Bloomindale/Fishhawk Edition

Flooring America Coming To River Hills

Flooring America owner and River Hills resident Rufus Ashby is pleased to announce that he will open his tenth Florida store in early November in the River Hills Plaza on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and Lynx Paw Tr.

The 3,500-sq.-ft. boutique-style store will be Ashby's third in the Brandon area, in addition to the recently opened and newly built, 14,200-sq.-ft. distribution center on Adamo Dr.

"More and more people want to spend less and less time driving," Ashby explains the reasoning behind the new River Hills location. "We have a lot of business in this area and we wanted to better serve this community's needs."

Although smaller than Flooring America's traditional stores, the new location will offer all of the same great products available at other locations, including carpet, ceramic tile, hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, bamboo, area rugs and window treatments. The carpet ranges from the Flooring America brands to Karastan and Mohawk, including berbers, saxonies and textures in nylon, PET polyester, Olefin and wool. The ceramic tile selection is brought in from all over the world, imported by container from both Spain and Brazil. Options also include stone and marble.

On a side note congratulations to Ashby for his recent nomination for Florida Retail Federation's 2005 Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership. Flooring America's Adamo Dr. store can be reached at 628-9630.

Chiropractor Hosts Ribbon Cutting

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors helped welcome Dr. Gretchen Hess-Turzanski and Family Care Chiropractic to the community with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Family Care Chiropractic opened in the spring in the River Hills Plaza at 4341 Lynx Paw Tr. Hess-Turzanski, a chiropractic physician, offers chiropractic care for the whole family with a focus on prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care.

Products available at Family Care Chiropractic include supplements, vitamins, homeopathic remedies for children, chiropractic and pregnancy pillows, plus cloth diapering. For more details, call 240-2200.

New Hires at Bloomingdale Medical Associates

Bloomingdale Medical Associates (BMA) is pleased to announce that the group recently brought two new physicians on board, to bring the number of providers at the facility to 13. This allows BMA to open its doors to new patients.

Dr. Rabia Shaikh, who is board certified in internal medicine, is pleased to be part of the staff. Shaikh comes from a family full of doctors and her husband Amin Elamin is also a physician who works at the University of South Florida. The couple have three boys, Sadiq, age 10, Nadir, age 8 and Yasser, age 5.

Shaikh says she has a special interest in women's health, especially chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes. She adds that she also has extensive experience treating allergies.

Shaikh excelled throughout her schooling, winning various honors and awards and completed her residency at the University of Illinois in 1995. "I truly am fascinated with this field," she comments.

Additionally, Dr. Cheryl Sellers is pleased to be joining the team. Sellers experience includes family practice, osteopathic medicine and diabetes training.

Sellers is fluent in Spanish and is a member of the American Association of Family Practitioners.

BMA is a primary care practice which also offers many ancillary services for the convenience of patients, including ultrasound, cosmetic laser, nuclear stress testing, bone density testing, x-ray, laboratory, holter monitoring and spirometry. .

For further details, call 654-1775.

New Doctor And Location For Practice

Zweibach Women's Health is pleased to announce it recently added its first female obstetrician/gynecologist. Plus, the group has moved to a new, upscale office in Brandon.

Mahnee Dinsmore, M.D., a graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine, joined the group in early August. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

"Dr. Dinsmore is a great addition to our staff," says Dr. Stephen Zweibach, founder of the practice. "She has a wealth of experience in women's health. She brings a warm, sensitive and extremely knowledgeable style to our practice."

Prior to joining Zweibach Women's Health, Dinsmore spent many years as a nurse, including three years at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Dinsmore says she chose the Bloomingdale area as her home because, "It's a great place to raise my family." She is married with two children.

She is now accepting patients at two locations - at Zweibach Women's Health in Brandon and in Plant City.

Zweibach Women's Health also recently moved to a new office in Brandon at 815 South Parsons Ave., near Brandon Regional Hospital.

"Our new office is designed with the comfort and confidentiality of our patients in mind," Dr. Zweibach said. "We have a larger reception room, private interview areas and have increased the size of our patient rooms."

The office makes extensive use of its website for patient communication and is transitioning to computerized records. For their convenience, patients with laptop computers can access the Internet wirelessly at the new office.

Dinsmore has joined Dr. Zweibach, as well as Dr. Joel Messina and Tina Brock-Fallen, A.R.N.P., in the practice. Combined, they have over 80 years of OB/GYN experience. Dr. Zweibach, who has practiced in the Brandon area for more than 20 years, delivered the first baby at Brandon Regional Hospital.

Zweibach Women's Health accepts most forms of insurance, including TriCare and AVMED.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 571-2777. You can also visit the website at www.zwhealth.com. Spanish-speaking patients are welcome and several members of the staff speak fluent Spanish.

Making Every Step Count

A new company has moved into the area with the goal of keeping people on their feet. Floor Safety USA, Inc. is Florida's non-slip surface specialist company. Floor Safety transforms any slippery floor into a slip resistant surface.

"Imagine a terrific combination of increased glossy appearance, increased slip resistance, aesthetics and safety; a winning duality," says owner Mark Schultes.

Floor Safety can transform any hard walk-able surface, whether it's inside or outside.

"In today's litigious world of slip and fall lawsuits, anything any business or homeowner can do to decrease the risk of lawsuits or to protect themselves in the eventuality of law suits is a must," Schultes adds.

For more information call 672-2675 or visit the website at www.floorsafetyusa.com

Storage Building Planned For FishHawk Blvd.

On FishHawk Blvd. west of Outback Steakhouse, developer Stuart S. Golding will build a 50,000-sq.-ft. climate-controlled storage building. Also, in the works, is a previously announced office park of three or four buildings that could be as large as 60,000 sq. ft.

Although few details could be announced at press time, company representative Loren Pollack says, "We are diligently working on both projects as we speak." For leasing information, call 727-796-1077.

Sous Chef Joins Rolling Pin As Manager

Brandon's Rolling Pin recently hired French Culinary Institute graduate, Garry Rowley, as manager/sous chef. He will be an in-house chef for cooking classes. Rowley has been in the food industry for many years and has worked and trained with top chefs such as Tyler Florence, Rick Bayless, Jacques Pepin, Andre Soltner and Michael Romano.

Rowley's responsibilities include monitoring sales performance, overseeing daily operations of the retail store, associate training and scheduling, cost controls, event planning and execution and customer satisfaction. Additionally, he will assist owner Dave West in the operations of the Culinary Theater and Demonstration Center, scheduled to be inside Rolling Pin's new 4,500-sq.-ft. retail outlet off of Brandon Pkwy. and Badlands Dr.

"We are fortunate to have him join our leadership team," comments West.

The new Rolling Pin facility, currently under construction, will offer hands-on and demonstrative cooking classes using the store's quality cookware, professional cutlery and kitchen tools. The new store, boasting three times the shopping experience and products found in the current location, will also carry specialty wines and gourmet foods and cheeses.

Additionally, a 1,200-sq.-ft. Culinary Theater will be included to host cooking classes and live demonstrations.

Another demonstration center is planned for gourmet foods and wines. This overall new concept is intended to allow customers to sample products, purchase retail kitchen tools and develop skills necessary to become confident home chefs.

Rolling Pin's existing Brandon location is 651 Brandon Town Center Mall. For additional details, call 653-2418 or visit www.rollingpinonline.com.

Cruise Planner Agent named as Elite Cruise Counselor Scholar

CLIA has named Cruise Planners agent Sherry Leybovich as one of only five Elite Cruise Counselor Scholars (ECCS) in North America. The designation is quite an honor since the requirements to gain it are quite rigorous.

"This designation means that I'm the best of the best," Leybovich said. "For my customers it means that I have complete knowledge of all the various cruise lines and can match them up with exactly the right one for their needs. What might work for one customer might not be the best for another."

In addition to the ECCS, Leybovich is also a Certified Travel Associate through ASTA, and is a specialist for a large number of the cruise lines.

She has been a Cruise Planner agent since 2000 and in the travel industry since 1992. She can be reached at her website, www.cruisesforu.com or by email at sherry@cruisesforu.com.

Now We're Cookin' Is Making Dinner

In today's society, the thought of coming home after work, errands and soccer practice to make a healthy and delicious dinner can be quite daunting. That's why local residents Alisa Johnson, Pam McAuley and Michelle Whitt will open Now We're Cookin' in Brandon, Inc. in the River Hills Plaza at 4377 Lynx Paw Tr. on Saturday, October 1.

Now We're Cookin' will offer sessions for preparing homemade meals, plus pre-assembled meals will be available. Ingredients are ready to go and all you need to do is combine them and add your personal flair.

"Nothing sounds better to most hard working moms than taking care of dinner for the family for an entire month in just two relaxing hours," says Johnson. "We chose this location because we felt it was centrally located to our core customer base. It was our goal to be in a place that was easily accessible and convenient everyone."

Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and are available by appointment, Tuesday-Friday. On Saturday, there is a 10 a.m. session and evenings are reserved for private parties. Half-sessions produce eight meals, while a full session includes 12 meals.

Menu items include rosemary flank steak with red onion marmalade, chicken and fish jambalaya and oven baked penne with chicken, among others.

Meal-to-go orders will also be available for those who call ahead or stop by on the way home for a single meal. Also great for on-the-go families, are the on-the-side items, like vegetable medleys already assembled in special boil and serve pouches.

Now We're Cookin' is available for special occasions and will feature specialty nights such as a holiday dessert session or grill night where meats will be prepared with marinades and rubs, ready for your next barbeque. "We want to make sure families are getting back to the dinner table and that especially includes the holidays," remarks Johnson.

For details, visit www.cookininbrandon.com or call 684-FOOD (3663).

QuikDrop Dropping Into Valrico

By Sharon Still

QuikDrop International recently announced plans to open a new store in Valrico in November. QuikDrop, a fast-growing chain of, are a convenient way for people to sell items on eBay without the time consuming hassle.

Rick Lattimore, owner of the new store, says he is excited about bringing this service to the Valrico and Brandon areas.

"It's very easy. Customers bring their items in, spend a few minutes with one of our staff and we handle the rest," he explains. "The staff takes professional photographs in a mini-studio, writes effective copy and lists the item on eBay using special software."

When the items sell, the store ships the item to the winning bidder and mails a check to the original owner of the item.

Lattimore says he chose a QuikDrop franchise because of its excellent track record, national presence and that the stores also offer other services to its customers such as shipping, fax and copy services.

QuikDrop opened its first store in August 2003 and has 75 store locations in 14 states and franchise contracts are in place to open more than 700 U.S. stores and 100 more stores internationally

The Valrico store, currently under construction, will be located in the River Hills Plaza at 4357 Lynx Paw Tr. just off Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Store hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday. For more information, please contact Lattimore at 413-8555 or visit www.quikdrop.com.

Steelers Fans Build Base at Club

By Sharon Still

"Here we go Steelers, here we go," the thunderous chants of the Pittsburgh Steelers fans can be heard from the outside of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club in Valrico where the Pittsburgh Steelers Club of Brandon meets religiously each week at game time.

More than 220 members, some traveling from as far as Lakeland and Wesley Chapel, gather to cheer on their hometown team. Originally, they come from Pittsburgh's south side, Ben Avon, Sewickley, Mars and other places neighboring Pittsburg, PA.

It all started back in 1993 when Donna Varchetto, who hails from Plum Boro, east of Pittsburgh, started working as a manager at a bar in Brandon called Darby's. "I was a lonely Steeler fan, so I put an ad in the sports section of the paper," Varchetto explains. The ad read: "Wanted: Steelers Fans. Sorry, due to the high import prices of chipped ham, Town Talk Bread and Iron City Beer, all we have to offer is the company of Steelers fans."

The ad attracted a small crowd and many of the original members still gather together today at the Eagles Club. Members consider each other as part of their extended family.

"I belong to the Steeler Club because it's like going home and being with family," says Valrico resident Dick Stein. "As a matter of fact, these transplants are my family."

Stein has been a member of the club since its inception and adds, "People ask why do I keep coming back each year; that's easy, as once was the Pirates theme song, 'We ARE Family;' You can't find a more loyal crowd of fans."

Memberships are $10 per person, $15 per couple and $25 per family and benefits include a weekly newsletter, raffles and other give aways, four tailgate parties per year, plus a year-end, an all expense paid party. Steelers Club members do not need to join the Eagles Club.

To join the club, show up at the Eagle Club, located at 1800 Front St. (north of S.R. 60 off of Mt. Carmel Rd.), before the next Steelers game. For more information, call club president Dave Knapp at 643-1985.

Month Three: 32 Sit-ups is Good

By Marie Gilmore

At this month's fitness test, even I was surprised by the number of situps I did. In one minute, I did 30 pushups and then following with 32 situps in one minute and I am happy with those results. Especially considering that just 12 weeks ago, I couldn’t achieve a single sit up. My blood pressure is excellent and all results are improving. In addition, weight is down 18 pounds overall and I will be excited to hit the 20 pound mark.

Personal Best Fitness Training owner Rob Zulkoski is also happy with the results and says that the more muscle that I build, the faster the pounds will fall.

Getting into a routine to work out or do cardio more than three times a week is tough. On deadline week especially, it is hard to find the time. But, I have also found that after 12 weeks, exercise is becoming habit and I enjoy getting it done at the beginning of the day so that I can feel a sense of accomplishment all day. Much easier to stay on diet if I feel that I have started out well.

Next month, I am going to work with Rob to explain the three minute step test and what heart rate recovery and fitness have to do with each other.

Bear with me and thank you for all the well wishes! I look forward to continuing the path to fit!!

To contact Zulkoski, visit www.personalbestfitnesstraining.com or call 610-9933.

Dellas Offers After Dark Treat

By Marie Gilmore

Celebrating its fourth year in Brandon, Dellas After Dark offers what is missing in Brandon. Haute cuisine without a 60-minute wait. And wait, it also takes reservations. Driving to West Shore, International Plaza and SoHo will be a thing of the past once you discover the gourmet offerings at Dellas.

By weekday, Dellas Delectables Deli offers homemade luncheon and deli choices including soups, salads, sliced meats and more. By weekend night, the deli is transformed into a jazz club complete with wine, gourmet dinners and a relaxing atmosphere perfect for all busy parents and couples.

Inviting a few friends to dinner, it is easy to get lost in the comfortable atmosphere of the restaurant. We actually closed the restaurant on our most recent visit and found ourselves watching the jazz band Valerie Gillespie Trio packing up with disappointment in our eyes. Fortunately, she was selling her CD and we bought it to listen to on the way home, promising ourselves we would be back soon.

Chef Alex DellaGrotta runs the After Dark while keeping the restaurant in the family; mom Beverly operates the deli serving breakfast and lunch six days a week. The combination of fine dining and weekday deli works exceptionally well and the DellaGrotta’s restaurant has become a favorite dining establishment for any excuse, birthday, anniversary or just to end a busy week.

DellaGrotta describes his restaurant as an American bistro with fine food, fine wine, fine jazz. He brings his fusion of flavors from his experiences from Colorado and New Zealand where he trained under master chefs. In addition DellaGrotta had the opportunity to hand select his staff and it shows in the attentive but unobtrusive service.

Wine and beer selections highly complement the menu and servers welcome questions and comments.

If you have never been to Dellas, it is high time to start and if you haven’t been for a while, you'll be pleased upon your return. Hope to see you there.

For more information, call or visit www.dellasafterdark.com. Reservations are accepted.

Dellas is located at 608 Oakfield Dr., across from Tower Diagnostic. For reservations, call 684-3354.

Riverview Edition

Space Available At Summerfield Professional Plaza

RMC Property Group, the developers of the Publix-anchored Summerfield Crossings, are also busy working on additional projects near the Big Bend Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301 intersection, including Phase Two of Summerfield Crossings and Riverview's Bell Plaza on the southwest corner.

Next to get underway will be Summerfield Professional Plaza, located on the west side of U.S. Hwy. 301 just north of Big Bend Rd. The development will feature 5,400-sq.-ft. Flexies Fitness Center and five spaces at 1,716 sq. ft. each. Five of these spaces are still available, while Workforce has signed to occupy the remaining 1,716 sq. ft. area. For leasing information, call 960-8154.

New Concept Features Coffee And Dry Cleaning

Sumatra Coffee Company, in partnership with The Cleaners, will open in mid-October in the Ace Hardware-anchored Shoppes at South Bend located at Lincoln and Big Bend roads.

What's unique about Sumatra Coffee Company is that it offers more than great tasting coffee; the location also serves as a dry cleaning drop store.

"Innovation, convenience and class mark the character and design of this new concept coffee shop," says assistant manager Joey Papa.

Accompanying the finest global coffees will be fresh, hot bagels, decadent pastries and nutritious meals all baked and prepared on site. The bagels will be made every morning so they are warm and fresh by the time customers arrive. Pastries will include muffins, cinnamon rolls and sticky buns and it doesn't stop there; crisp garden salads, fresh handmade sandwiches and healthy choices such as fruit and yogurt also are planned.

The Cleaners drop-off allows customers to drop dry cleaning off at the store and have next day service with every article guaranteed. The company uses state-of-the-art equipment that produces high quality results at affordable prices.

Sumatra Coffee Company and The Cleaners will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. Stop by this new store that offers conveniences at 13330 Lincoln Rd. More information can be obtained by calling 671-6875.

Amerilex Hosts Ribbon Cutting

Amerilex Mortgage recently welcomed the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors for a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new office in the Summerfield Shoppes on Big Bend Rd.

The licensed Florida correspondent lender specializes in obtaining rates as low as 1.95 percent, 100 percent financing and servicing credit challenge borrowers. Services are available for first-time homebuyers, offering no application fee and no PMI.

Principal broker Glen Crain and the rest of the staff are area residents and have more than 40 years of combined experience in the business.

Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, by appointment only. For more details, call 672-4800.

Metro PCS Making Local Debut

MetroPCS recently launched an expansion of its wireless network from South Florida up into the Central Florida region creating a coverage area that stretches from Vero Beach to the Florida Keys to New Port Richey.

As part of this expansion, Hello Cellular in Riverview opened at 9846 U.S. Hwy. 301 (on the southeast corner of U.S. Hwy. 301 and Boyette Rd.) and Phones 4 all in Florida started operations at 6241 U.S. Hwy. 41 in Apollo Beach

MetroPCS brings a fresh approach to traditional wireless by continuing to make wireless service simple, convenient and easy to use for customers. MetroPCS is unique in that it is the only wireless provider in Florida, including Tampa and Sarasota, to offer an unlimited local and long distance wireless, flat rate wireless service that does not require a contract or credit check.

For more details visit www.metropcs.com.

Web Company Expands Services

Simian Networks, Inc., a growing IT and web development company based in Riverview, recently expanded its list of services to include graphic design for print publications, such as brochures.

"We have talented, award-winning designers with experience in print media as well as the web," says Elizabeth A. Roper, director of Web services. "We want to use those skills to expand our services and better serve our customers' wide variety of needs."

Simian Networks' Web department now provides graphic design projects such as invitational packages, logos, corporate identity packages, direct mail, brochures, pamphlets and other marketing materials.

Simian Networks, Inc., a family-owned and operated single source IT and web solutions provider for small-to medium-sized businesses in the Brandon/Tampa Bay area, specializes in personalized network administration, consultation, maintenance, web development, design and hosting services.

For additional information, contact Roper at 298-8021 or visit the company's website at www.simiannetworks.com.

Get Hooked Up

D & J's Bait, Tackle & More recently opened at 8811 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. just south of Balm Riverview Rd. Owned by David Buckner and Jason Huggins, the store offers fresh and saltwater supplies, live shrimp, shiners and more.

"Basically we have bait for all fishing needs," says Buckner.

Store hours are 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 6 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Call 671-9595 to find out more.

South Bay Welcomes Amshel

Craig Edward Amshel, M.D., east Hillsborough's first fellowship trained colon and rectal surgeon performing colon and rectal, general and advanced laparoscopic surgery and endoscopy, recently joined the staff at South Bay Hospital.

Amshel's education includes a B.S. in psychobiology from UCLA and a M.D. from the University of Kansas. Following a general surgery internship in Roanoke, VA, he completed his general surgery residency in Phoenix.

For more details, call 633-0081.

New Face At Chamber

Next time you are at the Riverview Chamber of Commerce office or one of the organization's events, be sure to introduce yourself to Kim Petschonek, the newest addition to the group's staff. Petschonek is helping out with communications at the chamber, including working on the newsletter and press releases.

"So far I Iove it," she reports. "It's never the same thing."

Originally from Michigan, she has been in the area for five years with her husband Kevin and children, Kayla, age 11 and Leann, age 10. For more details about the chamber, call 643-8000.

Making Every Step Count

A new company has moved into the area with the goal of keeping people on their feet. Floor Safety USA, Inc. is Florida's non-slip surface specialist company. Floor Safety transforms any slippery floor into a slip resistant surface.

"Imagine a terrific combination of increased glossy appearance, increased slip resistance, aesthetics and safety; a winning duality," says owner Mark Schultes.

Floor Safety can transform any hard walk able surface, whether it's inside or outside.

"In today's litigious world of slip and fall lawsuits, anything any business or homeowner can do to decrease the risk of lawsuits or to protect themselves in the eventuality of law suits is a must," Schultes adds.

For more information, call 672-2675 or visit the website at www.floorsafetyusa.com.

Chamber Welcomes Summerfield Pharmacy

Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce president Ron Proulx and others participated in a ribbon cutting for the recently opened Summerfield Pharmacy, located in the Summerfield Shoppes on Big Bend Rd.

The full service pharmacy also offers cholesterol, bone density and diabetes screening. Plus, delivery is free.

Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday. For more details, call 234-9409.

Cherry's Second Riverview Location is Open

Cherry's recently opened its second Riverview location in the Shoppes of Boyette on Boyette and Balm Riverview roads.

Expect to find the same great food and friendly service as other area locations. Local menu favorites include the half-pound burgers, chicken sandwiches and array of appetizers. The menu also features entrees such as fish and chips and country fried steak, salads, wraps, wings, desserts and more.

Tuesday nights are a great night for family dinners at Cherry's as kids eat free.

Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 12 Noon-11 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 671-2260.

Summerfield Publix Plans Opening

By Sharon Still

A much-anticipated day is almost here. Construction is complete on Phase One of Summerfield Crossings and Publix will open its 45,000-sq.-ft. store on Thursday, October 13. Stop by and meet store manager Robert Schneider.

In addition to the traditional, the new store will contain the following full-service departments: bakery, deli, fresh seafood and pharmacy. Approximately 150 Publix associates will be employed at the store.

Store hours are set for 8 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week.

The remaining businesses in the 61,600-sq.-ft. center will open in the coming months. Signed tenants include a Chinese take-out restaurant, First Choice Haircutters and Nail Spa, all at 1,400 sq. ft., Consolident Dental Group (3,500 sq. ft.), Hollywood Video (5,300 sq. ft.), Late Night Urgent Care (3,669 sq. ft.), Majik Touch Cleaners (1,200 sq. ft.), Papa John's Pizza (1,118 sq. ft.), Summerfield Liquors (1,800 sq. ft.) and The UPS Store (1,200 sq. ft.).

While the strip center is nearing full capacity, there are still out parcels available, ranging in size from 1.18 acres appropriate for about 4,000 sq. ft. of space to 1.32 acres suitable for 5,000 sq. ft. or so.

Bank of America and Wachovia are nearly done with construction on out parcels facing U.S. Hwy. 301 and Bank of America is under construction on the Big Bend Rd. side. Sun Trust Bank also is slated to open just north.

Additionally, there is 120,000 sq. ft. of space available that has been earmarked for anchor stores.

For leasing information, call 960-8154.

Valrico Edition

A Caring Touch Expands

The offices of A Caring Touch massage and skin therapy are a little bigger this month. After moving to a new location on Lumsden Rd. earlier this year, A Caring Touch recently had the opportunity to expand into the office next door and owner Bernadette Dunn jumped at the chance to double her office space and add to her staff.

A Caring Touch offers a wide variety of massage and skin care options from sports massage to anti-aging revitalizing. The new office is 14,000 sq. ft. and boasts four treatment rooms.

"It is really exciting to have more space to offer our treatments," says Dunn, who started A Caring Touch in 2001. "We are now able to accept a lot more clients which is great for everyone."

Dunn is a nationally certified massage therapist and is licensed in the state of Florida. A Caring Touch’s four therapists have more then 40 years of combined experience.

A Caring Touch is located at 1318 E. Lumsden Rd., between Lithia Pinecrest and Valrico roads and for more information or to make an appointment call 849-0023. Appointments can also be booked online at www.acaringtouchwellness.com, with early morning, weekend and evening slots available.

Hair Stylists Creates Cuts at Local Salon

Remember when looking like Jennifer Aniston from Friends was all the rage? Well one of the stylists responsible for creating that cut is now cutting hair with an exciting technique in Brandon.

S. Pierce Simeone creates unique styles for women of all ages using the Sahag technique, created by John Sahag who has worked with celebrities such as Heather Locklear, Demi Moore and Jennifer Anniston.

"John Sahag had a different technique in cutting hair; he was cutting it dry but flat ironing it first," says Simeone, who spent time in New York with Sahag learning the technique. "The Sahag cut puts shape and designs the hair like no other cutting technique I have ever seen," he adds.

Simeone began his career at the Watergate Hotel Salon & Spa in Washington D.C. in 1976. He has since owned his own salon in Clearwater and is now working in Brandon booking his own appointments for cuts, colors and styling.

"John always said, 'Hair is the only element of the human body that is an extension of the human soul. It is designed so you can color it, carve it and attach things to it.' This is the philosophy I use to create the perfect style for my customers," says Simeone.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Simeone at 401-1384 or (727) 656-4503.

Signature Welcomes New Realtor

Brenda Wade, Signature Realty Associates' Top Producing Agent for 2002, 2003 and 2004 is pleased to announce that Charlotte Walton has joined her team as Buyer's Agent.

Walton has been a licensed Realtor for three years and prior to entering the real estate profession, she taught pre-school at Bell Shoals Baptist Church.

Originally from Texas, she has lived in the Brandon area for the past 17 years and raised three children. Walton is especially knowledgeable of the issues impacting families relocating to this area and specializes in residential home sales.

Walton can be reached at 689-3115, 727-1732 or Charlotte@BrendaWade.com.

Now We're Cookin' Is Making Dinner

In today's society, the thought of coming home after work, errands and soccer practice to make a healthy and delicious dinner can be quite daunting. That's why local residents Alisa Johnson, Pam McAuley and Michelle Whitt opened Now We're Cookin' in Brandon, Inc. in the River Hills Plaza at 4377 Lynx Paw Tr. on Saturday, October 1.

Now We're Cookin' offers sessions for preparing homemade meals, plus pre-assembled meals are available. Ingredients are ready to go and all you need to do is combine them and add your personal flair.

"Nothing sounds better to most hard working moms than taking care of dinner for the family for an entire month in just two relaxing hours," says Johnson. "We chose this location because we felt it was centrally located to our core customer base. It was our goal to be in a place that was easily accessible and convenient everyone."

Meal-to-go orders are also available for those who call ahead or stop by on the way home for a single meal. Great for on-the-go families, are the on-the-side items, like vegetable medleys already assembled in special boil and serve pouches.

For details, visit www.cookininbrandon.com or call 684-FOOD (3663).

Coldwell Banker's Bonnie Albert and Sheila Dean Celebrate 25 years As "Brandon's Home Team"

Bonnie Albert and Sheila Dean, sales associates at Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate's Central Brandon office, are pleased to announce that they are celebrating 25 years of sales success as " Brandon's Home Team."

The team credits its success not only to hard work and dedication to their profession, but to their long-term trust and friendship that they have developed through the years.

According to Albert, "Realtor teams were unheard of in the industry 25 years ago. We have learned that any successful partnership must have the utmost respect for each other and that communication is key, not only with their clients and piers, but with each other." The team receives most of their business in the form of repeat transactions and referrals.

They estimate that their real estate services have helped over 2,500 people sell or find their home. "Bonnie and Sheila pioneered team selling, by laying the groundwork for many years. As a team, they rose quickly to the top and continue to be leaders in today's fast-paced real estate market," said Debbie Flanagan, branch manager for Coldwell Banker's central Brandon office.

In addition to their sales success, the "Brandon's Home Team" supports the community by organizing neighborhood activities, participating in Brandon’s 4th of July parade, supporting Habitat for Humanity, the Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate CARES foundation and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Albert and Dean may be reached at 653-7006 or at BrandonsHomeTeam@msn.com.

Flooring America Coming To River Hills

Flooring America owner and River Hills resident Rufus Ashby is pleased to announce that he will open his tenth Florida store in early November in the River Hills Plaza on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and Lynx Paw Tr.

The 3,500-sq.-ft. boutique-style store will be Ashby's third in the Brandon area, in addition to the recently opened and newly built, 14,200-sq.-ft. distribution center on Adamo Dr.

"More and more people want to spend less and less time driving," Ashby explains the reasoning behind the new River Hills location. "We have a lot of business in this area and we wanted to better serve this community's needs."

On a side not, congratulations to Ashby for his recent nomination for Florida Retail Federation's 2005 Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership. Flooring America's Adamo Dr. store can be reached at 628-9630.

Pilot Bancshares Announces New Director

Pilot Bank, which recently opened an office on Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, has a new leader on its board of directors.

John W. Puffer, III, chairman and president of Pilot Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Pilot Bank and National Aircraft Finance Company (NAFCO), recently announced the appointment of Robert E. Lewis to the board of directors of Pilot Bancshares, Inc. and Pilot Bank.

Founded in 1987, Pilot Bank is a full-service community bank offering a wide range of consumer and commercial financial products and services. The bank operates from six locations in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area and will be opening an office in Lakeland in early 2006.

For more information, call 496-2630.

Making Every Step Count

A new company has moved into the area with the goal of keeping people on their feet. Floor Safety USA, Inc. is Florida's non-slip surface specialist company. Floor Safety transforms any slippery floor into a slip resistant surface.

"Imagine a terrific combination of increased glossy appearance, increased slip resistance, aesthetics and safety; a winning duality," says owner Mark Schultes.

Floor Safety can transform any hard walk able surface, whether it's inside or outside.

"In today's litigious world of slip and fall lawsuits, anything any business or homeowner can do to decrease the risk of lawsuits or to protect themselves in the eventuality of law suits is a must," Schultes adds.

For more information call 672-2675 or visit www.floorsafetyusa.com.

Family Care Chiropractic Ribbon Cutting

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors helped welcome Dr. Gretchen Hess-Turzanski and Family Care Chiropractic to the community with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Family Care Chiropractic opened in the spring in the River Hills Plaza at 4341 Lynx Paw Tr. Hess-Turzanski, a chiropractic physician, offers chiropractic care for the whole family with a focus on prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care.

Products available at Family Care Chiropractic include supplements, vitamins, homeopathic remedies for children, chiropractic and pregnancy pillows, plus cloth diapering. For more details, call 240-2200.

Schools Win Cash For Class at Mall

By Kathy Dotson

The expression, "I love shopping" took on a whole new meaning for schools all over the Brandon area during the months of July through September at Westfield Brandon Shopping Town. For two months, the shopping center offered students, parents and teachers the opportunity to earn cash prizes and awards for their school by earning points when they made any purchases.

The Cash 4 Class program had schools taking this assignment very seriously since the top prize for the school with the most points would be $10,000.

Amidst the laughter, squeals of delight and the chanting of "BSA," the grand prize check recently was awarded to Bell Shoals Baptist Academy principal, Susan Manning, for scoring the highest in points.

"The school plans to donate 10 percent of the prize to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund and we also plan to expand the media center and add to the art and music departments."

According to Taylor Clifton, marketing director of Westfield Brandon, the shopping center decided to hold this first-time event because of its commitment to the community and its wonderful school system. The event attracted more than 79 schools in the local community to participate in the program.

"We look at our loyal customers as an extension to our family," said Clifton. "The Cash 4 Class program was a way to enhance what everyone was doing in getting ready to go back to school. This was just a fun and creative way to do it."

Alafia Elementary principal, Ellyn Smith accepted the second place honors of $5,000 and Nativity Catholic School principal, Dr. Bernadette Kunnen along with school representatives and parents, accepted the third place honors of $2,500. Fourth and fifth place winners, Central Baptist Christian and Cimino Elementary each received a one-year subscription to the Tampa Tribune's Newspaper-In-Education program.