Focus South Tampa 03-04

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FOCUS MAGAZINE SOUTH TAMPA JUNE 2012 3

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JUNE 2012 focussouthtampa.com4

TABLE OFCONTENTS

Volume 3 Issue 4 • June 2012focussouthtampa.com

LICENSING OPPORTUNITYLicensed territories are available. We are looking to expand the family and are looking for motivated individuals to join our award winning team. If you are interested in owning your own Focus Magazine contact Mike Floyd at 813.707.8783 ext 26.

ON THE COVER

20EVENTSWe have a wide variety of events for you this month. From concerts to sporting events (many different kinds), charity events and musicals, you have a range to choose from. Make sure you check the calendar to plan your month. We certainly don’t want you to miss out.

17FEATUREThe Empress Tea Room is not your traditional afternoon tea and crumpets. Instead, they are creating a quaint environment with a variety of teas, beautiful decorations and phenomenal food. Join them for a High Tea and make memories with them. If you need a caterer, they can cover that as well. Take a look – you may become a tea fan!

CIGAR CITYBREWING

ALL NEWFOCUSSOUTHTAMPA.COM

Online Features Include:• Full digital version of the current and past magazines• Extended features, interviews, dining profi les and business profi les with extra content• Community news updates• New home of FOCUSTV

6LOCALWe have a variety of health articles for you this month – one about a carb lover and her diet downfall, a “He Said, She Said” guide to Amino Acids and what they mean to you, as well as an Exercise column to get you in your best swimsuit shape. This month’s Better Community gives you some volunteering ideas to start your summer off contributing to the community – giving you opportunities to stay involved.

22DININGCaitlin has been ringing in summer with a great wine making its resurgence. As usual, she’s coupled it with a great recipe to make sure you get the best out of your wine while enjoying it outdoors, or indoors, whatever your summer preference is. Don’t celebrate vacation without this bottle!

Advertise with FOCUS

Get your business/organization in front of the community

Call or email us to learn more about advertising in FOCUS

Jim Duke 813-390-5526

[email protected]

14SPOTLIGHTOn the cover this month is Tampa owned, based and operated Cigar City Brewing. Discover their technique to capturing Tampa’s culture in every beer they brew. Each beer has a story and a history which is sure to make the beer taste even better. Experience the company on our pages, and learn about their great Tasting Room where you can get the full experience!


Christina MusialEditor-in-Chief

Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information.

www.focussouthtampa.com

Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at FOCUS Magazine is to provide heart-warming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human, however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.

So if you notice anything that is incorrect, then please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform it about the fact error. To do so, call (813) 707-8783 or e-mail [email protected]. The staff will fi x the error in a timely manner.

FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available through local South Tampa businesses, restaurants and many local venues.

Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. Focus Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to Focus Magazine become the sole property of Floyd Publications, Inc and may be reproduced thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Duke Publications, Inc. Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Duke Publications, Inc.

Publisher Jim Duke

Editor in chief Christina Musial

Advertising Director Harrison Tropp

Sales Sophia Hyde | Holly Farmer | Harrison Tropp

Production Anthony Sassano | Tony Cartagena

Photographers Ben Drummond

Staff Writers Christina Musial | Harrison TroppJodi Lokay

Contributors Al Ruechel | Kim Francis | Emery JonesTeal McKenzie | Rachel Drummond

I come from a family of avid baseball fans. We are diehard Rays supporters, but at the root, we’re in it for the good baseball. My Dad will spend hours watching the Little League World Series and call the pitches as they’re thrown…not because a local team made it all the way or because he knew someone playing on the team – just because it’s his favorite sport.

So, it’s no wonder my husband had to learn a bit more baseball lingo to fi t in with my family. My family spends their holidays

playing waffl e ball or stick ball in the backyard…fortunately between the family and signifi cant others who have joined over time, we have plenty of people to form decent sized teams. Rules: If the ball hits a vehicle (usually mine parked in the street), it’s a ground rule double and said vehicle owner takes responsibility for any dents or markings. No throwing the bat after making contact with the ball (we’ve had some near disasters prior to the enforcement of that rule). And, most importantly, there is no crying in baseball…or any other form of the sport.

� e point of this personal anecdote is to of course promote a love of baseball and support for the Tampa Bay Rays, but more to refl ect on how exciting a traditional pastime can be. I never groan when someone says, “Christina, I have tickets to a Rays game. Want to go?” Who would do something like that? You always agree to go…especially if the seats are close to the Outback vendor and in an area the Cotton Candy guy frequents.

It has recently come to my attention that I have a signifi cant amount of vacation time to use up over the next several months. With no real vacation planned in my mind and staycations involving lawn maintenance, I have decided to use some of my vacation time on daytime baseball games (probably with my Dad) in lieu of working through said vacation.

I understand not everyone is a baseball fan. � at concept is foreign and unimaginable to me, but nevertheless, it is true. However, our area is full of things that can be done with family and friends…a specifi c event that allows you to create a tradition and bond with someone else. After all those years at the ball park as a kid, mine is clearly baseball.

Find a museum (we’ve written about several), a new restaurant, sports team, concert…something exciting. Put it on your radar, experience it with someone and set a tradition this summer. Enjoy the city you live in and enjoy it often. You never know to what degree one activity will infi ltrate your life. It might just give you something to look forward to.

Happy Summer!

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR


As summer is fast approaching and children will soon be out of school, most people plan long vacations and

enjoy some quality time off of work. Rather than focus on a specific local charity this month, we thought we’d give you some ideas of how you, your families, friends and employees can get involved and give back to the community in both big and small ways. Make summer count and contribute to something that will have a lasting effect!�e internet of course provides vast research on the concept of volunteer work and there is no limit to the ideas. If you have just a few minutes or hours to give to someone else try these:• OrganizeausedclothingDrive–Sendemails to friends or hand out flyers in the neighborhood notifying people of what you’re doing and where the donations will eventually end up (are you dropping off at Salvation Army or Goodwill? Distributing to the Homeless yourself?). Even just a few

items can help someone in need. It doesn’t require much effort, just a few moments cleaning out a closet! Check out local organizations and talk to friends about things they might be doing – donating clothes, recycling used tennis shoes, etc. • PlantaNativeTree–whileitmayseemlike a very simple exercise, our ecosystems rely very heavily on native plants to survive. As suburbs pop up and grow, trees come down and local wildlife suffer because of it. Look up a guide online about native trees for your area that will adapt well to the environment and thrive for a long time. You can help the environment – and, who doesn’t like to get their hands dirty on occasion??• DonateColoringBookstoHospitalEmergency Rooms – If you’ve ever waited in an Emergency Room, you know it is painfully long and exhausting and rarely is there anything to keep children entertained. Children in the ER are usually scared or nervous and having something to keep them busy for just a few minutes can ease some of

the tension and make their experience less painful. If you drop off coloring books, don’t forget to add a few crayons in there to ensure they have a colorful variety to express their artistic skills. • PreserveLifeStoriesoftheElderly–ourelderly population currently houses our history in their minds. As time goes on, their ability to retain these moments fades, and with it, so does our connection to the past. If you have an elderly relative, spend a few moments with them and write down their stories so you have something to share with your children and grandchildren down the road. If you don’t have anyone in your life fitting this description, look up a local nursing or retirement home and volunteer your time to sit with an elderly person with no local family. It will bring them joy to share their stories and relive their past even if just for a few moments. A few hours on a Saturday morning will make all the difference and you could make a great new friend with some exciting past adventures!

• GetCPRTraining–Thismaynothaveanimmediate benefit to you, or anyone else, but it could be helpful in some future experience. Also, if you have children who babysit as a side job, consider signing them up as well. You never know when someone around you will need a first responder. You can’t go wrong knowing how to save someone’s life and being able to assist until medical professionals arrive on-site. Now, you’re armed with great tools to volunteer during your free time this summer. You never know how important your contribution! Below are some resources at the bottom for your future use.

BETTER COMMUNITY» FOCUS

GET INVOLVED SPLASH INTO SUMMER WITH SOME VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESSTORY BY: CHRISTINA MUSIAL

www.volunteerguide.comwww.volunteermatch.orgwww.voa.org


Fred Pressley and Cynthia Pressley, a husband and wife team of certified personal trainers and certified nutrition

experts give us the scoop on fitness and nutrition. �is month, they discuss the importance of amino acids for men and women’s weight loss goals.

He Says: As a nutrition expert and trainer, I am frequently asked by men how to get those stubborn pounds off, how to gain more lean muscle, and or get tighter looking abs. Listen up men. Looking ripped is all about increasing lean muscle mass and lowering body fat. So guys, how do we go about that? First, to increase lean muscle, think Amino Acids and more specifically BCAAs or Branch Chain Amino Acids. �e BCAAs are Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. �ey are considered essential amino acids because they must be supplemented via nutritional intake. BCAAs comprise approximately 35% of all muscle tissue. Amino acids taken into the muscle tissue include Alanine, Glutamine, and the BCAAs. During exercise, your body uses BCAAs as energy, so you need to put them back in. Your body’s need for Leucine is 25 times greater than other amino acids. When you workout, your body will catabolise or breakdown muscle for additional Leucine. �at’s counterproductive to growth and getting ripped. �us, Leucine, is one of the

major nutrients for muscle energy, recovery, and synthesis. Recent research has confirmed that Leuicine increases adipocyte (fat cell) metabolism for energy. Additionally, Leucine has been shown to be a positive factor in preventing muscle loss for those suffering from diabetes. Second, Glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in your body, has a significant positive signaling effect on muscle synthesis and repair. But, Glutamine is largely ineffective without BCAAs. �ird, the incorporation of BCAAs into your muscles is dependant on IGF-1 or Insulin Growth Factor. IGF-1 stimulates muscle tissue synthesis while insulin prevents muscle breakdown and increases the uptake of amino acids, including the BCAAs. Finally, to help you reduce fatigue so you train longer and harder to shred those stubborn pounds and tighten those abs, Isoleucine and valine are converted into muscle energy along with Glutamine and Alanine, making the BCAAs invaluable for reaching your goal. So before your endurance or weight lifting workout, utilize great products like Max Muscle South Tampa’s Full Blown Extreme or EnduroMax providing Glutamine, Alanine, and BCAAs. Additionally, before your workout, and especially post workout, use Max Muscle’s XTR Advanced BCAA recovery, Pro BCAA, or Max BCAA. To increase BCAA uptake, add Pure Solutions IGF-1 from Max Muscle South Tampa to your stack. Along with consistent exercise and diet, you’ll see results!

HEALTH » FOCUS

HE SAID/SHE SAIDFITNESS, NUTRITION, RELATIONSHIPSSTORY BY: FRED PRESSLEY, M.ED., NESTA CSNC

Fred Pressley, M.Ed., NESTA Certified Sports Nutrition CoachFor more information you can contact or visit Fred at Max Muscle Sports Nutrition in South Tampa, 813-253-2300.

She Says: We don’t necessarily want a lot more muscle but we do want sexy curves, firmer hips, thighs, butts, and abs. Ladies, think protein at every meal. Why, just like for men, in addition to glutamine, BCAAs, especially Leucine recovers and rebuilds our muscle during dieting and exercise, which promotes fat loss. Also, studies show that BCAAs are the only amino acids not degraded in our livers. Other non-essential amino acids like L-Carnitine are natural weight loss aids. L-Carnitine transfers fat to the mitochondria cells to be metabolized into energy and not stored as fat. With a deficiency in L-Carnitine, your body will not metabolize energy right and your body will not work to its full capacity. L-Tyrosine works with the amino acid phenylalanine to produce active amines called catecholamine’s, which include epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Phenylalanine helps regulate your brains ability to realize you are hungry or if you have eaten to your fill. It converts into epinephrine, which also brings down your desire to eat. More importantly, the phenylalanine gives your body the signal to stay at your desired weight once it has been reached. �e amino acid L-Tryptophan works as a precursor to serotonin, which alerts the body when you have had your fill of food. Finally, the amino acid Malate is a key element in the citric acid cycle, the final pathway for fat metabolism. During periods of increased fat breakdown Malate can actually be depleted limiting the effective

rate of fat metabolism. Added Malate assists in maintenance of optimal fat destruction. So ladies, get those sexy curves and flatter abs by using great Max Muscle South Tampa protein products like Max Pro, High 5 or Triple Whey protein; amino acid products like Max BCAA, Liquid Carnitine, or Carnitine and Tyrosine nutraceuticals; and endurance and recovery products such as Enduromax and Xtinguisher.

For more information, visit us at Max Muscle South Tampa, 1540 South Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33629 just south of Wells Fargo.


ALIGN STUDENT GOALS WITH REALITY

GOLF » FOCUS

In order for students to commit to signifi cant improvement, they need to understand the length of time necessary

to achieve their goals. To begin every lesson program at GolfTEC each of our clients goes through an initial evaluation. � e initial evaluation lasts about an hour, during which the client and their Certifi ed Personal Coach

lay out a customized Road Map to achieve their desired level of play. It is important early in every lesson program to set the student’s expectation level for the work and lesson commitment needed to reach their goals.

Aligning student’s goals with reality is

STORY BY: RACHEL DRUMMOND10% off all improvement plans through December 24th, 2011

SETTING A ROAD MAP FOR IMPROVEMENT

the key ingredient which helps them to understand their commitment to a long-term lesson plan while increasing your teaching revenue. During the initial evaluation we utilize our patented SEVA Pro technology to help create the ultimate learning environment for our clients. � is

technology incorporates motion analysis and digital video technology to allow both a fact-based diagnosis to the client as well as visual communication. Along with the initial evaluation, this educates clients to the process and length of time it will take to achieve their golfi ng dreams.


WHOLE NUTRITION AND WHOLE EXERCISE

STORY BY: BOB KISSEL

FITNESS » FOCUS

In my previous month’s column, I described Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) as the body’s internal “furnace.” �e higher the

RMR, the hotter the body burns each day. �e hotter the body burns relative to the fuel needing to feed the “furnace”, ultimately determines the shape of your body. �is month, we’ll go a little more in depth as to how to increase muscle percentage which goes hand-in-hand with a decrease in fat percentage and a more fit body.

Increases in strength or muscle percentage decreases fat percentage. Strength training, not aerobic exercise causes RMR to increase, shedding the pounds making women appear smaller and men more athletic-looking. RMR is the temperature of the furnace and

the number of calories needed to feed the furnace each day, respectively. A combination of productive strength training and sound nutrition is the closest thing to the fountain of youth.

Fat accumulates when RMR is low. Low RMR is caused by muscle shrinkage or atrophy. As we age muscle percentage decreases causing RMR to decrease. In other words, as our furnace cools we become fatter. We grow even fatter as we continue to eat the same way we did when we were in our 20’s. A lack of strength exercise and nutrition, respectively, eventually leads to poor health and even chronic health conditions that shorten life.

More specifically, strength exercise must be productive and nutrition must be sound. �ere

are empty calories in things we eat and there are empty repetitions in the exercise we do. An empty calorie lacks the nutritional value that gives us energy to work, propels our RMR, and repair muscle fiber following productive strength exercise. An empty repetition lacks value to sufficiently break down muscle so it can adapt and regenerate stronger.

Empty repetitions occur on all conventional strength machines. �e weight selector pin locks and fixes Resistance lifted repetitiously while Momentary Available Strength decreases on the first through the fifteenth repetition or until Momentary Muscular Failure occurs. Momentary Muscular Failure renders the muscle incapable of performing the sixteenth repetition ending the exercise and muscular stimulation. Most athletes view the last repetition, the fifteenth repetition, as the actual beginning of the exercise because the fifteenth repetition is a whole, productive repetition because Resistance is equal to Momentary Available Strength at that brief moment in time thus initiating a breakdown in muscle tissue increasing muscle percentage. All repetitions leading up to the fifteenth rep are empty and do little in the way of producing results. Multiple repetition sets must be

performed in order to achieve multiple productive “fifteen” repetitions. �e bad news is that most people do not have time to perform multiple sets and on multiple machines. �e good news is that new, patented strength machine technology has emerged in South Tampa exclusively at MaxQ Fitness that intelligently senses Momentary Available Strength and

automatically adjusts Resistance therefore providing multiple “fifteenth” repetitions in just a single set. All five muscular areas of the body, a total body workout is achieved in just 15 minutes repeated just twice a week. �is new form of productive strength exercise safely breaks down muscle tissue and over the following 72 hours, a recovery phase includes an increase in protein and sound nutrition healing the muscle breakdown making muscle stronger. All of the five main muscular areas grow stronger driving RMR as fat percentage decreases.

�is productive strength exercise combined with sound nutrition provides Effective, Efficient Results. Call me at 813 251 MAXQ or email me at [email protected] to experience productive strength exercise yourself.


HIDDEN HISTORY » FOCUS

1870’s In an e�ort to �nd a safer enviornment for cigar manufacturing, Cubans made the trip from Cuba to Key West. 29 factories with 2100 employess and 171,000 cigars a day.

1886

The cigar industry monved from Key West to Tampa with the burning of Vicente Martinez Ybor’s factor. Once se�led in Tampa and Ybor’s cigar facotry was set into motion, Ybor City became a �ourishing Latin community. The Cuban sandwich was popular amond immigrants and became popular in the Tampa area once Italian Genoa salami was added to the Cuban sandwiches.

1896The �rst bakery, La Joven Francesca Bakery, to bake Cuban bread in Tampa was established by an Sicilan, Francisco Ferlita in 1896. The bakery was a major source of the community’s daily bread with bread selling for 3 and 5 cents a loaf. Tha bakery was later destroyed by a �re, with the rebuilding of the bakery it �ourished up until 1973 when it closed. It re-opened as a museum in 1974.

1915The La Segunda, a third-generation, family-owned bakery was opened; which produces most of Tampa’s Cuban bread today.

1947

The Silver Ring Cafe opened, which is the oldest Cuba-ban Sandwich shop in Tampa, Florida. The cafe, which is still open today, started as an Ybor City longshor-men’s bar in 1929. in 1947 Cuban Sandwiches were put on the bars menu. The cafe moved to downtown Tampa in 1997.

1 Loaf of Cuban Bread (Substitutes: French or Italian Bread)1 pound cooked ham (sliced)1 pound roasted pork (sliced)1/2 pound Swiss cheese (sliced)dill pickles (sliced)Yellow mustard or Mayonnaise

1. Preheat a griddle or frying pan on medium heat.2. Cut the loaf of bread into quarters and slice each quarter in half lengthwise for the sandwiches.3. Spread the mustard or mayonnaise on the bread. Then make each sandwich by layering the pickles, roasted pork, ham, and cheese.4. Lightly coat the cooking surface of the griddle or frying pan with cooking spray or bu�er. Place one sandwich onto the hot surface.5. Put a clean, heavy skillet on top of the sandwich to �a�en it. Press the bread down to about 1/3 of its original size.6. Leave the skillet on top of the sandwich and grill for one or two minutes. Lift the heavy skillet, turn the sandwich over and repeat this step for the other side of the sandwich.7. The cheese should be melted and the bread golden brown. Slice each sandwich in half diagonally and serve.

Make your own

whatscook

ingamerica.net

Or dine on Tampa’s �nestHugo’s Spanish Restaurant, 931 S. Howard Ave.Brocato’s Sandwich Shop, 5021 E. Columbus DriveWest Tampa Sandwich Shop, 3904 N. Armenia Ave.Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E. Seventh Ave.Wright’s Gourmet House, 1200 S. Dale Mabry Hwy


Our Tasting Room & Gift Shop is

open daily until 6PMSample all our wines

for just $6. Due to popular demand, we have brought back our ice wine for a

limited time.

Host Your Next Special Moment at

Keel & CurleyWedding

Ceremonies & Receptions

Showers, Parties, & Corporate Events

Friday Evening After Hours Wine BarHappy Hour 6PM - 7PMWine Tasting until 9PMLive Music 6:30PM - 10:30PM

Gerry Williams Band June 2nd, 2012 at 7:00 PM Funk, soul, and jam music. All general admission covered seating is $8 ($10 day of the show). Tables can be reserved after ticket purchase in

advance at 813-752-9100.

813.752.9100 5202 W. Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City

www.keelandcurleywinery.com

Come Experience the Napa Valley Of Tampa Bay

Come Experience the Napa Valley Of Tampa Bay


EXTRA » AUTO REVIEW

PRECISION MEETS PERFORMANCE 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 DELIVERS

Mercedes-Benz has been making fine automobiles for decades. With the passing of Ferdinand Porsche, I

thought it was appropriate to take a look at a car from one of the companies he’d touched through the years. He’s actually most well known for creating the first hybrid vehicle – a gasoline-electric, the Volkswagen Beetle and founding the automobile company that bears his name – Porsche. Porsche had very close ties to both Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and left an enormous impact on the automobile world.

�ere are three different options in the E series: E350, E550 and E63. �e E350 provides a little class and sophistication, while the E63 provides the same, but it’s full of raw power. �e E550 is an attempt to

offer a balance between the two extremes, and Mercedes-Benz delivers.

On the exterior, the E series products are beautiful entries into the market. �ey have great lines that just scream class. �e front end seems to dive into the pavement, like a leopard or a jaguar with its head low to the ground, just waiting to pounce on prey. And when it does, you just know it’s going to run, and it’s going to run fast. �is is where it all comes together; form and function become one. �is is one of those designs that could last for several years to come with very minimal changes, and still deliver to the appeal of the masses.

�e interior is a place built for comfort. It’s designed for the driver, but unlike many other designs on the market, Mercedes

didn’t forget about the passengers. With seating for four, this sedan brings comfort to all four seats. Road trips are a must. Getting back to the driver, the car is a driver’s dream. �e seats are incredibly comfortable, but also hold you firmly in place. �ere’s no sloppiness to these seats. Everything is ergonomically sound, as you’d expect from a high-end luxury sedan. �e gauges, as simple as this may sound, have to be some of the best, if not the best, I’ve ever seen. �e layout and design is so simple, but delivers a treat for the eyes. �e speedometer is the largest gauge, and is naturally front and center. It makes sense. �e gauges that get less attention – some that are less important, shouldn’t get the same level of attention.

Under the hood, the E550 really begins to set itself apart from the rest. �is sedan

has a 4.6L V8 coupled with a twin-turbo. Together, it produces 402hp and 443lbs-ft of torque. Now add a 7-speed transmission, and this sedan will rocket the driver and 4 passengers from 0-60 in just over 5 seconds. �at’s something any serious driver can appreciate. �e throttle response is spot on. �is is one serious ride and a top-notch sedan.

If you think you’re in the market for a new sedan, you must give the E550 a test drive. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. �e price tag is something of another matter. �e base price for this sedan starts at about $60K. As soon as you begin adding options, the price quickly climbs to the $70K neighborhood. But don’t worry; it’s a great neighborhood.

SUBMITTED BY: BRIAN WEST


SPOTLIGHT» CIGAR CITY BREWING

Raise Your Glass to Cigar City Brewing

Promoting Tampa’s Culture With Every Glass of Beer Written by

Katie Krimitsos


SPOTLIGHT» CIGAR CITY BREWING

I wouldn’t consider myself a beer expert. I couldn’t tell you the difference between an Indian Pale Ale and a stout (other than one is lighter than the other). However, I do enjoy different types of craft beer, even if I can’t tell you exactly what ingredients my

palate is savoring. Despite my ignorance, I immediately felt the buzz when I walked into the headquarters of one of Tampa’s fastest growing companies.

What do Jose Marti, Bone Valley and Jai-alai have in common? They are all pieces of Tampa’s history that have been immortalized as a special brew from Cigar City Brewing. After just 3 years, this small brewery has won the hearts of its Tampa residents and grown from just two men to a 41 person operation. And the local references represented in their beers are just one reason why.

A Tampa native, a history buff and a beer expert, Founder Joey Redner Jr. has created his own perfect storm that has propelled his company’s success. He previously owned Yeoman’s Pub on Davis Islands, wrote a regular beer column for tbt* magazine and worked for various local breweries. As he traveled around the country, he noticed that every city boasted their local brewery that he, as a visitor, just had to visit. This same concept didn’t seem to exist in Tampa and Redner wanted to change that.

From the very beginning, Redner knew his brewery would be Tampa-centric. “I knew I would try to export our culture and share some things that I thought were neat about where I came from,” Joey says. “It anchors you and gives you some authenticity to a place, a community and an ethos.”

One of the ways he’s done this is by naming his beers after meaningful Tampa references. Jai-Alai (pronounced high-lie), one of their most popular beers, is named after the game of Jai-alai. Redner remembers sneaking into Jai-alai matches as a kid in Tampa and the fascinating game left a lasting impression.

Another best selling beer, Maduro is a reference to the type of cigar wrapper used at the local cigar factories. Also in Cigar City’s repertoire are Bone Valley Brown (a reference to the phosphate mine region just south of Tampa, which is the largest source of phosphate in the world), Tony Janis Pale Ale (a nod to the man who fl ew the fi rst commercial fl ight in the US from Tampa to St. Petersburg) and Guava Grove (referencing Tampa’s love of guava). The Humidor Series sums up just how much attention to local detail goes into each brew. Redner explains that “in the Humidor Series, we use Spanish cedar, which is used for aging tobacco and building humidors. It anchors me into a time and place. I feel like I’m on 7th Avenue, walking by a cigar shop and the doors just opened and you get a waft of that humidor aroma. It was designed to invoke THAT feeling.”

That specifi c focus on his local brand has paid off for Redner. Ninety-seven percent of Cigar City Brewing’s beer is sold in the state of Florida. And the Tampa fan base keeps growing and growing. Over 10,000 people have “liked” the Cigar City Brewing Facebook Fan Page and 8,600 people follow them on Twitter. Cigar City Brewing stickers adorn drive-thrus around town and blog articles about them fi ght for space on a Google search. No doubt about it, our community loves Cigar City Brewing.

Why? First, because they produce a top quality product. Gold and Silver medals adorn the wall behind the bar in their Tasting Room, won from contests like The Great American Beer Festival, The United States Beer Tasting Championship, and The US Beer Open. What speaks louder than the medals, however, is the jam packed Tasting Room, where locals can try Cigar City’s classic beverages, seasonal brews and new concoctions. Within 2011, thousands of people stopped by after work to try the 82 different kinds of beers they brewed. “[The Tasting Room] has been our best marketing opportunity,” Redner explains. It’s a chance for locals to come by and sample the newest brews and vote with their dollars on which ones they like best. “We can tell right away which beers our customers like based on what their buying habits.”

Head Brewer Wayne Wambles is largely responsible for the quality behind every beer made. A highly decorated brew master, Wambles was the fi rst member of Redner’s team and has been at the center of every beer they’ve brewed since.

The second reason they are loved is because Cigar City Brewing genuinely cares about their community. They donate cases upon cases of beer to local charities for various fundraising events every year. Additionally, they sponsor events that help promote Tampa, like the Criterium and Street Festival this past March in downtown, an event that put a huge spotlight on Tampa. Redner believes that anything they can do to promote Tampa and all the nuances that make it so special is worth supporting.

With a Tampa-centric, Tampa-proud, Tampa-involved company culture, it’s no wonder local beer lovers have embraced Cigar City Brewing as their own. “People start to take ownership in the products that they care about,” Redner states, “Cigar City is their brewery. They have an emotional attachment to it.”

Redner’s goal is to be profi table and successful, “because that allows you to do everything else,” he explains. “I want to be able to provide good, high paying jobs for my employees and to be a part of the community.” Most of Cigar City Brewing’s employees live in the Tampa Bay area. “There’s a lot of synergy in that because they work here, they take pride in working here and then when they’re out living their lives, grabbing a beer, they’re marketing for us,” Redner says. “It comes up in conversation and that’s what helps drive growth.” Forty one employees easily become 41 marketers when they believe in what they do.

Redner wants to become a Southeast regional brewery. One that people immediately associate with the city and culture he loves so much, the culture he’s promoting with every single beer sold, the culture he and his employees are intricately woven into, the culture locals feel when they’re sipping a beer in the Tasting Room. And at the pace he’s growing, he’s not too far from his goal.

Katie Krimitsos is the Managing Partner for the Tampa Bay Business Owners and a freelance writer. You can reach her at [email protected].


Porcelain cups, sugar cubes and stuffy old ladies…these are the images that crowded my mind when I thought of a

tearoom. So imagine my surprise when my friend Kim Nauman, owner of �e Empress Tea Room asked to cater my wedding. “You do food?” I asked, bewildered. “Of course we do!” Kim announced. “Come in for a tasting.”

�e next week, Chris – my then fiancé – and I sat down in the gorgeous ambiance of Nauman’s tearoom, which was decorated with tea sets from all around the world, flowers, colors and tons of natural light that made us feel happy and welcome.

Chef Diane warmly presented each course, describing the flavors and concepts as we savored bite after bite. Hands down, the food was the best-tasting and best-presented we had found in our search for a wedding caterer. She had won our business.

Not only does �e Empress Tea Room offer high tea, which is more formal and traditional, they also offer a full menu, filled with unique sandwiches, salads and soups whose prices compare to local chain restaurants, yet offer a higher quality dining experience.

One would think that the reason behind

a tearoom is the owner’s love of tea. Not in this case. Nauman loves people. And she loves food. And more than anything, she loves creating moments of joy for her customers.

“People come here knowing they’re creating a memory,” Nauman explains. “Baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, lunch with friends…celebratory moments.”

She recalls times that she and her staff have seen people meet at �e Empress Tea Room as a sendoff to a daughter who is on her journey to Israel, never to return to the United States again. Military couples who were married in the restaurant during a spur

of the moment wedding because they were getting deployed. �ey’ve had to push tables together for two women so they had enough room to lay out all the scrapbooks and photo albums they had collected during decades of friendship and were seeing each other for the first time in years after they just reconnected on Facebook.

“�ese stories happen all the time,” Nauman beams. �e tearoom offers the customers the opportunity to linger so they can experience connecting moments together.

�is happens because Nauman is conscientious in hiring great people and creating a culture of gratitude. “We hire

The Empress Tea Room Serving Delicious Memories for Tampa BayArticle by By Katie Krimitsos


staff that is like-minded,” she explains. “Our focus is our customer. �ey’re the reason we’re here. �ey’re the reason we get to go to work. We find joy in what we do every single day. Not only do we get the opportunity to be enriched by our customers, but we also have the opportunity to enrich their lives by serving in excellence.”

Enriching their customers’ lives is something that Nauman and her staff do very well. On each table sits a prayer card. Should customers choose to utilize them, Nauman and her staff eagerly deliver the prayers that are asked of them. And sometimes, they are leaned upon as an even greater support.

Nauman tells the story of one woman who came into �e Empress Tea Room one day. She didn’t have the means to buy lunch, so Nauman kindly treated her to a meal. �e next month, the woman stopped by again and was given another meal. “I met an old Italian guy who had a very famous restaurant in a very bad part of town,” Nauman remembers. “I learned a valuable lesson from him. He said, ‘whoever came through that

door and needed for charity, I gave it with a smile.’ And so we do.”

Over the course of the next few months, the woman stopped in randomly, always grateful for the staff ’s kindness. Chef Diane would run into her outside the restaurant and over time, a friendship was born. “One day, the woman called from the hospital,” Nauman recalls. She was dying and called the tearoom to ask for prayers, which Nauman and her staff said with love. Chef Diane visited the woman in the hospital, and a few days later, she passed away.

Whether it’s praying for sick customers, hosting celebrations or giving gift certificates to support community causes, �e Empress Tea Room is intricately woven into the fabric of the Tampa community.

“We are the neighborhood…and the neighborhood is who we are,” Nauman states proudly. “It’s about blurring the lines just enough so that we’re human. It’s all about us, together – the customer and the storefront – bonding and building a community.”

And it’s obvious, not only in her tearoom, but in her catering business as well.

Divine Menus Catering has been serving moments of joy for 13 years. In some magical way, Nauman succeeds in creating the same loving and community-driven energy at every off-site catering event as she does in her tearoom.

“I want to make it so that at the end of the night, the parting of ways is a hug, not a handshake,” Nauman explains. And she makes it so every time. As most of Divine Menus Catering events are weddings, Nauman is proud that she meets with the brides a handful of times before their big day so she is able to be an intimate part of the special day.

Speaking from first-hand experience, I can tell you that Nauman and her staff make sure to put their loving touch on every last detail. For our wedding, she prepared custom appetizers with the mahi mahi Chris caught a few days before the wedding, complete

with the sign so our guests knew he had caught it. She made a gorgeous dessert table adorned with our favorite Key Lime Pie we had ordered from the store across from our Keys rental home and with the homemade Greek desserts Chris’ Greek family had made from scratch. She even announced us into the reception when it became obvious our DJ wouldn’t be able to pronounce our names correctly!

“It’s an honor to be part of such a magical day,” Nauman says. “We get to serve memories!”

Whether you’re meeting with friends for tea and sandwiches or have your event catered by Nauman and her staff, one thing is certain: you will feel like family! You will be treated with love and care as they serve you joyous memories you’ll keep forever.

You can visit Nauman and her staff at �e Empress Tea Room, 12924 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL, or call to inquire about catering at (813) 988-9027.


3G OR 4G WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME STORY BY: MICHAEL MUSIAL

TECH » FOCUS

What is 4G? 4G literally stands for 4th Generation and should be identified as the 4th Generation of Wireless/

Mobile communications. In the same simplified solution the Telephone was the next generation of the telegraph. �e ITU or the International Telecommunications Union-Radio communications sector, which governs the branding of what each network should be defined as, outlined 4G as an IP address driven connection service with speeds of at a minimum 100 megabits per second for mobile user to as high as 1 gigabits per second for stationary or pedestrian users. �is standard was defined as the IMT-Advanced. So what does this all mean? Well it means that mobile devices should behave more like a computer. No matter how your computer connects to the internet it is then known on the internet by an IP address. With that address your device is then able to browse WebPages, host Skype calls, send emails, and perform hundreds of other functions.

With that in mind, this was the goal of a 4G network , to turn a mobile device into a fully functioning, integrated connected device and on that medium provide, voice, data, video, and hundreds of other services. Now phones do currently have an IP address to manage their data services and if you

hook your phone up via a wifi connection it is acting exactly like 4G would like to be implemented. However your voice connection is still using the older method of a separate closed system to handle your calls, text messages, and other cellular focused functions. Now that I have done a fair job of confusing you let me see if I can simplify this a bit. Data is sent in packets, these packets can contain everything from voice data to video information.

�ese packets are like cars traveling on a highway. Each “car” knows its destination and gets on or off at said exits. So the more lanes this highway has the more cars can travel; more cards means more packets; more packets equals more data. Just like car’s, some packets are bigger than others and some can have higher priorities, ie Police cruisers with their lights on can demand more of the road than the school bus. �e change from 3G to a 4G service at the simplest is like taking a 2 to 3 lane road and adding more lanes. Also just like a road, there is traffic in both directions. However, the direction from your device to the network is often significantly smaller then the road coming back. �is difference is the upload vs. the download speeds. Almost all the great speeds reported from various carriers are the download speeds, which is usually the more important

speed. When you send a request for a webpage or a YouTube video, you are sending one small car out to the web, what you are getting back is the 18 wheeler convoy packed with data. �e more lanes coming back the better. �e amount of lanes suggested by ITU would be like taking a 2 to 3 lane road and increasing adding almost 1000 lanes. �at would be some road, and think of how quickly and how much data you could get. �e ITU definition has shifted since the 4G label has now been spread out to so many devices.

�e most popular forms of 4G are LTE, WiMax, and to a lesser extent HSPA+. Both WiMax and LTE were first adopted earlier in other countries, they are now spreading across the states. WiMax was the first to be deployed nationally by Sprint through their partner Clear. WiMax offered 6-7 Megs of data with a possibility of up to 10 megs, this was well over the approximate 2 megs that was previously offered by Sprints EV-DO network(Download and upload speeds were close to 1.5 megs a second). In addition this allowed for Sprint to dedicate its cellular network to the voice and the 4G network only to data. So they doubled their lanes and reduced some traffic. Verizon and AT&T instead began working on their LTE networks, which are now spreading across the nation as fast as they can hook up service. LTE short for Long Term Evolution can offer speeds comparable, if not exceeding, that of the WiMax service, reported speeds of 5 megs a second with high speeds being around 15 megs(Also with upload speeds of around 2 megs a second). Again a road that’s 2 to 3 times larger than their previous network. T-Mobile and AT&T also have

been offering the HSPA+ network which closely resembles the HOV lanes on a highway. It’s a lane on the same 3G highway but it has higher priority or in this case more compression to allow more data to pass. �ink of the packets travelling in really big trucks, each one is moving more than say the mini-van with the family of 4 or vacation. �e trucks are focused and getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. AT&T and T-Mobile both offer the HSPA+ network as a 4G solution until their LTE system is fully up in each area.

All reported speeds are from examples gathered from the net. Each service will tell you they offer speeds 3 to 5 to sometimes 20 times faster than 3G. To get those numbers, they are probably standing under the tower. �e reality is, I don’t want to drive from cell tower to cell tower. I want to use my mobile internet in the real world. Also worth noting Sprint announced in 2011 they would also be switching over to LTE from WiMax, what this might mean for a consumer is the ability to buy an “unlocked” phone that could work on any carrier, provided it was an LTE device. However, it should be noted carriers are in control of different wireless frequencies so there might still be some limitations to what phone works with which carriers.

So what is 4G? �at is still a good question. What is the 4G that the phone carriers in the US are offering? It’s a way to get more cars on the road, helping us to enjoy travel a bit more from point A to point B. As we become increasingly more mobile and use more data, we are going to need these larger roads.


OPEN YOUR HEART AND YOUR HOME!The cool thing about being a TV anchor

is you get super involved in events in the community. It’s a real honor to speak at

events urging folks to open up their hearts and, yes, sometimes their wallets in the name of a great cause.

Lately the plight of foster kids has been on my heart. In Pinellas County alone, there are more than 5,000 children in the foster care program. �ese are good kids who did nothing wrong except being born

into dysfunctional families. �ey have been wounded and carry the deep scars of rejection.

As songwriter Lawrence Cohen wrote in this 1970s’ song “Suzanne” about the plight of the homeless and abused children of the world, it seems true:

“�ey are leaning out for love and they will lean that way forever while Suzanne holds the mirror”

For me that “mirror” was a recent Heart Gallery event. �is organization promotes adoption and foster parenting through incredible photos of kids who need forever homes. Professional photographers make these kids feel like models so prospective parents can see them in their best light. �eir eyes and smiles tell their story as they look out, praying for someplace they can call home.

�e highlight of this year’s event was a story about the Dunnes from Tarpon Springs.

After successfully raising two great teenage girls, the Dunnes adopted four boys, all from one family. �ese were kids that had been shuffled from foster home to foster home with little hoping of ever finding a forever family.

�en the Dunnes came into their lives. �e mom had been through foster care herself and knew the heartache of not having a permanent place to live. �e Dad had always wanted boys to raise, but God blessed them with girls instead.

Now they had a chance to give of themselves so sacrificially it brought tears to all of those in that ballroom. �e part that ripped me up was a videotaped conversation with one of the little boys being told he could live with the Dunnes forever.

“You don’t ever have to leave. You can stay here forever, “ Mr. Dunne kept telling the boy over and over. �e young lad kept hanging his head in disbelief and saying, “No,no,no.” Mr. Dunn kept answering him, “Yes, you don’t ever have to leave.” �is went on for perhaps a full minute. �en the little guy started crying and finally looked up at his new dad to ask, “I don’t ever have to leave?”

�e Dunnes and others who have adopted will tell you they are the real winners. �ey will tell you they are far more blessed by their new children then they could ever have imagined. �ey will tell you the challenges of dealing with children who have had very little, who go to sleep at night not knowing the future, having been abused by people they thought they could trust, is a huge and sometimes draining task. I didn’t even mention the financial commitment! And they don’t either.

It’s not about money. It’s not about your house being too small or your parenting skills or even your age being an obstacle. Open your heart. Share the most valuable part of yourself and give a child the gift of someone caring for them who expects nothing in return but love. �is is the essence of life, giving something only you can give to a child who expects nothing but love in return.

Please visit the Heart Gallery website in your area. And, if perhaps God is calling you to get involved, and that’s where I think the calling must come from, please open your heart and your home and change the world in a way only you can.

EXTRA » AL REUCHEL

WRITTEN BY: AL REUCHEL


EXTRA » DEREK MAUL

A WORD ABOUT HEALTH CARE AND COMPASSIONHe has told you, O mortal, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8We all must have heard a thousand arguments on the “Health Care Issue.”

Philosophical arguments, political arguments, social arguments, constitutional arguments, religious arguments, fiscal arguments and moral arguments. �ere tends to be a lot of heat generated in these exchanges, a

lot of passion, a lot of indignation, a lot of prejudice.

Instead of arguing ad nauseam, I’d recommend a field trip to volunteer in a free clinic. And then maybe some time listening to the personal stories of real people, families impacted by the decisions we make in Washington and Tallahassee, and via the manner in which we order our values.

BENEFIT: Recently I heard a few of those stories at the 40th anniversary Testimonial Dinner for the Judeo Christian Health Clinic in Tampa. It was one of those formal “gala” events, and the hall was packed with hundreds of influential and compassionate donors.

My church – First Presbyterian Church of Brandon – is a big supporter of our local Brandon Outreach Clinic. In fact, we sponsored a huge dinner and auction benefit just a couple of months ago. But we still

had a table at the Tampa event because the Judeo Christian Health Clinic is not only the largest and most comprehensive free medical facility in the Southeastern United States, it also grew out of the ministry of St. John Presbyterian Church, where our parish-associate pastor Earl Smith served for a decade before joining us last year.

THE STORY: Clinics such as these don’t make political speeches or pronounce social judgments; they simply apply faith-based love and compassion to the major screw-ups our world makes, and they do their best to mend the broken people.Believe me, there are a lot of broken people out there. And, contrary to myth, the vast majority of patients seen at clinics such as this are the “medically indigent,” the “working poor.” �ese are folk who work hard, pay taxes and try to stay ahead of the bills - but can’t even begin to afford health insurance. �e Judeo Christian Health Clinic saw 35,000 such patients in 2011.

MISSION: �e clinic’s mission statement is as follows: “In the belief that we should do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, the Judeo Christian Health Clinic provides free, quality, timely, and compassionate health care to medically indigent residents of the Tampa Bay Area who have no other resources for their health care needs.”

“Our opportunity,” reported Dr. Sylvia Campbell, president of the board of directors, is to stay the tears of others….”

When clients receive care, and when that care is not bundled with crippling financial hardship, and when recovery is not compromised by the insistent badgering of collection agencies, Campbell said that, quite often, “Patients can hardly believe it.”

Hardly believe it? Hardly believe that such compassion exists in this world? Hardly believe that they can go about the business of healing without fear? Hardly believe that the word “free” doesn’t have to come with any conditions, or stigma?As for me, I can hardly believe that any resident of this Great Nation ever has to worry about the cost of health. �e clinic can’t do this alone; and neither can I, or you, or any of us. But TOGETHER… Ah, now we’re talking.

WRITTEN BY: DEREK MAUL


ENTERTAINMENT » RECIPE

FAITH IN SHRIMPI used to love shrimp. I mean really, really

love them. As a little girl growing up on the Gulf, going out to dinner with my

family was one of the high points of my life because it meant platters of boiled or broiled or fried crustaceans. And even as a scrawny little waif of a thing, boy could I pack them away.

Well, I’m not so scrawny anymore. No one would call me a waif, and unfortunately, I don’t crave shrimp like I used to. � ey just don’t taste as good as they did all of those decades ago. Or at least they didn’t until last week. Because seven short days ago, I noticed a sign tacked to the chain link fence surrounding the Tampa Shrimp Docks. Never one to miss an opportunity to fi nd a good local food supplier, I swung a U-turn and pulled into the almost empty parking lot. And it was there, in a deserted loading dock, that my faith in shrimp was restored.

Ernie Donini greeted me from the door of his offi ce. And while his name may sound like a character from � e Sopranos, or the Italian version of Sesame Street, Ernie is actually a southern gentleman and the second-generation owner of Superior Seafoods. His father, a coal mining Wes Virginian, started the business almost six decades ago. (Don’t even try to fi gure it out. � at’s another story all on its own). “It’s the imports,” Mr. Donini announced when I explained my disillusionment with the

shrimp of my adult years. “Farm raised, fed rabbit pellets, and I don’t even want to talk about the crowded ponds and the bacteria issues.”

“Yeesh!” I shuddered as he opened a small freezer and pulled out the pretty, pink, fl ash-frozen, medium-sized crustaceans that were as big as the “Jumbos” from any grocery store, and the ones marked “Large” that looked positively pre-historic.

“� ey’ll be the best shrimp you’ve ever eaten,” he declared, not necessarily bragging, just stating an irrefutable fact.

� at night, I thawed a dozen shrimp and sautéed them briefl y in olive oil and garlic. My son and husband were out of town so my only companion was my 15-year-old daughter who is, at best, seafood-selective. “Mom, biting into a shrimp always makes me feel like I’m eating someone’s fi ngers,” she said nervously as I fi lled up our plates. With minimal expectations, we both lifted a pink crescent and took a nibble. A hallelujah chorus exploded in my head, and my reluctant teen smiled slightly. � e shrimp of my youth were back.

Superior Seafoods sells fi ve pound boxes of fl ash frozen shrimp. Mediums-$35.00 and large-$43.00. Visit them at 2625 Causeway Blvd. Stop by and have your faith in shrimp restored.

WRITTEN BY: GAIL JONES

Wild caught gulf shrimp are so delicious that they can be enjoyed simply boiled in a big pot of salted water. Just donʼt let them cook too long. When they fl oat to the surface, theyʼre done.

fl ash-frozen, medium-sized crustaceans that were as big as the “Jumbos” from any grocery

eaten,” he declared, not necessarily bragging,

shrimp of my adult years. “Farm raised, fed rabbit pellets, and I don’t even want to talk about the crowded ponds and the bacteria

fl ash-frozen, medium-sized crustaceans that were as big as the “Jumbos” from any grocery

Picayune Shrimp1 cup olive oil

3 Bay leaves

1/2 cup melted butter

1 tablespoon dried oregano

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 small onion, minced

2 large tablespoons minced fresh rosemary

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco

2 tablespoons Worcestershire

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 lemon, juiced

1 tablespoon black pepper

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 pounds gulf shrimp, peeled

Depending on size itʼs

usually just a matter of

a few minutes. Rinse in

cool water, then peel

and eat. You can dunk

them in a sauce if you

like although it really

isnʼt necessary. But if

youʼre craving a good

dunking, try the recipe

below. Itʼs a variation

on something my sister-

in law introduced me to

after she had spent time

in south Texas.

Combine olive oil and melted butter in a

saucepan and warm. Add garlic and onion

and sauté briefl y until just translucent. Do not

brown. Add all remaining ingredients except shrimp

and simmer to meld fl avors. (Alternatively, you can just leave the shrimp

unpeeled, which is messy but delicious. I think the shells impart more fl avor to the dish). Place shrimp in

a roasting pan or casserole; pour sauce over all and broil briefl y 5-7 minutes until done. Serve with lots of

bread.

You won’t want to miss any of the calories….I mean deliciousness!


ENTERTAINMENT » EVENT CALENDAR

SOUTH TAMPACALENDAROF EVENTS

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to add it to our calendar of events please email the information to [email protected]

JUNE 1 -3» Rays vs. OriolesCome watch your Tampa Bay Rays take on the Baltimore Orioles at � e Trop. For tickets and more information visit tbrays.com.

JUNE 2» Kenny Chesney and Tim McGrawKenny Chesney and Tim McGraw will reunite for the musical event of 2012, the ‘Brothersof the Sun’ Tour. � e 19-date stadium tour fi nds Chesney, who consistently has crowds“eating up his every word and move,” joined by “master showman” (Huffi ngton Post)McGraw for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ‘Brothers of the Sun’ will be the fi rsttime in 10 years that Chesney and McGraw have hit the road together. � e reunionwill kick off here in Tampa on Saturday, June 2nd in Tampa, FL. For more information visit raymondjamesstadium.com.

JUNE 3» Neil Diamond in concert� e St. Pete Times Forum welcomes 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and rock and pop icon Neil Diamond. For more information visit www.sptimesforum.comHyde Park Village Fresh MarketEnjoy local foods, hand crafts, and live music on the fi rst Sunday of every month at the Hyde Park Village Fresh Market. For more information visit www.hydeparkvillage.net.

JUNE 5» Target Tuesdays at the Clazer Children’s MuseumEnjoy local foods, hand crafts, and live music on the fi rst Sunday of every month at the Hyde Park Village Fresh Market. For more information visit www.glazermuseum.com.

JUNE 6 » � e Mayor’s Food Truck FiestaInspired by the Food Truck Rally in Hyde Park, Mayor Bob Buckhorn established this monthly gathering to bring together this unique community of small-business owners and great food. Come out and see what they have to off er. Located at 400 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602 (Lykes Gaslight Square).

JUNE 12» Your Health and the ARTS at St. Josephs’s Hospital Learn how you can overcome challenges, decrease stress, and improve relaxation for better health in a FUN atmosphere with diff erent forms of art (sand, music, movement, paint, & more). We are ALL creative! � e focus is on the process, not the end product.All materials provided free for this program. Content and type of art vary with each class. No art experience required.

Class taught by cancer survivors from Creative Solutions. For more information visit www.stjosephscancer.org.

JUNE 12-14» Rays vs. MetsCome watch your Tampa Bay Rays take on the New York Mets at � e Trop. For tickets and more information visit tbrays.com.

JUNE 15-17» Rays vs. MarlinsCome watch your Tampa Bay Rays take on the Florida Marlins at � e Trop. For tickets and more information visit tbrays.com.

JUNE 21» Block PAWty A free, festive neighborhood pet party featuring live acoustic music with Tony Passavanti, Yuengling, Barefoot Wine & Opulent Vodka drink specials, a Pet Caricature Artist, Pet Photos, an awesome Raffl e Table,... Pet PAWdicures, Glitter Grooming and a variety of pet-friendly businesses... so bring your furry friend out for lots of doggone fun! � e PAWty takes place in the courtyard by Downtown Dogs and all proceeds benefi t � e Humane Society of Tampa Bay. A $10 donation is suggested at the door.

JUNE 23» Tampa Bay Rowdies Home GameCome watch the Tampa Bay Rowdies in their home games. For tickets and information visit rowdiessoccer.com.

JUNE 27» Hyde Park Village Live Music Series: RoctopusGather at the fountain to hear live music from the band Roctopus. Proceeds from beverage sales this evening benefi t � e Make-A-Wish Foundation (rain date: June 29). For more information visit www.hydeparkvillage.net.

JUNE 28» Coldplay Concert� e St. Pete Times Forum welcomes Coldplay on its fi rst North American tour in about three years. For tickets and information visit www.sptimesforum.com.

JUNE 28-30» Rays vs. TigersCome watch your Tampa Bay Rays take on the Detroit Tigers at � e Trop. For tickets and more information visit tbrays.com.

JUNE 30» Tampa Bay Rowdies Home GameCome watch the Tampa Bay Rowdies in their home games. For tickets and information visit rowdiessoccer.com.

Isn’t it beautiful?

Let’s keep it that way!


ENTERTAINMENT » WINE!

SUMMER ISN’T SUMMER Well, we’re approaching that time

of year and my personal favorite season. �e sun stays up just a tad

longer, time is spent outdoors with family and friends, afternoons are enjoyed at the pool, days are at the beach, the smell of suntan lotion is back, and it’s time to break out those sweet fruity drinks that tend to go into hibernation during the winter months. Summertime is here! I can’t think of a better wine to ring in the warm summer days than a nice bottle of refreshing Moscato d’Asti.

You may have noticed Moscato wines becoming more prevalent on the shelves of food and beverage retailers. Recently seeing a boost in popularity, many of the top winemaker brands are incorporating it into their product mixes. Just like any other trend, tastes go in and out of style and the Moscato d’Asti happens to be stirring up the U.S. wine market this year. Sales have reportedly grown over 80% in twelve months and it is especially being enjoyed by the younger crowds.

If I am seeking an afternoon wine that can be enjoyed indoors or outside in warmer weather, I prefer to sip on a white. While the Chardonnays and Pinot Grigios are both on my wine list, I have found that the white wines with a bit of a fizz suit me better. While shopping for a nice cool and light-weight wine to enjoy by the pool on a Saturday afternoon with some fresh fruit, I grabbed a bottle of Risata Moscato d’Asti from the shelf. I was drawn to the bottle, a brilliant blue, which reminds me of the seaglass I’ve collected from my frequent beach trips during previous summers. Frizzante, the category in which Risata Moscato d’Asti falls, is similar to that of a spritzer. However, the bubbles in this wine are much more petite creating a gentle fizz that curbs the syrupy sweetness that overcomes some white wines.

�is is a great wine to add to your repertoire for entertaining or when just having a casual get-together. Its flowery taste and bubbly texture make it less intimidating and more delicate, embracing those who aren’t huge “drinkers”. Anyone can have a glass and enjoy the light-hearted aromas, whether you

prefer reds or whites.

Its name, “Risata”, means laughter in Italian which is perfectly suited for the sugary and fruity notes that dance on the palate with each sip. Risata Moscato d’Asti has the fragrances of summer with hints of tangerines, ripe oranges, honey, and is accompanied by a burst of fizz. Only 5.5% alcohol, similar to that of beer, Risata Moscato d’Asti is great for an afternoon delight or a dessert drink. Its flavors are strong and concentrated, yet not overly rich or heavy.

Despite the new craze for Moscato, d’Asti, this wine type really is no new kid on the block. �e recipe for Moscato d’Asti was created in the 16th century by a renowned Milanese jeweler for the Royal Family, Giovan Battista Croce. Making a change in his career, Croce purchased a vineyard and then perfected the creation of this wine. His technique was unique and produced a clean and sweet juice. Since the fermentation process is halted earlier than with other wines, the yeast consumes less sugar and the alcohol content is lower also yielding a unique sweetness.

�is wine is in the $14.00 to $15.00 range and can be found at most wine retailers and grocery stores. It is perfectly paired with a fresh fruit medley. Try making a simple snack to couple with the lovely Risata Moscato d’Asti by combining freshly sliced strawberries, tangerine segments, a kiwi divided, and blueberries. �is blend can be prepared in the morning and enjoyed in the afternoon or even after dinner with some low-fat whipped cream.

If you’re having friends over or just in the mood for a quick sweet snack with your glass of Risata Moscato d’Asti try whipping up something that’s simple and healthy like this Greek yogurt parfait.

Ingredients• 6oz.ofhoneyflavoredorplainfatfreeGreek yogurt – Fage, Oikos & Chobani are my top picks, but some supermarkets such as Sweetbay are beginning to produce their own brands of Greek yogurt which are just as

STORY BY: CAITLIN SCUDDER

WITHOUT A LITTLE RISATA

yummy!• ORyoucanuseanyotherkindofvanillaor honey-flavored yogurt• 1/2cup–1cupofslicedfreshstrawberriesOR your other favorite fresh fruit• 1tspofhoney• Adashofcinnamon• Adashofgranola

DirectionsEmpty the yogurt into a small dessert bowl or parfait cup, then add honey and cinnamon. Include the fresh strawberries and then top with the dash of granola to give your parfait some crunch! If you want to get creative, make these ahead and add multiple layers of your yogurt, fruit and granola so you have all of the flavors in every bite!

For serving as an appetizer wine or to the

“snacker” this Moscato d’Asti goes great with a sweeter and creamier cheese such as brie and wheat crackers. If you’re planning on serving the Risata Moscato d’Asti following a meal, you can serve it with a dessert such as a fruit pastry or cheesecake. Also a great brunch wine, try it with cinnamon toast slathered in honey and goat cheese or even whole-wheat pancakes topped with peaches and sugar-free syrup. As you can see, this wine is extremely versatile and absolutely perfect for foods of this season.

I recommend you try this wine whether it be morning, noon or night. I am not one to promote day drinking, however the Risata Moscato d’Asti is so subtle that it’s one I have no problem with enjoying on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon before five o’clock!


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Focus South Tampa 03-04

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Transcript of Focus South Tampa 03-04