Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 24, Issue 12, June 3, 2016

Volume 24 Issue 12

Inside: A Recap Of The WC Rotary’s 1st Duck Derby!

June 3, 2016

See pages 8-9!

Named The 2014 ‘Small Business Of The Year’ By The Wesley Chapel Chamber Of Commerce!

The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993!

For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in Wesley Chapel (zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545), see page 42!

Hard Hat Tour Gives Community A Look Inside ‘Florida Hospital Center Ice’

By John C. Cotey Hockey participation is up. Youth and adult leagues are growing. Hockey fever has again consumed our area during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2016 Stanley Cup playoff run.

The timing couldn’t be any better for ZMitch LLC managing partner Gordie Zimmermann, as he oversees the construction of the $20-million, 150,000-sq.-ft. Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI) complex in Wesley Chapel, which is taking shape just north of the interchange of S.R. 56 and I-75.

Zimmermann gave a sneak preview hard hat tour May 25 of the progress for roughly 175 Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce members and other local leaders.

The massive facility — Zimmermann calls FHCI the “largest skating complex south of New York” — will feature three NHL-sized hockey rinks, and one Olympic-size rink (which is bigger than an NHL rink), as well as a 17,000-sq.ft. multi-sports pad that can accommodate ice skating, curling, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse and other

Also Inside This Issue:

News, Business & Sports Updates

WC Rotary Cancels Freedom Fest; First Duck Derby Raises $6,000; Local Author Releases First Novel; Football Teams End Spring On High Notes & Lots Of Local Business Features!

Pages 3-36

Neighborhood Magazine Local Model Finds Following; Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill Offers Unique Flavors; Wesley Chapel Girl Competes For National American Miss Florida Title & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 37-48

sports, while also hosting corporate events, much like Top Golf in Brandon.

The complex will also have a sportsthemed restaurant on the second floor, overlooking the rinks, a sports performance center and one for sports skills which can also accommodate training and activities like yoga, pilates and even dance classes.

Florida Hospital, which secured naming rights last May, will also have staff on hand.

“This hard hat tour was for the business community, to understand how the building works,’’ Zimmermann said. “Business are going to reap the rewards (of the facility), from restaurants to rental companies, hotels, gas stations, you name it. Everyone here is going to benefit.”

Zimmermann said the economic impact of FHCI, according to a study the developers commissioned, will be $20-30 million a year, and maybe more, as high school, college and National Hockey League teams (on their way to games at Amalie Arena or in Miami against the Florida Panthers) fill hotel rooms, mostly

Gordie Zimmermann on the weekends. He said about two million visitors are projected to visit FHCI annually.

“It looks great, this place is going to be incredible,’’ said District 2 Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, who took the tour last week. “I think you’re going to see a big impact on local businesses.”

Zimmerman said plenty of opportunities exist for local businesses looking for ex-

posure. He said companies can buy anything from naming rights to the rinks (on the ice or dasher boards, for example) to any of the three zamboni machines (which most people are familiar with when they resurface the ice between periods of a hockey game).

The Lightning’s recent success on the ice, and the organization’s impressive work off the ice with its stellar community outreach program – including sponsoring the Bay area’s 18-team high school league — continues to help cultivate local interest in hockey, which will be the main event at FHCI on most nights. But, Zimmermann says it will be far from the only event.

“The success of the Lightning is definitely helping create even more excitement for hockey in the area, and that’s good for us,’’ says Zimmermann, who says he already has a line of hockey teams and skaters eager to start using the facility. He is hoping for a soft opening of FHCI in September, with a Grand Opening roughly six weeks after that.

See “Center Ice” on page 6

Keeping The Buzz Going About Wesley Chapel’s ‘Crystal Lagoon’

By John C. Cotey The days of housing communities in Florida being built around golf courses designed by PGA professionals could be numbered, judging by the level of excitement created by news that a Crystal Lagoon — first announced nearly two years ago — is finally ready to break ground in Wesley Chapel.

In the planning stages since an official announcement in November of 2014, the construction of the first-ever man-made lagoon in the U.S. is expected to be the knockout amenity offered by the $100-million residential development which will be called Epperson in Wesley Chapel.

Epperson, which is part of the Tampabased Metro Development Group’s “Connected City” project that will have approximately 2,000 home sites, is located north of the Bridgewater community on Curley Rd. north of S.R. 54. Homes are already being

built and Metro expects to have lots available by the fall.

There is no date yet for the completion of the lagoon, but expect it to happen sometime in 2017.

The original Epperson Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) has been dormant for years, after the original developer (Lennar Homes) sold the property to Metro in 2007, just before Pasco County’s housing market collapse.

The 8-acre (nearly 350,000 sq. ft.) lagoon was originally announced for Park

Place, which has since been renamed Epperson to honor the legacy of the Epperson family, which previously owned the land.

See “Lagoon” on page 19.

Wesley Chapel Rotary Club Cancels 2016 Freedom Fest & A WCNT-tv Update An editorial by Gary Nager The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon (which meets Wednesdays at noon at Quail Hollow Country Club) has had to announce that the club has cancelled the 2016 Freedom Fest — which had been scheduled for July 2 — after the host site pulled out.

‘The Grove (at Wesley Chapel shopping plaza) pulled out on us,” said Dr. Pablo Rivera, the club’s incoming president for the 2016-17 Rotary year & the 2016 Freedom Fest co-chair.

Dr. Rivera said the club tried to quickly relocate the event to a few other locations (including near the Tampa Premium Outlets mall), “but we couldn’t pull off a (venue) change by July 2 (the scheduled date for the 2016 Freedom Fest).”

The event had previously been held at the Shops of Wiregrass mall, last year drawing an estimated 50,000 people to the mall on July 3, and raising more than $25,000 for the club’s selected charitable causes.

But, 2015-16 club president Erin Meyer says that, “We still plan to host a fifth annual Freedom Fest next year.”

In the meantime, the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area will not have a professional fireworks show for Independence Day this year.

WCNT-tv Hitting Its Stride So, considering that my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida (in Gainesville) College of Journalism & Communications was in Broadcast News — not print journalism — I guess you could say it’s taken me long enough to finally start working on what I’ve dreamed of doing since I earned that diploma more than 30 years ago.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Advertising Sales & Office Manager Mary Dorey Billing Manager Jillian Reilly Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Staff Writer Celeste McLaughlin Correspondents Anu Varma Panchal • Andy Warrener Editorial & Sales Assistant Christen Caporali Graphic Designers Blake Beatty • Georgia Carmichael Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission.

Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 24, Issue 14, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, June 20, 2016.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

© 2016 JM2 Communications, Inc. Neighborhood News

One of my top goals back then, and even when I first moved back to Florida in 1993, was to one day own and create original programming for my own TV station.

But, in the “good old days” of even cable TV’s infancy, in order to own a TV station or cable network, you had to have at least about a million dollars to be able to purchase your Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, the equipment and personnel you needed to keep it on the air.

Today, anyone can shoot better footage with their mobile phones than was even possible with top-level equipment in the 80s or even the 90s. And, if you have the ability to write and produce any type of programming — from news and public affairs to sitcoms and drama series — the internet provides a way for you to find an audience — even if you’re not on the cable or satellite TV lineups of BrightHouse or DirecTV. I had my own advertising agency from the mid-1980s until 1995-96, and I did produce a few TV commercials and wrote “treatments” of several TV pilot ideas, but despite personal auditions for/interviews with the likes of ESPN, NBC-TV, HBO and the Disney Channel before moving here in 1993, I set aside my dreams of creating programming to focus on a certain local news publication.

Two years ago, I wrote and co-anchored a video segment previewing the last Taste of New Tampa, but our website (WCNeighborhoodNews.com) was really in its infancy and I wasn’t happy with the production itself.

Even so, I believed that the idea of webbased video news focused specifically on New Tampa and Wesley Chapel was certainly a valid one, especially if I found the right people to work with me on it.

And, after being part of one local commercial production last year, which was directed and produced by Craig Miller, the owner of Full Throttle Intermedia (FTIntermedia.com, the local multimedia advertising agency and video production company), I knew who I really wanted to work with on my project...if I could afford him.

Craig, who also is an Ambassador for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) and a Board member of the New Tampa Rotary Club, also had spoken with WCCC CEO (although she was just the “executive director” at the time) about doing a webcast for the Chamber. But, both admit they “got busy” and set the idea aside.

Then, about four months ago, Craig approached Hope about reviving the idea and she told him I had already come to her with my

own concept and that we should probably all work together on it — especially if Craig was the production guy involved.

As I announced last issue, Craig and I are partnering with the WCCC to present “WCNTtv” — which, we know, will be a fun and informative web-based bi-weekly video magazine show (see page 32 of this issue), written and co-hosted by yours truly, which will be all about Wesley Chapel (WC) and New Tampa (NT) and have its own Youtube channel.

And, it is launching soon. Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC; see ads on pgs. 35 & 44) is now our official “Studio Sponsor” for WCNT-tv’s show-opening 1.5-2-minute local news segment.

We also are proud to announce that VIP Pest Control (see pg. 18) will be the first WCCC member business to have a 60-90-second “Featured Business of the Week” profile

airing on our webcast. And, although we weren’t able to announce our first “Neighborhood Dining News” feature — which will take yours truly on visits to outstanding restaurants across the Bay area — at our press time for this issue, look for announcements about it at WCNeighborhoodNews.com.

Best of all, based on some of the incredible numbers our website has done recently (as reported in previous issues on this page) — without any video coverage — and the feedback we’ve gotten about the webcast so far, Craig, Hope and I are all confident that WCNT-tv will become a truly local phenomenon that will prove to be a great complement to what we do in print in these pages.

For WCNT-tv sponsorship, Featured Business or Dining News information, or to have us demo the pilot episode for you, call our office at 910-2575.

Table of Contents

Local News Updates....................3-17

Arbor Greene Resident Enjoys Playoff Ride...........4 WC Rotary Celebrates First-Ever Duck Derby............!6 ‘T.D.’ Shares Graduation With His Grandkids..........10 Wiregrass Ranch Valedictorian Heads To MIT.........12 Wesley Chapel Valedictorian Wastes No Time...........13 LOL High Valedictorian Swims To Top of Class..........14 Boom! Author Finds Inspiration On Facebook..........16 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar........................18

Local Business Updates.............20-27

Brandon Legal Group: Experience Counts!...............20 SPOTLIGHT ON: HomeTeam Lawncare!...........21 Becca’s Bubbles Mobile Dog Grooming.....................22 Zhoy Vitality Can Rejuvenate All Of You.....................24 Great Florida Insurance Specializes In Service...........26 SPOTLIGHT ON: Creative Permanent Makeup!.......27

Local Sports Updates.............28-31

Wiregrass Ranch High Beats Pasco For First Time.....28 New Faces Spur Wesley Chapel High To Victory.....30

Neighborhood Magazine

Local Male Model Builds A Fan Base....................33 Check Out Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill!..............36 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’.........38 WESLEY CHAPEL CLASSIFIEDS................40 Saaya Envisions Being Miss Princess Florida..........42 @NTWCNews

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New Tampa Resident & Lightning Trainer Enjoyed This Year’s Cup Run

By John C. Cotey Tom Mulligan has the training and experience to help cure a lot of things.

But, when it comes to Tampa Bay Lightning fever — which is running rampant in the area these days — the team’s head trainer and Arbor Greene (in New Tampa) resident can only suggest one solution: Watch more Lightning hockey.

“This is great,’’ Tom says. “I’m not playing, but the next best thing is to be a part of it and help contribute, and I love just watching the excitement of people in the area. Last year, the run we had was fantastic.

To do it again would be great.”

Tom, his wife Kellie and children Tyler, 13, Zachary, 10, and Abby, 8, have been fixtures in New Tampa since 2002, when they moved into an apartment at Richmond Place before finding their first of two homes in Arbor Greene.

Kellie is an occupational therapist at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, and the Mulligan kids all currently attend or have attended Richard F. Pride Elementary and Louis Benito Middle schools.

“For my kids, they get to go to the rink and talk with the players, and Tyler even got Tampa Bay Lightning head trainer and longtime New Tampa resident Tom Mulligan tends to to help at rookie camp,’’ Kellie says. “He Bolts center Brian Boyle during a game. Photo: Scott Audette/Tampa Bay Lightning was literally filling bags of ice, but still, he chuk and Chris Dingman still live here, the Arbor Greene that rallies behind them. was there.”

The Mulligans are among the holdo- current crop of players tends to settle else“Tom travels so much that I wouldn’t vers from a time when roughly 75 percent where. But, Tom said he and his family love be able to do what I do without our friends of the Tampa Bay Lightning team lived in the area and the schools too much to fol- and our community, even if it’s just friends New Tampa. Although retired former stars low suit. There may not be any more hockey helping meet my kids at the bus if I’m run(and local media personalities) like 2004 wives for Kellie to lean on, but the Mulli- ning late from work,” says Kellie.

Stanley Cup-winning captain Dave Andrey- gans say there is a bustling community in The Arbor Greene community might

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be Tom’s biggest fans. While many would most likely gather for Lightning playoff games anyway, a good many do so knowing their neighbor is a part of this year’s championship-contending team.

“One of the cool things from last year my wife and I talked about was a few families in the neighborhood getting together and renting a 15-foot blow up projection TV,’’ Tom says. “Everyone was so into it and excited. My wife sent me a few pictures when they did it and I shared them with the team.

That was pretty cool.”

At our press time, the Lightning had advanced all the way to the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals, but lost 2-1 in Game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguns, meaning that the team’s quest for this year’s Stanley Cup had officially ended.

Tom, a Quinnipiac College (now University) in Hamden, CT, graduate with a B.S. in Physical Therapy and a minor in Biology, has played a big role in helping the team get here, helping all of those injured Lightning players get healthy and ready.

Heck, even the most fervent Bolts fan might make the case that Tom holds the key to the team’s Stanley Cup chances, considering the questions the New Bedford, MA, native has been asked this postseason.

“Is Steven Stamkos going to make it back from a blood clot in time for the finals?”

(Stamkos did come back for Game 7.)

“Is Ben Bishop going to be able to come back from his ‘lower body’ injury?” (He didn’t.)

“What about Anton Stralman and J.T. Brown?” (Both did return vs. Pittsburgh.)

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The return of each of the aforementioned players would certainly have bolstered Tampa Bay’s championship hopes, and Tom, the longtime Lightning trainer, would’ve loved to see it happen. But, he couldn’t tell.

“You get the questions, but the people that we are close to and friends that we have in the area and in the neighborhood, they understand that I can’t talk much about that,’’ Tom says. “You hear the questions. I wish I could give them the answers.”

This year’s Lightning team has already surpassed the expectations that were tempered when the injuries piled up near the end of the regular season. Tom and his staff are working hard to get the Lightning’s key players back on the ice.

“I mean, a lot of the credit goes to the whole training staff and it’s led by Tom and they are the best around,’’ says Stralman, Tampa Bay’s top-line defenseman who broke his left leg on March 25 before finally returning for the Pittsburgh series. “It’s a long season and they keep our bodies in the best condition they can be. This time of the year, everyone is hurting but the training staff keeps us close to 100 percent. We all owe a lot to the trainers here.”

Tom, a former varsity defenseman in high school back in New Bedford, landed the job as the Lightning’s trainer by chance.

In the summer of 2002, when Tom was the head trainer of the Providence Bruins (Boston’s American Hockey League affiliate), he happened to call an old friend who told him that the Lightning trainer at the time was taking a job with the Florida Panthers.

Tom decided to apply and ended up getting the Lightning job.

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A Dream Come True

It didn’t take long for him to experience the goal of anybody working in hockey — being part of Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup-winning celebration in 2004.

“That was my second year with the team when we won the Cup, and everything just happened so fast,’’ Tom said.

“Hopefully you think you’ll get another chance, then 12 years go by and you start to wonder if it will ever happen again.”

In the grand tradition of the Stanley Cup, each member of the organization gets to spend a day with the most famous trophy in sports. Tom took the Cup over to his parents’ house in New Bedford for a small celebration. A picture with Tyler, who was then 16 months old, actually sitting in the Cup made the cover of the local newspaper.

“I wasn’t necessarily the coolest (kid on the block), but the Cup was,’’ Tom says.

Since the Lightning’s only Cup win, Tom has traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Helsinki, Finland, as a trainer for the USA’s World Championship teams in 2008 and 2012, and was a trainer on the USA team which lost in the Bronze medal game (to Finland) at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

However, he’d love another Cup so his kids could enjoy it, even though it extends his time away from his family.

“With playoffs, it can be so unpredictable that it’s hard,’’ Kellie said. “And for Tom, even on off days, he’s going in for treatments. The cool thing is, it’s so exciting to be part of the playoffs. As a family, we get to share in that and the kids are part of it. It makes all the sacrifices worth it.”

@NTWCNews

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‘Center Ice’

Continued from page 1 “It’s definitely big,’’ said WCCC CEO Hope Allen. “I think it’s going to completely change the landscape of Wesley Chapel. It really solidifies us as a destination regionally, nationally and even internationally.”

Two weeks ago, Zimmermann visited to the refrigeration company that will be handling the ice at FHCI. CIMCO, which is based in Toronto, a city with more than 200 ice rinks, is the largest ice rink builder in the world, says Zimmerman. It has installed more than 5,000 ice surfaces worldwide, including at 80 percent of the NHL facilities.

CIMCO already has piped two of the rinks at FHCI, laying down roughly 13.5 miles of polyethylene pipe per rink. By the time all of the rinks are completed, more than 65 miles of refrigerated pipe will have been laid beneath the surface. “Like piping all the way to Ellenton,’’ Zimmermann quipped.

“It’s all very high-tech equipment.”

So high-tech that each rink could have its own atmosphere. Figure skaters like their ice a little softer, so temperatures could be kept at 24-26 degrees on one rink, and 22-24 on another for hockey players, who prefer a harder surface.

The temperature five feet above the ice will be roughly 55 degrees, and the stands should clock in at a cool 65, Zimmermann said. The building’s lobby temperature will be like any other commercial building.

According to membership statistics, USA Hockey, the official governing body for hockey in America, has added almost 100,000 playing members since 1999, from 434,678 to 533,172.

In the southeastern region, however,

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“Nobody has ever been able to give (girls hockey) any ice time,’’ he says.

Curling, a Canadian sport that seems to gain a little more fame every Winter Olympics year since becoming an official Olympic sport in 1998, could end up being a big draw, Zimmerman says, similar to how shuffleboard has had a bit of a revival with younger players in St. Petersburg.

The sport, where players slide stones on a sheet of ice towards a target area while teammates, or sweepers, help guide the stones to their mark with a special “broom,” could end up becoming a popular local adult league sport.

“We’re starting a full-blown curling league,’’ Zimmerman said. “I think it’s going to be huge.”

For more information about the FHCI, visit their website at Florida- Miles of refrigerated pipe coils are being placed FHCI figure skating director Shari Klutz HospitalCenterIce.com. underground to keep the skating surfaces cool. led some of the hard hat tours (below).

Florida now has more registered hockey players than any other state, with more than 12,000, almost twice as many as any other southeastern state, with the exception of Virginia (10,063) and Maryland (9,607).

But, to keep that growth rising requires more sheets of ice for teams to practice on.

Right now, practice for local high school teams at Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Wharton and Freedom can involve trying to find time in Brandon or a longer drive to other ice facilities (like the JP Igloo rink in Ellenton and the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar), and there are few places for others, such as adult league players, figure skaters and speed skaters to train.

Nearly a dozen high school varsity and junior varsity teams will use FHCI as their Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce members tour the Florida Hospital Center Ice facility. home ice. Zimmerman says the facility will also be a boon for girls hockey, another growing sport.

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Wesley Chapel Rotary Club Raises $6,000+ At First-Ever Duck Derby!

I’m always proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which meets Wednesdays at noon at Quail Hollow Country Club, but never more so than I was on May 21, when the club hosted its first-ever Duck Derby, held at Lake Padgett behind Hungry Harry’s BBQ off U.S. 41 in Land O’Lakes.

Almost 200 people turned out to see if the ducks they purchased for $5 apiece (or “flocks” of 25 for $100; more than 2,000 total ducks were purchased and numbered) would win one of the event’s almost 70 prizes.

But, the thing I was proudest of was that this event — which now looks as though it will join the club’s annual Adult Spelling Bee as a major fund raiser — grew into something amazing out of an idea brought up by club member John Jay (the DJ, at left in center photo below) and run with by club members Vicki Hamilton, Chris Casella and Jodie Sullivan of Fun Services/Funtastic Events, whose company also was the Big Bird ($4,500)

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Sponsor for this first annual Duck Derby.

The first duck to finish the “race” was purchased by club members Brian and Isabelle Dunleavy, who won a $2,500 cash prize, a portion of which they announced they would donate to The Joshua House, a local “safe haven for children in need.”

Even after deducting the Dunleavys’ top prize, the club was thrilled to raise more than $6,000 net, which will be donated to the Rotary’s selected nonprofit organizations.

Among the other top prizes was an allday fishing expedition for five people, a stay at Saddlebrook Resort (donated by club member Alexis Dempsey, see story on pg. 10), a fishing rod handmade by club member and Duck Derby logistics expert (and kayaking rescuer) Jimmy Mason, and a free $400 ad donated by this publication, which was won by club member, Rubber Ducky Sponsor and Cash 4 Gold owner Trevor Campbell. For more info, visit WCRotary.org. — GN

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‘T.D.’ & His Grandkids Share A Special Milestone Masterson and Alexis Dempsey of Wesley Chapel graduated from Saint Leo University on April 30.

Alexis received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree during the morning commencement ceremony, and Masterson received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in International Tourism & Hospitality Management (L.-r.) Alexis, Tom and Masterson Dempsey during the afternoon graduation exercise. our family, and this attitude is reflected in Masterson, an Honors graduate, also got his work – his leadership, service, and supto deliver the farewell address to the Class port to make the business successful. T.D. of 2016. is a ‘big picture’ thinker. He believes in the Both are the grandchildren of Tom importance of service leadership, and we Dempsey, the founder, chairman and had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand.”

CEO of Saddlebrook Resort off S.R. 54.

Masterson was an actively engaged “T.D.” (as many in his family call him), student who served as President of both who received an honorary Doctorate in the L.E.A.D. Scholars Organization and Humane Letters from Saint Leo in 2008 the International Tourism Club at St. Leo. and is a Trustee Emeritus — got to personHe also is a Big Brother to the Gamma ally present his grandchildren with their Upsilon Sorority and a member of Omidegrees. He served on the Saint Leo Board cron Delta Kappa National Leadership of Trustees and was on the search commitHonor Society. In addition, both he and tee for Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., the former Alexis served as peer ministers in Saint Leo president of Saint Leo University.

Abbey’s Youth Ministry Program.

Dempsey, who has the middle name Alexis also stays busy with numerLeo, said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed ous community service activities. While watching them grow up. Alexis is a superearning her undergraduate degree at the star and doing a fantastic job at the resort.

University of Central Florida in Orlando, Masterson already has over four years of ex- she was the recipient of a four-year merit perience at Saddlebrook and is pursuing his award given to two students in each state passion for music. I am extremely proud of based on exemplary community service and them both, and presenting them with their academic achievement. She logged more degrees, was a special moment indeed.” than 600 hours of community service with Both students currently work at Sadthe Children’s Home Society of Central dlebrook Resort. Alexis is the Catering & Florida. She is very active at her church, St. Conference Services manager, and MasterMark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and son is a DJ and entertainer as well as havthe Junior League of Tampa Bay, where she ing experience as a guest activities specialist, serves as Metropolitan Ministries Food and corporate team building facilitator, athletic Materials Coordinator. She recently joined the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club. event referee and fitness instructor.

While Masterson described his sister When asked about the significance of as more “polished” and himself as more the upcoming milestone, the siblings, who are 16 months apart, responded in a similar “raw,” he considers his sister his “co-warrior” through life. fashion: “Saint Leo has been a part of our “Now that we’re starting our profeslives since we were young,” said Alexis. sional careers in the family business, it’s an “The university’s values reflect our same ‘open competition’ and we intend to push family values – it’s the way were raised.” each other to be the best that we can be,” Masterson added, “The same values he said. are infused within the staff at Saddlebrook T.D. wouldn’t have it any other way.

Resort. Our grandfather did everything for

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Wiregrass Ranch High Valedictorian Ethan Munden Headed To MIT

By Celeste McLaughlin As many high school students approach their senior years, they choose classes they think will be fun and interesting. That’s the approach Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) Class of 2016 valedictorian Ethan Munden took, although what’s fun and interesting to him might cause other students to raise an eyebrow. His senior classes included AP calculus B/C, AP computer science, AP physics 1, AP physics 2, AP environmental science, plus honors government and economics.

“Other people might not think these classes are fun,” says Ethan. “But I do.”

By taking the most rigorous courses and earning straight As, Ethan earned his school’s top weighted GPA of 4.67.

Ethan didn’t have English on his schedule because he had taken a collegelevel dual enrollment English class during his junior year, “to get it out of the way.”

He wanted to focus on the math and science courses that really interest him.

“Calculus is a lot of fun,” he says.

“It’s interesting because there are some odd math concepts that aren’t explored that much in algebra. It’s teaching a new way of thinking.”

He says he also enjoyed chemistry, “because of its real world applications.”

Munden will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, in the fall.

He’s not sure yet what he wants to major in, but says he is leaning toward electrical or chemical engineering. He

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says he’s also interested in computers and coding, and his environmental science class made him consider a professional interest in energy and alternative energy.

“I really haven’t figured it all out yet,” he admits.

Although Ethan was born in Oregon, he started kindergarten at Wesley Chapel Elementary and lived in the same house, going to local schools, his whole life. He says leaving his family and friends to go all the way to MIT is a “big jump.” In true mathematical fashion, he says he’s “50 percent excited and 50 percent nervous.”

His two older sisters are college students – one at Florida State University in Tallahassee and one at University of South Florida in Tampa. His younger sister will start high school next year.

The first three years of high school, Ethan was in band, playing saxophone and bassoon, and spun flags, rifles and sabres in the color guard. He decided to take this year off from those activities and figures when he gets to Massachusetts, he’ll be looking for new activities to pursue. When he visited MIT, he realized there are a lot of clubs and many new activities to pursue, everything from juggling to gymnastics.

This year, Ethan served as president of his school’s National Science Honor Society, and was a member of Key Club.

He says he never really focused on the goal of becoming valedictorian.

“At the beginning of high school, I thought about it, but I decided I wanted

assuming they earned all As. As it turns out, Neil’s program was correct, as he is graduating as the WRH Class of 2016 salutatorian.

Ethan generally comes across as very laid back, even when talking about being named valedictorian.

“People say I’m calm and collected,” he says. “But, I’m very excited.”

When asked if he thinks being valedictorian is going to help him in the future, he had these wise words to say: “I think what’s more important is what I’ve gained from working hard and striving for success. That’s how I got to be valedictorian, and that’s more important than the title.”

Wiregrass Ranch High Class of 2016 Valedictorian Ethan Munden

to take the classes I thought I would enjoy taking.” But, he says, “I put it a lot of work to keep up my grades and manage all the homework.”

He says he realized he could be valedictorian at the beginning of his senior year, when his friend Neil Sambhu created a computer program to estimate the GPAs of many of the school’s top students. It predicted that Ethan and Neil would be at the very top of the class, based on the classes they were taking, and

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Wesley Chapel High Valedictorian Symone Stanley Focused On The Future

By John C. Cotey From the moment Wesley Chapel High (WCH) senior Symone Stanley entered the world, her mother, Angela Davis, thought big things would come her way. There was just something about the way she looked.

One of those big things happened last month: Symone was named WCH’s Class of 2016 valedictorian.

“When she was born, there is a picture of her when she was two days old,’’ Angela says.

“She was so alert. Her eyes were wide open, she was looking around like she was looking for something. This must be one of the things she was looking for.”

Symone, 18, and her fellow WCH seniors will graduate tonight at the University of South Florida Sun Dome, and she will leave at the top of her class, after posting a 4.64 weighted grade point average.

Symone is scheduled to give the tradi- According to her mom, Symone Stanley came into the world ready to achieve great things. One of tional speech, which she admits she is nervthose big things was being named Class of 2016 valedictorian at Wesley Chapel High. ous about. However, she is thrilled to have dle School, Symone was already taking high “I always told her you have to work hard accomplished one of her biggest goals.

“I was pretty excited when I found out,’’ school math classes, which led to AP classes for what you get, because no one is going to Symone says. “My freshman and sophomore in high school, giving her the edge over other bring it to you. Sometimes I’ll tell her to go to bed, and she’ll say, ‘I’m just working hard.’” year I didn’t really even know much about it, students.

Angela says she never pushed her daughSymone, however, says her mother never but after I found out my junior year that me and a few other people were tied, I figured I ter, and sometimes would even ask her to pushed her too hard. When the pressure to be slow down and dial it back when night turned valedictorian started to build, it was Angela might as well go for it.”

While Symone may not have been specif- into morning and Symone was still hitting the who told her daughter it wouldn’t be the end of the world if she didn’t finish first. ically going for valedictorian in her early days books.

“My mom (Symone’s grandmother) at Wesley Chapel, she was indirectly, accord“But, I’m pretty self-motivated,’’ says was living with us and she would get up at 3 Symone, who also was accepted into USF and ing to Angela.

Always a top student, Angela says her a.m. to take her medicine late at night, and Florida State University but will attend the daughter has always strived to be No. 1 in Symone would be sitting in the middle of the University of Florida in Gainesville. floor, with her books all around her, studywhatever she did.

That’s the way Symone has always been, While at Thomas E. Weightman Mid- ing,’’ Angela says.

Angela says. When she was six months old, An-

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gela remembers being at her brother’s house and Symone was entranced as she watched a VHS tape that was playing Mozart with a ball bouncing along each note as the song played.

Symone turned around to the adults talking over the music, and sighed. Then, she went back to watching the television. “She couldn’t talk, but she voiced her displeasure,’’ Angela says, laughing.

Symone, who enjoys rollerblading, rock climbing and being outdoors, says she is thinking about studying to be an occupational therapist.

At WCH, Symone volunteered at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and with Special Olympics and special needs children, while also being a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club. A member of the National Spanish Honor Society and the student government as well, Symone says she was able to balance extracurricular activities with academic pursuits by finding the right balance by fitting online courses at Pasco Hernando State College into her schedule.

Not much of a public speaker, Symone says she is fretting her valedictorian speech.

Relatives are traveling from Texas, Atlanta and Orlando to watch her receive top honors.

Angela is nervous for her daughter. If the past is any indication, however, Symone will nail the speech and draw a loud ovation from her fellow classmates.

“I’ll never forget her first year of school, her kindergarten teacher told me, “When Symone digs her heels into the sand, all bets are off,’’ Angela says. “I’ll never forget it. When Symone says she is going to do something, it’s done.”

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Wesley Chapel Resident Saloni Mehra Earns Top Honors At Land O’Lakes was one of the first

By John C. Cotey members of the Saloni Mehra went into her final year of New Tampa Famhigh school in the International Baccalaureily YMCA in Tampa ate (IB) program at Land O’Lakes High tied Palms program as with eight other IB students in the academic an 8-year-old when battle to become Class of 2016 valedictorian. that program began That’s exactly how she finished, too. a decade ago.

“It’s crazy,’’ she says.

With a backMehra, a Wesley Chapel resident, finground in gymished her high school career with a 4.79 nastics and dance grade-point-average, becoming one of nine — which she did – that’s right; we said NINE – valedictorians for 13 years, learnat Land O’Lakes. ing everything from “It’s kind of a first,’’ Saloni said, chuckClassical Indian to ling. “They (school officials) just didn’t Bollywood to Jazz know how to settle it.” to Hip-Hop, with a Which Saloni says is fine with her and little ballet thrown her co-valedictorians. She says all nine valin — Saloni became edictorian Gators are friends, and none minded the fact the school couldn’t figure Land O’Lakes High valedictorian & Wesley Chapel resident Saloni Mehra, an exceptional synout a tiebreaker. with members of the New Tampa Family YMCA synchronized swim team. chronized swimmer, the Summer OlymAs for who gives the traditional valedicpic sport which is torian speech, Saloni says the nine will settle your time. Sometimes, the work just piles up that by co-hosting graduation, kind of like and you have to prioritize, so you meet your often referred to as water dancing.

“My Mom came home from the YMCA presenters at an awards show. deadlines…lots of deadlines.”

Being co-class valedictorian is, “icing on How many all-nighters did Saloni pull one day and told me they were starting this team for this sport, and we had no idea what the cake,’’ Saloni says. She has always been in four years of high school? synchronized swimming was,’’ says Saloni. driven to succeed in the classroom, so get“I lost count,’’ she says. ting good grades was just what she expected.

Her frenetic schedule did not keep Sa- “I decided to try it out and I loved it.”

Saloni, who does solos, has advanced to In high school, Mehra thrived in an IB loni from being involved in the Future Busiprogram regarded for its tough schedule of ness Leaders of America (FBLA) at Land Junior Olympics, where she will be competprojects and homework. She says that bal- O’Lakes, competing in state competitions all ing nationally for one of the last times June ancing her schedule became one of the more four years with the club, nor did it stop her 24-July 2 in East Meadow, NY. She also important survival skills she learned. from swimming for the Gator varsity team, competed for a spot on the U.S. National “It was pretty brutal,’’ Saloni says. where she advanced to Regionals twice. team during tryouts in Arizona in April.

“There were a lot of sleepless nights, a lot On June 4, the day after graduation, SaShe says her greatest love, however, has of work. But, it taught you how to manage been synchronized swimming, where Saloni loni will swim at the New Tampa YMCA in a

fund raiser for the synchronized team.

Although she says she once had Olympic dreams herself, next year, Saloni plans to swim with the Florida Gator synchro club team. Saloni picked the Gainesville school, which she will attend on a Presidential Scholarship, over 10 others, including the likes of Boston University, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Until then, she says she plans on putting all of those all-nighters and daily swimming practices on the back burner for a bit.

The IB program definitely taught her a little bit about time management.

“I’m going to take some time off and enjoy the summer,’’ Saloni says.

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Local Author’s First Book Sparked By Roar Heard In Wesley Chapel

By Celeste McLaughlin Although Alicia White has lived in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes for 20 years, she says the first time she heard a roaring sound she describes as “ominous” was when she moved to Wesley Chapel a year ago.

White, who is a fifth grade teacher at Turner/Bartels K-8 School in nearby New Tampa, said the noise shook the windows and she felt it in the ground.

“I happened to be online and noticed people posting about it on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page,” she says, and it piqued her curiosity. “It’s the kind of thing that makes you look at someone in the room and say, ‘You heard that, too, right?’”

Alicia says that sparked an idea and led her to write a book. “The story is entirely fictional, but the idea came to me from hearing this roaring noise here in Wesley Chapel.”

Alicia’s self-published book is called The Roar and is available in hard copy and e-book form on Amazon.com. Alicia’s pen name is A. M. White.

The Roar is classified as “young adult dystopian fiction,” Alicia says, and is planned to be the first in a series. The book’s back cover explains it this way: “The world as we know it disappeared with the roars. Alex was enslaved by those controlling them. Little does she know that some have survived the roars and live outside the compounds, and someone out there is very interested in finding her. Alex’s world is about to expand beyond her imagination.”

Alicia is currently writing the second book in the series. Although she doesn’t use the book in her classroom (“That would be

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profanity and sexual content.”

Alicia has been encouraged by reviews and the response to The Roar so far. She says book bloggers from around the world – from Denmark, India, South Africa, and the Philippines – have contacted her, wanting to read and review her novel.

“That’s been really neat,” she says. “It makes the world a bit smaller.”

The reviews on Amazon.com include this one by Maddy, who says: “The Roar was a novel that sucked me in before I even started with a unique and captivating concept, took me through twists and turns and then left me wanting more.

The characters were interesting and relatable, the story held my attention as I held

my breath, cried, and laughed throughout, and the post apocalyptic world painted was one like no other. This book will please fans of post apocalyptic novels with slight nods to The Hunger Games and Divergent. You won’t be disappointed.”

As for those noises in Wesley Chapel?

Alicia still hears them from time to time.

While the most popular explanation seems to be they are from military exercises from MacDill Air Force Base, Alicia insists that just doesn’t make sense.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s a good explanation,” she says.

You can read more reviews or get your own copy of the book by searching “The Roar by A.M. White” at Amazon.com.

Alicia White was inspired by a thread on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page to write her first novel, entitled The Roar. a little too much shameless self-promotion,” she laughs.), she does use her story to inspire her fifth graders. “It’s not just my dream to be a published author,” she tells her students. “It’s something that can be realized.”

Alicia says she intentionally wrote the book so that it would be appropriate for her students who might come across it. “Nowadays, it’s harder to find things that aren’t risqué,” Alicia says. “There is some violence in the book, because it’s a dystopian novel and has people trying to survive. But, I kept out

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JUNE 2016

Wesley Chapel Blvd. New members & guests are welcome to join the program and enjoy networking, coffee, and dessert. Call Peter Cracchiolo at 360-9813.

Saturday - June 4 - 7:30 AM

Thursday - June 9 - 7:00 PM

Wednesday - June 8 - Noon

Tuesday - June 21 - 6 PM

Celebrate Recovery - Meeting Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Bridgeway Church (30660 New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, Wells Rd.), the purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to bring freedom from cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts dysfunctional, compulsive & addictive behaviors through biblically-based group bike rides/runs leaving from Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris principles. Dinner & free childcare available. For more info, call 907-1313.

Bridge Rd.; not from the BBD entrance) every Tues., Thur. & Sat., 7:30 a.m. For Friday - June 10 - 2 PM more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com.

Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Saturday - June 4 - 10:30 AM Pasco is a support group for adults in Pasco County living with mental illness or in Ice Cream Social - The Tampa YMCA Synchro Team is hosting an ice cream sorecovery. The group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. cial at the New Tampa Family YMCA in Tampa Palms to raise money for the team at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For info, visit NAMIPasco.com. to travel to the Junior Olympics in East Meadow, NY. Entry is Free. Attendees can Friday - June 10 - 7:15 AM enjoy ice cream, pizza, drinks and enter a raffle to win prizes. The swimmers will also show off their latest routines and custom-made suits. For info, call 866-9622. Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets Fridays at 7:15 a.m. at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Monday - June 6 - 7:45 AM Pasco Rd.). For info, call Lynne Morgan at 695-6466.

Professional Business Connections (PBC) - PBC meets Mondays at 7:45 Wednesday - June 15 - 7:30 AM a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Wesley Chapel Breakfast Club - The WC Breakfast Club brings business people Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For more info, call Chris Thurow at 546-6860. together to network and present their business to the group. The club meets the Monday - June 6 - 8 AM 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Quail Hollow Country Club Experienced Networking Professionals (ENP) - ENP meets Monday mornings (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more info, call Bill at 992-3370. at 8 a.m. for breakfast and networking at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Monday - June 20 - 7 PM Pasco Rd.). For information, call Brad Benson at 973-1814.

East Pasco Democratic Club - Meets at American House at the Commons, Tuesday - June 7 - 7 PM 38130 Pretty Pond Rd., Zephyrhills. Light refreshments served at 6:45 p.m.

NAMI Friends and Family: Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Featured speaker is Cheryl Schroeder, exec. director of the West Florida Alliance on Mental Illness) of Pasco support group for friends and family of those Federation of Labor, who will discuss increasing the minimum wage. The with mental illness. The group meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month from club is open to all Democrats & welcomes new members. For info, contact 7-8:30 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). Visit NAMIPasco.com. Dottie Brisley at (317) 402-8211 or visit EastPascoDems.com.

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (Noon) RGA Network Business Networking Happy Hour - RGA Networking Group meets Wednesdays at noon at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). holds networking Happy Hours the third Tues. of every month at Pinchers Crab For more information, call 862-8989 or 391-3895.

Shack at the Shops at Wiregrass mall. Bring a friend, a door prize & plenty of business cards. $5 admission includes appetizers. There also are drink specials Thursday - June 9 - 8 AM Networking For Your Success - The Networking For Your Success group meets offered. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net.

Thursdays, 8 a.m., at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club clubhouse (26133 Lexington Saturday - June 25 - 2-6 PM Oaks Blvd.). All are welcome. For info, call 994-9944.

Pet Depot Grand Opening - Seven Oaks Pet Depot & Pet Hospital will host a grand opening and Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on Thursday - June 9 - 11:30 AM RGA Network Weekly Meeting - The RGA Networking Group meets weekly for Saturday, June 25, from 2-6 p.m. Event includes raffles, giveaways, free food and wine, and a silent auction. For more information, visit SevenOaksPet.com. networking at GrillSmith at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, allowing business owners to meet and get to know each other. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch is Tuesday - June 28 - 6 PM from noon-1 p.m. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net.

Wesley Chapel Lions Club - The Wesley Chapel Lions Club meets every 4th Thursday - June 9 - 6:30 PM Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. For more information about Wesley Chapel Republican Club - The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets volunteering, community efforts, meetings, helping the vision impaired and more, the second Thur. of each month at 6:30 pm. at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel, 27000 visit the club on Facebook or at WesleyChapelLionsClub.com.

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‘Lagoons’

Continued from pg. 1

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CRYSTAL LAGOON First-ever man-made lagoon in U.S. Approximately 7.7 acres (350,000 sq. ft.)

18 million gallons of water to initially fill 100x less chemicals than a pool.

50x more energy efficient than a pool.

Completed sometime in 2017

Will I Be Able To Use It?

ley Rd

• • • • • •

Cur

The original plan to break ground in 2015 was held up by permitting issues, particularly approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, delaying the project.

Renderings of the lagoon show a spectacularly blue body of water large enough for kayaking, paddle boarding and small humanpowered boats, with sand beaches and a recreation area. “An idyllic beach paradise,’’ says the Crystal Lagoons website.

“The Lagoon, roughly the length of five football fields, will have crystal-clear turquoise water and will be surrounded by a sandy beachfront,’’ said Kyle Parks of St. Petersburg-based B2 Communications, which does public relations for Metro, in an email.

A huge get for Wesley Chapel, Crystal Lagoons was founded in 2007 by Chilean biochemist-turned real estate developer Fernando Fischmann, who created a system based on pulses and ultra sonic filtration that can take virtually any kind of water and purify and maintain it at a low cost.

He developed the first lagoon at San Alfonso del Mar on the west coast of the South American cone. His patented system uses small sensors and injectors to treat the pool water when needed in specific areas. The system can sense when an area needs an injection of cleaner, like in the case of someone going to the bathroom in the water or spilling something into it.

Crystal Lagoons is the only company in the world with the technology, which is patented in 160 countries, and claims it cur-

fill the lagoons.”

Potable water is fit for human consumption.

“Our plan is to fill the lagoon during non-peak usage times of the day,’’ Parks wrote. “In normal conditions, rainwater keeps the lagoon at its optimal level after that.”

Elam Rd

Epperson Development

Watergrass Elementry 54

O rently has more than 300 projects in development in 60 countries.

According to Crystal Lagoons, its system is more efficient than a swimming pool, will use 100 times less chemicals and is 50 times more energy efficient, while consuming only 2% of the energy needed by conventional filtration systems. The lagoon uses 30

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d ss R

pa ver

times less water than a typical 18-hole golf course.

But, where will the water come from?

Any water, even salt water, can be used due to the effectiveness of the filtration system.

However, for the 18 million gallons required to initially fill the lagoon, Parks said Metro is “leaning toward potable water to

The lagoon will be a private amenity for the residents of the Epperson community. However, Parks says, some limited access could be provided to guests in the form of day passes or some other means.

Although pristine beaches are just a drive away, the lagoon offers clear salt- and chlorine-free water that won’t leave your eyes stinging. It will feature its own beach and will be just a short ride by golf cart or bike for Epperson residents.

“Much more convenient,’’ Parks says.

Metro expects the lagoon to be a major draw to Epperson, and its other sites. Epperson will be the first community in the U.S. to have a Crystal Lagoon, and there are also plans to build another lagoon in a new Wesley Chapel community called “Mirada” in the Cannon Ranch area just south of S.R. 52, as well as one in Southern Hillsborough County near Wimauma and another in North Ft. Myers.

For additional information about Crystal Lagoons, please visit CrystalLagoons.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Attorney Kevin Astl Leads Brandon Legal Group’s Local Office

By Anu Varma Panchal

His shingle outside his office may state that his area of expertise is family law, but Kevin D. Astl is a man who wears many hats.

He’s the compassionate listener who hears it all and gently nudges a box of tissues across the table; he’s the gimlet-eyed analyst who parses statutes to find the perfect legal weapons to argue your case; he’s the family man whose 9-year-old’s artwork adorns his office walls; and he’s the rock-and-roller who goes home and takes the stress of his day out on a drum set. Most important is that Astl is an attorney you can trust to fight for your child, your family and your livelihood.

Astl is the managing attorney at the Brandon Legal Group’s New Tampa/ Wesley Chapel office, located in the Central Bank building on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (just southeast of the corner of BBD and County Line Rd.). He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science in 1996 from the University of South Florida, and in 1999, received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, GA. At the local office of his firm (one of the three Brandon Legal Group offices in the Tampa Bay area), Astl handles all aspects of family law cases, but also has extensive experience in more than 35 aspects of law, including criminal, business

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Kevin Astl, the managing attorney at the Brandon Legal Group’s New Tampa/Wesley Chapel office in the Central Bank building on BBD Blvd., is a man who wears many hats. and corporate law, music and entertainment law, as well as personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

Astl says that Brandon Legal Group is a, “full-service law firm. We have 7 onstaff attorneys, each very experienced in their own right.”

He adds that, in other words, “If I can’t help you with your legal needs (myself), there almost always is another lawyer in the firm who is able to help.”

Not Your Typical Lawyer

Astl says he was a musician before he

was a lawyer and he still enjoys creative writing, songwriting and playing. “Playing drums keeps me sane,” he says.

In addition to belonging to legal organizations like the Florida Bar Association (since 1999), Florida Bar Family Law Section, Florida Bar Criminal Law Section, Florida Bar Association Entertainment and Sports Law Section and American Inns of Court Tampa Family Law Inn, Astl’s affiliations also include the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Florida Motion Picture and Television Association, and the Florida

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Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

“People can represent themselves, but the law is an extremely technical and complex endeavor,” Astl says.

What Astl offers clients that they cannot get on their own is not just nearly two decades of experience, but also a familiarity with case histories and with the vagaries of the various local court systems, courthouses, clerks and judges in the many surrounding counties.

Astl’s disarming friendliness and wry sense of humor help him connect with clients, but it also help him preserve his peace of mind in a field that can often be fraught with tension. He has to regularly fight client stereotypes about the billing habits of lawyers; and not a week goes by that a client doesn’t want to check Astl’s advice against something out of TV’s “Law & Order” or Google. “There’s more disinformation out there about what we do than information,” he sighs.

As someone who considered studying sociology or psychology before deciding on political science and, ultimately, the law, Astl enjoys not just the hustle and bustle of the courthouse, but also the more subtle sizing up of witnesses and personality assessments he has to conduct, often within moments.

Amy Mackler says she hired Astl to represent her during her divorce five years ago, and it’s a decision she says she’s thankful she made.

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“He doesn’t come across as your typical attorney,” says Mackler, who now lives in St Petersburg but was a New Tampa resident for 22 years. “Regardless of if your case is finished, he continues to maintain a relationship. He’d call and check up, follow up and make sure everything was good in my life.”

Mackler appreciates that Astl is efficient at what he does, but also that he’s open and honest.

“If he doesn’t feel like he should take your case, he’s not going to take your case just to make money,” she says.

Not only did she hire him again a couple of years later for another matter, she’s referred him to many friends.

Astl is heading the firm’s northward expansion. His goals are to maintain a presence at the current Central Bank location, but also to expand to include another attorney and a paralegal by the end of the year. At the rate Astl is going — he’s signed up eight clients in just the past two weeks — that looks like an attainable goal. Although he’ll continue to do family law, he’s also interested in growing his representation of small businesses. As a 17-year New Tampa and Wesley Chapel resident, not only does he frequent local small businesses, he’s also watched numerous companies rise and fall, and would like to be able to help them succeed.

Having practiced on his own and in a large corporate environment for years, Astl loves his present setup.

“I like being part of a boutique firm,” says Astl. “It’s like I work with my

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friends. The way Brandon Legal Group is set up with the satellite offices, you just have to practice law,” explaining that the head office manages paperwork and finances so that he can do his job. “I can represent my clients...focus on them.”

Astl also says he appreciates the fact that the attorneys at Brandon Legal Group are encouraged to maintain a manageable workload — he has about 50 cases on hand at any given time — rather than take on every potential client. A manageable caseload means a reasonable separation between home and work, says Astl, which helps create the objectivity that he needs to be able to approach the case with clarity.

“A work-life balance is very important,” he says, especially when dealing with family law cases that can sometimes be brutal (except for adoptions; he says adopting parents are his favorite type of family law clients to represent).

Astl works toward that balance through family and creative endeavors.

He tries to spend as much time as he can with his two sons: the 22-year-old veteran who served in Iraq and now attends the University of South Florida, and the 9-year-old who often spends afternoons in dad’s office.

The office of attorney Kevin D. Astl of Brandon Legal Group is located at 20701 BBD Suite 202, in New Tampa. For more info or to make an appointment for a consultation, call 933-7200, or email kevin.astl@brandonlegalgroup.com or visit BrandonLegalGroup.com.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...HomeTeam Lawn Care!

Personalized care is something you always expect from a physician, hairdresser or insurance agent. But, when it comes to lawn and landscape maintenance, personalized care is something that is much more rare. The monolithic lawn and landscape companies send out legions of trimmers and mowers who may or may not care about a customer’s needs. At HomeTeam Lawn Care, however, personalized care is the hallmark of the company’s success.

“We guarantee that there will always be an owner or manager on the crew,” Home Team Lawn Care owner AJ Negron says.

“We don’t have big crews running around (that leaves you unsure) about what was done on the property.”

Negron, along with family friend and manager Chris French, aren’t just the owners/operators of HomeTeam Lawn Care, they are also the crew. French, who was managing the bar at Benedetto’s, a popular Italian restaurant in Land O’Lakes, at the time, left to team up with Negron last summer.

On French’s first day working as a team with Negron, “In May of 2015, we did 33 yards in one day,” Negron says. “It was a feat, and then I knew we could fly with the business together.”

The company has more than 130 residential accounts, mostly in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. HomeTeam Lawn Care tends properties in Heritage Isles, Pebble Creek, Estancia, Seven Oaks, Lexington Oaks, Northwood, Live Oak Preserve, Brookside and even as far south as Tampa Palms.

HomeTeam Lawn Care offers a “full

service” that runs from $90 monthly and up. The full-service package includes: hedges and low trees, sidewalks and driveways as well as mulch bed maintenance. Full service is where Negron says HomeTeam separates itself from the competition. “(When a house has full-service care with us) that house has our name on it,” Negron says. “I would rather pull my truck up to a house with full service, than just take care of the grass at a property that also has landscaping that needs attention.”

Negron and French have an affinity for the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area and hope to bring even more of their attention to detail to lawns and landscapes in the area.

“It’s nice to work with the homeowners in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel because they see the quality of the work that we do,’’ French says. “They don’t need to worry about things getting taken care of.

They realize it’s a set-it-and-forget-it type of operation that we are running.”

HomeTeam Lawn Care LLC does not operate out of an office, but can be found on the web at HomeTeamLawnCare.com, or by phone at 817-9554.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

21

Becca’s Bubbles Brings Quality Dog Grooming To Your Doorstep

By John C. Cotey

Becca Miltz says that there are many benefits to hiring a mobile groomer.

She says that most important might be these two: “Less stress, less anxiety,’’ she says.

Becca’s Bubbles Mobile Grooming Salon, Becca’s canine-pampering “spa” on wheels, offers that and much more as she closes in on her first year in business, and a successful one at that.

While adding regular clients, and even considering getting into dog training, Becca has spent the last year cultivating relationships and trust with her canine clients and their human owners, from Land O’Lakes to Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel to New Tampa.

Becca now grooms dogs that happily bound from the front door and into her truck, eager for the pampering to follow.

She says it is one of the great joys of her job. “I love the response of the dogs,’’ she says.

While larger commercial groomers may quickly move dogs in and out, Becca says she prefers to take her time, as necessary.

“I put the animal first,’’ she says.

“That is my first priority.”

For example, if the dog doesn’t like the loudness of the drier, Becca won’t make her client endure a few harrowing moments of fear. Instead, she’ll use a smaller, quieter drier, “even if it takes longer.”

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On both of these pages are before & after pictures from Becca’s Bubbles Mobile Grooming Salon, which comes to your home to make your pup look & feel like a rock star.

If a dog resists clippers, Becca may use shears instead. For many older dogs, and those new to the grooming process, these are gentle touches you can’t and won’t find everywhere.

“Their happiness and their comfort

is my priority,’’ she says. “If they aren’t comfortable, I figure out a way to make it happen.”

Becca is an animal lover who has lived in Seven Oaks since 2006. She was researching opportunities in both day-

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care and working with animals when she discovered the Tampa Bay Pet Grooming Academy in South Tampa.

She completed an intense, nine-week course at the grooming academy. “I had equipment in my hands from the beginning,” she says. “There were always dogs there, so I learned quickly.”

She graduated in May of 2015 and launched her business in June.

“This is where my heart is,” she says.

“I get to spend all day with dogs.”

Becca’s brightly colored mobile grooming truck shows up at your doorstep at your scheduled appointment time. Inside, the truck houses a grooming table and all the equipment she needs to make your dog look his or her very best. Her truck is fully equipped with power, water, a heater, vacuum and even a bathroom and microwave. She has two dryers, including a soft dryer for older pets who need special care.

In fact, the entire grooming experience is a good fit for those types of pets.

“I can accommodate dogs who are older, who need more assistance and more help feeling comfortable,” says Becca.

How It Works

Customers can choose between three packages. First, the bath package includes trimming nails, cleaning pads, cleaning and trimming ears, shampoo, conditioner, cologne, bandana, and a deshed treatment. The next option is a full groom, which includes the bath package,

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plus clipping the entire dog. Becca also offers a face, feet, and tail clip, so the dog is bathed and trimmed neatly in the areas where it most needs it.

Additional services, such as flea baths and even teeth brushing, also are available. Becca explains she offers a blueberry facial – a deep conditioning treatment and massage that actually can brighten the color of your dog’s coat.

Most of her clients schedule their grooming on a regular basis, usually every four weeks, but there is no commitment required.

“I generally go to people’s homes, although I also could visit their office or another spot,” says Becca. “All I need is a parking spot or a driveway.”

Becca says the biggest benefit to your pet is the personal service she provides. Your pet is never in a crate, and never with other animals, which could inadvertently expose him or her to disease and parasites. Becca’s clean, sanitary, professional environment doesn’t require a car trip for your dog, which is just the start of the stress-free experience she provides.

Rebecca Sherman, who lives in Seven Oaks, says she loves having Becca’s Bubbles come to her home to groom her cockapoo, Sadie.

“It’s so much more convenient than when I used to take my dog to the groomer,” Sherman says. Although she was satisfied with the grooming her dog received, she hated having to drive to drop Sadie off, and then wait “all day”

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“I highly recommend Becca’s Bubbles,” says Rebecca, “especially for people with busy schedules or anyone who has trouble getting out and about, maybe because they’re older or have medical issues.

It’s a great solution for getting your dog groomed in a convenient way.”

A Passion For Pups

– at least four or five hours, she says, for the phone call saying when to pick her dog up.

“Becca is very reliable and always on time,” says Sherman. “She always does a good job.”

Sherman also says that Becca gives Sadie a traditional cockapoo cut with clippers, along with shampoo, brushing, nail trim, a cute bandana, and even doggie perfume. “I choose the scent,”

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Rebecca says. Becca brings Sadie to the door when she’s finished, and Rebecca sets another appointment for five or six weeks later. She says the cost is “slightly higher” than when she took her dog to a different groomer but that the convenience makes it worth it. She also appreciates that Becca’s attention isn’t divided among any other animals and that her dog, Sadie, doesn’t have to wait in a cage before and after the actual grooming.

It’s not just your pet’s well being that Becca cares about. She says she’s passionate about dogs and hopes to use her skills and tools to care for animals who aren’t lucky enough to have a pet parent yet.

She explains she is currently looking for an organization that finds potential owners for adoptable dogs that wants her grooming expertise to help make their dogs look cleaner and cuter for adoption.

“Dogs look so scruffy at the pound, but they’re so fluffy in the pet store,” says Becca. “If I can donate my time, maybe I can do good for an animal who needs it.”

Becca’s Bubbles serves Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and the surrounding areas. Appointments are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with evening appointments available for an additional charge.

To schedule your appointment with Becca’s Bubbles, call 997-2796 or email Becca@beccasbubbles.org. For more info, see the ad on page 11, get more information online at BeccasBubbles.org, or find her on Facebook by searching “Becca’s Bubbles Mobile Grooming Salon.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

23

Zhoy Vitality Center Strives To Bring Vitality Back To Your Life

By Anu Varma Panchal

At Zhoy Vitality Center, you can expect a different sort of doctor-patient relationship and experience. Boardcertified Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Areej Salem, M.D., believes in a whole-body approach to rejuvenation and revitalization to help everyone look and feel their best. From incontinence and medical weight loss solutions to sexual dysfunctions and even vaginal rejuvenation, Dr. Salem provides not only a safe place to talk but an office that is on the forefront of technology and technique.

“Lots of patients are looking for alternative ways to treat the whole person,” says Dr. Salem. “Just because you don’t have a label put on you doesn’t mean you are healthy. I look at treating the whole person from the inside out.”

Located just off the Ancient Oaks Blvd. roundabout in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56, Zhoy Vitality Center (which draws its name from the first initials of Dr. Salem’s four children) has been in existence since 2012. From a young age, Dr. Salem says she has always been drawn to altruistic, healing paths.

“I always wanted to give back,” she says. “I love to listen to people and talk with and help them.”

Dr. Salem received her Medical

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Doctor (M.D.) degree from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2002.

She also completed a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Christiana Care Health System in Newark, NJ, in 2007, and went on to complete fellowships in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine as well as Aesthetics with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She is Board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the American Board of Integrative & Holistic Medicine.

At Zhoy Vitality Center, Dr. Salem offers patients a plethora of anti-aging and restorative options. Although the largest number of her patients are women between 40 and 60, she says she also sees men and both younger and older patients. Three major areas for Dr. Areej Salem tackles difficult issues in her daily work which patients consult her are at Zhoi Vitality Center, helping people with hormonal balances and issues related to their sexuality. for antiaging hormone therapy, aesthetics and vaginal rejuvenadoes what I do. I combine treatments tion. and modalities to give maximal results, “It’s a unique practice,” says Dr. whether it’s for aesthetics or sexual Salem. “There’s no one in the area who health or satisfaction.”

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Hormonal Therapies

Dr. Salem says that hormone replacement therapy for men and women is one of her most popular treatments.

She explains that hormone production decreases as we age, resulting in a variety of possible problems: women get night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, thinning hair and vaginal dryness. Hormonal reduction in men causes erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle bulk and loss of libido.

To combat these problems, one of Dr. Salem’s offerings is “pellet therapy,” where bio-identical hormones are inserted, often under the skin just above the buttocks, in order to dissolve over time and replicate the effects of the original hormones that the body used to make in large quantities before.

Dr. Salem acknowledges that “traditional doctors” sometimes have a bias against hormonal therapy, but as long as these treatments are conducted safely under her care, she says she is confident she can and will create the proper balance in her patients.

For most, a slim and fit body is harder to maintain as we age, but it’s also an area in which Dr. Salem can assist, with medical weight loss and nutrition plans that include specialized testing, pharmaceutical-grade supplements, nutrition counseling and nutritional

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detoxification. One specific plan she offers is called Metabolic Balance, which is a specialized meal plan based on lab work and a person’s history.

All of the patient’s lab results and medical history info are compiled and sent to the Metabolic Balance headquarters in Germany, from where a specific plan for nutrition is sent back for each patient to follow under Dr. Salem’s guidance. The aimed-for result is improved health; but Dr. Salem says, “the weight loss tends to be a happy side effect.”

Feeling good often starts from the outside, which is why Dr. Salem offers an array of aesthetic options. Stem cell “facelifts” involve harvesting your own stem cells and processing them onsite, and then injecting them back in the same day to return natural volume.

Other services include fillers such as Botox and Dysport; sclerotherapy to reduce or eliminate spider and varicose veins; AccelaFuze oxygen hydra-infused facials; DermaFrac microchanneling that inserts peptides between layers of skin for a “lift” without the downtime; Exilis skin tightening and body contouring, which involves heating and cooling body fat without burning your skin; laser peels and resurfacing; and BBL (broad band light) therapy for treating several problems including acne and hair reduction.

Other treatments include laser hair reduction, microlaser peels, ProFrac-

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tional laser therapy to treat scars and visible signs of ageing, ThermiTight and ThermiSmooth treatments that use radiofrequencies to tighten and smooth your skin, and even ThermiDry treatments to reduce sweating.

Dr. Salem describes the Forever Young light treatment as the, “Ferrari of light treatments” in the way it can recapture youth in skin by boosting your body’s own collagen production. If you want a more all-encompassing treatment than choosing from a menu of individual options, Dr. Salem can design a Zhoy Ultimate Radiance package for you that is customized based on your needs and amount of downtime you’re willing to go through.

Looking your best is no superficial aim, Dr. Salem maintains. Rather, it is a way to have the person on the outside reflect how they feel inside, despite the ravages of age.

“We help you get the best effects of who you are on the inside,” she says.

“When you feel like you look your best, your confidence shows in the way you walk, the way you interact with people.

It affects your overall well-being and your self-esteem.”

intimate concerns without embarrassment, she also can offer her expertise in many different surgical and non-surgical ways to treat these issues. Sexual dysfunction is not often dealt with honestly in traditional practices, Dr. Salem says. Patients are either embarrassed to talk about issues with their doctors, or feel like their problems are “in their heads” and that they, “just need to get over it.”

“It’s a huge thing to have that void or deficiency in your intimate relationships,” says Dr. Salem. “So many women feel like they’re alone.”

She offers a treatment called ThermiVa that uses gentle radioactive frequency to tighten vaginal tissue non-surgically.

ThermiVa can be done by itself or as part

of a package called Intimate Radiance, which includes an O-shot, which delivers platelet-rich plasma from the patient’s own blood into the vaginal tissue to rejuvenate the area. If necessary, Dr. Salem also can perform surgical procedures to tighten muscles.

The office accepts some forms of medical insurance, but in-house financing also is available.

For more information about Dr. Salem and the Zhoy Vitality Center, or to see a comprehensive list of the procedures offered, visit ZhoyVitality Center.com. Zhoi Vitality Center is located at 2306 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. To make an appointment, call 994-0266.

Vaginal Rejuvenation

One aspect of women’s health that is often swept under the table is sexuality.

Not only does Dr. Salem have the kind of personality and easygoing bedside manner that allow people to talk about their most

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

25

GreatFlorida Insurance Agents Help You Protect Your Home, Car & Business

By Celeste McLaughlin

Bill Sullivan, the owner of GreatFlorida insurance in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, says this area – especially Wesley Chapel – is experiencing growth, with lots of new businesses and new families moving into the area.

He wants to help these people be sure that they’re properly covered and paying the best rates possible when it comes to their insurance needs.

So, on May 25, GreatFlorida Insurance hosted a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) ribboncutting event, “to let people know we’re here,” explains Bill.

“We offer traditional home, auto, boat and motorcycle policies, along with renter’s policies, general liability and umbrella coverage,” Bill says. “We also offer a wide variety of insurance products for business owners, such as commercial property insurance.”

GreatFlorida Insurance is a network of independent, franchised insurance agents that has been in business since 1991, with more than 100 offices located throughout Florida. Bill owns the New Tampa location, which originally opened in 2005 with a previous owner. That owner sold the business to Bill in 2013. Bill says he made the purchase because the previous owner — who was retiring— had a very well-run, diligent and ethical business, a business that he has been able to build on and grow

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over the last three years.

Bill earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and then worked in investment banking for 25 years in New England. Looking to make a change, he and his wife Julie moved down to Florida in August of 2012. Bill got his “2-20” insurance license so he could sell all lines of Property & Casualty Insurance. Julie also works in the office as the office manager and customer service agent. She is a Licensed “4-40” Sales and Service Representative. The Sullivans also work with two agents – who also hold “2-20” licenses – Nicole Weaver and Julie Morgan.

GreatFlorida sells policies from many different auto insurance companies, including Travelers, Safeco, Mercury, Progressive, and Hartford, and homeowners insurance companies that include Prepared, Heritage, Safe Harbor, and Peninsula.

Looking Out For You

Bill says statistics show that 85 percent of people are inadequately insured – either they have too much or too little.

For example, Bill says he often sees empty-nesters who had high limits when their teenage children were driving and two parents were commuting to work, but now that it’s just the two of them – and maybe they’ve even retired and aren’t commuting anymore themselves – so, do they really need all that coverage? The agents at

(L.-r.) Julie and Bill Sullivan, Julie Morgan and Nicole Weaver of GreatFlorida Insurance on Cross Creek Blvd. provide outstanding insurance service for your home, auto, business & more.

GreatFlorida Insurance want to help clients be sure they’re neither over-insured nor under-insured.

Not only do people’s life circumstances change, but the way insurance carriers price policies change, too.

Bill says insurance carriers are “fickle” and the things that change in a year can have a big impact on the price of an insurance policy. “One year, insurance carriers like a certain area, and the next they don’t.

Rates change and go up, so we think we should review your policies at least every 12-18 months.”

That’s why the agents at GreatFlorida Insurance automatically and proactively watch to see if rates increase whenever your

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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policies come up for renewal.

“Most people buy a policy and then don’t look at it again for four or five years,” he explains. “People view it as time consuming. So, we do that ‘dirty work’ for you to take that away.”

That’s exactly why Wesley Chapel resident Kathleen Zagaros says she switched her home and auto insurance policies to GreatFlorida. She was frustrated that her former agency didn’t seem concerned that her policy renewal prices were going up and didn’t offer her any alternatives, prompting her to wonder, “If you have to start doing your own research to find a better policy, why have an insurance agent?”

When Kathleen reached out to

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GreatFlorida, however, she says she found something very different. “Bill and Julie provide excellent and personalized service,” she says. “They want to find the best policies for their customers. Instead of you having to call them, they already know and have other options to present to you. I was able to change my homeowners insurance as well as our car insurance for less money and better coverages!”

Kathleen says she also likes that she can do business with the Sullivans over the phone and via email. “It’s so easy and not stressful at all!,” she says, adding that she likes that she has an advocate if she’s in an accident. “If you are involved in an accident, they are right there to help you through the claims process.”

Kathleen says Bill and Julie and their employees understand what good customer service is all about and go out of their way to provide it. She says they all have great senses of humor and that talking with them is like talking to a good friend or a close neighbor.

“Julie’s title is ‘Director of Customer Happiness & Office Operations,’” Kathleen says. “I think that says it all!” Because she is such a happy customer, Kathleen says she highly recommends GreatFlorida Insurance all the time. And, Bill says she’s not alone in her endorsement.

“A good majority of our business comes through referrals,” says Bill, “I take that as a compliment.”

Flood Insurance

One tip Bill is always sharing with clients: Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage from a flood.

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“A lot of people are dismissive about flood insurance because they’ve never experienced a flood and think it won’t apply to them,” says Bill. “But, for as little as $299 annually, you can have peace of mind should something happen.”

“I personally went through it up north,” Bill says. “I never would have thought I needed flood insurance because I was far inland. But then, it rained for 14 days straight and we had water damage, and I paid for all the damages out of pocket. It was a costly lesson.”

He stresses that, especially in Florida, water damage leads to other issues, too.

“With our heat and humidity, we need to be concerned about mold,” says Bill. “Mold is toxic and airborne, and the cost of having a home repaired and remediated is expensive.” He says this can be a huge problem for snowbirds who may leave their home for a few months at a time. “If there’s any water damage while they’re gone, it doesn’t take long for mold to take hold and grow substantially. “ Bill says if a Realtor refers someone to GreatFlorida for a homeowner’s insurance quote, he and his staff always provide a flood quote, too. “The lender doesn’t require it, and the client doesn’t have to take it, but we still highly recommend it.”

“All of Florida is a flood zone,” says Bill, “to what severity depends on where a home is located.”

To find out how GreatFlorida Insurance can help you, call 994-1143, see the ad on pg. 3 or visit NewTampa.

GreatFlorida.com. GreatFlorida Insurance is located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite C.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...Serenity Salon & Spa Suites!

Pam Edmonson recently moved her Creative Permanent Makeup into Wesley Chapel to be more convenient for residents of both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel.

After years working out of a salon in Zephyrhills, Pam relocated to the Serenity Salon & Spa Suites on S.R. 54, in the Brookfield Professional Park near Eiland Blvd., where she and a partner operate their businesses and have space available for others.

“Serenity Salon & Spa Suites has a peaceful environment and good energy,” says Pam. “I love having my own space here.”

Currently, there are four hair stations (two are available for rent by professional stylists) and individual rooms for massages, facials, office space, or other small businesses.

“We want to empower people to build their own business in a great environment,” Pam says. “It’s about having a nice, comfortable place to work and to provide an affordable place for others to do so, too.”

Pam says she helps women achieve a beautiful, maintenance-free look through permanent makeup. She uses a technique known as “microblading” – using a tiny blade to “draw” each individual hair, in order to create natural-looking eyebrows. Pam also offers permanent makeup for eyelids and lips, along with skin care services such as light therapy and microneedling to build collagen or help women regrow thinning hair.

Pam has been a licensed cosmetologist in Florida since 2009. She studied permanent makeup at the Boca Ta-2 School for Permanent Makeup in Williston, FL, and began providing permanent makeup services in 2011.

Creative Permanent Makeup is located at the Serenity Salon & Spa Suites (33913 S.R. 54, Suite 101) in Wesley Chapel. Pam is available for procedures and free consultations by appointment.

For more information, visit CreativePermanentMakeupByPam.com, call 997-6302, or see the ad on page 41 of this issue. — CM

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

27

Healthy Bulls Show Out In 40-6 Spring Win Over Pasco High for 144 yards and scoring on touchdown runs of 2, 10 and 18 yards.

It won’t count in the official record McGee led the team in rushing last book, but don’t tell that to the Wireyear with 333 yards, but missed half the grass Ranch High (WRH) football team, season with injuries. The junior looked which dominated play and defeated Pasto be back in prime form against Pasco, co in their May 20 spring football game putting up seven runs of 10 or more 40-6, the first time the yards.

Bulls have ever beaten “He was great, the Pirates. just fantastic,’’ KanThe big win altor said. “I think lowed the Bulls to cap between (fellow their spring season on a running backs) Chase high note.

Oliver, Carson Borak “The coaches did and Javon Howell, a great job of preparwe should be able to ing the kids to play at a (have nights like that) high level,’’ said WRH in the fall as long as head coach Mark Kanwe stay healthy. If tor, whose team sufhealthy, we should fered through a myriad have a good year.” of injuries last season Oliver, also a and finished with a 2018 kid, had a nice 2-8 record. “We knew return after missing at the beginning of all of last year with an spring we needed some injury. He rushed for kind of a change. The 69 yards on 8 carries, momentum from this Jordan Miner returned a kickoff 92 yards including a big run of going into the summer 28 yards. for a touchdown. is huge.”

WRH’s offensive and defensive lines won the line of Top Players scrimmage battle all night, leading to Dada McGee, part of the Bulls’ the Bulls’ offense rushing for 266 yards, promising class of 2018, was stellar while holding Pasco to only 202 total against Pasco, carrying the ball 19 times yards in the game.

By John C. Cotey and Nick Ketchum

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DaDa McGee, WRH’s leading rusher last season, gets loose on one of his seven runs of 10 yards or more in the 40-6 spring game victory over Pasco. McGee ran for 144 yards and three TDs.

Kantor said rising senior offensive linemen Aaron Beardsley (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) and Matt Welsh (6-1, 270) played well against Pasco, as did rising junior Adrian Mitchell (5-8, 235).

Defensively, DE/MLB Jason Winston (6-2, 200) and DE Sam Hill (6-0, 180), both rising seniors, stood out.

Rising junior middle linebacker and tight end Justin Mosley was very stout on defense as he had a nose for the foot-

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ball, recovering three fumbles. The Bulls as a team scooped up four of Pasco’s dropped balls.

Top Plays

Rising junior defensive back Jordan Miner, who has emerged this offseason as one of Tampa Bay’s more promising college prospects, flashed some of his game-breaking ability by busting off a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown

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to close out the first quarter and breaking a 6-6 tie.

The Bulls never looked back.

“As a whole, the whole team had a great offseason from the start, including Jordan,’’ Kantor said. “This bunch of kids has just a tremendously different attitude.

They want to leave their mark here at the school.

That’s something I’m used to seeing at other places.”

Chris Faddoul, the startChase Oliver rushed for 69 yards on eight carries. ing quarterback and kicker, was on fire, booting most of Top Takeaways his kickoffs into the end zone, as well Wiregrass Ranch’s offensive and defensive lines proved their worth, domias converting a long 45-yard field goal nating the line of scrimmage on both that energized the Bulls’ offense. Faddoul only kicked one field goal last year, sides of the ball. This is a step in the right direction for the Bulls as they look from 24 yards out. for a playoff berth in District 7A-8.

Rising junior TE Cameron LeonAlso this spring, Miner and fellow ard, caught the only pass completion of rising junior Shamaur McDowell both the game, a 53-yard reception before received recent offers from multiple he was caught from behind by a Pasco college programs. Miner was verbally defender, who forced a fumble. offered by Bowling Green and Toledo, while McDowell claims offers from Top Quote Bowling Green and Iowa State.

“The way I look at (the spring) is “We’re truly excited. Not only for as long as the kids gave great effort, did the 2017 class, but the 2018 class as what the coaches asked and went 100 well,’’ Kantor said. “They are all tremenmph, you can always improve or fix the dous kids, and the coaches like working mistakes they made,” said Kantor. “You with them. We are excited for our future. can’t fix effort, can’t fix drive, can’t fix This place is at a level of excitement it get-after-people. We instilled that day hasn’t seen in a while.” one in the spring.”

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

29

New Coach & Player Spark Wesley Chapel High Football To Spring Romp

By Derek LaRiviere

Wesley Chapel High brought out a new philosophy under first-year coach Anthony Egan, and the results were obvious almost immediately as the Wildcats ran all over Weeki Wachee on May 20.

In Egan’s debut, the Wildcats dominated, winning 54-20 in rainy conditions.

Top Players

Egan wasn’t the only Wildcat who

New Wesley Chapel High coach Anthony Egan

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made a splash in his debut – running back Dexter Leverette ran 15 times for 282 yards and 5 touchdowns.

In his first appearance in a Wesley Chapel uniform, Leverette amazed many on hand with his game-breaking ability.

He raced up the middle for a 59-yard touchdown in the first quarter and never looked back. The rising junior moved here from South Carolina prior to his sophomore year but was ineligible to play football last season due to transfer rules. Now that’s he back on the gridiron, Leverette is chomping at the bit.

Egan helped coach Pasco County’s all-time leading rusher Chris Schwarz the past few years at River Ridge, so don’t be surprised to see the coach try to build his offense around Leverette.

Defensively, the front seven for the Wildcats was aggressive throughout the night. LB Donovan Willingham sacked Weeki Wachee QB Alec Cromie early, and DE Christian Austin took Cromie down twice. DT Andrew Brooks recovered a fumble and knocked down a couple of passes as the D-line dominated the battle at the line of scrimmage.

low running back Malik Melvin, who also broke free for long touchdown runs of 46, 22, and 35 yards; Melvin also ran for more than 100 yards. The last of Melvin’s runs cemented the final score with 2:09 left in regulation.

Top Plays

Top Position Battles

In addition to his 59-yard touchdown sprint with 6:38 left in the first quarter, Leverette also had scoring runs of 27, 27, 1, and 63 yards.

His production overshadowed fel-

Rising junior RB Dexter Leverette ran for 282 yards — more than any Wesley Chapel High running back had all of last season — and 5 TDs in WCH’s 54-20 spring game win over Weeki Wachee High.

Prior to the spring game, Egan challenged his running backs. All had shown good burst in practice, but he was hoping someone would separate themselves in the spring game. Leverette and Melvin

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answered the call, but Egan fully expects Ellrie Allen and a host of others to also earn carries along the way.

Ben Goins and Devin Singletary were expected to be the Wildcats’ lead receivers and big weapons for QB Jacob Thomas, who threw for 1,825 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Goins has moved away, according to Egan, and Singletary didn’t receive a touch in the spring game. Thomas only attempted five passes, going 2-of-5 for 21 yards. Both he and backup Justin

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ing to do some different things.”

Top Takeaways

If Thomas gets the opportunity to bring some more balance to the offense than what happened against Weeki Wachee, this could be Pasco County’s surprise team.

Leverette made some moves on guys that literally shook defenders off of their feet, and even though most of his work was between the tackles, he showed the speed and ability to also do damage on the edge and in the pass game.

With Egan using River Ridge as a blueprint, expect the defense to take some good steps this year. If that group can make some plays, the offense has enough talent to win games.

QB Jacob Thomas had a good spring despite not throwing much in the spring game against Weeki Wachee, where he was 2-for-5 for 21 yards.

Sylvester were banged up during a scrimmage the previous week, but they each played the entire game.

Top Comments

When asked how good he was as a freshman in South Carolina, Leverette said with a smile, “What do you think, man? Of course.”

“It is a tribute to (River Ridge),’’ said Egan. “I brought a couple things from their system, but we added to it, and we’re multi-dimensional. We’re go-

Neighborhood News

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31

Justin Zabinski — A Working Model Known For His Model Behavior the big water. “I do like hanging here at home, too,” he says.

But, being home also means serving, cleaning up and helping out any way he can in many local soup kitchens, especially in Pinellas County, where he actually graduated from high school while splitting time between Pinellas Park and Wesley Chapel.

“I know I can’t do this type of work forever,” he says. “So, I’m just enjoying the opportunity I have now and will always take the time to give back to help others who aren’t as fortunate as I’ve been.”

For additional information about Justin Zabinski, or to book him, visit his “Official Fansite” on Facebook.com.

By Gary Nager

When we first told you about model and longtime Wesley Chapel resident Justin Zabinski, it was more than a decade ago. And, while a lot has changed for the 25-year-old Wesley Chapel resident, a lot has stayed the same, too, as Justin continues to be a blessing not only for his father — well-known local resident Leo Star — but for homeless men, women and families and disabled children, among others.

“Whenever Justin flies in from a modeling shoot,” Leo says, “no matter what time he gets in, he’s up at 6 the next morning to help serve in local soup kitchens. He has thousands of fans (nearly 8,000 at our press time), but he always volunteers his time to help others.”

Leo says that Justin even helps put on events where the host charity can charge admission, and all the proceeds are donated to that charity. “He never takes anything for himself,” Leo says.

I was happy to catch up with Justin and his dad a couple of weeks ago, before he flew off to New York City and then Los Angeles for modeling shoots.

Justin, who certainly looks and acts the part of the “laid back surfer dude,” says he is still in search of “the perfect wave, although I have gotten to surf on some amazing beaches in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and California.”

Among his many modeling credits are AllAmericanGuys.com, Rugby and Polo by Ralph Lauren, APC (France), Tony Meliilo fashion show in NYC, Bruce Weber, GQ Magazine (Germany) JC Penney, Hang Ten, American Living and Levis. He also has been featured in At Large magazine,

Neighborhood News

Justin Zabinski and Leo Star

which calls itself, “The definitive magazine for contemporary culture, art entertainment and men’s style.” Justin also been featured in People magazine and he is currently working as a cover model.

“I love all of the messages I get from fans,” Justin says. “Even though there are always some haters, too. I just don’t let any of it affect me.”

As for his love life, Justin says he’s simply too busy right now to worry about finding the right girl to settle down with, although he admits he would like to find that certain someone “someday.”

In the meantime, Justin hopes to see a lot more of the world, especially more of the world’s best surfing beaches, from Fiji to Australia and anywhere else he can chase

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33

I PASSION T T EXCE LLENCE A G M R W I O T R Y K

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Kitchen features oak cabinets & granite countertops and overlooks family room. Master suite has double sinks, separate shower & garden tub. Reduced $204,900

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SADDLEBROOK GOLF & COUNTRYCLUB NEIGHBORHOOD

Townhouse located in the sought after gated community Monica M. Rodriguez of Saddlebrook Golf & Country Club has just what Cell 813.528.8007 you’ve been searching for….So, look no further!!! This Office 813.907.8200 is a unique charmer, which features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths w/ pool, offered at just $169,900.

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Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill For Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine!

Fattoush Salad & Pitas

Lamb Chops

By Gary Nager

NEXT MONTH,

Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill, located near the intersection of Cross Creek Blvd. and Morris Bridge Rd. in New Tampa, will celebrate one year in business. It’s been a good year for owner Bilal Saleh and his wife Abida, who created the recipes used at New Tampa’s most authentic Mediterranean restaurant.

Even so, Bilal admits, “Some people still don’t know we’re even here. I know if they do find us, they’ll keep coming back.”

It’s hard to argue with Bilal’s logic, as Zaytoun (which literally means “olive tree” in Arabic) already has a loyal following of people who enjoy authentic dishes of Syria, Lebanon and Greece prepared with the best and freshest ingredients, and with so many people eating healthier these days, “We have so many vegetarian and gluten-free choices here we know you’ll keep coming back.”

In fact, Bilal and Abida, who also runs two other local businesses (Florida Aesthetics and the Neuro Center), agree that although Zaytoun has attracted many of the Muslim people who live in New Tampa (the mosque the Salehs belong to is 1/3 of a mile north of Zaytoun on Morris Bridge Rd.), “most of

36

our customers are not from the Middle East.

They just like good food.”

A Few Of The Favorites...

Of course, I always try to tell you about my favorite dishes at any of the restaurants I review, and I have quite a few at Zaytoun.

My favorite starters are the fattoush salad — which features romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, mint, sumac and extra virgin olive oil, topped with toasted pita chips — and the traditional Greek salad. You can add chicken, shrimp beef or kufta kabobs to any salad for $2.99-$3.99 and the salads themselves are only $4.99-$8.99.

I will say that Zaytoun’s homemade hummus might just be the best I’ve tasted, although I’m not usually the biggest fan.

I’m also not usually the biggest fan of grape leaves, falafel, tabbouleh or baba ghanouj, but many of my Zaytoun-loving friends rave about all of them. There’s also two appetizer platters on the menu, one which combines salad, falafel, grape leaves, hummus, baba ghanouj, muhammara and tabbouleh (for $12.99) and the Zaytoun Sampler Platter ($16.99), which has yogurt salad, tabbouleh, grape leaves, hummus, fried kebbeh, muhammara and baba ghanouj. There’s also two homemade soups on the menu — lentil

soup and freekeh, which is an aromatic soup made with tender chicken, smoked green wheat and spices.

Zaytoun’s grilled entrées are definitely my favorites, especially the perfectly seasoned grilled lamb chops — which are soaked in lemon, garlic and extra virgin olive oil marinade and served with veggies and rice — and the Zaytoun mixed grill, which features grilled kufta (spiced ground beef and lamb) and tender beef and chicken shish kabobs.

I also enjoy the chicken shawarma platter (the kabobs and shawarma are all available as sandwiches, too, rolled in fresh, warm pitas straight from the oven and served with Zaytoun’s special garlic sauce).

And, although I can’t eat the shrimp kabobs on the menu because of my shellfish allergy, Bilal says he has many customers asking for them — and for more seafood.

“We do have a wild-caught salmon special sometimes, when we get salmon we like,” says Bilal. “But, we’re very picky.”

Speaking of picky, Abida promises that although she isn’t at Zaytoun every day, she does go into the kitchen and sample different dishes every time she does come in, “just to make sure the quality is what we and our customers expect,” she says.

In addition to the puffy pitas, Zaytoun’s

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Fresh-Baked Spinach Pies

hand-crafted brick oven also creates some wonderful entrée pies. My favorite is the spinach pie, although I did also enjoy the sfeeha, or ground beef pie. I’ve yet to sample the feta cheese or zaatar (thyme) pies, but they look and smell wonderful as they go by at Zaytoun, and you can get a single piece of each baked pie in Zaytoun’s Pie Sampler for only $9.99.

Before we get to the decadent desserts, let me not forget to mention that Zaytoun also is known for its fresh mint lemonade — it’s like a mojito without the alcohol, since no alcohol is served at the restaurant.

I also really love Zaytoun’s hot tea and Nespresso-brand espresso drinks, especially the cappuccinos and lattes.

But, I really hope you’ll plan to save room for dessert at Zaytoun. The signature dessert is called knafeh, which is shredded dough which bakes up extra crisp, filled with a thick (and not overly sweet), homemade cream filling, sprinkled with chopped pistachios and drizzled with orange blossom syrup. Whatever you think it sounds like, to me, the knafeh is decadent, like the crispiest hash browns you ever had, but for dessert, stuffed with a cannoli-style cream. Awesome.

Please note that the knafeh takes 25-30 minutes to bake, so the servers all suggest

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Homemade Hummus

Zaytoun Mixed Grill

Grape Leaves

ordering it when you order your meal, so it will be perfect when you’re ready for it.

I also rave about Zaytoun’s homemade baklava and the sticky, smooth cheese roll with cream also is very tasty.

So, stop in at Zaytoun and try a few of these great menu items. You may just end up letting them cater your next party or event.

Neighborhood News

Knafeh Signature Dessert

For more information about Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill (10970 Cross Creek Blvd., behind Dunkin’ Donuts), call 3452515, visit Zaytoun-Grill.com, or see the ad (right) for some great coupon values.

Zaytoun is open Mon.-Thur., 11:30 a.m.9:30 p.m., 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. and noon-9 p.m. on Sun.

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37

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

Brass Tap Adds Alcohol

If you’re like me and not particularly into beer, you may have been avoiding The Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, even though you like the location and the live music and other “stuff” going on there.

Well, avoid it no more. Owner Jeff Martin is proud to have added a full, premium liquor bar at the Wiregrass Brass Tap and will soon unveil a “new BBQ and more food concept” in the vacant former location of 100 Montaditos, which is adjacent to The Brass Tap (which has seven locations throughout the Tampa Bay area) at the mall.

For more info, stop in at The Brass Tap ((2000 Piazza Ave.), call 991-4343 or visit BrassTapBeerBar.com/Wiregrass.

Pinot’s Palette Owner Wants You To Paint, Drink & Have Fun!

Speaking of unique drinking options in our area, even if you think you have no artistic ability whatsoever (I’m in that group, by the way), I promise that you and your special someone — or your group of friends or business associates — will have a blast at Pinot’s Palette, which is located just south of S.R. 56, in the same Shoppes at New Tampa plaza as Bonefish Grill.

Owner James Serrano has been work-

38

ing hard to establish himself in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel community and if Serrano’s theme of “Paint, Drink & Have Fun” doesn’t work for you, I’ll be really surprised. Ask about his next “Black Light Party,” how you can win a stay at a Sandals Resort and about all of the cool upcoming paintings you can create, as well as the craft beers and reasonably priced wines you can enjoy when you visit Pinot’s Palette.

For more info, stop in at 1718 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., visit PinotsPalette.com/Wesley Chapel, call 428-6590 or see the ad on pg. 5 of this issue.

Have You Tried Buttermilk Provisions Yet?

I’m also giving a shout out to the new Buttermilk Provisions, which is open in the same plaza as The Hungry Greek & OTB Cafe (see pg. 36) at 2653 BBD, across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

I’m already a fan of the unique donuts (one variety of which is gluten-free every day), Buddy Brew coffee, delicious oatmeal and more at Buttermilk (803-7787), so please tell them we sent you!

The WCCC’s Record Months!

In addition to joining forces with this

publication and Full Throttle Intermedia to create WCNT-tv, our new online TV webcast (see pgs. 3 & 32), the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) just finished off its two craziest months ever, in terms of adding new members — the Chamber added a one-month record of 25 new members in Apr.— and in terms of total events in one calendar month — 22 in May. It was “such crazy awesomeness,” as WCCC CEO Hope Allen told me just before the Chamber’s last event in May (the free Final Friday networking event at Pincher’s Crab Shack, that we couldn’t we couldn’t fit pictures and recaps of everything — even with a shoehorn — into this issue’s Nibbles & Bytes column.

So, here are as many pics as we could fit from the ribbon cuttings and other events themselves. We apologize in advance for not being able to fit recaps of all of the events in this space.

Econ. Development (May 26)

Visit Tampa Bay president/CEO (and long-time New Tampa resident) Santiago Corrada addressed a crowd of about 50 at the WCCC’s Economic Development briefing at Pebble Creek Golf Club on May 26.

Corrada wowed the group with his encyclopedic knowledge of what’s hap-

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Neighborhood News

pening economically in and around Tampa, Hillsborough and even in Wesley Chapel.

He leads the “non-charitable nonprofit” Visit Tampa Bay, which spends more than $10 million of Hillsborough’s “bed tax” funds collected from every hotel stay in Hillsborough, to help attract major conventions and events like the upcoming hosting at Raymond James Stadium of the 2017 NCAA National Championship Game.

“That game is becoming almost exactly like a Super Bowl-type event, which we’ve hosted successfully before,” Corrada said.

Ribbon Cuttings & Events

The following is a list (from most to least recent) of the recent WCCC ribboncutting & other events we were able to attend. Each corresponds to a numbered picture on the next page.

1) Great Florida Insurance (May 25) 2) First In Property Mgmt (May 24) 3) CORE Spine Rehab (May 19) 4) FastTrack Urgent Care (May 18) 5) Full Throttle Intermedia Speed Networking (May 11) 6) Edward Jones (May 11) 7) fitlife foods (May 5) 8) Thompson Brand Images (May 5) 9) Sweet Party (May 4) — GN

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2

7

8

11 4

9

3 6

5

Neighborhood News

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39

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Please no phone calls or walk ins.To apply part time: www.lolfitbodybootcamp.com/hire-pt 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).

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ERRANDS & PERSONAL SERVICES 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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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 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.

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified.

Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999.

MISCELLANEOUS SEWING MACHINE REPAIR Expert sewing machine repair and parts. 25+years experience. In home/business service or we have a weekly pickup at Quilters Quarters in Zephyrhills and Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City. We service all makes and models including electronic,embroidery and sergers. FREE ESTIMATES Southern Sewing Center (813) 994-4300.

BRIDGE PLAYERS WANTED. Intermediate level.

Rubber bridge. Not a formal social group; primarily we get together to play bridge. Weekday-only schedule and playing frequency relate to individual availability. Hosted at member homes, no frills. 1-2 tables, about 3 hours. Start at 1:15 pm. Call Harry at (813) 907-2541 or Dolores at (813) 929-3070.

FOR RENT. Mobile home. Newly remodeled 2 bedroom/1bath in Wesley Chapel on 1/3 acre.

Fenced, carport, screened patio, and shed.

Private in-country setting with trees on corner lot. $700/month. First, last and security. For info, call 813-841-0710.

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Saaya Named A Finalist In National American Miss Florida Pageant and swimming, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

In addition to the National American Miss Florida pageant, Saaya will also compete in the optional Casual Wear and Most Photogenic contests.

According to Steven Roddy, founder of ThePageantPlanet.com, the National American Miss Pageant System is by far the largest in the nation, beating out Miss America and Miss United States by a long shot. National American Miss places an emphasis on the importance of gaining selfconfidence and learning new skills, such as good attitudes about competition, as well as setting and achieving personal goals. It is dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders

By Christen Caporali

Six year-old Wesley Chapel resident Saaya Felder has been chosen as a state finalist for the National American Miss Florida Pageant that will be held in Orlando on July 8-9. She will be competing for the title of Miss Princess Florida in the 4-6 age division.

The pageant, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel, is for girls ages 4-18 in five different age divisions.

Contestants will compete in four overall categories, including formal wear modeling, personal introduction, interview and community service projects. They also have the opportunity to compete in optional contests like Top Model Search, Talent, Actress, etc.

“We learned about the National American Miss Pageant from my sister-in-law, whose two daughters competed for Virginia in 2015,” says Nisha Sharma-Felder, Saaya’s mother. “The pageant is all about confidence and showing inner beauty, so they thought Saaya would be a perfect candidate.”

Through the National American Miss referral program, Saaya received an invitation in the mail to come to try-outs, which included an interview and a photo shoot. She had never competed in a pageant before and Saaya’s family was thrilled to find out that she had been chosen as a finalist.

“We had such a great experience with National American Miss,” Nisha says. “We are going to try and do it every year from now on.”

Saaya’s easiness around the cameras and with her photo shoot did not come as a surprise, as she has been modeling for the

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while equipping them with the real-world skills they will need to make their dreams come true. The program awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young ladies.

If she wins Miss Princess Florida, Saaya will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses, a VIP day for 2 at Disneyland and the opportunity to compete in the National American Miss pageant at Disneyland in California on November 19-25. She also will tour Hollywood, and have the chance to represent Florida for the entire year.

For more information about the National American Miss Program, please visit NAMiss.com.

Benz Modeling Agency in Tampa since she was only a year old. According to Nisha, she loves to “work it” for the camera.

Saaya says her favorite part about the pageant was meeting the other girls, getting to dress up and model for the judges, and the photo shoot. Her favorite activities outside of modeling include t-ball, tennis, piano

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 12 • June 3, 2016 •WCNeighborhoodNews.com

43