Wesley Chapel Issue 12-12

Volume 20 Issue 12

Inside: Recapping The 2012 ‘Night Of 5000!’

In Neighborhood Magazine!

June 2, 2012

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THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINES DIRECTLY MAILED TO: 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 • Lakes at Northwood • The Villages of Wesley Chapel • Wesley Pointe • Westbrook Estates • Williamsburg NEW TAMPA: Arbor Greene • Cory Lake Isles • Cross Creek • Grand Hampton • Heritage Isles • Hunter’s Green • Hunter’s Key • K-Bar Ranch • Lake Forest • Live Oak Preserve • Pebble Creek • Richmond Place • Tampa Palms • West Meadows

Cypress Creek Town Center To Boast Chic Outlet Mall By 2014!

By Matt Wiley After years of legal battles, it looks as if the Cypress Creek Town Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI), the undeveloped property at the interchange of I-75 and S.R.s 54 & 56 in Wesley Chapel, will finally be home to an outlet mall to be built by the Simon Property Group.

In a press release on May 14, Simon announced that it would be opening seven new locations of the popular clothing outlet Saks Fifth Avenue “OFF 5TH” at many of its new and existing outlet malls. Among the new locations on the list is a mall called Tampa Premium Outlets, located in Wesley Chapel, more commonly referred to until now as the Cypress Creek Town Center, which is scheduled

to open sometime in 2014.

However, a spokesperson for the Pasco County Land Development Department claims that, “There have been no official plans submitted to the county from Simon about the mall.”

The only information the office would confirm was that Simon had met with Pasco officials a few months back, as previously reported in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News.

The press release is the first hard evidence that plans are finally moving forward for vertical development of the site, which appears to finally have overcome the many environmental issues that have kept the project at a halt since 2007.

The site has been sitting in predevelopment limbo since 2007, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoked the building permit it had

issued to the Richard E. Jacobs group—the development company that owns the property—after muddy runoff water was discovered leaking into Cypress Creek, one of the primary sources of drinking water for the New Tampa and Wesley The company that developed the Prime Outlets at Ellenton is Chapel areas. expected to open a new outlet mall in Wesley Chapel by 2014.

The environmento continue once the Corps figured out tal watchdog group the Sierra Club of a way to protect the wildlife corridor Tampa Bay sued the Army Corps for that stretches through the property. violating the Clean Water Act in 2007 The Wesley Chapel Neighborhood and the lawsuit ended up making its News will provide updates on the way to a Federal Appeals Court in project as they become available.

November 2011. The decision by the Between issues, you can always check Appeals Court reversed the previous WCNeighborhoodNews.com for our ruling that revoked the Jacobs Group’s daily news updates. mall permit and allowed development

The Ninth Annual Rotary PigFest Was Hot!

By Gary Nager From its humble beginnings with a crowd of fewer than 500 people when it first began nine years ago, the annual Rotary PigFest has blossomed into one of the premier events in our area year after year.

The 2012 PigFest, held on a “muy caliente” Cinco de Mayo at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd., nearly doubled the previous record PigFest attendance of 900, as more than 1,500 tickets were

sold, thanks to the efforts of event cochairs Peter Gambacorta and Robert Garofano of the New Tampa (breakfast) Rotary Club, as well as tremendous support from five other local Rotary Clubs — New Tampa Noon, New Tampa Evening, Wesley Chapel, Temple Terrace and Tampa North.

Also Inside This Issue!

NEIGHBORHOOD MAGAZINE!

ECRWSS

Pages 31-33

Postal Customer

Pages 1-29

(Top left) The food lines were long at the 9th annual Rotary PigFest, which featured bungee jumping (right) for the first time.

(Above) One of the event’s “honored guests.”

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

A Look Back At The Night Of 5000, Wesley Search Continues For Wesley Chapel Chapel Man Helps ‘Avengers,’ & Much Woman, Young Chef Wins $10K, Plus Lots More!

Of Local Business News!

Dated Material Please Rush!

NEWS, BUSINESS, SPORTS & EDUCATION UPDATES

See “PigFest” on page 13.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Editorial - Presenting Our ‘Best Of Wesley Chapel’ Contest!

As our regular readers know, we have conducted an extremely popular Reader Dining Survey & Contest virtually every year since 1994 in the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. I have often been asked why we don’t do the same for area businesses, so after discussing the idea with office manager Nikki Bennett, we have decided that this year is the year! So, area doctors, dentists, hair and nail salons, veterinarians, carpet cleaners, florists, boutiques, supermarkets and virtually every business category you can imagine will finally get the same treatment we have given area eateries.

To that end, we hope that when you receive this issue, you will visit WCNeighborhoodNews.com and fill in as many “Best of Wesley Chapel” categories as you want — from one to all of them — just bear in mind that you will receive one entry into this great contest for every category you fill in, as long as you correctly fill out your entry. You can fill in just the name of your favorite flooring store and you’ll still receive one entry into a random drawing for at least 20 great prizes, which will range from a great two-night hotel stay to $50 and $100 salon and spa prizes to $20 gift cards to a favorite local restaurant.

Yes, this “Best of Wesley Chapel” contest is a popularity contest, so feel free to get as many of your friends as you can to vote for your own chiropractic office or your best friend’s new Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News 15345 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Fax: 910-2483 Website: WCNeighborhoodNews.com Adv. E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Staff Writer Matt Wiley

Correspondents Camille Gillies • John McGurl • Sheryl Young

Advertising Customer Service Manager Nikki Bennett Marketing Director Ashley Knoblach Advertising Sales & Graphic Design AnnMarie Beck

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Porsha Lemos

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

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and ads for Volume 20, Issue 14, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, June 18, 2012.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2012 JM2 Communications, Inc.

An editorial by Gary Nager catering service. The business which receives the most votes of any in its category will win the highly coveted firstannual “Best of Wesley Chapel” award in that category. We will announce all of the 2012 award winners in our special January 2013 issue.

There are some rules, however.

1) You can only enter this contest on our website — no mailed, emailed or faxed entries, please!

2) Each person can only submit one (1) entry, but up to four other people in the same household may also submit their votes.

3) You can vote for one business in one category or place a vote in every category and you will receive one entry into our contest for each category in which you cast a vote.

4) You can enter the contest any day between now and September 30.

5) No matter how many categories you fill in, you must include your name, address, the community you live in (Meadow Pointe, Seven Oaks, etc.), your daytime telephone number and a valid e-mail address or all of your votes will not count!

your ad with a “Please Vote for Us in the 2012 ‘Best (dry cleaner, wine shop, etc.) of Wesley Chapel’ Contest!”

In our January 3 and January 14, 2013, issues, we will announce not only the winners, but also the runners-up and third-place vote-getters, in each category. And, in each 2013 issue in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, we will guarantee to run at least one full-length feature story about one of our category winners. We know the businesses will appreciate not only the honor of being named a category winner, but also the opportunity to have their business featured in a great feature story which will appear, not only in print, but also on our website.

So, I hope you will visit WCNeighborhoodNews.com to check out the complete rules and entry form — and please tell your friends to get out and vote!

More Website Stuff

Speaking of our website, I hope you’ve been checking it out regularly between issues because we continue to feature exclusive web-only content, including a “New Item of the Day,” which can be anything as simple as a Chamber ribbon cutting to the story about that construction that snarled I75 for hours during the morning rush hour. Staff writer Matt Wiley continues to provide these great news items and the only place you can get the full story is at WCNeighborhoodNews.com.

In addition to the remainder of Matt’s “Summer Movie Preview” (the introduction of which appears on page 33 of this issue), our website also features exclusive content like video recaps of the recent Rotary PigFest (see bottom of page 1), “Night of 5000” gala and a couple of other print stories we couldn’t fit in this issue. Check it out!

How Your Business Can Benefit, Too!

We created this contest to help promote area businesses, which, of course, is our primary goal in virtually everything we do. So, if you want your business to get more votes than just the ones you and your friends submit, we are offering a special discount for new Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News advertisers who sign a new agreement for at least four issues during the summer months. That discount increases if you agree to run your ad for at least six issues. And yes, we will gladly banner

Table of Contents LOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS, & EDUCATION UPDATES........................................................Pages 1-29 Massive Growth Expected For Wesley Chapel........................4 ‘Fields At Wiregrass’ Not ‘In Trouble’....................................5 Wesley Chapel News Briefs ................................................8 Search Continues For Missing Linda Losacano SWAT Standoff Ends Peacefully Pasco Drug Traffickers Caught Doughertys Sentenced In Colorado Pasco School District’s First 2012 Town Hall Meeting Wesley Chapel Community Calendar..............................12

Local Business Updates..................................16-26 Wesley Chapel North Kumon Center ...................................16 Redecorate At Home With Decorating Den........................20 Wesley Chapel Business Briefs..........................................23 Laser Affair Gets Rid Of Unwanted Hair...............................24 You Do The Dishes Summer Art Club.................................26

Education & Sports Updates..........................28-29 Cooking Star Earns $10k For Her School..........................28 Josh Freeman Football Camp At WCH................................29

Neighborhood Magazine

‘Night Of 5000’: A Look Back...............................................31 Not Just ‘Another’ Sushi Cafe.........................................32 Wesley Chapel Man Assists ‘Avengers’ On Screen................33 WESLEY CHAPEL COLOR CLASSIFIEDS........34

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Massive Growth Expected For Wesley Chapel Area In Coming Years

By Matt Wiley Imagine the Shops at Wiregrass becoming the bustling urban, “downtown center” of Pasco County. This is not a figment of someone’s imagination. It’s the plan of the Pasco County Planning & Growth Management department (PGM).

During a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Economic Development Committee meeting at American Consulting Engineers (ACE, located off of S.R. 56 near I75), Richard Gehring, director of the PGM, gave a presentation about the recent growth and plans for future growth in the Wesley Chapel area.

Seated around the table in the ACE conference room, Gehring explained that there are currently 18 Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) in Pasco, including both Wiregrass Ranch and the not-yet-developed Cypress Creek Town Center (see page 1), and that the County is currently working to bring both more residential and non-residential growth to the area.

Gehring explains that the plan for these DRIs is to develop them as 50percent urbanized, with both commercial and residential areas, and then leave the remaining 50 percent of the land as conservation or preservation areas.

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“Forces will want to urbanize the whole county,” Gehring said. “This way, we get the best of both worlds.”

He compares the plans for Pasco to the original layout of Hillsborough County, with the southern portion the most urbanized, gradually becoming more rural in the northern areas. However, in recent years, there has been significant growth in northern Hillsborough, especially around New Tampa.

Wiregrass Ranch is expected to become the downtown, urbanized portion of Pasco as the Wesley Chapel area continues to grow, said Gehring.

“The S.R. 56 corridor is the most dynamic,” he explained. “New Tampa is built up and now it is pouring into Wesley Chapel.”

Gehring says the current regional center of the entire Tampa Bay region is the Westshore district of Tampa, which has the highest concentration of businesses. However, he says that the University of South Florida (USF) area, including New Tampa, is expected to emerge as the new regional center of Tampa Bay over the next 20 years.

The proof is in the numbers. While the County population only grew by 120,000, a 42-percent overall growth, between 2000 and 2010, the population in southern Pasco has exploded in past decade, second only to Lee County

in southwest Florida. In 2000, the population of southern Pasco was about 48,500; the 2010 census put the population at nearly 120,000, a growth of more than 145 percent.

Based on this growth, estimated population figures for 2025 put the Richard Gehring (2nd from left) told Wesley Chapel Economic area at 300,000 Development Committee members that Wesley Chapel is becomresidents , ing southern Pasco County’s urban center. although Gehring pastures into an urban center.” called that number “aggressive.”

Gehring also discussed the possiGrowth can already be seen in the Wiregrass Ranch area, as that DRI con- bilities for mass transit, one of which tinues to be developed, albeit still with- included bending Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. through the Wiregrass out a residential component. The new Ranch DRI. He also mentioned the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is one possibility of the still uncertain highof the most obvious signs. The Porter campus of Pasco-Hernando Communi- speed rail system and a bus rapid transit ty College (PHCC) is slated to open in system, even discussing the possibility of constructing a station attached to the 2014, the same year as the recently Shops at Wiregrass. announced Cypress Creek Town Cen“That area is where there will be ter outlet Mall, which will be known as the most intense urban concentration, Tampa Premium Outlets (again, see and mass transit will push it,” he said. page 1).

“We want to grow in a way that “The I-75 corridor is where the increases quality, as well as quantity.” most growth is expected,” said Gehring. “We are going to turn cow

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‘Fields At Wiregrass’ Deal Still Being Negotiated, Not ‘In Trouble’ Soon, Wesley Chapel residents will have a bustling youth sports complex in the area for the sports stars of tomorrow to hone their talents.

As reported in our last issue, the Pasco County Commission unanimously agreed in a vote on April 24 to set aside $14 million for the project that would be the first sports complex of its kind in the Wesley Chapel area.

However, it was recently reported in another publication that the negotiations between the County and the Porter family, the owners of Wiregrass Ranch, had hit some snags.

According to a spokesman for the Porter family, this is not the case and some information may have been taken out of context.

“Every commissioner we have talked to didn’t see any issues,” says J.D. Porter. “As far as our discussions with the County Commission, we are still on the same page as we were a few weeks ago.”

And that page is potentially 90 days long, as the Porters and the County have 60 days to iron out the details of the park deal, specifically an operations and maintenance agree-

ment, with an option for a 30-day extension if needed.

“We are continuing to have discussions with Wiregrass,” says Pasco County Commisioner Ted Schrader.

“We’re currently working on a timing and phasing analysis of the transportation (impacts).”

The 200-acre sports complex will be the latest in a series of major developments inside the DRI, where Porter also hopes to soon begin developing 2,000 single-family homes.

“We just want access now so we can develop,” says Porter.

Schrader says that the County is concerned with a “concurrency issue” with off-site improvements, such as roads that will be affected by the development, including S.R. 56 and the nearby I-75 interchange.

“We are still working through any concerns and issues,” Schrader says.

Once the deal is finalized, construction can begin on the complex that is expected to be a major tourism boost for the area. The complex will be in close proximity to the Shops at Wiregrass, another plus for the Wesley Chapel tourism industry. — MW

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W ESLEY C HAPEL Wesley Chapel Woman Still Missing

A five-year-old girl is safe, a man is dead and a woman is still missing at our press time after a SWAT standoff May 6 in Wesley Chapel.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is still searching for Linda Losacano, a woman who has been missing since April 14 and who, according to PCSO, could be a victim of foul play.

PCSO spokesman Doug Tobin says that there has been no Linda Losacano update in the search since evidence was discovered at the missing woman’s residence, 27154 Raven Brook Rd. in the Quail Hollow community, that could indicate that foul play had a hand in her disappearance. He adds that it is still an active search for a missing person, and not a recovery search.

“Right now, our primary concern is finding Linda, to find out where she is and to find out the full circumstances of the events that occurred with her boyfriend, Timothy (Dean Arnold),” says Sgt. James Sessa.

According to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO) report, deputies were following up a search for Losacano on May 6 at the request of Losacano’s sister Connie, who says Linda has not been heard from since April 14.

PCSO’s SWAT team responded after deputies heard shots fired inside the home around 7:19 p.m. while they searched for Losacano’s five-year-old daughter. (Kaylie was found, removed safely and is now in the custody of Losacano’s sister.) SWAT entered the home a little after 9 p.m. The report says that the team found Arnold, 49, deceased, with what is still being

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News Briefs described as a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

“We need the public's help,” says Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco during a press conference May 8. "Anyone who has any information, please, let us know. There's a five-year-old girl out there who wants her mother and we're trying to find her right now."

Losacano’s status has changed from a missing person to an endangered missing adult, PSCO says. Anyone with any information is urged to call Sgt. Sessa at (727) 844-7711 or (727) 844-7781.

SWAT Standoff Ends Peacefully

The SWAT team has been busy in Wesley Chapel in recent weeks, responding to another standoff in the early morning hours of May 18 that began as a domestic disturbance.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies responded to a domestic incident around 3 a.m. at 32052 Northridge Dr. in the New River Township community of Wesley Chapel to find a man named Stacey Miller, 23, barricaded in his home, alone.

The PCSO report says that the disturbance occurred after Miller got into an argument with his Stacey Miller domestic partner, Chad Battle. The confrontation led to Miller pointing a handgun at Battle and threatening to shoot him. The two wrestled for control of the gun and Battle was able to escape with his nephew, Michael Barker, Jr., and call PCSO. The SWAT team was called in when Miller would not give himself up and, after a nearly three-hour standoff, the man was arrested without incident around 5:45 a.m. Miller has been

charged with aggravated assault and is being held at the Pasco County Detention Center in Land O’ Lakes on a $1,500 bond for a previous warrant for driving with a suspended license.

Spring Heat Brings New Water Restrictions

It’s already been a scorcher of a spring without very much rain in the past few months. With all that heat and so little rain, new water restrictions have been issued for the Tampa Bay area, including residences and businesses in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

The new restrictions, which limit water use to one day per week for 16 counties, are part of what is called a Phase II Water Shortage Emergency, issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (aka Swiftmud).

The restrictions will be in effect until July 31, but could go on longer, depending upon the amount of rain the area receives during that period. Those in violation of the restrictions can face a fine of up to $450 and have to appear in court.

According to Swiftmud, the new restrictions apply not only to private residences, but also to restaurants, which are being asked to only serve glasses of water to customers by request. The restrictions even affect local water fountains, which are only allowed to be in service for four hours

per day. In addition, homeowners associations are being required to suspend regulations that require members to use water, such as replacing lawns or pressure washing.

The single watering days per week for residences and businesses are determined by the last number in their addresses; all watering must be done either before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. For a detailed chart with watering schedules, please visit Swiftmud’s website at SWFWMD.State.Fl.US and click on the “Water Restrictions” link.

Pasco Traffickers Caught

A Pasco County couple is caught in traffic. Unfortunately for them, it’s not the kind of traffic that will move when the light turns green. Actually, they’ve been caught for trafficking in our area, so this couple won’t be moving for a while.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Ramon Aguilar-Hernandez, 39, and Damiana Alvarado, 38, of New Port Richey, were arrested on May 14 with more than $70,000 in prescription pills that deputies believe were to be sold and distributed in Pasco County, possibly in Wesley Chapel.

The report says that the couple, which had been under investigation by PCSO for five months, was returning from a drug-run to south Florida, when

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Ramon Aguilar-Hernandez (left) and Damiana Alvarado.

they were pulled over in their silver Honda sedan on probable cause. After being taken into custody, deputies searched the vehicle and found 3,280 Oxycodone pills, estimated to be about 393 grams. The search also found 1,413 Alprazolam (Xanax) pills, about 280 grams. The total street value of the meds was estimated by PCSO to be worth more than $70,000.

Aguilar-Hernandez and Alvarado were each charged with trafficking in controlled substances and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute/manufacture/deliver. Alvarado also was charged with violating parole and is still being held on a $185,000 bond at the Pasco County Detention Center in Land O’ Lakes.

Aguilar-Hernandez was released on an $85,000 bond.

‘Dougherty Gang’ Sentenced In Colorado

After already serving months in a Walsenburg, Colorado jail, the so-called “Dougherty gang” is on trial in Geor-

gia for robbing a bank, after finally being sentenced in Colorado, where the three siblings’ cross-country crime spree—which began just outside of Wesley Chapel last summer—concluded with a shootout with authorities.

According to the Associated Press (AP), April 30 was a somber day for the trio already convicted of numerous assault charges as the eldest, Lee Grace, 29, was sentenced to 24 years in prison, while Dylan, 27, was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 32 years.

Youngest brother Ryan, 22, was sentenced to 18 years.

And that sentence is only the beginning. The siblings currently are on trial in Georgia, where they are charged with holding up a Certus Bank in Valdosta and stealing more than $5,000.

They pleaded not guilty to those charges at a hearing on May 16.

AP reports that the three were caught on camera bursting through the doors of the bank with an AK-47 assault rifle, which they used to fire shots into the ceiling, before making off with the cash.

Once the trial in Georgia ends , the gang will return to Florida to face charges of second-degree attempted murder for firing shots at a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputy during the trio’s first high-speed chase, the event that began the nation-wide manhunt for the siblings. — MW

Long Hosts 1st School Board Town Hall Meeting The 2012-13 budget for the Pasco County School District appears to be in trouble. For this reason, the Pasco School Board is calling on the community for suggestions on what should be done through a series of “town hall meetings” hosted by members of the Board.

“We want to be accountable and efficient,” said Board chairwoman Joanne Hurley from the podium at the front of the Dr. John Long Middle School cafeteria on May 21. “We want you to be a part of that.”

Facing a fifth consecutive year of budget cuts, the Board must function with $25.3 million less than it had last year to best serve its 67,000 students and 9,000 employees. “We want your comments,” Hurley said. “I’m asking you to walk in my shoes. They’re not very big, but it is a tough job.”

The meeting began with a presentation from Pasco Schools spokeswoman Summer Romagnoli, which gave the 40 in attendance a brief overview of the District’s proposed budget, how the money was planned to be allocated and for which areas the District is mandated to set aside money. Romagnoli explained that last year, the District was able to use some of its reserves to offset the previous year’s $55.3 million in cuts, but that money isn’t available this year.

“When we set the budget, we are at the mercy of state mandates,” said Hurley (following the presentation, but before opening up the floor for suggestions from the public). The statewide Class Size Reduction Amendment, for example, which passed in 2003, has required schools to reduce the number of students in core classes, such as math, English or science, by two students per class per year. This mandate is expected to cost the District about $6.4 million this coming school year.

Robin Maltenfort, a physical education instructor at Centennial Elementary in Dade City, reminded the

crowd that this problem isn’t just Pasco’s, it’s across the country.

“There is a two-part solution,” she said. “We can look at what we need to reduce, but we also need to look at how to become sustainable.”

Maltenfort offered the idea of a voluntary fund that parents could contribute to and also charging fees for certain programs, such as athletics and driver’s education.

“We can create revenue,” said Richard Trout, better known as “Mr. Choo Choo,” the mini-train conductor at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall. “The kids can have fun with it.”

Trout doesn’t have kids in Pasco schools, but says that he has a passion for helping people. He suggested setting up competitions for the students at the County’s tech schools and getting sponsorships from local businesses for those competitions.

Not all of the comments from the audience came as suggestions. Hurley received harsh criticism from two audience members, including Bill Helm of Seven Oaks, for not providing any literature, such as a copy of the current budget, for the attendees to scrutinize.

“We don’t know what we don’t know,” Helm said. He suggested getting rid of “brick and mortar” schools and putting teachers on webcams. He also criticized the Board for what he described as “begging the public for solutions. We’re not getting paid the big bucks to figure out this problem.”

Hurley insisted that the Board was not begging for solutions, but “asking for your opinion from what you see.”

She concluded the meeting by commending the staff of Pasco schools for the job they do on a daily basis.

All of the questions and comments from the town hall meetings held throughout Pasco County the week of May 21-24 will be available on the school district’s website, as well as a list of the proposed budget cuts.

For more information, visit Pasco.K12.Fl.US. — MW

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 â&#x20AC;¢ Volume 20, Issue 12 â&#x20AC;¢ June 2, 2012 â&#x20AC;¢ www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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W ESLEY C HAPEL

Community Calendar

Experienced Networking Professionals (ENP)

Monday, June 4, 7:30 a.m. — This networking group meets Monday mornings at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and at 8:00 a.m. for networking at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.).

For more information, call Cindy at 505-3065.

Free Networking Int’l

Monday, June 4, 8 a.m. — Free Networking International (FNI), a group of area business owners, meets each Monday for networking and discussion at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club clubhouse (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., off S.R. 54).

For more information, call Stacy Dalton at 469-5499.

Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking

Monday, June 4, 8 a.m. - The Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking (WCBFN) is a free gathering of local business leaders in the South Central Pasco and North Hillsborough areas. WCBFN meets Mondays at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club, located at 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.

For more info, call John Roth at

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377-2622, send him an email at John.Roth@IBuilderz.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Wesley Chapel Toastmasters

Monday, June 4, 6:15 p.m. — The “Wesley Chapel Speaks” Toastmasters Club meets on the first and third Monday of every month, at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (26944 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). Club meetings are open to all interested parties.

For more information, call 4065931 or visit Toastmasters84.org.

Business Networking Int’l

Tuesday, June 5, 7:30 a.m. — Business Networking International (BNI), a group of business professionals who work to support each other through qualified business referrals, meets Tuesdays at Song & Dance Studio (27221 Foamflower Blvd., off Old Pasco Rd.).

For more information, contact JD Lane at 391-5018 or by e-mail at Jdlane@benchmarkbusiness.com.

East Pasco Networking

Tuesday, June 5, 9 a.m. — The East Pasco Networking Group meets every Tuesday, 9 a.m., at Beef O’Brady’s (1660 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Shops at New Tampa of

Wesley Chapel plaza). Contact Frankie Ammons at 479-7997 or by e-mail at Frankie@studioglory.com.

Wesley Chapel Lions Club

Tuesday, June 5, 12 p.m. - An organizational meeting will be held at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.) for the new Lions Club that is forming in the Wesley Chapel area for service-minded individuals.

Lions Clubs provide eye examinations, eye glasses and eye surgeries to the less fortunate, plus support projects that improve education, assist the disabled and improve the safety of the community. The possibilities are endless. Each Lions club picks its own service projects to benefit the community.

For more information, please contact Cathy Walton at 495-8134.

Wesley Chapel Rotary Club

Wednesday, June 6, 12:15 p.m.

— The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets every Wednesday at Pagelli’s Italian Restaurant in the Shops at Wiregrass mall (2001 Piazza Ave.).

For more information, call 8628989 or 391-3895.

WC Civil Air Patrol

Wednesday, June 6, 6:30 p.m. — The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol squadron meets every Wednesday at Tampa North Aero Park (4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54).

Visit WesleyChapelCAP.com or call Cheryl Spence at 973-7270.

Networking For Success

Thursday, June 7, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. — The Networking For Your Success group meets every Thursday at Song & Dance Studio (27221 Foamflower Blvd., off S.R. 54).

For additional information, call John Anglada at 298-3232 or visit NetworkingforYourSuccess.com.

WC Sunrise Rotary Club

Friday, June 8, 7:15 a.m. — The Wesley Chapel Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Friday at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.) *Note-The Club no longer meets at Lexington Oaks Golf Club.

For additional information, call Lynne Wilson at 695-6466.

Wiregrass Ranch High Basketball Camps

Monday, June 11, 9 a.m. - Wiregrass Ranch High will begin its sixth summer of basketball camps in several different sessions. Campers will take part in skill-building stations, ball-handling drills, contests, as well as games of 5-on-5 and 3-on-3.

For more information, including session dates and prices, please contact Jeremy Calzone at JCalzone@Pasco.K12.US.

MOMS Club Of WC

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Monday, June 11, 10 a.m. — The Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club of Wesley Chapel, a non-profit social group for stay-athome mothers, meets the third Monday of each month at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club clubhouse (26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd., off S.R. 54) for activities, field trips and more.

For more information, e-mail Heather at WCMoms@yahoo.com.

Women In Business Dinner

Thursday, June 14, 6 p.m. - The North East Tampa Women in Business will be having their June Dinner Meeting, featuring “Makeover Mania” at Hunter’s Green Country Club. Attendees can enjoy hair-styling, make-up magic, mini massages and more. Plus, a photographer will be present.

The cost of the dinner is $25 for members and $28 for guests. Please RSVP online by Friday, June 8, at NetWIB.org or call 364-2174.

Networking On The Nines

Tuesday, June 19, 3 p.m. - The WCCC invites you to Networking on the Nines at Saddlebrook Resort The event features nine holes of “Best Ball” for $20, which pays for greens fees and a cart. Bring a client or associate for a fun, unique networking opportunity on the golf course.

Contact Matt Archbold at matt@bayinsurors.com or 907-3990.

June WC Chamber Events The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is hosting the following upccoming events. Please note that ribbon cuttings and mixers are free and open to the public. There is a cost for Chamber breakfasts and luncheonss.

Tues., June 5, 8 a.m. - Chamber breakfast at Saddlebrook. $18-$20. Call 994-8534 for details.

Wed., June 6, 6 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting at Achievable Comm. Interaction Therapy (18017 Java Isle Dr., Cory Lake Isles, New Tampa). 469-2021.

Thur., June 7, 6 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting at PNC Bank (1715 BBD Blvd.). 994-3969.

Tues., June 12, 5:30 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting at Insurance New Tampa (33845 S.R. 54, Suite 103). 435-6350.

Thur., June 14, 5:30 p.m. - Correrstone Exec. Suites (3632 LOL Blvd., Land O’Lakes). 298-7363.

Fri., June 15, 10 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting for PDQ Restaurant (27757 S.R. 56). 528-8770.

Thur., June 21, 6 p.m. - Monthly Business Mixer w/Bay Insurors & Chris Thurow (26236 WC Blvd.). 907-3990.

Thur., June 28, 6 11:30 a.m. Econ. Development Committee meeting w/Pasco administrator John Gallagher at Amer. Consulting Engineers (2818 Cypress Ridge Blvd.).

Fri., June 29, noon - Ribbon Cutting at A&A Boutique (2653 BBD, Suite 108). No phone # provided.

“PigFest” Continued from page 1

BBQ & the “Sir Pigs A Lot” team took this year’s top honors, which. for the first time, was judged according to Florida BBQ Assn. rules.

But, the big winners were still the attendees, the six Rotary clubs and their preferred charities.

To get involved in next year’s PigFest, visit RotaryPigFest.com!

Although we don’t know precisely how much money, in terms of net proceeds, was raised through ticket and “PigBuck” (used to purchase items during the event) sales to benefit the selected charities of each Rotary club, Gambacorta said, “We definitely took a step up this year.”

Gambacorta, Garofano and company had good reason to be proud.

Despite temperatures that sweltered near 90º, the nine pig-roasting teams put on a great show (including giving out hundreds of free samples), Lee Roy Selmon’s provided delicious BBQ pork & “fixins” for the attendees, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn enjoyed judging the pie-eating contest, the entertainment (including the first-ever PigFest bungee jumping booth) was outstanding and business vendors sold everything from market-fresh veggies to solar heating solutions and legal services. One lucky winner went home with more than $1,000 in the day’s 50/50 drawing and the classic & custom car show featured everything from a $200,000+ McLaren MP4-12C sports car to the “People’s Choice” award-winning classic VW bug.

Last year’s pig-roastwinning team, the Meat Monkeys of St. James Church, did not repeat, (Top to bottom) We didn’t get the names of all the winners, as multiple-time former but these were the leaders of the top three pig-roasting teams; winner Gary Callicoat of this classic VW bug won the “People’s Choice” car show prize; Cally’s Sticky Bones the lucky 50/50 winner took home more than $1,000!

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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New Wesley Chapel North Kumon Center Helps Students Succeed!

By Matt Wiley Recent FCAT scores have educators and parents alike worried about how much Florida students are actually learning in the state’s public schools.

Luckily, there are places like Daksha Jadeja’s Wesley Chapel North Kumon Learning Center franchise (on S.R. 54, next to Sweetbay), where students as young as preschoolers to graduating high school seniors can get extra help in both reading and mathematics.

“Kumon is an international program,” says Jadeja. “We are the world’s oldest and largest after-school supplemental/enrichment-program. I’ve had a Kumon center in the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area for about 10 years now.” In November 2011, Jadeja opened her second Kumon Center on Wesley Chapel Blvd. in the Towne Centre shopping plaza.

“One of the reasons we (opened the new center) was because our Lutz/Land O’ Lakes center already was drawing so many students from the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa area,” she explains. “It made sense to open a center there to accommodate some of the existing students and keep them from having to come all the way out to Land O’ Lakes.”

One of the ways Jadeja commemo-

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rated the new center was by hosting her annual “Read-a-thon” there, an event that she had previously held for her students at the Land O’ Lakes location for the past 10 years.

Jadeja says that the “Read-a-thon” is an event for her students to practice reading out loud to develop fluency, as well as showcase their reading talents in an intimate atmosphere surrounded by a small, supportive group of parents and fellow students. This year’s “Read-athon” was the first to be held at her new Wesley Chapel center, but it will likely not be the last.

“Our goal was to help the kids overcome their fear of reading in public,” says Jadeja. “We had about 20 kids from pre-k through seventh grade participate (this year).”

The students each chose a book at their reading level from Kumon’s recommended reading list and read in front of the group of parents and students for about three minutes each.

Jadeja says that part of the way Kumon helps students improve their reading (and math) skills is through the use of an “individual curriculum” that is different for each student.

“We have a curriculum,” Jadeja says, “and essentially what that curriculum has done is pull the core principles

Owner Daksha Jadeja of the Wesley Chapel North Kumon Learning Center on S.R. 54 helps 6-year-old Joaquin Parrilla with a reading exercise. that children need to learn in order to be successful in their academic pursuits, and that’s what we focus on. What’s individualized is how they pace themselves through the program and how they progress.”

According to the Kumon website, the program is not just a place for remedial math and reading help.

Kumon does focus on early learning, remedial learning and enrichment, hoping to build confidence in each student’s learning abilities that the student will be able to take beyond the classroom. And, the Kumon classroom is where it all begins.

“We always want each child to be working above and beyond their grade level and exceeding all expectations,” Jadeja says.

Parents take their kids to Kumon because the program has consistently produced results. Jadeja’s goal is to have students who are enrolled in her Kumon Centers to be working at their grade level within twelve months of beginning at the center — no matter which level they were at when they started — and continue on to finish the program. She currently has more than 300 students enrolled in the math and/or reading programs at her two Kumon centers, of which 70 percent are working above their grade level.

A Tried & True Method To achieve the success parents and students seek, Jadeja’s centers use the “Kumon Method” of learning which, according to the company’s website, is built in levels. To determine where each student stands when they begin the program, they have to take a placement test.

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Then, based on the results of the test, students’ learning levels are established and they begin the program at a “comfortable starting point.”

The Kumon site says that it’s O.K. for this level to be below the student’s current grade level, which allows each student to build confidence and stronger study skills. Students complete worksheets in whichever program they are enrolled that focus on the fundamentals of each subject, whether it is math or reading. As the students master concepts, they progress to the next level of exercises at their own pace or, as Kumon describes it, the “Just Right” level.

As students progress through the different levels of the two programs, they are recognized for their accomplishments. This helps to keep the kids interested, she says. One way that they are recognized is through Kumon’s use of a “rewards system,” in which students earn points that they can save up and redeem for prizes. The more assignments and levels students complete, the more points they earn.

Jadeja says that one of her students recently redeemed his points for a Microsoft X-Box 360 gaming system, which is in the top level of prizes. Different prize levels feature different types of prizes, which can vary from gaming systems to a guitar or telescope.

She says that she also holds an

annual awards ceremony for the students at her two Kumon Centers, in which every child is recognized. This, she says, is a huge motivation for the kids. No matter how big or small, attention is shown to each student’s accomplishments. There is also an honor roll assessed after each quarter for all of the students working above their grade level “I like to honor all of the kids,” she says. “Each student has made some achievement.”

The Meaning Of ‘G By 5’ One of the milestone achievements students enrolled in the Kumon math program can earn is called the “G by 5” award, for which they earn a trophy in the shape of a golden star. Students who earn this recognition have completed level “F,” or pre-algebra, by the end of fifth grade, or before they enter middle school. One student in Jadeja’s program, 10-year-old Nikita Patel, has even exceeded the “G by 5” award, as she is about to finish the “F” level before entering the fifth grade.

“The biggest reward of the system is helping students feel empowered,” she explains. “They find that they have become independent, self-learners and really enjoy not having difficulty at school. Self-esteem and self-confidence really go up with the program.”

Jadeja explains that most parents

who enroll their child have heard about her two Kumon Centers through word of mouth for the results her programs have produced and the level of personal service she provides.

“I am very accessible,” she explains. “I also know these kids. I know all of their names and know where they are in the program.”

Before opening her first center, Jadeja was a Kumon parent.

Her daughter Noorie, now a 23Daksha With Nikita Patel, who is about to year-old law school student at the begin algebra before entering the 5th grade.

University of Miami, was a complete some of the same worksheets as Kumon student throughout middle and their students to stay fresh on their subhigh school.

“Kumon definitely helped boost her jects. Jadeja says that she personally trains self confidence and enabled her to handle each of her staff members in the Kumon method of teaching. advanced classes in middle and high There are now 15 Kumon centers school, she says. “ It helped her earn in the Tampa Bay area, all part of the high academic honors and boosted her Kumon family that, according to the SAT scores.” company’s website, has centers in 47 Jadeja says that she saw the Kumon countries. The first location in the U.S. program available in other parts of the was opened in New York City in 1974. country, but not as many in our area, a Kumon now boasts more than 2,000 gap she decided to fill by opening the centers across North America.

Land O’ Lakes center in 2002.

The Wesley Chapel North Kumon To open her first center, Jadeja Center is located at 27311 Wesley underwent a “rigorous training and certification” process through Kumon Uni- Chapel Blvd. in the Towne Centre Plaza. For more information about her versity, the company’s training program new Kumon Learning Center, call for Kumon Center instructors. Jadeja Daksha at 973-2266, or send an email says that there is ongoing certification to DakshaJadeja@IKumon.com. required and that teachers even have to

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Shop At Home When You Redecorate With Decorating Den

by Sheryl Young Decorating Den is an interior decorating franchise known for its “traveling offices.” The company’s interior designers bring their decorating stores to the customer. Local franchise owner Debbie Demboski is no different. Her lovely van is packed full of all the colorful samples needed to pick out a new look for a single a room, or your entire house.

Debbie also is Decorating Den’s regional director for New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding Tampa Bay-area neighborhoods. As a designer, her shop-at-home service has saved clients countless hours of shopping for the perfect items to beautify their living spaces. As a director, she also searches out new designing talent and helps to award new franchises. Perhaps the best thing you can say about Debbie is that you can tell she loves what she does.

“I wanted to get into fashion design when I was younger,” says Debbie. “I worked in retail, and ended up doing design details for a large company. Some friends started a Decorating Den franchise and encouraged me to do the same, but I resisted stepping out into my own business.”

After Debbie had her daughter, she wasn't working and those same

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friends asked her to help them parttime. She was convinced to take the next step after seeing how relaxed the rapport with their customers was, outside of a corporate office environment.

That was 23 years ago. Debbie has built her Decorating Den franchise in the New Tampa area through networking and by advertising in media like the New Tampa Neighborhood News. Then, she started helping others with the franchises they were awarded.

Although Debbie has worked with some of her clients throughout these many years, she took a break to assist the franchise owners in her regional director role, before returning to designing.

“About two years ago, I reactivated my own love for interior decorating and helping people with their homes,” Debbie says. “I live in Seven Oaks and started participating in community events, like the Taste of New Tampa. I drive my van around everywhere, and so many people I know asked me to start helping them with their decorating again.”

In addition to single-family houses, Debbie has helped design retirement homes and businesses. She even helped a 100-year-old lady in Dade City reinvent her entire mobile home.

“This lady was so precious and

Debbie unselfishly advises her customers about services that might be less expensive without going through a middleman. She recommends paint colors, trends, materials and types of surfaces in order to help the client pull their rooms together. She works with a large number of suppliers to find what suits the project, and will inform her customers about vendors that aren’t well known Debbie Demboski, our local Decorating Den to the public.

“No job is too small,” she franchisee and regional director, has been says. “I will help you with small helping New Tampa residents redecorate their things like choosing window homes for nearly a quarter of a century. coverings or changing a room through new touches like pillively,” Debbie says. “She wanted me to lows and pictures. In fact, 70 percent of do everything from top to bottom, my new clients come from people who including a trailer she had bought for simply need ideas for window designs.” guests. Then, I ended up doing her She notes that doing small tasks daughter's house.” and one-room projects usually helps her form new relationships that can eventuFree Consultations, Too ally allow her to do bigger decorating With new customers, Debbie assignments for the same customers. always does a free initial consultation.

Just ask her client, Jane Mrus.

“The consultation can last up to “I had just moved to the New two hours,” she says. “I’ll take a tour Tampa area,” Jane recalls. “I wasn’t around the area they want to work on, familiar with the neighborhoods and talk with them about their tastes and didn’t know anyone. I just wanted to budget plans, and then discern what samples I need to bring in from the van redo my kitchen cabinets and carpeting.

But there was so much to consider, I to show them.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

realized I was spinning my wheels and wanted help.”

Jane found Debbie’s website and was thrilled to locate a decorator who was so close to her new home.

“Debbie came over, got a feel for our tastes and price points, and really listened,” Jane says. “She personally took me places to select things, and helped me decide just about everything. Through our interaction, Debbie even got my husband excited and involved and we eventually just began doing the whole house. Plus, Debbie follows up after every step.”

500 business owners/ decorators who have tremendous purchasing power to set the best prices with merchandisers. Created in 1969, the concept behind this traveling interior design business was to “Make the world more beautiful one room at a time.”

“We have an intense ten-day designer Over the years, Demboski has helped transform hundreds of her customers’ rooms like this one training program,” from passé (left) to “classé” with new furniture, window treatments, ceiling fans and more.

Debbie says. “This intense training they get when they events, and provides design seminars includes product knowledge, appointbecome a Decorating Den franchisee. free of charge to local groups and ment steps, how to help with budget“And it makes a great second career,” organizations. ing and conduct a house tour, and of Debbie adds. “I helped one lady start a To have Deborah Demboski course, the principles and elements of franchise who had been a bank owner.” bring Decorating Den to you, call design.”

When not busy helping her clients, 817-2264 or e-mail debbied@decoThen, directors like Demboski give Debbie believes in giving back to her ratingden.com. Her website is local training to those who end up in community. She raises money for her Local.DecoratingDen.com/debtheir districts. “This includes ongoing company's support of the Susan G. bied/, where you can download a training in industry changes and trends, Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, par- brochure by clicking the “I Come to supplier meetings, sharing experiences ticipates in Local Habitat for Humanity You” link. with other designers, and hands-on projects for which even newcomers can win awards.”

She notes that some Decorating Den designs have even ended up as award-winning photos in magazines like Traditional Homes.

Although Debbie has a design and business degree from West Virginia University, the designers don't need previous formal training because of the

Helping Others Start A Decorating Den Franchise!

Ever see those Decorating Den trucks and wonder would it be like to have a rolling interior design business?

Debbie can help you realize that vision.

“This is a great opportunity for people who love design,” Debbie says.

“Our economy is a roller coaster, but carrying the entire business in a van like this helps avoid the overhead of a storefront and other complications.”

This allows the company’s decorators to give customers great prices.

“While owning their own franchise, they still have the power of a big company behind them,” she says.

“We’re each in business for ourselves, but not by ourselves.”

Today, Decorating Den has about

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FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY 20441 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (across the street from Wharton H.S., in front of Live Oak)

“Let Our Family Be Here For Yours”

866-9913

Dr. Neeraja Jasthi, DMD

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Nibbles & Bytes’

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

By Gary Nager

So many ribbon cuttings, so little time?

Considering how hard it is to make a living in almost any U.S. community these days, when you have two outstanding Chambers of Commerce (Wesley Chapel & New Tampa) right in our distribution areas, and multiple other fine Chambers (Land O’Lakes, Central Pasco, PascoHernando Hispanic Chamber, etc.) based within a few more miles, it’s easy to not be able to afford so many Chamber memberships.

But, here’s a little hint if you’re still trying to grow your business locally: ribbon cuttings and after hours “mixers” hosted by Chamber members are almost always free and open to the public — and most attract anywhere from 30 to more than 100 local business people and residents who may want to do business with you!

Most even serve refreshments and some serve food so good and so abundant, you can even save the cost of going out to dinner after.

Here’s just a smattering of the recent run on local ribbon cuttings and events and, if you turn to page 13 of this issue, you’ll see a complete list of Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber (WCCC) events, most (but not all) of which are absolutely free!

Dash Of Salt & Pepper - I call owner and Meadow Pointe resident Ghada Jadallah my dear friend, but when way more than 100 people packed their way into the WCCC ribbon cutting for her catering/personal chef service located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd., I realized that Ghada and her husband Lutfi (who I’ve known even longer than I have her) have more friends than I have critics.

A Dash of Salt & Pepper has ready-made meals, can design personalized menus, uses the healthiest ingredients and serves up great food at great prices and Ghada’s always-winning smile.

Call A Dash of Salt & Pepper at 376-6689.

Also cutting a ribbon at the same event May 10 was Rosemary MacKeen of ARVE Interiors, who helped Ghada create her location’s appealing look. For ARVE interiors, call 523-3257.

Spherion Staffing & Gator Cleaning Solutions - This really nice ribbon cutting event, with delicious food provided by Betty Marie’s Meals & More (352-340-9597), was held Apr.

17 at the Hampton Inn & Suites off S.R. 56.

For Gator Cleaning Solutions, call Erin Meyer at (8130 929-1122. For Spherion Staffing, call Michael Spaulding at (352) 796-6000.

5/3 Bank After Hours Mixer - I still contend that 5/3 (somehow pronounced “Fifth Third”) Bank should either do away with the fractions in its name or change its name to “Five Thirds Bank,” but the branch located at 2022 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in front of The Shops at Wiregrass, and manager Frank DiMaria and his staff hosted about 100 people at its April 19 networking mixer, with outstanding food provided by Ghada Jadallah of A Dash of Salt & Pepper (see previous item). For 5/3 Bank, call 929-3474.

New Tampa Eye Institute - Located in the Summergate Prof. Park behind Sam’s Club, we had a full-length feature about the New Tampa Eye Institute in our last issue, but the well-attended official New Tampa Chamber ribbon cutting for Dr. Gritta Fridman’s ophthalmology office was held in May. Call 994-7000.

We also attended outstanding WCCC Ribbon Cuttings for Christian Brothers Automotive Repair (949-0100, which has a New Tampa location coming soon to BBD), Wesley Chapel Mini (907-3600) and missed several others in April & May. Bishop Family MS Fund Raiser - My friends Bonnie & Bob Bishop jammed somewhere between 150-200 people at the GrillSmith in The Shops at Wiregrass, where former Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk announced the raffle prize winners and I had the best grilled amberjack I’ve had in years at GrillSmith’s beautiful bar. Donations still being accepted to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

Email Bonnie at bfrombos@aol.com.

New Restaurants Coming Soon - Here comes another wave of new eateries in our area, as Baja Fresh & iCream (located next to The Hungry Greek on BBD) are both set to open around Mon., June 4, and PDQ Fresh Tenders Salads & Sandwiches also is planning a WCCC ribbon cutting on S.R. 56, in front of Sam’s Club, on Friday, June 15.

And, look for two new pizza places on

(Top left) The WCCC ribbon cutting for A Dash of Salt & Pepper and ARVE Interiors.

(Top right) A Dash of Salt & Pepper owner Ghada Jadallah provided the food at the 5/3 Bank after-hours mixer. (Center) 5/3 Bank manager Frank DiMaria (2nd from right) welcomes about 100 guests to his branch’s mixer. (Bottom left) Dr. Gritta Fridman & husband Michael Alperovich of New Tampa Eye Institute. Marcus & Erin Meyer of Gator Cleaning Solutions and their children celebrate their Ribbon Cutting at the Hampton Inn & Suites.

BBD. The first, New York New York Pizza will open in the former 3Ts Pizza location in the same plaza in Seven Oaks as Dunkin’ Donuts). NY NY is an Ybor City and Hyde Park fave of mine and is certain to be a big hit here, too.

A little to the south, at 19651 BBD in the Pebble Creek Collection, Full Circle Pizza & Grill owner Ron Chase says he serves authentic South Chicago-style

pizza, but not the deep-dish nonChicagoans think is the only type served in the Windy Cindy. (It may sound suspicious, but it’s yummy!).

Full Circle (named as an homage to it being in the former Circle’s Bistro location in the plaza) should be open as you receive this issue and Chase is hiring experienced kitchen and wait staffers.

Email Ron at fullcirclepizza andgrill@gmail.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Say Goodbye To Unwanted Hair At Laser Affair In Tampa Palms

By Camille Gillies Summertime means bathing suits, shorts, sleeveless shirts – and lots of shaving! The stubble, the irritation, the razor bumps…ugh! Perhaps you have tried waxing and found it painful or, well, just a pain. What’s a girl – or a guy with a hairy body – to do?

If you ask Mary Beth Lambert, certified medical electrologist (CME) and owner of Laser Affair in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms, laser hair removal is the answer. And she will tell you the benefits of it with unabashed enthusiasm because this Dade City native and long-time Tampa Palms resident loves her job.

“I like the satisfaction people get from it (laser hair removal),” Mary Beth relates. “People try it, and the next thing you know, they are bringing in a friend or a cousin.”

You might be surprised to learn that many wives are sending their husbands to her salon too.

“About 35 percent of my customers are men,” she says. “Men or women…people are just more confident when they are well-groomed.”

Mary Beth says that laser hair removal is second only to Botox as the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic pro-

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cedure. Many people assume that waxing takes second place, but she says that assumption is incorrect.

“Laser hair removal is preferable to waxing because it is permanent — you don’t have to grow your hair out before the treatment and it doesn’t leave your skin irritated,” Mary Beth explains. “Waxing can leave your skin raw and if it isn’t done properly, can even take off a layer of skin.”

She says laser hair removal is relatively painless, feeling similar to the snap of a small rubber band on your skin, and results in a 70-98 percent permanent hair reduction if the procedure is done by a skilled technician using the appropriate laser. Proper equipment is a key factor in determining effectiveness and safety.

“I use a laser that is the gold standard in the industry for treating people with light to medium skin types,” she says. Called the Alexandrite by Candela, it is an FDA-approved laser that precisely targets the melanin in the hair shaft, inflicting “injury” to the cells lining the hair follicle and inhibiting future growth.

“It is the most effective hair removal laser in the industry,” she says.

Mary Beth obtains a full health history of every patient and says it’s a

safe procedure for most people ages 14 and older. She not only uses the laser on herself but also on her teenage daughter.

“It is a nonionizing laser, and unlike an x-ray, does not change the structure of your molecules,” Mary Beth explains. “It is simply the radia- Certified medical electrologist Mary Beth Lambert of Laser tion of light and Affair in Tampa Palms, with patient Jessica Gaskins is FDA-approved for your skin.”

You should insist on knowing the manSkin type plays a major role in the ufacturer and wavelength (of the laser), effectiveness of the treatment. To and run as fast as you can if the technidetermine skin type, Mary Beth concian doesn’t know!” sults with each client before any treatSince most laser treatments require ment is scheduled. If you have a darker approximately six visits, clients of Laser skin type that would be more effectiveAffair appreciate having the same techly treated with another laser, she will nician perform each treatment. Privacy tell you. is respected and, because of a shared “For safety and the best results, it office/reception arrangement with two is imperative to be treated with the cor- other businesses, a client’s reason for rect laser for your skin type and hair visiting the salon is not apparent to color,” she says. “Some facilities put a curious passersby ‘private label’ on their laser, but there Laser hair removal is not cheap, are lots of inferior products out there. but if you take into account the cost of

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

shaving over a lifetime – with razors, blades, creams and gels – or the costs associated with repetitive waxing, you can make a pretty strong case for the purchase. Mary Beth says her goal is not to get a client into the facility as many times as possible, but to achieve optimal results with a minimal number of treatments.

Some treatments require more visits than others. At Laser Affair, you can purchase treatments individually or by the package. The price is determined by the area being treated. A man’s back, for instance, will cost more than a woman’s upper lip.

Any area of the body may be treated, except for the orbital rim of the eye.

Popular areas for women are the face, underarms, bikini area/Brazilian, and legs. Popular areas for men include ears, neck, back, chest and “manzilian” (Think: male version of the Brazilian).

When someone is aiming a laser at your most sensitive body parts, you want that person to be highly qualified for the job. Only a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioner (ARNP), physician’s assistant (P.A.) or CME may legally perform laser hair removal in Florida. Mary Beth has seven years of experience as a CME and laser technician. She graduated from the Esthetic Laser Institute in Orlando and is licensed by the Florida Department of Health and Florida Board of Medi-

cine as a CME. She also is licensed as a certified clinical electrologist (CCE).

A medical electrologist must operate under the direct supervision of a medical doctor. Laser Affair’s medical director is well-known local Board-certified plastic surgeon Gerard Mosiello.

M.D. Dr. Mosiello, whose Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery practice is located in the suite next to Mary Beth’s salon, monitors all charts at Laser Affair.

“If I have a question or concern, I don’t hesitate to consult him,” Mary Beth says. “He reviews all my charts.”

Among Mary Beth’s many satisfied patients is hair designer Gwen Stewart, who is halfway through her series of six treatments. “Mary Beth makes you feel very comfortable,” Gwen comments.

“She talks you through the process and guides you.”

Gwen, who has waxed her unwanted hair in the past, says laser hair removal is not as painful. “It feels like a little twitch and then goes away,” she says. “I have been very happy with the experience.” She says her treatments take less than 30 minutes apiece.

If you would like to find out more about laser hair removal, visit Laser Affair’s informative website at LaserAffair.com or call Mary Beth for a free consultation at 944-2445.

The private salon is located at 15241 Amberly Dr. on the west side of Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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You Do The Dishes Can Provide Your Kids With An Artistic Summer

By Gary Nager Do you have a budding young artist living in your house? Has he or she ever been to You Do the Dishes (YDTD) Paint-Your-Own Pottery Studio & Coffee Bar in Tampa Palms?

If not, now is the time to go and check out not only the studio, but owner Cindy Kozlowski & her longtime friend Herb Pinder’s great Summer Art Fest program. Although kids who attend the camp still get an opportunity to paint their own pottery, too, the Art Fest program is so much more than that. The one-week sessions (which begin Monday, June 11, and are run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every weekday) for ages 7-13 include printmaking, drawing, watercolors, acrylics, collages, pottery painting and origami.

Herb, who first met Cindy shortly after she opened the studio in 1998, first came into YDTD to paint some pottery. An artist/educator who received his formal art training from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and from USF, Herb has led the summer art program for kids at YDTD the last eight years.

“Every year, we have themes for the Art Fest program,” says Herb.

“One of this year’s themes is folk art.

We will show the kids a variety of different types of folk art and have them cre-

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ate projects in those and other themes and artistic mediums. We definitely get a tremendous response to this program year after year.”

Last year, he adds, the kids had fun creating fish statues in the style of renowned artist Frank Gehry.

He admits that more girls than boys participate in the Art Fest annually, “But, there are always boys participating, too. I try to give them serious art training but always remembering that they are children, so of course, it has to be fun for them. We get a lot of repeat students, plus siblings of past students who have participated.”

For only $210 per session, which includes all materials used and created by each student, your child can have supervised fun — and get an art education — in YDTD’s safe, nurturing environment. Please note that all Art Fest students have to bring their own lunch and snacks each day.

And So Much More!

In addition to the annual Art Fest summer camp, YDTD also offers opportunities for kids under age 15 (although kids under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult) to join the studio’s Summer Paint Club. For only $100, your child receives unlimited Monday-Friday studio time, paints and firing costs for the entire summer (June

goods, from brownies and muffins to an ever-changing variety of cakes.

And, Cindy is proud to announce that YDTD has added several flavors of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, which is available in cones and cups at very fair prices.

And, considering our office is right next to YDTD, it’s hard for (Left) Last year, the students at the Summer ArtFest at You Do me to not stop in The Dishes in Tampa Palms created fish sculptures in the style of every day to get a artist Frank Gehry; (right) You Do The Dishes owner Cindy scoop of Moose Tracks or Cookies & Kozlowski and art educator Herb Pinder.

Cream.

8-August 21), between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

And of course, YDTD is still a weekdays. Paint Club students are sepa- great place for kids parties, girls night rated from the Art Fest kids and the our and other events and even offers a cost of the bisque (unpainted pottery), coupon in conjunction with The Soap food and drinks is in addition to the Factory (located in another part of $100 program cost. Students also can Tampa Palms), a studio where you can bring their own lunch and snacks. design and take home your own bars of And yes, adults can still paint dursoap. If you make a bar of soap at The ing the summer months, too. Call Soap Factory, you get a reduced price YDTD (see info below) for details. (with the coupon) on a paint-it-yourself YDTD also is an outstanding cofsoap dish at YDTD. fee bar serving delicious Joffrey’s coffee For more information, call You (and coffee drinks), Tazo hot teas and Do The Dishes (15357 Amberly Dr., Arizona iced teas, as well as Otis Shoppes of Amberly plaza) at 975Spunkmeyer cookies and other baked 1700 or visit YouDoTheDishes.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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W ESLEY C HAPEL

Education Updates

By John McGurl

Cooking Star Ear ns $10K For Long Middle School!

When Cesar Mullix saw the flyer and entry form for the Uncle Ben’s Rice “Ben’s Beginners” national video cooking contest in a school package, he knew instantly that his daughter would be a contender. And, Cesar was right, as Dr. John Long Middle School sixth grader Astrid Mullix ended up as the contest’s national runner-up, surpassing hundreds of other entries, with her video on how to make Dominican-style chowfan, a dish derived from the Chinese immigrants in the Dominican Republic.

“Astrid likes to have fun on camera, and she loves to cook,” says Cesar, adding that it was a natural decision to enter the nationwide video contest. She won $10,000 towards a renovation of Long’s cafeteria, as well as a $5,000 savings bond.

Long principal Christine Wolff is excited to get a fresh cafeteria for her students. “It’s a terrific place for (the renovation) to happen,” Wolff says. “All of our staff and students pass through (the cafeteria), so everyone will see the good the money does.” The school has to abide by both county guidelines, and

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also how Uncle Ben’s says the school can spend the money.

In Astrid’s video, which stars herself and her mother Ada, she explains how to make the Dominican-style dish, while her mother assists with prepping the meal. The contest is focused on getting families to eat both healthier and together. The meal was required to include Uncle Ben’s instant rice, which cooks in 5 minutes, as Astrid lets everyone know in her presentation. While creating her chowfan — which is a mixture of rice, chopped vegetables, chicken, shrimp and pork tenderloin — Astrid encourages others to give making the dish a try.

Astrid, 12, intends to keep putting cooking videos on YouTube.com, and her own website (AstridMullix.com).

“I really want to help people through food,” says Astrid. The young chef began helping her mother cook at age three, with basics such as pancakes, and began to increase the difficulty level of her culinary creations from there on.

Now, Astrid says she looks forward to continuing her home videos and helping others learn about healthy choices and good food.

For more information about the “Ben’s Beginners” cooking contest, visit BensBeginners.com.

they have projects that aren’t funded without the second ten years include Thomas E. Weightman Middle School, which is waiting to receive campus safety improvements. The original Penny fund currently only has $30 million left.

Renovations to Quail Hollow Elementary (QHE) also are in the next go-round, and principal Michelle Berger says she supports continuing the one-cent tax. “I think there are a lot of Ada and Astrid Mullix starred in Astrid’s projects in the district that still need video that won 2nd place in a national cook- extra funding,” Berger says. ing contest sponsored by Uncle Ben’s rice.

If it passes, the second ten years of ‘Penny’ For Schools Update the tax is expected to raise $502.4 million, of which the District would get A penny may not seem like it could do too much good, but the extra $226 million. The funds can’t be used on salaries or other everyday expenses; penny Pasco County residents have instead, the money has to be dedicated been paying since 2004 has raised a to building new schools or renovattotal of $139 million for the Pasco ing/repairing old ones. “I believe (local School District since the tax began. voters) would support the penny if they However, not all of the proceeds from the tax go to the school district— could see the good it has done in the district,” says Dr. John Long Middle the school board and Pasco County School principal Christine Wolff. commission each receive 45 percent of Originally, the tax was intended to the proceeds, with the remaining 10 help with the growth of Pasco County, percent being divided among Pasco’s which needed more new schools to six municipalities. With the tax set to expire in 2014, the county is asking the reduce the crowding at many older public for a second ten-year “round” of ones. With the pause in residential growth in the past few years, there are it, to be voted on by Florida residents no new schools on the project list, in November’s general election. instead focusing on the improvement The money has gone towards updating and renovating area schools in of Pasco schools already in existence.

For more information visit Pasneed. Among the Wesley Chapel schools needing the tax to pass because coCountyFl.net.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

W ESLEY C HAPEL Josh Freeman Camp Comes To Wesley Chapel High

Looking for a way to improve your child’s football skills and a fun way to spend a weekend? Check out the Josh Freeman Football ProCamp, to be held Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, at Wesley Chapel High on Wells Rd. Freeman, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback, is holding his camp for boys and girls ages 7-14. Freeman himself will be leading the camp, alongside the area’s top prep football coaches.

Camp attendees will not be limited to just practicing their football skills physically, as Freeman also will give daily lectures, highlighting the finer points of the game of football. Snacks and drinks will be available at a camp store. There also will be a camp bracelet available for $10, which includes two sports drinks, lunch and a snack daily.

The weekend clinic offers two

Sports Briefs packages. The first is a “Standard” package that includes the expert instruction of Freeman and other top coaches from the Tampa Tampa Bay Bucs Bay area, a camp QB Josh Freeman t-shirt, an autographed camp team photo with Freeman and a fun experience. The second package is the “All-Star” package, which includes all of those items, as well as an exclusive camp photograph of Freeman, limited edition camp moisture-wicking t-shirt, and the camp meal plan wristband.

In case of inclement weather, the camp will not be rescheduled. It will instead be moved to an indoor location. For info or to register, visit ProCamp.com/JoshFreeman. — JM

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

The 2012 ‘Night Of 5000’ Raises $10,000+ For The Fisher House!

By Gary Nager It may not have raised quite as much money as its organizers may have hoped, but there’s little doubt that no one who attended the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club’s 15th annual “Night of 5000” on April 21 at Hunter’s Green Country Club (HGCC) will ever be able to look at one of our nation’s “wounded warriors” and be able to not thank them for the sacrifices they have made for all of us and for this great country of ours.

In a glamorous evening filled with great food, beverages, fun, casino gaming, silent and live auctions and even disco dancing, the stars of the “Night” were still the brave U.S. service men and women who have been cared for at the James A. Haley Veterans Adminis-

tration (VA) Hospital on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., south of Fletcher Ave. Event co-chairs Valerie Casey and Isabelle Jensen and many other members of the New Tampa Juniors put together a spectacular night to benefit the Tampa Fisher House, where the families and significant others of these wounded warriors are housed — for free — while their loved ones receive treatment at the Haley VA Hospital, the nation’s leading trauma center (see page 3).

“Although we don’t yet have final numbers (at least at our press time),” Casey said afterward, “we believe we raised at least $10,000 net, which we are proud to donate to the Fisher House. Isabelle and I want to thank

and give credit to all of our 2012 ‘Night’ chairs for their efforts to make this happen for our heroes.”

HGCC provided delicious pasta, hand-carved turkey and slider sandwich stations, plus amazing cupcakes and a cappuccino station, and one entire room was set aside for craps, roulette and blackjack. There was even a photo booth where many attendees got to don funny hats, glasses, masks and other props to pose for their pics.

The live auction items included

everything from a “Bring Stonewood (Chef Danny Lee) Home” dinner for eight people to a family reunion package at Walt DisneyWorld.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. General Martin Steele, Fisher House manager Paula Welenc and 2011-12 NTJWC president April Simons were among the evening’s featured speakers.

For info about the NTJWC, visit GFWCNewTampaJuniors.org.

For the Tampa Fisher House, call 910-3000 or visit FisherHouse.org.

(Clockwise from top left): Ret. U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Martin Steele; “Night of 5000” co-chairs Valerie Casey (left) and Isabelle Jensen (right), with Tampa Fisher House manager Paula Welenc; the craps table was hot all night; injured U.S. Army Sgt. Joel Tavera (in uniform) and his father José (far right) pose with NTJWC members.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Sushi Café Is More Than Just ‘Another’ Japanese Restaurant!

By Gary Nager Long-time readers surely recognize at least two things about my dining reviews — #1) I prefer mom-and-pop restaurants to any sort of chain eatery and #2) perhaps my biggest complaint is about having too many of certain types of restaurants and not enough of some others. For example, although we have quite a few very good-to-great pizza places, we don’t really have even a non-chain Italian restaurant anywhere in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel.

But, what we do have is quite a few outstanding Asian restaurants, many of which serve delicious sushi.

So, why am I (and my entire staff) so excited about the new Sushi Café, located next to Panera Bread on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza?

First of all, general manager Kevin Noin, who has run both successful Japanese and non-Asian restaurants in Orlando and Miami, found a “perfect” location for an elegant, but very affordable, traditional Japanese restaurant and sushi bar in our area. His Sushi Café features truly wonderful sushi and Japanese fare at prices well below those found at the Japanese steakhouses in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel.

Our office staff already has enjoyed a wide variety of the Café’s unique sushi rolls, with great names like Monster, Pacific Fusion, Fantastic Spicy Tuna and Rock n’ Roll, and no one at the Neighborhood News who has sampled any of these rolls (I have loved all but those that contain shrimp, because I’m sadly allergic to it) has had anything but rave reviews for them.

And, Sushi Cafe’s seared tuna tataki and red snapper sashimi both rate high among my list of local favorites.

I was told that among the Cafe’s appetizers, the favorites are probably the gyoza (meat & veggie-filled dumplings), edamame (soybeans) and crab rangoon (which offers its own

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“special sauce”), but my favorite to date is the chicken & vegetable tempura, which also is available as an entrée.

Speaking of main courses, Sushi Café offers some unique choices as well. In the tradition of Spanish tapas and other “small plate” eateries, you can get delicious hibachi-grilled steak, chicken, shrimp, scallops or king salmon with your choice of Japanese fried or white rice, for just $6.50-$8!

And the steak is served in tender, rectangular chunks to your desired temperature with a light, teriyaki-based sauce. While the tables themselves aren’t the “dinner & a show” teppanyaki tables you’ll find at a Japanese steakhouse, Sushi Café does have a hibachi grill in its kitchen. And the hibachi dishes are among not only our favorites, but of the months-old restaurant’s already growing list of regular customers. These small plates are available anytime, but before 3 p.m. daily, you can add soup, salad and sautéed veggies for just a dollar or two more.

Even the orders of Japanese fried rice, with your choice of veggies, chicken, steak, shrimp or the house special combo are nicely priced ($7.25-$11).

The large plate hibachi meals ($11.95 for veggies only to $31.95 for a shrimp, scallop and lobster combo) offer everything from tofu to filet mignon and are well worth the price.

My favorite so far is the teriyaki white fish (izumidai, $16.95)), which features thick, lightly floured fish in a deliciously different savory sauce. I also love the breaded and deep-fried chicken katsu main course.

Sushi Café also features decadent desserts, like fried tempura cheesecake and the new Mochi (pronounced “Moo-chee”) Japanese ice cream, as well as great Japanese (Asahi, Kirin, etc.) and other domestic and imported beers, hot sake and a variety of the very popular cold sakes. So, please tell the staff that the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you!

Sushi Café (18015 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.) is open every day (at 11 a.m.) for lunch and dinner (until 10 p.m./ 11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For reservations & more info, call 9777800 or visit SushiCafeTam-

Among our office’s favorite starters at Sushi Cafe on BBD are the tuna tataki (above) and the cafe’s huge variety of unique sushi rolls, including (l. to r.) the fantastic spicy tuna, butterfly, monster and Pacific fusion rolls.

Whether you want a full-sized entrée, like the delicious hibachi white fish (izumidai, left) with veggies, Japanese fried rice and a ginger salad (salad not shown) or a “small plate” of hibachi steak and fried rice, you can’t go wrong at Sushi Café.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Wesley Chapel Man Part Of ‘The Avengers’ Action Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye and the Black Widow come together to battle Thor’s angry brother and, from the reviews so far, “The Avengers” is smart, funny and full of non-stop action sequences that don’t disappoint.

Quinn, a resident of Wesley Chapel resident Tommy Quinn (far left) is the Meadow Pointe an extra/stunt man in “The Avengers.”

Photo © 2012 Paramount Pictures community, is a part of some of those action

By Matt Wiley sequences. Stunt Predators USA, a Cue the lights and grab some pop- stunt-production company of which he corn as a barrage of superheroes, aliens, is a part, was chosen to work on the film for some of the stunt coordination. rock stars, foul-mouthed teddy bears, “(Richard Fike, director of Stunt animated zoo animals and cub scouts Predators) called me and said, ‘You bring something for everyone to thedon’t want to miss this one,’” explains aters this summer, especially action!

Quinn. “This was huge. We were runWesley Chapel resident Tommy Quinn ning around dressed up like cops while can be seen taking part in some of that things were blowing up everywhere.” action alongside the world’s greatest Quinn, 49, says he has been doing superheroes in one of this summer’s stunt work for about 12 years and can most action-packed movies that has be seen in the film portraying a New already raked in more than $1 billion York City cop. He has previously worldwide, “The Avengers.” worked on three other action films, including 2001’s “American Outlaws,” “The Avengers” which starred Colin Farrell. He says (PG-13, in theaters) that he is basically an “all-purpose guy” They’ve finally assembled. Iron

and can drive pretty much any type of vehicle needed for stunts, in addition to martial arts work.

Quinn recently saw the final version of the film and says that a lot of the stunt work did- “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20. n’t make the final cut.

“It’s crazy because you spend so much time on (the stunts), but then in the movie, it just flies by so fast,” he says.

After appearing in the first of the Avengers movies, Quinn hopes to get a larger role in the sequel. He offers advice to those who dream of getting involved in the movie industry.

“If you have a dream, just go out and do it,” he says. “It’s really not that hard to get involved. I feel like I’m just getting started.”

“The Dark Knight Rises” (PG-13, July 20)

Director Christopher Nolan’s Batman finale finally makes its way into theaters, and from the last trailer for it, looks like it has the potential to steal the show this summer. However, after the late Heath Ledger’s posthumous Oscarwinning performance as the Joker, it will be interesting to see if the Bat’s latest nemesis, Bane (played by Tom Hardy) will live up to audience expectations. Bane was comically portrayed in 1997’s “Batman & Robin.” The film also features Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Anne Hathaway.

Which movies are you most excited to see? Check out our full summer movie preview (literally, there are trailers there, too) and let us know your opinions at WCNeighborhoodNews.com!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL H E L P

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JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING - Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations?

Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements?Ask about our HOA SPECIAL! FREE ESTIMATE! 813.420.4465 Wesley Chapel's #1 Choice - We Specialize in Residential Lawn & Landscape Maintenance in Wesley Chapel! Landscaping, Mulching, Clean-ups, Palm/Tree Trimming & Sprinkler Repair also available.

Owner Operated over 17 years. Call us today for Reliable Service for everything that grows @ your property 813-973-3825 or visit: ntlcpropertymaintenance.com

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TURN YOUR CLUTTER INTO CASH Garage & estate sales, inventory liquidation,& appraisal services. We'll sell it for you online!

We evaluate & appraise your products, you get top dollar. Call Mary: 813-428-5793.

M I S C E L L A N E O U S SPRINGER STORAGE: RV & Boat Storage Port Richey, FL Starting at $35.00 mo. Pay first two months, 3rd month free. 24 hour access & 24 hour monitoring. Call to reserve your spot. 813-833-1191.

CAR SERVICES – Don’t Have a Ride?

Don’t Want to Leave Your Car? Shouldn’t Drive? We Drive You and Your Car Home!

Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Concerts, Appointments, Airport or Stranded... Call Jay at (813) 966-1530.

To get your listing printed, call Nikki at the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News !

813-910-2575!

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE - We have our own supplies & more than 200 clients in New Tampa! For more information, Call 758-9710.

M.Y. CLEANING SERVICE - Offering Residential cleaning. We offer complete bath & kitchen cleaning, as well as dusting and polishing furniture. We provide our own supplies.

Free estimates! Your satisfaction is our priority!

With 5 years of experience, we guarantee meticulous cleaning! Call Mila: (813) 516-3554.

CLEANING LAUNDRY, YOU NAME IT ! $51.00 Introductory special, Mon - Wed. Make your list, put us to work! Anna's Housekeeping A BBB Accredited Business Servicing Florida since 1991. We have private housekeeper rates with agency backup coverage! Licensed and all housekeepers are background checked.

Call 813.985.1150.

COMPUTER SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT – in your home or small business. A+ certified computer tech with 15 years of exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than the large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Technical jargon explained in plain English. References available upon request. Call 957-8342 for free estimate.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 20, Issue 12 • June 2, 2012 • www.WCNeighborhoodNews.com