23-09 NTNN 1-52 web by Neighborhood News

Volume 17 Issue 23

Inside: Kicking Off The New Tampa Relay & A Visit To Café Olé!

November 13, 2009

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

City Officials Moving Ahead On Cross Creek Blvd. Widening By Michael Smith City of Tampa Transportation Department officials held a meeting at the New Tampa Regional Library Nov. 3 to get input from the public regarding the planned widening of the eastern end of Cross Creek (CC) Blvd. The plan calls for the widening of the 2.3-mile section of CC Blvd. between W. Cory Lake Blvd. and Morris Bridge Rd. from two lanes to four, at a projected cost of around $10 million. According to project manager Nina Mabilleau, the public meeting was just one of the requirements that became necessary after the city received a $1.3-million grant for the project from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). Mabilleau says that the city originally had hoped to be able to apply the federal money towards construction of the project, but instead, federal rules stipulate that the money had to be used for a Project Development and

Environmental (PD&E) study, at a cost of around $500,000, and that the remaining $830,000 can only be used for the design phase of the project. “We don’t necessarily [have to] do a PD&E study for just a city project,” Mabilleau says. “But now, we’re in the federal loop. Once it becomes a federal project, you have to do a PD&E.” Mabilleau notes that the city did Although preliminary studies for the widening of the eastern portion of Cross not do a PD&E study before it Creek Blvd. are finished, the City of Tampa doesn’t yet have the money to build it. widened the portion of CC Blvd. from Clay Gully Creek to Arbor Greene Attendance at the public meeting that all of the questions and comments Dr.,, which was completed in 2007 at was light, with fewer than two dozen from the public will be added to the a cost of around $6 million. That projresidents among the city employees official documentation for the project. ect also was completed relatively quick- and consultants from URS, the firm Mabilleau says that most of the public ly, but the federal requirements have which the city hired to perform the comments she has received are from added significantly to the schedule for PD&E study. Two residents asked people who are anxious for the project widening the remaining portion of the questions about the project, one of to move forward. whom asked about the new traffic sigThe official public comment periroadway, which the city had hoped to nals that will be added, and another od ended November 16, but complete have completed by 2011. But now, asking about potential flooding along details about the project, including the however, since the city still doesn’t the roadway. public comments and the results of the have all of the money it needs to build City transportation manager Jean PD&E and other studies, are available the project, construction is only tentaDorzback, who led the meeting, said at CrossCreekWidening.com. tively scheduled to begin in 2012.

School District Is Offering Swine Flu Vaccinations To Students

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Arbor Greene Burglar Is Arrested, Local Photographer Jessica Dana Turns Moments Doctor Wins ‘Best In Bay’ Award, A Look Into Memories, ‘Arts & Crafts Under The At A Top Notch Pest Control Company, A Palms’ Wrap-Up & A Visit To The ‘New’ High School Football Update & More! Café Olé On Cross Creek Blvd.!

See pages 3-29!

See pages 31-52!

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

Although Health Department nurses will continue to visit high school and middle school campuses during the coming weeks, elementary-level students are being handled differently. Whereas middle and high school students only have to have a consent form signed by their parents in order to receive the vaccination, elementary-age students must actually be accompanied by their parent or guardian to receive it. So, on November 2, the District also began offering vaccinations at several After-School Vaccination Centers, which will be located at rotating sites around the county. The first four AfterSchool Vaccination Centers were at See “Swine Flu” on page 4.

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

448 middle school students were vaccinated. That equals only 29 percent of the high school’s student enrollment and 35 percent of the middle school’s enrollment, and School District spokesperson Linda Cobbe says that has been about the average District-wide since the vaccination program began. “We’ve been getting between 25percent and 37-percent participation,” Cobbe says. “Frankly, though, we were hoping for bigger numbers.” Cobbe says that more students being vaccinated reduces the likelihood of a major outbreak after the first of the year, when the regular flu season “officially” begins and the number of swine flu cases is also expected to rise. So, the District will continue the program throughout the fall semester, Cobbe says, until students in every part of the county have had the opportunity to receive the vaccination.

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Although swine flu has not yet manifested itself in the huge number of cases predicted by public health officials when the virus was first identified, the Hillsborough County School District has begun offering swine flu vaccinations to all public school students in the county, hoping to prevent a major outbreak of the potentially deadly H1N1 virus once flu season begins in earnest.

The District began its vaccination program at several exceptional student education (ESE) centers on October 20, with nurses from the Hillsborough County Health Department providing the injections, and then expanded the program to high schools and middle schools on October 26. One of the first public school campuses to offer the vaccines was the Freedom High/Liberty Middle School campus in New Tampa, where 681 high school students and

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2010 New Tampa Relay For Life Kicking Off In Style Nov. 18! The 2010 edition of the New Tampa “Relay for Life,” benefiting the American Cancer Society (ACS) won’t be held for another five months, but the 10th annual New Tampa Relay already is kicking off in style. In October, ACS and the Team Development Committee of the New Tampa Relay hosted a social primarily aimed at businesses interested in learning more about the event — which is ACS’ largest annual nationwide fund raiser. The social, which was hosted poolside at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites on Galbraith Rd. (near Muvico), attracted at least 50 members of the community (several of which were members of either the New Tampa Relay Event or Team Development committees), who were treated to free food provided by Circles New Tampa Bistro, Beef O’Brady’s, Fushia Asian Bistro, Ciccio’s/The Lodge, Mark Yesh Catering and a large donation by Stonewood Grill & Tavern, as well as free beer and wine. Event chair Jim Henning and his vice chair Darlene Bartoletta (a twotime cancer survivor herself) were among those on hand, as was Team Development Committee chair Aaron Wetherington and ACS community representative Lauren McQueen. In addition to the food, drinks and camaraderie, the Social also featured presentations about ACS, what the Relay for Life is all about and a brief

An editorial by Gary Nager question-and-answer session for businesses and organizations interested in finding out about how to put a Relay team together and how to get more involved in the event by volunteering either at the overnight Relay itself (which will be held in April 2010 at Wharton High on Bruce B. Downs Blvd.), by joining one of the Relay committees or by donating money. Several cancer survivors also were on hand at the social to discuss how ACS has helped them and is helping thousands of other cancer sufferers every day. While most people who get so involved with ACS have been personally touched by cancer, Henning — who previously was the Leukemia Society of Tampa Bay’s “Man of the Year” and also has helped Sydney’s School for Autism, Big Brothers & Sisters of Tampa Bay and has played Santa Claus for needy kids year after year — says, “It’s more like who hasn’t been touched by it? The most importnat thing for me, as the event chair, is that this is a tremendous committee of wonderful, committed people.” Local Relay for Life proceeds benefit local and national ACS programs, but McQueen says a portion of the funds raised locally “definitely stay in the local community.” She adds, “Last year’s New Tampa Relay (held at Freedom High in Tampa Palms) exceeded the committee’s goal of $85,000. That’s a great total, but even with the current state of the econ-

omy, there’s no reason to think we can’t increase that to more than $100,000 next year. The key is getting as many teams on board as possible.” McQueen added that, at our press time, the 2010 New Tampa Relay already had 19 teams registered, compared with 31 teams last year. “And there’s still plenty of time to get a team registered,” she says, “especially if you come enjoy the Kick Off Party.”

Relay Kick Off Nov. 18!

McQueen says that the official Kick Off Party, entitled “Where in the See “Relay” on page 45.

New Tampa Relay for Life committee members (l to r.) Sherry, Darlene and Karen are all cancer survivors.

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

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Managing Editor Michael Smith Correspondents

Kate Kramer • Melissa O’Brien

Advertising Customer Service Manager David Zacharia Art Director Tony Sica Office & Marketing Assistants

Jacob Glenn • Karen Glenn • Ashley Knoblach Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 17, Issue 25, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, November 23, 2009. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2009 JM2 Communications, Inc.

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS & SPORTS UPDATES...............................................Pages 1-30

New Tampa News Briefs............................4-15 Swine Flu Update (jump from page 1)..........................4 Victim In Wharton Teacher Sex Case Sues District...4 Tip Leads To Arrests In Arbor Greene Burglaries.....6 Bruce B. Downs Update...........................................6 Castor Calls For EPA Review Of CCTC Project........10 New Tampa Community Calendar.......................14

New Tampa Business News.....................16-23

New Tampa Chamber Newsletter.........................16 Dr. Colin Beach Named One Of The Bay Area’s Best Doctors For ‘09.......................................................18 Tampa Palms Publix Renovation Update..................21 Let Top Notch Pest Control Rid Your Home Of The Creepy Crawlies.............................................................22

New Tampa Sports Updates..........................28 Freedom Marches Into Football Playoffs!

Neighborhood Magazine Jessica Dana Studios Captures Beautiful Memories........31 ‘Arts & Crafts Under The Palms’ Raises $5,000............34 The Hungry Greek Serves Great Gyros And More.....36 Café Olé Offers A Taste Of Spain..................................38 A Round-Up Of Neighborhood Nibbles...................40

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Swine Flu”

Continued from page 1 Armwood, Jefferson and Leto High Schools and the Bowers/Whitley Career Center, but in the coming weeks, Vaccination Centers will be established at other sites around the county, including Wharton High in New Tampa. The schedule for those other centers has not yet been set, because it depends upon the availability of the vaccine, Cobbe says, but she notes that in addition to elementaryage students, the After-School Vaccination Centers (ASVCs) also are open to charter school, virtual school and adult students as well. The schedule for the ASVCs will be posted on the School District’s website, sdhc.k12.fl.us, once it becomes available. Cobbe also says that in order to speed up the process, parents are encouraged to bring the consent form, which also is available on the website, with them when they bring their children to be vaccinated. Forms will also be available at the Centers, however. Meanwhile, Cobbe says that there has not been a significant increase in absences related to the flu so far this year, although every school in the county has had students who have tested positively for the virus. While the Freedom/Liberty campus was closed temporarily in May after a student tested positively there at the end of last school year, Cobbe says that there has been only one school closure this year, at a charter school in Tampa which has a much smaller enrollment. Otherwise, Cobbe says, there are no plans for closing any public schools, “unless there was a significant number of faculty affected, where we couldn’t continue to hold classes.” According to the Florida Department of Health, as of October 27, there have been 25 cases of swine flu requiring hospitalization in Hillsborough County, and nine deaths attributed to H1N1.

While vaccinations for students, health care workers and other people considered to be at higher risk for complications from swine flu have been made available, vaccinations for the general public still are not. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced last week that there are now 38 million doses of the vaccine being distributed, but most of those are still being allocated to the high risk populations, and it is not clear when the vaccine will be widely available for everyone. One local physician, Stephen Dickey, M.D., the founder and vice president of operations for Doctor’s Walk-In Clinics, says he would like to be able to offer the vaccine, because many people are concerned about H1N1. “With all the media coverage and the government warnings, the public is scared to death,” Dr. Dickey says. “But, when we ask about the vaccine, all we hear is ‘it should be soon,’ and the reason why it’s so vague is because no one really knows.” Dickey says that during October, about 15-20 percent of the 500 patients who visit the eight Bay-area Doctor’s Walk-In Clinics (including the newest location, at 20677 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of County Line Rd.) on an average day exhibited symptoms of flu, and most of those are assumed to be swine flu, although not all were confirmed cases. He notes the low participation in the School District’s vaccination program and admits that even among his own staff members, fewer than 50 percent were willing to receive the vaccine, but hopes that those numbers will increase once the vaccine becomes widely available. “It just means we haven’t done a good enough job of educating people,” he says. “Many people are nervous because they think they will get the disease if they take the vaccine, but the truth is, it’s a killed virus, and you can’t get infected from the shot. The advantages far outweigh the risks. The best thing you can do is get the vaccine.” (On a personal note, I’m a kidney transplant recipient, and as such, I’m

considered to be at higher risk for complications from swine flu, and therefore was offered the opportunity to receive the vaccine in October. I normally don’t take even the regular flu vaccine, because every time I did take it in the past, I always got very sick, coincidentally or not. However, this year, on the advice of my doctor, I did agree to get the swine flu vaccination, and am happy to report that the only complication I suffered was a sore arm, which they warned me in advance was possible. Your experience may vary, however, and the best thing to do is to talk to your physician about your personal circumstances—MS).

Victim In Wharton Teacher Sex Case Sues District

In other school-related news, the former Wharton High student who was involved in a sexual relationship with convicted girls basketball coach Jaymee Wallace filed a civil suit against the Hillsborough County School District (HCSD) in October. Wallace, who was arrested in 2005 and sentenced in 2007 to three years in prison for lewd and lascivious battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, initiated the relationship with the girl, who was a member of the basketball team (and was also one of Wallace’s math students), when the girl was

only 14 years old. It lasted for almost two years, ending when the girl’s parents learned of the relationship and contacted police. At the time of Jaymee Wallace Wallace’s conviction, the girl told prosecutors that the relationship was consensual. She asked for leniency for Wallace, but her mother insisted upon jail time for the teacher, saying that her daughter had been traumatized by the affair and was not of legal age to give consent in any case. But now, the lawsuit, filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, alleges that the School District “should have known that Jaymee Wallace was dangerous and liable to do harm to the students,” and that the District had failed to sufficiently investigate Wallace’s background before hiring her, and further, did not immediately notify the student’s parents after learning of the relationship. The suit, which seeks unspecified damages, also says that the student suffered embarrassment, mental anguish and physical illness as a result of the affair. School District spokesperson Linda Cobbe said that the District does not comment on pending litigation.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

News Briefs

Tip Leads To Arrest Of AG Burglar & Accomplices Thanks to a tip from an alert citizen, Tampa Police Department (TPD) investigators were able to identify and arrest all three of the individuals who were involved in the October 1 burglary of a home in Arbor Greene and the subsequent use of credit cards that were stolen in the burglary. According to a TPD spokesperson, the tip, which was called in to the Tampa Bay Crimestoppers hotline, helped the detectives identify James Wilson Maymi, 29, of Tampa as the burglar who attempted to gain entry into nine homes before he was able to get into the victim family’s home by way of an unlocked sliding glass door after cutting through the screen on the lanai. Once inside, police say Maymi used a pillowcase taken from a sleeping child’s bed to gather up electronics and other items, including credit cards, before fleeing in the family’s minivan when the homeowner awoke. Police say that Maymi, who has a long criminal history, with more than a dozen arrests dating back to 1998, then gave the stolen credit cards to his girlfriend, 22-year-old Yesenia Sanchez, who went on a spending spree with a

Maymi were both still in custody at our press time, with bonds set at $9,500 and $79,000, respectively.

Bruce B. Downs Update

James W. Luis B. Yesenia Maymi Rivera Sanchez third accomplice, Luis R. Rivera, 20. The pair were caught on surveillance video at several of the stores where they used the cards, and it was those images that led to the tip and their subsequent arrest, police say. Maymi and Sanchez were both arrested October 16, and Rivera was arrested six days later, on October 22, while hiding out at a friend’s house. After his arrest, he admitted that he and Sanchez used the cards, even though he knew they were stolen, and also told police he had pawned several of the DVDs also were taken from the home. Both Sanchez and Rivera (see photos on page 4) were charged with six counts each of fraudulent use of personal identification, and Rivera also was charged with grand theft, three counts of dealing in stolen property and three counts of defrauding a pawnbroker. Sanchez was released after posting a bond of $12,000, but Rivera and

On November 4, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to approve a bid for the first phase of the widening of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. that was more than $30 million less than the county had estimated the project to cost. The winning bid, submitted by a firm called Kamminga & Roodvoets (or K&R) of Tampa, was for $40.5 million, while the county’s original estimate had placed the cost of the job

at $72 million. By approving the bid by K&R, the BOCC members also rejected a protest filed by the second lowest bidder, Pepper Contracting Services, Inc., which argued that the K&R bid was too low and didn’t account for the realities of the job, among other things. However, after examining the complaint filed by Pepper, county staffers concluded that “the bid submitted by K&R meets the requirements of the bid document,” and recommended it be approved. Construction of the first part of the three-phase widening project, between Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms and Pebble Creek Dr., is scheduled to begin in January 2010. — MS

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Rep. Castor Calls For Further EPA Review Of Cypress Creek Permit By Michael Smith Although the Cypress Creek Town Center (CCTC) project (located just west of I-75 at S.R. 56, on the Wesley Chapel/Land O’Lakes border) is now back on track, since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reinstated the mall developer’s building permit after an 18-month review of environmental issues at the site, the project will now also be getting additional scrutiny from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), thanks to a request from District 11 U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa). “I ask you to give every due consideration to suspending this permit and examining the very serious environmental issues at stake,” Castor wrote in a September 29 letter to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. “The land in question is also important to the drinking water supply in Tampa, as Cypress Creek is a tributary of the Hillsborough River, one of our main sources of drinking water.” Castor, who served on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) between 2002-06, also raised questions about the 1-million-sq.-ft. CCTC project after it was originally approved by Pasco County

officials in November 2004, and led the BOCC members to join with the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in an official objection to the project in January 2005. That objection led to a deal between the Jacobs Group and the state to reduce the amount of wetlands that were scheduled to be destroyed at the site, and also called for the developer to more closely monitor discharges from the site into the surrounding environment. The project was then approved and permitted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud) and the Corps and construction began on the project in June 2007. Work was halted in early 2008, however, after several discharges of turbid (muddy) water from the site leaked into the Cypress Creek watershed, for which the developer was fined nearly $300,000 by the USACE. The Corps then spent 18 months reviewing the permit it had issued for the project, and after some minor modifications, reinstated that permit in September, allowing work to continue. According to EPA spokesperson Dawn Harris Young, however, the U.S. Clean Water Act gives the EPA the power to restrict or even revoke

the USACE permit in cases where projects will have unacceptable adverse effects on municipal water supplies. Therefore, Young says, the EPA’s Regional Office is now in the process of reviewing the CCTC project, to determine whether restricting or withdrawing the permit is warranted. She adds that an EPA decision on the matter should be reached by around the end of 2009. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to have another set of eyes reviewing the project,” says Denise Layne, the spokesperson for the Tampa Bay chapter of the Sierra Club, who adds that it is very rare for the EPA to go back and look at a project that it had already reviewed previously, as in the case of the CCTC. “For them to go back and take a second look means that they must think there is a possibility of harm to the environment,” Layne says, adding that a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club in federal court challenging the USACE permit (which was on hold during the Corps’ review of the permit) is now also back on track again, but will basically have to start from scratch because of the modifications made by the Corps to the project permit following its review.

Target Out; Who’s Next?

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Jacobs Group says the company also has had to start over with new bids for construction of the project and negotiating with potential tenants because of the lengthy delay while the permit was being reviewed. The developer suffered another setback last week, however, when it was announced that one of the mall’s major tenants, Target, had pulled out of the project. Two other potential tenants, Linens ‘N Things and Circuit City, are no longer in business.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Gift Of Hearing Essay Contest

Dr. Jody Pianin of Advanced Audiology (27511 Cashford Circle, Suite 101, Wesley Chapel) is sponsoring her third annual “Gift of Hearing” essay contest. The top prize in the contest, a new pair of digital hearing aids, will go to the person who best describes, in 400 words or less, how they or someone they know would benefit from a pair of hearing aids, but has not been able to afford them. The winner will be selected based on hearing need, financial need, the potential impact to the recipient’s life, and how the hearing aids would impact the lives of people they interact with. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, Dec. 15, and may be submitted by e-mail to info@advancedaudiology.com, by fax at 973-8477, or by mailing to the above address. For more info, call 973-8400.

Senior Resources Fair

Saturday, November 14 – New Tampa Marketing & Concierge Services will host a free Senior Resources Fair, noon-3 p.m., at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.). The fair, which is aimed at adults

age 55 and older and their families, will include a host of local businesses and professionals with information about health care, home and financial services and products. For more info, call 765-8113 or visit NewTampaMarketing.com.

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, November 18 – Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. at the Heritage Isles Country Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

New Tampa Kiwanis Club

Wednesday, November 18 – The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa meets every Wednesday at 11:45 am at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd). For more info, please send an email to info@newtampakiwanis.org or visit NewTampaKiwanis.org.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, November 18 – The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets

every Wednesday at noon at Circles New Tampa Bistro (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the Pebble Creek Collection shopping plaza). For more info, call 910-2575.

New Tampa P.A.R.

Wednesday, November 18 – New Tampa Professionals Achieving Results (P.A.R.) is a professional networking group that meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club, for networking and nine holes of golf. The one-time membership fee is $35, and weekly greens/cart fees are $20. For more info, call Chuck Lewandoski at 269-7100 or e-mail clewandoski@westcoastfinancial.com.

Relay For Life Kick Off

Wednesday, November 18 – The American Cancer Society (ACS) will host the official New Tampa Relay for Life Kick Off Party, which will have the theme of “Where in the World is a Cure for Cancer?,” at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be served and there is no charge to attend. For more information, call 3195906, e-mail NewTampaRelay@ gmail.com, visit RelayforLife.org/ NewTampaFL or see page 3.

New Tampa Job Networking Group

Wednesday, November 18 – The

New Tampa Job Networking Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5338 Primrose Lake Circle) in Tampa Palms. On November 18, beginning at 7 p.m., the group will host a free Resume Writing workshop. For more information, call 9073057 or visit SaintAndy.com.

Holiday Vendor Night

Thursday, November 19 – Kidz Club (15315 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza), will host a Holiday Vendor Night, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., featuring products and services provided by local moms. There also will be a variety of raffle prizes, and donations of nonperishable food items, which will be donated to Feeding America, will be exchanged for raffle entries. Cash proceeds will benefit The Children’s Cancer Center. Call 615-2582 or visit KidzClubOnline.com/vendornight.htm.

New Tampa Evening Rotary

Thursday, November 19 – The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 6:15 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). The November 19 meeting will be a General Assembly, and there will be no meeting on Thanksgiving (Thurs., Nov. 26).Call Sherri Ferguson at 892-9782.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Rotary Club

Friday, November 20 – The New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday, 7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPG&CC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). On November 20, the group’s guest speaker will be club member Dennis Loomis, who will talk about projects that the club has sponsored or participated in with the Rotary International Foundation. There will be no meeting on Nov. 27, because of Thanksgiving. For more information, visit NewTampaRotary.org or contact Karen Frashier at 375-2663.

‘ThanksVegan Feast’

Thursday, November 26 – The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa (11400 Morris Bridge Rd.) will host their fourth annual “ThanksVegan Feast” potluck dinner, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per adult with the donation of a dish for the dinner or $15 per adult without a dish. Reservations are required and may be made online at VegTampa Thanksgiving.com. For more information, visit the website or call Michelle at 325-2904.

NTJWC Mistletoe Market

Saturday, December 5 – The New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club will host its annual Mistletoe Market, 10

a.m.-4 p.m., at the Fifth Third Bank branch located at 2022 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (at the intersection of BBD and S.R. 56, in Wesley Chapel). The event will include a variety of local vendors showcasing their products and services, plus food, beverages and drawings for free prizes. Spaces also are available for local businesses interested in participating in the Market. For info, visit NTJWC.org.

Avalon Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 9 — Avalon MediSpa & Laser Center (15347 Amberly Dr., Shoppes of Amberly, Tampa Palms) is hosting a free holiday party with free cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and mini-spa services if you bring an unopened toy for Toys for Tots, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Bring in an unopened toy to Avalon any other day in Nov. & Dec. and receive a $15 gift card towards your next spa visit to Avalon. For more info, call 866-8400.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Thursday, December 10, Saturday, December 12 & Friday-Saturday, December 18-19 – The LSA Repertory Theatre Company at Wharton High School (20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) will present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” at 7 p.m. each evening. For more information, call 6314710, ext. 266.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

2008-09 NTCC Board of Directors President-Scott D. Estes

Board Members:

15310 Amberly Dr., Suite 250 Tampa, FL 33647 Information: (813) 293-2464 Fax: (813) 973-8259

Matt Palmer, Treas. Rachel Haviland, Secy. Connie Bladon Seema Jain Jerry Miller

Website: NewTampa.Org “under construction”

Rodney Koschman Kristen Kipp Regina Ramalheira Mary Ann Yaney Matt Urbanovsky

Administrative Assistant: Karen Frashier

New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Website Up & Running! There always seems to be a lot of buzz going on at the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce (NTCC). We now (finally!) have a new website, a new Ambassador Committee and we are soon to begin our 2009-10 membership drive. It is with great pleasure that we announce our New Tampa Chamber of Commerce website. Simply go to NewTampaChamber.org to see it for yourself. There you will find a list of our upcoming events, so you won’t miss out on a single breakfast, lunch or networking meeting or event. Over the next few months, we will be building out many of our webpage links to include much more content, including a membership page, which will include our member listings, special member-to-member discounts and all of our membership level benefits. Admittedly, most of the website is still under construction, but we are now moving forward in a positive direction. If you would like to highlight your business on our website, please let us know at one of our next meetings. You and your business could be highlighted on the website, so that anyone visiting NewTampaChamber.org can find out about

you and your business — and how to get in touch with you.

Ambassadors=Ribbon Cuttings!

There has been a lot of excitement about the founding of the New Tampa Chamber, and with all of that excitement, we have welcomed a lot of new members. With this in mind, we have created a new Ambassador Committee, headed up by Kristen Kipp-Palinsky of IntelliSpace Solutions at the Palm Lake at Tampa Palms Office Building (behind the Bank of Tampa). She will be looking for active Chamber members to help her with this new challenge. So, if you have been waiting until now to join a committee, this may be your best chance. yet to do so As an Ambassador of the Chamber, you could be one of our first contacts with all of our new members. The role of this committee will be to welcome all new members personally, by hand delivering their welcome kits, which will include their Chamber plaque. Up until now, we have been handing out the plaques at our breakfast meetings. With all of our new members, we have had many requests to participate in ribbon cuttings, and

You Can Get Involved With The New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce At These Monthly Events!

Chamber Luncheons - The 2nd Monday of each month at Pebble Creek Golf Club. Registration opens at 11:30; lunch is served at noon. Chamber Breakfasts - The 3rd Tuesday of each month at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. Registration at 7:30 a.m., breakfast is served at noon. Connections Networking Happy Hours - Normally, the last Thursday of the month at Stonewood Grill & Tavern, Tampa Palms at 5:30 p.m., although there will be no Connections event during Nov. or Dec. Please call the NTCC Hotline at 293-2464 for exact start times.

the Ambassador Committee will handle these as well. More news will come about this new committee opportunity, but if you are wanting to get more involved in our local chamber and this sounds like something that you would like to get involved in, then don’t wait, contact Kristen Kipp-Palinsky at 514-2888 today. Normally, our Connections event is held at the Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms on the last Thursday of the month. Due to the holidays, however, we will not be having our regular networking Connections happy hour during the months of November and December. We do hope you will join us for our monthly lunch meeting on Monday, December 14, when the speaker will be Earl Meyer of Meyer Team Business Coaching. He will discuss “How to Avoid the 7 Critical Mistakes Most Business Owners Make.” Our breakfasts fall on the third Tuesday of every month. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast is served promptly at 8 a.m. at Tampa

Palms Country Club on Tampa Palms Blvd. On December 15, the guest speaker at the breakfast meeting will be Hillsborough County commissioner Mark Sharpe, who will share his vision for the State of Florida. In addition, you can learn about the important steps we need to take to better compete with other growing regions in the U.S. and how Hillsborough County can set itself apart through a strong focus on mass transportation and educated workforce, high-wage, high-tech jobs and quality of life. Come join the NTCC at any of our monthly events. You can become members of our vibrant, growing organization and be part of something special in New Tampa. If you’d like to be a guest speaker at a Chamber event, contact Mar y Ann Yaney (mar yann@newtampamarketing.com). To fi fin nd out more about joining the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, email info@newtampa.org, call our telephone hotline at 293-2464 or visit NewTampaChamber.org.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Dr. Colin Beach Named One Of The Bay Area’s Best Doctors For ‘09! By Melissa O’Brien Colin Beach, M.D., the primary physician at Family Care at Tampa Palms on Amberly Dr. in the Somerset Professional Park, was recently named to the 2009 list of the “Bay Area’s Best Doctors” by Tampa Bay Metro magazine. DThe long-time New Tampa resident was listed in the “Family Medicine” category – one of only 46 in the Tampa Bay area. “It is an honor,” says Dr. Beach. “You always want people in your field to respect your work.” Although Tampa Bay Metro isn’t a medical magazine, the monthly lifestyle publication that distributes to the metro Tampa region, has partnered with “Best Doctors in America” since 2002 to create a guide intended to assist people as they make decisions about their medical care. Best Doctors in America uses both surveys and telephone interviews of medical peers to assemble its rankings. According to the magazine, doctors provide no compensation to be named on the list. Those selected are chosen by physicians who recommend them because of the quality of their work and the fact that they would entrust them with their own medical needs or the medical needs of their family members.

Dr. Beach has a long history as both a physician and an active member of the New Tampa community. His Family Care at Tampa Palms office opened seven years ago in Somerset (located off of Bruce B. Downs Blvd.), but he has been treating New Tampa patients for more than fourteen years. As a family practice physician, he sees patients from ages two years and older and says he enjoys the family aspect of his medical practice. “When you treat families, you are learning about how they function as a unit,” says Dr. Beach. “It can help when assessing health issues of individual patients to know the physical, social and medical issues as they relate to the entire family. It also is often more convenient for the entire family to visit one doctor and we always try to accommodate family members’ schedules when making appointments.” A lifelong Florida resident who grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Dr. Beach received two undergraduate degrees in Florida – a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida State University in Tallahassee and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of South Florida. He went on to receive his medical degree from USF and then performed his residency at Bayfront Med-

ical Center in St. Petersburg. Dr. Beach is also an Assistant Affiliate Professor with the Department of Family Medicine at USF. The school’s medical students get to “shadow” him (if patients are willing to participate), so the Dr. Colin Beach of students can gain Family Care at hands-on experiTampa Palms ence in the office. He has been affiliated with this teaching program for seven years. Dr. Beach also has been a member of the New Tampa Rotary Breakfast Club for 11 years and is a member and past president of the University Community Independent Provider Association. He and his wife, Robyn Ragsdale, who works in the Tampa Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab, live in Tampa Palms with their children, Kamryn and Zachary. Family Care at Tampa Palms also has supported numerous New Tampa Little League and New Tampa Soccer Association teams over the years.

Dr. Beach’s practice is like a onestop-shop for most family medical needs. “We handle the majority of illnesses that physicians commonly see,” says Dr. Beach. “When needed, we also can perform skin biopsies, pap smears, draw blood for blood tests and offer most immunizations. I have a network of specialists I refer to, if needed, and a great team of medical professionals that work well with my patients.” The team includes Erin Lang-Vandello, Physician’s Assistant (PA), a graduate of the University of Iowa. She can perform the office’s routine gynecological exams or other exams for those patients who are more comfortable seeing a female medical professional. “Mike Armstrong (ARNP) is our nurse practitioner,” says Dr. Beach. “He’s younger than I am and has a good rapport with teenagers. We have a very well-rounded team to make our patients feel comfortable and also to make sure they do not have to wait a long time before they see us.” Other services the office provides include a DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absortiometry) scanner, used to diagnose conditions such as osteoporosis or other vertebral abnormalities. In addition, the office offers a weight loss program featuring medication coupled

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

with exercise and a skin care program for patients who request them. For Corinne Lawrence, who lives in Plant City, the award for Dr. Beach is well-deserved. “He saved my life,” says Lawrence, who came in to see Dr. Beach one day after having swollen ankles on the treadmill. “He determined they were hurt tendons and when I went in a week later for a check up, he asked me, ‘When did your fingers start clubbing?’ Apparently, clubbed fingers is a symptom of lung cancer.” Right away, Dr. Beach. “pulled a team together for me in less than a week,” Lawrence adds. “A pulmonologist, an oncologist, a surgeon, an anesthesiologist and a hospitalist – they all worked together. Here I am, five years later, clean as a whistle. At the time, I had no other symptoms of lung cancer that you might expect and I believed I was very healthy. I recommend Dr. Beach to everyone I know and now I look for clubbed fingers everywhere. I

saw them on a butcher in a meat store and it turned out he had lung cancer, too. So, I paid it forward.” Patient Conetha Wright says Dr. Beach has been her physician for more than 15 years. “I was in college when I first started seeing him,” says Wright, who lives in Wimauma. “I’ve moved and he’s moved his office, but I will go wherever he does. His ‘bedside manner’ is great. He always takes the time to talk and to listen to what you have to say. He gets to know his patients and find out what is going on with them. He always notices things, like if you have gained or lost weight. My husband visits him and my sister does, too. I recommend him to everyone.” Family Care at Tampa Palms is located at 15285 Amberly Dr. The office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and 8 a.m.–7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. For appointments and additional information, call 979-6978 or visit FamilyCareatTampaPalms.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

It’s Official - Tampa Palms Publix Will Be Torn Down, Rebuilt After months of denying their plans, despite our announcment several issues ago, officials at Orlando-based property management company Crossman & Co. have confirmed that they will tear down the Publix supermarket that anchors City Plaza at Tampa Palms and replace it with a new one. In a statement released in late October, Crossman & Co. president John Crossman said that the existing Publix, which opened in 1988 and measures 49,300 square feet, will be replaced by one that will measure 54,340 square feet. Crossman also said

This artist’s rendering released by the Crossman Co. shows the changes that will be made to the facade at City Plaza. that as part of the redevelopment of the plaza, his company has negotiated a new 20-year lease with the supermarket. A spokesperson for Publix said that the demolition of the existing store and construction of the new store will get under way in January 2010 and will take approximately nine months to rebuild. During that time, the Tampa Palms

store employees will be reassigned to other area stores. Meanwhile, while the new larger store will occupy most (if not all) of the space formerly occupied by the now-closed Bostonian Hair Studio & Spa and Java Joe’s coffeehouse, other businesses in the plaza, including the Frame by Frame Gallery, Ciccio’s/

The Lodge, Stein Mart, Antique Armoire and others, are not expected to be affected by the construction, which will also include repaving a portion of the parking lot. Officials with Blockbuster video have announced that the Jan. 2010 closing of their City Plaza location is not related to Publix. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Top Notch Pest Control Can Help Rid Your Home Of Creepy Crawlies By Melissa O’Brien If you’re like many people in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, you probably are not a native of Florida, so your concept of killing lawn bugs or house ants may have been to throw a bag of bug killer on the lawn or spray a can of “Raid” in the garage. Perhaps it took a month or two for you to realize that pest control in Florida is a much more serious endeavor. Here, in the land of palms trees and sun, a spray can is no match for the types of pests that live here and most new residents soon realize that lawn treatment is better left to the professional bug killers — like Top Notch Pest Control. “The Tampa Bay area is like a sauna for six months out of the year,” says Michael Carli, the company’s owner. “The higher the humidity, the more active the insects are. The key is to use the proper product with an accurate application procedure. We make sure we educate our clients about our process so they understand the philosophy behind the treatment.” According to the Certified Pest Control Operators of Florida (CPCO) website,the Sunshine State has one of the largest pest control industries in the country. More than 75 percent of all

Florida homeowners employ some type of pest control protection for their homes, including termite protection. And, each year across the country, homeowners and businesses who don’t seek termite protection suffer some $2 billion in property damages. Since there are many companies out there that treat bugs, it is important to choose one that has the experience to treat whatever problem you may be experiencing. Carli is an expert on insects – with more than 20 years of experience in the pest control business. He started his career in the U.S. Air Force, where he received training as an entomology specialist. “I went into the Air Force with the idea of learning a trade and starting my own business,” says Carli. “My parents were in the restaurant business in Pinellas County, but I wanted to do something on my own. I attended the Air Force’s entomology program by taking courses through the Purdue University Extension.” Carli returned to Florida and opened Top Notch in 1990. In February of 2010, the company, which today employs 11 people, will celebrate 20 years of service to the six counties in the Tampa Bay area. Top Notch offers residential and commercial interior and

The outstanding, professional staff at Top Notch Pest Control will be happy to take care of your residential and commercial pest control needs. exterior pest control, rodent control, each client, to explain what we are weed eradication and fertilization for doing and why. Lawn service is not a lawns and ornamental shrubs and trees. six-minute job. Our company can do Carli, who is a member of the up to 15 lawns a day maximum. There Largo, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, is a difference between the service you Upper Tampa Bay and New Tampa get with us and other companies that I Chambers of Commerce, says one of believe you will notice right away.” the key elements of his business is the Carli adds that another important time he spends with his customers and aspect of his business is that Top Notch potential customers. always uses the correct amount of pest“I offer face-to-face estimates,” he killing product. says. “You can’t just drop off a flyer “Society is demanding that the with information or leave behind infor- pest control industry use less material mation about what you offer. We take less often because they are concerned the time to build a relationship with about the environmental effects of pes-

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

ticides,” he says. “A lot of companies are calling their products ‘natural’ or ‘safe,’ but this can be misleading. If (a product) is killing something, it is still going to affect the environment around you. The key, then, is to strategically place the application. If you minimize the application around a living environment, you minimize the risk. We make sure our application process is very precise and use a lot of baiting methods because [the baits] are ingested into the stomach by the bugs.” Carli says another important element of educating a customer is talking about price. “We explain to clients that it is about the quality of service they receive,” he says. “Sometimes, treatment requires an expensive product that can be used less often, but you need to have a staff that communicates that information effectively and can explain to a customer what will work best at his or her home.” For John Meyer, president of Marimba Lawn Care, working with Top Notch Pest Control has been a great experience. “It really is a great company,” says Meyer. “My business is lawn maintenance and I recommend Top Notch to do all of my clients’ pest control and fertilization. They do everything from lawns and bushes to trees and ornamental shrubs and do a fantastic job. I

try to encourage my customers to use their services because of the results I have seen. Greg (Kearley, Top Notch’s sales manager), is really easy to work with and if there is ever a problem, they are there right away to fix it at no extra charge. There aren’t a lot of companies that will address a problem without charging an extra service fee.” Hunter’s Green resident Gary Stenzel says he uses Top Notch for both his home and for his business – Freedom Property Associates. “Our company manages properties for homeowners associations (HOAs) and apartment complexes,” says Stenzel. “Top Notch has been our preferred vendor for pest control the past four years because of the quality of their service. Coming from a military background myself, I really respect the fact that Mike takes a personal and professional interest in his clients. His level of professionalism separates his business from others. Our company was working on a townhouse project in Pasco and the great service Mike’s company provided was very instrumental in securing that job for us. He made a great impression on the homeowners.” Top Notch Pest Control is located in Oldsmar, but welcomes all customers from Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. For more information, call 855-9056 or visit WeKill.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Misty Creek - 4BD, 3BA+ study, formal living & dining, large family room & kitchen. Washer & dryer stay. Pool w/ screened lanai. Freshly painted interior. No CDD and low HOA fees. $279,000

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT IRENE OCASIO AT (813) 632-9452 For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Patriots Knock Off The Wildcats, 16-7, To Enter District Playoffs By Michael Smith The annual crosstown rivalry game between the Freedom High Patriots and the Wharton High Wildcats always generates a lot of interest among local football fans, but Freedom supporters are having the last laugh once again, as the Patriots defeated Wharton for the second year in a row and have now officially advanced to their District (Class 4A-District 7) playoffs. This year’s win by the Pats (on October 23), on the ‘Cats’ home field, was a hard-fought 16-7 battle. Freedom has since followed up its win over

Wharton with a 39-0 shutout of Leto on October 30, and a 23-0 pasting of Brandon on Nov. 6, bringing the Pats’ record to 6-2-2 overall and 2-1 in the District with one regular-season game remaining (at Lennard High on Friday, Nov. 13), as we were going to press. The Patriots are now scheduled to travel to Pinellas County to visit Countryside High in the first round of the playoffs on Friday, November 20. Since the loss to Freedom, Wharton has lost to East Bay High (on October 30), 34-17, and 20-0 against District-leading Tampa Bay Tech on Nov. 6, dropping the team’s record to

Wharton’s Malik Williams plunges into the end zone for the Wildcats’ only TD. Freedom beat its New Tampa rival 16-7.

2-7 overall and 1-2 in the District. The ‘Cats finish the season at home against Sickles on Nov. 13.

Thinking Of Xavier

Freedom’s win over Wharton started with a stirring pregame tribute to the Wildcats’ Xavier Fisher, who suffered a season-ending Patriots quarterback Tyler Guy, in white, gains injury in a game earlier some yardage against the Wildcats on the ground. in the year. The scoringbegan with a 4-yard TD by Alex Landeta as the first half ended, run by junior Keith Lewis late in the and then couldn’t find the end zone first quarter. again for the remainder of the game. Wharton responded with a scoring Freedom quarterback Tyler Guy drive of its own, capped by a 1-yard run finished the game with 5 completions by senior RB Malik Williams. in 9 pass attempts for 97 yards, mostly Freedom retook the lead on the to Mutcherson, who accumulated 80 ensuing kickoff, however, as senior WR yards on three receptions. Guy also T.J. Mutcherson brought the ball back threw one interception, ran for 25 yards 78 yards for a TD. The ‘Cats managed on 7 carries and was sacked twice. to block the extra point attempt to hold Wharton QB Ryan Hatter, meanthe Patriots’ lead to 13-7, but were while, was 18 of 22 for 188 yards passhampered on the offensive side of the ing, but he also had one INT and was ball by penalties and a strong Freedom sacked six times. His leading receiver defense, which held the ‘Cats scoreless was senior Shane McEwen, who had 82 for the rest of the game. yards on three receptions and also was Freedom, meanwhile, added the Wildcats’ leading rusher, with 42 another 3 points on a 43-yard field goal yards on 9 carries.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Jessica Dana Studios Turns Moments Into Beautiful Memories By Melissa O’Brien With today’s digital photography technology, it’s true that almost anyone can take a good picture. But, it also is still an art to be able to truly capture a moment in time. Photography — quality photography, anyway — takes time, patience and an artist’s sensibility. It’s not just about a forward-facing smile, but about the sentiment behind the smile, the laughter caught in the moment or the portraying of a quiet reflection in a tender embrace. This is what a true portrait artist creates – a memory you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Jessica Dana, owner of Jessica Dana Studios in Lutz, seeks to create those types of memories for her clients. “For me, it is about encapsulating those special moments in time,” says Dana. “I want people to look at a photograph and feel, smell, and travel back in time to that moment. Photography also is about documenting relationships – the feelings people have when they’re with the ones they love or are doing the things they are passionate about. ” Dana admits that there is more competition than ever before in the photography industry because of the digital revolution, but she believes that photography is still more than just point and shoot. “A photographer has to have a way of making you feel comfortable,” she says. “It’s almost like you’re a therapist. It is about being a good listener as well as a good photographer. When I

meet a new client, it’s like meeting a new friend for me. I try to find out what their likes and dislikes are so I can make them feel at home, relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.” One of the ways Dana makes her clients feel at home is the uniquely homey feel of her studio in Lutz. “The property is on an acre of land with a main house and a classic red barn (see header above) that we converted into the studio,” says Dana, who worked out of her house prior to purchasing the property in 2007. “We serve refreshments like warm, homemade cookies to make kids feel at ease and relaxed.” Outside, the studio boasts a portrait park with a waterless ‘pier’ that was custom built for Dana, a tree and tire swing and many other props. “My hope is to create the ‘Willy Wonka’ land of photography,” says Dana. “The acre of land gives me great space to do what I need to do. The children actually get to decide where and what they want to do and what makes them feel comfortable (during a shoot). The outdoor space creates beautiful opportunities.” Dana recalls one child, three-yearold Benjamin Kurland, who didn’t want to do anything in particular at the studio and was not happy about having his picture taken. “I asked him if he wanted to play with toys or sit on the dock, but he wasn’t having any of it,” she says. “Finally, he said, ‘I want to throw dirt.’ So, we sat him outside and

Whether the memories you want captured forever are pet or people pics, Jessica Dana Studios in nearby Lutz will create images that will last a lifetime. he threw dirt. We got some great shots of him as happy as can be tossing dirt around. They are on my website in a montage entitled, ‘Boys will be boys.’ I would not have been able to do that if my studio was inside a strip mall.” Dana, whose first career was as a teacher in the Pasco County school system for five years, says she acquired her creative background from her grandfather. “He was an artist who painted pictures from photographs,” she says. “Growing up, I always thought I might like to be a photographer, but was not sure I could make a living at it. I was a photographer for our high school newspaper and was always very creative with it, but after my son was born, I took courses at the University of South Florida and traveled around the U.S. studying at top photography studios. I continue to further my education within the industry.” Dana, who doesn’t offer wedding

photography at this time because she feels it takes away her quality weekend time with her own family, does, however take portraits of pregnant women, families, graduating seniors, children and even pets. “I’m willing to travel to your home or the beach, wherever,” she says. “I want to be able to follow people’s dreams. If they envision a photograph in a special location, I can make that happen for them.” For graduating high school seniors, Dana advises them to bring along something they like. “Older kids are very aware of themselves,” she says. “If you allow them to bring something that is important to them, it still allows you to see the child in them. They, and their parents, will treasure these pictures when the kids are much older because they will remember their passion for what they loved.” See “Jessica Dana” on page 33.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Jessica Dana”

Continued from page 31 Molly Ramirez of Lutz is just such a parent. Her son, Ryan, was photographed (right) with and without his BMX bike for his senior pictures. “Jessica told Ryan to bring anything he wanted,” says Ramirez. “He brought his bike, uniform and helmet and they went off to different locations and took shots. She captured his passion for the sport and then some.” After your photo shoot, Dana will put together a PowerPoint presentation and then offer refreshments and play music while she and her clients view the photos. “I cried when I saw the photos – they were that good,” Ramirez says. “You could tell nothing was rushed. She takes her time and makes people very comfortable. Ryan’s 17 and Jessica was able to make him feel comfortable. She would tease him and get on his level to make him smile or give a serious look. This was our first time with a professional photographer and it was worth the investment, both financially and emotionally.” Ellaine Sapin-Ancheta of Cory Lake Isles says she saw some of Dana’s work in a physician’s office five years ago when she was pregnant with her second daughter. “I decided to do a maternity shoot,” says Sapin-Ancheta. “Two weeks from my due date, we

went and took family pictures with my older daughter and my husband. Jessica made me feel very comfortable with my belly exposed. The photos are beautiful. She just really captured the moment.” Sapin-Ancheta adds that her family now visits Dana’s studio for every special occasion. “We always go to Jessica,” she says. “She found a great location for her studio and my girls like to go there and use her dress-up things. I really appreciate the time she takes with you. Sometimes it may take an hour or two — it depends with children — but she is never rushed and always makes you feel comfortable. She takes her time to make sure she gets the right shot.” Jessica Dana Studios is located at 2207 Sunset Lane in Lutz. The studio offers a number of packages and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and by appointment on Saturday. For additional information, call 949-8652 or visit JessicaDana Studios.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Arts & Crafts Under The Palms Raises $5K For Local Charities Despite blustery weather on the first day (and competition from another new arts & crafts show in Wesley Chapel the same weekend), the Tampa Palms Women’s Club (TPWC) still managed to raise around $5,000 during their annual “Arts and Crafts Under the Palms” show and sale at City Plaza in Tampa Palms on October 17-18. According to event co-chair Stella Hardman, attendance was a little slow on Saturday, when clouds and windy conditions kept a lot of shoppers away, but the weather cleared up enough on Sunday to bring out more visitors and

make the event a success. “It turned out to be a busy weekend after all,” Hardman says. “It was a very successful show and we’re very satisfied, especially considering the state of the economy right now.” In addition to the homemade arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and other hand-crafted items offered by the 65 vendors who participated in the show, shoppers also enjoyed a variety of foods and beverages, as well as face painting and other activities for the kids. The art show is one of two major annual fund raisers for the TPWC (the other being its annual spring Fashion Show), which helps the Above, Santa Claus group support a number of himself (well, sort of) local charities every year. was on hand at This year’s recipients many of the vendors’ include the Outreach Assisting booths at the 2009 Children in Schools (OASIS) edition of “Arts & Network, Hillsborough House of Hope, The Rich House, Crafts Under the God’s Pedal Power Ministry Palms,” such as this and Wheels of Success. The club one featuring yard will present its donations to the ornaments and groups during TPWC’s annual windchimes, and at Holiday Banquet in Tampa right, where Wini Palms on Thursday, December McKee of Lutz is 3. surrounded by her For more information, handcrafted Abigail Calderon and Margarita Hernandez visit TampaPalmsWomens “Windowsill Angels.” model their hats made from recycled paper. Club.com. — MS

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Hungry Greek—More Than Just Great Gyros! By Gary Nager We first told you about The Hungry Greek Restaurant, located in the new retail plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (north of Rooms to Go) in Wesley Chapel when it first opened several months ago and promised to do a more full-length review in the future. Well, the time has come for this reporter to say in print what he has been telling Hungry Greek owner George Constantinou every time he’s visited since the place opened — that The Hungry Greek is the first Greek restaurant in our area to remind me of the great gyro sandwich takeout places I grew up with in and around New York City. The main reason for me is

Hungry Greek owner George Constantinou will treat your delicious gyro sandwich with tender loving care, too!

that not only are The Hungry Greek’s overstuffed gyros sliced off a gyro “cone” (instead of those vile, frozen gyro patties some places use), George also grills the freshly sliced lamb-andbeef meat over an open fire, giving the gyros a flavor nothing else can match. But, as the title above indicates, The Hungry Greek is about more than just great gyros. George, whose father Dino is his partner in this and another Hungry Greek location in the Westchase area, says he marinates the chicken used in his chicken souvlakis overnight — and the flavor is truly something special. The same can be said for The Hungry Greek’s fried grouper, mousaka (Greek-style lasagne), pastitsio (Greek-style baked pasta) and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), spinach pie (spanikopita) and even its cheeseburgers, grilled chicken salads and Greek pastries. “My father had the original Farmer Boy restaurant in Clearwater for many years,” says George. “It was famous for its Greek salad dressing (you can buy bottles of it at The Hungry Greek and at many area supermarkets) and New York-style Greek specialties.” I’m sure Dino himself has to be proud of The Hungry Greek in Wesley Chapel. It even has beer and wine, great party platters and a terrific kids’

If you love lasagne, try the delicious Greek take on your favorite — the mousaka at The Hungry Greek!

Our editor says you can’t beat the chicken souvlaki and Greek salad at The Hungry Greek restaurant on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel

From homemade baklava to a variety of chocolate pastries, the desserts at The Hungry Greek are decadent! menu! Check it out for yourself and please be sure to tell George and his staff that we sent you! The Hungry Greek is located at 2653 BBD Blvd., in the same plaza as Party Fever. It is open every day, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For additional information, visit TheHungryGreek.com or call 345-8526.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Café Olé — A True Taste Of Spain On Cross Creek Blvd.! By Gary Nager The Cross Creek Center plaza has always been home to some interesting eateries, the problem has been that most haven’t lasted very long. The good news is that new and (sometimes) even better restaurants have come in quickly to replace those that have gone by the wayside in the plaza. For example, for every Thai Orchid that goes out, you have a Ploy Thai replacing it; Mazzola’s Little Italy leaves, and Cerise Bistro scoops up that space, and so on. Café Olé isn’t actually a “new” restaurant — it’s already been in business for more than a year — but owner Frank Aliaga (who also owns the Cross Creek Auto Service Center in the plaza and who also used to own the entire shopping center) kept trying to work out the kinks in what he hoped would expand from your basic sandwiches and finger foods to a full Tapas Bar and authentic Spanish and Mediterranean menu. From the beginning, Aliaga was able to get a full liquor license for Café Olé and has stocked the restaurant’s classy-looking bar with premium and super-premium liquors, as well as outstanding Spanish and other fine wines and beers on tap. “We’ve definitely always had a nice

The “Gambas al Ajillo” (shrimp in garlic sauce) and “Setas con Chorizo” (mushrooms with chorizo sausage) are among our editor’s favorite appetizers at Café Olé in the Cross Creek Center plaza, where GM Aldo Mosquera and owner Frank Aliaga promise to treat you to authentic Spanish and Medierranean cuisine.

bar business and almost all of the people who were coming here lived on or near Cross Creek Blvd.,” says Aliaga, who is from Spain. “What I wanted was a place where locals — even if they live a little further away — would try to find to enjoy the kind of authentic Paella Mariscos Valenciana like I have at home every Sunday.” Aliaga admits that the concept he was looking for didn’t come together until he brought in new general manager Aldo Mosquera, who previously was a manager at Vizcaya, another excellent Spanish restaurant on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood. “Frank really wanted to serve authentic Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine,” says Aldo. “We’ve been refining the menu for several months and

now, we’re both really happy with the tapas and other appetizers, entrées and even desserts we have today.” He adds, however, that “The most important thing is that we’re getting a lot of great feedback — and return visits — from the customers who have tried the food recently. Now, we just need to get the word out about what we have to offer.” Well, this reporter says that word “delicioso.” If you like shrimp scampi, the sauce on the “Gambas al Ajillo” (shrimp with garlic) appetizer begs to be eaten with the delicious Cuban bread served with every meal. I’m allergic to the shrimp, but the sauce rocks and I was told by my guest that the shrimp were tender and delicious. I’ve never been a big fan of mush-

rooms, but the “Setas con Chorizo” (mushrooms sautéed with Spanish chorizo sausage) are among the tastiest I’ve ever had and the garlic and oil sauce (which is different than the garlic sauce on the shrimp) is another that must be dipped with bread to be fully enjoyed. The same goes for the “Almejas Blancas,” which are tender Little Neck clams in garlic, onion and white wine. There’s also fried calamari, two different grilled octopus (a Spanish favorite) appetizers, ground beef, chicken or seafood empanadas, tuna or chicken croquettes, a cold cut and cheese sampler, chicken wings and a couple of Spanish potato dishes and many more “small plates” I look forward to trying. Among the delicious main courses

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

(Left) NY strip steak can be served with two different sauces. (Above) The grilled chicken sandwich is unique and yummy and the Crema Catalana (below is decadent. (L. to r above) The Pimientos de Piquillo Rellenos de Mariscos (piquillo peppers with a seafood stuffing), Paella Valenciana and sauteed mussels with lobster sauce are all must-try items at Café Ole. I’ve sampled are an awesome sliced tapas plate or two. Aldo says he can New York strip steak with your choice even bring a single-pan paella party to of a Rioja red wine sauce or a cabrales your home or office for up to 90 peodemiclaise sauce and topped with ple. “We have different-sized paella mushrooms and peppers (and served pans perfect for your holiday event.” with fresh sautéed veggies and crispy Other great dishes, some of which homestyle fried potatoes, a wonderful I’ve already sampled at Café Olé (really!) “Pescado Imperial” (fresh include “Pollo Olé,” a pan-seared flounder sautéed with onions, garlic, chicken breast topped with artichokes olives, capers and a light citrus sauce and mushrooms and finished with a and Frank’s favorite, the Paella Pescado brandy cream sauce, served with fresh Valenciana — the classic Spanish veggies and potatoes (you also can subsautéed saffron rice dish with shrimp, stitute awesome black beans and rice or scallops, calamari, clams, mussels, filet plantains), “Pescado Blanco,” which is of white fish (flounder, tilapia, etc.), fresh tilapia sautéed with garlic, onions chicken and chorizo sausage. If you’ve and fresh herbs finished with a white never had authentic paella, this serving, wine sauce and garnished with green for just $15.99, can actually feed 3-4 peas. There’s even a grilled fish of the adults, especially if you share a small day seasoned with herbs, garlic and

olive oil and served with saffron rice and veggies. The lunch-size portion of the fish special is a total bargain — just $8.99 — and you can get center-cut pork chops for just $7.50!

Lunch Brunch & Late Night!

Speaking of lunch, Café Ole’s lunch sandwich menu (many of the same sandwiches are available on the “Menu del Bar,” or late-night bar menu) offers favorites such as a great pressed Cuban, roast pulled pork, hamburgers, unique grilled chicken sandwich (the chicken is overnight marinated and topped with fresh real bacon, provolone cheese and finished with a pesto tomato mayonnaise. And, the fries served with the sandwiches are killer-crispy (like I like them), especially for my diet. The bar menu also includes such favorites as chicken wings in Buffalo or garlic sauce, calamares fritos, chicken tenders and much more.

You can even sample Latin American and continental American brunch specialties on Saturdays and Sundays. And, don’t forget dessert. There’s a traditional flan and other favorites, but you have to try the Spanish version of creme brulée called “Crema Catalanas.” It’s got that flambéed sugar glaze, but is even lighter than the French edition. And of course, authentic café con leché is always available. Try Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd.) and tell Frank and Aldo we sent you! Reservations are not required. Call 907-5242 and tell Frank and Aldo we sent you.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles—WineStyles, Polo’s, Bagels Plus & Zoofari! This Is The Story Of A Bagel!

By Gary Nager

WineStyles To Host A ‘Taste Of The NFL’ Charity Event!

Owner Troy Melquist of Wine Styles, which we’ve told you about in previous issues, invites you to check out all of his great events, including an upcoming “Taste of the NFL” charity event on Saturday, November 14. Melquist says he hopes to have current and former NFL players and Bucs cheerleaders on hand and promises there will be live entertainment, BBQ on the patio, bottle signings and more. WineStyles also has other live music events, Ladies Nights and more than 100 wines for sale for less than $25 per bottle. WineStyles is located at 1051 BBD Blvd. Call 994-2200 or visit WineStyles.net.

Polo’s Offering $10 Early Bird Specials & $10 Off!

Polo’s Italian Grill, located at 19040 BBD Blvd., in the Publixanchored New Tampa Center plaza, is the latest local dining establishment trying to give local diners even more value for their money. Owner/chef Paul Proscia is now offering a variety of delicious Early Bird specials every Tuesday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-

Get this perfect chicken parmigiana at Polo’s Italian Grill at a special price tonight! 6 p.m., including his awesome meat lasagne, stuffed shells, chicken marsala and more, for just $10 each! In addition, no matter what time you visit Polo’s (which is open until 10 Tues.-Sat. and until 9 p.m. on Sun.), you can get your choice of $10 off your check or two free glasses of wine when you purchase any two dinner entrées. “Everyone needs more value these days,” says Proscia, “and this helps make dining out more affordable.” Proscia recently also upgraded and expanded the Polo’s menu, adding “a LOT more seafood,” he says. “I know our fresh fish and seafood dishes can compete on price — with better quality — with the places most people turn to for seafood.” For details, call 615-0087 or visit Polo’sItalianGrill.com.

If you’ve never had a true New York-style, kettle-boiledthen-baked bagel, you owe it to yourself to check out Bagels Plus at 2706 E. Fletcher Ave., 1/4-mile west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Don’t believe me? Check out the ad on the facing page. It tells the story about how my long-time buddy Steve Aziz — a former owner of the made-famousby”Seinfeld” H&H Bagels in New York City — makes and sells bagels every bit as good as those you can get in the Big Apple, just minutes from New Tampa. So, read the ad and go visit Steve asap whether you crave the best bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich ever or a more traditional bagel and a schmear of cream cheese. Call Bagels Plus today at 9719335. Or, better yet, stop in and tell Steve we sent you!

Sister Hazel, Great Food Rock Zoofari!

As a guy who loves tasting events anyway, I have to admit that Zoofari, the largest annual fund raiser to bene-

fit Lowry Park Zoo, ranks with the very best, even the Taste of New Tampa itself. Yeah, I said it. The fact is that Zoofari combines great restaurants (from this year’s primary food sponsor GrillSmith to The Melting Pot to an entire “Tastes of Ybor City” section) from across the Bay area and top-notch entertainment — and this year’s main stage act was none other than Sister Hazel, the Gainesville-based band that is one of my favorite countrified rock bands. Yes, Zoofari ‘09 was awesome, as is Lowry Park Zoo on Sligh Ave. Call 935-8552 or visit LowryParkZoo.com to find out more.

Delicious cheeseburger sliders and smiling servers made Whiskey Joe’s very popular at this year’s Zoofari.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Relay”

Continued from page 3 World is a Cure for Cancer,” for the 2010 New Tampa Relay will be held Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 p.m. (registration opens at 6 p.m.), at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). During the Kick Off, attendees will again be able to hear from New Tampa residents who have been affected by cancer, understand how Relay for Life is helping thousands of people nationwide, as well as in our community, and find out how YOU can get involved and make a difference. “The motto of the Relay for Life is to Celebrate (survivorship), Remember (those lost to the disease) and Fight Back (against cancer),” says McQueen. “It’s about getting all of us one step closer to finding a cure.”

New Tampa Relay for Life event chairs Jim Henning & Darlene Bartoletta. As Bartoletta said during the Social. “I’m living proof that cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence, but the more people who get involved, the more money we raise and the closer we get to that cure.” EVERYONE is invited to attend the New Tampa Relay for Life Kick Off Party, which will feature food, beverages and games. For more information, call 319-5906, e-mail NewTampaRelay@gmail.com or visit RelayforLife.org/NewTampaFL.

American Cancer Society community rep Lauren McQueen (left) & New Tampa Relay for Life Team Development Committee chair Aaron Wetherington.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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P E T

S I T T I N G

Animals’ Best Friend says, “Pets Deserve Good Love & Care, Even Times When You’re Not There!” In-your-home pet-sitting svcs, including dog walks, multiple & overnight visits, administering meds, plus love & attention. Licensed, bonded & insured. Call 765-5515 for a free consultation. Or, visit www.animalsbestfriend.net. Professional Pet Care Exp’d. pet sitters. We walk, play, feed & administer medicine, all in the comfort of your pet’s home. We also bring in mail, water plants & help maintain home security while you’re away. Bonded, insured & trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR. Call For The Love Of Pets at 545-8406 or 416-3126. Or visit www.ForTheLoveOfPetsOnLine.com. Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye - we say hello. Cats are happiest when in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. We help deter crime by bringing newspaper/mail & rotating lights/blinds, giving your home that lived-in look. Licensed, bonded & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 9949449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com. New Tampa Pet Sitting Service. Lots of love & care for your pets. Great experience & references. Recommended by Angie’s List. Licensed, Insured & Red Cross Certified. Call Marina @ 416-5301.

S E R V I C E S AVA I L A B L E THE GAS DOCTOR. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE. Residential * Commercial * Industrial. * New Construction & Remodels * Natural & LP Gas Piping Systems. Gas Appliance Installation, Service & Repair. Providing connections for: Gas Lights, Ranges, Dryers, Fireplaces, Furnaces, Generators, Grills, Space Heaters, Water Heaters, Pool Heaters, Firepits & Tankless Water Heaters. TECO Rebates on Natural Gas Appliances. 5162927 or thegasdoctor.com. License # MG 24668

Home day care in a loving home. 10 years experience. We encourage social development activities, games, play times & more. Infant & up. CPR & first aid. Reg. R23PA0154. Call Hilda @ 388-9148. Babysitter available for weekend sitting. Excellent references. Also holiday & pet sitting. Please Call 973-1216.

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G O L D

NEED EXTRA MONEY…We can turn your unwanted, old or broken gold jewelry into CASH! Take advantage of high gold prices which may not last long. Don’t sell to the fly by night companies. Take it to Tampa Palms Hometown Jeweler. Jeweler on staff w/ 35 yrs. exp. Charles Jewelers, 9724653 (next to Stein Mart on Bruce B. Downs).

WINDOW CLEANING NEW TAMPA,Christmas & Thanksgiving are coming. Do you need YOUR windows cleaned? VERY current references, immediate avail. Call Scott @ 957-3043.

T A I C H I L E S S O N S Tai Chi Classes open to the public at Club Tampa Palms. Strength, flexibility, balance, awareness & focus are some of the benefits of Tai Chi. Classes geared for all ages & skill levels. The instructor has over 28 years of Martial Arts training & teaching. Wednesdays 8-9 pm and Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 pm. $10/per class. Call Peter @ 787-7560.

S E E K I N G P L A Y E R S Ricky Ware’s complete Game “Gamers” seeks highly competitive travel ball players for newly forming 9U team. Player cannot turn 10 before May 1st. Coaches will be holding an open tryout in early December for January start. Team will be playing out of the Tampa Metropolitan area. Please contact Mike Romanowski @ 235-3956 or mromo7@yahoo.com or www.complete-game.org for more info.

Clean-outs—abandoned homes, garage cleaning. Pressure washing; odd jobs—painting, tile work, etc. Contact Sure Window Cleaning 926-9943. Trash removal. Trash clean-up, garage clean-outs. Will haul furniture, appliances, yard debris, lowest rates guaranteed; starting at $40. Call 285-4674. Wesley Chapel Taxi, $50 flat rate to airport. Call 464-0264. Custom Painting! *Artist* “20 yrs. Exp.” Faux, Murals & designer finishes at bargin prices. Call 630-561-3173. SKFinancial is a full service CPA firm located in Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel. Contact us for free QuickBooks training. Tel 813-322-3936 or www.skfinancial.com.

Town Home for rent in Meadow Pointe, gated 1 car garage, 3br, 2.5 bath, loft—Maint. Free. $1250/mo. Please call 541-3158.

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FREE GUITAR WITH LESSONS! Don't worry about spending money on an instrument if you or your child doesn’t stick with it. Get a new guitar free when you sign up for 3 months of lessons. Offer good while supplies last. For more information visit Bigel Music, 20435 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 813-907-6363.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 17, Issue 23 • November 13, 2009 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com