New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 28. Issue 11, May 26, 2020

Volume 28 Issue 11 May 26, 2020

Inside:

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New Tampa Eases Into Reopening Just about everything has reopened, but are nervous customers flooding back to local businesses?

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com With masks and gloves fastened securely and spray bottles filled with disinfectant in hand, businesses in New Tampa have been slowly and gingerly awakening from their Covid-19 slumber.

The area malls are open, even if some of the tenants proceed more cautiously than others. At our press time, restaurants were just allowed to re-open at 50-percent of their capacities, with social distancing measures still in strong effect. You can now get your nails and hair done.

On May 18, gyms were finally allowed to re-open as one of the final pieces of Florida’s Phase 1 reopening under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan.

At 5 a.m., the new F45 Training at The Walk at Highwoods Preserve,

Disinfecting after every customer and social distancing continues to be the norm at area businesses like Best Buy in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve. (Photo by John C. Cotey)

owned by current Miami Marlins and former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Matt Joyce, opened its generously disinfected doors to allow 10 eager members through for its first-ever class, but only after a temperature check for each.

“For the most part, our clients

50 New Tenants Coming Soon to The Krate Microshops!

seemed really eager to get back in the gym,” Joyce says. “I think people really want to get back to some sense of normalcy.”

Like every business that has opened, Joyce is following CDC guidelines and limiting F45’s class sizes. At full throttle, F45 would have

20 New Tenants Coming to The Village!

Coming Soon & Going Full-Speed!

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a maximum class size of 36, but for now, will cap it at 18 people.

While DeSantis publicly lauds the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, questions and concerns still play a big factor. On the day Florida’s Full Phase 1 was implemented, there were roughly 46,442 cases reported in Florida, with 8,304 hospitalizations and 1,997 deaths. In Hillsborough County, 1,653 total cases have been reported, with 55 deaths.

Those numbers are well below what was originally predicted for the state.

Opinions about the coronavirus are varied, and too often cut along political lines. While some are plunging headlong into shopping and dining out again, others are holding back.

“I think I will be back to going to restaurants and shopping again,” says Stacie Watson, who was returning an item to Best Buy, which still wasn’t allowing customers into its store.

“Right now, I’m just kind of watching to see what happens.”

Instead, Watson was able to return a bluetooth keyboard by placing it on a table, having a Best Buy sales See “Reopening” on page 4.

Upcoming Events At The Grove:

TLC Community Markets (return Sat., May 30) Senior Car Parades: Wiregrass Ranch High - May 20 7pm Cypress Creek High - May 21 7pm Wesley Chapel High - May 22 7pm Land O’Lakes High - May 26 7pm Sunlake High - May 27 7pm Pasco High - May 28 7pm Zephyrhills High - May 29 7pm To apply to be an entertainer, or for more event information, contact Matheus Gold Office: (813) 406-5819 Cell: (407) 534-0810 Email: matheus@mgoldgroup.com

A Sign Of The Times & We Get To Be Grateful For The PPP An editorial by Gary Nager Neighborhood News managing editor John Cotey previously worked for two decades for the St. Petersburg Times, before that daily newspaper changed its name to the Tampa Bay Times and purchased the now-defunct Tampa Tribune.

When I mentioned that the replacement printer I found that could keep printing our issues on glossy stock wasn’t going to be able to keep up with our every-two-week print schedule, John suggested that I call the Times, which had recently announced that it was reducing its own print schedule from daily to only two days per week.

“So, maybe they can print us,” he said.

“Since they have all those presses not running.”

And, even though the Times didn’t have a ready supply of glossy paper for us and had furloughed some of its press (and pre-press) people, they did have the ability to print our job, but only on standard newsprint stock, at least for now.

But, the Times has been able to both turn our job around much more quickly than our glossy printer and also is helping us save quite a bit on our print costs, which also is a great help during this still-ongoing financial crisis.

So, while this second New Tampa issue in a row may not look or feel exactly like your usual New Tampa Neighborhood News, I know the content — especially John’s coverage of local Covid-19 news — is still the same quality you’re used to reading.

And, now that we were finally able to receive some funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and my long-time bank — SunTrust (now Truist) — we are able to continue to pay our staff, our office rent and our health insurance costs with the PPP funding while the local economy (hopefully) continues to recover.

And, I know that our next issue, thanks again to the Times, will at least be printed on a brighter white newsprint while I continue our search for a web printer who can either print on glossy stock or at least a much heavier white paper, so our look can once again be the higher standard that we have, up until now, been able to maintain since 2005. I am hopeful that it won’t take too long to get back to normal...not just for this publication, but for everyone.

Since the first New Tampa and Wesley Chapel issues printed on newsprint came out earlier this month, we have received overwhelming support from our readers and advertisers alike — with a few notable exceptions. We’ve even had a few folks tell us they actually prefer the newsprint, “because it feels more like a newspaper this way.”

Unfortunately for us, we have marketed ourselves as a glossy news magazine, not a newspaper, but I do appreciate that not everyone is hating this new look, which may have to stick around for a while. I have promised our advertisers (including the few that pulled out after our first newsprint issues hit in each market) that as soon as we are able to return to glossy (or at least, a much heavier white paper) stock, I will let each of them know.

everyone who has been working at our local supermarkets, discount stores, restaurants, gas stations and other essential businesses so the rest of us have been able to spend as much time as possible at home. I echo the posts I’ve seen on social media that all of you are real-life super heroes (graphic) and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

But please, no matter which side of the cash register you’re on, if you have a mask, always wear it anytime you’re in a public place, especially now that most Florida businesses have reopened. I see too many people who have their masks not covering their mouths or

Sprouts Farmer’s Market plans for a mid-August opening. noses. How can they protect you or others if you don’t wear them, people? And, please don’t throw disposable gloves on the ground — put them in the trash.

Let’s all be part of the solution!

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New Tampa Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondent Celeste McLaughlin Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Photography & Videography Richard Nasrallah • Benjamin Hobe • Amy Stewart Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager

Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 28, Issue 13, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, June 8, 2020.

New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously nonpublished outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

Thank You, Frontline Workers!

I neglected last issue to send big thankyous out to all of you who have been working on the front lines during our ongoing battle against the pandemic.

So, let me say here how much I appreciate all of the doctors, nurses, hospital and other medical staffers, scientists and pharmacists who have worked long hours and put their own lives at risk so that we all have a chance to survive.

I also would be remiss if I didn’t thank Neighborhood News

INSIDE:

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3

Reopening: New Tampa and the rest of the state taking baby steps towards normalcy.

Continued from page 1. representative come out from behind a plastic shield to retrieve it and head back behind the shield where the register was located.

Once Watson’s transaction was complete, the Best Buy rep diligently disinfected the table and keypad (page 1 photo), and the next customer, who was standing more than six feet away, was waved over. Other customers were able to pick up purchased items without leaving their cars.

Those kinds of safety features are on display at businesses all across the state...and country.

Mandy Wang (photo) opened her new restaurant, Michi Ramen, in March in the Walk at Highwoods Preserve. She was happy, and had high hopes of it doing well.

Three days later, she had to close it down, as the Covid-19 crisis began to grip the country.

As of Mother’s Day, she was back to serving takeout through a specially designed plastic door that includes a microphone and specially designed compartments to give food to customers with zero contact. All things considered, she says business has been

4

keeping their stations clean and their customers relaxed, even though the staff and their clients are all now required to wear masks.

“For now, we’re just trying to get through it,” Pham said.

“For me, I don’t think it will be (normal) until February of next year, or until a vaccine comes out. Testing is Michi Ramen owner Mandy Wang delivers food still limited, people are through a specially designed door to minimize still scared. We are just contact with customers. (Photo: John C. Cotey) trying to make them good. However, even though she can, feel comfortable.”

Wang isn’t sure she will reopen for While some people Beth and Joel Kamper of Hunter’s Green take their dog Mellie for a walk at Flatwoods Wilderness Park. (Photo: Charmaine George) indoor seating just yet. may still be leery about conservation parks coordinator Jan “Our plan is once the government venturing inside to area Kirwan says there is a new dynamic at says it is safe for dining, we’ll do the businesses, they have not been relucFlatwoods these days, especially in the Grand Opening after that,” says Wang, tant to flood Flatwoods Wilderness who will continue to offer takeout.

Park and its preserve, trails and 7-mile evening hours.

“You used to see people running, “I’m going to wait. I don’t want to biking path. biking, maybe 1-2 people walking,” take any chances.” (To find out more While gated shut during the quarKirwan says. “Now when you go antine for most of April, the park reoabout Michi Ramen, see pg. 36). around that time, you’re seeing lots of Timmy Pham, the owner of Touch pened on May 5 at 7 a.m. and has been families from the neighboring compacked almost every day, exceeding its Nail Spa, says he met with his 42 emmunities (like Hunter’s Green and typical numbers for this time of year. ployees the day before the nail spa was Richmond Place). It’s a different kind And, with youth sports leagues allowed to open by appointment only, of flavor and fun to see.” and local camps still grounded, and stressed the need to be diligent in

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Sprouts Eyes Aug. Opening, Others In Hunter’s Lake Not Sure

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneightborhoodnews.com Sprouts Farmers Market, the muchanticipated green grocer that will anchor the new Village at Hunter’s Lake development on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., has made rapid progress during the first two months of the Covid-19 pandemic, and says it will open on August 14.

But, while the anchors in most shopping centers typically set the pace for the smaller stores opening around them, Sprouts won’t be the first store ready to open in The Village at Hunter’s Lake, which is located across BBD from the entrance to Hunter’s Green.

While a majority of the tenants appear to have halted construction the past few months, Starbucks and two restaurants, Via Italia and Grain & Berry, are nearly completed. Banfield Pets and The Coder School also are likely to be ready to open before August.

“There are a few tenants in there than can likely open in a few months,” says Mark Elias, the senior leasing agent for Regency Centers, which is the Village at Hunter’s Lake’s developer, along with Harrison Bennett Properties.

Being ready to open, and actually opening, however, are two different things.

The Starbucks in front of Sprouts will be among the first to open in Hunter’s Lake.

Sprouts Farmer’s Market is scheduled to open in the Village at Hunter’s Lake in August, and many of the other 20 tenants that haven’t already opened will follow.

Under Phase 1 of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to reopen businesses across the state, with so many unknown factors and new rules governing restaurants due to coronavirus, is the time right for these new businesses to open?

“For me, as a new business owner, I have a question mark,” says Roberto Magnuco, whose Via Italia Woodfired Pizza & Bar will probably be among the first businesses in the new development to open. “I don’t even know how to answer that question. We will go with the flow and see how things work out, but we definitely need to be prepared and make sure the restaurant

is well organized and sanitized.”

Magnuco says the coronavirus situation took at least 30 days off the construction schedule of his new place, which will feature a full bar, Roman-style and woodfired pizza and various authentic Italian dishes. Had the virus not arrived, Via Italia would be opening any day now. Instead, Magnuco is shooting for a July date.

Elias has said all along that the Village at Hunter’s Lake wouldn’t have one large grand opening, and that some of the tenants would open before Sprouts. But generally, he has said, most will wait until Sprouts is up and running because of all the

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foot traffic it will bring to the new plaza.

However, barring any additional coronavirus setbacks, the unveiling of the Village at Hunter’s Lake will be more piecemeal than originally anticipated.

“Everybody is trying to get open sooner than later,” Elias says. “Everybody is under construction, whether they are swinging a hammer or still in the permitting process.”

Opening in a center where a majority of the 20 tenants don’t even have their signs up yet has its challenges, but Magnuco says he is looking forward to the day when the Village at Hunter’s Lake is in full vibrancy.

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“We want to start on a positive note,” he says. “It’s a new shopping center, and I believe it’s going to be good. We are new and will try to beat all expectations, but I know it’s not going to be easy.”

The Coder School of New Tampa franchisee Michael Olavarria says he doesn’t have a strategy yet for opening his store in The Village at Hunter’s Lake. “We are classified as ‘education,’” he says, “so we don’t know when we’ll be allowed to open.”

Touch Nail Spa owner Timmy Pham, who was only recently allowed to re-open his popular original location on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, also says that his timeline for opening his new location “hasn’t been decided yet. We have to see if nail salons are able to stay open these next few weeks, but we probably won’t get the new Touch Nail Spa open for a few more months.”

The Grove Making Progress!

Hunter’s Lake isn’t the only highlyanticipated new development that would be ready to go and starting to open right around now if not for coronavirus.

At The Grove off S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, a number of tenants bringing new concepts to the area are eager to get open.

Wesley Chapel’s Jamie Hess has envisioned a Grand Opening for his new dueling piano bar and restaurant TrebleMakers, but when it opens in June, he will have to settle for something more subdued.

“It’s a shame,” Hess says. “Corona-

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virus has definitely changed it. We’ll open and be safe and smart, but we’ll have to hold off on the official grand opening until we’re fully released.”

Hunter’s Lake isn’t the only highlyanticipated new development that would be ready to go and starting to open right around now if not for coronavirus.

At The Grove off State Rd. 54 in Wesley Chapel, a number of tenants bringing new concepts to the area are eager to get open.

Wesley Chapel’s Jamie Hess has envisioned a Grand Opening for his new dueling piano bar and restaurant TrebleMakers, but when it opens in June, he will have to settle for something more subdued.

“It’s a shame,” Hess says. “Coronavirus has definitely changed it. We’ll open and be safe and smart, but we’ll have to hold off on the official grand opening until we’re fully released.”

While bars have to remain closed, according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order that took effect on May 4 for the Phase I reopening, Hess is classified as a restaurant.

However, the Double Branch Artisanal Ales brewery, located right across from TrebleMakers in The Grove, also was planning to open around June 11. Unless there’s another executive order or phase easing the current restrictions, however, Double Branch will be unable to make its debut that soon.

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7

Emerg.-Only Connection Fnally Under Construction At Kinnan-Mansfield

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com The worn dirt path top (photo) that has unofficially connected Kinnan St. in New Tampa to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe the Pasco-Hillsborough county line has finally been cleared, along with the weeds, trees and bushes that has covered the 30-foot patch of land no man’s land for so long.

It’s really happening, y’all.

The two roads will be connected, maybe by as soon as the end of this month, allowing access for first responders and emergency medical vehicles only.

For those who have hoped for years that a another north-south connection would allow for easier access between Hillsborough and Pasco counties, sorry — a gate will be installed to prohibit local vehicular traffic.

Hillsborough County will pay for the new connection to be paved and equipped with a gate that Pasco County will control and pay to maintain. Hillsborough County District 2 commissioner Ken Hagan secured $250,000 for the project two years ago in an effort to get the roads connected, although he had hoped for a connection that

would be open for everyone, but Meadow Pointe III residents were able to convince the Pasco Board of County Commissioners that opening the connection to everyone would bring an unsafe amount of traffic through their neighborhood.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that New Tampa will finally have emergency and pedestrian access,” Hagan says. “However, I’m hopeful that one day Pasco County will quit being parochial and obtuse and authorize full access, which is undoubtedly desperately needed.”

Hagan says he has been working on the connection for more than a decade now — Kinnan St. is a Hillsborough County road — and there have been various efforts over the years that also included efforts by Tampa City council members Lisa Montelione and Luis Viera.

M/I Homes, the developer of New Tampa’s K-Bar Ranch, located in the city, will pay for a significant amount of the package as part of its developer’s agreement. A new pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists will also be built as part of the project.

Hagan says a full Kinnan-Mansfield connection was originally promised before Wesley Chapel started experiencing massive growth.

COVID-19 Resources for Tampa Bay TampaBayCovid.com For more information on resources in our community, visit fentriceforflorida.com/covid19

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Budget Numbers Aren’t In Yet, But Tough Choices Await

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com In his nearly four years on the Tampa City Council, District 7 council member Luis Viera has done a lot of work lobbying for New Tampa’s interests when it comes to the city’s annual budget. One of his prized accomplishments, the expansion of the New Tampa Recreation Center, is almost complete.

This year, however, Viera confesses it will be more difficult to lace up the proverbial gloves due what he fears is going to be a budget laden with some very tough decisions, thanks to a pandemic that is wrecking the local economy, which in turn will produce fewer tax dollars for the city to work with, certainly at least for the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget.

“All I know is before Covid-19, I was looking at 2020 as being a banner year for DIstrict 7,” Viera says. “There was hope for a fire station for North Tampa, renovations at the Forest Hills recreation center, the New Tampa Autism Park and I was hoping to begin the process of introducing the idea of a police substation in New Tampa. All of that right now is going to be in jeopardy.”

One shoe has dropped with the

The New Tampa Recreation Center expansion is nearly complete, but similar projects like this could be put on hold in the City of Tampa’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget. (Photo: Charmaine George)

pandemic’s arrival, and the other shoe is expected to land at around the same time as Mayor Jane Castor’s 2020-21 budget — which was a little more than $1 billion last year. Castor will submit her budget to the City Council sometime around Aug. 1.

Castor campaigned on investing in neighborhoods, which this year’s budget is likely to address. Traffic and mass transit also will be points of emphasis.

But, many of the special projects council members typically fight for to benefit their respective districts may have to wait.

For Viera, that means one of his pet projects for New Tampa, the Autism Park he has championed since 2017, has a good chance of being put on hold.

In the FY2018 budget, Viera successfully lobbied to get $90,000 included for the park’s design and development.

Earlier this year, he had to make concessions to nearby residents not amenable to the park and arrange to have the site moved from behind the BJ’s Wholesale Club on Commerce Palms Dr. in Tampa Palms to near the New Tampa Rec Center on Commerce Park Dr., also in Tampa Palms.

At the same time he was arranging the park’s relocation, he was confident it would be funded in this year’s budget.

“I had planned and negotiated in (the budget) for full funding for the park,” Viera says. “Whether or not that is happening now, I don’t know. I’m not optimistic.”

Viera also had hoped to begin a conversation about a potential police substation in New Tampa, as well as restarting the process to move forward on a park on 55+ acres in (and next to) the K-Bar Ranch development that would be a joint effort between the city and Hillsborough County parks departments.

Viera says he also had requested that the city create a public safety master plan to take a look at all of the public safety deficits and come up with a plan to remedy them and “build a financial bridge to get there.”

And, now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has lifted the state’s stay-at-home order, Viera hopes the economy can rebound and stem the financial bleeding.

If not, New Tampa’s city councilman is bracing for some changes.

“There will probably be a tremendous hit to a lot of projects,” Viera says.

“We’re going to have to be responsible about it.”

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Social Distancing Couldn’t Spoil Maryanne’s Birthday

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneightborhoodnews.com Paul Pitre wasn’t about to let a little quarantine stop him from throwing his wife Maryanne a birthday party.

Pitre, a Hunter’s Green resident, organized a parade in his wife’s honor. Dozens of vehicles gathered at the Tennis and Athletic Center at Hunter’s Green Country Club, and then made a surprise visit to Maryanne, who was sitting in a chair in her the driveway of the Pitres’ home in Magnolia Chase, taking in the picture-perfect Sunday morning on April 26.

Vehicles decked out in balloons, signs, streamers and, most importantly, smiling faces, slowly drove by and wished Maryanne a happy birthday.

“I’m surprised everyone came out during this quarantine time, but it’s so nice to know that they did,” said Maryanne, who this past year was named Teacher of the Year in Hillsborough County for the county’s Hospital/ Homebound Program, where she helps students who have been diagnosed with a physical or psychiatric condition that is acute or catastrophic, and confines them to their homes or hospitals.

She has been teaching for 22 years, including several years at Hunter’s Green Elementary.

Maryanne has been going through her own struggles, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy in her third fight against breast cancer. So, the smiling faces and well wishes were a bright light during a most difficult time.

Maryanne Pitre smiles (above) as her birthday parade rolls by her front yard. Husband Paul (sitting with her, above right) helped organized the surprise so friends like Sue Sorbera (bottom right) could celebrate Maryanne’s birthday with her.

“It’s extra special because Maryanne has been battling breast cancer for 20 years now,” said Paul. “This is her third bout with it, and this time it is metastatic stage 4. We have a long road ahead of us.”

The family’s friends from church, many of their neighbors, family and co-workers helped make the parade a memorable and genuinely surprising one, especially since it was held the day before Maryanne actually turned 57.

Kristina Porricolo, who helped organize the parade with Karen Corscadden (and Paul), said those who know Maryanne weren’t going to let a little pandemic keep them from visiting her. “We wanted to celebrate her birthday,” Porricolo said, “and today was by far the best day to get everyone together and show her lots of love.”

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By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com The coronavirus pandemic continues to bring out the best in people, as food drives and other events providing assistance have been abundant in the New Tampa area.

One such project was launched earlier this month when the 38 Rotary Clubs that make up Rotary District 6890 and its charitable foundation issued a One Million Meals Challenge in an effort to raise $200,000 this month to help Feeding Tampa Bay. Rotary District 6890 (which includes both New Tampa Rotary Clubs) issued a challenge to its Rotarians and the general public in four different counties — Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands and Hardee — to raise $100,000, which will be matched by generous donors resulting in $200,000, or enough money to provide one million meals.

“We are hearing from our Clubs that we need to act now,” says Rotary District 6890 Foundation president Gary Gunter, who also is a past president of both his New Tampa (breakfast) Rotary, as well as a former Rotary District 6890 Governor. “As Walter Oles (Presi-

14

Care Center Fills Empty Shelves

The shelves at the New Tampa Care Center at Cypress Point Community Church, which provides groceries for needy families, were restocked after a food donation drive on May 7. dent Elect of the New Tampa Club) told me, ‘We need to go big!’”

Feeding Tampa Bay is part of the national Feeding America network, and the local chapter provides food to hundreds of thousands of families in a 10-county area of West Central Florida.

The New Tampa Rotary has had a long relationship with Feeding Tampa Bay, with a portion of proceeds from many of its charity events benefiting the food bank. But, with the unexpected and overwhelming hardships placed on

families during this pandemic, the organization has been working overtime.

According to Gunter, 68 percent of people accepting food at food banks today have never needed help before.

And, it’s not too late to help. Visit Rotary6890.org and make a donation through PayPal. The Rotary foundation will pay the small PayPal processing fee.

You also can also donate by writing a check to Rotary District 6890 Foundation and sending it to: Joyce Gunter, Treasurer, Rotary District 6890 Founda-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 11 • May 26, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Another local organization doing some good in our area is the New Tampa Care Center, which is located at Cypress Pointe Community Church off Morris Bridge Rd., just north of Cross Creek Blvd.

The center is open the first and third Saturday of every month, and families in need are always invited to swing by to “shop” for complimentary food.

“Anybody can come and get the items that they need,” said Jennifer Brooks, the co-director of the New Tampa Care Center. “We provide them with prayer from our prayer team, and then they are able to shop and typically select whatever groceries they want.”

Brooks said 25-30 families take advantage of the center every week.

Because of the increased need these days, Brooks said the shelves have been emptying much quicker, so the center held a successful food donation drive on May 7, where dozens of vehicles pulled up and dropped off food donations.

Brooks says it wasn’t long before the Care Center’s shelves and tables were once again filled.

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Budget Blinds Offers A Variety Of Styles & Expert Service

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Considering the amount of time you have probably spent looking longingly out your windows the past few weeks while quarantined, have you noticed that maybe your window treatments aren’t as attractive as they could be? Do your drapes look a little outdated? Do your shutters need to be modernized? Is there too much sun coming in and driving up those electricity bills?

Budget Blinds can solve all of those problems, and more.

Lexington Oaks residents Mike and Adriane Wonderlin are owners of the Budget Blinds franchises in Greater Tampa, Brandon and Lakeland. North Tampa has the nearest showroom, which is located on W. Fletcher Ave. near I-275, two exits south of Wesley Chapel’s S.R. 56 exit. The Wonderlins have a second showroom in Riverview, which serves their customers in the Brandon and Lakeland ares.

However, Wesley Chapel residents will have even easier access to the almost unlimited selection at Budget Blinds in a few months. The Wonderlins have already signed a lease for another showroom at the upcoming container park called KRATE by Gold Box at The Grove.

“Wesley Chapel, Land O’Lakes, Lutz, that whole area is still growing like crazy,” Mike says. “That’s why we decided to open a third showroom.”

Mike and Adriane have owned the local Budget Blinds franchises for two years.

In January of 2019, they expanded by purchasing the Lakeland territory.

The current showroom in Tampa has been open since 2013.

Budget Blinds was founded in 1992 in Orange County, CA, and has more than 1,100 franchises in the U.S. and Canada.

The Wonderlins’ franchise has been named the company’s Franchise of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and finished second in 2019.

While Adriane says some of their customers know exactly what they want, many don’t, due to the countless design and style combinations available. That’s where Budget Blinds comes in and offers service

Adriane & Mike Wonderlin will be opening a new Budget Blinds showroom in a few months at the KRATE container park in The Grove off S.R. 54. (Photos courtesy of Adriane Wonderlin)

that few others can match.

“I didn’t know what I needed, I just knew I wanted some blinds that my two large dogs wouldn’t destroy,” says Tara LeBlanc, whose Palm Cove home in Wesley Chapel has glass sliders in the back that receive a lot of sunlight. “I called Budget Blinds and they sent a consultant who was very nice, showed us a bunch of samples, went over the warranty and came up with the solution. Now, I have blinds that go up and down horizontally, they don’t get in the way of the doggie door and it’s actually pretty cool.”

LeBlanc adds that she also will be having solar shades installed. She said she has wanted to do her back windows for years, but thought it would be too expensive.

But, she says she gave Budget Blinds a budget, and discovered it wasn’t nearly as pricey as she thought.

The Wonderlins have a staff of 27 consultants and have added an operational management team to its staff — installation manager Bill Tumelty, a U.S. Army veteran, and administrative manager Kristi Cicollelo.

Tumelty is one of a few military veterans who work for the Wonderlins.

“It was really important to us to find someone that was in the service,” says Mike, whose company partners with

Homes For Our Troops by doing the window treatments for wounded veterans.

Additionally, Budget Blinds hired a drapery consultant, Terri Williams, who specializes in soft treatments such as drapery panels, Roman shades, and pillows.

Whether you’re looking for improved aesthetics or smarter energy consumption — or, like many customers, a little bit of both — Budget Blinds can steer you in the right direction. And, don’t let the coronavirus pandemic slow you down — Budget Blinds has adapted and offers “no-contact” service.

“We are here to help you with your next home renovation project,” Mike says. “But the well-being and safety of our customers is always our top priority. We’re continuing to follow all guidelines and updates suggested by the CDC and local departments of public health. We are currently operating under a no-contact consultation procedure for sales and installation appointments due to the coronavirus.”

It might be a good time to find a deal as well, while helping a locally-owned business.

“Shopping local has never been more important,” Mike says. “Our vendors have offered some additional discounts to help us due to Covid-19, and we’ll be passing those savings along to our customers.”

Budget Blinds offers a complete line of window coverings. Blinds come in vinyl, wood, fabric, faux wood and aluminum.

Shutter options range from real wood (in painted or stained) and also composite shutters that don’t fade or warp.

If you prefer shades, you can choose from roller, pleated, Roman, cellular, woven wood, bamboo, sheer, solar and graphic, not to mention a variety of panels, valances and drapes.

Budget Blinds has recently renewed a partnership with Mirasol Shutters, which has been around since 1991 and offers shutters made right here in Florida (customers can have them installed in as little as 7 days, with express shipping).

Mirasol Shutters feature a number of different collections depending on your needs (including arched window treatments), and are made of a 100-percent recyclable composite core that mimics the look and texture of natural wood but isn’t susceptible to the same moisture, UV damage or dents and chips as wood.

While you can find window treatments at a variety of big box stores, having a consultant visit your home and make suggestions is a touch those bigger stores rarely offer. Budget Blinds can find the right style and product to match your bedding, walls and floors. “Our niche in the market is somewhere between a big box store and calling a decorator,” says Adriane.

“Our design consultants don’t just go out and give a quote; they actually help design (your window treatments).”

And, Budget Blinds’ warranties are better, too. “You can buy the same exact line at Home Depot,” Mike says, “but you won’t get the same warranty.”

Budget Blinds only uses experts in the window treatment industry, and never uses independent contractors. Budget Blinds installers are employees, and Tumelty insures that every installation is done with the company’s commitment to quality.

Budget Blinds also is a leader in the “smart” products line, which allows you to open your drapes or raise your blinds from the comfort of your couch or bed by using your smart phone or devices like Alexa and Google Home.

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In 2016, Budget Blinds began offering a “Smart Homes by Budget Blinds” partnership with the smart home company Lutron. The Tampa-area franchise was one of just 15 locations to pioneer the concept, introducing smart shades, lighting and thermostat controls for its customers.

That’s a big deal in neighborhoods such as Estancia,The Ridge, and Esplanade, where homeowners have nice conservation views, and people don’t want to have to go behind the couch to pull the cord to open or close their window treatments.

“There’s a big push for motorization and automation,” Mike says. “In five years, that’s all you’re going to see.”

Automation even allows you to set times for the drapes or blinds to open and close. Scheduled correctly, you can be awakened in the morning by natural sunlight as your blackout shades gradually rise, or change the ambiance of your whole home after the sun has set, all with the press of a button or a voice command.

Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa is located at 1208 W. Fletcher Ave. The showroom hours are Mon.Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sat. To schedule a complimentary in-home consultation, call (813) 968-5050. For more info, visit BudgetBlinds.com/NorthTampa or Whether you’re looking for shutters (top) or drapes (above) see the ad on pg. 24. or anything in between, Budget Blinds has what you need.

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19

Spinner Law Firm Serves Community In More Ways Than One

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

SERVICES

When people find themselves in need of a personal injury attorney, it’s often one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Whether suffering from an injury due to a car accident or another reason, their lives are often marked by pain, confusion, and feeling of being overwhelmed.

Charles Spinner, Esq., is determined that anyone in this situation who calls Spinner Law Firm will experience both excellent legal representation and compassionate, personal service.

“We try to make some very unpleasant legal matters as pleasant as we can,” he says.

The practice was established by Spinner in New Tampa in 2003 but its main office is now located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56 near I-75.

Now, almost 18 years later, he says that Spinner Law is one of the most established firms in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area.

“It means that people who are injured as the result of someone else’s carelessness don’t have to go downtown to get access to a highly accredited, experienced and aggressive law firm,” he says.

Before he opened his private practice, Spinner worked for several years as a civil trial and insurance defense attorney.

Prior to that, he graduated from the

20

The team at the Spinner Law Firm, which has its main office located off S.R. 56 near I-75 in Wesley Chapel, has participated in many community-oriented projects, like helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity.

University of Dayton in Ohio, and then excellence and legal ability and adherence received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree to professional standards of ethics. from the University of Toledo College of Originally, he shared a small office in Law, in Toledo, OH, in 1996.

New Tampa with a local accountant, alternating time in the office with office adminSince 2017, Spinner has been peer rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hub- istrator Vicki Portfolio, because the space was only large enough for one person. bell for personal injury law, which is the highest possible rating for professional Vicki is still Spinner Law’s office

administrator, and the practice has grown through the years, with the addition of two attorneys and ten staff members.

“Our case load covers everything from relatively minor car accidents to complex cases resulting in catastrophic injuries and death,” Spinner says. “We collaborate as a firm, and we welcome and invite everyone’s input. Our cases are about strategy and details. Having three highly experienced attorneys, and three sets of eyes instead of just one, that’s the advantage.”

While Spinner Law Firm spends much of its time handling personal injury cases, some clients get help with estate planning, preparation of wills and trusts, probate and trust administration.

Many of those matters are handled by attorney Anissa Morris, who joined the firm in 2011.

In large part because of Morris, Spinner reports that the firm has written more than 1,000 wills for people in the community.

Often, these are for young families who are starting to acquire assets, such as buying their first home, or couples who relocate and need to establish a Florida will, or someone with an elderly parent who needs help putting their affairs in order.

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member of the team. Barnes joined Spinner Law in February, after working the past seven years in Colorado.

“Patrick worked for two of the most well-established personal injury firms in Colorado, so he brings a fresh perspective,” says Spinner. “He’s very forwardthinking.”

Thanks to Barnes’ influence, Spinner says the firm has improved some of its practices and technology, which has been especially helpful during the Covid-19 crisis.

“We’ve all established at-home workstations with every amenity we have at the office,” Spinner says, “so we’ve been able to make the best of this situation and not miss a step to continue moving our cases forward.”

But, they look forward to getting back to normal, so they can again invite their clients to stop by anytime.

“We have an open door policy,” Spinner says. “Some firms discourage phone calls or coming in to see the lawyer, but we encourage it. Come in and meet with us. We’re always accessible, and our staff is friendly.”

Plus, they’re your neighbors — all of the lawyers and staff members live and work in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

“We have a strong foundation, from our kids attending local schools, churches and (participating in) youth sports, to belonging to local service organizations,” says Spinner. “We take great pride in the fact that this is our community.”

Neighborhood News

Former State Representative Danny Burgess (3rd from left), who is now the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, poses for a picture with the attorneys from the Spinner Law Firm (l.-r.) Patrick Barnes, Anissa Morris and Charlie Spinner.

Spinner Law Firm supports local high school athletics, youth sports leagues and charitable organizations with both financial contributions and what Spinner calls “boots on the ground” participation.

That includes 145 hours of volunteer work so far in 2020. The team spent an entire day working on a Habitat for Humanity home build project, shortly after putting on a cruise-themed Valentine’s Day party for residents at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’Lakes. Team members also participated in the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s Duck Derby and other activities.

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@NTWCNews

Jennie Yingling are both members of the Wesley Chapel Rotary (Spinner himself is a former member) and the firm also is a member of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The attorneys and staff at Spinner Law take their commitment to people seriously, whether it’s through volunteer work or serving clients.

A local resident named Julie, who asked that we only use her first name, was grateful she reached out to Spinner Law Firm when she was injured in a car accident. “If I had to rate them, there’s not enough stars,” she says. “They’re above and beyond.”

She explains that the car accident left

her in pain, but it was a while before she realized how serious her injuries were.

She went to Spinner, and she says they referred her to a doctor who helped her get the care she needed. Then, her husband was diagnosed with cancer. “My husband died the day after my surgery,” she says.

“The Spinner team was there for me when I needed them the most.”

While also handling her personal injury case, Spinner Law Firm also helped Julie get her husband’s affairs in order.

Julie says that at first, she was hesitant to hire an attorney about her injury because she didn’t want to deal with a lawsuit and didn’t know who she could trust. But now, she’s so glad she called Spinner. “They are unbelievable when it comes to caring,” she says. “It’s truly like a family.”

Spinner himself says his goal is for every potential client to have a similar experience. “From making their first phone call to us, we want them to have the best experience possible,” he says. “We want them treated respectfully. Then, we spend time understanding their needs, goals and objectives, getting to know them and how we can best serve them.”

Spinner Law Firm offers a comprehensive consultation for all legal matters at no charge. The firm is located at 2418 Cypress Glen Dr. in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 991-5099, visit SpinnerLawFirm.com, or see the ad on page 28.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 11 • May 26, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

21

Dr. Farina: Modern Approach Amidst Modern Stylings

By ERIC VICIAN During the six weeks between when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued the state’s stay-at-home order and the time he announced the state’s Phase 1 reopening earlier this month, Farina Orthodontic Specialists was able to consult with more than 800 of its existing patients. But, not a single one of them walked into any of the practice’s three locations in Tampa Palms, Wesley Chapel or South Tampa.

That’s because Mark Farina, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) and his nephew, Dr. Rudy Wagner, D.M.D, had already jumped ahead of the digital curve and started seeing patients virtually prior to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Using the most stringent safety measures, Dr. Mark Farina (right) and his nephew, Dr. Rudy WagUtilizing technology such as Zoom ner, have reopened all three offices of Farina Orthodontic Specialists, including the newly renovated for Healthcare virtual consultation and location in the Shoppes at Amberly in Tampa Palms. the Smile Snap feature on their own for business on May 11 in a very safe, office can enjoy a renovated office with website, FarinaSmiles.com, the doctors measured and step-by-step process. a hip new look. Dr. Farina wanted to at Farina Orthodontic Specialists have The first phase includes schedulmodernize the New Tampa location. been able to keep helping families by ing online and a curbside waiting room Patients who return during the Phase 1 of continuing to treat them as if they were where patients text or call to come in. the practice’s reopening will see aesthetic extensions of their own households.

Melissa Church has four daughters changes such as a moss wall that brings “That is really the next generation the outdoors inside and a bright and sleek piece of all orthodontics,” Dr. Farina says and Dr. Farina has seen three of them during the past four-plus years. Her design inside. Patients and parents will be about the technological advancements 9-year-old, Stella, was one of the first able to enjoy the technological advancehis practice already utilizes. “I think all patients to be seen during the practice’s ments Dr. Farina touts, like 3D imaging, orthodontists are going to have to have that piece because we had an overwhelm- Phase 1 reopening.

“Today we came in, they scanned ing response from our moms and dads for our temperature, I signed a waivbecause of the convenience of (orthodontic appointments) at home, and filling out er and they gave us some sanitizer for our hands,” Melissa said. “We waited all forms online.”

2-3 minutes and they took us back. My The virtual smile option on FarinaSmiles.com allows patients to upload photos daughter said, ‘It’s the luckiest day of my life,’ because she got her braces off. It’s of themselves and have virtual consultaa wonderful experience. There was only tions with Dr. Farina or Dr. Rudy from one other patient in here and a parent. the comfort of their own homes. When Farina Orthodontic Specialists doesn’t do patients do come in, the practice’s team anything halfway.” is able to combine the online data with a Dr. Farina points out that his 3D X-ray that takes less than five seconds practice always used OSHA, CDC and to obtain all the information they need to American Dental Associations precautions move forward with a treatment plan. dating back through the 25 years he has Tracey Jackson, 35, of Wesley Chapbeen in business. Originally, because of el, works from home and has three chilthe concern of AIDS, hepatitis and other dren. She never had orthodontic treatinfectious illnesses, he contracts with a ment as a child and decided recently to try the online process on Farina’s website. third-party company that tests and reports the sterilization status of his offices.

“This is something I’ve always really “I want to stress that patient safety wanted to do but haven’t had the time, so I wanted to do something for myself,” is our number one goal and we are going above and beyond for them and our she said about her virtual consultation team,” Dr. Farina says. before ultimately going in for X-rays and Farina Orthodontic Specialists plans scans. “I clicked on there and it promptto take the reopening slowly. ed me through the process and, within Each of Dr. Farina’s three offices five minutes, somebody responded and are open under current safety guidelines, walked me through the next process of although in the cube-shaped Wesley the patient portal and the Zoom conferChapel office, the fun waiting room ence. It was wonderful.” lounge featuring a beverage center, iPads, Just as Gov. DeSantis has anmusic and scented air will be unavailable nounced Florida’s three-phase “reuntil the reopening’s 3rd phase. opening” plan, so too has Farina Everyone visiting the Tampa Palms Orthodontic Specialists, which reopened 22

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which eliminates the probing, prying and irritation associated with traditional x-rays and more effectively brings clarity to a number of problems.

Learning From The Past, Planning For The Future

Dr. Farina says he has seen a lot of changes in his industry during the past 20+ years and he often jokes that his nephew, Dr. Rudy, who is entering his 5th year at the practice, doesn’t fully realize just how good he has it today.

Dr. Farina earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Boston College in Boston, MA. He earned his D.M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia and completed his post-graduate orthodontic training at New York University in New York City.

Dr. Wagner, who was born in Fort Lauderdale, but raised in Puerto Rico, joined his uncle in 2015, after graduating with his D.M.D. degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine in San Juan, where he also earned both his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology and his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Dental Sciences.

Dr. Wagner is fluent in Spanish and so are about a third of the 27 staffers

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working at the New Tampa, South Tampa and Wesley Chapel locations. He also completed post-graduate work at Lehigh Valley Hospital, in Allentown, PA, where he had a general practice residency, and his post-graduate orthodontic training was at the University of Puerto Rico.

The team at Farina Orthodontic Specialists doesn’t use headgear anymore, nor do they fill their patients’ mouths with the goop that many people gag on that has been used in oldschool impressions.

New floors and equipment, bright lights and even a moss-covered wall Instead, the practice uses are some of the upgrades at the Tampa Palms office. more accurate digital impresbefore they come in, which saves permaDr. Farina wants people to know sions and, for less complicated cases, the nent teeth and time. that he and his team operate with three Invisalign® brand of clear aligners.

“Old school” orthodontics involved pillars in mind: to protect patients and The staff can actually create retainers up to four appointments just to get staff, to serve the community and to keep and clear aligners right in the office using started. Patients needed photos taken the business thriving with new ideas. To an onsite 3D printer. And, unlike many that had to then be developed and finally that end, Farina Orthodontic Specialists local orthodontists, Dr. Farina has been projected on a screen so the doctor could is starting a fund in the coming weeks using Invisalign® aligners for his patients review a plan of action during multiple called “Frontline Heroes” designed to for more than two decades. consultations. help police officers, fire rescue personnel, Because metal braces are becoming Today, this process can be handled nurses, truck drivers and other first rea thing of the past, more boys have been in one appointment, thanks to the “new sponders pay for their orthodontic needs. coming in for treatment through the school” approach at Farina Orthodontic The practice, which has been giving back years. Tooth extraction rates also have Specialists. The three-dimensional imagto the community for a quarter of a cendipped dramatically from 80 percent 20 ing allows the doctors to see more infor- tury, also recently helped All Pro Dads to years ago to less than 5 percent now. Dr. mation inside each patient’s mouth than deliver food to first responders.

Farina credits this to seeing patients for ever before, reducing the total treatment Dr. Farina also gives back to his orthodontic appointments before age 7, time from 2-3 years down to 18 months. longtime employees, treating them like so they can make room for adult teeth

family. One staffer earned an all-expensepaid vacation to Spain with her husband, and another who recently surpassed 20 years at the company is slated to go to Italy, post Covid-19.

“We love the community and want to give back to thank our more than 20,000 smiles and keep people smiling,” Dr. Farina says.

Farina Orthodontic Specialists’ newly revamped Tampa Palms office is located at 15303 Amberly Dr., Ste. E. The Wesley Chapel office is located at 2370 BBD Blvd., Ste. 100. For more info about either office, call (813) 972-2929, visit FarinaSmiles.com or see the ad on page 10 of this issue.

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School News: Lots of Awards To Go Around

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Wharton senior Isabella Douglas (left) was awarded a $500 scholarship and the Wharton Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program received $1,000, thanks to an essay Isabella wrote for a nationwide NJROTC contest.

The Surface Navy Association (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Association incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication to those in the military, business, and academic communities) offered the contest to NJROTC cadets across the country, choosing Isabella’s entry as the most outstanding nationwide. The award was provided as an incentive to “engage NJROTC cadets in understanding and appreciating the sacrifices of our WWII veterans, Navy core values, and what it means to be a shipmate.”

Isabella will use her award while attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she plans to major in journalism.

Although her current plans don’t include joining the military, Isabella comes from a military family. Her mom was in the U.S. Army and her dad was in the U.S. Coast Guard.

She credits Wharton’s NJROTC program with teaching her important life skills. “It taught me how to be a better leader, to be more organized, and (how) to talk in front of a lot of people.”

Isabella says she was excited to hear that her efforts not only benefited her, but also the school’s NJROTC program.

Arpan Bagui.

“I was really glad about that,” she says, “because it’s my last year and I was happy to give back to the program.”

National Merit Scholars Announced

New Tampa’s residents Arpan Bagui (above) and Shezad S. Shah were named as $2,500 National Merit Scholarship winners by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) on May 13.

Bagui lives in K-Bar Ranch and attends the IB program at King High and is looking to study investment banking in college, while Shah is a Wharton senior who plans to study computer science in college.

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The $2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.

National Merit $2,500 scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who considered the academic record (including the difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned). scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay written by the Finalist and a recommendation written by a high school official.

New Tampa PTAs/PTSAs Recognized

The Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA announced its award winners for the 2019-20 school year via Facebook Live on April 24, and New Tampa schools, especially

Gaye Holt

James Ammirati

Liberty Middle School and Hunter’s Green Elementary (HGE), fared well.

In fact, both were honored with awards for Principal of the Year.

HGE principal Gaye Holt was awarded Elementary Principal of the Year, while James Ammirati of Liberty took home the middle school honors.

Both schools also received awards for Family Involvement; Hunter’s Green Elementary for its lip synch battle called Panther Jamz, and Liberty for its Family Night event.

Liberty picked up eight other awards, including Middle School Instructional Person of the Year for teacher Toni Kuzmicki, PTSA President of the Year for Shari Burress, “a force to reckon with, as she powers her way through the school year

Alicia Newcomb

taking on tasks and challenges and working harder than anyone else” according to her nomination.

At the high school level, both Wharton and Freedom received awards for their Volunteer Hours.

Wharton also received an award for Student Involvement and the county award for Advocacy/Legislation for the school’s Gay Straight Alliance.

The school’s success coach Roslyn Brown was awarded High School Non-Instructional Person of the Year.

Brown puts in long hours that do not stop when she leaves our school,” her nomination letter said. “She is always working to better the lives of our student population.”

Freedom won the award for Fam-

ily Involvement for its Multicultural Festival — “Diversity at its Finest” — and Alicia Newcomb, the school’s agriculture teacher, was named the High School Instructional Person of the Year.

According to her nomination, Newcomb created the school’s vet tech program, an agribusiness course, expanded the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program and helped students earn apprenticeships and certifications, while partnering with veterinarians and animal rescue organizations to provide students with hands-on experience.

High School Graduations

While graduations across the country have been cancelled altogether, Hillsborough County Public Schools has instead delayed graduations for the class of 2020 in the hopes that local and state guidelines will allow in-person graduation ceremonies in July. Dates have been set for July 13-22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.

A final decision about whether the graduations can be held will be made closer to the event date.

For now, Wharton’s graduation is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 12:30 p.m., while Freedom’s is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m.

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Godbold Chooses Gators

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Wharton High’s Zach Godbold, the top-ranked javelin thrower in the state, is headed to the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Godbold announced his commitment on May 9. He had narrowed his decision down to Florida and Florida State (in Tallahassee).

It was during a visit to Gainesville in December that Godbold says he began to lean towards becoming a Gator. He said seeing where he would be living, as well as the training facilities and new weight rooms, was impressive.

“It was as you would imagine for a Division 1 school, but it was really top-notch,” Godbold says.

Godbold has been one of the country’s top javelin throwers for his age since finishing second at the AAU Junior Olympics in 2014.

Two years later, as a 14-yearold and prior to his freshman year at Wharton, he took home the gold at the Junior Olympics.

Although the state didn’t have javelin as an official event his first two years of high school, the Florida High School Athletic Association added it as an experimental event at the state championships for Godbold’s junior season.

Competing against the seven best throwers in the state across all classifications last spring, he won with a throw of 52.40 meters (171.75 feet).

Javelin was made an official event for the 2020 season, and Godbold was cutting a clear path towards winning the first state championship in the event.

He establish personal bests in back-to-back meets with throws of 54.62 meters (179 feet) on Feb. 20, and 55.15 meters (181 feet) a week later at the Wharton Invitational, the best throw in the state and third best in the U.S. With the postseason just around the corner, Godbold was a big favorite to win gold at the state meet, but school was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It was definitely upsetting,” Godbold says. “I was ranked No. 1 in the state for high school since my sophomore year, and last year was kind of not really an event. This year would be my only chance to win an actual state championship. But, I look at (the cancellation) now as motivation for the future.”

A scholarship from one of the Neighborhood News

Wharton High’s Zach Godbold

country’s best track and field programs isn’t a bad consolation prize for Godbold, who also was a starting kicker on the Wildcats football team and starting defender on the school’s soccer team.

The U-F men’s track and field program has won nine national titles.

Steve Lemke, the Gators’ associate head coach in charge of throwers, was an All-American himself in the javelin and has mentored seven Olympians, including javelin throwers Oliver Dziubak (2014) and Pal Arne Fagernes (1996, 2000).

Godbold would like to be the next one to be in that company.

“I’ve been playing soccer and football, but all my focus will be on the javelin now,” Godbold says. “The Olympics is definitely a goal.”

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To Binge, Or Not To Binge?

We’re joking. Let’s be honest, it’s not even a question.

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Here’s what I should have done during the recent Covid-19 quarantine: Read books. Worked in the garden.

Pressure washed the driveway. Cleaned the garage.

Here’s what I did during the recent quarantine: watched TV. Yes, like thousands, maybe even millions of others, I established a new 3 a.m.-2 p.m. sleeping routine, thanks to unhealthy helpings of binge-watching shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and HBO GO. I may never be the same.

But here’s what I don’t regret watching (unlike “Westworld” — what the heck was that?): TIGER KING: The further this gets in the rearview mirror, the more embarrassed I am that I watched the entire series in one sitting. However, it was a social media phenomenon; I had no choice, especially with the Tampa tie-in.

Joe Exotic, the Tiger King himself, may be the most cringeworthy television

character of all-time. That alone was enough to keep my attention while I was in the in the early throes of quarantine.

Don’t judge me.

And yes, Big Cat Rescue’s Carole Baskin totally did it.

LOVE IS BLIND: Okay, so the premise of this Netflix reality series was basically dating through a wall, which hit a little close to home during the quarantine.

Once that process was over, Jodie Comer (left) as Villanelle in “Killing the participants had to decide Eve” and Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek” made quarantine all worth it. whether or not to propose, sight unseen. Then, they basically Season 3 in real time is less enjoyhave a few weeks to hang out and decide able; I’m only watching so when Comer whether or not to honor the engagement. finally does email me back, we’ll have I wasn’t sure I’d make it through something to talk about. the first episode. Now, I get daily updates BROOKLYN 99: Didn’t enjoy the from my wife about what Giannina is first season (FOX actually cancelled it wearing in her latest Instagram postafter 22 episodes back in the day), but six ing, and I’m obsessing over why Amber seasons later, this Andy Samberg comedy and Barnett haven’t returned any of my on Hulu is worth a smile every time. emails about hanging out.

Andre Braugher is a treasure as CapKILLING EVE: Speaking of not tain Raymond Holt, and I would totally returning my emails, Jodie Comer is en- hang out with Hitchcock and Scully. trancing as crazy assassin Villanelle, and I SCHITT’S CREEK: Another whipped through the first two seasons of comedy that grows on you, because the this Hulu drama in a day. characters are just so strong. Catherine

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O’Hara as Moira, the matriarch of the ridiculous Rose family, is one of the 10 best television characters of all time.

Yeah, I said it.

90 DAY FIANCE: I started watching this TLC trainwreck by accident — too lazy to get up and find the remote — but became enraptured by the inane-ness of, almost always, a series of mismatched online “lovers” trying to find a way to be with each other in America.

It’s sort of like green card meet Master Card, if you get my drift.

I will always be reminded of the emotional, physical and mental scars the quarantine left on my psyche by the fact that now I actually DVR this show in case I miss it, or the one right after, “Pillow Talk,” where past participants on 90 Day Fiancé lay in bed and critique the episode that just aired.

THE LAST DANCE: Okay, so technically, the documentary about Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls aired for five straight weeks on ESPN, and isn’t really a binge-worthy show. That is, unless you (like me) have to record it because it is on at the same time as 90 Day Fiancé.

Like Jordan, though, it’s great backto-back-to-back.

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Mahana Fresh Has Made The Quarantine More Delicious!

By GARY NAGER Yes, the poké bowl phenomenon is in full swing in the Tampa Bay area and New Tampa’s newest entry into the market is a small Tampa Bay area-based chain that has taken our area by storm.

Mahana Fresh, located in the plaza next to Glory Days Grill on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just north of the I-75 exit, had been busy and its popularity was growing from the day that it opened until that day in March when restaurants across the state were shut down to dine-in service across Florida.

Even so, local franchisee Ryan Mortti, who has been part of the restaurant scene in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for a dozen years, even though he’s only 26 (do the math), says that while business at Mahana Fresh definitely tailed off when all restaurants were only allowed to do takeout and delivery for eight weeks, “We were actually positioned pretty well to stay open and retain our staff during that time.”

Ryan, who started working at the McDonald’s on BBD in front of the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center shopping plaza at age 14 (he later became the general manager at both that location and at the busiest of all local McDonald’s on S.R. 56, in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets), says that he had been open just long enough for people to understand that Mahana Fresh’s system already had minimal client contact, “so we

If you’ve yet to try Mahana Fresh on BBD at I-75, you owe it to yourself to try an ahi tuna (above) or other bowl! also retained a lot of our customers during the shutdown.”

How It Works...

At Mahana Fresh, which displays all of its offerings in large bowls and tubs behind a glass counter (photo above), you start by choosing a bowl size (Big Mahana, Mahana or Lil Mahana) and your base — basmati rice blend, cauliflower rice, coconut rice, “Forbidden” rice (we can’t give away why

it’s called that), spinach salad, the popular sweet potato noodles and my favorite, the kale crunch salad. “People love the sweet potato noodles,” Mortti says, “but you can even combine bases. I never have the exact same bowl twice.”

I really love the veggies at Mahana Fresh, especially the garlicky cilantro green beans, sesame ginger broccoli and the honey sriracha Brussels sprouts, although Jannah’s favorite are the cubed, roasted sweet pota-

toes and Ryan says the #1 seller is probably the Buffalo-style cauliflower.

And, the available proteins you can choose from (or combine) include my favorite grilled steak and spicy ahi tuna choices (which both set you back $1.50 extra for each per bowl, but they’re worth it), roasted tofu and three kinds of chicken — BBQ, semi-spicy Key West and Jannah’s favorite teriyaki.

It’s hard for us to not get multiple sauces (we always order them on the side),

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ald’s manager to the owner of a poké bowl place?

“McDonald’s was great for and to me,” he says, “and as I was accumulating At Mahana Fresh (from top left), you have a variety of “base” choices, delicious steak and three kinds of chicken and can enough moneven “pour your own” draft beer. (Below) Our editor recommends all of the sauces and “add-ons” at Mahana Fresh. ey to consider like Brew Bus “You’re My Boy Blue” and Mortti also notes that the fact he also opening Coppertail Free Dive) when you pay for your is a general contractor (who owns his own my own place, I talked to a friend of mine meal, you are given a card that you then Elite Construction Services) who was alwho had just purchased the right to open a Mahana Fresh franchise in Brandon and this lowed by Mahana Fresh’s corporate entity to use at Mahana Fresh’s “Pour Your Own” station, put your card and glass in the proper build out his own space was another reason location actually opened before his did.” spot and you’ve got a great compliment to He adds that, “I also felt that more and he took the shot with the new concept. any delicious bowl.

“I’ve seen what does and doesn’t work more people are trying to eat healthier these Speaking of delicious, the gluten-free at other restaurants and knew how I wanted days and once I tried the original Mahana chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies at to build out the kitchen and the interior Fresh (located in Bradenton), I knew this Changing Course Mahana Fresh are excellent; I’ve yet to try space. I’ve really been happy with the way was the right concept at the right time.”

So, how did Mortti go from a McDonthe zucchini brownie. everything turned out, too.”

Mahana Fresh New Tampa is located at 17512 Doña Michelle Dr. The phone Pour Your Own Beer? number is (727) 238-9967. For more The one glitch Mortti hasn’t been hapinformation, visit MahanaFresh.com or py with has been no fault of his or Mahana see the ad on pg. 31 to save 20% off your Fresh — the fact that he hasn’t been able to online order. sell any beer since Floria first was shut down two+ months ago.

“I really love the way we sell beer here,” he says. “But, without people being able to eat inside the 7 restaurant, the taps have Trinity Wesley Chapel been idle.”

8805 Mitchell Blvd 1285 Bruce B. Downs Corner of Little Rd & Mitchell Blvd The way it works is 813-991-7999 727-375-1552 that if you want to enjoy any of the up to eight beers on tap (from Mich Ultra to Shocktop to microbrews because they’re all great. My favorite is probably the semi-spicy citrus ginger, while Jannah’s is probably the cilantro vinaigrette.

I also love the creamy wasabi.

Then, there also are add-ons, which do come with a nominal extra charge — from roasted almonds and feta or parmesan cheese for 50 cents per bowl extra each or avocado and my favorite Mediterranean-style tomatoes for $1.50 per item each. The tomatoes are marinated in a Greek- or Italian-style dressing and add a burst of flavor to an already tasty bowl.

And, even though some items cost extra, the starting prices for the three bowl sizes are only $6.99, $8.29 or $9.99 and quite honestly, with all you get, even the Lil Mahana is a legitimate meal, especially with any of the add-ons.

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Nibbles & Business Bytes The Latest & Not-So-Great News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Can Restaurants Make It Back?

There’s no doubt that restaurants have been among the hardest hit industry sectors by the Covid-19 pandemic and there is a lot of concern over whether or not the entire industry will ever truly get back to normal, with mom-and-pop eateries in even greater danger than the national and regional chains.

This reporter’s opinion is that individually-owned mom-and-pop restaurants that had a loyal following before everyone was told to stay home should be able to bounce back, but the problem is the amount of time these restaurants had to be closed or be open for takeout and delivery only. There’s no doubt that most momand-pop businesses needed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the Small Business Administration (SBA) in order to get through the eight weeks or more of down time with no business at all, but some restaurants have done the math and are finding that only being allowed to fill 50 percent of their tables now may not make it financially feasible for them to reopen until that number increases.

It’s also obvious that some restaurants adapted to takeout and delivery only better than others, but for folks like Jannah and me, who usually like to sit at the bar at any restaurant, rather than wait for a table, let’s just say that we’re not in any hurry to go back to that routine at this time, especially until there’s a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine.

One of the big issues for us is that even if all of the staff and patrons in a restaurant are wearing masks, you can’t eat or drink with them on, so even the most careful people will still put themselves and others at risk by not wearing them while they’re eating and drinking. I also believe that shutting down the malls and restaurants in mid-March helped keep the virus from spreading rapidly in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, because we have few other major gathering places other than the grocery and discount warehouse stores, where most people have been wearing masks since at least early April.

It’s tough being a dining reviewer who doesn’t want to go and sit in restaurants, especially new ones, and checking out a new place by takeout, instead of dining in, isn’t ideal, but here’s some info about a couple of places that opened for the first time since Gov. Ron De-

36

Santis announced the Phase 1 reopening of Florida:

Michi Ramen Opens!

Unlike many of you, I was never a big ramen noodle fan when I was in college, even though I knew plenty of people who were. But, the new Michi Ramen, which opened a week before we went to press with this issue in the outparcel building at The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. that used to be home to Men’s Wearhouse, is so much more than just a ramen noodle place. It’s a unique, momand-pop Japanese restaurant that just happens to specialize in ramen.

I’ve only taken out once from Michi Ramen (18025 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.) since it opened, but the pan-fried gyoza dumplings (we got pork, but there’s also veggie-only) were on point and the Tatsuta-Age (fried chicken) appetizer was crispy, delicious (think the best popcorn chicken ever) and had this hint of curry in the background that was amazing with the side of spicy mayo. I’m also excited to try the soft shell crab appetizer, the harumaki (veggie spring rolls), Japanese-style calamari and more.

You ramen lovers won’t be disappointed, either, and even I’m definitely going to try the tonkotsu (sliced pork chashu in a creamy brown broth with thin noodles, scallions, bean sprouts, a soft-boiled egg and more) in the inset picture above left.

To check out the entire Michi Ramen menu, visit MichiRamenFl.com or call (813) 374-5320, and tell owner Mandy Wang (photo by John C. Cotey) I sent you!

Aussie Grill Is Aus-some!

Considering that we live across the street from it, Jannah and I were closely monitoring the progress on the new Aussie Grill by Outback, located on S.R. 56 (at 25340 Sierra Center Blvd.), next to Walk-On’s, and we were happy to be among the first to taste-test the first freestanding Aussie Grill (the previous incarnations were in mall food courts, including

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Neighborhood News

at International Plaza, which I did go and try when it was first announced we were getting one).

After two visits and an attempt at a third (the drivethrough lane was so packed we gave up), I’m happy to report that the topped (with cheese, crispy bacon and mushroom sauce) grilled chicken, seared beef tenderloin and bacon bomb burger (photo) are all delicious and come out within 5-7 minutes of your order. The inside (photo by Charmaine George) for sit-down service looks nice and does serve beer and hard seltzers, but we haven’t been inside yet. Visit Outback.com/Aussie Grill or call (813) 261-0140 for more info. — GN

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