New Tampa Neighborhood News Issue 07-13

Volume 21 Issue 7

Inside: Restaurants Outside Our Area Worth Checking Out!

March 30, 2013

See page 50!

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

THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE IS DIRECTLY MAILED TO: NEW TAMPA: Arbor Greene • Cory Lake Isles • Cross Creek • Easton Park • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • The Hammocks • West Meadows WESLEY CHAPEL: Aberdeen • Belle Chase • Brookside • Chapel Pines • Country Walk • Lexington Oaks • Meadow Pointe • New River • Northwood • Pinewalk • Pine Ridge • Saddlebrook • Saddleridge Estates • Saddlewood • Seven Oaks • The Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg

New Tampa Gateway Bridge Opens To Traffic — & The Lizard Tail 5K!

By Gary Nager Since it opened to traffic on Feb. 27 — after Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn cut the ribbon in a ceremony sponsored by the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce — the new New Tampa Gateway Bridge (see page 8) has been helping reduce travel times for those who have been trying to avoid the still-problematic traffic on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

And, just last weekend, the bridge also was home to the first-ever five-kilometer (5K, which equals 3.1 miles) road race (and 1-mile Fun Run) in New Tampa that included the area’s only major hill — the bridge itself!

The second annual Lizard Tail 5K (so named because last year’s in5K Race winner Justin augural race to Page (right) took the benefit the Lawton lead for good from Chiles Elementary runner-up Pedro PTA was run along Meraz on the bridge. nearby Lizard’s Tail

(Above, l. to r.) Drew Hileman, D.J. Edwards and Giliane Rifai were all among the top finishers at the Lizard Tail 5K road race on March 23.

(Above) The Lizard Tail 5K was the first public event held at Dr. in Tampa Palms) attracted nearly 400 to train on in our area be- the New Tampa Blvd. Gateway Bridge since Tampa Mayor runners to the race’s staging area at the fore. “The bridge was a Bob Buckhorn (below) dedicated the bridge on February 27.

Tampa Palms Professional Center off Comtough hill, especially on the merce Park Blvd. on March 23, the day beway back,” said one high-finishing female fore the 20th annual “Taste of New runner. “It’s only the second time I’ve ever TampaTM” (see below for more info). even been running on the bridge!”

Race organizer and Chiles PTA memAlthough all of the results weren’t ber Tory Howat was happy with the final at our press time, here are the winners turnout, the new race course and all of the reported on race day of the second annual health-oriented vendors — from chiropracLizard Tail 5K. tors to bike shops and more — who were Overall winner - Justin Page, 17:40. on-hand for the event. And, the race itself Overall women’s winner - D.J. Edwas a challenge for New Tampa residents, wards, 21:15 many of whom never had a legitimate hill See “Lizard Tail” on page 47.

Look For Our Taste Of New Tampa Videos At NTNeighborhoodNews.com!

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

Crash Closes I-75 Lanes For 18 Hours, Kinnan/Mansfield Talks Hit Roadblock, Softball Teams Swing For The Fences, Lots Of Local Business Features & More!!

Shen Yun Returns To Tampa Bay, Lowry Park Zoo Animals Visit Tampa Palms, Our Editor’s Guide To Restaurants Outside Of New Tampa & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!

Pages 1-44

Pages 45-56

ECRWSS

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

ond TV spots! — for their own businesses.

For more info about our business video and print advertising packages, call general manager Nikki Bennett at 910-2575 or visit NTNeighborhood News.com. For Milorian Studios, visit Milorian.com or call 907-1166.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 2801

Also Inside This Issue!

New Tampa’s signature event, despite the possible threat of heavy winds and rain that threatened to cancel this year’s Taste.

Obviously, if the event ended up being cancelled, there won’t be a Taste wrapup video or photo gallery for you to check out, but otherwise, we hope you’ll enjoy our latest video efforts, including the Taste preview video (photo, right) still on our website that also was produced by Milorian.

One of the things to look for is a focus on this year’s oustanding Taste restaurants, including Domani Bistro Lounge on N. Florida Ave. in Old Seminole Heights (see page 50), Takara Sushi & Sake Lounge, PDQ, Café Olé, Petra Express Mediterranean Cuisine, Toast Fine Wine Café, P.J. Dolan’s Irish Pub & Grill and all the rest.

Our goal with these videos is to get local businesses to expand their advertising with us, while also having the opportunity to create similar videos — and even 30-sec-

Dated Material Please Rush!

Ahh, the joys of scheduling. Unfortunately for us, this issue went to press on Saturday, March 23, and the Taste of New TampaTM wasn’t held until Sunday, March 24, which means that we can’t provide our usual full Taste photo gallery and recap until our next issue, which doesn’t hit mailboxes in zip code 33647 until April 27!

But, one thing I can assure you is that

not too long after you receive this issue in your mailbox, you can hop onto our website, NTNeighborhoodNews.com, and check out not only our Taste photo gallery, but also our Taste wrapup video, produced

by Milorian Studios in Wesley Chapel.

Milorian owner Carlos Flores-Gordon was planning to bring quite a bit of hightech equipment and an experienced camera crew to ensure we’d get the best possible video coverage of the 20th anniversary of

Postal Customer

By Gary Nager

Driving Into The New Bottlenecks On Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Since the day a couple of months ago when I found out that the “completion” of the widening of Segment A of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. doesn’t mean we now have four lanes available in both directions between Pebble Creek Dr. and Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms, I have been waiting for it: the inevitable bottlenecks snarling traffic for an hour or more on New Tampa’s primary arterial roadway.

And, although I was able to avoid the biggest tie-up in recent memory on I-75 (see page 12) on March 21, it was only a day later that I experienced what I’ve been fearing since I first found out that the BBD lanes that go under I-75 (between Commerce Palms Blvd. and Dona Michelle Dr.) would not be completed until the I-75 widening project is finished — at the end of 2013.

I left my office on Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms a little after 5 p.m. and, although I heard there was another accident on I-75 itself at around that time, I was able to negotiate my way through the bottleneck I had been afraid of before I reached I-75 in a fairly reasonable period of time. A different story unfolded, however, as I continued to make my way north towards the entrance to Flatwoods Park on BBD. Shortly after passing the 7-11 gas station on BBD, the traffic came to a dead stop and then crawled forward at less than a mile an hour. I assumed the snarl somehow must have been the result

New Tampa Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager General Manager Nikki Bennett Assistant Editor / Photographer Matt Wiley Correspondents Camille Gillies • Bonnie Mason • Kathleen Schiop Marketing Director Ashley Knoblach Senior Graphic Designer Porsha Lemos Advertising Sales Rep Taylor Gardner Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 21, Issue 9, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, April 15, 2013. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2013 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager of the reported I-75 accident.

But, it wasn’t. In fact, I saw no accident, stalled car or police activity at all anywhere between Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. and Pebble Creek Dr. It was just a lumbering, slow crawl that resulted in it taking me more than 40 minutes to drive less than six miles!

The thing I can’t understand is why Hillsborough County (the governmental entity responsible for the widening of BBD) would force the people of New Tampa — who have been stuck in traffic on BBD since before the turn of the millennium — to continue to suffer this much while waiting for the other portions of our primary north-south route to be widened.

And, as you long-time readers know, the portion of BBD between Palms Springs Blvd. and Bearss Ave. will actually be the next segment to be widened — and that portion won’t be done until at least the end of 2014. Worse still is that the bottleneck going north from Pebble Creek Dr. to the Pasco County line won’t be completed until at least 2015, which means that the traffic jam I sat in last week will be repeated on an ongoing basis for at least two more years!

Although I know the county had to widen BBD in three segments because of the cost, it just never made any sense to me to funnel four lanes down to two for any reason, especially with only a few feet of pavement marked “Merge” with which to negotiate that funnel but, as the saying goes, “It is what it is.” I think that instead of opening all four lanes in each

direction, the county should’ve kept one lane closed in each direction until the other two segments could be completed.

It’s just common sense that it’s easier to only have to move over one lane than it is to merge two full lanes.

Unfortunately for those of us who have lived and/or worked in this area the last 20 years, it doesn’t seem as though common sense has ever been part of the county’s equation for widening BBD — which means that the bottom line is that it will be quite a bit longer before our fantasy of a new and improved BBD becomes a reality.

Correction From Last Issue!

In our last issue, we somehow provided the wrong phone number for the Spinner Law Firm.

The correct phone number for the firm is 991-5099. We apologize for the error. — GN

My Restaurant Lament

Have you noticed all of the local restaurants that have closed recently? Me, too! For info about all of the most recent closings and where you can go outside of our area for great food, see pages 50-53!

Table of Contents

LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, EDUCATION & SPORTS UPDATES..............................Pages 1-44 Kinnan St. / Mansfield Blvd. Talks Hit Another Roadblock................4 Heritage Isles CDD Settles With Bondholders.....................................6 New Tampa Legislative Update...........................................................10

New Tampa News Briefs..................................12-13 Crash Closes I-75 Lanes For 18 Hours Two Motorcycle Fatalities Strike Area Within Hours Lin Sentenced To 40 Years For Beating Wife To Death Hess To Leave Gas Game, Stations To Remain Open Swiftmud Implements Tighter Water Restrictions............................ 13 Pasco MPO Considers Elevated Lanes For S.R. 54/56 Corridor.....14 ‘Fields’ Operator Chosen; Porter Proposal Rejected ..........................15 St. James UMC Opens Renovated Sanctuary...........................16 New Tampa Community Calendar................................18

Local Business Updates.................................20-35 New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter..............20 Grace Episcopal Church Keeps The Faith................................22 Dr. Luz Hernandez Keeps Smiles Bright.................................24 Realtor Lessie Reyes Will Find The Right Home For You.......28 Cruise Planners Can Help You Navigate Your Next Vacation..30 SK Financial CPA Helps Make Financial Goals Attainable.......34 Spinner Law Firm: Legal Advice You Can Trust......................36

Local Education Updates...............................40-41 New Tampa Library Moves To Digital Age..........................40 Liberty Middle FBLA Named Best In County......................41

Local Sports Updates.....................................42-43 Wharton, Freedom Baseball, Softball In Full Swing.................42 Wharton Boys Fall In State Semis............................................43

Neighborhood Magazine Shen Yun Returns To Tampa...................................................45 Lowry Park Zoo Animals Invade Tampa Palms.......................46 Patty Wolf Of Wolf’s Den Remembered..................................48 2013 Health & Wellness Festival A Success............................49 Some Of Our Editor’s Favorite Out-Of-Area Eateries.............50 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes’...............................52

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Petition, Roadblock In Kinnan St. / Mansfield Blvd. Connection Saga

By Matt Wiley While it looked hopeful in November, when Pasco County officials reached out to the City of Tampa and the developers of KBar Ranch about connecting the city and Pasco County through Kinnan St. in New Tampa and Mansfield Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, negotiations once again have come to a standstill.

But, business owners located along the Cross Creek Blvd. corridor hope that a new petition will help spark new talks.

On March 18, a 16-page petition (photo) started by John Thrasher, CEO of Excel Music (located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd.), was submitted to the City of Tampa Attorney’s Office in hopes that the 61 signatures from business owners, employees and even some customers along Cross Creek Blvd. would help sway the respective parties’ opinions. The signatures represent about 40 different businesses, with owners of several living on both sides of the county line.

“This project has been mulled around for years and everyone knows that it is absolutely essential that the residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are given an alternative north/south route to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd,” Thrasher says in the petition. “This is not only about commerce and convenience, but in an area of wild fires, sinkholes, floods and hurricanes, it is a matter of public safety to provide citizens

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with as many routes as possible in and out of an area.”

The possible connection of the two roads is at a roadblock following the City of Tampa’s response to conditions that Pasco Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein sent November 26, which said that Pasco would be willing to connect if the City and K-Bar would commit to paying no more than $500,000 for traffic calming improvements, or traffic signals, at the intersection of Mansfield Blvd. and Beardsley Dr., which runs along the southern border of Meadow Pointe, and at Mansfield and Wrencrest Dr. Pasco also wanted the City and K-Bar to commit four lanes of right of way, or land on which to construct, the “Beardsley Extension,” which would link Beardsley Dr. east to Morris Bridge Rd. Other requirements also were included.

However, on February 25, Julia Mandell, senior assistant attorney for the City of Tampa, responded in a letter.

“At this time, neither the City nor the Developer is in a position to be responsive to the Pasco Requirements, as outlined,” Mandell wrote. “Certainly the City looks forward to working with Pasco County to find holistic solutions to the transportation needs in the New Tampa area.”

Mandell references a major real estate transaction in K-Bar Ranch, which took place on December 31, making Columbus, OH-based M/I Homes the primary devel-

oper in K-Bar Ranch as a factor in the City’s decision not to comply with Pasco’s requirements.

“After ongoing discussions between the parties, the City and the Developer may be revisiting the existing zoning and the terms of the (Annexation) Agreement given the change or conditions and the needs within the New Tampa area,” Mandell wrote.

Goldstein says that there really isn’t anything Pasco can do until the City and K-Bar Ranch are ready to negotiate.

“The ball is in their court,” he says.

District 7 Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione says that she wants to see

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the roads connected, but that it will take cooperation on both sides.

“I’m glad that Pasco has opened the opportunity for discussions,” she explains.

“However, there’s a ‘give and take’ here. There’s a lot of money attached to that list (of requirements), but I want to move these discussions along.”

Heritage Isles Settles With Bondholders, Looks Toward Future the District could not

By Matt Wiley afford to make the After more than a decade of operatpayments on the golf ing its golf course while unable to make course, it never was in payments on the bonds that first built it, danger of closing. the Heritage Isles Community Develop“It would have alment District (CDD) has settled much of most been more exits looming debt with its creditors and is pensive to close the looking toward the future. course,” he says, exResidents of the community, located plaining that mainteoff Cross Creek Blvd., can breathe a little nance still would have easier knowing that they will not be held to be done on the accountable for the defaulted CDD debt. course since residents’ The District has been unable to make payhomes back up to it, ments since 2009. almost like a giant In a recent press release, the CDD backyard. notified residents about the retirement of As far as the fu82-percent of the golf course’s bonds, or ture is concerned, more than $3 million, that the District owed to bondholders, a group of individ- The Heritage Isles CDD is nearly out of debt after buying back the bonds from investors that originally helped to Hayford says that Heritage Isles residents can uals and institutions that took out bonds pay for the community’s 18-hole semi-private golf course and clubhouse in 1999. Photos: HeritageIslesGolf.com expect to see some to invest in the golf course. Facing legal positive changes in the action from the bondholders, who deHayford. “Having significantly reduced ers offered to sell their bonds back to the coming months, such as, possibly, a resurmanded that the District assess Heritage the debt that the District owes will allow District for 25 cents on the dollar, or faced pool, pool deck and parking lot, but Isles residents to pay for the outstanding us to start dealing with other issues in the about a 75-percent discount, eliminating that no plans have yet been finalized. debt, the CDD filed suit in Hillsborough District and providing additional services $3.115 million of the District’s debt. The “No decisions have yet been made,” County court to settle some of the debt for our residents.” remainder of the debt will be covered by he explains. “We’re still in the initial and to protect homeowners from having Originally, the Heritage Isles CDD revenue generated by the golf course and phases, but we should have some plans in to help make payments on the bonds. its accompanying restaurant, the Back bonded more than $8 million in 1999 to the next month or two. We have to find “The Board of Supervisors for the Nine Café. pay for the 18-hole semi-private golf out what residents want moving forward.”

District has labored for quite some time to course around which many of the com“The majority of residents undersettle the debt that was basically given to For more information about Herstand and are pleased (with the outmunity’s homes are built. them by the original developer,” says Heritage Isles Country Club, please visit come),” Hayford says.

The release says that the court ruled itage Isles CDD district manager Jim Hayford also explains that, although in Heritage Isles’ favor and the bondholdHeritageIslesGolf.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

A ‘Surreal’ Look At The Now-Open New Tampa Blvd. Gateway Bridge!

Reminiscing with Gary Nager For most people, the ribbon cutting held on February 27 may have been little or nothing more than just a new way to get from New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows to Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms “North.” But, for me, it was an almost surreal, truly life-changing event. Why? Well, with all apologies to anyone else who thinks they’ve been at this longer, I’m pretty sure I’m the only community “activist” still living and working in New Tampa who represented our area at the very first community meeting (in late 1994 or early 1995), between the long-running, very organized Lutz Civic Association and a group of disorganized New Tampa residents — some of whom had never even met before — to discuss the already-planned New Tampa East-West Connector Road (E-W Rd.) that had been on the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)’s Long-Range Transportation plan since the 1980s.

The 0.7-mile New Tampa Blvd.

“Gateway Bridge,” dedicated on Feb. 27 by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn always had been considered the “first leg” of that E-W Rd., even though the remaining 2+-mile segment connecting from the southwestern terminus of the bridge in front of Freedom High in Tampa Palms now may never be built (which, of course, we’ve reported on

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ad nauseum in the New Tampa Neighborhood News). To Mayor Buckhorn’s credit, he has been working for and, as he told me at the dedication, “voting for this” since 1999, when he and fellow former Tampa City Council member and former State Rep. Shawn Harrison held seats on the City Council together.

In addition to Mayor Buckhorn, New Tampa Chamber president Regina Ramalheira and Tampa Palms Owners Association (which is the original, or more southern, portion of Tampa Palms) president Bill Edwards (who has lived in this area longer than I have, but I don’t remember him attending that first Lutz-New Tampa meeting) talked about how much the bridge has been needed and how long all of those of us who don’t live in West Meadows or Tampa Palms North have been waiting for it to be built. We also were introduced at the dedication to City Council members Lisa Mon-

(Left) One of the spectacular views from atop the New Tampa Blvd. Gateway Bridge.

(Right) Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (with scissors), local residents and members of the Tampa City Council and New Tampa Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon on Feb. 27. telione (whose District 7 includes New Tampa) and citywide District 1 Council member Mike Suarez, as well as to members of the city staff and several others who made this much-needed bridge not only possible, but a reality.

But, for me, the thing that made the opening of the bridge so affecting is that I remember living in Hunter’s Green when the New Tampa Community Park, located less than a mile from the Tampa Palms end of the new bridge, opened. Both of my sons were practicing either soccer or football or AAU baseball in the park, always after school (meaning during rush hour), when it could often take me 40 minutes or more to get from my home in the Deer Creek subdivision to the Hunter’s Green main entrance, even though all I had to do was turn left on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., drive

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south less than two miles to turn right on Tampa Palms Blvd., turn right again on Commerce Park Blvd. and then turn left into the park.

Today, even in our usual rush hour traffic and without exceeding any posted speed limits, that trip would probably take less than 10 minutes, as I could now drive out the back entrance of Hunter’s Green, turn left on Cross Creek Blvd., drive only about a mile past where BBD meets Cross Creek Blvd. (which becomes New Tampa Blvd. west of BBD), go over the bridge and turn right into the park.

In other words, the New Tampa Blvd.

Bridge may not have opened in time to benefit me and my family, but I hope you and your family will get to reap the easierdrive benefits of the bridge. Now, I wish we could just get the rest of that E-W Rd. built!

Former State Rep. Provides A Primer On The State Legislative Session Guest column by Shawn Harrison The Florida Legislature is in session.

The Florida Constitution requires the state legislature to meet once per year for 60 days. The only constitutional requirement each year is the passage of a state budget.

Everything else that happens is just gravy, or spoiled milk, depending upon your viewpoint.

Like the Federal Congress, the State Legislature is divided into two houses. The Florida Senate is comprised of 40 Senators, representing roughly 600,000 people each, serving staggered 4-year terms. New Tampa is represented by Dist. 24 Sen. Tom Lee in the State Senate.

The State House is comprised of 120 members representing roughly 160,000 constituents each, while serving only twoyear terms that are not staggered. New Tampa is represented by Dist. 63 Rep. Mark Danish in the State House.

The good news for 2013 is that instead of the record $4-billion budget shortfall in 2011 and a $1 billion shortfall in 2012, it appears that there will actually be a small surplus in the State budget this year.

Painful cuts, which were a regular part of life in the past few years, are no longer necessary, thanks to the requirement in the Florida Constitution of a balanced state budget. If only the U.S. government had to balance its books annually, too!

In Florida, each House and the Gov-

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the budget, the ernor create their Florida Governor own budgets. So, can exercise a line the legislative sesitem veto and sion starts with strike certain exthree competing, penditures or and often very dicuts from the verse, budget probudget agreed to posals, with ideas by the House about where to cut and where to Former State Rep. Shawn Harrison says Gov. Rick and Senate. This increase spending, Scott (left) & state House Speaker Will Weatherford is not possible at what programs to may square off on “ObamaCare” during the 2013 the national level. grow and shrink, State legislative session, which is happening now. and what to do with any surplus often being quite differBattle Over ‘ObamaCare’ ent.

In 2013, the budget process will focus Each legislative chamber’s budget reon the state’s implementation of the Afflects the priorities of the leaders of that fordable Care Implementation Act, or chamber. The Senate President is Don “Obama Care,” as it is known. The Act reGaetz, from Okaloosa County in the panquires the expansion of Medicaid roles, and handle. The House Speaker is Will Weaththere is a battle brewing now in Tallahassee erford, from right here in Wesley Chapel. between the Governor and the House Both are Republicans, but each has his own about expanding the Medicaid program, set of priorities, as does Gov. Rick Scott. with Gov. Scott — despite his earlier promThe budget process takes all session and ise to never implement the Act — now faoften requires the extension of the session voring the idea, and the House, led by in what is called a “special session,” since Speaker Weatherford, against it. the Florida Constitution forbids the annual Look for this to be a hotly contested session from “exceeding 60 days.” issue as the session progresses. There is alAll other bills that pass the House and ways horse trading between the chambers Senate must be identical to each other, and on their priorities, so it is likely the Medimust either be signed by the Governor or caid problem will be a last minute negotiallowed to become law without his signaated agreement. ture. Gov. Scott can veto bills, just like the Other bills that have garnered attenU.S. President, although when it comes to tion so far are elections reform and ethics

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reform. Multiple bills have been filed on these topics, but they are priorities for both chambers and for the Governor, so passage of both reforms are likely.

And, in addition to the priorities of the House and Senate leaders, members also may file their own bills. In the Senate, each Senator can file an unlimited number of bills. In the House, each member gets only six, so House members must be cautious about the bills they file, and often you can tell much about the priorities of House members by the bills they file. It’s hard to pass a bill in the Florida Legislature, and even more rare to get identical bills passed by the House and Senate and then signed by the Governor. In 2012 there were 2,052 bills filed in the legislature, and only 280 that actually became law.

Depending upon your point of view, that may be a good or bad thing.

Former Dist. 60 State Rep. Shawn Harrison served as the chairman of the Tampa Palms Community Development District (1996-98), on the Tampa City Council (1999-2007) and the Florida House (2010-12). He was a shareholder in the Tampa firm of Wetherington, Hamilton, & Harrison, P.A., but now practices in the areas of commercial litigation, health care law and government relations at Shawn Harrison Associates (1010 N. Florida Ave.). For additional information, call 337-6683 or visit ShawnHarrisonAssociates.com.

N EW T AMPA Morning Crash Closes I-75 For 12 Hours

News Briefs

southbound I-75 lane just north of the S.R. 56 interchange when it struck a crash attenuator (guardrail) with its right side, If it seems you received less “junk” causing the trailer to jackknife. mail than usual last week, it could be due The FHP report says that a dump to an early morning crash involving a truck driven by Manuel Francisco Ropostal truck on I-75 at S.R. 56 that driguez, 42, of Land O’ Lakes, was travelerupted into flames on March 21. ing behind the tractor-trailer and could According to the Florida Highway not avoid a collision and struck the trailer.

Patrol (FHP), at about 6:30 a.m. on Both drivers escaped before the tractorMarch 21, a tractor-trailer driven by Mark Berrier, 55, of Macclenny, FL, which was trailer erupted into flames, snarling traffic carrying mail (mostly magazines and adfor hours. vertisements) was traveling in the outer FHP reports that all southbound I75 lanes were closed between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56 until one lane opened at about 5:30 p.m. the same day (although all of the lanes were not reopened until close to midnight).

Motorists were forced to seek alternate routes for the remainder of the day, as the I-75 lanes could not be The remnants of the tractor-trailer involved in the March 21 accident.that shut down I-75 at the S.R. 56 exit for more than 12 hours. reopened until significant asphalt Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported. Photo: FHP

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damage caused by the crash and fire could be repaired. No injuries were reported.

2 Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Occur Within A Few Hours It’s always important to keep an extra eye out for motorcylces and to be especially cautious while riding one, as two fatal motorcycle accidents in our area on March 16 go to demonstrate yet again.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 56-year-old James Henry Barrow of Tampa was traveling northbound on Morris Bridge Rd. near Mandrake Rd. (east of Wesley Chapel), on his 2004 HD Electra Glide motorcycle, just after noon on March 16.

The FHP report says that, for unknown reasons, Barrow was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway. He drove off the east side of the road and overturned in a ditch. Barrow, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries at the scene. Alcohol reportedly was not a factor in the crash.

Just a few hours later, in Tampa Palms, there was another fatal motorcycle accident, this one involving another vehicle. According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), 26-year-old Gregory Joseph Ashpaugh, of New Tampa, was riding his 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle on Commerce Palms Dr. towards Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. around 6:30 p.m.

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TPD reports that, at the same time, 23-year-old Rossi C. Lopez, also of New Tampa, was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Commerce Palms Dr. and Compton Dr. in her 2008 Pontiac G6. Although Ashpaugh had the right-ofway, Lopez did not see the motorcycle approaching the intersection and collided with the left side of Lopez’s Pontiac. Ashpaugh was ejected from his motorcycle and flew through the driver’s side rear window of the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez received a citation for failing to yield to right-of-way at a stop sign.

Lin Sentenced To 40 Years Just weeks after a jury found him guilty of beating his wife (a New Tampa business owner) to death, a Lutz man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

According to Hillsborough County court records, Chunping Lin, 46, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder and battery on March 8 in Hillsborough County court. He will, however, receive 654 days in jail credit for time served, as he has been in the Hillsborough County jail since he was arrested at a neighbor’s home on May 25, 2011, five days following the incident.

Also recommended by the jury was placement in a facility that can address his substance abuse issues, specifically alcohol, which played a part in the fatal beating of

Lin’s wife, 43-year-old Lixin Tian, who owned the Joy of Tokyo restaurant that used to be located in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Upon release, records state, Lin still will face five years of probation.

Hess Leaving Gas Game, Selling Retail Locations Hess gas stations are still a staple stop on morning commutes for many New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents, despite a recent announcement of Hess’ departure from the retail market.

In a letter to investors dated March 4 from chairman and chief executive officer John B. Hess, the Hess Corporation announced some significant changes in the company’s structure, the “culmination of

its multi-year strategic transformation into a pure play exploration and production company.”

As part of the transformation, Hess announced that it will be “fully exiting the company’s downstream businesses, including retail (gas stations), energy marketing and energy trading.”

Currently, there are three Hess locations in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., including the Oak Ramble shopping plaza (just south of Tampa Palms), in front of Steak N’ Shake in North Palms Village and at the intersection of BBD and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel. However, these stores, nor any of the 1,357 others in 16 states in the eastern U.S. will actually be closing.

“We have absolutely no plans to close any of our retail stores,” says a spokesman for the company. Instead, as part of its divesture from the retail market, Hess will be selling its white and green gas stations, although a buyer (or buyers) has not yet been announced.

“The process is still in the early stages,” the spokesman says. “It’s going to take some time. Until then, it’s business as usual at all of our locations. We believe the brand is strong and that it will last long into the future.”

And, that also goes for the classic Hess toy trucks, as well, which have been a Christmas favorite since 1964. — MW

Swiftmud Tightens Water Restrictions Despite the rain that usually accompanies winter’s cold fronts, annual rainfall in our area still is well below normal levels. Due to the lack of precipitation, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (aka Swiftmud) has increased its water restrictions across Tampa Bay — New Tampa and Wesley Chapel included.

According to a February 26 press release from Swiftmud, the water management district’s governing board voted to increase existing water restrictions for Tampa Bay, due to the lack of rainfall in January. The release says that our region’s rainfall currently is 3.5 inches below normal. Due to the lack of rain, Phase III water restrictions went into effect on March 13.

“For the last several months, we’ve watched the conditions decline,” said Paul Senft, chairman of Swiftmud’s governing board, in the release. “If we do not receive significant rainfall in the coming months, we may have to extend these restrictions into other areas of the District.”

These restrictions, which affect Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, will stay in effect until the end of July. Phase III water restrictions limit lawn watering to once per week, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., on the specific day, determined by address. However, hand watering of shrubbery or plants can be done

any day, as long as it is done between the specified hours. In addition, homeowners associations must suspend any requirement to replace lawns, pressure wash or engage in activities that increase water use during this water shortage declaration.

“The order supersedes deed restrictions,” says Maggie Wilson of the Tampa Palms Community Development District (CDD) and Sanctuary at Tampa Palms Home Owner’s Association. “If you’ve been taking care of your lawn, it shouldn’t really be affected.”

Car washing also is limited to once per week under the new restrictions and decorative fountains may only be used for four hours per day.

According to the release, the increased restrictions come not only because of a lack of rainfall, but also because Tampa Bay Water (TBW), which supplies the water for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County water utilities, as well as for the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey, is relying on its desalination plant and regional wellfields as its main water supply while its C.W. Bill Young Reservoir undergoes a renovation.

For more info, including a chart explaining which days are acceptable for lawn watering by address, please visit SWFWMD.State.FL.US and click on “Water Restrictions.” — MW

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

13

Pasco MPO Considers Elevated Lanes Along S.R. 54/56 Corridor

By Matt Wiley As Wesley Chapel and the rest of Pasco County continues to grow and more vehicles travel area roads on a daily basis, more roadways will be needed to handle the larger volume of people traveling throughout the county, specifically east and west between New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel along the S.R. 54/56 corridor.

On February 14, the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) heard the results of a transportation study that examined the possibilities for creating mass transit lines along the nearly 28-mile S.R. 54/56 corridor between U.S. 19 in New Port Richey and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Among the options considered in the study are elevated lanes that would be reserved for toll lanes, express buses or a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which is similar to a light rail system.

The S.R. 54/56 corridor is a key arterial in the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA)’s Regional Transportation 2050 Master Plan. According to the TBARTA website, the plan was adopted in 2009 and includes future “priority projects” that connect regional transit for the seven counties in West Central Florida (Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Mana-

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tee and Sarasota). The S.R. 54/56 corridor is the only “priority project” that remains solely in one county.

Mike Coleman, a representative and engineer from Jacksonville-based RS & H, Inc., which conducted the study, presented several “feasible alternatives,” including toll lanes at “grade” — meaning at the same elevation as the existing roadway — as well as elevated bus and toll lanes. Since the widening of the S.R. 54/56 corridor is capped at six lanes, Coleman presented elevated lanes as seemingly the only alternative, but with several options, none of which would be inexpensive to construct.

“In order to get (the project) built, it will take private funding,” said Pasco County Board of County Commissioners chairman Ted Schrader. The project could cost as much as $2 billion.

Coleman explained that the study examined several elevated alternatives, with tolls set at $0.14-per mile and $0.21-per mile, with either two or four elevated toll lanes in the median or on the shoulder of the corridor. Traveling the length of the corridor would cost drivers around $5 in each direction. There also is the option for an express bus to operate in one of the lanes in each direction.

Several Board members joked that they would gladly spend the $5 to get to New Port Richey from the eastern part of

A conceptual design of what elevated lanes could like in the median of the S.R. 54/56 corridor between U.S. 19 in New Port Richey & BBD Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Source: TBARTA

the county, rather than having to mess with all the stoplights along the corridor.

The study estimated that by 2035, if built, the S.R. 54/56 corridor could generate as much as $50 million per year in tolls, which, Coleman said, “is very attractive to private investors.”

Pasco planning and growth management administrator Richard Gehring explained that the Orlando area is being looked at as a model. “(Orlando) is way ahead with their use of toll roads,” Gehring said. “All this attention to managed lanes is really important.”

Coleman explained that a similar project was constructed along I-95 in Broward County, which saves drivers an estimated 20-25 minutes in drive time, as well as providing traffic congestion relief.

District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano expressed funding concerns, which

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Schrader quickly addressed.

“Private capital firms have money in the hundreds of billions of dollars,” he explained. “These firms are looking for projects to invest in.”

Schrader stressed that moving forward, it is important to make clear that the taxpayers would not foot the bill for the project and that it would have to be constructed with either a P3 (public, private partnership) or completely through private funds.

“As long as we keep working our data, we’ll have more detailed information coming (to the MPO) in the future,” Gehring said. “Because it has the private funding option, (the project) seems more probable.”

For more information, and to see the TBARTA Master Plan, please visit TBARTA.com.

Porters Again Rejected In Bid To Manage The ‘Fields At Wiregrass’

By Matt Wiley After receiving design and operations proposals from nine different companies for the planned “Fields at Wiregrass” sports complex in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), Pasco officials have made their recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for which company should operate the facility.

Of the two operations proposals, the county’s purchasing department has recommended a proposal from Blue Marble Strategic, LLC. The second proposal came from a group that included Wiregrass Sports, LLC, better known as the Porter family, who also donated the 200 acres of land for the project inside the 5,000-acre DRI. Originally, the Porters were going to both build and manage the facility, but negotiations between the family and the county fell apart late last year.

“It is important to note that Wiregrass Sports, LLC, recently terminated negotiations with the county for nearly the same scope under a previous solicitation,” wrote Pasco director of purchasing Scott Stromer in a memo to the BOCC.

Stromer explained that the terms that were attached to the latest “Fields” operations solicitation were very similar to the terms upon which the Porters previously could not come to an agreement with the county.

“The Purchasing Department is very concerned about the precedent that may be established by allowing an offeror to terminate negotiations, which resulted from a formal competitive process, only to have that same firm submit a similar proposal in response to a new solicitation for similar services,” the memo states.

Stromer recommends in the memo that Pasco County administrator John Gallagher should meet with Tampa-based Blue Marble Strategic, LLC, and that the reviewing of design proposals be suspended until the operations proposal from Blue Marble can be fully evaluated.

The window for submitting proposals for both the design and operations of the sports complex closed on February 15. In addition to the two operations proposals, Pasco County received seven proposals for the design of the project, which will be built with $14 million in county tourism funds.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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A Year Later, St. James UMC Opens New Sanctuary In Time For Easter

By Matt Wiley Since March of last year, the sights and sounds of change have been present at St. James United Methodist Church (UMC) in Tampa Palms. Now, after a year of construction, the new sanctuary at the church has opened its doors, just in time for one of its biggest services of the year, Easter Sunday.

In celebration of the completion of the project, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held before each service on March 17 at the church, located off of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., to showcase the $1.2-million expanded sanctuary, lobby and two new classrooms. The expansion was funded almost soley by congregation donations.

“We had a great turnout,” says St. James Pastor Steve Ezra. “There was a very positive response from the congregation. After a year of construction, it’s nice to see a new view.”

More than 760 church members and visitors alike turned out for the ribbonPasto Steve Ezra (standing) is proud to finally have the new sanctuary open at St. James cutting ceremonies that took place before United Methodist Church on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms. Photo: St. James all three services on March 17. Pastor Ezra notes that the back wall of the sanctuary that the church should finally have room had such large turnouts that worshippers was nothing but plywood for months. for a large Easter attendance this year, alhave had to watch the service from over“To see the project become a reality is though that number was not available at flow areas across the church’s campus, a beautiful thing,” he says. our press time. In year’s past, he says that such as in classrooms.

After 26 years of services, Ezra says Easter services — Christmas, too — have This year, after a 4,000-sq.-ft. build-

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out, even if there is not enough room in the pews, there still will be room for more seats in the lobby, which also is equipped with TV monitors, so worshippers can still see the service inside the same building as everyone else.

“We always seem to have a good crowd for those services,” Ezra says. “This newly remodeled sanctuary is a sign of health and growth for the church.”

For more information about St. James UMC, visit StJamesTampa.org, stop by the church, located at 16202 BBD Blvd., next to Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 20, or call 971-4790.

New Tampa Relay For Life Almost Here If it’s spring, then it must be Relay For Life season, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life of New Tampa is fast approaching. The New Tampa Relay is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at Freedom High in Tampa Palms. It’s time to lace up those walking shoes and support the ACS in its battle to find a cure for the deadly disease that affects more than one million new patients each year.

ACS community representative Michelle Rossi says that the New Tampa Relay organizers’ goal this year is to raise more than $125,000, which would surpass last year’s impressive $115,000.

So far, Rossi says more than $12,000 already has been raised and there are 37 teams confirmed as participants. Rossi says she expects at least another 20 teams to register before the event. Last year, a total of close to 1,000 people came out to support the New Tampa Relay.

Considering that cancer will touch almost everyone, whether they get it themselves or have a family member or friend stricken with it, we hope you’ll again support the New Tampa Relay.

To donate, participate or register a team, visit RelayForLife.org and search “New Tampa” or zip code 33647. — MW

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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N EW T AMPA

Community Calendar

MOMS MOMS Club ClubOf OfNew NewTampa Tampa

The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of New Tampa is currently open to new members in the New Tampa area. The MOMS Club offers a variety of daytime activities of mothers and their children, opportunities for Mom’s Night Out and many more benefits.

For more information, or to join the club, email MOMsClubNewTampa _ southeast@yahoo.com.

‘WeWork’ At LifePoint

Monday, April 1, 7 p.m. - “WeWork,” which meets Mondays at LifePoint Church (8702 Hunter’s Lake Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., or BBD, in front of Hunter’s Green), is designed to help you search for jobs, improve interview skills, write a resume, negotiate a job offer, improve your attitude, develop networking skills or discover your gifts.

For more info, call 907-9818, or visit LifePoint.tv/WeWork.

New Tampa Tri Club

Tuesday, April 2, 7:30 a.m. - A new local club has formed for the fitness-minded.

Membership is open to runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes across the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. All members receive club benefits, including a training schedule, group support, seminars and socials. The club hosts group bike rides/runs at the 13330 Morris Bridge Rd. entrance to Flatwoods Wilderness Park every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m., and a group run from Kona Multisport (previously, the “Ironman Store,” in the same plaza as Sweetbay & LA Fitness at BBD/County Line Rd.), at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays.

For more information, join the Facebook group or e-mail NewTampa TriClub@gmail.com.

BNI Millionaire Makers

Wednesday, April 3, 7:15 a.m. - The BNI Millionaire Makers chapter meets every Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr., off BBD Blvd.).

The $13 meeting fee includes a hot breakfast. Contact Lisa Jordan at 621-6015 for more details.

Business Networking Int’l

Wednesday, April 3, 7:30 a.m. BNI, a group of business professionals dedicated to helping their respective businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wednesday morning at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (18630 Plantation Bay Dr., off Morris Bridge Rd.).

For more information, call Ed Gleason at 299-4475.

New Tampa Noon Rotary

Wednesday, April 3, noon - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets every Wed. for lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). Guests are always welcome.

New Tampa Eve. Rotary 18

Wednesday, April 3, 6:15 p.m. - The New Tampa Evening Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at Hunter’s Green Country Club. New members are always welcome.

For info, call Liz DeAmbrose at 9566487 or email homenet@gte.net.

Tampa Toastmasters

Wednesday, April 3, 7 p.m. - Great speeches & great topics. Come hone your public speaking skills. Tampa Toastmasters meets every Wednesday at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.) New guests always welcome.

For more info, call 428-6356.

Free ESL Classes

Thursday, April 4, 10:30 a.m. - A FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) class is meeting at Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church (19911 BBD) on Thursday mornings. There is no charge to attend. The classes also discuss American culture and English idioms and slang. Come practice your conversational English and make new friends in a fun and relaxed environment!

For more information, call the church office at 973-2484.

Food Addicts In Recovery

Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m. - Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat?

Are you underweight or overweight or obsessed with weight or dieting? You are not alone. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a support group without any dues, fees or weigh-ins and is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experiences and mutual support, are recovering from the disease of food addiction. FA meets at Florida Hospital Tampa (on BBD) in the Camelot A room.

For more info, visit FoodAddicts. org or call Roz at 355-4197.

New Tampa Dog Pack

Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m. - Have a dog? Enjoy scenic nature walks? Join the New Tampa Dog Pack on Saturday mornings at Flatwoods Park (18205 BBD). There is the option for a two- or four-mile walk with watering stations along the way.

For more info, please visit MeetUp.com/New-Tampa-Dog-Pack.

Zen Meditation Group

Sunday, April 7, 10 a.m. - Enjoy meditation? Looking for a new way to relax?

Check out the FREE Zen Meditation Group that meets Sundays in the Arbor Greene Community Center (18000 Arbor Greene Dr., off Cross Creek Blvd.) Aerobics Room. All faiths are welcome. You only need an interest in meditation and a more peaceful and relaxed mind and life.

For more information, call Jeremy at 528-6285.

MADD Workshop At Wharton High

Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. Wharton High (20150 BBD Blvd.) will be hosting a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) “Power of Parents” workship in the school’s auditorium to educate parents about different ways to talk to their kids about the dangers of drugs. Door prizes will be given away For more info, please call Mrs. Sharon Hall at 935-2676.

Northeast Tampa Women In Business Meeting Thursday, April 11, 6 p.m. - The

CBC Networking

Thursday, April 4, 7:45 p.m. - Come together with like-minded professionals at the Christian Business Connections (CBC) Networking group, which meets every Thursday at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (located at 5338 Primrose Lake Cir., near the New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms). Call Annete Faurote at 407-9225 for more info.

New Tampa Rotary Club

Friday, April 5, 7 a.m. - The New Tampa Rotary club meets at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). Ron Jarabak will be speaking about the history and status of the United Service Organization (USO) in Tampa.

For more info, call Eric Longphee at 202-1105.

Hunter’s Green Trash & Treasure Sale

Saturday, April 6, 7:30 a.m. Hunter’s Green is hosting its annual Trash & Treasure yard sale at Hunter’s Green Park (9400 Highland Oak Dr.).

For info, please call 991-4818.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Northeast Tampa Women in Business group meets the second Thursday of each month at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). This month’s speaker is Michelle Phillips, author of “The Beauty Blueprint.”

For more information, visit NETWIB.org or call 843-2354.

St. Mark’s Garage Sale

Saturday, April 20, 8 a.m. - St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church (9724 Cross Creek Blvd.) is hosting its bi-annual garage sale. Spaces are available for $30 and tables for $15. Proceeds benefit the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital.

For reservations, please email WFink2@Verizon.net.

Knights Of Columbus Chicken Wing Dinner

Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. - The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their inaugural “chicken wing night” at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church (9724 Cross Creek Blvd.). Dinners cost start at $8 for adults and $5 for children and include fries, coleslaw and choice of sauce.

For info, call 907-7746.

Community Calendar items in the New Tampa Neighborhood News are printed free of charge.

Submit info & photos (in any digital format) to: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, Attn: Matt Wiley

Vocalist Contest For Wiregrass Relay Do ou think you have what it takes to be the next big singing star? Well, here’s your chance to put your money where your voice is. Actually, you don’t even have to because “The Next Great Singer” contest, sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life of Wiregrass — which previously had a $25 entrance fee — is FREE to enter this year, thanks to our generous friends at Milorian Studios.

The Next Great Singer is a webbased talent search that previously has propelled contestants onto professional singing careers and network television ap-

pearances. The contest is open to anyone 13+ and anyone wishing to enter only has to fill out the entry form at TheNextGreatSinger.com and submit a video vocal performance. Entries will be accepted until Friday, April 5. The finals will be held on Sunday, April 21, at Quail Hollow Country Club, located at 6225 Old Pasco Rd. in Wesley Chapel and will be staged similarly to the popular “talent search” shows on TV. Tickets for that event will cost $10 and will benefit the ACS Relay For Life of Wiregrass.

For additional information, visit TheNextGreatSinger.com. — MW

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 15310 Amberly Dr., Suite 250 Tampa, FL 33647 Information: (813) 293-2464 Fax: (813) 388-4408

Website: NewTampaChamber.Org

2012-13 Board of Directors President-Regina Ramalheira Board Members: VP-Neil Heird Treas-Karen Hilton Secy-John Lore

‘Working To Improve The Quality Of Life In New Tampa!’

Non-Officers: Dr. Rachel Haviland Mark Lange Dr. Earl Meyer

Executive Assistant: Jayne Baker

Thanks Again To All Of Our 2013 Taste Of New TampaTM Sponsors!

The Board of Directors of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce would like to thank this year’s major Taste of New TampaTM sponsors. The Board appreciates all of the 40+ businesses who donated money to benefit the Chamber and its selected nonprofit Taste proceeds recipients, but we also felt that each of the following major sponsors deserved additional recognition for their efforts on our behalf.

$2,500-$4,999 Sponsors!

Primrose School of Tampa Palms - Located at 5307 Primrose Lake Cir., the Primrose School of Tampa Palms (9754000) receives special recognition for also allowing the Chamber to host this year’s Taste at the adjacent Primrose Park. Owners Richard & Jana Radtke also own the Primrose School of Cross Creek (10301 Cross Creek Blvd., 994-6800).

the new Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (2600 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., 929-5000) continue to support and even host as many community events as possible.

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A. — This communityoriented attorney, located at 2521 Windguard Cir., Wesley Chapel (929-7300) specializes in Personal Injury and Unlawful Death cases, as well as Insurance Disputes, Wills & Trusts, Bankruptcies and Family Law. BB&T Bank With a new branch now open in the former Krispy Kreme Donuts location on BBD (17502 Dona Michelle Dr., 371-5891) and an existing branch on S.R. 56 (26644 Silver Maple Pkwy., 907-2010) in Wesley Chapel, BB&T is the self-proclaimed “Best Bank in Town” that definitely has our area covered!

$1,500 Sponsors!

Mini of Wesley Chapel - Located at 26645 S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel , this beautiful Mini (aka, Mini Cooper) dealership sells beautiful performance cars and also has outstanding used cars, service and parts. Call (877) 569-0786 or (877) 569-0786 for service.

Tampa Bay Lightning Our local NHL franchise may be in a struggle for a 2012-13 playoff spot, but the team always puts on a great show for its rabid fans. To purchase Tampa Bay Lightning tickets, visit Lightning.NHL.com.

$500 Sponsors!

New Tampa Family YMCA - 16221 Compton Dr., Tampa Palms.

866-9622

Florida Hospital Tampa & Wesley Chapel - Also providing bottled water for this year’s Taste, Florida Hospital Tampa (3100 E. Fletcher Ave., 971-6000) and

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Regina Ramalheira, RE/MAX – First In Real Estate - 17010 Palm Pointe Dr., 245-8893 Sign-ARama New Tampa - 1821 BBD Blvd., Wesley Chapel. 994-0101 We Love Logos - 29446 S.R. 54., Wesley Chapel. 391-6163 Standard Pacific Homes - in Live Oak Preserve, Tampa Palms, Watergrass, Seven Oaks and Meadow Pointe.

Visit StandardPacificHomes.com.

Pebble Creek Golf Club 10550 Regents Park Dr. 973-3870

For more info & a complete list of upcoming New Tampa Chamber of Commerce events, visit NewTampaChamber.org.

Grace Episcopal Church Walks The Line, Keeps The Faith For All Ages

By Matt Wiley A view of nature isn’t something that usually comes to mind when thinking about a church sanctuary. More than likely, what comes to mind instead are long, wooden pews and a cross above an altar. However, nestled in the trees in Tampa Palms at the intersection of Tampa Palms Blvd. and Amberly Dr., Grace Episcopal Church’s sanctuary looks out at New Tampa’s natural beauty and is no ordinary house of worship.

Since 1992, Grace Episcopal has been walking the line, blending several Christian worship traditions to accomplish the church’s mission statement, “a Christian community of people who live a life of worship, friendship, commitment and love by learning and sharing to develop a responsive way of living together that honors God.” The Reverend Canon Benjamin B. Twinamaani (also known as “Father Ben”), who has been leading the worship at the church for eight years, explains that what sets Grace apart from other churches in the area is the style of worship that defines the Episcopal faith.

“If you take the Baptist, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions and blend them together, that’s us,” says

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Father Ben. “We are in the middle of all of those traditions. That’s our niche.”

Grace is one of just 64 Episcopal parishes and missions in the state of Florida, according to the latest numbers from the Episcopal Church’s official website, EpiscopalChurch.org. The site says that there are more than 120,000 active and baptized Episcopalians in the state. “(Our style) is perfect for those who didn’t want to convert to their spouse’s religious tradition when they got married, like people who have married Roman Catholic/Protestant or vice versa,” says Father Ben. “They find their home here.

Most of my couples are like that.”

Originally from Uganda in central Africa, Father Ben says that he traveled to the U.S. to study higher education at the University of South Florida (USF). He explains that, like him, many travel from countries in Africa to the U.S. because of the large number of universities throughout the nation. He says that, in many African countries, there sometimes only is one university in the entire country.

Since starting at Grace eight years ago, Father Ben says that he has been working toward accomplishing his vision for the church: to connect the Baby Boomers, those aged 45-60, and the “millennials” — or those aged 13-30.

“It’s tough to do,” he admits.

Being a home of blended traditions, Father Ben says that Grace does have a surprising number of young families, many of whom are still raising their kids. Whether they are in pre-K or in their high school years, he says that 25 percent of Grace’s congregation is made up of kids under the age of 18.

“We are a ‘chapel of ease,’” Father Ben explains. “We have a nursery for the little ones on Sunday during services, the Father Ben Twinamaani invites you to check out a older kids have youth service at Grace Episcopal Church in Tampa Palms. group on Sunday or can development, risk-taking mission and play an instrument in the band. And, the service and extravagant generosity.”

Baby Boomers still can find their tradiLast year, thanks to a generous donational service here.” tion from a family from St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School, Grace supported three ‘Growing In Grace’ missions in Uganda, including donating To help the church grow and attract $2,000 to the Church of Uganda Alternanew members, Father Ben says that in tive Tunes Rukiga Hymnal Project, which 2013, Grace will focus on Bishop Robert works to transfer hand-written church Schnase’s “Five Practices of Growing in music sheets into a published master copy; Grace,” which includes “radical hospital$5,000 to the Ekoko Enkulu Project, to ity, passionate worship, intentional faith

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Speaking Of ‘Kids’…

Grace Episcopal Church is set against the trees off of Amberly Dr. and Tampa Palms Blvd. in Tampa Palms. help start a chicken coup for an orphanage in Torero, Uganda; and $1,000 to the Our Orphans Uganda Ministry for food and help develop an orphanage in Kamuli, Uganda,.

Father Ben also will actually take a team of his parishioners to Uganda later this summer, once a recent shoulder injury heals. He says that he previously took a team about five years ago and helped finish building a sanctuary in a small village. The villagers had run out of materials and needed metal frames and steel beams, so the group from Grace bought them the materials so they could finish it.

The kids also like leading worship services every fourth Sunday. Father Ben says that the youth group of parishioners under the age of 18, are in charge of the entire service. The youngsters also enjoy other activities, such as “Lock-Ins,” in which the kids stay at the church all night watching movies and playing games, and even take trips to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando via a congregation-member’s Winnebago, and Rock the Universe, the annual Christian music event at Universal Studios.

“The kids feel like it’s their church and invite their friends,” says Father Ben. “Sometimes they do skits before the serv-

ices begin. They’ve even used the movie ‘Avatar’ as a model, saying ‘my avatar is at church, but I’m somewhere else.’ They showed that they have to make a choice, like maybe sending their avatar to something fun and going to church instead. It blew the congregation’s mind. The skits let me know that the kids are learning.”

Grace Episcopal Church, located at 15102 Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms, holds services each Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., but also has a number of other ministries available.

For more information, please visit GraceNewTampa.com or call 9718484. Visitors are always welcome to attend services at Grace.

“We went to see what the money did,” Father Ben explains. “The sanctuary now holds 2,000 people in its services.

We usually only have around 200 at Grace. Now, there’s a school that needs help. The building has been there since 1960, made of wood and mud. Right now, we’re raising money for that trip.”

He says that to culminate the trip, the group goes on a safari in one of Uganda’s national parks.

“We’re working on our outreach, both national and international,” says Father Ben. “We’re no longer being internal. The kids like that.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

23

Dr. Luz Hernandez: Keeping New Tampa Residents Smiling Brightly

By Bonnie Mason When resident Bahman Falsafy had a problem with his tooth, he knew he could count on his dentist, Luz Hernandez, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) to take care of him. Bahman says, “Dr. Hernandez is an exceptional dentist. She is very thorough and takes her time. And, if I have an issue, her staff makes sure I get an appointment that is convenient for me.”

Headds that all of the staff at Dr. Hernandez’s Dental Arts Center, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park Blvd., are very friendly and accommodating.

Dr. Hernandez has been helping New Tampa residents smile for nearly four years, since the summer of 2009, when she opened her general and cosmetic dentistry practice.

She grew up in Pereira, Colombia, where her parents and other family members insisted she would be a doctor — something she says did not really interest her much. She moved to the U.S. when she was a teenager. It took some exploration, including a year of teaching high school science, before she found her passion — dentistry.

Dr. Hernandez attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony

24

Brook, where she did volunteer work at the SUNY dental school, helping with periodontal disease research. She obtained both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor in Arts degrees in Biochemistry and Spanish language and literature prior to completing her DDS degree at the SUNY School of Dental Medicine.

After practicing dentistry for a few years in New York, Dr. Hernandez moved to Tampa in 2006, to be closer to her parents. She lives in Tampa Palms with her eight-year-old son Adam and six-year-old daughter Nina.

State-of-the-Art Dentistry Tara Moore, the practice manager at the Dental Arts Center, is the first to greet patients as they enter the elegantly decorated and spa-like lobby. Tara says, “We like to make sure our patients are comfortable for their appointments. A visit to the dentist can be stressful, so we try to ease that stress with a calming environment.”

In addition to the pleasant interior and soothing atmosphere, the Dental Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility, featuring electronic scheduling and dental records, massaging chairs and low-radiation, digital X-rays. The Center offers cosmetic dentistry procedures and services, such as veneers and teeth whitening, as

well as restorations, such as crowns and bridgework.

Whether a patient is there for a general cleaning, to have a cavity filled, or bridgework, they can expect a clear understanding of Dr. Hernandez’s diagnosis and recommended treatment plan.

Tara says it’s Dr. Luz Hernandez of the Dental Arts Center in Tampa Palms, examoften easier to ines a patient’s tooth using some of state-of-the-art technology that her understand dental office utilizes. Photo: Bonnie Mason through picShe adds, “And, although we are an tures when hearing dental or medical environmentally conscious, ‘green’ office, terms. we do send our patients home with copies “Our patients can expect to see a of their pictures in addition to their treatclear picture – literally,” Tara says. “Using the latest technology, we take internal and ment plan, if they so desire.”

Dental assistant Aliza Ayrez, when external pictures and X-rays of a patient’s mouth or problem area which enables the not caring for patients and assisting Dr. Hernandez, meticulously cleans and sterilpatient to see, chair-side, what Dr. Herizes the dental equipment in the office nandez is explaining. We have great techusing an advanced sterilization unit. nology and we use it.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

of the masticatory system,” she says.

“Teeth are but one part of the masticatory system. If the teeth are not in equilibrium with all of the other parts of the total system, something is likely to break down. My first year and a half in dental school were spent both at the dental and the medical school. For those first 18 months, (L. to r.) Dental assisitant Aliza Ayrez, Dr. Luz Hernandez and practice manager Tara Moore, the staff of Dental Arts Center, lo- the dental school cated in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park students attended Blvd. Photo: Bonnie Mason all of the same classes and took More Than ‘Just’ A Dentist the same exams along with the medical “Many people don't realize how school students.” closely related oral dental health is to total Dr. Hernandez advises everyone, inwell being," says Dr. Hernandez. “Alcluding her patients, to never let a dentist though, I will say that over the last year, I tell you that it is okay for a sealant, filling, have seen a change in this perception.” crown, bridge, etc., to feel high or unShe adds that even though dentistry is focomfortable, or that you will get used to cused on the patient’s mouth, it actually is it. She explains, “This is not true...you still a medical specialty. will not get used to it. Your masticatory “As a dentist, I feel I am a physician system, your TMJ (temporomandibular

joint), will accommodate to compensate for the lack of equilibrium and something else will break. Hence, my goal is to deliver and help my patients maintain optimal oral health, anatomic and functional harmony, and natural aesthetics.”

Another service that differentiates Dr. Hernandez from other dentists are the routine head and neck/oral cancer screenings that she performs at least annually on every one of her patients.

“Most of my patients think it is a head and neck massage the first time I do it!,” says Dr. Hernandez.

She notes that most of her patients have not had a screening prior to becom-

ing her patient. Having a passion for her profession and for teaching, it comes naturally to her that every patient is entitled to a complete examination. Dr. Hernandez says she hopes to inspire her patients to create and/or maintain positive, life-long habits regarding their own oral health.

She says, “Being able help someone smile with confidence gives me a satisfaction that is hard to explain in words.”

The Dental Arts Center is located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center at 17427 Bridge Hill Court, Suite A. To schedule an appointment with Luz Hernandez, DDS, call 903-8888 or visit her website at LuzHdds.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

27

Top-Producing Realtor Lessie Reyes Comes Highly Recommended

By Camille Gillies The hands on the clock aren’t the only things moving ahead this spring, as the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel real estate markets continue to gather steam.

Area real estate professionals report a significant surge in home sales and traffic, with some Realtors, such as Lessie Reyes, of Michael Green & Associates - Keller Williams Realty, getting multiple offers on residential listings in the New Tampa area.

“I sold a property in Hunter’s Green in just two days,” she announces, shaking her head in wonder. “It got five offers the day I listed it.”

Lessie, who launched her real estate career in 2007, describes the current market as “crazy,” which is how some people might have viewed her decision to leave a successful career in information technology to transition to a real estate industry that was about to implode at that time.

However, Lessie says she has no regrets and boasts an average of $4 million in sales each year. If fact, in the supposedly depressed 2010 market, she sold $8 million worth of property, including at least eight homes in the Cory Lake Isles community on Cross Creek Blvd.

“To be successful in real estate, you have to have a passion to help people and love your work,” Lessie says, explaining

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her success as one of the top-producing agents in the Tampa Bay area. “I enjoy it because I get to meet so many people. As an IT (information technology) administrator, I worked in an office and had the same team all the time.”

Before making the switch to real estate, Lessie was a systems analyst and data base administrator for CACI Marketing Systems /ESRI Business Information Solutions in Washington, DC. She says that teamwork is essential in real estate, when so many parties play a role in closing a deal.

“Because I’m a team player and I have a good attitude, I can bring a transaction to a successful close,” she says.

Lessie stresses that her background in IT also comes in handy when she is analyzing “comps,” also known as “comparable home statistics,” and marketing a home on the internet, noting, “I can market a listing where today’s buyers will see it. Today, 95 percent of real estate marketing is done on the internet and I am computer savvy, so I can get my client’s property the visibility it needs. Keller Williams also has a great website.”

Lessie, who has been with Keller Williams Realty for two years, is a listing specialist working for the luxury residence team at Michael Green & Associates in Green’s South Tampa office. The firm

Lessie Reyes of Michael Green & Associates-Keller Williams Realty in front of one her homes for sale in the Cory Lake Isles community of New Tampa. specializes in marketing and selling waterfront, fine and luxury homes, estates and investment properties.

“By partnering with Michael Green’s superior marketing skills and extensive market knowledge, I am established with one of the nation’s top real estate professionals,” she states, adding that Michael Green consistently ranks among the Tampa Bay area’s premier sales specialists for luxury properties.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Although her office is located in South Tampa, Lessie handles properties throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. She says she has a special affinity for the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas because she and her husband, Ralph, and their teenage son, Cheyenne, reside in Cory Lake Isles, where they built a home after moving to Tampa from Vienna, VA, in 2004.

“My husband is a microbiologist

with Quest Diagnostics, near USF, and it was a great location for us and his proximity to work,” she says. “The area’s schools also were important to us, and we love the exclusivity and size of the community. I wanted to build a new home, and many of the neighborhoods at that time were built out, so Cory Lake Isles just made sense for us.”

Lessie says she also loves to decorate and dabbles in interior design, talents she employs when her clients need assistance with “staging” their homes for sale or when they ask for her advice about paint, carpet colors or countertop selections.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics-Computer Science from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, in her native Philippines, Lessie also knows how to analyze numbers, an integral component of pricing a house.

“I know the area so well, and being familiar with all of the neighborhoods here helps get my clients the best possible price for their homes,” she says. “I protect the best interests of my clients and I don’t believe in making empty promises. If I feel a home isn’t priced correctly, I’ll say so.”

best friend and Ryan has recommended her to a colleague at work. She is almost like family to us; my son even calls her Aunt Lessie.”

As the Garls waited more than seven months for a short sale to process, Lessie continued to show the couple other properties. “Lessie adapted to our style and knew where we were interested in looking. She was very patient and didn’t waste our time,” Vanessa says.

Like so many of us, the Garls value their time. They are busy with their professions — he, a private banker with Wells Fargo and she, a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley — as well as with raising their two young children. As business people, they realize the importance of negotiation and stress that it is one of Lessie’s strong suits.

“She is a great negotiator,” explains Vanessa. “I think people sometimes don’t consider that (attribute) when choosing a Realtor and it is such an important component of any sale. She even met with the appraiser at our home and presented him with all of her own research and analysis.

She is very detail oriented.”

Praise From Local Residents

The Art Of Selling New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

Lessie recently sold Ryan and Vanessa Garl’s home in Hunter’s Green and then sold them another home in Arbor Greene.

“She has done a lot of work for us and we trust her, hands down,” Vanessa comments. “I recommended her to my

and newness of everything,” she says. “We have a new mall, a beautiful, new hospital, and such great neighborhoods. They love the consistency of the neighborhoods. You don’t find that in other areas of Tampa.”

No matter what type of home you’re selling and whatever the price range, Lessie guarantees you’ll receive VIP treatment from her, stressing, “It’s really not about the money; it’s about building good relationships with people. My clients will tell you that I am hard working and professional, and that I’ll go above and beyond what’s expected of me. I like to think outside the box.”

And what does she think about this baffling real estate market we are currently

experiencing across the Tampa Bay area?

“It’s volatile,” she says, adding that investors have upped the ante, after buying most of the Tampa Bay area (including those in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel) properties priced up to $250,000. “I now have investor clients looking at homes priced to $500,000,” she says. “They will probably just flip them or rent them out.”

Stay tuned.

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, contact Lessie Reyes at 298-5541; visit her on Facebook or email her at LessieReyes@KW.com.

For additional information, visit MichaelGreenandAssociates.com.

Lessie says New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are both great areas to sell because they appeal to a broad range of people, especially out-of-state folks.

“They like the young demographics

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

29

Cruise Planners Can Take The Guesswork Out Of Your Next Vacation!

By Kathleen Schiop One of the things everyone looks forward to is a great vacation. We work hard, and we want to play hard and enjoy our leisure time off. But, who wants to spend hours at a computer comparing prices and trying to find the best vacation bang for their buck? And, who wouldn’t like a singularly unique travel experience especially tailored for their interests and budget?

That’s where Guy and Linda Miller come to the rescue. The Millers are professionals representing Cruise PlannersAmerican Express Travel, a nationwide franchise with more than 1,000 offices specializing in everything from weekend getaways to week- and even month-long cruises and more. In addition to cruises, as a Cruise Planners franchisee, the Millers also can handle options ranging from airfare, transfers and hotels to individual, family and group (including corporate) cruise bookings and shore excursions.

With more than 250 custom packages designed for travel almost anywhere in the world, Cruise Planners can literally offer something for everyone. Whether it’s a few-day cruise to the Caribbean, or longer cruises to Alaska or Canada, or river cruising in Europe or Asia, the Millers probably have a package that will be perfect for you.

And, the local Cruise Planners fran-

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chisees say that they are dedicated to finding the best value for your vacation dollar.

As Linda puts it, “We love to travel ourselves, and with our expertise, we can help our customers enjoy their travel experience. That’s the main reason we got into this field.”

Originally educators who moved here from New Jersey, Guy and Linda and their daughter Ashley moved to New Tampa a year and a half ago. They noticed that there was a lack of travel services in the area, and turned their love of travel into a business by purchasing their Cruise Planners franchise in September of 2012.

The Cruise Planners Experience So what’s the difference between Cruise Planners and do-it-yourself, online travel vendors? As Guy explains it, "The vendors offer only what you can see online, and you can spend a lot of time and effort trying to find exactly what you want. Sometimes the options you want are not going to be available, which can be frustrating and time consuming.” He adds, “But, with our service, we offer numerous options and we do the research for you, so you don’t waste your time.”

Linda also notes that Cruise Planners is paid by the vendors the company represents — “not by our customers, so there are never any fees involved for our services.” And, she adds that they get emails at

least every week from all of their vendors advising them of each cruise line’s latest special and discounts. For example, Linda mentioned a Norwegian Cruise Line special that ended March 23 which offered fall cruises for families with a 50-percent discount for adults and free cruises for children. In addition, Cruise Planners offers discounts for seniors, retirees, repeat cruisers, the military and Florida residents, just to name a few. If you can plan ahead, Linda says you should book your reservation as early as possiNew Tampa residents Linda and Guy Miller ble to give them the opportunity to (with daughter Ashley) of Cruise Planners want look for the best possible deals. to help you book your family’s best vacation ever!

But, perhaps the most important Speaking about losing your reservadifference of all between working with tion or even your vacation, whether it be Cruise Planners and booking your vacafrom an unexpected crisis in the family, tion online is that even if you somehow weather, or issues beyond control, not get a better deal on Priceline or Expedia, only are Linda and Guy your personal adetc., what happens if there’s a problem visors, but Cruise Planners also sells inexwith your reservation when you arrive? pensive trip insurance through Allianz “We’re your single point of contact Travel Insurance, which offers up to 100when you book with us,” Guy says. “We have tremendous resources at our disposal percent reimbursement for your prepaid, usually non-refundable expenses for a covto fix any problems with your trip. But, if ered reason for cancelling. It also allows you booked it online and something goes you to rebook your cruise for up to two wrong, you’ll find it a lot harder to even speak to the same person twice, much less years and offers coverage for trip interruphave anyone working on your behalf to fix tions, missed connections, delays, baggage problems, medical costs incurred during the problem.” your trip and more.

Insuring Peace Of Mind The recent incidents involving Carni-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Whether you want to book a 28-night South Pacific cruise on Princess Cruises to go bungee jumping on a Moana Adventure Tours excursion during your stop in Bora Bora (left), or see spectacular views from your cabin of the Medeival village of Durnstein, Austria, on an Avalon Waterways River Cruise of 8-29 days, Cruise Planners can customize your dream vacation! otic Asian locales like China or Thailand val Cruise Lines are a perfect example of cruise that will best meet your needs for press is a licensed, bonded, and insured why it pays to have insurance for your or Bora Bora, experience a romantic river your family or your business. Among the mobile travel agency. In other words, Guy cruise. The Millers say that Carnival, cruise along the French countryside or to many advantages of booking a cruise with and Linda are happy to come to you! which obviously is now offering some the spectacular Medeival village of DurnCruise Planners is the agency’s access to Cruise Planners representatives are great deals, has been doing everything stein, Austria, Cruise Planners has amazlow fares and special amenities on thoumembers of CLIA (Cruise Line Internapossible to recover from those incidents. ing packages for all of those and more! sands of sailings and tour departures. The tional Assn.), NACOA (National Assn. of The cruise line is even introducing a beauCruise Planners can book all of the Millers accept all major credit cards, and Cruise Oriented Agencies), and ASTA tiful, new, state-of-the-art ship to be based top cruise lines, including Royal specialize in reunions, weddings, clubs (American Society of Travel Agents). out of the Port of New Orleans.

Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, and associations.

You can contact Guy and Linda Carnival, river cruises by Viking River And, perhaps best of all is that all of Miller at the local Cruise Planners And, What A Selection!

Cruises and Avalon Waterways and many this personalized service is just a phone franchise at 994-5500 or visit online at So, whether you’ve always wanted to call away. Cruise Planners-American ExFamilyFunTravelPlanners.com. see the Pyramids of Egypt, or cruise to ex- more, Guy and Linda can suggest the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

31

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

33

SK Financial CPA: Focused On Helping You Meet Your Financial Goals

By Bonnie Mason With the tax season now upon us, wouldn’t it be nice to find a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm that is 100-percent focused on meeting its clients’ financial goals and saving money to positively affect the bottom line?

“Clients come to us because they want a professional to help them manage the financial part of their business,” says Shams Khan, the president and owner of SK Financial, located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56. Shams is both a licensed CPA and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to help serve not only your tax needs, but also all of your financial planning needs, both personal and business.

SK Financial CPA is a full-service accounting firm primarily focused on helping small- to mid-sized businesses with quality financial services to help relieve its business clients from dealing with day-to-day accounting, bookkeeping, tax planning and preparation, human resources (HR), and payroll activity so they can focus on their core business.

“We like our clients to think of us as their internal accounting department," says Khan. SK Financial also provides financial planning services for new business start-ups to give them a better chance of being a success from the start.

Experience Counts

Shams has more than 12 years of expe-

34

rience in accounting, tax preparation, consulting and personal financial planning services to individuals and businesses. His financial focus is in a number of areas, including real estate, healthcare and advisory services. SK Financial’s Wesley Chapel clients include physicians’ offices, home healthcare agencies, independent clinics and pharmacies, as well as real estate agents and brokers, mortgage firms and even individual real estate investors.

And, every member of SK’s staff, including Registered Financial Consultant Allan Paull — who has more than 19 years of experience in the securities and insurance industries — brings unique strengths and experience to serve the firm’s clients.

“Having held positions with Marketing One securities, former banking firms Fortune Bank and AmSouth (known as Regions Financial), Allan is a great asset for SK Financial’s clients,” says Shams. “In addition to his expertise in financial services, Allan was a real estate broker with WC&F Reality Advisers working with the resolution trust, which gives him a solid foundation in the business of real estate.”

Shams is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) and the Florida CPA Society. He also volunteers at numerous not-for-profit organizations in theTampa area that need accounting and business advice.

Shams and his wife Umayma live in

“I have had Mr. Khan do my business and personal taxes for several years,” says P. Stephen Nash of Distinctive Lawn Care. “I have been extremely satisfied with his professionalism, as well as his very reasonable pricing. I’m pleased to give Shams and SK Financial a 5-star rating as they exemplify exactly what I am looking for in an accountant."

The SK Financial Difference Shams Khan (left), CPA & CFP, the president and owner of SK Financial CPA (located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56), and SK Financial’s Registered Financial Consultant Allan Paull Wesley Chapel. An architect by trade, Umayma currently stays at home to raise the couple’s two sons, Ryaan and Yamaan, ages four and five years, respectively.

According to SK Financial’s client Walter Urquia, you won’t be disappointed with the firm’s services.

“I have being doing my personal and business taxes with Shams for four years, and it is always a pleasure to deal with him and his staff. I’d give them 10 stars!” Be sure to check out Google Reviews to see many more reviews of the staff and services at SK Financial CPA. Clients like Distinctive Lawn Care of Wesley Chapel help keep SK Financial busy with clients. Shams says 50 percent of SK’s business is gained through referrals from current clients.

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Shams knows there are many CPA firms available to his clients, so he makes sure SK Financial services always include these three things — easy accessibility through a policy to return phone calls within 24 hours (which ensures client satisfaction by making every client a top priority); holding weekly evaluation meetings; and saving money through using the latest technology to increase your tax savings significantly — often enough to cover your annual fee for service and even more!

Wesley Chapel business owners and residents can trust that SK Financial has their back. Whether you’re looking for weekly accounts payables and receivables, monthly bookkeeping services, or a CPA on a yearround basis, SK Financial helps you get the job done. The firm also has a second office, open by appointment, in downtown Tampa (on Kennedy Blvd.), making it convenient for business owners in both Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Maximizing Your Refund

“SK Financial helps Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Sub-S Corporations, sole proprietors, and individuals prepare and manage their taxes,” says Shams. “Business tax is one of the most challenging areas in tax law and SK Financial knows how to take advantage of every business tax incentive, avoid costly fines, and keep more money in your pockets.”

SK Financial CPA also offers a free consultation and anyone taking advantage of the free consultation will receive a special report on “How to Drastically Reduce Your Taxes By As Much As 65% This Year and Put Thousands Back in Your Pocket!” If you have delayed completing your 2012 taxes, it’s not too late to have the experts at SK Financial work with you to ensure you receive all of the tax breaks you should legally receive.

How SK Financial Saves $ Clients who implement one of SK Financial’s more than 100 tax and management strategies into the way they manage their business find success in saving money.

Here are the top three ways Shams helps you to save money.

1. Automate your accounting department to avoid computer and software costs. This implementation saves on direct/indirect payroll and overhead costs.

SK Financial provides the skilled, experienced professionals you need to handle your daily accounting and bookkeeping plus helps you develop policies and procedures

to streamline your process.

2. Implement tax strategies to save on taxes with SK Financial's proactive accounting and tax advice and guidance.

3. File taxes early or on-time to avoid unnecessary penalties. Shams and his staff adhere to strict deadlines to ensure you don’t pay any penalties. If SK Financial doesn’t file any form or make a tax deposit on time, the firm will pay any tax penalties on your behalf.

How About A 100% MoneyBack Guarantee?

SK Financial stands behind its services.

“The most important thing we do is to help our clients achieve their goals and save money by implementing simple tax management and strategies,” says Shams.

Your satisfaction is assured through SK Financial’s no-risk 100%, no-questionsasked, money-back guarantee. “If you ever find that our tax and accounting professionals did not help you and you are not satisfied with our efforts to help you deal with the IRS, we want to give you your money back... period,” says Shams. “No hard feelings, and you won't have to ask twice.”

To schedule an appointment for your free consultation with SK Financial CPA, in either the Wesley Chapel office (in the Seven Oaks Professional Park, 2210 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101) or the downtown Tampa (201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 950) location, call Shams Khan at 322-3936 or visit SKFinancial.com.

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Spinner Law Firm Celebrates Ten Years In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

By Kathleen Schiop It’s never an easy task finding a professional to assist us with our needs. Even more difficult is finding an attorney, especially when you’ve been involved in a crisis situation, such as an auto accident. Do you pay attention to the advertising saturating TV or radio? Or do you instead trust recommendations from trusted friends and family members, or members of your community, who have undergone the same experiences themselves?

Charles Spinner, Jr., Esq., is an attorney specializing in personal injury and auto accident litigation whose business was founded upon exactly that idea. Now celebrating its tenth year in business, Spinner Law Firm (located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off of S.R. 56) has made a commitment to providing the highest quality legal services to residents of Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’Lakes & Zephyrhills. Spinner says that most of the firm’s clients still come primarily from the referrals of its many satisfied clients.

Spinner, 42, says he was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a practicing attorney in Buffalo, NY. His memories of going to court, observing the legal process and seeing how his father helped people motivated Charles to want to help people the same way.

After graduating from the University of Dayton (OH), he received his Juris Doc-

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tor degree from the University of Toledo (also OH) College of Law in 1996. He is admitted to practice in all Courts of the State of Florida, and also is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. After working for several years as a civil trial and insurance defense attorney, he founded Spinner Law Firm in New Tampa (Pebble Creek) in 2003. His mission was to make it easy for the residents of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa to receive client-focused legal representation without traveling to downtown Tampa.

Spinner says he truly believes that, “The practice of law is not a product but a service. You build trust in the community by being a zealous advocate and presenting a personalized, local option for quality service with honesty and integrity.”

In early 2012, the firm’s offerings were enhanced by the addition of Anissa Morris, a seasoned and experienced attorney who specializes in estate planning (preparation of wills and trusts), probate and trust administration, and family law.

Morris also supports the firm’s litigation efforts, giving clients the benefit of a team of experienced attorneys, which Spinner says can be important in the presentation of personal injury cases.

Office administrator and legal assistant Vicki Portfolio has been with Spinner Law since the beginning, and Vicki’s genuine, caring demeanor makes clients feel welcomed immediately to the office. Mary

Margaret Caporali, who has been with Spinner Law since 2005, is the firm’s personal injury assistant, who is responsible for compiling insurance information, medical records and other essential paperwork and pieces of evidence for the firm’s personal injury clients. Paralegal Judith Risley has worked as a legal assistant for 25 years and has vast experience in providing support in all areas of civil litigation. The firm’s community relations and marketing efforts are spearheaded by Heidi Jacobsen, who recently celebrated her third anniversary with Spinner Law. So, whatever your legal questions may be, the team at the Spinner Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to answer them. Spinner himself says he is “very proud” of the firm’s A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Growing With The Area

Starting from humble beginnings, in a one-room office he shared with a local CPA in the Pebble Creek Collection in New Tampa, the firm has grown with the local community. Spinner says he moved to his current location in Wesley Chapel four years ago, which turned out to be a great relocation for the firm.

“We moved to Wesley Chapel from New Tampa at a time when there were more people and businesses in New Tampa than in Wesley Chapel,” he says. “But, over these four years, the population growth has

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Attorneys Charles Spinner, Jr. & Anissa Morris head up the legal team at the Spinner Law Firm, which is located off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel.

shifted the other way, with Wesley Chapel adding a new hospital, a major shopping mall and a community college. These are exciting times in this community and we are blessed to be part of it.”

Spinner adds that his location is still close enough to New Tampa, not only to serve both communities, but being in such a central location (off S.R. 56, between I75 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd.), ‘'we’ve been able to help clients from the entire area, including Zephyrhills, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.” The move helped broaden the firm’s client access, and Spinner Law is

busier now than it ever has been.

“Early on, in addition to personal injury, we handled a broader range of cases, including family law (divorces, child custody arrangements, etc.) and even consumer bankruptcies,” Spinner says. “Over the years, we have streamlined our areas of practice to focus on injury law, and estate planning. We still take on marital and family law matters on a limited basis, mainly to service our existing and former clients when they need us.”

He adds, “The personal injury (auto accidents, slip & falls, brain injuries, dog bites, drunk driver injuries, etc.) side of our practice has really taken off because we have found that a lot of people in this community prefer to hire someone who lives and works in the area, where everyone at the firm will know their name and where they will get the personal attention and responsiveness they deserve.”

And, based on the reviews we’ve found, the firm does get the job done for its clients. “Spinner Law Firm is thorough and efficient, a great law firm to work with,” says Rachel, a local, satisfied client.

“Wonderful support staff...they are some of the most polite and cheerful I have experienced. I love that they deal with the insurance companies so I don't have to — just as they said they would!”

A Trusted Partner

In addition to the legal help the Spinner Law Firm offers to the area, the firm also participates in many community organizations and functions. Spinner himself is a

member of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club.

The firm’s many charitable endeavors are in the competent hands of Heidi Jacobsen, Spinner Law Firm’s Marketing & Community Relations Director. Spinner says the firm will again have a booth at the upcoming Taste of New Tampa (see page 1) and will again sponsor the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary’s Spelling Bee. In addition, the firm has conducted toy and clothing drives for the Fisher House, and last year encouraged an online vote for favorite teachers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, with the teachers who earned the most votes receiving roses that Jacobsen hand-delivered to their schools on Valentine’s Day. When not busy with the firm, Charles enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife Carrie have four daughters, ages two through nine, and he says taking care of his young family is like having, “a second full-time job.” In what little free time he has, Spinner says he enjoys tennis, running and outdoor sports, such as fishing. He also enjoys dining out and says he reads this publication’s dining reviews religiously for the latest dining info.

For more information about attorneys Charles Spinner, Jr., and Anissa Morris and the entire friendly, professional staff at Spinner Law Firm (26843 Tanic Dr., Suite 101), call 991-5099, email cspinner@spinnerlawfirm.com or visit SpinnerLawFirm.com.

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866-9913

Dr. Neeraja Jasthi, DMD

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New Tampa Library Goes Digital, Offers Mobile Apps & Online Catalogue

By Matt Wiley As technology continues to revolutionize American society and most things that previously were on paper now turn up on digital screens, the New Tampa Regional Library now also is getting with “the times.”

According to a press release from Hillsborough County, the 25,000-sq.-ft. library, located on Cross Creek Blvd. between Hunter’s Green Elementary and Louis Benito Middle School —along with the 29 other libraries across that are part of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC) — will be introducing online digital catalogs beginning April 29.

The catalog system, which is called Polaris, will help Hillsborough County’s libraries manage library resources, reduce costs, boost productivity and, hopefully, improve customer satisfaction.

“The main benefit will be improved functionality,” says Jackie Zebos, a spokesperson for HCPLC. “We’re going from a very old system to a very new one that will offer library users features we’ve never been able to offer before. I think people are really going to like it.”

Among the new library features, the Polaris system will offer free mobile applications that will allow readers to search a library’s catalog from any location, make

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payments for library transactions, get receipts by text or email, keep track of checked-out library materials, enhanced search and sort tools, as well as an option to receive a catalogue number sent by text message directly to the customer’s phone.

An example of how a search for The app also has ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ a map feature would appear on an iPhone that takes the when using the Polaris system, which soon will be used at the customer diNew Tampa Regional Li- rectly to the brary. Photo: PolarisLibrary.com. book on the shelf, according to the HCPLC press release.

Zebos says that the current system, called Horizons, is nearly 20 years old.

She adds that the transition to the Polaris system is set to begin on April 8, but the New Tampa Regional Library will still function as usual throughout the process. However, the release says that, during the transition, customers will not be able to place holds on materials and

that current holds will not be able to be fulfilled.

Of course, incorporating a new computer system into 30 libraries isn’t free. The Polaris integration will cost about $1 million, but is being paid for through funds collected by the Hillsborough County Library Taxing District.

For more info, please visit HCPLC.org or stop by the New Tampa Regional Library, located at 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., next to Hunter’s Green Elementary.

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Liberty’s FBLA Wins Chapter Of The Year!

Congratulations to the Liberty Middle School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club, which was named Hillsborough County’s FBLA Chapter of the Year!

The 96-member group from Liberty (located on Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms), now will go on to compete at the State Conference held in Orlando

April 25-28. During the conference, the group will be competing to create the best website for their chapter or school’s community service activities, such as the March of Dimes. Another area of competition includes putting together a three-minute slideshow about the dangers of all types of bullying. — MW

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Wharton & Freedom Baseball & Softball Teams Swing For The Fences

By Mstt Wiley The “Ole Ball Game” has returned to both Freedom and Wharton high schools, both of which are hoping to gather some steam as each team’s focus shifts to finishing strong and getting prepared for the upcoming District playoffs.

After a successful season in 2012, when the Wildcats finished up being ranked fifth in the state with a 21-9 record and making it all the way to the Regional finals, the 2013 ‘Cats are doing their best to win as many games as possible while staying healthy, which has proven to be a challenge a little more than halfway through the season.

“We’re a work in progress,” says Wharton head baseball coach Scott Hoffman. “This season hasn’t exactly gone the way we’d hoped it would, following last season. We thought we had a real shot, but we’ve been battling injuries all season and we’re going to try our best to salvage the rest of it.”

Hoffman’s Wildcats were 6-8 at our press time, but hoping to squeeze out a win against the Newsome High Wolves for the team’s first Class 8A, District 7 win this season after five straight losses.

Besides injuries, Hoffman says inconsistency has plagued Wharton since game

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one. “We haven’t had a set lineup since our first game,” Hoffman says. “We’re finally starting to get back to normal.”

However, if not for the hard work of seniors Ryan Lawson and Mike Gonzalez, Hoffman says the team could be in even worse shape.

“Lawson’s done a tremendous job of swinging the bat,” Hoffman explains.

Lawson currently is batting .349, with 12 runs, and a team-leading 4 home runs, 6 doubles and 16 RBIs. Normally a pitcher, Lawson has been playing first base for the ‘Cats for the first time, but Hoffman says he is doing a good job.

Gonzalez also has been helping to keep Wharton moving forward, making a difference both at the plate and on the mound. Although only 2-4 as a pitcher, MaxPreps.com lists Gonzalez as having an outstanding 1.99 ERA. At the plate, he’s batting .275, with Wharton’s only other 2 HRs and 13 RBIs. The strengths of these two players, as well as the team as a whole will be the determining factor come the District playoffs in April.

“There’s not one team that is less powerful than the others in our District,” says Hoffman. “They’re all good. If you’re not playing really well, you’re going to get beat.”

Despite a less impressive record than last season, Wharton does hold the “New Tampa crown,” defeating coach Mason Woodside’s Freedom Patriots 13-0 in the second game of the season.

And that was only the beginning for the Class 7A-9 Patriots, who also Freedom junior infielder Cody Karras nails a grounder down the haven’t had the smoothest season so third baseline during a 9-3 loss to Wiregrass Ranch on March 5. far, with a 3-11 runs or more. The other was a tight, onerecord, 1-4 in the District, at our press run win over District contender Spoto in time.

February.

Despite standout batting from junior Woodside could not be reached for P/1B Austin Atkinson (.team-leading comment at our press time. .350 BA and 11 RBIs), junior shortstop Patriots Girls Showing Andrew Anderson (.349, and a team-best No Mercy 15 hits) and senior 3B Johnny Keiger — Although the Freedom Patriots varwho is batting a .314, with a team-high sity baseball team may be struggling to 11 runs), Freedom is having a tough time keep afloat this season, the Freedom girls keeping it together this season, following softball team has been on a tear, with a a decent 15-10 record in 2012. sterling 11-1 record at our press time and However, when the Patriots win, still undefeated in the five Class 7A-9 they win, with two of the team’s three games played so far. victories resulting in blowouts of nine “We’ve had a great run,” says Patri-

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ots coach Autum Hernandez. “We’ve been extremely competent hitting the ball. We’ve really been focusing on offense this season.”

Hernandez attributes some of the team’s success to having so many returning players from the previous season.

“Some of these girls have been playing for me for three or four seasons,” she explains. “They know the system.”

Also a factor, she says, has been the addition of two new pitchers, providing some relief to sophomore Grace Street, who pitched every game last season. Hernandez says that the added relief allows Street to pitch more confidently at the plate. Currently, Street is 4-0, with a 1.54 ERA, 17 strikeouts and 6 BBs in 27 IP. New pitcher Kaitlin Hall, a senior, currently is 4-1, with a 1.33 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 31.2 IP. She also boasts a spectacular .528 BA, 19 hits and a teamhigh 16 RBIs. And the plate is where the Patriots continue to strike. Freshman catcher Maddy Hall has been making a name for herself at the plate, batting .525, with 18 runs and 21 hits, both leading the team.

Ironically, the Patriots only loss came at the hands of the Wildcats on February 15. “They’re a great team,” says Hernandez. “They just outplayed us that night.

Right now I just want to keep up the momentum we’ve built. I was worried that spring break might slow us down, but we beat Steinbrenner 8-0 on March 19, so

I’m not that worried anymore.”

Across the New Tampa Gateway Bridge and up Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., the Wharton softball girls are off to a strong 8-2 start, 3-2 in Class 8A-7 play.

“I’m pleased with the girls,” says Wharton head coach Ashlee Cappucci.

“We’ve really come together as a family.

Every game is a battle, but we’re a very competitive group. Our losses have all been by small margins.”

Following a 16-9 2012 season, the ‘Cats are looking toward the District tournament. “I tell the girls, ‘Every time you play, you have to prove a point,’” Cappucci explains. “We’re in a tough District. Anyone can win on any night.”

Although her whole team is playing well, Cappucci says that she is especially impressed with sophomore pitcher Mak Dooley, who has 81 Ks in 59 IP and a 0.51 ERA and also is contributing at the plate, with a team-high 3 2Bs and 5 RBIs. Cappucci says that Erica Matich, a sophomore SS, also is playing extremely well, batting .385 with a HR, as is soph.

Meagan Bell (.304 with a team-high 7 RBIs and a HR).

As the season presses on, Cappucci says that preparation is key. “I’m just trying to keep them energized and moving forward,” she explains. “We’re studying teams and going into each game with a plan. These girls really know how to pick each other up during games and stay positive. We’re really growing as a team.”

Wharton’s State Hoops Loss A Tough One Well, this isn’t the story I was hoping to report, but you know what they say about the “best laid plans,” right?

I have known Paul R. Wharton High basketball coach Tommy Tonelli since he became the school’s first head basketball coach back in 1997, when my kids both attended his first-ever basketball camp and his wife, former Hunter’s Green Elementary (HGE) principal Kristin, taught my younger son (now almost 21) when he was in the second grade at HGE. I therefore knew I had to be on hand when Wharton advanced to its first-ever State Final Four in Lakeland on February 28.

Tonelli, whose 311-90 all-time record in 14 years at Wharton makes him one of the most successful high school hoops coaches in Hillsborough County history, had garnered seven district titles and had won a couple of Regional games before, but had never previously made it to the State semis.

Despite a huge size disadvantage against South Miami (28-3) in their firstever State contest, the ‘Cats led 16-13 at the end of the first quarter. But then, Wharton went more than ten minutes without a field goal and ultimately fell behind 40-20, as 6’-9” Virginia Commonwealth University signee Antravious Simmons (16 points and 15 rebounds) took control. Despite finishing the game on an 18-6 run, despite missing several

open 3-pointers that could have made the game even closer, Wharton (25-5) lost 46-38.

South Miami then lost the State final, 54-44, to Hegarty High from Oviedo.

Correction Wharton High’s Chase from last issue: F Litton (#14) dunks for 2 Chase Litton is a junior, not a senior. vs. South Miami, the team that eliminated the ‘Cats.

— GN

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Lowry Park Zoo Brings Exotic Animals To Tampa Palms Country Club In case you somehow didn’t realize it, Lowry Park Zoo is a world-class zoo located less than 20 minutes from Tampa Palms.

I was therefore thrilled to attend one of five community outreach programs put on by the zoo earlier this month at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC), in support of the zoo’s annual black-tie fund raiser, “Karamu,” which will be held at the zoo on Saturday, April 13.

Lowry Park Zoo CEO Craig Pugh, development director Debbie Duncan and a couple of animal handlers had more than 20 kids, their parents and grandparents and a certain news magazine editor spellbound for about two hours as the kids got up-closeand-personal with (and, in some cases, got to touch) a two-toed sloth, a porcupine, a great horned owl, an alligator, an iguana lizard and a small python. The event was fun, informative and every attendee got a ticket to visit the zoo in the future.

For more info about Lowry Park Zoo and the 25th annual “Karamu” fund raiser, entitled “The Magic of the Silver Screen,” call Those who attended Lowry Park Zoo’s community outreach “party” to promote its upcoming “Karamu XXV” fund raiser got to see 935-8552, x225, or visit (clockwise from top left) a porcupine, a two-toed sloth, an iguana, an American alligator and a great horned owl.

LowryParkZoo.com. — GN

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“Lizard Tail” Continued from page 1 Men’s Master (age 40+) winner Jay Chancellor Women’s Master (age 40+) winner - Giliane Rifai First Boy finisher under age 18 Drew Hileman, age 9 First Girl finisher under age 18 Julie Zhang, age 12 (Right) Lizard Tail 5K Master winner Jay Chancellor finished third overall.

(Below) A large crowd, including some very excited kids, also got to take part in a one-mile fun run.

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Patty Wolf - The Smile & Spirit Of Wolf’s Den - Remembered At Memorial

By Gary Nager Unfortunately, I never really got to know Patty Wolf, the even more popular wife of Wolf’s Den Restaurant owner Roger Wolf, in part because the first few times I met her, I didn’t realize that she wasn’t just another one of the friendly servers at Roger’s always-busy diner on S.R. 56.

I also didn’t realize that she was already five or six years into what has now ended up being a nine-year battle with ovarian cancer — a battle she finally lost on February 28.

If you ask Roger, his beautiful, alwaysoptimistic wife of 35 years was so much more than just a pretty face. She was the smile and spirit of Wolf’s Den. “Everyone who ever met Patty here knew she was something special,” Roger said at his restaurant a few days before Patty passed. “These last few months have been the hardest of my life.” And, that’s saying a lot, considering that Roger was an enlisted U.S. Marine who was among the first combat troops deployed in the Vietnam War. At a memorial service held March 5 at Lifepoint Community Church on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (in front of Hunter’s Green) and presided over by Lifepoint Pastor, the Rev. Brad White, an estimated crowd of more than 300 people came out to honor Patty’s memory and to show their support for Roger and Patty’s mother, Alice Beck; the couple’s son, Shawn Wolf, and his wife, Christine; Patty’s sisters, Pam BeckDanovich and Debra Smitz; and the couple’s granddaughter Allyson.

Roger recalled that he was told Patty may have only had months to live when she was first diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2003, but she refused to even consider that possibility. Nine years and too many surgeries and chemo treatments later, she was still driving herself to both the Wolf’s Den and her well-known, 18-year-old dog grooming business, The Classy Canine on Massachusetts Ave. in New Port Richey, until mid-January, even though she was regularly receiving hospice care at home.

“Until the last few months,” Roger said at the memorial, “you would never even have known she was sick. She never, ever complained and she still always had that smile for everyone.” Patty even made sure

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she was helping out at Wolf’s Den for Roger’s 2012 Christmas Eve party, an annual event where the restaurant has served thousands of free meals for those in need the last four years.

Patty, 53, also had been a tireless fund raiser for the American Cancer Society, one year raising $10,000 by herself for a local Relay for Life event.

When I interviewed him for a story about Wolf’s Den last year, Roger told me that he was working in his father’s restaurant in Lake Geneva, WI, when Patty — then an 18-year-old Bunny at the Playboy Club in the same town — walked in. And, even though many of the other Bunnies had frequented the restaurant before, Roger says he turned to another employee and said right away, “That’s the woman I’m going to marry.”

What he didn’t tell me, however, is that Patty rebuffed him several times before she even agreed to go out with him.

“What is it about the word ‘never’ you don’t understand, Wolf?”

Undeterred by her many rejections, Roger persisted and eventually won the heart of the young college student who wanted to be a veterinarian but who ended up working at the restaurant before falling in love with and agreeing to marry her suitor — who was 12 years older than his wife. During his remembrance at the memorial service, Roger recalled how, at their wedding, Patty’s father told him that Patty was the apple of his eye, so there were, “no returns on this one.”

Nor did he ever consider such a return.

Although I had never been to The Classy Canine, there’s no doubt that Roger’s patrons all knew how much he loved his wife, and had heard that the couple also had taken in Patty’s mother after Patty’s father passed away — nearly 20 years ago — and how important mother and daughter were to each other.

“If Patty said something wrong, mom would lie and say she was right,” Roger said during the memorial. “And likewise, if mom said something wrong, Patty would lie to cover for her. They were two inseparable peas in a pod and they always backed each other up.”

Also sharing the Wolf family’s home in Wesley Chapel are four shih tzus. “They

were Patty’s babies,” Roger recalled.

And, Snoopy, the youngest of the four, was next to her when Patty passed.

Rev. White was stunned, but not really surprised, by the turnout at the memorial service, because he had gotten to know the Wolfs very well and had spent more and more time enjoying Roger’s food at the Wolf’s Den. “I was with Patty when she welcomed Jesus into her heart as her Lord and Savior a few weeks ago,” Rev. White said during the memorial. “I know that Patty lives in heaven and is no longer sick.”

But, here on Earth, and more specifically, in Wesley Chapel, at a popular little restaurant known as the Wolf’s Den, there is a great void in the hearts of those who work and dine there, a sadness that Roger says is made only a little less sad in the knowledge that Patty, finally, is no longer suffering.

Rest in Peace, Patty. You and Roger and your mom and all of your Patty Wolf, the wife of Wolf ’s Den Restaurant owner family and friends are in my thoughts Roger Wolf, finally lost her nine-year battle with cancer and prayers, just as I know you’re all on Feb. 28. in the thoughts and prayers of (in A foundation to help fund scholarRoger’s words, recalled from my 2011 artiships to veterinary school programs is cle about the Wolf’s Den) “the almost cultbeing established in Patty Wolf’s name at like” followers of that still-terrific Central Bank. For more information or restaurant. The soul of that restaurant may to make a donation, call Mary Ann have passed, but Patty Wolf still lives on in Yaney at Central Bank ((20701 Bruce B. all of us.

Downs Blvd.) at 929-4477.

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2013 Health & Wellness Fest A Success!

The 2103 Health & Wellness Festival, presented by the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) and Florida Medical Clinic is a wrap, after an impressive turnout at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall on February 23.

“This event was a great opportunity for the people of Wesley Chapel to consult medical professionals free of charge and meet physicians in the surrounding area,” said Hope Allen, a WCCC spokesperson.

“The most important thing that we hoped we accomplished was to promote awareness of living a healthier lifestyle.”

Vendors big and small from the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, including Florida Medical Clinic, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) and the new FHWC Wellness Center, Pura Cycling, New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center,

/Dr. Duga & Associates Pediatric Dentistry and many more, lined Paseo Dr. at the Shops at Wiregrass mall under skies that were sunny, but with a sometimes blustery wind. Many of the exhibiting medical professionals providing free health services, from blood pressure tests to cosmetic consultations.

“It’s a great event,” said Dr. Bill Scheu of New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center in between administering free spinal screenings. “We’re out here ‘talking health’ to people. You can’t beat it.”

The WCCC previously held the Health & Wellness Center at The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping plaza, but has decided to once again hold next year’s event at The Shops at Wiregrass, due to the positive feedback from vendors and the outstanding community turnout. - MW

(Left) Area residents take advantage of free health screenings and consultations, such as (right) the FHWC Wellness Center’s balance tests, administered by Kim Risch and Linda Harris.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Making Some Out-Of-New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Dining Suggestions

By Gary Nager OK, first of all, I’m not saying there are no longer any good restaurants in New Tampa, but with the recent closings of Lee Roy Selmon’s, Ciccio’s Lodge and Sushi Tsu (among others), there’s no doubt we have fewer great eateries in our area than we did a year ago.

I also know that many of you already venture out of our area quite a bit to enjoy a great meal and who could blame you?

I’m sure you already have a lot of favorites that are kind of...let’s say...conventional, but on these pages are a few of my newest favorites located in other parts of Tampa and none of them are any more than 30 minutes from any part of New Tampa.

Domani Bistro & Lounge

The only one of these out-of-area favorites to participate in this year’s Taste of New TampaTM, Domani Bistro & Lounge is the kind of place I would love to have in New Tampa, even though I don’t know if our community would embrace its unique menu and funky, nonchain ambiance.

I read a review posted on Domani’s wall that made it sound like more of a New York City-style restaurant. Well, I don’t know if Domani reminds me of any one NYC eatery in particular , but what I

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doesn’t forget that the ingreat meal at more-than-fair prices, I suggredient that differentiates a gest a visit to my long-time friend Michael Caesar from most other salIngrassia, the general manager of Carne ads is the unmistakable taste Chop House on E. 7th Ave., in front of of anchovies — and the anthe 16th St. entrance to Centro Ybor. chovies are fried for a The newest upscale addition to the unique twist. family of restaurants that also includes the I also really enjoyed the always-delicious Bernini Italian Restauhoney lavender Thai chili rant and the Green Iguana, Carne is a duck confit and the prime traditional steak house with a Latin twist.

Ingrassia, the former GM at The pulpo confit appetizer at Domani Bistro & Lounge burger and the rolled grapes appetizer with brie, pistachio Dempsey’s Steak House in Saddlebrook on N. Florida Ave. in Old Seminole Heights. and a pistachio truffle is legResort Tampa, is rightfully proud. “We’re do know is that there’s literally nothing endary in Domani’s Old Seminole Hights working hard to make this place a suclike it in New Tampa. neighborhood. cess,” he says. “If you like anything from a Domani recently overhauled its menu I hope you got to sample Domani’s tender steak to an authentic, traditional and the restaurant’s co-owners says the unique cuisine at the Taste. If not (or ropa vieja, give us a try.” menu is now planned to change seasonally. even if you did), I suggest a visit. Domani I recently took the office for lunch at Among the new favorites to sample is a has a gorgeous lounge area with an ultraCarne and everyone was thrilled with the pulpo confit, an appetizer portion of prepremium bar, amazing wines by the glass food (and the ultra-premium liquors). served octopus, served with a smoked and bottle and excellent service, all onion remoulade and crustini. Also new at very fair prices for the quality of on the appetizer list are suppli, which are the food. fried balls of crispy risotto, mozzarella Domani Bistro & Lounge is cheese and a spicy tomato sauce that is to located at 6421 N. Florida Ave. die for. between Sligh and Hillsborough New entrées on the menu include Aves. For reservations (not regrilled grouper, a grilled New York strip quired) and more info, call 644and a rack of lamb, all featuring unique 5995 or visit DomaniBL.com. preparations and sauces. There’s also a Carne Chop House pork shank “osso bucco,” seared salmon, I know a lot of folks are still eggplant parmesan and a game hen duo.

This petit 7-oz. filet mignon is served with your apprehensive about visiting Ybor Among my favorites already on the choice of side at Carne Chop House in Ybor City.

City, but if you want to enjoy a menu is the Domani Caesar, which

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Among the items we sampled on our most recent visit included: tuna sashimi, which is crispy seared rare tuna, citrus jicama slaw and wasabi aioli on wonton chips; French onion soup au gratin, with Madeira scented caramelized onion medley & rich Beef broth; the petit (7-oz.) filet mignon; the panko-crusted grouper with a lemon beurre blanc sauce; the prime rib sandwich with caramelized onions, Fontina cheese & whole grain horseradish mayonnaise, served on a toasted French loaf; and spectacular desserts like a homemade red velvet cake and an Oreo cookie brownie thing that’s too decadent for its own good.

Carne Chophouse is located at 1536 E. 7th Ave in Ybor City. For more information, call 341-9555 or visit CarneChopHouse.com.

Gio’s Italian Restaurant

tucked-away in a corner of a shopping center off N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Gio’s definitely qualifies as one of my favorite Italian eateries in Tampa.

Start off your meal with some of the best cozze (mussels) fra diavlo you’ll find anywhere, an authentic Caesar salad, crispy calamari or tasty eggplant rollatini.

Gio’s also has some of the best veal you’ll find in Tampa. The veal Marsala is properly pounded thin and topped with a Marsala wine sauce and demi-glaze. The black grouper is always fresh and my favorite dish at Gio’s with balsamic vinegar and fresh Italian herbs. There’s also great steaks, lamb chops, pollo scarparella, which is chicken breast sauteed with slices of Italian sausage, mushrooms, roasted red pepper and onons in a white wine, balsamic vinaigrette and a touch of demiglaze. The sautéed spinach is always a

There’s definitely something about a great Italian restaurant that keeps me always searching for the next great one and even though it’s hardly “new” — it’s been located on W. Waters Ave. in the South Carrollwood area for more than a decade — I only recently discovered Gio’s Italian Restaurant.

If you’re like me, great Italian food is all about the proper amount of garlic, zesty sauces and portions big enough to always have leftovers for the next day.

Try the veal Marsala at Gio’s Italian And, Gio’s doesn’t disappoint on any of those talking points. Despite its Restaurant on W. Waters Ave. It’s awesome!

worthwhile side to add.

Among my favorite pastas at Gio’s are the penne alla vodka and the tagliatelle principessa con pollo (tagliatelle with chicken), with spinach fettuccini tossed in pieces of boneless chicken breast, sauteed mushrooms, ham, Pinot Grigio wine and princess sauce. And, Gio’s tiramisu is a to-die-for dessert and the wine list is awesome and well-priced.

For reservations and more information about Gio’s Italian Restaurant (3621 W. Waters Ave.), Authentic chicken and waffles are among the visit Gio’sItalianCuisine.com or call “Soul Food Sundays” favorites at Ella’s on N. Nebraska Ave. in Old Seminole Heights.

932-1922. food brunch place — it’s a great café!

Ella’s Americana Start with Ella’s signature bloody Folk Art Café Mary, served extra spicy with a hickoryAnd finally, the restaurant that has smoked BBQ rib bone instead of celery gotten credit from locals for almost sinon Sundays. Then, try a stone-baked glehandedly reviving the Old Seminole pizza, the Rasta-far-fries (potato wedges Heights area is Ella’s Americana Folk in house mustard, with sea salt, cilantro Art Cafe, located on N. Nebraska Ave., and siracha), a “tuna cracka stacka” just south of E. Hillsborough Ave. (sesame-seared ahi tuna, Asian slaw & Ella’s does have amazing art on its wasabi cream served on fried wonton walls, but it’s the food and atmosphere chips the 16-oz. porterhouse pork chop, that keeps folks coming back for more.

“Henry the Loaf” homemade meat loaf, Start with Ella’s incredible “Soul superlative burgers, salads and the kind of Food Sundays,” when you can get everyatmosphere that’s worth waiting for, espething from some of the best fried chicken cially with live music on the weekends. and waffles in town to very delicious BBQ For call-ahead service at Ella’s ribs and pulled pork and great sides like Americana Folk Art Café (5119 N. Necollared greens and totally tasty grilled braska Ave.), call 234-1000. You also corn on the cob. can check out the full menu and get But, Ella’s is more than just a soul more info at EllasFolkArtCafe.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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

If you like enchiladas, you’re likely to love the enchilada combo at the not-yetopen Azteca Mexican Restaurant.

Azteca Mexican To Replace Sushi Tsu & J. Baja’s

I can’t even tell you how upset I am that Sushi Tsu Japanese Steak & Sushi in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms has closed. Although the delicious hibachi grill and sushi place was a local favorite of mine and yours, owners A.J. and Tawnya Jewell couldn’t come to an agreement on a new lease at the plaza and the restaurant closed on March 11. A.J. did tell me that he plans to reopen in our area at another location as soon as possible.

Less than a day later, we got word that a new eatery — Azteca Mexican Restaurant — was set to replace Sushi Tsu and a company spokesperson says the Seattle, WA-based chain of more than 30 restaurants with huge, upscale menus without the upscale prices in Washington state, Oregon and Florida has two successful locations in Orlando and another even closer to us in Winter Haven. The spokesperson also said that the Tampa Palms Azteca was planning for a soft opening before Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day. Another casualty of Azteca coming to

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the Shoppes at Amberly was J. Baja’s Mexican Grill. Obviously, even though they’re two different types of restaurants, Azteca likely couldn’t have co-existed in the same plaza and we were told J. Baja’s had not had a lease for several months.

For more information about Azteca, visit AztecaMex.com.

For additional information, please call 971-4555, stop by the Insignia Care office at 3268 Cove Bend Dr. or visit WomensCareFl.com.

Dr. Niraj V. Patel Joins Insignia Care For Women

Insignia Care for Women is proud to welcome Dr. Niraj V. Patel to the practice. Dr. Patel (photo) earned his medical degree from the Saba University School of Medicine in Saba, Dutch Caribbean, in 2001. He completed his internship in General Surgery and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University in Washington, DC. Dr. Patel has been Board-Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2010. He has been practicing in the Tampa Bay area since 2006 and is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Florida Medical Association and Hillsborough County Medical Association.

Dr. Patel says he believes in forming a healthy, patient-provider relationship and having open communication whereby patients can receive the most comprehensive medical care. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing sports with his sons.

The bar and dining areas at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club are being and upgraded as part of a $2 million renovation.

Tampa Palms Country Club Getting A Facelift

For 26 years, Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC), located at 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd., has been proud to offer members luxurious amenities in exchange for monthly dues. Now, those members will get to see their money at work, as TPGCC is set to spend $2 million on improvements to the clubhouse, including the member-exclusive Lakeview Grill, as well as renovations throughout the 18-hole golf course.

“The project is an investment of considerable magnitude and is expected to better serve our members today and update our clubhouse for the future,”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

TPGCC general manager David Kupstas wrote in a letter to members on February 20. “This reinvention will help ensure that our facility is relevant to our members’ lifestyles and will greatly enhance the experience that we provide to our members and guests.”

The most noticeable of the changes change will be to the Lakeview Grill, which will include an updated lobby and entrance, expanded dining area (with casual areas and community tables), a new bar, outdoor dining with fire pits, a hightech media lounge and state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment throughout the entire area. The facelift is expected to take about 16 weeks.

For more info, call 972-1991.

Tampa Police Discover Body Near Border of New Tampa

Although the headline above could have been ripped from the pages of the New Tampa Neighborhood News, it’s actually from author Kelly Miller’s debut mystery novel, D ead LikeM e.

Miller, a seven year resident of New Tampa, recently published her first novel with the small press, Black Rose Writing.

In Dead Like Me, homicide detective Kate Springer is on edge after a two-week mandatory leave due to an officer-involved shooting. Her first case back, Det. Springer is blindsided

when she discovers she shares a link with Tampa’s newest murder victim, a troubled teen found strangled and dumped in a remote part of town. The bond between them threatens to expose the detective’s past — a past she’s been hell bent on keeping secret. When the killer finally emerges from the shadows, Det. Springer’s secrets aren’t the only thing on the line. So is her life.

“I was extremely excited when my Dead Like Me manuscript won second place in the Best Mystery category in the Florida Writers Association 2011 Royal Palm Literary Awards competition,” Miller says. “It gave me the mental boost I needed, knowing the work was good and that it was just a matter of time before a publisher snatched the story up.”

Miller is married and has three children. Before she wrote her first novel, she worked in the marketing department of a small publishing company. She also writes a weekly blog at apps.kellymillerauthor. com/blog and is feverishly working on the second book in a planned Det. Kate Springer series. She’s also participating in a local author book signing event at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in the Shops at Wiregrass mall on Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m.-4 pm. “This event will feature many local authors and I'm super excited to be apart of it,” Miller says.

Dead Like Me is available in print and electronic format at BlackRoseWritingBooks.com and other

major online bookselling sites including Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble. com. For additional information, visit KellyMillerAuthor.com.

ward the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor golf facility. The 5,040 square foot facility, located at “The Claw,” USF’s offcampus golf course, has been named the Chowdhari Golf Center.

For more information about the Chowdhari Golf Center, visit GoUSFBulls.com. For more information about Dr. Shaukat Chowdhari and the University Pain Management Center or Dr. Antonina Chowdhari (14501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.), call 977-2222 or visit UPMCInc.com.

More Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt? Really?

The Chowdhari Golf Center is now open at the USF Golf Course.

Chowdhari Golf Center Opens At USF ‘Claw’

The football and basketball teams at the University of South Florida aren’t the only USF athletes with a spectacular new home. Thanks to a donation from two prominent local physicians, the men’s and women’s golf teams at USF also have a sparkling new training facility that already is helping attract top golf talent to an already popular program.

USF received a $1.4-million donation from noted local pain management specialist Dr. Shaukat Chowdhari and his wife, pediatrician Dr. Antonina Chowdhari, the parents of current men’s golfer Adam Chowdhari. The donation went to-

Even though the New Tampa area has seen no fewer than three frozen yogurt shops open in the last year or so, within the next couple of months, yet another is expected to open on BBD. And, even though one ice cream shop has closed, two more are popping up to more than replace it and the closed store already is in the dessert business again, too. What the heck is going on here?

For starters, La’ Berry Frozen Yogurt Café, which has five locations in Georgia, will open in the Trout Creek Commons plaza anchored by Burger 21.

Billed as “A trendy place to meet and mingle with friends,” it remains to be seen if La’ Berry will offer anything to differentiate itself from its competition.

For additional information, visit LaBerryFrozenYogurt.com.

A little to the south on BBD, the vacant, giant soft-serve cone in front of the Pizza Hut in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center, will soon be home to the fifth Twistee Treat Real Ice Cream shop in Florida. If you like chocolate dip-top cones as much as I do, you might need to visit the newest Twistee Treat.

For more information, visit TwisteeTreat.com.

A little north of the Pasco County line on BBD, next to the Bonefish Grill in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza, a sign announcing that a new Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet & Gelato is “coming soon” has been posted at the location for several months, but we still had no information at our press time as to how soon the shop will open.

Although it made my 2012 list of favorite ice cream and dessert shops in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, the iCream store, located next to and owned by the same people who own the adjacent Baja Fresh Mexican Grill on BBD just north of S.R. 56, quietly closed several weeks ago and recently was replaced by a Cupcakes & More Brewhouse, which features delicious roasted coffee, coffee drinks, Boba teas and yummy pastries.

Stop in and tell them the New Tampa Neighborhood News sent you!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

W A N T E D H O M E

PHYSICAL THERAPIST – 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 HELP WANTED - Medical Billing Personnel, parttime, flexible hours, Local PT Clinic. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080.

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29140 Chapel Park Dr. Wesley Chapel www.centurionconcepts.co HELP WANTED - Licensed insurance agent needed for Wesley Chapel P&C Agency. One year of agency experience preferred. Must have 4-40 or above license. Part-time and full-time openings available. Good customer relationship and organizational skills required. Competitive salary with bonus structure.

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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 NEED HOME MAINTENANCE – Almost any job, large or small, ext/int, fencing , screening, sm. concrete, sprinklers, painting, repairs, int. doors, locks, sheet rock, windows, paint, caulk, grout, trim, shelving, garages organized. Installations, removals, pressure washing, wood restoration & more. Call Dale’s Home Maintenance @ 973-0194 or 727-2582.

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HANDYMAN SERVICES - Handyman Services, Disposal and fan installations. Painting, dry wall repair, calking, tile and wooden floor installations, gutter cleaning, and much more. Great prices! Call 813.907.6994.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 21, Issue 7 • March 30, 2013 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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Ashington

Meadow Point

Cross Cr eek Cross Creek

Asbury

Cory Lake

Green Hunters Gr een

The Groves Groves

Ashington Res.

Canterburry

Richmond Place

Hawks Landing

Huntington

Greene Arbor Greene

Lancaster

Asbury

Cross Creek Creek Cross

Pebble Creek Creek

.

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