New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 26, Issue 21, Oct. 5, 2018 by Neighborhood News

Volume 26 Issue 21 October 5, 2018

Inside:

The Reader Dining Survey Is Back!

In Neighborhood Magazine!

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All The Right Moves

Cannon Farragut, an 8-year-old Hunter’s Green resident, recently captured a Florida State Chess Championship. Is there a national championship on the horizon for this chess wunderkind?

It began with a key on a laptop keyboard being plucked loose and set aside. Then another. And another. By the time William Farragut discovered what was happening and could stop Cannon, his then-4-year-old son, every key on his laptop had been removed. “I was furious,” William says. So, as a solution for his uber-curious son, William bought Cannon his own, cheaper laptop. He loaded it with math and science programs, and randomly ran across a chess app and installed that, too. “I was being totally stereotypical, but chess is for smart kids, right?” William asks. Within a month, it was the only thing Cannon was playing. By watching videos of matches, he learned not only how the pieces move, but how to “weaponize” those moves by stringing them together and outsmarting the opposition. His father was stunned. Four years later, Cannon, now 8, is the Arnold Denker Florida State Champion in the 1800-under division. High-level chess players don’t generally compete in age groups, they compete against others in the same

ratings group. Cannon toppled adults 3-4 times his age on his way to the championship at the 1800-&-Under level (more on this below). In November, he will represent the U.S. at the World Youth Championships in Spain. Then, in December, he’ll travel to the National Scholastic Chess Championships in Orlando, where the very best players in the country will be on hand to prove their rankings. Cannon is currently ranked in the Top 20 in the U.S. in his age group, but is in the top 10 of everyone in the 1800-&-Under rating group in the entire U.S. Can he win a national championship? “I think I can win,” Cannon says. On a typical Tuesday night. Cannon breezes through the meeting room at Compton Park, which is filled with dozens of young New Tampa chess players, members of the invite-only Champions Chess Club coached by Tampa Palms residents Mark Ritter and his wife Tania Kranich-Ritter, both former New York State champions. Cannon is happy, polite, affable. Even during his matches, he looks around the room, smiling, rising

See “Chess Prodigy” on page 4.

News: Business: News: Sports: News,The Business & INSIDE Voters Bruce FacingB. Two Sales (BBD) Tax Florida Orthopaedic Institute Also Inside INSIDE Surprise! Downs Former Wharton High Football Education Updates Referendums OnWorst Nov. 6! Blvd. Is Our Area’s Road Pages 7-8

This Issue:

Florida’sfor Largest. PlayersIsDeclare NFL DraftPages 22-23 Pages 3-32

Neighborhood Magazine: Neighborhood Magazine: Former New Tampa Resident The Readers Have Spoken! Now Offering Hippotherapy. Here Are Their Favorites! Page 39

A Little About Political Ads & Introducing Our ‘New’ Managing Editor An editorial by Gary Nager If you check out the first 20 pages of this issue — and I hear so many of you read every page — you’ll see that we have quite a few more political ads than we normally do. That’s by design. I have always felt that if those running for office were made to understand that: 1) the Neighborhood News is the one and only news magazine serving New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, the only publication providing actual news New Tampa residents need to know and not just advertorials; and that 2) we reach more than 27,000 residences and businesses and at least 60,000 potential voters in New Tampa’s zip code 33647 (and roughly 23,000 residences and businesses and 50,000 voters receive our Wesley Chapel edition) by direct mail) who tell us they voraciously read every issue cover-to-cover; and that 3) it costs significantly less to put a 1/4- or a 1/2-page ad in the Neighborhood News than it does to do a solo direct mail piece (that more than 90 percent of the people who receive them throw away without looking at them), that 4) it wouldn’t make sense for those hoping to entice New Tampa’s upscale, but notoriously non-voting public to not want to throw a few dollars our way in order to get their names and faces in front of all of those voters in a medium they already turn to for their local news. Well, it hasn’t been easy to get them all to spend that money, but I’m proud to say this issue is packed with not only political ads, but also with information you should check out before the General Election on Tuesday, November 6, including two sales tax referendums that are both on the ballot, plus stories about a couple of candidates you may not have heard of before. In addition, we have an update on New Tampa Blvd., a new partnership program for the New Tampa Players, the opening of a new read-

New Tampa Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Jarrett Guthrie • Celeste McLaughlin • Brad Stager • Andy Warrener WCNT-tv Video Producers/Editors Gavin Olsen • Giuliano Ferrara Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Stephanie Vokes Flischel Advertising Sales & Office Assistant Jannah McDonald

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 26, Issue 23, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, October 22, 2018. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously nonpublished outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

ing room at the New Tampa Regional Library and a story about a Wharton High grad capitalizing on the probiotic tea craze in a big way. And, that’s just in our first 17 pages, where those political ads have taken up shop for at least one issue, and, hopefully, they will again for New Tampa Issue #23-18 (Nov. 2), which comes out the Friday before the election. Because of the open nature of campaign fund raising, all local candidates have to provide lists of all the money they’ve raised for their respective campaigns to Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office, but there’s no doubt that while some candidates have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for these local races, others have mostly self-funded their candidacies or raised in the low thousands of dollars. To that end, some of the candidates with ads in these pages have raised a lot of money, whie others are at the lower end of the spectrum, yet they all felt strongly enough abut the nature of our readership to at least take a shot with us. I am proud, nearly 25 years later, to still be New Tampa’s primary source of news and information and you have no idea how much it means to me when those of you who see me out and about in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, as I so often am, stop to tell me how much you read and love the Neighborhood News. — and even how much you enjoy our WCNT-tv segments. It certainly makes the late deadline evenings all the more worthwhile for yours truly.

Tampa issue to bed, John flips his hat (although he rarely wears a hat) to provide the same coverage of Wesley Chapel that he does here for zip code 33647 two weeks later. In other words, there is no way in the world this publication would be what it is right now without him. So, that’s why I am proud to announce that John finally has gotten a long-overdue promotion. Instead of assistant editor, John C. Cotey is now the managing editor of both the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! The best thing about that, for John, may be the fact that now, WCNT-tv senior video producer and photographer Gavin Olsen has to answer to him. Ah, good times, guys, and congratulations Neighborhood News managing editor John C. Cotey and thank you, John! (left) interviewing JD Porter of Wiregrass Ranch.

Better Late Than Never, John...

A big part of why I have been able to be more involved in the sales side of this business is because for three years, I have had, hands down, not only the best assistant editor I’ve ever worked with in John C. Cotey, but truly one of the best local beat writers/editors in the entire country — with a sense of humor to match. John has been providing not only great local news and sports coverage for us since 2015, he also has found — and covered — some of the most touching and even heart-breaking human interest stories about people in and around New Tampa and Wesley Chapel we’ve ever covered. In addition, he has continued to put his own thumbprint on the look of our publications and makes sure we cover as many stories as we can in every issue, every two weeks. He also does an outstanding job of managing our excellent freelance writers, including Brad Stager, Andy Warrener, Jarrett Guthrie and the incredible Celeste McLaughlin. (By the way, if you don’t read Celeste’s Kombucha tea and hippotherapy, which may not be what you’re thinking, stories in this issue, you’ll be missing some great stuff.) And of course, as soon as we put a New

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-20

New Bike Path In The Works For West Meadows.......6 Transportation Tax Could Benefit New Tampa........7 School Sales Tax To Benefit New Tampa’s Schools....8 Driskell Seeking Rep. Harrison’s State House Seat...10 Perez Running For Countywide School Board Seat..11 Penguin Project To Partner With The ‘Players’......14 Wharton Grad Hits A Big Tea Shot...........................20

Local Business Updates..............22-30 Florida Orthopaedic Institute Is Still Growing.........22 SPOTLIGHT ON: North Tampa Law Group.......23 KAP Medical Offering Direct Primary Care................24 New Technology Makes 360 Dermatology Shine....28

Local School & Sports Updates... 32-37

New Tampa’s Teacher Of The Year Nominees...32-33 Debate Champ Competes On A National Stage.......34 Wharton Volleyball Heads To Districts On A Roll...36

Neighborhood Magazine

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Hippotherapy Providing Answers For Some....42 Check Out Our 2018 Reader Dining Survey!......46 Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes.........50 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds..........52 @NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 21 • October 5, 2018 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Chess Prodigy’

Continued from page 1 from his seat to walk around and watch some of his clubmates. On occasion, he’ll also practice his jump shot form, as Cannon also is a skilled basketball player. But Mark, an internationally rated chess master and one of only five Level 5-rated coaches in the country, and Tania, who coached teams at Tampa Palms Elementary and Liberty Middle School to national championships in 2005 and 2006, respectively, were skeptical when Cannon, then 5, showed up at the club hoping to join. “When I first came in, they almost pushed me away,’’ William says, laughing. Cannon hid behind his father’s legs. The club was mostly older kids, Tania told William, with players from 3rd grade to high school, with ratings ranging from 500 to 2100. William tried to explain that he thought Cannon had something, and Mark told him every parent says that. But, since they had already made the trip, Mark agreed to sit down at the chess board with the youngster. After five minutes, Mark looked at William, and said, “You know, there might be something here.” Cannon then played one of the lower-rated players in the club, and lost. The tears flowed. When he and William left that day, Mark wasn’t sure he’d ever see them again. Cannon did come back, however, and lost again, and cried again, a scenario that repeated itself several times the first few weeks. He was, however, getting better every visit. When he was six, he officially joined the club. Mark says Cannon’s appetite for chess was voracious, and he devoured more and more instructional videos as his rating started climbing and the wins began piling up. Even more pleasing was that Cannon slowly transformed from a shy kid into a social butterfly, making friends easily and becoming one of the club’s most popular members. “Cannon’s growing social skills emphasize a much-overlooked benefit of chess,” says Mark. “While most of the focus remains on improving one’s game and rating — too much in my opinion — important social behaviors, such as sportsmanship, communication and interaction, are part of the package, too.”

Cannon has rapidly evolved from a kid plucking the keys off his father’s computer keyboard to Florida’s best player among those with 1800-&-Under ratings, according to the U.S. Chess Federation ratings. As such, he rarely plays anyone who is not much older than he is, a fact that Cannon admits has created some awkward situations. “I think they are more nervous than I am,” Cannon says. “I don’t think they want to lose to a kid.” But, his recent Florida State title is certainly the biggest win of his career, at least so far. “It is a big deal,” Cannon says. “This is like my first major tournament I won and that inspires me to keep going, so I can become a Grandmaster and beat Magnus Carlsen.” Both are lofty goals — Cannon is currently rated at 1771; when you reach 2200, you become a Grandmaster. But, Carlsen ,the current World Champion, is a true chess prodigy with a rating greater than 2800. Chess is a hard game that very few master. So, how has an 8-year-old managed to do it? Tough to say, says Mark. “Nobody’s answered that question,” he says. “His ability to see tactics and combinations that most players can’t is phenomenal. He has a natural ability for spatial relationships, pattern recognition, things like that. How do you define that? It’s just wiring.” Well, there’s wiring and then there’s hard work. Cannon is a dedicated student of the game. He describes the chess board as a picture, or a puzzle. He says he sees what to do in his mind, “which is telling me what to do, like connecting the dots. Where the line starts is my first move.” Cannon’s tendency to move too quickly at times is one of his few weaknesses. When he sees a dot to connect, he does so, with supreme confidence, even if it only took him a few minutes to notice. Sometimes, he admits that there was a better move out there. That didn’t stop him in Jacksonville, however, when he won his State title. That victory netted Cannon $800 and a trophy (photo) almost as tall as he is. He loves his trophy. The Hunter’s Green resident Cannon Farragut proudly shows off the trophy money, he says, “I’m giving to my mom and dad so they can he won in September at the Arnold Denker Florida State Championships. have some of it.” He routinely beats players 2-3 times his age and is the top-rated 8-year-old That should at least cover the cost of that laptop, new chess player in Florida. (Photo: John C. Cotey) keys and all.

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Is There A Smoother Future On The Horizon For New Tampa Blvd. Bicyclists? By JOHN COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com If bike and pedestrian paths are supposed to offer safety and comfort to those riding or walking on them, then the one running along the north side of New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows has failed, say many of those who frequent it. That may, however, be changing. Jean Duncan, the City of Tampa’s director of transportation and stormwater services, says that after years of urging from local residents, plans to resurface the aged pathway are now under way. While there is no schedule or cost yet for the project, Duncan says the city will begin looking at the pavement condition, the drainage issues that leave much of the path puddled hours after rainstorms and any issues with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) in regards to things like wheelchair ramps. “Once we identify all of that, we will lay out a schedule for a design, which will require us to go out and do some survey work,” Duncan says. “Once that is complete, we will go to construction.” Duncan says the city is targeting spring of 2019 to begin the project. That may not satisfy all of Brad Van Rooyen’s wishes for New Tampa Blvd. and its battered pathway, but it is better than nothing, the West Meadows Home Owners Association president says. Van Rooyen says he has been in discussions with the city about the condition of the road and pathway for more than a decade. “Walk that path from Publix to the (New

The bike and pedestrian path along New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows is showing its age. Tampa Blvd. Gateway) Bridge and if you don’t twist an ankle, trip over a root or wear out your sneakers, I’d be surprised,” he says. Van Rooyen may be using a touch of hyperbole to make his point, but he says he has seen people trip on the path, and one bicyclist who hit a bad patch on the pathway crashed to the ground and had to be transported via ambulance to a hospital. The pathway, critics says, has worn through its original surface, is jagged, cracked and uncomfortable. That was evident on June 28, when 100 or so bicyclists came out for a memorial ride in honor of Pedro Aguerreberry, the West Meadows resident who was struck by a car and killed while out riding his bike with his two young children. The bike path was so bad, says Hunter’s Green resident Peter Mirones, that police offic-

ers directed the bicyclists to ride in the road. “After the extremely tragic accident, the memorial ride definitely drew some more attention to it,” Duncan says. Mirones took District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera out to the path on July 2 to show him the cracked, uneven surface and to take pictures. Viera then asked the city staff to look into it, which it will be doing. Van Rooyen said that, at one point, West Meadows was going to pave the bike path itself, but then-District 7 City Council member Lisa Montelione, who represented New Tampa from 2011-16, told him it was the city’s responsibility. Van Rooyen met with city officials, showed them pictures of the deterioration, which was so bad the city’s attorney, “actually made us leave the room, and within 48 hours, some of the really serious potholes

and dropoffs were fixed,” he says. But, they were not enough, as the popular pathway continues to lose its form. Van Rooyen says that almost the entire length of the path — roughly 1.5 miles — needs to be re-finished. “I get it, the city has budget constraints, and every community has got issues,” Van Rooyen says. “I’m not ungrateful. It’s a step in the right direction. But, the way to solve the problem is to spend the money and get it fixed the right way, so we don’t have to worry about it for the next 15 years. Anything short of a complete repaving is like putting on a BandAid. Eventually, it has to all be done.” Van Rooyen adds that he thinks the city needs to not only take a look at the bike path, but should examine New Tampa Blvd. itself as well, which has weeds and roots growing up through sections of it. Van Rooyen says that the road was built to handle West Meadows traffic, but once the bridge linked the road to Tampa Palms, there has been a dramatic increase in traffic and it has taken its toll on New Tampa Blvd. “The road has never been paved, never been seal coated,” he says. “The markings on the road have become so worn down you can’t see the turn lanes. And, you see more and more potholes.” He adds that the city was under the impression West Meadows was handling its own roads, and anytime someone called the city they were passed along to the HOA or Community Development District (CDD). “Then it just fell off everybody’s radar,” he says. At least for now, it appears to be back on the city’s radar.

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Tyler Hudson (left) of All For Transportation, helps deliver 77,000 Transportation Referendum petitions to Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office to be certified.

Transportation Sales Tax Is On Nov. Ballot By JOHN COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Snarled traffic, hazardous roads, dangerous intersections. The solutions to all of these problems are out there. The question facing voters this November, however, is are you willing to pay for them? Against the odds and, in less than two months, a group called All For Transportation (AFT) used a charter amendment by petition process to collect enough signatures to get a one-cent county sales tax hike on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election, which would boost the county’s current sales tax from 7 percent to 8, or one penny for every dollar you spend. Funded primarily by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and local philanthropist Frank Morsani, AFT enlisted a host of volunteers and paid Revolution Field Strategies, a grassroots organizing and public affairs consulting firm, to collect the needed 48,760 signatures. In all, AFT collected 77,000 signatures and had 50,709 signatures verified in August to put the referendum on the ballot. The group says that the tax will raise $280 million per year for Hillsborough County to fund transportation improvements for 30 years. Those improvements include road and bridge improvements, relieving rush hour traffic, making walking and biking safer and expanding and improving public transit options. Previous transportation referendums in Tampa Bay have not had much luck. In 2010, Moving Hillsborough Forward was voted down 58-42 percent. In 2014, Greenlight Pinellas was soundly defeated 62-38 percent. And, in 2016, Go Hillsborough, to be funded by a half-cent surtax, never even made it onto the ballot, as the Hillsborough County Commission voted it down twice. In each case, a mistrust of government and its ability to properly spend the money worked against the transportation plans. That is what makes this latest foray into transportation funding different, says Tyler Hudson, a Tampa lawyer and the chair of AFT. “Our plan is the most balanced plan that’s ever been brought to voters,” he says. “Forty five percent of the money goes to transit, and 55 percent is for roads. And, it has the strongest oversight component of any plan ever offered.” Hudson says an independent oversight committee comprised of 14 citizens will make sure the money goes where it was intended to, and an audit will be conducted yearly. Every agency requesting money has to produce a public list annually detailing how the proceeds will be spent, and the commitNeighborhood News

tee will vote to approve (or not) each item. “This is not a blank check,” Hudson says. Tampa Bay’s transportation issues may be reaching a tipping point, says AFT’s Christina Barker. “It’s the most critical issue facing Hillsborough County,” she said. “In our polling, transportation wins every time.” Like the half-cent education tax being proposed on the same ballot (see page 8), AFT is letting voters know the details of their plans, releasing a list of signature projects and programs that the money would be used for. Those that affect our area include improvements at the troublesome Cross Creek Blvd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. intersections, the potential widening of New Tampa Blvd. from the New Tampa Gateway Bridge in West Meadows to BBD, upgrades to New Tampa’s multi-use paths and trails, and yes, even an East-West road extension from New Tampa Blvd. to a new exit at I-275. The East-West Connector Rd., as it was often called, has been discussed since the 1980s and was at the center of an intense debate between many residents of West Meadows and Tampa Palms Areas 4 & 8 who were opposed to the project — and the rest of the New Tampa. It was eventually scuttled in 2008. Jean Duncan, the City of Tampa’s director of transportation and stormwater services, says the money raised by the tax increase would have an impact in New Tampa, and throughout the county. She says more rounda-bouts, including some in New Tampa, can be constructed, streets can be made calmer, and things like a speed limit reduction on Tampa Palms Blvd., as well as road restriping, would produce changes that are noticeable. “The plan certainly has a healthy distribution of money between maintenance and adding in some of the new things we need,” Duncan said. Many of those things have been in the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)’s Long Range Transportation Plan for years awaiting funding. “If this passes, things will get done more quickly,” Hudson says. “We are telling people this is not a moonshot. You are going to see changes within months. You will see immediate improvements.” The plan has its detractors, but has received endorsements from the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. “The choice is on the ballot,” says Barker. “You either vote for a plan that is balanced and driven by community priorities, or you vote no and you get the status quo.” @NTWCNews

New Tampa resident for 15 years Secured over $100 million to widen Bruce B Downs Blvd. Supported $2 million in Flatwoods Park improvements Responsible for Cross Creek Blvd. widening Championed the soon to be built Cultural Center across from Hunter’s Green Supported New Tampa Regional Library improvements Secured funding to construct the ﬁrst County-City Park in K-Bar Ranch

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Local Schools To Benefit If Half-Cent Education Sales Tax Passes Next Month By JOHN COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

Replace Fire Alarm System, Replace Telephone System, Sand and Recondition Gym Floor

The heat isn’t going away. Neither, then, are the uncomfortable conditions still being faced by many students in Hillsborough County, where the air conditioning systems at some schools appear to be held together by staples and duct tape. Looking to address that situation, as well as many others, the Hillsborough County School Board (HCSB) voted to place a referendum on the General Election ballot on Tuesday, November 6, to help fill a gap in funding that has led to myriad of problems in our schools. A half-cent sales tax increase referendum was hurried and approved in late August by the School Board, despite concerns the chances of passage would be hurt by competing against a transportation referendum (see page 7) already asking for a one-cent sales tax increase. The education referendum for Hillsborough County Public Schools, the eighth-largest school system in the country, would raise an anticipated $131 million annually, or $1.3 billion over 10 years. Nearly half of that would go to fixing or replacing air conditioning systems in roughly 200 of the county’s 250 schools. In New Tampa, every school would have its air conditioning systems replaced or overhauled by 2023, with the exception of Hunter’s Green and Tampa Palms elementary schools and Turner/Bartels K-8, all of which would have theirs done between 2023-28. Every school in Hillsborough County is expected to receive at least $500,000 of benefit from the tax. School Superintendent Jeff Eakins has been on the town hall circuit this month and last, visiting schools across the county. He visited Wharton High on Oct. 1, a few days after we went to press. But, ahead of his New Tampa visit, the Hillsborough County School District released a list on Sept. 21 of 1,785 projects that would be funded by the tax increase. Here are the projects for New Tampa schools to be funded by the tax: Benito Middle School — Years 1-5: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Carpeting Replacement Project, Generator Project, Hard-Surface Flooring Replacement Project, Repave Athletic Tracks, Replace Security System, School Interior Repainting Project Years 6-10: Replace Fire Alarm System Chiles Elementary School — Years 1-5: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Carpeting Replacement Project, Fire Evacu-

Pride Elementary — Years 1-5: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Fire Evacuation Improvements, Grade 4-5 Playground Replacement, Pre-K Playground Replacement, Replace Aging Roof Years 6-10: Elevator Modernization, K-3 Playground Replacement, Outdoor Court Replacement, Replace Telephone System

Tampa Palms Elementary — Years 1-5: Grade 4-5 Playground Replacement, K-3 Playground Replacement, Replace Stage Lighting Years 6-10: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Carpeting Replacement Project, Generator Project, Hard-Surface Flooring Replacement Project, Outdoor Court Replacement Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools Jeff Eakins (far right) explains to parents and administrators the benefits of passing an education tax referendum at a recent town hall at Plant City High. (Photo: Hillsborough Schools Twitter @HillsboroughSch) 4-5 Playground Replacement, K-3 Playground ation Improvements, Hard-Surface Flooring Replacement Project, K-3 Playground Replace- Replacement, Replace Aging Roof, Replace ment, Replace Fire Alarm System Stage Lighting, Upgrade Classroom Network Years 6-10: Grade 4-5 Playground Infrastructure Replacement Years 6-10: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Exterior Paint and WaterClark Elementary — Years 1-5: Air proofing, Outdoor Court Replacement Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Carpeting Replacement Project, Fire Evacuation Liberty Middle School — Years 1-5: Improvements, Grade 4-5 Playground ReplaceAir Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, ment, Hard-Surface Flooring Replacement Exterior Paint and Waterproofing, School InProject, Replace Fire Alarm System terior Repainting Project, Upgrade Classroom Years 6-10: Replace Aging Roof, K-3 Network Infrastructure Playground Replacement, Pre-K Playground Years 6-10: Elevator Modernization, Replacement Freedom High — Years 1-5: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Carpeting Replacement Project, Elevator Modernization, Hard-Surface Flooring Replacement Project, Upgrade Classroom Network Infrastructure, Generator Project. Years 6-10: Replace Aging Roof, Repave Athletic Tracks, Sand and Recondition Gym Floor, School Interior Repainting Project Heritage Elementary — Years 1-5: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Fire Evacuation Improvements, Hard-Surface Flooring Replacement Project, School Interior Repainting Project, Upgrade Classroom Network Infrastructure Years 6-10: Grade 4-5 Playground Replacement, K-3 Playground Replacement, Pre-K Playground Replacement Hunter’s Green Elementary — Years 1 to 5: Fire Evacuation Improvements, Grade

Turner Bartels K-8 School — Years 1-5: K-3 Playground Replacement, Pre-K Playground Replacement Years 6-10: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Elevator Modernization, Outdoor Court Replacement, Repave Athletic Tracks, Replace Telephone System, School Interior Repainting Project Wharton High — Years 1-5: Air Conditioning Replacement or Overhaul, Fire Evacuation Improvements, Replace Aging Roof, Replace Fire Alarm System Years 6 to 10: Carpeting Replacement Project, Repave Athletic Tracks, Sand and Recondition Gym Floor, School Interior Repainting Project

Karen Perez brings a lifetime of experience, caring, helping and healing to Hillsborough County School Board

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District 63 Seat Once Again Slated To Be A Close Battle By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com There was never any doubt, at least in her mind, that Fentrice Driskell was going to one day run for office. It was just a matter of when. Well, when...is now. In February, Driskell filed to run for the Florida House District 63 seat currently held by Republican and long-time New Tampa resident Shawn Harrison. District 63 includes New Tampa, as well as Carrollwood, Lutz and the Lake Magdalene and University of South Florida areas to our south and east. Driskell’s entry into the race was greeted with great enthusiasm by many Democrats, who consider it one of the most flippable State House seats. Harrison won the seat in 2010, lost it to Mark Danish in 2012, then reclaimed it in 2014. In 2016, Harrison held off Democratic challenger and fellow former Tampa City Council member Lisa Montelione by 1,363 votes, or 51-49 percent. “I’ve known for quite some time I would like to run one day,” Driskell says. “I thought it would be later in life, though. But, the 2016 election motivated me.” Driskell was almost immediately endorsed by prominent local Democrats like Betty Castor, Alex Sink, Pat Kemp and State House Democratic Leader, State Rep. Janet Cruz, after throwing her hat in the ring. Driskell felt that women’s voices were missing from the political debate, and felt

State House District 63 candidate Fentrice Driskell is hoping to return incumbent Shawn Harrison’s seat to Democratic hands in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6.

like public schools, where her mother taught for 35 years, were under attack. She saw a political landscape dominated by acrimony and inertia, instead of focusing on providing affordable housing, a safe and clean environment and economic policies that would benefit everyone. “After the 2016 election, I really decided that if I don’t like the way things are going, I can either keep talking about it or do something about it,” Driskell says. “I started attending candidate trainings and really thinking about some of the issues I care about the most.” Driskell said her passion for govern-

ment was ignited while she attended Lake Gibson High in Lakeland. During her junior year, she attended Florida Girls State, a week-long workshop that focuses on government, politics and Americanism. “It completely changed my trajectory,” Driskell says. She graduated from Lake Gibson No. 1 in her class and attended Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, where she was the school’s first African-American female student body government president. She graduated from Harvard and then Georgetown Law School in Washington,

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D.C., and has been president of the George Edgecomb Bar Association for black lawyers in Tampa. She is currently a partner and business litigator at the Carlton Fields law firm near Tampa International Airport. When she decided to run and looked at the open races, she saw District 63 as a perfect place to bring what she says will be an inclusive style of representation. “I looked at the level of representation that District 63 is getting and felt I had something better to offer,” Driskell says. According to the Lakeland native, District 63 is roughly 38 percent registered Democrats, 32 percent Republicans and 30 percent unaffiliated. “When you have a district that balanced, you have to be able to lead from a place that is reflective of that and inclusive of everyone,” Driskell says. “My opponent has moved too far to the right for this district.” Driskell (see ad on pg. 6) has attended a few New Tampa town halls, and organized some meet-and-greets in local communities, most recently in Arbor Greene, and hopes to strike a chord with local voters, who trended Democratic in 2016. “We’ve been able to build a lot of great momentum and enthusiasm around our campaign,” Driskell says. “What we’ve found is that people want to talk about the kind of bread-and-butter issues that affect us every day, like schools, gun safety, keeping kids safe. Because we have been able to engage them directly, people are excited to have the opportunity to have a representative who will listen to them.”

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Pebble Creek’s Karen Perez Is Running For Hillsborough School Board Dist. 6 By BRAD STAGER The difference that a good learning environment can make to a child is a lesson Karen Perez says she learned when her family moved to Tampa from Brooklyn, NY, so she could attend a safer high school (King High, on N. 56th St. in Tampa). As one of two candidates in the run-off for the Hillsborough County School Board District 6 county-wide race, the Pebble Creek resident says that ensuring today’s students have that same opportunity to get a good education without distractions, such as school violence, is what she wants to achieve as a School Board member. “I was able to go to high school here in Tampa and I was able to focus on my education and not have to worry about the crime. What is ironic is, what I experienced at 16 in New York, is now something that students nationwide are experiencing.” What also has changed, according to Perez, is the nature of some problems, like bullying, that have been around for decades, but which have taken on new meaning in the Digital Age, where rumors and gossip can spread far and wide very quickly. “Before, it was between you and the bully,” Perez says. “But now, because of social media, it’s cyberbullying.” Perez adds that signs of the need for mental health support in schools include that fact that more and younger children are committing suicide, rather than dealing with the challenges that life presents to them. “The mental health piece in these children’s lives is at a critical point,” she says. “We need to address this with our children.”

practice, the Embracing Changes Center for Mental Wellness. She also is a primary social worker at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Perez says her 17 years of experience as a mental health professional will bring a new and much-needed perspective to the School Board, which is responsible for ensuring the success and safety of more than 200,000 students in 250-plus schools in the eighth-largest school district in the U.S., while dealing with issues ranging from broken air conditioners to finding enough bus drivers. “When you have an education board that has members on it with the same mindset, everybody’s looking through the same lens and everybody’s coming toward a problem with the same tools, everybody’s going to come up with the same conclusion,” Perez says. “When you have someone that’s thinking outside the box...you get a different viewpoint.” Another way Perez, who unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the School Board in 2006, wants to bring Pebble Creek resident Karen Perez is hoping her second time diverse perspectives to the school running for a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board is a district’s operations and possibly stretch resources, is by working with charm after falling short in 2006. people and businesses who want to Perez has insight to issues related to be involved in helping to educate the mental health. She followed up her graduacommunity’s children. tion from King High by earning her Bachelor “There is so much collaboration we of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social could be doing,” says Perez, who has lived in Work (MSW) degrees from the University of New Tampa for 18 years and has raised two South Florida and building her private Tampa daughters and a son, all of whom are now

either working in or pursuing professions of their own. After nearly two decades living in the local community, Perez has become known to her neighbors, like Ann Green, who says Perez is accessible and committed to supporting others in achieving their goals. “Karen is a great listener,” Green says. “Her ears and heart are always turning to help people and when she says she’s willing to do something, she’ll do it no matter what.” Opposing Perez in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6, is Henry “Shake” Washington, a retired Hillsborough School District educator who touts his 42 years of experience with the school district. Washington began his career with the district as an instructional assistant and came up through the system to work as a teacher, principal and area superintendent for Hillsborough County schools. Among the positions Washington’s campaign promotes on its website (ShakeforSchoolBoard.com) are strong oversight and accountability of the School District’s finances and putting more emphasis on learning skills and course content in the classroom, instead of standardized test preparation. The District 6 at-large seat is currently held by April Griffin, who decided not to run for reelection. Griffin has endorsed Perez to succeed her. Perez ran for a seat on the School Board in 2006 but lost in the general election. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election is Tues., Oct. 9. Early Voting begins Mon., Oct. 22. For more information about Karen Perez, visit VoteKarenPerez.com or see the ad on pg. 8.

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New Tampa Players & The Penguin Project Join Forces For “Aladdin” BY JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

One of the goals of the New Tampa Players (NTP) performance troupe has always been to introduce people to the theatre, and make it accessible for everyone. The Penguin Project will help NTP meet its vision. The project, a national effort to involve special needs actors in stage productions, is coming to Tampa, as NTP will adopt the Penguin Project for a production of a “Junior” version of “Aladdin” which is scheduled to run April 4-6, 2019. Informational meetings about the production will be held on Monday, November 5, 7 p.m., and on Sunday, November 11, 5:30 p.m., at Family of Christ Lutheran Church on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms. As a parent of special needs children, NTP President Nora Paine says she can’t wait to get started, adding that the response already has been greater than she expected, with interest from Bradenton to Brandon to Town N Country. “We are well on our way,” says Paine. The Penguin Project was founded by Dr. Andrew Morgan in Peoria, IL, in 2004. Dr. Morgan not only had a passion for helping disabled children, which he did as a pediatrician, but also local community theatre. He saw no reason why he couldn’t combine the two, starting the Penguin Project, which pairs disabled children and adults ages 8-21 with mentors who aren’t disabled. Dr. Morgan has described the experience of Penguin Project productions as life-changing for the special needs actors who take part. Paine had been brainstorming ways to incorporate special needs actors into productions, but it was at a theater management conference in Venice, FL, earlier this summer that convinced her to reach out to Dr. Morgan. “There were several theaters all around the country there (at the conference) talking about it,” Paine says. “After I heard everyone talk about it, I thought it would be a perfect fit for the New Tampa Players. There’s nothing like this in New Tampa.” In Penguin Project productions, actors are paired with a same-age peer mentor, who will help the special needs participant learn his or her role.

The mentor, who also has to learn all of the lines and choreography, will perform on the stage with their special needs counterpart, usually in the background of a scene, offering encouragement and whispering lines that may be forgotten. The mentors also help with stage footwork. “But, the special needs kids still get to be the stars of the show,” Paine says, “and they get to have that great experience.” The special needs of Penguin Project participants range from Down syndrome and cerebral palsy to learning and intellectual disabilities and other neurological disorders. “I know there are organizations devoted to specific disabilities that do great things,” Paine says. “(With the) Penguin Project, however, it doesn’t matter what the disability is. They take the child where they are and supply the support that they need.” The NTP troupe has already done productions with children involved that have some learning disabilities, but Paine thinks expanding that effort will be a good thing for the entire Tampa Bay area. “I know the need for something like this is great,” she says. During the four months of preparation for “Aladdin,” Paine says Dr. Morgan and his team will visit Tampa six times — including at the informational meetings at Family of Christ — to provide assistance with the production. Already, Paine says she has more than 30 interested performers and production workers, and almost as many peer volunteers. It will be a rewarding experience for both, she says. “It’s a two-way street,” Paine says. “Mentors are going to get a lot out of it. They can teach a lot of skills to the kids with special needs, and also get the reward of being able to help a child.” For more information about the New Tampa Players and its upcoming productions, visit NewTampaPlayers.org.

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Grandma Claire’s Reading Room Dedicated At New Tampa Library Story & Photos by Gavin Olsen

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Grandma Claire’s Early Learning Hive, a space handcrafted to combine youth recreation & education into a single experience, has been unveiled at the New Tampa Regional Library (NTRL) on Cross Creek Blvd. About 50 people, including the family of the longtime educator and librarian the room was named for, attended the ceremony at NTRL on Sept. 22. Claire Unnasch, whose plaque is proudly displayed in The Hive, was a special education teacher, school librarian and middle school math teacher at South End School in Cedar Grove, NJ. However, the nickname “Grandma Claire” wasn’t coined until her later career as a volunteer at local libraries, where she discovered her immense affection for preschool-age children. Grandma Claire passed away in 2016. Thomas Unnasch, Grandma Claire’s son, spoke at the unveiling, as children raced around playing and grabbing books. “She would be beyond herself if she could see what we’ve created here,” Thomas said. District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera and Hillsborough County’s director of library services Andrew Breidenbaugh also spoke at the podium, sharing their vision of recreating Grandma Claire’s Early Learning Hive for libraries across the District in the years to come, to spread Claire’s love for children & education even further. The New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open every day. Among those on hand at the dedication of Grandma Claire’s Early Learning Hive (right) were (l.-r) Andrew Breidenbaugh (top left), Joan Zacharias (of the New Tampa Regional Library Friends), Thomas & Danielle Unnasch and City Councilman Luis Viera.

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Wharton Graduate Brews Success With Kombucha Tea & Publix By Celeste McLaughlin When Austin Sherman graduated from New Tampa’s Wharton High School in 2001, he headed to the nearby University of South Florida to pursue a degree in communications. At that time, he wouldn’t have guessed he’d be where he is now — leading a company brewing kombucha, a fermented, probiotic tea that is increasing in popularity and market share, with products in many major grocery stores, such as Whole Foods and Publix. Austin and his wife, Alexis Korman, who co-founded Big Easy Bucha in New Orleans four years ago, expect to sell 3 million bottles in 2018. And, with the way they’re growing, Austin says they’ll sell 10 million bottles next year. It’s not how Austin envisioned his future. He left college in 2005 to join a commercial real estate firm in Seattle. He remembers it being a busy, stressful time, while he worked hard. “Every dollar I made, I would invest in more real estate,” he says. “I was 25 years old, with a couple of million dollars in real estate. Then, I woke up one day and it was all worth nothing.” The real estate bubble had burst. Over time, the firm he worked for let its employees go and shut its doors, and Austin came back to New Tampa to figure out what to do next. He landed a job as a bartender at the old Ciccio & Tony’s in Tampa Palms, where he met people like Dan Costello. “Dan was one of my favorite customers,” Austin says. “He was very active in the bever-

age and salty snack business, and I found that fascinating.” Austin was living with his younger sister, Chelsea, who was studying to be a nurse. It was Chelsea who learned how to brew kombucha. Many people drink kombucha because of the health benefits associated with its probiotics. “In nursing school, all of my peers were super health conscious,” says Chelsea. “Some were brewing kombucha; and we all were drinking it. We were trying to be health forward for our patients.” Chelsea taught Austin how to brew kombucha, which he had been introduced to in Seattle. “I had been in bartending and mixology, so I knew how to put ingredients together and get a desired result,” says Austin. “I made my first batch with pineapple and elderflower.” He began experimenting with different flavors and made small batches to pass out to his friends and family. He moved to New Orleans, where Alexis was living and working as a writer. In 2014, they officially launched their company in New Orleans and called it Big Easy Bucha. “I really didn’t have a vision of what this could become,” Austin says. “At that time, it was just a hobby.” Just four years later, it’s so much more. The friends and family he used to pass out samples to are not only his customers, they’re also his biggest supporters — and some are even employees. Chelsea left nursing to work full-time as a marketing associate for the company.

Big Easy Bucha is available in all Publix stores. Austin Sherman shows off his original product – with flavors such as Jazz Juice and Streetcar Sipper — and its first-to-market kombucha “shots.” Meanwhile, Dan Costello has served as an advisor and has just transitioned to the role of president of Big Easy Bucha. Austin’s best friend from high school, Ted Krawsck, lives in Wesley Chapel and says he’s now a Big Easy Bucha “one-a-day-er.” Ted says he was surprised to discover the positive effects kombucha has had for him. “It had huge health benefits,” Ted says. “As someone with stomach problems, I

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Southern palate, with flavors that are very fruit forward,” such as strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, and satsuma — a citrus fruit similar to a Mandarin or clementine orange, Chelsea says. Austin’s favorite flavor is still that first combination he put together in his first brew in Tampa, pineapple and elderflower. Now, that combo is known as Big Easy Bucha’s “Jazz Juice.” A highlight of the company’s story so far is that last year, Big Easy Bucha was successful in getting its products into Publix stores. “It’s really hard to do,” says Austin. “I’ve been a customer of Publix my entire life. I remember shopping at the store on Cross Creek Blvd.” He adds that in the year that Big Easy Bucha products have been sold at Publix, the chain has opened 50 new stores, for a total of 1,196 Publix stores nationwide. Whenever a new Publix opens, it stocks Big Easy Bucha. “It’s been fun,” Austin says. “We’ve been able to grow in Publix.” He thinks Publix likes working with Big Easy Bucha, too. “We’re known to Publix as innovators,” Austin explains. Recently, a Publix buyer suggested an idea for a new product — a kombucha “shot” for people who want the probiotics and healthy organic acids of the drink, but don’t want to have to drink a full 16 ounces. “Within four weeks, we had samples for them,” says Austin. “Coke and Pepsi can’t move that fast. It takes them a year to get it through research and development and another two years to get to market, if they decide to make the product.” Now, the four-ounce shots also are available at all Publix stores and Big Easy Bucha is the first kombucha company mak-

Austin Sherman and his sister, Chelsea, before Wharton’s prom in 2001, when the siblings were growing up in Arbor Greene. ing the product, which are called Lil’ Easy Kombucha Shots. “It’s the same strength and efficacy, in a fun and festive shot format,” explains Austin. “We’re in New Orleans, so everything’s festive (here).” To buy Big Easy Bucha, visit any local Publix store and look for it in the refrigerated aisle, next to the juices. For more information about the company, visit BigEasyBucha.com.

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OCTOBER 2018

Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr. Wesley Chapel, FL) and walk with a purpose. Registration is at 8 a.m, The Stride begins at 9 a.m. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society and the advancement of breast cancer research.

Friday, October 5

Rotary Club of New Tampa - The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday for breakfast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. For more info, including the upcoming speaker schedule, contact David Lanigan at (813) 760-6548 or dave@davidlanigan.com or visit NewTampaRotary.org.

Saturday, October 6

Bay Chapel Food Pantry - Free food for needy families. Open every Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., behind Christian Brothers Automotive at 20300 Trout Creek Dr. (off BBD). For more info, visit BayChapel.com/foodpantry. Hunter’s Green Community Trash & Treasure Sale - Check out the annual Hunter’s Green Community Trash & Treasure Sale at Hunter’s Green’s Capt. Nathaniel Hunter Park, 7:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. One-stop shopping for great bargains. Please contact the association office for more information: hgca@huntersgreen.com.

Sunday, October 7

Cut for a Cause - ULTA Beauty will be hosting its annual “Cut For A Cause,” 11 a.m-6 p.m., to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This event will be held at all ULTA stores, including at The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center. No appointments, walk-ins only. $20 cuts with a flash dry, $10 Facials, and $10 Pik extensions, while supplies last.

Wednesday, October 10

English As A Second Language (ESL) - The ESL group meets Wednesdays at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD Blvd. in Pebble Creek), 9:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. Classes are taught by native English speakers. The cost is $40 each semester for the workbook & class materials. For info, call Holly at (813) 360-2077. BNI Millionaire Makers - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets Weds. at Heritage Isles Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.), at 7:15 am. The cost is $13 to attend, which includes a hot breakfast. Call Lisa Jordan at (813) 621-6015 for info. Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI meets every Wed., 7:30 a.m., at Mulligans Irish Pub inside Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.). For more info, call Bill Sullivan at (813) 994-1143. Rotary Club Of New Tampa Noon - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at noon at Mulligan’s Irish Pub (in the Pebble Creek Golf Club). Guests are always welcome. For more info, search “New Tampa Noon Rotary” on Facebook or see the New Tampa Brew Fest ad on pg. 38 of this issue.

Thursday, October 11

North Tampa Veterans meeting - All armed forces veterans are invited to weekly lighthearted Dutch-treat breakfast at Steak ‘n Shake just off BBD Blvd. (17509 North Palms Village Place) every Thursday, 7:30 am. Get acquainted and your tell tales, new and old. Bring your spouse and your brag sheet.

Saturday, October 13

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k Walk- Come down to the Shops at

Saturday, October 20

Northwood of Pasco HOA Community Garage Sale - See ad below.

Monday, October 22

New Tampa Democratic Club - Now meeting at Mulligan’s Irish Pub, (10550 Regents Park Dr Pebbles Beach Golf Club), 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.. Guest speakers are featured at every meeting. As an additional option, you may purchase food from a limited menu all inclusive for $12. Come early eat, mingle or come on time and eat during the meeting. For info, email newtampademocraticclub@gmail. com or call (813) 563-0845.

Wednesday, October 24-Sunday, October 28

Wiregrass Fall Fair - The Shops at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr. Wesley Chapel) will hold its 2018 Fall Fair from October 24-28! Check out the rides, games and family fun! Hours: Wed, Thurs & Fri: 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat & Sun: 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Armbands are $20 per person, tickets are $1.25 each, $18 for 20, rides take 3-4 tickets each. For more information please visit ArnoldAmusementsInc.com. Dignity Memorial & Blount & Curry Funeral Homes Luncheon to Help You Plan Your Final Arrangements - See ad on Pg. 21!

Thursday, October 25

360 Dermatology Evening of Aesthetics - See ad below! The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve Pasta Day! - See ad on Pg. 21!

Saturday, October 27

Spooktacular!- Come down to Avalon Park West (River Glen Boulevard, Wesley Chapel FL 33545) from 5p.m - 8p.m for a frighteningly free and family-friendly, fun-filled night! Enjoy the costume parade, bounce house, trick-or-treating, a haunted house and more! Event is free and open to the public.

Sat.-Sun., Oct. 27-28

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival!- Simply Events & the North Tampa Bay Chamber will host the 14th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival at The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. The free festivities include the Lil’ Miss & Mister Pumpkin Pageant, a pet parade & costume contest, the Fall Festival carnival, a Trunk or Treat event & so much more. For more info including for possible vendors, visit SimplyEventsFl.com or call (727) 674-1464.

Community address: Northwood of Pasco 27248 Big Sur Drive Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544

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Let The Specialists At Florida Orthopaedic Institute Relieve Your Aches & Pains physical therapy space. The practice’s physicians currently include not only Dr. Baker, but also Brian Palumbo, M.D., Timothy Epting, D.O., and Adil Samad, M.D. To learn more about each of the doctors’ specialties, training and education, visit the practice website at FloridaOrtho.com.

BY CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

The Wesley Chapel office of Florida Orthopaedic Institute is expanding to meet the needs of our community. Located in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., directly across BBD from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC), the local office opened in 2015 and is part of the largest orthopaedic practice in Florida, which originally opened in North Tampa nearly 30 years ago. The practice has since grown to serve patients in 10 offices in the Tampa Bay area: Bloomingdale, Brandon, Brooksville, Citrus Park, North Tampa, Northdale, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Sun City. Two of the practice’s facilities — North Tampa (off E. Fletcher Ave.) and Citrus Park — house specially-designed orthopaedic surgery centers. Surgery also can be performed at one of 25 affiliated hospitals, including FHWC. With 150 providers on its staff, including 40 Board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians and orthopaedic surgeons, Florida Orthopaedic Institute has medical professionals to treat any orthopaedic issue, whether it involves your bones, muscles or joints. The Wesley Chapel office offers physician services, as well as physical therapy and X-rays. Because all doctors at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute are both Board-certified and fellowship-trained, they are all specialists with additional training, not just generalists in orthopaedics.

Injuries & Pain

Whether it’s a strain, sprain, slip-&fall or sports-related injury that causes you to need the care of an orthopaedic physician, when these injuries occur, the doctors at Florida Orthopaedic Institute encourage you to consult with one of them for all of your post-injury treatment and care. Not only does Florida Orthopaedic Institute have the largest group of physicians and surgeons in the orthopaedic field in the entire state of Florida, the doctors also use state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge techniques to aid in your recovery. While the group is made up of many, varied providers, they all share the same focus. Their first goal is to provide excellence in clinical outcomes — in other words, to be sure that their patients recover from their injuries as quickly and well as possible. In addition, these orthopaedists strive to provide an exceptional patient experience in an environment that fosters growth through teaching, education and research in all aspects of musculoskeletal medicine.

All of the orthopaedic physicians at Florida Orthopaedic Institute office in Wesley Chapel, including Dr. Timothy Epting (right), are Board-certified and fellowship-trained. They can treat any orthopaedic issue, from sports injuries to the aches and pains associated with aging.

“This additional training is just part of what sets us apart,” says Christopher Baker, M.D., one of the practice’s specialists who works at the Wesley Chapel office. “e\Especially when the sophisticated work of joints is involved. In order to keep our patients active, the precision of the treatment is paramount to success.” Board certification is an extra step

requiring the certification of the skills in each doctor’s specialty by a board of their peers. Surgeons are fellowship-trained for an additional year in their orthopaedic sub-specialties, which may include shoulder, spine, foot, ankle or trauma. Currently, the Wesley Chapel office has four physicians. The office is being expanded to include additional clinical and

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SPOTLIGHT ON.......The North Tampa Law Group!

With 150 providers on staff at its ten offices, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is the state’s largest orthopaedic practice. Dr. Christopher Baker (left) and Dr. Brian Palumbo (right) are two of the specialists who treat patients at the group’s Wesley Chapel office across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

With patient care as their primary focus, Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s skilled medical professionals can provide the best orthopaedic solutions for all bone, joint, ligament and muscle injuries. Educating patients is a core philosophy at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute, whose surgeons encourage patients to seek out options to ensure that they are getting a doctor who is experienced in treating their particular type of injury. Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s philosophy is to first employ all non-surgical methods to increase mobility and function, including medication, bracing, injections, physical/occupational therapy, and in-house chiropractic treatment. Surgery is the final solution when all of these other options prove ineffective. “There are a lot of options other than surgery,” says Dr. Baker. “Our mission is to do what is best for each individual patient.” Those individual patients may come to Florida Orthopaedic Institute because they have experienced a sports-related injury. For families with student athletes, kids who experience an injury, or weekend warriors, Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s doctors know just how to care for bones, joints, ligaments and muscles that are injured on the sports field. The practice touts its sports medicine program as the largest and most advanced in the entire Tampa Bay area.

Physicians from the practice treat hundreds of patients every week. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lightning, Mutiny, Rowdies and Storm — as well as many local schools and universities — have used doctors affiliated with the practice for their own team physicians. Other patients who find care and relief at Florida Orthopaedic Institute are those who are experiencing pain and discomfort related to aging. There’s a myth that as people age, they have to live with pain. However, Florida Orthopaedic Institute treats patients who have pain stemming from aging or injury, including foot, ankle, hip, knee, hand, wrist, shoulder or elbow pain. The practice’s doctors provide hip and knee arthritis management, joint replacement surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery, when those other options are needed. As these needs are prevalent in our community and will continue to grow, Florida Orthopaedic Institute continues to grow its Wesley Chapel office to serve the residents of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s Wesley Chapel office is at 2653 BBD and is open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The North Tampa office is at 13020 N. Telecom Pkwy. For more info, visit FloridaOrtho.com, call (800) FL-ORTHO, or see the ad on page 5.

Dealing with routine legal issues, such as creating a will or selling a home, is part of daily life. The attorneys of North Tampa Law Group, located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, about one mile east of the I-75 exit at S.R. 56 (behind MINI of Wesley Chapel), are ready to help their clients who are seeking legal assistance. The firm was established in 2014. Attorneys Brian Arrighi (the managing partner; photo) and Laurel Ackley each possess a decade or more of legal experience in areas that routinely affect families, such as real estate transactions, estate planning, probate proceedings, divorce, bankruptcy and other family law cases. Arrighi says, however, that the North Tampa Law Group does not handle criminal or personal injury cases. Ackley and Arrighi each earned their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, after earning undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Both lawyers are licensed to practice in the courts of the State of Florida and the U.S. District Court, Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Sometimes life presents challenges with legal consequences, such as financial problems that result in a need to consider bankruptcy, or a marriage that may be trending towards divorce. The North Tampa Law Group can help you work through what can be difficult, related legal processes involving issues like child custody, enforcement actions and even

domestic violence injunctions. Arrighi says that the breadth of services North Tampa Law Group provides offers convenience to the firm’s clients, whose legal needs may encompass more than one practice area. “We’re really an all-inclusive kind of place for your typical family in the New Tampa area,” Arrighi says. “There’s really a lot we can help you with. A lot of our clients are very relieved to find out it was not as expensive a process as they thought and it wasn’t as difficult as they thought.” The North Tampa Law Group is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel. To set up an online evaluation of your case, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com or make an appointment for a free initial consultation at (813) 518-7411. For more information, see the ad on page 16.

10/31/2018

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KAP Medical Group Offers A New Approach With Direct Primary Care By Celeste McLaughlin

Karina Azank Parilo, M.D., is proud to be the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel area’s only Direct Primary Care family physician. After eight years in a local medical group, Dr. Parilo says she was frustrated with the ever-increasing number of patients she was expected to see, which was necessary in a medical group setting to cover the overhead costs associated with having to bill insurance companies. Although Dr. Parilo says she already had 2,700 active patients, the group expected her to take on even more new patients. “There were patients I’d had for six years who couldn’t get in to see me and couldn’t do their hospital follow-ups with me,” she says, explaining her schedule was too full to be able to work them in, “and I was becoming increasingly frustrated.” So, in February of this year, she decided to leave the group she had been with and open her own practice, using a newer model known as Direct Primary Care. That means her practice, which is located in the Windfair Professional Park behind the retail plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel that includes Dickey’s BBQ and The Hungry Greek restaurants, doesn’t bill insurance companies. “Instead, there is a membership fee for the practice,” Dr. Parilo explains, “which is generally $50-$60 for an individual, or a family with two kids is $150 per month.” The practice is open to all ages, from birth to death. The monthly fee covers

Medical assistant and office manager Michelle Diaz (left) and Dr. Karina Azank Parilo are the only two faces you’ll see when you visit KAP Medical Group off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. unlimited office visits and virtual visits via phone or video, in-office tests, well checks, sick visits, weight management and management of chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis and more. For minor office procedures, such as cyst removal or laceration repair, a small supply fee is charged. A list of most membership costs is available at KAPMedicalGroup.com. Dr. Parilo compares it to a gym membership, where you pay the same whether you visit once a year or once a month, or

even once a week, which Dr. Parilo says some of her patients do in order to drop in for their regular weight checks. She says her practice is an alternative to what’s becoming more common with primary care physicians, where the overhead costs to have staff available to constantly submit and follow up on insurance claims becomes one of the unfortunate driving forces of the practice. “Dealing with insurance is a pain,” she says, “and a lot of administrative cost goes into billing insurance.” To cover the costs, those doctors sim-

ply have to see more patients. “As a result,” she explains, “doctors just don’t have time.” Dr. Parilo is originally from Tampa. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Duke University in Durham, NC, then came home and earned a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida in 2005. While she started training in anesthesiology, she changed her focus to primary care because she found she missed building ongoing relationships with her patients. “I like taking care of kids, women, men and the older population,” she says, “so I went into family medicine to be able to take care of everybody.” In 2008, she moved to Massachusetts and completed a residency in family medicine at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester in 2010. At the time, she says she was a single mom, so she was excited to be able to bring her daughter back home to the Tampa area where Dr. Parilo was raised. Now, she and her husband, Dane, live in Seven Oaks and have a blended family of three children and two grandchildren. They met through the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel in 2012 and both have remained active in the club. “I enjoy the service aspect of Rotary and enjoy serving the community,” she says. For example, in addition to being involved with the club’s local service projects, both Dr. Parilo and her husband have been part of the Rotary Club’s trips to Honduras to provide clean drinking water and latrines for

October, 31 2018

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dent who began seeing Dr. Parilo shortly after KAP Medical Group opened. In the few months since then, Daelyn has brought her entire family to the practice. Now, Daelyn’s husband, three children, son-in-law and granddaughter are all Dr. Parilo’s patients. “Dr. Parilo is a good doctor and a great person,” Daelyn says. “It’s almost like a partnership with her. Plus, you walk into the office and they actually know you. That (kind of service) has been lost in recent years.” Daelyn adds that she had been frustrated trying to find the right primary care physician, and the time she saves with KAP Medical Group is worth every penny. “We run our own business,” Daelyn says, “so our time is actually money, when we have to take time away from our business.”

at the Club at Seven Oaks clubhouse, to answer questions about how health insurance and Direct Primary Care work. “We’ll go over the ins and outs of insurance to figure out what your costs are to hopefully make the best choice for your family,” she says. “Anyone who wants to learn more is welcome to come in and ask questions.” KAP Medical Group Direct Primary Care & Family Medicine is located at 2615 Windguard Cir., Suite 101, across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The practice is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. For more information, to set an appointment, or RSVP for the insurance Q&A session, visit KAPMedicalGroup.com or call (813) 536-0050.

$aving Money?

families and schools in the mountainous and impoverished city of Troyes.

More Time With Patients

With the Direct Primary Care model, Dr. Parilo says the main advantage is the amount of time she can spend with each patient when needed, and that the time she spends with each patient is flexible to meet their needs, as well. “I have time to talk with my patients’ specialists or spend an hour catching up with them if they’ve had a lengthy hospital stay,” she explains. “I can take care of my patients however they need to be taken care of.” While that might be in person, at times, she notes that it also could mean via

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phone, via video conference or even via text. Dr. Parilo uses an app that maintains patient privacy and connects directly with the patient’s electronic medical record. “Patients love it,” she says, adding that many times, her patients don’t want to leave work to come in for an appointment. “They can just send us a picture and we can respond.” Dr. Parilo has just one person on her staff. Michelle Diaz is Dr. Parilo’s medical assistant and office manager. The two have worked together since 2010. “My old patients have known her and loved her as long as they’ve known me,” Dr. Parilo says. Daelyn Fortney is a Seven Oaks resi-

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Dr. Parilo says that, in some cases, Direct Primary Care can and does save her patients money. “People don’t realize how much they’re spending before they get anything,” she explains. “You pay premiums whether you ever see a doctor or not.” She says most people don’t have an old, traditional insurance plan where they can see any doctor they choose and pay a simple co-pay. Most patients today have a high deductible they have to pay before the insurance company even begins to pick up the tab. “At the end of the year,” she asks, “how much did you actually pay out of pocket?” Dr. Parilo suspects most people don’t know. So, she is hosting a free event on Wednesday, October 17, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.,

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Cutting-Edge Technology Means Healthy Skin & Happy Patients At 360 Dermatology By Celeste McLaughlin

When it comes to trends in the skin-care industry, 360 Dermatology is on the leading edge. From the “green” building the practice is housed in, to the first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence that minimizes patient wait times, to the partnership with a plastic surgery center under one roof, 360 Dermatology owner Aparna Ambay, M.D., is proud to offer an unparalleled customer experience, while keeping her patients’ skin healthy. Dr. Ambay is Board-certified, having earned her M.D. degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2002, then completing an internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and dermatology residency programs at the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, WI, and at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she trained as a Mohs surgeon in the lab where Dr. Frederic Mohs invented and perfected the procedure. Dr. Ambay explains that Mohs surgery is a tissue-conserving procedure that is 99-percent recurrence-free. She also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from the University of Georgia in Athens (awarded in 1990), and both MBA (Master of Business Administration) and MPH (Master of Public Health) degrees from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, awarded in 1995. Her Master’s degrees are from an earlier career, in which she used to manage health clinics, before she says she felt “called” to pursue medicine. Since Dr. Ambay opened the practice in 2012, 360 Dermatology has shared a building with Ambay Plastic Surgery, owned by her

Dr. Aparna Ambay and the other medical providers at 360 Dermatology off S.R. 56 see patients for all kinds of skin conditions – whether your needs are medical or aesthetic. Cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence to ensure wait times are minimized, makes this practice unlike any other. Seven Oaks to a new location off S.R. 56 last husband, Dr. Raj Ambay. The two practices May, which they named the Transformations complement each other, such as for medical dermatology patients who can have easy access Aesthetic Center. The new building is about a mile east of I-75, just north of the intersection to plastic surgery after a large skin cancer removal. Dr. Aparna Ambay says that while a lot of S.R. 56 and Cypress Ridge Blvd., behind of dermatology groups are just now bringing the Tower Radiology building. The new plastic surgery on board, “From the beginlocation hosts both practices, plus the Transning, we’ve offered dermatology and plastic formations Surgery Center, where patients can surgery under one roof.” choose to have surgical procedures — including Mohs surgery — completed on-site. The 11,000-square-foot building A Total Transformation housing the Transformations Aesthetic The pair moved their practices from

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Center is impressive, offering an upscale and serene atmosphere. “At the Transformations building, we are excited to offer the latest technology to our patients,” says Dr. Ambay. “It’s completely green. We have no light switches and no traditional light bulbs. One iPad controls all the music, lighting, air conditioning and everything in the office.” She explains that many options can be tailored for each patient’s preferences, such as customized music playlists in the exam and treatment rooms. Every room also has a window, where natural light helps to provide a bright ambiance, offering views of the sky and trees. The building also has an outdoor patio. “We’re surrounded by beautiful conservation, so we make the most of it,” says Dr. Ambay. 360 Dermatology also uses a sophisticated program to ensure that the practice always runs on time, using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve and streamline efficiency for patient check-ins and wait times to maximize time with the provider. “We’re thinking toward the future to fix a problem in medical practices,” says Dr. Ambay, who explains that her husband came up with the idea for the new technology and worked with an information technology firm to create the software, which has now been in place for about six months at 360 Dermatology. “Our goal is to eliminate wait times. We inform people if we’re running behind and give them the option to wait for their provider, reschedule or see a different provider.” Dr. Ambay explains that the two practices are the first in the health care industry to implement this kind of technology.

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“It’s absolutely cutting edge,” she says. “Nobody is doing this.” Since 2012, 360 Dermatology has grown from a staff of just three to a staff of 18. Dr. Ambay’s practice now has four medical providers, including a second Board-certified dermatologist — Thomas Beachkofsky, M.D., who earned his M.D. degree from the Uniformed Services University, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD. Two certified Physician Assistants, Michelle Jordan, PA-C, and Vanessa Goldbach, PA-C, also see patients. “The community has been phenomenal,” says Dr. Ambay. “We’ve grown and evolved because of the support of our patients and their word-of-mouth referrals.” She says that whether you see her or one of the other providers in her practice, they all share the same philosophy. “We see and cater to every dermatological issue,” she says, “We do the best we can for each patient’s skin. It shows in our quality of work. Whether it’s a medical issue, such as clearing a rash, or aesthetically, we have skin health in mind and it’s yielding results.”

A Variety Of Services

Dr. Ambay explains that the practice does medical, surgical and aesthetic dermatology, treating everyone from small children to the elderly. She and the other providers see patients for preventive skin checks, to treat moles, eczema, cirrhosis, acne and many other skin conditions. From a medical and surgical standpoint, Dr. Ambay explains that she and her fellow providers often catch medical conditions lurking behind manifestations of skin conditions, including Lupus, leukemias and lymphomas,

the results are so good, it is often recommended for patients who would rather not wear makeup. “This is new technology that has evolved over decades,” she says, and is much different than when lasers were being used 20 years ago and patients needed long recovery periods. “It’s done by Board-certified dermatologists and is safe and effective. We’re turning Above are before-and-after photos of an actual 360 Dermatology pa- back the clock tient who was treated using the practice’s Candela CO2 laser for skin 10-15 years.” She says the resurfacing. As you can see, the results can be impressive! same laser also is used to perform and — on a daily basis — melanomas. “When vaginal rejuvenation. “It’s changing women’s we catch that, it’s very gratifying and very lives,” Dr. Ambay says. “It’s a phenomenal meaningful,” she says. laser that helps especially with post-menopausIn addition, Dr. Ambay says that she’s al dryness and discomfort.” excited about the effectiveness and results The practice also has a Vbeam pulsed she’s seeing from a laser service she was dye laser, which is specific to the color red trained on during her residency. “It’s called and helps with conditions such as rosacea, red the Candela CO2 Laser, and we’re the only veins and other redness. ones in the New Tampa area doing it,” she For acne scarring and any scarring of the says. “It’s the next step in skin health.” Dr. Ambay says the Candela Laser targets face, Dr. Ambay often recommends microneesun damage, precancers, lines, wrinkles, spots, dling. “Acne scarring is so commonplace,” she blemishes, tone and texture of skin, and assists says, “and there was not much you could do about it in the past. Microneedling provides in collagen replacement over time. She says hope for patients who have given up hope.” that one session can last up to a decade, and

Microneedling also can be combined with “PRPs” (plasma rich platelets) to help with hair loss. “It is phenomenal and incredible to see what these growth factors have the ability to do,” says Dr. Ambay, explaining that a patient’s own blood is drawn, then spun in a centrifuge to isolate the growth factors, called PRPs. While women and men both suffer from hair loss, in the past, options for women had been limited and didn’t yield great results. “PRP with microneedling gives hope to (female) patients suffering from hair loss,” she says. “The hair follicles love it.” Wesley Chapel resident Dea Heffernan is one patient who is extremely happy with her experience at 360 Dermatology. “A trusted friend of mine recommended Dr. Ambay and I feel I should pay it forward, as I, too, have had the most amazing results,” Dea says. “She and her caring staff surpassed my expectations in the level of support I’ve received throughout every treatment and my recovery.” She says she’s been going to Dr. Ambay for more than a year for procedures that have included Botox, Kybella and Vbeam laser treatments. “Dr. Ambay has a wonderful talent with an artisan’s eye for creating the best results,” Dea says. “I totally trust her and go into each appointment with confidence. She has 100-percent transformed my level of confidence and self-esteem, which was pretty healthy to begin with, so that is saying something!” The Transformations Aesthetic Center is located at 2441 Oak Myrtle Ln. in Wesley Chapel. For more information about 360 Dermatology, visit 360DermatologyTampa.com, call (813) 406-4835 or see the ad on page 20 of this issue.

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NEW TAMPA’S TEACHERS OF THE YEAR! BENITO MIDDLE SCHOOL Teacher of year: Kelly Broadbelt, 8th grade (photo #7, on the facing page) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Kathy Luckie-Boyd Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Anna Sanchez CHILES ELEMENTARY Teacher of year: Shital Patel, 5th grade, math/science (4) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Chelsea Bowen, 3rd grade Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Shari Lange, media secretary CLARK ELEMENTARY Teacher of year: Cynthia Zellem, 2nd grade (10) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Joseph Sorondo Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Clara Santos FREEDOM HIGH Teacher of year: Jamie King, liberal arts, math and geometry (1) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: 1st Sgt. Eric Bowman Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: HERITAGE ELEMENTARY Teacher of Year: Nicole Crawford-Teagarden (2) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Christopher Alvarez Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Rachel Bauer HUNTER’S GREEN ELEMENTARY Teacher of year: Megan Vreeland, 2nd grade (6) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Lourdes Goldberg Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Casey Buskey LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Teacher of year: Toni Kuzmicki (9) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Blaine Maurice Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Nicci Chatman TAMPA PALMS ELEMENTARY Teacher of year: Sharon Samsock (8) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Deborah Elkins Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Bonnie Walters TURNER/BARTELS K-8 SCHOOL Teacher of year: Mario Sans, 7th and 8th grade (5) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Marilisa Moreno Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Cynthia Weymouth WHARTON HIGH Teacher of year: Jennifer Bell (3) Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year: Noura Sinkiewicz Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Ona Miller Note: Pride Elementary had not named its Teacher of the Year and other award nominees prior to our deadline. The winners of each award for this school year will be announced at the Hillsbrough Education Foundation’s Excellence in Education Awards gala in January 2019.

October 20th: 9am - 12pm

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K-BarBYRanch Resident & Local Debate Champion Makes Team USA! JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

Arpan Bagui (photo) did not grow up arguing with his parents, trying to win them over in a quest for a new toy or a sweet snack, or trying to convince them that he might one day become a lawyer. Instead, he was quiet, shy and measured. But, middle school brought out Arpan’s gregarious side, and he grew comfortable with public speaking. It wasn’t until he entered King High School, however, where he boasts a 4.0 gradepoint-average in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, that he realized he had a penchant for something he had always eschewed. “I knew I liked speaking,” the 16-year-old K-Bar Ranch resident says, “but debate seemed a little intense. I didn’t expect it, but once I started doing it, I felt like this was my thing.” After a number of impressive debate performances and tournament wins, including a second-place finish at an event at Yale University in New Haven, CT, last fall, Arpan, now a junior at King, was selected to the USA Debate Team, making him one of only two dozen students in the country to earn that designation. After applying — along with 150,000 other high school students across the country — Arpan didn’t think much of it. “A crapshoot,” he called it. “I was just throwing it out there.” But the National Speech & Debate Association picked him for the rigorous USA Debate Team process that included sending a video of Arpan giving a speech and writing a few essays. After passing through each level success-

fully, Arpan made it onto the USA team with only 23 others. “That was pretty awesome for me,” he says. “I really like representing Tampa, and usually the people chosen for this are from bigger states like Texas and California and the northeast. I was very surprised they took someone from Florida.” Half of those chosen, with Arpan being one of them, will train on the USA developmental team, while the others will compete internationally on the primary team of 12. Arpan, the vice president of the Debate Club at King High, trains with the Team USA debate coaches via Skype and also will represent the team at some upcoming competitions.

Arpan, who also attended Clark Elementary in West Meadows, began honing his skills during what he calls a “transitional phase” while attending Williams Middle School on N. 47th St. in Tampa. He joined the school’s Model United Nations program, and gave his first public speeches, including one at a competition in New York. “The experience was great,” says Arpan, who also is an accomplished chess player. He combined the two things — public speaking and the logic required to win at chess — into a love for debate when he entered high school. He finished third in his first prep competition. “From then on I knew it would be something I would stick with through high school,” he says. There are two forms of high school debates. One is “Congressional,” which Arpan says simulates more of a legislative setting, and the other is “Lincoln-Douglas,” a 1-on-1 competition mirroring The Great Debates of 1858 between then-U.S. Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas. Debaters are given the topic weeks in advance, and must argue both the negative and affirmative side of the topic in competition. Each round takes roughly 45 minutes, and if you advance to the finals, it could mean as many as 6-7 hours debating an issue. Arpan says that when he competed at Yale, he was exhausted after arguing five rounds each day, on the topic of national service. “During the round, the adrenaline carries me through,” Arpan says. “But, right after the final speech, I close my eyes, and it feels so good.” It was debate that led Arpan to his other

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passion — a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization he founded called Best Fit Foundation. While at a debate camp the summer between his freshman and sophomore year, Apran realized how much money the weekend was costing his family. He wondered about other kids his age who might not be as fortunate to be able to afford the same experience. “It dawned on me that there are kids who can’t pay this, but want to debate,” Arpan says. “It didn’t seem right that those who want to do extra curricular activities can’t because of financial barriers. If that’s the case, then those barriers need to be broken down.” Best Fit Foundation started out providing clothes for those extra curricular activities, many of which, like FBLA and DECA, require suits and ties and nice shoes. Along with some of his friends who also are part of Best Fit Foundation, Arpan began collecting, buying and holding clothing drives and the group now has 500 articles to distribute to those who need it. One of his friend’s brothers moved out, and his room is now one big air-conditioned closet. Best Fit Foundation also solicited donations from businesses, and raised $1,200 from a Kickstarter program, to help offset costs for those who can’t afford extracurricular activities at school. The nonprofit contributed $400 of the $600 per student needed to compete in a debate competition at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. The group hopes to help others by paying their club dues. “It’s something we really like doing,” Arpan says, adding that he wants to get the word out that any student at any school in Hillsborough County, can go to BestFitFoundation. org and apply for help.

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Wharton Volleyball Team Already Finding Its Groove At Midseason By Jarrett Guthrie This season’s Wharton volleyball team may not have the one standout player who can take over and dominate a match like it has had in the past — most recently embodied by 2017 graduate and current Yale University standout Kathryn Attar — but that isn’t stopping the Wildcats from enjoying early success so far this season. A theme of “we, not me” was implemented by head coach Eric Barber in the preseason and with that principle, Wharton has flourished through the first month of the 2018 season. The Wildcats have posted a 14-2 record through their first 16 matches, including capturing the title at the Academy of the Holy Names (AHN) Tournament Sept. 21-22. “We do a lot of out-of-the-gym-type practices where we talk about what we want to be, not just in volleyball, but as human beings, because it is important for us our whole lives to understand how relying on the people around you is the best way to achieve success,” Barber says. “Discussions like that easily integrate back to athletics, especially in a game like volleyball, where it is vital that everyone is a part of it, that everyone is dialed in.” But a “we” mentality doesn’t mean the Wildcats are without players who can dominate. It would just be more appropriate to say that the breadth of the team’s depth has spurred on the early success.

“We love each other like a family, so we play together,” says junior outside hitter Jamie Koopman. “We do it in a way where we try to make sure everyone else has the best match they can. If I’m off, it’s as simple as, ‘You know, maybe you don’t set me here, set the middle instead.’” It’s been a perfect formula. Wharton attacked the AHN tournament impressively. The Wildcats won all five of their best-of-three set matches without dropping a single set — including avenging a regular season loss to Wiregrass Ranch High in Wesley Chapel by beating them twice by 25-21, 25-12, and 25-19, 25-20 scores. The Wildcats kept it going the week following the tournament, winning their next two matches 3-0 over Durant and Gaither. That stretched the squad’s winning streak to nine games, including a 16-0 edge in sets won over the last seven matches. Juniors Jeanette Henderson and Koopman lead the attack with 120 and 117 kills, respectively, but not far behind is the trio of senior Amara Eziakonwa (91 kills), junior Lexi Morse (76) and senior Devyn Kettner (74). Setting up the attack is senior setter and co-captain Gracie Viloria (who shares that role with Henderson and Kettner). Viloria leads the Wildcats with 192 assists, with junior Jackye Kelley adding 188 of her own. Defensively for the ‘Cats, senior Alanis Ortega (186 digs) and Henderson (116 digs) have led the way. “In the past, we’ve had that one really strong player, like Kathryn Attar, and she

The Wharton volleyball team celebrates beating Wiregrass Ranch at the recent Academy of Holy Names tournament in Tampa. (Photo: Jarrett Guthrie)

Jamie Koopman (above) tries to blast a kill through two blockers, while Jeanette Henderson (below) soars for a block (Photos: Jarrett Guthrie)

was really good and just in the right spot most of the time,” Viloria says. “But sometimes, we really were forcing plays in her direction. But this group really seems to know each other … everyone on this team has a team mentality, and as a setter I’m always comfortable with putting the ball where the play is leading, because I feel like it can really go to anybody right now.” And that is the goal. “Whenever you can get a team that achieves true balance, meaning whatever rotation you’re in it can go up to three hitters and you are confident in them,” Barber said, “that is an incredible advantage to have.” After dropping Class 8A, District 8 matches to Plant and Wiregrass Ranch, the Wildcats have settled into second place in the district. Wharton is 5-2 in 8A-8 as it heads into the upcoming district tournament hosted by Freedom the week of Oct. 15. Plant, which started the season 15-0 and is one of the top-ranked teams in the state, has been a big obstacle for Wharton for a number of years. Plant has ended the Wildcats’ season four of the last five postseasons, including two Regional semifinal defeats in the last three years. The two are likely to meet in the District 8A-8 finals and Regional playoffs again. The Wildcats hope to change that trend this season; however, the “we, not me” philosophy means much more to these players and their volleyball “family.”

“When I came on the team as a freshman, the team was primarily seniors, and a lot of them were committed to a college already,” Viloria said. “But that never kept them from relating to me and bringing me in, showing me what I can bring to the future of this program.” Koopman, a junior, agreed that the success this current Wildcats team is enjoying owes itself in part to the players from the past. “This team has always been so welcoming, I was lucky as a freshman that the team needed my position so I had a chance to play (on varsity),” Koopman said. “At first, I was so scared, but the (upperclassmen) were so immediately welcoming, helping you get better … now, as a junior, that has continued and now it’s the turn of the older players to make the new players feel that, feel welcomed like that and I really love that part of this team.”

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Former New Tampa Resident Helping Veterans & Kids With Hippotherapy like they’re walking on air. Once we can recreate the walking pattern on the horse, we can also recreate it on the ground.” In 2014, Lisa launched Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center on her property in Dade City. “The name, Emerald M, comes from the emerald gem stone,” Lisa explains. “The emerald stands for hope, renewal and growth, and that’s what we provide to the people we serve. We provide hope and a renewed sense of self, and then they continue to grow.” She says the “M” is for her last name. Lisa explains that participants in her program have a wide variety of conditions that bring them to her. “We have kids and adults who come to us with autism, processing disorders, emotional disorders, cerebral palsy, paralysis and brain tumors,” she explains, “It’s a whole plethora of diagnoses.” She explains that sometimes a child or adult can complete hippotherapy, because they have successfully overcome the condition that caused them to need the therapy. At that point, they graduate to therapeutic riding, which is where they learn horsemanship skills and how to ride. In addition, Emerald M offers beginner riding lessons

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN At 11 years old, Sarah Clanton is finally learning to walk, thanks to the help of the special horses and people at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center in Brooksville. Sarah was adopted from an orphanage in Ukraine when she was five. At just 19 pounds, she had been kept in a bed all her life. Her mom, Yvonne, says she could barely sit up. Yvonne and her husband, Jon, began helping Sarah in all the ways they could, including physical therapy, to help her learn to walk. While Sarah has special needs, including blindness and other conditions, doctors could find no reason physically why she wouldn’t be able to walk. “There’s no muscular or neurological reason she can’t walk,” Yvonne says. “It’s just that she’s missing all those milestones and all those years of development, and her brain just doesn’t have ability to put it together.” Earlier this year, Yvonne decided to take a chance on something different. It’s called hippotherapy, and it uses the movements of a horse to help people like Sarah. Yvonne had heard about a place called Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, so she decided to try it out. “I did this just for the heck of it,” says Yvonne. “I didn’t really expect it to work.” But, it has. “It’s amazing,” says Yvonne. “We can walk with her now, just by holding one hand. Before, most of the time we just carried her — even around the house — because it was just easier.” Yvonne and Jon have four other children. Of their five kids, three have some sort of disability, and their son, Sam, also benefits from hippotherapy at Emerald M. Of all the therapies her kids have experienced, says Yvonne, “Nothing has ever been as dramatic the change we’ve seen in Sarah.” Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center was founded by Lisa Michelangelo, a former New Tampa resident who is a physical therapist. For about eight years, she managed the physical therapy department at the Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy studio in Tampa Palms (see ad on pg. 43). She and her family always loved horses, so in 2013 – when Lisa’s daughters were 13 and 10 – they moved out to Dade

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for siblings of program participants, too.

Children and adults with a wide variety of special needs come to Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center in Brooksville for hippotherapy, which uses the movements of a horse to help the body improve core strength and balance. City, where they could have a larger property and be able to live with their horses, rather than boarding them elsewhere. At that time, it occurred to Lisa that she had the opportunity to combine her love of horses with her professional career as a physical therapist. Lisa did extensive continuing education through the American Hippotherapy Association to be able to provide this unique therapy. “Through the use of a horse and movement, we target deficiencies and work on areas such as core strength, balance and walking,” explains Lisa. “The horse replicates human walking. I can put someone on the back of the horse, and they feel

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“We know it affects the whole family,” Lisa says, speaking of the conditions that cause people to come to her riding center for therapy. “Often, the siblings of the children with special needs are watching their brother or sister ride, and they want to ride, too.”

Growth… And Tragedy

A couple of years ago, Emerald M became a nonprofit organization, with Lisa as its founder. “Since then, the program has exploded,” Lisa says, explaining that word of mouth and practitioner support continues to draw new people into the program. Soon, the programs Lisa offers outgrew the five-acre property she had in Dade City, so she moved the riding center to Brooksville. She says the new property is only 5 miles from the

former one, and her participants coming from places See “Hippotherapy” on page 42.

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‘Hippotherapy’

Continued from page 39 such as Wesley Chapel and New Tampa don’t mind the drive. Sarah’s mom, Yvonne, who drives from Zephyrhills, says the hour-long drive is absolutely worth it, for the amazing results they are seeing in Sarah. “We had to make that move to accommodate the growth,” says Lisa. “The new property is much more suited for the kind of work that we do.” In the midst of moving, the staff and volunteers at Emerald M experienced a tragedy. When a storm blew through the area, three of the riding center’s horses were killed by a lightning strike. “It was tragic,” said Lisa, who adds that says she has had support from the organization’s board of directors and volunteers, and throughout the community, as supporters set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with the cost of new horses. “They will never be replaced,” says Lisa. “However, we have come through and have brought in some new furry friends. The new horses help to carry the load.” To celebrate the opening of the new location and to continue to raise funds for the organization’s mission, Emerald M is hosting a grand opening fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 20, from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.

Helping Veterans, Too

About a year ago, Lisa began partnering with an organization called Veterans Alternative to help U.S. Military combat veterans and their spouses. Veterans Alternative helps veterans from all over the country, all branches of the military, and all eras of war, by providing a weeklong retreat to work through PTSD and

Despite many years of traditional physical therapy, 11-year-old Sarah Clanton is finally now learning to walk, thanks to the hippotherapy she receives at the Emerald M Riding Center, with owner and physical therapist Lisa Michelangelo (right). other issues. military,” says Lisa. Lisa facilitates the part of the program One such veteran is Franco Caro, a called P.E.A.C.E., or “Powerful Equine Assisted former U.S. Marine who served from 2001Counseling Experience.” She says she comes 05, and who deployed to Iraq in 2003. After alongside mental health providers who join leaving the military, he struggled with finding a these combat veterans and their spouses for a sense of purpose. day of therapy with the horses at Emerald M. “I tried to take my life nine times between 2005 and 2010,” he says. “To go from Each horse has a story — what jobs working nonstop in the military to being told they’ve done, or what hurdles they’ve faced — you can’t do that anymore, you feel lost.” which are relayed by mental health counselors. Working with mental health providers And in turn, the veterans relate their own personal stories to the stories of the horses they are and taking medications didn’t keep him from working with. Lisa says they begin to talk about attempting suicide. But, Franco’s last suicide attempt was in things that might be challenging to them. “It’s incredible,” she says. 2010, before he found something to give him Over the past year, 135 combat veterans the sense of accomplishment he was looking for. Franco says he first encountered horses have completed the program. “We even have combat veterans who have and the idea of therapy through riding and caring for them at a place called Rocking Horse found so much reward in this program, that now they’re out here volunteering, giving back Farm in New Port Richey. Just this summer, he was introduced to Emerald M Therapeutic by helping their brothers and sisters in the

Riding Center, and he now volunteers there two or three times a week. “I don’t realize how far I’ve come until I start thinking back,” Franco says. “When I go there, instead of overanalyzing myself, it allows my brain an escape to focus on something else.” He explains that his role is to be sure the horse he cares for, named Anna, is ready to work with the hippotherapy participants. He grooms Anna, rides her to be sure she’s properly exercised, gets her tacked up, and makes sure she’s comfortable. “I look over my horse from nose to tail, make sure she’s walking correctly, standing correctly, doesn’t have any wounds or discomfort,” Franco says. “She can’t tell me, so I form a strong bond with her. It puts me at ease, too, and Lisa’s getting a volunteer who knows horsemanship and what to do.” Those volunteers, Lisa says, are essential. “I couldn’t do it without them,” she says. Franco also volunteers with the P.E.A.C.E. program, where he can tell his story to fellow veterans and share how equine therapy has helped him. “They are very small, very personal groups, and we are there connecting with the veterans one-on-one,” Franco says. Whether it’s working with veterans or kids with special needs, Lisa says she has been a part of incredible changes at Emerald M. “Miracles happen out here,” Lisa says. “A lot of times, it’s unexplainable. It truly is the horses. I facilitate it, but the animals do have a sense that we can’t explain. The changes that we see out here are monumental for both families and individuals.” For more information about Emerald M Riding Center, to donate to its GoFundMe campaign, or to purchase tickets to its Grand Opening Fundraiser on Saturday, October 20,5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., visit EmeraldMTherapeuticRidingCenter.org.

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www.minervatampa.com | 813.978.8586

It’s baaaaack! For those who thought our annual reader survey and contest included too much stuff other than dining last year, on the facing page is the entry form for our 2018 Reader Dining Survey & Contest, where you can win $35, $50 or our Grand Prize of a FREE $100 dining gift card to the restaurants of each winner’s choice, even if those restaurants aren’t located in our distribution areas. This time around, there is a lot less for you to have to fill out than in years past. All I’m asking for this year is for you to name your 10 Favorite Restaurants (of any kind) located in New Tampa (zip code 33647, although you can include restaurants located on or near Bruce B. Downs Blvd. between E. Bearss & E. Fletcher Aves.) and your 10 Favorite Restaurants in Wesley Chapel’s 33543, 33544 and 33545 zip codes (as well as 33559 in Lutz). In order to be eligible for any of our prizes (or for your votes to be counted), you MUST name 20 different restaurants and you also MUST use the name of each restaurant you choose only once for those 20 names. If you put, for example, Bahama Breeze or Bonefish Grill as your favorite in New Tampa, instead of Wesley Chapel, we’ll still count the vote, but if you put either one (or both) as one of your favorites in both markets, your entire entry will be disqualified. And, all 20 spaces in this section must be filled in to qualify for any prizes. Then, we only have ten additional categories for you to fill in, telling us your favorite specialty eateries (such as your favorite place for ice cream or frozen yogurt, for example) in either of our distribution areas, whether those places are located in (or near) New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. And please, put only one answer for each space in this section, too. And yes, I’m also well aware, from years of conducting these surveys, that many of you still don’t eat Chinese or Thai food (although you’re really missing out if you don’t, in my opinion) or go to bars, so I won’t require that you fill in all 10 additional categories, but you must fill in at least six of the ten in order for you to be eligible to win one of this year’s three prizes. And, here’s my annual note to those of you who only enter the contest to try to stuff the ballot box for your favorite restaurant — please don’t! You can only vote for your favorite place one time in one of the markets in the first 20 spaces and you also can’t just put that name in all ten (or in more than 2 or 3) of the remaining categories, or your entry will be DISQUALIFIED and NONE of your votes will count! Although you may only care if your favorite place wins every category (I’ve even had people vote for places that don’t serve alcohol as their favorite bar or tavern), this annual survey does help us tell local restaurant owners how well our readers know their places of business and I always have and always will disqualify those who try to beat the system. You can enter this contest using the entry form (right) by U.S. mail or by email, or you can visit NTNeighborhoodNews.com and enter online, but hurry! The deadline to enter the 2018 Neighborhood News Reader Dining Survey & Contest by email, online or by U.S. mail (it must be postmarked by) is Thursday, November 15! Good luck!— GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 21• October 5, 2018 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 21• October 5, 2018 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 21• October 5, 2018 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Nibbles & Business Bytes The Latest & Greatest News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! Hilton Garden Inn Set To Open

Who else, other than the Neighborhood News, has been keeping you up-to-date on all of the new hotels coming to our area? A couple of issues ago, we showed you the opening of the Hyatt Place Hotel on the north side of S.R. (just west of I-75), and WCNT-tv video producer/photographer Gavin Olsen and I have now had our first look inside the new Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel, located on the south side of 56, just east of Texas Roadhouse and BB&T Bank. Director of sales Lisa Moore, who previously worked at another local hotel, led the tour of the new six-story Hilton Garden Inn, which is a full-service property with 128 beautifully appointed rooms (photo), the Garden Grille & Bar, a spacious pool area, 24-hour business center, fitness center, an open-24hours-a-day convenience shop and more than 3,6000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a ballroom that Moore says can seat more than 200 guests. Moore also notes that she already has been swamped with reservations for events, even though the hotel won’t open until shortly after this issue reaches your mailbox, but she says to keep ‘the calls coming. So, please give Lisa a call to arrange a tour at (813) 591-6900 and of course,please tell her that Gary at the Neighborhood News sent you! The Hilton Garden Inn TampaWesley Chapel is located at 26640 Silver

Maple Pkwy. in Wesley Chapel. For room reservations and more information, visit HiltonGardenInn3.hilton.com.

Please Check Out Creativity Unpinned In The Shops!

I almost hate to bring this up in the first week of October, but the 2018 holiday season is only two+ months away. And, if you’re tired of buying the same-old same-old gifts again, I really think you need to stop in to see our old friend Wendy O’Neill in her new store, Creativity Unpinned, located in the former Gymboree location in the Shops at Wiregrass mall at 28163 Paseo Dr. Wendy had a similar store across S.R. 56, between Publix and Beall’s, a few years ago, but she is really excited about the new location

for her eclectic gift shop, where about 80 percent of her unique inventory is hand-made by truly quality artisans who might just specialize in the exact gift you’re looking to buy. For example, do you have a dog, cat or ferret at home that truly is a member of the family? Why not have caricature artist John LaFree (photo above right) create an adorable piece of art to commemorate your fur baby? Also among Wendy’s one-of-a-kind selection of items are Recover T bracelets, all of which incorporate recycled T-shirts into their cool design (sorry that we don’t have room for

a pic of them here), and which support worthwhile causes (helping people recover). Those are just two of the dozens of artisan-created items in Creativity Unpinned (see ad, right). There’s also a wide variety of jewelry, glass, throw pillows and more — so much, in fact, that I don’t have room to describe them all here, but you can stop in and see them all and please tell Wendy I sent you! For more information, stop by the store or call (813) 575-9605. Or, check out “Creativity Unpinned” on Facebook and Instagram. — GN

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November 9-12, 2018

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 21• October 5, 2018 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa ROCKS with innovative techniques and technology!

New Laser Dentistry! Fixing cavities without numbing for the majority of patients! Lingual or maxillary frenectomies assistance and corrected with laser. New ITERO, intraoral scanner, digital impressions, no goop for orthodontic appliances. Clear braces and clear aligners to straighten teeth.

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