New Tampa Neighborhood News, Issue 7, March 28, 2015

Volume 23 Issue 7

Inside:

Recapping New Tampa’s St. Patty’s Day 2015

March 28, 2015

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For the complete list of the neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in New Tampa (zip code 33647), see page 62!

New Tampa Rotary Club Officially Breaks Ground On Dog Park

By Matt Wiley After more than a year of fund raising and working with the City of Tampa, work officially is under way at the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park in Tampa Palms, which could be open in about two months.

During a groundbreaking ceremony on March 2, which was right after we went to press with our previous New Tampa issue, members of the New Tampa Rotary Club (which meets Fridays at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club), Dist. 7 City of Tampa Council member Lisa Montelione, city staff, and (of course) some furry, fourlegged friends broke ground on the future dog park at the corner of Commerce Park Blvd. and the entrance to New Tampa Com- The area for the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park in Tampa Palms almunity Park, which is a partnership between ready was mostly cleared (above) shortly after the Mar. 2 groundbreaking ceremony with the Rotary Club & the City of Tampa (right). the club and the city.

“We’re extremely excited to break customizable bricks that will bear the do“Dogs are an ground on the New Tampa Rotary Dog nors’ names and also will make up the side- important part of Park,” said chair of the Rotary Club of New walk that will lead into the park. The sales my life,” Montelione Tampa Dog Park committee Joyce Gunt- of bricks are now closed, as the club sold all said. “Having this dog park here serves a lot er. “We hope to open by the end of April, 251 spaces it had available. of purposes. Just like people, dogs need to “It’s been about a year and a half since socialize. It’s also important to have a place weather permitting.”

Although the property was still cov- (the club) came up with this idea,” said New for dog owners to socialize. Dog parks are an ered in brush and trees at the time of the Tampa Rotary immediate past president Pe- integral part of (the city’s) Parks and Recreaceremony, a bulldozer has been hard at work ter Gambacorta. “This has been a big service tion department.” clearing the site for the 0.64-acre dog park project for our club. This is a branding proMontelione commended New Tampa’s (photo top left), which is estimated to cost ject that will be here for a very long time to original Rotary Club, which was chartered in $50,000 to build. The New Tampa Rotary promote Rotary and service above self.”

1985 with 63 members (the largest club ever Gunter also noted during the ceremony chartered in Rotary’s Southeast district) on successfully raised half of that amount and the City of Tampa matched it dollar-for- that Montelione was instrumental in getting their work in the city’s District 7. dollar. To raise the $25,000, the club sold the park project moving.

“From the four-legged to the two-leg-

ged, its an important role that you (the club) play in New Tampa,” Montelione said. “We wouldn’t be the same in this community without your hard work.”

The park will be enclosed with a fourfoot-tall chain-link fence, as well as be equipped with benches, picnic tables, pet drinking fountains and dog waste receptacles. The park will feature a 21,887-sq.-ft. area for large dogs and a separately fenced, 5,259-sq.-ft. area for smaller dogs.

For more information, please visit RotaryDogPark.com.

Neighborhood News To Kick Off Year Of Autism Awareness With Walk On Apr. 11

By Gary Nager & Matt Wiley As the 21-year owner of your community news magazine, I am proud to announce that the staff here at the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News has decided to make 2015 our “Year of Autism Awareness.”

According to WebMD.com, “the word ‘autism,’ which has been in use since 1911 (when Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, became the first person to use the term to refer to one group of symptoms of schizophrenia), comes from the Greek word ‘autos,’ meaning ‘self.’ The term de-

scribes conditions in which a person is removed from social interaction — hence, an isolated self.”

But, it was only during the 1980s & ‘90s, that, “the role of behavioral therapy and the use of highly controlled learning environments emerged as the primary treatments for many forms of autism and related conditions. Currently, the cornerstones of autism therapy are behavioral therapy and language therapy.”

For our first foray into being involved as a company in autism awareness, we’ll be teaming up with Behavioral Consultants of Tampa Bay (BCOTB),

Also Inside This Issue!

Local News, Business & Education Updates

Neighborhood Magazine

Poor Turnout In Municipal Election, BBD Lanes Finally Open Under I-75, Local Churches Wrapping Up Expansions & Lots Of Great Business Features!

New Tampa Goes Green For St. Patty’s Day, Cool Dims Can ‘Clone’ You, Westshore Has More Than Just Pizza & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes!

Pages 3-42

Pages 43-64

which has three offices (including one in the Summergate Professional Center behind Sam’s Club in Wesley Chapel), for the 2015 Walk Now For Autism Speaks, which is being held on Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m., at Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg. The walk will feature a halfmile course surrounded by booths from local vendors and fund-raising teams.

Marilyn Prcic, M.S., BCBA, clinical director of operations for BCOTB Wesley Chapel, explains that the group already has raised more than $7,000 for the walk and was the second highest fund raiser for the event when we went to press with this issue. “We’re really excited to be involved with the walk,” Prcic says.

“We’re proud to give back to the families (of autistic children).”

Prcic says that BCOTB works mostly with kids primarily on the autism spectrum and provides verbal therapy.

She explains that 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with autism and wants the community to know and try to show compassion. “You might see a kid on the floor at the grocery store screaming for a candy bar,” she says. “That could be a kid with autism and the parents are doing the best they can. You never know.”

Look for more articles about autism in these pages in future issues. For more info about the walk, visit Walk NowforAutismSpeaks.org.

‘Jealous’ Congrats To One Of Our Own & An Update About My Mom An editorial by Gary Nager country music star’s

Anyone who has seen me out and about in and around the Wesley Chapel area will tell you that I’m a guy who likes the sound of his own voice..I mean, who really likes to sing.

It’s therefore easy to hear me singing — at Tue. Open Mic Nights at Stage Left on S.R. 54 in Lutz and karaoke at City Grill on S.R. 54 (see ad on pg. 59) on Wed. & Thur. nights and at Skinny’s Sports Bar on S.R. 54 (see story on pg. 62) on some Thur. & Sat. nights.

But, whether or not I’ve spent a few minutes in a few different bands or think I can sing a little or not, rest assured that no one has ever told me that I should be on NBC-TV’s “The Voice” or Fox-TV’s “American Idol,” much less that I’d have a chance to win either of these hit televised karaoke contests.

Therefore, it was stunning for me to see 16-year-old recently transplanted Georgia native and current Wesley Chapel resident Brooke Adee actually make it onto “The Voice” — attracting almost immediate attention from “coaches” Blake Shelton and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine — in her first-ever audition for the show.

Brooke, who said her singing style is primarily indy/alt rock during her oncamera interview for the show (see NBC. com for both her audition and her interview) chose to be on Team Blake (under the

New Tampa Neighborhood News 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: (813) 423-6533 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondent Celeste McLaughlin Advertising Sales Representative Mary Dorey Office Assistants Erica Everett • Jillian Reilly Graphic Design Georgia Carmichael • Nate Ciurla Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

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Neighborhood News

tutelage), over the rocker Levine’s team, when both mega-stars quickly turned their chairs around during Brooke’s blind on-air audition.

“I was thinking Adam all the way un- Wesley Chapel resitil I heard them argue dent Brooke Adee at over me,” Brooke said. blind auditions for “Then, I said to myself, “The Voice.”

Photo from NBC.com.

‘Blake is my boy!’”

The fact that both music industry giants turned around during basically her first few bars of the haunting Birdy song “Skinny Love” was clear indication to not only Levine and Shelton, but also to competing coaches Christina Aguilera and rap star Pharrell — who never did turn their chairs around for Brooke — that this youngster has a special kind of talent.

“This is why I do this show,” Shelton chirped as Brooke wiped away tears. “I love your pitch...and that little yodel break thing you do with your voice...I’m looking at a future star right now!”

Since then, Blake picked Brooke as the winner of her “Battle Round” against Brooke’s fellow Team Blake pop singer Bay Brooks, so her “Voice” journey was still rocking at our press time.

The hope here is that she will continue to advance through the stages of “The Voice” so that maybe a certain local publication can begin hosting some watch parties at some of our local establishments.

Break a leg, Brooke. You got this!

ing everything we can to keep up with it.

To that end, we now print and distribute more than 20,000 copies in Wesley Chapel, and we’re still not reaching all of the households in one of the fastest-growing regions in the entire Tampa Bay area.

But, we’re working on it — and on the growth in New Tampa, too. We’ve added two postal carrier routes in WC with our most recent issue, but plan to add more that will soon increase our unmatched direct-mail WC circulation to more than 21,000. And, in New Tampa, our directmail circulation already is up to 25,000+ with more to come, especially in the KBar Ranch/Easton Park, Grand Hampton, Live Oak Preserve & Tampa Palms.

My Mom’s Fractured Pelvis

Long-time readers know that my mom Marilyn (who has appeared in these pages a few times over the years) lives in Sarasota.

Well, the last couple of weeks have been really tough for me, after my mom shattered her pelvis and tail bone (coccyx) in a fall near her home.

But, thanks to regular visits from yours truly and her dog, Mazel (photo), and the outstanding care and compassion she’s received at the Smith Center in Sarasota, she should be coming home soon.

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Anyone who says the economy still hasn’t recovered isn’t paying attention to the suddenly explosive growth of new homes popping up throughout Wesley Chapel (WC). We, on the other hand, are not only aware of what’s happening in zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545, we’re do-

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.......................................4-25

New Tampa Casts Few Votes In Municipal Election.........................4 ‘Go Hillsborough’ Transportation Meeting Gathers Public Input....6 New Tampa Church Expansions Near Completion........................8 New Tampa News Briefs........................................................10 BBD Lanes Open Under I-75 County Closing On Pebble Creek Pluris Purchase Man Arrested For Exposing Himself In Seven Oaks WC Uber Driver Still Missing Murder/Suicide In Pebble Creek WC Man Who Fled Accident Arrested A Year Later FHWC Plans $78-Million Expansion...........................................12 Moffitt Cancer Center Receives Nursing Honor............................14 Cypress Creek Ice & Sports Complex Breaks Ground...................16 Feasibility Study Planned For Wiregrass Sports Complex Site.....19

New Tampa Community Calendar....................................22

Local Business Updates......................26-38

Axiom Business Consulting Has Small Business Needs Covered....26 Organic Safe Lawns Keeps Your Lawn Green The Safe Way............30 Seven Oaks Pet Hospital To Open New Facility.............................34

Local Sports Updates...............................39 Florida Bill Could Eliminate Waivers At City Skateparks

Neighborhood Magazine

New Tampa Goes Green For St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations..........43 New Tampa Homes Included In 2015 ‘Parade Of Homes’.........46 The Ridge At Wiregrass Under Construction.................................47 Wesley Chapel Jazz & Fitness Festivals Cancelled.........................49 Cool Dims 3-D Portrait Studio Can ‘Clone’ You..........................50 Westshore Pizza — More Than Just Pizza!....................................54 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’..............................58

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSIFIEDS........................60 Skinny’s Raises $7,000 For Injured Motorcylist...............................62

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New Tampa’s Voter Turnout Lags Behind City In Municipal Election

By Matt Wiley

The 2015 City of Tampa municipal election is a wrap and the votes have been tallied, with turnout low throughout the city, especially (again) in New Tampa.

According to the official results from the March 3 election posted on the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office’s website, of the 211,158 registered voters in the City of Tampa, only 26,992 ballots were cast, for a citywide voter turnout of just 12.78 percent to pick Tampa’s mayor and fill three of seven city council seats. Two Council seats — including New Tampa’s District 7 (represented by incumbent Lisa Montelione) — were decided on the last day to qualify for the election in January.

Montelione had faced opposition from former council member and Grand Hampton resident Joseph Caetano, but he failed to qualify to be placed on the ballot. Although New Tampa’s district was decided by default, voters in our area still had the opportunity to vote for the three citywide council seats.

In New Tampa’s eight voting precincts (comprised of each city-based community; voters in Cross Creek, Live Oak Preserve and Pebble Creek live in unincorporated Hillsborough County and are not eligible to par-

ticipate in municipal elections), of the 28,705 registered voters, only 2,240 ballots were cast, for a voter turnout of just 7.8 percent.

Not surprisingly, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn cruised to an easy reelection,as he ran unopposed, except for write-in candidate Jose Vazquez (whose name did not appear on the actual ballot). Across the city, Buckhorn gathered 24,607 votes for 95 percent of the vote. In New Tampa’s precincts, Buckhorn gathered 2,071 votes for 92 percent of our area’s vote.

“Four years ago, in the midst of the recession, it felt like we had more

challenges than we did opportunities,” said Mayor Buckhorn. “Today, we know that our opportunities outweigh our challenges. From the New Tampa Nature Park to Tampa Fire Station 22, we have accomplished a lot in the New Tampa area, and the next four years promise to be just as exciting.”

Meanwhile, in citywide District 1, incumbent Mike Suarez was re-elected to four more years on the City Council, defeating challenger Susan Long by receiving 15,474 votes, or 62 percent of the city’s voters. In New Tamp’s precincts, Suarez received 1,234 votes for 55 percent of our area’s vote.

For the District 2 seat, former District 6 Council member Charlie Miranda was able to defeat Joseph Citro and Julie Jenkins with 15,268 votes, or 59 percent of the vote, while New Tampa cast 49 percent of its votes (or 1,116 ballots) in Miranda’s favor.

In District 3, Yvone Yolie Capin cruised to an easy victory over Paul Erni with 18,154 votes citywide, or 71 percent of the vote. In New Tampa, she received 1,474 votes, or 65 percent of our area’s vote. (Note-All city elections are non-partisan.)

For more information, please visit VoteHillsborough.org.

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‘Go Hillsborough’ Meeting Gathers Input On Local Transportation Problems

By Matt Wiley

Transportation is obviously still a big issue here in New Tampa. With portions of our area’s main artery, Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., likely to still be under construction for several years, it comes as no surprise that residents are concerned. During a meeting at the New Tampa Rec Center (located off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms), attendees had a chance to let transportation officials know what they think about the current state of New Tampa’s roads, intersections and access to public transportation.

On March 9, more than 50 people attended the “Go Hillsborough” transportation meeting, which featured an interactive presentation, along with maps on which residents could specifically draw where they think there are problems in the area.

Go Hillsborough is an effort being led by the Transportation for Economic Development initiative, which is made up of all seven Hillsborough County commissioners, the mayors of Plant City, Tampa and Temple Terrace, as well as the chair of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation (HART) Board and members of the Parsons Brinckerhoff engineering firm (which specializes in transportation and was chosen by county staff among 20 other firms because of its extensive national experience). According to the group’s

website (GoHillsborough.com), the goal of the group is to “study, develop, and create consensus around a comprehensive community mobility plan that ensures continued quality of life and economic prosperity now and well into the future.”

The New Tampa meeting was the eighth of 36 public meetings in the Go Hillsborough series. Another meeting will be held at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.) on Monday, April 20, 6 p.m.

“Before we put a plan together, we need to get out and talk to people,” said Lori Hudson, special projects manager for Hillsborough County at the Mar. 9 meeting. “We need to find out what’s going in people’s everyday lives and what would make a difference in their everyday commutes. We’re all traveling somewhere.”

It wasn’t a typical community meeting, with a presentation from a representative and then a question-andanswer period at the end. Instead, different stations were set up around the room for people to learn from presentation boards that explained different aspects of transportation planning. There even was a station for attendees to mark with stickers which transportation issues were most important to them.

Different boards presented different information, including conceptuals of the more than 12,000 lane miles,

700 bridges and 600 signalized intersections in the county. Another station broke down how much ad valorem property tax actually goes toward funding transportation maintenance and needs, which is about two cents per tax dollar.

County staff also was on hand to answer any questions.

“Transportation is the most important issue in our community because it is (the) key to our prosperity,” said Hillsborough County administrator Mike Merrill New Tampa resident Victoria Barnes places stickers on a transat the meeting. “We can’t portation chart, indicating an item she believes is a top transporattract good jobs without tation priority at the March 9 ‘Go Hillsborough’ transportation good transportation.” meeting at the New Tampa Rec Center in Tampa Palms.

He added that the first part of the process for cerned with looking for ways to bypass improving transportation is finding out BBD and said that he was interested what people want, followed by looking in the proposed East-West Connector for resolutions and, finally, looking for (E-W Rd.), which currently is unfunded ways to fund improvement projects. in the county’s 2040 Long-Range “Different parts of the county have Transportation Plan (LRTP). The E-W different needs,” Merrill said, adding Rd. would connect BBD with I-275 by that hot topics at the New Tampa meet- extending New Tampa Blvd. (the main ing (and at the seven previous meetroadway through West Meadows) from ings) included the repaving of roads and where it currently ends at Commerce more transit options, but not necessarily Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms and conlight rail. necting it to a new I-275 interchange.

“Some people just want a circulaNew Tampa resident Victoria tor bus,” Merrill said. “Others have Barnes, 22, came out for a different reasuggested express buses. One way to son altogether — to let transportation achieve that is to dedicate lanes for officials know about the new stoplight express buses so that they actually can at E. Fletcher Ave. to enter northbound be ‘express.’ That could do a lot to help I-75. “The light should be a yield, transit (countywide) without spending but it’s a red light,” Barnes said. “It’s the money for light rail.” causing a lot of traffic and I wanted my New Tampa resident Bruce Maier voice to be heard.” said at the meeting, for example, that Barnes said that even at low traffic he’d be more interested in additional times, the left-turn light to access the buses than light rail. interstate remains red, when a flashing “Rail is wonderful, but where are yellow light would suffice. She marked you going to put it up here?,” Maier the light on the map in the center of asked. “The main thing with rail is that the room. you need a central location. I think “I think that map is very important buses are more convenient than rail for this meeting,” Barnes said. “It really because buses don’t need tracks. Let lets people highlight the important ismass transit prove itself with buses, first, sues (to them).” before you put in light rail.”

For info about GO HillsborMaier said that he’s more conough, visit GOHillsborough.com.

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Additions To Two New Tampa Churches Coming Along Nicely

By Matt Wiley Worshippers at two of New Tampa’s oldest churches may be more accustomed to hearing the sound of construction than church bells in recent months, as both St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church and Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church are in the process of expanding their facilities.

Located off Cross Creek Blvd., St. Mark’s current worship space is dwarfed by the massive new church sanctuary being built (photo) just across the sidewalk from its main entrance. The $10.1-million sanctuary project broke ground last January and is expected to be completed by Saturday, June 6, for a dedication ceremony.

“We’re very excited about the new sanctuary,” says St. Mark’s director of marketing Valerie Mainguy. “It’s really going to be incredible.”

The current worship space, measuring 28,000 sq. ft., was built in 2000, three years after St. Mark’s began holding mass in the gymnasium of Paul R. Wharton High (located on Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd.).

With more than 3,500 families currently in the congregation, the church finally will have some extra space to breathe. The new 35,000-sq.-ft. building will feature a massive sanctuary capable of seating 1,325 people, as well as a 225-seat daily chapel that church members will have access to 24 hours a day. Although separated by a removable glass partition, during holidays, that area can be opened up as overflow seating, expanding the sanctuary’s seating capacity to 1,550.

Mainguy says that much of the custom

artwork that will adorn the walls and floors of the sanctuary is being brought in from Italy, including a 13-ft. sculpture of the Crucifixion that will be secured to a massive 35-foot, 40-ton cement cross positioned overlooking the altar. The new building also will feature sculptures of the “Prodigal Son” and the “Burning Bush.”

The sanctuary also includes a baptismal font that people will be able to step down into to be baptized one day per year, which will be covered in glass the rest of the year.

For more information, please visit StMarkTampa.org or call 907-7746.

say the addition should be completed in time for this Easter Sunday — Sunday, April 5.

Rev. Freddie Fitz says that TB Presbyterian will hold a dedication ceremony at 9:45 a.m. on Easter Sunday to commemorate the completion of the expansion.

“Our mission is to bring (more) people to Jesus Christ,” Rev. Fitz says. “This addition gives us the facilities to make accomplishing that goal much easier.”

Fitz says that he and the congregation

of more than 100 families are extremely excited. “It’s not a big addition, but it’s much needed extra space,” Rev. Fitz says, noting that the expansion adds space for storage, two additional classrooms and three offices, increasing the church’s size by 3,168 sq. ft. for a total of about 14,000 sq. ft.

“We saw a need for additional classrooms for Sundays and Wednesdays for our children’s program and music program,” Rev. Fitz explains. “Everything was maxed out. And, we never had enough storage.”

Rev. Fitz invites the community out to the dedication ceremony and Easter service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5.

For additional information, please visit TampaBayPresbyterian.org or call 973-2484.

TB Presbyterian Addition To Be Finished By Easter

Just about two miles north and west on BBD, Tampa Bay (TB) Presbyterian Church — the first-ever church building built in New Tampa (in 1988) — also is in the process of expanding. In fact, church officials

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News Briefs

BBD Lanes Finally Open Under I-75

New Tampa drivers may have noticed some relief from congestion under I-75 along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., as all lanes are now open under the interstate between Doña Michelle Dr. (north of I-75) and Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms (photo, right).

While the lanes are open, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) spokesperson John McShaffrey says that drivers can expect to still see workers from Prince Contracting working in the area, as crews are still finishing the final striping and paving. “(Prince) still has to place the final layer of asphalt (called the “friction course”) and then put down the final markings,” McShaffrey says.

Enjoy the open lanes, but continue to use caution in the area.

County Closing On Pluris Pebble Creek Purchase

Pebble Creek residents are one step closer to becoming Hillsborough County Utilities customers, as the county is in the process of closing a deal with Pluris to purchase the utility service in the New Tampa community.

The county originally was planning to close on the $14.1-million deal with the Dallas-based private water and utility service on March 17, but the closing was postponed.

“Anytime you’re negotiating big deals like this, something can come up and slightly delay the process,” says Hillsborough County spokesperson Tom Iovino, who didn’t disclose the exact problem during the closing. “There was a hiccup in the closing, but we’re working through it.”

Iovino says that the final details about how Pebble Creek’s more than 1,500 customers will be switched over to the Hillsborough County utility system are still being worked out, but that the process will take place over the next few months.

Iovino says that the initial plan is to change customers’ meters on an as-needed basis. Some meters are suspected of not working properly and Iovino says that the priority during the first 90 days of the changeover will focus on identifying those meters and replacing them.

“We’re going to be taking a look at the entire system,” Iovino says.

Pebble Creek customers can expect at least one more bill from Pluris, as the company’s final meter reading was conducted on March 16.

“Customers will still have to pay their final Pluris bill,” Iovino says, adding that they could see some credit on future bills from the county to make up for some of the inflated bills customers have been paying since the company initiated increased rates in 2013. “(The county) is determining the best way to credit customers (in Pebble Creek),” Iovino says. “It most likely will be a single credit on a future bill.”

The rate-increase drama began back in January 2013, when the residents of

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Pebble Creek were notified that they would be experiencing a significant water rate increase, the first of its kind since Pluris bought out Pebble Creek Utilities in 2009. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the Pluris purchase in November of last year.

Man Arrested For Exposing Himself In Seven Oaks

After repeated reports of a man exposing himself and masturbating in public in Wesley Chapel, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reports that a suspect is in custody.

According to PCSO, Alongkot Alongkot Phongsy “Kevin” Phongsy, 21 (who has no permanent address on file), was arrested on March 13 for lewd & lascivious exhibition to a minor.

PCSO says that the agency had received numerous reports about a man exposing himself and masturbating in front of minors in public areas within the Seven Oaks community, located off S.R. 56.

Phongsy allegedly exposed his genitals and masturbated in front of juveniles of various ages four times in the past several weeks in areas such as the community nature trail, parks and even at The Club at Seven Oaks clubhouse.

PCSO reached out to the Seven Oaks Community Development District, which authorized a trespassing warning for Phongsy in the community’s public areas.

Phongsy remained in the Land O’Lakes Detention Center in lieu of a $20,000 bond at our press time.

Wesley Chapel Uber Driver Still Missing

A Wesley Chapel resident and Uber. com driver, who hasn’t been heard from since March 8, has officially been deemed a missing person, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies say.

PCSO says that Sean Golden, 39, has been missing since early on March 8, after he finished his shift as an Uber driver at 4:08 a.m. He was last seen getting gas in his 2014 grey Toyota Camry with a Florida tag bearing “S651JA” at around 4:30 a.m. at the Flying J gas station, located at 11555 E. Sligh Ave. in Tampa. While at the gas station, surveillance video captured Golden popping his trunk, in which there appeared to be luggage.

Deputies said that he could have been heading to Pennsylvania, where he has a 15-year-old son and an ex-wife. PCSO reports that Golden has had no contact with his estranged son, but had been making

monthly child support payments to his exwife until October of 2014. A court case was scheduled about the lapse in payments for March 13, but Golden didn’t show up. PCSO says that, at our press Sean Golden time, his ex-wife still had not heard from Golden.

“It doesn’t sound right that he’d be taking off without notifying anybody,” said Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco in a press conference on March 10.

Detectives said that Golden signed out of the Uber.com application and ended his shift after his final fare Sunday morning at 4:08 and that the agency has been in contact with Golden’s passengers from that morning and noted that they have been cooperative. PCSO says that the passengers are not considered suspects in the case.

Golden lives with his two children and his current wife Corrine, who told detectives that his disappearance is “extremely uncharacteristic.”

PCSO, which is working closely with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Tampa Police Department (TPD), says that there is a possibility that Golden could have driven east on I-4 after leaving the gas station.

PCSO encourages anyone with information to call their Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or submit information through the PCSO smartphone app or by visiting PascoSheriff.us. No additional information was available at our press time.

Pebble Creek Murder/Suicide

Three people are dead in Pebble Creek, following what the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is calling a murder/suicide.

According to HCSO, Sofia Kefalas, 52, Bessie Kefalas, 85, and Vasilios Tsioros, 66, were found dead on March 7 at 18301 Sturbridge Ct. in Pebble Creek at around noon, after a co-worker of Sofia’s came to the house to see why she didn’t show up for work. HCSO reports that when no one answered the door, the co-worker walked to the back of the house and saw the grisly scene inside through a window, before calling 9-1-1.

Once a search warrant was obtained, HCSO was able to enter the home and process the scene. Deputies determined

that Bessie was the mother-in-law of both Sofia and Vasilios. Sofia had been married to Bessie’s son (who is deceased) and Vasilios had been married to Bessie’s daughter (who also is deceased).

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office was able to determine that Tsioros was the one who shot the two women, before taking his own life.

HCSO spokesperson Debbie Carter says that a toxicology report is pending, but those results will not be available for several weeks. No additional information was available at our press time.

WC Man Who Fled Accident Arrested A Year Later

A Wesley Chapel man is in custody, nearly a year after he fled a car crash in Temple Terrace that left one man dead.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Michael P. Mercer, 41, of Quail Hollow, was driving his 1997 GMC pickup truck on E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa when Amari A. Williams, 30, of Thonotosassa, lost control of his 1985 Chevrolet Camaro and hit Mercer’s vehicle at around 3:12 a.m. on Apr. 12, 2014. Williams’ Camaro rotated clockwise and overturned.

FHP says Williams was ejected and landed on the roadway. Two witnesses — one from Jacksonville and one from Tampa — attempted to help Williams, but saw him struck by two more vehicles while still in the road. Williams died of his injuries at the scene. The driver of one of those vehicles called FHP and identified himself as William S. Ridley, 47, of Tampa. The other driver was still unknown at our press time.

FHP reports that, hours after the crash, Mercer’s truck was found abandoned on E. Fletcher Ave. He was identified and located at 8:30 a.m. the next morning, but no charges were filed.

However, after nearly a year of investigation, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins says that Mercer was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury on March 2. At our press time, he was still in the Hillsborough County jail in lieu of a $7,500 bond.

Gaskins says that the delay in Mercer’s arrest was due to getting information together and getting people to come forward to be interviewed about the crash. “It has not been an easy case,” Gaskins says.

The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with info about the fourth driver can call 631-4020.—MW

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FHWC Unveils $78M Expansion Plans

By Matt Wiley

It’s the newest and largest hospital in our area, but Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) already is planning an aggressive expansion at its Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. campus in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), only two miles north of the Hillsborough/Pasco county line.

According to a Mar. 6 press release, FHWC will begin construction on its $78-million expansion — which will add three floors to the hospital’s center wing, as well as a three-story “arm” that will connect the central and southern wings — by August of this year.

“The community has overwhelmingly shown us both the need for the hospital and their confidence and appreciation for the high-quality care our staff delivers every day,” says FHWC president and CEO, Denyse Bales-Chubb. “We are so blessed by their faith in us and we know we need to grow to meet both the current demands and future growth of the community.”

FHWC spokesperson Tracy Clouser says that the technologically advanced, $150-million, 200,000-sq.-ft., 83-bed facility actually was built with expansion in

mind. Clouser says that the expansion will feature 111,993 sq. ft. of new construction, as well as 10,834 sq. ft. of (unspecified in the release) renovated space.

Improvements will include space for 48 new beds (and space for 24 additional beds when they’re needed), 17 more emergency room (added to the current 18) rooms, an additional heart catheterization lab, more pre-operation, recovery and observation beds, as well as four new surgical suites with space to open five more when necessary.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion project is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5.

For more information, visit Florida Hospital.com/Wesley Chapel.

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Moffitt Cancer Center Earns Prestigious Nursing Designation

By Matt Wiley

Already a leader in cancer research and treatment, the Moffitt Cancer Center (photo) continues to build its reputation as one of the premier cancer research centers in the country, and it’s located only about two miles south of Tampa Palms on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., south of E. Fletcher Ave. In a March 16 press release, it was announced that the Moffitt Cancer Center had earned the prestigious Magnet® designation in recognition of its nursing excellence. Magnet recognition is granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — the credentialing body of the American Nurses Association — to honor outstanding health care organizations for nursing professionalism, teamwork, quality patient care and innovations in nursing practices. According to its website, today, only seven percent of national and international health care organizations are recognized by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.

The Magnet program initially was formed in 1990 as the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services. Its criteria were based on findings from a 1983 study conducted by the American Academy of Nursing’s Task Force on Nursing Practice in Hospitals, which identified fourteen characteristics that created an environment conducive to attracting and retaining well-qualified nurs-

14

es who promoted quality care — known as the “Forces of Magnetism.” So, in 2002, the program’s name officially was changed to the Magnet Recognition Program.

“Being a Magnet-recognized organization is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence in nursing within all areas of Moffitt,” said Jane Fusilero, RN, MSN, MBA, NEA-BC, Moffitt’s chief nursing officer and VP of Patient Care Services.

“It also speaks to the power of collaborative teamwork. It truly takes the dedication of everyone within our organization to achieve this level of recognition.”

The Magnet designation is achieved after successfully completing a process in which a team of professionals with experience in quality indicators, nursing administration and nursing care appraises a hospital’s nursing services, clinical outcomes and patient care. Research data and extensive interviews help evaluate the nursing practice with respect to the patient, family, community and nursing services.

The Magnet Model is designed to provide a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes.

Through this framework, ANCC can assess applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. The foundation of this model is composed of various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care, including the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes

for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

Magnet recognition has been shown to provide specific benefits to hospitals and their communities, including higher patient satisfaction with nurse-to-patient communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information; lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue; higher job satisfaction among nurses; and a lower percentage of nurse reports of intentions to leave position.

Moffitt is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the U.S., a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in

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research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the top-ranked cancer hospital in the Southeast and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Hospitals For Cancer Care” since 1999. With more than 4,500 employees, Moffitt claims to have an economic impact in Florida of nearly $1.6 billion.

For more info, visit Moffitt.org.

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First Shots On GoalTheTaken At Ice Complex Groundbreaking Ceremony event also was attended by several

By Matt Wiley There’s a chill in the air a few miles north of New Tampa. Or, at least, that was the theme during the groundbreaking ceremony on February 24 for the tentatively named (see below) Cypress Creek Ice & Sports Complex, located off S.R. 56.

During a unique groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by more than 100 people — including U.S. Olympic Women’s Hockey silver medalist Anne Schleper and former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Alexeev — developers Gordie Zimmermann and George Mitchell of ZMitch, LLC, officially broke ground on their $20-million, 150,000-sq.-ft., four-ice-pad facility that will make Wesley Chapel home to the largest ice facility in Florida. But, unlike most groundbreaking ceremonies, this one had distinguished guests shoot pucks into an ice hockey net (photo), as opposed to simply throwing some dirt with a shovel.

In addition, the hockey facility developers announced that they had entered into a 10-year partnership with Florida Hospital that will allow members of the community to voice their ideas for a fitting name for the facility through an online survey at Wesley ChapelIceCenter.com.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel CEO Denyse Bales-Chubb said at the event that she is proud of the new partnership between the two facilities. “(FHWC) plan(s) to offer educational programs on concussion and injury prevention, have experts available to provide athletic training, sports performance training and much more,” she said.

Pasco County elected officials, including District 2 County Commissioner Mike Moore (who represents Wesley Chapel) and District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“This is a pretty darn exciting day for this community,” said District 38 Rep. Danny Burgess at the ceremony, who represents Wesley Chapel in Tallahassee. “What’s happening here is nothing short of amazing.

It’s important not only for our county and our region, but for the state of Florida. The state is paying attention to all that is happening here in Wesley Chapel. This is ground zero for all of the economic development that is taking place in our region.”

Former Tampa Bay Lightning general manager and current executive director of community hockey development Jay Feaster also praised the work of Zimmermann and Mitchell, who explained that within a 50mile radius of Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa, there currently are a total of only eight sheets of ice in four facilities.

“We have one mandate from (Lightning) owner Jeff Vinik, and that is to grow awareness of and participation in the sport of hockey in this market,” Feaster told the crowd. “We (the Lightning) will be good customers, we will take advantage of this ice. We will hold camps and clinics here. We will do our best to drive more people to this facility to help make it a thriving enterprise.”

While dirt is now turning on the 13acre property adjacent to American Consulting Engineers, the complex will soon allow for local high school and college hockey teams, like the University of South Florida (USF) Ice Bulls and Wiregrass Ranch High

Gordie Zimmermann, of ZMitch, LLC, takes one of the ceremonial first slap shots on net, during the groundbreaking for the tentatively named Cypress Creek Ice & Sports Complex, located off S.R. 56.

hockey team (which Zimmermann coaches), to cut back on the travel expenses of driving to and from Brandon (20 miles south off I-75) or Ellenton (50 miles south off I-75) for games and ice time.

Zimmermann said that he hopes to be open by around the same time that the nearby Tampa Premium Outlets opens on the southwest corner of the S.R. 56/I-75 interchange — in about nine months.

In addition to the four ice pads (including one larger-than-NHL, Olympic-sized rink and one removable pad that can double as a multi-purpose floor for basketball, roller hockey and other sports, as well as graduations), the facility also will be home to a sports-themed, family restaurant, although Zimmermann says he can’t yet release the

name. The restaurant will have a view of all the rinks on the facility’s second floor.

“It’ll be a great place to bring the family and watch a hockey game,” Zimmermann said.

“The Cypress Creek Ice hockey project is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of project,” said Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) executive director Hope Allen. “The Chamber has been at the table since the beginning and we were delighted to play such a major role in the groundbreaking ceremony. It was an honor for me to share in the celebration with the ceremonial ‘dropping of the puck,’ even though my shot was laughable. I’m very proud this amazing facility will be in Wesley Chapel.”

For more information, please visit WesleyChapelIceCenter.com.

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Pasco BOCC Moves Forward With $35K Study For Wiregrass Sports Complex

By Matt Wiley

It’s been more than two months since the deal to build a massive youth baseball complex in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) was terminated, and Pasco County officials are now trying to figure out the next step for the project. To do so, a feasibility study will be conducted to determine the best next step for the valuable property.

During the March 10 Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, the Board voted 4-1 to move forward with a $35,000 study to figure out what kind of sports complex would work best to benefit Pasco County as a whole. The county will use Johnson Consulting, Inc. (or JCI).

According to county staff reports, “JCI is an experienced sports consulting firm with both Florida-specific experience, as well as a national and international client base.” JCI will assist the county in preparing a feasibility study containing a market and needs assessment; a facility program, site, cost and development plan; operations and financing recommendations and funding options pertinent to the local market area for a new sports complex. The data collected could then be included in a future Request For Proposals (RFP) to contractors so they can better understand what type of facility could work best for the site and for the county.

During a BOCC workshop on March 3 in Dade City, the feasibility study idea was met with interest, as the commissioners sat down at a table with members of the county’s Tourism Development Council (TDC) to discuss the options for proceeding with a sports complex on 120 acres of land donated by the Porter family (which owns and is developing the Wiregrass Ranch DRI).

In January, a deal a year in the making between the county and Pasco Sports, LLC (which included businessman James Talton and retired MLB star Gary Sheffield), to build 19 baseball fields with on-site dormitories was terminated, after Pasco Sports failed to meet multiple deadlines to prove that it had the financing to construct the proposed $34-million facility. Talton

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and Sheffield told the BOCC that it was tough to get investors on board because they could not use the land as collateral because the county owned it.

The contract said that once the proof of funding was provided, the county would sign over the land and invest up to $11 million in tourism funds in the project.

Pasco Planning & Development administrator Richard Gehring presented options for moving forward, drawn up by the county staff. He described the land donated by the Porters as the “hole in a donut” of economic growth in Wiregrass Ranch because the property is at the center of much of the planned exponential growth in the area, with Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) and the Shops at Wiregrass already built and housing developments like Estancia at Wiregrass and The Ridge at Wiregrass (see pgs. 46-47) currently building.

Plus, financial giant Raymond James plans an employment center in the area and the state allocated $10 million last year for a future performing arts center in Wiregrass Ranch.

“From the day this started years back, this ‘donut’ has only gotten more valuable,” Gehring said, adding that the proposed sports complex property itself has grown into a $25-$30-million asset.

Decisions, Decisions

In addition to the feasibility study that ultimately was approved, Gehring also discussed going into another RFP process without the study and described three different options. The first is similar to the previous RFP, which would ask a contractor to help design, operate and manage a multi-purpose sports park. The second has the county building a sports facility and then hiring a private operator to market, manage and operate the facility at their own cost. The final RFP option would have the county lease the land to a private operator who would build, maintain and operate the facility and would split the cost of improvements with the county.

BOCC chair and District 1 Comm.

Ted Schrader suggested reaching out to Gordie Zimmermann of Z Mitch, LLC, which recently broke ground on the $20-million Cypress Creek Ice &

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Sports Complex near the I-75/S.R. 56 interchange (see page 16).

“They may have done the market analysis already,” Comm. Schrader said.

“We should see if they have any data they’d want to share.”

District 5 Comm. Jack Mariano (who was the only opposing vote against the feasibility study on March 10) expressed concern about the contract with Pasco Sports and suggested meeting with Talton again.

“We don’t know what we want to do right now,” Comm. Mariano said. “(Pasco Sports) said they needed a better long-term contract. They didn’t want to pay any revenue back and they needed a road into the project (built by the county). I don’t know why we wouldn’t want to bring them back to the table and see what exactly they’d want in the contract. Let’s ask them directly instead of relying on a consulting firm to tell us.”

New Port Richey city councilman and Pasco TDC member Chopper Davis said he would be in favor of the feasibility study.

“Let’s see what the market will bear,” Davis said. “I have a big problem with just letting one sport come in. We should go with a consultant.”

Saddlebrook Resort Tampa president and TDC member Pat Ciacco agreed. “(What is built on the land) has to be multipurpose,” Ciacco said. “It has

to be busy all year long, and we need to make sure it’s regional. We need to take care of the county and understand the demographics of the county to find out what will get you a better ‘bang’ for your dollar. I’m looking out for the best overall option.”

Ciacco also suggested building facilities for multiple sports on the Wiregrass property.

“Take the land and break it up,” he said. “Then you can have something that benefits the region at all times.”

Pasco director of tourism Ed Caum said the benefit of using a consulting firm this time around could show what uses would be a benefit for more than just Pasco County.

“The one thing no one has really put their head around is, what’s good for Florida that we could have in the region?,” Caum asked. “What could Pasco contribute to the state with this sports destination?”

He also mentioned that the previous proposed project didn’t fully consider everyone involved.

“We need to listen to our stakeholders — the hoteliers,” he said. “They weren’t excited about the dormitories in the previous project.”

Pasco administrator Michele Baker also favored funding the study.

“Let’s do a serious feasibility study and see what’s next,” Baker said.

“They’ll tell us, ‘For your market, where you are, this is our recommendation.’”

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MOMS Club Of New Tampa - The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of New Tampa is currently open to new members in the New Tampa area. The MOMS Club offers a variety of daytime activities for mothers and their children, opportunities for Moms’ Nights Out & many more benefits. For info or to join the club, email MomsClubNewTampa@gmail.com.

March 2015

Thursday, April 2

Monday, March 30

Zen Meditation Group - Enjoy meditation? Looking for a new way to relax? Check out the FREE Zen Meditation Group that meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Arbor Greene Community Center (18000 Arbor Greene Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.) Aerobics Room. People of all faiths are welcome. You only need an interest in meditation and a more peaceful and relaxed mind and life.

For more info, call Jeremy at 528-6285.

Community Acupuncture - A Monday night community acupuncture and discussion group is meeting at Ion Medi-Spa (8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite 130), 6:30 p.m. Topics include needlefree acupuncture, facial rejuvenation and stop smoking and customized weight-loss programs.

For more info, call 960-8833 or visit IonMediSpa.com.

Tuesday, March 31

New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts group bike rides/runs at Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris Bridge Rd.) every Tues., Thur. and Sat. at 7:30 a.m. For more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com.

FREE Document Shredding - Shred360 is providing free document shredding services to consumers in the Muvico Starlight 20 (18002 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.) from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Members of the public may bring up to five boxes or bags and there is no need to remove or separate binders, clips, rubber bands, wire folders, CDs, or DVDs. For more info, please visit Shred360.com/Tampa or call 944-2223.

GriefShare - This video-seminar-support group is for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. The cost is $20 for a workbook and 13 sessions, begin any week to find healing and hope. The group meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Magdalene Methodist Church (2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Rm. 310). For info, call 963-1555.

English As A Second Language (ESL)- This group meets Tuesdays at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD Blvd.), 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Classes are taught by a native English speaker using several ESL and Bible study resources. The cost is $40 each semester, for the workbook & class materials. For info, call Heather at 753-8567.

April 2015

Wednesday, April 1

Green entrance gate). New members are always welcome. Call Liz DeAmbrose at 956-6487 or email homenet@gte.net.

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

BNI Millionaire Makers - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets every Wednesday at Heritage Isles Country Club at 7:15 a.m. (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.). The $13 meeting fee includes a hot breakfast. Call Lisa Jordan (621-6015) for more info.

Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI, a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their respective businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wed. morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.). Call Steve Hopper at 918-8609.

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

New Tampa Evening Rotary Club - The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club (10101 Longwater Run Dr. inside the Hunter’s

CBC Networking - The Christian Business Connections (CBC) Networking group meets every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (5338 Primrose Lake Cir., off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms). For info, email Shawn@TPACorp.com.

Friday, April 3

New Tampa Rotary Club - The original New Tampa Rotary Club meets for breakfast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). For more information, call Eric Longphee at 202-1105 or visit NewTampaRotary.org.

Women-N-Charge - Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.), for lunch, speakers & networking. The cost is $15 for members & $18 for guests. Register at Women-N-Charge.com. Or, call Judy at 600-9848.

Saturday, April 4

FREE Health & Fitness Seminar — Pure Health & Fitness Studios is hosting a FREE health seminar at its Wesley Chapel location (2653 BBD, Suite 205) from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Pure Health’s founder Samantha Taylor will lead the seminar (which begins at noon) and coffee and dessert will be served. For info, or to RSVP, visit PureHealthStudios.com.

Thursday, April 9

Tampa Palms Women’s Club Spring Fashion Show - The Tampa Palms Women’s Club is hosting its Spring Fashion Show at 1 p.m. Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). The event will feature lunch, a fashion show, a raffle and silent auction. The cost is $30. For more info, email TPWC@TampaBay.RR.com.

FHWC ‘Ladies Night Out’ - Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is hosting a ‘Ladies Night Out’ event at its Health & Wellness Center (2700 Healing Way) at 5 p.m., with free mammogram screenings, refreshments & door prizes. For info, call 929-5432 or visit FHWesleyChapel.org.

Saturday, April 11

Arbor Greene Yard Sale - Arbor Greene (18000 Arbor Greene Dr.) will be hosting its semi-annual community yard sale beginning at 8 a.m. The event is open to the public. For info, call 991-9226.

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

“Desire Map Informational Workshop for Woman” Hanaq Prana Yoga Studio presents the a FREE workshop from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Space is limited & pre-registration is required. Email HanaqPranaYoga@hotmail.com or call 333-1026.

Wednesday, April 15

GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of New Tampa - GFWC Woman’s Club of New Tampa is a small group of women that meets the third Wednesday of each month from noon - 1 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, (5340 Primrose Lake Circle in Tampa Palms). Contact Kay Lehmer at KLehmer@verizon.net for more info.

Saturday, April 18

Hunter’s Green Community trash & Treasure Sale - Hunter’s Green is hosting a community “trash & treasure sale” from 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Hunter’s Green’s Capt. Nathaniel Hunter Park (9456 Highland Oak Dr.). For info call 991-4818.

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10215 EVERGREEN HILL 4/2/0 2080 82 $245,000 $117.79 18011 ARBOR CREST 3/2/0 1745 82 $205,000 $117.48 10102 ARBOR RUN 4/2/0 2060 238 $200,000 $97.09 10208 EVERGREEN HILL 3/2/1 2730 147 $220,000 $80.59 10144 ARBOR RUN 4/3/1 2400 30 $196,000 $81.67 10717 CORY LAKE 4/3/0 3550 2 $499,000 $140.56 18011 MALAKAI ISLE 3/2/0 2100 7 $283,000 $134.76 18015 JAVA ISLE 4/2/0 2100 12 $223,500 $106.43 18023 JAVA ISLE 3/2/0 2023 130 $223,650 $110.55 18058 JAVA ISLE 5/4/0 3458 39 $288,750 $83.50 17805 SAINT LUCIA ISLE 4/4/0 3587 536 $574,990 $160.3 9424 BLUEBIRD 4/3/0 2500 44 $264,000 $105.6 10224 GRANT CREEK 4/2/0 1845 22 $190,000 $102.98 10007 KINGSHYRE 4/2/1 2881 29 $304,000 $105.52 10536 BENEVA 4/2/0 1868 26 $204,000 $109.21 2 percent of real estate 9422RE/MAX BLUEBIRD agents make 4/2/1 up less 2352than25 $276,500 $117.56 agents, but account for nearly of all agents’$91.06 sales.

11119 ANCIENT FUTURES 3/2/0 186710 percent 22 $170,000 18455 BRIDLE CLUB 2/2/0 1133 55 $58,800 $51.90 20005 HERON CROSSING 4/3/1 3294 7 $450,000 $136.61 8329 WINDSOR BLUFF 5/4/0 2825 207 $330,000 $116.81 20118 OAK ALLEY 4/4/1 4087 116 $617,000 $150.97 20115 BENDING CREEK 4/2/1 1762 59 $180,000 $102.16 20325 CHESTNUT GROVE 3/2/1 2707 26 $195,000 $72.04 20007 RYMAN 4/3/1 2906 191 $459,900 $158.26 8026 HAMPTON LAKE 4/2/0 2352 82 $265,000 $112.67 8527 BRUSHLEAF 2/2/1 1088 116 $102,000 $93.75 8543 SANDPIPER RIDGE 3/2/1 2086 96 $165,000 $79.10 10520 LUCAYA 4/2/1 2948 53 $189,000 $64.11 18158 CANAL POINTE 3/2/0 1386 180 $114,000 $82.25 18182 CANAL POINTE 3/2/0 1386 18 $122,500 $88.38 8706 CYPRESS MILL 5/3/0 2822 28 $360,900 $127.89 8733 TANTALLON 5/4/0 2990 36 $390,000 $130.43 9205 MEADOW LANE 4/3/0 2434 213 $249,900 $102.67 18115 REGENTS SQUARE 4/3/0 2463 101 $315,000 $127.89 17639 NATHANS 3/2/0 1959 135 $219,000 $111.79 9342 DEER CREEK 4/3/0 2585 83 $375,000 $145.07 17773 ESPRIT 3/2/0 1538 8 $138,500 $90.05

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Axiom Business Consulting Has Your Small Business Needs Covered

By Celeste McLaughlin

Tax Day (Wednesday, April 15) is closing in fast and Axiom Business Consulting offers comprehensive, all-in-one services for businesses who want more from their Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Axiom’s primary services include business and personal tax preparation, accounting and bookkeeping services, payroll services, IRS appeals and representation and financial audits, reviews and compilations.

Located in Telecom Park off E. Fletcher Ave, just a couple of miles south of New Tampa, Seema Jain, CPA, and her team partner with clients to offer much more than you might expect from a traditional CPA firm.

“We have a long-term focus for our clients,” says Seema, “and our philosophy is to always do the right thing for them.

We believe in integrity and always treating people right.”

Seema earned a Bachelor of Administrative Studies (BAS) degree in Accounting and Taxes from York University in Toronto, Canada, in 1990. She also earned a designation as a Chartered Accountant (CA) from the Ontario Institute of CAs in 2001, as wells as a CPA designation from the Florida Institute of CPAs in 2006.

She went into private practice in 2006. As Seema’s business grew, she says she wanted to expand both the firm’s staff and its services, so she moved her office

to its current location in Temple Terrace, and named it Axiom, which she explains is a term she chose because it means “mathematical accuracy.”

“That’s the business we’re in,” says Seema. “It’s fundamental that our numbers are solid. Providing ethical and accurate accounting is the foundation of what we do. Having said that, we use tax planning in every possible way to help save every single dollar, to the full limits of the law.”

Seema’s husband, Sam Jain, is Axiom’s business development director and he is responsible for the marketing and leasing of the company’s long-term and virtual office spaces. The staff also includes Brittany, the office manager, and staff accountant Preksha.

Offices For Lease

Beyond its consulting services, Axiom provides office space for startups and other small companies. There currently are two businesses that maintain long-term leases — a financial consultant and a licensed clinical social worker. She says that about a dozen other businesses rent space on an hourly basis at Axiom, as well.

“We offer start-up businesses a place with a professional look and feel,” Seema explains. “Business owners can use our physical address, which adds credibility to their advertising. And, they have use of our boardroom, and our amenities,

If you’re looking for consulting services for your small business, look no further than Axiom Business Consulting, located in Telecom Park off E. Fletcher Ave. in Temple Terrace. Seema Jain (2nd from left) and her staff happily provide the services you need to help your business grow. including a kitchenette, copy machine and scanner. And, each business has its own phone line, which our receptionist answers using each client’s business name. We have the infrastructure to handle that. You can specify how you want us to answer your phones with a script, if you’d like. We can make appointments for you, or forward your calls to your cell phone. And, best of all, the customer will never know; it’s completely seamless.”

Seema can relate to the need for these services. “I started my own practice in 2006 and didn’t want to have a

lot of overhead, but I also didn’t want to have strangers at my home,” she says.

“It’s not safe.”

She explains that this arrangement saves new businesses from having to make big investments in equipment and other overhead. Axiom even has computers available, although Seema says most people use their own laptops.

Clients who have long-term leases have unlimited access to the building around the clock. Virtual office clients share space during business hours. They set appointments when they need a day office, conference room or boardroom.

4/28/15

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d

“With this arrangement, you feel like you have a whole team around you,” Seema says. “We refer business back and forth, and even celebrate birthdays together, which is something you don’t get working from home.

So you have your independence, but we also offer some of the support of a larger company.”

Other Client Services

In addition to serving business clients with innovative solutions for meeting space needs, Seema says Axiom also is committed to giving proactive, forward-thinking general business guidance.

“We are here as a resource for businesses,” says Seema. “I believe businesses do themselves an injustice if their CPA only files taxes for them. We’re here for our clients year-round for support.”

For example, a business owner might wonder if they should have the business entity buy or lease a car for them. Should it be put under a business or personal name?

“The answer is, it depends,” says Seema.

“Give me all of your information and I’ll give you a solution.”

She says Axiom routinely handles corporate and personal tax preparation for businesses and business owners.

“We have experience with foreign reporting, which has recently been emphasized by the IRS,” Seema says. “Being from Canada and with extended family in India, I understand the nuances.”

Axiom offers IRS representation for people who have been audited or haven’t paid back taxes. Seema says they recently

helped a client who truly didn’t know her husband wasn’t filing taxes. She was surprised to learn he owed the IRS $180,000 when he passed away.

“We were able to help her settle for a very low amount,” says Seema. In fact, that customer didn’t pay a cent, as the massive debt was waived under the IRS’s “Innocent Spouse Relief” program.

She wants people to know there’s relief for people who have made wrong choices and want to straighten it out and move forward. “We can help.”

Dr. Eric Carlson of Central Florida Eye Care Associates (located on Busch Blvd.) says he is one of Axiom’s newer clients, but in the couple of months he has worked with the firm, “they’ve done all kinds of work for me to really get things straightened out.”

He explains that, even though he was working with a CPA before, he had been turned down for loans because the bank told him his financial records were a mess.

He thought he was going to owe about $10,000 in income taxes, and he was being audited by the state for a sales tax issue.

“Seema has taken care of everything and taken all the stress off of me,” he says.

“She’s been so responsive to my needs.

Whenever I send her anything, she does it right away. It’s been a pleasure working with her.”

And, Dr. Carlson isn’t the only client who is raving about Axiom’s services. Dan Byrne has been a client for the past year and a half. He is a Wesley Chapel resident who owns three corporations that operate Dairy Queen restaurants in Brooksville and

Ormond Beach. “Seema is wonderful,” says Dan. “She is precise and thorough, and not afraid to spend time with you. You don’t feel like the timer is ticking every time you sit down in her office.”

Dan found the firm when his previous CPA, with whom he says he had worked for 25 years, retired. He interviewed several CPA firms to find the one that would be best for his businesses. Dan says Seema’s fees are in line with others who provide similar services, but he feels like he gets more for his money with Axiom.

Seema says that ‘feeling’ is intentional.

“We’re a well-established practice that goes out of our way to help our clients,” she explains. “Our clients have grown with us. It’s so rewarding when people come to me and say ‘I want to start a business,’ so we set up a corporation. Years later, we’re still helping them with services and now their businesses are flourishing.”

Seema says there has been a recent change in the environment where business owners now can do a lot of things on their own, but they still need tools.

“For example, when you hire us, we take full responsibility to be sure all of your tax forms are filed on time,” she says. “We take the time and energy and stress from you, and we stand behind what we do.”

Other areas of emphasis include audits and reviews for mid-sized businesses for lending and other purposes, such as going public, or if investors want audited financial statements.

“We have invested in the technology and have the expertise to do financial compilations, reviews and audits,” Seema says.

“Not many small CPAs will do comprehensive audits because they don’t have the resources, technology or the willingness to assume the liability to do them.”

Another service they handle for businesses is complete payroll services.

“Let us do what we’re good at so you can do what you’re good at,” says Seema.

“Let Axiom Business Consulting handle the back end of your business.”

Community Involvement

In addition to the sense of community Seema fosters within her business, she says she is actively involved in the community around her and says currently is getting involved in three primary ways.

First, she is on the board for TiE Tampa Bay, a non-profit organization that helps business entrepreneurs and matches investors with startups. She also volunteers as the treasurer at her place of worship, Jain Society of Tampa Bay in Carrollwood.

And, she believes in the value of education for children, so she volunteers her time as the treasurer for the Bay Area Charter Foundation, a Board that governs two local charter schools in Temple Terrace and Riverview, so she can help kids have a strong foundation through a great education.

Axiom Business Consulting is located at 13234 Telecom Dr. in Tampa, in Telecom Park off E. Fletcher Ave., a mile or so west of I-75. It is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. See Axiom’s ad on page 46 of this issue or, for more information, call 977-0089 or visit AxiomBusinessConsulting.com.

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SPOTLIGHT ON... Cory Lake Professional Center!

Where would you work if you had the choice? Many New Tampa residents have given up their long, tiring commutes and have moved their practices and businesses to the Cory Lake Professional Center (1031110359 Cross Creek Blvd.), an 85,000-sq.ft. office and retail plaza located off Cross Creek Blvd., just east of the entrance to the Cory Lake Isles community. The center is home to doctors, dentists, an orthodontist, a chiropractor, a massage studio, eateries, psychotherapists, a pet groomer, an insurance agency, music academy, vitamin store and many other businesses.

Surrounded by thousands of homes, the Cory Lake Prof. Ctr. has seen an unprecedented flurry of activity during the past year.

New tenants have included a hair styling salon, a yoga studio, an attorney, a family therapist, a marketing company, a real estate investment company, two software development firms, a certified public accountant (CPA) and a martial arts studio which, after less than a year at the property, doubled its size and expanded to a new studio in the center this month.

In a wonderful example of achieving the “American Dream,” just two years ago, Ghada and Lutfi Jadallah leased a small space in the center for their catering business, A Dash of Salt ’N Pepper, where Ghada prepares healthy meals customers can eat there, carry out or special order, with party catering a specialty. Within a year of opening in the plaza, A Dash of Salt ’N Pepper had so much business it needed to double its space and built out a new, fully-equipped professional kitchen to serve its growing client list and ca-

tering orders. Less than a year after doubling its size, A Dash of Salt ’N Pepper further expanded into yet another space, answering the area’s need for a meeting and event room for businesses and groups.

This thriving family business also recently opened a second location, the A Dash of Salt ‘N Pepper Café, which offers meals to the students and staff at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus At Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

More than a dozen other tenants in the Cory Lake Professional Center also have expanded to larger spaces within the center in recent years.

If your business is interested in joining the tenants at the Cory Lake Prof. Ctr., contact the leasing and property manager, Osceola Partners, LLC, Licensed Real Estate Broker, at 5328142, or visit CoryLakeProfessionalCenter.com. The center features executive offices starting at 105 sq. ft. and several spaces to accommodate larger companies, from 653 to 3,138 sq. ft. in size.

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29

Protect Your Lawn & Your Family’s Health With Organic Safe Lawns

By Anu Panchal

Here’s a scenario that makes Jim Schanstra feel sick: Your lawn starts to look brown and your homeowners association gets upset. So, you call a lawn service, and they come down and blanket your yard with pesticides and herbicides loaded with chemicals. Later, your children and dogs frolic on the lawn, getting the chemicals all over their hands/paws and putting them in their mouths.

“You’re (actually) poisoning your family with your (chemical-based) lawn service,” Schanstra claims.

A cleaner, safer alternative is what Schanstra says he offers with his six-yearold company, Organic Safe Lawns (Organic SL). Operating out of his home in Wesley Chapel with three employees and his wife Julie as the office manager, Organic Safe Lawns serves customers from right here in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel all the way to Lutz, Odessa, Westchase, Palm Harbor, Land O Lakes, Zephyrhills, Carrollwood and South Tampa.

Many companies treat and spray your lawns and shrubs, but Schanstra says that there is a crucial difference between him and most others in the Tampa Bay area.

“Our difference is that we are using an organic fertilizer (and pesticide) versus chemicals and our results are as good or better — and they’re much safer,” Schanstra says. “This is a serious business and we take it very seriously.”

Schanstra’s products are listed on a database of the Organic Materials Review Institute. While an OMRI listing is laborious and expensive to obtain, it certifies that his products are suitable for organic farming, Schanstra says. The organic nature of his products (that also are available for purchase on Schanstra’s website, OrganicSafeLawns.com) means that they will not burn out the lawn like many chemicals do. He explains that his research shows that although even organic materials can be toxic in heavy doses, in the right amounts, they are vastly safer than man-made chemicals that can cause harm in even minute doses. Schanstra also notes that non-organic products obtain their ingredients from chemicals and inorganic salts that won’t break down.

Organic SL has a detailed menu of services Schanstra offers, including turf and weed control, pest and disease control, irrigation and soil sampling. Monthly service starts at $40 a month, and no contracts are required. If you refer a friend, you get one free month of service. During a normal twelve-month service, Organic Safe Lawns treats grass every month and shrubs and palm trees twice a year.

Schanstra, who was born and raised in the Chicago area, obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Business from Greenville College in Greenville, IL, but a family legacy led him towards a more hands-on career in engineering. Schanstra says he had worked with his grandfather, a

master mechanic with General Motors, and his father, a superintendent of automation, since the age of twelve. He honed the skills they taught him while working for the Chicago Blower Corporation. He later founded his own company in Chicago, FTI International, which grew into one of the largest designers and builders of automated assembly Wesley Chapel resident Jim Schanstra of Organic Safe Lawns will lines, and he says he have your lawn glowing verdant green (the safe way) in no time. remains active in the petroleum, leaving the soil clean. During company today, despite having “retired” a visit to Arizona to check out one such to Florida twelve years ago. site, however, Schanstra says he noticed It was while working with his cousin something that changed his life. on another venture, however, that the “Whereever (the technicians) poured seed was planted for Organic SL. Schanstra and his cousin started a company that the (bioremediation) product, the weeds were about eight feet high,” he says. used bioremediation to clean up the sites He took his product to a Florida of defunct gas stations. company that shared his commitment to “Bioremediation is (what happens) organic values, United Agricultural Serwhen you use natural biology to fix an vices (UAS), and they discovered that the ecological problem,” Schanstra explains. fulvic acid in their product was acting as a Instead of digging out the soil contamibridge to the plant, increasing uptake of nated with petroleum and incinerating it, the fertilizer by 70 percent. That’s when Schanstra and his cousin created a soluit occurred to him that the product would tion of seven strains of bacteria that they work wonders as a fertilizer for Florida pumped into the soil around the defunct lawns — an accurate prediction, with St. gas tanks. The bacteria would “eat” the

APRIL 30, 2015

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he states that he uses the safest ones on the market and that he uses the weed killers only to spot treat trouble areas of your yard during his monthly visits to clients.

Schanstra sold his products to golf courses and later through his son’s commercial landscaping service before setting up Organic SL six years ago. In addition to being a state-certified pest control operator, Schanstra also has a Green Industry-Best Management Practices certification.

Though he’s always had a fertile (pun intended) imagination and keen business acumen, Schanstra says there is a personal impetus behind Organic SL. About 12 years ago, his wife, Julie, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s large cell lymphoma.

Although he couldn’t “prove” his theory, Schanstra says he was convinced — through his research with UAS — that the large amounts of concentrated DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) pesticides she was exposed to as a child on a Minnesota property contributed to her cancer, so he was even more determined to find alternatives to current lawn care solutions.

“If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it for all the right reasons,” he says.

“And now (with Organic Safe Lawns), the price point is good, the customer wins and we’re doing good for the community.”

Schanstra believes that selling quality products and lawn care services isn’t enough. Equally crucial, if not more so, is the importance of educating Florida residents about their grass growth. Organic SL clients even receive a newsletter with

When you see the Organic Safe Lawns sign, you can rest assured the yard is safe for both humans and animals.

Augustine, Bahia, Bermuda and Zoysia cultivars among the strains that responded beautifully to the treatment.

A Safer Approach To Pesticides & Herbicides

Partnering with UAS, Schanstra has developed organic fertilizers and pesticides that all source their ingredients from nature rather than chemicals. For example, the nitrogen in their fertilizer is sourced from chicken urea, and the pesticides are pyrethroids, organic compounds that derive their active ingredient from the chrysanthemum plant.

The weed killers or herbicides Schanstra uses are derived from chemicals, but

their monthly statements that includes seasonal tips about organic lawn care.

“St. Augustine grass requires 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year (to stay healthy),” Schanstra explains. Many companies put down more than the basic requirement because it results in faster, greener grass growth.

However, he says too much top growth weakens the lawn’s root structure and renders it susceptible to fungus and diseases and often results in lawn “burn-out.” He adds that Organic SL technicians are careful not to saturate lawns and plants.

“We spot treat with a backpack. We don’t blanket (your lawn) with chemicals.”

Like all licensed pest control technicians, Schanstra’s employees are required to do two hours a year of continuing education, but Organic SL employees do at least four hours. It’s that kind of service that attracts and retains clients such as Robin from Wesley Chapel, who signed up for Schanstra’s service six years ago when the business first started up. “(I liked the idea of organic lawn care

because) I garden extensively and did not want to be working around unsafe fertilizers and pesticides,” Robin says.

After retiring from his manufacturing business in Illinois, Schanstra was happy to move back to this area. He had visited his grandparents in Largo as a child and bought one of the first spec homes in Hunter’s Green in the late 1980s. But now, he finds that he has a problem.

“I just can’t sit still,” he confesses. “I found I couldn’t stay retired.”

In fact, now that Organic Safe Lawns is running at a steady clip, Schanstra is already studying for the state-mandated test for aquatic certification so he can maintain and repair ponds, too. He was horrified to learn about the chemicals that are currently in use to clean ponds and says he’s been researching organic alternatives.

“I’ve got solutions already,” he says.

Jim Schanstra of Organic Safe Lawns can be reached at 393-9665, by emailing OrganicSafeLawns@verizon. net or by filling out the contact form at OrganicSafeLawns.com.

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Seven Oaks Pet Hospital To Open New Location With Expanded Services

By Celeste McLaughlin

Sree Reddy, DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), and his team at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital have been treating dogs, cats and sometimes exotic pets from their office on S.R. 56 (between I-75 and Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.) since the hospital opened in 2007. As the practice continues to thrive and grow, Dr. Reddy says he is poised to move to a new location that will better serve his clients.

Dr. Reddy graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in Hyderabad, in his native India, before coming to the U.S. and earning his Master’s degree in Veterinary Microbiology from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL. He worked as a veterinarian in Iowa and Clearwater prior to opening his practice in Seven Oaks.

In addition to Dr. Reddy, there are two other veterinarians on staff at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital. Lisa Clifford, DVM, earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Zoology from the University of Hawaii in Manoa in 1998 and her DVM degree from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames in 2005. She’s been on staff at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital since 2009.

Jillian Myers, DVM, who earned her B.A. degree in Zoology from Delaware Valley College of Science & Agriculture in Doylestown, PA, in 2010 and her DVM at Ross University on the Carib-

bean island of St. Kitts in 2014. She joined the practice last year.

And, this August, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital will move to a new plaza, owned by Dr. Reddy, less than a half mile west on S.R. 56 from the current location. Ground was officially broken on the plaza, which will house the veterinary hospital, as well as a retail store.

The plaza is tentatively being called “Pet and Fit,” after the businesses that will occupy it.

To that end, in addition to the pet hospital, which will occupy 5,000 sq. ft., and the retail store, which will occupy another 3,000 sq. ft., two tenants have been confirmed for the new plaza.

One is a CrossFit gym that will occupy 12,500 square feet, and the other is a kids’ karate dojo that will occupy 2,400 sq. ft. This fills all available space in the plaza. When the office moves, it will allow Seven Oaks Pet Hospital to expand its services to offer expanded on-site grooming and boarding for its clients.

Dr. Reddy says he is looking forward to the move and having additional space for his growing practice, which he says has developed mostly through client referral. “(Our location doesn’t) have great visibility and we don’t have big corporate backing,” he says, “so our growth comes from people who come in, like us and refer us to their friends.”

One reason clients are so pleased with their experience is that Dr. Red-

Dr. Sree Reddy and his staff at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, located in the Cypress View Square plaza on S.R. 56, provide expert medical care for your furry family members.. dy’s practice stays ahead of the curve with new technology and treatment options. “We are proud that we update our practice with two or three new services every year,” says Dr. Reddy.

For example, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital is adding an underwater treadmill this year. “This is great for doing rehab with older dogs to build muscle, while taking weight off the joints,” Dr. Reddy says.

And, for many years now, Dr. Reddy says, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital has been the only animal hospital in Florida to do single-port (incision) laparoscopic surgeries, such as spays for animals who weigh more than 10 pounds, liver biopsies or gastropexy (to eliminate twisting of the stomach). Dr. Reddy says that, while some facilities offer these services with multiple incisions, his office is the

only one in the state that uses a single port. And, he adds, all of these and other surgeries are performed on-site

by Dr. Reddy. He learned to do these surgeries through specialized training in 2005 at the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in Ft. Collins, CO. “Now we do quite a few every week with good results,” he says.

He adds that because spaying is such a common surgery, we sometimes forget that it’s actually a major procedure. For a large animal, a typical spay can require a 14-day recovery with cage restrictions. However, the laparoscopic technique requires just two or three days of recovery.

“Better technology means better outcomes, which means better pet care,” he adds. “It doesn’t necessar-

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D c

i t n w m y s I s a

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Dr. Reddy and his staff,” she says.

“I highly recommend that anyone anywhere near here consider a laparoscopic spay with Dr. Reddy. It’s such a tiny incision, and the pets recover so much more quickly.”

She says Dr. Reddy is a gifted surgeon who saved the life of one of her foster dogs.

“We call him Jesse the Miracle Puppy. Another vet told us that he couldn’t be saved and had to be euthanized, but Dr. Reddy was asked for a second opinion. He immediately went into surgery, and had to remove about a foot of Jesse’s intestines that were rotted from a fungus, but he saved him.

Dr. Reddy (left) has the healing touch for your And now Jesse is gaining weight cat, dog or exotic pet at Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, and doing great.”

Mary adds that she is gratewhich will move to a new location in August. ful for Dr. Reddy’s support of the Labrador rescue organization ily translate into profit, because the technology is so expensive that we can’t for which she volunteers. He provides discounts and is very understanding necessarily make the money back that of the limitations of the all-volunteer, we put into it. But, I believe there’s nonprofit organization, she says. more to what I do than profit. I believe “I cannot say enough good things you should enjoy your work and that it about him,” she says. “Not only is he should be challenging and rewarding. an excellent surgeon, but he also offers I feel so happy to be able to offer these holistic treatments.” She says one of her services for clients that they can’t get rescue dogs with severe arthritis curanywhere else.” rently goes to Seven Oaks for acupuncThe single port laparoscopic spay is just one reason why Mary Groezinger, a ture and herbal medication.

“Traditional and holistic treatvolunteer with Labrador Retriever Resments complement each other,” says cue of Florida, raves about Seven Oaks Dr. Reddy, who also offers laser therapy Pet Hospital. for pets. For example, if a pet has an “Right now I have five fosters and issue with one of its knees, the laser is two dogs of my own, and they all see

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applied right to the knee for a targeted approach, instead of using an oral antiinflammatory medicine. The laser can be used for hip dysplasia, knee pain and to reduce post-operative pain, as well as for dental extractions.

“We get amazing results with the laser when traditional medical treatments fail,” Dr. Reddy says. “For example, if an animal comes in with paralysis, there really isn’t anything Western medicine can do. So when we see an animal, we do our diagnosis, then discuss all the plan treatment options with our clients.”

Dr. Reddy says veterinary medicine is changing because clients want to know exactly what’s wrong with their pet, not just how to treat their symptoms. So, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital can do all diagnostics in office, from X-rays to ultrasounds.

Also popular are dental cleanings with no anaesthesia.

“We do this once or twice a month and get booked up quickly,” says Dr. Reddy, who explains the cleaning technique is exactly the same as with anesthesia, it just takes longer to sit with the pet and clean its teeth while the animal is fully awake. “I enjoy it, because I like helping the pets,” he says. “Anaesthesia can be risky and we want to minimize these risks.”

To help pet owners manage the cost of their pet’s care, the hospital offers wellness plans. Dr. Reddy says the majority of his clients purchase the wellness plan because of how much

money they save. He says his staff audits these plans and finds that most clients save anywhere from $100 to $2,000 annually by choosing a pre-planned wellness plan. Wellness plan members get unlimited free exams, plus vaccines, (an annual) heartworm test and more.

The wellness plan also entitles the pet to a reduced co-pay at an after-hours emergency facility. Two different plans are available – one for puppies and kittens and one for adult pets.

Sunday Hours Soon!

Dr. Reddy and his staff also are proud to announce that Seven Oaks Pet Hospital will soon be open on Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m, expanding the practice’s service to seven days a week. Dr. Reddy says since there is no pet emergency clinic in the immediate area, his practice wants to cater to those who find themselves in need of services during the weekend. In addition to the current hours the hospital is open, Dr. Reddy says that he is always on call for his clients. After hours, the business phones roll over to his cell phone so he can always help his patients.

Seven Oaks Pet Hospital is located at 27227 S.R. 56, in the Cypress View Square shopping center, which is between I-75 and BBD. For more information, see the ad on page 46, call 929-4100 or visit SevenOaksPet. com. The office is open MondayFriday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesday), and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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Florida Bill Could Remove Requirement For Waivers At City Skateparks

By Matt Wiley

A Florida legislator wants to encourage cities to build more skateparks. His solution? Get rid of parental consent waivers, which currently are required for most skateparks across the state, including at the New Tampa Skatepark, located at the New Tampa Rec Center on Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms.

Already through two committees in the Florida House of Representatives, HB 365 eliminates the requirement for cities to collect written consent waivers from the parents of skateboarders who are under the age of 18 to use a skatepark. However, not much will change at the New Tampa skatepark.

“This bill is going to absolve municipalities of the burden of getting signed consent forms from parents to grant (the municipalities) the benefit of liability immunities given to them by the state,” says the bill’s author, Florida House Dist.

74 Rep. Julio Gonzalez (R-Venice). The Florida statute in question, 316.0085, gives sovereign liability to cities only if they collect the consent waivers.

“So that you can’t sue them,” Rep. Gonzalez says.

It’s important to note that the bill doesn’t address helmets and won’t change any existing rules or regulations at Florida’s established skateparks, including the New Tampa park.

“Because the New Tampa skatepark

is attached to the New Tampa Rec Center, nothing will change with the facility collecting waivers,” says the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation athletic facilities manager Heather Erickson. “(The Rec Center) is a ‘pay-to-play’ facility. So, using the skatepark is like using the gymnastics equipment.”

Erickson says that the waivers also help the staff keep track of who’s coming and going through the facility.

“If it was a freestanding skatepark, it would be different,” Erickson says.

When the law originally was written, Rep. Gonzalez explains, it was in the hope that cities would build more skateparks, but it required signed waivers for minors if they wanted to be granted immunity from liability if a skater was injured on city property. Gonzalez says that many cities chose to avoid the risk altogether by simply not building any parks. Others decided to build parks, fence them, staff them and only let in skaters (of all ages) who had the required signed consent.

“That makes it more difficult for kids to access (the parks),” Rep. Gonzalez says.

“It goes against the spirit of the law and it increases the costs (for the municipalities).”

Gonzalez hopes that the bill will help push the state toward the “California model” of skateparks: free and open. Many “free and open” skateparks have recently opened around Tampa Bay, including in Bradenton, Lakeland and in nearby Zephy-

rhills, located just a few miles northeast.

However, the two newest Hillsborough County skateparks built in Apollo Beach and Jackson Springs still follow the staffed, fenced model.

“It says, very specifically, to the municipalities, ‘Look, you don’t have to get waivers signed anymore if you want to build a park,’” Gonzalez explains.

Payson Brugge, 9, blasts out of a quarterpipe and over a bar“You can make it rel at the New Tampa Rec Center skatepark in Tampa Palms. open-access and not ing at any public beach in the world. have to worry about “You just walk down to the water being sued, such as you would see with and go surfing,” he explains. “There’s no basketball courts or tennis courts.” fence. You don’t have to pay. It’s natural.

During the past several years, Winter You just go surf.”

Park-based Team Pain Skateparks (which The traditional model for municialso built the New Tampa skatepark) has built more than five new skateparks around pal parks and recreation departments in Tampa Bay, two of which have been fenced Florida actually drives kids away from skateparks, Porrata says. and staffed.

“Lots of skaters start in the streets be“It kind of bums us out when we cause that’s what’s accessible,” he explains. know that a fence is going to be put up “But, it’s usually illegal in areas that are (around a park we build),” says Tito Porattractive to skate. So, a park gets built and rata, lead designer and sales rep for Team then fenced and they have to pay to skate.

Pain. Porrata adds that he also hopes that the bill is passed and helps push Florida cit- So, the kids go right back to the streets.”

For more information about HB ies toward building more open parks.

365, please visit MyFloridaHouse.gov.

A good analogy, Porrata says, is surf-

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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel ‘Go Green’ For St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

By Gary Nager OK, so there was no way for yours truly to get to every St. Patrick’s Day celebration in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel (for example, I heard there also were significant crowds all day at all of the local Beef O’Brady’s and at PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub & Grille {on E. Bearss Ave.}) but I did the best I could and made it to three local events to recap for you.

I first went to what is billed year after year in these pages as “New Tampa’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration” at Mulligan’s Irish Pub in the Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., MulligansTampa.com; 973-3870). And, with this year’s near-perfect weather (the temperature never seemed to (Above) The Irish eyes of the bartenders and servers at Peabody’s reach 80 degrees and there was a nice breeze Billiards & Games were certainly smiling on St. Patrick’s Day! blowing all day), the party at Mulligan’s was packed all day and all night — and why not?

My next stop was at Peabody’s Billiards & The recently revamped outdoor patio and inside Games (15333 Amberly Dr., in the Shoppes at Amballroom areas, as well as inside Mulligan’s itself, were berly plaza in Tampa Palms, PeabodysBilliards.com; all filled with hungry and thirsty people in green who 972-1725) Although the green beer and corned beef enjoyed the multiple bars and a sumptuous buffet feaand cabbage were available all day, Peabody’s, which is turing (of course) corned beef and cabbage and all of open until 3 a.m. every night, didn’t really get rocking the trimmings. Plus, everyone on hand raved about the until much later in the evening. Even so, the Peabody’s live entertainment throughout the one day each year girls all decked out in green kept everyone’s Irish eyes when everybody celebrates the Emerald Isle, so kudos smiling throughout the St. Patty’s event. to everyone at Mulligan’s for another job well done.

And finally, I made a visit to City Grill (5429 Wesley Chapel Village Market {at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and S.R. 54}, CityGrill. us; 973-9988), which did feature some Irish cuisine specials but departed from the usual St. Pat’s celebration by having its regular Tuesday night trivia contest.

I didn’t get to stay to see who ended up winning, but my Wesley Chapel Rotary Club team, which dropped to fourth place by the end of the evening, was in first place when I left after the halftime question, which was to name four of the six most popular Irish authors and playwrights in U.S. schools. I was proud to have come up with James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and The Wesley Chapel Rotary Club team finished fourth (Top) The corned beef-and-cabbage (and more) buffet and perfect Jonathan Swift (Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats and during the St. Patrick’s Day trivia contest at City Grill. Frank McCourt were the others). Erin Go Bragh! weather kept the crowds (bottom) happy all day at Mulligan’s Irish Pub.

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Estancia At Wiregrass To Be Featured In Local ‘Parade Of Homes’

By Matt Wiley

The Tampa Bay Builder’s Association (TBBA) has released the list of homes that will be included in the 2015 “Parade of Homes,” and more than 20 from New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have made the route — and one of those local homes will serve as this year’s “Parade” headliner.

After years of hearing about the thousands of residential units that will be coming to the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in Wesley Chapel, Estancia at Wiregrass

by Standard Pacific Homes has officially opened just off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (about a mile north of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel) and one of the homes in the beautiful, new community has been chosen to headline this year’s Parade of Homes.

During the WCCC’s Economic Development Briefing on February 26 (just after we went to press with our previous issue) at Hoosier’s Grille (located inside the Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club off Cross Creek Blvd.), TBBA special events & communications director Melissa Chaumont announced that the Barrington at Estancia will be this year’s TBBA Parade of Homes “Showcase Home.”

“When someone (who is looking for a new home) says, ‘I’d like to take

some time to check out a home during the Parade,’ they usually make it a point to go see the ‘Showcase Home,’” Chaumont explained.

The two-story Barrington (photo, right) is the largest model in Estancia, which features a five-bedroom, fivebathroom design, measuring 5,359 sq. ft., with prices for the model starting at $624,900.

While the Parade has focused more on other areas to the south of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel (such as Brandon and South Tampa) in the past, this year’s Parade will feature more homes in our two distribution areas.

“This year, we’re excited to bring the Parade north because of the development in this area,” Chaumont says.

The official listing of homes for this year’s parade features five homes in New Tampa (four in the K-Bar Ranch DRI and one in Grand Hampton) and 19 in Wesley Chapel (including several homes in Estancia, Country Walk and Watergrass). Also featured in the parade is Javic Homes’ 2015 Southern Living “Showcase Home,” which is located in the Brookside community off S.R. 54, next to Saddlebrook Resort & Spa. Our office is located in the Brookside Professional Park, in front of the Brookside community.

TBBA is a volunteer trade organization, which works to provide services to

enhance the building industries in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. The organization is comprised of builders, developers, trade contractors, suppliers, lending institutions, title companies, engineers, attorneys and other types of businesses that have a relationship to the building industry.

For additional information, please visit TBBA.net.

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Coming Soon: The Ridge At Wiregrass Ranch

While Standard Pacific Homes’ Estancia at Wiregrass community (see story on previous page) may be the first to open inside the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), work is well under way on another luxury single-family -home community in the DRI that will be called The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch, located just west of Meadow Pointe Blvd., just south of S.R. 56.

The community, which currently is under construction and is being developed by Sunrise, FL-based GL Homes, will feature 585 single-family luxury homes on 332 acres. The Pasco Development Review Committee approved the community last July.

While prices were not yet available for the homes that will be built in The Ridge when we went to press with this issue, floor plans range from 1,700 sq. ft. to more than 5,000 sq. ft., with up to six bedrooms and three-car garages.

The community also will be home to a “clubhouse and lifestyle complex” that will offer a resort-style pool, tennis courts, children’s water area, a playground and more.

GL Homes has built several other communities in South Florida, with Valencia Lakes in Wimauma being one of the builder’s closest projects to New Tampa or Wesley Chapel.

For info, please visit TheRidge WiregrassNewTampa.com. — MW

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Wesley Chapel Jazz & Fitness Festivals Cancelled By Rain Feb. 28!

With outdoor events, it’s always tough to bet on the weather, especially here in Florida, and unfortunately, this year’s second annual Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Health & Fitness Festival (photo) and second Wesley Chapel Family Jazz Festival both fell victim to an entire day of heavy rains on Feb. 28, leading their respective organizers to cancel both events.

Although organizer Tim Hancock of Jazz Tyme Productions, LLC, had planned to try to reschedule the Jazz Fest for March 28, he says logistical issues forced him to cancel it entirely.

For additional information about the next Wesley Chapel Jazz Festival,

Neighborhood News

please visit WesleyChapelJazzFestival. com or call Tim Hancock at 609-2531.

Also originally scheduled for Feb. 28 (along Paseo Dr. at the Shops at Wiregrass mall), the inclement weather (photo) did also cause the cancellation of the Chamber’s second Health & Fitness Festival. “(Feb. 28) was not a ‘Chamber of Commerce’ kind of day,” admits WCCC executive director Hope Allen. “Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather. But, our vendors were ‘troopers’ and made it about two hours in the pouring rain.”

Allen says that the WCCC already has offered one possible alternative event for vendors who were rained out at the Fitness Fest — at the 2015 Southern Living Cus-

@NTWCNews

tom Builder Program Showcase Home Expo, which was held as we went to press with this issue (on March 21).

Allen notes, however, that vendors who also weren’t able to participate in the Showcase Home Expo, “will still be given a credit towards sponsoring another event or for an enhanced listing on our website (WesleyChapelChamber.com).”

For more info about the WCCC (6013 Wesley Grove Blvd. Suite 105), call 994-8534. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 7 • March 28, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

49

Cool Dims 3-D Portrait Studio Creates Custom Figurines Everyone has likely thought about what it would be like if they could have an action figure of themselves. And now, thanks to the technology at Cool Dims 3-D Portrait Studio, located in the Brookside Professional Plaza (downstairs from our New Tampa Neighborhood News office), next to Saddlebrook Resort on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, that idea can be less of a dream and more of a reality.

Business owner and Meadow Pointe resident Chris Lee (photo, top left) opened Cool Dims in 2014, but already has made figurines out of law enforcement officers, firefighters, sports mascots, fitness models, brides and grooms, children of all ages and even dogs. What better gift to give mom on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10) than a miniature version of yourself or your kids? Imagine having a figurine of your student forever cast in their graduation garb.

It’s all a possibility at Cool Dims.

The figurines are a perfect way to make a lasting memory out of nearly any occasion. For example, consider high school proms. You or your teens spend lots of time planning out the night and getting ready for the big dance. Photos are a great way to look back at the moment, but a 3-D figurine can remind you of just how well that dress or tux fit.

Chris graduated with a B.S. degree in Operations Management Technology from Tampa Technical Institute in 2000 after which he went on to work for several wireless companies. But, he says that he grew

50

tired of his corporate job in the wireless industry and wanted to start his own business, but wasn’t sure what kind of business to start.

“I was watching the news one night and 3-D printing came up as a headline,” Chris explains. “So, I started looking into 3-D printing. I thought it would be something that isn’t really available in this area.”

Chris says that he kept researching the concept and, after seeing that there really was a lack of 3-D photography studios in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, decided to make it happen. He settled on the name “Cool Dims,” which is short for “Cool Dimensions.” Chris has assembled a team of experts to help get his unique idea off the ground. In addition to Chris, Cool Dims employs seven people, each with different skills from photography to 3-D animation and design.

How It Works

Making a 3-D sculpture, no matter the size, isn’t easy. At Cool Dims, Chris and his team have assembled a rig (photo, top right) that is comprised of 92 digital SLR Canon cameras that are positioned in a 360-degree circle (including a few cameras above) to capture nearly every angle of any subject, whether it’s a person or even an animal. The cameras are remote

controlled and all take a photo at the same time. Through a process called photogrammetry, the photos are then stitched together into a 3-D image and sent over to a local 3-D printing shop to print out the finished product.

Chris says that a typical photo session only takes about 20 minutes, but it can take as long as four hours to assemble the photos together and make them look as life-like as possible.

“When customers make an appointment to come in, we find out their height and set up a mannequin in the rig to get a good idea of where each camera should point,” Chris explains.

Once the customer is positioned in the rig, Chris and one of his employees do a final check to make sure each camera is focused in on the right point.

“We take that 3-D image and the

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artist cleans up the image and adds more details,” Chris explains. “When the photos get stitched together, it’s a pretty realistic image of the person, but our artists go through and make sure that details aren’t lost. We’ll go through the hair and make sure the facial features are all accurate, make sure the eyes, the nose and the mouth actually look like the person.”

Chris says that customers can hold themselves in their own hands in about 7-10 business days.

Professional Photography, Too

In addition to shooting 92 photos of a customer at once, Cool Dims also offers the option of taking one at a time in Lee’s on-site photography studio. In fact, Cool Dims offers a free studio photography session with each 3-D photo session.

Chris says that many times, customers

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Exclusive Members hip Offer for our Veterans!

Above left is a photo that Chris Lee of Cool Dims took to create a 3-D figurine (right). don’t seek out professional photographs of themselves, but since the service is offered in a 3-D package, customers get to take one home, either way, along with several proofs of other poses if they decide to order more.

Although Lee can make figurines of just about anyone or anything, he’s found a unique way to entice the local sports market. “I figured the Wesley Chapel/ New Tampa area was a good one for this concept because there are so many youth sports programs here,” Chris says.

Cool Dims actually has developed the first 3-D printed trophy, which can feature you or your young athlete on top, as opposed to a generic ball representative of the sport or a golden, faceless figurine.

“Having placed in my first fitness competition in November at the WBFF

(World Beauty, Fitness & Fashion, Inc.) show in Miami, I was encouraged to commemorate my experience,” says Nikki Bennett, general manager of the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. “I had never heard of 3-D printing for personalized figurines until I heard about Cool Dims, and I thought it was a really cool idea. Since they offer packages that include professional photos, I figured I would give it a try. I am happy that I did! The staff is extremely professional and very easy to work with. And the replica is awesome! I am happy that I chose to work with Chris, and the Cool Dims team and I would recommend them to anyone.”

For more information about Cool Dims or to set an appointment, email GetInfo@CoolDims.com or call 3216842. —MW

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Westshore Pizza Celebrates 8 Years Of Great Pizza & More In New Tampa!

By Meaghan O’Neal

Now celebrating eight years in business in New Tampa, the husband-and-wife team of Chris and Ines Bove has built the Westshore Pizza location in the Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza (between Best Buy and Men’s Wearhouse) into a deliciously successful eatery that has mirrored the success of its corporate parent.

The Westshore Pizza franchise originally began with one location in South Tampa in 1994 with the mission to bring the “Taste of Philly” to the Tampa Bay area. Since then, Westshore has grown to more than 30 locations in Florida and Ohio. As it has grown, the Westshore corporate entity has required that restaurant owners, like Chris and Ines, maintain the same values with which it was started.

In 2007, Chris’ parents, Richard and Chrystel Bove, helped Chris and Ines buy the New Tampa Westshore Pizza location.

The Boves were excited and grateful to have the opportunity to own a pizza restaurant. Chris grew up in New Jersey and describes himself as a “pizza addict.” He had planned on becoming a musician, but when his parents offered him the idea of the store, he went for it because of his love for the food. Ines is originally from Bolivia, where she lived until she married Chris in 1997. For seven years before opening the restaurant with Chris, Ines worked as a manager for Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant in St. Petersburg.

At New Tampa’s Westshore Pizza location in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza, you’ll find not only great pizzas, calzones and salads (left), but also a happy, friendly team to serve you (right). Among the favorites at the New Tampa locations are (next page, l.-r.): the authentic Philly cheesesteaks, 100-percent angus beef burgers, meatball and other hot and cold subs and BBQ and Buffalo-style wings.

Today, the Boves and their children are flourishing in the New Tampa community. Chris is there every day to, “make sure that customers get a good product.”

Even the Boves’ 14-year-old daughter Sofia contributes to the business by working the cash register on Friday nights.

The Boves say they have many customers who are loyal to them. One of those customers, Ken from Tampa Palms, noted his love for Westshore saying, “Westshore Pizza has always been my favorite place for pizza and subs. I simply love this Westshore Pizza store (for its) great food, service and all-around great people.”

Ultimately, Westshore Pizza seeks to serve its customers by providing fresh ingredients that are never pre-made. The dough is made fresh and ingredients are prepared every day, which guarantees that your food will be as fresh as possible.

Fresh dough gives Westshore the unique ability to customize any pizza to fit every customer’s needs. Ines says, “We make our own dough so we can stretch it however you like it. When you work with frozen or pre-made dough, there are certain things you can’t do. We work the oven and can leave it in or take it out whenever we want to.”

Therefore, each pizza can be cooked exactly how each customer wants it — whether they want it lightly baked, crispy, or even extra crispy (like a certain local news magazine editor prefers it).

Westshore’s pizzas range from the standard pepperoni and cheese to Philly Deluxe and their newest fiery sriracha pizza. According to Ines, the most popular pizza at the New Tampa location is the White Spinach Ricotta, which is made with their original recipe white sauce.

However, Westshore isn’t just a pizza joint; the menu features 30 items for lunch and dinner. Appetizers such as mozzarella

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sticks and garlic knots can be added to any meal. The Westshore wings are a party favorite and come in Buffalo and barbeque flavors. There also are Greek, Caesar and other fresh salads.

After pizza, Westshore is most known for their Philly cheesesteaks which can be made with steak or chicken. For calzone and stromboli lovers, Westshore offers “Meat Eaters” and vegetarian options and more. Other sandwiches include the Italian Philly Hoagie, Grilled Ham & Cheese and many more. Traditional entrées such as chicken and eggplant parmigiana can be served as in both oven-baked sandwiches and dinners. Other tasty new items are the 100-percent angus burgers, which were added to the menu last year.

If you’re looking for something sweet to finish your meal, try the New York-style cheesecake or a traditional cannoli.

Chris says that freshly made food requires time to prepare, which is why the Westshore staff recommends that if you have a short lunch break and/or a special order, you should call about 10-15 minutes ahead so that it’ll be ready for you. However, he adds, at lunch and dinner hours, pizza also is sold by the slice and will usu-

ally be ready in just a few minutes.

Every day, Westshore Pizza offers two slices of pizza and a drink for just $6.

See the ad on page 56 for the New Tampa location’s eighth anniversary promotions for the month of April.

Chris and Ines feel that the best part of owning their restaurant has been the friendships they’ve made with their staff and customers.

“It’s been very rewarding,” Ines says, “Having the customers appreciate what we do and come back to us, that means a lot.”

The Boves also have built a staff that they’ve invested in and helped grow individually and as a team. Several of their employees are young and have been shaped by their jobs at Westshore. Ines says, “It’s the mother in me” and that she knows, “it’s important for them to succeed in life.”

That has meant being there when they need her and even covering shifts when an employee has to study.

Victoria Barnes, 22, is an assistant manager who has worked for Westshore Pizza for three years. Since working there, she says she’s supported herself through her studies at USF, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology,

and began pursuing her Master’s , also in Psychology. Victoria says the support she and the other employees have received has built a deep dedication to the business.

“We care; we really do,” Victoria says.

“It matters to us if we mess something up.

We care to make sure everything is right and that we serve customers.”

Making customers happy is very im-

portant to the staff and owners of the New Tampa Westshore location, who will always go the extra mile to ensure that happiness.

Westshore Pizza’s New Tampa location (18045 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.) is open Sun.– Thur., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fri.-Sat. Call 971-7771 or visit WestshorePizza.com for more info or to place an order.

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2236 Ashley Oaks Circle, Suite 101 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

JOIN US AT ST. MARK the Evangelist FOR HOLY WEEK! ALL ARE WELCOME! Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 28th Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm March 29th Sunday: 8:30am, 10:30am 12:30am (Spanish) 5:30pm March 30th Monday: 12:00pm March 31st Tuesday: 8:30am April 1st Wednesday: 8:30am April 2nd Holy Thursday: 10:00am Morning Prayer 7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Bilingual) (Incense will be used) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows until 11:30pm April 3rd Good Friday: 10:00am Morning Prayer 3:00pm Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion April 4th Holy Saturday: 10:00am Morning Prayer, (Blessing of Easter Baskets follows), 8:15pm Easter Vigil Mass (Incense will be used)

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All Are Welcome at our Mass for the Dedication of our New Church!

Save The Date: June 6th, 2015 7:30pm Our main celebrant will be Bishop Robert Lynch

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57

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

Dine In At...Or Take Out From...

The New Dine Or Dash Whether or not you’ve been wondering what happened to the restaurant that used to be La Cubanita Café in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza, well, I can assure you that as good as the old place was, the new Dine or Dash, which opened a few months ago in the same space (at 19040 Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.), is a significant upgrade.

Dine or Dash still has great Cuban food (including incredible-looking pressed Cuban sandwiches, which have been voted among our area’s best on Yelp.com), and the roasted pork in mojo sauce, which I can actually vouch for as delicious), but it’s also got some tasty Italian (I also can speak for the tasty pasta with marinara sauce pictured, right) and even Mediterraneanstyle cuisine — plus, it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

Look for a full dining review of Dine or Dash in an upcoming issue, but in the meantime, stop in and tell the owners — Andrew & Becky — that we sent you.

For additional information, call 632-9100, visit DineorDash.com or see

58

the ad on the next page (pg. 59).

Still More Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber Events

(Above) The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce cut ribbons at the office of Murtha & Murtha, CPAS (above) and at David Weekley Homes’ new Union Park community in Wesley Chapel (next page) earlier this month.

I hope more and more New Tampa residents will continue to check out the great events — many of which are still absolutely free — being hosted and/or sponsored by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC), which of course, is now (and really always has been) serving New Tampa.

The WCCC was part of the ribbon cutting for the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park

(see page 1) on Mar. 2. The Chamber also has hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies (that our assistant editor Matt Wiley was able to attend) for David Weekley Homes’ beautiful, new Wesley Chapel community known as Union Park (see ad on page 8 or call 422-6144) on March 10 and at Murtha & Murtha, CPAs (2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101, in the Seven Oaks Professional

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Park; call 991-1120 or see the ad on pg. 57 of this issue), on March 13.

“You guys have thrown us a great reception,” said Tom Murtha, MBA, CPA. “We’re excited to be here.”

There also were a few WCCC events that took place after we went to press with this issue, including sponsoring the Southern Living Homes Showcase Home Expo

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on Mar. 21, and ribbon cutting events at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School (for the opening of the Pasco School District’s fifth Health & Wellness Center), and for the ribbon cutting and open house for our friends Joyce & Gary Gunter’s Gunter & Gunter Insurance (28969 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel; call 994-3900 or see the ad on pg. 34 of this issue), both on Mar. 24, and at Studio Twenty8 photography at the Shops at Wiregrass mall early on Mar. 27.

And, since you should receive this by Friday, March 27, you can attend another WCCC “Final Friday” Happy Hour at Glory Days Grill (17508 Doña Michelle Dr.), which will be held 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

For more information about these and other Chamber events, or membership info, call 994-8534 or visit Wesley ChapelChamber.com.

Culver’s Coming To WC?

As development kicks into high gear in the Cypress Creek Town Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI) off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, more tenants are an-

Neighborhood News

nouncing plans to move into the area.

Most recently, Culver’s has scheduled a meeting with Pasco County officials to discuss their plans for a site along S.R. 56 that could be under construction in 4-5 months.

According to documents submitted to the county, Culver’s is planning a 4,200-square-foot restaurant on a 1.395acre parcel in Cypress Creek Town Center on the south side of S.R. 56 (the same side of S.R. 56 as the future Tampa Premium Outlets mall), just east of the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension, which will feature 110 seats, a drive-through and 65 parking spaces.

Engineer Harry Newkirk, P.E., says that plans still have to be approved and permits still have to be issued, but construction could begin in 4-5 months.

Culver’s is famous for its trademark “Butter Burgers” and signature frozen custard and has more than 500 locations in 22 states. A new location recently opened on N. Nebraska Ave., (at E. Bearss Ave.), across from the new Walmart Supercenter, only one exit south (off I-275) of the S.R. 56 exit off I-75. — Gary Nager & Matt Wiley

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

Keller Williams Tampa Properties. Contact Annette with Team Bohannon (813) 431-2840.

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.

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.

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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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HELP WANTED

Now Hiring! Growing insurance agency is seeking a licensed and experienced 4-40 customer service orientated and represent the agency with the highest ethical standard with a minimum 3 year industry experience. Contact (813)-994-1143 Small cleaning company looking for experienced part-time cleaners. Position involves detailed cleaning in residential homes. Applicants must be able to lift a minimum of 40lbs. Must be detail orientated, honest, trustworthy, dependable, and have transportation. Must submit to background check and be able to be bonded, no felonies. Send experience and info to wesleychapelcleaners@gmail.com Production/Graphic Assistant. Part time. Duties to include running production digital copiers, some light graphic design and typesetting along with customer service work and other office duties as needed. Strong MAC OS computer skills a must. Printing and InDesign experience/knowledge a BIG plus. Excellent phone, written and verbal communication skills important. Submit resume via email only to info@rpandg.com

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.

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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.

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

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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 email Wsica@wsica.com today!

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.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

DALE’S HOME MAINTENANCE - Pressure washing, screen repairs, garage cleaning and organizing, shelving, re-grout tile and caulking, and more.

(813)-727-2582 or (813)-973-0194 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.

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional and personal touch. Pool decks and screen enclosures, all fencing, driveways, walkways, roofs, gutters and downspouts.

Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home.

Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed & insured. Call (813) 215-1177.

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.

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We work 7 days. Call (813) 994-5124.

UPHOLSTERY- All types-Sofas, chairs, stools, pillows, select window treatments.For more info & pricing call Glen or Sheryl (813)-245-9719

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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.

POOL SERVICES

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE – New customer’s ONE MONTH FREE! 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 MONSTER POOL CLEANING - Summer Special — 50% off your 1st two months of service.

Family owned & operated. 20+ Years of Experience. Competitive rates! Same service tech each week. *Our 15-pt. weekly full service will keep your pool looking great! Refer a customer & get ONE MONTH FREE! Call Today - (813) 489-9967.

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

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.

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 2015!!! Contact Mrs. Daley at 813-468-1424 to reserve your spot!

BABYSITTER/NANNY would like new clients for Saturday and Sunday. CPR certified, excellent references. I also do pet sitting.

Call (813)-220-7030.

HAIR & BEAUTY

SPACE AVAILABLE - Private suite in busy upscale Salon / SPA available for Hairstylist / Aesthetician / Massage Therapist / Tattoo Artist or Makeup Artist Located Behind Sam’s club on SR 56 / Bruce B. Downs, near Wiregrass Mall. Equipped with wireless internet, wash/dryer, wheelchair access washroom, reception area. 24 x 7 accesses to your suite. Few equipment provided Utility, maintenance included in rent. Lowest rent in the Area. If you have established clientele, opportunity to work on commission basis as well.

Call 813-997-3414 for more information.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 7 • March 28, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 7 • March 28, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Skinny’s Sports Bar Fund Raiser For Injured Bruce Nets $7,000!

By Gary Nager

It doesn’t always take a tragedy to bring people together in this or any other community, but terrible circumstances can help a large number of people come together for worthy causes, both here in Wesley Chapel and across the country.

A case in point was the February 7 benefit for 28-year-old Bruce Emerson, held at Skinny’s Sports Bar (27429 S.R. 54, a halfmile west of I-75) in Wesley Chapel. Bruce, a popular “friend of the Skinny’s family” (according to Skinny’s owner Ken Santo), was seriously injured — breaking his neck, back, legs and arms — when he was thrown from his motorcycle while driving home at 10:45 p.m. on Curley Rd. after having dinner with his mom Kate Schroeder on Jan. 5.

“We estimate that about 300 people came out to support Bruce and his family at

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the benefit,” says Skinny’s owner Ken Santo.

“And we’re amazed that we raised more than $7,000, all of which I gave directly to Kate.”

Kate says the event itself and the outpouring of love from the Skinny’s faithful was, “Overwhelming...more than I ever imagined. It was a wonderful party. We’re so appreciative.” She adds that some of the money will be used to pay to construct wheelchair ramps for Kate’s home, as Bruce “isn’t able to take care of himself right now.”

Kate also says that the doctors who took care of his traumatic injuries attributed Bruce’s survival to, “how physically and mentally strong he is,” after his years working as a cell phone tower climber, a job he has had for several years with his older brother Chip, 29. Bruce regularly climbs 600-ft.-tall cell towers.

“Bruce does the climbing, but he rappels back down on a harness and he has always had Chip on the ground making sure he’s safe,” says Kate. “The accident was devastating to Chip (Kate says Chip also survived a serious motorcycle accident 2-1/2 years ago). It was hard for (Chip) to return to work without his brother doing the climbing, but he’s tough, too, so he did it.”

An unbelievable coincidence is that Santo’s 16-yearold daughter Madison happened to be the first person to arrive on the scene of Bruce’s accident. Madison, who says

An estimated crowd of 300 people (above right) and dozens of motorcycles (bottom left) helped raise $7,000 to benefit motorcycle accident victim Bruce Emerson (left) at Skinny’s Sports Bar. she plans to be a doctor, was somehow able to arrive on the gruesome scene. to keep her emotions under control while For more information about how helping to make sure that Bruce wasn’t you can help Bruce & his family, stop by alone while waiting for emergency personnel or call Skinny’s at 994-4646.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 7 • March 28, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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@NTWCNews

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 23, Issue 7 • March 28, 2015 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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