Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Improving student confidence and ability one child at a time

October 9, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Alicia Lafarga didn’t start out as a teacher, but after retiring from her desk job, she knew that was the only thing she wanted to do. She moved from Miami to Tampa two years ago to be near her daughter and began looking for an opportunity that would enable her to have the greatest impact teaching children. She found that with Tutor Doctor franchise one year ago. “It’s a wonderful experience after sitting behind a desk for 40 years,” says Alicia. Over the course of her career she worked with school boards and the county in Miami. These experiences strengthened her desire to do something with children after she retired.

Tutor Doctor provides in-home tutor- ing for students of all ages, from kinder- garten to senior citizens. “It’s a great company to work with,” says Alicia. “They provide a lot of support to both owners and tutors which really helps us to provide the very best tutoring experience to our clients.”

Alicia provides a free consultation to anyone interested in tutoring. The purpose of the consultation is two-fold. First, she talks with the parents to fully understand their concerns and expectations. The majority of her time is spent talking with the student. This information will help her to find the best tutor for the child.

“We want to match the student with the right tutor,” she explains. “The tutor must have the necessary subject-matter skills. We also try to take into account any special interests or abilities the student has, such as a love of sports, and try to find a tutor with similar interests and abilities.” Every tutoring lesson plan is customized around the students school curriculum. Parents are kept up-to-date regarding their child’s progress with followup notes and assessments after every tutoring session.

“We have to be able to make a difference for every student,” says Alicia. Tutoring helps students improve their grades and test-taking abilities, but the greatest reward is in the noticeable improvement in the child’s self-confidence. “It is the student’s rise in confidence that makes a big difference and leads to benefits in other areas of their life,” says Alicia. “Tutoring works.”

Alicia currently has 50 tutors working with her. All of her tutors are certified teachers or graduate school students with teaching experience. She is always looking for new tutors with experience and a pas- sion to support students and their community.

“Tutoring is all about integrity,” says Alicia. “We never lie to the client or try to sell them on the tutoring process. We also resolve any personality issues between the student and tutor immediately. This is a relationship-based experience, and we want everyone to be happy with the tutoring process.”

To sum up the Tutor Doctor difference in one sentence Alicia says, “We provide one-on-one individualized instruction on all subjects in their own home and at their convenience.”

Learning doesn’t have to be a struggle. Call Alicia for a free consultation. Mention this article and you’ll also receive two hours of free tutoring.

Contact Alicia at (813) 506-0438, or at . Visit www.loveyourtutor.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is written by the advertising department.

Dr. Jay Nelson Treats Sleep Apnea with Nonintrusive Dental Retainer

October 9, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Jay A. Nelson, DMD, has been helping patients in the area solve their dental problems for 25 years and saw the need to add dental sleep medicine to his list of services. He has years of successful experience working in collaboration with medical doctors to provide patients with an alternative to the obtrusive Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Dr. Nelson has fitted more than a hundred patients suffering from sleep apnea with a dental appliance that fits over the teeth much like a retainer. The appliance moves the jaw forward and opens the airway during sleep.

The result is an immediate and dramatic reduction in snoring (in many cases, snoring stops completely) — which is often a relief to the patient’s bed partner who complains that their sleep too is interrupted by their partner’s snoring.

But more importantly, the open airway created by the dental appliance allows the patient to sleep through the night and awaken fully rested.

“There is nothing more important to maintaining good health and an energetic, productive day than a restful night’s sleep,” said Dr. Nelson from his office on S.R. 54 in Lutz.

“Our body needs a continuous flow of oxygen to sleep restfully,” he continues. “It is essential that our brain and body reboot every night by getting enough sleep. If we don’t reboot, lack of sleep impacts every aspect of our health, including weight gain, high blood pressure, memory loss and mental health.”

Dr. Nelson is one of the area’s few dentists to be certified in treating sleep breathing disorders in collaboration with your physician. His office recently received a three-year accreditation from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, which required his practice to meet or exceed all standards for professional patient care, including continuing education for his staff and meeting standards for safety, customer service and patient follow-up.

Scientific studies have determined that dental sleep therapy is an effective alternative to CPAP therapy — which uses a bedside machine that pumps air into a patient’s nose and mouth throughout the night.

“Many people stop using their CPAP machine because they find its mask uncomfortable and the machine itself loud and disruptive to their bed partner,” said Dr. Nelson. “Those people are desperate to find an alternative that they can tolerate to help them sleep through the night and to stop snoring.”

Dr. Nelson fits his patients with mouthguard-like retainers worn only during sleep. These retainers easily and painlessly snap over a patient’s top and bottom teeth.

With the retainers in place, they prevent the air- way from collapsing by holding the tongue in place and moving the jaw forward. It typically takes a month for the retainers to be adjusted to a patient’s mouth. After the desired effect is reached, the patient does nothing more than pop the appliance in at night and rinse it off and store it away in the morning in a small carrying case.

Diane is a local businesswoman in her 50s who was fitted with an oral appliance by Dr. Nelson six months ago.

“I no longer snore and sleep better than I have in years,” said Diane. “I never realized what a huge difference a good night sleep would have on how I felt. My energy level is the best it’s been in years, and I wake up feeling refreshed and ready for a new day.”

The National Sleep Foundation reports that more than 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders today, and projects that number will more than double in 30 years as our population continues to age.

While these numbers are astounding, more astonishing is the number of people who are either unaware that they have a sleep disorder, or believe there is nothing they can do to treat it if they cannot tolerate CPAP treatment.

“It’s important that folks know there is an alternative to CPAP that is effective and affordable,” said Dr. Nelson. “We have helped so many people who find our oral appliances comfortable, easy to take in and out and convenient for travel.

“Our goal is to help people live longer by improving the quality of their sleep. Nothing is more important than sleep for good physical and mental health, and there’s no reason that anyone needs to suffer from snoring and sleep disorders”.

For more information on NelsonDentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine, visit www.SleepBetterFlorida.com or www.NelsonDentistry.com.

This story was written by the advertising department.

Joseph Grimaudo leads Dancing with our Stars winners

October 2, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

All Smiles Tampa Bay were all smiles when it came to awards at this year’s Dancing with our Stars competition.

The company won overall star at the competition, hosted by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 21, as well as best costume, most original and most entertaining honors. Taking part in that winning effort for All Smiles were Dr. Joseph Grimaudo, Nicole Eppers and Sonia Salazer.

Robert and Edda Gilbert from Mind Your Business Now won most-committed dancers, while Tiffany Yip from Get a Group Total Fitness sold the most tickets for the fundraising event.

David Gainer of DigitalBrainz and Ann Poonkasem of AnnPonline.com were tied for most congenial, while Dr. John and Melissa Mertz of Mertz Orthodontics were selected as the people’s choice.

The best dance award went to Elisabeth Shaner-Flach with Scott Parlett from BallywhoSocial, while Kelly Mothershead of A Focus on Fitness was named a shining star.

The event was put together with a team of volunteers as well as stage manager Shelly Acevedo of Broadway Dancesations, and Meredyth Censullo, who served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The dance professionals who helped choreograph and teach the dancers included Wendy LaRosa, Terri Dusek, Gina Marchica, Grace Badillo, Roberto Lira, Tamesis Cruz, Leo Florin, Stacey Enyart, Nicole John, Acevedo, Hector Quiles, Frank Sliwa, and Richard and Laurie Collett.

Backstage artists were Jane Case, Ellen Castellani, Lisa Rogers, HairStyle Salon and Star’s Organic Spa.

For more information on how to become a dancer in next year’s event, call Carla Collier at (813) 345-8580, or email .

Activities picking up at Grand Horizons

October 2, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

I understand that many people are starting to come back from their adventures up north and settle in at Grand Horizons, and therefore, enjoying the different activities.

From speaking to some of my friends, I recognize the fact that traffic is starting to be a little heavier and, therefore, more time is needed to get to different places.

One of the activities was the connoisseur lunch. True, they try to hold it once a month, but September found 32 people enjoying the lunch buffet at Ling’s Buffet hosted by Judy Ellsworth. From what Judy mentioned, they not only had a very enjoyable time with good food to eat, but once the lunch was ended, the women went shopping at Hobby Lobby.

If you know the women from Grand Horizons, they love to shop and any excuse for this, well, they pounce on it. The idea that Hobby Lobby was not far from the restaurant, and the fact that there are many items of interest, is enough for the women to decide to go shopping.

Also, I spoke with Marie Paolantonio and she mentioned that the Ladies Lunch Bunch took advantage of a new restaurant that recently opened. I do not know the exact date of the opening, but on Sept. 10 they went to Panera Bread. I realize that I had mentioned that they were going here in my last article, but at the time I sent in the news, I never realized what a good time everyone had.

I read in our newsletter that it was hosted by Joyce Bell, who said 13 people attended. Joyce also mentioned that they put the tables close together so everyone could enjoy the rest of the company. From what I heard, the sandwiches and the soups are simply terrific.

If it is anything like the Panera Bread that we have in Connecticut, then I know the food is delicious, and Marty and I will be going there quite often.

Marie went on to mention that from Panera Bread, they went to Bob and Luella Wheeling’s home to help celebrate Bob’s 90th birthday. This is also something that I read was going to take place, but I didn’t know what a lovely time many people had when they celebrated Bob’s birthday until I spoke to Marie. So, Marie, thanks for the update.

Also, thanks goes to Joyce Bell who did attend the celebration and informed me that Bob received at least 45 cards. She said all who attended really enjoyed themselves, and the day was perfect.

Also, at Grand Horizons, there is a new and exciting activity. Rich Wagner, who is relatively new to the development, opened up his home for any of the residents that care to come to see films. Some of the movies shown are old-type picture shows, but there are also new ones, plus musicals and foreign films.

I had the opportunity to speak to Rich and he mentioned that after the movie, they sit around and discuss it. Rich went on to say that he loves to do this, and sometimes he enjoys a movie so much that he goes out to find the book.

It definitely sounds like a winner to me, and I hope to participate several times when I get to Florida. It sounds ideal to me.

Thanks to Rich for taking the time out to tell me all about it.

A fashion show is coming up on Nov. 2 and will be presented by Bon Worth. Kathy Cribbs is in charge of getting the models and seeing that all runs smoothly. Good luck Kathy!

I realize that in the past few years we had a fashion show and it always fell on a day that I couldn’t be present as we had previous plans. I am so glad that enough notice has been given so I can hold this date open.

Grand Horizon residents are also getting ready for Nov. 16 when they will have a yard sale. It will be at individual homes, plus there will be a book sale, bake sale and lunch will be served in the community center.

Who knows what you will find at this yard sale, maybe something that you have been looking for and almost gave up trying to locate. So, keep this date in mind and circle it on your calendar.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Zephyrhills honors its own for community, commercial service

October 2, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A dozen awards were handed out during the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Sept. 19, honoring community and business leaders who made a difference over the past year.

John Scott of Gulf Coast Financial Strategies ‘passes the gavel,’ so to speak, to incoming Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce president Carolyn Sentelik during the chamber’s annual dinner Sept. 19. (Photo courtesy of Gary Hatrick)

Goin’ Postal, and founders Marcus and M.J. Price, each were honored for Innovative Business of the Year (for the company), and the Community Service Award (for the couple) during the event at Scotland Yard Golf Club. They were nominated alongside companies like Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, The Commons on Pretty Pond and the Quiet Zone and The Home Theatre.

Large Business of the Year went to CF Industries for its reputation, services, growth and leadership for a company with 25 or more employees. It was nominated alongside Goin’ Postal, Humana Marketpoint, Ryman Construction and Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ.

The Diamond Award, which honored nonprofit organizations that helped the community, was given to Eastside 7 Rotary Clubs. Also nominated were Main Street Zephyrhills, Planned Pethood, The Samaritan Project, and Town Ark/The Thomas Promise.

Gary Hatrick, who also served on the business and community awards selection committee, earned two awards — Citizen of the Year and Chamber Member of the Year. Also nominated for those awards were Kevin Bahr, Linda Boan, M.J. Price, Wade Thomas, CenterState Bank, and Jon Dearolf of YMCA of East Pasco.

Winning Small Business of the Year was the Zephyrhills Free Press, while Katy Boyd of Saint Leo University was named Ambassador of the Year from a pool that included the newspaper, John and Diana MacDiarmid and Stephanie Stephenson.

Other winners included:

Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, for Zephyrhills Economic Development Champion

John Kinsman for Leadership in Youth Involvement

Zephyrhills City Council president Lance Smith for Leadership in Government Affairs

Carolyn Sentelik of the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation was named the new chamber president, with John Scott of Gulf Coast Financial Strategies as vice president and treasurer. Hatrick, of High Road Photography, was named secretary.

Natural Setting Conducive To Patient Care At New Psychiatric Hospital in Wesley Chapel

October 2, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Often people are surprised to learn that over a lifetime, close to 50 percent of Americans face a mental health issue that would benefit from professional treatment. Unfortunately, for different reasons, many do not seek or receive the help they need.

That statistic from the Center for Disease Control is cited by Jim Harris, chief executive officer of North Tampa Behavioral Health, a new psychiatric hospital opening this week in Wesley Chapel.

Harris has worked in the mental health care field for 20 years, first as a clinical social worker and then in hospital management. He has been in Wesley Chapel since June making sure all details are in place to welcome patients and family to a nurturing, warm environment that he and his staff are committed to establishing at their new hospital.

“We really have a rare opportunity to build a hospital from the ground up,” said Harris. “We’re creating an open, welcoming, noninstitutional environment that will help counter the stigma that often keeps people from seeking or following through with their treatment.”

North Tampa Behavioral Health is located just east of The Shops of Wiregrass on State Road 56 on 16 acres of wetlands and forest with beautiful views and abundant wildlife and birds.

“This setting is conducive to treatment and helping patients get better,” said Harris. “There is a lot of peace and quiet with no urban distractions.”

The hospital’s foremost philosophy is to treat patients and their families with dignity and respect. “We consider each patient’s unique individual needs during their time with us,” said Harris.

The hospital is opening with a staff of 70 that will grow to as many as 200 or more as it treats more patients in its 75-bed facility. It employs a variety of positions required to run a hospital, including doctors, nurses, case managers, techs, cooks, housekeepers and maintenance workers.

North Tampa Behavioral Health will open one unit at a time as its census grows, offering treatment for adults and seniors with mental health and substance abuse concerns. Harris said he expects many patients to have a dual diagnosis. Often times psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, post-traumatic stress or psychosis can be co-occurring with a sub- stance abuse problem.

The hospital also offers a unique half-day, partial-hospitalization program that provides more intense services than traditional outpatient services. Other levels of care include an intensive outpatient program and a mobile assessment team.

Eventually, law enforcement and mental health professionals will be able to place people needing emergency psychiatric care under the Baker and Marchman legislation to prevent someone from hurting themselves or others.

Supporting its evidence-based treatment programs, North Tampa Behavioral Health offers many physical activities for its patients with amenities including a full gym, outdoor basketball court, walking path, spacious community rooms, café and quiet rooms.

“Our goal is to bring together mental and physical health approaches to psychiatric therapies founded on the most current princi- ples of patient safety,” said Harris.

North Tampa Behavioral Health can be reached at (813) 333-0000, or at www.NorthTampaBehavioralHealth.com. It is located at 29910 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel.

This story was written by the advertising department.

Wesley Chapel hospital, Focus on Fitness win top awards

September 25, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

There were smiles and tears as the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce honored businesses and volunteers at its annual banquet Sept. 14.

Kelly Mothershead, the owner of A Focus on Fitness, accepts the Small Business of the Year award at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce annual banquet at Hunter’s Green. (Photo courtesy of Tony Masella, OurTownFla.com)

The awards acknowledge the accomplishments of small businesses, larger businesses, volunteers, civic organizations and business leaders for the contributions they make to the regional economy. They are nominated and voted on by their peers.

This year’s winners were:

• Small Business of the Year: A Focus on Fitness
• Large Business of the Year: Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel
• Business Leader of the Year: Greg Lenners, The Shops at Wiregrass
• Volunteer of the Year: Cathy Bickham, Chapel Home Health
• Civic or Non-Profit of the Year: Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers
• President’s Award: Dean Smith, Quest National Services
• Board Member of the Year: Maureen Moore, Saint Leo University

Bickham of Chapel Home Health was elected the 2014 honorary mayor of Wesley Chapel, and won through a fundraising competition. Mary Ann Yaney will serve as the deputy honorary mayor.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1998, and now has nearly 500 members.

Not all saturated fat is bad

September 25, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If you have been looking for a family-friendly, yet upscale, casual restaurant with some of the best prepared food you have set your taste buds on, dining at Stonewood Tavern & Grill in Tampa Palms is a must.

Stonewood offers excellent food choices to complement a healthy lifestyle with outstanding service and a “private” restaurant feel — a perfect opportunity to enjoy a great experience in your neighborhood.

This restaurant does not cut corners when it comes to the preparation of their food. They use only local seafood, the produce comes right from Land O’ Lakes, and the new menu takes it one step further by only using the top 15 percent of steak cuts in the country — USDA Certified Private Reserve Angus.

The food is always prepared fresh from scratch in their kitchen, and can be tailored to your specific needs for any order. Believe me, you will know it is fresh.

May I suggest the oak-fired wings for a starter? Unlike most wings, they are grilled — so a big “Yea!” from your personal trainer. The perfect blend of sweetness, juiciness and crunch makes it hard to save room for the main dish after you have enjoyed this appetizer.

For those who prefer, there were other inviting appetizers on the menu as well. A few examples: calamari, smoked salmon, seared ahi tuna and crab cakes.

For my entrée, I chose the special offered that evening: Beef & Reef, which included a perfectly cooked-to-order filet mignon, buttery lobster tail and a side of your choice. When you do not need a steak knife to cut your steak, wow, you know it is perfect. I am a firm believer that saturated fat is actually good for you; it’s what people ate for thousands of years and didn’t really get heart disease.

If you want to learn more about this, watch a movie called “Fat Head.”

We also tried the cedar plank roasted salmon, and the flavors in this dish were also outstanding. The quality of the meat, fish and produce were evident in every bite. Just as with this meal and having a few wings to start with, I had plenty of leftovers to practice that self-control.

Stonewood has 15 locations in Florida. However, we have one local at 17050 Palm Pointe Drive in Tampa, less than a mile southwest of Interstate 75 off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Stonewood Grill & Tavern is a memorable dining experience and provides genuine service every time. They always go beyond my expectations, and each time I cannot wait to go back.

By Samantha Taylor, Pure Health Studios

Wanted: Your best football photos

September 25, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Think you have the best eye when it comes to prep football pictures? Then your work could end up in this very section, complete with your own photo credit.

The Laker/Lutz News is looking for photos at football games, whether they are of the cheerleaders, crowds, or even game play if you can zoom in well enough. We’ll publish our favorite ones right in this section. (File photo)

The Laker/Lutz News wants your pictures from local gridiron games. Whether it’s of a special play, a new routine from the cheerleaders, or even screaming fans from the grandstands — we want you to send it.

Each week, we’ll select the best pictures and post them to our Facebook page at Facebook.com/TheLakerLutzNews, and our favorite could actually end up in print in the paper’s sports section.

Pictures should be submitted by email, but only one picture per email. Each entry must include the full name and address of the photographer, which game the photo was shot at, and identify all the prominent people in the photo.

They should be submitted no later than 3 p.m. each Monday to .

Anything can happen on any given Friday, and here’s your chance to be a part of it.

NFLer wants to help kids who trashed his home

September 25, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A retired professional football player who makes his home in Lutz is receiving national attention this past week after some 300 teenagers allegedly trashed his vacation home in New York.

Brian Holloway, an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots and later the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1980s, learned about the destruction happening at his home in Stephentown, N.Y., as it was happening through Twitter. Now he is working to track down all the teenagers that damaged his home, and is working to get their help in cleaning up.

Graffiti litters the walls of Brian Holloway’s barn in New York after a party there allegedly involved some 300 teenagers. Holloway was at his home in Lutz while the party was taking place. (Photo courtesy of Brian Holloway)

Holloway’s launched a website to accomplish that. There he says that while broken things can be fixed and stolen things can be returned, the 300 or so people who attended this party are “in peril.”

“I know one thing, if my child was involved, I would want to know everything now,” Holloway said on his website. “We are old school disciplinarians, we do not sit back, we take action. We step in and take charge. It’s so easy for kids to get off track if we let them.”

Holloway bought the house soon after joining the NFL, but now spends most of his time in Florida because of his football injuries. He would host community gatherings at the home when he lived there full-time, which included guests like civil rights activist Rosa Parks and football star William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

The former NFL player is now trying to bring some of the people involved in the party together to help them take a different path.

He called them “the future leaders, each who possess tremendous potential if they choose to do the right thing, make the right choices, and take the first steps.”

For more on Holloway’s efforts, visit www.HelpMeSave300.com.