Volume 19 Issue 13
Inside: Check Out The New 900º Woodfired Pizza!
June 18, 2011
See page 50!
The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE IS DIRECTLY MAILED TO: NEW TAMPA: Arbor Greene • Cory Lake Isles • Cross Creek • Easton Park • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • The Hammocks • West Meadows WESLEY CHAPEL: Aberdeen • Belle Chase • Brookside • Chapel Pines • Country Walk • Lexington Oaks • Meadow Pointe • New River • Northwood • Pinewalk • Pine Ridge • Saddlebrook • Saddleridge Estates • Saddlewood • Seven Oaks • The Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg
‘Ready Or Not World, Here We Come!’ More Than 1,000 Graduate From Freedom & Wharton At Fairgrounds By Sean Bowes Hundreds of smiles and cheers, along with the occasional ear-splitting whistle from friends and family members of the 2011 graduating seniors from New Tampa’s Freedom and Paul R. Wharton High sent the soon-to-be alumni off in style. Freedom students were the first of the two groups of local graduates to rejoice, donning their gowns late in the afternoon on June 8 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Originally, the commencement was scheduled to take place at the University of South Florida (USF) Sun Dome; however, delayed construction forced graduates and their families from all Hillsborough County high schools to the Fairgrounds to enjoy their respective receptions. During their separate graduation celebrations, the senior classes from
Freedom and Wharton sat neatly in folding chairs, looking sharp in their royal blue and white ceremonial gowns, as distinguished Hillsborough County School Board members, principals and administrators looked out to them — a new supply of young students stepping into the “real world.” Wharton principal Bradley Woods, beamed at the podium as he got ready to hand out diplomas to the class of 538 (including 94 students with a weighted GPA of 5.0 or higher). “This group of students has accomplished more in their four years than any group of students before them,” Woods said. “The school will truly be a different place next year.” Woods has much to be happy about. In addition to recently being named the Hillsborough ParentTeacher-Student Association (PTSA) Principal of the Year for 2011, this
school year marked the first time Wharton received an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. Freedom High’s graduating class of 2011 is composed of 480 students, 184 of which are honors graduates with weighted GPAs of 4.0 or higher. At the ceremonies, the honors graduates from both schools wore white satin gowns. Freedom’s Valedictorian Elisa (l. to r.) Freedom High grads Jazmyn HolRachel Berson earned a 7.8 GPA, ston, Devon Houston and Kayla Howard and Salutatorian Hae-in Kim proat Freedom’s graduation ceremony. duced a 7.4 GPA. Wharton’s Valemade her smile, “even though she was dictorian is Rebecca Fisher with a 7.4 annoying at times,” she said. GPA, and the Salutatorian is Sarah Graduates from both schools Hayes (6.9). Each young lady spoke to include students who plan to become their peers about fond memories from members of the workforce, attend local high school and looked forward to and distant universities, or join the meeting new goals in the future. armed forces. Kim looked back on growing up with her younger sister, who always See “Graduation” on page 31.
The 2011 Hurricane Season Is Here...Are You Ready?
NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!
Saying Goodbye To Michael Smith, Local Restaurant Owner Beaten By Her Husband, Goat Carcasses Found In Dumpster & Much More!
Our Exclusive Summer Movie Previews & Reviews, Visits To Tampa Smoothie & The Beautiful Boca Raton Resort, A Review Of 900º Woodfired Pizza & More!
See pages 3-36!
See pages 37-56!
ECRWSS
LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION
School on Cross Creek Blvd., Dr. Richard F. Pride Elementary in the Cross Creek/K-Bar Ranch area, and Pizzo Elementary on the campus of the University of South Florida, off E. Fowler Ave. If your plans include leaving the area in the event of a hurricane, map out your evacuation route. I-275, I-75, Bruce B. Downs Blvd., and Morris Bridge Rd. are the main evacuation routes for New Tampa, according to Hillsborough County Emergency Management. Here are some other tips for getting ready for the season: See “Hurricane” on page 33.
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Also Inside This Issue!
of Emergency Management. “Taking the time to prepare today can help keep you and your family safe if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens our state this season.” Local emergency management officials say that the key to a safe hurricane season is preparation — make sure you have geared up and gathered supplies before a storm hits. Hillsborough County Emergency Management officials tell residents to “Know Your Evacuation Zone, Have a Plan, and Know Your Plan.” The New Tampa area has five hurricane shelters that can be used in the event of a named storm hitting the area, including Nancy Bartels Middle School (pet friendly) in Live Oak Preserve, Paul R. Wharton High on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Louis Benito Middle
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Ripped screen enclosures, power outages and severe flooding can be expected if a hurricane hits the Tampa Bay area. Fortunately, there is still time to prepare for any major storm, which meteorological experts say are likely to hit our area this season. June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane
season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be expecting between 12 and 18 named storms to form before this year’s season ends on November 30. “As we begin the 2011 hurricane season, I encourage all Florida residents to create a family disaster plan and build a disaster supply kit,” says Bryan W. Koon, director of the Florida Division
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Sean Bowes
For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 19, Issue 13 • June 18, 2011 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com
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