Carrollwood - Vol. 2, Issue 12, December 2014

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:Dining Contest Winners.......................................3Community Calendar/ News Briefs..................4-5J A Barnett Realty Group..................................8-9The Olive Tree..............................................12-13TranZitions Hair Salon.................................14-15New York Massage.............................................18Mount This! Fish Company...........................22-23Area Rugs Direct................................................30ALS Fashion Show & Luncheon....................32-33Grout Tech...................................................36-37

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTAMPA FL

PERMIT 1185

Your neighborhood. Your magazine.

Vol. 2, Issue 12, December 2014

By Alexis Selby

A favorite hangout among Car-rollwood residents, Ocean Blue offersguests a fabulous selection of hand-crafted sushi rolls and delicious Japan-ese cuisine that is sure to please anypalate. “The variety of choices you gethere is bar none,” says Head SushiChef and General Manager TuyenTran. “We offer a very well-rounded

sushi menu; from cooked to raw; freshsalmon, tuna, and yellowtail to conch,octopus and squid.”

Taking over ownership last De-cember, new owner Dave Wilson hasenjoyed getting to know people inthe Carrollwood community and re-ally strives to provide his guests withthe freshest, most delicious sushi atthe best value. “The freshness of our

Ocean Blue is Your LocalHotspot for Fresh Sushi!

See “Ocean Blue” on page 28.

By Alexis Selby

Offering the very best in seniorhousing, assisted living and memorycare, for the past 30 years the ArborCompany has been setting the prece-dent for senior living. From theirbeautiful facilities and compassionatecare to their knowledgeable staff and

exciting classes and activities, ArborTerrace offers residents a truly carefreeliving experience. The friendly nursesand staff have a combination of experi-ence, talents, and in-depth industryknowledge that makes them excep-tionally well qualified to serve theirclients' needs and together they do allthey can to ensure residents feel com-

fortable and happy. The Arbor Company’s newest lo-

cation, Arbor Terrance of Citrus Park,which is set to open early 2015, fea-tures a beautiful 96-suite facility, com-plete with many luxurious amenities,including a hair salon, an on-site rehab

center, a theatre room and a café,where residents can enjoy lattes, pas-tries, and cocktails. Conveniently lo-cated in the heart of the Citrus Parkand Westchase neighborhoods and in

See “Arbor Terrace” on page 26.

Arbor Terrace ofCitrus Park –

Assisted Living and MemoryCare for Seniors!

Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles2 DECEMBER 2014 For Ad Info 813-928-6124 • NNLFlorida.com

Carrollwood Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles DECEMBER 2014 3For Ad Info 813-928-6124 • NNLFlorida.com

Neighborhood News& Lifestyles

Directly mailed once a month to 15,000households in zip codes 33618, 33624 & 33613

220 S. Safford Ave. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432Advertising E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:

[email protected]© 2014 Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

is published by M Selby Publications, INC.

Nothing that appears in Carrollwood NeighborhoodNews & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or inpart, without permission. Opinions expressed by Carroll-wood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles writers are their ownand do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The management of Carrollwood NeighborhoodNews & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outsideeditorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outsideeditorial submission and advertisement deadlines.

Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles willconsider previously non-published outside editorial submis-sions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500words. Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reservesthe right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submis-sions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will not returnunsolicited editorial materials.

Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reservesthe right to edit and/or reject any advertising. CarrollwoodNeighborhood News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors inadvertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space it-self, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

Carrollwood Neighborhood News & Lifestyles ispublished by M Selby Publications, INC.

PublisherMatt SelbyAdvertising SalesJared Nager (Manager)Linda ViegaMike BirdAccounting ManagerAlexis SelbyMarketing & DevelopmentAshley KnoblachArt DirectorTony Sica

EditorAlexis SelbyCorrespondentsErin AldrichJulie KanehlMarcy SanfordPamela SicaKatie ThomasKim ThomasDara TuckerDeborah Bostock-Kelley

We are excited to announce thewinners of Neighborhood News &Lifestyles’ 2014 Dining Contest. Eachyear, we look forward to this contestbecause it is exciting to see how manyresponses we will get, and it gives us achance to give back to our readers as athank you for your support. This year,as in the past, our readers respondedwith gusto, with hundreds sending ustheir votes for favorite restaurants inthe area. We have some excellenteateries and in some of the categories,we wish we could announce two win-ners because it was a close contestright up to the last entries!

Not surprising to us, some ofyour favorite restaurants also happento be some of our favorite advertisersand while we congratulate all of thetop contending restaurants, we want

to give special congratulations to theexcellent restaurants that advertise inNeighborhood News & Lifestyles.

When it came to best pizza joint,Mellow Mushroom won the hearts ofour readers and proudly came in first.

Looking to enjoy a yummy break-fast or some delicious coffee? Hattie’sCafe & Beanery, voted by readers asthe best breakfast/brunch spot inCarrollwood, is sure to have some-thing to hit the spot!

Best sushi restaurant was won byOcean Blue, and for good reason -their sushi is amazing! Check outtheir article on the cover of thismonth’s publication!

Congratulations to all the win-ning restaurants! You see a full list ofthe top-voted restaurants on page 34.

Thank you to everyone who par-

ticipated in our annual dining contestand congratulations to the randomlychosen winners who will receive din-ing gift certificates to popular localrestaurants. The Grand Prize Winnerof Neighborhood News & Lifestyles’2014 Dining Contest is Cathy Chaf-fin of Carrollwood. Cathy will re-ceive $100 in dining gift certificatesto local restaurants!

Congratulations to the runner-up winners, who will each receive$25 in dining gift certificates:Suzan Schonder of Original Car-rollwood, Ellen Giallonardo ofOriginal Carrollwood, Jim Foodyof Carrollwood Village, Ed Offnerof Goldstein, and Kendra Booth ofCarrollwood Crossing.

Thank you all for your entries!

From The Editor Alexis Selby

Congratulations to Winners ofNeighborhood News & Lifestyles’

2014 Dining Contest!


Kosher Catering offers participants de-licious, Sephardic dishes. The chargefor the lecture series, includinglunches is $25 for JCC members, $30for non-members.

On Monday, December 8, 2:00 –3:30PM, an Intergenerational Hennaand Hamsa program will be enjoyedby adults of all ages, and their childrenor grandchildren. This is an early re-lease day for Hillsborough County.Children from the community, JCCPreschool, Club J, and PJ Library areall included in this celebration. Pro-fessional Henna artist, Jennifer McK-night will apply henna body art. Also,participants will create beautiful Ham-sas. Everyone in attendance will betreated to Sephardic sweets. Thecharge for the Henna and Hamsa is $5for members, $6 for non-members.There is no charge for children under12 years old.

On Monday, December 15, 1:30– 3:00 Cantors Joy Katzen-Guthrieand Andres Kornworcel present aLadino Concert. We’ll also enjoy alatke tasting – Sephardic latkes vs. Po-tato latkes! $5 per member, $6 non-members. No charge for children

under 12.All of the Sephardic festival

events are held on the Tampa JCC& Federation Cohn Campus,13009 Community campus Dr,Tampa, 33625

6th Annual Public Safety FairThe 6th Annual Public Safety Fair

will be held on Friday, January 9th,from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at theNorthdale Recreation Center, locatedat 15550 Spring Pine Drive (South offof Northdale Boulevard, just West ofDale Mabry Highway). This event isopen to the public and attendance isfree! There will be a variety of presen-tations, displays, and other informa-tion related to crime prevention andpersonal safety for the general public.There will also be free food and drinksprovided, raffle prizes for attendeesand more! Local businesses, restau-rants, vendors, and other informa-tional sponsors are invited toparticipate. We are requesting of$75.00 donation* per participatingbusiness sponsor to help cover costs.There is no charge for non-profit orgovernment informational sponsors.

If you are one of the many busi-nesses, restaurants, vendors, informa-tional sponsors, or governmental

Community Calendar & News BriefsIt's that "Nutty" Time ofYear Again! Come Celebratethe Holidays with CollectiveSoles Arts Group’s AnnualProduction of The Nut-cracker, Featuring the Collec-tive Soles Dance Company!

Collective Soles Arts Group pres-ents "The Nutcracker", a classical hol-iday tradition. This full-length classicalballet set to the music by composerPeter IIyich Tchaikovsky, features clas-sic choreography and performancesby the Collective Soles Dance Com-pany, students from Jansen DanceProject and members of the Tampacommunity. Come Celebrate the Artswith Us!!

Performances are Saturday, De-cember 13th at 2:00pm and 7:30pmat USF’s Theatre I, located at TAR230, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL33620. Tickets are on sale at www.col-lectivesoles.org or by calling (813)979-2222. General admission is $25,and $20 for students and seniors.

Can't attend a performance butstill want to help support the arts?Collective Soles Arts Group is lookingfor sponsors for their 2014/15 Sea-son! CSAG, as a non for profit501(c)(3) organization, relies on com-munity businesses and individuals forcharitable donations and support.CSAG is dedicated to enriching thelives of young people through involve-ment in the performing arts and theirmission is to promote the art of danceto the Tampa community and beyondthrough their professional dance train-ing facility, Jansen Dance Project andtheir professional dance company,Collective Soles Dance. They have nu-merous sponsorship levels rangingfrom suggested donations of $10-$500 or more with benefits for each

level. You can find the sponsorshipform on their website or feel free tocontact them at anytime by phone oremail! Please help them to establishmore supporters; they truly appreciateanything you can do to help them“Celebrate the Arts”.

‘Sermon on the Wall’Production at NorthwestCommunity Church

Sermon on the Wall explores ahand painted mural on the entire backwall of the church depicting the life ofJesus Christ. Experience a taste of firstcentury foods and then proceed to thesanctuary in total darkness where wewill reveal the wall frame by frame byspotlight as we tell the story of Jesuswith music and drama.

This year’s annual production willbe held December 19th, 20th, or21st. Arrive at 6:30 p.m.; the showstarts promptly at 7 p.m.

The Sermon on the wall will beheld at Northwest CommunityChurch, located at 14913 Hutchi-son Road in Tampa. FREE ticketsare available at www.nwcc777.comor by calling (813) 962-4990.

Sephardic FestivalDuring the month of December,

the community has the opportunity tolearn about and celebrate the tradi-tions and history of Jews from Spainand the Middle East – also known asSephardic. A three-part lecture seriespresents on Wednesdays, December 3,10, and 17, professor George Zuckerwill lecture on the Jews of Spain frombefore the Spanish Inquisitionthrough the mid-20th century. Thelectures will be from 11:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m., with a lunch intermission.The lunch, provided by Weinberg

Area Women’s Club gathered at thehome of Sandi Pollpeter for a brunchto welcome new members this month.The club’s roster is comprised of over150 women. The group is involvedwith Alpha House of Tampa, as thisyear’s charity of choice.

CAWC meets at HollywoodVenue on the fourth Wednesday ofevery month. For more informationplease contact Board Member KimRedd at (813) 962-0247.

Colegios Ramón y Cajal VisitStrengthens Corbett Prep’sInternational Ties

A dozen students from Madridspent three weeks at Corbett Prepara-tory School of IDS in October, pro-viding a valuable opportunity for U.S.and Spanish students to develop life-long friendships and cultivate a betterunderstanding of other cultures.


See “Calendar/Briefs” on page 24

agencies that have already confirmedto participate, one 6 foot table andtwo chairs will be provided for you,unless otherwise discussed prior withan event coordinator. It is recom-mended that you bring your owntablecloth for your display table. Ar-rival/set-up time will be between8:30 and 9:30 A.M. for ALL partici-pants. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.and the speaking presentations willstart at approximately 10:00 a.m.Break down may begin anytime afterthe final speaking presentation hasconcluded. The event will be con-cluded at 1:30 p.m!

“Over the past five years, we haveenjoyed an average attendance of ap-proximately 125-150+ persons at theevent,” says Master Deputy C. DePo-lis. “For the 6th Annual event, be-cause we will be moving over into thenewly constructed Bill Castens Gym-nasium, we should be able to accom-modate even more sponsors andattendees at the Public Safety Fair! Besure to tell all your friends and family.”

If you are interested in participat-ing as a vendor, business, or informa-tional sponsor and have not yetconfirmed your involvement with thisevent, please contact Bill Castens at(813) 340-9436 or bcastens@veri-

zon.net; or Master Deputy Chris De-Polis at (813)240-2067 [email protected].

Unique Sculpting Class Pre-sented by a Blind Artist at theTampa JCC & Federation

The Tampa Jewish CommunityCenter & Federation offers a uniquesculpting class for Tampa area senioradults, presented by an artist who isnearly blind. The instructor, StephenHandschu, is an accomplished artistand a senior himself. Remarkably,Stephen is nearly 100% blind.

You are invited to visit and partic-ipate in this unique sculpting class,which is held every Tuesday and Fri-day morning, 10:00am – 12:00pm. Afive-week session is just $58 for JCCmembers and $63 for non-members,including all materials.

For more information regard-ing this unique sculpting class,please contact Rachel Tilow, AdultProgram Director at the TampaJCC at 813-769-2809 [email protected].

Carrollwood Area Women’sClub Welcomes NewMembers

Members of the Carrollwood

Pictured (l to r) first row Membership Chairman Sandy Pollpeter andcurrent Club President Judy Bien. Standing Angie Leto, Ruby Pupello,Cynthia Goldstein, Carolyn Trechter, Debra Cellucci and Kim Redd.

(not pictured Sandy Britton)



“There are just under 20,000real estate professionals who hold ei-ther the CCIM designation or theCPM designation,” says James. Evenmore amazing, with both a CPM andCCIM designation, James in one ofonly 900 people in the world to haveboth certifications!

A testament to his vast knowledgein the industry, James’ expertise waseven called upon by the District Attor-ney of Miami Dade to be an apart-ment expert in a highly visible eminentdomain case a few years back.

James prides himself on buildingmeaningful relationships with hisclients and before taking on a listingor a buyer James takes the time to getto know his clients and finds out theirfuture goals to ensure he can helpthem with the highest level of knowl-edge and advice. James says, “I enjoyforming relationships with my clients.My office is local and I often go toclient’s homes to introduce myself –which people really like; they appreci-ate the fact that I would go out of myway to see them. I would much ratherbe out meeting people and looking atbuildings than at my computer.”

Consulting is another area or ex-pertise with which James really excels.Based upon his level of experience andknowledge of the industry James is

able to consult businesses of all sizes inthe numerous areas of business owner-ship and can help you successfully andeffectively fine-tune your business tohelp it reach its full potential. Whetheryou need a fresh pair of eyes to helpyou adjust a few issues, or a completerestructuring of your entire business,James has the tools and knowledge tohelp your business succeed.

Throughout his career, James’profession has taken him across thecountry; he has consulted in Ala-bama, Michigan, Nebraska, Georgia,Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jerseyand sold real estate in Ohio, Alabamaand Florida. James currently holds anactive brokers license in both Floridaand Ohio and will occasionally fly upnorth to handle deals, althoughFlorida real estate is his main focus.“I enjoy getting to know the differ-


By Alexis Selby

Whether you are an individualtrying to buy or sell a personal busi-ness or a large corporation looking toinvest in multi-million dollar real es-tate transactions, Broker James Bar-nett, CCIM, CPM, has the knowledgeand expertise to masterfully advise youand guide you in the right direction.Specializing in the sale and lease ofmulti-family properties, with uniqueexperience in office, retail and invest-ment properties, for the past 45 yearsJames has helped his clients achievesuccess, one transaction at a time.

J A Barnett Realty Group, Inc.provides a multitude of unique serv-ices designed to meet all aspects of in-vesting and management, includingcommercial brokerage, leasing, courtreceivership, investment analysis, prop-erty management, real estate consult-ing and asset management services.For more information on the servicesoffered please visit their website atwww.JaBarnettRealty.com.

“Whether you're a first timecommercial investor, in the market fora Tampa area multi-family property, orhave already assembled a portfolio ofcommercial real estate properties, wecan help you make the most out ofyour commercial real estate invest-

ments,” says James. “Don’t think in-vesting in real estate is for somebodyelse, because a majority of businessesand small buildings are owned by peo-ple just like you and me who stucktheir neck out and took a chance.Break out of the mold. If you workhard enough it will pay off.”

When it comes to knowledge,James surely sets the bar high. Earninga Certified Commercial InvestmentMember (CCIM) designation, themost well respected commercial realestate designation available, James isprivy to the most advanced trainingand education, giving him an undis-puted and competitive advantage inthe real estate market. “In addition tomy education, I also have the exten-sive database that comes along withbeing a part of the CCIM Organiza-tion,” says James. “I can pull up de-mographics, local sales and all the dataand information necessary to ensuremy clients are making a smart invest-ment. In addition I also subscribe toCo-Star and Loop-Net.”

Further adding to his education,James is also a certified property man-ager (CPM) and has managed everytype of property you can imagine,from low-income housing, to largeapartment buildings, as well as office,retail and business complexes.

J A Barnett Realty Group, Inc.is Your Key to Real Estate Success!

Broker James Barnett, CCIM, CPM


ent markets around the country andhave sold over 115 commercial prop-erties and owned and sold 18 com-mercial properties of my own,” saysJames. “The beauty of owning realestate is that somebody else paysyour mortgage.”

In addition to brokering real es-tate transactions in Ohio, James worksthroughout the entire Tampa Bay

Area, from Brooksville to Lakeland toFort Myers. And, although commer-cial real estate is his predominantfocus, he also markets luxury listings,more specifically those associated withlocal, community banks.

James says, “My clients appreciatethe constant feedback and reporting Igive them and like the fact that theycan reach me 24/7. I’m always

amazed that people will say they calleda particular broker and never got a re-turn call. I follow-up with leads andreturn phone calls within the day.”

When asked his favorite partabout what he does, James re-sponded “Seeing my clients happywith the transaction and beingknowledgeable enough to give goodadvice; and typically I am puttingmoney in their pockets.”

In this constant ever-changingmarket, you need a knowledgeable,trustworthy agent who will alwayskeep your best interest in mind andwork hard on your behalf to make

sure all of your real estate invest-ments achieve success. With experi-ence in all facets of commercial realestate, James is your knowledgeable,experienced guide who will help youeach step of the way, from your firstpurchase to the latest addition toyour commercial portfolio.

J A Barnett Realty Group, Inc.is located at 13902 N. Dale MabryHighway Suite 106 in Tampa. Formore information please call the of-fice at (813) 264-9800 or James di-rectly on his cell at (813) 477-8494or visit their website atwww.JaBarnettRealty.com.

(L to R) Tina Marie Eloian , CCIM (Florida Commercial Group), Lauren Campbell, J A Barnett Realty Group, James Barnett, CCIM, CPM, Amy

Barrett, CCIM (Colliers International)



as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece andother Mediterranean countries, but wealso get oils form the Southern Hemi-sphere, from countries such as Aus-

tralian, Chile, Peru, Argentina andSouth Africa,” adds Donna. “In thenorthern hemispheres they harvestand crush the olives October throughDecember, so we will get fresh oilsfrom that part of the world early in the


The Olive Tree is Your Local Source for UltraPremium Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Balsamics!

By Alexis Selby

As an Ultra Premium Extra Vir-gin Olive Oil boutique The Olive Treeis your local source for the freshest andfinest extra virgin olive oils and bal-samics available in the world today.Vastly different from what you are ac-customed to in the grocery store,Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oilutilizes the highest quality standardsand each single olive can be tracedback to the tree it came from.

Before visiting the Olive Tree andspeaking with proprietor and olive oilconnoisseur Donna Michael Woelfel, Ihad no idea that olive oil could gobad. Donna sat me down and tookthe time to educate me, talking aboutthe significance in using fresh oil andthe differences between extra virginolive oil and other basic olive oils.“Most people don’t realize that oliveoil has a shelf life, and like fruit juice,can go bad,” says Donna. “Part ofwhat we do here is educating; because

that’s really important.” “What makes us really unique is

that we not only get oils from coun-tries in the Northern hemisphere, such

(Above) The Olive Tree offers a wonderful array of Ultra Premium extravirgin olive oils, flavored balsamics, imported Italian pastas & much more.(R) After my visit to The Olive Tree, I made a fabulous dinner using theirfresh oils and balsamics and the difference in taste was remarkable! I will

never go back to using regular oils again!


year. In the southern hemisphere theybegin to harvest and crush Aprilthrough June, so we will get oils fromthat region towards the middle end ofthe year.”

By alternating between the twohemispheres, The Olive Tree has theability to provide the freshest, mostdelicious olive oils all year round.

As a Veronica Foods distributor,you know quality is a guarantee. Deal-ing directly with the farmers, theyeliminate the middleman, and focusmore on quality, versus quantity. “Wepick early and harvest early and crushwithin 2-3 hours of being picked,”says Donna.

Whether you love to cook, orlove to eat (or both), I think we can allagree that everyone can appreciate ameal that is masterfully prepared. And,when you prepare that meal using areally good high quality extra virgin

olive oil, the difference in taste truly isremarkable. Donna says, “I have con-verted a lot of people; once you startusing fresh oils you never go back.”

A stylish boutique, located inWest Park Village, The Olive Tree of-fers a wonderful array of Ultra Pre-mium extra virgin olive oils, includinga variety of infused and fused flavoredoils, as well as an excellent selection offlavored balsamics, imported Italianpastas, sea salts and seasonings, pepperjellies, crockery, dipping dishes, breadboards and so much more. “We try tooffer items that perfectly accompanyour olive oils and are always lookingfor new items that tie in perfectly withwhat we already offer,” says Donna.

Just in, they now offer a fabulousbeauty care line as well, includingsoaps, bath gels, sea salts, night andday creams, shampoo and conditioner,and so much more. Donna says, “All

of our beauty products are 100% natu-ral, made from the purest form ofolive oils.”

Give the Gift of Health ThisHoliday Season

The perfect holiday gift or hostesspresent – show up to the party in stylewith a custom hand-made basket fromThe Olive Tree. Just select a basketfrom their wonderful selection ofwicker baskets and pick whatever youwant to include, from their uniqueolive oils and balsamics, to pastas,sauces, and seasonings. Donna, or oneof her knowledgeable staff memberscan also help you create the perfectbasket and recommend great combi-nations that will fit together to make agreat gift!

After completing your selections,they will happily embellish it, addingtissue, ribbons, thrill and wrap; leav-

ing you with a beautifully finishedgift basket.

Or, if you are in a rush or aren’treally the creative type, you can alsopick from their fantastic pre-made bas-kets, featuring some of their mostpopular selling items.

The Olive Tree also has a fullwebsite (TheOliveTreeStore.com) andships their baskets worldwide. On thewebsite you can either custom make abasket or select from one of their pre-made baskets.

The Olive Tree is located in theWest Park Village Shops at 10115Montague St in Tampa. They re-cently expanded their hours duringholiday season and are now openMon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m. – 5p.m. For more information pleasecall (813) 920-4781 or visitwww.TheOliveTreeStore.com.


By Pam Sica

Located in the Abby’s ShoppingCenter just between Starbucks and thenewly-opened Tace Lounge at 14388North Dale Mabry Highway, you’llfind the inviting entry to the TranZi-tions Hair Salon, with its stylized treelogo emblazoned on the front windowpanes. Once inside, you will begreeted right away with a smile andthen ably assisted by the receptionistson staff, who typically book appoint-ments and keep things flowing alto-gether smoothly for all the hair stylists,nail care specialists and the aestheticianon site. Salon Owner and seasonedHair Stylist, Holly Hodges came outto greet me and then gave me a quicklay of the land. It did not take long torealize how uniquely different thissalon was from others, in that they dis-played a multitude of products fromvarying lines on their shelves. Needsomething from Sapphire, Nioxin, L’O-real, Redken or Paul Mitchell? Forcurly hair needs, the Ouidad line is

prominently displayed, along with De-vaCurl, Tea Tree Oil and MorrocanOil products. It’s so convenient tofind whatever you need right there,from curl relaxers to Nanotools byBaby Bliss. Looking for a quick gift ortchotchke for an upcoming event? Justcheck out the front counter and wait-ing area. You’re bound to find theperfect necklace or earrings, SweatyBands and more.

I was curious about the Ouidadproducts and asked Holly to expounda bit. She deftly explained that severalof their stylists were Oudidad-certi-fied, meaning that they had attended

Ouidad classes and had become spe-cialists in the cutting and styling ofcurly hair, from loose to classic, totight and kinky. As the sole Ouidad-certified salon in the area, TranZitionsjust recently hosted a Curl CoachingEvent where the guests were taughthow to embrace their curls by choos-ing the right cut, as well as the rightproducts to maintain their curly locks.Afterwards, there was a new under-standing and love for their one-of akind curls, to be sure!

Are you a hair stylist or nail techni-

cian looking for a new home? Thenheartily consider joining Holly’stremendous team at TranZitions! Allstylists have full-time reception, backbar products, laundry and refresh-ments for their clients, including cof-fee, soda, wine, beer and snacks. Allpaper supplies are provided, alongwith a weekly cleaning crew. Nail styl-ists have three spa pedicure chairs,waxing supplies and all the latest OPIlacquers, cotton, and acetone suppliedto them as well. Your focus can becentered on your prospective clients,

TranZitions Hair Salon – A Full-Service Hair, Nail &Skin Care Venue Right in the Heart of Carrollwood


as it well should be.I had the pleasure of having Jena

take care of my full head of greyinglocks, and soon learned that with theright products, expert blow dryingand brushing, that even my moststubborn fly-away hair could betamed, styled and controlled… andready for the fun evening ahead. Itwas amazing to see the “TranZition”from dull and lifeless to sleek andstylish. Whoohoo! Be sure to sched-

ule your next hair, nail or facial ap-pointment soon, because the holi-days are fast approaching and youdeserve to treat yourself to the bestthat TranZitions has to offer. Hopeto see you there soon!

TranZitions hair salon is locatedat 14388 N Dale Mabry Hwy inTampa. For more informationplease call (813) 265-4280 or visit www.TranzitionsHairSalon.com.



sage session with, we’re certain youwill be back again and again,” saysMike. People literally travel all theway from Hernando county to visitNew York Massage, so take advan-tage of them right here in Carroll-wood! They offer a wide array oftreatments and massages, but Ihighly recommend you try the Bam-boo-Fusion Massage and experiencethis unique treat first hand!

*New York Massage, INC is afull service Spa and massage therapycenter that offers a plethora of serv-

ices, including infrared sauna, skincare treatments for men and women,relaxation, deep tissue, hot stone andof course the Bamboo-Fusion mas-sage. They also have a number of ex-citing package deals available, sopamper yourself this holiday seasonat New York Massage!*

New York Massage, Inc. is lo-cated at 5121Ehrlich Rd. suite112-A in Tampa. For more infor-mation please call (813) 374-2419or visitt NewYorkMassageInc.com.


The Bamboo-Fusion Massage Difference atNew York Massage, Inc.

By Matt Selby

Every once in a while you comeacross a business that operates in ahighly competitive market that sur-prises you with a product or servicethat nobody else seems to have. NewYork Massage, located at 5121Ehrlich Road Suite 112-A, is a per-fect example of this. Spa and massagetherapy centers seem to be located injust about every plaza these days andwith so many to choose from, how doyou know who to trust your body with?Word of mouth is always a great wayto weed through the undesirables inthe area and find that perfect mixtureof relaxation and therapeutic experi-ence. Don’t get me wrong, there’s afew really reputable places to get amassage in the Carrollwood area.However, New York Massage offerssomething I’ve never seen or experi-enced before.

The Bamboo-Fusion Massageoffered by New York massage is per-fect for relaxation and highly toutedfor it’s therapeutic properties. Thisnew, full body massage treatment issure to melt your cares away! Thistype of massage is likely not found inmany other establishments in Car-rollwood, as only a specially aprovedtherapist can offer a Bamboo-FusionMassage. The highly trained massagetherapist calls upon Shiatsu acu-pres-sure techniques using warmed bam-boo and rattan sets to penetrate themuscle fibers in a way that is almostindescribable. The heat loosenseverything up, while the techniquesemployed by master therapist LaszloSas is nothing short of a miracle. Las-

zlo has 13 years of experience and itshows! He is an absolute technicianwith an attention to detail only seenby someone with his immense train-ing and dedication to his craft.

New York massage has otherhighly qualified massage therapists.In fact, all of the talented staff herebring their own expertise and style tothe table. The owners of New Yorkmassage are extremely picky withwho works for them, because theyknow it’s their name on the line.“No matter who you book your mas-



suspended replicas, and are currentlyworking on items for a chain of shipstores (similar to our West Marine)opening in South Korea.

Fish Mounts MakeGreat Gifts!

Looking for the perfect gift to getyour favorite angler.... As a fisher"woman" myself I know that nothing

says I love you more than a commem-orative mount of one of your excitingcatches. For my birthday last year, Igot a stunning mount from MTFC ofa 32” Blackfin Tuna I caught in theFlorida Keys that past year – it was oneof my favorite gifts of all time andevery time I look at that magnificentfish replica on my wall, I get flashbacks of that awesome vacation!


By Alexis Selby

Living in Florida you are boundto either enjoy fishing or know some-one who does. And, as a fish enthusi-ast, you know just how awesome itfeels when you hook an amazing catch.That being said, what better way to re-live that exciting experience, than witha replica fiberglass fish mount! Proudlydisplayed on your wall, a beautifulreplica fish mount will happily com-memorate a fish of a lifetime, while al-lowing you to either filet and eat thereal fish or release it back into the wildto allow other anglers to enjoy thesame exhilarating experience!

Using the most advanced tech-nology, top-of-the-line materials,skilled fiberglass workers, and talentedpainters to produce a fish replica in atimely manner, Mount This! FishCompany, a locally-owned Floridabusiness, does an exceptional job ofbringing to life your most prized catchand provides anglers and fishing en-thusiasts of all levels with the absolutehighest standard of quality and valuein a fishing trophy. In the past, fishreplicas would take anywhere from 30-90 days to produce, but at MountThis Fish Company they strive to havepopular items in stock along with of-fering a quick turnaround time forcustom replicas.

Established in 2001, Mount This!Fish Company (MTFC) has been ele-vating the standards of fish mountreplica production. Huge fishing en-thusiasts themselves, owners Troy andJen Denson share a love of fishing andrespect for marine wildlife that reallyshines through in what they do. Fromthe detailed scales, to the uniquespeckles, this husband and wife teamtakes pride in reproducing the rich vi-brant colors and true beauty of eachspecies in every mount they create.

Custom Fish Mounts Over the past thirteen years Troy

and Jen have focused on three majormarkets to sell their products. Thefirst market is the angler who wants tocommemorate a catch. Whether it issomeone’s first catch, the catch of alifetime, or one to add to the array offish they have caught during theirtime, each one is special and unique inits own way. Their fish replicas allowthe fisherman to capture a memorywhile choosing to release the catch orfilet it for dinner.

With thousands of molds tochoose from, all the angler needs toprovide is the length, measurement or

weight of the catch and using their ex-pertise and knowledge of the variousfish species Troy and Jen will recreateyour fish to resemble the way it lookedduring the memorable day you caughtit. (If you have a picture, that’s evenbetter, as it allows them to produce areplica that is as close to the real thingas possible.)

Nautical Décor MTFC’s second focus is on the

retail customer who would simply liketo decorate their home or outside areawith nautical décor. Not all ofMTFC’s customers are fisherman.Whether it’s the little boy that wants ashark themed room, or the home-owner who wants to decorate a roomor tiki bar with fish replicas, MTFC of-fers a wide variety of sculpted species.MTFC’s half sided fish replicas are an-other great option and an affordableway to decorate with a unique style.

Corporate Fish Mounts MTFC’s third focus is providing a

large quantity of replicas to corporateaccounts; usually to decorate a new es-tablishment or to use as a point of sale.These businesses vary from seafood orsushi restaurants to seafood markets,and marine related companies. Work-ing with both interior designers andthe owners themselves, MTFC will as-sist in producing a look that will besure to wow customers. MTFC's ex-traordinary reputation has spreadthroughout the country and the worldand has earned them the ability to be avendor for Bass Pro Shops®; each yearBass Pro Shops® opens new stores allover the country and they decoratewith a variety of fish replicas, many ofwhich come directly from Mount ThisFish Company.

They also recently finished a proj-ect for the Houston Museum of Natu-ral Science, which included 42

Mount This! Fish Company

Co-owner Jen Denson, holiding a beautiful replica mount of a record-sizeLarge Mouth Bass.


Thank-you so much Troy and Jen! My husband and I are avid fisher-

men, and as such our walls are linedwith fish mounts – all of which havebeen masterfully created by Troy andJen and the amazing artists at MountThis! Fish Company. We are very par-ticular with our fish and when itcomes to fish mounts we only go withthe best of the best – which is whytime and time again, when we want tocelebrate a wonderful fishing memory,we know that Troy and Jen will do anamazing job of capturing the beautyof our prized catch and create amount that in itself is a masterpiecework of art!

Whether you are an avid fisher-man, homeowner, decorator orbusiness owner looking for fishreplicas or other unique nautical

décor, Mount This! Fish Companyserves to commemorate and/or dec-orate, offering the highest qualityproducts, exceptional prices and ex-traordinary customer service. GiveTroy and Jen a call today and com-memorate the wonderful memoriesof that exhilarating catch with astunning replica fish mount fromMount This Fish Company!

Mount This! Fish Company islocated at 4280 Hwy US1 in Rock-ledge Florida. Although they are afew hours outside of Tampa Bay allyou have to do is send them a pic-ture or measurements of the fishand they can conveniently mail yourprized replica right to yourdoorstep. For more informationplease call Troy at (321) 403-6677or email him at

[email protected], or visit their website at www.MountThis.net. Likethem on Facebook (Mount This Fish Company) for specials, contests andthe chance to win prizes and giveaways.


Students in grades 4-8 fromColegios Ramón y Cajal (CRC) werematched with Corbett Prep host bud-dies of the same age for their stay, be-coming fast friends as they attendedclasses together and explored theTampa Bay area.

The students practiced their Eng-lish and Spanish as they chatted aboutdifferences large and small in theircountries. Before leaving, the Spanishstudents and the two teachers who ac-companied them even had a chance toexperience an American Halloween,dressing in costume and participatingin school holiday traditions.

Encouraging personal, interna-tional connections is important atCorbett Prep and helps prepare its stu-dents for the future by teaching themto think globally. Through student vis-its and teacher trainings, Corbett Prephas developed strong ties to Spain,China and Belize and is in the processof coordinating a visit to Tampa foreducators from Afghanistan. CorbettPrep also will welcome a dozen ormore Chinese students for a two-weekstay in early 2015 for the second year

in a row. A new Chinese translation ofthe Corbett Prep book It’s All AboutKids: Every Child Deserves a Teacherof the Year is underway as well.

Colegios Ramón y Cajal and Cor-bett Prep’s longstanding relationshipstarted when Paloma Sanz, whosegrandfather founded the prestigiousfamily-owned school in Madrid, vis-ited Tampa to learn about teachingstrategies and the M.O.R.E. Model(Multiple Options for Results in Edu-cation) for increasing student achieve-

ment. Since then, several groups ofSpanish teachers have visited CorbettPrep, and Headmaster Dr. JoyceBurick Swarzman has trained facultyand staff at the Madrid school as wellas 20 other schools.

Luis, a sixth grader, came to Cor-bett Prep from Madrid with the mostrecent trip. He stayed with theSaligame family and had so much funand felt so welcomed that he felt rightat home. “You have a family that takescare of you,” he said.

Ronan Saligame, a Corbett Prepsixth grader, said he and Luis enjoyedplaying soccer together in his back-yard. He hopes he’ll be able to jointhe Corbett Prep trip to Spain thisspring and visit Luis at his home andget to know his family.

The Goetz family, who hosted Al-varo two years in a row, said the expe-rience has been wonderful foreveryone. Alvaro’s family treated Jakelike one of their own when he visitedMadrid with Corbett Prep’s Interna-tional Study Program last March. Thetwo eighth graders were excited to bereunited when the CRC students re-turned to Tampa.

“This year we were lucky enoughto have our Alvaro back,” said P.J.Goetz, Jake’s mother. “Every time wethought about when he had to leave,we all made ourselves stop and onlythink about having him here. He is anhonored guest in our home.”

Corbett Prep has become rec-ognized as an exemplary schoolwith over 7,000 visitors observingand learning from Corbett Prepteachers. For more information,visit www.corbettprep.com or con-tact the Admissions Office at (813)961-3087.

“Calendar/Briefs”Continued from page 5


close proximity to Carrollwood, ArborTerrace of Citrus Park allows easy ac-cess to everything that the beautifulTampa Bay area has to offer.

Pre-leasing has already begun,and rooms are filling up fast, so if youare interested in renting one of theirbeautiful new suites, call Arbor Ter-race today at (813) 345-4993 formore information.

Age in PlaceAt Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park

the staff will strive to carry on the mis-sion of the Arbor Company by provid-ing a welcoming, secure communitywhere residents can age in place.Uniquely designed, Arbor Terrace ofCitrus Park has three floors, from su-pervised memory care on the first, toThe Bridges on the second (a programdedicated to helping patients withearly onset of dementia andAlzheimer’s), to independent livingand assisted living on the third.

“As a resident, you have peace ofmind knowing that we can promoteyour independence and still meet yourneeds as you age in place,” says Senior

Care Counselor Diane McGauley. “Itis our goal to provide all residents witha safe and positive living environmentand to enhance their quality of lifethrough our engaged living program.”

By providing a diverse commu-nity, Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park is aplace where, as you go through thestages of life you can receive as little oras much care as you require.

Moving is already stressfulenough as it is, but can you imaginehaving to go through this as a patientsuffering from dementia orAlzheimer’s? As a place that takes careof all your memory care needs, fromearly onset to the later stages, ArborTerrace helps make your life and thelife of your loved one as smooth atransition as possible. “We customizeour care services to each individualresident,” says Diane. “We also look atcustomizing our activities to the needsand wants of residents.”

As a community of caregivers, thestaff at Arbor Terrace engages and en-riches the health and spirits of theirresidents, honoring individuality andcelebrating each person's unique lifethrough deep connections with theirresidents and families. And, with ahigh staff to resident ratio, you canrest assured knowing that your loved

one is in good hands and will alwaysbe taken care of and given the atten-tion he or she needs. To further en-sure the safety of their residents, ArborTerrace at Citrus Park will have nurseson-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,should an emergency occur.

Earning the prestigious ExtendedCongregate Care (ECC) licensure, allstaff employed by the Arbor Companyare well versed and expertly trained onhow to care for patients of all levels.

Executive Director Traci Kiklica says,“Our staff has gone above and beyondin their training; each member is spe-cially trained in dementia using ahands-on positive approach in the careof their patients.”

A further testament to their levelof care, the Resident Care Director forArbor Terrace of Citrus Park is also anRN – in the world of assisted livingthat is definitely a significant plus!

“Promoting continuity of care for


“Arbor Terrace”Continued from page 1

Traci and Diane are hard at work to bring the Tampa Bay Area the verybest in senior living. This beautiful new community is set to open early 2015.


our residents is very important to us,”says Diane. “We have partnered withmedical director Dr. Atigere, who willnot only be seeing our residents in ourcommunity but also caring for themshould they have to go to the hospitalor a skilled nursing facility – that’s abig deal.”

The BridgesHelping to bridge the gap for

those suffering from early stages ofmemory impairment, The Bridgesprogram allows residents to peace-

fully transition into their new lifestyle.With a whole floor dedicated to thisprogram, The Bridges gives marriedcouples the option to live together inthe same apartment and although it isnot a full memory care unit, staffmembers are always on call and nearby to help, should you or your lovedone need assistance.

“Quite often is the case that onespouse is extremely independent, buttheir spouse has dementia or anotherdisability, and they don’t feel capableof meeting their needs alone,” says

Diane. “We can provide together, asmuch or as little assistance as theylike, allowing them to still live to-gether in the same apartment at dif-ferent care levels.”

RESPITE Housing Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park will

also offer short-term stays and willhave furnished apartments available toaccommodate these guests. RESPITEhousing is perfect for those who arelooking to re-cooperate or recoverfrom a surgery and need a little extraattention before going back to theirhome setting. It is also a great optionfor when a caregiver needs to take awell-deserved vacation, as you knowyour loved one will be in a lovingcommunity where they will be wellcared for before returning home.

Dining with DignityWith their innovative Dining

with Dignity dining program, fa-vorite foods that were once forbid-den are now on the menu forresidents in the Arbor Company En-gaged Living memory care programwho cannot easily manage utensils orswallow solid foods. This awesomenew technique of preparing foods al-lows diners to enjoy dining optionssuch as spaghetti and meatballs, pre-pared in a way where no utensils areneeded; all while retaining the fulltaste, as well as the texture, consis-tency, and “five star” attractiveness ofthe original dish. The converteddishes are finger-ready and allow resi-dents to once again enjoy their fa-vorite foods in a way that wasthought to be long forgotten.

“Dining with Dignity will notonly help make eating easier forthose suffering from macular degen-eration and dementia, but also those

who suffer from vision impairment oranyone who might have troubleusing utensils,” says Traci.

Since being implemented in theirother locations, 30 percent of mem-ory care residents participating in theprogram have shown improved in-take, and 90 percent of respondentsin the survey approved of the menuchoices; this is just another significantoffering that will really distinguishArbor Terrace of Citrus Park.

This past year, Arbor Terrace’sDining With Dignity dining programreceived National recognition,proudly becoming the newest winnerof the coveted Best of the BestAwards at the annual Assisted LivingFederation of America conference.

Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park willhave three different types of apart-ments available for rent – studioapartments, one-bedroom apart-ments and private companion suites(which are essentially two bedroomsuites with a shared bathroom andkitchenette). To help ensure theysafety of their residents, all apart-ments will be equipped with anemergency call system. It is also im-portant to note that Arbor Terrace ofCitrus Park is pet friendly; althoughresidents do have to be able to carefor the pets themselves.

A beautiful, brand new commu-nity that will offer the best in assistedliving and memory care, Arbor Ter-race of Citrus Park is simply what as-sisted living should be!

Arbor Terrace of Citrus Parkis set to open in early 2015 andwill be located just south of Sick-les High School at 13810 SheldonRoad in Tampa. For more infor-mation or to reserve a suite pleasecall (813) 333-9996 or visitwww.at-citruspark.com.

Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park will feature elegant, modern designs and have a warn, comfy atmosphere where residents can feel welcome and at home.


sushi is one thing that we really prideourselves on,” says Dave. “We alsoget a lot of comments that our rollsare much bigger than a lot of othersushi houses.”

With a laid-back modern appeal,this fabulous sushi house features awrap around bar, including a separatesushi bar where you can watch thesushi chef prepare your deliciousmeal and has a full liquor menu,which is complemented by a great se-lection of beer, wine, mixed cocktailsand flavored Saki.

Pet friendly; come bring yourfurry friend and sit outside on theirfront patio and enjoy the beautifulFlorida breeze.

Featured Daily, OceanBlue’s Happy Hour WillNot Disappoint!

Well known in the area for theirinsanely good specials, Ocean Blue hasspecials daily, which include discountson both food and drinks. Runningdaily from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. theirHappy Hour boasts 2 for 1 deals onall single well drinks, house wines, and

draft beer, as well as discounted pricesfor select sushi and appetizers.

On a budget but don’t want tosacrifice quality? Mondays and Tues-days are great days to visit OceanBlue, where nearly every roll on thesushi menu (excluding some specialtyrolls) is available at 40-50% off theregular price.

A huge hit amongst the ladies,Tuesday night is Ladies Night atOcean Blue, where ladies enjoy freewell drinks after midnight.

Ocean Blue also offers awesomelunch specials throughout the week.For more information and a full list ofspecials visitwww.OceanBlueTampa.com.

Diner Brandy writes, “I love thisplace! They have happy hour beforeseven and after 10 p.m. on the drinksand the sushi! I'm adventurous andwill try pretty much anything, but therainbow roll is always favorite – I caneat two! They have a ceviche seafoodapp with crispy wonton wedges and itis "out of this world" good! Definitelygo for lunch! You get two sushi rollsof your choice and soup for $11! Thisis my favorite lunch spot too! Plus,while you enjoy your meal you canwatch the ducks play in the little pondbehind the restaurant! This is defi-

nitely worth checking out; if you lovesushi, this is your place!”

Every Friday night from 7:30p.m. – 9 :30 p.m., before transforminginto the club scene, guests are privy tothe beautiful rhythm and blues singingof local musician Corrine Oliviia. Play-ing music from artists such as ElaFitzgerald and Amy Winehouse, Cor-rine brings a nice, relaxing atmosphereto Ocean Blue.

From Restaurant toNight Club

As the clock strikes 10 p.m., thisfabulous restaurant transforms into alocal hot spot for a diverse crowd ofCarrollwood residents – from collegekids, looking to enjoy the great drinkspecials and live DJ, to the older, so-phisticated crowd who have come forthe up-beat atmosphere and dis-counted sushi. Mingling together, no

“Ocean Blue”Continued from page 1

Coated in their yummy homemade teriyaki sauce, the Shrimp Yakitori has asmoky, sweet flavor that is really delicious!


matter which category you fall into, Ithink we can all agree that Ocean Bluehas a little something for everyone.

“We are two different places inone; a restaurant during the day andon Thursday, Friday and Saturday wemorph into an upbeat club atmos-phere with a DJ, a dance floor anddiscounted sushi and drink specials,”says Dave. “We get pretty busy onthe weekends.”

“I've come here many times forlate night food, and it's a great spot togo for cheap sushi and drinks,” sayscustomer Jason. “I love stopping byhere. They have this mysterious club

atmosphere they tryto cultivate, and it hasgood energy. I'veliked everything thatI've gotten here interms of sushi or ap-petizers. I also reallyenjoy their shot spe-cials that happen dur-ing the first 15minutes of every hourduring late night. Theservice is very good,and the food comesout fast to tame all ofthose late nightmunchie monsters. Ifyou're hanging out in

Carrollwood and need some late nightsushi, this place has got your goods!”

Perusing their menu, you will no-tice variety is definitely not lacking –they offer an extensive selection ofsushi rolls, in addition to sashimi, nigriand hot and cold appetizers. They alsooffer tempting options from their grill,including stir-fry meals and bowls, aswell as traditional Japanese dinners.Hand-selecting the produce himself,throughout the week Tuyen will per-sonally pick out the items he needs,ensuring that only the freshest ingredi-ents are used at Ocean Blue.

On my previous visit I had Dave

and Tuyen select a couple of their fa-vorite menu items for me to try; I wasdefinitely happy with their selections!

Starting out with an appetizer ofthe steamed edamame, the lightlysalted soybeans were deliciously pre-pared. Tasty, but not too filling, thisdish is an excellent choice to start offthe meal and is a sure hit among most,if not all, diners.

After the edamame appetizer,Tuyen brought out another one oftheir favorite hot appetizers – theShrimp Yakitori. Served on skewers thejuicy shrimp were coated in their sweethomemade teriyaki sauce and had asmoky flavor that was really yummy.

Next came the sushi rolls…. An explosion of deliciousness, I

can easily see why the Sexy Roll is atop hit amongst Ocean Blue diners.The tempura shrimp provided a subtlesmokiness, which was perfectly con-trasted and complemented by thecreamy essence of the cream cheese.Topped with fresh eel, tuna and avo-cado, the flavors meshed really well to-gether. This is a definite musttry…although so is the next roll I tried– the Volcano Roll.

With an absolutely mouthwater-ing warm, crunchy topping comprisedof crabstick, fresh bay scallops andwhite fish, mixed with their special dy-

namite sauce before being baked, thisdelicious topping provided an amazingflavor to the roll, which lay beneath; aroll comprised of fresh snow crab – yesreal snow crab – avocado and cucum-ber. If you were wondering – it reallywas as amazing as it sounds!

Looking to host your next party?Ocean Blue can easily accommodatelarge parties (they recently hosted aprivate party of 300+ people) and theyhave a full catering menu completewith all of your favorite rolls. Sowhether you host your party onsite oroffsite, let Ocean Blue make your nextevent a huge success!

Dave says, “Give our sushi a try,you won’t regret it. Think of your fa-vorite roll at your favorite sushi restau-rant and come to Ocean Blue andcompare it to ours.”

Ocean Blue is located at 13030N Dale Mabry Hwy in Carroll-wood. They are open Mon. – Wed.11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.– 2 a.m.; Thurs. and Fri. 11:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.;Sat. 4:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. and Sun.4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. For more infor-mation please call (813) 269-2583,visit their website atwww.oceanbluetampa.com or likethem on Facebook (Ocean BlueCarrollwood).

(L-R) General Manager and Head Sushi Chef TuyenTran and Owner Dave Wilson.


By Katie Thomas

Area Rugs Direct takes the hassleout of buying area rugs. No moreworrying whether the rug will match!No more wrestling a large rug intoyour car, if it is even possible. AreaRugs Direct brings the selection toyou! Area Rugs Direct services the en-tire Tampa Bay Area, Sarasota, Or-lando and the surrounding areas withthe best area rug inventory and deliv-ery services for home or office.Founded in 2005, owner Tony Mo-gavero’s shop-from-home service isunique and sets Area Rugs Directapart from other companies.

“Our personalized, shop-at-homeservice makes us unique,” says Tony.Area Rugs Direct is one-of-a-kind, of-fering the best personalized shoppingservice that comes right to your door,helps you make an informed decision,then delivers and installs your newrug! Plus, customers love Tony! Hehas impeccable taste and loves helpinghis customers find the rugs that willcomplement the existing décor ratherthan competing with it. And if you call

right now, you can have new area rugsready to be the foundation of yourholiday décor.

With Area Rugs Direct, you getto skip the hassle of searching onlinefor something you aren’t sure about,skip cramming the rug into yoursedan, bypass shipping fees and see ex-actly what you are getting with thehelp of Area Rugs Direct. Area RugsDirect assists you in selection, layout,installation and design techniques.

Angie’s List ReviewsAs a member of Angie’s List, Area

Rugs Direct has great customer re-views and has been awarded the SuperService Award many times.

One Angie’s List review says, “Idon’t know if I can say enough aboutTony Mogavero. I love this man! Hehas the ability to walk into a room andcompletely envision and transform itright before your eyes (even rearrangesyour existing furniture), and on yourbudget. He is everything and muchmore than what we were expecting forthe price we paid for his services. He isa genius in his line of work. Do your-

self a favor and take advantage of AreaRugs offer on Angie’s List. You’ll beglad and thankful you did!”

Another Angie’s list member,Jason, says, “Tony listened to what wewere looking for and brought severalarea rugs into our home and laid themon the floor to see how it would lookwith our furniture, walls, flooring, etc.Although we did not buy an area rugfrom him at the time, we would cer-tainly do business with him again. Hehas a great decorating eye and is just areally, really nice person to work with.It was an enjoyable experience and I

would recommend him to anyone.”Area Rugs Direct is A+ rated by

the Better Business Bureau and an Arated Super Service Award Provideron Angie’s List .

Call Area Rugs Direct at (813)505-3174 or (727) 210-0900 for aFREE in-home consultation. Findmore information, testimonials andphotos at www.arugdirect.com.Area Rugs Direct, LLC is appoint-ment-based and is available 7 days aweek for customer convenience.“Like”Area Rugs Direct - Shop atHome on facebook.com.

Call Area Rugs Direct & Give Yourself the Gift of a Finished Home!



By Alexis Selby

Raising nearly $2,300 for theRide Operations Team and the 2014Ride to Defeat ALS, the First AnnualALS Fashion Show and Luncheonwas a huge success. Showcasingbeautiful fall fashions from DressBarn, the event drew a wonderfulcrowd of enthusiastic guests whocame to show their support and viewsome of this year’s latest and greatestfashion trends.

Hosted at the Cheval Golf and

Athletic Center in the beautiful golfcourse community of Cheval in Lutz,the event featured an exquisitely pre-pared lunch, which preceded thefashion show, allowing guests to relaxand mingle before all the excitementof the show began.

As a wonderful honor, my hus-band Matt and I were asked to be apart of the show and got to take partin the fun!

Starting with Friday nighteveningwear the ladies flaunted chicattire, featuring great wardrobe op-

tions for that after work cocktail, din-ner with friends, or a date night withyour significant other.

Teaming up with their partnerstore Justice, this set even included a

few children’s fashions, which werewonderfully showcased by theyounger models.

Escorted by handsomely dressedmen, in the next set the models

ALS Fashion Show & Luncheon

A wonderful crowd of enthusiastic guests came to show their support forthis fashionable event. My husband and I (upper left) were so happy to bea part of it, as were the other models who raved about the stylish outfits

provided by Dress Barn.


strutted Saturday eveningwear, a lit-tle more elegant than the latter,which featured fancy outfits, perfectfor a night out on the town.

If you have not been in to DressBarn recently, you have to go checkout their excellent selection of fabu-lous styles, including a whole newline, which they refer to as Sundaymorning casual wear. Keeping withthe “weekend wardrobe” theme, thiswas the final set that concluded thefashion show. This super comfy lineis perfect for those “lounging aroundthe house” days, or for when youwant to be super comfy, yet stilltrendy… because you never knowwho might stop by for a visit!

About the ALS AssociationThe Association is the only non-

profit organization fighting LouGehrig’s Disease on every front. Byleading the way in global research,providing assistance for people withALS through a nationwide networkof chapters, coordinating multidisci-plinary care through certified clinicalcare centers, and fostering govern-ment partnerships, the Associationbuilds hope and enhances quality oflife while aggressively searching fornew treatments and a cure.

For more information or todonate, please visit www.alsafl.org.




By Kim Thomas

Before you spend thousands ofdollars remodeling and re-tiling yourbathroom or kitchen be sure to callGrout Tech for a FREE estimate oncleaning or repairing old dingy tileand grout. Grout Tech can breathenew life into your existing tile work,making everything shine like new at afraction of the cost. Grout Tech is afamily owned business serving Hills-borough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties.With over ten years of experience inthe industry, Grout Tech specializes incleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showersand tubs, and repairing grout andbroken tiles.

Grout Tech will renew existinggrout and tile to its original beauty bycleaning and maintaining the tile andgrout lines. John Cole and his wifewere ready to re-tile their entire bath-room before calling BJ at Grout Tech.“Our bathroom tile was over 40 yearsold it was looking grungy and verydull. We called Grout Tech and weare extremely pleased with our results!

We saved so much money by havingthe grout in our shower resurfacedand the tile cleaned and it looks brandnew,” John shares.

BJ is happy to set your appoint-ment, come out and give you a free es-timate. She stresses, “It is importantfor me to be respectful of our cus-tomers’ time so I will always arrive atthe time we set.” In addition to alwaysarriving in a timely manner, BJ saysthat they can keep their prices low be-cause they are a family owned businessand not a franchise. She explains,“What many people don’t understandis that franchises are often forced tocharge more for their services becausethey have to maintain their franchisefees, but not with Grout Tech.” Not

only does Grout Tech keep its ratescompetitive, but the company will alsohonor any other quote as long as it isin writing.

Because grout is a porous mate-rial, trying to remove stains is seem-ingly impossible. BJ explains, “Colorsealing grout lines is one of the manyservices we offer and it is definitely themost effective way to create a perfect,new look.” Using a step-by-stepprocess, Grout Tech begins by using acleansing product to remove all bacte-ria and surface dirt with special ma-chinery. They will then apply a colorseal (of your choice).

Once the sealer is applied thegrout lines will be permanently pro-tected from any stains.

The color seal also guaranteesagainst cracking, chipping and peeling.Additionally, they will also cosmeticallyfix or replace chipped or cracked tiles,making your bathroom or kitchen tilelike new again.

Carla Bartow, a satisfied customer,shares her experience, “When BJ cameout to give us a quote, she looked atthe job and I could tell immediatelythat she knew what she was talkingabout. We had our family room,kitchen and dining room re-grouted.They also re-grouted the tub, showerand base of our toilet in our bath-room. They were fantastic! Not onlywere they professional and reliable butthey also completed the job muchfaster than we had anticipated.”

With the help of Grout Tech, even the dirtiest and oldest of floors can be restoredand renewed to their original beauty and splendor.

Save Time and Money with Grout Tech

AfterAfter BeforeBefore


Excellent Service Leadsto Referrals

Throughout the years, GroutTech has grown through its many re-ferrals from happy customers. Peoplereally appreciate that Grout Tech savesthem time and money, but it is the ex-cellent service provided that has reallyhelped this business grow.

Doris Strathearn, another GroutTech success story, said that beforecalling Grout Tech her bathroom andguest bathroom shower and floorgrout had deteriorated over time andthe tiles were dull and stained. “The

tile was in good condition but it wasstained so we had Grout Tech comeout and clean them and they turnedout very well.” They were so pleasedthat they have already referred GroutTech to neighbors in their community.

Grout Tech can also remove andre-caulk around sinks, baseboards,tubs and showers serving to clean upold moldy areas and keep your drywall free from water damage. Fromold to new in just one day!

To find out more about GroutTech’s services or for a free estimatecall BJ at 727-768-6828.


Documents

Carrollwood - Vol. 2, Issue 12, December 2014