Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Issue 26, Dec. 18, 2015 by Neighborhood News

Volume 23 Issue 26

Inside:

Did YOU Win A FREE Carnival Cruise For Two? See page 31!

December 19, 2015

Named The 2014 ‘Small Business Of The Year’ By The Wesley Chapel Chamber Of Commerce! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this Wesley Chapel issue by direct U.S. mail, see page 38!

The ‘Connected City’ — Coming Soon To Northern Wesley Chapel By John C. Cotey

Paul and Marie Miller moved from Tampa to Wesley Chapel two years ago to get away from city living and to enjoy the country life. They bought 10 acres just north of S.R. 54, and figured they would spend their free time on their quiet, rural property. However, the city may not be such an easy place to escape. A Connected City, which began planning in late 2014, is coming to a 7,800-acre area running north from Overpass Rd. in Wesley Chapel to S.R. 52 in San Antonio, and west from I-75 to Curley Rd. The Connected City is touted by developers and planners as a first-of-its-kind high-tech community with emphasis on gigabit internet access, job creation, alternative transportation along integrated roadways with two first-in-thecountry man-made crystal lagoons all bolstered by a detailed 50-year plan. Metro Development Group, a Tampabased company, is leading the planning for the area. It owns about 30 percent of the property in the area, but will welcome the participation of other developers , doing everything from residential to commercial and retail. Metro is already building one housing development at Epperson Ranch, and will begin construction on another starting next year. It also intends to build developments for office, retail, multifamily and light hightech manufacturing. Heidt Design LLC, which was also involved in the adjoining 22,000-acre Villages of Pasadena Hills in Zephyrhills – Pasco

County’s largest development -- was hired by Metro “to augment Pasco County’s resources to do this very special plan,’’ said Pat Gassaway, Heidt’s president. The Miller’s property, however, may be in the way of progress. For the past two months, a series of community meetings have been held at Wesley Chapel Elementary (WCE) to address concerns of residents in the 7,800-acre area, some of whom will be disLocal residents ask questions about the roadways and their effects placed. A fifth and final com- on their property at the last Connected City community meeting. munity meeting will be so people in attendance at the last meeting on held on Wednesday, January 13, 6 p.m., also Dec. 2 on large poster boards with residents at WCE — to discuss the connected city cor- encouraged to make suggestions. The Millers took a black magic marker ridor, a pilot program which was created by a Growth Management bill (SB 1216) which and redrew the one road that concerns them speeds up the process for creating city-con- the most — the one planned to run right nected corridors. For the 10-year length of through their property in the southeast corthe pilot program, there will be no state over- ner of the Connected City area. “I think the idea of a Connected City sight. Roads were the hot topic of conversation is awesome, but as it is right now, the road at the last community meeting. Construction going through our property isn’t going to let on Overpass Rd. and Curley Rd., where four us enjoy our property, our little oasis,’’ said of the eventual six lanes of both roads are be- Marie Miller. “I’d prefer this be done on a ing built, is already under way. The project’s blank slate of land, not disrupting (existing) network of roads, approximately 144 lanes landowners.” Many in attendance at a contentious miles with 82 additional miles for alternative transportation, were presented to the 50 or Dec. 2 meeting say they also will be disrupt-

ed, either by the proposed roadways or the construction that will be required to build them. Bigger roads will equal fewer homes and less of their property, they said, especially along Tyndall Rd., the topic of most of the discussion at the last two meetings. “What’s in this for us?,’’ asked someone in the audience. Others said that the only ones benefiting would be the developers who were making money on the Connected City. Gassaway, while acknowledging that some residents will be displaced, replied that the roadways and infrastructure, “will benefit everyone in the area.” At a Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Workshop at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City a few days later (on Dec. 8), Gassaway told county commissioners that there would be pushback on some of the items, including resistance from some residents on giving up their land and way of life. “But I’ve also had people come to me and say ‘This is a great idea, I can’t wait for you to buy my land,’’’ he added. The Millers have hope changes can be made so roads bypass their land, but have resigned themselves to the possibility of having to sell. “We have zero control,’’ Paul Miller said. “We realize they are coming and are going to do what they want to do, we’re just trying to gather the info so we can get the most value for what we feel the value of the property is.” Gassaway noted that local residents can still have some effect on the roadway plans. See “Connected”on page 15.

Wesley Chapel Rotary Club Hosts Another Successful ‘Gobble’ By Gary Nager area homeless and other needy individu-

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon is proud to have again served more than 500 “Turkey Day” meals with all of the trimmings at two locations on Thanksgiving morning, Nov 26 — including 450 meals at Atonement Lutheran Church on SR 54 in Wesley Chapel — during the club’s sixth annual “Turkey Gobble.” The 100-member WC Noon Rotary, which meets Wednesdays at noon at Stage Left on SR 54 in Lutz, has been feeding

als & families at the church (which also is the location of the free Helping Hands Food Pantry for locals in need) every year since 2010. At this year’s “Gobble,” more than 50 volunteers from the WC Rotary (including club members and their family & friends) fed more than 450 families at Atonement Lutheran, while the WC Rotary’s “satellite” club in Land O’Lakes served another 50 meals at Keystone Community Church on S.R. 54 in Lutz — the third year in a row that the Land O’Lakes

Also Inside This Issue!

News, Business & Sports Updates

Neighborhood Magazine

Work To Speed Up On 56/75 Interchange, Wesley Chapel Teen Killed In Car Wreck, Pasco County’s New Logo & Lots Of Local Business Features!

Holiday Lights At The Shops at Wiregrass, Saddlebrook Prep Student Publishes Book, Our 2015 Reader Dining Survey Results, Plus Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 3-26

Pages 27-40

satellite club has “Gobbled” at Keystone. “We also donated 150 ‘snack packs’ for those families to take with them,” said Dineen Pashoukos Wasylik, the Rotary Club’s Turkey Gobble organizer this year for the third consecutive year. She also thanked a contingent of volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 149, based in Lutz. “And, some members of our club again

went into the woods to take meals to the homeless camp (located off S.R. 54).” Dineen also thanked other members See “Gobble”on page 17.

We’ll Show You Ours (Distribution Numbers) If They Show You Theirs

Wesley Chapel 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 Gary Nager Advertising Sales & Office Manager Mary Dorey Billing Manager Jillian Reilly Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Editorial & Office Assistant Celeste McLaughlin Correspondents Anu Varma Panchal • Andy Warrener Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Amanda Rankin Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 24, Issue 2, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, January 4, 2016. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel 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.

days (three months), so until we get our updated counts again, some of the households along those now-larger existing routes may not receive their Neighborhood News until we get our next route count update. The Post Office has even been known to change existing routes to make it easier for the postal carriers to make sure everyone they serve receives all of their mail — and, as a federal government-funded entity, the USPS isn’t required to tell anyone about those changes (go figure). Therefore, it’s up to you, faithful readers, to tell us if you suddenly aren’t receiving your Neighborhood News in your mailbox, so I’m always grateful when you do. I can (and I’m always happy to) prove exactly how many copies we print and distribute in each

Eliana

of our two markets, but I can assure you (because I always know how much we spend to mail our publications to you), that if any other local medium claims to have higher numbers of homes, apartments, businesses or readers in either market than we do, all you have to do is ask them to prove it and they’ll likely back off their claim. And, speaking of how many people read our publications, check out pages 31-33 of this issue, where we announce the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, as about 600 people took the time to fill out an entry form this year and four of those readers won prizes ranging from $5-$200 gift cards to this year’s Grand Prize (drawn at random) of a Canival Cruise for two people.

Sale on wigs starting at $19.99

Mon-Thu 9am-8:30pm Fri-Sat 9am-9pm Sun 10am-7pm

Bruce B Downs

reading our words and checking out their ads than any other local medium. And, the number of those eyeballs keeps on growing, especially in Wesley Chapel, where we have added more than 5,000 additional direct-mail households since the economic bubble hit in 2008, all at our own expense and without any significant rise in our advertising rates! But, my primary reason for writing this piece today is to tell you that, thanks to input from readers in New Tampa (specifically living in one carrier route in Cross Creek and one in Heritage Isles) who suddenly didn’t receive one or both of our last two issues in their mailboxes, we have recently added two routes and more than 1,000 additional households in zip code 33647, bringing our all-direct-mail circulation to 26,200+ households in New Tampa. With an average of just about three people living in every household in our area (yes, many have both more and less than three, but that is the average), that means we have nearly 80,000 potential readers in New Tampa (including one carrier route in Lake Forest, which is a Lutz address, but located along Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of Tampa Palms) alone! When you add the nearly 21,000 households (also unmatched in the marketplace) we direct mail to in our three Wesley Chapel zip codes, the total number of people who have ongoing direct-mail access to our publications is nearly 150,000 every four weeks (we publish 26 issues, 13 in New Tampa and 13 in Wesley Chapel, every year). Here’s an explanation you can check with the Post Office as to why we felt we had to add two more carrier routes in New Tampa. Whenever new communities, like KBar Ranch, begin building in an already-established area, the Post Office will wait until there are enough households in that new development or subdivision before adding another route. That means the new households in those just-developing areas will simply be added to existing carrier routes located near that new neighborhood until there are enough households in the new community itself to warrant a new route. All ongoing direct-mail businesses are required by the Post Office to get updated carrier route numbers, but only every 90

Remi Hair Buy One Get One Free

An editorial by Gary Nager We recently ran a cute (at least I thought it was) 1/4-page advertisement that told our readers (many of whom own businesses that want to get the most for their money in our only two distribution markets, New Tampa & Wesley Chapel) that, “We’ll Show You Ours If They Show You Theirs.” Although the ad makes a light-hearted joke about it, we are deadly serious when it comes to distribution figures. Because both of our publications are distributed by direct mail through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), we can’t “audit” our circulation figures through an independent agency (none of the accredited circulation auditors will audit direct-mail publications, and we don’t really need them to because, in order to receive the special Bulk Mail rate publications like ours receive, we have to give the Post Office enough copies to put one in at least 95 percent of every mailbox in every postal carrier route we serve or the Post Office will not deliver any of them!). But, we think our postal receipts are an even better proof of how many households (not people; more on this below) receive our publications in their mailboxes (not thrown on their driveways in the rain) and therefore offer the most possible people in both zip code zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545 (Wesley Chapel) and zip 33647 (New Tampa) the opportunity to read them. As most of our readers in both markets already know (because you tell us so every day), when you have the best, most informative content of any local media outlet as well as the largest circulation, our advertisers can rest easy that there will be more eyeballs

BEAUTY SUPPLY

off

NYX MAKEUP

County Line Road

Cannot be combined with other promotions.

Eliana Beauty

15%

Pebble Creek

19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Ste. A-1-3 Tampa, FL 33647

813-991-7600

15%

off

Freetress Crochet Hair Cannot be combined with other promotions.

Huge sale on Brazilian hair bundles

Table of Contents Local News Updates...............4-16 Wesley Chapel High Student Killed In Accident....4 ‘Diverging Diamond’ Coming Sooner?...............6 Is Wesley Chapel A Pasco ‘Vibrant Place?’........8 Wesley Chapel News Briefs...........................12 WalletHub Study Also Touts Wesley Chapel......14 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar..............16

Local Business Updates..........18-23

Florida Orthopaedic Inst. Opens WC Location....18 Edward Jones Has Your Retirement Answers.....20 VIP Elite Barbershop For An Elite Experience...24

Local

Sports Updates..........24

East Beats West In First Pasco All-Star Game....24

Neighborhood Magazine.....27-38

A ‘Symphony In Lights,’ With ‘Chaos’............27 2015 Dining Survey & Contest Results.....31 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’...34 WESLEY CHAPEL CLASSIFIED ADS......36

㄀㌀㔀㌀䌀爀漀猀猀䌀爀攀攀欀䈀氀瘀搀⸀ 匀甀椀琀攀䌀⸀ ⴀ 吀愀洀瀀愀Ⰰ 䘀䰀㌀㌀㘀㐀㜀 ⴀ 眀眀眀⸀一攀眀吀愀洀瀀愀⸀䜀爀攀愀琀䘀氀漀爀椀搀愀⸀挀漀洀

Saddlebrook Prep Student Publishes Book...38

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Wesley Chapel Student Killed, Two Others Injured In Brooksville Car Accident By John C. Cotey

Wesley Chapel High (WCH) sophomore Jaret Michael Harshman was killed and two other Wesley Chapel teenagers were injured on December 9 in a horrific car accident in Brooksville. Harshman, who was 15 years old, was taken by helicopter to Bayonet Point Hospital, where he died, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Harshman’s father, Mike, posted the news to Facebook. “This evening, on his way to church with friends, our oldest son Jaret was killed in a fatal car accident,’’ he wrote. “He was just shy of his 16th birthday on December 28th. Kristi & I are numb & distraught — it seems surreal to us. We love Jaret, and are so proud of him - a terrible hole will be felt in our family forever, and we are still in shock over this.” WCH graduate Ryan Scott Miller, 18, and his brother Michael Miller, 17 and a current student at the school, were in the car with Harshman and were listed by FHP as having minor injuries. According to the Facebook page of the Brooksville Christian Church, where the boys were headed, Ryan Miller sustained abdominal injuries and Michael Miller had to undergo surgery for his injuries. Ryan was driving a blue 2006 Chevrolet Aero northbound on Culbreath Road, and drove through a stop

sign at the intersection of County Rd. 572 (Powell Rd.), according to the FHP. Christopher Russell of Spring Hill was heading westbound on County Rd. 572 in a 2014 Dodge Ram, and slammed into the right side of the Aero, which spun counter-clockwise before settling into the north grass shoulder. The Dodge Ram rotated clockwise into a utility pole in the grass shoulder. Everyone was wearing their seatbelts. Russell did not suffer any injuries. “Thanks to all for your prayers and thoughts,’’ Jaret’s mother Kristi wrote on Facebook. “We find comfort in knowing where Jaret is and it’s so much better for him than it is for us. I don’t want to say we’ve ‘lost’ him...someone is not lost when you know where they are. We will meet again. But we miss him with a sorrow that can’t be explained. It is so deep. I love him and miss him so, so much.” Kristi added that Jaret was hoping to attend Florida Christian College in Kissimmee and become a youth minister. The students, faculty and staff of WCH (located at 30651 Wells Rd.) remembered Jaret on the school track on Friday, December 11. Jaret, an honor roll student, ran on the Wildcats cross country team last season, and those who attended the school’s memorial, led by the cross country team, walked a lap around the track while holding a banner signed by the students and staff.

WCH sophomore Jaret Michael Harshman, 15, was killed in a car accident on Dec. 9.

Ready to gain your life back? Interventional techniques to control your pain and reduce medications to help you live a healthier lifestyle. Dr. Jose Rivera, MD

Habla Espanol

2615 Windguard Cirlce #101, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 • (813) 872-4492 • TampaPRC.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

眀眀眀⸀ 氀椀洀椀琀氀攀猀猀挀栀甀爀挀栀⸀ 挀漀洀

Faster Plan To Improve S.R. 56/I-75 Interchange Not Fast Enough? By John C. Cotey

Folks tired of pulling their hair out during frustrating morning and evening drives through and near the I-75 and S.R. 56 interchange got some good news recently when the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said it will be speeding up construction to help alleviate the congestion, but that it likely not soon enough to make local drivers happy. FDOT will be adding the construction of a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) to its current five-year work plan. Construction on the interchange should begin in 2020 — instead of in 2024, as previously announced. FDOT is banking on the DDI to relieve the traffic flow. There is an entire website (DivergingDiamond.com) devoted to explaining why the DDI is better and safer than other diamondshaped interchanges and it touts benefits like almost half as many conflict points as conventional diamond interchanges, better sight distance at turns and positive response from the public. To see a video of how it works, read the online version of this story at NTNeighborhoodNews. com. Florida is building its first diverging diamond at the I-75 and University Pkwy. interchange in Sarasota. Is 2020 soon enough to placate many of the 55,000 drivers daily that pass through the I-75/S.R. 56 interchange from the east, or the 45,000 coming from the west? District 2 Pasco County Board of County Commissioners member Mike Moore was happy to see FDOT adjust the construction timetable, but says he is still not as happy as he would like to be. “Obviously, the future is now. The traffic is here now,’’ said Commissioner Moore. “It got moved up, but I’d like to see the design phase happening in 2017 or so, with the construction phase in 2019 or 2020.” FDOT, however, is saying the design of the project will not begin until 2020. It presented its new plan, which has a price tag of $8-10-million (according to Moore), to Pasco commissioners at a Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting in Dade City on November 9.

A diverging diamond interchange in Springfield, Missouri. With one being built down the road in Sarasota, Florida Department of Transporttation officials hope it can alleviate traffic in Wesley Chapel, too. (Photo from Missouri Department of Transportation)

The S.R. 56/I -75 interchange continues to be a bone of contention for those in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, and the 2.3-mile-long northbound exit ramp routinely experiences back-ups of a mile or more, sometimes even reaching the I-275 apex at the Pasco County line. With the opening of the Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 west of I-75, that traffic is expected to worsen during the holiday shopping season. The S.R. 56/75 interchange was opened over a decade ago, and in 2011 a new ramp was constructed to ease congestion, to the delight of many in the community. However, the two-lane exit is plagued by long lines of vehicles waiting to exit left or right (west or east) onto S.R. 56. According to FDOT, 26,500 vehicles use the northbound exit onto S.R. 56 daily. Comparatively, only 18,000 vehicles each day are using the Bruce B. Downs exit a few miles south, and 11,000 are using the S.R. 54 exit a few miles to the north. For Steven Domonkos, those numbers make it clear that 2020 is not soon enough to make the needed changes. “I’m just kind of surprised that FDOT is so far behind the 8-ball on this,’’ said Domonkos, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Economic Development Com-

mittee chairman. “It’s not like we didn’t know the outlets and (Shops at Wiregrass) mall were coming to the area. Not addressing the traffic situation until now is just sort of confusing.” Domonkos is part of a new threeperson transportation task force recently formed by the WCCC. He said the goal of the task force is to gather information and concerns from residents and to, “make sure we have a seat at the table” so those concerns can reach FDOT. Domonkos, who also is the specialty leasing manager for the Shops at Wiregrass, says he is disappointed at

the negative effects he says traffic at the interchange — and in general, all around the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area — is having on local businesses. “We’re getting complaints and we feel like it’s hurting (local) businesses,’’ Domonkos said. “We definitely plan to make our presence known.” Domonkos is open to the idea of a DDI. Otherwise, he’s not sure what the solution to this problem should be. “I’m not sure there is an answer at this point,’’ he said. “I think the (DDI) will work, but now it’s just a matter of getting FDOT to move (up) the timetable on that (even more).” Moore said he also is not done pushing for a more immediate timetable. “We’ve had a number of citizen complaints about (the interchange),’’ Moore says. “People need relief in this area. We did express to FDOT we would like the project accelerated.” Moore said District 38 State Rep. Danny Burgess (R-San Antonio) also is pressing the issue, and both are in constant contact with other members of the state legislature to attract allies for future discussions. “The (DDI) concept is really cool,’’ Moore said. “But, one of the things we don’t want to do (when it comes to funding) is be detrimental to the other projects that have (already) been on the plan. We don’t want to hinder those. But, we need this sooner than later.”

St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church All Are Welcome! Christmas Eve Masses Christmas Day Masses

4pm, 6:30pm & Midnight Mass

4pm- Children’s Choir & Youth Orchestra 6:30pm- Contemporary Group Midnight Mass- (starting at 11:25) Full Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Arias and Solos, performing the Bach Christmas Oratorio, Cantata One, Carols of the Night by Whitney and as per St. Mark tradition, all join in to sing the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel.

8:30am, 10:30am & 12:30pm (Spanish)

8:30am- Traditional carols with our cantor 10:30am- Filipino Choir with traditional carols in English and Tagalog 12:30pm- Traditional Spanish Mass with our Spanish Choir

9724 Cross Creek Blvd. Tampa, FL 33647 • 813-907-7746 6

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Wesley Chapel To Be One Of The ‘Vibrant Places’ In Pasco’s Re-Branding? By John C. Cotey

After three years of study, Pasco County has unveiled a new logo with a new tagline -- “Open Spaces. Vibrant Places.” – that Melanie Kendrick, the county’s acting program administrator for economic growth, says ties the county’s story together, presents the area with a sense of place and provides a cohesive sales pitch to tourists.

“I think we needed to tell the Pasco story in a holistic way,’’ said Kendrick, a member of the county’s Branding Team, comprised of leaders from multiple departments. “We don’t have that one thing to sell in Pasco. If you ask 20 people about what makes Pasco, you’ll get 20 different answers. We thought this was a way to unify the county.” Pasco County Commissioners approved the new branding effort last month by a 4-1 vote, with only District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano dissenting. In today’s fast-moving world and an ever-growing social media universe,

branding is everything, especially when it comes to attracting tourism, says Ed Caum, manager of the Pasco County Office of Tourism Development, who also was the featured speaker at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s October Business Breakfast. The logo, with carefully chosen orange, yellow and gray colors, a rising sun (as the letter “O” in Pasco) and a sandhill crane flying in front of it, was designed by Jennifer Lachtara, the marketing coordinator for Pasco’s Economic Development Council (EDC). A variation of the logo was in the “MyPasco” app that the county released in the Google Play and ITunes stores in June. Caum and Lachtara, along with Pasco County public information officer Doug Tobin, were key members of the Branding Team, though Caum stressed it was a county-wide effort involving many. Caum also says there was talk of outsourcing the re-branding effort, but by doing it in-house, the re-branding committee saved taxpayers roughly $80120,000. He explains that Hernando County rebranded itself as the “Adventure Coast” in September and that effort cost roughly $85,000. It was time for the re-branding, Kendrick says. She recalls doing an interview with some USF students about 3-½ years ago, and she asked them what they thought about Pasco County. Some

The new Pasco County logo and tagline will adorn signs like this one, provided they meet the criteria and complete the application process required for vibrant places and open spaces.

didn’t know where Pasco was, even though they acknowledged hanging out at The Shops at Wiregrass mall. The county has basically used its seal as a primary logo, with various unofficial logos and catchphrases popping up here and there. “Open Spaces. Vibrant Places.” replaces “Room To Grow” and others like “It’s Only Natural.” “A seal really isn’t a logo and a seal is not a brand,’’ said Caum, adding that the seal will still be used on official documents. But new county cars will bear the new logo, as will buses, stationary, business cards and shirts of county employees when it is rolled out, which Caum says should be by 2017. More important, Caum says, is that the plan is to recognize those vibrant

places in Pasco County with the new logo, which is already on the county’s website. It will effectively serve as a stamp of approval. Caum says there will be criteria for those applying to be deemed a vibrant place or an open space. When those criteria are determined, they will be listed on an application for interested parties. Signs will be positioned throughout the county in areas that are accepted as part of the program, like parks, cities, downtowns or green spaces. Shopping districts and neighborhood associations also can apply to be part of the new “story” the county hopes to tell to visitors, tourists and residents. “We just need to make sure we maintain a brand standard,’’ Caum says.

drmarta@tampahappysmiles.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Reserve your ride today.

20309 Bruce B Downs Blvd. (813) 944-4057 VIPELITEBARBERSHOP.COM

Give them the best gift this year - A VIP gift card!

President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association

You can load a VIP card at the register or go to our website & email a card with a custom message.

15% Off

WITH THIS AD Valid Mon-Thur Exp. 01/31/16

KID’S HOLIDAY SPECIAL Exam, Xrays, Cleaning

(D0140),(D0272),(D1120)

Exp. 1231/2016. New patients only. Valid weekdays only. Cannot be combined with insurance or any other oﬀer. Children ages 5-12 only.

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

3999

Exp. 1/31/2016. New patients only. Valid weekdays only. Cannot be used with insurance. Coupon needs to be presented at time of service.

20729 Center Oak Dr • Tampa, FL 33647

Now Accepting New Patients!

( corner of Bruce B Downs and County line Rd behind walgreens)

1843 Health Care Dr. • Trinity, FL 34655 The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for another service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee, service, examination or treatment.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

WESLEY CHAPEL & NEW TAMPA Holiday Shooter Arrested

A Thanksgiving Day shooter was arrested after a daylong manhunt. Jean Lorenzo Gabaree, 34, shot another man in the abdomen at 2:20 p.m. Thanksgiving Day following an argument at a home located at 7821 Blair Dr., the Pasco Sheriff’s Office said. Gabaree was arrested the following day and booked into the Land O’Lakes Detention Center on attempted murder charges The name of the shooting victim, who is 37, was not Jean Lorenzo Gabaree released. The victim said he was standing outside his trailer when someone drove by and shot him. He was taken to a local hospital with nonlife threatening injuries.

Florida Hospital Tampa Murder-Suicide

Steven Reynolds, 70, shot his stepdaughter to death Nov. 23 before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide at Florida Hospital Tampa near the USF

News Briefs

campus at 3100 E. Fletcher Ave. Reynolds shot 41-year-old Alonna Tedesco (photo) just after 7 a.m. Monday morning on the hospital’s third floor, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) spokesperson Donna Lusczynski. Reynolds died at the scene. Tedesco initially survived the shooting, but after deputies transported her to an emergency room, the efforts to save her failed. Officials said they were unsure of the motive. Investigators were looking at hospital security footage as we went to press. The shooting was contained to the hospital room, and the hospital continued normal operations after the incident. Tedesco was at the hospital visiting her mother Mary Reynolds, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. She recently wrote on her Facebook page beneath a photo of her mother, “All I have to say is Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease! This wonderful woman at the age of 67 looks Alonna Tedesco

like the epitome of health! Her body is in great shape yet her mind is so ill! I wish I knew how to cure this disease, I miss my mom!” According to reports, Tedesco was married to prominent Land O’Lakes physician Dr. John Tedesco. They lived in the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club neighborhood of Dade City. Alonna has worked as the school nurse at Hudson Middle & High schools since August. “As much as this tragedy saddens the Pasco County Schools family, it also affects Mrs. Browning and me personally,” said superintendent of schools Kurt S. Browning in a prepared statement. “We have known Alonna for many years and are shocked to learn of her horrific passing. She was a good friend and a talented professional. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.”

Car Accident Kills Two

Two women were killed in an accident on S.R. 54 and Ernest Dr. near the New River Branch Library on Nov. 14, which backed up traffic for hours as paramedics tended to the scene. Lutz resident Barbara Janet Charlebois, 38, was traveling west on S.R. 54 when, for unknown reasons, she drove off the roadway and onto the right shoulder of the road. She overcorrected her vehicle, a 2004 Toyota Camry, to the left, which caused her to swerve into the eastbound lane and into the direct path of a 2014 Buick

Verano driven by 76-year-old Bridget Mary Kent of Ontario, Canada. The collision between the two cars occurred around 8:50 p.m.. Charlebois suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Kent had serious injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital. There were two passengers in Kent’s vehicle and both were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa — Lillian Cruickshank, 70, who suffered serious injuries, and William Edward Kent, 78 of Ontario, Canada, passed away overnight.

Twistee Treat Gets Unexpected Visitor

Cameron Blake Jackson has given new meaning to the term the “drive-through” as he drove his vehicle smack dab into the Twistee Treat on the corner of New Tampa Blvd. and BBD on Nov. 23. And, for a tip,, he left his car. Jackson originally rammed into the front of the Twistee Treat at around 5 a.m. and fled the scene on foot. At around 10 a.m., Jackson contacted the police to say his vehicle had been stolen. The information he provided about his vehicle matched the description of the vehicle police had impounded earlier that morning. When questioned by Tampa Police Dept. officers, Jackson, who was here on business from Texas, admitted to crashing the car into the Twistee Treat and walking two hours back to his hotel. Jackson was issued a criminal citation for hit and run. — JCC

10% OFF ANY JOB

NEW CLIENT SPECIAL*

Must present coupon at time of estimate. Open to new clients only. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 1/31/16.

SPECIALIZING IN ROOF MAINTENANCE & RESTORATION

877-630-0081 813-630-0800 www.eliterooongservices.com

Lic. #CCC1325569

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • RESIDENTIAL

BUILT-UP • EPDM • TPO • GUTTERS METAL • SHINGLES • SOFFIT • FASCIA Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Another Study Ranks Wesley Chapel A Top Place To Raise A Family With growing businesses, new residential developments, two major malls including the brand new Tampa Premium Outlets, and highly-rated schools, what is there not to like about living in Wesley Chapel? According to WalletHub, not much at all. The personal finance website recently rated Wesley Chapel the 7th best city for families in Florida. Wallethub compared 115 Florida cities across 21 metrics, with Wesley Chapel scoring No. 1 for housing affordability and wealth gap, and finishing in the top 10 for general affordability (5th) and divorce rate (9th). “I am very pleased with the rating,’’ says Hope Allen, the president and CEO of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC). “To be No. 1 in affordability and housing says a lot about our area and community. People do look at national ratings when looking to relocate, so it’s very important to do well in these.” Allen also noted that Wesley Chapel is a Census-Designated Place (CDP), and to be ranked with cities across the state is a great achievement. “Pretty impressive to make the

list when we’re not even a city,’’ Allen said. Wesley Chapel received its lowest marks for education, health and safety (77th). The No. 1 city rated overall was Parkland in Broward County, just north of Coral Springs. WalletHub’s report looked closely at four specific categories: Family Life & Fun; Education, Health & Safety; Affordability; and Socioeconomic Environment, attributing 25 points to each category. Within those categories were 21 different metrics. For example, under Family Life & Fun, WalletHub’s experts looked at number of playgrounds per 100,000 residents, the number of family attractions like parks and museums, the percentage of families with children under the age of 18, weather and average commute time. In 2014, Wesley Chapel was rated the fourth-best place (out of 179 studied) to own a home/raise a family by the national consumer advocacy website Nerdwallet. com. In June of 2015, Nerdwallet.com bumped Wesley Chapel up one spot to No. 3 in the ratings. — JCC

No time like the present to keep

your future on track Life changes – and your finances need to keep up. At Edward Jones, we know it’s important to review your finances regularly. That’s why we provide complimentary portfolio reviews. Have you reviewed your portfolio lately? Call to schedule an appointment to help ensure your finances are keeping pace with you.

www.edwardjones.com

William Morales Jr, AAMS®

Member SIPC

Financial Advisor FAP-1965C-A-AD

2748 Windguard Circle Ste 101 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813-991-7034

Enjoy our every day low prices without a contract! Is there someone in your life that’s hard to shop for?We offer holiday gift cards that are perfect for everyone!

$29.99 Special - Every Tuesday Either a 1 hour massage, European Facial, OR a manicure and pedicure.

$45 Deep Tissue Massage

$55 Cranberry Enzyme Facial Eyelash Extentions

Visit us for a FREE eyelash consultation and receive eyelash extensions for only $149.99, normally a $200 value!

GIVE THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS SEASON

$95 Hours of Operation: Monday: 10am - 8pm Tues. - Sat.: 9am - 9pm Sunday: 11am - 6pm 14

One Hour European Facial, One Hour Relaxation Massage with light lunch and glass of wine. Includes gratuities.

(813) 527-0149

2330 Ashley Oaks Circle Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 essentialswesleychapel.com MM30617

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

‘Connected City’

Continued from page 1

He noted that the most constructive and feasible recommendations from the Dec. 2 meeting could be implemented in the future. While six-lane roads are going to be mostly straight and therefore, “the amount of wiggling you can do to meander around constraints is somewhat limited,’’ Gassaway added that planners can be much more flexible when making changes along a smaller, winding path like Tyndall Rd. “Well, we’re not aiming for them,’’ Gassaway said of the homes in the development area, but he won’t be able to pinpoint the exact number of the approximately 250 possible homeowners who might be affected until the latest community recommendations are studied.

The Allure Of Speedy Internet

Internet companies are always touting faster speeds to lure new customers. But what if you could upload an hour of highdefinition video to YouTube in five seconds, or back up a 500Gb hard drive in less than 10 minutes, or load your entire photo collection to the cloud in half that time? Those possibilities, and more, are coming to Wesley Chapel. Last week it was announced that because of the connected city plans, Wesley Chapel will be home to the first planned “Smart Gigabit Community” in the United States to be built from the ground up, with a fiber network offering blazing internet speeds and serving as the backbone for new advances in education, healthcare, public safety and energy and transportation. The “Smart Gigabit Community” will be the heart of the connected city corridor. “It will ignite the next generation of American innovation,’’ Kartik Goyani, Metro’s vice president of operations, told commissioners on Dec. 8. Wesley Chapel is already home to blazing fast ULTRAFi in the Union Park development, and cities like Kansas City and Cleveland and Austin, TX., neighborhoods are home to gigabit speed internet. But US Ignite, a non-profit organization established in cooperation with the National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will work with Metro Development Group to make the connected city the first to install the network at the beginning of community development. The allure of gigabit internet, however,

Neighborhood News

has taken a backseat with the older crowds at the community meetings. Instead, residents want to how development will impact the Floridan aquifer, how sewers and sinkholes will be dealt with, and how the area, which has been beset with flooding the past few years, will handle any more water. Previous meetings have addressed other issues that also have raised the ire of locals. The Nov. 4 meeting at WCE raised concerns about the loss of rural life and the potential impact on the environment. Residents questioned Gassaway about the possibility of fracking coming to the area, while others were concerned about population densities. A handful of residents wanted to make sure the environment was protected. Of the 7,800 total acres of land to be developed, 1,838 of those are protected wetlands. Gassaway said the plan will eliminate 178 acres of wetlands, but the remaining wetlands will be enhanced to yield a net gain, bringing the total wetland area in the project to 2,100 acres, although some residents were skeptical due to what they feel are already-weakened environmental protections, no state oversight and a stated desire by stakeholders for speedy permitting. All local, state and federal rules will be followed in upland habitat management, said Kyle Parks of B2 Communications, which is working with Heidt. There also have been concerns about traffic, with one resident pleading for cloverleaf exit ramp designs at the existing I-75/S.R. 52 and the planned I-75/Overpass Rd. exchanges to keep traffic flowing, while others worried about the disruption construction would have in an area where many of the roads are two-lane dirt paths and where people have traditionally come to expect to live in privacy. Some of those roads in the initial designs are planned to go near or through the property of some residents, like the six lanes that split the Millers’ 10 acres. Miller and others said they hoped once Heidt and Metro saw which homes were disturbed most by roadways, changes in the proposed roadway designs could be made. While a dozen or so residents raised their hands to ask questions at the Nov. 4 meeting, not everyone expressed skepticism. Margie Tingley, who owns Tingley Systems Inc., a technology-based company in San Antonio, moved here in 1981, said the Connected City and the progress it promises will be great for the area. “If this can go forward the way it looks, and everyone can buy into it, the whole area will be put in the spotlight,’’ she said.

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

DECEMBER 2015

will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.) to help business owners generate more referrals, income and grow their businesses in the Wesley Chapel area. For info, call Bill Sullivan at 994-1143.

Professional Business Connections (PBC) - PBC meets Mondays at 7:30 a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For more information, call Chris Thurow at 5466860.

Wesley Chapel Breakfast Club - The WC Breakfast Club brings business people together to network and present their business to the group. The club meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more info, call Bill at 992-3370.

Monday - December 21 - 7:30 AM

Wednesday - January 6 - 7:30 AM

Monday - December 21 - 8:00 AM

Thursday - January 7 - 8:00 AM

Experienced Networking Professionals (ENP) - ENP meets Monday mornings at 8 a.m. for breakfast and networking at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more information, call Brad Benson at 973-1814.

Monday - December 21 - 10 AM-5 PM

Wesley Chapel Lions Club - The Wesley Chapel Lions Club will host a food drive through Jan. 15 from Monday-Saturday at Sweet Darling Quilts (26240 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) in the Grand Oaks Plaza. Nonperishable food and canned goods are appreciated. For info, call Deborah Amyotte at 813-708-4282 or deborahamyotte@gmail.com.

Tuesday - December 22 - 7:30 AM

Business Networking International (BNI) - A new BNI group is starting up and will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.) to help business owners generate more referrals, income and grow their businesses in the Wesley Chapel area. For info, call Bill Sullivan at 994-1143.

Tuesday - December 22 - 7:30 AM

New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts group bike rides/runs leaving from Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris Bridge Rd.; not from the BBD entrance) every Tues., Thur. & Sat., 7:30 a.m. For more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com.

Wednesday - December 23 - Noon

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (Noon) meets Wednesdays at noon at Stage Left Bar & Kitchen (24400 S.R. 54, Lutz). For more information, call 862-8989 or 391-3895.

JANUARY 2016 Tuesday - January 5 - 7:30 AM

Business Networking International (BNI) - A new BNI group is starting up and

Network For Your Success - The Networking For Your Success group meets Thursdays, 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Clubhouse (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). All are welcome. Call 994-9944.

Friday - January 8 - 7:15 AM

Rotary Club Of Wesley Chapel Sunrise - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets Fridays at 7:15 a.m. at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For info, call Lynne Morgan at 695-6466.

Friday - January 8 - 9:30 AM - Noon

NAMI: Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Pasco has a new support group for adults in Pasco County living with a mental illness and in recovery. The “Connections” group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month from 2-3 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For info, visit namipasco.com.

Saturday - January 23 - 12:30 PM

Home Buyer Seminar - If you are thinking about buying a home, this seminar is designed to provide information about getting your ﬁnances in order for this very important purchase. The event will be held at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Drive, Tampa) and is free to the public. To register or for more information, call Faith Jackson-Curry at 813-785-4912.

Tuesday - January 26 - 6 PM

Wesley Chapel Lions Club - The Wesley Chapel Lions Club meets every 4th Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. For more information about volunteering, community efforts, meetings, helping the vision impaired and more, visit the club on Facebook or at wesleychapellionsclub.com.

If your organization is sponsoring an event that is open to the general public — whether it’s free to attend or not — please submit your info (with photos in any digital format) at least 3-4 weeks in advance to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. It will appear in these pages & on our social media for free.

WE BEAT ANY PRICE

BEST PRICE GUARANTEED!

BUY • SELL • TRADE • UNLOCK CELL PHONE • COMPUTER REPAIR

WE BEAT ANY PRICE

Wesley Chapel Store (813) 907-3086

5339 Village Market Wesley Chapel, Fl. 33543 Beside

wesleychapelcellphonerepair@gmail.com

Tampa Store (813) 870-2071

6308 N. Armenia Ave. Ste. A Tampa, Fl. 33604 Beside

tampabaycellphonerepair@gmail.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

‘Gobble’

Continued from page 1 of the community, who pitched in by delivering meals to housebound people in need. “I am so thankful for the volunteers who spent time on a holiday to put the ‘giving’ in Thanksgiving,” she said. As a Wesley Chapel resident and the owner/editor of the largest distribution publication in the Wesley Chapel area, I am always so proud to say that I’m a member of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club. If you want to be part of an organization that truly believes in the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self,” one that always gives back to its local, regional and even international communities, visit WCRotary.org. First-time visitors always receive lunch for free at our regular Wed. meetings at Stage Left and you can even sign in as my guest.

(Above): Rotary Youth Exchange student Alice & friends serve up gravy. (Below) Just a few of the 450+ people served at this year’s ‘WC Rotary Turkey Gobble.’

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s 10th Office Now Open On BBD! With 25 years of experience treating patients throughout the Tampa Bay area, the doctors and staff at Florida Orthopaedic Institute are excited about their newest office, located in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., directly across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC). The newest office has begun accepting patients, which is helping Florida Orthopaedic Institute meet the increasing demand for specialized orthopaedic care that can help residents of Pasco County stay active. The Board-certified doctors and surgeons at Florida Orthopaedic Institute have been recognized globally for their expertise. Headquartered in North Tampa, there are nine other locations for patients who live in or near Bloomingdale, Brandon, Citrus Park, Northdale, Oak Hill/ Brooksville, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Temple Terrace. Wesley Chapel is the 10th Florida Orthopaedic Institute office, and will offer physician services, physical therapy and X-rays. Additionally, three Board-certified physicians staff the new office: Christopher Baker, M.D., a fellowship trained specialist in sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction; Brian Palumbo, M.D., who specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery, with a focus on diagnosing and treating hip and knee arthritis, and Timothy Epting, D.O., who focuses on injuries and disorders of the foot

paramount to success.” Dr. Baker has been with Florida Orthopaedic Institute for two years and has practiced in the area for five. He graduated cum laude with his M.D. degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas (in Spartanburg, SC) gave him an extra year of study in sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction, making him the only fellowship-trained shoulder specialist in eastern Pasco County. Dr. Christopher Baker. M.D., of the new Florida Orthopaedic InDr. Baker has been very stitute office in Wesley Chapel, gets informnation from a patient. influential in Pasco County’s high school athletics since and ankle, as well as general orthopaedic he assisted in opening the sports medicine conditions. programs at Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills In order to maintain the highest level high schools. He also treats professional of orthopaedic skill, Florida Orthopaedic athletes and has served as the orthopaedic Institute only employs doctors who have & sports medicine physician for the Tampa fellowship training. “This additional training is just part of Bay Storm Arena Football League team. Dr. Baker does more than just care what sets us apart,” says Dr. Baker, “espefor athletes. He also treats patients who cially when the sophisticated work of joints have shoulder pain stemming from aging is involved. In order to keep our patients or injury. Many patients avoid shoulder active, the precision of the treatment is

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

treatment because they are afraid they will need surgery or because of the misconception that pain is a normal part of aging, but Dr. Baker always informs his patients about available alternatives. “There are a lot of options other than surgery, like physical therapy or cortisone injections,’’ he says. “Our mission is to do what is best for the individual patient.” Even when surgery is necessary, Dr. Baker says he does not go straight to invasive surgical techniques. He uses the latest technologies and says that many repairs are done with an arthroscope to minimize incisions. Other doctors at Florida Orthopaedic Institute, like Dr. Palumbo, also believe that minimizing surgical trauma and muscle damage should be a high priority for any surgeon. Before studying medicine, Dr. Palumbo served in the Special Operations Command for the U.S. Air Force. He later earned his M.D. degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he also served as a resident in the Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. He also attended a one-year surgical fellowship at the combined residency program Dr. Brian Palumbo

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

a t B o

k p p r t S O

m a m t ( s t a

P k f c c a

i i e c m p r r

at Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Orthopaedics in Cambridge, MA, and at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital Department of Adult Reconstruction in Boston. Dr. Palumbo specializes in hip and knee arthritis management, joint replacement surgery and the treatment of problematic or painful hip and knee joint replacements. He is Board-certified by the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. One method Dr. Palumbo uses to minimize surgical trauma is the direct anterior approach (DAA) for hip replacement surgery. He explains that, “Rather than cutting through or damaging muscles, (with the DAA approach) you’re simply spreading certain muscles to the side, using their natural tissue planes. It’s like opening a window versus breaking through it.” For knee replacement candidates, Dr. Palumbo offers partial (rather than total) knee replacements whenever possible. He feels that sparing hip and knee joint muscles and preserving bone (when possible) can lead to improved and faster recovery and exceptional long-term outcomes. Dr. Palumbo firmly believes in the importance of fellowship-trained, specialized surgeons. “The added training and expertise this provides allows us to care for complex failed and painful joint replacement issues,” he says. “ Approximately 30 percent of joint replacements I perform are re-do replacements for old or failed joint replacements.” Educating patients is a core philoso-

Neighborhood News

phy 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. Dr. Epting is new to Florida Orthopaedic Institute, bringing expertise in injuries and disorders of the foot and ankle. He also is Board-certified in orthopaedic surgery, with fellowship training from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Prior to joining Dr. Tomothy Epting the Florida Orthopaedic Institute team, Dr. Epting served three years as an attending orthopaedic surgeon at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. He also served as an orthopaedic surgeon in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2010. “My military experience and fellowship training allow me to explore all options for my patients so they can receive the best possible care,” he says. You can visit Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s new Wesley Chapel office at 2653 BBD, or visit FloridaOrtho.com for more information. Florida Orthopaedic Institute is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (800) FL-ORTHO to make an appointment or to talk to a staff member. — Submitted to & edited by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News.

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Edward Jones Financial Services Can Help You Get Retirement-Ready By Celeste McLaughlin

Financial advisor William Morales, AAMS (Accredited Asset Management Specialist), and longtime branch office administrator Nancy Carazo make up the Edward Jones Financial Services team in the Windfair Professional Center, located across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC). Morales and Carazo have been serving clients in this location since 2012, when they closed their Tampa Palms office and moved it to Wesley Chapel. Morales had joined the company in 2009, while Carazo celebrated her 21st anniversary with Edward Jones this fall. “I always wanted a Wesley Chapel branch,” says Morales, who lives in Meadow Pointe with his wife and two daughters, both of whom attend the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. Carazo also lives in Meadow Pointe, making the Wesley Chapel office a convenient locale for the pair to serve their neighbors and community. “We are a full-service agency, and I wear many different hats,” explains Morales. “When I work with clients, I may serve as their stock broker, insurance agent and bond dealer. At its core, my work is as a financial planner.” He explains that he helps his clients in any of five different core areas, depending upon each client’s stage of life and their individual needs: • Planning for a comfortable retire-

He says this “select group” of both working families and retirees is limited not by “In 1922, Edward Jones, Sr., founded any particular criteria, but the firm, which he passed on to his son, Ted,” explains Morales. “When Ted passed, because he he left the company to the employees, mak- limits himself to maintaining it the only financial services firm of its ing a small size that is held privately.” group of Morales explains that this means clients so that Edward Jones is unique in the industry, as he can manit is not a publicly traded company itself, age all of their and has no Board of Directors and no shareholders, so his singular focus can be on needs well. William Morales of Edward Jones Financial Services, located across Bruce B. “If we pleasing his clients. Edward Jones branches Downs Blvd. from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel can help you with your reget too big, are independently owned and small, but tirement and other financial planning needs...and much more. they are not franchises. All 11,500 branch- we lose that drops, so they want to sell, rather than buy.” es throughout the U.S. and Canada are held personal touch,” he says. “(It makes it) In other words, he adds, “to meet your by Edward Jones, which is headquartered in tough to deliver the same level of service.” long-term goals, don’t let your emotions Morales says the most important St. Louis, MO. get you off track.” Morales works with his clients through thing to do when you’re looking for a Morales also says that many people a five-step process, starting with “Where am financial advisor is to find someone you see the stock market in their daily lives but can trust and can hopefully work with for I today?” and “Where would I like to be?” don’t know what it actually is or how it Then, he says, the next steps — “Can I get the rest of your life. affects them. For example, you may hear a “The person has to be someone you there?” and “How do I get there?” — are like;, someone who makes you feel comfort- change in the Dow Jones Industrial Average his job. Once he’s worked with his clients reported on the nightly news. But, the Dow able,” he says. through those steps, Morales says he conAnother piece of advice he gives is this: only tracks the price of 30 large companies, tinues to advise them to determine, “How he explains. If you don’t own any stock in “Don’t let your emotions drive your financan I stay on track?” those companies, what happens with the cial decisions. For example, if your favorite “I take care of financial affairs for a Dow is less relevant to you. “It’s much store has a 50 percent off sale, you’d probselect group of families in our area,” he more important to understand what finansays, “with about half of my clients working ably run to go shopping. Yet, with stocks, cial products you’re invested in,” he says. families, and the other half already retired.” many people get scared when the price ment (for those who are currently working) • Enjoying retirement (for those who have already retired) • Paying for education • Preparing for the unexpected • Saving money on taxes

NN1

813-997-2796

• • • •

No Travel Time No Other Dogs on Premises No Cage Time One on One Personal Service

$5.00

OFF

First Time Customer Expires 12/31/15

beccasbubbles.org 20

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

”

e w

And, educating his clients about those companies (and financial products) is a big part of what Morales does every day. In addition to equity investments, such as stocks, Morales also offers his expertise regarding annuities, retirement plans, estate considerations, education savings, fixed-income investments such as bonds and certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, life insurance, mutual funds, as well as saving, spending and borrowing solutions.

Satisfied Customers...

Roy and Jane Spencer first encountered Morales when they moved two years ago to the Wesley Chapel subdivision of Watergrass from Arizona. They were working with a financial planner there, but say they weren’t happy with the service they were getting. They had a life insurance policy managed by Edward Jones, so Morales reached out to them, asked them a few questions about the policy, and invited them in to talk. The Spencers agreed to meet with him, but thought they might be setting themselves up for little more than a sales pitch. They were soon thrilled to find out that they were completely wrong. “William isn’t a sales guy,” says Spencer. “I’m in sales, so I know when someone’s trying to sell me something. Sitting with him really feels like chatting in someone’s living room. He knows his stuff, and he really cares. ” Spencer says he left that initial meeting saying to his wife, “This is the type of (customer) service we’ve been missing.” He continues, “The stuff William knows is crazy. I try to do some research on my own, but after I spend an hour with him, I feel

smarter and a lot more confident about the future.” He says his entire experience with Morales has been positive, and unlike anything he’s had experienced in the past. “I used to think I needed to have millions of dollars to get this kind of advice,” he says. “To have access to this level of service with a more middle income is amazing. And it’s important, because my future is in his hands.” Morales concurs. “My job is relationship driven. I have to do the ‘nerd work’ and crunch the numbers, but most of what I do is serve my clients, and there’s no cost for advice.” Morales explains a first-time appointment with him is similar to visiting a new doctor. “I’m going to ask you a lot of personal questions, so I can really understand what’s going on with you financially,” adding that he uses financial questionnaires and conversation to help determine his clients’ needs. Once someone becomes Morales’ customer, they can choose to pay a flat annual fee for Edward Jones to manage all their assets or the more traditional method, where Morales receives his payment from the mutual funds, insurance policies and other investments he sells. “One thing that makes us unique from our competition is that there are no Edward Jones investments to sell,” says Morales. “We sell the products of all the other companies, such as Fidelity, for the same cost to you as if you bought directly from them.” Morales recommends working with a large firm, such as Edward Jones, “because the big firms have oversight. Unlike inde-

Caring & Compassionate Dentistry... We accept the majority of PPO’s Dental Insurance

19007 Bruce B. Downs Blvd Tampa, FL 33647

Vijay Patel, DDS

(813) 406-4947

pendent financial planners who don’t work for a larger company, Edward Jones has measures in place to watch what I do.” Before joining Edward Jones, Morales was president of a mortgage company in New Tampa and served six years in the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps, spending four years stationed in and around Kuwait. Originally from New York City, Morales and his family moved to Tampa, where he graduated from Chamberlain High. For more information, call branch office administrator Nancy Carazo at 991-7034, and she’ll schedule your appointment with Morales at the Edward Jones office in Wesley Chapel. You can also stop by the office at 2748 Windguard Cir., Suite 101 (in the office plaza behind The Hungry Greek).

Morales and office administrator Nancy Carazo previously worked together at the Edward Jones office in Tampa Palms before moving to their current Wesley Chapel location.

Eat,

DRINK d be Healthy!

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm

Evenings by Appointment Only

Dental Exam & X-rays*

Crown*

689

*D0150 & D0210 ONLY

*D2740 ONLY

Offers cannot be combined with any other specials or coupons. Offer Expires on 12/31/15.

First 50 New Patients only. Expires 12/31/15 Comprehensive exam D0150, X-rays D0210, Cleaning D1110 required

www.pebblecreekfamilydentistry.com Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

VIP Elite Barbershop For The Latest Styles & ‘Old School’ Service Story and photos by John C. Cotey

On a tour of the VIP Elite Barbershop on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in front of Live Oak Preserve (next to Marco’s Pizza), which she owns with her husband and Master Barber Omar, Joanne Rivera is grinning widely and excitedly talking about the new barber shop. She thinks VIP Elite is the best place in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel to get your hair cut, and she’ll tell you exactly why, while handing you a small stack of the shop’s business cards to hand out to your friends. She proudly explains the special services and perks, like online booking via the shop’s website, Facebook page or by downloading the VIP Elite app to your smartphone. She touts the personalized holiday gift cards and e-cards she says make the perfect stocking stuffer. For that post-haircut selfie, there is a VIP area in the back that features a Hollywood-style backdrop. “Take your picture, feel like a star,’’ she says, which is what VIP Elite is all about. Joanne pulls out her cellphone, proudly showing off the shop’s prolific Instagram and Facebook accounts. She is a social media maven, firing off post after post, many with deals for clients. The results have been outstanding, she claims, with a bunch of positive comments and excellent online reviews from VIP Elite’s clients. Omar Rivera is calm, cool and collected as he watches from the front of the store. He explains everything he does and why he does it in a soothing, matter-of-fact manner. “I love cutting hair; I love giving people a great experience,” he says as he meticulously tends to the client in his chair, leaning in for a closer look at his handiwork, then giving one more buzz-by with his razor. “The most important thing in cutting hair is the details,” Omar says. “The lines have to perfect.’’ This is how it works at the VIP Elite Barber Shop. Joanne is the energy behind the scenes, a marketing hurricane taking her storm to social media to attract and keep clients. Meanwhile, Omar is the quiet artist, intent on making sure those who sit in his chair leave happy, and return later. Fire and Ice. “She is my nitro,’’ Omar says. “It works,” Joanne says, laughing.

Working Towards A Common Goal

The whole place has a warm feel, with subtle, masculine touches. The floor has a brown faux marble finish, the barber chairs are a rich chocolate color, the lights are soft, and the music is just the right amount of funky. When you walk into the place, your first impulse is to grab a seat on the comfortable brown leather loveseats in the lobby. There’s even a bar and VIP area in the back — built by Omar himself and nicknamed the “Man Cave” — where you can grab a cup of coffee or tea. Magazines are spread on a table. The TV is on. For a split second, you almost forget you are there to get your hair cut. “When we designed it,’’ Omar says, “we wanted it to feel like home.” Once in the barber’s chair, there are a myriad of services in which you can indulge. A regular haircut will run you $20, and it includes a complimentary hair wash if you want it. For kids, it’s just $15. If you follow Joanne on Instagram or Facebook, you might even be able to catch a deal, like the occasional “$10 Tuesday” special. Edges and shape-ups are $7, and the same goes for beard trims. Mustache and eyebrow trims are $5, or get it all with the VIP Ultimate package for $35. And, you’ll also get something you won’t find just anywhere — a hot towel, straight-razor shave for $15 that can take 45 minutes and will leave your face feeling fresh and clean. It starts with a hot warming cream, followed by a hot towel. Omar will then lay down some shaving cream, using a little bit of the foamy stuff and some of the slick stuff. With a straight razor and a steam machine keeping your face moist and warm (and the pores open), Omar delivers a tight shave, then a cold towel, which he says tightens the skin and properly closes the pores. After some moisturizer and a facial massage, if you haven’t fallen asleep in the chair, you may wonder why you ever shaved yourself in the first place. “That’s just one of the added touches that we think puts us ahead of the other places,’’ Omar says. “I moved here from New York and was looking for a place, and this is what makes this barber shop unique, you can come here and relax,’’ said Mathew Arriage, one of VIP Elite’s regulars. “It’s nice when you find a

Omar & Joanne Rivera of VIP Elite Barbershop on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa invite you to enjoy an old-school “Epic Grooming Experience” with great hair styles & hot towel shaves. barber shop you really like. Other places I’ve took jobs in retail management at Modell’s been to, they aren’t interested in talking, Sporting Goods, Sears and Home Depot. they just want your get your money and get He never stopped cutting hair, though. you out of there.” His son Israel would bring friends over, and Omar is from Manhattan, and Joanne he’d cut their hair on the back patio. He is from Brooklyn. But, believe it or not, also cut the hair of friends and family. He they actually met in Ocala as teenagers. It got licensed to be a barber but until movwas love at first sight, Omar says, when as a ing back to Florida last year, never thought freshman he bravely walked up to Joanne (a about opening his own place. junior) and asked her for a date. But, tired of the retail grind and with They were married in Ocala in 1995, the long hours that he said took him away and settled afterwards in Linden, NJ. Joanne from his family and sometimes left him went to school to earn her MBA, and Omar depressed during holidays, Omar decided to

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

W nder

4pm: Family Service

open his own business. “I wanted a classy spot,” he says. “And, little by little, things started falling in place.” No one was happier than Joanne, who also works at Citigroup in Tampa. “He always had such a good eye for it,’’ she said. “He wanted a nice gentlemen’s place, and he wanted to do what he loves.” Omar built the front counter and the Man Cave himself and the Riveras attended an Orlando trade show. After lots of testing, they decided on El Patron and Billy Jealousy skin and hair care products for their clients. Their son Israel, 19, got his license recently and also works in the shop with his dad. Israel also has picked up his mom’s touch for marketing, suggesting some beard oil and conditioner to a pair of customers following their haircuts. Since opening VIP Elite, Joanne and Omar say business has been good, and get-

Neighborhood News

ting better through word of mouth. She says they have 350 clients in their system. Joanne believes she and Omar have something special, something she is happy to trumpet daily on social media. She works to keep Omar and his staff of five barber stylists busy, and their job is to deliver on the promise to give customers an experience worth repeating — and a look they will want to keep. “We’re not here to be average,” Joanne says proudly. VIP Elite Barbershop is located at 20309 BBD, about a mile south of the Pasco County line. You can follow Joanne and Omar on Facebook or on Instagram at vip_elite_barbershop. Online, find them at VIPEliteBarbershop.com or call 994-4057. You also can get 15-percentoff your next “Epic Grooming Experience” with the coupon from the ad on page xx of this issue.

@NTWCNews

6pm: Contemporary Service

8pm: Traditional Service

11pm: Acoustic with Communion

ST JAMES

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

16202 Bruce B Downs Blvd // Tampa, FL 33647

  .          .  

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Wesley Chapel Players Shine At First Pasco All-Star Football Game By John C. Cotey

The first-ever Pasco County All-Star Football Game had the county’s all-time leading rusher in Chris Schwarz (of River Ridge High) and another, Glass Wilson of Ridgewood, who ran for more than 1,600 yards last season. The county’s top wide receivers — Zephyrhills’ Jackie Tucker Jr. and Mitchell’s JJ Lewis — were lined up to catch passes. And the quarterbacks were experienced and proven. What the game didn’t have, surprisingly, was a whole lot of points. In a defensive battle, the East team, represented by players from Wesley Chapel (WCH) and Wiregrass Ranch (WRH) high schools and coached by WRH head coach Mark Kantor, pulled out a 14-2 victory before a big crowd at Sunlake High in Land O’Lakes. The touchdowns were scored by Zephyrhills’ Tre-un Everett (offensive MVP), and Pasco’s Jakiah Felder. A lot of the big defensive plays were provided by WRH linebacker Tyler DeCaire. The Bulls’ senior had a sack in the first quarter, causing a fumble. His biggest play, however, came on the next series, when he arrived at the same time the ball did and smashed it loose from punt returner Dylan Hartley. The ball was recovered by the West, which scored a few plays later on Everett’s 35-yard run to make it 7-0. In addition to Coach Kantor, 10 players from WCH and WRH saw action in the game, which was sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

(L.-r.): Bishop McLaughlin QB Scott Edwards, a Wesley Chapel resident, & WCH OG Naim Smith were teammates on the East squad. Wiregrass Ranch High LB Tyler DeCaire of the East Pasco All-Stars, jars the ball loose from West punt returner Dylan Hartley at the first-ever Pasco High School Football All-Star Game at Sunlake High off S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes on Dec. 9. DeCaire’s forced fumble led to the East’s first touchdown, which was celebrated (below) by WRH and East head coach Mark Kantor.

WCH OG Tristan Pauwels

I OFFER

HOME INSURANCE

OPTIONS

Here in Florida, your choice is clear. Everyone likes options. My office not only offers car insurance backed by a company with 80 years of experience, but also offers home insurance from several companies. Call me today! Gunter and Gunter Insurance 813-994-3900

Allstate has no financial responsibility to you for any home insurance policy you purchase and would not be responsible for any claims. Allstate does not make any representations or accept liability related to operations of home insurance companies, including, but not limited to, their financial conditions. Subject to terms, conditions and availability. © 2012 Allstate Insurance Co.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

163007

garygunter@allstate.com www.allstate.com/GaryGunter

FREE ENROLLMENT

We do ALL work

See our ratings on Facebook and Google! Facebook.com/LaRusaTax Call Now For Best Plans |

813-867-7111

6013 Wesley Grove Blvd, #101, Wesley Chapel FL 33544 LaRusaTax.com

Se Habla Español | Мы говорим по русски

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

A ‘Chaotic Symphony’ & A ‘Wobble’ At The Shops At Wiregrass!

around. Since my friend and New Tampa Rotarian (and TV/film director/producer) On Thanksgiving evening, I was on Craig Miller of Full Throttle Intermedia hand for the “Symphony in Lights” Pre(Facebook.com/Full Throttle Intermesented by Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel dia) was there, I “borrowed” a couple of his great pics for this story. — the every-hour-on-the-hour (between This year’s “Wobble” featured more 6 p.m.-9 p.m.) tree-lighting-set-to-music” than 1,500 runners, with Michael Poole (no event at Wiregrass — on Nov. 25, when town listed) winning the event in a speedy the Tampa-based kid band (its oldest 15:55. Meanwhile, four runners from member is 11-year-old Max, the group’s Wesley Chapel — Dominic Moreno (2nd, lead singer) known as “Beyond Chaotic” 16:32), Joseph Salerno (4th, 16:45), Kevin (see pg. 30) performed three sets of — Jaquez (7th, 17:12) & Noah Damjanobic if you can believe it — alternative rock (10th, 17:41) — among the top-10 overall music — between each of the 10-minute finishers. The top female finisher, Jenn tree-lighting events. I’m not the biggest Walton (18:38) also lives in Wesley Chapel. fan of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but beSeveral other local runners also won their (Above) They don’t look at all wobbly, do they? Many of the area’s top runners were among the tween synthetic ice skating on Piazza Ave., age groups. and music every night through December hundreds on hand at the third annual Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot 5K at the Shops at Wiregrass For complete 2015 results, visit Max, the lead singer in the New TampaThanksgiving morning. Photo by Craig Miller. (Right) 31, the Shops is still a cool place to shop, WiregrassWobble TurkeyTrot.com. based kid band ‘Beyond Chaotic,’ sings ‘Radioactive’ by the Imagine Dragons. with multiple restaurants that sell alcohol and provide additional entertainment. I was at the Shops that night as part of an informal gathering of Rotarians from the original New Tampa (which has been meeting at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club on Friday mornings for 20 years, the oldest Rotary Club in either of our distribution areas) and Wesley Chapel (our area’s largest current club, which meets Wednesdays at noon at Stage Left Bar & Kitchen in Lutz) Rotary Clubs. While many of those same WC RoNew Tampa Rotary Club members (2nd-5th from left) Connie Bladon, David Lanitarians were serving meals to 500 people gan, Lesley Zajac and Debby Amon were joined by Wesley Chapel Rotary Club members in need at Atonement Lutheran Church Jennifer Cofini (far left), Jannah McDonald & a certain publisher at the ‘Symphony in on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel the followLights’ (right) on Nov. 25. Rotary photo by Lauren McDonald. ing morning (see bottom of page 1), a has had more than 3,000 particnumber of New Tampa “Breakfast” Rotary the New Tampa Family YMCA & the FitNiche store in the Shops) of the Wobble ipants and raised $45,000 (commembers also were on hand at the Shops bined) the previous two years. But, since the event’s inception in 2013. the following morning for the third annual with perfect weather this year, the I neither attended nor covered this “Wiregrass Wobble 5K.” The New Tampa 5K run was packed again this time year’s “Wobble,” an event which already club has been a major sponsor (along with By Gary Nager

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

F F O % 20 RE O T S E R I E ENT

ales

y other s

es & an g cigarett

Excludin

- Premium Cigars - E Cigarettes - Detox - Water Pipes - Glass Pipes 1928 Highland Oaks Blvd., Lutz, FL 33559

28411 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL. 33543

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

(813)949-0424

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

of new tampa

Suede and Leather Specialists $

5 OFF

any dry cleaning order of $30 or more

Applies to dry cleaning items only. Expires 1/19/15 Coupon must be presented at time of drop-off.

10 OFF

any dry cleaning order of $50 or more

Applies to dry cleaning items only. Expires 1/19/15 Coupon must be presented at time of drop-off.

1.85

Men’s Laundered $ Shirt with Dry Cleaning (Original Price $2.45)

Applies to laundered cleaning items only. Expires 1/19/15 Coupon must be presented at time of drop-off. Max 6 shirts per coupon.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

3 OFF

any comforter any size

Expires 1/19/15. Coupon must be presented at time of drop-off.

1.85

Men’s Laundered $ Shirt with Dry Cleaning (Original Price $2.45)

Applies to laundered cleaning items only. Expires 1/19/15 Coupon must be presented at time of drop-off. Max 6 shirts per coupon.

Alterations Special $ Regular Pants Hem

10.00

(Original Price $12)

Expires 1/19/15. Coupon must be presented at time of drop-off. Max 3 pants per coupon.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Ariel’s Holiday Hair Specials

$110 Basic

Smoothing Treatments

$100

Sew Ins

$45

Silk Press Shoulder Length Hair

*Tuesday & Wednesday ONLY* Expires 1/31/16

10026 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33647

80002160T000

(813) 994-2393

• Now open on Sundays, 12PM-6PM by appointment only •

Always Looking for Professional Stylists!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015• WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Did You Win A Free Cruise In Our 2015 Reader Dining Survey & Contest? Check It Out! We had another great year of reader response to our annual Dining Survey & Contest, as nearly 600 of you took the time to enter the contest and tell us about your favorite places to eat in our two distribution areas. As for this year’s results, our readers’ favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel was again GrillSmith, which narrowly edged out The Hungry Greek, which moved up one spot, from #3 with our readers last year. At #3, Bonsai Sushi saw a great jump, up from #12 with our readers last year. The biggest jump in this year’s Survey was also the only place I could accuse of ballot-stuffing this time around — Pinchers Crab Shack. Despite my best efforts and warnings on every entry form every

year, people still think they’re helping their “favorite” restaurant when they 1) Put it as their favorite in the area in which it isn’t located (e.g., 28 people were disqualified for putting “Pinchers” as their favorite in New Tampa, even though it’s located, and on the ballot, in Wesley Chapel) and 2) Put it as their #1-#5 favorite in the area in which it is located, rather than just selecting it #1. In other words, another 48 entries had to be disqualified from a chance at winning any of our prizes, and all of the votes on those entries (other than their votes for other restaurants) did not count towards Pinchers’ totals. Meanwhile, in New Tampa, last year’s #2 finisher — Burger 21, located in the

Your 50 Favorite Restaurants in

1. GrillSmith

2. The Hungry Greek 3. Bonsai Sushi 4. Vallarta’s (WC Village Mkt) 5. Burger Monger 6. Pincher’s Crab Shack 7. PrimeBar 8. Yamato Japanese Steakhouse 9. 900° Woodfired Pizza (Wiregrass) 10. OTB Café 11. Amici Pizza (SR 54 Lutz) 12. PDQ 13. CinéBistro 14. PizzaMania 15. Wolf’s Den 16. Dempsey’s Steak House 17. Asian Buffet 18. Latin Twist Café 19. Best NY Pizza 20. NY NY Pizza 21. 365 Caffe Italiano 22. China Wok (WC Village Mkt) 23. City Grill 24. Hibachi Express 25. La Prima Pizza

Neighborhood News

to support the places they see advertised and reviewed in the Neighborhood News! In order to find out which of our readers won our Grand Prize — a FREE 4- or 5-night cruise out of Tampa on Carnival Cruise Lines — and who won our three (one for $200, one for $100 and one for $50, each to the restaurant of your choice in the entire Tampa Bay area!) restaurant gift card prizes (all selected at random from among all of the correctly filled out entry forms we received) you’ll have to turn to pages 50-51, which is also where you’ll find out which restaurants won our 14 other categories, including your favorite Pizza, Chinese, Dessert and other favorite restaurants! Bon appetit! — GN

Your 50 Favorite Restaurants in

26. Bonefish Grill 27. Stage Left Bar & Kitchen (Lutz) 28. Dolce Gelato & Crepes 29. Chick & Peas Grill 30. China Taste 31. Don Pan International Bakery 32. Kwan Ming Bistro 33. Bagelicious & More 34. Cantina Laredo 35. Ho Wok 36. Ciao! Italian Bistro (OOB) 37. Gonna China 38. Woody’s Pizza & Wings 39. Texas Roadhouse 40. Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt 41. Bosco’s Italian To Go 42. Fine Thai Express 43. First Watch 44. Quail Hollow CC 45. Lexington Oaks GC 46. Red Robin 47. 100 Montaditos 48. Dempsey’s Too Lounge 49. Outback Steakhouse 50. Tokyo Grill/Sushi

@NTWCNews

Trout Creek area off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., across from Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, was our readers’ favorite restaurant for the first time, while last year’s firstplace finisher, Stonewood Grill & Tavern, dropped to second, and the top ten in New Tampa had the same list of restaurants as last year, only in a slightly different order. The biggest jump this year? Cappy’s Pizza, which, in only its second year on our ballots, rocketed to #12 this year from #24 last year. I’m not going to attribute all of that success to regular advertising in these pages, but I’m sure it didn’t hurt! According to Jessica Meyers, the coowner of Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering our amazing readers really like

1. Burger 212. Burger 21

2. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 3. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 4. Acropolis Greek Taverna 5. Ciccio’s Cali 6. Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine 7. Vallarta’s (Tampa Palms) 8. Mr. Dunderbak’s 9. Koizi Endless Hibachi Grill 10. Oakley’s Grille 11. Little Greek Restaurant 12. Cappy’s Pizza 13. Sushi Café 14. Woodfired Pizza (E. Bearss Ave.) 15. Las Palmas Spanish Café 16. Café Olé 17. Sukhothai 18. China Wok 19. Thai Ruby 20. Mulligan’s Irish Pub 21. Peabody’s Billiards & Games 22. Taste of NY Pizza 23. Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill 24. Casa Ramos 25. Full Circle Pizza

26. Biagio’s II 27. Saffron Indian Cuisine 28. Sushi Ko 29. Hunter’s Green CC 30. Lanna Thai 31. Hoosiers Grille 32. Ho King 33. Fushia Asian Bistro 34. Soho Sushi 35. Takara Sushi & Sake 36. Top Thai 37. China City 38. PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub 39. Seasons Fresh Café 40. Cross Creek Deli 41. Hawkeye’s NYS Pizza 42. Big Papa’s Pit 43. Pita’s Republic 44. Olive Garden 45. Glory Days Grill 46. Petra Express Mediterranean 47. Dine or Dash (OOB) 48. Toast Wine & Café 49. Red Lobster 50. Chipotle

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Your Favorite

Restaurants in NT &WC

Your Other 2015 Favorites In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! So, there are some surprises on this year’s list of our readers’ other favorites. Perhaps biggest among them was 900° Woodfired Pizza in the Wiregrass mall winning as your favorite pizza place for the first time (and neither La Prima Pizza nor Pizza Mania cracking the top five) and Latin Twist Café jumping all the way to #2 (from #7) on your favorite Latin restaurants list. Don’t forget — my list of 2015 favorites will appear next issue! — GN

1. Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine 2. China Wok (Village Market) 3. Asian Buffet 4. China Wok (County Line Rd.) 5. Gonna China 6. Fushia Asian Bisto 7. Sushi Ko 8. Kwan Ming Bistro 9. Ho King 10. Ho Wok

1. Thai Ruby

1. Burger 21

2. Sukhothai 3. Top Thai 4. Saffron Indian Cuisine 5. Fine Thai Express 6. Lanna Thai 7. Tabla Indian Cuisine No other Thai restaurants received enough votes to make this list.

2. Burger Monger 3. Oakley’s Grille 4. GrillSmith 5. Mulligan’s Irish Pub 6. City Grill 7. OTB Café 8. Five Guys Burgers & Fries 9. Wolf’s Den 10. (Tie) Peabody’s & Red Robin

Your Favorite

Restaurants in NT &WC

in NT &WC

1. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

1. 900° Woodfired (Wiregrass)

2. Yamato Japanese Steakhouse 3. Bonsai Sushi 4. Koizi Endless Hibachi Grill 5. Sushi Café 6. Asian Buffet 7. Hibachi Express 8. Sukhothai 9. Sushi Ko 10. Takara Sushi & Sake Lounge

LADIES NIGHTS Monday & Thursday Only

3 MARGARITAS

12oz Lime Only

Not valid with any other coupons or specials.

TACOS

2. Amici Pizza 3. Best NY Pizza 4. NY NY Pizza 5. Woodfired Pizza (Bearss Ave.) 6. Cappy’s Pizza 7. La Prima Pizza 8. PizzaMania 9. Taste of NY Pizza 10. Ciccio’s Cali

1. Vallarta’s Wesley Chapel 2. Latin Twist Café 3. Vallarta’s Tampa Palms 4. Café Olé 5. Casa Ramos 6. Las Palmas Café 7. Don Pan International Bakery 8. 100 Montaditos 9. Cantina Laredo 10. Dine or Dash (OOB)

1. PrimeBar

2. The Brass Tap 3. GrillSmith 4. Peabody’s Billiards & Games 5. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 6. Ciccio Cali 7. CineBistro 8. Mulligan’s Irish Pub 9. Acropolis 10. City Grill & Stage Left

Monday - Thursday Only

4 SPEEDY LUNCH $5 SPEEDY DINNER

Taco, Enchiladas & Choice of Rice or Beans.

Tuesday & Wednesday

Dine in only. Wesley Chapel location only. Not valid with any other coupons or specials.

ALL DAY

Not valid with any other coupons or specials. Dine in only. Wesley Chapel location only. Valid Tues. & Wed. only.

VIP DISCOUNT CARD Receive $5 OFF w/any check over $25

Not valid with any other coupons or specials. Dine in only. Wesley Chapel location only. Valid Sunday - Thursday only.

5335 Village Market (BBD @ SR 54)

813-907-5161

VallartasTampa.com 32

NOW OPEN IN TAMPA PALMS!

16023 Tampa Palms Blvd W. City Plaza

978-3761

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015• WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Your Favorite

Restaurants in NT &WC

in NT &WC

Restaurants in NT &WC

1. The Hungry Greek

2. Acropolis Greek Taverna 3. Little Greek Restaurant 4. Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill 5. Kabob House (OOB) 6. Pita’s Republic 7. Chick & Peas Grill 8. Petra Mediterranean Express No other restaurants received enough votes to make this list.

1. Publix

2. Don Pan International Bakery 3. Panera Bread 4. Dunkin Donuts 5. Ms. Jane’s Cupcakes 6. Stonemill Artisan Bakery & Café 7. Le Macaron 8. Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt 9. Bagelicious & More 10. (Tie) OTB Café & Starbucks

1. Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt 2. Dairy Queen 3. Twistee Treat 4. Coldstone Creamery 5. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 6. Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor 7. 365 Caffe Italiano 8. Baskin Robbins 9. Frogury 10. Dolcé Crepes & Gelato Cafe

Your Favorite

Restaurants in NT &WC

1. Olive Garden

1. Panera Bread

2. The Hungry Greek 3. First Watch 4. OTB Café 5. GrillSmith 6. Ciccio Cali 7. Vallarta’s (WC Village Mkt) 8. Pincher’s Crab Shack 9. Wolf’s Den 10. (Tie) Chipotle, Koizi & PDQ

2. Amici Pizza 3. PizzaMania 4. GrillSmith 5. Biagio’s II Pizza & Pasto 6. Best NY Pizza 7. La Prima Pizza 8. Bonefish Grill 9. Ciccio Cali 10. (Tie) NY NY & 900° Woodfired

In NT &WC

1. Stonewood Grill & Bar 2. Pinchers Crab Shack 3. GrillSmith 4. Bonefish Grill 5. Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt 6. Vallarta’s 7. OTB Café 8. First Watch 9. PrimeBar 10. Wolf’s Den

OK, So Who Won?

1. Bonefish Grill

2. Chili’s Grill & Bar 3. Pinchers Crab Shack 4. Chick-fil-A 5. Applebees 6. Outback Steak House 7. PDQ 8. GrillSmith 9. Red Robin 10. Texas Roadhouse

Of course, we always save the best news for last when we can, so here is our list of big winners for this year: Grand Prize - A FREE Carnival Cruise for Two — Sheila Cavender, Tampa Palms $200 Gift Card (to any restaurant in the Tampa Bay area) - Andria Roscart, Lexington Oaks $100 Gift Card - Ramara Shackleford, Heritage Isles $50 Gift Card - Shelly Jacobs, Citrus Park Free Wifi Cable TV

Hibachi Japanese Express

With Coupon Only. Not to be combined with any other oﬀers. Exp. 1/15/16

With coupon ONLY • Exp. 1/15/16

5315 Village Market Dr. @ S.R. 54 Village Market Shopping Center Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Mon -Thurs: 10:30am-9:30pm Fri & Sat: 10:30am-10:30pm Sunday: 11:30am-9:30pm

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Shopping, Retail & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Shhh! It’s The Neighborhood News Anniversary Party!!!

Whether you like to sing, dance, enjoy delicious food or sip some great wine or even whiskey, the first thing you should do when you finish reading this column is go to WCNeighborhoodNews.com and be one of the first 50 readers to register to attend the VIP “Speakeasy’ event before our two-year anniversary party at our office on Thursday, January 14, 2016. When your registration is accepted, you’ll receive an email telling you the time the VIP event starts and the evening’s password to get in. The food and fun continue when we open the doors to everyone at 7 p.m. that evening, but to sample gourmet treats from The Private Chef of Tampa Peter Gambacorta himself (PrivateChefTampa.com), plus wine tastings of the same bottles of wine (there’s six different kinds) we gave as custom-printed gifts from our friends at Time for Wine (TimeforWine.net) this holiday season, as well as free whiskey and vodka tastings, karaoke by my buddy Gary Carmichael (HeartandSoulKaraoke.com), plus free drawings for great dining and other prizes, visit WCNeighborhoodNews.com and get registered today!

Andrew Krance, ‘Living Master Of Fine Arts’

If you’re looking for a great piece of original art (like the cool fish creation, above) to give as a holiday gift, or you want to commission a living Master of Fine Arts to create something unique just for you, you should visit my friend Andrew Krance’s website, KranceContemporaryPaintings.com, to check out the work of a prolific “true artiste” who channels everyone from Van Gogh to Picasso and much more. If you ever visited Andrew’s Wesley Chapel residence, as I did recently, you’d realize just how much beautiful work the guy churns out and I’m betting you’ll find something you like, whether to give as a gift to someone you love or for your own home or office. Although we’d never met until he start-

ed hanging out (and adorning the walls with his work) at City Grill (see below), Krance spent a lot of time in “Lawn Guyland, New Yawk” and the Big Apple itself around the same time I lived in those areas, and there was something familiar about him and his work when we met. I think you’ll feel the same if you meet and commission him to create something impressive for you. For more information, call 9940008, or see the ad on pg. 6 of this issue.

City Grill Hires New Chef

Just one of the ongoing issues I have with the local TV news is that whenever a local station airs a so-called “Dirty Dining” segment, they always tell you about how the Board of Health shut down a place — but even if the closing was only for a single day, and the owner of the restaurant resolved whatever the issues were to the satisfaction of the same agency that shut it down — you almost never seem to see a follow-up story by the same station saying that the issues were resolved. As the owner and editor of the primary source of news and dining information for New Tampa and Wesley Chapel since 1994, I have always tried to promote local busi-

nesses, especially momand-pop restaurants like City Grill (located at 5429 Wesley Chapel Village Market). But sometimes, those restaurants, even if they were great at one time, can stray from what made them popular in the first place. In those cases, whether those restaurants do business with me or not, I feel it’s better for me to have a heart-to-heart with the restaurant’s owner than it is to tell 100,000+ of my closest friends (readers). I therefore just wanted to say, on behalf of City Grill owner Eth (he goes by Eric) Thueltrouve, that his “Sports Bar with the (authentic) French Twist” has a great new chef and that both he and Chef Ross invite anyone who has a concern to inspect the kitchen (as I did recently) at City Grill and enjoy a great meal, as well as Wesley Chapel’s best lineup of nightly entertainment. For more info, see the ad on page 38 of this issue, call 973-9988 or visit Facebook.com/CityGrillWesleyChapel.

A Frenetic Week For The Wesley Chapel Chamber!

I love it when my friends at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) have a week where almost every WCCC event involves an advertiser of ours. Such was the case beginning Dec. 1, when the WCCC cut a ribbon with my buddies Brian and Isabelle Dunleavy at Stage Left Kitchen & Bar (24400 S.R. 54, Lutz; photo above; look for a full-length feature on Stage Left’s new menu in our Jan. issue); followed by a ribbon cutting at Florida Pain Medicine (see photo 1 on next pg. or the ad on pg. 18) on Dec. 2; an Open House & live Botox demonstration at Generations OBGYN (GenerationsOBG.com; photo #2 on next pg.) on Dec. 3; a ribbon cutting at the new Johnny Rockets at the Tampa Premium Outlets mall (Johnny-

Rockets.com; photo #3) on Dec. 5; and a free holiday mixer with our friends at the Legacy at Highwoods Preserve Assisted Living Facility in New Tampa (see photo #4 or the ad on pg. 9) on Dec. 10. The Chamber also will cut a ribbon at Spa Moritz (see pg. 29) in Tampa Palms on Wed., Jan. 6, and celebrate the new year at Spinner Law (2418 Cypress Glen Dr.) on Wed., Jan. 13. For more complete event info, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Señor T’s Opens!

Just to update our item in the last issue, I was officially the only member of the local media to attend the Nov. 27 Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at Señor T’s Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar, located at 17641 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the location previously occupied by Macaroni Grill, right next to Chili’s. My Facebook post about it quickly grabbed the attention of about 4,000 people, and I believe way more locals are going to be talking about — and sampling — it soon. I loved the only mahi-mahi fajitas served in our area and what may have been the best mahi I have had in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel (including at Bonefish!). Plus, I already love the whole look and feel (much brighter and more welcoming than the old Mac Grill) and (go figure) the 75 tequilas, separate tequila “lounge” and the other upscale alcohol and beers at the place, all without...let’s call them “mall prices.” For more info about Señor T’s, call 972-4800 or visit SenorTsMexGrill.com.

$12.99 OIL CHANGE SPECIAL

Oil Changes are up to 5 quarts of oil and filter (most cars). Includes our 14 point inspections and a FREE Car Wash. You must present coupon at time of service. May not be combined with any other. This coupon is NOT valid at our Lutz and New Tampa Location.

WASH open 7 days 8am-7pm LUBE open M-Sa 8am-6pm & Sun 10am-4pm

20306 Trout Creek Drive • Tampa, FL 33647 • 813-973-0033 (Next to Wharton High School)

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

$r3wash

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

1708 BRUCE B DOWNS BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33543

(813) 994-6734

DONPANWC@VERIZON.NET

BAKERY • DELI • CAFÉ

2 3

Cantina Now Open On Cross Creek Blvd.!

I’m also already a little bit of a fan of the steak fajitas and of my overall experience so far at another new south-of-the-border eatery, Cantina (10032 Cross Creek Blvd.), the Mexican place which recently replaced a Mexican place (the old La Fuente) in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Kinnan St.(behind the Shell gas station and Domino’s).For more info about Cantina Mexican Restaurant, call 406-4856.—GN

• Sicilian-Style Pizza • Calzones • Grindas • Pastas • Burgers • Sandwiches • Salads • And More! Check our our Lil’ Goombas Menu, too!

DONPANWC

“Homemade, Authentic Italian Food Like Mama Used to Make!”

PURCHASE 20% OFF ANY (Please present to cashier) Expires 3/31/16

We serve the best cannolis in town!

• Dine-in • Take-out

Let Us Cater Your Holiday Party

Big or Small!

24436 SR 54, Lutz | 813-909-2122 | littleitalyfamilyrestaurant.com Open Tuesday-Saturday for Lunch & Dinner at Noon

(813) 428-5991 www.blissfacialspa.com

3750 Maryweather Lane Wesley Chapel. FL 33544

Make your holidays brighter with the HydraFacial MD and Teeth Whitening. Purchase an Elite or Anti-aging HydraFacial and receive a FREE Teeth Whitening ($99 value). Dazzle your holiday guests and celebrate the new year with glowing radiant skin and a bright white smile. Last few days of our gift card promo!

Buy $50, Get $10 FREE

Buy $150 and EITHER get $30 FREE OR a Teeth Whitening Certificate ($99 value)

Gift card promo ends 12/24/15. Free teeth whitening with a HydraFacial ends 1/31/15. Cannot be combined with any other offer or purchased with a gift card.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL HELP WANTED HANAQ PRANA YOGA STUDIO, located in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, is looking for RYT Yogis who want to grow and teach our community the vast benefits of Yoga & Meditation. Flat fee plus percentage of attendance. Rates based upon experience, new RYTs are always welcome. Join the movement create conscious about the real Yoga LifeStyle. (813) 333-1026 MEDICAL BILLER Spanish-speaking Medical Biller wanted for New Tampa Medical Equipment Company. Duties: Gathers billing information by reviewing patient records; checking for completeness. Bills insurance carrier by inputting billing info to database; initiating electronic transmissions. Resolves disputed claims by gathering, verifying & providing additional information; following up on claims. Resolves discrepancies by examining and evaluating data; selecting corrective steps. Skills/Qualifications: Data Entry Skills, Microsoft Office Proficiency, Time Management, Organization, Professionalism, Customer service and Attention to Detail. Send resume to Richard.Jones@solarusmedical.com. NOW HIRING STYLIST Upscale hair salon seeks hairstylist. Please inquire within... 6431 Country Line Road, Suite 107, Tampa, FL 33647 Contact (813) 994-9455 PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT) An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. PIZZAMAKERS & LINE/PREP COOKS WANTED (exp’d. preferred) at New Tampa’s favorite authentic Chicago-style pizza place. Bring Resume during business hours to Full Circle Chicago Pizza at 19651 BBD Blvd. (in the Pebble Creek Collection). PROTENTIAL SPORTS is looking for part time youth sports coaches as well as part time vehicle drivers. Flexible schedules available. Please call 813-843-9460 for more information. PEST CONTROL TECHNICIAN needed. Must have clean driving record, no criminal record and be able to lift 50lbs. Call VIP Pest Control at 813234-8888 for details. ROUTE SALES, MEDICAL Fills customer orders by driving to customer accounts within Florida; unloading and shelving product, inventory verification, order retrieval. Increase sales volume by providing customer service and suggestive selling techniques. Fills order by verifying inventory; loading vehicle. Monthly overnight travel requirement 2 nights a month. Retrieves damaged/defective products from customer locations; keeps vehicle operating by following operating instructions; scheduling maintenance and repairs. Send resumes to: richard.jones@solarusmedical.com

Classifieds

HELP WANTED WING ZONE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONS Including shift leader, cooks, cashiers and delivery drivers. Wing Zone offers ﬂexible scheduling, competitive pay wages, advancement opportunities and much more. Come join out team of ﬂavorholics and wing lovers at Wing Zone. Applications available at store location: 19062 Bruce B Downs. Corner of Cross Creek in the New Tampa Center.

PET SERVICES

CAT SITTING Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, & Red-Cross certiﬁed in pet ﬁrst aid/CPR. You can submit a service inquiry at TampaCatLady.com or call 813-994-9449.

CLEANING SERVICES B CLEANING SERVICES: Over fourteen years experience! Commercial & residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies and more than 300 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 758-9710. FULL FORCE HOME CLEANING Providing full service residential cleaning. We bring are own equipment and supplies. Weekly, biweekly, monthly and one-time cleaning schedules offered. References available. Affordable rates. We are Cleaning you can trust! (813) 297-6116 POWER HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES - Offering Residential cleaning for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly & occasional. Services available: one time, deep cleaning, move in/move outs, Real Estate, Holiday and Event cleaning. Owner Operator with Personal Care! Personal Touch! Licensed and Insured. Try Power House Cleaning Services - you will be powerfully pleased! For scheduling or a free in home estimate, call (813) 356-8287 or e-mail phcservices1@gmail.com. M & Y CLEANING SERVICES Residential & Commercial cleaning. Complete cleaning: Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms and more. Weekly, Biweekly, monthly, one time cleaning. References available. 8 years of cleaning experience. We clean your properties like our own. Call TODAY for a FREE estimate. Mila (813) 516-3554.

POOL SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer SpecialSpecial — — 50% off 1st yourtwo1st two months of Family service. Family 50% off your months of service. owned & operated. Years of Experience. &owned operated. 20+ Years20+ of Experience. Competitive Comrates! Same service techservice each week. weekly petitive rates! Same tech*Our each15-pt. week. *Our full service will keep your pool Referlooking a 15-pt. weekly full service willlooking keep great! your pool customer & get ONE MONTH FREE! Call Today (813) great! Refer a customer & get ONE MONTH FREE! 489-9967. Call Today - (813) 489-9967. TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE – New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! Call Chris Today @ (813)857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! ALL-STAR POOL SERVICE & REPAIR- Expert repairs and installations of pumps, motors, ﬁlters, timers, salt and ozone generators. Pool reﬁnishing from $2,400. Tile repair and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing, pressure washing and deck repair, paver and eurocote decks. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE MONTH Pool Service. Call or text 813-2447077. See our display ad.

ERRANDS

PERSONAL

SVCS

GET A RIDE Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You & Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or stranded. Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements? Ask about our HOA SPECIAL & FREE ESTIMATE! For more info, call (813) 420-4465. AMERICAN PRIDE LAWN CARE SERVICE, LLC Our services include weekly lawn maintenance with mulching decks on all mowers, precision edging, string trimming, hedge, shrub, palm, and tree trimming. We also offer landscaping, pruning, and sod replacement. Free estimates. Licensed and Insured. We are an Owner/Operator Company built on service and trust. References available. For more info, call (813) 458-4778. HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC: High-Quality Professional Services: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Year-Round Full-Svc LawnCare, starting at $75/month: mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional and personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. Call 813-215-1177 GREG’S PAPERHANGING For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed and insured, clean, quick and reasonable. Call 973-2767 for a free estimate. RAYMOND PAINTING Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References avail. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 994-5124. WEST COAST FLOORING, INC. Carpet and Laminate Flooring. Quality repairs on all floors. Commercial Flooring Install. Licensed and Insured. Free Estimate, Call (813)-215-4817 TAMPA HARDWOOD INSTALLERS We take pride in installing your new hardwood or laminate flooring. We can install any hardwood flooring you have purchased, or we can bring an assortment of flooring samples that best fit your flooring needs. Free estimates! Call 813-690-4789 or check us out on the web at www.TampaHardwoodInstallers.com. Licensed and Insured.

Not getting the calls you know your business deserves? Our Classified Ads are the ones your neighbors actually READ!

Call (813) 9102575 to order your Classified or Display Ad today!

Expires 12/31/15

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

EDUCATION / BABYSITTING GREAT HOPE PRESCHOOL We offer preschool for ages 6 weeks to 12 years. We accept the ELC - School Readiness program, offer FREE VPREK and offer multi child discounts. New owner and renovated classrooms. Now enrolling all age groups. Infants-Afterschool. Mention this ad and receive 1/2 off enrollment fees. TOUR TODAY!!! 30126 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, FL 813929-6276 or 813-323-8030. #CO6PA0267 I am looking for babysitting, petsitting, and housecleaning. Excellent references. CPR certiﬁed. Call 813-220-7030 or Email: hughjul5@ yahoo.com

COMPUTER / BUSINESS SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT — in your home or small business. A+, Certiﬁed computer tech with 20 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. Remote assistance available. References available upon request. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate. DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, installation, networking & virus removal. WE COME TO YOU! Servicing residences & businesses, w/ more than 25 years of exp. Contact Jeffrey Blank at (813) 973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or send an email to Wsica@wsica.com today!

TOPASH PAINTING, L.L.C. formerly Paul Topash & Son Painting

FREE ESTIMATES

THE NEAT & TIDY PROFESSIONAL Helping you preserve your largest asset...YOUR HOME 21 Years Experience • Interior/Exterior HUNDREDS OF HAPPY CUSTOMERS No Subcontractors • Owner/Operated Licensed, Bonded & Insured • References Available

Pasco LP-09362 • Hillsborough PA2854

Call K.T. Topash

(owner/painter)

813.780.2511

Home Team LAWN CARE, LLC

BASIC YEAR-ROUND MONTHLY LAWNCARE $75/MONTH!

NOW HIRING!

BI-MONTHLY, BUT AS NEEDED. WINTER SERVICE AND WEEKLY SUMMER SERVICE. Includes: mow, trim, edge, and blow.

FULL SERVICE LAWNCARE STARTING AT $250! MONTLY PRICING NATURALLY INCREASES WITH PROPERTY SIZE AND DIFFICULTY, AMOUNT OF TREES AND HEDGES, ECT. Includes: Above mentioned services plus hedges and low trees, sidewalk, driveway and mulch bed maitenance.

TREE CARE STARTING AT $75 AND UP PER SERVICE! For quickest quote text 813-817-9554 with full name, address, email and type of service desired. Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

10-Year-Old Saddlebrook Prep Student Publishes Book By Celeste McLaughlin

An imaginative 10-year-old fifth grader at Saddlebrook Preparatory Academy (located off S.R. 54 here in Wesley Chapel), Francisco Cobo is now a published author, with his children’s book available for purchase on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. Francisco didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived at Saddlebrook Prep from Mexico in August 2014. The school is home to about 100 students in grades 3 through 12 from all over the world who are participating in intense training in either golf or tennis, along with equally challenging academic studies. This school is located on the premises of Saddlebrook Resort Tampa. Francisco spends two hours a day practicing golf, but says he loves writing just as much as the sport. Deffs Adventures tells the tale of Deffs, a real-life hamster who is the class pet in Elaine Strausser’s classroom at the school. Deffs was named by Francisco and his classmates – the hamster’s name is an acronym that combines the four students’ first initials with an “S” for their teacher’s last name. Francisco worked with Strausser over several weeks to write, re-write, edit and add details to his book. He illustrated every page of the story himself, too. It began as an independent project in the classroom, but when it was complete, Chris Wester, the Prep School’s director of

curriculum, suggested it was good enough to be shared in print form, so Strausser found a publishing company that Francisco and his family could work with to self-publish the book. “It was fun to imagine,” says Francisco. “I wrote that Deffs hid in the candy bucket to go trick or treating with us and that he stayed at one of the kids’ houses over Christmas break.” Francisco Cobo poses with his book, Deffs Adventures, in front of For Francisco’s Saddlebrook Preparatory School, where he is a student. Christmas break, he won’t return home to Mexico. Instead, his parents will come to visit him and his 12-yearold sister, Fernanda, who is a tennis player and seventh grader at Saddlebrook Prep. “He’s very creative,” says Francisco’s guidance counselor, Sara Bassoumi, “It’s an outstanding achievement that he learned to speak English and published a book” in the short time he’s been at the school. “I like that now everyone will get to see the story,” says Fernando, whose book also is now on one of the shelves at the school’s library. Saddlebrook Prep recently hosted a book signing, honoring the author in front of his school family, and allowing Fernando to share his story and his achievement with his classmates. For more info about Saddlebrook Prep, visit SaddlebrookPrep.com or call 907-4300.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 26 • December 19, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews