By John Ney

CPK Donates to Foundation

The California Pizza Kitchen Restaurant at Westfield Brandon Mall presented $5,000 to the Greater Brandon Community Foundation last month.

Store Manager Kevin Jarvis organized the "Pizza Day" fundraiser to raise money for the Greater Brandon Foundation's charities and donated 100 percent of the dine-in pizza sales during the restaurant’s grand opening in October. 

"It was a very pleasant surprise," Nymark said as she accepted the check placed in a pizza box from Jarvis. "We truly appreciate this wonderful gesture by the California Pizza Kitchen. The donation money will go to fund our charities."

Jarvis said they will do more for the foundation.  "It's good to give back to the community and that feeling extends to the whole staff at the Westfield California Pizza Kitchen," Jarvis said.

The Greater Brandon Foundation, founded and established by Anne Nymark and Arlene Waldron in 2003, is a non-profit organization that raises funds for charities in the local community with a mission to improve the quality of life, to shape the future by creating public awareness, developing resources and supporting initiatives that address local needs. 

For more information about the Greater Brandon Foundation visit www.BrandonFoundation.org or call Executive Director Liz Brewer at 661-8683.

New Chief Medical Officer Hired at Brandon Regional Hospital

Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez has recently accepted the newly created position of Chief Medical Officer at Brandon Regional Hospital. The role was created based upon the combined input from Brandon's Board of Trustees, Medical Executive Committee and Physician Advisory Board with the primary purpose of fostering more effective communication between the hospital and medical staff as well as guiding the medical staff through the various quality initiatives and requirements needed.

Martinez recently served as the CEO of Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston, Texas. Since his tenure in 2006, Martinez has been instrumental in driving significant improvement on core measures and the national patient safety goals. 

Prior to this role, Martinez was in the private healthcare sector in research and IT&T.  He began his career in the U.S. Army and retired as a major general where he served as commanding officer in various capacities of military hospitals and systems.

Martinez has his medical degree from University of Puerto Rico and his masters in public health from Johns Hopkins University.  He and his wife have several grown children and he currently owns a home in Bloomingdale.

Oriental Market Open for Business

Do you enjoy fresh oriental food? Ha Tien Oriental Market just opened its doors last month and features Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Philippine and Southeast Asian goods, meats, fresh produce and seafood.

Owner Dan Ngo said the store is unique because of the variety of foods offered all at affordable prices. "The store is clean, the food is fresh, and the service is outstanding," he said. The store is located at 10117 E. Adamo Dr., Suite 703, Tampa. Store hours are from Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Gift cards are available. For more information, contact Ngo at 740-2430.

Beautiful Mexican Pottery Store Underway

Are you looking for that special piece of Mexican pottery for your home or business? If so, you're in luck. Shelly's Décor is a new store featuring Mexican pottery (indoor/outdoor), iron furniture, gifts, dishes, wall art, purses/watches, home accents, jewelry and a baby's collection. Owner Shelly Adams, who grew up in Kentucky, said she decided to open the store because of her love of decorating. The business recently opened its doors and is located at 2020 W. Brandon Blvd., Suite 140 in Brandon. Hours are from Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. For more information, contact Adams at 653-7181.

Full-Service Financial Planning and Investment Management Firm Gets Underway

Do you need help making those all important financial decisions? Lehman & Martin, LLC opened its doors in Tampa to help its clients make more informed financial decisions. Partners Mike Lehman, CFP and Bobby Martin bring over 17 years of experience in guiding individuals and small business owners throughout the Tampa Bay area with personal and business financial strategies including investment management, longterm financial planning, retirement income, college planning,  asset protection and small business retirement plans. "Our mission is simple, we help our clients turn goals into realities," said Martin. The company is located at 10150 Highland Manor Dr., Suite 200 in Tampa, just off the intersection of Martin Luther King and I-75.  Office hours are Monday -Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (By appointment only). For more information, contact Martin at 314-2361.

Cheers-Like Tavern Opens Doors

Are you looking for a cool place to hang out with friends and enjoy an upscale atmosphere? Linksters Tap Room recently opened its doors in October offering a full liquored bar and daily Happy Hour (Noon-7 p.m.). A unique feature of the tavern is Buzztime, a play along TV. Buzztime produces interactive entertainment including games, promotions and technology across many consumer platforms that enable one person or massive audiences to be entertained and vie for rankings and prizes along the way. Managing Partner Wayne Pfipps said, "Our philosophy is to create a Cheers-like environment where everyone knows each other here. Once you come into our tavern, you are considered family." Customers are welcome to bring food with them into the establishment.

Linksters Tap Room is located at 1911 W. Brandon Blvd., in Brandon and is open everyday from 12 Noon - 3 a.m. For more information, contact Pfipps at 654-3333.

Westfield Mall Offers Innovative Shopping Service

Westfield Brandon Mall is making it easier than ever for shoppers to find personalized gifts, without the hassle of wading through aisles and waiting in line.

NearbyNow (www.nearbynow.com) offers a way for last minute shoppers to find the perfect gift and even pick it up the same day. Westfield Brandon offers the service, allowing shoppers to search inventory, check availability and prices and reserve items in nearly every store in the mall using the Internet or mobile phones.

"Shoppers call the service "Google for malls" because they can search every brand, product, and sale at the mall," said Westfield Regional Marketing Director Tara Waterston. "It helps keep the focus of that special day on the right thing - your loved one - rather than the hassles of gift buying."

Shoppers can also use NearbyNow by sending an SMS text message to NEARBY (632729). For more information, contact Waterston at (727) 724-5260.

Adult Family Home-Elder Care Inn Opens

Does an elderly person you know need care? Whispering Willows Retirement Inn "Elder Care with a Bed & Breakfast Flair" offers a lovely, private nurse owned home in Brandon and provides an alternative to today's assisted living facility. The new facility provides 24-hour care, furnished private rooms, nutritious well-balanced home cooked meals, physical and mental exercise, individual and group activities and more in a loving, caring environment. For more information, please contact Cindy at 661-8721.

Jewelry Store Offers Jewelry Spectacular

Hadassah members and their friends are invited to a Jewelry Spectacular. Presented by J.B. International Jewelers of Brandon, located at 733A W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon in the Oak Park Plaza, on Sunday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy refreshments with friends while you view gold fine jewelry, gemstones and diamonds, and Rolex and Tissot watches by Omega Estate Jewelry. 

J. B. International Jewelers of Brandon can also do appraisals, repairs, and design custom pieces for customers, all at wholesale prices. A selected piece of fine jewelry will be won by one lucky person. J. B. International Jewelers of Brandon will donate 10 percent of all purchases at this private sale to the Brandon Chai Group of Hadassah.

For more information or to RSVP for the event (by February 25), contact Janice Perelman at 571-2029 or chinadolljp@verizon.net.

After Hours Pediatrics Announces New Director of Medical Operations

Charles A. Welborn, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACEP, has been appointed Director of Medical Operations for After Hours Pediatrics.  In his new role, he will oversee medical operations for After Hours Pediatrics Tampa Bay (Including Brandon), Orlando and South Florida markets and will continue to serve as medical director for the Tampa region, as he has for the past three years. 

Each office features on site x-ray and lab services and is equipped to treat a wide range of medical issues. The Brandon office is located at 131 W. Robertson St. For more information, contact Ashley Adams at 775-4008.

Local Flyer Distribution Service Celebrates 21 Years

Lori Enterprises, Inc., a direct mail alternative originating in Brandon since 1986, is celebrating its 21st year in business. The company provides a specialized marketing service to professional Real Estate sales agents and Brokers. This unique service hand delivers flyers and promotional items to Real Estate offices throughout seven Tampa Bay counties. "Our loyal customers trust that we place great emphasis on reaching each individual Realtor," said Owner Lori Reeves, who has served for eight years as a board member of the Sales & Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

She received numerous awards including "Member of the Year" and "Best Outside Service" for her company's assistance to the local home builders who advertise their homes and communities.

For more information, contact Reeves at 681-8861 or email to flyers@lorienterprises.com.

Trendy Apparel Store Opens Door

Are you searching for trendy apparel for junior and plus size women? Purely Pizzazz offers affordable, trendy apparel for juniors and plus size women. The unique store opened its doors last month. While the Brandon location caters to women only, their online store (www. purely pizzazzonline .com) carries over 1,700 fashion and apparel items for juniors, girls, kids, boys and men.

Purely Pizzazz also hosts Wedding Accessories 4 U at its location at 428 W. Brandon Blvd. Its wedding accessory boutique offers wedding accessories, wedding favors, invitations, and personalized gifts. Wedding Accessories 4 U features Kate Aspen, Cathy's Concepts, Hortense B Hewitt, Carlson Craft, Birchcraft, stylart, FashionCraft and United Gifts. Select items are available for in store purchase. For more information, contact Christy Collins at 685-6111.

New Coach Store Opens in Brandon Town Center

Looking for that perfect handbag or accessory? Coach is pleased to announce its newest location at the Brandon Town Center. The store features handbags, woman's and men's accessories, footwear, jewelry and more. Residents are invited to come into the store to preview the newest collections including handbags, accessories, scarves and jewelry.

The store is located in the Brandon Town Center. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, contact the store at 654-9025. 

Brandon Bank Sponsored ShredFest

M&I Bank sponsored ShredFest last month as local community members, organizations and businesses were again invited to M&I Bank to safely dispose of sensitive documents in an industrial-sized precision shredder provided by Curlie Joes, a document disposal service. 

M&I Bank offered document shredding and disposal to all members of the community free of charge in an effort to help protect them from the destructive and expensive consequences of identity theft.

M&I representatives were on hand to provide community members with tips on how they can keep their personal information safe and inform them of the common ways thieves are able to gain access to valuable, personal information in order to open accounts or set up transactions in a different name.

For more information, contact Darcie Hartford at (414) 390-5500.

New Boutique and Consignment Store Begins

Encore Boutique & Consignment is a new business that opened its doors in October.

The business provides Curtain Call Applause for women's apparel and a 50-50 split to our Consignors.  The store is planning a fashion show in April for prom.  The company is located at 764 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon in the La Viva Plaza. For more information, contact Diane Petersen at 681-6264.

Brandon Chamber to Hold Spring Job Fair

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual spring Job Fair on Thursday, April 17, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is sponsored by The Brandon News & Tribune/The Tampa Tribune and will be hosted at Hillsborough Community College- Brandon Campus located at 10414 E. Columbus Dr. in Tampa.

At this time, employers seeking to expand their employee base are being sought. The job fair is open to Brandon Chamber members and non-members. Booths are $125 and will include: covered table, chairs, signage and a boxed lunch.

For more information or to register, contact Venessa Loredo at 689-1221, ext. 16 or vloredo@brandonchamber.com.  Exhibitors may also register online at www.brandonchamber.com.

Brandon Real Estate Agent to Receive Award

Keller Williams Brandon has announced that Steve Moran has finished as the number one single real estate agent in 2007.

This is the fourth year in a row that Moran has finished as the top agent.

“The market is definitely slower than in the past, however 90 percent of my business is referrals so market shifts do not affect my production as much as some,” said Moran, who credits his staff for keeping him organized and past clients for keeping him at the top. 

He will receive an award at the National Keller Williams Convention in Atlanta in February 2008. Keller Williams Reality is located at 2119 W. Brandon Blvd., in Brandon. For more information, contact Moran at 661-2476 or realtormoran@aol.com.