New Westchase Homeowners | Florida Primary | Amazing Race | School Grades | Blue Ribbon

WESTCHASE'S OFFICIAL NEWSMAGAZINE westchasewow.com Volume 20 · Issue 3 MARCH 2016

Westchase Real Estate Review WOW studied the data and interviewed Westchase Realtors to answer: What’s your home worth? Page 5

Contents

MARCH 2016

WOW | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3

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WOW contents | publisher’s notes

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HOA president | calendar | guideline notice | wca meeting notes | association manager | cdd meeting notes

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COMMUNITY new homeowners | home of the month | primary election | amazing race

Cover photo from James Broome Photography.

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What’s your Westchase home worth? WOW poured over the 2015 sales data and we have the answers. Page 4 NEW WESTCHASE HOMEOWNERS They come from far and near. What ultimately convinces them to call Westchase home? Page 18

KIDS & EDUCATION wrestler | donation | school news | school grades | new westchasers | scouts | shout outs | moms club | egg hunt | alonso basketball

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HEALTH & HOME your mental health | crime stats | fitness | q and a | pet

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CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS tbay | seniors | artists

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VILLAGE voices | karate | best in show | swim and tennis news | profile | wow board | real estate round up

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ENTERTAINMENT events| utb programs | newcomers | lighter side | dishing it out | diversions | wow in world | rec center | bookshelf

113 CLASSIFIEDS 114 REFERENCE 118 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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WO W | publis her's notes

Are You in Westchase’s Contacts Book? As you begin reading this WOW, WOW staff is already compiling this year’s Resident and Business Directory, a compilation of Westchase contacts. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR

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very year WOW distributes the popular directory, which contains Westchase residents’ names, home and e-mail addresses and phone numbers – as well as the names and numbers of businesses who provide valuable services to Westchase residents. The directory is opt-in, however, so if you don’t fill out the form, your contact information will not be included. If want to be included, you must act this month. WOW has posted an easy-to-use form on its Web site to allow residents who did not appear in last summer’s directory to submit their information for the new one. That form can be found in an article, located at the top of the homepage at www.westchasewow.com. We’ll also post a link to the online form on WOW’s Facebook page, World of Westchase. The deadline for completed forms is March 31. A form is also included in this month’s inserts. The online form (and the one with this month’s inserts) is only for new listings or 2015 listings that need to be changed. If your entry already ran correctly in 2015 directory, you need to do nothing; your

information will be automatically included again in the 2016 directory. While some VMs may use residents’ e-mails to distribute village-specific news like neighborhood crime watch information or block party notifications, we have never sold, leased or shared the directory’s contact information with any commercial entity. The directory is simply for residents’ daily use. For more information, please see page 36. March’s WOW also brings another popular Westchase tradition – our annual look at Westchase’s home values in our Real Estate Special. In 2015 national home prices, and even those across Tampa Bay, saw healthy increases. Did Westchase mirror this trend? While we have crunched the data for you, a few Westchase Realtors offer their insights on community sales trends. We thank all of our advertisers who helped bring you this Real Estate Special. As part of our Real Estate Special, we also interviewed Westchasers who bought homes in 2015. To find out what prompted them to decide to call Westchase home, please see page 18. How did Westchase schools fare in state grades, based on last year’s Florida

ADVERTISING

THE WOW TEAM

Visit worldofwestchase.com and select the advertising link at the bottom of the page. Advertising deadlines are the fifth of each month.

www.westchasewow.com 12157 W. Linebaugh Ave., PMB #224, Tampa, FL 33626

Standards Assessments (FSA)? We offer you results and an explanation about the messy, controversial process behind them on page 34. Last, one of Westchase’s fun traditions – the Amazing Race for Life – returns this spring. For information on how to register your team, see page 24. Please remember that WOW is self-sufficient. We receive no portion of your HOA or CDD fees and are entirely dependent on advertising to cover our production costs and charitable giving. We’re unique. We return all revenues beyond costs every year to Westchase schools, scholarships and local charities. If you enjoy WOW and would like to help keep the magazine and its charitable work strong, please let our generous advertisers know you saw them in WOW. Happy spring!

Barrett serves as WOW Publisher and Managing Editor and can be reached at editor@ westchasewow.com.

DEADLINES

PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Chris Barrett | T/F: 920-9809 | F: 200-7073 | [email protected]

ADVERTISING/BUSINESS MANAGER

ADVERTISING/BUSINESS MANAGER

Tracy Urso | T: 926-0596 | F: 920-8311 | [email protected]

Tracy Urso | T: 926-0596 | F: 920-8311 | [email protected] EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN Hillary Hufford-Tucker | [email protected]

WOW, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOTE: The individuals listed below are responsible solely for WOW magazine. All issues regarding Westchase’s homeowners association should be directed to the WCA board, listed in the reference section at the back of the magazine. WOW operates entirely with advertising revenue; homeowners do not pay for any portion of WOW production. Jon Stein, President T: 818-4547 | [email protected] Paul Jones, Vice President T: 920-4361 | [email protected] Teresa Trubilla, Secretary T: 854-5216 | [email protected] Jim Dixon, Treasurer T: (727) 772-1040 | [email protected] Mary Griffin, Director T: 926-3119 | [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Sandi Foster | T: 792-2675 | [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS WOW is delivered for free to Westchase residents and is available for free at several distribution points, including the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center and the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library. WOW has a readership of over 10,000. Annual subscriptions are $66. Individual copies can be mailed for $5.50; due to high postage costs, copies cannot be mailed for free. Contact Advertising Manager Tracy Urso to arrange payment.

ADVERTISING (SPACE & AD MATERIALS) 5th of each month Contact Tracy Urso ARTICLES, COMMITTEE/CLUB REPORTS & PICTURES 15th of each month Contact Chris Barrett CLASSIFIEDS 15th of each month Contact Chris Barrett

NOTICE World of Westchase is published monthly by World of Westchase, Inc. (WOW, Inc.), a Florida non-profit corporation solely owned by the Westchase Community Association. Editorial policy and guidelines are set by the WOW, Inc. Board of Directors. All views and opinions expressed in the World of Westchase are those of the authors. Lists are for reference only and do not imply official sanction or recommendation of WOW, Inc. Paid advertising is not an endorsement by WOW, Inc. All rights reserved; content may not be reproduced without written consent from WOW, Inc. This newsmagazine has been recognized by adopted resolutions at the May 1997 Westchase Community Association Board of Directors meeting as the “Official Publication” of the Westchase community. The Westchase community as a whole will profit from the newsmagazine, as revenues beyond expenses and reserves will be distributed to deserving community beneficiaries and projects.

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WO W | real estate featu r e

WO W | real es tate feature

WESTCHASE

Real Estate Values: When Your House

Isn’t

With national home prices and Tampa home values up in 2015, Westchase home values must have seen solid growth last year, right?

Average

BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER; COVER AND INTERIOR PHOTO BY JAMES BROOME PHOTOGRAPHY

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ccording to the National Association of Realtors, total Tampa homes sales were up 16 percent in 2015 over 2014, beating the state’s increase of 12.4 percent. The organization also pegged home prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area as rising 14 percent in 2014, with national home prices clocking a 7.3 percent increase. Westchase has historically mirrored or even surpassed the number from greater Tampa Bay. So much for history. Given such positive real estate news, you may be surprised to learn that in 2015 average Westchase home prices actually decreased. That’s right. The average square foot price of Westchase homes actually dipped in 2015.

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Perhaps a deep cleansing breath is in order? And would it help to learn the decrease was more of a nudge? If you own an average Westchase home that sold in 2015, measuring in at 2,322 square feet, your sales price only declined $1.05 per square foot, or $2,438. In the grand scheme of things, that drop clocks in at a mere 0.66 percent. But we’re dealing with averages here. Half of Westchase homes that sold in 2015 dropped more. And nearly half the homes that sold saw an increase in price over 2014. In fact, some Westchase neighborhoods saw square foot increases that mirrored those nationwide. If it comes as a surprise, don’t be embarrassed. Nearly all the local Realtors WOW interviewed for our March real estate special were also under the

impression that Westchase home values had risen in 2015. Nancy Wood of The Wood Team of Coldwell Banker, who annually helps compile the Westchase data on which WOW basis its March Real Estate review, set the record straight with her summary of sales activity in 2015. “Westchase sellers’ increased confidence in their ability to sell in 2015 resulted in an 11 percent increase in total homes sold over 2014,” Wood began. “However, original list prices tended to start higher than sales prices, and homes took longer to sell, resulting in a 13 increase in cumulative days on market.” The results? “Sales prices ultimately remaining flat or slightly less than 2014,” Wood stated. >> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 6. MARCH 2016

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WO W | real estate featu r e

WOW’s Real Estate Special WOW thanks the following businesses for helping to bring you the Real Estate Special.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The listings on this page represent paid advertisements in conjunction with the Real Estate Special. Paid advertising is not an endorsement by WOW, Inc. Interested residents should contact the agents/agencies and ask all relevant questions prior to engaging their services.

Melanie Atkinson The Wood Team @ Coldwell Banker (813) 368-6084 Melanie, a Realtor® with nine years of experience in the Westchase area and South Tampa. Your new construction expert! [email protected]

John & Donna Bonneau Premier Choice Properties, Inc. (813) 855-8000; (813) 767-9937 Two licensed real estate brokers working together to serve you better since 2001! Hundreds of Westchase homes sold with a growing list of satisfied clients! www.PremierChoiceProperties.com

Vivian Z. Braaksma State Farm (813) 884-2665 Why a State Farm mortgage? Value, variety of products, competitive rates, low closing fees. All with superior, knowledgeable and reliable good-neighbor service.

Brightway Insurance Westchase Heather Hill & Miranda Clay (813) 403-5600 Agents who take protecting your peace of mind very seriously by offering free policy reviews to the community to make sure you are protected.

Brown & Associates Law & Title, P.A. (813) 528-4044 We have concentrated in real estate law, both transactional and litigation, title insurance services, asset protection, and bankruptcy since opening in 2006.

Jenna & Julia Bye Keller Williams Realty (813) 264-7754 Two Realtors® with degrees in real estate and marketing. Specializing in superior customer service and product knowledge. Let our reliability, experience and ambition serve you! 6

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Guaranteed Rate

Maria Kletchka

Carolyn Reynolds

Daniel Larios (813) 644-3508

Keller Williams Tampa Properties (813) 597-6013

Keller Williams Tampa Properties (813) 334-8869

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home, renovate, refinance or get an equity line on your current property, we can help by providing low mortgage rates.

Grateful. Passionate. Successful. Serving the real estate needs of my neighbors in Westchase and surrounding areas since 2005. www.HomesByMariaK.com

Nena Cox

LE Real Estate Group

Realtor®, Top Producer and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Westchase Resident since 1997. www.CarolynReynoldsGroup.com [email protected]

Town Chase Properties (813) 391-5294 “I don’t just sell homes, I sell the Westchase lifestyle!” Call The Real Estate Lady today! A licensed Realtor®.

Dance Ferrentino Insurance (813) 854-3600 A 20-year independent insurance agency representing top carriers and providing clients peace of mind by protecting their most important assets – home, auto, business and family.

Kimmie Fine Palermo Real Estate Professionals (813) 240-6563 As a serious and hard-working real estate professional providing superior service, I believe in great customer service and dedication. I live and work in Westchase. www.finesells.com

Trent Greene Argo Group Properties (813) 789-5330 I am a full-service Realtor® who will list your home for 1%. Great service at a third of the cost.

Anne Hart Florida Executive Realty (813) 215-0734 Top Realtor® with proven results. Full time professional with $20+ million sold in 2015. 25+ years’ experience, marketing pro. Call Anne for buying and selling success!

Insured Title Agency (813) 855-3585 A truly independent, family-owned, title company located in Westchase Commons. Offering local expertise and nationwide capabilities to our valued clients. We want to be “your title company”!

(727) 243-2000

Wendy Ross

Lea Haverstock, Broker/Owner. Residential and Commercial. Luxury estates, short sale and foreclosure specialist. Westchase resident, multi-million dollar producer. Team of eight agents. [email protected], www.LERealtyGroupInc.com

Florida Executive Realty (813) 493-9241

Janet Lopez

Vivian Z. Braaksma & Pamela Patterson (813) 884-2665; (813) 792-8449

Taylormade Properties, Inc. (813) 855-5858 Since 1994 Taylormade Properties has provided the highest level of service to Westchase residents, whether buying, selling or leasing. Committed to quality service, we exceed your expectations.

Thuy Murray State Farm (813) 920-8933 Top-notched service backed by the number one auto, home and life company! Have all your insurance and financial services needs taken care of in one agency!

The Mortgage Firm Tampa (813) 443-2190 We deliver a broad understanding of the right mortgage to suit your financial needs, from the first time home buyer to the seasoned or luxury owner. [email protected]

Pam Opp & Beth Cupari Florida Executive Realty (813) 714-9752; (813) 363-7802 Choosing the right Realtor® does make a difference! The strength of teamwork gets results. Staging professionals. Luxury home specialists. Certified Residential Specialists. Expert negotiators. $150 million sold.

Jason & Dyan Pithers Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate (813) 601-2920 Westchase Town Center Office, 10108 Montague Street (near Starbucks) www.TampaRealEstateConsultants.com

Realtor® and Westchase resident, [email protected] www.TampaMarketHomes.com

State Farm Insurance We’re looking forward to serving your needs for insurance and financial services. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there®. Call us today.

Alisha Stockton Premier Choice Properties (813) 732-5851 Over 12 years’ experience in Westchase and the greater Tampa Bay area! Specializing in residential real estate, short sales, investments and rentals! www.AlishaStockton.com

Westchase Title, LLC (813) 490-5212 Short sales, commercial and residential closings, remote closings, numerous experienced title agents on staff. Westchase resident. www.WestchaseTitle.com

Doug & Nancy Wood The Wood Team, Coldwell Banker (813) 451-9760; (813) 451-9761 Top Producing Realtors® serving Westchase for 11+ years. 12139 W. Linebaugh Ave, #212A (Publix Shopping Center); [email protected], www.WoodTeamRealty.com

Yesner Law (813) 774-5737 Yesner Law offers a free consultation to help individuals and companies with real estate and consumer protection-related legal questions explore their options and make informed decisions.

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 94.

H O A | from the president

H O A | from the pres ident

The WCA and CDD: What Are the Differences? At the Westchase Community Association office or WCA we get tons of calls from residents with questions related to our community. BY JOAQUIN ARRILLAGA, WCA PRESIDENT

MARCH MEETINGS CDD Meeting Mar. 1 | 4 p.m. WCA Offices (10049 Parley Dr.)

Covenants Committee Meeting Mar. 7 | 7 p.m. WCA Offices (10049 Parley Dr.)

Modifications Committee Mar. 8 | 5 p.m. WCA Offices (10049 Parley Dr.)

Voting Members Meeting

Mar. 8 | 7 p.m. Westchase Swim and Tennis Center

WCA Board Meeting/ Resident Forum Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. WCA Offices (10049 Parley Dr.)

Modifications Committee Mar. 22 | 5 p.m. WCA Offices (10049 Parley Dr.)

Meeting times and places do occasionally change. Please confirm meeting information on the meeting calendar located on WOW Online at WestchaseWOW.com. 8

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ome are about things we control and others address responsibilities that are under the supervision and control of the Westchase Community Development District, also known as the CDD. Please refer to the Westchase Government Primer at the end of this magazine. This will let you better understand the composition and responsibilities of two of our government entities. Some of the things we do at the WCA affect our residents more directly. Among

these are collection of homeowners’ assessments and the enforcement of our homeowner guidelines and restrictions. We also take care of our swim and tennis facilities and offer programing opportunities like tennis teams, our swimming team, karate lessons and summer camps among others. If you have any questions about any of these programs or your association’s duties, please call our office at any time at 926-6404 and our staff will be happy to answer them. During the next few months our association manager will prepare a budget to present to the Westchase Voting Members and the WCA Board of Directors for consideration at the budget workshop during the month of August. September is when the board meeting is held to approve

the budget, which will run from January to December 2017. Now is the time to give your ideas to improve our programs and facilities. Please contact any of our voting members or the association office to share them with us. Warmer temperatures are coming and with that the mosquitos will be back with a vengeance. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector for transmitting several tropical fevers. Among these are Dengue and now the Sika Virus, which is already present in the Tampa area. We need to protect our families and our community by taking preventive measures to stop the proliferation of this mosquito. One very important step we can take is to identify areas around our homes that collect water and serve as a breeding ground – like flower pots and bird bath. To get more informed, please visit http:// www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/. As always, remember to volunteer and enjoy our community.

Calvin Collette Owner & Operator 9818 Palm Way Tampa, FL 33635 (813) 973-0274 [email protected] Licensed & Insured

Hanson’s Pressure Washing

Stockbridge Mailbox Guideline Notice On March 8 Westchase Voting Members (VMs) will be considering a change to Westchase’s neighborhood-specific guidelines. BY DEBBIE SAINZ, CAM

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he proposed change only affects mailbox rules in Stockbridge. According to the current Stockbridge mailbox guideline, all mailboxes within that neighborhood must be “white with a flag (no specific color for the flag required) mounted on a white wooden post; post shall have brass lettering for numbers and gold stripes be on the post.” The proposed guideline amendment, if adopted by VMs, will change the mailbox requirement solely within Stockbridge. If

adopted, all Stockbridge mailboxes would instead have to be black aluminum with black aluminum posts. The mailboxes would have to have a gold flag, vinyl gold numbering for the address on both sides of the mailbox and a vinyl “W” logo on both sides of the logo plaque at the top of the mailbox. Voting members gave the guideline change its first of two required approvals at the Feb. 9 meeting. The guideline’s final review and approval will be considered at the March 8, 2016 VM meeting. MARCH 2016

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H O A | vm meeting notes

VMs Tackle Mailboxes, Training and Road Repaving For the first time in years, an initial approval vote for a mailbox guideline change caused some contention at the monthly Westchase Voting Members meeting. BY BRENDA BENNETT

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t the Feb. 9 meeting of Westchase Voting Members (VMs), the first of two expected votes on a new Stockbridge mailbox guideline, necessary to change that neighborhood’s mailboxes, came up for discussion. Five Stockbridge residents attended the meeting – two in opposition and three in support. Stockbridge resident Marilyn Arend complained that the mailbox guideline change did not receive enough votes in two previous ballots and stated she could not understand how it has come up again. Stockbridge VM Ed Siler explained that the vote was added to the Stockbridge VM election proxy cards because some residents asked for it to be included. He added that because of previous apathy, he had gone door to door to get votes. (To change a mailbox guideline, a majority of residents in a neighborhood must cast 10

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votes in support of the change, a threshold Stockbridge recently met.) Arend insisted, however, that she felt that there was an agenda to get the item approved and it wasn’t handled properly. She also complained that residents never saw the new mailbox pricing. She added that many neighbors don’t comply with landscaping or house painting and therefore asked why they should be worried about mailboxes. Joining Arend in opposition, Stockbridge’s Jeanne Kuehner complained that there should be more focus on current violations like landscaping than the mailboxes. Stockbridge’s Daniela Benson, however, countered, “Why wouldn’t you want to improve the look of the neighborhood with a better mailbox?” Siler, moreover, stated that the mailbox price was included on the proxy card. When VMs ultimately cast their votes on the new Stockbridge mailbox guideline, it unanimously passed. Westchase Community Association (WCA) Attorney Jon Ellis then launched into his yearly training of VMs. He explained that each VM is a representative and should keep in mind that Westchase has more residents than many cities have. As he does every year, Ellis reiterated how Westchase was an extremely well-run association. He explained that VMs’ primary responsibility is voting on

and amending Westchase’s governing documents. He also explained VMs’ role in appointing or removing the WCA Board of Directors, deciding what should be done with damage or destruction of common areas, formulating the association budget and WCA borrowing. Advising the VMs, he said, “Speak your voice. It is important to have a certain level of respect. Occasionally boards fractionalize. When you make a vote, that’s the vote. Not everyone is on the winning side of every vote. The faster you vote and move on, the better.” He added, “Everybody has a fiduciary duty.” After Ellis’ training, VM Ed Fugit (Glencliff) raised road repaving with WCA Director Joe Odda, who was presiding over the meeting since Joaquin Arrillaga had lost his voice to sickness. Fugit asked about the association’s appropriate actions given that recent Hillborough Board of County Commissioners’ decisions made it highly unlikely Westchase roads would be repaved this year. “Since we got the vote on the roads, can we do anything?” Odda, who has led WCA lobbying efforts for repaving, responded, “It is possible that there might be some flexibilities. Our objective is to explore those. No matter what we have identified by neighborhood, they [Hillsborough County] are going to go with their set of priorities and the protocol that they have been using since 2007.” Odda added, “There are some interim meetings February through April. The set of prioritized streets is still unfunded. We are looking at what we can do with the GoHillsborough plan or other alternatives.” The GoHillsborough plan depends upon a transit sales tax referendum that the BOCC may or may not decide to place on the November 2016 general election ballot. Odda concluded the meeting by saying, “Nobody is being stubborn or obstructive. They just don’t have the money.” VMs adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

Selling Westchase since 1994

SETS US APART AND GETS YOU RESULTS. Founded by Realtor Janet Lopez in 1994, Taylormade Properties, Inc. is Tampa Bay’s premier real estate group specializing in Westchase. One of the most desirable family-friendly neighborhoods in Tampa Bay, the well-designed master planned community of Westchase boasts an abundance of amenities and offers tremendous market value.

KEYSTONE SHORES/ODESSA

WOODBAY | NEW LISTING

12423 Bristol Commons Circle • 4/3/3 Remodeled! Conservation • Split flr.plan NANCY FIRESTONE | $429,000

LAKE CHASE

9226 Lake Chase Island Way • 1/1 Turnkey! Granite, hardwood, SS GARCIA/DECICCIO | $84,999

KESWICK FOREST | NEW LISTING

17113 Journey's End Dr. Odessa 5,888 sq feet on Little Lake 4 bedrooms + den + bonus + gym space, 6 bathrooms, 3 car garage, infinity edge pool, spa, dock JANET LOPEZ | $1,895,000

10614 Chambers Drive • 4/3/3 Conservation, pool, hardwood, new roof JANET LOPEZ | $385,000

WOODBAY | NEW LISTING

12428 Bristol Commons Circle • 4/2/2 Pool, corner lot, hardwood, solar, new roof LIZ NAWN | $349,900

KESWICK FOREST

10513 Chambers Drive • 4/3/3 Conserv., wood, granite, remdl. kit. & baths JANET LOPEZ | $409,000

SAVILLE ROWE | NEW LISTING

10332 Saville Rowe • 3/3/1 Golf course/pond views, balcony + lanai PAULA GARCIA | $335,000

OUR AGENTS:

Janet Lopez

Liz Nawn

Paula Garcia

Chris DeCiccio

Dawn Foster

www.TaylormadeProperties.net 813-855-5858 NEW N TIO 800-859-5084 LOCA

Gissel Fonseca

Ingrid Santaliz

Nancy Firestone

Taylormade Properties, Inc. 9658 W. Linebaugh Avenue in Westchase

Julie Minardi

Laureen Dunn

H O A | community associa t io n ma n a g e r

HO A | community as s ociation manager

Spring Garage Sale May 7

MODIFICATIONS

Happy spring! BY DEBBIE SAINZ, CAM, CMCA

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ep, it’s time to start spring cleaning again in preparation for our bi-annual garage sale on May 7. So don’t forget to mark your calendars. If you have any Big Ticket Items you wish to sell, be sure to contact one of the association’s managers, Charlotte Adams, at officemanager@ wcamanager.com so she can add them to the listing. The list closes on May 4, so be sure to e-mail her as soon as possible with the item, your name, phone number and address. The list will be available on www. westchasewca.com and www. westchasewow.com. You will also be able to pick up a copy at the Westchase swim and tennis centers by Wednesday, May 5. As we all know from the past, traffic will definitely be hectic around Westchase.

The sale only lasts until 1 p.m. so please be patient with all those driving around looking for a great bargain. If still unpaid, your 2016 Annual Assessments is now late. If you did not pay you annual homeowner assessment by Jan. 31, a late fee of $25 has been charged to your account. As a reminder, if you do not pay the outstanding balance by March 15, your account will be turned over to the association’s legal counsel for collection, incurring additional legal fees. Please avoid the additional costs by paying all outstanding fees on your account before March 15. Our final Movie in the Park until the fall season is March 11. We’re happy to say that we’ve had a successful couple of months of movie showings since October 2015 and look

State-of-the-Art Truck-Mounted Cleaning System Bonded Authorized Licensed Technician – 25 Years Experience

(813) 877-1400 Triple-Touch Carpet Cleaning System - $23.00 per room 1) Thorough Stain Pretreating 2) Machine Rotary Scrubbing 3) Deodorizing Deep-Steam Cleaning

Carpeting Hallways for $5-$10 Walk-in closets for $5-$10 2nd Floor for $5-$10 Baths for $5-$10 Landing’s for $5 Stairs for $3

Furniture Sofas for $40-$70 Chairs/Recliners for $25-$35 Dining Chairs for $7-$10 Loveseats for $30-$45 Ottomans for $20-$30 Seats $6-$10

$10 Travel Charge Up to 250 Sq. Ft. 2 room minimum

Leo’s Cleaning is a Fully Owner-Operated Business Serving Westchase Since 1993 12

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forward to another wonderful evening. During our inspections of properties over the last few months, we’ve noticed an increase in the following issues. First, many landscape beds need maintenance. Please install mulch, trim shrubbery and replace any plantings that died over the winter season. Second, lawn maintenance needs to be done, including replacing dead sod. Third, please clean and repair any dirty or damaged fences. Last, please do not park vehicles on or across sidewalks. Help keep your neighborhood looking beautiful by properly maintaining your home exteriors and property. As always, we are here to serve Westchase residents. Please feel free to drop by our

MODIFICATION APPROVALS Modification submission deadline is 5 p.m. March 3 | March 17 | April 3 Modification review is at 10049 Parley Dr. at 5 p.m. on March 8 | March 22 | April 8 NOTE: Modifications forms and supporting materials should be dropped off at the WCA offices at 10049 Parley Drive in West Park Village.

office or contact us at (813) 926-6404 or through e-mail at [email protected].

H O A | cdd meeting note s

H O A | cdd meeting notes

CDD Selects New Play Equipment for Three Parks

twisting and undulating aluminum pipe laced with cable-rope netting for climbing. Dynamo’s swings, perched on the park’s south side, also include a group swing that can simultaneously hold four children or adults. In place of a second climbing structure, supervisors instead opted for a structure called a Quad Pod. Shaped like a carousel, the Quad Pod’s rotating platform has additional spinning structures between its floor and top in which riders can stand and spin while rotating. Ultimately approving Dynamo’s $340,000 bid, supervisors also discussed colors of the structures at length (they appeared to be leaning toward blues and reds as suggested by Stralow) and

debated whether a shade structure should be maintained over the large piece of climbing equipment. After both Payer and Stralow stated its visual impact would be lessened by the shade structure and CDD staff reminded supervisors of the existing shade provided by the park’s trees, supervisors opted not to shade it. At their meeting supervisors also heard from residents of the townhomes on New Parke Road between Belgrave and Sadler Way. The residents, led by Jeff Stoller of West Park Village, presented supervisors with a petition to address middle school kids and older teens who are hanging out at the adjacent park. Stoller and his fellow residents stated the kids were leaving behind trash, using bad language and vandalizing nearby homes. Older teens, they added, were hanging near the swing areas after dark and may be selling drugs to stopping cars. “Homeowners have observed groups of people using the park for questionable activity,” said Stoller. The neighbors’ petition called for the district to cut back the trees and palmettos in the area and enhance the lighting by the parks’ swings so the teens could be seen. They also called for increased patrols of the area by the CDD’s off-duty deputy patrol and suggested nearby residents use the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office’s Tip 411 smartphone app to report suspicious activity. Other residents complained of Davidsen Middle School students hanging out in the park, particularly after school on Fridays, and leaving behind litter and using vulgar language. “How do we stop that?” one asked. Addressing residents’ concerns were Hillsborough County Deputy Hugh Alter, Westchase’s Community Resource Office, and Cpl. Kristian Gundersen, who oversees Westchase’s off-duty deputy patrol. Gundersen stated he recently recognized a boy caught on a homeowner’s video camera throwing a Starbucks drink onto a porch and arrested him. He added that the patrol has stepped up surveillance in the area but cannot arrest the teens if they are not doing anything illegal. Further, they cannot issue trespass warnings when the younger students gather on public sidewalks after school lets out. When Supervisor Brian Ross inquired whether the older teens might be connected to three recent home burglaries on Royce Drive, Gundersen stated that the

>>continues next page.

>> CDD MEETING NOTES continue on page 58.

Marking the next step in their extensive park improvement plans, CDD supervisors picked new playground equipment for Glencliff, Baybridge and their newly named Village Park at their Feb. 2 meeting. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

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aving selected three different equipment vendors for the parks at their January meeting, Westchase Community Development District (CDD) supervisors interviewed them and selected actual playground equipment. The play structures will eventually be installed at Westchase’s existing two large playgrounds while a new smaller playground, dubbed Village Park, will be constructed beside the West Park Village splash pad. REP Services’ Scott Brushwood appeared to present his company’s suggested equipment for Village Park; John Ervin of APARK presented two options for Baybridge Park; and Ed Payer and Jeff Jones of Dynamo offered three options for Glencliff Park. At their January meeting CDD supervisors selected three different vendors to offer a variety of equipment while also selecting a fourth contractor to refurbish the splash area. Tackling the smallest of the three parks, Brushwood suggested swings and one large piece of play equipment aimed at children 2 to 5, the age group expected to use the adjacent splash pad. The equipment, like that proposed by other vendors for Baybridge and Glencliff Parks, will comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. It will sit on a cushioned, rubberized surface rather than mulch. The main REP Services’ structure will allow young kids to climb and balance on a small, shaded structure while enjoying a small slide and swings. Supervisors approved the suggested equipment at an installed cost of $86,000. Color selection for the play structures was left to CDD staff and Stantec’s Neale Stralow, who developed the plan. APARK’s two options for Baybridge Park both featured two large pieces of play equipment, with one piece geared for kids who are 2 to 5 and the second designed for kids who are 5 to 12. APARK’s two options simply differed on the style of the equipment for the older kids, with one featuring a climbing structure all at one level, and the second, selected by supervisors, featuring a taller, multileveled piece of play equipment. Its 14

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upper level features two slides, including a corkscrew pipe slide. Rounding out the Baybridge plan are swings shielded with a shade structure and a new climbing structure (Supervisors opted for a different climbing structure than the one depicted in the artist’s rendering for Baybridge’s equipment). It features two plexiglass climbing walls adjoined by rope netting that can also be scaled. The Baybridge playground colors will be earthtones that emphasize dark greens and browns similar to existing equipment. Supervisors also approved APARK’s bid for roughly $230,000. Receiving the greatest discussion were Dynamo’s three options for Glencliff Park. Dynamo offers play equipment that differs from traditional playground equipment. Their structures emphasize cable-rope climbing and spinning over monkey bars, ladders and slides. Supervisors ultimately opted for the third option presented by Dynamo’s sales representative, Ed Payer, who argued it would create a significant wow factor for those passing the park. While visually more impressive than the earlier two options, the third came with a higher price tag, exceeding the original spending plan for Glencliff Park by $130,000. In the corner of the Glencliff ’s playground, Payer pitched a 60-foot long

MARCH 2016

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H O A | wca board meetin g n o t e s

HOA | w ca boar d m eeti ng notes

Directors Address Improper Team Use of Tennis Courts The February meeting of the Westchase Community Association (WCA) Board saw directors tackle a landscaping and drainage contract and address improper usage of Westchase tennis courts by teams. BY MARCY SANFORD

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pening the meeting, Community Association Manager Debbie Sainz told directors that summer camp registration was already underway. She said that repeated requests and questions about camp registration had prompted them to begin the registration process. She also reported that 802 violation notices had been sent out in January and that 36 new homeowners had moved into Westchase. She said that there were still 661 homeowners who had not paid their annual homeowner assessments, constituting 19 percent of Westchase homeowners. Sainz said that she had sent out a request for bids for post-tensioned concrete tennis courts for the QuickStart courts at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center on Countryway Boulevard as well as bids to stake the courts to prevent potential drainage issues. Later in the meeting directors voted 6-1, with Director Brian Ross casting the dissenting vote), to accept Davey Commercial Grounds Management’s bid to relocate palm trees, re-sod, and build two drainage swales on the land surrounding the tennis courts at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center on Countryway. Ross had questioned whether it was wise to accept a bid when work on the courts and drainage stakes might affect the landscaping. Arrillaga indicated that the two were separate issues and one would not affect the other’s bid. Government Affairs Committee (GAC) Chair Joe Odda, also a WCA director, presented a report to the board that included updates on the Go Hillsborough Transportation initiative. The report indicated that in the next few months the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners would begin making decisions about the Go Hillsborough plan and a possible voter referendum on a half-cent sales tax increase. Director Ruben Collazo asked if GAC would be asking the board to take a formal position on the referendum. Odda responded that the board had 16

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been implicitly in favor of the tax but if the board wanted a formal position, one could be developed. Glencliff ’s Voting Member, Ed Fugit, and its financial manager, Ken Blair, asked the board’s permission to present options to Glencliff homeowners regarding what to do with that neighborhood’s retained earnings. Glencliff is a subset of the WCA and therefore WCA Directors have to approve changes to its budget or operating functions. Directors agreed that Fugit and Blair should present several options to Glencliff homeowners and then present their request to the board with the understanding that any professional fees accrued from handling the matter be paid out of Glencliff ’s budget. Arrillaga said that it had come to his attention that one resident was using false addresses and names to reserve courts for his tennis team. He said that when it was pointed out to the resident that the team needed to be a Westchase team to comply with insurance requirements, the resident had sent a request to the board asking to establish a new 5.0 USTA men’s tennis team; however, out of the 12 team members, only one is a Westchase resident. Directors approved Brian Ross’ motion to deny the request because the team did not meet the WCA requirements that 50 percent of team members and the team captain be Westchase residents. Arrillaga also told directors that tennis coaches and swim and tennis center employees had brought it to his attention that there was a youth tennis team comprised of approximately 75 percent Westchase residents who were not registered as a Westchase team but were holding regularly scheduled tennis matches on Westchase courts. He said that when told that they could not hold group lessons without a Westchase tennis coach present, they had said they would contact Coach Derrick Rodriguez. To date, however, they had not done so. Arrillaga reported that parents were dropping their children off for the team meetings and leaving. He

said that the participants would not be covered under the WCA’s insurance and therefore there was a liability issue. He asked directors what position the board would like to take on the matter. Collazo asked how this differed from parents getting together with their children’s friends to play on the courts. He said if they are residents, they pay for the courts and are entitled to use them. Arrillaga responded that the problem was they were doing so on a weekly basis. Odda said if anyone is, on a regular basis, organizing, training, teaching, or evaluating kids or adults on an independent basis, they are in conflict with the association’s programs and should be asked to stop. Arrillaga said the rules state that they the tennis players cannot give the appearance of teaching and that Westchase residents needed to be protected from liability issues. All voted in favor of Ross’ motion to empower Arrillaga to send a message on the board’s behalf asking the team to discontinue any organized team activity due to insurance reasons. Arrillaga reported that the association’s legal counsel had recommended that the association begin getting signed waivers for every person using the tennis ball machine and not allowing one person to sign the machine out and then use it for a group activity. Arrillaga said that last year the board had asked a consultant to prepare an employee performance evaluation form to use for employee reviews. He presented the prepared document with an accompanying manual and instructions to directors. Directors agreed to table approval of the form until they had had the chance to review it more fully and to ask for input from Operations Manager Kelly Shires and other employees. Director Rick Goldstein said he had been asked what could be done about a

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>> WCA BAORD MEETING NOTES continue on page 83. MARCH 2016

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CO M MUNITY | new h o me o wn e r s

CO MMU NITY | new homeowners

New Westchase Homeowners: 2015 We interviewed a number of Westchasers who bought their homes in 2015. Their reasons for purchasing in Westchase had much in common. BY MARCY SANFORD; PHOTOS BY JAMES BROOME PHOTOGRAPHY AND MARCY SANFORD

I

can remember the day we moved in to our home in West Park Village. It had been a scorching April day but as the sun started to go down, the temperatures became cooler and neighbors started to come out of their houses. They gathered on porches and corners. Children were running from house to house. Tunes and laughter floated on the air and as I unloaded one more box from the moving van, I thought, I think I might like living here. We had already lived in Tampa for about a year and a half but did not feel at home in the neighborhood where we had originally moved. I was a new stay-at-home mom in a strange city with a toddler and no friends and did not like being in Florida at all. At the time I did not realize how the neighborhood you live in could affect your perception of the place you live. But now, almost eight years later, I would be very sad if I had to leave Westchase. Like me, new Bridges resident Joey Colarulo was not happy with his first neighborhood. He moved to the area from Philadelphia in 2004 and settled down in St. Petersburg but found that his new home was not close to the things he liked to do or places he wanted to go. The first time he visited Westchase in 2010 he knew he wanted to move here. “My office is on Race Track Road and the first time I came to Westchase I loved it and wanted to move here, but at the time it did not make sense to sell my home in St. Petersburg to buy one here.” Things soon changed. “When the timing was right, I looked at about 15 houses before I found the right one,” said Colarulo. “I wanted a house that I could make my own and looked for ones with good bones that I could completely renovate. We bought from the original owners and spent >> NEW HOMEOWNERS continue on page 78.

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CO MMUNITY | home of t h e mo n t h

Home of the Month: 10724 Ayrshire Drive When Mark and Mercedes Motzer decided to update their landscaping five years ago, they wanted something with more curb appeal that would be easy to maintain. BY MARCY SANFORD

“

We are the second owners of this home,” Mercedes said. “When we bought this house in 2002, much of the landscaping was the original builder landscaping. Five years ago, we added a pool and decided that we would improve the landscaping at the same time. We worked with Tropical Landscape Design in Land O’ Lakes. We presented our designs and list of plants to the Modifications Committee before we began making any changes.” “We drove around and looked at a lot of houses to get ideas of what we liked,” said Mark. The Motzers said that all of the plants they choose are very hardy – they haven’t had to replace anything in six years. The Motzers have a beautiful Knock Out Rose topiary in their yard and stunning Drift Rose plants as ground cover. Both plants were developed to be disease resistant and adaptable to various types of soil. And unlike with other roses, you don’t 20

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have to dead head their blooms. They fall off when they start to die. The African Iris plants the Motzers have in their yard are another great plant for Florida since they can tolerate standing water as well as drought conditions. Some of the other plants that the Motzers say have done well in their yard include Mondo Grass, Ligustrum and Viburnum. In addition to being hardy, the plants are also easy to maintain. “I like to get outside and do yard work,” Mark said.

“It is a stress relief but I don’t have a green thumb. I only have to cut and edge our yard and prune three or four times a year. Mercedes adds plants and flowers occasionally and maintains the topiaries.” “We wanted non-traditional landscaping,” Mercedes said. “We told the landscape designer that we wanted curved lines and asked them to add river rocks. The river rocks are a great natural element that adds visual interest to the landscaping but they have also helped prevent mulch from draining out into the yard. We love the variety of plants in our yard. And we love coming out here to enjoy it. The neighbors think some thing is wrong if they don’t see Mark outside.” Happy gardening! And please remember to run changes to your yard and home exterior by the Modifications Committee first. Know a Westchase home that should be featured in our Home of the Month column? Please send its street address to Marcy Sanford at [email protected].

CO MMUNITY | florida p r ima r y

CO MMU NITY | florida primary

Florida Presidential Primary March 15 Whether they’re feeling the Bern or hoping to make America great again (or anything in between), Floridians can weigh in on the nation’s political candidates this month. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

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he catch? You had to have been registered by Feb. 16 as either a Republican or Democrat. Florida is a closed-primary state, which means that Republicans vote in the Republican primary, featuring Republican candidates, and Democrats vote in the Democratic primary, featuring Democratic candidates. Voters who are registered Independent cannot participate in the Republican or Democratic primaries. The registration deadline for non-registered voters wanting to participate in the primary was Feb. 16. On Primary Election Day, March 15, Westchase voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling precincts (either the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center or UTB Regional Library). Early voting,

however, begins Feb. 29 and runs through March 13. The Supervisor of Elections Web site details early voting locations but the nearest is the UTB Regional Library on Countryway Boulevard. Voters who wish to vote by mail (absentee ballot) must request that their ballots be mailed to them no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, the sixth day before the election. To acquire a vote by mail ballot, call 612-4180 or e-mail [email protected]. Residents can also fill out a request online at the Supervisor of Elections site, www.votehillsborough. org. Once there, click on Vote by Mail in the menu. For further information about your registration status, your precinct, poll times and forms of identification

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CO MMUNITY | amaz ing r a c e

Get Ready! Get Set! The Fifth Annual Amazing Race for Life of Westchase is coming April 3. BY BRETT STEINFELD

Y

es, for the fifth year the Amazing Race for Life returns Westchase! If you’ve raced in it before, you know how much fun it is! But if you’ve missed one of Westchase’s most entertaining events of the year, be sure to register today. The race will return to the Westchase Recreation Center on Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m. Come join the fun as your team of family and friends will compete with other Westchase teams to solve clues, visit nearby establishments and tackle challenges. The event was created by Brett Steinfeld, 17, a senior at Robinson High School and lifetime Westchase resident, after he lost both of his grandfathers to cancer. He has been raising money to help find a cure for cancer ever since. The past four races have raised over $25,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The event is a significant undertaking supported by over 50 volunteers, business sponsorships and lots of hard work 24

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by Brett and his family. In addition to participating teams, Brett is also looking for volunteers and local businesses who would like to help with the race. Anyone interested in being a part of the race in any capacity should please contact Brett at [email protected]. This year’s events will feature challenges that will require participants to find their way to 12 secret locations based upon clues developed by Brett and his father, Steven Steinfeld. Teams will consist of three to six individuals and can participate in either a car division or bike division. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in each division. Winners receive a trophy and gifts from the event sponsors and bragging rights! Registration fees are $30 per person (before March 15) and $35 per person after the early bird deadline. One hundred percent of the registration fees are tax deductible as you will make your check out directly to the American Cancer Society or the Pancreatic Cancer Action

Network. Registration deadline is March 27. All participants will receive a race shirt the day of the race along with what promises to be a very fun, memorable day! For a registration form, please send an e-mail to Brett at [email protected] and he will send you one right away.

AMAZING RACE FOR LIFE

When: Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m. Who: You and Your Team of 3-6 Cost: $35 per person; $30 per person before March 15 Benefits: American Cancer Society or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Registration Deadline: March 27 To Register: E-mail [email protected]

CO MMUNITY | wow don a t io n

CO MMU NITY | wow donation

WOW Presents $33,000 Check to Great West Chase Beneficiary On Friday, Jan. 29, a roomful of friendly smiles greeted WOW staff members at Davis Elementary School. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

W

OW Publisher Chris Barrett and Business Manager Tracy Urso were there to present the proceeds of The Great West Chase, a 5K, 10K and Children’s Fun Run held Oct. 31, 2015. As Urso unveiled the large check and the amount of the race donation – $33,000 –

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the students and staff present cried out in surprise and burst into applause. Davis is a Title I school, located on Old Memorial Highway adjacent to The Children’s Home. It serves all the elementary students from that facility. Thanking WOW and all of the race’s volunteers, sponsors and participants, the president of the school’s student council read a letter to express the school’s appreciation. “The money will purchase classroom materials including technology that will be used school-wide to promote literacy, academic achievement and character education.” he stated, “Our student council will be able to complete a special project in memory of a fifth grade student who tragically lost his life this year. The project is called “The Buddy Bench,” which gives kids a place to go when they feel left out on the playground.”

He added that the school will coach all its students to approach fellow students on the Buddy Bench and invite them to play. “Davis Elementary is truly appreciative of the generosity and thoughtfulness of the World of Westchase Board, Westchase residents, and all of the race participants and sponsors,” said Patrick LaLone, Davis Elementary’s principal. “We would never have dreamed that we would receive such an amazing donation for our school. These funds will be used to buy technology, literacy materials, and additional resources so that we can continue to support our students on their journey to graduation. The faculty and students at Davis are humbled by the continuous generosity and support of the World of Westchase.”

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KI D S & EDUCATON | we s t c h a s e a t h le t e

K ID S & ED U CATO N | wes tchas e athlete

One Hundred Victories and Counting Wrestling isn’t just a sport for Jacob Darr, a 17-year-old resident of The Fords. BY JOEY JOHNSTON

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e calls it “my lifestyle.’’ No wonder. Darr subscribes to a relentless training regimen and unyielding discipline, which has fueled his competitive drive and produced uncommon success. Darr is captain of his Sickles High School team, a leader who sets the right example and often helps establish the proper focus for his teammates. Earlier this season, Darr achieved his 100th career victory, a milestone that’s the goal of every elite-level wrestler. He’s established as a top contender to reach the state meet. The best part of all? Darr, currently operating at the 132pound weight class, is just a junior. “He’s the hardest worker in the room,’’ Sickles coach Terry Brockland said. “What impresses me about Jacob is any time he loses a match, he comes in more driven the next day. That’s going to help him reach his goals.’’ Heading into the Hillsborough County Championships, Darr was 120-27, nine short of setting the Sickles all-time record for career victories. He also had 57 pins, six off the school’s all-time record. He’s hopeful of getting an opportunity for college wrestling, but knows that he can’t afford to rest because scholarships are awarded judiciously. “My attitude is if I take a day off, it’s karma,’’ Darr said. “It will come back to you in some way. This is a sport where you can’t let anything slide. You’ve got to put in the work. You’ve got to have the love for it. “Are there days when it’s not much fun? Of course. But that’s when you need to be strong mentally. You have to push yourself and that makes the difference.’’

Darr was introduced to the sport by his father, Steve, who was a high-school wrestler in his hometown of St. Louis and serves as Sickles’ assistant coach. The younger Darr played some baseball and lacrosse, but always found himself gravitating back to wrestling, his clear passion. “It’s not just a sometimes thing,’’ Darr said. “It’s a year-round like. It’s a lifestyle.’’ Darr, who trains with former U.S. Olympian Jared Frayer each Sunday, has worked with the University of Missouri team during the past two summers. He has attended three camps with former Arizona State wrestler Shawn Charles, a four-time All-American and two-time USA finalist. He placed fifth at a national tournament in Georgia. But during high-school season, Darr has made his mark at Sickles, where he was Rookie of the Year as a freshman and Most Valuable Wrestler as a sophomore. “Jacob is an incredibly hard worker and he has such a focus, much more of a focus than I ever had,’’ Darr’s father said. “I got the idea that he could be pretty good when I saw his dedication and how much it means to him. “He hates to lose, just hates it. And with the technology we have today, he analyzes every one of his matches, just looking for that edge or a way to correct his mistakes. He might sit idle for a while, but pretty soon he’ll say, ‘Dad, I’ve got to go compete.’ So we look for a tournament and all the mat time he has gotten, that makes a huge difference. He’s a very experienced, very seasoned wrestler.’’ Darr, 5-foot-10, has a longer, lankier build than many of his competitors, so his reach and wingspan create problems. “And I’m pretty fast, so being fast and

constricting, it can be like trying to fight back a python,’’ he said with a smile. He’s a student of the sport, utilizing several moves to his advantage, and rarely gets caught off-balance. He says his 100th career victory ranks as his most memorable moment. The congratulatory plaque he received is in his bedroom and he views it each time he looks in the mirror. “You have to keep improving because there’s always someone tough who’s trying to knock you off,’’ Darr said. “I love winning matches. I love getting my hand raised (in victory). But I really dislike losing and that keeps me working hard. I don’t want to put in all that work and not have my hand raised. That is not a feeling I want to have.’’ Darr is motivated by a regional match from last season, a 9-8 defeat to an East Lake High wrestler, which cost him a trip to the state meet. Darr, embroiled in the competition, didn’t have a feel for the finish until he glanced at the scoreboard. “In a close match, you don’t really have an immediate idea of who won,’’ Darr said. “When I saw that score, when I knew my season was over, it was just heartbreaking. “That feeling still kind of burns at me. It keeps me going and keeps me focused. I’m happy with the things I’ve been able to accomplish, but I can’t rest.’’ It’s a lifestyle, one that demands daily dedication, but produces rewards that Darr struggles to describe. “When you win, when you know your work has paid off, it’s something you feel inside,’’ Darr said. “It might not be obvious to other people. But when you wrestle, when you know what you’ve done to make that moment happen, all the hard work is worth it.”

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KI D S & EDUC ATON | d a v id s e n mid d le

K IDS & EDUC ATON | al onso hi gh

Support Alonso’s Spirit Night Parents and local businesses can support Alonso this month in two ways. BY BELINDA KRAUSS

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lease support the Alonso lacrosse team at a Spirit Night at Burger 21 in Westchase. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all purchases back to the Alonso lacrosse teams. The Spirit Night will run from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2. Mark your calendars! Please also invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to support your community high school’s sports programs. Alonso is also seeking local businesses to sponsor the high school’s A-Team program.

The A-Team program provides T-shirts to reward high-performing students who have received straight A’s in a grading period. The investment is approximately $2,000-3,000. The return, however, is that the students wear the T-shirts, marketing the local business across the Tampa Bay community. Please contact Mr. Scott Hazlett at [email protected] if you would like to be a part of this opportunity! Go, Ravens!

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March is packed with activity at Davidsen. BY KAREN RING

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ttention, fifth grade parents! Davidsen will host its annual Sixth Grade Preview Night on Thursday, March 10, from 5-6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for parents and incoming students to meet Davidsen’s wonderful teachers and administrators, get a peek inside the classrooms and learn more about all of the exciting electives, clubs and sports programs available at Davidsen. Davidsen’s NJHS students will be on hand to give tours and answer any questions your child may have about the move to middle school. Preview Night is also the perfect time for incoming parents to learn how they can get involved with the school. Even if you only have limited time to spare, becoming a part of the PTSA is a great way to stay connected as your child makes the transition into middle school. To learn more about the PTSA, visit http://www.davidsenptsa.org or like us 30

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on Facebook by entering key word Davidsen Middle School PTSA. It is hard to believe we are now well into the third quarter here at Davidsen. We would like to take a moment to congratulate all 233 students who earned straight A’s during the second semester. This is no easy feat and these students were rewarded with a special PHD Breakfast on Feb. 12. The moment students, teachers and administrators have been waiting for all year is almost upon us. Dragon Blast will be held Thursday, March 24, from 2-4 p.m. This year, the annual student-only festival, formerly known as the Medieval Fair, is getting a complete overhaul that puts the focus on school spirit! In addition to fun new games and prizes, there are a number of new ticket options. Students can purchase $5 Ticket Strips, a $10 Wristband that covers Unlimited Dodgeball2You and Unlimited Inflatable Runs, or >>continues bottom of next page.

the $40 Ultimate Play Bundle that includes 40 tickets and a free wristband! All ticket options can be pre-ordered online and the tickets will be delivered directly to the student on the day of the Dragon Blast – it doesn’t get any easier than that! Order forms are also available in the front office. As an added bonus, all those who pre-order will receive a limited edition silicone Dragon spirit band, which won’t be available on the day of the event. Tickets/wristbands will also be sold during lunch March 21-23. The Dragon Blast is the PTSA’s primary annual fundraiser and proceeds directly benefit our wonderful school. There is a tremendous amount of planning and prep-work that goes into this fundraiser. To learn more about how you can help, even if it just for an hour or two, contact Kristen DeAngelo at [email protected]. Speaking of fundraisers, we would like to thank everyone who came out to our

First Annual Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfast and our Burger 21 Spirit Night. Your support of our school is greatly appreciated. Last, please join us in thanking our generous Business Partners. A special thank you to the World of Westchase, Mathnasium of Westchase the math learning center, Orangetheory Fitness @ Westchase, V-Smart by your Virtual Portal, The Kitchell Group Real Estate Professionals, Sharon J. Durrett Orthodontics, Kool Kids Pediatric Dentistry, Westchase Music School, BayOne Reality Services, Bivens Orthodontics and Extreme Graphics for supporting our school! Please visit them in person or on our Business Partners page at davidsenptsa. org/business-partners to learn more about the services they have to offer. Have a wonderful spring break, Dragons!

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KI D S & EDUCATION | lo wr y e le me n t a r y

K ID S & ED U CATIO N | lowry elementary

Leopards Recognized for Fostering an Inclusive School Lowry Elementary School was recently recognized for its excellence and efforts in inclusive practices by receiving the “Circle of Influence” award. BY MELISSA THOMAS

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his award was presented to Ms. Spagnuolo at the district principals’ meeting to honor all of our faculty and staff for their dedication to ensuring an inclusive school environment. One example of Lowry’s inclusive practices is Puzzle Friends. Puzzle Friends is a program that assists in fostering relationships between students with

disabilities and their peers. It’s one of the many reasons that our school has a great community reputation for ensuring acceptance and understanding of diversity. The program has had a positive impact on our students with disabilities by increasing their social opportunities. It also benefits our students without disabilities by expanding their awareness and compassion. Another great example of inclusive practices was our booth, set up at the fall carnival, in honor of Disability Awareness. Students were able to participate in activities related to a variety of disabilities to spread awareness of the challenges that individuals with vision, hearing, physical, learning, or communication disabilities may face. Students were also able to

participate in making a fall-themed sensory bag and engage in other commonly used sensory activities. It was highly popular among students and parents who attended the carnival. In addition to ensuring all students are provided with a rigorous curriculum and that individual goals are met as the school year goes on, the Lowry Elementary team will also be preparing for Autism Awareness Month. Each April, in recognition of this important event, our school participates in many activities to do our part to raise awareness. We always incorporate student presentations into our classes, display resources and bulletin boards. Our Leopards also participate in the Autism Speaks Walk and end the month with our Diversity Celebration.

KID S & EDUCATION | sc h o o l g r a d e s

T

State Releases Grades for Westchase Schools They were seven months late, but Florida’s grades for Hillsborough Schools came out in mid-February.

Math

Science

Social Studies

Graduation Rate 2013-14

2015 Baseline Grade

Title I

% Minority Students

% Economically Disadvantaged Students

School Grades

English Lang. Arts

BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

82

88

82

 

 

A

NO

33

17

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Westchase Elementary School Lowry Elementary School

66

76

69

 

 

A

NO

55

37

Deer Park Elementary

74

79

81

 

 

A

NO

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27

Bryant Elementary School

82

83

88

 

 

A

NO

29

11

Davis Elementary School

48

52

41

 

 

C

YES

85

89

Citrus Park Elementary School

62

69

69

 

 

A

NO

65

61

Dickenson Elementary School

45

64

48

 

 

C

YES

86

85

Bellamy Elementary School

50

54

58

 

 

B

YES

89

87

MIDDLE SCHOOLS Davidsen Middle School

57

64

49

71

 

A

NO

68

63

Walker Middle Magnet School (IB)

81

82

73

93

 

A

NO

60

40

Stewart Middle Magnet School (STEM)

54

63

50

68

 

A

YES

79

73

Farnell Middle School

72

78

65

85

 

A

NO

45

27

Sligh Middle School

25

32

20

50

 

D

YES

95

95

Webb Middle School

39

41

30

54

 

C

YES

87

89

HIGH SCHOOLS Alonso High School

53

43

75

78

82

A

NO

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59

Robinson High School (IB)

64

55

74

85

83

A

NO

53

47

Middleton High School (STEM)

53

42

62

59

57

C

YES

82

73

Sickles High School

68

62

77

87

86

A

NO

53

39

Steinbrenner High School

72

59

83

86

93

A

NO

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hey showed, once again, that Westchase schools are among the strongest in the state. All public schools for which Westchase is zoned scored an A. Hillsborough County School District overall also received an A while Pinellas and Pasco School Districts each earned a B. The state grades represented the first year they were based on the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), which last year replaced the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The FSA measures student mastery of the Florida Standards, educational goals that largely track the Common Core Standards. (Due to political controversy surrounding their adoption, Florida offered minor tweaks to the Common Core and renamed them the Florida Standards.) The delay in releasing the grades was the result, in part, of protests from many school superintendents, including Hillsborough School Superintendent Jeff Eakins, that the grades would prove unreliable after testing last spring was marred by computer glitches and delays. State legislators subsequently demanded a validity study of the grades prior to their release. All school penalties based on the new grades have been suspended for this year. Further, since the FSA tests are new and based on entirely new educational standards, one shouldn’t compare results to students’ performance on the previous FCAT. Last year’s grades will actually serve as a baseline on which future learning gains will be judged. Across Hillsborough School District, 85 schools received an A, 46 schools received a B, 65 schools earned a C, 31 schools earned a D and 25 schools received a failing grade of F. No high schools in the district received a D or F last year. Five high schools received C’s. Among district middle schools (not including schools that include K-8 grades), 21 had A’s, eight had B’s, 12 earned C’s, five had D’s and one failed. The table of test results includes public schools for which Westchase is zoned as well as magnet schools that are popular with Westchase families and other nearby schools for comparison. In the case of some magnet middle and high schools, the test results of the magnet student population are commingled with the general population’s results when reporting the grades. This holds true for Stewart Middle and Middleton High, the STEM magnets, and Robinson High, which offers an IB magnet option. In contrast the student population at Walker Middle, which offers an IB option, is entirely magnet. Students began taking the FSA on which this year’s school grades will be based at the end of February.

KI D S & EDUCATION | ne w we s t c h a s e r s

K ID S & ED U CATIO N | new wes tchas ers

New Westchasers

THE WESTCHASE STORK CLUB

Residents who have not received or who have misplaced a Stork Club form to fill out to ensure publication of a birth announcement in WOW should e-mail their announcements to [email protected]. High resolution photos may be e-mailed to that same address for possible publication here.

The Stork Club The Westchase Stork Club is honored to be part of the celebration of your new arrival. To have a Westchase stork greet both mom and baby home from the hospital, please do the following:

1

As soon as your baby arrives, please call a Stork Club Representative (see the names and numbers at the end of this article). If your call goes to voicemail, please leave the address and sex of the baby in your message.

2 Park Pavilion Reservations Reservations for the pavilions at both Baybridge Park and Glencliff Park are taken by the Community Development District’s (CDD) field office. The field office can be reached at 920-4268. Residents are asked to inform all guests to park in ways that do not obstruct traffic, driveway egress or access to mailboxes. Residents making reservations for Baybridge Park on the weekends are encouraged to inform guests that plentiful parking exists in the Village Swim and Tennis parking lot on Parley Drive in West Park Village. The pedestrian tunnel will lead them to the park. All residents are reminded to take their overflow garbage home with them as animals in the park will rip open and distribute any trash left behind.

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To announce the arrival of your new baby in the World of Westchase, please e-mail the information to the WOW editor or fill out the birth announcement form you receive when your stork is delivered. You may scan and e-mail it to editor@ westchasewow.com or fax it to WOW at 2007073. Please e-mail a high resolution photo of your newborn to editor@ westchasewow.com.

STORK CLUB CONTACTS

Please use the phone number listed below your neighborhood to contact a member of the Stork Club to welcome your new arrival. LUANN FONTANEZ 727-5129 | [email protected] Bennington, Glencliff, Glenfield, The Estates, Harbor Links, Saville Row, Woodbay and Wycliff

KRISTEN DEANGELO 920-0008 | [email protected] Berkeley Square, The Enclave, Keswick Forest, Radcliffe and The Shires

JULIA BYE 300-6017 | [email protected] The Vineyards and Non-gated West Park Village

JAMI GIBSON (843) 991-4716 | [email protected] Abbotsford, Castleford, Chelmsford, The Greens and Gated West Park Village

JESSICA GUERCIO (813) 361-3640 | [email protected] Brentford, The Bridges, Kingsford and Stamford

If no response in two days, call: NANCY GEROVAC, CHAIRPERSON 814-2266 | [email protected]

KI D S & EDUCATION | we s t c h a s e e le me n t a r y

K IDS & EDUC ATION | w estchase el em entar y

Wizards Look for Parent Volunteers Our Wizards look forward to the start of spring. BY AMY TOMPKINS

M

eanwhile the PTA could use a hand this month and throughout next year. We will begin the important task of assembling the 2016-2017 Westchase PTA Executive Board and Committee. We are always in need of enthusiastic volunteers with fresh ideas and a desire to serve. If you are seeking opportunities to be involved, please don’t hesitate to contact Carolyn Reynolds at carolyn.reynolds@ outlook.com. Whether you have one hour per week or one hour per year, we have a spot for you! The Volunteer Recruitment Breakfast will be Thursday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m. at the Westchase Golf Club. A flyer will go home with all students, but please share this with anyone you know who may be interested in PTA.

It’s a great time to learn more about our organization, meet our amazing volunteers and ask questions. The Volunteer Committee headed by Leslie Spence would like to thank all of the volunteer bakers; the Grind for its delicious coffee; and Ann Brock for the flowers that made Love You Latte a great success for our teachers/staff. Your continued support of our school is what makes our school the best in the county. If you missed it, the Family Skate Night at Skate World was a huge success and enjoyed by all who attended. The students and their families also turned out in record numbers and enjoyed an evening of Art, Music and Physical Education at the end of February. The cafeteria was >>continues next page.

transformed into a museum, displaying the children’s art masterpieces. Each piece was matted, framed and available for purchase for $25. All proceeds went to benefit Westchase Elementary’s art program. Parents had the opportunity to visit the music suite to do-si-do with their children. They enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane reminiscing of their own elementary school years while having fun folk dancing together! Meanwhile the fabulous PE coaches challenged parents to get their game on under the lights of our covered court. Parents and children were invited to jump rope, compete at corn hole and 4-square, have a blast throwing “snowballs” jumping rope and enjoy other fun parent/student activities. Our spring break is scheduled for March14-18. Additionally, please note that there is no school for students on Friday, March 25. We start March, however, with spring pictures on March 3-4. Look for additional information to come home with your student. We also offer the last reminder from the yearbook committee that they are in the final month of designing the yearbook. Submission of the yearbook is due to the yearbook company this month. All candid pictures are due by March 11.

To submit photos you can use the Pictavo community app or e-mail photos to [email protected], sending no more than five photos at a time. The Pictavo app requires you to create and register with a username and login and indicate Westchase Elementary as your school. Click “Upload Photos.” Please identify the students or class in the photo and the school event. Then find the drop down category into which the photo should be placed. This process can also be used from a desktop computer. It should make it easier for parents to share their school pictures, allowing for a better representation of the entire student body. Yearbooks can only be purchased online. The deadline for ordering a yearbook, dedication ad or recognition ad is March 11. If you did not purchase a yearbook yet, you can order one by going to community.pictavo.com. Yearbooks are $25 each. Additionally, dedication ads and recognition ads are now available. You can personally design and purchase them on the same Web site. Dedication text ads cost $10 and a recognition photo and text ad costs $15. Please contact Amy Tompkins with any questions regarding yearbook at 240-8686.

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KI DS & E D U C AT I O N | b o y sc o u t s

Troop 46 Marks Crossover In January of each year, the Boy Scouts of Troop 46 welcome graduating Cub Scouts into our Troop. BY THOMAS NELSON

B

oy Scouts generally have more individual responsibility than Cub Scouts, and Troop 46’s controlling principle is “Boy lead, boy run.” This means that the Scouts make decisions on what their program will be with input from their adult leaders. Each Pack has a Crossover Ceremony early in the year for their Webelos II Scouts. Then Troop 46 hosts an annual campout to show the boys how much fun they’ll have in the group. This year’s Crossover Campout was at Cedarkirk Campgrounds in Lithia, Florida, just about an hour outside of Tampa. They had a nice, big, open field to play on along with volleyball, a basketball court and a Ga-Ga pit. Ga-Ga is a game in which you hit a kickball with your hand in an enclosed area and try to hit people at the knee and below. It was a nice surprise to have the Ga-Ga pit since we usually only get to play it during summer camp. This year we had around 15 Scouts attend the Crossover Campout from several packs. Each was assigned to a group or “patrol” and they even got to cook for their patrols. Once done, they were taught

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how to clean all cooking tools. Surprisingly, the Scouts had lots of fun when cleaning the dishes and singing camp songs. The Scouts also learned new things such as Leave-No-Trace and how to work together for the two service projects we had, which entailed cleaning up the Frisbee golf course at Cedarkirk. When all was done for the night, the Scouts got to indulge in our signature cobbler, which we make every campout. Late in the month we also hosted the new Boy Scouts at our annual Vertical Ventures outing. In place of a regular Monday night meeting Crossover Scouts got to climb with veteran Scouts at the indoor rock climbing gym. Troop 46 is a great place to be and there’s always more room for new Scouts!

KI D S & EDUCATION | sh o u t o u t s

KID S & ED U CATIO N | s hout outs

Shout Outs WOW wants your Shout Outs, short messages saying congratulations, well-done, thank you or “hey, we have some good news.” Shout Outs should be no longer than 75 words and can include a high resolution photo (JPEG attachments please). Send by e-mail by the fifteenth of the month to [email protected].

Ethan Buck, 5, was given the honor of becoming one of the youngest members of Mensa, the International High IQ Society. Ethan’s IQ is in the top 99.9 percent of the world, and his family hopes Mensa will provide him with opportunities for growth. He was able to move past kindergarten in December, and is now a happy first grader.

Congratulations to Ethan Wall, who won the Excellent award at the Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair in the Math/Computers/Engineering category for his project titled, “Operating System Speeds - Tested with Minecraft while Other Tasks Are Running.” Ethan concluded that Windows 10 is faster than Mac OS X El Capitan when run on computers with the same microprocessors and amount of memory. Ethan attends Westchase Elementary and was proud to represent his school at the STEM Fair!

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KI D S & EDUCATION | mo ms c lu b

KID S & ED U CATIO N | moms club

MOMS Club Loved February February was a sweet month filled with love! BY BRIE GORECKI

T

he MOMS Club enjoyed the beautiful, cool weather with some fun outdoor events. At the beginning of the month we took a trip to Horsepower for Kids, where the kids had fun checking out all the animals, visiting the petting zoo and riding ponies. Later on in the month we had an open play at Glencliff Park and collected donated items for a foster program called Acheson’s Attic. Just before Valentine’s Day, we paid a visit to Genesis Healthcare Nursing Home, where we created a fun Valentine craft and passed out Valentines to the residents. In February one of our members, Lauren Wimsatt, was sweet enough to host our Moms’ Night Out at her home, where we moms enjoyed some chocolate and wine. Toward the end of the month Green Market Café in Oldsmar hosted our delicious Lunch Bunch. In March we will continue to enjoy the great weather with outdoor open plays at Sunset Beach and Baybridge Park. The moms will also get to take advantage of the new Sushi Alive restaurant for our Moms’ Night Out. Most people don’t know that the MOMS Club of Tampa/ Westchase is actually a non-profit organization, and a chapter of the International MOMS Club. We are always getting requests

to join, and love meeting new members. Prospective members are allowed to attend up to two events before joining, and we are even in the process of creating a group for our newest members, born after September 2015! If you’re interested in finding out more about the Westchase chapter of the MOMS Club, you can contact us by visiting www. momsclubtampa.com, and check out our blog, www.westchasemomsblog.com. We would love to see any interested mom join us at an event to “try us out” – we’re sure you’ll want to stay!

KI D S & EDUCATION | egg h u n t

Sixth Annual Easter Egg Hunt Slated for March 20 Grab your baskets and Easter bonnets! BY TRACY URSO

W

estchase’s annual spring tradition is back. The bunny will be hopping into Westchase once again to deliver close to 10,000 eggs to children ages 0-12 at the Westchase Recreation Center, located on Westchase Drive in The Bridges.

This hunt marks the start of the Relay for Life fundraising events in Westchase and is one of the largest team fundraising events. This year two fundraising teams, Immunity and Running on Empty, are excited to announce that they have bigger than ever plans. Last year the event attracted over 500 children and raised over $3,800 and they hope to top it with even more booths this year. Organizers have teamed up again with the Tampa Bay Yankees while Painting With a Twist will offer a chance to paint your own Easter masterpiece. New this year is Paint Your Own Cookie, sponsored by From Audrey’s Oven. Along with the usual games, there will also be Dodgeball 2 You, sponsored by TNL Crossfit Tampa, and bounce houses, sponsored by Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation. Kelly Szarek Photography will attend to catch your visit with bunny. Face painting, balloon artists will also be available.

All proceeds of the event go to the American Cancer Society through the annual Relay for Life. We hope that you will bring out your family for a day of fun activities, entertainment by Jack Wood, also known as Jackception, and plenty of hot dogs, refreshments and popcorn. A donation of $10 will get you a wristband for the egg hunt and 20 tickets to be used on any of the activities and food for the day. The first egg hunt will start promptly at 1:30 p.m. and others will continue every 45 minutes. Activities will run all day from 1-4 p.m. For more information on the event, or learn how to volunteer or set up a booth, check out our Facebook page, Westchase Easter Egg Hunt, or e-mail us at westchaseegghunt@ live.com. You can also register early by returning the flyer in this month’s inserts. We hope to see you March 20 at the Westchase Recreation Center!

Private Piano Lessons WITH EDUARDO INKE

over 15 years of experience

All ages & levels

Lessons in your home for your convenience. Resume and references upon request.

Phone: (813) 325-4750 [email protected]

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KI D S & EDUCATION | al o n s o b a s k e t b a ll

K ID S & ED U CATIO N | alons o bas k etball

Alonso Basketball: Best Team in School’s History Just before Halloween, Alonso High School boys basketball coach Todd Price said his Ravens had a chance to be scary good. BY JOEY JOHNSTON

J

ust before Valentine’s Day, even though the Ravens were broken-hearted after falling in the region quarterfinals, Price was asked if his expectations were proven correct. “Not only did we have a great season, I think it exceeded what I had in mind,’’ Price said. Simply put, it was the best boys basketball team in Alonso history. …The Ravens, ranked No. 8 in the final Class 8A regular-season state poll, finished 20-8 for the program’s best-ever record, topping a trio of 15-victory teams. …It was an 11-win improvement over the 2014-15 squad, a satisfying exit for a senior class that also enjoyed a state playoff berth during its 2012-13 freshman campaign. …Alonso registered the biggest win in school history, defeating the No. 1-ranked Sarasota Riverview Rams 55-52 during the regular season. Due to realignments, Alonso shared the same district with Riverview and had three meetings against the powerful Rams, falling in the district championship game. And the Ravens accomplished their breakthrough season despite the loss of senior center Mitchel Pienias, who suffered a concussion in the 10th game and never returned to the lineup. Despite that, Pienias, a Radcliffe resident, never missed a practice and provided moral game-night support from the bench.

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That selfless attitude didn’t surprise Price. “We did a lot of great things and I think our win against Sarasota Riverview is a moment that won’t ever be forgotten,’’ Price said. “But the way our guys went about it, that’s the thing that really makes me proud. “This group really has done things the right way. They bought into what we asked them to do. It was team first, whether it was Mitchel working through a frustrating injury, our guys sharing the ball or everybody just doing what was needed, my job has been easy. These are really good kids and they came a long way.’’ As expected, the Ravens were led by a pair of seniors, Terance Smith and Jawaun Stuckey. Smith was named first-team all-conference and a Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association all-star, emblematic of Hillsborough County’s top 24 players. He averaged 17.5 points per game – the third straight season for him to become a double-digit scorer – and finished with 1,214 career points, the second-highest figure in Alonso history. Stuckey, a second-team all-conference player and another TBBCA all-star, was the squad’s “do-everything’’ player, lead-

ing the Ravens in rebounding and assists, while chipping in with 12 points per game. Price got major contributions from Alex Jacovides, a junior-varsity player last season, who averaged 13 points per game and had 76 made 3-pointers. Jacovides will return next season, along with 6-foot-6 center Trey Gadson and point guard Christian DeLeon, who started as a freshman. Price said the Ravens had some defensive deficiencies, but Gadson’s inside presence helped to mask them. “He’s the best shot-blocker I’ve seen in our program and he allowed us to be effective,’’ Price said. DeLeon had a nice transition to varsity high-school basketball, averaging five points per game and showing “an uncanny ability to quickly get from one end of the court to the other,’’ Price said. Alonso also should receive more significant play next season from Tyler Bolton and Drew Miller. “Every season is like a clean slate and every team kind of has its own personality,’’ Price said. “But I believe we definitely raised the bar and I’d like to think we can continue to strive for that kind of production. “Winning 20 is a special number in basketball. You’d love to do that every season. If you don’t win 20, I don’t think it’s a failure. As long as our guys give their best, play like a team and show accountability, those are the main things we ask. But we definitely showed that hard work and staying focused can pay off with a special season.’’ For Price, the highlight was probably a one-point victory against Newsome in the district semifinals, which assured the program’s second trip to regional play. But it’s also hard to overlook the victory against Sarasota Riverview. “That was like a Villanova-beats-Georgetown kind of thing,’’ said Price, referring to the 1985 NCAA championship game, considered one of the biggest basketball upsets ever. “If we play them 20 times, I’m not sure how many times we beat them, but most people wouldn’t expect it to be very many. “We committed to a goal, played together and played smart. It paid off with a special performance. There are a lot of things we can look back on with pride. I know these kids will have pride in what we accomplished and they deserve that. We want them to move forward with more than just the ability to play basketball. I think they are the type of people who will have great success in life.’’

H EA LTH & HOME | your me n t a l h e a lt h

The Tyranny of the Shoulds The word should is one of my least favorite words in the English language. BY ERICA J. CLARK, PSYD

A

s a psychologist, I see firsthand the negative impact this word can have on one’s emotional wellbeing. Shoulds inevitably give rise to guilt and shame when they’re used. Take, for example, a day in which I have ten things I would like to do but only finish seven by day’s end. If I get into bed telling myself, “I should have completed all ten tasks,” I am going to sleep with feelings of guilt and a high likelihood that I will wake up with continued self-criticism. On the other hand, if I were instead to tell myself, “It would have been nice if I had done all ten tasks” or “I wish I had been able to complete my list in its entirety,” I have now removed the self-critical component of the thought. While this linguistic change does not alter the fact that I still would have liked to complete all ten items, by changing my wording I am able to avoid getting trapped in the cycle of guilt and shame. That cycle keeps me paralyzed in the past. Instead I can now focus on how to adjust my schedule in order to complete the unfinished tasks. While self-directed shoulds tend to cultivate feelings of guilt and shame, the 50

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shoulds directed at others also produce problems. They generally lead to tension and resentment within relationships. The belief that a spouse should know how to comfort you when you are having a bad day does not change the reality that he or she cannot read your mind. Instead, they may benefit from your ability to share what they might do to help you feel supported. If we place our shoulds on others, we are no longer looking at the reality of the present situation but instead focusing our energy on unmet expectations and subsequent feelings of disappointment. There is significant benefit to a relationship in which a person can shift from the idea that “My loved ones should know what I need in this situation” to the thought that “I wish they inherently knew how to meet my needs but it seems as though I may need to provide some guidance.” The word should runs rampant in our self-talk, the inner dialogue that constantly occurs in our minds. While often undetected, it leaves us with negative feelings about others and ourselves. The first step in replacing the shoulds is to

identify when they are occurring. Do they occur in the context of social comparison (“I should be able to afford all the things the Smiths have” or “I should be as happy as Jessica always looks in her pictures”)? Do they tend to enter your mind when you fail to meet your own expectations (“I should have gone to the gym today” or “I should have acted differently in that social interaction”)? After you determine the presence of the shoulds, begin experimenting by replacing them with less guilt-ridden words or phrases. Use “it would have been nice if ” or “I wish I would have.” Then pay attention to how your linguistic change shifts your emotions. By shifting away from the shoulds, we are able to curb the self-criticism, acknowledge our inability to change the past, and remain focused on the present. A member of the Psych Well Group, Dr. Erica Clark is a Florida licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents and adults. See http://drericaclark.com.

H EA LTH & HOME | fitness n e ws

HEALTH & H O ME | wes tchas e crime s tats

When Therapy is Physical Fitness is not always easy, automatic or guaranteed.

CRIME STATS

BY SHANNON THIGPEN

U

nfortunately, whether you are physically fit or not, there is always risk of injury. Professional athletes, people who exercise recreationally, and those who stick to daily routines that include very little exercise are all susceptible to injuries. Injuries may occur from a sudden impact or fall. They can also be from repetitive movements which over time cause wear and tear on joints like shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. The pain can be acute – meaning sudden – or chronic – signifying pain that lingers over months or even years. Physical therapists can often be a saving grace when assisting in pain management or recovery. They are sometimes the line of defense in preventing surgery; other times, they prove crucial to post-surgery recovery. Physical therapists are state licensed and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in physical therapy. Some specialize in

CRIME/ACCIDENT

specific areas like orthopedics, geriatrics or pediatrics. Fords resident Liz Costantini, who has a master’s in Physical Therapy and has practiced 20 years, said physical therapy can be hard work. “Patients play an important role in being responsible for their recovery. Physical therapists (PTs) discuss the patient’s goals and expectations of the PT during the initial evaluation. The patients and PTs work closely together to achieve the end result.” When asked what recommendations she has for anyone looking for a physical therapist, Costantini suggests that you consider: (1) convenience to your home or work (2) acceptance of your insurance, (3) their cancellation policy, (4) their office policy (Is it to see the same therapist at each appointment?) and (5) the individual handling your care (Will it be provided by the therapist or an assistant, known as a PTA?).

“PTAs are licensed professionals who are able to assist physical therapists in providing your care. They are qualified to carry out the treatment plan your physical therapist developed during your initial appointment. The PTA works under the guidance of the PT to provide your care,” explained Costantini. Thigpen is a Certified Personal Trainer and Weight Loss Specialist who teaches at the YMCA and trains privately. Visit www.shannonthigpen.com.

DATE

LOCATION

Battery-Simple

1/1

10400 Greendale Dr.

Battery-Simple

1/29

10100 Downey Ln.

Theft From a Vehicle

1/7

12200 Glencliff Cr.

Theft From a Vehicle

1/7

9700 Westchase Dr.

Burglary Other Structure

1/18

10000 Brompton Dr.

Theft From a Vehicle

1/18

10000 Brompton Dr.

Theft From a Vehicle

1/24

10000 Bridgeton Dr.

Criminal Mischief Misdemeanor

1/4

8900 Citrus Village Dr.

Criminal Mischief Misdemeanor

1/10

9400 Georgian Park Ln.

DUI (Driving Under Influence)

1/18

New Parke Rd./Royce Dr.

Petit Theft - All Other

1/7

10000 Bennington Dr.

Theft Of Bicycle

1/17

12100 Lexington Park Dr.

Traffic Violations

1/18

New Parke Rd./Royce Dr.

Obstructing Courts

1/18

9800 Montague St.

Obstructing Courts

1/25

9800 Montague St.

Warrant out of County

1/18

10000 Seymour Wy.

Warrant out of County

1/19

W. Linebaugh Ave./ Montague St.

Westchase Crime: January On Feb. 3.Westchase’s new community resource officer, Deputy Hugh Alter, met residents at the Westchase McDonald’s during Coffee With Cops. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

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e was joined by Cpl. Kris Gundersen, who oversees the Community Development District’s (CDD) off-duty deputy patrol, and other representatives of the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office (District III). The group answered residents’ questions and heard their concerns. What did they highlight? “Our biggest issue is the constant keeping of cars unlocked,” said Alter. He added that parents often visit parks or drop their children off at schools, daycare centers and rec. centers and leave valuables behind, thinking nothing

can happen in a few minutes. Criminals, he stated, sit in nearby cars and watch which parents leaves without purses. Moving to the cars, they break the windows, grab the purses or wallets and are gone in less than 30 seconds. Remember the following rules: Keep garage doors closed. Never leave valuables in cars. Always lock your cars. And, whenever possible, park your cars inside garages. Fifty percent of the crimes committed in Westchase in January occurred to residents who didn’t follow these practices.

H EA LTH & HOME | q & a

Westchase Q & A: What Magical Creatures Touch Your Life? One of the many things that parenting books don’t prepare you for is the onslaught of magical creatures that will begin visiting your home to give your children candy, toys and money. Sometimes they just drop the booty and head on to the next house. Occasionally, at a few lucky children’s homes, they stay a little bit longer to make the visit a bit more magical.

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Each year on Easter morning when I wake up, the Easter bunny has left footprints outside my bedroom door leading me to my Easter basket that he left for me.

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My tooth fairy, Toothalena, leaves me notes along with money whenever I lose a tooth.

THE BRIDGES

The night before Easter we leave our empty baskets out. The Easter bunny hides them after filling them up. He leaves trails of jellybeans for us to follow to find the baskets. My mom says he did the same thing for her when she was a little girl.

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MARCH 2016

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Collin Sorvillo WEST PARK VILLAGE

Our leprechaun, Seamus, calls us before he comes and leaves a message. On the night of the 16th of March he visits our house and makes a big mess. One time he put our shoes in crazy places like the refrigerator. He leaves green footprints in the sink but he also leaves candy for me.

Dr. Alina de la Torre is welcoming new patients by offering $59* for a Comprehensive Exam & Full Set of X-rays *(D0150) and Full Set of X-rays (D0210).New patients only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.

H EA LTH & HOME | pet of t h e mo n t h

Dogtopia Spring Break Meet Izzie! Izzie is the Guest family’s fur baby, who has become a Floridian. The Guests moved here a year and a half ago from Ohio, and Izzie has grown accustomed to the lovely weather here in Tampa. During Tampa cold spells, she loves to cuddle up with her toys and sunbathe. She enjoys walks, playing, and lying by their pool.

Training Agility Retail Daycare DIY Bathing

A Day of GOLF Friday April 22, 2016 at Bardmoor Golf Club, Largo

A Day of TENNIS Saturday April 23, 2016 at Tampa Tennis HCC

www.ScrambleForeTheGreyhounds.com

Greyhound Pets of America – Tampa Bay is a 501(c)(3) organization 56

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It’s Doggone Wild! Join us for an action packed week of fun and games with all your doggy friends!

Dogtopia of Westchase

11238 W. Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33635

813-814-0302

O ALTH | cdd meeting note sme n t a l h e a lt h H EA & HOME | your

H O A | cdd meeting notes

F L O R I DA T R AF F IC I N FO

>> cdd MEETING NOTES continue from page 15.

Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office recently arrested and charged another man with those burglaries. “He’s in jail. He’s not from this area,” he stated. “What’s the solution?” asked CDD Chair Mark Ragusa, who then referred to the park’s bench swings. “Do we take down the equipment?” Residents, however, stated they wanted to keep the bench swings in the park. Turning to residents’ concerns over vulgar language used by the youngsters, Ragusa stated, “We’re not the moral police.” He added that some residents even demanded the removal of Glencliff Park’s basketball courts because some of the players used foul language there. The district, he pointed out, declined to do so. “We did trim back the palmettos in there,” stated CDD Field Supervisor Doug Mays of the area behind the swings where residents stated the teens were gathering. Mays added, however, that the cutback prompted another resident of the neighborhood to complain that staff had gone too far. Mays ultimately committed to asking TECO to install more lights in the area while Ragusa requested that CDD staff regularly check the area for trash. Cpl. Gundersen added he would maintain the additional patrols in the area. “Once they know we’re out there, they’re going to find another place to go,” he said. In other actions: 58

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Supervisors accepted their 2015 audit, which found no irregularities or adverse financial issues. Supervisor Greg Chesney added that the district added $710,000 in unspent funds into its fund balance, the bulk of which represents unspent assessments related to the park improvement plan. Supervisors again discussed the possible transfer to the district of a large retention pond from M/I Homes, which is developing West Lake Townhomes off Sheldon Road. The pond lies adjacent to both Stonebridge and Sturbridge. Supervisors requested staff continue to work toward resolving transfer issues. These include M/I Homes removing cattails and other harmful invasive species from the lake prior to the district taking ownership and the completion of an agreement that would enable the district to address water quality issues arising from West Lake Townhomes’ smaller pond, which discharges into the larger lake. Supervisors heard from Jessica Guercio, a representative of the MOMS Club who requested the district make an area of a park available for a neighborhood “free library,” essentially a book swap area. Supervisors gave tentative approval for the club to work with staff to establish a free library near the Village Park, located near West Park Village’s bell tower. Supervisors tabled further action on bids related to updating their assessment methodology. The updates were triggered by the proposed David Weekley Home development in West Park Village (which

hopes to rezone a parcel from commercial to residential) and an undeveloped parcel at the southern tip of Montague Street that has previously escaped district assessments. Supervisors decided to wait until David Weekley successfully rezones the land before moving forward with the methodology update. CDD Office Manager Sonny Whyte offered an overview of park rentals from 2015, stating that park pavilions had been rented at Baybridge and Glencliff Parks by 88 residents and 138 non-residents. Whyte also stated that staff was looking into the repair and replacement of some street signs and stop signs in Radcliffe and West Park Village and inquired how to book the charges so that those neighborhoods would pay for the work. Supervisors briefly discussed naming the new park in West Park Village after the late CDD Supervisor, Ernie Sylvester. While stating he had great respect for Sylvester and his contributions to Westchase, Ragusa added, “I have a hard time naming a park after a deceased person.” Ragusa instead asked staff to present an option of naming the large pavilion in Baybridge Park after Sylvester. That pavilion sits near a tree that memorializes Sylvester’s grandson, Jared Smith. Ragusa closed by reminding staff that supervisors hoped to finalize park bids at their March meeting for items like bathroom remodeling, basketball courts and the re-grading and re-sodding of park fields. Supervisors adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

CALL 511

TWITTER

FL511.COM

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SAVE THE DATE Westchase Egg Hunt March 20 | 1-4 p.m. Westchase Rec Center.

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CLU B S & ORGANIZATIONS | t b a y we s t c h a s e

C LUB S & O RG A NIZATIO NS | eagle s couts

TBAY Hosts Two Meets Hosting a swim meet is no small feat, but TBAY Westchase already has two such notches in its 2016 belt. BY JEAN STRASEN AND ALEX RICHARDSON

T

he local swim club co-hosted a Jan. 23-24 meet at the North Shore Pool in St. Petersburg, while the larger, Bay Area-wide TBAY club hosted the ninth annual Gasparilla Races Feb. 5-7. Mother Nature made perhaps the biggest impact at both! Typically the first whistle from an official prompts swimmers to step up on the 60

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blocks. In St. Petersburg, that initial whistle meant “Swimmers, remove your parkas!” Frigid temperatures kept some away, but a number of Westchase athletes posted personal-best times. Rafael Borromeo dropped nine seconds in the 200 backstroke and more than five in the 200 IM, while his brother Tito dropped five in the 50 butterfly. Gracie Chung dropped time in three of four while Sophia Flemmer, Tyler Henry, Devin Hurst, Jacob Key, Hudson Long, Hunter Long, Bradley Palmer, Anthony Suggs (10-second drop in 100 breast), Mason Wesley (10 seconds in 50 back) and Abi Williams also dropped in three or more events. Brody Grissom hit personal bests in two of three events. Arnav Khadkatkav, Sara O’Connor, Sam Prabhakaran, Kate Rideout, Kennedy Wesley and Jack Wilson also dropped time in a pair. Gwenyth Hope Martin dropped more than 10 seconds in 100 back, eight more in 50 breast and almost four in the 50 fly, while Rory Martin dropped time in four events, including a seven-second drop in 25 breast! Ella McKee dropped a nearly a minute total in three of four events while Abi Hartley, Rhett Palmer, Madeline Rideout, Lexie Steinberg and Jared Zack also lowered times. “Our first meet of the season kicked off pretty well considering the extreme conditions,” Coach Alex Richardson said. “With low temperatures and high winds,

our swimmers had to keep a positive attitude to make sure they could perform at their best. And most of them – even the littlest of swimmers – rose to the occasion.” It was both cold and rainy at the Colwill Aquatic Center at Tampa Prep for the Gasparilla meet, where the older swimmers competed in distance races on Friday and the younger ones swam all weekend. Hunter Long got his 50 free FLAGs cut and Victor Perez was just one second away from the cut in the 1000 freestyle while finishing third in overall points for 11-12 boys. Sam Williams dropped more than a minute in the mile (1,650), while the 1,000 saw Victor Perez drop 33 seconds and Lexie Steinberg 12 seconds. Other amazing time drops came from Gracie Chung (28.16 in 100 IM), Abi Hartley (17.90 in 500 free), Hudson Long (18.35 in 100 IM), Hunter Long (55.02 in 500 free and 12.21 in 100 IM), MaryClare Nestor (16.64 in 100 free) and Bradley Palmer (14.15 in 200 IM). “We are always happy to support the TBAY Nation when they host a meet,” Richardson said. “Our swimmers enjoyed attending the Gasparilla races. We had tons of mystery heat winners who got some cool prizes.” In addition to the likelihood of better weather, the spring brings some busy weekends and training weeks for the Westchase swimmers. They competed in the SPA last chance meet at the end of February, while March brings the annual spring picnic, FLAGs, NASA – a national meet in Clearwater – and the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships. Team members will also be participating for the fourth consecutive year in Swim Across America, an open-water swim benefitting Moffitt Cancer Center. The newest member of the TBAY Westchase family will be exempt from meet swimming for at least a few years. Assistant coach Jordan Richardson welcomed baby Mackenzie Hope on Jan. 26 at 12:17 p.m. She weighed seven pounds, eight ounces and measured 20 inches long – possibly a butterflyer like her mom. Time will tell. Be sure to like TBAY Westchase on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tbaywestchase!

CLU B S & ORGANIZATIONS | we s t c h a s e s e n io r s g r o u p

C LUBS & O RG A NIZATIO NS | eagle s couts

Shining Cleaning Services Maria A. Torres

Getting to Know You

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The Westchase Seniors Group will meet at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center for a potluck dinner on Saturday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. BY LEWIS AND RAMA PATTERSON

A

ll Westchase seniors are encouraged to attend this potluck dinner to get to know your peers living in this area. The food will be great tasting and we will enjoy making new friends and renewing old friendships. Please bring either a meat, vegetable, salad or dessert dish to share. Lewis and Rama Patterson will be hosting this activity and will provide the drinks, paper goods and eating utensils. With St. Patrick’s Day occurring this month, we will continue our tradition of passing “Lucky,” the Westchase Senior’s Lucky Leprechaun, on to another Westchase senior for good luck in 2016. Lipizzan Stallions On Feb. 13 the weather was perfect for our trip to Myakka City to see the Lipizzan Stallions program. The very enjoyable and informative program was presented by the Herrmann family, who have been training Royal Lipizzan Stallions for five generations. More information about the training center activities and programs is available at http://hlipizzans.com/. We really appreciate the Westchase Recreation

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Center for providing the transportation in the county’s new 44 passenger bus. We also appreciated the stop at Bob Evans Restaurant for lunch on our way home. Day trips for seniors are sponsored each month by the Westchase Recreation Center on Westchase Drive in The Bridges. The following trips are planned for upcoming months: Thursday, March 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Tarpon Springs (Free) Thursday, April 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Ellenton Mall (Free) Thursday, May 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Ringling Brothers Museum (Free) Wednesday, June 22, TBA: Schakolad Chocolate Factory ($12) Please make reservations by calling 964-2948. Space is limited so reservations should be made as soon as possible. You will be notified a day or two in advance if there is insufficient space for you. The bus

fare is free, however, bring money for the activity fee and lunch. Tuesday Morning Coffee Each Tuesday morning from 9-10 a.m., Westchase seniors are invited to meet at the Westchase McDonald’s Restaurant for coffee, breakfast and friendly conversation. The coffee is free with any food purchase and the conversations are enjoyable. Grab your breakfast and join us – you can’t miss us, we are the “older” but “young at heart” people laughing and having a good time. Put Life in Your Years If you are a Westchase resident over 55 years old and looking to enjoy life, join the Westchase Seniors Group and add some fun to your life. To get e-mails about Westchase Seniors events, send your name, address, and phone number to westchase. [email protected] or call Lewis and Rama Patterson (926-5473). It only cost a smile to join and the dues are just as cheap. PICTURED: Westchase Seniors Group enjoyed the Lipizzan Stallions in February.

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CLU B S & ORGANIZATIONS | we s t c h a s e a r t is t s

C LUBS & O RG A NIZATIO NS | wes tchas e artis ts

Westchase Artists Elect Board Members At the January group meeting, members of the Westchase Artists Society unanimously re-elected last year’s board of directors to serve again in the coming year. BY TERESA TRUBILLA

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lay artist Judy Freeman will be serving as president alongside photographer Jennifer Joyner as vice president. Continuing to serve as secretary is watercolor artist Jeanne LaPensee. The position of treasurer will be filled by watercolor artist Pat Kruse. After the elections and registration were complete, members spent time writing out their art goals for 2016. Vanessa Montenegro opened her solo show, Color, Light and Motion, at the Upper Tampa Bay Library with a meet the artist reception on Saturday, Feb. 6. Friends and fellow artists were on hand to see her new drawings and paintings in pastels and oil, including a small collection of miniature paintings. They also discussed her work in greater detail. As part of the reception, Montenegro held an art demonstration where she shared some of her techniques for working with pastels. The show will remain on display until the end of March. The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists from Upper Tampa Bay. Those interested in learning more about the group are invited to drop by a monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on the 64

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fourth Tuesday of every month at the Upper Tampa Bay Library on Countryway Boulevard. Please bring your creativity and a sample of your artwork to share. The next group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at the Upper Tampa Bay Library. Please visit www.westchaseartists.com for more information about the evening’s agenda. You can also friend the group on Facebook to stay updated on group activities.

PICTURED UPPER LEFT: New member Christa Moody, a travel and landscape photographer, shared some recent work with artists in January. PICTURED UPPER RIGHT: Vanessa Montenegro at the opening reception of “Color, Light and Motion.” PICTURED LOWER RIGHT: Vanessa Montenegro leads an art demonstration on pastels at the artist’s reception opening her solo show at the UTB Library.

CL U B S & ORGANIZATIONS | r a d c lif f e b u n c o

C LUBS & O RG A NIZATIO NS | radcliffe bunco

Radcliffe Bunco Heads Into Its 20th Year! For two decades now, Radcliffe women have gathered regularly to laugh and roll the dice. BY SUE VIDMAR

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adcliffe’s group recently marked the twentieth year of their Bunco tradition. Bunco has been around since the 19th century, and has gone by numerous names throughout the ages. According to the Wikipedia, it came to the United States in 1855 through San Francisco. It could even be found as a gambling game during Prohibition in your neighborhood speakeasy, prompting raiding cops to be nicknamed Bunco squads. In 2006 the World Bunco Association claimed that over 59 million women have played Bunco, and 27 million play regularly! Westchase has its own history of Bunco playing. Back in the roaring 90s when Westchase was young, Bunco was played at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center. Women from all the villages came to play. It was fast moving and a great way to meet neighbors. As Westchase grew, so did the game. It finally got too big to talk and meet people, so Bunco games started popping up within the different villages. The rules and number of players often differ slightly with each group, but the basics remain the same. Radcliffe’s Bunco group has its own history too. Denise Harper and Carrie Giest started the first group in Radcliffe. Denise and Carrie came from different parts of the country, so they sat down and 66

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compared notes. They soon game up with the Radcliffe Bunco Rules of Play, and the game was on! The game proved very popular and was played on the second Monday of every month. I moved to Westchase and Radcliffe in November 1998, and my neighbor came over on moving day, introduced herself and invited me to Bunco the following Monday. I had played the game in Minnesota, but loved the Radcliffe group and I was hooked. I felt welcomed right from the start. Radcliffe Bunco differs from other groups as we don’t play with a set number of players. The entire neighborhood is welcome, and we play with whatever number can make it that night. We have played with four players and with as many as 30 players. We can play with an odd number by having tables of two, three or four. Everyone takes a month to host, and every player brings an appetizer, dessert or drink to share, making it easy on the hostess. Each player puts $10 in the pot to play. In the last year, we have even changed from a specific date each month to one the hostess chooses that works for her. Husbands tend to make themselves scarce while the women are there! Between 7-9 p.m. my husband would take our boys out for a movie or dinner when they were young. If he was travelling,

the kids would go to a neighbor’s house where we shared a babysitter. With the addition of bonus rooms on a lot of the houses, some kids just stay home. We work around it all. In December we don’t play Bunco, but we still get together to socialize and have a gift exchange. One year I even got a beaded Bunco purse that I still have to this day. Bunco is a great way to have a mommy break, meet new neighbors, and create a neighborhood bond. These days with the turnover in our neighborhoods, we still have old neighbors come back each month for Bunco. Radcliffe Bunco will be 20 years old and we are already talking about a reunion of the original players and those that have been a part of it during the last two decades We’ll let you know more as plans are made for a 20th reunion party. According to Wikipedia, the Washington Post once stated that Bunco is sometimes called the “Housewives Drinking Game.” But that’s a story for another month! If you live in Radcliffe and want to get on the monthly e-mail to play (or if you live in another village and would like to learn how to set up your own neighborhood group), contact Sue Vidmar at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

VI LL A G E | village voices

VIL L A G E | k arate

Late HOA Assessments and Woodbridge Gate Use

THE GREENS Happy spring! Have you paid your Westchase 2016 annual dues yet? If not, it is now $316 as it now includes a $25 late fee. Very soon your account will be turned over to the association’s attorney, which could lead to a lien on your property. If you have not yet paid, please do so at your very earliest convenience. Thanks!

Westchase Karate Teacher and Students Win Promotions

During the January 2016 VM meeting, I received our most recent list of violations for The Greens. The top three were discolored driveways, sidewalks, houses and fascia; mailboxes that need attention; and trees that need to be trimmed. If this sounds familiar, it should as it was the same in January. If this is you, please attend to the matter at your earliest convenience. I am consistently asked by Greens residents to add new residents to The Greens master e-mail list. I can only tell folks that I cannot do that as I do not control the e-mail list, and our Webmaster is lost in action. If you want like to be part of the committee to form a new Greens e-mail master list, I need at least one volunteer from each subdivision of The Greens to step forward. Please e-mail me at [email protected].

WOODBRIDGE VILLAS

BY GERALD (JERRY) PAPPA, THE GREENS VM

BY MARY RODRIGUEZ, WOODBRIDGE HOA

Hopefully when you are reading this your spring flowers are beginning to pop their heads above ground. Don’t forget to fertilize for the growing season. Things are much quieter this spring. We have finished all our major projects and are enjoying the hard work that was accomplished last spring and summer. We have new roofs, new roads, new landscapes and new pool area. There are still a few loose ends but those are going to be tied together very soon. I offer a reminder to always use the walking gate if you are walking in or out of the complex. It is important because if you use your clicker to open the drivethrough gate, it expects a car to pass. If no car passes, the main gate to remain open. Thank you for your cooperation.

Westchase karate students and instructor, Romeo Legaspi, participated in a spring camp led by Sensei John Patterson, President of the U.S. Eastern Wado Ryu Federation. BY MARCY SANFORD

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atterson said he was going to work with the students on their basic moves. “I tell students that if a house is built on a weak foundation, it will crumble. The basic moves in karate are like the foundation of a house. This type of karate is a very technical style of martial arts.” Patterson also presented both Legaspi and his students with certificates of promotion. Legaspi was promoted to Sandan Sensei, a third degree rank. One student was named Senpai, with means senior student or assistant instructor, and Nirvann Gade was given the Zahshin Award for fantastic etiquette and focus. Gade, who is 7, has been practicing karate for two years.

Brentford resident Laura Holcombe said that her daughter, Claire, initially took karate just to see what it was like but had really benefitted from the classes. “She has learned discipline and the lessons have helped her become more

coordinated. Romeo is very kind and is great with the kids. He really cares about the kids and helping them grow. It is nice that they award promotions to them because then the students can see what they’ve accomplished.” Karate classes are held on Mondays, Wednesday, and Saturdays at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center. To get more information about the classes or to register, visit the Westchase Community Association Web site at http://westchasewca.com/ and click on the swim-tennis-karate link at the top of the page. PICTURED: Westchase Karate Instructor Romeo Legaspi (right, front row) welcomes Sensei John Patterson, seated center. Surrounding them are the students of the Westchase Karate program.

VI LL A G E | best in show

VIL L A G E | bes t in s how

Best in Show for Wycliff Artist Diane Scharringhausen of Wycliff continued a time-honored tradition this past February. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

S

charringhausen, a Westchase resident since 1998, went to the Florida State Fair with her proud husband, Brett. But she didn’t go to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl on the midway or eat the Fried Ice Cream Burger. She went to collect a purple Best in Show ribbon for her quilt, Birds of Baltimore. Scharringhausen’s quilting artistry has repeatedly been honored at the state fair for over a decade. A few years back, Brett Scharringhausen built her a display case for all his wife’s fair ribbons. But she’s outgrown it now. “I have 17 first place blue ribbons and now I have six best in show.” She offered an embarrassed laugh. “I don’t know that off the top of my head. I just counted them the other day because I knew you’d ask,” she told WOW’s reporter. The fair’s quilting competition sees quilts entered in a number of different categories. Each category is awarded a blue ribbon, first place winner. Then the blue ribbon winners are judged for the purple Best in Show ribbon. This year’s quilt, reflecting scores of hours of careful hand work, was entered in the appliqué division. Scharringhausen began sewing the winner on January 16, 2015. “Around the tenth of December, I embroidered my name on the back.” “That one is totally appliquéd,” she said of Birds of Baltimore. “It’s a lot of work and takes a lot of time.” Some years, she admits, she has begun the process wondering if it’s really how she wants to spend hundreds of hours. Not this year. “It was a challenge. But I was ready for it,” she said. “I really had a good time doing it.” Why did she name it Birds of Baltimore? Baltimore, she explained, refers to the style of quilt. Its quilt blocks also featured birds, centered by a majestic eagle. The quilt’s colors emphasized bright reds and blues. “I decided I was going to do a Baltimore Album because they’re very hard to do,” she explained. “And I’m drawn to appliqué work because I can get as artsy as I want. I love color, fabric and design.” For Scharringhausen producing a quilt begins long before she threads her first needle. “Sometimes I’ll have an idea in my head a couple of years.” When she decides to pursue a concept, she starts with pencil and paper. “I actually draw my quilt out on graph paper,” she explained. “I have a design of it before I start choosing colors and picking fabric.” Only then does she head to the fabric store. One look at any of her quilts makes clear the fabric store is where Scharringhausen’s artistic eye for color shines. Early in the process, she knew that she would need a series of bright blues and reds – even different shades of brown for the centerpiece eagle. “Every single feather on the eagle is a separate piece of fabric,” she explained. What does she do with the quilts she has sewn? She’s given some away to family, but some she keeps because they are special. “I have all my winners,” she said. “I hang them up and change them seasonally.” Even Scharringhausen’s two guest bedrooms have quilts hanging on the wall. Does she have any plans to hang up her needle and thread? Not any time soon. “I’m already working on one for next year,” she said. “It’s simpler but dramatic.” When pressed for hints, Scharringhausen laughed. “Its name is Just White, Red and Blue.”

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VI LL A G E | swim and tenn is n e ws

Westchase Summer Camp Taking Early Reservations If you’re looking for a great summer camp for kids this year, one exists right down the street from your home. TENNIS TIPS: GROUND STROKES Tennis is a low body sport. One of the biggest mistakes people make is not getting their racquets low enough below the ball. The role of your upper arms and your legs is extremely important on your ground strokes. One of the best ways to know if you’re using your low body is to imagine hitting a ball while sitting on a chair (sit and hit). I call this threepoint landing: when your body and your racquet are going down and you step forward all at once. The step is out in the direction of your target. Have your racquet and your body synchronize with each other and then lift your body with your legs all at the same time. They will be parallel vectors going up. Don’t be lazy with your ground strokes. Leave your racquet alone. Turn with just your upper body. This is a shoulder rotation. Don’t use your lower arms. Sit, lift and hit. Your hit should be far away from your body. Remember that the longer the lever, the more power you’re going to have with your shot. Power is related to the square of the radius. If your racquet is two times further out, you will get four times more power. Ground strokes are a lifting motion.

We would also like to invite anyone that is interested in swimming, tennis, or karate to join us in the Westchase team spirit to enjoy sports and physical activities to improve health and fitness. We offer a structured format with quality coaches that truly are passionate about developing well rounded individuals. Our Jr. Tennis program, TBAY swim team, and Karate are experiencing continued growth and we still have some slots available. Summer Activity and Tennis Camp is around the corner and we are taking early reservations. If you have any questions, please contact the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center at 8550662 or sign up online at http://westchasewca.com. BY KELLY SHIRES, OPERATIONS MANAGER Shires is the WCA’s Operations Manager and can be reached at [email protected].

BY ROBERTO CALLA, WESTCHASE’S TENNIS PRO Calla, Westchase’s tennis pro, can be reached at [email protected].

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VI LL A G E | westchase pr o f ile

Westchase’s Magician in Chief When Westchase Community Association Director Rick Goldstein found himself facing retirement, he was determined to find a new activity to keep his mind focused and sharp. BY LISA STEPHENS

W

hile some turn to learning a new language, mastering Sudoku puzzles or ramping up their exercise regimen, Goldstein turned to an unlikely source. Magic. Years ago, when the winter storms in Boston silenced the school bell, Goldstein was the typical kid who enjoyed snowball fights and sledding with his older brother. During spring and fall, he took to the playing fields as a member of his high school football and baseball teams. While his mother was a concert violinist, Goldstein developed an appreciation for classical music at an early age. For spending money, he took on babysitting jobs for his neighbors. Even then, he looked for ways to entertain children. “I really liked the experiments we’d do in chemistry lab so I’d do those with the kids when I babysat,” he explained. One day, a parent urged him to put his knowledge of science to work with kids at the local YMCA. This resulted in a science group he led for children for several years while he was in high school. With his knack for science, Goldstein headed to Long Island University and then to Brooklyn College of Pharmacy. He completed his graduate and doctorate work from the University of Southern California. He performed his residency

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and fellowship through the Veterans Administration system. “I’ve always been fascinated with how drugs affect the mind,” he said. With his love of learning and teaching others, Goldstein chose academia. He enjoyed a long career at various places including University of Florida, University of Michigan and Rutgers University among others. He also served as Director of Healthcare Services for state government. A move to Tampa 20 years ago came when he went to work for a small private company. Eventually, he formed his own consulting company working with elderly patients suffering from dementia. Before her passing, his late wife, Ernie, and he served as volunteers together at Camp Good Days. This camp was held for children who were impacted in some way by cancer. Working with the girls at the camp, Ernie helped them with hair and makeup while he worked with their parents dealing with medication issues. With two children of their own, Goldstein also volunteered as a coach for his kids’ soccer, softball and basketball teams. “I just love kids. They’re so funny,” he explained. Now that his son and daughter are grown, Goldstein still gets to enjoy

time spent with kids thanks to his five grandsons. His interest in magic, he said, resulted in the simple tricks he performed for them. Retrieving a coin from behind an ear led to requests for more tricks. My daughter called one day and said, “You know, they really think you’re magic!” The pressure was on to up his ability to mesmerize the boys during his next visit to New Jersey or Connecticut. “I was about to retire and looking for something keep my mind sharp, so I thought magic might be fun,” he explained. He visited a local magic shop and was hooked. After a few private lessons and some practicing on friends and family, Goldstein has become accomplished in his newfound hobby. Mental tricks and working with fire are his specialties. Kids, he explained, are a tougher crowd than adults. While adults are just satisfied with the “wow” factor of the trick, kids want more. Asking to see it again is the request he often gets as kids are determined to figure out the process that so easily fooled them. Goldstein enjoys his hobby, which so entertains his grandchildren and friends. He even does fundraisers for local charities when time allows. When he isn’t honing his sleight of hand skills, Goldstein spends many hours volunteering for Westchase residents as well. As voting member for Woodbridge, he worked with others to revamp the community. “We updated the roofs, streets, gates and landscaping,” he explained. More recently as a Westchase Community Association (WCA) Director, he’s grown to appreciate how the entire community comes together to work towards what is best for Westchase overall. “Despite any differences, every decision we make together is for the overall good of our community,” he explained. It certainly appears Goldstein has found the perfect combination of activities to make his retirement years quite magical! Stephens, a resident of West Park Village, is always looking for interesting Westchase residents to profile. She can be contacted at [email protected].

VI LL A G E | wow board

VIL L A G E | real es tate round up

Westchase Homes Sold in January Sq.Ft. Heated

Pool Y/N

T

hree seats on the World of Westchase, Inc. (WOW) Board of Directors will be open for appointment in March. The seats of current WOW, Inc. Directors Jim Dixon, Mary Griffin and Paul Jones and are up for appointment. The WOW, Inc. Board meets quarterly to oversee the magazine’s operations and

Baths

How are Westchasers improving their homes in 2016? Page 4.

Beds

Home Sweet Home

set its operating policies. The board currently consists of five Westchase homeowners and is seeking candidates for the positions. The process to fill the two-year volunteer positions will begin with all interested candidates and their resumes being presented to the Westchase Community Association (WCA) Board of Directors at their March 10 meeting. In his role as “The Member,” WCA Director Keith Heinemann, representing the WCA as the WOW’s single shareholder, will then cast the votes appointing the WOW, Inc. Directors. Candidates must be WCA members in good standing. While backgrounds in print

11815 Easthampton Dr.

236,000

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141

4

2

1,672

N

9828 Bridgeton Dr.

240,000

85

147

2

2

1,634

N

11926 Derbyshire Dr.

256,324

66

105

3

2.5

2,448

N

10615 Chambers Dr.

288,719

141

141

4

2

2,043

Y

10304 Abbotsford Dr.

290,000

288

129

4

3

2,244

N

9819 Gingerwood Dr.

292,000

64

160

3

2

1,829

N

12301 Glenfield Ave.

308,000

37

170

3

2

1,810

N

10504 Dotham Ct.

312,000

42

134

4

2.5

2,332

N

10433 Green Links Dr.

500,000

154

164

5

3

3,056

N

9424 Cavendish Dr.

530,000

57

159

4

3.5

3,333

Y

Address

If you want to volunteer to serve Westchase and play a role in making WOW the best magazine around, read on. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

Price Per Sq.Ft.

Information provided by Doug and Nancy Wood of Coldwell Banker

Days on Market.

WESTCHASE'S OFFICIAL NEWSMAGAZINE westchasewow.com Volume 20 · Issue 2 FEBRUARY 2016

Three Seats Open for WOW Board of Directors

Sold Price

Woman of the Year | Road Repaving | Raven Softball | Parks Plan | WOW Scholarships

and digital publishing and/or small business management are desirable, any potential volunteer who is an accountant, CPA and/ or has significant experience with QuickBooks would be particularly helpful. Interested residents are encouraged to submit a resume, along with a one-page statement of interest in the position, by mail to the Westchase Community Association, Inc., 10049 Parley Drive, Tampa, FL 33626, via e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected] or by fax to 926-1821. Submissions must be received by March 7. For more information contact Heinemann at [email protected] or 335-6579.

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CO MMUNITY | new hom e o wn e r s

>> NEW HOMEOWNERS continue from page 18.

three and a half months completely renovating the house.”Colarulo and his girlfriend, Danica Samsom, said that they’ve already made some very good friends in Westchase. “Everyone that we’ve met is very friendly. We also like that we can walk and bike to many places.” The Higganbotham family had several neighborhoods they were interested in when they moved here from Charlotte, North Carolina in September. “My husband researches everything,” said Susan. “I am from Palm Harbor and went to East Lake High School. I moved to Charlotte 20 years ago but after we had our daughters we decided it was time to move back to Tampa.” Susan said that the family looked at houses all over the area from Tarpon Springs to South Tampa. “We probably looked at 150 houses. We finally narrowed it down to Countryside, Safety Harbor and Westchase. When we made our final decision, it came down to the schools. We really liked Westchase Elementary. We lived in the apartments in West Park Village for two months and the longer we lived in Westchase, the more we liked it.” Susan said that originally her husband wanted to live on the water but quickly changed his mind when he saw how expensive that would be; however, she said that their home has a pond in the backyard and that is a nice compromise. “We love living here. Our kids love living here. There are lots of children for them to play with. We’ve been very happy.” When Troy and Jessica Helsen were relocating their family from San Francisco to Tampa, they relied on the advice of co-workers and their Realtors, the Wood Team. “Every one we talked to told us that Westchase was a great place for young families. My boss was born and raised in Tampa and he suggested we look at Westchase,” Troy said. “Before we came here we decided to concentrate on this area. We also looked at the Eagles and Waterchase. Overall, we’ve been very happy here.” 78

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CO MMU NITY | new homeowners

Troy added, “We have great neighbors. This is a really close-knit neighborhood. They have block parties and holiday parties and it’s been easy to make friends and to get to know our neighbors. It’s been a lot easier to meet people here than it was in California.” Troy even said his commute from Westchase to Clearwater is a breeze compared to his California commute. Laurel and Eric Reddish only had one weekend to decide where they were going to live before they moved from Michigan to Florida with their 5-year old daughter. “We looked at about 20 houses in one weekend all over the place,” said Laurel. “We went to Bayview, Highland Park, Waterchase, and Seminole, but our Realtor suggested that we also look at Westchase. We really liked the community and all the amenities, like the neighborhood pools and tennis courts.” Laurel added, “We really like Westchase a lot. We like the parks and the family feel of the community. Our neighbors are very nice. When we were moving in, people came out and introduced themselves. Crystal from the neighborhood Welcome Wagon came over and gave us lots of good information. Everyone’s very friendly.” Once you’ve lived in Westchase, you might find it difficult to move somewhere else. Tim and Nancy Haggerty moved to a bigger home to have more space for a home office. Tim said they did not really look at other neighborhoods. “We’ve lived in Westchase since 2002. The HOA does a good job of keeping up the houses. In other neighborhoods you might find a mansion next to an RV. We have great amenities and it’s easy to get to downtown. It is a very nice community.” From its beautiful homes, parks and amenities to its solid schools and strong sense of community, Westchase is hard to beat. Editor’s note: The March cover photo and the photos of the Higganbotham family running with this article were taken by James Broome Photography; the rest were taken by Marcy Sanford.

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E NT E RTAI NM E N T | e ve n t s c a l e n d a r

ENTERTA INMENT | ev ents calendar

Events Calendar: March Check out these free (or nearly free) events in March. FIRST FRIDAYS CONCERT SERIES

STRAZ CENTER LIVE & LOCAL SERIES

Date: Fri, March 4 Time: 5-9 p.m. Location: Westchase Town

Date: Fri, March 11 Time: 5:45-7:45 p.m. Price: Free Location: Straz Center Jaeb

Price: Free Ages: All

For more information: www.

Center, from the fountain to Maloney’s

Courtyard, downtown Tampa

strazcenter.org/

Head to Westchase Town Center and take advantage of the last few weeks of our gorgeous winter weather. The street will be shut down from the fountain to Maloney’s for a night filled with food, drinks, live music and activities for the whole family.

GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Date: Sat, March 5, and Sun, March 6

Time: Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: Curtis Hixon Park, downtown Tampa

Price: Free admission For more information: http://

Ages: All Enjoy two hours of free entertainment on the Jaeb Courtyard, which overlooks the Hillsborough River. Tonight’s featured performer is Amy Morgan, a jazz vocalist who has been performing professionally in the Tampa Bay area for over eight years.

SHABBY CHIC VINTAGE MARKET & ARTISAN DAY Date: Sun, March 13 Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Price: Free admission Location: The Gazebo at John Wilson Park, Safety Harbor

For more information: http://

gasparillaarts.com

cityofsafetyharbor.com

Ages: All

Ages: All

Spend the day browsing works of art by the country’s most accomplished artists and rising stars. Kids can get in on the fun at the Children’s Activity Area, where they have the unique opportunity to learn from participating artists. Kids can also color, paint, draw – and experience being real artists in their own right.

Browse from antiques, collectables, art and other cool items that will be available for purchase at the gazebo while you listen to live entertainment. Over 50 vendors will be on site.

MOVIES IN THE PARK Date: Fri, March 11 Time: Dusk Price: Free Location: West Park Village

Town Center Green, Montague St.

For more information: http://

westchasewca.com/

Ages: All Westchase’s free family movies in the park continue. Movies begin at dusk. Bring chairs and blankets and settle in for a great movie night. This month’s movie is Cinderella (the 2015 version).

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MAYOR’S RIVER O’GREEN FEST Date: Sat, March 19 Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price: Free Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa

For more information: www.

tampagov.net

Ages: All The Mayor’s River O’Green Fest is the City of Tampa’s official annual Saint Patrick’s Day event that takes place in beautiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Hillsborough River, which will be a bright shade of green for the occasion, provides a perfect backdrop for a celebration that includes live entertainment, games, kids’ activities, food trucks serving Irish food, beer and more! The entire family is welcome, including four-legged members.

CHALK ART FESTIVAL Date: Sat, March 19, and Sun, March 20

Time: Sat., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Price: Free Location: Main Street, Safety Harbor

For more information: www.

bloomnchalkfest.com

Ages: All Chalk artists from all over the world will adorn the streets and sidewalks of downtown Safety Harbor with chalk drawings. Vote for your favorite drawing for the “People’s Choice Award.” Live entertainment and vendors will be keeping the whole family entertained all weekend. Visit bloomnchalkfest.com for more information.

SEASONS OF FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHY HIKE Date: Sat, March 26 Time: 8:30 a.m. Price: Free (registration required) Location: Brooker Creek Preserve, Tarpon Springs

For more information: (727)

453-6800

Ages: Best for adults Hike along with photographers and naturalists as you explore and the preserve and get photography tips along the way.

UPSTAIRS/ DOWNSTAIRS AT THE TAMPA BAY HOTEL Date: Sun, March 27 Time: 2 p.m. Price: $10, $7 seniors/students, $5

ages 4-12

Location: Henry B. Plant

Museum, downtown Tampa

For more information: www.

ut.edu/plantmuseum/

Ages: All Turn-of-the-century hotel staff members and guests come to life in theatrical, 30-minute, single-character vignettes. The rotating list of characters includes Theodore Roosevelt (former lieutenant of the Rough Riders), Arthur Schleman (1895 hunting and fishing guide), Pauline Smith (telegraph operator) and many more. Educational entertainment for the whole family!

All Day Breakfast & Lunch Menu Drive-Thru Convenience Full-Service Espresso Bar

EN TERTAINMENT | utb lib r a r y p r o g r a ms

ENTERTA INMENT | newcomers

>> wca BAORD MEETING NOTES continue from page 16.

significant water drainage issue on hole 15 of the Westchase Golf Course. He said the residents of Glencliff who were affected by the standing, stagnant water had asked the golf course to do something but had not gotten any response. Directors told Goldstein that he and the residents should contact the CDD. Arrillaga gave directors copies of proposed changes to the association’s contract with Greenacre Properties, Inc, which provides the association’s managers. He asked directors to review the contract for the next WCA meeting. The changes address staffing responsibilities in the WCA office and are expected to result in a decrease in the contract’s costs. Turning to their monthly review of unresolved deed restriction violations, directors voted in favor of Ross’ motion to suspend fines for 27 homes where the owners had corrected their violations and impose the maximum fines and suspend facility use for 18 homes where the violations had not been corrected. All also voted in favor of his motion to suspend the fines for eight homes but reinstate the fines and suspend facility use if the violations are not corrected by March 1 and his motion to give two homeowners more time to correct their violations. Violations included dead sod, trash cans in view, discolored sidewalks, mailboxes, houses, and fences, garden ornaments, weeds in landscape beds, and dead plants and shrubs. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 10, at 7 p.m., at the WCA Offices at 10049 Parley Dr.

March Programs at the UTB Library LIBRARY HOURS: Sun, 12:30-5 p.m.; Mon-Wed, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu, noon-8 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

LEGO Block Party: Mon, March 14, at 3:30 p.m.

Toddler Time (Ages 2-3 with caregiver): Mon, March 7, 14, 21 and

Puppet Show: Sun Seeds: Wed,

28, at 10:15 a.m.; Tue, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 10:15 a.m.; Wed, March 2, 9, 23 and 30, at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m.

3D Design – TinkerCAD for Basics Kids: Thu, March 24, at 3:30

Story Time (Ages 3-5): Tue, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 11 a.m.

Baby Time (Ages 0-18 months): Mon, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, at 11:30 a.m.; Wed, March 2, 9, 23 and 30, 1:15 p.m.

Wee Artists: Thu, March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, at 1:15 p.m.

Storytelling Workshop, Session 5: Mon, March 7, 3:30 p.m. • Learn the art of storytelling. For Grades 1-5.

Robotix Blox Club: Mon, March 7, 4:30 p.m. • Using Lego Mindstorms, participants will work together on robot building and coding. Recommended for ages 9 to 14. 82

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March 23, 10:30 a.m.

p.m. • Learn the basics of 3D modeling with Tinkercad. For Grades 2-5.

Kids Tech: Coding Basics: Mon, March 28, 3:30 p.m.

TEEN PROGRAMS Teen Advisory Board: Thu, March 3, 6 p.m. • Get involved with the library’s teen programs and earn community service hours.

Teen Tech: Coding Basics: Wed, March 9, 6 p.m. 3D Design – TinkerCAD, Teens & Adults: Thu, March 17, at 5 p.m.

• Learn the basics of 3D modeling with Tinkercad.

ADULT PROGRAMS

COMPUTER CLASSES

The Art of Vanessa Montenegro:

Walk-in Tech Help: Tue, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 2:30 p.m. • Ongoing training in computer and software basics.

In the library gallery throughout March

Fiber Arts Group: Mon, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 a.m. • Gather with friends to knit and crochet. Thai Chi With Bonnie Birdsall:

Publisher: Introduction: Tue, March 1, at 6:30 p.m.

Thu, March 3 and 10, at 1:30 p.m.

Publisher: Formatting Publications: Tue, March 8, at 6:30 p.m.

Sahaja Meditation: Sat, March 5,

Google Utilities: Tue, March 15, at

12, 19 and 26, at 10:30 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

Book Discussion: Mon, March 21,

Managing Media: Tue, March 22,

11 a.m. • Join us to discuss The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton

at 6:30 p.m.

English Practice @ Conversation Corner: Thu, March 3, at 6 p.m. • Practice speaking English in the comfort of a small group, with an English speaker to help you try new words.

Online Learning: Tue, March 29, at 6:30 p.m.

LIBRARY HOURS: Sun, 12:30-5 p.m.; Mon-Wed, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu, noon-8 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Newcomers Luncheon March 17 Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Newcomers of NW Hillsborough! BY KATHY MOLONEY

T

he Newcomers of NW Hillsborough invite you to their March luncheon March 17, at 11 a.m. at the Empress Tea Room in Carrollwood, 12924 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33618. The lunch will be an Irishthemed meal. A wee bit of Irish entertainment will be provided for all the lassies present. So wear your green and come join the fun! Reservations may be made by sending a check for $25, made out to Newcomers of NW Hillsborough, by March 10 to Norma Puglisi, 2106 Chestnut Forest Dr., Tampa 33618. If you have recently moved to the NW Tampa area, would like to make new friends and get to know more about Tampa Bay, please call Membership Chair Jean Bardes at 926-2709 for more information on the club. Or visit www.newcomersnwhillsborough.com.

EN TERTAINMENT | light e r s id e o f lin e b a u g h

A House of Pestilence “Um, Dad?” her voice trembled. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

“

Can you look at this thing that just fell out my hair?” It was one of those moments that stretch a father. “No, thank you,” I would have preferred to respond. “I must immediately set off for Utah by foot, where I plan to establish a new religion featuring frightening quantities of crazy people.” Because a country can never have too many political parties. But, being spineless, I did the responsible, fatherly thing. I actually crossed to where she was sitting while begging God to strike me dead before getting there. We had just finished a large family dinner. My family, along with those of my brother and sister, had overflowed two happy, rambunctious tables. Even my mom was visiting from Scranton. Dinner had gone so remarkably well, I should have suspected some tragedy was afoot. I had managed to cook something that satisfied the vegetarians and the libertarians. Dinner conversation had scaled a tower of topics without my brother demanding massive restrictions on people actually voting in the next election. Even my mother had avoided her favorite conversational topic – her impending death. Oh, she’s not terminal. She’s been enthusiastically discussing her impending death since the Reagan administration. “Look.” My daughter pointed to a dot on the table. Which brings me to some helpful advice. If you’re ever hosting a large family dinner and need to clear your home quickly, simply stand and announce right after dessert, “We have lice.” Go ahead and scratch. You know you want to. And, by all means, judge. For I abide in a house of plague and pestilence. 84

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Just tie a bell around our necks and confine us to a suburban street corner. “Remain afar, good people!” we’ll cry to approaching strangers. “We be infested!” “I really should go home and take the dogs out,” my brother quickly announced. My completely bald brother. I had feared this day for nearly a dozen years, since the first neon announcement brayed from a backpack that a wild beast in my precious daughter’s preschool class had bugs camping in her hair without her parents knowing. “It’s the worst case of lice the teacher has ever seen,” the preschool mommies whispered. And scratched their heads. Once my daughters reached elementary school, it became apparent that the Florida educational system is comprised of three types of families. (1) Those who have had lice. (2) Those who will get lice. And (3) those who still pretend they’ve never had lice. We dodged it for years, until we got the call of shame from a friend of my youngest daughter, a friend who had spent the previous day maniacally rolling around on my daughter’s bed. “What lovely weather we’re having,” she said. “Maribel has lice.” Thud. My stomach cracked a kitchen floor tile. “Um,” I responded, “Would that be just a little lice or, um, like a lot?” The memory is fuzzy (the subsequent fumigation had me hallucinating for days), but I believe the word she used was “teeming.” As any self-respecting germaphobe would, I panicked. I passed hours studying gross photos on the Internet. Where I learned that mayonnaise is a great and perfectly safe killer of lice. Where I also learned that while mayonnaise left in the sun can kill the entire Denver Bronco’s defensive line, it won’t actually kill lice unless you lace it with kerosene and a match. Where I also learned that essential oils will get rid of lice, but I quickly discovered that essential oils are not so essential that one actually keeps them in the house or in a drug store. Where I also learned that vinegar works great. Where I also learned that dousing your children’s skulls with vinegar will

temporarily blind them and cause them to hyperventilate before vomiting in your lap. But they will live to 120 because of vinegar’s remarkable health properties. We did mounds of laundry. We vacuumed the ceilings. We studied our daughters heads until they wept in fury. And after the fourth day of combing and finding little things that might have been dandruff, or dog biscuit crumbs or dried boogers, we called The Nit Fairy, who charged us $60 to study our daughters’ scalps before stating, “You people are crazy. You don’t have lice.” Flash forward three years. The bug lying on my kitchen table didn’t lie. A lice veteran, my saintly sister-in-law pulled out a rusty nit comb and set to work. Meanwhile, my sister Kate and my mother offered moral support from a safe distance. “This really is a blessing,” my mother said. “Imagine if you caught this any later. They could have spread to the whole block.” “You know,” my sister added, “Having lice is actually a sign of really clean hair. They hate dirty hair.” So if you’re louse-free, people, please kick up the personal hygiene a notch. “This really is a blessing,” my mother repeated. “It’s not like it’s a tumor. This is actually fixable.” “I once had a friend who had so much lice, birds would land on her head,” my sister added. “Having taught public school for decades,” my mother added, “It’s really amazing you haven’t had it before now. This is a blessing, if you ask me.” To rid ourselves of the pests, I clearly had to take strong action. So I slathered my mother and sister in mayonnaise and threw them out. Then we laundered until the washing machine smoked. We vacuumed the ceilings (and the cars). We entombed stuffed animals in garbage bags for weeks. And we combed until my daughter wept. And even visited the Nit Fairy for good measure. Throw away the bells, people. We be clean. Barrett serves as WOW Publisher and Managing Editor and can be reached at [email protected].

EN TERTAINMENT | dishin g it o u t

ENTER TA INMENT | div ers ions & ex curs ions

Smokin’ the Competition

A Trip Through History

The tea is sweet, the okra is fried and the portions are massive. BY MELANIE CASEY

History is wasted on young people. BY MARCY SANFORD

O

h, and it’s likely the best barbeque you’ll ever eat. 4 Rivers Smokehouse on North Dale Mabry is one of about a million restaurants located in the bustling Carrollwood area. This might be a slight exaggeration, but it usually feels that way when we’re trying to figure out where to eat in that part of town. Located across the street from Grillsmith, Pincers and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse,

4 Rivers is tucked into one of many innocuous strip malls in the area. It occupies the space once inhabited by Arigato. The decor at 4 Rivers is particularly and purposefully low-key. It’s essentially a rustic Southern room, complete with the Texas state flag and a giant steer head mounted on the wall. A smattering of individual tables is available, but the dining area is dominated by two large tables that can seat about 50 people each. GET THE DISH! When it’s crowded, 4 Rivers Smokehouse or maybe even when https://4rsmokehouse.com/ it’s not, feel 14330 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Carrollwood and free to join 623 S. MacDill Ave. in South Tampa. the party. Open at 11 a.m. Mon-Sat. Closed Sun There are no

plates at 4 Rivers; your meal is served atop a paper-lined cafeteria tray. Side dishes are loaded into Styrofoam cups and utensils are plastic. 4 Rivers began in 2004 when (according to its Web site) founder John Rivers “hosted a cookout fundraiser to support a local family whose young daughter was battling cancer.” The event ignited a passion for fundraising. Eventually, that passion grew too big for his garage. By 2009 the first of 13 (and counting) 4 Rivers Smokehouse restaurants opened in Central Florida. The Carrollwood location (there’s a new location in South Tampa, too) hasn’t been open long, but clearly word is getting around. As it should. This is delicious, slowcooked, southern smokehouse goodness. The menu offers lots of options, from dinner plates (including burnt ends) and sandwiches to wings, ribs and even salads. Side dish options include staples like baked cheese grits, smoked jalapeños, mac ‘n cheese, baked beans, coleslaw and more. My choice was the Brisket Dinner, with a pulled pork side added for fun ($16.98 with both meat selections). It came with cornbread and three oversized sides. I went for the fried okra,

corn and green beans. Seriously, this one meal could probably feed my entire family, so make sure you go hungry. First, the brisket: It was smoky and tender – and literally fell apart on its way to my mouth. The pulled pork was equally delicious. Both were smoky, moist and flavorful. The signature barbeque sauce, available on tables and in bottles to go, offered the perfect touch of tang. A spicy version is also available if you are one of those who like it hot. The corn was clearly straight off the cob. Mixed with spices, tomatoes and peppers, it offered a crisp, delicious roast flavor. The green beans, as they should be, were slow cooked with bacon and onions. Soft and flavorful – really, perfect. And the okra...fried, salty, eat-withyour fingers crispy. I’ve never had better. A quick taste of Crispy Cream Bread Pudding ($2.49) sealed the deal. An entire separate sweet shop offers your fill of cupcakes, cookies and other treats. You’ll probably need it to go, though. If you have had a hankering for southern barbeque, 4 Rivers Smokehouse can’t be beat. It’s casual, great for families and big parties. In short, it offers the best barbeque in the area.

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O

r at least it was on me. During one – at the time seemingly very long – trip to Colonial Williamsburg, I declared, “If you’ve seen one old house, you’ve seen them all.” That ended my history-teaching father’s dreams that we’d ever have discussions about anything that occurred before the 1980s. But I guess it is true that with age comes wisdom, or at the least the ability to appreciate older buildings and the history associated with them. St. Augustine, Florida, has plenty of both. And if you grow tired of historical musings, plenty of shops, restaurants, and beaches are available to explore. Located in the northeastern part of the state, about three and a half hours from Westchase, St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in the U.S. It was founded by a Spanish Admiral in 1565 and served as the capital of Spanish Florida for more than 200 years. If you are interested in this chapter of St. Augustine’s history, plan on visiting the

Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the U.S. The fort served as a military base for the Spanish, British, and finally the U.S. military for 251 years. It was, according to our guide, the real site of the first Thanksgiving – one between the Spanish and Native Americans. Three hundred and twenty-three years after the Spanish invaded Florida searching for gold and glory, a different sort of invasion began. This time it was Northern folks searching for sun and warm winter temperatures. You can also learn about this chapter in Florida’s history during your visit to St. Augustine. The Ponce de Leon Hotel, now part of Flagler College, was

built by millionaire developer Henry Flagler in 1888. The ultimate luxury hotel at the time, the structure’s domed ceiling with elaborately carved statues, its 79 Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows, its hand-painted murals and ceilings, and its Austrian crystal chandeliers will impress during your tour. St. Augustine is a city proud of its oldest. While there, you can visit the oldest schoolhouse, the oldest jail, the oldest public park in the United States, the “oldest, permanent navigation aid in North America,” also known as the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and Florida’s oldest tourist attraction, Ponce de

Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. At the park they have guest books dating back to 1868. They also have white peacocks, historical exhibits, hourly cannon firings, a lookout tower, a river walk, and, best of all, the chance to try some delicious, possibly youth inducing, spring water – which you’ll need after all of your historical tours.

GET THERE!

St. Augustine Florida www.oldcity.com www.augustine.com

EN TERTAINMENT | wow in t h e wo r ld

WOW in the West

Conveniently located at Citrus Park Drive and Sheldon Road

BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

W

OW explored out west with two Westchase families this past summer and landed in Arizona and Colorado. The first photo was sent by the Seligsohn family of Radcliffe and shows Jeff Seligsohn standing at Lipan Point at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with his son Jeff. They are holding last June’s WOW, which featured the 2015 WOW Scholars. Jeff appeared on a similar cover with the 2011 WOW Scholars. In May just before they took the trip, Steven graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Engineering. “Before he started his position with Deloitte, LLP in Atlanta this summer, we took an amazing trip out west to explore the Hoover Dam, both the South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas,” wrote his dad. The Grand Canyon, which has formed over millions of years, lies in northwestern Arizona. Its South Rim is a five hour car trip from Las Vegas, Nevada. The canyon was forged by two forces, both geologic uplifting that has raised the Colorado Plateau and the carving, eroding force of the Colorado River coursing through the canyon. The erosion has exposed rock strata that tell 2 billion years of earth history. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, a mile deep and, in parts, 16 miles wide. A few years after visiting the Grand Canyon in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt, the country’s first conservationist president, declared the area a National Game Preserve in 1906, reducing

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cattle grazing there. Adding adjacent forests to the area, he proclaimed it a U.S. National Monument in 1908. Mining and land interests opposed it being named a National Park for over a decade until an act of Congress, signed President Woodrow Wilson, named it one in 1919. In odder Grand Canyon trivia, nearly 600 people have died in the canyon, including dozens of overzealous photographers and tourists. Over 240 of them died in airplane and helicopter accidents, including 128 in 1956 when two propeller airplanes that had taken off from Los Angeles three minutes apart collided over the canyon and fell – the largest airline disaster in history at the time. Farther east found the Patterson family of Radcliffe visiting Colorado Springs, where Luke and Lila Patterson were photographed by Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods. The Garden of the Gods is famous for its peculiar red rock formations caused by geologic upheaval along a fault line millions of years in the past. In 1879 Charles Elliot Perkins purchased hundreds of acres that served as the basis for the park. In 1909 his family presented the land to Colorado Springs with the stipulation it be made into a park and not developed. Colorado Springs subsequently purchased additional land, tripling its size to 1,364 acres. We thank the Seligsohns and Pattersons for sharing their travels with WOW.

WOW IN THE WORLD

24/7 Emergency Room for Adults and Kids Citrus Park ER offers easy, convenient access to emergency care 24 hours a day with all the resources you need for acute care of a serious illness or injury. Citrus Park ER is staffed 24/7 by physicians Board Certified in Emergency Care and Nurses with emergency care experience and certifications.

Benefits of the Citrus Park ER Take WOW on Spring Break! WOW is running very low on WOW in the World photos and we need travelers’ help to keep this feature running until the summer influx of vacation photos. Please remember to take WOW with you on your spring break trips outside of Florida. Send in a photo of you or your family holding WOW in an interesting place, and you will receive between $60 and $100. Simply send the photos to Editor@WestchaseWOW. com with a few sentences about your trip and the location of the photo(s).

• Same services and level of care consistent with a traditional hospital emergency department • Shorter wait times • Separate pediatric reception area • On site CT Scan, Ultrasound, X-ray and laboratory services • Convenient access to home, school or work National Certifications through Medical Center of Trinity:

12922 Sheldon Road | Tampa, FL 33626 www.CitrusParkER.com 813-282-2850

EN TERTAINMENT | westc h a s e r e c c e n t e r

ENTERTA INMENT | may or’s prize

Westchase Recreation Center Programs: March Schedule

GET THERE!

All activities take place at: Westchase Recreation Center 9791 Westchase Dr. Tampa, FL 33626 | (813) 964-2948

ADULT

BADMINTON

DANCING Bring your best moves for a dance class that combines hip-hop, ballet and jazz techniques for all levels. Taught by Show on the Road instructor and experienced dance teacher, Jessica Schoenfeld, the class is exclusively designed for woman. Please bring or wear socks. Theatre games and activities are offered for children during class time. • When: March 11, 7-8 p.m.; Ballet 8-8:45 Jazz • Cost: $8 Ballet, $7 Jazz

ZUMBA Join Greg and Peggy with their creative tag-team style that brings an energy that can felt deep inside. You’re left with no choice but to dance and enjoy the Caribbean rhythms. • When: Wed/Thu, 6 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m. • Cost: $7/Class

INSANE FIT GIRLS Small group fitness training exclusively for women. Tailored to your personal fitness level and goals in a supportive and safe group setting. • When: Please e-mail [email protected] for days and times.

INSANITY “LIVE” Certified Insanity Instructor Kris Alderson will be teaching cardio at its best! (Youth and adults welcome.) • When: Tue, 7 p.m. • Cost: $6/Class

INSANITY WITH PIYO PIYO with Kris Alderson combines the muscle-sculpting, core-firming benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility advantages of yoga. • When: Sat, 8:30 a.m. • Cost: $5/Class

THE NEXT LEVEL BOOT CAMP Build strength and endurance variance in training, achieve your fitness goals and increase your cardio fitness. • When: Tue and Thu (Call for times: 964-2948.) • Cost: $10/Class

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Recreational play for adults to socialize, exercise and have fun! • When: Wed, 6-9 p.m. • Cost: Free

ADULT OPEN GYM BASKETBALL • When: Sat, 8-11 a.m. • Cost: Free

SENIOR ACTIVITIES VARIOUS ACTIVITIES The Westchase Recreation Center welcomes all active adults (50 and up) to join our new and improved outings which include: monthly socials and destination trips to Orlando, Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tampa with free transportation. Come join our monthly socials (potluck) dinner, meet our friendly staff, make new friends and create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

SENIOR FIELD TRIPS • Call center for details: 964-2948. • When: First Thu • Destinations: March 3: Tarpon Springs; April 7: Ellenton Mall • Cost: Free

LINE DANCING Bring a friend, join the fun and learn beginning line dancing. • When: Thu, 9:30 a.m. • Cost: $5/Class

SENIOR PICKLEBALL Pickleball is a racquet sport combining elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. You’ll have a blast! • When: Mon, Wed, Fri (league play), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Cost: Free

SENIOR TONE AND STRETCH Engage in social activity while exercising to build strength and flexibility and increase range of motion. • When: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9-10 a.m. • Cost: Free

YOUTH TOTS The perfect introduction to the performing arts for your little one, this class allows young students to learn songs and dances and create arts and crafts that will all become part of a mini musical number the students will perform in the recital. • When: Wed, 12:15 p.m. • Cost: $7/Week

CHEERLEADING This class is designed for making friends while learning the fundamentals of cheerleading. Choreographed pom-pom and dance routines will be taught along with jumps, stunts, and other skills. • When: Tue, 6:15-7 p.m. (Ages 5-8); 7:15-8 p.m. (Ages 9 and Up) • Fee: $7/Week with $15 registration fee

Westchase Rec Center Summer Camp Registration Camps for ages 6-12 will be offered in four twoweek sessions for a total of eight weeks. Priority online registration for current Rec2Six participants will begin April 18 at noon. Open online registration will begin April 25 at noon. • Session 1: June 13–24 • Session 2: June 27–July 8 • Session 3: July 11–22 • Session 4: July 25– Aug. 5

BASKETBALL Free basketball league for middle school girls and boys. • When: Fri, 5-8 p.m.

HIP HOP DANCE Come learn the latest dance moves of Hip Hop and Modern Jazz and perform like your favorite stars!  Classes are taught in a fun, relaxed musical atmosphere. • When: Mon, 6:15-7 p.m. (Ages 5-8); 7:15-8 p.m. (Ages 9 and Up) • Fee: $7/Week with $15 registration fee

PURE ART CLASS Drop in ready to make some art! Work with a variety of materials, techniques and also learn about famous artists. To find out more, please visit www.purearttampa. com.

TEEN THEATRE Explore improv, acting for the stage, acting for the camera and musical theatre. You’ll create a resume, a mock Web site and an audition reel and participate in two performances a year.  • Ages: 13 and up • When: Wed, 7:30 p.m. • Cost: $10/Class

GIRLS ELEMENTARY VOLLEYBALL Learn the skills and fundamentals of competitive play and have fun. • Ages: Grades 3-5 • When: Tue, 6-7 p.m. • Cost: $10/Session

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

• Grades: K-5 • When: Tue and Sat, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon

Character-based program teaching volleyball fundamentals with age-appropriate strength and conditioning.

FEE: $10/CLASS SHOW ON THE ROAD THEATRE

• Ages: Grades 6-8 • When: Tue, 7-8 p.m. • Cost: $10/Session

Students learn singing, acting and dance techniques and all aspects of theatre from make-up to set design. Students will perform at the conclusion of the session.

FAMILY OPEN GYM

• Ages: 6-12 • When: Wed, 6:30 pm • Cost: $10/Class

• When: Sat, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

James Broome PHOTOGRAPHY

PORTRAITS | WEDDINGS | HEADSHOTS

www.JAMESBROOME.COM

813-841-9719

EN TERTAINMENT | casin g t h e b o o k s h e lf

ENTER TAINM ENT | res ident and bus ines s directory

A Lost Tudor Princess Found While the story may feel strangely familiar, her name is not. BY DANA HORBACH

A

fiery redheaded beauty seemingly destined for the English throne in the 16th century, but her life is beset with tragedy, politics and treachery. It’s the history of real life Lady Margaret Douglas and it’s chronicled in Alison Weir’s biography, The Lost Tudor Princess. From Margaret’s Scottish roots through her years as a lady-in-waiting for many of Henry VIII’s wives, Alison Weir’s well-researched biography will make readers wonder why they had not heard of this Tudor princess in their European history class. Margaret, the niece of Henry VIII, was used as a bargaining chip early in her life. She was on both sides: a user and one who was used. Her proximity to the crown, third in line to the throne to be exact, made her hand in marriage a valued one. In an era where matches were made for political advancement, Margaret was lucky enough to marry one she loved. Yet her loyalty to the two Marys, Queen Mary I and Mary the Queen of Scots,

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caused tension with Elizabeth I. Throughout the tumultuous relationship with Queen Elizabeth I, the clever Margaret nevertheless seemed able to manipulate the queen for her own gains. A Catholic in the time of Protestant rule, Margaret was never apologetic about her faith. Her biography illustrates that politics have changed very little over the centuries. Ultimately the impact of her machinations reverberated through English history as it was Margaret’s intervention that secured her grandson, James, his place on the throne. The depth of Alison Weir’s research is commendable and awe-inspiring. A walk-on player in past biographies, Lady Margaret is given her deserved due

in The Lost Tudor Princess. Within its pages, Weir uncovers Margaret’s youthful poetry and letters she sent to Queen Elizabeth during her tenure at the Tower of London. In doing so, Ms. Weir breathes life into a larger than life woman overshadowed by her contemporaries. Under different circumstances, many may have found themselves chanting, “Long live Queen Margaret.”

WOW Preparing 2016 Resident and Business Directory

WESTCH A

SE 2015 201 RESIDE NT & BU 6 DIRECT SINESS ORY

Were you in WOW’s Resident Directory last year? If not, now’s the time to take action! BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

I

n preparation for the 2016 Westchase Resident and Business Directory, WOW has posted an easy-to-use form on its Web site to allow residents who did not appear in last year’s directory to submit their information for the new one. That form can be found in this article, located at the top of the homepage at www. westchasewow.com. The deadline for completed forms is March 31. A form is also included in this month’s inserts. The online or paper forms may be used for either completely new submissions or updates to entries that ran in the 2015 directory. If your entry already ran correctly in 2015 directory, you need to do nothing; your information will be auto-

matically included again in the 2016 directory. Forms also are available in WOW’s inserts this month. Every spring WOW distributes the popular directory, which contains Westchase residents’ names, home and e-mail addresses and phone numbers – as well as the names and numbers of businesses who provide valuable services to Westchase residents. This year’s directory is slated for distribution in May. Residents are assured that WOW has never sold, leased or shared the directory’s contact information with any commercial entity; contact information is, however, shared with Westchase voting members (VMs) upon request. VMs

15DirCover

_redo.indd

1

then use residents’ e-mails to distribute village-specific news like neighborhood crime watch information or block party notifications. The directory is simply for residents’ daily use. It is, however, strictly opt-in. Any household that does not submit a form containing its information will not be included in the directory. Don’t miss out on the most popular phone book in Westchase! 4/24/2015

3:30:20 PM

WO W | real estate featu r e

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 6.

We’ll start with the outliers. The least expensive home sold in Westchase in 2014 was a 1,184 square foot unit in Berkeley Square, which sold for $137,000 in June. At the other end, a 3,893 square foot home on Emerald Links in The Estates sold that same month for $780,000, representing the most expensive home sold in Westchase. If you consider Tree Tops part of Westchase, however, the Harbor Links/Estates home was merely average. The most expensive home that sold in Tree Tops in 2015 was 4,647 square foot home that went for a cool $1.2 million. Yet the data suggests the Westchase real estate story in 2015 is really a story about individual villages. In 2015, 266 Westchase homes were sold, representing 7.6 percent of all Westchase homes. The number sold represented a 10.8 percent increase over the 240 homes that sold in 2014. It also represented the most homes sold in single a year in Westchase since 2005. That year 459 homes sold during the real estate bubble, which also coincided with many of the sales of Arlington Park and Worthington condominiums in West Park Village. The 2015 average square foot price of $158.56 is still 17 percent below the real estate bubble high of $185.60, notched in 2006. Yet Westchase has come a long way from the bottom, up more than 24 percent from 2009’s average square foot price of $127.37. How many Westchase homeowners still owe more on their mortgage than their homes are worth? >> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 96.

Westchase Foreclosures/ Short Sales PERCENT OF TOTAL HOMES SOLD

YEAR

SQ. FT. PRICE

NUMBER OF HOMES

2008

$123.81

16

8.74%

2009

$113.94

40

23.67%

2010

$105.94

33

19.53%

2011

$109.75

58

26.13%

2012

$114.40

40

20.73%

2013

$127.36

22

8.8%

2014

$133.10

19

7.9%

2015

$126.49

21

7.9%

WO W | real estate featu r e

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 94.

HOW MANY ARE UNDERWATER? The number of Westchase homes still underwater is difficult to estimate. While 880 homes were bought in 2005 through 2007 when square foot prices were higher than they are now, many of those buyers brought equity from previous homes into the purchase. Some homeowners who bought outside of those years also refinanced their homes during that time, pulling equity out to cover bills and other investments. Further, in recent years, as much as 23 percent of Westchase homes sold annually have been bought with cash, free and clear of any mortgage. If we use the available data and assume the same proportion of cash purchases and minimal refinancing, 678 homes may still be underwater, or 19.5 percent of Westchase homes, which matches local real estate experts’ estimates of the percentage of Tampa Bay homes worth less than their outstanding mortgages. A quick look at the current sales activity, however, might cause an economist to predict that home values in

Westchase Average Square Foot Prices

ColdwellBankerHomes.com Call 866.600.6008 and enter the

Westchase | 4/3 | $495,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 10417 Greendale Dr Search T2797215 on CBHomes.com

code for property details or to speak with the agent.

Stonelake Ranch | 5/6 | $3,500,000 482319 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 12121 Stonelake Ranch Blvd Search T2797710 on CBHomes.com

465192

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 98.

Westchase | 5/3.5 | $645,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 498101 10421 Greendale Dr Search T2789249 on CBHomes.com

Westchase | 4/3 | $429,900 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 498671 9706 Gretna Green Dr Search T2790585 on CBHomes.com

Westchase | 4/3 | $410,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 501150 12431 Bristol Commons Cir Search T2795723 on CBHomes.com

Mandolin | 3/2.5 | $409,000 Rick Asmo & Jason Pithers 866.600.6008 465161 11609 Greensleeves Ave Search T2791168 on CBHomes.com

Odessa | 3/2 | $575,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 498395 19002 Brooker Creek Dr Search T2789706 on CBHomes.com

Westchase | 3/2 | $400,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 497936 14781 San Marsala Ct Search T2788855 on CBHomes.com

Westchase | 4/2.5 | $444,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 482275 11904 Middlebury Drive Search T2797261 on CBHomes.com

Westchase | 5/4 | $530,000 Jason & Dyan Pithers 866.600.6008 464964 10413 Green Links Dr Search T2779931 on CBHomes.com

# 1 R E A L E S TAT E B R O K E R A G E I N F L O R I D A*

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10 9 -Y E A R L E G A C Y

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3,000 OFFICES ON 6 CONTINENTS

New Tampa 813.977.3500 | Westchase 813.601.2920 *Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is ranked number one in closed residential buyer and/or seller transaction sides in Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Naples/Fort Myers, and number one in residential sales volume (calculated by multiplying number of buyer and/or seller transaction sides by the sales price) in Miami/ Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, according to data submitted to REAL Trends by NRT LLC, 2015. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of the Company. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Administered by American Home Shield

WO W | real estate featu r e

Units Sold and Price per Square Foot

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 96.

Westchase would have risen. These facts likely led many of our Realtors to conclude Westchase had a better year on average than it did. Nearly across the board, the Realtors we interviewed stated that Westchase actually suffered from a shortage of homes for sale, which one would normally expect would create a seller’s market, producing upward pressure on home prices in a sought-after community. “The current inventory is super low,” said Kimmie Fine of Palermo Real Estate Professionals. “These are some of the lowest numbers I have ever seen in my 12 years in the business.” In fact, all four Westchase-focused Realtors WOW interviewed described the inventory as low, with two stating it was super low, one saying it was very low and another saying it was relatively low. This has led to an increase in multiple-offers. “About 30 percent of my business last year had multiple offer situations,” Fine added. “We are seeing multiple offers for the best of the best properties available,” stated Wendy Ross of Florida Executive Realty. Further, 2015 sales produced nearly a full one percent rise in Westchase home sellers getting close to their asking prices. In 2014, homes sold for an average of 97.77 percent of their asking prices. In 2015, that percentage rose to 98.64 percent. One minor downward blip? While 19 Westchase homes sold in foreclosure or short sale for $133.10 per square foot >> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 102.

YEAR

AVERAGE SQ. FT. PRICE

HOMES/UNITS SOLD

2003

$133.51

451

2004

$133.31

426

2005

$166.09

459

2006

$185.60

224

2007

$171.05

197

2008

$144.87

183

2009

$127.37

169

2010

$130.70

169

2011

$127.74

212

2012

$135.86

193

2013

$150.28

250

2014

$159.61

240

2015

$158.56

266

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4827 20th St. North, St. Pete 10621 Cape Hatteras Dr., Tampa 406 N. Fremont Ave., Tampa. 3934 E. Eden Roc Cir., Pelican Island 7112 Pelican Island Dr., Tampa 1635 Shaker Ln., Dunedin 14138 Stilton St., Tampa 11211 Moultrie Pl., Tampa 1033 Wyndham Lakes Dr., Odessa 14612 Bournemouth Rd., Tampa 11913 Middlebury Dr., Westchase 933 145th St. Cir. NE, Bradenton 12734 Aston Creek Dr., Tampa 12425 Glenfield Ave., Westchase 5801 S. MacDill Ave., #11, S. Tampa 3929 Doral Dr., Dana Shores 1116 Elmfield Dr., Tampa

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Westchase: 12197 W. Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, 33626 (By Appointment Please) S. Tampa: 2201 Swann Ave., Tampa, 33606 online: www.woodteamrealty.com email: [email protected] Follow The Wood Team on Facebook & Twitter

WO W | real es tate feature

in 2014, 21 homes sold in foreclosure or short sale for $126.49 per square foot last year, a price for foreclosures and short sales that hasn’t been seen late 2012 or early 2013, when twice as many homes were sold in a distressed state. Are there any other forces behind Westchase’s lagging the growth evident in the rest of Tampa Bay. First, according to the National Association of Realtors, Westchase’ homes are, on average, on the pricy side. The greatest sales activity – constituting more than

57 percent of nationwide sales, involved homes priced less than $250,000. Only 31 percent of nationwide sales were for homes priced between 250-500K and eight percent involved homes priced 500750K. The average Westchase home, at 2,322 square feet, would have sold for just over $368,000 in 2015. For the second year in a row, a Westchase Realtor offered another negative that prospective homebuyers are citing about Westchase. Families who send their kids to local public schools and who

criticize gossip about Westchase schools as inaccurate may take offense. “I don’t know if other Realtors are noticing this but in 2015 I personally experienced several families of buyers who would not purchases homes in Westchase due to the school rating/stats at Davidsen Middle School,” observed Nena Cox of Town Chase Properties. “Alonso isn’t a favorite either but the ‘deal breaker’ for some buyers is Davidsen Middle School. I am even selling some of my clients’ homes in Westchase so they can move to other communities zoned for different schools.” Cox added, “This saddens me as I raised my family in Westchase but I cannot ignore what my clients are telling me and I do have some concern about what impact this will have over time with home sales in the community.” Families who proudly attend the schools, however, would likely point out that Davidsen and Alonso are both A-rated schools with discipline records that rank them among the best and safest middle and high schools in the district. Regardless of reason, of the nine different neighborhoods or groups of homes WOW tracks annually for its Real Estate >>continues next page.

Westchase Average Square Foot Prices by Village $250 $200 $150 $100 $50 $0

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

-The Bridges

-The Fords

-countryway Villages

-The Greens

-Harbor Links/The Estates

-Radcliffe

-The Shires

-west Park Single Family Homes

Countryway Villages South consists of Wycliff, Woodbay, Glenfield, Bennington and Keswick Forest; it excludes Glencliff, Berkeley Square, The Enclave and Harbor Links/The Estates

2014

2015

South1

1

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 104.

WO W | real estate featu r e

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 102.

Special, four declined in average square foot prices in 2015 while five rose. While three neighborhoods rose six percent, one Westchase neighborhood dropped six percent in value. Yet the neighborhoods’ different performances appear to have nothing to do with their homes’ price points. The top performers were The Bridges, whose square foot prices went from an average of $153.33 to $162.43 to chalk up a six percent gain. Matching that six percent gain were homes in Harbor Links/ The Estates, which went from $173.05 to $184.26, and single family homes in West Park Village (including West Park’s villas), which rose from $153.38 to $162.56. Homes in The Bridges and West Park’s single family homes and villas also had another thing in common – on average they sold the fastest in Westchase. Homes in The Bridges, which averaged 1,920 square feet, sold in an average of 64 days, just over two months after being put on the market. West Park’s single family homes edged them by about a week, chalking an average time on the market of 58 days. What do these two neighborhoods have in common? They’re all in walking distance of West Park’s commercial district, Baybridge Park and Westchase Elementary School. Nevertheless, The Bridges underperformed the average price increase back in 2014. Last year, they may have simply caught up. Nevertheless, homes in The Bridges are now pricier per square foot than homes in The Fords, The Shires and nearly every Westchase village south of Linbaugh except West Park Village and Harbor Links/The Estates. In contrast, despite their strong uptick in average price, homes in Harbor Links/ The Estates sat on the market the longest before selling – clocking an average of 143 days, nearly two and a half times longer than West Park’s homes. Notching smaller average gains in 2015 were homes in The Greens (including Village Green), which saw square foot prices rise 1.8 percent from $165.10 to $167.10, and homes in The Vineyards, which grew two percent from $152 per square foot to $154.79. Declining in average price were homes in The Fords, Radcliffe, The Shires and single family homes (excluding Harbor Links/The Estates) on Countryway Boulevard south of Linebaugh. Despite selling three more homes in 2015 than in >> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 106. 104

|

WOW

|

MARCH 2016

WO W | real estate featu r e

Change in Westchase Prices in 2015

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 104.

the previous year, The Fords saw square foot prices drop from $157.69 to $154.59 for a decline of two percent. Homes south of Linebaugh on Countryway Boulevard, including Wycliff, Woodbay, Glenfield, Bennington and Keswick Forest, dropped from $160.94 per square foot to $158.38 per square foot, also a two percent decline. These homes may have also been finding their way back to the community averages in 2015 after clocking 10.4 and 11.4 percent increases in 2013 and 2014, among the best performers in Westchase those years. Declining three percent in 2015, Radcliffe’s average square foot prices of the 12 homes that sold there fell from $171.73 to $166.65. Notching the greatest decline, however, were square foot prices in The Shires. Twenty-three homes sold there in 2015 for an average of $151.04 per foot, a drop of six percent from the $160.13 Shires homes brought per foot in 2014. The Shires saw a freakish 23.5 percent increase in 2013 before cooling to a more reasonable five percent gain in 2014 to $160.13 per square foot. Perhaps 2015

AVG. 2014 SQ. FT. PRICE.

AVG. 2015 SQ. FT. PRICE

HOMES SOLD (2013)

HOMES SOLD (2014)

HOMES SOLD (2015)

AVG. DAYS ON MKT.

The Bridges

$153.33

$162.43

35

32

35

64

The Fords

$157.69

$154.59

32

35

32

86

Countryway Villages South1

$160.94

$158.38

34

34

38

74

The Greens2

$165.10

$167.99

38

42

46

90

Harbor Links/ The Estates

$173.05

$184.26

10

12

10

143

Radcliffe

$171.73

$166.65

8

10

12

78

The Shires

$160.13

$151.04

14

15

23

107

The Vineyards

$152.00

$154.79

12

13

9

74

West Park Village SFH/Villas3

$158.44

$162.56

17

41

26

58

NEIGHBORHOOD

1 Countryway Villages South represents the villages of Wycliff, Woodbay, Glenfield, Bennington and Keswick Forest but excludes Glencliff, Berkeley Square, The Enclave and Harbor Links/The Estates.

2Sales data for The Greens includes homes in Village Green. 3 The numbers in this table for West Park Village exclude data from West Park’s townhomes and condominiums in order to establish a price for the neighborhood’s single family homes.

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 108.

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WO W | real estate featu r e

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 104.

also represented a return to the mean for The Shires. Despite more homes being sold in Westchase closer to their asking prices in 2015, one data point may explain the price decreases. Nearly across the board, Westchase homes took longer to sell in 2015. Even homes in The Bridges, which saw increased prices, spent 19 more days on the market than the year prior (from 45 to 64 days). The Fords homes, at 86 days, took a month longer to sell than in 2015. Homes in The Vineyards took twice as long to sell, jumping from 36 to 74 days. The exceptions? West Park’s single family homes and villas, which notched a six percent gain, were on the market eight fewer days than last year and homes in Harbor Links/The Estates, which took the longest to sell in 2015 at 143 days on aver-

WO W | real es tate feature

age, still shaved an average of nearly four weeks off their sale time in 2014. The Shires, however, proved relatively stable, taking 107 days to sell in 2015, only six days longer than in 2014. Homes along the western side of Countryway Boulevard south of Linebaugh also took roughly the same time to sell – on average 74 days in 2015 compared to 72 in 2014. What about Westchase neighborhoods outside the large villages we usually compare? In 2015 only one 1,171 square foot unit sold in Berkeley Square for $137,000 for a square foot price of $115.71. Three units sold there in 2015 at an average of $111.25, for an increase of four percent. Eight units sold in The Enclave in 2015 at an average of $128.18, a 16.6 percent increase (the biggest in Westchase in 2015) over the two

units that sold for $109.97 per foot in 2014. On the other end of the market spectrum (and lying just outside the Westchase Community Association) are the pricey homes of Tree Tops. Four homes sold there in 2014 for an average of $206.35 per foot. Eight homes, averaging 4,360 square feet, sold there in 2015 for an average of $212.57 per foot, for a three percent increase. Meanwhile three units sold in Saville Rowe in 2015 for an average of $131.16 per foot. Since only one unit sold there in 2014 for $160.40 per square foot, this represented a decline of 18.2 percent, the largest average decline in Westchase in 2015. Saville Rowe, however, illustrates why we don’t include small neighborhoods in our tables and graphs. With so few sales every year, a single sale can remarkably skew averages in small neighborhoods. For example, the three Saville Rowe units

>>continues next page.

went for very different prices in 2015, coming in at square foot prices of $146.55, $135.90 and $123.37, yet all were sold between August and December.

THE CRYSTAL BALL Gazing into their crystal balls, what do the Realtors that WOW interviewed see happening to Westchase home prices in 2016? “Steady and increasing,” Ross stated of Westchase home prices. “Because interest rates are still historically low and the desirability of living in Westchase, home prices will continue to rise,” remarked Fine, “I see a stable market with overall home prices and values rising five to seven percent.” Cox was less bullish. “Pricing has increased over the last two to three years and I am not certain if it will go much >> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues on page 110.

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WO W | real estate featu r e

>> REAL ESTATE FEATURE continues from page 104.

higher since current pricing of upgraded homes is almost at the range it was during the peak years from 2002-2006.” Wood bisected the Westchase market into two groups. “Homes that are turn-key ready with no investments needed by the purchaser will continue to appreciate at a slightly higher rate – one to three percent,” she estimated. “However overall average sales prices will remain flat or decrease because homes that need cosmetic or practical investments will sell for lower prices this year.”

SELLING OR BUYING A WESTCHASE HOME Given Westchase sales in 2015 and the low inventory of homes for sale (only 48 Westchase homes were on the market in January), what are our four Realtors advising buyers and sellers? Some again were more bullish while others more cautious. “Buyers need to be prepared to make a quick offer,” observed Ross. “It is currently a much stronger seller’s market so buyers must submit their best offers off the bat,” agreed Cox. “Sellers

are seeing increased 'multiple-offer' activity again and can be selective.” “As our market is stabilizing, the marketing time for listings increased,” stated Fine. “I advise my sellers to price appropriately and help them to understand that their house may not sell in a week or two.” “More than ever – to achieve best sales prices, sellers need to address any deferred maintenance issues on their home, keep up with regular cosmetic updates and be mindful that the last six months of sales is critical data in pricing their home,” advised Wood. “Buyers that expand their searches to homes that may need more cosmetic updates and work will find that they have more choices and possible negotiation power.” What exactly are Westchase buyers looking for? Despite the short supply, Ross states that buyers are opting to make offers on homes that are well located, well maintained and have no deferred maintenance. “Many of our Westchase homes need new roofs, appliances, systems such as AC, water heaters and re-surfaced pools. Sellers with updated or newer ‘big ticket’ items will sell much quicker. Deal break-

ers occur when a buyer adds up the costs of deferred maintenance,” she said. “Buyers are looking for everything to be completed in the home from newer roofs and HVAC systems to more modern finishes that would include crown molding, granite, new flooring, newer paint colors,” stated Wood. “Busy professionals moving into the area or busy families wanting to upsize do not want to have a list of improvements and investments that they will have to tend to upon moving into their home.” Fine agreed that that sellers are looking for homes that are move-in ready. “Original HVAC systems, especially in the bigger homes, have proven to be deal stressors and deal breakers,” she said, “And of course, wood flooring, solid surface counters, updated kitchens and bathrooms are always hot buttons in the Westchase market.” WOW thanks Nena Cox, Kimmie Fine, Wendy Ross and Nancy Wood for offering their insights into Westchase’s real estate market. WOW also thanks Nancy and Doug Wood of the Wood Team at Coldwell Banker for providing the neighborhood sales data on which this article was based.

Daniel Larios Branch Manager/Vice President of Mortgage Lending NMLS ID: 432373 [email protected] guaranteedrate.com/daniellarios

P: (813) 644.3508 C: (813) 389.2557 F: (773) 328.1847 2002 N Lois Ave · Ste 280 Tampa, FL 33607

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VI LL A G E | villas of west p a r k v illa g e

C LAS S IFIED S | res ident & bus ines s clas s ifieds

Changing of the Guard for West Park’s Villas It was a very special evening at the West Park Village Villas annual meeting on Jan. 14. BY CARL G. LONGNECKER, PRESIDENT OF THE WPV VILLAS

T

hree Villas board members, each with 15 years of service, retired from the board: Carlos Quiros, Christine Miller, and Kevin Riley. They will all be missed. Carlos was honored with gifts recognizing his special role in the Villas. Carlos has been more than president. He has also been ambassador, cheerleader, guide and friend to all of the members of the association. The newly elected board for the coming year consists of Carl Longnecker, president; Jay Jenkins, vice president; Debra Guerino, secretary; and David Tietz, member at large. The new Villas board will be challenged. It’s time to repaint the Villas and the board might recommend changing the current colors. The current colors were selected by the builder 16 years ago. PICTURED: Carl Longnecker, left, incoming Villas president, honors outgoing Villas board members (l to r) Carlos Quiros, Christine Miller and Kevin Riley.

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Resident Classifieds WESTCHASE RESIDENT CLASSIFIEDS: Westchase residents can list items (with the exception of real estate – which may be listed under Business Classifieds for $39) for sale and/or services needed at no charge. For your convenience, classifieds may be posted through WestchaseWOW. com on the Classifieds Page and will also appear in the next issue of World of Westchase newsmagazine if not sold by the fifteenth of the month. WOW reserves the right to revise, reclassify, edit or refuse any classified advertisement. Personal information, such as name and address, is required for submission but will not appear in the classified listing unless requested. Classifieds will be accepted and posted from non-Westchase residents but only after payment of $15 is received. These classifieds will also appear in the next issue of WOW. For further information, e-mail [email protected].

FOUND: Found kittens in the woods and they need a forever home with a loving family. Two sisters, very sweet and loving. About 5-6 month old, both spayed and got first shots. Call 926-4070. WANTED: Short term rental-granny flat needed. Looking for additional space for out-of-town

Business Classifieds Certified Spanish Teacher offers tutoring for all grades and professional levels. I have several years of experience working with students varying ages. Contact me and I’ll help you to develop conversational and writing Spanish skills. Cell (614) 403-8901 or e-mail [email protected].

family who will be visiting for our daughters HS graduation June 10. E-mail [email protected].

free, assembled. 84”h x 50”w x 28”d. $85. E-mail normajean1217@ hotmail.com or call 926-7135.

FOR SALE: 60” modern glass and metal TV stand in like new condition, $150 obo. Call 340-5247.

FOR SALE: Scotts spreader $15. E-mail normajean1217@hotmail. com or call 926-7135.

FOR SALE: Vinyl arbor, “Camelot” by Dura-Trel-PVC, maintenance

FOR SALE: 10 Red brickface paver stones, 16 x16, very clean, $15

for all. E-mail normajean1217@ hotmail.com or call 926-7135. FOR SALE: Dual stroller. BOB Revolution SE Duallie Stroller Navy, includes BOB handlebar console for Duallie Stroller, purchased in 2014; excellent condition. $400. E-mail [email protected].

WOW CLASSIFIEDS

Post your free resident classifieds on WOW Online each month and they’ll appear on this page at no charge! Visit www.westchasewow.com/classifieds.

REFERE NCE | village vol u n t e e r s a n d b a b y s it t e r s

R EFER ENCE | wes tchas e gov ernment primer

Welcome Committee: Village Volunteers

Westchase Government Primer W

Are you a recent new home owner in Westchase?

T

he Welcome Committee hopes you are getting settled in and meeting your neighbors. Our Village Volunteers are eager to welcome you and help make you feel at home. If you have recently purchased a home in Westchase, look for your Village Volunteer to be delivering a welcome bag soon. BENNINGTON

Connie Oliver

727-0613

BERKELEY SQUARE

Manny Parad

843-7890

THE BRIDGES

Baybridge

Volunteer Needed

Stockbridge

Ed Siler

920-3214

Stonebridge

Pamela Hayes

(772) 216-3088

Sturbridge

Pamela Hayes

(772) 216-3088

Wakesbridge

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Woodbridge

Phyllis Kanik

920-4245

Eileen Hibbler

546-7233

John Jordan

855-5885

THE ENCLAVE THE FORDS

Abbotsford

If you have NOT received your welcome bag within the first two months after closing, please feel free to call your Village Volunteer listed below. Our chair may also be contacted as follows: Trish McKay at 854-2684 or [email protected]. Welcome to Westchase! THE GREENS

Greencrest

Sandy Smith

920-6790

Greenhedges

Sandy Herman

926-1190

Greenmont

Sandy Herman

926-1190

Greenpointe

Sandy Herman

926-1190

Greensprings

Lisa Fandel

792-5964

Nancy Sells

855-9084

The Estates

Nancy Gerovac

814-2266

Keswick Forest

Dinny Lechman

854-5765

RADCLIFFE

Stephanie Troia

818-9360

SAVILLE ROWE

Folkert Koelman

412-1815

Ayrshire

Crystal Hopkins

854-5797

Cheshire

Manny Parad

843-7890

Derbyshire

Manny Parad

843-7890

HARBOR LINKS

KESWICK FOREST

Tayra Paul

920-7823

Julie Salek

920-8835

Brentford

Nancy Bader

334-9867

Castleford

Jennifer Bobrovetski

404-2930

Chelmsford

Lori Fischer

475-6618

THE VINEYARDS

Bette Vance

792-2999

Kingsford

Jennifer Bobrovetski

404-2930

WEST PARK VILLAGE

Dyan Pithers

926-7522

Stamford

Marilyn Moss

792-0490

Bobbi Pitcher

926-8808

GLENCLIFF

Kathy Carlsen

855-7872

WOODBAY

Connie Oliver

727-0613

GLENFIELD

Christil Pinkerton

(727) 543-1234

WYCLIFF

Cherie Udell

814-0010

THE SHIRES

Village Green

Westchase Babysitter List To be placed on this list for a period of six months, please send a check for $10 made out to World of Westchase to Business Manager Tracy Urso at 12157 W. Linebaugh Ave. PMB #224, Tampa, Fl 33626 by the 10th of the month. Include the following information with your payment: your name, phone num-ber, village name and date of birth. At the end of six months, your information will be removed with-out notification. >> The baby sitters list is a paid advertisement and does not constitute an endorse-ment, sponsorship or recommendation by the World of Westchase, Inc. Because World of Westchase, Inc. has not evaluated or undertaken any steps to determine the background, experience, qualifica-tions or abilities of those on the baby sitters list, it makes no representations or warranties concerning the baby sitters, including whether the baby sitter would be appropriate or suitable for your needs. You should conduct your own evaluation before hiring any person listed on the baby sitters list.

114

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WOW

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MARCH 2016

NAME

VILLAGE

PHONE

AGE

Elena Casa

Berkeley Square

220-1458

40+

Andrea Easler

The Greens

753-8643

50+

Haylie Esposito

Radcliffe

495-6017

17

Bette Jackson

Berkeley Square

215-2771

50+

Lynn Mahonchak

West Park Preserve

545-5905

50+

Sara Snook

West Park Village

(862) 259-0839

16

Olivia Zeiger

The Shires

(440) 313-6125

12

hile under the jurisdiction of federal, state and county governments, residents of Westchase are also governed by at least two entities: the Westchase Community Association (WCA) and the Westchase Community Development District (CDD). A number of neighborhoods also lie within sub-homeowners associations. The CDD is a special taxing district governed by state and county law. It levies assessments against homeowners to pay for maintenance of common areas and, in the eastern villages, to pay off bonds that financed the original construction of the community (the bonds of older western villages have been paid off). CDD taxes appear as the non ad valorem portion of residents’ county property tax statements. In general, the CDD is responsible for the maintenance of common areas outside the swim and tennis facilities, which are the responsibility of the WCA. CDD responsibilities include landscaping of these areas as well as the maintenance of parks, retention ponds, rights of way and conservation areas. They also maintain signage, fencing, entrance gates, West Park’s alleys and curbside trees within some neighborhoods. The current CDD District Manager is Andy Mendenhall of Severn Trent Services. Questions and maintenance requests for the CDDs should be directed to Field Manager Doug Mays at 920-4268 or via e-mail at cdd@ westchasecdd.com. CDD resident supervisors serve four year staggered terms and are elected by residents during the General Election on the first Tuesday in November in even years. Contact information for CDD resident supervisors can be found in the box to the right. The Westchase Community Association (WCA) is responsible for the maintenance of the community’s swim and tennis facilities and the enforcement of the community’s deed restrictions, contained in the community’s “constitution,” a document called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs). A copy of the CCRs is provided to each homeowner at closing. In addition, homeowners are bound by subsequent groups of rules (deed restric-

tions) called Bylaws and Guidelines, which further define resident responsibilities and restrictions. All of these are available for viewing on the WCA Web site at www. westchasewca.com. They can also be purchased from the association manager, who also can answer questions about homeowner responsibilities at 926-6404. There are two government entities within the WCA. The first is a group of 31 representatives called voting members (VMs), one of which is elected from each of the 31 neighborhoods or homeowner associations in Westchase. (Also elected are two to four alternates for these seats.) VMs serve one-year terms and elect the WCA Board of Directors. They also play a significant role in changing guidelines and amending the Bylaws and CCRs. Except in the changing of CCRs, when they cast as many votes as exist within their neighborhood or HOA, VMs cast a single vote. The second government entity within the WCA is the board of directors. There are currently seven directors who serve two-year terms of office. Directors cast a single vote on all issues. They oversee the work of the assocation manager, currently Greenacre Properties as represented by Debbie Sainz. The association manager maintains the swim and tennis facilities and enforces community deed restrictions. WCA directors also set the annual budget for the facilities and collect association dues. Finally, they appoint a number of committees that oversee aspects of community life. Residents can contact directors by phone or e-mail or share their opinions at the monthly Resident Forums that precede WCA meetings. Contact information appears to the right. A number of committees constitute an integral part of the WCA. These include the Covenants Committee, the Government Affairs Committee (GAC), the Modifications Committee, the Variance Committee, the Stork Club and the Welcome Committee. The association is constantly seeking resident volunteers for the committees. Contact information for each chairperson is located on the next page and a description of each committee can be found on www.westchasewca.com.

BY CHRIS BARRETT, EDITOR

Westchase Community Association Board of Directors JOAQUIN ARRILLAGA | PRESIDENT [email protected] | 480-6091

BRIAN ROSS | VICE PRESIDENT [email protected] | 792-7920

RUBEN COLLAZO | TREASURER [email protected] | 855-6336

KEITH HEINEMANN | SECRETARY [email protected] | 335-6579

RICK GOLDSTEIN [email protected] | 920-6470

JOE ODDA [email protected] | 391-5706

BRITTANY RIEFLER [email protected] | (727) 317-6827

Community Development District For maintenance issues or CDD assessment information, please call 920-4268.

MARK RAGUSA | CHAIR [email protected] | 222-6619

GREG CHESNEY | VICE CHAIR [email protected] | 495-7733

JIM MILLS [email protected] | 299-3988

BRIAN ROSS [email protected] | 246-5393

BOB ARGUS [email protected] | (813) 541-1237

Finally, some neighborhoods (as well as similar types of homes in West Park Village) are also governed by their own sub-homeowners associations. Berkeley Square, The Enclave, Glencliff, Saville Rowe, Stonebridge, The Vineyards, and Woodbridge are examples of these neighborhoods, which have additional annual assessments and deed restrictions. Meeting information for all the government entities mentioned above is published monthly in the community meeting calendar and on WOW Online at www.westchasewow.com.

REFERE NCE | voting mem b e r s a n d c o mmit t e e s

R EFER ENCE | important wes tchas e numbers

Voting Members and Neighborhood Committee Members

Important Westchase Numbers RECREATION CENTER

ANIMAL & PEST CONTROL

Recreation Center (Westchase Drive)

ANIMAL SERVICES Dogs & Cats

BENNINGTON Voting Member Alternate BERKELEY SQUARE Voting Member Alternate THE BRIDGES Voting Member Alternate Alternate STOCKBRIDGE Voting Member Alternate Alternate WOODBRIDGE Voting Member Alternate THE ENCLAVE Voting Member THE FORDS ABBOTSFORD Voting Member Alternate Alternate BRENTFORD Voting Member Alternate CASTLEFORD Voting Member Alternate Alternate CHELMSFORD Voting Member Alternate Alternate KINGSFORD Voting Member Alternate STAMFORD Voting Member Alternate GLENCLIFF Voting Member Alternate Alternate Alternate GLENFIELD Voting Member Alternate THE GREENS Voting Member Alternate

HARBOR LINKS / THE ESTATES Jeanne Klimschot Russ Crooks

[email protected]

383-2477

Mary Mirk Kyle Riefler

[email protected] kyleriefler@yah oo.com

891-9827 735-0455

Cynde Mercer Linda Ryan Dan Pydeski

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

926-3059 541-9030 323-0887

Ed Siler Ryan Benson Michael Gorecki

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

920-3214 (305) 771-2224 892-4203

Eric (Rick) Goldstein John Parcelwicz

[email protected] [email protected]

920-6470 785-8109

Voting Member

Nancy Sells

[email protected]

855-9084

Alternate

Bob Maggio

[email protected]

Alternate

Nancy Gerovac

[email protected] 814-2266

Alternate

Dixie Mills

[email protected]

852-1814

Ralph Caputo Alan Shabott Dan Hegeman

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

920-6088 920-5682

Marty Hamilton Bill Williams

[email protected] [email protected]

749-0004 926-2715

Mary Banks Neal Banks Joe McIvor

[email protected] [email protected]

716-741-4578 716-741-4578 716-932-0107

Bill Dennis Charles Stephens Paul Meyer

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

926-1581 920-1018 792-1064

Alligators (Non-emergency) Other Animals (Non-Emergency)

Voting Member

Brian Loudermilk

[email protected]

545-7791

Alternate

Gary Lloyd

[email protected]

909-5112

Alternate

Fernando Montini

[email protected]

See Greenacre Properties Listing

Commissioner’s Offices

Alternate

Keith Heinemann

[email protected]

814-2604

Commissioner Sandra Murman, District 1

(813) 272-5470

Alternate

Charles Hoppe

[email protected]

855-5027

Alternate

Darrick Sams

[email protected]

926-5239

Commissioner Ken Hagan, District 5 (at large)

(813) 272-5725

Commissioner Kevin Beckner, District 6 (at large)

(813) 272-5730

Commissioner Al Higginbotham (District 7, at large)

(813) 272-5740

SAVILLE ROWE Voting Member

Cathy Delorenzi

Alternate

Todd Blackwood

[email protected]

Voting Member

Ruben Collazo

[email protected]

855-6336

Alternate

Manny Parrad

[email protected]

855-0535

THE VINEYARDS Alternate

Marissa Martin

[email protected]

928-8507

CDD STAFF Doug Mays, Field Supervisor

[email protected]

Arlington Park

Andrew Mendenhall, Dist. Manager

(813) 991-1116, Ext. 104

Alternate

Dyan Pithers

[email protected]

601-2926

OVERWEIGHT TRUCKS

Voting Member

Mary McQuinn

[email protected]

Alternate

Debbie Dawson

[email protected]

792-5028

Nicole Gitney

[email protected]

792-6524

(813) 855-0662

Michael Merrill

Alternate

Marion Thompson

[email protected]

926-2509

[email protected]

854-1477

WYCLIFF

PLEASE CONTACT

926-4901 343-8996

TRAIN P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601

County Administrator’s Fax

(813) 272-5750

CSX Emergency

(813) 276-2823

TRASH COLLECTION

DEED RESTRICTIONS

Republic Waste Services

See Greenacre Properties Listing

WATER DEPARTMENT

Voting Member

Ryan Green

[email protected]

545-4467

Alternate

Bob Wind

[email protected]

855-8057

WCA Committee Chairs

TO VOLUNTEER

COVENANTS BILL FLOOD | 926-9197

Ambulance, Fire & Sheriff

1-800-232-0142 (813) 265-0292

911

(813) 264-3815

WESTCHASE COMMITTEES

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

Voting Members & Neighborhood Committee Members

See page 116

Sex Offender Web Site

Welcome Committee: Village Volunteers

See page 114

WCA Committee Chairs

See page 116

www.fdle/sexualpredators.com

GATES Enclave

GPI - Sharman Killian

(813) 961-2203 ext.115

WESTCHASE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The Greens

CDD Gate Maintenance

(813) 920-4268

Association Board of Directors

See page 115

Guard House Contact

(813) 926-9485

WCA Committee Chairs

See page 116

Harbor Links

CDD

(813) 920-4268

Saville Rowe

CDD

(813) 920-4268

Stonebridge

CDD

(813) 920-4268

WESTCHASE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OFFICE All Certified Mail must be sent to: Greenacre Properties, Inc. (GPI) , 4131 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL 33618 COMMUNITY ASSN. MGR. For after business hour emergencies call 600-1100

The Vineyards

CDD

(813) 920-4268

Debbie Sainz

Woodbridge

GPI – Denise Scheck

(813) 961-2203

Community Assn. Manager’s Fax

GOLF Golf Club

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS JOE ODDA | [email protected] | 391-5706

Golf Club Pro Shop

MODIFICATIONS DALE SELLS |

Baybridge /Glencliff Park

[email protected] | 855-9084

Woodbay Area

Hillsborough County Water Department

EMERGENCIES

Voting Member

www.tampaelectric.com (813) 920-5540

727-8090

Trish Lewandowski

Website

Westchase Swim and Tennis Center

926-2255

WOODBAY

(813) 223-0800

STREET LIGHTING OUTAGES ONLINE — TECO

Village Swim and Tennis Club

[email protected]

926-7737

Get the 2 sets of 5 numbers at eye level from the light pole before calling

911

[email protected]

[email protected]

(813) 382-2525

(813) 242-1863

Ahad Diba

Lisa Godfrey

(813) 272-5912

EMERGENCIES: AMBULANCE, FIRE & SHERIFF Michael Turnball

Voting Member

Ron Messersmith

Resource Officer’s Fax

Alternate

240-6217

404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850) 487-5017

SWIM & TENNIS LOCATIONS

Alternate

[email protected]

(850) 488-0275

(813) 264-8593

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

WORTHINGTON

James Grant, District 64

Deputy Hugh Alter

926-8808

Jay Jenkins

(813) 247-0330

CRIME AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS (NON-EMERGENCY)

[email protected]

VILLAS

(813) 554-5010

REPRESENTS ALL OF WESTCHASE

COMMUNITY RESOURCE OFFICER • HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF

Bobbi Pitcher

VILLAGE GREEN

Leaks, low pressure, etc.

STREET LIGHTING PROBLEMS — TECO

Dept. of Transportation - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

Alternate

911

SPRINKLER PROBLEMS

STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT — HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s District III Office

Voting Member

(813) 920-4268

REPORTING THROUGH ROUTE TRUCKS

926-5343

(813) 247-0331

EMERGENCIES: AMBULANCE, FIRE & SHERIFF

STREET LIGHTING

926-3119

[email protected]

(813) 247-8200

Request speed limit enforcement

John Legg, District 17

[email protected]

Karen Nelson

(813) 272-4510

NON-EMERGENCY

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT

Mary Griffin

TRADITIONAL TOWNHOMES

(813) 272-4000

SHERIFF • DISTRICT THREE OFFICE

Resident Supervisors (See p. 115.)

Voting Member TOWNHOMES

901 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

Superintendent’s Fax

REPRESENTS ALL OF WESTCHASE

WEST PARK VILLAGE

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Jeff Eakins

STATE REPRESENTATIVES

(217) 377-6664

VOTING MEMBER NEEDED

(813) 831-0577

SUPERINTENDENT

Reclaimed Water

[email protected]

Voting Member

(813) 272-4045

Carol Kurdell, District 7 (at large)

(813) 920-4268

Ed Kelly

VOTING MEMBER NEEDED

(813) 846-5559

April Griffin, District 6 (at large)

(813) 926-3864

Voting Member

CLASSIC TOWNHOMES

(813) 272-5660

Susan Valdes, District 1

Fax

Voting Member

[email protected] [email protected]

P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601

CDD FIELD MANAGEMENT OFFICE PARK PAVILION RESERVATIONS & MAINTENANCE OF COMMON AREAS, PARKS, PONDS, & MOST ENTRANCE GATES Maintenance Requests [email protected] (813) 920-4268 PARK RESERVATIONS

Voting Member

SCHOOL BOARD BOARD MEMBERS

Fences, Landscaping, Painting, Play Sets, Pools, Screen Enclosures, etc.

854-4678

920-3451 920-7393

Gerald Pappa Joaquin Arrillaga

(813) 631-4600

(813) 635-5400

[email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

818-7847 (850) 321-2441

(813) 855-8178

Westchase Elementary School

Eric Holt

Don Costello Margaret Holland

[email protected]

Lowry Elementary School

Voting Member

901-483-1427 813-484-7877

Patrick O’Brien Shon Diaz

(813) 558-5300

1-888-404-3922

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

RADCLIFFE

[email protected] [email protected]

818-4840 855-6554 (727) 460-3249 843-0932

(813) 356-1525

Davidsen Middle School

APPROVALS & MODIFICATIONS FORMS

Forrest Baumhover Jeffrey Schlotterbeck

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Alonso High School

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Voting Member

Ed Fugit Rob Shaver Michael Brudny Gary Long

Turtles, snakes, birds, etc.

(813) 964-2948

SCHOOLS

(866) 392-4286

FLORIDA GAME & FRESH WATER FISH COMMISSION

Mosquito Control

KESWICK FOREST

THE SHIRES

VM NEEDED

(813) 744-5660

Community Assn. Manager’s E-mail Clay Thomas

(813) 854-2331

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

(813) 854-2331

Charlotte Adams

PARK RESERVATIONS

10049 Parley Drive, Tampa, FL 33626

(813) 926-6404 (813) 926-1821

[email protected] 10049 Parley Drive, Tampa, FL 33626

(813) 926-6404

ACCOUNTING (FEES) (813) 920-4268

Joy

600-1100, Ext. 124

STORK CLUB NANCY GEROVAC | 814-2266

PONDS, LAKES & STREAMS

WORLD OF WESTCHASE

WELCOME/VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS TRISH MCKAY | [email protected] | 854-2684

See CDD Field Management Office Listing

WOW, Inc. Board of Directors

See page 3

RECLAIMED WATER PROGRAM

WOW Deadlines

See page 3

WOW Staff

See page 3

(813) 264-3835

Committee information only. All other calls should be directed to the facilities’ numbers listed in Important Westchase Numbers.

MARCH 2016

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WOW

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117

REFERE NCE | business dir e c t o r y

R EFER ENC E | busi ness di r ector y

WOW Business Directory ACCOUNTANT

ELECTRICIAN

LAWN CARE, LANDSCAPING & DESIGN

Jim Dixon Consulting, CPA, PA (pg. 23)................475-5911

Kenco Electric Services (pg. 56)................................855-6969

AIR CONDITIONING

EMERGENCY ROOM

A-Able Air Conditioning Service (pg. 71)...............888-7277 Advanced Cooling Systems (pg. 29)........................855-6006 Air Masters of Tampa Bay, Inc. (Web Ad)............234-2419 CGM Services (pg. 52)..................................................247-2665 Dolphin Air & Heat (pg. 91)........................................605-3401 Jaime Central AC (pg. 45 & Web Ad).....................601-0764 Tampa Bay Air Conditioning, Inc. (pg. 26)............949-2114

Citrus Park ER (pg. 89).................................................282-2850

Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216 Green Thumb Nursery (pg. 9)....................................884-3797 Landscape Connections (Insert)................... (727) 647-1424

EYEWEAR

LAWN CARE, MAINTENANCE

Bright Eyes Family Vision Care (pg. 29).................792-0637 Family Eyecare at Westchase (pg. 49)....................814-2020

Bletsch Irrigation & Lawn Service (pg. 12)............817-1297 Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216 Green 2 Services (Insert)...................................(844) - Green2 Greenacre Professional Lawn Care (pg. 79)..........988-9220

ALUMINUM, SCREEN, GLASS & VINYL ROOM Anderson Aluminum (pg. 15).....................................961-1764

ARBORIST M & M Tree Service, Inc. (pg. 23)............................885-5103

ART STUDIO Painting with a Twist (Insert).....................................749-7955

ATTORNEY Brown & Associates (pg. 107)....................................528-4044 Tampa Law Source, PA (pg. 59)...............................814-0700 Westchase Law (pg. 25)...............................................490-5211 Yanchuck & Berman (pg. 53)......................... (727) 822-6313 Yesner Law (pg. 104)....................................................774-5737

AUTO, SALES NEW & USED Century Buick (pg. 51 & Web Ad)............................872-7746

AUTO, SERVICE & REPAIR Century Buick (pg. 51 & Web Ad)............................872-7746

BUILDING, REMODELING Carlson Construction, Inc. (pg. 87)............... (727) 744-8397 Motts Contracting Services, Inc. (pg. 19)...............931-7596

BUILDING, ROOFING Westfall Roofing (pg. 63)..............................................264-5690

CABINETRY Artisan Cabinetry (Insert)............................................933-9245

CARPET CLEANING Bayside Carpet & Upholstery (pg. 15).....................932-1144 Leo’s Cleaning Service (pg. 12).................................877-1400

CHARITIES Greyhound Pets of America (pg. 56)........... (727) 595-7852 Hunger Free Tampa (pg. 81).......................... (855) 741-5926 Jacob’s Touch (pg. 46).........................www.jacobstouch.org Maxx & Me Pet Rescue (pg. 63)......www.maxxandme.org

FITNESS D1 Tampa (pg. 93)............................................. (615) 642-7123 Jazzercise Westchase Fitness Center (pg. 81).........................................................................748-3704 The Next Level Training Center (Web Ad)...........749-0864

FLOORING Florida Forever Floors by Home Floors (pg. 22).........................................................................854-5677

FUNERAL PARLOR

Pates Garage Door Co. (pg. 13)................................690-5344

Westchase Limousine (pg. 69)....................... (844) 927-4337

GAS, NATURAL & PROPANE SERVICE & REPAIR

MAILBOX REPAIR

The Gas Doctor (pg. 27)..............................................516-2927 Lynch Plumbing, Inc. (pg. 9).......................................855-2565

Carlson Construction, Inc. (pg. 87)............... (727) 744-8397

MORTGAGE SERVICES

GLASS, SHOWERS

Guaranteed Rate, Daniel Larios (pg. 111)..............644-3508 State Farm Bank Vivian Z. Braaksma (pg. 96)..................... (888) 490-6107 Thuy Murray (pg. 105)...............................................920-8933 The Mortgage Firm (pg. 108).....................................443-2190

My Shower Door, Tampa, LLC (pg. 68).................962-6008

GOLF CLUB Westchase Golf Club (Insert).....................................854-2331

GUTTER CLEANING Pro Performance Pressure Washing (pg. 37)........477-4507

HAIR SALON HEATING

A-1 Affordable Movers (pg. 79)............................ 800-MOVE

A-Able Air Conditioning Service (pg. 71)...............888-7277 Advanced Cooling Systems (pg. 29)........................855-6006 Air Masters of Tampa Bay, Inc. (Web Ad)............234-2419 CGM Services (pg. 52)..................................................247-2665 Dolphin Air & Heat (pg. 91)........................................605-3401 Jaime Central AC (pg. 45 & Web Ad).....................601-0764 Tampa Bay Air Conditioning, Inc. (pg. 26)............949-2114

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab. (pg. 72).............925-1700

HOSPITAL

CLEANING SERVICE

Florida Hospital Carrollwood (pgs. 41 & 85)........932-2222 Tampa Community Hospital (Inside Front Cover & pg. 2)..................... (855) 245-8330

Bletsch Irrigation & Lawn Service (pg. 12)............855-7571 Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216

INSURANCE

MARCH 2016

Bivens Orthodontics (pg. 40)......................................749-7524 Christina M. Martin, DDS, MS (pg. 34)...................884-0058 Durrett Orthodontics (pg. 39).....................................920-1935 Geric Orthodontics (pg. 31)........................................920-7720 Goodnight Orthodontics (pg. 29)..............................968-3737

PAINTING C & C Painting Contractors, Inc. (pg. 27)...............886-7100 Carlson Construction, Inc. (pg. 87)............... (727) 744-8397 Certa Pro Painters (pg. 19).............................. (800) 462-3782 Lou Phillips Painting (pg. 61)......................................299-1979 Polson Painting (pg. 13)...............................................997-6196

PAINTING, FAUX Gary Baillie (Insert)............................................ (727) 776-8567

PEST CONTROL

James Broome Photography (pg. 91)......................841-9719

Authentic Concepts Kitchen & Bath (pg. 77)............................................................. (727) 785-3097

PHYSICIANS

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN Howell’s Landscape & Design (pg. 91)...................475-4790

LASER HAIR REMOVAL Academic Alliance in Dermatology Melinda McAlees, CME (Insert).........................879-6040 Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216

|

ORTHODONTIST

KITCHEN & BATH REMODELING

Quality Plus Dry Cleaners (pg. 7)..............................792-7010 WOW

Bright Eyes Family Vision Care (pg. 29).................792-0637 Family Eyecare at Westchase (pg. 49)....................814-2020

Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216 Nvirotect Pest Control (Inside Back Cover)..........968-7031

LAWN CARE, FERTILIZING

|

OPTOMETRIST

Brightway Insurance (pg. 119)...................................403-5600 Cornerstone Insurance Joshua Butts (pg. 46)...............................................920-8181 Dance Ferrentino Insur. & Fin., Inc. (pg. 17).........854-3600 State Farm Insurance Vivian Z. Braaksma (pg. 27 & 96).......................884-2665 Thuy Murray (pg. 105)...............................................920-8933 Pamela F. Patterson (pg. 27)...................................792-8449

DRY CLEANING 118

Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216

MOVERS

Motts Contracting Services, Inc. (pg. 19)...............931-7596

DRAINAGE & FRENCH DRAIN

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Serenity Salon & Spa (pg. 63).....................................792-7900

HOME RENOVATIONS

Clear Choice Window (pg. 86)...................................379-2646

LIGHTING, PATIO LIMOUSINE SERVICE

CHIROPRACTOR

DOOR REPLACEMENT

Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216 Nvirotect Pest Control (Inside Back Cover)..........968-7031

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

Relay for Life - Egg Hunt (pg. 59 & Insert)............786-3770

De la Torre Dentistry Alina de la Torre, DMD, PA (pg. 55).................792-9400 Dental Wellness of Westchase Amy Gionis DMD (pg. 61)....................................855-2273 Grover Dental Pediatrics (pg. 33).............................814-2933 Pediatric Dentistry of Westchase (pg. 38)..............854-5800 Tampa Dental (pg. 13)..................................................888-9004 Westchase Dental Associates (pg. 9).......................818-0600 Westchase Esthetic Family Dentistry Dr. Juliet Bulnes, DMD (pg. 13 & 67)................792-8211

LAWN CARE, SPRAYING

Shadow-Caster (pg. 92).................................... (727) 204-7679

CHARITIES, EVENTS

DENTIST

Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216

Blount & Curry Funeral Home (pg. 59)...................814-4444

Carlson Construction, Inc. (pg. 87)............... (727) 744-8397 Ely Contracting (pg. 17)...............................................431-9412 I’m Your Handyman (pg. 12)......................................766-5887 Motts Contracting Services, Inc. (pg. 19)...............931-7596

Royal Maid Service (pg. 65)........................................962-6243 Shining Cleaning (pg. 63).............................................882-8998

LAWN CARE, ORGANIC TREATMENTS

PET DAYCARE Dogtopia of Westchase (pg. 57)................................814-0302

PET TRAINING Dogism (pg. 56)........................................................... 854-DOGS

PHOTOGRAPHER

BayCare Medical Group (Back Cover)...................792-9541 Children’s Medical Center of Westchase Joanna Allison, MD (pg. 43).................................891-6501 Christine Armstrong, MD (pg. 43).........................891-6501 Dr. McElroy Pediatrics (pg. 43).................................792-1905 Fast Track Urgent Care Center (pg. 35).................925-1903 Florida Hospital Physician Group (pg. 75).............534-6920 Foot & Ankle Specialists (pg. 49)..............................855-3606

Internal Medicine & Pediatrics of Tampa Bay Karen Ackley, MD (pg. 37)...................................961-2222 Mark Bilella, MD (pg. 37)..........................................961-2222 Frank Demery, MD (pg. 37).....................................961-2222 Laura Levitt, MD (pg. 37).........................................961-2222 Tera Ritchie, ARNP (pg. 37)....................................961-2222 Lifetime Obstetrics & Gynecology Carrollwood Office (pg. 37)..................................961-7440 Westchase Office (pg. 37).........................................920-1808 Sheehy Ankle & Foot Center (pg. 92)......................872-8939 Varkey Medical, Vigel Varkey, MD (pg. 83)..........867-4310 Westchase Pediatric Care (pg. 45)...........................818-1543

PHYSICIANS, ALLERGISTS AllergyTampa.com (pg. 79)........................................971-9743

PHYSICIANS, MED SPA Ultimate Image Cosmetic Medical Center (pg. 113)......................................................................252-6363 Westchase Medspa (Insert)........................................749-7143

RESTAURANTS Catch Twenty-Three (pg. 65).....................................920-0045 Culver’s Butter Burgers & Frozen Custard (pg. 67).........................................................................898-8970 Maloney’s Local Irish Pub (pg. 95)...........................749-0859 The Grind (pg. 81)..........................................................749-7533

ROOF CLEANING Pro Performance Pressure Washing (pg. 37).........................................................................477-4507

ROOFING CONTRACTORS Done Rite Roofing (pg. 32)..........................................530-8458 J.A.T. Roofing (pg. 67)...................................... (727) 857-7830 Suncoast Roofing (pg. 71)............................................283-2544 Westchase Roofing (pg. 21).................................... 814-ROOF Westfall Roofing (pg. 63)..............................................264-5690

SCHOOLS, PRESCHOOLS

Horton Piano Service (pg. 37)........................ (727) 784-7361

Carrollwood Day School (pg. 42)..............................920-2288 The Goddard School (pg. 43).....................................926-9820 Kids R Kids (pg. 39).......................................................926-5437 Primavera Preschool (pg. 33).....................................855-6718 Rainbow Garden Preschool (pg. 45)............ (727) 799-2700

PLUMBING

SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS

A Superior Plumbing Solution, Inc. (pg. 23)...........852-1118 Adelphi Plumbing, Inc. (pg. 27)..................................969-2026 Anytime Plumbing (pg. 19)..........................................792-2264 Lynch Plumbing, Inc. (pg. 9).......................................855-2565

Carrollwood Day School (pg. 42)..............................920-2288 Corbett Preparatory School of IDS (pg. 33)..........961-3087 Espirtu Santo Catholic School (pg. 44)........ (727) 812-4650

PRESSURE WASHING

Hillsborough Academy of Math & Science (pg. 47).........................................................................793-6085

PIANO LESSONS Ed Inke Piano (pg. 46)..................................................217-9009

PIANO SERVICE

Carlson Construction, Inc. (pg. 87)............... (727) 744-8397 Hanson’s Pressure Washing (pg. 9)..........................884-8480 Pro Performance Pressure Washing (pg. 37)........477-4507

PRINTING/TYPESETTING Express Press (Insert)...................................................884-3310

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Bletsch Irrigation & Lawn Service (pg. 12)............966-7571 Management & Associates (pg. 65).........................433-2000

REAL ESTATE Argo Group Properties Trent Greene (Insert)..............................................789-5330 Coldwell Banker Melanie Atkinson (pg. 100-101 & 106).............368-6084 Nick Meeks (pg. 100-101).........................................777-6967 Cara Paul (pg. 100-101).............................................505-9388 Jacquelyn Reina (pg. 100-101)................................230-7526 Jason & Dyan Pithers (pg. 97)................................601-2920 Doug Wood (pg. 100-101 & Web Ad).................451-9760 Nancy Wood (pg. 100-101 & Web Ad)...............451-9761 Florida Executive Realty Anne Hart (pg. 120).................................................215-0734 Pam Opp & Beth Cupari (pg. 109).............................................714-9752 / 363-7802 Wendy Ross (pg. 1).....................................................493-9241 Keller Williams Realty Jenna & Julia Bye (pg. 104)..................................264-7754 Maria Kletchka (Insert)..............................................597-6013 Carolyn Reynolds (pg. 110)......................................334-8869 LE Real Estate Group Lea Haverstock (pg. 95)........................(727) 243-2000 / (813) 322-3222 Palermo Real Estate Professionals Kimmie Cimino Fine (pg. 98)...............................240-6563 Premier Choice Properties, Inc. John & Donna Bonneau (pg. 94)........................855-8000 Alisha Stockton (pg. 103)..........................................732-5851 Taylormade Properties, Inc. Chris DeCiccio (pg. 11)..........................................855-5858 Laureen Dunn (pg. 11)...............................................855-5858 Nancy Firestone (pg. 11)...........................................855-5858 Gissel Fonseca (pg. 11)..............................................855-5858 Dawn Foster (pg. 11)..................................................855-5858 Paula Garcia (pg. 11)..................................................855-5858 Janet Lopez (pg. 11)...................................................855-5858 Liz Nawn (pg. 11).........................................................855-5858 Ingrid Santaliz (pg. 11)................................................855-5858 Town Chase Properties Nena Cox (Insert).....................................................391-5294

SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCREENS & SCREEN ENCLOSURES Anderson Aluminum (pg. 15).....................................961-1764 Mr. Screen Repair (pg. 67)..........................................391-2632 The Screen Guy (pg. 23)..............................................240-2109 Screens R Us (pg. 17)....................................................295-1217

SKIN CARE Academic Alliance in Dermatology Melinda McAlees, CME (Insert).........................879-6040

SOD REPLACEMENT Bletsch Irrigation & Lawn Service (pg. 12)............817-1297 Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216

SPRINKLER REPAIR Bletsch Irrigation & Lawn Service (pg. 12)............855-7571 Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216

STONE - NATURAL Stone-Mart (pg. 49)........................................................885-6900

SYNAGOGUE Congregation Schaarai Zedek-Reform (pg. 71)....876-2377

TAX PREPARATION Jim Dixon Consulting, CPA, PA (pg. 23)................475-5911 Tax Solutions Plus (pg. 19)..........................................855-2457

TILE & GROUT CLEANING Bayside Carpet & Upholstery (pg. 15).....................932-1144

TITLE COMPANY Brown & Associates (pg. 107)....................................528-4044 Insured Title Agency (pg. 99).....................................855-3585 Westchase Title (pg. 25 & 102).................................490-5212

TRAFFIC INFO 511 Traffic Info (pg. 59)...........................................................511

TRANSPORTATION Yellow Cab (pg. 61).......................................................QR Code

TREE TRIMMING Boen’s Tree Service (pg. 79).......................................964-0785 Citrus Park Lawn Care (Insert)..................................480-8216 M & M Tree Service, Inc. (pg. 23)............................885-5103

TUTORING Mathnasium of Westchase (pg. 46)..........................609-2820

VIDEO & PHOTO TRANSFERS DigiSavIt (Insert)............................................................792-2578

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT Clear Choice Window (pg. 86)...................................379-2646 MARCH 2016

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WOW

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119

EN TERTAINMENT | fake a d c o n t e s t

Catch Twenty-Three Fake Ad Contest If you’re not leaping mad, you should be. BY CHRIS BARRETT, PUBLISHER

A

fter all, it caused you to wait one additional day for your favorite magazine. Yes, we’re talking Leap Year, that extra day The Establishment sneaks into our calendar every four years so that the seasons don’t get out of whack with the calendar that will be used by all the great great great great great grandchildren we’ll never meet. But, my fellow lemmings, consider this. Since we luck into an extra day every four years, why don’t we all get a threeday weekend? A double Saturday, one on which there is no soccer or volleyball tournaments. One that doesn’t involve cutting the lawn?

Jump for Justice! Every Leap Year, salaried employees have to work an extra day for free! Gonzelman & Donks fights this outrageous Leap Year Fraud. Why Leap Year when you can Jump for Justice? If you or someone you know is a victim of Leap Year, let Gonzelman & Donks fight for you. Gonzelman & Donks also defends: • Babies unjustly delivered by doctors on Feb. 29, condemning them to a life of fake birthdays. • Wives whose husbands married them on Feb. 29 to minimize wedding anniversary gifts.

employers benefited from their extra and completely free work on Feb. 29. Meanwhile an outraged Laura Klein, whose correct contest entry was randomly chosen by the fake ad gods, will be enjoying dinner at Catch Twenty-Three, courtesy of its proprietor, Rob Wickner. Thanks, Rob! Now get your March guesses in today, fake ad fans!

Gonzelman & Donks Lawyers at Law | 813.810.8370

RULES

CONTEST RULES We can call it Leap Saturday. Because we’d all be jumping for joy. But no. The Establishment does not want you jumping for joy. Fortunately the lawyers at law at Gonzelman & Donks, the firm behind the fake ad on page 45 of February’s WOW, are fighting for Leap Year fraud victims – all those poor, salaried employees whose

Tucked somewhere in this month’s WOW is a fake ad for a fictitious business or service. E-mail your guess, including the fake company name and its page number, along with your name and address by the tenth of the month to [email protected]. Write Fake Ad Contest as the subject. One correct entry will be randomly chosen winner each month.