Becca’s Bubbles Brings Pet Grooming Right To Your Doorstep

By Celeste McLaughlin

BeccasBubblesWhen your dog needs to be bathed, clipped or shaved, Becca’s Bubbles Mobile Grooming Salon will bring its collection of grooming tools, shampoos, brushes, combs, colognes, bandanas and bows right to you.

Perfect for older pets, pets who get nervous taking a trip in the car, or for any pet parents who don’t have time to go somewhere to have their pet shampooed or clipped, Becca’s Bubbles drives its grooming truck right to your front door.

Owner and groomer Becca Miltz is an animal lover who has lived in Seven Oaks since 2006. She was working as a nanny when she began to look for a purpose for her life’s work.

“I wanted to find something I felt passionate about, where I could be hands on,” she says. “So many people go to work every day and don’t love what they do. I want to love my work.”

She was researching opportunities in both daycare and working with animals, and she learned about the Tampa Bay Pet Grooming Academy in South Tampa. It felt like the perfect fit, so she enrolled.

She completed an intense, nine-week course at the grooming academy. “I had equipment in my hands from the beginning,” she says. “There were always dogs there, so I learned quickly.”

She graduated in May of 2015 and launched her business in June.

“This is where my heart is,” she says. “I get to spend all day with dogs.”

Becca’s brightly colored mobile grooming truck shows up at your doorstep at your scheduled appointment time. Inside, the truck houses a grooming table and all the equipment she needs to make your dog look his or her very best. She doesn’t need a hose or anything from you, because her truck is fully equipped with power, water, a heater, vacuum and even a bathroom and microwave. She has two dryers, including a soft dryer for older pets who need special care.

In fact, the entire grooming experience is a good fit for those types of pets.

“I can accommodate dogs who are older, who need more assistance and more help feeling comfortable,” says Becca.

Diane Johnson is a Meadow Pointe resident who says Becca does just that for her golden retriever.

“My dog, Seabee, is 10 1/2,” explains Diane. “As she gets older, it’s been harder for me to get her to the place I had been having her groomed. And at her age, she requires special care. Becca has always provided that for us.”

Diane happened to see a Facebook ad for Becca’s Bubbles, so she decided to give it a try.

“I love the fact that Becca’s Bubbles just pulls right into my driveway,” she says. “Becca’s service is phenomenal.”

Diane says her two other dogs, a chocolate Lab and a Chesapeake Bay retriever, don’t require much grooming because they have short hair, but that doesn’t stop them from climbing in the Becca’s Bubbles truck.

“They march right up into the truck and look at everything,” Diane says.

“We are extremely satisfied with Becca’s Bubbles,” she adds. “For the quality, and the peace of mind, it’s worth every penny.”

Becca says, “I’m very pro-animal. I’ll do anything I can to help your pet have a great grooming experience.”

BeccaBubble2Services

Customers can choose between three packages. First, the bath package includes trimming nails, cleaning pads, cleaning and trimming ears, shampoo, conditioner, cologne, bandana, and a de-shed treatment. The next option is a full groom, which includes the bath package, plus clipping the entire dog. Becca also offers a face, feet, and tail clip, so the dog is bathed and trimmed neatly in the areas where it most needs it.

Additional services, such as a flea bath and even teeth brushing, are also available.

She says most clients schedule their grooming on a regular basis, usually every four weeks, but there is no commitment required.

“I generally go to people’s homes, although I could also visit their office or another spot,” says Becca. “All I need is a parking spot or a driveway.”

For pricing information, visit the company’s website at BeccasBubbles.org. Becca is offering all first time clients $5 off, and a multiple pet discount of $5 off each additional pet. She’s offering a Black Friday special, too. If you call by Nov. 27 to book your appointment, your pet will get a free blueberry facial and a toothbrush included in its grooming package.

Becca explains that the blueberry facial is a deep conditioning treatment and massage that actually can brighten the color of your dog’s coat.

Why Try Becca’s Bubbles?

Becca says the biggest benefit to your pet is the personal service she provides. Your pet is never in a crate, and never with other animals, which could inadvertently expose him or her to disease and parasites. Becca’s clean, sanitary, professional environment doesn’t require a car trip for your dog, which is just the start of the stress-free experience she provides.

And it’s not just your pet’s well being that she cares about. Becca looks forward to using her skills and tools to care for animals who aren’t lucky enough to have a pet parent yet.

“I could maybe even save a life,” says Becca. “Dogs look so scruffy at the pound, but they’re so fluffy in the pet store. If I can donate my time, maybe I can do good for an animal who needs it.”

She explains she is currently talking with shelters where she just might be able to save lives. She hopes to clean up the dogs and give them cute bandanas or bows so they are more attractive to potential owners.

Becca’s Bubbles serves Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and surrounding areas. Appointments are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with evening appointments available for an additional charge. To schedule your appointment with Becca’s Bubbles, call 997-2796 or email Becca@beccasbubbles.org. You also can get more information online at BeccasBubbles.org or find her on Facebook by searching “Becca’s Bubbles Mobile Grooming Salon.”

Junior Woman’s Club Members Accompany Vets On ‘Honor Flight’

honor3Tampa Palms resident Melanie Otte remembers her grandfather’s stories about World War II. He would regale the family about his wartime exploits, as they leafed through his photo albums, and proudly show off a picture of the Enola Gay — the first aircraft ever to drop an atomic bomb — that he had to jump a fence to take the photo with a small spy camera.

It never really hit her, though, what his service meant to him until she recently chose to take part in an Honor Flight.

Otte and Wesley Chapel resident Jennifer Lee, both members of the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC)’s New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club, served as volunteer guardians to a pair of U.S. Military veterans on Sept. 22, an experience that left both amazed, appreciative and very much in awe.

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Jennifer Lee (left) and Melanie Otte

“I had been to Washington, DC, as a kid, but this was a much more moving experience,’’ Otte says. “I mean, standing there with a person who lived it, that was just something totally different.”

Honor Flights are one-day trips organized by non-profit organizations dedicated to providing a way for veterans to visit the monuments created in the name of their service scattered throughout the nation’s capital.

Last year, the New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club donated $400 so one veteran could make the trip. That inspired Otte and Lee to get involved as Honor Flight volunteers this year.

Otte served as a volunteer guardian to 80-year-old Korean War U.S. Air Force Military Police veteran Frank Kynion, who lives in St. Petersburg, while Lee escorted Laura Tilton, a 92-year-old Venice resident and World War II veteran.

The day of the Honor Flight began with alarm clocks going off at 3 a.m. for the volunteers, a donated breakfast from McDonald’s at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, and a 4 a.m. flight to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport with about 80 other veterans and their guardians.

When they got off the plane, the spunky Tilton asked Lee if the wheelchair had a speed limit, and Lee asked if she was pushing too fast.

“No, pick it up, we got things to see,’’ Tilton told her with glee.

honor4A contingent of military personnel was there to greet the veterans at the airport, setting off a whirlwind day of emotional sightseeing.

“When we were at the Korean War Memorial, it was very somber,” says Otte. “Frank was visibly taken aback. You could tell he was welling up.”

Otte said the listing of the Korean’s War’s U.S. fatalities (almost 40,000, with more than 100,000 injured) and the 19 haunting seven-foot-tall stainless steel statues standing in a patch of juniper bushes at the memorial was overwhelming.

Lee pushed Tilton around, although the former Naval Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/pharmacy maid, was able to stand and walk for short periods of time.

“She was a lot of fun,’’ Lee says. “I think a lot of them just appreciated the one-on-one attention. She told me, ‘I had so much fun. I like to giggle, you like to giggle. She told me I was now her third daughter.”

honor1As the vets returned to Florida, they read dozens of letters written to them by school children and adults, thanking them for their service and dedication. When the plane landed back in Clearwater, a throng of roughly 800 people, including a band, were there to greet them.

Kynion, who married a Japanese woman after the war, says he faced discrimination as a result, and also lived through the anti-military era of the Vietnam War, so he was humbled by the support. In fact, many of the veterans, on multiple occasions, asked why everyone was doing this for them.

Otte told him the answer was simple: “Because you are our heros.”

The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the New Tampa YMCA (16221 Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms). For more info, visit GFWCNewTampaJuniors.org.

Two-car collision on S.R. 54 leaves two dead

fhpWESLEY CHAPEL — Two women are dead after an accident on S.R. 54 and Ernest Drive near the New River Library backed up traffic for hours Sunday night.

Lutz resident Barbara Janet Charlebois, 38, was traveling west on S.R. 54  when, for unknown reasons, she drove off the roadway and onto the right shoulder of the road. She overcorrected her vehicle, a 2004 Toyota Camry, to the left which caused her to swerve into the eastbound lane and into the direct path of a 2014 Buick Verano driven by 76-year-old Bridget Mary Kent of Ontario, Canada.

The collision between the two cars occurred around 8:50 p.m.. Charlebois suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Kent had serious injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

There were two passengers in Kent’s vehicle. and both were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. Lillian Cruickshank, 70, suffered serious injuries. William Edward Kent, 78 of Ontario, Canada, passed away overnight.

 

 

Montelione files to challenge Harrison for seat

LisaLisaTwo-term Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione (D) filed paperwork Wednesday morning to run in 2016 for State House District 63, the seat currently held by incumbent Shawn Harrison (R-New Tampa).

Montelione, who ran unopposed in her last city council race in March, winning her second four-year term in District 7, posted a prepared statement on her Facebook page.

“The issues facing our city and the entire Tampa Bay region are too big for us to continue waiting for the current dysfunctional Legislature to solve,” she wrote. “Throughout my time on the Tampa City Council, I’ve always sought to find solutions by bringing us together around common ground, rather than allow gridlock on an issue. I will take that same approach in Tallahassee in order to move our community forward and provide the leadership we so desperately need.”

Montelione has been an advocate for things like road repairs, commuter rail and more advanced forms of transit for the Tampa area.

She is the second Democrat to file to challenge Harrison, joining Mike Reedy. Harrison has already raised $58,100 for the 2016 race, according to the Florida Department of State Division of Elections website, while Reedy, a 24-year-old Tampa native and statewide business organizer for the LGBT activist group Equality Florida, has raised $15,061.

Montelione is a 54-year old native of Long Island, N.Y.. She moved to Hillsborough County when she was 25, and worked in banking and real estate before earning a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences with a focus on Urban Policy & Social Work from USF in 2000

In 2011, Montelione was elected to the Tampa City Council for District 7. In her role as a council member, she serves as a board member on Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency, where she was elected Vice Chair, and was also appointed to the Metropolitan Planning Organization by Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn.

Spa Moritz takes it to another level with added pampering

SpaMoritz1Spa Mortiz, located off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms (across from Freedom High), has been a part of New Tampa for more than a decade, but if you haven’t visited lately, you may not know just how this community favorite has recently been getting even better.

Owners Patricia and Martin Anello have brought world-class European luxury to the spa since purchasing it about a year ago, when they moved to Tampa Palms from Madrid, Spain. The Anellos have enjoyed Europe’s finest spas and have replicated many of the details and luxury of their European experiences at Spa Moritz.

“As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s important for us to thank the community,” says Patricia. “We have gotten such a warm reception since we arrived here. People have accepted and welcomed us, and made us feel so comfortable.”

She says former clients are coming back to the spa and recommending it again to their friends. Patricia attributes the spa’s recent growth the way the staff treats every guest and pays attention to the little touches that really matter.

“We treat our guests as we would visitors in our homes,” Patricia says. “The details are important to us, so that people who come to the salon don’t feel like a number or even just a client, but like a pampered guest.”

She says the “new” Spa Mortiz will still make you feel beautiful, with a complete array of salon and spa services, but Patricia says there also is a new emphasis on health and wellness, including programs that address healthy and better-for-you products.

For a complete menu of services, visit SpaMoritz.com, but this article will focus on many of the new services that have been added over the last year.

Skin Care

Spa Moritz continues to carry and use the world-famous Pevonia line of skin care products. For those wanting 100-percent organic treatments, Patricia recently added a line of products from Hungary called Éminence. Both lines of skin care products are used in treatments at the spa and can be purchased for home skin care regimens.

“We also offer advanced treatment for skin care,” says Patricia. “Instead of using chemicals, we provide treatments that give results with alternatives.”

For example, she says the new oxygen facial provides a deeply purifying and healing effect to reduce signs of redness and hyperpigmentation. The new dermal rejuvenation system is a two-step process. The first is a facial that creates collagen and elastin naturally, without first injuring the skin like during a chemical peel. After a couple of weeks, once the collagen and elastin have been produced in the skin, the second part of the process is a peel to remove the surface skin.

Spa Moritz also offers acne treatments for teenagers, including a class that teaches teens how to take care of their skin and even the foods you can eat that are best for your skin.

Pedicures

Spa Moritz offers a wide range of pedicures for every taste and desire. For feet, Spa Moritz is now offering a line called Footlogix, which is made with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and offers “transformational foot care” to heal skin from the inside out. Specialty Footlogix formulas treat everything from very dry skin, to cracked heels, to cold feet and even sweaty feet.

Footlogix products can be used in any of the spa’s pedicures, such as its signature spa pedicure or luxury spa pedicure, or guests can receive a specialized Footlogix pedicure that is customized with only Footlogix products.

Another new option for guests is the Pure Fiji pedicure. Reminiscent of the tropical South Pacific island, Patricia says a Pure Fiji pedicure is as much about the experience as it is the individual products. It includes rituals such as a warm foot soak in a fragrant coconut milk bath and a coconut sugar rub and foot massage.

“I really like the results,” says Patricia. “You will feel very pampered.”

Some guests opt for the Voesh line of products, which is another new line, out of New York, that Patricia says offers the most hygienic experience possible. With six aromatherapy scents, each guest can choose a customized treatment. All the products needed for a pedicure come individually packaged in one disposable box, so products aren’t used for more than one guest.

Of course, many clients still opt for either the ever-popular chocolate martini or piña colada pedicure, both of which include one of that treatment’s namesake drinks.

Manicures

Patricia is happy to announce that the spa has recently added a product called Bio Sculpture Gel to the extensive menu of services available at Spa Moritz. She describes it as a healthier alternative to gel, acrylic or shellac nails, because it is free from chemicals that leave can leave nails damaged or dehydrated.

She says this product is in line with Spa Mortiz’s mission to increase the health and wellness of each guest who visits. And, she notes that Spa Moritz is the only spa in the area that this product can be obtained.

“We’re bringing products to the community that are not otherwise available,” says Patricia.

Salon

What’s new in the salon is a product called Olaplex, which Patricia says can be added to any chemical treatment, such as color or highlights, so that the chemicals do not damage your hair. “We also can do a separate Olaplex treatment to repair hair,” she explains.

And now, Spa Moritz employs only Master Stylists, meaning each stylist has been working at least 10-20 years.

“We want only the best for our guests,” says Patricia. “Although we’d like to have more stylists on our staff, we are not going to hire anyone who doesn’t meet our standards. We want every guest to be thrilled, so we insist on the best.”

She says other services at the salon include hair extensions and “up-dos,” especially for brides, bridesmaids and other formal occasions. The salon also offers aromatherapy, hydration and smoothing treatments, and scalp massage. “We want our guests to have a relaxing spa experience, not just get their hair done,” says Patricia.

One customer who appreciates the new Spa Moritz is local Realtor Luz Maria Von Greiff, who has lived in Tampa Palms for 14 years.

“I had tried Spa Moritz in the past (before the Anellos took over), but I wasn’t thrilled,” says Von Greiff. “Then, I met Patricia and thought she was so nice and professional, so I decided to try it again. That was (my) best decision!”

Luz Maria says, “The variety of services is so interesting, and Patricia and her staff are great. For example, I have delicate skin that reacts to (some) products, so they are extremely dedicated to making sure each product they use will work for my skin.” She says she also appreciates how warm and friendly everyone at the spa is, to her and to other guests. “It’s such a welcoming environment. Being in the service industry myself, I really appreciate what Martin and Patricia are doing,” she says. “They’re bringing their own style, their flair and their products to Spa Moritz.”

Massage

The newest massage at Spa Moritz is a bamboo massage, which Patricia says is healing and relaxing. She notes that it is comparable to a hot stone massage, but uses heated bamboo sticks instead of rocks.

The spa also offers a “fusion massage,” where clients choose a length of time, generally 50 or 80 minutes, and receive a combination of massages, such as Lomi Lomi, aromatherapy, therapeutic to treat a particular area, hot stone, or bamboo.

Other Spa Services

Patricia says the Spa Moritz staff loves to create custom packages to help their guests meet their wellness goals. For someone who is looking to lose weight, they can create a package that includes a wellness coach, lymphatic drainage massage and body wraps (such as seaweed or green coffee treatments) for detoxification.

“We consult with each person individually,” says Patricia. “We talk about their goals, time and budget, and come up with something that perfectly fits their needs.”

For brides, birthdays, bachelorette parties or other celebrations, Spa Mortiz offers packages to pamper and enjoy your special day in luxury and relaxation. Call the spa at the number below to find out more about how best to celebrate your special occasion. Discounts are offered, and many special touches are included, such as cake and champagne with lunch, which is served beautifully in a private room.

Customer Appreciation

If you want to give Spa Moritz a try, Patricia offers what she calls “Customer Appreciation Nights,” which include a cocktail offered in the front reception area, and then a short treatment in each of the spa’s areas, such as massage, nail and skin care treatments. So, anyone who wants to experience the luxury of Spa Moritz can do so in one evening, enjoying many of the treatments described in this article.

To be invited to the next Customer Appreciation Night, call Spa Mortiz at the phone number below. The cost is usually $25 per person, which includes a $25 credit towards any service for a future visit.

You also can schedule your own Customer Appreciation Night for your own group (or your business) by calling the spa. Patricia says these groups especially enjoy the evening because they already know each other and feel comfortable with each other.

Spa Moritz is located in Tampa Palms at 17401 Commerce Park Blvd., Suite 103. Spa Moritz is open Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.-8 p.m., & on Sun. or special events. For more info — including your chance to win a free massage or facial, visit SpaMortiz.com or see the ad on page 10 of this issue. To make an appointment, call 971-4772.