WESTCHASE AREA
Vol. 2, Issue 10, October 2013
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles
®
Your neighborhood. Your magazine.
The Community & Local Business Magazine Directly Mailed To 16,000 Homes In Westchase & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Arlington Park • Aston Villas • Bay Arbor • Berkeley Square • Calf Path Estates • Enclave At Citrus Park • Fawn Ridge Forest Lakes • Hampton Lakes • Highland Park • Lake Chase • Mandolin • The Eagles • Tree Tops • Twin Branch Acres Waterchase • West Hampton • Westchase • Westchester • Westwood Lakes • Windsor Place
Your Smile is Always a Top Priority at Mangrove Bay Dentistry! Dr. Tran’s awareness of the existing stigma and horror stories we often here about visiting the dentist is something he seeks to change by really getting to know his patients. He says, “Even if I am able to curb their anxiety and fear slightly, their worries will be less and less over time.” At Mangrove Bay Dentistry, you are not just another filling, crown or cosmetic request; you are treated as a person and your smile are given individualize care. Instead of just informing patients of potential dental problems and treatments, Dr. Tran and his TEAM educate and present color photos to help you better understand your options. See “Mangrove Bay” on page 22.
The Brain Balance Achievement Center in Oldsmar Changing Children’s Lives
See “Brain Balance” on page 18
Community Calendar............4 News Briefs..........................5 Tampa Rejuvenation.............6-7 The Grille at Westchase.....10-11 Livy’s Hope...................14-15 An Experience of a Lifetime.........................26-27
Susan, a Sensory-Motor Coach at Brain Balance in Oldsmar works with student Autumn McGinnis
ECRWSS
Let’s be honest, being a parent is the hardest, most wonderful thing you’ve ever done. But hard gets harder when your child is diagnosed with a learning disability or disorder. The label in itself can be hard to swallow, even when you know that a label doesn’t make a child and even when you know that a label doesn’t make any difference in who your child really is, what they can become or what they can achieve. That said, it can still be hard to know what to do next with regard to your child’s individual success at home, in school and in life in general.
When your child is diagnosed or given a label of ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, autism, Tourette’s, an Asperger’s Spectrum disorder, a learning disability or a processing disorder, it’s hard to know what to do. For parents and families this can be a scary and overwhelming time, and while these issues have become almost commonplace over the last two decades, the answer to the root of the problem has not been agreed upon. The popular although controversial approach to “fixing” it, however, is to use modern medicine. There is another option.
Remembering Joshua Griffin...3
Postal Customer
By Julie Kanehl
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
So you are not fond of visiting the dentist? Well, let’s be honest, it is not commonly looked upon as one of life’s thrills; but what if there was a way to make it a whole lot more enjoyable? At Mangrove Bay Dentistry, they aim to make this happen, one patient at a time, one smile at a time. When I sat down with Toan Tran, DMD, it was as though I was speaking with a friend. It became very clear to me at the onset of our conversation the reasons why patient reviews online stated things like, “extreme patience, understanding and informative” and "never have I been in a dentist’s office where everyone there was so concerned
about my well-being; the care taken to assure that I was comfortable was the best I ever had”. Our conversation continued, as he explained where his inspiration for dentistry began, and it did not take me much longer to conclude he chose, and remains in his profession for all the right reasons. Upon completing work-study at a dentist’s office during his undergraduate years at the University of Florida, Dr. Tran made a few decisions about what his dental practice would entail. For him, developing meaningful relationships with his patients was his first priority, and his second was ensuring a comfort level of each individual patient that goes far beyond the initial visit.
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Erin Aldrich
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News
From The Editor Alexis Selby
Joshua Griffin - Forever Missed,
Directly mailed once a month to 16,000 households in zip codes 33626 & 34677
But Never Forgotten In the early morning hours of September 2, tragedy struck the Tampa Bay Area with the heartbreaking death of beloved resident Joshua Griffin. What started as a day of celebration quickly turned into a devastating nightmare – a terrible, unexpected accident. And now, a community of loved ones is left shocked; mourning and grieving the loss of such an amazing man; a man with such a promising future ahead of him, who had so much left to give to this world. To all of us who had the pleasure of knowing Josh, we were truly fortunate. He was a caring, compassionate man, a man of God, who had a personality that could cheer you up no matter how bad your mood. There was just something about Josh; it was his presence; he could brighten up the room, simply by walking in and smiling. Even if you had just met him once, it was impossible not to like him. Everyone loved Josh, whether you had
known him your whole life or had just met him for the first time. “Thousands upon thousands have been touched by this tragedy,” writes Joshua’s father Jeff Griffin. “Joshua was so loved by his brothers and sister – he was their best friend. Joshua, only 29 years of age, with his whole bright future ahead, has left his girlfriend Denele heartbroken, along with everyone else he has come in contact with. Truly, a man full of life and a man filled with the love of God.” The outpouring of support from the community is a true testament to the power of Josh’s presence and the immeasurable affect he had on others. His love knew no boundaries. He touched the lives of so many, including my own. Josh had such a love for life, and just being around him, made you feel that way too. Although Josh is no longer with us in physical form, he is not gone, and he certainly will never be forgotten. His presence will forever live on in
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
Neighborhood News & Lifestyles 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@neighborhoodnewsfl.com Editorial E-mail: editorialdept@neighborhoodnewsfl.com © 2013 Westchase Neighborhood News is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc.
our hearts and his spirit and being will continue to bless all those he came in contact with. In honor of Joshua Griffin, the Griffin family has devoted a Memorial Fundraiser on his behalf. All donations are welcome and all proceeds will be going towards local charities by means of a foundation the family is starting. This will also result in a yearly event that will happen in Josh's name. For more information or to donate please visit www.YouCaring.com/NonProfits/Joshua-Griffin-memorialfundraiser/87416 or the Joshua Griffin Memorial Page on Facebook.
Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Matt Selby Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Linda Viega Mike Bird Accounting Manager Doreen Selby Billing Assistant Tina O’Reilly Marketing & Development Ashley Knoblach
Editor Alexis Selby Correspondents Kim Thomas Julie Kanehl Katie Thomas
Marcy Sanford Lenay Ruhl Dara Tucker Erin Aldrich Art Director Tony Sica Graphic Artist Dat X. Do
Nothing that appears in Westchase Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Westchase Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of Westchase Neighborhood News is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Westchase Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Westchase Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Westchase Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Westchase Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Westchase Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Westchase Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc.
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Community Calendar All About Amore Cat Hospital’s Official Grand Opening Come join All About Amore Cat Hospital on October 26 from noon to 3 p.m. as they celebrate their official Grand Opening Event. In addition to prizes and food, there will also be cats available for adoptions and a Kitty Costume Contest! All About Amore Cat Hospital “We are a full service cat hospital and we strive to provide the most stress-free experience for your feline family member,” says Dr. Susan Mango. “We look forward to you allowing us to provide the care for your kitty with compassion and love, after all we are ‘All About Amore’.” Dr. Mango graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and completed her clinical at the University of Florida. She received her certification from ECFVG and PAVE and also holds a Business Management degree from Western New England College. Dr. Mango truly cares about animals and volunteers with Paws for
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Friendship, Inc., a non-profit organization of volunteers sharing the unconditional love of their personal pets with people in need, throughout the world (www.PawsForFriendshipInc.org). She also works with Lap of Love, a Veterinary Hospice and In- home euthanasia service (www.LapOfLove.com). All About Amore is located at 6178 Gunn Highway in front of Walmart. For more information please call (813) 280-2928.
Happy Hour Fun to Help Support PurpleStride Tampa Bay 2013 This year, in communities across the country, tens of thousands of people will participate in one of over fifty PurpleStride events. These events range in size from brief walks to longer timed-runs, but they all share one common goal – to end pancreatic cancer. This year’s Tampa Bay Purple Stride event will take place on November 2 at Albert Whitted Park in St. Petersburg. In hopes of raising money
and awareness for this wonderful cause, the Twisted Olive, located at 9882 W. Linebaugh Ave. in Westchase, is hosting “Happy Hour Fun” to help raise money to support the Tampa Bay 5k charity run. Happy Hour Fun will be held from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Tuesday October 22. With a $10 donation, guests will receive 1 free drink and complementary appetizers. PurpleStride events raise awareness about the critical mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and give local residents the opportunity to help make strides toward a better future. The events also contribute millions of dollars toward their mission to advance research, support patients and create hope. Funds raised help provide personalized support for patients and support research grants and advocacy efforts to increase federal pancreatic cancer research funding. For more information about Happy Hour Fun please call (813) 269-7421.
Great Westchase 5K Presented by the World of Westchase, the Great Westchase 5K is
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a USATF nationally certified, chiptimed 5K race and 1 mile children fun run organized by the World of Westchase to benefit literacy programs at Davis Elementary School, a Title I school serving residents of The Children's Home and Town N Country. This race is held annually on the last Saturday in October. This year the race will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28; the children's fun run will start at 9 a.m. Start and finish lines will be located in the Village Plaza in West Park Village, located at 10116 Montague St. in Westchase. Held in the heart of beautiful Westchase, all runners of the 5K race will receive a quality tech race T-shirt, a great goodie bag and a commemorative 10th anniversary Great Westchase medal. All runners will also be entered into a raffle for great prizes. Awards will be given for first, second and third place finishes overall; for both male and female Masters; and for both male and female runners finishing first, second and third place in standard fiveyear age groups up to 75+. The events will be held rain or shine. For more information please visit www.Westchasewow.com/TheGreatWestchase/.
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
Community News Briefs
Countryway Blvd., phone number (813) 343-8887. For more information or answers to your questions please contact Heather Snyder by phone at (813) 495-1680, or by emailing studio108tampa@aol.com. Studio 108 Tampa is also the official home of the 108 Asanas (www.108Asanas.com).
75th Anniversary of a Mercury Theatre Original Radio Broadcast New Yoga Studio Open in Westchase Last month, Westchase welcomed one of its’ newest local businesses – Studio 108 Yoga and Holistic Healing, located at 11059 Countryway Blvd. The new studio will offer a variety of classes, including Hot 26+1, Hot Flow, their Signature Funky Flow, Power Flow, Beginner classes, Community Vinyasa Flow, Prana Flow, Missy White’s 108 Asanas Beginner and Advanced Series, Duncan Wong Inspired Yogic Arts, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Meditation. There are multiple classes every day of the week, including their popular Hot Lunch Hour classes. Nutritional consultations are available with Ayurvedic coach
Missy White for detox programs, increased energy, lifestyle changes, weight loss and overall health. Opening Sale In celebration of their grand opening, Studio 108 Yoga is offering an opening sale, including $45 for 30 days of classes or 3 Classes for $25. This offer is limited to new students and is a one-time purchase only. For a complete schedule of their classes and to purchase opening sale specials or other class packages, please check out their website at Studio108Tampa.com. Book now, appointments are filling up fast. Studio 108 Yoga and Holistic Healing is located next to the Public Library in Westchase at 11059
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
October 30 will mark the 75th anniversary of Mercury Theatre’s original radio broadcast of Howard Knoch’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. To celebrate, MAS Community Theatre will perform a live staged recreation of the broadcast at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center on October 4, the Ruskin Firehouse Cultural Center on October 25 and the Carrollwood Cultural Cen-
ter on October 26 and 27. It will mark the first time MAS Community Theatre has toured a show in the Bay Area. Auditioning actors will be asked to read an excerpt from a play (fiction or non-fiction), poem, or other text of their choosing for no more than 60 seconds. The audition will also include cold readings, exercises and games. Actors are encouraged to be familiar with the original 1938 broadcast of The War of the Worlds and that style of broadcasting. For more information about auditions, contact director Ric Solerto-Brown at solterobrown@mail.usf.edu. The recreation of the original Mercury Radio Theatre broadcast of Howard Koch’s The War of the Worlds is being produced through a special arrangement with Anne Koch. For more information, visit CarrollwoodCenter.org.
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Feel Better, Look Better, Live Better with Tampa Rejuvenation By Marcy Sanford Tampa Rejuvenation Founder and CEO Brett Markowitz wants to help people lead healthier, happier lives. During his 15 years in the health and fitness industry, he has seen many people who eat right and exercise but still can’t lose weight; and has even seen some that continue to gain weight despite efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle. He says, “Our patients come to us for many different reasons. Some have always been over weight; some have started to gain weight as they get older and can’t lose it despite exercise and dieting; some are suffering from depression and fatigue; some people are having sleep issues. And, for the most part, they all know something is wrong but they just can’t pinpoint what it is. At Tampa Rejuvenation we work with each person to create an individualized plan for their body, hormones, and lifestyle to help them live a healthier, happier life.” Tampa Rejuvenation opened their fourth location in June in the Covington Professional Park at 13648 Hillsborough Avenue. “We opened this office in response to the need of our patients,” says Brett. “We had many people traveling from the Westchase area to come to our offices and we wanted to make it easier for them.” Tampa Rejuvenation’s doctors include Johanna deVryer, MD – Board Certified Internal Medicine; Agnes Green, MD – Board Certified Anesthesiologist; Jeanna Hepler ARNP – Internal Medicine. Brett says, “Each of the doctors are specialists within their unique studies, and they all share a passion for the field of anti-aging and how it is helping to change patient’s lives. They are all A4M credentialed – this is where they go for additional education on how to slow up the aging process and prevent age-related diseases. They all work hand in hand to provide the
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best patient care possible.” Since 2008, Brett and the board certified doctors and professional personal trainers and nutritionists at Tampa Rejuvenation have been helped hundreds of patients regain their energy and take control of their lives. “Our doctors look at the whole person and all of their symptoms and lab results to discover what is happening with their body,” says Brett. Patients like 42-year-old Stacey have seen amazing results. She says, “Tampa Rejuvenation offers a total healthy lifestyle makeover. I have had exceptional results over the last few months following their program – a loss of 40 lbs of body fat while gaining several pounds of lean muscle mass. I have lost approximately 22 inches from my bust, waist, hips, and thighs, not to mention the improvement of my overall well-being. When I wake up in the morning none of my joints are screaming anymore and my chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain is gone. I no longer feel exhausted and run-down throughout the day. My blood pressure, cholesterol and resting heart rate have dropped significantly. Tampa Rejuvenation provides support to cover every aspect of a healthy lifestyle and gives you the right tools to achieve these results all in one place. They have knowledgeable doctors, personal trainers, and nutritionists on staff to help every step of the way.” One of the many reasons Tampa Rejuvenation’s programs are so successful is that they recognize that no two bodies or body chemistries are exactly alike. They use an integrative approach to determine the most suitable blend of medical weight loss, bio identical hormone therapy, clinical nutrition, and exercise for each individual. The professionals at Tampa Rejuvenation take plenty of time meeting with each patient to assess their needs, challenges, and goals. Then, they perform diagnos-
tic testing to analyze your current health and well-being. After receiving and reviewing your lab results, your doctor will talk to you about your health history, the symptoms you are experiencing, and your goals. Then your doctor will work with a team of fitness and nutrition professionals to create a customized plan to help you reach those goals. Brett says, “Our medical team is comprised of on-staff physicians, clinical nutritionists, medical assistants, and personal trainers. Each patient has a team of professionals to help ensure their success. We treat people for what is really wrong with them instead of using a band-aid approach to treat symptoms as they pop up.” Brett says patients of all ages come to Tampa Rejuvenation for help and that there are many factors besides aging that could be throwing your natural hormone or thyroid levels off balance, including stress, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental toxins, which all can decrease the proper healthy level for your hormones. Once Tampa Rejuvenation gets your hormone levels back to normal, they continue to offer support and help to their patients through an on-going maintenance program. The nutrition and exercise specialists will develop a plan just for you. “We have developed just for Tampa Rejuvenation patients an Iphone or Android application specifically for our weight loss programs; it even prints out a shopping list for you to take to the grocery store,” says Brett. You also receive a workout video and recipes daily. The workout is tailored to
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Dr. Agnes Green (L) has a passion for the field of anti-aging and how it is helping to change patient’s lives. how many calories you are taking in and how many you need to burn. The resistance training based work-outs are usually 20 – 30 minutes long and can be done at home.” When your hormones are not right, it can affect so many areas of your life and can cause you to experience sleep issues, weight gain, and a loss of sex drive. Unbalanced hormone levels can also cause you to be overly emotional, and tired all day long, including waking up tired.
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
Dr. Johanna deVryer (front center) and her caring staff work hand-in-hand to provide the best patient care possible. (Fron L to R) Nicole, Anna, Mike, Johanna, Cheree, Candi. If you are suffering from one of these symptoms, don’t spend another day feeling worn down. Talk to the health experts at Tampa Rejuvenation today to see what you can do to start feeling better, looking better, and livingbetter. Brett says, “Tampa rejuvenation really allows for long term success.” There is no cost for the initial consultation and the staff will gladly
check to see what your insurance will cover. Tampa Rejuvenation Westchase is located in the Covington Professional Park at 13648 Hillsborough Avenue and is open Mondays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information and a list of other locations, visit their web site at www.TampaRejuvenation.com. Call today to schedule an appointment at (813) 558-9500.
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
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The Grille at Westchase – Your Next Generation Sports Bar! By Alexis Selby Recently undergoing some extensive changes, including new ownership, a new name, a great new look and a completely revamped menu, in the past year The Grille at Westchase, previously named Courtside Grille, has quickly become a huge hit among Westchase residents. “There is nothing like us in this area,” says co-owner Sue Geigle. “There are other restaurants and other good restaurants, but there is nothing like us.” Known for its upscale dining, and deliciously unique food, The Grille at Westchase is so much more than your average sports bar. Featuring a family friendly atmosphere, complete with an arcade room, a beautiful covered patio, including a newly added cornhole game, and live entertainment on Friday evenings, dining at The Grille at Westchase is always an entertaining experience. “We have implemented a lot of changes in the past year,” says Sue. At first glance, most notable of these changes is the elegant new look, which greatly reflects the new direction that the restaurant aims to take. Another added feature is the addition of more flat-screen high-definition TVs and projectors, which line the walls throughout the restaurant; meaning no matter where you sit you’ll have an excellent view of your favorite sports team. “I had an awesome first-time experience here last month,” writes customer Jennifer. “I am a NFL fan from an outof-town team. I arrived in a big group of 12 for my team's 4:25 pm game on a busy Sunday afternoon. The hostesses and manager were amazing. They walked us around to show us all the open tables with TV options and guaranteed we could watch our game. They were so accommodating and helpful to make sure our every need was answered. We had 4 kids with our group; they
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The Grille at Westchase features an extensive menu of delicious options to choose from, including their Bayou Chicken Pasta (L) and their Oakwood grilled NY Strip steak (R). were very well taken care of. Throughout the game we ordered a steady stream of appetizers, all of which were very good. The draft beer is literally the coldest beer I think I have ever had in a bar, and that is saying a lot (I've had a lot of beer in a lot of places). We will definitely be coming back. If you love sports, good food, and good customer service, this place does it right!” Sue, who purchased the restaurant in May of last year with her husband Kevin, brother-in-law John Geigle, and friends Paul Williams, David Williams and Paul Walker, has been the driving force behind these new changes. She understands what it takes to run a restaurant, and strives to ensure that each guest receives the most attentive, quality customer care. “Owning a restaurant is all about customer service and building relationships and I absolutely love it,” says Sue. “I have met the most incredible people.” “We really care about our guests and focus on building relationships with our customers,” adds Brian Whirlow, the General Manager at The Grille at Westchase. “When people come in we try to make them feel really welcome and we always cater to their individual needs.”
Perfectly complementing the new look of the restaurant is the introduction of an entirely new menu, featuring a nice variety of options to choose from. “The quality of food has tremendously been changed since we took over ownership and we have a great new menu with all new menu items,” adds Sue. Appetizers include game-day favorites such as Buffalo chicken dip, wings and nachos, as well as seared Ahi Tuna, stuffed mushrooms and grilled cheese baquettes. In addition to a huge selection of burgers, sandwiches and melts, their menu also boasts a delicious selection of fresh salads, such as their Caribbean Chopped Salad – made with fresh greens, red onions, red and green peppers, tomatoes, walnuts, craisins, and blue cheese crumbles, served with fatfree raspberry vinaigrette – and their Chef Chopped Salad – Salami, ham, turkey, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, cucumbers, bacon, and hardboiled egg, served with house vinaigrette. A true testament to their new, sophisticated appeal, The Grille at Westchase showcases a full liquor bar, a wonderful wine selection, and some of the best cuisine in the Tampa Bay area,
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including a large variety of lighter choice options. Fresh off their Oakwood grill, The Grille Seafood Platter, flaunting a mouthwatering combination of Mahi and shrimp skewers, served over a rice pilaf, accompanied by a side of fresh veggies, is one of their specialty dishes, and with the first bite I could easily see why. The Mahi and shrimp, which were seasoned with a light coating of spices, absorbed the natural flavor of the Oakwood grill, giving them a subtly smoky flavor that was absolutely amazing, and the Mahi, might I add, was cooked to excellence, each bite flaking off perfectly and simply melting in my mouth. For those who prefer something from the land, their NY Strip steak is my personal recommendation. Also cooked on the Oakwood grill, this tender, juicy 10 oz steak is served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The quality of the meat was superb and the chef did a phenomenal job of preparing it, adding just the right amount of spices, allowing for the inherent flavor of the meat to really be tasted. Another prime selection from the Oakwood grill is their 10 oz Bone-in Pork Chop. With the option to get it blackened or grilled (I tried it grilled),
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
cluded with the buffet are all-you-candrink options as well, depending on the package you choose: $15 for soda and water, $25 for domestic drafts and $35 for all drafts (including imports) and well liquors.
$5 College Game Saturdays
The Grille Seafood Platter (L) is one of their specialty dishes and is every bit as amazing as it looks! The Funnel Cake Fries (R) are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. whichever way you order it you will not be disappointed – it was delicious! A true signature at The Grille at Westchase, and a favorite among customers, you have to try the Bayou Chicken Pasta! With generous chunks of tender chicken, and yummy penne pasta, both of which are tossed in a creamy garlic tomato wine sauce before being topped with Asiago cheese, this entrée was every bit as heavenly as it sounds. Loaded with flavor, the sauce, which had a little kick to it, perfectly tied in the essence of this amazing dish! If you are like me, and have a bit of a sweet tooth, their Funnel Cake Fries are guaranteed to satisfy. A huge hit
among kids, these fried funnel sticks are deliciously coated in sugar and cinnamon and accompanied by two tasty dipping sauces – raspberry and caramel. Oh, and did I mention that after the first bite you will be hooked?
All You Can Eat Football Buffett With an all-you-can-eat football buffet, every Sunday from 12 p.m.4p.m. The Grille at Westchase is your game-day tailgate headquarters. Watch your favorite team on one of their bigscreen TVs as you enjoy an endless supply of hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches, bratwursts and more. In-
Westchase Area Neighborhood News
The Grille at Westchase also offers some great specials on Saturdays for those who come to watch college football. Specials include $5 select appetizers and well margaritas, as well as $11 buckets of Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors Light and Mich Ultra. They also have $11.50 pitchers of Corona Light during evening hours.
Sunday Brunch For a delicious brunch, complete with waffles, an omelet station, fresh fruit, bagels, pastries, bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, biscuits and gravy and so much more, stop by The Grille at Westchase on Sundays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. for their all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for only $11.95. But, the specials don’t end there; this sports bar also offers great deals throughout the week: Mondays – come in during the Monday night football game to enjoy $5 select appetizers, $11 buckets of select beer and $11.50 pitchers of Co-
rona Light. Tuesdays – in addition to kids eating free (with each adult entrée purchase), Tuesdays are also Build Your Own Pasta Night. Wednesdays – come in for 2 for 1 fajitas all day. Saturdays – stop by during evening hours to enjoy their fresh, never frozen, all you can eat snow crab. Including endless sides and salad, for only $24.95, this deal is too good to pass up! A Place for fun, friends, and delicious food, The Grille at Westchase is perfect for every occasion. Whether you are watching your favorite sports team on one of their TVs, enjoying a relaxing dinner with your family, or sharing a romantic evening with your significant other, one thing is for sure – this next generation sports bar will provide you with a wonderfully memorable dining experience! The Grille at Westchase is located on the corner of Countryway Boulevard and Race Track Road at 13234 Race Track Road in Tampa. Their hours are Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 10 pm and Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information and a complete list of specials please visit their website at www.TheGrille.co or call (813) 818-7433.
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Westchase Area Neighborhood News
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By Marcy Sanford Having a child is a life-changing event. So imagine how much your life would change if you had twins. Now, imagine one of them was born with a disability. How would that change your life? For one family in the Tampa Bay area, having twin daughters (one born with a major disability) has changed their lives in ways they could never imagine. “My daughters, Hailey and Olivia (Livy) will be 9 in December,” says Jon Scheinman. “Livy was born with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Her first seizure occurred about an hour after she was born. She cannot walk or talk or even sit up on her own, but she has changed the lives of everyone she meets. She has a glowing, radiant smile that brightens even the darkest of rooms. She has undergone two major brain surgeries, a multitude of hospital visits, and numerous medica-
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tions but is still one of the happiest kids I have ever seen.” Raising children is challenging, but when you add therapy sessions and multiple visits to the doctor each month, it would be easy and understandable if simply “getting by” each day became the family’s main goal. However, the Scheinman family has made it their mission to help other families of children with epilepsy and disabilities; to educate people, and to fund research that will hopefully one day find a cure for epilepsy. Jon says their family has been amazed to realize how much they can help other people and that they also enjoy being able to talk to other families about how to live life with a disabled child. “We originally started our organization called Livy's Hope to help raise money for Livy’s many expensive therapies. When it was clear that Livy's Hope could be so much more, we began using funds from anything we sold to help others as well. We deliver bracelets to girls in the hospital and provide Care Notebooks free of charge to families providing care for disabled children. The notebooks help parents keep the abundance of necessary information all in one organized place.” Livy’s twin sister, Hailey, is one of
her biggest supporters. She not only makes beautiful jewelry to support Livy’s Hope but also speaks at events about epilepsy and disabilities. In June of this year, the Scheinman family launched Livy’s Hope For A Cure, a fundraising effort to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation. Jon says, “After Livy's last hospital stay due to uncontrolled seizures, despite her earlier surgeries, we could no longer sit Livy (L) with her twin sister Hailey (R) idly by. So, we set out to raise as much money as we could. We started by having lemonade stands planning a much bigger special event at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. in various locations (including one at Held on November 16 from 5 p.m. – the final game of Westchase’s kickball 9 p.m., The Imagine A Cure: Willy league in August). We also reached out to kids across the country. On July Wonka Fundraiser will be a fun event for the whole family with various 27th, we had the first official Lemonrooms decorated like the rooms from ade For Livy day and raised about Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Pop $2,000.” Americana recording artist Carmen Now, the Scheinman family, with Magro, the singer and songwriter of help from friends and supporters, are
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The Scheinman family has made it their mission to help families of children with epilepsy and other disabilities. “I Am Hope”, will entertain the crowd with his passionate music, and Fritzy the Entertainer will delight children with his antics as he plays the role of Willy Wonka. In addition to games and live entertainment, there will be mini-golf, face painting, a green screen photo booth, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation to fund research for a cure. “Despite the rocky, emotional road our family has been through over
the last eight years, we think it is so important to give back and to make a difference in the lives of others,” says Jon. “We have spent countless hours asking why Livy and our family has had to endure these incredibly difficult times. But, helping people in need and inspiring those without hope has provided a glimpse of an answer.” You can get more information about Livy’s Hope and the Imagine A Cure fundraiser at www.LivysHope.com.
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“Brain Balance” Continued from page 1 Brain Balance Achievement Centers offer a medicine-free, educationbased Brain Balance Program that comprehensively helps each child reach their fullest academic, social, and physical potential. The Brain Balance Center of Oldsmar, located at 4022 Tampa Road, is one of more than 50 Brain Balance Centers in the nation. Steadily growing because of their proven success with children diagnosed with issues like these, parents and families are embracing the individualized programs available for their entire family. Using personalized and comprehensive assessment tools, the educated and certified teachers, nutritionists, coaches and professionals at Brain Balance assess your child’s difficulties, and then work with your child, your entire family and even his or her teachers to facilitate growth. Brain Balance Center of Oldsmar is owned by Director Larry Polnicky, whose own son, Ben, made incredible advances in the program that they attended out of state. Larry was so impressed with the program that he opened the Oldsmar location so that
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other children like Ben would be able to make progress without medication. How? The Brain Balance program believes that your brain can change. That’s a bold statement, but when your child begins to speak, after being told that they would not be able to do so, or when your child’s grades improve dramatically despite being told that they wouldn’t be able to succeed, the reality kicks in. There is another option, indeed, and thousands of children’s lives have been improved based on this program. Program Director, Heather Lascano, takes the time to find out what the world looks like from your child’s perspective. She comes to Brain Balance of Oldsmar after years in pharmaceutical drug development as well as years of patent, business, and contract law, and has used tools like yoga in her own small business to aid many people with a variety of ailments. Her experience, her “out of the box” approach and her dedication to truly helping people make Heather a unique fit. Is your Child Disconnected? This “brain-based, not drugbased” program is based on Dr. Robert J. Melillo’s research on neurobehavioral disorders. Dr. Melillo, who is a world-renowned neurologist,
(top row, L-R) Heather Lascano (Program Director), Andrea Bartelloni (Academic Evaluator and School Liaison), Henri Lasane (Sensory Motor Evaluator), Bonita van Dorseer (Teacher and Parent Group Leader) (bottom row, L-R) Anne Sweeny (Teacher), Maria Mogollon (Assistant Director), Patricia Hoover (Sensory Motor Coach) Not pictured Susan Rose (Sensory Motor Coach) professor and author, believes that all of these conditions, which were previously thought to be unrelated, are in fact related, and can be grouped into what is called Functional Disconnection Syndrome. Brain Balance is not a medical facility, and so it does not em-
ploy doctors, write prescriptions for medications, or accept insurance. What it does do is offer hope, options, proven techniques and a personalized approach. In his book, Disconnected Kids, he explains how these conditions all find
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a commonality in the way that the brain works, and while if you were to take a child with any of these conditions and give them an MRI Scan, or any other number of medical tests, there would be nothing to find. The brain is not damaged. These issues are all connection issues, and research has proven that the left hemisphere of the brain and the right hemisphere of the brain have distinct responsibilities, abilities and functions. Most of us can easily be labeled “left-brained” or “right-brained” but research has found that when one-half of the brain has a deficiency, it leads to these connectivity issues, which can result in a “disconnect” between a child and their ability to learn, communicate and succeed. The goal is to challenge the hemisphere of the brain that is showing a deficiency and to stimulate it so that it will learn to function. One parent said, “We drive 2-1/2 hours one way and our son is worth every minute and mile spent on the road. Just 20 sessions and my son’s reading fluency and word reading has markedly improved. We are so proud of him! He loves coming to Brain Balance. His confidence has improved greatly too. Thank you to such an awesome team of professionals who understand and care about children
with learning challenges. It’s also a soft place to land as a parent.” Another parent writes, “”I am so proud of Jalon. I’m also so thankful to Brain Balance for all that they have done and are continuing to do for him. I have been telling everyone about Brain Balance and I will keep trying to spread the word because I believe in this program. Unlike any other therapy, Brain Balance treats the whole child. They were the first to run blood tests and do other extensive testing to test every level from Jalon’s primitive reflexes to food sensitivities and identify the weaker hemisphere of Jalon’s brain. Once they received these results they were able to come up with a program that addresses his sensory, academic and dietary needs. The result is that in just a couple months Jalon has made amazing strides and is now meeting or surpassing his peers in many areas.” The Brain Balance program is tailor-made for each individual child and generally works with children from kindergarten age to ninth grade. Each program generally consists of one or two 12-week after-school programs, where each child participates in a range of activities that help them to improve the connections between both hemispheres of their brains.
One of the best parts of the Brain Balance Program is that the educated and experienced staff realizes that when a child is effected, the entire family is effected, and as a team, they gather around to give the child the support that he or she needs from every angle. The program itself gives the child a physical and cognitive activity program that will, in time, change the way the brain reacts. Combined with the right nutrition, and armed with the role that nutrition plays in your child’s behavior, certain behaviors can be changed right away. While we’re all comfortable with traditional allergies, there are foods that may affect the way your child learns, or reacts. It may be strawberries that are the trigger, or the ingredient that holds their favorite candy together, but with an understanding of all of these things, progress can be made. Focusing on areas such as academic performance, social abilities, cognitive function, sensory and motor skills, visual-spatial organizational skills and nutrition, your child will be given every opportunity to make advances that you might not have thought possible. Polnicky says, “In a study where 60 of the students had ADHD, 82% of those students were shown to no longer exhibit any signs of ADHD after one 12-week program.” He adds, “Two-thirds of the students improved by two grade levels, and one-third of the students actually improved by four grade levels; 100% had some improvement, and 0% had no improvement, so even if I didn’t know from personal experience that this program worked, we have the research to back us up.” One parent wrote a testimonial saying, “Brain Balance truly made our home more peaceful. He is a completely different child than when he started the program. What you offer to kids and their families is priceless!” Is this Program for your Child? The Brain Balance Mission State-
ment is “to make the Brain Balance Program available to as many children as possible, that each child may reach their greatest physical, mental, social and academic potential.” If your child has been diagnosed with a neurobehavioral disorder like ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, Tourette’s, or any number of learning disorders, don’t lose hope. There are answers beyond the drug store. The best way to find out more about Brain Balance is to come to one of their free information events. The Brain Balance Center of Oldsmar holds parent lectures where parents and professionals alike can gain a unique window into a child’s brain function. Their lectures offer insight into how the brain normally develops and what may interfere with the stages of typical development. Parents can also come in for a free tour, sit down one-on-one with the Center Director and see for themselves what all of the buzz is about. The truth is that people come from all around the world, and cross state lines to come to Brain Balance Centers. Their innovative, holistic approach to children and families has changed the lives of thousands of people. We are lucky to have a Brain Balance Center right here in Oldsmar. The next free informational event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m and will feature: Ending the Struggle: Understanding the Brain Balance approach to improving academics, behavior and social skills without medication. Please RSVP as seating is limited. The Brain Balance Achievement Center of Oldsmar is located at 4022 Tampa Rd., Suite 6. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call 813-475-6977. You can also email them directly at oldsmar@brainbalancecenters.com, or visit Brain Balance online at www.brainbalancecenters.com.
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“Mangrove Bay” Continued from page 1 They also take it a step further by making sure you feel as comfortable as possible and helping you to find a solution that best fits your needs. Outstanding customer service and individualized personal care are top priorities at each appointment and procedure and the TEAM takes the time to recognize what makes each patient’s situation unique and develops a dental plan that best fits their desired goal.
Only the Newest and Greatest Dental Technology Equipped with the latest and most innovative dental technology, Mangrove Bay Dentistry offers digital x-rays, which are not only more efficient, but also emit about 90% less radiation than the traditional film. In addition, this new type of x-ray provides a clearer and more concise representation of your teeth because the beam is more directly focused. There is less shadow and more highlighting when it comes to the quality of the x-
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ray. Furthermore, there is practically no wait time for processing, because no chemicals are needed for processing the films, thus, help protecting our environment Mangrove Bay also takes the guesswork out of diagnosing dental issues by using an intraoral camera to take photos of your teeth. This special camera produces color pictures, allowing you to see the problem for yourself firsthand and in color. This clears up confusion and helps patients to understand both the diagnosis and what the next steps involve. This type of camera is especially beneficial to patients interested in cosmetic services because it provides clearer photos of discoloration and unevenness of teeth.
Continuing Education – The Power of Patient Knowledge Dr. Tran and his TEAM regularly attend dental conventions both in and out of state, including, most recently, the Florida National Dental Convention and the West Coast District Dental Conference. By continually updating their education, the TEAM at Mangrove Bay Dentistry is able to stay up-to-date on current
procedures and techniques, enabling them to better educate their patients on potential and preventable dental concerns. Since each patient’s situation is unique, Dr. Tran is careful to consider particular conditions that may influence the dental health choices of a patient. His entire TEAM is on board too; “Our credentials matter very little to patients if we are not meeting their needs”, says Dr. Tran. Patient education is taken just as seriously as the treatment provided. During each visit, all patients are introduced and made well equipped with new dental knowledge. Dr. Tran also invites adult patients to bring their children so they can experience an exam room setting in an effort to help ease anxiety and fears before their first visit, setting the stage for trust before the first appointment ac-
tually takes place. Dr. Tran says “If a child is exposed to the dental setting before there is a problem, the child is more likely to be comforted when a problem occurs.” Dr. Tran makes efforts to nurture this important foundational piece in his practice with children. Again, the power of knowledge at any age helps to ease discomfort and prevent potential dental health concerns before they have a chance to occur. Dr. Tran and his team also extend their knowledge and teachings to local area schools where they have participated on numerous occasions for school health days as well as the Great American Teach-In. At Mangrove Bay Dentistry, customer service and building meaningful relationships with patients is at the core of their practice. This, along with many other factors sets Mangrove Bay Dentistry at the top of
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their field. “We are more concerned with making our patients feel comfortable and getting to know their individual needs and goals rather than over scheduling and having them wait.”, said Dr. Tran; a recipe that has provided Mangrove Bay Dentistry with the sweetest of results – an array of patients whom they also call their friends. So whether you are visiting for a routine exam or a more complex cosmetic procedure, Mangrove Bay Dentistry has the methodology, knowledge and experience to guarantee your visit will leave you smiling
from ear to ear! Mangrove Bay Dentistry is located at 13998 West Hillsborough in Tampa. Appointments may be booked online at www.MangroveBayDentistry.com or by calling (813) 891-9898. Hours are Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. with evening appointments available. Please visit, like and follow them on Facebook for announcements, dental posts and customer appreciation opportunties; and check in future issues of the Westchase Neighborhood News for upcoming holiday specials.
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An Experience of a Lifetime! By Bill Moline If you had told me 14 years ago that Rotary International had travel opportunities, I’m sure I would not have known what you were talking about. Now, it would be a different story; in the last three years I’ve been on a Rotary District Conference cruise, almost went on a Rotary Friendship Exchange to Russia, and, most recently, a four week trip to Taiwan, the Republic of China. The Taiwan trip ranks in the top few of the most exciting things I’ve done in my life; flying helicopters in Vietnam ranks number one.
About Rotary International Rotary International is the oldest (1905) business networking, community and international service organization. It has 1.2 million members worldwide; it’s in over 200 countries and has over 34,000 clubs. This year’s slogan, “Peace Through Service” is very much in tune with the international projects we do. We are about to
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eradicate Polio in the world in just a few years; it has taken us more than twenty years to get here, plus $1 billion and thousands of people walking village to village to administer the vaccine to over 2 billion infants. The Rotary International (RI) Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is an all-expense paid, business and cultural exchange between two Rotary Districts – in this case, Rotary District 6890 (Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties) exchanged teams with District 3520 (Taipei, Taiwan). The teams consist of a Rotarian Team Leader and 4-5 team members who are not Rotarians, not related to Rotarians, are 25-40 years of age, have worked in an industry for several years, and can leave work for 30 days. The last requirement really narrows the field. After I was selected (I had lived in Taiwan over 50 years ago) I had 8 applicants for 4 spots and interviewed all for professional appearance, demeanor, flexibility, willingness to do what it takes to make a good impression in a foreign country and
represent Rotary International.
Understanding the culture When we visit a foreign country, do we really “get a feel” for the culture when we stay in an American hotel and eat at Westernthemed restaurants? In GSE we stayed with Taiwanese Rotarians in their homes and changed hosts every four days. We generally ate breakfast with our host families, lunch with the team and our day hosts and dinner again with our host families. Our days were spent visiting the industries of the team members so they could see how their industry does business in Taiwan, in addition to visiting cultural places like temples, shopping areas, museums, theaters and vacation spots.
Building Relationships To have friends – real friends – in a foreign country, it takes more than a handshake and a smile. Living with them, dining with them,
After a tour of the Presidential Palace with our tour guide (in red) and hosts Jim and Andy. The Presidential Palace was actually built by the Japanese when they occupied Taiwan from 1895-1945.
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One of our first visits was the Neihu Tzu Chi Society, a non-profit that provides healthcare to the poor. This is the headquarters where they do educational TV and radio and have a huge recycling facility. sharing in their religious beliefs (we went to many Buddhist Temples), hoisting a few adult beverages (if you partake) and discussing world situations and concepts of freedom and democracy is very exciting and requires some thought and preparation. I got in more than one discussion on topics such as cameras in their down-
town area, cameras in their cars (you can’t lie when your accident is videotaped) and assorted other issues.
My Assessment While Taiwan had changed considerably in the last 50 years since I had lived there, it was all for the better. The Taiwanese people, and in particu-
lar the Taiwanese Rotarians, were the warmest, most generous, kindest, and most humble people I have ever met. In my heart I had always believed that Americans, in spite of our “Ugly American” reputation, were the world’s warmest, most generous and kindest (but definitely not the most humble) people I had known, but now I know we have a long way to go to match the Taiwanese. For example, on one occasion our team was out taking pictures in downtown Taipei and became disoriented. Luckily, his host wrote the address of his condo in Chinese just in case. When he realized that he was lost he asked a passer-by for help. She did not speak English at all but he showed her the address and she walked him 6 blocks to the front door of the condo building. He was blown-away by her kindness. This type of incident actually happened twice – both times resulting in the same outcome. We were simply unprepared for the level of warmth and generosity exhibited by the Taiwanese people. Their economy is also doing well and we met several businessmen and women who own more than one business. My team and I could speak for hours on our experience and are right now making the rounds to Ro-
tary Clubs who want to see our presentation. If you are interested, we also accept offers to speak at other organizations.
A Little About Me Retired and living in Carrollwood, I, a military brat, was born in Tokyo, Japan. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Science and Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, and a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Technology from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I have 23 years of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, flying both rotary wing aircrafts as well as high performance jet fighters; retiring as a USAF Lieutenant Colonel. A decorated Vietnam Veteran as an Army helicopter pilot, I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and 41 Air Medals throughout my career. I have been a Rotarian for 14 years, am a Paul Harris Fellow and Past President of the Tampa Hyde Park Rotary Club. For more information on Rotary International, or more specifically Rotary District 6890 (West Central Florida) please visit www.Rotary6890.org.
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