Author: Brad Stager

Carrollwood Day School Offers Students A World-Class Education

For New Tampa and Wesley Chapel families who consider the standardized testing and one-size-fits-all curricula that have become synonymous with public schools unsuitable to the educational needs of their children, there is an alternative.

Carrollwood Day School (CDS) — located 30 minutes from most of Wesley Chapel on W. Bearss Ave., a few miles west of I-75, distinguishes itself by offering more than academic excellence, says Head of School Ryan Kelly.

“The main emphasis (here) is character development,” Kelly says. “That’s the foundation.” He adds that the school promotes that development through its classroom instruction, which is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School Programme.

The IB Programme is based on educational principles developed and promoted globally by the Geneva, Switzerland-based foundation called International Baccalaureate (IB). According to the IB website (IBO.org), its mission statement is to, “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”

Schools throughout the world, from Albania to Zimbabwe, offer IB Programmes. CDS became an IB World School in 2005.

Kelly says the curriculum provides students what they will need to be effective global citizens and healthy risk takers, and that teaching life skills, as well as academics, is an important part of a CDS education.

“At the young age it’s anything from manners to treating a friend well,” Kelly says, “and then, as you get into elementary school, it’s some of the same but we work on public speaking and a variety of other things. And, in middle and high school, it’s (teaching) what you should do in difficult situations.”

The goal is to provide knowledge and tools that can lead to success, and that includes lessons about what to do when things go awry.

Kelly characterizes this as a “wholistic” approach. “We’re looking at the whole child,” he says. “There’s a lot of pressure on teenagers today and what we work on is building resiliency within our students, learning how to fail and not let it ruin your whole life and just understanding that there are going to be obstacles in your way.”

CDS director of marketing Shannon Gauthier says the school’s curriculum of Primary Years (age 3-grade 5), Middle Years (grades 6-10) and Diploma programmes (grades 11-12) is distinctive.

“We are the sixth school in the United States authorized to offer all three levels of the IB Programme,” Gauthier says.

About 1,000 students from age two through high school attend the co-educational, private school (unaffiliated with any particular religious group) which began in 1981 as an early childhood learning center in a rented storefront space. Over the years, CDS added grade levels and moved to different locations to accommodate its growth.

It became an IB World School in 2005 and moved to its current location on W. Bearss Ave. the following year, which is also when CDS’ high school division opened.

Academic programs emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) have become popular, as students and their families seek knowledge applicable to the modern workplace. CDS adds another “E” (for Entrepreneurship) in its unique STEEM program.

“I want to make sure they are exposed to the STEEM areas because research shows that’s where the jobs are going to be,” says Kelly. “I brought entrepreneurship into the STEM acronym because it’s much more than just building a business, it’s about innovation, it’s about thinking outside the box.”

The STEEM emphasis is applied throughout all grade levels at CDS. Kelly says the IB curriculum’s emphasis on character development provides students a good academic foundation and personal skills that match up well with the school’s STEEM emphasis.

“It’s about social entrepreneurship and that’s about volunteering. A lot of times math, science, engineering and computer technology all sit in their silos and my goal is that there’s much more crosstalk between them all.”

Kelly says students learn to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems, like developing a social entrepreneurship business to tutor neighborhood kids.

And So Much More!

CDS offers more than just rigorous academics. Athletic opportunities range from equestrian to football. The softball and volleyball teams have made the state final four in recent years, and the football team is always a playoff contender, to name a few athletic successes.

Several honor societies are represented at CDS and students can join with others in clubs that explore drama, rocketry, table tennis, music, yoga and more. There’s even a model United Nations and a chapter of Oprah’s Ambassadors.

Many activities take place in the new, 25,000-square-foot Hayes Family Gymnasium that cost $3.5 million to build. There also is a performing arts theater located in the main building.

Tampa Palms resident Anh Flinter’s three daughters attend CDS and says the school has served her family’s educational needs well since moving to Tampa from New Jersey in 2009.

“My children are very happy and have flourished at CDS, (thanks) to the rigorous education derived from the IB program,”Flinter says, also noting that the teaching excellence of the CDS faculty and the families who volunteer their time and talents as some of the things that have prompted her to say, “Sending our daughters to CDS was one of the best decisions we’ve made.”

Sandy Smith is a CDS teacher who started out as a parent of a student at the school. The second grade teacher has been at CDS for nine years, following 15 years in the Hillsborough County School District. Her professional relationship with CDS began shortly after her daughter transferred there.

“When my daughter was transitioning to middle school, I wanted something different for her,” Smith says. “When I came to CDS, I just loved the family environment. It’s so warm and inviting.”

Families can contact the admissions office for a tour and several Open House events are held throughout the year. The public also will have a chance to visit the campus on Tuesday, August 9, when educator and author Michele Borba presents a program in which she will, “share hands-on tools to help in parenting for success,” and will provide the audience, “immediately usable strategies and an actionable roadmap for transforming cultures and improving relationships,” according to the CDS website. Borba is the author of the book UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, which has made the summer reading list of the staff and faculty at CDS.

CDS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the Florida Kindergarten Council, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

There are two CDS campuses. The main campus, consisting of primary, middle, and high school facilities, as well as the main administrative offices is located at 1515 W. Bearss Ave. in Carrollwood. The early childhood campus is located at 12606 Casey Rd., in Carrollwood Village.

As a private school, CDS charges tuition, although Kelly says scholarship opportunities are available. He notes that there is some capacity to accommodate students with Individual Education Plans (IEP), but “CDS does not have the extensive resources that public schools have in that regard.”

The 2016-17 school year begins on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Families interested in learning more about CDS can check out the school’s website at CarrollwoodDaySchool.org or by calling 920-2288.

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates Can Help You Breathe Easier

Dr. Richard Lockey, M.D., of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay.

New Tampa residents who enjoy the botanical beauty and seafood bounty associated with the region may find that allergies and related health problems can also be a part of living our sub-tropical lifestyle.

Fortunately, when allergic reactions become more than an inconvenient nuisance, medical help is available at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay, which has an office in the University Community Medical Center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of E. Fletcher Ave.

Dr. Richard Lockey, M.D., is the founder and president of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay. He earned his M.D. degree in 1965 from the Temple University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. After serving as a physician in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, he joined the faculty of the University of South Florida College of Medicine (now Morsani College of Medicine) in 1973 as an assistant professor of medicine and founded Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay. Now, he is the director of USF’s allergy and immunology division, chief of the allergy and immunology section at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and his practice now has four locations — New Tampa, South Tampa, Citrus Park and Brooksville — staffed by five physicians.

Dr. Lockey also has served as a president of the World Allergy Organization and is a past president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

He says some of the most common allergies come from exposure to substances like pollen or ragweed and foods such as shellfish, eggs, wheat, milk and peanuts. He also cites insect bites, chemicals and medicines as causing allergic reactions and adds that the way doctors treat allergies and related conditions like asthma has changed considerably since he began practicing medicine.

“When I started, we would hospitalize asthmatics all the time on an inpatient basis,” says Dr. Lockey. “What’s changed exponentially are the methods and means by which we can treat and care for patients with allergic diseases, particularly asthma.”

He notes that means asthma patients can continue to live their lives with minimal disruption.

“If appropriate care is available and given, we virtually can keep asthmatics functioning on a normal basis, almost without exception,” he says.

Dr. Lockey credits research that has yielded greater understanding of the disease and new safe, effective medications to treat asthma, for changing a diagnosis of it from potentially life-threatening to manageable for people like Leslie Barton.

Barton has been a patient at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates for 10 years. She suffers from asthma and credits Dr. Lockey and his team for helping her maintain her independence while dealing with the disease’s debilitating effects.

“It really changes your life when you can’t breathe,” she says. “They work very closely with you on a one-on-one basis and have kept me out of the hospital.”

Dr. Lockey says asthma can occur as a result of allergies, nasal polyps, exertion or be related to other respiratory diseases.

Once the doctors at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay determine why a patient has asthma, they determine the severity of the illness and conduct a complete physical examination to check for related conditions that can make the condition worse. And, while the physicians are specialists, Dr. Lockey it all gets back to the basic principles of the medical arts.

“You have to be a good internist — or a good practitioner — first, to take care of a patient with asthma,” he says. “If you treat the patient who has chronic sinusitis and you treat their chronic sinusitis, their asthma gets better; if you treat their GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), their asthma can get better; and if you treat their asthma, their GERD gets better. You have to be a physician that knows about the patient as a whole.”

A Team Of Allergy Specialists

Speaking of good practitioners, in addition to Dr. Lockey, there are four other physicians on the staff of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay. They are all Board-certified allergy, asthma and immunology specialists and members of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), with each of them contributing a unique perspective derived from their different medical advocacy and research interests.

The range of substances that can cause an allergic reaction is wide, and Dr. Roger Fox, M.D., who earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, in 1975, has written and lectured extensively on the topics of environmental, chemical, food and drug allergies.

Dr. Dennis Ledford, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in 1976 and has served as president of AAAAI. His research and published writings focus on immunology and autoimmune disorders, and he has been active in promoting education and awareness of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

In addition to being a medical doctor, Dr. Mark Glaum, M.D., is also a Doctor of Philosophy. In 1999, he earned his medical degree at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and went on to earn his Ph.D. dgree in immunology from there in 2001. His areas of interest include how the body responds to substances that cause allergic reactions and advancing diagnostic techniques such as rhinoscopies (examining nasal passages with specialized instruments).

The congestion and related problems caused by allergies can require the expertise of an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) and at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay, that is Dr. Seong Cho, M.D. He received his medical degree from Kyung Hee University School of Medicine in Seoul, Korea, in 1989, and began his medical career there as an otolaryngologist.

This range of expertise means the doctors and staff at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of Tampa Bay treat and manage many health conditions besides asthma. These include rhinitis (inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose, often referred to as hay fever), cough, laryngitis, headaches and immune disorders. Allergic reactions and immune responses resulting in rashes and dermatitis also can be treated there, says Dr. Lockey.

“We are allergists and immunologists. We are trained to take care of a variety of different dermatologic diseases, including hives, eczema, and others. It’s part of our training,” he says.

Patients are provided a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services such as rhinoscopies (examination of the nasal passages using a speculum or similar instrument), patch tests, hearing tests and, of course, allergy injections.

All of the doctors at Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay also teach at USF’s Morsani College of Medicine. This academic side has promoted a working relationship with USF Health’s Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Clinical Research Unit, of which Dr. Lockey is the associate director.

According to USF Health’s Michelle Twitmyer, the unit’s clinical research coordinator, the benefits available to study participants are considerable.

“Some clinical trials are using medications that are not yet available on the market for the doctors to prescribe, so there might be people who are interested in seeing if this new medication is available,” Twitmyer says. “During the trial, they have the potential of getting that treatment for a year or even two years before it becomes available on the market.”

Twitmyer also says one of the unit’s current projects is researching a treatment for peanut allergies.

While the doctors and staff at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates have considerable clinical and research experience, as well as access to the latest in treatments and technology, Dr. Lockey expresses a basic principle that guides his team in its work.

“We practice the most cost-effective and honest medicine,” he says. “We treat patients like they’re our family members. That’s what all medicine should be about.”

You can learn more about Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay by visiting AllergyTampa.com or by calling 971-9743. The New Tampa office is located at 13801 BBD Blvd., Suite 502.

Central Bank — A Truly Local Banking Option For New Tampa!

Board Vice Chair Nilesh Patel (left) & President/CEO John Thompson of Central Bank, the community bank which has its only location on BBD Blvd. just south of County Line Rd. in New Tampa.

New Tampa and Wesley Chapel consumers who like to support their neighborhood businesses by shopping locally can also bank locally at Central Bank, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just south of County Line Rd.

According to President and Chief Executive Officer John Thompson, there’s a big difference between a community bank and a branch office of one of the national financial institutions.

“The policy of a community bank is set by the management in that community,” Thompson says. “The community banks are much closer to what’s going on in their communities than larger banks.”

When Central Bank’s founders were going through the planning and regulatory process to open their bank 10 years ago, the area’s economy was moving along steadily towards a prosperous future as people moved into new homes, followed by businesses to serve them.

According to Vice Chairman of the Board Nilesh Patel, the Central Bank team of financial entrepreneurs saw a need they could fulfill. The New Tampa location is Central Bank’s only full-service facility, although there is a plan to open a loan processing office in Dade City in August.

“In 2005 and 2006, Florida had tremendous growth,” Patel says. “New Tampa was chosen (as our headquarters) because there were not that many banks.”

But, there was a lot of construction under way and more being planned as the area on both sides of the Hillsborough and Pasco county lines continued to add shopping plazas and housing tracts.

Central Bank opened the doors to its standalone headquarters building on the south side of the county line in February 2007.

“Just in time to experience the economic chaos (of 2008-09),” says Thompson.

While the recession that started in 2008 rocked many banks, Central Bank stayed on its course.

“Our Board oversight has been on maintaining a well-capitalized institution,” says Thompson. “We weathered the storm very well.”

Solid finances at its founding and prudent management during the challenging years that followed allowed Central Bank to go against the tide and position itself as not many other community banks could during the recession. “When the recession set in, it caused a lot of banks to get out of mortgage lending (nationally),” Thompson says. “We got into it.”

When the local economy showed some signs of recovery, the economic engine driving growth in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel kicked into gear again.

The projected growth envisioned for Wesley Chapel that had been on hold is now under way. The Shops at Wiregrass mall found its commercial footing and is now poised for expansion; the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) is setting the stage for major development in the area around S.R. 56; the Tampa Premium Outlets has opened, and major projects like the Florida Hospital Center Ice complex are nearing completion.

“If you look at the growth all around S.R. 56, residential construction has picked back up,” Thompson says, adding that part of Central Bank’s business model of commitment to the local community and making decisions based on that is giving greater consideration to mortgage applications from people whose personal finances may have taken a bit of a hit during the recession.

“You had a lot of good people affected by circumstances beyond their control,” Thompson says. “They’ve gotten good employment again but have some blemishes. We view those people as acceptable risks.”

Patel notes that factors like the current price of housing and growth in land values help ensure that the numbers add up for the bank and make it possible to be a good neighbor as well.

“The prices are right, the interest rates are right and the values are going up,” Patel says. “We being community members, we try to find a place for them.”

High customer service standards also are part of the deal, Thompson adds. “We try to give a quick turnaround.”

The Bank For Your Business?

Many small, independent businesses occupy a lot of the storefronts in the shopping plazas of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, and Central Bank is available to serve them in the same neighborly way it does individual consumers.

One of the small business owners Central Bank has earned as a customer is Beverly Zichy. Her Wesley Chapel company, Proforma C & B Elite, provides brand management and marketing solutions. She’s been in business for 10 years and has been with Central Bank from the beginning.

“I’ve enjoyed a great relationship there,” Zichy says. “All the employees are friendly and know me by name. I can’t say that about any other bank I’ve used in the past.”

For consumers looking for a place to conduct routine personal banking business, Central Bank – which has current assets totaling $121-million, about twice what it started with — offers a variety of services, such as savings, checking, IRA and CD accounts (including a new Advantage Plus CD, which affords greater flexibility on deposits and rates of return).

Central Bank uses the Presto network of ATM machines, which means customers can withdraw money from any Publix store ATM without paying a fee.

The bank’s website (CentralBankFL.com) offers a variety of financial tools ranging from a simple calculator to switch kits that facilitate changing from another bank to Central Bank. Loan inquiries also can be initiated from the website. Other online services available to personal and business customers include online bill paying and access to statements, fund transfers and more.

A free Central Bank app also is available for both Apple and Android devices.

According to Thompson, providing online services offers great potential to meet the needs of customers efficiently. “We are in the process of expanding our online account handling,” he says. “We believe technology is the best way to expand.”

Central Bank is a small business itself, dealing with many of the same opportunities and challenges as many of the businesses it serves. The bank has 23 employees who handle everything from handling deposits at a teller window to overseeing cyber security and compliance with industry regulations.

And, like other New Tampa- and Wesley Chapel-area businesses, Central Bank is involved in community activities, with employees participating in projects like Paint your Heart Out Tampa (which has painted over 2,600 homes of low-income, elderly citizens the past 26 years), the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, DARE to Rescue (which rescues and rehabilitates Dachshunds) and Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for the needy.

Financial education is another area of community involvement for Central Bank.

“We have employees who go into the schools and teach (kids) about banking,” says Patel, who is a resident of Live Oak Preserve and is serving as the chair for the sponsorship committee of the 29th Annual India Festival, which will be held in November at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

In fact, because many of the bank’s board of directors and founding members have strong family relationships with India, the bank is called Central Bank – the name of one of the oldest banks in India.

Whether it’s serving the banking needs of consumers and businesses of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, or donating time and energy to worthy causes, Central Bank is staking its future on exemplifying what it means to be a community bank and a good neighbor, according to Thompson, who is active in the Rotary Club of New Tampa, which meets for breakfast every Friday at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club.

“We want to be a good community citizen and have a reputation for honesty and integrity to the public,” he says.

You can learn more about Central Bank by checking out their ad on page 27, calling 929-4477, dropping by for a visit at 20701 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd, or by visiting CentralBankFL.com.

Central Bank

Terrace Smiles Stresses Overall Health Through Proper Dental Care

Just as some people consider the eyes to be windows to the soul, Dr. Brian Witt, D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry), views the mouth as a portal to the body, with a direct influence on your overall health. It’s a perspective that guides how dentistry is practiced at Terrace Smiles, located minutes from most of New Tampa off E. Fletcher Ave., a couple of miles west of I-75.

“We help people feel better as well as look better. That’s why I do what I do,” says Dr. Witt. “Dentistry has been linked to the health of our bodies. Everything is connected. The studies are very clear today that heart attacks, strokes, heart disease and diabetes are often all related to infections in your mouth. So, making sure that your mouth is completely healthy with no gum infection and no tooth infection protects your heart and your blood vessels from stroke and heart attack.”

It’s not just Dr. Witt’s opinion either. Research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, MD, cites a connection between poor oral health and increased risk of heart disease.

The increased amount of bacteria and infections resulting from poor dental health also create problems for people who have diabetes, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, one of NIH’s institutes.

Oral Infections Are More Problematic With Diabetes

With the American Diabetes Association (ADA) reporting that as of 2012, 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, the implications for the disease’s impact on personal health — especially for diabetic patients who have infections in their mouths — are substantial.

“Diabetes is very closely linked to personal health because a diabetic has trouble healing,” says Dr. Witt. “So, if you have infections in your body, a diabetic can’t control their blood sugar, so they get worse and diabetes is a huge killer of the body. Therefore, being able to control their blood sugar for a diabetic is very important, and if they have an infection in their mouth, they won’t be able to do that.”

According to Dr. Witt, ensuring optimal oral health adds up to a very important outcome.

“What we do here is we help save lives,’’ he says. “By keeping people’s mouths healthy without disease, we keep their bodies healthier and we help save their lives.”

Terrace Smiles also offers an array of cosmetic dental services. Dr. Witt says there’s nothing superficial about that aspect of his practice.

“The other thing that we do here is we help give people confidence. Because, when their teeth are straight and aligned and beautiful, and they’re confident about their smile, they’re happier, so they’re more able to go out in the world and be more social.”

Terrace Smiles is capable of fulfilling a wide range of dental needs, from exams and cleanings to several more complex procedures.

“We’re a full-service dental office,” says Dr. Witt. “I’m fully trained in all aspects of general dentistry. We also offer several advanced dental care procedures here, including laser gum surgery, tooth implants, implant dentures, full mouth reconstruction, smile makeovers and even orthodontics.”

Providing an extensive line of treatments means patients don’t usually have to deal with multiple providers to get the dental care they need.

“People don’t like to be referred to other offices,” says Dr. Witt. “People become accustomed to the way that they’re treated here and they don’t want to go to other places. Unless it’s an extremely advanced case that requires a specialist, I’m fully trained to take care of their needs.”

Even with all the research showing how important dental health is to your health, a lot of people are reluctant to visit a dentist until major problems develop.

“The biggest challenge getting people in is getting the word out that their health is dependent upon the health of their mouths and the health of their teeth,” says Dr. Witt. “Less than 50 percent of the population gets dental care. That’s a lot of people who aren’t seeing a dentist.”

Recognizing that people are reluctant to seek dental treatment influences how the staff at Terrace Smiles interacts with patients, who are referred to as “guests” by everyone at the office.

“We understand that dentistry is something that people are afraid of, so we take pride in the fact that we are extremely gentle and we help people get through their fear of dentistry by gently getting their work done,” says Dr. Witt.

It’s an approach that resonates with Lisa Van Sickle of New Tampa.

“The entire staff is attentive, organized and professional,” she said. “The technology I’ve been exposed to is cutting edge.”

Susan Wenrick of Temple Terrace chose Terrace Smiles when her 80-year-old aunt, who lives in Zephyrhills, required dental treatment.

“She loves it and feels very comfortable here,” Wenrick says. “They’re very friendly and one-on-one. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere.”

Care Worth Traveling For

Terrace Smiles’ office manager, Shirley DeSouza, says the practice takes care of people who come from far beyond the Tampa Bay area.

“We have patients who travel from Canada to see Dr. Witt. We have a patient from New Jersey now, who came down just to see us.”

Dr. Witt says empowering people to maintain their oral health and bright smiles is an important part of the routine at Terrace Smiles.

“We teach them how to brush their teeth when they’re here,’’ he says. “We teach them how to properly care for their teeth on their own.”

Dr. Witt’s home care advice is to brush twice a day and floss daily. But, even with a diligent regimen, he says people still need professional cleanings with checkups.

“The reason it is so important that people see their dentist on a regular, strict schedule is that bacteria and infection build up over time and only dental instruments can remove it,” he says. “You can’t remove an infection at home. You can keep everything healthy, but it’s building up over time, so every 3-6 months you need to come in to the dental office so we can clean out the places you can’t reach.”

Witt, who was born and raised in Tampa and now lives in Land O’ Lakes with his wife and their two children, says he committed to a professional life of dentistry at a young age and achieved that goal with the support of his family.

“They’d never had a doctor in the family so they felt like, ‘Okay, whatever,’ and they supported me the whole way as I became a dentist.”

Dr. Witt earned his D.M.D degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville 1995 and established his own dental practice in Temple Terrace in 1999. He moved Terrace Smiles from the city’s business district to its current pastoral setting on Telecom Dr. in Telecom Park, just south of E. Fletcher Ave., seven years ago.

Dr. Witt is a member of local, state and national dental associations as well as both the Temple Terrace Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, which recognized Terrace Smiles as a 2016 Ed Hanna “Business of the Year” finalist in the Health & Wellness category.

While family and dentistry are Witt’s greatest passions, he makes it a point to involve himself and Terrace Smiles in projects that benefit the larger community. He has donated dental supplies to villages in Ghana, supported the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program as well as the Heroes Health Fund, a nonprofit organization founded by actor John Travolta to assist uniformed services personnel and other first responders whose jobs expose them to potentially dangerous levels of environmental toxins.

Whether it is his daily work at Terrace Smiles or the community projects he supports, it all comes together in what Dr. Witt says is the reason he became a dentist: “To help people. To make people well.”

You can learn more about all of the dental services available at Terrace Smiles (located at 13214 Telecom Dr., Tampa) by calling 977-7000, or visiting TerraceSmiles.com or the Terrace Smiles Facebook page, where you also can view testimonial videos of patients.

Wine, Paint, Fun & Friendship Flow At Pinot’s Palette!

As a sip-and-paint studio where people gather to create personal artistic masterpieces, the preferred pairings for a cabernet sauvignon at Pinot’s Palette in The Shoppes at New Tampa are art, family and friends, instead of a chargrilled steak or butterflied leg of lamb.

According to James Serrano, who co-owns the franchise with his wife Carol, the success of a day’s work at Pinot’s Palette is measured in the pleasure and satisfaction delivered to guests who come in for some creative recreation, as much as the revenue generated from seating fees and beverage sales. He sums it up in one word: “Service,” he says. “I have a servant’s heart and we have great artists (working here) who have a passion for this.”

It’s an approach that has made Jennifer Rakita of Seven Oaks a repeat customer. She says she often visits Pinot’s Palette with some of her gym friends for a more “aesthetic” workout. “James always takes very good care of us and makes sure we have a good time,” Rakita says, adding that the paintings she’s created at Pinot’s Palette have helped decorate her home. “I always leave with a nice piece of art and display them.”

Live Oak resident Michelle Rizzuto says the instructors who guide patrons during the painting sessions at Pinot’s Palette ensure your artistic success.

“I’m not an artist, but I can follow the instructions and the paintings turn out fine,” Rizzuto says.

Eight of Serrano’s nine employees are high-energy artists who lead guests step-by-step towards completion of that day’s art.

“I love the fact that we’re creating jobs for artists,” says Serrano, who notes that many of them are art students or recent graduates from the University of South Florida. For example, Ari Pascal received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from USF in December and is glad to have a chance to apply her skills.

“It’s a really unique job,” Pascal says. “I feel like I’m a teacher but it’s not a normal class because people come to unwind and enjoy themselves.”

As an example, Pascal enthusiastically began a recent two-hour Friday night paint party by asking attendees, “Are you guys ready to have some fun?”

The project for the session was a beachscape and by the time Pascal illustrated the techniques to add details like a starfish and footprints (photo, right), the painters were filled with feelings of accomplishment.

“I’d never done any painting before,” admitted Wesley Chapel resident Dinah Danao. “But, this (painting) is something I can keep.”

Danao had brought visiting family members from New Jersey with her to Pinot’s Palette and was glad she did. “We loved it,” she said. “They want to come back, we had so much fun.”

Serrano says his place also appeals to people who are involved professionally in the creative industries. For example, Darci D’Onofrio and Melissa Van Schaik operate the performing arts venue Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz. For the two Wesley Chapel residents, an evening creating guided artwork was more than a paint-by-numbers session.

“This is our girls night out,” said D’Onofrio. “It’s a great way to support the arts and we’re definitely coming back.”

“I thought it was fantastic,” added Van Schaik. “It was so relaxing and fun.”

As Diane Stickney, a staff artist at Pinot’s Palette expresses it, “This is fun art, not fine art.”

A Variety of Options

There are several ways to enjoy Pinot’s Palette’s offerings. Classes led by an art instructor are scheduled, with subjects selected from a catalog of more than 2,000 paintings. Two-hour painting sessions cost $35 per person and three-hour sessions are $45 per person.

There also are open studio sessions, where painters choose from a limited selection of paintings to recreate from written instructions without the aid of an artist that cost just $15 per person. The Pinot Perks rewards program offers special benefits to frequent painters.

Themed events add variety to the Pinot’s Palette calendar. “Date Night” sessions allow a couple to create a combined work of art from two canvases. Similarly, “Family Day” and “Mommy and Me” classes create a family-bonding event as well as a unique piece of art. According to Serrano, his black light painting sessions are especially popular and frequently sell out.

“We provide neon paint and black lights are everywhere,” he says. “The kids and adults all love it.”

Beer, wine and soft drinks are sold separately, but Serrano says his prices are very fair. He has 15 beers and 15 wines to choose from. Moscato wines such as Beringer pink, Villa Pozzi and Cupcake D’Asti are popular, with the Cupcake entry being the best-seller, according to Serrano, who enjoys the bold flavors associated with Gnarly Head malbec.

Other wines, such as Beringer pinot noir and white zinfandel, Cupcake sauvignon blanc and shiraz, BV Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon and more are on the shelf to satisfy grape-loving palates.

Available beers range from Bud Lite to Sea Dog Wild Blueberry, with Stella Artois, Angry Orchard and Blue Moon the favorites, according to Serrano. Food is not served, but guests are allowed to bring their own.

And, people looking for a place to celebrate special occasions, such as bachelorette, holiday, kids and corporate parties, can even book Pinot’s Palette for their private use. Team-building events can be arranged with members combining their canvasses into a single creation as a reminder that they accomplished something together. Serrano says custom paintings can even be produced from photographs, such as a Project Pet creation.

Kids birthday party packages start at $300 for 12 painters and the appeal to young artists is also evident in the popularity of the Little Brushes Kids Camp. Shelley Semczuk of New Tampa says the half-day painting sessions helped her grandson Justyn discover a new interest in art. “He never thought he could paint and now he finds that he can. It’s been a very positive experience.”

Pinot’s Palette has been open in Wesley Chapel for about eight months. Serrano became a franchisee of the Texas-based company after a career in the financial services industry. One of the reasons he says he chose Pinot’s Palette as a business is the company’s philanthropic “Painting it Forward” program, which donates a portion of a painting event’s proceeds to charity. “It’s an opportunity for me to give back to the community,” Serrano says.

As an example of that commitment to doing good things, Pinot’s Palette will hold a fundraising event from on Friday, July 1, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. to benefit victims of the June 12 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. It will be a black light event featuring a specially-designed painting. Serrano says 20 percent of the seating fees will be donated. As of press time Serrano was evaluating which charities are appropriate and worthy of financial support. “There are so many organizations out there that are trying to help,” says Serrano. You can find out more information and sign up for the event by visiting this page at Pinot Palette’s website: pinotspalette.com/wesleychapel/event/105788.

Other Painting it Forward fundraising events at Pinot’s Palette have benefitted Animalluvr’s Dream Rescue which rescues critically sick or injured dogs and cats and Frankie’s Friends, an organization providing financial aid to help people pay for a pet’s major medical expenses.

As a member of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Serrano is an avid networker and advocate for local small businesses. “I’m often at the ribbon cuttings to support the businesses,” he says.

Like any new business owners, James and Carol find themselves putting in a lot of hours to establish themselves in the Wesley Chapel’s community. James says it’s starting to pay off. “The word is getting out and people are talking about us,” he says. “Wesley Chapel is growing and it’s perfect for a place like this.”

Pinot’s Palette is located at 1718 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. You can check out upcoming events, make reservations and ask questions online at PinotsPalette.com/WesleyChapel or by calling 428-6590.

Pinot's Palette