Volume 22 Issue 14
Inside:
Our Editor’s ‘Marvel Universe Live!’ Preview
July 5, 2014
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Team USA Driving World Cup Fever In Wesley Chapel! World Cup viewer and “futbol” lover has been the obvious growth in soccer’s popularity here — both across the U.S. and locally (the latter of which makes sense because of the huge, longtime youth soccer programs in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel). Yes, it would appear that soccer’s appeal to American viewers ages 18-34 — the best of all TV demographics — has found its way into the local bars and restaurants in our area. Even so, that demographic — at least during the first two weeks of this tournament — is still primarily about Team USA. As a case in point, there were at least 300 people crammed into The Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass mall (photo, right, by Tony Masella of OurTownFla.com) for Team USA’s 2-1 opening-match win over Ghana and in the Sunday afternoon match against Portugal that ended in a disappointing 2-2 tie for the Americans, who led most of the match but let in the tying goal with about 30 seconds left to play. “The USA game against Ghana was insane!,” said Brass Tap bartender Emily Kozina. “Everyone was dressed
up. One table was wearing big, goofy hats and waving them around when the USA scored.” A similar number of spectators flooded the Wesley Chapel Ker’s Wing House (photo, left) on S.R. 54 for Team USA’s 1-0 lunchtime loss to Germany and the roar of the crowd when the Americans advanced (because Portugal beat Ghana 2-1) let me know that, finally, our country is warming to the idea of football that is played without helmets and pads. “We definitely have been crowded for the World Cup, especially when Team USA is playing,” said WingHouse general manager Tony Santos. “Come see the All-American girls cheering on Team USA.” But, both Emily and Tony agreed that even when Cup favorites outside the USA’s Group G (like the Netherlands, Brazil, etc.) were playing, very few fans would show up, even for the late afternoon games.
By Matt Wiley If your child in high school has hopes of going to college for medical training, he or she is in luck, as Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) has donated a generous sum of money to the Pasco Education Foundation (PEF) for scholarships in the medical field, the second large donation Wesley Chapel’s only hospital has made in recent months. During the June 17 Pasco County School Board (PCSB) meeting at the School Board’s District Office on Land O’Lakes Blvd., FHWC chief financial officer and interim chief executive officer Mike Lukens and FHWC director of mar-
keting Tracy Clouser presented a check for $150,000 to PEF vice president of operations Stacey Capogrosso. “The scholarship gifts were part of (FHWC)’s commitment upon opening to support the community and the future health of our residents,” Clouser says. “The hospital’s gift of $150,000 to the Foundation allows them to support two very important things: the people of this community and health care, not only now but in the future,” says PEF VP of operations Stacey Capogrosso.” The Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Health Scholarship fund provides funds for education and training for tomorrow’s health care professionals. This fund includes scholar-
News, Business, Sports & Education Updates
Neighborhood Magazine
Boyfriend Murdered Near Wesley Chapel, Weatherford Named ‘Most Valuable Legislator, Pasco EDC Wins Three Awards From State; Plus, Local Business Features!
A Very Special Local Learn-To-Swim Program, A Comic Book Geek Previews ‘Marvel Universe Live;’ Plus, Out-Of-Area Dining & New Neighborhood Nibbles & Bizw Bytes!
ships distributed immediately and an endowment portion so that the impact on this community will continue in perpetuity. The Foundation disbursed $2,500 each to four graduating Pasco County seniors at our Scholarship Awards Banquet on April 10, 2014. (L.-r.): Superintendent of Pasco County Schools Kurt Browning, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) CFO Mike Lukens, Pasco Education The Foundation Foundation (PEF) VP of operations Stacey Capogrosso, FHWC marketing will award an addirector Tracy Clouser & School Board chair Alison Crumbley, were all on ditional $40,000 hand for FHWC’s $150,000 donation to PEF on June 17. over the next four years and the Capogrosso adds that this endowremaining $100K was endowed and as ment fund, “is one of the three largest the the investment grows we will continue to See ‘Scholarships’ on pg. 9 distribute scholarships to aspiring health care professionals.” Eight Pasco County schools offer health/medical career academies, including Wiregrass Ranch High in Wesley Chapel.
Even if Team USA’s run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil ended up ending in the first of the knockout rounds on July 1 against unbeaten and untied Belgium (which was after our press time for this issue), there’s no doubt that the exciting, young American “side” is one of this year’s great stories, as coach Jurgen Klinsmann was able to get his youthful charges to advance out of the socalled “Group of Death” and into the Round of 16, the second World Cup in a row the U.S. has advanced at least that far. More important for this long-time
So, even with pre-Cup favorites like defending champion Spain, Portugal, Italy and England out, Team USA can still drive the local soccer TV bandwagon — for as long as they remain in the hunt. The hope here, however, is that even if the US does lose, the quality of the futbol local fans have seen throughout this World Cup will keep local watering holes filled right up to the tournament’s finale on July 13. — Gary Nager
FHWC Donates $150,000 To Pasco Education Foundation For Scholarships
Also Inside This Issue!
Pages 1-28
Pages 29-40