13-10 NTNN 1-60 web

U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and Ray Chiara-monte of the Hillsborough Metropoli-tan Planning Organization (MPO) dis-cuss the benefits of the sales tax, if it isapproved by the county’s voters.

According to the “Moving Hills-borough Forward” flyer we received,the intent of the proposed sales tax,which was approved to be added to theNovember ballot by the members ofthe Hillsborough Board of CountyCommissioners, is “to fund a moderntransportation system that includes newand improved roads and bridges, a dra-matically expanded bus system, a newlight rail system and improved bicycleand pedestrian facilities.

The flyer also notes that “MovingHillsborough Forward is a grassrootscoalition of Hillsborough County resi-

dents, neighborhoods, businesses, civicgroups and community leaders deter-mined to build a modern transportationsystem — one that will move us fromlast in commuting to one of America’sbest.”

As you know, the light rail compo-nent of the proposal is both the mostexpensive and most controversial, as itwill bring a rail line either on a side ordown the middle of Bruce B. DownsBlvd., which is in the process of beingexpanded without the sales tax.

For additional information, visitMovingHillsborughForward.org.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 13 • June 19, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com 1

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June 19, 2010

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field. And, I remember when FreedomHigh soccer player and future FloridaGator Joe Cerillo was the only kid onour New Tampa Soccer AssociationComets team who weighed less thanmy Jake did. And the list goes on.

So, I bid a fond “see ya later”(because I hate goodbyes) to the likes

of Brandon Allen, Casey Alonso,Meghan Bartley, David Campbell, Con-nor Castro, Matt Cazes, John Collins,J.P. d’Ambrosio, Shaun Dickinson, WillEnglish, Mike Gassaway, Evan Gay,Tyler Guy, Alex Huerta, Jake Kools,

About 1,000 Graduate From Wharton & Freedom At Sun DomeClass Of 2010 The HardestFor A Certain Editor To

Say Goodbye To...Ever!An editorial by Gary Nager

As I stood near the stage takingpictures of the roughly 500 Class of2010 graduates (photo) of Paul R.Wharton High, I realized that thisgraduating class would likely be the lastone that I would get to know so wellpersonally.

After all, Jake, the younger of mytwo sons, was one of the Wharton kidsreceiving a diploma at the University ofSouth Florida Sun Dome on June 8.And I have not only coached (orcoached against, in everything from Lit-tle League baseball to soccer to basket-ball to hockey) but also seen so many ofthese young men and women (at bothFreedom and Wharton and even Wire-grass Ranch High in Wesley Chapel)grow into the people they are todaythat I feel both great pride and some-

thing of a sense of loss knowing thatthey are all leaving their respective nestsand venturing out into the world.

Of course, I feel as though I havegotten to know kids in every graduatingclass at every New Tampa elementary,middle and high school over the years,by editing/publishing their respectiveacademic and athletic achievements, butas I said, never again will I know asmany of them personally as I have thisgroup of graduates.

For example, I probably couldhave predicted that Wharton’s two-timeState pole vault champ London Enoswas going to be a great athlete whenshe was 11 years old and leaping off ofJake’s bunk bed. I also am proud to saythat I saw the potential in sluggingWiregrass Ranch High (and NewTampa resident, as well as future St.Leo University) catcher Spencer Bowlesat age 9, even as most of the other NewTampa Little League coaches said hewas one of those “too-chunky” kidswho maybe could hit but couldn’t“really” play a regular position in the See “Graduation” on page 27.

Former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis To Speak On Sales Tax Referendum By Gary Nager

Are you confused about the ramifi-cations of the proposed HillsboroughCounty Transportation Referendum? Ifso, you’re not alone, but on Wednes-day, June 23, 6:30 p.m., at the NewTampa Regional Library (on CrossCreek Blvd.), you can find out all about

the “Moving Hillsborough Forward”1-percent sales tax that will appear onthe general election ballot this Novem-ber, which is only a few months away.

If you don’t feel like you’re “in theknow” about what the sales tax couldprovide for New Tampa and the entirecounty, you should definitely come tothis open public meeting to hear former

2 For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 18, Issue 13 • June 19, 2010 • www.NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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As Father’s Dayapproaches this weekend,

I’m reflecting again on how lucky I am.My kids are healthy and doing well andJake, my younger son, just graduatedfrom Wharton High (see pages 1 and26-27) and I had a great couple of dayswith my mother, father and severalother relatives and friends for the event.

Plus, business is great (despite theeconomy), my employees are happy(despite who they work for) and eventhough the weather is already brutallyhot, I’m actually able to enjoy it a little.

In other words, I should be thehappiest guy in the world. So, why amI more than a little sad these days?

For one thing, I’m pretty sure Ifelt my heart stop when managing edi-tor Michael Smith handed me a newsbrief he had written from a press releaseabout a recent fatal accident on S.R.54. It took me about a second to real-ize that the 27-year-old Kristen Myersnamed in the accident(see page 6), who lostcontrol of her vehicle andwas killed when her carcrossed into oncomingtraffic was a friend andadvertiser of mine whoowned and operated thePaws & Claws PetGrooming service on the same road.

I probably knew her for less than ayear, but it was obvious to me thatKristen was a lovely, sweet, intelligentyoung woman and an incredible petgroomer who truly not only loved what

she did for a living, but also the dogsand cats she made look so beautiful.

All I can say is that another pieceof my heart has broken off. I send mycondolences and best wishes to Kris-ten’s mom and her entire family.

But, just as the death of someoneyou care about makes you want to hugyour kids and thank God every day foryour life and health, I feel at least a littlebittersweet about this issue’s first install-ment of our exclusive “Summer ‘Stay-cation’ Spectacular,” a multi-issue tourof hotels and resorts located within ashort drive of us in New Tampa.

There’s no doubt that the hotelsmentioned in this issue are all beautifuland well worth a visit anytime, but I’msure the hotels in Louisiana, Alabamaand the Florida panhandle that arebeing devastated by the unbelievablystill-gushing oil spill in the Gulf ofMexico are (or were) equally lovely.

Perhaps unlike most Americans, Idon’t blame British Petroleum for thespill itself, although there’s also nodoubt in my mind that BP has allowedmillions of additional barrels since theexplosion, barrels that didn’t have tostill be spewing from a mile below thesurface of the earth, to continue todestroy the Gulf ecosystem out ofnothing more than simple greed.

Nope, I blame our own govern-ment for the disaster itself, as oil com-panies here were and are still basicallybeing given free reign to do as theywant with regards to these deep waterwells, without being forced to include


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The deadline for outside editorial submis-sions and advertisements for Volume 18, Issue 15, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Friday, June 25, 2010.

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Table of ContentsLOCAL NEWS, BUSINESS & SPORTS UPDATES...............................................Pages 1-31

New Tampa News Briefs.....................................6-7TECO Employee Killed In Power Line AccidentTeens Arrest For Vandalizing Freedom HighControlled Burns Coming To Flatwoods ParkTwo Local Residents Killed In Separate Crashes

S.R. 56 Extension To Open In August.....................8Lots Of News From Wiregrass Ranch..................10-11New Tampa Community Calendar......................14

New Tampa Business News.....................15-23Publix Renovations To Be Finished By August...........15New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce Update.......16Keeps Carpet One For All Your Flooring Needs.........18T’s Boutique Is Now Your Brighton Headquarters....22

New Tampa Education Briefs........................24Freedom & Wharton High Graduation Recaps....26-27New Tampa Sports Updates...................32New Tampa Little League All-Stars Announced!

Neighborhood MagazineOur Summer ‘Staycation’ Spectacular!!!.....35-38Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort.................35-36Innisbrook Resort & Spa.........................................36-37SpringHill Suites Opens In Tampa Palms...................38

Our 2010 Summer Camp Guide.....................40-41A Tampa Palms Mom’s ‘Novel’ Gift To Her Son.......42Lemon Fashion In The Shops At Wiregrass Mall........44Tennis & Fitness Lifestyle & Jazzercise......................48Summer Entertainment Heating Up........................50Neighborhood Nibbles..............................................54Super Buffet Opens On S.R. 54 In Wesley Chapel......56

NEW TAMPA COLOR CLASSFIEDS...............58

Father’s Day Is Supposed To Be A Happy Occasion, But...An editorial by Gary Nager fail-safes to shut off the wells in the

event of such a disaster. I’m also sick-ened by the thought that there still hasbeen no call by President Obama orCongress to force the oil companies toadd such shut-down capabilities to pre-vent future tragedies of this type.

But, this isn’t at all a partisan issueto me. Yes, President Bill Clinton andPresident Obama are Democrats, butPresident Bush was a Republican andapparently none of them had thecojones to stand up to BP and theother oil giants to force them to protectthe environment that is not only animportant part of my life (and my fami-

ly’s), but is equally as important to oureconomy and our way of life as anycompany or industry in the country.

Yes, I am furious that the oil is stillspewing and that nothing is being done— and the disaster worsens both oureconomic and our natural habitatprospects every day — but I am muchsadder to think that there is nothingyou, I or any “average” American cando except continue to watch it happen.

It’s the same feeling of hopeless-ness I feel when someone I care aboutpasses away...and certainly no way foran otherwise happy Dad to have to“celebrate” Father’s Day.

KristenMyers




News BriefsNEW TAMPA

ing toilet paper into some trees — wasjust a “senior prank.”

School administrators were notamused, however, as a spokesman forthe Hillsborough County School Dis-trict said that the damage done by thepair was estimated at between $1,000-$2,000 and took school maintenanceworkers several hours to clean up.

Both Ell and Chaplin werecharged with criminal mischief, tres-passing on school grounds and posses-sion of burglary tools. Chaplin wasreleased from custody after posting abond of $4,250, while no furtherinformation was available about Ell,who was processed at the Hillsborough

County Juvenile Assessment Center.

Flatwoods Park ScheduledFlatwoods Park ScheduledFor Controlled Burn For Controlled Burn

If you see smoke rising into the airover the next several months, chancesare that there’s no cause for alarm,because the Southwest Florida WaterManagement District (aka Swiftmud)will be conducting “controlled, pre-scribed burns” during June, July,August and September on the District’sLower Hillsborough Wilderness Pre-serve in Hillsborough County, includ-ing Flatwoods Park and the Oak RidgeEquestrian Area.

The Lower Hillsborough Wilder-

TECO Lineman Dies AfterTECO Lineman Dies AfterContact With Power LineContact With Power Line

A longtime employee of theTampa Electric Co. (TECO) passedaway a day after coming into contactwith a high-tension power line whileworking in New Tampa.

According to reports, John Hud-son, 39, who had worked for the utilitycompany for 19 years, was working onoverhead power lines from an insulatedbucket lift in front of the Shell gas sta-tion in the area of Dona Michelle Dr.and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at around10 a.m. on June 7 when he accidentallytouched the 7,620-volt line.

Hudson was rendered unconsciousby the jolt, which also caused severeburns over a large portion of his body,and he was lowered to the ground byco-workers, who began administeringCPR until paramedics from Tampa FireRescue Station #20 in Tampa Palmsarrived minutes later.

Hudson was transported to St.Joseph’s Hospital, where he was stabi-lized before being airlifted to TampaGeneral Hospital (TGH). But, afterbeing listed in critical condition, Hud-son succumbed to his injuries the fol-lowing evening, according to a TGHspokesperson.

Lutz Teens Arrested AfterLutz Teens Arrested AfterVandalizing High SchoolVandalizing High School

While the rest of the studentbody was preparing for the end of theschool year and the upcoming gradua-tion ceremonies, one Freedom Highstudent and an accomplice decidedthat spray paint was a better way toleave their mark on the campus beforedeparting for the summer.

According to a report issued bythe Tampa Police Department (TPD),officers were alerted to the vandalismat the school campus on CommercePark Dr. in Tampa Palms by a pair ofwitnesses, who spotted ChristopherEll, 17, a student at the school, andWilliam Chaplin, 18, who was not aFreedom student, lurking around thecampus at around 3 a.m. on June 26.

As officers responded to thescene, they saw the pair of teens, bothof whom are Lutz residents, drivingdown Commerce Park Blvd. at a highrate of speed in a pickup truck with itsheadlights turned off. After stoppingthe truck, officers noted that at leastone of the teens had paint on hishands. The pair explained that thedamage they had done — whichincluded spray painting vulgar lan-guage on several buildings and throw-

(Stock photo) Forest rangers help prevent wildfires in preserve areas like Flat-woods Park and others with controlled, prescribed burns like this one.


ness Preserve is located just south ofMorris Bridge Rd. and just east of I-75,approximately three miles northeast ofTemple Terrace. Approximately 1,000acres of land will be burned in small,manageable units, a spokesman for theDistrict said, adding that the burns are apart of routine maintenance of landsmanaged by Swiftmud.

According to District land managerKevin W. Love, burns are conducted tomimic natural fire cycles under a con-trolled situation. The object is to avoiduncontrolled wildfires in the parks andenhance the area’s natural conditions bymaintaining the ecological and wildlifehabitat values. Prescribed burns are onlyconducted when weather conditionsallow the objectives to be met whileminimizing the impacts to the public.

Love added that every effort willbe made to ensure that smoke will notaffect homes or highways. However, healso said that drivers should exercisecaution in case smoke does lead toreduced visibility on the area’s localroads and highways.

People enjoying the use of the parkalso should be aware that prescribedburns may be in progress during theirvisit and be prepared to yield to firemanagement vehicles and equipment.Recreationists should stay on designatedtrails only and certain park entrancesand trails may be temporarily closedwhile the burns are being conducted.

Swiftmud owns and managesapproximately 436,000 acres of envi-ronmentally sensitive lands for waterresource and natural systems protection.Parks like Flatwoods, which doesreceive more than 200,000 visitors peryear, are considered to be “passive”recreation areas, with biking/hikingtrails and limited recreational facilities.

For additional information, callSwiftmud at (800) 423-1476, exten-sion 4465.

Two Wesley Chapel ResidentsKilled In Separate Crashes

Two residents of Wesley Chapeldied recently in separate automobileaccidents on I-75 and S.R. 54.

In the first, which took place justafter 5 p.m. on June 3, Kristen M.Myers, 27, was traveling westboundon S.R. 54 near River Glen Blvd.when she veered into the eastboundlanes in an attempt to pass slowermoving traffic, according to a reportissued by the Florida Highway Patrol(FHP). As she did so, however, shelost control of her 1998 Trans Am,which then began spinning. Myers’vehicle then struck the front end of a2005 Chevy SUV driven by 39-year-old Marcia Sanchez, who also is aWesley Chapel resident.

When the two vehicles collided,

Myers (see page 3), who was wearinga seat belt, was partially ejected fromher car, which then came to a stop onthe shoulder of S.R. 54. Myers passedaway as a result of her injuries, whileSanchez and her two minor passengerswere transported to St. Josephs Hos-pital in Tampa, where she was listed incritical condition and the childrenwere listed as serious.

An investigation into the crash,including whether alcohol was a fac-tor, is ongoing.

Five days later, 65-year-old JohnW. Gross of Wesley Chapel was killedin a single-car accident that occurred

at around 2 a.m. on June 8. Accord-ing to an FHP report, Gross washeading south on I-75 in a 2000Chevy Corvette when he also lostcontrol of the vehicle just south of theS.R. 52 exit. The Corvette left theroadway and began spinning in thewet grass, the report says, and the rearof the vehicle hit a tree. Gross waspronounced dead at the scene of thecrash by Pasco Fire Rescue para-medics.

According to the report, Grossalso was wearing a seat belt, but FHPsays the results of a toxicology examare pending. — Michael Smith


State Road 56 Extension To Open To Meadow Pointe Blvd. By Aug.By Michael Smith

Stop me if you’ve heard thisbefore (and I know that you have),but Pasco County officials have onceagain announced a new schedule forthe opening of the long-awaited S.R.56 eastward extension from MansfieldBlvd. to Meadow Pointe Blvd. thatwill allow drivers to begin using theroadway by early August.

Earlier announcements of theopening of the extension had to berevised after the original contractor,WDG Construction, Inc., abruptlyabandoned the project when the com-pany went out of business, leavingofficials to search for a replacement.

However, Pasco County chiefproject manager Bob Shepherd tells usthat a new contract has been awardedfor the job, and work is scheduled toresume within the next week.

“At this point, there are approxi-mately 20-25 days worth of work tobe done,” Shepherd says. “Thatincludes laying down some additionalasphalt, doing the final striping andinstalling traffic signals at Mansfieldand Meadow Pointe boulevards.”

Shepherd says that there also aresome problems that need to beaddressed with some of the under-ground utility work that was per-formed by WDG, which, along withsome other final touches, mean thatthe roadway won’t be entirely finisheduntil January 2011, but he says thatthe agreement with new contractorRipa & Associates includes a sched-uled opening date of August 2.

That is especially important, hesays, because with construction workgetting under way on the widening ofS.R. 54 between C.R. 581 (Bruce B.Downs Blvd., BBD), the county wantsS.R. 56 to be available for drivers whowould like to be able to bypass thatroadwork.

“We really need that link,” Shep-herd says.

S.R. 56/BBD UpdateS.R. 56/BBD UpdateIn addition to the resumption of

work on the S.R. 56 extension, PascoCounty officials also approved anagreement May 17 that will allowwork to move forward once again atthe intersection of S.R. 56 and BBD.As you may recall, the work there,which is related to the currently ongo-ing widening of BBD between S.R. 54and County Line Rd., has beendelayed for months because of a con-flict over the relocation of power poles

and underground utilities in that area. The poles and utilities belong to

Tampa Electric Co. (TECO), andwhile the design for the roadway andintersection improvements called forthe relocation of 43 poles (at a cost ofapproximately $10,000 each), TECOrefused to pay for the work, sayingthat the cost should be borne by thecounty and/or Crown CommunityDevelopment (the developer of SevenOaks), which was required to makethe intersection improvements underits development agreement with thecounty.

Besides that, in addition to therelocation of the poles, once workbegan in the area just south of theintersection, a large underground ductbank that is part of TECO’s infra-structure for customers in both Pascoand Hillsborough counties was foundto be located within the right of way.

“No one even knew it was therewhen they did the original design,”Shepherd says.

Shepherd adds that the duct bankwas in conflict with the drainage planfor the roadway, which meant that it,too, would have to be removed (at acost of approximately $1.5 million), orthe project would have to undergo a“significant” redesign in order to workaround it. TECO officials did notwant to pay for that, either.

So, the county threatened tomove the duct bank itself and sue theutility company for reimbursement.Instead, however, attorneys for thecounty, TECO and Crown managedto come to a compromise that seemsto have settled all of those issues.

Under that settlement, TECOagreed to pay $680,000 to Crown topay for a partial redesign of the projectto revise the drainage plan and addi-tional construction costs to workaround both the duct bank and themajority of the poles, which will beallowed to remain where they are.

TECO spokesman Rick Morerasaid that the company already has paidthe money and has begun to work onmoving a total of 10 poles on boththe east and west sides of the roadway,in addition to installing four newtransmission poles in the area ofWilliamsburg Dr., and transferring thepower lines to the new poles.

The county, meanwhile, alsoallowed Crown to modify plans for abike path along the side of the road-way, reducing it from 10 feet wide to8 feet in order to accommodate thepower poles that will remain in place.

Pasco officials also issued a right-of-way use permit to allow the duct bankto also remain in its existing location.

Shepherd says that the settlementdovetails nicely with the plans for theopening of S.R. 56, since it meansthat the intersection improvementsshould be completed by August aswell. Once all of the work has beencompleted, the intersection of S.R. 56

and BBD will be not only the largestone ever constructed in Pasco County,but one of the two or three largest inthe country.

“When it’s done, it’s going tohave triple left-turn lanes in eachdirection,” Shepherd says. “When westarted looking at the plans, we real-ized that it definitely was going to bethe biggest intersection in the state.”

When it is completed, the S.R. 56/Bruce B. Downs Blvd. intersection will beamong the largest in the entire country.



Wiregrass Ranch Moving Towards A ‘World Of Possibilities’By Michael Smith

Just a few years ago, there wasvery little to see on the 5,000-acreWiregrass Ranch site, which occupiesalmost the entire area along the eastside of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (BBD,or CR/SR 581) between State Roads54 and 56, aside from a few dozencattle that were the last of the herdthat used to roam the property whenit was a working ranch owned by thePorter family.

Although they were reportedlyhounded for years by eager developersoffering huge sums of money, thefamily refused to sell the land, waitingfor the right developer and the rightdeal to come along to match theirvision for the property that had beentheir home for decades. Then, in theearly 2000s, the family finally settledupon a plan that would eventuallybring thousands of homes, retailstores, restaurants, schools, offices andrecreational facilities to the site — andit looked like the Porter family’s visionwas finally on the path to fruition.

First came the JC Penney depart-ment store, which opened in 2005 asthe cornerstone of what would

become the Shops of Wiregrass mall,which itself opened with great fanfarein 2008. Two new public schools alsoopened, Dr. John Long MiddleSchool and Wiregrass Ranch High, onproperty donated to the Pasco CountySchool District by the Porter family,which also has donated land for a pro-fessional tennis center and a branchcampus of Pasco-Hernando Commu-nity College (PHCC).

Meanwhile, builder Pulte Homesalso signed on in 2004 as the masterdeveloper of the residential portion ofthe project, unveiling plans for severaldifferent communities (to be built bydifferent Pulte homebuilding divi-sions) on the site, and other entitiesjoined in as well, bringing along plansfor an 80-bed hospital, additionalretail and more.

Despite all of those ambitiousplans, however, progress has beenslow in coming, thanks to a variety ofissues and obstacles that have arisenalong the way, such as when Pultepulled out of the project last yearbecause of the downturn in the realestate market.

But, there have been some signifi-cant developments over the past cou-

ple of months that could clear the wayfor the project to get back on trackmuch sooner than was previouslyexpected.

PHCC Under WayPHCC Under WayFor instance, on April 10, officials

with PHCC held a ceremony to markthe site of their new campus, which willbe located on 60 acres of land nearWiregrass Ranch High. College officialssaid that they hope to break ground onthe facility, which will be called thePorter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, inearly 2012, and to open it to studentsin the fall of 2013.

State Rep. Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) also helped the collegeobtain state money to build the cam-pus, and school officials are currently inthe process of selecting a design for it.

Pasco County Board of CountyCommissioners chair Pat Mulieri(whose District 2 also includes WesleyChapel), taught at the two-year collegefor more than 20 years and retired as aProfessor Emeritus, and is very enthusi-astic about the new opportunities thatthe campus will bring to the area.

“I think it’s going to be wonder-ful,” she says. “If you think of the

whole synergy of the plan, it means thatonce the college opens, then studentswill be able to attend classes there andthey can work right there at the Shops,and eventually even live in the homes[and apartments] that are going to bebuilt there.”

Mulieri also says that the hospitalgroup, a partnership between the Flori-da Hospital and University Communityhealthcare organizations (which is plan-ning to build a full-service hospitalabout a half-mile north of the mall), isgetting close to filing plans that willallow construction to move forwardwith that facility as well. A spokespersonfor the partnership declined to com-ment, however, on when that construc-tion will actually get under way.

Tennis (Or Hockey), Tennis (Or Hockey), Anyone?Anyone?

Finally, although plans for thetennis center have officially fallen bythe wayside, we learned last monththat the Porter family has approachedcounty officials about the possibility oftrading the land that the family origi-nally donated for the center for anoth-er site within the Wiregrass property.Although negotiations over the pro-


This sign on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. says a PHCC campus is coming to Wiregrass by 2014.posed swap are only just getting start-ed, Mulieri says she would definitelysupport a trade.

“Since the tennis center hasbecome defunct, that land has becomean albatross,” she says. “I think mov-ing it would be an excellent idea.”

The county already holds thedeed to the 40 acres of land where thetennis center was to be built, which isnear Saddlebrook Resort, but thereare no roads leading to the site, andSaddlebrook officials balked at havingvisitors use their gated entrance to getto it.

So, the Porters have proposedsubstituting another site which wouldbe more centrally located within theWiregrass property and which would

also include additional acreage for thenecessary access roads. William Mer-rill, an attorney who is representingthe family in its negotiations with thecounty, says, however, that the pro-posal is only in the earliest stages andno decisions have yet been madeabout the exact location of the newsite.

“We are in discussions with thecounty to work out the best possiblelocation for both the county and thePorters,” Merrill says.

If the land trade does gothrough, both Mulieri and Merrillhinted at the possibility that therecould already be a builder waiting inthe wings with a plan to build a multi-purpose recreational facility on or near

the new site that could include an icehockey arena and more. Coincidental-ly, a pair of former partners who hadpreviously talked about building an icehockey facility in the Wesley Chapelarea have been quoted in the dailynewspapers as saying that they arenow looking at building separate proj-ects in the area.

One of them, a St. Petersburgbusinessman named G. Vallee Bain,even met with members of the PascoTourism Development Council inMarch to discuss his plans for a470,000-sq.-ft. facility that he says hewants to build on a site near TheGrove at Wesley Chapel shoppingplaza at S.R. 54 and I-75. The pro-posal includes a mix of hockey, lasertag, bowling, restaurants, a hotel andmore. Meanwhile, Bain’s former part-ner, Patrick DeLorenzo, also toldreporters that he is in the process ofputting together plans for a hockey-based facility somewhere in (or near)Wiregrass Ranch.

We were not able to reach eitherBain or DeLorenzo to talk to themabout the details of their respectiveproposals, and Porter attorney Merrillwould only say that the family is “indiscussions with people concerningsports and recreational opportunitiesin Wiregrass. No specific agreements

have been made yet,” he notes, “but Isuspect things will happen quicklyonce they do.”

That, Mulieri says, is one of themain reasons why she decided to runfor re-election this year, so that shecan be on hand to witness the fulfill-ment of the plans that will completethe transformation of the Porter fami-ly’s former cattle ranch into a thrivingcommunity of homes, families andbusinesses.

“Everything is really starting tocome together,” she says. “It’s just sothrilling to be here and see this wholenew world of possibilities that is open-ing up.”



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Community CalendarNEW TAMPA

New Tampa Noon New Tampa Noon Rotary ClubRotary Club

Wednesday, June 23 – The NewTampa Noon Rotary Club meets everyWednesday at noon at Circles NewTampa Bistro (19651 Bruce B. DownsBlvd. in the Pebble Creek Collectionshopping plaza).

New Tampa PARNew Tampa PARWednesday, June 23 – The New

Tampa Professionals Achieving Results(PAR) league meets every Wednesday,5:30 p.m., at Hunter’s Green CountryClub (18101 Longwater Run Dr., inthe Hunter’s Green subdivision) fornine holes of golf and networking.There is a $35 registration fee to joinand weekly dues are $20.

For more information, callChuck Lewandoski at 269-7100.

Business Networking Int’lBusiness Networking Int’lWednesday, June 23 – Business

Networking International (BNI), agroup of business professionals who arededicated to helping their businessesgrow through qualified referrals, meetsevery Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Her-itage Isles Clubhouse (18630 Planta-tion Bay Dr.).

For more information, call JalIrani at 451-8229.

Civil Air PatrolCivil Air PatrolWednesday, June 23 – A Civil Air

Patrol squadron now meets everyWednesday, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., at TampaNorth Aero Park (4241 BirdsongBlvd.).

For more information, visit Wes-leyChapelcCAP.com or call CherylSpence at 973-7270.

New Tampa Evening RotaryThursday, June 24 – The New

Tampa Evening Rotary Club meetsevery Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Hunter’sGreen Country Club (18101 Longwa-ter Run Dr.).

For more information, call Sher-ri Ferguson at 892-9782.

Computer WorkshopsComputer WorkshopsThursday, June 24 – Every

Thursday, the New Tampa RegionalLibrary (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.)offers computer workshops for adults,beginning at 12:15 p.m. The work-shops focus on computer techniquesand a variety of software programs.Registration is required in person, no

earlier than one hour before the begin-ning of the workshop.

Call 273-3652 for more infor-mation, or, for a complete list ofactivities offered at the library, visitHCPLC.org.

New Tampa Rotary ClubNew Tampa Rotary ClubFriday, June 25 – The New

Tampa Rotary Club meets every Friday,7 a.m., at Tampa Palms Golf & Coun-try Club (TPG&CC, 5811 TampaPalms Blvd.). There will be no breakfastmeeting on this date, however, as thegroup will be holding its annual Ban-quet. All club members and their guestsare invited to attend.

For more information, visitNewTampaRotary.org or contactKaren Frashier at 375-2663.

Women-N-ChargeWomen-N-ChargeFriday, July 2 – Women-N-

Charge, a group that offers educationand support for business women, meetson the first Friday of every month at11:30 a.m. at Pebble Creek Golf Club(10550 Regents Park Dr.).

For more information, visitWomen-n-Charge.com or call SueDavis at 435-5128.

NE Tampa Women In NE Tampa Women In BusinessBusiness

Thursday, July 8 – The North

East Tampa Women in Business(NETWIB) meets on the secondThursday of every month, 6 p.m., atHunter’s Green County Club (18101Longwater Run Dr.). Guests are wel-come, but registration is requested.

To register, or for more infor-mation, call president Kay Dunn at841-5932 or visit NETWIB.org.

Red Hat SocietyRed Hat SocietyThursday, July 8 – A new chapter

of the Red Hat Society for ladies over50 meets on the second Thursday ofeach month at different locations.

For more info, send an e-mail [email protected].

New Tampa Republican ClubTuesday, July 13 – The New

Tampa Republican Club meets on thesecond Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m.,at Mulligan’s Irish Pub at Pebble CreekGolf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.).

For more information, visitNTRC.info.

If you would like to promote yourorganization’s upcoming events in

this space, send information &photos (in any digital photo for-

mat) as early as possible before theevent to Attn: Michael Smith [email protected].


Publix Renovation On Schedule, Reopening Targeted For Aug.By Michael Smith

Construction of the new Publixsupermarket in the City Plaza in TampaPalms shopping center (and the entirere-facing of the plaza itself) is progress-ing according to schedule, and shouldbe completed by late July, which meansthat the new, larger store should be ableto re-open for business by mid-August,which should be welcome news to areashoppers.

According to John Crossman,president of Crossman & Co., theproperty manager of the plaza, workhas been going smoothly, thanks prima-rily to the fact that the weather hasbeen cooperating.

“We’ve been very fortunate,because there have been no delays sofar,” Crossman says. “We were worried,especially with the beginning of hurri-cane season, but for now everything isgoing well.”

The supermarket opened as anchorof the plaza, which also includes SteinMart, Ciccio’s/The Lodge restaurant,Frame-By-Frame Gallery, Play It AgainSports and other businesses, in 1988,making it the New Tampa area’s firstsupermarket. It closed its doors on Jan-uary 2 of this year after the Lakeland-based grocery chain announced plansfor the renovation, which will increasethe size of the store by about 6,000 sq.ft. and will allow the company to addsome new, modern features and anexpanded lineup of products and servic-es, according to Publix spokespersonShannon Patten.

Patten says that among the newfeatures will be an expanded selectionof organic and “earth-friendly” prod-ucts, and unlike in other stores, wherethose products have their own specialsection, Patten says that they will beintegrated within the regular productsin the new store, although in specialcurved radial shelving units that willallow them to be more easily identifi-able by shoppers.

In addition, the new store will alsofeature full-service deli, bakery, meat,seafood, produce and floral depart-ments, and some state-of-the-art equip-ment, too, such as new energy-efficientcoolers in the refrigerated and frozenfood sections which have sensors thatcan tell when no one is in the aisle andturn off the interior lights to conserveenergy.

In addition, the Tampa CityCouncil also approved plans for a sepa-rate, Publix-run liquor store earlier thismonth that will occupy the space for-merly occupied by the Bostonian Salon& Spa owned by City Council memberJoseph Caetano (see below), whoabstained from the liquor store votebecause he is in litigation with plazaoperators over back rent. Crossman saidthat the liquor store was added becauseof “market demand,” and in fact, Pub-lix had already petitioned city officials toadd a liquor store several years ago, butthat application was rejected by the CityCouncil members at the time.

Patten adds that Publix alwaysschedules its Grand Openings onThursday mornings, and when the newstore opens, there will be plenty ofgiveaways for the first shoppers toarrive, as well as other exciting activitiesand events revolving around the re-opening.

“We are as anxious to open thisstore as our customers are, and wepromise, it will be well worth theirwait,” Patten says.

Meanwhile, Crossman says that hiscompany has been working to supportthe businesses that have remained openin the plaza during the renovation(including taking full-page ads in thispublication), and that has helped toallay some of the concerns that aroseafter the Publix closed at the beginningof the year.

“Closing and re-opening is alwayspainful,” he says, “but now, everyone isreally getting excited about the newstore.”

Jennifer Camaratti-Boscan, who is the salesmanager at Charles Jew-elers, which occupies aspace a few doors downfrom the grocery storesite, says that Charles’business dropped offslightly in the first fewweeks after the Publixclosed, but picked upagain once customersrealized that the jewelrystore was still open.

“At first we wereconcerned, but we reallycan’t complain, becausebusiness is still prettygood for us,” she says, noting that thestore, which has been open for 13years, is fortunate to have a loyal cus-tomer base that patronizes the store forits specialty jewelry and repairs, andthey have been willing to brave thedust, noise and scaffolding that hasmarked the construction process.

“It’s been messy, but people dostill come out,” Camaratti-Boscan says.“And lately, a lot of people have beencoming by just to see what’s going on.”

Caetano Opens New BostonianAlthough, as mentioned above,

he is still in litigation over the closingof his Tampa Palms salon, Tampa CityCouncil member Joseph Caetano hasopened a new Bostonian Hair Studioin Wesley Chapel, in the same plazathat also is home to The HugnryGreek restaurant on Bruce B. Downs(BBD) Blvd., just north of S.R. 56.

See the Bostonian ad in this issuefor some great June specials and lookfor a complete story about the newsalon in a future issue.

The new Bostonian Hair Stu-dio is located at 2653 BBD Blvd.For more info, call 991-7887.

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The new & improved Publix supermarket will reopen in theCity Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center by August.


2009-10 NTCC Board of DirectorsPresident-Scott D. Estes

New TampaChamber of Commerce, Inc.

15310 Amberly Dr., Suite 250Tampa, FL 33647

Information: (813) 293-2464 Fax: (813) 973-8259

Website:NewTampaChamber.Org

Temple Ohev Shalomof New Tampa

6460 Tampa Palms Blvd. Tampa, Fl. 33647

813-632-9900

Somerset Professional Park - 15283 Amberly Dr., Tampa, FL 33647

James R. Kist, CPA, P.A.Accounting & Tax Services

Commerce Park Professional Center5301 Technology DriveTampa, FL 33647

Office: (813) 972-3033Fax: (813) 972-9033

James R. KistCertified Public Accountant

Rachel Haviland, VP

Matt Palmer, Treas.

Kristen Kipp-Palinsky, Secy.

Connie Bladon

Seema Jain

Regina Ramalheira

Lesley Zajac

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 46155

Tampa, Fl. 33647

Administrator: Karen Frashier

14201 Professional Plaza • 14201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd

(North Thirtieth Street) • Tampa, Florida 33613

Todd J. Wiener, DMD, PAGeneral Dentistry

Telephone (813) 977-6962

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

BAY AREA REAL ESTATE & RENTALS

Serving New Tampa Since 1993

Mary Ann DiorioEmail: [email protected]

To View My Services and Available Rentals,please visit:

www.maryannrents.com

813-417-2164

Board Members:

New Tampa Chamber Seeking New Board Members! The New Tampa Chamber of

Commerce is actively seeking“fresh blood” to fill its availableBoard of Directors seats. If you arelooking to get more involved inthe community of New Tampa,and have a strong desire to make adifference, then you should con-sider becoming a member of theChamber’s Board. The Chamberwill be holding its Board electionsin August.

With new Board members, wewill gain fresh new ideas withwhich we hope to create an envi-ronment of growth and change forall of New Tampa. We hope youwill want to get involved, be a partof the Chamber and considerbecoming a member of our Boardof Directors. You must be a NewTampa Chamber of Commercemember in good standing tobecome a member of the Board,but you can still join the Chambernow and run for this year’s Boardof Directors.

For additional information,contact your New TampaChamber of Commerce at:info@NewTampa Chamber.org.

Seema Jain’s Tax Corner!Seema Jain’s Tax Corner!by Seema Jain, CPA PA

Here are some upcoming incometax changes and updates that couldaffect small businesses:

The Hiring Incentives to RestoreAct allows certain employers to foregopayment of their share of Social Secu-rity taxes on wages paid from March19, 2010, to December 31, 2010, fornew hires who meet certain require-ments.

Small employers with fewer than25 full-time equivalent employees andaverage annual wages of less than$50,000 who purchase health insur-ance for employees are eligible for atax credit. The maximum credit willbe available to employers with 10 orfewer full-time equivalent employeesand average annual wages of less than$25,000. The employer must con-tribute at least 50 percent of the totalpremium cost to be eligible. For eligi-ble employers, the tax credit availableis up to 35% of their contribution.

And, although it has only beenpassed by the U.S. House of Repre-sentatives and not the Senate at this

time, beginning with the 2010 taxyear (if the law is passed), the limit onthe tax deductions for trade or busi-ness start-up expenditures hasincreased from $5,000 to $20,000,and the threshold amount for reduc-ing the limit will be increased from$50,000 to $75,000.

Get more information on taxesand how these changes may affectyou, by attending our next Chamberluncheon on Monday, July 12, withnetworking beginning at 11:30 a.m.and the lunch and program at noon,at Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550

Regents Park Blvd. N., opposite Wal-Mart off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Thespeakers will be Joyce Nelson ofAdvancing Excellence, and ScottBuchanan of HR Inc. They will speakon “Getting your own part of thestimulus.” The federal government iscutting FICA taxes for businesses thathire in 2010. To find out how theHire Act works and how to get youract together to make these hires yourtop performers, attend the luncheon.

For additional information,visit Seema Jain’s website at YourBizCPA.com or call 514-2880.

You Can Get Involved With The New Tampa Chamber Of Commerce At These Monthly Events!

Members are encouraged to bring business cards and brochures for net-working at the following regular monthly Chamber events.:Chamber Luncheons are held the 2nd Monday of each month at Pebble CreekGolf Club. July’s luncheon will be held Monday, July 12. Registration & net-working begin at 11:30; lunch is served at noon.Chamber Breakfasts are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Tampa PalmsGolf & Country Club. July’s breakfast will be held Tueday, July 20. Registration at 7:30 a.m., breakfast is served at 8 a.m.After Hours “Connections” Networking Happy Hours are held the lastThursday of the month at Stonewood Grill & Tavern, Tampa Palms at 5:30 p.m.

Please call the NTCC Hotline at 293-2464 for complete info.



Revitalize Your Floors With Keeps Carpet One Floor & HomeBy Michael Smith

Even though you walk on themevery day, you probably don’t thinkmuch about the floors under your feet,but, if you are getting tired of lookingat the same old carpeting, linoleum, tileor whatever it is you currently have,then you might want to consider givingyour home a fresh, new look, with helpfrom the flooring experts at Keeps Car-pet One Floor & Home.

Located just west of Morris BridgeRd. on S.R. 54 (less than a mile east ofNew River), Keeps Carpet One hasbeen providing high-quality, fashion-able flooring solutions for area residentsfor two decades, according to ownerand president Leslie Egan, who pur-chased the business from original own-ers Larry and Pat Kieper in 2008.

Keeps is Pasco County’s onlymember of the Carpet One network ofstores, which includes more than 1,000locations worldwide, and Egan saysthat affiliation allows her and her staffto offer their customers a huge selec-tion of flooring options (and more) tosuit every taste and budget. They alsocan provide professional design andinstallation services, so they really haveeverything you need to get the job

done right from start to finish.And, if you haven’t shopped for

flooring in a while, you might be sur-prised at all of the latest innovations,styles and varieties that are now avail-able at Keeps.

“We really have a lot of new andexciting products,” Egan says.

In addition to major carpet andflooring name brands such as Shaw,Mohawk and Armstrong, Keeps alsooffers a wide variety of Carpet One’ssignature flooring lines, which includecarpeting by Tigressa, Bigelow, GoodHousekeeping, Millcraft, and Relax,It’s Lees; hardwood by AmericanExpressions, Biltmore and HanoverHills Hardwood; and literally hundredsof styles of tile, laminate, and vinylflooring products that can match anydécor and add lasting beauty to yourhome for years to come.

Egan says that one of the newestand increasingly popular products tohit the market is called DuraCeramicby Congoleum, which is a compositeproduct that combines a limestone tilebase topped with polyurethane vinyl. Itprovides the same appearance as fulltile, but is much more resistant tocracking and chipping, which meansthat it is more durable and easier to

care for than any other tile product. “It can also be installed right over

the existing tile, and it comes with a20-year warranty,” Egan says, addingthat Carpet One is known for provid-ing the best warranty coverage for all ofthe products that they sell.

Another one of the great featuresoffered by Keeps is the store’s in-homedesign services, which allow you toshop for your new flooring withoutever having to actually visit the store.All new customers can receive a free,in-home visit by a designer who will

bring samples, discuss the variousoptions and provide a free estimate ofwhat the job will cost, so you can get abetter idea of how the colors and stylesof the samples will look in your home.You also can browse through Keeps’exclusive “Floor Explorer” feature onthe store’s website, which allows you tosee samples and learn the specifics of allthe products sold at the location.

Then, once you make a decision,Keeps has much of its inventory readyfor installation in the store’s onsitewarehouse, which means you can be

In addition to many styles of carpeting, Keeps Carpet One also offers hundreds of varieties of hardwood, tile, vinyl and laminate flooring and more.


enjoying your new floors within a weekto 10 days of your order, and all of thework is done by experienced techni-cians who have been certified by theInternational Certified FloorcoveringInstallers Association (CFI), so you cantrust that the work will be done right.

Jerry and Sandy Linder ofZephyrhills certainly are happy with theservice that they’ve received from thestaff at Keeps, so much so, in fact, thatwhen they were looking for carpetingand linoleum for their new house, theywent back to Keeps, which alsoinstalled carpeting in their formerhome a few years before.

“They’re the best,” Sandy says.“We wouldn’t use anybody else. Theyare very nice, prompt and professional,and they really go above and beyondon their service.”

More Than Just Flooring!And, to help you complete your

home’s new look, Keeps also offers agreat selection of window treatments,such as custom draperies, blinds andshutters, wall coverings, faux finishes,area rugs and more, and Egan notesthat not only can a home makeoveradd significant value if you’re trying tosell your home (especially in this tighteconomy), it also can add to yourenjoyment for years to come if you are

planning to stay in your home. “My motto is, ‘If you can’t move,

improve,’” she says. To see what Keeps Carpet One

can do for you and your home, visitthe store at 34120 S.R. 54 to get ahands-on preview of what’s avail-able. The regular hours are Mon-day-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and 9a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Or, call 782-6712 to scheduleyour free in-home consultation, orvisit KeepsCarpetOneZephyrhills.comto check out the online “FloorExplorer.” And, don’t forget tomention either this article to receivea 10-percent discount on the cost ofyour purchase.

Keeps owner Leslie Egan is ready tohelp you make over your home.




T’s Boutique Is Now Your Brighton Collectibles Headquarters! By Gary Nager

If you’re in the market for any-thing from the perfect high schoolgraduation gift to something special forsomeone special for a birthday oranniversary present, you should visit myfriend Teresa Loftin’s T’s Boutique inThe Grove at Wesley Chapel shoppingplaza off S.R. 54.

When the Antique Armoire storein the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shop-ping center (see related story on page15) closed, T’s Boutique, which actual-ly is located in the small retail centerfacing TJ Maxx and Best Buy in TheGrove, recently became the exclusiveretail outlet in New Tampa and Wesley

Chapel for the always-popular Brightonlines of collectible handbags, jewelry,unique charm bracelets and keychains.And of course, T’s also still features thefull line of colorful Vera Bradley hand-bags, as well as great gifts from TylerCandles and many more unique smallgifts. The non-Brighton inventory isconstantly changing, so go check it out.

In other words, if you want to buya gift that really will be appreciated, youdefinitely should make T’s Boutique astop on your next shopping trip.

Although Teresa recently held asuccessful “Chicks & Charms” event(with refreshments, prizes and more) atthe store to kick off her exclusive newline in style, if you think a Brightoncharm bracelet, keychain, jewelry orhandbag might be of interest to you (orsomeone you care about), she says,“Anytime is a great time for Brighton.The greatest thing about it is that thebags, belts and jewelry appeal to every-one from teenage girls to women wellover 40,” says Teresa. “I think beingthe exclusive local Brighton headquar-ters will be a big draw for the store.”

T’s Boutique (6027 WesleyGrove Blvd.) is open Tuesday-Satur-day, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and noon-5p.m. on Sunday. For more informa-tion, call 973-4405.

Come see owner Teresa Loftin and the full line of Brighton handbags, jewelry,charm bracelets and charms at T’s Boutique in The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

Interested in a Brighton handbag?T’s Boutique has the complete line!



Education UpdatesNEW TAMPA

Join The Wharton HighJoin The Wharton HighBand Family!Band Family!

All current and incoming studentsat Paul R. Wharton High are encour-aged to join the Wharton Band Fami-ly! The band program at Whartonconsists of Competitive MarchingBand, Visual Ensemble, Concert andJazz Band.

Upcoming Important Dates forthe Wharton Band Family:

• Summer Rehearsal~Thursdays,July 22 & 29;

• Band Camp~Monday-Thurs-day, August 2-5 & Monday-Satur-day, August 9-14;

• Family BBQ and Preview Per-formance~Saturday, August 14.

For additional informationcontact Band Director Jason Allgairat [email protected] orthe Wharton Band Boosters at [email protected].

2nd Freedom Student InvitedTo Acclaimed Festival

Freedom High junior ElisaBerson and college and career coun-selor Vivian Fiallo are among 12 stu-dents and 12 educators from across

the nation who have been selected toparticipate in the 2010 Bezos FamilyFoundation’s Aspen Ideas Festival,Monday-Sunday, July 5-11.

The prestigious invitationthrough the Bezos Scholars Programat the Aspen Institute includes an all-expense-paid trip to Aspen, Colorado,for a week of exploration, dialogueand debate with the nation’s top highschool juniors and most engaged edu-cators. At the Ideas Festival, they willmeet with international leaders,acclaimed thinkers, and creative artistson the Aspen Institute campus.

Last year, Freedom student BlakeO’Connor and assistant principalRosemary Owens attended the Festi-val. They spent exclusive time withU.S. Secretary of Education ArneDuncan, retired Supreme Court Jus-tice Sandra Day O'Connor, oceanconservationist Sylvia Earle, Architec-ture for Humanity co-founderCameron Sinclair and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman,among many other notables.

The Bezos Family Foundation is aprivate, independent foundation estab-lished by Jackie and Mike Bezos (the

parents of Amazon.com founder andCEO Jeff Bezos), who along withtheir children and spouses, serve asdirectors.

The Foundation works tostrengthen educational opportunitiesfor everyone, regardless of economiccircumstances, and cultivate learningas a life-long process that begins atbirth.Bezos Scholars are asked tobring home what they learned at theAspen Ideas Festival by creating localIdeas Festivals in their schools andcommunities. The Bezos FamilyFoundation supports the local IdeasFestivals with $1,000 seed grants.

Blake’s and Rosemary’s idea was,“I Feel the Need to Read,” a literacyproject consisting of five phases: a

book-drive; Freedom students visitingRiverhills and Mort Elementaries andMOSI Partnership schools to distrib-ute books; a community and familyawareness night; a Dr. Seuss-themedchildren's literacy festival; and corre-spondence with 250 second grade stu-dents. The project earned Blake a spoton Parade magazine’s All-AmericaService Team (in the issue publishedJune 6 of this year).

Clark Wins Battle of theBooks Again!

Competition for the School Dis-trict of Hillsborough County Battle ofthe Books (BOB) was once againfierce for the 2009-10 school year.The district-wide BOB is a 4th grade

Battle of the Books 2010 winning team (l. to r.) Ryan, Principal Brenda Grif-fin, Siham, Mrs. Meads, Mrs. Davis, Aryan and Genesis.


program is being offered at LawtonChiles Elementary in Tampa Palms,and at the following elementaryschools: Alexander, Bailey, Bellamy,Buckhorn , Cannella, Clair Mel, Clay-well, Collins, Cork, Cypress Creek,Doby, Egypt Lake, Folsom, Gorrie,James, Miles, Mintz, Mitchell, Rob-les, Schmidt, Sulphur Springs, andTinker elemetaries.

No bus transportation is provid-ed, but parents can enroll their chil-dren at any of these programs regard-less of their home address. Calling theschool in advance is recommended inorder to ensure there is staff available

to assist with enrollment. Childrenenrolled in VPK will be fed a freebreakfast, lunch and snack.

For more information, contactthe district VPK office 272-4840,or visit the District’s website atSDHC.k12.fl.us, and click on“Summer VPK” in the “ImportantLinks” window.

reading enrichment program designedto encourage recreational reading,promote a variety of literature types,increase familiarity with differentauthors, and share books throughwritten and oral expression.

Three stages of competition wereaccomplished. In the first, all 4thgrade classes within the school battledfor a school-wide winner. The Battleteam from the winning class repre-sented Clark in the area battle, whichtook place at the Tampa ConventionCenter. Seven schools won their areabattles out of 140 schools that com-peted. Finally, Clark won its final bat-tle at the Raymond O. SheltonAdministrative Center in downtownTampa against Mabry, Bryant, Lomax,Brooker, Lithia Springs and CahoonElementaries.

After three rounds of questions(book quotes and title/author drills),Clark took the title! For the 4th yearin a row, Clark has the distinction ofbeing the School District of Hillsbor-ough County elementary BOB win-ner. Clark’s 2008-09 reigning teamwas present to hand over the BOBtraveling trophy to the school’s latestwinning team.

Ryan, Siham, Aryan, and Genesiseach kept calm and focused through-

out the competition. They read 18Sunshine State books, 3-7 times each.Each round of reading involved over3,000 pages. A big congratulationsgoes out Mrs. Meads’ 4th grade BOBclass, area, and district champions!

District Encourages IncomingKindergartners To Enroll InSummer VPK Program

Hillsborough County School Dis-trict superintendent of schoolsMaryEllen Elia is urging parents of eli-gible 4- and 5-year-olds to enroll theirchildren in Hillsborough County Pub-lic Schools summer voluntaryprekindergarten (VPK) at one of 23public elementary schools.

Children who are 5 years old onSeptember 1, 2010 (born between09/02/2004 and 09/01/2005), whoare Florida residents, and who havenever participated in Voluntary Pre-kare eligible. The program is free, andwill be offered Mondays-Thursdays,June 21-August 11, 7:30 a.m. to 6p.m. These hours are flexible, so par-ents can drop off children later than7:30 a.m. or pick them up earlier than6 p.m.

The VPK program provides chil-dren with the tools to be successful inkindergarten. The District’s summer

Please Remember ThatSchool Is Out For Summer! Please drive carefully and see thisissue’s Neighborhood Magazine sec-tion for some great summer Family

Fun ideas!


By Michael Smith

There was plenty of cheering asthe Freedom High Class of 2010 filedinto the USF Sun Dome during theschool's graduation ceremony on June7, both in acknowledgement of theaccomplishments of each of the 492seniors who received their diplomasand for the promise of what lies wait-ing for each of the new graduates asthey move into the next phase of theirrespective lives.

Freedom principal Chris Farkassaid the graduates’ collective potentialis unlimited.

“There are great things ahead forthe class of 2010,” Farkas said, as heoutlined some of the remarkable factsabout what the members of the classhave already achieved, including earn-ing more than $9 million in scholar-ship monies.

Of the 492 graduates, 149 gradu-ated with honors, signified by thewhite gowns that they wore, meaningthat they achieved a cumulative“weighted” grade point average of atleast 4.0, and more than 200 receivedFlorida Bright Futures scholarships.The group also included threeNational Merit finalists, including classvaledictorian Hannah Ferrall, Chan-dler Keenan and Katherine Yerkes,two of whom (Ferrall and Yerkes)were recipients of National MeritScholarships, while others in the classalso included Coca-Cola scholarshipwinners, University of Florida Lom-bardi scholars, three student-athleteswho received athletic scholarships, andthe list goes on.

“Our students also have beenaccepted into Harvard, Yale, Prince-ton, Stanford, Brown, Duke, and oth-ers, as well as all of the major schoolshere in Florida,” Farkas said.

You might think that it would bedifficult to stand out in a class so fullof gifted and high-achieving students,but Ferrall and class salutatorianAndrew Mortellaro (both of whomwill be attending the University ofFlorida, incidentally - Go Gators!),managed to do just that. With addi-tional credit for taking honors courses,dual enrollment (high school and col-lege prep) courses, Advanced Place-ment (AP) courses, and other factorstaken into consideration, eachachieved “weighted” GPAs of morethan 7 (she a 7.4 and he a 7.1), andeach talked about the joy and sadnessof leaving high school behind.

“Consider this not a farewell, buta salutation to all that lies ahead,” saidMortellaro, who spoke first. “Withenough determination and genuineeffort, any goal can be accomplished.”

Ferrall, meanwhile, also talkedabout the realization of dreams as thestudents leave their high school yearsbehind.

“As we leave the halls of FreedomHigh, we will find ourselves withmany more freedoms, but also a needto shed our dependence,” Ferrall said.“We will no longer be high schoolstudents, but high school graduates.”

Then, quoting Pres. Franklin D.Roosevelt, she added, “‘The only limi-tation to our realization of tomorrowwill be our doubts of today, so let usmove with strong and active faith.’For the first time in our lives, ourfuture is entirely in our hands, and it isour choices that will determine whowe are and what we will become. So, Iencourage you to follow your dreamsand take charge of your tomorrows,and remember that our greateststrength lies in our power to choose.”

After the students’ speeches, eachmember of the class walked to the

podium to receive their diplo-ma and a handshake fromFarkas. Then, after a quickphoto to commemorate themoment, the graduates wererecognized by HillsboroughCounty School Board memberDr. Jack Lamb, who utteredthe final words to make themofficial graduates. And, as hedid so, the seniors moved thetassels on their mortarboardsfrom right to left, and thendozens of the caps went flyingas the new graduates and theirfamilies and friends watching inthe stands let out one finaltumultuous cheer.

Nearly 500 Freedom Patriots Take The Big Walk At The Sun Dome

Freedom High salutatorian Andrew Jero Mortel-laro and valedictorian Hanna Rae Ferrall.

The new video screens (top) helped Freedom (and Wharton) parents in theSun Dome audience actually see their kids graduate.

(Above) Graduates like Sarah Ali Mohammed had no choice but to pose forpics with their proud families.

Alex Landeta, Chris Lopez, Ross Louk,Khalil Marriott, Spencer McNabb, KyleMcPherson, Luke Nam, Cory Nelson,Chandler Nipper, Lauren Pacheco,Myles Petersen, Cyler Porter, EmilyRodriguez, Sam Saiger, Kaila Shrinsky,Caitlin Wertz, Sarah Whitten, JamesWood and any of the probably dozen ortwo others I’ve neglected to mention.

Your community is proud of youand so is your community newspapereditor. May God bless you all.

Larson & Dellecese Head TheClass Of 2010

Wharton valedictorian Dion Lar-son, who is headed to the Massachu-setts Institute of Technology (MIT)and salutatorian Ruxton “R.J.” Delle-cese, headed to Bowdoin College inNew Hampshire, are two of the stu-dents we’ve often featured in thesepages that I didn’t actually get toknow, but both showed intelligenceand wit during their respective com-mencement speeches, as did seniorclass president Alexandra Huerta. Withmore than 180 honors graduatesamong 500+ graduates, principalBradley Woods had reason to be proudof this year’s seniors.

Sorry, but my kid graduated, so Iwasn’t taking notes of any speeches.


“Graduation”Continued from page 1

(Above) Wharton salutatorian R.J.Dellecese (left) and valedictorian

Dion Larson.

(Below) Jake Nager (center) andLuke Nam (right) were all smiles

after getting their diplomas.



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By Gary Nager

Our congratulations go out to themembers of the recently announcedNew Tampa Little League (NTLL) All-Stars. Although the All-Star managerswill admit that there are always kidswho might have been nearly as deserv-ing who didn’t make these squads, wecongratulate those who were selectedand wish them luck as they begin play

on SSaattuurrddaayy,, JJuunnee 1199 ((oorr JJuunnee 2266))..We also congratulate the teams

that won the NTLL Park Champi-onships in baseball and softball. Weonly had room for one pic on this page,so we picked the Majors (ages 11-12)Baseball champion ???, one of the ???NTLL park champs who went on towin this year’s District 25 Tournamentof Champions in their respective divi-sions. Great job, one and all!

Congrats, NTLLPark Champs!

Each year, theNTLL’s competitivedivisions play a parkchampionship at theend of the spring sea-son. Those parkchampions (as well asthe one NTLLSenior baseball andone Jr./Sr. softballteam) advance to theDistrict 25 Tourna-ment of Champions(ToC), which com-pletes the play priorto the summer All-Star season.

This year, theNTLL Senior baseballteam, the Major baseball Phillies(photo) and Major softball Rays alltook home their respective ToC titles,while the Minor baseball Astros andthe Jr./Sr. softball team finished theToC as the District 25 runners-up.

We congratulate all of the NTLLpark champs (including the Jr. baseballCardinals) and apologize for not hav-ing room to print all of the results.

New Tampa Little League All-Stars Begin Play This Weekend!

The New Tampa Little League Major Baseball ParkChampion Phillies were among the three NTLL parkchamps who also took home the District 25 Tourna-

ment of Champions first-place ribbons.

2010 New Tampa Little League Baseball & Softball All-StarsSSeenniioorr BBaasseebbaallll

((AAggeess 1144--1166))MMaannaaggeerr:: Ken KranickCCooaacchh:: Matt LawsonCollin BrichRyan DolanWill FergusonCarl FombrunMike GonzalezBryan KarmannAlex KranickRyan LawsonMatthew MillerDanny MolinoWellington ReyesZack Zaversnik

JJuunniioorr SSooffttbbaallll((AAggeess 1133--1155))

MMaannaaggeerr:: Scott JacobsCCooaacchh:: Greg Ridolph

Rachel CarsonNicky DixonJessica GoldinHaley HawkinsMaria HorvathGabrielle JacobsNikki KeeseeKayla MaczugaMaddy McCabeJennifer RennardKaitlyn RidolphNicole StannardLeah VailMMaajjoorr SSooffttbbaallll

((AAggeess 1111--1122))MMaannaaggeerr:: Lou Pastore

Kamryn BeachMeagan BellLauren BimonteSkyler BoyntonBrooke DiazMakaleigh DooleyMaddy HallReed JahnkeErica MatichAlyssa Wash

99--1100 BBaasseebbaallll TTeeaamm ##11

MMaannaaggeerr:: Brad PriceCCooaacchh:: Todd FontenotCCooaacchh:: Jim SuttonSimon CarapellaTyler CoffeyKyle FontenotAaron MuenchLuke PaulsenKyler PetersonConnor PriceFrank ScarchilliMichael StoneEthan SuttonGreg TaylorEvan TillerRicardo Viloria

1100--1111 SSooffttbbaallllMMaannaaggeerr:: Melissa

MarkovitzCCooaacchh:: Ryan Seidl

Danny BuxtonAline DayaaEmily GreshamCarlee JacobsAshlee MarkovitzMallory McManusTiler RennardAlexis RidolphGracie SeidlVivica Smith

AAAA AAllll SSttaarrssBBlluuee TTeeaamm

MMaannaaggeerr:: Sumeet Kaul

Ryan AndersJoey CapalboSal D’AlessandroRyan GlossRyan GreenwoodMike HudsonNicholas KaulHunter McCainGarrett McGowanPaul SaturoJackson SheltonPaul Yglesius

AAAA AAllll SSttaarrssRReedd TTeeaamm

MMaannaaggeerr:: Lou Pastore

Nicholas AlburyBrian BaughmanSebastian BurgessSean ClareCharles ClarkKendall DriessePablo GuerraJacob HollandHarrison HusebyMason McKelvinDuncan PastoreKyle Trina

99--1100 SSooffttbbaallll MMaannaaggeerr:: Anthony

BimonteCCooaacchh:: Frank AllenMakenzie AllenKristi BimonteAlex DixonYsabella DominguezAshley FigueridoKatie HaleLauren HallKasey McKayReyonce ParksHannah PerkinsEmma PooleSamantha Scott

99--1100 BBaasseebbaallll TTeeaamm ##22

MMaannaaggeerr:: Ed RubinCCooaacchh:: Nick NovoAJ AndrewsJoey BosioPatrick CheuvrontSam ChronisterNicholas DiceccoTripp DillonLuke FordKevin GallagherAndres GonzalezZachery NovoJonathan RodriguesJacob Rubin

JJuunniioorr BBaasseebbaallll((AAggeess 1133--1155))

MMaannaaggeerr:: Bob FrenchCCooaacchh:: Tim GayCCooaacchh:: Mike CarusoSydney AdamsConner BackJason CanadaJohn BergAlec CorderoTristan DeLunaDerek FrenchCarter GayAnthony GrampietroEric KaminskiEvan KaminskiBrian MorandJoe ScicchitanoMMaajjoorr BBaasseebbaallll

((AAggeess 1111--1122))MMaannaaggeerr:: Jeff StricklandCCooaacchh:: Jeff ChronisterGarrett BackJonathan BaughmanAdam ChronisterTyler GaramBrendan InaZack KitchenScotty McGuireStephen OwusuKishan PatelDalton SmithLogan StortsMason Strickland

1100//1111 BBaasseebbaallllMMaannaaggeerr:: Ed ThingerCCooaacchh:: Chris WoodyClayton CoringratoMikey CulumberAaron GuiangJeffrey GuttentagHenry HavreBryce MartinSpencer McCabeEddie ThingerEthan ThomasDominic DiazBrian SeyboldTyler Woody

Dist. 25 All-Stars ScheduleAAggeess 99--1100 BBaasseebbaallll --

At Temple Terrace; begins June 19AAggeess 1100--1111 BBaasseebbaallll --

At New Tampa; begins June 26MMaajjoorr BBaasseebbaallll --

At Zephyrhills; begins June 26JJuunniioorr BBaasseebbaallll --

At Zephyrhills; begins June 26SSeenniioorr BBaasseebbaallll --

At New Tampa; begins June 26AALLLL SSooffttbbaallll AAllll--SSttaarrss --

At Land O’Lakes; begins June 26

All of the information (and even thepicture) on this page was taken from

the NTLL website:public.teamzonesports.com/

newtampalittleleague.We appreciate the opportunity to

reprint this information and apolo-gize in advance for any errors - GN

Mason Strickland This Year’s‘Fence Club’ Champ With 13!

NTLL Major baseball All-StarMason Strickland of the Phillies blasted13 home runs during the Spring seasonto lead the NTLL “Fence Club.” Othertop HR hitters included Steven Owusu(7), Ethan Thomas (6), JonathanBaughman (4), Clayton Coringrato (4),Henry Havre (4) and Jacob Jarabek (4).




Welcome To Our Summer ‘Staycation’ Spectacular!

The Hyatt Regency ClearwaterBeach Resort & Spa isn’t directly onthe beach, but you’d never know it. Ifyou look out from most of the guestrooms at the incredible resort pool —on the eighth floor of the hotel, noless! — it appears that the sugar-whitesand beach is directly on the other sideof the pool’s fence, even though it’sactually eight stories below and acrossthe street.

But, believe me, the new Hyatt (itjust opened in February) is no illusion.It’s one of the most beautiful, luxuri-ous, modern resorts you’ll find on thewest coast of Florida. In addition, itoffers the best of both worlds — ashort walk across the street to the beachand incredible views of the Intracoastalwaterway on the other. It features out-standing dining, fun activities for thekids, poolside entertainment and aworld-class spa for you, plus a magnifi-cent lobby, plenty of meeting space andguest rooms that will make you feel likea million bucks, even if you don’t have

that kind of money. (You know thisnewspaper guy doesn’t have that kindof cash, right?).

The Hyatt combines Old Worldservice with all of the modern conven-iences you and your family (or just thatspecial someone) need to feel right athome. But, if this is like your home,I’d love to come for a visit!

Continued on page 36.

A summertime special by Gary Nager

With the economy still lagging and oil still flowing into the Gulf of Mexico (but thankfully, not washing up on our Tampa Bay area beaches), more and more NewTampa and Wesley Chapel residents are probably looking forward to vacationing closer to home than ever before.

And, we’re here to help. This issue marks the first installment of our “Summer Staycation Spectacular,” a multi-part series of stories about hotels and resorts locatedso close by (for example, all three of the places featured in this issue are an hour or less away from everyone in our distribution areas), you won’t have to wake up beforedawn to drive to any of them. And, we plan to feature at least one more “Staycation” hotel in every issue this summer!

As Florida residents, we are blessed with beautiful weather all year ‘round, even though the summer heat definitely can be pretty stifling. We therefore have includedon these pages one beach resort, one golf and tennis resort and the newest hotel located right in New Tampa — all of which offer different ways to help you beat theheat and enjoy everything Florida has to offer! Enjoy, and please tell these hotels that we sent you!

The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort — Luxury, Elegance & Lots Of Summer Fun!

(Top) The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort may not be directly on the beach, but it sure looks like it is!(Above left) The relaxation wall at the Sandava Spa features a magnificent waterfall and views (out those windows)

of the Intracoastal Waterway). (Above right) Is the beach directly behind this elegant pool? Does it matter?

So, how do you wantto start your visit? With abrisk workout in theHyatt’s modern fitnesscenter or a couples mas-sage in the Sandava Spa?Or, how about breakfastin the open-kitchen ShorAmerican Seafood Grille?


“Hyatt Regency”Continued from page 35

(Top) You can enjoy yummy fresh mussels in a zesty tomato garlic sauce at Shor Amer-ican Seafood Grille. (Center) The fitness center overlooks the Intracoastal, too. (Above)Each of the 250 spacious suites features a complete kitchen and Hyatt Grand bedding.

Even if all you want is a walk onthe beach, the Hyatt is at the center ofClearwater's new $30 million BeachWalk. And, every spacious suite featuresHyatt Grand beds, flat screen TVs, acomplete kitchen with granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances andso much more.

In other words, whether you wantto stay for a night or a week, the newHyatt is a great place to start yourSummer Staycation.

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Innisbrook Resort Is AboutMuch More Than Just Golf!

If you’ve been living in our areafor any amount of time, you’ve proba-bly heard about Innisbrook — A Sala-mander Golf & Spa Resort, located offU.S. Hwy. 19 in Innisbrook (recog-nized as its own community by theU.S. Postal Service), between TarponSprings and Palm Harbor.

But, why would you be interestedin Innisbrook if you’re not a golfer whorecognizes its famed CopperheadCourse at the home of the PGA’s Tran-sitions Championship? Yes, Innisbrook,which is owned by Black EntertainmentTelevision founder Sheila C. Johnson, ismost famous for its four gorgeouschampionship golf courses (with a fifthunder construction), but as a horren-dous golfer, I can assure you that there

is plenty more for the two of you (oryour entire family) to enjoy at this trulyidyllic 900-acre golf and tennis resort.

(Top) You’ll feel right at home at any ofInnisbrook’s guest rooms. (Above) The

North Course is one of Innisbrook’s fourmagnificent championship golf courses.


First of all, although Innisbrook iscelebrating its 40th birthday this year,Johnson completely renovated it in2009 and the entire place is kept sopristine that you might assume it wasbrand new. You can commune withnature at any of the resort’s 28 lodgesand 600 guest rooms, all of which arelinked to Innisbrook’s too-numerous-to-name amenities by shuttle buses, soyou can go wherever you want, when-ever the mood strikes you. There’s eventransportation to the award-winningbeach at nearby Caladesi Island.

Every room at Innisbrook is alovely suite that looks and feels like abeautifully-appointed home, so stretchout and enjoy. Hop a shuttle and dropthe kids off at “Camp Nessie,” wherethere are supervised activities, the LochNess pool and plenty of summer fun.They can even play atthe Fox Squirrel golfcourse. Then, visit theresort’s brand new20,000-sq.-ft. IndabaSpa and enjoy a mas-sage and a variety ofaromatherapies, facialsand other popular spatreatments.

If you’re hungry(and you will be), youcan enjoy casual diningat the Turnberry Pub,kick it up a notch at

the Market Salaman-der Grillé or dress itup at the yummyPackard’s Steakhouse,named for the Innis-brook community’soldest living resident.

If you can dreamit, you can afford todo it right at Innis-brook Resort!

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At the new Indaba Spa (above), youcan get a massage outdoors on the spa’s

private deck (right) or inside.

(Below) The too-cool Loch Ness pool isone of the main attractions of “Camp

Nessie” for the kids.

If you enjoy lamb chops, you can’tbeat the espresso-crusted chops at

Innisbrook’s Packard’s Steakhouse.

By Gary Nager

I was happy to be on hand (alongwith several members of the Board ofthe New Tampa Chamber of Com-merce) when the new SpringHillSuites hotel (by Marriott) celebratedits official Grand Opening and ribboncutting a few weeks ago — and I haveto admit I came away impressed.

If you live anywhere in NewTampa and you’re having family orfriends come in for a visit, or you justwant a relaxing change of scenery fora night yourself, thehotel is located offCommerce ParkBlvd. in TampaPalms (near USAAInsurance), just afew minutes fromany of our readers.

The SpringHillSuites features auniquely modernlobby, a nice swim-ming pool, businesscenter, meetingrooms, a tasty freebuffet breakfast andtruly elegant guest

suites with either one king-sized ortwo queen beds.

The Grand Opening featuredgreat food by Stonewood Grill & Tav-ern, Urban Culinary Café, Pagelli’sItalian in the Shops at Wiregrass andThe Hors D’Oeuvres Chef, plus bev-erages from the nearby World of Beer.

Check it out and please tell themwe sent you!

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SpringHill Suites Tampa Palms Celebrates Its Grand Opening

Members of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce helped cut the ribbon atthe new SpringHill Suites hotel off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms.

The guest rooms (above) at SpringHill Suites are beauti-fully appointed and the lobby (right) is uniquely impressive.



Summer Camp Programs Offer A Variety Of Fun Things To DoThe end of the school year is

right around the corner, and whilemost kids of my generation had tosettle for old-fashioned camps thatoffered such boring activities as canoe-ing, archery and wallet making, youngpeople nowadays have a wide varietyof choices when it comes to whilingaway the lazy days of summer. Here isa rundown of some of the programsoffered right in our own neighbor-hood, as well as some other excitingoptions from all around the area. - MS

Hunter’s Green Country Club

The Summer Activities Camp atHunter’s Green Country Club SportsCenter (18050 Hunter’s Oak Ct., justoff Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) is designedfor children ages 5-12 and features avariety of activities, including cookingclasses, golf, cheerleading, flag foot-ball, volleyball, nature, drama, dance,crafts, field trips, swimming, “Fun Fri-days” with blow-up moonwalks andwaterslides and much more.

There also is a Counselor-In-Training program for teens ages 12-15. There is a one-time registrationfee of $35, and the first 60 childrenwho register will receive a backpackand T-shirt. Weekly sessions beginJune 11, and there are daily andweekly rates, and extended care hoursalso are available.

In addition, Hunter’s Green alsooffers a Summer Tennis Camp thatbegins June 14 and Summer SwimCamp that starts June 15.

For more information aboutthese programs, call 973-4220 orvisit HuntersGreenCC.com.

New Tampa Dance TheatreNew Tampa Dance Theatre

(NTDT), located at 10701 CrossCreek Blvd., will be offering summerdance camps, ballet and musical the-

ater intensive workshops and otherclasses, June 21-July 2, for ages 3-adult. Styles including ballet, tap, jazz,hip-hop, musical theater, creativemovement and tumbling will beoffered each week.

For more information, pleasecall 994-NTDT(6838).

New Tampa Family YMCAThe New Tampa Family YMCA

(16221Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms)Summer Camp program offers a vari-ety of safe and fun full-day and spe-cialty camps for children ages 3-15.

The camps include swimming,games, sports, arts and crafts andmore, and this summer there are evenmore new features, such as full-daydrama and musical theatre programs,gender-specific half-day camps and thenew “Activate America” program,which encourages kids to be moreactive and healthier.

Call 866-9622 or visit TampaYMCA.org.

You Do The Dishes Art Fest 2010

If your children love art, or if youare hoping to give them a greaterappreciation of art, then the Art Fest2010 summer program offered at YouDo the Dishes paint-your-own potterystudio & coffeehouse (15357 AmberlyDr. in Tampa Palms) may be just thething you’re looking for this summer.

During the camp, which isdesigned for kids ages 7-13, partici-pants will receive expert instructionand create projects in a variety of artis-tic media, including printmaking,drawing, watercolor, acrylics, collageand of course, pottery making. Ses-sions begin June 14, and the cost is$200 per camper per session, whichincludes the cost of all art supplies.Space is limited, so advance registra-tion is required.

For additional information,

visitYouDoTheDishes.com orcall 975-1700.

Academic Edge Academic Edge Summer CoursesSummer Courses

You can give the seri-ous students in your familya jump on the 2011-12school year by enrollingthem in the summer cours-es offered at the AcademicEdge Learning Center(17419 Bridge Hill Ct., inthe Tampa Palms Profes-sional Center).

The courses, which aredirected by experiencedteachers, include reading,math, biology, physics,FCAT preparation, SAT preparationand more. Courses are designed forelementary, middle and high schoolstudents, and two-week sessions beginJune 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily, andextra care hours also are available byappointment.

For additional information, call971-6500.

All Star Summer CampSports + Field Athletic Club

(2029 Arrowgrass Dr., off S.R. 56 inWesley Chapel) hosts an All Star Sum-mer Camp beginning June 14, forchildren entering grades K-6. Thecamp features team sports, arts andcrafts, karate, dance, waterslide, Wiicompetitions, board games, Zumbaand surprise visitors. Each week of thecamp will have a special sports theme.

Full-day sessions are from 7:30a.m.-5:30 p.m. for $105 per camper;half-day sessions are 9:30 a.m.-1:30p.m. for $85 per camper, and therealso is a $50 registration fee (half offfor Sports + Field members) percamper. Campers also are required tobring their own bring water bottles,

healthy snacks and lunch. For information, call 948-5517

or visit SportsAndField.net.

Camp IDS 2010Independent Day School-Corbett

Campus (12015 Orange Grove Dr.,off Busch Blvd.) offers a variety ofweekly summer camp programs cover-ing sports, arts, cooking, field tripsand more for children in grades pre-K-8. Camp sessions run June 14-July23, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. each day, withfull- or half-day sessions available, andextra care hours also are available.Costs vary.

For more information, call961-3087 or visit idsyes.com.

Summer At The LakesThe summer camp program at

the Academy at The Lakes (2331 Col-lier Pkwy. in Land O’Lakes) includesarchery, arts and crafts, baking, base-ball, basketball, cheerleading, Chineselanguage classes, dance, drama, fieldtrips, flag football, math review, modelrockets, movie making, photography,reading club, recreational games, SATprep, sewing, soccer, tumbling, volley-

Campers learn painting and other art forms atthe You Do The Dishes Summer Art Fest camp.


ball, writing skills and more, forcampers ages 3 through rising ninthgraders. Camp dates are June 14-Aug. 6, 8:30 am.-3 p.m. each day,with full- and half-day sessions andextended care is available.

For more info, including thefees for each camp, visit academy-atthelakes.org/campus life/sum-mer-program or call 948-7600.

Tampa Bay History CenterSummer Camp

Kids in grades 3-5 can learnabout the history of the Tampa Bayarea through games, arts and crafts,gallery experiences andfield trips during aseries of weekly campsoffered at the TampaBay History Center(801 Old Water St. indowntown Tampa).

Campers will beable to investigate pio-neer life, check outarchaeology, comb themuseum for mysteriesand search for Tampa’surban treasures. Ses-sions are 9 a.m.-5p.m., June 21-Aug.6.The cost is $135 forHistory Center mem-bers; $150 for non-members, and extra care is availablefor an additional $15 per week.

For more information, visitTampaBayHistoryCenter.org or call675-8960.

Florida Aquarium AquaCamp

Explore the wonders of life in theocean with the Florida Aquarium’s2010 AquaCamp, which includes sci-ence activities, animal encounters,water sports and more. The camp isfor ages 3-15, but 6-year-olds musthave completed kindergarten to be inall-day camps. Prices vary, depending

on the child’s age and camp. Dates areJune 14-Aug. 20, with full- and half-day sessions available. The Aquariumis located at 701 Channelside Drive indowntown Tampa.

For more information, call273-4000 or visit FLAquarium.org.

Lowry Park ‘Zoo School’This summer, “Zoo School” at

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo (1101 W.Sligh Ave.) is headquarters for 100week-long camps for students in K-12th grades.

Kids and teens can learn aboutnature, science and the animal king-

dom while hiking through the zoo,exploring behind the scenes and cool-ing off in the zoo’s water play areas.Adventure camps include animalencounters, keeper talks, educationalshows, games, crafts and more. Campsare week-long and run from 9 a.m.- 4p.m. daily, although extended care isavailable from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4p.m.-6 p.m. for an additional fee.

Call 935-8552, ext. 268, orvisit LowryParkZoo.com for addi-tional information.

MOSI Science CampsBring out the scientist in your

child with the amazing variety of sum-mer camp programs offered atTampa’s Museum of Science & Indus-try (MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave.).

With more than 100 differentcamps to choose from for kids fromages 2 through 17, including suchofferings as “Science Fiction Reali-ties,” “Planets in our Neighborhood,”“Dinosaur Stomp” and more, you’resure to find something that will inter-est your little ones. There are half-day,full-day, two-day and even travelcamps, as well as special camps for tal-ented and gifted students, too.

Sessions begin June 14, andprices vary by program.

For more information, call987-6000 or register online atCampFun.org.

Tampa Bay Lightning Summer Hockey Camp

Give your youngsters some icetime with real pro hockey players, atthe Tampa Bay Lightning 5th annualSummer Hockey Camp. The campwill be held at four venues, includingthe Brandon Ice Sports Forum, theEllenton Ice & Sports Complex,Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Olds-mar and Germain Arena in Ft. Myers,and it will provide participants of allskill levels with position-specific andteam-play concepts that will allowthem to excel next season.

For complete information, visitLightning.nhl.com.

Tampa Theatre Film Camp 2010

In this exciting camp offered bythe historic Tampa Theatre (711 N.Franklin St., downtown Tampa),campers will have the opportunity tocreate live action and stop-motion ani-mation movies on MacIntosh com-puters, using programs like I-Movieand Garage Band and footage theyshoot themselves. Then, each studentwill premiere his or her film on Tampa

Theatre’s big screen and receive acopy on DVD. The camp is for grades3-12, and morning and afternooncamps are divided by grade level.

The live action camp sessions willbe held June 21-25, July 12-16 andJuly 19-23, and the stop-motion ani-mation sessions are July 26-30 andAug. 2-6.

For more info, call 274-8981or visit TampaTheatre.org.

Busch Gardens Summer Adventure Camps

At the Summer Adventure Campsoffered at the Busch Gardens Tampatheme park (10165 N. McKinley Dr.),camper can get up close and personalwith wild animals, ride the rollercoasters and other rides and enjoy avariety of other interesting educationalactivities. The camps are for campersfrom preschool to 8th grade and cost$240 per camper, per week (withsome discounts available to BuschGardens Passholders). The camps runJune 14-Aug. 20. Lunch, snack andjuice are provided.

For more info, call (877) 248-2267 or visit swbg-adventurecamp.com/adventure-camps.

Performing Arts CampsThe Patel Conservatory at the

David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Per-forming Arts (1010 N. MacInnes Pl.,downtown Tampa) offers more than40 differnt camps in the performingarts — including music, theater,dance, film, on-camera acting, vocalarts and more.

Camps are available for campersin grades pre-K to 12th grade, and thecost of tuition varies by camp. Campsessions run from June 1-Aug. 7, and1-, 2- and 3-week camps are available,with half- and full-day sessions andmorning and afternoon start times.

For additional information,visit PatelConservatory. org or call222-1002.

Kids who are animal lovers will love the summercamp programs offered at Lowry Park Zoo.

By Michael Smith

There are many ways to honor thepassing of a loved one, and when DavidMercandante, the son of Tampa Palmsresidents Pete and Lucy Mercandante,passed away in 2007 at the age of 43from melanoma, Lucy says she wantedto commemorate her son’s passion andlove of life by publishing one of the sev-eral novels that he had written in hisspare time.

“He was in the business world, buthe loved to write,” says Lucy Mercan-dante, a retired reading teacher who isoriginally from Long Island, NY.

Mercandante says David moved toTampa to attend St. Leo University nearDade City, but he later moved to theOrlando area, where he worked as amanager for the Standard Register com-pany. Lucy says David was an avid Bucsfan and besides writing, he also was adevoted family man who enjoyed spend-ing time with his wife Vicki and theirthree young children.

The book, entitled The Victim, is acrime thriller set in the Tampa Bay areathat tells the story of a businessman whois falsely accused of sexual harassment,and the mystery deepens when hisaccuser suddenly ends up dead. Thequestion, Mercandante says, is who is

the true victim in the case?To find out, you’ll have to visit

Amazon.com, where the book is avail-able for just $9.90, and where it hasreceived some pretty positive reviewsfrom those who have read it.

The sales and the complimentshave been gratifying, Mercandante says,but that really wasn’t the point of hav-ing the book published. She says shereally just wanted something concrete tocommemorate her son, whose suddendeath was a terrible blow for the entirefamily, and it was the best way she couldthink of to share her memories of Davidwith those who never had the opportu-nity to know him.


A Mon’s Novel Gift To Her Late Son

David Mer-cadante(above)

wrote TheVictim(right)

before hepassed away

in 2007.



Lemon Fashion Offers Affordable Good Looks In WiregrassBy Melissa O’Brien

Pick up a fashion magazine likeVogue or Glamour and you’ll find pagesand pages of “must have” fashions —fun, flattering outfits that look like amillion bucks. Unfortunately, at somemajor retail stores, looking that goodcan cost a small fortune, too.

So, the question is, where can afashionable person find the latest stylesbut not have to surrender the betterpart of their paycheck to wear them?The place is Lemon Fashion at TheShops at Wiregrass mall off of S.R. 56and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. inWesley Chapel – a clothing store withfashions that only look like you paid alot for them.

“Our key is having great clothes ateconomical prices,” says owner ViomaLorenzo. “Most people who first comehere come in because they like the dis-plays in the window, but they are evenhappier when they see how great theprices are for such cute clothes.”

At Lemon Fashion, customers willfind everything from jeans to formaldresses, purses, accessories and jewelry.“We don’t have designer labels, but ourlook is still a designer look,” saysVioma. “We try to keep everythingfresh and new with new clothing ship-

ments coming in weekly and we offerclothes you will not find at every otherstore. We like to call it semi-exclusiveclothes for a very non-exclusive price.”

Lorenzo opened the 3,000-sq. ft.Lemon Fashion in the Shops inNovember of 2009. “It was a life-longdream of mine to own a fashion store,”says Lorenzo, who lives in Northwoodwith her husband Maurice. “I have afriend, Larissa Rojas, in the DominicanRepublic who owns stores there and Ihave worked with her for many years.When I moved here, I wanted to findthe right location and duplicate the suc-cess of her stores down there.”

Maurice Lorenzo, Vioma’s hus-band who works on the business end ofLemon Fashion, says their partnerLarissa had about 20-25 similar storesin the Dominican Republic and wantedto invest in the US.

“We decided to open the firstLemon Fashion store in Tampa becauseall of our market research pointed us tothis area,” says Maurice. “We alsolooked at South Florida and do plan toexpand there and to other Florida loca-tions. We’re also looking at Chicago.”

Maurice says they chose The Shopsat Wiregrass because of the open air feelof the mall and the entertainment andactivities that take place there. The

Shops is a Main St.-style, pedestrian-friendly mall that is anchored byMacy’s, Dillard’s and JC Penney.Lemon Fashion is located betweenWhite House Black Market and PotteryBarn right near the center of the mall.

“It is a great venue,” says Maurice.“People come here to have a greatexperience. It is a great outdoor mall,pet-friendly and definitely conducive toshopping. One way we can tell ourstore is a success is by the number of

our lime green bags we see people car-rying around the mall. You’ll see themeverywhere.”

Maurice attributes the success oftheir businesses in an economic down-turn because of, “Experience experi-ence, experience. Our model has beenvery successful for about twelve years inthe Caribbean and our partner haslearned the business by trial and error..It is important to know your targetmarket and to always keep new items in

The clothes are fashionable and the prices are great at Lemon Fashion in theShops at Wiregrass mall off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and S.R. 56.


the store so people keep coming back.”Vioma takes a lot of pride in help-

ing her customers with their clothingselections. “Some people come in withno idea what to wear and I enjoy help-ing them,” says Vioma. “I also train myemployees to help them. The next timethey come in, they tell me about all thecompliments they receive about theirnew outfits. I have people coming from

all over the Tampa Bay area just to visitour store.”

For Kameika Bonner, who lives inWestbrook Estates off S.R. 54, says thatshe will be getting all of her summervacation outfits from Lemon Fashion.

“They always have things that theother stores don’t have,” says Bonner.“They have very up-to-date-fashionsand things you would expect to see inplaces like California. Their prices arevery reasonable and I always get com-pliments on the clothes I buy there.”

She adds, “They always have avariety of things to choose from. Theytake their cues from the magazines andfrom the fashions I see on television.”

Brenda Fernandez, who lives inLand O’ Lakes, says the bright colors ofthe sign pulled her into the store.

“It is bright and attractive andbreaks away from the monotony ofsome of the other stores,” says Brenda.“I have purchased dresses, accessories,shirts — everything — there. I have aunique sense of style and nothing thereis the same as in other stores. I havegotten to know Vioma and now, whenI go shopping, I even help other cus-tomers accessorize. I love to shop andthe prices and the clothes are veryattractive and so unique compared withthe other places in Wiregrass.”

Lemon Fashion is located at28250 Paseo Dr. in The Shops at

Wiregrass mall. It is open duringregular mall hours, Monday –Satur-

day, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. and noon-6p.m. on Sunday. Call 991-1600.

If you like colorful, you’re sure tolove Lemon Fashion.

(Above) You’ll find Lemon Fashion next to Pottery Barn in the mall andyou’ll also find plenty of quality fashion accessories (below).



life. Some people don’t realize this untilit is too late and they get injured.”

Marisol Casablanca-Pecora, wholives in Hunter’s Green and is the presi-dent of the Hillsborough County Ten-nis Association (a group whose purposeis to develop and support the growth oftennis in the community), says thatTennis & Fitness Lifestyle is a welcomeaddition to the community.

“I believe there is no other storewithin a 15-mile radius that offer thevariety of tennis products and expertisethat Todd’s store has,” says Marisol.“They have two state-of-the-art string

machines and a staff that is very knowl-edgeable. It is important that you havesomeone who knows something aboutthe sport and when you visit a chainsporting goods store, you almost neverget that kind of assistance.”

She adds, “The store has a lot ofgreat merchandise, including a very nicecollection of clothes that are not onlyfor tennis but can be used for mostother sports. Steve and Deb are verysupportive of the growth of tennis inthe area and the store is a great, con-venient addition for anyone who playstennis in New Tampa.”


Jazzercise & Tennis & Fitness Lifestyle Open In Tampa Palms By Melissa O’Brien

Fitness and healthy living is all partof a lifestyle for Lutz residents Deb andTodd Goldman. So, when Todd, thepublisher of Tennis Life magazine,decided to open Tennis & FitnessLifestyle, a tennis shop in The Pointe inTampa Palms, the natural fit in theadjacent storefront was Deb’s Jazzercisefranchise. Together, the two businessesencompass 2,600-sq. ft. of fitnessexpertise, equipment and sportswear – awelcome addition to the New Tamparetail community.

Tennis & Fitness LifestyleTennis & Fitness Lifestyle“We opened the tennis store to

respond to the tremendous need in theNew Tampa/Wesley Chapel area,” saysTodd, whose Tennis Life is the coun-try’s second largest tennis magazine.“With all of the tennis that takes placein our community, there was a need fora dedicated tennis shop that offers serv-ices specific to tennis players. The com-munity response has been great.”

Tennis & Fitness Lifestyle hasUnited States Racquet Stringers Associ-ation (USRSA)-certified employees,some with more than 20 years of expe-rience in the tennis business. “We havea good understanding of the right rac-quet for the right player and work with

the manufacturers to offer the bestproducts,” says Todd.

The store carries such best-sellingracquet lines as Wilson, Prince andHead, as well as Dunlop, Volkl, andYonex. The store also carries tennisapparel and footwear from Adidas, NewBalance, Sergio Tacchini, Jofit andPeachy Tan. In addition, there’s also afull line of fitness clothing and shoesfrom Ryca, Jazzertogs, Fila, and KOSfor any kind of sports, including yoga,aerobics and even Pilates.

“Our goal is to bring quality prod-ucts and tennis expertise to the tennisand fitness consumer,” says Todd.“There is no one in the immediate areawho carries as extensive a line of tennisgear with tennis experts on-hand toassist in your purchase.”

Todd says it is important in thegame of tennis to have the right gear.“The wrong racquet can cause armproblems and decrease the quality ofyour play,” he says. “Some people needmore power from their racquet, someneed more control. It also is importantto have the right kind of footwear foryou. Wearing a certain shoe and havingthe right equipment – even the correctstrings for your racquet – will help youenhance your game and definitely helpyou play longer and extend your tennis

You won’t find a bigger selection anywhere of quality tennis bags or shoes than you willat Tennis & Fitness Lifestyle in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms.


visit Tennis-Lifestyle.comor call 977-8367. Jazzer-cise is open sixdays a week for25 classes. Goto Jazzercise.com for a com-plete listing orcall toll-free,(800) 348-4748 or locally,call 505-5258.

Get In Step At JazzerciseGet In Step At JazzerciseDeb Goldman has had a long-time

passion for Jazzercise – which is a 60-minute group fitness class combiningcardio and strength training withstretching moves for a total body work-out. She owns three Jazzercise franchis-es, including one in Carrollwood andanother in Lutz, but she and herNorth/New Tampa partner Julie Wag-oner never had a permanent home fortheir local Jazzercise studio, until now.

“It was a joint idea with Todd toopen both Jazzercise and the tennisstore [in the same plaza],” says Deb.“Julie used to have a satellite office forour North Tampa Jazzercise and host itat different locations, but now we havea permanent home. The new facility isclean and bright, with wood floors anda lighted stage so our clients can see theinstructors. It has surround-sound, aplace to put your water bottles and weeven offer childcare. People enter ourworkout room through the tennis storeand can then exit through the Jazzer-cise door.”

Deb says that Jazzercise is one ofthe oldest and biggest fitness programsin the country. Judi Sheppard Missett,who founded the company in 1969, isstill the Jazzercise CEO. All of theworkout programs still are developedby Missett and currently, Jazzercise hassome 250,000 members worldwide.

The program incorporates moves

from hip-hop, yoga, Pilates, jazzdance, kickboxing and resistancetraining and combines them into aone-hour routine for people of allage and fitness levels. “It is a fun,follow-the-leader program andthere are no contracts,” says Deb.“If you want to take a break, youjust stop and can start right backup at any time. There is a very bigsocial aspect to the program andpeople return because it is so muchfun. I started teaching in it 1984(instructors become certifiedthrough a Jazzercize training pro-gram) and have been doing it eversince. You start out with eight min-utes of warm up, followed by the

30 minutes of aerobic activity and then25 minutes of strength training. Mon-day’s are free in June and we alwayshave specials that people can check outon the Jazzercise website.”

Fran Fryer, who lives in Lutz, isvery pleased about the new location inTampa Palms. “I’m so excited,” shesays. “We have been like nomads forabout four years and to finally have ahome – it’s great! Jazzercise makes mefeel better about myself. I joined whenI turned 50 to make myself feel better.It gives you a lot of energy and self-confidence. It is an all-around goodworkout and the instructors are fabu-lous. No program is ever the same –they mix things up all the time, so youare never bored.”

Fran says she has met a lot offriends through Jazzercise and theprogram always welcomes new people.“I have met people of all differentages, across all generations,” she says.“It is great for people who are new tothe area.”

Tennis and Fitness Lifestyle andJazzercize are located at 17016 and17018 Palm Pointe Dr., respectively,in the Shoppes at The Pointe inTampa Palms. Tennis store hoursare Monday –Friday, 10 a.m. – 7p.m., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m on Saturdayand noon-3 p.m. on Sunday. Formore information about the store,

Tennis & Fitness Lifestyle manager/partnerKevin Cummins strings a new racquet.

...which is not just an awesome workout for anyone of any age, it also provides afun, social atmosphere that really keeps you motivated.

Tennis & Fitness Lifestyle & Jazzercise are located in the same plaza asWorld of Beer and The Coffee Beanery, next to Stonewood Grill & Tavern.

Instructors (l. to r. above) Julie Wagoner, Nichole Kollman &Marsha Jarrett can get you in shape at Jazzercise...


Tampa Bay’s Summer Entertainment Begins To Heat Up!By Michael Smith

If the tight economy means thatyou will be staying at home rather thanhitting the road this summer, that does-n’t mean you have to sit around andwatch the grass grow. Over the nextcouple of months, there will be a widevariety of great concerts, performances,activities and more, many of whicheveryone in the family can enjoy, and allwithin a few minutes’ drive of NewTampa. Here are a few highlights:

CSI: The Experience atCSI: The Experience atMOSIMOSI

Opening Saturday, June 19 —This summer, visitors to MOSI,Tampa’s Museum of Science & Indus-try (4801 E. Fowler Ave.) can play therole of forensic scientists in the muse-um’s new traveling exhibition, “CSI:The Experience.” Inspired by the mul-titude of hit CBS-TV series, “CSI: TheExperience” highlights the process ofscientific inquiry and the real investiga-tion techniques used to solve crimes.

From DNA and firearms analysisto forensic anthropology and toxicolo-gy, visitors are immersed in hands-onscience in an exciting multimedia envi-ronment with dazzling special effectsdirect from the CSI TV series. Charac-ters from the show welcome visitors to“CSI: The Experience” from a largevideo monitor, and then lead themthroughout The Experience. Developedby the Fort Worth Museum of Science

and History, with support from CBSConsumer Products and the NationalScience Foundation, “CSI: The Experi-ence” maintains the spirit of the TVseries and is geared toward adults andyouths ages 12 and above.

For more information, go toCSITheExperience.org. Admission toCSI: The Experience (which will runthrough Monday, September 6), theMOSI exhibit Galleries, and oneIMAX® Dome Standard Film, is$25.95 for adults, $23.95 for sen-iors, and $21.95 for children. MOSIalso will be offering “CSI AfterDark” on Friday and Saturday nightsfrom closing until 9 p.m. (last ticketsold at 8 p.m.), which gives visitorsaccess to the “CSI: The Experience”exhibit after the museum’s perma-nent exhibit galleries are closed.Admission for “CSI After Dark” is$12 for adults, $11 for seniors and$10 for children. MOSI also will beoffering a variety of value-addedevents, such as fingerprint art andguest speakers to address topics suchas Cyber Crime Prevention andForensics. For more information, call987-6000 or visit MOSI.org.

Curious George Live!Curious George Live!Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27 —

Curious George® is excited! It’s timefor the annual All-You-Can-Eat Meat-ball Day at Chef Pisghetti’s popularItalian restaurant and George is goingto be the chef's special helper. But,when Chef Pisghetti and George goout to serve their customers, no one isthere. They're all across the street mar-veling at Phinneas T. Lightspeed's newhigh-speed Meatball-o-Matic! Chef Pis-ghetti worries that no one wants hisfamous homemade meatballs anymore,and vows to never cook again, unlessGeorge can save the day!

To help his good friend, Georgeembarks on a fun-filled, musical journeythat takes him and Chef's meatballsacross the world to Rome, Italy, for theinternational Golden Meatball Compe-

tition. Under the watchful guidanceof his friend, The Man with the Yel-low Hat, George learns more aboutfriendship, travel and meatballs thanhe’d ever imagined. When Georgeand his friends come to life on stage,your whole family is in for the adven-ture of a lifetime! Come and experi-ence for the first time ever thebeloved world of Curious GeorgeLive! on stage.

Performances of CuriousGeorge Live! begin at 11 a.m. & 3p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. & 5p.m. on Sunday at Ruth EckerdHall (1111 N. McMullen-BoothRd., Clearwater). Tickets cost $18-$61. For more information, call(727) 791-7400 or visit RuthEck-erdHall.com.

Cedric The EntertainerCedric The EntertainerSaturday, June 26 — Cedric

Antonio Kyles, aka Cedric the Enter-tainer, is best known for his crowd-pleasing roles in the feature films “Bar-bershop,” “Be Cool,” “Madagascar,”“Intolerable Cruelty,” and “The Origi-nal Kings Of Comedy” (the documen-tary feature directed by Spike Lee), but,like many of today’s most popularcomedic actors, he got his start on thestand-up comedy circuit.

Cedric’s first TV appearance camewith a stand-up set on “It’s Showtimeat the Apollo” in 1992, and in 1994,he received the Richard Pryor ComicOf The Year Award from Black Enter-tainment Television for his work as hostof Def Comedy Jam and BET’s ComicView (1994-95 season). He then wenton to star alongside his good friendSteve Harvey in Harvey’s self-titled tel-evision show, and most recentlyappeared as a guest host and wrestleron “WWE Raw” last September.

(Note: Cedric’s act does includeadult subject matter and may not besuitable for children).

Cedric the Entertainer willappear at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 8 p.m.;Tickets: $40-$65. For more informa-

tion, call (727) 791-7400 or visitRuthEckerdHall.com.

Earth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & FireTuesday, June 29– Whether you

call their music disco, soul or R&B,there’s no doubt that Earth, Wind &Fire (EWF), which was founded by ses-sion musician Maurice White in Chica-go in 1969, has been one of the mostpopular bands in the world for morethan four decades. The ten-membergroup released its self-titled debutalbum in 1971, but went through sev-eral lineup changes before releasing itsbreakthrough record, 1974’s “That’sThe Way of the World,” which includedthe hits “Shining Star” as well as thetitle track. From there, EWF went onto sell more than 90 million recordsworldwide, winning six Grammys andfour American Music Awards along theway. The group was inducted into theRock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Earth, Wind & Fire will appearat , Ruth Eckerd Hall, 8 p.m. Ticketscost $53-$101. For more informa-tion, call (727) 791-7400 or visitRuthEckerdHall.com.

Ted Nugent, With SpecialTed Nugent, With SpecialGuest Pat Travers BandGuest Pat Travers Band

Wednesday, June 30 — Say whatyou will about Ted Nugent’s conserva-tive political views and the pro-huntingand pro-gun stances for which he’sbecome known over the past several

Earth, Wind & Fire return to RuthEckerd Hall in Clearwater on June 29.

Catch “Curious George Live!” atRuth Eckerd Hall June 26-27.


years, but there’s no denying that the“Motor City Madman” is still one ofthe greatest guitarists ever to strap on asix-string. After starting out as lead gui-tarist of the Amboy Dukes while he wasstill in high school, Nugent ruled thehard rock radio airwaves of the 1970swith such headbanging classics as “CatScratch Fever,” “Wango Tango” andmany others. Nugent will be joined forthis show by fellow rocker and Floridaresident Pat Travers (“Boom, Boom(Out Go The Lights”).

The Ted Nugent/Pat Traversconcert will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall,7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $27-$57. Formore information, call (727) 791-7400 or visit RuthEckerd Hall.com.

Sting, With The Royal Sting, With The Royal Philharmonic OrchestraPhilharmonic Orchestra

Saturday, July 3 — Sting, neeGordon Sumner, rose to prominence asthe lead singer, songwriter and bassistfor The Police, helping that group earnsix Grammy Awards over the course oftheir five-year run, but he’s also donepretty well as a solo artist, too.

Starting with 1985’s “The Dreamof the Blue Turtles,” which wasmarkedly different from his work withThe Police, featuring a much softer,jazz-based sound, Sting’s music hasveered more into the adult contempo-rary category, but he still retains a faith-ful following and has scored several Top40 hits in the 2000s, including "SheWalks This Earth (Soberana Rosa),”“Until…” and others. On this tour, heis performing works from both ThePolice and his solo catalogue, all backedby the Royal Philharmonic ConcertOrchestra.

Sting performs at the 1-800-ASK-GARY (formerly Ford)Amphitheatre (4802 U.S. Hwy. 301N., at the Florida State Fairgrounds,Tampa), 8 p.m.; tickets cost $44.50-$157. For more info, call 740-2446or visit LiveNation.com.

Ringo Starr & His All StarrBand

Tuesday, July 13 — It’s a new

decade and former Beatles drummerRingo Starr has assembled another stel-lar lineup for the eleventh incarnationof his “All Starr Band,” which includes:Edgar Winter (“Free Ride,” “Franken-stein”), Gary Wright (“Dream Weav-er”), Rick Derringer (“Rock ‘n’ RollHoochie Koo”), Richard Page, former-ly of Mr. Mister (“Broken Wings”),Wally Palmar, lead singer and guitaristof The Romantics (“What I Like AboutYou”) and drummer Gregg Bissonette.The song list is sure to include many ofthose classic hits, as well as numbersfrom Starr’s work with The Beatles andhis own solo career, such as “It Don’tCome Easy,” “Back Off Boogaloo,”“Photograph,” and others rom his lat-est album, “Y Not,” which was releasedlast fall.

Ringo Starr & His All StarrBand will perform at Ruth EckerdHall, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $49-$150.For more info, call (727) 791-7400or visit RuthEckerdHall.com.

Scorpions ‘Get Your StingScorpions ‘Get Your Sting& Blackout’ World Tour& Blackout’ World Tour

Saturday, July 17 — After morethan 40 years in the music business,German heavy metallers The Scorpionsare giving their fans one final chance tosee the group perform live with their“Get Your Sting & Blackout” FarewellWorld Tour. After forming as a popoutfit in 1969, the group underwentseveral different lineup changes beforesettling upon the combination that pro-duced a string of best-selling albums

and songs in the 1980s, including1982’s “Blackout,” which featured thehit “No One Like You,” 1984’s dou-ble-platinum “Love at First Sting,” fea-turing “Rock You Like A Hurricane,”and 1988’s “Savage Amusement,”which reached No. 5 on the charts. Theopening act in Tampa will be fellow 80srockers Ratt.

The Scorpions will perform atthe 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphithe-atre, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $21-$71.For more information, call 740-2446or visit LiveNation.com.

Clay Aiken & Ruben Clay Aiken & Ruben StuddardStuddard

Monday, July 26 — After muchspeculation and anticipation, “AmericanIdol” alums Clay Aiken and RubenStuddard recently confirmed their plansto tour North America, including astop in the Tampa Bay area. This is thefirst time the two fan favorites havetoured together, and the first time backto the Bay area since Aiken’s sold-outperformance in 2005 and Studdard’ssimilarly sold-out show the year before.

Concert goers can expect an enter-taining evening as the two friends andcolleagues blend their unique talents foran unforgettable show that will featuretheir renditions of classic hits from thepast five decades, as well as special duetsand other surprises that are plannedthroughout the tour.

Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdardperform at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 7p.m.; tickets cost $35-$65. For moreinformation, call (727) 791-7400 orvisit RuthEckerdHall.com.

Dave Matthews BandDave Matthews BandWednesday, July 28 — The Dave

Matthews Band (DMB) formed inCharlottesville, Virginia, in early 1991,and released their first hit album onRCA Records, “Under the Table &Dreaming” in 1994. That disc yieldedhits like “Ants Marching” and “WhatWould You Say?,” and 1996’s smashfollow-up, “Crash” cemented the groupas one of the nation’s favorite live

bands. DMB is touring behind “BigWhiskey & the Groo/Grux King,” it’sseventh RCA studio album, whichdebuted at No. 1 on the Billboardmagazine Top-200 last year.

The Dave Matthews Band &Gov’t Mule will perform at the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre, 7p.m. Tickets cost $21-$71. For moreinformation, call 740-2446 or visitLiveNation.com.

Robert Plant & Band of JoyFriday, July 30 — Although he

has said that he will not be participatingin the planned upcoming Led Zeppelinreunion, Robert Plant has confirmed a12-city North American tour that fea-tures a new lineup of musicians per-forming as the Band of Joy, which isthe outfit that Plant and the late JohnBonham were members of before join-ing Zeppelin. The band features adiverse group of musicians, includingvocalist Patty Griffin, multi-instrumen-talist and vocalist Darrell Scott, the bassand vocals of Byron House, MarcoGiovino on drums/percussion andvocals; and co-producer Buddy Miller,on guitar and vocals, and has produceda record, which will be released on theRounder label in late summer or earlyfall. It is the first new material fromPlant since 2007’s “Raising Sand,” hismulti-platinum, 6-time Grammy-win-ning collaboration with Alison Krauss.

Robert Plant & The Band OfJoy will perform at Ruth EckerdHall, 8 p.m.; tickets cost $49.50-$99.50. For more information, call(727) 791-7400 or visit RuthEck-erdHall.com.

Former Beatles drummer RingoStarr brings his All Star Band to

Ruth Eckerd Hall July 13.

Clay Aiken (left) and Ruben Studdard




By Gary Nager

It’s been another whirlwind fewweeks in New Tampa & WesleyChapel’s dining and drinking scene.Since we last updated you, the newLinkster’s Tap Room has opened in theHighwoods Preserve area, Aja Wire-grass Night Club and Pagelli’s ItalianRestaurant have opened in The Shopsat Wiregrass, as has a new full liquorbar in a totally revamped Sonny’s BBQand Santo’s Pizza & Pasta on S.R. 54west of I-75 has been renamed Santo’sItalian Grill. Also in the news locally isBagelicious, which recently opened asecond location in Zephyrhills. Whew!

Linkster’s Tap Room OpensNew Tampa Location

Although New Tampa has noshortage of full-liquor and beer/winebars, one of the nicer places to watchthe game on TV, shoot some pool orplay the popular Cornhole bean bagtoss game is the new Linskter’s TapRoom, located off Bruce B. Downs(BBD) Blvd. and Dona Michelle Dr.,next to Ultracuts in the HighwoodsPreserve area.

New Tampa owner John Ellwoodsays this is Linkster’s ninth Tampa Bayarea location and it is definitely moreupscale-looking than most neighbor-

hood sports bars. It features super-pre-mium liquor choices, plus many domes-tic, imported and micro-brewed beerson tap and in bottles.

Linkster’s, which first opened inSarasota, also has locations in Brandon,Riverview, Lakeland and others and Ell-wood says the place has been well

received here in New Tampa.“People definitely seem to

appreciate all the TVs, the liquorchoices and the fact we’re smoker-friendly,” says Ellwood. “We’re pret-ty happy so far.” And, Ultracutsowner Eric Young says the bar “def-initely has helped people feel betterwhen we have a short wait for ahaircut. I’ve heard ‘I’m just gonnagrab a beer next door’ quite a bitsince Linkster’s opened.”

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Aja—A New Place To Party!We’ve been telling you about all of

the great places to eat in The Shops atWiregrass mall since the place firstopened. The only thing that’s beenmissing has been a real night club withvalet parking, a well-dressed, upscalecrowd and great dance music.

Well, the wait is over, as Aja Wire-grass, the sister club to the popular AjaChannelside, opened a couple of weeksago. The new Aja seems to have a nicemix of college-age “kids” and adults inmy age bracket, the bartenders, serversand hosts/hostesses are dressed as

though they were working at a club onSouth Beach and even the menu of fin-ger foods — from appetizers like cala-mari, hummus and ceviche to paninisandwiches and pizzas — is upscale andvery appealing. The one time I’ve visit-ed to date, there were plenty of familiarNew Tampa faces all smiling and say-ing, “This is the kind of place we’veneeded for a long time!”

Aja Wiregrass is located at28330 Paseo Dr., across from Yam-ato Japanese Steak House. Formore information, call 781-6335 orvisit AjaWiregrass.com.

Pagelli’s Also Now Open InShops At Wiregrass

If you’re looking for a nice evening

Neighborhood Nibbles-Linkster’s, Aja, Pagelli’s Sonny’s & More!

The friendly staff at Aja in The Shops atWiregrass will make you feel right at home.

WDAE-AM 620 afternoon drive hostSteve Duemig (left) broadcast his

show live from the Grand Opening ofJohn Ellwood’s new Linkster’s Tap

Room in New Tampa.

Well, owner Ken Santo and histhree chefs have been revamping themenu, following a major expansionand renovation of the restaurant —which included the addition of a pre-mium, full-liquor bar — and are nowproud and ready to unveil the newSanto’s Italian Grill.

In addition to the already greatpizza and make-you-own pasta special,Santo’s new menu also will nowinclude hand-cut steaks (I sampled thehuge, thick prime rib the other dayand it was tender and truly delicious),fresh seafood (including incredibleshrimp and lobster dishes) and gour-met specialty pasta dishes like thehomemade raviolis in pesto sauce (Iadded grilled chicken to it. Yum!) pic-tured above right. I promise youwon’t regret visiting the new Santo’sand please tell ‘em we sent you!

Santo’s Italian Grill is locatedat 27431 S.R. 54. For reservations(although they’re not required) andmore information, call 994-7778.

Bagelicious Opens In ZHillsAnd finally, our friends at Bageli-

cious & More, located in the FreedomII Plaza on S.R. 54 east of Saddle-brook, are proud to announce theopening of their second location inthe YMCA plaza in Zephyrhills.

Owner Linda Carr says the newBagelicious location has the samegreat house-made bagels (and bagelsandwiches, especially amazing melts!),muffins, homemade soups and deli-cious Seattle’s Best Coffee as the origi-nal store. Both locations have free Wi-Fi and are open every day for breakfastand lunch, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

And, check out the Bagelicious adon this page (right) for two greatcoupon offers — $2 off any 3-eggomelet or freshly made salad. You alsocan get a free bagel (toppings/condi-ments extra) on Tuesday with the pur-chase of any Seattle’s Best Coffee.

Bagelicious & More is locatedat 30032 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapeland 6215 Abbott Station Dr. inZephyrhills. Call 406-4403.


out and a great meal, I suggest givingthe new Pagelli’s Italiano in the Shopsat Wiregrass mall a try.

After my first visit to this two-loca-tion (the other is in Estero, FL) chain,I heartily recommend the Caesar saladand Jo Jo Pollo (above), which is twobig sautéed chicken breasts with freshspinach, tomatoes and mozzarella in azesty white wine sauce, served with .fresh veggies. Check it out and tell GMHoward Cohen I sent you!

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Check Out The New Sonny’sMy friends and neighbors Jim

and Kristina Hoff are proud toannounce the Grand Re-Opening ofSonny’s BBQ! Not only does theplace look much better, the Hoffshave become something of a proto-type for the Sonny’s chain by addingan elegant-looking full-liquor woodbar, with plenty of flat screen TVs.

“Now, we can come here towatch the football game and have abeer or a cocktail,” said one customerto her husband. “You can’t beat it!”

And of course, Sonny’s (I actuallyvisited the original location just out-side of Gainesville when I was at theUniversity of Florida three decadesago) is still known for barbecue ribs,chicken and beef brisket, although myfavorite dish is the High Springschicken (photo below), which is twochargrilled chicken breasts toppedwith BBQ sauce, bacon, sautéedmushrooms and choice of cheese. Andof course, Sonny’s still has its always-fresh “Sonny’s Garden” salad bar, too.

VVisit Santo’s Italian Grill!isit Santo’s Italian Grill!I’ve told you a few times about

Santo’s Pizza & Pasta, located in thePinebrook at The Grove shoppingcenter on S.R. 54, just west of I-75.

The prime rib at the newly expandedSanto’s Italian Grill in Wesley

Chapel will make your mouth water.


At Super Buffet, Chinese Cuisine Is Just The Beginning!

(Center) The fresh fried fish is nevergreasy and the Mongolian BBQ

(above) is a must-try at Super Buffet.

By Gary Nager

O.K., I admit it. A buffet is not theway I prefer to enjoy the wonderfulcuisines of China and Japan. Thethought of chicken teriyaki or Chineseegg rolls and spare ribs sitting underhot lights doesn’t usually light my fire.

That doesn’t mean, however, thatI can’t enjoy the occasional Asian buf-fet, especially when there are more than200 different menu items availableevery day. If you’re looking for thattype of variety, with different dishesrotating in and out on an ongoingbasis, I suggest visiting the new SuperBuffet restaurant on S.R. 54, just eastof Applebee’s (in the building that usedto be home to Johnny Carino’s). This isthe fifth Super Buffet opened by thesame owners, although a location inPinellas County (Seminole) is the onlyother one is the Tampa Bay area (theothers are in North Florida and Geor-gia). The Seminole location has beennamed the Best Buffet Restaurant by aweekly newspaper group in Pinellas andyou can take it from me that the WesleyChapel Super Buffet definitely lives upto that solid reputation.

Of course, there are Chinese appe-tizers (egg and spring rolls, barbecuedspare ribs, dumplings, etc.) and entrées

(from chicken and broccoli topepper steak and General Tso’schicken), but Super Buffet alsohas at least a dozen differentvarieties of freshly made sushi(from red snapper to tuna rollsto squid and seaweed salads) atall times, Japanese dishes like theaforementioned chicken teriyakiand at least six different soups(from egg drop to New England clamchowder) on hand every day.

There’s even a raw bar, withAlaskan snow crab legs (available at din-ner time only), you-peel-’em shrimpand fresh mussels and oysters.

If you’ve never had MongolianBBQ, you should give it a try at SuperBuffet. You pick from fresh steak, pork,chicken, shrimp or scallops, add veggieslike fresh broccoli, onions and snow peapods and from a variety of sauces, handthem to the happy chef and he’llhibachi grill everything for you in frontof your eyes and season it to your taste.

Super Buffet even offers pizza,wings and other Italian and Americanoptions, including a delicious fried fish,New York-style beef short ribs, Italian-style fried shrimp and much more.There’s even some tasty dessert items(and ice cream) available.

And, quite honestly, you can’t beat

There is always about a dozen different types of sushi available at Super Buffet on S.R. 54 (nextto Applebee’s), from fresh cooked shrimp sushi (left) to rolled “maki” items (right).

the price, from only $7.69 for lunch(Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.),$9.99 for Saturday and Sunday brunch(same hours) and $13.99 for dinner(Sunday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., anduntil 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday),with reduced prices for children ages 3-11 (kids under 3 eat free) and a 10-per-cent discount for senior citizens.

If you prefer to take out the buffetitems, you can get anything you wantfor lunch for just $3.95 per pound orfor dinner for just $5.25 per pound($7.25 per pound if you want crab legsand other seafood items), with sushiavailable for takeout for just 55 centsper piece! There’s also a full menu ofcooked-to-your-order items available fordine in or takeout. In other words, forgood food at a great price, you shoulddefinitely give Super Buffet a try!

Super Buffet is located at 28444Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54). Formore information, call 907-1168.


At Super Buffet, you can enjoy everything from Alaskan snow crab (top left) tofresh fruit (top right) to a variety of Chinese and Japanese entrées (above).


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