Wesley Chapel Issue 08-13 by Neighborhood News

Inside:

Volume 21 Issue 8

Check Out Our 2013 Summer Camp Guide!

April 13, 2013

See pages 18-19!

The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE IS DIRECTLY MAILED TO: WESLEY CHAPEL: Aberdeen • Belle Chase • Brookside • Chapel Pines • Country Walk • Lexington Oaks • Meadow Pointe • New River • Northwood • Pinewalk • Pine Ridge • Saddlebrook • Saddleridge Estates • Saddlewood • Seven Oaks • The Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg NEW TAMPA: 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

Back On Schedule — PHCC Porter Campus To Open In January 2014 By Bonnie Mason Wesley Chapel residents soon will have a college to call their own. Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) is nearing completion of its fifth full-service campus — the PHCC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, located on Mansfield Blvd. at S.R. 56, adjacent to Wiregrass Ranch High. Although heavy rains saturated the site and led to delays in construction, the work that began in late 2011 is now moving forward smoothly and the multi-story urban-design campus is on schedule to open for classes by Jan. 2014. A design committee comprised of PHCC administrators, faculty, staff and students provided guidance to Florida Architects, Inc., and Skanska USA Building, Inc., the project designer and construction manager, respectively. The result is an overall design unlike any of the other PHCC campuses. The Porter Campus — named for the Porter family, which donated the 60 acres of land on which the campus is being built, and is the developer of the Wiregrass Ranch community — is being built with the future student in mind. It features a four– story classroom building linked by a plaza to a separate two-story library building and an also-separate administration building, all of which are being built above a three-story parking garage.

“We’re building this way because the Porters, when they donated the land, indicated that they really wanted this campus to have that ‘urban feel’ because of the businesses that are going to be coming in (to the area) and the type of structures that we anticipate being around us,” Ken Burdzinski, PHCC’s vice president of administration and finance said at a recent meeting of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Economic Development Committee at Amer. Consulting Engineers.

Programs For Success

In addition to traditional general education classes that prepare students for career and university transfer opportunities once they earn their Associate degree, the Porter Campus reportedly will dedicate two floors solely to health care programs, which will offer the latest interactive teaching and simulation technology available. Beginning in August of 2014, PHCC also will launch its first two Bachelor degree programs in science and nursing (BSN) and applied science (BAS), with a major in management and supervision, which should appeal to students looking to get into business professions. PHCC currently is awaiting approval from the state legislature to change its name, for which it already is collecting input from the community on its website at PHCC.edu.

Progress can be seen on the construction of the new Pasco-Hernando Community College Porter Campus, which currently is scheduled to open for classes in January 2014. Photo: Matt Wiley

PHCC’s business and workforce training career programs also are said to be an important feature at the new campus. Both health and business programs will train students for lucrative technology and medical careers which have high job growth expectation. Although program development has begun, the final determination of programs that will be available at the Porter Campus require approval by PHCC’s District Board of Trustees and its accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Partnering For Programs

It is customary for PHCC to develop strong community partnerships with area hospitals and businesses near all of its campuses, and the Porter Campus is no different. Although details regarding the development of academic programs with university partners, local businesses and other community partners are not yet available, relationships are being developed and led by Dr. Randy Stovall, provost of the PHCC East Campus

See “PHCC” on page 9.

Despite Threatening Weather, Taste Of New Tampa Rocks Primrose Park! TM

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Crash Closes I-75 Lanes For 12 Hours, Kinnan/Mansfield Talks Hit Roadblock, Business Features On Insurance New Tampa, Kids R Kids Of Meadow Pointe & More!!

Shen Yun Returns To Tampa Bay, Wesley Chapel Residents Start Brewery, Full Circle Pizza Offers Quality Family Dining & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 1-24

Pages 25-56

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn enjoys a slice of Full Circle Pizza at the Taste of New Tampa.

ECRWSS

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 2801

Also Inside This Issue!

prizes by a panel of judges that included two personal chefs. This year’s Taste also featured an outstanding “Battle of the Bands,” which was won by a funk-rock band called Nervous Energy, which was rewarded with a $500 cash prize. The event also was visited by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who sampled some of the food and also touted the city’s new New Tampa Blvd. Gateway Bridge, which literally let people cut their travel time to the Taste in half. The Primrose School also offered a great play area for the kids in attendance and the park proved to be an outstanding location. For more info about this year’s Taste, visit WCNeighborhoodNews. com to view our Taste wrapup video.

Dated Material Please Rush!

Although the forecast for the 20th annual Taste of New TampaTM on March 24 called for about a 70-percent chance of rain — and despite winds that gusted to 30 miles per hour — the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce that co-hosted the event with the

Primrose School of Tampa Palms in the adjacent Primrose Park was happy with just the few sprinkles of rain that fell throughout the day. An estimated crowd of about 3,000 people attended this year’s Taste and got to sample tastes of cuisine from nearly 20 restaurants, several of which were awarded

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Vocalist Contest Adds Spice To 2013 ACS ‘Relay For Life’ Season Long-time readers already know how much I support the American Cancer Society (ACS)’s annual Relay for Life fund raisers and I think it’s amazing that the Wesley Chapel residential and business communities are able to really come out and support two of these awesome annual events — the Wesley Chapel (which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 12, and doesn’t end until noon on Saturday, April 13) and Wiregrass (which has the same start time, but on Friday, April 26) ACS Relays for Life. Both events raise tens of thousands of dollars every year to benefit ACS and its programs and there’s no doubt that every Relay in every community across this great country provides two things you’ll also get if you visit either or both of your local events — 1) being able to actually feel the spirit of every survivor, every caregiver and every attendee touched by cancer and 2) the warm feeling inside you really only get from doing something good to help others as a community. The Wesley Chapel Relay, which, at our press time, had registered 19 teams and 186 participants, had already raised $18,514 a week before the event took place. We should be able to provide you with a photo recap of the WCH Relay in our next issue because this one hopefully hit your mailbox the same day. If you read this on Friday or by Saturday morning, you could even go out and buy some food or some of the always-cool stuff on sale for donations at every Relay. I’ve attended and taken pictures at this amazing event at least two or three times the last few years and

An editorial by Gary Nager hope to be able to be there again this year.

Are You ‘The Next Great Singer?’

The Wiregrass Ranch Relay is still two weeks away as you receive this, but there already were 26 teams with 231 participants signed up at our press time (three weeks before the event) and already nearly $7,000 had been raised for it. But, if you’re not sure you can attend or participate in the Wiregrass event (which won’t end until noon on Saturday, April 27), there’s another great event coming up before the Relay itself (but which also will support the Wiregrass Relay) that you might want to go check out — especially if you and/or your kids are into shows like “American Idol” and “The Voice.” “The Next Great Singer” is a webbased talent search that previously has propelled contestants into professional singing careers and network television appearances. The contest — which actually can still accept entries until 11:59 p.m. on the day you’re likely to receive this issue in your mailbox, Friday, April 12 — is open to anyone 13+ and the finals are being held, with live vocal performances, on Sunday, April 21, at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). “The Next Great Singer” will be staged similarly to those aforementioned “talent search” shows on TV. Tickets to at-

tend this great event will cost $10 each and all ticket proceeds will benefit the ACS Relay for Life of Wiregrass. Visit TheNextGreat Singer.com to find out the submission requirements and for more info. The winners of that event, according to Rebeca Rodriguez, event chair for the 2013 Wiregrass Relay, will take home some pretty impressive prizes: First Prize: $300 in USD, plus a webpage package donated by Milorian Studios (Milorian.com), valued at $2,500, plus an interview and featured profile on TheNextGreatSinger. Second Prize: $200 USD plus fea-

tured profile on The Next Great Singer. Third Prize: $100 USD plus featured profile on TheNextGreatSinger. In addition, by the time this issue reaches you, you may already have seen WFLA-TV News Channel 8 news anchor Gayle Guyardo’s preview of “The Next Great Singer” contest (the piece was scheduled to air on April 9), and I think you can probably still access that report at WFLA.com prior to the finals. For more info about the Wiregrass or Wesley Chapel ACS Relays, please visit RelayforLife.org and type in your zip code in the Search box.

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

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Camille Gillies • Bonnie Mason • Kathleen Schiop Marketing Director Ashley Knoblach Senior Graphic Designer Porsha Lamos Advertising Sales Rep Taylor Gardner Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 21, Issue 10, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, April 29, 2013. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2013 JM2 Communications, Inc.

Table of Contents

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES............................Pages 1-42 Kinnan St. / Mansfield Blvd. Talks Hit Another Roadblock................4 New Tampa/Wesley Chapel Legislative Update...................................5

Wesley Chapel News Briefs........................................8 Publix Pill Thief Apprehended Woman Found Dead In Wesley Chapel Identified Morning Crash Closes I-75 For 12 Hours Wesley Chapel Community Calendar............................10

Local Business Updates.................................12-22 Kids R Kids Academy Of Meadow Pointe................................12 Lawn Enforcement Property Management & Water Works....14 Insurance New Tampa: Wesley Chapel’s Insurance Agency...16 Our Exclusive 2013 Summer Camp Guide!..............................18 Realtor Lessie Reyes Will Find The Right Home For You.......20

Neighborhood Magazine Shen Yun Returns To Tampa...................................................25 Angry Chair Brewing: Craft Beer With WC Roots..................26 Full Circle Pizza: A Great Place For Family Dining..................30 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes’...............................32

WESLEY CHAPEL COLOR CLASSIFIEDS............34

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Petition, Roadblock In Kinnan St. / Mansfield Blvd. Connection Saga By Matt Wiley While it looked hopeful in November, when Pasco County officials reached out to the City of Tampa and the developers of KBar Ranch about connecting the city and Pasco County through Kinnan St. in New Tampa and Mansfield Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, negotiations once again have come to a standstill. But, business owners located along the Cross Creek Blvd. corridor hope that a new petition will help spark new talks. On March 18, a 16-page petition (photo) started by John Thrasher, CEO of Excel Music (located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd.), was submitted to the City of Tampa Attorney’s Office in hopes that the 61 signatures from business owners, employees and even some customers along Cross Creek Blvd. would help sway the respective parties’ opinions. The signatures represent about 40 different businesses, with owners of several living on both sides of the county line. “This project has been mulled around for years and everyone knows that it is absolutely essential that the residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are given an alternative north/south route to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd,” Thrasher says in the petition. “This is not only about commerce and convenience, but in an area of wild fires, sinkholes, floods and hurricanes, it is a matter of public safety to provide citizens

with as many routes as possible in and out of an area.” The possible connection of the two roads is at a roadblock following the City of Tampa’s response to conditions that Pasco Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein sent November 26, which said that Pasco would be willing to connect if the City and K-Bar would commit to paying no more than $500,000 for traffic calming improvements, or traffic signals, at the intersection of Mansfield Blvd. and Beardsley Dr., which runs along the southern border of Meadow Pointe, and at Mansfield and Wrencrest Dr. Pasco also wanted the City and K-Bar to commit four lanes of right of way, or land on which to construct, the “Beardsley Extension,” which would link Beardsley Dr. east to Morris Bridge Rd. Other requirements also were included. However, on February 25, Julia Mandell, senior assistant attorney for the City of Tampa, responded in a letter. “At this time, neither the City nor the Developer is in a position to be responsive to the Pasco Requirements, as outlined,” Mandell wrote. “Certainly the City looks forward to working with Pasco County to find holistic solutions to the transportation needs in the New Tampa area.” Mandell references a major real estate transaction in K-Bar Ranch, which took place on December 31, making Columbus, OH-based M/I Homes the primary devel-

oper in K-Bar Ranch as a factor in the City’s decision not to comply with Pasco’s requirements. “After ongoing discussions between the parties, the City and the Developer may be revisiting the existing zoning and the terms of the (Annexation) Agreement given the change or conditions and the needs within the New Tampa area,” Mandell wrote. Goldstein says that there really isn’t anything Pasco can do until the City and K-Bar Ranch are ready to negotiate. “The ball is in their court,” he says. District 7 Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione says that she wants to see

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

the roads connected, but that it will take cooperation on both sides. “I’m glad that Pasco has opened the opportunity for discussions,” she explains. “However, there’s a ‘give and take’ here. There’s a lot of money attached to that list (of requirements), but I want to move these discussions along.”

Former State Rep. Provides A Primer On The State Legislative Session Guest column by Shawn Harrison The Florida Legislature is in session. The Florida Constitution requires the state legislature to meet once per year for 60 days. The only constitutional requirement each year is the passage of a state budget. Everything else that happens is just gravy, or spoiled milk, depending upon your viewpoint. Like the Federal Congress, the State Legislature is divided into two houses. The Florida Senate is comprised of 40 Senators, representing roughly 600,000 people each, serving staggered 4-year terms. New Tampa is represented by Dist. 24 Sen. Tom Lee in the State Senate. The State House is comprised of 120 members representing roughly 160,000 constituents each, while serving only twoyear terms that are not staggered. New Tampa is represented by Dist. 63 Rep. Mark Danish in the State House. The good news for 2013 is that instead of the record $4-billion budget shortfall in 2011 and a $1 billion shortfall in 2012, it appears that there will actually be a small surplus in the State budget this year. Painful cuts, which were a regular part of life in the past few years, are no longer necessary, thanks to the requirement in the Florida Constitution of a balanced state budget. If only the U.S. government had to balance its books annually, too! In Florida, each House and the Gov-

the budget, the ernor create their Florida Governor own budgets. So, can exercise a line the legislative sesitem veto and sion starts with strike certain exthree competing, penditures or cuts and often very difrom the budget verse, budget proagreed to by the posals, with their House and Senideas about where to cut and where Former State Rep. Shawn Harrison says Gov. Rick ate. This is not to increase spend- Scott (left) & state House Speaker Will Weatherford possible at the ing, what promay square off on “ObamaCare” during the 2013 national level. grams to grow State legislative session, which is happening now. and shrink, and what to do with any surplus often being Battle Over ‘ObamaCare’ quite different. In 2013, the budget process will focus Each legislative chamber’s budget reon the state’s implementation of the Afflects the priorities of the leaders of that fordable Care Implementation Act, or chamber. The Senate President is Don “Obama Care,” as it is known. The Act reGaetz, from Okaloosa County in the panquires the expansion of Medicaid roles, and handle. The House Speaker is Will Weaththere is a battle brewing now in Tallahassee erford, from right here in Wesley Chapel. between the Governor and the House Both are Republicans, but each has his own about expanding the Medicaid program, set of priorities, as does Gov. Rick Scott. with Gov. Scott — despite his earlier promThe budget process takes all session and ise to never implement the Act — now faoften requires the extension of the session voring the idea, and the House, led by in what is called a “special session,” since Speaker Weatherford, against it. the Florida Constitution forbids the annual Look for this to be a hotly contested session from “exceeding 60 days.” issue as the session progresses. There is alAll other bills that pass the House and ways horse trading between the chambers Senate must be identical to each other, and on their priorities, so it is likely the Medimust either be signed by the Governor or caid problem will be a last minute negotiallowed to become law without his signaated agreement. ture. Gov. Scott can veto bills, just like the Other bills that have garnered attenU.S. President, although when it comes to tion so far are elections reform and ethics

reform. Multiple bills have been filed on these topics, but they are priorities for both chambers and for the Governor, so passage of both reforms are likely. And, in addition to the priorities of the House and Senate leaders, members also may file their own bills. In the Senate, each Senator can file an unlimited number of bills. In the House, each member gets only six, so House members must be cautious about the bills they file, and often you can tell much about the priorities of House members by the bills they file. It’s hard to pass a bill in the Florida Legislature, and even more rare to get identical bills passed by the House and Senate and then signed by the Governor. In 2012 there were 2,052 bills filed in the legislature, and only 280 that actually became law. Depending upon your point of view, that may be a good or bad thing. Former Dist. 60 State Rep. Shawn Harrison served as the chairman of the Tampa Palms Community Development District (1996-98), on the Tampa City Council (1999-2007) and the Florida House (2010-12). He was a shareholder in the Tampa firm of Wetherington, Hamilton, & Harrison, P.A., but now practices in the areas of commercial litigation, health care law and government relations at Shawn Harrison Associates (1010 N. Florida Ave.). For additional information, call 337-6683 or visit ShawnHarrisonAssociates.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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W ESLEY C HAPEL Publix Pharmacy Pill Thief Apprehended

A Wesley Chapel resident who worked for a Publix Supermarket in Zephyrhills has been released after admitting to stealing prescription drugs from the supermarket’s pharmacy. According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Christine Veronica Rose, 21, was arrested on March 29 at her Meadow Pointe home after admitting to stealing pills from the Publix located at 32765 Eiland Blvd. in Zephyrhills, where she worked as a pharmacy technician. The PCSO report says that, during an investigation, the Publix Supermarkets’ Loss Prevention Department determined that Rose was stealing controlled substances from the store’s pharmacy. After being read her Miranda rights during her arrest, Rose admitted to stealing more than 129 controlled substances from the pharmacy. Rose was charged with grand theft of a controlled substance and released on a $5,000 bond.

Woman Found Dead In Wesley Chapel Identified

News Briefs Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the body of Kimberly Dacosta, 43, was discovered on March 20 in the area of Oakley Blvd. and Dayflower Blvd., near a known gathering area for homeless people. Although Dacosta’s death still is considered suspicious, PCSO deputies say that it does not appear to be the result of foul play and that the victim could have died due to complications from a medical condition. The investigation is ongoing and no further information was available at our press time.

Morning Crash Closes I-75 For 12 Hours

If it seems you received less “junk” mail than usual the last week or so of March, it could be due to an early morning crash involving a postal truck on I-75

The remnants of the tractor-trailer involved in The identity of a woman found March 21 accident.that shut down I-75 at the dead in Wesley Chapel has been released. the S.R. 56 exit for more than 12 hours. Photo: FHP According to the Pasco County

at S.R. 56 that burst into flames Mar. 21. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), at about 6:30 a.m., a tractor-trailer driven by Mark Berrier, 55, of Macclenny, FL, which was carrying mail (mostly magazines and advertisements) was traveling in the outer southbound I75 lane just north of the S.R. 56 interchange when it struck a crash attenuator (guardrail) with its right side, causing the trailer to jackknife. The FHP report says that a dump truck driven by Manuel Francisco Rodriguez, 42, of Land O’ Lakes, was traveling behind the tractor-trailer and struck it. Both drivers escaped before the tractortrailer caught fire, snarling traffic on the interstate for hours. FHP reports that all southbound I75 lanes were closed between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56 until one lane opened at about 5:30 p.m. the same day (although all of the lanes did not reopen until midnight). Motorists were forced to seek alternate routes for the remainder of the day, as the I-75 lanes could not be reopened until significant asphalt damage caused by the crash and fire could be repaired. No injuries were reported.

Hess Leaving Gas Game, Selling Retail Locations

Hess gas stations are still a staple stop on morning commutes for many New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents, despite a recent announcement of Hess’ departure from the retail market.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

In a letter to investors dated March 4 from chairman and chief executive officer John B. Hess, the Hess Corporation announced some significant changes in the company’s structure. As part of the transformation, Hess announced that it will be “fully exiting the company’s downstream businesses, including retail (gas stations), energy marketing and energy trading.” Currently, there are three Hess locations in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., including the Oak Ramble shopping plaza (just south of Tampa Palms), in front of Steak N’ Shake in North Palms Village and at the intersection of BBD and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel. However, these stores, nor any of the 1,357 others in 16 states in the eastern U.S., will actually be closing. “We have absolutely no plans to close any of our retail stores,” says a spokesman for the company. Instead, as part of its divestiture from the retail market, Hess will be selling its white and green gas stations, although a buyer (or buyers) has not yet been announced. “The process is still in the early stages,” the spokesman says. “It’s going to take some time. Until then, it’s business as usual at all of our locations. We believe the brand is strong and that it will last long into the future.” And, that also goes for the classic Hess toy trucks, as well, which have been a Christmas favorite since 1964. — MW

“PHCC”

Continued from page 1 the PHCC East Campus in Dade City, and the vice president of the WCCC’s Board of Directors. PHCC already has participated in some programs with the WCCC, including a recent Chamber-sponsored health and wellness fair. More partnerships and events are expected as the opening of the Porter Campus nears. PHCC's Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch is projected to open with 1,500 fulland part-time students, similar to the enrollment at the opening of PHCC’s Spring Hill campus in 2010. And, with the I75/S.R. 54/S.R. 56 corridor featuring one of the fastest-growing populations in

Florida, significant growth is expected during the first few years that the new campus is open. Since its inception in 1972, the four existing PHCC campuses have awarded more than 32,000 degrees and certificates. PHCC currently offers traditional classroom and online courses at its four campuses: the North Campus in Brooksville, East Campus in Dade City, Spring Hill Campus and the West Campus in New Port Richey. The Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch is expected to open in January 2014. For more information about PascoHernando Community College, visit PHCC.edu, or call 1 (877) TRY-PHCC (879-7422).

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

W ESLEY C HAPEL

Community Calendar

Sparkling Beauty Red Hatters The Sparkling Beauties, a Red Hat Society (a global networking group of women approaching the age of 50 or beyond) chapter, are enjoying life to the fullest in the pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom and fulfillment. For more info, call Queen Diamond at 907-1431 or email LamretJudy@aol.com.

Country Walk Garage Sale

Saturday, April 13, 7 a.m. - The Country Walk community off S.R. 54 will be holding its community garage sale along Country Pointe Blvd. For more info, call 991-6102.

Experienced Networking Professionals (ENP)

Monday, April 15, 7:30 a.m. — This networking group meets Monday mornings at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and at 8 a.m. for networking at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd). For info, call Cindy at 505-3065.

Free Networking Int’l

Monday, April 15, 8 a.m. — Free Networking International (FNI), a group of area business owners, meets each Monday for networking and discussion at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., off S.R. 54). For more information, call Stacy Dalton at 469-5499.

Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking

Monday, April 15, 8 a.m. - The Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking (WCBFN) is a free gathering of local business leaders in the South Central Pasco and North Hillsborough areas. WCBFN meets Mondays at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, located at 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd. (off S.R. 54). For more info, call John Roth at 377-2622, email John.Roth@IBuilderz. com or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Walking Club

Monday, April 15, 9 a.m. - The Walking Club meets at the Meadow Pointe III Clubhouse every morning, Monday-Saturday to walk the path along Meadow Pointe Blvd. All are welcome, even strollers, but no dogs please. Walking has unlimited benefits, so put on your walking shoes and come on out. For more information, contact Susan Johnston at 767-7071 or email Susan@WalkTheWalkHC.com.

MOMS Club Of WC

Monday, April 15, 10 a.m. — The Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club of Wesley Chapel, a non-profit social group for stay-at-home mothers, meets the third Monday of each month at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.) for activities, field trips and more. For more information, e-mail Heather at WCMoms@yahoo.com.

Wesley Chapel Toastmasters

Monday, April 15, 6:15 p.m. — The

“Wesley Chapel Speaks” Toastmasters Club meets on the first and third Monday of every month, at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (26944 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). Club meetings are open to all interested parties. For more info, call 406-5931 or visit Toastmasters84.org.

Business Networking Int’l

Tuesday, April 16, 7:30 a.m. — Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who work to support each other through qualified business referrals, meets Tuesdays at Heritage Church (1854 Oak Grove Blvd., off S.R. 54, in Land O’Lakes). For more info, email Tim at Tim@TampaHomes24-7.com.

East Pasco Networking

Tuesday, April 16, 9 a.m. — The East Pasco Networking Group meets every Tuesday at Beef O’Brady’s (1660 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Shops at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza).For more information, call Frankie Ammons at 479-7997 or e-mail Frankie@studioglory.com.

Wesley Chapel Networking On The Nines

Tuesday, April 16, 3 p.m. - Networking on the Nines, put on by Insurance New Tampa, is a great way to meet new friends and clients or strengthen existing relationships, while playing a nine-hole scramble at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). For more information, call Susan at 435-6350 or see the tory on page 16.

Wesley Chapel Rotary Club

Wednesday, April 17, 12:15 p.m. — The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets every Wednesday at Ciao Italian Bistro in the Shops at Wiregrass mall (2001 Piazza Ave.). Call 862-8989 or 391-3895.

Networking For Your Success Thursday, April 18, 8 a.m. — The Networking For Your Success group meets Thursdays at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For additional information, call Shawn Clark at (888) 711-2032 or visit NetworkingforYourSuccess.com.

WC Sunrise Rotary Club

Friday, April 19, 7:15 a.m. — The Wesley Chapel Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Friday at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.) For additional information, call Lynne Morgan at 695-6466.

Spaces cost $15. For additional info, call Sue at 907-9063.

Veterans Elementary PTA Golf Tournament

Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m. - The thrid annual Veterans Elementary PTA golf tournament will be held at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). Proceeds will go to help the PTA buy much-needed equipment and supplies for the school. Only 144 spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration cost $75 and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, dinner and awards. For more info, or to register, visit VeteransPTA.com or email VeteransPTA1@gmail.com.

Bulls On The Green

Sunday, April 21 - The ‘Bulls on the Green’ golf tournament will be held at Saddlebrook Resort (5700 Saddlebrook Way) to benefit the Wiregrass Ranch boys basketball team and help with travel costs, as well as new uniforms. Golfers and sponsors are needed. For more info, email Jeremy Calzone at JCalzone@Pasco.K12.FL.US.

Special Needs Support

Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m. Learning Your Function, Inc., is a new nonprofit group dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and their families through support groups, education and advocacy. The group meets at Crossroads Community United Methodist Church (26211 County Line Rd.). For more info, call Jim Cracchiolo at 469-2455, or visit LYFInc.com.

Women-N-Charge

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m. - The ladies of Women-N-Charge will be having their monthly networking meeting at Pebble Creek Country Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) in New Tampa. This month’s meeting will feature a panel discussing grassroots fundraising for cancer research. The lunch costs $15 online (at Women-N-Charge.com) up until the Tuesday before the meeting. Tickets then go up to $18. For more info, please contact Judy at 600-9848 or email Info@Women-N-Charge.com.

Florida Writer’s Association Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. - The Florida Writers Association New Tampa/Wesley Chapel group meets the first Saturday of every month at the New

Great American Cleanup

Saturday, April 20, 8 a.m. - Help clean up Pasco County during Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup. A cleanup will be taking place at the Wesley Chapel District Park (7727 Boyette Rd.). For info, call (727) 856-4539.

Lexington Oaks Yard Sale

Saturday, April 20. 8 a.m. - The Lexington Oaks Women’s Club still is seeking vendors for its annual fund-raising event, a community yard sale, which will be held at the Lexington Oaks Community Center (26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd., off S.R. 54)

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Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.) Writers of all genres are welcome, as well as those who are published or wishing to be published. Presentation topics include editing, marketing, options for publishing, navigating social media, and more. Meetings are FREE to attend. For info, email Cindy at Cindy. Campbell@OmnificPublishing.com.

WC Republican Club

Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m. - The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets the second Thursday of each month at Wesley Chapel Hyundai (27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). The club is open to Republican men and women who are interested in “good government.” New members are welcome. For more info, please contact Mike Moore at 777-6171, or email WCRepublican@ATT.net.

Mothers Of Preschoolers

Tuesday, May 14, 9:30 a.m. - Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is a non-profit group which meets to build friendships between mothers of infants to kindergarteners in the local community. MOPS meets the second Tuesday of each month at Victorious Life Church, located at 6224 Old Pasco Rd. For more info, email Debbie at VLCMops@yahoo.com. Community Calendar items that appear in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News are printed free of charge. Submit your information & photos (in any digital format) to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodnews.com, Attn: Matt Wiley.

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Kids R Kids Learning Academy Of Meadow Pointe Is Fun, Safe Learning By Bonnie Mason It’s never easy to have someone else — anyone other than you — take care of your children. But, when parents have to work to earn a living, they can be confident that their children are in good hands at the Kids R Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe (KRK of Meadow Pointe), located on Mansfield Blvd. at the corner of County Line Rd. inside the Meadow Pointe community. Aritha Thomas, the independent owner of the KRK of Meadow Pointe franchise, says that what differentiates the 161 KRK academies in 14 states (including 13 centers in Florida) — and her center in particular — from other child learning centers are the accreditations and affiliations they hold. “We exceed DCF (Florida Department of Children and Families) and State Department of Education standards and expectations and are accredited by SACS/CASI (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement) through the AdvancED accreditation commission and APPLE (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment). We also have achieved the Gold Quality Seal from DCF. In fact, we have never been cited during an inspection and are most often in the 95-100 percent range,” says Aritha. KRK of Meadow Pointe both teaches and cares for 250 children ages six weeks

to 12 years old, with about 30 teachers and staff. The free-standing center is approximately 17,000 sq. ft., with 10 classroom suites, a cafeteria, a media/library room, a large activity gym for before- and after-school students, and four large play areas separated for different age groups. And, for outdoor play, there are three ageappropriate play areas and a full-size basketball court. Aritha opened KRK about seven years ago. Prior to entering the ownership side of education, she taught engineering and physics to college students. Aritha explains that education runs in the family, starting with her grandfather, and her family still owns several schools in southern India. She lives in Tampa with her husband of 21 years, local businessman John Verghese. The couple has two children, a son, 17, and a 14-year-old daughter.

Curricula For All Ages

KRK of Meadow Pointe is not so much a babysitting or daycare service as it is an educational facility that provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum for each age group it serves. The love, caring and nurturing by the staff is an extra bonus, a bonus that has been the norm at all KRK centers since the first center opened in 1985. Every child enrolled, even infants, receives hands-on, interactive instruction. “Infants as young as six weeks old are involved with stimulating play designed to

help each child reach developmental milestones —all while having fun,” says Aritha. Infants also learn sign language to develop early ways to communicate to their parents if they are tired or hungry. Mean(Left) Owner Aritha Thomas (left) and director Amy Rath of Kids R Kids of while, Meadow Pointe Learning Academy, located on Mansfield Blvd. (Right) A preschoolers KRK of Meadow Pointe student utilizes the center’s learning technology. (ages 2-5) her academy. She says, “Our staff is exlearn confidence through celebrating successes reached in their daily routines. The ceptional and committed to the children and to the curriculum taught at the acadRea family, in a written testimonial, states, emy. Many of our teachers have been here “The teachers (at KRK of Meadow for many years.” She adds that when a Pointe) are top-notch and they truly care teacher does leave KRK of Meadow about my children... I feel that my children are getting a good education because Pointe, it is typically because they are starting a family, or relocating due to the they constantly come home talking about purchase of a new home or new employwhat they did that day or singing new ment for a spouse. songs or with art they created.” KRK of Meadow Pointe also offers a state-sponSchool-Aged Learning, Too sored, free Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten KRK children between the ages of 5 (VPK) program (see below for info). 12 years are presented with activities diMost of the instructors at KRK hold rected to challenge the mind while having a Bachelor’s degree or higher and Aritha fun, explains Amy Rath, the director of says she is proud of the low turnover at KRK of Meadow Pointe. Amy earned a

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Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee before becoming a teacher of the 4th and 5th grade. She moved to Tampa so that she and her husband could live closer to family. Amy worked as a VPK teacher at a local child care center and school before landing at KRK and held the position of curriculum coordinator at the academy prior to taking on the role of center director. “The KRK school-age curriculum is a 42-week program that allows the children to work independently and in small groups. Individual progress is monitored and the staff encourages every child.” The technology at KRK is impressive. School-age and pre-school students have access to computers and learn with the latest interactive teaching tools available. “Our children are always anxious to work with the ‘interactive white board’ located in the computer media center,” Amy says. “A favorite interactive learning program among the children is ABC Mouse.”

Safe & Secure

Parents should never have to worry about their children’s safety and security and KRK of Meadow Pointe definitely is a secure facility. Every teacher is background screened, locally and through the FBI. The center also has a top-notch security system that starts with a security-coded key pad and buzz-in only entrance and continues throughout the entire facility. Parents check their children in each morn-

ing by logging into a computer with secure, password-protected software. And, each evening, the children are released the same way. Individual classrooms at KRK also are secured. Cameras monitor each room, allowing any parent to observe their children whenever they wish. The Wills family has had at least one of their children enrolled at KRK of Meadow Pointe for the last almost seven years. “As working parents, we appreciate the safe, clean, educational and friendly environment provided by Kids R Kids,” says the family’s written testimonial. “It is great we are able to drop off the children in the morning and know they are in very competent hands with extremely professional and caring teachers and staff." Parents interested in enrolling their child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten program (VPK) at Kids R Kids of Meadow Pointe can attend the academy’s upcoming Open House on Thursday, April 18, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. This is a great time to meet staff, see the classrooms, and learn about how the KRK curriculum prepares your child for kindergarten. There will even be a bounce house and refreshments for all to enjoy! Kids R Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe (1540 Mansfield Blvd.) is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.6:30 p.m. To enroll your child(ren) or learn more about the academy, visit KidsRKidsMeadowPointe.com or call 994-4525.

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Lawn Enforcement & Water Works Will Make Your Neighbors Jealous By Bonnie Mason Would you like your yard to be the one in your neighborhood that everyone wishes they had? The combination of Lawn Enforcement Property Management, LLC, and Water Works Irrigation & Pressure Washing can help. Floridians know all too well that maintaining your lawn and landscape in the Sunshine State can be a challenge that requires constant care and attention. But, the residents of Wesley Chapel and the surrounding communities can rest easy with Lawn Enforcement Property Management, LLC, a lawn care and landscaping service that provides everything from basic maintenance packages to complete landscaping management. Chris Locascio started Lawn Enforcement in 2001. His business grew with the area’s population and now, he has more than 500 lawn maintenance clients each week. Lawn Enforcement primarily serves residential clients, with only about 10 percent of the business being commercial customers. Chris says his day starts early, with daily operations, paperwork and scheduling all occurring before he has his crews ready to go and out the door to their first clients of the day by 8:30 a.m. Lawn Enforcement is run with two trucks/crews of four workers, in addition to both Chris and business partner

Justin Birmingham, who manages the landscape and landscape curbing service (which involves the installation of small concrete curbs around flowerbeds and gardens) side of the business. Lawn Enforcement offers two lawn maintenance packages for its residential clients. The Silver Service is for clients who want that manicured look, but don't have the time (or desire) to care for their lawns themselves. This package includes a professional cut, with recycled clippings, laser edging, line trimming around the entire property and air blowing the cuttings from driveways, sidewalks and even window sills. But, for those who want it all, the Platinum package includes all of the services provided in the Silver package, plus hedge and palm tree trimming, as well as the weeding and spraying of flower beds. Silver maintenance packages start at $65-$75 per month. “Sure, you can find companies out there for $40-$50 per month, but many of them are seasonal and won't stay with you,” Chris says. “But, we’re lawn experts who are consistent and reliable — we’re in this for the long haul!" Lawn Enforcement has been providing service for residential homeowner Harold Ziegler for more than two years. “Chris and his crew perform quality work,” Harold says. “My lawn has never looked so good. I highly recommend

Lawn Enforcement can turn your unkempt, sunburnt yard (left) into the neighborhood’s best-kept landscaping (right). Lawn Enforcement to anyone who is looking for a dependable, reliable lawn service providing quality workmanship.” Chris says that Lawn Enforcement’s crews pay attention to detail and are highly knowledgeable in all areas of lawn and landscape maintenance. “We cut at the proper 4-1/2 to 5 inches, which is necessary in the hot Florida climate,” Chris says. “Cuts lower than this can cause burn out of the root system, leaving a deteriorated and unsightly lawn.”

Landscapes To Enhance Your Property & Community Chris says his once-basic lawn maintenance service quickly grew into a fullservice provider when he partnered with Justin, about two years after starting the

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business. “Justin brought the landscaping expertise that many of my clients were looking for,” says Chris. The new partnership expanded the Lawn Enforcement services to include landscaping design and installation, custom curbing and stamped concrete, tree trimming and outdoor lighting. Lawn Enforcement understands that fertilizer and pest control also are important aspects of maintaining a healthy lawn and landscape, and although the company does not offer these services, Chris says he searched for the best fertilizer and pest control businesses available to his clients. He even weeded out the businesses he felt would not provide the level of quality service his clients were accustomed to and always wanted to be able to confi-

dently recommend providers he was certain would meet his clients’ needs. He says that most of Lawn Enforcement’s clients have found the service by word of mouth. “About ten percent of our clients are original clients — since the beginning,” he explains. So, it’s not surprising that Lawn Enforcement is a two-time consecutive Angie’s List (AngiesList.com) Super Service Award winner. Lawn Enforcement client Bruce Creech says, “I have recommended Lawn Enforcement to several neighbors and friends. Each and every person who has retained Chris and company has echoed back to me about the same level of qual- Lawn Enforcement and Water Works owner ity service. When we sold our previous Chris Locascio pressure washes a dirty roof. home, the buyers complimented us on coverage,” says Chris. “You can cut the the landscaping and maintenance, and it was without any reservation that I recom- yard at the right height and fertilize it all mended to the new owners that they con- you want, but your lawn won’t survive without proper watering,” Chris says. So, sider retaining Lawn Enforcement.” even if you choose to maintain your lawn yourself, you may still want to consider an Water Works Irrigation & irrigation system maintenance package Pressure Washing from Water Works. With already more than 10 years in Chris recommends that irrigation the lawn and landscaping business, Chris systems should be checked once per saw a community need for a reliable irrimonth. Since most of these systems run gation company that could provide the high quality standard that Lawn Enforce- at night, you may not know a problem exists until the damage is done. Water ment clients have come to know and Works can set you up with an inspection trust. So, in June 2012, Chris started a package to check your irrigation system. second company to fill the gap. Water If you need repairs, a Water Works associWorks Irrigation & Pressure Washing is ate will call and discuss the costs. Broken filling that void. “A lush yard requires good irrigation sprinkler heads are a common repair;

however, any part of the irrigation system can become a problem. “We’ve seen timer clocks fried by lightning or electrical surges, worn-out valves that won’t run or won’t shut off, old heads that bubble water from the base and even underground pipes that leak and are saturating the ground,” says Chris. “We can handle all of these problems.” Maintaining your irrigation system can actually save you money. Water is used more efficiently if the coverage is correct, as old, worn-out sprinkler heads can act more like an open garden hose than an irrigation system, dumping hundreds of gallons of water into the street. In addition to installing and maintaining irrigation systems, Water Works

offers pressure washing for birdcages and lanais to get rid of mold and mildew. Driveways and sidewalks are a popular service, especially in communities with homeowners associations, which includes most of Wesley Chapel, where residents are required to maintain their properties to certain aesthetics. Whether it’s lawn maintenance, landscaping, landscape orders, stamped concrete, irrigation installation or repair, or pressure washing, Lawn Enforcement and Water Works are at your service. Call Chris Locascio at 3556065 or Justin Birmingham at 3556066, or you can submit your request online at LawnEnforcement.biz or at WaterWorksTampa.com.

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Insurance New Tampa — Wesley Chapel’s Independent Insurance Agency By Kathleen Schiop Trying to figure out insurance can be a challenge for any consumer. We know we need it, indeed, and are required to have it. But, figuring out the best policies to fit our respective budgets can be formidable with so many options and companies from which to choose. We suggest talking with an independent insurance agent like the team at Insurance New Tampa, located on S.R. 54, a little east of the entrance to Meadow Pointe, in the Brookfield Professional Plaza. “Insurance constantly changes, and it’s our job to keep up to date,” says Susan Casey, who co-owns the insurance firm with her partner, Robert Black. “We have more top-company options and knowledge of the business than a single company can offer, and we really take care of our people.” Susan and Bob both know insurance inside and out, as each has an extensive background in the business. Susan, originally from Chicago, started with Allstate in 2000 and has previously worked for Progressive, State Farm and AAA. Bob, a New Jersey native who graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey, got his start with AAA in 2006, which is where the two first became acquainted with each other. Susan actually inherited the desk Bob used to occupy at AAA when he first opened his own insurance agency. But, both also attended many of the same networking events at that time and

soon began sharing leads and even some clients and, eventually, decided to go into business together. Susan and Bob started Insurance New Tampa in 2010, when the original office was located on Eiland Blvd. near S.R. 54, a mile or so east of the current locale. The new office opened with a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting about a year ago.

Great Service & Options

Since they represent a number of companies, Bob and Susan can give their clients more choices. Top companies such as Travelers, Hartford, Progressive, Security First, Avatar and Federated, to name a few, give them the option to tailor policies for each client to meet their specific needs. They both have the Florida 2-15 license (which enables them to address resident life, health, and variable annuities for their customers), as well as the Florida 2-20 license to insure automobiles, watercraft, homes, motorcycles and pets. Susan and Bob are ably assisted by their new associate Renee Jacobowitz, who also holds a State 2-20 license, which, in addition to the above-mentioned coverages, is also used to write errors and omissions, workman’s compensation and bonds, and by bookeeper Mary Johnson, CSR, who rounds out the staff with her outstanding customer service skills. Bob says that Insurance New Tampa addresses a variety of concerns every day.

One type of insurance that he says often gets overlooked is renters insurance. “You have no idea how important renters insurance is if you rent or lease a home you own to someone else,” he says. “Many people are not even aware that if something hap- Bob Black and Susan Casey of Insurance New Tampa (3rd & 4th from left) were joined by (l. to r.) Michael DeLessio of BB&T Bank, pens to a renter in Katie Speer of Full Sails Travel, Michael Haake of Wesley Chapel your home, the injured party will first be Toyota and several other local business professionals at Wesley Chapel covered by the renters High’s recent “Reality Store,” which helps the school’s senior students learn how to budget their money. insurance, so it’s your first line of defense about what you need with us,” says Bob. against any possible losses. We always rec“We’ll find the policy that best suits your ommend that the homeowner require his budget while exposing you to less risk.” or her tenant to have a renters policy.” Susan also says that perhaps the most Another example Susan cites is that, important thing that differentiates Insur“Although Florida only requires Personal ance New Tampa from other companies is Injury Protection and Property Damage that, “We always make a connection with (known to us laymen as PIP and PD) as the our clients. We want to find out what they minimal policy needed for auto insurance, truly need so we can take the best possible we will only write auto policies for our care of them.” clients that also have liability and uninsured And, since insurance is an ever-changmotorist coverage.” These are just two exing business, Susan and Bob regularly reamples of how Insurance New Tampa view their clients’ policies before they come stands by their “Quality Book of Business,” up for renewal, to make sure they still meaning they won’t write policies that meets their clients’ needs — and will even don’t properly protect their clients. suggest changing companies, if necessary. “The best thing is to come in and talk Bob says, “We try to look out for

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everyone, we don’t ever want to let our policy holders down. We take a lot of pride in that.” One Wesley Chapelarea resident who appreciates those efforts says, “Susan, thanks again for all your help and saving us so (L. to r.) Troy Stevenson of Wesley Chapel Nissan, Noah Nero’s much money! — Cindy.” mother Cherish Nero, Pasco County clerk Paula O’Neil and Susan Susan and Bob are Casey of Insurance New Tampa at “Casino Night for Noah.” both very active in the local community. She volNines” program, held at Lexington Oaks unteers as an Ambassador for the Greater Golf Club off S.R. 54, which will next be Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and held on Tuesday, April 16, 6 p.m. with the Wesley Chapel Lions Club, which Married and a mother of five, Susan recently sponsored (in conjunction with says she loves tennis, golf, cruising, softball Pasco County clerk & comptroller Paula and the Hard Rock Casino. O’Neil) a “Casino Night for Noah,” raising Bob also is married and father to three $7,000 for young Pasco resident Noah grown sons. He plays a lot of golf and tenNero, who recently received a heart transnis in his spare time, enjoys skiing, “alplant. She and Bob both also offered their though it’s a little hard to do in Florida,” and also has been a private pilot. services as part of the “Reality Store” at Insurance New Tampa, located at Wesley Chapel High, which teaches seniors 33845 State Rd. 54, Ste. 103, is open at the school how to manage a budget as every day except Sunday. For your free they enter the working world. Insurance consultation, call 435-6350 or visit New Tampa also sponsors the Wesley InsuranceNewTampa.com. Chapel Chamber’s “Networking on the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Back by very popular demand, welcome to the first 2013 edition of our New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Summer Camp Guide! This handy guide will run in four consecutive issues (this issue, which hits mailboxes in Wesley Chapel by April 13, as well as in the April 27 New Tampa, May 11 Wesley Chapel and May 25 New Tampa issues) and we also will feature stories about some of the camps featured here over the course of the next three editions. A link to this guide also is available online now at WCNeighborhoodNews.com and will continue to be posted on our website until at least the end of May. Our annual Summer Camp Guide always has been extremely popular — both with our readers and with the camps advertising to those readers (some of which have advertised with us for a decade!) — so we decided to have our marketing director Ashely Knoblach design an even more effective way to display those camps and programs, both online and in print, in order to give them the best possible bang for their respective bucks. So, if you haven’t yet figured out what to do with your children this summer, we hope you’ll consider the wonderful camps and programs on these pages...and please tell them we sent you! — GN

Top-Producing Realtor Lessie Reyes Comes Highly Recommended By Camille Gillies The hands on the clock aren’t the only things moving ahead this spring, as the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel real estate markets continue to gather steam. Area real estate professionals report a significant surge in home sales and traffic, with some Realtors, such as Lessie Reyes, of Michael Green & Associates - Keller Williams Realty, getting multiple offers on residential listings in the New Tampa area. “I sold a property in Hunter’s Green in just two days,” she announces, shaking her head in wonder. “It got five offers the day I listed it.” Lessie, who launched her real estate career in 2007, describes the current market as “crazy,” which is how some people might have viewed her decision to leave a successful career in information technology to transition to a real estate industry that was about to implode at that time. However, Lessie says she has no regrets and boasts an average of $4 million in sales each year. If fact, in the supposedly depressed 2010 market, she sold $8 million worth of property, including at least eight homes in the Cory Lake Isles community on Cross Creek Blvd. “To be successful in real estate, you have to have a passion to help people and love your work,” Lessie says, explaining

her success as one of the top-producing agents in the Tampa Bay area. “I enjoy it because I get to meet so many people. As an IT (information technology) administrator, I worked in an office and had the same team all the time.” Before making the switch to real estate, Lessie was a systems analyst and data base administrator for CACI Marketing Systems /ESRI Business Information Solutions in Washington, DC. She says that teamwork is essential in real estate, when so many parties play a role in closing a deal. “Because I’m a team player and I have a good attitude, I can bring a transaction to a successful close,” she says. Lessie stresses that her background in IT also comes in handy when she is analyzing “comps,” also known as “comparable home statistics,” and marketing a home on the internet, noting, “I can market a listing where today’s buyers will see it. Today, 95 percent of real estate marketing is done on the internet and I am computer savvy, so I can get my client’s property the visibility it needs. Keller Williams also has a great website.” Lessie, who has been with Keller Williams Realty for two years, is a listing specialist working for the luxury residence team at Michael Green & Associates in Green’s South Tampa office. The firm

Lessie Reyes of Michael Green & Associates-Keller Williams Realty in front of one her homes for sale in the Cory Lake Isles community of New Tampa. specializes in marketing and selling waterfront, fine and luxury homes, estates and investment properties. “By partnering with Michael Green’s superior marketing skills and extensive market knowledge, I am established with one of the nation’s top real estate professionals,” she states, adding that Michael Green consistently ranks among the Tampa Bay area’s premier sales specialists for luxury properties.

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Although her office is located in South Tampa, Lessie handles properties throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. She says she has a special affinity for the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas because she and her husband, Ralph, and their teenage son, Cheyenne, reside in Cory Lake Isles, where they built a home after moving to Tampa from Vienna, VA, in 2004. “My husband is a microbiologist

with Quest Diagnostics, near USF, and it was a great location for us and his proximity to work,” she says. “The area’s schools also were important to us, and we love the exclusivity and size of the community. I wanted to build a new home, and many of the neighborhoods at that time were built out, so Cory Lake Isles just made sense for us.” Lessie says she also loves to decorate and dabbles in interior design, talents she employs when her clients need assistance with “staging” their homes for sale or when they ask for her advice about paint, carpet colors or countertop selections. With a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics-Computer Science from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, in her native Philippines, Lessie also knows how to analyze numbers, an integral component of pricing a house. “I know the area so well, and being familiar with all of the neighborhoods here helps get my clients the best possible price for their homes,” she says. “I protect the best interests of my clients and I don’t believe in making empty promises. If I feel a home isn’t priced correctly, I’ll say so.”

best friend and Ryan has recommended her to a colleague at work. She is almost like family to us; my son even calls her Aunt Lessie.” As the Garls waited more than seven months for a short sale to process, Lessie continued to show the couple other properties. “Lessie adapted to our style and knew where we were interested in looking. She was very patient and didn’t waste our time,” Vanessa says. Like so many of us, the Garls value their time. They are busy with their professions — he, a private banker with Wells Fargo and she, a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley — as well as with raising their two young children. As business people, they realize the importance of negotiation and stress that it is one of Lessie’s strong suits. “She is a great negotiator,” explains Vanessa. “I think people sometimes don’t consider that (attribute) when choosing a Realtor and it is such an important component of any sale. She even met with the appraiser at our home and presented him with all of her own research and analysis. She is very detail oriented.”

Praise From Local Residents

The Art Of Selling New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

Lessie recently sold Ryan and Vanessa Garl’s home in Hunter’s Green and then sold them another home in Arbor Greene. “She has done a lot of work for us and we trust her, hands down,” Vanessa comments. “I recommended her to my

and newness of everything,” she says. “We have a new mall, a beautiful, new hospital, and such great neighborhoods. They love the consistency of the neighborhoods. You don’t find that in other areas of Tampa.” No matter what type of home you’re selling and whatever the price range, Lessie guarantees you’ll receive VIP treatment from her, stressing, “It’s really not about the money; it’s about building good relationships with people. My clients will tell you that I am hard working and professional, and that I’ll go above and beyond what’s expected of me. I like to think outside the box.” And what does she think about this baffling real estate market we are currently

experiencing across the Tampa Bay area? “It’s volatile,” she says, adding that investors have upped the ante, after buying most of the Tampa Bay area (including those in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel) properties priced up to $250,000. “I now have investor clients looking at homes priced to $500,000,” she says. “They will probably just flip them or rent them out.” Stay tuned. If you’re considering putting your home on the market, contact Lessie Reyes at 298-5541; visit her on Facebook or email her at LessieReyes@KW.com. For additional information, visit MichaelGreenandAssociates.com.

Lessie says New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are both great areas to sell because they appeal to a broad range of people, especially out-of-state folks. “They like the young demographics

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Angry Chair Brewing: Craft Beer With Some Wesley Chapel Roots By Matt Wiley The Tampa Bay area is becoming a hotbed for cold, craft beer, with new breweries popping up across the area seemingly every few months. One of the newest breweries has its roots right here in Wesley Chapel. Say hello to Angry Chair Brewing, which has its first location in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. For the past two years, Angry Chair Brewing has been homeless, a side-project of Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing and The Brass Tap (at the Shops at Wiregrass mall) employee Ryan Dowdle, 34, a Meadow Pointe resident, fellow Cigar City employee and pilot-brewer Ben Romano, 32, and business partner Shane Mozur, 38, also of Meadow Pointe. A Sarasota native, Dowdle, 34, migrated north to the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1997 for college, where he says he was blown away by the large amount of “weird beer” on tap. “That’s where I was first introduced to craft beer,” he says. “Going from a macro, domesticated beer state to a state that supports craft beer intrigued me.” By “macro, domesticated beer,” Dowdle refers to the major “American” breweries, such as Miller-Coors and Anheuser-Busch, which now is owned by Belgium-based InBev. Exposure to small, craft breweries sparked Dowdle’s interest in the creativity that can go into the brewing

process, which, at that time, wasn’t as easy to find on the shelves in Florida. After graduating in 2001, he returned to Florida, specifically Wesley Chapel. Once a week, together with a few friends — including Joey Redner, owner of Cigar City Brewing, located off of Spruce St. near Tampa International Airport — Dowdle would sample craft beers from across the U.S. that they acquired by trading with fellow craft brew enthusiasts online. Paired with working as the general manager at The Brass Tap in Wiregrass for several years, Dowdle was sold. “Now, craft beer is a passion of mine,” he explains. “I believe in it. Craft beer is not a trend. It’s the future. Craft beer is American brewing. I want to be a part of it and support it as much as I can.” And that’s the plan with Angry Chair, which derives its name from Dowdle and Mozur’s stint working jobs in the corporate finance world. “An ‘angry chair’ is what we refer to as your chair at work, or wherever makes you angry,” Dowdle says. “It’s your unhappy place. Angry Chair Brewing is a celebration of being away from that place.” Celebration is a fitting word for the beers that Angry Chair already has brewed out of Cigar City, one of which was a German “chocolate cake milk stout,” brewed with chocolate, vanilla beans and coconut and aged on more vanilla beans, coconut and rum-soaked oak chips. Another brew

has been named Bananas Foster, after the classic New Orleans-style dessert. “We’re forward-thinking with our beers,” Dowdle explains. “We’re not going into it thinking we’re going to make just a few core beers. We’re going to brew beer that we want to drink, and what we think other people might like. They may develop into our core beers, but it’ll depend on demand. As far as styles, the sky is the limit. We’re not scared to brew anything.” Craft beer consumers can expect to see a wide range of styles, including a rye beer, India pale ales, porters, stouts and Berliner-Weisses, or sour beers with blueberry or raspberry flavors. Although the Angry Chair owners just announced their brewery’s location at 6401 N. Florida Ave. in an old clock-repair shop, Dowdle and company have been busy getting the word out, even taking part in the second annual Tampa Bay Beer Week, which ran from March 2-10, with craft beer events all over the Tampa Bay area. Angry Chair took over the taps at the Cigar City tasting room on March 7, with 32 gallons of six different brews. “It truly was a madhouse,” Dowdle says. “Our six beers were completely gone in an hour and a half. The show of support was amazing.” If all goes according to plan, Angry Chair beer will be on tap at its own brewery in August, just a few miles south of our distribution areas, in the evenrable and

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Wesley Chapel resident Ryan Dowdle (left) and Ben Romano of Angry Chair Brewing.

ever-improving Old Seminole Heights neighborhood. “Logistically, it made more sense to find a location in Seminole Heights,” Dowdle explains. “It’s right smack in the middle of Tampa. There’s a lot of synergy in the neighborhood. We did a lot of looking around. When we first went into the building, we found a lot of turn-of-the century beer artifacts, like old Pabst Blue Ribbon posters. It seemed like a good fit.” Until then, the Angry Chair owners are working on getting licensing for their own brewery approved, but their beers still can be found periodically at the Cigar City Tasting Room (3924 W. Spruce St). For more information, check out Angry Chair Brewing at Facebook.com/AngryChairBrewing.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Full Circle Pizza & Grill — Your Place For Fun, Tasty Family Dining! By Gary Nager It won’t be open a full year for a couple of months yet, but whether you’re originally from Chicago or not, I hope you’ll check out owner Ron Chase’s Full Circle Pizza & Grill, located less than two miles south of County Line Rd. on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the Pebble Creek Collection. In the less than ten months he’s been open at our press time, Chase already has expanded his menu quite a bit, including adding true Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, as well as more salads and sandwiches, based on requests from his already-very-loyal throng of regular customers who helped vote Full Circle as our readers’ 2012 favorite pizza place in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel and second favorite restaurant in New Tampa. Although non-Chicagoans like yours

Our editor loves the Full Circle iceberg wedge salad.

truly may think that deep-dish is the only “true” Chicago pizza, Chase, a long-time former resident of the Windy City, says his thin-crust pizza is actually what more Chicago natives enjoy. “Most of our requests for deep-dish pizza were coming from people who weren’t from Chicago,” he says. “But, because so many other people asked for it, I decided to go ahead and add it.” And, while the deepdish pizza currently is only available Monday-Thursday at Full Circle (Chase says it takes too long to bake them during his always-busy weekend dinner hours), they already are very popular — as well as very filling and very yummy. I especially appreciate the thick layer of sausage and equally thick tomato sauce on top, as well as the quality cheese and still-crisp crust of the new deep-dish sausage and tomato pie. Check out Full Circle’s complete slate of specialty and white pizzas, as well as tasty calzones and strombolis, too, and I’m quite

At Full Circle Pizza & Grill in New Tampa’s Pebble Creek Collection, you can have deep-dish Chicago pizza (left) Mon.-Thur. or a thin-crust pizza meal with garlic knots, a large salad, zeppoles and Peroni or Yuengling beer on draft any day! certain you won’t be disappointed. Chase says that his goal is to be your family’s favorite place to go for a reasonably priced meal. For about $30, your family can share a large thin-crust pizza, an order of delicious garlic knots, one of Chase’s popular large salad ( including everything from Caesar to antipasto to my favorite, the Full Circle wedge, which comes with both a creamy garlic parmesan dressing and a tasty balsamic glaze) and an order of Italian donut holes (zeppoles) for dessert. If you’re looking for something other

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

than (or in addition to) pizza, I’m partial to Full Circle’s jumbo chicken wings and mozzarella sticks, as well as the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Chase also has a variety of Chicago sandwich favorites — everything from delicious Chicago-style Italian beef, Italian sausage and beef combo, a Chicagostyle Vienna beef hot dog, grilled, fried, blackened or Buffalo-style chicken sandwich, as well as chicken, eggplant and meatball parmesan subs and hamburgers with your choice of toppings (including a pizza burger with grilled mushrooms and onions,

marinara and mozzarella). Chase also takes a lot of pride in his spaghetti and homemade meatballs and he also offers jumbo cheese raviolis and my favorite Full Circle pasta — the fettuccine Alfredo with grilled (or blackened) chicken. There’s also full chicken and eggplant parmesan dinners, each served with a side of pasta and two garlic knots. And, Full Circle’s casual atmosphere also offers several flat-screen TVs, beer on draft (I love the Peroni and Yuengling drafts) and domestic, import and premium beer in bottles, as well as equally reasonable prices on a variety of red and white wines. In addition to the zeppoles, there’s also creamy NY-style cheesecake available for dessert. Full Circle Pizza & Grill (19651

Try Full Circle’s Philly cheesesteak, too! BBD Blvd.) is open every day for lunch and dinner. Call 994-3700 or visit FullCirclePizzaandGrill.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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

Happy Cow, La Berry & Twistee Treat Opening Soon

Even though the New Tampa area has seen no fewer than three frozen yogurt shops open in the last year or so, within the next couple of months, two more are expected to open on BBD, one north and one just south of the Pasco/Hillsborough county line. And, even though one ice cream shop has closed, another is popping up to replace it and the closed store already is in the dessert business again, too. What the heck is going on here? For starters, a little north of the Pasco County line, at 1646 BBD, next to the Bonefish Grill in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza, Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet & Gelato will celebrate its Grand Opening on Friday, May 10, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Co-owner/GM and Wesley Chapel resident Ray Perez says there will be plenty of free yogurt, sorbet and soft-serve gelato samples given away (while supplies last) that day, as well as prizes (restrictions apply) and even balloon animals. And, the first 100 customers that day will receive a 20-percent discount. The store, which is expected to open a few days before the Grand Opening, also will offer 60 toppings and sauces, as well as fresh-baked cookies and brownies. For additional information, visit Facebook.com/Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt or call 531-5421. La’ Berry Frozen Yogurt Café, which has five locations in Georgia, will open in the Trout Creek Commons plaza anchored by Burger 21. Billed as “A trendy place to meet and mingle with friends,” it remains to

be seen if La’ Berry will offer anything to differentiate itself from its competition. For additional information, visit LaBerryFrozenYogurt.com. A little to the south on BBD, the vacant, giant soft-serve cone in front of the Pizza Hut in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center, will soon be home to the fifth Twistee Treat Real Ice Cream shop in Florida. If you like chocolate dip-top cones as much as I do, you might need to visit the newest Twistee Treat. For more information, visit TwisteeTreat.com. Although it made my 2012 list of favorite ice cream and dessert shops in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, the iCream store, located next to and owned by the same people who own the adjacent Baja Fresh Mexican Grill on BBD just north of S.R. 56, quietly closed several weeks ago — and recently was replaced by a Cupcakes & More Brewhouse, which features delicious roasted coffee, coffee drinks, the popular Boba teas and yummy cupcakes and pastries. Stop in and tell them the N ew Tam pa N eighborhood N ewssent you!

Pura Cycling Cuts A Ribbon With The WC Chamber

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) continues to get involved in the Wesley Chapel business community and this time of year is always busy for Chamber ribbon cuttings and events. The most recent ribbon-cutting ceremony we attended was on April 2 for Pura Indoor Cycling Studio (1822 BBD, in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza, near Publix) which opened last December, but as many businesses do, waited several months before cele-

Co-owners Alfio Carroccetto & Stephanie Farquhar (both in green, with scissors) were joined by 40 guests and Wesley Chapel Chamber members at the recent Chamber ribbon cutting at Pura Indoor C ycling in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on BBD Blvd. Photo by Matt Wiley brating with the Chamber. Following the ribbon-cutting, Pura owners Alfio Carroccetto and Stephanie Farquhar handed out awards to three of the studio’s top students: Sheena Jean, for most classes attended; Don Cortright for most body weight loss; and Madeline Agee for most body fat percentage lost. Congratulations to the winners and to Pura. Call 5012124 or visit PuraCycling.com.

Other Upcoming Chamber Ribbon Cuttings & Events

The WCCC also has the following events scheduled for the next 30 days: Tuesday, April 16, 3 p.m. - “Networking on the Nines,” at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., $15 per person (9 holes of golf & cart). Call Susan Casey at Insurance New Tampa, 435-6350. Tuesday, April 16, 8:30 a.m. - Ribbon at BB&T Bank, 17502 Dona Michelle Dr, New Tampa. Free, but RSVPs are requested by Fri., Apr. 12. Call 374-5891. Friday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. - Ribbon cutting at Park’s Fiat, 28736 S.R. 54

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Thursday, April 25, 4:30 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting & Re-Grand Opening of Haverty's Furniture, 26450 Golden Maple Rd. (off S.R. 56). Tuesday, May 7, 5:30 p.m. – Ribbon cutting at Luckey Eye Care, 27340 Cashford Cir., in Summergate Prof. Office Park. Thursday, May 9, 6 p.m. – Free Monthly Business Mixer at Ierna’s Heating & Cooling, 18643 U.S. Hwy. 41, Lutz. For info about these and other upcoming events,, call 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Dr. Niraj V. Patel Joins Insignia Care For Women

Insignia Care for Women, which has a location in Wesley Chapel, is proud to welcome Dr. Niraj V. Patel to the practice. Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from the Saba University School of Medicine in Saba, Dutch Caribbean, in 2001. He completed his internship in General Surgery and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University in Washington, DC. Dr. Patel has been Board-Certified in

Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2010. He has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area since 2006 and is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Niraj Patel Florida Medical Association and Hillsborough County Medical Association. Dr. Patel says he believes in forming a healthy, patient-provider relationship and having open communication whereby patients can receive the most comprehensive medical care. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing sports with his sons. For more info, visit Insignia Care’s Wesley Chapel office at 3743 Maryweather Ln. (off BBD and Mystic Oaks Blvd.), call 994-4590 or visit WomensCareFl.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D H O M E

PHYSICAL THERAPIST – An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080 HELP WANTED - Medical Billing Personnel, parttime, flexible hours, Local PT Clinic. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Join our mission to create greater awareness for our clients. By using cutting edge promotional marketing methods, we bring the products to the local market. We strive to create strong presence in our community for the products and services we represent, we go above and beyond for a level of success that far exceeds our competition. Contact Us Today (813) 501-4915. 29140 Chapel Park Dr. Wesley Chapel www.centurionconcepts.co HELP WANTED - Licensed insurance agent needed for Wesley Chapel P&C Agency. One year of agency experience preferred. Must have 4-40 or above license. Part-time and full-time openings available. Good customer relationship and organizational skills required. Competitive salary with bonus structure. If interested, please forward your resume to info@insurancenewtampa.com HELP WANTED - Medical Assistant needed for Pediatic office in Wesley Chapel starting immediately. Pediatric experience preferred. Fax # (813)973-4438 Email: rdubey5@yahoo.com

EDUCATION

BABYSITTING

PROFESSIONAL TENNIS LESSONS - Recently relocated USPTA/PTR teaching professional available for private/group/team tennis lessons. Former Head Tennis Professional at the #2 and #3 Tennis Resorts in the U.S. Past coach of former #1 singles player at the University of Florida. Call Steve Brady at (843) 422-3993 or email sbrady@hargray.com PIANO LESSONS/TUTORING- Children, teens, and adults. I am a highly qualified/certified Florida educator specializing in piano, music theory, language arts, reading, writing, geography, elementary math, beginning Spanish, and FCAT/test preparation. Contact Mrs. Daley at 813-468-1424 for rates & scheduling.

P O O L

I M P R O V E M E N T

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PAINTING - Pool and patio concrete staining. Power washing: Awnings, screen enclosures, driveways, sidewalks, fencing, gutters and down spouts, homes and condos. 27 years experience. U.S. Painting and Power Washing, LLC. 813.388.9937. DRY WALL SPECIALIST - Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified. Call Ron for free estimate (813) 784-5999 NEED HOME MAINTENANCE – Almost any job, large or small, ext/int, fencing , screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 973-0194 or 727-2582. GREG’S PAPERHANGING – For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed & insured, clean, quick & reasonable. Call 973-2767 for free estimate. RAYMOND PAINTING – Interior & Exterior pressure washing, paper hanging, plaster, stucco, tiles, clean & seal pavers, roofing leaks, etc. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free Estimates. Your Neighborhoond Arbor Greene Resident. We work 7 days. Call 994-5124. DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional and personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. (813) 215-1177 WEST COAST FLOORING INC - Hardwood, Laminate, and Carpet; Over 25 years experience in sales and installations; Repairs: Large and small jobs; We even do exterior pavers; Free estimates - Call Doug at (813) 215-4817 HANDYMAN SERVICES - Handyman Services, Disposal and fan installations. Painting, dry wall repair, calking, tile and wooden floor installations, gutter cleaning, and much more. Great prices! Call 813.907.6994.

S E R V I C E S R E A L

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

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

Classifıeds

E S T A T E

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME FROM YOUR CELL PHONE! - Wish you could see home details while you are driving around looking at homes? NOW YOU CAN! With Team Bohannon's Mobile MLS Search application, you can search for any home in the area on your cell phone. Check out price, beds/baths, details, maps, even photos – all from the convenience of your cell phone. SEARCH PROPERTIES WHENEVER AND WHEREVER YOU WANT! GET IT NOW - Text: MLS4YOU to: 87778 Compliments of Doug, Annette and Dale Bohannon Coldwell Banker (813) 979-4963

FITNESS &WELLBEING L TAI CHI CLASSES - open to the public at the Club Tampa Palms. Benefits: Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Focus and reduced stress. New Beginner 6 week courses starting every few months. Adults Course: Thursday evening’s 7-8 pm. Seniors Course: Tuesday afternoons 12-1 pm. Space is limited! Also personal instruction in Tai Chi, Kempo Karate, Boot Camp Fitness training and more. With more than 30 years of training and teaching experience. Please contact me for more details or go to: chuan-fa.org. Peter #787-7560 or E-mail peter@chuan-fa.org LICENSED MOBILE MASSAGE THERAPIST Available seven days a week, 9am -9pm. $55 for 1 hour! Types of massage available: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aroma Therapy, Hot Stone, Corporate Seated, Pregnancy, Sports & Injury Rehab. References available. www.barkdollmassagetherapy.com CALL (727) 372-6389 Lic #MA47546. GROUP THERAPY CLASSES – 4 groups starting: 1) Adult Stress Management, 2) Children’s Social Skills, 3) Parenting Skills, and 4) Mind-Body Wellbeing. Cost: $20-$30 per week. Conducted by licensed therapists with over 10 years of experience. Limited Space, Call Today. We also provide individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Call Dr. Brad Palermo, Licensed Psychologist – (813)-666-5885. Website: www.Tampa-Therapy.com

TAMPA CAT LADY- Professional Cat-Sitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, & RedCross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 994-9449 or visit www.TampaCatLady.com. JUST ASK JULIE PET SITTING - Cat sitting and midday doggie walks * Serving you since 2002 * Bonded, Licensed and insured * Pet First Aid Certified Instructor * Certified Dob Obedience Trainer/Instructor * Ask about my kitty express visits * julie@justaskjulie.com or 813-892-9543 NEW TAMPA PET SITTING SERVICES Under New Ownership! Please call Larisa at (813) 546-3887. Thank-you for your business over ALL these years! Please call Marina at (813) 416-5301 for references!

Call The Neighborhood News

813-910-2575 To Place Your Listing Today

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 8 • April 13, 2013 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements?Ask about our HOA SPECIAL! FREE ESTIMATE! (813) 420-4465 LAWN CARE - We Specialize in Residential Lawn & Landscape Maintenance! Landscaping, Mulching, Cleanups, Palm/Tree Trimming & Sprinkler Repair also available. Owner Operated over 17 years. Call us today for Reliable Service for everything that grows @ your property (813) 973-3825 or visit: ntlcpropertymaintenance.com

CLEANING

SERVICES

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies & more than 300 clients in New Tampa! For more information, Call 758-9710. M.Y. CLEANING SERVICE - Offering Residential cleaning. We offer complete bath & kitchen cleaning, as well as dusting and polishing furniture. We provide our own supplies. Free estimates! Your satisfaction is our priority! With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554. CLEANING, LAUNDRY, YOU NAME IT!$68.00 introductory special, Mon-Wed. Make your list, put us to work! Anna's Housekeeping - A BBB Accredited Business Servicing Florida since 1991. We have private housekeeper rates with agency Backup coverage! Licensed and all housekeepers are background checked. Call 813.985.1150.

F U N

G A M E S

BRIDGE PLAYERS WANTED - Daytime. Weekdays. Once, twice, or more per month for three hour sessions in selected homes of members in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. Actual schedule depends on availability of players. One-two tables maximum. Party bridge, not Duplicate. Intermediate level. Enjoyable, warm, casual people. Free. No frills. For details call Harry at 813907-2541 or Jane at 813-355-3665.

M I S C E L L A N E O U S CAR SERVICES – Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.