Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 27, Issue 2, Jan. 11 2019

Volume 27

WESLEY CHAPEL

Inside:

NEWS

Bosco’s, Snowrolls & The Year In Dining 2018

See Neighborhood Magazine

Issue 2 January 11, 2019

Now Celebrating 25 Years As New Tampa & Wesley Chapel’s Primary News Source!

The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993!

For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in Wesley Chapel (zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545), see page 42!

Goodbye, 2018!

News:

Business:

Business: News: Sports: Top News Stories In News,Former Business Samantha Taylor& Helps Women INSIDE IsThe Wesley Chapel’s Growth Still Have Holiday Shopping To Surprise!

Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Wharton High Football Also Inside INSIDE Wesley Chapel From 2018.

Lose Weight Keep It Guide.

Off. Smothering New Tampa?

Do? Check Out&Our Gift Blvd.

Is Our Area’s Worst Road Players Declare for NFL DraftEducation Updates Page10-11 10 Pages 3-17 This Issue:Pages

Pages 24-25 Pages 22-23 34-37 Pages 3-32

Neighborhood Neighborhood Magazine: Magazine: Neighborhood Magazine:

TheThe YearReaders In Food InTo New Tampa Culver’s Owners Set Open 2nd Have Spoken!

Wesley Chapel!

Location InTheir Wiregrass Ranch Here&Are Favorites!

Pages 39-52 Page34-35 40

You take care of life.

We’ll take care of you.

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A hospital department of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

Thanks To Funding From Google, WCNT-tv To Become NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net!

An editorial by Gary Nager Back in March of this year, Google — the world’s largest tech company and the eighth largest company in the world — announced its plans to invest $300 million over a three-year period in news organizations, especially publishers who also were providing news programming online, including on Youtube, which Google purchased in 2006.

Called the Google News Initiative, or GNI, the search engine giant began accepting applications from around the world in July and from the very beginning, we received nothing but positive responses from the folks involved in determining who would receive funding from GNI. We were approved to receive Google’s financial support in November and were instructed that we couldn’t speak publicly about GNI (there were lots of rules about what we were and were not allowed to say, especially anything about the amount of money) until Google made its announcement on its official blog page, the same blog where WCNT-tv (Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television) senior producer Gavin Olsen first saw the announcement.

“Should we put in an application?,” Gavin asked me. “It sounds like Google is looking for exactly what we do — publishers who also provide online news on Youtube.”

“Sounds good to me,” I said. “We have nothing to lose by trying. From Day One, my intent was always to one day expand WCNT-tv into a 24/7/365 online news channel by, for and about the residents and businesses of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. This could give us the jumpstart we need to make that happen.”

So, Gavin began putting together an inventory of new equipment that we would need to continuously loop WCNT-tv videos and we created a proposed budget to expand in 2019 from

Wesley Chapel 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 Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Andy Warrener WCNT-tv Senior Video Producer/Photographer Gavin Olsen Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Stephanie Vokes Flischel Sales & Office Assistant Janet Levins Billing Assistant Jannah McDonald Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 27, Issue 4, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, January 28.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel 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.

© 2019 JM2 Communications, Inc. Neighborhood News

an average of one video release every other week or so to 3-4 per week by the end of the year.

We were stunned that not only did Google go along with our proposal, we actually were asked to resubmit the budget at a higher amount than what we had asked for originally.

But, the most amazing thing about this, for me, was the list of the companies that Google selected to receive this GNI funding, which was part of the company’s announcement on Dec. 17: “Google News Initiative — We’re excited to announce the recipients of the GNI @YouTube innovation funding! These broadcasters, publishers, agencies and creators share a commitment to quality journalism & a drive to experiment with video storytelling.”

“Hundreds of organizations submitted proposals through an open application process and today we’re sharing the 87 recipients.

“Hailing from 23 countries around the world, they represent a diverse array of broadcasters, traditional and digital publishers, local media, agencies and creators, but all share a commitment to quality journalism and a spirit of innovation.”

Among the 23 U.S. companies that were selected to receive this GNI funding were The Atlantic, Bloomberg, BuzzFeed News, CBS News, Fox News, The Hill, NBC News, The New York Times, Noticias Telemundo, PBS NewsHour/ WETA, Tribune Broadcasting, The Washington Post and some company that publishes 26 news magazines a year out of Wesley Chapel, FL, that also has a local Facebook- and Youtube-based TV show called WCNT-tv.

Crazy, right? But, it’s not as crazy as what Gavin and I and have come up with as to what we plan to do with Google’s funding. We will still have News Desks, Dining & Entertainment Reports and Business Features, plus some new, surprise segments with some new on-air talent.

And yes, we are still looking to add more people who are interested in working on either side of the camera, from additional on-air talent to camera operators, editors, writers and sales professionals.

years — nearly 800,000 total views and nearly 1.5 million minutes of viewing on Youtube and Facebook — we get even more eyeballs on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook posts, especially anytime we announce a new restaurant coming to the area or update the map of the S.R. 56 area.

And, since becoming a local origination network has been my ultimate, long-term goal with WCNT-tv, sometime in early 2019, all of our videos, “Neighborhood News” Facebook posts and our news magazine’s website will all fall under one new umbrella — NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net, the “Online Network Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel.”

And, whether your business is currently a Neighborhood News advertiser or not, we will soon be rolling out new advertising packages that will include ads in one or both of our publications, and

on our website, as well as the opportunity to have a Featured Business segment professionally created for your business for one low price.

In other words, 2019 should be a lot more than just my 25th anniversary as the owner/editor of the Neighborhood News. Won’t you join us?

For advertising and career information, call (813) 910-2575.

ACCESSIBLE • COMMITTED • EXPERIENCED

Wesley Chapel • (813) 991-6161

What’s In A Name? A Lot?

I really thought I was being clever when I came up with WCNT-tv as the name of our online programming back in June of 2016. In the “olden days” of TV, stations on the east coast of the U.S. and TV and radio networks began their call letters with a “W.” And, I used lower-case letters for “tv” because we’re technically not on TV, because (at least for now), we were only doing online videos.

But, what I didn’t realize at that time was that what was missing from those call letters was the 25-year reputation this publication and I have built in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Everyone in our areas knows us as the Neighborhood News and even though we have had a lot of people view our WCNT-tv videos over the last two-and-a-half

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-18

Pasco MPO Not Interested In Kinnan-Mansfield......4 BayCare To Build Wesley Chapel’s 2nd Hospital?.....6 1st U.S. Crystal Lagoon Opens To Epperson Residents...8 Wesley Chapel’s News Year In Review..........10-11 Local Filmmaker Debuts “Bernie The Dolphin”.....14 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar.........................16

Local

Business

Updates.....20-27

Stark Injury Law Has The Experience You Need.........20 Samantha Taylor Can Help You Keep The Weight Off...22 Learning Experience For Award-Winning Care......24

Local School Updates.................28-29

Light Up The Night Shines Light On Problem.......28 Wesley Chapel Resident Is Teacher Of The Year.....29

Neighborhood Magazine

The Year In Dining In Wesley Chapel.................31 Snowrolls Is A Uniquely Delicious Dessert...........32 Bosco’s Puts Its Own Spin On Traditional Faves.....36 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’.........38 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds..........40 @NTWCNews

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3

Pasco MPO Unenthused About Opening Mansfield Blvd.

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneightborhoodnews.com

The long-simmering debate over whether or not Kinnan St. in New Tampa and Mansfield Blvd. in Wesley Chapel should have the 30-foot gap between the two roads paved over and connected may be on life support.

At least that’s the way it felt on Dec. 13 at the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting in Dade City, where there was zero support for connecting the two roads.

It looks like, frankly, it might literally be the end of the road for Kinnan.

With a few dozen Meadow Pointe residents in the audience, the MPO was briefed on the Wesley Chapel Roadways Study — which had been presented to the public in a workshop back in May. The study, while coming to no conclusions, looked at multiple options for connecting Wesley Chapel and New Tampa at the Hillsborough-Pasco county line.

The briefing, delivered by Meghan McKinney of the consulting firm AECOM, was followed by District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore delivering what may well be the eulogy for Kinnan-Mansfield.

“Connecting Mansfield and Kinnan makes no sense for Pasco County residents,” Moore said. “It will only help the people in the developments in Hillsborough County just over the border. There are things (Hillsborough County) could have done in the past, like opening up Live Oak (Blvd.), but they got into a battle between Hillsborough and the City of Tampa. They could have opened that up, (but) didn’t do it. Now they want to put the burden on us? Shame on them.”

Moore’s remarks were greeted with loud applause from the residents in attendance, eight of whom signed up to speak to the MPO, which is comprised of the five Pasco commissioners, city council members from Zephyrhills and New Port Richey, and the mayors of Port Richey and Dade City.

Residents told the MPO that opening up Mansfield Blvd. to traffic from New Tampa, namely from new homes in K-Bar Ranch, would be a disaster. The 450-page report, using traffic projections for the year 2040, suggested the connection would add as many as 4,000 cars to Mansfield, a two-lane road — which many in attendance claimed cannot be widened, even though there has never been any proof of that claim presented by county staffers — running north to S.R. 56.

“It would destroy the flavor of the com-

4

Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore made his feelings about opening Mansfield Blvd. very clear at the December MPO meeting.

Meadow Pointe resident Richard Traugt told Pasco’s MPO that connecting Kinnan St. in New Tampa to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe II “would be insane.”

munity me and my neighbors bought into… and it would lower property values,” said Michael Kaufman, who also was critical of the City of Tampa’s decision this summer to approve 700 more homes in K-Bar Ranch, which backs up against the southern end of Meadow Pointe.

“They (Tampa) are creating a problem; it’s not up to us to fix it,” he added.

Mansfield Blvd. runs past an elementary, middle and high school, Pasco-Hernando State College and entrances to a handful of Meadow Pointe II communities. The safety of students attending those schools was the concern echoed by most.

“It would be insane,” said Richard Traugt.

“I’m against it for safety purposes alone.”

“There is grave concern among Pasco County residents that this would have a severe and negative impact on the quality of life and safety,” said Chris Dillinger. “It is easy to dismiss our fears as whiny and the over-reactive opinion of a small group of residents, but this notion is especially convenient for those would benefit from accessing the short cut through our neighborhood.”

At this point, the debate over KinnanMansfield may no longer raging, but other options to make connections remain viable and even had the lukewarm approval of some of the residents in attendance. Connecting Meadow

Pointe Blvd. to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy., as well as Wyndfields Blvd. to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy., or even both, appeared to be palatable choices.

Tampa and Hillsborough County have argued to connect all three.

“I’ve heard nothing positive about Mansfield Blvd. being opened, period,” said Pasco’s Dist. 5 commissioner Jack Mariano. “Connecting to Meadow Pointe Blvd. is the most sensible one. If Hillsborough is blocking that,

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we’ve got a problem. We need to have a strong discussion with them.”

Mariano joined Moore, Dade City mayor Camille Hernandez and Zephyrhills City council member Lance Smith in siding with the residents in attendance. Pasco commissioners Ron Oakley (District 1) and Kathryn Starkey (District 3) left after the presentation and before public comment, without offering their opinions, and three other MPO members did not attend.

McKinney said Pasco will conduct a public opinion poll in February, with basically yes or no votes on the various connections. A standalone option for making the Kinnan-Mansfield connection will not be on the survey, but it will be included as part of the multiple connections options. Those results will be passed on to the MPO, who will then make a recommendation to Pasco’s commissioners.

@NTWCNews

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The former Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. has been known as Advent Health Wesley Chapel since January 1, 2019.

One New Hospital Is Announced As WC’s First Hospital Gets A New Name

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com A second hospital could be coming to Wesley Chapel .

Officials from BayCare Pasco, a newly created not-for-profit organization established to develop and operate a proposed new 60-bed acute care hospital, met with county planners about opening its first Wesley Chapel location on an 111-acre site in the northeast quadrant of the planned I-75 and Overpass Rd. intersection.

Prior to meeting with Pasco County, BayCare received preliminary approval for its application to build the new hospital.

The BayCare location will be ideal for the thousands of homes being built in the neighboring “connected city” (which is already home to residents in the Epperson development) as well as future growth on the west side of I-75.

“We know that the demand for health care services will continue to increase in that (Wesley Chapel) community, and we’re eager to bring more of BayCare’s clinical excellence to residents in this area,” said Tommy Inzina, president and CEO of BayCare, in a statement.

While it operates 15 hospitals in Tampa Bay — BayCare also operates a HealthHub in the Publix in Hollybrook Plaza on S.R. 54 — this will be the company’s first hospital located in Wesley Chapel.

BayCare Pasco says the proposed hospital will be state-of-the-art and have 30 medical/surgical beds (all private rooms with bath and showers), including 18 progressive care/intensive care beds with full capabilities, including eICU (virtual) monitoring; and 12 women’s services beds, including postpartum obstetric beds and nursery capabilities; as well as 30 observation beds to accommodate patients who need to be assessed for next steps in care.

The proposal also says the hospital will have an emergency department with 30 ER beds and four operating rooms IT’S OFFICIAL: All Florida Hospital 6

facilities made it official on Jan. 1, becoming AdventHealth as part of what the healthcare giant is calling a “new consumer-centric brand launch.”

The announcement of the name change was made in August, and became official with the new year.

The former Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) is now AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (AHWC), one of 30 Advent Health hospitals and freestanding departments in Florida.

Based in Altamonte Springs, the company’s hospitals and other facilities are all now displaying the new name.

“This is an exciting time as we elevate our ability to connect communities with our expanded network of care,” said Mike Schultz, president and CEO of Advent Health’s West Florida Division. “This name change reinforces our commitment to provide a viable, affordable health care system and to continue our unique brand of inspired, compassionate whole-person care through clinical expertise and leading-edge innovation.”

AHWC currently is the only hospital located in Wesley Chapel. It opened as FHWC in 2012, and it continues to expand.

In 2017, a massive expansion was completed that doubled the number of operating and emergency rooms, while adding 62 private inpatient rooms.

The hospital most recently completed a $2.8-million women’s health center, called Inspiration Place (see ad on pg. 2 of this issue), in December of 2017, and earlier this year, opened a 24-bed offsite emergency department on S.R. 54 near the Suncoast Pkwy.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel’s adjacent 50,000- square-foot Health & Wellness Center continues to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews from local residents.

AdventHealth recently met with Pasco County planners to propose an additional three-story medical office building and future parking garage on nearly nine acres off Legacy Blvd., adjacent to AHWC.

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The First Crystal Lagoons® Amenity In The U.S. Opens In Epperson!

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneightborhoodnews.com

It’s open!

Finally!

After overcoming some permitting snafus, issues with pricing and a grand opening that feels like years ago, the first Crystal Lagoons® amenity in the U.S. has, officially, opened for business adjacent to Metro Development Group’s Epperson community in Wesley Chapel.

Dozens of Epperson residents streamed into the facility on Dec. 9 for a preview event, with an official Christmas in Paradise event held the following week, serving as something of a second grand opening and a reward to residents for their patience.

“We’re open for business, seven days a week” said Eric Wahlbeck, the managing director of Metro Lagoons and the former director of parks, recreation and public works for the Town of Bellair, FL. “We’re going to have a varying schedule based on the weather and the time of the year, but other than that, everything’s open and ready to go.”

The 7.5-acre lagoon is the centerpiece of an Epperson community that, while currently having a few hundred homes built, will one day have 4,000.

The Crystal Lagoons® amenity

Every day is just another day at the beach at the first Crystal Lagoons® amenity in the U.S., which opened last month, but only to residents of Epperson.

does clearly deliver on Metro’s promise of crystal clear water. It’s beach-type setting is just as it appeared in renderings, and there’s plenty of room in the lagoon for kayaking, paddleboarding and more.

Despite the chillier weather, more than 100 residents eagerly showed up Dec. 9 for the preview event.

Wahlbeck says a bar and small restaurant will be open at the lagoon by early April, and until then, food trucks will continue to be available at various times for residents.

“It’s awesome,” says Chuck Barilla, one of Epperson’s first residents.

Barilla says until the bar and restaurant are completed and the water is warm

enough to swim in, he and his neighbors enjoy just hanging out on the lagoon’s “beach.”

“We won’t get the full effect of it until summer,” he added.

As for non-residents, they will not be allowed to access the lagoon unless they are guests of residents, at least for now, which may currently be something of a moot point due to winter weather.

The word from Metro is that nonresidents will be permitted to use the lagoon sometime in 2019, when day passes will become available for purchase.

Meanwhile, however, Epperson residents are finally getting to enjoy their new amenity.

“Everybody’s waited so patiently

and so long,” Wahlbeck said. “It was just awesome seeing everybody going down the slide and on the Wibit (an inflatable water platform) and just hanging out and having a good time.”

Diane Bissett was Epperson’s first resident, spending the first few months as the only person living in Epperson back in 2016. At that time, her 2-year-old boy and 4- and 14-year-old daughters had to wait for the prized amenity to be built, and then wait some more as it had to overcome a series of problems.

“They are happy now,” Bissett says. “They were very excited to see it finally opened. They love the lagoon.”

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Development president Greg Singleton has called it, spurred sales of homes in Epperson, creating a tidal wave of anticipation for new homeowners.

Barilla, who relocated due to work from St. Petersburg, where he and his wife lived near the beaches, said the lagoon “is the closest thing to a beach” that he could find and jumped at the chance to buy in Epperson.

“And the water is beautiful,” he added. “When friends come up for the weekend, they always want to know if the water was dyed.”

The anticipation over the lagoon opening was tempered for some by its series of problems. The highlypublicized amenity had originally held a grand opening on April 28, featuring food trucks, entertainment and an

appearance by 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.

However, before the amenity could be completely finished, Pasco County issued a stop-work order after it was discovered that 19 structures had been built at the lagoon without the proper permits.

That was followed by an issue with the pricing for residents, which Metro says has since been resolved.

Right now, Metro says that no additional fees are being paid for lagoon usage by those who live in Epperson.

“You’re going to get some bumps in the road,” Bissett says, “but it was well worth the wait.”

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9

Wesley Chapel Says ‘Goodbye, 2018!’ — Remembering Some Of Our Top Stories

By JOHN C. COTEY

After one of the busiest and most newspacked years in recent memory in Wesley Chapel in 2017, the year 2018 had some big shoes to fill.

And it delivered.

Development continued at a breakneck pace, as seemingly every road in town started construction. Oh, and there was a gold medal and food, food and more food.

While the U.S. Women’s Olympic ice hockey team winning gold (1) in South Korea, after training and living in Wesley Chapel in preparation, might the feel-good story of the story, nothing seemed to get our readers more excited than news about the Cypress Creek Town Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI).

In January, we broke the news about Earth Fare, HomeGoods, Chipotle, WalkOns Bistreaux and Blaze Pizza coming to the already burgeoning commercial and retail development on S.R. 56. It was the most popular story on our website all year, with twice the traffic as the story that was second — an update on the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) that should begin construction at I-75 and S.R. 56 this month.

In fact, Cypress Creek-related stories and maps (2) — touting the arrival of restaurants like Chuy’s and Mellow Mushroom as well as many others -- held the Nos. 3 and 6 spots on our 2018 web traffic rankings.

Wesley Chapel was gripped by Cypress Creek Fever in 2018, and there’s still so

more to come. Earth Fare, HomeGoods, Walk-Ons and Blaze could all open in the first quarter of 2019, Chipotle just recently opened, and vertical construction has begun on Hobby Lobby, Burlington, Five Below and others.

The list of new places being built all across Wesley Chapel is seemingly endless. In addition to Mellow Mushroom, Chuy’s, Bahama Breeze and the Hyatt Place Hotel on the north side of S.R. 56, and MOD Pizza, Nationwide Vision At Home on the south side near the Tampa Premium Outlets.

A little to the east of I-75 on 56, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel on the south side and in the Wiregrass Ranch DRI a few more

miles to the east, the even newer Fairfield Inn on the north side of 56 both opened, as did Nothing Bundt Cakes highlighting a slew of new stores at the Shops at Wiregrass.

More good news for 2019, and one of our top 20 stories of 2018 was that Main Event Entertainment is building an entertainment center offering bowling, laser tag, adventure courses and food and drink, between the outlet mall and I-75.

Along with the new Wiregrass Sports Complex, which broke ground in 2018, and an indoor athletic facility at Wesley Chapel District Park, those complaining about there being nothing to do in The Chap should hopefully find some peace.

And, the development wasn’t limited to places to shop and eat — houses are going up at near-record levels, and Wesley Chapel broke ground on one fire station (No. 38) while revamping another (No. 13 on Old Pasco Rd.) Getting to those places might be an issue in 2019 (early frontrunner for Story of the Year!), as the DDI at S.R. 56 and I-75 is just one of a number of major roadway projects being built in Wesley Chapel.

While the S.R. 56 extension from Meadow Pointe Blvd. to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills made great progress basically out of view in 2018, the DDI will begin work smack dab in the middle of it all. Combined with the wid-

2/28/19

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ening of S.R. 54 from Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. to Zephyrhills that started in 2018, driving in our area should be interesting.

BBD, which was voted the worst road in our distribution areas last year in a Neighborhood News readers poll, will definitely have some competition for worst road in 2019.

Speaking of roads, little old Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe also had a busy year.

First, the possibility of connecting it to Kinnan St. in New Tampa may be on life support. Hillsborough County commissioner Ken Hagan got his county to throw $250,000 at the connection, but that landed with a thud in Pasco County..

Then the year-long Wesley Chapel Roadways Study was completed, and it didn’t really provide any answers.

That was followed by the Tampa City Council allowing M/I Homes to build 698 more homes in K-Bar Ranch, dealing another blow to a Kinnan-Mansfield connection.

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As the Pasco MPO meeting last month clearly illuminated, there is zero support for that particular connection among those who will likely vote on the final decision in Pasco.

And, if that wasn’t enough, a proposed 7-Eleven to be built on Mansfield Blvd. was fought by local residents, and eventually abandoned. That lot was snatched up by the MP II CDD at year’s end.

Chris Dillinger (3), who helped spearhead both fights preserving Mansfield Blvd., was definitely one of Wesley Chapel’s newsmakers of 2018, as was Wiregrass Ranch High student Zach D’Onofrio.

After advancing through the “American Idol” tryouts in late 2017 held at what was then Florida Hospital Center Ice, Zach (4) finally broke the news that he made it to the New York tryouts, where we all watched in March as he wooed (and danced with) pop star Katy Perry on national television in the first “Idol” episode of 2018.

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The squeaky-speaking crooner, sadly, was bounced off the show a few weeks later in the first competition.

Other newsmakers in 2018 to note were Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, who continued to push for development and won reelection as he heads towards a 2028 presidential run, which we actually just made up to put pressure on him.

Also, local Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter (5) once again regaled a packed room of local business leaders in April as to the future happenings for his family’s cattle ranch. When Porter talks, people seem to get fired up. But, 2019 should be another big year throughout the Wiregrass Ranch DRI. Some even more recognizable figures paid visits to Wesley Chapel in 2018. Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps (6) was a guest at the April opening of the first Crystal Lagoons® amenity in the U.S. at Epperson, reality TV carpenter Ty Pennington visited

the Tampa Premium outlets, along with the cast of “Trading Spaces,” and Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans helped kick off the opening of MOD pizza.

And, speaking of Metro Development’s lagoon at Epperson, while still not yet 100-percent complete, it finally appeared to open officially last month, after a tumultuous year that began with Phelps’ appearance at the grand opening.

A month after that event, the lagoon was shut down because it didn’t have the proper permitting for 19 structures. A month after that, in June, some Epperson residents (and would-be residents) publicly voiced their complaints about the pricing tiers for usage of the lagoon.

A hoped-for re-opening in August was ultimately scuttled, but in December, the Crystal Lagoon opened for business to Epperson residents only.

Not a bad end to a busy 2018.

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Wesley Chapel’s Todd Yonteck Is Hoping To Bring Filmmaking Back To Florida Story & photos by ANDY WARRENER

The motion picture industry in Florida has had its ups and downs.

For example, Florida was a boomtown in 2011 when “Dolphin Tale” was being filmed in Clearwater.

But, more recently? Consider Ben Affleck’s 1920s gangster-era film entitled “Live

By Night,” which premieres worldwide on January 13. The movie is set in Ybor City.

There’s only one problem, however — it was shot entirely in Brunswick, GA, which was able to offer the film’s producers as much as 30 percent in tax credits on expenditures.

Cities in Florida couldn’t match that, and therefore lost a golden opportunity to bring revenue to the area and build the filmmaking industry in the region and state.

When state funds for film incentives dried up in 2012, the onus fell to local production companies to pick up the mantle.

Guys like Wesley Chapel’s Todd Yonteck, the CEO of his production company called Digital Caviar.

The Red Carpet

If you happened to have been promenading downtown St. Petersburg on December 7, you might have seen a red carpet rollout at the AMC Theatres Sundial on 2nd Ave. Decked out on the carpet were acclaimed actors Dahlia Lagault (“The Walking Dead” Seasons 5 and 6) and Patrick Muldoon (“Starship Troopers”) for the premier of their new film, “Bernie the Dolphin.”

Actors, producers and writers huddled together for photos, took interviews and later filed into Theatre 1 for the film’s first theatrical screening, its world premiere.

“Bernie the Dolphin,” which Yonteck helped produce, was shot entirely in Pinellas County and at Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine.

Yonteck is a Seven Oaks resident and an emergency room physician at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. You could call film production his side hustle, although considering the amount of work involved, it’s much more than that.

“I have two jobs that are full time,” Yonteck said, after the premiere of “Bernie the Dolphin.”

In 2010, Yonteck and a friend, Paul Prator, began dabbling in film production.

Initially, they took on a lot of commercial

14

work. In 2013, they opened a storefront in Ybor City.

By 2015, a second office had opened and Prator stepped away from the company.

The commercial work was steady, Yonteck says. He booked and produced commercials for Verizon and USF. But, something was missing.

“You don’t get to have as much creative fun with commercials,” Yonteck says.

His transition to more creative projects began slowly in 2013, when Digital Caviar had begun to produce some short films.

Staffers like partners Michael Brown, Victor Young and Conrad De La Torres came on board. Staffers Josh Long, Brandon Hyde and Brittany Hoppe also joined the company.

Digital Caviar’s first feature film came out in April of 2015, when “Crazy Lake,” a slasher film shot almost entirely in Brooksville, was released.

In December of 2015, the company embarked on a comedy, “Tropical Paradise 2.”

In 2017, Yonteck and Digital Caviar were hired to help on a joint production between Sarasota’s Ringling College of Art & Design and director Kevin Smith — famous for the cult film “Clerks” — called “Killroy Was Here.”

“The project started as a short in order to help the students get hands-on experience, doing the actual jobs in a production and also deliver the film,” Yonteck said. “It went so well and Kevin (Smith) was so excited after the shooting experience that he wanted to turn it into a feature.”

Smith came back in January of 2018, and then again over the summer, to finish principal shooting. The film is currently in post-production under Smith.

Before the chance to work on “Bernie the Dolphin” came along, Yonteck had seven producer credits — six for short films — to his name, as well as others for camera and electrical equipment, editorial, sound and production manager.

The concept for “Bernie the Dolphin” began circulating in 2017 when Yonteck, a longtime attendee of the Cannes Film Festival in France, could not attend.

“We either go or we send someone (to Cannes) every year,” Yonteck says. “It’s a great place to search for source material and to network. People see you, hear your name a few times and they’re more comfortable working with you.”

Yonteck wasn’t in attendance at the 2017

(Top left) Todd Yonteck; (top right) The red carpet premiere of “Bernie the Dolphin.”

(Below, l.-r.) Catrina Patti & Todd Yonteck, “Bernie the Dolphin” co-writer Marty Poole, Kristen Yonteck, and St Petersburg Film Commisioner Tony Armer.

festival, but St. Petersburg Film Commissioner Tony Armer was.

Yonteck says that Armer got into conversation with reps from Grindstone, a branch of Lionsgate. The Lionsgate reps were talking up a concept that involved dolphins and oceanside locations.

Armer worked to convince them that Florida, Pinellas County in particular, had the locations they needed and the production companies to interview to make it happen.

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By May of 2017, Grindstone and Digital Caviar were in contact and a local Clearwaterbased writer, Teri Emerson, was tapped to write the script.

“The project was pretty much green lit by August of 2017,” Yonteck said. “We started finding the people to put it together and we had most of it solidified by the end of the year.”

Principal shooting began in January of 2018.

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“A lot of the money in incentives that we did have went to big projects like ‘Dolphin Tale,’” Yonteck said. “I think it’s better to give the incentives to companies that stay and don’t pack up and leave when they finish shooting.”

The cast and crew for “Bernie the Dolphin” was almost entirely Floridian. The same holds true for the cast and crew of “Bernie the Dolphin 2,” which will be released in 2019.

“A lot of the actors were locally cast and the entire crew was Florida-based,” Yonteck says. “People are going to where the work is.

We’ve been able to keep some people here in town but it’s hard to find good talent and when you train people up, they often go elsewhere but we’re going to keep trying to shoot here.”

The production shifted back and forth between St. Petersburg, Clearwater and St. Todd Yonteck at his Wesley Chapel studio.

Augustine. What worked for “Bernie the Dolphin” was the production value of the movie a lot, how it was written for Tampa, it Keeping It Local ocean access in Pinellas County, as well as at was a story about Tampa and Ybor City, but Yonteck was happy to work on a project the ocean park in St. Augustine. The film was they ended up building Ybor City in Georfilmed in Florida. Many film projects have shot in January, taking advantage of the mild gia,” Yonteck says. “They just got so much left the state for better incentives elsewhere, winter in Florida. However, Yonteck says a value in incentives.” reducing the number of opportunities for couple of cold blasts made for some funny The effect a movie can have on local local producers. business and a local economy often cannot be moments in production.

The 2012 film “Magic Mike” was made “One day of shooting it was super windy understated. in Florida, but the 2015 sequel, which is parand cold on the beach,” he says. “It was kind When the first “Dolphin Tale” movie tially set in Tampa, was shot entirely in South of funny because the actors were freezing and was released in 2011, after having used the Carolina. And, the 2017 drama “Gifted,” we had to make it look like it was warm.”

Clearwater Marine Aquarium for a major lowhich is set in St. Petersburg, was actually With “Bernie the Dolphin 2” already in cation, it bolstered tourism in Florida by more filmed in Savannah, GA. post-production, Yonteck and Digital Caviar than $2 billion, according to a March 2015 Georgia, thanks to its 30-percent tax continue to support the film industry in article in The Hollywood Reporter. incentive, now ranks third in the nation for the region and state in their efforts to make film and television production and, according Attendance at the aquarium spiked from to an April 2017 story in the Atlanta Business Florida competitive and more attractive for 76,000 to 750,000 annually the year after the Chronicle, had an economic impact of $7 bilfilm’s release. Unfortunately for industry work- filmmakers. lion in 2016.

Oh, and by the way— Yonteck provides ers in the area, the film’s production company, “People talk about the Ben Affleck a tip of the cap to his current hometown in Warner Brothers, isn’t based in Florida.

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Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore and his wife Lauren attended the opening of “Bernie the Dolphin” on Dec. 7 in downtown St. Petersburg.

“Bernie The Dolphin” as well.

An Easter egg — generally an inside joke hidden in a film or video game — in the film comes in the form of Yonteck’s boat, “Impulse Buy,” which acted as a platform and support boat, and it also was featured as the boat belonging to Kevin Sorbo’s character, Winston Mills.

Only a local might catch “Wesley Chapel, Florida” emblazoned on the boat’s stern, during an aerial drone shot, but we sure did.

Want To See It?

Bernie the Dolphin is currently available in On Demand options for cable/satellite customers that include Frontier and Spectrum.

It also is available through iTunes. Yonteck expects an electronic copy or Blu-Ray option to be available for purchase by February.

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15

JANUARY 2019

Now Through Sunday, January 20

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Music Fest 2019 - See ad on pg. 17.

Friday, January 11

Drive-Thru Prayer - Every Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel (33543). Trained members of the Caring Ministry Team are available in front of the church, under the portico, to share your cares and concerns in prayer while you stay seated in your car. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday, January 12

networking at GrillSmith at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., Lunch is noon-1 p.m. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net.

Celebrate Recovery - Meeting Thursdays at 7 p.m., at Bridgeway Church (30660 Wells Rd.). The purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to bring freedom from dysfunctional, compulsive & addictive behaviors through biblicallybased principles. Dinner & free childcare available. Call (813) 907-1313.

Friday, January 18

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month at 7:15 a.m., at Happy Hangar Cafe (4241 Birdsong Blvd., Lutz). For more info, call Kathy Schenck at (813) 956-4436.

Saturday, January 19

Free Community Boot Camp - New Year, Same Hustle - Camp Gladiator is a fitness movement with dynamic, fun and challenging workouts. This is 60 minutes of amazing at your favorite place to shop. This Free event is held every Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., at Tampa Premium Outlets (2300 Grand Cypress Dr, Lutz). Participants should bring: an exercise mat, 1-2 bottles of water, a sweat towel, a smile & a great attitude. For info, email Christine Iloni at christineiloni@campgladiator.com.

Baychapel Food Pantry - Free food to help needy families, every Saturday, 9:3011:30 a.m., behind Christian Brothers Automotive (20300 Trout Creek Dr., New Tampa 33647, off BBD Blvd. For more info, call (813) 731-4040.

Grace Church Tampa Palms Dedication & Consecration of the new Amazing Grace Sanctuary Building - See ad on pg. 17.

Suncoast Arts Festival at The Shops at Wiregrass - The 14th Annual Suncoast Arts Festival is an exciting way to spend the weekend with your family and friends. Hosted at The Shops at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr,. Wesley Chapel), this Free event features more than 125 fine artists and crafters. There also will be entertainment, food, family-friendly and youth art experiences. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Professional Business Connections (PBC) - PBC meets Mondays at 7:45 a.m., at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For more info, call Matt Archbold at (813) 7821777.

Wesley Chapel Speaks - The Wesley Chapel Toastmasters meet every Monday at 7:00 p.m. for networking, 7:30 p.m. for public speaking, at the Edward Jones Building Main Floor Keller Williams Training Room (18302 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., New Tampa 33647). For more info, call Martin at (813) 693-0969.

The Dade City Chamber of Commerce presents the 22nd annual Kumquat Festival - See ad on pg. 17.

Monday, January 14

Tuesday, January 15

North Tampa Bay Chamber: Monthly Coffee Social - This free networking event for members of the Chamber and their guests will be held 8 a.m.-9 a.m. at Buttermilk Provisions (2653 BBD Blvd, Suite 117, Wesley Chapel). For more info, call (813) 994-8534.

Keep It Local New Tampa/Wesley Chapel - Keep It Local meetings provide the opportunity to build strong business connections. This Free event is held every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., at Grillsmith (2000 Piazza Ave., Bldg. 4, Suite 100, Wesley Chapel). For more info, call Marino at (813) 513-9001.

UF Seminar: Ornamental Grasses for the Home Landscape - Add color, texture, motion and sound to your garden. Learn how to select, care for and combine with other flowers and shrubs at this Free UF/IFAS Pasco Extension seminar, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., at New River Library (34043 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel).

NAMI Friends & Family: Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Pasco support group for friends & family of those with mental illness. The group meets the 1st & 3rd Tues. of each month, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For more info, visit NAMIPasco.com.

Light Up the Night 5k & 1-Mile Fun Walk - See story on pg. 29 of this issue.

Saturday, January 19-Sunday, January 20

Friday, January 25

North Tampa Bay Chamber: Final Friday Event - Held the last Friday of each month, Final Friday networking events allow Chamber members and their guests to tell their stories during a medium-sized, intimate meeting. This month’s event will be hosted by the Top Shelf Sports Lounge at AdventHealth Center Ice (3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel), 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. For more info, call (813) 994-8534.

Saturday, January 26 Sunday, January 27

Winter Wesley Chapel Shabby Chic Vintage Market - The Shabby Chic Vintage Market returns to The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping plaza (6105 Wesley Grove Blvd.), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Featuring more than 100 artisans, crafters & woodworkers from all over Florida. Shop one-of-a-kind handmade, vintage and antique items and artisanal foods.

Wednesday, January 30

Outrageous Charity Bingo to Benefit Trinity Café of Tampa & Feeding Tampa Bay at Hamburger Mary’s, Brandon - See ad on pg. 26 of this issue.

Visit WCNeighborhoodNews.com to add your upcoming events to our online calendar.

With enough advanced notice, events that happen in our readership areas may also appear in print, as space allows.

Wednesday, January 16

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel meets Wednesdays at Noon at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.).

First-time guests attend free. For info, (813) 862-8989 or (813) 391-3895.

Central Pasco Democratic Club - Monthly Democratic group meeting for the Central Pasco County area will be held 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe One Community Center (28245 County Line Rd., Wesley Chapel). For more info, email CentralPascoDemocraticClub@gmail.com.

Thursday, January 17

BNI Alliance (Wesley Chapel) meeting - Business professionals are invited to attend this networking organization’s meetings every Thursday, 7:30 a.m., at Savannah Church (3758 Maryweather Lane, off BBD Blvd., behind Dunkin’ Donuts).

For more info, call Kyle Flischel at (813) 815-0250.

RGA Network Weekly Meeting - The RGA Networking Group meets weekly for 16

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19

Stark Injury Law Provides Expert Help For Injured People In Wesley Chapel has grown by word of mouth.

“As a referral practice, I’ve been in business long enough that now I have three generations of people I’ve represented,” he says.

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

When George Stark, a successful personal injury lawyer who has been based in downtown Tampa for since 1987, moved with his wife to Saddlebrook in 2007, he opened a satellite office in Wesley Chapel, next to Saddlebrook Resort in the Brookside Professional Center off S.R. 54.

For the past 11 years, Stark Injury Law has grown locally so that now, he says he spends most of his time in his Wesley Chapel office and is as familiar with Pasco County courts as he is the courts in Hillsborough County.

Stark Injury Law helps those who are injured because of someone else’s negligence, often because of car accidents, but also because of slip-and-fall accidents, defective products, medical negligence and other causes.

“All injuries are serious,” he explains, and he says he is knowledgeable and experienced in handling a variety of cases, “from sprain and strain injuries that are not disabilities, to those that are catastrophic.”

Stark also says that anyone who has been in an accident should consult with and — if appropriate — retain the services of an experienced lawyer.

“A law firm is needed to assist in the various activities necessary to successfully pursue a claim both prior to and, if necessary, after litigation,” he explains, “including investigating, documenting, evaluating

Here’s One Such Referral

George Stark and his staff at Stark Injury Law have decades of combined experience providing legal services to diverse communities and a Wesley Chapel office location in the Brookside Professional Center.

and ultimately negotiating a settlement or filing a law suit.”

Stark is a graduate of California State University and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.

He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1976 and first got started in the Tampa Bay area as an assistant public defender

for Hillsborough County that same year.

He was assigned to the felony division and continued to work as a public defender until 1981.

He also worked in a general civil practice before opening his own firm in Tampa 31 years ago.

Stark says he is proud that his practice

Wesley Chapel resident Michael Nowe is one of Stark’s satisfied clients who is now referring his attorney to others. While Nowe says he has mostly recovered from a car accident several months ago, his case has already been fully resolved to his satisfaction.

“He is a really great guy,” Nowe says about Stark. “He and his staff explained the whole procedure, so I knew exactly what was coming. They were very detailed and specific, very knowledgeable, and for every question I had, they had an answer.”

Nowe says Stark and his wife, Maxine, who has recently taken on administrative and bookkeeping duties for the office, after retiring as a teacher several years ago, came to his house after the accident for a consultation.

“They sat with me and it was very personal,” Nowe says. “It was almost like a friend coming over.”

Stark says that’s what he wants people to understand about the difference between hiring Stark Injury Law versus some of the big advertisers you might see on TV. “Most of those folks [who hire a large firm] never see a lawyer,” says Stark, “un-

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”

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George Stark is a long-time resident of Wesley Chapel who expertly helps his neighbors who experience injuries due to motor vehicle accidents or the negligence of others.

less their case cannot be amicably resolved by way of settlement.”

He says that nearly all of the cases he takes on — and the vast majority of those who are taken on by all other firms, too —are resolved by settlement.

“I pride myself on my ability to be successful in trial,” says Stark, “but the reality is that personal injury cases rarely go to trial.”

He says the busiest trial lawyers, such as himself, are only in court one or two times a year.

In fact, he says, 95 percent of cases

are resolved by settlement within six to nine months, often without even filing a lawsuit.

“That’s the norm,” he says, “and not just for my office.”

That’s what Nowe says he experienced, as well.

“I figured it would take at least a year to resolve my case,” Nowe says. “It turned out to be about four months. It was pretty quick and wasn’t a long, drawn-out process.”

Nowe also agrees that Stark is handson in maintaining a personal relationship with his clients, too.

“I advise all of my clients that they control my schedule,” says Stark. “My clients can speak with me at any time, and if I’m not available, they just schedule a telephone conference. No one is left hanging.”

In addition to being accessible to his clients, Stark says he makes no decisions without their personal involvement.

“I enjoy the dialogue with the clients,” he says. “It’s important for them to understand the process and make an informed decision. I hope they’ll listen to what I have to say, but ultimately it’s not my case, it’s their case.”

to seek for medical care and attention,” Stark explains. “We encourage people to maintain good relationships with their doctors. The most important thing before getting the case settled is getting good patient care.”

Stark says that, if a patient is unsure where to turn for proper care, he can refer them to physicians he has worked with before.

“We point people in the right direction, so that they get excellent care for their injuries and then, if necessary, get appropriate documentation in order to document those injuries,” he explains.

Stark adds that he welcomes calls from anyone seeking the assistance of an attorney, whether or not he is able to personally assist them.

“I’ve had a broad range of experience,” he says. “I can take questions that aren’t necessarily within my area of expertise — I know a lot of people — so I’m happy to assist in making referrals.”

Nowe says it’s worth the phone call to reach out to Stark Injury Law. “They are super nice, too,” says Nowe. “I really want to stress how incredibly nice they are.”

Stark Injury Law is located at 29150 Chapel Park Dr. in the Brookside Professional Center. Stark’s downtown Tampa office is located at 400 N. Ashley Dr. You can reach attorney George Stark by calling (813) 991-6161, by visiting StarkInjuryLaw.com, or see the ad on page 3 of this issue.

Helping You Help Yourself

Stark also says that helping people get the care they need is an important part of the role he plays.

“The average person comes in and they’ve been in an accident, they’re traumatized and they’re not sure who

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21

Samantha Taylor Fitness Helps Women Build More Than Just Better Bodies

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

Samantha Taylor Fitness has helped thousands of women change their lives by helping them not only lose weight, but keep it off.

In July, owner Samantha Taylor’s Wesley Chapel personal training studio moved from its former location on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (across from Florida Hospital/Advent Health Wesley Chapel) to its own building off of S.R. 56, near I-75, in the Cypress Ridge Professional Center (off Cypress Ridge Blvd.).

The new location is bigger, with a larger personal training room. It features upgraded specialty rubber floors, and Samantha says clients prefer the private, first-floor entrance.

Also this year, Samantha Taylor Fitness opened a location in Palm Harbor. Samantha now has five Tampa Bay-area locations, including nearby Land O’Lakes, plus Carrollwood and Westchase.

Each woman who walks through the doors of any of her fitness studios is someone whose life Samantha hopes to change.

Samantha says women who come to her are often the heaviest they’ve ever been.

They’re frustrated, and have a lack of energy and medical problems caused by being overweight. They tell her they have tried all kinds of diets and nothing has worked for them.

But, she says, the new year is a perfect time to do something different to lose

22

Kate Green has lost 60 pounds in two years, thanks to Samantha Taylor Fitness and has kept it off, giving her more energy to do things like ziplining, she says.

weight and finally keep it off. This is especially true if every year you think you are going to make changes, but then the next year rolls around and you find yourself in the same situation, or worse.

“Everyone thinks they’re going to set goals and be focused and lose weight, but most people don’t,” Samantha says. “I want to encourage people to start this year different. We have a proven track record, so women can get results. When 2020 comes, they can look back and say, ‘Look what I did in 2019.’”

Women who come to Samantha Taylor Fitness find 30-minute workouts and educa-

tion about how to eat to lose weight and keep it off. They also find a community of support, which is proven to help women stay on track — and have fun.

Samantha herself is a Certified Personal Trainer who began her career 26 years ago and launched her own business 19 years ago.

“We’re teaching women a way to eat that they love,” says Samantha. “It’s not a diet, not a pill, not shots; just understanding how to eat, how to work out their muscles for tone, and develop a healthy lifestyle they can keep for life.”

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She says that things like knowing how to cook and knowing how to eat in real-life situations — like at holiday parties or on vacation — is critical for long-term success, along with understanding why you gain weight, and then modifying your behavior so you don’t gain it back.

Whether a client wants personal training — the most customized and private option — or boot camp classes, both programs start with a completely free, no-obligation consultation called a “Body Transformation Analysis” to determine your goals help the professionals at Samantha Taylor Fitness and plan a fitness program.

Personal training can be done one-on-one, semi-private, or in small group sessions. In addition to personal training sessions, each client also meets with an assigned results coach monthly, to be sure they’re progressing.

Now, those monthly sessions include images taken by the new 3D body scan machine, which takes measurements and analyzes body fat digitally.

“Clients can see the changes visually with 3D images and printouts,” explains Samantha. “They can see how their body is changing and the progression of their

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measurements and their body’s shape.”

Clients who choose the boot camp option attend regular or beginner sessions, which vary in cardiovascular intensity levels. Several classes are offered every day, and women choose three or more times each week to attend.

“Our clients like that our workouts are only 30 minutes,” says Samantha. “They’re in and out and don’t have to be at the gym for hours.”

One of those clients is Neighborhood News editor Gary Nager’s fiancée Jannah McDonald, who had lost more than 13 pounds after only a couple of months attending the boot camps.

“I have more energy and feel great,” Jannah says, “and I like that there are different instructors who all get to know you and what you can and can not do. They give you lots of feedback and support, too.”

Like Jannah, Samantha says many of her clients see more than just weight loss — they’re getting healthier as well.

“They are preventing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes,” she says. “Some women no longer have to take cholesterol or blood pressure medication, and no longer suffer from muscle pains and aches.”

Where Are They Now?

A year ago, we wrote about Samantha’s clients Judy McFarland and Kate Green, who are both in their sixties. At that time, Judy had lost 31 pounds and 36 inches in just a few months, exceeding her goal of losing 25 pounds. Judy has now lost a total of 34 pounds. Kate (photos

Neighborhood News

on previous page) not only lost the 50 pounds she wanted to lose, she dropped from 170 to 110 pounds, which remains her current weight.

Both say their lives are completely different, and they are now in the best shape of their respective lives. Neither has any fear of putting the weight back on.

Kate now spends most weekends zip-lining and completing obstacle courses at a local outdoor adventure park, and Judy just completed a half-marathon, running without stopping for 13 miles.

“This has transformed my life,” says Judy. “Not only my body, but my whole way of life, and I couldn’t be happier.”

She credits Samantha’s eating plan, high-quality workouts with excellent trainers, and the support she receives.

“It’s a very friendly, loving environment,” says Judy. “They are there to keep you motivated and hold you accountable.

They’re like a family.”

Samantha says that sense of community is something that is intentionally fostered at her fitness studios, and is like nothing else women can find. There are monthly member socials, such as putt-putt golf, zip lining and pot luck dinners. There are webinars to encourage healthy eating and trainer-led support groups.

She emphasizes that anyone can do what Judy and Kate have done, even in their sixties.

“As people get older, they think life is declining and they can’t do these things anymore,” says Samantha. “These women are defying that. Their quality of life is

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affected in a positive way with the changes they’ve made.”

Kate says before she found Samantha Taylor, she had been retired for a year and was overweight and out of shape.

“I was miserable,” Kate says. “I didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere, which led to being sedentary and overeating.

It was a godsend for me to find her and get into this program. This was the right program for me, and it works beautifully. I haven’t had this much fun in my entire life as I am right now.”

The Six-Week Challenge!

Beginning in late January, Samantha will start her next six-week “Body Transformation Challenge,” where she gives away thousands of dollars in prizes, including a Grand Prize of a cruise for two for the woman who loses the most weight (as a percentage of her total body weight).

To register, or for more information, go to 6weekBTC.com.

Samantha also does a regular segment on “Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend,” which airs on WFTS-TV, the local ABC affiliate.

She brings guests on the show, sometimes clients, and shares nutritious recipes, which she says are delicious.

For recipes and to view segments of the show, including Judy and Kate’s stories in their own words from when they were Samantha’s guests on “Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend,” visit SamanthaTaylorFitness.com.

The Wesley Chapel Samantha Taylor Fitness studio is located is at 2609

Five New Year’s Tips From Samantha Taylor:

1

Eat more fat and less sugar and carbs.

2

Eliminate fried food choices when you eat at restaurants.

And, right when the server gets to the table, tell them, “No bread for this table.”

3

Be mindful about your food choices and think about how you will feel after you eat them.

You must do this before you eat the food!

4

Slow down when you eat and actually chew your food, don’t scarf it down. This will help reduce the amount of calories you eat and help with digestion.

5

Work out three times a week with an effective program where you can have consistency and accountability.

Ridge Brook Dr., Wesley Chapel. For more information, see the ad on pg. 29 or call (813) 377-3739.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 2 • January 11, 2019 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

23

The Learning Experience Offers An Award-Winning Experience For Your Child

By JOHN C. COTEY

When Jhana Pardue fell in love with the curriculum at The Learning Experience, and the way they treated her son, and pretty much everything about the facility, she decided to buy her own.

She didn’t expect, less than two years later, to have one of the top locations across the country, to have more than two dozen employees, a waiting list and to have had all of the growth she has had.

“It has been amazing,” say Jhana, unable to contain an ear-to-ear smile from behind her desk at the The Learning Experience of New Tampa, which is located across County Line Rd. from the SuperTarget, behind L.A. Fitness.

Last year, 90 percent of the school’s first two VPK classes of 39 total students were reading — thanks to the Fun With Phonics program and great teachers, she says — by the time they graduated to kindergarten. This year, there are four VPK classes of 67 students, and Jhana says at least 90 percent will again graduate with the ability to read.

“I want to say 100 percent, but I don’t want to jinx it,” she says.

And remarkably, the building feels and smells as clean as it did when it opened in July of 2017, an underrated but big factor for many parents.

“I would definitely say they are very well organized and very clean,” says Rashida Powe, whose 19-month old daughter was

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Jhana Pardue is proud of all the awards her New Tampa location of The Learning Experience has earned, but is even more excited about all of her happy, successful students and their happy parents.

the second child enrolled at the New Tampa location. “Being clean is an important factor when you are dropping your child off for a long period of time. By far, of all the places I looked at, they were the cleanest.”

That is just part of the reason for the educational preschool’s early success, and those at the corporate headquarters in Deerfield Beach, FL, have noticed.

In April, Jhana’s New Tampa location was selected for the company’s 2017-18 Rising Star Award, which is awarded to only one of the company’s 250 franchises

nationwide. The award is for new academies — there were 50 eligible locations — that have been in existence for 18 months or less and had significant growth in enrollment, staff and revenue.

While picking up that award at the national convention in Boca Raton, Jhana also received a Center of Excellence designation, which is given to schools that receive a score of 95 or better on their inspections in the spring and fall. The New Tampa location was one of only 15 to receive the award last year.

“And, we’ve already confirmed that we

earned it again,” Jhana says. “We actually scored higher than last time.”

When Jhana picks up that award next year at the national convention in Austin, she also has been told she’ll be receiving yet another award.

“It’s a surprise,” she says. “We don’t know what it is, just that we’re getting it.

I’m nervous, but excited.”

There will be no resting on those laurels, however, Jhana says. If anything, the quick and rewarding success just means she, director Amy Rath and the rest of the staff must maintain their current high level.

Today, she has 28 employees, 24 of them full-time, and they all are working together to make New Tampa’s The Learning Experience the top choice for area parents.

“I wasn’t thinking about awards, I really just wanted to make an impact and help families with their children,” says Jhana.

“I wanted a well-rounded, inclusive school where all of my children can be successful and can all be individuals. Sometimes, I feel a lot of schools put a box there, and the kids have to fit in that box. It’s important to me to let them be who they are. I wanted to build that kind of culture.”

School History & Programming The Learning Experience was founded

by Michael and Linda Weissman in 1980 with a single location in Boca Raton, and was built on teaching through cognitive, physical and social principles; or as Jhana says, “Learn, Play and Grow.”

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making sure we’re doing it and taking pride in how we do it.”

That includes things like adding a teacher to a classroom to improve the learning experience. While the state mandates an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Jhana — who has an Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree, to go with her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Accounting & Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in Orlando There are both indoor and shaded outdoor play areas at The Learning Experience of New — has put herself in classrooms and added Tampa, located off County Line Rd. just south of Wesley Chapel. teachers if she felt they were needed.

“Now we have three teachers in a modWhen it comes to learning, all of Children also take part in activities that el built for two,” she says, proudly. “We give the Learning Experience schools use the promote a healthy and active lifestyle. The proprietary Learning Experience Academic Learning Experience offers eight enrichment our staff the tools they need to do their jobs, and the parents see that we really mean it.”

Program (L.E.A.P.) that Jhana says was writ- programs for children, like Yippee 4 Yoga, Powe says even after a long day at ten by educators with years of experience. It Suddenly Science, Dancing Feet, Talent school, sometimes her daughter is still not guarantees that children will graduate with Sprouts and Super Soccer. ready to leave at 6 p.m. “exceptional core academic skills.”

Mascots like Flexi Flamingo (P.E.), Li“Their curriculum is awesome,” she onstein (Science) and Bubbles the Elephant The curriculum was written around what the school’s founders believe are the six — the leader of the mascots — help lead the says. “They have so much detail with the kids — they are doing something every 15 children through their day. stages of development – Infant (6 weeks to “We learn through play,” Jhana says. minutes. My daughter was walking at 10 1 year old), Toddler (1-2 years old), Tawdler months, her motion, her development, is “The children think they are playing, (2-2-½ years old), Prepper (2-½ to 3 years advanced. She is 19 months now and her vobut they are actually learning. We do old), Preschooler (3-5 years old), and Kincabulary is advanced. She knows sentences, dergartner (5 years old, but not offered at all this through small group activities, more locations, including Jhana’s).

1-on-1 interaction and more individualized teaching.”

L.E.A.P. includes sign language for Jhana says the program is followed infants and toddlers, a phonics program and strictly, but with a few personal touches she even foreign language programs. Mandarin thinks makes the New Tampa school so is taught for one year, as well as Spanish. successful.

“It’s definitely one of the things that “It’s all about finding the right staff sets us apart,’’ Jhana says. members,” Jhana says. “There are a lot of L.E.A.P. workbooks include a journal, schools, a lot of competitors, that also have an interactive book and Fun With Phonics, a really good curriculum. But, it’s about the which is specifically designed to teach reading to 3- and 4-year-olds. execution. We don’t cut corners; it’s really

at least 10 colors, can count to 10, and even some sign language. I’ve just been really impressed. It’s definitely worth my money.”

All lead teachers are required to have their Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, which is equivalent to an early childhood education A.A degree, Jhana says.

Assistant teachers have to complete 45 hours of Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF) Child Care Training.

There are cameras in every room and, in the office used by Amy and Jhana, there is a 32-inch television to monitor 16 security cameras.

“There’s also an app that lets you know everything, from when your child had their diaper changed, to when they went outside and what they ate for lunch,” Powe says. “Friday, I knew she worked on math, drew pictures and had music class. It’s pretty cool.”

To learn more about The Learning Experience of New Tampa, located at 20780 Trout Creek Dr., visit TheLearningExperience.com/our-centers/fl/ tampa/new-tampa, call (813) 575-8268 or see the ad on page 38 of this issue.

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27

‘Light Up The Night’ 5K To Raise Awareness Of Human Trafficking

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

On Saturday, January 19, runners and walkers will fill the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch of Pasco-Hernando State College to bring attention to a crime that Corporal Alan Wilkett of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office says is often hidden from public view.

“Human trafficking is known as the hidden crime because the victims seldom self-report,” Cpl. Wilkett says. “We depend on the eyes and ears of citizens to know what it is and report it when they see something suspicious.”

Four years ago, the “Light Up The Night” 5K run and 1-mile walk was created to bring more awareness about this crime to our area, so that members of the community will be better equipped to recognize human trafficking and empowered to report it.

AnnaMaria Orlando, now a “human trafficking liaison” and volunteer chaplain with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, has organized the event since its inception. She says at the race — and at a concert and candlelight vigil that will be held separately — participants will be educated about human trafficking, including some of the warning signs of which they should be aware.

“If you see someone accompanied by a controlling person, if they can’t speak on their own behalf, if they have a lack of control of their own personal items or schedule or their own ID,” Orlando says, that could mean that the person is a victim of human trafficking.

He says once people are aware of human trafficking, they may realize that they come across it in their everyday lives — in places such as the nail salon, lawn service, grocery store, restaurant or even someone sitting on the side of the road.

Light Up The Night and other awareness events are important to end human trafficking in our community.

“Every year we’ve had a direct impact where people will report a case of human trafficking at the event itself,” Cpl. Wilkett says. “Sometimes it’s a victim saying, ‘I’ve The ‘Light Up the Night’ 5K run and 1-mile walk tries to been victimized’ or someone help keep kids safe from and create more awareness of hu- who tells us, ‘I’ve learned man trafficking. Photo: OurTownFLA.com something tonight’ and has “Our awareness must be as widespread something to report.” as the crime itself,” says Cpl. Wilkett, who Cpl. Wilkett says trafficking remains a says it is happening throughout Pasco Coun- growing problem, but heightened awarety, as well as in every neighborhood in the ness is helping identify the problem and save Tampa Bay area, including Wesley Chapel. lives. “More victims are being rescued, more Globally, the only bigger crime is the traffickers are being arrested, and more of this illegal drug trade. There are currently an crime is being revealed, as more and more of estimated 40 million people being held in our community becomes aware,” he says. slavery worldwide, and human trafficking is a In the past, Light Up The Night has billion-dollar industry in the U.S. While the been a one-day, one-location event, but this numbers may seem large and overwhelming, year it has grown to include more of Pasco Cpl. Wilkett encourages each person to look County. for the signs that may lead to helping just While the run and walk will still take one person in your community. place in Wesley Chapel, the concert event

featuring Johnny Diaz and the candlelight vigil to honor and remember victims will be held at Trinity College of Florida (2430 Welbilt Blvd., Trinity 34655) on Saturday, February 2, 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

“We have tried to make it very kid friendly,” says Orlando. “We have a KidZone [at the concert] and encourage youth to be part of our race, whether they’re elementary, middle, high school or college age.”

She says the average age of victims of human trafficking is 11 to 14, so awareness of it early in life is important.

“We want to make this well known to families,” says Orlando, “so they can bring awareness to the youth in a healthy way. It’s not just an adult event. We’ve had babies and toddlers attend.”

Registration for the 5K run is $35 or the cost is $20 to walk the 1-mile course. Pre-registration is available online until midnight the night before the race. In-person registration is available beginning at 7 a.m. on Jan. 19 at the race site, 2727 Mansfield Blvd. The race begins at 8:15 a.m.

For a list of warning signs and more information, visit LightUpTheNight.us.

Anyone who suspects the crime should call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 3737-888, or if the situation appears to be an emergency, call 9-1-1. To pre-register for the 5k run or 1-mile walk, or for more info about the race or the concert and candlelight vigil, visit LightUpTheNight.us.

2019

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Pasco’s Teacher Of The Year Is Wesley Chapel Resident Holly Mickler

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

On the last Tuesday of school before the holiday break, one of the science teachers at Pasco Middle School (MS) in Dade City called fellow Pasco MS teacher Holly Mickler into her classroom to ask for some help judging science fair projects.

Mickler’s students were working on assignments with tutors, so she said she could leave her classroom for a few minutes to help.

That’s when Pasco County’s Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, Pasco School Board member Megan Harding and several other officials from the school district and teachers union knocked on that other teacher’s classroom door.

The group was directed to the science fair, where they surprised Mickler with the news that among all of the teachers in Pasco County, she had been chosen as the District’s Teacher of the Year.

“It was a little embarrassing that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be,” Mickler laughs.

Mickler is a 14-year teaching veteran who commutes to work from Meadow Pointe each day. Although she lives in Wesley Chapel, she has spent her entire teaching career at Pasco Middle School.

She has taught exceptional education and language arts, and then served as the graduation enhancement and dropout prevention teacher before launching the school’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program about four years ago. As AVID coordinator, Mickler teaches students

Neighborhood News

Pasco County’s Teacher of the Year Holly Mickler was feted by School District officials (left) and her students (right). Photos provided by Holly Mickler.

who choose to take the AVID elective class and coaches teachers on how to teach strategies for college, career and life readiness in their classrooms.

“Holly is a great example of what I look for in a teacher,” says Pasco MS principal Dee Dee Johnson, who was previously the principal at Wesley Chapel High. “She cares about her students, gets to know them, and believes in each of them. I’m extremely proud to have Holly as a teacher at Pasco Middle School, because she always goes above and beyond for our students, sets high expectations, and provides students with the resources needed to meet those expectations.”

Mickler says she thought long and hard about whether or not to complete the application for Pasco’s Teacher of the Year after

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being chosen as her school’s nominee.

“Once you’re selected at the school level, you’re given the option of deciding whether or not to take it to district level,” she says. “I don’t like bragging on myself, and that’s what it feels like, so I almost didn’t do it.”

But, Mickler says she also thought about her school’s reputation in the community, including things such as the recent removal of its previous principal, prompting Johnson’s move to the school.

“People need to recognize that we have incredible things going on here,” Mickler says. “I thought my application was a way to showcase that for others to see. I tried to respond in a way that people would see how awesome our kids are and how dedicated our staff members are.”

Ever humble, Mickler says she’s really no different than nearly all of the teachers in Pasco County, most of whom, she says, have great things happening in their classrooms, too.

“All of us are really working hard and are dedicated,” she says. “What we have in common and share is just a passion and a love for the kids.”

Mickler doesn’t have children of her own, so she calls her students her “babies,” making an emotional connection with them.

“They rely on me for academics, but also to help them through social issues and issues at home,” she says. “They trust me.”

Mickler is now Pasco’s nominee for the statewide Teacher of the Year, competition.

That winner will be announced this spring.

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Recapping The Year In Dining 2018 In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

By GARY NAGER

When Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities in 1859, there’s no way he could have had our distribution areas in mind.

But, for Wesley Chapel’s alreadycrowded dining scene, it surely is fair to call 2018 “the best of times,” and equally fair to say that for New Tampa, “it was the worst of times” in terms of its restaurant scene.

Among the new eateries that opened in already-dining-rich Wesley Chapel in 2018 were Bahama Breeze (photo), Mellow Mushroom, Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Batter & Dough, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Umu Japanese & Thai, Pomodoro Pizza, Chipotle, Jake’s Pizza, MOD Pizza, the Gallery Restaurant at the new Hyatt Place Hotel, the Garden Grille & Bar at the new Hilton Garden Inn, the Top Shelf Sports Lounge at Florida Hospital Center Ice, plus new locations for temporarily closed local favorites Amici Pizza and O.T.B. Café (see ad below) and a second Wesley Chapel Culver’s location on S.R. 56. There were others, but you get the idea. And, even though Woody’s Pizza & Wings closed in the Wesley Chapel Village Market, Fratelli’s Pizza & Café recently opened in Woody’s old spot and has excellent pasta (and pizza) with broccoli rabe.

Meanwhile, over in New Tampa, the dining scene took an even uglier turn for the worst in 2018, with favorites like Las Palmas Cuban Café, Beef O’Brady’s, Café Olé, Ruby Tuesday (bottom photo)

and Casa Ramos all closing their doors.

The only New Tampa newcomers to speak of being the Bayscape Bistro at Heritage Isles Country Club (owned and operated by former Wharton High culinary arts teacher Ed Bujarski) and two restaurants in the Palms Connection Plaza on E. Bearss Ave., just west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

— Prost Kitchen & Bar and Don Julio Mexican Restaurant.

The good news for New Tampa is that the widening of BBD, which for years has dealt a severe blow to many businesses from Bearss Ave. to the Pasco County line, is for all intents and purpose, Bruce B. Done (thank you for that one, John Cotey).

And, although not many new eateries are expected to open in New Tampa in 2019, there are a few supposedly coming soon, including the Humingbird Jerk House in the former Dairy Queen location on BBD in North Palms Village, the Coffee Speaks & Tea Talks Café in Las Palmas’ former location (see page 38 for details) and hopefully, the return of Las Palmas itself in a new location rumored to be near its old location in Pebble Creek.

But, there’s even more to look forward to in Wesley Chapel in 2019, from Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar to Lutz favorite Rice & Beans (in the former Cody’s Original Roadhouse locale), as well as the Sweetea Café on S.R. 56 and even the deli at the new Earth Fare, which will open in Feb. or Mar., plus new locations for Chickfil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts, Steak ’n Shake, Twistee Treat and more still to come.

See ‘Dining 2018’ on page 34.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 2 • January 11, 2019 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

31

Snowrolls Isn’t Just Ice Cream — It’s A Super-Fun Experience, Too!

By GARY NAGER

SOME OF YOU

might already know my friends Adrian Luna and Eli Cisneros from 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass mall (where Adrian still works), but in August 2017, the two opened their first of what they hope will be many Snowrolls franchises, in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa, behind Kobe Japanese Steakhouse.

Snowrolls is a brightly decorated little café-style space in the plaza, where Thaistyle rolled ice cream has been elevated to an art form.

You start by picking a flavor that you can customize with a variety of toppings and mix-ins, or choose one of Snowrolls’ dozen or so preselected options, like “Kookie (with Oreo cookies, whipped cream and chocolate syrup), or my favorite to date, the banana split, with bananas and strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and rainbow sprinkles.

Eli (pronounced “Eee-Lee”) or another member of his trained staff will pour your fresh cream, vegan cream or matcha (green tea) base onto the metal Snowrolls wheel. Your mix-ins, from corn flakes to cookie dough and from coconut to coffee, are added, mixed in on the ice-cold wheel, spread into a thin sheet and then strategically rolled into multiple rolls which are

carefully placed into a cup and topped with your favorite toppings, including chocolate, dulce de leche and strawberry syrup and pocky (crispy chocolate-covered “straws”), graham crackers, brownies and even real marshmallows, which are “flamed” onto your creation.

Because of that super-cold wheel, Snowrolls ice cream is much colder than most “regular” ice creams and your kids will love watching their dessert while it is being custom-made for them.

Although I wish there were a few more flavors of ice cream (like peanut butter and even chocolate), you can rest assured that Snowrolls is always decadently delicious.

Snowrolls also recently added Choco Gyro Crepes, which include shavings from the store’s unique milk-and-white-chocolate gyro, which looks very much like Middle Eastern lamb gyros on a turning spit.

But, these shavings serve as the base for your Choco Gyro, whether you choose the Fragola (with strawberry, Oreo crumbles, whipped cream and chocolate syrup, the Fudgemallow (with brownies and marshmallows), the Calanda (with peach, vanilla Snowrolls and dulce de leche syrup) or the Banamond, with bananas, Nutella and almonds). You also can create your own Choco Gyro Crepe. dads can relax and enjoy their Snowrolls And, Snowrolls also has outstanding with their kids.

Italian coffee (by the cup or by the bag) There also are new Acai “bowls,” and awesome coffee drinks, so moms and which are more like smoothies in a cup than they are like an actual “bowl,” but the Acai bowls also are customizable, so be sure to ask about them.

And, with the coupon from the ad on page 34 of this issue, you can get $1 off any purchase, which also makes Snowrolls a pretty sweet deal.

Snowrolls is located at 19651 BBD Blvd., Suite D1 (Tampa 33647), and is open seven days a week: Sun., noon-9 p.m.; Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For more information, call (813) 527-6556, visit Snowrolls.com or check them out on Facebook or Instagram. And please, be sure to tell Eli and the staff that you read about them in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News!

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33

‘Dining 2018’

Continued from pg. 31 So, here are some of our favorite dining experiences at new restaurants that opened in 2018 in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel: 1. Bahama Breeze — Although my opinion is that an “Island Grille” should have more fresh fish options, Bahama Breeze does have some tasty Jamaican jerk pasta (right) and a great bar.

2. Bayscape Bistro — A great place for excellent burgers (top far right), sandwiches, salads and specials.

3. Garden Grille at Hilton Garden Inn — Although it’s not open for lunch and I’ve only eaten there once since the hotel’s delicious Grand Opening event, you should check out the Garden Grille for dinner sometime for the ribeye steak and “sticky finger” ribs.

4. Prost Kitchen & Bar — German-style cuisine, including some great schnitzel with broccolini (bottom far right), make this hidden gem on Bearss Ave. a must-try.

5. MOD Pizza — It’s only about 11-inch pizzas and create-your-own salads at MOD Pizza, but the pizzas are great and take only a few minutes to make and serve. Fast casual indeed.

6. Top Shelf Sports Lounge — This is where Jannah and I watch Lightning games, not only because of all the TVs but also for the burgers, dry rub wings and the sautéed veggies (right).

34

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Bosco’s Owners Celebrate Two Years In Wesley Chapel With New Menu Items!

By GARY NAGER

WHETHER YOU LIVE

in Meadow Pointe II or Epperson, the husband-and-wife owners of Bosco’s Italian-toGo, located in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54 (near Curley Rd.), are proud to deliver their pizza and Italian specialties to your door.

“We’re one of the only pizza places that delivers both to Epperson and to all four areas of Meadow Pointe,” says co-owner Charles Frankulin. “If you have a Wesley Chapel address, we’ll deliver to your door.”

Charles and his wife Nancy, whose first date was their senior prom at Wesley Chapel High, took over a reasonably successful little pizza place two years ago next month and continue to put their own imprint on Bosco’s already pretty good menu.

Go Gator!

The most recent additions include some that are, well...pretty unique.

“We wanted to have something that no one else in Wesley Chapel was offering and we decided to give gator a try,” Nancy says.

“We now serve gator fettuccine Alfredo, gator on pizza and even something we’re calling ‘Swamp & Turf’ pizza, with both gator and steak (photo, right).

Charles is quick to point out that, “People who say they don’t love gator because it’s usually too tough are usually talking about gator tail, which is tougher because their tails are so muscular. We’re bringing in tender gator belly, farm-raised in Louisiana.”

I certainly have always been one of those folks who has never been too impressed with the chewiness of gator tail, but I’ve also always been at least somewhat adventurous when it comes to food, so I gave both the Cajun-style gator fettuccine and Swamp & Turf pizza a try, and offered samples to senior video producer Gavin Olsen and sales assistant Janet Levins. We all agreed that the gator is indeed tender and sweet, almost like a cross between lobster and calamari, but I definitely enjoyed it more with Bosco’s mild (not overly thick or cheesy) Alfredo sauce.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a good enough picture of the gator fettuccine to show on these pages, but I definitely recommend giving it (or the chicken fettuccine Alfredo) a try.

I also really enjoyed Bosco’s new

Tuscan-style tater tots, which are basted with a small amount of oil and baked in Bosco’s conveyor belt oven and come out crispy, with a hint of garlic (third photo from the top on the next page).

And, speaking of crispy, although they’re not a new menu item, I wanted to give a shout out to Bosco’s garlic knots (bottom photo on next page). I’ve always preferred regular, crispy Italian bread to knots with my lasagne, meatballs (photo, left) or chicken parmigiana, but Bosco’s come out super-

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crispy, without overdoing the garlic. Nice!

Another tasty new menu item is the smoked mozzarella raviolis (photo, right), which are stuffed with the flavorful, smoky cheese and covered with Bosco’s zesty red sauce and fresh (not smoked) mozzarella.

The only new menu items we haven’t sampled yet are Bosco’s crispy boneless or bone-in wings with Frank’s Redhot Sweet Asian chili hot sauce. I’ve always loved sweet Thai chili sauce, so I’m sure Bosco’s ovenbaked wings will be great with them.

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And, even though Bosco’s hasn’t yet toyed with keto pizza, they do offer 14-inch gluten-free pizzas, for those who are reactive to gluten.

“We sell quite a few glutenfree pizzas every week,” Nancy says. “There’s a pretty steady number of regulars asking for them.”

Speaking of demand, although I didn’t get a great picture of them either, you have to try Bosco’s crispy cinnamon sticks with cannoli icing for dessert. Decadent! There’s also cannolis, cheesecake and tiramisu on the dessert menu.

To celebrate their second anniversary, the Frankulins are offering one-topping, 14-inch pizzas for only $7.99, with the coupon from Bosco’s ad on pg.

35 of this issue. Congrats, Nancy and Charles!!

Bosco’s Italian-to-Go (30122 S.R. 54) is open every day but Sun. for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For takeout or delivery orders or for more info, call (813) 907-2440 and tell Nancy and Charles I sent you. Or, visit BoscosItalianFL.com!

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37

Nibbles & Business The Latest & Greatest News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! available for catering and private parties.

Look for a full-length dining review of Omari’s Bar & Grill (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.) in a future issue.

For more info, see the ad on pg.

39, visit LexingtonOaksGolf.com or call (813) 907-2440. And please, tell Anass and his wife Susana I sent you!

Fratelli’s Opens In Woody’s Village Market Space!

Have You Tried Omari’s Grill At Lexington Oaks Golf Club?

Although I didn’t include the all-new Omari’s Bar & Grill at the recently revamped Lexington Oaks Golf Club inside the Lexington Oaks community on my list of favorite new local dining experiences for 2018 (see page 31), that’s probably only because all I’ve sampled at owner/chef Anass El Omari’s new eatery was the delicious spicy chicken pasta with fresh veggies shown above and a couple of buffet-style items when I’ve visited the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon, which meets every Wednesday at noon at Lex Oaks. But, so far, so good. And yes, the fully redecorated dining area at Omari’s Grille is

38

So, while we’re on the subject of delicious pasta, please check out the new Fratelli’s Pizza & Café, which very quietly took over the space previously occupied by Woody’s Pizza & Wings in the plaza on S.R. 54 at BBD Blvd. last month.

The Fratelli family owned a famous Fratelli’s pizza place and Italian restaurant in the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, NY, for more than 30 years, but sold it a few years ago. It was renowned not only for being open 24/7/365 to accommodate the huge crowds of workers responsible for bringing fresh seafood and produce into all of New York City, but also for its broccoli rabe sandwiches, broccoli rabe on pizza and yes, the best broccoli rabe with grilled chicken and/or sweet sausage in garlic & oil over al denté penne pasta (photo above right) in our area.

The NYC Fratelli’s was featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel and other

TV stations in New York many times and was named one of NYC’s best several times.

I haven’t been able to order a whole pizza from Fratelli’s yet, but based on how delicious the pasta was, I look forward to bringing my staff there soon.

For more info about Fratelli’s (5327 Village Market), visit FratellisPizzaPasco. com or call (813) 991-1118.

restaurant in the Shops at Wiregrass closed on Dec. 10. I will miss the freshly made Chinese fare, especially the fresh, crisp veggies, Sichuan sauce and especially, general manager Robin Scovotti and her friendly, outstanding crew.

I hope that whatever opens in the space will keep those great folks around.

• Congratulations to our local Culver’s franchise owners, Marty and Ann Roeske, on the opening of their second location (the first is near the Tampa Premium Outlets) on S.R. 56 in the Wiregrass Ranch area (near Audi Wesley Chapel).

For more information, see the ad on pg. 37 of this issue! — GN

But Wait, There’s More!

• I like the new F.J Express Sushi & Hibachi Grill (1832 BBD), which is located in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on S.R. 56 at BBD, between Bealls and Publix.

Similar in concept to (but smaller than) Hibachi Express in the Village Market, I haven’t yet sampled the sushi, but the hibachi chicken (right) is a must-try. For more info or take-out orders, call (813) 991-1500.

• I was saddened when the Wok Chi

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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

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