Category: New Tampa

The Gift Box Boutique offers an array of goodies for shoppers

Gift Box JenniferWEB — The Gift Box Boutique owner Jennifer Colón

With the opening last weekend of the Tampa Premium Outlets mall on S.R. 56 (see page 1), it may be hard right now to think about shopping anyplace else, but I do have a suggestion:

I’ve been talking fondly about The Gift Box Boutique — located in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, between Ciccio’s Cali and Stonewood Grill & Tavern — since it first opened a little more than a year ago. I’ve now probably spent maybe $300-$400 there on a variety of unique and uniquely affordable gifts (mainly for female friends, relatives and employees), and every purchase to date has been met with excitement from its recipient.

And, the good news is that virtually any gift you’re looking for — from home décor items, women’s clothing and jewelry and yes, there are gifts for men and children (including babies), too — can be found at The Gift Box.

Owner Jennifer Colón and her husband Rick, who moved to Tampa from Dallas seven years ago and now live in Tampa Palms, promise a unique shopping experience at The Gift Box that you simply won’t find at any mall.

“I know my inventory and can help direct you to the perfect gift for birthdays, the holidays or any special occasion,” Jennifer says. “Of course, you can always just come in to browse, too. I know there’s a lot to see, so come on in!”

I’ve yet to try to buy any clothing for ladies at The Gift Box, but there are a number of designer labels you won’t find elsewhere. “We carry Chatoyant, Gretchen Scott, Glam, Escapada and more,” says Jennifer. “And we like to keep current on our clothing. We only buy six of each item (in multiple sizes), so not everyone who shops here will end up with the same outfits.”

She adds that the store also offers many different accessories for ladies, from scarves to boot toppers, Yellowbox sandals, Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Sade bags and accessories and Ginger Snaps and other jewelry items.

Your Holiday Headquarters

Afraid you’ll be fighting the traffic at the new mall this holiday season? Why not do your holiday gift shopping at The Gift Box instead?

“We’re got plenty of Thanksgiving stuff,” Jennifer says. “We’ve been selling lots of personalized (outdoor) turkey signs for your home, “Gobble ‘til You Drop’ throw pillows and more.”

There’s also already a number of Christmas items in The Gift Box’s displays. So, whether you want to dress your kid up like one of Santa’s elves or you want unique Nora Fleming mini-ornaments, Jennifer promises more and more holiday-themed options will be coming in for the season, including 7th Ave. Apothecary candles, “and lots of other great hostess gifts for when you attend those holiday parties.”

She adds that she is the only store in New Tampa that can carry Toffee to Go, which made Oprah’s Top 10 list. “And, it comes in a variety of flavors,” Jennifer says.

And of course, there’s always new items on the way at The Gift Box. “We listen to our customer requests, too,” Jennifer says, “so you really have to keep checking in with us to see what‘s new. For example, we recently added a new line of teas, tea cups and accessories for tea and coffee drinkers. I’d say 25 to 30 percent of our inventory has been requested by our customers.”

One reason I keep coming back is because I have gotten such a great response from giving The Gift Box’s reasonably-priced, painted wood signs with cute sayings like, “I drink coffee for your protection,” as gifts and Jennifer keeps adding new ones.

Other newer specialty lines include Columbia Restaurant items, including the famed Ybor City restaurant’s famous sangria mix and sangria pitchers. And, speaking of Ybor City, another recent addition is a line of cigar accessories, more bar and alcohol-related gifts (for men and women), and even Cameron’s Man Claws, which look like brass knuckles but actually are used to “lift, shred, carve, toss and mix with ease!”

Holiday Premier Open House!

Jennifer says The Gift Box has lots of great special event in the store, including Ladies Nights every couple of months on Thursdays. “I call them our ‘Sip & See’ events,” she says. Plus, on Thursday, November 12, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., the boutique will host its Holiday Premier Open House with free beverages and snacks.

“We also have extended holiday hours (starting Dec. 1) and a great loyalty program,” she adds. “If you join our email list, you’ll get a weekly email with specials and promotions. Come check us out!”

The Gift Box is located at 17032 Palm Pointe Dr. and currently is open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and noon-5 p.m. on Sun. For more information, visit Facebook.com/The Gift Box Boutique, see the ad on page 30 of this issue or call 284-5986.

Search ongoing for missing Wiregrass Ranch teen

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for missing teenager Kasey Ann Gibson, 16, who was last seen at 6:45 a.m. Monday.

She did not attend Wiregrass Ranch High School as expected that day, and deputies say she was possibly with an ex-boyfriend.

The PCSO says Gibson is 5-foot-1, 120 pounds and has long brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a tan shirt, black leggings, and blue and white hat.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 1-800-706-2488 or send a tip to https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=615.

Looking for something to do? Try these things:

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here’s a way to have some fun and help some good causes.

Former New Tampa resident Bob Bishop (right) was joined by his physical therapist Vanessa Brockhouse at the Sept. 20 MS fund raiser held at Spa Moritz in Tampa Palms. — Bob Bishop (r) at last year’s event, which raised $3,000.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Buckingham at Tampa Palms is hosting its first-ever community-wide yard sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. It starts right there on Buckingham Palms Way.
The Grove Community Church (33931 S.R. 54) is holding a FREE Family Fun Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.. The fun and festivities will include a climbing wall, bounce house, live band, drinks, food trucks and giveaways. For more info, call 813-782-2111.
Former New Tampa resident Bonnie Bishop is hosting a fundraiser to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (her husband Bob is fighting the disease). This year’s event will be held at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club (10641 Old Tampa Bay Dr., San Antonio) from the 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m. The theme is Western, and tickets are $35 and include a Western-style dinner, a DJ, gaming tables, live entertainment silent auction and prizes. If you’d like to attend, email Bonnie at BfromBos@aol.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

The inaugural Tampa Canine Companions “DogFest Walk’n Roll” takes place at the USF Health Center (13101 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) with registration starting at 11 a.m. The event begins at noon, and there will be entertainment, games for humans and the dogs, and awards. The Canine Companions for Independence breeds, raises and trains dogs (at a cost of $50,000 per dog) to help enhance the lives of people who are physically disabled, hearing impaired or require therapy for things like post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information, go to CCI.org/DogFestTampa.

Say goodnight to blight as new county ordinance is passed

By Matt Wiley

Dilapidated businesses will no longer have a place in Pasco County, after the county commission voted to establish news rules to eliminate local eyesores.

The so-called blight ordinance, proposed by Dist. 2 Commissioner Mike Moore, was passed unanimously on Oct. 20 by the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to the relief of local businesses and residents.

Moore’s proposed ordinance to issue fines and even potential jail time to property owners who let their commercial properties become dilapidated attracted about 100 residents and business owners to the Sept. 30 town hall meeting at the Pasco County Utilities Administration Office off Central Blvd. in Land O’Lakes.

Comm. Moore presented the ordinance as a way to clean up properties to attract new businesses, clean up the county’s image and help prevent the crime that occurs in buildings that aren’t maintained.

The ordinance, modeled after a similar ordinance in Hillsborough County, won’t go into effect until May 1, 2016. The new law gives property owners a 30-day notice to get their blighted buildings repaired, or be subject to a fine. They’ll then be given another 30 days to fix the problem.

If the problem persists beyond 60 days, property owners will be susceptible to a fine of $500 per day until the problem is fixed. If it’s discovered by the county attorney that a business owner has the means to fix the problem or demolish a blighted building and still chooses not to, that person could face jail time.

“What we’re trying to do here is tell people, ‘You need to fix the problem,’” Comm. Moore told the residents at the town hall. “Fix the problem or you’re going to get fined. It’s not good for the surrounding property owners, it’s not good for the community and it’s not good for Pasco County.”

The primary concerns of local businesses is that areas that have vacant and rundown structures do not promote local business growth, bring down property values and discourage other local businesses that are maintained properly.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said at the town hall that the ordinance is also important because it removes the environments that allow crimes, including drug use, squatting and other illegal activities, to persist. He said the U.S. 19 corridor gets the most calls about crime at various dilapidated businesses.

“From a law enforcement standpoint (ordinances like this) are things that we need,” Nocco said. “If we can limit the places crimes can occur, we can push crime somewhere else. And, we’re trying to push it out of Pasco County.

He added, “We can arrest people all the time. The problem is, when they get out, they go right back to where they came from.”

Moore said he is convinced the ordinance will deter current and future businesses from letting their storefronts and surrounding area from becoming unkempt.

“It doesn’t matter what corridor it is,’’ Moore said. “This ordinance will be a deterrent in the hopes that future commercial property owners will realize that if they let their property become dilapidated, they’re going to get fined.”

Lexington Oaks resident Peter Hansel supports the ordinance.

“The strongest point of this ordinance that I support is the law enforcement aspect,” he said. “I see that as a time saver and financial (resource) saver. I think that by enacting something like this, it will go a long way.”

Aside from crime and squatter, Pasco Professional Firefighters spokesperson Robert Fuerst said properties that are allowed to deteriorate and fester pose other risks.

“Dilapidated properties to firefighters are a special risk,” Fuerst said. “Everything we do is a managed risk. When you have a property that is not maintained, all of the equations that we use to do our job become more risky.”

New Port Richey’s Hunter’s Ridge Homeowner’s Association president Hugh Townsend also said that the ordinance takes a page out of what many residential areas have enforced for years.

“Right now, if a homeowner violates our deed restrictions, (the HOA) cite(s) them and then (the HOA) fine(s) them,” Townsend said. “There’s compliance. When people get hit in the pocket book, they’re going to conform.”

However, some residents did express concern that the cost of enforcing another ordinance would fall to the county taxpayers.

“I’ve done some research,’’ said Land O’Lakes resident Cassie Holloway, saying that adding another ordinance to the existing code enforcement ordinances, the price of demolishing buildings, as well as additional staff for that department, would be a burden to Pasco taxpayers.

Pasco senior assistant county attorney Kristi Sims responded that the new ordinance shifts the burden to the property owner to force them to spend their own money to tear down their dilapidated property.

Freedom and Wharton set to tip-off promising boys, girls hoops seasons

FreedomghoopsWEB — Point guard Nari Garner (left) and forward Megan Clark will be counted on to fill a big void and keep the Patriots atop the district standings this season. (Photo/John C. Cotey)

Most coaches would be fretting over the loss of a player who averaged 35 points a game, a player who became Hillsborough County’s all-time leading girls’ scorer and was the undeniable and unstoppable thrust of the offense last season.

Not Freedom girls basketball head coach Laurie Pacholke.

Oh sure, the loss of everyone’s Player of the Year Taylor Emery, who signed with Tulane University, will hurt a little. And the transition to a more balanced offense is sure to hit a few bumps along the way.

But Pacholke doesn’t think those bumps will derail what she expects to be another solid season.

“I’m super excited,’’ she said. “You know, last year we always had Taylor with her 30-35 points, and someone else with 15 or so and it was a different player every night. Now those (other) players will be able to showcase their talents more.”

Basketball season tips off next week, with the Patriots playing at Spoto and the Wharton girls opening at Alonso, both on Nov. 12.

The Wharton boys host Strawberry Crest the following week in their season opener Nov. 17, and the Freedom boys open the next night at Leto.

You can expect much of the same from the New Tampa squads again this season. While the Wharton girls have hovered under .500 the past few seasons, the other three teams have enjoyed making it at least as far as the regional final, with the Wildcat boys and Patriot girls going to the state semifinals, and have combined to win 295 games and lose only 103 the last five seasons.

The Wharton boys haven’t won fewer than 20 games since 2008-09.

However, the Freedom girls have the biggest shoes to fill this season.

With Emery gone after a 26-3 season, Pacholke will lean on returning 5-foot-7 senior Nari Garner and a cast of teammates that the coach says is ready to breakout.

Garner, a slick ball-handler who averaged 5.7 assists last season, is one of Hillsborough County’s top point guards and a team leader.

She will be counted on to fill up the hoop a little more this season in Emery’s absence. Garner didn’t have to score a lot last season but had games of 21, 20 and 18 twice on the way to averaging 10.8 points and is capable of more.

“I think anybody will tell you in high school basketball, as long as you have good guard play, you’ll be okay,’’ Pacholke said.

Garner will have help from 5-8 junior forward Megan Clark, but will have to wait until the end of December. The all-around talent averaged 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game last season, but Clark tore her ACL at the USF Team Camp in June.

Senior forward Makayla Gentry will be much improved, Pacholke said, and the coach is eager to see what players like juniors Ashley Bell, Taraja Leon and Olivia Gonzalez do in potentially expanded roles.

And Pacholke says the defense, usually very good but underappreciated, will be a weapon again.

The Patriots are still the team to beat in Class 7A, District 8, where Steinbrenner, Sickles and Plant are expected to be their top competition.

“We’re still going to be really good,” said Pacholke, whose team will play its first game at home Nov. 20 against Sickles. “I think because Taylor was so good, you didn’t really get to see what our younger kids can do. But they are good. I think you’ll see that this year.”

Pacholke adds, “It’s a whole new vibe, we are looking forward to it.’’

WHARTON BOYS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Tommy Tonelli
Last year: 24-5
District record (8A-7 in 2014-15): 9-1
District outlook: The Wildcats’ new District 7A-8 will be even tougher this year, with the addition of a Sickles team that is probably the District’s favorite. But, the Wildcats and Freedom should both be in the playoff race.
Key returners: G/F Evan Trice (Sr., 6-2), F Josiah Crawford (Sr., 6-3), G Matthew Tonelli (Sr., 5-11), F Devontres Dukes (Sr., 6-4), PG Tray Gildon (Jr., 5-10)
X-Factor: F Dae’Son Barnes (So., 6-3).
Season Outlook: Since returning for his second stint as Wharton head coach in 2009, Tonelli has averaged 23.6 wins a season. The Wildcats should approach that mark again this time around, too. Trice (12 ppg, 4 assists, 4 rebs) and Crawford (9 ppg, 6 rebs) will lead the way after a big offseason in which Wharton captured the Southeast Basketball Academy (SEBA) Summer League title. Gildon will run the point and Tonelli said the shifty guard has shown tremendous improvement this offseason. Gildon will be backed up by the coach’s scrappy son Matthew Tonelli, and Dukes can be a force inside. Barnes could be a special find for the Wildcats as he moves up from junior varsity. In fact, Barnes could be one of a few jayvee players from last year’s 15-1 squad to have on impact on varsity.
The schedule: The Wildcats open the season Nov. 17 hosting Strawberry Crest, and also play Nov. 18 (at Wiregrass Ranch), 20 (at Plant) and 21 (host Newsome).

WHARTON GIRLS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Chad Reed
Last year: 8-19
District record (8A-7 in 2014-15): 3-7
District outlook: The Wildcats’ district added some top teams, making the Wildcats playoff hopes a little harder to reach as Freedom, Sickles and Plant will be the co-favorites.
Key returners: F Lauren Wall (Sr., 6-0), C Sabrena Eye (Jr., 6-1), G Diamond Wells (Sr., 6-0), G Ashley Jones (Jr., 5-8).
Season Outlook: Reed inherited a program that was just 1-21 the year before he got there and turned them into a 21-5 team his first season. Since then, the Wildcats have not finished over .500 and last year tumbled to a 8-19 finish, the worst under Reed. The Wildcats lost leading scorer Nicole Wolard to graduation, but second leading scorer Wall (9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds) is back for the ‘Cats. Wells, who averaged a team-best 9.7 rebounds to go with 8.2 points a contest, also is back. Wall, Wells and Eye are all 6-feet tall or better, giving the Wildcats some value along the frontline, although Wall also led the team in three-pointers. Jones will play point guard for the Wildcats, who improved as last season went on and only lost by two points to Plant in the district tournament.
The schedule: The Wildcats play seven games in November, all against teams that won at least 16 games last season and went to the playoffs. The Wildcats open on the road at Alonso (Nov. 12) and play their first home game Nov. 13 against Plant City.

FREEDOM BOYS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Cedric Smith
Last year: 22-7
District record (7A-8): 10-0
District outlook: Freedom will be reunited with rival Wharton in district play this season, making the two meetings between the teams this season must-see basketball in New Tampa.
Key returners: G Sheldon Odunna (Sr., 6-3), G Nasir Cole (Sr., 6-0), PG Dylan Angel (Sr., 6-1), C Alex Rojas (So., 6-8).
X-Factor: F Chase Creasy (Jr., 6-4).
Season Outlook: Last year, the Patriots spread the ball around, as 17 different players scored. Well, 15 of those players were underclassmen, giving Smith the most experienced team he’s ever had. It could prove to be his best team, as well. Odunna continues to show great improvement year-to-year and is the team’s best player, averaging a team-high 16.1 points last season. Smith says he is one of the best guards in the county. He shares the backcourt with Cole and Angel, and guard play is one of the Patriots’ strengths. Freedom has a host of long wings to fuel the defensive side, like senior Jamal Byrnes and Quenden James, and Smith said Creasy is good enough to be a starter but he needs his offense off the bench. After reaching the regional final in 2013-14, Smith and his Patriots are ready for the next step.
The schedule: Freedom opens up on the road with a game at Leto (Nov. 18) before the home opener Nov. 20 vs. Sickles. Oh, and then it’s Wharton on Dec. 1.

NEW TAMPA HOOPS BY THE NUMBERS
115 — combined victories the last five seasons (23/year) by the Wharton boys basketball team.
108 — combined victories (21.6/year) by the Freedom girls basketball team the last five years.
15 — players who made at least one free throw for the Freedom last year.
13 — all-time playoff appearances by the Wharton boys, the most of any boys or girls hoops team in New Tampa.
6 — consecutive playoff appearances by the Wharton boys, including a state semifinal appearance in 2013.
3 — all-time playoff appearances by Freedom, including the last two seasons.
50.6 — percentage of the Freedom girls’ team’s points scored last year by Taylor Emery (1,020 of 2,012).
10 — all-time playoff appearances by the Wharton girls, one more than Freedom.
12 — of February, when the girls Class 7A State final four begins.
1 — of December, when the Wharton & Freedom boys & girls teams will square off at Wharton in the “Battles for Bruce B. Downs”
19 — of February, when the boys Class 7A state final four begins.