New Tampa Neighborhood News Issue 03-12 by Neighborhood News

Volume 20 Issue 3

Inside: Our Editor’s Favorite Restaurants Of 2011!

January 28, 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

‘School’s Out’ As City Council Shuts Down Proposed Charter School By Sean Bowes After months of uncertainty, concern and fear, residents of West Meadows and Richmond Place are resting a little easier, because for now, a proposed school will not be built on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. After more than four hours of listening to traffic experts, concerned parents, attorneys and home owners at their meeting on January 12, six of the seven Tampa City Council members (one was absent) agreed that a new charter school was not in New Tampa’s best interest. Since December 2, when the Hillsborough County School Board (HCSB) approved the plans for ten new K-8 charter schools (including one sought to be built on a 17.9-acre plot of land on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. at Brinegar Cir.), some residents of West Meadows and Richmond Place have been concerned about the introduction of a new “traffic nightmare” to

Residents from West Meadows and Richmond place filled three 57 passenger charter buses to take downtown to protest the proposed charter school.

an already congested Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. For the school to be built, the Tampa City Council would have had to grant a re-zoning permit for the Advantage Academy of Hillsborough Inc., a charter school company, to build the school. The land, which currently is

zoned for multifamily housing or a church, was strongly pursued by Mike Strader, president of the Charter School Assoc. who says that his company specifically chose that plot of land because of its potential and lush, natural setting. The proposed school could have

been home to a student body of 1,000, as well as an attached pre-school center which had room for 250 more children, a number that made members of the Home Owners Association (HOA) at West Meadows very nervous. To protest the proposed charter school, residents from West Meadows and Richmond Place skipped their dinners (some grumbled about missing a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game) and pulled together to send the message that they did not want a charter school to be constructed at the doorstep to their neighborhoods. Residents from both communities filled three chartered buses (paid for by the West Meadows Homeowners Assn.), while others residents caravanned in their own cars, to argue their case at the Jan. 12 final City Council hearing in downtown Tampa. Most of the residents who would be impacted by the school said its traffic See “Charter School” on page 34.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn Visits The New Tampa Rotary Club

Man Commits Suicide In Amberly Park, 75 iPads Stolen From Best Buy, St. Mark’s Fund Raises For A New Church & Lots Of Local Business News!

See pages 3-36!

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE! Local Couple Weds A Mile High Over Wesley Chapel, ‘Neighborhood Nibbles,’ Gary’s Favorite Restaurants Of 2011 & More!

See pages 37-52!

Speaking Of Jobs

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn dropped in on the weekly New Tampa Rotary Club breakfast on Fri., Jan. 13.

After some laughs about his taste in cars, Buckhorn spoke positively about Tampa’s future to the Rotary Club. The “agenda” he See “Buckhorn” on page 6.

ECRWSS

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION

Postal Customer

Also Inside This Issue!

over the county as the Denali rocked area roads with glass-packed mufflers, which Buckhorn kept — although he did remove the vehicle’s spinning rims. Buckhorn was the featured speaker for New Tampa Rotary Club’s weekly Friday breakfast on Friday the 13th to talk about the future for not only New Tampa, but the entire Tampa Bay area.

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Just after sunrise at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, a jetblack, limo-tinted GMC Yukon Denali pulled into the parking lot. It wouldn’t have looked terribly out of place at the upscale country club — with its spotless paint and chrome wheels — if it wasn’t for the loud grumbling that shakes the ground everywhere it goes.

“Did you get a good look at my pimp mobile?” asked Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn as he greeted the New Tampa Rotary Club on January 13. Buckhorn loves to talk about his “pimp mobile,” a 2005 SUV he picked up at the police forfeit lot last year instead of having the city pay for his car payments. The previous owner of the vehicle was an actual pimp in South Tampa who transported prostitutes all

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My First Look At The Race For The Republican Nomination Although I still consider myself to be apolitical, the fact is that I’m a registered Republican who (like most members of the media, or so I hear) leans much more towards the middle of the road than the average member of the Tea Party. As those of you who have been reading these columns for more than four years already knows, I endorsed President Barack Obama over the Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, in 2008, primarily because I felt a) that Obama did a better job in the debates than the Arizona senator and b) I had a real problem with McCain’s chosen running mate, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. But, that’s old news and there’s no doubt that three full years after Obama took office, the U.S. economy as a whole has not rebounded the way it seemed to me it might back at the end of 2010 and that our nation’s budget deficit has flown past the $10 trillion mark for the first time with little or no end in sight if the current president is reelected — especially if by winning a second term, Obama’s coattails help shift the balance of power in the U.S. Legislature away from the Republicans. So, while the early parts of the race to become the 2012 GOP nominee held minimal interest to me (I kind of liked Herman Cain early on, but the only candidate with no previous political experience rightfully dropped out of the race following multiple scandals that

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An editorial by Gary Nager took on a life of their own in short order), I have started to follow the race to oppose Obama a little more closely. Since Cain’s exodus, it seemed until a couple of weeks ago (as in prior to the South Carolina primary on January 21) that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney would all but cruise to the nomination. Romney has finished first or second in all three primaries to date, but his double-digit loss to former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich in South Carolina definitely has put his bid to become the first Mormon president in U.S. history in serious jeopardy, with Florida’s own primary looming just days after you receive this issue, on Tuesday, Januar y 31. Gov. Romney, who has the perfect “look” to play a president in the movies, looked a whole lot less presidential in the final debate prior to the SC primary, as he fumbled and stumbled to answer questions about when he might release his personal tax returns and how many years of said returns he would release. I thought Romney’s squirming responses and his expressed concern about how the Democrats would “use” the fact he somehow found a way to be in the 15-percent Federal Income Tax bracket (even if he did so within the confines of the U.S. tax laws), despite amassing a personal wealth of more than a quarter billion dollars, made him appear unprepared to deal with such questions during the debate. He definitely took a huge backwards step, often mispronouncing words and looking very lost, for the first time during this campaign. It definitely made me wonder how he would handle the often split-second decision-making and confi-

dence needed to run this country. It also was obvious that, despite his attempt to focus his concern about his taxes on “the Democrats,” Romney should have realized that those in his own party who trailed him by a fairly wide margin leading up to South Carolina also would use his tax issues against him long before Obama would even have to concern himself with the former Massachusetts governor. Speaker Gingrich, who always comes off as the most “powerful” and polished of the four remaining GOP candidates, was able to whip up on Romney in SC despite having to deal with an allegation by one of his former wives that he had asked her for an “open” marriage. Now that Romney is no longer perceived as the frontrunner, despite whatever the delegate count may be as we go to press, there is no doubt that Gingrich’s always-headlineworthy personal life will become more and more of the focus as his faltering rivals try to make up ground quickly. I honestly thought that former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum — who is a distant third in the race, despite being declared the winner of the Iowa caucus after Romney was originally named the winner there — actually did the best job of focusing on his positive attributes and

distinguishing his platform from that of Pres. Obama in South Carolina. I don’t know if Santorum can win the GOP nod, but if I’m looking for someone with a proven conservative agenda who looks and sounds presidential and clearly distances himself from all things Obama, Santorum’s my guy. Perhaps the most personally likable candidate is the same doctor and Libertarian who also may have the most unique ideas about how to fix this country is Texas Congressman Ron Paul. Rep. Paul doesn’t cut as imposing a figure as the other three candidates but, as long as he continues to trail the field, he can continue to fly under the radar and at least impress more and more voters with his unique economic and political agendas, even if he has little or no chance of winning what his campaign folks call “a marathon, not a sprint” towards the nomination. Of course, once a Republican candidate is selected from this field, that candidate’s selection of a running mate could still change how I will vote — and who I endorse — in November. I preferred Obama to McCain in 2008, but once McCain chose Gov. Palin to stand alongside him, I felt much better about that choice. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the process plays out this time around.

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES....................Pages 1-36 Buckhorn Visits New Tampa Rotary (cont. from pg. 1)........6 St. Mark’s Raising Funds For New Church.........................8 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel News Briefs ..............10-11 Suicide In Amberly Park 75 iPads Stolen From Best Buy Break-Ins At Camden Live Oak Apartments Schenecker Murder Trial Update Man Shot By His Dog? New Tampa Community Calendar.................14-15 City Council Nixes Proposed School (cont. from pg. 1)...34

Local Business Updates............................18-31 New Tampa Chamber Newsletter.......................18 Babysoft Carpet Cleaning.........................................20 Sport & Spine..........................................................24 Hammerfist..................................................28 New Tampa Business Briefs.....................................30

Local Education & Sports Updates..........32-33 IDS-CC Tries Tests Out New Engineering Program..32 Wharton Teacher A Finalist For Support Award.........33 Mini Bulls Win Two State Softball Titles....................33

Neighborhood Magazine

‘Love Is In The Air’ Over Wesley Chapel............37-38 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles’.....................................41 Gary’s 2011 Dining Favorites.............................44

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

“Buckhorn” Continued from page 1 “pushing” at the meeting was for the University of South Florida (USF) to invest in robotics. He also spoke excitedly about the visit of the Republican National Convention (RNC) to downtown Tampa and also for the prospects of job growth in the Tampa Bay area. “My children are not going to work in a call center,” Buckhorn said. “And, neither will yours.” The mayor spoke about USF’s aggressive step toward increasing the school’s new science and research facilities to complement what Buckhorn said was the likelihood of growth in jobs in the field of robotics. The mayor said he is a huge supporter of USF’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning & Simulation (CAMLS) project. In fact, Buckhorn noted that he took a week-long trip in November to Israel (a leader in robotics technology) to gain a strategy for the Tampa Bay area to educate students in such growth fields — and to have jobs for them as they graduate. The USF CAMLS project could bring high-technology businesses and research partnerships that boost the economy and provide graduates with high-paying jobs, Buckhorn noted. He said he envisions the new robotics program having success similar to that of the burgeoning H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at USF’s Tampa campus.

Economic Impact Of The Republican Nat’l Convention The week of August 27 of this year — just under seven months from now — the Republican National Convention (RNC) will roll into town, bringing about 45,000 visitors with it. “Tampa will be in the spotlight for the entire nation,” Buckhorn said. “This will be bigger than the Super Bowl, and we know how to do the Super Bowl.” Buckhorn estimates that the RNC also will bring 15,000 journalists to the convention, plus housands of politicians, protestors, as well a heavy-duty police force to deal with any possible violent protestors. The increased police force is common at similar political rallies such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference and previous RNCs. “There will be anarchists and people who aim to bring mayhem (to downtown Tampa),” says Buckhorn. “A $50 million security fund will pay for extra cops, security and troopers from all over the state.” Congress paid the bill for the $50 million security fund. Buckhorn has admitted that if it were not for the

Mayor Buckhorn didn’t discuss New Tampa’s roads or parks when he visited the Rotary Club. Congressional grant money, Tampa would not have been able to host the convention. Possible anarchists aside, the firstterm mayor said he is looking forward to the RNC. He says that the service industry, including those in New Tampa, should see a rise in business during the week-long convention.

Reclaimed Water Update During the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, one Tampa Palms resident asked Buckhorn what could be done about residential water bills, which he said are becoming “ridiculously expensive.” Tampa Palms residents still use the same potable water that comes out of their drinking faucets to water their lawns and wash their cars, instead of using the cheaper reclaimed water, that is available in South Tampa neighborhoods. “I know,” Buckhorn said. “Something must be done. I'm aware of the problem. The City of Tampa dumps 60 million gallons of reclaimed water into Tampa Bay every day,” adding that the water which is being dumped into the Bay could benefit New Tampa. “We need to find a way to get a pipe up here,” says Buckhorn. “I'm working on it.” Buckhorn admitted that Tampa may have a deficit as high as $40 million this year, mostly due to the city's investment in real estate and construction, he said.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

St. Mark Raising Funds For A New Church Building By Sean Bowes New Tampa’s only Catholic church wants to transform its campus into something that will make anyone from any background say “wow.” “I want people to walk onto the campus and just have a unique, spiritual experience,” says Father David DeJulio of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd. “Something like the feeling you get when you walk into the churches in Europe or the older ones here in the States.” The vision of Fr. DeJulio and the church’s leadership is an entirely new church for the 26-acre campus. Currently, the place of worship the church uses is an undersized Family Life Center that was never intended to be the only sanctuary of worship for the site. Every Saturday and Sunday, more than 1,000 families come to the Family Life Center at St. Mark for services, receptions and religious education classes for kids. “It’s hard to get a room sometimes,” says DeJulio. “We’ve always envisioned a real spiritual center for New Tampa and we want to build one

This is a rendition of what the new building at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd. may look like in a few years. here. The current building isn't really a church (in the traditional sense).” St. Mark’s leadership is looking to keep the current Family Life Center building to use for local concerts, wedding receptions and to host events for the community. And, the new plans include a new reconciliation chapel, two quiet rooms that have a view of the altar, an Ushers Room that would double as a Brides Room and an open outside setting that would provde, according to Fr. DeJulio, a “feeling of tranquility.” The current blueprints (see above) include a large, open, landscaped area and a large walking labyrinth that would be

located close to the church’s current entrance on Cross Creek Blvd. “The new plans encompass both traditional and futuristic elements,” says Fr. DeJulio. To pay for the new structures, the church is currently trying to raise the $10 million the project is estimated to cost. Fr. DeJulio says construction could begin as soon as the church has at least raised half of that cost of construction, or roughly $5 million. He says that currently, the church has a little more than $3 million in its coffers for the construction. Fr. DeJulio admits that fund raising is a slow process, but it's some-

thing the church has been working toward since the Family Life Center first opened in 2003. He is confident that the church should reach the halfway goal and get started on construction by 2017. On Sunday, February 19, the church will host a golf tournament fund raiser at Hunter’s Green Country Club. The tournament will feature longest drive and closest-to-the-pin contests as well as a “four-person scramble” format golf competition that costs $125 to enter. A chicken and rib dinner also will be served. Sponsorships are available and the church is inviting the entire New Tampa community to come out and join the fun. “And, you don’t have to be Catholic to come out and play golf or enjoy the tournament,” says Cyndi Letzeisen, St. Mark’s director of development. St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church is located at 9724 Cross Creek Blvd. For more information about the February 19 golf tournament, call Cyndi Letzeisen at 907-7746.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

N EW T AMPA Apparent Suicide Victim Found In Amberly Park The oldest park in Tampa Palms is back open to the public, after detectives from the Tampa Police Department (TPD) closed off the park the evening of January 17, when the body of a man who apparently committed suicide was found in a car in the park’s parking lot. According to a TPD report, Jason Charles Low, 39, a Tampa Palms resident, pulled his car into Amberly Park’s parking lot at Amberly Dr. and Burchette Rd. a little before 4 p.m. While parked, Low, who lived at 5114 Sterling Manor Dr., sat in his car and brought a .38 caliber revolver to his chin and shot himself in the head, said the report. He was already deceased when he was found by TPD. TPD homicide detectives and the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner responded to the scene of the incident and closed off the park. It was reported that more than 10 TPD officers also responded to the call. At our press time, no next of kin had been located by TPD. Low lived a little more than a mile from Amberly Park.

75 iPads Stolen From New

News Briefs Tampa’s Best Buy

Some people will do just about anything for an iPad 2. On January 13, a group of six burglars in a stolen Nissan Maxima went to the New Tampa Best Buy at 18071 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza and took every iPad 2 in the store. On January 13, at 4:48 a.m., one of the burglars crashed the stolen Maxima into the bay door at the rear of the electronics store. The collision made a large enough opening in the aluminum door for the burglars to enter the Best Buy. Once inside, the six burglars, all dressed in black and wearing white masks, used sledge hammers to destroy the display cases that held the iPads. According to a report by the Tampa Police Department (TPD), the burglars stole 75 iPad 2s from the display cases. Best Buy currently sells the 32GB iPad 2 model for $600. Other higher end iPads with more memory sell for up to $830 on the Best Buy website. The company estimates that some $60,000 of electronics were stolen in the robbery that night, according to the TPD report. Once all of the iPads were loaded

Footage from Best Buy’s surveilance tape shows the burglars unloading the iPads through the damaged door. into bags, the burglars loaded them into a waiting car and escaped before police arrived. Detectives are currently working to solve the case. The stolen 1997 Nissan Maxima that crashed in to the bay door was abandoned at the scene of the crime. On the same morning as the robbery, three other Nissan Maximas were stolen from the Temple Terrace area. TPD detectives believe the car thefts could be related to the Best Buy burglary. All of the Maximas that were stolen on January 13 were taken from apartment complexes in the Temple Terrace area. All of the cars have been found abandoned by the TPD, with the exception of one Maxima, which was stolen from the River Chase Apart-

ments in Temple Terrace. One of the cars that was stolen had tools inside it that were left at the scene of the iPad burglary. TPD officers are still on the lookout for a 1997 Nissan Maxima with the Florida license plate 551TCZ. Anyone with any information regarding any of the stolen Maximas or the burglary at Best Buy should call TPD detective Michelle DeSmith at 931-6569.

Camden Live Oak Apts. Victimized By Burglaries Detectives from the Tampa Police Department (TPD) are still on the hunt for burglars who recently targeted the Camden Live Oaks apartment complex in Tampa Palms following a string of break-ins. Since Christmas Eve, TPD says there have been five burglaries in the apartment complex. The thieves usually entered the apartments by cutting the patio screen enclosures and entering through a sliding glass door. There were break-ins at the same apartment complex earlier last year in which burglars entered by smashing bedroom windows or by kicking in the front door. The latest burglaries at the apartment complex, located at 5100 Live Oaks Blvd. off Amberly Dr. in Tampa

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Palms, took place on January 14. The unknown suspects gained access to the interior of three different apartments late at night by prying open the sliding glass doors. Once inside, the burglars stole everything from bicycles and video game systems to digital cameras. Strangely enough, one sweet- toothed burglar also made off with a colorful jar of Laffy Taffy candy. According to TPD spokesperson Lisa Timmer, all but one of the burglaries at the apartment complex took place during the weekend. TPD currently has no leads on any of the burglaries, although some fingerprints have been lifted by the TPD Crime Lab. Any person with information regarding the crimes at Camden Live Oaks apartment complex is urged to call TPD Detective G. McClain at 931-6539.

Digital Evidence Slows Down Schenecker Case

At our press time, prosecutors and public defenders were both still trying to analyze 93 DVDs filled with data from Julie and Parker Schencker’s personal computers, which may or may not hold any evidence in the murder of 16year-old Calyx and 13-year-old Beau Schenecker, the couple's children. On January 29, 2011, Julie

allegedly confessed to Tampa Police Department (TPD) detectives there that she had shot her daughter and son on that day because they were “mouthy.” The data from the computers were taken into evidence. On August 12, Julie Schenecker’s public defenders announced that she would plead insanity in the criminal case. She faces two counts of first-degree murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. On January 18, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Ashley Moody gave attorneys 45 more days for their experts to try to decipher the files. So far, neither side has been able to translate the DVDs into a legible form of evidence. Judge Moody has asked lawyers for an update on the data problem set for the next hearing on March 14.

Startled Bulldog Accidentally ‘Shoots’ Owner

A Wesley Chapel man may start looking for a new best friend after he recovers from a bullet wound that he suffered on a recent hunting trip. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials, Billy E. Brown, 78, of Wesley Chapel, was deer hunting with his dog, Eli and a friend on December 10. It was a trip that Brown and Eli had made dozens of times, taking a pickup truck to an area north of Wesley Chapel dur-

ing Pasco County’s deer hunting season (December 3 – February 19) to try and bring home a buck. Unfortunately, it was Brown, the vice president and general manager of Withlacoochee River Electric Co-op (WREC), who ended up with a bullet in him. According to the wildlife officials, the trio was traveling in the truck on a bumpy, unpaved back road when Eli, a bulldog, got excited and jumped from the back seat of the truck to the front and bumped the trigger of Brown’s high-powered, Browning .308 hunting rifle. The loaded rifle went off and a bullet struck Brown’s right thigh bone and also hit a major artery above his right knee. He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa where he underwent two major surgeries and was in critical condition for a short time. The incident happened in the woods near Old Pasco Rd. and Gillette Rd., roughly three miles south of Hillcrest Preserve. Brown is a well-known figure in Pasco County. He grew up in Dade City, where he was a star baseball player and went on to play semi-pro ball before serving in the Korean War. After the war, he returned to Dade City, and began working for WREC in 1956, where he still works today. In the last two decades, Brown has helped Pasco County’s growth by pushing for more development, such as Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club and area Wal-Marts

which have created hundreds of jobs. Brown’s sister, Pat Weaver, told WTVT-TV Fox 13 News if Eli could speak he would tell Billy E. Brown Billy “I’m so sorry. This was an accident.” Since Brown was shot, FWC officers have continued to tell hunters to never transport loaded guns, even if it is only a short distance between hunting sites, and to always practice safe hunting techniques. -SB

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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 is currently open to new members in the New Tampa area. The MOMS Club offers a variety of daytime activities of mothers and their children, opportunities for Mom’s Night Out and many more benefits. For more info, or to join the club, Email MOMsClubNewTampa_ southeast@yahoo.com.

Free Bike Safety Class

Friday, January 28, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m..- Whether you’re an avid bicyclist or just someone who enjoys going for cruises around the block, you’re invited to brush up your bicyclist safety knowledge. World Endurance Sports in New Tampa is hosting the class at 6417 County Line Road, # 104. Everyone

who participates receives a free safety bell or lights. Riders must be at least 18 years old. For more info, call 974-9215

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, February 1, 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 Wednesday, February 1, 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, February 1, 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.

Parkinson’s Support Group

Wednesday, February 1, 1 p.m. Come join an educational, emotional and social support group for those living with Parkinson’s disease as well as family, friends and caregivers. This group is co-facilitated by Faye Kern (coordinator, American Parkinson's Disease Assn.) and Shirley Berkery (John Knox Village Home Health), and is sponsored by the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month, 1 p.m.-2 p.m., in the Private Dining Room (located in the tower) of St. Joseph’s John Knox Village at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave. For more information, call Cyndi Letzeisen 632-2331.

GriefShare Recovery Group Tuesday, February 3, 6:30 p.m. — The GriefShare Recovery 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 310 If you have any questions, call 961-1254.

Bowling Event To Raise $ For Liver Transplant

Saturday, February 4, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. - Justin Jokisch, of Lutz, got his Christmas gift early. He received a lifesaving liver transplant in December and is recovering well, but the costs are overwhelming. Volunteers are planning a bowling fund raiser to help him. The event will be held at Pin Chasers, 5555 W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa. The cost is $25 per person and includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, a slice of pizza and a soda. Tickets must be purchased in advanced so planners can reserve the lanes. A raffle will take place at 6:15. For tickets or more information, please contact Holly at 695-4269.

Wharton 5K & Fun Run

Saturday, February 4, 8:30 a.m. - The Wharton High Wildcats are hosting their annual 5K & Family Fun Run. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. and the Fun Run begins at 9:15 a.m. There also will be a silent auction from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. with some great items, including Tampa Bay Lightning and Bucaneers tickets. To sign up for the 5K or Family Fun Run, visit Active.com and use the keywords “Wharton run.” Pau R. Wharton High is located at 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

IDS-CC Open House

Wednesday, February 8, 8 p.m. Independent Day School-Corbett Cam-

Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A. Pediatrics Board Certified

Solo Practice! Practicing 17 years in Tampa Graduate of UF & USF Residency All Children’s Hospital

• Same Day Appointments We’ve moved to a larger office just next door!

4444 E. Fletcher Ave., Suite C

813-903-0060

Most Medical Insurance Plans Accepted!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

pus, an independent school for Pre-K3 through eighth grade, will host an Admissions Open House. The event will begin with an overview of the school conducted by Headmaster Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman. It will include a tour of the beautiful, cypress tree-covered campus. A light breakfast will be served. The school is located at 12015 Orange Grove Dr. in Tampa. Contact admissions director Dr. Jennifer Morrow to place a reservation at jmorrow@idsyes.com or call 961-3087. For more information about the school, or to schedule a personal tour, visit IDSyes.com

Northeast Tampa Women In Business Meeting

Thursday, February 9, 6 p.m.8:30 p.m. The North East Tampa Women in Business meets the second Thursday of each month at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). Come out for some great relationship building with women in business from around the area. RSVP at NETWIB.org or call 364-2174.

Business Networking International

Wednesday, February 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 Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.). For more information, call Jal Irani at 451-8229.

CBC Networking

Thursday, February 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.

ponsor the putting contest for $500 and hole sponsorships cost $150. All proceeds will gbenefit St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. There also will be some surprise players and lots of great raffle prizes! The entire community is welcome to come and play with St. Mark! For more info, call Cyndi Letzeisen at 907-7746, Ext. 303, or see the story on page 8.

Wedding ‘Extravaganza Expo’

Sunday, February 26, 12 p.m. -4 p.m. If you are planning to organize or attend a wedding, plan to renew your vows, are planning a Quinces or Sweet

Sixteen party, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, themed party, corporate event, special event, black-tie, graduation, prom, recital or a reunion...you should attend the “Wedding Extravaganza Expo” at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Admission is FREE if you pre-registered (R.S.V.P.) on one of the following Facebook pages: All Brides 2 Be, LLC & Formalwear or Events 2 Perfection. Or, call Carmen at 838-5422 in advance (at least 24 hours before event). The cost with no RSVP is $5 at the door. For more information, call Carmen at 838-5422.

St. Mark Golf Tournament Returns To Hunter’s Green

Sunday, February 19, 8 p.m. The 15th annual St. Mark Golf Tournament will be held at Hunter’s Green Country Club. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:30 The tourney is a four-person scramble format which costs $125 per golfer. That cost includes golf and cart, hole in one, closest-to-the-pin and long drive contests. Dinner will feature chicken, ribs and fixings. The cost to be an exclusive hole sponsor is $800, which includes golf for four players, eight dinner tickets, an exclusive hole sponsorship and signage on the tee box. Your business also can

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

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

2011-12 NTCC Board of Directors President-Rachel Haviland

Board Members:

Officers

Non-Officers

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

Regina Ramalheira Said Iravani Earl Meyer Lee Hoffman Joyce Gunter

This Year’s Taste Of New Tampa Will Feature New Technologies & More! This year, the Taste of New Tampa 2012 will be held at the Shops of Wiregrass (Wiregrass Mall) on Sunday, March 11, noon-6 p.m. In collaboration with Your Community News, this is the 19th annual Taste of New Tampa Business and Health Expo which is the main membership drive event for the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Every year, restaurants flock from Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Lutz, Land O’Lakes and surrounding areas to set up a booth and offer small tastes of several menu items. Previously held at Wharton High and other locations throughout New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, this year’s Taste of New Tampa will be sure to have more event participation, since it is the first year the Taste will be held at the Shops of Wiregrass, located at the northeast corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and S.R. 56, approximately 1 mile east of Interstate 75. As usual, the Chamber will presell the tickets, but with a twist! This year, the Taste of New Tampa will use technology to help with ticket presales. Text message marketing codes

will be in place, along with QR Code Marketing, to allow attendees to purchase their tickets online. Both of these marketing vehicles will be just one more way that consumers can use technology, get a discount and, best of all, avoid the long lines. Valpak, YCN (Your Community News), as well as the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce will run separate text numbers in each advertisement. The presale ticket promotion is that if you buy 15 Taste admission tickets, you’ll get three free tickets. The owners and staff of the new CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bar in The Walk at You can text TONT to 41242 to start Highwoods Preserve plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. cut a ribbon with members of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce Board and the community on January 19. the process! Presale locations in the New Tampa area also will pre-sell Come out and experience the the Chamber regarding New Tampa’s tickets, including Cherry Berry food, meet the local business owners largest single-day event. Frozen Yogurt in The Walk at HighFor more information about and local artists while you enjoy live woods Preserve (the same plaza as tickets sales, please also visit the entertainment at the 2012 Taste of Best Buy). Taste of New Tampa 2012 Of fi ficcial New Tampa. Stay tuned for more We expect the crowd on Sunday Website at TasteofNewTampa.info. updates as they become available. March 11 (weather permitting) to be Kindly note that the Chamber is The New Tampa Chamber is upwards of 6,000-8,000 people with currently experiencing a large numcurrently accepting applications for the reach extending to the Wesley ber of calls and emails. Please refer Sponsors, Restaurants, Vendors and Chapel community, as well as Land Artists for the 2012 Taste. To down- to the Chamber or Taste of New O’Lakes and Lutz, attracting people load application forms, please visit the Tampa websites for information who may not normally come to the before contacting the Chamber. We Taste of New Tampa 2012 Official event. So, be sure to order your tickappreciate your patience while we Website at TasteofNewTampa.info. ets online or pick them up at a predo our best to return all calls and This is the only website where you sale location! emails personally. can access official information from

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Babysoft Carpet & Upholstery Can Refresh Your Home Or Business By Camille Gillies Did anyone spill red wine on your carpet over the holidays? Did your relatives get a little sloppy with the gravy or let their kids run wild through your house in muddy shoes? Instead of calling a national carpet cleaning chain that specializes in putting fine print on their coupons and racing through your house at lightning speed, you might want to instead consider enlisting the expertise of a local, family-run carpet cleaning business that prides itself on doing a thorough job and leaving customers amazed at the wonderful results the company is able to achieve. Babysoft Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning is a professional, full-service carpet cleaning, carpet repair, fabriccare, upholstery and even grout cleaning company that has been serving Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz and New Tampa for 20 years. Started in Lutz in 1992 by owner and master technician Chris Kallas, the business blossomed as the region boomed, but

Babysoft still remains a hands-on family affair. A 30-year veteran of the carpet industry himself, Chris operates Babysoft with his sons Spiro and Kosta Kalogeropoulos. Chris, 70, is a native of Greece who became interested in the carpet business after years of watching his mother make rugs using wool from sheep raised on the family farm. He began as a carpet installer but after 25 years, he tired of the physical demands required by the trade and became interested in the cleaning and repair side of the business. He views carpet cleaning as a craft and his pride is evident. “My customers can’t believe how clean I get their carpets,” Chris says with his thick Greek accent. “I don't rush through a job. I take my time, going over areas two or three times.” As a result, when he completes a job, Chris not only has removed the dirt from the carpet, he also has extracted enough moisture that the carpet dries in a couple of hours. Spiro, 37, and Kosta, 44, both enjoyed careers as mechanical engineers before joining their father at Babysoft. Spiro acts as general manager, spearheading the company’s marketing and operations, while Kosta serves as a technician. Together, the team employs only certified and experienced technicians who strive to extend the life of your carpet, upholstered furniture, bathroom, kitchen and floor tile and grout — at always-fair prices.

Thorough Carpet Cleaning Babysoft utilizes the hot-water extraction (also known as the “steam cleaning”) method, which they claim is the most effective way to clean carpet. “Water,” stresses Spiro. “Nothing beats it for cleaning. Cleaning your carpet with a dry process is like shampooing your hair without Kosta Kalogeropoulos, a technician at Babysoft, learned the business from his father. water. You are basically just moving

Marketing and operations manager Spiro Kalogeropoulos (left) and his father, Chris Kallas, of Babysoft Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning.

the dirt around without rinsing it out.” Spiro says that Babysoft has tried numerous methods of cleaning carpets and that hot-water extraction tops them all. The company also has invested in high-tech equipment that facilitates the removal of dirt and other materials from deep within carpet fibers. These systems achieve maximum soil and spot removal without leaving a sticky residue or over-wetting your carpet. The company’s technicians stay up to date on the latest technological advances in cleaning equipment, tools and chemicals. All Babysoft technicians are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Certification), which Spiro says is the most recognized organization certifying carpet and upholstery cleaners. “With my dad’s years of experience with different textiles and fabrics, our customers can relax and feel confident in our abilities,” he says. Some customers feel so at ease with Chris that they offer him blank checks for his work. “I have had at least four customers leave me signed, blank checks,” he states. “They trust me to do a good job and they trust me in

their homes.” Babysoft cleans all types of carpets, including Oriental and area rugs, and also offers carpet repair. If you have a tear or ripples in your carpet, the company can stretch the carpet, patch it and fix damaged seams. Your technician also can treat your carpet for urine damage and apply a pet enzyme treatment for pet stains. Spiro says that local Realtors have used Babysoft’s services to help with cleaning-related problems. “We are proud that the area’s most respected carpet retailers, interior designers and Realtors recommend us and have used our services,” he says. “We also have serviced commercial accounts like USF, MOSI, Lowry Park Zoo and Swiftmud (the Southwest Florida Water Management District).” New Tampa resident Jean Luciano was thrilled with the results Babysoft achieved after cleaning carpets in her rental properties. “We had white Berber in our rental condos,” Jean wrote on Babysoft’s website. “After three years, it wasn’t white anymore. When Babysoft Carpet Cleaning finished, the carpet was white again and all of the stains

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

were gone — and they never resurfaced! It is the best carpet-cleaning service I have ever used. Their methods are revolutionary!”

Tile & Grout Cleaning Scrubbing tile and grout yourself is an unpleasant chore that takes a lot of elbow grease and often doesn't produce the desired results. You can kiss that aggravation goodbye with a simple phone call to the pros at Babysoft. Experts at restoring the luster to your tile and grout, the company uses a powerful truck mount machine with special attachment tools to eliminate the embedded dirt and stains that cause floors to look aged and dull. Sprio says that a combination of a specialized cleaning product used with a high-pressure, hot-water system restores tile to like-new condition. After cleaning the grout, Babysoft technicians seal it to maintain its fresh appearance.

Upholster y Cleaning With advanced technology and detergents, Babysoft also cleans upholstered furniture. Your technician can recondition your favorite chair or sofa right on-site and often the furniture can be used within hours. “We take our time to carefully recondition, clean and dry all furniture pieces, and we offer fabric protection

that helps maintain their fresh appearance,” explains Spiro.

An Of fer That’s Hard To Refuse With some carpet-cleaning companies, it can be difficult to calculate the cost of having your carpets cleaned, which is why Babysoft eliminates the confusion with this incredible offer: $189 to steam clean all wall-to-wall carpet in single-story homes under 3,000 square feet; $239 for two-story homes under 3,000 square feet (including stairs); for homes 3,000 to 5,000 sq. ft., the cost is $249 for a single story and $299 for two stories, including stairs. There is no limit to the size or number of rooms. The offer does not include area rugs. Tile and grout cleaning and grout sealing are all charged by the square foot. Tile and grout cleanong costs 49 cents per sq. ft.; grout sealing is 39 cents per square foot; and upholstery cleaning is quoted individually per piece. The minimum price for any cleaning is $99.99. For more information, visit www.BabySoftCarpetCleaning.com or call 991-7545. Look for a redesigned website in March that will include demonstration videos, a shopping cart feature, a price estimator and online booking.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Living Active & Pain-Free With Sport & Spine Physical Therapy By Alicia Pack Living with pain is a difficult daily challenge that too many people face. Don’t let your pain get past the point of no return. If pain is a regular occurrence in your life, it may be time to make a change and visit the Sport & Spine Physical Therapy and Wellness Center in Tampa Palms. At Sport & Spine, the patient and the patient’s pain relief goals are the first priority, from the moment you walk in the door to the time you walk out the door, usually with a little more spring in your step. Dr. Ryan Whelton, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and president of Sport & Spine, says that, “We pride ourselves on not just treating the injury but the whole person.” All of Dr. Whelton’s degrees are from Northeastern University in Boston, MA, and include a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science, a Master of science in Physical Therapy and his DPT degree. In addition, Dr. Whelton has subspecialties in treating tempromandibular joint (TMJ) pain, headaches, sports injuries, back and neck pain and even treating patients as young as three months old. Dr. Whelton has some pretty

Personal trainer Audrey Khan of Sport & Spine Physical Therapy & Wellness Center in Tampa Palms uses a cold laser to help relieve a patient’s knee pain.

impressive credentials as a physical therapist, including being a PT with the New England Patriots the year the team won Super Bowl XXXVIII. He also has worked for the Boston Celtics of the NBA, the NHL’s Boston Bruins, individual athletes at Boston College and with UFC mixed martial arts fighters. A former Division I-A athlete himself, Dr. Whelton trained athletes who were preparing for the NFL Draft, rehabilitating their injuries and increasing speed and strength and overall wellness. Dr. Whelton also works with

patients outside the athletic arena helping them achieve their goals of weight loss, toning of muscles, and wellness promotion. He also spent two and a half years rehabilitating our nation’s injured veterans and active duty soldiers who have suffered major trauma such as traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, polytrauma and post-surgical veterans. Sport & Spine offers a variety of programs, including the 830Laser Program (see below for more info), Back Pain and Sport Therapy programs. Sport & Spine also offers numerous specialized services including yoga, Pilates, massage, personal training and sport-specific rehabilitation and injury prevention. The ML830 Laser is non-invasive, FDA-approved and targets the root causes of your pain, not just addressing the symptoms. Dr, Whelton says the laser has successfully helped treat patients with a variety of aches, pains, injuries and neurological conditions without the use of drugs. Some of the benefits of using the ML830 Laser Program include reducing inflammation, improving daily quality of life, avoiding long-term effects of an injury, reducing risk of reinjury and faster recovery times. Immediately following the laser treatment, 75-80 percent of the paients treated notice an improvement in their condition. Depending upon the severity and recurrence of a condition, most patients will need from 4-5 to 10-18 treatments. Pricing for a single laser treatment is $39.50, although discounts are available for multiple treatment packages. The Back Pain Program offers a number of solutions that will help to diminish back and neck pain. Treating the problem as quickly as possible will not only help relieve the pain, but also reduce the risk of re-injury. The benefits of the program are many and consist of better posture, enhanced sleep,

Dr. Ryan Whelton of Sport & Spine offers a wide variety of equipment and treatments to help relieve pain.

more flexibility and a return to an active lifestyle. Anyone who suffers from back, neck or shoulder pain, as well as anyone who sits at a desk for long periods of time, are prime candidates. Results differ depending upon the complexity of the underlying problem, but many people start to feel relief after the first treatment. Fast-acting treatment of sports injuries can reduce your recovery time and help prevent re-injury. Sport & Spine’s Sports Therapy Program helps the patient learn how to prevent future injuries, getting you “back in the game” and increasing flexibility and movement with the use of state of the art equipment. According to the staff at Sport & Spine, someone with a sports injury should stay away from prolonged use of pain medication and treatments that do not address the source of the injury. In the case of sprains and strains, patients can typically expect recovery times within three to four weeks. “The main reason patients come to Sport and Spine, and recommend us to their co-workers, friends and family — which is the highest compliment, in my opinion — is that patients learn how to realign them-

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selves at home, easily and safely,” Dr. Whelton says. Sport and Spine Physical Therapy and Wellness Center accepts most insurance policies and offers a 30-percent discount to out-of-pocket patients, those with high insurance deductibles and for people opting out of their HMOs. Sport & Spine stands behind a high quality of service with a 100-percent guarantee. Dr. Whelton says he opened Sport & Spine in (L. to r.) Office manager Ashley Caggiano, Dr. Tampa Palms because, “the Ryan Whelton & Audrey Khan of Sport & community is very welcoming Spine Physical Therapy & Wellness Center. and friendly. And, because the are licensed foster parents. Sport & location is close to the medical and Spine provides free therapy for those academic centers at USF and Florida who are not able to meet the costs. Hospital.” Dr. Whelton has been Sport & Spine Physical Theraasked to give weekly lectures at the University of South Florida to medical py & Wellness Center is located at students, residents, fellows and faculty. 15303 Amberly Dr., Suite C, in the professional office plaza located When not helping patients allevinext to The Shoppes of Amberly ate pain or speaking at USF, the staff plaza in Tampa Palms (which is members at Sport & Spine have paranchored by Lifestyle Family Fitticipated in local charity events, including those benefitting the Frater- ness and Sushi Tsu. The center is open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 nal Order of Police, The Children’s p.m. To contact, please call 699Home, various foster and/or adop9040. For more information or to tions agencies in Tampa Bay, Toys for schedule an appointment, visit Tots and the Humane Society of SSptwc.com. Tampa Bay. Dr. Whelton and his wife

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Premier Martial Arts & Hammerfist Krav Maga Is A Kick! By Camille Gillies Only one year ago, Jason Carrio was teaching Krav Maga self defense in the garage of his Wesley Chapel home. Now, the enterprising instructor of the popular Israeli system of self-defense owns a martial arts and Krav Maga studio located next to Café Fresco on S.R. 56. Premier Martial Arts & Hammerfist Krav Maga opened in September, to the delight of martial arts, Krav Maga and fitness buffs in Pasco, Hillsborough and even Hernando counties. “We attract a lot of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents but we also have people that come to our classes from Temple Terrace, Brandon and even Spring Hill,” Jason says. “This is such a central location. We are so convenient to I-75.” The school is less than a mile east of the interstate. Jason, who owns Premier Martial Arts & Hammerfist Krav Maga with his wife, Ashley, is the certified instructor for Krav Maga. Third-degree black belt Steven Faison leads the martial arts and fitness programs at the studio, where students of all ages can take classes. “This is a family-structured school,” Jason explains, adding that mom or dad may be enrolled in the

(Left) Program director Tony Moreno (left) and owner Jason Carrio invite you to visit Premier Martial Arts & Hammerfist Krav Maga on S.R. 56, whether you have kids ages 4-14 you want to enroll in the studio’s youth martial arts classes... adult fitness or Krav Maga classes, while “veritable international phenomenon,” Krav Maga A ‘Phenomenon’ their children take the youth (ages 4according to a 2010 issue of Time magAlthough Premier’s atmosphere is 14) martial arts classes. He says he azine. friendly, the subject matter is serious. often sees one person in a family begin Jason, who has been a Krav Maga Krav Maga, which in Hebrew means taking a class and then another family instructor for three years and a student “contact combat,” teaches the selfmember sign up when they see how for nine, is certified by the International defense skills, defensive tactics and much fun it is. fighting techniques necessary to protect Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), which Jason is proud of the studio’s conis a critical standard for legitimizing an yourself from virtually any physical genial atmosphere. “I have never seen attack. Emerging in Israel in the 1940s, instructor’s qualifications. IKMF is a such a welcoming group of people,” he Krav Maga was developed by the Israeli global organization that requires re-cersays of the families at Premier/Hammer Defense Forces (IDF). It appeared in tification every year. Fist. “If a new parent comes in to Krav Maga has numerous levels for the U.S. in the early 1980s, attracting a watch their child’s class, the other paradvancement, with each level taking following from the FBI and other law ents immediately start up a conversaapproximately six months to achieve; enforcement agencies; civilian interest tion with them.” has escalated in recent years, making it a Hammerfist offers beginner and

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 3 • Januar y 28, 2012 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

...or you (left) want to learn how to use a chair as a weapon in Premier/Hammerfist’s adult Krav Maga classes or take the studio’s fitness challenge and learn the latest cross-fit techniques (above center and right). advanced classes in the discipline. Jason says that age, gender and fitness level don’t matter when it comes to these one-hour sessions because Krav Maga is geared towards teaching the average citizen how to defend his or herself. Five classes are offered weekly and he recommends attending at least two classes per week. “We deal with a serious subject but we have fun doing it,” Jason explains. “Our class for younger children deals with learning to defend against things like abduction, abuse by adults and bullying at school. We deal with real-world scenarios, but we do it in a way that is fun for the kids.” Adults learn valuable self-defense tools such as choke releases and maneuvers that enable them to disengage from an attack. They also learn how to fight back properly, with more assertive and aggressive techniques such as strikes, kicks and even eye gouges. Jason says the motto of Krav Maga is, ‘So that one may walk in peace.’ “Our goal is to teach people how to go home (feeling) safe,” Jason states,

stressing that he isn’t in business to teach people how to start fights. “We teach practical and useful self-defense, and that includes learning how to defend against knives, sticks, guns, rocks and any number of weapons.” Premier Martial Arts classes include kickboxing, grappling, and kali (stick fighting), as well as Krav Maga. Classes are broken down by age: Little Champs (4-6); Youth (7- 14); and Krav Maga (ages 15 and up). “For the little kids, we focus on character development, hand-eye coordination and balance,” jason explains. “As they get older, we concentrate more on respect, discipline and self-control.”

The Next Level Of Cross Fit In addition to the youth martial arts classes, Faison also teaches the studio’s unique “Cross Fit” adult fitness classes, which involve cardio and strength training and conditioning. Premier/Hammerfist also recently announced a 90-day fitness challenge that kicks off on Monday, January 16. Open to the public, the challenge requires a $35 registration fee that

includes a body fat measurement and the opportunity to train at Premier Martial Arts once a week. The challenge entrant who loses the largest percentage of body fat by April 16 wins $200. Jason says he likes to support the community by offering complimentary self-defense seminars to women’s groups and by teaching free Krav Maga classes at Pasco-Hernando Instructor Steven Faison demonstrates a unique pullCommunity College. up technique during the studio’s adult fitness classes. Unlike the sales presAnd don’t worry about signing a sure evident at many fitness centers, contract because there isn’t one. At the owners of this studio don’t seem Premier Martial Arts & Hammerfist to be motivated by money. Jason Krav Maga, you can always pay exudes a genuine enthusiasm for what monthly or per class. he does and he thinks it is contagious. For more information about In fact, he encourages prospective stuPremier Martial Arts of Wesley dents to take a free week of classes Chapel and Hammerfist Krav Maga, before signing up. “It’s important for visit PremierMartialArtsWesleypeople to like the classes and the instructors,” Jason comments. “If they Chapel.com or HFKravMaga.com. don’t try us out, how will they know if Or, call 907-9544 or stop by the school at 27213 S.R. 56. they like us?”

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Business Briefs — Brookline PT, Kathy’s Flowers & Sports + Field! By Gary Nager From physical therapy to awardwinning flowers for Valentine’s Day, here are some updates on new and existing businesses in our area. Please mention that you read about them in the New Tampa Neighborhood News when you visit any of them!

Brookline Physical Therapy Now Open

Whether you’re trying to recover from surgery, rehabilitating an injury or you just want to get into great physical condition, owner John Esguerra, PT, MS, is proud to announce the opening of Brookline Physical Therapy, Wesley Chapel’s newest and most modern physical therapy studio, in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56. Esguerra, a Long Island, NY, native and avid fisherman who lives in Tarpon Springs, got his M.S. degree from Boston University. He says he and his partners spared no expense to open a spacious studio with a unique workout floor that is more forgiving on his patients’ knees that is stocked with state-of-the-art fitness and rehabilitation equipment. “We accept most insurance plans and offer reasonably-priced, patientfriendly physical therapy services,” says Esguerra. “And, I know our equipment is second to none and our private personal training costs less than most gyms (Brookline offers no annual contract fitness programs). Plus, we can combine that personal training with medically supervised weight loss programs.” For appointments and additional information, including info about Brookline’s Spinal Decompression Traction for only $50 per treatment, call or visit Brookline Physical Therapy (26837 Tanic Dr.) at 527-6913 or visit the office online at BrooklinePhysicalTherapy.com.

Kathy’s Flowers Wins Best Of Tampa Honors Kathy's Flowers, located in the

small, across America. The bership sales rep Owen Fullerton said during the facility’s Re-Grand Opening purpose of the USCA is to on January 7, we’re just refocusing our promote local business through public relations, mar- efforts on the families in the area.” Sports + Field has added a rockketing and advertising. climbing wall (photo top right) and a The USCA was established to recognize the best of stand-up tanning bed to its full-NBAsized basketball court, it’s tremendous local businesses in their array of free weights, cardio and circuit respective communities. The training equipment, classes, cross fit organization works exclusively training and so much more. with local business owners, For more information, call trade groups, professional Sports + Field, The Family Fitness associations, chambers of Center of Wesley Chapel (2029 commerce and other business Arrowgrass Dr.) at 948-5500 or visit SportsandField.net and please tell Owner John Esguerra, PT, MS, of Brookline Physical advertising and marketing groups. The USCA’s mission them we sent you! — GN Therapy, invites you to check out Wesley Chapel’s is to be an advocate for small newest and most modern physical therapy studio. and medium-sized businesses and business entrepreneurs Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd., has been selected for across the U.S. For more info, including how the 2011 “Best of Tampa” award in the you can save 20-percent-off your Flowers category by the U.S. Comorder for Valentine’s Day, call merce Association (USCA). Kathy’s Flowers (10353 Cross Creek The USCA’s “Best of Local BusiBlvd.) at 991-1990. ness” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA iden- Spor ts + Field Gets A New Name — Well, Sor t Of! tifies companies that they believe have Sports + Field, the largest fitness achieved exceptional success in their center in the New Tampa/Wesley local community and business category. Chapel area (located on S.R. 56), is celThese are local companies that enhance ebrating its re-branding as “The Fami- A staffer at Sports + Field, The Family Fitthe positive image of small business ly Fitness Center of Wesley Chapel.” ness Center of Wesley Chapel, on S.R. 56, through service to their customers and “We’re still Sports + Field,” memdemonstrates how to climb the rock wall. community. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties. “I am very honored to have won this award,” says owner Kathy Velez of Kathy’s Flowers, which is a great place to do your Valentine’s Day shopping and for all of your floral and small gift needs. “It’s really nice to be recognized this way.” The USCA is a New York Citybased organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and

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Students Transform Trash Into Solutions In IDS-CC Course When does seemingly ordinary garbage such as paper cups, straws, and string become something other than seemingly ordinary junk? The answer is when middle schoolers at Independent Day School-Corbett Campus (IDS-CC) in North Tampa get their hands on it. The junk is transformed into marvels of classroom engineering. Towers, ramps, bridges and cantilevers, each represent the answer to a real-world engineering problem and are amazingly made from otherwise useless materials. Dubbed the “Junkyard Challenge,” the engineering elective course develops the critical thinking skills and ingenuity of students in grades 6-8. It reinforces fundamental engineering concepts while teaching students about the importance of collaboration, communication and time management under pressure. At the beginning of each class, the teachers describe the challenge: a structure that needs to be built within specific parameters to complete a predefined task. Working in pairs, students then grab a “mystery box.” When the teachers announce, “Begin!,” the clock starts ticking. Students open their boxes to reveal the odd assortment of materials,

which science and engineering teachers Maria Cardona and Alvin De Guzman have carefully selected and strategically arranged exactly the same in each box. Using only the materials provided, the students set to work to quickly engineer the structure within a limited timeframe. In one class, for example, students had 18 minutes to create a free-standing, elevated ramp that could transport golf balls from a starting point down to a collection container. The ramp needed to be elevated the entire distance, and it could not touch or be connected to the collection container. The Junkyard Challenge gives students the opportunity to apply engineering principals to solve a real-world problem, says Cardona, an engineer turned teacher. “They have to think about design and plan their structure, and then they have to develop it, test it and improve it, all while staying calm under the pressure of limited time. For their first challenge, students designed and engineered a free-standing tower that supported a cup and a ball for at least five seconds. “They were able to take some of the lessons they learned during that experience, such as how to reinforce a foundation by folding paper, and apply them to the

competitions that consist of a wide variety of events, including the Junkyard Challenge. It is hands-on problem solving, says De Guzman. “We teach the students by coaching them as they are building their structures. That immediate application helps them more fully retain what they learn.” For sixth-grader Anthony Nelson, stabilizing the ramp was the hardest aspect of the competition, while seventhgrade student Max Cordell Jake Adkins (left) and Ryan Sneed, both 6th found deciding what materials graders at IDS-CC, work on an engineering to use to be most challenging. Sixth-grader Tyler Peterson said project in the Junkyard Challenge. coming up with an idea in just next challenge in building the ramp,” a few minutes was tough, but agreed said De Guzman. that it’s good practice for a future engiCardona and De Guzman say the neer. class aims to help students understand “I want to become an engineer the skills needed to become future who builds robots that help make the engineers, but they also hope it sparks world better,” says Peterson. student interest in forming a Science And chances are, he'll be able to Olympiad team at IDS-CC. Considered use more than paper cups and duct tape to be one of the premier science comwhen he does. petitions in the nation, the Science IDS-CC is located at 12015 Olympiad emphasizes Science, Technol- Orange Grove Dr. The school is ogy, Engineering and Math (or STEM) hosting an Admissions Open House excellence. Teams at the elementary, on Wednesday, February 8, 8:30 a.m. middle and high school levels particiFor more information, call 961-3087 pate in local, regional and national or visit IDSyes.com.

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Wharton’s Hasbini A Finalist For Support Employee Of The Year! On Thursday, February 16, New until every teacher has been presented, Mini-Bulls Win Two State Titles! so we don't ruin the surprise.” Tampa’s sole finalist for this year’s “I completely did not expect to be Excellence in Education awards will named a finalist,” says Hasbini. “It is such an amazing honor!” Hasbini adds that she was so surprised when she was announced as a finalist that she literally nearly toppled over her desk. Wharton principal Brad Woods says he believes Hasbini was selected as a finalist because of her dedication to all of the students at the school and that goes far beyond what is demanded for her job. “She makes herself available for all of the students,” says Woods. “The kids can come to her with what their goals are for college and she helps them reach that goal.” The Success Center at Wharton allows her to work very closely with students in helping them to pursue their post high school goals, prepare for standardized testing and for guidance on how to reach their fullest potential. At only 22 years old, Hasbini's expertise likely comes from recent personal experiences at the University of South Florida (USF). A graduate of Newsome High in Lithia in 2007, Hasbini graduated from USF in ‘09 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and recently wrapped up coursework for her Master's degree in Counselor Education, also from USF. Nominations for all awards were submitted to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) by more than 200 area schools. All 681 nominees and 15 finalists will be honored on Thursday, February 16, at the Straz Jim Simon from Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, the Center for the Performpresenting sponsor for the Instructional Support Employee of ing Arts, where the three the Year award, presents Wharton High teacher Leena Has- award winners will be announced.— SB bini with her finalist certificate for the award.

find out if she’ll be crowned Hillsborough County’s Instructional Support Employee of the Year. Leena Hasbini, who runs the “Success Center” at Paul R. Wharton High, is one of only five finalists for this year's award. The two other categories for this year's educational awards are the Ida S. Baker Diversity Teacher of the Year and Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year, both of which are presented by the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF). During the past few months, HEF has been tallying the votes from school teachers and staff around the county to name 15 finalists for the three categories. Hasbini knew that she was one of the 681 persons in the county nominated for the award, but she admits she wasn’t expecting to be a finalist. On January 6, HEF traveled to schools and educational sites around the county to surprise the 15 educators with a “Surprise Patrol” that presents the honor to the educators. “It is similar to the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Prize Patrol,” says Roselle Cronan, a spokesperson for HEF. “We don’t let the word get out

The 12U Mini-Bulls include: (Front row:) PJ Hernandez, Destinee Elmore and Mary Haff. (Second row:) Lourdes Hohmann, Allyson Jameston, Stephanie Mesiemore, Kelsey Eggsware and Kameryn Menendez. (Third row:) Megan Rygiel, Katie Hale and Meaghan Fewox. (Back row:) Coaches Pete Rygiel, Rob Eggsware, Jim Jameston, Dean Hale (manager), Mike Menendez and Michael Hohmann. racked up a second-place and five thirdMini-Bulls Fastpitch Softball, a place finishes. Manager Dean Hale says New Tampa-based competitive travel that the girls play their best during the softball team, recently capped off its bigger tournaments, even when they’re 2011 season by winning two State playing against girls two years older. titles. The Bulls, a 12 & Under team, “During the State tournaments, won the 12U Independent Softball the girls played some incredible team Assocation (ISA) State title in Novemsoftball,” says Hale. “In the 12U State ber, and went on to win 14U Softball Tournament, everything was just clickAssocation NSA States in December. ing. We had great pitching, defense The Bulls played in 17 tournaand hitting. All of our girls were just ments this year, winning an impressive hitting the ball really well.” six of those tournaments, and also

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“Charter School” Continued from page 1 was their primary concern, while others said they didn’t see the reason for another school in New Tampa, considering that nine out of 10 elementary and middle schools in the area received an ‘A’ rating (the tenth school scored a ‘B’) from the Florida Dept. of Education (DoE). “If you look at our (New Tampa) schools and compare them with all of the charter schools in Hillsborough County, you can see that ours perform well above them in reading, math and science,” said Ruth Hall, a West Meadows resident and president of Air Trust Inc., an education consulting company. Hall brought public records from the DoE to show that New Tampa’s schools do average better scores than most of the charter schools in Hillsborough County. At the hearing, Michael Horner, the planning consultant for the project, said that it was in the community’s best interest to offer parents more options for their children’s education and that a charter school adds variety to their choices. “One of the first things a person

woods Preserve Pkwy. would mean trouble for travelers on the two-lane road. State Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-New Tampa), also opposed the charter school at the hearing. Harrison read from a City Council transcript from 11 years ago when he was the District 7 (which includes all of the city-based developments in New Tampa) City Council member and made the original motion for the current zoning for the property He West Meadows HOA president Brad van Rooyen says he would still like to see appeaed at the January 12 City Council meeting to the land used for a church, speak in opposition to the proposed charter school. as it was zoned for more asks when they are about to move than a decade ago. into a home is, “How many schools “Nothing has changed,” said are in the area?,’” said Horner. Harrison. “That land is still not fit for Rhonda McMahon, the principal a school of that size.” at Hilda T. Turner Elementary in And, when it was time for the Live Oak Preserve (only a mile or current Tampa City Council memtwo from the proposed charter bers to vote on whether or not the school site) said she regularly sees school would be built (after more traffic problems outside her school, than four hours of debate from supwhich only has 987 students (comporters and opponents), the vote was pared with the 1,000 students and 6-0 for denying the re-zoning permit. 250-child day care center proposed Citywide council member Mary Mulfor the charter school) and that the hern was absent for the vote. introduction of a school on HighCity Council member Mike

Suarez stated that he voted against granting the charter school a permit solely because of safety concerns. “There have been too many pedestrian casualties already in the City of Tampa and we have to take safety into consideration,” said Suarez. Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, who represents New Tampa in District 7, also said she voted against the petitioners permit because of concern for pedestrian safety. For now, the 17-acre property continues to be zoned for multi-family housing, or a church, leaving a forest of thick trees and green landscape for residents to enjoy on their drives into their neighborhoods. “It feels like we just won a war!,” said one West Meadows resident as he left the City Council meeting.

Council member Lisa Montelione (right), who represents New Tampa in District 7, voted against the school.

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‘Love Is In The Air’ As Couple Weds A Mile Over Wesley Chapel By Sean Bowes A voice crackled across an air-to-air radio frequency, one mile high in Pasco County, “And do you, Daniel Newfang, take Sandy to be your wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ‘til death do you part?” “That’s an ‘affirmative.’ I do,” said Newfang. And with that, pilot Daniel Newfang pulled his Cessna 150 into a barrel roll, spinning the single prop airplane into a celebratory corkscrew because he and his new wife Sandy had just tied the knot, while doing the very thing

that brought them together. “It is just amazing to be able to share your passion with your partner,” says Sandy. “Flying is something that we both love.” Daniel and Sandy met about four years ago at the annual Cessna 150/152 Foundation’s “Fly In,” a four-day event at the airport (KCWI) in Clinton, Iowa, where pilots from all over the world come together for the largest concentration of Cessna 150s and 152s you’ll find anywhere. Daniel had traveled from his home in New York and Sandy from Tampa. They met and became friends who shared their love for all things aviation. For the next three years, they would catch up at the Fly In, until Daniel was offered a job at

‘Wedding Flight 1’ touches down at the Tampa North Aero Park after a memorable flight on New Year’s Eve. Photo courtesy of OurTownFLA.com

ciant and pastor who runs the Wesley Chapel business called Marry Me Mary. Sandy talked with Cluck about the possibility of the two getting married in the air and they decided they would do it. “It was great,” says Cluck, the President Elect of the Newlyweds Daniel and Sandy Newfang have a smooch Greater Wesley after getting married one mile over Pasco County. Chapel Chamber of the University of South Florida and Commerce. “I’ve done some pretty they started dating. unusual weddings (including one at a The newlyweds both come from a rodeo), but this was definitely the most background of pilots and are self-conunique.” fessed plane junkies. Daniel is a thirdTo make things official, as well as generation flyer who also has a son who memorable, Daniel and Sandy gathered is a pilot. Sandy’s father flew, as well. three planes together on New Year’s She says that once they decided to get Eve — a Cessna 150 for them to fly, a married, they knew that they wanted a Cherokee 140 (piloted by their wedding with an aeronautical theme. mechanic, Rob Cevasco) for Cluck to “We thought about having the ride in in order to read the vows over wedding inside one of the (airplane) the radio, and a Cessna 182 which was hangars,” says Sandy. “But then, the packed with the couple’s close friends, idea of getting married while flying Tracey and Mark, and Sandy’s two chilcame up and we just decided to do it. dren, Jessica, 19, and Sean, 15, who We still wanted to keep it short and were the witnesses. sweet, though.” A small group of close family and From a hairdresser’s recommenda- friends also gathered together outside a tion, Sandy got in touch with Mary hangar at the Tampa North Aero Park Adele Cluck, a certified wedding offiSee “Pilots” on page 38.

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“Pilots” Continued from page 37 (located just off S.R. 54 in Lutz, just outside of Wesley Chapel), to watch the planes take off from the airstrip and climb to 5,280 ft. (one-mile high),where the couple would recite their vows over an air-to-air radio frequency with Cluck. The three planes, which were named “Wedding Flight” 1, 2 and 3, respectively, soared around the Wesley Chapel area, with only about 100 yards between each of them, for a 45-minute flight before coming back down to the ground with the new married couple. The Cessna 150 Sandy and Daniel have is equipped with dual controls that allow for two pilots to “share the load” of flying the plane.

Daniel handled the take-off of the airplane and Sandy was the one who landed it. The newly married couple, who recently purchased a home directly across the road from the Aero Park, are excited about beginning a new chapter in their lives, which are largely anchored by the local aviation population. They each have their own airplanes, both of which are Cessnas, which they both fly as much as possible. Sandy says that they would eventually like to build a home on a piece of land that they own at the Aero Park, but for now, they are content living close to the small airport. And the honeymoon? The couple plans to travel to Australia (commercially) and then pilot a Cessna in order to visit different cities around the country.

The wedding party for this unique ceremony poses for a picture after the nuptials were completed.

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Neighborhood Nibbles - Yogurt Wars, A Baker’s Gallery & Drake’s Place! New Tampa’s Yogur t Wars Heat Up!

For those of us who thought we preferred ice cream to frozen yogurt, here’s a kick in the pants — the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area is now home to no fewer than four gourmet frozen yogurt shops and the yogurt is so delicious, you’d swear you were eating a fattening, premium ice cream and not a low-fat or even non-fat yogurt. The first such “yogurt bar,” which opened more than a year ago as You Say When Frozen Yogurt Bar in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, may be on its third different name, but MochiBerri continues to be a success in the mall. But, since then, we’ve already seen (and told you about) Frogur y, which opened a few months ago in the same plaza as Five Guys Burgers & Fries (and L.A. Fitness) just south of County Line Rd. off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Since December, however, those two originals have now been joined by two delicious newcomers, one of which has a name — You Say When — we’ve already mentioned, but is now located between Planet Beach and Boston Market on BBD. Less than a half mile north of You Say When, CherryBerry recently celebrated its Grand Opening with a New Tampa Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting (see page 18) in

the space previously occupied by Hudson Cleaners in the same Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza as Best No matter what hapBuy. pens with New Tampa’s Long“Yogurt Wars,” the new time Neighborhood News CherryBerry in Highreaders know woods Preserve has at how much I least one devoted fan! love my ice cream, especially Br uster’s (see pages 44-47), but I have to admit that I’m already kind of hooked on low- and no-fat flavors like Dulce de Leche at You Say When and the white chocolate yogurt swirled with peanut butter yogurt at CherryBerry, topped with real hot fudge (You Say When) or Ghirardelli white chocolate sauce (CherryBerry), plus fresh raspberries and strawberries, white chocolate chips and more. At more than 40 cents per ounce and the average serving size between 710 ozs. (I try to keep mine at 4-6 ounces, including the weight of all my toppings), it may not be cheap to become a frozen yogurt-a-holic, but it’s at least a delicious addiction.

For more information, visit CherryBerry (18091 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.) at CherryBerryYogurtBar.com or call (801) 5989688. For You Say When (17505 Preserve Walk Ln.), call 971-2103 or visit YSWYogurt.com.

The Baker’s Galler y Opens In Pebble Creek Collection

But, what if you have the kind of sweet tooth that requires a gourmet cupcake, cake or cheesecake to satisfy it? I suggest visiting my new friend Alexandra Auguste and her equally friendly family at the new Baker’s Galler y in the Pebble Creek Collection, behind Kobe Japanese Steakhouse. The Baker’s Gallery is a delicious and quaint little bake shop which features a dozen different flavors of truly gourmet cupcakes — from my favorite chocolate dream and espresso to mango and the top-selling red velvet chocolate chip. The shop also features outstanding cheesecakes, whole cakes and even special occasion and wedding cakes that absolutely are works of art. Alexandra has a few on display in the store, but you have to see them to believe them. The Baker’s Gallery also sells great hot coffee by the cup, baking accessories and tasty homemade Jamaican

meat patties in a flaky pastry “wrap.” For more information, visit the Baker’s Galler y (19651 BBD) or call 973-9966.

Drake’s Place Now Open In Santo’s Space

A couple of issues ago, when we told you that Santo’s Italian Grill, located in the Pinebrook at The Grove shopping center on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, had closed, we also mentioned that another restaurant was getting ready to open in the same space. Well, the new restaurant, open for a month or so at our press time, is called Drake’s Place, which is a fullliquor neighborhood sports bar and grill, and from what I’ve sampled so far, the restaurant’s large and varied menu is worth checking out. I had only eaten there twice so far at our press time, but both the blackened chicken sandwich and the bacon cheeseburger were excellent, as were both the crispy fries and homemade cole slaw. Look for a complete review of Drake’s Place in a future issue. Drake’s Place (27429 S.R. 54) is open ever y day for lunch and dinner. For more information, call 9738304 and please tell Bridget the owner that the New Tampa Neighborhood News sent you! — GN

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By Gary Nager The year 2011 was another year of good news/bad news in the local dining scene. Yes, we had a lot of great new places open in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, but we also saw too many more good places close their doors for good. That having been said, there was quite a bit pf movement in my favorites from last year. I hope you enjoy debating my selections as much as I enjoy trying each and every one of these restaurants more than once. I also want to make it clear that with both your choices and mine, there are a LOT more restaurants from which to use in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. In other words, the 25th place finisher on either list didn’t finish “last” in my balloting — or yours. In fact, there were more than 60 restaurants receiving at least five votes in both of our distribution areas (close to 80 in New Tampa), so finishing 25th among more than 400 readers or on my list that follows actually puts you in at least the top third of all restaurants in the area, even though some restaurant owners look at their number and think it would’ve been better to not be mentioned at all. I definitely do NOT agree with that!

Gary’s 25 Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa! 1. Ciccio’s Lodge - Great daily specials make the already-mosteclectic menu in New Tampa even better. Where else can you get a perfect black-and-white sesame-crusted tuna and a delicious grilled turkey burger? Ciccio’s brick-oven pizzas, great pasta (photo), wrap sandwiches and California “bowls” are all always on the menu, as are “The Lodge” favorites like a variety of cooked “American sushi” and “Lodge TV dinners” add even more variety. And yes, the bar scene is one of New Tampa’s best. 2. Acropolis Acropolis Greek Greek Taver Taver-na - The best value for your money in New Tampa, with reasonably priced entrées — from my favorite Athenian fish to grilled filet mignon (photo), chick-

en, filet and pork tenderloin kabobs — all featuring huge portions and great sides, are combined in a uniquely Mediterranean setting that also features belly dancers, hookah water pipes on the patio and lots of napkins being thrown as attractive servers dance and shout “Opa!” 3. Sushi Tsu Tsu Japanese Steak & Sushi - With recent additions to the menu like unique linecaught white meat fish (strawberry grouper, lane snapper, etc.) which I dip in Sushi Tsu’s unique spicy tataki sauce, and sesame-crusted tuna with mango and tomato salsa, plus the top-quality teppanyaki steaks, scallops and more, Sushi Tsu has moved up more notches than any other, with both yours truly and our readers this year. 4. Café Olé Spanish CuiCuisine - Delicious fresh fish (photo), perfect pork chops, a tasty tapas menu and some of the most flavorful homemade sauces in our area, and a

gorgeous bar area stocked with ultrapremium liquors and great Spanish and Latin American beers, plus a newly expanded, private dining area, combine to make Café Olé one of New Tampa's most unique dining experiences. 5. Jalapeno Mexican Grill One of the highest-rated newcomers ever on my list of favorites, Jalapeno is so much more than just New Tampa’s only authentic Mexican restaurant. It’s also one of our area’s top seafood houses, featuring my favorite new dish in our area for 2011, Jalapeno (in Oak Ramble Plaza)’s awesome (photo) seared fresh grouper/snapper/amberjack sashimi. 6. Sukhothai - Of New Tampa’s outstanding Thai restaurants, Sukhothai is the only one with authentic sunken seating and delicious fresh sushi. You can’t go wrong with Sukhothai’s signature tilapia tataki, its unique steak teriyaki, delectable crispy duck, super spring rolls or incredible combo fried rice (photo). 7. Liang’s Bistro Bistro Asian Cuisine - The best egg rolls, barbecued spareribs and sweet Thai chile sauce in our area combine with unique Pan-Asian dishes with everything from Japanese-style fried rice to Korean steak.

Liang’s is always adding new items to the menu, including a new seared ahi tuna (photo) appetizer. 8. Fushia Asian Bistro Bistro With all the new menu items at Liang’s, Fushia has dropped to #2 in our Chinese cuisine “race” in our area, although real NY-style dim sum appetizers and the best beef with Chinese broccoli, spicy shredded pork dishes and Yong Chow fried rice are still the best in New Tampa. 9. Thai Ruby - Again, just a notch below the top three Asian places on my list because it doesn’t have sushi like Sukhothai, Thai Ruby may be the prettiest of the bunch and it still has my favorite crispy duck with ginger sauce and great combo fried rice, spring and egg rolls. 10. La Cubanita Cafe Adding ice cold cerveza to the best roast mojo pork, merluza and best bacon, egg and cheese on Cyban bread in our area didn’t hurt La Cubanita in my list of 2011 favorites. 11. Wood Wood Fired Fired Pizza & Wine Bar - Still serving 850-degree wood-burning-ovenbaked pizzas named for sexy female movie stars, Wood Fired also has a great wedge salad and an incredible selection of fine wines and craft draft and bottled beers. 12. Sushi Ko Chinese & Japanese Cuisine - The best BBQ spare ribs in New Tampa, a superb pork with garlic sauce and always fresh sushi, Sushi Ko also has added a great dim sum menu to keep it near my top-10. 13. Stonewood Grill & Tavern avern - This year’s readers’ Continued on next page.

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favorite still gets high marks from me, too, for its excellent steaks and appetizers like sesame seared tuna and smoked salmon on crispy toast points, as well as for the happening bar area and outstanding service. 14. Urban Culinar y Cafe The best fried chicken place in New Tampa also offers great fresh fish specials, unique sauces and even decadent desserts like creamy white chocolate mousse. UCC also has featured live music and offers unique cooking classes. 15. Soho Sushi - The sushi is always fresh and the asparagus & steak maki, the best tempura in our area and incredible boxed meal specials keep Soho Sushi among my local favorites. 16. Kobe Japanese SteakSteakhouse - This small chain of Japanese steak houses opened in Wasabi’s former location a couple of months ago and from my first few experiences, the sushi and hibachi grill items definitely have been upgraded. Kobe may move up a few notches next year. 17. Oakley’s Grill - The second-highest-rated 2011 newcomer on my list (behind Jalapeno) features my favorite grilled cheeseburger, beef dip and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches in New Tampa, as well as delicious chicken sandwiches, fries and recently added items like great fajitas and blackened tilapia, too. 18. Las Palms Spanish Café - Always reliable for Cuban style roast pork and merluza a la Russe, Las Palmas also has great pressed Cubans, ropa vieja and still boasts one of the best lunch crowds in New Tampa. 19. Lee Roy Selmon’s - The awesome spicy Caesar salad, grilled NY strip steak, grilled chicken with

wild rice and the multitude of TV screens make Selmon’s one of my favorite restaurants for watching football, baseball, basketball and hockey games. 20. J. Baja’s Mexican Grill - The fresh food answer to places like Moe’s & Tijuana Flats, J. Baja’s in Tampa Palms is a new-in-2011 addition that makes each burrito, quesadilla and bowl to order and the difference in the quality of the meats and salsas served also shows. 21. Season’s Fresh Fresh Café My new favorite coffee place (serving the delicious Illy Italian coffee), Season’s Fresh in the Palms Connection Plaza also has delicious sandwiches featuring the freshest, sometimes organic ingredients, breads and Italian gelato, too. 22. PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub I never thought of myself as a big fan of Shepherd’s Pie or authentic fish & chips, but PJ Dolan’s, located in the same space as Remington’s & Cody’s Roadhouse, has these and other good and unique (for our area) dishes, plus a great bar, Karaoke on Wed. nights and live entertainment on weekends. 23. Five Guys Burgers & Fries - A favorite of mine since the first Bay area location opened on Fowler Ave., Five Guys combines big, juicy burgers and skin-on Idaho potato French fries with, of course, free peanuts while you wait. 24. Saf fron fron Indian Cuisine - Curry still isn’t high on my list of favorites or Saffron in the Cross Creek Center would finish higher on my list because of the quality of items like the best lamb chops in New Tampa and delicious garlic naan bread. 25. Ploy Thai - Great duck, excellent fresh fish and great spring

rolls in an elegant setting make Ploy Thai another New Tampa dining treasure. Try the coconut cake for dessert! Hon. Mention -Peabody’s, -

Jimmy John’s, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Mr. Dunderbak’s, Biagio’s II Pizza , Coffee Beanery Café, Panera Bread, PizzaZone, TGI Friday’s & Cold Stone Creamery.

Gary’s 25 Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel! 1. Dempsey’s Steak House, Saddlebrook Saddlebrook Resor t Tampa - Saddlebrook owner Tom Dempsey’s tribute to the country’s best steakhouses, Dempsey’s is pricy, but it’s still among my top two or three steakhouses in the entire Tampa Bay area, thanks to its (in my opinion) Best-of-the-Bay bone-in cowboy ribeye (photo), thick New York strip steaks, awesome fresh local fish, the top steakhouse hash brown potatoes and the best salad bar anywhere. 2. Bonefish Grill - Still my favorite Outback-owned concept restaurant, the local fish is always fresh and the semi-spicy sauce on the black-and-white sesame seed seared ahi tuna appetizer should be sold by the bottle. The awesome bar area features ultra-premium spirits and equally excellent wine specials. 3. Cantina Laredo - I hear a lot of people say it’s too expensive for a Mexican restaurant, but the tableside-prepared guacamole, outstanding fajitas (photo) and even the fresh fish have kept Cantina in my top five in Wesley Chapel since it opened. And, the ultra-premium bar enhances its position as my favorite restaurant in the Shops at Wiregrass mall.

4. GrillSmith - Just one notch below Cantina at the Shops at Wiregrass for me, GrillSmith features unique preparations on items like the caprese (mozzarella and tomato) stack, a miso-glazed sea bass, great steaks like the Argentinian-style chimichurri steak and a superb wine list that are all well worth checking out on your next visit. 5. La Prima Pizza - My favorite true New York-style pizza in the Tampa Bay area (which is saying a lot; there actually are a lot of great pizzerias across the Bay area), coupled with excellent Italian cuisine (great lasagne and other pastas), keep La Prima Pizza near the top of my Wesley Chapel list year after year. 6. Texas Texas Roadhouse - If not for having the entire wait staff take breaks every hour to line dance, the awesome steaks at the Texas Roadhouse might have kept it even higher on my list. The NY strips are just so consistent, especially the thicker cuts. 7. Vallar ta’s Mexican Restaurant - Huge portions of tasty Mexican fare (seriously, the portions of fajitas, photo, are larger than most Continued on next page.

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7. Vallar Vallar ta’s (cont. from from pg. 45) - other places’ “fajitas for two”) combine perfectly with delicious salsa and most of my favorite Mexican cervezas. 8. The Hungr y Greek Greek Still serving the best gyros and Greek salads in our area, The Hungry Greek’s fried grouper sandwiches, cheeseburgers and even the authentic, decadent Greek desserts and fast, friendly service also never disappoint. 9. 900º Woodfi Woodfirred Pizza The fact that 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass mall offers both those woodfired oven pizzas AND true NY-style ‘za would help it make my list no matter what, but you have to try the place’s delicious pastas, too. 10. Wolf Wolf ’s Den - From our area’s best breakfast to the unique, thin-crust pizzas and the delicious fried chicken (photo) and other hot specialties, Wolf’s Den on S.R. 56 continues to score with readers and yours truly & now has expanded dinner hours, too. 11. Outback Steakhouse Outback jumped back up a little higher on my list last year, when it brought back its delicious New Zealand rack of lamb and I do love the steaks and remoulade sauce served with Outback’s shrimp on the barbie (even though I can’t eat the shrimp). 12. Remington’s SteakSteakhouse - You still can’t beat the value-conscious combination of

Outback-quality steaks at outstanding prices at Remington’s, which also has tasty baby back ribs and fresh fish. 13. Aja Wir egrass - In Wiregrass addition to being the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area’s top dance locale (and my favorite bar overall in our area, too), Aja is an under-rated restaurant with great fresh snapper, tasty steaks and other upscale bar fare. 14. Quail Hollow Countr y Club - This grade will likely go higher as I get to sample more of the new dinner menu, but the restaurant at the newly revamped Quail Hollow already has my favorite Caesar salad in the area and very good steaks and burgers. 15. Taste Taste of Boston - The fried haddock and blackened basa are my favorite dishes but my friends from New England still tell me that the fried whole baby clams are the best in the Bay area and I also love the “Best Outside of Philly” cheesesteak sandwiches and fries. 16. PizzaMania - PizzaMania’s Philly-style pizza is great, but I really love the calzones, meatball and veal parmigiana hero sandwiches and the Italian salad even more. 17. Pagelli’s Italian Restaurant - My favorite dishes are still the thick pork chop alla griglia (photo) and the Jo-Jo pollo, but Pagelli’s also has great steaks, good pasta, excellent desserts and a beautiful bar area with live music.

18. Yamato Yamato Japanese Steakhouse - Very good sushi and even better hibachi steak, chicken and seafood at very fair prices, plus a fun, lively atmosphere make Yamato one of the favorite restaurants at the Wiregrass Mall. 19. Café Fresco Fresco - Delicious sandwiches (super Italian bread), including the excellent blackened grouper sandwiches on Fridays, plus awesome baked goods still make Café Fresco a true favorite. 20. Bonsai Sushi - The best sushi overall in Wesley Chapel and very good Japanese fare make Bonsai Sushi a local favorite worthy of being in anyone’s Wesley Chapel top-20. 21. Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ - Now that the S.R. 54 construction is complete, more locals are finding out about the upscale new bar area. And of course, Sonny’s salad bar is consistently fresh and although I don’t eat a lot of BBQ anymore, Sonny’s has added a few very good items (including the High Springs grilled chicken) for those of us who need more than just BBQ chicken, ribs and pork. 22. Café 365- Delicious pressed sandwiches, outstanding Lavazza Italian coffee and espresso

(photo) and the best sfogliatelles in the Tampa Bay area are my reasons for loving Café 365 in the Shops at Wiregrass. Regulars rave about the Italian gelato and freshly made crepes, too. 23. CineBistro CineBistro - The food is actually very good and the bar area at CineBistro, the restaurant inside the Grove 20 Movie Theater, is lovely and stocked with super- and ultra-premium liquors. The experience of dining at the movie theater and the cost keep CineBistro from ranking higher on my list. 24. Red Robin - The hamburgers are good, the grilled chicken and roast beef au just sandwiches are even better and the bottomless (I order ‘em extra crispy) steak fries don’t disappoint at Red Robin (yum), which also has a premium liquor bar and big-screen TVs. 25. First Watch Watch - The breakfast is very good, albeit a little pricy, and the lunch sandwiches and salads keep First Watch on my Wesley Chapel list, although never as high as on our readers’ list. Honorable Mention Bagelicious & More, Woody’s Pizza & Wings, Boardwalk Frozen Custard, Winners Grill, MochiBerri, China Taste & Don Pan International Bakery

Gary’s Favorite Asian Restaurants In NT & WC! There are so many great Asian restaurants in our distribution areas, especially in New Tampa, that this list could have easily been a top-15 or 20 with still plenty of quality places to choose from: 1. Sushi Tsu 2. Sukhothai

3. Liang’s Bistro 4. Fushia Asian Bistro 5. Thai Ruby 6. Sushi Ko 7. Yamato Japanese Steakhouse 8. Soho Sushi 9. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 10. (tie) Bonsai Sushi & Saffron

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Gary’s Favorite Latin Restaurants In NT & WC! While the number of Latin restaurants in our area isn’t quite as great as the Asian choices, we do still have great quality Spanish, Mexican & Cuban Cuisine in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Café Olé takes #1, but the new Jalapeno is already on the rise: 1. Café Olé

2. Jalapeno Mexican Grill 3. Cantina Laredo 4. La Cubanita Café 5. Vallarta’s 6. Las Palmas Spanish Café 7. J. Baja’s Mexican Grill 8. Machismo Burrito Bar 9. Silver Ring Café 10. Latin Twist Café

Gary’s Favorite Pizza Restaurants In NT & WC! It just so happens that this was the toughest category for me because we just have so much great pizza in our distribution areas, both my favorite true New York style, as well as brick and wood oven style. The new 900º Woodfired is the only place to offer both styles. 1. La Prima Pizza

2. 900º Woodfired (Wiregrass) 3. Woodfired Pizza (Bearss) 4. PizzaMania 5. Peabody’s 6. Pizzazzone 7. Biagio’s II 8. Westshore Pizza 9. Ciccio’s Lodge 10. Marco’s Pizza

Gary’s Favorite Sandwich Shops/Delis In NT & WC! I love a great sandwich as much as the next guy and there are a lot of great sandwich shops in our area. I gave the newcomer Oakley’s Grill the nod as my favorite sandwich place because its burgers, sandwiches and fries are all topquality, as is every place on this list. 1. Oakley’s Grill

2. Jersey Mike’s Subs 3. Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop 4. Season’s Fresh Café 5. Cafe 365 6. The Hungry Greek 7. Café Fresco 8. Wolf’s Den 9. Mr. Dunderbak’s 10. Panera Bread

Gary’s Favorite Restaurants For Steak In NT & WC! My favorite category because a great New York strip is just so satisying. restaurants that don’t also have a NY strip can not finish as high on my list, although my favorite steak at Dempsey’s is still the cowboy bone-in ribeye. 1. Dempsey’s Steakhouse

2. Texas Roadhouse 3. Sushi Tsu 4. Remington’s Steakhouse 5. Outback Steakhouse 6. Lee Roy Selmon’s 7. Bonefish Grill 8. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 9. Yamato Japanese Steakhouse 10. (tie) Stonewood & Café Olé

Gary’s Favorite Bars, Pubs & Taverns In NT & WC! Peabody’s is next to my office, but is primarily a USF crowd. Aja is a little pricy, but the crowd is always well-dressed and closer to my age group. A lot of our area’s best restaurants have great bars, too, and I’m not as partial to beer-and-wineonly bars as full liquor. 1. Aja Wiregrass

2. Peabody’s 3. Ciccio’s Lodge 4. Acropolis 5. Cantina Laredo 6. Lee Roy Selmon’s 7. Café Olé 8. Stonewood 9. Dempsey’s Too Saddlebrook 10. (tie) GrillSmith & Prime Bar

Gary’s Favorite Ice Cream & Dessert Places In NT & WC! I’m an ice creamaholic, to be sure, but the new frozen yogurt craze (see page 41) is having me rethink a few of these, and the fact that it also includes non-ice-cream desserts made this an even tougher category for me to sort out. 1. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

2. Cold Stone Creamery 3. Café 365 4. Boardwalk Frozen Custard 5. North Pole Ices 6. Baskin Robbins 7. Dairy Queen 8. The Hungry Greek 9. Acropolis 10. (tie) MochiBerri & Frogury

Some Of Gary’s Other ‘Favorite’ Categories Gary’s 5 Favorite Coffee Shops In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel As a true coffee addict, this one is tough for me because the coffee is so delish at so many places, but here’s my top-5 in our area right now: 1. Season’s Fresh Café 2. Café 365 3. Coffee Beanery Café 4. La Cubanita Café 5. Starbucks Gary’s 5 Favorite Places For Seared Tuna In NT & WC My good friend and standup comic Susan Saiger once roasted me for how much I love seared tuna. And, although I make it as tasy at home as almost any of these places, the fact is that my sauce for the

tuna can’t match those found at any of the places on this list. 1. Sushi Tsu 2. Ciccio’s Lodge 3. Bonefish Grill 4. Stonewood 5. (tie) Sukhothai & Sushi Ko Gary’s 5 Favorite Fresh Fish Restaurants In NT & WC So many great places serving so much great fresh fish, this is another really tough category for me to put in order. Note-This does not include sushi restaurants. 1. Dempsey’s Steakhouse 2. Jalapeno Mexican Grill 3. Café Olé 4. Bonefish Grill 5. Cantina Laredo

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