Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 30, Issue 2, January 25, 2022

Volume 30 Issue 2 January 25, 2022

GARY’S 2021 FAVORITES!

You had your vote, now it’s Gary’s turn.

See his faves on pages 27-34!

EDITORIAL

An ode to the tragic loss of Betty White, John Madden & Bob Saget.

See page 3

BRING IT ON, 2022!

KRATE, mini-golf (x2), DDI & more on the way in Wesley Chapel in ‘22.

See page 4

CHECK OUT THE SALT ROOM! Never heard of halotherapy? This Wesley Chapel business says it can help you.

See page 14

THE BEAN BAR CO.

Just one exit south on I-75 is New Tampa’s new haven for coffee & more.

See page 36

Miller’s Ale House Is The Wesley Chapel Area’s Newest Restaurant! For a sneak peek inside, see page 39!

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What Betty White, John Madden & Bob Saget Meant To Me

By GARY NAGER Oakland. I still loved the NFL, I just a fan of the entire league, rather Editorial was than of any particular team, until I

The late, great Betty White always sort of reminded me of my grandmother — my beloved Nana Betty. Not only did they have the same first name, Nan lived until about a month before her 92nd birthday (and Nan’s older sister, my great aunt Molly, lived to three weeks before her 100th, just like Betty) and, like the esteemed actress and comedian, Nan was the queen of the oneliners and her relatively long life simply wasn’t long enough for her.

“I have to get better,” Nan told me as she lay dying from COPD. “I have a formal party to go to next month and I already have my dress picked out.”

And, also like the amazing Ms. White (photo), because she had such a zest for life and was always in good health until a couple of mild heart attacks in her 80s, we thought Nan was a shoo-in to make it to 100 years old.

Sadly, neither one made it that far. Even Aunt Molly, who was the oldest of the six siblings and who ended up outliving all of them, fell almost exactly as short of the century mark as did the former “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Golden Girls” and “Hot in Cleveland” star.

While today’s social media age mainly honors heavily filtered beauty, it’s been a nice change of pace seeing a geriatric woman who started out as beautiful on the outside inspire so many people — including yours truly — because of her inner beauty that made people smile, laugh and want to support the causes that were near and dear to her heart.

To that end, Jannah and I made a donation to a local animal shelter on what would have been Betty’s 100th birthday — Jan. 17.

Is it just a coincidence that Nan was born on June 17? Maybe, but I think not.

On Losing My Favorite NFL Coach Most people who are my sons’ ages only know the late, great John Madden (who died a few days before White, at age 85) because he leant his name to the first hugely popular football (or any major sport) video game.

But for me, as a sports-crazy kid growing up in Lawn Guyland, New Yawk, who never forgave my original favorite NFL team — the Giants — for trading away my favorite player (a little-known wide receiver named Homer Jones) after the 1969 season, I was on the lookout for another NFL team to root for and Madden had just completed his first season as the Oakland Raiders head coach.

But, the reason I chose the Raiders as my team wasn’t just because they went 12-1-1 in 1969 under Madden, it was because they had my second-favorite player — and the wide receiver who gave me the most hope that I could someday play in the NFL — the great Fred Biletnikoff, who was my NFL role model, with his relatively small size, great hands and lack of breakaway speed.

Whether intentionally or not, the Raiders became the bad boys of the newly merged NFL under Madden, known as much for cheap-shot defensive backs who tackled with elbows and forearm shivers as they were for being a consistently great team on both sides of the football.

Unfortunately, Madden’s last season as a coach — 1978 — was the same year that New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley was paralyzed on a clean hit delivered by one of the dirtiest of the Raiders, safety Jack Tatum.

That also was the last year I rooted for Neighborhood News

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moved to the Tampa Bay area in ‘93.

But, Big John finished his 10-year coaching career (all with Oakland) having never had a losing season and his .750 career regular-season winning percentage is still a record for coaches with at least 100 NFL games coached.

Yes, I loved John’s “Boom” Hall of Fame TV sportscasting career and his Miller Lite commercials, but for me, he’s the coach who taught me that you don’t always have to root for your home team to be a fan.

I miss you, big guy.

Bob Saget, Too

Although I wasn’t much of a fan of his TV shows “Full House” or “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” I was a fan of the late Bob Saget’s superraunchy standup comedy, including his appearances on many celebrity roasts.

But, the fact Saget was only a couple of years older than me and died so close to my birthday (in an Orlando hotel room, no less), plus the amazing tributes about him from not only his former castmates but so many other celebs made me realize yet again that it’s not only about what you accomplish in your career or your life, but the legacy you leave behind.

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Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondent Celeste McLaughlin Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager Office/Sales Assistant MJ Martinez 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 necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 30, Issue 4, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, February 7, 2022.

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. © 2022 JM2 Communications, Inc. For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Our Top 5 Things To Look Forward To In 2022! entertainment destination hub in Pasco County, if not all of Tampa Bay.

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Wesley Chapel is on a great run of fun and interesting projects, and 2022 should be no different. Here’s the five we’re most looking forward to this year.

1. KRATE Container Park The long-awaited KRATE container park at The Grove at Wesley Chapel is expected to be fully open by summer 2022 — which is great news for local residents in the quickly expanding S.R 54 corridor looking for more shopping and dining options.

There are so many cool things coming to Wesley Chapel this year, but KRATE is No. 1 due to the unique nature of the project and the anticipation that has built up because it has taken much longer than many expected, due in no small part to a variety of Covid-related issues.

KRATE was the jewel of developer Mark Gold’s plans when his company, Mishorim Gold Properties, bought The Grove, then a moribund 250-acre parcel anchored by a shopping center, for $64 million in September 2019. Gold has invested an additional $20-million in the KRATE, which he claims will be the largest container park in the U.S. and

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2. PopStroke Entertainment Remember a few years ago when the major complaint about Wesley Chapel was that there was nothing to do? Well, since 2016, we’ve added the Advent Health Center Ice facility, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, an indoor recreation center and outdoor roller hockey rink at the Wesley Chapel District Park and the Main Event bowling alley and game center on S.R. 56.

As if that’s not enough, in 2022, Tiger Woods PopStroke Entertainment, a mini-golf and restaurant concept he owns with entrepreneur Greg Bartoli, is coming The long-awaited KRATE container park is the coolest thing opening in Wesley Chapel in 2022, to Wesley Chapel’s Cypress Creek Town but it’s far from the only thing. (Photo: Charmaine George) Center on the north side of S.R. 56.

The project went vertical in Novemsomething that will draw visitors from ence in these Covid-ridden times — an ber and is expected to open this spring. around the state to Wesley Chapel. open-air market featuring restaurants, PopStroke will feature specially deThe seven-acre KRATE project retail shops and even a stage that will host signed holes (by Woods and TGR Design, will feature 55 businesses in converted concerts and other performances. his award-winning design team) that are shipping containers, each with their own Its proximity to The Grove’s big meant to mimic real putting on a real product-centric mural painted on the side box stores, and popular restaurants like course, so no bridges, windmills or ramps by artist Whitney Holbourn of Colorado.

Treble Makers and the Falabella Family will be getting in the way. PopStroke will Only two stores — Provisions CofBistro, the Double Branch Artisanal Ales have two 18-hole putting courses, with fee & Kitchen and Shake-A-Salad — are craft brewery, The Grove movie theater synthetic turfs, fairways, bunkers and already open. Once the others are ready, (and home of Side Splitters comedy club) rough. The elevation changes throughout the KRATE is expected to cash in on and a new mini-golf course (see below) the course will bring it to life. what is likely to be a welcome experiwill make The Grove arguably the top

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A customized app will track scores on a digital scoreboard, and golfers can order food and drinks, which will be delivered directly to them on the course. There also will be an outdoor dining area with a full menu, a variety of craft beer and wine, ice cream, outdoor games and a playground.

If we had to guess, we’d say PopStroke’s mini-golf will be more oriented to adults or fans of the actual game. But, for all the usual owner and bells and whistles..…

3. Grove Mini-Golf Adjacent to the movie theater at The Grove (photo above) is another mini-golf course under construction, but this one promises a more traditional version of the popular family pastime.

No, there’s no windmills, but there will be plenty of holes requiring tricky shots — one hole you shoot over a river, another into a river, and there’s even a figure-8 hole and lots of hills and rocks.

Owner and builder Ryan Mortii says he dropped $80,000 on landscaping alone to create a rich, tropical oasis experience, and nighttime neon lighting and fire will give it a fun, festive feel. All of the holes will be illuminated with neon lights and glow-in-the-dark flags and balls.

Mortii says he expects Grove MiniGolf to open in March, about a year after it first broke ground.

4. Diverging Diamond Interchange If navigating castles, rocks and water on a mini-golf course doesn’t get you excited, how about navigating the soonto-be-completed (no, we’re not kidding) Diverging Diamond Interchange at the S.R. 56 and I-75 intersection? (below) We’re not sure how fun figuring out the DDI will be compared to, say, shooting par, but the new intersection is less confusing than it looks, say officials (and our editor), and a whole lot more efficient.

The DDI should be ready to go sometime this summer, which is good news considering the project was halted and in limbo from late June-early Sept. 2021, when D.A.B. Constructors pulled out of it — one of seven Pasco County projects the company bailed on — and later filed for bankruptcy.

Work restarted September 13, 2021, when Superior Construction took over the project.

The DDI is supposed to eliminate conflict points and make for a safer interchange, using free flowing lanes — sometimes taking you to the other side of the road. There will be plenty of signs to direct Neighborhood News

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you, and the DDI is expected to calm arguably Wesley Chapel’s most frustrating and troublesome intersection. We’d suggest hitting up YouTube to watch a few videos. It’s probably still easier than reading the slope on a green.

5. S.R. 54 Widening The widening of S.R. 54 from east of Curley Rd. to just east of Morris Bridge Rd. from two lanes to four was also a casualty of the D.A.B. Constructors fiasco, going into limbo on July 28 of last year.

The project took a little longer to get back on track than the DDI. In fact, work on the widening by Cone & Graham only started back up on Jan. 10.

The $43-million project has been a long time coming, breaking ground in November 2017.

Those who live in the growing 54 corridor, like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel and Meadow Pointe IV residents, will be thrilled when the work is done, although no completion date has been given yet.

But the project was far enough along that you can expect the widening to wrap up sometime in 2022. (Now if someone can get around to doing something about the S.R. 54 and Bruce B. Downs and I-75 intersections…please?)

And...While these are our top 5, they aren’t the only cool things happening in 2022. Wesley Chapel is getting a second lagoon at Mirada, which at 15 acres is twice as large as the one in Epperson, new restaurants like The Living Room will be popping up, and there’s enough construction (BayCare Hospital, Raymond James) that we might even see a few surprises.

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Quail Hollow Residents Oppose Youth Group Home

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Residents in a Quail Hollow neighborhood are hoping to stop a residential treatment facility for young boys ages 13-17 from taking root — or at least wait until it has gone through a thorough zoning verification that examines exactly what its plans are and will mean to the community.

The issue, however, is that Pasco County may have already erroneously granted permission to Elevated Youth Services (EYS) to operate the facility at 26318 Lawrence Ave. According to chief assistant county attorney David Goldstein, back in August, EYS owner Nicholas Browning sought approval for a residential treatment facility for 12 minors with handicaps and disabilities. Frederick Humberstone, a planning and zoning tech II for the county, wrote back to Browning informing him that the proposed use as a residential group (single family of unrelated people) was a permitted use (as opposed to a conditional use, which residential treatment and care facilities are supposed to be considered).

Browning then closed on the property, paying $495,000 for the five bedroom, 3,500-sq.ft. home.

However, Humberstone was incorrect, because the correct permitted use is only

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One of the complaints by residents about Elevated Youth Services’ plan to build a residential treatment facility on Lawrence Ave. is overcrowding on what is barely a two-land road.

supposed to be for six or fewer residents.

“Was the letter probably erroneous under our code? Yes,” Goldstein said at the Jan. 6 Pasco Planning Commission meeting . “However, it’s clear that the applicant relied on it, and then bought the property after they got the letter.”

Goldstein says that makes this a “fairly unique” case, although he still recommended approval but with conditions, which would include a 1-to-4 ratio of supervisors to children, limits on street parking, and not accepting any residents who have been adjudicated as sexual offenders.

However, that wasn’t sufficient for other members of the planning commission — nor for a dozen or so Quail Hollow

residents who showed up at the Dade City Courthouse — and the case was continued to the Feb. 3 Planning Commission meeting while Goldstein and EYS continue to negotiate the conditions.

EYS is essentially seeking approval for a residential and treatment facility but want relief from going through the conditional use process (CUP) because it claims it would violate the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and unfairly burden EYS’s use of the property.

“We would have no problem going through the CUP process if it was required of all groups of unrelated persons,” said EYS attorney Dan McDonald, “but it’s only required of handicapped persons needing

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treatment and care at a treatment and care facility. The case law is very, very clear on this. This is discriminatory.”

Some members of the planning commission and the Quail Hollow residents argued that not enough is known about EYS to grant any approval, and would like to see them go through either the state screening process, or by a third party.

“They (EYS) haven’t agreed, and specifically refused to agree, to state screening,” claimed Dan Lincoln, the attorney representing Quail Hollow.

Some Planning Commission members and residents also raised concerns that the EYS website makes references to problem sexual behavior. Worried that the home’s residents may include juvenile sexual offenders, one resident said that while she understood the need to rehabilitate, “our quiet residential area is not the place.”

McDonald denied that EYS accepts any sexual offenders. He said EYS does not accept youths who pose a direct threat of harming others, and it uses individualized risk assessment and psycho-sexual evaluations to make those determinations.

Residents who spoke also raised other concerns, wondering where so many teenage boys would find room to play outside in a small yard, whether the property’s septic tank could handle so many people and parking on the street causing safety issues.

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This 3,500-sq.-ft. home at 26318 Lawrence Ave. would become a residential treatment facility if EYS’ plan is finalized. (Photo source: Google Maps) Goldstein suggested a continuance as “It’s not our fault you sent that both sides try to come to an agreement and letter out,” Taylor said. “And, if there’s the county can avoid getting sued. repercussions because of that, that’s not Resident Lauren Taylor had little symour fault either. Pasco is going to have to pathy for the county’s predicament. deal with it.”

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PHSC Officials Cut The Ribbon At The New IPAC!

By JOHN C. COTEY

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After nine months of operating quietly on the campus of Cypress Creek High off Old Pasco Rd., the Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC) is preparing to spread its wings in 2022.

On Jan. 6, PHSC and governmental officials held the IPAC’s official ribbon cutting, with a dozen or so local dignitaries (like county commissioners Ron Oakley and Mike Moore and Florida State Rep. Randy Maggard, a PHSC graduate) on hand to give short speeches, some of them focusing on the success of the IPAC and its future offerings to the community.

Afterwards, IPAC executive director Lauren Murray, DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), said that PHSC students have already embraced the theater classes, and will be able to take dance classes this semester and participate in the facility’s music program starting this fall.

There also will be group piano and guitar lessons, which also will be available to the public, and Murray (right photo) has high hopes for launching a community art series this fall, which would include things like jazz trios, locally produced musicals and even stand-up comics.

“It will be pretty diverse, with musical, theatrical and dance events that we expect will reach a broad range of people,” said Dr. Murray.

The state-of-the-art, 35,000-sq.-ft.

IPAC features a number of studios for things like dance, music and video production, and the 444-seat Will Weatherford Theater — named for the former Florida Speaker of the House who helped secure funding for the $18-million facility, is considered the heart of IPAC. The facility already has won two awards — a first place Special Projects in the Florida Educational Facilities Planners’ Association, Inc., 2021 Architectural Showcase!, and an Excellence in Collaboration award from the North

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Pasco Hernando State College held the official ribbon cutting of its Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC), which has been open less than a year, on Jan. 6. Speakers praised the public-private effort to bring the facility to fruition. (Photos: Charmaine George) Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. fully-staged theatrical productions, musical outdoor festivals, week-long festivals and “It’s a nearly $20-million investment large-scale events. events, day-long conferences and Dr. Murin our region that will be truly transformaray said the active Indian community in “We plan to reach a lot of people,” tional for our students, our families and the Wesley Chapel has held two dance events Murray says. “We really are looking to residents of this area,” said PHSC Provost with three more planned this spring. cover the gamut.”

Dr. Kevin O’Farrell. “There is really nothShe is hoping to augment the posiFor more information, visit ing like the Instructional Performing Arts tive start with the community art series, PHSC.edu or call (813) 536-2816.

Center that we have here at PHSC.” Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, was one of those first approached when the idea of building a performing arts center or arena came up years ago. He told the ribbon-cutting crowd that in his search for the right kind of design, he collected floor plans from the Tampa Bay area’s Mahaffey, Capitol and Straz theaters, and even a theater in Singapore that had a $100-million price tag.

“We didn’t quite get there,” he said, laughing. “Regardless of the cost, what we got was a jewel.”

There have already been 26 events held at the IPAC, most of them small and self-produced by local groups who rented the theater. There have been two

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Dr. Kiran Patel To Open Elementary School On Charter Campus

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent When Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School opens this fall, it will complete the campus that currently houses Patel High School for students in grades 9-12 and Terrace Community Middle School for students in grades 6-8.

The 32-acre campus is located on Raulerson Ranch Rd. and is visible from I-75 near E. Fowler Ave, just 15 minutes south of New Tampa.

Patel High opened its doors for the 2019-20 school year and has continued to increase in popularity, with 450 students already signed up with hopes of being chosen by lottery to fill one of the 150 available slots at the school for the 2022-23 school year.

Terrace Community Middle School has been operating for more than 20 years and moved onto the Patel campus at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year in August.

After establishing the high school and working to bring the middle school onto the campus, Dr. Kiran C. Patel has turned his attention to younger students with the latest campus expansion.

“I think education in the formative years is what will create the future for any-

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(L.-r.) Co-founder Ashok Bagdy, Dr. Kiran C. Patel and former Chiles Elementary assistant principal Ashley Galfond are the driving forces behind Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary, which opens Aug. 2022.

body,” says Dr. Patel, a local entrepreneur and philanthropist who is both the founder and financier of the school. “Here we have an educational institution that focuses on a well-rounded person who has qualities of being a better human being. We don’t just focus on the grade of the school. There’s no question we want students to achieve a high standard of measurable goals, but

there’s a lot more to education than that.”

After initially committing $20 million to launch the high school, Dr. Kiran has spent another $20 million to build the elementary school and has spent an additional $5 million on upgrades to the campus, such as adding a covered outdoor court and restrooms by the sports fields.

The Tampa resident’s business enterprises

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include luxury real estate development, medical software, healthcare solutions and commercial property acquisition and management. The success of these businesses allows him to make impactful contributions on a global scale, which he has done through the establishment of schools, colleges and hospitals on three continents.

“Construction on the elementary school was completed this summer,” says Ashok Bagdy, who is a co-founder of the school, along with his wife, Kavita Jain, and Sonali Judd, who is Dr. Patel’s daughter.

Bagdy explains that the 84,000-sq.ft. building is L-shaped. The elementary school is housed in one half and the middle school in the other. The two schools are completely separated with no interaction and TCMS remains a completely independent charter school.

Bagdy also says the campus was built with security in mind. Classrooms have key card entries, there are security cameras, a school security officer, and the school can be locked down in an emergency, with “one click to lock all doors.”

About The Elementary School

New Tampa’s Ashley Galfond has been hired as the first-ever principal of Patel Elementary.

Galfond was most recently the as-

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sistant principal at Chiles Elementary in Tampa Palms. She taught elementary school since her graduation from USF in 1998 until she moved into school administration seven years ago.

While she says it was not an easy decision to leave Chiles, she is extremely excited about the smaller focus at Patel.

“I like that everything within the organization is focused on the kids of Patel Elementary,” she says. “Here, everyone who has any stake in the school is just focused on our students.”

In fall 2022, the school will open with students in just three grades — kindergarten, first and second grade.

“Each year, as those children move to the next grade,” Galfond says, “we will add that grade until — four years from now — we will have K through five.”

Patel Elementary will open with a total of 270 students. There will be five classes in each of the three grades.

Each class will be limited to just 18 students. Although the physical size of each of the classrooms was expanded just before construction, it was to allow kids to spread out more for physical distancing because of Covid, not to make space for more kids in each classroom.

The Three ‘Pillars’

Galfond says that faculty members explain to parents and students that there are three crucial “pillars” at Patel Elementary.

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dents who attend Patel Elementary.

“We will have a holistic approach and the goal of producing a student who is going to be an asset to the community,” explains Dr. Patel. “The purpose of education should not be to become a CEO. That should not be the primary goal, but to say that I will be a better human being and leave the earth better than I found it.”

Students Chosen By Lottery

Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary will open this fall with kindergarten, first and second grade students, about 270 students total.

“First,” she says, “we will focus on the whole child, including mental, physical and academic health and growth, with great outdoor learning opportunities as well as in the classroom.”

The second pillar, she says, is social emotional learning, which will be woven into the academic curriculum every day.

Galfond explains that this includes teaching children to support one another, helping them to learn to express their own opinions and views, and figure out ways to calm themselves when they become upset. She

adds that teacher training is a crucial part of the program.

The third pillar, according to Galfond, is project-based learning.

“It is inquiry-based,” she says. “We start with a question to engage students – something that affects the community in some way — and then, all disciplines are tied in to solve the problem, from reading to science to math.”

Dr. Patel notes that while academic achievement will be emphasized, it is not the only measure of success for the stu-

Parents whose students will be entering kindergarten through second grade for the 2022-23 school year and are interested in attending Patel Elementary must apply online at PatelElementary.org. Students are chosen to attend the school through a random lottery process.

“This is the year with the best chance to get in,” explains Galfond. “It’s the most spots we will ever have.”

Every Tuesday in January, at 6 p.m., the school will host a new applicant Open House where families can meet the principal, with food and drinks provided.

“I am excited that everything materialized,” says Dr. Patel. “It was a big, big endeavor. I am very happy and proud to provide this option to the community.”

Patel Elementary is located at 10739 Raulerson Ranch Rd. in Tampa.

To apply online for a spot for the 202223 school year, visit PatelElementary. org. For more information, call (813) 444-0660 or see the ad on page 21.

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Holistic Care At The Salt Room Wesley Chapel!

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Monica Crabtree says she has suffered from terrible asthma and allergies her entire life. Even into her 30s, she was a slave to nebulizers and inhalers, four different allergy medicines and constant disruptions of her life.

Knowing this, a friend of Monica’s suggested she give the Salt Room Wesley Chapel a try.

Now, four years later, not only is Monica an employee of owner Danielle Howard’s Salt Room Wesley Chapel, which is located right off Bruce B. Downs in the Windfair Professional Center behind Florida Orthopaedic Institute, she also is one of its top evangelists.

“We don’t want to oversell it,” she says, “but it changed my life.”

Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, is essentially breathing in salt particles, which is supposed to help with several maladies. Salt therapy can treat upper and lower respiratory conditions like colds and flu, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, sinus infections, hay fever and emphysema.

The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salt, according to the Salt Therapy Association, have been shown to help treat eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

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When you visit The Salt Room in the Windfair Professional Center off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., you’ll meet (l.-r.) master esthetician Regina Motter, manager Lana Foti, owner Danielle Howard and manager Monica Crabtree.

At the Salt Room Wesley Chapel, there are explanations on the backs of cards explaining how the salt therapy can help with each of these issues.

Monica says the idea is not so different than other ways of taking advantage of salt’s holistic healing properties, like gargling with warm salt water to help ease a sore throat or breathing in the salty air near

a beach, which has long been considered to be beneficial for your air passages even if it’s not medically proven.

In Monica’s case, salt therapy helped with her asthma and allergies. Although she was skeptical, she did one session and experienced some nasal drainage, prompting her to try another session. After experiencing the same results, Monica signed

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up for a one-month unlimited membership and began visiting the Salt Room four days a week.

She says by the third week, she noticed she was not using her inhaler as much, where before, she had been using it multiple times a day. She stopped taking Claritin D every day. Her nebulizer and other medications were no longer such a big part of her daily routine.

“Salt therapy isn’t a treatment for asthma,” Monica says, “and it’s not going to get rid of asthma or allergies, but it’s a complement to what you’re already doing.”

Asthma and allergies are barely a part of Monica’s life anymore. As one example, she doesn’t have to vacuum the house wearing an N95 mask with the doors open.

When she does feel a little stuffy, she says a therapy session will help flush her out.

“I’m now 34 years old, and I love going to the doctor and finally being able to write N/A under what medications I am using,” she says.

Stories like Monica’s are the reason Danielle opened the Salt Room nearly five years ago. She recently sold her second Salt Room location, located at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center, but is opening a third Salt Room in Citrus Park in late January/ early February.

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Before opening her original location, Danielle had been driving her young son to The Salt Room Orlando for salt therapy and was thrilled with the results. She says her son has never been on antibiotics and has never had an ear infection.

A big believer in using what the earth provides — she also owns Lüfka, a refillable, zero-waste store that operates under the same all-natural premise — Danielle says there are plenty of natural alternatives to many of the medications provided by doctors. There is a time and place for medications, she says, but adds that they can be overused and often abused.

One of the Salt Room’s clients, an 88-year-old military veteran, had suffered for decades with sinus issues. After several salt therapy sessions, he said he could taste his coffee and smell his fresh-cut grass for the first time in 40 years.

“There are success stories that will make you cry,” Danielle says.

Relaxation & Results

The Salt Room Wesley Chapel strives to be a relaxing and therapeutic oasis. It has two salt therapy rooms, each with three tons of natural rock salt covering the floors and walls. Clients can sit or lay in the room and relax as soft “spa”music plays in the background.

A top-of-the-line halogenerator also pulverizes pharmaceutical grade salt into small particles that are pumped into the room and inhaled.

Each room, which can be set to a variety of moods (see above) can accommodate multiple people and is even used for salt therapy yoga classes.

A children’s room (photo, right), with more than a ton of salt, also is popular.

Children can enjoy books and toys while playing on salt that is providing potential health benefits.

While it is mostly known for its salt therapy, the Salt Room Wesley Chapel also offers other wellness services.

Dr. Stephen DellJones, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) and a Florida Health Department-licensed Acupuncturist, offers acupuncture and cupping, while master esthetician Regina Motter offers holistic salt room faNeighborhood News

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cials as well as other specialty facials, and Star Ryan offers organic hair coloring.

Danielle says Covid has helped place an emphasis on respiratory care and selfcare. While the spread of the virus initially shut her business down for six weeks in 2020, this past year has been like a slingshot effect, making it her most successful yet. Clients are seeking her out for what they believe are the physical benefits of salt therapy, as well for the reduced stress and anxiety she says it helps promote.

“This is a passion,” she says. “It’s not a fad, it’s not going to come and go. We just want to educate people on the benefits of salt therapy, and the more people that try it the more they stay with it.”

The Salt Room offers individual 45-minute salt therapy sessions for $45, or you can buy monthly and yearly memberships for the therapy, as well as for the variety of other wellness services offered.

If you mention this article, you can get a monthly unlimited salt therapy membership for just $99 (the regular price is $249).

The Salt Room Wesley Chapel is located at 2718 Windguard Cir., Suite 102. Its hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 2 p.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit SaltRoomWesleyChapel.com, call (813) 501-8578 or see the Lüfka/Salt Room ad on page 23.

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Samantha Taylor Fitness Helps Women Stick With Their Resolutions

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN When the Covid-19 pandemic forced gyms to close in March of 2020, it took Samantha Taylor Fitness studios just 48 hours to completely pivot their method of delivery so that clients of the private and small-group training studios could continue their workouts virtually.

“We were doing 13 virtual workouts a week within two days,” says Samantha, the CEO who began her career in the fitness industry nearly 30 years ago and launched her own business more than 20 years ago.

Today, there are four Bay-area Samantha Taylor Fitness studios — including Wesley Chapel, Land O’Lakes, Carrollwood and Palm Harbor — that have helped more than 7,700 local women lose 54 tons of lbs.

“I can’t go anywhere in public without people stopping me to say, ‘I know who you are,’” says Samantha, who has made numerous appearances on ABCTV’s Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend” TV show and hosted her own radio show.

The studios have reopened and clients are given many options to work out safely, both in-person or online. “During this difficult time, one thing you don’t want to do is put your health and fitness on the back burner,” says Samantha. “That’s not going to help you reduce your risk.”

She says that the CDC website lists

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Sara (left) an instructor at the Wesley Chapel Samantha Taylor Fitness studio located just north of S.R. 56, demonstrates an exercise during a recent small group class.

obesity as one of the highest risk factors for not only contracting Covid-19, but also for having increased complications.

“Everyone’s body responds differently, but you have a better chance of it not affecting you as much if you’re healthier and have balanced blood sugar,” Samantha explains. “Statistically, if you’re healthy, even if you do get Covid-19, you’re more likely to get over it easier.”

Samantha says she understands that some people still may be fearful of going to a gym in person and if so, Samantha Taylor Fitness continues to offer virtual options, including recorded workouts that can be followed at home or virtual work-

outs with a private trainer via Zoom.

But, she’s quick to point out that a study of 2,873 gyms by the IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) analyzed millions of gym check-ins to determine that only 0.002% of the active gym members studied had contracted Covid-19.

“Some people might think gyms are where Covid-19 is spreading, but it’s not true,” says Samantha, in part because people coming to the gym are often not as high-risk (because high-risk people are choosing to stay home) and have stronger immune systems as a result of being generally healthy.

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She encourages anyone concerned about coronavirus transmission to visit her website at SamanthaTaylorFitness.com to see a comprehensive list of how the studios have responded to Covid-19 (including the new Omicron variant) — with protocols such as limited class size, social distancing within classes, and sanitizing equipment between each class.

“Samantha Taylor Fitness centers are private studios,” she explains, “not overcrowded gyms. We have plenty of space to spread out in all four of our studios.”

The Wesley Chapel location has its own standalone building off of S.R. 56, near I-75, in the Cypress Ridge Professional Center. Samantha moved the studio there in 2018 from its former location on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. The new studio is bigger, with a larger personal training room, specialty rubber floors, and a private, first-floor entrance.

For Women Only!

All of the Samantha Taylor Fitness studios offer a women-only environment where clients can choose personal training in the form of 1-on-1 private training, group training, semi-private personal training or “fitness boot camp” classes. All workouts last just 30 minutes.

Before choosing between the pro-

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grams at Samantha Taylor Fitness, a potential client is invited to participate in a body transformation analysis, where you meet with a membership specialist in person, on the phone or via Zoom, to go over the many options available at the fitness studio.

But, it’s not just about working out.

“The only way to make lifelong, lasting changes is to learn how to eat,” explains Samantha. “It’s not about being on a diet or starving yourself, but figuring out how to eat in a way that you really enjoy that is simple and maintainable (for you).”

She says people can diet temporarily, but if they don’t learn to eat in a way that’s realistic and sustainable for them, they won’t stick to it.

She adds that the pandemic has led to many people complaining about weight gain, and it hasn’t slowed.

“The ‘Quarantine 15’ has now turned into the ‘Quarantine 20 or 25,’” says Samantha. “If you don’t start making changes in the new year, that could possibly continue to increase, and you’ve increased your risk factors for Covid-19 even more.”

Samantha Taylor Fitness also has licensed dietitian Shannon Barker on staff, who is available to consult with clients.

A Supportive Community

At Samantha Taylor Fitness, women also find a supportive community, which Samantha says makes it fun and helps women stay on track.

At 81 years old, Lynn Smith (on the right with Samantha in the photo above) is a Realtor who doesn’t yet have an eye towards retirement. She has been working out with Samantha for more than a dozen years. When she first started, she had never exercised in her entire life. “I want to live to be 100,” Lynn says, “so I figured I’d better do something about my health.”

Lynn adds that those early days were extremely hard. “I had no muscle strength,” she admits. And, while she wasn’t obese and didn’t have a lot of weight she needed to lose, she says she lost about 10-12 pounds and has kept the weight off. “Samantha taught me the importance of muscle strength.”

She says now it’s easy, and even fun.

“I go three times a week, and the trainers challenge us every day,” Lynn says.

“I look forward to it. The sessions are nonstop for 30 minutes, which is doable for just about anybody.”

Lynn likes that she works out in a very small group and that it’s for women only. “The trainers are very experienced and compassionate,” she says. “They want everyone to be successful.”

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She adds, “I’m very proud to be where I am at my age. It’s never too late to start. I encourage anyone reading this to get started at whatever age they are.”

Among the tools to help make women successful at Samantha Taylor Fitness are an integrated accountability program, which gives them direct accountability to their coach through the Samantha Taylor Fitness custom app.

“Accountability is huge for getting results” Samantha says. “Our clients have to be more accountable to their workouts, how they’re eating, how much water they’re drinking and how their weight loss is going on a more detailed, ongoing basis with their trainer.”

She adds, “We’ve also added some very effective supplements for those who want to use them, to help expediate their results from a supplement line created by a Ph.D. in biochemistry who previously only provided these supplements for Olympic athletes before making them available to the public.”

STF also offers a 3D body scan machine that takes your measurements digitally once each month and provides more accurate readings of your measurements, body fat and muscle tone.

“It’s not just about weight loss here,” Samantha says. “We focus on how their body shape is changing, not just weight loss,” Samantha says. “So those measurements really help with that.

The studios also offer a variety of payment plans, including new weekly payments and month-to-month options.

The Wesley Chapel Samantha Taylor Fitness Studio is located is at 26908 Ridgebrook Dr. For Samantha’s free New Year’s goal-setting master class, go to SamanthaTaylorFitness. com/new2022. For more information, visit SamanthaTaylorFitness.com, call (813) 377-3739, or see the ad on page 42 of this issue.

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Kirkland Ranch Academy To Welcome Students In August!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent

reer, or preparing them for life.”

She emphasizes that while the school can provide a pathway to an in-demand, highHigh school students looking for an inpaying job right after high school, it’s also a novative alternative to their neighborhood great choice for college-focused students. campus will have a new option this fall.

“There are industry Pasco County Schools will open certifications, but also Adits Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovanced Placement and Dual vation (KRAI) on Curley Rd., north Enrollment courses, ” says of the WaterGrass community, for the Johnson.

“It’s going to give 2022-23 school year. students a leg up by having The magnet school will initially connections with business start with just freshmen and sophoand community partners.” mores, but will add a grade each year She says that one feature to serve ninth through twelfth grade. students will be excited about No students are zoned for atis that the school will have a tendance at KRAI. Instead, students DeeDee Johnson 1:1 ratio of students to elecwho are interested in its specialized tronic devices.

She anticipates programs will apply for a lottery. The that all students will be assigned a personal school plans to prepare students for in-delaptop for their own use, with some laptops mand, high-salary, high-skill careers. being specialized to fit their chosen program KRAI’s program options are: • Applied Cybersecurity & Comput- of study.

The building and its construction are er Science Principles innovative, as well. The school overlooks the • Automotive Maintenance & Light property’s large wetland, and was designed Repair with energy efficiency as a priority, and its ori• Automotive (Diesel) entation creates a natural breezeway.

• Biomedical Sciences The first lottery for students to apply to • Building Trades & Construction attend the school closed in January, after we Technology went to press. However, Johnson says she ex• Electricity pects that a second window will open for stu• Digital Media/Multimedia Design dents to apply later in the spring. To get more • Engineering & Applied Robotics information about how to apply for Kirk• Patient Care Technology land Ranch Academy of Innovation, visit the • Welding Technology Fundamentals school’s website at KRAI.pasco.k12.fl.us.

“I’m excited about having the opporDeeDee Johnson (photo) was named the principal of the school last September. tunity to build from scratch,” says JohnThe former principal of Wesley Chapel High son, “including our school culture – what was serving at Pasco Middle School and tran- we’re going to believe and how we’re gositioned to oversee the opening of the Kirk- ing to get there.” land Ranch Academy this January.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innova“I am most excited about the opportu- tion is located at 9100 Curley Rd. in Wesnities that it’s going to bring students in the ley Chapel. For more information, visit District,” she says, “whether it’s college, ca- KRAI.pasco.k12.fl.us.

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Weightman Soccer Kicks Its Way To Second Straight Title The Thomas E. Weightman Middle School (TEWMS) boys soccer team closed out the 2021 season in December by winning a second consecutive Pasco County Championship.

The Wildcats defeated the John Long Middle School Bulls in the final by a 4-0 score to finish with an 8-0 record. Not only was it the second straight league title, but it was the second straight undefeated season for the team, which is coached by Brian Dorkowski and has now won 15 straight games.

The team was led by a group of 8th graders, many of whom have been on the team since they were in 6th grade.

Team co-captain Malte Koerber provided most of the offensive firepower for the team, scoring 22 of the team’s 46 goals. The 22 goals shattered the previous school record of 15 set last year by Cameron Brunner.

Co-captain Chris Koschman anchored the defense by shutting down teams with his impressive speed and skill. Goalkeeper Cameron Davis had another outstanding year in goal, only allowing two goals in the regular sea-

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Malte Koerber set a school record with 22 goals in leading Weightman Middle School to a second straight county championship.

son — and both of those were scored off of penalty kicks. The Wildcats only allowed six goals all season.

Saif Nasri, a newcomer, helped dominate the center of the field by leading the team in assists and the eighth grader also provided outstanding defense. — Special to the Neighborhood News.

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Gary’s Favorite Wesley Chapel Restaurants 2021 — Treble Makers Goes Back-To-Back!

Local Dining Opinions by Gary Nager

Every year, in the issue after we report the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always feel compelled to give you my dining favorites, including all of the restaurants that opened in (or very near) Wesley Chapel and New Tampa the previous year.

As someone who remembers when Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Waffle House and Brewmaster’s Steakhouse (the original tenant in Vallarta’s spot in the Village Market plaza) were the only “restaurants” in Wesley Chapel outside of Saddlebrook Resort — and who has sampled every new place to eat since then — I do feel uniquely qualified to provide you with my annual list of favorites in both of our distribution areas.

And, even though quite a few new eateries opened in our distribution areas in 2021 after the reader voting ended, my top-25 “survey” lists aren’t quite as different from the readers’ lists this year as they have been in previous years, especially here in Wesley Chapel.

And, I’m excited to say that this year, Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant has won my Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel title for the second year in a row, which is a pretty big accomplishment, considering all of the new competition that opened in 2021 in the Wesley Chapel area (which, for our purposes, also includes the area around the Tampa Premium Outlets, even though those addresses are technically Lutz).

On pages 28-34, you’ll find short write-ups about my 25 favorite restaurants (new and existing) in Wesley Chapel for 2020, which includes an expanded write-up about my two-time Favorite Wesley Chapel Restaurant — and, for the first time, Favorite Bar in “The Chap,” too — Treble Makers! There’s also an alphabetical listing of my #s 26-50 favorites — of the nearly 100 eateries I sampled in 2021 in Wesley Chapel alone — as well as top-10 lists of my Favorite New Restaurants, Favorite Pizza Places, Asian/Mediterranean and Latin eateries, Dessert places and Bars in and around Wesley Chapel.

Enjoy! And, try to remember that, as it says above, these opinions about local restaurants are mine alone, so I don’t expect you to agree with me about everything (or anything). Feel free to let me know (see pg. 3) when you agree or disagree!

Check out the rest of Gary’s 2021 Favorites in Wesley Chapel on pgs. 28-34!

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Co-owner and managing partner Jamie Hess (left) and Executive Chef Kevin Maggard of Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant in The Grove pose with a certain editor during the “Gary’s Favorites” photo shoot, as Treble Makers was named Gary’s Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel for the second year in a row. (Photo: Charmaine George)

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TREBLE MAKERS

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GRILLSMITH

FALABELLA FAMILY BISTRO

25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz (813) 419-1351

he second year of Zukku-San being open on the north side of S.R. 56 hasn’t done anything but confirm for me why we loved it so much in the first place. From the most creative and delicious sushi (try the bluefin tuna options) and the appetizers like the chicken and beef tenderloin yakitori shown above, the gyoza dumplings, Japanese spring rolls, tempura and more, to the best chicken teriyaki entrée (served with amazing fresh, sautéed veggies) and the best Japanese-style fried rice, and its full liquor bar, it should come as no surprise that ZukkuSan is again my favorite Asian restaurant in Wesley Chapel. And, later this year, the owners of Zukku-San (see ad on pg. 26) will open Ato Sushi Burritos & Poké Bowls in the KRATE Container Park at The Grove.

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lthough the menu is missing some of our favorite items, what remains available at Florida Ave. Brewing Co. (see ad on pg. 33) still keeps it near the top of my rankings. And, with the opening of what may be the largest microbrewery in Florida in 2021, Florida Ave. is only getting more popular. The restaurant’s cutely named specialty burgers are tasty, but you can still order a plain bacon cheeseburger with fresh veggies (photo) — and you won’t regret it. Florida Ave. also has crispy wings, a great chicken club sandwich and popular Korean-style bibimbap bowls (now available with a variety of protein options, from chicken and bulgogi shaved prime rib to salmon and vegan Beyond burger), plus beers, ales, hard seltzers and ciders and a full-liquor bar.

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6027 Wesley Grove Blvd.

Suite 105 (813) 428-6957

ongrats to owner Steve Falabella, his family, GM Adrian Luna and the staff of Falabella Family Bistro (see ad on pg. 26), my favorite new restaurant (see pg. 33 for that list) to open in Wesley Chapel in 2021. Steve also managed to open his second local pizza place — 900º New York Pizza — adjacent to the Bistro in The Grove, all while turning the Bistro into the favorite Italian restaurant in The Chap. With delicious Italian specialties like beef short rib ragu, Sam’s meatballs and the spaghetti with white clam sauce shown above, plus amazing desserts (amazing cheesecakes, tiramisu, etc.) by Evelyn Barreno of 7 Layers Bakery, if the Bistro adds a fresh fish dish other than salmon to the regular menu (I loved the mahi-mahi special), the Bistro could move up in my ratings.

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NOBLE CRUST

BLUEFIN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

FLORIDA AVE. BREWING CO. 2029 Arrowgrass Dr. (813) 452-6333

2000 Piazza Ave #100 The Shops at Wiregrass (813) 907-1900

peaking of fresh fish, Grillsmith’s “short trip” fish entrée (above) has elevated the Tampa-based mini-chain to near the top of my rankings since it was first added to the Grillsmith menu a few years ago. We’ve had everything from grouper and mahi to corvina and amberjack since then and we’ve never been served anything but nice-sized portions of fresh, delicious fish. We’re also really fond of the smashed cauliflower side shown above, as well as the crunchy tuna appetizer, the lemon feta chicken, port wine filet and the outstanding service we always receive at the spacious bar. I also enjoy the skirt steak chimichurri entrée and the desserts, and Grillsmith currently has “Fireside Flavors” like white chicken chili and burgundy braised beef tips. The Sunday brunch menu is outstanding, too.

5

ZUKKU-SAN SUSHI BAR & GRILL

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3

6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.

The Grove at Wesley Chapel (813) 406-4371

ven though a number of local chain restaurants made it to my top-25 list of Gary’s Favorites in Wesley Chapel for 2021, I am still someone who most appreciates great mom-&-pop eateries. And, as someone who has been observing, enjoying and writing about the local dining scene for 28 years next month, I just have to say that of all the mom-&-pop places that have opened in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa (at least those that are still in business) Whether you simply want a great NY strip since I bought the Neighborhood News in steak (above) or truly fresh fish, like the 1994, Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & amazing wahoo bianco topped with spinach Restaurant (see ad on pg. 34) truly is my #1 in parsnip purée, check out Treble Makers. favorite — now for two years in a row!

In order to be at the top of my Favorites list, a restaurant has to specialize in the items that I appreciate most when Jannah and I go out to eat, whether for lunch or dinner.

First of all, we love sharing a great steak (Jannah prefers a filet, but I also love the New York strip on this page).

Second, our favorite places always have to have great fresh fish on the menu, too.

You can keep us coming back for more with grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi or the amazing wahoo bianco shown on this page — it’s my favorite new dish in Wesley Chapel for 2021 — so thanks to Treble Makers Executive The Treble Makers story continues on pg. 30!

Chef Kevin Maggard for staying creative.

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28330 Paseo Dr. Shops at Wiregrass (813) 703-2602

would be lying if I said that so many of you voting for Noble Crust in this year’s Reader Survey didn’t convince me to take Jannah there a little more often towards the end of last year. Although I enjoy a lot of Noble’ Crust’s ever-changing menu items, my favorites are still the house-made gnocchi, the unique beef and pork meatball appetizers (there’s even Impossible meatballs available now), as well as the chicken fried chicken parm (above) entrées.

And, I believe the fried chicken and waffles are outstanding, too. We also enjoy Noble Crust’s oven-baked pizzas, although we usually go for the entrées. We wish the bar area was a little bigger, but it offers an amazing selection of ultrapremium liquor and a great, fun vibe.

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6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.

(813) 803-4709

ased on the rankings shown on this page, BlueFin was my second favorite new restaurant to open in Wesley Chapel in 2021 (see page 33 for the complete list). It also qualified as my second favorite Asian restaurant in Wesley Chapel, behind Zukku-San. And for good reason.

This newcomer offers completely different takes on its large sushi and sashimi menu, and its gyoza dumplings (photo), and veggie tempura, soft shell crab, chicken teriyaki and steak fried rice are all outstanding. We also really enjoy the hibachistyle filet mignon, chicken and scallops, the fried pork or chicken katsu and the overall vibe of the place, which is located directly next door to Treble Makers in The Grove. There’s also a great variety of beer, wine and sake.

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9

OMARI’S GRILL Lexington Oaks Golf Club 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.

(813) 907-7270

O

mari’s Grill at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club (see ad on pg. 26) may have dropped a little in my rankings this year, but not because the quality of the food has slipped at all. The problem is that, like many restaurants nationwide, Omari’s has greatly reduced the number of choices on its menu, including several of mine and Jannah’s favorites. The good news is that you can still get co-owner/chef Anass ElOmari’s perfect grilled mahi-mahi topped with mango salsa, crispy, but tender chicken parmigiana, filet mignon with cream sauce and Cajun pasta with andouille sausage, but only as Friday night dinner specials. The burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, wings and salads on the regular menu are all as good as you’ll find here.

TOP SHELF

SPORTS LOUNGE AdventHealth Center Ice 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd.

(813) 953-1032

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hen Top Shelf first opened at what is now called AdventHealth Center Ice, it was a best-kept secret as far as being a place with great food and a rockin’ full-liquor bar scene for watching Tampa Bay Lightning games. Well, the word is out now, as Top Shelf is almost always packed, especially for Bolts games, but the food is still outstanding. Top Shelf still has some of the best wings, burgers and bar food around (you can even get delicious mixed veggies as a side), and has added new menu items like the brisket quesadilla (above) and ahi tuna and Havana bowls. The true Canadian-style poutines are super-popular, as are the craft beers from owner Keelan Cottle’s own 81Bay Brewing.

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2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

(813) 345-8526

A

s one of the longest-running restaurants in Wesley Chapel, The Hungry Greek is now a mini-chain that attracts waves of customers because of its unique combination of speedy service, quality food and fair prices. But, if you enjoy great Greek specialties (as I do) in a fast-casual environment, The Hungry Greek continues to get high marks from our readers, as well as yours truly. Recent additions include Greek bowls (with brown rice, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, feta, olives, pepperoncini and tzatziki sauce, with your choice of chicken, gyro meat, shrimp, falafel or salmon), but the spanakopita, gyro platters and souvlaki dinners (shown above) never disappoint, especially with a Mythos or other Greek beer.

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hen Bonefish Grill moved from its previous location on BBD Blvd. in Wesley Chapel to the north side of S.R. 56 in Lutz, Jannah and I weren’t sure we liked it as much.

Then, the corporate folks at Bonefish changed up what had always been our favorite seared tuna appetizer and we were really concerned. No more.

The revamped ahi tuna app (above) is actually a higher sushi-grade and the addition of tempura crunchies was a bonus. Bonefish also features excellent fresh fish, but not as good for my money as Grillsmith’s or Treble Makers’ and the number of options were reduced. And, while Bang-Bang shrimp is still the most-ordered appetizer, I can’t eat it because of my accursed shellfish allergy (but they will make it as bang-bang chicken for folks like me). We live so close and love the bar area and much-improved parking, so we still visit a lot.

CHUCK LAGER

LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE

2001 Piazza Ave, Suite 175 Shops at Wiregrass (813) 820-4500

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2647 Creek Grass Way, Lutz (813) 909-0003

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ow in its second year, it didn’t take much for this third link in a new, small chain with a menu inspired by celebrity TV chef Fabio Viviani to surpass its predecessor (Primebar) in its space at the Shops at Wiregrass. Chuck Lager is a beautiful restaurant with a great vibe and a unique menu that has caught on with locals, even though it opened deep into the pandemic. Jannah and I love the Fabio’s meatball sub and Cajun grouper taco (above) handhelds, as well as the chicken parmesan, pork chop Milanese and Italian steak entrées and the sautéed baby broccolini is amazing. There also are great burgers, flatbreads and salads. Try the bourbon flights, featuring everything from Redbreast to Hotel Tango. Smooth.

hile a lot of people will scoff at this choice, Longhorn is the highest-rated full-fledged chain on my list because the steaks (like the 9-oz. Flo’s filet above) are consistently tender and flavorful — and priced right — and the side dishes, like crispy Brussels sprouts (which also is available as a starter), baked sweet or white potatoes, and even the salad dressings and fresh honey wheat bread served with your meal, are always top-notch. Jannah also loves the parmesan-crusted chicken. And, best of all, if you’re somehow ever not happy, the management will always make it right. And, although we wish the bar area was a little bigger, the bartenders and drink prices are always outstanding, too.

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15

BUBBA’S 33

GLORY DAYS GRILL

BONEFISH GRILL 25264 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz (813) 907-8202

11

AMERICA’S TAVERN

13

THE HUNGRY GREEK

10

B

26340 Silver Maple Pkwy.

(813) 522-5090

ubba’s 33 (see ad on pg. 37) is the epitome of a great sports bar but with restaurantquality food, created as a new concept restaurant

by Texas Roadhouse. Delicious starters include the crispy wings in a variety of sauces and dry rubs to unique items like “Big O” (onion) Rings, Bubba’s fiesta dip (with bacon, ground beef and refried beans), plus tasty hand-tossed pizzas, excellent bacon grind bacon burgers and everything from California grilled chicken to Southern fried chicken and recently added super-tasty pasta specialties like lasagna and chicken & bacon mac n’ cheese (photo). There’s even two different Texas Roadhouse-quality grilled and marinated signature ribeye steaks and outstanding drink prices.

We also love the fact that while you can watch any game you want on the huge number of TVs, you also get to see/hear fun music videos.

G

28812 S.R. 54 (813) 535-7678

lory Days is mine and Jannah’s other go-to location for tasty food and a watch-every-game sports bar atmosphere. Like so many of our favorite places, Glory Days has done away with many of our favorites — zucchini sticks appetizers, proprietary blend burgers and cauliflower crust flatbread, to name a few, but the remaining menu items, especially at this location, are still great and the service, especially at the fun bar area, is always excellent. We enjoy the All-American cheeseburgers, the comeback chicken (with sundried tomatoes and feta cheese in lemon-butter sauce), fried chicken & waffles, the wine-braised short ribs (and short rib grilled cheese) on the “seasonal special” menu and the ranchero chicken wrap shown above are all among our favorites.

“Gary’s 2021 Favorites” continue on pgs. 32-34!

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29

‘Treble Makers’ Continued from page 28 Co-owners Jamie and his brother Joe Hess and Lee Bevan also are to be commended for sticking to their guns with providing an affordable, yet upscale, fine dining experience with great food, located in Wesley Chapel proper, despite all of those chain restaurants and having to fight through the worst pandemic of all of our lifetimes.

An, while Treble Makers is still also an entertainment destination, especially on weekend evenings, you owe it to yourself to check it out during the day or any night other than Friday or Saturday, when Jamie admits that the service can be slower due to the sold-out nature of most of those dueling piano shows.

Jannah and I have enjoyed those shows, but most of the time, we just visit for a great meal. My favorite appetizers are the sesamecrusted seared ahi tuna appetizer (above left), the potato gnocchi with smokey Alfredo sauce and the sweet & spicy fried calamari.

In addition to the delicious, tender steaks and the wahoo mentioned on pg. 28, our favorite entrées are the coconut curry grouper (which doesn’t really taste like curry at all; I told Kevin and Jamie they should just rename it coconut grouper; bottom right), the savory penne alla vodka (to which we add the most tender grilled chicken; above) and my new favorite grilled double lollipop lamb chops. All are amazing. I also really enjoy the diver scallops and bruschetta chicken entrées, but it’s hard to sample everything on the menu because we love all of these items so much. I don’t think we’ve had any of the handhelds on the menu other than the brisket/chuck blend cheese-

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burger and the blackened chicken sandwich, which also are among the reduced number of menu items available on the lunch menu at reduced prices. Our favorite sides are the Brussels sprouts and the garlic mashed potatoes.

In other words, Treble Makers is my back-to-back Favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel for good reason.

Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant (6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.) is open every day for lunch and dinner. For dinner & show reservations or more info, call (813) 406-4371, visit TrebleMakersofWC.com or see the ad on pg. 34.

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31

GARY’S 2021 WESLEY CHAPEL FAVORITES (Cont. from pg. 29)

16

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

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5710 Oakley Blvd.

(813) 973-7717

18

19

UMU JAPANESE & THAI

ARROY THAI

17

VALLARTA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

T

5335 Village Market (813) 907-5161

2653 Bruce B Downs Blvd.

(813) 591-6121

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T

ruly one of Wesley Chapel’s best-kept secrets, for its unassuming storefront in a strip plaza on WC Blvd. (and the fact that its small dining room has been closed since the pandemic began), if you’re looking for delicious (which is what “Arroy” means) Thai food, Arroy Thai is a great place for takeout and delivery. I enjoy the lunch specials, which include steamed jasmine rice, fried wontons and a salad with peanut dressing for only $8.95-$13.95, depending upon the protein you choose — which for me is usually chicken or pork, with garlic and black pepper sauce (photo), although I also love the spicy basil and fresh ginger sauces, too. I also love the crispy duck dinner entrées with the ginger sauce on the side.

hile Outback is another major chain people love to hate, I believe that not only does it offer quality food and very fair prices, its Rewards Program (which also is available on purchases at Bonefish) make it an even better value than most. Every three visits, you get up to $20 off your next visit (up to $40 off at Fleming’s, which also is part of the program). So, instead of sharing our meals when we have a reward available, we’ll order one delicious 8-oz. Victoria filet and one Alice Springs chicken (above) and bring home another meal for later. But seriously, whether you love the bloomin’ onion, grilled shrimp on the barbie or the new hand-breaded chicken tenders, Outback is still a quality choice.

he Wesley Chapel Vallarta’s (some know it as Los Vallarta), was I believe the second link in a family-owned mini-chain that first opened on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace. And, even though a lot of Mexican, Tex-Mex, Southwestern and Latin places have opened in Wesley Chapel since Vallarta’s first hit our area at least 15-20 years ago, it continues to be the favorite choice of our readers and yours truly. Jannah and I usually split the sizzling fajitas for one (either just chicken or a steak & chicken combo, photo) — the portions are huge — but sometimes, I get a steak Mexicano and she gets an enchilada combo. Vallarta’s also has an affordable full-liquor bar & our favorite chips & puréed salsa.

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21

22

23

RICE-N-BEANS

900 DEGREES WOODFIRED PIZZA

AMICI PIZZA

CAPITAL TACOS

27405 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

(813) 803-7974

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hen Rice-N-Beans moved from its original location off S.R. 54 in Lutz to the free-standing building previously occupied by Cody’s Roadhouse (and Remington’s Steakhouse before that), I was excited about the completely revamped interior (including a beautiful, full-liquor bar) and the food. My favorite dishes are the amazing fried chicken chicharrons shown above, the roast pork mofongo, the grilled pork chops and chicken breast in garlic sauce. And yes, the rice and (I prefer the red) beans served with every meal are also delicious and authentic. And, don’t rest on the daily specials. Not only are they served with side dishes and super-fairly priced, they’re also quicker choices for those enjoying lunch.

Rice-N-Beans is back to having salsa dancing and other weekend entertainment options.

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A

Shops at Wiregrass 28152 Paseo Dr., #195 (813) 527-6940

lthough I love owner Steve Falabella’s original 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass, the reason his original location makes my top-25 year after year is because of the other delicious food he serves, especially the spot-on pasta pesto Genovese above (add grilled chicken sand spinach to it...yum!) and the alla vodka sauce. Of course, since Steve has now opened the Falabella Family Bistro and his second 900º location in The Grove, I haven’t visited his mall location as often, but I still enjoy the lasagna, Woodfired wings and chicken parmigiana, as well as the NY-style pizza and washing it all down with an ice cold Peroni on draught.

hile I have been a sushi lover for decades, it’s never really been Jannah’s thing. But, once I started bringing home other items for us from Umu Japanese & Thai, Jannah has figured out that there’s even more to love at Umu than the huge selection of sushi (photo) and the best variety of white meat fish nigiri (on rice) and sashimi in our area. I have enjoyed the crispy soy-marinated Kara-Age chicken appetizer (from Umu’s “Hot Tasting” starters menu), the deep-fried chicken and pork (Umu-ton) katsu, the “Wafu-style” Japanese NY strip steak and especially, the miso-marinated Chilean sea bass.

Umu also offers a pretty dining room with a spacious sushi bar, plus beer, wine and sake.

27427 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

Pinebrook at The Grove plaza (813) 501-4924

26602 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Lutz (813) 973-9734

A

mici is another excellent NY-style pizza place that also has delicious Italian specialties that make it impossible for me not to include it as one of my favorite restaurants (as well as one of my favorite pizza places; see list on next page) Not only do the Mannino brothers serve delicious pizza, they also offer a very authentic NY-style version of another one of my favorite pasta dishes — the linguine with white clams shown above.

I can’t really call it a sauce, because it’s correctly more of a light broth, but it is loaded with whole clams and garlic and is a definite must-try! And, although I’ve never been a big fan of the garlic knots at most pizza places, try Amici’s garlic bread with marinara dip. Yum! The red-sauced baked dishes — veal, chicken or eggplant parm, Marsala & piccata dishes are all legit, too.

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27209 S.R. 56 (813) 973-3777

his five-location Tampa Bay-area minichain is about to become a player on a national scale (according to a recent Tampa Bay Times report), as Capital Tacos co-owners Josh Luger and James Marcus have plans to sell franchises in other southern states. It does make sense, as Capital Tacos has expanded from its original 1,000-sq.-ft. Land O’Lakes location and has been a success here in The Chap, Riverview, Brandon and New Port Richey, with its cute names for unique takes on Tex-Mex favorites, like the Capetizer platter, “Rule Breakers” like the cluckin’ chicken quesadilla and MC Yum-Yum, Big Kahuna and my favorite Chapel’s Cheesesteak bowl (photo). Jannah loves the Andre 3001 salad (chicken fajitas and sizzlin’ bacon). Hopefully, expansion won’t affect the quality of the originals.

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I

24

25

TEXAS ROADHOUSE

BROOKLYN WATER BAGEL

26409 Silver Maple Pkwy.

(813) 907-8188

t’s tough for me to leave so many high-quality restaurants off of my top-25 list (see my next 25 list below), but it’s really difficult to leave Wesley Chapel’s best value for delicious steak off the list, despite all of the new restaurants that have opened in our area in 2021. With prices several dollars cheaper than either Longhorn or Outback, and of course, those addictive free peanuts, Texas Roadhouse is definitely about value for your money. The pandemic apparently ended the employee line dancing tradition every hour, and you definitely need to call ahead to sit at a table, but we love the Roadhouse for the 8-oz. Dallas filet, the 20-oz. bone-in ribeye, starters like the crispy tater skins and cheese fries, and non-steaks like the country fried, herb-crusted or smothered chicken, and of course, the fresh-baked rolls with honey cinnamon butter.

S

27835 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

(813) 775-2275

ince it first opened a couple of years ago, The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel (BWB; see ad on pg. 36) has had very good New York-style, kettle-boiled-and-baked bagels, decadent black & white cookies and delicious coffee, all made with water that is “Brooklynized” on site. But, a few months ago, Wesley Chapel owner Daniel Kurland and other BWB franchisees have added authentic Jewish deli corned beef and pastrami from the famed Carnegie Deli in New York City, which closed several years ago but which has continued to supply these favorite deli meats for restaurants across the country. Now, BWB doesn’t have the steamer drawers that kept the meats at the peak of their tender juiciness, but with huge Carnegiestyle half- and full-pound sandwiches (like the Manhattan combo above) available, served on the bagel of your choice or delicious rye bread, BWB has been elevated to my top-25.

GARY’S NEXT 25 WESLEY CHAPEL FAVORITES (in alphabetical order)

All of these restaurants also are very good, just not good enough to make my Top-25 in (or adjacent to) Wesley Chapel this year.-GN 900º NY Pizza (The Grove) Aussie Grill Bahama Breeze BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse Bonsai Sushi Brunchie’s Chick’n Fun Chuy’s Tex-Mex Cantina Laredo FJ Express Ford’s Garage Fratelli’s Hibachi Express

Keke’s Breakfast Café Mellow Mushroom Moschella’s NY NY Pizza O’Brien’s Irish Pub Omnivorous Pasta di Guy Rock n Brews Señor Tequila Shake-A-Salad Tropics at Saddlebrook Yamato

GARY’S FAVORITE RESTAURANTS TO OPEN IN/NEAR WESLEY CHAPEL IN 2021 Considering how the pandemic continued to affect business in our area, a lot of new restaurants still managed to open in (or adjacent to) Wesley Chapel in 2021 and the following were my most welcome newcomers.

1. Falabella Family Bistro 2. Bluefin Sushi 3. Chick’n Fun 4. 900º NY Pizza (The Grove) 5. Shake-A-Salad

6. Omnivorous 7. Señor Tequila 8. Keke’s Breakfast Café 9. Green Market Café 10. Zaxby’s

For more of Gary’s 2021 Favorites, see pg. 34!

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GARY’S 10 FAVORITE PIZZA PLACES in WESLEY CHAPEL

Although not all of the places listed below serve the true New York-style pizza I love the most, they are all delicious places to pick up a delicious pie an, in many cases, a slice. For me, NY NY is #1 because its Grandma’s pizza sauce and its sausage and pepperoni slices and pies are a tiny cut above Amici, the two 900º locations and Fratelli’s. The next five are all excellent, too, as I am happy to argue with anyone that Wesley Chapel is a great location for pizza. — GN 1. NY NY 6. Noble Crust 2. Amici 7. PizzaMania 3. 900º Woodfired (Wiregrass) 8. Pasta di Guy 4. 900º NY (The Grove) 9. Caprese Pizza House 5. Fratelli’s 10. Moschella’s

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE ASIAN/MEDITERRANEAN

RESTAURANTS in WESLEY CHAPEL

Although both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel still have limited numbers of Mediterranean places, I still think I will go back to not including Mediterranean/Greek/Middle Eastern places in the same category as the much more populous Chinese, Japanese, Korean & Thai options. Not quite making this list, but also very good, are Hot Wok 88, Gonna China, Ho Wok, Medilish Mediterranean Grill, Tokyo Grill & Sushi and others. Zukku-San gets the edge over BlueFin and Umu because of its appetizers, moreso than its sushi. — GN 1. Zukku-San 6. Bonsai Sushi 2. BlueFin 7. Yamato 3. The Hungry Greek 8. Garden Mediterranean Grill 4. Umu 9. Hibachi Express 5. Arroy Thai 10. FJ Express

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE LATIN RESTAURANTS in WESLEY CHAPEL

Most of the places listed below serve either Mexican, Tex-Mex or Southwestern-U.S.-style cuisine, with the exceptions being Rice-n-Beans (Puerto Rican), Arepa Mia (Venezuelan) and Latin Twist (Cuban). I like Vallarta’s best for its sizzling fajitas, although Chuy’s isn’t that far behind, Rice-n-Beans for its chicharrones, Capital Tacos for its bowls and Arepa Mia for its arepas and empanadas. Cantina Laredo would finish higher with me if it was a better value. — GN 1. Vallarta’s 2. Rice-N-Beans 3. Capital Tacos 4. Chuy’s Tex-Mex 5. Arepa Mia

6. Cantina Laredo 7. Latin Twist Café 8. Señor Tequila 9. Taco Bus 10. Taco Son

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE DESSERT PLACES in WESLEY CHAPEL

This is a tough category for me because 1) I love dessert so much, 2) can’t enjoy it as often as I would like because I’m fat and 3) not all of the places listed below are dessert-only places. Even so, there’s no doubt that Joe Schembri’s Ice Dreammm Shop, with its homemade ice cream and decadent brownies and cookies, is #1. I included and put Falabella second because it does sell its baked goods out of a display case and Culver’s #5 for its frozen custard. — GN 1. Ice Dreammm Shop 6. Twistee Treat 2. Falabella Family Bistro 7. Brooklyn Water Bagel 3. Nothing Bundt Cakes 8. Moschella’s 4. Crumbl Cookie 9. Cafe 365 5. Culver’s 10. Barnes & Noble Café (Wiregrass)

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE BARS in WESLEY CHAPEL

Another super-tough category because each full-liquor bar listed below has different strengths and drawbacks. Treble Makers has piano music and a great crowd. Chuck Lager is our favorite place just to sit at the bar. Joe Whiskey’s has karaoke and the best drink prices. Florida Ave. has the most comfy bar stools. The Brass Tap’s karaoke starts a little late, but it has the best prices at the mall. Glory Days beats Bubba’s because of its superior wi-fi (important for fantasy football). Top Shelf rarely has seats at the bar. O’Brien’s has karaoke and live music, but skews a little country. Rock & Brews dropped when it stopped its live music. Please note that there are no beer-&-wine only bars here because Jannah and I aren’t beer drinkers. — GN 1. Treble Makers 6. Glory Days 2. Chuck Lager 7. Bubba’s 33 3. Joe Whiskey’s 8. Top Shelf Sports Lounge 4. Florida Ave. Brewing Co. 9. O’Brien’s 5. The Brass Tap 10. Rock & Brews 34

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35

The Bean Bar Co. — New Tampa’s Place For Coffee & Delicious Treats!

By GARY NAGER Danielle Henry is a busy young woman — she’s married with two young kids, she just completed her MBA degree online (from King University in her native Knoxville, TN), she owns and operates a food truck and oh yeah, she recently opened The Bean Bar Co., her first-ever storefront business, located in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms (next to Koizi restaurant), just south of the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Exit (270) off I-75.

Danielle says she started working for her friend Gina Malone-Evans’ mom Georgina Malone’s business — which sold coffee out of a tent at the Florida State Fair, Strawberry Festival and other large-scale events — when she was just 14 years old.

In December of 2017, she purchased the equipment from Georgina and continued to operate out of a tent for two years before building and opening the first Bean Bar food truck in September of 2020. Danielle’s brother Kyle Trina opened the family’s second Bean Bar food truck in March of 2021.

Only a month or so later, I met Danielle when she brought the original Bean Bar truck to Palms Pharmacy’s fifth anniversary celebration (so Palms Pharmacy’s Shahida Choudhry, Pharm.D., could provide free coffee beverages for everyone who attended the event, in April of 2021), Shahida told me at that time that Danielle was going to bring The Bean Bar to the plaza and I knew (after so enjoying my free caramel macchiato) I was going to become a regular customer.

“I would never have found New Tampa and this plaza if not for Shahida,” says Danielle, who lives with her husband Mark and their 4-year-old son Peyton (named for Peyton Manning) and 18-month-old daughter Layne in Wesley Chapel. “But, after I was told that the KRATE container park in The

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(Clockwise from top left) Delicious Made Coffee is made fresh at The Bean Bar Co. in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms. Danielle Henry (left) and her manager Peyton. The fried chicken and waffle sandwich is amazing, even if you don’t order it “Gary’s Way” (with crispy bacon, which is now on the menu).

Grove at Wesley Chapel already had a deal with a coffee place (Provisions Coffee & Kitchen; see pg. 38), I was looking for another location.”

Sipping Something Delicious

So, only six months or so after I met her, Danielle opened The Bean Bar Co.’s first-ever storefront, serving her delicious coffee beverages made (no pun intended) with Made Coffee, which is headquartered in Clearwater. I’ve yet to have a bad cup of coffee at The Bean Bar, and I’ve sampled everything from the freshly brewed hot regular coffee, the hot latte, cappuccino and cafe con leche to the homemade hot chocolate and what may be the most delicious caramel macchiato I’ve ever tasted.

I’ve yet to sample the hot Irish nutcase (which comes only in a large size and includes six shots of espresso), any of the flavored specialty lattes (including cookie butter and s’mores) or any iced beverages, but Jannah definitely loves both the hot and iced chai tea.

Speaking of tea, Danielle says that the storefront has allowed her to stock a variety of delicious teas for the first time, and they also are served hot or iced, and The Bean Bar also offers fruit smoothies and refreshers.

And of course, you can add a variety of flavored syrups (many also available sugar free), from basics like vanilla, caramel and hazelnut, to more exotic options, like lavender, pumpkin spice, rose and white chocolate. You also can substitute almond, coconut, soy or oat milk for the regular or non-fat milk (or cream). But, unless you have an allergy or lactose intolerance, why would you?

Delicious Munchies, Too!

Because man (or, at least, this man) can not live on delicious beverages alone, The Bean Bar also has some tasty

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food options, starting with the perfect waffle chicken sandwich shown above right). It includes crispy fried chicken, egg and cheese served between two fluffy waffles. Order it “Gary’s Way” (no, my way is not on the menu) with crispy real bacon (there’s also turkey bacon and turkey sausage available). The waffles are so tasty it doesn’t even need the syrup served on the side.

We also are partial to the bacon, egg and cheese “sami,” which is available served on an English muffin, but I definitely prefer it on a fresh croissant.

The croissants are delivered fresh from

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Douce France Bakery in Winter Garden.

But, definitely save room for dessert, too.

The Bean Bar stocks delicious cookies from St. Petersburg-based Kathie’s Fine Cookies.

And, Danielle also is supplied with freshbaked muffins, brownies, pastries and other delicious and differenteach-day treats from Petite Bouchees, which is owned by an Epperson resident.

I’ll be honest that I haven’t sampled all of these treats (I’d weight 1,000 lbs. if I did), but the chocolate chunk cookies are chewy and decadent and both the peppermint and regular fudge brownies are super-tasty, too...and fudgy!

“Considering that both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees were in health care administration and management,” Danielle says, “I definitely changed course by opening this store.

But, I’m glad I did. I love what I do and I have a great staff, which I know is

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(Clockwise from top left) Danielle and her brother, Kyle Trina, at his Bean Bar food truck. Gary’s favorite caramel macchiato. The Bean Bar’s delicious pastries, brownies and cookies. You don’t have to be a nutcase to enjoy an Irish Nutcase. The croissants are legit and the bacon, egg & cheese “sami” is a hit with our editor.

hard to find these days.”

So, whether you see Danielle when you visit The Bean Bar, her manager Peyton (no relation to Danielle’s son) or any of her other friendly employees, go and enjoy a sip and a nosh in a relaxing atmosphere.

The Bean Bar Co. (17018 Palm Pointe Dr.) is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m., and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call (813) 442-7699, visit BeanBarCo.com or visit them on Instagram (beanbar_co) or Facebook (The Bean Bar Co.). Or, see the ad on pg. 38 to save 15% off your entire order.

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37

The Grill At Morris Bridge Opens On CC Blvd!

Provisions Opens 2nd Location On Bearss Ave.

Congratulations to owner Dana Morris on the opening of her second location of Provisions Coffee & Kitchen (the first is in the KRATE Container Park in The Grove at Wesley Chapel) in the Palms Connection plaza at 2816 E. Bearss Ave. The new location, which opened last month, is larger and will have a slightly larger menu than the KRATE location, but you can get the tasty fried chicken biscuit sandwich above at either location.

For more info, visit “Provisions Coffee & Kitchen” on Facebook. — GN

For those who have been hoping for a great new restaurant to open in the location that was originally Beef O’Brady’s on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd., The Grill at Morris Bridge is off to a pretty good start since hosting its friends & family event on December 18 and opening the following day.

Yes, the location has had a couple of Italian restaurants open and close over the last couple of years, but co-owners (and brothers) Frank and James Gouveia are hoping that great food, premium liquor, an outstanding 250-bottle wine list (with some only $25) and a casual, but elegant atmosphere will help The Grill succeed where those others failed.

Frank says he spent more than 20 years in the wine business, so he definitely knows how to pick great grapes, but he also is thrilled to have an outstanding Executive Chef — Daniel Friley — creating a unique menu with a great variety of starters, entrées and desserts. Both the Gouveia brothers and Friley are from Massachusetts and the menu definitely is New England-inspired.

For example, the starters include a zesty authentic New England clam chowder and Rhode Island-style calamari (with banana peppers and a tomato salad and a delicious tomato aioli dipping sauce), plus non-New England options like excellent Chesapeake crab cakes (top right photo) with a roasted padron pepper remoulade, charcuterie boards and a true Caesar salad with house-made croutons, shaved parmesan and dressing that allows you to taste the anchovy paste (photo).

We’ve also gotten to sample some great entrées, including a tender and delicious filet mignon au poivre with potatoes au gratin and fresh asparagus (right) and a pan-seared black

grouper served with herbed butter broccolini.

There’s also a 10-oz. NY strip, a grilled dry aged pork chop, fresh Atlantic salmon, chicken & broccolini over rigatoni with a lemon cream sauce and a properly blackened chicken sandwich.

For dessert, try Chef Daniel’s housemade creme brulée (bottom right photo) or Key lime ginger cheesecake.

And, while Jannah says The Grill’s cosmopolitan was one of the best she’s ever had, please also check out its outstanding fine wine selection, too.

The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920

Cross Creek Blvd.) is open for lunch (at 11 a.m.) and dinner (until 9 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 10 p.m. on Fri.-Sat). It is open for dinner only Mon.-Tues. For more info, visit TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com, call (813) 388-5353 or see the ad on pg. 39. — GN

Mint Cocktail Café Also Open In Palms Connection!

We first told you a couple of months ago about the Mint Cocktail Club, located in the Palms Connection plaza at 2810 E. Bearss Ave. Mint, which opened last month, is owned by Cody Jay, who also owns the Bearss Tavern & Tap in the same plaza.

Well, Mint is a beautiful, self-proclaimed “Tropical Hideaway” with some unique drinks — many made with the variety of quality rums available, although I loved the tropical High Tide (the yellow drink in the far right pic), which is made with banana-infused bourbon, toasted

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coconut, pineapple and lime — and what appears to be a great “sneak preview” menu.

Although our bartender Nia assured us that the menu will be expanded, Jannah and I really loved the queso frito appetizer, which is a lightly fried, crispy-coated Mexican cheese with guava rum and a slightly spicy papaya salsa.

While Mint definitely caters to USF students with some free-drinks on Ladies Nights, it should also attract New Tampa adults of all ages.

For more info, visit MintTampa.com or call (813) 219-3478.— GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

The new Mint Cocktail Club has a delicious queso frito appetizer & a variety of great drinks.

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Miller’s Ale House Opens Wesley Chapel Location!

Congratulations to general manager John French and his team on the opening of the new Miller’s Ale House at 25624 S.R. 54 (across from Zaxby’s, at the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension) in Lutz. The restaurant officially opened to the public on Jan. 17 (the day after we went to press with this issue), but we were on hand for the Friends & Family preview on Jan. 15 — and we’re excited.

If you’ve ever visited any of the previous 111 locations (including the 26-year-old Brandon location), don’t be confused by the name Miller’s Ale House. The chain, which was started by Jack and Claire Miller in Jupiter, FL, 33 years ago, used to just name each Ale House for its location, but with the growth of the chain, changed to the name “Miller’s Ale House,” because, according to

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regional manager Doug Smith, “there were Ale Houses that weren’t ours everywhere and it was too hard to protect the brand.”

Smith calls the chain, “The firendliest place on the street” and says that while it is a sports bar, “it’s really so much more, with

Photos by Charmaine George

menu items like a fall-off-the-bone pork osso bucco (shank).” Smith also says that you can get a slab of equally tender BBQ baby back ribs on Monday nights for just $14.99 ($6 off) and Thursday is $15.99 prime rib night.

We enjoyed a sampling of the menu, with

everyone giving high marks to the burger, chicken Philly, mahi-mahi tacos and fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. Considering that Jannah and I live basically across the street, you can expect to see us there a lot. For more info, visit MillersAleHouse.com. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

CUSTOM INT. WINDOW COVERINGS! Cust. fabrication of all types of window coverings — plantation & hurricane shutters, vert. blinds, roller, cellular, woven wood & Roman shades, cellular vert., panel tracks, retract. awnings, motorization experts, alum., wood & faux wood blinds & more! FREE installation on orders over $250! Call Henry @ 813-948-6363, email TampaBlindsbyDesign@gmail.com or visit TampaBlindsbyDesign.com.

TOM JOSEPH HANDYMAN: FREE ESTIMATES! Serving residents, Realtors & property mgrs. 30+ yrs home construction exp. Move in/out setups & repairs. Repairs for sale/rent. Hang flatscreen TVs. Setup wifi & home theater. Install closet organizers. Cabinets, pullouts, shelving. Gen’l carpentry. Crown molding. Kitchen backsplash. Door install/repair & more! Call 813-751-4998 or email JosephHomesllc@outlook.com AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years of exp. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Google us to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises.

See our display ad at the bottom of this page!

JUNK HAULING SERVICE! • We handle all types of furniture removal — bdrm sets, chairs, mattresses & box springs • Hot water heaters & hot tubs - take apart & remove • Construction material • Carpet removal • Estate, eviction, yard, garage & attic clean-outs • Ofc, home & factory • Comm’l/res’l. GorillaJunkremovalExperts.com. For appts, call/text Nigel @ 888-346-5865.

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

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

References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days.

Call 813-994-5124.

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

MILLENNIUM HOME REPAIR. Prof’ Handyman. Cabinet install, dry wall rep, tile install & rep, some plumbing, laminate flooring, light fixtures, int. painting, appliance install, pressure washing, paneling, window rep, awning install, carpentry, garbage disp, fence rep, crown molding, window blinds, seal baths & showers, TV mount & more. Call 813-400-1408 or email TycoonUnion@ yahoo.com.

Classifieds

Think you can write for print? Do you shoot & edit videos? Want to get paid?

The Neighborhood News is looking to add freelance writers & /video editors.

Email your resumé & no more than one writing or video sample to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, Attn: Gary Nager

HOME HEALTH CARE

HOME DIALYSIS PARTNER: Why travel for dialysis?

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

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

COMPUTER & BUSINESS SERVICES

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

PROF’L TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+ Cert. computer tech w/20 years exp. Maint. & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assistance & refs. avail. Call (813) 957-8342 for free estimate or see our ad on pg. 41!

CLEANING SERVICES

PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 6 years of exp.

Free estimates. Call 813 943 6054 or email patycleaningservice@hotmail.com.

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

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & postconstruction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates.; Refs. avail.

Call 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

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

POOL SERVICES (Cont.)

MISCELLANEOUS

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

Want To Buy A Home, Starting With $1,000? I’d Like to be your Realtor & share a list of beautiful homes & loan officers who can get you approved! I’m familiar w/ Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance! Call/Text (941) 400-2833. Robert Leonard, Future Home Realty (27552 Cashford Cir., #101, WC 33544). Or, send me an email to Robert@HomeSeminar.Info.

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

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

POOL SERVICES

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ALLSTARPOOLSOFTAMPABAY.COM. Pool cleanups, & acid washing of old pool finishes. Marcite, quartz & pebble finishes from $3K. We offer cool decking, Eurocrete & paver decking options. Paver, river rock sealing, leak detection & in-ground vinyl liner replacements avail. Quality salt & ozone generators, pumps, motors & filters. Mention this ad for a $79 pool svc. (restrictions apply). Serving NT & WC since 1990. Call/text 813-244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com.

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing w/outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!!

Call or Text Chris today @ 813-857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim-safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get ONE MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com.

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

LAWN & LANDSCAPING____

ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior.

Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials.

NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commercial lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Sprinkler repairs, tree trimming, mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available. Licensed & Insured. CALL BILL @ (813) 973-3825.

A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service. Lic’d & insured, serving the Tampa Bay area 20+ years. Family owned & operated. Quality work, affordable rates. Gutter clean-outs, screen repairs, pressure washing & sprinkler repairs. Landscaping & property maint., including sod, tree & hedge trimming & clean ups. Other services avail. CALL 813-907-LAWN (5296).

Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maint.: Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/Spring Special & FREE estimate! Lic’d & insured. Accepting new resid’l & comm’l accounts. Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmEx. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring FT workers.

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

FITNESS & WELL BEING

YOGA, PERSONAL TRAINING, NUTRITION & PHYSICAL THERAPY w/DR. LAUREN LEIVA, DPT! Phys Ed for everyone, including all children, w/a certified personal trainer who also is a degreed Dr. of Physical Therapy. Ask Dr. Leiva about her PE4ME sliding scale pay program, volunteer opportunities and more! For more info, visit TheExerscienceCenter.com, call 813.464.0313 or see the ad on pg. 28 of this issue.

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

7 issues — $120; 13 issues — $200; or 26 issues (1 year) — $300!

To order yours, visit neighborhoodnewsonline.net/Classified Listings

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-784-5999.

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

TREE SERVICE

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27-yrs of Prof.

Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. DeadWood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 2 • January 25, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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