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November 7, 2015

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The Incredible Grand Opening Weekend For The Tampa Premium Outlets! By Gary Nager How do you sum up, in one word, how many people in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel feel about the opening of the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) on S.R. 56? I think Stacey Nance, the general manager of the sparkling new outlet mall, said it best at the festive VIP Grand Opening event on October 29: “Finally!” After years of delays due to environmental concerns, TPO — which originally was supposed to open as a series of big box stores (similar to The Grove shopping plaza off Oakley Blvd. in Wesley Chapel) before both The Grove and the Shops at Wiregrass mall —

has finally taken its opening bow. And, despite previous concerns (and a Sierra Club lawsuit) about environmental impacts on the Cypress Creek watershed (a major source of drinking water for New Tampa) and the traffic the mall would bring (see below), from what I’ve seen and heard so far, the reviews for the 441,000-sq.-ft. designer outlet mall are mostly raves. And, with the deals the mall’s 100+ stores were offering throughout the Grand Opening weekend (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) — and the quality of the merchandise and the shops themselves — it was hard to not be impressed with TPO as a whole, regardless of any nitpicky little issues some have with it, such as: 1) TPO’s Name & Address — Despite the involvement and best efforts of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce from Day One of this project, the mall’s main address, on Grand Cypress Dr.,

(Above left, l.-r.) Senior VP of development for Simon Premium Outlets Danielle DeVita, Pasco County Commission chair Ted Schrader and Simon CEO Stephen Yalof cut the ribbon as (above right) dancers on stilts entertained the crowd. (Left) Reality TV star Bethenny Frankel was an invited speaker on Sat. of opening weekend. (Far left) The Coach store seemed to have the longest outdoor lines of the mall’s 100+ stores on opening day. is in Lutz, not Wesley Chapel — and certainly not in Tampa — although (as Nance has had to explain many times) Tampa is the city most people who live outside of our area will look for when they search on-line for it. 2) The Food Court — Those of us who

have been looking for some great new restaurants are not going to find them in the mall’s five-eatery Food Court. On the other hand, the lines at Asian Chao, South Philly Cheesesteaks and Villa Italian kept the lines moving. See “TPO Opens’ on page 30.

Were Tampa Premium Outlets Traffic Concerns Unfounded? By John C. Cotey

While traffic in and around the new Tampa Premium Outlet mall (2398 Grand Cypress Dr., at the interchange of I-75 and S.R. 56) is bound to get worse as the holiday season approaches, reviews for the first day were mostly positive. But with one major caveat: So far. The S.R. 56 and I-75 intersection traffic has taken on almost mythic status among those who find the New Tampa

and Wesley Chapel areas to be frustratingly congested. Whether it’s long drive times to work, traffic signals that drivers are convinced aren’t timed properly or long enough and backed-up lines of cars getting on and off the interstate, many can’t imagine the new 441,000-squarefoot upscale mall not adding to those problems. But, Pasco Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Eddie Daniels said that may not be the case. While acknowledging the S.R.

Also Inside This Issue!

Local News, Business & Education Updates

Neighborhood Magazine

Former Wharton Football Player Receives $2-M Settlement, New Tampa Juniors Escort An Honor Flight, Dr. Nick Fights Polio On His Bicycle & Lots Of Local Business Features!

Painting + Drinking = Fun At Pinot’s Palette, Recapping The 2015 Wesley Chapel Fall Festival & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes!

Pages 3-44

Pages 45-60

56 and I-75 intersection has yielded its share of complaints in recent months, Daniels says PCSO doesn’t believe the mall will add to the traffic woes, once the opening weeks and holiday season are past. Most of the build-up on the opening days, said Daniels, was at the I-75 northbound off-ramp to S.R. 56. Some shoppers feel the trade-off is worth it for the potential of a good bargain and a gorgeous new mall to stroll around. “I think you’ll always have your morning and rush hour traffic in that area,’’ said Pebble Creek resident Linda Laboy, “but there were no problems for me today.” Thursday’s shoppers appeared more

impressed with the layout and design of the sprawling outlet mall and the selection of stores than they were discouraged by the traffic woes. See ‘Mall Traffic’ on page 14.

Thank Mike IV If You Like This Tribute To His Grandma An editorial by Gary Nager One of the things I mention quite a bit in these editorials is that because of our deadline schedule — with us always sending a new New Tampa issue to press two weeks after putting a Wesley Chapel issue to bed and vice-versa, some very timely stories either fall by the wayside or end up in print several weeks after a particular event. Well, even though my dear friends and long-time New Tampa residents Mike & Jayne Bedosky and their entire family lost Jayne’s beloved mother (and Mike Jr., Celena, Matthew and Natasha’s adored “Grammy”), Diana Grillo, on October 1, I just couldn’t let Diana’s passing at the age of 81 go any longer without trying to pay some small tribute to the sweet, sharp, funny glue that will forever hind the Bedosky family to each other. I was unable to attend the memorial service because of my last New Tampa deadline, but I did visit the family in their beautiful Tampa Palms home a few hours later and it was still filled with family, friends and neighbors. I never feel like myself when someone passes away, but there was a beautiful feeling inside the Bedosky household that I just can’t explain. When I saw Jayne, who is known around the New Tampa community not only for her “I’ll never lose it” New York accent, but also as the location and talent scout for those Shark vacuum infomercials, the first thing either of us could say for several minutes was her saying, “I lost my best friend, Gary.” And I knew it was true. I didn’t know Diana as well as I did the rest of the family, but every time I visited the Bedosky household, you could feel just how close Jayne was to her mom, how much

New Tampa Neighborhood News 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: (813) 423-6533 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents

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Advertising Sales Representative/Office Manager Mary Dorey Office/Marketing Assistant Jillian Reilly Graphic Design Georgia Carmichael • Chelsie Rosatone Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 23, Issue 25, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Friday, November 20, 2015. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

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Mike respected his mother-in-law and how much the kids loved their “Grammy.” I guess that was the feeling throughout the house for the hour or so I was able to stay and visit, reminiscing with Mike and several of his friends from the old New Tampa Soccer Association. “She lived with us for 30 years,” Mike said. “She’s a mom to me, too.” The former Salomon Brothers executive who now works as a private financial consultant reminded me of how long it had been since we had seen each other and we agreed that it shouldn’t take a tragedy for us to get together again. But of course, the people who change the most when you haven’t seen a family in a few years are the kids. “Little Mike,” Celena, Matthew and “Baby” Natasha have all somehow magically become adults overnight and it was obvious how much they appreciated all of the people who were at their home to wish them well. But, when Mike III told me that 26-year-old Mike IV wrote — and expertly delivered with his siblings at his side — the beautiful eulogy for his grandmother, I asked if he had a copy of it that I could read and possibly quote from for this write-up. What I read immediately moved me to tears (again) — just as I was moved when I heard another one of my sons’ friends, Cyler Porter, now 24, say the eulogy for his brother Cole (as I reported in our June 20 issue). In short, Mike gave me the perfect way to wrap up this piece about his Grammy: “She was the best grandma that anyone could ever ask for,” Mike said during the eulogy at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on N. 56th St. “Her compassion was unbelievable — her heart and her generosity knew no bounds. Not only did she fill you with love every time you were in her presence, she also had the unique ability to use her kitchen to fill your stomach as well. She made famous chicken soup, baked ziti and how about that special Easter pie? Our home always smelled like love when Grandma was in the kitchen....Rest easy in the hands of our Lord...he is going to love your cooking!” Yes, RIP, Lady Diana. As Mike IV said so eloquently, the Bedosky family loves and misses you more than you can imagine.

Thank You, Vets!

With Veterans Day coming up next week, I also want to thank all of our military service men and women for protecting this country we all love. No matter what your political leanings, they put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe at home. See pg. 18 of this issue for a recap of a golf tournament to (L.-R.): Matthew, Celena, Michael IV, Michael III, Jayne & Natasha Bedosky with benefit wounded vets Jayne’s beloved mother, Diana Grillo, who passed away Oct. 1 at the age of 81. and their families.

Table of Contents News Updates..............................4-21

Former Wharton Football Player Receives Settlement...4 New Tampa Juniors Serve As ‘Honor Flight” Escorts...8 USF Professor Bikes Cross-Country To End Polio....10 Former Local Resident Helps Control Coyotes.......12 Joseph Caetano Running For School Board Again.....16 Golf Tourneys Raise Money For Good Causes............25 New Tampa Community Calendar...........................20 First Dog Walk n’Roll Event Coming To USF.................21

Local Business Updates............22-39

North Tampa Pet Depot Opens In Tampa Palms.......26 Creative Permanent Makeup By Pam..........................28 The Clinicians Primary & Urgent Care.......................32 Grey Wolf Armory Expands Its Showroom..................36 GL Homes Developing The Ridge At Wiregrass.......38

Sports Updates By John Cotey...40-44

Freedom & Wharton Basketball Previews..............40-41 New Tampa Sports Briefs.............................................42-43

Neighborhood Magazine

Drinking + Painting = Fun At Pinot’s Palette!......45 Gary’s Latest Choices For Out-Of-Area Dining......48 Clean-it Will Make Your Home Sparkle!......52 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’.........54 NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS............56 ‘Martial Arts For Life’ Fights Trafficking.............58 @NTWCNews

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New Tampa Family Awarded $2-Million Settlement coma for nine days before pulling through. Also in the agreement, the county agreed to implement new guidelines, called “The McNamee Protocols,” in dealing with the proper training and instruction in how head injuries are handled, addressing the fact that McNamee was allowed to drive home and that 9-1-1 was not called. The School Board also agreed to purchase liability insurance coverage with minimum limits of $1-million, in addition to the $300,000 in insurance school districts already have to pay out. Sean is still dealing with headaches from the injury, and is currently taking classes in Tallahassee.

By John C. Cotey

The family of former Paul R. Wharton High linebacker Sean McNamee and the Hillsborough County School Board agreed on Oct. 27 to a $2-million settlement — believed to be the largest in the School District’s history — involving a 2013 accident that left him in a medically-induced coma for nine days as doctors worked to repair damage to his brain. The McNamees will receive $300,000 from the county within 30 days, the largest they can receive due to a sovereign immunity law that protects the state. The family’s attorney, Steve Yerrid, will petition the Florida Legislature for the other $1.7-million, and as part of the settlement, the School Board will support the claims bill. Both parties attended a court-ordered mediation on Sept. 14 and agreed to a settlement value of $2-million, contingent upon the School Board voting to agree with the settlement. McNamee, a 6-foot-2 junior at the time, was injured prior to a Wharton practice on Oct. 9, 2013. He was playing catch with teammates when he fell to the ground and struck his head on the corner of an unattended paint machine that had been used to line the field for that week’s game. Because practice hadn’t begun, McNamee wasn’t wearing a helmet. The injury fractured his skull, and a trainer who tended to McNamee called

Former Wharton High linebacker Sean McNamee (above) was injured in a 2013 accident on the school’s football field.

his mother Jody to come pick him up. Somehow, he was still able to slip away from school and drive himself four miles home. McNamee was taken to Florida Hospital Tampa on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., where it was discovered that his skull was fractured. Doctors had to perform emergency surgery to reduce swelling and remove blood from his brain. The operation was so harrowing that doctors called in his family and told them to say their goodbyes because they were unsure he would survive. He was placed in a medically-induced

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Junior Woman’s Club Members Accompany Vets On ‘Honor Flight’

By John C. Cotey Tampa Palms resident Melanie Otte remembers her grandfather’s stories about World War II. He would regale the family about his wartime exploits, as they leafed through his photo albums, and proudly show off a picture of the Enola Gay — the first aircraft ever to drop an atomic bomb — that he had to jump a fence to take the photo with a small spy camera. It never really hit her, though, what his service meant to him until she recently chose to take part in an Honor Flight. Otte and Wesley Chapel resident Jennifer Lee, both members of the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)’s New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club, served as volunteer guardians to a pair of U.S. Military veterans on Sept. 22, an experience that left both amazed, appreciative and very much in awe. “I had been to Washington, DC, as a kid, but this was a much more moving experience,’’ Otte says. “I mean, standing there with a person who lived it, that was just something totally different.” Honor Flights are one-day trips organized by non-profit organizations dedicated to providing a way for veterans to visit the monuments created in the name of their service scattered throughout the nation’s capital. Last year, the New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club donated $400 so one veteran could make the trip. That inspired Otte and Lee to get involved as Honor Flight volunteers this year.

A contingent of military personnel was there to greet the veterans at the airport, setting off a whirlwind day of emotional sightseeing. “When we were at the Korean War Memorial, it was very somber,” says Otte. “Frank was visibly taken aback. You could tell he was welling up.” Otte said the listing of the Korean’s War’s U.S. fatalities (almost 40,000, with more than 100,000 injured) and the 19 haunting seven-foot-tall stainless steel statues standing in a patch of juniper bushes at the memorial was overwhelming. Laura Tilton (3rd from right) poses with other Lee pushed Tilton around, although female vets at the World War II Memorial in the former Naval Licensed Practical Nurse Washington, DC. (Photo provided by Jennifer Lee.) (LPN)/pharmacy maid, was able to stand and walk for short periods of time. Otte served as a volunteer guardian “She was a lot of fun,’’ Lee says. “I to 80-year-old Korean War U.S. Air Force Military Police veteran Frank Kynion, who think a lot of them just appreciated the lives in St. Petersburg, while Lee escorted one-on-one attention. She told me, ‘I had so much fun. I like to giggle, you like to Laura Tilton, a 92-year-old Venice resigiggle. She told me I was now her third dent and World War II veteran. daughter.” The day of the Honor Flight began As the vets returned to Florida, they with alarm clocks going off at 3 a.m. read dozens of letters written to them by for the volunteers, a donated breakfast school children and adults, thanking them from McDonald’s at the St. Petersburgfor their service and dedication. When the Clearwater Airport, and a 4 a.m. flight to plane landed back in Clearwater, a throng the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport with about 80 of roughly 800 people, including a band, were there to greet them. other veterans and their guardians. When they got off the plane, the Kynion, who married a Japanese spunky Tilton asked Lee if the wheelchair woman after the war, says he faced had a speed limit, and Lee asked if she was discrimination as a result, and also lived pushing too fast. through the anti-military era of the “No, pick it up, we got things to Vietnam War, so he was humbled by the see,’’ Tilton told her with glee. support. In fact, many of the veterans, on

New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club member Melanie Otte, with U.S. Air Force veteran Frank Kynion at the Korean War Memorial. (Photo provided by Melanie Otte.)

multiple occasions, asked why everyone was doing this for them. Otte told him the answer was simple: “Because you are our heros.” The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the New Tampa YMCA (16221 Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms). For more info, visit GFWCNewTampaJuniors.org.

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USF Professor Recaps His Cross-Country Bike Ride To Help End Polio By John C. Cotey

Rotary Club of Temple Terrace member, USF professor and Saddlebrook Resort director of wellness Dr. Nick Hall, Ph.D., M.D., recently completed a cross country trip from Oceanside,CA, to St. Augustine, FL, on his bicycle to raise funds and awareness for End Polio Now, a campaign focused on ending polio in the only two countries where it remains – Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since its first project in 1976, Rotary International has helped reduce polio cases by 99 percent around the world. Here are the 10 most interesting things you should know about Dr. Hall’s bike trek: 1— This wasn’t Hall’s first rodeo….err, bike ride across America. When Hall was a teen, he had a summer job in Black Hills, SD, and would take a bus home to Chicopee, MA. One summer, however, he decided to bike the 2,000+ miles home. This year, Hall decided to combine the 50th anniversary of that ride with Rotary’s fight against polio. 2 — Traveling roughly 100 miles a day, it took Hall a little over a month to complete the trip, starting July 14 and ending Aug. 15. He says he could have made it home even quicker, but he had one serious accident and a number of visits to friends along the way, including a day in Gainesville for a Rotary Club lunch. 3 — About that accident: it happened in west Texas when he ran over a 6-inch bolt that was laying in the road, jamming the front wheel of his bike. “The bike came to an abrupt stop, and I kept going,’’ Hall said. Bloodied but unbowed, he caught a ride with a truck driver — who ironically lives in Tampa — to San Antonio. Hall found the part he needed to fix his bike on eBay, and two days later was back on his way. “My back-up plan was to leave

the bike there with a Rotarian and resume the trip around Thanksgiving,’’ said Hall, who was racing to get back to USF for the start of fall classes, where he teaches anatomy & physiology and human nutrition. 4 — The bike, by the way, was a late 1960s vintage British-made copper-colored Raleigh Carlton. He says it was very similar to the bike he rode 50 years ago. 5 — On his original ride, Hall said he occasionally slept in jail cells and rescue missions along the route. “I was sleeping in a park in Mobile, NB, and was roused in the middle of the night by a police office who told me it was against the law to sleep in the public park,‘’ Hall said. “He gave me a choice: get booked for vagrancy or he would book me in jail as a lodger.” So Hall spent a few nights 50 years ago on a steel cot. 6 — Hall didn’t get to spend a night in the slammer this time, instead pitching a tent wherever he could. The best places to sleep, he said, were behind churches, especially those in the bible belt. “Massive churches, unlike anything you have seen, nicely

Dr. Nick Hall gets ready for some wet weather. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Nick Hall.)

Dr. Nick Hall started his journey in one ocean, here leaving the Pacific, and finished it in another, at the Atlantic near St. Augustine. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Nick Hall.)

manicured lawns, secluded areas.” Hall said he also spent at least one night a week in a motel room, to reenergize. 7 — The worst place to sleep? Anywhere too dark to notice his surroundings, especially, well, railroad tracks. “One night, I slept in this beautiful green meadow, and it turns out the train track was right on the other side of the bushes,” Hall said. 8 — As for food, Hall, an expert on nutrition, says he would try to eat a good high-protein breakfast, preferably eggs and, once back on the road, he would munch on Fig Newtons and Hostess Apple Pies, the same ones he ate 50 years ago. “I won’t normally even look at them, but they were a treat to look forward to on the ride.” Ice cream would keep him cool, and he would munch on potato chips to replace the sodium he was sweating out. Salads and fruits were regular treats. 9 — Did we mention that Hall was lugging along a 66-pound duffle bag (he weighed it at the airport when he flew to California before the trip)

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and two 10-liter water bladders, each weighing 15 pounds? So those artificial fruit pies were burned right off, and Hall said he weighed exactly the same – 150 pounds – at the end of the trip as he did at the beginning. 10 — Hall says the scariest things about the trip were the heat in the southwest, drivers distracted by their cell phones and, especially, roads with little or no shoulder room for bikes. Louisiana had many of these roads, including enough long bridges with no shoulders to Hall nervous. “There were lots of logging trucks, and there was nowhere for them to go, and nowhere for me to go,’’ he said. “I would just get as far over to my right as I could and hold my breath.” Is Hall done riding bikes across America? Nope. “It was sad being over in many respects,’’ he said. “I got to where I was looking forward to meeting people.” Hall is back in the classroom and sharing his story at Rotary Club meetings, including a recent visit to Wesley Chapel Rotary Club, and still spreading the word about the fight against polio.

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Former Local Resident Helps Community Identify, Control Animal Populations By John C. Cotey Chris Wirt doesn’t live in Wesley Chapel anymore, but he says he still has a soft spot for the area. So, when the Westchasebased animal trapper received a call from a Quail Hollow resident concerned about recent coyote activity in our area, Wirt was more than happy to oblige by trapping and euthanizing the predator. Assignments like that one, Wirt says, are becoming more and more common these days. Coyotes are becoming a growing menace in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, he explains. Wirt says he has fielded calls from people who have seen coyotes in Meadow Pointe, Live Oak and even Tampa Palms. “They’re everywhere,’’ he said Along with the handful of local sightings, there have also been recent reports of coyote activity in St. Petersburg and Valrico, as well. Wirt says he gets 2-3 calls a month because a coyote has killed a family pet. “They can be aggressive,’’ he said. “Coyotes are like German Shepherds on steroids.” In the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area, coyotes have been sighted in multiple areas. Wirt, 39, and a Wesley Chapel resident and fireman from 1999-2005, says he even once saw one crossing the street between the Publix on S.R. 56 and the Shops at Wiregrass mall around midnight. But, when they invade people’s backyards, often in search of family pets to dine on, that’s when Wirt is called in to help. “They do keep to themselves, unless there’s no food source (where they are),’’ Wirt says. “They eat rabbits and possums and anything they can get ahold of, but when those food sources are gone, they will eat whatever they can find, and sometimes that can be your cats and dogs.” Wirt recently posted a picture of two dead coyotes — one he trapped and another that a local homeowner trapped and killed — which caused something of a kerfuffle on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page. Because the images were deemed grisly, the post was taken down by a page administrator and Wirt himself was banned.

But Wirt, who actively answers questions on the Facebook page about all kinds of wildlife — from snakes to the bobcats we featured in our Sept. 26 issue — was reinstated a few hours later, thanks to an outpouring of support by the group’s other members, most of whom greatly appreciate his help. “People will watch (gory zombie survival TV show) ‘The Walking Dead’ and they will watch blood and gore all day, but they don’t want to see what is happening in their own community,’’ said Wirt. Wirt was born in Utah, attended high school in West Virginia, where he would catch critters for neighbors, and now resides in Florida. Two years ago, he bought an A All Animal Control franchise and became a trapper full-time. “I didn’t get into this business to hurt animals,’’ says Wirt, who sympathizes with animals pushed out of their natural habitats by developing communities and business growth. “We are encroaching on them, they aren’t encroaching on us.” He recently trapped a coyote pup (photo), and handed it over to an education zoo. But it is against state law to relocate coyotes, which have to be euthanized. “There’s a good reason for that,’’ says Gary Morse, spokesperson for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “If you have a coyote that has these bad habits, re-releasing them somewhere else is only relocating a problem.” Morse explains that there are thousands upon thousands of coyote sightings in the state, so it is not unusual to spot one, especially near heavily-wooded areas with nearby

Former WC resident Chris Wirt (right) has been an important resource in dealing with local wildlife issues, including raccoons, coyotes and many others.

water sources like Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. “The coyote population is considerable, particularly in urbanized areas,’’ he says. “The coyote populations tend to be 3-5 times higher, frankly, because there tends to be more food — like fruit, rodents and small pets — for them to eat.” Morse says adults and children are generally not at risk, but the problem of coyotes preying on home pets is “common and nothing unusual.” And, Morse adds, trapping coyotes doesn’t eliminate the threat. “You may get 1-2 coyotes, but they generally replace themselves very quickly,’’ he explains. “The best protection for small dogs and cats is not to let them roam about

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freely. Doing so is not a very responsible model for pet ownership.” Morse suggests visiting MyFWC.com for more information about coyotes and how to handle them. In the meantime, Wirt continues to field calls and requests about all kinds of wildlife in the area, as people look for help identifying snakes and other unfamiliar animals. The more human expansion into nature, the more business there is for him in our area. And one day, Wirt may have some help while out on assignment: his 4-year-old son Hunter recently trapped his first squirrel. For more info about Wirt’s services, visit AAllAnimalControl.com.

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‘Mall Traffic’

Continued from pg. 1 “It wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be,’’ said Melissa Blas of Land O’Lakes. “(There was) a little traffic, but not too bad.” Stephen Yalof, chief executive officer of Simon Premium Outlets, said he was aware of the traffic concerns. “We pick out our locations based on access, that’s the most important thing,’’ he said, “but the last thing we want to do is frustrate a customer and have them not want to come back. In addition to great parking (roughly 2,200 spots), there also is public transportation that will be operating from here to Wesley Chapel. So, that’s just (another) way to ease some of the traffic.” An overflow lot across from the mall and the Walgreens at the S.R.54/56 intersection also were available, with shuttles to transport customers to the mall during the Grand Opening weekend (Oct. 29-Nov. 1). There also is valet parking available in front of the Saks Off 5th anchor store. Regina Matthews of New Tampa said she had little problem getting into the mall on Thursday, where she was directed by parking attendants who were working hard to get cars swiftly into spots. She did say she wished there were more signs

“It’s congested, but that’s going to happen no matter how many roads you build.” — Regina Matthews, New Tampa

“I don’t mind the outlet being here in exchange for the traffic.” — Zarah Diaz, Grand Hampton

“You’re always going to have traffic. All the construction out there, though, they need to speed it up.” —

Lisa Bastone, Wesley Chapel

in the area directing people to the mall, however, which she thinks could ease confusion and make the process go more smoothly in the future. “I think you get a lot of people slowing down to get their directions,’’ she said. “I do think they are going to need additional parking, though.”

Cotey joined me for the Tampa Premium Outlets’ spectacular ribbon cutting & VIP Grand Opening breakfast on October 29 (see top of page 1), and he was all set to sink his teeth into what seemed like an obvious major story about the traffic woes the opening of the mall would bring. To his surprise (as we reported at the bottom of page 1), most of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents he spoke Talking To The People... Editor’s note - Assistant editor John with (as well as most of the locals making

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“It’s only a six-mile drive from New Tampa. How bad can it be?” —

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Linda Laboy, Pebble Creek

comments on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page) were perhaps too excited about the mall finally being open to actually gripe about the traffic. Can the Tampa Premium Outlets keep its local customers — and the people just trying to pass the outlets and get home via S.R. 56 or get on I-75 — happy? Based on John’s interviews during the opening weekend, it would seem the answer, at least for now, is yes! — GN

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Joseph Caetano Files To Run For The Hillsborough School Board...Again By John C. Cotey & Gary Nager After filing last year to regain his old Tampa City Council District 7 seat, New Tampa’s Joseph Caetano ended up not running, saying he had a change of heart. Now, he says, he is following his heart. Caetano is one of five candidates who have (so far) filed to replace Carol Kurdell in the District 7 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board in 2016, returning to what he says are his roots. Caetano says he was a school board member in Woburn, MA, from 1981-85, and he plans on taking some of the things he championed then and using them to build his platform now for the District School Board election, which will be held during the Primary Election on August 30, 2016. (Note-Unless one of the five Dist. 7 candidates garners at least 50-percent of the vote on Aug. 30, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to a runoff during the General Election on November 8, 2016.) Specifically, Caetano, 82, says he will run on vocational education, which he says was the backbone of the school district he served up north. “I know vocational education is a dirty word (to some people),’’ he says. “But it’s a very good system.” Some other concerns Caetano said he

hopes to tackle: the financial woes of the Hillsborough school district, graduation rates that he says remain far too low and increasing the pay for the District’s bus drivers. This won’t Long-time New Tampa be the first resident Joseph Caetano is time Caetano running for the District 7 has run for the Hillsborough County School Board seat in 2016. Hillsborough (NTNN file photo) School Board. In 1996, he was unsuccessful in a deep field of nine for a countywide that included winner Sharon Danaher, although Caetano says he received 20,450 votes. “I know they (the voters) are going to end up loving my message when I come out again,’’ he said. “They” had better love him, because Caetano already faces four other candidates for the District 7 seat — a little less than a year before the Aug. 30 Primary Election. If he ends up following through this time on his filing, this will be Caetano’s first campaign since he served on the Tampa City Council from 2007-11. He was unseated in March 2011 by current Dis-

trict 7 Council member Lisa Montelione, finishing third of four candidates and attracting 19 percent on the vote. Caetano, a longtime Tampa Palms resident now living in Grand Hampton, owned the Bostonian Hair Studio in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center for more than two decades (and a second salon in the New Tampa Center plaza for several years), before filing for bankruptcy in 2008 and closing both of those salons. He later opened and closed two salons in Wesley Chapel and helped his daughter, Jacquie, open the Urban Renewal Hair & More salon in the Pebble Creek Collection a couple of years ago.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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The always-colorful Caetano promises that his age won’t hold him back. He said he works out at a gym every day and is in top shape. “I think I can make a difference; I’m a hard worker,’’ Caetano said. “I’m going to win the election, I’ll tell you that now. I’ll work my (butt) off. And I’m running from here down to Apollo Beach. I’ll be knocking on doors and advertising.” Caetano said he plans on forming a committee in the coming months to plan his campaign and begin his fund-raising efforts in earnest. For more information, email Joseph Caetano at caetanobim@aol.com.

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Trick’s Kicks & Fisher House Golf Events Each Raise Thousands! By Gary Nager

Second Trick’s Kicks Tourney Nets $10,800!

Kingshyre at Cross Creek residents Dick & Kathy Strom, who lost their son Patrick to a single-vehicle accident a little more than three years ago, are proud to report that the second annual “Trick’s Kicks” golf outing at Herit- At the second annual Trick’s Kicks Golf Outing on Oct. 17, (l.-r.), the cake served honored the memory age Isles Country Club (off of Patrick Strom. “Trick’s” father Dick gave his mom Kathy a beautiful bouquet of flowers for all of her Cross Creek Blvd.) on Oc- efforts, love & support and Kyle Taylor shows off the TV he won for being the winner of the putting contest. tober 17 has raised about amount of funds raised. $10,800. But, with a full Dick says that amount is about $3,500 more than last year, which will buy, “a lot of field of golfers and plenty of great sponsneakers for a lot of needy kids in our area.” Trick’s Kicks is a nonprofit organiza- sorships — including, tion started by the Stroms and their friends for the first time, Val’s in honor of Patrick (who was called “Trick” employer Delta Airlines for short), who loved to collect athletic shoes — there’s little doubt (“kicks”). Since starting the organization, that this year’s Fisher Trick’s Kicks has donated dozens of pairs of House Golf Classic was, sneakers to kids in need, including 35 pairs indeed, a true classic. Of course, the donated to the kids at the Everyday Blessings Tampa Fisher House is orphanage in Thonotosassa. Dick says that a full field of golfers, in- the 20-bed residence creased sponsorships and promotion in the which houses and feeds New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood — at no charge — the families and significant News all helped the second tourney beat last others of the wounded soldiers being treated year’s total, and he says the hope is that “we at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. And, thanks to Val, the Arbor Greene can do even better again next year.” Food was provided for the event by resident from a military family who has orHoosier’s Grille, the restaurant located inside ganized and run the annual golf tourney to Heritage Isles CC. Among the prizes given benefit the Haley Fisher House, more than away was a 55-inch flat-screen TV, which was $210,000 already had been raised in the prewon by Kyle Taylor, the last entrant in the viously eight years of the event, including event’s putting contest and the only contest- surpassing her goal of $30,000 this year. Val again thanks her fellow New Tampa ant to sink the 60-footer. Note — I apologize for mistakenly refer- Noon Rotary Club members Barry and Clare “We certainly couldn’t have ring to Patrick as a Hunter’s Green resident Shuman, as well as all of the tournament’s in previous stories. His accident occurred in sponsors, golfers and supporters for their housed more than 850 family Hunter’s Green, but he and his family live in efforts this year and was again thrilled that members of our wounded soldiers Kingshyre. For more info, visit Facebook. injured U.S. Army Ranger Romy Camargo at the Tampa Fisher House without and several other Purple Heart recipients and all of you supporting events like com/Trick’s Kicks. other military veterans were again on-hand this one,” Welenc said. Ninth Annual Tampa Fisher for the event. To make a donation, email Tampa Fisher House director Paula ValCasey3@aol.com or visit FishHouse Golf Tourney A Classic! Meanwhile, we went to press so soon Welenc and Fisher House national Board erHouse.org. after the ninth annual Fisher House Golf member and U.S. Marines Lt. Gen. (ret.) Classic (held at Pebble Creek Country Club Marty Steele, who has been a member of (Clockwise from top left): Golfers & supporters filled Pebble Creek Country Club after the ninth annual off Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.) on Octo- the Board of Directors of the national Fisher Fisher House Golf Classic on Oct. 30. Tournament organizer Val Casey (in white) and her fellow Delta ber 30 that organizer and New Tampa Noon House Foundation, were both again thrilled Airlines employees were happy Delta sponsored the event this year. Injured U.S. Army Ranger Romy Rotary Club president Val Casey and her to be able to attend — and speak at — the Camargo, who was treated at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, U.S. Marine Lt. General (ret.) Marty Steele & Haley Fisher House director Paula Welenc were all on hand for the event. amazing committee did not yet have a total tournament’s awards ceremony.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015• NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Angela Mora Situated on a Conservation Lot, this Hablo español Stunning Home Boasts 2,810 SF, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Upstairs Bonus Room 813-482-1452 and 2 Car Garage. Lot size 2.35 acres. AMora@BHHSFloridaProperties.com AngelaMoraRealEstate.com

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NOVEMBER 2015 Saturday - November 7 - 8:00 AM

Buckingham Yard Sale - Buckingham at Tampa Palms will be hosting its first ever community-wide yard sale, 8 a.m.-i p.m. The yard sale begins on Buckingham Palms Way.

Saturday - November 7 - 11:00 AM

Grove Community Church Family Fun Day - Grove Community Church (33931 S.R. 54) will be holding a FREE Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will include a climbing wall, bounce house, live band, drinks, food trucks and giveaways. For more information, call 782-2111.

Saturday - November 7 - 6:30 PM

MS Society Fundraiser - Former New Tampa resident Bonnie Bishop is hosting a fundraiser to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to help find a cure for the disease, which her husband Bob is fighting. This year’s event will be held at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club (10641 Old Tampa Bay Dr., San Antonio), 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m., and will feature a Western theme. Tickets are $35 and include a Western-style dinner, a DJ, gaming tables, live entertainment, silent auction and prizes and more.This issue of New Tampa Neighborhood News comes out the day beofre the event, but if you’d still like to attend, email Bonnie at BfromBos@aol.com.

Sunday - November 8 - 10:00 AM

Wednesday - November 11 - 7:15 AM

BNI Millionaire Makers - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets every Wednesday at Heritage Isles Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.) at 7:15 a.m. The $13 meeting fee includes a hot breakfast. Call Lisa Jordan at 621-6015 for info.

Wednesday - November 11 - 7:30 AM

Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI, a group of business pros dedicated to helping their member businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wed. morning, 7:30 a.m., at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.). Call Steve Hopper at 918-8609.

Wednesday - November 11 - 12:00 PM

New Tampa Noon Rotary Club - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wed. for lunch at noon at Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd., in the Cross Creek Center plaza, behind the Shell gas station). Guests are always welcome.

Wednesday - November 11 - 7:00 PM

9-12 Toastmasters - Pure Health (2653 BBD, Wesley Chapel) owner Samantha Taylor will host a Fitness Seminar at 7:15 p.m. Enjoy delicious desserts & gourmet coffee. To reserve a seat or for more info, visit PureHealthStudios.com.

Wednesday - November 11 - 7:15 PM

Pure Health Studio Open House & Fitness Seminar - Pure Health (2653 BBD, Zen Meditation Group - Looking for a new way to relax? Check out the FREE Wesley Chapel) owner Samantha Taylor will host a Fitness Seminar at 7:15 p.m. Zen Meditation Group that meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Arbor Greene Com- Enjoy delicious desserts & gourmet coffee. To reserve a seat or for info, visit munity Center (18000 Arbor Greene Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.) Aerobics Room. PureHealthStudios.com. People of all faiths are welcome. For info, call Jeremy at 528-6285.

Monday - November 9 - 6:30 PM

Community Acupuncture & Discussion Group - A Monday night community acupuncture and discussion group is meeting at Ion Medi-Spa (8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite 130), 6:30 p.m. Topics include needle-free acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, plus stop-smoking & customized weight-loss programs. For more info, call 960-8833 or visit IonMediSpa.com.

Tuesday - November 10 - 7:30 AM

Business Networking International Wesley Chapel - A new BNI group is starting up and will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.) to help business owners generate more referrals, income and grow their businesses in the Wesley Chapel area. For info, call Bill Sullivan at 994-1143.

Tuesday - November 10 - 7:30 AM

New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts group bike rides/runs leaving from Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris Bridge Rd.; not from the BBD entrance) every Tues., Thur. & Sat., 7:30 a.m. For more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com.

Tuesday - November 10 - 9:30 AM

English As A Second Language (ESL) - The ESL group meets Tuesdays at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD Blvd.), 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Classes are taught by a native English The cost is $40 each semester for the workbook & class materials. For more info, call Heather at 753-8567.

Tuesday - November 10 - 6:30 PM

GriefShare Support Group - This video-seminar support group is for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. The cost is $20 for a workbook & 13 sessions (but you may begin any week) to find healing & hope. The group meets Tues., 6:30 p.m., at Lake Magdalene Methodist Church (2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Rm. 310). For more information, call 892-2191. 20

Thursday - November 12 - 7:30 AM

Christian Business Connections (CBC) - The Christian Business Connections (CBC) networking group meets every Thur. at 7:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5338 Primrose Lake Cir., off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms). For more info, email Shawn@TPACorp.com.

Friday - November 13 - 7:00 AM

New Tampa Rotary Club - The original New Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday for breakfast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). For more information, call Connie Bladon at 505-6515 or visit NewTampaRotary.org.

Friday - November 13 - 2:00 PM

NAMI: Mental Health 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 the 2nd & 4th Friday each month from 2-3 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For more info, visit namipasco.com.

If your organization is sponsoring an event that is open to the general public — whether it’s free to attend or not — please submit your info (with photos in any digital format) at least 3-4 weeks in advance to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015• NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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USF To Host Tampa’s Inaugural ‘DogFest Walk’n Roll’ On Nov. 8!

The inaugural Tampa Canine Companions “DogFest Walk’n Roll” will be held on Sunday, November 8, at the University of South Florida (USF) Health Center (13101 BBD Blvd.), with registration from 11 a.m. until the start of the event at noon. The event, which is already near it’s goal of $30,000 raised, is free to the public. The DogFest Walk’n Roll is the signature national event of Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1975 to enhance the lives of people who are physically disabled, hearing impaired or require therapy for things like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Canine Companions for Independence trains four types of assistance dogs — Service Dogs, Skilled Companions, Hearing Dogs and Facility Dogs. Dogs trained by Canine Companions are provided free to recipients, although it costs $50,000 to breed, raise and train the dogs.

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The “DogFest Walk’n Roll” will feature many of these dogs, and participants are encouraged to bring their leashed dogs to the event as well. Dogs must not be in heat and also must be up to date on vaccinations. They also need to be social and friendly with other dogs and people, and be comfortable in crowds. There will be entertainment and games for humans, and the dogs, as well as awards. The event is sponsored by Canine Companions for Independence, the USF Health Department and the District 8 Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs. For additional information, go to CCI.org/DogFestTampa. — JCC

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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The Gift Box Boutique Celebrates Its Anniversary With Style! By Gary Nager

With the opening last weekend of the Tampa Premium Outlets mall on S.R. 56 (see page 1), it may be hard right now to think about shopping anyplace else, but I do have a suggestion: I’ve been talking fondly about The Gift Box Boutique — located in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, between Ciccio’s Cali and Stonewood Grill & Tavern — since it first opened a little more than a year ago. I’ve now probably spent maybe $300-$400 there on a variety of unique and uniquely affordable gifts (mainly for female friends, relatives and employees), and every purchase to date has been met with excitement from its recipient. And, the good news is that virtually any gift you’re looking for — from home décor items, women’s clothing and jewelry and yes, there are gifts for men and children (including babies), too — can be found at The Gift Box. Owner Jennifer Colón and her husband Rick, who moved to Tampa from Dallas seven years ago and now live in Tampa Palms, promise a unique shopping experience at The Gift Box that you simply won’t find at any mall. “I know my inventory and can help direct you to the perfect gift for birthdays, the holidays or any special occasion,” Jennifer says. “Of course, you can always just come in to browse, too. I know there’s a lot to see, so come on in!” I’ve yet to try to buy any clothing for ladies at The Gift Box, but there are a

number of designer labels you won’t find elsewhere. “We carry Chatoyant, Gretchen Scott, Glam, Escapada and more,” says Jennifer. “And we like to keep current on our clothing. We only buy six of each item (in multiple sizes), so not everyone who shops here will end up with the same outfits.” She adds that the store also offers many different accessories for ladies, from scarves to boot toppers, Yellowbox sandals, Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Sade bags and accessories and Ginger Snaps and other jewelry items.

Your Holiday Headquarters

Afraid you’ll be fighting the traffic at the new mall this holiday season? Why not do your holiday gift shopping at The Gift Box instead? “We’re got plenty of Thanksgiving stuff,” Jennifer says. “We’ve been selling lots of personalized (outdoor) turkey signs for your home, “Gobble ‘til You Drop’ throw pillows and more.” There’s also already a number of Christmas items in The Gift Box’s displays. So, whether you want to dress your kid up like one of Santa’s elves or you want unique Nora Fleming mini-ornaments, Jennifer promises more and more holiday-themed options will be coming in for the season, including 7th Ave. Apothecary candles, “and lots of other great hostess gifts for when you attend those holiday parties.” She adds that she is the only store in New Tampa that can carry Toffee to Go, which made Oprah’s Top 10 list. “And, it comes in a variety of flavors,” Jennifer says. And of course, there’s always new items

Owner Jennifer Colón invites you to check out the unique selection of home décor items, jewelry, clothing for women and children and more at The Gift Box Boutique in Tampa Palms. (Right) “Gobble ‘til you drop” with Thanksgiving gift ideas at The Gift Box. on the way at The Gift Box. “We listen to Columbia Restaurant items, including the our customer requests, too,” Jennifer says, famed Ybor City restaurant’s famous sangria “so you really have to keep checking in with mix and sangria pitchers. And, speaking of us to see what‘s new. For example, we reYbor City, another recent addition is a line cently added a new line of teas, tea cups and of cigar accessories, more bar and alcoholaccessories for tea and coffee drinkers. I’d related gifts (for men and women), and say 25 to 30 percent of our inventory has even Cameron’s Man Claws, which look like been requested by our customers.” brass knuckles but actually are used to “lift, One reason I keep coming back is shred, carve, toss and mix with ease!” because I have gotten such a great response Holiday Premier Open House! from giving The Gift Box’s reasonablyJennifer says The Gift Box has lots of priced, painted wood signs with cute sayings great special event in the store, including like, “I drink coffee for your protection,” as Ladies Nights every couple of months on gifts and Jennifer keeps adding new ones. Thursdays. “I call them our ‘Sip & See’ Other newer specialty lines include

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Among our favorite and the most popular items at The Gift Box are (clockwise from top left) a great variety of witty signs on wood, Ginger Snaps interchangeable jewelry, a full line of tea & tea-drinking products, Columbia Restaurant sangria mixes and pitchers, holiday clothing for babies and toddlers, Chatoyant tops for women and Nora Fleming mini-ornaments. events,” she says. Plus, on Thursday, November 12, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., the boutique will host its Holiday Premier Open House with free beverages and snacks. “We also have extended holiday hours (starting Dec. 1) and a great loyalty program,” she adds. “If you join our email list, you’ll get a weekly email with specials and promotions. Come check us out!” The Gift Box is located at 17032 visit Facebook.com/The Gift Box Palm Pointe Dr. and currently is open Boutique, see the ad on page 30 of this Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and noon-5 issue or call 284-5986. p.m. on Sun. For more information,

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

New Owners Bring That European Flair To Spa Moritz In Tampa Palms! By Celeste McLaughlin

Spa Mortiz, located off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms (across from Freedom High), has been a part of New Tampa for more than a decade, but if you haven’t visited lately, you may not know just how this community favorite has recently been getting even better. Owners Patricia and Martin Anello have brought world-class European luxury to the spa since purchasing it about a year ago, when they moved to Tampa Palms from Madrid, Spain. The Anellos have enjoyed Europe’s finest spas and have replicated many of the details and luxury of their European experiences at Spa Moritz. “As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s important for us to thank the community,” says Patricia. “We have gotten such a warm reception since we arrived here. People have accepted and welcomed us, and made us feel so comfortable.” She says former clients are coming back to the spa and recommending it again to their friends. Patricia attributes the spa’s recent growth the way the staff treats every guest and pays attention to the little touches that really matter. “We treat our guests as we would visitors in our homes,” Patricia says. “The details are important to us, so that people who come to the salon don’t feel like a number or even just a client, but like a pampered guest.” She says the “new” Spa Mortiz will still make you feel beautiful, with a complete array of salon and spa services, but Patricia

says there also is a new emphasis on health and wellness, including programs that address healthy and better-for-you products. For a complete menu of services, visit SpaMoritz.com, but this article will focus on many of the new services that have been added over the last year.

Skin Care

Spa Moritz continues to carry and use the world-famous Pevonia line of skin care products. For those wanting 100-percent organic treatments, Patricia recently added a line of products from Hungary called Éminence. Both lines of skin care products are used in treatments at the spa and can be purchased for home skin care regimens. “We also offer advanced treatment for skin care,” says Patricia. “Instead of using chemicals, we provide treatments that give results with alternatives.” For example, she says the new oxygen facial provides a deeply purifying and healing effect to reduce signs of redness and hyperpigmentation. The new dermal rejuvenation system is a two-step process. The first is a facial that creates collagen and elastin naturally, without first injuring the skin like during a chemical peel. After a couple of weeks, once the collagen and elastin have been produced in the skin, the second part of the process is a peel to remove the surface skin. Spa Moritz also offers acne treatments for teenagers, including a class that teaches teens how to take care of their skin and even the foods you can eat that are best for your skin.

Patricia & Martin Anello, who have now owned Spa Moritz in Tampa Palms for about a year, have brought many of the details and luxury of their experiences with posh spas in Europe to the New Tampa area’s most luxurious salon and spa. a Pure Fiji pedicure is as much about the Pedicures experience as it is the individual products. It Spa Moritz offers a wide range of includes rituals such as a warm foot soak in pedicures for every taste and desire. For feet, Spa Moritz is now offering a line called a fragrant coconut milk bath and a coconut sugar rub and foot massage. Footlogix, which is made with pharmaceu“I really like the results,” says Patricia. tical-grade ingredients and offers “transformational foot care” to heal skin from the in- “You will feel very pampered.” Some guests opt for the Voesh line of side out. Specialty Footlogix formulas treat products, which is another new line, out everything from very dry skin, to cracked of New York, that Patricia says offers the heels, to cold feet and even sweaty feet. most hygienic experience possible. With six Footlogix products can be used in any aromatherapy scents, each guest can choose of the spa’s pedicures, such as its signature a customized treatment. All the products spa pedicure or luxury spa pedicure, or needed for a pedicure come individually guests can receive a specialized Footlogix packaged in one disposable box, so products pedicure that is customized with only Footaren’t used for more than one guest. logix products. Of course, many clients still opt for Another new option for guests is the either the ever-popular chocolate martini or Pure Fiji pedicure. Reminiscent of the piña colada pedicure, both of which include tropical South Pacific island, Patricia says

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munity that are not otherwise available,” says Patricia.

Salon

Whether you’re looking for a unique facial treatment, manicure, pedicure, hair style (or color) or dietary tips, Spa Moritz has everything you’re looking for under one roof! one of that treatment’s namesake drinks.

Manicures

Patricia is happy to announce that the spa has recently added a product called Bio Sculpture Gel to the extensive menu of services available at Spa Moritz. She describes it as a healthier alternative to gel, acrylic or shellac nails, because it is free from chemicals that leave can leave nails damaged or dehydrated. She says this product is in line with Spa Mortiz’s mission to increase the health and wellness of each guest who visits. And, she notes that Spa Moritz is the only spa in the area that this product can be obtained. “We’re bringing products to the com-

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What’s new in the salon is a product called Olaplex, which Patricia says can be added to any chemical treatment, such as color or highlights, so that the chemicals do not damage your hair. “We also can do a separate Olaplex treatment to repair hair,” she explains. And now, Spa Moritz employs only Master Stylists, meaning each stylist has been working at least 10-20 years. “We want only the best for our guests,” says Patricia. “Although we’d like to have more stylists on our staff, we are not going to hire anyone who doesn’t meet our standards. We want every guest to be thrilled, so we insist on the best.” She says other services at the salon include hair extensions and “up-dos,” especially for brides, bridesmaids and other formal occasions. The salon also offers aromatherapy, hydration and smoothing treatments, and scalp massage. “We want our guests to have a relaxing spa experience, not just get their hair done,” says Patricia. One customer who appreciates the new Spa Moritz is local Realtor Luz Maria Von Greiff, who has lived in Tampa Palms for 14 years. “I had tried Spa Moritz in the past (before the Anellos took over), but I wasn’t thrilled,” says Von Greiff. “Then, I met Patricia and thought she was so nice and professional, so I decided to try it again. That was (my) best decision!” Luz Maria says, “The variety of services is so interesting, and Patricia and her staff

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are great. For example, I have delicate skin that reacts to (some) products, so they are extremely dedicated to making sure each product they use will work for my skin.” She says she also appreciates how warm and friendly everyone at the spa is, to her and to other guests. “It’s such a welcoming environment. Being in the service industry myself, I really appreciate what Martin and Patricia are doing,” she says. “They’re bringing their own style, their flair and their products to Spa Moritz.”

Massage

The newest massage at Spa Moritz is a bamboo massage, which Patricia says is healing and relaxing. She notes that it is comparable to a hot stone massage, but uses heated bamboo sticks instead of rocks. The spa also offers a “fusion massage,” where clients choose a length of time, generally 50 or 80 minutes, and receive a combination of massages, such as Lomi Lomi, aromatherapy, therapeutic to treat a particular area, hot stone, or bamboo. Other Spa Services Patricia says the Spa Moritz staff loves to create custom packages to help their guests meet their wellness goals. For someone who is looking to lose weight, they can create a package that includes a wellness coach, lymphatic drainage massage and body wraps (such as seaweed or green coffee treatments) for detoxification. “We consult with each person individually,” says Patricia. “We talk about their goals, time and budget, and come up with something that perfectly fits their needs.” For brides, birthdays, bachelorette parties or other celebrations, Spa Mortiz

offers packages to pamper and enjoy your special day in luxury and relaxation. Call the spa at the number below to find out more about how best to celebrate your special occasion. Discounts are offered, and many special touches are included, such as cake and champagne with lunch, which is served beautifully in a private room.

Customer Appreciation

If you want to give Spa Moritz a try, Patricia offers what she calls “Customer Appreciation Nights,” which include a cocktail offered in the front reception area, and then a short treatment in each of the spa’s areas, such as massage, nail and skin care treatments. So, anyone who wants to experience the luxury of Spa Moritz can do so in one evening, enjoying many of the treatments described in this article. To be invited to the next Customer Appreciation Night, call Spa Mortiz at the phone number below. The cost is usually $25 per person, which includes a $25 credit towards any service for a future visit. You also can schedule your own Customer Appreciation Night for your own group (or your business) by calling the spa. Patricia says these groups especially enjoy the evening because they already know each other and feel comfortable with each other. Spa Moritz is located in Tampa Palms at 17401 Commerce Park Blvd., Suite 103. Spa Moritz is open Mon.– Sat., 8 a.m.-8 p.m., & on Sun. or special events. For more info — including your chance to win a free massage or facial, visit SpaMortiz.com or see the ad on page 10 of this issue. To make an appointment, call 971-4772.

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‘Outlet Mall’

Continued from pg. 1

3) Traffic & Parking — As assistant editor John Cotey reported at the bottom of pg. 1, the opening weekend traffic at TPO was greatly helped by the mall’s hiring of multiple off-duty law enforcement officers and their vehicles. How long that additional help will be on the scene remains to be seen, but this reporter was impressed by the lack of delays on S.R. 56. As for parking, it’s also been pretty incredible how hard all those valet parking and orange-vested parking “directors” already have been working and how easily visitors have been able to get in and out of the mall’s 2,200 parking spaces (plus overflow lots). The opening weekend had some temperatures in the low 90s, but you have to wonder how the parking help will hold up in the heat of our Florida summers.

VIP Breakfast

John and I were among the hundreds of media, Chamber and local governmental dignitaries on hand on Thursday morning for the mall’s amazing VIP breakfast. With incredible food like breakfast crepes, pecan-crusted chicken & waffle “bites” and mini-Monte Christo sandwiches and adult beverages (I was among those raving about the mimosas with not only orange, but also peach and even passion fruit juice) by Puff n’ Stuff Catering of Tampa, elected officials like State Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco clerk & comptroller Paul O’Neil and Pasco commissioners Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Board chair Ted Schrader, plus lots of WCCC and New Tampa and Wesley

Chapel Rotary Club members helped Nance and crew celebrate TPO’s opening in style before Schrader and the top brass from Simon Premium Outlets cut the ribbon. Everyone who attended the invitation-only VIP breakfast also received a portable standup cooler as a parting gift.

Opening Weekend Deals

Although I certainly didn’t get to check out all of the 100+ stores that were open for the first weekend (a few more, like the Aldo outlet will open within the next week or two, bringing the total number of shops up to 110), there’s no doubt that the deals — and giveaways — were hot and heavy for the opening. Many stores were offering not only 60-70-percent off (and more!), but also free gifts to the first wave of shoppers as the stores opened their doors following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Of course, many people skipped the

ribbon-cutting to line up in front of their favorite stores for their free gift(s).Considering that I only wear New Balance athletic shoes, I was one of the first 50 in line at the New Balance outlet, which earned me a $15 gift card, in addition to 60-percentoff the shoes I bought (which were already on clearance for half off the regular price). When it was all said and done, I went home with an incredible pair of “kicks,” plus some New Balance gym shorts and orthotic inserts for my shoes for less than $70! And, while I didn’t get on line soon enough after that to get a free gift at the Calvin Klein outlet, I returned a $20 shirt I had purchased at the Prime Outlets of Ellenton (does anyone still remember how much further that drive is?), exchanged it for a $60 dress shirt that also was on clearance and with all of the discounts applied, I ended up getting that shirt for about $3! Will the deals stay that impressive now

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that the opening weekend is over and the post-Halloween holiday season has officially begun? That remains to be seen. The whole concept of an “outlet mall” is that the merchandise sold there at deep discounts is so expensive to start with that only the rich could afford to shop at many of the stores without those discounts. A case in point is TPO’s “signature” store, Saks Off 5th. Although I found it hard to believe how much merchandise in Saks has the same labels — Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, etc. — as the ones in TPO’s individual outlets, the huge Off 5th store literally has something(s) for everyone. I didn’t feel that the deals were quite as good there as oat other stores, but I have shopped at the original Saks ON 5th Ave. in NYC, so I know there’s nothing “cheap” there.

Bring It, Bethenny!

One of the highlights of the opening weekend was the appearance (see photo

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(Previous page, left): Members of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce get ready for TPO’s VIP breakfast, which included yummy breakfast crepes (right). Clockwise from top left on this page): TPO’s food court and the Saks Off 5th outlet were both busy places all weekend. Men and women alike found great deals throughout the new outlet mall. on page 1) of reality TV star, author and have things in your closet that no longer fit Skinny Girl owner Bethenny Frankel. or are old or pilly?” Frankel, who has appeared on “The Considering how long we have waited Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” “The Real for the opening of TPO, I’d have to agree Housewives of New York City” and “Bethat the outlet mall’s opening weekend thenny Ever After,” also founded Skinnygirl was a smashing success. TPO may only be Cocktails, authored four self-help books and about half the size of the Shops at Wirehosted the talk show, “Bethenny.” grass (which has more than 800,000 sq. She told me she appeared at the TPO ft. of retail and restaurant space), but it’s opening not to promote herself, but bedefinitely a new force to be reckoned with cause, “I’m an outlet mall shopper from way that will surely bring more mom-and-pop back and I’m here to give shopping tips to businesses to our area. Take a bow, Simon! the women here.” Her #1 tip? “Clean out For more info about the new TPO those closets, ladies! Why bring new stuff to and its VIP Shopping Club, please visit clutter up your limited space when you still PremiumOutlets.com/Tampa.

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Florida Educator Insurance Can Help You Plan For Your Future By Celeste McLaughlin

It was more than 14 years ago when Seven Oaks resident Gary Cucci was teaching economics at Walter Sickles High in Tampa when he realized that most people don’t understand their insurance coverage. His desire to help others led him to look for a new opportunity where he could assist his colleagues at the school with planning for retirement and better understanding their insurance needs. So, in 2002, Gary opened Florida Educator Insurance, an independent agency of Horace Mann, a company that specializes in insurance products and financial services for educators. Founded in Springfield, IL, more than 60 years ago, Horace Mann is named for the founder of American public education, and is now a multi-billion-dollar company traded publicly on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HMN). Florida Educator Insurance moved to its current location in the Cypress Glen Professional Park in Wesley Chapel (off of S.R. 56, just east of I-75), in 2008. The agency offers auto, home, umbrella, flood and life insurance, along with retirement and investment plans such as IRAs and 401(k) plans, “529” college savings plans, plus plans just for educators known as 403(b) and 457 plans. But, don’t think you have to be a teacher to use the agency’s services.

“We insure anybody, but we do have specific products and discounts that are available only to educators,” Gary says. As an independent agency, Florida Educator Insurance writes policies with a wide variety of insurance companies. Gary explains that he works with many of the largest companies across the industries his agency represents. Some examples include – of course – Horace Mann, although also offered are financial services from American Funds & Fidelity, life insurance through Lincoln Financial, home insurance through Tower Hill and auto insurance through Progressive and Mercury. Of about 1,000 Horace Mann agencies nationwide, Gary says Florida Educator Insurance is now the largest, and has been ranked the number one Horace Mann agency six times in the last 14 years. “It’s all because of my staff,” says Gary, who earned his B.S. degree in Social Science Education from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1999. “They’re great. Their dedication, attention to detail and willingness to meet people after hours at their homes is a big reason why we’re so successful.” He says his staff didn’t set out to be the largest agency, but it is absolutely their goal to be the best. “We’re a competitive group,” he says proudly. “It’s in our nature to strive to be the best.” Jeanine Hassani joined Florida Edu-

cator Insurance in 2006 and is now the agency manager. “We all take ownership in the agency,” she says. “We all feel like we have a stake and love helping the agency grow. So, each of us helps all of the clients as if they were our own.” He says his clients average three lines of business with his agency, so the agents get to know their customers on a very personal level. “We genuinely care about our clients and are not just trying to sell policies,” Gary says, adding that, “The teacher in me has this philosophy to help people. We have 22 staff members (six in financial services, 13 in personal lines of insurance and three in customer support) and not one is in sales. In fact, I don’t hire people with a sales background because that’s not what we’re about. We’re here to build relationships.” One relationship he’s built over many years is with Mark Pinson, who says he has been Gary’s client “for at least 10 years.” When Mark moved to Florida from Ohio, he began paying much more attention to homeowner insurance than he ever did in the Midwest, since he was now concerned about hurricanes, sinkholes and possible flooding. Gary was his neighbor in Seven Oaks, but Mark hesitated to change his homeowners insurance because he had never heard of Horace Mann. “But, I figured since Gary was my

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Gary Cucci, of Florida Educator Insurance, which has been serving local customers at its office off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel since 2008.

neighbor, anything that happened to me would also happen to him, so I’d want coverage like he has,” Mark explains. “I took a chance, saved so much money and it was a great choice. Since then, my former insurance carrier has completely pulled out of Florida.” Mark says that first policy with Gary cost half of what his previous home insurance cost and, since then, he’s added auto, flood, life and umbrella insurance with Florida Educator Insurance, and has retirement accounts, too. “During the economic downturn, I was looking for something conservative to protect my investments, and that’s exactly what I got,” Mark explains.

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Gary says this type of personal attention and meeting each client’s needs continue to be the hallmarks of his agency. “When we recommend an investment for a retirement plan, we know our client is going to be happy,” he says. “They won’t regret it, they’ll keep that investment and then they’ll typically refer their friends to us.” Gary adds, “We’re not here just to save you a couple of dollars on your auto or home insurance, although we generally do that, and that’s the fun stuff. But, saving money on your home and auto insurance isn’t going to change your life. We also change lives with what we do. When we help someone properly plan for their

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or the cost might be astronomical to do so. At that point, you might not be able to get life insurance. You never know when you’ll become uninsurable. It’s generally due to health, not age, and I’ve seen people in their 30s not be insurable because of their health.” And, in every case, he says, the sooner you purchase life insurance, the better. “A 25-year-old pays a lot less than a 60-year-old,” he explains. “But, even a 60-year-old benefits from talking with us sooner, because the cost goes up every year at that point.” Since, he says, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to insurance and investment planning, Gary says he asks his clients to be willing to discuss their needs with a Florida Educator Insurance agent. “Most people spend more time planning for their summer vacations every year than they do for their own futures,” says Gary. “We ask you to give us one hour each year to go over your budget and goals so that you can be betLife Insurance Specialists ter prepared for the future.” Gary says many people think they He explains that budgeting and have enough life insurance, but don’t goal setting are part of the agency’s realize that those policies may lapse. Or, full-service retirement planning, but that they may wait too long to purchase life Florida Educator Insurance agents proinsurance. vide these services for all of their clients, “Most people only have insurance even those who might only have auto through their work, but you should have insurance through the agency. “We’re here for all phases of your a portable plan, too.” He explains that if you lose your job, life,” Gary says. In addition to its Wesley Chapel you might not be able to keep your plan, future — their retirement needs —that can be life changing.” Gary also explains that every agent in his office is fully licensed through the Florida Department of Insurance, and all financial services staff members hold numerous state and federal investment licenses through FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Plus, he and his staff are all New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents. “We all live here and understand the area,” he says. He and his wife, Cyndi, have four children ranging in age from three to nine. Gary says he has a family-first philosophy that drives his work, too. “You’ve got to have balance in your life,” Gary says. “In my life, I put my faith, my family and my health before my work. So, our office is a very familyfriendly environment. We cover for each other to be sure that we all can put our families first.”

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office, Florida Educator Insurance maintains locations in St. Petersburg and Odessa. Gary says he also recently had the opportunity to expand his business to Pennsylvania by taking over an agency where the owner was retiring. Two agents from his Wesley Chapel office actually relocated to Pennsylvania to run that office. Gary and his staff also give back to the community in many ways, especially through local schools. He says the agency sponsors a reading program in more than 50 schools (including all of the public schools in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa), supports programs such as Teacher & Staff Member of the Month at all Pasco County schools and has funded more than $100,000 in classroom projects. And, New Tampa Neighborhood News readers who call for a quote and mention this story or the ad on page 27 of this issue will receive a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate, and, Gary says, there’s absolutely no obligation to purchase anything. Florida Educator Insurance is located at 26809 Tanic Dr., Suite 101, in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56 (behind the Gate gas station near I-75) in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call 2831265 or visit FloridaEducatorInsurance.com. The office is open MondayFriday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment.

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Premier Heart & Vascular Center — A Cardiology Office With Heart! By Anu Panchal

Fifteen years ago, a cardiologist who wanted to approach patients with compassion, dignity and integrity decided that the only way to do things right was to set up his own practice. So, cardiologist Sunil Gupta, M.D., FACC, of Premier Heart & Vascular Center, did just that. Today, that practice has grown from one physician and one supporting staff member in an office in Zephyrhills to four offices — as Lakeland, Dade City and Wesley Chapel (in the Summergate Professional Park behind Sam’s Club, off S.R. 56) already have been added, with a fifth office set to open in Carrollwood later this month. Dr. Gupta has been joined by three other cardiologists, and the four physicians are supported by a team of 30 physician assistants, nurses and other support staff members. “What makes our offices different is that we make the patients the focus,” says Michele Gordon, a physician assistant who has worked for Premier Heart & Vascular Center for seven years. “On a daily basis, everything we do is what we can to take care of the patients and do the best for them. Dr. Gupta has always done the right thing and patients notice (that). Our office is the fastest-growing cardiology practice around.” Dr. Gupta is Board-certified in cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology, and is a member of the

American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Intervention. In addition to serving as a cardiology Fellow at the Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, NJ, and an Dr. Sunil Gupta interventional cardiology Fellow at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY, Dr. Gupta also has worked at a group cardiology practice in Saginaw, MI. His special interests are in the areas of coronary and peripheral angioplasty and stenting, as well as pacemakers and defibrillators. In addition, Dr. Gupta was included in a listing of “Super Doctors for Florida,” a designation awarded by MSP Communications that takes into consideration a physician’s education, achievements, involvement and leadership. Although Dr. Gupta says he went into the field of medicine because of the influence of several family members in the same line of work, it was his own passion for cardiac medicine that led him to his specialty. Dr. Ketul Chauhan

“In cardiology, we genuinely get to help patients,” Dr. Gupta says. “People can die if we don’t do what we do. We see the results right away, (which is) a gratifying feeling. On a daily basis, we deal with life and death. We actually make a positive impact on (our patients’ lives) and on The friendly, professional staff at Premier Heart & Vascular Center — society.” with four locations in the Tampa Bay area, including offices in Wesley Dr. Gupta is joined in his practice Chapel & Carrollwood — invites you to visit a cardiology office with heart. by cardiologists Dr. Board-certified in cardiovascular diseases, Ketul Chauhan, Dr. Chetan Khamare and interventional medicine and nuclear Dr. Vikas Soma. Dr. Chauhan is Boardmedicine and did his certified in cardiovascular diseases and fellowships at West nuclear medicine, and is a member of the Virginia University American College of Cardiology and the in Morgantown. Dr. Society of Cardiac Angiography & InterKhamare is a member of the American vention. He completed College of Cardiology his cardiology fellowand the Society of ships at the University Cardiac Angiography of South Florida in and Intervention, and Tampa. His specialties is especially interested include coronary and in coronary and peperipheral angioplasty Dr. Dr. Vikas Soma ripheral angioplasty and stenting, pacemakand stenting, congestive heart failure and ers and defibrillators peripheral vascular disease. and valvuplasty. Dr. Soma is interested in radial artery Dr. Chetan Khamare Dr. Khamare is

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interventions, coronary and peripheral vascular interventions and pacemakers. He has numerous Board certifications, including cardiology diseases, interventional cardiology, endovascular medicine, echocardiography, nuclear medicine and registered physician vascular interpretation (RPVI). He is a member of the American College of Cardiology and American Society of Echocardiography and completed his cardiology fellowships at the New York Medical College at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, and at St. Luke’s Hospital at Columbia University in New York City.

Character & Cardiology

When he searched for the perfect physicians and other staff members to join his practice, Dr. Gupta says that the philosophy of prospective colleagues was the first criterion. “All of our physicians are well-trained and well-certified,” he says. “They care for patients with a high degree of integrity, but even before the quality of their work, we look for character.” The physicians not only give frequent lectures and talks at area hospitals, they keep up to date with the latest news in the field, says Dr. Gupta. “People are living longer, [and] more people are having heart disease,” he says. “There’s more awareness of signs and symptoms [and more people] seeking treatment. New technologies and new medications continue to come out. We’re interested in those new technologies, pro-

cedures, medicines and devices.” The doctors at Premier Heart & Vascular also are involved in a Harvard Medical School study on a new heart medication, the Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial. “We stay up to date and are familiar with the latest and newest,” Dr. Gupta says. “Some of the treatments offered here include therapy for congenital heart failure, heart catheterization through the forearm and the presence of an ECP (External Counter Pulsation) Machine, that can treat angina episodes in a non-invasive manner. “Patients who come to us will feel well-respected and well-attended-to,” says Dr. Gupta. “They go home with a very positive experience.” Katherine Strode says she has been a patient of Dr. Gupta’s for about 10 years (and also has seen Dr. Khamare more recently), and in the years since she has started seeing Dr. Gupta, the 72-year-old Zephyrhills resident has managed to get off her diuretic and blood pressure medications completely, thanks to a combination of treatment, diet and lifestyle changes that the doctors have helped her with from the beginning. “They really take an interest,” Strode says. “It’s not a take-a-number thing. They make you feel like you’re somebody. Their staff is wonderful. I think they’re top notch (doctors) and it’s a tribute to (the) practice. (Dr. Gupta) runs a very well organized office there. If there’s ever been a problem, we get a call back in an appropriate length of time, and with it

being your heart, that’s important!” Dr. Gupta adds that Premier Heart & Vascular Center patients are pleased about the practice’s short wait times, quick appointments, prompt evaluations and same-day testing results. “Our biggest strength is the positive, family-oriented culture in the office,” he says. “Patients who walk in can feel it.” Strode and her husband William agree with that statement. “It doesn’t feel like we’re going to the doctor,” William. “It feels like we’re visiting friends.” In fact, the only real “problem” the Strodes say they have now is that they have recommended Premier Heart & Vascular to so many friends that Katherine says they

have to beat their friends to an appointment these days. “You really feel like you’re a part of the family,” says Gordon. “Everyone feels important. Everyone feels that their position is important and makes a difference in terms of patient care.” There are four Premier Heart & Vascular Centers — in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Dade City and at 27424 Cashford Cir. in Wesley Chapel. The Carrollwood location is expected to open this month at 3333 W. Bearss Ave. The group also owns the Vein Center of Wesley Chapel (26827 Foggy Creek Rd., Suite 103). For more info, call 788-1400, see the ad on page 42 or visit PremierHeartandVascular.com.

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Rejuva-Med: The Center For Dry Eye & Hormonal Disorders By Celeste McLaughlin If you’re currently suffering from both dry-eye and any kind of hormonal disease or imbalance, believe it or not, there is a practice that is capable of treating both issues in the same visit, in nearby Wesley Chapel. It’s difficult to separate what Kenneth C. Andronico, DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), FICS (Fellow, International College of Surgeons), OD (Doctor of Optometry), does at Rejuva-Med: The Center for Dry Eye & Hormonal Disorders from who he is and how he has been educated throughout his extensive career. So, we’ll start by introducing the medical doctor who founded Rejuva-Med on S.R. 54 (across from Saddlebrook Resort, in the Westbrook Professional Center). Dr. Andronico is an both an ophthalmologist — which is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care — and an optometrist (which is not a medical doctor, but optometrists do four years of optometry school after at least three years of college; more on this below). Dr. Andronico earned his DO degree in 1984 from the College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery at Des Moines University-Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Andronico’s DO degree means that he is a physician, similar to someone who holds a MD degree, but who takes a “whole person” approach to medicine and wellness. And most recently, Dr. Andronico has received advanced training in anti-aging medicine. “In other words,” he laughs, “no one’s been in school as long as me.” That may be true, as his education includes two Bachelor’s degrees and the two aforementioned Doctorates. He also has had extensive post-graduate medical training, including: • Internship at Michigan Osteopathic Medical Center, Detroit (1984 -85) • Basic Sciences Certificate in Ophthalmology from Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA (1985) • Residency in Ophthalmology at Lawndale Hospital, Philadelphia (1985-88) • Fellowship in Cornea-External Disease & Refractive Surgery (1996-97) • Fellowships in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (2006), and Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine (2006-08). When he earned his DO degree, Dr. Andronico already had previously earned his Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree in 1979

from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Philadelphia. He also served a Residency in Primary Eyecare/ General Medicine at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN (1979-80) In addition, Dr. Ken Andronico, DO, Dr. Andronico FICS, OD, of Rejuvaholds two under- Med, located off S.R. 54 graduate degrees, in Wesley Chapel. a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology & Biology from La Salle University in Philadelphia (1975) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Visual Physiology from Salus University (1977).

Lasik, Too!

Dr. Andronico was one of the first refractive surgeons formally trained in Lasik in the mid-1990s. He had a private practice at the corner of S.R. 54 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) for 12 years, where he was the first ophthalmologist in Wesley Chapel and one of the original tenants in the Publixanchored Hollybrook shopping center at that location. He closed that practice in 2006 to deal with what he calls a “stress-related illness.” He says he was taking medications for the problem, but was gaining weight and not getting any better. Dr. Andronico says his personal journey of trying to understand his own illness led to an increased interest in hormonal therapy. “Stress over a period of time changes the metabolic process,” says Dr. Andronico. “People may deal with fatigue, insomnia, or other symptoms. And they may need to make lifestyle changes, but they don’t feel well enough to do so. That may be because their body is depleted of the things they need to feel well, such as hormones. I can work with them as a coach to help determine how we can fix things so they feel better.”

Opening Rejuva-Med

To that end, Dr. Andronico decided to open Rejuva-Med, a practice he says he established to bring his many areas of interest and expertise together under one roof. Primarily, he says, his function is to treat dry eye and hormonal diseases, but the center covers a wide range of services for both eyes

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and have worked for a lot of physicians, and I like that Dr. Andronico doesn’t ‘Band-Aid’ a problem.” He agrees, “If you’re having an issue with your eyes, I know more than just your two eyes, and I know that problems may be caused by something beyond just your eyes. I can find the underlying problem, because of my training in osteopathic medicine.” While many physicians might treat dry eye with eye drops, Dr. Andronico prefers to look at the possible causes of the dry eye. He says he often talks with patients who have been prescribed some kind of regimen that is not actually helping their problem. That’s where he says his innovative approach can really help people. “I will listen and try to solve the problem,” he says. “I’m here to help my patients through whatever they’re experiencing, using the variety of training I have. I will do whatever I need to do to help them get better.” He adds, “A lot of what I do is education and teaching. I talk with my patients on a one-to-one basis to help them understand what’s happening in their bodies and how (everything) all fits together.” Dr. Andronico explains that there is a direct connection between depletion of hormones and dry eye; that hormones naturally deplete with age. And, as people age, their bodies often produce less of the female hormone estrogen or the male hormone testosterone, for example, so they may experience symptoms that include not just dry eye, but also stress, fatigue, and insomnia. “If you listen to a patient long enough, the patient will tell you what’s wrong with them,” says Dr. Andronico. “The problem with the (healthcare) system is that no one can take the time to listen.” Obviously, Dr. Andronico admits to being frustrated with the current state of medical care, which seems to be driven by insurance companies and their coding process. That’s why he offers a fee-for-service practice, where patients pay for their own care. “I decided to do that because there’s no way the system will change until patients and physicians take it upon themselves to make the changes that will help people to get well,” says Dr. Andronico. “I don’t do five minute exams.” He says that many people pay insurance premiums all year long but never actually seem to feel better. “Many people are sick of dealing with insurance,” he says. “They just

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and diseases related to aging. Some of the many services at Rejuva-Med include: • Consultative ophthalmology and second opinion exams • Hormonal optimization and treatments for men and women • Diagnose & treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders of the eye • Metabolic and nutritional medicine • Diagnose & treat headaches, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia & stress disorders • Therapeutic & difficult fit contact lens evaluations • Aesthetic procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers • Osteopathic neuro-muscular manipulation medicine (Note-osteopathic physicians attempt to diagnose and treat somatic dysfunction by manipulating a person’s bones and muscles, which can address a variety of ailments. OMT techniques are most commonly used to treat back pain and other musculoskeletal issues, and are less commonly used to treat systemic conditions such as asthma or Parkinson’s disease.) “I also do traditional ophthalmology,” he says, “including eye exams, treating cataracts and performing laser surgery.” And, he says, “My varied training allows me to do things my colleagues can’t do.” He says his DO education leads him to practice as a “generalist” first, and specialist second. That means, if you’re experiencing a symptom, such as dry eyes, he doesn’t only look at the eyes to find the cause of your problem. Instead, he takes a holistic and integrative approach to treatment, meaning that he looks at the whole body in an effort to determine the cause of any symptoms. It’s not just acute symptoms (pain, numbness, etc.) that are evaluated, but the whole body, to ensure the patient experiences real wellness, not just symptom relief. Dr. Andronico gives an example of a typical experience someone visiting his office might have had: “If you have headaches and you think it’s because of your vision, most eye doctors will only look at your vision for the solution. Maybe I’m the fifth eye doctor you’ve been to, and no one has figured out the problem.” He adds that beyond just treating your eyes, he also will look at the history of the headaches and the other possible causes of your particular problem. “You’re treated as a whole person.” Practice administrator Amy Lerza says, “I have been in the medical field a long time

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At the June 18 Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Rejuva-Med: The Center for Dry Eye & Hormonal Disorders, Dr. Andronico (with scissors) got to tell Chamber members about how he can help with not only any eye problems they have; but also any hormonal issues.

want to get well.” He says his intention is not to take the place of a patient’s primary care physician or specialist, but to work hand-in-hand with those care providers. Peggy Rusaw says she met Dr. Andronico when he was working in a private practice in The Villages about a year ago. She had an eye exam with him and was telling him about some issues she was experiencing, including her dry eyes. She explains that during her eye exam, he began asking her questions that weren’t related to her eyes. “I realized he is not just an eye doctor, but has so much varied expertise,” Peggy says. Now she has visited him at Rejuva-Med, where she says they sat and talked, and ultimately determined she would be a good candidate for a type of hormone treatment called pellet insertion. Dr. Andronico explains that pellet insertion is a way of injecting hormones in an appropriate amount to leach out into the body over time. The hormones are bioidentical to the ones the body produces naturally – not synthetic, but derived from

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plant sources. They are slowly released as the body needs it. “It’s been four weeks and I’m already feeling changes – in a good way,” says Peggy. “I’m 71, and my test results had shown that I had no estrogen. With the pellet insertion, I have more energy, and the dryness in my eyes and skin is going away.” She says if Dr. Andronico hadn’t asked her the questions he did during her eye exam, she wouldn’t be receiving the treatment she is now. “I had no idea that anyone could help me with all the problems I was experiencing,” she said. “I’m so impressed with Dr. Andronico,” she says. “He’s so smart, has a great personality and a great work ethic.” She adds, “My insurance doesn’t pay for his services, but I’ve found the cost is not unreasonable for what he’s done for me,” says Peggy. “I think people would be very happy with him if they decide to visit him.” Rejuva-Med is located at 28945 S.R. 54, Suite 101. The office is open Mon.– Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Appointments are available by calling 907-0950.

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Previewing The Wharton & Freedom Boys & Girls Basketball Teams! Story & Photo by John C. Cotey

Freedom Girls Have Big Shoes To Fill

Most coaches would be fretting over the loss of a player who averaged 35 points a game, a player who became Hillsborough County’s all-time leading girls’ scorer and was the undeniable and unstoppable thrust of the offense last season. Not Freedom girls basketball head coach Laurie Pacholke. Oh sure, the loss of everyone’s Player of the Year Taylor Emery, who signed with Tulane University, will hurt a little. And the transition to a more balanced offense is sure to hit a few bumps along the way. But Pacholke doesn’t think those bumps will derail what she expects to be another solid season. “I’m super excited,’’ she said. “You know, last year we always had Taylor with her 30-35 points, and someone else with 15 or so and it was a different player every night. Now those (other) players will be able to showcase their talents more.” Basketball season tips off next week, with the Patriots playing at Spoto and the Wharton girls opening at Alonso, both on Nov. 12. The Wharton boys host Strawberry

Crest the following week in their season opener Nov. 17, and the Freedom boys open the next night at Leto. You can expect much of the same from the New Tampa squads again this season. While the Wharton girls have hovered under .500 the past few seasons, the other three teams have enjoyed making it at least as far as the regional final, with the Wildcat boys and Patriot girls going to the state semifinals, and have combined to win 295 games and lose only 103 the last five seasons. The Wharton boys haven’t won fewer than 20 games since 2008-09. However, the Freedom girls have the biggest shoes to fill this season. With Emery gone after a 26-3 season, Pacholke will lean on returning 5-foot-7 senior Nari Garner and a cast of teammates that the coach says is ready to breakout. Garner, a slick ball-handler who averaged 5.7 assists last season, is one of Hillsborough County’s top point guards and a team leader. She will be counted on to fill up the hoop a little more this season in Emery’s absence. Garner didn’t have to score a lot last season but had games of 21, 20 and 18 twice on the way to averaging 10.8 points and is capable of more.

“I think anybody will tell you in high school basketball, as long as you have good guard play, you’ll be okay,’’ Pacholke said. Garner will have help from 5-8 junior forward Megan Clark, but will have to wait until the end of December. The all-around talent averaged 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game last Senior point guard Nari Garner (left) and junior forward Megan Clark season, but Clark will try to keep the Freedom girls basketball team — which is 70-13 the past three seasons — at the top of Class 7A, District 8. tore her ACL at Steinbrenner, Sickles and Plant are the USF Team Camp in June. expected to be their top competition. Senior forward Makayla Gentry “We’re still going to be really will be much improved, Pacholke said, and the coach is eager to see what play- good,” said Pacholke, whose team will ers like juniors Ashley Bell, Taraja Leon play its first game at home Nov. 20 against Sickles. “I think because Taylor and Olivia Gonzalez do in potentially was so good, you didn’t really get to expanded roles. see what our younger kids can do. But And Pacholke says the defense, they are good. I think you’ll see that usually very good but underapprecithis year.” ated, will be a weapon again. Pacholke adds, “It’s a whole new The Patriots are still the team to vibe, we are looking forward to it.’’ beat in Class 7A, District 8, where

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k t

Wharton Boys Basketball Preview

Wharton Girls Basketball Preview

Freedom Boys Basketball Preview

Head coach: Tommy Tonelli Last year: 24-5 District record (8A-7 in 2014-15): 9-1 District outlook: The Wildcats’ new District 7A-8 will be even tougher this year, with the addition of a Sickles team that is probably the District’s favorite. But, the Wildcats and Freedom should both be in the playoff race. Key returners: G/F Evan Trice (Sr., 6-2), F Josiah Crawford (Sr., 6-3), G Matthew Tonelli (Sr., 5-11), F Devontres Dukes (Sr., 6-4), PG Tray Gildon (Jr., 5-10) X-Factor: F Dae’Son Barnes (So., 6-3). Season Outlook: Since returning for his second stint as Wharton head coach in 2009, Tonelli has averaged 23.6 wins a season. The Wildcats should approach that mark again this time around, too. Trice (12 ppg, 4 assists, 4 rebs) and Crawford (9 ppg, 6 rebs) will lead the way after a big offseason in which Wharton captured the Southeast Basketball Academy (SEBA) Summer League title. Gildon will run the point and Tonelli said the shifty guard has shown tremendous improvement this offseason. Gildon will be backed up by the coach’s scrappy son Matthew Tonelli, and Dukes can be a force inside. Barnes could be a special find for the Wildcats as he moves up from junior varsity. In fact, Barnes could be one of a few jayvee players from last year’s 15-1 squad to have on impact on varsity. The schedule: The Wildcats open the season Nov. 17 hosting Strawberry Crest, and also play Nov. 18 (at Wiregrass Ranch), 20 (at Plant) and 21 (host Newsome).

Head coach: Chad Reed Last year: 8-19 District record (8A-7 in 2014-15): 3-7 District outlook: The Wildcats’ district added some top teams, making the Wildcats playoff hopes a little harder to reach as Freedom, Sickles and Plant will be the co-favorites. Key returners: F Lauren Wall (Sr., 6-0), C Sabrena Eye (Jr., 6-1), G Diamond Wells (Sr., 6-0), G Ashley Jones (Jr., 5-8).

Head coach: Cedric Smith Last year: 22-7 District record (7A-8): 10-0 District outlook: Freedom will be reunited with rival Wharton in district play this season, making the two meetings between the teams this season must-see basketball in New Tampa. Key returners: G Sheldon Odunna (Sr., 6-3), G Nasir Cole (Sr., 6-0), PG Dylan Angel (Sr., 6-1), C Alex Rojas (So., 6-8). X-Factor: F Chase Creasy (Jr., 6-4). Season Outlook: Last year, the Patriots spread the ball around, as 17 different players scored. Well, 15 of those players were underclassmen, giving Smith the most experienced team he’s ever had. It could prove to be his best team, as well. Odunna continues to show great improvement year-to-year and is the team’s best player, averaging a team-high 16.1 points last season. Smith says he is one of the best guards in the county. He shares the backcourt with Cole and Angel, and guard play is one of the Patriots’ strengths. Freedom has a host of long wings to fuel the defensive side, like senior Jamal Byrnes and Quenden James, and Smith said Creasy is good enough to be a starter but he needs his offense off the bench. After reaching the regional final in 2013-14, Smith and his Patriots are ready for the next step. The schedule: Freedom opens up on the road with a game at Leto (Nov. 18) before the home opener Nov. 20 vs. Sickles. Oh, and then it’s Wharton on Dec. 1.

Season Outlook: Reed inherited a program that was just 1-21 the year before he got there and turned them into a 21-5 team his first season. Since then, the Wildcats have not finished over .500 and last year tumbled to a 8-19 finish, the worst under Reed. The Wildcats lost leading scorer Nicole Wolard to graduation, but second leading scorer Wall (9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds) is back for the ‘Cats. Wells, who averaged a team-best 9.7 rebounds to go with 8.2 points a contest, also is back. Wall, Wells and Eye are all 6-feet tall or better, giving the Wildcats some value along the frontline, although Wall also led the team in three-pointers. Jones will play point guard for the Wildcats, who improved as last season went on and only lost by two points to Plant in the district tournament. The schedule: The Wildcats play seven games in November, all against teams that won at least 16 games last season and went to the playoffs. The Wildcats open on the road at Alonso (Nov. 12) and play their first home game Nov. 13 against Plant City.

New Tampa H.S. Hoops By The Numbers 115 — combined victories the last five seasons (23/year) by the Wharton boys basketball team. 108 — combined victories (21.6/ year) by the Freedom girls basketball team the last five years. 15 — players who made at least one free throw for the Freedom last year. 13 — all-time playoff appearances by the Wharton boys, the most of any boys or girls hoops team in New Tampa. 6 — consecutive playoff appearances by the Wharton boys, including a state semifinal appearance in 2013. 3 — all-time playoff appearances by Freedom, including the last two seasons. 50.6 — percentage of the Freedom girls’ team’s points scored last year by Taylor Emery (1,020 of 2,012). 10 — all-time playoff appearances by the Wharton girls, one more than Freedom. 12 — of February, when the girls Class 7A State final four begins. 1 — of December, when the Wharton & Freedom boys & girls teams will square off at Wharton in the “Battles for Bruce B. Downs” 19 — of February, when the boys Class 7A state final four begins.

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New Tampa HGCC’s Campos Helps Team Win National Title

Hunter’s Green Country Club (HGCC) head tennis professional Allegra Campos was a two-time All-American at the University of Miami, and played professionally for a few seasons as well. And yet, helping win a United States Tennis Association (USTA) age 40 & over 4.5 (level) adult league championship on Oct. 25 at CaliforAllegra Campos nia’s Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Campos says, will go down as one of her biggest career thrills. Campos was one of the key players for Harbour Island Athletic Club — husband José, a former USF standout, is the head pro there — as the team swept through the regular season, State Sectional and National Championship with an unblemished record of 15-0, capping its run by defeating a team from Hawaii 3-2 in the final Sunday afternoon. Campos, who earned her pro certification at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa in Wesley Chapel and has been the head pro at HGCC since 2008, teamed up with Lisa Balsera to win 6-1, 6-1 at No.

Sports Briefs 1 doubles in the final against Hawaii, earning a vital point. Teams compete against each other in two lines of singles and three lines of doubles, in a best-offive line competition. Campos also posted a three-set win with Balsera in the final match of flight play against a Northern California team, and Harbour Island also defeated teams from Illinois, Colorado and Mississippi (in the semifinals) at Indian Wells. — John C. Cotey

‘Grand Hamptoween’ 5K Race Is A $6K ‘Thriller’

The New Tampa community of Grand Hampton recently held its second annual community 5K road race and children’s one-mile fun run, raising $6,050 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (see below). The theme of the event this year, held on Oct. 17, was the “Grand Hamptoween Monster Dash” and “‘Lil Monster Dash,” featuring a twilight run through the streets of Grand Hampton. Children and adults also competed in monster costume contests, sponsored by Cartwright Realty. A haunted house, bounce houses, DJ dance party, face painting, popcorn, pizza and food catered by OTB Delights Café provided hours of fun and entertainment to hundreds of Grand Hampton residents and Tampa Bay-ar-

The kids (and a few adults) in their Halloween get-ups (above) at the ‘Grand Hamptoween 5K” to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

ea runners. Florida Race Management provided the 5K race course and timing, as all runners had chipped bibs this year. A “flash mob” of monster dancers set the tone for the race, performing a routine to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Twelve other area corporations and businesses combined as donors for this year’s race, and many were present at the race site. Walgreens at Country Line Road and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. was a second-year sponsor and also provided flu shots on-site. Other second-year sponsors were the Melrose Management

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Partnership, Two Men & A Truck, The Breakfast Nook of Lutz, Valley Crest, Bright House Networks, Dr. Lisa LaPresti of Sea of Smiles Children’s Dentistry (see ad on pg. 16) and ICI Homes (see pg. 5). First-year sponsors included AAA, Donna “K” Kempinksi of Keller Williams, Ierna’s Heating & Cooling (see pg. 6) and Dr. Bill Scheu’s New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center. The Tampa-based Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides full scholarships and grants as well as counseling to the surviving children

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charitable donation to SOWF over last year’s race and provided lots of family and athletic fun for all.— Special to the Neighborhood News

Local Tennis & Softball For 60+

Walt Bockmiller is currently looking to put a few more teams in his already-bustling 60-&-over softball league. Games are (Above) The ‘flash mob’ of adult dancers kicked off the Grand played in central Hamptoween 5K race. (Below) There were plenty of kids on-hand Pasco County, and the league is open to for the one-mile children’s fun run during the event. players in New Tampa looking to join. Bockmiller also is organizing men’s and women’s tennis leagues for players of all ages in the New Tampa, Pasco and Hernando area. Bockmiller said his league will match teams against others in their own area, and season-ending playoffs will decide the winners. of special operations personnel who Tennis players will be rated 2.0, 3.0 die in operational or training missions. -3.5, 4.0 and 4.5-Open and placed on Immediate financial assistance also is the corresponding teams to their level. provided to severely wounded special Competitions will consist of singles operations personnel and their families. and doubles matches. As the main community event for Bockmiller can be reached at the fall season, this year’s Grand Hamp527-8211 for more info. — JCC toween 5K race more than doubled the

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At Pinot’s Palette In Wesley Chapel — Drinking + Painting = FUN!!! I’m definitely no artist — in fact, I think I definitely have less artistic talent than most of the dozens of people who came out to paint for the Oct. 23 Grand Opening (and Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, or WCCC, ribbon-cutting ceremony) at the new Pino’s Palette, which is located in the Shoppes at New Tampa Plaza in Wesley Chapel (south of the intersection of S.R. 56 off Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.). So, why do I feel this compulsive need to go back to the tenth Florida location of Pinot’s Palette, a new chain with fewer than 150 locations in the U.S. and Canada that was named the 18th best new franchise in the country by Enterpreneur magazine? Maybe it’s the fact that Pinot’s Palette allows you to both drink and release your “inner Picasso” while taking a twohour art lesson that allows you to walk away with your own acrylic-paint-covered canvas and a lot of great memories while surrounded by some great people (and good bgeer and wine on tap). The owner of the Wesley Chapel location, James Serrano, is a friendly, outgoing guy who says he has no artistic ability himself, but he “knew a great idea when I saw it.” Serrano and his equally gregarious crew of mostly college students who do have artistic capabilities will make you feel at home — if your home has a way-cool art studio built into it, that is. Many of my friends and colleagues from the WCCC and Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club were on hand to enjoy our first taste of Pinot’s during Serrano’s VIP Painting Party following the ribbon-cut-

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ting — and there were rave reviews all around, even if my finished product looked almost nothing like the art we were supposed to copy (above). Pinot’s Palette is located at 1718 BBD. For info, including a list of class times, visit PinotsPalette.com/Wesley Chapel or call 928-8131 and please tell Serrano and crew that the Neighborhood News sent you! — GN

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(Clockwise from above left) Painting and drinking at the new Pinot’s Palette in Wesley Chapel will bring out your “inner Picasso.” Owner James Serrano and his equally-high-energy crew will help you enjoy your art class. The packed WCCC Ribbon Cutting on October 23.

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Out-Of-Area Dining — Villa Gallace, Ava, Middle Grounds Grill & Dulcet Eight years later, Pompeo and his son Luigi found a closed Circle K in nearby Indian Rocks Beach and 20 years ago, Villa Gallace was born. When I visit, I usually have either a beautiful caprese (mozzarella and tomato) or a Caesar salad (for two), the day’s fresh fish special or veal parmigiana (or Marsala), a pasta dish and a side of spinach or broccoli sautéed in garlic and oil. Villa Gallace has beer and (excellent) wine only, but try getting anything like that meal at the Olive Garden. Just saying.

By Gary Nager

Although I try to spend most of my time in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, there’s little doubt that we have precious few top-notch local mom-and-pop, sitdown restaurants in our distribution areas. So, like so many of you, when I want to go out for anything other than Asian food (we do have lots of excellent sushi and Thai restaurants), I generally drive a good distance in order to get a great meal. I’ve provided you with quite a few of these “Out-of-Area” dining selections in the past and they’ve always been well-received by our readers, so here we go again with short write-ups of four I’ve enjoyed recently — one on Indian Rocks Beach, one in South Tampa, another on Treasure Island and the last in New Port Richey. Bon appetit and please tell these restaurants that you read about them in the New Tampa Neighborhood News!

Villa Gallace Italian Restaurant 109 Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks Beach (727) 596-0200 VillaGallace.com

Indian Rocks Beach has long been one of my favorite destinations for sand, sun, kayaking and yes, food — and, as a transplanted New Yorker who craves great

Italian food, there’s little doubt that Villa Gallace is one of my favorite restaurants — not just Italian places — in the entire Tampa Bay area. I’m not usually dressed for a nice dinner when I go to Indian Rocks, so I haven’t been to Villa Gallace as often I would go if it was local to me, but whether you’re looking for anything from baked lasagne to fresh cobia (photo above) to outstanding homemade gnocchi, I hope you’ll visit the Gallace family at this delicious, elegant, authentic Italian ristorante. Family patriarch Pompeo Gallace, who was born in the southern Italian region of Calabria and moved to New York in 1952, relocated to Florida with his wife Alice, and opened his first restaurant, Davinci’s, in Indian Shores, which was a selfproclaimed pizza-and-pasta emporium.

Ava

718 S. Howard Ave. South Tampa (813) 512-3030 AvaTampa.com When former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon left the Bay area to manage the Chicago Cubs, one of the best things he accomplished here was most definitely Ava, an 18-month-old

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addition to the already-happening South Tampa dining scene. Affiliated with the hugely successful 717 South (which I’ve reviewed in these pages before), which is located just across S. Howard Ave. Ava bills itself as “Inspirato Italiano,” or “Italian-inspired,” like the chef’s selection of house-cured meats and cheeses below left), but it also features lots of trendy items, like the yummy kale pizza below. Ava’s executive chef J Ward and his staff do an amazing job with meats and fresh fish, too, as I already have enjoyed the wood-grilled (truly) prime sirloin and bone-in ribeye, as well as the marketfresh fish of the day, which (for me) has included grouper, Chilean sea bass and cobia so far. There’s also a superior variety of pasta dishes and unique pizzas, many of which offer vegetarian options, although all of the meats and fish I’ve sampled at Ava have been first-rate, so I’ll keep going back to try new options, especially at the happening bar, an equal-to-717 South addition to an already-fun area loaded with great dining options. I didn’t shed a tear when Joe’s Cubs lost to the Mets in the playoffs, but I am glad Ava is still thriving.

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Middle Grounds Grill

10925 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island (727) 360-4253 MiddleGroundsGrill.com

Whether it’s because I grew up within 15-20 minutes of two pretty nice beaches (Atlantic and Long Beach, Long Island), or because our Gulf of Mexico beaches are just so frickin’ amazing (or both), I have spent a lot of the 22 years I’ve lived here hanging out everywhere from Clearwater to St. Pete and Sarasota to Naples. But, because accessing Clearwater is a headache similar to driving to Jones Beach in New York for me, the majority of my Gulf-side visits have been between Sand Key and St. Pete Beach. And, since I’m usually either walking the beach or especially kayaking lately, I

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generally have to have the occasional great meal either before I head home or get back to the hotel. One gem I stumbled into after three hours on the beach about three years ago is Middle Grounds Grill (MGG), which is in Treasure Island, but on the St. Pete side, south of the craziness (but fun, for sure) of John’s Pass. Although it’s kind of cool-looking on the outside, MGG is even nicer on the inside, even though covered-up beach attire is certainly OK at the bar and tables. The place has no pretentions about what it is — great fresh fish and seafood and equally delicious wet-aged steaks (like the bone-in cowboy ribeye, left) and other delicious meat options (the crispy breast of duck entrée is divine), pastas and more at very fair prices for the quality. That quality definitely extends to the bar and wait staff as well, because I’ve yet to see anyone leave MGG with anything less than smiles on their faces. I prefer sitting at the super-premium (but again, still very fairly priced) full liquor bar, although if it’s date night, you can still dress it up a little for dinner and enjoy some great wine at a booth inside. One of the things I’ve loved most about MGG is the fact that even though I’ve never quite made it out to the Middle Grounds (75 miles off Tarpon Springs) to go fishing, I know I’ve tasted some amazing grouper (which is on the menu) and everything from hog snapper to tripletale and wahoo to cobia at MGG, because the restaurant’s name is an homage to that

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fishing Mecca. According to the MGG website, Dave Coover and his sons “had lifelong ties to the sea,” but they retooled their own Robby’s Pancake House (which had been as famous a breakfast place as there is anywhere on the Gulf beaches for 33 years) and reopened in 2009. I didn’t know Robby’s too well myself, but I am a big fan of what the Coovers have now at MGG.

Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge

6220 Grand Blvd. Downtown New Port Richey (727) 494-7654 The Dulcet.com

I have been spending a little more time on the west side of Pasco recently and was invited to meet some friends at Dulcet about two months before that award was announced. I’ve only been there twice to date, but both experiences have been awesome. The bar scene is pretty happening, especially for New Port Richey, and there’s a great, elegant vibe to go with the great food at Dulcet. The two entrées I’ve sampled to date are the Bandit Boat fish, which I believe was black grouper the day I tried it, although I hear that fresh catch changes daily. The savory Bandit Boat fish is served over a reggiano risotto, beurre noisette (hazelnut brown butter), parsley, Meyer lemon & sea asparagus. I’ve also enjoyed the hereford strip steak, served with fingerling potatoes, wild mushrooms & a peppercorn caramel, but on my next visit I hope to be able to sample the scrumptious-looking chateaubriand for two below. Congratulations to executive chef Paul Syms (who has worked everywhere from Europe to Orlando, where he was with Wolfgang Puck) and everyone at Dulcet for such an auspicious start. I very much look forward to future visits.

It’s only been a few weeks since “The Dulcet” was named the Best New Restaurant of 2015” in Creative Loafing’s 25th annual “Best of the Bay” competition, but I had tried this year-old jewel, which is helping revitalize a downtown area that truly needed some sprucing up.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Clean-it Puts A Personal Touch On Your Home’s Cleanliness By Celeste McLaughlin baseboards, interior glass doors, counter-

Since 2013, Celly de Freitas has operated Clean-it, a family-owned cleaning service based in Wesley Chapel and serving the surrounding areas, including New Tampa, Lutz and Land O’Lakes. The company is unlike many, in that Celly herself meets with each client to get specific instructions and room-byroom requests and then returns, in person, to do (or supervise) the job herself each time. Celly says other cleaning services don’t usually offer the consistency she does. Large companies hire a lot of people, she says, so you don’t always get the same crew working in your home. She says this is a recipe for miscommunication, and also considerably slows down the cleaning process. “For all of my clients,” explains Celly, “I personally clean their house, or I check it after my crew is done. Every house, every time.” Celly adds that she currently has four crew members who clean homes with her, and they are all family members or friends of hers. “I only have people working for me who I know and trust,” Celly says. “I’m not going to allow someone into my clients’ homes if I don’t know them.” Clean-it provides general cleaning services, including dusting, wiping down and disinfecting window ledges,

tops, the facings of all appliances, sinks, faucets, exterior cabinets, blinds and ceiling fans, as well as floor vacuuming and mopping. If you need something done that isn’t on this list, Celly says all you have to do is ask, as she is happy to accommodate special requests. “I do whatever the client asks, and I always accomplish what I promise,” Celly explains. “My clients (have to be) happy with my services, or I go back and make it right.” She says this is another contrast to large cleaning companies, where a cleaning crew may have so many homes scheduled that they are in a rush at every home they visit. “This isn’t a quick clean,” says Celly. “We’re not paid by the hour, so we don’t have to look at our watches while we’re cleaning, to be sure we get in and out quickly.” She stresses that, in her business, the needs and desires of her clients are of the utmost importance. “We just do whatever it takes to make sure your house looks good every time we leave.” Celly insists that each time she cleans your home, it will be as clean as the first time. She says her reputation has been built on satisfied customers who know she does a thorough and detailed cleaning each and every time. Celly has now worked in the clean-

ing industry for 19 years, the last two as the owner and operator of Clean-it. She moved to Florida 18 years ago from Brazil and her family settled in Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel more than 12 years ago. With her roots in this community, she has many long-term relationships with clients. “I want people to Clean-it owner Celly de Freitas (far right) only employs her family know they can trust me,” she says. “I have members & friends to ensure your home or office is cleaned thoroughly every time. She even either helps clean or inspects each job herself. houses I’ve cleaned for 15 years. I provide tion shutters, and Celly is obsessed with references and I welcome new clients to keeping them dusted and clean, even call my current clients and see what they more than me,” says Julie. “And that’s a have to say about me.” big job! I’m very happy with her.” Celly says Julie is just one of her Listen To Julie... many satisfied customers. She believes Julie is one of those clients who they stay that way because she dedicates is happy to talk about how much she her time to each one of her clients and appreciates Clean-it’s cleaning services. puts her personal stamp of approval on She first met Celly in 2006 when she was each cleaning job. looking for someone to clean her home “Homeowners like the fact that they and a neighbor referred her. know me and my crew,” says Julie. “If I “Celly is incredibly reliable, neat, don’t come to your house one day, but prompt and honest,” Julie says. “She send a crew instead, it’s still going to does a good job, and she’s careful with be someone you know who has cleaned delicate things.” your house before.” Julie adds, “I have a lot of plantaAnd, Celly will still stop by to make

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y y

Celly and her crew always make sure your house looks its best.

sure it’s been done properly. It’s also important to Celly to use environmentally friendly products, she says. She chooses products that are efficient and “work well but are not harmful,” she says. “If you have kids and pets, we know they sometimes come into contact with cleaning products, whether that’s from licking the floor or just having their hands on the floor,” Celly explains. “So, we use products that will not be harmful to their health.” If a client wants their own, personal products to be used for cleaning instead, Celly says she is happy to oblige. Clean-it offers 10-percent-off all

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services to Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News readers. Be sure to see her ad on page 56 of this issue. Like the ad says, if you choose to give her and Clean-it a try, “You’ll see the difference.” For a free estimate, call Celly at 505-0431. You can learn more about Clean-it online at Facebook.com/ CleanIt.Services. The business is licensed and insured. Appointments are available Mon.-Fri., with special request appointments available on Sat. Clean-it is accepting new residential and business clients for regular weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleanings, as well as one-time services for moving in or out.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 23 • November 7, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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

VIP Elite Barbershop’s Community VIP Event

If you’re looking for a great haircut at a great price, I can personally recommend VIP Elite Barbershop (20309 BBD, next to Bruster’s Ice Cream), even though I’ve never personally had a “fade” or any other razor cut before. I took part in VIP’s “Community VIP” event on October 14, when men’s and kids’ haircuts were just $10, and you could even get the VIP Elite logo design cut into your cut (photo above; although I chose to not have that done) at no extra charge. “We had some guys get Tampa Bay Lightning bolts, too,” says VIP co-owner Joanne Rivera, whose husband and Master Barber Omar cut my hair. “We had free food and beverages, provided by a number of sponsors. It was just one of our ways of giving back to this community we love.” VIP is open seven days a week, but you can get the same, outstanding haircut I got from Omar — or any of VIP’s well-trained barbers — for just $10 on any “Ten Dollar Tuesday.” You also can get $5 off any haircut or hot shave with the coupon from the VIP Elite ad on page 41 of this issue. Walk-ins are always welcome at VIP, or you can make appointments at VIPEliteBarbershop.com or by calling 994-4057.

Señor T’s Close To Opening

Just to update our item in the last issue, Señor T’s Mexican Restaurant is still

o k b s C F S d w p H p S

expected to open (as previously announced) on Sunday, November 15, in the longvacant former New Tampa Macaroni Grill on BBD (in front of the also-vacant former Sweetbay Supermarket). The former Mac Grill building has not been occupied for more than a year, but interviews for employees were being held as we went to press. I will say that the inside of the building looks really nice, but no menu was available on the day I visited. The New Tampa Señor T’s is the first link in a small, planned start-up chain of about seven locations, with a second location rumored to be moving into another former Mac Grill location on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood. The spacious, comfylooking restaurant will feature indoor and outdoor seating, a full premium liquor bar and mid-priced Mexican fare.

Orchid Thai To Open In Former Pizzazzone Location

Also expected to open shortly after this issue reaches your mailbox is Orchid Thai, a small, sit-down and tak-out Thai restaurant, which has taken over the former Pizzazzone location in the Shoppes at The Pointe Plaza in Tampa Palms (next to Koizi Endless Hibachi Grill). We’ll keep you posted about the food one Orchid Thai opens.

Capital Tacos Opens!

At our press time, Capital Tacos, the

o h a b C i a g s w a s c o n

a w d

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce hosted ribbon-cutting events at three Tampa Palms-based businesses last month — (top to bottom) at North Tampa Pet Depot & Hospital on Oct. 9 (or the day before our last issue came out). The Grand Opening event also featured a visit from the Labrador Retriever Rescue organization. The WCCC also cut ribbons at both Jefferson Bank & at Memory Lane Cottages on Oct. 15. For the WCCC’s complete events calendar, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com. hugely popular local eatery with an original location at 6765 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41) in Land O’Lakes, had opened its second restaurant — albeit with limited hours — in the former location of Café Fresco at 27209 SR 56, in the plaza next to Sports + Field.

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So far, so delicious at the Wesley Chapel Capital Tacos. We hope to provide you with a complete review of the food in a future issue. For more information, visit Capital Tacos.com or call 973-3777. — GN

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( t

Great Weather & Fun At The 2015 Wesley Chapel Fall Festival! With amazing weather that featured an ongoing cool breeze and low humidity despite high temperatures all weekend, the seventh annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, sponsored by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) may or may not have set its two-day attendance record, but it was still an amazing opportunity to check out some great entertainment (Wesley Chapel Nissan sponsored the main stage of entertainment, which featured outstanding performances by a number of local artists), enjoy some awesome activities for kids and even sample delicious fair-style food from a unique assortment of food trucks. There also were plenty of business and crafts vendors on hand, too. A major highlight of the weekend was once again was the Little Miss & Mr. Pumpkin Patch Contest, which was again put on by the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club & sponsored this year by Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. Although I was unable to attend the Festival on Saturday, I was on hand all day Sunday and was stunned to see how many dogs were adopted by the various pet (there were also cats available) adoption agencies the previous day. The word from WCCC CEO Hope Allen was that virtually all of the puppies that were brought out for adoption on Saturday went home with new owners. “We had another great weekend of fun at the 2015 Fall Festival,” Allen said afterward. It’s almost hard to believe the Chamber doesn’t plan to host the event again next year. For more photos and info, visit WCNeighborhoodNews.com. — GN

(Top left): The winners of the Little Mr. & Miss Pumpkin Patch Contest, sponsored by the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary & Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. (Top right): Frenchie’s Touch was among the food trucks on site all weekend. (Middle, l.-r.): Young classical pianist James Williams & guitarist/singer Mike McDonald were two of the favorites of the 2015 Wesley Chapel Fall Festival’s entertainers. Lots of pumpkins and Indian corn were sold. (Bottom, l.-r.) The cell phone enhancer was a favorite craft. The ‘kids in the plastic bubbles’ attraction was very popular.

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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

AD OF THE MONTH!

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

MISCELLANEOUS

BUYING QUALITY PIANOS Baby Grands and Uprights only, in excellent shape.Newer is best. Prefer Kawaii or Yamaha. (813)978-1771

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.

HOME IMPROVEMENT 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. 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 MONSTERPOOL POOL CLEANING CLEANING - Summer - Summer SpecialSpecial — 50% — off your 50%1st offtwo your months 1st two of service. monthsFamily of service. owned &Family operowned ated. 20+ & Years operated. of Experience. 20+ Years Competitive of Experience. rates! ComSame petitive service tech rates! each Same week. service *Our 15-pt. tech each weeklyweek. full service *Our 15-pt. will keep weekly your pool full service looking great! will keep Referyour a customer pool looking & get great! ONE MONTH Refer aFREE! customer Call Today & get-ONE (813)MONTH 489-9967.FREE! 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

_____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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EDUCATION / BABYSITTING

GREAT HOPE PRESCHOOL - We offer preschool for ages 6 weeks to 12 years. We accept the ELC - School Readiness program, offer FREE VPREK and offer multi child discounts. New owner and renovated classrooms. Now enrolling all age groups. Infants-Afterschool. Mention this ad and receive 1/2 off enrollment fees. TOUR TODAY!!! 30126 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, FL 813-929-6276 or 813-323-8030. #CO6PA0267

Royal Conservatory of Music Founding School - Lessons 5 through adult/all levels. Award-winning school. All teachers concerttrained. Piano, All types of Strings and Percussion. Read and listen to us at TampaPiano. com 813.978.1771

CLEANING SERVICES

M.T Concierge Services Are you stressed, too many things to do and not enough time? Moving and you need to pack or unpack? Going on vacation and need someone to watch your pets or plants or house? Something else? I can help you with lots of more chores. Call Manana at (813)-758-2388 M & Y Cleaning Services Residential & Commercial cleaning Complete cleaning: Dusting, vacuuming,mopping, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms and more...Weekly, Byweekly, monthly, one time cleaning. References available. 8 years of cleaning experience. We clean your properties like our own. Call us TODAY for a FREE estimate. Mila (813)516-3554. B Cleaning Services: Over fourteen years experience! Commercial & residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813.531.0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@ hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies and more than 300 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 758-9710.

COMPUTER / BUSINESS SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT — in your home or small business. A+, Certified computer tech with 20 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. Remote assistance available. References available upon request. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate.

DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, installation, networking & virus removal. WE COME TO YOU! Servicing residences & businesses, w/ more than 25 years of exp. Contact Jeffrey Blank at (813) 973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or send an email to Wsica@wsica.com today!

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Not getting the calls you know your business deserves? Our Classified Ads are the ones your neighbors actually READ!

Call (813) 910-2575 to order your Classified or Display Ad today!

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‘Martial Arts For Life’ Bingo Event Raises $2K To Fight Human Trafficking It seems you never really know what effect an event is going to have on you until you actually attend it. A case in point — I was really only going to the “80s Flashback Bingo” event, sponsored by CORE Spine & Rehabilitation Center, LLC, to support Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club president-elect (and CORE owner) and chiropractor Pablo Rivera, DC, and his wife Christine in their efforts to help the “Martial Arts for Life’ Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started by Sensei Ernesto Fuentes of the Keiko Shin Karate dojo at 3753 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. The thing I didn’t know until I went to the fun event, which was attended by more than 50 people and raised nearly $2,000 for the Foundation, was the effect Fuentes and his cause would have on me. The Riveras have had their children trained in karate by Fuentes, who said that he moved his family from his native Venezuela a few years ago because his daughter was targeted by human traffickers and he was told by law enforcement officials that the only way “to prevent her from being taken was to take her out of the country.” Fuentes and his family escaped to Miami but ultimately settled in Wesley Chapel. During the ‘80s-themed event, he made an obviously emotional presentation about human trafficking — including mentioning that Florida has the third highest number of children being trafficked in the U.S. and that the Tampa Bay area is unfortunately the leading location for trafficking in the Sun-

shine State, where the average age of the victims is only 12. “Trafficking is a huge business,” said Fuentes, who also recently added training the children at the Everyday Blessings foster home in Thonotosassa, which specializes in caring for siblings at their location. “It is up to us to do something about it.” For info about Keiko Shin Karate, call 994-9253. For CORE Spine & Rehabilitation (5900 Argerian At the ‘80s Flashback Bingo’ event to benefit the Martial Arts for Life Foundation, (clockwise from top left) Christine & Dr., Suite 101), call 373Dr. Pablo Rivera & Sensei Ernesto Fuentes gave away lots of prizes, some of which were won by former WC Rotary president 5317 or visit Facebook. Kelly Mothershead & current president Erin Meyer. Christine poses with Dr. Karina Azank & Christina Navatta. com/CoreSpine. — GN

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