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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 26, 2009

Westshore To Grow

Bob Vasturo, founder of Westshore Pizza & Cheesesteaks, announced plans Wednesday to begin regional franchising of the Tampa-based restaurants.

Vasturo is working with business development consultant Gary Hoyle and former Wendy's franchise sales vice president Graydon D. Webb to expand the 15-year-old restaurant chain beyond its 40 restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.

The goal is to expand by six to 10 units in the next year, Hoyle said.

Oil Inventory Up

Oil prices faded Wednesday as a government report showed U.S. crude inventories rising to levels last seen in 1993.

Benchmark crude for May delivery fell $1.21 to settle at $52.77 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, one day after closing at a high for the year.

Surgeries Nipped

The struggling economy cut into plastic surgery in 2008 as spending on cosmetic procedures drooped, but less-invasive procedures such as Botox injections continued to grow, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons said.

A total of $10.3 billion was spent in 2008 on cosmetic procedures, a category that excludes reconstructive surgeries. That's a 9 percent drop from 2007. Cosmetic surgeries fell 9 percent to 1.7 million compared with 2007, data show.

NBA Animated
Cartoon Network is building on Turner Sports' relationship with the National Basketball Association with its own hoop-themed shows for the Internet and television.

The deal, announced this week, pairs the start of the NBA's 2009 season with a new show, "My Dad's a Pro," which will debut on CartoonNetwork.com and then air on television.

A staff and wire report

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