The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce held a Business Mixer, sponsored by The Laker, was held at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, Food/Drink Co-Sponsors were Wesley Chapel Toyota and Texas Roadhouse was a great evening of networking and socializing and the formal announcement of our Mayoral candidates. Throwing in their collective hats in the race for Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel are: Jan Wallace Roberts for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. John Nagley for Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Charity and Mitzi Richardson for Oasis Pregnancy Center. … Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel Deborah Ingargiola Yoerg, Marisaida Mendez of Dennis Realty, President of the Pasco/Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Rocio (Rosie) D. Paulsen and owner of the Good Faith Insurance Services, Itamar Martinez, President of La Liga Latina and Scarleth Leon of Scene On Glass Media at the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer at the Hampton Inn Wesley Chapel. …Mary Ann Baker Yaney of Pebble Creek Golf Club and Ashley Flanagan Poptodorova of AAP Fitness at the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer at the Hampton Inn Wesley Chapel. Photos of this event by Anthony V. Masella Jr. of OurtownFLA.com.

Could Tampa Bay get a louder voice in Congress? That was one of the questions tossed at state legislators as they stopped in Wesley Chapel Tuesday night for a forum on redistricting. The Pasco County crowd is concerned about gerrymandering. They don't want political maps drawn like a plate of spaghetti. In fact, the passionate crowd said they're sick of it! "You people are elected to serve the people," one Zephyrhills woman announced into the public microphone. "So, we're here, but we're your bosses." The "bosses" far outnumbered the public servants at Wiregrass Ranch High School with more than 250 people showing up to sound off about fears of an ages old political tactic - gerrymandering.     The population has certainly changed a lot since 2000. All of the new Congressional seats must cover roughly 696,000 people. So, what will all this mean for the Bay area?

The Florida Redistricting Committees have a website to answer many of the questions about the process. They will also accept legislative maps drawn by you! Visit: http://www.floridaredistricting.org/

Go 2 outfitters, held a Grand Opening of their new location at 24038 State Road 54, in Lutz. The Boy Scouts from Troop 303 of the Gulf Ridge Council helped out at the grand opening of Go2Outfitters’  new location. The Scouts had a great time selling hot dogs, baked goods, model trains, kayaks, guides, polka music, and even wrote their names on the Aidric’s sail of Clarity, the Sail Boat set up in the parking lot, which they had flying the whole day.  

Join a wide range of local vendors for the Fresh Market at Wiregrass shopping event. Held the first and third Saturday of each month, this outdoor market features a variety of restaurants, stores, farmers and hobbyists offering fresh produce, prepared foods, plants, hand-made gift items and crafts. You'll also find a number of green products for purchase. The Fresh Market at Wiregrass provides fun for the whole family with live music, dancing, art exhibits, free food and drink samples; pets are welcome.28211 Paseo Dr Ste 100, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 (The Shops at Wiregrass) Future dates: August 6, 2011 / August 20, 2011 / September 3, 2011 / September 17, 2011 / October 1, 2011 / October 15, 2011 / November 5, 2011 / November 19, 2011 / December 3, 2011 / December 17, 2011

Independent Financial Services officially celebrated the opening of its new offices in Land O’ Lakes on Tuesday, July 19 with an Open and an official ribbon cutting ceremony by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The office is located at 20635 Amberfield Drive, Suite 102, Land O’ Lakes, 34638.   “This move to Pasco County enables our staff at Independent Financial Services the opportunity to expand our presence into the fast-growing communities of Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and New Tampa,” said Jeannie Holliday, financial advisor and co-owner of the company. “Both Jodi and I plan to become very involved in this community and we are very thankful that the Central Pasco Chamber, of which we just became members, is able to join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony.” Jodi Perez is also co-owner and a financial advisor.  While the address is new, the phone numbers will remain the same. Both new and existing clients can reach the new office at (813) 908-2701 and toll-free (888) 811-1817.

     Independent Financial Services provides a variety of financial services to its clients, including comprehensive financial planning, ongoing active money management and investment management. The all-women firm specializes in four key areas: women and investing, retirement planning, divorce planning and small business solutions.  Jeannie Holliday, CFA, CDFAÔ and Jodi Perez, CFPÒ founded Independent Financial Services in Tampa, Florida in 2007 after both having previously owned and operated their own firms separately. There is over 100 years of combined experience among its dedicated staff.

Local artist Juan Antonio Fontanez Jr. creates original artwork relating to the latest Harry Potter movie at the hit movie’s debut at the Cobb Theatre in Wesley Chapel… Steven Kanyer of Land O Lakes portrays Harry Potter and Vianka Manzano of Wesley Chapel, a typical Raven Claw student combine to cast a powerful spell on an unsuspecting photographer at the debut of Harry Potter 7, Part 2 at the Cobb Theatre in Wesley Chapel.… Mike Dean of Repticon, introduces his friend “Naw”, a Ball Python to Rebecca Kraskow of Land O’Lakes, May Ibrahim (Hermione), Christy Ibrahim (Gryffidor) of Wesley Chapel and Mary Paulino of Wesley Chapel, much to their delight at the debut of Harry Potter 7, Part 2 at the Cobb Theatre in Wesley Chapel.… Josh Espinoza gets hit with a magic spell from “Voldemort” played by Annie Hall. Both Dade City young people were at the Midnight showing the latest Harry Potter  hit movie’s debut at the Cobb Theatre in Wesley Chapel.… Marcus Suarez of  Lutz is Mr. Fandango Man and Michael Noriega of Best Buy, were at the Harry Potter debut at the Cobb Theatre in Wesley Chapel to promote “Fandango”, the ultimate movie ticketing source for purchasing movie tickets.

Representative Will Weatherford spoke to the Wesley Chapel Republican Club regarding jobs, growth and redistricting.  Weatherford chairs the House Redistricting Committee, “It is my hope that as many Floridians will provide their input on this important process.” “I want to invite you to the upcoming meeting in our community on Tuesday, July 26, at Wiregrass Ranch High School Gym, 2909 Mansfield Boulevard, Wesley Chapel, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm” said Weatherford. If you cannot be there, the Florida Channel will be webcasting meetings at thefloridachannel.org. Meeting archives (videos & more) will be available at the Meeting Records page. Floridians can also utilize social media (Facebook, Twitter & mydistrictbuilder@myfloridahouse.gov ) to submit ideas for redistricting, during the meetings & throughout the process.

President of the Pasco/Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Rocio (Rosie) D. Paulsen and owner of the Good Faith Insurance Services (813-909-6965) listens to Dr. Adel Eldin MD Brooksville Cardiology  explaining their comprehensive cardiac care from its two locations in Brooksville and Wesley Chapel. Patients at Brooksville Cardiology can choose from a complete range of cardiovascular services, including external counter pulsation (ecp), chest pain evaluation, high blood pressure issues.   Their Wellness and Health Maintenance program is designed to prevent disease, or detect and treat problems early on that may avoid the ensuing high costs of expensive procedures or hospital admissions.……Itamar Martinez, President of La Liga Latina tells the crowd at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Brooksville Cardiology in Wesley Chapel how his organization works with recent immigrants to America explaining and teaching all the details of living in America as an American.

UCH's Long Term Acute Care Hospital at Connerton had its 2-year anniversary on March 17^th, but celebrated with patients and caregivers on June 23. Patients who had gone through very serious accidents and life threatening illnesses were there that night to celebrate they had come through their ordeal stronger and still full of life. There were dignitaries in the audience; surgeons, nurses and other caregivers on hand, but it was the faces of the patients who had come through difficult times and now with smiles on their faces, could celebrate with their families and those who took such good care of them, that stood out.

LTAC Hospital which started out with a handful of employees in 2009 now has 160 or more employees, mostly Pasco residents themselves. They continue their inspired work with those patients when their need is so great in order for them to come out of their experience both changed for the better.

June 23, 2011

The 2011 Juneteenth Celebration sponsored by The African American Club was a mixture of Music art dance and fellowship and just a tad bit of education. Free food was provided thanks to generous donations by  local vendors and businesses. Hundreds of people came out to the Juneteenth Celebration, a family event, marking the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas, on June 18, 1865, to enforce the slavery abolishing Emancipation Proclamation. Activities for the kids included an inflatable bounce house and face painting. The Dorsett Singers entertained and Hip-hop artist Nylahz performed and then gave a motivational speech. Health screenings and a car wash were all part of the festivities.

The event was held at the historic Booker T. Washington school building, a relic of racial segregation in Pasco County public education, dating back to 1924. It is now home to the African American Club. The African American Club not only is seeking landmark status with a historical marker at the former schoolhouse building, but also national recognition for the entire historical community along Pine Hill Road. The African American Club is developing its own website, http://aacpasco.org/ according to Larnelle Scott, president of the African American Club of Pasco and wished to thank Scott and Sondra Hatchett, the Juneteenth celebration chair, for providing a spark for the club. "It's really become re-energized," Daniel Callaghan, a spokesman for the club, said.

First Annual Horse Show & Fundraiser Hope Ranch Learning Academy

Hope Youth Ranch hosted it’s first Horse Show and fundraiser to raise money for the wonderful work they do for teenage girls, 11 to 16, who are hurting; but until today’s event I didn’t know they existed. That has changed today. The name H.O.P.E. is an acronym for Helping Overcome Past Experiences. The fourteen bed residential program is a highly structured, faith-based, therapeutic program which also involves remedial education in their in campus, private school, Hope Ranch Learning Academy. The facility is on a 9+acre ranch that provides the space for physical activities, a pool and 8

horses for therapeutic activities and riding fun; their web site enthusiastically states. Some of these teenagers have suffered abuse or other emotional setbacks, which leave them feeling hopeless, but with highly trained staff and their Christian faith, they offer these teens real hope for themselves and their families.  

Click to view: 10 Graduations
OurtownFLA.com Tradition!

Graduation Day at Freedom High School

Graduation Day at Academy at the Lakes

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Open House at Curves for Women and Healing Touch Skin Care

Open House at Healing Touch Skin Care and Curves for Women