New Tampa Issue 25-12 by Neighborhood News

Volume 20 Issue 25

Inside: Get A Taste Of Boston!

December 1, 2012

See page 50!

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

New Tampa Nature Park Opens, Showcasing Area’s Natural Beauty By Matt Wiley Away from the orange construction signs and hazy, dust-filled air that frequently inhabits the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. corridor during the stillongoing widening of New Tampa’s main thoroughfare, our area is full of wetlands, woodlands and wildlife. For that reason, a new park has opened that attaches to the existing Flatwoods Wilderness Park to further showcase the area’s natural beauty. According to a press release from the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department, the 122-acre New Tampa Nature Park officially opened on November 26, or a couple of days after we went to press with this issue. The new park, which connects directly to Hillsborough County’s Flatwoods Park trail system, is located at 17001 Dona Michelle Dr., south of Bruce B. Downs

(BBD) Blvd. and east of I-75. “The New Tampa Nature Park is a great, active park,” says City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “Children can explore nature and learn. The park also connects residents with miles of existing trails where they can walk, hike and bike safely. Our commitment to New Tampa is not just in roads and sewers, but it is embodied in our parks and playgrounds as well." The park includes a half-mile-long entrance road, parking for 22 cars and two buses, storm water control elements, an elevated boardwalk “nature walk” that crosses a wetland habitat, a shorter elevated “marsh walk,” picnic areas and a playground, which even includes a “zip-line.” The land for the project was acquired through assistance with the Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 program and the Hillsbor-

ough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP). Coordination between the City of Tampa and other regulatory and governmental agencies has taken place to conduct environmental management requirements, such as exotic species control and prescribed burns. This environmental management includes an adjacent 70-acre parcel owned by the South West Florida Water Management District, bringing the total area of the site to almost 200 acres. The release says that the general contractor for Phase I was QGS Development, Inc. The total cost of the Phase I improvements was $927,469, which was paid for through Community Investment Tax funding. For more information, please visit TampaGov.net and check out the “Parks & Recreation” page.

Cano Videos Offer Closer Look Into Suspect’s Troubled State Of Mind

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Human Remans Found In WC Identified, New Tampa Election Results, ‘Felony Lane Gang’ Members Busted, Lots Of Local Business Features & More!

A Look Back At ‘Dogtoberfest,’ Taste Of Boston’s Authentic New England Seafood, Another Fresh Portion Of ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes’ & Much More!

Pages 1-38

Pages 39-56

ECRWSS

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

key targets in the front office, but sparing one, whom he said he liked. Cano said the rest would just be a “free for all” in the parking lot where he would try to kill as many people as possible. In another video released by prosecutors, Cano smokes a bowl of marijuana and explains his desire to die, possibly with a fellow student, whom he also says he fears might “snitch” on him. The video goes black, before returning to a frame of Cano burning a newspaper and talking about surpassing the 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech. “Terror?,” he asks the camera as the paper burns. “You don’t even know terror until I run up in to (Freedom).” Cano is scheduled for sentencing on December 5.

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

this way?” he asks the camera. “There’s nothing I can do about it. There’s nothing anyone can do A screen shot from about it, except one of Jared Cano’s wait for it to Youtube.com videos. unleash.” He emphasized not to blame either of his parents for his actions before showing the camera how he, “imagines this is going to happen.” He pulled out a notebook and showed a drawing of the Freedom cafeteria, where he planned to place four bombs in each corner, timed to go off at 7:26 a.m., at which point he would have gone to the woods by the parking lot to retrieve his weapons stash and would be “advancing on the courtyard,” where he estimated he would kill about 60 people, before killing several

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As he waits to be sentenced in December, videos recently have been released of Jared Cano, filmed weeks before his arrest, and detailing his plans for staging a massacre at Freedom High, similar to the 1999 Columbine shooting in Littleton, CO. “For those of you retards who don’t know who I am, I’m the Freedom High School shooter,” Cano says, “Well, I will be in a couple of months.”

In the video released by prosecutors, Cano says that he made the video so people can see who he really is and so that the “government” can’t just tell everyone that he’s “some loony nut.” Cano is accused of attempting to detonate explosive devices at Freedom High on the first day of the 2011-12 school year. A friend of Cano’s reported him to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), who arrested the wouldbe bomber before the event took place. “Can you blame me for feeling

Dated Material Please Rush!

By Matt Wiley

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Black Friday’ Starting Thanksgiving Day & Other Black Eyes An editorial by Gary Nager As I sat back and started to watch the New England Patriots dismantle the New York Jets at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, I felt a shudder inside me as I thought of all those people who already had been on line for eight, 12, 28 hours (and more) in order to grab the biggest bargains for “PreBlack-Friday,” which started for some retailers (and, of course, their least senior employees and their families) at the same time as the kickoff of the final NFL Game on Thanksgiving Day — which I believe is the first time that Black Friday has started on Thanksgiving Thursday. The thing is...I do get it. “Stuff” is expensive these days. But, despite the stampedes and actual trampling of people of previous “Black Fridays,” which at least still started on...um....Friday, Wal-Mart, Target and many other major retailers still decided that getting masses of people to wait on line even earlier on this uniquely American holiday was a really good idea. I also understand that Thanksgiving isn’t a religious holiday, but for most blue collar and even upper middle class working people, it’s one of precious few additional days off from work to be with their families and/or friends that isn’t a Monday. I can understand how Black Friday became a holiday tradition — there aren’t any NFL and precious few college games on the Friday after Turkey Day — but, in one man’s opinion, “Black Thursday” is a real turkey (sorry, but a really bad idea deserves a really bad pun). Here’s the only way I can see Black Thursday working for anyone — and even

New Tampa Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Adv. E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondent Camille Gillies Advertising Customer Service Manager Nikki Bennett Marketing Director Ashley Knoblach Senior Graphic Designer Porsha Lamos Advertising Sales Rep Taylor Gardner Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 21, Issue 1, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, December 17, 2012. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2012 JM2 Communications, Inc.

in this scenario, I don’t see how “sleeping out” works for anyone making more than $40,000 or $50,000 a year...at all. Let’s say, for whatever reason, that you can’t be with your family for T-Day anyway and you’re lucky enough to “only” wait on line for 12 hours to save an extra $300 off that 55-inch flat-screen TV. If you make $15 an hour, you got to save $120 more than what your time was worth if you were working, instead of standing or sitting on a line for the same period of time. But, what if once you get inside, the item you waited all that time for was already sold out because some “evil genius” figured out how to gather the “tickets” the retailers give out in order to prevent future stampedes and re-sell the chances to buy those big-ticket Black Friday electronics discounts to now-evenmore desperate shoppers for $30-$50 each? Are you just as happy now that your “profit” on the item is only $70-$90? I have an idea for these “big box” retailers — many of whom recently claimed they, of all companies in the U.S., can’t afford to pay their fair share of health insurance costs for their full-time employees, so they are converting thousands of employees each to part-time to avoid having to pay for them. Instead of making those low-level employees who need their jobs so badly that they have no choice but to come in to work — whether they have families they’re leaving behind on Thanksgiving or not — how about making “Black Thursday” an on-line shopping holiday only? On-line ordering is available 24-7 for most of these retailers anyway — and wouldn’t that make it easier for everyone — retail employees and everyone else — to sit down with their family members and click their way to buying the items

they want and need most? And, if there’s a finite number of those items made available on Black Thursday, it would still give shoppers impetus to get out of the house for Black Friday. Wouldn’t it? I had to work Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, putting this publication to bed, but I did spend at least a little bit of time at both large retailers and at some of our wonderful local small businesses over the weekend and perhaps the best news for me all weekend were the crowds in the parking lots at not only the Shops at Wiregrass, but also at the Cross Creek Center and the Shoppes at Amberly. There’s no doubt the economy is still a problem...still isn’t where any of us wants it to be...but I definitely do see signs of an uptick here.

Saying Goodbye To The ‘Macho Man’ The other sad thing that happened for me on Thanksgiving this year was the passing of boxing great Hector “Macho” Camacho, a few days after he was shot in the face and shoulder in Puerto Rico. Camacho, known for his uncanny hand and foot speed and surprising power, was one of the best known, most flamboyant of all boxing stars, during the second “Golden Era” of the sport which began with the birth of ESPN and HBO in the late 1970s. Camacho won world titles in seven

weight classes between 1983 and 2011in a career that saw him twice beat the great Roberto Duran and then end the career of the great Sugar Ray Leonard. I met the Macho Man in 1984, when I was the 25-year-old assistant editor of The Ring boxing magazine and he already had won his first world boxing championship at age 21. Camacho was the big “hit” of the day when he showed up for the “Writers vs. The Fighters” softball game with his signature license-plate-sized “Macho” gold chain (photo) and wearing a loin cloth bathing suit. He proudly proclaimed that, “All the women love me” as he took his turn at bat and told me that it didn’t matter if he got a hit before swatting a line drive to left because, “I’m all business in the ring, but I’m just having fun here today.” Like many pro boxers before him and since, Hector Camacho had some legal issues after his career ended, but he was, pound-for-pound, one of the best fighters of all time and one of the most renowned figures in sports history. RIP.

Table of Contents

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES....................Pages 1-42 ‘Felony Lane Gang’ Members Arrested In New Tampa..............6 Human Remains Identified As Missing WC Woman..................8

New Tampa News Briefs..................................10 Publix Recalls Bakery Items Serious Accident Closes County Line Rd. New Signage Appears On BBD New Tampa Election Results ......................................................12 Fields At Wiregrass Deal Gets Go-Ahead From Pasco...............15

New Tampa Community Calendar...............16-17 New Tampa Chamber Newsletter......................18

Local Business Updates...........................20-31 Visiting Angels: New Tampa’s Choice For Home Care...22 A & Boutique: High-Priced Dress For Less....................24 ‘A Better You’ Can Improve Your Mindset.....................26 Mar-Go Interiors Will Transform Your Home...........................30

Sports Updates........................................34-35 New Tampa High School Swimming Recap...................34 Wharton FB Eliminated After First Round......................35 Local “Ironman” Scores Impressive Finish.....................35

Neighborhood Magazine A Look Back At ‘Dogtoberfest’......................................39 American Ballet School Presents ‘The Nutcracker’..........42 NTP’s ‘Pippin’ Draws A Crowd......................................43 Barkdoll Massage Therapy: Mobile Massages..................44 Fisher House Golf Tourament A Success........................46 Baker’s Gallery: Great Cupcakes & Baking Supplies........48 ‘Taste Of Boston’: New England Seafood & More.........50 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes’........................52 Sweet Darling Quilts Has Great Holiday Gift Ideas!.......53

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS..............54

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Felony Lane Gang’ Members Busted After Burglaries Across New Tampa By Matt Wiley Several members of the infamous “Felony Lane Gang,” a group of car burglars responsible for crimes across the state, will finally understand the true meaning of their name after being arrested in New Tampa. According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), six members of the “Felony Lane Gang” were arrested on November 5, following a string of vehicle burglaries across the New Tampa area, from Tampa Palms Elementary north to Hunter’s Green Elementary, and finally ending with arrests at L.A. Fitness, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., near County Line Rd. The TPD release says that around 5:30 p.m., officers received a call about two auto burglaries at Tampa Palms Elementary (6100 Tampa Palms Blvd.). While investigating the first burglary, the report says, officers on the scene received another burglary call from Hunter’s Green Elementary (HGE), located six miles north in Hunter’s Green, off Cross Creek Blvd. The report says that after arriving at HGE, investigating officers were approached by two juvenile witnesses who described the vehicle driven by the burglars as a black Ford Flex. Recognizing the burglary pattern of the “Felony Lane Gang,” officers were dispatched to

(L. to r.) Thelma Erevia, Keith Taylor, Dwight Higgins, Jr., Christopher Pierre and Jorane Desilus.

LA Fitness, less than three miles away on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at County Line Rd., as a common thread of previous “Felony Lane” offenses targeted women who leave their purses in their cars while they are at the gym. According to numerous published reports, the “Felony Lane Gang” derives its name from its use of the furthest bank teller lane to use credit and debit cards stolen from purses in vehicles. Often, the group, which reportedly originated in Miami, will have the driver wear a wig to disguise themselves as one of the victims. A Google search for the “Felony Lane Gang” turns up results from across the country of similar crimes. Officers patrolled the LA Fitness parking lot and spotted a black Ford Flex, the report says. While conducting an investigatory stop, officers noticed the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The vehicle’s four occupants were detained and a purse from one of the reported auto burglaries was discovered. During an interview, officers

learned that the group also had a surveillance vehicle in the parking lot, which also was found and the occupants were detained. The suspects confessed to burglaries in multiple counties, including Hillsborough and Pasco. The suspects arrested include 37year-old Thelma Erevia, of Pompano Beach, who was booked at the Pasco County Detention Center in Land O’ Lakes after confessing to burglaries in Pasco and currently is being held on a $44,000 bond for eight counts of auto burglary and two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Also arrested were Keith Taylor, 26, of Ft. Lauderdale, who was released on a $16,250 bond for five counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, two counts of being in possession of burglary tools, one count of third degree grand theft, one count of petit theft and one count of habitually driving with a revoked license; Dwight Higgins, Jr., 18, of Lauderhill, FL, who was released on a $10,750 bond for five counts of burgla-

ry of an unoccupied conveyance, one count of third degree grand theft, one count of first degree petit theft and one count of petit theft; Christopher O. Pierre, 23, of Ft. Lauderdale, who was released on the same bond for the same crimes as Higgins; and Jorane Desilus, 18, of Deerfield Beach, who was released on a $10,500 bond for five counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, one count of third degree grand theft and one count of petit theft. Also arrested was Aleshia M. Tucker, 18, although no further info was available about Tucker at our press time. TPD offers several tips to avoid auto burglaries. First and foremost, lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight. Second, lock your doors when pumping gas — “Felony Lane” members have been known to sneak into cars while drivers are pumping gas. Third, be careful in daycare parking lots. Thieves know that moms have their hands full with kids and diaper bags and sometimes leave their purses in their cars. The same goes for gyms. If a thief sees a woman walking into a gym without a purse, they assume that the purse was left in the car. TPD recommends that “if something doesn’t seem right,” call the non-emergency police line at 2316130. Many times, citizens’ hunches are correct.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Human Remains Identified In Wesley Chapel The human remains found in a wooded area of Wesley Chapel have been identified as those of Linda Losacano, a Wesley Chapel woman who has been missing since May. During a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) press conference on November 19, Sheriff Chris Nocco announced that Losacano had finally been found and that her next of kin had been notified. “It’s not over yet,” said Nocco. “We can confirm that we have her, and she will be given a proper burial. But, at the same time, we do not (yet) know how she died. That’s still part of the investigation.” Nocco says that Timothy Dean Arnold, Losacano’s long-time boyfriend, is the lead suspect, although he, too, is deceased. Arnold committed suicide as the PCSO SWAT Team entered the couple’s Raven Brook Rd. home in Quail Hollow on May 6, over concern for the well-being of Losacano’s 5-yearold daughter, after the woman was reported missing. “I want to applaud the deputies of the Pasco Sheriff’s office,” said

Nocco. “If it wasn’t for their heroic actions on May 6, a little girl who is now living in New Hampshire may not be alive.” Det. Daniel Toner said that deputies searched Linda Losacano for Losacano extensively, using data banks and records, as well as a land search of the entire Wesley Chapel area, using mounted deputies and ATVs. Two hunters discovered Losacano’s skeletal remains on November 15 in a wooded area across from Wesley Chapel Mini Storage, located at 26504 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54). Toner said that partial dentures found at Losacano’s home contributed to establishing her identity. Her cause of death will be determined over the next several weeks. Additional specifics about the case, including possible motives, were not given, due to it still being an ongoing investigation. — MW

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA Publix Recalls Bakery Items Have a cake you’re already saving for the holidays? If so, and it’s from the Tampa Palms or any of the other New Tampa Publix supermakets, it potentially could be one of numerous products the grocery chain has recalled due to the suspicion of infection by a bacteria that could cause health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on November 15 that Publix was voluntarily recalling 45 different bakery products — most are variations of a 7” layer cake — that could have been infected with a bacterium known as Listeria monocytogenes, and were on the shelves from November 11-15. The bacteria can cause serious health issues for the elderly, as well as for children, those already suffering from immune system deficiencies and especially pregnant women, who could experience miscarriages and stillbirths, if infected. “While the product is no longer available on store shelves, we have issued a voluntary recall because of our commitment to food safety and to

News Briefs advise our customers who may still have this product at home,” says Publix media and communications director Maria Brous. “No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the seven-inch chocolate layer cake used to make these desserts.” The recall was issued for 21 counties across the state, including Hillsborough and Pasco. Customers who purchased any of the products can get a full refund by returning the product to the store at which it was purchased. For more information, please call the Publix Customer Care Center at (800) 242-1227, or visit Publix.com. A link to the full list of the recalled products is available at NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

Crash Closes Part Of County Line Rd. It’s not often that a crash is so serious that three medical helicopters are called in to transport victims. Three people were flown to local hospitals, however, following an accident that closed part of County Line Rd. on November 13. According to Tampa Fire Rescue

(TFR), at around 6:30 p.m., a collision occurred involving multiple vehicles, including a sport utility vehicle and an unidentified car. The driver of the car was ejected from the vehicle, TFR reports. The car’s driver and passenger, as well as the driver of the SUV, were taken to local hospitals via emergency helicopters. Unfortunately, no further details were available at our press time, and the accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

The widening may not be done yet, but new signage is already making it easier for drivers to find their way on BBD. also will bring other benefits to drivers, including the new signage and Dynamic Message Sign (DMS), which will alert drivers to conditions on the interstate ahead of entering the onramp. — MW

New Signage Along BBD They’re popping up all along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and they’re helping drivers get to where they need to go. As part of the widening of BBD, additional road signs are being erected to alert drivers of major intersections or the entrance to large communities that may be approaching, such as before Hunter’s Green Dr. and Cross Creek Blvd. The completion of the BBDwidening project between Pebble Creek Dr. and I-75 is currently expected to be done by the end of the year, with the remaining stretch of that section to Palm Springs Blvd. eyeing an April 2013 completion. In addition to bringing more lanes of traffic in each direction, the project

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Voter Turnout High; Danish Narrowly Defeats Harrison By Matt Wiley After months of campaigning and billions of dollars spent on political advertising, the nation’s votes are in and U.S. President Barack Obama has won reelection, as have local candidates here in Hillsborough County. Closer to home, one New Tampa resident will replace another, following a tight race for the new District 63 Florida House seat. Despite early rain showers and a large volume of early voting and absentee ballot participation, long lines still formed at voting precincts across the New Tampa area on November 6 for the 2012 general election, which decided which candidate would become the President of the United States, as well as who would represent the New Tampa area in U.S. Congress, and a number of local governmental positions. “The line filled the lobby for about four hours this morning,” said Sheryl Henley, clerk of precinct 359, located at the New Tampa Recreation Center on Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms. “It’s been steady all day. We’ve had about 1,000 voters

since this morning as of 4 p.m.” Henley said that about 49-percent of Precinct 359 voted either early or by mail, which helped keep the line almost non-existent after the morning rush thinned out. The scene was the same across New Tampa’s voting precincts during the afternoon, as voters could just walk into their precinct and vote, even at the New Tampa Family YMCA, said Ed Harris, a field representative for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office, overseeing precincts 355-359. He said that early voting turnout was strong in the area leading up to Election Day. As the sun began to set at 5 p.m., the only line at the normally bustling New Tampa Regional Library was a group of “electioneers” out on Cross Creek Blvd., waving signs for their favorite candidates.

Danish Upsets Harrison One of the biggest changes our area will see following this election is the face that will represent our area in the Florida House of Representatives. After two years of service, Democratic opponent and fellow New Tampa resi-

dent Mark Danish has unseated Dist. 63 (formerly District 60) Rep. Shawn Harrison (RNew Tampa). Danish won by a narrow margin, earning “Electioneers” hold signs outside the New Tampa Regional 50.55 perLibrary as the sun set on Election Day 2012. cent of the County’s also as a communications hub for vote to Rep. Harrison’s 49.45 perpeople in the community to find jobs. cent. However, Danish’s won New “I wish Mr. Danish well,” says Tampa’s vote by a somewhat larger Harrison. “I look forward to his repmargin of 49 percent to Harrison’s 44 resentation in Tallahassee.” percent. “I’m very humbled by the comTallying The Votes munity’s response,” Danish says. “I According to the Florida Division attribute the victory to all of the volof Elections (FDOE) office, only unteers who helped (me) with this three of the eleven proposed amendcampaign.” ments to Florida’s constitution Danish is currently getting settled received the 60-percent needed for in Tallahassee while searching for a approval. Those that passed were: local office location that, he says, will Amendment 2 (property tax exempserve not only as a District office, but tion for wounded veterans), Amend-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

won with 56 percent of the vote to Gov. Romney’s 44 percent. Joining President Obama in Washington, DC, will again be C.W. “Bill” Nelson (D-Orlando) — who won reelection in the U.S. Senate over Republican opponent Connie Mack with 58-percent of the county’s vote and Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm Harbor), who also won reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 63 percent of the county’s vote over Democrat Jonathon Snow. Meanwhile, only three of the eleven proposed amendments to Florida’s constitution received the 60-

percent “Yes” votes needed for approval. Those that passed were: Amendment 2 (property tax exemption for wounded veterans), Amendment 9 (property tax exemption for surviving spouses of military members or first responders) and Amendment 11 (property tax exemption for lowincome seniors who have held the same residence for 25 years or more). In the local races, the new Hillsborough County supervisor of elections will be Democrat Craig Latimer, who grabbed 56 percent of the County’s vote and 53 percent of New Tampa’s ballots over Republican Rich

Glorioso. After a close race, the newly elected Hillsborough property appraiser will be Democrat Bob Henriquez with 52 percent of the County’s vote and 51 percent of New Tampa’s vote, over Republican opponent Rhonda Storms, who received 43 percent of the County’s vote and only 37 per-

cent in New Tampa. Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee, a Republican, ran unopposed and received 97 percent of the County’s vote for reelection against write-in candidates. Congratulations to all of the winners and everyone that exercised their right to vote!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 25 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Fields At Wiregrass’ Deal Reached By Matt Wiley “If you build it, they will come.” At least, that is the hope of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Porter family, who have finally reached an agreement for the “Fields at Wiregrass,” a multi-use sports complex that is to be constructed along S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. During the BOCC meeting on Nov. 7, the Board, Pasco administrator John Gallagher and the Porter family came to a final agreement on the project before it fell apart. In the original deal, county officials agreed to pay for the $14-million sports complex using nearly all of Pasco’s tourism funds. In exchange, the Porter family agreed to donate 46 acres of land in Wiregrass Ranch, build the facility, as well as operate it. Since that original proposal, however, negotiations regarding operations and revenue brought the project to a standstill. The Porters no longer wished to build or operate the facility, but would still donate the land, as well as 100,000 cubic yards of “fill dirt” for the project, as long as

the county would take over construction and operation costs, and include “Wiregrass” in the complex’s name. Despite some disagreement during the meeting, the Board approved the project by a 4-1 vote, although District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano was not convinced. “I think this deal is significantly changed, and I’m not comfortable spending (so much of) the tourism funds on the project,” he said during the meeting. “We keep taking step back after step back.” However, his fellow Commissioners did not share Mariano’s opposition to the project. “It’s important that we move ahead (with the project),” said District 2 commissioner Pat Mulieri. “Wesley Chapel is an economic engine. There may be some hiccups along the way, but that’s a lot of property (that the Porters are donating).” The rest of the project will be Pasco’s responsibility, as the county will have to find a builder for the park and a company to operate it. If this can’t be done within 24 months, under the agreement, the land will be used as a district park.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

MOMS Club New Tampa

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

Impact Fitness Customer Appreciation Day

Saturday, December 1, noon Impact Fitness (20737 Center Oak Blvd., Seven Oaks) is hosting a FREE customer appreciation day featuring a dunk tank, obstacle course and catered food from the Texas Roadhouse on S.R. 56. The event is open to the public. For more info, call Daniel at (573) 220-7311.

‘WeWork’ At Lifepoint

Monday, December 3, 7 p.m. “WeWork,” which meets Mondays at Lifepoint Church (on BBD, in front of Hunter’s Green), is designed to help you search for jobs, improve interview skills, write a resume, negotiate a job offer, improve your attitude, develop networking skills or discover your gifts. For more info, call 907-9818, or visit LifePoint.tv/WeWork.

New Tampa Tri Club

Tuesday, December 4, 7:30 a.m. A new local club has formed for the fitness-minded. Membership is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. All members receive club benefits, including a training schedule, group support, seminars and socials. The club hosts group bike rides/runs at the Morris Bridge Rd. entrance to Flatwoods Wilderness Park every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m., and a group run from Kona Multisport (previously, the “Ironman Store,” in the same plaza as Sweetbay & LA Fitness at BBD/County Line Rd.), at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays. For more information, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampa TriClub@gmail.com.

BNI Millionaire Makers

Wednesday, December 5, 7:15 a.m. - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets every Wednesday morning at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd.). The $13 meeting fee includes a hot breakfast. Contact Lisa Jordan at 621-6015 for details.

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, December 5, 7:30 a.m. - BNI, a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their respective businesses grow through qualified

referrals, meets every Wednesday morning at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, December 5, noon The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wed. for lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). Guests are always welcome.

New Tampa Eve. Rotary

Wednesday, December 5, 6:15 p.m. - The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at Hunter’s Green Country Club. New members are always welcome. For info, call Liz DeAmbrose at 956-6487 or email homenet@gte.net.

Tampa Toastmasters

Wednesday, December 5, 7 p.m. Great speeches & great topics. Come hone your public speaking skills. Tampa Toastmasters meets every Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) New guests always welcome. For more info, call 428-6356.

Free ESL Classes

Thursday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. - A FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) class is meeting at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) on Thursday mornings. Activities for school-aged children also are provided during these classes, which are taught by a native English

speaker using several ESL and Bible study resources. There is no charge to attend. The classes also discuss American culture and English idioms and slang. Come practice your conversational English and make new friends in a fun and relaxed environment! For more information, call the church office at 973-2484.

Food Addicts In Recovery

Thursday, December 6, 7 p.m. Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Are you underweight or overweight or obsessed with weight or dieting? You are not alone. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a support group without any dues, fees or weigh-ins and is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experiences and mutual support, are recovering from the disease of food addiction. FA meets at Florida Hospital Tampa (on BBD) in the Camelot A room. For more info, visit FoodAddicts. org or call Roz at 355-4197.

CBC Networking

Thursday, December 6, 7:45 p.m. - Come together with like-minded professionals at the Christian Business Connections (CBC) Networking group, which meets every Thursday at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (located at 5338 Primrose Lake Cir., near Freedom High/Liberty M.S. in Tampa Palms). Call Annete Faurote at 407-9225 for more information.

New Tampa Rotary Club

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Amer. Ballet School’s ‘Nutcracker’ Dec. 8-9! Saturday-Sunday, December 8-9 - Paula Nunez of Tampa City Ballet & America’s Ballet School in Tampa Palms is proud to present the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High (30651 Wells Rd.) on Saturday and at USF’s Theatre 1 on the USF Tampa campus. This is a professional production that combines the talents of America’s Ballet School with ballet dancers from the Tampa City Ballet and the USF Dance Department. For tickets, see page 42, call 5580800 or visit AmericasBallet.com. Friday, December 7, 7 a.m. - The New Tampa Rotary club meets at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). Lora M.A. Thompson will be speaking about a psychologist’s perspective of supporting cancer patients and their families. For more info, call Eric Longphee at 202-1105.

Northeast Tampa Women In Business Meeting

Thursday, December 13, 6 p.m. The Northeast Tampa Women in Business group meets the second Thursday of each month at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). This month’s speaker is Sydney Alexander, founder of Basic Black Collection, a dress boutique in the Shops at Wiregrass. For more information, visit

NETWIB.org or call 364-2174.

Breakfast With Santa

Saturday, December 15, 9 a.m. St. Mark the Evangelist Church is hosting its 5th annual Breakfast With Santa, with food provided by the Knights of Columbus Council #12956. There also will be a “Secret Santa Craft Sale.” All proceeds will benefit the St. Mark Youth Ministry Scholarship. Tickets cost $8 in advance, or $10 at the door. Call 907-7746 for more info.

Run With Pride 5K

Saturday, January 26, 8:30 a.m. Pride Elementary invites the public to take part in the school’s annual 5K run/walk. Entry prices vary from $12 for the “1-Mile Fun Run,” $25 for the 5K or $65 for families to compete in either or both events. Entry fee includes a t-shirt, breakfast and lots of fun! For info, please email Kim Francis at Kim.Francis@PridePTA.org.

I WILL Inspire 5K

Saturday, February 16 - The GFWC New Tampa Junior Women’s Club will host the 2nd annual I WILL Inspire 5K/One Mile Fun Run to benefit the I WILL Foundation and local military families. Once again, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is going to be the race headquarters as the course taking place through beautiful Telecom park. For more information or to regiister, visit IWillInspire.com or Active.com!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

2012-13 Board of Directors President-Regina Ramalheira

Board Members: VP-Neil Heird Treas-Karen Hilton Secy-John Lore

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

Non-Officers: Dr. Rachel Haviland Mark Lange Dr. Earl Meyer

Executive Assistant: Jayne Baker

Florida Hospital WC’s Wellness Center Highlighted At NT Chamber Lunch! At the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce networking lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club on November 13, Dominique Wakefield, the fitness and programs manager for the soon-to-open Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, gave a spirited talk entitled “Maintain, Don’t Gain.” Dominique let the lunch attendees know that, with the holidays approaching, it’s extremely important to increase your activity levels. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, there are 39 days many of us spend eating, drinking, sitting and partying. Dominique, who is difficult to photograph because she’s in constant motion herself, told the Chamber attendees that the key to maintaining your weight or even losing weight during this hectic time is motion. “Physical inactivity leads to 3.2 million deaths per year worldwide,” she said, citing World Health Organization stats. “We are experiencing an inactivity epidemic. Over 400,000 Americans a year die due to obesity-related illnesses. Physical fitness is the answer – the power of motion is the key to well being.” Dominique also said that you don’t have to be a runner to be physically fit. She noted that the state-of-the-art Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel will be a great new place to raise your activity levels when it opens on January 7 (all new members will receive a free fitness assessment). For more information about the

Dominique Wakefield of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel’s Wellness Center. Health & Wellness Center at the new Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, visit the Wellness Center Membership Sales Center in front of the hospital or call 929-5252 for a personal appointment.

More Chamber Board Bios: John Lore, Jr., Board Secy.

John Lore is a financial professional with Prudential Financial, Services, where his job is to protect his clients’ income and assets from being lost due to an untimely death or disability. He helps his clients send their kids to college and allows them to retire with dignity. John has lived in central Florida for the last twenty years and currently is a New Tampa resident. John graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and also holds a Mas-

ter’s degrees in Business Administration a& Entrepreneurship from the University of South Florida. In addition to serving on the Board of the New Tampa Chamber, John is John Lore, Jr. active in the New Tampa Noon Rotary and the Greater Tampa University of South Florida Alumni Association. John also is a member of BNI’s Direct to Success chapter which meets Tuesday mornings at Hunter’s Green Country Club. To reach financial professional John Lore, Jr., of Prudential Financial Services (3030 N Rocky Point Dr W., Suite 460, Tampa 33607), call 5204113 or email him at john.lore@prudential.com.

Earl Meyer, Ph.D. Board Member At Large

Earl Meyer, Ph.D., owns and operates MeyerTeam Business Coaching – a company that specializes in turning around underperforming businesses. His 35 years as a successful business manager, owner and educator give him a solid foundation for solving business problems, facilitating effective planning, and implementing change. Dr. Meyer’s B.A. in Marketing Education is from USF and his Master’s and Doctorate in Business and Technical Education are from Georgia State University in Atlanta. He also is a licensed business

coach and a certified “Guerrilla Marketing” coach. In the financial services industry, Earl twice received national Manager of the Year honors. As a food service franchisee, his operation Dr. Earl was ranked in the top 15 Meyer regionally. And, as a Business & Technology Education Professor, he received both Teaching Excellence and Outstanding Faculty awards. Clients’ comments can be found at MeyerTeam.biz. In addition, Earl is the author of McGraw–Hill’s Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management. For more info, call 541-3597 or email earl@meyerteam.biz.

To see our upcoming events, including our next Chamber luncheon, “Networking on the 9s” golf event & more, visit NewTampaChamber.org.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Visiting Angels Is New Tampa’s Choice In Home Care! By Camille Gillies Chances are you’ve seen or heard Visiting Angels’ upbeat commercials. If you have elderly parents or an aging loved one, chances are even better that you’ve paid attention to the ads. The savvy spots, featuring the catchy jingle, “Visiting Angels, America’s Choice in Home Care,” portray smiling caregivers visiting the homes of contented senior citizens, assisting them with a variety of tasks. The ad’s message rings clear: “There’s no place like home.” Home care services, such as Visiting Angels, provide a rapidly growing, aging U.S. population with an alternative to moving into a nursing home or retirement center, allowing seniors to maintain the independence of their daily routines in the comfort of their own homes. Christal Becton, owner and director of the Visiting Angels franchise that serves New Tampa and Hillsborough County, says she feels blessed to be in the business of helping senior citizens and their families. “When my 84-year-old aunt, who lived in Columbia, SC, needed assistance, I had to hire a caregiver for her because I was unable to keep traveling

back and forth (to care for her),” Christal explains. “I believe that’s what started me on the road to in-home care. After my husband retired from the military, and I was ready to get out of my job in corporate America, I began looking into franchises. That’s when I found Visiting Angels.” Christal, whose Visiting Angels office is located in the Sherwood Forest Shopping Center on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace, bought the franchise seven years ago when her family settled in New Tampa. She has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) from University of Phoenix, Albuquerque, NM. She also has a wealth of nursing home experience, including having served as Chief of Recreation Therapy at a nursing home in Albuquerque. Christal says, “Visiting Angels is an opportunity to use my degrees and background.” Her staff consists of 50 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Home Health Assistants (HHAs) and companions. She says she currently serves 40-60 clients in New Tampa, Temple Terrace and the Bayshore area of South Tampa, but her territory spans Hillsborough County.

“Our business is geared toward helping people who live alone, but still want to remain in their homes,” Christal explains. “We provide many services not only to seniors, but also to anyone over 18 who needs assistance. Younger people sometimes need help due to physical challenges or health issues. Right Christal Becton owns the Visiting Angels Home Care now our clients range franchise that serves all of New Tampa. from age 40 to 101.” “We provide the vehicle, and we Available services include everything from helping someone temporari- often visit the V.A. (James Haley Veteran’s Administration Hospital) and other ly recover from an illness or surgery to hospitals with our clients,” Christal providing ongoing companionship to a says, adding that the service is a relief to senior who just needs a friend. “We also go grocery shopping and relatives who find it difficult to take time off from work to drive loved ones run errands, prepare meals, assist with to their medical appointments. personal care and do light housekeepAlthough many Visiting Angels ing,” Christal adds. clients experience similar struggles, One difficulty common for many every client is treated as an individual seniors, especially those who don’t because they also may face different, or drive or have a relative nearby, is even unique, issues. Some require help arranging transportation to doctors’ appointments. Visiting Angels’ staff will with bathing or shaving. Some just need a hand getting up in the morning transport clients to and from their and starting their day. Others may need appointments, and always remain on clothes laundered and linens changed. site throughout their clients’ visits.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

up a free in-home assessment. Christal will review your needs and ask about the types of services you desire, noting the patient’s daily routine, meals, proximity to doctors’ offices and number of regularly scheduled appointments. Christal then prepares a care plan and selects the caregivers Visiting Angels provide companionship, trans- best suited to your needs. After personally meeting all portation and other services to those in need. of the available caregivers, Other situations sometimes involve you choose the candidate you prefer. a Visiting Angels caregiver providing “One of the things that sets Visitrelief to a family caregiver who just ing Angels apart from other home care needs a break. Simply put, the agency’s services is that our clients get to choose duties depend upon each client’s needs their caregiver,” Christal explains. “Peoand requirements. ple don’t just show up and say, ‘I’m A non-medical agency, Visiting here to take care of you.’ Our clients Angels does not determine their clients’ actually meet the caregivers beforehand, schedules, but finds ways to accommoso they already feel comfortable with date them – day or night, weekends or the person caring for them.” holidays, temporary or long term. Christal says Visiting Angels While some clients require only a few recruits top-notch caregivers, and hours of assistance a week, others need before hiring, the company runs a com24-hour care. In the case of an endprehensive background screening on stage terminal illness, for instance, care- each employee. Christal says she is very givers rotate on 12-hour shifts. Live-in particular when selecting caregivers. care also is available. “One of my CNAs has been with If you or someone you know the same client since 2004,” she says. needs living assistance services, here’s “In hiring, I make sure my staff has a how to get started: Call the Temple passion for doing what they do, and Terrace Visiting Angels office and set that they have a strong employment

history in caring for seniors.” Many of the caregivers are graduates of medical academies that specialize in home care and have worked at assisted living facilities and in other healthcare environments. Christal says Visiting Angels caregivers choose to specialize in home care because they enjoy the personal interaction with one or two clients. When faced with the dilemma of how to care for yourself or for the most precious people in your life, you definitely will appreciate the compassionate and dedicated souls who come in and save the day. Nothing drives the point home more effectively than this note

from a thankful daughter: “Your name is so appropriate; you all are ‘angels,’” writes the client, who asked to be referred to only as “B.” “I have thanked God many times for your faithfulness and devotion to Mother. My family and (are) forever grateful.” Visiting Angels, located at 11007 N. 56th St., Suite 212, in Temple Terrace, is currently offering two free hours of service for a threehour minimum visit for all new clients. All services are charged at an hourly rate. To discuss how Visiting Angels can assist you or the loved ones in your life, call 929-7067 or visit VisitingAngels.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

A & A Boutique Brings The World Of Fashion To Wesley Chapel By Matt Wiley New York…Paris…Wesley Chapel? Most ‘fashionistas’ wouldn’t dream of considering the latter a part of the fashion world, but 17-year-old twins Amber and Allie (aka A&A) Malott would disagree with you. The Wesley Chapel residents bring designer pieces straight from the runways of the fashion capitals of the world to their consignment shop, A&A Boutique, which is located on Bruce D. Downs (BBD) Blvd., directly across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC). A&A Boutique is a luxury consignment boutique that offers high-end clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories to men and women in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area for prices exponentially cheaper than those that can be found in malls and designer department stores. From Gucci and Chanel to Dior and Louis Vuitton, A&A has something from them all. “We’ve always loved fashion,” says Allie. “Even as little kids, we always had fun mixing and matching clothes and dressing up.” Today, the twins are completely immersed in the fashion showcase that they have created at A&A, holding fashion shows right in the store that

showcase the consignment items they sell in the store and even involve their attending customers and friends as models. “We wanted to open a business in our own community,” the twins’ mother, Lori, explains. “We saw no luxury boutiques in Wesley Chapel, so we decided to open our own. The goal is to have the girls’ designs in the store.” Lori says she had always wanted to open a boutique for her daughters to showcase their own designs, which could launch at A&A Boutique as early as next year. “Lots of people told us not to open a fashion consignment shop,” Lori says. “They said that there was no luxury market and we’d be lucky to be open for more than a month. That was four months ago.” Allie, Amber and Lori, who live in the Quail Hollow neighborhood of Wesley Chapel, run the entire business. Amber takes care of authenticating products and works on the website, while Allie helps customers try on clothes and takes care of the shop’s Facebook page, adding pictures of new products and constantly updating new products from consigners added into the store’s system. Lori takes care of the bills, she says.

Real Designer Labels For Less A&A is the place to go for highend fashion brand name shoes, clothes, handbags and accessories, but not just for customers, who can find products at prices from 50-90 percent below those found at the “mall stores.” “When consigners bring us products, especially if the pieces still have the ‘new’ tags, we price them at 50-percent-off the retail price,” Amber says. Those same consigners also can look forward to making anywhere from 50-80 percent back on the products they bring in to A&A to sell. So it’s a win-win, both for customers and consigners. (L. to r.) Allie, Lori and Amber Malott What sets A&A apart is each of A&A Boutique on Bruce B. Downs item’s authenticity, which Amber Blvd., just north of S.R. 56. makes sure of as soon as new items “personal shoppers,” and have wish lists come in. None of the items on A&A’s set up for customers. If a certain piece shelves or racks are “fakes.” The girls or new items with their favorite designlook at stitching, patterns, labeling and er’s labels come in that a particular cushardware on products to determine tomer was searching for, either Allie or which ones are worth purchasing from Amber will call the customer and let a consigner and which are cheaper “knock-offs.” Many times, Amber says, them know before the product goes on consigners aren’t even aware themselves the store’s shelves. “We also help customers pick out that they are selling fake products. clothing,” says Allie. “We’ll tell them The girls say that they also act as

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

A&A Boutique already has a wide selection of fashions and accessories for men and women, including this outfit (right) by European designer Noir, which isn’t widely available in the U.S. the truth if something doesn’t look the way it should on them. We don’t want our customers to buy something that doesn’t look good on them.” Amy Bledsoe Baldwin of Riverview says the system works. “I love A&A Boutique!” she says. “I always find the cutest clothes for the best price. Plus, I love the owners. They’re sweet and knowledgeable, and never pushy.” Another thing that sets A & A apart from other boutiques is that the shop carries actual runway pieces from

fashion capitals like France and Denmark. A window display outside the shop showcases a picture of a model walking down a fashion runway, wearing clothing from Noir — a designer that can only be found in Europe. The mannequin current;y in A&A’s window is wearing that same exact outfit. Allie says that many of the brands that A&A carries can only be found at International Plaza near the Tampa International Airport, a long drive from Wesley Chapel. “They can drive all the way there,

or they can come here and get it for half the price or cheaper,” says Amber. A&A isn’t all about selling clothing, either. The boutique also puts on fashion shows for the community, donating proceeds to a good cause. For example, the shop recently put on a fashion show to benefit the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Foundation that included a runway, or “blue carpet,” as the girls decided to call it. Friends and customers were able to

dress up in several pieces that were for sale and model them for all those who attended. The event raised more than $500 for the Foundation. A&A also has participated in “Shoes for the Cure” during the recent fifth annual “Fashion Week Tampa Bay in Ybor City, as well as “Peace Couture” on November 9, a fashion event that benefited The Spring of Tampa Bay, a domestic violence shelter for battered women and their families. A&A also recently shipped three boxes of cold weather clothes, toiletries, cleaning supplies and batteries to a fellow consigner in New York City to distribute to victims of Superstorm Sandy. After only four months, A&A already is making Wesley Chapel a more fashionable place to shop. The only downfall of running a consignment boutique with the word “luxury” in the name, Lori says, is that it sometimes scares customers away. “People see the word ‘luxury’ and they automatically assume that the clothes we sell are going to be way out of their price range,” she explains. “That’s really not the case at all with us at A &A Boutique.” Don’t believe her? Stop in to see A&A Boutique (2653 BBD Blvd., Suite 108) for yourself, visit Facebook.com/AABoutiqueLLC or call 528-8765.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

A Better You Counseling Can Help Get Your Life Back On Track By Camille Gillies No matter how ideal someone’s life may appear, everyone goes through periods of stress and trauma, for which they may need someone else’s help. Luckily, experienced mental health counseling is only a phone call away and could set you on the path to a happier life and a better you! When you’re faced with such times, Amanda Fink, a clinical therapist located in Wesley Chapel, wants you to know she’s here to help. “It’s okay to seek help to learn how to deal with (emotionally) difficult events,” says Fink, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who owns A Better You Counseling Center, located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, off S.R. 56 near I-75. A Better You Counseling Center treats both adults and children and asks its clients to abide by only two rules: First, always tell the truth and be forthcoming, and second, show respect. Fink and her team address a broad spectrum of issues, including strained or broken relationships with a parent, child or spouse; anxiety over school, sports or job; and feelings of loss and grief brought on by an unfaithful spouse/lover or the loss of a loved one. Counseling worked wonders for

one Wesley Chapel mother, who shared her personal story. “Raising an angry teenager is not easy and I needed help. It was destroying my marriage and I felt helpless. Our doctor recommended A Better You Counseling Center. My 14-year-old son was hesitant (that’s putting it nicely) to attend, but soon he was reminding me when his appointments were. Counseling has helped him find purpose, be more respectful and an all-around happier kid. Now, I look forward to family time again.” In cases of conflict resolution, Fink says she sees many conflicts between adult children and their aging parents, in which the adult child often may be holding onto an issue from childhood. In those cases, Fisk says she speaks to both parties and prefers to counsel them together, observing nonverbal cues to gain additional insight into the dynamics of the relationship. If one of the parties lives out of the area, Fink will conduct sessions on the speakerphone. In fact, she generally is agreeable to holding counseling sessions over the telephone or even conducting “e-therapy” via the computer, for those who are comfortable with the idea. She says those methods are convenient for people who travel a great deal or live out of state. She also helps people overcome

feelings associated with grief, feelings that may have been suppressed for many years. “I see 40-year-old women who had abortions early in their lives and went on to get married and raise families,” she explains. “But, because they may never have grieved the loss of the (aborted) child, they are just now dealing with that grief.” She adds that grief doesn’t always involve someone’s passing. “It also can be about the death of a relationship. Many spouses have a hard time coping with their partners leaving them for someone else.” Feelings of grief manifest themAmanda Fink is the Licensed Mental selves in various ways. Health Counselor (LMHC) at A Bet“Some people come in and say, ‘I just can’t think straight,’ or others may ter You Counseling Center off S.R. 56. whether they will be joint or separate, not be able to sleep,” she notes. “Not whether they want children and when all grief is the same.” they might want them, religion and the role it plays in their lives,” Fink says. A Myriad Of Issues “These issues need to be discussed Marriage and pre-marriage counseling also are available at A Better You. (before marriage) and I ask my clients to be up front about them.” Pre-marriage counseling is for couples She also treats depression and anxiserious about marriage, especially those ety disorders and adheres to a philosowho want to be sure they are compatiphy of exhausting all treatment options ble regarding everyday life issues such before resorting to referring the patient as finances, children and religion. to a psychiatrist for a possible medica“We discuss specific things, like tion prescription. how much debt a person is bringing “Not everyone who comes to into the marriage, bank accounts and

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

counseling needs to be on medication,” she states. “But, if I see a need for a client to see a specialist and be considered for medication, I refer out to some excellent psychiatrists and psychologists.” She says that the doctors she recommends share a philosophy of care similar to her own. Fink is an advocate of cognitive behavioral therapy, which encourages people to view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively. In other words, you can change patterns of behavior by changing the way you think. “I believe in trying to give people the skills they need to deal with their problems,” Fink explains. “It’s like coaching someone through certain areas of their life.” For example, she currently counsels many young college graduates who have moved back home to live with their parents because they can’t find jobs. These young adults worry about what they are going to do with their lives and Fink can help them. It’s also common for her to counsel young children who fret about competing in sports and stress out about letting their team down. The sport they once loved ceases to be a source of fun because it creates so much anxiety for them. They may withdraw or become irritable and more prone to fighting. “We have a great community, but

because we have so many family activities available in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, there is no down time (for many families),” Fink says. “Parents are usually well-intentioned, but they are actually just giving their kids everything they (the parents) wanted when they were children.” She says these parents end up doing a disservice to their children because the kids sometimes are too busy to just enjoy being a kid. Fink and her husband, Ben, who live in Hunter’s Green in New Tampa, allow their children, daughter Sydney, 9, and son Benjamin, 5, to partake in two activities a week. “If they had their way, they’d have something every night,” Fink states, noting that she encourages them to explore a variety of sports and other activities so they can determine their individual likes and dislikes.

lems through play therapy, sometimes using a live pet rat named Sweet Pea. “Autistic children often have a problem with touch, especially people touching them, but they’ll let Sweet Pea walk up and down their arm. It gives them a sense of empathy for another living creature,” Fink explains. Fink, who has been licensed since 2003 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Anderson College, Anderson, IN, and a Master’s degree in counseling from Webster University in Ocala (satellite campus), says she maintains strict standards in dealing with the laws and ethics of the field, emphasizing to her staff that everything they do must be in the client’s best interest. If

they feel they are unable to provide the best treatment, they refer clients to other therapists. Fink notes that the word “therapy” shouldn’t scare you into thinking you can’t afford it. For an hour of confidential counseling, Fink charges a flat rate of $75, an amount many folks spend on a dinner out. Fink says it comes down to priorities: “It’s not hard to spend $10 on a trip through the McDonald’s drive-through. Do that several times a week, and it starts to add up. It’s a matter of prioritizing what’s important in your life.” For an appointment or additional information, call 817-5468 or visit ABetterYouCounseling.com.

A Knowledgeable, Caring Staff Fink’s practice includes interns Jennifer Palmer and Dustin Robbins, who both also have Master’s degrees and are working toward obtaining their own counseling licenses. Two years of counseling work under the supervision of a qualified supervisor are required , a title Fink holds. Robbins has a lot of experience dealing with adolescents and anger management, while Palmer addresses autism issues and other prob-

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Mar-Go Interiors Can Get Your Home Ready For The Holidays! By Gary Nager Like most men, I know precious little about decorating, other than if you gave me an unlimited amount of money, I could definitely fill a house with stuff I like...most women might cringe at some of that stuff, but still. Considering that most of us don’t have an unlimited amount of money to spend these days, we still want our homes to look their best when friends and family come visiting for the holidays — or any day, really. So, who can you turn to for everything from custom window treatments to entire kitchen and bath remodeling jobs? Owner and long-time New Tampa resident Judy Dechant of Mar-Go Interiors (located in the Medallion Corporate Park off S.R. 56, behind the Goodwill Donation Center), says she can help add value to your home. “A lot of our customers are empty nesters who just want to give their home a new look,” Judy says. “Even a lot of our neighbors in New Tampa and here in Wesley Chapel are in that position. They’re staying in their homes and just want to do what they can, on a certain budget, to freshen things up.” Judy’s husband Tom, who handles the bookkeeping for the store, says his wife keeps up on current decorating trends, but he believes her greatest talent in business is helping people. “Some of the clients who come in

here come in looking so lost and not knowing where and how to start...and how to sift through everything available to find what they want.” Judy adds, “A lot of our customers will have looked through magazines like Architectural Digest and Florida Living before coming in here, but they have no idea how to find the right window treatments, fabrics and things they need.” She adds, however, that Mar-Go is always getting in new samples all the time. “The fabric companies send us new collections every season,” Judy says. “And there really are new products hitting the market all the time.” Although Judy works with a licensed general contractor, so she can actually do an entire home remodel, including kitchens (including cabinetry and countertops), baths, floors, walls, etc., she says her “specialty” is still creating custom window treatments. “Yes, our forte is everything from blinds, shades and shutters to drapes, valences, cornices and sheer fabrics (instead of full drapes) and we carry all the top brands although Hunter Douglas is still the one most people ask for and the brand we sell the most of, too. We also do a lot of energy-efficient shutters and shades to keep out the Florida heat and occasional cold.” Mar-Go decorators also can reupholster and paint your furniture, transform the older European style furniture and window treatments to the more Modern

Judy & Tom Dechant welcome you walk into Mar-Go Interiors in the Medallion Corporate Park off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, behind the Goodwill Donation Center. (Next page) Just a few of the multitudinous multitude of fabric books to look through at Mar-Go Interiors.

look that Judy says is a new trend, “even though modern doesn’t always mean ‘contemporary’ these days.” “Decorating trends change about every ten years,” she says, “and we always keep up with those trends. We can create that ‘vintage shabby chic’ look with Candice Olson and other name brand fabrics for your home and even create entire new environments for offices. We’ve been expanding our commercial work for doctor and dentist offices recently.”

A Little History You may be wondering why Judy and Tom own a store called Mar-Go Interiors, although many of Judy’s customers know that “the most established

design center in New Tampa & East Pasco” was started almost 15 years ago on S.R. 54, just east of Bruce B. Downs Blvd., by Maria Gorter (Maria Gorter). Judy joined Maria in 1999, worked with another design firm from 2004-09 and returned as the manager in 2009 when Maria moved Mar-Go Interiors to the new “furniture district” on S.R. 56, between Haverty’s and Ashley Furniture. In 2010, Judy and Tom purchased Mar-Go from Maria and earlier this year, they moved it to it’s current location just off S.R. 56. “We stopped stocking all of the household items Maria used to have,”

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Judy says, “so we didn’t need a location right on a major street. We couldn’t compete on inventory with the big box accessory stores anyway and most of our business is still repeat customers, so we didn’t really need a high-visibility location.” Judy and Tom also depend upon word of mouth through attending Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) events (Tom even was on the WCCC Fall Festival committee this year) and advertising in local media like the one you’re reading now. For more info, call Mar-Go Interiors (2648 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 104) at 991-9660, see the ad on page 22 or visit Mar-GoInteriors.com. Ask them about holiday gift certificates!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Freedom Girls Swimming Wins Western Conference Championship! By Matt Wiley & Gary Nager Some serious waves have been made in the pool by both New Tampa high schools this season, including some good results by both Freedom and Paul R. Wharton high schools at the recent State Swimming & Diving Championships. The top finishes by either New Tampa high school at the State meet (held in Orlando Nov. 9) were by Wharton’s Dee Sopapong, who was an impressive 3rd in the girls’ 200 individual medley and 4th in the 100-yard breastroke, to give the Wharton girls 31 points and a 22nd place team finish.

The only scoring from Freedom at States was provided by the boys 200yard freestyle relay team of Marc Berson, Aron Corneau, Brennan Noll and Max Wei, which finished 15th and scored Freedom’s only 4 points at the State meet. Prior to States, however, the Freedom girls swimming team brought home the school’s first-ever team title in swimming, at the Western Conference Championship meet held October 10 at the Temple Terrace Rec Center. “It’s a huge meet,” said Alex Richardson, Freedom’s boys and girls swimming coach, of the Conference Championships.

The Freedom Girls swim team shows off the Western Conference Championship trophy they won in October.

Freedom’s girls walked away with the Western Conference trophy with a total of 383 points, beating out Wharton, which finished second (351). On the boys side, Wharton finished 3rd in the Conference (343 points) and Freedom was 4th (329). Freedom’s top girl swimmers at the Conference meet were Morgan Harkness, who was 2nd in the 500 free (5:46.92) and 3rd in the 200 IM (2:33.65), and also teamed with Alexis Weingberg, Caitlin Slater and Mary Cate Espinosa to win the 400-yard freestyle relay (4:15.28). Harkness also anchored Freedom’s third place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay, with Caitlyn Slater, Mary Cate Espinosa and Moira Espinosa. Slater also finished 3rd in the individual 100 free (1:01.71) and Mary Cate Espinosa was 2nd in the 50 free (28.51). Richardson says that Harkness was the girls’ most valuable swimmer this season, after shattering a nine-year-old school record earlier in the season for the 500-yard free. He adds that, overall, it’s been a pretty successful season, as the girls team finished 8-1. “I’ve only been the coach (at Freedom) for two years now, but it’s probably been the best season in five or six years here,” he says. “And, we won a championship.” “There’s been a lot of interest in

the swim team this year,” says Richardson. “We’re going to continue to pick up new swimmers and train the ones we have. There are only better things in store for next year.” The top Freedom boy swimmers at the Conference meet were Marc Berson (1st in the 200 free, 1:52.26; and 2nd in the 100 fly, 55.79); Max Wei (1st in the 100 free, 52.16); Aron Comeau (2nd in 50 free (23.95); and Jordan Schollenberger (2nd in the 100 breast, 1:06.64, 3rd in the 200 IM, 2:12.82). The four also combined to win the 400 free relay for the ‘Cats (3:33.07). Sopapong was Wharton’s top girls swimmer at the Conference meet as well, winning both the 200 free (1:59.84) and the 100 breast (1:09.91). Allyson Bell also had a big meet, winning the 50 free (27.29) and finishing 2nd in the 100 free (1:01.23). The other top finish for the Wildcats girls was Katie Scott’s 2nd in the 200 IM (2:24.35). Wharton’s top boy swimmer at the Conference meet was Ryan Heckel, who won the 50 free (23.81), finished 3rd in the 100 free (53.20) and was part of Wharton’s 1st place 400 free relay team. Also on that winning relay was Jeffrey Stump, who also was 3rd in the 50 free (24.13), and 4th in the 100 free (53:25). Brennan Noll finished 3rd in the 500 free (5:29.74).

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Local Resident Shines In Triathlon To New Tampa Resident Kat Ward, The 2012 Panama City Beach Ironman Triathlon Was More Than Just A Race! Before New Tampa resident Kat Ward even left Tampa to compete in the 2012 Panama City Beach Triathlon on November 1, she already was a big winner, if only because of what a big loser she actually was. If that confuses you, consider this: the petite and very fit 115-pound woman Kat is today actually weighed 230 pounds and couldn’t run a mile without a few breaks not very long ago. So, whether she finished in the top 15 in her age group (which she did; more on her results below) or dead last out of the more than 3,000 competitors who finished the “Full Ironman Distance” (2.4-mile open water swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile full-marathon run, or 140.6 miles total) Panama City Beach triathlon, the fact she lost 115 pounds the “right way” and was able to build up her training regimen to even legitimately attempt to finish that type of event, Kat already was a winner. “I’ve struggled with weight my whole life and never thought that one day I would be competing in what is considered the ultimate fitness event worldwide,” Kat says. “I lost 115 pounds through diet and exercise and realized that I am capable of an Ironman; more than capable. I trained for a year, beat my hoped-for time by more than hour, and truly enjoyed every minute of the race. I brought home a ton of Ironman gear, a Finisher’s T-Shirt, a Finisher’s hat, and beautiful sparkling medal!” But, Kat admits that finishing that imposing test of the human spirit and endurance in a little more than 11.5 hours doesn’t even skim the surface of what she actually took away. “I learned I truly can do anything I put my heart into,” Kat says. “I learned that my mind is just as important as my body. I learned a lot about the person I want to be on my 6-hour training rides, 90-minute swims, and 18- mile runs I did on my own. I learned that dreaming big for me is not just a dream but a reality. I learned that believing in myself allowed

me to conquer every obstacle that stood in my way.” But, she adds that she believes the most important thing she took away from the Ironman had nothing to do with finishing the race and everything to Triathlete Kat Ward do with, “the can help you get in people I am fortunate shape, too. enough to have in my life. I am astonished by people’s generosity and support, like the 40-plus text messages wishing me good luck and congratulating me. “I also found out that my sister Danielle Jayne Granger, who passed away in 2003, is my guardian angel and I know with every fiber of my being that she is my biggest fan even though I cannot physically see her anymore.” Obviously, numbers alone can’t tell Kat’s entire story, but the numbers are still pretty amazing. Kat came in 13th out of 67 competitors (in the top 20%) in the very tough in Females 25-29 division. She also finished 580th out of 3,061 overall finishers, or in the top 19% overall of all males and females in all divisions. For training, she followed a 24 week program that broke down every single swim, run, and bike. “Some people just go out there and do what they feel like,” she says, “but I work better with a detailed training schedule. I tried my very best to get in every single workout the schedule had but sometimes life gets in the way. I worked a full-time job, worked on starting my own business; FIT-KAT, and attempted to have a social life. Training for an Ironman is a full-time job itself. Kat Ward is the owner of FITKAT Personal Training, a one-on-one personal training studio by appointment only. Whether you want to train for an Ironman triathlon or try to survive the holiday season, call Kat at (315) 521-1032.

Wharton Football Loses 1st Round Playoff Game It appears that history has an unfortunate way of repeating itself for the Wildcats. After an impressive season, Wharton’s varsity football team has been eliminated from the district playoffs after the first round by the same team that ended their state championship hopes last season. Finishing second in District 8A-6 following an 8-2 regular season - 2-1 in District play - Wharton traveled to Orlando to face the undefeated Dr. Phillips High Panthers for its first, and only, Class 8A playoff game on November 16 where the Wildcats fell 28-15. “We were prepared,” said Wharton

head coach David Mitchell. “We just didn’t play well. We got hurt pretty bad in the first half.”Mitchell said that the Wilcats’ two fumbles and three interceptions were the biggest contributors to the season-ending defeat. Held to just a field goal in the first, Wildcats quarterback Chase Litton threw for two touchdowns in the second half, but the team missed both attempts at two-point conversions. “We didn’t convert when we had to,” said Mitchell. “You can’t do that in the playoffs. You have to be running on all cylinders. But, the guys played hard, and we’re proud of them.” - MW

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‘Dogtoberfest’ — A Barking Good Time At The Shops At Wiregrass! By Matt Wiley Puppies are cute, but how about a puppy in a squirrel costume? And, holding an acorn? Barks and the pattering of paws along Paseo Dr. filled the cool air on October 27, as thousands of area residents, some from as far away as Dade City, gathered at the Shops at Wiregrass mall with their furry, canine friends for the mall’s 4th annual “Dogtoberfest” celebration. An event to support pet adoption organized by the Tampa Cat Crusaders — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to saving community cats — “Dogtoberfest” played host to more than 50 pet adoption agencies for both cats and dogs. From dachshunds and shar peis to huskies and boxers, there were adoption agencies and rescues for numerous types of four-legged companions, including a few for cats, as well. “The whole idea is to help these local animal rescues with adoptions,” says Debbie Detweiler, director of marketing for the Shops at Wiregrass, who estimated more than 20,000 people were in attendance throughout the event. “It’s a great time of year to adopt because it’s right before the holidays. There’s no better gift.” “Dogtoberfest” also featured costume contests for pets with several

categories, including “cutest,” “scariest,” “pet/owner look-a-like” and more, as well as a full-sized obstacle course that drew a crowd all day long. The crowd cheered and laughed as pet owners helped their dogs through the course, although many dogs needed no assistance and clocked impressive times for which prizes were awarded at the end of the day. Despite the overcast skies and cool temperatures, watering stations were featured down the center of Paseo Dr. to help keep pets hydrated. Overall, pups and their owners alike couldn’t have asked for more comfortable weather or a better time! For a link to the costume contest results, be sure to check out WCNeighborhoodNews.com, and for a full “Dogtoberfest” gallery, visit the Neighborhood News Facebook page.

(Clockwise from top left) Two dogs strut their stuff on the obstacle course; more than 20,000 people attended the event, ‘Jet’ the Dachshund was a squirrel for the day; Jen Landrigan and her poodle, ‘Crystal’ celebrate winning 1st place in the ‘pet/owner look-a-like’ contest; ‘Copper’ gave free cowboy rides

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American Ballet School In Tampa Palms Presents ‘The Nutcracker!’ What better way to celebrate the holiday season than to watch your children be filled with excitement as you share with them the magic of the timeless holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” brought to life through music and dance in Tampa City Ballet’s production, which also will include ballerinas from America’s Ballet School, located in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms. Presented on Saturday, December 8, 7 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High and on Sunday, December 9, 7 p.m., at the University of South Florida (USF)’s Theatre 1, this whimsical holiday spectacular combines the talents of Tampa City Ballet dancers with students from the USF Dance Department and from the award-winning ballerinas from America’s Ballet School. This production is sure to capture the imagination of children and adults alike. With choreography by former Cleveland Ballet principal dancer, Paula Nunez (who also currently is the artistic director of both the Tampa City Ballet and America’s Ballet School , and with visiting dance facul-

Nunez adds, “This is the perfect show to introduce you to...and help you form an appreciation for classical ballet. I hope that parents will seize this opportunity and choose to spend a few special hours with their children watching this amazing production.” Tickets to this holiday event cost $20 and may be purchased online through AmericasBallet.com, over the phone at 558-0800, and in person at America’s Ballet School (15365 Amberly Dr. in the Shoppes at Amberly, next to Sushi Tsu).

The American Ballet School in Tampa Palms presents “The Nutcracker” with performances at USF and in Wesley Chapel December 8-9. Photo by Gerry Chen 2012. appeal to both children and adults.” ty at the USF), dazzling costumes, As a part of their vision to bring spectacular props and phenomenal special effects, this production of “The classical ballet to the community, Tampa City Ballet has partnered with Nutcracker” promises to be a unique, the Hillsborough County Arts Counupdated take on the classic tale. cil and the Center for the Arts at WesNunez explains, “It has been our ley Chapel High to produce performgoal to offer the Tampa Bay commuances for local public school children. nity an opportunity to be enriched by Tampa City Ballet and America’s Balexperiencing classical ballet. We chose let School also have received donato present ‘The Nutcracker’ because tions to provide free tickets to underthe story, costumes, characters and privileged families. effects create a fantastic visual that will

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New Tampa Players Announce 2013 Schedule; Celebrate A Great ‘Pippin’ “Meet The American Girls,” “The Sound Of Music,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Broadway Comes to Tampa” & More On The Players’ 2013 Calendar By Gary Nager On the heels of an outstanding final production for 2012, the New Tampa Players (NTP) community theatre troupe, which has been keeping great local theatre alive in our area for more than a decade, is proud to announce its 2013 schedule. The Players will again produce four shows and will also offer two big fund raisers for 2013. The shows on the agenda are “Meet the American Girls,” which will debut in the spring after open auditions later this month (see below), “The Sound of Music” (summer), “Jekyll & Hyde” (fall) and “Brighton Beach Memoirs” (winter). The 2013 fund-raising events will be a fun, proze-filled Casino Night at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club on Saturday, February 9, and the alwayspopular “Broadway Comes To Tampa” on Saturday, May 11.

Recappin’ ‘Pippin’

Considering that I was 13 years old when I saw the great Ben Vereen create his Tony Award-winning role of

the “Leading Player” in the original Tony Award-nominated Broadway production of “Pippin,” the only things I really remembered from it were its sexiness, Vereen’s amazing performance and a few of the show’s catchy songs. So, I didn’t know what to expect when I settled in to watch the New Tampa Players (NTP) production of “Pippin” at the University Area Community Center theater on N. 22nd St. the weekend of November 17. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that the NTP show retained the tongue-in-cheek, bawdy humor and impressive vocals of the original and although the dancing may not have been up to Broadway standards, NTP president and “Pippin” director Doug Wall did an outstanding job of bringing this unique show to life. “Pippin” is a play within a play, where the “Leading Player” is the director of an acting troupe putting on a show about the lead character, who was the real-life son of King Charlemagne, who was the king of France from the year 768 A.D.-814 A.D. But, “Pippin” is anything but an

old show about a long-since dead king and his son. It’s a play-within-aplay about a young man who is trying to find his “Corner of the Sky” (probably the show’s most memorable song and sung very nicely by recent college graduate Jarrett W. Koski, in the title role). This medeival acting troupe is These photos from “Pippin” were provided by the New being directed by a Tampa Players. very-much-in-conkitschy “No Time at All.”). Perhaps the trol “Leading Player,” performed admirably by the talented Clay Christo- best musical performances, however, were by Melanie Marie Bierweiler, who pher, who studied under Ben Vereen and also directed performances of “Pip- played Pippin’s love interest, the widow Catherine, in “There He Was” and “I pin” at New Tampa’s Paul R. Wharton Guess I’ll Miss the Man.” High earlier this year. All in all, a great show and lots of “Pippin” also is about love and bawdy fun...and with many more fun lust, about war, revolution and even patricide. In addition to the two leading NTP performances to come in 2013. For information about auditions roles, NTP veterans Craig Hartsfield (as for “Meet the American Girls” on King Charles) and his wife Janine (as December 16-17, “Broadway Comes Pippin’s grandma Berthe) deliver some to Tampa” or any NTP production, of the show’s most memorable lines and vocal performances (he in “War is a call 781-1171 or visit NewTampa Players.org. Science” and she in the catchy and

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Barkdoll Massage Therapy Brings Licensed Massage To Your Home! By Julie Kanehl Massage is a universal language that has been “spoken” for centuries in every region of the globe, and it has many benefits, including the ability to reduce anxiety, relieve pain, reduce blood pressure and aid in relaxation. For many people, massage is a rare treat that they look forward to at the spa or as an experience during their vacation. Others use massage on a regular basis to help them deal with chronic pain, reduce inflammation or to help heal after an injury. Whatever your reason for wanting a massage, Barkdoll Massage Therapy makes it easy, affordable and, best of all, Barkdoll comes to you. Barkdoll Massage Therapy, which is an entirely mobile-based massage business, is based in the Trinity area of nearby New Port Richey and is owned and operated by Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) Karla Barkdoll, who has been in the massage industry since 2001. Also serving Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and the surrounding communities, Barkdoll is completely differet in that it takes all of the stress out of your massage experience by bringing it straight to you. No traffic, no stress, just pure relaxation where you feel the most comfortable!

Originally from a small town in central Pennsylvania, Karla moved to Baltimore, MD, where she trained at the Baltimore School of Massage. Licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia and Florida, Karla is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and is National Board-certified. Karla’s massages can be done anywhere — at your home, poolside or even at your office. She says that most of her clients choose the room in their house that offers the least distractions. She takes the time to really speak to her clients before their massage to learn more about them so that she can create a truly personalized massage experience. “If you are looking for the best massage, then look no further than Karla, she is a rare find,” says Lindsey, who lives in New Port Richey.

How Licensed Massage Can Improve Your Life “Your Health is Your Wealth” is the philosophy at Barkdoll, and that is why Karla takes the time to really find out which type of massage her clients prefer, whether it’s a Swedish massage or a deep tissue treatment for chronic pain, Karla’s massage will make a difference in your life.

She offers a wide range of affordable licensed massage therapy services and packages. If you are looking for a traditional massage, Swedish massage treatments are designed to improve circulation, reduce stress and to relieve muscle tension. This massage is very popular all over the world because of its light, long and slow strokes that relax your cares and worries away. If you’re interested in trying something a little different, hot stone massages also are available and feature heated stones in combination with the traditional Swedish-style massage. Karla says that the stones dissolve muscle tension and induce a deep relaxation. Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic treatment designed to ease chronic pain. “During deep tissue massages, I use trigger points to specifically find the places where the work needs to be done,” she says. Another service Karla offers is sports massage and injury rehabilitation, which combines the benefits and style of a deep tissue massage with stretching, which can improve the range of motion in your joints. Whether you’re healing after a car accident or are suffering from chronic pain associated with a medical condition,

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) Karla Barkdoll of Barkdoll Massage Therapy will bring her mobile massage table to your home or office.

sports massage can be very beneficial. Prenatal massages are a fantastic way to pamper the mom-to-be while easing some of the side effects of pregnancy. Karla uses specially designed massage table pillows so expectant mothers can safely enjoy their massage. Aromatherapy is proven to aid in relaxation, which is why Karla offers a variety of essential oils and scents that can be used in collaboration with any other style of massage, and can greatly enhance the experience. If you’re looking for a way to

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improve morale at work, how about offering employees a corporate seated massage? This is a fully clothed, seated massage that focuses on the back, neck, shoulders, scalp, arms and hands, and can be done right at the office.

My Massage With Karla Barkdoll Massage Therapy is happy to offer evening massage appointments, which made it easy for me to fit a massage with Karla into my schedule without worrying about driving or setting up a babysitter. Karla arrived right on time and brought everything she needed with her. She even wears a clinical massage uniform. I simply picked out a quiet room in the house, and, within a few minutes, Karla had the massage table up and ready to go. Before we started, she spoke to me about the kind of massage treatment I wanted, and if I had any injuries that she should know about. We decided on a combination of Swedish and deep tissue massage. She also offered me several aromatherapy options. I felt totally at ease. Karla put on what I like to call “massage music,” and spoke to me about what she was going to do before she began. To my surprise, I was even more relaxed because I was at home. I was able to enjoy the entire hour instead of wondering how many min-

utes had passed or about my kids. I felt safe, pampered and well cared for by a licensed health care professional. After my massage, I felt like a softened stick of butter, and I was able to put on my slippers instead of my shoes! This was an incredibly cool experience that made me feel more centered, and really changed my outlook. I felt great for days and my entire family could see what a difference it made for me both physically and emotionally. I can assure you that a massage with Karla makes a great gift, which is why I’m so happy that she offers gift certificates. But, one of the best things about Barkdoll Massage Therapy is its affordability. I might not have to wait for a special occasion because Karla’s pricing is competitive and affordable enough to fit into anyone’s budget on a regular basis. Barkdoll Massage Therapy is entirely mobile and will make appointments to come to your home or office. Karla Barkdoll (License # MA47546) is available MondayWednesday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. All other days are at her discretion. To schedule an appointment or request more information about massage packages, corporate events or gift certificates, call (727) 372-6389 or email Karla at BarkdollMassageTherapy@ Yahoo.com.

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6th Annual Golf Classic Raises $25,000 For The Fisher House! By Gary Nager Although the name of the tournament changed for last year’s event, the sixth annual golf tournament to benefit the Fisher House at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. south of Fletcher Ave. has raised about $25,000 to benefit the residence on the hospital’s campus that allows the families of injured servicemen and women to stay close to their wounded warriors at no cost to them. Although tournament organizer Valerie Casey has had to change the location of the event and changed the name of the tourney to the “Fisher House Golf Classic” last year, the 2012 tournament, which was held November 4 at Heritage Isles Country Club, again featured a packed field of more than 140 golfers who enjoyed great food and other on-course amenities. There also were again both live and silent auctions to up the amount raised. Fisher House Tampa manager Paula Welenc again thanked everyone present for helping, especially thanking

Valerie — “our little Energizer bunny” — for all of her efforts to keep the Haley Fisher House able to fulfill its mission of serving the families of those who make such huge sacrifices so all of us can continue to enjoy our freedom. Also on hand for the tourney was U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Martin Steele, who is on the Board of the Fisher House Foundation and who also thanked Casey and her crew of volunteers for another successful event. Gen. Steele also was part of the day’s winning foursome in the shotgun scramble event. But of course, as Valerie is always quick to point out, the true beneficiaries of the tournament and all Fisher House services are the wounded warriors and their families, including Logan (photo, top right), a young marine paralyzed in a training (Top left) Valerie Casey & Lt. Gen. Martin Steele accident whose grand(Above) Tampa Fisher House manager Paula Welenc mother (who is responsible

for his care) told Valerie, “I really don’t know how I could’ve (Top) Logan, an injured Marine at the Tampa Fisher House, and taken care his family. (Above, l. to r.) The day’s winning foursome of Tom of him if and Derek Frankfurth, Lt. Gen. Steele and Earl Lanoue. not for the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Fisher House.” (13000 BBD Blvd.), call 910-3000 For additional information or visit FisherHouse.org. about the Tampa Fisher House at the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Baker’s Gallery—A Year Of Great Cakes, Baking Supplies & Much More! By Gary Nager Alexandra Auguste was born in Haiti but she has been in the U.S. for more than four decades, including more than 30 years in Long Island, NY. More important than where she’s been however, is where she is now...behind the counter at The Baker’s Gallery in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., creating unique cakes, cupcakes, butter rolls and even delicious “pate” pastries from her native country, stuffed with meat, chicken and even codfish — all at great prices! A Wilton-certified baker for more than 20 years, Alexandra and her family — including her husband Philippe, her son Reginald, her “adopted” son Antonio and her sister Gene (named after the actress Gene Tierney — bring smiles, knowledge and a lot more experience creating unique wedding and other special occasion cakes than just the one year the store has been open here. “We’ve already created everything from a Monster Truck cake with fondantcovered Rice Krispie treat wheels to cakes topped with a fully edible lady’s shoe and even edible flowers,” Alexandra says. “And really, if you can imagine it, we can probably create it for you. Check our website for a full gallery of our cakes.” I have to say that I like The Baker’s Gallery’s cakes that are a series of cup-

cakes standing side-by-side that form a full-sized, custom-designed cakes. Part of the reason is because I love Alexandra’s cupcakes — which are now available in 28 flavors, with new ones being added to the list seemingly every month. If you like chocolate (like I do), The Baker’s Gallery crew has chocolate “delite,” chocolate espresso, Oreo cookie, German chocolate and chocolate-vanilla swirl. You like fruit flavors? The newest addition is pumpkin spice, but Key lime, lemon raspberry, orange apricot, “strawberry-filled strawberry” and about nine other real fruit cupcake options are almost always available in both regular sizes (for just $2.50) and “mini” (a true bargain at $1). And, the funny thing is that Alexandra says she had no intention beforehand of even having cupcakes in the store, but “our customers wanted samples of the different cake flavors we have and ‘gourmet cupcakes’ are really popular these days, so we decided to give gourmet cupcakes at reasonable prices a shot.” I remember that the first week the store was open, The Baker’s Gallery already was up to about six cupcake flavors. Visiting there too often is dangerous diet-wise for a cupcake lover like me, so one or two (never more, lol) mini-Bavarian cream crunch and Confetti cupcakes are a necessity with a cup of The Baker’s Gallery’s yummy by-the-cup coffee.

(L. to r.) Antonio, Gene, Philippe, Reginald & Alexandra invite you to check out the unique cakes, cupcakes, baking supplies and so much more at The Baker’s Gallery, located in the Pebble Creek Collection on BBD Blvd., behind Kobe Steakhouse. I’m also already addicted to the flaky pate pastries, of which Alexandra says the store sells “hundreds a week” and hope to try the butter rolls soon. But, one thing I probably won’t need much of anytime in the near future are the incredible array of cookie cutters, rolling pins and other baking supplies, but only because I refuse to take up baking for fear of ending up looking like a certain boy made out of dough. If you have the baking “gene” or even a desire

to learn, The Baker’s Gallery really is for you. Alexandra says baking classes are coming soon and she’s already doing “design your own cookie/cupcake” parties for kids’ birthdays and school groups. Just go check it out and tell Alexandra and her family that I sent you! To order an amazing custom cake for your holiday party or any special occasion, or for more info, call The Baker’s Gallery (19651 BBD) at 9739966 or visit TheBakersGallery.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Unique cakes, cake pops, cupcakes and other delicious bakery treats & accessories like these make The Baker’s Gallery a must-call when you’re planning your next big party.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Taste of Boston — A Taste That’s Not Just For New Englanders! By Gary Nager When you meet George Illes, the owner of the Taste of Boston restaurant, located in the Shoppes of New Tampa plaza, directly across S.R. 56 from the Shops at Wiregrass mall, you definitely wouldn’t think he was from Boston — or any part of New England, for that matter. Although he spent about 15 years in Hampton Beach, NH — where he owned everything from a bagel shop to an ice cream-and-gyro place, George still has the heavy accent of his native Hungary, but he also has retained the ability to create authentic New England-style seafood that has transplanted “Yankees” from Massachusetts and Rhode Island coming back again and again. “When you call yourself ‘Taste of Boston,’ you’d better keep your New Englanders happy,” George says. “If they don’t taste what they remember from before they moved here, they’ll never come back again...and they’ll tell their friends to avoid your place, too.” That’s not a problem at Taste of Boston, which attracts a sizable crowd for lunch and dinner virtually every day. His customers are a nice mix of former northeasterners and locals who enjoy everything from authentic New England clam chowder to “whole belly” fried clams to a self-proclaimed “Best Outside of Philly” cheesesteak sandwich. All I can say is that everything I’ve sampled at Taste of Boston, which was

actually George’s second Tampa Bay location when he opened here in April 2010 (he sold his South Tampa restaurant last year), has been fresh and delicious. I love the “chowda,” as well as the delicious grilled or blackened basa (a freshwater fish that is much tastier than tilapia) and even the fried haddock — a guilty pleasure of mine, even though I usually avoid fried seafood. So, in order to get a take on some of George’s other great tastes, I treated my staff to get the word on their favorites. Graphic artist Porsha Lemos raved about Taste of Boston’s lobster roll sandwich , which is served with a cup of zesty lobster bisque, too. On another visit, Porsha also said that Taste of Boston’s fried “whole belly” clams were among the sweetest and tastiest she ever tried. Photographer Jayne Baker gave thumbs-up to the authentic Maryland crab cake bites appetizer and the whole steamed lobster. Assistant editor Matt Wiley gobbled his huge crab cake sandwich and I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious ovenbaked sub roll and zesty sauce on Taste of Boston’s tasty, huge chicken parmesan sandwich basket. Taste of Boston also offers a variety of great appetizers, from “kickin’” shrimp (served with a spicy Asian-style sauce), boneless Buffalo and BBQ wings, fried plantains, mushrooms and onion rings and even authentic New England “steamers” (steamed clams), burgers and more.

You can even get shrimp scampi over linguine or linguine with clams. fried or blackened sea or bay scallops and for those who aren’t allergic to shrimp (like I am), there’s baskets of fried, coconut and kickin’ shrimp, too. There’s even baked sea scallop and seafood casserole dinners and all-you-can-eat options available. The baskets are served with fries and cole slaw, or you can upgrade to a “dinner,” with your choice of fresh cole slaw, yellow rice, sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli, yellow rice or BBQ baked beans. Taste of Boston also recently added several rotating flavors of delicious

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and has a variety of decent wines and draft and bottled beers, including “George’s Boston Brew.” And, although Taste of Boston already can host or cater your holiday party, coming soon is his mobile “Chowder Bus,” which he can bring to your location and basically provide most of his menu. Reservations are not required at Taste of Boston (1944 BBD Blvd.), which opens every day at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. You can get $3 off your order of $20 or more with the coupon on page 52, or call 994-9797 or visit TasteofBostonFlorida.com.

(Top) The 1-pound+ steamed lobster at Taste of Boston, located in the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel, is a signature New England seafood treat. (Above, l. to r.) Other favorites at Taste of Boston include the New England clam chowder, crab cake bites appetizer and the lobster roll sandwich. All photos on this page by GalleriesbyJayne.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

(Clockwise from top left) Taste of Boston also features a yummy chicken parmesan sandwich, grilled basa sandwich (photo by GalleriesbyJayne.com) and the ever-popular whole-belly fried clams.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Shopping, Retail & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! unlimited and other ride packages. For more information about setting up your free class and the class schedule, call Pura Cycling (1822 BBD Blvd., between Publix and Bealls) at 501-2124 or visit PuraCycling.com.

By Gary Nager

Firehouse Subs Moves

In case you were wondering what happened to the Firehouse Subs — which used to be located next to Publix in the New Tampa Center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — this might get a little confusing. Firehouse is still located next to a Publix on BBD, but it just reopened in the Shoppes of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel, the plaza located across S.R. 56 from the Shops at Wiregrass mall. The proximity to the mall and the major intersection of S.R. 56 of BBD helped the owners decide that a move was in order. Firehouse Subs is now located at 1824 BBD Blvd., between Publix & Bealls. For more info, call 977-3181.

Toast Adds New Coffee & Wine Bar

Long-time readers of this newspaper know how much I enjoy the Toast Fine Wine Bar on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just south of Tampa Palms, in the Oak Ramble Plaza. Although Toast has multiple owners, Hector Gonzalez is the face of the biz and one of New Tampa’s foremost authorities on fine wine — especially for those looking for outstanding wines at outstanding prices. But now, Toast, which recently opened a second location in South Tampa, is expanding its kitchen and its food options and recently added an espresso bar serving delicious Illy coffee, espresso, cappuccinos, lattes and other coffee drinks. Toast has live music, great wine din-

Nelson Dentistry Earns Program Accreditation Check out the beautiful new coffee, espresso & cappuccino bar at the recently revamped Toast Wine & Café on BBD.

ners and also is a great place for finding wonderful buys on bottles of red, white and sparkling wines you won’t find at the grocery store for the holiday season and it’s also a great place to hold your next holiday party. For more info about Toast Wine & Café (14921 BBD), call 632-3105 or visit ToastWineandCafe.com.

Pura Cycling Studio’s Grand Opening Specials

If you’ve been thinking about kicking your fitness routine up a notch, now is the time to check out the new Pura Cycling Studio, located in the Publixanchored Shoppes of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel plaza, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just south of the Shops at Wiregrass mall. Pura Cycling co-owners Stephanie Farquhar and Alsio Carroccetto are celebrating their Grand Opening with one free ride for anyone who’s interested in checking out the calorie burn, cardio and other health benefits of indoor cycling, plus other special offers on one-month

Congratulations to Jay Nelson, DMD, and his Nelson Dentistry, located on S.R. 54 in Lutz, a couple of miles west of the junction with S.R. 56, for earning program accreditation from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). “We congratulate Nelson Dentistry on fulfilling the high standards required for receiving accreditation as a dental sleep medicine facility,” said AADSM president Dr. Gail Demko. “Nelson Dentistry will provide the highest quality care for patients with sleep disordered breathing.” Dental sleep medicine is a growing segment of dentistry that focuses on managing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), an effective alternative to the standard Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP therapy. Only a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can provide treatment with OAT, a mouthguard-like device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. For more info about Nelson Dentistry (1928 Highland Oak Blvd., Lutz), call 949-0424, visit SleepBetterFlorida.com or see the ad on page 40. For info about dental sleep medicine and the AADSM, visit AADSM.org.

Our editor loves the parmesan-and-potato-crusted snapper at the new Ciao Italian Bistro in the Shops at Wiregrass mall.

Shops At Wiregrass Update

The new Ciao Italian Bistro has opened and is offering a fantastic 20-percent-off your entire bill with the coupon in the ad on page 49. I’ve only had a chance to sample Ciao’s Italian fare a couple of times since it replaced Pagelli’s in the mall, but I really enjoyed both the parmesan-andpotato-crusted snapper pictured above (served with great homemade mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus, too) and the rigatoni alla Toscana, which features large tube pasta sautéed with Italian sausage, roasted peppers, onion and tomato sauce, topped with garlic-herb Rondele. For more info, call 907-2200 or visit CiaoItalianBistro.com. And last, but not least, the planned new Panera Bread at Wiregrass is hiring now to fill the following positions: Bakery Opener, Sandwich Line, Cashier, Food Prep, Dining Room, Dishwasher, Third Shift Baker, Catering Coordinator and Restaurant Managers. For additional info, apply on-line at PaneraBread.jobs.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Sweet Darling Quilts Has ‘Crafty’ Ideas For Great Holiday Gifts! By Gary Nager

do it because her designs are just so unique and adorable!” Cathy and Lynn agree that Sweet Darling is a lot more than just them. “We have a lot of people who help us out here, from different designers (including “friend of the store” Karen Conter, who teaches wool quilting at Sweet Darling) who teach different classes (see below), to people who help us out when the different quilter’s (Top left) “The Picnic,” by designer Paula Ashford Lewis, took “Best in guilds from all across Show” at the Cypress Creek Quilters Guild show earlier this month. (Top the Tampa Bay area right) Owner Cathleene Tokish & manager Lynn Herndon of Sweet come here for sales Darling Quilts on S.R. 54. (Right) You can learn how to make “Northevent.” ern Lights” at an advanced quilting class at Sweet Darling Quilts. Quilters Guilds from as far away as Palm Harbor, BranOut” at Sweet Darling. Husbands and boyfriends don and Dade City have brought groups can bring in their significant others’ wish lists, get of as many as 50 quilters in buses to their shopping done and their gifts wrapped while Sweet Darling, which Lynn says requires they sit next door at Chapel Cigars and enjoy “a lot of hands here to help with measgreat specials on premium cigars and ice cold uring and cutting of fabric and helping micro-brewed beers while they wait. them find the patterns they need. We For info about these events & the upcomserve them refreshments and make sure ing “Class Preview” on Wednesday, January 9, everyone goes home happy.” call Sweet Darling Quilts (26240 Wesley Special events are a big part of Chapel Blvd., Lutz) at 994-2994, visit SweetSweet Darling’s business, including two DarlingQuilts.com. coming up very soon worth noting. For example, coming up, on Wednesday, December 12, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., is the second annual “Guys Night

I have known Cathleene “Cathy” Tokish for at least a couple of years before she opened her Sweet Darling Quilts in the Grand Oaks Square plaza on S.R. 54, a mile or so west of Lexington Oaks, about a year ago. When she opened, the wife of Chapel Cigars (located right next door) co-owner Tom Tokish had a nice selection — from what my untrained eye could see — of patterns, fabric, tools and other necessities to make some nice quilts. Today, however, Sweet Darling Quilts has at least four or five times as much “stuff” in-store as it did a year ago, and there is a lot of opportunity for anyone who already enjoys or is even a little bit interested in quilting to take an array of classes and buy everything they need to make quilts for baby and adult beds, pillows and even quilted clothing. New classes start up again in January, so check Sweet Darling’s website or come into the store to find out what’s available. Cathy and store manager Lynn Herndon are both experienced quilters, but they both also say they still learn new things about this fun, rewarding “hobby” from the quilters and even award-winning quilt designers who come into Sweet Darling Quilts. For example, well-known local artist and quilt designer Paula Ashford Lewis, who displays her amazing original cartoon character quilts at Sweet Darling, won “Best in Show” at the Cypress Creek Quilter’s Guild annual show (which was held at USF the weekend of Nov. 911), for her newest creation, “The Picnic,” which is a scene (photo top left) depicting a black-and-floral cat named Black Bart who has, “Invited the birds for a picnic. Oh, what to serve?” “A lot of people who come into the store ask if they can buy patterns of Paula’s designs,” says Cathy. “It’s a lot of work to change Sweet Darling Quilts is a sea of fabrics, patterns and everya design into a pattern, but thing else you need to make beautiful holiday gifts. we keep hoping Paula will

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

PHYSICAL THERAPIST – An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080 HELP WANTED - Medical Billing Personnel, part-time, flexible hours, Local PT Clinic. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. COUNTER PERSON WANTED - Must have floral design experience. Please call (813) 9799453 for more information HELP WANTED-Local restaurant & bar looking for part-time & full-time shift managers. Management experience in restaurant & bar required. Please call to speak with Jeff Monday through Thursday between 10 a.m. - 4p.m. at (813) 972-1725. HELP WANTED-New Tampa medical equipment company needs to hire a part time billing clerk. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, be detail oriented with a positive customer service attitude. Call to speak Senka (813) 994-6688

EDUCATION / BABYSITTING PROFESSIONAL TENNIS LESSONS Recently relocated USPTA/PTR teaching professional available for private/group/team tennis lessons. Former Head Tennis Professional at the #2 and #3 Tennis Resorts in the U.S. Past coach of former #1 singles player at the University of Florida. Call Steve Brady at (843) 422-3993 or email sbrady@hargray.com WENDELKEN STUDIO OF MUSICAL ARTS - Join our popular and award-winning school of classical music. Right in the heart of Tampa Palms, we offer Classical, European training in: Piano, Violin, Cello, Voice and Viola. Beginners through Advanced; Adults, too. Receive College credit toward the Associate Diploma in Performance from our affiliate, The Carnegie Hall-Royal Conservatory of Music Achievement Program. Many recital/competition/ examination/performance opportunities. The top school in Tampa for serious classical training. See TampaPiano.com or call Mary at (813) 978-1771

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

Classifıeds

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

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LICENSED MOBILE MASSAGE THERAPIST Available seven days a week, 9am -9pm. $55 for 1 hour! Types of massage available: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aroma Therapy, Hot Stone, Corporate Seated, Pregnancy, Sports & Injury Rehab. References available. www.barkdollmassagetherapy.com CALL (727) 372-6389 Lic #MA47546. JAZZERCISE CLASSES - Classes available MonFri 8:30am & 9:30am located at Jansen Dance Project. Jazzercise is a combination of dance, hip hop, kickboxing, yoga, and Pilates. Enjoy 30 minutes of rockin’ cardio and 30 minutes of strength training. All Monday’s in September are FREE! For more information call Julie (813) 505-5258, www.jazzercise.com or jwagonerjazz@verizon.net.

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TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE - New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! Call Chris Today @ (813) 857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com AQUATEC POOL SERVICE - keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call (813) 312-5694 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FOR FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

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M.Y. CLEANING SERVICE - Offering Residential cleaning. We offer complete bath & kitchen cleaning, as well as dusting and polishing furniture. We provide our own supplies. Free estimates! Your satisfaction is our priority! With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554. QUALITY CLEANING & SERVICES - Residential & commercial with14 years of experience. We provide our own supplies and always the same crew. Free estimates! (813) 381-1430 or 418-1217.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 •

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

FOR RENT - Beautiful 3/2 pool house for rent $1400/mo. Laminate floor all around. Solar heated POOL !!! and well maintained back yard. Impeccable condition. Small lake & park right in the corner. Access to great recreational complex in Meadow Point Community! Come see it. Great Schools - Hurry up. Call (813)390-1641.

PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT – in your home or small business. A+ certified computer tech with 15 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. References available upon request. Call 957-8342 for free estimate.

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements?Ask about our HOA SPECIAL! FREE ESTIMATE! (813) 420-4465

REALTOR - Let me Find your Dream Home for you,... I WILL DO THE WORK! - You will get my full attention to your Real Estate needs. Call me directly at 813-679-9595 or email me: vangalder1@aol.com. MARIA CHERREZ VANGALDER, Realtor, Ceritfied Short Sale Expert; Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc.

CLEANING SERVICES

TAI CHI CLASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT THE CLUB TAMPA PALMS - Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus and reduced stress. New Beginner 6 week courses starting every few months. Adults Course: Thursday evening’s 7-8 pm. Seniors Course:Tuesday afternoons 12-1 pm. Space is limited! Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness training and more. With more than 30 years of training and teaching experience. Please contact me for more details or go to: chuan-fa.org Peter #787-7560 or E-mail peter@chuan-fa.org

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COMPUTER SERVICES

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • December 1, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com