New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 30, Issue 11, May 31, 2022

Volume 30 Issue 11 May 31, 2022

After just missing out on making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee last year, Turner-Bartels fifth grader Bruhat Soma is

READY FOR V-I-C-T-O-R-Y-!

See story on pages 4-5.

Photo by Charmaine George

COUNTERSUIT FILED!

Local resident responds to lawsuit filed

by Pebble Creek Golf Club owner.

See page 6

KRATE GRAND OPENING EVENT New KRATEs are opening almost every day at The Grove. Check ‘em all out June 4!

See pages 12-13

TWIN SALUTATORIANS!

Alex & Dane Deevers are twins who also share Wharton’s salutatorian honors.

See pages 20-21

HIGH-TECH ORTHODONTIA! Technology & years of experience set orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina apart.

See pages 22-23.

Supply Chain Issues Can’t Stop The Ice Dreammm Shop!

See story on pages 34-35!

1

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

2

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

One Editor’s View Of The DDI & The Grand Opening Of The KRATEs

By GARY NAGER are “pay for play” only. The fact is that when — or any businesses — advertise Editorial restaurants with us regularly, I do make sure we do a full-

Jannah and I have lived west of S.R. 56 for the last three years, so the interchange at I-75 and 56 has been a major thorn in our side from Day One. Because Jannah works at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County about three miles east of I-75, she has driven over the interchange almost every day. Because I work on S.R. 54 a mile or so east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., however, I have had a choice of taking 75 north from 56 to 54 or taking Wesley Chapel Blvd. to my office. And, even though the latter has only one lane in each direction and often has backups of its own, I basically have avoided the I-75/56 junction like the plague.

When the new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) opened on May 1, however, I decided to bite the bullet and cross over and/or use I-75 every day since then and, I’m happy to say, most of those trips have definitely been way easier than what I used to encounter at Wesley Chapel’s own “Malfunction Junction.”

Heading east on 56 to 75 south, even though there had been backups, they’ve been nothing like what I used to experience.

Heading east over 75 on 56, I have waited through several progressions of lights, but only once more than 10 minutes. Heading east on 56 to turn on 75 north has been about the same. And, all of these trips have continued to get shorter as additional lanes have been opened on 56 in both directions over the interstate (see story on pg. 14).

When I have come from the BBD exit of 75 north to the 56 exit, despite backups of a mile or more, I’ve yet to wait more than a couple of minutes to make the left onto 56 west towards where we live. I’ve also not really had a problem when I’ve turned right onto 56 east from 75 north, although I had seen a lot of people complain on social media about that one (when the DDI first opened) because of the new traffic signal at that location. Those complaints, however, have almost completely gone away since the additional lanes were opened in mid-May. One thing that continues to make some of the delays worse are the drivers themselves. Too many people are texting/looking at their phones, staying in the wrong lanes before trying to force their way into the lanes they really needed to be in at the last second and not starting to go when their light turns green. If you wait 5-10 seconds to go when you’re first at the signal, you’re making the problems worse, so please put down the phone and pay attention so we can all get where we’re trying to go faster and safer.

I also attribute some of the issues to people genuinely not understanding how the new DDI works, but once you’ve driven through it in every direction, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t see how much better it will be when the project is 100% complete and all of the traffic signals are timed better.

The KRATE Grand Opening!

Even before social media became a big thing, I had received criticism about my dining reviews not being “real” or that they Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

length dining or business feature story about those advertisers once each year.

The vast majority of the restaurant stories we publish, however, are much smaller pieces — many (but not all of which are) in our “Nibbles & Bites” column near the back of every issue — that focus mainly on new openings, eateries that close and other dining news, whether they advertise with us or not.

That has never been more true than over the course of the past year, as the places to eat and drink have opened at the KRATE Container Park at The Grove. Although it’s been hard for even yours truly to keep up with all of those openings since Provisions Coffee & Kitchen

opened last year, pretty much every restaurant that has opened at the KRATEs already has been featured in these pages, and I have been proud to be the first to provide information about so many of these new places — all of which are mom & pop-owned, not chains. I also can’t explain just how excited I am about the Grand Opening event at on Saturday, June 4 (see story and complete list of the KRATEs on pages 12-13 of this issue), and not just because The Grove itself spends some money with us.

The bottom line is that even if you have read every one of our stories, you can’t really get a feel for how unique KRATE is or how hard the people who have opened in the container park have worked to get open and serve you without actually visiting them.

So, don’t just read our stories or the many online comments, get out and visit the KRATEs — whether on June 4 or another day — and sample the Blush Wine Room (photo by Lauren Cione), Tacos El Patron, Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles and all the rest for yourself. Oh, and feel free to tell them I sent you, because, as of today, not one of them is advertising with us.

New Tampa Neighborhood News 28949 State Road 54 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 Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin Rodney Page Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin 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 necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 30, Issue 13, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Thursday, June 16, 2022.

New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published 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. © 2022 JM2 Communications, Inc. For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

3

Local Spelling Whiz Aims For Prestigious National Title

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Bruhat Soma isn’t exactly sure what “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis” means (it’s a synonym for the disease known as silicosis), but the 45-letter word, the longest in the English language, gives him no trouble when it comes to spelling it, or pronouncing it for that matter.

That shouldn’t come as any surprise, considering that Bruhat, a 5th grader at Turner Bartels K-8 School, is something of a world-class word speller.

This week, the 10-year-old whiz kid will compete at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Bruhat (who will be wearing No. 38 at the competition) will be one of 234 kids vying for the title. The Bee begins May 31; the Semifinals (June 1) and Finals (June 2) will be hosted by former “Roots” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star LeVar Burton will air on the Ion TV network at 8 p.m. each night.

Bruhat will be one of the youngest competitors, but not the youngest — that honor will go to Matthew G. Yi, a 7-year-old 4th grader from New

4

and math bee put on by the North South Foundation (aka North South), which organizes educational contests like spelling, math and geography bees, as well as others.

Although he didn’t have time to prepare, Bruhat finished first in the math bee, and sheepishly says he was eighth in spelling.

“There was no pressure,” dad Srinivas says. “He liked it. He started to show interest in it.”

Srinivas says Bruhat now has even more interest in reading and spelling, devouring everything in sight. He will read just about any piece of paper or book he can get his hands on, and works at least an hour a day on his spelling online at SpellPundit.com. (l.-r.) Turner-Bartels principal LaMarr Buggs and gifted teacher Laurie Gonzalez, with Scripps “I like unusual words,” Bruhat says.

National Spelling Bee contestant Bruhat Soma and his father Srinivas. (Photo: Charmaine George) “If I see a word with an unusual spelling, I try to find out more information Being the champ.

Orleans. But, Bruhat is already battleabout it.”

“I just like competitions. I really tested.

Like “cwm” (pronounced “koom”), Last year, he finished second at the want to get that trophy,” Bruhat says, an ancient Celtic instrument similar to his eyes widening and a large grin filling Regional qualifier, stumbling on the a violin. And yes, cwm is in the Official his face. “It’s so big!” word “caryatid” (a sculpted female figScrabble Players Dictionary.

The winner also receives $50,000. ure serving as an architectural support “I like eccentric words like that,” Bruhat has only been competing in taking the place of a column), which he Bruhat says. spelling bees for three years. His dad, incorrectly spelled “carotid.”

For his end-of-the-year gifted class Srinivas Soma, signed him up when he Ever since, he has had just one project at Turner Bartels, Bruhat cregoal: was in the second grade for a spelling

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

ated his own alphabet (with uppercase and lowercase letters) and wrote a poem about soccer in his new language.

“He excels in mathematics, but his real love is words,” says his gifted class teacher Laurie Gonzalez, His classmates, and the entire school, will be pulling hard for Bruhat.

“He is an amazing kid,” Gonzalez says. “He is gentle, kind and wicked smart. The other kids are very supportive of his achievements and they are kind of in awe of his level of intelligence.”

His buddy, Tejas Gattu, is sure to be watching as well.

“He (Tejas) always, like, tells me, ‘Wow, you’re the champion,’” Bruhat says. “One time, at a North South Regional, he said out loud so everyone could hear, ‘Bruhat, are you the state spelling bee champion?’ I was like, I already told you. I think he’s excited, he thinks it’s a big deal. He’s my best friend.”

Srinivas, who is originally from Nalgonda is southern India, says the cheering section at home — his mother Jyothi and sisters Reshma (6) and Laasya (8) — and in the Live Oak Preserve community are ready to root for Bruhat.

“There will be a lot of people cheering for him,” Srinivas says.

Bruhat will need the good vibes in what is sure to be a pressure-packed week.

While he hopes to see the White

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

“P

-n-e-u-m-o-n-o-u-l-tr-a-m-i-c-r-o-s-c-o-pi-c-s-i-l-i-c-o-v-o-l-c-a-n-o-c-on-i-o-s-i-s.”

-- Bruhat Soma spelling the longest word in the English language.

House, the Washington Monument and as many other memorials as he has time for, the Spelling Bee competition will be fierce. Since there were eight co-champions in 2019, the Scripps organizers have made the event more difficult. It now includes definitions in some rounds and, yes, the words are even tougher.

“I watched the 2019 spelling bee and I knew all the words, or like 98 percent of them,” Bruhat says. “In 2021, it was more like 50 percent.”

But, he is ready. He will be trying to become the second New Tampa student to win the national bee, joining Benito Middle’s Nupur Lala, who won the title on her second try in 1999 as a 14-year-old by spelling “logorrhea.”

“I’m very excited to compete, but when the competition day comes closer, I’ll probably feel kind of nervous,” Bruhat says. “For now, I’m excited. My goal is to become the Scripps Spelling Bee national champion. I have prepared for that.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

5

Green Files Countersuit In Pebble Creek Battle

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Saying she will not be silenced by a lawsuit filed against her by Pebble Creek Golf Club (PCGC) owner Bill Place, Pebble Creek resident and activist Leslie Green is firing back with a counterclaim lawsuit of her own.

Denying all of Place’s allegations in his lawsuit, Green filed her countersuit on May 11, suing Place for defamation.

In his lawsuit, Place alleged that Green had personal and selfish motivations when it came to fighting against development of the golf course, and conducted a smear campaign by reaching out to developers, city, county and state officials and others in order to stop him from securing a so-called brownfield designation and selling to a developer who would build homes on the land.

She “made things personal and pervasive,” according to Place.

“I never felt it was personal,” Green told the Neighborhood News. “I was merely trying to save our greenspace and keep our zoning what it is. That’s all it was to me.”

Green, who has lived along the 10th hole at PCGC for nearly 30 years, has been a vocal critic of Place’s efforts to sell the 54-year-old golf course and

6

With lawsuits being brought by Pebble Creek Golf Club owner Bill Place and Pebble Creek resident Leslie Green, some homewoners in the community are definitely letting their feelings be known.

clubhouse, which he shut down on July 31, 2021.

She originally started the “Save Pebble Creek” Facebook page in March 2019 to rally residents when Place sought the brownfield designation to offset the costs of removing pesticides and other chemicals from the property, a requirement before he could sell the 150-acre property for development.

The application was denied, but Green continued her efforts as Place attempted to woo developers. She denies, however, that she ever used “blatant falsehoods” to sway KB Homes and Pulte Homes to back out of deals to buy the property to develop homes on it.

There are roughly 1,400 homes in Pebble Creek, and 130 of them bor-

der on the golf course. But, far more residents than just those living on the golf course are opposed to development, claims Green.

Green’s countersuit claims that Place’s lawsuit “can only be construed as revenge for expressing and encouraging others to express their constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression.”

The counterclaim suit accuses Place of disparaging Green by asserting she was “immoral, selfish, dishonest, and acted with animosity” resulting in damage to Green’s “integrity, character and professional competence amongst the general public.”

Her suit also alleges that “Mr. Place published false statements about Ms.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Green...intentionally and with malice, having knowledge of the falsity of the statements and/or with reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the statements...and was intentional, knowing, malicious, and with callous disregard of Ms. Green’s rights.”

As a result, Green “has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer severe and irreparable harm and substantial damages in an amount to be proven at trial.”

Green is seeking damages for “lost income and business opportunities, litigation costs and expenses including attorney fees, and other actual damages, including irreparable and quantifiable harm to Ms. Green’s personal and professional reputation amongst her residential community and the public at large.”

Place has 20 days to respond, but has already received a requested extension.

A virtual court date has been scheduled for Nov. 7.

Place is currently negotiating with GL Homes, which has already presented a preliminary development plan to some residents. A recent meeting with GL Homes on May 18 drew a small protest by those opposed to building more homes in Pebble Creek, which Green attended.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

7

How Far Will $20 Million For Sidewalk Repairs Go?

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) committed a large chunk of money to repaving many of its roads last year. This year, the BOCC is tackling sidewalks.

The commissioners voted 6-1 on May 4 to spend $20 million from the county’s remaining pool of America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address dangerous sidewalks damaged over the years by tree roots, vehicles and age.

District 7 Commissioner Kimberly Overman was the lone dissenter, stating a preference that the $20 million be spent on addressing the affordable housing crisis instead.

The county received $285.9 million from the federal Covid-19 relief package in 2021 and, after the sidewalk appropriations, will have about $44 million remaining.

Which sidewalks will be fixed, and whether any of those are in New Tampa, won’t be known for another month or so (90 days from the meeting), and commissioners will meet with county planners to determine the areas of need.

District 2 commissioner Ken Hagan, who represents the New Tampa area,

8

told commissioners at the meeting that, “sidewalk repairs and road resurfacing are by far the top requests to my office.”

Damaged and uneven sidewalks are a major concern, commissioners said. Hagan shared the story of one constituent who says their children wait in the street for the school bus in the With $20 million earmarked for sidewalk repairs, but $15 million morning because of that designated for underserved neighborhoods, will the county’s the sidewalks are so recent vote impact New Tampa? (Photo: John C. Cotey) bad. In other cases, items we have as far as claims to come children and adults to the county go,” Fesler said. biking, the elderly out for a walk and The Neighborhood News reported a those in wheelchairs are unable to use the sidewalk for basic things like getting story in July 2019 about the dangerous sidewalks in many of the seven neighto school, a store or a bus stop. borhoods that comprise Cross Creek.

Tom Fesler, the county’s chief finanJo-Ann Pilawski, the community ascial administrator, told commissioners sociation manager, said she had reported that the county has paid out $2.5 million the sidewalks for years, but repairs were in claims over the last 10 years related to just added to a massive backlog. Insidewalk trip-and-falls. stead, swatches of bright orange paint “It is one of the most significant

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

and dozens of orange safety cones were placed throughout the neighborhoods as warnings to pedestrians.

Three years later, the paint has faded, the cones are gone, and the uneven sidewalks remain.

Pilawski hopes the BOCC’s vote moves some of the repairs further up on the county’s to-do list.

“I keep calling,” she says.

Hagan said he has compiled a list from constituent phone calls to compare with what the county staff has come up with as to which sidewalks to address.

However, Hagan stressed that there is an 8-10 year backlog on sidewalk repairs and, at the BOCC meeting, commissioners agreed that $15 million of the $20 million voted for would be used to repair sidewalks in underserved areas.

Hillsborough County Public Works maintains more than 3,200 miles of sidewalks, with a budget of only about $550,000 a year to perform repairs. Last year, the county said it had nearly 2,500 open requests for sidewalk repairs, but the budget would only allow it to get to less than a third of those requests.

“The need is enormous,” Hagan said. “Hopefully, we are able to spread it around as much as possible and do as many sidewalks as possible.”

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

9

Nine Cool Things Your Library Card Can Do For You! “

More than 17,000 people use the New Tampa Regional Library (NTRL) each year, and here are some of the really cool reasons why. You might be surprised.

1 Books!

2 A Go Pro Camera!

Well, duh! Yes, people still read them (and magazines and newspapers, too!), but let’s face it, the Kindle (and other ebook devices) are tough to beat. The library knows that, and through various apps (try OverDrive) you can not only check out ebooks, magazines and audiobooks, you also can stream music as well.

And it’s available 24/7!

This one kind of blew us away. If you don’t want to drop $400 to wear a camera on your head, check one out from the library! Don’t have a memory card for all the HD video you’re about to record of you riding your bike down a mountain? NTRL provides those, too!

5

6

Free WiFi & Computers!

Sometimes its easy to forget that not everyone has an adequate computer, or can afford their own WiFi. For the elderly and the unemployed, the library is their connection to the rest of the world. It’s a place to check their email and stay in touch, look for jobs and read the newspaper. Thanks, library!

10

A Passport!

Did you know that the NTRL has a passport acceptance facility? Well, now you do.

Make an appointment, head on in — new applications only, however — for your paperwork and the library will process the information for you. The later hours at the library make it the ideal choice.

3

4

A Ukulele!

Yeah, you heard me. If you check out a ukulele at the library, you’ll get a tuner, instructional book and DVD as well. Play a song for the love of your life, and win their heart forever! You have no one to blame but yourself if you can’t play “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” by the end of next week. Get to it!

7 Free Tutoring!

By accessing the library’s website and entering your library card number, you can get free access to Tutor.com, where certified, licensed tutors offer 30-minute sessions on a variety of school subjects. There’s also help for making a resumé, studying for your SATs and even filling out a college entrance application.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

A Hot Spot!

Remember these? Well, if you’re taking a trip or just need one around town, you can check out some portable WiFi from the library. Sure, most of our cell phones can double as a hot spot these days, but for those who don’t have it (or can’t afford it), the library can be a lifesaver.

8 LinkedIn Learning!

LinkedIn Learning (and Lynda.com) offers more than 16,000 online courses taught by real-world professionals. You can earn a ton of new skills in things like video editing, data analysis and digital marketing, and even get certificates in some to beef up your resumé. It costs $30 a month...OR FREE WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD!

9 More Stuff!

You can check out meeting rooms, learn how to use a 3-D printer, search your genealogy online, learn another language, the list goes on and on. Every library has different things, so make sure that after you master that ukulele and check out the GoPro that you head over to the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa to use their recording studio to make a video!

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

11

KRATE Balls Of Fire, It Finally Opens (June 4)!

By JOHN C. COTEY

Gold also promises that a separate KRATE parking lot is coming to the south end of the container park (north of the Outback Steak House) that should be done “soon.”

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The KRATE Container Park at The Grove has opened in bits and pieces over the past few months, but this Saturday, June 4, the park will finally celebrate its Grand Opening.

More than 70 percent of the 94 repurposed shipping containers will be “officially” open for business — although many have been open for months — and the celebration will be marked by live music at a new bandshell, family events and plenty of food and shopping.

The Grand Opening celebration on the 4th is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with nighttime entertainment from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

“Opening KRATE was mission impossible,” Grove developer Mark Gold of Mishorim-Gold Properties says. “We did not expect a pandemic, supply chain shortages, and a backlog in permitting.

But, we did it and everything we promised we would do has become reality. We are proud of the sense of community we have built here at the Grove at Wesley Chapel and our KRATE park and look forward to providing even more opportunities to bring together friends, families, and neighbors.”

KRATE is just one part, but perhaps the crown jewel, of The Grove’s transformation, which began when MishorimGold Properties, a partnership between Gold and Mishorim Real Estate, bought the 200+ acres for $62.7 million in 2019.

Gold has since poured more than $100 million into renovations, including $20 million or so for a container park he promised would be one-of-a-kind.

KRATE faced a number of obstacles to opening, primarily due to Covid-19 and permitting snags. But little by little, the containers were transformed inside and outside — thanks in large part to artist Whitney Holbourn, whose handpainted, business-themed murals adorn the exterior of each shop — into an attractive, outdoor shopping park featuring 70%

12

Also Coming Soon...

In addition to KRATE, Gold continues to fill the rest of The Grove property. New businesses slated to open in the near future include: Woodie’s Wash Shack, Five Below, Bealls Outlet/Home Centric, Starbucks, a national If you have never visited the KRATE Container Park at The Grove at Wesley Chapel, or you haven’t been in a while, rental car chain, a namany more of the repurposed shipping containers are now open. You can check out everything that is open at KRATE’s tional grocery store and Grand Opening event on Saturday, June 4. (Drone photo by Charmaine George) a miniature golf course.

“We are the ultimate of inventory, a sign that the public is eager restaurants and 30% retail businesses. shopping and entertainment destination, for the KRATE, despite the fact that the Nickole Davis, who opened All not just for Wesley Chapel, but for the parking areas around the shipping containGood Things Gifts in February, says she ers themselves have been closed to vehicular region and around the world,” Gold says. is excited to see KRATE take another step traffic, due to the fact that toward reality. Davis sells a variety of personalized items, like her popular Wesley the area has still very much Chapel-branded home decorations, and been a construction zone.

Portions of the parksays local consumers will be pleased by ing area between the varithe variety of different kinds of shops in ous KRATEs have opened, the KRATE, which include a children’s including by the Bacon boutique, a Budget Blinds showroom (see Boss HQ (nearest the stage story on pgs. 18-19) and a huge variety at the north end of the of different cuisines from around the park) and other interior world, including Puerto Rican, French, parking areas around the Hawaiian, Mediterranean, Venezuelan and other KRATEs, but that Japanese influences and so many more. parking will be closed “The park is still in its infancy and for the Grand Opening there’s a lot of room for growth, so I event on June 4, due to think as more people know that it’s open, the amount of foot traffic it can become something special,” says expected in the area.

Davis, who added that her business has There will be plenty been hitting sales goals and doing very of KRATE parking in the well since opening.

She is not alone. Some of the restaulot in front of the big box rants, like the Bacon Boss HQ, TJ’s Hot stores at The Grove, including World Market and This salted caramel martini, like all of the alcoholic beverages at the Dogs and Mojo Grill Latin Fusion, have Blush Wine Room are wine-based & delicious! (Photo: Lauren Cione) Dick’s Sporting Goods. been regularly selling out and running out

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Which KRATEs Are Already Open & Which Ones Are Still To Come?

Although it’s very possible that more of the repurposed shipping containers at the KRATE Container Park will be open by the time you receive this issue in your mailbox, here is the complete list of KRATEs that were open & planned at our press time.

OPEN RESTAURANTS & BARS: Please note that we will have full reviews of each of the following open & planned eateries in future issues. But, where else but the KRATE Container Park can you find all of these cuisine types?: • Tasty Ramen • El Prince Mediterranean • Shake-A-Salad • The Fryroom • La Creacion Express (top photo) • Mojo Grill Latin Fusion • Provisions Coffee & Kitchen • The Bacon Boss HQ • TJ’s Hot Dogs • Tacos El Patron (2nd photo) • Chamo Bites Venezuelan Cuisine (3rd photo) • Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream (4th photo) • Blush Wine Room (previous pg. & 5th photo) • Urban Sweets • Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles (6th photo) • Brew Bar RESTAURANTS STILL TO COME: Although some of these may open by the time this issue reaches you, still food & beverages coming soon to KRATE include: • Boba Mac’s Tea & Eats • Yummy Tablas • Falafel Factory • Pisco Peruvian Chinese • Ato Japanese • 365 Café • Bakery X • Bebo’s Cheesesteaks • Sugar Pop! • Flipn’ Fries • Higher Flour • Rhythm Pon Jamaican Grill • Café Zorba OPEN KRATE RETAIL SHOPS: • The Rebellious Hippie • Maeberry Co. • Katie Beth’s Boutique • Pasco EDC’s Smart Start • All Good Things Gifts • We Rock Rocks • Gadgets Emergency Room • Tonella’s Flower Shop • Budget Blinds (story on pgs. 18-19) KRATE RETAILERS STILL TO COME: • Insane Vape & Smoke Shop • Center Ed • The Snapbox Selfie Studio • The Toy Jungle • Grove Cigars, • 2 Extreme Tattoos • Valiart Jewelry Designs • Life Essentials Refillery Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

13

More Improvements Reduce Complaints About The Diverging Diamond

By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Drone photo by Charmaine George Roughly 100,000 vehicles go through the S.R. 56/I-75 interchange each day, and there’s a good chance that many of the drivers of those vehicles have had a choice word or two for the traffic they invariably got stuck sitting in almost since 56 first opened.

Now, at least some local drivers will admit that their choice words finally have been replaced by “Yippee!”

The long-awaited and frequentlywished-for solution to one of the area’s biggest traffic problems is open for business. With a few critical touches during a two-day weekend closure April 30-May 1, the troublesome interchange was converted from a conventional diamond interchange into the highly-anticipated Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI; photo).

At around 3:30 p.m. on May 1, FDOT allowed limited traffic through the interchange, opening two throughlanes in each direction of S.R. 56 over I-75, as well as all of the entrance and exit ramps at the interchange.

All the previous signs, road stripings and markings were changed to accommodate the new configuration and

14

some of the traffic signal phases at the interchange ramps were eliminated.

The opening of the DDI did not, however, come without some, well, bumps in the road. While FDOT urged patience, mile-long back-ups at the northbound exit off I-75 and other issues created a firestorm of online complaints.

Traffic signal timing off the exits was one of the major issues, which also backed up traffic eastbound on S.R.

56, causing some frustration.

John McShaffery, spokesperson for the FDOT, said that since the day the DDI traffic pattern was put into place, “close traffic monitoring and a number of traffic signal adjustments have been made.”

And, naturally, there were complaints about the primary feature of the $33.6-million DDI — the crossing lanes over the interstate. Both lanes of westbound and eastbound traffic cross,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

or diverge, from the right side over to the left while traveling over I-75, and then back to the right side on the other side of the interstate. McShaffery says signs at the DDI provide clear directions for drivers.

“Whenever we put a new traffic pattern into place on any project, we are prepared to receive both positive and negative reactions,” McShaffery said. “In our pre-switch messaging to the public, we cautioned that the project would not be finished immediately after implementing the DDI and that more work would be coming to open additional lanes and make other improvements to decrease congestion and improve traffic flow.”

Many of the changes made by FDOT since May 1 have appeared to result in fewer complaints and smoother traffic flow. McShaffery says that the original plans have been adjusted and put into place to help with that flow, and even some “improvements planned for closer to the project completion have been made earlier.”

One of those is the installation of temporary traffic signals, which are designed to change the locations where vehicles stop before entering the crossovers. Along with traffic signal

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

timing adjustments, McShaffery says the new signals have helped vehicles clear the area between the crossovers more efficiently.

“Also, a third lane was opened in each direction of S.R. 56 over I-75 significantly earlier than intended,” McShaffery said. “Improved traffic flow through the S.R. 56 corridor since putting the DDI into operation is the direct result of these adjustments and accelerated work efforts.”

One more left turn lane from the northbound I-75 exit ramp onto westbound S.R. 56 will open soon, and closer to final configuration (expected later this summer) there will be another S.R. 56 westbound thru lane provided from what exists today. There will be four S.R. 56 westbound thru lanes when the project is completed.

As for remaining work, McShaffery says median barrier walls for pedestrians down the center of the bridge are being constructed, as well as finishing lighting, signage, signal and ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) features, as well as additional paving and, of course, cleanup.

One of the early proponents of the DDI, District 2 Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, gave the new interchange a thumbs up his first time he drove through it.

It was Moore who, with help from

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

state legislature, originally helped expedite the construction from its original completion date of 2024.

Then, at a Board of County Commissioners meeting on October 2020, Moore, who lives in nearby Seven Oaks, complained about the lack of work being done on the interchange.

The following summer, the original contractor (DAB Constructors) was replaced with Superior Construction Company Southeast, LLC. The DDI may appear confusing — especially to anyone who has listened to someone trying to explain how it works — but it also has been lauded for its safety and traffic flow features. According to FDOT, more of the interchange footprint is used for traffic, and one of the reasons it was chosen is due to its ability to handle heavy left turn volumes, which have been pronounced at the Wesley Chapel interchange, whether trying to get on I-75 southbound or exiting I-75 northbound.

After years of battling the traffic jams at the congested interchange that many considered to be the worst in the area, the future promised by local officials and FDOT appears to have arrived.

“When it’s fully operational,” Moore says, “it’s going to be night and day from what we’ve been used to.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

15

16

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

17

Budget Blinds Comes To You – Or Visit KRATE For Inspiration

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN Correspondent As the much-anticipated KRATE container park at The Grove in Wesley Chapel is finally opening, people are flocking there to try all kinds of food and check out little shops. As they wander through the rows of converted containers, they also can pop into Budget Blinds for inspiration on how they might transform their home with blinds, shades, shutters and drapes.

Wesley Chapel residents Adriane and Mike Wonderlin own one of the top Budget Blinds franchises in the country, serving a territory that stretches all the way north to San Antonio and south to Palmetto and includes showrooms on W. Fletcher Ave. (near I-275, two exits south of Wesley Chapel’s S.R. 56 exit) and in Riverview, covering nearly 90 zip codes.

The Wonderlins employ a team of nearly 40 people, including design associates who come to your home with what Adriane describes as “a ton of samples” to help determine the best look and functionality for window coverings in your home.

But, for anyone who isn’t quite ready to have a design consultant come to their homes, a quick visit to Budget Blinds at

18

The Budget Blinds location at the KRATE serves as a mini-showroom for the business run by Wesley Chapel residents Adriane and Mike Wonderlin.

KRATE will allow you to see the many possibilities.

Adriane describes it as almost like a kiosk, where visitors can see videos of the products in motion on the TVs, ask questions about how something functions or how it would look, and learn about the different types of window treatments.

There is a variety of styles from which to choose. Blinds come in vinyl, wood, fabric, faux wood and aluminum. Shutters are made from real wood or composite material that will not fade or warp.

In June, Budget Blinds is offering a special that gives anyone purchasing plantation shutters a free upgrade to an

“invisible tilt” option, which eliminates the rod that typically runs down the middle of the shutters. The invisible tilt allows for an unobstructed view and is typically an expensive upgrade, but is being offered completely free for the month of June.

If you prefer shades, you can choose from roller, pleated, Roman, cellular, woven wood, bamboo, sheer, solar or graphic, plus a variety of panels, valances and drapes.

All of these options can be explored at the Wesley Chapel KRATE location, where Adriane says she and Mike are excited to support the growing Wesley Chapel community.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

“It’s almost like its own downtown area for Wesley Chapel,” she says. “You can bring your kids and your dog and come to a friendly area where people are gathered together. A couple of years ago there was nothing like that here.”

Adriane says Budget Blinds signed its lease for a spot in the KRATE container park in December 2019, hoping to open by the summer of 2020. After a number of delays – including, of course, the Covid pandemic – the park is finally coming to life and with more than 70 percent of the converted shipping containers ready to go, the Grove has scheduled an official Grand Opening for June 4 (see pg. 12).

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

“A lot of these local small businesses have been around for a long time, but you only see them in passing as a food truck, for example,” Adriane says. “They haven’t had the opportunity to be open year ‘round, until now.”

She hopes that as others gather and enjoy the area – even if they’re not shopping for window treatments – they may stop in and be inspired.

“There’s always a new trend,” she says. “You can always come in and see it because we’ll be switching up the displays.”

The trends right now, Adriane says, are motorization and draperies.

“The functionality of the shutter is great and the look is classic,” she says, “but now we’re adding a soft piece of fabric, too. In the 80s and 90s, draperies were everywhere, but in the 2000s, no one did drapes because it looked like your mother’s house. But now, it’s back.”

She says that motorization continues to improve, with motors that are nearly completely silent and a trend that continues to make these “smart home” features more affordable.

For high places you can’t reach, motorization is ideal. It’s also great for businesses to set times to automatically open as the business opens, or to automate window shades to help kids or teenagers wake up in the morning.

With these options, you can use the

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Mike Wonderlin (white shirt) leads the sales team at Budget Blinds.

traditional wand in the window, or you can use a smartphone, remote, wall switch or even voice command to open or close your window coverings.

While Adriane says you can get ideas from the showrooms or the container at KRATE, the best way to determine the ideal products for your unique home is for the design consultant to spend time there with you.

Kristine Dugas, who lives in Land O’Lakes, says she has used Budget Blinds twice and they have now covered almost every window in her house. She says she highly recommends the company.

“Budget Blinds was by far the best

value and had the best selection,” says Kristine. “They have tons of selections to choose from, and the design process was fun and easy.”

She says the designer who came to her home was on time, professional and helpful, and so were the installers, who left everything clean and tidy when they finished the job.

“My experience with the office, customer service and communication with Budget Blinds was top notch,” Dugas says. “If I had any questions, they got back to me right away, the ease of scheduling my appointments to work around my busy schedule was wonderful.”

Budget Blinds was founded in 1992 in Orange County, CA, and has more than 1,000 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. The Wonderlins’ franchise, which they purchased in 2018, was awarded Budget Blinds’ national Franchise of the Year for 2020, the franchise’s third such honor since 2016.

To schedule a complimentary in-home consultation or learn more about the June promotion of a free upgrade to invisible tilt on plantation shutters, call (813) 968-5050.

For now, the KRATE location is only open on the weekends. Call (813) 340-3360 to check when it’s open. For more information, follow @BudgetBlindsofGreaterTampa on Facebook or Instagram, visit BudgetBlinds.com/ NorthTampa or see the ad on page 32 of this issue.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

19

TOGETHER AT THE TOP STORY by JOHN C. COTEY • PHOTOS by CHARMAINE GEORGE

Faced with choosing a last meal, Wharton High graduate Alex Deevers (right) says he would pick gnocchi; his brother Dane (left) says he’s going with mashed potatoes and a steak…or maybe a burger.

For a pump-you-up jam, Dane likes Kid Cudi and Travis Scott; Alex leans more towards Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar.

And when asked what their favorite sports are, Alex is going swimming, and Dane is running track, although both admit to sharing a special affinity for lacrosse.

So, as you can see, these identical twins are pretty similar, but not exact replicas of each other.

20

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

In the classroom, however, there was little difference between the two.

In fact, the twins pulled off a pretty rare feat in 2022 — finishing with the exact same grade point average of 9.12 and sharing salutatorian honors at Wharton.

Believe it or not, the Deevers Duo didn’t take all the same classes or set out to finish with the exact same GPA. It just kind of happened out of necessity.

“I think, at one point, we were competing,” Dane says.

However, before either brother could pull ahead in the race to be class valedictorian, they made a tough decision. The twins had so much going on outside the classroom, something had to give. Thoughts of realistically being valedictorian faded with each mile Dane ran in track and cross country, and with each lap Alex swam for the Wharton swimming team he captained and every shot they each took in lacrosse.

Mix in their social calendar, and there was barely time to sleep.

“Freshman year was kind of a competitive thing,” Alex says. “If he took more classes, I would take more classes.

I didn’t want to be left out. If he did it, I’d do it, and we kept going and going to the point where we got to the point our junior year we might have to take our foot off the gas or we weren’t going to have any free time. We needed to find a balance.”

The Deevers found that balance, putting the scholar into scholar-athlete, while maintaining their busy social lives.

And, they were still able to compete in school...well, kind of.

“You didn’t want to be the one that dropped off,” Alex says. “That wouldn’t have felt good.”

“But it probably would have felt great for the one who ended up in front,” jokes Dane.

Although they are twins, the brothers have each carved their own identities.

They are both headed to the University of Florida, where older brother Blake is currently in the dentistry program, and will live in the same dorm — but not as roommates.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Dane, who earned his single engine land private pilot’s license in his spare time — his childhood dream of being a military jet pilot did not die easily — wants to study engineering, while Alex wants to be a doctor.

Both credit their older brother and their mother, Stephanie Deevers, for helping guide them through their younger years, before they grew into the self-sufficient pair they are today.

“I’m really proud of both of them, they are going to do great,” says Stephanie Deevers, their mom. “They didn’t need any help. They did an amazing job.”

But, how did they do it, actually?

By making sacrifices and managing their time.

“It’s all about time efficiency,” Alex says matter-of-factly.

Sometimes, it meant skipping a track meet or a party to study for a big exam (and when you’re taking a heavy load of Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes, they are all big exams).

Mostly, it meant fitting in studying when you could, like taking advantage of an extra period at school to get some homework done because you knew when you got home late after lacrosse practice you’d be too tired.

“It could be extremely difficult,” Alex says. “Sometimes, you had to pick between certain assignments, or whether to go to a sporting event or study for an exam. You were forced to choose. You just had to spend a little extra time doing things that maybe you didn’t want to instead of something you wanted to do more.”

The twins agree that having your brother along for the ride definitely made those decisions easier.

“Having someone who is that close to you, who can understand you, is definitely a big help,” Alex says. “As long as you’re together, you don’t feel alone in doing anything. But at the same time, we do butt heads a lot.”

It was putting their heads together, however, that led to the Deevers brothers having etched their names in the annals of Wharton history.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

21

Farina Orthodontic Specialists Offers New Tech & Decades Of Experience

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Photos by Charmaine George

Over the course of the last 26 years, Mark Farina, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) has built a reputation as one of the finest and most respected orthodontists in Tampa Bay. And, while that has helped him make a great living, he now finds even more joy in the services he provides for free as part of his Smiles For The Soul foundation.

“We’re transitioning from our success to significance,” says Dr. Farina, the long-time New Tampa and Wesley Chapel orthodontist who estimates he has fixed more than 20,000 smiles.

But, what’s the point of a great smile if there’s nothing to smile about? To that end, Farina takes great pleasure in helping those with unfortunate circumstances, like wiping clean the bill of the mother whose son has just died, or bringing a former Navy Seal to tears with a free smile as a thank you for his service, or for many others who have been nominated to receive assistance from Smiles For The Soul.

“It’s just wonderful to give back,” Dr. Farina says. “These are the stories that make me the happiest. Seeing the reactions and seeing the different ways we help — that’s powerful stuff.”

Farina’s success has opened many

22

Dr. Mark Farina of Farina Orthodontic Specialists has 26 years of experience but is always adding new technologies at his three local offices, including one each in Tampa Palms and Wesley Chapel.

doors, including those at his modern, cubist-style office on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. between the Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

The three-floor, 16,000-sq.-ft. building is a testament to his success and his vision for the future. Farina Orthodontic Specialists operates out of the building’s first floor, and half of the second floor has offices handling oral maxillofacial surgery, periodontics and implant dentistry (with

Dr. Matthew Waite, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Joyce and Dr. James Wilson) as well as endodontics (root canals) with Dr. Christian Kamaris and Dr. Frank Delgado.

The other half of the second floor has recently been completed, housing the office’s communications and support center. It will serve as a training center for other doctors nationwide and locally and will host speakers and even conferences.

There are two 85–foot screens for presen-

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

tations, and easily movable furniture that allows the space to be reconfigured for various needs.

Dr. Farina says the office is right out of what you might see at a start-up in Silicon Valley, or even at Google.

The entire building is set up as a multi-interdisciplinary facility, where all of the specialties can come together to give a treatment plan and the best possible outcomes for patients.

Orthodontics, however, are still the engine that drives Farina Orthodontic Specialists.

Top-notch customer service, clear and concise consultations and a friendly waiting room offering a beverage bar and iPads are a precursor to the advanced services offered by Dr. Farina and his professional staff.

A 3D impressionless scanner at Farina Orthodontic Specialists can create a digital 3D model of your teeth in minutes. An i-CAT 3D Machine takes a 3D image of not just the patient’s teeth, but also the bones and airways in his or her head. Best of all, the process takes all of five seconds.

An iTero 3D impressionless scanner can create a digital 3D model of your teeth in three minutes — without the need for that traditional, dreadful goop.

The 3-D printers also can produce

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Dr. Farina and his friendly, professional staff (above) offer the latest in 3D imaging (below).

tooth aligners and retainers on site.

“We have always been at the forefront of new technology,” Farina says.

In addition to traditional braces, Farina Orthodontic Specialists uses the Invisalign® brand of clear aligners. Farina says that today, most of his patients (60-70 percent) are fitted with Invisalign®, and advances in that area have led to a rapid growth in the number of adults, particularly men, who now visit his practice.

In fact, Dr. Farina says he is the top Invisalign® provider in the area, and one of just a few orthodontists nationwide who has reached Elite Status with Invisalign®.

Dr. Farina also offers his own trademarked system, called ClearTech, which is designed for “touch ups” and more minor tooth movements and relapses.

Those are just a few of the hi-tech options available, with more to come.

Farina says his practice will soon start using DentalMonitoring, where a patient is given a ScanBox Pro to use at home and their teeth can be monitored remotely.

“It will map the movements of your teeth,” Dr. Farina says. “It’s pretty awesome stuff.”

It’s a big part of the growth of virtual care, which Farina Orthodontic Specialists emphasizes. Not only does it offer a virtual smile assessment and consultation from the practice’s website (FarinaSmiles.com), it also uses Zoom calls to save some patients a trip to the office.

The new technologies have allowed Dr. Farina to double the number of patients he now sees, he says.

Farina Orthodontic Specialists also treats sleep apnea and snoring, both of which can be the result of an obstructed airway. The imaging also can detect airway development problems in children.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

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 did his post-graduate orthodontic training at New York University in New York City, NY. He also has received advanced training in the integrated diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and has served on research teams at both New York University and Penn to help find new and better ways to solve orthodontic problems.

His training has led to his successful career, and while he has always been charitable, that success has allowed him to focus more on making a difference with Smiles For The Soul.

And, that new charitable endeavor is what brings a smile to his face.

“It’s all very gratifying,” Dr. Farina says. “As this point for me, it’s not really work anymore, it’s just fun.”

For appointments and more information about the Tampa Palms (15303 Amberly Dr.), Wesley Chapel (2370 BBD Blvd., Suite A) or any of the three locations of Farina Orthodontic Specialists, call (813) 972-2929, see the ad on pg. 11 or visit FarinaSmiles.com.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

23

Education Notebook: Three New Tampa Schools Get New Principals

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN New Tampa says good-bye to several beloved and long-serving principals at the end of the 2021-22 school year, including Chiles Elementary’s Dr. Teri Evans and Benito Middle School’s John Sanders, who are both retiring, and Maryann Lippek, who is moving from Tampa Palms Elementary (TPE) to Schmidt Elementary in Brandon.

Lippek has been at TPE since the school opened in 2004, and has served as its principal since 2014. Her replacement had not yet been announced by our press time.

At Chiles, Evans will be replaced

by Todd Connolly, who is moving from Riverhills Elementary in Temple Terrace.

Evans became a teacher after raising her kids as a stay-at-home mom. First entering the classroom at 40 years old, she then spent her entire 24-year career in New Tampa. She taught at Chiles, Hunter’s Green and Pride elementaries, then returned to Chiles as principal nine years ago.

“I’ll miss the whole Chiles community — the families, the kids, and the teachers,” Evans says. “It’s the best place, my home, and I’ve made lifelong friends (here).”

24

She looks forward to faculty and staff members a change of pace, spending to continue the great traditime with her grandkids, tion of excellence at Benito reading and traveling.

Middle School.”

Evans adds that the Williams says he school will be getting comes from a family of a new air conditioning educators and that his wife system over the summer, so Sonja also is a teacher in the building will be closed.

Hillsborough County.

The office will temporarHe expects to be ily move to Tampa Palms, highly visible to students which is where new prinin the hallways, classcipal Connolly will work rooms, cafeteria, and at until the new A/C upgrade the school’s extracurricular is complete. activities, and says that his Brent Williams is the new Meanwhile, at Benito, principal at Benito Middle door will be always open Brent Williams takes over School, replacing the retiring to them. as principal for the retiring “I want them to think John Sanders.

Sanders. Williams was most outside the box and have recently principal at Memorial Middle a voice on what their experience here at School in Tampa.

Benito will look like,” he says.

Williams has been an educator for Math teacher Daniel Gostkowski 27 years, previously working in Alachua says he and many others are excited to and Miami Dade counties before movwelcome their new leader to the school. ing to Hillsborough in 2006. Over the “He seems very genuine,” Gostcourse of his career, he has served as a kowski says of Williams. “He genuinely teacher, peer evaluator, assistant principal cares about the kids, the community and and principal. the people in the building.”

“I truly appreciate and admire the work that has been done here by Mr. New Tampa Again Accepts Sanders,” says Williams. “I look forward County PTA/PTSA Awards to working with an exceptional group of The Hillsborough County Council

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

of PTAs/PTSAs announced this year’s countywide award winners at a ceremony on May 19. Several New Tampa schools took home trophies for their efforts this year.

Freedom High’s Christina Finn won Volunteer of the Year and assistant principal Jenna Lamour won Administrator of the Year.

The school also took home an award in the Educational Program category, and Freedom also won the high school category for Top Community Partner, which honored Infinite Edge Learning Center (also located in Tampa Palms) for its support of the school.

The Top Community Partner award at the elementary school level went to Hunter’s Green, which nominated the Hunter’s Green Homeowners Association.

Wharton High also took home some honors, as school nurse Angela Strahl won Non-Instructional Person of the Year and Crystal LeFebvre, culture and climate resource teacher, was named Instructional Person of the Year.

Wharton also won in the Health & Safety category for its comprehensive support of the school’s nurses and clinic throughout the year.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

25

SAVING HER BEST FOR LAST STORY by JOHN C. COTEY | PHOTO by CHARMAINE GEORGE

When Palm Harbor University (PHU) distance ace Haley Thornton takes off in the 1600-meter run, few runners in Florida can go with her.

Wharton’s Brooke Reif knows that fact all too well. At last year’s Class 4A State Championships, the PHU junior ran away from the field, which included Reif.

At the District and Regional meets this season, Thornton did the same.

However, at the Florida State High School Class 4A Track & Field Championships on May 6, Thornton wasn’t able to run away.

Reif simply wouldn’t let her.

Executing the perfect game plan, fueled by the dream of winning a State Championship in her final meet in high school and equipped with one of the best finishing kicks around, Reif ran the race of her life in the 1600, or one-mile race, on the way to that elusive State title.

“I just kept thinking that, as hard as the race was, how great it was going to feel afterwards,” said Reif. “And, it was amazing.”

26

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Although Reif already has a handful of medals from past state meets, including a bronze from last year’s 1600, her last one, finally, is gold. She has had a stellar career at Wharton as a cross country and track runner, winning dozens of races and improving every year. Her winning mile time at the State meet was 4:53, a school record, to go along with her previously set record in the two-mile.

Thornton crossed in 5:00.

Reif is the seventh girl in Wharton history to win an individual State championship, and the first since London Enos (pole vault) in both 2009 & 2010.

The daughter of former college runners Jim (her dad) and mom Rena (who was also the USF men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track and field coach for years), Reif has seemingly always been destined for running greatness.

And, she saved her best for last.

Thornton was a formidable foe and, in typical style, wasted little time running to the front in the State championship race. Reif, who will usually hang back in the middle of the pack before making her move later, decided this time she was going to stick with Thornton. “I knew if I let her get too far ahead, I wouldn’t be able to catch her,” Reif said.

The fast pace — the opening lap was 67 seconds and, halfway through, the split was 2:20 — quickly winnowed the field to the two favorites, Reif and Thornton.

Reif stayed 2-3 steps behind Thornton. When the PHU runner tried to push out to a bigger lead, Reif pushed with her.

Because Reif was so close, she thinks that Thornton had to run at a faster pace than normal. Being unable to shake Reif, then, likely proved to be frustrating for the 2021 State champ.

“I knew if I stayed close enough, it would scare her,“ Reif said. “I felt good. I knew if I could stay that close, I was going to be able to pass her.”

With roughly 300 meters remaining, it was time. Using her vaunted kick, Reif surged past Thornton and into the lead.

WHARTON GIRLS TRACK & FIELD STATE CHAMPIONS Year

Name

2022 2010 2009 2009 2008 2008 2007 2006 2003 2002

RADDSports Charity Hosts First 5K Run & Family Festival June 18!

Event

Brooke Reif 1600 - 4:53 London Enos PV - 11’-6” London Enos PV - 11’-0” Amani Bryant 300H - 42.80 Amani Bryant 300H - 42.92 4x800 Relay 9:22.43 Teona Rodgers 100H - 13.33 Teona Rodgers 100H - 14.02 Natalie Moser PV - 12’-6” Kendra Smith TJ - 39’-11.5”

1999 Carmen Crespo HJ - 5’-6” KEY: PV-Pole Vault, H-Hurdles, TJ-Triple Jump, HJ-High Jump

Culver’s will again be on hand for the RADDSports Charity 5K Run & Family Festival, which will be held on Saturday, June 18, at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

For good.

“What she talked me through before the race is exactly what happened,” said Wharton girls track and field coach Andy Martin. “To see it happen just like that was amazing.”

Reif remembers when she first started running at Wharton, her goal was to be like the older girls on the team.

She also wanted to set a school record. She wanted to earn a college scholarship. And, as she got better, she wanted to win a State championship.

When she packs up to move to run collegiately at the Division I University of Richmond (in Virginia) on June 15, she will have achieved all of her goals.

In her wake, she will leave a legacy for younger runners to strive for, and, of course, a banner with her picture on it to hang in the school gym, alongside all of the other State champions the school has produced.

“My mom told me we have to pick out a picture for it,” Reif said. “I didn’t even know I got one of those.

That’s going to be pretty cool.”

Runners, take your marks!

Fresh off a successful first-ever Charity Golf Tournament at Lexington Oaks Golf Club last December, RADDSports Charity — the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the company running the programs at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County — will host its first-ever 5K Run and Family Festival at the Sports Campus on Saturday, June 18.

The event — which will benefit local youth athletes who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate in RADDSports’ programs at the Sports Campus — will kick off with a chip-timed (by FITniche Events) 5K road race at 7:30 a.m., with age group awards given to the race’s top finishers.

The cost to participate in the 5K is $30 (or $25 until June 17, for those using the code “RADD5” when they register) or $35 the day of the event, and all registered runners will receive a race T-shirt (although proper sizes can not be guaranteed for all participants).

The 5K will be followed at 8:30 a.m. by a one-mile race, where the pre-raceday cost to participate is $15 (again, using the code “RADD5”) or $20 the day of the event. Event T-shirts (while supplies last) also will be given out to one-mile race participants.

After the two races, at 9:30 a.m., there also will be a free 1/4-mile Kids Fun Run for children ages 10 & under.

Family Festival All Morning!

Also kicking off at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until noon will be a Family Festival, which will be free to all runners, and $2 for all non-runners.

The Family Festival will feature a variety of vendors (including Culver’s, shown at the top of this page), some of which will be serving food and beverages for free (including Smoothie King and others that had not been finalized at Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

our press time), as well as a variety of free family-friendly activities (including a giant bounce house, games, music and more).

“We are excited to be hosting our first-ever RADDSports Charity 5K and Family Festival at the Sports Campus,” says RADDSports president & CEO Richard Blalock. “It’s a great way for us to offer a fun community event that will benefit the young athletes in need in our community.”

Although the runs and Festival events will be held outside the Sports Campus, the on-site registration and restrooms for the event will be held inside the 98,000-sq.-ft. AdventHealth Sports Arena, which also will be open for anyone interested in touring the facility, which can be configured to include 8 full-court basketball courts or 16 full-sized volleyball courts, has a world-class cheerleading area and performance training for its athletes. Indoor soccer (aka “futsal”) also is offered inside the arena.

Blalock and the entire Board of RADDSports Charity also thank the event’s Champion Sponsor — Abdoney Orthodontics, as well as all of the event’s Corporate Sponsors — Parks Motor Group, Smoothie King of Wesley Chapel, Sana Dental Studio & Spa, Topgolf Tampa, Transform Solar and the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. Thanks also go out to the 5K Route Sponsors — Ark Softwash, Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Community Foundation and McNamara Health & Wellness and In-Kind Sponsors CocaCola Beverages Florida and Pepin Distributing Co. For more info or to pre-register for the event, visit RADDSportsCharity. org, email Charity@RADDSports.com or see the ad on pg. 29. For last-minute sponsorship/vendor opportunities, email Jannah@RADDSports.com.—GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

27

Successful, And Fun, Jamboree For New Tampa’s Football Teams

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Spring football games are a reward for a month of hard work preparing for next season.

But they can also be fun.

That seemed to be the theme on May 19 when Freedom and host Wharton wrapped up the month with a jamboree.

Freedom beat King 8-7 in one half of action, while Wharton tied Tampa Bay Tech 6-6.

For the Patriots, who have struggled in recent years, the win delighted the team and could provide a boost heading into the summer, which would be pretty remarkable considering the way the jamboree started.

King ran 27 of the game’s first 31 plays, and converted third downs on five of them to take a 6-0 lead. With roughly five minutes left in the half, Freedom got the ball for just the second time, and then lost a player to injury on each of the next two plays. So after 19 minutes, Freedom had six plays, three yards and two injuries.

But then, rising sophomore quarterback Hassan Corley hit senior wideout Jimmy Carson for a 58-yard gain on 3rd-and-14, and Carson followed that up with a 10-yard run to the King 11.

Two plays later, Corley found sophomore wideout Jovanny Martinez wide open in the endzone for a 16-yard touchdown to tie the score with a minute remaining. Junior Osman Hafiz ran in the two-point conversion to make it 7-6.

Junior Romell Taylor picked off the King quarterback with 20 seconds left to seal the win.

The nightcap between Wharton and TBT featured two teams loaded with prospects, and roughly 40 college coaches were in attendance to watch.

It was mostly a defensive affair, as both teams were without their starting quarterbacks and the Wildcats were play-

28

(Left) Defensive back Dijon Johnson (#3) played QB for two plays and scored Wharton’s only touchdown in the Wildcats’ 6-6 tie with Tampa Bay Tech at the spring football jamboree at Wharton. (Right) Unfortunately, this great catch by DeAndre Newton was ruled out of bounds.

(Above left) Freedom wide receiver Jimmy Carson reverses field for a 10-yard gain; (Right) Osman Hafiz follows behind the block of Josh Villegas for the game-winning 2-point conversion in Freedom’s 7-6 win. (Photos: John C. Cotey)

ing without 10 starters in all.

In a twist, a defensive player delivered the play of the game for the ‘Cats... after lining up at quarterback.

Having a little fun, Wharton coach Mike Williams lined up defensive back and Ohio State commitment Dijon Johnson in the shotgun. After a pump

fake, Johnson broke two tackles at the line of scrimmage, squirted outside and beat the Titan defenders to the outside, streaking 45 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to take a 6-0 lead.

But there was more fun — linebacker Booker Pickett lined up at wide receiver for the two-point conversion,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

but Johnson overthrew him.

“I told the kids, spring game we’re going to try to let you have a little bit of fun,” said Wharton coach Mike Williams. “I know it’s a serious game, but you still want to have an element of fun before it cranks up and things get super serious.”

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

29

“O

New Wharton basketball coach Shawn Vanzant

ffense is easy, you compete and win on defense, and I expect you to compete at a very very high level. And you play for one another.

It’s we over me, that’s something we always said at Butler.”

— New Wharton High boys basketball coach Shawn Vanzant.

(Photo courtesy of Karl Greeson)

Wharton Tabs A Former Wildcats Great To Replace Tommy Tonelli

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Shawn Vanzant is coming home.

It took a little cajoling, but the former Wharton star and 2007 graduate has officially been named as the Wildcats next boys basketball coach.

“I’m very excited,” Vanzant told the Neighborhood News. “I can’t wait to get to Wharton and get a full head of steam going. I’m excited to get back home.“ Vanzant, 33, who has coached the boys team at Bloomingdale High the past four seasons, will replace Tommy Tonelli, who announced that he was retiring from coaching after Wharton advanced to the Class 6A Final Four this past season for just the second time in school history.

Tonelli has always praised Vanzant’s coaching acumen, long predicting that his former player would someday become one of the top high school coaches in the area if a college job didn’t come along first.

“I couldn’t be more excited and proud that he will be the basketball coach at Wharton,” said Tonelli, who will continue in his role as a guidance counselor at the school.

It was a recent dinner with Tonelli, and a phone call with a former college teammate, that eventually persuaded Vanzant to take the job after he had declined previous overtures.

“Anybody who knows me knows I don’t like anything being given to me,”

30

Vanzant says. “I felt like I’ve been building something great here at Bloomingdale, and Wharton was really what coach Tonelli had built. I wanted to do that same thing at Bloomingdale.”

But Matt Howard, a teammate at Butler University, where the duo helped lead the Bulldogs to consecutive NCAA championship games in 2010 and 2011, helped Vanzant look at it differently.

“He said, ‘I get what you are saying, but at the same time sustaining something that great is a big challenge,’” Vanzant said. “He helped me see the other side of it. Wharton’s never had a losing season.

I’ve been a part of building that, and I know I can keep that going.”

Vanzant, who has known Tonelli since he was nine-years-old and would show up on weeknights and weekends at Wharton for pick-up games, coached Bloomingdale to a 3-21 record his first season as a head coach in 2018-19, but the team has averaged 14 wins over the last three seasons and went 17-12 — and won a District championship for the first time since 2016 — this past season.

Having played for two ultra-successful coaches in Tonelli and Butler’s Brad Stevens, Vanzant, who is married with two young daughters, says he has incorporated both men’s styles into his own.

“My coaching style is very similar,” he says. “Offense is easy, you compete and win on defense, and I expect you to compete at a very very high level. And you play for one another. It’s we over me, that’s something we always said at Butler.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

31

32

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

33

Ice Dreammm Shop At The Grove Navigating Supply Chain Issues

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

When I read an article on Axios Tampa Bay (Axios.com) about how inflation and supply chain issues have adversely affected ice cream shops across the Tampa Bay-area, all I could think of was Joe Schembri, the owner of the Ice Dreammm Shops off S.R. 54 in Lutz and at The Grove in Wesley Chapel.

I got in touch with Joe and he said that yes, the cost of dairy products, stabilizers and other ingredients for his amazing homemade ice cream had increased significantly, but that his bigger problem was that the supply chain for spoons, cups and even Oreo cookies had been so inconsistent that he has had to buy some of those items in bulk whenever he was actually able to find them.

“It’s been a nightmare the past several months,” Joe says, adding, “thankfully, though, I haven’t had to raise prices yet to our customers. We’ve absorbed some of the losses caused by increased costs and lack of availability, but we have really great customers who continue to support us even when we haven’t always had the right-sized cups for our ice cream and milk shakes.”

So, What’s New?

Schembri, who is an avowed ice cream lover who left his IT job to open the Ice Dreammm Shop in Lutz, even though he somehow keeps himself in great shape, is always coming up with new ice cream flavors. I recently sampled his new bourbon ice cream flavor, which is infused with “a ton,” according to Joe, of smooth bourbon in every batch. It’s creamy, delicious and can definitely give you a buzz if you eat enough of it. (NoteI felt fine after my small-size scoop).

But, with favorites like smooth chocolate velvet, locally roasted coffee, cookies & dreammm, cookie dough, my favorite fluffernutter and more always rotating on and off the board, plus alcohol-infused favorites like salted caramel latté and rum haven, plus sugar-free and vegan varieties, there are few ice cream shops anywhere that can match the Ice

34

Dreammm shop for variety of flavors — or deliciousness of flavors.

When we last wrote about the new Ice Dreammm Shop location at The Grove last year, Joe was only serving his awesomely gooey, chewy chocolate chip cookies freshly baked in-store. But now, Joe’s selection of fresh-baked goods include double chocolate and peanut butter chocolate brownies, peanut butter Nutella cookies, “brookies” (half-brownies, halfcookies), cookie butter cookies, blondies, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and more.

“People seem to really love our baked goods, especially with their ice cream,” Joe says. “If you ask for something we don’t already make, we might just end up making them in the future.”

In addition, Joe also offers a tremendous number of toppings (at least 20) to go with your favorite ice cream flavors, from hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow, whipped cream and peanut butter to sprinkles, crumbled Oreo cookies and so many more. The waffle cones are made fresh in-house and are hard to resist when you walk in and smell them cooking.

The Ice Dreammm Shop also offers amazing ice cream pies with your favorite flavors and toppings, hand-spun milkshakes and malts, ice cream floats and even coffee drinks like affogato (a scoop of ice cream drowned in espresso), cold brew coffee and cold brew floats and even locally roasted hemp coffee.

(Above left) Photographer Charmaine George loved her alcohol-infused salted caramel latté ice cream sundae on one of the Wesley Chapel Ice Dreammm Shop’s chewy homemade chocolate chip cookies. (Above right) The Ice Dreammm Shop has added a lot of new house-baked treats since we last featured it in these pages. (Below) Owner Joe Schembri is happy to still be able to scoop an ever-changing variety of ice cream flavors, despite some supply chain issues.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Joe loves to give away free treats with his own version of the “Wheel of Fortune.” More than 100 customers have landed on “Free Ice Cream for a Year” in Wesley Chapel.

And, the fun doesn’t stop there, as Joe cream for a year, Joe says more than 100 allows every customer with 12 “stars” (cuscustomers at the Wesley Chapel location tomers earn one star with each $5 spent have landed on the big win since the shop at Ice Dreammm) to spin his prize wheel opened last summer. (photo above). Wheel-spinners can win The Ice Dreammm Shop is located anything from one free scoop of ice cream, at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 101. a milk shake and ice cream “nachos” to free For more info, call (727) 495-6730. ice cream for a year. Even the one marker The Lutz location is at 23912 S.R. 54, on the wheel where you don’t win someSuite 2. For info, call (813) 586-3767. thing to eat or drink is pretty cool — a free Visit IceDreammmShop.com to order high five from Joe. And, even though only online from either location. Both locaone spot on the wheel offers the free ice tions are open every day.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

35

Fire Up Halal Grill Serves Delicious Mediterranean Cuisine!

Hello Sweetness Opens In Cross Creek Plaza!

Although it didn’t open until at least the day after we went to press with this issue, the new dessert place called Hello Sweetness definitely was expected to be open at 10018 Cross Creek Blvd. (at Kinnan St.) in the Cross Creek Center plaza (between the also-new Fire Up Halal Grill, see story above right, and The Liquor Shoppe, see ad below) by the time this issue reached your mailbox.

We never were able to catch up with the owners of Hello Sweetness, but the website HelloSweetnessDesserts.com says the new café features gelato, crepes, waffles and coffee.

It also says “Hello Sweetness is here to brighten your day with kitchencrafted artisan-inspired desserts, made in house. Enjoy all your favorites in store or safely delivered to your home.”

For more information, call (813) 575-9003. — GN

36

Although the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel already has several Mediterranean-themed restaurants (as well as several that have closed for good), there seems to always be room for one more.

That’s especially true in the case of the new Fire Up Halal Grill, located at 10016 Cross Creek Blvd., in the Cross Creek Plaza (in one of the spaces previously occupied by Café Olé).

The family that owns and operates the new Halal Grill (which is not to be confused with, or owned by the same people, as the Halal Café, which opened briefly further east on Cross Creek Blvd.) moved here recently from Dallas, Texas, where they operated a couple of Halal restaurants.

The owner, Mustafa, is rightfully proud of the new Fire Up Halal Grill. According to its website (FireUpHalalGrill. com), “Fire Up Halal Grill is home to amazing Halal cuisine.

Enjoy our homemade dishes and welcoming space! In case you’re searching for top-notch Halal food, Fire Up Halal Grill is unquestionably one of the spots to go in Tampa. Our menu features your favorite Mediterranean dishes — such as: chicken shawarma, beef kebab, lamb shawarma wrap, falafel, baklava and much more deliciousness!”

All I can say is that after sampling both the chicken kabob (top photo) entrée and lamb gyro pita wrap sandwich (bottom, shown without onions and the accompanying sauces, as I ordered it), Mustafa and his family definitely are living up to their promises of delicious Mediterranean food in an inviting space.

The menu also includes beef, chicken and lamb shawarma entrées served over the same delicious rice as shown in the top picture, beef, chicken, lamb and kofta kebab entrées and wraps, plus falafel, hummus, tabouleh and dolma, plus flaky baklava for dessert. They even serve beer at the restaurant and offer catering and delivery is available through UberEats, DoorDash, GrubHub & Toast. For more info, call (813) 591-1133. — GN

Zen’s Toyland Opens On S.R. 56!

Zen’s Toyland has opened on the north side of S.R. 56, in the former location of Mattress One, between Mellow Mushroom and Chuy’s Tex-Mex. This is the third Zen’s Toyland location, as owner Harshal Patel also has stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The large toy store has a great selection of fun and educational toys and games, everything from Globber scooters, Brio train sets and Wild Republic plush animals to Schleich dinosaur figures (photo), Lego blocks, Green Toys trucks and “Bubble Glob” NeeDoh and so much more.

And, if you join the Zen’s Toyland Loyalty Program, you’ll get $10 off every $100 you spend in the store!

Zen’s Toyland is open every day except Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 7 p.m. on Thurs. & Fri.). For more information, call (813) 949-5111, visit ZensToyalnd.com, search “Zens Toyland-Wesley Chapel” on Facebook or see

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

the coupons in the ad on pg. 3 of this issue. And please, tell Harshal that you read about Zen’s Toyland in the New Tampa Neighborhood News!—GN

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Tessa’s Sweet Kafe Opens In Highwoods Preserve!

Another unique new eatery that wasn’t quite ready to open at our press time, but which should be open as this issue reaches your mailbox is Tessa’s Sweet Kafe, which specializes in Korean-style fried chicken, bibimbap bowls, fried rice and kimbap (Korean sushi), as well as popular desserts (like bingsoo), teas and smoothies from the East Asian nation, as well as a variety of popular beers.

It’s such a unique combination of items that we really can’t give you much more information about Tessa’s until after the new eatery opens in the former location of Sukhothai and Gu Wei Noodle House near the

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

AMC Highwoods 20 movie theater.

The photo on this page is just one page of the Tessa’s menu. For more information, call (813) 898-0277 and please tell them that we sent you!. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

37

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

CUSTOM INT. WINDOW COVERINGS! Cust. fabrication of all types of window coverings — plantation & hurricane shutters, vert. blinds, roller, cellular, woven wood & Roman shades, cellular vert., panel tracks, retract. awnings, motorization experts, alum., wood & faux wood blinds & more!

FREE installation on orders over $250! Call Henry @ 813-948-6363, email TampaBlindsbyDesign@ gmail.com or visit TampaBlindsbyDesign.com.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement.

Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years of exp.

Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Google us to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises. See our display ad at the bottom of this page!

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM Soft pressure ext. house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing & deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big/small. Exp. the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning pro. Licensed & insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate 813-433-6015.

RAYMOND PAINTING. Ext. & Int. Svcs. Ext: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Int: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles.

Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124.

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years exp.

WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-784-5999.

38

Classifieds MISCELLANEOUS

CAT SITTER POSITION: Kitten Sittin’ seeks Cat Sitter for the New Tampa area. The purrfect PT job for a retiree or career changer who enjoys caring for cats, Daily visits last 30-45 mins. Duties: feeding, cleaning litter boxes, giving meds, providing chin scratches & head bonks. Work major holidays. Must live in/near New Tampa. Call Pat O’Shea at 813846-6717 or email pat@kittensittin.biz.

AUTOS WANTED! Autos/trucks/small campers/ small boats wanted! We pay top dollar! Any condition, Free Removal 24/7. For more info, call (813) 461-0062.

ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2020 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $40 (one way). Driver vaccinated w/two shots. Cory Lake Isles resident. Call/text 813.765.2037.

___ LAWN, & LANDSCAPING_____

ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior. Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials.

JASMINE LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn maint, including Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/ Spring Special & FREE estimate! Lic’d & insured.

Accepting new resid’l & comm’l accounts. Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmEx. Call or text 813-420-4465.

CLEANING SERVICES

A-to-Z CLEANING & ORGANIZING. Home & Ofc Cleaning & Organizing Svcs! We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. WC resident. Weekly & Bi-Weekly / Deep Cleaning/ Move-In / Move-Out. Serving WC & NT. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813462-1270. Local references supplied upon request.

MARY’S CLEANING SERVICES. We provide flexible domestic & office cleaning. “Jesus is the Lord.”

Give us a call at 352-206-8809 for a free estimate or email marynovociclo@gmail.com.

PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 6 years of exp.Free estimates. Call 813 943 6054 or email patycleaningservice@hotmail.com.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates.; Refs. avail. Call 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@ hotmail.com.

COMPUTER & BUSINESS SERVICES DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.

PROF’L TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+ Cert. computer tech w/20 years exp. Maint. & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than chains! Friendly, personal svc. Tech jargon explained.

Remote assistance & refs. avail. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate!

Reach more than 150,000 of your neighbors! Buy your Neighborhood News Classified ad today!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

All Neighborhood News Classified Ads appear in both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News!

Here are our Classified ad rates: 7 issues — $120 13 issues — $200 26 issues (1 year) — $300!

To order yours, visit neighborhoodnewsonline.net/Classified Listings ___

TREE SERVICES___

__

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27-yrs of Prof. Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates.

Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding.

Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

POOL SERVICES

_

ALLSTARPOOLSOFTAMPABAY.COM. Pool cleanups & acid washing of old pool finishes. Marcite, quartz & pebble finishes from $3K. We offer cool decking, Eurocrete & paver decking options. Paver, river rock sealing, leak detection & in-ground vinyl liner replacements avail.

Quality salt & ozone generators, pumps, motors & filters.

Serving NT & WC since 1990. Call/text 813-244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com.

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing w/outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE!

NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS. Wesley Chapel owned & operated since 1999. Weekly service. No long term contracts. Mention this AD for one-month Free service. Call 813-907-7322 for details or text Joe at 813-758-7608.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

39

40

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 11 • May 31, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews