Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 29. Issue 12, June 8, 2021

Volume 29 Issue 12 June 8, 2021

Downtown Wesley Chapel?

This rendering is what downtown Wesley Chapel will look like, according to the developers of Avalon Park West.

By John C. Cotey John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Downtown Wesley Chapel.

It may not currently, or officially, exist, but is interesting enough of a concept that three area developers — JD Porter, Beat Kahli and Mark Gold — have all suggested that their current projects will, in fact, be downtown Wesley Chapel.

So, who will it be?

Whose project will possess most of the qualities that typically define a small town’s downtown — pedestrian friendly, open public spaces with generous amounts of greenery, a cluster of retail and restaurants with attractive storefronts and most important (according to North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) CEO Hope Kennedy), people? It depends upon who you ask.

“I think, ultimately, downtown Wesley Chapel will be wherever the people say it is,” Kennedy says.

Currently, Kennedy thinks the closest thing to downtown Wesley Chapel is the area around the Shops at Wiregrass outdoor mall, which also boasts the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital (and the many jobs that come with it), the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, high-end car dealerships, hotels

and a plethora of retail and restaurants.

But, Wiregrass Ranch is still developing. Its town center — the community’s downtown, when it is completed — hasn’t even broken ground. And, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel and The Grove also promise that big things are on the way, and a newer, bigger and different downtown Wesley Chapel could emerge.

Check out page 4 for our look at each of these developments.

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See pages 34-35 for details!!

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Don’t Shoot The Messenger! A Hopeful Update About Olympus Pools

I told the Statens that I would An editorial by Gary Nager pull their advertising until things There’s no doubt that it’s improved for them and that rather been a difficult several months than jump on the media bandwagon for Olympus Pools, the swimmaligning the company, my primary ming pool contractor that has concern was trying to help those cusbuilt more pools in the Tampa Bay area than any other company. tomers, especially those who still had unfinished holes in their yards.

Following a flurry of Some will say that despite the complaints on Facebook by a new partnership, it’s all still too little plethora of Olympus customers with unfinished too late for Olympus (which is still pools, which prompted a number of investigataking some lumps online), but the tive news reports on several Tampa Bay-area TV Statens’ promise to complete every stations, followed by pending lawsuits and even unstarted/unfinished pool and not reported investigations by local law enforcement take on new customers until those agencies, Olympus owners (and long-time New pools are done is definitely a step in News Channel 8 investigative reporter Shannon Behnken with Tampa residents) James and Alexis Staten knew Jordan Hidalgo and James Staten. (Source: News Channel 8) the right direction. they had to do something.

And, considering that there were close to 300 customers reported to have partly or (in many cases) fully paid for, but unfinished, pools, and so many of them were complaining about a lack of communication from the company, the Statens had to not only act quickly, they had to seek help.

To that end, according to a news release sent on May 25, a highly-rated Tampa Bay-area pool company had jumped in to help Olympus Pools, thanks to a new partnership between the two companies and their owners.

Specific terms of the partnership were not disclosed, but Jordan Hidalgo, a general contractor who founded Pools by Jordan, a high-end pool construction company based in Pinellas county, has partnered with Olympus to help assist and help restore the company to its pre-Covid standing.

“I saw what Olympus’ customers were going through on the news, but I also know the high quality of Olympus’ work and their capabilities. So, after weeks of negotiations, I’m happy to say we’ve reached an agreement, and we’re excited to get to work on sorting this all out,” said Hidalgo.

Hidalgo, who also runs a management consulting firm for pool companies called The Pool Consultants, and his team have taken over administration, accounting, permitting, purchasing and customer relations for Olympus.

James Staten, who founded Olympus Pools, will remain on board and out front, running sales, field operations and business development.

Olympus Pools, which was founded in 2010

by Staten, has generated more than $150 million in revenue over the last decade and completed more than 3,000 pools.

The release also promised more direct access to ownership, improved customer relations, and those who have been waiting for their pools to get started can expect work to begin sooner, thanks to the new partnership.

“Some things are going to happen immediately, and (others) are going to take a little bit of time as we dig into things, but we’re ready to get all of these pools done as quickly as possible and work on rebuilding the positive image that Olympus worked so hard to achieve,” said Hidalgo.

The news of the partnership comes amid a flurry of recent work activity, including reports of dozens of pools finally started and/or completed.

“I’m looking forward to putting this chapter behind Olympus and showing what our talented teams are capable of accomplishing together,” said Hidalgo in the release.

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INSIDE:

Wesley Chapel volunteer leaves his artistic mark on the Florida Aquarium.

Page 10

More than 20,000 smiles later, orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina is still going strong.

Pages 22-23

Mahana Fresh wants you to enjoy a free Mahana Bowl on June 12.

Pages 34-35

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News

OUR NEW ADDRESS: 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 Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission.

Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 29, Issue 14, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, June 21, 2021.

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Downtown: 3 Developments Have Billed Themselves As The Future Downtown Continued from page 1.

When developer Beat Kahli announced upcoming plans for a downtown core in AvaJD Porter, whose family owns most of lon Park Wesley Chapel (APWC) in February the land in Wiregrass Ranch, is not terribly 2020, it was heralded by many in the media concerned about which community will be as Wesley Chapel’s future downtown. home to Wesley Chapel’s official downtown.

And that’s “I don’t think you exactly what Kahli can force a downthinks it will be. town,” he says. “I Kahli is investthink if it’s thought ing more than through and done $700 million in the with purpose, I think project — with a there will definitely be $33-million commitment from Pasco Couna downtown in Wesley ty -— which he says could break ground in Chapel. I just don’t the next few months. think you can count The APWC (formerly Avalon Park on a downtown popping up in the next six West) downtown will be located on the months, the next year or anything like that.” north side of S.R. 54, less than a mile west Porter says a community’s downtown of Eiland Blvd. (just west of Zephyrhills), The “Wesley Chapel Downtown” locations on the map above are approximate and are not to scale. must come about organically, and he thinks but despite its distance from most of Wesley that is what’s happening in Wiregrass Ranch.

Chapel, will look the most like a small-town While he has plans for a town center a little downtown, based on its renderings. northeast of the Sports Campus on the yetThe downtown area will be a mixed-use to-be-finished Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., condevelopment on 215 acres. The entire APWC struction is a ways off. Instead, he says, the project is being built on 1,800 acres, the same area around his town center is filling in nicely, size as its successful Avalon Park Orlando. It with Raymond James Financial (and the 700+ will eventually have 4,800 residential units (it jobs it promises) beginning construction currently has 1,000) and 15,000 residents. recently and joining the number of housing Many resident won’t have to leave — they can subdivisions, the Sports Campus, the mall, live, work and play in APWC. Pasco-Hernando State College and AHWC as “We don’t build subdivisions,” Kahli walkable and bikable destinations. says, “we build towns.”

There have even been talks of light rail And, while many people might assume or another form of public transportation that the downtown core is just for residents within the Wiregrass Ranch community. of APWC, it will be open to everyone.

Porter thinks a 5-10 year timeframe Kahli says the area will have two of the is reasonable for his vision of downtown most important qualities in a downtown — The Village at The Grove (above) is just one part of what developer Mark Gold says will be the to emerge. That vision includes walkabilwalkability and mixed-use buildings. future downtown Wesley Chapel. ity, 150,000-200,000 square feet of retail, After a 10-year buildout, the APWC The Porters have been in Wiregrass Ranch since forever, and 200,000-300,000 square feet of office space downtown development will have roughly developer Beat Kahli has patiently held onto the land that will be and 800 to 2,000 residential units.

2,700 residential units, 165,000 square feet Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for almost 25 years. That makes The He has compared it to Georgia’s Buckof Class “A” office space and 190,400 square Grove’s developer Mark Gold the new kid on the block. head development near Atlanta in the past. feet of commercial development.

But, Gold is no rookie when it comes to buying up “It will come naturally,” he says. “We’re The “neo-tradional” project will include older projects and making them relevant again. Even when he getting the density, getting all the different four-story buildings, with neighborhood purchased The Grove for $64 million in 2018, he was not shy uses coming together that will create the commercial on the bottom floor and the about calling it Wesley Chapel’s future downtown. downtown area.” other three floors reserved for residential.

Despite arriving late to the party, with The Grove project Porter says it has been a thoughtful proThere will be multiple parking decks already well under way, he will get the first crack at cementing his 254-acre property as the cess putting together Wiregrass Ranch, and and sidewalks, and four freestanding Class A area’s downtown. the town center will be its jewel. office buildings, which are typically larger, He is pouring more than $100 million into that dream, taking Wesley Chapel’s major “Almost everyone in Pasco has a ‘town and will feature top-of-the-line amenities and shopping center (it was built in 2007, a year before the Shops at Wiregrass) and transforming center,’” he says, “basically comprised of a high-income tenants. into something the area hasn’t seen before.

Publix and couple of dry cleaners and maybe a “Compared to other large projects in The old Cobb movie theater has been renovated and is open, the long-ignored area Gold smoothie shop. That’s not a town center.” the (Wesley Chapel) area, which are genercalls “The Village” has been revitalized and KRATE, an innovative retail and restaurant park Porter has bigger goals. Downtown ally single-use projects with several hundred made up of converted hip, reimagined shipping containers, is rounding into form.

Wesley Chapel may not be enough. or several thousand single family homes, and While others see The Grove as more of an entertainment and retail district, Gold takes “I look at our town center as being Downtown Pasco County, Downtown Wesley offense. He says the project is much more, with more than 600 homes approved for construc- then somewhere else maybe some apartments, and then somewhere else maybe a mall or strip tion just north of The Grove, as well as apartment complexes in the surrounding area. Other Chapel, Downtown North Tampa,” Porter mall, somewhere else maybe a school,” Kahli businesses will come in, bringing more jobs. He sees The Grove as a destination for residents says. “But it’s got to mature naturally, it says, “we are integrating it all. We’re buildcan’t be forced. We have some stuff going as far away as Tampa and Orlando. on. We’ve upped our timeline. We have some “It will be the No. 1 destination for families, and they will be able to shop, eat, walk, play ing full towns. That’s our approach in Wesley Chapel, and wherever we go.” exciting things coming down the pike.” mini-golf and many other things,” Gold says. “There will be no need to go anyplace else.”

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Commissioners Approve Apartment Moratorium

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore got his wish, as his fellow commissioners voted for a 180day moratorium to study the impact of new apartment complexes around the Wesley Chapel area.

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com As expected, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) voted unanimously to put a temporary moratorium on new applications and approvals for multifamily dwellings at the May 4 BCC meeting in Dade City.

The 180-day moratorium was approved by a 5-0 vote, following a reading of 50 emails submitted by residents that were unanimously in favor of the pause in apartment approvals..

Commissioner Mike Moore, who represents District 2, which includes most of Wesley Chapel, spearheaded the moratorium. He claims that the moratorium area, which is between S.R. 52 to the north and S.R. 54 to the south, as well as U.S. 41 to the west and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. to the east, is oversaturated with apartments.

Moore says the argument against more multi-family entitlements is centered on developers attempting to rezone property to build more apartments and townhomes, as opposed to using the properties for their original commercial purposes.

Opponents of the moratorium, like Eric Garduno of the Bay Area Apartment Association, argued that multi-family residences play a vital role with providing affordable housing in a market where the median home price is rising.

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to Zillow.com, however, it’s $288,000.

However, the residents who emailed the county — mostly from Seven Oaks, where a proposed apartment complex on Eagleston Blvd. provided the impetus for the moratorium — cited concerns about schools, traffic, road safety and the ability of the current infrastructure to handle additional people.

The county intends to collect data over the course of the 180 days, and will decide if there is indeed oversaturation, as Moore claims, and what should be done about it.

Garduno says he is confident the data will show that there is still a high demand for multi-family dwellings.

Moore, however, believes otherwise. “We do need to analyze and look very closely at the impacts multifamily can have in the area when it comes to economic development, when it comes to public safety, traffic, schools, infrastructure,” he says. “This gives us the time to do it…we can really, really dig in and see what impact these are going to really have.”

Just to the south of Pasco County in Tampa, City Council members had a similar idea that it scrapped last month.

Concerned about large apartment complexes clogging the area, the Tampa City Council voiced support for a ninemonth suspension of new rezoning requests, which would have extended into March 2022.

But, on May 6, the Council killed the plan and agreed to take it up again later this summer at a workshop.

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Local Businesses Finding Workers Hard To Come By

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com The signs are all over — on the front of businesses reducing their hours because they don’t have enough employees, a drivethrough posting asking for your patience due to a historic shortage of workers and another sign offering a $500 bonus and a free sub sandwich with every shift.

At places getting ready to open, like the Falabella Family Bistro, there’s no need to post a Now Hiring sign because, well, no one seems to be reading it.

While owner Steve Falabella will be able to open his new bistro in The Grove with (barely) a full staff within the next week or too, he also is opening a second 900º Woodfired Pizza place, like his popular location at the Shops of Wiregrass, right next door.

“If I had to open that today, there’s no way I could,” he says.

Due in large part to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the governmental response to it, jobs aren’t hard to come by, but employees are, says Falabella, who owns three businesses in Wesley Chapel.

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Steve Falabella filled his staff at his new bistro, but it wasn’t easy. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

Here’s the deal: many folks are unwilling to seek work at businesses that don’t pay as much as they currently are getting from unemployment.

At the height of the pandemic, Congress expanded federal unemployment insurance (Federal Pandemic Unemploy-

ment Compensation) to $600 a week. It is currently $300 a week, in addition to the Florida’s state-level benefit of $275 weekly (which is typically for 12 weeks, but was extended during the pandemic).

The majority of those on unemployment assistance, then, receive nearly $600

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a week, or the equivalent of working 40 hours while being paid $15 an hour.

For anyone paying less than $15/ hour, or even more in a lot of cases, it’s tough to compete.

“It’s not just us, it’s the entire country,” says Falabella. “It’s a sensitive topic.”

Falabella chooses his words carefully, as a result. The issue has strong political overtones. While it has increased concerns about the growth of the welfare state, it also has shined a light on what some feel are unfair wages, causing some small business owners to reassess compensation.

Clearly, however, the level of unemployment pay is keeping some home, instead of in the workforce.

“It’s not a theory,” says Falabella.

“I talk to people I want to hire back that left months ago, and they tell me as soon as the unemployment dries up they’ll be back out there looking (for a job).”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Floridians who receive unemployment benefits will have to provide proof that they’re looking for a job, a requirement that was lifted during the pandemic but expired in May.

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Florida also will withdraw from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program on June 26.

“I think it’s pretty clear now, we have an abundance of job openings,” DeSantis says.

Jamie Hess, who owns the Treble Makers Dueling Piano Restaurant & Bar in The Falabella (far right) poses with (most of) his staff at the new Falabella Family Bistro.

Grove, as well as a computer (Source: Falabella Family Bistro Facebook page) repair shop, says he has been restaurants in New York, says the panable to keep a full staff but it demic drove many employees out during hasn’t been easy. the lockdowns, and the lack of employees He and Falabella, as well as Joe as the economy rebounds has driven many Schembri of the Ice Dreammm Shop, of his contemporaries out of the restauwho is opening his second location across rant business altogether. the way from Falabella Family Bistro, While he says he pays above miniare contemplating a shared employee mum wage at Treble Makers, pay expectaprogram, where workers will train for all three of their restaurants and open up op- tions are “getting a little out of whack.”

He said had lost a bartender recently portunities for them to work more hours who said she couldn’t afford to work for if they choose.

“If I can only give someone 30 hours only $25 an hour. He thinks the road back to pre-Covid times could be a long one. but Steve needs someone, that person “I think it’s going to take a long can work (10 hours for him and/) or as much as they want,” says Hess. “We want time,” Hess says. “Once the $300 (weekly federal) bonus goes away, you’ll see more everybody making decent money where people looking, but it’s probably not gothey can afford to live.” ing to go back to the way it was.”

Hess, who also owns five Subway

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Commissioners Vote To Build New Tampa’s Performing Arts Center Prior to the vote, more than a dozen

By JOHN C. COTEY speakers, including many NTP members, john@ntneighborhoodnews.com asked the commissioners to keep the NT-

While (as we reported last issue) the Wesley Chapel area now has its own Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC), the New Tampa area has been waiting for a similar PAC to be built for nearly two decades.

The New Tampa Players (NTP), a local acting troupe looking for a permanent home, recently finished a run of shows with a cast of just a handful of performers in a 2,000-sq.-ft. black box theater at the old University Mall.

It’s not exactly what the group envisioned when it started nearly 20 years ago with the hope of a cultural center they could call home in the heart of New Tampa, but now, they can see a spotlight at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks in part to a public outpouring of support from many NTP and New Tampa community members, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve a $7.3-million construction contract to build the long-awaited New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC).

“We weren’t 100 percent it would go through, but we are super happy it did,” said Nora Paine, a long-time member and current president of the NTP. The vote is the biggest step yet for the project, which dates back to 2004, and was first approved in 2014. Comm. Ken Hagan, whose Dist. 2 includes New Tampa, says a groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art, 20,000-sq.-ft. (expandable to 30,000 sq. ft.) NTPAC should be scheduled in the next month or two.

Comm. Hagan would like to see the project (which is located in the Village at Hunter’s Lake development across Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd. from the entrance to the Hunter’s Green community) completed

by Sept. 2022.

“I’m ecstatic over the results,” Hagan says. “Good things come to those who wait.

It only took 17 years, but we finally got over the finish line. The end result is that next year, New Tampa is going to have a first-class facility that’s going to be a wonderful centerpiece for the entire community to enjoy.”

Hagan told the Neighborhood News that the construction contract has been awarded to Dunedin-based Bandes Construction, but that the Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate the PAC hasn’t yet happened (see below).

Hagan told the Board he had received more than 140 emails in support of the NTPAC project. The handful of emails Hagan said he received in opposition to building it primarily dealt with traffic concerns.

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PAC dream alive.

“A lot of us had concerns of (the project just being) small stores and another apartment complex,” said Hunter’s Green resident Rob Larsen of The Village at Hunter’s Lake.

“Well, to our surprise, the Performing Arts Center was going to be the heart of this new center. And without it, it basically dies.”

District 63 State Rep. Fentrice Driskell sent an email of support, and Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who represents New (and North) Tampa in Dist. 7, weighed in as well, promising a commitment from the city to help pay some of the PAC’s operating costs.

Joining Hagan in voting to award the construction contract were commissioners Harry Cohen, Stacy White, Kimberly Overman and Gwen Myers.

They all cited the promises made to New Tampa residents over the years and, as Hagan pointed out, the money to build the PAC was approved back in 2019 and has been waiting to be spent. “Promises made, promises kept,” said Comm. Myers. “I hope no other community would go through 17 years waiting on a decision from our county.”

Commissioners Mariella Smith and BCC chair Pat Kemp voted against awarding the construction contract.

Following the construction vote, the commissioners addressed the concerns about FCG by voting unanimously for an RFP to reopen the bidding process in order to find a group to handle the PAC operations.

Hagan says the county staff felt that FCG was the best organization to run the facility to get it to a net-zero operation, and that its extensive experience at fund raising and luring national acts would be an ideal fit.

“Unless there’s another organization we’re unaware of, our staff feels that at the end, after going through the RFP, it will likely be FCG again,” Hagan says. “Whoever it is, I just want them to be able to be effective and able to fund raise and bring in national acts.” Hagan said he also will champion the creation of an additional local board, comprised of New Tampa residents, to support the facility and help with any other issues.

For more information about the New Tampa Players, visit NewTampaPlayers. org. The troupe’s latest project, “Motherhood Out Loud.” runs June 11-12 at 7:30 p.m., June 13 at 3 p.m., June 18-19 at 7:30 p.m. and June 20 at 3 p.m. at the Uptown Stage at the University Mall (2200 E. Fowler Ave.) in North Tampa.

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Business: Bealls, Coldstone, Tiger Woods On The Way A national coffee shop and national grocer also are expected.

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

Bealls Inc. is opening one of its newly branded Bealls Outlet/Home Centric stores in the space vacated by the former Toys “R” Us store at The Grove.

Bealls Inc., founded in 1915 and based in Bradenton, launched Home Centric in 2018 as a chain to compete in the crowded home décor market. While it is a standalone store in some locations, the one coming to The Grove is the store-within-astore concept focused on affordable home décor products — like furniture, artwork and holiday supplies — sold within a traditional Bealls Outlet.

The nearest Bealls/Home Centric stores are located in New Port Richey and Brandon. The combination stores are typically 30,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet devoted to Home Centric. The former Toys “R” space has 35,000 square feet of space.

The new Bealls Outlet/Home Centric store is one of many new businesses opening at The Grove, which was purchased by developer Mark Gold and his Mishorim Gold Properties (MGold)

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The combined Bealls Outlet/Home Centric store is coming to The Grove, in the space previously occupied by Toys “R” Us. in September 2019 for $64 million, with an additional $110 million being spent on improvements.

In 2021, the property is expecting a banner year for new business openings at the development. While the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment Complex opened

earlier this year, a Hawaiian-themed miniature golf course and the highly-anticipated KRATE container park — 94 converted shipping containers housing 54 restaurants and retail businesses — will launch, along with a number of other businesses located in the project’s “The Village” area.

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WELCOME, COLDSTONE: Those who have been lamenting the closure of dessert favorite Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. during the pandemic are in for a new treat.

And, another frozen treat at that.

Coldstone Creamery, the popular ice cream parlor, will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Happy Cow, next to the First Watch in the Shoppes plaza.

Coldstone’s New Tampa location (also on BBD) has finished at or near the top of the Neighborhood News annual Reader Survey in the “Favorite Dessert” category every year — including No. 1 in 2019.

Coldstone’s ice cream is made in- house daily, and is considered “super premium” by industry standards because it contains 12%-14% butterfat (you didn’t think they made it so creamy and delicious just using milk and cream, did you?). It also has some

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of the best ice cream cakes around.

To borrow a phrase from Coldstone, “Welcome to Wesley Chapel.”

for example, one course is called “The Cub” and is more for beginners, while and the other, more challenging, course is called “The Tiger.”

The courses have synthetic turf, incorporate fairways into the design, FORE!: Popand the primary obstacles — replacing Stroke Entertainment, a windmills and ramps — will be the same mini-golf and restaurant types of bunkers and rough you face on a real golf course. The undulation concept owned by golfing changes will bring the course to life. legend Tiger Woods and “I am very excited about our entrepreneur Greg Barexpansion plans,” Woods said in the toli, is coming to Wesley statement on PopStroke.com. “PutChapel’s Cypress Creek ting is a universal part of golf that can Town Center on S.R. 56. be enjoyed by people of all ages and According to its skill levels. It has been rewarding to see website, Wesley Chapel the broad and diverse group of guests is just part of a major enjoying their experience at PopStroke, PopStroke Entertainment and I look forward to seeing playexpansion that also will ers make those long putts in locations include seven new locathroughout the South and Southwest. tions across three states.

Each new location will have a different In Florida, other new PopStroke Entertainment, a mixture of mini-golf, games, course design and layout, giving players PopStroke locations will include Sarasota, Orlando food and drink, is the latest new concept heading to Wesley unique putting challenges as they travel Chapel. It will feature mini-golf with a more “real golf” across the country.” and Delray Beach. experience. (Photo: PopStroke Facebook) PopStroke was founded in 2018, and The company’s two uses technology to enhance the putt-putt designed holes meant to mimic real putcurrent locations are in experience. A customized app will track ting on a real course. Woods and TGR Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers.

Design, his award-winning design team, scores on a digital scoreboard, as well as And, these aren’t your daddy’s allow customers to order food and drinks will be building two 18-hole putting putt-putt golf courses. There are no to be delivered directly to you on the courses — at the Fort Myers PopStroke, windmills to hit around, just specially-

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course. PopStroke locations feature an outdoor dining area with a full menu, a variety of craft beer and wine, ice cream, outdoor games and a playground.

The Port St. Lucie location also has three golf simulators, allowing you to play more than 200 courses worldwide.

A more traditional mini-golf course also is under construction at The Grove Entertainment Complex, next to The Grove movie theater. It is expected to be completed this year (see page 35).

ALTIS AGAIN?: Although the original Altis apartment project located just north of S.R. 56 in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) is now the Horizon Apartments (owned by Preferred Apartment Communities), a new Altis apartment community could be coming to Wiregrass Ranch.

In March, Altman Development Company, LLC, submitted a project to Pasco County for review and approval of a 258unit apartment community to be called Altis Wiregrass Square.

The Wiregrass Square project is proposed for the land directly south of the Publix (and behind Sonny’s BBQ) south of S.R. 54 and east of BBD Blvd. The project will include seven buildings, a clubhouse and a pool, as well as other amenities.

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Ken Moser Leaving His Mark At Florida Aquarium

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN When Ken Moser moved to Wesley Chapel from Maryland in 2017, he and his wife Becky were retired and looking for a place to volunteer.

“We went to the (Tampa) zoo (at Lowry Park) in July and it was 95 degrees,” he says, adding that they immediately decided that the zoo was most definitely not the place for them.

Ken joined a fly fishing club, and says one of the members was always talking about the Florida Aquarium, so he eventually decided to give that a try.

In March 2019, Ken and Becky began training to volunteer together.

Over the last two years, and despite the Covid-19 pandemic, their efforts have made quite an impact.

So much so, that in April, Ken was named the Florida Aquarium’s Volunteer of the Year. This title earns him an honorary spot on the Aquarium’s Board of Directors for the year.

While he was chosen for his dedication — nearly 600 volunteer hours over the past two years (similar to Outstanding Service winner Edwin Rodriguez, whom we featured last issue) — and his infectious good attitude, he also was recognized for how another of his hobbies has enhanced the aquarium itself.

Ken created eight different stained glass windows that are now located throughout the aquarium. He

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says creating stained glass is one of many hobbies he’s taken up to keep busy during retirement.

“About eight years ago, my wife and I took a stained glass class at the community college,” Ken says. “I’ve been self-taught from there.”

The eight windows he’s created for the aquarium started when he noticed a two-foot window in the Madagascar section of the aquarium, where he thought he could mirror the bright colors of the exhibit with a brightly colored window.

Wesley Chapel resident Ken Moser poses with one of his stained glass pieces near the After that, he says he Florida Aquarium entrance. (Photos: Charmaine George) was inspired to make a waddling through the wetlands exhibit, there are sea window of leafy sea dragturtles, spoonbills and moon jellies (jellyfish). I tried ons for the volunteer lunch room. Ken says they were to keep it to what people can see at the aquarium.” so well-received that he was asked to make windows Josh and Theo are brown pelicans who have for the front of the aquarium and the CEO’s office. been popular on the Florida Aquarium’s social media “Each one is specific to the aquarium,” he says. accounts, and moon jellies are jellyfish that can not “The pelicans are Josh and Theo, the penguins are

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Ken works on another stained glass design at his home in Wesley Chapel (top left) and talks about his pelicans, Josh and Theo. only be seen, but also touched in the a month, but soon determined they had aquarium’s touch tank. more time than that to spare.

Ken says the more time he spends “Once I got in the commissary,” there, the more he gets to know the Ken says, “I would go three times a animals. week. It’s just a fun place to go.”

“If you take the time to watch each The commissary is where food is preindividual animal,” he says, “you’ll start pared for the aquarium’s 8,000 animals. to see their individual behaviors.”

“We have menus for the various When asked if he has a favorite animals,” Ken explains. “Some require marine animal, Ken doesn’t seem to be different fishes that have to be cut up able to narrow it down. different ways, for example, and birds “Every week seems to be a different have seeds and pellets.” one,” he says. “The jawfish is one of the Ken hasn’t worked in the commismost comical characters, and I like lissary since March 2020, before Covtening to the wood ducks talking back id-19 shut down the aquarium and no and forth to each other in the wetlands. volunteers were allowed in.

And, the stingray tank has a little baby When the aquarium reopened in who is worth the price of admission just May, a few volunteers helped in guest to see her.” services and as “roaming disinfectors,” Ken and Becky both work in to make sure guests stayed on the patheducation, teaching guests about the ways and wore masks.

Now, Ken says, a limited number aquarium’s many animals. They initially of volunteers are back in the education agreed to volunteer at least eight hours

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department manning the touch tanks during the day.

“As soon as volunteers were allowed,” he says, “I felt responsibility to come back and keep the program alive.

At one time, they had 300 volunteers, but they were down to zero. If no one comes back, there’s no program.”

He says the aquarium is always staffed to provide necessary care to the animals, but although the aquarium functions without volunteers, he says, “everyone is happier with us there.”

Ken adds that the staff treats the volunteers like family, and that he and other volunteers feel enormously appreciated and grateful to be able to be part of the aquarium.

He is impressed with how the aquarium has navigated its way through the pandemic, too.

In fact, Ken and Becky donated their first Covid stimulus checks to the aquarium.

“Being retired, we didn’t plan on that money, so we thought, ‘Who needs it more?,’” says Ken. “The aquarium lost all of its guests and still needed to feed the animals every day, so we thought the money was better used that way.”

Ken says he and Becky intend to

Ken also painted these penguins waddling through the wetlands exhibit at the Florida Aquarium. continue volunteering at the aquarium as long as they possibly can.

“When they announced the award, there were several people who had reached the 25-year mark as volunteers at the aquarium,” Ken says. “There are some really dedicated people there. I might not get 25 years — I started a little late — but at least I left my mark there with the windows. They should be there long after I’m gone, so I will leave that behind.”

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Millennium Physician Group Leverages Technology As It Expands Into Our Area Special To Neighborhood News One of the leading independent physician groups in Florida is expanding into the Tampa area. Founded in Charlotte County and now headquartered in Fort Myers, Millennium Physician Group boasts more than 550 healthcare providers at 150 locations in 19 Florida counties serving nearly half a million patients.

It’s no secret that Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties are consistently ranked among the fastest-growing counties in the country. Although the Tampa area is rife with hospital-affiliated medical groups, Millennium is seizing the opportunity to fill a void by providing independent physicians the opportunity to be part of a physician-focused group, one that gives them the support of being in a partnership yet honors their connection with their patients.

“We like to focus on working with independent practices and those doctors who are tired of hospital employment,” explains Millennium Healthcare President Geurt Peet. “We provide them with the support, resources and tools to survive and thrive in this ever-changing world we call health care.”

The secret to Millennium’s success is its highly engaged physicians. Wesley Chap-

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(L.-r) Kristie Gonzalez, NRCMA, Dr. Nektarios Demetriou & Amanda Grantham, CAN, of Millennium Physician Group’s Wesley Chapel office are launching a first-of-its-kind Virtual Clinic, using Millennium’s proprietary telehealth platform MPG Connect. (Photo provided by Millennium)

el-based Family Medicine physician Nektarios Demetriou, D.O., serves as the Medical Director for the Tampa region and says the Tampa-area growth means Millennium is well-positioned to serve the community.

“Being a part of this time of growth and expansion is exciting and humbling,”

says Dr. Demetriou. “It truly is a once-in-alifetime experience.”

Dr. Demetriou says the Wesley Chapel area is the fourth fastest-growing area in the U.S., and to keep up with that growth, Millennium has several new physicians in the pipeline scheduled to join Millennium in

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Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Brandon.

“We are seeing a massive influx of people moving here from the Midwest and East Coast,” Dr. Demetriou explains. “And they all need good doctors to take care of them and meet their medical needs.”

The emotional commitment Millennium’s physicians and advanced-care providers apply to their work contributes to their national recognition, including garnering the Pinnacle of Excellence Award for consistently high levels of physician engagement by healthcare research firm Press Ganey. Millennium’s patients sense their physicians’ engagement through a strong patient-physician relationship, which comes to life thousands of times a day across the organization. Millennium excels in value-based healthcare, which aims to deliver high-quality care at a lower cost with better patient outcomes by practicing preventive, coordinated primary care.

Introducing: The Virtual Clinic!

As a testament to that commitment, Millennium is launching a first-of-its-kind Virtual Clinic, initially staffed by Tampa-area physicians who will use Millennium’s proprietary telehealth platform — MPG Connect — to virtually see patients from across

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The Millennium Physician Group head office (above) is located in Ft. Myers. The Millennium office in Wesley Chapel is located on Windguard Cir. (Photo provided by Millennium Physician Group) Florida. Millennium’s Virtual Walk-In Clinic being “Your Connection to a Healthier Life.” providers will conduct virtual visits to treat a “Rapid expansion of service delivery variety of acute-care issues, from sniffles and through technology, that’s really what we’re strains to earaches and stomach aches. about,” he says. “Especially in our innovation Millennium’s Chief Innovation Officer area, really focusing on how we continue to Jeffrey Nelson says the Virtual Clinic is a log- push the envelope. We have created a culture ical next step. “It’s going to allow Millenniof change and innovation. And, throughout the years, we’ve always been on the forefront um to further expand our services and hours of technology. We’ve always been three to for our patients to be able to see a provider five years ahead of the industry in general.” when and where they need us most.”

Dr. Demetriou adds that the use of teleDr. Demetriou says the goal of the health technology in today’s rapidly evolving Virtual Clinic is to prevent patients from having to go to the emergency room just healthcare landscape allows Millennium patients to have access to a clinician from because it’s after hours. “It gives our patients and the public the ability to be seen anywhere, and that’s a powerful thing.

“Millennium’s focus is preventive by a clinician outside of office hours and get peace of mind.” health,” he says,. “and the best way to He adds that it’s just this type of inachieve that is through communication, novative approach to medical care that sets access and follow-up.”

Peet explains that technology isn’t a Millennium apart. “Millennium is not just a way for physicians to be more hands-off, but medical company but a technology company actually quite the opposite. as well,” Dr. Demetriou says. “This type of no-barriers approach to treating patients is “We provide the technology to supdefinitely a trend we’ll be seeing more of, and port our physicians, which then, in turn, Millennium is on the cutting edge of develallows them to spend more time face-tooping technologies to allow us to do this.” face with their patients, which is why they Dr. Demetriou says Covid-19 and the got into medicine in the first place,” Peet pandemic have led to much of the recent says. “Patients get easier access to health population growth and, in turn, triggered care and meaningful time with their health leaps in innovation. At the height of the care providers.” pandemic, when health officials called on the Millennium Physician Group’s expansion into the Tampa-area market means more medical community to employ telehealth as a tool to help slow the spread of Covid-19, health care providers connecting with more Millennium’s physician and innovation teams patients, supporting their mission to connect the best doctors, service and quality. responded. Through their swift deployment of MPG Connect, Millennium physicians Every patient, every time. were able to preserve their connection with Millennium Physician Group’s Virtutheir patients just when they needed it most, al Clinic is available Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, call (877) turning a challenge into an opportunity.

748-1114 or (239) 320-8138. Dr. NekToday, telehealth is a sustainable care delivery system Millennium health care protarios Demetriou’s Millennium Physician viders leverage hundreds of times a day across Group office is located at 2649 Windthe organization. guard Cir., Ste. 101, Wesley Chapel. For info, call (813) 723-1303, visit MillenniNelson says leveraging the technology allows Millennium to support its mission of umPhysician.com or see the ad on pg. 26.

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Excellence In Eye Care Expands Focus On Kiddie Eye Care “Children think that’s just the way the world looks. They don’t realize they should be able to see better. They could even end up with visual problems, such as a lazy eye, that may never be fully corrected because the visual pathways haven’t formed properly.”

He says that parents should bring their children in for an eye exam once a year and that children’s eyes often change even more quickly than that.

Dr. Scamard also is a charter member of a program called Infant-See. For babies who are at least six months old but not yet one year, Dr. Scamard will do their first eye exam for free. “It takes less than 10 minutes and allows us to check everything out from an optometrist’s point of view.”

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN For nearly 20 years, independent optometrist David Scamard, O.D., has taken care of patients’ eyes in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Even before his practice was called “Excellence In Eye Care,” that’s exactly what he strived to deliver.

Since 2017, Dr. Scamard’s Excellence In Eye Care, LLC, has been located inside the Costco next to the Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56. Prior to that, it was located off of S.R. 54 in Lutz.

He has been practicing much longer than that, however, since he opened his first private practice in New Tampa way back in 2002.

He had previously earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa and earned his Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

Some people who see Dr. Scamard inside Costco have been his patients over the last two decades and originally found him at one of his previous locations.

For example, patient Jill Bonnville and her husband Frank Filippone saw Dr. Scamard for about 10 years when he was located on S.R. 54, but then lost touch.

They saw several doctors closer to their home in Town ‘N Country, but every year, when it was time for their exams, Jill would again try to find Dr. Scamard.

Of all the doctors who have tried to help her admittedly difficult eyes, Jill says, “He’s the only doctor who nails it the first time, every time.”

And, while it takes her nearly an hour to get to his office, she says it’s worth it.

Jill says she went back to another doctor for several months in a row to get a prescription that would allow her to

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New Technology For Sports

The staff at Excellence In Eye Care inside the Costco on S.R. 56 includes (l.-r.) optometric technician Jill Wagner, Dr. David Scamard and office manager and optometric technician Eileen Aldrich. (Photos: Charmaine George)

see better, but that doctor kept getting it wrong.

When she finally found Dr. Scamard again, “I couldn’t believe it,” Jill says.

“It was very similar to when I first had to get glasses as a kid. When I put them on, I went, ‘Wow. This is what everything is supposed to look like.’ I didn’t even realize it was that bad until he fixed it.”

false impression that their kids’ eyes are being checked thoroughly at school or they can address problems once a child starts having them, but problems are missed in school screenings,” explains Dr. Scamard.

Also this fall, Dr. Scamard and his team will introduce a sports vision therapy program for people of all ages to improve their sports performance.

Using a specialized machine called the Sanet Vision Integrator, patients can improve their hand-to-eye coordination and reaction time. Dr. Scamard says it will help athletes in many sports, includ-

Wee Care Eye Care Coming Soon

Coming this fall, Excellence In Eye Care will introduce Wee Care Eye Care, offering a new experience that is focused (no pun intended) on children’s eye care.

While Dr. Scamard has always seen babies and children, the new program will expand the practice’s focus on kids, with a specially-designed, kid-friendly exam room and education targeted at parents.

“A lot of times, parents are under the

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ing baseball, hockey and others.

Eileen Aldrich, the practice’s office manager, who also is an optometric technician, explains, “It will give them better visual perception, such as when to use a racket to hit the ball, and gets them more focused on using vision to reach their training or sports goals.”

The machine hooks up to a large, touch-screen television, which provides exercises for the person being trained to respond to, while they work on balance using a Wii Fit board.

“There’s no one else in the area who has this instrument,” Dr. Scamard says, “so we’re very unique in that regard.”

He says many patients are impressed with all of the latest technology available at Excellence In Eye Care.

For example, Dr. Scamard uses a hightech retinal imager to view the internal structures of the eyes. He also uses a digital refractor, which he says is faster, more accurate and more efficient than the old-style analog devices, and patients like that they don’t have to have their eyes dilated.

“We’re state of the art,” he says.

The entire process from eye exam to putting the glasses on your face or the contacts in your eyes can be completed right there in Costco. However, while you do not need to be a member of the wholesale

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Jill Bonnville says she is one of those very happy patients.

“He’s very kind, he’s extremely patient,” says Jill. “I ask a lot of questions and he explains both the scientific stuff and what it means. It’s always a nice experience.”

Excellence In Eye Care is located inside the Costco Wesley Chapel Warehouse at 2225 Grand Cypress Dr., on the south side of S.R. 56, in Lutz. The office is open Tuesday and Thursday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call (813) 279-7038, visit ExcellenceInEyecare.net or see the ad on page 26.

Dr. Scamard uses state-of-the-art equipment to elevate his practice beyond just a place to get glasses. club to visit Excellence in Eyecare and insurance company for reimbursement.” have an exam, you do need to be a Costco Dr. Scamard, Eileen and optometric member to get your glasses and contact technician Jill Wagner will do whatever it lenses from the wholesale giant’s eyewear takes to help you with your eye care needs. department right next to the office.

“We want our patients to feel comExcellence In Eye Care does not fortable,” says Dr. Scamard. “We listen to accept vision insurance plans. Howevour patients, address their needs, and we er, Eileen says, “We do offer a detailed, take our time with them. We really pride itemized bill once a patient is seen. The ourselves on making sure our patients are patient can then send that bill to their happy — that’s always our goal.”

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Goofy Turtle Offers A Huge Variety Of Fun, Educational Toys!

By Gary Nager

Before you visit the new Goofy Turtle toy store inside the Tampa Premium Outlets (located next to Saks Off 5th), you should get rid of all of the preconceived notions you have about toy stores.

Goofy Turtle has prices similar to what you’ll find at Walmart or Target, and has a selection that rivals the old Toys “R” Us stores, but in a much smaller space and with a completely different focus.

At Goofy Turtle — which is owned by long-time friends Swathi Atchuta, Soujanya Nomula and Lakshmi Kanthi Korlepara and their spouses — although there are some more traditional toys, the emphasis is on fun toys for kids that also are educational. Really.

The three families that own Goofy Turtle all have children ages 7-11 and all have lamented over the lack of anything educational to be found in most toy stores. They also didn’t like the idea of finding items they thought they would like on Amazon and other online services that they ended up having to return because they either weren’t of the quality or the size they expected.

“One thing we can honestly say is that people who buy toys here don’t bring them back because they’re not satisfied,” Swathi

says. “Our staff is trained to know about every toy in the store and people appreciate being able to see and touch what they buy before they buy it!”

So, since Goofy Turtle is a new franchise that currently only has three stores — the flagship store in Manchester, CT, plus Grapevine, TX, and the Lutz/Wesley Chapel location at the outlet mall — the partners liked the flexibility and the corporate entity’s focus on educational toys.

Unfortunately, the local partners originally leased their space in late 2019, or just before the pandemic hit, and weren’t able to open until shortly before Christmas of 2020.

“No one knew we were here,” says Swathi, “so we’re trying to get the word out now about everything we have to offer.”

A Truly Amazing Selection!

Although mine and Jannah’s kids are now adults, we are both grandparents to amazing toddlers and Goofy Turtle starts with the kind of fun, educational toys that stimulate young minds like Jax’s

(Clockwise from top left): Co-owner Swathi Atchuta shows off a PokeA-Dot book by Melissa & Doug toys. Your kids can try out some of their new toys (or just hang out) in Goofy Turtle’s Princess Castle play area.

The Toddler Tree greets you as you enter the store. Crafty kids will love Aquabeads, which are an improvement over Perler Beads because you only have to add water, instead of ironing them, to create a variety of cool toys. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

We have great gift ideas for Dads, too!

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and Rosie’s. From musical Ditty Bird and Poke-A-Dot books by Melissa & Doug, dolls, musical toys, play mats, trucks and so much more by Melissa & Doug, Haba and Green Toys (whose toys are all made from recycled materials), to “crafty” toys for slightly older kids, like Aquabeads, Craft-Tastic, Land of Dough (which is a truly reusable Play-Doh improvement taken to the next level) and so many others, young minds never had so much fun learning — at least my kids never did!

Yes, there is a smattering of Disney and Star Wars learning toys mixed in, but even the plush toys at Goofy Turtle are educational, especially the large variety of Wild Republic animals and dinosaurs.

Swathi also says that kids love hanging out in Goofy Turtle’s unique Princess Castle (see photo at the bottom of the previous page) so much that many parents have asked them where they got it so they can re-create it in their own homes.

If you have older kids and/or teenagers in your home who also would appreciate playing with something other than (or, at least, in addition to) video games, Goofy Turtle also has you covered with such high-tech wizardry that a lot of it went over my head...completely!

“Not only do we have an entire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) toy section, we also have quite a few STEAM toys that include that Art element, too,” Swathi says, as she shows me one of several Power Blox by E-Blox sets that can even use your kids’ existing building bricks to create their own toys that light up and move. Think Legos on steroids.

There also is a large section of wall devoted to coding toys.

See “Goofy Turtle Is Open!” on page 42!

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(Clockwise from top left): You can’t beat the variety of crafting toys at Goofy Turtle. Swathi shows off a Wild Republic plush sea turtle. Whether you want your kids to select from a huge variety of STEAM or Coding toys, you can’t beat the selection at Goofy Turtle, which also has Steve Spangler Science brand Oobleck! slime/quicksand. (Photos by Charmaine George)

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Farina Orthodontic Specialists Focused On The Future

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Mark Farina, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) is one of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area’s best-known, most respected orthodontists. In his 26 years of creating beautiful smiles locally, Farina Orthodontic Specialists has been responsible for fixing more than 20,000 smiles.

And, not only is he not done yet, Dr. Farina is taking his practice to new heights.

While he already has three offices, including one in Tampa Palms off Amberly Dr. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (that he moved into in 2000), it is his glimmering, modern, cubed building on BBD between the Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, that has expanded his services and his vision.

The three-floor, 16,000-sq.-ft. building is certainly not your daddy’s dental office, inside or outside. It does, however, reflect the hightech and futuristic nature of Farina’s practice.

“I wanted to create a building to reflect our thought process of moving into the next 10-20 years,” Dr. Farina says. “It’s modern, clean, and unobtrusive. And, the windows represent a radical transparency, which is something we pride ourselves on with our fees, consultations and allowing parents to come back with their children.”

Farina Orthodontic Specialists operates out of the new 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) and endodontics (root canals) with Dr. Christian Kamaris and Dr. Frank Delgado.

The other half of the second floor will be home to a training facility and administration.

The space will offer continuing education for those already working at Farina Orthodontic Specialists and even those at other offices. Dr. Farina says it will have a “Google-like” atmosphere, with an open lounge and classrooms, and should be completed by the fall.

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Orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina says the core values of Farina Orthodontic Specialists separate it from other orthodontic practices and have contributed to his popularity. (Photo: Charmaine George) temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and has The third floor will be the new home served on research teams at both New York for Communication Corner & More, which University and the University of Pennsylvais owned by Jill Vought, who specializes in nia to help find new and better ways to solve speech and physical therapy. orthodontic problems.

“My concept was to have a multi-interdisciplinary facility where all the specialties can In fact, he has never stopped looking for come together to give a treatment plan and the better way. the best possible care to our patients,” Dr. Farina says. “It’s almost like a Cleveland Clinic or Mayo Clinic of dentistry, where we have all the specialists under the same roof.”

As for the thing he is most known for, Dr. Farina continues to offer the best in orthodontic services with the most advanced technology.

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

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“We are always trying to polish the diamond,” Dr. Farina says.

It begins with stellar patient service from the first phone call to the consultation and explaining what will be done, taking the patient through the process step by step. A friendly waiting room offers a beverage bar and iPads, which are used for entertainment and for signing in — there is no paperwork.

“It’s about treating everyone really like family,” Dr. Farina says. “We really work hard on our culture. The goal is not to just end up with patients with straight teeth. (We believe) the experience, from start to finish, is what separates us from others.”

Patients begin in the 3D Imaging Room, where an i-CAT 3D Machine takes a 3D image of not just the patient’s teeth, but also the bones and airways in their head. The process takes all of five seconds.

The 3D Imaging can help bring clarity to a number of problems, and can help identify red flags like temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which is an irregularity with the temporomandibular joint that causes clicking, popping or just pain and discomfort in the jaw area.

Farina Orthodontic Specialists also treats sleep apnea and snoring, both of which can be the result of an obstructed airway. The

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imaging also can detect airway development problems in children.

The process combines digital impressions created with the 3D imaging machine and intra- and extra-oral photographs, offering a more complete picture of the patient’s overall oral health.

There’s even an iTero 3D impressionless scanner that will create a digital 3D model of your teeth.

“It avoids having that dreadful goop in your mouth,” Dr. Farina says. “In three minutes, we have a full 3D model that’s far more accurate than your typical mouth impression.”

If that’s not easy enough, the Farina Orthodontic Specialists website (FarinaSmiles. com) offers a Virtual Smile Assessment, where patients can upload a smile selfie and receive a virtual consultation from the comfort of their own homes.

In addition to traditional braces, Farina Orthodontic Specialists uses the Invisalign® brand of clear aligners and has been designated a “Diamond Plus,” or in the top one percent of orthodontic practices in North America with Invisalign patients.

Dr. Farina also offers his own trademarked system, called ClearTech.

“It’s for minor tooth movements and relapses, like maybe if someone didn’t wear their retainer,” he says. “It’s a less expensive option than (Invisalign) , and just as effective. And we control every step of the way.”

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Who needs that dreadful goop when the 3D impressionless scanner (above) at Farina Orthodontic Specialists will create a digital 3D model of your teeth in minutes? (Photo: Charmine George) Farina Orthodontic Specialists also gives back to the community. Dr. Farina says they are close to launching a “Million Dollar Smiles” initiative, where $1-million worth of smiles will be donated by 2023-24. Those in need and with special circumstances would be nominated and receive free dental care. Dr. Farina already has picked up the bill for a patient who lost their father and a Vietnam vet whose dream it has always been to have a great smile.

“I’ve always been very involved in the community,” he says. “I coached locally, I lived locally and I’ve always had great support from parents. It’s in our core values to help.”

In fact, Dr. Farina speaks of his practice’s Five Core Values often. The practice’s Five Core Values are: 1.) Delivering “WOW,” through service and smiles 2.) Make it simple, get it done 3.) Be present, clear and humble

4.) Encourage and embrace change 5.) One team, one family, one vision Those core values are a big part of the reason many of his patients keep coming back to Farina Orthodontic Specialists, like Stacey White, who has been going to see Dr. Farina for roughly 10 years.

Both of Stacy’s daughters, Kathryn (now 24) and Hanna (17), got their braces from Dr. Farina. And in fact, Stacy decided to get Invisalign as well, since her teeth had shifted since her childhood braces.

“We just love how great they are with their patients,” Stacy says. “They know their stuff, and they are truly very warm and friendly. ” While Kathryn was a patient at Dr. Farina’s Tampa Palms office, Stacy and Hanna got to experience the new office in Wesley Chapel and loved it, especially the 3D imagining.

“They really do pride themselves on looking for the next best treatment, not just because it’s cool but because it makes the experience better, faster and easier. That’s really nice.”

For appointments and more information about the Wesley Chapel office (2370 BBD Blvd., Suite A), or any of the three locations of Farina Orthodontic Specialists, call (813) 972-2929, visit FarinaSmiles.com or see or see the ad on pg. 30 of this issue. The office accepts most dental insurance plans.

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Happy 5th Birthday,

Palms Pharmacy!

Congratulations go out to Shahida Choudhry, Pharm.D., and her amazing, super-friendly, knowledgeable team at Palms Pharmacy at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr. in the Shoppes at the Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, which celebrated its fifth anniversary on April 16 with a great, free event for its customers.

Most items in the store were buy-one, getone-half-off for the one-day party, which was attended by several dozen customers, in addition to the Neighborhood News. Photographer/video producer Charmaine George and I were among those who enjoyed the free cupcakes from Smallcakes Cupcakery next door, as well as truly delicious coffee drinks from the Bean Bar coffee truck.

Palms Pharmacy, which has been providing both rapid Covid-19 and Covid antibody testing for several months, also is now offering both the two-shot Moderna and single-shot Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccines, as well as shots for the flu, shingles and other ailments.

And, the prices for everyday over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, CBD products and sundries are competitive with the big chains. For more info, call (813) 252-9063, visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com or see the ad on pg. 42. — GN

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(Clockwise from top left): The staff at Palms Pharmacy welcomes customers for the store’s 5th anniversary, many of whom enjoyed the selection of BOGO products. Owner/pharmacist Shahida Choudhry greeted customers during the event, which included a delicious cupcake cake from Smallcakes Cupcakery next door and free coffee drinks from the Bean Bar.

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Wiregrass Ranch High Parade!

Last year, senior car parades were all the rage due to Covid-19, allowing parents and friends to celebrate the graduating classes at county high schools. Wiregrass Ranch High kept with the new tradition this year, organizing a parade at Epperson, so seniors could decorate and parade their cars (above) while parents and friends cheered them on (below). (Photos: Charmaine George)

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Bulls Fall Short In Spring Game Wildcats Split Halves In Spring Clashes The All-Conference football teams in Pasco County aren’t announced until after each season, but Wesley Chapel High football coach Tony Egan feels confident that he can fill in the linebacker positions on those teams right now.

That’s how impressed he was this spring with the play of rising junior Jorden McCaslin (photo) and rising seniors Ayden Roysdon and Josh Poleon. Egan feels that all three linebackers have not just All-Conference high school talent, but Division Jorden McCaslin I-A or I-AA college talent as well.

“I have to say the linebackers impressed me every day,” Egan says. “Every day, one of them did something that jumped out at you.

It’s a really good group.”

The trio will anchor a defense that Egan says should be pretty good in the fall. The Wildcats surrendered 14 points in a one-half 14-7 loss to Dixie Hollins on broken plays in the spring jamboree, and then just one TD in a 28-8 win over Fivay in the other half.

While the Wildcats return their quarterback, top rusher and a bevy of talented receivers, Egan is concerned about the offensive line. He returns four starters, but they are young. “The offensive line will make us or break us,” Egan said.

Athletically, Egan thinks this is the best team he’s had since taking over in 2016.

Even the offensive line is the biggest he’s had. He believes the 2021 team has the potential to be his best yet.

“The toughness and accountability is lacking,” says Egan, as the Wildcats head into an important summer of training. “But, if we get those things right, we’re going to be really good.”

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It was a tale of two halves for the Wiregrass Ranch High football team in their 36-28 spring game loss to Berkeley Prep on May 20.

In the first half, Iowa State University commitment Rocco Becht completed four touchdowns to three different receivers as the Bulls jumped all over the Bucs.

In the second half, the Bulls were outscored 20-0. Head coach Mark Kantor, however, didn’t care as much about the score as he did about having a spring game, which no one played last year due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

“For me, it was about getting back to being competitive, and we accomplished that this spring,” Kantor said. “I don’t care if we win or lose a spring game. I saw some good things from the guys and they definitely competed; now we need to work on closing the deal.”

As is usually the case, Kantor spent the spring looking for depth on the offensive and defensive lines. Offensively, he has rising senior tackles Logan Ridolph (6-4, 275) and Christian Loaiza (6-5, 315) protecting Becht, and hopes to strengthen the other spots on the line. Defensively, he is searching for another interior lineman to pair up with rising junior Thomas Pehek (6-2, 210), especially after Berkeley Prep had success running the ball in the spring game.

Kantor is excited about the scoring potential of his 2021 Bulls. Becht threw for more than 200 yards and, of his four TDs, two were to rising senior transfer Malachi McLaughlin and one each went to rising junior running back Kenny Walker and rising senior Abram Breer.

Rocco Becht threw four touchdown passes in the spring game loss to Berkeley Prep. (Photo: Charmaine George) Kantor says rising sophomore Izaiah Williams and rising junior Elijah Westbrooks, both WR/DBs, had outstanding springs.

“We’re excited about the fall,” Kantor said. “It’s going to be fun getting back in front of 1,200-1,300 fans at the Ranch cheering us on again.”

Back To Basics For Coyotes After a 3-7 season in which threw three interceptions. games were cancelled and/or Walls did engineer two rescheduled and consistency was scoring drives in the final six unattainable due to Covid-19, minutes to earn the tie. He Cypress Creek High coach Mike found rising senior Merrick Johnson eagerly welcomed the Simmons for a TD with just 2021 spring campaign. over a minute remaining “We just wanted to get back and, after a defensive stand to basics,” Johnson said. “Last by the Coyotes, the offense season was like a mish-mash of was able to get in position pickup games. You’d lose a game, for Corrao’s FG. pick up a game, it was just hard to Johnson said the spring get anything established.” allowed him to find some This spring, the Coyotes were depth on the offensive line, able to put in 90 percent of their where he has 9-10 players offensive and defensive schemes, to choose from.

Rising junior linebacker Logan Falk closes in on a Land O’Lakes and hope to refine them by the He says rising junior ball carrier in the spring game. (Photo: Charmine George) start of the 2021 season.

Niko Huitz, who transIn their spring game on May 19, they tied Land O’ ferred in from New Mexico, was a spring revelation. He had an exceptional spring game and “was all over the field,” Lakes 21-21 on a last-second field goal by rising senior Johnson says, and rising sophomore Jaelen Collins impressed placekicker Colton Corrao. enough that Johnson expects big things from him this season.

Operating in a different offense this year, promising “We have the guys, now we just have to put the pieces rising senior quarterback Owen Walls completed 19 of 31 of the puzzle together,” Johnson says. passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also

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Success Comes Quickly For Cypress Creek Lacrosse

By RODNEY PAGE Cypress Creek High is only a four-yearold school, but it has already earned district championships in several sports. And now, you can add girls lacrosse to that list.

The Coyotes, who started as a club team in 2018 before becoming an official varsity sport in 2019, won the school’s first lacrosse District championship (Class A-District 5) in April when they defeated Lake Wales 11-10.

That was followed a week later by a loss to nationally-ranked Orlando Lake Highland Prep in the A-2 Regional playoffs, but Cypress Creek finished 15-5 and won all six of its District games.

Quite a turnaround for a program that could barely field a team its first season.

“We had a couple of years under our belt and then, this year, it just kinda clicked,’’ Coyotes coach Jason Alvis says. “They had experience. It was amazing how much it took off because of that.’’

It’s also amazing how far the team has come since its inaugural season.

Alvis, who never played lacrosse but got into the sport just through attending oldest daughter Jordan’s club practices as a fresh-

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In just their third high school lacrosse season, the Cypress Creek High lacrosse team went 15-5 and captured its first District championship. (Photos courtesy of Jason Alvis) man for Wiregrass Ranch High’s club team, turned out Alvis was going to be the coach. petitioned Cypress Creek at the behest of his In 2018, he formed the club team, daughter to see if the school could start its using players from both Cypress Creek and own club team.

Wesley Chapel high schools and playing The school said okay, but had one ques- other high school club teams. While club lacrosse isn’t sanctioned by the Florida High tion: “Who’s going to be the coach?,’’ Alvis School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and remembers. you don’t compete for district or state titles, Even though he was not a teacher on the Coyotes did get to play an international campus, because it was only a club team, it

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friendly against Cheltenham High School from the U.K. “After the game, the girls exchanged stories and gifts,” Alvis says. “It was quite the experience.”

However, because lacrosse wasn’t exactly a well-known sport and had to compete for players with the more established spring sports like tennis, softball and track and field, it was tough to drum up interest the first year. Alvis says he never had more than 16 girls in 2018; you need 12 for a full lineup.

“It was bad,’’ Alvis says. “I had four or five girls at any one practice. With me not being on campus, I couldn’t recruit. I told some of our club girls that they had to find multi-sport girls and get them to try lacrosse.

We had just enough girls to field a team.’’

In 2019, the Cypress Creek lacrosse team was sanctioned by the FHSAA and could play other high school teams. The Coyotes finished 7-9 that year, and started off the 2020 season 6-3 with mostly underclassmen before Covid-19 ended the season.

With a group of 10 seniors and some talented underclassmen returning, Cypress Creek was ready to prove itself this season.

With a much-more-competitive roster of 23

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players, the Coyotes started with 7-0 and 10-1 records, on the way to a 15-5 season.

Two of their five losses were by a single goal.

The experienced Coyotes powered their way to an unlikely appearance in the District A-5 championship game. After trailing 9-4 at halftime, they showed some of the resilience built up in their early years and locked down Lake Wales, holding the Highlanders to one goal in the second half to win 11-10 and capture the District title.

“I didn’t know what winning was like,’’ says junior midfielder Liberty Mermerian, who says she won two games in two years for her previous high school team in Boise, ID, before transferring to Cypress Creek. “I found out it was about the work you put in.

My first high school team, we didn’t really put in much effort. But here, when we won that District (final), it was all about the attitude of our players and the amount of effort we put in. When we all celebrated on that field and everybody was hugging each other, that was an earned moment.’’

The Coyotes not only earned their first-ever District championship banner, they also received some postseason accolades.

Three players were named first team All-Conference: Junior defender and team captain Miranda Garcia, sophomore Avery Smith (team-high 82 goals) and senior Brianna Segers (65 goals).

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Jason Alvis (right) and assistant coach Sydney Maziarz celebrate the Coyotes’ District title.

Two players were named to the second team: Mermerian and Kendall Smith.

Cypress Creek was named the Sunshine Athletic Conference Team of the Year and Alvis was named the Coach of the Year.

Despite losing 10 seniors to graduation from this team, Alvis believes the success is just beginning for this program. There will only be three seniors next year, but he knows there is talent in the younger classes, including his daughter Jenna, who will be a junior.

“And I’ve heard that with our success, girls from other sports are saying ‘Hey, I think I’m going to try lacrosse now,’’ Alvis says.

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33

Mahana Fresh To Offer Free Bowls On June 12 — Don’t Miss It!

By Gary Nager The fact that restaurants serving a variety of bowls have taken over the collective consciousness (and appetites) of the local community hasn’t been lost on Ryan Mortti, now the co-owner of Mahana Fresh, located just north of I-75 off Doña Michelle Dr. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa.

Ryan, who also owns his own construction company (more about that on page 33), recognized the need to do more to capture more customers, especially with multiple new bowloriented restaurants either having opened recently or getting ready to open within a couple of miles of his Mahana Fresh location — which is one of three in the Bradenton-based mini-chain.

To that end, Ryan has brought in an experienced partner, Chris Courtney-James, who was responsible the last several years for making sure that Dunkin’ Donuts locations that hadn’t been meeting company expectations were brought up to speed. More important, however, is that Chris also spent years in the kitchens of restaurants across the Tampa Bay area and, in his words, “isn’t afraid to spend a lot of time cooking at a hot grill.”

In addition, Ryan and Chris have a special offer that they hope will bring in plenty of locals — two hours of free Mahana-sized bowls (see below) on Saturday, June 12, from noon-1 p.m. and from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. You can pick a bowl, any bowl — one per person, for dine-in only.

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Photographer Charmaine George and I spent some time recently at the local Mahana Fresh and even though both of us already loved the food, we were impressed with the incredible precision with which the bowl-oriented eatery prepared for a large catering order — as well as with the delicious aromas that emanated from those grills while tender steaks and marinated chicken breasts and thighs were cooked over the open flame.

An Amazing Selection!

For those who have never tried Mahana Fresh, you shouldn’t wait until June 12 to check it out. Here’s how it works. You choose from three sizes — Kids (with 1 base, 1 veggie, 1 protein & your choice of sauce), Mahana (1 base, 2 veggies, 1 protein & sauce) and the Big Mahana (2 bases, 2 veggies, 2 proteins & sauce).

The bases include coconut or cauliflower rice, a basmati rice blend, sesame noodles, spinach or my favorite, the kale crunch salad.

Your proteins include marinated ahi tuna, plus Key West, BBQ or (Jannah’s favorite) teriyaki chicken, plus spicy grilled tofu and tender, grilled-to-order steak (my favorite).

The incredible veggies (photo on next pg.) include roasted mushrooms, roasted sweet potatoes, Buffalo cauliflower, garlicky cilantro green beans and my two favorites, the sesame ginger broccoli and the honey sriracha Brussels sprouts.

Available sauces include coconut sweet potato, creamy wasabi and mine and Jannah’s two

(Clockwise from top left) Chris Courtney-James behind the grill. Ryan Mortti & Chris. You get to order your bowl your way. Our editor loves the honey sriracha Brussels sprouts and ahi tuna. (Photos by Charmaine George)

favorites, the cilantro vinaigrette and the citrus ginger.

For a small extra charge, add roasted almonds, avocado smash, parmesan cheese, Jannah’s favorite feta cheese and my fave, the Mediterranean tomatoes.

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Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with any of them, but if you have any trouble deciding, Mahana Fresh has now introduced “Signature Bowls,” including everything from a “Keto Surfer Bowl” (cauliflower rice, sesame ginger broccoli, roasted mush-rooms, grilled steak & cilantro vinaigrette) to a “Veggie Vacay Bowl” (coconut rice, sesame ginger broccoli, roasted mushrooms, sesame garlic tofu and coconut sweet potato sauce) and The Big Kahuna Bowl (basmati rice blend, spinach, Buffalo cauliflower, garlicky cilantro green beans, BBQ chicken, grilled steak and cilantro lime vinaigrette).

And, all of Mahana Fresh’s house-made desserts are pretty tasty, especially for glutenfree — and include chocolate chip cookies, zucchini brownies and snickerdoodle cookies.

As for beverages, Mahana Fresh has done away with its unique beer taps, but still has fountain sodas, Pure Leaf sweet and unsweet tea, regular and strawberry lemonade, a variety of Bubly flavored sparkling waters and Bai flavored antioxidant infusion drinks.

Mahana Fresh is located at 17512 Doña Michelle Dr. and is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. For more information, call (727) 238-9967, visit MahanaFresh.com or see the ad on page 42.

of the repurposed shipping containers at the KRATE container park at The Grove, but also on bringing a cool mini-golf course (rendering below) to the area near The Grove theater, with his brother Matt Mortti and his sister Melissa Schachtner and her husband Andrew Schachtner.

“It won’t have windmills but it will have a mountain with waterfalls and fire, plus cool trick shots,” Ryan says, adding that the tropical-themed course also will have a tiki hut restaurant that serves beer and wine.

This more traditional mini-golf course should not be confused with the Tiger Woods co-owned PopStroke Entertainment minigolf course coming to S.R. 56 (see pg. 11).

Bringing Mini-Golf To The Grove!

As mentioned earlier, Ryan also owns his own construction company and has been busy working on not only completing many

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Check Out Rhythm & Brews At Double Branch June 19!

Where can you enjoy a variety of craft beers, delicious food and listen to some outstanding music, all to support a couple of great causes?

On Saturday, June 19, 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Double Branch Artisanal Ales, located in the Village at The Grove shopping plaza, will host the Rhythm & Brews Festival to benefit the Joshua House (a safe haven residence for abused, abandoned and neglected children) and the Rotary Club of New Tampa Foundation.

The Rhythm & Brews Festival is free to

attend if you just want to hang out and listen to some great live music (starting at 4 p.m.)

by Bob T & Friends (photo). But, from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Altered Craft Distribution and Double Branch are offering an amazing Craft Beer Tasting, which will include unlimited 3-oz. samples of an outstanding selection of craft beers, for $30 per ticket in advance or $35 per ticket at the door.

“Bob T” is New Tampa Rotary After Hours Satellite Club chair Bob Thompson, and club members will be volunteering during the event.

In addition to Double Branch, the other Altered Craft brewers offering samples at the event include Bayboro Brewing Co., Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co., Cueni Brewing Co., Dissent Craft Brewing Co., Gulfport Brewery, Overflow Brewing Co., Pinellas Ale Works, Southern Lights Brewing Co. and Troubled Waters Brewing.

The event also will feature food vendors, including Omnivorous, Double Branch’s outstanding in-house kitchen and the Neighborhood News is proud to be a sponsor of this much-needed, fun event.

Double Branch Artisanal Ales is located at 5956 Wesley Grove Blvd. For tasting tickets, scan the QR code in the ad on pg. 32 of this issue or, for more info, visit dbaa.com. — GN

Cannotbecombinedw/otheroffers.Exp.6/30/21.

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Pick Of The Week: Vesh Bistro At SVB!

Batter & Dough Closes Storefront!

So, while scrolling through Facebook, I noticed that Batter & Dough, the unique dessert and breakfast place located on S.R. 56, in the same Cypressview Square plaza as Capital Tacos, announced that it had closed its storefront location to concentrate on catering. The Facebook post I saw said, “We thank you for all the memories you created with us.

Words cannot express our gratitude to the love and support we have received.

We have closed our location but we will continue to make large catering orders.

You can contact us through IG, FB or at Thebatterandough@gmail.com.”

While I will miss their waffle ice cream sandwiches, I may have to order some of their great desserts like this Chocolatey Peanut Buttery Pie (photo) — and others — sometime soon. — GN

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I remember when I first met Mark Vesh of Vesh Catering. It was at a groundbreaking event for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and I remember being so impressed with the food being served, I asked to meet him. Since then, I have enjoyed Mark’s delicious finger foods at any number of local events, but until recently, I had never had a complete meal created by him and his staff.

But, when I heard Mark (top photo), his wife Patty and their team were opening the Vesh Bistro at the new Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills, I was excited to sample everything on the menu.

And, to date, I have not been disappointed.

From appetizers like the ahi tuna bruschetta (bottom photo) and specialties like the cauliflower crust caprese & pesto flatbread (above right) and some of the best chicken salad in town on a bakedin-house croissant (right) and so much more, the food at the Vesh Bistro is always on-point. There’s even an all-you-care-to-eat Sunday brunch buffet with an omelet station, perfect candied bacon and a rotating menu of lunch favorites. And, just as he did for Mother’s Day, when more than 300 people enjoyed brunch, Mark promises something special for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20, so make your reservations now!

The Vesh Bistro is at the SVB Tennis Center (6585 Simons Rd., Zephryhills). Call (813) 517-0707, visit VeshCatering.com or watch the video on our Facebook page.—GN

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Checking Out The New Señor Tequila!

I’m pretty confident that our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page was the first to tell anyone (on May 25) about the opening of Señor Tequila in the former Bonefish Grill location in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just south of S.R. 56.

Very little seems to have been changed inside the new Mexican restaurant, the fourth link in a local chain which has existing locations on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. and in Westchase, as well as Winter Springs, and after sampling a few menu items, the food and service are both pretty good.

Jannah and I enjoyed the sizzling fajitas for two (above) on our first visit and photographer Charmaine George and I also gave thumbs-up to the steak tacos (below), the steak Tampiqueño (ribeye steak grilled with onions) and the pollo ranchero (grilled chicken breast with sautéed onions, tomatoes, jalapeños and cilantro). Also try the house-made chips with semi-spicy salsa and the full liquor bar with an impressive tequila/ margarita selection.

Wesley Chapel’s Señor Tequila is located at 1640 BBD Blvd. For more info, visit TheSenorTequila.com or call (813) 4285411 & please tell them I sent you.—GN

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Have You Seen Our Latest Dining Videos? Ice SSSScreamin’ Opens In New Tampa!

If you’re looking for updates on all of the new restaurants in Wesley Chapel (and New Tampa — and even beyond), look no further than our “Neighborhood News” page on Facebook.

Because so many new eateries keep opening in our distribution areas, we have increased the number of dining-oriented videos we’ve been releasing, including my latest “Neighborhood Dining News” segment, which was shot (photo; ad below) at the getting-ready-to-open Falabella Family Bistro, but also includes sneak peeks at the coming-soon Ice Dreammm Shop and Bluefin Sushi, plus food pics from the now-open Omnivorous kitchen inside Double Branch Artisanal Ales (see pg. 36). All of these newcomers are located in the ever-expanding Village at The Grove, but there also are updates on the new Token Ramen at the Shops at Wiregrass, as well as from the new Señor Tequila (see story, left) in the former Bonefish Grill location on BBD. Another well-received recent dining video was a look at the truly delicious Vesh Bistro at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center (story also on the previous page), even though it’s in Zephyrhills. It’s my pleasure to keep you informed, both in print and online, about all of these new places because I truly love sampling them — almost always on my own nickel. — GN

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If you’re looking for truly delicious, gourmet ice cream and treats, you have to check out the new Ice SSSScreamin’ shop, located at 14933 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., next to Mr. Dunderbak’s in the Oak Ramble Plaza, just south of Tampa Palms.

Not to be confused with the similarly-named Ice Dreammm Shop in Lutz (and soon, in The Grove at Wesley Chapel) we told you about last issue, my new friend Zee says this is his second store with the many “S” name, with the other now having been located in Cape Coral for 15 years.

Both stores serve 40 rotating flavors of decadently creamy Yoder’s Southern Creamery ice cream (based in Sarasota) in an amazing array of flavors, several of which I got to sample on my first visit, including brownie caramel, chocolate peanut butter and triple peanut butter and all are absolutely unforgettable!

Zee says, “People love us for our monthly specials,” which include items like a Reese’s Special (Reese’s ice cream cake with peanut butter ice cream and chunks of crushed Reese’s cups), plus croissant sundaes, pancake, waffle and even donut ice cream sandwiches, hand-spun milk shakes (“We can make them with any of our flavors”) and more! There are even no-sugar-added and vegan flavors available.

And, if you mention that you read this story in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, you’ll receive $5 off any purchase of $25 or more through June 30!

For more information or to place an order, call (813) 605-5040 or visit icesssscreamin.com and please tell Zee I sent you! — GN

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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 or visit our website. 813-433-6015.

RAYMOND PAINTING. Ext. & Int. Svcs. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: 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.

CHARLES POPPE ELECTRIC. Electric of all kinds: pools, spas, svc changes, new circuits, low-voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, troubleshoot’g, GFCI performance testing, generators. We are experts w/40+ years exp. Discount of 50% off labor for senior citizens! Lic’d & Insured Master Electrician (EC 13002399) - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068.

MILLENNIUM HOME REPAIR. Prof’l Handyman.

Cabinet install., dry wall repair, tile install. & repair, some plumbing, laminate flooring, light fixtures, int. painting, appliance install., pressure washing, paneling, window repair, awning install., carpentry, garbage disposal, fence repair, crown molding, window blinds, seal baths & showers, TV mounting & more. Call 813-400-1408 or email TycoonUnion@yahoo.com.

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.

TJ’s PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Houses, Fences, Driveways, Lanais & Screened Enclosures. Most resdt’l 2-car driveways & vinyl fences start at $75. House washing starts at $150 for 1-story home & $199 for 2-story home. Need an instant quote? Text me a picture of the job you need done. Call Tj at 727-808-7775.

Classifieds

HOME HEALTH CARE

HOME DIALYSIS PARTNER: Why travel for dialysis?

Home Hemodialysis Partner LLC ‘s Cert. Home Health Aide & Phlebotomy Tech will come to you! We attend mandatory training at your clinic, assemble your machine at home, check vitals, start & finish treatment w/you, maintain contact w/an on-call nurse & safely remove you from the machine. Accepting new clients June 21! Email YourDialysisPartner@gmail.com or call 813.841.3754.

CAREGIVER/HOUSEKEEPER URGENTLY NEEDED! This is a live-out position. Work Mon-Thurs, $650/wk.

Childcare & light housekeeping. Must be able to interact w/children & speak English. Non-smoker, please! MUST HAVE REFERENCES & BE RESPONSIBLE! If interested, email Linda at flowershop998@gmail.com.

CNA/HHA available to do private duty care in your home. 30 years of exp. Will attend to all of your daily needs. References upon request. Call Rhonda at 850-586-1868.

SENIOR OVERNIGHT COMPANION SITTERS Two kind senior sisters seeking work safeguarding your loved one during the overnight hours. We’ve been working w/the senior population for 10 years & have seen a need for local, English-speaking, backgroundchecked, Covid-tested, dependable companions w/their own transportation. Very reasonable rates. Call Diane or Elisa at 813-938-8614.

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.

PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+, Cert. computer tech w/20 years exp. Maintenance & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assistance & refs. avail. See our ad on pg. 32 or call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate.

MISCELLANEOUS

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 - $35 (one way, 24/7). Driver vaccinated w/two shots. Cory Lake Isles resident. Call/text 813.765.2037.

GET $500 TOWARDS CLOSING COSTS... when you buy a NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME with Florida Homes with Geri at Epperson OR Mirada. Schedule a PRIVATE TOUR of both Communities by a Resident Realtor. Join @LifeAtTheLagoon with @RealtorGeri Call/Text 813-609-0966. Connect with me on Instagram & Facebook.

CLEANING SERVICES

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.

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: 813-4621270. Local references supplied upon request.

CLEAN-IT RESIDENTIAL & COMM’L CLEANING: Following all CDC guidelines, 18 yrs in NT & WC. Lic’d & Ins’d. See the ad on pg. 41, call 813.505.0431, or email cleanitmc@gmail.com.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & postconstruction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Press. washing; FREE ests.; Refs. avail. Call 813531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies & more than 400 clients in New Tampa! For more info, call 813-758-9710 or see our display ad below.

LAWN & LANDSCAPING _

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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.

NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commercial lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel.

Sprinkler repairs, tree trimming, mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available. Licensed & Insured. CALL BILL @ (813) 973-3825.

A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service. Lic’d & insured, serving the Tampa Bay area 20+ years. Family owned & operated. Quality work, affordable rates. Gutter clean-outs, screen repairs, pressure washing & sprinkler repairs. Landscaping & property maint., including sod, tree & hedge trimming & clean ups. Other services avail.

CALL 813-907-LAWN (5296).

Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maint.: 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. Now hiring FT workers.

HEAVY HITTER LAWN CARE: Veteran owned & operated lawn care maint. service, focused on lawn mowing, trimming, edging & blowing (flexible w/extra svcs.). Well maintained & professional laborer ensuring cust. satisfaction & on-time cuts. Rain or shine, quality & schedule will be kept. Lic’d & Insured. Call or text 678-673-7856 for your FREE Estimate.

POOL SERVICES

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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 & inground vinyl liner replacements avail. Quality salt & ozone generators, pumps, motors & filters. Mention this ad for a $79 pool svc. (restrictions apply). 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 @ 813-857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim-safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get ONE MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com.

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.

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE! Retired Professional Photographer (45+ years experience) in the Tampa Bay area. Corporate Events, Personal Occasions, Portraiture, Pets, Commercial Photography & Real Estate. Reasonable rates. Ask me about “Front Porch Portraits,” taken from the safety of your front porch, FREE OF CHARGE! Great for Families, Children, Pets & more! Call or Text (813) 748-3901 or Visit: russellleprephotography.com.

FITNESS & WELL BEING

YOGA, PERSONAL TRAINING, NUTRITION & PHYSICAL THERAPY w/DR. LAUREN LEIVA, DPT! Phys Ed for everyone, including all children, w/a certified personal trainer who also is a degreed Dr. of Physical Therapy. Ask Dr. Leiva about her PE4ME sliding scale pay program! For more info, visit TheExerscienceCenter.com, call 813.464.0313 or see the ad on pg. 19 of this issue.

Break It Down Productions. Customized Private Yoga Sessions w/Susanna Jones. Develop strength & flexibility, while learning how to breathe & relax. I specialize in working w/beginners and those requiring a more gentle approach than most group Yoga classes. I explain everything, and provide variations so that you actually feel good in the stretch instead of strained.

Gift certificates available. www.breakitdownproductions.com or Call (813) 802-8393.

Neighborhood News Classified Ads Deliver Results! Our publications are directly mailed to 150,000+ people every 4 weeks! Order yours today at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net.

TREE SERVICE

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE. 25-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 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE. COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE_____ 1,850-sq.-ft. Commercial/Medical Space Available to Lease. Address: 24420 SR 54, Lutz (in the Medi-Weightloss Building). For more info, call 813-293-4377 or email: gwillett@mediweightlossclinics.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 12 • June 8, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 12 • June 8, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

41

‘Goofy Turtle Is Open!’

Continued from page 20

Science toys include everything from the Thinkfun brand Code Master and Code On The Brink programming logic games (for ages 8-definitely-not-this-adult) to the MoBotz Ramblez voice-changing “sidekick” and the UpShot Bow & Arrow gaming system from Odyssey, Steve Spangler Science brand Oobleck! slime/quicksand and so many more that I’m really not doing the list of STEM and STEAM goodies justice.

And of course, since drone vehicles are the wave of the future, not only is there a huge selection of drones for sale, there’s even what I call the Drone Cone, where kids can learn how to control and fly their drones in an enclosed space.

Swathi and her partner Soujanya’s husband Eshwar Babu Vanaparthi, who helped take me on the tour of the store, also promise that as the Covid pandemic hopefully becomes more and more a thing of the past, that Goofy Turtle will offer much more opportunity for kids to try out toys in the store.

There’s even plans to convert one area of the store (near the Princess Castle) into an enclosed small party room where each child in attendance can play with a toy their parents have purchased and other fun play ideas coming soon.

In other words, even though Goofy Turtle also offers more traditional play blocks, pogo sticks and other lesseducational toys, this is no ordinary toy store and you should definitely bring your kids of all ages to check it out!

Goofy Turtle (2416 Grand Cypress Dr.ºw) is open Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. & 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 406-0518 or visit GoofyTurtle.com and please tell them the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you!

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(Clockwise from top left): For kids who seemingly love to break things, try iPlay iLearn’s Take Apart toys. Kids can learn how to fly their drones in Goofy Turtle’s Drone Cone. Odyssey’s UpShot bow & arrow gaming system is one of many available smart toys. We couldn’t fit all of the hot, trending items for sale in Goofy Turtle, so pictured above are just a few of them.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 12 • June 8, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 12 • June 8, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 12 • June 8, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews