Fitness professional Samantha Taylor (photo) offers fitness training and nutritional counseling for women only, helping them to “age backwards,” as Samantha says, at her Wesley Chapel location, across the street from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.
Her Pure Health Personal Training and Fit Body Boot Camp programs start with a completely free, no-obligation consultation called a “Body Transformation Analysis” to determine goals and plan a fitness program.
The most customized, personal and private option available is Pure Health Personal Training. This can be done in one-on-one, semi-private, or in small group sessions. In addition to the personal training, each client also meets with an assigned results coach monthly, to make sure they’re progressing.
Clients who choose Samantha’s Fit Body Boot Camp attend regular or beginner Boot Camp sessions, which vary in cardiovascular intensity levels. Several classes are offered every day, and many women choose three or more times each week to attend.
“We are getting women in amazing shape,” says Samantha. She is a Certified Personal Trainer who began her career 24 years ago and launched her own business 17 years ago. During that time, she estimates that she has trained 5,000 local women. Samantha uses her experience as a personal trainer – seeing what works and what doesn’t with her many clients – and her years of intensely studying the human body to coach women in fitness and healthy eating.
“Most of the people who come to us have done all the diets,” says Samantha. “The shakes, pills, protein diets and calorie deprivation diets. They’re shocked they can eat the way I show them. They love the food and they lose weight.”
She says many of her clients see more than just weight loss – they’re getting healthier as well.
“They are preventing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes,” she says. “Some clients no longer have to take cholesterol or blood pressure medication, and no longer suffer from muscle pains and aches.”
Samantha’s original location also is nearby in Land O’Lakes, off S.R. 54 on Knight Rd., and she has recently opened her third and fourth locations in Carrollwood and Westchase, respectively.
She’ll host another free seminar Saturday, August 26, 12:30 p.m., at her Land O’Lakes location (2206 Knight Rd.) featuring Shannon Barker, the Samantha Taylor Fitness Nutrition Educator, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science & Nutrition. Taylor and Barker will help attendees achieve their fullest potential in health and fitness by learning to tweak their diets and track their calories for maximum results.
Light snacks and gourmet coffee will beprovided at the seminar, which is free for members and guests. Reserve your space at SamanthaTaylorSeminars.com.
VIP Pest Control owner Vicki Hutto wants her customers to know that they are “Very Important People.”
“We work for you,” Vicki says. That’s why, for example, you’ll always talk with a live person when you call VIP’s office.“We give our customers personal attention. No two people are alike, and no two houses are alike.”
For the past 11 years (it was established in 2006), VIP Pest Control has served Wesley Chapel and the surrounding areas of Pasco and Hillsborough counties, keeping homes and businesses free from insects — including termites, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, bed bugs and more — with treatments that include both traditional chemical and kid-friendly and pet-friendly organic options. VIP also handles problems with nuisance animals such as rodents and snakes.
Same-day service is often available, especially if you have a serious issue that needs immediate attention. “If you call us in the morning,” says Vicki, “we can usually work you in that day.”
She and her team emphasize the importance of taking care of the families and pets in the homes they treat. They always are aware that pets and kids spend time on the floor, so they use pet-friendly and child-friendly treatments. That’s why VIP technicians offer many organic options, and Vicki says you won’t be charged a premium for using those organic products.
Prior to launching VIP Pest Control, Vicki worked for Orkin and says she was the first female termite inspector in the entire company. She was inducted into the Orkin National President’s Club three years in a row, a prestigious honor given to the top three percent of sales producers nationwide. She also worked at two smaller pest control companies.
Vicki says she’s proud that every review on the company’s Facebook page rates VIP Pest Control as 5 stars. Vicki wants all of her customers to feel like Anisa Jivanjee, who writes, “Just got my house treated by VIP’s Vaughn and Vernon. I am so impressed by their detailed treatment of nook and crannies, attic and perimeter of the house. Plus, I got a very courteous explanation of what they were doing. Can’t talk enough about Lilly, who is always so patient, respectful and thorough whenever I call. I love VIP Pest Control!”
Termite Tips & Treatments
Vicki says the most important thing you should get from reading this article is this: Every homeowner in Florida should get a termite inspection every year. You should have a company that will inspect your home and guarantee they will treat and get rid of any termites that move into your home with a termite bond.
She says the bond is similar to an insurance policy. If it expires and you get termites, you’re no longer covered, so it’s important to renew annually.
While a sure sign of termites is a visible swarm of the bugs, you can have termites even if you don’t see that telltale swarm.
“A common misconception is that when that swarm is gone and you no longer see bugs, you no longer have a problem,” says Vicki. “That’s not true. They’re still there, and you have no idea how fast they can destroy a house. They only swarm once a year, but they eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Vicki explains there are two kinds of termites that typically affect houses in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area — drywood and subterranean termites — and VIP Pest Control can treat both. While many companies often treat drywood termites by spot treating (which Vicki says doesn’t work) or tenting (which is expensive, causes an enormous inconvenience and can often cause damage to your home), VIP Pest Control uses a fogging method that treats the entire house and leaves a residual product in the wall to discourage the termites from coming back.
“Tenting a house means you have to move yourself, your kids, your pets, even your plants out of your home for several days, and the tent itself is heavy and can break roof tiles and ruin shrubs and sprinklers,” Vicki says. “Then, your house is filled with an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you, and then they take the tent off and you move right back in.”
She says her system is not going to damage your house, and that she’s been using it for three years, with great results.
VIP Pest Control also offers a preventive treatment in the walls of your home that can keep it from getting termites, and also will act as a fire retardant and protect against mold.
“It costs 10 cents on the dollar to prevent instead of treating (termites),” she says. “It’s affordable and can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.”
Rodent Control
“If you see signs of rodents, such as droppings, or hear noises, call us right away,” says Vicki. “Rodents can be dangerous, because they can chew through wires and actually set your whole house on fire.”
She says it’s important to not only eradicate the pests, but also to close the holes that allowed them to come in to your home, so they can’t get back in.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a nuisance and very difficult to eradicate. While bed bugs have a reputation for being transmitted via hotels, Vicki says you should be concerned about them even if you don’t travel.
“Anytime someone’s stuff is touching someone else’s stuff — such as backpacks at school — that’s an opportunity for bed bugs to be transmitted,” explains Vicki.
So, if you see black spots in a bed — a telltale sign of bed bugs — be sure to call an expert. You also can check VIPPestControlLLC.com for a wealth of information. Vicki notes that, while they can be difficult to find and eradicate, the experts at VIP can help you get rid of bed bugs with minimal headaches.
Other Pests
You should also call a pro if you see ants or roaches. “We see it all the time,” she says. “People tell me they get a can and spray the bugs. All that does is cause them to scatter, so that by the time we come out, your problem is three times worse — and in three different places.”
While palmetto bugs are big and ugly, they’re not harmful like German roaches, which carry many diseases. Vicki says that one female German roach will have 50 babies every 28 days, so if you see one roach, that probably means you have 50 more behind your walls.
VIP Pest Control also treats lawns for mosquitoes, and can provide a one-time treatment to keep your yard mosquito-free for an event, such as a wedding or party.
Woman-Owned
Vicki says that being a woman-owned business also sets her apart in the pest control industry and helps her to better relate to many of her customers.
“Most times when we visit a home, it’s the woman who is there to meet with us,” she says.Vicki says she is always looking to hire female technicians to join her company, too.
VIP Pest Control specializes in working with homeowners associations, townhome and condo associations, too, “because you will get what your neighbor has,” she says.
VIP Pest Control is located at 119 Flagship Dr. in Lutz. It is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Now through September, get 30-percent off any regularly priced termite treatment. For a free quote, or for more information, visit VIPPestControlLLC.com or call (813) 234-8888.
I’m so glad that our outstanding new sales and marketing rep Tom Damico (email him at Tom@NTNeighborhoodNews.com) is now going to many of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) ribbon cuttings these days because, quite honestly, I just can’t go to as many of them as I once did (which was pretty much all of them).
The Chamber, fresh off its second acquisition of/merger with another Chamber (the Greater Pasco Chamber, as we reported in our last issue), continues to cut ribbons all over New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Among the recent free events either myself or Tom attended were:
• July 12 for Mosquito Hunters
• July 15 at The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development of Wesley Chapel
• July 20 at The Learning Experience of New Tampa
• July 27, VIP Travel
• Aug. 2 at Cry-X
• Aug. 5 at KidsPark of Tampa, celebrating its one-year anniversary
For more info (including all start times for its events), call (813) 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com. — GN
Have You Tried Fat Rabbit & Precinct Pizza?
Although S.R. 56 and the Shops at Wiregrass get the most attention, the New Tampa area has had two pretty good restaurants open since our last issue reached you. The Fat Rabbit Pub, located near Vallarta’s & Cappy’s Pizza in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center, has a great menu with outstanding blackened wings, great burgers and a premium liquor bar with great drink prices and a more upscale atmosphere than you might expect.
For info, stop in or visit FatRabbitPub.com.
• I also really like the new Precinct Pizza, located in the space formerly occupied by Zaytoun Mediterranean Grill on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd.
Featuring a huge menu of Italian favorites, in addition to very good NY-style ‘za and décor, owner Rick Drury and his family are proud to bring the 2nd location of this Channelside favorite to New Tampa.
If you’ve been reading this publication for any period of time, you already know how much I love Oakley’s Grille, located at 17631 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (next to Dairy Queen), in the North Palms Village plaza in New Tampa (near Chili’s).
Oakley’s has been home to my favorite flame-grilled burger in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel every year since owner and long-time restaurateur Keith Oakley and his chef/son Ryan opened it more than five years ago.
Although Ryan moved away for a while, he came back a few months ago, “to make sure that the burger you eat here today tastes like and is the same quality as the burger or sandwich you loved five years ago,” according to Keith. The Oakleys (photo, above; you can figure out who’s who) keep introducing great new menu items, like the ghost pepper burger and blackened bleu burger pictured in the ad on page 43 of this issue, and the amazing one-pound slab of barbecue pork ribs (with fries) shown below.
Ryan (who also owns the Dr. Junk trash removal service; search “Dr. Junk” on Facebook) created the ghost pepper burger, which features bacon, a bunch of spicy ghost peppers and a tangy barbecue-style sauce. The blackened bleu burger features Cajun spices and melted bleu cheese. The ribs are super-tender and meaty, with just the right amount (at least for me) of sweet-and-slightly-spicy BBQ sauce and are served with amazing golden-brown fries (or sub the sweet potato fries in the pic for just 50 cents more).
And best of all, Keith and Ryan are offering $2 off any sandwich or entrée at Oakley’s Grille throughout August, with the coupon in our latest New Tampa issue. That’s like getting the fries for free with your sandwich or enjoying a full pound of ribs with fries for just $12.99!
You can order online at OakleysGrille.com or through Mobile Meals, or call (813) 523-5075 and please tell Keith and Ryan that you read about them in the New Tampa Neighborhood News! — GN
Skin-related medical care and beauty treatments, as well as body restoration and alteration options, are now available in one location at the new Transformations Aesthetic Center, located about a mile east of I-75, just north of the intersection of SR 56 and Cypress Ridge Blvd., behind the Tower Radiology building in Wesley Chapel.
The Transformations building is a sleek, freestanding structure with an architectural style befitting a fine art museum.
Housed within its 11,000 square feet are two medical practices devoted to your beauty and your health: 360 Dermatology and Ambay Plastic Surgery, employing the skills and talents of Aparna Ambay, M.D., and her husband, Raj Ambay, M.D., D.D.S., respectively.
The husband-and-wife team of Dr. Aparna Ambay (above) and Dr. Raj Ambay has opened the Transformations Aesthetics Center in Wesley Chapel.
The building’s signage reads simply as, “TRANSFORMATIONS,” and does not display the names of the two practices, which according to Dr. Raj, work together toward a unified goal.
“The name of the building is Transformations because everything we do around medicine is about only one thing, which is transforming people to better health,’’ he says. “The two practices are separate but we always work together to find ways to benefit the patient and elevate the level of care.”
Dr. Raj cites skin cancer surgery affecting substantial areas of the body as a situation that will sometimes warrant reconstructive plastic surgery and would benefit from close collaboration between the two doctors. He adds that the new facility is equipped with some of the latest technology to optimize patient comfort, convenience and treatment outcomes.
These features include computer-controlled lighting, customized music playlists and LCD imagery in exam and treatment rooms that the patient selects and automated text messaging to update patients about the status of their appointments or potential wait times.
“We’ve paired with technology to find ways of improving the experience for our patients,” Dr. Raj says.
There also is an onsite surgical center that Dr. Raj says rivals what is available at area hospitals. “It’s not like an office space surgery center, it’s a full-on surgery center where we can perform all types of services, including general anesthesia, just like at a hospital,” he says. “Whatever you could potentially do at a hospital as an outpatient, you can do at our surgery center as well.”
Dermatology Services
While patients will benefit from the technology the Transformations Center brings to the local medical community, 360 Dermatology’s aesthetic services manager Regan Hoefle says the personal touch is still important.
“We have a larger and more modern, state-of-the-art facility at our disposal,” she says, “but I think what our patients notice most is that the quality and compassionate care we deliver is different than what you might find in another medical dermatology setting. We treat our patients very much like family and friends.”
There are many services available at 360 Dermatology, including treatments for skin cancer, acne and acne scars, eczema, skin growths and infections.
Dr. Aparna’s practice also provides cosmetic services such as Botox and other dermal fillers, as well as chemical peels. Medical grade skin products for home use by Obagi Medical and SkinCeuticals are available for sale.
“We run the full gamut from medical to cosmetic dermatology,” says Hoefle. “What we really want to create for people is a destination for medical dermatology, as well as cosmetic dermatology, so that when someone comes into our office, they can not only get their annual skin check but if they are interested in intervening in the aging process, we can offer help with that. Or, if they need something beyond dermatology, we have the option to send them over to Ambay Plastic Surgery.”
Leading the way for 360 Dermatology is Dr. Aparna, who earned her M.D. degree from Drexel University’s College of Medicine in Philadelphia and followed up by interning at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
She completed dermatology residency programs at the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, WI, and at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Aparna is Board-certified in dermatology and is trained in Mohs skin cancer surgery, which is considered to be a highly effective and efficient treatment, as it allows patients to have their tumors removed and analyzed in one visit.
Hoefle says Dr. Aparna’s standards for 360 Dermatology are high.
“Dr. Ambay is adamant about high quality patient care, delivered with integrity and adhering to ethical medical standards,” Hoefle says. “We follow all appropriate medical protocols to ensure patient safety and comfort.”
Mechelle Casciotta is a patient who says her experience with Dr. Aparna and the 360 Dermatology team reflects the values that the practice promotes.
“The professionalism and caring of 360 Dermatology is just outstanding,” says Casciotta, who commutes between Wesley Chapel and Warwick, NY, where she owns businesses and is president of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“Because I’m a professional, it’s important to look my best, but I didn’t know about Botox, fillers and needles,” Casciotta adds. “They were great and do things to put the patient’s comfort first.”
Ambay Plastic Surgery
For patients looking for plastic surgery, whether for reconstructive or cosmetic purposes, Transformations Aesthetic Center also is home to Ambay Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Raj, who is a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
In addition to earning his M.D. from Drexel University’s College of Medicine, Dr. Raj also has a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from the Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago.
He completed his general surgery residency at the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester, MN, followed by a plastic surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
He added to his surgical skills by studying microvascular reconstructive surgery at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas in Houston. He is Board-certified in plastic surgery and, as part of his military responsibilities, he has served at medical facilities supporting U.S. combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The type of care delivered at Ambay Plastic Surgery reflects Dr. Raj’s mix of education, experience and service.
“Our practice is not a corporation,” Dr. Raj says. “We are a military family and our practice is about family values. Our mission is to build relationships on a foundation of trust and honesty, so we treat people the way we want to be treated.”
Ambay Plastic Surgery also provides a wide range of services.
In addition to breast lift, augmentation and reduction options, Ambay Plastic Surgery offers what it calls a “Mommy Makeover,” a combination of individually tailored cosmetic procedures that can reverse some of the effects of childbirth.
Face, neck and thigh lifts, as well as fat transfers and body contouring, are some of the other procedures performed.
Patient care coordinator Jacqueline Sucarichi says patients can expect to get the best care possible at Ambay Plastic Surgery.
“Dr. (Raj) Ambay is very caring and meticulous,” Sucarichi says. “He won’t leave the surgical table until he’s 110-percent satisfied.”
Delivering that kind of care to their patients reflects a choice that both Dr. Raj and Dr. Aparna have made about how they will operate their practices.
“We’ve decided we’d rather take more time with people and really deliver the best experience,” Dr. Raj says. “Quality is more important than quantity.”
While both 360 Dermatology and Ambay Plastic Surgery have benefited from the good work they do for their patients, Hoefle says community involvement is a big part of the success of both practices.
“We are thriving because of the support of the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa communities, and the surrounding areas as well,” she says. “We are very ingrained in the fabric and are active in the community by participating in health events.”
The Ambays relocated their practices to the Transformations Aesthetic Center in May. A Grand Opening event and Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting are planned to be held in mid-September.
Transformations Aesthetic Center is located at 2441 Oak Myrtle Ln. in Wesley Chapel. For more information about 360 Dermatology, you can visit 360Dermatologytampa.com, call (813) 406-4835. Ambay Plastic Surgery’s website is AmbayPlasticSurgery.com and the phone number is (813) 406-4448.
Fitness professional Samantha Taylor (photo) offers fitness training and nutritional counseling for women only, helping them to “age backwards,” as Samantha says, at her Wesley Chapel location, across the street from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.
