 interchanges. If construction continues at its current pace, the so-called New Tampa Gateway Bridge could be completed by the end of the calendar year. “Construction has gone smoothly,” says David Vaughn, director of contract administration for the City of Tampa. “We just paved the bridge deck and we’re ahead of schedule.” The $12.4-million, 0.7-mile bridge project that will connect Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms to New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows is on track for a December completion, almost six months ahead of the original

contracted end date of May 2013. However, Vaughn says, there is significant interest in timing the opening of the bridge with other major road construction projects in the area. “We’re trying to time the opening of the bridge with the widening of Commerce Park Blvd., the installation of a traffic light in front of Freedom High and the widening of Bruce B. Downs between Palm Springs Blvd. and Pebble Creek Blvd.,” he explains. “We want it all done at the same time.” The bridge is being built with the option to one day expand into a fourlane roadway, but will open as a twolane road and remain that way for the foreseeable future, Vaughn says, adding, “There is currently no timetable for expanding the road after it opens.” When the bridge does open, it will feature sidewalks on both sides, eight feet wide on the north side and five feet on the south side, offering a safer way

The nearly-completed New Tampa “Gateway Bridge” stretches across I-75, just north of the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. interchange. for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel from Tampa Palms into New Tampa, especially students of Freedom High and Liberty Middle School on the

Tampa Palms side and Clark Elementary on the West Meadows side, without having to ever get stuck in the heavy traffic on BBD.

State House Dist. 63 Democratic Candidates Square Off In Aug. 14 Primary! Primary Election Winner Will Square Off Against Current District 60 Rep. Shawn Harrison

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Fatal Stabbing In Pebble Creek, New Tampa Oakley’s Grille Celebrates A Year In Business, Rec Center To Expand, New Tampa’s First Local Resident Leads All-Amputee Color Mosque Opens, Lots Of Local Business Guard & An Expanded ‘Nibbles & Biz Bytes’ News & Much More! Column & More!

Pages 1-40

Pages 41-52

degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Hafeez, 28, says that he feels qualified to represent New Tampa in the Florida House. See “Primary” on page 28.

ZJ Hafeez

Hafeez feels confident that he will be the name on the November ballot. With economics and political science degrees from the New College of Florida in Sarasota, as well as a law

ECRWSS

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

Mark Danish (left) and ZJ Hafeez will square off in the primary vote Aug. 14.

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

“We caught the mistake early,” says Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office spokesperson Travis Abercrombie. “We mailed out corrected ballots on July 18 with an insert that explained to voters that the initial ballots were incorrect.” Abercrombie says that the office has been keeping track of who requested the ballots while making sure that the ballots that are returned are the corrected versions. The winner of the primary on August 14 will go head-to-head against Harrison in the general election in November.

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

Following a small hiccup in issuing correct absentee ballots, the Florida House District 63 primary election is fast approaching and two Democrats have their eyes set on the seat currently held by District 60 Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-New Tampa), but they will have to defeat one another first. On July 16, 166 New Tampa reg-

istered Democrats in Precinct 363 received absentee ballots that were missing this Democratic primary race, which is set for a vote on Tuesday, August 14. In the running to be Harrison’s Democratic opponent are ZJ Hafeez, who has run for the Florida legislature in another district, and longtime area resident Mark Danish. Neither name appeared on the initial absentee ballots.

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Matt Wiley

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Editorial-Why You Should Vote In The Aug. 14 Primary Election! Even though I went into the 2008 election season with an open mind and watched all of the debates prior to making my selection, as a registered Republican, I took quite a bit of abuse four years ago for endorsing Democratic candidate (and now, U.S. President) Barack Obama over Arizona Sen. John McCain to be our country’s top executive officer. This year, I will admit that I’m even more torn — and will likely remain that way until I find out who Republican candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will choose as his running mate — about the upcoming election. No, I don’t believe Pres. Obama has made good on all of his promises and although I see some evidence of the local economy rebounding, it certainly hasn’t happened quickly enough for my tastes. So, if Gov. Romney picks someone as a running mate who can make me feel more comfortable about who would be running this country if something happened to him — such as former U.S. Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice or ret. Gen. Colin Powell or even current State Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was recently “mentioned” as a “possible” veep candidate — who to endorse in this so-called “big” election might be easy for me. But, speaking on that topic, the reason I put “big” in quotes is because

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Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Camille Gillies • Michael Murillo • Sheryl Young Advertising Customer Service Manager Nikki Bennett

Marketing Director Ashley Knoblach Senior Graphic Designer Porsha Lemos 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 20, Issue 19, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, August 27, 2012. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2012 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager I still hear waaaaay too often — from otherwise very intelligent people — “I only vote in the ‘big’ elections.” If you honestly believe that voting for U.S. President is a “bigger” election for us than the elections of our county commissioners, state legislators and/or our local school board reps, well, I simply don’t understand your logic. In terms of just the value of your vote, even if the state of Florida again comes down to a recount, the likelihood that your single vote — out of a few million votes statewide and tens of millions nationwide — might “sway” the presidential election in any way is very low, indeed. However, considering that fewer than 40 percent of the nearly 250,000 registered Democrats and less than 50 percent of the 213,000 registered Republicans in Hillsborough took part in the 2008 August primary elections — when nearly 74 percent of all registered voters in the county cast ballots in the 2008 general election — it’s definitely possible that a committed bloc of local voters can affect the outcome of one or more of the races to determine who will run our state and county governments and the Hillsborough School Board next Tuesday, August 14. In the case of the School Board elections, the August “primary” is always the only vote for these non-partisan elections, which will elect three of the five Board members (including New Tampa’s District 3, where incumbent Dr. Jack Lamb faces Cindy Stuart, a newcomer who has visited our area a lot, trying to get locals involved in the election; New Tampa residents also can vote in countywide District 7, where the incumbent, Carol Kurdell, faces five challengers — Joseph W. Jordan-

Robinson, Jr.; Terry Kemple; Carl Francis “Captain Carl” Kosierowski, Robert McElheny & Michael Weston). In case you hadn’t heard this, the School Board members determine how the Hillsborough School District spends its money on your children’s schools, including when and how to build new ones, which schools (if any) will have to add portable classrooms, etc., and make a myriad of other decisions that affect the lives of every parent, student, teacher and staff member at every local elementary, middle and high school. You say your kids are all in private school, so what do you care about voting for the School Board? For one thing, many of these schools are located within your communities, even if your kids don’t attend them, so how those schools are taken care of in the face of ever-shrinking budgets might be of some interest to you. Looking past the School Board, however, those who run our county government play an even bigger role in our lives by controlling the purse strings for things like new and improved roads and parks, the county Sheriff’s Office and Fire Dept., etc. And, our incumbent District 2 commissioner Victor Crist will face

Lutz resident and fellow Republican Sharon Calvert in what is known as a “universal primary” (meaning all registered voters in the county will be able to vote in August because there is no Democrat or any other candidate for the winner to face in November). New Tampa Republicans also can vote in the countywide District 6 race, where candidates Margaret Iuculano and Don Kruse square off who will face incumbent Democrat Kevin Beckner in November. And, if you read the story at the bottom of page 1 of this issue, you already know that Republican District 60 incumbent and New Tampa resident Shawn Harrison isn’t facing a primary opponent next week, but two Democratic candidates — Z.J. Hafeez and Mark Danish — are squaring off to determine who will face Harrison in the November election. In other words, definitely watch or go take part in the Republican National Convention in a couple of weeks (August 27-30), but if you really want to do something to invest in your community, I hope you’ll remember to cast a ballot on Tuesday, August 14! We will have precinct-by-precinct Primary Election results for New Tampa in our next issue!

Table of Contents

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES....................Pages 1-39 New Tampa Rec Center Plans Expansion ............................6 Man Arrested In ‘Shocking’ Home Invasion........................8 New Tampa Mosque Opens In Time For Ramadan.........10

New Tampa News Briefs..................................12

Man Charged In Pebble Creek Stabbing Murder Wesley Chapel Man Killed By Drunk Driver On I-275 JD Porter Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges New Tampa Community Calendar...............14-15 New Tampa Chamber Newsletter......................16

Local Business Updates...........................18-24

‘Allergy Docs’ Work To New Tampa Allergy-Free..18 Fitness Revolution Revolutionizes Workouts...........20 Your Family Lawyers—Yesner, Boss & Arrighi........22 Excel Music Helps Accelerate Your Musical Skills...24

Education & Sports Updates..................32-38 New Tampa Schools Get Good Report Cards..........32 Kumon Student’s Poem Wins National Award!........33 Tampa Bay Rebels Win FBA Hoops Title!................36 RNC Affects Wharton & Freedom Football Games..38

Neighborhood Magazine Premium Wheels Invade Wiregrass Mall...................41 Oakley’s Grille Celebrates First Anniversary...............44 Local Resident Leads All-Amputee Color Guard........46 Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes...................48

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS..............50

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New Tampa Recreation Center Could Begin Expansion By Summer 2013! By Matt Wiley There are very few, if any at all, quiet days at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms. Most afternoons, whether it is out front facing Commerce Park Dr. on the center’s large playground, around back at the cement skatepark or inside in the gymnastics area, the sounds of the community’s youth taking part in fun, physical activities can almost always be heard. And now, the City of Tampa has plans to make it even louder, by almost doubling the center’s size. Since it opened in 2008, the New Tampa Recreation Center has been an incredibly popular destination for the youth of the New Tampa and nearby communities. The center already features more than 19,500 sq. ft. of space inside and provides numerous activities, including tumbling and gymnastics, as well as skateboarding behind the center and multi-purpose fields in the adjacent New Tampa Community Park outside. “It’s been so popular the past couple of years,” says the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department director Greg Bayor. “We’re

averaging about 7,500 participants per year in enrolled programs. We’re really squeezed for space.” To that end, the city currently is in the design phase of adding an additional 14,000 sq. ft. to the alreadybustling facility. Bayor say this massive, $1.5-million addition will provide more gymnasium space, more locker rooms, multi-purpose rooms, fitness and wellness spaces and, most important, more storage. “It sounds trivial,” Bayor says. “But, right now, we have to store things in rooms that should be used for activities.” The fitness and wellness space will offer a place for parents and members of the community alike to work out. It will even have its own rock-climbing wall, something Bayor says the city currently is lacking. However, he doesn’t think that a fitness center will affect the business at the New Tampa YMCA located across Bruce. B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. on Compton Dr., or local health clubs/gyms. “If you look at the YMCA, and you go, literally, 500 yards down the road, you have the (Compton Park at) Tampa Palms neighborhood swim-

The New Tampa Recreation Center, located at 17302 Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms offers numerous activities for the youth of the community

ming pool, and there’s no conflict there,” he says. Right now, the rec center is mostly focused on gymnasium space and the 40 acres of sports fields in the Community Park behind it, as well as the 15,000-sq.-ft. skatepark, but the expansion will make the center more multi-purpose and offer even more for the community. But, the expansion is still a little ways down the road. Bayor says that the design phase will likely take up to

six months, and construction for the fully funded project will probably not begin until late spring or summer of 2013. “We want to let people in the New Tampa area know that we recognize that they are a part of Tampa,” Bayor says. “And, here is this wonderful facility.” For more information about the New Tampa Recreation Center, including programs, costs and times, call 975-2794, or stop by at 17302 Commerce Park Blvd.

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Robber Threatens To Electrocute Victims, Steals $2K In Property By Matt Wiley An arrest has been made, but the investigation continues into a bizarre home invasion inside the Promenade apartments in a Tampa Palms neighborhood early on July 22. According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), 29-year-old Kevin Ellison has been charged with multiple felonies, including several counts of kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and robbery/ home invasion. Detectives say they do not believe that Ellison’s actions were random acts of violence. Kevin Ellison The TPD incident report tells a terrifying tale of home invasion and intimidation. The report says that around 1:30 a.m., Ellison unlawfully entered a Promenade apartment, located on Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms Area 3 with a loaded, semi-automatic pistol and demanded money from the two victims in the apartment who were watching television. One victim

was a female who lives at the residence and the second was an unnamed juvenile. He forced the victims at gunpoint into a bathroom while he searched the apartment for valuables. During this time, the report says, a third victim (the tenant’s cousin) arrived at the apartment. Ellison grabbed him by the neck and forced him into the bathroom, as well. Once all three victims were in the bathroom, Ellison ordered the first victim out into the living room and demanded, at gunpoint, that she take off her clothes and tell him where all of the valuables were in the apartment. The report says that Ellison led her back to the bathroom, forced the juvenile out of the tub and onto the toilet and ordered the first and third victims to fill the tub with water. Ellison plugged in a fan from another room and threatened to throw it into the tub with the victims, saying that there was a “contract out” on the first victim. He then demanded to know whom the victims knew that could bring $1,000 to the apartment. One victim suggested a family member in Riverview. Ellison said he couldn’t wait that long, the report says. He shut the

bathroom doors and left the apartment with more than $2,000 in stolen cash and electronics. TPD responded and, through interviews, the officers were able to identify Ellison. They ran surveillance on his home at 3304 E. Mohawk Dr. in East Tampa, where he was later arrested, despite denying that he was involved in the crime after being read his Miranda rights. Ellison is currently being held without bail at the Hillsborough County jail on three counts of robbery/home invasion of more than

$300, three counts of kidnapping and firearm possession, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of tampering with a witness and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Records show that Ellison had recently been released from state prison in June, a sentence healready has served for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He previously also served an 18-month prison sentence for cocaine possession, burglary and grand theft.

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Islamic Society Of New Tampa Welcomes All To New Mosque! By Matt Wiley It looks like the type of structure that would be seen on a sightseeing tour in Istanbul, Turkey, its golden dome reflecting the sun and arched entryways welcoming anyone who wants to learn more about the Islamic community here in New Tampa. Its name is Daar Us Slaam, which translates into “House of Peace,” and it is the first-ever mosque in New Tampa. Located on Morris Bridge Rd., just north of the intersection at Cross Creek Blvd., the mosque, or Masjid, serves as the meeting place for the Islamic Society of New Tampa (ISONET), and invites anyone who is interested to come and learn about Islam with other Muslims in the New Tampa community. “A lot of people have ‘Islamophobia,’” says Mahmud Ahmed, a member of ISONET. “But, it’s just because people don’t know us. Muslims are really everyone’s next door neighbors.” Ahmed says that the 7,500-sq.-ft. house of worship usually has a packed house during services, especially during the current Islamic month of Ramadan, in which Muslims around the world fast — or refrain from eating and drinking — from dawn until dusk for 30 days.

And, every Sunday during Ramadan, a community dinner is held at the Masjid. “That’s the beautiful thing about Ramadan,” says Hassan Shibly, Esq., the executive director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR). “You fast together as a community, and you break that fast as a community. You eat wonderful food and then offer prayers for a few hours every night.” Muslims from all around the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas gather early in the mornings and late in the evenings at the mosque to pray together and socialize. The mosque also is open throughout the day for the five daily prayers, an Islamic ritual called Salah. Ahmed says that ISONET was founded about ten years ago and was originally just a small group of Muslims who would pray together in their homes. Once the group was large enough, an existing 2,000-sq.-ft. building was purchased on the same property upon which the new $1.6-million mosque now stands. Ahmed says that building the Masjid took three years of fund raising, all donations, and two years to construct. “Our knees outgrew the old build-

New Tampa’s only Islamic mosque, Daar Us Slaam, is now open every day for worship services on Morris Bridge Rd., just north of Cross Creek Blvd. ing,” he says with a smile. are its unique position on the property Ahmed says that there now are and the direction it faces. between 2,000-3,000 practicing MusAll mosques, regardless of where lims combined in the New Tampa and in the world they are located, are situatWesley Chapel areas and that its locaed in a way that all who gather to pray tion on Morris Bridge Rd. is accessible inside of them face the Ka’aba, a cubefor residents in both communities. shaped building located in Mecca, The mosque itself is an impressive Saudi Arabia, that is considered by sight, designed by Lake City architect Muslims to be the most sacred place of Nick Giesier and based on Turkish the Islamic faith. architecture. At first glance, its tall pilInside the Mosque, there are no lars above each entryway and massive seats, as all worship takes place on the golden dome catch the eye. Among the floor, which is covered with plush, red interesting characteristic of the mosque carpets that feature a golden pattern

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that outlines where each worshipper will pray, each spot facing Mecca and the Mihrab (or altar) and where the Masjid’s Imam (or leader of worship) Junaid Khan recites verses of the Qur’an during prayer. The worship space is divided into two areas — one for men and one for women — by a one-way mirror, the idea being that during worship, the focus should be on God, not on the opposite gender. According to Islamic tradition, the mosque also features separate entrances for the men and women who come to pray. Before worship, each person must remove their shoes and enter an area that resembles a bathroom, but is actually where each worshiper washes his or her hands, feet and face, a process referred to as “ablution” in the Islamic faith. “Cleanliness is a very important part of the faith, both physical and spiritual,” explains Shibly. Once worshippers complete the process of ablution, they may enter the main mosque area, which is an enormous, open room, with a ceiling reaching an impressive 50 feet at the top of its dome. “We would have made it higher, but Hillsborough County said that 50 feet was the maximum height we could build,” says Ahmed. One difference between a mosque

Hundreds of worshipers visit the new mosque for daily prayers, especially during the month of Ramadan, which ends August 18. and a church or temple, is that there are no images on the walls. Instead, the walls are lined with selected verses of the Qur’an, which are read from right to left. Without images, God is kept as an idea not limited to one shape. Many believe that if an image of God is displayed, people will worship the image, and not God himself. “The reason we stick to calligraphy and abstract forms of art is because a mosque is supposed to be simple and divine,” Shibly explains. “We stay away from images because God cannot and should not be confined to one image. He is beyond what we can imagine.” Shibly reads a verse from the wall and translates, “That when My servants ask about me, I am close to them. I am

near.” He says that each of the verses are chosen specifically because they are inspirational and reflect the beauty of the Qu’ran. The new mosque also features an attached multi-purpose room, which doubles as extra space for worshippers, with roll-up carpets that mirror the carpets in the main area. The room also houses a few small study rooms and a kitchen for community dinners and get-togethers, one of which is being planned for after Ramadan so that everyone in the New Tampa and surrounding areas can come out and see the new Masjid. “Hopefully, this mosque will strengthen the community,” says Shi-

bly. “And, not just the Muslim community, but the overall community because this mosque will hopefully serve as a center where not only all Muslims can get together and worship, but also as a center where people of all faiths can come and meet their Muslim neighbors, learn about the Islamic faith and recognize that we have much more in common than that which divides us.” For additional information about New Tampa’s mosque (located at 15830 Morris Bridge Rd.), including prayer and worship schedules, please visit ISONET’s website at NewTampaMasjid.com.

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N EW T AMPA Tampa Man Charged In Pebble Creek Stabbing One Pebble Creek resident has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a fellow Pebble Creek man. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, just before midnight on July 20, Benjamin Lee Powell, 25, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the July 19 stabbing death of 18-year-old Grant Benjamin Lee Woodham in the Powell Pebble Creek community of New Tampa, where Powell also is a resident. After conducting numerous interviews, deputies discovered that Woodham had left a friend’s house on July 19 in his black 2010 Dodge Charger to sell drugs to an unknown buyer. Woodham’s car was not found at the crime scene. Deputies identified Powell as a person of interest and, after running

News Briefs surveillance on him, he was found driving Woodham’s car at 4601 E. Citrus Cir., just east of Busch Gardens. Woodham’s death was declared a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s office on July 20. HCSO says that just before 8 p.m. on July 19, a resident of the Pebble Creek community, located off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., called to report an unknown man, later identified as Woodham, bleeding on the sidewalk in front of his home on Fox Hearst Dr. Hillsborough Fire Rescue (HFR) responded and pronounced Woodham dead at the scene due to severe upper body trauma. No further details were available at our press time.

Wesley Chapel Man Killed By Drunk Driver On I-275 A Wesley Chapel man is dead following a July 19 head-on collision on I-275 near downtown Tampa that closed all of the northbound lanes of the interstate for several hours. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), just before 3 a.m. on July 19, William Brooks Angel, 20, of Wesley Chapel, was driving north on

I-275 in his 2000 Ford Mustang with two passengers when his car was hit head-on by another vehicle going the wrong way, just south of the I-4 interchange near downtown. Angel was pronounced dead at the scene. His two passengers, Jay Davis, 20, also of Wesley Chapel, and Robert Patrick Newberry, 20, of Lutz, both sustained serious injuries and were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Angel and the front seat passenger were wearing seatbelts, but the back seat passenger was not. The report released by FHP says that the vehicle that was traveling north in the southbound lanes that caused the accident was a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by Christopher Ponce of Tampa. Ponce also sustained injuries and was transported to Tampa General Hospital in downChristopher town Tampa. Ponce Traffic was shutdown on all northbound lanes of I-275 until 6:45 a.m. on July 19 and was diverted to Ashley Dr. FHP says that Ponce has been

charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, two counts of reckless driving with serious bodily injury and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury. He was still being held at the Orient Rd. Jail without bond at our press time. The accident is still under investigation.

J.D. Porter Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges Well-known local land developer J.D. Porter of the Porter Family Trust, which is developing the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in Wesley Chapel, was arrested on domestic violence charges on July 4. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies arrested and charged developer James Don (J.D.) Porter, Jr., with felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor domestic battery after an incident at his home in the Farmington Hills community of Dade City. The report says that Porter, 33, and his girlfriend, Maridy Gregory, 30, had been out for drinks at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall on July 3, but had returned to Porter’s Dade City home. After Porter fell asleep on the porch, the report says, Gregory found a text message from another woman, smashed

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the phone where he was sleeping and confronted Porter about the situation at around 2:30 a.m. July 4. The report says that Gregory told PCSO deputies that Porter followed and pushed her as she attempted to leave, spit in her face and threw chewing tobacco on her. She went back into the house, grabbed some clothes and went back to her car. Porter then grabbed a pile of her clothes and set them on fire in the driveway. Gregory told deputies that she left, but returned to Porter’s residence because she had been drinking. He confronted her in front of his home and held her against her car after spitting on her again, the report says. After he released her, Gregory decided to leave. While she was pulling out, the report says that Porter picked up a barrel from his yard and smashed the back windshield of her Mercedes C300, causing $1,000 worth of dam-

age. She drove to Porter’s father’s home inside the same community and called PCSO. The report says that deputies responded to Porter’s home and found evidence of chewing tobacco on the driveway, along with a barrel fitting Gregory’s description in his garage and what appeared to be a burnt pile of clothes in the driveway. The PCSO report also says that in an interview with Porter at his home, he said that what he threw at Gregory’s vehicle was a water bottle and that he didn’t mean to damage it. When asked how a water bottle could inflict so much damage, he responded that it was a “big water bottle.” Porter was taken into custody around 5 a.m. and transported to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center. He was released on July 5 on $6,500 bond. Porter had not returned phone calls for comment at our press time.

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N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Artisans Wanted For Arts & Crafts Under The Palms Artists and Crafters wanted! The Tampa Palms Women’s Club presents its annual Arts and Crafts Under the Palms, which will again be held at the BJ’s Wholesale Club in the Market Square at Tampa Palms plaza on Saturday, October 20. This is an opportunity for artists and crafters to display and sell their original works to thousands of local residents. For more information, please visit TampaPalmsWomensClub.com or call 903-9034.

Battle Of The Bands It’s never too early to get your band pre-qualified to be part of the Teenage Battle of the Bands held annually in mid-October during the Hillsborough County Fair. Hillsborough County’s Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department is looking for bands to participate in a competition that provides free studio time to the top two winners. Band members must be between 13-20 years of age, and only one band member can be age 20. The entry fee is $50 dollars and only a limited number of bands will be accepted. Those wishing to compete

must pre-qualify by providing a link to an online video of their band. For more information, contact Joe Soletti at 744-5871.

Ladies ‘Foodie’ Club Of New Tampa/Wesley Chapel A new club for women in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area who enjoy socializing, trying out new restaurants and cooking ideas, sharing recipes and other food-related activities is looking for additional members. For more information, send an email to Eileen.jones@yahoo.com.

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

Triathlete Club Tuesday, August 14, 7:30 a.m. A new club has formed for the fitnessminded. Membership is open to run-

ners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. All members will receive club benefits, including a training schedule, group support, seminars and socials. Currently, the club is hosting a group bike/run at the Morris Bridge Rd. entrance to Flatwoods Wilderness Park every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m., and a group run from the Kona Multisport (previously, the “Ironman Store”) store, in the same plaza as Sweetbay & LA Fitness at BBD/County Line Rd., at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. The bi-monthly seminars will cover topics such as nutrition, racing strategies, new gadget/gear demonstrations and transition workshops. The club also enables members to connect and encourage one another in their triathlon endeavors. For more information, join their Facebook group or e-mail NewTamaTriClub@gmail.com.

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

Business Networking Int’l Wednesday, August 15, 7:30

a.m. - BNI, a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their respective businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday morning at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

New Tampa Noon Rotary Wednesday, August 15, noon The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday for lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr., inside Hunter’s Green). For more info....?????

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

Tampa Toastmasters Wednesday, August 15, 7 p.m. Great speeches & great topics. Come hone your public speaking skills. Tampa Toastmasters meets every Wednesday evening at Pebble Creek Golf Club, located at 10550 Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. New

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guests are always welcome. For more info, call 428-6356.

Food Addicts In Recovery

Thursday, August 16, 7 p.m. Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Are you underweight or overweight or obsessed with weight or dieting? You are not alone. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a support group without any dues, fees or weigh-ins and is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experiences and mutual support, are recovering from the disease of food addiction. FA meets Thursdays at Florida Hospital Tampa (on BBD) in the Camelot A room. For more info, visit FoodAddicts.org or call Roz at 355-4197.

CBC Networking

Thursday, August 16, 7:45 p.m. - Come together with like-minded professionals at the Christian Business Connections (CBC) Networking group, which meets every Thursday at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church at 5338 Primrose Lake Cir., near Freedom High and Liberty Middle School in Tampa Palms. Call Annete Faurote at 4079225 for more information.

Free ESL Classes

Thursday, August 16, 10:30

a.m. - A FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) class is now meeting at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, located at 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., on Thursday mornings. Activities for school-aged children are also provided during these classes. There is no charge to attend. The classes are taught by a native English speaker using several ESL and Bible study resources. The classes also discuss American culture and English idioms and slang. Come practice your conversational English and make new friends in a fun and relaxed environment! For additional information, call the church office at 973-2484.

- The Northeast Tampa Women in Business meets the second Thursday of each month at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). Come out for some great relationship building with women in business from around the area. For more info, visit NETWIB.org or call 364-2174. If your company, group or organization has an event you’d like to see promoted in our Community Calendar, please send your information and any pics you have to Attn: Matt Wiley, EditorialDept@ NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

Free Zen Meditation Group Sunday, August 19, 10 a.m. - A new Zen meditation group meets in the Arbor Greene Community Center’s aerobics room and is based primarily in a Korean Zen Buddhist foundation, but you do not need to be Buddhist to attend. All faiths or no faith practice are welcome. The only only thing needed is an interest in mediation and a more peaceful and relaxed mind and life. For more information, call 5286285 or send an email to Jeremy at ZenJeremy@me.com.

Northeast Tampa Women In Business Meeting Thursday, September 13, 6 p.m.

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New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

2011-12 Board of Directors President-Regina Ramalheira

Board Members:

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

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

‘Working To Improve The Quality Of Life In New Tampa!’

Karen Hilton Earl Meyer Mike Daly Joyce Gunter Neil Heird

The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to name Jayne Baker as the Board’s new Executive Assistant!

Long-Time Board Member Regina Ramalheira Assumes Presidency Outgoing President Rachel Haviland Thanked For Her Service To The Chamber After serving seven years on the Board of Directors, New Tampa Chamber of Commerce President Rachel Haviland, Ph.D., is stepping down two months early due to her commitments as co-founder and COO of Marketing Tecs, Inc. a cross-channel marketing agency which launched at the beginning of 2012. “Leaving the board is bittersweet for me.” says Haviland, “My time with the New Tampa Community Council and being a part of the transition into the New Tampa Chamber has been a very rewarding experience. It has been an honor to serve the New Tampa community for so many years and to contribute to the growth and development of the organization.” Haviland will continue to be involved with the Chamber as an Ambassador and help with the upcoming 20th annual Taste of New TampaTM, which is being planned for March of 2013 at the Primrose Park, located adjacent to the Primrose School off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms, opposite Freedom High and Liberty Middle School. The Chamber is proud to

announce that 17-year veteran Board member and local Realtor, Regina Ramalheira, who was serving as the Board’s Vice President, is stepping up to take Haviland’s place. “I have no doubt that Regina will do an outstanding job as the new President of the Chamber,” says Haviland. “She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the organization and to New Tampa as a whole. We could not be in better hands! Regina has a committed Board of Directors to support her, just as they supported me." As incoming President, Regina has some serious plans to try to increase interest and participation in, awareness of and membership. “I want to improve and increase our membership by offering more business-to-business opportunities and to promote our members’ businesses and allowing them to speak at our ongoing events and to offer additional benefits at each membership level,” Regina says. Regina adds that her goal is to “Build friendships and bonds of support for our members” and hopes that Chamber members and local residents will look to do business with other member companies first. “I believe that despite the traffic, Bruce B. Downs is not that long a road and literally has everything we need right here!”

So, Regina hopes that anyone who isn’t yet a Chamber member will consider purchasing a membership, the cost of which starts at just $125, with Chamber business sponsorships ranging between $50 and $1,500. “I am really counting on the big businesses located on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. to step up and join us on a bigger level, because I know so many of them live here, too, with their families,” Regina adds. “I am proud to live in New Tampa and lead the Chamber here and hope more local residents will see the value of joining our Chamber.” Regina, who has lived in New Tampa since 1991 and who first joined what is now the Chamber in 1996, also has been the Volunteer Coordinator for the Taste for about a decade and she hopes even more local residents and business owners will volunteer for this year’s 20th annual Taste. “We also need more speakers, more attendees and more networking opportunities at our events,” she adds. “It’s time for everyone to get involved. Feel free to call me at 813-245-8893 and I will set up a convenient time for us to meet personally so we can discuss the benefits of the Chamber.” Regina notes that the theme of her presidency will be that of “T.E.A.M.,” which stands for “Togeth-

er, Everyone Accomplishes More.” The Chamber also welcomes Jayne Baker, a Certified Natural Health Professional, as its new Executive Assistant. “Unlike other older and larger chambers, the New Tampa Chamber doesn’t have full-time staff,” Haviland says. “The organization is run entirely by volunteers, all of whom have their own businesses or full-time jobs. The past year has been challenging without an assistant and keeping the Chamber running with a skeleton board.” “We’re thrilled Jayne accepted the job,” adds Ramalheira. “I believe she will be a great asset to the Chamber.”

Chamber Lunches Move To Tuesdays!

• NEW! - Chamber lunches are now being held the 2nd Tuesday of each month, noon, at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). $15 for Chamber members/$20 non. This month’s Chamber luncheon is being held on Tuesday, August 14, and will feature guest speaker Steve Hayes of Visit Tampa Bay, whose topic will be, “Leveraging a Major Political Convention for Future Business.”

Also, check out the Chamber’s first “Networking on the 9s” event to be played at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club on Thursday, Sept. 6. Visit NewTampaChamber.org for info about this and other events.

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Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Promise Quality Care By Camille Gillies When you’re surrounded by exemplary medical professionals, it can be easy to take quality medical care for granted. Residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are fortunate to have in their own backyards an elite community of top-notch doctors who conduct research, teach and practice medicine. One such team of renowned doctors – Drs. Lockey, Fox, Ledford and Glaum – comprises the practice of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay, located in the University Community Medical Center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of the University of South Florida (USF), just a few minutes drive from all of New Tampa. Listed in “Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care” and “The Best Doctors in America,” all four Board-certified doctors not only care for patients at this busy office, but also at locations in Citrus Park and Brooksville. They also are faculty members at USF’s Morsani College of Medicine. They are the only allergy specialists in the Tampa Bay area who are members of the USF faculty, training medical residents and fellows in medicine, pediatrics, allergy, asthma and immunology. If those credentials weren’t impressive enough, the doctors

also actively participate in clinical stateof-the-art research, lecture both nationally and internationally, and are well known for leadership in their specialties. Richard Lockey, M.D., who founded the practice in 1973, is past president of the World Allergy Organization, which represents more than 80 countries, and both he and his colleague, Dennis Ledford, M.D., have served terms as president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The goal of these distinguished physicians and their other esteemed colleagues — Roger Fox, M.D., and Mark Glaum, M.D., Ph.D. — is to provide their patients with the most current and scientific medical care, diagnostic testing and treatment. “Our doctors are on the cutting edge of allergy and immunology research,” says Angie Renner, the practice’s front office assistant. “With the most up-to-date scientific information, they treat people – both adults and children – for asthma, hay fever, chronic cough, sinusitis, immune system problems, allergic skin conditions, and allergies to insects, foods, drugs and pets.” Anyone with any of these conditions will tell you that these ailments can be miserable and adversely affect your quality of life. For example, patient and New Tampa resident Beth

Malone, has been seeing Dr. Lockey for six years and who suffers from asthma, allergies and eczema, says she first heard about Dr. Lockey from her boss. “My boss recommended Dr. Lockey to me,” she says. “And he’s been wonderful. He is compassionate and helpful. When he’s been out of town or out of the office, I have seen the other doctors and they are all good, too. Plus, it’s easy to make an appointment, you rarely have to wait and they’re very prompt.” Beth speaks from Dr. Mark Glaum, one of four doctors at Allergy, Asthexperience. She says at one point ma & Immunology Assoc. of Tampa Bay on BBD. she was visiting the office monthly; today, her appointDr. Ledford shares the sentiment, ments are every three months. stating in the practice brochure, “I treat Perhaps it’s Dr. Lockey’s approach all my patients with respect, never forto medicine that makes him so popular getting that they deserve the same with his patients. He says he advises his excellent care I would want any memmedical students to “be honest, work ber of my family to receive.” hard and take care of patients like they Dr. Fox adds, “I sit down with are their own next of kin.” each patient and ask, ‘How can I help “I tell my students they also need you?,’” stressing the importance of listo be intelligent but that’s probably tening. “For me, the clinical process only fourth on the list,” he laughs. begins with active listening.” “My philosophy is to treat patients like Meanwhile, Dr. Glaum credits his you were treating a member of your work at USF’s College of Medicine and own family and refer (patients) to his concentration on research with (other doctors) who share that same making him a more informed physiphilosophy.” cian: “It keeps me up-to-the-minute

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on evolving science,” he says. All four doctors strive to improve their patients’ quality of life with quality care. When you make an appointment with Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, you can expect to be evaluated by a doctor who is at the forefront of medical science. “We practice medicine optimally,” says Dr. Lockey. “We want to keep patients out of the hospital and treat them on an outpatient basis whenever we can.” He adds that he and his colleagues try to accommodate their patients’ needs as much as possible by being accessible to them and by educating them about self-management of their conditions and diseases. Two of the nurses at the practice are nationally certified asthma educators themselves. “Our nurses focus on patient education,” Angie says, “and they’re great at it.” The staff shares the same fondness for the practice as they do the patients. Despite boasting a staff of approximately 20 people, Angie says there hasn’t been much turnover. “Some employees have been here more than 20 years,” she says. This expert team of physicians can help if you or a family member has any of these conditions: allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, anaphylaxis, asthma, cough, dermatitis, exercise-induced asthma, food allergy, GERD (heart-

burn), headaches, immune system disorders, influenza, insect hypersensitivity, latex allergy, medication allergy, shortness of breath, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections or urticaria (hives).

What to Expect

On the first visit, patients complete a questionnaire and are examined by one of the physicians who will discuss diagnostic tests and laboratory procedures, determine treatment plans and make recommendations. Patients who need an allergy test can have it done on-site. The physician will review the results and discuss a course of treatment. If you require immunotherapy (allergy injections), your physician will write a vaccine prescription based on your history and test results. The BBD office has a schedule of injection hours Monday through Friday to accommodate patients’ busy schedules. For a wealth of information about Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Assoc. of Tampa Bay, visit Allergy Tampa.com. You can request an appointment and complete some initial paperwork online in the comfort of your home before your first visit. The website also includes an indepth look at the impressive credentials of all of the practice’s doctors. For appointments, call 971-9743, or visit the main office at 13801 BBD (north of Fletcher Ave.), Suite 502.

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Fitness Revolution Will Revolutionize The Way You Work Out! ference between this nationally franchised fitness system and program and other health clubs is intentional. You never exercise “by yourself.” You work out in a group that often consists of between four and 10 people in order to maintain a group atmosphere that still allows individual monitoring. Lopez says that 12 can be an ideal size for a group and 15 people in a single class would be the maximum. Fitness Revolution, which was founded by long-time trainers Nick Berry and Pat Rigsby, today has nearly 150 locations in 36 U.S. states. Although the sessions have something of a “boot camp feel,” each client is placed in a setting they can handle (for example, Lopez will offer lowerimpact exercises for those who have back, neck, elbow, knee and other health issues; always consult your physician before beginning any workout regimen) and every workout features varied routines and minimal equipment (resistance bands, dumbbells, etc.) in order to provide the “muscle confusion” needed to optimize your results and avoid plateaus that can impede progress and frustrate you. Group members work out together three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at varying times, with Saturday

By Michael Murillo The traditional health club format is so common, everybody knows the game: You pay your money to become a member, get access to rows and rows of machines...and that’s it, unless you want to incur additional charges. This has been the standard method for the last 15-20 years and it still attracts many people seeking to lose weight, improve their health and make important lifestyle changes. But, according to Mark Lopez, owner and head trainer of Fitness Revolution in New Tampa, there’s just one problem: It doesn't work. “The concept of Fitness Revolution revolves around the single sentence, ‘The fitness industry has failed us,’” he says. “The current business model is to herd in as many people as possible to keep the shiny equipment, giving members little or no educational value or personal attention on how to reach their goals.” As a result, he says, many people still find the health club setting intimidating, and often give up, frustrated by trainers and members who don’t always create a positive workout atmosphere. But, that’s not the case at Fitness Revolution of New Tampa, and the dif-

sessions also available) and support each other in a truly positive setting. Lopez said that the group setting is a critical part of the program’s success, and builds a community of support that usually stems from a person’s home or work influences and helps even the most fitness-challenged individuals achieve their goals. “I think the biggest and most overlooked benefit (for most people who work out regularly) is the Members who work out at Fitness Revolution of New Tampa take social support. For the part in one of owner/trainer Mark Lopez’s four weekly fitness average person, all the classes at Cypress Point Community Church on Morris Bridge Rd. odds are against them. They’re sitting all day and going out to ments and multiple relapses from a eat more,” Lopez explains. "Being part healthy lifestyle). “I had failed at two other boot of a community of like-minded, healthcamps- — crashed and burned big-time conscious individuals means exercise — and I was so afraid to try another and healthy eating is not only fun, it’s similar program,” Gravante says. “Mark actually the norm.” That community has worked won- was very patient, very encouraging and yes, very, very challenging.” ders for New Tampa resident Carol After almost two years of working Gravante, 55, who says she has lost through different programs with about 50 pounds with Lopez’s help Lopez, she feels that she has a great (and more than 90 pounds total in her personal weight loss journey, which was deal of support from not just the perhampered by misdiagnosed medical ail- son leading the class, but from her fel-

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low workout partners as well. Lopez adds that he also provides support to the community, and his charitable spirit is almost as energetic as one of his workouts. “I just want to get involved and give back to the community,” he says, and that desire is seen in regular events designed to help others. On Saturdays mornings, he leads a free workout for those who bring a canned food item for the food drive at Cypress Point Community Church, which is where Lopez uses a 2,000-sq.ft. space four days a week for Fitness Revolution. He also has run exercise benefits for Autism Speaks, an organization that funds research, advocacy and awareness about autism, and for the New Tampa Players, the popular local community theatre troupe. Lopez plans to continue holding monthly charity workout benefit events to support a variety of different causes. But, helping his clients also gives Lopez a great deal of satisfaction. “It’s really an amazing feeling,” he says. “Watching them give it 100-percent during every session, staying accountable to their eating, and listening to their stories week after week, month after month,” he says, adding that simply dropping even a single dress size or getting an unexpected compliment can make a big difference in a person's attitude. “Those small, little

Fitness Revolution New Tampa founder and owner Mark Lopez changes day by day — you can see their confidence grow,” he beams. Fitness Revolution New Tampa is located in Cypress Point Community Church (15820 Morris Bridge Rd.). Through September 15, clients can work out for 30 days for just $99. From that total, Lopez will donate $50 to the school sports program, Little League or other community sports organization of your choice. For additional information about Fitness Revolution, call 8435294 or visit FitnessRevolutionNew Tampa.com.

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Yesner, Boss & Arrighi: Today’s Old-Fashioned Family Lawyers! By Camille Gillies Once upon a time, there was a compassionate confidant known as the family lawyer — someone you could trust and rely upon for help when life’s legal issues got you down. Today, when so many law firms specialize in only one area of law, you might wonder: Has the good ol’ family lawyer gone the way of the dinosaur? The answer is no, according to Brian Arrighi, a partner in the law firm Yesner, Boss & Arrighi, P.L. Arrighi, who oversees the New Tampa office of this St. Petersburg-based firm, says caring family lawyers are alive and well and you can find one right here in the Tampa Palms Professional Center on Primrose Lake Circle, off Commerce Park Blvd. “We like our clients to treat us as their family lawyer because we can help in so many different areas,” says Arrighi, adding that the firm handles a broad variety of legal matters ranging from foreclosures, short sales and bankruptcy cases to wills, estate planning, divorce and other family law matters. “We are a full-service firm, not a solo practitioner. And, we aren’t a bunch of lawyers out to take people’s money. We are here to help our clients

the best way possible by arriving at a solution that is best for them.” The practice’s New Tampa office opened three years ago after Arrighi, who has lived in Tampa Palms for seven years, identified a need locally for a fullservice law firm. “I felt that New Tampa was underserved in this area (legal services) and my goal was to establish our firm here,” he says. “It used to be you had to drive downtown to go see a lawyer.” Yesner, Boss & Arrighi is comprised of eight attorneys: six at the St. Petersburg office, and Arrighi and attorney Matthew Kindel in New Tampa. Kindel, also a New Tampa resident, handles many family law cases involving divorce and custody agreements, while Arrighi counsels the firm’s local clients seeking advice on real estate concerns. “Unfortunately, with the housing problem, there are a lot of short sales and foreclosures in this market,” Arrighi says. “We do quite a bit of work in that area but, unlike firms that only handle foreclosure and bankruptcy cases, we are not a foreclosure mill or a bankruptcy firm. We take a holistic approach in trying to assist our clients. We don’t put people under pressure to accept foreclosure or to file for bank-

ruptcy. After evaluating each individual’s situation, we determine which course of action is best for them.” He adds that sometimes clients don’t need to take the drastic measures they think will be necessary when they first come in for a consultation. “We offer a free consultation and people are surprised at how much information we give them during that visit,” Arrighi explains. “They leave with lots of information, not just a quoted fee. If we are unable to help, we’ll tell them that, Attorneys Matthew Kindel (left) and Brian Arrighi too. We want to save and their friendly staff welcome you to the New Tampa our clients money.” office of Yesner, Boss & Arrighi, P.L., in Tampa Palms. When it comes to short sales, the good to live and homes move quickly here,” news is that, despite the economy, he says. The bad news: He fears anothhomes in New Tampa still aren’t stayer big wave of foreclosures is on the ing on the market very long. horizon. Yesner, Boss & Arrighi tries to “The prices are not 2006 prices, offer clients with such financial troubles but New Tampa is still a desirable place more options.

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“We know they (the clients) are hitting a rough patch financially, and we want to assure them there is an end to it,” he says. He stresses that if a short sale of your home is necessary, the time to act is now. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, which provides homeowners with tax relief on the short sale of a primary residence, expires December 31. He advises anyone resorting to a short sale to consult an attorney. If your Realtor says, “Don’t bother consulting an attorney because I do short sales all the time,” you may be missing some fine print on the contract that could put you in financial jeopardy down the road. “You should have an attorney help you with this (the short sale) process so you know what the terms are before you close on the sale,” Arrighi warns. Besides real estate issues, another area of legal business that Arrighi sees increasing locally relates to sinkhole claims. You might think that sinkhole activity is isolated to Hernando or Polk

County, but Arrighi has handled a couple of cases recently in New Tampa. If you have had the misfortune of experiencing a sinkhole at your home and your insurance company is fighting your claim, consider getting legal assistance from Yesner, Boss & Arrighi to prove the claim’s validity. In addition to insurance litigation, real estate and family law, Yesner, Boss & Arrighi provides basic will packages, including living wills, and advice on how to structure estate planning. The firm also offers representation on personal injury matters. Arrighi and his wife, Teresa, who is a speech pathologist, have two children: a son, 6, who attends Tampa Palms Elementary and a daughter, 3. For a free consultation and more information about the law firm of Yesner, Boss & Arrighi, call 2512921 or visit ProtectYourFuture. com. The office is located at 5321 Primrose Lake Cir. in the Tampa Palms Professional Center.

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Excel Music Helps Students Of All Ages Hit The Right Notes By Michael Murillo You’ve never played before. You don’t own any instruments. You can’t read music. You think you’re too young to learn...or maybe too old to learn. It’s been too long since you played. You don’t know anybody with the experience to teach you. People often have a myriad of excuses for why they don’t pursue their dream of making music, but the owners of one local studio located only minutes from Wesley Chapel say all of these excuses can be overcome. Since 2006, Excel Music, located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, has been teaching students of all ages and skill levels how to improve their playing, learn something new or, often, pick up an instrument for the very first time. And, according to Excel owner John Thrasher, overcoming those objections and finding the time to play music is always worth the effort, especially if you’re a busy adult who deals with a lot of stress in your life. “Many people find (learning to sing or play an instrument) to be a great way to relax,” Thrasher says. “Music tends to require your full attention, making the stresses of the day fade into the background.”

For more than 25 years, Thrasher and his wife Sheri have been using music to reduce stress and maintain their own successful careers. Playing since he was seven, John has made appearances on several television shows (“The Joan Rivers Show,” “Solid Gold” and “Hee-Haw”), performed during telethons hosted by Lou Rawls and Jerry Lewis and played at such venues the White House and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Between them, the couple has sold tens of thousands of records, and performed live in front of everyone from foreign dignitaries to two U.S. presidents. Their focus now, however is on the hundreds of their current Excel students and their ability to develop and enhance each student’s talent. John says the demand is always highest for piano and guitar lessons, as well as voice improvement, but Excel students also can learn to play more exotic instruments, such as the marimba (a percussion instrument where bars are arranged like a piano and struck with a mallet); the tabla (hand drums played with fingers and palms); plus violin, tuba, saxophone and many more. John says there aren’t really any limits for student ages, either. He described Excel’s classes as being for ages four and older, with little else

keeping students from learning to play an instrument. “We can assist students at any skill level and with any style of music,” he says, noting that Excel once taught an 86-year-old man to play the trumpet. In order to educate a large number of students on a wide variety of instruments, John says the qualiStudents at Excel Music on Cross Creek Blvd. in New ty of the instructors is key. Tampa can perform in two student recitals per year. He says that while some In addition to traditional music instrucschools offer online classes, he doesn’t tion, they also offer special group expebelieve online instruction alone can riences. In “Rock Band,” students join provide the instruction necessary for a together to form rock and roll bands truly strong music education. and play classic and contemporary rock “Music is a discipline which really staples with other students of similar requires a skilled, interested and dediskill levels (think “School of Rock”). In cated private instructor,” he explains. “There are a great number of subtleties “Glee Group,” students mimic the popular television program and sing a which demand that a teacher be physivariety of songs with other vocalists of cally present in order to hear, see and different ages and ability levels. assist in the nuances of developing Excel also offers at least two musical skills.” All Excel instructors are recitals each year. While participation in university trained, and many of them the recitals is never required, the events have Master’s degrees. The Thrashers are designed as low-pressure opportuniwill only hire instructors who not only ties for students to show what they’ve perform well themselves, but also can learned and demonstrate their abilities teach well and relate to students with a on stage in a supportive atmosphere. true interest in their progress. “I have been taking piano at Excel The strong faculty allows Excel to now for more than two years,” says offer different types of lessons as well:

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local resident Linda McGann. “Before finding Excel, my experiences taking lessons were not all positive. But, I have had several instructors during my time at Excel and it is very obvious that a high level of professionalism is required of all of the staff. It truly is a top-shelf environment in which to pursue learning music.” Students can even rent instruments from Excel that they don’t already own or don’t want to buy, the school offers classes six days a week and the company is run by individuals who have used their own backgrounds in music to create a positive learning experience for students of all ages. The goal is to help people overcome obstacles that prevent

them from pursuing their musical goals, and John says he gets special satisfaction from seeing students improve, describing that “a-ha!” moment each time a student recognizes that they’ve learned a new skill. He adds that watching them play live also is special. “The performances are also a great joy,” John says proudly, “because we get to see the progress of each student over time, and to relive a bit of our own early music excitement through watching our students play.” For additional information about lesson times, registration and general information, call Excel Music (10353 Cross Creek Blvd.) at 9911177 or visit ExcelMusic.org.

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“Primary” Continued from page 1 After law school, he says, he spent a year living in Geneva, Switzerland, where he worked for the World Trade Organization in the legal affairs division and dealt with trade policies. He then returned to Tampa and worked for Quality Health Plans as a legal consultant before opening his own private law practice in downtown Tampa. Hafeez also is an advisory member of the Tampa-Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization. He previously ran for the Florida House Dist. 67 seat against Rep. Greg Steube in 2010, but lost that time with only 27 percent of the vote. However, he says that loss helped prepare him to run a better campaign this time around. “It’s what’s given me the skills to beat Shawn Harrison in the general election,” he explains. “We know how to win a campaign this time. This District is for Democrats to win.” Hafeez says that he thinks Rep. Harrison is “out-of-touch” with the residents of the Distrct and doesn’t vote for the things he says he stands for. Hafeez says that Harrison voted to cut budgets for higher education, including USF, and that even though Harrison says he supports small businesses, he currently is not supporting any legislation from which they would benefit. If

elected, Hafeez says, he wants to get more funding for higher education and the public school system, instead of cutting even more funds for education. “Our biggest issue is trying to get Florida back to work,” he says. “We want to work to create high-quality jobs for the state, and a big part of doing that is to reinvest in education. Our K-12 system really needs a lot of work and I have some specific policy ideas to help fix that (problem).” Hafeez says he and his wife Fatima, who works at USF, are house hunting in New Tampa. They are expecting their first child later this year.

Mark Danish

month to provide for my family, to pay a mortgage and send my kids to college. I know what the people in my community need because I have lived either in Lutz or New Tampa for the last 35 years.” The focus of his campaign, he says, is on jobs, education, infrastructure and tax reform. “I believe that we must literally build our way out of this recession,” he says. He adds that he believes that the state needs to invest more in roads, bridges and, yes, high-speed rail, and to stop reckless cuts to education. “(Florda Gov.) Rick Scott and Shawn Harrison may think that it’s a good idea to cut public education and higher education funding, but I beg to

differ,” Danish explains. “We need to stop these reckless cuts, and invest in our children’s future. Businesses will only be attracted to Florida if we have the best-educated workforce possible.” Rep. Harrison says that he is excited about the November election. “I’m looking forward to facing off against whoever wins the primary,” he says. “(This election) is going to be based on ideas, experience and longevity in the District. It’s going to be exciting.” For more info about the Dist. 63 Democratic primary candidates, please visit their respective websites at VoteZJ.com and MarkDanish. com. And, please be sure to vote in the August 14 primary election!

A local teacher and current New Tampa resident, Mark Danish also says that he has what it takes to properly represent our area in the state House. After graduating from the City University of New York in 1976 with a degree in earth and environmental science with secondary education, Danish moved to Tampa and began his career as a middle school science teacher. He has no previous elected office political experience, but Danish says his experience as a teacher is what sets him apart from both his primary election opponent Hafeez and from Rep. Harrison. “I have taught countless students over the last three decades,” he says. “I know what it is like to struggle each

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New Tampa Schools Once Again Bring Home Good Report Cards! By Matt Wiley Just weeks after being released, controversy has erupted over Florida’s elementary and middle school grades. Several districts, including Hillsborough, have schools that should have scored higher. Luckily for New Tampa, nine of the ten elementary and middle schools in our area can’t score any higher — they each already scored an “A” and no New Tampa-based public elementary or middle school scored lower than a “B.” In a statement on July 20, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) contacted 40 superintendents around Florida to notify them of revisions that would increase the scores for 213 of the more than 2,500 schools that had already received their grades on July 11. The grades for nine different school districts will increase as well, including Hillsborough, which will now receive a District grade of “B,” instead of its initial grade of “C.” However, high school grades will not be released until December. While many schools around the District didn’t score as well, New Tampa’s public schools, as usual, received excellent grades, despite the

more rigorous standards for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) that were put into effect this past school year. These increased standards are being blamed for many schools not performing as well as they had in previous years. The standards were last raised in 2007. Since the performance of each school’s students on the FCAT is one of the defining ways that public schools in Florida are evaluated, Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson sent out a letter to the parents of Florida’s students, warning them that many of their schools may see a drop in overall school grade. But, he adds, “that does not necessarily mean that the schools, teachers or students are not doing as well as they were before,” he says in the letter. “Each time Florida’s school grading system has increased expectations, student performance has improved over time, which is the primary goal of Florida’s accountability system.” One New Tampa school in particular has a lot to be proud of since the 2012 grades were released. Heritage Elementary, located just west of the intersection of Cross Creek Blvd. and Morris Bridge Rd., improved from a

School Grades For New Tampa Elementary Schools Lawton Chiles – A Harold H. Clark – A Heritage – A Hunter’s Green – B Dr. Richard F. Pride – A Tampa Palms - A Hilda T. Turner - A

New Tampa Middle Schools Nancy Bartels – A Louis Benito – A Liberty - A “B” in 2011 to an “A” this year. “It feels awesome,” says Heritage principal MaryJo Stover. “Our students and teachers worked really hard. We’re very proud of them.” Stover says that to improve on last year’s “B,” the school implemented a

new enrichment program to single out specific skills that students needed to improve upon at each grade level. “We looked to see where our students needed more help,” Stover explains. “Different teachers would help different groups of students separated by grade level with specific skills in various subjects. Then, we evaluated the data.” For example, she says that each of her six second grade teachers would focus on a certain skill area. The students would move from teacher to teacher, working on each skill with the respective teacher. This was done at each grade level. “The teachers and students really rose to the occasion,” she says. Grades for high schools are still pending and will not be released until December, but both Freedom and Wharton High received an “A” grade from the State DOE in 2011.

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Local Kumon Student Wins National Earth Day Poetry Contest! By Matt Wiley It began as just another poem on a computer screen, one of hundreds. But, something about the words on the screen jumped out at everyone who read it, and in a contest, that is the goal of the writer. Heta Patel’s words stood out amongst hundreds of other entries in her age group from across the nation, which won her the Grand Prize in Kumon North America’s Facebook Poetry Contest in her age group for her poem entitled “Mother Is Waiting” about Earth Day. Patel, an eighth-grade Bartels Middle School student and New Tampa resident, is a student at Daksha Jadeja’s Lutz/Land O’Lakes Kumon Center. Heta says she decided to enter the contest all on her own. “I am ecstatic that I won the Kumon poetry challenge,” she says. “Kumon enabled me to take on this challenge and made me amaze myself. I am so thankful to convey my message through my poem to make the world a better place.” Her poem, “Mother Is Waiting,” which she also illustrated (see above), is a look at the creation of earth through the eyes of Mother Nature.

“Soon there was life, tiny but there it was, swarming She poured love on them as she rained Mother was patient.”

As part of her Grand Prize, Patel will travel to New York City on an allexpenses-paid trip where she will have lunch with Kumon North America’s president Akira Hamanaka. “It’s wonderful that she won!” exclaims Jadeja. “Especially out of so many submissions. She’s a very bright lady. She finished the entire Kumon reading program — which goes all the way up through the 12th grade level — by seventh grade!” Jadeja runs both the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Kumon Center and the Wesley Chapel North Kumon Center (which is located on S.R. 54, next to Sweetbay), where students can enroll in reading and math programs to help bolster their skills. Through these programs at Jadeja’s two Kumon centers, many students are able to improve their skills and move beyond their respective grade levels. At her two centers, Jadeja currently has about 300 students enrolled in the reading and/or math programs, of which she says 70 percent are already ahead of their grade levels. For more information about

Jadeja’s two Kumon Centers — located at 21226 Mariner Pl. in Lutz and at 27311 Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Wesley Chapel — or to get your student involved, Heta Patel give Daksha a call at 973-2266 or email her at DakshaJadeja@IKumon.com. And, on behalf of the New Tampa Neighborhood News, congratulations Heta!

Heta’s national Kumon contestwinning poem about Mother Nature included thios illustration,

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Tampa Bay Rebels Defeat Heartland Prowl For FBA Title! By Michael Murillo The home team takes the court to cheers in the stands as fans celebrate the pro league's best basketball team. Crisp passing, aggressive defense and accurate shooting leads to a titleclinching victory, and the crowd leaves happy after watching their team earn the league championship. In previous years, that scene has played out in big-market cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, with NBA teams celebrating titles that identify them as elite franchises. But it also occurred on July 28 right here in New Tampa, where the minor league Tampa Bay Rebels claimed their first Florida Basketball Association (FBA) championship at Freedom High in Tampa Palms, the site of the Rebels’ regular season games. Tampa Bay finished the season with a 12-1 record after besting the Lake Wales area’s Heartland Prowl (8-5) in the league’s title game, 131-106. “Everybody worked very hard to get to this point,” said the Rebels general manager and head coach Fernando Rojas. “I am glad we won the championship.” With just four teams in the FBA, the clubs played each other several

times, but Tampa Bay and Heartland proved to be the class of the league. Neither the Florida Flight (2-10) nor the Palm Beach Titans (2-10) were able to challenge the front-runners for a berth in the championship game, and it was the Prowl that handed Tampa Bay a 102-99 road defeat in week 2. That would turn out to be the team's only loss, and the Rebels would go on to defeat Heartland three times throughout the regular season before besting them a fourth time to claim the league championship. The Rebels’ players might not be national sports celebrities like their NBA counterparts, but they take their job seriously. According to Rojas, who founded the Rebels in 2011, the club's focus is on playing quality basketball with experienced, talented players who are focused on winning. “We have a great group of guys who execute our defensive and offensive sets on the court," Rojas said. "The quality of play is higher than any college in the area.” The Rebels reached the FBA’s pinnacle by fielding a team with local ties, including players from the University of Tampa (point guard Jonathan Brown) and St. Leo College (center Matt Kendrick, who also

attended Chamberlain High). Rojas said that 60 percent of the team lives in Tampa, with the majority of those players living in North Tampa. The rest are from Jacksonville and Georgia. For the Rebels, part of being a hometown team also means participating in area charitable events. The team has partnered with groups such as Habitat For Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club and the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Dept. “I think it's important we give back to the community not only because it's the moral thing to do, but also because we are members of the same community,” Rojas explained. “We can all help to create a better environment for families.” Rojas has a personal history with the area himself, once serving as an assistant coach at Freedom. He says he is thankful to be able to bring a successful team back to the court where he once coached, and credited Freedom’s athletic director Eli Thomas and boys varsity coach Cedric Smith for their support and assistance throughout the year. Successful seasons don’t happen by accident, and Rojas says the team’s path to success started before any FBA games were played. He scouted talent

The Rebels’ Shun Watson drives to the hoop on the road to the FBA title!

in Georgia, Jacksonville and Tampa, and even had the team face a Latin American squad in Cancun, Mexico, as part of preseason preparations. In the end, the season-long efforts of the players on the court created a winning attitude, a winning record, an 11-game winning streak and the 2012 FBA title. “It has to do with chemistry and discipline,” Rojas says. “We prepared to compete at a high level and I think our conditioning and game preparation caught some teams off guard.” For more information about the Tampa Bay Rebels, visit TampaBayRebels.com.

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RNC Moves Football Games To Saturday By Michael Murillo Saturday night lights? While high school football games are normally played on Friday nights, the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) has caused Hillsborough County schools to do a little improvising. As a result, 14 scheduled high school football games that were scheduled to have been played on Friday, August 31, will instead be played on Saturday, September 1. The change means Paul R. Wharton High will be visiting King on Saturday night instead of Friday, while Freedom High will host Durant on the same night. While the scheduling is unusual, Lanness Robinson, the director of athletics for the Hillsborough County School System, said it’s not unprecedented: “Weather has caused makeup games on different days in the past, including rare games on a Monday,” he says. “The change to Saturday night was considered to be the best option, given the circumstances.” According to Robinson, the RNC, scheduled for Aug. 27-30 in Tampa, would have created problems for schools playing games the day after the convention concludes.

“We're not having any contests (on Friday) because of the difficulty of traveling (around Tampa) for teams and the lack of security being able to be provided by law enforcement officers,” Robinson said. “Anytime you make a change it’s difficult, but we had to make the best of the situation.” Schools rely on off-duty law enforcement officers to monitor the events, and officials were concerned about their availability in order to fulfill the security requirements associated with the convention. Eli Thomas, assistant principal and athletic director at Freedom, says he can’t recall a time when his school had played a Saturday game, but he had no problem with it and didn’t see any special obstacles related to the change. “There are no challenges,” Thomas said. “It’s a pretty easy move. Everything just moves one day over.” In fact, Thomas sees a silver lining: Freedom students aren’t used to a Saturday night home game, so the novelty of the schedule and having the contest on a day they don’t attend school might actually increase attendance. For more information about Hillsborough County public school athletics, visit athletics.mysdhc.org.

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Premium Car Show Attracts Premium Wheels To Wiregrass! By Matt Wiley Paseo Dr. is a long, winding road through the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel that has any number of cars on it each day. But, on the afternoon of July 14, the entire road was a parking lot of cars most people only dream about driving during the mall’s Premium Productions Car Show. More than 200 cars lined Paseo Dr. as shoppers and car show attendees alike marveled over the impressive machines that included everything from classic roadsters to 2013 Chevy Camaros in an open show for all types of vehicles. “There are a lot of nice cars out here,” said Premium Car Show judge Allen Moledor. “The judging is going to be tough.” Moledor, who lives in Lehigh, FL, and who travels from Miami to Georgia to judge cars for Premium, explained that judging in an “open show” is based primarily on cleanliness and the condition of the vehicle. Considering the judging was delayed due to an early thunderstorm, all of the cars got a pass on water spots, Moledor said. Bob Batz’s replica “General Lee” from the popular 1980s television show “The Dukes of Hazzard” was a crowd pleaser, complete with the authentic horn jingle. Batz’s “Lee” had previously won “Best In Show” for its class at Downtown Disney’s Car Masters Weekend in Orlando on June 3. “It (the car) usually does well

when I bring it out,” Batz said. The judging was broken down into 21 different classes based on year and vehicle type, with a “Best In Show” in each category. Premium does not release a final list of winners in each category, so a full breakdown of the winning vehicles was not available as of our press time, but Batz’s “General Lee” once again took “Best In Show” in its class. And, this special event — like so many others before it — also helped bring new customers out to many of the mall’s businesses, which means that the winning vehicle owners weren’t the only winners that day. “As the owner of a new business in the mall, we were thrilled with all the people who came to the car show,” says Kristin Green, the co-owner of the new Monkey Bizness kids’ play place on Paseo Dr. “We got to introduce ourselves to a lot of new customers!”

Despite the heat and early afternoon thunderstorms, there was an impressive turnout of shoppers, car buffs and hot rods at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall (bottom left) for the Premium Productions Car Show on July 14, including the sleek 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (above) and Bob Batz’s replica of the classic “General Lee” from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which was one of the overall “Best In Show” winners.

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Oakley’s Grille Celebrates An Anniversary & Expands Its Menu! Survey and I haven’t changed my mind, It’s been a great first year for Oak- despite the presence of ley’s Grille, located on Bruce B. Downs some new burger fran(BBD) Blvd., between Dairy Queen chises either already open and Supercuts, just a couple of miles or opening in our area. south of the Pasco County line. Today, Oakley’s still Owner Keith Oakley, his son Ryan features the same comand their outstanding team — which fortable, brightly-lit, famiincludes the awesome Chef Jayms & ly-friendly atmosphere Oakley’s Grille newcomers Joe Colewith outstanding service man & Dakota Brooks — have made a and where everything is name for themselves in the community still literally cooked to with some of our area’s best burgers, your order. fries, sandwiches, salads and more. Since our last full-length In fact, although the place was too feature on Oakley’s, the burgernew to register very high in our 2011 and-sandwich shop has expandReader Survey, I still voted Oakley’s the ed its menu options, adding top Sandwich/Deli/Sub Shop in New some tasty fajitas, blackened Tampa & Wesley Chapel in my 2011 tilapia sandwiches and even crisp sweet potato fries, as well as offering specials every day of the week except Sunday. For example, Monday is Ladies Day, where ladies receive (Clockwise from top left) Graphic artist Porsha Lemos recommends the blackened tilapia sandwich at 15-percent-off their check; on Tuesday, you can get my favorite Oakley’s Grille on BBD, our editor raves about Oakley’s Philly cheesesteaks, fries and bacon cheeseburgers and office manager Nikki Bennett gave thumbs-up to the chicken fajitas. Black Angus cheeseburger and Photos for this story by Matt Wiley. fries in New Tampa for just real ribeye steak Philly cheesesteak in chicken or steak fajitas (served with $5.99; on Wednesday, Oakley’s great New Tampa (or the also-delicious salsa, sour cream, guacamole, shredded new blackened tilapia sandwich and a Try the new sweet potato fries with season- fountain beverage cost just $6.99; on chicken Philly) and fries for just $7.99; cheese and more), which are always just ing salt or cinnamon & brown sugar. on Friday, Oakley’s features its delicious $9.99; and Saturday is Family Day, Thursday, get what I believe is the best By Gary Nager

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when families receive one free Kids Meal for each adult entrée purchased. If nothing I’ve mentioned so far has you salivating, I don’t understand how that can be, but Oakley’s also has Cubans and other pressed sandwiches, assistant editor Matt Wiley’s highly recommended corned beef Rueben sandwiches (photo above), patty melt sand-

wiches, zesty Caesar, chef and Greek salads...and still more. Want your delicious Oakley’s Grille food delivered? Oakley’s is proud to offer delivery service for lunch and dinner through the Mobile Meals delivery service. A minimum order of $15 is required and there is a small service charge for the delivery. To have your meal from Oakley’s delivered, call Mobile Meals at 907-MEAL (6325). Oakley’s Grille (17631 BBD) is open for every day for lunch at 11 & for dinner until 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat.) For more info, call 5235075 or visit OakleysGrille.com.

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Meadow Pointe Resident Organizes Amputee Color Guard! By Matt Wiley From sporting events to the Republican National Convention (RNC) that will invade Tampa later this month, the U.S. flag is presented at events at many events to honor those who fight and have fought for the freedom of our nation. One color guard group, lead by a Meadow Pointe resident, carries not only Old Glory, but also hope and inspiration for wounded vets and amputees, alike. Since March, Rudy Salas, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. who lives in Meadow Pointe, has been the commander of the Amputee Veterans of America Support Team (AVAST) Amputee Color Guard which, Salas says, is the nation’s only all-amputee color guard. AVAST is a support group based out of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. The group helps those who have recently experienced an amputation to adapt and become independent individuals. Salas also serves as AVAST’s president. Salas says he got the idea for an amputee color guard while attending the American Veterans Adaptive Golf Program, which meets on Fridays at the Terrace Hill Golf Club in Temple Ter-

do that.’ My response is always, ‘Yes we can. We’re just like everybody else, except we’re just a little more unique.’” So, Salas got together with six others from AVAST and the Adaptive Golf Program and put his idea to work. The group consists of Jack Wiseman and Meadow Pointe resident Rudy Salas (4th from left) leads his all- Bob Fleischman as the group’s two amputee Color Guard. flag bearers, and race. He says that he and the other Jerry Lemoyne and Steve Allberry as members of the program would get the group’s two riflemen. The color invited to 20-30 golf tournaments a guard also has two alternates — Jim year, most of which had opening cereDaniels and Doc Milligan. Of the seven monies, usually including a color guard in the group, six are Vietnam veterans. presentation from the VFW (Veterans Allberry represents amputees in the of Foreign Wars), MacDill Air Force civilian community which, according to Base or the American Legion. Salas, also is important. “I thought to myself one day, “There are a lot of amputees out ‘Why don’t we put a color guard there in civilian life, and we wanted together?,’” he says. “We can have a someone to represent those amputees, unique situation where each member is too,” he explains. “So, Steve represents an amputee. At first it was difficult getthe community.” ting people to buy into the idea. A lot Salas says that due to the prosthetof the amputees think, ‘No, we can’t ics involved, a lot of the formations and

drill steps had to be modified. “Our guys can’t turn certain ways,” he explains. “We had to adjust our drilling and marching to make it look good. And it works.” The color guard’s first appearance was May 14 at Hunter’s Green Country Club in New Tampa, where the quintet presented the colors during a golf tournament to raise money for the Haley VA Hospital’s research and development department. “It was pretty nerve-racking,” says Wiseman. “Even though we’re almost all ex-military, getting back into the marching routine and remembering the moves took a lot of practice.” Wiseman, who retired from the U.S. Army as a Private First Class and currently resides in Lutz, says that relearning the drills was a little easier for him because he is an upper extremity amputee, while the other guys in the group are all lower extremity amputees, all of which are missing only one leg. “The marching takes a lot of practice for the leg amputees,” he says. “Of course, they won’t let me carry a rifle because of only having one hand, so I carry the American flag and make sure it stays straight up at all times.” Wiseman met Salas through the Adaptive Golf Program and then became involved in AVAST. He now

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serves as the group’s vice president.

Full Speed Ahead

Ever since the color guard’s first appearance, the group has been a hit, and their calendar shows it. “We did the first couple of golf tournaments, and then it was just ‘boom, boom, boom,’” says Wiseman. “We have booking after booking all the way through November right now.” But, they have bigger plans than just presenting the colors at local fund raisers and golf tournaments. “We started thinking, ‘Where can this go?’” Salas explains. “Then someone mentioned that the RNC was coming to town. So, we started calling people to see who they knew. We hope to present the colors for the convention. We’ve been talking to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s people. We’ve also spoken with U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis to see if we can be considered. We’re trying to get the word out about us.” The color guard’s next big event

will be on September 7, when they will be presenting the colors at a golf tournament at the Cheval Golf & Country Club in Lutz, along with four other color guards, although they will be making appearances at a few smaller events before then. Since the color guard is a part of AVAST, presenting the colors is more than just representing the nation at different events — its goal is to raise awareness of AVAST in the community. “It brings attention to the community and to the people who are involved in the war effort right now,” explains Salas. “A lot of the soldiers coming back are amputees. We wanted to show the people of the community and the nation that even though you’re an amputee, you can still come back and be a part of society. A lot of these young guys don’t know that.” For additional information about AVAST and/or the Amputee Color Guard, please visit AVASTOnline.org.

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The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Shopping, Retail & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! sories and more at this attractive, new consignment boutique for young’ns from preemie through 16/18 months old, with brand names like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Gymboree and Osh Kosh B’Gosh, and new items arriving every day. For more info, call 528-8747 or visit KoutureKidz.com. Monkey Bizness Opens In Wiregrass - Families with young children should also be excited about the recent Grand Opening of the new Monkey Bizness play place in the Wiregrass mall, near Dillards. Co-owner Kristin Green says these colorful play places, which are geared primarily to kids under age 8, started in Colorado and has just ten other locations in Colorado and the midwestern U.S., other than this one in our back yard. “We sell Seattle’s Best coffee and grab-n-go snacks but no pizza or other hot foods and no video games, but Monkey Bizness is a comfortable, fun place for families and there’s even an art room for older kids,” Kristin says. “We hope you’ll check us out the next time you visit the mall.” And, from the crowd of young parents I’ve seen in the maze Owner Kortnee Holley-VanValkenburgh recently cele- at the new Monkey Bizness brated the Grand Opening of her Kouture Kidz with their kids, a lot of you Consignment Shop in the Pebble Creek Collection.. already are checking it out!

Kouture Kidz Opens In Pebble Creek Collection - Whether you have an infant, a toddler, a bun in the oven or you need to buy a nice present for a friend or relative who just had a baby, you should definitely check out the new Kouture Kidz Consignment Boutique which recently opened between the new Full Circle Pizza and Party Scene in the Pebble Creek Collection (19651 Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd.). Kouture Kidz owner Kortnee Holley-VanValkenburgh held her Grand Opening and New Tampa Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting as we went to press with a ballon-twisting clown, an appearance by Mix 100.7-FM, food and beverages, as hundreds of parents and kids got their first glimpse of the great clothing, toys, bedding, acces-

For more info, call 388-2922 or visit MonkeyBizness.com! Bits & Bytes Cyber Café Coming To Wiregrass - Although we had no further info at our press time, a sign has gone up announcing that Bits & Bytes Cyber Café & Island Grill is coming to the space previously occupied by Cosi Café in the Shops at Wiregrass mall. There also have been unconfirmed rumors that The Cheesecake Factory might be coming to the space previously occupied by Aja Wiregrass and that despite the fact it already has a New Tampa location on BBD, Panera Bread is planning to open on a new outparcel near the east end of the mall. We will update you if and when we receive any new information. Palmside Barbershop Under New Management - New owner Laith Washah and his staff of professional barbers and stylists invite you to check out the revamped Palmside Barbershop & Hair Salon, located at 17066 Palm Pointe Dr., in the Shoppes at The Pointe plaza (behind Olive Garden & Red Lobster) in Tampa Palms. “The name may not have changed, but our barbers and stylists are all professionally trained and talented and we provide business, kids, scissor and military cuts and many different types of fades,” says Washah. “We also offer a very calming and relaxing, seven-step hot towel, straight-razor shave.”

For more info, including how you can get $5 off your Back to School cut, call 558-8855, visit PalmsideBarbershop.com or see the ad on page 13 of this issue. Koizi Japanese Hibachi Grill & Buffet To Open - Although it wasn’t quite open at our press time, the new Koizi (pronounced “Co-easy”) Japanese Hibachi Grill & Buffet could be open in the same Shoppes at The Pointe plaza as Palmside by the time you receive this issue. One thing I can promise you is that even though Koizi still offers multiple buffet items, the upgraded eatery looks nothing like the old Panda Buffet that used to occupy the same space, and the addition of six sparkling, new hibachi tables means it will be an entirely different type of dining experience. Check it out & let us know what you think! Ortho Technology Sold - Henry Schein Inc. has strengthened its dental specialty offering with the acquisition of Ortho Technology, Inc., which has been one of the largest (if not the largest) privately-owned companies in the New Tampa area the last 21 years, although financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Ortho Technology is a Tampa Palms-based company that distributes orthodontic products, primarily to orthodontists. The company, founded in 1991, has about 90 employees and

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 17 • August 11, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

posted reported 2011 sales of $24 million. Henry Schein (NASDAQ: HSIC), is a Melville, NY, firm that provides health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, earlier acquired Ortho Organizers and expects the synergies between the two companies to help it further penetrate the $1.25-billion global orthodontics market. Henry Schein plans to operate Ortho Technology as a stand-alone business. Brian Leaghty, president of Ortho Technology, will serve as a consultant for a year to ensure a smooth transition. Ortho Technology offers a complete line of orthodontic supplies including brackets, bands, buccal tubes, archwires, adhesives, laboratory supplies and patient accessories. The company serves more than 10,000 customers worldwide via direct sales from the U.S. and distributors across the globe. “With this transaction, we are further penetrating the $1.25-billion global orthodontics market with a company that has been gaining market share for several years,” said a spokesperson for Henry Schein Inc. “We plan to leverage Ortho Technology’s aesthetic brackets and its best-in-class direct marketing expertise.” Leaghty says, “Orthodontics is an

exciting dental specialty characterized by product innovation and growing global demand. As part of Henry Schein, Ortho Technology has considerably enhanced (its) business prospects and an opportunity to solidify market share gains into the future.” Great Clips Opens In City Plaza - And finally, if you’ve seen the living advertisements standing on BBD (photo, below) for the new Great Clips location in City Plaza (16017 Tampa Palms Blvd. W.), I hope you took advantage of the new hair cutting shop’s amazing $4.99 haircut offer. Great Clips has more than 3,000 locations nationwide, including one on Cross Creek Blvd. and two more in Wesley Chapel. For more info about the new Great Clips in Tampa Palms, call 971-5222. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 17 • August 11, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

Join OrthoTechnology’s Winning Team! Ortho Technology, a medical supply distributor located in New Tampa, is seeking talented energetic candidates for the following positions: Distribution Associates - Small parts pick/pack/ship experience preferred. Strong attention to detail, computer skills, ability to stand/walk for entire shift & lift up to 50 pounds required. We provide a great work environment, excellent benefits package and growth potential. Submit resumes to careers@orthotechnology.com. Visit our website at www.orthotechnology.com for additional information and other job opportunities. We provide a great work environment and excellent benefits package. PHYSICAL THERAPIST – An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080 HELP WANTED - Medical Billing Personnel, part-time, flexible hours, Local PT Clinic. Fax resume to 813-994-3080. HELP WANTED! - Experienced line cook needed. Send detailed resume to Ron at Fullcirclepizzaandgrill@gmail.com to apply! HAIRSTYLISTS & NAIL TECHNICIANS NEEDED! - Paris Hair, the New Look, a beautiful free-standing Salon & Spa in the heart of Temple Terrace. With an extremely professional team, we are a thriving business! We offer a relaxed atmosphere, excellent customer service, and we're ready to increase our staff! Hairstylists & Nail technicians needed! For more information, Contact: Alexander Jasmine at (813) 985-3343 or online at parishairthenewlook.@hotmail.com

FITNESS &WELLBEING TAI CHI CLASSES - Open to the public at the Club Tampa Palms. Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus and reduced stress. New Beginner 6 week courses starting every few month’s adults Thur. evening’s 7-8 pm and seniors Wed. 2:30-3:30 space is limited. Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness Training and more. With more than 31 years of training and teaching experience. Please contact me for more details or go to: chuan-fa.org Peter 787-7560 or e-mail peter@chuan-fa.org LICENSED MOBILE MASSAGE THERAPIST Available seven days a week, 9am -9pm. $55 for 1 hour! Types of massage available: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aroma Therapy, Hot Stone, Corporate Seated, Pregnancy, Sports & Injury Rehab. References available. www.barkdollmassagetherapy.com CALL 727-372-6389 Lic #MA47546. PROFESSIONAL TENNIS LESSONS Recently relocated USPTA/PTR teaching professional available for private/group/team tennis lessons. Former Head Tennis Professional at the #2 and #3 Tennis Resorts in the U.S. Past coach of former #1 singles player at the University of Florida. Call Steve Brady at 843-422-3993 or email sbrady@hargray.com

CLEANING SERVICES D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, Call 758-9710. M.Y. CLEANING SERVICE - Offering Residential cleaning. We offer complete bath & kitchen cleaning, as well as dusting and polishing furniture. We provide our own supplies. Free estimates! Your satisfaction is our priority! With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554.

Classifıeds

HOME

IMPROVEMENT

DRY WALL SPECIALIST - Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified. Call Ron for free estimate (813) 784-5999 NEED HOME MAINTENANCE – Almost any job, large or small, ext/int, fencing , screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 973-0194 or 727-2582. GREG’S PAPERHANGING – For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate. RAYMOND PAINTING – Interior & Exterior pressure washing, paper hanging, plaster, stucco, tiles, clean & seal pavers, roofing leaks, etc. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free Estimates. Your Neighborhoond Arbor Greene Resident. We work 7 days. Call 994-5124. DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional and personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. 813-215-1177 FLORIDA'S TRU-PROFESSIONALS: Certified professionals who specialize in roof repairs/installation, remodeling, repairing, flooring needs, construction clean-up (excavation, demolition, xeriscaping designs, & scaffolding), lawn maintenance (sodding, plant removal/installation, rock gardens, irrigation, tree removal/installation), and professional, residential, and commercial cleaning. For more information, contact (813) 444-5455 or (813) 516-2008.

P O O L

E S T A T E

R E A L

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME FROM YOUR CELL PHONE! - Wish you could see home details while you are driving around looking at homes? NOW YOU CAN! With Team Bohannon's Mobile MLS Search application, you can search for any home in the area on your cell phone. Check out price, beds/baths, details, maps, even photos – all from the convenience of your cell phone. SEARCH PROPERTIES WHENEVER AND WHEREVER YOU WANT! GET IT NOW - Text: MLS4YOU to: 87778 Compliments of Doug, Annette and Dale Bohannon Coldwell Banker 813-979-4963 FOR RENT - 24' X 12' Office Space. In a busteling Organic Spa Group w/ 5 busy professionals, all active in the community, who offer: organic hair color, facials, nails, weight management and personal training as well as European Massage therapy. Ready made clientele waiting for you to join us! Perfect for Accupunturist, life coach, therapist, small boutique, wig salon, artist, small florist, bridal, etc. Available immediately. Please contact Star at 813.973.8787.

TURN YOUR CLUTTER INTO CASH Garage & estate sales, inventory liquidation,& appraisal services. We'll sell it for you online! We evaluate & appraise your products, you get top dollar. Call Mary: 813-428-5793. NEED EXTRA MONEY - We can turn your unwanted, old or broken gold jewelry into CASH! Take advantage of high gold prices which may not last long. Don't sell to the fly by night companies. Take it to Tampa Palms Hometown Jeweler. Jeweler on staff w/ 35 years experience. Charles Jewelers, 972-4653 (next to Stein Mart on Bruce B. Downs).

Get your listing printed Call 813-910-2575!

LAWN CARE - We Specialize in Residential Lawn & Landscape Maintenance! Landscaping, Mulching, Clean-ups, Palm/Tree Trimming & Sprinkler Repair also available. Owner Operated over 17 years. Call us today for Reliable Service for everything that grows @ your property 813-973-3825 or visit: ntlcpropertymaintenance.com

TAMPA CAT LADY- Professional Cat-Sitting Service." Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. We help deter crime by bringing newspaper/mail & rotating lights/blinds, giving your home that lived-in look. Insured, bonded, & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit us at www.TampaCatLady.com.

M I S C E L L A N E O U S SPRINGER STORAGE: RV & Boat Storage Port Richey, FL Starting at $35.00 mo. Pay first two months, 3rd month free. 24 hour access & 24 hour monitoring. Call to reserve your spot. 813-8331191. CAR SERVICES – Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.

S E R V I C E S

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE - New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! Call Chris Today @ (813) 857-5400 or visitTranquilityPoolService.com KJ POOL SERVICE – Enjoy Your Pool, While We Maintain It. Servicing pools for over 6 years. First Month Free, Plus Free Evaluation & Quote. Owner & Operator. LICENSE, BONDED & INSURED. Office:(813)909-9466 Cell:(813) 748-9817 kjpoolservice@yahoo.com. Visit our website @ kjpoolonline.com AQUATEC POOL SERVICE - keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-780-8616 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FOR FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

COMPUTER SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT – in your home or small business. A+ certified computer tech with 15 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. References available upon request. Call 957-8342 for free estimate. DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, installation, networking & virus removal. WE COME TO YOU! Servicing residential and businesses, with over 25 years experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813.973.4507 today! www.WSICA.COM; Wsica@wsica.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 17 • August 11, 2012 •

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements?Ask about our HOA SPECIAL! FREE ESTIMATE! 813.420.4465

www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 17 • August 11, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Portfolio of Fine Homes View the Virtual Tours at www.kristyd.com t Jus ted s Li

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4 BR + Den, 3.5 Bath, 3 Car Garage, 3281 s.f. Upgraded Hanna Bartoletta in top selling gated village. Upgraded kitchen w/ granite counters, stainless steel appliances, recipe desk and 42â&#x20AC;? Maple cabinetry. Stunning private conservation setting. Offered IRU

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4 BR, 2 1/2 Bath, 2 Car Garage, 3336 s.f. Newer tile roof & a/c. %5 %DWK &DU *DUDJH V I 2YHUVL]HG NLWFKHQ ZLWK Custom kitchen w/ granite counters, Maple cabinetry & stainless granite counters. Remodeled master bath with granite counters. VWHHO DSSOLDQFHV 5HPRGHOHG EDWKURRPV QHZ WLOH Ă RRUV 3DY- Over 1/2 Acre Conservation home site with pool/spa package. ered lanai w/ pool/spa package. Conservation lot w/ pond view DQG RYHUVL]HG \DUG 2IIHUHG IRU

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PE 5BR + Den, 3 Bath, 3 Car Garage, 3813 s.f. Leaded beveled glass 4BR + Bonus + Study, 4 Bath, 3 Car Garage, 3225 s.f. New kitchIURQW GRRUV .LWFKHQ Z SDQWU\ EUHDNIDVW EDU FHUDPLF WLOH Ă RRU- HQ Z JUDQLWH FRXQWHU WRSV Âľ PDSOH FDELQHWU\ 2YHUVL]HG ing. French doors open to fenced yard, brick lanai & heated pool. IHQFHG \DUG Z VFUHHQHG SRRO VSD 2IIHUHG IRU Offered for $415,000

3 BR + Study, 3 Bath, 2 Car Garage, 3001 s.f. Conservation, culde-sac, botanical setting. Study w/ built-ins, display lighting, new interior & exterior paint, remodeled master bath. Spa w/ rock waterfall. Offered for $400,000

WHITEHALL

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TAMPA PALMS 16103 Sexton CT

5 BR,+ 6 1/2 Bath, 3 Car Garage, 6752 s.f. Separate Guesthouse, exercise room, home theater, gated courtyard with extra parking, pool and spa w/ rock waterfall. Located on a beautiful, two-sided conservation homesite with-in top selling gated village. Offered for $1,250,000

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4BR, 2 1/2 Bath, 2 Car Garage, 2214 s.f. Newly remodeled kitchHQ ZLWK *UDQLWH FRXQWHUV 0DUEOH VXUURXQG Ă&#x20AC;UHSODFH PDVWHU VXLWH downstairs. Large pie shaped, conservation lot on cul-de-sac w/ SRRO 2IIHUHG IRU

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4 BR + Den + Gameroom, 3 Bath, 3 Car Garage, 3537 s.f. Gran- 5 BR, 5 Full Baths, 4438 s.f., 3 Car Garage. Gated village. Upgrades %5 %DWK &DU *DUDJH V I 6XQQLQJ FXUE DSSHDO *UHDW ite countertops, 42â&#x20AC;? Maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, WKURXJKRXW +DUGZRRG Ă RRUV 3ODQWDWLRQ VKXWWHUV 2YHUVL]HG NLWFKHQ Z URRP Ă RRUSODQ /DUJH NLWFKHQ 6 6 $SSO RDN FDELQWU\ 6FUHHQHG Âľ 0DSOH FDELQHWU\ 6 6$SSO /DQDL Z RXWGRRU NLWFKHQ 3RRO VSD crown molding, large pool. Offered for $625,000 SRRO IHQFHG \DUG 2IIHUHG IRU Offered for $750,000

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 20, Issue 17 â&#x20AC;˘ August 11, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com