Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 24, Issue 8, April 8, 2016

Volume 24 Issue 8

Inside: Social Media Locates A Kidney For Joey!

April 8, 2016

See Neighborhood Magazine!

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For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in Wesley Chapel (zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545), see page 46!

What’s New (& Still Coming To) Wesley Chapel? A Whole Lot!

FHWC Expansion Is Ahead Of Schedule; Wiregrass Elementary Is ‘W’s’ New Name; New 55+ Community Sprouting In Meadow Pointe; Our Exclusive Summer Camp Guide & Local Business Features!

Pages 3-36

Neighborhood Magazine PHSC History Fair A Success; 900 Degrees Woodfired Pizza Takes Pasta To New Level; Bailey Beats Back Cancer & Returns To School; Plus More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 37-48

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News, Business & Sports Updates

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Also Inside This Issue:

Multi - Family “rumored” here because Map Key 230 Units no agreements were finalized at our press time) is Undeveloped Parcel a possible Mellow MushParcel D room Pizza Bakers.

Rumored Development Parcel C 10.0+ Acres As for non-restauParcel F 12.3+ Acres Proposed, Approved or RETAIL SPACE rants in this area, Costco Under Construction FL Hospital Hyatt Place Wholesale is a go beParcel B Center Ice & Parcel E 130- rm Hotel Parcel N Existing Development 15.3+ Acres hind Culver’s and east of Holiday Inn Express 1.3+ 6.0+ Acres Parcel L-M Acres the outlet mall, although 100,000 sf Multi Retail 56 rumor has it that the Tenant 100,000-sq.-ft. Cabela’s Regency Shopping Ctr World’s Foremost Out240,000 sf Parcel S fitters may no longer be 16.6+ Acres coming to the area, but we were not able to confirm that rumor at our 56 press time.

As I also mentioned above, we can not yet Tampa Premium Outlets confirm whether or not Parcel P the entire 240,000-sq.-ft.

Brightwork Parcel O 8.0+ Regency Shopping CentCrossing 4.8+ Acres Acres er — which also could be 56 I-75 home to a 50,000-sq.-ft.

Kohl’s department store and a (likely “green”) Parcel Q 28,000-sq.-ft grocery 1.5+ Acres 54 store, as well as a couple of other possible freestanding or connected This map of the area in & around the Tampa Premium Outlets mall on S.R. 56/S.R. 54 is crowded with new outparcels along S.R. 56. developments. The map shows projects that are under construction, planned & even those that are just rumored.

— is actually happening.

And, although even ing” project is rumored to include another dated on the sprawling Florida Hospital those with the broadest definitions of what 115,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, 100 ho- Center Ice complex, located just east of is “in” Wesley Chapel would call anything tel rooms and 350 multi-family units if and I-75 on the north side of S.R. 56, which will west of the Walgreens and Shell on the map when it officially comes online. be completed later this year, as well as the “Lutz,” there is another fairly large proadjacent Holiday Inn Express Hotel. ject located just west of that site, although FHCI Coming Soon!

And of course, we’ll also keep you up- More of “What’s New’” appears on pgs. 24-25. (for now), the 32-acre “Brightwork CrossCyp nd Gra

By Gary Nager Just when you thought the Wesley Chapel area couldn’t handle any more growth, here we come with two shiny new maps showing as close to everything that’s currently either in or rumored to be in development in and around zip codes 33543, 33544 and 33545.

On this page is a map (right) of the area (mainly) between I-75 and Old Cypress Creek Rd., which shows the ongoing development of the Cypress Creek Town Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI), as well as a possible new development directly to the west of the Walgreens and Shell gas station off S.R. 54, just west of where it meets S.R. 56 and Old Cypress Creek Rd. And, heck yeah, it’s a lot of “stuff,” especially if you’re looking for new places to eat (and really, who isn’t?).

In addition to the eateries we’ve previously told you about — including the newly opened Culver’s of Wesley Chapel and the nearly-completed Cheddar’s — the longawaited Chick-fil-A is now going vertical, between Culver’s and Cheddars. Further west of Culver’s, a Panda Express Fast Casual Chinese is getting ready to build just west of the corner of Grand Preserve Dr. and S.R. 56 (in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets mall, or TPO).

Three more restaurants are being added (and all are somewhere in the development process) east of the intersection of the new Grand Cypress Dr. and S.R. 56 — BJ’s Brewhouse, McDonald’s and Longhorn Steakhouse. And, directly across S.R. 56 from Longhorn is a planned Pollo Tropical.

Further west on that north side of S.R. 56 (in the “Regency Shopping Center,” although the entire center still has to be called

Tonight! We Seek Our 3rd Straight Rotary Spelling Bee Title!

The team sponsored by this publication and anchored by yours truly is proud to have captured two consecutive titles in the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon’s annual Adult Spelling Bee. And tonight — Friday, April 8, 7 p.m. — the Neighborhood News “Horrific Spellers” hope to capture a third consecutive title, when the Rotary Club again hosts its fifth annual Adult Spelling Bee at Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, located off S.R. 52 in nearby San Antonio.

Not only will yours truly and my fellow Wesley Chapel Rotarians — Dr. Karina Azank of the Florida Hospital Physicians Group, Dane Parilo of Wells Fargo Financial and Vicki Hamilton of SmartHealth (photo) — “bee” on hand to defend our title, so will nearly 30 other teams of four spellers each, as each team submits one spelling of

each word during the three rounds of fun (and sometimes intense) competition.

If you’re not already on a team, you can at least come out to the event (it costs just $10 per spectator and incudes free “heavy” hors d’oeuvres. There’s also a cash bar and lots of great raffle and silent auction prizes available.

All proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon Fund, through which we support our selected charities.

The club also would like to thank this year’s Spelling Bee sponsors — The Shops at Wiregrass, Christian Brothers Auto Service, Pasco Hernando State College, Suncoast Credit Union, Florida Hospital Physicians Group, Nissan of Wesley Chapel, DPW Legal, Wesley Chapel Toyota, Cash 4 Gold, Achieva Credit Union, Smart Health & the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. — GN

2015 Spelling Bee photo courtesy of OurTownFla.com

Pt. 1 - How We Can Improve Our Traffic!

An editorial by Gary Nager I live just south of where S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel meets S.R 54, but for the better part of the last quarter of a century, I also have lived on or near Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Cross Creek Blvd. and even N. Dale Mabry Hwy. for a while and although I know traffic is pretty bad in our area, I feel that there are a few people who live in our area and who drive on these four- and six-lane “highways” with traffic lights who make it so much worse for the rest of us.

You’ve read my rants about poorly timed traffic signals in these pages and I’ve even commented about people not understanding how to use access lanes to get on our major roadways.

But lately, it seems that there are even more drivers who want to go no faster — not even one mile per hour faster — than the posted speed limit in the left lane of a 45- or 55-mile-per-hour roadway.

Usually, if you end up stuck behind enough of these folks, you realize that the offending driver’s “reasoning” for his or her compulsive need to get into the left lane as early as possible is because they’re going to eventually be making a left turn, usually 1-2 miles (and oh so many signals) before they actually have to make that turn. They don’t seem to really care if you or the half-mile backup behind you would like to go...let’s say 49...on that 45-mph roadway and actually not end up having to stop at every single one of those signals. As long as they don’t miss that all-important turn, they think “it’s all good.”

But no, it’s really not all good. In fact,

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Advertising Sales & Office Manager Mary Dorey Billing Manager Jillian Reilly Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Editorial & Office Assistant Celeste McLaughlin Correspondents Anu Varma Panchal • Andy Warrener Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Blake Beatty Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 24, Issue 10, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, April 25, 2016.

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

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

© 2016 JM2 Communications, Inc. Neighborhood News

now that we have these flashing message boards, many of them say, “Slower Traffic Keep Right. It’s The Law!” (photo, left).

That means that if a police officer notices that every car in the center lane is going a faster cruising speed (also known as “passing” them) than our not-so-soon-tobe-left-turning friend, that law enforcement officer should stop and ticket the offending car, just as surely as he or she should stop and ticket anyone going more than 60 mph in that same 45-mph zone. Because of the frustration felt by the other drivers that have to share that road, driving too slow, especially in the left lane, can be just as dangerous as speeding.

Feedback From Both Sides

This editorial also ran in our New Tampa issue that hit mailboxes in 33647 on Mar. 25, and we received some feedback on both sides of my argument.

New Tampa resident and attorney Scott McMahon said, “Kudos for your Mar. 25 editorial and relentless campaign addressing systemic traffic problems on Bruce B. Downs. In particular lazy drivers chugging along at the speed limit in the passing lane, combined with poorly time traffic signals.

Both create logistical nightmares and acute safety problems for the general public.”

But, reader Dick Thatcher disagreed, saying, “I take issue with your suggestion that the speed limit be exceeded in order to maintain a flow through the lights. My freshly-minted driver, who also reads your publication, does not need to be encouraged to violate the posted speed limit in order to make your commute more convenient.”

I don’t agree that’s what I said, Mr. Thatcher (read it again), but please feel free to let me know what you think, too!

Table of Contents

Local News Updates....................3-27

FHWC Expansion Briskly Rolling Along...............4-5 Dead End Roads Getting Another Look...................6 School Board Chooses Wiregrass Elementary..........8 Trump, Clinton Big Winners In Wesley Chapel.......10 Anand Vihar To Break Ground In June...............12 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel News Briefs.........14 Wiregrass Mall Adds New Choices For Shoppers......16 Moore’s ‘Fight Against Blight’ Turns To Bins..........17 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar......................18

Local Business Updates.............28-35

VIP Pest Control Can Handle The ‘Baddest’ Bugs....28 Florida Aesthetics & Medical Weight Loss.................30 SPOTLIGHT ON: Florida Pain Medicine.........31 Budget Blinds Gets “Smart” About Your Windows...32 la Pink Boutique is Stylish & Chic............................34

Neighborhood Magazine

First PHSC History Fair Draws A Crowd...........37 Teenager Beats Cancer, Returns To School............38 Pasta & Salads & 900° Pizza, Oh My................40 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’........42 WESLEY CHAPEL CLASSIFIEDS...........44 Facebook Leads Donor To Local Man In Need.....46 @NTWCNews

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FHWC’s $78-Million Expansion Moving Forward & Ahead Of Schedule

By Celeste McLaughlin On any given afternoon, the emergency department at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) can get pretty busy. With all of the people living in and near Wesley Chapel and choosing FHWC for their care, sometimes every emergency room (ER) bed is full and the staff has to get creative to accommodate all of the patients who need to be seen.

So, it’s a good thing that the hospital’s expansion is already well underway. In December, FHWC’s emergency department will expand from 18 rooms to 35, which is, perhaps, the most vital part of a $78-million expansion that is adding three floors and 111,993 square feet of new space to the hospital, which already is 200,000 square feet.

“This expansion is important, so that we can continue to provide excellent care for folks in our community,” says FHWC director of marketing Tracy Clouser. “We are blessed that the community continues to choose us and we are adding space to better serve those patients.”

FHWC originally opened in 2012 with a plan to expand in five years or more, but due to the need in the community, the expansion began much sooner than initially anticipated. Because the hospital was designed to be expanded, construction of the new space – which started last August – has moved quickly.

The hospital includes three wings, referred to as the North, Center, and

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South wings. The current expansion adds three stories to the Center Wing and adds a three-story “connector wing,” called the “Southeast Connector,” between the Center and South wings.

In the Center Wing, patient rooms are being constructed on the fifth and sixth floors, while the fourth floor will remain a “shell” for future expansion. Clouser explains that the plan was to open two floors and keep one for future expansion, so the decision was made to leave the fourth floor shelled to minimize the disturbance to hospital patients on Floors 1-3 during construction.

In addition to new emergency

and patient rooms, the expansion allows FHWC to add more doctors, especially in orthopaedics, providing more physician choices and more procedures available to people in the community. Also, when the expansion is complete, the hospital will have a new gym for in-patient rehab, so patients will no longer have to do rehab in their rooms or in the hospital’s hallways.

Additional observation rooms will be opened for both pre- and post-op patients.

Other changes include the operating room for women who have to undergo a Csection being moved up one floor, so that patients no longer need to be transferred by elevator to the mother/ baby unit.

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The hospital’s central energy plant also is being expanded to accommodate FHWC’s new footprint. Clouser explains that if there is a power outage, all medical essentials plugged into the hospital’s red plugs will come back online immediately.

Non-essentials, such as computers, will come back on within seven minutes.

A Work In Progress

Every day, about 200 people are working on FHWC’s expansion. On the day the Neighborhood News toured the construction areas, crews were putting in HVAC ductwork and starting drywall in the three-story addition to the Center Wing. Pre-cast concrete panels were being

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in electrophysiology, which is the study of the heart’s electrical system.

Some of the innovations in the heart “cath” lab include a “tilt and cradle table,” allowing doctors to move the patient for scans or procedures without having to prop them up with towels, as they would on a table that doesn’t tilt. Everything in the lab is on booms, so that all of the equipment can be moved easily, in whatever configuration the doctors need it. And, a 55-inch flat screen TV allows doctors to see any of six views, including a patient’s CT scans.

A Healing Place

raised by a crane – weighing anywhere from 12,000-30,000 pounds (or 6-15 tons!; right photo on previous pg.) – and were put in place to form the new outside walls of the building.

The expansion construction will be completed in October or November of this year. The building will open in December, once inspections by Pasco County and hospital authorities have been completed.

Renovations, Too

As part of the construction, more than 10,000 square feet of the hospital’s existing space is being renovated. One renovation that’s already complete is the new heart catheterization lab (photo, right), which includes accommodations requested by cardiologists who specialize

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“The original hospital design was very intentionally created to be a healing environment,” says Clouser. “We have lots of natural light and open space, with inviting colors, artwork that depicts scenes of nature, and lots of plants and trees visible from both patient rooms and waiting rooms.”

Some of the plants and trees are growing in FHWC’s two healing gardens, located in the hospital’s courtyards, although one is currently used for construction and will re-open when the renovations have been completed.

Clouser explains that FHWC’s healing environment will be continued throughout the new construction, too. Just like in the current hospital, many details that may not be apparent to visitors have been intentionally done to protect patients.

“For example, the building’s sprinkler heads are built into the ceiling so they don’t collect dust,” says Clouser. “In our intensive care unit and emergency depart-

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ment, the blinds are inside the glass so they don’t collect dust.”

She also says that the hospital has two elevator systems so that visitors don’t share elevators with patients. “This is both for patient privacy and to protect patients from germs.”

FHWC is located at 2600 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

To learn more about the hospital, visit FloridaHospital.com/ Wesley-Chapel or call 929-5000.

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Both Sides Taking A Closer Look At Kinnan/Mansfield Connection

By John C. Cotey

A new study to determine the feasibility of connecting Kinnan St. in New Tampa and Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe could be on the horizon, after officials from both Pasco and Hillsborough counties met recently in hopes of settling the long-simmering disagreement between the sides.

Pasco County District 2 commissioner Mike Moore and Hillsborough County District 7 City Council member Lisa Montelione, accompanied by lawyers, city administrators and engineers from each side, met in Dade City on March 9, as negotiations to connect their two counties heated up.

The result: a decision to send the engineers back to work, looking at old plans from 2007-12 to determine if any are applicable today in light of the new developments in the area.

“Our staff, the engineers who do the technical stuff, are going to look at prior studies to see if we need to do a new study,’’ said Moore. “Things have obviously changed in that area, with more homes, schools and daycares.”

Kinnan St., which is on the Hillsborough side, and Mansfield Blvd., which is on the Pasco side, are separated by a 100foot patch of grass (photo) that is more a dumping ground than the commuter convenience it should be, argue some.

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The last traffic study in the area was done roughly two years ago, says Montelione, by ICON Engineering, Inc., as part of the process for M/I Homes during the re-negotiation of the development agreement for K-Bar Ranch.

She said similar studies go back to 1996, and that both staffs plan on taking inventory of those to determine the next step forward.

Kinnan St. was paved north to the Pasco County line in 2007 by the de-

veloper of Live Oak Preserve, but never completed. Barricades mark the end of Mansfield and block the road heading south, while steel poles with red diamond-shaped signs on them prevent any traffic further north on Kinnan St. Last publicly discussed in 2012, when the two sides failed to come to an agreement, Montelione raised the issue again of connecting the roads in January, writing a letter to Moore. The two officials first met later that month to discuss

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it, before agreeing on the latest meeting with government staff, namely the engineers. “We’ll see what was discussed in the past,’’ Moore said. “There’s no guarantee either way. But, I think what we all agree on is we need an end result.”

If both sides decide a new study needs to be done, Moore and Montelione said public meetings will be held so that residents and business owners of both sides of the debate can be heard.

Montelione attended the meeting with Tampa city attorney Julia Mandell.

Mandell, who was the senior assistant attorney for the City of Tampa during the last round of negotiations with Pasco County in 2013, is now the City Attorney, having been appointed in March as only the second female City Attorney ever

by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

Susan Johnson, the subdivision/DRI coordinator for the City of Tampa, and Melanie Calloway, the senior transportation planning engineer, also attended the meeting.

Pasco was represented by county administrator Michelle Baker, assistant county attorney David Goldstein and Ali Atefi, Pasco’s transportation engineer.

The meeting also included discussions on other possible extensions to help alleviate traffic issues affecting both counties, like one linking Beardsley Dr. in Meadow Pointe southeast east to Morris Bridge Rd. in K-Bar Ranch, Moore said.

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‘W’ No More — New School To Be Called ‘Wiregrass Elementary!’

By John C. Cotey

A number of interesting -- some might even say curious -- names were available to the Pasco County School Board when it came time to pick a new name for “Elementary School W”, the new school currently under construction across from Dr. John Long Middle School on Mansfield Blvd. and set to open in Wiregrass Ranch for the 2016-2017 school year beginning in August.

There was Gatorville, once a popular nickname for Wesley Chapel. Love and Wonderful elementaries were recommended (regrettably, no one gave Peace a chance?).

Even Barack Obama Elementary was on the list of suggestions, along with, of course, Hope and (World) Change elementaries.

In the end, however, the Board went with arguably the safest choice on the list of 30 or so names suggested by the community, voting on March 15 to name the new school Wiregrass Ranch Elementary (WRE).

The new school, which shares its name with nearby Wiregrass Ranch High, is being opened to relieve overcrowding at Double Branch and Sand Pine elementaries. The school is projected to open with 496 students drawn from the two schools.

Steve Williams will be the school’s inaugural principal, and Melissa Bidgood,

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formerly the assistant principal at Seven Oaks Elementary, was appointed at the same board meeting and started as assistant principal at WRE March 16.

Board member Cynthia Armstrong (District 3) made the motion for Wiregrass Ranch Elementary, citing a preference for geographical names that “give a sense of community.” Her fellow board members voted in the name quickly and unanimously by a 5-0 vote.

The most suggested name by the public was Porter Elementary, with seven recommendations (eight if you count Porter Ranch), and Meadow Pointe Elementary was second with four votes. Godwin, named for any number of 1880-1900 settlers in the Wesley Chapel area, was suggested three times.

However, geography won out over history, which seemed to fuel many of the names suggested by the public.

Some wanted to see the school named for educators like Beth Brown (who opened JLMS), Dave Estabrook (principal at Pineview Middle in Land O’Lakes), Greta L. Adams (former principal of Pasco Junior High and the MooreMickens Education Center) and former superintendent Heather Fiorentino.

Others wanted reflections of the nature around the area like Woodside, Wilderness and Chapel Falls, and some suggestions were way out there in space like Challenger (for the space shuttle that

exploded 30 years ago) and Galaxy, which also came with a suggestion for a mascot – The Stars!

At least one sportsminded person suggested the school be named Yankees Elementary.

And let’s not forget those that just wanted everyone to get along and be happy, with suggestions like Whole Child, Growth, Unity, New Horizons and Construction continues at the site of Wiregrass Elementary, which will Bright Future. be completed by August. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

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Wesley Chapel Likes Trump & Clinton In Presidential Primary Vote

By John C. Cotey

In Pasco County, Republican enthusiasm was high for this year’s Florida presidential primary, as a large wave of voters carried GOP presidential frontrunner Donald J. Trump to a decisive victory on March 15.

While turnout in the closed primary for Democratic winner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with only 36 percent (37,777) of the county’s 102,722 registered Democrats casting a ballot, interest in Trump boosted the Republican turnout to record highs.

In Pasco, 65,945 votes were cast for Republican candidates, from a pool of 121,609 registered voters, a remarkable 63 percent.

Trump was, predictably, a slam dunk, taking 51 percent of Pasco’s overall vote.

That was 30 points better than U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s 21 percent, despite the fact Rubio is from Florida.

The 33,563 votes cast for Trump in Pasco were more than Rubio, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich received combined.

Trump garnered more than 40 percent of the vote in 106 of the county’s 111 precincts, and more than 50 percent in 72 of those precincts.

In Wesley Chapel’s ten voting precincts in the 33543, 33544 and 33545 zip codes, Trump still won by a wide margin, but he wasn’t quite as dominant as he was statewide. In the 10 Wesley Chapel pre-

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Donald Trunp

cincts, Trump received 2,835 of the 6,553 total votes cast, or 43.2 percent. Rubio (1,646 votes) was second with 25 percent, and Cruz was third with 1,558 votes, or 23.7 percent. Kasich received 371 votes (5 percent).

In precinct #111, which voted at the Club at Seven Oaks clubhouse, Trump received only 38 percent of the vote, one of only five precincts countywide not to give him at least 40 percent. His best Wesley Chapel precinct was #99, where Trump picked up 48.1 percent of the 409 votes cast at the Northwood Community Center.

Only 39 Pasco precincts did not give Trump at least 50 percent of its vote, including all ten Wesley Chapel precincts.

Pasco County was one of the 66 counties in Florida, out of 67, that Trump

Hillary Clinton won. In winner-takes-all Florida, he secured 1,077,221 votes, or 45.7 percent of all ballots cast statewide, and picked up 99 more delegates, distancing himself further from his remaining competition.

Trump, though, remained the biggest story, both locally and across the state. His decisive victory in Florida knocked Rubio out of the race, dealing him a final blow on his home soil. The South Florida native did manage to prevent a Trump sweep of Florida’s counties, however, by winning Miami-Dade, where Rubio was born.

Rubio picked up 636,653 votes (27 percent) for second place, but pulled out of the race as the final results were tallied in the Sunshine State.

“While we are on the right side this year, we will not be on the winning side,”

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Rubio told his supporters in Miami.

Meanwhile, Clinton outperformed Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in 108 of Pasco’s 111 precincts. In Wesley Chapel, Clinton’s advantage was 61-37 percent as she won in all 10 voting precincts.

Statewide, 1,099,033 of the 1.7 million votes cast by Democrats (or 64.4 percent) were for Clinton. Sanders picked up 33 percent of the votes.

“We are moving closer to securing the Democratic Party nomination and winning this election in November,” Clinton told her supporters in a speech following her victory in Florida.

Florida Republican Primary Votes — Wesley Chapel Voting Precincts

Donald Trump: 2,835 (43.2%) Marco Rubio: 1,646 (25.1%) Ted Cruz: 1,558 (23.7%) John Kasich: 371 (5%) Other Republicans receiving votes: Jeb Bush: 69 Ben Carson: 40 Rand Paul: 13 Chris Christie: 7 Rick Santorum: 4 Mike Huckabee: 4 Jim Gilmore: 1 Total Votes: 6,553

Florida Democratic Primary Votes — Wesley Chapel Voting Precincts

Hillary Clinton: 2,544 (61.1%) Bernie Sanders: 1,551 (37.2%) Other Democrats receiving votes: Martin O’Malley: 69

Total votes: 4,164

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Meadow Pointe To Be Home To A 55+ Community Focused On Serenity

By John C. Cotey

When good friends and Tampa Bayarea doctors Krishna Nallamshetty M.D., and Seenu Sanka, M.D., envisioned a place their parents could live their later years in, they imagined a calm and peaceful setting, people with shared interests, an active and vibrant community with trails to walk, fitness rooms to exercise in, places where they could worship and meditate and partake in the vegetarian lifestyle they have enjoyed their entire lives.

Beginning in June, that’s exactly what the two physicians plan to build in Wesley Chapel’s Meadow Pointe community.

Anand Vihar, which means “Blissful Living” (according to its website), promises to be the premier 55+ adult community in Tampa Bay. It will be one of the only +55 adult communities in Wesley Chapel.

It will be built on a 50-acre site on Mansfield Blvd., less than 100 yards north of where the road currently dead ends (see story on page 6) and is surrounded by large conservation and ponds.

Drs. Nallamshetty and Sanka, who searched for the right place for two years before enlisting the help of another friend, Santosh Govindaraju, the CEO of Convergent Capital Partners (CCP), hope to break ground on Anand Vihar this summer.

Eric Isenbergh, the CEO of Oxford Homes, has joined the team as the property’s builder.

“I think it’s a phenomenal area to be in,’’ said Govindaraju, whose company fo-

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Anand Vihar is already transitioning in preparation for construction in Meadow Pointe, which will include a 17,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse (right). cuses on development and repositioning of commercial real estate. He said CCP has put more than half a billion dollars into redeveloping places like Carrollwood Golf Club (previously Emerald Green Golf & Country Club) and a number of hotels and commercial properties. This is the company’s first foray into Wesley Chapel.

Govindaraju said he was able to secure a great price for the property. The deed, he says, will show the partners paid $25,000 for the land itself, but because the previous owners chose not to pay taxes on it — the recession stalled a previous project on the property — the new owners had to pay off liens on 87 lots, at a cost of $11,000 per lot.

According to Govindaraju, multiple banks owned parts of the parcel, but none had any interest in developing it and allowed it go delinquent.

“It was a very fragmented ownership,’’

he said. “We diligently put it back together.”

The roads, parking areas, utilities and detention ponds were all constructed in 2006, after the previous owners had received approval for 330 townhomes and condos. Three of the buildings in the southeast portion of the project were constructed, with 24 apartments that currently have residents and eight townhomes that don’t, but any further development came to a halt.

The existing buildings are scheduled for demolition, the existing roads will remain, with a new one planned near Anand Vihar’s soon-to-be-built, 17,000-sq-ft clubhouse. CCP plans to invest $5 million into the project, building 280 units and incorporating more green space.

“We are very excited,’’ Govindaraju said. “There’s so many great things happening in this area. We want to contribute to the success at Meadow Pointe by creating

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

more upscale opportunities, and increase the value of them by investing more in these properties.”

Although the project appears to be targeting the existing Indian community in our area, Govindaraju says it’s more about a lifestyle than people of any particular origin.

“We will be targeting more of a healthy living lifestyle,’’ Govindaraju says, noting that the Anand Vihar clubhouse will have an exclusively vegetarian kitchen (non-vegetarian meals will be catered on a weekly basis), a yoga room, a multi-faith prayer and meditation room and a theater room to watch the latest Bollywood (and other) movies.

“We will also have a full-time activities director, and I think that will also set us apart,’’ Govindaraju says, adding that Anand Vihar already has 30 reservations.

For more information, visit AnandViharTampa.com, or call 534-4127.

@NTWCNews

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

13

Wesley Chapel Wesley Chapel Man Killed in Maryland Triple Shooting

Avid Georgia Bulldog fan and Wesley Chapel resident Chad Daniel was shot and killed in a triple shooting Easter Sunday (Mar. 27) in Maryland, in what (authorities said in a published report in the Baltimore Sun) may have been a case of mistaken identity.

Daniel, 44, was a truck driver. He was making a routine stop at a truck stop in Jessup, MD, when Howard County police say Jacinto Del Prado, 52, shot him and another man, Warren Anthony Weeden of Baltimore, who survived the shooting..

A memoChad Daniel rial fund for Daniel has been set up at GoFundMe.com/ChadDaniel2016 and had already raised more than $10,000 just a few days after it was established.

Daniel leaves behind two children and fiancé Kandy Korte and her two daughters. His son Kyle is 20 and serving in the military (currently stationed in Italy), and daughter Kelsey is 15.

According to the Sun, detectives

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News Briefs believe Del Prado went to the truck stop to confront a man about a domestic issue.

Howard County Police spokesperson Mary Phelan said Daniel and Weeden might have been shot in a case of mistaken identity.

Del Prado committed suicide the next day by walking in front of a passing train in Lanham, MD. Daniel drove for Prime, Inc. The company posted about his death on its Facebook page, writing: “Our Prime Family lost one of our own this past weekend. Chad Daniel has been a Prime Driver since 2005, and he touched many lives inside and outside of our company. Some of our drivers have set up a memorial fund in his honor for his kids. If you would like to donate or simply leave kinds words or a memory, please do so. Rest in peace, Chad. We will miss you.”

shoulder while driving along a slight left hand curve in the roadway, and remained on the shoulder until colliding with the concrete support.

Lindstrom was pronounced dead at the scene.

OTB Café OK After Break-In

Dirson De Mesquita, the owner and chef at Only The Best (OTB) Delights Café, located across Bruce B. Downs Blvd. from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel), is asking for your help.

At 12:06 a.m. on Easter Sunday, an individual broke into his café and did about $700 worth of damage.

The suspect, who was wearing only a pair of shorts and dark-colored gloves (photos, right), was caught on surveillance video attempting to smash the glass front door with WC Man Runs Into Bridge what appeared to be a large potted plant.

Support, Dies He makes two attempts, failing each time, A 57-year-old Wesley Chapel man before leaving for about 30 seconds and died after crashing into a concrete bridge coming back with another object, which support ON March 28 in Palmetto. he throws through the glass door.

According to the Florida Highway Once inside, the suspect goes around Patrol, Hugh Randall Lindstrom crashed into an overpass support at the junction of the counter only to find the cash registers Interstates 75 and 275 in Manatee County open and the drawers empty. On the way around 4:35 a.m. According to the report, out, he apparently grabs something off Lindstrom traveled off the west-side grass the wall before fleeing.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

OTB re-opened, as always, the next day (Monday) and had a new door installed by Tuesday.

“A lot of people thought we were closed this week,” De Mesquita said at our press time. “But we’ve been open and we continue to be open for business.”

Authorities have asked De Mesquita to release his surveillance video, which is posted on the Neighborhood News website at WCNeighborhoodNews.com.— JCC

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I PASSION T T EXCE LLENCE A G M R W I O T R Y K

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EXQUISITE home w/ELEGANT modern design Beverly Carollo 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located in a 813-918-0313 beautiful neighborhood within desirable Beach Park! Gorgeous Hardwood floors throughout, Spectacular Wrought Iron CUSTOM stairway & volume ceilings! Call For Appointment Today!!

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Bonnie.Reptak@Outlook.com 862-432-6135

Comfortable, Cozy and Appealing : 2 Story Angela Mora Ryland Built Home! Built in 2014, this “Frost 813-482-1452 II” Floor Plan Boasts 2,284 SF, 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, Office/Den and 2 Car Garage. Master Suite, Hablo español también! located on the 1st floor Extended Screened Lanai amora@bhhsfloridaproperties.com www.AngelaMoraRealEstate.com

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For award-winning service in your next real estate transaction please don’t hesitate to call the RPM/Real Pro Team.

Renee Chichester 602-615-7066 Debbie and Robert Marvin 813-892-3917 Veronica “Ronnie” Preusch 813-361-9595 Certified to Represent you in all phases of real estate including: Local Buying and Selling New Homes Relocation Buying and Selling

Shops at Wiregrass Mall Offers Diversity With Latest Offerings

By John C. Cotey

The Shops at Wiregrass mall, located off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, will welcome a handful of new stores in the coming months, and while Wiregrass officials say they aren’t looking to compete with bigger malls like Westfield Brandon, the latest batch of new choices for area shoppers gives the local, upscale mall a unique mix that general manager Greg Lenners thinks will continue to make it a prime destination.

If unique is what Lenners and his leasing agents are striving for, they certainly succeeded by luring Vom Fass Oils, Vinegars, Spirits & Wines to mall. Currently seeking an alcohol permit for tastings, Vom Fass is slated to open sometime this spring. Construction already has begun on the store, which will be near Macy’s and the mall’s Center Court.

Vom Fass, which takes it’s name from the German phrase “from the cask,” will offer premium culinary oils, traditional balsamic and exclusive fruitinfused balsamic vinegars and vinegar specialties, as well as rare spirits and liqueurs and a boutique selection of fine wines. Many of the store’s products are cask-aged and stored in cask pyramids.

“What’s made us great for the community is the diverse mix of retailers we’ve always carried here,’’ Lenners says.

“It’s kind of a unique blend of stores.

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We thought Vom Fass would be a perfect fit. No one in the area has that kind of store.”

This will be the seventh Vom Fass store in Florida; the closest ones are located in Sarasota and St. Petersburg.

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop also is coming this spring, to Suite #115, near JC Penney.

Founded in 2007 in California, Rocket Fizz has become the largest and fastest-growing soda and candy shop brand in the country, according to its website. The 74 stores nationwide all offer a massive selection of candy, soda, retro and gag gifts, concert and movie posters and even tin signs.

“A pretty cool concept, in my opinion,’’ Lenners says. “It’s got a 1950s, specialty convenience store feel to it.”

3D Musketeers Printing, offering custom, color-printed three-dimensional figurines, is expected to open by the end of the month.

Irish 31, like this one in the Hyde Park section of South Tampa, is coming to the Shops at Wiregrass, as is Vom Fass Oils, Vinegars, Spirits & Wines (below) & its assortment of its cask-aged oils and wines.

mall already has hit a home run with its food offerings, and Irish 31 strengthens that mix.

Visionworks, which has roughly 700 optical retail stores in 40 states, is expected to open at Wiregrass this fall as well. Construction has begun on Irish 31 Opening This Fall the building, which will be across from And — as we were the first to report Moe’s Southwest Grill on the S.R. 56 back in January — this fall will see the side of the mall.

Wesley Chapel debut of Irish 31. The Lenners says that another tenant popular restaurant is referred to as will share that property (though he was “The People’s Pub” by its customers unable to announce it at our press time and dubbed “Irish-plus-gourmet” by because the lease wasn’t yet signed).

Neighborhood News publisher and foodie A few stores that have recently Gary Nager. opened include Lola Perfume, located Irish 31 is being built next to Panin Suite #160 (next to Hollister), and era Bread. Lenners says he thinks the Soleciety Sneaker Boutique,which sells

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

collectible athletic shoes from around the globe, in Suite #170 (next to Zales), and has only been open a few weeks.

For additional information about the Shops at Wiregrass mall, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.

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Moore’s ‘Blight Fight’ Turns To Bins For District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, the fight against blight is never ending.

Moore, who sponsored a Commercial Property Maintenance Ordinance (or “Blight Ordinance”) that was passed by the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) last October (by a 5-0 vote), is now setting his sights on donation bins across the county that are both unregulated and unkempt.

Moore’s concerns are twofold — 1) businesses just dropping off bins and collecting items to resell or recycle, knowing most people will just assume the bin owners are a charity; and 2) the scores of items (e.g., broken dishwashers, useless baby strollers, torn bed mattresses) that get dumped off in or near the bins and are left to rot.

“This is a big effort,’’ Moore says. “We are finding a lot of these bins don’t have a name on them, no phone number on them, nothing. In fact, they are not there to collect items for a charity at all, but for a business. And, too many of them just become a dumping ground for people.”

Moore took pictures of one site, near Ancient Oaks Blvd. by the Sam’s Club on State Rd. 56 near where he and his family live in Seven Oaks, where items that shouldn’t be dropped off had been dumped there and then were never collected. He also cited a bin near the Advanced Auto Parts in front of the new Wal-Mart on S.R. 54.

Because there’s no name or number on the bins (which were placed without permission) finding out who is responsible for the items is impossible. These companies will just abandon the bin if it becomes a mess, leaving the cleanup costs to the property owners.

Neighborhood News

The bin near the Sam’s Club on S.R. 56 (& others) have drawn the ire of Pasco commissioners.

“We don’t want to hurt the legitimate charities, because they do good work,’’ Moore says. “But, we need to stop those who aren’t legitimate.”

The sites near Sam’s Club and WalMart are more commonplace as one drives around the county, Moore says. He already has gone before the BCC to voice his concerns, and his fellow commissioners agree something needs to be done. Moore said county lawyers are reviewing the possibilities for more regulations and an ordinance to enforce them.

Moore’s original Blight Ordinance goes into effect in May, with property owners faced with a $500-per-day fine if they don’t comply once they have been cited for blight.

While Moore says blight is not a problem ravaging Wesley Chapel, “the main reason for (the ordinance) is to deter it from happening,’’ he says. “You don’t see a lot of that around us right now in Wesley Chapel, but eventually you would.” — JCC

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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APRIL 2016 Friday - April 8 - 7:15 AM

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets Fridays at 7:15 a.m. at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For info, call Lynne Morgan at 695-6466.

Friday - April 8 - 9:30 AM - Noon

Thursday - April 14 - 8:00 AM

Networking For Your Success - The Networking For Your Success group meets Thursdays, 8 a.m., at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club clubhouse (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). All are welcome. Call 994-9944.

Thursday - April 14 - 11:30 AM

RGA Network Weekly Meeting - Meets weekly for networking at GrillSmith at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, allowing business owners to meet and get to know each other. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch is from noon-1 p.m. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net.

NAMI: Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental IllThursday - April 14 - 7:00 PM ness) of Pasco has a new support group for adults in Pasco County living with Celebrate Recovery Bridgeway Church - Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at Bridgea mental illness and in recovery. The “Connections” group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month from 2-3 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). way Church (30660 Wells Rd.). The purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to bring freedom from dysfunctional, compulsive, and addictive behaviors For info, visit NAMIPasco.com. through biblically-based principles that lead to God’s healing power. Dinner Friday - April 8 - 9:30 AM - Noon available and free childcare. More info: 907-1313.

Adult Spelling Bee - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon hosts its annual Friday - April 8 - 4:30 PM - 8 PM adult spelling bee at Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio. For info, New River Elementary Exceptional Student Extravaganza/Autism Awarevisit WCRotary.com or to register, visit DACdb.com. Also, see the story on pg. 1. ness Celebration - Fundraiser for technology and materials to support exSaturday - April 9 - 7:30 AM ceptional students at New River Elementary. Activities include bounce house, New Tampa Tri Club - The New Tampa Tri Club is open to runners, swimmers, carnival games, basket bonanza, chorus performance, STEAM demonstrations, cyclists & triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. The club hosts and more. For info, call 346-0500 or visit nres.pasco.k12.fl.us. group bike rides/runs leaving from Flatwoods Wilderness Park (13330 Morris Tuesday - April 19 - 6:00 PM Bridge Rd.; not from the BBD entrance) every Tues., Thur. & Sat., 7:30 a.m. For more info, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampaTriClub@gmail.com. RGA Network Business Networking Happy Hour - RGA Networking Group holds networking Happy Hours the third Tuesday of every month at Pinchers Monday - April 11 - 7:45 AM Crab Shack at the Shops at Wiregrass mall. Bring a friend, a door prize, and Professional Business Connections (PBC) - PBC meets Mondays at 7:45 plenty of business cards. $5 admission includes appetizers, drink specials. a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong For more information at RGANetwork.net.

Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For more info, call Chris Thurow at 546-6860.

Monday - April 11 - 8:00 AM

Wednesday - April 20 - 8 AM

The Volunteer Way’s 24th Annual Celebration Breakfast - Learn about The Volunteer Way’s accomplishments and future projects to improve the lives of people in need. Breakfast will be held at Spartan Manor (6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey). Arrive at 7:30 a.m. to register. Breakfast is free, although sponsorships and donations are always welcome. RSVP to (727) 815-0433 or Wednesday - April 13 - 7:30 AM Wesley Chapel Breakfast Club - The WC Breakfast Club brings business people martha@thevolunteerway.org by April 10. together to network and present their business to the group. The club meets the Friday - April 22 - 8:30 PM 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at Quail Hollow Country Club Community Passover Seder - Chabad at Wiregrass invites you to join them for (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more info, call Bill at 992-3370. a Community Passover Seder experience you will remember for a lifetime! All are welcome. No membership required. Friday, April 22, 2016 8:30 pm at Chabad Wednesday - April 13 - Noon Jewish Centre at Wiregrass located at 2124 Ashley Oaks Circle in Seven Oaks.

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (Noon) Visit ChabadatWiregrass.com for information and to RSVP by Fri., Apr. 15. meets Wednesdays at noon at its new location: Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For more information, call 862-8989 or 391-3895.

Tuesday - April 26 - 6:00 PM Experienced Networking Professionals (ENP) - ENP meets Monday mornings at 8 a.m. for breakfast and networking at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For information, call Brad Benson at 973-1814.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Wesley Chapel Lions Club - The Wesley Chapel Lions Club meets every 4th Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. For more information about volunteering, community efforts, meetings, helping the vision impaired and more, visit the club on Facebook or at WesleyChapelLionsClub.com.

Saturday - April 30 - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

New Tampa Family YMCA Healthy Kids Day - Free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The free event features activities such as active games, healthy snacks and crafts to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.

If your organization is sponsoring an event that is open to the general public — whether it’s free to attend or not — please submit your info (with photos in any digital format) at least 3-4 weeks in advance to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. It will appear in these pages & on our social media for free.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Welcome to the largest Summer Camp Guide we have ever had! On these (record) three pages are 20 different summer camps and other programs your kids can (and should) get signed up for today!

Congratulations and thanks go out to editorial assistant and staff writer Celeste McLaughlin for her stick-to-itiveness that helped make sure that all of the advertisers on these pages got their information to graphic artist Blake Beatty in time to be completed for this issue.

This exclusive Summer Camp Guide also will run in our next Wesley Chapel and our next New Tampa issues. — GN

Art

Lego STEM

You Do the Dishes Ages 7-13

If your child loves art, then this is the camp for you!

Workshops include experienced expert instruction.

Students will be offered projects like watercolor, acrylics, pastel, drawing, print-making, sculpture, and pottery painting. Weekly sessions go from June through August. $260 per session, which includes all materials.

Must sign up in advance, so give us a call today!

Ages 5-12

Our Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Camps are a fun and high-energy experience! There are plenty of popular themes to choose from such as Jr. Robotics, Minecraft®, Emmet’s World, Movie Making, Galaxy Far Away (Star Wars® theme) and so much more!

We will use our proprietary models using batteries and motors. There will be plenty of building, challenges, art and creative building! Drinks and snacks are included.

Full, half and one day options are available.

813-975-1700

813-841-2120

YouDoTheDishes.com

bricks4kidz.com/433

Musical Theatre

Dance

STEM

LEGO Bricks & STEM Camp

USF STEM for Scholars

Collective Soles Classes

Dreamhouse Theatre Camps!

Rising 9th-12th graders

Students ages 2.5 - Adult

Ages 9-16

This four-week program seeks to expand student academic horizons, challenge them to become critical thinkers, prepare them for exciting careers in STEM fields, and inspire them to be creative problem-solvers.

Classes and Labs in Microbiology, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Advanced 3D Visualization, Cartography and Mapping, and Mathematics.

M-F, 9:00am-4:00pm, July 6-29, USF Tampa 813-941-4068

www.usfstem.com

The Collective Soles Arts Group (CSAG) offers the very best fine arts training in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area!

Located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, CSAG offers Dance and Musical Theatre Classes, Camps and Workshops for students ages 2.5 and older, June - August.

The CSAG “12 Days of Dance Festival”, featuring Collective Soles Dance Company and Guest Artists, takes place July 25-August 6, 2016 for preprofessional dancers ages 11-20.

Come and Celebrate the Arts with Us! 813-979-2222

CollectiveSoles.org

Dreamhouse Theatre is excited to offer two Musical Theatre Summer Camp Sessions in 2016! Session One is Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. meeting June 13-25. We will work with the Campers Mon - Fri for two weeks 12pm - 5pm.

Performances on June 24 at 7pm & June 25 at 11am.

Session Two is Annie, Jr. meeting July 25 - August 6, Mon - Fri, 12pm - 5pm. Performances on August 5 at 7pm & August 6 at 11am.

813-997-7146

dreamhousetheatre.com

Multi-camp

Multi-camp

Multi-camp

New Tampa Family YMCA Rising 1st-10th grade

The New Tampa Family YMCA is your home for a wide variety of FUN, EXCITING summer camp options! From camps focused on swimming and sports to specialty camps like Bricks 4 Kids and Gymnastics, you can spend your whole summer with us!

STARTING THIS YEAR: We offer bus transportation to and from YMCA’s AMAZING Camp Cristina! This outdoor adventure camp provides a fun, unique experience for kids of all ages!

Extended care included with all full day camps.

CAMP IDS ~ Summer 2016!

Bollywood dance. Lego movie making. Gourmet cooking. New languages. Video game design. Corbett Prep’s CAMP IDS is packed with options from sports to arts to academics that will create a memorable summer for your kids! For nearly two decades, CAMP IDS has provided over 60 full- and half- day camps that appeal to a variety of interests. Corbett Prep’s cypress covered campus is the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities. CAMP IDS ~ Where Everyone Has a Great Time!

Ages 3-14

Summer at the Lakes offers more than 60 half and full day camps, including academics, arts, sports, and enrichment. Located on our beautiful lakeside campus in Land O’Lakes, we are convenient to Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, and Trinity. A complete brochure and registration are available online.

813-961-3087

813-866-9622

813-948-7600

www.corbettprep.com

tampaymca.org

Leadership

VBS, Art, Comp

Summer at the Lakes

PreK3- high school

summeratthelakes.camp

Adventures

Grace Episcopal New Tampa

TeenMax Leadership Camps

Panda Hugs

Ages 3-18

Ages 12-16

Ages 6-12

Grace Episcopal Church New Tampa Register at www.gracenewtampa.org VBS: June 20-24 from 9am to 12pm (deadline to register is May 31st) Art Camp: June 20-24 from 12:00-5:15pm (deadline to register is May 31st) Computer Camp: August 1-5 for ages 8 to 18 813-971-8484

gracenewtampa.org

Prepare your teen for the academic, emotional, and social demands of adolescence at TeenMax Leadership Camps this summer. Your teen will learn about and define their values, develop their own mission statement, and create their own vision board. They will understand their role in relationships, learn how to take personal responsibility and to build trust, learn to set goals and to prioritize their schedules. Self-defense and stress reduction are also a part of our curriculum. Call us now at 813-563-2267.

813-563-CAMP (2267) teenmaxcamps.com

This year will be our 20th year of summer camps.

Each summer is themed by the adventures chosen.

2016 will be “Let’s Rock-et.” Rocks to rock music to rocket ships will be explored this year. In addition, bowling, skating, parks, movies, sports and arts and crafts will be enjoyed by all. Camp hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3 day or 5 day programs. Stop in to visit us today: 15051 Bruce B. Downs. Camp starts June 13th.

813-977-8195

pandahugs.com

Sports

Sports

PROtential Sports Camp Ages 5-15

Our action-packed, full-day Summer Camps rotate between multiple sporting activities including swimming which is offered daily. Your child is given the opportunity to participate in many engaging and fun-filled field trips including, but not limited to, laser tag, roller skating, bowling, water skiing, horse back riding, and much more! We also offer a children’s favorite, a trip to Busch Gardens theme park which always promises a full day of excitement and entertainment for ages 5 to 15 years old.

Sports

Baseball & Softball Camp Ages 5-14 Full Day and Half Day Camps!

BASEBALL CAMP - Coach Pryor is a leader in player development and instruction in surrounding areas. Currently at Bishop Mclaughlin HS(72-22) 2014 & 2015 District Champions, 2015 Regional Champions and 2015 State Championship final four appearance.

SOFTBALL CAMP- Prepare for All-Stars, Fall Rec League, Travel Ball or High School Team.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL CAMP - Train with high school coaches for some summer fun in the sand. Set the foundation for improved performance.

813-843-9460

HGCC Summer Camps

Entering 2nd - 8th Grade

Ages 5-15

Hunter’s Green Country Club is proud to offer Activities, Tennis and Golf camps all summer long. Come try our new Activities & Golf combo camp or Tennis & Golf combo camp. Enrich your child’s summer with sports, games, competitions, field trips and more. Opening this summer will be a water slide and splash pad at the pool and new kids field with a 6 hole miniature golf course as part of our club reinvention.

813-631-4710 x230

Join Martial Arts at Benito Rec Center located next to Benito Middle School to learn Authentic Okinawan Karate-Do. Location:10065 Cross Creek Blvd,Tampa 33647 Coed classes offered from June13th-Aug 11th at $220 for two months including uniform.

Classes Monday-Thursday starting at 6 pm 813-377-4691

tampakaratedo.com

What Type?

NEW TAMPA DANCE THEATRE!!

Enrichment Math & English

3-Adult

1st grade to 12th grade

813-994-NTDT(6838)

Ages 5-14

huntersgreencc.com

Math & English

newtampadancetheatre.com

Benito Rec Center Martial Arts

813-973-4220

wharton.mysdhc.org

New Tampa Dance Theatre offers exciting half-day and full-day programs including a break for lunch with 1, 2, or 3 week options held Mon-Fri, June 13th-July 1st, beginner-advanced levels. Students explore the creative world of dance in Classical Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop, Tumbling, Arts & Crafts, and Costume Design.

Each week culminates with a performance celebration including costumes, pizza, and cookies! Campers will be immersed in the FUNdamentals of dance technique within a safe and nurturing environment.

813-315-6485

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‘What’s New, Wesley Chapel?’

Map Key

Continued from page 1

are two more rumored projects — a multi-family development of 230 units and a Hyatt Place hotel, although we were unable to get confirmation and at least one of our sources said they weren’t sure “that the Hyatt was still in play.”

Of course, we’ll keep you posted in these pages and at WCNeighborhoodNews.com about any further developments on these confirmed projects and rumors.

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Existing Development

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Porter & Dowd Team Up On Two Wiregrass Developments

Map is not to scale & has been modified

by Neighborhood News to make it easier to read.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Saddle brook Resort

The other area where things are really clicking is the Wiregrass Ranch DRI, the 5,000+-acre tract located east of BBD, south of S.R. 54 and straddling both sides of S.R. 56. Wiregrass Ranch today has the being-expanded Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (see story on pg. 4), the Shops at Wiregrass mall, Pasco-Hernando State College, Wiregrass Ranch High, John Long Middle School (and the set-toopen-next-year Wiregrass Elementary; see story on pg. 8), North Tampa Behavioral Health and upscale homes in communities like Estancia and The Ridge.

But, what’s still to come in Wiregrass Ranch is what’s really exciting. We only had room in this issue to run one map of the northern portion of the Wiregrass Ranch, where the Porter Family and the Dowd Companies (a West Palm Beachbased developer with experience throughout the southeastern U.S., including several of the projects in Wiregrass Ranch) are actually in the process of starting development on two projects — the Wiregrass Shops on S.R. 54 (which is shown on this map) and the Wiregrass Commons on S.R. 56 (which is not shown here, but will be shown in our May 6 issue).

The Dowd Companies website (TheDowdCompanies. com) says that the Wiregrass Ranch DRI will be home to: • More than 27,000 Residents • 6,947 New Single Family Homes • 3,526 New Multi Family Homes • 2,720,800 sq. ft. of New Retail Space

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• 2,000,000 sq. ft. of New Office Space • 600,000 sq. ft. of New Medical Space • 300,000 sq. ft. of New Recreational Space • 600 New Hotel Rooms • New 18 hole golf course • 3 New Elementary Schools • New County Park • New Sheriff’s Office • New Pasco County Fire Station • Possible Rail or Rapid Transit Line With Stops from Tampa • Park & Ride Stop • Planned new 581/Bruce B Downs Bypass Road to connect BBD to Wiregrass Ranch Blvd & the Walmart off S.R. 54 • 6 Stop Lights on SR 56 between Bruce B. Downs Blvd. & Meadow Pointe Blvd.

The Wiregrass Shops on S.R. 54 will be home to the relocated Publix supermarket currently in the Hollybrook Plaza on S.R. 54 at BBD, and other new retail establishments that had not yet been announced at our press time. The plaza will be 12,600-sq.-ft, with spaces starting at 1,200 sq. ft. The Dowd website says the plaza is expected to open in the “Spring of 2016,” but considering that nothing has gone vertical on the property yet, that seems more than a tad ambitious.

The delay may be due to the ongoing discussions about the planned 581/BBD Bypass Road, which has existing businesses on BBD south of S.R 54 concerned about how they will survive if the thousands of cars that normally drive past their location on their way to turn onto 54 headed east or west will be diverted to the Bypass Road, a half mile south of their location.

The good news is that JD Porter of the

Neighborhood News

Porter Family and Dowd President & CEO John Dowd, III, will be the featured speakers at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)’s Economic Development Briefing on Thursday, April 28, 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., New Tampa).

WCCC CEO Hope Allen, who helped me get some of the information for the maps in this story, says Dowd and Porter are expected to talk about both the Wiregrass Shops on SR 54 and the Wiregrass Commons on SR 56, as well as some of the other plans for the DRI. And of course, we’ll be attending that meeting, in case you can’t go.

News About 54, East & West Of I-75

Also indicated on the map on pg. 24 east of I-75 is a new Chase Bank that is being built between Chili’s and the Bank of America, a rumored Popeye’s Chicken on land between the existing Wesley Chapel Village Market and I-75, as well as the rumored location of Lexus of Wesley Chapel, which reportedly has been awarded but was not yet officially announced at our press time.

And, west of I-75, you’ll find the location of the Aldi grocery store, which is beginning development shortly off Oakley Blvd., behind the Shell gas station/Circle K on 54.

Also indicated on the map, across from The Grove shopping center (behind the Sleep Inn), is the recently announced 40,000-sq.-ft. FreeFall Zone entertainment complex, which according to developer Craig Patel, will include trampolines, laser tag, rock climbing wall, bumper cars, arcade games, party rooms and food concessions.

Let us know what you think!

@NTWCNews

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27

VIP Pest Control Will Treat You & Your Home Like VIPs!

By Celeste McLaughlin

If pests are bugging you, turn to the experts at VIP Pest Control. Vicki Hutto owns the company, which is celebrating 10 years in business this year. VIP Pest Control serves Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, keeping homes and businesses free from insects – including termites, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, bed bugs and more – with treatments that include both traditional chemical and kid-friendly and pet-friendly organic options. VIP also handles problems with nuisance animals such as rodents and snakes.

In 2006, Hutto established VIP Pest Control with a goal of providing a higher level of customer service than other local companies. She says she chose to name her business “VIP” to indicate that to her, customers are, “Very Important People.”

That’s why, for example, you’ll always talk with a live person when you call VIP’s office. “We give our customers personal attention,” explains Hutto.

“No two people are alike, and no two houses are alike.”

Same-day service is often available, especially if you have a serious issue that needs immediate attention. “If you call us in the morning,” says Hutto, “we can usually work you in that day.”

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time on the floor, so the treatments they use must be safe for all members of the family. That’s why VIP technicians offer many organic options, and Hutto says you won’t be charged a premium for using those organic products.

Hutto and her entire staff – including technicians and those who work in the office – are armed with experience, training and information, and take continuing education courses annually. “We need to be knowledgeable when we’re talking with customers,” explains Becky Wanamaker, VIP’s office & marketing manager. “We try to educate our customers, because the more knowledgeable they are, the better job we can do.”

Hutto says that being a womanowned business also sets her apart in the pest control industry and helps her to better relate to many of her customers.

“Most times when we visit a home, it’s the woman who is there to meet with us,” she says. The VIP Pest Control crew now includes a female technician and Hutto says she is always looking to hire female technicians.

VIP Pest Control owner Vicki Hutto wants to Prior to launching VIP Pest Conkeep your home as safe for your family as she trol, Hutto worked for Orkin and says keeps hers for her beloved pomeranian Chloe. she was the first female termite inspector in the entire company. She was inducted She and her team emphasize the importance of taking care of the families into the Orkin National President’s Club three years in a row, a prestigious honor and pets in the homes they treat. They always are aware that pets and kids spend given to the top three percent of sales producers nationwide. She also worked

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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at two smaller pest control companies.

Her early career included management and marketing at various vocational schools, including what are now known as ITT Technical Institutes and the Texas College of Medical & Dental Assistants.

Here are some of the many pests Hutto says people are calling her company about now:

Keep Safe from Zika With Mosquito Control — Hutto explains that Florida has seen cases of the Zika virus, and notes that mosquito control is important, because the best way to not get the virus is to avoid being bitten by the mosquitoes that can transmit it.

VIP offers organic lawn treatments to keep mosquitoes away. Technicians apply it to lawns either monthly or every other month, depending upon the type of treatment and your lawn’s specific needs.

Tawny Crazy Ants — An insect you may not be familiar with yet – but Hutto says you probably will be soon – is known in the industry as a tawny crazy ant.

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Hutto already has experience eradicating these ants, for customers including Trena Reynolds. Reynolds had ants “going wild all over the place in my kitchen,” and the sprays and other treatments she bought at the grocery store weren’t getting rid of them.

“That’s when I called Vicki,” Reynolds says. “She took care of them right away.”

Reynolds says she has continued to use VIP Pest Control for both insects and termites at her home and in her investment properties. “Vicki is professional and her technicians are always prompt,” Reynolds says.

VIP Pest Control technicians make sure to take care inside and outside your home.

“They hit Jacksonville last summer and experts are predicting they will hit us in spring this year,” Hutto says. “And when they do hit, they’ll hit by the millions.”

Hutto says tawny crazy ants are attracted to electricity, so they’ve been known to destroy computers and TVs. “They destroy things, and they can take over your house,” Hutto says. She explains that often, it can take several months to get the problem under control. “In 20 years, I’ve never seen anything else like this,” she says.

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Termites — Everyone living in Florida should be aware of termites, both subterranean and drywood. Hutto says right now is swarm season for subterranean termites.

If you see a swarm of bugs, that’s a sign you have termites you can’t see eating the wood of your home. At that point, Hutto and Wanamaker emphasize the importance of calling a professional.

“When that swarm is gone and you no longer see them, you still have termites,” says Wanamaker. “They eat 24 hours a day.”

When a VIP technician comes out to your home to inspect for termites, they’ll help you determine what condi-

@NTWCNews

tions in and around your house might lead to termites. For example, termites have easy access to your home when you have mulch up against your house, tree branches or plants touching the house, or wood-to-wood contact. You can help keep termites away from your home by reducing these “conducive conditions.”

Bed Bugs — Hutto says as summer approaches and people travel more, VIP often sees an increase in cases of bed bugs. But, bed bugs aren’t transmitted just when people travel. “Anytime someone’s stuff is touching someone else’s stuff – such as backpacks at

school – that’s an opportunity for bed bugs to be transmitted,” explains Vicki.

So if you see black spots in a bed – a telltale sign of bed bugs – be sure to call an expert. You also can check VIPPestControlLLC.com for a wealth of information. Hutto notes that, although they can be difficult to find and eradicate, the experts at VIP can help you get rid of bed bugs with minimal headaches.

VIP Pest Control has recently moved and is now located at 119 Flagship Dr. in Lutz. It is open Mon. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit VIPPestControlLLC.com or call 234-8888. Or, see VIP Pest Control’s ad on pg. 25 of this issue.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

29

Florida Aesthetics Now Seeing Patients At New Office On Cross Creek Blvd.!

By Celeste McLaughlin

At Florida Aesthetics & Medical Weight Loss in New Tampa, licensed medical practitioners offer a comprehensive portfolio of skin care and weight loss programs to help people look and feel their best,all under the medical direction of Mohamad Saleh, M.D. Dr. Saleh owns the practice with his sister-in-law, Abida Saleh (who is also Florida Aesthetics’ managing director) and her husband, Bilal Saleh.

Abida says she is excited to be settled in the new permanent office, which opened in late 2015 at the corner of Cross Creek Blvd. and Morris Bridge Rd. The new office was built to house both Florida Aesthetics and Dr. Saleh’s neurology practice, Neuro Center (which we reported about in our last issue). Dr. Saleh has been in private practice as a neurologist since 1992. He completed his medical degree from Damascus University in Damascus, Syria, in 1980. In 1988, he also received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. He is a member of the American Association of Neurology and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

“We’re mirroring the same setup we have in Brandon (where Florida Aesthetics and Neuro Center share space on Kings Ave.),” Abida says. Florida Aesthetics has grown from what Dr. Saleh originally established as Brandon Weight Loss in 2006.

As his patients began feeling more comfortable and trusted the quality care they were receiving to help them lose weight, many of them wanted other services. So in 2013, the practice began offering antiaging services and was re-named Florida Aesthetics & Medical Weight Loss.

The reaction to the new location has been positive, says Abida. Because of the ongoing widening of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., access to the new location on Cross Creek Blvd. is actually easier for many patients who live and work in the New Tampa area, as well as those who live in Wesley Chapel near Morris Bridge Rd. At the other end of the shopping plaza, Bilal Saleh also owns Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill. Other businesses also are located in the center, which is behind the Shell station on an outparcel of the Publix-

Medical aesthetician Bianca Marrero, LME (left), has been with Florida Aesthetics & Medical Weight Loss since 2014. The practice’s co-owner and managing director is Abida Saleh (right).

anchored shopping plaza adjacent to that other location.

Abida laughs as she talks about her family’s contribution to the community.

“We’re helping people feel better, look better, and we’re feeding them, too,” she says.

Medical Aesthetics

When it comes to the services offered at Florida Aesthetics, Abida explains, “We offer the highest level of care. We’re not giving ‘fluffy facials,’ but are treating your skin with medical aesthetics.”

She says the aestheticians at the office always ensure the treatments they provide will look natural.

“Some places try to make a 70 year old look 30, and people end up looking deformed,” Abida says. “We’re not going to do that. We provide (more) natural (looking) enhancements.”

The practice provides many nonsurgical treatments for skin, including many of the latest advances in treatments.

For example, Florida Aesthetics now offers Kybella, a new treatment that can help eliminate a patient’s double chin.

Abida explains that the Kybella treatment includes a series of two or three injections that helps to define the patient’s

jawline and eliminate that double chin.

“It’s available for men and women, but we tend to see more male patients,” she says, adding, “We’ve seen national studies that show that men are taking more of an interest in medical aesthetics, and we’re seeing that trend in our office.”

In addition to this new treatment, the practice continues to offer treatments such as Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport, which

freeze the muscles to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. The office also provides a wide range of dermal fillers to help provide volume in the skin.

For an all-natural way to build collagen, Florida Aesthetics offers plasma-rich platelets (PRP), which uses your body’s own blood supply to help rebuild collagen in the face; and microneedling, which uses a small electric pin to create tiny “injuries” on the surface of the skin. The process of healing these injuries regenerates the skin and helps produce new collagen.

“Artificial fillers give you instant gratification,” explains Abida, “while PRP and microneedling will help rebuild collagen in the face for long-term, natural maintenance of the skin.”

Florida Aesthetics also provides laser hair removal, laser skin tightening, and IPL, or intense pulsed light, which removes dark spots and sun damage from the skin.

The practice also offers a line of medical grade skin care products and highquality makeup to go hand-in-hand with treatments offered at the facility.

“When you invest in treatments for your skin, you need good quality skin care to maintain the benefits of those treatments,” says Abida, who also says that people in our area used to have to drive to South Tampa for the type of quality services provided at Florida Aesthetics.

“We want people to know they can get services in New Tampa that are just as trustworthy as what’s available in South

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2748 Windguard Circle Ste 101 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813-991-7034

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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to ensure the Tampa,” she says, patient’s body “with a wide a is responding range of services, well to the and great, comweight-loss petitive pricing.” program.

And, if Abida you’ve noticed says the aesthetics places practice tends coming and going to see a surge in the New Tamof new weight pa/Wesley Chapel loss patients at area, Abida says the beginning you can trust that of each year.

Florida Aesthetics “We get is part of a solid such good remedical practice Florida Aesthetics & Medical Weight Loss provides a host sults from our and isn’t going of non-surgical treatments for acne and other skin issues. weight loss anywhere. programs,” “I’ve been she says. “We see our patients reach their going to Florida Aesthetics forever,” says Kathi, a patient who lives in Seven Oaks. “I goals, but then if they put a few pounds back on, they come back to us to get motilove it. They don’t try to sell you products vated to get back to — and stay at — their or services you don’t need, but are very goal weight.” honest about what would help you the Florida Aesthetics & Medical most. They’re so friendly and get you in Weight Loss is located at 10970 Cross and out quickly.”

Creek Blvd. It is open Monday-Friday, 9 Medical Weight Loss a.m. -5 p.m., with later hours available Florida Aesthetics & Medical Weight by appointment. Visit FloridaAesthetics.

Loss also offers medical weight loss com for more information, including programs, which include behavior modia complete list of all services. To make fication, coaching, prescription appetite an appointment, or to schedule a free suppressants, B12 injections for energy and consultation, call 345-4044. Be sure to to enhance metabolism, and fat burner inask about Florida Aesthetics’ rewards jections. Patients meet with a weight coach, program, which gives you perks for then with Dr. Saleh, who creates a plan for every dollar you spend, redeemable for the patient to follow. discounts on future purchases. (See the Dr. Saleh then closely monitors each ad on page 33.) You also can learn more patient’s progress through weekly reports at Facebook.com/FloridaAesthetics.

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SPOTLIGHT

ON......Florida

Most patients Maulik Bhalani, M.D., and Navdeep Jassal, M.D., see at Florida Pain Medicine on Windguard Cir. across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) are like you would expect to be visiting a pain clinic — people who are suffering from back, neck and joint pain. Others have more serious conditions, like poor recovery from back surgery, painful diabetes complications and cancer.

The treatment, however, may not be what you expect.

At Florida Pain Medicine, patients are met with a measured and restrained approach that stresses interventional pain management.

“Start-to-finish pain care,’’ as Dr. Bhalani calls it.

Patients generally will not be prescribed any controlled pain medications on the first visit. The doctors are careful to give a full exam— a surprising fact for many patients who have been to other pain medicine doctors — and look over imaging X-rays and notes from the referring doctor. Florida Pain Medicine techs also will run a urine drug screen on every patient.

At Florida Pain, alternatives to stronger prescription drugs — like local anaesthetic injections (an epidural, for example), anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy or weight loss programs — are often recommended to relieve pain.

Sometimes, treatment merely means better opioid management, ice and injections un-

Pain

Medicine!

til the patient can complete physical therapy.

“Then, we wean them off their pain medications, hopefully with the goal of we never see them again, which means they are doing great and back to living their lives,’’ Dr. Bhalani says.

In other cases, like patients with terminal cancer, a stronger course of action is required.

Dr. Bhalani says his goal is not to let those patients live out their last days in misery.

Whatever the malady, “We never force anything on anyone,’’ he says.

The Florida Pain Medicine motto is, “Restore Function, Relive Life.”

“We want to get you back to where you can live your life the way you like living it,” Dr. Bhalani says.

For more information, visit FloridaPainMedicine.com. Florida Pain Medicine is located at 2553 Windguard Cir. In Wesley Chapel. The Zephyrhills’ location is at 38011 Arbor Ridge Dr. Both offices can be reached at 388-2948.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

31

Budget Blinds & Inspired Drapes Expand Lines Of ‘Smart’ Products

By Anu Varma Panchal

Elaine Trotter wants you to close your eyes and think of this: “Imagine being awakened in the morning by natural sunlight as your blackout shades gradually rise. Imagine your whole home’s ambiance changing to “dinner time” mode after the sun has set at the press of a button.”

Images like those become reality at Budget Blinds serving Greater Tampa (on W. Fletcher Ave. near I-275, two exits south of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel), the premier destination for homeowners seeking the final touches for their welldressed homes. Here, the window treatments have brains as well as beauty.

Thanks to a new “Smart Home by Budget Blinds” partnership with smart home company Lutron, Budget Blinds now offers clients the option to step into the latest in window treatment technology.

Just one of 15 franchises to pioneer the concept, Elaine and her husband Jim have introduced “smart” shades, lighting and thermostat controls for their customers.

Lutron is a company based in Coopersburg, PA, that specializes in lighting technologies, with more than 2,700 patents, including innovations in window shade technology that integrates daylight and electric light.

“By 2020, most American homeowners will have some element of whole home automation,” Elaine says. “We are on the cutting edge of this trend

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Jim and Elaine Trotter are the owners of Budget Blinds & Inspired Drapes of Greater Tampa (on W. Fletcher Ave.). The Trotters recently expanded their focus on the latest in window treatment technology featuring “smart” shades, lighting and thermostat controls for their customers. partnering with a company. “What this and we’ll be there for our early innovaand Pasco County, ranging from Odessa, means is we can come into our client’s tive customers as they choose to convert New Tampa, Lutz, Westchase, Carhome and recommend automated shadtheir homes to a more connected and rollwood, Citrus Park, Keystone, Avila, ings, lighting and temperature control,” automated environment. At the touch Cheval, Lake Magdalene, Northdale and of a button on a remote control or your Elaine says. “And we can install them.”

Wesley Chapel. The Trotters also serve smartphone, you will be able to raise and South Hillsborough clients from a second A Reputation Built On lower your shades, turn on and off your showroom in Brandon. Although clients lights and adjust your thermostats, even if Quality For Nearly 25 Years are welcome to visit the showrooms, the Founded in 1992 in Orange County, Trotters are just as glad to send design you are away on vacation.”

CA, Budget Blinds today has more than Elaine also is excited to announce consultants to your home with complete 1,000 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. that the partnership with Lutron entails samples for a complimentary design conThe Trotters own what was ranked in an official certification as Smart Home sultation to help you choose the perfect January as the 18th largest Budget Blinds wall coverings for your home.

Consultants. Lutron has designed a program to train and educate companies franchise in the group,as they have averBudget Blinds has served Tampa like Budget Blinds about how to properly aged 13,000 windows covered per year. residents for more than 21 years, but install the Smart Home products, and The showroom on Fletcher Ave. Elaine and Jim have owned their franchise Lutron requires this certification before attracts customers from North Tampa

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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for the inside and outside, composite shutters for bathrooms that prevent warping, and many more. Those who like shades can choose from roller, pleated, Roman, cellular, woven wood, bamboo, sheer, solar and graphic, not to mention a variety of panels, valances and drapes.

Inspired Drapes is one of the newest upscale brands that the company is now able to offer.

Budget Blinds also offers solutions for commercial clients ranging from schools to hotels to small businesses, and these coverings also cut down on energy costs by helping blunt Florida’s heat and glare. “We have a style for every budget,” Elaine says.

She adds that one reason for Budget The proper window coverings can help blunt the effects of Florida’s heat and glare and create Blinds’ success is that the Trotters build soft lighting, as well as maintain more moderate temperatures. long-term relationships with their clients.

“We don’t just sell blinds to sell since October 2008, when they bought couple of years were hard, Elaine says, product,” Elaine says. “We’re interested it from the previous owner. The two met but through hard work and sterling at the University of North Carolina in customer service, the Trotters grew their in our clients’ lifestyles. Since Budget Blinds has some of the strongest buying Chapel Hill, where she was getting her business from four (they retained the power in the industry, our manufacturers Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mathematics consultants who worked for the former have given us amazing exclusive products and he was getting his B.A. in Industrial owner) to 14 employees. Although the and warranties, such as our 5-year “no Relations. Both graduated in 1984, and first showroom was located in Land questions asked” warranty. This excluJim began a career in sales while Elaine O’Lakes at the corner of U.S. 41 and sive warranty goes above and beyond raised their two sons. Jim’s career took S.R. 54, they decided they wanted to the manufacturer’s warranty against any them through five homes in eight years, move somewhere more central and but when his job at VF Imagewear moved the showroom to the 2,500-sq.-ft. defects and gives our customers added peace of mind. If something happens to brought him to Tampa 14 years ago, the space on Fletcher Ave. four years ago. their window coverings — such as an Trotters fell in love with the community In addition to its “smart products,” unfortunate grape juice spill or the dog and decided to stay put and open their Budget Blinds offers clients a complete ate the blinds (you wouldn’t believe how own small business. line of window coverings. Blinds come often it happens) in the first five years — They purchased Budget Blinds in in vinyl, wood, fabric, faux wood and we will replace that window covering, no November, 2008, right when the local aluminum. Shutter options range from questions asked. We want to be innovahousing market collapsed. Those first modern wood styles, plantation shutters

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tors in the window coverings industry.

Your needs change and we want to be a company that leads the way.”

Giving Back To The Community, Too

While growing their business was the priority, the Trotters also have sought ways to stay engaged and give back to their community.

They make donations to or support Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan Ministries, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Prelude to a Cure for lung cancer research. In 2015, Budget Blinds partnered with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a privately-funded, non-profit organization that builds specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely injured veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Jim and I wanted to contribute since several HFOT homes have been awarded in our area, and a new home has been awarded and will be built in the coming year in Valrico,” Elaine says. “We started a campaign last year to contribute to $1 for every window covered to HFOT and we are pleased to announce our team contributed $13,000 in 2015.”

Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa is located at 1208 W. Fletcher Ave. Showroom hours are Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sat. To schedule a complimentary, athome consultation, call 968-5050. For more info, visit BudgetBlinds.com/ northtampa or see the ad on pg. 35.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

33

la Pink Boutique Is A Great Choice For Savvy, Local Fashionistas became the sole owner in 2010.

Today, la Pink consists of two large rooms artfully arranged with a carefully curated collection of clothes, accessories, shoes and jewelry. The range of styles and looks in the store mean that everyone from Crumpton’s college-age daughter to her own mother can find something they like.

While the items are carefully sourced, well-structured and well-made, Crumpton also is proud of the reasonable and generous selection of items throughout her showroom.

By Anu Varma Panchal

Busy traffic roars past on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa and customers coming to shop or dine at the The Walk at Highwoods Preserve shopping center just off Highwoods Preserve Dr. pull in and out of parking spots.

Step inside la Pink Boutique, however, and you’re transported to another world. Frank Sinatra croons “New York, New York” softly, and aromatic candles scent the air. Beside a fashion book opened to photos of Audrey Hepburn is a framed Oscar Wilde quote: “One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art.”

Visiting la Pink is nothing like shopping in a mall store — it’s more like browsing through the eclectic and whimsical home of a friend with exquisite taste.

Welcome to Amy Crumpton’s little kingdom, the fashionista destination that pays homage to Crumpton’s favorite color — every hue of rose, blush, fuchsia and magenta imaginable (as well as other colors, too).

“It’s my little happy place,” says Crumpton from her office, with its vintage desk and full set of the popular children’s book series, Pinkalicious. “I’m still a little girl.”

While she’s perfectly turned out and looks ready for a brisk day at work, Crumpton also exudes the companion-

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Brand Names You’ll Appreciate la Pink Boutique owner Amy Crumpton calls her la Pink boutique her “happy place.” And, in 11 years at the same location on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, Crumpton has created a quaint and happy place for local shoppers looking for a non-mall experience.

able air of one who’s up for a cozy chat.

Her personality may say a lot about the long-standing success of this boutique, which mixes exclusive merchandise with affordability and manages to draw customers despite the continual growth of nearby chain store and mall destinations. la Pink Boutique will be 11 years old in May, and has been in the same location (in the outparcel building that also is home to Men’s Wearhouse) all these years, although it has doubled in size since its opening.

The boutique’s origins lie in a

shoe shop for children that a friend of Crumpton’s invited her to join in running in Tampa Palms. At the time, Crumpton was a young mom who was working in accounts receivable for Crumpton Welding Supply, owned by her husband’s family, since graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in management from the University of Tampa.

The two ran the shoe shop for a year, and then they decided to open a boutique (la Pink) instead. They worked together for five years, before Crumpton

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Clothes lines at la Pink include KUT from the Kloth Denim, Jude Connally, Allen, Escapada, Isle and Tyler Boe. One brand that la Pink was the first boutique to feature is Lutz-based Tees by Tina, a line of super comfy and flattering tees, leggings, camis and other casual fashions.

A charm bar by Moon & Lola is one popular jewelry line, as is Bourbon and Boweties, a line of bracelets from a Brandon designer who fashions dazzling stones picked up from worldwide travels into unique, handmade “arm candy.”

Shoe lines include the playful Oka B as well as Lindsay Phillips, a Clearwaterbased line of shoes featuring interchangeable snaps to change the look of the shoe to match an outfit — or a mood.

Those looking for a thoughtful gift

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la Pink has a wide array of chic items, such as dazzling bracelets from Bourbon and Boweties (left), and stylish collections from KUT from the Kloth Denim(right). might find something pleasant from the ucts that do more than make a profit. 31 into the business because of a personal been an indispensable part of the team, line of carefully selected fragrances and bits, for example, is a company that sells connection she felt with them. Judi setting up not only la Pink’s website, but body luxuries, such as Tyler candles, Lollia beautiful necklaces and bracelets made Kusha is a neighbor; Lori Hairston was also the boutique’s Instagram, twitter, bath products, Tokyomilk fragrances and by women in Uganda to help them make actually a customer with whom CrumpFacebook and Pinterest sites. cosmetics and Pure factory natural lotions a living. Other brands have helped send ton got along so well that she asked for “This is a team,” says Crumpton. and skin repair products.

Thai children to school and set up water her number and told her she’d call when “We get each other. There’s no drama.”

There’s even the tongue-in-cheek purification systems in Haiti. And, that she had an opening. That was nine years Customer Anjali Gandhi agrees, “Poo Pourri,” a line of deodorant bathphilosophy permeates more than just the ago. saying, “la Pink is my favorite place to room spritzes. products.

The newest hire is Emily Wingate, a shop!! Love the clothes. Judi, Lori, and “It takes a while to learn your cus“There’s a lot of therapy that hap23-year-old University of South Florida Amy are awesome! tomers,” says Crumpton. “You have to un- pens here,” says Crumpton. “I always student who walked in a year ago to la Pink Boutique is located at derstand that you can’t have everything for tell people, ‘You don’t have to come in buy a present for a friend and so moved 18035 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. everyone. But I try my hardest! You have and buy something. You can just come Crumpton by her personal story and and is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. to stay true to who stays true to you.” in and talk.’ Conversations I’ve had with dedication to her family that Crumpton and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sat. For info, people in here have gotten me through felt compelled to hire her, even though visit laPinkonline.com, visit the store situations in life.” there was no clear position available at on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Product Lines That Give Back Her employees too are not simply the time.

Pinterest, call 972-2862 or see the ad Giving back also is a priority for hires; they are people Crumpton invited Crumpton says Wingate has since on pg. 16 of this issue.

Crumpton, and she tries to stock prod-

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Stories & Laughs A Perfect Mix For The First PHSC History Fair Story & photos by John C. Cotey Quinn Porter Miller and Stephanie Black shared amusing and poignant stories about their families, steeped in Wesley Chapel ranching history. James Touchton showed off a few of the jewels of his massive collection of Florida maps. And, on a night devoted to local history, librarian Angelo Liranzo showed how to find out even more about it by searching the internet.

If that wasn’t enough to satisfy the taste buds of the 50 or so history buffs in attendance in the conference center on Mar. 31, local author Madonna Wise brought homemade cookies for those who attended.

Wise was the inspiration for the first annual Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) History Fair, a successful event at the school’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on Mansfield Blvd.

Wise, the first speaker of the night and author or Images of America: Wesley Chapel, originally approached new PHSC Porter Campus Provost Bonnie Clark about launching her new book on campus. From that idea sprouted an even bigger one.

“When we saw what was in the book and the amount of history she had dug up... we thought we should wrap it around something bigger,’’ said Clark, who is already looking forward to the second History Fair next year.

Wise began the night by sharing some of the history she uncovered in writing her book, a 128-page collection featuring hundreds of photos and stories shared by longtime local residents whose grandparents and great grandparents helped settle the area.

She told the audience, “When my publisher (Arcadia Publishing/History Press) first asked me to write a book on Wesley Chapel, I said, ‘I don’t think there’s any history to write about.”

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Author Madonna Wise (seated, right) signs copies of her book, Images of America: Wesley Chapel, at the first PHSC History Fair on March 31, which featured a handful of speakers and the map (above, right)Wise took around while researching and doing interviews for her book.

But, Wise found there actually was a lot She said the quickly growing develfood to a school function, and she asked of history to write about, and the families opments on her family’s land, where she her hardscrabble farer of a grandfather if of Miller and Black lived through much of grew up, is sometimes a bittersweet thing he could give her two large watermelons. it. Miller, whose brother and founder of the to observe, both “wonderful and sad at the He asked what time she needed them, and Wiregrass Foundation J.D. Porter was in same time.” showed up to her school with two large waattendance, shared a handful of anecdotes Miller also said that she wishes her termelons...and a truck loaded with smaller about her grandfather, James H. “Wiregrandfather, who passed away in 2003, ones for anyone who wanted one. grass” Porter, and talked lovingly of his gen- could have seen what his land, and the surConsidering the theme of the night erosity and care of Wiregrass Ranch. (Wise rounding Wesley Chapel area, has become. was mostly frontier-era Wesley Chapel, the notes in her book that James H. Porter got “I don’t know that anyone could have internet connection failing during Liranzo’s the nickname “Wiregrass” from Dade City known how the area would grow,’’ she said. presentation was cause for a few chuckles.

Buick dealer Ed Madill, who would send Black’s grandfather, Lonnie Tucker, But, once connected, Liranzo showed him a box of matches every Christmas to was a close friend and hunting buddy of the crowd how to access, as an example, burn the wiregrass on his ranch.)

“Wiregrass” Porter. For those who called digitized versions of Dade City going back Miller choked up when telling the story Tucker, “the meanest man in Pasco Counto 1912. about her father Don attending the Univerty,” Black quipped, “they should have seen Summing up the night perfectly for sity of Mississippi on a baseball scholarship, my grandmother.” many of the older members of the crowd, where he was an All-American, and how Tucker apparently did have a soft Liranzo said, “It’s history for me, but these after he graduated, “Wiregrass” Porter paid side, however. Black said when she was in are all memories for those who grew up in the university back for Don’s scholarship. the fourth grade, she volunteered to bring Pasco County.”

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With Cancer Battle Behind Her, Bailey Returns To Wharton High

By John C. Cotey To whoever has been parking their car in Bailey Rhodes’ senior spot this year at Paul R. Wharton High, she’s got news for you: Starting Monday, April 4, she’ll be needing it back.

Bailey, a 17-year-old senior at Wharton, will be returning to school for the first time since Sept. 2014, after winning battles against bone cancer and leukemia the last four years that left her immune system battered and susceptible and left her unable to wander far from her hospital rooms at Tampa General (TGH) and All Children’s hospitals, as well as her New Tampa home.

She took on all of her treatments with verve, foregoing any wallowing and telling anyone who would listen, ‘Let’s get this going, I have stuff to do and places to go.’”

She will finally get to park her car in one of those spaces in a couple of weeks.

“I can’t wait,’’ she says excitedly, her big brown eyes and even bigger spirit clearly joyful. “I’ve been waiting such a long time.”

Nearly two years, to be exact. September of 2014 was the last time that Bailey attended school, after her first fight with bone cancer and before her second against leukemia.

She has worked hard for this moment.

While cancer ravaged her body, Bailey kept her mind focused on school. Although she couldn’t attend full classes, she took her courses through TGH’s Homebound programs, spending hours on the phone with teachers like Gary Lundgren, “Who I couldn’t have done this without,” she says, and others from Wharton.

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Bailey has volunteered any way she could, as a mentor, talking to other families touched by cancer, working fashion shows with cancer patients and even working with special needs students when healthy enough.

She took both the SAT and ACT exams from a hospital room.

Now, she will be able to attend the final two months of her senior year, and graduate with her class.

“Everything she had to go through, it’s been kind of hard to watch,’’ says Bailey’s Paul R. Wharton High seniors Jessica Korver (left) and Bailey Rhodes. best friend, Jessica Korley’s grandmother noticed a small rise in her ver. “It’s been hard to go to school and have knee, and a visit to the doctor and an MRI her not be there. She was always the, ‘Let’s go confirmed that she had a tumor. to all the pep rallies’ person, and I’ve always “When I heard tumor, I was like, ‘Wait been the stay home type of person. So, that’s a minute…back it up,’’’ said Beth, a secondbeen kind of hard. But she is soooo strong. grade teacher at New Tampa’s Dr. Richard F. That’s the one thing I really learned through Pride Elementary. this whole thing.”

The diagnosis came just two weeks after Bailey was told she no longer had to wear a A Tough Time Bailey was first diagnosed in 2012 with back brace to bed to help with scoliosis while osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer with she was in middle school.

“I said, ‘I can’t catch a break’ in one fewer than 20,000 cases nationwide per year.

The summer before her freshman year at breath, and then in the other, I said, ‘I guess Wharton, she had been experiencing pain in this is God’s plan for me,’” Bailey says.

Although there were tears as family memher left knee. Her mother Beth says that Bai-

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bers showed up at the doctor’s office, Bailey was resolved to fight. She received six months of chemotherapy treatments, a full knee replacement and limb salvage of her tibia, and another seven months of chemo. Her weight at one point was down to 68 pounds, and she needed a feeding tube to help get her back to a healthier weight.

She was able to return to Wharton for the second nine-week period of her sophomore year in 2013. For a year, she was back to being a normal teenager, making the homecoming court, hanging out with friends, and even taking a family trip to Hawaii.

But, in August of 2014, she started noticing bruises in places where she had not bumped into anything or fallen down. After being in remission for a year, a routine lab test revealed bad news — secondary leukemia, which was the result of her previous chemotherapy, requiring that she receive a bone marrow transplant.

Bailey was shaken up. This fight would be more difficult, and require more resolve.

She gritted her teeth through more chemo treatments as doctors searched for a bone marrow match.

“When I was re-diagnosed, I said, ‘This is going to suck, it’s going to be hard, but it’s only going to make you stronger,’’’ Bailey recalls. “We’re going to get through this. And then at the end, we are going to say, ‘What can we do with this now? What can we take from this, and make better?’”

After testing her family at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, doctors ended up finding a perfect match from a donor in Germany.

“A 10 out of 10 match,’’ said Bailey. “I

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thought that was the coolest thing ever, that somewhere out there, I don’t even know this person, and we’re not related, and they have the exact same bone marrow as me. That’s pretty cool.”

Bailey spent 80 more days in the hospital.

Because her immune system was so fragile, she wasn’t allowed to leave her room. Immediate family was allowed in, but only in full hospital gowns and masks.

She was finally discharged Easter weekend of 2015,. For nine more months, she wasn’t allowed to leave her house. “I’ve been on house arrest,’’ she jokes.

She actually had to eat processed foods, like macaroni and cheese and ramen noodles, because there is less bacteria in them than say, unwashed lettuce and fruit. “You could have washed it really good, but I’m wasn’t taking that risk,’’ Beth says.

And, because her bone marrow donor had a peanut allergy, Bailey now also has a peanut allergy, so great discretion had to be used in her daily food choices.

The Big Announcement

On March 15, doctors told her she was once again all clear, and that she could return to school.

“I’m nervous, but I’m really excited,’’ Bailey says, and after noting that the last day of school is May 20, smiles as she reaches across the table to high-five Jessica.

Bailey also has a new cause: Code Gray, an informational service she wants to start for new cancer patients and their families, which she hopes to launch soon.

While at Tampa General Hospital the first time, Bailey had a port put in instead of an IV, and it was difficult to access. Located

Neighborhood News

in her chest and at an angle, it was beneath the skin and reached by a needle. “Very painful,’’ she says. “The first time they tried to access it, it took 10 times.”

She was told to make sure the nurses used 1-inch needles, and one night a nurse was having difficulty accessing the port. Bailey asked her if she was using the right needle, and the nurse insisted she was.

“I only asked because it wasn’t working,’’ Bailey says.

As it turned out, it wasn’t the right needle, just as Bailey thought. On her chart that night, the nurse listed her as “Code Gray,” a designation for “unruly” patients.

The seed for Bailey’s Code Gray organization had been planted. As part of a project for her nursing assistant classes she was taking (since she was not allowed to go to clinicals), she researched mistakes made at hospitals, many she thinks could have been prevented had the patient and their family spoken up.

But, most people, said Beth, are just content to let the doctors and nurses handle things.

In Bailey’s case, the family kept extensive journals and recorded every dose of medicine every time something was administered. “Highly recommended,’’ Beth said.

“For me, it was therapeutic.”

Bailey spent a recent weekend designing pamphlets, which will contain information for new cancer patients and their families, including tips about dealing with your cancer treatment and talking to doctors and nurses without stepping on toes, as well as how to continue your schoolwork against great odds. She’d also like to create a website, hold some fund raisers and get the word out.

“I’m so passionate about it,’’ she says.

“People don’t speak up because they don’t

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think they are knowledgeable enough to say anything to their doctor. But, if they have questions or doubts, they can — and should — say something.”

Bailey says she hopes Code Gray can help cancer patients. And, maybe one day, she will as well. She has been accepted into her dream school, the University of Florida in Gainesville, and wants to be a pediatrician.

While she never thought about treating cancer patients before her own struggles with the disease, she wonders if she hasn’t been sent a sign.

“I always wanted to be a pediatrician, and they always asked me, ‘Do you want to go into oncology?,’’’ Bailey says. “I thought, there’s no way I could relive that every day.

But then, this second time, it was like this is proving that I can relive it. Maybe that’s what it’s supposed to do.”

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900° Woodfired Pizza Wiregrass — Try It For The Pasta, Too!

Insalata della Casa

Tortellini della Casa

By Gary Nager

D

O YOU CRAVE great pasta living here in Wesley Chapel? I know I do.

I can enjoy the pasta at most local pizza places, but you’d be making a big mistake if you were to confuse the made-to-order pasta at 900° Woodfired Pizza, which is located nest to Orangetheory Fitness in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, with anyplace else.

Owner Steve Falabella — who can trace his roots back to Italy but who was raised in New York and is a die-hard Yankees fan (as a Tampa Bay Rays fan, I definitely won’t hold that against him, especially when we finish ahead of “dem bums from da Bronx” this season) — appreciates the way I talk about his pizza and pasta, but especially the pasta.

The sauces on the pasta are so good, I had to show you three of them on these pages, including the featured Tortellini della Casa above, which is spinach-and-cheesefilled tortellini in a sautéed tomato sauce

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with black olives, chopped garlic and fresh spinach; the penne with pesto Genovese and grilled chicken; and the veal and beef tortellacci (oversized, overstuffed, beef & vealfilled pasta pockets in a classic Bolognese meat sauce).

One thing I love is how 900° Woodfired never oversauces the sizable, reasonably-priced portions of always-al-denté (without asking for it) pasta. Just as you’d find in authentic Italian restaurants from Naples to New York, the bowls glisten with what’s left of the sauces, rather than leaving behind a whole bowlful of sauce. I love dipping, say, 900° Woodfired’s homemade garlic knots, in flavorful sauces as much as the next guy, but pasta should never be swimming in sauce — or overcooked.

The penne with pesto Genovese and chicken is actually a “Create Your Own Pasta,” which can be spaghetti, penne or tagliatelle (long, flat ribbon pasta, similar to fettuccine) and gluten-free also is available, with your choice of five sauces — pomodoro (classic tomato), Bolognese (meat), Alfredo

(butter and cream), pesto Genovese (basil and pine nuts) or rustica (Bolognese with chopped shitake mushrooms and garlic). I can vouch for all but the rustica,

Don’t They Have Pizza, Too?

You got ‘dat right! I love the fact that 900° Woodfired Pizza has not only excellent traditional New York-style ‘za, but also the woodfired Neapolitan style and even a notto-be-confused-with- Sicilian-style Grandma pizza that Steve says is really a pizza “made backwards. The fresh garlic and onions are baked into the (rectangular) crust, then covered with fresh mozzarella and garlicky tomato sauce.” You have to at least try it.

And, although no super-thin-crusted woodfired pizza will ever be my favorite, you have to appreciate the quality ingredients Steve and his happy, dedicated crew use to create these flash-baked pizzas.

“We make the mozzarella for the woodfired pizzas here every day,” he says proudly.

There’s also “Create Your Own Pizzas,” where some customers get really creative,

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Penne Pesto & Grilled Chicken

pizza by the metre and (of course) by the slice — but it’s almost too many options for a true pizza lover like me.

Of course, 900° Woodfired has other great items available, including a variety of great salads — from a slightly spicy Caesar to the unique Insalata della Casa pictured on this page, which combines spring mix, cherry tomatoes, thick slices of fresh mozzarella and marinated grilled eggplant in yummy balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

There’s also calzones, baked lasagne, foccaccia bread and great antipasti (appetizers) like Il Gran Piatto, a big plate full of authentic Italian meats, plus fresh mozzarella, olives and roasted peppers. There’s also a fried ravioli appetizer, a zesty bruschetta, fried calamari, mozzarella sticks and even a great kids’ menu. And yes, catering is definitely a specialty, too.

There’s even Peroni Italian beer on draft, as well as a variety of bottles beers and wines by the glass and by the litre-size carafe.

Although I’m usually too full to enjoy dessert at 900° Woodfired Pizza, there’s

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Margherita Woodfired Pizza

Half-Pepperoni NY Pizza

Grandma Pizza

Veal & Beef Tortellacci

also an impressive variety of dessert pizzas and other option, many featuring Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread, although I have enjoyed the New York-style cheesecake (go figure), double chocolate layer cake and even the Granny apple crisp.

So, the next time you’re at the Wiregrass mall, whether at lunch or dinner time,

Neighborhood News

stop in at 900° Woodfired Pizza and tell Steve and his crew that the Neighborhood News guy sent you!

For more info about 900° Woodfired Pizza (28152 Paseo Dr., open seven days for lunch and dinner at 11 a.m.), call 5276940, visit 900DegreesWoodfirePizza. com, on Facebook, or see the ad on pg. 42.

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

Wesley Chapel Abuzz About Both Irish Pubs

We love having restaurant news to include in our daily news updates at WCNeighborhoodNews.com. For example, as I mentioned in a previous editorial, more than 22,000 of you at least accessed the Facebook version of our exclusive Facebook story about Irish 31 coming to The Shops at Wiregrass mall.

Well, apparently, y’all really like Irish restaurants, as 21,500+ of you also accessed our FB story that City Grill at 5429 Wesley Chapel Village Market, had indeed changed over to become O’Brien’s Irish Pub, even though the sign outside the place still says “City Grill.”

New owner Mike Goodwin, who already owns a successful O’Brien’s in Plant City, is excited about bringing his great Irish and American pub food to Wesley Chapel, and the fact he’s still hosting Open Mic, Team Trivia, Karaoke with my buddy Gary Carmichael during the week and live music every Fri. and Sat., while still always having big flatscreen TVs to watch sports hopefully means he’ll be able to be a success in our area, too.

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For more info, visit OBriensWesley Chapel.com or call 973-9988 and tell Mike (or Cherish, one of the new bartenders) the Neighborhood News sent you.

Ginza Endless Sushi Opens Next To Winn-Dixie!

If you haven’t yet tried the new Ginza Endless Asian Cuisine & Sushi, located at 6417 E. County Line Rd. at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in the Trout Creek area (between the Winn-Dixie supermarket and LA Fitness) of New Tampa, we definitely suggest you give it a try.

Ginza’s all-you-can-eat specials cost just $12.95 per adult for lunch and $24.95

per adult for dinner and that price includes all you care to eat of literally dozens of items — from fresh sashimi and sushi to hibachi-style chicken, shrimp or steak and even favorites like Mongolian chicken (photo below, shown with a side of fried rice) and beef and so many more.

At our press time, Ginza still did not have its liquor license, but the freshly prepared food and fast service make it more than worthy of a visit until that happens, which should be sometime this month, according to a restaurant employee. And, with the coupons in the ad on pg. 37 of this issue, Ginza is an even better value!

For more information, call 9071688 or visit GinzaFlorida.com and please tell them that we sent you!

Ambays Breaks Ground On ‘Transformations Center’

Congratulations go out to U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. and plastic surgeon Raj

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Ambay, M.D., and his wife, dermatologist Aparna Ambay, M.D. (2nd & 4th from the left in the photo above), the owners of both Ambay Plastic Surgery and 360 Dermatology) in the Summergate Professional Park (behind Sam’s Club on S.R. 56).

On Mar. 28, the Ambays held a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) groundbreaking ceremony

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announcing that a new Wawa gas station/ convenience store was “Coming Soon” at or near the intersection.

The Wawa will be almost directly across BBD from a long-standing Shell gas station, and about a mile east of the new Racetrac gas station/convenience store which opened a couple of months ago.

Assisted Living Community Coming To Tampa Palms

at the site of their new Transformations Aesthetic Center, which will be located off Cypress Ridge Blvd., behind Tower Radiology Center and the New Tampa Surgery Center.

The day may have been dreary and rainy, but the rendering of the future building, which they hope to open by the end of this year, promises that it will be a one-stop shop for all of your plastic surgery, dermatology and other health and beauty needs.

We’ll provide a more in-depth update about the Transformations Aesthetic Center in a future issue.

For more info in the meantime, see the ad on pg. 26 of this issue or visit 360DermatologyTampa.com, AmbayPlasticSurgery.com or call 406-4835.

The two practices currently are located at 27716 Cashford Cir.

fellow transplanted “New Yawkas” William Morello and Evelyn Barreno on the Mar. 24 WCCC ribbon cutting ceremony (photo above, left) at their new 7 Layers Bakery, which truly does have New Yorkstyle cupcakes (my fave was the “peanut butter surprise” cupcake), cannolis, cookies and of course, cakes. About 100 wellwishers packed into 7 Layers’ small space in the Grand Oaks Plaza (next to Amici Pizza) at 26306 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54) in Lutz.

For more info, call 388-2771, visit Facebook.com/7LayerCookieCakes or

Wawa To Open On S.R. 56 Near BBD

Although we didn’t have any additional information about it at our press time, we at least wanted to show you the sign (left) that went up recently near the southwest corner of BBD and S.R. 56

7 Layers Bakery & FHWC Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

Congratulations also go out to my

Neighborhood News

stop by and please tell William and Evelyn that you read about them here!

I also wanted to congratulate our friends at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) for the Mar. 13 Grand Opening, Open House and WCCC Ribbon Cutting at the hospital’s new heart catheterization lab (photo above, right). We’re so fortunate to have such a beautiful, technologically advanced hospital right in our own backyards and, as FHWC CEO Denyse Bales-Chubb said proudly during the event, “We are growing (see story on page 4)!”

FHWC is located at 2600 BBD. To learn more, visit FloridaHospital.com/ Wesley-Chapel or call 929-5000.

On a recent drive along Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms, I noticed not only the sign below, but the construction of a huge, new assisted living facility — Discovery Village at Tampa Palms — suddenly rising up from the ground.

Discovery Village At Tampa Palms, which is expected to open in the winter of 2017, will feature 105 residential Supervised Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care apartment homes. According to its website, the state-of-the-art community will combine the best of senior living features, amenities and wellness programs. The community will include a Grande Clubhouse with fine dining, bistro, club room, theatre, salon and barber shop, arts and crafts studio, library, outdoor heated pool, fitness center and more!

For additional information, visit DiscoveryVillages.com. — GN

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HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING P/T Client Service and Marketing Professionals: Tampa Bay’s ONLY Certified Matchmaking and Relationship Coaching service is growing! Send your resume to: info@TampaBayMatchMakers.com For more information, visit us www.TampaBayMatchMakers.com

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

UTOPIA HOME CARE, INC. is hiring qualified, experienced RNs/ LPNs, HHAs/ CNAs to work in all areas. All hours available, candidates must be flexible and have reliable transportation and true availability to work. Apply in person at any location (visit website) or apply on line at www.utopiahomecare.com for locations. Call for immediate interview 813-634-9680.

When applying, bring all supporting documentation, CPR, Training Certificates, Reference Contact information. Must be able to pass a background check.

EXPERIENCED DENTAL TEAM MEMBER NEEDED Unique opportunity for experienced, expanded-function dental assistant with great communication skills to join our awesome team. Private practice with no HMOs, PPOs, evenings or Saturdays. We emphasize excellence and individualized attention to patients and offer generous salary and benefits. If you want to love coming to work, e-mail your resume to nelsondentistry@gmail.com.

AWARD WINNING REAL ESTATE TEAM with an overflow of serious prospects. Seeking professional full-time real estate agents who want to expand their horizons, make more money and have a fulfilling life.

Great training available. Keller Williams Tampa Properties. Contact Annette Bohannon - 813-431-2840.

TERMITE TECHNICIAN NEEDED Must have at least one year of experience, a clean driving record, no criminal record and be able to lift 50 lbs. Call VIP Pest Control at 813-234-8888 for details.

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. Send resume to Richard.Jones@solarusmedical.com.

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.

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ROUTE SALES, MEDICAL Fills customer orders by driving to customer accounts within Florida; unloading and shelving product, inventory verification, order retrieval. 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

CLEANING SERVICES B CLEANING SERVICES: Over fourteen years experience! Commercial & residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies and more than 300 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 758-9710.

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

Personal Touch! Licensed and Insured. For scheduling or a free in home estimate Call (813) 356-8287 or e-mail phcservices1@gmail.com. Try Power House Cleaning Services - you will be powerfully pleased!

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

Call us for your free in home estimate today! 813625-6045.

GET YOUR HOA OFF YOUR BACK! Unbelievable Driveway/Sidewalk Pressure Washing Special Limited Time Only! 4 quarterly cleanings for $49/each.

That’s a full year for the price of a single service! Your time is precious. Go to www.cleanlisting.com to enter your contact information and a representative will contact you to set up your services. Or contact us today at (813) 562-0166 or cleanlisting@gmail.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE

ERRANDS & PERSONAL SERVICES

Rent room for Massage Therapist or another therapy. Good location, close to Florida Hospital, MOFFITT and USF. Clean and good environment.

Call for info: 813-514-2232

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.

Serenity Salon & Spa Suites Wesley Chapel. 1 suite available for rent. Call for details: 813-3125247 or 813-997-6302. Great location!

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

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

AMERICAN PRIDE LAWN CARE SERVICE, LLC Our services include weekly lawn maintenance with mulching decks on all mowers, precision edging, string trimming, hedge, shrub, palm, and tree trimming. We also offer landscaping, pruning, and sod replacement. Free estimates. Licensed and Insured. We are an Owner/ Operator Company built on service and trust. References available. For more info, call (813) 458-4778.

HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC High-Quality Professional Services: Weekly or Bi-Weekly Year-Round FullSvc LawnCare starting at $75/month: mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554.

POOL SERVICES TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa’s #1 Choice!! Call Chris Today @ (813)857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! ALL-STAR POOL SERVICE & REPAIR Expert repairs and installations of pumps, motors, filters, timers, salt and ozone generators. Marcite for $2,400. Tile repair and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing, pressure washing and deck repair, paver and eurocote decks. Mention this ad and receive 1 FREE MONTH Pool Service. Call or text 813-244-7077. See our display ad. www.allstarpoolsoftampabay.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.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

HOME IMPROVEMENT DALE’S HOME MAINTENANCE Pressure washing, screen repairs, garage cleaning and organizing, shelving, re-grout tile and caulking, and more. 813-7272582.

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 and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and 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.

Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 994-5124.

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

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified.

Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999.

EDUCATION/BABYSITTING Attention all students! Very experienced, and educated (Master’s Degree in English Ed.) Language Arts Teacher can assist with writing/reading SAT prep. Reasonable Rates/One on One or Small Group Instruction available. Please call 813-4803273 for more details.

Call (813) 910-2575 to order your Classified or Display Ad today!

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 •WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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MMA Fighter Steps Forward To Provide #AKidneyForJoey

By John C. Cotey Can a hashtag save someone’s life?

Count Wesley Chapel mom Dana Richman as a believer, after a Facebook and Twitter campaign she started in January helped find her son Joey, a 22-year-old pre-med student at the University of South Florida, a living kidney donor.

Tampa’s Mike Miller, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter known by friends as “Muffin Man,” saw a #AKidneyForJoey post on Facebook, and has stepped forward.

The surgery and selfless sacrifice, which will effectively end Miller’s MMA career, is scheduled for April 20.

Joey suffers from Alport’s Syndrome, a genetic condition that Dana says was passed down from her side of the family, which has suffered a number of deaths from the condition. Alport’s Syndrome causes hearing loss and renal failure. Joey first suffered hearing loss in the fourth grade, but doctors could do little to help, Dana says, until he went into renal failure, which has taken root in the past year.

Joey is fortunate. According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 100,000 people are awaiting kidney transplants. More than 3,000 new patients are added to the kidney waiting list each month, and 13 people die each day while awaiting a life-saving kidney transplant.

Joey, who lost 30 pounds in the last year, currently administers dialysis to himself every 4-6 hours, for a total of 10 hours daily.

Dana says there are 75 boxes of solution in her home. It has made her son weak and tired, barely able to climb a flight of stairs.

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outpouring of support for her son’s plight.

She says Miller is “the most humble, respectful young man you’ll ever meet.’’ She is also quick to thank the dozens of folks who called Tampa General Hospital (TGH) to volunteer for testing when the story broke.

She said TGH received up to 40 calls a day, and many are still volunteering to be Joey’s back-up if the transplant fails for any reason. A host of others, she added, asked to be matched up with others needing transplants. “Amazing,’’ she says. “That makes me happy.”

For Dana — a single mother of three boys including Wiregrass Ranch High graduate Jason, 19, and current WRH senior Jake, 17 — the amount of community

support has been a blessing. The one-time military family has moved up and down the east coast, settling in Wesley Chapel three years ago from Pasadena, MD. Even then, she wasn’t sure what the future held.

“I’ll tell you what, Wesley Chapel is an amazing place,’’ Dana says. “Tampa is too, but Wesley Chapel, we couldn’t imagine any place better. It really feels like home, like we finally have a place to put our roots.”

To donate to the Richman family, visit GoFundMe.com/AKidneyForJoey.

To help Mike Miller in his recovery, visit GoFundMe.com/6aunghtw. To become a kidney donor, contact Jenni Binns of Tampa General Hospital at 844-5669 or email her at jbinns@tgh.org.

Joe Richman (left) and kidney donor Mike Miller have become fast friends.

He is taking his college classes online because getting around campus is too difficult.

Dana has watched Joey deteriorate over the past year, and can’t work herself because she has been taking him to almost daily doctor appointments. She looks forward to April 20 and the months to follow. She says Joey will be isolated after surgery for 3-6 months, but hopes to be well enough to return to classes at USF in August.

“He will feel amazing, probably back to how he felt in elementary school,’’ Dana says. “He’ll be able to do everything other people his age can do. I have goosebumps already just thinking about it.”

Dana said she was stunned by the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 24, Issue 8 • April 8, 2016 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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