01-12 New Tampa by Neighborhood News

Volume 20 Issue 1

Inside: Our 2011 Dining Survey Contest Winners!

January 3, 2012

See page 48!

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

Apparent ‘Pranksters’ Drain The New Tampa YMCA Pool By Sean Bowes The New Tampa Family YMCA in Tampa Palms is planning to heighten security around its building with higher fences and possibly video surveillance equipment after someone drained almost all of the water out of its Olympic-sized pool in an act of vandalism. Sometime after the YMCA’s holiday party on December 11, which ended at 9 p.m., an unknown suspect scaled a six-foot fence that surrounds the pool and tampered with the valves and levers, letting more than 400,000 gallons of water drain out of it. YMCA aquatic director Andrew Palumbo says he received a call around 5:15 a.m. the next morning after a worker noticed that nearly all of the water had gushed out into a nearby retention pond. YMCA officials believe that the suspect had some knowledge of work-

Lifeguards at the New Tampa YMCA take it easy while the pool is refilled. ing on swimming pool systems. “I was in disbelief,” says Palumbo. “There was only two to three feet of water left in the pool when I arrived.” The 50-by-25-meter pool is the largest in Tampa and is 7-foot-6-inches deep at its deepest point. Olympic-

sized pools, like this one, hold more than half a million gallons of water. Many swimmers regard it as the finest pool for competitive swimming in the area, while many other groups also utilize the pool for casual swimming, exercising and socializing. All were affected by the pool’s draining.

“The first group (that was affected) was a program for a group of wounded veterans who use it for water therapy,” says YMCA spokesperson Rebecca Bray, “For some of the veterans it’s the only chance they get to be mobile. I don’t think the person (or persons) who did this realizes the extent of the damage they caused.” At least eight programs have been temporarily cancelled or relocated due to the draining of the pool, including the YMCA’s 115-member competitive swim team, a synchronized swimming team and a group of seniors who use the pool for water aerobics. Additionally, the pool is used regularly by some of the 10,000 members of the New Tampa YMCA branch. Many of the members utilize the pool on a daily basis, since it is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Palumbo says there is a silver lining from the incident — the way the See “Pranksters” on page 6.

West Meadows Residents Upset About Proposed Charter School

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

European Refinement At Paris Hair, Start High-Speed Police Chase Starts In New The New Year Off Right At Tampa Tampa, Brick-Tossing Burglars Strike The Area, A New Sportsplex For Wesley Chapel Rejuvenation, Our 2011 Dining Survey Results, ‘Neighborhood Nibbles’ & More! & Lots Of Local Business News!

See pages 3-37!

See pages 37-52!

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

strophic” for drivers and residents in the area. The 17.9acre parcel of land would eventually be home to nearly 1,000 students and 250 more children in the school’s day care center, which would be built next to the school. Although the A planned school & day care center off Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. School Board has some West Meadows & Richmond Place residents up in arms. approved the plan for the charter school, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the school will ever be built. In fact, unless the City See “Charter” on page 32. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 2801

The Hillsborough County School Board (HCSB) recently approved the introduction of 10 charter schools which could open around the county, including one in New Tampa that has residents of Richmond Place and West Meadows very concerned. The City of Tampa will decide on Thursday, Jan-

uary 12, if the controversial school will be built in the area. Advantage Academy of Hillsborough Inc. is hoping to build a K-8 school on a plot of land on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. at Brinegar Cir. in West Meadows. Some local residents fear that the introduction of a school in the area would bring in an influx of traffic that would be “cata-

Dated Material Please Rush!

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A Little Bit Of Info About My Dining Reviews & Happy 2012! Throughout the nearly 18 years I have been the owner, editor and primary food “critic” for this publication, I have probably received as much praise and criticism for my dining reviews as I have about controversial road projects. Maybe more. And, to be honest, I’m O.K. with that. I’ve heard it all before — “He never says anything bad about a restaurant, so how can you trust him?” But, the part many people don’t understand is that I don’t consider myself to be a “critic.” I prefer to think of myself as a “dining reviewer,” but either way, I believe my job, in these cases, is to tell you the things I like about any place I review — from ambiance and service to as many items on the menu as possible. Despite what some people think, the easiest thing in the world is to say a place has fresh fish that isn’t fresh or that their steak often has more gristle than flavor. But, rather than let any such criticism see print, the thing I do is go back to the restaurant owner and/or chef and tell them about any problems. “If I don’t like what I had, I will always tell you,” I’ve told countless restaurateurs. “But, if I like what I had, I will tell (approximately) 70,000 of my closest friends.” And, believe me, I’ve had plenty of uncomfortable sitdowns with restaurant owners over the years. But, whether an eatery advertises with me or not, I still believe my job is to help promote area businesses, not put them out of busi-

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Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Senior News Reporter Sean Bowes Correspondents Camille Gillies • Alicia Pack • Sheryl Young

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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 20, Issue 3, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, January 16. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2012 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager ness. It’s an attitude I brought with me from my time living, working and owning my own media buying/ad agency in New York City for more than a decade. I saw some truly amazing restaurants go out of business because a “critic” for the New York Post or New York magazine said his “pasta wasn’t al denté enough. One star (out of five).” I’m sure, for some people, it’s something of a rush to have that kind of power, but I knew how expensive it was just to rent space anywhere in Manhattan or even Long Island or Westchester County and I saw restaurant owners who worked 80- or 90hour weeks and sweat blood every day just to open and maintain a place. So, I decided, at about age 30, that if I ever wielded that kind of power (as some say I do today), I would do so to help local restaurant owners, not try to make them shut their doors. My years growing up in Long Island and living and working in Manhattan allowed me to experience every type of cuisine, from every country in Asia to Zimbabwe (African food, to date, has never been high on my list, but I’m still open-minded). More important, at least to me, is that I have learned what I like and don’t like over the years. To be my favorite Chinese place, you’d best have great egg rolls and spare ribs, a spicy shredded pork dish that makes me sweat and amazing fried rice. Italian places should know that garlic is the spice of life and yes, the pasta should be served al denté without having to ask for it. A great Japanese steak house has to have not only a tender and tasty hibachi steak, but also a great seared tuna and white

meat fish (grouper, snapper, etc.) sushi. While it’s true that I won’t just put it in print if I don’t like something I sample at a local eatery, if you can’t tell the difference between a “rave” review of mine and a...let’s say lukewarm one, all I can say is that most people I’ve talked to in person about this subject definitely have known the difference. They’ll even tell me, “You really love Acropolis, but you were just O.K. with __________ (go ahead, fill in that blank yourself).” I try to not overuse words like “my favorite” or “the best” in my reviews, so if I do give something one of those titles in a story, I don’t believe you can go wrong sampling it. In fact, I stand behind every word of every dining review I’ve ever done. If you try what I recommend, more often than not (although everyone’s tastes are still different), you’ll at least enjoy your meal. If you try things I haven’t mentioned...well, I obviously can’t vouch for menu items I haven’t tried or dishes I don’t normally enjoy, so you’re more on your own at those times. The most important thing, at least to me, is that the restaurant owners, time and time again, tell me that my reviews work better than ANY other advertising medium. From Day One, there has been a big run on mojo park and merluza at la Cubanita Café, people

stopping into Jalapeno just to sample my favorite seared grouper (or amberjack, etc.) sashimi and other fresh fish and to 900º Woodfired Pizza for the New York-style (and woodfired oven) pizzas and pastas since my respective reviews of each came out. The fact is that while some people only want to see me be “honest” and say when I’ve had a bad meal or two somewhere, most of you apparently not only enjoy reading my reviews (which I always put in the last few pages of an issue to ensure that the back of the book gets as many eyeballs as the front), you actually go to the places and try them...and usually try my recommendations. And, best of all, you tell the restaurant owner(s) that I sent you and I can’t thank you enough for that! In other words, I won’t apologize for not trying to put anyone out of business, even though any number of restaurants I’ve written nice things about over the years have gone the way of the dinosaur. The bottom line is that even though this isn’t NYC, it’s tough to operate a dining establishment anywhere and my goal is still to help, especially the mom-and-pop places. Turn to pages 48-49 to see this year’s Reader Dining Survey & Contest winners. My favorite restaurants for 2011 will appear next issue.

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES....................Pages 1-32 Pranksters Drain YMCA Pool (cont. from page 1)..............6 Brick-Tossing Bandits Strike New Tampa...............................8 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel News Briefs ..............10-11 Updates To The Schenecker Murder Trial High-Speed Police Chase Starts In New Tampa Woman Arrested After ‘Breakfast Beat Down’ Wiregrass Ranch High Student Arrested On Rape Charges New Tampa Community Calendar.................14-15

Local Business Updates............................18-31 New Tampa Chamber Newsletter.......................18 American Wood Flooring.........................................20 Petsburgh Mobile Pet Grooming.............................24 Wells Endodontics...................................................28 New Tampa Business Briefs.....................................30

Local Education & Sports Updates..........32-34 Charter School Upsets Residents (cont. from pg. 1)..... 32 Liberty Middle School Winter Concert............33 Wharton High Trying To Win A New Track..............34 Pee-Wee Cheerleaders Take Fifth In Nation...............34

Neighborhood Magazine

Getting Pampered At Paris Hair..........................37, 40 Feeling Great At Tampa Rejuvenation......................38 Check Out The Shen Yun Dance Program...............41 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles’.....................................44 Our 2011 Dining Survey & Contest Winners!....48

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS..............50

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Pranksters” Continued from page 1 New Tampa community has pulled together to make sure everyone is able to participate in the YMCA’s programs in spite of the vandalism. “Compton Park and Tampa Palms Country Club have really stepped up,” says Palumbo. “They have allowed our swimming teams and other programs to use their facilities.” When asked why someone would want to drain the pool, YMCA officials are dismissing it as a prank aimed to spoil some fun during the holidays. “I’ve been telling everyone that it was someone with a Grinch-spirit for the holidays,” says Bray. Filling the pool has been a hassle in itself. Workers attempted to refill it the day it was discovered drained; however, there were air bubbles that had gotten into the system and it had to be drained again. YMCA officials must steadily pump water into it from a makeshift PVC hose attached to a fire hydrant which will pour water in to it 24 hours a day until the pool is filled. This unexpected draining marks the third time the pool has been emptied in its 100-year history. It was drained twice before for repairs and

This fire hydrant was used to refill the New Tampa YMCA pool. maintenance. When the drain valves are opened, the chlorinated water gushes into a retention pond, which was built specifically to hold water when the pool needs to be drained. Taking in to account the cost of filling the pool, the time of the staff and damage to the pumps, spokespersons for the YMCA are estimating the damages to be somewhere around $3,000, including what they will anticipate to be a high water bill. “We’ll know how much it (actually) cost after we check the water meter,” said YMCA executive director Tom Goode. According to TPD, the suspect could be charged with criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage, which is a felony. YMCA officials are asking anyone with knowledge of the incident to call TPD at 231-6130.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Brick-Tossing Bandits Burglarizing New Tampa Homes Still At Large By Sean Bowes Tampa Police Department (TPD) detectives are still searching for the burglar or burglars who have broken into at least seven homes in New Tampa subdivisions such as Hunter’s Green, Heritage Isles and West Meadows. The break-ins started on November 11 at 10730 Plantation Bay Dr. in Heritage Isles. At around 9:30 p.m., the unknown suspect(s) smashed a side bedroom window to the home with a decorative landscaping brick, setting off the alarm and fleeing to their next targeted home in the New Tampa area. It

turns out that the landscaping bricks have been a trend in the string of robberies that has hit the New Tampa area in the last month. Nothing was stolen from the house on Plantation Bay Dr. because the alarm startled the burglars; however, other residents weren’t so lucky. A number of valuables, including jewelry, high-end TVs, cameras, video game consoles and in one case, a collection of firearms, have all been reported stolen in the last 45 days in burglaries that started with a decorative brick smashing a window or sliding glass door. Nearly all of the burglaries took

place on Friday or Saturday nights, with the exception of a break-in at a Hunter’s Green home located on the edge of Flatwoods Park which was broken into on a Tuesday night. A Nintendo Wii video game console and jewelry were stolen from that home. Det. Bryan McClain of the TPD is asking New Tampa residents to spread the word to their neighbors to report suspicious persons or noises in their neighborhood. The most recent burglary took place on December 12, at Heritage Isles, where the suspect(s) again used a brick paver to gain access to the

house. The residents of the home were away for the weekend, according to a TPD report. Fingerprints were lifted from five of the burgled homes and blood was taken from one other. According to TPD spokesperson Lisa Timmer, no arrests had been made and no suspects had been named at our press time. For information about TPD’s “Vacation Watch Program,” a free service where TPD officers will check on your home up to three times a day when you’re out of town, visit TampaGov.net.

This map shows the areas where the brick-tossing bandits had struck as of our press time — in Hunter’s Green, Cory Lake Isles, Heritage Isles & West Meadows. One home not shown on the map was one home that was hit in Tampa Palms.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

News Briefs

New Updates To The Julie Schenecker Murder Case Attorneys for Julie Powers Schenecker, the New Tampa mother and accused murderer of her children, 16year-old Calyx and 13-year-old Beau, are attempting to put some of the blame for the children’s death on their father, U.S. Air Force Col. Parker Schenecker. In a December 5 court filing, Julie Schenecker's attorney, Edward Bren- Julie Schenecker nan, wrote that Parker, an intelligence officer assigned to U.S. Central Command who was in Qatar at the time of the killings, was negligent to leave his wife in a mentally unstable condition to take care of their children. The court documents state that in the months leading up to the killings, Julie underwent a series of medical surgeries that resulted in her addiction to the pain killer Oxycontin and that Parker knew his wife abused Oxycontin and alcohol and would not allow her to drive the children anywhere. Her

lawyers also claim that Parker knew that she was severely depressed and stayed in bed for up to 20 hours a day and, they say, he did nothing to bring her back in to a rehabilitation center. Julie was in a Clearwater rehabilitation center from November 10–28, 2010, and when she was released, she continued to abuse pain killers and alcohol. A date for Julie Schenecker’s criminal trial has not been set, although there is another hearing on her charges set for January 18, and the civial case would likely not be set for trial until after the criminal case concludes. However, on August 12, Julie Schenecker’s public defenders announced that she would plead insanity in the criminal case. She faces two counts of firstdegree murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. In an Email obtained by the St. Petersburg Times, Parker wrote to his family members, thanking them for their support, and also responded to criticism he has received on the matter: “On the current crisis of how I parent my children, I appreciate your concern … and no worries, I’ll write off your criticism as ignorance.

Man Arrested After HighSpeed Chase Through Area A Dade City man is now in jail after he led Tampa Police Department (TPD) officers on a high-speed chase that started near the Richmond Place community. The suspect, Montrelle Anderson Semone, took TPD officers on a chase from New Tampa past Wesley Chapel and finally ended in San Antonio where he was arrested thanks to the help of police helicopters and K-9 units. On December 9, TPD officers Joe Perrone and David DiMarco were conducting speed enforcement near the intersection of Richmond Place Dr. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. when they attempted to flag down Semone for driving his 2003 Pontiac Vibe too fast. According to a TPD report, Semone, 36, of Dade City, fled a short distance before two unmarked patrol cars that were dispatched in the area boxed him in near Galbraith Rd. and Antietam Ct., behind Sukothai restaurant. The two officers waited for Perrone and DiMacro to arrive before approaching Semone. While he was pulled over, Semone refused both officers’ commands to exit his car and he locked the driver's door. When Perrone went to the rear of the car to try other doors or windows for entry, Semone put the car in reverse

and accelerated toward Perrone, who had to dive out of the way to avoid being struck by the Pontiac SUV before it sped on to BBD Blvd. Semone then Montrell Semone Anderson headed northbound on I-75 and with officers in hot pursuit, he tried to lose Officer DiMarco by intentionally ramming his police car so hard that it disabled the cruiser. Officers continued to follow Semone into Pasco County, where speeds reached 100 mph before he exited onto S.R. 52 and then turned onto Pasco Rd., where he bailed out of his car and ran into a wooded area. Additional TPD officers along with Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers arrived and a perimeter was quickly set up on the side of Pasco Rd. TPD Air Service responded with helicopters as well as K-9 officers from TPD and the PCSO. Eventually, Semone surrendered and officers arrested him without further incident, no one was injured in the chase or search. Semone was transported to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains on a $37,750 for five charges

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that include three counts of aggravated assault on an officer, aggravated fleeing to elude and driving with a suspended license. He has previously been arrested in Pasco County for driving with a suspended license.

Local Woman Arrested After Breakfast Beat Down Some siblings just don’t like sharing and it seems that a Wesley Chapel woman and her teenage sister are no exception, even if it’s a piece of bread. On November 28, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Deputy Andrew Daniels arrived at the Wesley Chapel home of Maria Acevedo, 21, at 30300 Hatz Way, where he had been dispatched after several calls to 911 from Acevedo’s home phone. According to a PCSO report, Acevedo got very upset when she found out that her 16-year-old sister was using her bread to make toast. Acevedo’s other sister, a 13-yearold who also lives at the home, told deputies that the 16-year-old remained calm and apologized for taking some of the bread, but Acevedo got more upset and allegedly attacked her sister with a six-inch cooking pot. During the fight, the two girls fell to the floor, where Acevedo slammed her sister’s head into the ground after delivering two blows with the pot. After some hair pulling, the 13-

year-old was able to separate her two sisters long enough for the 16-year-old to escape to her bedroom. The PCSO report says that Acevedo followed Maria Acevedo her, kicking and screaming at the door before grabbing a knife and slamming it against the door. The 16-year-old pushed her bed up against the door to stop her irate sister from getting in. She also logged on to Facebook.com to send an instant message to her cousin to say she needed help. By the time Dep. Daniels arrived, Acevedo had already calmed down and returned to her own room. The 16year-old girl suffered some minor injuries from the attack, which included a bump on her head and a cut on her right shoulder. Acevedo was arrested and charged with one count of domestic battery and taken to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, where she stayed for one night. It’s typical for first-time domestic battery offenders to be released after 24 hours without having to post bond, says PCSO spokesman Kevin Doll. Acevedo’s nine-month-old son was put in the custody of his grandmother (Acevedo’s mother), who arrived at the home shortly after the altercation.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

Ladies ‘Foodie’ Club Of New Tampa/Wesley Chapel

A new club for women in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas who enjoy socializing, trying out new restaurants and cooking ideas, sharing recipes and other food-related activities is now forming. For more information, send an email to Eileen.jones@yahoo.com.

MOMS Club Of New Tampa The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) club of New Tampa, which offers a variety of activities for stay-at-home mothers, is looking for new members. The club boundaries include all of the New Tampa area, except for Tampa Palms, Grand Hampton and Live Oak Preserve. For info, call 991-0406 or visit MomsClubNewTampa.webs.com.

Parkinson’s Support Group Wednesday, January 4, 1 p.m. Come out for an educational, emotional and social support for those living with Parkinson's disease as well as family, friends and caregivers. This group is cofacilitated by Faye Kern (Coordinator, American Parkinson's Disease Association) and Shirley Berkery (John Knox

Village Home Health), and is sponsored by the American Parkinson's Disease Association. Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of every month in the Private Dining Room (located in the tower) of St. Joseph's John Knox Village (4100 E. Fletcher Ave. Tampa, FL 33613). Next meeting will be held on January 4th. Snacks and refreshments are provided. If you have any questions, call 632-2331.

American Cancer Society Seeks New Tampa Volunteers Tuesday, January 10, 6:30 p.m. — The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers and teams for the New Tampa Relay For Life. The Kick-Off Party for the event will be held at Hunter’s Green Country Club . The goal is to engage volunteers in recruiting and assembling teams, seeking community support, coordinating logistics, securing donated refreshments and prizes, planning entertainment and lending their support in any way. Call Bill Holster at 994-1512.

Griefshare Recovery Support Group

Tuesday January 10, 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. This group meets every Tuesday for those grieving the death of

someone close. Meet others who understand the pain of loss. The program is conducted at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Room 307. For more info, call 963-1254, or Email A.King4104@verizon.net.

Business Networking Int'l

Wednesday, January 11, 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 Country Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

New Tampa Noon Rotary Wednesday, January 11, noon The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wednesday for lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr., inside the gates of the Hunter’s Green subdivision).

New Tampa Evening Rotary Club Wednesday, January 11, 6:15 p.m. - The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Thursday evening at Hunter’s Green Country Club, inside Hunter’s Green subdivision. New members are welcome and

please note that the club’s meetings are now on Wednesdays. Call Liz DeAmbrose at 9566487 or email: homenet@gte.net.

Tampa Toastmasters Wednesday, January 11, 7 p.m. Great speeches & great topics. Come hone your public speaking skills. Tampa Toastmasters meets every Wednesday evening at Pebble Creek Golf Club, located at 10550 Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. New guests are always welcome. For more info, call 428-6356.

NE Tampa Women In Business – Holiday Dinner Thursday, December 8, 6 p.m.8:30 p.m. Please join the North East Tampa Women in Business for their holiday dinner at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.)! Guests are welcome for this special event and there will be no featured speaker this month. Instead, each member and guest is asked to bring a $10 gift card to their favorite store, restaurant, or business for a gift card exchange. Attendees will enjoy an elegant full-course dinner and professional networking. The cost to attend is $25 for members and $28 for guests. RSVP at Netwib.org or call 364-2174.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

CBC Networking Thursday, January 12, 8 p.m. Come together with like-minded professionals at the Christian Business Connections (CBC) Networking group. The CBC Networking group meets every Thursday at Heritage Church at 1854 Oak Grove Blvd. in Lutz (off S.R. 54, behind Organic Life Coffeehouse). Call 300-7511 for more info.

Free Storytelling Event Saturday, January 7, 6:15 p.m. The Book Swap of New Tampa will be holding a storytelling event for youngsters at 1946 Bruce b. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. This FREE event includes arts and crafts, refreshments and, of course, a great children's story For more information, visit KellysTales.books.officelive.com

Lacrosse Tournament of Champions Friday, December 30- Sunday, January 1.- The Dick's Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions at Wesley Chapel District Park and Wesley Chapel Highwill host some of the best lacrosse teams in the nation. Games will be open to the public and will not want to be missed. For game schedules or more information, visit NDP.GoalLine.Ca.

New Tampa Relay For Life Kicks Off 2012 Campaign The New Tampa Relay for Life won’t be held around the running track (see page 34) at Paul R. Wharton High until the weekend of May 18-19, 2012, but there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved today in the American Cancer Society (ACS)’s largest annual fund raiser. The kick-off party for the 2012 New Tampa Relay for Life (photo) was held at Hunters Green Country Club on December 6, where this year’s campsite theme was revealed as, “Journey to the Cure – Don’t Stop Believing.” Team captains attending the kickoff party each selected song titles by the rock band Journey to complement their campsite themes. A mock campsite featuring the rock n’ roll video game Guitar Hero was set up at the party to show participants how to do some final fundraising at their campsites. The first of four “team parties” will be held on Tuesday, January 17, at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (on Galbraith Rd., near the Muvico movie theatres) in New Tampa at 6 p.m. All team captains and yhose interested in becoming team participants are invited to attend. Additional monthly team meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at the same time at the Holiday Inn Express. The goals of the ACS Relay For

Life are to engage volunteers in recruiting and assembling teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, secure donated refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend support to ACS and the local Relay events in any way. At our press time, 19 teams had already raised more than $3,800 for the 2012 New Tampa Relay, all of which will be donated to improving the lives of cancer patients. Last year, the Relay’s theme revolved around TV shows and 39 teams representing local schools, businesses and other groups and organizations worked to meet the New Tampa Relay committee’s goal of $150,000, which is the same goal for the New Tampa event again this year. Bill Holster, an organizer for the New Tampa Relay, says the events give New Tampa a unique opportunity to contribute to the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives, by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by fworking to find cures for cancer, and by fighting back. Holster says that residents who give their time, energy and financial commitment to this exciting event are really standing up for our community and its pledge to join the fight. Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp

out at an athletic track or park. The goal is to keep at least one member of each team on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening. Teams do most of their fund-raising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fund raisers at their camp sites during Relay. The event celebrates people who have battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost to the disease and provides participants with an opportunity to fight back — all aimed at furthering ACS’s vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. For more information about forming a team, becoming a sponsor or offering services to help the 2012 New Tampa Relay For Life, please contact Bill Holster at 994-1512 or visit Relayforlife.org/newtampafl. The New Tampa Relay will begin Friday, May 18, 6 p.m., at Wharton High, and will last through noon on Saturday, May 19. — SB

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

2011-12 NTCC Board of Directors President-Rachel Haviland

Board Members:

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

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

Officers

Non-Officers

VP-Connie Bladon Treasurer-Lesley Zajac Secretary-Chuck Ward

Regina Ramalheira Said Iravani Earl Meyer Lee Hoffman Joyce Gunter

The Shops At Wiregrass Set To Host The 2012 Taste Of New Tampa! The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the 19th Annual Taste of New Tampa® will be hosted by the Shops at Wiregrass on Sunday, March 11, 2012, thanks to our Chamber member, Cindi Matter of YOUR Community Newsletters. Visit TheTasteof NewTampa.com to register your business or restaurant for the event or to choose a sponsorship package. The Taste is the best way to promote your business in the area and contribute to your community. All proceeds from the event are donated to local schools and volunteer organizations. Chamber members and members of the community are encouraged to volunteer as we organize the event. Please contact the Chamber at info@NewTampaChamber.org or call 293-2464 to be added to the email list for event information or to volunteer for the Taste planning committee.

Chamber Welcomes New & Renewing Members

As the New Tampa Chamber continues to grow, we would like to welcome the following new members: Go So Free Church, Cherry Berry and New Tampa Patch. We also thank our renewing members for their continued

support: Vista Grande at Tampa Palms and Verizon Wireless. The Chamber also would like to express our sincere appreciation to our Board member and New Tampa resident Lesley Zajac for her years of service to the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the chamber and our members. Lesley has most recently served as Chamber treasurer but will be stepping down at the end of the year. We also thank Craig Miller, president of Full Throttle Intermedia, for his valued service to the Board and the Chamber. We wish you every success in your business! It is through the support of such volunteers who dedicate their time to the organization that we are able to continue to strengthen the chamber, and to develop new and innovative projects to serve our members and the New Tampa community.

Mark Your Calendars!

NEW — NTCC Work It! The second Tuesday of each month, 8 a.m.9 a.m., at the New Tampa Chamber offices, 15310 Amberly Dr. (in the Palm Lake at Tampa Palms office building), Ste 250, Tampa, FL 33647. NTCC Work It is FREE for Chamber members. Attendees will get tips and tricks for business building. See ways you can

use the New Tampa Chamber member portal to build your personalized referral network. Are you collecting and pitching business cards when the pile gets too high? There’s a better way. Looking for a way to stop cold calling? We’ve got more than one! Register online now. Join us at our next Chamber luncheon on Monday, January 9, at Pebble Creek Golf Club or our upcoming Power Lunch at World of Beer in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms on Tuesday, January 17, to meet and network with our members! Networking on the 9’s: The 4th Wednesday of each month, 3 p.m., at Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regents Park Dr., Tampa, FL 33647. The cost is a $15 greens fee. Chamber Connections Networking: Held the last Thursday of each month, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., at Stonewood Grill, 17050 Palm Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33647. Free for members and prospective members. Please pre-register for all events at NewTampaChamber.org/ events.php.

member businesses thrive, giving residents a voice and pushing New Tampa in a clear direction for the future. Our success depends upon input from our our members and our community. The Chamber is planning to hold a series of “Open Discussion” meetings over the coming months to receive your constructive input and to help us understand your needs and priorities. Business members, residents and those interested in joining the chamber are welcome to attend to voice their concerns about business, commerce and life in the New Tampa area. Stay tuned for more information on dates and locations! Email the Chamber with your ideas at info@NewTampaChamber.org. Meeting dates will be posted on our website events page at NewTampa Chamber.org. Join our Facebook page to receive regular updates on chamber news. Simply visit Facebook.com/ NewTampaChamber and click on the “Like” button to join us!

The Chamber Wants To Know What You Think!

We hope you had a happy holiday season and wish all of you and your families a happy, safe and prsperous New Year!

The New Tampa Chamber of Commerce focuses on helping our

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

American Wood Flooring — Family Owned & Operated For 20 Years! By Gary Nager If you’ve ever had flooring installed in your home, apartment or even your business, you know that it can be a stressful experience. Between the cost, having to tear out the existing carpeting, tile or floor and having to move your furniture, you know you want the job done right the first time. That’s one big reason why you should visit our friend Andy Dunning of American Wood Flooring, located in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwood Shopping Center (next to Marshall’s) in Wesley Chapel, if you’re planning to take the plunge and replace those old, pet-stained carpets or cracked tile with a new hardwood or laminate floor. “A lot of people are definitely looking to replace the existing flooring in their home with hardwood or laminate,” says Andy, who looks even younger than his 30 years but who has been involved in his family’s business since before he was old enough to actually work in it. “This is an independent, family-owned company that has been selling and installing floors in the Tampa Bay area for about 20 years.” Andy’s family’s first store, on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, moved to the corner of Mitchell Blvd. and Little Rd. in what is now called the Trinity area 15 or 16 years ago and is still there. The Wesley Chapel/New Tampa location is significantly newer, only a few years old, but Andy says it also is doing pretty well these days.

“With the economy the way it is,” he says, “a lot of people are trying to invest in their existing homes, whether to make them more saleable or because they know they have to stay in them a few more years. And, there’s no doubt that adding a new hardwood or laminate floor can add value to your home, as well as give it a whole new look.” He says that all of the foreclosures in the Tampa Bay area have helped his business, too. “A lot of people these days have been able to pick up some really nice homes for pennies on the dollar,” he says. “So, they can afford to make some investments into these foreclosed homes that add value to them, like a new exotic hardwood floor.” Andy says that American Wood Flooring specializes in both real hardwood and laminate flooring and has access to literally hundreds of colors and styles from all of the major manufacturers, including Armstrong and Bruce, and higher-end companies like Mirage and Robbins, which provide a variety of exotic Brazilian hardwoods, such as Brazilian cherry, Santos mahogany and amendoim (also known as Brazilian oak).

Noticeable Differences

“We’re not the only local company you can find that carries the major manufacturers,” he admits. “But, not only are our prices at least competitive with other companies, we also offer a lot of extras most of the others don’t.” For example, all of the prices per square foot quoted at American Wood Flooring include delivery, installation, moving all of your furniture for you, removal of your old carpeting, tile or flooring (with no charge for disposing of it) and, “all of our installers are in-house and have been certified to install Armstrong, Bruce and other major manufacturers’ flooring. We also give you a free cleanThis amendoim (Brazilian oak) hardwood ing kit and free felt pads to keep floor can add a touch of class to any staircase. your furniture from scratching the

Andy Dunning of American Wood Flooring in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwood Plaza has great selections of hardwood floors by Armstrong & Bruce. floor. A lot of places charge extra for many of those same services, so our prices really are even better than they seem.” Oh, and there’s never sales tax charged on the floors (because the government doesn’t collect sales tax for major home improvements), as long as you have American Wood Flooring install it. “We also warranty all of the floors we install for as long as you own your home,” Andy says. Those warranties can be important, especially with laminate floors, which (unlike hardwood floors) are not glued to your concrete slab, but are actually interlocked into place. “Yes, gaps can easily develop in your laminate floors,” he says. “Usually, all it takes is a trained installer to fix those gaps, but a lot of people try unsuccessfully to do it themselves.” As for pricing, you can get what Andy calls a “base laminate” floor installed for as little as $3.99 per square foot, with all of those aforementioned extras included. A base real wood floor starts as low as $5.99 per sq. ft., and American Wood Flooring has a current

special on an exotic hardwood floor that normally sells for $8.99 per square foot for as little as $7.25 per sq. ft. “That’s even less than the highestpriced laminate floor we sell (which is $7.50 per sq. ft. installed.) and we’re always being offered specials like these by the different manufacturers.” Part of the reason Andy is so knowledgeable about all aspects of the business is that he also spent some time (in 2007 and 2008) as a territorial sales manager for a flooring distributor covering Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. “It was a great experience for me to be on the distributor side,” he says. “I really learned a lot about which floors sell and why.” And yes, Andy does carry and install both carpet and some tile (mainly small tiles for bathrooms), although he admits there isn’t nearly as much demand for either these days. American Wood Flooring’s Wesley Chapel location is at 1285 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. For more info, visit AmericanWoodFlooringFL.com or call 991-7999. See the ad on page 36 of this issue for more great deals!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Petsburgh Mobile Pet Salon — Pretty Pooches & Convenience! By Alicia Pack Dog owners know the trials and troubles that come with taking their babies to a groomer. Between the loading, the unloading and the time spent in cages, the whole experience can be traumatic for you and your pet. But now, dog owners have a different option when it comes to grooming. After five years of working at a traditional grooming salon, Julie Gentry decided it was time to go into business for herself. The end result for the Pittsburgh, PA-area native was Petsburgh Mobile Pet Salon, which provides onsite grooming services for dog owners (nail clipping is the only service provided for cats. Julie says she wanted to provide a more personal service for her customers by bring her mobile grooming van to her customers’ homes. “It takes about a third of the time it takes to bring your dog to a grooming salon,” Julie says. “It is a lot more comfortable for the dogs, and more convenient for the customers.” She adds that mobile grooming services are highly desirable to busy pet parents in a multitude of ways. The services are performed at the dog’s home, saving on driving and reducing separation anxiety. After an initial

When you see the Petsburgh Mobile Pet Salon trailer, you’ll know your dog will receive top-quality grooming services. meeting between the groomer, the pet and the parent(s), grooming can be done even when the owner is at work! All the grooming vehicle needs is access to the dogs and a place to park, as no hook-ups or electricity from the home are used. Julie says, “It’s always nice for dog owners to have one less thing to worry about.” Your dog will be groomed in the vehicle and then returned to his or her home. Petsburgh groomers will not keep your dog in a cage at any time. Clean, fresh, heated water is used for baths and the water is never recycled. Elderly and disabled pets are accommo-

dated in every way possible. Petsburgh is devoted to providing grooming services in a secure, enjoyable and stress free environment. And, Petsburgh offers reliability and a variety of different services. The salon Your pooch will enjoy his or her bath in the Petsburgh Mobile Pet offers a nice variety Salon almost as much as you’ll appreciate the convenience! of grooming packown and she is trained in all of the latages, depending upon the needs of the est techniques. Pet owner and Petsowner and the dog. Basic services burgh customer Suzanne Elliott says, always include a brush out, ear clean, “Julie loves my dogs as much as I do. toenail trim, optional tooth brushing, My dogs are always excited to see her warm water bath, towel dry with a and she is always friendly, on time, folhand blow dry, another coat brushing lows up ahead of time to remind me of and deodorizing, finished off with a appointments and, most of all, she is cute bandana or a pretty bow. the best groomer ever!” Upgrades include full body hairPatty, another outstanding Petscuts, customized haircuts, blueberry facials with massage and even deep coat burgh groomer, has more than 20 years of experience that began when she conditioning, among others. owned and operated a boarding kennel. Petsburgh Mobile Pet Salon proShe trains police dogs and shows Engvides outstanding services not only lish bulldogs. Julie says Patty is known because of the company’s exceptional for her excellent scissoring ability and groomers, but also because of the Neighborhood News office manager mobile pet salon’s pet-friendly set-up. Nikki Bennett raved about her beagle Julie prides herself on treating Dakota’s experience with Patty. every pet she meets as if it were her

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Dakota enjoyed his grooming experience with Petsburgh groomer Patty. “The setup inside the salon is so convenient,” Nikki says. “And, Dakota was comfortable with Patty from the very beginning.” Kris is a professional bather at Petsburgh who can transform even the dirtiest dog into the prettiest pooch. Like Julie and Patty, she provides loving attention to all of her newfound friends. At Petsburgh, it really is all about the animals and the company strives to give to pets in need. The Petsburgh groomers often can be found at “yappy hours,” where all proceeds from nail trims or brush outs are given to local charities. Julie says that, “Sometimes, different apartment complexes or busi-

nesses will have their own yappy hours. It’s nice to do something nice and give money to charity.” Petsburgh Mobile Pet Salon travels around the neighborhoods of New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Zephyrhills, Northdale, Lutz, Odessa, Town ‘n Country, Hudson and surrounding areas. Pet owners must book appointments and Petsburgh tries hard to accommodate even the busiest of schedules. All groomers keep detailed records of your pet’s grooming history. And, in the rare case of a pet emergency, the owner will be contacted and, if the owner cannot be reached, Petsburgh has access to a local veterinarian who will be contacted. To Suzanne, “Petsburgh Mobile Grooming is the best idea yet… It’s a top-dog service at my doorstep. My dogs are my babies, since my children are grown, and I trust Julie implicitly with them. She makes the experience easy for me.” For customers in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Land O Lakes, Lutz, Zephyrhills, Odessa, Hudson and surrounding areas, call 928-1494 or email patty@petsburghgrooming. com. For more information about Petsburgh Mobile Pet Salon, visit PetsburghGrooming.com. Customers living outside of these areas can call Petsburgh at 928-1392.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.FLORIDAEXECUTIVEREALTY.COM For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Wells Endodontics Doesn’t ‘Skate Around’ Quality Dental Care! By Sheryl Young Dr. Brian Wells, DMD, is more than just the talented dental specialist who runs the Wells Endodontic Center in the Redfern Professional Park off bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. He’s also a renowned former figure skater with a big heart. Endodontics is the dental specialty that includes the process known as “root canal.” Nobody likes to think of having a root canal. In fact, the procedure is often the brunt of many jokes – “I’d rather do this than have a root canal,” and so on. But, Wells Endodontics, located about a mile north of the Wiregrass Mall, deserve a second look. Each year around this time, Wells hosts special events to thank his patients and the dentists with whom he associates. Earlier this month, he hosted a lively Charity Fund Raiser and Appreciation Party at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum. Wells’ events have another important purpose besides celebrating his four-year-old endodontic practice: he raises money for “Let’s Cure CP,” a cerebral palsy organization. “I have a special heart for the cause,” he explains. “My late sister, Jean-Marie, had cerebral palsy. All funds

raised at the event benefit people with the illness, like a local child named E.J. Costantino.” At the party, the Let’s Cure CP table was manned by E.J.’s mom, Erika. Invited guests were encouraged to bring more friends to meet Wells, raise more money for the cause and as a way of networking to spread the word about his outstanding services. During the special Saturday afternoon, guests were treated to a meetand-greet and snack lunch buffet with Dr. Wells, and some great gift baskets were raffled off for the charity. Everyone who dared was invited to put on skates and get out on the ice, while Dr. Wells casually joined them on the frosty white surface. There were ice skating exhibits by local skaters who train at the rink – several of them already medal winners in area competitions.

Some Facts About Endodontics Endodontists specialize in maintaining teeth through procedures involving the soft inner tissue of the teeth, also called the pulp. Pulp damage is sometimes, but not always, caused by a traumatic blow to the mouth. Endodontists like Dr. Wells are

trained in replanting teeth that have been knocked out of their sockets, and can diagnose and treat pain from one tooth that spreads to another tooth or to the head, neck, or ear. Wells graduated cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. He earned his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry degree from the prestigious Harvard University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, and completed his clinical training at Tufts University, also in Boston, where he earned his Endodontic Certificate. Patients are in good hands Endodontist Dr. Brian Wells and his family with Dr. Wells, who is a Boardrecently hosted a fund raiser to benefit “Let’s eligible Endodontist with the Cure CP” at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. American Board of Endodontics. The office staff includes my life,” he says, “I love being a (denpersonnel who are bi-lingual in English tal) specialist and helping people and Spanish, to efficiently service the through their pain.” diverse population of Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and the surrounding areas. A Frosty Second Home? Does Dr. Wells’ name sound familWells and his wife of five years, iar to you? If so, you’d understand why Maggie, currently live in Lutz with their daughters Olivia and Eva, son Ian, he’s decided to hold fund-raising events at a local ice skating rink. Figure skating and the family’s Boston terrier, Stella. “While my family is number one in fans from the 1980s and ‘90s might

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

remember Wells as a U.S. National and world-class pairs figure skater. Wells first competed with his sister Ann-Marie Wells as a Junior level pair. They represented the U.S. at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 198889. His first adult skating partner was Laura Murphy. Together, they won the gold medal at the 1990 U.S. Collegiate Championships. His most memorable partnership was with Shelby Lyons, with whom he won a U.S. Figure Skating Championship bronze medal in 1996 and silver medal in 1998. In those years, they also placed 10th at the World Figure Skating Championships and were close to qualifying for the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. So, how did a champion figure skater get interested in dentistry? “When I was a teenager, I had a lot of dental problems,” Wells explains. “I always seemed to be in the dentist’s chair. There was an oral surgeon whose daughter I knew from skating. I told him, ‘I could see myself doing dentistry for a living,’ and he told me to look him up when I was ready for guidance into the field.” When Wells seriously began to consider what he would like to do as he neared retirement from skating, he did contact that oral surgeon, who was

instrumental in guiding him toward his medical career. “Although I did skate professionally and coach some pairs skating when I first retired from competition, I just didn’t see myself staying in the skating world as a lifelong calling. So, I moved to New York City and started medical school.” That’s where he met his wife Maggie. “We met on our first day of medical classes,” he recalls fondly. “We were both taking pre-med courses at Baruch College in New York.” Maggie went into internal medicine. Wells studied all the dental specialties and eventually chose endodontics. He’s still on the Board of Directors for U.S. Special Olympics’ figure skating, again to honor the memory of Jean-Marie. He also started a program while at Harvard teaching other dentists how to deal with special needs children. “Smiles for Miles,” is still going strong at Harvard today. Ann-Marie, now Ann-Marie Dorsey, currently works in Dr. Wells’ office along with another of his sisters, Mary Beth. Dr. Wells also has three brothers. Wells specializes in painless techniques with tranquil surroundings. “There’s a bird conservation area right outside the window, and the office

has massage chairs,” says Ann-Marie. “People are so relaxed, we’ve had some fall asleep during their procedures.” If left untreated, root canal problems can be But, Wells extremely painful. Endodontics also offers nitrous oxide for patients who remain uneasy about visiting any dental office. We caught up with patient Bev Zichy at the recent ice skating party. She says she was referred to Dr. Wells by her dentist when in need of not one, but two root canals. “It’s obvious the precision Dr. Wells had in his skating is something he’s brought with him into his dentistry,” Bev says. “He approaches everything with accuracy and makes you feel so comfortable before he starts. Plus, his whole staff is personable, calming and comforting.” Bev’s had a lot done to her teeth, and says that although she previously has had some awful experiences, “I would highly recommend Dr. Wells to anyone.” More testimonies like Zichy’s are

available on the Wells Endodontics web page at CitySearch via Facebook. Just enter Wells Endodontics to see some truly five-star reviews. For patients with latex allergies, Wells’ office is exclusively latex free (none of the surgical gloves or instruments used are made with latex). And, he says he stays current on the latest sterilization methods, so that his record exceeds the highest standards of infection control advocated by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In other words, if you’ve been told you need a root canal or other procedure involving the dental pulp in your mouth, you should definitely consider Wells Endodontics. Wells Endodontics is located at 3757 Maryweather Ln., Suite 101, in the office park located behind Dunkin Donuts off BBD in the Seven Oaks area. The phone number is 907-7668. For more information about endodontic procedures and Dr. Wells, see WellsEndo.com. You also can “Friend” him on Facebook to see YouTube videos of his favorite pairs skating routines. For more information about “Let’s Cure CP ,” visit LetsCureCP.org.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Business Briefs — Simple Floors, Hammer Fist & Much More! By Gary Nager From ribbon cuttings to charitable fund raisers, we have several more business items for you on these pages. Please mention that you read about them in the New Tampa Neighborhood News when you visit any of these wonderful businesses!

Simple Floors Cuts A Chamber Ribbon

Congratulations to Ben and Lisa Bee and their family, the New Tampa residents who recently opened a Simple Floors franchise on Whitaker Rd. (just off U.S. 41) in Lutz. Simple Floors offers a wide variety of hardwood (including exotic wood) and laminate floors and the spacious showroom definitely allows you to picture what the floors will look like in your home. The store has been open for a few weeks, but the “Working Bees” hosted a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening celebration with great food and beverages for about 100 people in December. Simple Floors is located at 103 Whitaker Rd., Lutz. For additional information, call 435-5579 or visit SimpleFloors.com.

Premier Martial Arts & Krav Maga Opens On S.R. 56 Whether you’re looking for a great way to keep yourself or your kids physically fit, or you want to learn selfdefense, we suggest visiting Premier Martial Arts & Hammer Fist Krav Maga next to Café Fresco on S.R. 56. Owners Jason and Ashley Carrio invite you to check out the studio for the latest in martial arts training, including unique fitness classes for adults and Krav Maga training for you and your kids. Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Israeli Armed Forces. For more info about Premier Martial Arts & Hammer Fist Krav

Cathy Bickham of the Wesley Chapel Chamber shakes hands with Ben and Lisa Bee of the new Simple Floors in Lutz. Maga (27213 S.R. 56), call 9079544 or visit PremierMartialArtsWesleyChapel.com.

Spa Moritz Gala Again Raises Money For Moffitt

Spa Moritz in Tampa Palms partnered with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation for the third time for the spa’s annual Diamonds & Denim Holiday Charity Gala for the Cause on November 16. The Gala brought together more than 200 people to enjoy the finest free spa and hair salon treatments while benefiting cancer research. Dozens of companies offered gifts for auction and PrimeBar at the Shops at Wiregrass mall donated all of the hors d’oeuvres. Spa Moritz coowner Dyan Piller wanted to thank everyone for making it a great success. Spa Moritz was Voted Tampa Bay’s Finest European Salon & Med Spa for the sixth straight year by Tampa Bay Metro magazine and for the second time garnered international attention as one of Most Elite Spas in the U.S. in both 2009 & 2011 by the Spa World Guide. You can see a full menu of available services at SpaMoritz.com or call 971 4772 for more information. Spa Moritz is located on Commerce Park Dr. in Tampa Palms, across from Freedom High.

(FER) in Tampa Palms was huge again this year. The real estate office, located at the intersection of Amberly Dr. and Robin and Scott Winter of Home Again Interiors in Wesley Chapel Tampa Palms Blvd., offer beautiful, high-end furnishings at drastically reduced prices! collected nishings with you to your next home, non-perishable food items and toiletries you should visit a new store in the for more than three weeks. Shoppes at New Tampa plaza in Wesley On December 1, FER gathered all Chapel at the intersection of BBD and the food and loaded everything onto a S.R. 56. 14' foot U-Haul truck. On December The store, owned by Robin and 2, FER agents and their families came Scott Winter, is called Home Again together and filled more than 420 groInteriors and is the New Tampa & cery bags. The company’s agents, Wesley Chapel area’s first furniture conclients and the local community all defi- signment shop. nitely showed their holiday spirit this As soon as you walk in the door, season, as FER donated the contribuyou’ll know you’ve found a special tions to 14 local schools! place, filled with high-end, gently used “We are thankful that we were able furniture and accessories. The prices to serve our community and provide a marked are already low but, like a little something to those families in clothing consignment shop, those need,” said FER Broker Doug Loyd. prices go down the longer each item remains in the store. Go and explore Home Again Interiors Home Again, where Robin and Scott Opens In Wesley Chapel say “Our name means a great deal!” Whether you’re looking to fill your For more info, visit Home new home with beautiful furniture and Again Interiors (1664 BBD Blvd.) or accessories or you’re moving and would call 973-8363 and tell Scott and like to not have to bring all of your fur- Robin we sent you! — GN

Florida Executive Realty Food Drive Scores Again! The second annual food drive hosted by Florida Executive Realty

Hundreds of local families got to smile this holiday season, thanks to everyone involved with Florida Executive Realty’s second annual food drive.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Heritage Ford Is Now Parks Ford Of Wesley Chapel! The auto dealership that started a trend in the Wesley Chapel area has a new name, as Heritage Ford on S.R. 54 is now Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel. But, the name change isn’t a change of ownership, as Parks Ford is still owned by Ron Parks and his family’s Parks Motor Group. General manager Terry Mullane says the name change is part of a re-branding effort, as Northgate Lincoln Mercury in Tampa also recently was re-named Parks Lincoln. Parks also plans to open Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealerships on an adjacent

parcel on S.R. 54. We will keep you posted as construction begins. For info, call (888) 570-0097. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Charter” Continued from page 1 Council allows the land to be rezoned, the new school would not be allowed to be built. Currently, the property is only approved for multifamily housing or a church, according to its existing zoning permit. The land is still currently owned by Joyful Servants Lutheran Church and has an asking price of $1,399,000. According to Mark Cooley, the real estate broker who is handling the sale, the deal between the Advantage Academy of Hillsborough and Joyful Servants is pending the January 12 City Council meeting. “We are committed to that location,” says president of Charter School Assoc. Mike Strader. “It is a desirable, attractive location with lots of trees and it would be great for the future of the school.” Both the charter school and the day care center would have two entrance and exit points on Highwood Preserve Pkwy and a new traffic signal also will be constructed at the intersection with StoneView Dr. On the school’s campus, there would be 129 parking spaces between the two

facilities for teachers and staff. The school will undeniably bring more cars onto Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, but, what has some Richmond Place and West Meadows residents concerned is the possible volume of traffic that they believe could clog the two-lane road. The West Meadows and Richmond Place homeowners associations (HOA)s have now teamed together, for the first time ever, to petition against the school. “It’s not that we have anything against having another school in New Tampa,” says West Meadows HOA president Brad van Rooyen. “But, that land was never zoned for a school and the amount of traffic it would bring in would be awful. The HOAs never get involved with things like this; however, this is something that would (negatively) affect (both) communities.” The school, if built, would open in August 2012 with about 600 students, and then it would add another building to accommodate for a student body of roughly 960. The day care facility would not be built until 2015 and would have room for 250 students. There is no tuition paid to charter schools, and Advantage Academy Hillsborough, which is based out of Plant City, focuses on foreign lan-

Signs like these posted at the Joyful Servants property in West Meadows alerted residents about the school plans. guages, math and science. Many parents gathered at Harold H. Clark Elementary in Wrst Meadows on November 14 to express their concerns about the introduction of a new K-8 school in the area and to discuss the possible change in traffic patterns. Some parents brought up the point that there are currently nine elementary or middle schools in a fourmile radius of the proposed school, all of which had an “A” rating this year from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). “The New Tampa location would be a science, technology, engineering and math campus,” says Strader. “Having the charter school in New Tampa would give parents the option of sending their child to a school with

a very focused curriculum.” According to van Rooyen, residents at West Meadows and Richmond Place plan to make their opposition of the school heard by the City Council. On January 12, the West Meadows and Richmond Place HOAs have made transportation available to any residents who would like to voice their opinion about the proposed school at the final City Council meeting in downtown Tampa. To reserve a seat on one of the buses, contact Brad van Rooyen at 404-8241 or Email Brad@homeencounter.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Talent Aplenty On Display At Liberty Middle School Winter Concert! The students in Liberty Middle School’s chorus, band and orchestra jhave been enjoying a well-deserved holiday break after performing a great winter concert last month. On December 5, Mr. Corey J. Poole, Liberty’s director of choral studies, had the opportunity to showcase his students’ hard work to an appreciatove audience of parents and staff members during Liberty’s 2011 Winter Concert. "We have such talented students here at Liberty, and in our choral program,” says Poole. “It is a wonderful opportunity to work with these students by providing them with challenging music — which they performed wonderfully!” The program included several styles of music in the form of group numbers, duets and solo performances. Students performed beloved holiday classics such as “Silent Night” as well as “Light the Candles.” They also performed contemporary songs such

as “All I Want for Christmas is You” and “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” which elicited many chuckles from the audience. Liberty principal James Ammirati is a regular in the audience for the school’s chorus concerts and he was in attendance for this particular show. “I always enjoy attending these very special winter programs that the Liberty chorus, band and orchestra students put on during this time of the year,” says Ammirati. The next time the group will play together is for an end-of-the-schoolyear concert in May. “I love working with the choral students at Liberty,” says Poole. “They are the particular reason why I became a teacher... to see them take on challenges and provide such dedication to a program, provides ample opportunity for me to propel their musical abilities far beyond the classroom walls.” — Subsmitted to the Neighborhood News

Mr. Corey Poole (far left) conducting the Liberty Middle School Show Choir, accompanied on piano by Ms. Amanda Henderson.

The “Teacher of the Year” nominees from every New Tampa-area school will be announced shortly after you receive this issue. Look for the list of nominees, including any New Tampa teachers named as Teacher of the Year finalists, on NTNeighborhoodNews.com and in our next issue!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Wharton Fund-Raising To Replace Dangerous Running Track The running track at Paul R. Wharton High is still crumbling apart while students, parents and other members of the community continue to text and send their votes online to try to win a grant to purchase a new one. New Tampa’s first high school is competing in the Pepsi Refresh Project, an on-line grant program which donates millions of dollars to projects intended to improve communities through an online voting process. Wharton is in the running to be one of the finalists against other schools for $50,000 in funding. The Wharton Track and Field program, led by Hillsborough County’s reigning Track Coach of the Year Wes Newton, has had a consistent history of excellence, with 17 District and Regional championships, and two state runner-up finishes, in Newton’s 15-year run as Wharton’s only boys track coach. Newton has said that in order to continue this tradition of excellence, the track is in dire need of a resurfacing. The track has never been resurfaced since the school opened in 1996 and Newton says the condition of the track is a major problem. Its uneven lanes and poor drainage is a constant problem for training and increases the risk of injury among the school’s runners. “We’ve known for a long time that we needed to replace the track,” says Wharton principal Brad Woods. “So, when do resurface it, we are going to do it right. Now is the time to do it.” The Wharton Track Resurfacing Committee, composed of administrators, coaches, parents and students, is raising funds in order to construct a new 8-lane, polyurethane, UV-resistantcoated, synthetic track. “You can see that the current track needs to be replaced,” Newton says. “There have been more than 200 meets on it and it has taken a beating. We need a new track.” The oval is in such rough shape that Newton will not allow the school’s

Pee-Wee Cheerleaders 5th In Nation!

The current track at Wharton High is in dire need of resurfacing. runners to practice on it. Instead, the coach has the team do their training on the grass of the football field, which is much more forgiving to their shins. Among the benefits to resurfacing Wharton’s Track are: • For Student-Athletes: Rubberized tracks have proven to reduce injury • For The Environment: Rubberized tracks utilize recycled materials • For The Community: A new track will allow the school and community to host major track meets drawing teams from around the state, thus bringing in revenue to local businesses • For Wharton High: A new track alsso would benefit the entire school, as all students utilize the track during their high school careers for everything from HOPE class to Athletics. Wharton’s Track Resurfacing Committee is currently seeking private and corporate donations, as well as the Pepsi Refresh grant to meet the committee’s fund-raising goal of $99,000, which is how much Newton says the new track would cost. To place a vote for Wharton High to win grant money for a new track, text 110786 to “Pepsi” (73774) and vote for the “Project S.O.S. resurfacing initiative.” For more information about the Pepsi Refresh Project, visit WhartonTrack.us or email info@whartontrack.us. — Sean Bowes

The New Tampa Tigers’ Pee Wee Pop Warner cheerleading squad has made history as the first cheer team in the New Tampa Pop Warner Sports Association’s history to place in the top five teams in the nation. On December 6, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, the New Tampa girls went up against 11 other top squads in the Pee Wee Medium/Intermediate division, where they won fifth. Just before the national competition (on November 27), the girls placed second in Southwest Pop Warner Regional Championship competition in Kissimmee.

The cheerleading squad, made up of 22 girls, is lead by coaches Stacey Thomas, Krista Davidson and Dawn James. The members of the team include Ali Feltner, Meghan Bronner, Lindsey Ferguson, Allison Hill, McKenzie Snow, RyanLynn Waugh, Lindsay Hartman, Sophie Davidson, Avery Thomas, Liviana Schmidt, Serena Gadson, Amanda Spurlin, Danielle Shanberg, Tamia Payne, Julia Gaziano, Abigail Owusu, Bre'Yonna Marshall, Melanie Ramirez, Alexandra Jorge, Mallori Page, Claudia McDermott, Shayne Azzi and Marissa Coringrato. — SB

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Paris Hair, The New Look Salon — C’est Merveilleux! By Gary Nager I minored in French throughout my college career, so I really get a kick out of the “Franglais” that is so beautifully spoken by Alexandra Jasmine (although she prefers to be called Jasmine), the owner of the “spectaculaire” Paris Hair, The New Look Salon, which is located on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace (in a separate building in front of the plaza which is home to The Olde World Cheese Shop). Jasmine and her husband, a former professional tennis champion from Morocco, are New Tampa residents, so even though her salon is located a few minutes away from our distribution areas, she and her Paris Hair are still well-known in our communities. “Oui, I have many clee-onts (clients) from New Tampa and Wesley Chapel,” she says in her authentic Parisian accent. “People drive here from Spring Hill and Bradenton to get their hair styled or colored, so New Tampa is beaucoup (much) closer, non?” If you spend a few minutes at Paris Hair, you will recognize that this is not your run-of-the-mill hair salon, even though the building isn’t particularly impressive from the outside and there’s only one missable entrance to it. Inside, not only does the salon have an understated elegance, it’s also a very casual, fun and comfortable environment. But, the most comforting things about Paris Hair are Jasmine and her staff of professionally trained stylists and

spa technicians. In addition to top-quality hair styles for men and women, including Jasmine’s favorite “up dos,” high- and lowlights, “dimensional” color and Keratin straightening treatments, Paris Hair also offers manicures, pedicures, licensed massage therapy, facials and other skin/body treatments. “My clee-onts are more like ma famille, like my family,” Jasmine says. “And I have made sure that the wonderful people who work with me make you feel at home, too.” And, I have to say that the concept works. Jasmine originally opened Paris Hair on Busch Blvd., but after about eight years, she outgrew the space, which wasn’t large enough to also offer spa treatments at the same location. Although she did look at several spaces in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, she moved instead to a larger, existing building on 56th St. in April 2011, a couple of miles closer to her home. “I don’t need a location there to attract people from New Tampa,” she says. “After all these years, word of mouth is still my best advertising. People know that I will do whatever it takes to make you ‘appy (happy).” And, Jasmine doesn’t just speak with a French accent. She was born and raised and learned her trade as a master colorist and hair stylist in “Pa-ree,” one of the most stylish cities in the world. She is obviously proud of where she came from, but you can forget trying to make her fit into any negative stereotype you may have heard about the

French people. She is warm and friendly, with the quick wit the French are known for and she admits that her training in her native country is part of what sets Paris Hair apart from most other salons. (Top) Owner Alexandra Jasmine (holding scissors) cuts “En France, the ribbon at Paris Hair on N. 56th St. in Temple Terwe have to race. (Above) Stylists and color specialists Christine (left) apprentice for and Nicole can create a whole new look for you, too! three years and also received a wonderful education we learn everything about the salon into cutting and coloring there, too.” business, too, including management and marketing,” she says. “And yes, I See “Paris Hair” on page 40.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tampa Rejuvenation Can Help You Start The New Year Right! By Alicia Pack If you’ve been feeling tired and sluggish, or are hoping to shed some of those excess pounds following the recent holiday season, we suggest you make an appointment with the trained medical doctors and professional staff at Tampa Rejuvenation, located near the intersection of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and E. Bearss Ave. Obesity is a major problem in the U.S. today and not all of it can be attributed to overeating — according to the most recently available medical data, the hormones used in foods definitely contribute to people becoming overweight and feeling sick. Brett Markowitz, the founder and CEO of Tampa Rejuvenation, says that, “People are not just overweight because of how many calories or how much fat they eat. I work with a lot of patients who have a healthy lifestyle, for the most part, but the foods that they were exposed to have caused their hormones and thyroid gland to not function as they once did.” Markowitz, who has been in the health and fitness industry for 15 years and is a certified personal trainer who also has a degree in sports nutrition, says he watched how weight gain had impacted such a large portion of the U.S. population, from children with Type-2 diabetes to overweight adults. “My primary reason for starting Tampa Rejuvenation,” he says, “was because I had met so many people who had long suffered from perhaps the biggest problem plaguing our society — weight gain.” Tampa Rejuvenation, which also has a second location in South Tampa, offers a unique array of services, mainly geared to helping people shed fat, gain lean muscle mass and generally live a healthier lifestyle. Medical doctors oversee all of the programs at Tampa Rejuvenation and their patients can get help with not only weight loss, but also mental clarity, increased energy and sex drive, lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol levels. Markowitz says that some of Tampa Rejuvenation’s patients have even been able to come off of medication for blood pressure, hypertension and even Type-2 diabetes. “I’m a Board-certified internal medicine physician,” says Johanna deVrye, M.D., one of two physicians on staff at Tampa Rejuvenation (the other is Dr. James K. Vogler, D.O.). “But, the reason I got involved with Tampa Rejuvenation is because, over the years, I’ve been leaning towards — and learning as much as I can about — a more holistic approach to medicine as a whole and specifically weight issues. I realized that what Brett was doing here

really was a perfect fit for me.” You will meet, for free, with a staff member who will outline all of the available programs at Tampa Rejuvenation and discuss the patient’s goals. From there, the patient will take required lab tests, have an EKG, a physical and a consultation with one of the doctors, who will discuss the results of the tests and determine the best course of action to help the patient achieve their goals. Among the options available are medical weight loss, hormone replacement therapy or even, in some cases, the doctors will simply set up the patient with an appointment with a nutritionist, health coach or personal trainer, who can devise a program specific to the patient’s needs and goals. The New Tampa location has started a metabolic rejuvenation program that consists of food allergy testing, nutrient-deficiency testing and a detoxification program. These programs are designed to help the body restore itself into a healthier, better functioning body by discovering what foods your body is sensitive to, or is deficient in, and then rectifying the issue, either with medication, dietary change, or both. Markowitz says that weight loss is still the biggest reason why most patients first call or visit Tampa Rejuvenation. He says that patients typically can lose about 15-25 lbs. in the first month, depending on gender (men generally, but not always, lose weight easier than women of the same age do), the amount of weight needed to be lost and how well the meal plan and doctor’s protocols are followed. He says that teaching people how to keep the weight off is a big part of the services Tampa Rejuvenation provides. “In most cases, we can help you lose the weight, but we also teach you how to make the change in lifestyle you need in order to keep the weight off,” says Markowitz. “Otherwise, we’d be just another quick fix.” He adds that people who have tried weight loss centers before will sometimes put all of their weight back on after they finish the medication. They become reliant on the medication to just stop eating. However, when someone quits eating, the body breaks down muscle and not fat. “We were not intended not to eat,” Markowitz says. “We just have to learn to eat better foods and make better choices. We can teach you how.” At Tampa Rejuvenation, the focus is on integrative medicine and the doctors look beyond what is considered the norm. This means that, even though a patient’s test may come up in the “normal” range, the doctors will look at the patient’s overall picture — family history, health history and the physical and

Our buddy, “Big” Jim Henning of Florida Executive Realty is a lot less big these days, thanks to the unique combination of medical weight loss, nutritional counseling and personal training available from Tampa Rejuvenation on BBD.

current symptoms the person is experiencing. Then, the doctor will design an individual plan that is based on what is best for the patient and what will help him or her feel younger and better. “The people there are so thorough and everyone cares,” says Leslie Foss, a Tampa Rejuvenation patient who had success with hormone replacement therapy. “They want to see you doing well and that was a big thing for me. It

was a great experience and I looked forward to going in. This has literally changed my whole life. I recommend it Tampa Rejuvenation to all of my girlfriends. It is the best gift someone can give to themselves.” Tampa Rejuvenation’s other healthy lifestyle programs and tests include hormone therapy for men and women, adrenal fatigue testing and

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The professional staff at Tampa Rejuvenation includes (l. to r.) Dr. James K. Vogler, CEO Brett Markowitz, Dr. Johanna deVrye and Nurse Practitioner Gina Pastore. treatment, thyroid testing and treatyou can lose 80 lbs. in six months — ment, the popular HCG and more traand learn how to keep it off, too! ditional appetite suppressant medical “When I came to Tampa Rejuveweight loss programs, custom meal nation,” Jim says. “I was a person who plans, food sensitivity tests and personal didn’t like what I saw when I looked in training. a mirror. Now, I do. Tampa RejuvenaSo, if you are having difficulty tion has taught me how to make that shedding those extra few holiday lifestyle change, so I can’t see going pounds, or you’re just feeling tired and back to my old way of life. I can’t wait sluggish and want to know why, or you for 2012!” just want to have a healthier and happiFor more information about er transformation, then do what our Tampa Rejuvenation, call 558-9500 good friend Jim Henning of Florida or visit TampaRejuvenation.com. Executive Realty did — give Tampa The New/North Tampa location is Rejuvenation a call today. Maybe, like now at 14448 BBD Blvd., in the the not-nearly-as-big-today Big Jim, Arbor Ridge Prof. Park, and is open who is hoping to soon weigh less than Monday-Friday. The South Tampa 300 lbs. for the first time in many years, location is at 2007 West Swann Ave.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Paris Hair” Continued from page 37 “It’s Not All About Me”

Although it’s hard to not make such a colorful character the focal point of this story, Jasmine wants to make sure everyone understands that Paris Hair, The New Look Salon, is about so much more than just her. “I have put ‘togethaire’ a wonderful team here,” she says. “All of the stylists and spa technicians here have had ‘training fantastique’ and have many years of experience.” Lorraine, who happened to not be in the day I visited, has more than ten years of experience. Nicole, Paris Hair’s “newest” stylist, has only been working with Jasmine for a few weeks as you’re reading this, but she had more than eight years of experience in her native Ohio and Jasmine says, “Nicole already has a great following here. She is so sweet and easy to work with and she is a ‘styliste merveilleux,’ too.” Perhaps best known to some New Tampa residents is Christine, who not only has 30 years of experience, but is also married to Maj. Michael Beale, who is well known for running the outstanding Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) program at New Tampa’s Paul R. Wharton High. Christine, who spent nine years as

a stylist and color specialist in La Jolla, CA, when her husband was stationed in that area, says that color is her first love in the business. She also has been a platform artist, working with hair and makeup for runway models, for Tressa Hair Products.

Spa Services, Too!

As she was preparing to open in her 56th St. location, Jasmine already was assembling the finest spa team she could find. Ruby, her nail technician, is from Colombia and she brings more than 20 years of experience to Paris Hair. The same can be said for Shannon, the spa’s licensed massage therapist (LMT), and for Wendy, a licensed aesthetician with more than 25 years of experience who also owned her own spa in her native Peru. “I was one of Jasmine’s clients at her first location for nine years,” Wendy says. “We became friends, of course, and when she told me she was adding spa services at the new location, I was very happy to provide the different facials and skin treatments.” Wendy was the only spa employee I got to interview, but I did also get to chat with her client Kim, who was getting a deep cleansing facial as I visited. “Kim was my hair clee-ont and my amie (friend) first,” Jasmine says with a smile. “She has told many people about my salon.”

Kim agreed: “My mom and I come here all the time. Wendy is amazing and Jasmine is very special. I’m so glad I found her!” In other words, if you’ve been thinking about trying a whole new look for 2012 or you just want to enjoy great hair cutting and coloring and/or spa services AND great conversation with an authentic French accent, say “Bonjour” to Jasmine and her staff (and she is Wendy, a licensed aesthetician, provides the hiring qualified hair stylists and nail facials, skin and body treatments at Paris Hair. technicians, too) at Paris Hair and Salon, is located at 11103 N. 56th please tell them Monsieur Nager (pronounced “Nah-jay”) sent you to receive St., Temple Terrace. For appointments and more info, call 985-3343 30-percent-off one hair or spa service! or visit ParisHairTheNewLook.com. Paris Hair, The New Look

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Shen Yun To Bring Heavenly Performances To Tampa! Prepare to be amazed, because Shen Yun Performing Arts returns to Florida for the fifth consecutive year, with performances at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa on Saturday-Sunday, March 3–4. The New York-based company will unveil an entirely new array of colorful and exhilarating performances of classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, song and musical numbers. A Shen Yun performance is a presentation of traditional Chinese culture as it once was: a study in grace, wisdom and the virtues distilled from the five millennia of Chinese civilization. Established in New York in 2006, Shen Yun Performing Arts has performed to acclaim in more than 100 cities worldwide for more than 800,000 audience members. At the core of Shen Yun’s performances is classical Chinese dance, with China’s numerous ethnic and folk dance styles, and masterful vocalists and musicians rounding out the evening. In a collection of nearly 20 short dance pieces with breathtaking digital backdrops, audiences are transported from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to tropical lake-filled regions, from the legends of the Chinese culture’s creation more than 5,000 years ago to

contemporary tales of courage, from the highest heavens down to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom. Absorbing profound wisdom from every era and dynasty of China’s history, classical Chinese dance has become a complete system of dance embodying traditional aesthetic principles. Through dance, the ancient Chinese showed their respect for the divine, their appreciation of life and the universe and their esteem for piety and virtue. The cultural substance behind classical Chinese dance imbues a dancer’s movements with rich, expressive power. Story-based dances that explore a range of themes from ancient to modern times are one of Shen Yun’s trademarks. See the mighty powers of China’s Monkey King, join the legendary heroine Mulan on her daring quest and glimpse the courage of Falun Dafa practitioners in China today. Such dances deliver a dramatic intensity to every Shen Yun performance. Besides having to master the three main components of classical Chinese dance — bearing, form, and technical skill — the dancers must strive to cultivate themselves, endeavoring to perfect their moral character and will. Shen Yun’s one-of-a-kind orchestra, with its all-original compositions,

The grace and beauty of Shen Yun Performing Arts returns to Tampa March 3-4. Shen Yun Performing Arts kicked blends the musical traditions of East off its 2012 World Tour in Dallas, and West like no other. The distinctly Chinese sound of ancient instruments Texas last month and will visit cities in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia like the bamboo flute and pipa are and New Zealand. bathed in a rich sea of Western strings, Tickets are now on sale for the percussion, woodwinds, and brass. The result is two great classical tra- March 3–4 performances at the Straz Center for Performing Arts. For ditions producing one fresh, unexpected sound. Award-winning vocalists per- more information, call the Straz Center Box office at 229-7827or form piano-accompanied solos, along visit ShenYun2012.org. — Submitted with a regular favorite — the stirring to the Neighborhood News melodies of the two-stringed erhu.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood Nibbles - Openings & Closings & An Oakley’s Grille Update Restaurant Openings & Closings In The News

I have to admit I was a little surprised that only one recently closed restaurant — Cole’s BBQ on Cross Creek Blvd. — made our readers’ list of their Top-25 Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa. In addition to Cole’s, which originally was located in Tampa Palms and had only been open on Cross Creek Blvd. for a few months, several other restaurants which previously made our survey also have shut their doors. Perhaps the most surprising of these is KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., next to Romano’s Macaroni Grill, which was seemingly open one day in December and totally shut down, with all of its signage removed, the next. We have no way of knowing if the BBD widening took its toll on the local KFC, but with its recent addition of grilled chicken, many people we spoke to said they were surprised to see it go. Also shutting its doors recently was Bella Vita Pizzeria & Italian Market, which is the restaurant that replaced Circles New Tampa Bistro in the Pebble Creek Collection. After tinkering multiple times with its menu and reducing the amount of space it took up in the plaza, it seems the owners of Bella

Vita finally decided it was time to go.

Oakley’s Grille Adds New Menu Items

Oakley’s Grille, the outstanding sandwich & more shop located next to Dairy Queen at 17631 BBD, isn’t resting on its laurels. Although Oakley’s Grille narrowly missed making the top-25 (it finished 28th) in our readers’ list of New Tampa’s favorite restaurants (see pages 48-49), it’s only been open a few months and will surely finish in the top half of the top-25 on my list of New Tampa faves (which you can look for at NTNeighborhoodNews.com and in our next issue). And, with some of owner Keith Oakley and his staff’s new menu additions, Oakley’s Grille will surely move into the top-10 of not only your favorite sandwich shops/delis in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, but also into the top 10 among your favorite... Latin restaurants? Don’t be surprised. Oakley’s is now featuring marinated steak and chicken fajitas, southwest chicken tacos with fresh salsa (made with cilantro, onion, tomato, black beans, corn, feta cheese and avocado) and blackened Tilapia on toasted Cuban bread with bourbon tartar sauce, shredded lettuce,

vine-ripened tomatoes and lemon. Also new on the Oakley’s menu are sweet potato fries, cole You can get this slaw, potato mouth-watering Oaksalad and guacamole. ley’s Grille burger with crispy fries for just And, $5.99 on Tuesdays! don’t forget Oakley’s awesome “Tuesday Burger Nites,” where you get what I think is the best cheeseburger in town (with Five Guys Burgers & Fries a close second) and some of the best fries anywhere for only $5.99! Don’t miss it! To order ahead or for store hours and more info, call 523-5075 or visit OakleysGrille..com.

County Line Rd. — A Burger Battleground?

And, speaking of burgers, when Five Guys first opened a couple of years ago in the Sweetbay/L.A. Fitnessanchored plaza at the corner of County Line Rd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and was followed in 2010 by a Red Robin in front of the Shops at Wiregrass mall at the intersection of

S.R. 56 and BBD, we had no idea that the pair would be part of a massing of burger-oriented chains north and south of the county line in that area. In addition to Five Guys, Red Robin and Sonic, which already are located within New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s burger borders, several new burger joints also are joining the fray. Among the newcomers is a justopened Burger King located between Five Guys and Wharton High on BBD. On the same side of BBD just a little further south, the third link in the Tampa-based Burger 21 chain is expected to open over the next month or two in a new retail plaza a little closer to Wharton than Burger King. And, around the same time frame, just the second location of Burger Monger — which, like Burger 21, also has a Carrollwood store — will open in the space previously occupied by Panchero’s in the same section of the Shops of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel between the county line and 56 as Bonefish Grill. Is all this burger mongering a function of the economy, a sign that people somehow couldn’t get enough of just fast food burgers or both? We will keep you posted on each of the newcomers as they open and update you on our “Yogurt Wars” soon.— GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Congratulations, Ms. Hyde!

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We’ve been conducting our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest each of the last 18 years and I have to admit it’s always been among my favorite features we offer...and this year’s contest saw more entries (nearly 400!), more disqualified entrants (more on them below) and the most varied responses we’ve had in the contest’s illustrious history. The most surprisingly dominant restaurant, as voted on by our readers, was Bonefish Grill, which not only received the most first place votes, but also the most votes for second and fourth place among our readers’ favorite restaurants in Wesley Chapel. Bonefish easily outdistanced Grillsmith, which did receive the most third and fifth place votes in Wesley Chapel, but lagged far behind Bonefish in first and second place votes in our 10-7-5-3-2 point system for each place. There also was a large gap between fifth and sixth place, as La Prima Pizza, Wolf’s Den and Cantina Laredo were closely bunched for 3rd-5th place among your Wesley Chapel-based favorite restaurants. In New Tampa, the big gap came between third and fourth place, as Stonewood Grill & Tavern, Sushi Tsu Japanese Steak & Sushi and Liang’s Bistro were tightly bunched together, with 4th-place finisher Lee Roy Selmon’s well behind those three. Sushi Tsu and Liang’s Bistro were within five votes of each other for your favorite Asian restaurant in new Tampa or Wesley Chapel, Vallarta’s just squeaked by Cantina Laredo as your favorite Latin eatery and La Prima Pizza and PizzaMania again dominated the Favorite Pizza category, with Marco’s Pizza, Wolf’s Den and Papa John’s also tallying a lot of votes. The top five sandwich shops easily outdistanced the others on the list at right, with Subway (ugh!) still winning the top spot easily. The top six steak places also did very well, as Outback

made a late charge to overtake Stonewood, Texas Roadhouse and Sushi Tsu. Perhaps the most interesting contest this year was your favorite bar, although Brass Tap did end up with ten more votes than anyone else, but there were only about ten votes total separating the next eight places on the list. And, in the ice cream and dessert category, Coldstone Creamery, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and Dairy Queen were a dominant #1-#3...again! I believe Kobe Steakhouse (#18 in New Tampa, #8 among your favorite Asian restaurants) was the only restaurant that actually opened in 2011 to make the top-25 in either of our distribution areas, although newcomers Jalapeno and J. Baja’s finished as your #6 and #7 favorite Latin restaurants, respectively, and the new-in-2011 900º Woodfired Pizza was your sixth favorite pizza place. I’ve said this before and I’ll probably say it every year, but some of you folks don’t know how to read directions. Every time you fill out an entry with only one restaurant named as your #1-#5 favorite, or your favorite in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, not only are you disqualified, but your vote doesn’t help your favorite restaurant AT ALL! I have no problem with you naming your favorite place #1 in as many categories as you want, but in order for your vote(s) to count, you also have to tell us as many OTHER places you also like as possible. That having been said, only about 50 entrants were disqualified, so your odds were less than 1 in 50 to win one of our great FREE dining prizes this year. The big winner is Roberta Hyde of Country Walk in Wesley Chapel, who will win a $100 gift card (or certificate) to the restaurant of her choice in the Tampa Bay area! Our other 2011 winners are listed bottom far right. Also, see pg. 3 for more info about our dining reviews! — GN

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Your Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa!

Your Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel!

1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 2. Sushi Tsu 3. Liang’s Bistro 4. Lee Roy Selmon’s 5. Olive Garden 6. Ciccio’s Lodge 7. Acropolis Greek Taverna 8. Romano’s Macaroni Grill 9. Red Lobster 10. Chili’s 11. Ruby Tuesday 12. Panera Bread 13. TGI Friday’s 14. Thai Ruby 15. Mr. Dunderbak’s 16. Sukhothai 17. Urban Culinary Cuisine 18. Kobe Steakhouse 19. Chick-Fil-A 20. Five Guys Burgers & Fries 21. Steak & Shake 22. Cole’s BBQ 23. Café Olé 24. Ploy Thai 25. Moe’s SW Grill

1. Bonefish Grill 2. Grillsmith 3. La Prima Pizza 4. Wolf’s Den 5. Cantina Laredo 6. Vallarta’s 7. Outback Steakhouse 8. The Hungry Greek 9. Texas Roadhouse 10. Red Robin 11. Prime Bar 12. Café Fresco 13. First Watch 14. Bonsai Sushi 15. Applebee’s 16. PizzaMania 17. Pagelli’s 18. Moe’s SW Grill 19. Dickey’s BBQ 20. Cracker Barrel 21. Tijuana Flats 22. Beef O’Brady’s 23. Yamato 24. Sonny’s BBQ 25. Taste of Boston

Your Favorite Asian Restaurants In NT & WC! 1. Sushi Tsu 2. Liang’s Bistro 3. Yamato 4. Sukhothai 5. Asian Buffet

6. Thai Ruby 7. Ho Wok 8. Kobe Steakhouse 9. Saffron Indian Cuisine 10. Bonsai Sushi

Your Favorite Latin Restaurants In NT & WC! 1. Vallarta’s 2. Cantina Laredo 3. Tijuana Flats 4. Las Palmas 5. Moe’s SW Grill

6. Jalapeno 7. J. Baja’s 8. Latin Twist Café 9. La Cubanita Café 10. Café Olé

Your Favorite Pizza Restaurants In NT & WC! 1. La Prima Pizza 2. PizzaMania 3. Marco’s Pizza 4. Wolf’s Den 5. Papa John’s

6. 900º Woodfired (Wiregrass) 7. Westshore Pizza 8. Pizza Hut 9. Woodfired Pizza (Bearss) 10. PizzaZone

Your Favorite Sandwich Shops/Delis In NT & WC! 1. Subway 2. Publix Deli 3. Firehouse Subs 4. Jimmy John’s 5. Wolf’s Den

6. Panera Bread 7. Jersey Mike’s Subs 8. La Prima Pizza 9. The Hungry Greek 10. Mr. Dunderbak’s

Your Favorite Restaurants For Steak In NT & WC! 1. Outback Steakhouse 2. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 3. Texas Roadhouse 4. Grillsmith 5. Sushi Tsu

6. Bonefish Grill 7. Lee Roy Selmon’s 8. Dempsey’s Steakhouse 9. Remington’s Steakhouse 10. Ciccio’s Lodge

Your Favorite Bars/Pubs/Taverns In NT & WC! 1. Brass Tap 2. Peabody’s 3. Mr. Dunderbak’s 4. Beef O’Brady’s 5. World of Beer

6. Ciccio’s Lodge 7. Aja Wiregrass 8. Winner’s Grill 9. Prime Bar 10. (tie) Stonewood & Acropolis

Your Favorite Ice Cream/Dessert Places In NT & WC! 1. Cold Stone Creamery 2. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 3. Dairy Queen 4. Cafe 365 (Wiregrass) 5. Boardwalk Frozen Custard

6. Baskin-Robbins 7. You Do The Dishes 8. You Say When Yogurt 9. North Pole Ices 10. MochiBerry (Wiregrass)

Congratulations To All Of Our Prize Winners! 1. $100 to the restaurant of her choice — Roberta Hyde, Country Walk 2. Our $50 Winners — Ceci Guttierez, Seven Oaks & David Scaglione, Pebble Creek 2. Our $20 Winners — Amanda Dillinger, Meadow Pointe; Tina Harjani, Tampa Palms; Bill Donahue, Lexington Oaks; Michelle Conceicao, Cory Lake Isles & Michelle Mosher, Pinewalk

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D

Join OrthoTechnology’s Winning Team! Ortho Technology, a worldwide distributor of orthodontic products located in New Tampa, is seeking talented energetic candidates for the following positions: Inside Sales: Experienced Telesales reps wanted to manage and grow established territories. Successful Inside Sales exp in a quota-based environment req’d. Competitive base + commission. Qualified candidates should submit resume citing proven sales track record to careers@orthotechnology.com Visit our website at www.orthotechnology.com for additional information and other job opportunities. We provide a great work environment and excellent benefits package. Physical Therapist or PTA – An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a PT or PTA to provide customized, one-on-one care during afternoon and early evening hours for diverse patient population. Fax resume to 813-994-3080. Well known European hair salon & spa in Temple Terrace looking for experienced professionals. Positions available:Licensed/Massage therapist, nail technician, hairstylist and skin care professional. Applicants must be experienced, with or without clientele. Two possibilities: Booth rental room/commission. Call 813.786.8510 9 a.m., and 6 to 10 p.m.

M I S C E L L A N E O U S

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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 @ 9730194 or 727-2582. Greg’s Paperhanging. For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate. FLORIDA FLOOR SYSTEMS INC. COLUMBIA LAMINATE from $2.49SF COLUMBIA WOOD from $4.99SF MOHAWK/SHAW CARPET from $1.99SF. MATERIAL, LABOR, INSTALLED. CALL DAVID 813-9434772 FLORIDAFLOORSYSTEMS.COM, FREE ESTIMATES. RAYMOND PAINTING. Interior & Exterior pressure washing, paper hanging, plaster, stucco, tiles, clean & seal pavers, roofing leaks, etc. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free Estimates. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARBOR GREENE RESIDENT. We work 7 days. Call 994-5124.

Now Hiring: Nail technician, Receptionist, Licensed massage therapist (female).Applicant(s) must be experienced. Call: 813.786.8510

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OFFICE FURNITURE: CHERRY DESK with matching credenza, desk chair and side chair. $900 or make best offer OFFICE FRAMED WORLD MAPS with gold leaf $10 each or 3 for $20. POTTED PALMS ON PATIO- $50 each or 3 for $125. Contact Judi Beck 813-972-3430. For Sale: Cat with blue eyes - mostly Siamese, beautiful and loving, about one yearold. Rescued neutered male; has all shots; tested negative for feline aids and leukemia. Deserve owner(s) who truly love him and will make him a family member. Please call 813.907.8108 for more information.

CLEANING SERVICES D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE. We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, call 758-9710. CYD PROFSESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICES Residential & Commercial – Weekly, Bi-Weekly & Monthly Rates - Flexible Scheduling including week-ends. Green Cleaning Solutions available upon request. We provide all cleaning supplies. Quality Cleaning at AFFORDABLE prices/ 5 years experience. You’ll have the same uniformed cleaning professional every time! CALL CATHERINE AT 813-965-4162. 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! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554. Your satisfaction is our priority! With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning!

NEED EXTRA MONEY...Turn your unwanted, old or broken gold jewelry into CASH! Take advantage of high gold prices which may not last long. Don't sell to the fly by night companies. Take it to Tampa Palms Hometown Jeweler. Jeweler on staff w/ 35 years exp. Charles Jewelers, 972-4653 (next to Stein Mart on Bruce B. Downs). 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 Thursday evening’s 7-8 pm. Space is limited. Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness training and more. With more than 31 years of training and teaching experience. Please contact me for more details or go to: chuan-fa.org. Peter #787-7560 or E-mail chuan-fa@tampabay.rr.com BASS PLAYER or DRUMMER WANTED Jazz/Blues/Rock to practice once a week with SAXOPHONIST (Professor @ USF) & TWO GUITARISTS, start band & do occasional GIGs in the North Tampa area. We have played in numerous bands, jazz, rock, blues 15-20+ years. glenns@usf.edu Glenn w 813 974 7922 h 813 972 9394 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 9578342 for free estimate.

Sprinkler Repair with FL Waterworks: We’ve been in the sprinkler repair business for over 5 years! All of our work is 100% guaranteed and we offer written warranties on all of our work! Call us today for fast friendly service! We want to earn your business, and be your local Tampa Bay Sprinkler Repair Contractor for Life! CALL NOW (813) 2397345 or visit FlWaterWorksIrrigation.com.

P O O L

Turn your clutter into cash! Garage & estate sales, inventory liquidation,& appraisal services. We'll sell it for you online!We evaluate & appraise your products then get you top dollar. We do the work you get the cash. Ask me how, contact Mary at 813-428-5793

S E R V I C E S

ENJOY YOUR POOL, WHILE WE MAINTAIN IT. KJ POOL SERVICE. Servicing pools for over 6 years. FIRST MONTH FREE, PLUS FREE EVALUATION & QUOTE Owner & Operator. LICENSE, BONDED & INSURED. Office: 813.909.9466 Cell: 813.748.9817. kjpoolservice@yahoo.com. Visit our website @ kjpoolonline.com

LICENSED MOBILE MASSAGE THERAPIST 9am -9pm, Mon, Tues & Wed. $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. Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at 813966-1530. Babysitter is available for Saturday and Sunday sitting. I also do pet sitting. Call 813-220-7030.

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Foreclosure Homes & Bank REO listings by email at www.TampaForeclosuresToday.com. Team Bohannon, Coldwell Banker 813-9827512

Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. You say goodbye – we say hello. 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, & RedCross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit us at www.TampaCatLady.com. Free to good home: Two beautiful white doves (mated pair). They coo beautifully and are very gentle. Have hatched four lovely baby doves in the past. Also, one weaned baby dove is available separately. Must be responsible and show an ability to care for them. Please call Mary at (813) 978-1771.

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ATTENTION ADVERTISERS: Neighborhood News will be changing the format of our classified ads in 2012. Please call to inquire about these changes and how they may affect your listing today!

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE - New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! Licensed, Bonded & Insured. CALL CHRIS TODAY @ 813-857-5400 or visit WWW.TRANQUILITYPOOLSERVICE.C OM to see why we are NEW TAMPA’S # 1 CHOICE! New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-7808616 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 1 • Januar y 3, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com