New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 28. Issue 17, August 18, 2020 by Neighborhood News

Volume 28 Issue 17 August 17, 2020

Inside: Our Friendly Visit Inside Kiran Indian Grocery!

Last Chance To VOTE Aug 18!

See pages 31-32!

Back To School, But Virtually? By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com School in Hillsborough County is starting on Monday, August 24, but what that actually means or how it will happen is (as of August 10) still anyone’s guess. Will kids be learning at home for the first four weeks, as voted on by the Hillsborough County School Board, until the situation with the coronavirus can be better evaluated? Will those parents who want to send their kids back to brick-and-mortar schools, which was originally offered as an option by Superintendent Addison Davis, be allowed to go back to those schools, as mandated by the state? When we went to press, these were questions that still did not have answers, as a series of actions by the School Board and pushback by the state left every parent of school-age children wondering what school will look like next week — and beyond. For folks like Jessica White, who is both a special education teacher at Pride Elementary and a parent to two elementary school students, the swirling confusion is creating a truly unique start to the school year. After prepping for her 14th year

Classrooms will be empty for at least the first four weeks of the school year, if a Hillsborough School Board decision holds up in the face of opposition from the state, which is demanding that parents have a choice to send their kids to brick-and-mortar school. at Pride by setting her up classroom two weeks ago, she still had no idea if she’ll be using it when school begins. “Everything is still up in the air,” White said. While the School Board and state were butting heads over the proper approach to the new school year, New Tampa was ready to go back for the first

time since the pandemic shut things down in March — one way or the other. Parents were given three choices back in July — to send their kids back to brick-and-mortar schools, keep them home for structured eLearning (that follows the typical daily bell schedule), or have them learn on their own schedules via virtual school.

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Countywide, 49 percent of parents preferred the brick-and-mortar option for their children, compared to 42.7 percent for eLearning. However, eLearning is the most popular choice of parents with kids going to New Tampa schools, according to results from Hillsborough County Public Schools. Of the 9,322 declaration surveys returned from New Tampa, 5,080, or 52.3 percent, chose eLearning, or distance learning. Roughly 39 percent, or 3,834, chose the brick-and-mortar option, with 759 parents (about 8 percent) selecting virtual school. Pride Elementary, where White teaches, had the highest rate of parents choosing eLearning — 66.8 percent. In fact, elementary schools where, ironically, children are said to be the least affected by the virus, led the way when it came to parents choosing to keep their kids home — Clark Elementary (61 percent choosing eLearning) was second, and Tampa Palms Elementary (59.6) was third. The decision by the School Board to start online only due to the current Covid-19 infection rate pleased White, although she understands why others weren’t as happy about it. See “Indecision” on page 4.

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Zoom Meeting Postponed, So You Can Still Be Part Of It! An editorial by Gary Nager For the last few issues, I’ve been writing in this space about how I’ve personally felt about the state of race relations in this country. And now, I feel fortunate that I have found a way to do something about it — and several dozen of my readers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have agreed to see if we can do that something together. And, even though I still have no idea what I hope this group can accomplish, I do know that the readers who have responded that they’re interested in participating are of all different racial, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. It’s the kind of group I hope to someday have a chance to meet with in person to have a beverage and/or a meal, or even a large-scale gathering in an open auditorium. But for now, it will begin with a Zoom meeting that originally had been scheduled for August 10 but has been postponed until a weeknight between August 19-August 26 that will be open to anyone who genuinely wants to be part of something that I hope will be helpful in some way. In my August 4 editorial in my Wesley Chapel Issue #16-20, I said that because it will be a Zoom meeting, I plan to moderate the discussion that evening and I have asked someone I have a huge amount of respect for to co-moderate it with me — District 63 State Representative Fentrice Driskell — who has already re-won reelection to her seat because of having no opponent and who represents the New Tampa area in the Florida House of Representatives. Rep. Driskell is originally from Tampa Bay and moved back home after law school to find meaningful ways to involve herself in the community. So, as my co-moderator, she is someone who is familiar with our local context. Rep. Driskell believes that, in order to address racism, and ultimately, to heal its wounds, our community must be willing to have tough, honest and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about race. She also is in conversation with multiple stakeholders around these issues to develop policy solutions to tackle institutional racism at the legislative level. Rep. Driskell also is working with other elected officials and community leaders on a project in conjunction with the Equal Justice Initiative that will lead to more community conversations about race. Through the project, local officials will erect a marker that will honor and memorialize the lives lost to racial lynchings in Hillsborough County during the Jim Crow era. The goal of that project is both to educate our community about its past with respect to racially motivated violence and also to spark dialogue about how our shared past is relevant to the structural racism that we see today. She believes that this kind of dialogue, rooted in the factual truth of our common past, will help us develop solutions to build a future that is more fair, inclusive and expansive in opportunity for us all. After mentioning Rep. Driskell in my Aug. 4 editorial, I also mentioned, in the last paragraph of that editorial, that, “As the moderator of the Zoom meeting, one thing I won’t be interested in discussing is the defunding of law enforcement, which has become a popular rallying cry in the wake of (George) Floyd’s death. I also will do everything I can to not allow finger-pointing or for the meeting to become about Red vs. Blue.

Once Rep. Driskell saw my editorial, however, she called me to discuss it and shared her sentiment that in order for the meeting to be as inclusive as possible, it would be important for us to welcome the perspectives of all participants. She also shared that, as an elected official, it is her job and duty to listen and to consider the opinions of all of her constituents. I really felt badly when Rep. Driskell brought this to my attention and, after we spoke about it, I better understood why I received some negative emails because of that paragraph. So, while we may have differing viewpoints on some issues, Rep. Driskell and I agree that we have a responsibility to not exclude anyone’s ideas that would be productive to the discussion. In addition, even though I didn’t want to postpone the meeting, in light of how Rep. Driskell felt about my editorial — which I didn’t

INSIDE:

New photo gallery added to the New Tampa Rec Center expansion.

Page 6

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New Tampa Neighborhood News

Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Mike Camunas • 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 19, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, August 31, 2020. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously nonpublished outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

“As someone who grew up in New York and saw police officers running towards people who had just been shot as I tried to go in the opposite direction — away from the danger — no one can convince me that 1) most cops aren’t good public servants & 2) to improve law enforcement’s protection of us will mean additional training that will cost more money, not less.”

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share with her prior to publishing it in that Aug. 4 issue — in the current scope of the discussion, I agreed it was the right thing to do. I knew it wasn’t easy for her to have to call me about it, but even though all of the opinions expressed in all 600+ of my page 3 editorials I have published in the 26 years I have owned and been the editor of the Neighborhood News have always been mine alone, once I was introducing Rep. Driskell as my co-moderator, I should have at least run the column by her, which might have prevented us from having to postpone it. Please send me an email at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com to join this open dialogue with this diverse group of your neighbors in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Once the revised Zoom meeting date and time are set, I will again email everyone who signed up with a link to the meeting.

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Indecision: Parents, students & teachers remain unclear about the start of school. Continued from page 1. says. “I think everyone has to do what they are comfortable with.” For Donna Haller, whose son Andrew will be a senior at Wharton High, the decision to open the school year online, if it stands, is disappointing. “I am disappointed Andrew will have to begin his senior year online,” she said. “I was happy we were given choices to pick what we felt was best for our children, and now that choice has been taken from us.” Freedom was the only New Tampa school where parents favored in-school to distance-learning, by a 46-41 percent margins. At Wharton, 695 parents chose eLearning, while 679 favored a return to the classroom. **** On Aug. 6, the Hillsborough School Board voted 5-2 to open the school year with eLearning for the first four weeks. The Board planned to meet again on Sept. 8 to see what the Covid-19 numbers were looking like. And yes, the Board had already voted two weeks prior to approve Davis’ reopening plan, which offered the three choices for parents. But, it did so

almost begrudgingly, due to a July 31 state-mandated deadline and concerns that it didn’t have enough medical data. On Aug. 6, the Board brought in experts to help with that decision. After listening to more than 50 mostly-impassioned public comments, a panel of medical experts faced questions from the Board, with the most important one coming from District 5 School Board member Tamara Shamburger: “Yes or no?,” she asked, cutting to the chase. “Should our schools be reopened?” One by one, the medical officials said no — with most citing the current community spread of the virus and the county’s already high positivity test rate. While five percent is considered safe, the county’s positive Covid test rate was nearly double that at the time. Based on that medical advice, Shamburger and District 6 member Karen Perez pushed to open the school year with eLearning — originally for the first nine weeks — and when the vote was taken, everyone on the Board agreed to online-only for four weeks, with the exception of chairperson Melissa Snively and Cindy Stuart (who represents District 3, which includes all of New Tampa’s public schools).

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed his displeasure at the county’s decision. Florida Education Secretary Richard Corcoran wrote a letter to Superintendent Davis, saying Hillsborough County couldn’t do eLearning for four weeks, because it went against his decree that parents must be given a choice of returning to school. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade and Broward counties are among the districts being allowed to open online, because they are still in Phase One of DeSantis’ reopening plan. For folks like White, Corcoran’s letter to Davis and the potential overturning of the Board’s decision added another layer of confusion. “Not knowing what is happening leads to some interesting challenges, both for my kids and for my teaching,” White said. White has decided to keep both of her children at home to do eLearning the first nine weeks. She is hoping to be allowed to teach from a distance, but hasn’t decided what to do if she isn’t granted that assignment. Many others are hoping Corcoran’s demands to open brick-and-mortar schools wins out in the end. “Our children need to be back in school,” says Jeannine Armington, pres-

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ident of the Freedom PTSA and mother to Emily, a Freedom sophomore. “If you elect to have your child learn virtually, I respect that. I also expect that same respect for the choice I elect to send my child back for an education taught by our amazing Hillsborough County teachers in a classroom where they belong.” She added, “We were supposed to be given a choice in how our children are educated and that choice was taken away by a group of elected public servants who serve no one but themselves.”

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Photo Installation Included In NTRC Expansion By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com When the New Tampa Recreation Center (NTRC) was built in 2007, Tampa’s Matt May was commissioned to photograph some of the area gymnasts to adorn the windows at the new facility. Now, 12 years later, the NTRC is just about finished with its $3-million expansion, and once again, it is May’s photography that will be among the highlights of the new structure. The 7,300-sq.-ft. expansion will help the NTRC accommodate more of those gymnasts, as well as those in the city’s popular dance programs. The two programs served a combined 1,200 students (preCovid), and the additional space will allow those numbers to increase by roughly 25 percent when full capacity is again allowed. Five panels of May’s photography will line a wall in the lobby of the new expanMatt May’s photography will be one of the highlights of the New Tampa Recreation Center’s expansion (photo), and will look like something sion, which currently is under construction in Tampa Palms. (Photo: Charmaine George) you would typically see entering a profesThe expansion will add a 50’ x 40’ terback Tom Brady in the team’s new sional sports complex or Hall of Fame. room specifically for children ages 5 and uniforms. He also shot new tight end Rob The images show gymnasts, ranging in age under, who currently have to share space Gronkowski after he joined the Bucs. from 7 to 17, performing flips and other with older kids in the existing 12,500-sq.May also shot ad campaigns for the maneuvers. The large glass panels were put ft. gymnastics area. Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2019 and, back into place at the rec center July 29, as May Another 50’ x 40’ all-purpose room in 2017, produced the art for the Bucs’ watched like a nervous and proud parent. for dance also is being added, and the “Siege the Day” campaign. However, these aren’t your ordinary expansion also will include a 1,760-sq.-ft. He says he approached shooting the images. May’s photos have been transnew pictures for the New Tampa Rec formed with the use of ceramic inks that Center the same way, employing the same are printed onto inch-thick glass, which studio-lit pro action style. is then tempered so the inks become a “About a year ago, we set up here in permanent part of the glass. the gym, using a black backdrop, and I “This is a new medium for me,” May photographed some of the young gymadmits. “The technology has gotten to a nasts just like I would Tom Brady or other point where we could pull this off. Over pro athletes or sports teams,” May says. “I time, you won’t have to worry about Florida’s heat or UV rays fading that image. To was not only showcasing their personalities, hard work and athletic ability, but also be able to put something in a window in their confidence.” Florida and have it last the test of time, at The NTRC expansion is expected this level of detail, is really something that to be completed this fall. Prior to the has only just become possible over the last pandemic, the facility boasted a waiting list year or so.” of 1,400 kids — 960 waiting to get into May is a local sports photographer, gymnastics, the rest waiting to get into the who also shot the first studio pictures center’s dance programs. of new Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quar-

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“training box,” which will offer a wealth of possible training exercises for a variety of sports, like retractable batting cages and small group fitness classes. District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who helped lead the charge to get the expansion funded after years of budget disappointments as New Tampa’s representative on the Council, was on hand as the panels were fitted into place and found them to be a fitting touch for Mortgage the new building. Protection “I think it’s amazing,” Viera said. “It really improves the existing location, and is consistent with what I think the community wanted to see.” College

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Climb To The Top No Easy Task For Freedom Valedictorian In February, she found out it was ofBy JOHN C. COTEY ficial — she had quietly risen to the top of john@ntneighborhoodnews.com her class. She called Leyla. They cried. Taravat Tarahom didn’t get to bask in the glory of being Freedom High School’s Even More Challenges Class of 2020 valedictorian, thanks to the The hard work did not come without outbreak of Covid-19 cutting short her a cost, however. senior year. Nor did she get to give her In December, she had lost 15 pounds speech in front of a throng of her classand spent two days in the hospital, where mates in an arena, instead settling for a safe she was diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) and socially distant recorded message. diabetes. “I was so wrapped up in school What Taravat says she did get out of I didn’t even pay attention to my health,” being Freedom’s valedictorian, however, Taravat says. “I was kind of mad at myself was a life-altering accomplishment at the for not noticing.” end of what, at times, was an extremely Her diagnosis has triggered an interest difficult journey. in endocrinology, which she hopes to study “This has taught me to look at one at the University of Florida. She plans on goal, but not make (that goal) my entire majoring in microbiology and cell sciences. life,” the 18-year-old says. And while her valedictorian speech She was able to balance a huge school wasn’t delivered to a crowd of her classload, deal with the divorce of her parents mates, it did come from the heart. Without and the death of her dog, as well as a diagthe trials and tribulations of her senior Freedom High Class of 2020 valedictorian Taravat Tarahom joined her sister Targol (Class of 2015) year, it might have been a completely difnosis of Type 1 diabetes, all while unexas a Freedom valedictorian this year. (Photo courtesy of Taravat Tarahom) pectedly rising to the top of her class. ferent speech. Taravat walked away from Freedom at Freedom, then coming home around climb up the academic ladder, ranking “Remember this,” she told the Class of with a greater appreciation of her relalunchtime to eat and pack herself a dinner, only around No. 25 in her class after her 2020. “If you fall: get back up. It’s cliché, I tionships and health and with the piece and working for three hours as an online sophomore year. know, but get back up. Don’t allow setbacks of mind that comes from learning how tutor, driving to the Hillsborough ComShe remembers moving up in the to steer you off your natural path. Don’t let to stay prioritized. class rankings after the first semester of her munity College (HCC) Ybor City campus a single failure ruin those deep-rooted hopes “The experience definitely changed junior year, somewhere into the teens, and for a three-hour English class and then and dreams. Because ultimately, rock botme,” says Taravat, who finished with a heading over to the HCC campus on N. her determination to become the second tom could be the solid foundation that you 7.64 weighted grade-point-average. Dale Mabry Hwy. for physics lab. valedictorian in the family was growing. build the rest of your life on.” Leyla Mohebbi, her mother, says she She mentioned to some of her couldn’t be more proud. She says academclassmates and her teacher in AP Biology ics have always been a priority in her home, that she was going to go for it, and they DR. MICHAEL GREEN where bringing home a B meant you laughed, because she still had more than a � would be asked, “Why not an A?” GENERAL DENTISTRY dozen students to pass. “I feel like Tara put the expectation “That set something off in me,” onto herself that she did not want to be Taravat admits. anything less than a valedictorian,” Leyla A former cheerleader, she started her � COSMETIC DENTISTRY VOTED BEST DENTIST says. “I’m very happy. I knew that was her senior year ranked No. 7 in the class, but www.doctormichaelgreen.com IN OUR READER SURVEY dream, and she made it happen.” once her summer grades were input into Taravat has followed in the footsteps the system — “I had a crazy workload that of her sister Targol, who was Freedom’s summer” — she had quietly risen to No. valedictorian in 2015 and is now in medi3. But, she stayed under the radar, and cal school at Nova Southeastern University continued to take a heavy load. College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Taravat, who was co-president of the Lauderdale. Taravat says she felt the bar school’s Sierra Club, says a typical day 2244 Green Hedges Way #102 was “set impossibly high” before she even in the fall of her senior year would entail Dr. Green & his wife Leslie started high school. She faced a steady waking up at 7 a.m. for six hours of school

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Climb To TheIsTop No Finally! Easy Task For Freedom Valedictorian Autism Park A Go,

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has In February, she found out it was ofBybudget JOHN C. COTEY presented her annual proposal ficial — she had quietly risen to the top of to the john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Tampa City Council — via her class. She called Leyla. They cried. a socially distant video conference, Taravat Tarahom didn’t get to bask in naturally theFreedom news wasHigh mostlySchool’s the glory— ofand being Even More Challenges good New Tampa. Class for of 2020 valedictorian, thanks to the The hard work did not come without The Fiscal Year 2021 budget outbreak of Covid-19 cutting short her a cost, however. didn’t or to cutgive anyher senior raise year.property Nor did taxes, she get In December, she had lost 15 pounds essential services, and there were no speech in front of a throng of her classand spent two days in the hospital, where layoffs. matesBut, in an instead she was diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) thearena, $1.254 billionsettling plan for a safe and socially distant recorded message. diabetes. “I was so wrapped up in school included a big surprise: Money for budget, was used to design the park, What Taravat says & sheAutism did get out of I didn’t even pay attention to my health,” the New Tampa Sensory Friendly originally planned for the area behind BJ’s being Freedom’s valedictorian, however, Taravat says. “I was kind of mad at myself Park, or Inclusive Park, which Tampa City Wholesale Club, also in Tampa Palms. was a life-altering accomplishment for not noticing.” Council member Luis Viera had all butat the “It’s a huge win for New Tampa kids end ofupwhat, at times, andue extremely Her diagnosis has triggered an interest given on a few monthswas ago, to the with disabilities, as well for the city of Tamdifficult journey.financial shortfall due to in endocrinology, which she hopes to study city’s anticipated pa,” says Viera, who made the autism park “This has taught me to look at one Covid-19. at the University of Florida. She plans on one of his first goals when he was elected knew to (that the economy goal,“Ibut notdue make goal) mythere entire majoring in microbiology and cell sciences. in 2016. “I’m thrilled they didn’t put the would be 18-year-old a scaling backsays. of priorities, and life,” the And while her valedictorian speech brakes on the project. Under Mayor Castor’s thereShe has was been,” whose District ablesays to Viera, balance a huge school administration, you can see they are trying wasn’t delivered to a crowd of her class7load, includes of New Tampa. “But I was to take a positive stand in regards to persons deal most with the divorce of her parents mates, it did come from the heart. Without pleasantly surprised to see it in there.” and the death of her dog, as well as a diag- with special needs. It’s great to see.” the trials and tribulations of her senior budget, Tampa’s biggest Freedom Highsays Class 2020 valedictorian Taravat Tarahom joined her sister Targol (Class of 2015) year, it might have been a completely difCastor theofpandemic has cost the nosisThe of Type 1 diabetes, all whileever, unexincludes million build as ainFreedom valedictorian thisshe year. (Photo courtesy of Taravat Tarahom) city $24 million revenues. She also says pectedly$1.7 rising to thetotop of the herInclusive class. ferent speech. Park just behind the New Tampa Recreation has no plans to cut from the police budget, Taravat walked away from Freedom at Freedom, then coming home around climb up the academic ladder, ranking “Remember this,” she told the Class of Center (see story on pg. 6). While Tampa has which is roughly $175 Castor, Tampa’s with a greater appreciation of her relalunchtime to eat and pack herself a dinner, only around No. 25 in her class after her 2020. “If you fall: get back up. It’s cliché, I made a number of improvements in recent Police Chief from tionships health equipment and with the and working for three hours as an online sophomore year. 2009-15, said her plan know, but get back up. Don’t allow setbacks years, with and playground thatpiece makes was to invest, not divest, even in the wake of of mind that comes from learningwith how tutor, driving to the Hillsborough ComShe remembers moving up in the to steer you off your natural path. Don’t let the parks more accessible to children aunationwide demands that police spending is to stay prioritized. munity College (HCC) Ybor City campus class rankings after the first semester of her a single failure ruin those deep-rooted hopes tism, including the NTRC’s Community Park, reevaluated and reduced following the death “The experience definitelypark changed for a three-hour English class and then junior year, somewhere into the teens, and and dreams. Because ultimately, rock botthis full-fledged autism/sensory will be of George Floyd and the ensuing protests. me,” says finished with a heading over to the HCC campus on N. her determination tobe become thebysecond tom could be the solid foundation that you the first of Taravat, its kind inwho the city. Castor’s budget must approved the 7.64Roughly weighted$90,000, grade-point-average. Dale Mabry Hwy. for physics lab. valedictorian in the family was growing. build the rest of your life on.” from the 2018 City Council by Oct. 1. — JCC Leyla Mohebbi, her mother, says she She mentioned to some of her couldn’t be more proud. She says academclassmates and her teacher in AP Biology ics have always been a priority in her home, that she was going to go for it, and they DR. MICHAEL GREEN where bringing home a B meant you laughed, because she still had more than a � would be asked, “Why not an A?” GENERAL DENTISTRY dozen students to pass. “I feel like Tara put the expectation “That set something off in me,” onto herself that she did not want to be Taravat admits. anything less than a valedictorian,” Leyla A former cheerleader, she started her � COSMETIC DENTISTRY VOTED BEST DENTIST says. “I’m very happy. I knew that was her senior year ranked No. 7 in the class, but www.doctormichaelgreen.com IN OUR READER SURVEY dream, and she made it happen.” once her summer grades were input into Taravat has followed in the footsteps the system — “I had a crazy workload that of her sister Targol, who was Freedom’s summer” — she had quietly risen to No. valedictorian in 2015 and is now in medi3. But, she stayed under the radar, and cal school at Nova Southeastern University continued to take a heavy load. College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Taravat, who was co-president of the Lauderdale. Taravat says she felt the bar school’s Sierra Club, says a typical day 2244 Green Hedges Way #102 was “set impossibly high” before she even in the fall of her senior year would entail Dr. Green & his wife Leslie started high school. She faced a steady waking up at 7 a.m. for six hours of school

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Climb To The Top No Easy Task For Fre

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Taravat Tarahom didn’t get to bask in the glory of being Freedom High School’s Class of 2020 valedictorian, thanks to the outbreak of Covid-19 cutting short her senior year. Nor did she get to give her speech in front of a throng of her classmates in an arena, instead settling for a safe and socially distant recorded message. Top Quality...Great Prices What Taravat says she did get out of being Freedom’s valedictorian, however, was a life-altering accomplishment at the end of what, at times, was an extremely difficult journey. Join our Customer Rewards Program “This has taught me to look at one and get a punch every time you spend $10 or more. goal, but not make (that goal) my entire life,” the 18-year-old says. After your 10th punch, you’ll receive She was able to balance a huge school $10 oﬀ your next order of $10 or more. load, deal with the divorce of her parents and the death of her dog, as well as a diagFreedom High Class of 2020 valedictorian Taravat Tarahom joined her sister Targol (C nosis of Type 1 diabetes, all while unexas a Freedom valedictorian this year. (Photo courtesy of Taravat Tarahom) pectedly rising to the top of her class. Taravat walked away from Freedom at Freedom, then coming home climb up the academic ladder, ranking with a greater appreciation of her relalunchtime to eat and pack herse only around No. 25 in her class after her tionships and health and with the piece and working for three hours as sophomore year. $2.99 Press Only* of mind that comes from learning how tutor, driving to the Hillsborou She remembers moving up in the to stay prioritized. $3.99 Drycleaning & Press* class rankings after the first semester of her munity College (HCC) Ybor C “The experience definitely changed junior year, somewhere into the teens, and for a three-hour English class an $1.99 Men’s Business Shirts me,” says Taravat, who finished with a heading over to the HCC camp her determination to become the second * Some garments incur additional charge. 7.64 weighted grade-point-average. Dale Mabry Hwy. for physics la valedictorian in the family was growing. Leyla Mohebbi, her mother, says she She mentioned to some of her couldn’t be more proud. She says academclassmates and her teacher in AP Biology ics have always been a priority in her home, that she was going to go for it, and they DR. MIC where bringing home a B meant you laughed, because she still had more than a � would be asked, “Why not an A?” GENERA dozen students to pass. “I feel like Tara put the expectation “That set something off in me,” onto herself that she did not want to be Taravat admits. anything less than a valedictorian,” Leyla A former cheerleader, she started her � COSME says. “I’m very happy. I knew that was her senior year ranked No. 7 in the class, but www.d dream, and she made it happen.” once her summer grades were input into Taravat has followed in the footsteps the system — “I had a crazy workload that of her sister Targol, who was Freedom’s summer” — she had quietly risen to No. valedictorian in 2015 and is now in medi3. But, she stayed under the radar, and cal school at Nova Southeastern University continued to take a heavy load. College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Taravat, who was co-president of the Lauderdale. Taravat says she felt the bar school’s Sierra Club, says a typical day 2244 Green He was “set impossibly high” before she even in the fall of her senior year would entail started high school. She faced a steady waking up at 7 a.m. for six hours of school

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Neighborho

Cooking At Home More? Gas N Grills Might Be For You! By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com During these unprecedented times, as the fear of going out during the coronavirus pandemic continues to be a part of our lives, more and more people are spending time in their own kitchens. Instead of going to restaurants, we are making our own meals. Instead of eating out, we are eating in. For many, especially during the hot summer months when you don’t want to heat up the house and might just need to get outside, that means turning to your outdoor kitchens and grills. If you’re looking for ways to expand your outdoor horizons, then Gas N Grills, located on Livingston Ave. just west of E. Bearss Ave., might just have everything you’re looking for. Not only does the Lutz location offer grilling accessories, charcoal and wood chips and propane, the store’s selection of grills can help transform your outdoor cooking space into a charming culinary oasis. “We specialize in high-end grills, mostly outdoor kitchens with built-in grills,” says Gas N Grills owner Joe Baker. “We have pretty much everything.” Gas N Grills has been around since 1989, and like many specialty businesses,

The Saffire (left) and Blaze brands are among the high-end grills available at Gas N Grills on Livingston Ave. in Lutz. (Photos by John C. Cotey)

has experienced its ups and downs, from the economic crash in 2008 to the current online ordering revolution during the Covid-19 outbreak. Before the 2008 crash, Joe says that built-in outdoor kitchens were all the rage, but he adds they are coming back. At his store, Joe offers everything from the usual Weber and Broil Master grills to a number of high-priced stainless steel beauties from top name brands like Alfresco, Blaze and Tec. But, the first thing you notice

when you walk in, aside from the wall of replacement parts that make up a large portion of Joe’s business, are the Saffire Grills, which are similar to the more-wellknown Big Green Egg grills but are even better, says Joe. Both are what are known as kamado grills, which are kettle-shaped and made with a ceramic shell that offer a ton of grilling and smoking versatility. The Saffire uses charcoal, and can be used to grill, smoke, bake, roast and BBQ. Not only can you cook steaks and

burgers on it, you also can slow-cook some ribs, and even use it to make a true wood-fired pizza if you so desire. “It gives you better results than a regular grill,” Joe says. “The food stays so juicy that once you eat something cooked on it, you will never go back to just a ‘regular’ grill.” The Saffire grills are definitely a little pricey — they are available in multiple sizes but a medium-sized one will run you roughly $1,000 — but they all come with a lifetime warranty and Joe says it will

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probably be the last grill you’ll ever buy. In fact, that’s the case with many of the grills Joe sells at Gas N Grills, which are more for the dedicated and serious grilling enthusiasts who like to cook outdoors more than they do inside, moreso than the usual weekend chefs just looking to cook up a few burgers and hot dogs. At Gas N Grills, the high-end grill selections feature large cooking areas and perks like rotisserie kits, side burners, adjustable warming racks, shelves, cabinet storage and even blue LED lights for nighttime grilling. What you won’t find at Gas N Grills are the same, basic $199 grills you see lined up outside the bigger box stores, especially during the spring and summer. “We don’t carry what they carry, we

Neighborhood News

sell better quality grills,” Joe says. “We target those customers who are looking for a better cooking experience. People who know the difference are very interested in what we have. Spending $1,000, though, may be overkill for some people. But, I have customers who cook on their grills five times a week.” Gas N Grills also sells camping stoves, turkey fryers, pizza ovens and a wide variety of grilling accessories, to go along with its brisk online sales of various grill replacement parts. Gas N Grills is located at 14615 Livingston Ave. For more information, visit GasNGrills.com, call (813) 9724984, or see the ad on pg. 32 of this issue, which features a coupon for $2 off any propane fill.

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Trust Cataract Surgery At St. Luke’s & Dr. David Scamard For After-Care By GARY NAGER It was not quite 20 years ago when optometrist David Scamard, O.D., who had only recently opened his first office on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., first asked me my age and then said, “Yes, that makes sense. You’re going to need to start wearing reading glasses soon.” I was flabbergasted. “But Doctor Dave, I’ve been nearsighted since I was eight years old. You’re going to tell me that now, I’m going to be farsighted, too? How can that even be?” As it turned out, he was right. I started The Excellence in Eye Care (inside Costco on S.R. 56) staff includes (l.-r.) Jill Wagner, Optometrist Dr. David Scamard & office manager Eileen Aldrich. (Photos by Charmaine George) needing either bifocal contact lenses or Fortunately for me, not only did Dr. correcting one eye for close-up reading and tap my brakes, to make sure I the other eye for activities like watching TV Dave confirm that I had a cataract in my wasn’t getting too close, which left eye, he said, “You also have just the and driving — by the following year. isn’t a particularly safe thing to beginning of one in your right eye, too.” So, even though Dr. Dave has had do when you’re going 70 mph I wasn’t really considering surgery be- on an interstate highway. I imother offices in Lutz since then, his “Excelfore I visited Dr. Dave, because I hadn’t yet mediately stopped driving at night after that lence in Eye Care, LLC” office has been located in his new home — he has been the really noticed any change in my vision. incident and asked my old friend to recomThat is, until Jannah and I were drivIndependent Optometrist inside the Costco mend a good cataract surgeon. ing home one evening in January of this off S.R. 56 — for about two years. And, even though it didn’t feel exactly year, after visiting my mom in Sarasota. And, even though I briefly changed like the illustration above left to me, cataAs the skies turned from dusk into dark, I optometrists after Dr. Dave closed his most racts are like a film over the lens of your noticed that whenever there was a vehicle recent office on S.R. 54 in Lutz, when I was eye, so even I could understand that when driving southbound as we were headed told late last year by that other optometrist they replace the “foggy” lens surgically, it that I had a cataract in my left eye that might northbound on I-75, the glare from the definitely will make your vision clearer. headlights of those oncoming vehicles need to be surgically corrected in the future, I got a second opinion months later from Dr. would temporarily prevent me from seeing Thank You, St. Luke’s! the tail lights of the vehicles in front of me. Dr. Dave recommended two or three Dave, whose new office in Costco is across Everytime this happened, I would different ophthalmic surgeons that he felt the street from where Jannah and I live.

comfortable with, but I ultimately chose to go with Dr. Jeffrey Wipfli of the St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, who had amazing reviews online and an office nearby (on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood), but who performs his surgeries at the main St. Luke’s location on U.S. Hwy. 19 in Tarpon Springs. Not only that, but St. Luke’s has been a some-time advertiser with us and we actually did a story about Dr. Wipfli in a Wesley Chapel issue last October, so I felt even better about entrusting him with some-

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either near or far, even if I did pay more. And I’m glad, because since Covid-19, I’ve been able to wear my glasses anytime I go anywhere (some eye protection is better than none) and I really only have to take them off to read a menu at a restaurant (which we didn’t do for a long while).

Best Post-Surgical Care, Too!

thing as precious as my eyesight. The truly amazing thing is that I got the cataract in my left eye fixed in late January and the right eye in mid-February, so my eyes were all fixed prior to the shutdown of elective surgeries in Florida due to Covid-19. I even got to do both follow-up appointments with Dr. Dave before he had to temporarily close his office in Costco.

Easiest Surgery Ever!

I have no idea how it’s been for surgery patients at St. Luke’s since March, but I did notice this on the company’s website as I was writing this story:

“This has been a challenging time for all of us. Many of you know that St. Luke’s has remained open on a much restricted schedule to do our best to serve our patients through the last several weeks. We have been able to serve many of our patients who have had urgent needs by keeping our doors open in our main office in Tarpon Springs....We have resumed surgery and all clinic locations are now open. Safety of our patients and employees is the priority for us as we continue to practice social distance and adhere to all CDC and governmental guidelines.”

But, here’s how both cataract surgeries went for me at St. Luke’s: The office staff tells you to expect your total time there to be between 3-4 hours, of which waiting and taking care of all of your pre-surgical paperwork takes up about two of those hours. Jannah drove me and waited for me to drive me home both times, since your vision can be a little blurry at first and because you are mildly sedated during the surgery. All the amazing St. Luke’s surgical assistants tell you to do is to focus on the light being shined in that eye and the surgeries seemed to be over in a few seconds, rather than the few minutes it actually does take. I could see pretty well out of the surgical eye both times right away, but it takes some getting used to because none of your old glasses will properly correct your vision in the surgical eye and wearing one of your existing contact lenses on the other eye really only works after the first surgery. The cool thing was that Dr. Wipfli let me pick beforehand what I wanted my vision to be after the surgery. And, because I spend so much time at the computer writing and editing, I chose to be able to see up close with no correction whatsoever and to only have to wear glasses to watch TV and drive. Most patients can choose to have uncorrected vision for both far and near, but it was more expensive to do so and Dr. Wipfli said that, for a variety of reasons specific to me, I might still need some correction for Neighborhood News

So now, here’s the scoop on doing business with Dr. Dave, whose Excellence in Eye Care, LLC, is an A-Rated business, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and still has a 5-Star rating on Google Reviews with more than 160 reviews. The practice even has a 5-Star rating on its Facebook page. Excellence in Eye Care also features some amazingly high-tech equipment. For eye exams, Dr. Dave uses an Optos retinal camera (photo on this page) in his office. This high-tech machine is a retinal imager that gives the optometrist a view of the internal structures of your eyes, so that, for many patients, it means they don’t have to have their eyes dilated at their annual exam. “When your pupils are dilated,” Dr. Dave explains, “you are very sensitive to bright light and your nearsightedness is fuzzy, sometimes for up to five hours after dilation. It’s something that compels a lot of people to pass up their eye exams.” One of the other high-tech devices Dr. Dave uses is a RT-5100 Refractor, a digital refractor with electric motors that change the lenses. He operates the digital refractor from a console on his desk. “The digital refractor is faster, more accurate and more efficient than the oldstyle analog devices,” Dr. Dave says. “Our patients appreciate that we have the latest technology available to them.” But, perhaps the most important thing going for Dr. Dave as an optometrist is his people skills — which are awesome — and his entire office staff is always friendly, professional and happy to serve their patients. And, you do not have to be a Costco member to see Dr. Dave. Tell the membership checkers at the entrance that you’re there to see him and they’ll let you go back. He notes, however, that you do have to be a Costco member to purchase your glasses or contact lenses in the store, but Dr. Dave will provide you with both prescriptions so you can buy your glasses/ lenses anywhere else you choose. And, it’s nice to be able to pick up a bottle (or case) of wine or a 3-lb. bag of coffee when you get your eyes checked, too. Excellence in Eye Care is located at 2225 Grand Cypress Dr. The office is open Tues. & Thur., 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wed. & Fri. & 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sat. Optical insurance is not accepted, although itemized receipts are provided that patients can use to get reimbursed by their providers. I] Eye insurance can, however, be applied to lenses and frames you buy at Costco. For appointments (although walk-ins are welcome) and more info, call (813) 279-7038, visit ExcellenceinEyeCare.net or see the ad on pg. 27 of this issue. @NTWCNews

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Students Learning Virtually (For Now) At Excel Music By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN For more than 14 years, Excel Music on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa has been teaching private music lessons to students of all ages. But lately, something has been very different than “business as usual.” Since March, all of Excel Music’s students have been taught exclusively virtually. “The nature of in-person music lessons doesn’t permit social distancing,” says Excel Music owner John Thrasher, “so we’ve chosen to do virtual lessons.” He says the school’s building, located in the Cory Lake Isles Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd., has remained closed since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March. However, Excel Music’s 20 teachers and dozens of students are as active as always, teaching and learning from their homes. John says all of Excel Music’s teachers are either university trained (many with Master of Music degrees) or they have at least 10 years of study and performing experience. The music school offers lessons in voice and practically every instrument, with piano, violin, guitar and drums being the most popular, according to John, and quite a few students learning brass and woodwind instruments, too, such as trumpet, tuba, saxophone and clarinet. Students work with the same teacher week after week, so although their teachers are now only on a computer screen, the student still know them. “It provides some normalcy and routine in their lives, when a whole lot of normalcy and routines have been removed,” says John, who adds that the school has continued to add “a steady stream” of new students throughout the pandemic. “Obviously, parents are just as interested in improving their children’s lives as they always have been,” John explains. “Music is still important, and virtual lessons are kind of the only way that you can do it right now.”

A Little Background Music...

John and his wife Sheri originally opened Excel Music in 2006, with the dream of providing the opportunity for young people to be trained for the kinds of careers and lives they once experienced themselves. “We both had long careers in music, and were professional musicians who were able to make a living performing,” John says, adding that he was the drummer for country singer Mickey Gilley for many years, which gave him the opportunity to perform on TV, at the White House and for people all over the world. In the 1990s, John and Sheri had success together with a band of their own in Japan called Tz, where he says they sold tens of thousands of CDs. They also found themselves immersed in a culture that revered teachers, which led them to start thinking about passing on the knowledge and experience they had gained to the next generation.

“We met tremendous people, saw great places, and made a living,” John says. “We started thinking, ‘What if some of the kids who come through our school can experience what we’ve experienced?’” However, John says he and Sheri recognize that the vast majority of their students will not go on to have professional music careers. “Our teachers are good enough for that type of student, but most of our students will go on to have another career, such as a doctor or lawyer or something else,” he says. He adds that the goal at Excel Music is to provide students with an appreciation for music, plus provide the benefits of learning how to play and/or sing. “There’s so much data John and Sheri Thrasher opened Excel Music on Cross about how great studying Creek Blvd. in 2006. They have adapted their business music is for your brain for model to meet online student needs during the pandemic. spatial learning and big-picture thinking,” John explains. a number of others have stayed with the “There are always studies coming out saying Thrashers for five, six, or eight years. that because music is a whole brain activity, “We definitely have stability,” he says. when kids learn music, their math and other “We’ve been doing this for a long time.” school skills improve, too.” Kristy Sargent, who lives in West Meadows, says her 10-year-old daughter Regan has been taking piano lessons for more than a year with Excel Music. “Both the school and her teacher have been so amazing,” says Kristy. “They’ve been very flexible with being online. It hasn’t been easy to have everything change so much, but they’ve done a really, really good job.” Kristy says one of her favorite things is how well the teachers communicate. “It’s a fantastic school that feels very personal. It feels like they really care about you and your child.”

Age Doesn’t Matter

And, while many of Excel Music’s students are kids, the opportunity to learn to sing or play an instrument is certainly not limited by your age. “A lot of adults want lessons, too,” says John. “We get retired people who say they’ve wanted to play their whole lives, and now they’re finally going to do it.” He fondly recalls a man who came to Excel Music to learn how to play the trumpet at 86 years old! John says the last few months have been extremely trying and that he and Sheri — like virtually all small business owners — are just trying day by day to make the best decisions they can for their company, their employees and their customers. However, at the end of the day, they feel really good about the nearly 15 years they’ve spent leading Excel Music in New Tampa. “We’re putting music in people’s heads,” he says. “We’re not making widgets that end up in landfills; we’re doing this thing that’s good for our community and for the world in general.” Excel Music, located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite I, is open for virtual lessons only right now. For more information, visit ExcelMusic. org, call (813) 991-1177, or see the ad on page 29 of this issue.

The Right Teachers, Too

John and Sheri want each one of their students to feel that way, so they carefully choose only the best instructors. They ensure that every teacher they hire to work at Excel Music is background checked, has appropriate credentials, and truly knows both their instrument and how to teach it. John says that just because someone has a doctoral degree in music or some other accomplishment,that doesn’t mean they will relate well to teaching students. “They have to know how to teach, which is a completely different set of skills,” explains John, who says that — over the last 14 years — he has tried to show New Tampa families that they can trust Excel Music to make great decisions about who to hire to teach for the school. He says two teachers have been with Excel Music since it opened in 2006, and

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Dylan and Diya Arun give a thumbs up to online learning with Excel Music.

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Organic Safe Lawns Keeps Your Lawn Both Green AND Healthy! By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Nick Pipitone has used other lawn service companies, and even tried to keep his yard green and healthy himself, but he says he was looking for a safer, more environmentally sound option to keep his lawn, as well as his beloved English bulldog, chemical-free. That’s why, about five years ago, Pipitone decided to hire Jim Schanstra and his Organic Safe Lawns to take care of his lawn. “I gotta tell you, there is stuff out there, the stuff they (Organic Safe Lawns) uses, that greens up the grass real good,” says Pipitone, a Wesley Chapel resident. “You don’t need all the chemicals. That’s what I was looking for...and they have done a great job.” Keeping lawns green, free of pests and healthy is Organic Safe Lawns’ specialty. Whether it’s because your kids play in the grass or your pets like to run around in the yard, making sure they stay danger-free is a big deal for Schanstra. In fact, he says it’s why he started his business in the first place. Schanstra suspects that exposure to DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) as a youngster had something to do with his wife Julie developing non-Hodgkin’s large cell lymphoma cancer. DDT was used in

Jim Schanstra says his Organic Safe Lawns technicians go beyond just fertilizing grass — they will check your plants for health and your irrigation system to make sure it’s properly functioning. the U.S. in agriculture as a pesticide and as ning bolt,” Schanstra says. “It was in that a household insecticide in the 1940s and moment that I decided to do something 1950s, only to be banned in 1973. about it. That was the conception of Organic Safe Lawns.” Julie won her fight with cancer, with In January of 2010, Organic Safe help from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Lawns, Inc., became a Florida corporation. MN, but it was a constant reminder to “When I started out, that was my big, Schanstra of the potential effects of chemihard sell: how do I tell people we can recals used in the environment. In 2006, just before a scheduled sales ally do it?,” he says. “If we can grow fruits and vegetables organically, why can’t we meeting with an organic fertilizer mangrow grass that way? That was the concept ufacturer, Schanstra says that one of the associates said that he’d read a recent news in my mind.” Schanstra works closely with one of article that claimed Florida was using more chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides on the top organic fertilizer manufacturers and pioneers of the industry. The products residential properties than the rest of the — fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides — United States combined. used by Schanstra and Organic Safe Lawns “This statement hit me like a light-

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are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute or OMRI, an independent testing company that certifies organic products. He says the products use a proven technology that was originally designed for fruits and vegetables, although Organic Safe Lawns deals strictly with lawns and ornamental plants. Organic Safe Lawns, Inc., has now designed and manufactured more than 30 different organic fertilizer products that are owned and trademarked by the corporation. While most typical fertilizers are made up of synthesized chemicals, Schanstra says the products he uses are mostly mined from the shale level of the earth, where healthier and more acidic soil exists. There are richer supplies of micronutrients, enzymes and bacterias found in this soil. “There’s no downside with our fertilizers,” Schanstra says. Other lawn companies also use mined products, but they are converted into a granular form — those little balls you see in your grass after the lawn company has stopped by — by incorporating binders and fillers to keep their shape. That’s where Schanstra says carcinogens are often entered into the mixture. “Once those little balls dissolve, those chemicals end up running off into our aquifers, which are sometimes only a foot

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or two deep below, and can get into our water, streams and ponds and cause algae blooms,” Schanstra says. Typical fertilizers come in two types of encapsulation. The first is water-based, meaning the fertilizer is released by coming into contact with water. The second is a polymer, or plastic encapsulation. Its releasing agent is heat. Schanstra says those forms of release may be fine for more moderate northern climates. However, Florida’s famously erratic weather — sometimes too much rain and often too much heat — can sometimes cause the release of a month’s worth of fertilizer in a week or even a day. Using chemical fertilizers and pesticides may lead to greener lawns — due to their higher concentrations of nitrogen — but it also can lead to the same typical lawn problems so common here in Florida. Lawn problems like fungus and disease, chinch bugs, webworms and mole crickets are often found in high-nitrogen soils. “We found that by reducing the nitrogen level (in the products Organic Safe Lawns uses), we almost eliminate fungus and pests,” Schanstra says. “The cheapest way to get green grass is with high-nitrogen fertilizer.” Schanstra also says that high-nitrogen fertilizers push top growth and weaken root structure. Over time, the lawn’s root system can’t sustain the foliage. “A weakened root structure is like candy to bugs,” Schanstra says. “After

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using our treatment, you’ll see the bugs moving over into the neighbor’s yard.” Chemical-based fertilizers are designed to be absorbed through the leaf (called foliar absorption). All of the organic fertilizers that Schanstra uses are absorbed through the roots. And, he adds, they are all water-soluble liquids that are safe for pets, wildlife and humans. “When we apply organic fertilizers, I’m spraying that into the soil,” he says. “The only way the plant absorbs it is into the root system. My grass will grow a little bit slower, but my roots will be stronger.” Top-coated lawns treated with synthetic pesticides and herbicides puts people and pets in danger. Why do you think people applying pesticides wear rubber boots?

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Because, Schanstra says, they don’t want to get any of the application on them. In that case, he adds, why would you want you or your pet to track that into your house? “The dog goes over into the neighbor’s yard to pee, and they’re chewing on their paws when they get back,” Schanstra says. “Kids crawl around and play on the grass and absorb it when they walk in it.” The chemical herbicide Atrazine is still used widely across the U.S. and Florida to prevent pre- and post-emergence of broadleaf weeds, especially during the summer. It was found by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases (ATSDR) to have adverse effects on the endocrine systems of mammals and that it likely

also contribute to some birth defects. “A lot of lawn companies will blanket your yard with Atrazine,” Schanstra says. “It costs five dollars for a 600-gallon mix. They use it because it’s cheap.”’ But, Organic Safe Lawns’ technicians offer a safe chemical solution for weed control, which is spot-treated throughout the year. It isn’t as cheap as Atrazine, he says, but generally, the stronger root system his lawns have developed lead to fewer weeds anyway. “We are about the process and the materials,” Schanstra says, “as opposed to using harmful chemicals with regard to weed control.” Schanstra says he recommends treatment every 30 days, and that it isn’t any more expensive than hiring the lawn care chains. He said he also works with his customers to ensure they are watering and mowing their lawns correctly — two extremely important ways to keep your lawn in tip-top shape that are often overlooked and under-appreciated. Organic Safe Lawns services Tampa, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes. For more info, call (813) 393-9665, email organicsafelawns@verizon.net, visit OrganicSafeLawns.com or see the ad on page 37. Existing customers can pay their invoices on the website, too! Prospective customers can fill out a contact form on the site to get a free estimate and $10 off their first treatment.

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Local Girl Scouts Helping Dogs Despite Covid-19 By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN We’ve all had to do some adjusting since the Covid-19 pandemic started in the spring. For a pair of eighth grade (now ninth grade) Girl Scouts, the pandemic meant that they faced obstacle after obstacle while trying to earn their Silver Awards, which is the highest award given by Girl Scouts to its Cadettes, who are girls in sixth through eighth grade. Fortunately for Isabella DuBois, who lives in Cory Lake Isles, and her project partner, Amelia Beanland, who lives in Cross Creek, they learned how to be flexible, adapt and persevere when things don’t go as planned. The girls earned their Silver Awards before bridging to Seniors at the end of July. Isabella has been a member of Girl Scout Troop 32801, which typically meets at Benito Middle School, since Daisies, when she was just six years old. Amelia joined the troop when she was in sixth grade. Currently, Troop 32801 has been meeting through Skype. That’s just one of the changes the girls faced in trying to complete their project. “Our project is called ‘Don’t shop, adopt,’” Isabella says. “We came up with it because we both have a passion for dogs.” She says they researched puppy mills and worked to educate people about what they learned. They made a flier and created Instagram and Facebook accounts to educate people about the importance of adopting a pet, rather than shopping for one.

with anxiety, they thought it was too sensitive and came up with the new idea, focusing on helping dogs. Then, the third girl chose to do a different project, and Isabella and Amelia moved forward without her. They started by organizing a volunteer day at the Pasco County Animal Services shelter in Land O’Lakes when Covid-19 caused the shelter to close its doors to volunteers. The girls had (L.-r.) Girl Scouts Amelia Beanland and Isabella DuBois to figure out what to do next. They called the shelter, present the “snuffle mats” they and their Troop 32801 made which recommended they make to Gina Botticello of Pasco County Animal Services, as part the snuffle mats. The girls then of their Silver Award project. raised the money to get supplies Then, they put their research into action by hosting a “virtual bake sale,” by partnering with Pasco County Animal where they delivered goodies to people who Services to support its efforts to rescue and bought them online. find homes for dogs in need. Isabella and Amelia then bought the The girls made “snuffle mats”, which supplies for the snuffle mats, including fabric are used to hide food or treats for dogs. “We and rubber mats with holes in them, and a raised the money, bought the supplies, made representative of the shelter taught the troop them, and donated them,” Isabella says. how to make the mats via a Zoom meeting. However, that wasn’t their original plan. “They kind of got hit up against a wall Isabella’s mom, Crystal, who is the and figured out a different way around it,” says assistant leader for the troop, says she was Crystal. “They learned some strategy skills.” impressed with the girls’ ability to adapt. The girls were each required to contribCrystal explains that the project origute 50 hours to the project, and both Isabella inally included three girls and was going and Amelia exceeded that requirement. to focus on awareness of pre-teen and teen “This took a lot of work,” says Isabella. anxiety. When one of the girls was diagnosed “We had to change our project from our

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original plan, then we also had Covid, and we had to change it again. It got harder at the end because we couldn’t meet to do stuff. It was very difficult and stressful.” Isabella says she is happy to have received the award, given by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, but she is more proud of her efforts and says she learned a lot during the process. “I want people to know how to find a proper breeder, kind of like a background check, and how to adopt properly and make sure the pet they adopt is healthy,” she says. “And, if you don’t want a dog, you can still help. You can donate to shelters or volunteer at a shelter.” Isabella says she and Amelia had money left over from their fund-raising efforts after they made the snuffle mats, so they asked the shelter what kind of food was used, then ordered it and had it delivered. “People can do that, too,” Isabella says, “and it’s not super expensive.” She says her journey in Girl Scouts is far from over, as she plans to earn her Gold Award, too. “We’ve done archery, camping, gone canoeing, paddleboarding, ziplining and horseback riding,” she says. “They teach you First-Aid and life skills you won’t learn anywhere else. And, you make friends. I’ve learned so many things that I never would have if it wasn’t for Girl Scouts.” Search “Florida Girl Scouts against Puppy Mills” on Facebook and on Instagram at “Dont.Shop.Adopt.”

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First-Ever Goalie Camp Draws A Big Crowd By MIKE CAMUNAS Nothing was going to stop these goalies from stopping pucks. Despite the fact it had to be pushed back due to Covid-19, more than 40 youth ice hockey goalies recently were able to get in a training camp’s worth of goaltending work in two days (Aug. 5-6) at the Goalies, Inc., Performance Camp at AdventHealth Center Ice (AHCI) in Wesley Chapel. Originally scheduled for March, Bernie Desrosiers, the executive director of Sunbelt Hockey Scouting and a long-time New Tampa-area hockey coach, says the camp was sold out well before the coronavirus shut down youth sports programs. “We’ll have it again next year,” Desrosiers said. “This has been a great turnout and, so far, all the feedback we’ve gotten has been that everyone was happy to finally be able to come to this camp. “It’s been a great two days.” Desrosiers added that of the 42 young goalies who participated, only one had to be sent home sick — not Covid-19 related — and that there were no injuries sustained. “Pretty remarkable, I’d say,” Desrosiers said. Led by Goalies, Inc. head instructor Jim Stanaway, boys and girls, teenagers and “tweens” went through various drills to hone their goaltending skills in the hopes of being the next Andrei Vasilevskiy (the Tampa Bay Lightning goalie) or Madeline Rooney (the starting goalie for the Olympic gold medal-winning 2018 USA women’s hockey team). The young goalies worked on glove and stick saves, rebound shots, skating backwards, diving for pucks and even how to hug the pipes to block shots. Stanaway also preached a lot, not only about teamwork, sportsmanship and respect for the game, but also for the goalies’ fans (their families).

(Above) Tampa’s Nick Ryan lunges to try and stop a shot at the Goalies Inc. Performance Camp at AdventHealth Center Ice on Aug. 6. (Below) Head instructor Jim Stanaway provides instruction to some of the 42 goalies in attendance. (Photos: Mike Camunas)

As he watched netminders of all sizes and ages scramble to grab pucks, the goalie instructor of nearly two decades was impressed by his first trip to the Tampa Bay area and its local talent. “With an NHL team, and them doing very well, it’s nice to see (the

high interest in hockey in a southern city or state),” he said. “A lot of these southern NHL teams invest in their communities a lot, but the enthusiasm (here) is quite amazing.” For more info about Goalies, Inc., camps, visit GoaliesInc.com.

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The contemporary take on the Le Classiche WoodFired in twosizes 12”and 16” pie Roman Style also 2 sizes 8 .. x 13” +1.50 I 8” x 26’” +3.00 Unique combinations of superior ingredients. MARGHERITA SBAGLIATA Best Seller Mozzarella di bufala, raw “riccio” Tomato, Basil reduction, quality Evo Oil (Vegetarian) 15.50 / 19.50 MARINARA DI CAPITANO ROBERTO San Marzano Tomator Anchovies, Capers, Oregano, Garlic, quality Evo oil 13.95 / 19.95 GIRASOLE POMODORINO DEL PIENNOLO DEL VESUVIO (sweet yellow cherr)f tomato sauce) Mozzarella di bufala, Capers, Black Olive, Oregano, drops of Basil-oil — CAMPIONE DEL MONDO — (Vegetarian) 16.95 / 22.95 — LA PASTA — VIA IT ALIA “LA NUMERO UN0” DELIZIOSA Best Seller T AGLIATELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE This pizza has been champion in several pizza EXPO worldwide POMODORINO DEL PIENNOLO DEL VESUVIO (sweet yellow cherry tomato (Origin Emilia Roma_gna) Fresh Tagliatelle Pasta with Beef and Pork Ragu’, for its authenticity and originality. This pizza is made with a type flour sauce) mozzarella di bufala, eggplants, fennel sausage, parmigiano-reggiano witn Tomato Sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano • 14 with up to 72 hours of fermentation, made with extract of mint and basil. The 18.95 / 24.95 PAPPARDELLE CON SPECK E FUNGHI PORCINI ingredients are fresh Mozzarella di bufala, Eggplants cartoccio and Sausage EMILIANO (Origin Piedmont) Fresh Pappardelle Pasta with Creamy Porcmi Mushrooms, were marinated with garlic and parsley for 48 hours, decorated with Mozzarella di bufala, Grape Tomatoes, after bake Prosciutto crudo di Parma, Crispy Speck, Parsley and Black Pepper • 15 drops of basirreduction and smoked grated ricotta • 19.95 Arugula, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Evoo 18.95 / 24.95 RAVIOLI CON RICOTT A E SPINACI * LIMITED AVAILABILITY * AVAILABLE ONLY ON 12” SIZE NORMA Fresh Ravioli Filled with Ricotta and Spinach, finished with Lemon Butter and San marzano Tomato Sauce, Fried Eggplant, grated oven baked Ricotta, Basil ce vi er S Grains of Pistachios • 14 er stom Cu nt (Vegetarian) 16.95 / 22.95 le el xc E & TORTELLINI PANNA E PROSCIUTTO Good Food SALSICCIA E BROCCOLI Fresh Cheese Tortellini, Creamy White Sauce, small squares cooked Ham, Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, Calabrian Chili Sauce, Ricotta, Mozzarella 16.95 / 22.95 Nutmeg and fresh Parsley • 14 SHRIMP SCAMPI CAVATELLI CON BROCCOLI E SALSICCIA Best Seller Fresh Mozzarella, Rock Scrimp Scamp, Capers, Roasted Bell Peppers, Red (Origin Puglia) Sweet Italian Sausage, Broccolini, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Onions, top,P.ed after bake with Arugula, Parmigrano Reggiano, Garlic oil, with a kick of dried Chili flakes • 14 Basil and Oregano 16.95 / 22.95 RIGATONI ALLA NORMA SAPORE DEL NORD (Origin Sicily) Sauteed Eg_gplant tossed with chunky Tomato Sauce, topped Pumkin cream sauce, fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola, orcini mushrooms after with Oven Grated Ricotta and Basil • 13 bake Speck (smoked Prosciutto Crudo) parsley, quality evo oil 18.95 / 24.95 LO SPAGHETTO AL POMODORO VERDURE (Origin Campania) Housemade Pomodoro Sauce, Basil, Evoo • 12 Oven Roasted Broccolinif Fresh Baby Spinach, Whipped Ricotta, Fresh SPAGHETTI CON PESTO ALLA SICILIANA BestSeller Mozzarel a, Fresh Garlic, Chili flakes, quality Evo oil 15.95 / 21.95 (Origin Sicily) Creamy pesto of Arugula, Ricotta, Sun-Dried — VEGAN CHOICES — Tomatoes, Parmigiano Reggiano and sliced Almonds • 13 IMPOSSIBLE MEATBALLS (made from plants) PENNE PESTO GENOVESE (Origin Liguria) Fresh Basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pine Nuts, Pecorin, VEGAN MOZZARELLA (made from soy proteins) Garlic, Evoo • 13 MANY CHOICES OF VEGETABLES

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Kiran Indian Grocery — Where You’ll Be Treated Like Family! By GARY NAGER

Kiran Indian Grocery, located on Cross Creek Blvd. in the Cross Creek Center plaza, has been a mainstay at this constantly-changing plaza since 2014. Before that, owner Kiran Vanthenapalli owned a store (from 2003-06; and an Indian restaurant, too) on E. Fowler Ave. and, from 2006-2010, her store was in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. That means that some of her beloved customers have known and trusted Kiran and her family and staff to provide their (predominantly) Indian and Pakistani spices, frozen foods, meats, snacks, sweets and even hair care and other cosmetic products (and so much more) for almost 18 years. And of course, Kiran is perhaps best known for her amazing selection of fresh produce, with some Indian specialty items I’ve never tasted (or even seen) before at prices that she says she knows, “no one can beat. I do my research — and no one beats my prices on produce.” But actually, saying that Kiran is best known for her produce isn’t 100-percent accurate. Kiran Indian Grocery is actually best-known for Kiran herself, something that no other store of any kind can boast. Not only can Kiran tell you where each and every one of her thousands of available items are located, she also can tell you the prices for each — all off the top of her head. That’s kind of amazing because she has so many different items and many different brands of the same types of products — e.g., she has as many different “masala” seasonings and brands as most grocery stores have

Neighborhood News

beers — crammed into a store that somehow seems both much bigger and much smaller than it actually is because it offers such an amazing variety of products. That’s not to say that Kiran’s staffers aren’t also knowledgeable. It just has to be impossible for anyone else to have memorized the price, size and exact location within the store of so many different items — many of which aren’t even marked with prices. But, if Kiran tells you what the price is on any item, rest assured that when that item is rung up at the check-out counter, the exact price she quoted will pop up.

So Many Ways To Serve!

Serving her customers and their needs was of paramount importance to Kiran long before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. She always knows her army of regular customers not only by name (that’s too easy), but also by what they usually are looking for to stock their grocery carts. In fact, if she’s ever running low on an item she knows you always get, she’ll hold enough of that item for you, so you can stay stocked until she gets her next shipment of it. “If I only have three left, and I don’t know how soon I’ll get more, I’ll tell you to buy two of them,” she laughs. And, if Kiran does somehow run out of one of your favorites, she’ll suggest an alternative that you can try that you might end up liking better. “I never want my customers going home unhappy,” she says. In fact, even though a new, much larg-

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(Top) Owner Kiran Vanthenapalli of Kiran Indian Grocery in the Cross Creek Center plaza describes a number of the different produce items that many Americans have never heard of, including (below, l.-r.) the difference between traditional garlic (left) and imported-from-India garlic, Indian min-eggplants and super-spicy Thai chili peppers. “No one beats my produce prices,” she says. (Photos: Charmaine George)

er Indian grocery store recently opened in New Tampa during the pandemic, Kiran says that while her customers may have checked out the new store to see what it has that she might not, “My customers are all still

coming back because they say the new store (which also stocks a lot of Mediterranean items that she doesn’t carry) can’t match my prices or the service they receive here.” See “Kiran” on page 32!

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 17 • August 17, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

“Kiran”

Continued from page 31 Service To The Community, Too

Kiran and I first met when we were both members of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Noon (which now meets Wednesdays at noon at Bayscape Bistro in Heritage Isles), and although neither of us currently belongs to that club (see page 34 for more info), we both are firm believers in Rotary International’s “Service Above Self” motto. But, while service to the community is something I believe in and try to promote in these pages, Kiran and her husband Sudeer have always also served not only their community, but people — and even animals — in need around the world. Many of the service projects Kiran was involved in — some of which she spearheaded — when she was in Rotary helped people in need in not only her native India, but also in other countries in Asia and Africa. She also has been involved — at least since opening her store in Cross Creek — with the Tampa Bay chapter of the SPCA — the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — and she has donated fresh produce, rice and really anything the local chapter has needed because she is such a strong believer that people need pets and that so many of the pets in shelters can and do help individuals and families who need the kind of companionship and love that only a dog or cat can provide. “I love the SPCA,” Kiran says. “It feels good to help them because they help so many people...and animals.” And, even though she says doing grocery

(Left photo) Kiran (with son Sahit) says she has the greatest selection of not only Indian spices, but also Indian-style jarred pickles (right) and many other hard-to-find items — at the best prices — not just in New Tampa, but in the Tampa Bay area. (Photos: Charmaine George) store, she or her cashier will put coupons Sudeer, ‘We have to help our brother.’” packing for her customers who physically from other local businesses in the customers’ Even though I thankfully never got can’t or aren’t comfortable walking into any shopping bags. She has helped most of the Instore right now, “Is very time-consuming and to that point and have no Indian heritage dian restaurants and other businesses owned whatsoever, Kiran has called me her brother difficult, because of all the different items we by people from India and Pakistan in our area for years now. And, even though she seems to have, I just feel like I have to do it for some this way and she says that she would be happy treat everyone who stops into the store like a of these customers. We all wear masks and to do it for other businesses, too. “We’re all in keep everyone socially distant, especially at the member of her family, I refer to her as my sischeckout line, but some people still need that ter, too. You just can’t fake her kind of genuine this thing together,” she says. And of course, whether you like or want goodness and compassion for others. help and I am proud to do that for them.” to cook Indian food or not, if you’re a fan But, it’s a big compliment to me because Service To Other Businesses, Too? she does also have an amazing family of which of delicious chocolate cookies or other sweet When Covid-19 hit back in March and and/or salty treats, or you want the best she is equally proud. Husband Sudeer is a I started going through the issues I did with prices in town on fresh produce, you owe it to software engineer and their older son Satvik my printer, Kiran was probably the first (but just graduated from medical school at USF and yourself to visit my sister Kiran. thankfully, not the only) advertiser to call me Kiran Indian Grocery is located at is focusing on Psychiatry, while younger son and say, “What do you need? How can I help?” Sahit recently graduated from USF undergrad 10042 Cross Creek Blvd. and its recently When I interviewed Kiran for this updated open hours are Monday-Sunday, and is applying to med schools, too. story, she told me that, “I thought you 10 a.m.-8 p.m. For more info, call (813) Another case in point about how Kiran said in the paper that you were going out 994-6202, search “Kiran Indian Grocery” treats everyone is that, in part also because of business, Gary. I started crying. I told on Facebook or see the ad on pg. 38! of Covid-19, when people check out at her

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t a k c a B s I e k o a r a Parking LSoetpK 0 p.m. 1 ..m p 7 , 9 r e b m te Wednesday,

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• Sign-ups to sing open at 6:30 pm. The show starts promptly at 7 p.m. • All singers will be asked to make a donation before they take the mic! • The mic(s) will be disinfected after each singer performs! Karaoke to be provided by Allan Hudson Brady Productions, Former Q105 On-Air Personality Videos of all performances, provided by the Neighborhood News, will be made available to all singers for an additional donation! For more information, call Bubba’s 33 at 813.522.5090 or Neighborhood News at 813.910.2575

Nibbles & Business The Latest News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! Sprouts Is (Supposed To Be) Open!

When we went to press with this issue on Aug. 7, the Sprouts Farmers Market in the new Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at Hunter’s Green Dr. was expected to open on Aug. 12. After a couple of previous pre-opening efforts, I was able to snap a quick pic (right) as the store was being stocked. Look for a full recap of Sprouts’ (scheduled) opening in our next issue! In the meantime, several of the other businesses in the Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza have already opened, including Grain & Berry, The Coder School of New Tampa and Via Italia (see ad below and this delicious new authentic Italian eatery’s full menu on page 30!). Among the stores that are under construction but not yet open in that main part of the plaza are the Banfield Pet Hospital and Touch Nail Spa. According to owner Timmy Pham, this second location of Touch Nail Spa (the other is on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel; see ad on pg. 4 of this issue) is expected to open in the Village at Hunter’s Lake sometime between mid-September and early October. Meanwhile, in the separate outparcel building with frontage on BBD, Starbucks and Dental Care at Hunter’s Green are open; and, in another outparcel set further in off BBD, FitNiche (relocated from the Shops at Wiregrass), YogaSix and The UPS Store are open, with Pure Beauty Salon & Spa coming soon.

New Tampa BrewFest Moved Back To November!!

With the world having gone completely crazy over Covid-19, the Rotary Club of New Tampa Noon rightfully decided to postpone this year’s New Tampa BrewFest (which was seriously packed last year; photo, top right). Recognizing that the original August date was too soon to host even a sociallydistanced event, BrewFest chair Jeff Ulbrich said the Rotary Club decided to postpone the 2020 BrewFest until Saturday, November 7, beginning at 6 p.m., again at the Venetian Events Center on Cross Creek Blvd. Attendees can again expect a huge variety (90 or more!) of craft, micro and other brews

(from 30 top local breweries), including ciders and “hard” seltzers, plus top-notch wines and deliciously “legit” food trucks. Look for additional updates in these pages and go ahead and pre-buy your tickets now at NewTampaNoonRotaryClub. eventbrite.com.

• Roman Group Realty • Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar • Lagoon Realty • The Dessert Box • Brooklyn Bagel Co. (frontage on S.R. 54) Saying Goodbye To Pier 1 • King of the Coop (fried chicken; located I have never been the biggest fan of next to Brooklyn Bagel on 54) Pier 1 Imports in either of its New Tampa • Falabella Family Bistro locations — I felt it was always just a little too pricey for the quality of the merchandise — but • The Kilted Axe • Pizza Worx NY pizza I am never happy to see another major anchor • Pasco EDC Business Incubator store close, and the Pier 1 located at 18047 • Japanese Restaurant (unnamed; replaces Casa Cubana, which will open a different eatery in Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in The Walk at the under-construction Krate container park at The Grove). For The Grove leasing info, email Highwoods Preserve plaza on BBD was clearKeren@mgoldgroup.com; for event info, email matheus@mgoldgroup.com! — GN ing out its inventory in preparation for the local store’s closing, as part of the Ft. Worth, TX-based chain’s shuttering of between 400450 of its 1,000 or so locations nationwide. CURBSIDE PICKUP! But, this store appears to be in no hurry to SHIPPING! close. The 20%-50%-off promise on every sign LOCAL DELIVERY! inside (photo, far right) still only brings Pier 1’s prices down to almost as low as the regular prices at Target or even At Home. I’m guessing that until the discounts hit 50%-70% off, there will still be plenty of inventory to keep it open.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 17 • August 17, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 17 • August 17, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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

CLEANING SERVICES

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. 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 below right!

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.

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 w/20 years exp. Maintenance & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized service. Technical jargon explained. Remote assistance available. References avail. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate or see our display ad on pg. 37. DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.

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.

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/text 813244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com. Also, see our display ad at the bottom of this page. 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.

FITNESS & WELL BEING

YOGA, PERSONAL TRAINING, NUTRITION & PHYSICAL THERAPY w/DR. LAUREN LEIVA, DPT! Phys Ed for everyone, including all children, w/a certified personal trainer who also is a degreed Dr. of Physical Therapy. Ask Dr. Leiva about her PE4ME sliding scale pay program! For more info, visit TheExerscienceCenter.com, call 813.464.0313 or see the ad on pg. 12 of this issue.

Break It Down Productions. Customized Private Yoga Sessions w/Susanna Jones. Develop strength & flexibility, while learning how to breathe & relax. I specialize in working w/beginners and those requiring a more gentle approach than most group Yoga classes. I explain everything, and provide variations so that you actually feel good in the stretch instead of strained. Gift certificates available. www. breakitdownproductions.com or Call (813) 802-8393.

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!

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 17 • August 17, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 17 • August 17, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 17 • August 17, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Phone, video or office visits. With us, it’s your call. Your health is too important to put on hold. That’s why AdventHealth Medical Group offers three simple and safe ways to connect with your primary care provider. If you’d like to visit in person, we have taken appropriate steps to provide a safe environment with contactless registration and check-in. If you prefer a video or phone visit, you can schedule one online and see the same doctor you would at the office. So don’t wait to get the care you need, because we’ve made connecting with your doctor easy and convenient. Schedule your appointment today at AHMGTampaBay.com or call 844-DOC-2DAY.

AHMG-10708 PostCovid19_PCP_NTNN_10x11.5_.25 bleed_(F).indd 1

5/29/20 11:17 AM

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

16344 HEATHROW DR

JUST LISTED

TAMPA PALMS

5025 SOUTHAMPTON

JUST LISTED

GRAND HAMPTON

ARBOR GREENE

Offered for $725,000

8320 MANOR CLUB #1

JUST LISTED

Offered for $649,000

Offered for $465,000

CORY LAKES

17859 ARBOR GREENE

10531 BERMUDA ISLE

PENDING IN 2 DAYS

6225 GREENWICH DR

16348 HEATHROW DR

10262 SHADOW BRANCH

Offered for $275,000

PENDING IN 3 DAYS

$385,000

16356 HEATHROW DR

SOLD IN 28 DAYS

Kristy Darragh 813.931.6700

GRAND HAMPTON

8448 DUNHAM STATION

$639,000

Offered for $539,000

PENDING IN 14 DAYS

$569,000

27021 FORDHAM

SOLD IN 14 DAYS

Offered for $1,200,000

SOLD IN 2 DAYS

$439,000

16020 PENWOOD DR

$395,000

SOLD IN 1 DAY

$359,000

KRISTYD@REALTOR.COM REALESTATENEWTAMPA.COM