Thirty Years? That’s Nice, But How About 40 Years? — RP&G Printing! 

After hosting the party celebrating my 30 years of owning the Neighborhood News, Jannah and I were proud to celebrate an even bigger milestone at an event hosted by our friends Kent and Cindy Ross, the owners of RP&G Printing & Business Systems, Inc. 

And, while Kent and Cindy both seemed to enjoy themselves and said super-sweet things to us about my 30 years of Neighborhood News at our event, the fact is that my accomplishment pales in comparison to the fact that Kent has owned RP&G now for 40 years and Cindy joined him in 1995, or almost 30 years ago. 

Like yours truly, Kent — a long-time member and former president of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel — and Cindy, one of the most visible (at virtually every event) long-time ambassadors for the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC), have deep roots in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel communities and also have been able to evolve their printing business over the decades. 

Their celebration of Kent and RP&G’s 40 years on Mar. 21 also was a way to introduce their many friends and business associates to the company’s new location on Pet Ln., off Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz, and featured beautiful food (including some very upscale bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled dates crafted by RP&G graphic designer Stephanie Flischel), an impressive hula hoop display — did I mention the hula hoop was on fire? — by production specialist Brianna Peterson and a dancing 7+-foot-tall robot (provided by Karen’s Hora Loca) adorned with the RP&G logo and a similar number of attendees as the 150 or so who attended (including Kent and Cindy, by the way) our event. 

When you consider that the only other business that has been open continuously in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel since 1984, when Kent first opened RP&G, is Saddlebrook Resort, you can understand why RP&G’s longevity is such a major accomplishment. 

And, don’t forget that Saddlebrook was sold by founder and owner Tom Dempsey last year, so unless I’m forgetting someone, I don’t believe any business has been serving either of our distribution areas for longer than our friend Kent has. 

Here are some facts Kent sent us in a press release about RP&G’s 40th birthday: 

“We started by supplying continuous forms and checks for the burgeoning computer revolution in the 1980s. along with business cards and stationery,” he said. ”Full color printing then was so expensive only big companies could afford it, but now, we specialize in full-color marketing materials to help small businesses shine that are affordable for any size company.” 

“This dedication has established a foundation of loyalty, still servicing clients that have been with the company since its inception — a testament to their unwavering commitment to client relations and customer service.” 

Cindy added, “RP&G stands for more than just service; it signifies a promise to deliver great value and make our clients look their best.” 

Significant achievements in RP&G’s 40-year history include: 

• Winning the Small Business of the Year award from the NTBC in 2017 

• Runner-up for Small Business of the Year, Pasco Economic Development Council, in 2016 

• Receiving the Superior Performance in Print Shop Management award by CPrint International three times in the past five years. 

Kent reminisces with humor about the company’s early days: “People often ask me what RP&G stands for. At the start, I looked so young — many assumed I was a kid trying to run a business. By rebranding to RP&G instead of my original ‘Ross Printing and Graphics,’ and changing my title from President to Sales Representative, I saw our sales take off, as people then trusted that I had ‘adult supervision.’” 

In addition to keeping up with modern printing production technology, RP&G attributes much of its success to its dedicated staff. 

“Machines will only get you so far,” Kent says. “At the end of the day, it’s the people in your organization that will make or break you and we have been blessed with talented team players that really look after our clients!” 

These four decades also showcase a family’s legacy in the printing business. Kent’s grandmother was the founder of the Pasco Shopper and had a print shop in the 1950s. His father joined that business in the early ‘60s. 

Congrats, Kent & Cindy! We love you! And clearly, we’re not the only ones! 

For more info about RP&G, call (813) 949-5700 or visit RPandG.com. 

Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus Turns 10! 

 The Porter Family’s Land Donation Celebrates A Decade Of Adding Skilled Workers To The Local Economy! 

Many of the people in this picture have been with the Porter Campus of Pasco Hernando State College since PHSC first opened back in January of 2014. Current Provost Dr. Davina Jones (second from left) hosted an outstanding 10th Anniversary Celebration for the Porter Campus on April 6. Holding the sign, front and center in this picture, is Sonia Rodriguez Thorn, who was the first Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Porter Campus under the campus’ first Provost Dr. Stanley Giannet. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

When Sonia Rodriguez Thorn first arrived in 2013 at the not-yet-open Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch of what was then called Pasco Hernando Community College (PHCC), her name was only Sonia Rodriguez, as she was not yet married. 

Sonia’s last name was still Rodriguez when the school’s Porter Campus opened in January 2014 as the fifth campus of the freshly renamed Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) and she served as the first Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Porter Campus, and the right hand to the Porter Campus’ first Provost, Dr. Stanley Giannet. Sonia did get married in December of that year, so both she and the school had new names to start the Porter Campus’ second year. 

“It’s an honor to come back here, after 30 years of service and especially, opening this campus,” Sonia said when she was introduced by the current Provost of the Porter Campus Dr. Davina Jones, “when my first hire Mildred (Santiago Diaz) and I couldn’t even get into the building yet. Mildred (who is one of several employees introduced by Dr. Jones as having been at the Porter Campus for all ten years of its existence) and I and all of our new hires were housed in one room, with six tables and chairs, at the West Campus in New Port Richey until this building (at seven total stories, the tallest in Pasco County) opened.” 

She added, “I’ve been involved with this institution in one form or another since 1991 and it’s been a blessing and a privilege for me to serve not only the community and our stakeholders but also the institution that helped develop me both personally and professionally and I’m very honored by that. So, to come here today is really special for me, to see all that the Porter Campus has done for the Wesley Chapel community and Pasco County. Thank you so much!” 

“Sonia gave us her best,” said Dr. Jones, who introduced her to those in attendance on Apr. 6, prior to the festivities celebrating the Porter Campus’ tenth anniversary as a PHSC campus. 

“So, of course, we invited her back to be here for this event today.” 

Next, Dr. Jones mentioned that the three previous Porter Campus Provosts — Dr. Stanley Giannet, Dr. Bonnie Clark and Dr. Kevin O’Farrell — also were immortalized in the new PHSC “Hall of Fame” with a commemorative photo framed and displayed in the Provost’s conference room. 

“We are also going to send each of them a photo of this tribute,” Dr. Jones said. ‘We just think it’s important that the Porter Campus never forget the excellence and the greatness that led this place.” 

She also related a story she had heard about Dr. Giannet: “I heard that when he pulled up to this campus, he had a car full of beautiful art he brought with him and placed it all around the “A” Building and donated it. That is the mark of excellence that he brought to this campus…So, we want to continue to celebrate and honor all of our Provosts.” 

She also gave gifts to each member of the campus’ inaugural staff and, before concluding the introduction to the day, Dr. Jones received a surprise herself. She handed off the microphone to Ann Coppola, the associate director of the library at the Porter Campus, who mentioned that Dr. Jones also was an original member of the campus’ faculty, as a public speech communication professor. 

Current PHSC Porter Campus Provost Dr. Davina Jones (left) and Somia Rodriguez Thorn pose with the special shadow box presented to Dr. Jones by her staff. Dr. Jones was named by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in 2022 as someone who inspired the replacement of a statue of a Confederate general in the U.S. Capitol statuary hall with one of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. 

“Since then, your talent for diplomacy, your love of education and students and your strong work ethic has placed you as our campus leader and we could not be more fortunate to have you as Provost. You strive for excellence unapologetically, you advise personal accountability, you advocate for staff, faculty and students with pure intentions and most importantly, you do all of this with civility and kindness…Your core team has learned so much from you… and your leadership sets the tone for this campus.” 

To that end, Ann mentioned that, at the dedication ceremony of the statue honoring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune at the U.S. Capitol in July 2022, a statue that replaced one of a Confederate general that stood at the Capitol since the Jim Crowe era, Dr. Jones’ contribution to making that statue a reality was mentioned by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. 

“Dr. Jones served as a front-line partner, as Florida and our nation prepared to receive and embrace this historic statue in the Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Dr. Jones advocated for the statue of Dr. Bethune as a far superior representative of the values and diversity of the Sunshine State.” 

Ann added, “We curated this shadow box (photos above and right) to honor the work you did and still do for education. Thank you.” Dr. Jones was clearly moved by the impressive gift. 

After that, she posed for a group photo with all of the original, former and current faculty members on hand and told everyone in attendance about the Business Expo and free food out on the school’s promenade, the tours (including virtual simulations) of the campus’ renowned nursing department and “Bomba” Afro- Latin dance lesson (see photos on next page). 

Meanwhile, Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter, whose family trust donated the 65 acres upon which the Porter Campus sits, said that he was sad he wasn’t able to attend the festivities. 

“My family couldn’t be more proud of the Porter Campus and its students, faculty and staff,” Porter said afterwards. “I believe it is the most successful of the five PHSC campuses — and for good reason. It’s a great resource, and not just for the hospitals and medical offices throughout Wiregrass Ranch, but also the local business community. If you need to update your technical training for pretty much any type of business, we have this amazing local resource right here. PHSC has room to expand the Porter Campus and I am confident that will happen sooner than later.” 

If you attended the 10th Anniversary Celebration of PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on Apr. 6, you got to check out (left) a “Bomba” Afro-Latin Dance Lesson, (middle left) tours of the PHSC Nursing Department and virtual simulation and a free business expo with a number of community-oriented businesses meeting with attendees.

Pasco Breaks Ground On Wesley Chapel Library at Seven Oaks

(Photos by Charmaine George)

“The mission of a library is one of connection,” said Pasco County Library System director Sean McGarvey at the groundbreaking event for the Wesley Chapel Library at Seven Oaks — to about 50 people in the audience — on Apr. 12. “We connect people to what is important…in four fundamental ways. We connect people to knowledge, to the culture of the community, to economic opportunity and, most importantly, we connect people to each other.”

McGarvey served as the Master of Ceremonies for the groundbreaking event to showcase the architectural renderings for the new library, which will begin construction within the next month or so on a vacant lot adjacent to Seven Oaks Elementary. The 14,000-sq.-ft., $11 million library, designed by Fleischman Garcia Architects, is being built by Bandes Construction and will have a number of unique features that will make it a “hub of the world,” according to McGarvey, who also introduced the groundbreaking event’s other speakers.

Pasco County Library System director Sean McGarvey

The first was Pasco County Board of Commissioners (BOC) chair Ron Oakley, whose District 1 includes part of Wesley Chapel.

Oakley said that when he first became a county commissioner eight years ago, he was told, “We need to save money in the county, so we need to cut out libraries. They’re not needed…everybody’s got a computer. But, I said, ‘I personally think everybody doesn’t have a computer and all of our citizens love libraries. It’s just amazing what is provided by our library system. The use of this library here in this community is going to be amazing.”

Before then introducing Commissioner Seth Weightman, whose District 2 includes all of Seven Oaks, McGarvey said, “I can not wait to see what the stories of the connections that this building will build for everybody else who will use it…from the kids at the school next door, to the citizens of Pasco County to the members of this community, to the business community at large. I can not wait to see what this building will create for the community.”

District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley

Weightman then thanked retired Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore (Weightman’s Dist. 2 predecessor), “for allowing me to be here today and celebrating the work that you did over the course of your time to (make this library happen). What a fantastic community ‘add’ here to Seven Oaks. And, to the citizens of Seven Oaks, because of your community and your drive and your watchful eye, we’re proud to bring this to all the folks here in Wesley Chapel.

Weightman then introduced former Comm. Moore, “because this was his baby.”

Moore said, “This (library) was a long time in the making. Part of the Seven Oaks development agreement back then (in 2004) was this site, which was always supposed to be a library. The county commission was very, very supportive of this project when I was on the Board and what I’m most grateful for is that once I left, the next Board came

in and continued with the project. Sometimes, what we see in government, is that when people leave, sometimes projects don’t move forward and they stall, but they (the new BOC) saw the benefit of having this library.”

The former commissioner added, “This library is going to be a meeting place, a place where adults and kids alike will learn, a place where you’ll have gatherings…there will be social events, civic events…and classes for seniors, adults and children.”

Moore also thanked the team from Bandes Construction, “that is actually going to build this facility. Hopefully, it won’t take a year and a half, since materials are easier to get now….but thank you so much for all the support. And, we really are excited as a community that this is going to service not just Seven Oaks, but all of Wesley Chapel and Pasco County.”

Moore also thanked his former aide Andy Taylor, for his part in making the library happen.

District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman

McGarvey then called up all of the speakers, plus county administrator Mike Carballa, Taylor, the representatives on hand from not only Bandes Construction, but also from U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee and State Sen. Danny Burgess’ offices, as well as other Pasco Library System employees for the ceremonial tossing of the dirt.

After the ceremony, McGarvey told the Neighborhood News that actual construction of the Wesley Chapel Library at Seven Oaks would begin later this month and that the expected completion date for it was the end of 2025.

Paula Wahl, the business compliance & contracts manager for the Pasco Library System, said that among the new library’s unique features will be a separate construction project of a trail that will be artistically designed to look like you’re walking through the pages of a book. There also will be, “an outdoor ‘reading porch’ overlooking the walkway. We also will have a flexible space that will be able to host ‘maker activities.’ Where many of our other libraries have very specific makerspaces — woodshop, video production studio, cooking programs and so on — this library actually will have a special parking space for our mobile makerspace, similar to the van we have here today, specially outfitted to bring activities from each of those out into the community. All of those other library makerspaces have mobile activities that we can bring out into the community here.”

For more information, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Mobile Library
Former District 2 Commissioner Mike Moore

Get Beautiful Smiles & Skin At Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa 

Dr. Sana Yusuf (in blue) has always wanted her Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa off Old Pasco Rd. in the Promenade at Lexington Oaks plaza to offer a fun, relaxing, more-spa-like atmosphere than the average dental office. (Photos courtesy of Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa)

Sana Yusuf, D.M.D., is the first to admit that everyone — including her — hates going to the dentist. 

Even though she has worked her whole life to become a dentist — starting with her first job in a dental office at age 16 — Dr. Sana, as most everyone calls her, says even she gets a little squirmy in the dentist’s chair. 

So, when she became a dentist herself, while dreaming about opening her own practice, she instead wanted it to be a place everyone loves to go — like a spa. 

That’s why Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa, located in the Promenade at Lexington Oaks plaza (just off Wesley Chapel Blvd. at Old Pasco Rd.), feels much more like a spa from the moment you walk in. 

“My goal is to make more people more comfortable at the dentist,” Dr. Sana says. “People walk in and say they don’t feel like they are in a dental office, and that’s always been my goal.” 

While she says it was never her intention to open an actual spa, the whole atmosphere of her dental office is so spa-like, that patients kept asking her to provide spa treatments. She decided to roll with it, becoming the first dental office in the Tampa Bay area that also is an aesthetic med spa. 

And, while she originally opened that Wesley Chapel office just two years ago (in March 2022), it already has undergone a major expansion, with the med spa part of the business growing — and moving — into its own adjacent space in the same plaza last fall. Today, Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa’s dental and aesthetic patients each have their own entrance, while the offices remain connected inside. 

This boutique dental studio offers everything you would expect at a general dentist’s office — cleanings, X-rays, exams, fillings, crowns, as well as cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening and veneers. Dr. Sana also can straighten your teeth using Invisalign® aligners. 

She says her office’s unique emphasis bridges the gap between cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics, offering “smile makeovers” for the most beautiful teeth and skin. 

“People today have concerns that traditionally would have required cosmetic surgery,” she says. “But now, we have nonsurgical ways to address those concerns and naturally enhance each person’s beauty.” 

Dr. Sana’s approach to cosmetic dentistry is similar to her philosophy for aesthetic procedures. 

“I don’t want anyone to know you had crowns or veneers done,” she says. “We can make your teeth brighter and whiter, if that’s what you want, but it should still look natural.” 

Dr. Sana graduated Summa Cum Laude — in only three years and at the age of 20 — with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of Detroit Mercy (MI). She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree four years later from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Downers Grove, IL. 

After earning her D.M.D. degree, Dr. Yusuf joined the U.S. Army as an Active Duty Captain and worked as a general dentist. She is an honored recipient of the Army Commendation Medal. 

She, her husband, and three children live in Wesley Chapel. Dr. Sana is invested in her community, where she has served as the president of the Board of Directors at Sunrise of Pasco County, a center for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. 

Dr. Sana says she wants to bring back the concept of a family dentist. 

“Growing up, everyone went to the same dentist,” she says. “The dentist knew everything about your family, your kids and grandkids. I want you to bring your whole family here.” 

Dr. Sana sees patients of all ages, including babies as young as six months. She says as soon as babies get their first tooth, you should bring them to the dentist. At that age, she checks to make sure development is appropriate and focuses on educating parents on how to care for their children’s teeth. 

Glenda Torres was one of Sana Dental Studio’s first patients and now brings her entire family to the practice. She, her husband and their two kids, plus her brother and his wife see Dr. Sana. Glenda says she’s referred friends to the practice, as well. 

“Everything is amazing,” she says. “It’s beautiful. I love the aesthetics, like the chandeliers, and the women there are phenomenal. They know me by name and ask about my family. It’s so nice to have a familiar feel when you walk in.” 

Glenda says the friendliness extends outside the doors of the dental office, as well.“I see Dr. Sana and her family out and about,” Glenda says. “They’re people from the neighborhood.” 

Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa is unlike any other dentist office Glenda has been to, she says. She looks forward to her appointments and enjoys going to special events at the office. “I missed the ‘Galentine’s Day’ event, but I went to ‘Friendsgiving,’” Glenda says. “It’s like girl time, hangout time. They have cocktails and mocktails, plus representatives there to talk with you about what your next skin care treatment might be, so it’s a great way to get information.” 

Med Spa Services 
If you have pigmentation, freckles, uneven skin tone or rosacea, try the Lumecca IPL treatments at Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa.

Dr. Sana says she keeps adding to the array of aesthetic services on the office’s aesthetic side, which now offers Botox®, fillers, microneedling, hydrafacials, laser skin resurfacing and laser hair removal, all provided by aesthetic nurse practitioners under Dr. Sana’s guidance. Facials are performed by licensed aestheticians. 

For those who want ongoing care for their skin, the med spa recently began offering unique “Sana Squad” memberships, with discounts for members. For a low monthly membership fee (or, you may pay in advance for 11 months and get one month free), members receive special access to discounted rates, first priority to new services and perks such as entries into giveaways. 

Whether you’re looking for a dentist, an aesthetician, or both, Dr. Sana says her small business offers an educated staff that is dedicated to giving their patients a high-quality experience. She is proud that her business is veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned. 

Dr. Sana says while her décor is very spa-like and relaxing (photo above), her personality is not. She likes to have fun and hopes you’ll enjoy the experience at her dental studio, too. 

“People don’t like the dentist,” she says, “but if you like me as a person, maybe that can help overcome your fear of going to the dentist.” 

Dr. Sana also has appeared on the “Bloom” and “Daytime” shows on WFLA-TV News Channel 8. 

Sana Dental Studio + Spa (5728 Post Oak Blvd.) is open Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., for general dentistry. Additional hours are available for aesthetic services by appointment. Upcoming events include a Mother’s Day event in May and a “Moms’ Night Out” in July or August. For more info & reservations, call (813) 694-2278, visit SanaDentalStudio.com. 

Houses Now Being Sold In GL Homes’ 55+ Valencia Ridge 

If you’ve driven recently on S.R. 56 east of Wiregrass Ranch, you may have noticed the signs for Valencia Ridge, a new age 55+ community being developed by GL Homes, which also has developed both The Ridge at Wiregrass and the new Winding Ridge community on S.R. 56. 

Speaking of Winding Ridge, the signs for Valencia Ridge lead you into Winding Ridge, as the 55+ community’s Sales Center is located near the community clubhouse in Winding Ridge. 

However, Valencia Ridge isn’t part of Winding Ridge — it’s a separate community that actually will be located north of Winding Ridge and Chancey Rd. (see map). Valencia Ridge will have its own multi-million-dollar clubhouse, with pickleball and tennis courts, multiple pools, a resort-like lifestyle with dozens of clubs, from Rock Band to poker, cardio, table tennis club and many more clubs. 

The GL Homes Crown Collection floor plans in Valencia Ridge range in price from $449,900 for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath Camelia model with 1,674 sq. ft. of air conditioned space to the 4-bedroom, 4-bath Emerald model with 3,139 air conditioned sq. ft. starting at $819,900. 

For more information, call (813) 228-6300 or visit GLHomes.com/Valencia-Ridge and please tell them we sent you!