Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Issue 22, Oct. 24, 2015

Volume 23 Issue 22

Inside:

Your Last Chance To Enter Our 2015 Dining Contest!

See page 35!

October 24, 2015

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

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

For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this Wesley Chapel issue by direct mail, see page 42!

Great Weather & Fun At The 2015 Wesley Chapel Fall Festival!

With amazing weather that featured an ongoing cool breeze and low humidity despite high temperatures all weekend, the seventh annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, sponsored by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) may or may not have set its two-day attendance record, but it was still an amazing opportunity to check out some great entertainment (Wesley Chapel Nissan sponsored the main stage of entertainment, which featured outstanding performances by a number of local artists), enjoy some awesome activities for kids and even enjoy delicious fair-style food from a unique assortment of food trucks. There also were plenty of business and crafts vendors on hand, too.

A major highlight of the weekend was once again was the Little Miss & Mr. Pumpkin Patch Contest, which was again put on by the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club & sponsored this year by Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. Although I was unable to attend the Festival on Saturday, I was on hand all day Sunday and was stunned to see how many dogs were adopted by the various pet (there were also cats available) adoption agencies the previous day. The word from WCCC CEO Hope Allen was that virtually all of the puppies that were brought out for adoption on Saturday went home with new owners.

“We had another great weekend of fun at the 2015 Fall Festival,” Allen said afterward. “We can’t wait until next year!”

For more photos and info, visit WCNeighborhoodNews.com. — GN

(Clockwise from top left): The winners of the Little Mr. & Miss Pumpkin Patch Contest, sponsored by the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary & Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. The ‘kids in the plastic bubbles’ attraction was popular all weekend. Lots of pumpkins and Indian corn were sold. Young guitarist/singer Mike McDonald & classical pianist James Williams were among the favorites of the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival’s entertainers.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, as always, there are several local events that help raise money that goes towards research for a cure for the disease that has killed millions and has affected virtually everyone in some way. One of the biggest of these events across the nation each year is the American Cancer Society (ACS)’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” 5K walk, which will again be held locally on Saturday, October 24, at the Shops at Wiregrass mall.

“We are thrilled to be back at the Shops at Wiregrass,” says Making Strides Pasco

spokesperson Cindi Crisci. “(The mall is) a wonderful partner. Our participants love this venue.”

At our press time, 798 people on 154 teams already were on board for the Wiregrass “Strides,” and had raised more than $51,000 for the cause, including “Clerks For A Cure,” the office of Pasco County comptroller and clerk of court Paula O’Neil (who is a breast cancer survivor herself), Walmart, Florida Cancer Affiliates and the American Health Institute.

“It’s not too late to form a team and join us,” Crisci says, adding that the event

It’s Not Too Late To ‘Make Strides Against Breast Cancer’ On Oct. 24!

Also Inside This Issue!

News, Business & Sports Updates

Neighborhood Magazine

Tampa Premium Outlets Opens Oct. 29, Arrests Made In WC Auto Burglaries, The Problem With Coyotes & Lots Of Local Business Features!

Le Macaron Brings French Favorites To The Wiregrass Mall, How To Get Private Label Wines From Time For Wine, Plus More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 3-30

Pages 31-44

once again will feature a “sponsor row,” with entertainment provided by Wesley Chapel Rotary Club member John Jay’s Finest DeeJays. Ann Kelly from WDUV-FM (105.5) will be this year’s emcee and Cantina Laredo (also located in the mall) will be hosting the annual Survivor Breakfast.

Crisci says that she is pleased to announce that the law firm of Kemp, Ruge and Green is the 2015 event’s Pink Premier Presenting Sponsor.

This year, local pink-bra-wearing participants will march a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course that will take them from the mall out to and around Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) twice and back to the mall (there also is a 3K, or 1.8-mile course available). The Wiregrass event is just one of about 300 ‘Making Strides’ walks that raise more than $60 million across the U.S. each

year and last year (photo), the local event raised more than $195,000. Organizers hope to raise even more this year.

To participate, visit MakingStrides.

ACSevents.org & enter your zip code.

Check Out Our Revamped Website & Condolences To Nikki & Jeff An editorial by Gary Nager For those of you who haven’t been checking out either our page at Facebook.com/Neighborhood News or our website (NTNeighborhoodNews.com) or both every day, you’ve been missing out on daily posts and news you won’t find anywhere else.

When we first started building our website a couple of years ago, we were lucky to average 10,000 “hits” a month, but recently, both assistant editor Matt Wiley and I have had posts that have surpassed that number of views on Facebook and/or our website in a single day — even before we decided to make a recent, much-moremobile-friendly upgrade to it.

We brought in more than one other online marketing firm to pitch our upgrade, but we have been truly thrilled with our ultimate choice — The Crush Agency, which has offices in King of Prussia, PA, and now in Tampa, after merging with president Liane Caruso and her Limelight Marketing Consultants earlier this year. Liane has been our liaison throughout the process, which included “fixing” all of our already-existing content to make sure that content is all in the proper, mobile-friendly format, plus adding some new social media “stuff.”

Please feel free to check out TheCrush Agency.com after you see all of the new goodies and additions Liane and her amazing crew have made to our site.

The revamped Neighborhood News site has six “buttons” at the top — Editorial, Dining & Entertainment, Advertising, The Team, Calendar and Subscribe.

Under “News,” you’ll find a drop-

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

John C. Cotey • Celeste McLaughlin • Anu Panchal

Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Chelsie Rosatone Office Assistants Undreya Billups • Jillian Reilly Advertising Sales Rep Mary Dorey

Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 23, Issue 24, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, November 9, 2015.

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

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

© 2015 JM2 Communications, Inc. 3

down menu offering easy access to the most recent “New Tampa” and “Wesley Chapel” news stories (both online and in the print editions), plus my most recent page 3 “Editorials,” as well as an “Archives” button that allows you to access every story we’ve run from this year, all the way back to July 2011.

Under “Dining & Entertainment,” you’ll find drop-down options to enter this year’s “Reader Dining Survey & Contest,” and another to see last year’s “Dining Survey” results, plus buttons for our New Tampa and Wesley Chapel dining stories, as well as our most recent (since April of this year) “Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes” items, “Out of Area” dining & entertainment stories and a button for “Videos,” which are coming soon (see below).

The “Advertising” button has options to “Request Advertising Information” for our publications and on our website and social media. You also can “Manage” your existing advertising account, purchase and create “Classifieds,” and get some great “Ad Insights” to help make your ads look better and get better results, so you get the best “bang” for your advertising bucks with us.

“The Team” button introduces you to each member of our full- and part-time staff, including our freelance writers. This has traditionally been the most “clicked on” section of our site, and we genuinely appreciate that all of you seem to want to get to know all of us a little better.

The “Calendar” section of our site is still being finalized by Liane & Co., but when we roll it out (I’ll update you in these pages about it, as well as online), it will basically give you access to every local event for which we have information, including the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, the various New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Rotary Club meetings and events, as well as all of the governmental and other meetings and events being held in our area.

So, if you send us information about your church, PTA, sports team or other local event, even if we can’t include the info in these pages, we will not only have them on the Calendar, but also post Facebook and other social media updates to help build

interest and attention in your events.

The final button is our “Subscribe” button, which allows those who may not live in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel — and those who work in the area but don’t live here — to have copies of our issues mailed to them shortly after each issue hits our alldirect-mail homes, apartments and businesses. So please, check it out and let us know what you think! For more information, please visit NTNeighborhoodNews.com!

RIP, Daffny & Dakota

When long-time Neighborhood News GM Nikki Bennett & her husband Jeff went away for a friend’s wedding the weekend of Sept. 26, they dropped two healthy dogs (Daffny & Dakota) off at their veterinarian’s office — All Creatures Great & Small in Lutz

— to board them for the weekend. When they came back, they were told both of their beloved beagles had died of heatstroke, the only two pets in the kennel’s care who died.

“Our dogs were dead, but it was almost harder for us to hear that Florida law considers pets to be property, not members of your family,” Nikki said. “Something has to change in Tallahassee.”

Considering how hard it is for anyone to say no to Nikki, and the fact she and this publication are friends with several lawmakers in Tallahassee, don’t be surprised if something does change...soon.

RIP, Charlie Kelly

I’m also sad to announce that our friend and Wesley Chapel celebrity Charlie Kelly passed away on October 11. RIP, Charlie.

You’re already missed.

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.............................4-19 Tampa Premium Outlets Ready To Open............4 Arrests Made In WC Auto Burglaries......................6 Wesley Chapel News Briefs.............................8 No Serious Injuries In New River Bus Crash Business Burglars Busted In WC Sen. Legg, Rep. Burgess Hold Town Hall Meeting Vision 54/56 Task Force Holds First Meeting.......10 Former WC Resident Helps Control Area Wildlife...12 Rotary Builds Playground At Camp Florida.......16 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar..............18 Local Golf Tourneys To Benefit Vets..............19 Local Business Updates.......................22-27 Rejuva-Med Treats Eyes, Hormone Disorders.....22 Clean-it’s Personal Touch To Homecleaning......24 Elite Roofing Services Builds Quality Roofs...........26 Local Sports Update.................................28 WCH, WRH Hosting Unique Fun Runs

Neighborhood Magazine.....31-44

Le Macaron French Pastries..........................31 Time For Wine Knows Good Vino................32 Enter Our 2015 Dining Survey/Contest...35 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’...38 Wesley Chapel Color Classifieds..............40 ‘Martial Arts For Life’ Fundraiser.................42

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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3

Tampa Premium Outlets Construction Wrapping Up Ahead Of Oct. 29 Opening

By Matt Wiley

The clamor of construction still echoes through the halls of the looming Tampa Premium Outlets off S.R. 56, but the stage is set for an impressive opening weekend Thursday, October 29-Sunday, November 1, for the shopping destination that seemed like it always was destined to never actually open.

While workers are the people frequenting the spaces that will be taken up by more than 100 stores on opening day, signs are going up and retailers are beginning to move into the nine buildings of the 441,000-sq.-ft. outlet mall, located just west of I-75.

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The central water feature of the “Key West”-style mall , or “lagoon,” as general manager Stacey Nance refers to it, was not yet filled, but most of the other exterior features were complete, or nearly complete, as the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News was among the media who took a preview tour of the mall on October 8.

“When I got here from Indiana, (the mall) was just concrete walls,” Nance explained to the second of two small groups who took the tour. “Seeing the mall’s transformation has been amazing.”

Nance says that she is expecting a “very full house” Tampa Premium Outlets GM Stacey Nance (below) gave several media tours of the nearly completed outlet during opening weekend with mall on October 8. TPO’s Grand Opening is set for the weekend of Thur., Oct. 29-Sun., Nov. 1. activities and specials available Nance added, explaining that Thurs.-Sun., which also will feature an appearance from reality TV star the outlet mall’s opening launches the 2015 holiday and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel (of “The Real Housewives of New York City” shopping season and is open in time for snowbird season fame and also the founder of Skinny Girl Vodka). Nance said it wouldn’t be surpris- (November-March), as well.

“We’re going to have ing to see “way more than 10,000 people some amazing giveaways and per day” during the opening weekend.

“This project has been in the making fun opening throughout opening weekend, but we expect for so long that people throughout the Tampa Bay area are really excited,” Nance consistent traffic throughout explained. “We know it’s going to draw a the holiday season,” she said.

For more info, visit Prelot of people here.” miumOutlets.com/Tampa.

And not just for opening weekend,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Arrests Made In Wesley Chapel Auto Burglaries, As Investigation Continues

By Matt Wiley The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reports that several suspects are in custody, following a spike in vehicular burglaries and thefts in the Wesley Chapel area.

During a press conference on October 9, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco announced the arrest of three individuals who were arrested for burglarizing cars in Wesley Chapel communities early on the morning of Oct. 8.

PCSO reports that Tampa residents Michael Eric Honor, Jr., 19, and Javares Shakur Buchanan and Rayvon Anton Young (both 18), were discovered burglarizing vehicles in the Lexington Oaks community, off Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54). A resident noticed a person walk in front of his home around 5 a.m. on October 8. He told deputies that he looked outside, saw the dome light in the suspect’s car on and went outside to confront the suspect.

Three suspects took off running and the resident noticed a suspicious vehicle — a white Mitsubishi Outlander — in front of his neighbor’s house, which turned out to be a vehicle recently reported stolen from Tampa. A PCSO K-9 unit responded and used the Mitsubishi as a starting point. The suspects soon were all found nearby. Honor had jumped on top of another SUV to hide from the K-9 deputy.

The three suspects are charged with committing 18 burglaries that night. At our press time, 35 auto burglaries have occurred, along with seven stolen vehicles, in Wesley Chapel between Oct. 1-Oct. 8, Nocco said at the press conference.

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Buchanan, Honor and Young were still in custody at the Land O’Lakes Detention Center, each in lieu of a $66,000 bond, at our press time. Honor and Young each are charged with 13 counts of auto burglary, one count of grand theft and one count of vehicle theft. Buchanan was charged with 10 counts of auto burglary, three counts of burglary of a conveyance, one count of grand theft and one count of auto theft.

“If you even think about coming to Pasco (to commit crimes), it’s a bad idea,” Nocco told the media during the news conference. “Stay away from us. (PCSO deputies are) going to make you hate us so bad that you won’t even want to drink Zephyrhills water.”

And, That’s Not All!

The Oct. 8 arrests were not the first ones made in the recent rash of auto burglaries and thefts.

PCSO reports that a 15-year-old (whose identity had not yet been released at our press time) also is in custody, following a high-speed chase that began in the Northwood community of Wesley Chapel and ended in south St. Petersburg, also on Oct. 8. PCSO reports that deputies were conducting surveillance of the area, which also has seen a spike in vehicle-related crimes, when they came across an auto burglary that was in progress at about 2:35 a.m.

PCSO deputies reportedly tried to make contact with the suspects, but they fled in three separate vehicles, entering southbound I-75 and eventually southbound I-275. The vehicles currently are

being described as possibly one white and one red sedan, as well as a white Toyota Camry, which was recovered in St. Petersburg.

The 15-year-old stopped the Camry at the intersection of Fairfield Ave. and 34 St. S., Tampa residents Michael Eric Honor, Jr., Javares Shakur Buchanan and just after 3 a.m., where Rayvon Anton Young were discovered burglarizing vehicles in the Lexinghe was arrested. ton Oaks community located off Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54).

All of the information released so far is considered preliminary, as in The Broadlands on Brokenmead Ct. All of the vehicles were parked in front of as the investigation is still ongoing. The 15-year-old’s identification is being withheld homes and showed no signs of forced entry, leading investigators to believe that the at this time, but PCSO officials say he is to doors of the vehicles were left unlocked. be charged as an adult with numerous auto Additionally, four auto burglaries ocburglary, grand theft and traffic charges. curred in The Preserve neighborhood of The cases are being considered separately.

Northwood, on Seabreeze Way and Caladesi The investigation began following a Dr. A burglary also was reported off Yardley night of more than a dozen automobileDr. in the Lakes at Northwood community. related crimes on Oct. 1, including stolen Each of these cases involved cars parked vehicles that were taken from right outside in front of homes with the vehicle’s doors of homes in relatively quiet neighborhoods, unlocked, PCSO reports. including Northwood and Meadow Pointe.

Citizens are urged to always remove That night, three vehicles were stolen from the Meadow Pointe I community from any valuables from their vehicle(s) and always lock the doors to those vehicles. neighborhoods along County Line Rd., one Anyone with info regarding this case is each from Openfield Lp. (in The Savanasked to contact PCSO at 1-800-706nahs neighborhood), Crooked Stick Ct. (in 2488 or (727) 847-8102. Tips also can The Arbors) and Dawn’s Break Pt. (in The be left at PascoSheriff.com by clicking Hammocks). Each vehicle was parked in a on the yellow ‘Submit Tip’ icon at the driveway and the keys were inside.

Deputies say that Meadow Pointe I also top of the page. Smartphone users also can submit tips by using the PCSO app, was the scene of 12 auto burglaries that ocwhich is available for both Android and curred in The Savannahs neighborhood on Apple devices.

Glade Fern Ct. and Openfield Lp., as well

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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WESLEY CHAPEL No Serious Injuries In New River School Bus Crash

In order to avoid accidents, it’s always important to be on the lookout for school buses on Wesley Chapel’s roadways, especially in the mornings and afternoons, when they’re usually carrying students to and from school. Luckily, no students were injured when a car and school bus collided recently off S.R. 54.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), at around 4:41 p.m. on Sept. 30, Lona Christina Prince, 45, of Plant City, was driving a Pasco County school bus carrying eight children from New River Elementary southbound on Dancing Bay Ln., inside the Ashley Pines community off S.R. 54, approaching the intersection with Ashley Pines Pl. At the same time, Terraine McCullough, 24, was driving a 2011 Cadillac CTS westbound on Ashley Pines Pl. and was stopped at the intersection with Dancing Bay Ln. FHP reports that Prince turned left, but entered the westbound lane, striking the front of the Cadillac, pushing it back several feet. In addition, the rear axle of the bus also was damaged.

FHP reports that no students were injured, but a bus aide, 47-year-old Zephyrhills resident Connie J. Barbieri, suffered a minor injury and was transported to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

Prince was cited for making an improper left-hand turn.

Business Robbers Busted

Four suspects are still in custody (at our press time, at least) for a recent rash of armed robberies in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and the surrounding areas.

During a press conference on September 24, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) announced that it had arrested the four suspects wanted for an equal number of attempted armed robberies that occurred between 1 a.m.-8 a.m. on September 23 at business in Tampa Palms, Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Land O’Lakes.

PCSO Sheriff Chris Nocco told reporters that Grand Hampton resident Isiah James McManus, 20; Lutz resident

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News Briefs Devin Page Shapland, 18; Dominic Justice Traina, 19, also of Lutz; and Evan Alexander St. Pierre, 20 (who lives in the Delano apartment complex off Cypress Ridge Blvd. in Wesley Chapel), all were involved with the four different robberies.

“They admitted to being high on drugs (opiates) at the time and they were running around pointing guns at people,” Sheriff Nocco said. “It’s unfortunate that they have such a reckless mindset.”

According to PCSO, the crime spree began at 1 a.m. at the Papa John’s Pizza, located just south of Tampa Palms in the Oak Ramble shopping plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa, where McManus, St. Pierre and Shapland tried to break in, but the suspects couldn’t get through the locked door. They then drove in a blue 2015 Toyota Camry to the Lutz Taco Bell (located just west of Collier Pkwy.), where Shapland also is an employee.

At about 2 a.m., McManus hopped out, while St. Pierre and Shapland went through the drive-through lane of the Taco Bell. Once they pulled away, McManus reportedly approached the window on foot with a revolver, wearing a ski mask. He tried, but failed to open the drive-through window and fled.

PCSO says that the trio then drove to the My Broken Phone store, located in front of Target on BBD at County Line Rd. in Wesley Chapel. McManus exited the vehicle, approached the storefront and fired five shots into the glass, trying to shatter it. But, the window did not break, so he fled back to the car.

At about 6 a.m., the trio then went to the CVS Pharmacy located at the intersection of S.R. 56 and BBD. St. Pierre reportedly entered the store to scout it out. He went outside, reported what he saw to McManus, then reentered the store and approached the cashier counter with

Dist. 17 State Sen. John Legg (left) & Dist. 38 State Rep. Danny Burgess hosted a town hall meeting on Oct. 14 at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, where they discusssed economic development, on-campus gun control, traffic issues & education with Wesley Chapel residents.

a drink and attempted to pay for it. At the same time, McManus entered the store wearing a ski mask and was brandishing a gun. St. Pierre ran out of the store while McManus demanded cash from the clerk, who emptied his register into a bag McManus was holding.

Then, just before 8 a.m., Traina drove McManus to the Circle K/Mobil gas station on S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes, about a half-mile west of where S.R. 56 meets Wesley Chapel Blvd. McManus entered the store and held a gun to the back of a store employee who was stocking a shelf. He forced the clerk to walk to the register and give him cash, which totaled more than $300. McManus then forced the clerk to the floor and fled to the Camry.

PCSO major crimes detective Mark Guteirrez says social media played a large role in identifying and locating the suspects, who were arrested at the Delano apartment complex on September 24. St. Pierre was found in possession of Xanax while being questioned by deputies.

While detained in a squad car, St. Pierre was somehow able to get his hands on marijuana and began to eat the pot in an

Isiah James McManus, Devin Page Shapland, Evan Alexander St. Pierre and Dominic Justice Traina are in custody for several armed robberies in and around Tampa Palms & Wesley Chapel.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

attempt to “destroy the evidence.” He was later informed that the drugs were from an unrelated case.

Shapland was found with a Xanax pill in his mouth while he was being booked into the Land O’Lakes jail.

McManus faces three counts of armed robbery, one count of armed kidnapping, one count of attempted armed robbery, one count of attempted armed burglary, as well as shooting into a public unoccupied building. He (and all three of the other suspects) were still being held at the Land O’Lakes Detention Center at our press timer; McManus’ bond is $762,000.

St. Pierre is charged with one count of armed robbery, two counts of attempted armed robbery, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence. He was being held in lieu of a $457,000 bond.

Traina faces one count of armed robbery and armed kidnapping, felony possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; his bond also was set at $457,000.

Shapland is charged with two counts of attempted armed robbery and one count of introduction of contraband for the pill in his mouth. He also was being held at the Land O’Lakes Detention Center on a $305,000 bond. “(Business owners should) warn customers there have been break-ins,” Sheriff Nocco said. “Be proactive. We need good camera systems out there to help us.”— MW

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Vision 54/56 Task Force Public Meetings To Discuss Future Of S.R. 54/56 Corridor

By Matt Wiley It’s no secret that the S.R. 54/56 corridor is a difficult drive these days. Whether you’re going a few miles from Wesley Chapel to Land O’Lakes, or all the way to New Port Richey, the 25-mile stretch from Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. to U.S. 19 can be a nightmare to traverse, and Pasco County transportation planners are looking into ways to improve the corridor with a new initiative called “Vision 54/56.”

During the next seven months, the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is holding meetings at Rasmussen College (18600 Fernview St. in Land O’Lakes) to gather input from the public to use while coming up with alternatives to improve the S.R. 54/56 corridor during the next two decades.

A part of the MPO’s “Mobility 2040” Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the Vision 54/56 study will be conducted using two “task forces,” one to study the corridor east of U.S. 41 to BBD (which includes the Wesley Chapel area) and another to study the area from U.S. 41 west to U.S. 19.

Each task force is comprised of nine individuals from local chambers of commerce and civic groups. The “east” task force that will represent Wesley Chapel includes Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) CEO Hope Allen, Sandy Graves of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Steve White of the Pasco Alliance of Community Associations, local Realtor Brent Nye (who is a member of the Pasco Economic Development Council), project developer Joe Cimino, MPO Citizen Advisory Committee members Christie Zimmer and Cliff McDuffie, as well as citizens-at-large Debby Catanzaro and former Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary president Kelly Mothershead.

The task force is tasked with coming up with a total of six alternatives for improving transportation along the S.R. 54/56 corridor, which is the same stretch of road for which a private developer proposed an elevated toll road in 2013. However, that idea officially was abandoned last May. Phase one of the Task Force aims to educate the public and facilitate possible solution alternatives, which will be presented to the MPO Board. Regardless of the alternative ultimately chosen, the corridor will not be widened further than six

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lanes, which already exists in many sections, including S.R. 56 through Wesley Chapel.

The first meeting of Phase One was held on September 24. In addition to Task Force members, Pasco Transportation Dept. manager Jim Edwards, chief assistant county attorney David Goldstein, transportation engineer Ali Atefi and other members of the MPO and county staff also were in attendance.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Edwards told the task force. “There is a litany of alternatives out there, probably about 19, and we’ll be narrowing those down.”

Edwards said that he hoped the task force would be visionaries and report what the citizenry thinks should be done.

As Edwards and staff went through a presentation of many of the alternatives that already have been identified — including raised express lanes, overpasses, express bus lanes, light rail and other options — Atefi said that Pasco’s population is expected to grow to 905,000 by 2040 (an increase of more than 446,000), with 135,000 people moving into the S.R. 54/56 corridor.

“That’s 35-percent of the county’s growth,” Atefi said. “Imagine if development moves faster.”

Executive planner Matt Armstrong also addressed the task force, encouraging members to take the job seriously and try to really look ahead.

“We can’t go backwards in development,” Armstrong said. “We have to make these decisions now. (Pasco is) not urban yet, but (it) will be. As urban planners, we try to look at the crystal ball and be ready.”

Phase Two will evaluate the alternatives submitted in Phase One and gather more public input about the alternatives.

The task force will then select a preferred alternative and develop an implementation plan to present to the MPO. “The first meeting was primarily an educational session to give everyone background on the challenges already addressed on the corridor and some previously proposed solutions,” Allen says. “I learned a lot and the county has done a lot of work to prepare for the future of that corridor.”

Allen explains that she and her fellow task force members have been armed with a lot of information to review about previous proposed projects, possible solutions and

corridor studies. She says that a much more in-depth conversation about the alternatives and possible solutions will take place at the next meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, again at Rasmussen College in Land O’Lakes. The public is welcome to attend and provide input to the task force.

The Vision 54/56 East Task Force discusses previous traffic studies For info, visit along the S.R. 54/56 corridor during its first meeting at Rasmussen College in Land O’Lakes on Sept. 24.

Vision54-56.com.

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11

Former Wesley Chapel Resident Helps Community Identify, Control Animal Populations

By John C. Cotey Chris Wirt doesn’t live in Wesley Chapel anymore, but he says he still has a soft spot for the area.

So, when the Westchase-based animal trapper received a call from a Quail Hollow resident concerned about recent coyote activity in our area, Wirt was more than happy to oblige by trapping and euthanizing the predator.

Assignments like that one, Wirt says, are becoming more and more common these days.

Coyotes are becoming a growing menace in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, he explains. Wirt says he has fielded calls from people who have seen coyotes in Meadow Pointe, Live Oak and even Tampa Palms.

“They’re everywhere,’’ he said Along with the handful of local sightings, there have also been recent reports of coyote activity in St. Petersburg and Valrico, as well.

Wirt says he gets 2-3 calls a month because a coyote has killed a family pet.

“They can be aggressive,’’ he said.

“Coyotes are like German Shepherds on steroids.”

In the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area, coyotes have been sighted in multiple areas. Wirt, 39, and a Wesley Chapel resident and fireman from 1999-2005, says he even once saw one crossing the street between the Publix on S.R. 56 and the Shops at Wiregrass mall around midnight.

But, when they invade people’s backyards, often in search of family pets to dine

on, that’s when Wirt is called in to help.

“They do keep to themselves, unless there’s no food source (where they are),’’ Wirt says. “They eat rabbits and possums and anything they can get ahold of, but when those food sources are gone, they will eat whatever they can find, and sometimes that can be your cats and dogs.”

Wirt recently posted a picture of two dead coyotes — one he trapped and another that a local homeowner trapped and killed — which caused something of a kerfuffle on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page. Because the images were deemed grisly, the post was taken down by a page administrator and Wirt himself was banned.

But Wirt, who actively answers questions on the Facebook page about all kinds of wildlife — from snakes to the bobcats we featured in our Sept. 26 issue — was reinstated a few hours later, thanks to an outpouring of support by the group’s other members, most of whom greatly appreciate his help.

“People will watch (gory zombie survival TV show) ‘The Walking Dead’ and they will watch blood and gore all day, but they don’t want to see what is happening in their own community,’’ said Wirt.

Wirt was born in Utah, attended high school in West Virginia, where he would catch critters for neighbors, and now resides in Florida. Two years ago, he bought an A All Animal Control franchise and became a trapper full-time.

“I didn’t get into this business to hurt animals,’’ says Wirt, who sympathizes with animals pushed out of their natural habitats

by developing communities and business growth. “We are encroaching on them, they aren’t encroaching on us.”

He recently trapped a coyote pup (photo), and handed it over to an education zoo. But it is against state law to relocate coyotes, which have to be euthanized.

“There’s a good reason for that,’’ says Gary Morse, Former WC resident Chris spokesperson for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Wirt (right) has been an important resource in dealing Commission (FWC). “If you have a coyote that has these bad with local wildlife issues, inhabits, re-releasing them some- cluding raccoons, coyotes and many others. where else is only relocating a problem.” generally replace themselves very quickly,’’ Morse explains that there are thouhe explains. “The best protection for small sands upon thousands of coyote sightings dogs and cats is not to let them roam about in the state, so it is not unusual to spot one, freely. Doing so is not a very responsible especially near heavily-wooded areas with model for pet ownership.” nearby water sources like Wesley Chapel and Morse suggests visiting MyFWC.com New Tampa. for more information about coyotes and “The coyote population is considerable, how to handle them. particularly in urbanized areas,’’ he says.

In the meantime, Wirt continues to “The coyote populations tend to be 3-5 field calls and requests about all kinds of times higher, frankly, because there tends to wildlife in the area, as people look for help be more food — like fruit, rodents and small identifying snakes and other unfamiliar pets — for them to eat.” animals. The more human expansion into nature, the more business there is for him in Morse says adults and children are our area. generally not at risk, but the problem of And one day, Wirt may have some help coyotes preying on home pets is “common while out on assignment: his 4-year-old son and nothing unusual.”

Hunter recently trapped his first squirrel.

And, Morse adds, trapping coyotes For more info about Wirt’s services, doesn’t eliminate the threat. visit AAllAnimalControl.com.

“You may get 1-2 coyotes, but they

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15

New Tampa Rotary & Friends Open Playground At Camp Florida!

By Gary Nager Congratulations go out to former Rotary Club of New Tampa president and current assistant district governor for Area 1 of Rotary District 6890 Peter Gambacorta, past District 6890 governor Gary Gunter and their fellow New Tampa Rotary club members who brought in funds from 18 other Rotary Clubs (and other sources) and an estimated 315 volunteers from several organizations to build (in one five-hour day, on Sept. 26), a 6,300-sq.ft., $100,000 wheelchair-accessible playground at Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon.

Camp Florida, which opened in June 1992, has a mission to, “provide special needs user groups with clean, safe, barrier-free camping facilities. Our vision is that we can provide the opportunity for all special needs people (children and adults) to experience the fun and enjoyment of camping.”

“Unfortunately, the playground at the camp had rotting wood and was falling apart,” Gambacorta says. “And, it wasn’t wheelchairaccessible anyway.”

An Idea Born In Costa Rica

Gambacorta says he first got the idea to build the playground at Camp Florida while he and a group of New Tampa Rotary and University of South Florida (USF) Rotaract Club members were on an international service trip to Costa Rica 18 months ago to build a playground in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Alajuela, Costa Rica.

“The playground we built there was basically an old construction dump site,” Gambacorta recalls. “It took 18 New Tampa Rotarians and USF Rotaract members all day just to clear the site of all of the debris. But, we turned it into a beautiful playground and the Rotary Club there has even improved it since we finished it. But, it made me think we could do something really special for Rotary’s Camp Florida.”

Gambacorta started his nest egg for the playground with a $3,500 donation from the Alajuela Rotary, which the Costa Rican club donated to their New Tampa brethren out of appreciation for building that playground in Central America.

“From there, we got $2,500 from the Rotary Club of Temple Terrace, $8,500 from District 6890 and a total of $25,000 in donations from 18 other Rotary Clubs,” Gambacorta says.

He adds, “We wrote the grant for matching funds from Rotary International, but the Trustees decided that too much money was

(Above) Peter Gambacorta (in white hat) & a cast of 300+ (right) were on hand to dedicate a new playground at Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon, which was built from scratch (below, right) in five hours, thanks to brigades of volunteers from several different organizations.

Dedication photos provided by the Sebring Sunrise Rotary.

going to playgrounds, so they decided ‘no more playgrounds’ while our grant was in process. We thought we weren’t going to be able to fund it.”

But, in March 2014, three months before Gunter became the District 6890 governor, “Gary said go ahead and do it,” Gambacorta remembers.

“Then, we met up with the people from KaBoom, the Washington, DC-based nonprofit that builds play places for kids across the country, and they put us in touch with the MetLife Foundation (located in the MetLife office complex in Highwoods Preserve, which sent a large number of volunteers to help build the playground), which helped us out even more financially.”

The Prep Work

Once the funding was in place, Gambacorta says the site, like the one in Costa Rica, had to be prepped. The Rotary Club of Lakeland South brought two Bobcat trucks to take down the old playground two weeks before the day of construction.

Then, four days before the sea of volunteers descended upon the camp, the Lakeland South Rotary again brought in heavy equipment to dig the holes to anchor the playground equipment, which had meticulously been measured by KaBoom contractor Gary Greene, who would then oversee every

aspect of the playground’s construction four days later.

And of course, Gambacorta did more than just lead the project. He also is the owner of The Private Chef of Tampa catering service, and he cooked (the day before) a unique, hearty breakfast for the volunteer playground “crew” featuring trays and trays of veggie stratas, noodle kugels and more for the 225 people he estimated would show up.

“KaBoom told us we needed 200 people, but I was amazed that we actually had 315 volunteers who made it into the camp to help us build,” Gambacorta recalled a few days later. “And I heard we had quite a few who got turned away because we ran out of parking spaces.”

Building The Playground

Gambacorta’s breakfast was over early enough that construction began by 9 a.m.

Those 300+ volunteers — including large

contingents from MetLife and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (including deputies, cadets and trainees), plus the Wesley Chapel Noon and other Rotary Clubs and organizations — were divided into teams, each handling specific tasks. There was a huge brigade whose job it was to haul 130 cubic yards (nearly 40 tons!) of mulch from where it was dumped at the camp to the playground. Other volunteers mixed concrete, while others put together different pieces of the playground equipment or built benches or painted walkway pavers. Yours truly was so moved I helped some of my fellow Wesley Chapel Rotary Club members haul the painted pavers in a wheelbarrow to their destination at the front of the playground.

Lunch was served by volunteers for Faces of Courage, a nonprofit organization which puts on camps (for cancer-stricken children and adults) at Camp Florida. New Tampa resident and OB/Gyn Dr. Elliot Ca-

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zes and his buddy (and cancer survivor) Rick Miller regularly provide full-blown catering for the Faces of Courage camps, so Cazes says, pressing all those Cuban sandwiches and providing all the fixins’ for more than 300 people, in three lunch shifts, Rotarians helping Rotarians was one of the main themes “was no big deal for us.”

When it was all over, less at the playground-building event. The Wesley Chapel Noon than five hours after the work Rotary (above) had a nice group on hand, helping out the New Tampa Rotary and USF Rotaract clubs (below). began and the playground (which also is specially designed to serve autistic children), was completed and dedicated, Gambacorta admitted, “I just can’t stop smiling.”

For more info, please visit NewTampaRotary.org.

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October 2015 Saturday, October 24

Howl ‘O’ Read Fall Book 24 Sale New River Friends of the Library is collecting ‘gently used’ books for all ages and book bags will be available to purchase from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the New River Library (34043 St. Rd. 54). The event will feature a craft corner, face paining and library cards will be available.

For info, call 788-6375

Monday, October 26

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Wednesday, October 28 Rotary Club Of Wesley Chapel (Noon)

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets Wednesdays at noon at Stage Left Bar & Kitchen (24400 S.R. 54, Lutz). For more information, call 862-8989 or 391-3895.

Thursday, October 29 Networking For

29 Your Success

The Networking For Your Success group meets Thursdays, 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Clubhouse (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). All are welcome.

Call 994-9944.

Experienced Networking 26 Professionals (ENP) NOPE Candlelight Vigil 29 Sponsored by Renew Pasco ENP meets Monday mornings at 8 a.m. for breakfast and networking at Quail Hollow Golf Immediate past WC Rotary Club president & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.).

For more information, call Brad Benson Kelly Mothershead will be the featured speaker at the NOPE (Narcotics Overdose Prevention & at 973-1814.

Education task force) Candlelight Vigil for those Professional Business 26 Connections (PBC) PBC meets Mondays at 7:30 a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz).

For more information, call Chris Thurow at 546-6860.

Tuesday, October 27 Business Networking

27 International (BNI)

lost to alcohol or drug overdoses at the Verizon Events Center (8718 Trouble Creek Rd., New Port Richey), 6:30 p.m. Visit RenewPasco.com.

29

Food Addicts In Recovery (FA)

FA is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experiences and mutual support, are recovering from the disease of food addiction. The group meets Thursdays, 7 p.m., at 7th Day Adventist Church (33420 SR 54). For more info, visit FoodAddicts.org.

Friday, October 30 BNI, a group of business professionals Rotary Club Of 30 Wesley Chapel Sunrise supporting each other through qualified referrals, meets Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m., at Heritage Church (1854 Oak Grove Blvd., off S.R. The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets Fridays at 7:15 a.m. at Quail Hollow Golf & Country 54, Land O’Lakes).

Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.).

For more info, email Tim at Tim@ For info, call Lynne Morgan at 695-6466.

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Wednesday, November 11

Monday, November 2 ‘Wesley Chapel Speaks’ ToastMasters

The “Wesley Chapel Speaks” ToastMasters Club meets on the first and third Monday of every month, 6:15 p.m., at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (26944 Wesley Chapel Blvd.).

For more info, call David West at 6101650 or visit WesleyChapel Speaks.

ToastMastersClubs.org.

Wednesday, November 4 Chapel 4 Wesley Breakfast Club The WC Breakfast Club brings business people together to network and have a chance to present their business to the group. The club meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more information, please call Bill at 992-3370.

Saturday, November 7

7 Grove Community Church Family Fun Day

Grove Community Church (33931 S.R. 54) will be holding a FREE Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will include a climbing wall, bounce house, live band, drinks, food trucks and giveaways. For info, call 782-2111.

Tuesday, November 10

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Pure Health Studio Open House & Fitness Seminar

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Business Networking International Wesley Chapel

A new BNI group is starting up and will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.) to help business owners generate more referrals, income and grow their businesses in the Wesley Chapel area. For info, call Bill Sullivan at 994-1143.

Pure Health (2653 BBD, Wesley Chapel) owner Samantha Taylor will host a Fitness Seminar at 7:15 p.m. Enjoy delicious desserts & gourmet coffee.

To reserve a seat or for more info, visit PureHealthStudios.com or see pg. 15.

Friday, November 13

NAMI: Mental Health 13 Support Group NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Pasco has a new support group for adults in Pasco County living with a mental illness and in recovery. The new “Connections” group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday each month from 2-3 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54).

For more info, visit namipasco.com.

Saturday, November 14

14 BayChapel Food Pantry BayChapel will be opening its FREE food pantry to the community at Christian Brothers Automotive (20303 Trout Creek Dr, New Tampa) from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for anyone in need. For info, call Lee at 731-4040.

If your organization has an upcoming EVENT that is open to the

GENERAL PUBLIC,

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Golf Tourneys To Raise Money For Local Vets!

Ninth Annual Tampa Fisher House Golf Classic

For the ninth consecutive year, Arbor Greene resident and New Tampa Noon Rotary Club president Valerie Casey is putting on a charity golf tournament to benefit the Tampa Fisher House, the residence on the campus of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (south of E. Fletcher Ave.), which houses (for no charge) the families and significant others of the wounded veterans being treated at the hospital.

Valerie and her committee, led by her fellow New Tampa Noon Rotarian Barry Shuman, invite you to join them for a day of great food and golf on Friday, October 30, at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park. Dr., off BBD).

The entry fee donation of $125 per player includes lunch, greens fees, golf cart, “goody” bags, multiple prizes for top teams, putters and drivers, and the opportunity to win some great silent auction prizes. Lunch & registration begin at 11:30 a.m., with the shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

A big shout out to the tourney’s “Event Sponsors” — Paver Works, Patriot Divers, Pepin Distributing and Stay In Step SCI Recovery Center, as well as “Patriot Sponsors” Delta Airlines, Harder Law, AT&T, Sun

Coatings, Charles Schwab and Vital Network Services. This publication is one of 14 “Honor Sponsors” (see page 12) for the event. For more info, email Valerie at ValCasey3@aol.com or call Barry Shuman at (516) 523-2678.

For more info about the Tampa Fisher House, visit FisherHouse.org.

Fourth Annual Wounded Warrior Golf Tourney!

For the fourth consecutive year, a golf tournament to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project of Tampa is being held in Wesley Chapel.

Skinny’s Sports Bar is sponsoring the tournament that will be held at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.), with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7.

The tournament costs $75 per player (due not later than Sunday, November 1) and $125 to sponsor a hole (due no later than Saturday, October 31).

Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides numerous programs to help wounded veterans of the U.S. armed forces re-adjust to civilian life.

The tournament will feature prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive and also will include a buffet lunch.

For more info, please call Greg at 523-2150 or Ken at 727-5794.

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Rejuva-Med: The Center For Dry Eye & Hormonal Disorders

By Celeste McLaughlin

If you’re currently suffering from both dry-eye and any kind of hormonal disease or imbalance, believe it or not, there is a practice that is capable of treating both issues in the same visit, right here in Wesley Chapel.

It’s difficult to separate what Kenneth C. Andronico, DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), FICS (Fellow, International College of Surgeons), OD (Doctor of Optometry), does at Rejuva-Med: The Center for Dry Eye & Hormonal Disorders from who he is and how he has been educated throughout his extensive career. So, we’ll start by introducing the medical doctor who founded Rejuva-Med on S.R. 54 (across from Saddlebrook Resort, in the Westbrook Professional Center).

Dr. Andronico is an both an ophthalmologist — which is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care — and an optometrist (which is not a medical doctor, but optometrists do four years of optometry school after at least three years of college; more on this below).

Dr. Andronico earned his DO degree in 1984 from the College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery at Des Moines UniversityMedical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Andronico’s DO degree means that he is a physician, similar to someone who holds a MD degree, but who takes a “whole person” approach to medicine and wellness. And most recently, Dr. Andronico has received advanced training in anti-aging medicine.

“In other words,” he laughs, “no one’s been in school as long as me.”

That may be true, as his education includes two Bachelor’s degrees and the two aforementioned Doctorates. He also has had extensive post-graduate medical training, including: • Internship at Michigan Osteopathic Medical Center, Detroit (1984 -85) • Basic Sciences Certificate in Ophthalmology from Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, CA (1985) • Residency in Ophthalmology at Lawndale Hospital, Philadelphia (1985-88) • Fellowship in Cornea-External Disease & Refractive Surgery (1996-97) • Fellowships in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (2006), and Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine (2006-08).

When he earned his DO degree, Dr. Andronico already had previously earned his Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree in 1979 from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry

22

at Salus University in Philadelphia.

He also served a Residency in Primary Eyecare/ General Medicine at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN (1979-80) In addition, Dr. Andronico holds two undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Arts Dr. Ken Andronico, DO, (B.A.) in Psycholo- FICS, OD, of Rejuvagy & Biology from Med, located off S.R. 54.

La Salle University in Philadelphia (1975) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Visual Physiology from Salus University (1977).

Lasik, Too!

Dr. Andronico was one of the first refractive surgeons formally trained in Lasik in the mid-1990s. He had a private practice at the corner of S.R. 54 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) for 12 years, where he was the first ophthalmologist in Wesley Chapel and one of the original tenants in the Publixanchored Hollybrook shopping center at that location.

He closed that practice in 2006 to deal with what he calls a “stress-related illness.”

He says he was taking medications for the problem, but was gaining weight and not getting any better. Dr. Andronico says his personal journey of trying to understand his own illness led to an increased interest in hormonal therapy.

“Stress over a period of time changes the metabolic process,” says Dr. Andronico.

“People may deal with fatigue, insomnia, or other symptoms. And they may need to make lifestyle changes, but they don’t feel well enough to do so. That may be because their body is depleted of the things they need to feel well, such as hormones. I can work with them as a coach to help determine how we can fix things so they feel better.”

Opening Rejuva-Med

To that end, Dr. Andronico decided to open Rejuva-Med, a practice he says he established to bring his many areas of interest and expertise together under one roof.

Primarily, he says, his function is to treat dry eye and hormonal diseases, but the center covers a wide range of services for both eyes

and diseases related to aging. Some of the many services at Rejuva-Med include: • Consultative ophthalmology and second opinion exams • Hormonal optimization and treatments for men and women • Diagnose & treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders of the eye • Metabolic and nutritional medicine • Diagnose & treat headaches, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia & stress disorders • Therapeutic & difficult fit contact lens evaluations • Aesthetic procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers • Osteopathic neuro-muscular manipulation medicine (Note-osteopathic physicians attempt to diagnose and treat somatic dysfunction by manipulating a person’s bones and muscles, which can address a variety of ailments. OMT techniques are most commonly used to treat back pain and other musculoskeletal issues, and are less commonly used to treat systemic conditions such as asthma or Parkinson’s disease.)

“I also do traditional ophthalmology,” he says, “including eye exams, treating cataracts and performing laser surgery.”

And, he says, “My varied training allows me to do things my colleagues can’t do.”

He says his DO education leads him to practice as a “generalist” first, and specialist second. That means, if you’re experiencing a symptom, such as dry eyes, he doesn’t only look at the eyes to find the cause of your problem.

Instead, he takes a holistic and integrative approach to treatment, meaning that he looks at the whole body in an effort to determine the cause of any symptoms. It’s not just acute symptoms (pain, numbness, etc.) that are evaluated, but the whole body, to ensure the patient experiences real wellness, not just symptom relief.

Dr. Andronico gives an example of a typical experience someone visiting his office might have had: “If you have headaches and you think it’s because of your vision, most eye doctors will only look at your vision for the solution.

Maybe I’m the fifth eye doctor you’ve been to, and no one has figured out the problem.”

He adds that beyond just treating your eyes, he will look at the history of the headaches and the other possible causes of the problem. “You’re treated as a whole person.”

Practice administrator Amy Lerza says, “I have been in the medical field a long time and have worked for a lot of physicians, and

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I like that Dr. Andronico doesn’t ‘Band-Aid’ a problem.”

He agrees, “If you’re having an issue with your eyes, I know more than just your two eyes, and I know that problems may be caused by something beyond just your eyes. I can find the underlying problem, because of my training in osteopathic medicine.”

While many physicians might treat dry eye with eye drops, Dr. Andronico prefers to look at the possible causes of the dry eye.

He says he often talks with patients who have been prescribed some kind of regimen that is not actually helping their problem. That’s where he says his innovative approach can really help people.

“I will listen and try to solve the problem,” he says. “I’m here to help my patients through whatever they’re experiencing, using the variety of training I have. I will do whatever I need to do to help them get better.”

He adds, “A lot of what I do is education and teaching. I talk with my patients on a one-to-one basis to help them understand what’s happening in their bodies and how (everything) all fits together.”

Dr. Andronico explains that there is a direct connection between depletion of hormones and dry eye; that hormones naturally deplete with age. And, as people age, their bodies often produce less of the female hormone estrogen or the male hormone testosterone, for example, so they may experience symptoms that include not just dry eye, but also stress, fatigue, and insomnia.

“If you listen to a patient long enough, the patient will tell you what’s wrong with them,” says Dr. Andronico. “The problem with the (healthcare) system is that no one can take the time to listen.”

Obviously, Dr. Andronico admits to being frustrated with the current state of medical care, which seems to be driven by insurance companies and their coding process.

That’s why he offers a fee-for-service practice, where patients pay for their own care.

“I decided to do that because there’s no way the system will change until patients and physicians take it upon themselves to make the changes that will help people to get well,” says Dr. Andronico. “I don’t do five minute exams.”

He says that many people pay insurance premiums all year long but never actually seem to feel better. “Many people are sick of dealing with insurance,” he says. “They just want to get well.”

He says his intention is not to take the place of a patient’s primary care physician

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At the June 18 Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Rejuva-Med: The Center for Dry Eye & Hormonal Disorders, Dr. Andronico (with scissors) got to tell Chamber members about how he can help with not only any eye problems they have; but also any hormonal issues. feeling changes – in a good way,” says Peggy. or specialist, but to work hand-in-hand with “I’m 71, and my test results had shown that those care providers.

Peggy Rusaw says she met Dr. Androni- I had no estrogen. With the pellet insertion, I have more energy, and the dryness in my co when he was working in a private practice eyes and skin is going away.” in The Villages about a year ago. She had an She says if Dr. Andronico hadn’t asked eye exam with him and was telling him about her the questions he did during her eye some issues she was experiencing, including exam, she wouldn’t be receiving the treather dry eyes. ment she is now. “I had no idea that anyone She explains that during her eye exam, could help me with all the problems I was he began asking her questions that weren’t experiencing,” she said. related to her eyes. “I realized he is not just “I’m so impressed with Dr. Andronan eye doctor, but has so much varied experico,” she says. “He’s so smart, has a great tise,” Peggy says. Now she has visited him personality and a great work ethic.” at Rejuva-Med, where she says they sat and She adds, “My insurance doesn’t pay talked, and ultimately determined she would for his services, but I’ve found the cost is not be a good candidate for a type of hormone unreasonable for what he’s done for me,” treatment called pellet insertion.

Dr. Andronico explains that pellet inser- says Peggy. “I think people would be very happy with him if they decide to visit him.” tion is a way of injecting hormones in an apRejuva-Med is located at 28945 S.R. propriate amount to leach out into the body 54, Suite 101. The office is open Mon.– over time. The hormones are bioidentical to Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Appointments are the ones the body produces naturally – not available by calling 907-0950. For more synthetic, but derived from plant sources.

They are slowly released as the body needs it. information, visit Rejuva-Med.com or see the ad on page 20 of this issue.

“It’s been four weeks and I’m already

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Clean-it Puts A Personal Touch On Your Home’s Cleanliness

By Celeste McLaughlin

Since 2013, Celly de Freitas has operated Clean-it, a family-owned cleaning service based in Wesley Chapel and serving the surrounding areas, including New Tampa, Lutz and Land O’Lakes.

The company is unlike many, in that Celly herself meets with each client to get specific instructions and room-byroom requests and then returns, in person, to do (or supervise) the job herself each time.

Celly says other cleaning services don’t usually offer the consistency she does. Large companies hire a lot of people, she says, so you don’t always get the same crew working in your home. She says this is a recipe for miscommunication, and also considerably slows down the cleaning process.

“For all of my clients,” explains Celly, “I personally clean their house, or I check it after my crew is done. Every house, every time.”

Celly adds that she currently has four crew members who clean homes with her, and they are all family members or friends of hers.

“I only have people working for me who I know and trust,” Celly says. “I’m not going to allow someone into my clients’ homes if I don’t know them.”

Clean-it provides general cleaning services, including dusting, wiping down and disinfecting window ledges,

baseboards, interior glass doors, countertops, the facings of all appliances, sinks, faucets, exterior cabinets, blinds and ceiling fans, as well as floor vacuuming and mopping. If you need something done that isn’t on this list, Celly says all you have to do is ask, as she is happy to accommodate special requests.

“I do whatever the client asks, and I always accomplish what I promise,” Celly explains. “My clients (have to be) happy with my services, or I go back and make it right.”

She says this is another contrast to large cleaning companies, where a cleaning crew may have so many homes scheduled that they are in a rush at every home they visit.

“This isn’t a quick clean,” says Celly.

“We’re not paid by the hour, so we don’t have to look at our watches while we’re cleaning, to be sure we get in and out quickly.”

She stresses that, in her business, the needs and desires of her clients are of the utmost importance. “We just do whatever it takes to make sure your house looks good every time we leave.”

Celly insists that each time she cleans your home, it will be as clean as the first time. She says her reputation has been built on satisfied customers who know she does a thorough and detailed cleaning each and every time.

Celly has now worked in the clean-

ing industry for 19 years, the last two as the owner and operator of Clean-it. She moved to Florida 18 years ago from Brazil and her family settled in Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel more than 12 years ago. With her roots in this community, she has many long-term relationships with clients.

“I want people to Clean-it owner Celly de Freitas (far right) only employs her family know they can trust me,” she says. “I have members & friends to ensure your home or office is cleaned thoroughly every time. She even either helps clean or inspects each job herself. houses I’ve cleaned for 15 years. I provide tion shutters, and Celly is obsessed with references and I welcome new clients to keeping them dusted and clean, even call my current clients and see what they more than me,” says Julie. “And that’s a have to say about me.” big job! I’m very happy with her.”

Celly says Julie is just one of her Listen To Julie... many satisfied customers. She believes Julie is one of those clients who they stay that way because she dedicates is happy to talk about how much she her time to each one of her clients and appreciates Clean-it’s cleaning services. puts her personal stamp of approval on She first met Celly in 2006 when she was each cleaning job. looking for someone to clean her home “Homeowners like the fact that they and a neighbor referred her. know me and my crew,” says Julie. “If I “Celly is incredibly reliable, neat, don’t come to your house one day, but prompt and honest,” Julie says. “She send a crew instead, it’s still going to does a good job, and she’s careful with be someone you know who has cleaned delicate things.” your house before.”

Julie adds, “I have a lot of plantaAnd, Celly will still stop by to make

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SPOTLIGHT ON... Creative Permanent Makeup By Pam!

Celly and her crew always make sure your house looks its best.

sure it’s been done properly.

It’s also important to Celly to use environmentally friendly products, she says. She chooses products that are efficient and “work well but are not harmful,” she says.

“If you have kids and pets, we know they sometimes come into contact with cleaning products, whether that’s from licking the floor or just having their hands on the floor,” Celly explains. “So, we use products that will not be harmful to their health.” If a client wants their own, personal products to be used for cleaning instead, Celly says she is happy to oblige.

Clean-it offers 10-percent-off all

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services to Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News readers. Be sure to see her ad on page 40 of this issue. Like the ad says, if you choose to give her and Clean-it a try, “You’ll see the difference.”

For a free estimate, call Celly at 505-0431. You can learn more about Clean-it online at Facebook.com/ CleanIt.Services. The business is licensed and insured. Appointments are available Mon.-Fri., with special request appointments available on Sat. Clean-it is accepting new residential and business clients for regular weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleanings, as well as one-time services for moving in or out.

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Pam Edmonson is a permanent makeup artist who helps women achieve the beautiful, maintenance-free look that they want for their eyebrows, eyelids, lips and more. In addition to outstanding permanent makeup artistry, she also offers a skin care treatment called microneedling, as well as scalp treatments that can help women regrow their hair. She provides all of these services, by appointment, at All About You Salon & Day Spa, located off 15 Ave. in Zephyrhills — only about 20 minutes from most of Wesley Chapel.

Pam studied permanent makeup at the Boca Ta-2 School for Permanent Makeup in Williston, FL, then began providing permanent makeup services in Zephyrhills in 2011. She is Floridalicensed as both a cosmetologist and as a tattoo artist. She says she is committed to continuing education and frequently attends training to learn the latest, most advanced techniques.

While Pam offers many services, she admits that eyebrows are her “favorite.”

In May 2014, she attended a class called “Browmasters” to learn a technique for permanent eyebrows known as “microblading.” Pam explains, “I use a tiny blade to create each individual hair. It’s an amazing technique that is very realistic and natural.”

She adds, “I offer a free consultation to anyone thinking about any type of permanent makeup. And there’s absolutely no obligation. Bring all of your questions, and I’m happy to answer them. I want people to feel comfortable.”

Pam also offers scalp therapy, a treatment for women who have thinning hair.

She says that the scalp therapy doesn’t seem to work well on male pattern baldness, but women tend to respond well to this unique treatment.

She also offers microneedling, which improves the skin by producing a slight injury to the face with a tiny needle. The body naturally grows new collagen at the “injury” site, which plumps the skin in the treated area and produces cell turnover, and reduces scarring, fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

“I love how people feel because of what I do {for them},” says Pam. Pam Edmonson is available for free consultations and procedures by appointment. For more info, visit CreativePermanentMakeupByPam.com, call 997-6302 or see the ad on page 35.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Elite Roofing Services Puts A Quality Roof Over Your Head across central and west Florida, including on board in an

By Anu Panchal

A roof over your head: It’s one of the most basic human needs. So, when a crew at Elite Roofing Services comes out to repair or install a new roof on your home, they take what they do seriously, says Kim Sanford, Elite’s residential roofing manager.

“A roof is a huge investment,” Sanford says. “That’s not where you want to find your ‘deal.’ That’s what protects you, your family and all of your things.”

Founded by Camille Austin, Elite Roofing is located on a lush, sprawling lot in south Hillsborough County, off E. Broadway Rd. A fleet of trucks bearing the company’s black, white and red logo and signage is parked neatly on the lot, where Austin has nurtured her roofing company to the 18-person powerhouse it is today.

The company repairs and installs new roofs for all kinds of residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Elite also installs weather-tight metal roofs and “cool roofs” that help to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

Elite’s clients range from single family homeowners and apartment building management companies to Walmart and even Hillsborough County government, which hired the company for a two-year firehouse gutter contract. Elite services everyone from homeowners in Wesley Chapel (where Austin lives) all

Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Polk counties.

Growing up in a large family in Tampa involved in various aspects of construction, Austin had plans of going into real estate as an agent, but when she started out working for a temp agency in the 1980s, her first job was with a roofing company where she handled filing and office work. When that roofing company changed hands, she went to work for another roofer in Tampa with her future partner. She and that partner opened Westside Roofing nearly 20 years ago and ran that for eight years until a business consultant they hired pointed out that they were working toward different goals. Her then-partner moved to upstate New York, bought 100 acres of land and opened a bar. Austin stayed here and started Elite Roofing Services.

Right after she started her company in 2004, Hurricane Andrew hit, and Austin found herself driving all over southwest Florida, re-roofing 25 Denny’s restaurants. Then came the big economic crash that devastated the construction industry in 2007-08, but Austin held on by taking on smaller, bank-owned jobs and focusing heavily on marketing.

Today, while Austin is proud of her average $2 million in annual sales, she’s even more proud of having no debt, being a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and having retained a staff that has stayed

industry in which the revolving door is the norm.

Quality Roofs With Style

The first time Austin asked Sanford (who at the time handled filing and telephones at Elite) to go and sell a roof, Sanford says she was terrified.

A fellow veteran of the construc- Elite Roofing Services owner Camille Austin (left), sales manager Kim Sanford tion industry — (right) and roofing mechanic Angel Melendez will set you up with a roof that will will protect your family and your things.

Sanford managed her family’s conlearned to love sales. crete business until six years ago, when “I sell quality,” says Sanford. “I sell she married into an air conditioning famsystems.” ily — she hadn’t thought of doing actual Sanford notes that the major sales until Austin promoted her. brand Elite sells is called GAF, a brand “I was so scared the first time she that offers an entire roofing system of told me to take a packet and go sell a lifetime-guaranteed (for whatever length roof,” Sanford says. of the time the original owner owns that However, Austin’s hunch that her property at which the roof is installed) employee would work well in a higher shingles, attic insulation, roof deck level position paid off. Since she proprotection, starter strip shingles, leak barmoted Sanford to sales and brought in roofing mechanic Angel Melendez inside riers and ridge cap shingles. And, while her customers love what the roofs do for to manage her crew at the beginning of their homes, they also love the way their this year, she says that her business has increased by 20 percent, with a 5-percent roofs look, she says.

“Roofs are pretty now,” Sanford net increase in sales. And, Sanford has

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says. “It’s (one of) the first (things) people see when they pull up. The color, the shape, the decorative aspects — it’s curb appeal, as well as protection.”

Doug Livingston, senior facility services manager at Americold Cold Storage (which has locations in Tampa, Plant City and Lakeland), has hired Elite for roofing jobs on and off since the days Austin owned her previous firm.

He says he’s watched as she built up her own company, and is impressed by Elite’s quality of work, integrity in the bidding and pricing process and the company’s commitment to its customers. “(Camille has) built that company up to be pretty well-known and respected,” says Livingston. “I remember one time in the middle of the night, there was a bad storm and water was pouring in [to one of our buildings].”

Livingston says he placed a call to Elite, and Austin showed up — at midnight — with two of her daughters in tow (Austin has three daughters, now in college, and three school-age stepsons).

She checked out the roof, called her crew and patched it up that night. Any other company, Livingston is sure, would have told the client to wait until morning.

“She definitely goes beyond what any business I know would do,” he says.

Continuing Education

Austin is always learning, too. She says that being part of the WBENC network since 2005 has helped teach her a huge amount of business knowledge, exposed her to more diversity and

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encouraged her to hire or work with other certified woman-owned companies. She has also received a Dorothy B. Brothers scholarship (awarded to deserving women in business) that she applied towards study at the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Although Austin says her future plans include expanding service throughout Florida and possibly opening two offices led by existing staff members, she adds that her focus remains on her customers and staff. She is enthusiastically supportive of her employees’ families and endeavors, such as Sanford’s passion for fishing and hunting, or Melendez’s son’s classical music prowess.

In fact, Sanford says one reason Elite gets so many referrals is that people like working with a family-owned business where most likely, the same person picks up the phone each time (and that person is usually Sanford herself).

“No, there’s not a huge chain of command to go through,” Sanford says.

She goes out to the house of potential clients herself, examines their roofs and explains their options to them. While an Elite crew works on the roof, Sanford tries to go back out and check on the project personally so she can maintain the rapport with her clients and reassure them throughout the process.

“I’m consumed by it,” Sanford admits. “I love talking to people.”

For more information about Elite Roofing, please visit EliteRoofingServices.com or, for a free estimate, call 630-0800.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

27

Wesley Chapel’s High Schools Hosting Unique Distance Runs

By John C. Cotey

Most people wouldn’t classify running as “fun.” However, a few upcoming events hope to prove that it can be.

On Saturday, October 31, the band at Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH, located off Mansfield Blvd.) will host its first WRH Band Halloween Fun Run, consisting of 1K, 5K and 10K runs. Two weeks later, on Saturday, November 14, Wesley Chapel High (WCH, located off Wells Rd.) will host a one-mile and 5K My School Color Run. At WRH, the Halloween Fun Run will be raising money for the Bulls Marching Band, and anyone who runs in the event will receive a ticket to watch the band perform in a competition that afternoon at the school.

The WRH band, under the direction of Patrick Duncan, is just beginning its competition season and band secretary Lisa Hitt says the group is planning on a successful season. In its first competition, the WRH band finished first in Visuals and Music Selection and took second overall behind Gaither High in the Carrollwood area of Tampa.

The 10K run is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m., and registration is $35 for adults and $25 for students. The 5K races start at 9 a.m. ($25 for adults, $15 for students) and the kids 1K run, free to children under 8, is at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in

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the 10K and 5K races.

And to spice up the run, there also will be a DJ, face painting, trick or treating, and of course, a costume contest.

“We think that will make it more fun,’’ says Hitt.

To register, go to TinyURL.com/ WGRrun.

WCH ‘Color Run’ Nov. 14

“Color Runs” have become quite popular of late. Generally an untimed event, these “races” are more about getting doused with various substances of color, rather than actually running record-setting times or winning.

As runners circle the course, they are splattered with colored liquids, sprays and powders by the race workers. By the time they finish the course, they are barely recognizable, leading to a flurry of ever-popular “selfies” to share on social media.

The event is a fundraiser for the girls and boys cross country teams at WCH, and is put on by My School Color Run, which organizes color runs as fundraisers for schools.

Despite the fun nature of Color Runs. the main purpose, says Eliza Passardi (the girls cross country coach at WCH), is promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

“It’s not meant to be gimmicky to get people out there and confuse them

WCH is hosting an upcoming “Color Run,” a fundraiser for the school’s cross country teams, and is put on by My School Color Run, which helps organize these fun events.

into running, but even for runners who do races, they like to have fun and switch it up every once in a while,’’ said Passardi. “There’s some runners last year who were trying to avoid getting color, and others who do their own competition to see who can get the most color.

It’s a great way to get the community involved and show that we care about people’s fitness.”

Passardi says she even offers a training plan for those who want to run the 5K but don’t think they are ready. She said last year’s Color Run drew 50 runners, and this year she is hoping to draw 100. At our press time, around 30 people already had signed up which, Passardi

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

says, is well ahead of last year’s pace.

She hopes to make this an annual event that will continue to grow and someday become a half-day affair.

“It takes a couple of years to start growing these things, but we’d really like to turn it into a half-day community event, maybe get a deejay out here, food trucks for after the race, things like that,” Passardi says.

The cost of registration for the run is $25, and if you register by Nov. 1, you are guaranteed a T-shirt. The price is $30 the day of the race. You can register at TinyURL.com/WCHS Color, or by contacting Passardi at EPassard@pasco.k12.fl.us.

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President of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association

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Le Macaron — Authentic French Pastries At The Shops At Wiregrass!

By Gary Nager

This may or may not comes as a surprise to you, but I have something of a sweet tooth. I also minored in French when I earned my B.S. in Broadcast News degree from the University of Florida College of Journalism & Communications a little less than 1,000 years ago.

Therefore, I was thrilled to hear about the opening of Le Macaron French Pastries in the Shops at Wiregrass mall a few months ago, especially when I met local franchise owners Valerie and Guy (pronounced like “gee,” but with a hard “G,” as in “Gary”) Lucas — who are authentic Parisians who say they both preferred living in the U.S. and decided to open their Le Macaron right here in our own back yards, even though they also considered New York, southern California and even Miami before choosing a prime location between Dillard’s and Rack Room Shows at the Shops.

Guy, who spoke almost no English when he and Valerie opened the store six months ago (despite having visited the U.S. several times since 2009; he speaks it beautifully now), was a sales rep for Gunnebo, a multinational corporation headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, specializing in security solutions (cash handling, entrance security, electronic security and safes & vaults) with offices in 33 countries (including France); and Valerie was a sales rep for TF1-TV in Paris when, after visiting California 20 years ago, the both knew they really wanted to live in our country.

Valerie and Guy ran the New York City marathon together in 2009 and 2011 and the Miami marathon in 2013, when they decided they were going to make their move.

“We went back to our home (at that time) in the south of France,” Valerie says,

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“and packed up everything and said ‘adieu.’”

So, how did they decide to open a new mall-based franchise store that has fewer than 30 locations in Florida, Puerto Rico and Arizona (and 15-20 more on the way)?

“First, we looked for the right place for us to live,” Valerie says. “And we loved Wesley Chapel. We are city (Clockwise from above left): Franchise owners Valerie and Guy Lucas invite you to try all of the amazing confections at Le people, but we also Macaron French Pastries in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, including authentic French macarons, amazing artisan chocolates wanted a nice comand French-style gelato, all in a unique variety of flavors and colors. Photos on this page by Matt Wiley. munity to raise our family and since we are French, we have no problem visiting big cities when we feel the need.”

To that end, their daughter Eva, 15, attends Wiregrass Ranch High and son Loan (pronounced ‘Low-on’), 12, is at John Long Middle School.

Valerie says there were only three types of businesses that made sense for them to open.

“French people love food, wine and fashion,” she says. “We chose food and, since macarons are so popular not only in France but all over Europe, we wanted to tional Jewish dessert macaroons, which are overly sweet (or cookies!) and are available be part of introducing them here.” coconut-based) are addictive little 80-calo- in a still-growing variety of 20 flavors.

So, whether you want “the usual” flarie, gluten-free confections that come in an La Introduction Easter-egg-like assortment of pastel colors vors, like vanilla, Belgian chocolate or CoDes Macarons For those who have never tried them, that actually melt in your mouth. They may lombian coffee, or something more exotic, See ‘Le Macaron’ on pg. 37. macarons (not to be confused with the tradi- look like covered Oreos, but they aren’t

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Time For Wine For Great Wine, Private Labels, Events & People!

By Gary Nager Whether you enjoy wines from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Chile or California, Charles and Cheryl Visalli of Time for Wine can help improve any party you host or provide you with perfect holiday gifts for yourself or for your business with wines from around the world.

Although the Visallis live in Land O’Lakes, Time for Wine is a Temple Terrace-based service business started in 1980, but purchased by Charles and Cheryl in 2002. And, since they took over, the Visallis have brought a new focus to the business, which still provides wine tastings and “Teach & Taste” classes at your location with unique wines you won’t (in most cases) find at your local supermarket or wine store.

Charles and Cheryl both are popular folks, as they often provide lots of free samples and low-cost full glasses of very good wines (that they also sell by the bottle and case for very reasonable prices) at Greater Wesley Chapel (WCCC), Brandon and Central & West Pasco Chamber of Commerce and Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA) events.

“Our philosophy with Time for Wine is to make everyone we come in contact with feel like a VIP, whether you ever buy wine from us or not,” says Charles, who doesn’t have a formal education in wine, but admits he and Cheryl have learned most of what they know about their favorite beverage from traveling to many of the wine-producing regions mentioned in the first paragraph of this story to learn how the wines are

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made and, of course...to taste them.

“All Cheryl and I try to do,” Charles says, “is be honest with people. Yes, we know a lot about the wines we choose to serve because we try every single wine before we buy it. But, like most people, we learned by sampling, so we want anyone who comes to an event to taste. The language of this business is in the tasting.”

Cheryl says the focus at Time for Wine used to be on cold-calling and visiting potential clients at their homes or offices, “but we’ve changed that to pitching corporate events to large companies (Charles says Raymond James Financial is by far Time for Wine’s biggest client) and by getting out to a lot of Chamber and other events ourselves.

The only way to grow this business is to serve some wine, so that’s what we do.”

Private Label Wines For Different Tastes

I’m no “connoisseur” either, but I am the kind of wine drinker that when I find a type of wine I like — champagnes and other sparkling wines from France, as well as cavas from Spain and prosecco from Italy; Argentinian malbec and Italian barolo and sangiovese (the chianti grape) and barbera from both Italy and California; and French white burgundies and California chardonnays made in the burgundy style — I usually stick with it, so I’m always a little excitable when Charles or Cheryl bring in any of my favorites for me to sample at an event.

Among the nice surprises I’ve sampled from Time for Wine recently were the Mont Marcal cava Cheryl served me (and a few of

w T P c C O

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s h r a

(Left) Charles and Cheryl Visalli of Time for Wine are always out in the community spreading good cheer with delicious wines you can sample. The wines can be purchased by the bottle or case and make for outstanding gifts (right) for family, friends and business clients. my now-closest friends) at a WCCC ribbonwine I do — and they’ll all have a cool label cutting event last year and the San Silvestro design featuring our New Tampa & Wesley barbera she served at the Sept. 24 WCCC Chapel Neighborhood News logo. event at New Leaf Chiropractic Wellness “We want you to be proud to serve our Center in Lutz. wines or give them as holiday or birthday I liked the barbera so much, I bought gifts to your family, friends and business a bottle of it from Cheryl at the event and clients,” Cheryl says. “And with our prices, a included a few bottles of it (and a few of that great gift doesn’t have to be expensive.” crisp, brut cava, too) when I ordered two In fact, I don’t believe that any of the cases of private-label wines from the Visallis. wines we chose cost more than $21 a bottle I also included a few bottles of more and most cost less than $20. traditional favorites (cabernet sauvignon, The Wine Passport Program merlot and pinot grigio) because I know In addition to providing private label that not everyone likes the same kind of

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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wines, Charles also conducts “Teach & Taste” classes and what he calls his “Wine Passport Program.” He puts on events at locations such as A Dash of Salt & Pepper on Cross Creek Blvd. and at Joe & Sons Olive Oil Co. in South Tampa.

“Our last class at Joe & Sons (on Sept.

24) sold out (28 people) in three hours,” Charles says. “It was a Passport to Spain where I served all Spanish wines (cava, tempranillo and garnacha) paired with Spanish cuisine. I think the events encourage people about the fun and entertainment value of wine tasting at your home or office.”

The classes at the two locations won’t start up again until January, but Charles says he has put on private wine tasting events recently at Wilderness Lake Preserve in Lutz and at Cory Lake Isles and Grand Hampton

in New Tampa. “Private wine tasting events are perfect for insurance companies, CPA firms and Realtors,” Cheryl says. “We get a great response wherever we bring the wine.”

Speaking of private events, Charles adds, “We did a private Italian wine tasting at Cory Lake Isles in September. My favorite thing was when this guy tried something new for him — a primitivo (an Italian grape that often is called “like zinfandel,” but I believe is much better) — and I saw his eyes roll back in his head to where all he could say was, ‘Wow!’ That’s why Cheryl and I love this business!”

Time for Wine is located at 5462 56th Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa.

For info, call 664-1430 or visit TimeforWine.net. When you call, mention this story to get $20 off a mixed case of wine.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Win $50, $100 Or Even $200 In Free Dining In Our 2015 Survey & Contest!

Our annual Reader Survey & Dining Contest is always one of our most popular features every year, with last year’s contest bringing in hundreds of entries, and the 2015 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Reader Dining Survey & Contest is another opportunity for you to help yourself to one of three outstanding FREE dining prizes, as well as help our local restaurants find out where our readers enjoy dining out in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel.

Just for filling out the entry form on these two pages (35 & 36) and sending it by mail, fax or email (you also can enter at NTNeighborhoodNews.com), you can win $50, $100 or even $200 in absolutely FREE dining at the restaurant of your choice, whether it’s located in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel or not!

This year’s contest features a reduced number of 16 categories on these two pages. To be eligible to win our Grand Prize (or either of the other two big dining prizes), you MUST vote for FIVE (5) restaurants in BOTH of the two categories on this page, and at least ONE (1) restaurant in AT LEAST HALF OF THE 14 CATEGORIES ON THE NEXT PAGE! The restaurants in our two distribution areas really do appreciate your votes, so we hope you’ll take advantage of this great opportunity to win FREE dining.

On these pages, we have provided the names of all of the independently-owned and small (fewer than 20 locations) chain restaurants in each category. And yes, you can still write-in the names of the larger chain restaurants in any category, but we only provide the names of the “Mom-and-Pops” because they don’t have the benefit of being able to afford regional and national TV, national magazine and local radio ads that the large chains have running all year-round.

Please, only one entry per person will be accepted, although the contest will run until after our October New Tampa & Wesley Chapel issues hit mailboxes.

The final entry deadline is Monday, November 2, 2015. And, as always, no purchase of any kind is necessary to win any of our prizes. — GN

Your FIVE Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa (NT) Your FIVE Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel (WC)

(Number your 5 favorites #1-#5; You also may write-in your favorites not listed here in the spaces provided) (Number your 5 favorites #1-#5; You also may write-in your favorites not listed here in the spaces provided)

__Acropolis Greek (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Biagio’s II Pizza & Pasta (CC Blvd.) __Big Papa’s Pit (E. Bearss Ave., off BBD) __Burger 21 (Trout Creek off BBD) __Café Olé (Cross Creek Blvd.) __Cappy’s Pizza (City Plaza, Tampa Palms) __Casa Ramos (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __China City (City Plaza, TP) __China Wok (County Line Rd. off BBD) __Ciccio’s Cali (The Pointe @ Tampa Palms) __Cross Creek Deli (inside Shell station) __Dine Or Dash (in New Tampa Center) __Full Circle Pizza (Pebble Creek Coll.) __Fushia Asian (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Hawkeye NYS Pizza (CC Blvd.@BP Gas) __Ho King (BBD/Highwoods) __Hoosiers Grille (in Heritage Isles CC) __Hunter’s Green Country Club __Kobé Japanese (Pebble Creek Collection) __Koizi Hibachi Grill (The Pointe @ TP) __Lanna Thai (Cross Creek Center) __Las Palmas Café (BBD/PC Coll.) __Liang’s Bistro (North Palms Vlg./BBD) __Little Greek (New Tampa Center) __Mr. Dunderbak’s (Oak Ramble Plaza) __Mulligan’s Irish (@ Pebble Creek CC) __New China King (CC Blvd. @ MB Rd.) __Oakley’s Grille (North Palms Village)

Neighborhood News

__Peabody’s Billiards (Shoppes of Amberly) __Amici Pizza (Grand Oaks Plaza, SR 54) __Petra Mediterranean (Highwoods Psrv.) __Asian Buffet (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Bagelicious & More (Freedom Plaza/54) __Pita’s Republic (County Line Rd.) __PJ Dolan’s Irish (E. Bearss Ave. off BBD) __Best NY Pizza (Pinebrook Plaza/SR 54) __Saffron Indian Cuisine (Cross Creek Ctr) __Bonsai Sushi (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Seasons Fresh Café (E. Bearss Ave./BBD) __Bosco’s Italian To Go (Freedom Plaza/54) __Burger Monger (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Soho Sushi (E. Bearss Ave./BBD) __Chick & Peas Grill (Freedom Plz/54) __Stonewood Grill (The Pointe @ TP) __China Taste (BBD/Shoppes at New Tampa) __Sushi Café (Highwoods Preserve) __China Wok (Village Market/BBD@54) __Sushi Ko (New Tampa Center) __City Grill (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Sushi Raw (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Ciao! Italian Bistro (Wiregrass Mall) __Sukhothai (Across from Muvico) __CineBistro (The Grove/Off Oakley/54) __Tabla Indian Cuisine (BBD/Live Oak) __Dempsey’s Steak House (Saddlebrook) __Takara Sushi & Sake (Oak Ramble Plaza) __Dempsey’s Too Lounge (Saddlebrook) __Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club __Dolce Gelato & Crepes (Cty. Line Rd./MP) __Taste of NY Pizza (Highwoods Preserve) __Don Pan Int’l Bakery (Shoppes @ NT ) __Thai Ruby (Shoppes of Amberly/TP) __Fine Thai Express (Pinebrook Plz/54) __Toast Wine & Café (Oak Ramble Plaza) __Gonna China (Hollybrook Plz, BBD@54) __Top Thai (BBD/Live Oak) __GrillSmith (Wiregrass Mall) __Vallarta’s (City Plaza, Tampa Palms) __Hibachi Express (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Woodfired Pizza (E. Bearss Ave. off BBD) __Ho Wok (BBD next to Target) __Zaytoun Mediterranean (CC Blvd @ MB) __Hot Wok 88 (Town Centre/SR 54) __Hungry Greek (across BBD from FHWC) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Kwan Ming Bistro (SR 56) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __La Prima Pizza (BBD, next to Target) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Latin Twist Café (across BBD from FHWC) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Lexington Oaks Golf Club (off SR 54) __Write-In (must name)_______________ __Meadow Pte Café & Deli (C.L. Rd./MP)

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__900º Woodfired Pizza (Wiregrass Mall) __NY NY Pizza (BBD in Seven Oaks) __OTB Café (Across BBD from FHWC) __PDQ (SR 56) __Pinchers Crab Shack (Wiregrass Mall) __PizzaMania (BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Poolside Café (Saddlebrook Resort) __PrimeBar (Wiregrass Mall) __Quail Hollow Country Club __Shang Hai Chinese (Eiland Blvd./off 54) __Stage Left Kitchen & Bar (SR 54/Lutz) __TD’s Sports Bar (Saddlebrook Resort) __365 Caffé Italiano (Wiregrass Mall) __Tokyo Grill/Sushi (Eiland Blvd./off 54) __Vallarta’s (Village Mkt, BBD@54) __Woody’s Pizza/Wings (Village Mkt) __Wolf’s Den (SR 56) __Yamato Japanese Stkhs (Wiregrass Mall) __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ __Write-In (must name)_________________ Please only put each numeral (#s 1-5) on each of the two lists on this page only once each, including any write-ins. We apologize for any inconvenience to independent restaurants in NT & WC somehow not listed here.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

35

Your Favorite Chinese Restaurant In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (NT & WC; Pick or write-in one)

__Asian Buffet (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __China City (City Plaza, TP) __China Taste (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __China Wok (County Line Rd., off BBD) __China Wok (Village Mkt/BBD@54, WC) __Fushia Asian Bistro (Shps of Amberly, TP) __Gonna China (Hollybrook Plz, BBD@54) __Ho King (BBD/Highwoods)

__Ho Wok (BBD next to Target) __Hot Wok 88 (Town Centre of WC) __Kwan Ming Bistro (S.R. 56) __Liang’s Bistro (North Palms/BBD) __New China King (CC Blvd. @ MB Rd.) __Shang Hai Chinese (Eiland Blvd./Publix) __Sushi Ko (BBD/New Tampa Center) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant In NT & WC (Pick or write-in one)

__Asian Buffet (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __Bonsai Sushi (Shoppes @ New Tampa, WC) __Hibachi Express (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Kobé Japanese Steakhouse (BBD/PC) __Koizi Hibachi Grill (Tampa Palms) __Soho Sushi (E. Bearss Ave.) __Sushi Café (BBD/Highwoods)

__Sushi Ko (BBD/New Tampa Center) __Sushi Raw (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Sukhothai (Across from Muvico) __Takara Sushi & Sake (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Tokyo Grill/Sushi (Eiland Blvd./Publix) __Yamato Japanese Stkhs (Wiregrass Mall) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Thai/Indian Restaurant In NT & WC (Pick or write-in one)

__Fine Thai Express (S.R. 54, WC) __Lanna Thai (CC Blvd.) __Saffron Indian Cuisine (CC Blvd.) __Sukhothai (Across from Muvico) __Tabla Indian Cuisine (BBD/Live Oak)

__Thai Ruby (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Top Thai (BBD/Live Oak) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Pizza Place In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (Pick or write-in one)

__Amici Pizza (Grand Oaks Plaza, SR 54) __Best NY Pizza (Pinebrook Plaza/S.R. 54) __Biagio’s II Pizza & Pasta (CC Blvd.) __Bosco’s Italian To Go (Freedom Plaza/54) __Cappy’s Pizza (City Plaza, TP) __Ciccio’s Cali (The Pointe @ Tampa Palms) __Full Circle Pizza (Pebble Creek) __Hawkeye NYS Pizza (CC Blvd./BP)

__La Prima Pizza (BBD, next to Target) __900º Woodfired Pizza (Wiregrass Mall) __NY NY Pizza (BBD in Seven Oaks) __Peabody’s Billiards & Games (Amberly) __Taste of New York Pizza (Highwoods) __Woodfired Pizza (E. Bearss Ave.) __Woody’s Pizza/Wings (WC Village Mkt) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Hamburger In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (Pick or write-in one)

__Burger Monger(BBD/Shoppes @ New Tampa) __Burger 21 (Trout Creek/BBD) __City Grill (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Dempsey’s Too Lounge (Saddlebrook) __GrillSmith (Wiregrass Mall) __Hoosiers Grille (@ Heritage Isles CC) __Hunter’s Green Country Club __Lexington Oaks Golf Club __Mulligan’s Irish Pub (Pebble Creek CC)

__Oakley’s Grille (BBD/North Palms Vlg.) __OTB Café (Across BBD from FHWC) __Peabody’s Billiards & Games (Amberly) __PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub (E. Bearss Ave.) __Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club __Poolside Café (Saddlebrook) __TD’s Sports Bar (Saddlebrook) __Wolf’s Den (S.R. 56)

__Write-In (must name)___________________________________________________________

36

Your Favorite Latin/Mexican Restaurant In NT & WC (Pick or write-in one)

__Café Olé (Cross Creek Blvd.) __Casa Ramos (Shoppes of Amberly, TP) __Dine or Dash (BBD/New Tampa Ctr) __Don Pan Int’l Bakery (Shoppes @ NT ) __Las Palmas Café (BBD/Pebble Creek)

__Latin Twist Café(across BBD from FHWC) __100 Montaditos (Wiregrass Mall) __Vallarta’s (City Plaza at Tampa Palms) __Vallarta’s (Village Mkt, BBD@54) __Write-In (must name)_________________

l b m

Your Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant In NT & WC

(Pick or write-in one) __Petra Mediterranean (Highwoods Prsv.) __Acropolis (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Chick & Peas Grill (Freedom Plaza/54) __Pita’s Republic (County Line Rd.) __Hungry Greek (across BBD from FHWC) __Zaytoun Mediterranean (CC Blvd.) __Kabob House (BBD/Live Oak) __Little Greek (BBD/New Tampa Center) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Favorite Bar, Tavern or Pub In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel (Pick or write-in one)

__Acropolis (BBD/Oak Ramble) __Heritage Isles CC Rest. (off CC Blvd.) __Ciccio’s Cali (The Pointe @ Tampa Palms) __CineBistro (The Grove/54 off Oakley) __City Grill (Village Mkt/BBD@54) __Dempsey’s Steak House (Saddlebrook) __Dempsey’s Too Lounge (Saddlebrook) __GrillSmith (Wiregrass Mall) __Halftime Sports Lounge (NT Center) __Hunter’s Green Country Club __Lexington Oaks Golf Club __Linkster’s Tap Room (Highwoods) __Mulligan’s Irish Pub (Pebble Creek CC)

__Peabody’s Billiards & Games (Amberly) __PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub (E. Bearss Ave.) __Poolside Café (Saddlebrook) __PrimeBar (Wiregrass Mall) __Quail Hollow Country Club __Skinny’s Sports Bar __Stage Left (SR 54, Lutz) __Stonewood Grill & Tavern (Tampa Palms) __Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club __TD’s Sports Bar (Saddlebrook) __Toast Wine & Café (BBD/Oak Ramble) __The Brass Tap (Wiregrass Mall) __Write-In (must name)_________________

Your Other Favorites

(Write-in one in each category below) Your Favorite Pasta In NT & WC Your Favorite Lunch In NT & WC _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Your Favorite Chain Restaurant In Your Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Dessert Place In NT & WC New Tampa & Wesley Chapel _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Restaurant w/The Best Service In NT/ WC Your Favorite Bakery In NT & WC _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Your Name _______________________________________________________________________ Your Community (Tampa Palms, Meadow Pointe, etc.) _____________________________ Your Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________ Your Daytime Phone #____________________________________________________________ Your Valid Email Address _______________________________________________________ Please submit BOTH pages by mail, email or at NTNeighborhoodNews.com by Monday, November 2!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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‘Le Macaron’

Continued from pg. 31 like lavender, lychee rose strawberry or basil white chocolate, you’re sure to find more than one new favorite when you visit Le Macaron, where everything (in true “en vogue” French style) looks as good as the pastries and confections taste.

Valerie says, “I designed the store myself, although Le Macaron corporate dictates the color scheme.” Valerie selected the art posters of “La Tour Eiffel” (the Eiffel Tower) and other scenes from Paris and since there, of course, also are fresh, gourmet French coffee and coffee drinks (cappuccino, espresso, lattes, etc.) being served, sitting in Le Macaron does have the feel of a hip Euro-café. There are even macaron-shaped purses, Le Macaron iPhone 6 cases and other unique accessories for sale at the checkout counter.

More Than Just Macarons?

The good news is that if you’ve tried macarons before and didn’t love them (although I will admit these are the meltiest, tastiest macarons I’ve tried to date), Valerie and Guy have plenty of other yummy options for you to try.

First of all, there are artisanal chocolates in an array of not only flavors and colors but also shapes.

“We found two amazing American chocolatiers who make the most beautiful and delicious artisan chocolates,” Valerie says and, from the pic on page 31, it’s hard to argue with how pretty they look, but I also already love how amazing they taste.

“One is located here in the Tampa Bay

area and the other is in Orlando.”

How good are “les chocolats?” I’m not the biggest white chocolate lover in the world, but my favorite, to date, is still the banana white chocolate, which is a bright yellow, sort-ofbanana-shaped white chocolate covering a thick banana-flavored nougat that tastes like a ground-up banana.

Authentic French calissons are coming soon to Le Macaron, while authentic croissants & coffee drinks are available now.

It just blows my mind sampled a few of the gelato flavors (there are last lived before moving to Wesley Chapel). every time I have one always eight available) at Le Macaron and Calissons, according to Wikipedia, are, (which has been a few times already, lol).

I assure you that you gelato lovers will love “confections made from a fine paste melon Other favorites of mine are the milk confit (or other candied fruit) and almonds chocolate-covered Oreos (yes, they do rotate it, especially if you’re looking for something “exotique,” like violet (you read correctly), ground together, topped with royal icing those in and out of the chocolate display, and resting on a background of unleavened too) and the cookies n’ cream, Bailey’s dark praline Nutella or apricot yogurt-flavored bread. This tidbit often flavored with orange chocolate, almond brownie crunch and cap- gelato. All of the flavors I’ve tried have been extra-creamy and, like almost everything blossom and shaped (like a football), has puccino. I don’t usually go for fruit fillings served at Le Macaron (including the chocobeen a specialty of Aix-en-Provence since in my artisanal chocolates, but for those the 15th century.” Again, they likely won’t who do, Guy says the Key lime is his favorite lates), they’re naturally gluten-free.

Although there is no baking done on be my favorite items sold at Le Macaron, and the store’s best seller. Other fruit & the premises at Le Macaron (“We are a but I’m betting they’ll be tasty. chocolate-combo flavors include passion retail store only,” says Valerie), Monsieur As for the prices, Le Macaron is a true fruit, raspberry, lemon blueberry and guava specialty shop, so some of the prices may or cherry cheesecake. Exotic tastes will enjoy and Madame Lucas do bring in a variety of seem high, but so is the quality of everythe dulce de leche, pistachio, Guinness (yes, other pastries and baked goods (not all of which are gluten-free) from an authentic thing I’ve sampled in the store. And, Valerie the dark beer), salted caramel and Italian and Guy are part of the local community amaretto. The chocolates aren’t cheap (more French chef based in Orlando. I can vouch for the flaky croissants and pain du chocolat and so personable that I really think you’ll on pricing below), but they surely don’t (chocolate croissants), but Le Macaron does enjoy your first visit and will want to return. taste it, either. And, a box or even a bag of also have true meringues, as well as chocoLe Macaron (28347 Paseo Dr., these chocolates make a beautiful presentalate twists and different seasonal cakes, such #110) can cater your party or special tion to give as a holiday, birthday, anniveras pumpkin cake for the fall season. event, too. For more info, call 991-7110, sary corporate or other gift for anyone you Valerie says that she soon also will add visit LeMacaron-US.com, Facebook. know craves the cocoa bean. authentic calissons, a traditional dessert from com/LeMacaron Wesley Chapel or see I’m still never going to choose gelato the south of France (where Valerie and Guy the ad on pg. 34. over great ice cream myself, but I have

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

37

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

Capital Tacos Opens!

At our press time, Capital Tacos, the hugely popular local eatery with an original location at 6765 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41) in Land O’Lakes, had just opened its second restaurant in the former location of Café Fresco at 27209 SR 56, in the (L.-r.): The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce hosted ribbon-cutting events at Jefferson Bank & at Memory Lane Cottages on Oct. 15, and at North plaza next to Sports + Field.

Tampa Pet Depot & Hospital on Oct. 9. All three businesses are in Tampa Palms. For the WCCC’s complete events calendar, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

All I can tell you is that is being renovated at our press time, Señor the former D’Alessio Restaurant location, ing back to this community we love.” the Land O’Lakes location is always packed, T’s plans to open on November 15. Once Shoppes leasing agent Barry Jackson of VIP is open seven days a week, but you even at night, and the buzz on the Wesley open, the restaurant will feature indoor and Momenta Real Estate says that the Florida can get the same, outstanding haircut I got Chapel Community Facebook page is that outdoor seating, a full premium liquor bar Orthopaedic Institute has leased the from Omar — or any of VIP’s well-trained most of the local community is ready to emremaining 6,000 sq. ft. of space (everything and mid-priced Mexican fare. — MW & GN barbers — for just $10 on any “Ten Dollar brace Capital Tacos’ affordable, tasty fare. not already leased by Samantha Taylor’s Tuesday.” You also can get $5 off any hairFor more information, visit Capital Pure Health Fitness Studio) on the second VIP Elite Barbershop’s cut or hot shave with the coupon from the Tacos.com or call 973-3777. — GN Community VIP Event floor of the plaza.

VIP Elite ad on page 34 of this issue.

If you’re looking for a great haircut at “It’s official, and we’re really excited,” Walk-ins are always welcome at Russell’s Western Wear says Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s director a great price, I can personally recommend VIP, or you can make appointments at Coming To S.R. 54 VIP Elite Barbershop (20309 BBD, next of marketing Donna Bossuyt. “We plan to VIPEliteBarbershop.com or by calling If you’ve been looking for a place to to Bruster’s Ice Cream), even though I’ve open sometime in December.”

994-4057. — GN stock up on all of your favorite western never personally had a “fade” or any other The Shoppes of Wesley Chapel office gear close to home, look no further than razor cut before. will be the 10th location for the medical Tarek’s Cafe & Grill the former RaceTrac convenience store loI took part in VIP’s “Community VIP” group and will feature state-of-the-art X-ray A new breakfast, lunch and dinner cated just east of I-75 on S.R. 54 in Wesley event on October 14, when men’s and kids’ technology, physical therapy and rehabilirestaurant is coming to the Shoppes at Chapel, which will become the fifth Florida haircuts were just $10, and you could even tation treatment, as well as at least three Amberly shopping plaza off Amberly Dr. in location of Russell’s Western Wear. sub-specialty surgeons. Surgeries will not be get the VIP Elite logo design in your cut Tampa Palms, in the space we once called Russell’s, a one-stop shop for cowboy (photo below; although I chose to not have conducted at the new location. the Neighborhood News headquarters. boots, hats, jeans and apparel with stores that done) at no extra charge.

For more information, please visit Tarek Elsayed, who has owned and opin Ocala, Lakeland, Dover and on N. Dale “We had some guys get Tampa Bay FloridaOrtho.com. erated Tarek’s Café & Grill on the UniverMabry Hwy. in Carrollwood, is expected to Lightning bolts, too,” says VIP co-owner sity of South Florida (USF)’s Tampa campus be open before the holidays, says marketSeñor T’s Taking Over Joanne Rivera, whose husband and Master for the past 23 years, is set to open a second ing manager Chloe Gray. “We don’t have a Barber Omar cut my hair. “We had free food location, which will take up not only our old Macaroni Grill Location specific date yet because we’re still working and beverages, provided by a number of The long-vacant former New Tampa offices, but also the former Spices of India through the permitting and construction sponsors. It was just one of our ways of givMacaroni Grill, located on BBD, in front market next door, totaling 4,300 sq. ft. process,” Gray explains. of the also-vacant former Sweetbay Su“I’ve been thinking about a second She says that a Wesley Chapel store permarket has not been occupied for more location for years,” Elsayed says. “The made sense to reach the customers in than a year, but that’s about to change, as opportunity never came. But, the location between the Ocala store and the regional Señor T’s Mexican Restaurant is getting became available.” headquarters in Tampa.— MW & GN ready to move in.

Elsayed says the café at The Shops will A Señor T’s spokesperson says the new serve all three meals in 150 seats and will Florida Orthopaedic Inst.

Mexican eatery will be the first link in a feature an open-kitchen design. The restauComing To Shoppes Of WC small, planned start-up chain of about seven rant also will offer vegan options, but will Although the Shoppes of Wesley locations, with a second location rumored not serve alcohol. Elsayed says he hopes to Chapel (on Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd., to be moving into the former Mac Grill officially open in early December. across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel) location on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in CarrollFor more information, please visit doesn’t yet have a restaurant tenant to fill wood. While the inside of the restaurant still TareksCafe.com. — MW

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL HELP WANTED

Classifieds

HELP WANTED

PIZZAMAKERS & LINE/PREP COOKS WANTED (exp’d. preferred) at New Tampa’s favorite authentic Chicago-style pizza place. Bring Resume during business hours to Full Circle Chicago Pizza at 19651 BBD Blvd. (in the Pebble Creek Collection).

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

PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT) - An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide customized, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080.

Busy veterinary clinic is hiring an experienced full time veterinary technician .

Candidate should be proficient in all aspects of basic and advanced animal care to include, but not limited to: animal restraint, administering oral and injectable treatments, placing IV catheters, taking x-rays, drawing blood, running lab tests, prepare animals for surgery, experience with patient monitoring, and operating and maintaining diagnostic equipment. Please send resumes to: MuschelchenFL@gmail.com

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. Please forward your resume to: Richard.Jones@solarusmedical.com.

WING ZONE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONS - Including shift leader, cooks, cashiers and delivery drivers. Wing Zone offers flexible scheduling, competitive pay wages, advancement opportunities and much more.

Come join out team of flavorholics and wing lovers at Wing Zone. Applications are available at store location: 19062 Bruce B Downs. Corner of Cross Creek in the New Tampa Center.

NOW HIRING STYLIST - Upscale hair salon seeks hairstylist. Please inquire within...

6431 Country Line Road, Suite 107 Tampa, FL 33647 Contact (813) 994-9455 ROUTE SALES, MEDICAL Fills customer orders by driving to customer accounts within Florida; unloading and shelving product, inventory verification, order retreival. Increase sales volume by providing customer service and suggestive selling techniques. Fills order by verifying inventory; loading vehicle. Monthly overnight travel requirement 2 nights a month. Retrieves damaged/defective products from customer locations; keeps vehicle operating by following operating instructions; scheduling maintenance and repairs.

Send resumes to: richard.jones@solarusmedical.com

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MISCELLANEOUS

BUYING QUALITY PIANOS Baby Grands and Uprights only, in excellent shape.Newer is best. Prefer Kawaii or Yamaha.

(813)978-1771

HOME IMPROVEMENT

DRY WALL SPECIALIST - Not just a ‘handyman.’

Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years of experience Wesley Chapel resident. StateCertified. Call Ron for a free estimate at 784-5999.

GREG’S PAPERHANGING - For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed and insured, clean, quick and reasonable. Call 973-2767 for a free estimate.

RAYMOND PAINTING - Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles.

Licensed & Bonded. References avail.

Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days.

Call (813) 994-5124.

WEST COAST FLOORING, INC.Carpet and Laminate Flooring. Quality repairs on all floors. Commercial Flooring Install. Licensed and Insured. Free Estimate, Call (813)-215-4817

POOL SERVICES MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer SpecialSpecial — 50% MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer off your months of service. owned &Family oper— 50%1st offtwo your 1st two monthsFamily of service. ated. 20+ of Experience. rates! ComSame owned & Years operated.

20+ YearsCompetitive of Experience. service tech each week. *Our 15-pt. weeklyweek. full service petitive rates!

Same service tech each *Our will keep your pool looking great!

Referyour a customer & get 15-pt. weekly full service will keep pool looking ONE MONTH Call Today (813)MONTH 489-9967.FREE! great!

Refer aFREE! customer & get-ONE Call Today - (813) 489-9967.

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE – New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! Call Chris Today @ (813)857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential.

CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements? Ask about our HOA SPECIAL & FREE ESTIMATE! For more info, call (813) 420-4465.

AMERICAN PRIDE LAWN CARE SERVICE, LLC Our services include weekly lawn maintenance with mulching decks on all mowers, precision edging, string trimming, hedge, shrub, palm, and tree trimming. We also offer landscaping, pruning, and sod replacement. Free estimates. Licensed and Insured.

We are an Owner/Operator Company built on service and trust. References available.

For more info, call (813) 458-4778.

HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC: - High-Quality Professional Services: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Year-Round FullSvc LawnCare: mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming up to 24 feet; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554

POOL SERVICES

ALL-STAR POOL SERVICE & REPAIR- Expert repairs and installations of pumps, motors, filters, timers, salt and ozone generators. Pool refinishing from $2400.00. Tile repair and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing, pressure washing and deck repair, paver and eurocote decks. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE MONTH Pool Service. Call or text 813-244-7077. See our display ad.

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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.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

EDUCATION / BABYSITTING GREAT HOPE PRESCHOOL - We offer preschool for ages 6 weeks to 12 years. We accept the ELC - School Readiness program, offer FREE VPREK and offer multi child discounts. New owner and renovated classrooms.

Now enrolling all age groups. Infants-Afterschool. Mention this ad and receive 1/2 off enrollment fees.

TOUR TODAY!!! 30126 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, FL 813-929-6276 or 813-323-8030. #CO6PA0267 PIANO LESSONS/TUTORING-Located in Live Oak Preserve for children, teens, and adults. I am a highly qualified/certified Florida teacher specializing in piano, music theory, language arts, reading, writing, geography, elementary math, beginning Spanish, and FCAT/test preparation. Mention this ad and receive your first session for FREE! Now scheduling for the 2015/2016 school year!!! Contact Mrs. Da-

CLEANING SERVICES

POWER HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES- Offering Residential cleaning for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly & occasional. Services available: one time, deep cleaning, move in / move outs, Real Estate, Holiday and Event cleaning. Owner Operator with Personal Care! Personal Touch!

Licensed and Insured. For scheduling or a free in home estimate Call (813) 356-8287 or e-mail phcservices1@gmail.com.

Try Power House Cleaning Services - you will be powerfully pleased!

FULL FORCE HOME CLEANING. Providing full service residential cleaning. We bring are own equipment and supplies. Weekly, biweekly, monthly and one-time cleaning schedules offered. References available. Affordable rates.

We are Cleaning you can trust!

(813) 297-6116 SQUEAKY CLEAN HOME SERVICES - is a residential cleaning company offering weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly services. We also specialize in move-in/move-out cleanup. All supplies and equipment provided. We are an Owner Operator company with over 20 years experience. “If it Needs to be Clean, We’re your Team!

Call us for your free in home estimate today!

813-625-6045 B Cleaning Services: Over fourteen years experience! Commercial & residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813.531.0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@ hotmail.com

_____ERRANDS & PERSONAL SVCS______ GET A RIDE - Don’t Have a Ride? Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You & Your Car Home! Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or stranded. Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.

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CLEANING SERVICES

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies and more than 300 clients in New Tampa!

For more info, Call 758-9710.

AD OF THE MONTH! GOD IS REAL! He wants to Bless, Protect and Favor You! Learn how you can eliminate Fear, Depression, Failure, Block Barriers - Now. Course not taught anywhere else on Earth - Now IN TAMPA. All based on the Bible in perfect order, DOES NOT FAIL! The Psalmist Church *ONE ON ONE* Life Coaching, Corporate Training, Motivation.

CALL NOW! (813) 270-1796.

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.

Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate.

DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, installation, networking & virus removal. WE COME TO YOU! Servicing residences & businesses, w/ more than 25 years of exp. Contact Jeffrey Blank at (813) 973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or send an email to Wsica@wsica.com today!

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

41

‘Martial Arts For Life’ Bingo Event Raises $2K To Fight Human Trafficking It seems you never really know what effect an event is going to have on you until you actually attend it.

A case in point — I was really only going to the “80s Flashback Bingo” event, sponsored by CORE Spine & Rehabilitation Center, LLC, to support Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club president-elect (and CORE owner) and chiropractor Pablo Rivera, DC, and his wife Christine in their efforts to help the “Martial Arts for Life’ Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started by Sensei Ernesto Fuentes of the Keiko Shin Karate dojo at 3753 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. here in Wesley Chapel.

The thing I didn’t know until I went to the fun event, which was attended by more than 50 people and raised nearly $2,000 for the Foundation, was the effect Fuentes and his cause would have on me.

The Riveras have had their children trained in karate by Fuentes, who said that he moved his family from his native Venezuela a few years ago because his daughter was targeted by human traffickers and he was told by law enforcement officials that the only way “to prevent her from being taken was to take her out of the country.”

Fuentes and his family escaped to Miami but ultimately settled in Wesley Chapel.

During the ‘80s-themed event, he made an obviously emotional presentation about human trafficking — including mentioning that Florida has the third highest number of children being trafficked in the U.S. and that the Tampa Bay area is unfortunately the leading location for trafficking in the Sun-

42

shine State, where the average age of the victims is only 12.

“Trafficking is a huge business,” said Fuentes, who also recently added training the children at the Everyday Blessings foster home in Thonotosassa, which specializes in caring for siblings at their location. “It is up to us to do something about it.”

For info about Keiko Shin Karate, call 994-9253.

For CORE Spine & Rehabilitation (5900 Argerian At the ‘80s Flashback Bingo’ event to benefit the Martial Arts for Life Foundation, (clockwise from top left) Christine & Dr., Suite 101), call 373Dr. Pablo Rivera & Sensei Ernesto Fuentes gave away lots of prizes, some of which were won by former WC Rotary president 5317 or visit Facebook.

Kelly Mothershead & current president Erin Meyer. Christine poses with Dr. Karina Azank & Christina Navatta. com/CoreSpine. — GN

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 22 • October 24, 2015 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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