New Tampa Neighborhood News, Issue 15, July 18, 2015

Inside:

Volume 23 Issue 15

See Neighborhood Magazine!

July 18, 2015

Our Editor’s Delicious Return To Café Olé!

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 the neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in New Tampa (zip code 33647), see page 54!

Welcome To Our 2015 Guide To New Homes In New Tampa!

K-Bar Ranch Driving The Growth In Zip Code 33647

By Gary Nager, with Matt Wiley

When you’ve been doing the same job for more than 21 years, you’re likely to see a lot of things change.

Well, in my capacity as the publisher and editor of the Neighborhood News for New Tampa and Wesley Chapel since 1994, I’ve seen housing booms and housing busts come and go — with the biggest boom hitting New Tampa in 2004-06, followed by the bursting of the local housing bubble in 2007-08 — and the slow, but inevitable resurgence of resales and new homes being built in our area ever since.

In this issue and our August 1 Wesley Chapel edition (both stories will be available at NTNeighborhoodNews.com by Aug. 1), we are providing you with a map outlining where new homes are being built in both of our distribution areas.

The map on page 29 of this issue shows the areas where new homes are being built — including the names of (we hope) all of the builders constructing those homes — in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, although the emphasis on the map in this issue is on the few communities where new homes are still being built in New Tampa — of which there are only four: • The Tuscany subdivision in Tampa Palms (with just a couple of lots remaining and those homes to be built by Taylor Morrison Homes); • Capri Isle in Cory Lake Isles (or

CLI, with only about 20 lots left of 115 homes being built by Ryan Homes, although M/I Homes does still own a few lots scattered within the CLI community); • Grand Hampton (where ICI Homes owns all ten remaining lots); and • In the still-growing K-Bar Ranch DRI, where three builders are actively building in the community at our press time.

Even in K-Bar Ranch, however, Mobley Homes, Lennar Homes and M/I Homes (Meritage Homes also is listed as an “active” builder in K-Bar, but doesn’t seem to have lots still available, as none are listed on its website) have fewer than 50 available home sites to build on between them.

But, those will be all the lots available only until the K-Bar DRI is rezoned from its current 1,199 homes, although current K-Bar developer M/I Homes (as we’ve reported in a previous issue) is presenting its case to add 1,400 more single- and multifamily units (to give K-Bar a possible final total of 2,599 residences) to the Tampa City Council on Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m. The rezoning also would add about 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and include nearly 60 acres for a long-awaited city park.

Without the 1,400 additional units in K-Bar — and until Taylor Morris Homes begins building homes in the 300-unit Esplanade community (between Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd. and County Line Rd., west of the Winn-Dixie shopping center and east of Grand Hampton and The Ham-

The ICI Homes Brooke model is one of six floor plans available to be built on the ten remaining lots in the Grand Hampton community located off County Line Rd. For more information about where new homes are currently being built in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel, see pages 28-29. mocks townhomes; we’ve reported on The Meanwhile, In Wesley Chapel...

Esplanade in a previous issue) — New TamOf course, everyone who lives in our pa is currently all but built out at between either of our distribution areas realizes that 25,000-30,000 total single- and multi-fami- the big commercial boom the past few years ly residential units. (Note-Our New Tampa has been happening just north of the Hillsdirect-mail circulation of 25,300 {see ad on borough-Pasco line in Wesley Chapel. pg. 54 of this issue} includes more than 300 We’ve documented all of the amazing units in Lake Forest, which is located off additions to zip codes 33543-45 the past BBD, but has a Lutz address). few years: Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, The good news is that all of the new The Grove and the Shops at Wiregrass, Pashomes being built now are helping to raise co Hernando State College’s Porter Camthe overall average values of homes in our pus, the Tampa Premium Outlets mall (see area, as most are in the $300,000-and-high- story below) and the Florida Hospital Center category and many will cost $500,000 or er Ice skating facility, to hit a few highlights. more to construct. So, while New Tampa But now, as you’ll see on pages 28isn’t adding many homes, we are filling up 29, new homes are being added all over the Wesley Chapel map, with more on the way! our 33647 zip code with still more quality.

Tampa Premium Outlets Job Fair, ‘Official’ Store Announcement Coming

By Matt Wiley

As construction continues at a rate as blistering as the current summer temperatures, the future Tampa Premium Outlets mall (located on S.R. 56 at I-75) is inching ever closer to its planned late October opening date.

With 110 stores scheduled to move in, the retailers are hungry for local employees. To help, Simon Property Group is planning a massive job fair for August,

although the date was not yet finalized at our press time (but look for daily updates at NTNeighborhoodNews.com and at Facebook.com/NeighborhoodNews), says Simon spokesperson Les Miller.

“We usually hold the job fairs about 45-60 days out from the opening date, so it’s still a little early,” Miller said on July 10. “We’re going to be filling a significant amount of jobs. These (job fairs) always are successful.”

Miller could not confirm the num-

Also Inside This Issue!

Local News, Business & Education Updates

Neighborhood Magazine

Rep. Shawn Harrison Recaps The State Legislature’s Special Session, Our Exclusive Map To New Homes In Our Area, Plus Lots Of Great Local Business Features!

Freedom Fest A Blast Again At Wiregrass Mall, Café Olé’s Serious Spanish Seafood, Chamber Tours Mercedes-Benz Of WC & Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes!

Pages 3-40

Pages 41-56

ber of jobs that will be filled, but multiple sources have reported that it could be as many as 800.

Miller also says that any companies or community organizations interested in becoming sponsors of the job fair should call the Tampa Premium Outlets main office at 909-8716.

While most of the stores moving in have been confirmed through building permits submitted to Pasco County, Miller says that the first wave of “official” store announcements should be available as you’re reading this, but was released after we went to press with this issue.

According to Pasco County building permits, however, the preliminary list of stores for Tampa Premium Outlets currently includes: Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Asian Chao, Asics, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Carter’s, Christopher & Banks, Coach, Cole Haan, Columbia Sportswear,

Converse, Easy Spirit, Ecco Shoes, Express, G.H. Bass & Co., Gap, Godiva Chocolates, Famous Footwear, Fossil, Fragrance Outlet, GreenLeafs & Bananas, Gymboree, Haagen Dazs, Hanes, Helzberg’s Diamonds, Hurley, Janie & Jack, J.Crew, Jockey, Kay Jewelers, Levi’s, LOFT, Lucky Brand Jeans, Michael Kors, Naturalizer, New Balance, Nike, Nine West, New York & Co., O’Neill, OshKosh B’gosh, Papaya, Perfumania, Puma, Rack Room Shoes, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Robert Wayne Shoes, Saks OFF 5th Ave, Samsonite, Seiko, Skechers, South Philly Steaks & Fries, Sperry, Swarovski, Talbot’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen, Vera Bradley, Villa Italian Kitchen & Wilsons Leather.

Focus On Sports — The U.S. Women, Capt. Dave’s Snub & Jimmy Jones An editorial by Gary Nager It was only a few years before the last U.S. Women’s World Cup win in 1999 when I saw my first-ever girls high school soccer game. In the years before Paul R. Wharton High opened in New Tampa, most New Tampa kids attended King High on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace and several New Tampa girls were on the King team.

I was stunned by the level of play, the fierceness of these high school girls and their knowledge of the game — and, from that point forward, anyone who ever mocked female athletes got an earful from a guy who has been a rabid sports fan since the mid-1960s but who had never been much of a women’s sports fan. Oh, I already loved the summer and winter Olympics every four years and simply had to respect the female tennis stars (Billie Jean King, Chrissie Evert and Martina Navratilova, to name a few) I got to see up close and personal every year at the U.S. Open in my native New York, but women’s soccer?

Well, considering that the U.S. women’s 5-2 win over defending champ Japan in the 2015 World Cup Final was the most-watched soccer game ever — men’s or women’s —in the U.S., the hope here is that women’s soccer will finally find success at the professional level, even though it may never rival the Men’s World Cup or even men’s Premier Leagues around the world.

I would love to someday see girls who are playing travel soccer today in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel make it all the way to that level — so their hometown news magazine can give them the credit they deserve.

New Tampa Neighborhood News 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: (813) 423-6533 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Anu Panchal

Advertising Sales Representative Mary Dorey Office/Marketing Assistant Jillian Reilly • Chelsie Rosatone Graphic Design Georgia Carmichael • Nate Ciurla Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 23, Issue 17, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, August 3, 2015.

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

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

© 2015 JM2 Communications, Inc.

Neighborhood News

Say It Ain’t So, NHL Hall!

Although I had seen him at Hunter’s Green Country Club a few times before I first met him at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon a decade ago, I’m not the kind of guy who thinks someone should get into a sports hall of fame simply because he was a nice guy. Whether baseball, football, golf or ice hockey, I think greatness should be rewarded with enshrinement in a hall.

And, make no mistake about it, former Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup-winning captain (and long-time New Tampa resident) Dave Andreychuk was a great player.

How do I know that, when it’s now been seven years Dave’s been eligible for the Hall and he hasn’t yet gotten the call?

Because, from the time Dave scored 38 goals as a 20-year-old rookie in 1982, every time I watched a Buffalo Sabres game and Dave was on the ice, I paid attention...you had to because once this 6’-4” power-playgoal-scoring machine planted himself in front of the opposition’s net, no one seemed to be able to move him out of his spot (reminiscent to me of Bolts founder Phil Esposito)...and good things usually happened.

My understanding is that 18 people decide who gets into the Hockey Hall every year and it takes 14 of 18 votes to make the cut. That means at least five of those people thought that Dave’s all-time NHL record 274 power play goals were simply the result of him playing 23 years and not because of his uncanny ability to endure the mayhem he always received — or the skill it took to redirect so many 100-mph slap shots and poke in so many rebounds.

The fact that there are only three men who scored more than 600 NHL goals in their careers who aren’t in the Hall — and two of them aren’t eligible yet — indicates to me that at least a few former hockey greats aren’t giving our Cup-winning captain his just due. And that’s a true travesty.

Congrats To A Local Kid

Blood lines are one thing, and talent is another, but young golfer (and long-time Tampa Palms resident) Jimmy Jones, Jr. (photo), has both going for him.

Jones, Freedom High’s “Athlete of the Year” in 2014, is the son of Jimmy and Dawn Jones, who are well known fixtures on the links at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. Dawn also is a former Ladies Professional Golf Assn. (LPGA) touring pro who won three LPGA tournaments and more than $3 million during her 24-year pro career. Her career highlights

were a third-place finish in the Women’s PGA Championship in 1990 and fifth place at the U.S. Women’s Open in 1992.

But, Jimmy Jr. isn’t banking on mom’s laurels. After recording a 73.00 scoring average in 33 rounds and 11 events during his first collegiate season, including five Top-10 (with three Top-5) finishes and 13 rounds of par or better on the season (including a low round of 68), the Florida Southern College (in Lakeland) freshman was named a PING Division II Honorable Mention AllAmerican last month. And, Jones followed up that honor by winning the Florida State Golf Assn. Amateur Golf Championship in Ocala (by one stroke) on June 28.

Keep up the great work, Jimmy!

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

Rep. Harrison Recaps Legislative Special Session...........4 GO Hillsborough Seeks Half-Percent Sales Tax..........6 Councilwoman Montelione Considers Dist. 63 Run......8 New Tampa News Briefs.....................................10 Rezoning Requested For Highwoods Preserve Land Fake Traveler’s Checks Used At Target Bank For Sale On Cross Creek Blvd.

Pasco Studying BBD/S.R. 54 Realignment.................12 Tampa Premium Outlets Driving Traffic In WC.......14 Help The Moffitt Cancer Center Study E-cigs..........16 USF Autism Center Maintains State Funding Level...17 New Tampa Community Calendar.............................20

Local Business Updates..............22-35 Pebble Creek Family Dentistry................................22 Budget Blinds Of Greater Tampa............................26 New Tampa Home Builder Spotlights On... ........28 Mobley Homes At K-Bar Ranch ICI Homes At Grand Hampton GL Homes At The Ridge At Wiregrass Ranch Marino Cecchi Allstate Has You In Good Hands....30 Shriners Hospitals Helps Keeps Kids Summer Safe....32 la Pink Boutique: New Tampa’s Shopping Hot Spot...34

Local Sports Updates......................38 New Tampa YMCA Teaches UACDC Kids To Swim

Neighborhood Magazine

Freedom Fest At Wiregrass Again A Blast..............41 WCCC Tours New Mercedez-Benz Of WC.............45 Café Olé For Spanish Cuisine, Seafood & Salsa......48 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’.......50 NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS............52 Lightning Take Over HS Hockey League Reins.....54

@NTWCNews

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Rep. Shawn Harrison Reports On The 2015 Special Legislative Session

By State Rep. Shawn Harrison

In the 2015 Florida Legislative Special Session, the State House and Senate came together to pass a $79-billion budget that includes $400 million in tax cuts, returning money to the pockets of hard-working Floridians, and of special note, extending the normal, three-day “Back to School” sales tax holiday to 10 days. The 2015-16 budget allocates a record-breaking $19.7-billion in funding to Florida’s public schools, approximately $7,097 per student. It was my pleasure to serve on the House K-12 committee, looking out for our New Tampa public school students.

My fellow Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation members and I worked hard to ensure that the University of South Florida (which has a Tampa campus just south of Tampa Palms on Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd.) received all the support it needs to flourish. I sponsored budget requests for the USF-based Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resource System Specialized Multidisciplinary Educational Services Center, which provides unique, specialized services for students having the most complex needs in Florida, providing support services to educators, parents and other professionals who work with students with disabilities.

I also sponsored budget requests for USF’s Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (or CARD, see pg. 17), and the Florida Center For Cybersecurity. These programs’ funding levels were all fully maintained.

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CARD serves individuals of any age with autism-related disorders, as well as individuals with related disabilities, such as vision and hearing impairment. The Florida Center for Cybersecurity trains students in this burgeonShawn Harrison ing field, helping to position Florida and USF as leading sites for cybersecurity.

We also worked across partisan lines to secure $17 million for the relocation of USF’s Morsani College of Medicine from the main campus to downtown Tampa. This move will attract researchers to the medical school and put it in much closer proximity to Tampa General Hospital and assist medical students with easy access to residencies.

In addition to the academic benefits of the move, it will allow the current USF Med School on campus to modernize and expand the adjacent School of Nursing, which is currently at full capacity and turning away qualified students. The expansion will solve this problem and further enhance the great work being done by the School of Nursing.

In addition, I obtained funds for genetic testing on infants to determine whether or not they have life-threatening or debilitating diseases, such as phenylketonuria (a condition that increases the levels of a substance called phenylalanine in the blood and can result in death, brain damage and blindness), as well as organic academia, which causes high acid and ammonium levels or high

or low glucose levels and also can result in death. Detecting these diseases early greatly improves the quality of life these children will have. The University of Miami (UM), USF and the University of Florida (UF, in Gainesville) have each received $100,000 for funding of this type of testing.

We also secured $1 million for the Lowry Park Manatee Hospital, a unique facility designed and built specifically for the critical care and treatment of sick, injured or orphaned wild manatees. It is the only non-profit hospital in the world specifically dedicated to manatee rehabilitation.

This past session, Governor Rick Scott signed four of the seven bills I had filed into law. Out of 155 total bills from all members and 55 from freshmen representatives, four of my bills passed both houses. I am proud of that record of accomplishment. Two of those bills are highlighted below.

Unlawful Detention by a Transient Occupant (HB 305), defines transient occupancy and gives law enforcement statutory guidance in the identification and removal of unwelcome guests. This bill protects homeowners and assists law enforcement officers across the state. For sponsoring this bill, I received the Florida Sheriff’s Association “Legislative Champion Award.”

Patient Admission Status Notification (HB 309), provides requirements for licensed medical facilities to notify patients regarding their admission status. This bill provides for transparency and protection for our seniors, allowing full planning for Medicare to take place. I received the “Champion

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

for the Elderly Award” from the Florida Health Care Association for my work on this bill.

The most controversial measure to come before the legislature this year was the Senate’s Medicaid expansion bill, or FHIX (Florida Health Insurance Exchange). The bill would have expanded Medicaid coverage to 800,000 of Florida’s working poor, people who for the most part have jobs without employer-sponsored insurance, but do not qualify for indigent healthcare or Medicaid subsidies from the Affordable Care Act. I was proud to cross party lines (only one of four Republican representatives to do so) and support this bill, but it did not pass the House. The final vote on the bill was 72-41.

Quality accessible healthcare will continue to be a focus of mine.

All in all, it was an interesting and dramatic session in Tallahassee, but ultimately, we passed a good budget with bipartisan support, which keeps our great USF growing and provides record funding for Florida’s public school system. We also protected Florida’s seniors and returned more of your tax dollars to you to spend how you want.

For further information about any of these issues or programs, please contact me at Shawn.Harrison@myflorida house.gov, stop by and visit my district office in the Palm Lake Plaza building in Tampa Palms (15301 Amberly Dr., Suite 215) or call the office at 910-3277.

Thank you for the allowing me the honor of serving my community in the Florida Legislature.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

GO Hillsborough Report Recommends Half-Cent Sales Tax For Transportation

By Matt Wiley

The community has spoken and a plan to rethink transportation in New Tampa and beyond has been drawn up.

The $1-million Go Hillsborough transportation initiative is a wrap and the final report has been published, full of recommendations made by engineering consultants at New York City-based Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) and more than 24,000 residents who participated in four telephone town hall meetings and more than 1,900 people who took part in the more than 30 public meetings, including two in our area (at the New Tampa Rec Center on Commerce Park Blvd. in March and at the New Tampa Regional Library on Cross Creek Blvd. in April, which together attracted a total of 126 residents.

According to the 126-page “Community Transportation Plan (CTP),” among the 15 recommendations, PB recommends placing a half-percent Local Option Transportation Sales Tax referendum on the November 2016 ballot. The half-percent sales tax is estimated to generate $117.5-million annually and would be dedicated to fixing and maintaining existing roads, relieving traffic flow and congestion (including intersection bottlenecks), building new roads and widening existing ones, redesigning and improving transit, and making walking and biking safer. PB recommends implementing the increased tax for 30 years to raise a total of approximately $3.5-billion. Of that, the plan calls for spending $980 million on road maintenance and spending $1.3 billion on both new road projects and expanding public transit. The plan calls for a focus first

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to be placed on maintenance and building new sidewalks and bike paths throughout the county.

“This time frame is necessary to best enable securing state, federal, and other grants and funding sources which will provide the ability to leverage additional and significant revenue beyond what is generated by the sales tax,” the report states. “Based upon a conservative estimate of federal, state and other matching funds available across the categories listed, half a percent may reasonably leverage an additional $881 million (25 percent of $3.5 billion) over 30 years.”

Voters rejected a sales tax hike in 2010 to fund transportation improvements. Dist.

7 Tampa City Council member Lisa Montelione, who also serves in Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s seat on the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), says that she thinks that the half-percent sales tax is a good idea, but that it’s coming a little late, if the referendum is passed in 2016.

“I would have preferred that the onecent sales tax was passed (in 2010),” Montelione says. “A lot of the people who are involved now and advocating for transportation improvements didn’t show up to vote four years ago. If they did, maybe we’d be ahead of the game instead of behind it.”

She says the initiative was important because it educated the public about how their property tax dollars don’t fund transportation projects, but that a lot of the information in the final report was already known.

“We all know that the roads need to be repaired,” Montelione says, referencing the fact that road repairs were the top priority

named by the public during the Go Hillsborough meetings, although she says that what she’s been hearing from her constituents is a need for increased public transit options.

“At the bare minimum, they want expanded bus circulator service,” Montelione says.

The next step for the plan will be a presentation to the Hillsborough Board Hillborough County planning staff work with New Tampa resiof County Commissioners dents to identify transportation needs in our area during a recent (BOCC) for consideration in Go Hillsborough meeting at the New Tampa Rec Center.

August/September, followed space (job center) in the county, with major by a final round of public employers like DTCC on Highwoods meetings and a BOCC decision sometime Preserve Pkwy. and USAA Insurance on between October and December of this year Commerce Park Blvd. New Tampa finished about whether to add the referendum to the immediately behind MacDill Air Force Base, 2016 General Election ballot in November. the I-75/I-4 corridor, downtown Tampa The CTP states that Hillsborough and the CSX railway in Tampa.

County is the size of Rhode Island, with The report also included a list of 30-percent more people, and a wide diverprojects requested by residents during the sity of lifestyles and transportation needs. public meetings. Among those requested in “Our current population is 1.3 million, our area were a new transit line along Bruce and it is expected to grow to at least 1.8 million over the next 25 years – a population B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from Fowler Ave. to Cross Creek Blvd., with bike lanes along as big as eight U.S. states and Washington, DC,” the report says. Throughout the coun- same corridor. A new express bus route was requested from a future New Tampa Park ty, there are 12,000 lane miles of roads, 700 & Ride to the Westshore business district. bridges and 600 signalized intersections.

In addition to the half-percent sales tax, Bike lanes also were requested by residents on BBD from Skipper Rd. north to Tampa the report also recommends additional moPalms Blvd. as well as over I-75 on New bility fees for new developments and urban Tampa Blvd. redevelopment.

For more information, please visit In the report, PB recognizes the New GoHillsborough.org.

Tampa area as the fifth largest economic

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Montelione Considers 2016 RunwouldFor Harrison’s Reedy Dist.

63 Seat currently serves as the stateno longer be able to retain her

By Matt Wiley

Lisa Montelione’s second term as the District 7 Tampa City Council member has just begun, but murmurs have arisen about a possible bid to take on Dist. 63 Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-New Tampa, see story on page 4) for his seat in the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee in the 2016 election. Rep. Dist. 7 Tampa City Council member Lisa MonHarrison also served two terms on the Tampa City Council representing New telione (right) may face Democrat Mike Reedy in a future primary race if she decides to run for Tampa, before taking a run at what the District 63 Florida House seat in 2016. is now the Dist. 63 seat in 2010. He early, on April 28). was followed by fellow New Tampa “People need to step up and care resident Joseph Caetano in 2007, who about the citizens and the functioning lost to Montelione in 2011. of the government,” Montelione says.

Although she has not confirmed “I think the City Council has done that that she is running, Montelione (who would run as a Democrat) says that she in the last four years and has gotten more engaged with its constituents, hasn’t yet ruled out the possibility. and that comes first. I don’t think that “It’s a consideration for me to the current (state) legislature feels the leave the City Council, which I absosame way.“ lutely love,” she says. “But, I haven’t She says that if she decides to run, made a decision yet about whether or her goal would be to always put her not to jump into that (Dist. 63) race.” constituents’ needs first.

She says that the previous legisla“Somebody needs to go to Taltive session is a reason that she would lahassee with one thing in mind, and want to head to Tallahassee, with its impasse about whether or not to accept that’s the citizens that (they) were elected to represent,” Montelione billions of dollars in federal funds to explains. “I don’t think there’s a whole expand Medicaid, which kept the state lot of that going on up there.” legislature from approving a budget If Montelione were to run and during the regular session, which win, she’d officially be our area’s repreofficially ended May 1 (although the sentative the day after the election and Florida House actually went home

Tampa City Council seat.

“It’s a big decision,” Montelione says. “I’d be giving up a lot. I don’t know that I’m finished yet (on City Council). I like taking my time to make the right decision, so I’m not going to rush in just for the sake of rushing in.”

According to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office, already filed for the 2016 District 63 race are Rep. Harrison (the incumbent, of course), who already has $23,000 raised for his next campaign, and Democrat Mike Reedy, who filed in January and so far has raised nearly $8,000.

wide business organizer for Equality Florida, a non-profit LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender) advocacy group. Reedy already has endorsements from Florida Dist. 70 Rep. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), Dist. 68 Rep. Dwight Dudley (D-St. Petersburg), Dist. 65 Rep. Carl Zimmermann (D-Palm Harbor), former Dist.

63 Rep. Mark Danish (D-New Tampa) and former Dist. 2 Tampa City Council member Mary Mulhern.

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News Briefs

Rezoning Requested For Highwoods Preserve Land

As the construction and development begins to once again increase in our area, it’s not unusual to see property owners try to make their land as appealing as possible to potential developers. Such is the case with a parcel of land along Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa.

According to documents filed with the City of Tampa, Raleigh, NC-based Highwoods Properties has requested a rezoning for a 14-acre parcel of land (see map below), located across Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. from the three-story office building called the Burns & Wilcox building, about half a mile north of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Currently zoned PD (planned development), Highwoods is requesting a rezoning that would allow for the development of office, residential, hotel, hightech/light industrial, commercial. The developer is requesting that the parcel be zoned for 250,000 sq. ft., or the equivalent of 400 residential units.

“We have no immediate plans to do anything with the property,” says Highwoods spokesperson Tabitha Zane. “We’re keeping our options open and trying to increase the flexibility for the development of the property.”

A tentative public hearing date has been scheduled for Thursday, October 8.

For info, visit Highwoods.com.

oods P Highw e P kw re s e r v y.

Muvico Starlight 20

Fake Traveler’s Check Used At Target

Although they might be a little “dated,” it seems that it’s still possible to write a traveler’s check for purchases — as an unknown suspect recently wrote a fake one at a local store just north of New Tampa — and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) needs the public’s help to track her down.

According to PCSO, on June 17, an unknown female suspect entered the Super Target in Wesley Chapel (located in the North Woods Shopping Center off Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd., just north of County Line Rd.), and successfully used a counter- The above suspect allegedly wrote a fake traveler’s check. feit American Express Traveler’s Cheque to make a purchase.

Described as an African-American female, the suspect left the store and got into a silver Nissan Quest minivan and drove away in an unknown direction.

Anyone who may know of the identity or whereabouts of the suspects are urged to contact PCSO at (727) 8478102 or 1-(800) 706-2488. Anonymous tips also can be submitted online (PascoSheriff.com/ tips-reportingprocedure-2/) or by utilizing the free Pasco Sheriff’s Office smartphone application for Apple and Android devices.

around it in the Publix-anchored shopping center on Cross Creek Blvd. near the intersection of Morris Bridge Rd. The 5,692-sq.-ft. former Mid Florida Credit Union that was built in 2003 currently is on the market for $1.2 million, listed with Coldwell Banker Commercial: Saunders Ralston Dantzler.

Coldwell agent David Goffe says that the property has been on the market for about a year and it has generated some interest, but no offers have yet come to fruition.

“We’ve had multiple expressions of interest,” Goffe says. “Unfortunately, none of the offers have gone through, due to lease restrictions.”

Goffe says that restrictions are common in shopping centers with large

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anchors, such as Publix, which sometimes can have an influence over the other types of businesses that can move into the same plaza or commercial development.

Goffe says that the building has received interest from medical companies looking for office space, as well as restaurants and small private schools. He explains that the site is perfect for another bank and also would be great for a restaurant, although he did not disclose whether or not he has been in contact with any national chain eateries. He says that some interior renovation would be required for a restaurant concept, but that it could be made to work in the space.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Study Now Under Way For S.R. 581/BBD Bypass Loop Road’ New BBD/S.R. 54 Intersection

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Other New Developments

In addition to the new intersection, another project is about to get started along S.R. 54 in Wiregrass next to the loop road.

On June 16, West Palm Beach-based The Dowd Companies posted a sign for future retail development on the currently vacant property south of S.R. 54 and immediately to the west of Saddlebrook.

According to the developer’s website, the site will be home to an 11,200-sq.ft. retail center with two outparcels to the west, measuring more than 1.5-acres each, but Dowd Companies president John W. Dowd, III, says no tenants have yet been confirmed.

“We don’t have specific plans drawn up just yet,” Dowd says. “We’re still in the initial planning stages, but we’re now looking for retailers.”

The site already has been cleared of the orange groves that once lined it, but Dowd says that ground won’t officially be broken until sometime late this year, with an opening tentatively planned for fall 2016.

The company’s website says that spaces will be available from as small as 1,200 sq. ft., but Dowd says that it hasn’t yet been decided how the entire space will be divided and that the plans will depend upon the businesses that show interest in becoming tenants.

The Dowd Companies’ website also shows a graphic that displays a future Publix Supermarket across Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. from the new Wesley Chapel Walmart. However, the graphic indicates that the current Publix in the Hollybrook Plaza shopping plaza at the corner of BBD/S.R. 54 would be relocating to the site, which has been rumored for several years.

Publix spokesperson Brian West could

Publix Relocation?

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“The S.R. 581/BBD Bypass Loop Route Study is still in development and staff is working with all affected property owners, as well as FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) as the analysis continues,” says Pasco County program administrator for engineering services Deborah Bolduc.

“Looking ahead and based on the project schedule, there will be a public meeting in January 2016 for public comment and a presentation to the (BOCC) would occur by mid-February.”

J.D. Porter, whose family owns the Wiregrass Ranch DRI, could not be reached for comment at our press time.

S add

By Matt Wiley If you travel north of New Tampa through Wesley Chapel along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., you’re probably familiar with the 3.5-mile stretch between S.R. 56 and S.R. 54. However, the north end of BBD at 54 could be changing, as development continues inside the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI).

Currently, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is awaiting the results of a study to determine the most favorable alignment of a “loop road” that would add a new intersection about a mile to the east of BBD/54, just west of Saddlebrook Resort & Spa (see map).

According to the development order for Wiregrass Ranch, the plan calls for adding a “S.R. 581/BBD Bypass Loop Road,” as it is referred to, which would begin a little more than a mile south of BBD/54, “loop” to the east, intersect with an extension of the existing Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., and then loop north to meet S.R. 54. The new loop road would allow the new development in Wiregrass Ranch (north of the existing Estancia at Wiregrass subdivision) to access the new intersection just west of the entrance to Saddlebrook. However, it is important to note that the current intersection at BBD/S.R. 54 also will remain intact.

On June 22, the BOCC approved a study extension for Lutz-based Johnson Engineering, Inc., which currently is working to put together a Route & Pond Study for the planned intersection alignment. The study, which began in January, will estimate the cost of obtaining the necessary right of way to construct the road and required retention ponds for the route and determine the best alignment. But, to make sure that the study is as conclusive and specific as possible, Johnson is bringing in a professional land cost sub-consultant (Omaha, NB-based HDR, Inc.) to more accurately determine the cost of acquiring the land and building the road. The study also will be extended by 90 calendar days.

The Route & Pond Study also will more accurately estimate the damages to businesses along S.R. 54 that will be affected by the new intersection. HDR will be looking at 15 pieces of property, including Saddlebrook itself, plus all of the businesses along the north side of S.R. 54 to the west of the Saddlebrook entrance.

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The “S.R. 581/BBD Bypass Loop Road” (in red) is being planned to provide an alternative access to S.R. 54 from BBD for residents of the Wiregrass Ranch DRI. The “Loop Road” will intersect with Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. (near Walmart) and access S.R. 54 just west of Saddlebrook Resort Dowd says that drivers on S.R. 56 can not be reached to confirm the relocation benow see the preliminary site work taking fore we went to press with this issue.

In addition, The Dowd Companies also place in that area to install infrastructure, is developing another retail center in Wire- but that it likely will take longer to develop grass Ranch on S.R. 56, east of BBD, (not because of the longer process of attracting shown on the map above) on a 16.4-acre an anchor store, which he says he hopes will parcel of land between the future second be a grocery store, although he offered no phase of the Shops at Wiregrass mall and further details. Dowd says that construction planned Raymond James financial campus. likely won’t start on the site until the middle The initial site plan calls for a 45,000-sq.-ft. of next year, with an opening estimated for anchor store, plus about 13,000 sq. ft. of ad- mid-2017.

For more information, please visit ditional retail space, along with three outparTheDowdCompanies.com. cels with frontage on S.R. 56.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Tampa Premium Outlets Drives Traffic Ahead Of October Opening

By Matt Wiley

It’s said that, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” and that seems to be the work ethic of the crews currently hustling to finish Simon Property Group’s newest outlet mall ­— the Tampa Premium Outlets (see separate story at the bottom of page 1 of this issue) on S.R. 56 — in time for a planned October opening in the Cypress Creek Town Center (CCTC) Development of Regional Impact (DRI).

While that feat may have seemed far-fetched when ground officially was broken in December on the project that had long suffered from years of setbacks, judging by the progress in the past seven months, it appears that the challenge is finally becoming a reality.

Much work has coincided with the construction of the mall, including the on-going $6.8-million resurfacing of the 2.42-mile stretch of S.R. 56 from Wesley Chapel Blvd. east to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., which will include the north and southbound I-75 on-ramps. Sidewalks also are being added to S.R. 56, including on the I-75 overpass. New traffic signals have been hung at the intersection of the future Grand Cypress Dr. and S.R. 56 and a new right turn lane has been installed on eastbound S.R. 54 approaching the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension.

As construction has increased in

The new Tampa Premium Outlets mall (center) isn’t scheduled to open until October, but traffic already is piling up daily near the S.R. 56/I-75 interchange in Wesley Chapel.

the area, so has traffic, and the developers of CCTC and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are working with Pasco officials to try to provide temporary relief and set future plans to alleviate driving headaches.

FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson says that the resurfacing project has caused periodic daytime lane closures along S.R. 56, but that the project should wrap up by late summer, weather permitting. She says that a future study is planned to look at reconstructing the S.R. 56 interchange entirely, but no details about that possibility currently are available.

In addition, the county is planning

to widen the 3.5-mile stretch of Wesley Chapel Blvd. from the S.R. 54/56 intersection north to Progress Blvd., which is the entrance to the Westbrook Estates development on C.R. 54.

This segment of the overall “C.R. 54 Extension Pipeline Project” is referred to as the “Sierra Segment,” as Sierra Properties is developing the northern section of CCTC, where the widening will occur.

Pasco transportation planning manager James Edwards says that the project currently is programmed into the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)’s “Mobility 2040” Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

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for fiscal year 2019, and that a recent payment to the county of $6 million from J.G. Cypress (one of the other CCTC developers), is to be allocated to reimbursing Sierra Properties for obtaining the necessary right of way for the widening, as well as the cost of the bid process, design and construction of the widened lanes.

The C.R. 54 Extension Pipeline Project also is planned to stretch to the south in the future. According to the LRTP, Wesley Chapel Blvd. will be extended south to intersect with County Line Rd. between 2020-25 and will be funded with county mobility fees, Edwards says.

“County Line Rd. is an important connecting road in the transportation grid in this area,” Edwards explains.

“It is important because it allows (nearly) unimpeded travel from U.S. 41 to BBD and even east of BBD (into Meadow Pointe). I-75 is a barrier to east/west travel and there aren’t too many other alternatives out there.

(County Line Rd.) is essentially a back door for those residents who know it and use it to access BBD, and Collier Pkwy. to Livingston Ave. and U.S. 41/ Dale Mabry Hwy.” For more information about the Tampa Premium Outlets, visit PremiumOutlets.com. For information about the outlet mall’s upcoming Job Fair, see the story on pg. 1.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Help The Moffitt Cancer Center Research E-Cigs In A New Study

By Matt Wiley

Their popularity has sparked in recent years and it’s not uncommon to see them in many public places. “Ecigs,” or electronic cigarettes (photo), have seemingly become a cultural norm, and they’re often touted as being effective in kicking traditional cigarette-smoking habits.

However, thanks to a recent $3.6-million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Moffitt Cancer Center (located on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus off Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd., a few miles south of Tampa Palms), is poised to get to the bottom of the safety issues involved with the electronic nicotine distributors.

According to a June 29 press release, Moffitt received a grant to study the use of E-cigs during the next five years. The goal? To find out if E-cigs really are any safer than traditional cigarettes and whether or not they really can assist in kicking the habit, as many advertise.

“Public health researchers are really playing catch-up with the explosion of e-cigarettes onto the marketplace,” said lead investigator and the director of Moffitt’s Tobacco Research & Intervention Program, Dr. Thomas Brandon, Ph.D. “With millions of smokers trying

e-cigarettes in an efing both cigarettes fort to quit smoking, and E-cigs, whether I’m delighted that or not they have the (NIH) is intertried to quit smokested in determining ing or are interested the effectiveness of in quitting smoking. that strategy, and 2.

Former that Moffitt will be smokers who are conducting among currently using only the first studies in E-cigs. this area of research,” 3.

People Dr. Brandon said. who have already Moffitt spokeperson quit using both Kim Polacek said that Photo by ‘patrisyu’ from FreeDigitalPhotos.net. traditional cigarettes NIH currently funds and E-cigs. only between 10-20 percent of grant “We have already received many applications per year. volunteers from group 2, but we are During the first year of the study, still seeking additional people from Moffitt researchers will be interviewing groups 1 and 3,” Dr. Brandon said.

E-cig users to learn about their experi- If you fit either of the criteria for the ences and their perceptions of the pros study, see below. and cons of these smoking substitutes.

During the final four years of the The researchers want to interview cur- study, researchers at Moffitt will enroll rent and former smokers who also are 2,500 E-cig users throughout the current or former E-cig users. InterU.S. and follow them for 24 months views officially began the first week of July, Dr. Brandon explained.

“For the first study, we are looking to interview people who have used both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes simultaneously at one time,” Dr. Brandon said, adding that researchers want to interview people from three different groups: 1.

People who are currently us-

by sending them surveys every three months. The research is expected to provide valuable data about the longterm use of E-cigs and their value for quitting smoking.

“Millions of smokers are using e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking, yet because there is a lack of data, (doctors) are not able to advise them about whether or not that is an effective smoking cessation strategy,” Brandon explains. “This study should provide some answers that will be very useful to smokers as they consider ways to quit.”

To participate in the E-cig study, you must be at least 18 years old and must have used E-cigs for at least one month and spent at least one year as a daily smoker.

For more information, ecigarette users interested in being interviewed for the study should call Moffitt’s Tobacco Research and Intervention Program toll-free at 1 (877) 954-2548.

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USF Autism Center Maintains Funding Since the Neighborhood News has chosen to focus our community service efforts this year to raising autism awareness for ourselves and in our communities, we were thrilled to hear from Dist. 63 Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-New Tampa, see page 4) that the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida (USF) maintained its annual funding allocation from last year in this year’s state budget, signed into law by Governor Rick Scott in Tallahassee on June 23.

CARD-USF is based at the school’s Tampa campus, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. a few miles south of Tampa Palms, and has a network of seven other centers throughout the state at other universities, including the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of Central Florida in Orlando. According to the state budget, CARD-USF received more than $1.3 million to continue providing services for patients with autism-related disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairment.

“I’m pleased to maintain the work we’re doing in the community at no cost to the clients,” says CARD-USF executive director Dr. Karen Berkman, adding that the money will be used to cover operational costs, including paying staff and purchasing equipment and supplies.

Dr. Berkman explains that her overall budget is about $1.3 million, which is funded through a grant from the Florida Department of Education. She says that the amount the center received this year wasn’t the amount requested, but it is the

Neighborhood News

same amount that CARD received last year.

Although it won’t have to happen this year, she explains that there have been years in the past in which CARD did not receive the funding required to maintain its current services and adjustments had to be made.

“We’ve been in that situation before and, typically, we had to adjust staffing,” Dr. Berkman explains. “Sometimes you can’t keep everyone on board or you adjust expenditures in other areas. However, our mission never changes.”

Founded in 1993, CARD’s mission is to optimize the potential of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related disabilities to become valued citizens in their schools and communities. The center provides free information, consultation and training to families, educators and professionals who work closely with individuals diagnosed with ASDs, including autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Rett’s Syndrome, Asperger’s Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. CARD also provides support for related disabilities including those who are deaf-blind (hearing and vision impaired), hearing impaired or vision impaired with other disabling conditions.

CARD will be hosting its annual Autism, Health & Wellness Symposium at the Embassy Suites on USF’s campus in November, although a final date has not yet been set.

For more info about CARD, please visit CARD-USF.fmhi.usf.edu.

@NTWCNews

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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July 2015

Saturday, July 18

18

Cycle-A-Thon Fund Raise

Pura Cycling (1822 BBD, Wesley Chapel) is hosting 3 fund-raising cycling sessions (at 9, 10 & 11 a.m.) to raise money to sponsor Pura owner Stephanie Farquhar’s mother Debra, who is raising money to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day event, in which she’ll walk 60 miles to benefit cancer research. Rides at Pura to benefit Debra’s campaign cost $25. For info or to reserve a seat, call 501-2124.

sessions (but you may begin any week) to find healing & hope. The group meets Tues., 6:30 p.m., at Lake Magdalene Methodist Church (2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Rm. 310).

For more info, call 963-1555.

21

English As A Second Language (ESL)

22

Great speeches & great topics. Come hone your public speaking skills. 9-12 Tampa Toastmasters meets Wed., 7 p.m., at the New Tampa Family YMCA (16221 Compton Dr., Tampa Palms). Guests are always welcome. Call 264-2171 for info.

Th ESL group meets Tuesdays at Thursday, July 23 Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD Blvd.), 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Classes are Christian Business taught by a native English speaker using 23 Connections (CBC) several ESL and Bible study resources.

The Christian Business Connections The cost is $40 each semester, for the Monday, July 20 (CBC) networking group meets every Thur. at workbook & class materials.

For info, call Heather at 753-8567. 7:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Zen Meditation Group 20 (5338 Primrose Lake Cir., off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms).

Enjoy meditation? Looking for a new way Wednesday, July 22 For info, email Shawn@TPACorp.com. to relax? Check out the FREE Zen Meditation Group that meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in the BNI Millionaire Makers 22 Arbor Greene Community Center (18000 Friday, July 24 Arbor Greene Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.) AeroThe BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets New Tampa bics Room. People of all faiths are welcome.

24 Rotary Club You only need an interest in meditation and a every Wednesday at Heritage Isles Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.) at 7:15 a.m. The The original New Tampa Rotary Club more peaceful and relaxed mind and life. $13 meeting fee includes a hot breakfast. meets every Friday for breakfast at 7 a.m.

For info, call Jeremy at 528-6285.

Call Lisa Jordan (621-6015) for info. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.).

Community Acupuncture & 20 For info, call Connie Bladon at (813) Discussion Group Business Networking 22 505-6515 or visit NewTampaRotary.org.

International (BNI) A Monday night community acupuncture and discussion group is meeting at Ion BNI, a group of business professionals Pure Health Studio Open 24 Medi-Spa (8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite dedicated to helping their respective House & Fitness Seminar 130), 6:30 p.m. Topics include needle-free businesses grow through qualified referrals, Pure Health owner Samantha Taylor acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, plus stopmeets every Wed. morning at 7:30 a.m. at will host a Fitness Seminar at 6 p.m. Doors smoking & customized weight-loss programs. the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse open at 5:30. Enjoy delicious desserts & For more info, call 960-8833 or visit (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.). gourmet coffee.

IonMediSpa.com.

Call Steve Hopper at 918-8609.

To reserve a seat or for more info, Tuesday, July 21 visit PureHealthStudios.com or see pg. 23.

21

New Tampa Tri Club

The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area.

The club hosts group bike rides/runs leaving from Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris Bridge Rd.; not from the BBD entrance) every Tues., Thur. & Sat. at 7:30 a.m.

For more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com.

21

GriefShare Support Group

This video-seminar support group is for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. The cost is $20 for a workbook & 13 Neighborhood News

22

Saturday, July 25

9-12 Toastmasters 25

BayChapel will be opening its FREE food pantry to the New Tampa community at Christian Brothers Automotive (20303 Trout Creek Dr.), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., for anyone in need. The pantry is open the second & fourth Sat. of each month.

For more info, call Lee at 731-4040.

August 2015 Friday, August 7

7

New Tampa Players Mary Poppins

The New Tampa Players presents its production of “Mary Poppins” at the University Area Community Development Center (14013 N. 22 St.) at 8 p.m. For more showtimes, see the ad on pg. 45. Tickets cost $20 & may be purchased at NewTampaPlayers.org or by calling 386-6687.

If your organization has an upcoming

EVENT

that is open to the

GENERAL PUBLIC,

please submit your info (and pictures in any electronic format) at least 3-4 weeks in advance to Matt@NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

New Tampa Noon Rotary Club

July 27th –30th, 2015 5:15 to 7:15 pm $85.00 per player Ages 6 -14

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

22

BayChapel Food Pantry

New Tampa Evening Rotary Club

The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (10101 Longwater Run Dr., inside the BBD Hunter’s Green entrance gate). New members are always welcome. Call Liz DeAmbrose at 956-6487 or email homenet@gte.net. @NTWCNews

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

21

Pebble Creek Family Dentistry Keeps New Tampa Smiling After Five Years USF in 2002, and his D.D.S. degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 2006. The lure of family drew him back to Florida, where he worked for another practice before opening his own.

PCFD’s office boasts a spacious waiting room with comfortable leather chairs and soothing water fountains. Inside, the six examination rooms are equipped with massage chairs and flat screen TVs angled just right for a little distraction during a cleaning.

General dentistry procedures offered at PCFD include cleanings, exams and X-rays, composite fillings, root canal therapy and tooth extractions. Additionally, patients can opt for one of the many cosmetic procedures offered, including porcelain crowns, teeth whitening, dental bridges, veneers, bonding, inlays and onlays and more.

PCFD accepts the majority of PPO insurance policies, and presently, new patients can take advantage of a special offer of $39 for a dental exam and X-rays.

When patients do sign up for care at PCFD, Patel says that he is pretty sure they’ll stay for a long time, mostly because of the compassionate care he and his staff provide to their patients.

It certainly worked for Al and Dee Grosser, 20-year Wesley Chapel residents who have been with Dr. Patel since before he opened his own practice and have had many treatments from him — from rou-

By Anu Varma Panchal

During his long commute from his home in Dade City doing his undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Vijay Patel, D.D.S (Doctor of Dental Surgery), says that he used to drive right through the beginnings of what was shaping up to be New Tampa and that he could tell it was going to be something special. And, sure enough, by the time he had become a practicing dentist and was ready to start his own practice, Dr. Patel knew exactly where he wanted to settle.

Pebble Creek Family Dentistry (PCFD) has stood at the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Regents Park Dr. (next to Chase Bank) since Dr. Patel opened its doors in November of 2010.

Since then, he has become the go-to dentist for many families looking for everything from a routine dental exam to lengthy cosmetic and surgical procedures.

“Everybody’s nice here,” says the soft-spoken Dr. Patel. “These are good, family-oriented people.”

That’s why he not only set up his practice here, but he also lives in Arbor Greene (off Cross Creek Blvd.), and both of his children attend Richard F. Pride Elementary, located off Kinnan St. in the nearby K-Bar Ranch community.

Dr. Patel earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from

tine exams to more complex procedures.

Since then, the Grossers say they have referred several friends and family members to the practice.

“What I like about (Dr. Patel) is that, first of all, he is very caring,” says Dee. “He takes his time with you. He’s very patient. He explains what he thinks should be done. If we aren’t happy with something, he takes care of it until we are happy. If you call him after hours, you don’t just get an answering service. He always calls you back.”

That kind of personal touch with patients is the most important quality Dr. Patel says he seeks when looking to hire staff for his practice. He notes that the two dental hygienists at PCFD — Rose Turner and Leah Crist — as well as the front office staff, all have the sort of personality and skills that endear them to his patients, a fact borne out by the nearly 200 reviews on his website (PebbleCreek FamilyDentistry.com), many of which extol the virtues of the staff. In addition to Turner and Crist, Dr. Patel has two dental assistants, a hygiene coordinator, an insurance coordinator and office manager Lynn Curry, who has worked in dental offices for 44 years.

“Dr. Patel lets me make sure all my ‘i’s are dotted and ‘t’s crossed,” says Curry, who actually helped open the practice with Dr. Patel. She says she likes his gentleness with nervous patients. “I’ve

D Dr. Vijay Patel of Pebble Creek Family Dentistry has been treating New Tampa patients since he opened his practice in 2010.

worked with dentists before who (can be) short and abrupt with them,” Curry says. “[Dr. Patel] is patient.”

She says she also appreciates the doctor’s insistence that Curry and the rest of his staff check out each patient’s insurance and give them fair estimates. “Everybody has a budget nowadays,” Curry says. “We give [our patients] fair warning so they know what they’re dealing with. And, he knows his dentistry.”

Dr. Patel sees patients Monday Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and spends Fridays catching up on paperwork and making personal phone calls to patients

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He also treats three generations of another local family.

“It’s all word of mouth,” Dr. Patel says. His patients like the time he spends with them, and that’s why he says he’s not really looking to expand too much — although he is still taking on new patients. “I still believe in taking care of patients. I’m happy with what I have, but I’m Dr. Patel tells a Pebble Creek Family Dentistry patient that everything always accepting good looks ‘all good,’ during her recent exam. patients.”

He also spends who have recently undergone procedures. much of his free time volunteering for Dr. Patel will see anyone age 8 and BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushotabove. Although many of his patients are tam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Charities, a from New Tampa — and he often runs non-profit organization that has raised into them while shopping or running funds through Walkathons to support the errands when he’s free — he has loyal Make-A-Wish Foundation. The last one patients who come from as far away as was held in May and raised more than New Port Richey, Spring Hill and St. $2,000 for the organization.

Petersburg. Dr. Patel says that a Miami As to why dentistry? Dr. Patel shrugs couple happened to be traveling through and says, “Because you get to make peoNew Tampa and needed to see a dentist, ple smile!” and liked what they saw so much in Dr. Pebble Creek Family Dentistry is Patel’s practice that they still make the trip located at 19007 BBD. For more into see him regularly. Recently, he says, a formation or to make an appointment, family of five — mother, father and three children — came to PCFD for their dental visit PebbleCreekFamilyDentistry.com, call 406-4947, or see the ad on page examinations while visiting family in New 39 of this issue.

Tampa from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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25

Budget Blinds Of Greater Tampa Gives Your Windows Great Treatment!

By Matt Wiley

What better way to show support to returning U.S. military veterans than by donating your business services to them?

Well, that is exactly what Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa (located on W. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa, just a few minutes southwest of New Tampa), is doing, by recently partnering with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a non-profit organization that builds homes for returning injured veterans.

Nationwide, Orange, CA-Budget Blinds has agreed to provide window coverings in every HFOT home built across the country for the next three years, valued at more than $1 million in donated products and services.

Locally, Elaine Trotter, co-owner of Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa, says that her franchise location is donating $1 to HFOT for every single blind sold by her franchise.

“It’s an initiative we’re very excited about,” Elaine says. “We believe in ‘home.’ A home should be a safe haven, a place of refuge at the end of the day.

For the returning injured and handicapped veterans, navigating their current environment can be very difficult. So, we’re proud that we’re able to provide window coverings in a home that has been specially adapted for them.”

Elaine says that Budget Blinds specializes in beautifying the inside of

26

the windows of your home, whether you want shades, shutters or draperies. In 2008, she and her husband Jim purchased the Greater Tampa franchise (which was the first to open in the state, in 1994 in Land O’Lakes). Elaine explains that Jim was more than 20 years into a corporate career that required him to travel extensively and move often.

Finally, he had enough and they decided to stay in Tampa.

“We started looking for other alternatives,” Elaine says. “We always wanted to own a small business together, grow it and be able to employ people and give back to our community.”

Elaine says that they started looking at franchising and stumbled upon Budget Blinds. She says that since the company has great corporate support, buying power and was military veteran-friendly, “their business model was in line with our thinking.”

So, as the local economy hit rock bottom, the Trotters opened their first business. “We could have run the business ourselves during the economic downturn, but we hired people anyway and started out very slow. There were four of us in the beginning, but now, we’ve grown to 15 employees.”

Elaine says that the growth forced them to move from the small, original showroom in Land O’Lakes to its current space in Tampa, which houses large displays of the company’s products, in-

cluding numerous variations on Budget Blinds’ own lines of blinds, shutters, shades, drapes (including the signature Inspired Drapes line that launched last year), panels, bedding, screens and even area rugs.

Elaine says her store should be fully stocked with Momeni Rugs within the next month and that she has a rug “for any budget to complete any room.”

Elaine also explains The above Inspired Drapes design earned Budget Blinds of Greater that one of the most Tampa on W. Fletcher Ave. a First Place award in the national popular product lines company’s annual design contest. that Budget Blinds sells is plantation shutters. says. “We bring samples and products to “Most of our customers love plantathe client’s home. Our consultants can tion shutters (decorative shutters that are see the client’s decorating style and get placed on the inside of the home),” she a look at the actual window to solve the says. “They’re a beautiful asset to your problem, whether it’s heat or glare or home, like furniture for your windows. privacy. We always work with our clients.

They’re also considered a permanent We bring the ‘shop-at-home’ experifixture of your home and can increase its ence to them, so they don’t have to run appraisal value. They provide great insuaround to multiple stores.” lation from the heat and a good view.”

Elaine says that Budget Blinds also But, you don’t have to rely on just stands by its products, offering a five-year your own opinion for decorating with “No Questions Asked” warranty on all new window accessories because Budget products.

Blinds has a team of in-home consulta“Our warranties separate us from tion designers. everyone else in the industry,” Elaine “We come into the home,” Elaine explains. “Blinds are like cars. They have

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

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!

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what we were looking for and received excellent customer service all the way through — from scheduling our in-home appointment, our oneon-one consultation and with the installation.

Bravo for a job well done, start to finish!”

Elaine and the friendly folks at Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa are good at what they do — so good, in fact, that they recently won Above is an example of the kinds of shutters that Budget Blinds a national award: first can install in your home that can help increase its value. place in the 2015 Budget Blinds Design Contest parts that wear out, and accidents can for Decorative Hardware. happen in the home. We get a lot of calls To commemorate the victory, Elaine’s about pets. It really gives our clients the decorative drapery design was featured peace of mind that if something happens, in Window Fashion VISION magazine, a we’ll replace that product for free, once, respected industry publication. within a five-year period, no matter what “We don’t just sell a product,” happens.”

Elaine says. “We try to help our customElaine tells of a recent customer who ers solve dilemmas and provide them had just purchased blinds from her store. with good service and a good experience.

“The client was fostering a dog,” We’re not perfect and we may not always Elaine says. “Yes, it happened, the foster get it right, but we’ll always try to make dog ate the blinds. She called us disit right.” traught, but was excited to hear that they Be sure to check out the Budget were covered under our warranty.”

Blinds of Greater Tampa showroom Customers brag about the Greater at 1208 W. Fletcher Ave., which is Tampa store on her website — Budget open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Blinds.com/NorthTampa.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sat. Call 968-5050 “The selection at Budget Blinds to schedule a free in-home consultais incredible!,” says a Wesley Chapel tion or visit BudgetBlinds.com/North resident named Holly. “We found exactly Tampa for more info.

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27

Where Are The New Homes Being Built In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel?

The map on page 29 shows the areas where new homes are being built — and the builders who are constructing those new residences — in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

As we said on page 1, in New Tampa, there are only four developments which currently have new homes under construction or lots available — Tampa Palms, Cory Lake Isles, Grand Hampton and K-Bar Ranch, with K-Bar being the only New Tampa master-planned unit development (MPUD) or Development of Regional Impact (DRI) still being developed.

However, as we also told you on page 1, there is a new, smaller section in New Tampa —property previously owned by Busch Junction Enterprises but purchased recently by Taylor Morrison Homes (which also owns a couple of lots in Tuscany at Tampa Palms and is developing homes in the Northwood community in Wesley Chapel) — which will add about 300 single-family homes to New Tampa’s landscape. The community to be known as The Esplanade and the likely addition of up to 1,400 units in the K-Bar Ranch DRI (also mentioned on page 1) will still not get zip code 33647 up to the more-than-45,000 residential units for which it was originally approved, as even 1,700 more units will only finalize the total number of residences in zip code 33647 at about 30,000.

Even so, with the boom taking place throughout Wesley Chapel, the residents of and businesses located in New Tampa still need a fully-widened Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.; additional connections to Wesley Chapel from K-Bar Ranch (especially when it is approved

for more residences); an east-west connector to I-275 (which may or may not ever be built); more parks (including a long-awaited cultural center) and more attention to aging infrastructure from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County — so we hope you’ll keep reading these pages every four weeks and check out NTNeighborhoodNews.com for daily updates about your community.

On this page are three “Builder Spotlights,” two featuring New Tampa builders and one that is just beginning to build in a new section of the Wiregrass Ranch DRI in Wesley Chapel. All three are custom builders creating gorgeous homes valued from about $250,000-$600,000+. In fact, all of the 50 or so lots left in New Tampa as you’re reading this will be upscale, so if you love where you live and you’re in the market for a new home, we hope you’ll end up staying here — and will tell the builders that we told you about them.

As for this issue’s map itself, only K-Bar Ranch shows the outline of the entire community because it is the only New Tampa community currently being developed. When we run this story and map in our August 1 Wesley Chapel issue, we will outline and shade all of the communities in zip codes 33543-45 that are currently under development, including Seven Oaks, Northwood, Meadow Pointe III & IV, Wiregrass Ranch, Watergrass, Bridgewater, Brookside, New River Township, Avalon Park West and Union Park.

New Tampa-area readers will be able to access our updated map by August 1 at NTNeighborhoodNews.com. — GN

BUILDER SPOTLIGHT ON...

ICI Homes At Grand Hampton

If you’re looking for a new home in the New Tampa community of Grand Hampton, ICI Homes, based in Daytona Beach, literally has the last ten lots available in one of New Tampa’s most beautiful communities, which is located off County Line Rd., with easy access to S.R. 56, I-75, I-275 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

According to its website, ICI Homes is continually ranked among the nation’s Top100 Builders in a prestigious annual survey published by Builder magazine. Established in 1980 by founder Mori Hosseini, ICI Homes has been the recipient of countless prestigious awards for design and innovation, and has long enjoyed local, regional and national acclaim.

The builder sets itself apart through its unique ability to make custom changes without sacrificing affordability. ICI believes in a “hands-on” approach with all new home buyers, offering custom changes by experienced design professionals who help make decisions for the homebuyer easier and, per28

haps surprisingly, within their budget.

ICI Homes is offering six different floorplans in Grand Hampton from the company’s “Estate Series,” which have anywhere from 3-5 bedrooms, 2-3/12 baths, all with 3-car garages and 2,561 sq. ft. to 3,564 sq. ft. of living area. The homes have base prices starting from $404,900 to more than $475,00, although the final price depends upon factors such as your lot and elevation premiums for the model you select (plus other available amenities such as wet bars, fireplaces, bonus rooms, summer kitchens, etc.).

As an example, the beautiful Salerno model shown above starts at 2,837 sq. ft. and a base price of $440,900.

Grand Hampton, which opened in 2004, features gated security and a beautiful clubhouse with great activities and the ICI Homes in the community are truly unique.

For more info about ICI Homes at Grand Hampton, see the ad on pg. 5, visit ICIHomes.com or call sales associate Tim Wilson at 994-7140 or 918-9374.

BUILDER SPOTLIGHT ON...

Mobley Homes At K-Bar Ranch

If you’ve lived in New Tampa for any period of time, you may already know the name Mobley Homes. Heck, with Mobley’s nearly 1,500 residences already built in Tampa Palms and West Meadows — and now as many as 2,000 residences already built or being built in the in K-Bar Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) — you may even already have owned a Mobley Home or perhaps admired a friend’s house built by this quality, local custom builder.

According to its website, Mobley Homes has a customer-first philosophy and a devotion to excellence. The builder combines a customer-centered mission with award-winning architecture, which has enabled Mobley Homes to create beautiful, new homes in the Tampa Bay area for more than 30 years.

In K-Bar Ranch, Mobley Homes currently is building in two gorgeous neighborhoods — Bassett Creek and The Woodlands.

The custom home builder is building

163 homes in Basset Creek and the remaining 22 lots (at our press time) offer twelve floor plans (three currently in inventory, including a 4,050-sq.-ft. Amelia B style, like the one pictured above). These homes offer 75’ lots and range between 2,763-4,050 sq. ft. of living area, with 3-6 bedrooms, 3-5 baths and 3-4car garages starting at $344,000-$418,900, although those prices can go up, depending upon your level of customization.

Mobley also has just three lots left of 29 total in The Woodlands, which offers ten floorplans on 50’ lots starting at 1,891-3,321 sq. ft., all with 3-5 bedrooms, 2-3.5 baths and 2-car garages with prices starting at from $247,900-$304,900. Mobley Homes also currently is building in The Manors on Lake Padgett in Land O’Lakes.

For more info, see the ad on pg. 36, visit MobleyHousing.com or call New Home Specialists Neisha Roberts, Renee Riordan or Maureen Groom at 960- 8966.

BUILDER SPOTLIGHT ON... GL Homes At The Ridge At Wiregrass Ranch

If you’ve been reading this publication for a while (including the story at the top of page 1), you may have heard about the explosive growth going on in Wesley Chapel, and a lot of that growth is taking place in the Wiregrass Ranch DRI off S.R. 56.

The newest and one of the most exciting communities in this growing development is The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch, where GL Homes — which touts itself as “Florida’s leading homebuilder” — is getting ready to “Welcome you home” to the Grand Opening of its first eight gorgeous models in The Ridge on Saturday, July 25!

Although there are also some smaller floor plans available in The Ridge, according to GL Homes’ website, the models expected to be on display on July 25 will have between

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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2-5 bedrooms, 2-5.5 baths and 2-3-car garages and will range between 2,092-4,479 (air conditioned) sq. ft. The prices for these models start at less than $300,000 to more than $600,000 (the Sebastian floorplan, pictured below, with five bedrooms and 5.5 baths is the largest of the model floor plans and it starts at $559,900).

The Ridge is expected to have 562 homes built in two phases, with an opulent, 11,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse that is expected to open in the Spring of 2017 and will include a resort-style pool, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness room, an arcade and other fabulous amenities.

Since 1976, GL Homes has grown from a small, local builder to one of the nation’s largest. For four decades, GL Homes has created exceptional communities and built quality residences in Florida’s most desirable locations. There are more than 63,000 people living in GL homes throughout Florida.

The builder currently also is building homes in Valencia Lakes in Wimauma.

For more information, visit GLHomes.com/ The-Ridge-at-Wiregrass-Ranch or call (855) 671-1400. @NTWCNews

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29

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29

Put Your Valuables In ‘Good Hands’ With Marino Cecchi & Allstate Insurance

By Celeste McLaughlin

When Stephen Leyland found a significant crack in the flooring in his Cross Creek home, he did what he thought was the most responsible thing — he called his insurance company and asked them to figure out if the damage was caused by an emerging sinkhole. That began an exhaustive investigation by an inspector sent out by Stephen’s insurance company, as well as a geologist, and it was determined and certified that the problem had nothing to do with a sinkhole. The ground was solid, the repair was completed and the home was not in danger.

Fast forward a couple of months, when Stephen received a notice that his homeowners insurance policy was to be cancelled because of his so-called “sinkhole claim.”

“But, it wasn’t a sinkhole claim,” Stephen says. “I had written proof there was no sinkhole, but my company (still decided to) no longer insure me.”

Stephen called a couple of insurance agencies and was told no one could help him. Thankfully, a friend suggested he try Allstate. Stephen researched the closest agency to his home and was soon talking with the staff at Marino Cecchi’s Allstate agency, located in the Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms (near Ciccio Cali and Koizi restaurants).

“The first thing they told me was, ‘That isn’t right,’” Stephen explains, “And not only did they get me homeowners insurance again, but I actually got a lower price than I had with my previous company.”

Stephen says he definitely was im-

pressed with Marino’s Allstate agency and the service he received. “They are so cordial, so direct, and absolutely know what they are doing,” Stephen says. “I found an agency that cares about its customers, is honest and up front and didn’t make promises they couldn’t keep.”

Marino adds, “We provide a full range of personal and commercial insurance products. We do a lot of business with home and auto policies, and also offer additional options, such as life insurance, variable annuities and even money market funds.”

Most products are provided by Allstate, but some are brokered, Marino says, such as homeowner insurance and financial products. “This means that customers can shop from companies that Allstate has already vetted and approved.” He explains that some of these are large, multi-state companies, such as Federated National Insurance, while others are based in Florida, such as Security First Insurance.

Marino opened his Allstate agency in December 2014 and hired two seasoned veterans to work as account managers.

Wesley Chapel resident Johnathon Wofford came from USAA Insurance and Donna Jones worked at Esurance. The staff also includes Tracy Roese, who provides front desk service and agency support.

Marino is originally from Chicago, and spent most of his life in the Windy City, although he also recently lived in Wisconsin and Charleston, SC. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Organization Management from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL (near Chicago) in 1985. While

in college, he began a career in banking that lasted more than 30 years. He has served as president of First Colonial Mortgage Corporation and Community Banc Mortgage, and he led the account management team at MortgageBot, a leading national provider of mortgage origination for banks and lenders.

But, it was Marino’s wife Kim‘s career that actually brought the New Tampa residents are in ‘good hands’ with Marino Cecchi’s Allstate agency in The Shoppes at The Pointe shopping plaza in Tampa Palms. couple to Florida. Kim works as a regional rehacall center, but you also have an agent near bilitation director for assisted living facilities you who is assigned to you and working on throughout Florida, and could have chosen your behalf,” Marino says. “You know us, anywhere in the state to live. “We have famand we’re real, live people who can help you ily in South Tampa and had been visiting for when you need it.” several years, so we knew we wanted to live Marino notes that most customers are in Tampa.” Now that his business has been primarily concerned about the price of their established in New Tampa, they are planning auto and homeowners insurance coverage, to buy a home in Tampa Palms. The couple and typically, that’s why they initially call his has four grown children, ages 19-22. office. “When people see that they can get “I’m looking forward to spending a great price and a local Allstate agent, they many years in this location, serving local realize they want to work with us.” neighborhoods and the people of New He adds, “We can do a simple quote Tampa,” he says. to look at your current coverage and see if Marino says he embraces Allstate’s well- we can save you money. And then, we invite known slogan, and he wants New Tampa you to make a phone appointment or stop in residents to know they truly are “in good so that we can really look at your coverages, hands” with his agency. your assets and your financial goals, and “The really nice thing about Allstate is make sure that you have the right products you can have 24/7 access to our website and for your individual needs.”

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Marino says he is well positioned for his job as an Allstate agent. “In the banking world, I worked as a trusted advisor, he explains. “And, that’s what I want to be for my customers now. I have a ton of experience and knowledge that I’ve gained through my banking career, and I’ve realized that there is a lot of emotion when it comes to finances and making purchases. It can be confusing and daunting to think about all these coverages, and there is a need for someone who can, with composure, look at your issues and give you sound advice. You need to find someone who is willing to do what’s in your best interest, not necessarily the best interest of the (insurance) company.”

He says that 30 years in the banking industry also have shown him that many people don’t really understand what they

are buying, so they might not be protecting themselves from potential problems.

“Price is absolutely a factor, and we want to help you get the lowest price,” he says. “But, it’s not the only factor. We take a consultative approach to be sure that you understand how your current insurance products help meet your financial goals, and how your risk and exposure to financial loss might affect those goals.”

Marino Cecchi’s Allstate agency is located at 17020 Palm Pointe Dr. and is open Mon.-Wed. & Fri., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., 9 a.m. -7 p.m. on Thur. and 9 a.m.–noon on Sat. Call 513-9001 for more information or visit MarinoFS.com. You also can “like” the agency’s Facebook page by searching “Allstate Agency: Marino Cecchi” in the Facebook search engine.

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31

Shriners Hospital For Children Can Help Keep Kids Safe This Summer Known as “trauma season” among public health and medical professionals, summer is a time when serious injuries and unintentional deaths increase dramatically among children.

Statistics from a Safe Kids U.S. Summer Ranking Report from May 2007 show that 40 percent of all injuryrelated emergency room visits and 42 percent of all injury-related deaths among children happen between May and August. However, many of these injuries can be prevented with a few simple precautions.

“I know a fun-filled summer day can turn into tragedy within seconds when an accident occurs,” said Dr. Maureen Maciel, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and the acting Chief of Staff at the Shriners Hospital for Children — Tampa, located on the campus of the University of South Florida.

“Shriners Hospitals wants to provide families with simple ways to reduce the risk of childhood injuries so kids can enjoy a safe summer.”

As experts in the treatment of pediatric orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries and burns, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides critical, surgical and rehabilitative care to children, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa urges parents and caregivers to remind their kids of these simple precautions to help keep them

injury-free this summer: • Swing on a swing set sitting down.

• Slide feet first, one child at a time.

• Do not push or shove others on the playground.

• Always swim with an adult or a “buddy.”

• Wear a life jacket if not comfortable or experienced in the water and on a watercraft.

• Never let children play on or around lawn mowers.

• Do not allow them to play near fire pits, campfires or BBQ grills.

• Fun at the beach always requires sun protection, plenty of water, and shade breaks. Be sure to provide children with plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Also, pay close attention to keeping beach umbrellas and tents secured to prevent serious injury that can occur when these items are dislodged by wind.

“Sustaining a serious injury can be a life-altering event for a child,” said Dale Stauss, chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “We see patients every day with injuries caused by accidents, and we are committed to raising awareness about how to (keep children safe).”

For additional safety tips, fliers and activity pages for children, visit ShrinersHospitalsforChildren. org/SafeSummer. Should an injury occur, the physicians and staff of Shriners Hospitals can help. To

Shriners Hospital for Children on USF’s Tampa campus has one focus this summer — help keep kids safe while they’re enjoying their break from school. find out more about the treatments deductible to the fullest extent permitavailable, visit ShrinersHospitalsfor- ted by law.

Children.org. To make an appointMore than 50,000 children have ment, call 1-(888) 665-5437. received orthopaedic specialty care in a family centered environment at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa About Shriners Hospitals since its opening in October 1985.

Shriners Hospitals for Children The hospital continues to focus on is changing lives every day through providing the highest quality pediatric innovative pediatric specialty care, medical care to children regardless of world-class research and outstanding the families’ ability to pay and relies medical education. With 22 locations on the generosity of donors to deliver in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, its mission. The Tampa location is a Shriners Hospitals provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic con- major referral center for complex and highly specialized orthopaedic care for ditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and children throughout Florida and south cleft lip and palate. Shriners Hospitals Georgia. Visit ShrinersHospitalsforfor Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Children.org/Locations/Tampa for organization and relies on the genermore information. osity of donors. All donations are tax

President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association

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SPOTLIGHT ON... Farrell Carpet Cleaning!

Farrell Carpet Cleaning combines excellence in both customer service and the latest technology to keep your floors — whether carpeted or tile — and upholstery in pristine condition.

Located on Commerce Ave. in Port Richey (about 30 miles from most of New Tampa), the company has at least 60 vehicles on the road each day, ensuring that each customer’s needs will be met, regardless of their location.

This licensed and insured company can do everything — from a one-time visit to remove a red wine stain from a carpet to regular floor cleanings for the expansive offices of large companies. Trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC, an international organization that develops techniques and sets the standards for the industry worldwide), Farrell technicians target stains and dirt on carpets, upholstery, tile and grout and can eliminate pet urine odor and provide long- lasting solutions for floor care.

Cutting-edge technology and stellar customer service are the keys to the company’s success, says co-owner Tom Persinger, who owns Farrell Carpet Cleaning with his wife Jill. When you pull up FarrellCarpetCleaning.com, you can use an online tool that lets you choose from a menu of services to generate a quote and set up an appointment for a technician to visit your home or office.

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Farrell Carpet Cleaning’s technicians are certified in carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, water and flood restoration, odor control and stone and tile cleaning.

Tom explains that Farrell’s technicians attend a five-day training session at IICRC, culminating in a test in order to obtain their certification.

Tom believes it’s an investment well worth making in his staff. The company prides itself on being a IICRC-Certified Master Textile Cleaner.

Farrell Carpet Cleaning also has introduced Ms. Twister Maid Service, a home cleaning company to focus on cleaning entire home of Farrell’s customers.

Farrell Carpet Cleaning is located at 6840-B Commerce Ave., in Port Richey.

For more info, visit FarrellCarpetCleaning.com, call (727) 772-7553 (SPARKLE), email FarrellCarpetCleaning@ gmail.com or see the ad on pg. 8.

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33

la Pink Boutique – Shopping At Its Best Right Here In New Tampa!

By Matt Wiley

For clothes and customer service you can’t find at the mall, visit la Pink Boutique in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve shopping center, off of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd, in New Tampa, next to Men’s Wearhouse.

Amy Crumpton owns la Pink, which opened in its current location in 2006 when Amy named it for her favorite color. “Everything in my world should be pink,” she laughs, but adds that the store offers much more than just her favorite color.

“We are a ladies boutique that offers clothing of all types,” Amy says.

“We have dresses for most occasions, although we don’t carry formal wear.

We currently have a great collection of summer styles, and we also carry shoes, jewelry, scarves and other items such as Vera Bradley totes, purses and backpacks.”

Meadow Pointe resident Marge Brush says la Pink is her favorite place to shop. “It’s a fantastic store with an incredible staff,” Marge says. “They are so nice and always greet me by name.

They make me feel so comfortable, and a little bit special, too.”

Marge says boutique shopping is often thought of as too expensive, and that many people think there’s not enough in a single store for them – or

34

that nothing will fit them — but none of that is true at la Pink. “It’s actually very affordable,” Marge says. “And there’s something for everyone, no matter what size you are.”

Marge likes to shop at the store with her daughter, Tracy Dachisen, who also lives in Meadow Pointe.

“I always find quality products at a great price,” Tracy says, “and I enjoy the entire experience from the moment I walk in the door.”

In addition to buying clothes for herself, Tracy says she likes to shop at the boutique for gifts for her son’s teachers, such as fun jewelry or Vera Bradley bags.

“My husband knows my favorite gift is a la Pink gift card!,” Tracy smiles.

Marge adds, “People who shop anywhere in that plaza, The Walk at Highwoods Preserve, should definitely stop in la Pink Boutique and see what you’ve been missing all these years.

If you don’t go in and see what they have, you’ll never know.”

Tracy says she and her mom are frequent shoppers of what Amy says is one of her most popular items: a line of bracelets known as Bourbon & Boweties. “These bangle bracelets are made locally in Brandon by an artist who has collected stones over many years of travel and began fashioning them into gifts for her friends. She started out

making bracelets in her garage and is now selling to Nordstrom’s.”

Amy explains that the bracelets include stones, coins, pearls and other decorations.

Because they are handmade, each one is unique.

“If you’ve traveled and have coins from the places you’ve visited, Bourbon & Boweties can make them into a bracelet for you,” Amy says.

“A couple of our customers have brought their items into our store and done just that.”

She adds, “We just started Amy Crumpton, the owner of la Pink Boutique in The Walk carrying these bracelets about at Highwoods Preserve shopping plaza (next to Men’s Weara year ago, and the number of house) invites you to experience true boutique shopping. them that we’ve sold is amazwear with interchangeable snap embeling.” You can see pictures of the Bourbon & Boweties bracelets in la lishments so ladies can change the look of their shoes without buying a new Pink Boutique’s current ad on page 45 pair. All they have to do is purchase a of this issue. new emblem and snap it onto the toes “Boutique shopping is different,” of their shoes. The designer was born Amy explains. “People come here and raised in Clearwater, and actu(instead of a mall) because they don’t ally came up with the concept for her want what everyone else has. What we shoes in a high school art class, and has offer here is unique.” now built a thriving business from her In addition to the Bourbon and original ideas.

Boweties bracelets, la Pink Boutique is la Pink also was the first boutique proud to offer many other items from to sell shirts, camis and leggings from local designers.

Lutz designer Tees by Tina, who now For example, the store carries has five stores of her own, in cities such Lindsay Phillips shoes, a line of foot-

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the store “pretty much every day,” Amy says, and keeps its products and specials front and center for customers who follow la Pink’s social media accounts.

“We’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,” Amy says, “and we’re constantly updating our social media to post a lot of pictures of items available in the store.”

She explains that they also keep a list of all the “crazy holidays,” as she calls them, so they can recognize them.

“For example, on ‘Zipper Day,’ we offered 30-percent-off anything in the store with a zipper.” Other “holidays” New Tampa’s la Pink Boutique carries a wide variety of gift items and apparel that you likely the store has created a special for include won’t find at the mall, many of which are made locally.

“Chocolate Day” and “Button Day.” Amy says these specials are only about what’s going on in the world,” as Sarasota and even Charleston, SC. says Amy. “If we’re going to spend our available on Facebook, so be sure to The Business Of Giving Back hard-earned money on something, why “like” and follow the store’s Facebook page to get these exclusive offers. Simply not do it helping people in bad situaAmy is passionate about supporttype in “la Pink Boutique Tampa” in the tions? We all have to work together to ing businesses that give back, so she Facebook search engine. You’ll know carries several lines of items in her store make a difference in the world.” you’ve found the right page if the adIn addition to these global imthat support people in need around dress is on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. pacts, la Pink is dedicated to supportthe world. For example, 31 Bits gives “Also, we expect to have our webing local schools. displaced women in Uganda an opsite live within a month,” Amy says, who “We donate to schools pretty portunity to combat their poverty by is excited to share the store’s offerings becoming artisans. Pilgrim Imports is a much whenever we’re asked,” Amy through this new channel, although she says. “Mostly, we provide items from line of “fair trade” gifts and ornaments notes that items in the store will not be the store to be used in supporting made in Thailand, and proceeds from available to purchase online. “If you see events, silent auctions and raffles.” these items help to send children to something you like online, we’ll gladly school. Simbi bracelets provide jobs for hold it for you until you can get to the the people of Haiti, and a portion of la Pink’s Staff store.” To find out when the website the sales is used to provide water filtrala Pink recently hired Emily Winis up and running, be sure to regularly tion systems throughout the country. gate, a University of South Florida stu“We’re all going through our dent who will graduate in August, as the check la Pink’s Facebook page.

In addition to Emily and Amy, the regular days and don’t always think store’s social media specialist. She’s in

staff includes two long-time employees who offer excellent customer service to everyone who walks through the door.

Of the nine years la Pink has been open, Judi Kusha has worked there for seven years and Lori Hairston has worked there for eight. With that kind of longevity, the sales group really works as a team and is very much in synch when it comes to both knowing the products and serving the customers.

Amy has lived in Hunter’s Green for the past 15 years, and lived in Tampa Palms before that. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Management from the University of Tampa in 1990. After opening la Pink in its current location in 2006, she expanded it in 2010, taking over the vacant space next door to approximately double the store’s size to its current 2,000 square feet.

“My plan is to stay put,” Amy says.

“I’ve been told to move my business to South Tampa because people think I’d do much better there, but I live in New Tampa and this is where I want to be.

New Tampa needs this type of shop, and embraces it.” la Pink Boutique (18035 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., in the same plaza as Best Buy), is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-5 p.m on Sat. It is closed on Sun. For more information, call 972-2862, “like” the la Pink Boutique Tampa page on Facebook or see the ad on pg. 45.

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37

New Tampa YMCA Provides Swimming Lessons To UACDC Summer Campers

By Matt Wiley

Smiles, screams of laughter and splashes soak the pool deck at the New Tampa Family YMCA (located off Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms) on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. In Florida, we’re technically always surrounded by water, and the ability to swim is something some Floridians take for granted.

However, some kids don’t get the chance to learn how to swim when they’re growing up. For that reason, the New Tampa YMCA has once again teamed up with the University Area Community Development Center (UACDC, located on N. 22 St., about two miles south of Tampa Palms) to give free swimming lessons to kids this summer.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about ten people die each day, nationwide, from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children age 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the U.S. Unintentional death in a motor vehicle accident is first.

As part of the UACDC’s “DreamCatchers” summer program, children ages 6-12 get to take part in swimming lessons at the New Tampa YMCA twice per week, where they learn the basics for getting around in the water, especially safety and drowning-prevention skills.

Following last year’s success, New Tampa YMCA executive director Monica Mirza said that the two organizations decided to expand the program this summer.

“We’re excited to be able to give kids the opportunity to learn more about water safety, drowning prevention and be able to have fun in the water,” Mirza explained.

“This year, we’re able to accommodate more kids. (UACDC) increased their camp size to 60 kids, so we’re accommodating all 60 for swim lessons.”

Mirza said that the New Tampa YMCA also is offering an eight-week session, instead of six weeks, like last summer.

“We get to give them the opportunity to have more fun over the summer, to experience the water and, hopefully, teach all the kids how to swim,” Mirza explained.

“The more time they get in the water, the more comfortable they’ll get with their new skills,” said New Tampa YMCA aquatics director Noel Russell.

Mirza added that, since most of the

University area is within four miles of the New Tampa YMCA, the organization wanted to be able to provide a resource that isn’t available at the 50,000-sq.ft. Development Center, which was founded by current Dist. 2 Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist (who also represents New Tampa).

“The kids (who use the center) don’t all have access to a pool, but there are a lot of retention ponds, so they’re at risk (for drowning),” Mirza said.

DreamCatcher counselor Delora Holcomb watched as her campers learned to scoop water with their hands while swimming. She explained that, in addition to swimming, the kids also take part in tutoring, games, arts & crafts, dance classes and music lessons to keep them busy throughout the summer.

Holcomb said that she works as a school social worker during the school year and spent time working with students at UACDC. She said she heard that the Center was hiring counselors and decided she wanted to help.

“It’s good that the YMCA has this partnership with (UACDC) because I feel like swimming lessons are an opportunity that our students wouldn’t have on their own,” Holcomb explained. “It’s really cool that the kids are able to come out and take part in this, especially because we’re in Florida, with all of the pools and beaches.”

Ronnie Oliver, director of development for UACDC, said he’s also excited to be in the second year of the partnership and hopes to continue the annual swimming lessons program.

“The kids love it,” Oliver said. “And, the parents are even more excited than the kids because their children are learning how to swim. Up in the University area, we have a lot of retention ponds and at a lot of the apartment complexes, there aren’t life-

UACDC summer campers enjoy swimming lessons on June 29 at the New Tampa Family YMCA, located off Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms.

guards on duty (at the pools). Now that the kids are learning how to swim, parents can be more comfortable with letting their kids go out to a pool.

DreamCatcher camper Jade, age 11, said that this wasn’t her first time in the water, but that she still was learning a lot, especially about kicking and floating. She said she’s looking forward to doing a lot more swimming this summer.

“The best part is jumping into the water,” Jade said.

For other campers learning to float, she even has some advice.

“Try to keep your legs straight and your feet pointed like a ballerina,” Jade said.

Oliver said that he’s looking forward to continuing to provide the opportunity to learn to swim to USF-area kids for years to come.

“We want to keep the partnership going,” he said. “I hope next year we can bring more kids. It’s all about having fun.”

The New Tampa YMCA also offers numerous other swimming programs, including group and private swimming lessons for kids of all ages.

For more info about the New Tampa Family YMCA and its other aquatics programs, please visit TampaYMCA.org.

For more info about the UACDC, please visit UACDC.org.

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Wesley Chapel Rotary’s 2015 ‘Freedom Fest’ Is The Best One Yet!

Wow, congratulations to event co-chairs Jeanine McLeod and Dr. Pablo Rivera and my entire Wesley Chapel Rotary Club (which meets Wed. at noon at Stage Left on S.R. 54 in Lutz) for hosting an incredibly successful fourth annual Freedom Festival, held again on July 3 at the Shops at Wiregrass mall.

With a crowd estimated to be larger than last year’s record 50,000 attendees and with the rain holding off the entire afternoon and evening, new club president Erin Meyer says she expects the total raised to be more than $25,000 for the club’s selected charitable causes.

“Jeanine, Pablo their amazing committee, our entire club and the Wesley Chapel community all deserve credit for this awesome event!,” Meyer said.

As for the festivities themselves, about 70 kids competed for the titles of Little Miss and Little Mr. Firecracker, which had two very young winners — Madelyn Moodie & Emmitt Jones, respectively.

Age group winners included Linley Bruce & Thomas Murtha (ages 3-24 months old); Mikaila DeLucco & William Pickering (2-4 years); Eva Covey & Noah Zabel (5-8 years). The pageant was sponsored by the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC).

The “Best Overall” winners in the annual Bike Decorating Contest, sponsored by Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, were Kyle Crawford (for ages 3-5), Katelyn Garmas (ages 6-8) and Cloe Varga (ages 9-11).

The Club also thanks Ierna’s Heating & Cooling, which sponsored the always-fun Watermelon Eating Contest and LOL Transport & Moving, which sponsored the evening’s awesome fireworks display. — GN (Top row, l.-r.) The awesome fireworks display was sponsored by LOL Transport & Moving. Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel sponsored the Bike Parade. Eva Covey received a “Most Original” award from Pasco County commissioner (and bike contest judge) Mike Moore. (Middle row, l.-r.) New Wesley Chapel Rotary president Erin Meyer (in yellow) was among the many enjoying the kids Watermelon Eating Contest, sponsored by Ierna’s. The top three adult watermelon eaters. The new Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel (see pg. 45) was one of several auto dealerships with booths and/or sponsorships at the event.

(Bottom row, l.-r.) Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Madelyn Moodie & Emmitt Jones, and some of their new friends. Some of these Freedom Fest photos were provided by OurTownFla.com.

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WCCC Tours New Mercedes-Benz Of Wesley Chapel Dealership!

It’s a classic symbol of wealth and, well, class. The Mercedes-Benz name is one of the most easily recognizable among luxury vehicles and there’s a whole building full of them minutes from New Tampa on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel that’s just as lush as the interiors of the company’s popular vehicles.

During the June 25 Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Economic Development Briefing, the group was able to take a tour of the new $18-million, 21,000-sq.-ft. Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel showroom that is decked out head to toe in luxury. From the glass front wall looking out to S.R. 56 to the service drive-up area, the entire building makes you want to be in a Benz.

The Wesley Chapel location (at 2382 Willow Oak Dr.), which opened in April, is the 20th Mercedes dealership for Ft. Lauderdale-based AutoNation, which owns more than 280 dealerships across the U.S. “This place had to meet the MercedesBenz standards,” said fixed operations director Steve Coad, who directed the tour for WCCC members. “Everything in here is quality, even the restrooms...even the technicians’ restrooms.”

Coad (photo, bottom right) said that the dealership had budgeted to sell 45 cars in its second month of business, “but we actually sold 103 vehicles.” He added that the capacity of the lot is about 350-400 cars per month.

The dealership’s waiting area is decked out with self-serve coffee, plush leather couches and massive flat-screen TVs.

Neighborhood News

The service area, Coad joked, “is cleaner than the showroom.”

With a capacity to work on 22 vehicles at one time, he says the service department is completely air conditioned and spotless. Exhaust fumes are pumped “out of the garage” and each vehicle is washed and detailed on-site for each customer. “You’ll never see a cleaner shop than ours,” Coad added.

WCCC exec. director Hope Allen said that the EDC members definitely were impressed with the new dealership.

“Wesley Chapel has arrived, and in style,” Allen said.

For more information, stop in at the dealership (and please tell them we sent you!) or visit MBWesley Chapel.com. — MW

@NTWCNews

(Clockwise from top left) The new Merecedes-Benz Wesley Chapel (top left) has an amazing customer waiting area, an immaculate service area and a beautiful showroom.

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J H CALL JIM AND CONSIDER IT DONE

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • July 18, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com @NTWCNews Executive Realty Neighborhood 10948 North Central Avenue, Tampa, FLFlorida 33612 Phone: 813-971-5600 Fax:News 813-971-5656 www.bdchs.org

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47

Café Olé Restaurant & Tapas Bar New Tampa’s Place For Spanish (Cuisine), Seafood & Salsa!

By Gary Nager

It’s been the winner of my favorite restaurant in New Tampa the last couple of years and it’s always done pretty well in our annual Reader Dining Survey, so I’m still kind of surprised when people tell me that they’ve never heard of or never tried Café Olé Restaurant & Tapas Bar in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Kinnan St. Café Olé is more than just New Tampa’s only place for authentic Spanish cuisine, it also has the best and freshest fish and seafood and the only truly “continental cuisine” in our area.

I’d think those facts alone would make Café Olé New Tampa’s favorite restaurant, but if not, I hope the pictures and descriptions on these pages will convince everyone who still has never tried Café Olé to (finally!) check it out for themselves for lunch or dinner.

Owner Frank Aliaga, who still regularly travels back and forth to his native

country, has been the owner of Café Olé for as long as it’s been in business and he keeps expanding the place to where there are now several different dining areas, plus a new sports bar area (there’s always soccer playing on many of the TVs, although patrons are allowed to watch other sports, too).

But, Frank promises that Among our editor’s favorite special dishes at Café Olé Restaurant the Spanish food and Tapas Bar pictured on this page are the fresh red snapper in at Café Olé is lemon and butter (above) and the filet mignon kabobs (below). Top authentic — from photo by Jayne Baker. his great variety was homemade veal ravioli, featuring of tapas to his incredible entrées — but whether you feel five or six large, overstuffed raviolis topped with fresh mushrooms and a like having a great steak or lamb dish, zesty mushroom gravy, garnished with chicken, pork, veal, fish, shellfish or vegetarian, just about everyone can find fresh basil. My other favorite starters at Café Olé include the almejas Castillas something they’ll love at Café Olé. (or little neck clams sautéed in garlic, Amazing Tapas onion and white wine) and the tradiThere’s always a great variety of tional albondigas Navarette, which are tapas — the traditional Spanish appetiz- baby meatballs slow cooked in a red ers that started the whole “small plates” wine reduction sauce and served with trend in American restaurants — at Café sautéed red peppers and mushrooms.

Olé. In addition to the nearly 20 hot And, just in case those tapas items and cold tapas items on the menu, there don’t sound appetizing enough for are always a few different tapas specials you, try dipping Café Olé’s always fresh that change daily. bread, which is crunchy outside, hot During our recent visit, photogand soft on the inside (and served with rapher Jayne Baker raved about the pre-softened butter) in any of those gambas al ajillo (jumbo shrimp sautéed sauces. Warning: Taste explosion! in garlic, crushed red pepper and virgin Whether you think you enjoy olive oil). I can’t eat the shrimp, but octopus or not, I suggest trying either Jayne marveled (before polishing off the hot or cold octopus tapas options at the whole thing herself), “This is a small Café Olé before dismissing this delicious plate? There’s like seven or eight really sea creature out of hand. I particularly large shrimp in this dish.” loved an octopus tapas special at Café One of the tapas specials I enjoyed Olé because the octopus was sliced so

thin it literally melted in your mouth.

There’s plenty of authentic Spanish potato tapas options on the menu, too, although I get enough carbs from just the bread, so I can’t really make any recommendations, although I know the items are popular. My shrimp-eating friends also enjoy Café Olé’s shrimp and fish ceviche and special tapas items like the crab meat quesadillas, filet mignon

813-345-2515 48

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A r s l c ( p

Sauces To Die For!

As for the entrées, my first choice at Café Olé is always to hear the fresh fish special of the day and it never lets me down. For example, on my most recent visit, I was able to enjoy fresh red snapper sautéed with fresh tomatoes and hearts of palm in an amazing lemon butter sauce. The dish also came topped with large shrimp (as pictured on the previous page), but if I’m getting the dish myself, I’ll of course order it without shrimp or with the shrimp served separately if someone else at the table can enjoy it. If there’s fresh grouper, flounder, corvina or sea bass on the specials list and you feel like fish, get it. My favorite fish item on the actual menu is the fresh filet of flounder, sautéed with onions, garlic, olives, capers and finished in a riojana tomato sauce. Mmmm.

Of course, the most popular seafood dishes at Café Olé are the traditional Spanish paellas, also known as the “Especialidades de la Casa” on the menu, but the only one I’ve ever been able to sample is the one with chicken and chorizo sausage, as both of the others involve multiple kinds of shellfish I can’t eat and one “paella negra” even offers a variety of fresh seafood with Valencia rice and black squid ink. Other seafood options include mahi-mahi “Andaluz,” topped with shrimp and tomato bruschetta, salmon, a Spanish style bouillabaise and a seafood medley.

But, when I’m not Among our other favorite dishes at Café Olé include the veal enjoying the fresh fish at raviolis (top left) and gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic Café Olé, I’m a natural meat sauce) tapas (top right), the asparagus crostini (next row, eater and all four meat items left), the classic Spanish paella (next row, right), the veal on the menu — the NY chop special (above left) and rack of lamb in port reduction strip steak, sautéed veal with (above right) and the Spanish-style flan (left). Some of the mozzarella and marsala wine, photos on this page by Jayne Baker. chargrilled churrasco-style steak with chimichurri sauce tacos and asparagus crostini are also all and the “Parrillada Olé” (a mixed grill, outstanding. although I order it without shrimp, Even if you’re just looking for a also served with chimichurri) also are great salad, Café Olé has you covered, outstanding. with the ‘ensalada Olé” (house salad But, some of my favorite non-fish served with goat cheese and an excellent specials I’ve had at Café Olé include balsamic vinaigrette), a tasty Caésar and crusted pork chops, the rack of lamb, a tropical salad with Mandarin orange filet mignon kabobs and I did once sections and feta cheese. have an incredible grilled veal chop.

Any meat served with a brown sauce or red wine/port reduction at Café Olé is a surefire winner.

I also have enjoyed most of the chicken dishes on the menu, but the pollo Olé, topped with a yummy brandy cream sauce, is probably my favorite. There’s also a daily vegetarian special.

If you’re looking for an elegant, leisurely lunch, Café Olé’s lunch menu offers lunch portions of many of the dinner items, plus great sandwiches and there’s usually always at least one awesome fish and/or chicken or pork special every day as well.

For dessert, there are traditional choices like Spanish-style flan de la casa and tres leches, as well as a decadent New York-style cheesecake and more.

And, not only does Café Olé have a full, premium liquor bar and Spain’s own Mahou lager (and other quality beers) on tap (plus many Spanish and South American beers in bottles), it also has the best, priced-right wine list in our area. If you love Spanish red wines like Riojas and Tempranillos, you definitely should try the full-bodied Pesquera or Condada de Haza ribero del duero reds, especially if you’re having one of Café Olé’s many hearty meat dishes.

And, Café Olé recently improved its already-great Happy Hour, which is now every day, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Domestic drafts are just $2.20, imported and

micro-brewed drafts cost just $2.80 and house wine and sangria cost just $4.

There’s also different live musical entertainment (like the vocalists above) every Thur.-Sat. night and Café Olé is hosting a great Salsa Dance Social on Sunday, August 16, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Your $10 cover charge includes one free soda, draft beer or house wine, plus a one-hour salsa workshop at 7, followed by two hours of dancing. It’s a great way for adult couples or singles to enjoy a little Latin rhythm while getting your “True Taste of Spain.”

Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open every day for lunch and dinner at 11 a.m., and stays open until 11 p.m. Sun.-Wed., and until midnight Thur.-Sat. For more info, visit CafeOleRestaurant.com or Facebook.com/CafeOleRestaurant, call 907-5242 or see the ad on page 51.

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49

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

Legacy Assisted Living To Hold Grand Opening Aug. 6

The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve, New Tampa’s first assisted living facility, invites the public to attend its official Grand Opening on Thursday, August 6, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., with a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:15.

The Legacy touts itself as “assisted living like you’ve never seen before” and staff will be on-hand to give tours of the technologically-advanced new building.

The event also will feature Caribbeaninspired cuisine, tropical drinks, dessert and live music from the Jose Valentino Band. Don’t miss out!

For more info, please visit LegacyAtHighwoodsPreserve.com or see their ad on page 55.

Stage Left To Host Second Comedy Night Aug. 7

It’s been a while since I’ve seen my friend and hysterical, Tampa-based standup comic Aniria Wilson perform live. In fact, the last time I saw Aniria on stage, she hadn’t yet married her new husband Joe Turney. My dear friend (and former Tampa Palms resident) Susan Saiger, Aniria’s writing partner and fellow rising standup star who got a legitimate ordained minister’s

license online, flew in from her Los Angeles home to marry the couple a month or two ago (photo below left).

Suzi may not be on hand when Aniria and two other funny joke tellers do two shows on Friday, August 7, at 7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m., at Stage Left Bar & Kitchen (located at 24400 S.R. 54 in Lutz, about two miles west of the new Tampa Premium Outlets mall), but I surely will be.

Also on the bill (for just a $10 per person cover charge) are funny guys John Murray and JB Ball, both of whom I’ve seen before, too. Whether you want to attend the early or late show, act fast. The last Stage Left Comedy Night sold out before the evening of the show. For more info, call 949-4334, visit StageLeftTampa.com or see the ad below.

Buffalo Wild Wings Opens To Hungry, Waiting Crowd!

If you drove by the new Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW, or “B-Dubs”) Wesley Chapel, located on S.R. 56, just east of Cypress Ridge Blvd., on the morning of July 6, you probably saw a mass of people wrapped around the building, tents and even a sofa (we’re told).

That actually was the line of more than 130 B-Dubs fans anxiously awaiting the opening of the new sports bar and restaurant that promised free wings for a year to the first 100 patrons through the door.

Word spread quickly through social media, as several commented that they would be calling off work that day for the occasion.

General manager Dana Balch said that some hungry locals were lined up by 2 p.m. the day before, waiting for the doors to officially open. “Everyone was really excited,” Balch said.

A WCCC ribbon-cutting was held on July 3 ahead of the grand opening to welcome the area’s newest chain restaurant.

Congrats to those who won their wings! Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 26725 S.R. 56. For more info, please visit BuffaloWildWings.com and when you visit, please tell Casey & Co. that you read about them in the New Tampa Neighborhood News!

New Restaurants Joining Cypress Creek Town Center

As the Tampa Premium Outlets continue to push toward a projected October opening date (see pg. 1), more restaurants have been announced for the Cypress

Creek Town Center (CCTC) Development of Regional Impact (DRI).

According to Pasco County officials, members of the county staff met on July 7 with representatives from Southwest Florida’s burger-and-beer favorite Ford’s Garage, which has locations in both Cape Coral and Ft. Myers. Representatives of Ford’s Garage are set to discuss a new 7,500-sq.-ft. location on the north side of S.R. 56 (the same side of 56 as BWW) along Wesley Chapel Blvd., although the exact location was not available as we went to press with this issue.

The county staff also met with reps from BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse on June 16. The popular American-fare eatery, which also has a location in the Citrus Park Town Center mall and two in Pinellas County, is in negotiations to bring a 7,500-sq.-ft. restaurant to the south side of the CCTC DRI, at the corner of S.R. 56 and Grand Cypress Dr., which winds through the development past the outlet mall and connects S.R. 56 to the planned Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension.

In addition, representatives from the popular drive-through Chinese restaurant Panda Express also met with county staff on June 16 to discuss plans for a 2,600-sq. ft. site at the corner of Grand Cypress Dr. and Sun Vista Dr., which runs parallel with the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension.

Stay tuned to NTNeighborhood News.com as we follow these and other developments in our area.

Fuccillo Group Takes Over WC’s Kia Dealership

The Fuccillo Automotive Group, the largest automobile dealership in New York state, which has 25 dealerships and 31 franchises with locations across New York and Florida, has opened its second Florida dealership and first in the Tampa Bay area.

Fuccillo Automotive Group owner Billy Fuccillo recently finalized the purchase of the former Precision Kia building and

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50

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lot at 28555 Wesley Chapel Blvd. The space was converted into Fuccillo Kia of Wesley Chapel, which opened for business on June 1.

“Our first Florida dealership, Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral, is currently the No. 1 Kia dealer in the world, and is known for providing great service and a huge selection of cars while offering customers the lowest prices around,” said Fuccillo. “We’re excited for Fuccillo Kia of Wesley Chapel to be just as huge in the greater Tampa Bay area.”

Fuccillo was first welcomed into the Kia President’s Club in 2009 as one of 15 dealers nationwide to achieve the highest overall sales volume and outstanding customer satisfaction. Fuccillo has been a member of the Kia President’s Club every year since 2009.

Fuccillo Automotive Group plans to eventually create up to 100 jobs with the opening of Fuccillo Kia of Wesley Chapel.

Interested job candidates can send their resumes to applications@fuccillo. com. Or, for more information, visit Fuccillo.com. — MW

‘Final Friday’ & Outlet Mall GM At WCCC Breakfast

Although the calendar is a lot less busy until next month, there are two great WCCC events you should consider attend-

ing within the next couple of weeks.

The first is another “Final Friday” free afternoon networking event on Friday, July 31, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., at Stage Left Bar & Kitchen in Lutz. Bring your business cards, your appetite and your thirst and stick around for the evening’s musical entertainment — the NaTL Act — at 8 p.m.

The second Chamber event is an exciting Monthly Business Breakfast, on Tuesday, August 4, 8 a.m., at Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC)’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. The guest speaker is the general manager of the Tampa Premium Outlets mall, Stacey Nance.

As of this writing, the exact date and time of the Outlet Mall’s planned job fair (see story at bottom of page 1) hadn’t been set, but it almost definitely will be set by the time of the breakfast. In addition, many more (if not all) of the planned stores and restaurants at the mall may be announced by the time of the breakfast, so this one is a must-attend for you shopping and dining enthusiasts! The cost to attend the breakfast is $15 for WCCC members if you book and

pay by Friday, July 31, or $20 at the door and for all non-Chamber members.

Since our last issue went to press, we were able to attend a few WCCC ribbon-cutting events. One that should have made it into our last issue was the June 4 ribbon cutting at Wesley Chapel Rotary Club (Clockwise from top left) Kelly Mothershead’s A Focus on Fit(see page 41) immediate past president Kelly Mothershead’s ness Transformation Studio (June 4), ItWorks! Body Wraps A Focus on Fitness Transfor- & TapSnap Phototainment (June 23) and RejuvaMed (June mation Studio in the Seven 18), all have held WCCC ribbon-cutting events since our last Oaks Professional Park located New Tampa issue went to press. off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. and the joint WCCC ribbon cutting (held Call 344-3325 or visit Facebook. at the Grow Financial Credit Union com/A Focus on Fitness for appointbranch on BBD Blvd. in Wesley Chapel) ments and more info. for It Works! Body Wraps and TapSnap We also attended the ribbon-cutting Phototainment. events on June 18 at RejuvaMed, the For membership and other info Center for Dry Eye & Hormonal Disabout the WCCC, visit WesleyChapel orders, LLC (the office of Dr. Kenneth Chamber.com, stop by the Chamber ofAndronico, D.O.), located at 28945 State fice (6315 Wesley Grove Blvd., #105) or Road 54, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel, call 994-8534. — GN

Restaurant & Tapas Bar

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51

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HELP WANTED REAL ESTATE AGENT - Award-winning Real Estate team with an overflow of serious buyer leads is seeking to hire talented experienced and motivated full time real estate agents whose desire is to earn more money, expand their horizons and have a fulfilling life. Great training available..

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MEDICAL BILLER - Spanish-speaking Medical Biller wanted for New Tampa Medical Equipment Company. Duties: Gathers billing information by reviewing patient records; checking for completeness. Bills insurance carrier by inputting billing info to database; initiating electronic transmissions. Resolves disputed claims by gathering, verifying & providing additional information; following up on claims. Resolves discrepancies by examining and evaluating data; selecting corrective steps. Skills/Qualifications: Data Entry Skills, Microsoft Office Proficiency, Time Management, Organization, Professionalism, Customer service and Attention to Detail.

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52

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HELP WANTED

HANAQ PRANA YOGA STUDIO, located in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, is looking for RYT Yogis who want to grow and teach our community the vast benefits of Yoga & Meditation. Flat fee plus percentage of attendance. Rates based upon experience, new RYTs are always welcome. Join the movement create conscious about the real Yoga LifeStyle. (813)-333-1026 PART TIME POSITION (30 hours per week) available for laborer. Duties include general workshop work. Salary neg. depending upon experience.

Contact Louise: 813-777-4563 / 813-991-5274

Part-time Community Representative to greet guests, assist in the coordination of marketing programs/events, prepare reports, and attend various special events.

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary.

Proficiency in Microsoft products and Outlook also are required. Must be available to work weekends.

Send resume to: kcuervo@crown-tampa.com.

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Agent: Alex Duff (727) 366-1195 alexduff@enterdine.com www.wesellmainstreet.com

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PET SERVICES

CAT SITTING - Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you are away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. You can submit a service inquiry at TampaCatLady.com or call 813-994-9449.

VACATION KITTY CARE - Leave those fluffy loved ones in the comfort of their own home!

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POOL SERVICES

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Neighborhood News

EDUCATION / BABYSITTING

TUTORING - Infinite Edge is located in Tampa Palms & offers tutoring in all subjects, including Math, English & SAT, ACT & FCAT tests, 1st-12th grade. We also offer AP classes and last year, our students scored a 5 on any AP subject in which we helped. Please call (813) 971-6500.

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CLEANING SERVICES

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

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ERRANDS & PERSONAL SVCS

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New Tampa (813) 991-7500 FloridaMortuary.com Neighborhood News

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Lightning High School Hockey League Registration Officially Open

By Matt Wiley Ice hockey is a big deal in our area right now. Maybe it has something to do with our own Tampa Bay Lightning making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last month for the first time since 2004. It could also have to do with the fact that Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI), which will be the largest recreational skating facility in the state, is about to open in a few months in nearby Wesley Chapel, off S.R. 56 near the I-75 interchange. Either way, if your Freedom or Wharton high school student is interested in hitting the ice this next school year, registration officially has begun for the new Lightning High School Hockey League (LHSHL).

According to a press release from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the puck officially dropped for LHSHL registration on July 1. The release says that the Lightning organization will now be responsible for all aspects of high school hockey in the region, including admitting teams to the LHSHL, registering players, scheduling practice ice and games, securing on-ice officials, administering supplemental discipline (suspensions, fines outside of on-ice penalties, etc.), conducting championship playoff brackets and All-Star game(s) and overseeing all aspects of LHSHL operations.

The LHSHL website explains that the league originally was known as the Florida High School Hockey Association (FHSHA). However, in April 2015, the FHSHA member teams voted to turn over

control of the league to the Tampa Bay Lightning, which officially took over on May 1. The Lightning organization saw taking over high school hockey in the area as a way to become more involved in the community, says Lightning spokesperson Brian Breseman.

“The Lightning have always shown a great interest in community hockey,” Breseman explains. “Since former Stanley Cup-wining Lightning general manager Jay Feaster took over as executive director of community hockey development, the organization will continue to put more of its resources into (community hockey).”

Breseman says that, although the Lightning is just now taking over high school hockey in the area, the organization has been involved since the beginning and Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa regularly plays host to the high school hockey championship and all-star game.

“This is a good situation for the long term for high school hockey,” says FHCI developer and Wiregrass Ranch High hockey coach Gordie Zimmermann. “With our facility coming online, a lot of components will be held there.”

In addition to games, Zimmermann says he’s already received a letter of intent from the Lightning to hold future hockey training camps and high school tryouts at FHCI. He says that with the Lightning taking over and with more facility space, a junior varsity program also is being added.

“In the past, a lot of kids would try

out, but many couldn’t get on a team, so they just didn’t play,” Zimmermann explains. “The new JV program will help with that.”

Zimmermann also says he expects to see an increase in youth ice hockey in our area, thanks to the Lightning’s recent Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Breseman agrees, “I don’t have a crystal ball, but (the 2014-15 Stanley Cup run) could The new Lightning High School Hockey League, which includes have a positive impact on Freedom, Wharton & Wiregrass Ranch (picture) high schools, interest (in high school is registering players now for the 2015-16 season. hockey).” varsity or junior varsity team. Breseman says The press release that if a student’s high school isn’t one of states that the high schools participating the eighteen in the league this school year, in the inaugural season of the LHSHL are that student still can register and will be asBerkeley Prep in South Tampa, Bloomingdale, Countryside, East Lake, East Manatee, signed to a school in their appropriate zone.

While the Lightning now is in charge George Jenkins, Jesuit, Mitchell, Newsome, of high school hockey, players still are Palm Harbor, Plant, River Ridge, Sarasota, responsible for providing their own skates Seminole, Steinbrenner, Wiregrass Ranch, and pads.

Wharton and Freedom.

The teams for the 2015-16 season All interested high school players, —which runs from September-February — including those entering high school as are set. But, if additional schools want to freshmen, can register online at Lightning get in for the following season, all they have HighSchoolHockeyLeague.com. Once to do is register, Breseman says. registered, students will be contacted by For more info, please visit Lightning their respective schools and given the opHighSchoolHockeyLeague.com. portunity to try out for either their school’s

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