New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 28. Issue 15, July 21, 2020

Volume 28 Issue 15 July 21, 2020

Inside: Aldi Finally Opens In Wesley Chapel!

See pages 34-35!

Parents Have Tough School Choices To Make

By JOHN C. COTEY not ideal, she says, but for her, the risk of infection outweigh the benefits of sojohn@ntneighborhoodnews.com cial interaction and classroom learning.

Schools are not just re-opening She certainly understands anyone this fall, they have to re-open. who chooses the opposite for their The President tweets it; the Gover- kids, sympathizing with those who nor repeats it. trust the safety measures and some With the rising and record number studies that say children aren’t as afof positive Covid-19 cases and deaths fected by the virus, while also worrying in Florida seemingly finding no ceiling, their children’s mental health may sufthat leaves parents with one of the fer in a detached, online setting. toughest decisions — whether to send But, when Jaclyn looked at the their children back to brick-and-mortar rising numbers, “I felt like there is a schools or have them learn online — potential risk of losing my child,” she many of them have ever had to make. says. “And that’s not a chance I’m willing to take.”

Jaclyn Lewis-Croswell, the parent If Covid-19 continues to rage at of a fourth-grader at Turner/Bartels its current rate, there remains a chance K-8 school, will be keeping her daughthat schools will not open by August or ter home in the fall to learn online. It’s

will be completely online, at least until January. But, as of our deadline on July 13, the plan to re-open Florida’s schools was moving forward, with Hillsborough County’s schools offering three different options when classes resume in August: • Option A: A return to traditional, face-to-face, brick-and-mortar schooling, with special social distancing and enhanced disinfecting measures implemented, as well as requiring all students, teachers and staff to wear masks at all times.

• Option B: eLearning full-time through the students’ assigned schools.

Students will participate in a distance learning program from home, taught by teachers at their school through

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• Option C: Hillsborough Virtual K-12, a web-based curriculum taught by teachers from Hillsborough County, but not the same as the eLearning program. For grades 6-12, Hillsborough Virtual K-12 and Florida Virtual School (FLVS) are the same, except Hillsborough Virtual K-12 will follow the District’s 2020-21 school calendar, meaning they have more stringent start-and-stop deadlines.

The Neighborhood News spoke with multiple families about their respective decisions. On page 4 are three stories about how some of those parents made their decisions.

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Masks, Bars & The Response To My Call For Help An editorial by Gary Nager but we did find some nice homemade cloth masks being sold on the Wesley Chapel Community After I wrote about the Facebook page, so that’s what we wore, although aftermath of the George Floyd we sometimes just cut T-shirts to make our own and Rayshard Brooks killmasks when the others were being washed. ings in our June 9 and July 7 At that time, when most of Florida in Wesley Chapel issues and our general and Pasco in particular had very few cases June 23 New Tampa issue, I of Covid-19, many people mocked me for wearwas very pleased at the number ing the cloth masks, saying that they have been of emails/letters I received from both black and proven to not stop the spread of the virus, etc. white reader — of, apparently, a number of differAll I knew was that cloth masks were all we ent races, religions and political viewpoints — who had and I wanted to at least wear something when appreciated my take on the current situation and I walked into Publix or Walmart. offered words of advice and encouragement and As Florida has been reopening the last something much more valuable to me than just several weeks (seemingly too quickly, however), the kind words. Many of those who wrote to me and all kinds of face coverings have become have offered to help start and/or get involved much more readily available, the thing I have had with a local grassroots movement that might help trouble understanding is why so many people still stem the tide of systemic racism and build better have such a problem with wearing them — and communication here.

And, even though not all of the response has been quite so positive, there seems to be plenty of people interested in trying to figure out what we can all do to help — even those who have very different viewpoints about whether or not systemic racism even exists in our country.

One of the New Tampa readers who responded to my email wrote: “Your editorial is complete (bull____). I get it’s your opinion but I suggest you understand the definition of ‘systemic’ as you didn’t provide any instances of that.”

Well, silly me, I thought the fact that I had unknowingly tried to pass a counterfeit $100 bill at a bar and didn’t end up with anyone kneeling on my neck for 8:46, as George Floyd ended up for passing a counterfeit $20, was at least representative of the difference between how white and black people are treated in similar situations.

I guess my mistake was that I just didn’t think I needed to give examples of the proof that systemic racism exists in our country because I believe in my heart that it does — as, yes, I have seen a few examples of it throughout my life.

And, the important thing, to me, as the person who wrote the editorial, was that not only do I believe it exists, but also that I would like to somehow try to find a way to be part of the solution, even on a very small scale.

Plus, every time I put my opinions in writing and directly mail them to more than 120,000 of my closest friends, I fully expect some people to disagree with me — and I’m even OK with it if they are vehement in that disagreement. That’s the risk I take for having opinions and I’ve never wavered from being willing to take those risks for the last 26+ years and — because I live in the United States of America — I still always believe in everyone’s right to their own opinions, even when they differ from mine. That’s just who I am.

I am still looking for additional people who also want to help. At this point, I’m thinking about organizing a Zoom meeting for everyone interested in an open dialogue with people who may or may not share your viewpoint on the topic of racism. If you’re interested in being part of this initial attempt to try to find a better way, please email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com. And please, if you already emailed me after reading last issue, you don’t have to mail or email me again to get involved.

Everyone who already has sent me an email on this subject should have received an invitation to that Zoom meeting before this issue reached your mailbox. Thanks, and stay safe!

My Take On Masks Now

OK, I’ll admit it, I absolutely hate wearing a face mask out in public. But, unlike apparently too many people, I have been wearing masks in public places since just after St. Patrick’s Day. When we first started wearing them, Jannah and I couldn’t find disposable masks anywhere, Neighborhood News

no, I’m not calling you out if you have a true medical reason for not wearing one.

I have been told by more than one local resident that the pandemic is a hoax because they didn’t personally know anyone who had died from the virus, as well as many who have just said, “I’ll never wear one, no matter what.”

I hope that, with Florida setting new Covid-19 case records almost every day at our press time — and with bars in Florida not being allowed to serve alcohol on their premises since June 25 because so many of the new cases are younger people who still seem unconcerned about wearing masks or social distancing — more of us will be willing to adapt to this new “normal”...for quite a while still to come. For me, this is a public health issue, NOT a political one, so I wish more of us could stop politicizing it and do the right thing for all of us.

INSIDE:

Be patient. Road improvements are still in the works for our area.

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Uptown Cheapskate in Tampa Palms turns old clothes into new money.

Pages 30-31

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

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

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 28, Issue 17, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Friday, July 31, 2020.

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

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3

Covid-19 & Back To School —

Three Families, Three Choices

Continued from page 1

Cindy and Connor Kelly both feel the decision to stick with online learning is the safest way forward.

Cindy Kelly - eLearning

When schools abruptly closed in March due to the coronavirus, teachers and students were thrown into an online system of learning that ended up receiving mixed reviews.

While some found the spring experience underwhelming and ineffective, others, like Wharton’s Connor Kelly, thrived in that environment.

So this fall, Connor plans to spend his senior year again learning outside of the classroom as he prepares for college.

“He had no desire go back to the bricks and mortar,” his mom Cindy says. “I was kind of surprised by it myself.”

Cindy says that if Connor had expressed a desire to return to school, the coronavirus would have definitely caused her some concern. In fact, Connor says a big part of his decision stems from his own concerns about passing anything onto his parents.

“It really does seem like people are really concerned about the virus and weighing it with the social aspect and the isolation (of online) learning,” Cindy says. “It’s a miserable, tough decision to make.”

Thankfully, Connor found the flexibility of online learning to his liking last spring, and looks forward to continuing it. He says, however, that a slight majority of friends in his social circles say they are returning to brick and mortar.

“They want to be able to have that social interaction,” he says, “although, the way it sounds, there probably won’t be too much social interacting allowed anyway.”

He regrets having to miss some, or, depending upon the virus, all of his senior year. He is serving as president of Rho Kappa, the social studies honor society, and isn’t sure he’ll get to make his induction speech, and says he also had roles in other clubs he will miss, as well as the other social benefits of his last year in high school.

“It kind of sucks,” Connor says. “I had a whole meticulous plan laid out for the last three years…I spent a lot of time designing my senior year, and then a rock was thrown through it. But that’s okay, it’s a life lesson.”

4

Lisa and Eric Ling, with their kids Elijah and Ethan, think its time to get kids back to school, with increased safety standards.

Lisa Ling — Traditional School

Lisa Ling is sending her kids back to school.

While the mother of a first- and fourth-grader at Hunter’s Green Elementary (HGE) understands the risks associated with the brick-and-mortar option this year, she also feels better about her decision now that masks are going to be required.

“Getting kids back to school is what needs to happen,” she says.

Ling and her husband Eric aren’t alone. A recent thread on Facebook she participated in showed more than a dozen parents who agreed with them, and she says many of her friends are following suit.

Ling says it wasn’t really that tough of a decision. “Well, I really did not consider Hillsborough Virtual K-12 or Florida Virtual, because we love our school and didn’t want to disconnect from it,” Ling says. “The (Covid) numbers are going up, but it’s a very low percentage of the population.

We feel that there also is evidence coming out that young kids just don’t transmit it as much. Our whole family is healthy, no one has a compromised immune system or lives with an elderly grandparent. God forbid, if one of us gets it, we’ll be okay.”

Lisa has been a stay-at-home mom for nine years. When her children were forced to learn from home in the spring, she says she didn’t find it to be a fruitful experience.

Her third grader was fairly independent unless he would click on the wrong thing while working from his computer, and her youngest, who was in kindergarten, needed constant support.

She didn’t find the quality of the education to be what it should either, but understands it was a difficult, thrown-together situation for everyone.

“It wasn’t the same as being at school,” she says.

Lisa will no longer be a stay-at-home mom this fall. She is returning as a school psychologist at Benito Middle and Clark Elementary schools. She says her new job did not affect her decision.

“Even if I hadn’t taken that job, I was sending them back,” she says.

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(l.-r.) Hector, Grayson and Laurie Gonzalez decided eLearning will work best for them this fall.

Laurie Gonzalez — eLearning

As a teacher, Laurie Gonzalez isn’t sure how she would keep her students safe from the spread of Covid-19, much less her son Grayson, who would be attending sixth grade at Benito Middle School on school choice this fall if she hadn’t decided to keep him home for eLearning.

“I made the choice to do eLearning for my child because I don’t think it is safe for anyone to return at this point,” says Laurie.

By choosing school-based eLearning through his assigned school, as opposed to the other online options, Grayson can keep his seat and if Covid-19 is ever brought under control, he can return after the fall semester.

“Of course I worry about social interaction, but at what cost?,” she says. “At least today, kids have video games and phones so they can keep in contact with their friends. It isn’t the same but, for now, it will have to do.”

Laurie has read the CDC guidelines and imagines what she and her co-workers’ classrooms would look like in the Covid-19 age. She doesn’t like what she sees.

“I know first-hand that it will be impossible to follow the CDC’s guidelines to keep kids safe from Covid, especially if we reopen schools at full capacity,” she says. “There is not enough room in most classrooms to space kids 3 feet apart for testing, so 6 feet is just not going to happen.”

A mask mandate is a great decision, Laurie says, “but I don’t believe it will be enough. As soon as we open schools, I anticipate the number of Covid cases will skyrocket.”

Laurie, who teaches at Turner/Bartels K-8 School, says she has an auto-immune disease, and is nervous about the impact Covid-19 would have on her if she were to get it.

With so many unknowns, Laurie and her husband Hector have no idea when it will be completely safe again to return to school — for her or her students. She feels fairly certain that August won’t be it.

“Yes, I am very confident that coronavirus will still be a problem in August,” she says. “We haven’t seen the numbers (of deaths) that will correlate with the 4th of July yet, but I don’t have much faith that they will be good.”

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Outside The Box, Inside The Pod?

By JOHN C. COTEY by their school’s teachers through the john@ntneighborhoodnews.com online platform and Zoom video classrooms used by their schools. However, the parents are already interviewing Although Hillsborough County people to be a support specialist, is giving parents three choices for who would monitor the pod from 8 the upcoming fall semester, it really a.m.-3 p.m. and help the students with comes down to two choices — learn technology issues, staying on task and in a traditional classroom with other doing their assignments. students, restoring the social interac“Basically what we would have tion and face-to-face contact that are been doing if we had been home,” the stalwarts of education; or learn in Wolgemuth says. a more isolated and individual-based The idea was Wolgemuth’s brainonline format at home that makes it child and she says she began thinking easier to avoid contracting the virus about the learning pod solution before and transmitting it to others.

However, there is a group of local the Hillsborough School District issued its choices for parents. She parents considering something else thought the District was too comfort— merging the classroom and online able with the idea that everything settings together in a unique collabowould be fine by August. “I’m a planration that, they believe, will offer the ner,” she says. “This was my plan A.” best of both worlds.

She mentioned the concept to Tampa Palms resident Jenni friends, but the response, at first, was Wolgemuth, an Associate Professor tepid. She continued, however, to of measurement and research at the USF College of Education and mother bring it up in conversations.

When she had a Zoom call with of a first- and fifth-grader, is helping other parents after the choices were to organize a group of 4-5 families revealed by the District, there was still whose children will learn online, but some hesitation. During that call with will learn together in a small “learnother mothers, however, one of the ing pod” overseen by a privately hired husbands, a doctor who works with learning support specialist.

Covid-19 patients, overheard the plan.

“A one-room school house,” “That is a really good idea,” he Wolgemuth calls it. “It is an attempt said, and the plan started to take root. to create a bubble around a group of There are still hoops to jump families, all agreeing to similar standthrough for Wolgemuth and her ards of social distancing.” group, which includes a second Tampa That school house, or learning Palms family, two families from Lutz “pod,” that Wolgemuth has organand another from Carrollwood. ized will have nine students in it.

They will have to see how the Four of the students are fifth graders, pod works for the younger students, who would hopefully have the same namely the two first graders. And, teachers at the charter school they all having nine or so computers using the attended last year. same WiFi network could create issues The pod also will include two that would need to be addressed. first-graders, a third grader, an eighth Otherwise, Wolgemuth thinks the grader and a ninth-grader. The parents idea is the best fix for one semester, would rotate hosting and the kids with the hopes that the coronavirus would bring their lunches and eat can be brought under control and that together and have time for outdoor everyone can go back to their brickactivities together, too. and-mortar schools in January.

Everyone would still be taught

"I am proud to endorse my friend and valued colleague John Schifino for Judge. John is a stellar lawyer who values professionalism, civility, and a strong work ethic. He is earnest and sincere about wanting to serve the public as a Judge. His legal career and record of service to our community show that clearly.

He will make for a first-class Judge and public servant. I am proud to endorse this decent man for Judge."

VOTE JOHN SCHIFINO FOR JUDGE JOHN IS PROUDLY ENDORSED & SUPPORTED BY: Honorable E.J. Salcines, Retired Judge Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera Honorable Dennis Alvarez, Retired Chief Judge Tampa City Councilman Joe Citro Honorable Manny Menendez, Retired Chief Judge Plant City Comm. Michael Sparkman Hillsborough County Firefighters Local #2294 Former Governor Bob Martinez Tampa Fire Fighters #754 Former State Senator Arthenia Joyner West Central Florida PBA ,Tampa PBA Former State Attorney Mark Ober West Central Florida Labor Council, AFL-CIO Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn Hillsborough County Public Defender Julie Holt Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Florida State Senator Janet Cruz Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco Tampa City Council Chairman Guido Maniscalco Former Tampa Mayor Sandra Freedman

DEDICATED TO OUR COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO OUR COURTS Committed to the rule of law and the integrity to do the job right Nearly 25 years of courtroom experience Past President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Tampa Hispanic Bar Foundation, Board Member Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, Board Member Sat on the 13th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee Pace Center for Girls, Former Board Member and Board President Former Bayshore Little League Coach and League President Highly respected in the legal community Recently selected by his peers as top 100 Florida Super Lawyers AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (Highest Rating) Recipient of the 2019 13th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Award Recipient of the 2012 Hills. Bar Outstanding Board Service Award Hillsborough Assoc. for Women Lawyers 2017 Professionalism Award 2020 Florida Association for Women Lawyers Leaders in Law Award 2016 James M. "Red" McEwen Memorial Award

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5

New Tampa Road Projects Still On The Way!

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com A new roundabout for Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., a new coat of paving for New Tampa Blvd. and a number of new enhancements for Tampa Palms Blvd. remain in the New Tampa/District 7 pipeline for Fiscal Year 2021, according to Tampa City Council member Luis Viera.

Issues like lawsuits and Covid-19 have slowed some of the projects down.

“They’re coming, though,” Viera says. “They’re coming.”

One project that likely already would have been done, or certainly would’ve been underway by now, are the longThe graphic above is one potential design for a roundabout on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., which awaited repaving and enhancements of should be constructed sometime in 2021. (Art: City of Tampa) New Tampa Blvd., from the New Tampa expected to yield. However, Hillsborwithout AFT funds, which really stinks,” Gateway Bridge to Bruce B. Downs Blvd. ough County Commissioner Stacy White says Viera, who pushed hard for New Long a prickly point with many West challenged the referendum language and Tampa to receive some immediate Meadows residents, the repaving was on it is now tied up in the Florida Supreme improvements due to its support for the the list of items that were supposed to be Court, which has yet to make a decision. referendum, only to see it get tied up expedited after the All For TransportaA back-up plan for another referendum in litigation. “Moving forward with the tion (AFT) referendum passed in 2019, this fall has been postponed until 2022, as design means they are married to the with 57 percent of voters agreeing to a Covid-19 has taken precedence. idea. So, if the AFT money doesn’t come one-cent sales tax increase to be used for There is some good news — the New through, it will still be funded. It’s just gotransportation projects.

Tampa Blvd. project concept design is be- ing to be on a longer timeline.”

The New Tampa Blvd. project was ing funded by the City of Tampa.

The same goes for Tampa Palms slated to receive $1.3 million of the $280 “However, it can’t be completed Blvd., which had a total of $700,000 million a year for 30 years the tax was

earmarked for Complete Streets programming, which is a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plan for improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety and “building the right road in the right place for the right purpose.”

The Tampa Palms Blvd. project is supposed to include operational improvements to its two Compton Dr. intersections — namely potential roundabouts to replace four-way stops Mortgage — as well as F roadway improvements like enhanced Protection In crosswalks, sidewalks and bulb-outs (also called curb extensions) along the roadway’s 4-mile loop.

College One project that won’t be held up Expenses

by AFT funds is a roundabout currently being designed for the intersection of Highwoods Preserve and HighLow-Cost Term Pkwy.

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The design is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with construction expected in 2021.

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Tampa Palms Resident Making School Board Bid

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Tampa Palms resident Jessica Vaughn has spent much of her time the past few years as a community organizer and helping other candidates with various campaigns and elections.

Now, she wants to expand her horizons and run her own campaign, with the hopes of replacing Cindy Stuart in the Hillsborough County School Board’s District 3 seat. A crowded Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18.

Stuart, who has served on the Hillsborough School Board since 2012, is running for Clerk of Circuit Court, leaving open her School Board seat, which represents the northern suburbs of the county, including New Tampa, Carrollwood, Lutz and Thonotosassa.

Vaughn, a substitute teacher who was elected to the Tampa Palms CDD in 2016, is hoping to parlay her desire to improve education throughout the District into a position where she can make a difference.

“I’ve been involved in helping other people get elected,” Vaughn says, “but I am very passionate about education, and it was a good time to put my money where my mouth was.”

Neighborhood News

by Covid-19, Vaughn has been active on social media and has aggressively campaigned where she can. Her lengthy platform includes everything from clean water and safe buildings to catching those students falling through the cracks.

School safety in the age of coronavirus, however, has become most important.

She was in favor of students wearing masks before the county decided to make them mandatory, and says rigorous cleaning of schools has to be the top priority.

Teachers and students, she says, must be taken care of, and virtual and e-learning options should be readily available.

Vaughn says she’s a strong believer in public education, and isn’t opposed to charter schools in theory, praising Pepin School Board candidate Jessica Vaughn Academies and Learning Gate Community Vaughn, who graduated with a School in Lutz, but says many other charter Bachelor of Science in Education degree schools have siphoned money from public from USF in 2010, says she feels that schools and aren’t being held to the same many School Board members aren’t serv- standards as public schools. ing based on a passion for education, but Vaughn feels strongly that statewide rather to launch a political career. testing is overutilized and far from adeShe thinks it’s important to have quate in determining a student’s academic experience managing a budget, being in achievement, and that the School Disthe classroom and being a parent. “Those trict’s budget — which has again seen its are the types of people we really need on reserves disappear and has created a $50 the School Board,” she says. “That’s why I million deficit — is not being used wisely. thought I’d be a good fit.”

She think more money needs to be With campaigning in person limited spent on evening the playing field for

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students who are at a disadvantage due to things many take for granted, like access to nutrition, walking to school in dangerous neighborhoods or even just having a jacket to wear to school in cold weather.

“If we’re not honestly talking about access to resources, supporting these communities and what that looks like when we’re talking about achievement, we’re not being realistic about the conversation,” she says.

Vaughn is running against five other candidates. She has endorsements from Tampa District 7 City Council member Luis Viera, and Hillsborough County commissioners Mariella Smith (countywide District 5) and Pat Kemp (countywide District 6).

“Overall, my experience makes me the best person for this job, and I’m the person most preparing myself for it,” Vaughn says. “I’m the one watching the Board meetings and posting on social media about what’s happening….I’m the only candidate talking about anything that’s happening educationally. If you need someone who is focusing on all of these important issues and will be ready to hit the ground running, I’m it.”

For more information, visit JessicaVaughn.us, or search for “Elect Jessica Vaughn” on Facebook.

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Passion & Experience Drive Judge Scionti Towards A Second Term

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneightborhoodnews.com Michael Scionti has more than 20 years of experience in law, but he sounds like he is just getting started.

His first six-year term as Group 19 Circuit Judge in the 13th Judicial Court, which encompasses Hillsborough County, is about to expire, but Scionti is eager for a second term to build on his successes, particularly his work with children and the nationally-respected Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a courtroom designed to help jailed veterans battling mental illness and substance abuse as a result of their military service.

“To be able to see the positive impact in the faces and eyes of a mother who has her child back, the eyes and tears that fall from a veteran that has his or her life back…I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” he says.

The VTC is definitely close to his heart. Scionti has had multiple combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as a military magistrate in each.

He’s also served as a Diplomat for the U.S. State Department and has been a member of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps for more than 20 years. His service gives Scionti a unique perspective for the struggles so many veterans face.

His work with the VTC, which he describes as a “collaborative” court, has gained national prominence, with a push to get the program implemented across the country. Scionti says Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who has endorsed him in his race against challenger Ashley Ivanov (see next page), played a key role in starting the VTC in 2014.

The court offers programs for military veterans who have been charged with crimes and/or suffer from mental illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse and other issues related to their service.

“I try to get veterans out of jail and into treatment,” Scionti says. “There’s no punishment in my courtroom, only encouragement in trying to re-crack the code for these veterans, to help them learn how to

10

Judge Michael Scionti (with his arm around General) and wife Zsuzsanna (holding JoJo).

problem-solve for themselves.”

According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Department of Justice, an estimated 79 percent of released prisoners were arrested within six years. The VTC reports that its recidivism rate is only 10 percent.

“It’s working,” Scionti says. “We’re very proud of it.”

Scionti graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice and in 1996, he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston.

He has held positions as an assistant Attorney General, an assistant State Attorney and an assistant statewide prosecutor.

He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006-10, followed by a stint in the U.S. Department of Defense.

In 2012, Scionti was chosen by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a mission to help the U.S. transition detainee operations away from the U.S. government to the Afghanistan government. Scionti played a key role in helping create an Afghani criminal justice system.

By constructing a previously nonexistent system that focused on everything from forensics and building cases to delivering verdicts, Scionti’s efforts helped allow allowed the Afghani government to assume the prosecution of the Taliban.

“Before that, I was not even sure I was ready to be a judge,” Scionti says.

“But, I thought after all of this experience,

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you know what, I have perspective; I have common sense solutions that I’ve applied at international, national and state levels, I think I’m going to be an effective judge.

So, I came back home and ran for judge.”

He was elected to his six-year term with roughly two-thirds of the vote.

While Scionti says he is guided by many principles, the strongest one may have formed on the battlefields of Iraq.

He gets choked up when recalling being in a convoy in Iraq where two soldiers, both with wives and children, were killed by an IED. Scionti was unmarried at the time and, to this day, says he would have gladly taken that hit for them.

“When I sit on this bench and I’m presiding over these veterans who are struggling, I think about those soldiers who are no longer here,” Scionti says. “I’m certainly hoping that through my service, making the life that I have worthwhile, because I had the chance to come back…I’m doing the best I can to give back. That’s all.”

Scionti, who spends his spare time taking turns with wife Zsuzsanna doting on their rescue dogs General and JoJo, has a slew of endorsements from the likes of Viera, public defender Julianne Holt, former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and former Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

For more information, visit Judge Scionti.com.

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Ivanov Stresses Integrity & Impartiality In Her Circuit Court Bid SUBMITTED by ASHLEY IVANOV CAMPAIGN

Reading to children in the Head Start Program with her fellow Rotarians (above) is one of the ways Ashley Ivanov, a candidate for Circuit Court judge, gives back. (Photo: Ashley Ivanov campaign)

Integrity. Impartiality. Service.

These are more than words to non-partisan judicial candidate Ashley Willis Ivanov, who is running to become the next Group 19 judge of Florida’s 13th Circuit Court.

To her, they hold value when they are lived out.

Professionally and personally, Ivanov says she lives out these ideals.

Ivanov, an attorney who lives in Lithia, has handled a diverse range of cases, including litigated and non-litigated matters, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. She presently focuses her practice on probate and estate planning.

“Integrity in the practice of law is important for the rule of law to be effectively carried out,” she says.

Born in Charleston, SC, Ivanov graduated magna cum laude with honors from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and cum laude from Vermont Law School in South Royalton.

She previously clerked for the federal government, interned at the U.S. Department of Justice and later worked for large, mid-size and small law firms in Washington D.C., Maryland and Hillsborough County, where she started her own law firm in early 2018.

A member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Ivanov zealously advocates for her clients, giving them straightforward feedback. Sometimes, this may mean informing a prospective client that he or she does not have much of a case or that the legal fees in the matter could be higher than what the client may

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have initially anticipated. “Transparency is part of being ethical,” she says.

The public testimonies of Ivanov’s clients attest to her professionalism.

“My clients’ matters are more than pieces of paper filed in court with case numbers,” she says. “These are real people with real stories that matter.”

In her personal life, Ivanov says she stays busy volunteering with her church and taking her daughter to Girl Scout events.

“I try to lead by example and integrity is at the center of this,” she says, adding that impartiality is a cornerstone of a judge’s responsibilities in administering justice.

“We need more people to run for public office who are going to do what is fair and right and, for the judiciary, uphold impartiality,” Ivanov says. “It is not the judge’s role to legislate from the bench, but to apply the law as it is, as created by the legislature.”

Service also is a regular part of Ivanov’s life, and she would not have it any other way. She serves with the FishHawk-Riverview Rotary and says she enjoys reading to children in the HeadStart Program with her fellow Rotarians.

As a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Community Services Committee, Ivanov has participated in Wills for Heroes, where she prepared complimentary estate planning documents for First Responders.

For more information about Ashley Ivanov’s campaign for District 13 Circuit Court Judge, Group 19, visit VoteAshleyIvanov.com.

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13

Event Lawn

Field House

(Left photo) The RADDSports team that will open the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County includes (front, l.-r.) Stuart Campbell, Jannah Nager, Nicole Baker, Lyric Hill & Arika DeLazzer; (back row, l.-r.) Ronnie Outen, Richard Blalock, Eric Praetorius & Matt McDonough. (Right) A late June drone shot of the Sports Campus, which is expected to open in August. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus Still Set To Open Next Month!

In June, more than 300 teams from around the country competed in youth baseball and softball tournaments at Champions Park in Newberry, FL, a baseball/softball complex which features 16 fields on 40 acres, with plenty of room for social distancing.

Parents were seated beyond the outfield fences, many watching from beneath 10’ x 10’ tents. Dugouts were sprayed with disinfectant, and precautions were taken against the spread of the Covid-19 virus, which had shut all sports down from March through May. So, when you ask Richard Blalock — the CEO and founder of RADD Sports, which is managing the nearly complete Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County — if youth sports tourism is ready to bounce back in Wesley Chapel, he is predictably bullish.

“The youth sports travel industry is the most resilient tourism industry out there,” says Blalock, a 40-year veteran of the business and the former parks director for the City of Newberry. RADD Sports also manages Champions Park.

“In 2008 (when the last recession hit), Mickey Mouse was down 38 percent,” he says, “but youth sports was only down three percent. When it comes to parents’ discretionary spending, they most often choose sports.”

Based on the first few months for the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, parents and athletes definitely are eager to get back at it.

The first event Blalock has scheduled for the new, 98,000 sq.-ft. indoor facility is only six weeks away — on Sunday, August 23 — a Blue Star Basketball event that will feature some of the best girls basketball players in the country.

The following week will be the NIKE Volleyball championships, which will 14

have more than 60 teams in different age groups, and the week after, a 40-team high school volleyball tournament is scheduled.

The campus also is pretty much booked for September, and also already has multiple events planned in October and November as well.

Blalock says his staff is working closely with Pasco County officials on local programming protocols (including on-site Florida eSchool opportunities for local kids) on weekdays, and hopes to launch a wide variety of recreational and competitive local basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and soccer programs in September.

While recent spikes in positive cases of Covid-19 — including amongst the younger demographics — were again rattling many in Florida as July began, Blalock is confident youth and adult sports can return safely.

“We’re all just trying to do what we have to do to keep everyone safe, so we can keep allowing the kids to play,” he says, adding that the campus likely will have to limit spectators — where, for example, mom can only come watch her kid play in the morning, while dad gets the afternoon shift.

Covid-19 presents a complex set of

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unique challenges, and Blalock says the sports tourism industry is undergoing a massive shift to meet those challenges head on. “We have to bob and weave a little bit to figure this out,” he says.

Whatever that transformation will be, it will not only require providing a safe environment, but it will have to assuage parental fears about the dangers of Covid-19 transmission. He says the entire industry is communicating about best practices and sharing ideas, and those have been passed

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on to his staff during their training for the opening of the new facility.

Regardless, the interest clearly hasn’t waned for cabin-fever-stricken athletes and their families. “We’re booking the thing up pretty quick,” Blalock says.

For registration and other info about the Sports Campus (3021 Sports Coast Way), visit WiregrassSports.com or see the ad on pg. 34 of this issue. For sponsorship info, email Jannah@RADDSports.com.

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Judi Beck Invites You To Be Part Of Her Real Estate Family

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN

Once you’ve worked with Realtor Judi Beck of Florida Executive Realty’s Tampa Palms office, she says you become part of her family.

“My relationship with my clients doesn’t stop after the transaction ends,” says Judi.

It does start there, however. For clients who want to sell their homes, Judi assists sellers with free services of minimal staging, preparing homes for photographs, advertising in local news magazines (like this one) and sending e-blasts to surrounding county agents.

If you want to buy a home, she provides assistance with showings, market analysis and guidance to submit offers. “I am truthful, straightforward, and provide facts,” she says. “I’m very honest, because I would want to be treated the same way if I were a buyer or a seller.”

Judi also says that she has been doing a few things differently since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

She provides gloves, masks and shoe covers to her clients, as well as to buyers in her clients’ homes. She sometimes does meetings via Zoom or Facetime. She provides hand sanitizer in all of the homes she lists for sale and ask sellers to leave all of their lights turned on to create a touch-free environment for buyers and agents.

In addition, Judi now ensures that all new listings have a high-definition virtual walk-through and a Matterport virtual tour available online. The Matterport tour — which used to be reserved for more expensive homes — is a 3D platform that offers true 360-degree views of every space throughout the entire home.

While Judi has made these accommodations, she

emphasizes that the pandemic has not seemed to cause any slowdown in demand locally.

“I agree with my Broker, Doug Loyd, that the Tampa Bay market will continue to remain active,” says Judi, “based on the lack of inventory of well-maintained homes, low interest rates for mortgages and an influx of buyers moving to Florida from other states.”

Right now, she says, is a great time for you to sell because local prices are high.

It’s also a great time to buy, especially if you plan to hold on to the property for a while, because interest rates are so low and, she says, “home prices are only going to climb because of limited inventory.”

She says her goal is to try to get as much as money for a seller as the market will stand. On the buyer’s end, she provides guidance and information about where the market is now and where she anticipates it will go.

Thinking About Selling?

If you’re looking to sell, Judi says her buyers are looking for clean, well-maintained, updated homes with newer appliances.

“Get a handyman or repair man to fix all the things that have been neglected,” she says, “like a broken light switch plate, leaky faucet or torn screen. All of the things that add up on an inspection report — and that buyers notice when you list your home — should be repaired.”

She also says to refresh the paint if you have a lot of chips or patchwork. “It can make a big difference in buyers liking your home or thinking the home needs a lot of maintenance,” she says.

Then, she suggests you sit down with her for a free consultation to discuss your needs and goals.

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Realtor Judi Beck of Florida Executive Realty in Tampa Palms says she has found success by being truthful and straightforward. “I would want to be treated the same way if I were a buyer or a seller,” she says. (Photo by Charmaine George)

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“I’ll have a comparable property analysis before I walk in the door,” she says. “After we speak on a personal level about your goals and family situation, I’ll do the walk-through, add the upgrades to the price point, tell you what I think your house would list for and the percentage of list-to-sale prices in their neighborhood, so it’s very personalized to that specific area.”

Right before she lists the property, she says she’ll do it all again, to be sure the list price is still within the market parameters.

Judi’s Second Career

Judi began her real estate career nearly 12 years ago when she retired after working as a registered nurse (RN) with the Veterans Administration (VA) medical system in both Honolulu, HI, and Tampa.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

She calls herself a continuous student with real estate designations, including GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute), which means she has extended knowledge of real estate rules and legal aspects. She also is certified as an e-PRO, which has to do with technological skills in use of internet and different types of media, as well as a Certified Negotiation Expert.

Judi says, like most people who change careers to go into real estate, she read “all the good stories” about how real estate professionals make their own hours, are able to make a lot of money and sell

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This beautiful 2,359-sq.-ft. home in Cory Lake Isles is one of the most recent ones sold by Judi Beck, who has been selling homes in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area for 12 years.

beautiful houses. The reality, though, is that it’s a lot of hard work.

“If my clients call me at 11:30 p.m., I take the call,” she says. “That’s proven to be my success story. My clients know I’m always available for them. From the minute I meet them, until forever. I even stay in touch with all of my previous clients.”

Fazal Dasankop says Judi helped him sell his home in Cory Lake Isles this January.

“She was very professional,” says Fazal. “She gave me a very good, in-depth study of the market, including what the houses were selling for in the neighborhood and how to price mine.”

He says Judi was especially helpful in providing insight about how to get his home ready for sale, including touching up small items to present the home in the best possible light, such as repairing a screen or adding plants.

Fazal also appreciated Judi’s commitment to doing everything she said she would— and in the time she promised.

“The follow-through was just superb,” says Fazal. “I have not had that experience with anyone else. I highly recommend her. Going through the whole closing process, even if it was the weekend or she was out of town, she was always giving advice. It was unbelievable.”

While New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are the areas Judi primarily serves, she says she works with buyers and sellers throughout the entire Tampa Bay area.

With Judi’s help, Caleb Schedler bought an investment property in Arbor Greene in 2011. In 2014, he lived in the home briefly, then wanted to move closer to the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Pinellas County.

“She helped me find the perfect fit in Seminole,” Caleb says. “She did a great job picking it out, knowing that it was an up-and-coming area before it actually arrived. It has bloomed since I moved here in 2014, and the value of my property has gone up significantly.”

He says he’s bought and sold properties in several areas of the United States, including Virginia and Las Vegas, and he appreciates that Judi gives the same attention to detail and level of service, no matter the price of the property.

“The property I live in now was the least expensive property I’ve ever bought,” says Caleb. “But she gave me the same level of care. It really is like you’re part of her family.”

Judi Beck is a Realtor with Florida Executive Realty’s Tampa Palms office, located at 15802 Amberly Dr. For more information about her services, including a free consultation if you’re considering buying or selling a home, see her ad on page 2 or call her at (813) 380-3866.

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19

Scrub-A-Dub Sanitizes & Makes Your Smelly Trash Bins Sparkle

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN As people are doing so much extra cleaning and disinfecting around their homes these days, Wesley Chapel resident Jennifer Trudel says she wants to help you take care of one of your messiest outdoor tasks — cleaning your garbage bins.

Scrub-A-Dub Bin Cleaning, which Trudel started in 2018, will bring a specially-designed truck to your home and will make your trash and recycling bins look and smell immaculately clean, removing leftover trash, dried liquids, sticky substances and bugs, along with 99.9% of all viruses — including Covid-19.

“Our process cleans viruses, bacteria and mold,” Jennifer says. “Once we clean your bin, it’s going to be coronavirus-free, for sure.”

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, more and more Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents already had been discovering the value of paying a relatively small amount to have someone else deal with their stinky trash bins.

“Business has been growing,” Jennifer says. “Every day, we get new customers signing up.”

She says that’s thanks mostly due to people who see her ads in the Neighborhood News, as well as those who see the truck driving down the street to provide

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If you dread the smell and sight of your trash bin(s) when throwing out garbage, Scrub-A-Dub Bin Cleaning will get your bins sparkling clean — and sanitized! the service at their neighbors’ homes.

In fact, Jennifer says her business has grown so much that she has had to purchase a second truck, which runs on the company’s busiest days, servicing Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and surrounding areas, including Land O’Lakes, Lutz, Odessa, Carrollwood and Trinity.

Also because of the growth of her business, Jennifer has hired two drivers.

So now, she’s no longer the person who’s actually cleaning your bins.

She’s still the voice on the phone, however. That’s a role Jennifer says she cherishes, as she enjoys connecting with her customers, handling new sign-ups, scheduling cleanings and other administrative duties, to ensure they have the positive experience of interacting with a small business owner who truly loves what she does.

The Scrub-A-Dub truck services your bins on a regularly scheduled trash day, after the sanitation truck has picked up your trash and/or recycling.

Jennifer sends reminders via emails and texts, so customers remember to leave their bins outside after trash pickup on their scheduled dates. At that time, her customers can confirm their appointment or let her know if they need to postpone their service due to going out of town, or for any other reason, for that matter.

When the driver arrives, he opens your trash bin and uses a grabber to pull out anything left behind, then loads the bins into the truck, where a spinning nozzle blasts it with 200º (F) water.

If needed, the inside of the bin will be scrubbed using a biodegradable degreaser, before the bin is run through the truck’s process again.

The driver then pressure-sprays the outside of the lid, wipes the handles and the inside and outside of the lid — anywhere your hands might touch. Then, she says, the bin no longer has an odor, but she wants it to smell good, so she also adds a deodorizer.

Jennifer says many customers tell her they walk into the garage and wonder what smells so good, before realizing it’s the deodorizer Scrub-A-Dub puts in the bins.

“Skeptics say their bins don’t have to

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Jennifer Trudel’s Scrub-A-Dub Bin Cleaning will have you smiling, too, whether you choose a one-time or full year of trash bin-cleaning service. be sanitized, but even if they don’t smell, that doesn’t mean that they’re free of germs and bacteria,” she says. “In the summer, you have more likelihood of getting maggots and fruit flies. Some people’s bins don’t look that dirty, but in the bottom you may still see maggots. It’s pretty gross, but that’s our business.”

Jennifer says that all of the cleaning products she uses — including the degreaser, disinfectant and deodorizer — are biodegradable.

She also says that the dirty water that is rinsed out of the inside of your bins goes into the truck and is disposed of according to strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.

Customers can choose a one-time cleaning, or pay for a year’s worth of services. The cost depends upon how often you want your bins cleaned, and whether you have one, two, or three bins — with annual service starting at just $75 for the entire year.

A one-time cleaning of a single bin is $30. If you try a one-time service and decide you like it and want to sign up for the rest of the year, Jennifer will apply the amount you’ve already paid to whatever deal you choose.

And, you’re never locked into a contract with Scrub-A-Dub. Cancel at any time and Jennifer will pro-rate your refund.

“I like it because it’s pretty convenient,” says Mrs. Daniel, a happy ScrubA-Dub customer. “They’re affordable, for one thing, and it saves a lot of time. People are busy and don’t want to be cleaning trash cans.”

She adds that she likes that the service keeps her bin clean and smelling nice.

“A lot of times my husband will throw something in the trash that leaks,” she says. “He doesn’t notice, but I do.”

Since I was writing this story, Jennifer insisted she send a truck by my house to give me a first-hand and up-close experience of exactly how the service works. It was just as she described it — when I returned home after the Scrub-A-Dub truck had been by, my trash bin was placed neatly next to my garage door, spotlessly clean, dry, and Neighborhood News

definitely smelling fresh. I felt kind of guilty putting trash in it afterwards.

Referrals Earn Freebies

Jennifer says she’s happy to reward her customers who tell their neighbors and friends about Scrub-A-Dub. “When you’re a customer of ours, if you refer someone who signs up for an annual service, we give you a free cleaning,” she explains. “That’s unlimited. So, if you tell five people and they all sign up, you get five free cleanings.”

Jennifer also says that’s not the only perk her customers have received from her.

When she first launched her business, she bought small bottles of hand sanitizer with her logo as a promotional item. Over the past couple of years, she had given away some, but still had more on hand than she thought she could ever use.

When hand sanitizer suddenly became scarce in March, she started giving one bottle away with every bin cleaning, and continued until she finally ran out in May. “It couldn’t have worked out any better,” Jennifer says. “It came in so handy.

Our customers love it.”

Pressure Washing, Too?

As Scrub-A-Dub continues to grow, Jennifer has expanded the services that are offered, as well.

Businesses that have a dumpster can schedule a cleaning to keep away bugs, rodents, germs — and, of course, those hated stinky smells.

Scrub-A-Dub also offers commercial and residential pressure washing of driveways and sidewalks.

Special pricing on pressure washing is available to existing Scrub-A-Dub Bin Cleaning customers.

To sign up for Scrub-A-Dub Bin Cleaning or for more info, visit ScrubADubBins.com or see the ad on pg. 25 of this issue. Also, check out the Scrub-A-Dub video on the Neighborhood News Facebook page to see how it works. You also can call, toll-free, (844) 727-8229 (844-SCRUBBY), to get a quote for cleaning commercial dumpsters, sidewalks and driveways. @NTWCNews

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23

Radiance Orthodontics Wants To Put A Smile On Your Face, Too!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Tampa Palms resident Kellie Lightbourne says she’s a very particular person, especially when it comes to her family and their teeth.

You’d expect that from a former Mrs. USA and veteran television personality.

So, when it was time for Kellie to choose an orthodontist for her 12-yearold twins, she went to several offices for consultations.

She says it was when she met Sam Jureyda, D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry), of Radiance Orthodontics, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, that she knew she had found exactly what she was seeking for her family.

“Dr. J is amazing,” she says. “He sat with my kids, talked with them, interacted with them and made them feel welcome.”

That’s a big deal for Kellie’s son, Niko, who has special needs. Kellie feared he wouldn’t cooperate with an orthodontist working inside his mouth.

“Once Niko decides he’s not doing something, there’s no way he’s going to do it,” Kellie says. “I thought orthodontic treatment would be a nightmare, but now he’ll do it for Dr. J because he likes him so much. Now, I have no fear.”

Niko’s twin sister, Landyn, immediately liked him, too. “Dr. J was so different

Dr. Sam Jureyda and Radiance Orthodontics in Tampa Palms have more than 100 reviews on Google, and all of them are 5 stars. The staff invites you to Google “Radiance Orthodontics” to see what patients have to say about the practice. (Photo courtesy of Eric Bunch)

than all the other orthodontists because he actually talked to us,” Kellie says. “It wasn’t boring. He actually made it sort of fun and interactive. He made us feel very comfortable and he’s very funny.”

Dr. Jureyda has spent more than 25 years practicing orthodontics. Before moving into private practice in 2006 — and subsequently opening Radiance Orthodon-

tics in 2016 — he taught graduate-level students at the University of Buffalo, NY. As a former educator, he believes his own practice is improved by education, as he strives to give his patients access to modern options that lead to the best possible outcomes. He knows each patient has a unique set of needs and is sure to treat each individual with a personalized and

completely customized treatment plan.

His goal is not just to treat the patient, but also to involve the patient in the process — even the youngest among them — so they are invested in their care and have a positive experience at Radiance Orthodontics.

“We believe in building a relationship with each patient,” Dr. Jureyda explains, “educating, supporting and encouraging them. We look forward to your visits as time spent with a friend, and we genuinely hope you will feel the same.”

Radiance Orthodontics offers traditional metal braces, along with clear braces, and also offers treatment with InvisalignTM, which uses invisible, removable, comfortable aligners to straighten teeth. The method is constantly improving and is now so effective, it often works more quickly than traditional braces.

Adapting To Keep You Safe

Like all orthodontic practices, Radiance Orthodontics was required to shut down for several weeks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During that time, Dr. Jureyda and his staff continued to answer phone calls, text messages and emails to help their patients.

When the office reopened, the same stringent cleaning protocols that have always been practiced were followed, and

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enhanced procedures have been added, such as temperature checks and health screening questions.

“We have temporarily closed our waiting room and now ask our patients to wait in their cars,” says Dr. Jureyda. “Simply call or text us when you arrive, and we’ll let you know to come in as soon as your room is ready. We’re being extremely cautious at this time, to protect all of our patients and staff.”

‘Consultations Are Free?’

Justine (who asked that we only use her first name) is a University of South Florida medical student who recently began treatment at Radiance Orthodontics.

In January of 2019, Justine signed up with a company that promised to close a gap between her front teeth by sending her aligners in the mail. While her first choice would have been to go to an orthodontist in person, she didn’t think she could afford it.

“I don’t have dental insurance and I thought braces would cost $6,000 to $8,000,” she said. “I didn’t know consultations are free.”

Justine says the next 12 months with the mail-order company couldn’t have been further from her expectations. The aligners did not move her teeth, which caused them to not fit properly as she tried to continue her treatment. When she had questions — such as if the painful sores she was developing were normal — she had no medical professional to ask. She says the

company’s customer service department replied in form letters that were sometimes not even relevant to her question.

When the aligners didn’t fit anymore, the company offered to send her modified aligners. She did her own impressions at home, and sent them in. She didn’t receive the new aligners for eight weeks. At that time, they no longer fit her teeth and she had to start over. After the third modification, with still no progress happening to fix the gap between her front teeth, she gave up. She decided she needed to see an orthodontist in person, and scheduled an appointment with Radiance Orthodontics.

She says she wishes she would have done it much sooner.

As she discovered, consultations at Radiance Orthodontics are completely free and are always no-obligation.

“The cost is much less than I thought it would be,” Justine says. “And it’s worth it. I’m a young adult without a lot of experience. I didn’t know there were discounts for paying in full, or that the pricing would be built around monthly payments and a payment plan.”

She says the experience is already vastly different than with the “do-it-yourself” aligners, including attachments being placed on her teeth to hold the InvisalignTM aligners in place.

“Dr. J was listening,” Justine says. “It was such a stark difference than when I had no one to turn to.”

Serving The Community, Too!

One hallmark of Radiance Orthodontics is that Dr. Jureyda remains committed to being a partner at almost all of New Tampa’s public schools.

As a business partner at our two high schools, three middle schools, and seven elementary schools, Dr. Jureyda actively supports the PTAs and students in “Dr. J” provides quality orthodontic care and your health and safety our community. are his top priorities. Photo provided by Radiance Orthodontics.

“We truly miss Jureyda. “I take that very seriously.” being able to be out in To read reviews about the practice, the community and attending events at Google “Radiance Orthodontics,” where our local schools,” he says. “We consider you’ll see that every review is a five-star it a privilege to support our local students rating. In addition to more than 100 ratand educators.”

To ensure that Radiance Orthodontics ings on Google, the reviews for Radiance Orthodontics on Facebook, Yelp! and is accessible to everyone, especially during Healthgrades are also exclusively five stars. these uncertain times, Dr. Jureyda makes Radiance Orthodontics is located accommodations in both scheduling and payment plans. Some evening and Saturday at 17427 Bridge Hill Ct., Suite A, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center. appointments are available, and Radiance For more information, please visit MyOrthodontics also works with patients to RadianceBraces.com, search “Radiance determine orthodontic benefits through Orthodontics” on Facebook, or see dental insurance and provide affordable the ad on page 21. To schedule your payment options. free consultation, call or text Radiance “My reputation relies solely on how Orthodontics at (813)-972-1100.

I treat each and every patient,” says Dr.

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Local Breweries Waiting Out Virus Before Opening

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com After looking like two craft breweries would be opening around the same time this month in Wesley Chapel, a new wave of Covid-19 cases has unfortunately put both Florida Avenue Brewing Co. and Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA) on hold.

DBAA, located at The Village at The Grove shopping center north of S.R. 54, would already be open, if not for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement on June 26 that bars that don’t serve food could not serve alcohol because of a record week of new Covid-19 cases, especially among younger adult bar patrons.

Originally, DBAA was set for a July 1 soft opening before the Governor’s announcement. “We’re back in a holding pattern,” says co-owner Ryan Clarke.

DBAA, however, is adapting by selling their craft beers to go while they wait for DeSantis to open things back up.

The brewery started with six beers of its own on tap, and has expanded to include various shandies, ales, IPAs and sours — for example, the Strawberries N’ Cake, which was conditioned on strawberries and white cake from The Dessert Box (a coming-soon dessert place in The Village), comes highly recommended — that are all available in 32-ounce growlers.

Inside DBAA, there are 25 taps in all, including four wine taps (two red, two white), and even nitro cold brew coffee.

“We’re eager to get our concept out there,” Clarke says. “I don’t know how the crowds will be, but we’re ready.”

Neighborhood News

Sam Guyer, the taproom manager at Double Branch Artisanal Ales, pours a beer to go. Make sure you check out the DBAA Facebook page for the daily to-go schedule, which usually starts at 2 p.m. (Photos: Charmaine George) When Clarke does get the green light He says they finally turned on the air to open, there will be plenty of socially disconditioning and are putting the finishing tant table service, as well as enough outdoor touches on the much-anticipated brewery. seating for 100 people.

Derby was hoping to be open in early Clarke says DBAA’s kitchen won’t be August, although the coronavirus has open until the end of the year, but until made his a more fluid timetable. then, will offer delicious food provided out“We’re really excited to get open and side by Melt Machine and Bacon Boss, both get up and running,” Derby says. “At first of which are popular, local food trucks. (with Covid-19), I think our souls were a little crushed. Afterwards, maybe it was Florida Ave. Also Waiting a little better for us to wait it out. We’ve Anthony Derby, the CEO of Florida Avenue Brewing, as well as the founder of been able to get all of our ducks in a row.”

Derby also says that there were some Brew Bus Brewing in Seminole Heights, equipment delays due to the virus, but had hoped to be open by now in the former location of the Sports + Field (top they were able to get out ahead of some of those problems. For example, there was an photo) athletic training facility.

@NTWCNews

important piece of equipment scheduled to come in from Italy, which was already fighting the virus, in early February.

“We were worried we might not be able to get some of it,” Derby says. “But, we were able to take delivery of our equipment early and scoot around the delays.”

With 37,000 sq. ft. inside, there is plenty of space for social distancing. There also is a 7,000-sq.-ft. outside recreation space along, with a beer garden and games like corn hole. The area will be fenced in, allowing patrons to bring their dogs.

A full-service restaurant inside will have 200 seats — only 50 percent will be available at the opening — as well as a full bar. There also will be a retail area and large beer cave so you can pick up some beer to go or buy some merchandise.

With 15,000 sq. ft. of space brewing roughly 60,000 barrels of beer a year, Florida Ave. Brewing will be one of largest craft breweries in west Florida, Derby says.

The opening was somewhat in doubt at our press time, so it will be on a small scale. There will be about 20 jobs created initially but, at its peak, the brewery will have more than 40 employees.

“We’re happy to get anything open at this point,” Derby says. “We’ll open at a slower pace. But we’re excited to get up and running even at diminished capacity.”

For more info about Florida Ave., visit FloridaAveBrewing.com. For Double Branch, visit DBAA.com.

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Uptown Cheapskate Can Turn Your Unwanted Clothes Into Cash!

By ERIC VICIAN

You might just have a little extra cash hanging around in your closet, says Uptown Cheapskate at Tampa Palms owner Amber Watt. (Photos: Charmaine George)

30

We bet you didn’t realize that there’s money hiding in your closets. It’s sitting there right now. And no, we’re not talking about that $20 bill you found in your jacket pocket, so continue reading if you need a little Covid-19 cash boost. You really can find some convertible cash on your hangers, in your drawers and sitting on your shoe racks.

Thanks to Uptown Cheapskate — a chain of fashion retail stores that are similar to a thrift store but with more upscale, designer-label items — the clothes, shoes and accessories you no longer want, may be of resale value to you. The 4,800 sq.-ft. store that opened in the Publix-anchored City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center back in November of 2018 has re-emerged from a temporary Covid-19 closure in need of more trendy clothing and accessory items that you may have outgrown or stopped wearing or using for whatever reason.

Every day, the local Uptown Cheapskate buys your items from the time they open up until an hour before closing. There’s no appointment necessary, but the staff does prefer that your former fashions arrive in hampers or bins. You can shop while one of Uptown’s 12 employees sorts through to find inventory they need. From there, your “upcycled” clothes go through an appraisal system that generates two offers.

You can choose cash or store credit — the latter yields an extra 25-percent value.

So, what should you be looking for the next time you clean out your closets? Uptown Cheapskate Tampa

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Palms owner Amber Watt says the store accepts a plethora of name brands, and fashions ranging from XS-XXL. The store is particularly in need of high-waisted “mom” shorts and jeans, crop tops, tank tops, shirts and trendy, summery pieces from brands like Zara and H&M. “We cater to a very wide range of people and that’s what makes us so successful,” says Watt, who adds that she regularly shopped at Goodwill as a youngster before attending West Virginia University in Morgantown on a full academic scholarship and studying engineering.

Watt’s store is one of three in Florida from this national franchise that includes more than 80 locations in two dozen states. It launched in Utah more than a decade ago., and the Tampa Palms store is the only one in the Tampa Bay area. Watt says it was doing very well until the novel coronavirus forced a temporary shutdown in March.

“It hit us pretty hard,” says Watt, who was very happy that Publix, the landlord for the plaza, issued her a rent abatement for two months. “We were having a pretty strong Saturday in the middle of March and by the next Saturday, we were completely shut down. We did start an online store over the break (Uptown-Cheapskate-Tampa-Palms.myshopify. com) and were able to keep some of the staff on. It helped, but it wasn’t what we needed.”

Uptown Cheapskate reopened at 25-percent capacity during the first week of May and went to 50 percent by the end of that month. It returned to full capacity by June, along with some new changes.

Sneeze guards have been installed on all of the counters

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Safety is on full display at Uptown Cheapskate in Tampa Palms, and so are hundreds of different items for budget-conscious shoppers looking for trendy items.

and stickers are now on the floor depicting the 6-feet social distancing space.

All employees must wear face masks and customers are required to as well. The store provides free disposable face masks for customers and also sells double-layer cloth masks. All six dressing rooms are sanitized and locked each time a customer uses one, and hand sanitizer is available at all stations.

We Want Your Clothes!

“It was surprising when we reopened,” Watt says. “We expected a lot of pent-up demand to sell us clothes, but when we reopened, it was really the opposite. We had a lot of customers shopping for clothes, but not selling us (their) clothes. We were unprepared for that, so we’ve depleted our inventory quite badly and really need spring and summer clothes now.

We hope everyone will clean out their closets and bring their clothes to us. ” Whether shopping or selling, Watt prides herself on keeping a clean, organized store where customer service is paramount. Clothes are organized by size, then subcategorized by short/long and further by color groupings. The experience was something that Ashlee Fredrickson felt compelled to share on Facebook after recently making the drive from Brandon to shop there.

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“Clean store,” she said. “Plenty of safety measures in place with recent Covid-19 issues. Great selection and great prices.”

Any time you visit, shoppers should look for stickers. Depending upon the color, there’s various discounts available — as much as 70-percent off retail.

Uptown Cheapskate puts new items out within 30 minutes of bringing them in and many are gone within a week. For other items that literally hang around longer, the local store offers a semi-annual sale to push through old inventory and make room for the new styles that come in every day.

Other deals to look out for include Dollar Days — where clearance items go for as low as a $1 — and the tax-free weekend August 7-9, where you save the 8.5% sales tax.

Watt says that plus sizes are hard to keep in stock and the handbag rack also is a popular display. The store also always needs shoes, especially men’s athletic footwear, and offers a wide range of bralets, complete outfits, swimwear and new and used jewelry.

The casual clothing store caters to everyday wear fashions – primarily for the age 18-55 crowd.

Customer favorites include brands such as lululemon and Gymshark athletic wear, Kate Spade and Michael

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Kors handbags and American Eagle jeans. You will find everything from Target brands up to Gucci and Louis Vuitton. On a recent visit ,we found a Coach purse for $22.99, Victoria Secret leggings for $13.99, Adidas shoes for $27.99 and an almost new men’s Ralph Lauren Polo shirt for $13.99.

Anything that the store doesn’t purchase from you can easily be donated to the Salvation Army, which picks up donations onsite 2-3 times a week. You can leave them behind and you’ll receive a tax receipt. It’s better than having your unwanted clothes end up in a landfill, Watt says.

“Resale is on the rise,” she says.

“It’s the future — for environmental reasons. Clothing in a landfill lasts up to 200 years. But, your trash might just be somebody else’s treasure.”

Whether or not you think you have a few dollars hanging in your closet, head over to Uptown Cheapskate at 16031 Tampa Palms Blvd. W. Store hours are Monday– Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 10 a.m.9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call (813) 287-8696, visit UptownCheapskate.com, or see the ad on pg. 38 of this issue.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 15 • July 21, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Christine Elsasser 813-373-3228 19307 Water Maple Dr. Basset Creek UNDER CONTRACT IN 9 DAYS! This meticulously maintained home in sought after Basset Creek is ready and waiting for its new owners! Be ready to fall in love with the finishes and space ample enough for your friends and family to spread out! Enjoy the massive entryway with gleaming hardwood floors that lead from the front door all the way to the family room for a seamless flow. The home boasts a large den/office with double entry doors, a formal dining room, large family room, a massive island in the chef’s kitchen with an eat-in area big enough for a large kitchen table. Enjoy sparkling stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops while cooking your favorite dishes. All for $384,900 Contact Christine Elsasser at 813-373-3228 or ChristineE@bhhsflpg.com to help you with your Real Estate needs!

VILLAGES AT WESLEY CHAPEL

amora@bhhsflpg.com / www.AngelaMoraRealEstate.com Hablo español también!

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

CAN'T DECIDE IF YOU SHOULD SELL OR RENT YOUR HOME?

Rick Wedig 813-712-8421 Sue Wedig 813-712-8498

CALL TEAM WEDIG! WE CAN HELP WITH ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS BUY • SELL • RENT OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT swedig@BHHSflpg.com | 813-712-8498

iperez.floridaproperties.com

MEADOW POINTE

Angela Mora 813-482-1452 Sitting on a Large Corner Lot this Wonderful Home has Lots to Offer! With 1,548 SF, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Oversized Garage, NO CDD AND A LOW HOA of $300.00 a Year, and new A/C in 2019, this could be the one you’ve been looking for. A Spacious, Open Floor Plan, Volume Ceilings with 2 New Skylights installed in the Dining Room in 2018, this Home is Light, Bright and Comfortable. Located in the Villages at Wesley Chapel, you will have easy access to Major Highways, Malls, Outlets, Restaurants and all Tampa has to offer. Don’t wait, call for a private viewing today!

ChristineE@bhhsflpg.com | ChristineE.BHHSFloridaProperties.com

Contact me today at: Isabel (Izzy) Perez (813) 335-0870 iperez@bhhsflpg.com Or register on my website:

Cynthia Filippi 813-784-1634 Incredible Maintenance Free Gated Villa only $120 mthly HOA 2 Bedrooms 2 Baths 2 Car Garage w/Laundry Room GORGEOUS REMODELED KITCHEN! Cherrywood 42 Inch Cabinets & Granite Counters Includes all Stainless Frigidaire Kitchen Appliances Master Bed & Bath with 2 Walk in Closets & Dual Sinks Community Pool, Fitness,Tennis, and close to EVERYTHING! Please Call Today for a Private Showing.....Offered at $219,900 CFilippi@BHHSflpg.com | CynthiaSellsTampaHomes.com

CREEKWOOD OF CROSS CREEK

Jennifer Kibiger 813-469-1481 Beautiful Executive home in gated Creekwood. Over 3000 sf, 4 bedrooms + Office + Upstairs Bonus Room (including pool table), 3 full bathrooms, AND 3 car garage. Screened and stone pavered 20'X30' patio, perfect for entertaining! Crown molding and engineered hardwood or tile floors in all living areas. Large kitchen offers granite, gas range, SS appls, island, and breakfast bar. Jetted tub in master bath incl 2 vanities, private commode, large separate shower. Best layout for maximum privacy.

Call today for virtual or private showing!

JKibiger@BHHSflpg.com | JKibiger.BHHSFloridaProperties.com

August 15 & 16 www.bhhsfloridaproperties.com

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

Aldi? Finally? Really???

Yes, Wesley Chapel’s Aldi supermarket finally opened on July 9 on S.R. 56 (in front of Costco), and although the store definitely has a few issues to work out — like no disinfecting wipes for sale, a small-ish beer and wine section, not enough cashiers open to handle the number of shoppers and only salmon available in its fresh seafood “department” during its first few days — considering that Jannah and I literally live across the street from it, we’re excited to have a new place to shop for groceries so nearby, especially with Aldi’s (mostly) great prices.

Meanwhile, New Tampa’s planned Aldi store, in the former Ruby Tuesday location on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., is still months away from even beginning to build, so our New Tampa Aldi fans have to choose between the locations on E. Fletcher Ave. and S.R. 56 for quite a while to come.

What About Main Event & Rock & Brews???

I didn’t show a pic of the KISS-themed Rock & Brews on S.R. 56 (just west of I-75) here because even though it already looks so

MaHANa

close to being finished, the word on the street is that it likely won’t open until October (ugh).

The better news is that the Main Event bowling & entertainment center was expected to open with a North Tampa Bay Chamber Grand Opening event on July 17, a few days after we went to press with this issue, so check our Neighborhood News Facebook page or NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net for updates and for a big story in our next print edition.

There also has been a lot of progress on the Cigars International superstore west of Rock & Brews (closer to the Tampa Premium Outlets), so look for more updates soon.

Mahana Fresh.com

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34

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 15 • July 21, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

New Italian Options Opening Everywhere!

Last issue, we told you about the opening of the delicious, new Oronzo Honest Italian in Highwoods Preserve, but there are multiple other new Italian options on the way in each of our distribution areas.

We’ve told you in earlier issues about Via Italia Woodfired Pizza & Bar (top right photo on previous page), which was expected to open a day or so after this issue arrives in your mailbox in the Sprouts Farmers Market-anchored Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza, at 18500 BBD. Via Italia features true woodfired Roman-style Pizza al Taglio (huge square slices; photo left), which they actually cut with pizza scissors, instead of the usual round pizza cutters — and other authentic Italian specialties.

Neighborhood News

For more info about Via Italia, call (813) 340-1530 or visit EatViaItalia.com.

Meanwhile, in Wesley Chapel, the first place to get excited about, especially since it’s expected to open by the end of August, is Pasta di Guy (pronounced like “he’s a nice guy”), the restaurant brought to you by popular local food truck owner/Chef Guy Carmeli (photo, left), who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in London.

Guy promises to specialize in something you’ve almost never had in a Wesley Chapel eatery — made-from-scratch pasta dishes with yummy homemade sauces, plus salads, desserts & much more.

So, for all of us who were saddened by the recent closing of the second location of OTB Delights Café on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. a couple of months ago, it’s nice that something so promisingly new will soon fill the space. For more information, search “Pasta di Guy” on Facebook.

Also coming soon to north of S.R. 54 is the equally anticipated Falabella Family Bistro in The Village at The Grove (north of S.R. 54), although owner Steve Falabella (who also owns 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass) says that his construction has just begun and he hopes to open in October.

Also coming a little bit further down the road is Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market, which we first heard about just before we went to press with our June Wesley Chapel issue, in an under-construction plaza at the corner of Old Pasco Rd. and Post Oak Blvd. — GN

@NTWCNews

Check out New Tampa’s Lima Restaurant to find out

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 15 • July 21, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

35

New Tampa & wesley Chapel Classifieds HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME HEALTH CARE

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM Soft pressure exterior house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing and deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big or small. Experience the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning professional.

Licensed and insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate or visit our website. 813-433-6015.

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, background-checked, Covid-tested, dependable companions w/their own transportation. Very reasonable rates. Call Diane or Elisa at 813-938-8614.

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified.

Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999.

CARING HEART, LLC. Private duty nursing care.

Personal caregiver, personal assistant, post hospital/rehab care, helping hand; medical appointments, shopping, light cooking/cleaning, moving assistance packing/unpacking/ organizing, pet care. For info, call or text 813-361-6439.

TJ’s PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Driveways, Houses, Fences, Lanais and Screened Enclosures.

Most residential 2 car driveways or vinyl fences starting at $75. House washing prices start at $150 for a 1 story home and $199 for a 2 story home.

Looking for an instant quote? Just text me a picture of the job you need done. Call Tj at 727-808-7775.

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.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement.

Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years Experience.

Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Please Google us if you would like to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises.

Also, see our display ad on this page!

A-to-Z CLEANING & ORGANIZING. House & Ofc Cleaning & Organizing Svcs! We use our own supplies.

Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. Wesley Chapel Resident. Weekly / Bi-Weekly / Deep Cleaning/ Move-In / Move-Out. Serving Wesley Chapel & New Tampa. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-462-1270. Local references supplied upon request.

RAYMOND PAINTING. Exterior & Interior Services. 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, service changes, new circuts, low voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, trouble shooting, GFCI performance testing, generators.

Expert in the field - over 40 years experience. Discount 50% off labor for senior citizens! Licensed and Insured Master Electrician EC 13002399 - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068.

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

MISCELLANEOUS

CLEANING SERVICES

CLEAN-IT RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CLEANING: Following all CDC Guidelines, 18 years cleaning in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Licensed & Insured. Call 813.505.0431 or email cleanitmc@gmail.com.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years experience!

Commercial and Residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house and post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies & more than 400 clients in New Tampa!

For more information, call 813-758-9710 or see our display ad on pg. 38!

TREE SERVICE

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE. 25-years of Professional 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.

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

_

NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commerical lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Sprinkler repairs, tree trimming, mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available.

Licensed & Insured. CALLBILL @ (813) 973-3825.

A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service. Licensed and insured serving the Tampa Bay area over 20 years. Family owned and operated. Quality work at affordable prices. We provide services in gutter clean-out, screen repair, pressure washing and sprinkler repair. Landscaping and property maintenance including: sodding, trimming trees and hedges, and clean ups. Other services are available. CALL 813-907-LAWN (5296).

Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maintenance: 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! Licensed & insured.

Accepting new residential & commercial accounts.

We accept Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmExp. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring full-time workers.

HEAVY HITTER LAWN CARE: Veteran owned and operated lawn care maintenance service, focused on lawn mowing, trimming, edging and blowing (flexible with extra services). Well maintained and professional laborer ensuring customer satisfaction and on-time cuts. Rain or shine, the quality and schedule will be kept. Licensed and Insured. Call or text 678-673-7856 for your FREE ESTIMATE.

COMPUTER/BUSINESS SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small business. A+, Certified computer tech with 20 years exp. Maintenance and Repairs, Upgrades and Tutoring. More affordable than large chains!

Friendly, personalized service. Technical jargon explained. Remote assistance available. References available. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate.

POOL SERVICES

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

Mention this ad for a $79 pool service (restrctions apply).

Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel since 1990. Call or text 813-244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay. com. Also, see our display ad on pg. 37.

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

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.

COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE

1,850 sq.ft. Commercial/Medical Space Available to Lease. Address: 24420 SR 54, Lutz (in the MediWeightloss Building). For more info, call 813-293-4377 or email: gwillett@mediweightlossclinics.com.

FITNESS & WELL BEING

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.

Do You Love The Neighborhood News? Why Not Work With Us?!?

We are seeking a Sales Assistant, Freelance Writers, Photographers & Videographers!

Resumés only, please (no phone calls) to Attn: Gary at Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com!

Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms with 30 Years of Experience!

All interior work, including drywall, texture painting & more.

Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere!

Google us to see all of our 5-Star Reviews & more pictures:

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Free Estimates • Exterior Home Cleaning • Paver Sealing

(813) 696-9568 Check us out on Facebook facebook.com/SBSoftSpray

Veteran Owned & Operated

36

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 15 • July 21, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

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Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 15 • July 21, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

37

CLEANING SERVICES

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LOCATED AT 16031 TAMPA PALMS BLVD W *Offervalid for$5off your pre-tax purchase of$30 or more.Offermay not be combined with other offers.Valid only at Uptown Cheapskate in Tampa, FL. See store for details. Expires 08/31/2020.

www.SleepUnplugged.com Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine Dental Director, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Accredited Facility 1928 Highland Oaks Blvd., Lutz, FL 33559

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Arbor Greene Cory Lake Isles Cross Creek Easton Park Grand Hampton/ The Hammocks 38

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 15 • July 21, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

BY THE TIME YOU SEE THIS, THESE MAY BE SOLD! TAMPA PALMS

16348 HEATHROW DR

JUST LISTED 4 Bed|3 Bath|Office|Bonus Room|3,376 S.F.|3 Car Garage|Hard Wood Flooring|42" Maple Cabinets|S/S Appliances|Crown Molding|Gas Fireplace|Custom Built-in Desk|Large Screened Pavered Lanai w/ Outdoor Kitchen| Heated Pool & Spa

Offered for $569,000

THE RIDGE AT WIREGRASS

2712 TARRAGONA WAY

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK! 4 Bed|4 Bath|2,728 S.F.|2 Car Garage|Lake Front Homesite|Built in 2016|Large Game Room|Chef's Kitchen w/ Quartz Countertops|42" White Cabinetry|Crown Molding|S/S Appliances|Expansive Master Suite|Large Covered Lanai|Maintenance Free 5 Acre Community.

Offered for $474,900

ARBOR GREENE

SOLD IN 9 DAYS

CROSS CREEK

SOLD IN 4 DAYS

Kristy Darragh 813.931.6700

TAMPA PALMS

TAMPA PALMS

6225 GREENWICH DR

16356 HEATHROW DR

JUST LISTED 4 Bed|3 Bath|Sun Room|2,518 S.F.|2 Car Garage| Completely Remodeled Throughout|New Laminate Wood Flooring|New Gourmet Kitchen|New S/S Appliances| New Granite Countertops in Kitchen & Bathrooms| Double Sided Fireplace|Pool|Fenced Rear Yard.

Offered for $385,000

ARBOR GREENE

16020 PENWOOD DR

PENDING IN 2 DAYS

PENDING IN 1 DAY

4 Bed|3 Bath|3,035 S.F.| 3 Car Garage|Contemporary Home|Chef's Kitchen w/ Cherry Wood Cabinetry|Quartz Countertops|S/S Appliances|Crown Molding|Plantation Shutters|Remodeled Bathrooms|Newer Roof| Heated Pool & Spa|Large Fenced Yard.

WEST MEADOWS

SOLD IN 1 DAY

RICHMOND PLACE

SOLD IN 1 DAY

Offered for $639,000

TAMPA PALMS

10262 SHADOW BRANCH

Offered for $439,000

5 Bed|4 Bath|Bonus Room|3,577 S.F.|3 Car Garage| Remodeled|New Tile Floors|42" Maple Cabinetry|New Granite Countertops|Newer Roof|New Appliances|Quartz Counters in Master Bath|Expansive Screened Lanai|Pool & Spa w/ PebbleTec Finish|Outdoor Kitchen.

4 Bed|2.5 Bath|2,202 S.F.|3 Car Garage|Newer Roof|Wood Floors|Crown Molding|Plantation Shutters|Newer S/S Appliances|Remodeled Master Bath|Frameless Shower| Custom Built-in Bookshelf|New Interior Paint| Pool/Spa|Conservation Lot Offered for $359,000

HUNTERS GREEN

SOLD IN 2 DAYS

TAMPA PALMS

SOLD IN 4 DAYS

KRISTYD@REALTOR.COM REALESTATENEWTAMPA.COM