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Volume 23 Issue 20

Inside:

Enjoy Authentic French Cuisine At City Grill! See page 0!

September 26, 2015

Named The 2014 ‘Small Business Of The Year’ By The Wesley Chapel Chamber Of Commerce! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this Wesley Chapel issue by direct mail, see page 42!

Local Businesses Not Thrilled With Bruce B. Downs ‘Loop Road’ Idea By Matt Wiley

A man stands at a pulpit and speaks to a crowd inside Atonement Lutheran Church on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel. The people in the crowd seem tense and the man speaking makes every effort to reassure them. This isn’t a church service, but the first public meeting about the S.R. 581 (Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd.) “Loop Road,” that could alter the current alignment of BBD approaching S.R. 54. The proposed road also could potentially affect numerous local businesses. Lutz-based Johnson Engineering currently is in the middle of a study to determine the best alternative for the Loop Road, which will create a new road that will snake through the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) behind the new Walmart, continue through Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. and bend north to S.R. 54, just west of Saddlebrook Resort & Spa. In the future, that same road is planned to continue north through S.R. 54. Four alternatives are being considered and will be presented to the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) sometime in January, Johnson Engineering’s Roy Chapman told the crowd at the meeting, which was held on Sept. 17. Each alternative is a slight variation on a basic route, with minor changes — at least geographically — to the road and the locations of the needed retention ponds. “We haven’t made a decision on the alternatives, yet,” Chapman said. “No-build also is an option. We’ll take our study back to

the BOCC and they’ll take an action on one of the alternatives.” None of Pasco’s five county commissioners attended the meeting. Chapman urged the more than 30 residents and business owners in attendance to Wesley Chapel Sonny’s BBQ owners Jim & Kristina make sure that Hoff (above) came out to the Sept. 17 meeting about the they wrote down planned S.R. 581 ‘Loop Road’ (right, in yellow), which their comments would divert drivers from the current BBD alignment and concerns for (in white) about a mile to the east, toward a new intersection at S.R. 54, next to Saddlebrook Resort. the public record and also to make appearances in front of the but we don’t know exactly when that will BOCC during their public comment periods be,” Chapman said. The Porters technically have until 2023 to begin construction on the at their meetings on Tuesday mornings. “If you see something you like or you Loop Road, but Chapman said that he imadon’t like (about the loop road alternatives), gines they’ll get started sooner. Either way, write it down and get it to us,” Chapman he explained, the design of the project would likely take two years after the BOCC makes a said. “We want to hear your comments.” Chapman said that the possible cost of decision on the best possible alternative, folconstructing the road has not yet been deter- lowed by another two years of construction. mined, nor the exact timeframe, but that the He added that the Loop Road would be decost would be split between the county and signed as a six-lane divided roadway. Two aspects of the project were major the Porter family, which owns and is developing Wiregrass Ranch. A representative for the areas of contention with the audience. The first was the realignment of BBD about a Porters declined to comment for this story. “The (Wiregrass developers are) prob- mile south of S.R. 54, which would create a ably going to be the ones doing the design “Y-intersection,” encouraging drivers to conand construction of this (road) in the future, tinue east along the Loop Road, as opposed

to north on the current BBD. A simple “Tintersection” also is a possibility in each alternative, but those “Ts” are considered to be secondary options for each alignment. “Does it make sense for the Porters to build a new road to put businesses on, yes,” said Wesley Chapel Toyota owner and Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) award winner David Williams (see page 10). “You’re not considering the businesses that have been here for years (that are located north of the Loop Road) and suffered through recessions.” Wesley Chapel Nissan general manager Mark Perryman (also a 2015 WCCC award winner) also disagreed with the LoopvRoad See “Loop” on pg. 12

WCCC Presents The 7th Annual Fall Festival At The Grove Oct. 10-11! By Matt Wiley ward to a FREE weekend of great live music version of the event better, so we decided to

As temperatures begin to (hopefully) cool down in the Wesley Chapel area, the coming of the fall season is cause for celebration and the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)’s seventh annual Fall Festival the weekend of October 10-11 at The Grove shopping plaza, located off Oakley Blvd., is just the event to welcome the cooler months. Presented by The Grove, Parks Fiat of Wesley Chapel and Cornerstone Air Condition & Heating, local residents can look for-

and other entertainment for all ages. There, of course, also will be carnival-style food and beverages for sale and plenty of other vendor tents and the WCCC expects to draw more than 10,000 attendees to this year’s event. Although last year’s Festival took place on only one day, to better serve the community, the Fall Fest will once again span the entire weekend, as it had each of the prior years of the event. “Last year, we did the one-day event at The Grove,” says WCCC CEO Hope Allen. “But, the vendors really enjoyed the two-day

News, Business & Sports Updates

Neighborhood Magazine

Festival Of Flight Could Land In Zephyrhills, Charter Gov’t Idea Officially Struck Down By Committee, WCCC Awards Local Businesses & Lots Of Local Business Features!

Bobcats No Strangers To Wesley Chapel, Enter Our 2015 Dining Survey & Contest, NASCAR Driver Visits WCH & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 3-26

Pages 27-44

Also Inside This Issue!

go back to that.” Don’t miss this year’s musical performances on the Wesley Chapel Nissan Main Stage, featuring — guitarist/singer Evan Koteles, who also is a member of Tampa band 10th Concession (which headlined last year’s Fall Festival), but Koteles also plays solo shows around Tampa Bay; Dunedin, FLbased rock/soul/funk band The Time Bandits, country duo Indigo Summer (featuring country stars Bryan Edwards and Hope Nix), guitarist/singer Michael McDonald and popular local classical pianist James A. Williams. The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (Noon) will again host the annual Little Miss & Mr. Pumpkin Patch Pageant (photo), while the Lions Club of Wesley Chapel will host a Pet Parade and Ierna’s Heating & Cooling is sponsoring pet adoptions. The Fall Festival also will include the traditional Pumpkin Patch and Hay Rides. Plus, this year also will feature outdoor movies, including Disney’s “Frozen” and “Cars!” For more information, including schedules and additional sponsorship op-

portunities for the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, please visit Facebook.com/WesleyChapelFallFestival.

Cindy Freeman — A Beautiful Soul Taken Too Soon An editorial by Gary Nager Four weeks ago, my page 3 editorial in my August 29 edition of this publication was intended to send good “vibes” to three friends of mine, including Cindy Freeman, the membership director for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC). Unfortunately, that edition literally arrived in mailboxes in Wesley Chapel the same day that Cindy (who had been with the WCCC for almost three years) passed away — at the too-young age of 57 — from complications related to her ongoing treatments Cindy Freeman for esophageal cancer. Cindy’s sudden passing (she found out she had cancer less than three months earlier) sent shockwaves throughout New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. No one who knew her had anything other than wonderful things to say about Cindy and her genuine sweetness, and I was among more than 200 people who attended her funeral at the packed Loyless Funeral Home on U.S. 41 in Land O’Lakes on Sept. 2. Among those who remembered Cindy at the memorial service were Chamber president (formerly executive director) Hope Allen and WCCC members Kirby Lavalee and 2015 WCCC Small Business of the Year (see pg. 10) owner Samantha Taylor, all three of whom recalled her sweet, loving nature and the way she made everyone who was affiliated with the Chamber feel like a member of her family. I know she made me feel that way.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Anu Panchal

Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Chelsie Rosatone Office Assistant Jillian Reilly Advertising Sales Rep Mary Dorey 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 23, Issue 22, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, October 12, 2015. 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.

And, that notion was confirmed by Cindy’s husband and one-time middle school sweetheart Ken (although the Freemans didn’t get married until 1996). “For all of you Chamber people here today, I can tell each of you a story about yourselves that Cindy has told me,” Ken said during the service. “She loved each and every one of you.” As I said in my editorial a month ago, one of the things I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to meet and get to know people I might not otherwise have gotten to meet — much less gotten to know well enough to call my friends. In my now-21+ years of owning and being the editor of this publication, I have met many thousands of people and I’m proud to count hundreds of those people as friends of mine. Precious few of the friends I’ve met through the Neighborhood News, however, are as near and dear to my heart as Cindy. Cindy brought her caring nature and other wonderful qualities to everything she did at the Chamber office (located at 6130 Wesley Grove Blvd., in the separate office building in front of The Grove shopping center). And as it says in her GoFundMe. com (see below) profile (written by her son Aaron), “She is always willing to extend a hand to help someone in need. She never asks for anything but has always been the first to give.” The bills for Cindy’s ongoing treatments and now for her funeral have piled up and the family still needs your help. The WCCC also is still accepting check donations at the Chamber office. I hope those of you who knew and loved Cindy and the amazing work she did as the helpful lady answering the phones at the Chamber (and stretching all the ribbons at the WCCC’s many ribbon-cuttings since 2013), you know that the need is real or I wouldn’t be asking you to help. I know Cindy’s family would appreciate anything you can do. To make a donation to the Freeman family, bring a check to the Chamber office or go to GoFundMe.com/b7z26v5c or type “Cindy’s Fundraising Group” in the search box in the middle of the page.

A Truly Impressive Field

After endorsing President Obama (despite being a registered Republican) in the last two presidential elections, I have to say that I have been incredibly taken with pretty much all of the Republican candidates for president after the first two debates. I definitely won’t say that I’d like to see “the button” in the hands of “la Donald,” but how can anyone not be impressed by the intelligent, cogent, incredibly-well-presented words coming out of the mouths of Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Scott Walker, the rebounding Jeb Bush, the (somewhat) faltering Dr. Ben Carson and even “second-tier” (in my opinion) candidates Rick Santorum, Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal and Lindsey Graham?

Correction From Last Issue

The photo that appeared with the story in our Aug. 29 issue about a potential ordinance to clean up dilapidated buildings in Pasco County featured a closed car wash on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel was unclear. While it was meant to show a business that was closed and overgrown, the car wash was closed when the county itself widened S.R. 54, resulting in an eminent domain acquisition. The property is regularly maintained by Bosworth Enterprises, Inc. and the county is responsible for trimming the growth shown in the photo. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion the photo may have caused. — MW

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.............................4-19 Festival Of Flight Could Land In Zephyrhills...........4 Committee Votes Against Adopting A Charter....6 Wesley Chapel News Briefs.............................8 Outlet Mall’s Traffic Signal Now Active Florida Hospital Center Ice Construction Delayed Young Bicyclist Struck On Mansfield Blvd. No Injuries In Wesley Chapel School Bus Crash WCCC Recognizes ‘Excellence In Business’.......10 WCCC Remembers Cindy At Annual Breakfast...11 Some Outlet Mall Jobs Still Available..................14 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar..............18 Local Business Updates.......................22-25 GL Homes Developing The Ridge At Wiregrass...22 Oasis Nails & Spa...............................................24

Neighborhood Magazine.....27-44

Bobcats Spotted In Wesley Chapel......27 Enter Our 2015 Dining Survey/Contest...31 City Grill For Authentic French Cuisine.......36 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’...38 Wesley Chapel Color Classifieds.........40 NASCAR Driver Visits WCH....................42

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‘Festival Of Flight’ Likely Headed To Zephyrhills Municipal Airport Next Year By Gary Nager

After a weekend filled with insane traffic jams, heavy rains and/or the threat of major storms — and sadly, precious little flying, — the abbreviated third annual Festival of Flight (held Sept. 11-13) is likely to be the last one held at the Tampa North Aero Park on S.R. 54 in Lutz. Festival organizer Jessica Warren, the co-owner of Land O’Lakes-based American Balloons (which put on the Festival at the Aero Park all three years), says the event is likely moving to another location next year. “I already have an offer to move the event to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport,” an obviously disappointed Warren said as the Festival’s many vendors were taking down their booths and closing up their food trucks as the rain poured freely on Sunday at noon. “I love this venue, but we obviously had a lot of issues to deal with, especially the weather. I know some people are unhappy but there are just some things that no one can control.” Unfortunately for Warren, the weekend started with an unexpected traffic jam on Friday evening that tied up traffic on S.R.s 56 and 54 and on I-75 for several hours, well past the scheduled “Balloon Glow” that started at 7:30 p.m. This reporter was one of those who sat on S.R. 56 from about 7:15 until at least 8:30 before I finally gave up, mainly because I could see that the line of cars — stretching from the airport’s location off Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54 between 56 and I-75) all the way back to S.R. 56 — literally didn’t move at all for more than 15

or 20 minutes at a time. Like a lot of folks stuck in that mess — which made headlines on pretty much all of the local TV stations and lots of unhappy noise on the ‘Wesley Chapel Community’ Facebook.com page — I gave up trying to get there Friday night, “knowing” that I could still be on hand for the Saturday morning hot air balloon launch and return. “We actually had some takeoffs and landings on Friday afternoon and the Balloon Glow was packed (she didn’t give an estimate of the crowd, but several people have said there were “thousands” of people on site who weren’t turned away) on Friday night,” Warren said. “Yes, we had parking and obviously traffic issues, but the people who came Friday night told me they enjoyed themselves.” Other news media reported that additional Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputies would be made available to better handle any traffic woes (there were reports that more than 50,000 locals sent RSVPs that they were coming to the event on Facebook) on Saturday morning, but then, the event’s website and Facebook pages reported that the scheduled 7 a.m. Saturday balloon launch was cancelled due to “incumbent weather in the area” and the entire Saturday schedule was washed out by the threats of major storms, despite no rain falling in the area for most of the day. The skies were definitely threatening,

(Clockwise from top left): The traffic woes on Friday night’s first evening of the third annual American Balloons Festival of Flight at the Tampa North Aero Park turned into two days of weather-related cancellations and precious few people getting to check out World War II-era planes and other aircraft. but it was a shame that those who missed all Festival activities before they even got out on Friday night’s festivities couldn’t started again on Sunday. enjoy the World War II biplanes, ultralights “All of us are sad that it turned out this and other unique aircraft on Saturday. way,” an exhausted Warren said afterwards. The food and beverage vendors and “But, I think we’re done here (in Wesley many of the sponsors and exhibitors were Chapel). My family and I are sorry that it still on hand on both Saturday and Sunday, didn’t work out.” even as those threatening skies turned into For additional information, visit steady rain late Saturday night and into FestivalofFlightWesleyChapel.com or call Sunday morning, which again cancelled American Balloons at 243-9507.

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Committee Votes 8-7 Against Converting Pasco To A ‘Charter’ County By Matt Wiley For the past three months, a group of citizens has weighed the possibility of revising the structure of Pasco County’s government. But, it looks like the county’s governmental structure will remain the same for now, since the committee tasked with deciding whether or not to move forward with changing to a charter form of government officially has struck the idea down. During the Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey on Aug. 24 (which was just after we went to press with our Aug. 29 Wesley Chapel issue), the 15-member appointed group voted 8-7 against writing a county charter, after hearing from several members of the county’s legislative delegation, including Dist. 38 State Rep. Danny Burgess (R-San Antonio, who represents Wesley Chapel), Dist. 17 State Sen. John Legg (R-Lutz), Dist. 18 State Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-New Port Richey) and Dist. 36 Rep. Amanda Murphy (D-New Port Richey). In addition, the CAC also heard from the future Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Dist. 37 Rep. Richard Corcoran (R-Land O’Lakes), who originally presented the idea of moving to a charter form of government to the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in January, touting the concept as a way to make government “more accountable” and as a way to “empower” voters. Rep. Corcoran said that a charter form of government would put more power in the hands of Pasco’s voting population by allowing for single-member county commission districts (instead of all five commissioners being elected county-wide), for the ability of voters to recall constitutional officers (such as the Clerk of Court, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and the Sheriff), to be able to create an elected county mayor/ administrator position and implement term limits. None of those provisions are possible under the current structure, because local non-charter governments in Florida can only be changed by the state legislature. As we’ve reported in previous issues this year, CAC members heard from the county’s constitutional officers about the roles each of their offices currently play in local government and their thoughts about moving to a charter at their earlier meet-

ings. The Aug. 24 meeting was the first time the committee heard from the legislative delegation itself; it also was the day the CAC was scheduled to approve or deny moving forward with writing a charter. “Term limits would be a good idea,” Sen. Simpson told the committee, adding that he thinks that there should be a recall provision for any elected position. “I think the beauty of what we’re doing here is having a discussion,” said Rep. Burgess. “It can only lead to something positive.” Burgess added that he trusted the CAC’s judgment, regardless of what decision the committee ultimately made. “My one respectful request would be to preserve local government power and home rule,” Burgess said, referring to municipalities within the county like Zephyrhills, where he previously served as mayor.

Corcoran’s ‘Last Stand’

However, Rep. Corcoran had much more to say than his Tallahassee colleagues, insisting that the idea for a charter was motivated solely to empower Pasco voters. “Politics is a nasty business,” Corcoran said. “I try to stay above the nastiness, but I’ve heard a lot of imputation of motives behind this thing.” Corcoran acknowledged that there are parts of a charter form of government that are controversial. “I think the thing that’s most important is to earn the trust of the voters,” Corcoran said. “If a county mayor is controversial, chuck it out the window. If nonpartisan elections are controversial, chuck it. If a public services tax is controversial, put it in the charter that we’ll never have one.” He added, “One thing I’ve been hearing a lot is that things are ‘good enough’ and ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ I’ve just have never heard a crazier argument for what we should do.”Corcoran added that the county shouldn’t let “good” be the enemy of “great.” “If we can have a county that’s more accountable to the voters and strives for greatness as opposed to good, why is that a bad experiment?,” he asked the committee. “It’s easy to get bogged down in arguments and not do anything,” Sen. Simpson added. “But, if that’s the conclusion that this committee makes, that’s okay.” “Even if it’s a total non-starter, this discussion was good for our county,” Corcoran admitted.

Pasco’s State Legislative Delegation (from left: Dist. 18 State Sen. Wilton Simpson, Dist. 17 State Sen. John Legg, Dist. 36 Rep. Amanda Murphy, Dist. 38 State Rep. Danny Burgess & Dist. 37 Rep./future Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran appeared before the county’s Charter Advisory Committee to discuss the idea of writing a charter for the county in New Port Richey on Aug. 24. The committee voted 8-7 against a charter form of government. Photo from PascoCountyFl.

The People Speak

Members of the public also had one last chance to tell the committee their opinions of the charter idea, including recently retired Dist. 2 Comm. Pat Mulieri, who used to represent the Wesley Chapel area on the BOCC. “Why are (legislators) pushing charter government?,” she asked the committee. “I thought that would be answered. I was a commissioner for 20 years and, not once, nobody wrote and said ‘I want charter government.’” Current Pasco tax collector, former state legislator and outspoken charter opponent Mike Fasano echoed that sentiment. “I still haven’t grasped this yet, as to why (the push for charter government),” Fasano said. “How many emails have you gotten? How many letters have you received? How many knocks on your doors have you gotten? I would guess very few.” He added, “It concerns me that (the legislators) who just left Tallahassee and didn’t do what they were supposed to do and needed to do (balance the state budget and redraw Florida’s Congressional district maps) are concerned with accountability and responsibility.”

To Charter Or Not To Charter?

After a short discussion among the committee members, former Pasco administrator and CAC member John Gallagher brought the motion to vote against moving forward with writing a charter. “I’ve seen very few things come before this committee that would make Pasco County a better county,” Gallagher said, later adding, “The only thing that’s going

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to make Pasco a better county is if the voters and citizens take interest in their local government.” CAC chair Michael Cox voiced support for writing a charter. “Our county’s not broken and there’s not an uprising to write a charter,” Cox said. “But, when our county is in turmoil isn’t really a good time to consider changing the government.” Cox said he liked that a charter can help protect the county from some laws passed by the legislature that could take away power from local governments. “If Pasco County wants to become a premier county, I think we could write a charter that would help them along that quest,” Cox said. Former Zephyrhills mayor and CAC alternate Cliff McDuffie also supported dropping the charter concept. “Having worked in a city with a charter government, I don’t see anything at this time or in the near future where a charter would make any difference in what the county is doing right now,” McDuffie said. “Probably 95-98-percent of the people voting for the charter on a referendum would not even know what they are voting for.” As each member’s name was called, he or she responded with “Yes” if in favor of not moving forward with a charter. Cox, Randy Maggard, Gary Bradford, Mel Eakley, Robert Eckard, John Kinsman and Mike Ryan made up the CAC’s seven votes to move forward with writing a charter, while Steve Booth, Billy E. Brown, Gallagher, Candace Glewen, Chuck Grey, Dewey Mitchell, Pattie Spoeth and Bill Woodard voted to stop the process.

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Wesley Chapel Outlet Mall’s Traffic Signal Now Active On S.R. 56

It may seem like traffic signals already are too abundant on S.R. 56 near the I-75 interchange, but the flashing stoplight at the entrance to Tampa Premium Outlets became fully operational on September 15. According to the Pasco County Traffic Operations department, the light at Grand Cypress Dr. and S.R. 56 was placed in flashing mode on Sept. 3 to alert drivers of its presence. The intent was to have the light flash through the weekend and then officially come online. However, due to modifications that apparently still are needed for the traffic signal at Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54), less than half a mile west on S.R. 56, the light remained in flashing mode for 12 days. A spokesperson for the Traffic Operations department said on Sept. 10 that he expected the modifications to be completed within ten days, at which point the Grand Cypress Dr. traffic light officially would become operational, but those adjustments were made much more quickly. Drivers should still use caution when traveling through the area. The Tampa Premium Outlets mall (see story on page 14) is expected to open the weekend of October 29-November 1.

Florida Hospital Center Ice Construction Delayed

As the Tampa Premium Outlets mall gears up for its Grand Opening at the end of October, one of the other major developments on the northeastern side of the S.R. 56/I-75 interchange has experienced a slight setback and the developers of Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI) now say that the opening of the largest ice skating facility in Florida has been delayed until the spring of 2016. Developer Gordie Zimmermann of Z Mitch, LLC, says that construction will begin this month on the foundation for FHCI, after revisions had to be made to the structural, architectural and mechanical design at the site. “Everything’s good, now,” Zimmermann explains. “We just needed to make sure that all of our engineering and plans were correct. We have to get it right the first time.”

News Briefs Ground officially was broken on the $20-million, 150,500-sq.-ft. ice skating facility on Cypress Ridge Blvd. (off S.R. 56) in February of this year and initial plans indicated that it would be opening around the same time as the outlet mall, which still is on track to open in October. Zimmermann says that because of the building’s large, underground piping system that will help keep the four ice pads frozen, some planned structural columns had to be shuffled around. He insists that the issue is resolved now and didn’t have anything to do with permitting with the county, just a revision of the site’s foundation plans. “Of course, we would’ve loved to open before the (2015) holidays,” Zimmermann explains. “But, leagues develop in the spring for the fall seasons and we’ll still be able to host summer camps. Really, the best time to come online is in the spring. It works well with a lot of the programs that we’ll have (at the facility).” For more information, please visit FloridaHosptialCenterIce.com.

Young Bicyclist Struck On Mansfield Blvd.

It’s always important to keep an eye out for bicyclists on Wesley Chapel roads, especially near schools, as the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that a 17-year-old bicyclist recently was struck on Mansfield Blvd. FHP says that at around 7:14 a.m. on September 15, Meadow Pointe resident Laura Marie Dion, 52, was stopped at the entrance to Dr. John Long Middle School in her black Honda Civic, facing east. At the same time, an unnamed (in the FHP report) Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) student was traveling north on the sidewalk on the western side of Mansfield Blvd. on a bicycle. The FHP report says that Dion attempted to turn onto southbound Mansfield Blvd., but didn’t see the bicyclist entering the crosswalk. As a result, Dion’s Civic struck the student’s bicycle, causing the bike to come to final rest in the median. The bicyclist suffered minor injuries and was transported to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC, located nearby off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) for treatment.

S.R. 56 traffic has been stacking up since the traffic signal at Grand Cypress Dr. (in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets mall) was made operational on September 15. (Photo from Wesley Chapel Comm. Facebook page)

Dion was cited for failing to yield to the right-of-way at a crosswalk.

No Injuries In Wesley Chapel School Bus Crash

The everyday ride on the bus on the way to school can become pretty forgettable after the first few weeks of school. However, several students from Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH, located off Mansfield Blvd.) likely won’t soon forget a recent school bus ride. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a bus bound for WRH was involved in an accident on Cypress Ridge Blvd. (off S.R. 56) on September 8. FHP reports that John Hardy, 43, of Hudson, was turning left in a 2002 Honda Accord onto Cypress Ridge Blvd. from Delano

Pl., at the entrance to the Delano at Cypress Creek apartment complex. At the same time, a school bus carrying ten WRH students driven by John Kilousky, 65, of Land O’Lakes, was traveling south on Cypress Ridge Blvd. approaching the Delano Pl. intersection. Hardy did not see the approaching bus, crossed the northbound lanes and attempted to merge into the southbound lanes, striking the middle of the driver’s side of the bus. The force of the collision caused the Accord to collide with a light pole in the median. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the accident caused about $10,000 in damage to the Accord and about $3,000 in damage to the school bus. Hardy was issued a citation for failure to yield to oncoming traffic. — MW

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Pure Health Studios, Wesley Chapel Nissan Honored At WCCC Biz Awards! By Matt Wiley

It’s been a big year for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC), as the Chamber added hundreds of local businesses to its directory over the past 12 months. However, only a handful of businesses could be selected for the Chamber’s annual “Excellence In Business Awards,” and the winners officially were announced during a banquet in the Lagoon Pavilion at Saddlebrook Resort & Spa Tampa off S.R. 54 on September 10. Hosted by Tampa Bay Times columnist Ernie Hooper, the Chamber gave out four prestigious awards this year — for “Small Business of the Year,” “Large Business of the Year,” “Volunteer of the Year” and “Business Leader of the Year.” WCCC CEO Hope Allen said the night was a complete success. “It was a lovely night celebrating business,” Allen said, adding that each nominee was recognized individually before awards were handed out in each category. There were four nominees for “Small Business (fewer than 50 employees) of the Year” including Cloud 9 Studios, The Laker/Lutz News, RP&G Printing and this year’s winner — owner Samantha Taylor and her Pure Health & Fitness Studios (see ad

below), who grabbed the honor that all of us at the Neighborhood News were humbled to have received last year. “Thanks to the amazing women we serve in this community, along with the talented trainers and staff we have to get them great results, all of these ladies together are what helped us win this award,” Taylor said during her acceptance speech. “I thank all of our members for letting me live out my passion of health and fitness and helping them feel and look great. I strive every day to improve your experience with your own level of health and I thank God for the opportunity to do so!” Wesley Chapel Nissan was recognized as the Chamber’s 2015 “Large Business of the Year,” beating out fellow nominees Nutrition S’mart and Standard Pacific Homes. “It was incredible (to win the award),” said Wesley Chapel Nissan general manager Mark Perryman. “We spend a lot of time trying to help out in

(L.-r.): WCCC CEO Hope Allen, 2015 Co-Business Leader of the Year John Williams of Wesley Chapel Toyota (with 2014’s Large Business Award winner Ron Parks of Parks Auto Group), Volunteer of the Year Troy Stevenson of Wesley Chapel Nissan & WCCC awards banquet emcee Ernest Hooper of the Tampa Bay Times with inaugural Spirit Award winner Kenny Freeman. All photos on this page provided by OurTownFla.com.

the community. It’s not why we do it, but it’s great to be recognized.” Wesley Chapel Nissan recently donated $10,000 to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Association, and also regularly sponsors local high school sports teams and even employs students in Wesley Chapel High School’s automotive program to give them real-life automotive service experience while they’re still in high school. Troy Stevenson, the head of public relations for Wesley Chapel Nissan, was recognized as the Chamber’s “Volunteer of the Year,” which, he says caught him off guard. “It was a shock,” Stevenson said. “It was the first time I’ve been speechless. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I’m just surprised I was nominated.” “Business Leader of the Year” went

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to John & David Williams of Wesley Chapel Toyota. The Porter family (which owns and is developing Wiregrass Ranch) and Perryman also were finalists for the honor. Allen said that the event also provided an opportunity to introduce a new award named in memory of the late Cindy Freeman (see page 3) called the “Spirit of Business Award,” which will be presented to members of the community who display the spirit of business the same way that Cindy did, by being friendly, gracious and selfless to all. The inaugural award was presented to Freeman’s husband, Kenny. Congratulations to all of this year’s “Excellence in Business” winners! For more information, please visit WesleyChapelChamber.com or call the Chamber office at 994-8534.

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WCCC Remembers Cindy & Celebrates Another Great Year Of Growth By Matt Wiley

It’s been quite a year for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC). From broadening its borders to welcoming hundreds of new businesses, the Chamber continues to grow and its exiting chairman of the Board of Directors gave members a rundown of its busy year — as well as honored the memory of the WCCC’s late membership director Cindy Freeman (see pg. 3) — during the organization’s Sept. 1 annual breakfast at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. During the breakfast meeting in the college’s conference center, about 100 Chamber members listened as the outgoing Board chair — chiropractor Dr. Micah Richeson of Cypress Creek Chiropractic Care — reflected on the past year, but not before a moment of silence to remember Cindy Freeman, who tragically passed away on August 29 after a short battle with esophageal cancer. “This community is like a family and this Chamber is like a family,” Dr. Richeson said. “Let’s take a moment and remember one of our family, Cindy Freeman.” Board treasurer and local attorney Mercedes Hale outlined some changes to the Chamber’s by-laws and structure to ensure continued growth and continuity among other chambers of commerce — including changing current WCCC executive director Hope Allen’s title to president and CEO of the WCCC. “We’re positioning ourselves to really get to a higher level as a Chamber,” Hale said, before handing the microphone back to Dr. Richeson. “We met a lot of goals in 2015,” Richeson said. “We did fantastic. We’re excited as a Board and you should be excited as a Chamber.” Richeson then called Valerie Rudman, of Everlasting Beauty, up to the podium to be recognized as the Chamber’s 2015 “Ambassador of the Year.” Rudman also should receive a Neighborhood News award for appearing in the most ribbon-cutting photos in these pages (wink!). Board secretary Jennifer Cofini, of Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel, was honored as the 2015 Chamber “Board Member of the Year.” “I wasn’t expecting this,” a stunned

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Cofini said as she approached the podium. “I was writing it (the name of the award) down when they announced my name.” Rob Kellogg also was recognized as an exiting Board member, but he wasn’t able to attend the meeting. “2015 brought (Above) Pasco County supervisor of elections Brian Corley swears in the 2016 Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, on Sept. 1, at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. us an opportunity to (Below, left) Outgoing WCCC chair Dr. Micah Richeson takes a moment to remember Cindy Freeman. establish ourselves as (Below, right) WCCC Ambassador of the Year Valerie Rudmin (left) & Board Member of the Year Jennifer Cofini. leaders in the business community,” Richeson told the crowd. “It was a year of growth.” One of the big things the Chamber did, he explained, was merge with the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce. “That makes us a two-county, regional chamber,” Richeson said. “It gains us respect at both the state and the local level. (The merger) also led to the signing of a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce to establish a closer working relationship.” Richeson added that the Chamber welcomed 270 new business members in the past fiscal year and conducted many grand openings and ribbon cuttings. “Wesley Chapel’s the place to be,” he said. “All you have to do is look to your left or right…. Almost everywhere you look, there’s dirt turning.” Pasco County supervisor of elections Brian Corley introduced and swore in the new Board, which includes Lorrie McGovern of St. Leo University, Tracey Clouser of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Mercedes Hale of the Law Offices of Mercedes Hale and Zacharias J. Kalarickal, DDS (aka “Dr. Zack”), of Wesley Chapel Dentistry. “There are no recounts or hanging chads, you just have to say ‘I will,’” Corley said as he swore in the new Board. For more information about the WCCC, call 994-8534, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com or see the stories on pages 1, 3, 10 and 38 of this issue.

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‘Loop Road’

Continued from page 1

idea. “(Developers are) putting in a project that’s going to draw millions of people to S.R. 56 and I-75, which is great for every business in this room,” Perryman explained. “But, if you’re coming north on I-75 and exit to get to the (Tampa Premium Outlets mall), there’s a bottleneck there every day that’s four or five miles long. People aren’t going to want to come here again. That’s the problem we should be fixing, not putting in this road to put in new businesses to take away from our current businesses.” Chapman also said that another possibility being considered in the study is potentially removing the northbound BBD left turn onto westbound S.R. 54, to help ease the traffic congestion near the I-75 interchange. “If you remove that turn lane and then (the Hollybrook Plaza) Publix moves (as it’s planned to go next to Walmart on Wiregrass Ranch Blvd.), you’re pretty much turning on a vacuum and sucking the life out of the businesses that are left there on BBD (at S.R. 54),” said Wesley Chapel Sonny’s BBQ owner (and New Tampa resident) Jim Hoff. “That complex already has access issues. If you take away that left-hand turn, that complex is dead. Closing businesses is the problem that I see.” Following the presentation, Johnson staff answered individual questions about the posted alternatives emblazoned around the Atonement sanctuary. “I think this is going to affect a lot of businesses,” Williams said, while speaking with Perryman and this reporter. “It’s not just about Toyota, it’s about all the business-

es, the restaurants, the hardware store. Most of our business comes from the south in zip code 33647 (New Tampa) and we want them to be able to keep coming up BBD. We don’t want that detoured.” He mentioned the likelihood of getting together with other business owners to address the BOCC. “Every one of us will,” Perryman said. “(The auto dealerships together) generate $3.5 million in this corridor every month.” Gary and Joyce Gunter of Gunter & Gunter Insurance, which is located almost in the path of the future leg of the Loop Road north of S.R. 54 in the Westbrook Professional Park, also attended the meeting. “I think it’s a great idea to have a new road that enhances getting around the area,” Gary Gunter said. “I’m just not thrilled with the first two options because they basically result in the destruction of our office (because of the possible location of one of the retention ponds).” Saddlebrook chairman and CEO Tom Dempsey said the proposed Loop Road took a lot of people by surprise. “It’s an interesting issue that wasn’t planned Saddlebrook Resort CEO and has come up Tom Dempsey also attended in the past couple the Loop Road meeting.

Wesley Chapel Nissan GM Mark Perryman expressed concern about the Loop Road’s effect on businesses located on the existing BBD at S.R. 54.

of years,” Dempsey said after the presentation. “Historically, the BOCC listens very

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carefully to the public, especially if there are issues that affect people that aren’t in the study. You heard that tonight from business owners. These redirections will hurt their businesses. There’s enough of (the owners) and they seem to be pulling together in a group. It’s an economic issue for their businesses and it’s not in the (Loop Road) study.” Pasco project manager Christopher Wert, P.E., was in attendance to collect comments from those at the meeting. “I think tonight went well,” Wert said. “That’s what these meetings are for, to hear from the public.” Be sure to check out WCNeighborhoodNews.com for the official versions of each Loop Road alternative. Members of the public are encouraged to send their comments about the project to CWert@ PascoCountyFL.net.

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A Month After Job Fair, Some Jobs Still Open At Outlet Mall! By Gary Nager & Matt Wiley If you happened to miss the Simon Property Group’s Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) mall Job Fair on Aug. 27 (at the USF Embassy Suites hotel off E. Fowler Ave. in North Tampa), mall GM Stacey Nance says that some of the 110 stores still have some of the 800 or so jobs TPO is expected to provide available, especially for those seeking seasonal and part-time work. “Not every store has written back to us about whether or not they’re fully-staffed,” Nance explains. “So, there are still opportunities. To find out which are still hiring, you should check particular store websites.” Nance confirmed that the mall should be at more than 90-percent capacity when it opens off S.R. 56 in October In the meantime, many of the store’s job openings were filled during the Job Fair, which was attended by more than 3,000 people, even (Clockwise from top left): The packed Tampa Premium Outlets Job Fair on Aug. 27 was attended by more than 3,000 people, each looking to fill one of about 800 total though the event was jobs. The WCCC’s 2015 Ambassador of the Year Valerie Rudmin was responsible for counting the attendees as they entered. Chamber president Hope Allen (right) and held more than ten miles the outlet mall’s senior PR account rep Hayden Rome were thrilled with the attendance. The Limited & New Balance were both looking for quality people over quantity. from the mall’s location “The crowd never really got small from sharing the story of the Job Fair all day. you here looking for a job? I really like your at the southwestern edge of Wesley Chapel. I also was impressed by the quality of not look and think you’d make a great addition to Then-Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber the opening bell (at 10 a.m., when there were of Commerce (WCCC) executive director already more than 100 people on line wait- only the attendees, but of the representatives our team.” I saw managers from Ralph Lauren Hope Allen (she was named the Chamber’s ing for the event to start) until it ended at 7 of the stores themselves. Although known and even New Balance take similar approaches first-ever CEO less than a week later; see pages p.m.,” an exhausted but thrilled Allen said af- standards like Nike and the mall’s “signature” in their own searches for quality people. For more TPO job information, visit 10-11 of this issue) said she was overwhelmed ter it ended. “I know Stacey and the Simon store, Saks OFF 5th, were packed all day, I by the throngs of people who seemed to come people were excited about how it went, too,” saw a manager from The Limited walk up to the individual store’s websites or Tampa especially as several TV stations were on hand, a nicely dressed young lady and ask her, “Are PremiumOutlets.com. in waves.

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Gorgeous STANDARD PACIFIC Home! 3 Gina Marie Holm bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car Garage featuring Large Bonus room upstairs with high end Laminate Wood 813-495-5166 floors. Oversized PAVER PATIO... great for outdoor entertaining! Front Covered Porch, Hardwood floors, Open Great room with Formal Dining. Loaded with upgrades! MUST SEE all this home has to offer.... Neighborhood CALL News HOLM! 813-495-5166@NTWCNews ginamarieholm@outlook.com

September 2015

October 2015

Monday, September 28

Thursday, October 1

Experienced Networking

28 Professionals (ENP)

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

Professional Business 28 Connections (PBC) PBC meets Mondays at 7:30 a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For more information, call Chris Thurow at 546-6860. Tuesday, September 29 Business Networking

29 International (BNI)

BNI, a group of business professionals supporting each other through qualified referrals, meets Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m., at Heritage Church (1854 Oak Grove Blvd., off S.R. 54, Land O’Lakes). For more info, email Tim at Tim@ TampaHomes24-7.com.

Wednesday, September 30 Rotary Club Of 30 Wesley Chapel (Noon) The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets Wednesdays at noon at Stage Left Bar & Kitchen (24400 S.R. 54, Lutz). For more information, call 862-8989 or 391-3895.

Networking For

1 Your Success

The Networking For Your Success group meets Thursdays, 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Clubhouse (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd, off S.R. 54). All are welcome. Call 994-9944.

FA is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experiences and mutual support, are recovering from the disease of food addiction. The group meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Seventh Day Adventist Church (33420 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel). For more info, visit FoodAddicts.org.

Friday, October 2 Club Of 2 Rotary Wesley Chapel Sunrise

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

10 7th Annual WCCC Fall Festival

The “Wesley Chapel Speaks” ToastMasters Club meets on the first and third Monday of every month, 6:15 p.m., at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (26944 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). For more info, call David West at 6101650 or visit WesleyChapel Speaks. ToastMastersClubs.org.

Wednesday, October 7

Food Addicts In

1 Recovery (FA)

Monday, October 5 ‘Wesley Chapel Speaks’ ToastMasters

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber Of Commerce is hosting its seventh annual Fall Festival at The Grove shopping plaza Saturday & Sunday. For info, see story on pg. 1. Saturday, October 17

17 Lexington Oaks Women’s Club Fall Bazaar

Wesley Chapel Breakfast Club

The WC Breakfast Club brings business people together to network and have a chance to present their business to the group. The club meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more information, please call Bill at 992-3370. Friday, October 9

The Lexington Oaks Women’s Club is looking for people to sell their goods, services or yard sale items at their annual Fall Bazaar from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Lexington Oaks Community Center (26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). For applications and info call Mary at 746-1405

NAMI: Mental Health 9 Support Group

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Pasco has a new support group for adults in Pasco County living with a mental illness and in recovery. The new “Connections” group meets Saturday, October 3 the 2nd & 4th Friday each month from 2-3 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). Women-N-Charge Murder For more info, visit namipasco.com. Mystery Tea Saturday, October 10 Women-n-Charge will be holding their annual

Murder Mystery Tea at the Groves Golf & Country Club (7924 Melogold Cir.) from 2pm-4pm to raise funds for their grant program that gives two deserving businesswomen a $1,000 grant each spring. This year’s tea has a western twist. Sponsorships and tea tickets are available now at Women-n-Charge.com or by calling Anne Childers at 957-1196. One ticket is $15 and two tickets cost $25.

10 BayChapel Food Pantry BayChapel will be opening its FREE food pantry to the community at Christian Brothers Automotive (20303 Trout Creek Dr, New Tampa) from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for anyone in need. For info, call Lee at 731-4040.

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For most people, the bigger risk is heart disease. In reality, you’re far more likely to be struck by heart disease than by lightning. That’s why Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel stands ready to help with the knowledge and technology to prevent, diagnose and treat Tampa Bay’s number one killer. From education and outreach efforts to emergency medical care and advanced surgical procedures, our lifesaving expertise is your best defense against the danger of heart disease. Visit HeartExpertsPasco.com or call 813-929-5432 to find your Florida Hospital cardiologist.

THE HE A RT E X PERT S

Spectacular Luxury Homes Now For Sale In The Ridge At Wiregrass Ranch! By Celeste McLaughlin

If you drive east on S.R. 56 from Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel but have never continued past the Shops at Wiregrass mall, you have no idea what you’re missing. Just a couple of miles down the road is a gorgeous new community that soon will fill with hundreds of families enjoying the best possible Florida lifestyle in stunning new homes at The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch. The Ridge’s impressive front entrance features a waterfall and beautifully landscaped gateway to eight fully furnished and decorated model homes that fill a cul-de-sac, giving a great sense of what the community will look like as it grows. The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch is a new home community that is being developed, built and sold by Sunrise, FL-based GL Homes. “What’s different about us, and what sets us apart from other communities, is that we are both the developer and builder,” says project manager Becky Strowbridge. “That means we handle every aspect of the community from start to finish.” And, that distinction is clear from the moment you enter the community’s sales office, where a large staff works out of a nearly 4,000-sq.-ft. model home that has been converted to include The Ridge’s sales offices and design center. The staff includes six sales associates, a receptionist, two design coordinators, an administrator, a closing coordinator and two managers, plus the director of construction, director of land development and four construction managers. “We’re heavy on staff, which contributes to the quality of the experience we can provide to our buyers,” Becky says, adding that providing superior customer service is of the highest importance to each member of the team. “We do everything we can to make (the process) easy. The support system our buyers have throughout the process

gives people peace of mind. If you have a question about what’s happening on your property, we’re right here.” The eight models feature two homes from each of the community’s four home collections. The collections are based on lot size, which vary from 50-75 feet wide. In addition to the models, twelve inventory homes are planned and in various stages of construction, and all of them should be move-in ready by the spring of 2016. This gives buyers a quicker turnaround to move into a new home, and offers potential buyers additional opportunities to walk through floor plans. Once complete, The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch will include 562 homes, although at this time, only 219 Phase 1 lots are available for sale. The second phase of The Ridge will be planned once it becomes evident which lot sizes and features are most in demand in the community. “That’s the beauty of being the developer and builder,” says operations manager Joseph May. “We can make changes as we go along to meet our customer’s needs. Our future homes will be based on what our customers are asking for.” Prices of homes in The Ridge start from $275,000 to $575,000, with sizes from just under 2,000 sq. ft. to nearly 5,000 sq. ft. Most homes back up to ponds or conservation areas, and the few homes that back up to another home feature deeper lots and green space in between.

About GL Homes

GL Homes is a privately owned company that has been in business for 40 years. The builder/developer started in Palm Beach and Broward counties and has grown to include communities throughout Florida. “We’re the second largest private builder in Florida,” Joseph says, “and despite only operating in one state, we have been ranked the 26th largest builder in the entire United States. So, our presence in the areas where we build is major.”

GL Homes’ The Ridge At Wiregrass Ranch’s extravagant fountain and entrance feature greet future residents on S.R. 56, about two miles east of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

Currently, the only other GL Homes community in the Tampa Bay area is Valencia Lakes, which is for adults ages 55 and older and located in the Sun City Center area of southern Hillsborough County. Both Joseph and Becky worked for that community before moving to The Ridge. Becky and her husband John Strowbridge were both hired by GL Homes after they each earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in building construction from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1997. John is the community’s director of land development. The couple has lived in nearby Tampa Palms since they moved to the Tampa area to work at Valencia Lakes. “I’ve enjoyed opening The Ridge because it feels like my neighborhood,” Becky says. “I work with Realtors I know, I’m familiar with the businesses here and it’s my community.” Joseph has worked at GL Homes for the past four years, joining The Ridge just a few months ago. “This is the best company I’ve ever worked for,” he says. “I enjoy my work, and enjoy what I do all day. It feels like a family.”

Amenities & Schools

The community’s amenities make for resort-style living at its very best

FREE Initial Exam for all new clients. Multi-Pet Discount Available.

When it is fully built, The Ridge will include a 12,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse, complete with a fitness room residents can access 24 hours a day, an indoor court for basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports, tennis courts and even a social director to plan events. The resort-style pool has a beach entry, a water slide, a splash pad for the kids and a separate lap pool. The clubhouse will be completed about a year after the community’s first residents begin to close on their homes. With those first houses now under construction, move-ins are expected to begin in the spring of 2016. The clubhouse and related amenities should be available to residents by 2017. For families, The Ridge has easy access to excellent local schools. The community’s rear entrance, which is not yet open (and will be gated for residents only), is across the street from Dr. John Long Middle School. (you can see GL Homes’ construction trailer at that location on Mansfield Blvd. now). Wiregrass Ranch High School also is nearby and a new, yet-to-be-named elementary school — expected to open for the 2016-17 school year — is now under construction next to Long. This easy access to schools is one reason Darrell and Porsche Alderman are currently building a home in The

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The Carlyle is one of GL Homes’ new options in The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch, spanning 4,221-sq. ft. and features a three-bedroom floor plan, with prices beginning at $459,900.

Ridge. “The location is optimal,” Darrell says. “It’s close to A-rated schools, near the (Wiregrass) mall for shopping and has easy access to major highways.” Darrell and Porsche currently live in Seven Oaks and have been searching for a home their family can grow into as their kids, now 8 and 6, become teenagers. They recently chose their home’s finishing touches and upgrades, so construction will begin right away. “Going through this process was easy,” Darrell says. “It was straightforward and not as stressful as I thought it would be.” He also says that many options he and his wife were given as “standard”

were considered upgrades in other new home communities, such as their new home’s tile roof, pavers in the driveway and patio and the oversized-tile floors. And, while parents will appreciate the close access to the schools, Becky says there’s something for everyone at The Ridge, including those needing space for extended families, empty nesters and retirees. Steven Kessel currently lives in a condo in Delray Beach, FL. He became a full-time resident of Florida about seven years ago, when he retired as a Lieutenant fireman in a Boston suburb. Kessel says he’s been waiting for the right time and looking for the right op-

GL Homes will one day feature 562 luxury homes in The Ridge At Wiregrass Ranch community like the beautiful ‘Sebastian’ model shown above.

portunity to move into a home. He had looked at several GL Homes communities throughout the state and decided to purchase in Wesley Chapel. Kessel says the timing (he’s recently sold both his home in the Boston area, and the Delray Beach condo he inherited from his father), the location and the price of the homes at The Ridge are what drew him to the community. “It’s suburban and away from some of the hustle and bustle, but very close to many places I’m interested in, such as Tampa, Orlando and Ft. Myers.” When he first visited, Kessel says he was impressed. “The entry is just spectacular,” he says. “It caught my atten-

tion, and I just thought, ‘Wow!’” He also says he appreciates the way the community will be configured. “There’s a lot of conservation area, and quiet nooks and crannies.” He adds, “I run into people all the time who say they live in a GL Homes community, and they have nothing but good things to say. I’ve been told several times that if I buy from GL Homes, I’ll be happy.” The sales center at GL Homes’ The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch is open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information about The Ridge, visit GLHomes.com or call (855) 671-1700.

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Oasis Nails & Spa Offers Wesley Chapel Residents Ultimate Relaxation By Anu Panchal

From hosting birthday parties and pre-wedding celebrations to enjoying a quiet morning alone, let Oasis Nail Salon & Spa be your host, as the spa specializes in expert treatments in a luxurious and relaxing environment not far from home. A Wesley Chapel staple for nine years, Oasis is located on S.R. 56 near Sam’s Club, in the same plaza as Wolf’s Den restaurant (between Planet Beach and Little Feet). Present owners Huey Ithai and Linh Trang, who previously owned other nail salons in Florida, bought the business from the former owners about four years ago. Although the business has remained constant for faithful, long-time customers, it continues to change and evolve with

the trends, says six-year employee Thanh Truong, known to clients as “T.” The salon was most recently remodeled a year ago, and the revamped interior features lavender grey walls, crown molding, a soothing water feature and chic lightning, more sinks, a renovated bathroom and more capacious shelving to hold an even larger selection of gel polishes. In the treatment areas, nine pedicure chairs, nine manicure stations and two waxing rooms offer customers a place to relax and unwind. There’s even a pink pedicure chair (photo on next page) for children, with a teddy bear head and arms, to make a mommy-daughter pedicure even more fun for the smallest of customers. Adult guests are offered water or a glass of wine, and Truong says regulars compli-

ment him on music at the spa. Oasis offers a full menu of nail services, from standard manicures and pedicures to many add-ons, such as therapeutic dips, hot stone therapy, acrylic nails, gel polish over acrylic, solar (a type of acrylic), UV and Pink and White gel, as well as colored glitter acrylic. There also are many gel lacquers and eight varieties of fill-ins available. T says that many clients simply come in for nail maintenance, which includes polish change, polish change French or soaking off gel polish. Children’s packages also are available. Oasis Spa Pedicures start Co-owner Huey Ithai invites you to enjoy a relaxing spa at $33 and offer a lavender and treatment at Oasis Nails & Spa, located on S.R. 56. citrus sugar scrub that exfoliates which uses hydrating and exfoliating the skin, followed by a moisturagents such as argan oil, a sugar scrub, izing massage and hot towel wrap. Dead Sea salts, moisture mask and a masFor $43, customers can upgrade to a sage cream. deluxe spa pedicure and escape the munAlso popular is the Island Tropical dane with a plethora of luxurious options. Pedicure, which combines mango and mandarin for an anti-aging treatment. Deluxe Spa Services Honey citrus and fresh cucumbers are For those looking for more than a regular spa treatment, Oasis offers a luxuri- other ingredients that the spa pedicures feature. All customers who opt for these ous line of deluxe spa pedicures using treatments also receive a hot stone massage the SPA Organic line of products, which and glass of wine. An optional $10 paraffin feature all organic ingredients, including wax leaves feet and hands baby soft. Other the popular Moroccan Argan oil. The most popular deluxe spa pedicure “delicious” spa choices include the fresh cucumber pedicure, honey citrus pedicure is the lemongrass and green tea pedicure,

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(which includes the use of marine algae and citrus butter cream) and the ever-popular island tropical pedicure, which incorporates mango and mandarin orange, as well as a sea salt soak and sugar scrub for your feet. Paraffin wax dips can be added to any of the treatments for an additional $10. The deluxe spa treatments also let customers indulge with a hot stone foot massage and a complimentary glass of wine. Truong says that the treatments are so luxurious that men also are frequent customers at Oasis. “They try it one time, and they’re hooked,” he says. Clients also book birthday parties and wedding packages, and once they start coming, they stay, Truong explains. In addition to the nail services, the salon also offers a full range of waxing services in two private rooms. Clients come from all around the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, as well as from as far away as Brandon and even Lakeland, says Truong. “They move, but they always come back because of our service,” he says, adding that many have continued to visit the salon through pregnancies and other life

changes, and continue to visit, with baby pictures in hand. Ithai says that it is not just the service and products of which he is proud, but the salon’s reputation for cleanliness and sanitation. He says Oasis was one of the first local spas to use disposable liners in the pedicure tubs, and he is proud to show his sanitation area, where instruments are meticulously cleaned and stored between customers. Now that there is a spike in visits (the kids are back in school and local moms have more time to pay attention to themselves), the salon is offering 10-percent off all nail services. If the prices and wide range of treatments don’t already have you calling to book an appointment, or at least considering stopping in, here’s what others have said on the salon’s Facebook page. Sierra Romero writes, “The decor is beautiful and the staff is wonderful! I don’t often get my nails done but I may do so more now that I have found Oasis Nails!” Jona Castillo also raves on Facebook, “Absolutely the best nail salon! I’ve been going here for a few years and would not go anywhere else! Service is outstanding!” For more information, call 9946390, search “Oasis Nails & Spa” on Facebook.com or see the ad on page 12 of this issue. The salon is located at 27607 S.R. 56 and is open MondayFriday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

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Bobcats No Strangers To New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhoods By Matt Wiley

With all of the conservation areas and wetlands in and around the communities of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, you never know what kind of wild animals you might see roaming your neighborhood. Lately, one bobcat sighting has gotten people talking and drawn attention to the felines that often make homes in our area. A photo posted to the “Wesley Chapel Community” page on Facebook on August 24 drew the attention of several local news outlets, including ABC Action News. As it turns out, bobcats aren’t that uncommon, and several more photos of local bobcats from New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Land O’Lakes were posted in the comments of the story that ABC posted to its own Facebook page. Arbor Greene (in New Tampa) resident Steve Corcoran posted a photo of a bobcat that he took in his own yard, while Meadow Pointe resident Kerri Martin posted a photo of a bobcat in the Aberdeen Lakes community of Wesley Chapel. “Bobcats are very common,” says Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) spokesperson Gary Morse. “With the high waters lately, they’ll be seen more often. It’s moving them around. It’s not surprising to see more wildlife.” Tampa-based conservation group Big Cat Rescue reports that the bobcat is a medium-sized cat with a ruff of fur around the sides of the face and that the cats weigh between 13-30 pounds, stand 21 inches high and are 30-50 inches in length. According to Washington D.C-based Defenders of Wildlife, there were 750,000–1.2 million bobcats in the U.S. as of 2009. The FWC website says that bobcats are

frequently found in areas just like ours. “Widely distributed throughout most of North America, this cat has adapted well to neighborhoods throughout Florida,” the FWC website explains. “The bobcat is equally at home in deep forests, swamps and hammock land.” The FWC site says that, in rural areas, bobcats can Bobcats are spotted pretty frequently in the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel area. Cassie Noelle Hollingsworth spotted one in Wesrange five or six ley Chapel (above left), while Kerri Martin also spotted one in the Aberdeen Lakes community (above right) and Steve Corcoran snapped a pic of one in the Arbor Greene community of New Tampa (below). All photos from Facebook.com. square miles, while their territory usumans are considered exally is only about 1-2 square miles in sub- tremely rare and the cats are urban areas. In addition, although they usu- not considered a threat. ally hunt at night, the site says that seeing a Morse says that, in the bobcat out during the day isn’t a rare occur- history of the state of Florrence, as they typically only sleep for a few ida, there have been only seven documented cases of hours at a time. Morse says that their appearance and bobcat attacks on humans, habitat also varies depending upon the and all were rabid. But, that availability of food. The FWC site says that doesn’t mean that bobcats bobcats generally prey on small mammals, will always stay away. Morse like squirrels, rabbits, rats, opossums and says that if more people beraccoons. Sometimes, they may attack a fe- gin feeding bobcats, they ral cat, FWC explains, especially if there are can begin to associate peomany in the area. For this reason, it’s im- ple with food and become portant to always keep an eye on small pets more “social,” which could if they are allowed outside without a leash. result in a bite. For that rea“By feeding on these animals, the bob- son, it’s important to never cat provides a necessary control on their try to feed wild bobcats. For more information populations,” the FWC website explains. Bobcats also feed on small birds. They have about bobcats, please visit a natural fear of humans, so attacks on hu- MyFWC.com.

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BEFORE

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SPOTLIGHT ON.......

Pure Health & Fitness!

It almost sounds too simple that the key to getting healthy and maintaining a lower weight is to learn how to eat healthy and make it part of your lifestyle. That is Samantha Taylor’s specialty and she owns two locations of her Pure Health & Fitness Studios, the recent recipient of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year” award (see pg. 10). One Pure Health studio is conveniently located in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel, off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., across from Florida Hospital. Samantha has invested the last 23 years of her life in not only getting herself healthy and fit but also training more than 4,000 women in this community. Samantha says that she herself struggled with unhealthy eating habits ever since childhood and even into her adult life and career. “I used to want nothing but junk food, including fast food and sugar,” Samantha says. “I was trapped in a cycle of horrible eating habits, loathing myself for it, then doing it all over again.” She says that even when she was a topproducing personal trainer (out of more than 2,000) in a corporate gym, she was at the height of her food issues. “When I left the corporate gym, I wanted to have a private studio for women, so they would feel comfortable, with no one judging them,” Samantha says. “We work with many women who are in their 50s and 60s who don’t want to be a in a traditional gym, yet they are amazed at how strong they get by working out with weights. In our 30s, we start to lose about a pound of muscle every year and if we don’t do something to stop it, then our muscles turn into marshmallows!”

Sandy, 68, says, “I tried every diet out there, but nothing worked until I came (to Pure Heath) because Samantha taught me how to eat. By making some small improvements, I lost 61 lbs. and I am lighter than I was in my 30s! The best part is I feel almost as good as I did then too!” Samantha says that one thing that sets Pure Health & Fitness Studios apart from other gyms is the focus on really showing clients how to eat, what to order when eating out and quick food ideas. Samantha even provides recipes for healthy desserts at PureHeathStudios.com/GetRecipes. She also says she believes that part of being successful with your health is learning how to make it work in your own busy life, not having different meals for the family member who is trying to lose weight than the others who are not. The focus of Samantha’s program is ultimate health and how to prevent the four main diseases in the U.S.: heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Pure Health is hosting two free seminars at 5:30 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, September 18-19, entitled, “How to Lose 9 to 21 Pounds in 6 Weeks.” For more information, visit PureHealthStudios.com or see the ad on pg. 10. And, Samantha’s annual “6 Week Body Transformation Challenge” starts Sept. 28th! For more info, visit 6WeekBTC.com.

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Win $50, $100 Or Even $200 In Free Dining In Our 2015 Survey & Contest! Our annual Reader Survey & Dining Contest is always one of our most popular features every year, with last year’s contest bringing in hundreds of entries, and the 2015 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Reader Dining Survey & Contest is another opportunity for you to help yourself to one of three outstanding FREE dining prizes, as well as help our local restaurants find out where our readers enjoy dining out in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Just for filling out the entry form on these two pages (47 & 48) and sending it by mail, fax or email (you also can enter at NTNeighborhoodNews.com), you can win $50, $100 or even $200 in absolutely FREE dining at the restaurant of your choice, whether it’s located in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel or not! This year’s contest features a reduced number of 16 categories on these two pages. To be eligible to win our Grand Prize (or either of the other two big dining prizes), you MUST vote for FIVE (5) restaurants in BOTH of the two categories on this page, and at least ONE (1) restaurant in AT LEAST HALF OF THE 14 CATEGORIES ON THE NEXT PAGE! The restaurants in our two distribution areas really do appreciate your votes, so we hope you’ll take advantage of this great opportunity to win FREE dining. On these pages, we have provided the names of all of the independently-owned and small (fewer than 20 locations) chain restaurants in each category. And yes, you can still write-in the names of the larger chain restaurants in any category, but we only provide the names of the “Mom-and-Pops” because they don’t have the benefit of being able to afford regional and national TV, national magazine and local radio ads that the large chains have running all year-round. Please, only one entry per person will be accepted, although the contest will run until after our October New Tampa & Wesley Chapel issues hit mailboxes. The final entry deadline is Monday, November 2, 2015. And, as always, no purchase of any kind is necessary to win any of our prizes. — GN

Your FIVE Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa (NT) Your FIVE Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel (WC)

(Number your 5 favorites #1-#5; You also may write-in your favorites not listed here in the spaces provided) (Number your 5 favorites #1-#5; You also may write-in your favorites not listed here in the spaces provided)

__Acropolis Greek (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Biagio’s II Pizza & Pasta (CC Blvd.) __Big Papa’s Pit (E. Bearss Ave., off BBD) __Burger 21 (Trout Creek off BBD) __Café Olé (Cross Creek Blvd.) __Cappy’s Pizza (City Plaza, Tampa Palms) __Casa Ramos (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __China City (City Plaza, TP) __China Wok (County Line Rd. off BBD) __Ciccio’s Cali (The Pointe @ Tampa Palms) __Cross Creek Deli (inside Shell station) __Dine Or Dash (in New Tampa Center) __Full Circle Pizza (Pebble Creek Coll.) __Fushia Asian (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Hawkeye NYS Pizza (CC Blvd.@BP Gas) __Ho King (BBD/Highwoods) __Hoosiers Grille (in Heritage Isles CC) __Hunter’s Green Country Club __Kobé Japanese (Pebble Creek Collection) __Koizi Hibachi Grill (The Pointe @ TP) __Lanna Thai (Cross Creek Center) __Las Palmas Café (BBD/PC Coll.) __Liang’s Bistro (North Palms Vlg./BBD) __Little Greek (New Tampa Center) __Mr. Dunderbak’s (Oak Ramble Plaza) __Mulligan’s Irish (@ Pebble Creek CC) __New China King (CC Blvd. @ MB Rd.) __Oakley’s Grille (North Palms Village)

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__Peabody’s Billiards (Shoppes of Amberly) __Amici Pizza (Grand Oaks Plaza, SR 54) __Petra Mediterranean (Highwoods Psrv.) __Asian Buffet (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Bagelicious & More (Freedom Plaza/54) __Pita’s Republic (County Line Rd.) __PJ Dolan’s Irish (E. Bearss Ave. off BBD) __Best NY Pizza (Pinebrook Plaza/SR 54) __Saffron Indian Cuisine (Cross Creek Ctr) __Bonsai Sushi (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Seasons Fresh Café (E. Bearss Ave./BBD) __Bosco’s Italian To Go (Freedom Plaza/54) __Burger Monger (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Soho Sushi (E. Bearss Ave./BBD) __Chick & Peas Grill (Freedom Plz/54) __Stonewood Grill (The Pointe @ TP) __China Taste (BBD/Shoppes at New Tampa) __Sushi Café (Highwoods Preserve) __China Wok (Village Market/BBD@54) __Sushi Ko (New Tampa Center) __City Grill (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Sushi Raw (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Ciao! Italian Bistro (Wiregrass Mall) __Sukhothai (Across from Muvico) __CineBistro (The Grove/Off Oakley/54) __Tabla Indian Cuisine (BBD/Live Oak) __Dempsey’s Steak House (Saddlebrook) __Takara Sushi & Sake (Oak Ramble Plaza) __Dempsey’s Too Lounge (Saddlebrook) __Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club __Dolce Gelato & Crepes (Cty. Line Rd./MP) __Taste of NY Pizza (Highwoods Preserve) __Don Pan Int’l Bakery (Shoppes @ NT ) __Thai Ruby (Shoppes of Amberly/TP) __Fine Thai Express (Pinebrook Plz/54) __Toast Wine & Café (Oak Ramble Plaza) __Gonna China (Hollybrook Plz, BBD@54) __Top Thai (BBD/Live Oak) __GrillSmith (Wiregrass Mall) __Vallarta’s (City Plaza, Tampa Palms) __Hibachi Express (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Woodfired Pizza (E. Bearss Ave. off BBD) __Ho Wok (BBD next to Target) __Zaytoun Mediterranean (CC Blvd @ MB) __Hot Wok 88 (Town Centre/SR 54) __Hungry Greek (across BBD from FHWC) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Kwan Ming Bistro (SR 56) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __La Prima Pizza (BBD, next to Target) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Latin Twist Café (across BBD from FHWC) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Lexington Oaks Golf Club (off SR 54) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Meadow Pte Café & Deli (C.L. Rd./MP)

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__900º Woodfired Pizza (Wiregrass Mall) __NY NY Pizza (BBD in Seven Oaks) __OTB Café (Across BBD from FHWC) __PDQ (SR 56) __Pinchers Crab Shack (Wiregrass Mall) __PizzaMania (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Poolside Café (Saddlebrook Resort) __PrimeBar (Wiregrass Mall) __Quail Hollow Country Club __Shang Hai Chinese (Eiland Blvd./off 54) __Stage Left Kitchen & Bar (SR 54/Lutz) __TD’s Sports Bar (Saddlebrook Resort) __365 Caffé Italiano (Wiregrass Mall) __Tokyo Grill/Sushi (Eiland Blvd./off 54) __Vallarta’s (Village Mkt, BBD@54) __Woody’s Pizza/Wings (Village Mkt) __Wolf’s Den (SR 56) __Yamato Japanese Stkhs (Wiregrass Mall) __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ Please only put each numeral (#s 1-5) on each of the two lists on this page only once each, including any write-ins. We apologize for any inconvenience to independent restaurants in NT & WC somehow not listed here.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Your Favorite Chinese Restaurant In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (NT & WC; Pick or write-in one)

__Asian Buffet (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __China City (City Plaza, TP) __China Taste (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __China Wok (County Line Rd., off BBD) __China Wok (Village Mkt/BBD@54, WC) __Fushia Asian Bistro (Shps of Amberly, TP) __Gonna China (Hollybrook Plz, BBD@54) __Ho King (BBD/Highwoods)

__Ho Wok (BBD next to Target) __Hot Wok 88 (Town Centre of WC) __Kwan Ming Bistro (S.R. 56) __Liang’s Bistro (North Palms/BBD) __New China King (CC Blvd. @ MB Rd.) __Shang Hai Chinese (Eiland Blvd./Publix) __Sushi Ko (BBD/New Tampa Center) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant In NT & WC (Pick or write-in one)

__Asian Buffet (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __Bonsai Sushi (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __Hibachi Express (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Kobé Japanese Steakhouse (BBD/PC) __Koizi Hibachi Grill (Tampa Palms) __Soho Sushi (E. Bearss Ave.) __Sushi Café (BBD/Highwoods)

__Sushi Ko (BBD/New Tampa Center) __Sushi Raw (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Sukhothai (Across from Muvico) __Takara Sushi & Sake (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Tokyo Grill/Sushi (Eiland Blvd./Publix) __Yamato Japanese Stkhs (Wiregrass Mall) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Thai/Indian Restaurant In NT & WC (Pick or write-in one)

__Fine Thai Express (S.R. 54, WC) __Lanna Thai (CC Blvd.) __Saffron Indian Cuisine (CC Blvd.) __Sukhothai (Across from Muvico) __Tabla Indian Cuisine (BBD/Live Oak)

__Thai Ruby (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Top Thai (BBD/Live Oak) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Pizza Place In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (Pick or write-in one)

__Amici Pizza (Grand Oaks Plaza, SR 54) __Best NY Pizza (Pinebrook Plaza/S.R. 54) __Biagio’s II Pizza & Pasta (CC Blvd.) __Bosco’s Italian To Go (Freedom Plaza/54) __Cappy’s Pizza (City Plaza, TP) __Ciccio’s Cali (The Pointe @ Tampa Palms) __Full Circle Pizza (Pebble Creek) __Hawkeye NYS Pizza (CC Blvd./BP)

__La Prima Pizza (BBD, next to Target) __900º Woodfired Pizza (Wiregrass Mall) __NY NY Pizza (BBD in Seven Oaks) __Peabody’s Billiards & Games (Amberly) __Taste of New York Pizza (Highwoods) __Woodfired Pizza (E. Bearss Ave.) __Woody’s Pizza/Wings (WC Village Mkt) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Hamburger In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (Pick or write-in one)

__Burger Monger(BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Burger 21 (Trout Creek/BBD) __City Grill (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Dempsey’s Too Lounge (Saddlebrook) __GrillSmith (Wiregrass Mall) __Hoosiers Grille (@ Heritage Isles CC) __Hunter’s Green Country Club __Lexington Oaks Golf Club __Mulligan’s Irish Pub (Pebble Creek CC)

__Oakley’s Grille (BBD/North Palms Vlg.) __OTB Café (Across BBD from FHWC) __Peabody’s Billiards & Games (Amberly) __PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub (E. Bearss Ave.) __Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club __Poolside Café (Saddlebrook) __TD’s Sports Bar (Saddlebrook) __Wolf’s Den (S.R. 56)

__Write-In (must name)___________________________________________________________

Your Favorite Latin/Mexican Restaurant In NT & WC (Pick or write-in one)

__Café Olé (Cross Creek Blvd.) __Casa Ramos (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Dine or Dash (BBD/New Tampa Ctr) __Don Pan Int’l Bakery (Shoppes @ NT ) __Las Palmas Café (BBD/Pebble Creek)

__Latin Twist Café(across BBD from FHWC) __100 Montaditos (Wiregrass Mall) __Vallarta’s (City Plaza at Tampa Palms) __Vallarta’s (Village Mkt, BBD@54) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant In NT & WC

(Pick or write-in one) __Petra Mediterranean (Highwoods Prsv.) __Acropolis (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Chick & Peas Grill (Freedom Plaza/54) __Pita’s Republic (County Line Rd.) __Hungry Greek (across BBD from FHWC) __Zaytoun Mediterranean (CC Blvd.) __Kabob House (BBD/Live Oak) __Little Greek (BBD/New Tampa Center) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Bar, Tavern or Pub In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (Pick or write-in one)

__Acropolis (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Heritage Isles CC Rest. (off CC Blvd.) __Ciccio’s Cali (The Pointe @ Tampa Palms) __CineBistro (The Grove/54 off Oakley) __City Grill (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Dempsey’s Steak House (Saddlebrook) __Dempsey’s Too Lounge (Saddlebrook) __GrillSmith (Wiregrass Mall) __Halftime Sports Lounge (NT Center) __Hunter’s Green Country Club __Lexington Oaks Golf Club __Linkster’s Tap Room (Highwoods) __Mulligan’s Irish Pub (Pebble Creek CC)

__Peabody’s Billiards & Games (Amberly) __PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub (E. Bearss Ave.) __Poolside Café (Saddlebrook) __PrimeBar (Wiregrass Mall) __Quail Hollow Country Club __Skinny’s Sports Bar __Stage Left (SR 54, Lutz) __Stonewood Grill & Tavern (Tampa Palms) __Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club __TD’s Sports Bar (Saddlebrook) __Toast Wine & Café (BBD/Oak Ramble) __The Brass Tap (Wiregrass Mall) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Other Favorites

(Write-in one in each category below) Your Favorite Pasta In NT & WC Your Favorite Lunch In NT & WC _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Your Favorite Chain Restaurant In Your Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Dessert Place In NT & WC New Tampa & Wesley Chapel _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Restaurant w/The Best Service In NT/ WC Your Favorite Bakery In NT & WC _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Your Name _______________________________________________________________________ Your Community (Tampa Palms, Meadow Pointe, etc.) _____________________________ Your Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________ Your Daytime Phone #____________________________________________________________ Your Valid Email Address _______________________________________________________ Please submit BOTH pages by mail, email or at NTNeighborhoodNews.com by Monday, November 2!

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)

1928 Highland Oaks Blvd., Lutz, FL 33559

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SPOTLIGHT ON...Sea Of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry! For those who are already fans of Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Wesley Chapel — or those who would love to sign up but are dismayed by the (sometimes) six-week wait for an appointment — there’s good news ahead. The practice is planning to double in size, says owner and pediatric dentist, Lisa LaPresti, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Sea of Smiles is located between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56 (about a mile north of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, off Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.). With a staff of four, Dr. LaPresti handles a full schedule of patients, starting with children as young as newborns all the way to college age. Dr. LaPresti graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology. She then earned her D.M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh, PA, in 2003. Following graduation, she pursued her pediatric dental residency training in Cleveland, OH, where she spent two years training at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in 2004, which is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University (also located in Cleveland).

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“I like working with kids of almost every age,” Dr. LaPresti (at right in photo below) says. “It’s my personality, I guess. I’m a lighthearted person. I like to goof around with the kids and talk to them at their level.” Dr. LaPresti takes her patients’ comfort and relaxation very seriously, and offers not only a television at each chair but three levels of sedation to minimize any pain or stress. She adds that even her X-ray machines are state of the art, emitting a greatly reduced amount of radiation over traditional X-rays. “Very young children, pre-teens and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with guiding their dental growth and development, to help them avoid future dental problems,” she says. “The pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.” Dr. LaPresti says that children who have a dental “home” are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care and at such a young age, parents can make the first visit to the dentist more enjoyable and positive. Sea of Smiles is offering a new patient special for just $99, which includes a dental exam & cleaning, bite wing (not full) X-rays and fluoride treatment. Most major dental insurance plans are accepted. Call Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. The Wesley Chapel office, located at 3737 Maryweather Ln., Ste. 101, can be reached by calling 528-8717. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For additional information, visit SeaOfSmilesChildrensDentist.com or Facebook.com/SeaOfSmilesPediatricDentistry.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

City Grill — The Sports Bar With The Authentic French Twist

By Gary Nager

“BONJOUR,

MES AMIS,” says City Grill owner Eth (he goes by Eric) Thueltrouve

to a couple of his regulars as they cozy up to the bar at the popular local Gastro Pub, located in the Village Market plaza at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at S.R. 54, right off of the S.R. 54 exit of I-75. “Comment ça va?” The nicely dressed couple, which later admitted that they never spoke a word of French before they started hanging at Eric’s restaurant and night spot, responded, “We’re good, monsieur. Thanks for asking.” In other words, you don’t have to speak a word of “la langue” in order to become a regular at City Grill, which Eric took

over a little more than a year ago. Whether you’re looking for a sports bar with great burgers, wings and sandwiches (and equally great beer/drink prices) or you’d like to sample a little of “Le Coin du Eric” (which literally means “Eric’s corner”), a section of City Grill’s new menu that offers everything from truly “autentique” escargots (yes, those are snails pictured above) with a garlicky butter sauce (similar to what you’d find in a fine French restaurant in Paris, New York or in Eric and his wife Gigi’s hometown of Lyon, France), to what Eric calls a French bar food favorite, “Croque Madame,” which is basically a grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with a sunny side up egg. Merveilleux! “Le Coin” also includes a “Croque Monsieur,” which is the same ham and cheese “sammy” without the egg; a “Burger d’Eric,” also topped with egg; “Poulet Basquaise” (chicken Basque style), cut up pieces

Photos by Matt Wiley & Gary Nager

Escargots

of chicken topped with onions and peppers; a great “Salade Nicoise” (which comes with anchovies on the side; for semi-adventurous types, I promise the salad tastes better with them than without them); and one of the best steak “au poivre” (with a crispy peppercorn crust and a zesty brown sauce with still more peppercorns; it’s not as spicy as it sounds, but it is “délicieuse”) entrées in the Tampa Bay area. And, I defy anyone to find another steak au poivre anywhere in our area for only $14.999 (the huge order of escargots and the poulet Basquaise also both cost just $14.99 each).

smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese and pickles, served with a “special” sauce. Also available as appetizers from City Grill’s Late Night Menu are crispy fried gator bites, fried pickles, chicken tenders, coconut shrimp, “city large” wings, loaded fries and a different-each-day combination of these served in a sampler platter. The gator bites are served with a sweet & spicy Thai chile-style sauce and the wings are always crispy and juicy. I can’t eat the shrimp, but graphic artist Chelsie Rosatone and assistant editor Matt Wiley agreed that they were delish. Oyster lovers can try freshly shucked Gulf oysters on the half shell served with a “Bloody Mary” sauce. I also am a big fan of the ahi tuna lettuce cups, the cobb salad and Chelsie enjoyed the southern (fried) chicken salad. The new menu also includes a variety of new flatbreads — tomato basil, “fiesta” (with blackened chicken, corn salsa, cheddar

Not Feeling French?

For those who only eat “pommes frites” if they’re called “French fries,” City Grill does have many other great menu options. Everyone’s favorite starter seems to be the Cuban cigars, which are crispy “legally rolled” wontons stuffed with mojo pork,

www.edwardjones.com

william.morales@edwardjones.com

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cheese grits, and all for just $9.99 each. I haven’t sampled the new brunch yet, but Eric says “People really zeem to enjoy it.” You also can get two Bloody Marys for just $6.99 on “Sunday Bloody (Mary) Sunday.” City Grill’s kids’ menu items are all just $5.99 for quesadillas, chicken tenders, ham/cheeseburgers, grilled cheese or mac & cheese or $6.99 for four different kids’ wrap sandwiches, all served with fries or salad and a kids’ drink.

Entertainment, Too? Mais Oui! Steak au Poivre

Asian-Style Grouper

Sampler Platter

Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread

Croque Madame

Poulet Basquaise

Salade Nicoise

jack cheese and chipotle ranch sauce) and the chicken bacon ranch flatbread our office gobbled up on our most recent visit. It was crispy, tasty and heavily topped with grilled chicken, jerk bacon, red onions, scallions, cheddar jack and a buttermilk ranch sauce. In addition to great burgers, we’ve also enjoyed City Grill’s variety of sandwiches, with our favorites being the drunken chicken (with tequila lime sauce and corn salsa), the fried chicken & Belgian waffles, Buffalo birdie and the corned beef Reuben. City Grill’s new Lunch Menu includes the tomato basil flatbread, plus a grilled cheese BLT, tuna salad on rye, fiesta chicken lettuce cups, chicken tacos, a chef wrap and hamburgers, all served with chips or salad for only $6.99 each ($7.99 if you want a cheeseburger). There’s also a “You Pick Two,” featuring your choice of the soup of Neighborhood News

Yes, like other “sports bars,” City Grill also has plenty of TVs for watching sports, as well as a pool table, but it’s also Wesley Chapel’s best-kept entertainment secret, with different options six nights a week and “Sunday Football Funday” all day on Sundays during the NFL season. Mondays are Open Mic nights, there’s Team Trivia (with bar tabs to the winning teams) on Tuesday nights, karaoke Wed. & Thur. (Thur. also is Bike Night)and live bands Fri.-Sat. Gary Carmichael of Heart & Soul Karaoke, who has the biggest selection of karaoke songs this reporter has ever seen), always makes sure he gets new singers into the rotation as quickly as possible, although he does have plenty of “regulars.” Eric was thrilled with the results of his first ongoing karaoke contest a few months ago, so now, every Wed. is a one-week contest where first prize is a $25 bar tab each week. City Grill also has hosted Latin Nights (the most recent was Sept. 12), with salsa dancing by Carlos. Stay tuned for updates on future Latin Nights and other special events, like the recent fund-raising event which raised thousands for City Grill regular

Young Michael McDonald, who will be performing at the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival (see pg. 1) next month, rocked the crowd during a recent open mic night at City Grill. Charlie Kelly. The event attracted hundreds of people and Eric and Gigi donated every dollar they made on alcohol and food sales to pay for Charlie’s needed heart surgery. For great food, great people and great entertainment, City Grill truly is the sports bar with the authentic French twist, right here in Wesley Chapel. Tell Eric, Gigi and their staff that “Le Neighborhood News m’a envoyé” (sent me)! City Grill is located at 5429 Village Market. It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more info, visit CityGrill.us or Facebook.com/CityGrillWesleyChapel, call 973-9988 or see the ad on page 31.

the day, four different (half) sandwiches and three different salads. Looking for a full dinner other than French cuisine? Try a hangar ($15.99) or flank ($13.99) steak, topped with truffled mushroom, bourbon or chimichurri sauces, Shepherd’s pie ($12.99), sautéed shrimp & bacon mac & cheese ($11.99), homemade chicken ($12.99) or shrimp & chicken ($14.99) gumbo, Baja tacos with chicken, steak, grouper or shrimp ($8-$10) or the drunken (tequila lime glaze wrapped in banana leaves) or Asian-style (miso & hoisin-glazed) tilapia ($12.99) or grouper ($15.99). On Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., City Grill also has rolled out its Sunday brunch, where you have five different choices, from the Croque-Madame to two different kinds of omelettes, all served with home fries or @NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Shopping, Retail & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! the same area (but not the same plaza) as another favorite of mine, Stage Left Bar & Kitchen, in a future issue, but in the meantime, go and try the place, call 909-2122, visit LittleItalyFamilyRestaurant.com. Or, see the ad on page 36. And please tell Jessica and Carl we sent you!

Even so, our amazing club was proud to support a great event that benefited the Pepin Academies-Pasco, a tuition-free public charter school for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students in New Port Richey. First-timers can visit our amazing Rotary Club any Wednesday as my guest or check out Facebook.com/RotaryCubofWesleyChapel or visit Wesley ChapelRotary.org for more info.

The Oakley’s Grille Rumor Mill Take A Drive To Little Italy!

Since everyone who receives this publication in their mailboxes lives in Wesley Chapel, you’re no more than 10-15 minutes (in normal traffic; even closer if you live near I-75 & S.R. 56, like I do) from Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering, a virtually unknown little gem located less than two miles west of the new Tampa Premium Outlets mall (see page 14). Well, I think that “unknown” thing is about to change because owners Jessica and Carl Meyers (and yours truly) invite you to “Taste the Romance of Little Italy” and sample “authentic, homemade Italian food like mama used to make” (if your mama was Italian and you grew up in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn, like Jessica did). And oh my, can this lady make a nice-a red sauce! Little Italy isn’t fancy at all, but it also isn’t a pizzeria, even though Jessica does make true Sicilian-style square pizza that she promises is authentic. It’s just great, casual Italian fare — and I’m already addicted to her amazing homemade meatball parmigiana “grindas” (subs with best real Italian bread in this area) and her chicken parmigiana (or those same huge meatballs) over spaghetti. Here at our office, we also can vouch for almost half of Little Italy’s menu. And, Jessica’s filled-tableside cannolis are so good, they take me back to the Sapienza Bakery in Elmont, Long Island, NY (near where I grew up in Woodmere, L.I.). Look for a full-length review of Little Italy (24436 S.R. 54, Lutz, in

My friend Keith Oakley, the owner of the Oakley’s Grille on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa, admits he’s been looking at locations in Wesley Chapel for several months but, at least at our press time, he hasn’t signed a lease on a new Wesley Chapel restaurant. Keith has looked at two prime locations — the former Café Fresco (which closed at least 2-3 months ago) spot on S.R. 56 (in the same plaza as Kona Swim Bike Run; see ad on page 12) and the space previously occupied by D’Alessio Italian Restaurant on BBD, across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, in the same plaza as Dickey’s BBQ (which has been sold to new owners; more on that in a future issue). Considering that Oakley’s has been the home of both my favorite burger and my favorite roast beef dip sandwich in either of our distribution areas since it opened (the fries are kind of awesome, too), I hope Keith makes up his mind on a second location closer to both my office and my home than his New Tampa store...soon. For more info, visit Oakley’s Grille (17631 BBD) in person or online at OakleysGrille.com, or call 523-5075).

RaceTrac To Open On S.R. 56

Right now, it’s a bunch of turned dirt at the corner of S.R. 56 and Northwood Palms Blvd. but, in a few months, it will be a busy RaceTrac gas station. Located across Northwood Palms Blvd. from the recently completed Bonterra Parc at Northwood apartment complex on 56, construction began in early August on the future 6,000-sq. ft. RaceTrac gas station, the first in Wesley

Thanks Again, Dr. June! Photo by J. David Wright

Chapel since the closing of the location on S.R. 54 (just west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd., or BBD) a few years ago. RaceTrac spokesperson Jessica Rice says that the gas station and convenience store should be open in late December or early January. She adds that the location will have 18 gas pumps in nine fuel bays, along with a store that features a frozen yogurt and coffee bar, indoor and outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi. For more information, please visit RaceTrac.com. — MW

Choking In The Clutch At The West Pasco ‘Bee’

Although I was still proud to be the “anchor” of the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary (that meets Wednesdays at noon at the aforementioned Stage Left) team that finished in the top three of more than 20 teams at the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s annual adult Spelling Bee (photo above), I can’t help but feel I let down my teammates and fellow Rotarians — Jannah McDonald, Robyn Liska and current Wesley Chapel Noon president Erin Meyer (who bailed my sorry butt out earlier by getting me to change my spelling of “harebrained” at the last second) — when I misspelled “mellifluous” on the final word, giving the West Pasco “Bee” title (again) to the New Port Richey Rotary Club.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

I am proud and honored to have now made two appearances on “Cooking Up Advice with Dr. June,” which airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m., on WTTA-TV (Channel 6 on BrightHouse Networks cable systems in New Tampa, Channel 14 on Verizon Fios systems). During my most recent appearance, which aired on Sept. 13, I got to “rap” with Dr. June and four other guests (including Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce 2015 Ambassador of the Year Valerie Rudmin; see page 11) about relationships while sampling some delicious seafood at the Zephyrhills location (at 5039 1st St.; 782-7770) of The Great Catch Seafood by Taste of Boston. Both locations of the Great Catch, which also has a restaurant at 1930 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41) in Lutz (9489800), are owned by George Illes (see photo, left, with Dr. June), who owned Taste of Boston in the Shoppes at New Tampa (across S.R. 56 from the Wiregrass Mall) until closing it a few months ago.

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The Wesley Chapel Chamber hosted ribbon-cutting events at the new Bank of America (above) at S.R. 54 & Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. on Sept. 2, at Retina Specialists of Tampa (off S.R. 56, below) on Sept 3. & at Nutrition S’Mart on BBD on Sept. 10. Visit WesleyChapelChamber.com. Although fans of Taste of Boston’s full belly clams will be happy to know that both Great Catch locales feature all of George’s authentic New England seafood specialties, as well as a pretty delicious New York strip steak (the latter of which I enjoyed on the air with Dr. June and her other guests), I know I’m not the only one who was saddened by yet another good locally owned, sit-down restaurant leaving either of our distribution areas. I also wanted to correct a mistake that appeared in our last “Nibbles & Bytes” column. My first appearance on “Cooking Up Advice With Dr. June” was business with the builders/developers in recorded at a beautiful model home in the both Avalon Park West & Watergrass, but new Avalon Park West community off S.R. that’s an ugly faux pas I shouldn’t make. 54 in Wesley Chapel, NOT in Watergrass I really enjoy rapping with Dr. June & (off Curley Rd., also in Wesley Chapel). I her always-interesting friends and hope to truly apologize for my mistake. We’ve done continue to be invited back. — GN

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL HELP WANTED

PIZZAMAKERS & LINE/PREP COOKS WANTED (exp’d. preferred) at New Tampa’s favorite authentic Chicago-style pizza place. Bring Resume during business hours to Full Circle Chicago Pizza at 19651 BBD Blvd. (in the Pebble Creek Collection). PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT) - An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. MEDICAL BILLER - Spanish-speaking Medical Biller wanted for New Tampa Medical Equipment Company. Duties: Gathers billing information by reviewing patient records; checking for completeness. Bills insurance carrier by inputting billing info to database; initiating electronic transmissions. Resolves disputed claims by gathering, verifying & providing additional information; following up on claims. Resolves discrepancies by examining and evaluating data; selecting corrective steps. Skills/Qualifications: Data Entry Skills, Microsoft Office Proficiency, Time Management, Organization, Professionalism, Customer service and Attention to Detail. Please forward your resume to: Richard.Jones@solarusmedical.com. WING ZONE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONS - Including shift leader, cooks, cashiers and delivery drivers. Wing Zone offers flexible scheduling, competitive pay wages, advancement opportunities and much more. Come join out team of flavorholics and wing lovers at Wing Zone. Applications are available at store location: 19062 Bruce B Downs. Corner of Cross Creek in the New Tampa Center. NOW HIRING STYLIST - Upscale hair salon seeks hairstylist. Please inquire within... 6431 Country Line Road, Suite 107 Tampa, FL 33647 Contact (813) 994-9455 ROUTE SALES, MEDICAL Fills customer orders by driving to customer accounts within Florida; unloading and shelving product, inventory verification, order retreival. Increase sales volume by providing customer service and suggestive selling techniques. Fills order by verifying inventory; loading vehicle. Monthly overnight travel requirement 2 nights a month. Retrieves damaged/defective products from customer locations; keeps vehicle operating by following operating instructions; scheduling maintenance and repairs. Send resumes to: richard.jones@solarusmedical.com

Classifieds

HELP WANTED

HANAQ PRANA YOGA STUDIO, located in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, is looking for RYT Yogis who want to grow and teach our community the vast beneﬁts of Yoga & Meditation. Flat fee plus percentage of attendance. Rates based upon experience, new RYTs are always welcome. Join the movement create conscious about the real Yoga LifeStyle. (813)-333-1026 DRIVER/CAR needed on call or as needed basis to drive individual to and from work and other errands. References needed, please call (813)-501-8301 or (813)-352-6560

HOME IMPROVEMENT

UPHOLSTERY- All types-Sofas, chairs, stools, pillows, select window treatments, etc. For info and pricing call Glen or Sheryl (813)-245-9719 DRY WALL SPECIALIST - Not just a ‘handyman.’ Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years of experience Wesley Chapel resident. StateCertified. Call Ron for a free estimate at 784-5999. 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, walkways, roofs, gutters and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed & insured. Call (813) 215-1177. GREG’S PAPERHANGING - For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed and insured, clean, quick and reasonable. Call 973-2767 for a free estimate. RAYMOND PAINTING - Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References avail. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call (813) 994-5124. WEST COAST FLOORING, INC.Carpet and Laminate Flooring. Quality repairs on all floors. Commercial Flooring Install. Licensed and Insured. Free Estimate, Call (813)-215-4817

POOL SERVICES

ALL-STAR POOL SERVICE & REPAIR- Expert repairs and installations of pumps, motors, ﬁlters, timers, salt and ozone generators. Pool reﬁnishing from $2400.00. Tile repair and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing, pressure washing and deck repair, paver and eurocote decks. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE MONTH Pool Service. Call or text 813-244-7077. See our display ad.

POOL SERVICES

MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer SpecialSpecial — 50% MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer off your months of service. owned &Family oper— 50%1st offtwo your 1st two monthsFamily of service. ated. 20+ of Experience. rates! ComSame owned & Years operated. 20+ YearsCompetitive of Experience. service tech each week. *Our 15-pt. weeklyweek. full service petitive rates! Same service tech each *Our will keep your pool looking great! Referyour a customer & get 15-pt. weekly full service will keep pool looking ONE MONTH Call Today (813)MONTH 489-9967.FREE! great! Refer aFREE! customer & get-ONE Call Today - (813) 489-9967. TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE – New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! Call Chris Today @ (813)857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements? Ask about our HOA SPECIAL & FREE ESTIMATE! For more info, call (813) 420-4465. AMERICAN PRIDE LAWN CARE SERVICE, LLC - Our services include weekly lawn maintenance with mulching decks on all mowers, precision edging, string trimming, hedge, shrub, palm, and tree trimming. We also offer landscaping, pruning, and sod replacement. Free estimates. Licensed and Insured. We are an Owner/Operator Company built on service and trust. References available. For more info, call (813) 458-4778. HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC: - High-Quality Professional Services: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Year-Round FullSvc LawnCare: mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming up to 24 feet; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554

PET SERVICES

CAT SITTING - Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. You can submit a service inquiry at TampaCatLady.com or call 813-994-9449. VACATION KITTY CARE - Leave those fluffy loved ones in the comfort of their own home! Bonded and Insured, 15 years in business and I am a pet first aid instructor. Call Julie Gonzalez @ 813-892-9543 or julie@justaskjulie.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

NASCAR’s Scott Lagasse, Jr., Encourages Bicycle, Pedestrian Safety At WCH By Matt Wiley

Hundreds of Wesley Chapel High (WCH) students crowd around a bright yellow Chevrolet Camaro and jump with surprise as the engine roars to life. But, this is no ordinary Camaro. It is the #15 NASCAR vehicle of Scott Lagasse, Jr. that minutes later will be squealing up a cloud of smoke for onlookers. Part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)’s “Alert Today Alive Tomorrow” (ATAT) pedestrian safety program, the 34-year-old St. Augustine, FL-native and professional race car driver was on-hand at WCH on September 15 for a presentation that covered some basic, but often overlooked rules of the road. Lagasse has been a regular racer in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series since 2005, with five top-10 finishes. His sponsors include Pinch-APenny and the Boy Scouts of America. Just a few hours after a Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) student was struck while riding a bicycle (see pg. 8), Lagasse took a seat on the stage in the WCH auditorium off Wells Rd. to talk to students about bicycle and pedestrian safety. The presentation began with school safety specialist Gary Tait going through a slideshow with students, detailing traffic safety misconceptions. According to FDOT statistics, 27 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state involve bicyclists and pedestrians. “A lot of pedestrians have this attitude that cars are looking out for them, so they don’t have to pay attention,” Tait told the crowd. “I’m going to tell you right now, there’s no one in the world looking out for your safety. It’s totally up to you.” Tait reminded students that some of the rules of the road are grossly misinterpreted and ignored, including Florida’s laws about passing bicycles with at least three feet of space, following vehicle road signs when riding a bike and right turns at red stoplights. “Can you (just) turn right on red?,” Tait asked the crowd to a roaring affirmative. “Wrong! It’s right on red after a complete stop!” He continued by walking students through how to properly traverse an intersection on foot, encouraging them to make sure they press the correct pedestrian

NASCAR’s Scott Lagasse, Jr. (above) stopped by Wesley Chapel High on Sept. 15 to talk about bicycle & pedestrian safety, before burning some rubber.

crosswalk button, observe traffic approaching from all directions and pay attention to those who may be breaking the right-onred law by rolling through a crosswalk. “The traffic you see isn’t the traffic that’s going to be there,” Tait said. “It’s always changing.” Another rule often overlooked, he said, is that pedestrians are required to walk facing traffic when there is no sidewalk or path so that they can see what’s coming towards them. Tait then introduced Lagasse, who came out and sat on the stage’s steps. “Tell me the truth, the only reason you’re really clapping is because you got out of class,” Lagasse joked, but then explained that he’d brought his race car along if anyone wanted to see it, unsure of the direction in which he had parked it. “I typically only turn left, so directions are hard for me,” he said, laughing, before getting down to some serious points about bicycle and pedestrian safety. “My hope is that you’ve taken some of Gary’s presentation with you,” Lagasse said. ”Next time you’re driving or next time a friend is driving, do me a favor and take it seriously. Think about the consequences.” Lagasse told a story about how he and his father were supposed to go cycling one afternoon, but Lagasse forgot his helmet and didn’t take part. His father went without him and ended up crashing into a ditch, resulting in numerous broken bones and a twice-collapsed lung.

“I drive 120 miles per hour, hit a wall and don’t feel anything,” Lagasse explained. “But, we ride bikes at 20 (mph) and look at what can happen.” Lagasse encouraged students to put lights on their bicycles to help alert distracted drivers, especially those who may be texting and driving. “This (light) helps people see me a mile or half-mile away,” he said. Following the presentation, Lagasse invited everyone out front to check out his impressive wheels. NASCAR lover Jacob Lehman, 17, watched as Lagasse climbed in the window of the Camaro. Lehman said he enjoyed the presentation.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

“I’ve practiced bicycle safety laws for a while now, so most of (the presentation) was stuff I already knew,” Lehman said. “But, it’s important information to hear.” Lagasse said that he really hoped that the students would take his warnings about distracted driving seriously. “Unfortunately the state of Florida is one of the worst for bicycle and pedestrian fatalities,” Lagasse said. “It’s tough to see things come out — like the young man that was hit today — but you hope something good comes out of talking to the kids here. Hopefully we’ll save lives.” For more information, please visit AlertTodayFlorida.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 20 • September 26, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

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