19-10 NTNN 1-60 web by Neighborhood News

Volume 18 Issue 19

Inside: Win A Cruise In Our Annual Dining Contest!

September 11, 2010

See Page 50!

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 • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • West Meadows WESLEY CHAPEL: Aberdeen • Belle Chase • Brookside • Chapel Pines • Country Walk • Lexington Oaks • Meadow Pointe • New River • Northwood • Pinewalk • Pine Ridge • Saddlebrook • Saddleridge Estates • Saddlewood • Seven Oaks • Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg

New Tampa Voters Turn Out To Support Their Candidates By Michael Smith Although New Tampa historically has not been known for having a large percentage of its registered voters actually go out and cast votes, especially in non-Presidential election years, some local precincts actually exceeded the countywide average for voter turnout in the August 24 primary election. According to the official final tally from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office, only 124,675 of the county’s 666,642 registered voters, or 18.7 percent, cast votes in the primary. That includes absentee and early voting, which officials say more people took advantage of than ever before. In fact, Saturday, August 21, the last day for early voting, set a record for the highest single-day early voting turnout in county history, supervisor of elections Earl Lennard said, with 3,614 voters voting on that day alone. The previous high had been 3,374 in 2006. In all, 24,161 voters

voted at one of the 10 early voting sites around the county, including 1,247 who did so at the New Tampa Regional Library. Meanwhile, the highest overall turnout for the New Tampa area, 23.03 percent, came from Precinct 361, which also is at the library, (where poll workers reported a steady flow of voters on Election Day, despite the rain that persisted throughout the day and the fact that August 24 was also the first day of school for Hillsborough County students). That turnout was followed closely by Precinct 358 at Compton Park in Tampa Palms, which registered a 22.17 percent voter turnout. Turnout percentages at the rest of New Tampa’s polling sites were lower than the county average, but still averaged better than 13 percent. New Tampa voters also followed the same general trend as voters in the rest of the county in the candidates that they supported during the primary election. Hunter’s Green resi-

dent Shawn Harrison was one of those who enjoyed strong support in his victory over Trey Stroud for the Republican nomination for the District 60 state House seat that was vacated by Dr. Ed Homan because of term limits. While residents who are registered in only four of New Tampa’s voting precincts voted in that race, Harrison easily won all four by a better-than-2-1 margin, 896 votes to Stroud’s 322. Countywide, Harrison won by a margin of 5,150 to 3,543, and said he was grateful for the show of support. “If we’d have had this kind of support three years ago, we would have had a different story,” he said, referring to his 2006 campaign for reelection to the Tampa City Council, when he was defeated after a poor turnout from the New Tampa area. Following the election, Harrison said that he planned to take the Labor Day holiday off from campaigning to be with his family before hitting the streets once again to continue to build his support base for the Nov. 2 Gener-

ship entertainment included. This casino cruise is courtesy of our new friends, the new owners of what previously was known as Flamingo Florist, but is now actually two businesses — Ameribest Flowers and AmeriquestTravel.com. Kirk Kirkland, the new owner of the florist and travel agency located in the same Shoppes of Amberly plaza in

which our offices are located, walked into our office one day and said he was looking to spread the word about both of his business endeavors. I asked him about a cruise as the Grand Prize of this year’s contest and...voila! We have our biggest Dining Survey Contest prize EVER! We’ll be telling you a lot more about Kirk and Ameribest/Ameriquest in future issues, but until then, we hope you’ll at least turn to page 50, fill out this year’s much more user friendly (at least, we hope you’ll think it is) entry form and send it in to us for your chance to win BIG! Second prize is a $100 gift card to ANY restaurant in the Tampa Bay area and we’ll again have at least ten other free dining prizes worth at least $20 you can win, too!

al Election, where he will face the winner of the Democratic primary, Russ Patterson, who took more than 70 percent of the votes cast countywide in that race to defeat Christopher Cano. In New Tampa, Patterson had a 360171 advantage. “I feel confident that we have a good game plan,” Harrison says, although he adds that the race will be tougher than many people think, given that District 60 includes a majority of Democratic voters. Harrison says he spent a lot of time prior to the primary election going from door to door in different parts of the district and plans to do the same in the remaining weeks leading up to the general election, touting his business background and selling his platform of stimulating the state economy through “creating an environment that will attract new business to the area,” he says, which will, in turn create new jobs. Meanwhile, in the other mostSee “Election” on page 14.

Win A Three-Day Cruise In This Year’s Dining Survey & Contest!

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Local Bank Robbery Spree Ends With An Arrest; A Lively Debate About The Proposed Transportation Tax, Local Business Updates & Much More!

More Ideas For Your ‘Staycation’ Getaway; A Visit To The New Bella Vita Restaurant (Formerly Circles), Our Dining Sur vey & Contest & More!

See pages 3-42!

See pages 43-60!

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

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

Also Inside This Issue!

Postal Customer

OK, this year, we’re pulling out all of the stops for our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest! All you have to do is fill out the entry form on page 50 of this issue and you’ll have a chance to win a spectacular 4-day, 3-night cruise for two adults, with all meals and on-

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Gary Nager

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 18, Issue 19 â&#x20AC;˘ September 11, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Thank You, Advertisers & Readers, For Our Best Summer Ever! Last month, I received an anonymous e-mail on our website asking me, “So now, with the economy turning to crap, how do you feel about your endorsement of (President) Obama?” Well actually, I feel pretty good about it. I’ll admit 2009 was an extremely difficult year, one which saw my company and our publications struggle the way so many local business have and continue to struggle. But, once we were rid of a few employees who weren’t producing up to their respective income levels and put a few other belt-tightening measures in motion, I have to say that the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News have both having their best respective years ever! As you’ve likely noticed, if you’ve been reading our all-direct-mail news magazines for any period of time, the Neighborhood News has been growing steadily since the end of 2009 and this summer — which is usually notoriously slower than the fall, winter or spring year after year — has been our biggest and best summer ever by far. Our recent success is even more impressive to me because, as you likely know, the publishing business in general continues to shrink. Daily newspapers across the U.S. continue to lose revenue and employees at an alarming rate and even national news magazines like Newsweek and Time are suffering. Here in the Tampa Bay area, The Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times have

New Tampa Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483

Adv. E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: NTNNEdit@yahoo.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondent Melissa O’Brien

Art Director Billing Manager Tony Sica Ashley Knoblach Advertising Customer Service Managers David Zacharia • Nikki Bennett Office & Marketing Assistant

Karen Glenn Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 18, Issue 21, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Friday, September 24, 2010. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2010 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager both lost millions in advertising revenue and have raised their newsstand prices in an effort to offset those losses. The local dailies also continue to cut employees, so you’re getting less coverage and fewer ads to check out while you’re now being expected to pay 50 or 75 cents a day for what cost just a quarter a couple of short years ago. But, if you’ve read anything about the publishing biz the last two years, you probably know that “niche” publications like ours are the ones picking up the slack. Even with everyone and their brother trying to make a killing in online advertising sales, the good news for yours truly and my happy crew of dedicated workers is that even though a lot of local businesses have gone out of business, there are still people moving new ventures into many of the previously vacant office and retail spaces — and those folks know they have to promote their businesses to make enough money to keep their doors open. The even better news is that when those new businesses move into our area, other companies in the same plazas are telling the newcomers that we are the best-known, best-read publication serving New Tampa and Wesley Chapel and, for many, the only one hat delivers local advertising results.

The best news of all, however, is that you, our wonderful readers, even those who think they don’t love all of the opinions I express in these editorials, very often tell these new businesses that the Neighborhood News is the only local publication you read cover-tocover every time it hits your mailboxes. Many of you also tell me and my employees the same thing, which we appreciate, but the fact that you ask new business owners why you haven;t seen their ad in this publication is still the strongest sales tool we have — as it has been since the very beginning! So, even though I may not get to

personally thank every reader or even every advertiser who has not only kept us afloat but allowed us to grow in the face of one of the worst recessions in U.S. history, I did want to take a moment to thank you in these pages. And yes, our plan is to continue to work hard to improve the Neighborhood News on an ongoing basis, so our readers and advertisers alike can continue to reap the benefits. I certainly can’t attribute our growth directly to President Obama and I know there are still tough times ahead for many of us, but I believe we are heading in the right direction and look forward to 2011.

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS,

BUSINESS &

SPORTS

UPDATES...............................................Pages 1-42 New Tampa News Briefs.....................................6-7 Bank Robbery Spree Ends With Arrest I-75 Widening Schedule Accelerated Animal Shelters Offering Free Shots For Cats City & County Watering Schedules Unchanged YMCA Seeking Wesley Chapel Location New Tampa Community Calendar..................10-11 Election (cont. from page 1)......................................14

New Tampa Business News.....................16-35

New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Update..16-17 Two Sides Of The Proposed Transportation Tax........18 Palmside Barbershop Opens In Tampa Palms.............22 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates................26 Avalon MedSpa Offers Unique Services.....................32 Family Wellness Center..............................................34

New Tampa Sports Briefs.............................38 Freedom Wins, Wharton Loses In Football Openers Freedom Lacrosse Player Named All-American Derrick Brooks Hosting Charity Golf Tourney

New Tampa Education Briefs........................39 ACT/SAT Test Dates Announced News From Clark Elementary IDS Kids Classic Set For Sept. 20 History Center Offering Free Admission For Teachers

Neighborhood Magazine Wesley Chapel’s Hampton Inn Makes A Great ‘Staycation’ HQ...........................................43, 46 Pagelli’s Italiano Brings Food & Fun To Wiregrass....46 Relax & Unwind At Spa Moritz.................................47 Win A Cr uise In Our Dining Sur vey & Contest!..50 Bella Vita Ristorante & Market Replaces Circles.........54 . . NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSFIEDS...............58

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

News Briefs

Bank Robbery Spree Ends With Arrest

In another sign of the poor economy, the local area has been hit by a wave of brazen bank robberies over the past several weeks, including one in New Tampa, but police say they may have solved as many as six of the recent robberies with one arrest. As we were going to press with this issue, the Largo Police Department issued a press release saying that a Tampa man, Brian Michael McGregor, 24, had been arrested after robbing a BB&T bank on Walsingham Rd. According to the release, McGregor was under surveillance by detectives with the Tampa Police Department (TPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a potential suspect in several bank robberies that took place in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, including a heist at the Bank of America on Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms on August 30 (photo). In that case, the suspect entered the bank at 15301 Amberly Dr. shortly after noon. He handed a teller a note implying that he had a gun and was given an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing on foot. That was the fourth robbery in the span of a week, following on the heels of three others in southern Pasco. The first of those took place on August 24 at the Regions Bank at 22645 S.R. 54 54 in Land O’ Lakes (near S.R. 54 and Collier Pkwy). In that robbery, the suspect entered the bank and approached the teller, handing her a note demanding money. No weapon was displayed and the suspect fled the bank on foot. That suspect was described as a white male, 20 to 30 years of age, clean shaven, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and dark shoes, and a gray baseball cap with sunglasses resting on top of his hat. The second bank robbery that day

occurred about two hours later, at 3:30 p.m. at the Synovus Bank located at 2145 Cypress Ridge Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, off S.R. 56. In that robbery, the suspect came into the bank, gave the teller a note demanding money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was displayed in this robbery, either, and the suspect fled the bank in a golden brown 1999-2000 model Ford pickup truck with a matching camper top. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, in his late twenties to early thirties, with a shaved head and goatee, wearing a dark blazer, light blue shirt, cream-colored tie, light colored pants, dress shoes and sunglasses. Finally, a third bank robbery occurred on August 25 at the Bank of America branch at 22850 S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes. In that case, a white male in his early to mid-30s, about 5 feet 5 inches tall and wearing a green plaid shirt, blue jeans and a brown hat came into the bank at around 4 p.m. He also handed the teller a note and fled with money. In that case, however, investigators believe that a dye pack may have exploded on the suspect as he fled the bank. According to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Doug Tobin, the department was sending a detective to Largo to interview McGregor to try to determine if he was involved in any of the Pasco robberies. A TPD spokesperson said their investigation also is ongoing at this time, and more details will be released as they emerge.

I-75 Widening Schedule Advanced

Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have announced that the planned widening of I-75 between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel (and eventually beyond), which had been delayed several years because of a lack of funding, has now been moved up once again. For instance, the section between Fowler Ave. and Bruce B. Downs Blvd., which will be widened to eight lanes, wasn’t scheduled for construction until 2015. Now, however, that section will be let out for bid in June 2011, according to FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson, as will the section between BBD and S.R. 56, which is planned for six lanes and previously had been scheduled for construction in 2017. Meanwhile, the section between S.R. 56 and S.R./C.R. 54, which also will be widened to six lanes, wasn’t scheduled for construction until 2020 but will now be let for bid next month. Carson says that the primary reason the projects were allowed to be rescheduled was because the agency has saved substantial amounts of money on other projects because the bids for those projects were less than what was originally estimated. Also, while the original plan was to work from south to north, Carson says that the northernmost segment will be widened first because the amount of funding that is immediately available fit with the funding needs for that project. Plus, that project is almost completely designed and therefore will be ready for bidding sooner. Also, the two more southern segments have been designed together and will be constructed together, so that there will be more efficiency during the construction process.

Hillsborough-Based Animal Shelters Offering Free Shots For Life For Adopted Cats

Hillsborough County Animal Services is partnering with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to save innocent lives by offering free vaccinations and

other shots for the life of adult cats that are adopted from the county’s shelters. Under the program, both organizations’ animal shelters are offering free vaccinations for the life of any adult cat (one year of age or older) that is adopted from either location through February 28, 2011. Each qualifying cat will be entitled to one free annual rabies and distemper shot from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Wellness Clinic. Throughout the U.S., cat adoptions tend to lag far behind those of dogs, according to a spokesperson for the Animal Services department. The goal of the new “Free Shots For Life” program is to increase cat adoptions in Hillsborough by at least 10 percent. The program is a special pilot program made possible through funding by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Petango.com, one of the largest online pet adoption websites, which also recently launced a Find-A-Pet iPhone application. In 2007, both Hillsborough County Animal Services and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay were chosen as recipients of a national outreach program by the ASPCA in New York City. Their success in Hillsborough County has since become a model for many other communities. Both shelters are closed to the public on Mondays, and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s Wellness Clinic is open Thursday - Sunday only. For more information, contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at 744-5660 or through the county website, HillsboroughCounty.org; or the Humane Society of Tampa Bay at 876-7138 or HumaneSocietyTampa.org.

County & City Watering Schedules Unchanged

The month of September typically means that the annual rainy season is drawing to a close. However, if that has you thinking about running your sprin-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

kler system more often, Hillsborough County officials want you to keep in mind that watering of established lawns and landscaping in the county is still limited to two days per week. In unincorporated Hillsborough County, the schedule is: Mondays & Thursdays for addresses ending in 0, 1, 2 or 3; Tuesdays & Fridays for addresses ending in 4, 5 or 6; and Wednesdays & Saturdays for addresses ending in 7, 8 or 9 and for locations with no address and those with mixed addresses (such as office complexes and shopping centers). The restrictions apply to all residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County — not just Water Resource Division customers — and those using most water sources, including private wells and ponds or lakes that are used as alternate irrigation supplies. All watering must be done either before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The City of Tampa also has the same watering schedule. Residents may hand-water plants and shrubs, or use a drip irrigation system in landscaping beds, at any time. There are also special rules for watering new sod and plantings. There are no restrictions on fountains, car washing and pressure washing. Reclaimed water customers are

exempt from the watering restrictions, although these customers are encouraged to use only what they need. It can be worthwhile to pay attention to the rules, too, because if you live in unincorporated Hillsborough County, violating the restrictions means a fine of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and so on, leading up to $500 for the fifth and succeeding violations. Non-payment will result in a summons to appear before a code enforcement special magistrate and the possibility of a lien being placed against the property. For complete information, visit HillsboroughCounty.org/water, call 275-7094 for a recorded message, or call the Water Conservation Team at 272-5977, ext. 43991, during regular business hours.

Park Improvements Are On Hold, But YMCA Officials Still Hope To Build In Pasco

With Pasco County facing huge budget shortfalls, there is no money to pay for the planned improvements to the Wesley Chapel District Park (WCDP), but officials with the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA say they are hoping to find a suitable place to build a branch in the Wesley Chapel area. When asked, Pasco County Parks

Department director Rick Buckman said that with the current state of the economy, the planned second phase of the WCDP (which was to include, among other things, an aquatic facility and a full-sized gymnasium) is on indefinite hold. “Right now, there’s nothing in the books to continue development at the park,” Buckman says, although he did say that the aquatic facility and multiuse building at the park already have been designed. “Unfortunately, we’re losing staff [in the budget], so we need to cover what already exists.” Buckman added that the county had been in talks with officials from the Tampa Metro YMCA about the possibility of that organization taking over construction and management of the new facility, “But it was a bit beyond their means as well,” he said. Meanwhile, Robert Wiggins, a group vice president for the YMCA, says that the organization recently received the results of market studies that were done to determine if there was enough interest in the Wesley Chapel area to warrant the construction of a new YMCA there. “Our studies actually showed that we could sustain two [new YMCAs], one in both Wesley Chapel and Land O’Lakes, in terms of membership base,” Wiggins said.

However, as with the county itself, money is an issue for the YMCA. “We don’t have a ton of capital to work with,” Wiggins said. “If the perfect piece of property came available at a reasonable enough price, then we would be able to move forward, but we haven’t found that yet.” Wiggins said that the organization has even talked to officials with the Pasco County School District about the possibility of a partnership, and those conversations have been “very receptive,” but nothing concrete has yet emerged. He also says that there have been some cases in other areas where developers have offered to partner with the YMCA to build a facility within their community in place of a conventional community clubhouse but, so far, that has been a dead end as well. So, Wiggins says that the YMCA has started talks with a commercial real estate professional to help find a suitable location. Although he declined to elaborate as to specifics, Wiggins said that the S.R. 54 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. corridors are some of the areas the organization is looking at, but he said that they usually try to build new facilities far enough away from existing ones, in this case, the New Tampa Family YMCA in Tampa Palms, so that the two facilities don’t cannibalize each others’ members. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Ya Gotta Have HART!

Monday, September 13 — Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HARTline) will present a balanced, factual review of transit services that would be funded if the Transportation Referendum passes this fall. HART’s representative will discuss the levels and types of service, what will happen along Bruce B. Downs if the referendum passes and the differences between light rail and high speed rail. The luncheon will be held at noon (registration at 11:30 a.m.) at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., opposite the Super Wal-Mart off BBD). The cost to attend for Chamber members is $15, or $20 for prospective members and the general public. Call 293-2464 for reservations.

Master Gardener Workshops

Tuesday, September 14 – Members of the Hillsborough Extension Service’s Master Gardener program will host a series of free workshops and clinics on a variety of gardening topics, including “Ferns,” beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). Pre-registration is not required, but seating is limited and space is avail-

able on a first come, first served basis For more information about this program, call the library at 2733652. For info on other programs, visit hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, September 15 – The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Bella Vita Italian Restaurant & Market (formerly Circles New Tampa Bistro, 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the Pebble Creek Collection shopping plaza).

New Tampa PAR

Wednesday, September 15 – The New Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (PAR) league meets Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr., off BBD) for nine holes of golf and networking. The registration fee to join is $35 and weekly dues are $20. For more information, call Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100.

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, September 15 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who are dedicated to helping their businesses grow through qualified referrals,

meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Heritage Isles Clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

6890 Governor Ed Odom. For more information, visit NewTampaRotary.org or contact Karen Frashier at 375-2663.

New Tampa Evening Rotary

Saturday, September 18 – Tampa Palms resident and Eagle Scout candidate Sam Bryant invites members of the community to a dog rescue event that he is hosting as part of his requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The event will be held from noon-4 p.m. at Club Tampa Palms (16402 Tampa Palms Blvd. W., a mile west of BBD) and will include representatives and animals from local dog rescue groups and dog service agencies, and a demonstration by a Tampa Police Department K9 officer. There is no charge to attend.

Thursday, September 16 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club. For more information, call Sherri Ferguson at 892-9782.

Computer Workshops

Thursday, September 16 – Every Thursday, the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.) offers free computer workshops for adults, beginning at 12:15 p.m. The workshops focus on computer techniques and a variety of software programs. Registration is required in person, no earlier than one hour before the beginning of the workshop. Call 273-3652 for more information, or, for a complete list of activities offered at the library, visit HCPLC.org.

New Tampa Rotary Club

Friday, September 17 – The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). The featured speaker on September 17 meeting will be new District

‘Dog Day Afternoon’

Wonder Workshops

Saturday, September 18 – Educator Danita Elkin, who provides monthly in-service training courses for preschool teachers, is now making the same workshops available to parents of preschoolers, too. The three-hour sessions cost $10 and are held at the Children’s Learning Center at University Community Hospital (3100 E. Fletcher Ave). The topic of the workshop on September 18, which begins at 9 a.m., will be “What’s The Magic Word?,” which emphasizes creative techniques, positive praise and other ways of creating a healthy learning environment in

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

the classroom (and at home). Upcoming topics include “Bringing Literature to Life” on October 16 and “Tunes and Flannel” on November 5. Reservations are required. For more info, call 910-0029.

Technology ‘Petting Zoo’

Saturday, September 25 – The New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.) will host a free technology “petting zoo,” beginning at 1 p.m., which will allow visitors the opportunity to explore (and touch) new gadgets like smart phones, computers, cameras and other hi-tech toys. The program is ongoing, too, so library visitors can stop in anytime after the event and ask questions and check out the items. The event is co-sponsored by Best Buy. For more info, call 273-3652.

Pet Food Drive

Sunday, September 26 – The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club is sponsoring “Load ‘Em Up,” a benefit for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s “Casper’s Cupboard” program, which provides free pet food to families having financial difficulties. During the event, which will be held 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Texas Roadhouse (26409 Silver Maple Pkwy., off S.R. 56, Wesley Chapel), club members will be collecting bags of dog and cat food, and each bag entitles the

donor to a free appetizer. Also, 10 percent of the money spent on food and beverages during the event will be donated to the Humane Society. There also will be fun family activities. For more info, call 907-8188 or visit GFWCNewTampaJuniors.org.

Tampa Chamber member (or can join before the Expo), you may still be able to get a free exhibitor table at the event (but hurry, space is limited, so call the number below for info ASAP!). For more information, call the Chamber office at 293-2464.

Moms Club Of New Tampa

Women-N-Charge

Tuesday, September 28 - The Moms Club of New Tampa-SE meets the last Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m., at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). All members, prospective members and their children who live in the 33647 zip code (except for Tampa Palms, Grand Hampton and Live Oak) are encouraged to attend to discuss upcoming events and ideas. For more information, visit MomsClubNewTampa.webs.com or call Jamie Priest at 217-5567.

Friday, October 1 – Women-NCharge, a group that offers education and support for business women, meets the first Friday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., off BBD). For more information, visit Women-n-Charge.com or call Sue Davis at 435-5128.

Florida Orchestra Coming To Wesley Chapel

Thursday, October 7 – The Florida Orchestra will kick off its 2010-11 season with a special concert at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High (30651 Wells Rd.). The concert will feature a guest appearance by Maestro Thomas Wilkins, musical director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, and to be performed are Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” Becker’s Toccata for Orchestra and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, and other selections. The concert begins at 8 p.m., and general admission tickets cost $20 per person. For more info, call 794-8772.

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

Thursday, September 30 – The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Expo, showcasing the products and services offered by its members, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (8310 Galbraith Rd., off Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., near Muvico). Admission is free, and there also will be door prizes, raffles and other giveaways. And, if you’re already a New

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Election”

Continued from page 1 closely-watched local race, longtime Hillsborough County commissioner Jim Norman edged out state Rep. Kevin Ambler in the Republican primary race for Victor Crist’s vacated District 12 State Senate seat. (Like Crist, Ambler was forced to give up his House seat because of term limits). The race between the former allies turned surprisingly ugly, with allegations and accusations being tossed around by both sides, and, it wasn’t until after Norman won the election by roughly 1,000 votes –10,908 to 8,874 – that Ambler, a lawyer, decided to file a lawsuit with the state elections office asking that Norman be disqualified and the results of the election overturned on the grounds that he failed to disclose the value of a piece of property that his wife owns in Arkansas. The final result and effect of that lawsuit isn’t known yet, but as it stands right now, it appears as though Norman will be headed for the Florida Senate, as he only faces a pair of write-in candidates, Derek Crabb and Kimberly Renspie, in the General Election. In New Tampa, Norman defeated Ambler in all seven precincts that voted in that race (Senate District 12 includes New Tampa and a large section of

Pasco County), by a cumulative margin of 1,156 to 881. Some New Tampa voters also cast votes in the Republican primary for the District 61 seat in the state House between incumbent Will Shawn Harrison Weatherford of Wesley Chapel and Kevin Wright. Weatherford easily won the nomination by a 724-263 margin among all of the Hillsborough County-based voters who took part (District 61 also includes parts of both Hillsborough and Pasco counties), inclduing a 565-197 edge over Wright among New Tampa’s District 61 voters. New Tampa voters also helped to decide a pair of primary races for the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. In the Republican race for the District 7 (at-large) seat, incumbent Mark Sharpe defeated Josh Burgin by a margin of 35,497-29,098 countywide and 1,228-742 in New Tampa’s seven precincts. Meanwhile, a majority of local voters also supported longtime New Tampa resident Victor Crist in his primary race against Linda Pearson for the Republican nomination for the District 2 BOCC seat. The margin of victory

for the former state senator was 13,416-7,232 countywide and 1,350631 in New Tampa. And finally, in the race to become Florida’s next governor, which featured primaries for both parties, New Tampa voters followed the trend set by all county voters in supporting Attorney General Bill McCollum in his losing bid for the Republican nomination against Rick Scott. Despite winning New Tampa (by a margin of 1,094 to 897, with Mike McAlister taking 159 votes) and the county (30,943 to 30,866, with 6,070 votes for McAlister), McCollum lost the statewide voting by a significant margin, which some experts said reflected the anti-incum-

bent attitude of many voters this year. On the other side, Florida’s current chief financial officer Alex Sink, easily won the Democratic nomination for governor and the right to face Scott and independent candidate Lawton “Bud” Chiles in November by defeating her challenger, Brian Moore. Countywide, Sink received more than 80 percent of the total votes cast, 39,092, to just 8,776 for Moore, while in New Tampa’s precincts she also prevailed by a wide margin, 941-125. For complete election results, as well as important dates and other information about the upcoming General Election, visit VoteHillsborough.org.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

2009-10 NTCC Board of Directors President-Scott D. Estes

Board Members:

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

Rachel Haviland, VP

Seema Jain

Matt Palmer, Treas.

Regina Ramalheira

Connie Bladon

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

Lesley Zajac

Administrator: Karen Frashier

Despite Lawsuit, The ‘Gateway Bridge’ Is A Bridge To Somewhere!! An opinion piece by Scott Estes, NTCC President If you’re like me, you’re probably not sure whether or not you are in favor of the City of Tampa’s longawaited “Gateway Bridge” that would connect the Tampa Palms and West Meadows neighborhoods by extending New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows over I-75 (with no exit onto or off of I75 at that location) to Commerce Palms Blvd. in Tampa Palms. The bridge, originally planned as the first leg of the often-contentious East-West Connector (E-W Rd.) for New Tampa (which is meant to finally give New Tampa commuters who are trying to get to I-275 from Bruce B. Downs Blvd. an alternative to taking BBD all the way south to Bearss Ave.), is now a separate project from the E-W Rd. Until recently, the New Tampa Blvd. “Gateway Bridge” had not gotten nearly as much negative publicity as the E-W Rd. itself, but when the City of Tampa was unable to finalize a deal with a public-private partnership to build both the bridge and the E-W Rd. last year, city transportation officials turned to building the (at that time) already partially funded bridge project. City officials believe the bridge will not only give West Meadows, Richmond Place and other north-of-I-75 residents an opportunity to access Freedom High, Liberty Middle School and the New Tampa Community Park without having to drive on BBD, but also will alleviate congestion on BBD itself, which will continue going through a phased expansion (to eight lanes all the way from Bearss Ave. north to the Pasco County line) through at least 2014. But, what is the bridge project all about anyway and why are some local residents now suing the city to stop it? Up until recently I wasn’t sure myself. That is, until I attended a recent

meeting in Tampa Palms on the subject. After hearing what the anti-bridge activists had to say oabout the bridge, I can tell you for sure that I am now absolutely in favor of it. More important, however, is that I also am vehemently opposed to the litigation to stop the city project. Read on and perhaps you will be as well. In case you missed it, the city is planning to build this bridge. That sounds simple enough. Also, with the federal government handing out billions of dollars for shovel-ready state projects such as the already-designed Gateway Bridge, it would seem perfect timing, so let’s just get it done right? Well, not so fast, because there is a seemingly very small group of people who are trying to stop it. I recently attended a meeting put on by attorney and Tampa Palms resident Warren Dixon, who is heading up the lawsuit to stop what he calls the “Bridge to Nowhere.” Apparently, Dixon and his supporters lost their first battle with the city and were running out of money. So, the public meeting was called to drum up support for the litigation, so the group could carry on with the fight to stop the bridge. The meeting gave me a new perspective on the issue of whether to build it or not. All of West Meadows and Tampa Palms where sent out flyers to attend the meeting, yet only about a dozen people attended, if you take out the press and those that walked out of the meeting after they found out what it was really about. My initial observation was that those in attendance where

Ya Gotta Have HART! Facts About Hillsborough County’s Transportation Tax Referendum

Chamber Luncheons are held the 2nd Monday of each month at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., across BBD from Super Wal-Mart). This month’s luncheon will be held Monday, September 13, and will feature representatives of HARTline (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) discussing the projects that will be funded if the county’s one-cent transportation sales surtax is approved. Registration & networking begin at 11:30; lunch is served at noon. Please call the NTCC Hotline at 293-2464 for complete info.

shocked that so few had come out to support their lawsuit. I pointed out that perhaps the rest of the community disn’t feel the same way they do about the bridge. Perhaps the rest of us are actually for the bridge for its added safety, access and convenience. Perhaps this bridge is exactly what the New Tampa community needs and, while we’re at it, won’t the project create jobs?

A Que$tion Of Money

Dixon said at the meeting that he already had donated $100,000 in attorney’s fees to the cause and bragged about how the lawsuit has already cost the city $250,000 since it was first filed back in April of 2008. Dixon also said he needed to raise money to pay for his two expert witnesses, which he introduced to the audience. One of the “experts” was his wife, and the other was called a “professional witness” with previous experiences in such cases who lives in the high-end Hyde Park neighborhood in South Tampa. While Dixon said he is willing to continue to donate his services, he added, “Witnesses don’t come free.” So basically, this donated money was to go to his wife and a guy that

lives in a mult-imillion-dollar neighborhood in South Tampa? Apparently, this “expert witness” fought a similar battle with the city in South Tampa for 10 years, until he finally lost. Can you imagine how much this lawsuit will cost us in tax dollars if it were to drag on for another 10 years? That’s when the first two local residents who were in attendance walked out of the meeting, but I decided to stay and hear some more. The presentation was very one-sided, as you might expect, against the bridge, but I was shocked at the exaggerations and down right mistruths laid out for us all. Dixon and his supporters stated that city officials claim the bridge is needed for community safety and emergency services access, as well as for commuter traffic for Freedom High students. But, Dixon told meeting attendees that Freedom only had one bus because “all of the other students that go there drive their own cars.” Well, Mr. Dixon, we have held our Taste of New Tampa™ at Freedom the last 2 years and I can assure you they have more than one bus serving more than 2,000 students and I don’t know of any 9th

Temple Ohev Shalom of New Tampa

6460 Tampa Palms Blvd. Tampa, Fl. 33647 813-632-9900 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 46155 Tampa, Fl. 33647

Somerset Professional Park - 15283 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

graders who are even old enough to drive. And of course, that doesn’t even count the Liberty Middle School students located right next to Freedom, at which none of the students are able to drive their own cars to school. In regards to the safety issue, Dixon painted a picture of an onslaught of cars, barreling down Tampa Palms Blvd. (which connects directly to Commerce Palms Blvd.) swerving to miss sandhill cranes and killing pedestrians on the sidewalk. Again, that seemed an unbelievable statement considering that I see sandhill cranes lazily grazing along the sides and medians of I-75 every day and the birds seem to know to stay out of the way of traffic, as they also do on Bruce B. Downs. The attorney claimed that the need for emergency vehicle access was false, which he attempted to prove by stating that the distance from the Fire Stations in Tampa Palms and Hunter’s Green (almost directly across BBD from West Meadows) to the point where the bridge would be located was equal. But, I pointed out to everyone at the meeting, that what we are talking about is an emergency. In an emergency situation, there could, for example, be brush fires on both sides of I75, with thick black smoke blocking Bruce B. Downs. Now, wouldn’t we be thankful to have another way for emergency vehicles to get over I-75 to save

lives? Dixon simply laughed my suggestion off, stating that my scenario could not happen. Although, violently swerving vehicles avoiding birds and killing pedestrians somehow seemed just as implausible to me. Mr. Dixon, thank you for helping me make up my mind, at least, on the Gateway Bridge project. As I stated before, I am now very much in favor of the bridge, but most important is that I also am against your frivolous lawsuit, which is only costing us our taxpayer money — tax money that goes to help pay for our much-needed firemen and police. I believe your lawsuit also potentially makes us all a little less safe. Join me in supporting the bridge project, by emailing your support to forbridge@yahoo.com. Or, write your Tampa City Council members. Let them know that some New Tampa residents are in favor of any transportation improvements that will help us get to and from our jobs and our children’s schools a little faster and a little safer.

this President’s Message, Scott and I had never spoken about the Gateway Bridge project. — GN

Business Expo Sept. 30!

On Thursday, September 30, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., join the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce and its members at the Chamber’s annual Membership Meeting and FREE Business Expo at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites on Galbreath Rd. in New Tampa (across from Muvico). Business booths are free to New Tampa Chamber members; however, the number of available booths is limited and they’re going fast. Having a booth at the Expo is a great way to showcaseeverything your business has to offer. The Business Expo is always free and open to the public. Reserve your booth today by calling Regina Ramalheira at 245-8893. Plus, the New Tampa Chamber Expo is a great way to buy local and kick your holiday shopping stress to the

curb. Our business line-up will again include bankers, travel agents, flooring contractors, real estate agents, hotels and more, with new businesses being added to the mix every day. During the Expo, the Chamber will be voting in its new Board of Directors for 2010-11. In addition, the proceeds from the 2010 Taste of New Tampa™ & Business & Health Expo also will be awarded to the non-profit school and volunteer groups that helped us during the Taste. This event also commemorates the official end of our first year as a Chamber of Commerce. We will celebrate by bestowing the first annual Frank Margarella Award, which will go to the member who most substantially supported the Chamber, small business and the New Tampa community throughout the year. Another member will be awarded the New Tampa Chamber Member of the Year award. Two others will receive special appreciation awards for their involvement in the Chamber’s first year.

Scott Estes Editor’s note - Scott’s opinions are his own. Despite this opinion piece, he is not claiming to be speaking on behalf of all New Tampa residents nor even on behalf of all New Tampa Chamber members. I have been a long-time proponent of both the bridge and the E-W Rd., but until I received

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Two Different Opinions About The Transportation Referendum A couple of issues ago, I did an update and gave my opinion about the proposed one-cent transportation surcharge sales tax which will help provide billions of dollars to fund road and light rail projects if it passes and will be on the November 2 General Election ballot for all Hillsborough County and City of Tampa voters. On these pages are the opinions of New Tampa-based Certified Financial Planner Chuck Lewandowski, who is in favor of the tax, and Wesley Chapel resident and Tampa business owner Kevin Wright (who lost the August 24 primary for the Republican nomination for State House Dirtict 61 to incumbent Will Weatherford), who is against it. We’d love to hear your opinions on this issue, too, so please email them to us at NTNNedit@yahoo.com. Or, visit NTNeighborhoodNews.com. — GN

Light Rail To Create A Diversified Growth Platform In Hillsborough County

There have been significant discussions surrounding the proposed one cent sales tax to fund transportation improvements in Hillsborough County. Informed tax payers clearly recognize the referendum as an investment, not a burden. If we continue to ignore the facts, we face the far greater cost of failing to invest in Hillsborough County’s transportation structure and maintaining the status quo. However, this referendum provides hope that we can still build a safer, smarter and healthier community. Hillsborough County needs to change their approach to transportation. The transportation system must be viewed as a strategic regional asset that requires upgrade and constant attention, not a secondary cost. Without such vision and investment, growth in the County will stagnate and costs will multiply. As Hillsborough County residents, it our responsibility to address issues which threaten our community’s development. We cannot wait for tomorrow, when it might be too late. Together we have the chance to change the current direction of our community in a positive way. Here are the potential consequences of continuing our current transportation policy which can be best described as “Pave and Rave”: • Underutilization of existing infrastructure resulting in duplication of high cost county resources — The County is now comprised of “Islands of Isolation.” Neighborhoods such as WestChase, Tampa Palms, and Fishhawk Ranch, all pay for and have the right to demand accessible County

services. Yet because of this, the County spends capital funds and ongoing employment costs to provide duplicate services and manpower simply because citizens can’t easily access a centralized facility. But, with November’s ballot, we can cut wasteful spending and invest in a future which benefits everyone. • Inability to attract new, high value employers to the area — The latest recession has clearly shown that Hillsborough County must attract high paying, quality employment in order to diversify beyond the real estate and tourism markets that have been the foundation of Florida’s economy for so many years. Employers rank quality of education and reasonable infrastructure costs (soft and hard/hassle and taxes) as strong factors in their search for new locations. Investment from the private sector such as the Gates Grant will help strengthen our education system and bring extra funds to our community. On the other hand, simply expanding Bruce B. Downs Boulevard or Lithia Pinecrest Road will not address the structural costs of an inefficient transportation system. That’s why we must move forward with this plan. A system with options is a must. • Inability to retain high performing young people — If there are no new jobs with reasonable career prospects, the younger population will move elsewhere. My daughter, a recent college graduate, expressed doubts about returning to Tampa upon graduation. Realistically, what employment possibilities can Tampa offer her? Transportation is indeed a critical factor in deciding where to live and work and Tampa is lagging behind in smart transit. Young professionals settle in cities that are livable communities providing

transit options which facilitate healthy living. Fortunately, there’s still time to correct the faults made in past years. • Continued sprawl and its’ associated soft costs — Roads will move further into the county’s hinterlands. With the Tampa Bay population still growing, traffic will not improve. Congestion equals time wasted in idle traffic, and less time in constructive things. Idle cars also cause increased air quality degradation, which ruins both our health and our environment. However, this plan ensures areas will be preserved and air quality will improve.

results.” Indeed, it’s time to place our energies and resources in a new direction. As numerous cities across the U.S. have shown, transit options are the first step to a better society. Now it’s our turn to learn from past mistakes and invest in the future we want for our community. — Charles J. Lewandowski, CFP

‘Pave & Rave’ Doesn’t Work

The economic environment in Hillsborough County over the last two years has clearly indicated the need for a different thought process as it pertains to developing County resources and growing our economy. ”Pave and Rave” can no longer work. As Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Rail For New Tampa: Why?

We are experiencing the worst economy since the Great Depression. Is there something about boarded up storefronts that you like? Try operating a hair salon, or restaurant; making a profit is not easy. These courageous new start-ups deserve every chance for success, not more taxes. Make no mistake, for many local businesses; one cent more in sales taxes will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. How many businesses currently receive ANY clients via public transportation? Virtually none. Government, or its surrogates, does receive some clients in this manner. More mass transit will expand government and create more dependents. The authors of this tax have proven time and again to be FAILURES with the public assets that we have entrusted to them. No, that is not your imagination; the current bus system operates with very few bus riders. The only light rail operating in Tampa, in the much-higher-density Channelside district, goes begging for riders each day. Even with tax subsidies and Federal grants, Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation loses about $100 million each year. If you or I lost $100 million, we would go to jail, but mass transit leaders get efficiency awards. The transportation planners talk with wistful eyes about all the people that can move,

with less pollution and less costs, if only the stubborn public would submit to the obviously superior mass transit system. The bottom line of their complaint is never that they have done something wrong. It is always some one else’s fault the system doesn’t operate as advertised. If their pay were contingent upon ridership, ridership would improve. But, they are not accountable. Our $300 million mass transit system already loses $100 million a year. If we give the same folks a $3 billion mass transit system to operate, HART will likely lose $1 billion a year. So, New Tampa, seriously, do you really have a billion dollars to lose right now? If by some accident, this new system doesn’t lose money on this scale, don’t worry, the bureaucrats and no-name office holders will do WHATEVER it takes to lose that $1 billion. In government, the objective is not to move people; the objective is to re-distribute your money. Do not doubt me on this. I have tried at every opportunity to talk sense to the overpaid transit tax boosters and their minions, but they are not programmed to receive. For example, if the bus system is to increase ridership, I believe HARTline should market to the largest employment group in Hillsborough County. But, they don’t even know who that group is, nor do they care — it is the schools. Every June, when school gets out for the summer,

we other citizens get our roads back, sans the congestion. Tonight, after 7 p.m., visit virtually any major thoroughfare in Tampa and you’ll find that congestion is not a problem. Congestion is only a problem when school starts in the morning and when it gets out in the afternoon, but HART has no plan to market its bus seats to teachers or parents. So, I conclude that if HART will not market to the largest contributor of congestion in the county, our schools, they are not serious about solving the transportation issues of the citizens. I know, I know, the schools have their own buses. Yes they do — and just try to suggest that we should consolidate the services. Could teachers be encouraged to ride the school buses with children? Could teachers be encouraged to ride HART to school and, free from driving, prepare for class on their laptop computers? Could school schedules be adjusted so that starting hours are staggered to reduce congestion? No, common sense just will not do; there are a million excuses why these suggestions will never work, but no attempt to eliminate teacher/ student induced traffic congestion. This arrogant ignorance about who actually rides mass transit in Hillsborough County starts from the top down. I have asked Kevin Thibeault, the head of Florida State Rail, if he

knew how much it costs for a roundtrip AMTRAK ticket from Tampa to Orlando. I asked him if he knew how many passengers AMTRAK services in Florida. I have asked similar questions of former Hillsborough County commissioner Ed Turanchik, the original light rail proponent in the county. They do not know and they do not care. They are focused on the millions of Floridians who have made the wrong transportation choice – automobiles, and they are going to “help” these wrong-headed consumers. The bottom line to the ultimate success for a municipal rail system, according to well known national transportation science standards, is POPULATION DENSITY. A city needs somewhere near ten people per acre to achieve sufficient ridership. New Tampa has less than four people per acre, even in the most dense areas. Now the flippant attitude is, “Build it and they will come.” Ask yourself seriously, do you even want to double the population density of New Tampa? These “SCAM TRAM” boosters ARE serious about taxing you, and they will spend whatever amount of money, tell whatever lie, hide whatever facts, bankrupt any business, or attack anyone who gets in the way of this billion dollar income transfer scheme. — Kevin Wright, AxTheTax.org Hillsborough County Coordinator.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Palmside Barbershop Offers A Modern Twist On An Old-Time Service By Melissa O’Brien It may not have a red, white and blue pole and its interior may be sleek and modern, but at the Palmside Barbershop in the Pointe of Tampa Palms shopping center off of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (behind Olive Garden), you’ll receive the same friendly service reminiscent of the oldtime barbershops. This newly opened shop, which caters to men of all ages, offers a relaxing atmosphere where clients can receive shaves, cuts and, of course, casual conversation. When you visit Palmside, you’ll know right away this is no ordinary hair “salon.” Co-owners Daniel Gray and Wendy Enzor designed the shop to feel like it is a place created for men, with two flat-screen TVs broadcasting local sporting events and comfortable couches to relax in should you have to wait. Services offered include haircuts, hot towel and electric razor shaves, goatee trims and specialty cuts, including Mohawks, buzz cuts and fades. Enzor says the shop was designed entirely with men in mind. “There are a lot of hair cutting places in the area but not many that cater specifically to

men,” says Enzor, who runs the business side of Palmside Barbershop. “We saw a need for a place where men could come in and not feel self conscious about getting their hair or beard done. We wanted to create a masculine environment where men feel comfortable and welcome and where they receive quality service in a friendly atmosphere.” “We try to accommodate our customers,” continues Enzor. “We accept walk-ins and, if someone has to wait, we try to make them feel comfortable by offering them a cup of coffee or a water, a men’s magazine or a comfortable seat to watch (ESPN) Sportscenter. We have wireless service, so if there is a wait, you also can bring in your laptop. There are a number of restaurants in the plaza. So, if a client is on a lunch break, we will hold a spot for them while they get something to eat.” Gray, who is one of three barbers at the shop, says one of the things he likes best about his job is getting to know his customers. “I love talking with people about the Bucs and the Rays and getting to know everyone,” he says. “I get to be creative, artistic

The new Palmside Barbershop in The Pointe at Tampa Palms shopping center offers upscale hair cutting services for men in a comfortable atmosphere. and meet new people. I enjoy talking with clients about what is happening in the world today and talking about sports.” Gray started barbering about ten years ago and has worked at several shops in the area before opening Palmside. His specialties are business and “regular” haircuts, while barbers Angel Negron and Tyrone Hayden specialize in all kinds of hair textures, fades (a tapered haircut) and razor designs. When clients are done with their haircuts, Palmside uses a unique air hose

that Daniel says pulls up any loose hair – making it easier for clients to go back to work without any trace of a haircut on their neck or shoulders. The Palmside Barbershop accepts clients of any age, and if mothers come in with sons and daughters, the barbers also can accommodate girls. Senior citizen and student discounts are available Monday-Thursday and Palmside offers free neck shaves in between haircuts. Soon, Gray says, they will be offering their own line of men’s hair care products, as well.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Doug Snow, who lives in Seminole Heights, has followed Daniel Gray to his new shop. “I used to have my hair cut by Daniel at another shop,” says Snow. “I followed him here and I always get a great haircut at a great price. The décor is nicely done and it is a nice, comfortable atmosphere. I have recommended him to other people I know. “ Randy Grantham, an attorney who lives in New Tampa, followed Gray from Palmside Barbershop co-owners Wendy Enzor two other Tampa-area barber and Daniel Gray. shops and likes the convennotice because I never know when I ience of his new location. need to be in court. They always keep “I found Daniel when his shop a chair open for me. It’s very comfortwas in Lutz,” says Grantham. “It is rare that you find someone in a service able — like a new twist on the old standard. I hope he does very well.” industry that you want to follow Palmside Barbershop is located around when they move, but I liked at 17006 Palms Pointe Dr., behind him because he listens to what you the Olive Garden at Tampa Palms want — and don’t want. I was his first Blvd. and BBD Blvd. Barbershop paying customer in his new shop in hours are Monday and Saturday, 9 Tampa Palms. I really like it because a.m. – 5 p.m., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on it’s convenient and it’s more than just Tues. – Fri. and closed on Sunday. a barber shop — it’s truly a men’s hair salon. When you go in, you’re not self- Appointments are available, if necessary, after hours. For additional conscious like you might be at other information, call 558-8855 or visit salons with women getting their hair PalmsideBarberShop.com. and nails done. They see me on short

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Sneezing? Itching? Watery Eyes? Could Be You’re Allergic By Michael Smith If it seems like more and more of those medication ads that you see in magazines and on TV are for products that treat allergies and allergy-related problems, there may be a good reason. Allergies are the sixth-leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S., and cost the health care system around $18 billion annually, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). Statistics from the National Institutes of Health indicate that as many as 50 million Americans are affected by some kind of allergic disease, which may include hay fever, asthma, eczema, sinusitis and others, as well as allergies to food, medication or other substances. A 2005 study showed that more than half of all Americans had positive reactions to at least one of the 10 most common allergens - ragweed, Bermuda grass, rye grass, white oak, Russian thistle, alternaria mold, cats, house dust mites, German cockroaches and peanuts. The most common food allergens are cow’s milk, eggs, shellfish and nuts, with peanuts and tree nuts being responsible for the most fatal

includes M.D.s Roger Fox and Dennis Ledford and Mark Glaum, M.D., PhD. More important, however, is that Lockey and the others also are faculty members of the world-renowned Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. Not only is Dr. Lockey the director of the division, and also of its affiliated Clinical Research Dr. Richard Lockey, M.D., heads up a Unit, but in January he also was world-class team of allergy specialists at elected president of the World Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Allergy Organization (WAO). Associates of Tampa Bay. Lockey explains that there are different theories about why and near-fatal allergic reactions. the incidence of allergies is on the rise. According to Dr. Richard Lockey, Although there’s “lots of speculation M.D., not only are there more cases of and little evidence,” he says, the most allergies reported every year, but they widely-accepted theory is called the also are affecting more children. “hygiene hypothesis,” which states that “[We’re seeing that] certain probmodern babies have “inexperienced” lems are starting to show up in immune systems, because they haven’t younger and younger patients, and been exposed to as many viruses, bacthere are more of them,” Lockey says. teria and germs as babies born years If anyone is in a position to know, ago. That’s especially true in the develit’s Dr. Lockey, who is the founding oped Western societies, where allergy partner of Allergy, Asthma & rates are rising fastest, because that’s Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay, where more babies receive vaccinations a four-physician practice that also

against disease, where the use of antibiotics has become more widespread and people experience generally cleaner living conditions overall. The result, Lockey says, is a tendency to develop more allergies. An allergic reaction is actually an overreaction by the body’s immune system, in which the body’s defenses mistakenly identify something that would normally be considered harmless as something harmful. That sets off a chain of events that result in symptoms that can range from the merely uncomfortable — i.e., sneezing, coughing, itching, etc. — to potentially fatal, as in the constriction of the airwaves during anaphylactic shock, which is an extreme allergic reaction. Lockey says that the severity of the reaction depends upon how you were exposed to the substance and how much of it you were exposed to. ”A little bit of allergen goes a long way,” he says. “For example, just a little bit of penicillin can kill you, if you’re allergic to it.” Since many of the symptoms of allergies can mimic the symptoms of more common ailments, such as a

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cold, it can be hard to tell when a person is actually suffering from an allergy. When those symptoms persist, however, or recur at specific times, then it’s probably time to consult an allergy specialist. The most common way to determine if a person is allergic to something is to place a small particle of the substance on the person’s arm and then prick the skin, which allows the substance to enter the body. Reactions can occur quickly, or may take several hours, but once an allergy has been positively identified, then treatment can begin. In the case of food or allergies to other substances, the easiest way to avoid a reaction is to avoid the substance whenever possible. Alternatively, if the substance is something that is impossible to avoid, such as pollen, or dust (or a favorite pet), then allergists can desensitize the body to that substance over time, by injecting increasing amounts of the substance into the patient. Dr. Lockey says the process can take months or even years, and some allergies never go away, but some patients respond better than others. Also, thanks in part, at least, to Lockey and his associates at USF, there are many more alternatives to ongoing

treatment, like all of those prescription and non-prescription medications that you’ve seen advertised. The USF Clinical Research Unit has been instrumental in testing many of those popular brand names that you now see on your pharmacist’s shelves, and researchers are currently experimenting with nanoparticles – which are too small to be seen with the naked eye – and their potential for healing allergies and other ailments on a microscopic level. The department also is looking at ways that some other diseases can trigger allergic responses, and how some other conditions can make allergies worse. Dr. Lockey says the implications of all that research are far-reaching, too. Besides making advances in the treatment of allergies and asthma, immunological discoveries also have led to advances in the development of vaccines, bone marrow and organ transplantation, and therapies for a wide variety of diseases, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a prevalent type of cancer) and others. In fact, Dr. Lockey believes that every illness has some sort of immunological aspect, which is why he finds the field so fascinating, and part of the reason why he chose it as a specialty in the first place, along with the fact that his father also worked in the field.

“I always believed that immunology would revolutionize health care, and now it is, in ways we never could have imagined before,” he says. The primary office of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay is located at 13801 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 502 (between Bearss and Fletcher Aves.). The practice also has offices in the Citrus Park area of Tampa and in Brooksville. The main office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 971-9743 or visit AllergyTampa.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Avalon MedSpa — Superior Services In A Special Setting By Gary Nager I have known Rose Weinberg, the owner of the Avalon MedSpa & Laser Center (and our next-door neighbor in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms), since she first opened the Avalon Salon & Spa in another part of Tampa Palms way back in 2003. Rose shut down that location (behind Olive Garden), did away with the hair-cutting and color side of the business and then opened in her current location in 2008. From her salon and spa roots (no hair pun intended), Rose has reinvented Avalon as a full-service MedSpa providing everything from doctor-supervised medical procedures like Botox and Juvederm injections and laser hair removal to licensed massage, eyebrow threading, facials, face and body treatments, peels and scrubs and even manicures and pedicures. “We love our customers,” Rose says. “A salon is very much about service and the way you’re made to feel and we have made customer service the thing we focus on most now that we’re a full-service MedSpa.” The Avalon “menu” offers as wide and varied a list of medical and nonmedical services. To grasp the full litany of available services, you have to visit

Avalon’s website, TampaSpa.com, but below is a general list: • Medical ser vices - Laser hair removal from virtually any part of the face and body, Botox and Juvederm fillers, Vaser Smart Lipo, Latisse Mary (left), the permanent makeup specialist at Avalon MedSpa & Laser Center in the Shoppes of Amberly in lash-thickening and Tampa Palms, can make your eyebrows look significantly better with her “Signature Hair Stroke Technique.” “I am constantly updating myself ical services menu is worth exploring at growing medication on the latest techniques in permanent Avalon, which is one of the most and permanent makeup. makeup,” she says. “If you want your immaculate businesses I’ve ever seen. All of these procedures are either • Spa Ser vices - As stated earlier, eyebrows to look exactly the way performed or supervised by one of not every procedure at Avalon is medyou’ve always wanted, a lot of the eyeAvalon’s two on-call medical doctors brow work I do is correcting other peo- ical in nature. Even though there aren’t (Dr. Mark Laflamme, M.D., or Dr. any hair cutting or coloring services ple’s screw-ups. I have a lot of celebriRobert Miles, D.O.; for more informaties and famous men and women who available, there is an equally huge menu tion about the doctors, see Avalon’s will tell you that I’m the best and I’ve of nine different facials and peels (from website). The permanent makeup techcollagen sheet treatments to acute glydone more than 4,000 eyebrow procenician is Mary (photo above), who has dures so far.” colic peels), a variety of different manibeen a Certified Permanent Makeup cures, pedicures (including Avalon’s The funny thing to me is that Professional since 2004 and also carries Mary has pretty much perfect eyebrows signature Lavender & Rose Pedicure) an additional Certification/Advanced Training in Skin Needling & Areola which aren’t permanent makeup at all, and artificial nail services, body scrubs Restoration/Re-pigmentation. If and polish, four different slimming “but my Signature Hair Stroke Techyou’ve never met Mary, there’s no body treatments (all performed in Avalnique can make your eyebrows look doubt from the first time you do that on’s Dermalife Infrared Capsule, also better than mine. It’s still permanent you’re dealing with not only someone known as the “wrap enhancer”), a full makeup, but your eyebrows will look who is ultra-professional, but who also menu of waxing hair removal services like real hair.” takes tremendous pride in her work. (again, from virtually any part of the The bottom line is that the med-

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face and body) and even Licensed Massage Therapy (LMT, by Shannon, Cenia and Kristina, all LMTs), ear candeling and aromatherapies. Whew! I told you there were a ton of ‘em! And, the total professionalism and joy Mary brings to her permanent makeup work is mimicked by Avalon’s Licensed Aesthetician and “Full Specialist” Christine, who says her specialties are facials, peels, doctor-supervised laser hair removal and administering the body treatments, although the men in our office would argue that Christine’s specialty is turning heads. “There is such a wonderful atmosphere here at Avalon,” Christine says, “and the clientele is amazing. This is a great spa for a really nice community.”

‘The SWiCH Facial Girls Night Out!’

Although Rose says a growing number of men are utilizing the many available services at Avalon (see what Botox can do for that beer gut in the before-and-after pictures on this page, guys), the fact is that the bulk of the MedSpa’s customers are still women and Rose says she is now planning to have monthly “Girls Night Out” events at Avalon. The first such “Girls Night Out” event at Avalon, to be held Tuesday, September 28, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., will

(Left) The infrared capsule at Avalon is also known as the “Wrap Enhancer” for body slimming treatments. (Right) Guys, if you thought Botox injections were only for women’s foreheads, you might want to guess again! breakthrough without Botox or other able in any denomination. So, if you be a SWiCH facial party. According to fillers that really can change your don’t know if she wants a manicure the Avalon advertisement (and aweentire appearance.” and pedicure or a package of face and some before-and-after pics) in this Rose says future “Girls Night body treatments, it’s the gift she’ll issue, the SWiCH facial is a “scientific Out” events will feature permanent always appreciate. breakthrough treatment that helps Avalon MedSpa & Laser Cenmakeup and “we might even end up enhance mitochondrial function and ter is located at 15347 Amberly doing a pedicure party. Keep looking restores skin to its youthful appearDr., in the Shoppes of Amberly in the Neighborhood News and on our ance.” A less technical way to say it plaza, next to our of fi ficce and near website for each monthly event.” would be, “it can really turn back the You Do the Dishes. Avalon is open In addition, Avalon also is happy clock for you.” And, best of all, is that Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., to host private parties for you and if you join Avalon for the “party,” and is available on Sundays for priyour friends, so you can have the you’ll receive 50-percent off your first vate par ties. Because of time conentire spa to yourselves. treatment.” straints, a credit card must be on “We usually do them on Sundays, “It’s a really great thing, because fille for SWiCH par ty reser vations. fi but we can arrange other days by you can come here with any number For appointment reser vations appointment, with enough notice.” of girlfriends and get away from it all and additional information, call And of course, gift cards from together for a few hours,” Rose says. 866-8400 or visit TampaSpa.com. Avalon make great gifts and are avail“The SWiCH facial really is a scientific

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Family Wellness Center of Tampa Bay Celebrates Its Second Year By Melissa O’Brien Just two short years ago, Richard Kay, M.D., opened the Family Wellness Center of Tampa Bay, Inc., in the Windfair Professional Center just behind the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel, off of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (north of S.R. 56). Since then, he has continued to welcome families from around the Wesley Chapel area into a growing practice that is all about managing, maintaining and improving the health of patients and their families. “My ideal is seeing patients on a routine basis to keep them healthy and help prevent them from getting sick,” says Dr. Kay, a Board-certified family physician. “My wife Marie and daughter Bobbie work in the office with me, and we have created a real family environment. It goes along with the entire concept of family medicine.” Dr. Kay says a family physician is a doctor who can take care of the entire family, usually from ages five and up (after their immunizations are complete). He adds that the concept behind having a family doctor is to create caring relationships with patients and their families. “A family physician knows your family’s health history and how it can affect you,” he says. “We

are trained in a full range of medical programs through all the stages of a patient’s life.” According to FamilyDoctor.org, Americans make more than 200 million office visits to family physicians annually, which is more than any other medical specialty. Family doctors are trained for three years in real practice settings, treating patients in the office, the hospital and at home and they also re-certify more than any other medical specialty. Family doctors also continue to educate themselves beyond the basic certifications, allowing them to apply the latest medical breakthroughs to the everyday care of their patients. “I love treating people of all ages,” says Dr. Kay. “We really care about our patients as individuals and, of course, want to keep them healthy. We make sure we don’t rush our patients and we want to help them with anything we can. I enjoy this type of practice because it allows me to see a full range of medical concerns, including patients with heart failure, diabetes and other ailments. Our goal is to keep them well. We believe in preventive medicine and our staff also can help patients with their exercise and nutrition needs.” Dr. Kay says treating the entire

family can help explain medical conditions in the individual patient. “For example, one person in the family may have allergies and the child may come in with asthma,” he says. “Knowing the parent’s history makes it easier to diagnose what may be happening with the child.” Dr. Kay says he knew he wanted to be a physician when he was a child. “My pediatrician made a house call when I was ten and I knew since then that this was what I wanted to do,” he says. “I was raised in Miami, and received my medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans and performed my residency in Family Practice at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville (FL). I have practiced medicine for 30 years, and for ten years prior to opening my practice here, I was with a managed care company, practicing medicine on both the east and west coast of Florida.” For Seven Oaks resident Connie Quaglia, Family Wellness Center of Tampa Bay has been just right for her. “Dr. Kay listens to your needs and follows the appropriate medical guidelines,” says Quaglia, who is a patient of Dr. Kay’s, as are her two daughters. “I really like his office staff because they are nice and friendly, too. I like the

Dr. Richard Kay, above, of Family Wellness Center of Tampa Bay, Inc., treats patients of all ages. concept of family medicine because I feel like the doctor has better access to your family history. It makes sense that you would have a more complete picture when you are treating both the parent and the children.” Lynne Wilson of Wesley Chapel says her experience at Family Wellness Center of Tampa Bay also has been very positive. “It is a very warm, friendly place to visit because they are a family,” says Wilson. “They remember

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your name at the front desk and Dr. Kay has even called me at home to follow up with me personally.” Wilson says that Dr. Kay has a way of making the complicated seem simple. “He knows how to explain things to you and keep your conversation on track,” she says. “When you talk with him, you feel like he is really listening to you. I have found him to be very approachable and I have recommended him to other friends.” Dr. Kay says that getting out into the community has helped his practice. “We went to the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Art Festival last year and as a result, 20 new families joined our practice,” he says. “It’s

been great getting to know those 20 new, entirely different families.” The Family Wellness Center of Tampa Bay is located at 2718 Windguard Cir., Suite 101. The office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday. The office has openings now for school physicals and sports physicals and can see patients with conditions such as allergies, osteoporosis, sleep apnea and more. Gynecological, preventive care and physicals also are offered. For more information, visit NewTampaFamilyWellness.com or call 994-0611.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Freedom Opens With 20-6 Win Over Riverview; ‘Cats Lose Despite losing their starting quarterback to an injury, the Freedom High Patriots scored an exciting 20-6 win over the Riverview Dolphins in their season and home opener on September 3. The win came a week after an embarassing 29-0 loss to Alonso High in the Pats’ preseason match-up, and the Freedom defense looked much improved this time around, holding the Dolphins to a single third-quarter TD. Coach Tchecoy Blount’s Pats drew first blood in the game, as running back Keith Lewis scored on a 4-yard run early in the first quarter. It was also in the first half, however, that the Patriots starting quarterback, Dominic Marino, left the game after suffering what was reported as an apparent concussion. Marino was replaced by freshman QB Taylor King, who had a decent night despite being under heavy pressure on many plays. After the Dolphins scored a touchdown late in the third quarter, but missed on the two-point conversion attempt to get within one point at 7-6, King hooked up with WR Robert Lohnes for a nice 25-yard catch-and-run TD to make it 14-6. Freedom’s defense came up with an interception on the Dolphins’ very next possession, and the home team

drove down the field to put the game away on Lewis’ second TD run of the night in the closing seconds. Meanwhile, coach David Mitchell’s Wharton High Wildcats came up on the losing end of a 37-10 score at highly ranked Spoto High (in Riverview) in their regular season opener. That loss came after the Wildcats had blown up Bloomingdale the previous week, 24-6, in preseason action. Although we did not get to attend that away game, The Tampa Tribune reported that QB Ryan Hatter was 1225 passing for 57 yards, RB Marcolm Banks scored on a 4-yard run following a Spoto turnover and placekicker Alex Noble had a 23-yard FG to go with a converted extra point. Both Wharton and Freedom are in Class 5A-District 7 this year (with Brandon and Tampa Bay Tech) and the New Tampa rivals will hook up on October 22. As you receive this issue, the ‘Cats were set to host Chamberlain (0-1) on September 10 and they will visit Gaither (0-1) on September 16. The Pats were set to play their second straight home game, against King (1-0), on September 10 and will then play at Sickles (1-0) on September 16. — MS & GN

Freedom High wide receiver Robert Lohnes (in red) scoots into the end zone on the tail end of a 25-yard TD throw from freshman QB Taylor King.

Former Freedom High Lacrosse Player Earns All-American Honors

Join Derrick Brooks & Other Stars At Benefit Golf Tourney Recently retired Tampa Bay Buccaneers great Derrick Brooks will host one of two charity golf tournaments coming up in the New Tampa area over the next few days. First, the Tampa Palms Country Club Charity Classic will be held on Sunday, September 12, 1 p.m.-8 p.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Country Club Dr. in Tampa Palms). It will benefit a number of charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Augie’s Quest, Club Corp’s Employee Partners Care Foundation and the Rotary Club of New Tampa. The four-person scramble will begin with a shotgun start and also will include a barbecue dinner and

silent auction at 6 p.m. There also will be a “Joe vs. Pro” tennis tournament at 2 p.m. Registration costs $35 per person for the golf tournament and dinner; $25 for the tennis and dinner; or $15 to join up for dinner with a player. For more information, call Andy Bianchi at 872-1991. Meanwhile, the first BrooksDeBartolo Golf Extravaganza, benefiting Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High, a charter school, will be held Monday, September 13, at Hunter’s Green Golf & Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). According to coordinator David Huerta, who is a member of the school’s board of directors, the tourna-

Our congratulations go out to Freedom High graduate Nick Garofano (center, in black shirt), who is surrounded by his teammates from the Freedom lacrosse team after being named a 2010 US Lacrosse Boys High School All-American during a brief ceremony at the school. Nick, the son of Robert and Maryanne Garofano of Tampa Palms (the proprietors of Ciccio’s/The Lodge), also was named Defenseman of the Year by the West Florida Lacrosse League. Nick is now attending Monroe College in New York. ment will feature a number of former Buccaneers players, including RB Mike Alstott, TE (and current broadcaster) Dave Moore and DT Anthony McFarland, along with other sports and local celebrities like former Tampa Bay Lightning captain (and New Tampa

resident) Dave Andreychuk. For more information about the tournament, call Huerta at 4948654. For info about Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High, which may be moving closer to New Tampa, visit bdchs.org or call 971-5600.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA ACT/SAT Testing Schedule Announced

Education Updates

Hillsborough County School District officials have announced the testing schedules and locations for students who want to take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or ACT during the 2010-11 school year. The tests will be offered on a monthly basis, and eligible students can take the exams at any of the available locations, regardless of where they attend school. The tests will be offered at Freedom and Wharton high schools on the following dates: Freedom – November 6 (registration deadline is October 8); March 12, 2011 (reg. deadline is February 11, 2011); and June 4, 2011 (reg. deadline is May 6, 2011); Wharton – October 23 (reg. deadline is September 17); November 6 (reg. deadline is October 8); January 22, 2011 (reg. deadline is December 23); February 12, 2011 (reg. deadline is January 7, 2011); May 7, 2011 (reg. deadline is April 8, 2011) and June 4, 2011 (reg. deadline is May 6, 2011). Students can register online for

the ACT at ACT.org, or by calling (319) 337-1270. SAT registration is available online at CollegeBoard. com, or by calling (866) 756-7346. Registration is $47 for the SAT. Registration for the ACT costs $48 or $33 without the writing exam. Late registration for the ACT costs an additional $21, and an additional $24 for the SAT. For more information, call the Hillsborough County School District office at 272-4060 or visit SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Harold H. Clark Elementary 19002 Wood Sage Dr. West Meadows 631-4333 Principal: Brenda Griffin PTA President: Shannon Ferreira

Join The Clark PTA

Clark Elementary is now accepting registrations for the national Parent Teacher Organization (PTA). As the orgnization’s website says, “The PTA provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child and the best tools to help their children be safe, healthy,

and successful - in school and in life.” School year membership is only $5 and comes with a coupon redeemable at the New Tampa Publix. Participation in various volunteer opportunities is optional. Call the school office for more information.

School Supply Drive

Please consider making a donation to Clark Elementary’s annual school supply drive. All items will benefit children at both Clark and Shaw elementary schools. Donations may be dropped off at Clark’s main office. The items that are needed most are: unopened boxes of tissues, crayons, washable markers, #2 pencils, yellow highlighters, scissors, glue sticks, backpacks, wide-ruled notebook paper, 3- prong folders, composition notebooks, combined standard/metric rulers, and antibacterial hand soap. Throughout the year, Clark also has a need for gently used uniform clothes.

16th Annual IDS Kids Classic Set For Sept. 20

Independent Day School-Corbett Campus (12015 Orange Grove Dr., off W. Busch Blvd.) will host its 16th Annual “Kids Classic” golf tournament on Saturday, September 20, at Avila

Golf & Country Club in Tampa. Registration and lunch begins at 11 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at noon. In addition to the opportunity to win a variety of great prizes, registration also includes golfers’ goodie bags, a reception and awards ceremony featuring a buffet and bar, live entertainment, and a silent auction and raffle. The all-inclusive entry fee is $175 per individual or $650 per foursome, and tickets for the reception only are $40 per person. Sponsorship opportuities also are available. Register online at IDSYes.com, or call the school office at 961-3087 for more information.

Tampa Bay History Center Offers Free Admission For Teachers During September

The Tampa Bay History Center (801 Old water St., downtown Tampa) is showing its appreciation for Florida’s K-12 teachers by offering them free weekend admission throughout the month of September. This offer is limited to Florida’s K-12 teachers with valid school identification and excludes support personnel and home school groups. For more information, visit TampaBayHistoryCenter.org or call Julie Matus at 675-8981. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Wesley Chapel’s Hampton Inn — Your ‘Location Staycation’! You Can Visit Spa Moritz, Pagelli’s, Aja & More When You Stay At The Hampton Inn! By Gary Nager The first few installments of our “Summer Staycation Spectacular” series have mostly been about resort hotels which provide virtually anything you can imagine — from fine dining to golf to spa services and even entertainment— all at one location. But, not every hotel is a resort, so if you have out-of-town guests coming down for a visit or you and the family (or just you and your significant other) want to get out of the house and enjoy a luxurious stay in a beautiful room which provides easy access to more dining, shopping, salon and spa services, etc., than ANY single resort can offer, you might want to do what I did recently and visit the Hampton Inn & Suites, located just off the S.R. 56 exit of I-75, in Wesley Chapel. This isn’t to say that the 94-room (including 29 Studio & Jacuzzi suites) Hampton Inn doesn’t have amenities — it actually has some features the big resorts don’t provide — like bigenough-for-two Jacuzzi tubs, plush “Cloud Nine” beds, free bottled water, flat-panel HDTVs, high-speed internet access and a delicious, “On the House” complimentary breakfast every day, plus free hot coffee virtually any time of the day or evening. There’s also available guest laundry facilities, a safe deposit box, refrigerators, microwaves and even

a “wet bar” in many of the rooms But, the old Madison Ave. saying “Location, Location, Location” is what really sets the Hampton Inn (and its “sister” hotels — the Wingate Inn by Wyndham and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, both of which are located near I-75 in New Tampa) apart. And, with the current Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. construction in New Tampa, even those other New Tampa Hospitality Group hotels can’t match the Wesley Chapel Hampton Inn’s easy access to I-75, I-275, S.R. 56, S.R. 54 (one exit north), BBD, The Shops at Wiregrass, The Grove and other shopping centers, multiple golf courses and all of the other great dining, shopping and fun — all within five miles or so of this beautiful hotel. So, if you need some incentive to check out the Hampton Inn (other than all of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce events held there), I’ll recap what I was able to do during my recent stay.

Gary’s ‘Itinerary’—The Hotel

I checked into the Hampton Inn early on a recent Tuesday afternoon and was able to get in a good workout in the state-of-the-art fitness room, take a dip in the hotel’s nice pool, luxuriate in that aforementioned whirlpool tub and spend some time talking with Janet Arnold, the hotel’s

You may not be able to see the Wesley Chapel Hampton Inn & Suites from S.R. 56, but it’s nice to know it’s there when you need it! general manager, who told me that even though the kids are now back to school, there are still plenty of “staycation” opportunities at the hotel. “And, we continue to build new community partnerships every day,” she said. “We want the Hampton Inn to be the hotel you think of when you want to get away or have out-of-town guests visiting, or when you have a meeting or event from just a This Jacuzzi tub is a welcome sight when you check few to 100 people.” into your room at the Hampton Inn & Suites. You may have seen picSee “Staycation” on page 46. tures of the breakfast area at

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Staycation”

Continued from page 43 the Hampton Inn before — in our stories about some of the Wesley Chapel Chamber events held there. But, Arnold said the room itself can be reconfigured any way you like and she has even held a wedding reception in the room. The hotel also has a deal with caterer Mark Vesh, although Arnold says you can bring in your own caterer, too. “Plus, we are working not only This is just a small portion of the with Busch Gardens and the Orlando- breakfast buffet available every day at area theme parks, but with local the Hampton Inn & Suites. restaurants, spas and more to promote Blvd.) in Wesley Chapel, call 973those attractions here,” she says. For reservations and additional 2288 or visit Hampton-Inn-andSuites-Tampa-Wesley-Chapelinformation about the Hampton FL.com. Inn & Suites (2740 Cypress Ridge

The beautiful rooms and suites at the Hampton Inn off S.R. 56 are appointed with everything you need for a great “staycation.”

A Convenient & Delicious Visit To Pagelli’s During our stay at the Hampton Inn, we decided to have dinner at Pagelli’s Italiano in the nearby (less than two miles away) Shops at Wiregrass mall, figuring that we could go do some dancing at the Aja Wiregrass nightclub afterwards — and even take a short, inexpensive cab ride back to the hotel if we decided to have a few drinks along the way (which we did). Pagelli’s is a really pretty Tuscaninspired ristorante that is the second location (the other is near the Miromar Outlet mall in Estero/Ft. Myers) for brothers Vince, Tony and Joe Cangialosi and their Mama Josie which pays homage to Gramma “Nona” Pagelli, whose husband Vincezo was from the town of Borgetto on the Italian isle of Sicily. Even though it is only a two-location “chain” (the family does also own a third restaurant, the Firepit City Grill, also in Ft. Myers), Pagelli’s is following the lead of most chain restaurants, offering some spectacular savings on dinner for two. Right now at Pagelli’s, you can share an appetizer, two entrées and a dessert, for just $29.99 every day, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. (Note-the deal is only being offered for a limited time). Although there are four appetizers (including a tasty fried calamari, bruschetta flatbread and an eggplant parmigiana appetizer) available, I chose the mozzarella caprese salad, which is a huge stack of fresh mozzarella, thick beefsteak tomato slices and basil topped with a wonderful balsamic drizzle. From the possible entrée choices (chicken parmigiana, marsala or Palermo, salmon limone, grilled breaded tilapia, sausage rustica, a unique shrimp and scallop scampi, spaghetti with meatballs or sausage are the others), the two I selected were — 1) Pagelli’s decadently different “Mama’s lasagne,” which is in a bed of white cream sauce and uses more meat and less cheese than traditional lasagne. I don’t prefer it to the “usual,” but it is yummy and our advertising customer service manager Nikki Bennett and her husband Jeff say it’s their favorite. 2) My favorite dish at Pagelli’s is the perfectly grilled rib pork chop, smothered with onions and mushrooms. I’m not usually a big pork chop guy, and I also have enjoyed Pagelli’s grilled sirloin and lamb chops (which also can be combined with scallops in a great mixed grill, which sadly isn’t available on the $29.99 dinner for two special), but Pagelli’s is truly delicioso. The desserts are great, too, and include a chocolate bacio, creme brulée, cheesecake and a chocolate chip take on the traditional cannoli, which was my choice on this most recent visit. American coffee, espresso, cappu-

So, here’s what you get for $29.99 at Pagelli’s (top to bottom): a great mozzarella caprese salad, Mama’s lasagne, pork chop alla griglia and a chocolate chip cannoli. Yum! cinos and lattés are available for an extra charge, as are a wide variety of after-dinner cordials. In addition, although I haven’t sampled it yet, I’ve heard from a few customers that Pagelli’s has a great Sunday brunch and I have enjoyed several of the Italian red wines on the decent list, as well as the ice-cold Italian Peroni beer on draft and the bar does also feature all of your favorite premium martini vodkas and top shelf scotches and bourbons. The room also is large enough to feature entertainment, which usually is available Wednesday-Saturday evenings. Pagelli’s Italiano is located at 2001 Piazza Ave., in the Shops at Wiregrass. It is open for lunch Friday-Sunday only and for dinner every day at 4 p.m. It stays open until 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday-Saturday. Call 991-1414 or visit Pagellis.com and please tell Vince and GM Howard Cohen we sent you! — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Make Any Day A Day Of Relaxation & Pampering At Spa Moritz! By Gary Nager When I visited Pagelli’s for dinner, I had no idea that the restaurant already had a deal going (see below) with Spa Moritz Salon & Spa, one of the nicest salons and spas not only in New Tampa, but in the entire Tampa Bay area. Located a mile or so off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — one exit south on I-75 from the Hampton Inn — in the OrthoTechnology plaza opposite Freedom High on Commerce Park Blvd., Spa Moritz is an elegant day spa that will keep you coming back. Owners Dyan and Dennis Piller have created a true Tuscan-styled award-winning oasis where you will be pampered and treated like royalty, whether you receive outstanding haircut and coloring services from their staff of top-notch, professional stylists, luxurious nail services from nail technicians who can teach you how to better care for your own nails, or any of a wide variety of licensed massage therapies, skin and body treatments, facials, peels, permanent makeup and even tooth-whitening services from licensed aestheticians and so much more. And, at Spa Moritz, it’s not just the beauty of the place (the lobby, which is packed with wonderful gift

What do you give the editor who has (almost) everything? A cocnut cream pedicure & a chocolate martini at Spa Moritz, of course! items for sale and browsing, is truly magnificent) or the training of the staff or even the state-of-the-art equipment, it’s the way you’re made to feel throughout your visit. It really is like a mini-vacation you can enjoy without having to pack a bag (or drive very far from the Hampton Inn). During our visit, we enjoyed an outstanding couple’s Swedish massage with LMTs Bronia and Charity, a notat-all unpleasant couple’s Coconut Creme pedicure with nail techs Chrissy and Jillian and a European facial with Merly. We also really appreciated the delicious chocolate martini that was served with the pedicure, about which Dyan says, “We now believe we

Dyan & Dennis Piller (5th and 6th from left in back row) and their smiling, professional staff at Spa Moritz in Tampa Palms will make sure you enjoy your visit. have perfected the best chocolate martini in town.” Although we didn’t indulge in any salon services, Dennis and Dyan were proud to have added, in 2009, former Shepré Salon (on Cross Creek Blvd.) owner Sheila Ayers and her entire staff of eight professionally trained stylists and colorists. “We are really growing our salon services,” says Dennis. And, speaking of salon services, Spa Moritz’s “Italiano Spectacular” A couple’s massage is a great way to relax! package includes your choice of a Shellac (a hybrid nail polish that lasts two weeks with no chipping) manicure, a Signature pedicure or a haircut and conditioning treatment, as well as your choice of a European facial or a Swedish massage (25 minutes each) AND a $15 Pagelli’s gift certificate, all for just $90, a $15 savings off the regular prices if sold separately. You can even upgrade that package to a $178 total value for $33 more with a full 50-minute Vitamin C facial or a 50-minute massage with Clarisonic foot treatment. No other Pro football player Adrian Clark loves substitutions are allowed, but I getting a massage at Spa Moritz! promise that you can’t beat it! In addition to the new Shellac a 6’-5”, 330-lb. offensive lineman for treatment — which Dyan says “has the Florida Tuskers United Football taken the country by storm and we’re League team based in Orlando; Jon proud to be one of the few Bay-area Gruden’s brother Jay is now the salons and spas who carry it” — she Tuskers’ head coach), will provide real also says that Spa Moritz also now estate, dining, spa and other services features Thai and Bamboo massage. for professional athletes who move “And, we give you 25-percentfrom city to city. Adrian stopped in for off all services (some restrictions a massage during my visit and he says apply) if you come in any day during Dyan and Dennis have been a big help your birthday month,” says Dennis. to Nikki as she launches her company. “We also have the most incredible Spa Moritz (17401 Commerce wedding party packages.” Park Blvd.) opens every day but ‘Suite Passes’ For Athletes Sunday at 8:30 a.m. It stays open Dyan also is looking forward to until 4 p.m. on Monday, 8 p.m. on October 15, when an exclusive webTuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 site of a company called “Suite Passes” p.m. on Thursday and 7 p.m. on will be unveiled. The company, the Saturday. For appointments and brainchild of Tampa Palms resident more info, call 971-4SPA (4772) or Nikki Clark (whose husband Adrian is visit SpaMoritz.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

WELCOME TO FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Neeraja Jasthi

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Win A 4-Day, 3-Night Cruise In Our 2010 Dining Survey & Contest! Another summer has come and gone, which means it’s time for our annual Neighborhood News Reader Dining Sur vey & Contest, which is your annual opportunity to tell us your favorite restaurants and beverage establishments — and to win some great prizes! Thanks to our friend Kirk Kirkland at Ameribest Flowers (formerly Flamingo Florist) and AmeriQuest Travel in Tampa Palms, this year’s Grand Prize is a 4-day, 3-night cr uise for two valued at more than $900! This year’s second prize is a $100 gift card to the restaurant our winner chooses as his or her favorite in the entire Tampa Bay area! We’ll also give away at least 10 other dining prizes valued at no less than $20 apiece! Submit your entry by U.S. Mail, fax, e-mail or you also can enter on our website no later than Friday, November 19, 2010, to be eligible to win any of the prizes named above. I believe this filll in as many spaces as possible on BOTH sides, but please let me know what you think! — GN is our most user-friendly Dining Survey & Contest ever, so please fi

My 5 Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa!

1. __________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________________

My 5 Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel!

NOTES - “New Tampa” (NT) is anyplace in zip code 33647 (Bruce B. Downs Blvd., from Bearss Ave. to the Pasco County line & all of Cross Creek Blvd.) and “Wesley Chapel” (WC) is anyplace in zip codes 33543-45 (BBD from the Pasco County line north to S.R. 54, east to Lexington Oaks, west to New River Township and all of S.R. 56). Votes for Wesley Chapel restaurants as one of “My Favorites in New Tampa” or New Tampa votes for restaurants in Wesley Chapel will NOT be counted! Votes for restaurants located outside of these boundaries (e.g., Benedetto’s, Amici Pizza) will not be counted. Votes for Circles New Tampa Bistro, which is now called Bella Vita (see page 54), will be counted as being a vote for Bella Vita, even though the ownership and menu have changed). — GN

My favorite Asian restaurant in NT or WC (Chinese, Japanese or Thai) _________________________________________________ My favorite Cof fee, Tea or Smoothie shop in NT or WC _______________________ My favorite Italian restaurant in NT or WC __________________________________ My favorite Pizza place in NT or WC ________________________________________ My favorite Sandwich or Sub shop in NT/WC________________________________ My favorite Bar or Tavern in NT/WC ______________________________________ My favorite place for Desser t/Ice Cream in NT/WC __________________________

Your Name_________________________________________________ Mailing Address___________________________________________ Community (West Meadows, Heritage Isles, etc.) ____________________ Zip Code______________ Daytime Phone Number _______ Valid Email Address _________________________________ Please include all information requested above on your entry form to be eligible, whether you enter by mail, e-mail or on our website (NTNeighborhoodNews.com). You must submit your entry form by U.S. mail, fax, email or on our website no later than Friday, November 19, 2010, to be eligible to win prizes!

New Tampa Neighborhood News 2010 Dining Contest 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Fax: (813) 910-2483 E-Mail: NTNNedit@yahoo.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Bella Vita — It’s Not Circles, But It Is Great Italian Food! By Gary Nager As you long-time readers know, it was as hard for me as it was for many of you to say goodbye to the former Circles New Tampa Bistro in the Pebble Creek Collection. Yes, former Circles owners Donna and Louie Sinudom and Chef Louie’s Thai and other Asian specialties are being missed, but the good news is that after my first few visits to the new Bella Vita Ris- The fried calamari (above) and extra cheese torante & Market (the market and pepperoni (on half) pizza (right) at the side is expected to open new Bella Vita Ristorante & Market in the around September 15) that Pebble Creek Collection are both excellent. has now replaced Circles, I bringing his homemade raviolis, as have to say that I am pretty impressed. First of all, new owners Sandy (the well as his already yummy red and “front of the store”) Antona and Chef pink sauces, to Bella Vita. If you like true New York-style Santino Baisi have already shown pizza, Santino, who makes his own themselves to be hard-working and pizza sauce, now serves the only pizza willing to take suggestions and work in New Tampa (there’s a couple in with the community to provide not Wesley Chapel that are comparable) only an excellent new menu of Italian that reminds me of the great New favorites but also a revamped look. York pizzerias I loved as a kid and As I stated in a previous story, young adult in Long Island and ManSantino has cooked at great Italian hattan. Even though I always loved restaurants and pizzerias all over New York, from “da Bronx” to Croton-on- Circles’ food and the pizza was very good, the sauce and overall taste just Hudson and he will eventually be

wasn’t true New York style...but it is now! And, if you like the square Sicilian-style pizza, Santino promises you won’t find better in Tampa! I also can heartily recommend the light and crispy fried calamari (served with a great, thick marinara sauce), the delightfully different mahi-mahi sautéed in a lemon butter sauce and the traditional meat lasagne. And of course, thanks to popular demand, the incredible black-and-white-sesameincrusted tuna from the Circles menu. Bella Vita also offers a variety of

steaks (peppercorn-crusted filet in a brandy cream sauce, grilled New York strip and others), other seafood selections (from zuppa di pesce to grilled salmon), great sautéed veggies, plus, for lunch, there’s a huge selection of hot and cold panini and wrap sandwiches, as well as salads and of course, those soon-to-be-legendary pizzas. I can’t wait for the market side to open! Bella Vita Ristorante & Market (19651 Br uce B. Downs Blvd.) is open ever y day but Sunday for lunch and dinner. Call 973-7703.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The mahi-mahi in lemon butter sauce and sautéed broccoli with garlic and oil (top) and traditional baked meat lasagne (above) are two of the delicious dishes we’ve sampled so far at Bella Vita.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

Join OrthoTechnology’s Winning Team! Ortho Technology, an international orthodontic supply distributor located in New Tampa, is seeking talented energetic candidates for the following full-time positions: Distribution Associate: High energy individual needed to receive, restock, pull & pack customer orders. Fast paced environment. Basic math & computer skills, ability to stand/walk for entire shift & lift up to 50 pounds required. QC Inspector: Entry level position responsible for accuracy of outgoing orders. 1-2 yrs exp w/QC responsibilities. Ability to stand/walk for entire shift, close vision, basic color differentiation and basic math req’d. Small parts/med device experience a plus. We provide a great work environment, excellent benefits package and growth potential. Submit resumes to careers@orthotechnology.com. PTA position available. Part-time (Tampa Palms clinic). Fax Resume to: 813-994-3080 Now Hiring! LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT. Part time. Outpatient Clinic. Fax Resume to 813-994-3080 or email to Travis Monday @ travis@myf4l.com. Part time Medical Assistant. Must have lab/blood draw experience. Wesley Chapel office, family medicine. evening and Saturday hours. Fax resume to 813-994-0085.

Classifıeds

& Monthly Rates - Flexible Scheduling - Quality Cleaning at Affordable Prices/5 years Experience You’ll have the same cleaning professional every time!!! Call Catherine at 813-965-4162. (English/Spanish) Images Cleaning Svc. Pressure Washing Commercial/Residential, driveways, walks, decks, enclosures & homes. Gutter cleanout, trash removal, move in/out cleaning. 30 years of experience. Starting @ $50. Call Robin @ 813.240.1981.

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

LAWN MAINTENANCE Enjoy your time & let A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service do the work for you. We provide landscaping, lawn maintenance, clean-ups, tree & hedge trimming, sodding, sprinkler repair & fertilization. Other services also available. 907-LAWN Lawncare. Residential/Commercial We are a Father and Son Business. Licensed and Insured. Affordable pricing for all. Per cut or with a contract up to you.Call Patrick or Dora anytime. (813)907-1234 (Hauling Service too!)

PT position available - two weekends per month Sat & Sun. Office position at Self Storage facility. Must have customer service skills, be able to use computer, fax and copy machine. Some physical activity required. Send resume or job listing to wb.tampabayselfstorage@gmail.com.

NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commercial lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Sprinkler repair, tree trimming, mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available. Licensed & Insured. Call Bill @ 973-3825.

COMPUTER SERVICES

P O O L

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.

Tranquility Pool Service. New Tampa Owned & Operated! Great pricing w/outstanding customer service. Relax & enjoy while we keep your pool in pristine swimming condition! Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Call Chris today for a free quote @ 857-5400 or visit us at www.tranquilitypoolservice.com to see why we are New Tampa’s #1 choice! New customers mention this ad & receive one month FREE!

HOME

IMPROVEMENT

Need home maintenance? Almost any job, large or small, ext/int, fencing , screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 973-0194 or 727-2582. RAYMOND PAINTING. Interior & exterior, pressure washing, paper hanging, plaster, stucco, tiles, concrete, clean & seal pavers. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARBOR GREENE RESIDENT. We Work 7 Days. Call 994-5124. Greg’s Paperhanging. For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate.

CLEANING SERVICES D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE. We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, call 758-9710. Isn’t life busy enough? Save time. We can help. Your satisfaction is our first priority. Guaranteed, affordable, reliable, quality domestic svcs. Free estimate: Chelsea Maid Company @ 994-6662. CYD PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICES Residential & Commericial - Weekly, Bi-Weekly

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B U Y I N G

G O L D

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 yrs. exp. Charles Jewelers, 972-4653 (next to Stein Mart on Bruce B. Downs).

Licensed Mobile Massage Therapist. 9am 9pm, Mon, Tues & Wed. $50 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.

D R I V I N G S E RV I C E 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 813966-1530.

T A I C H I L E S S O N S Tai Chi Classes open to the public at the Club Tampa Palms. Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus and reduced stress. Class Times, Tues. Seniors 2:30-3:30 pm and Beg. 7-8 pm. Wed. Adv. 8-9 pm. Also New Beg. 6 week courses starting every few months Wed. evenings 6-7 pm. space is limited. Call for more details. Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness training and more. With more then 30 years of training and teaching exp. Call Peter today #787-7560

O F F I C E

S P A C E

Tired of working out of your house? Is a long commute getting to you? Need space in New Tampa? Cory Lake Professional Center. Office suite available. 950 sf. Call David – 813-494-8654

G A R A G E

S A L E S

Pebble Creek Bargain Bonanza Kid's Resale Saturday, Sept. 11th - 9am to 1pm Pebble Creek Community Center 18715 Bent Tree Lane Looking for Gently used infant, toddler, children's all size clothing, books games & toys at great price? Come to our Bargain Bonanza Kid's resale event! Pebble Creek Community Wide Garage Sale Sept. 24th & 25th - Friday and Saturday 8am to 2pm

S E R V I C E S

Aquatec Pool Service **Special Offer: New customers get 1 Month FREE!** We follow strict National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) standards - We do pools right. All technicians are in uniform, drug-free, and background checked. Quality, professional service. Licensed & Insured. Call Today 780-8616 or visit our website www.aquatecpool.com to see why you should choose us!

P E T

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Professional Pet Care. Exp’d. Pet sitter. We walk, play, feed & administer medicine, all in the comfort of your pet’s home. We also bring in mail, water plants & help maintain home security while you’re away. Bonded, insured & trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR. Call For The Love Of Pets at 545-8406 or 4163126 or www.FortheLoveOfPetsOnline.com. Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye - we say hello. Cats are happiest when in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. We help deter crime by bringing newspaper/mail & rotating lights/blinds, giving your home that lived-in look. Licensed, bonded & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 19 • September 11, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com