Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 29, Issue 20, September 28, 2021

WESLEY CHAPEL

BUSINESS! BACK IN

NEWS

Volume 29 Issue 20 September 28, 2021

C o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e D ive rg i n g D i a m o n d I n t e rc h a n g e a t I - 7 5 /S R 5 6 h a s r e s u m e d .

Fo r d e t a i l s , s e e p g . 4 !

LOL!

Side Splitters is n ow o p e n a t T h e G r ove . S e e p g . 8 !

BEST FOOD IN THE CHAP?

NIBS!

O n e b r e a k f a s t p l a ce i s co m i n g & a n o t h e r is gone. See pg. 42!

Vote Now!

See pgs. 34-36

Have You Been To Acropolis Greek Taverna Lately?

Say ‘Opa!’ Again To One Of New Tampa’s Favorites! See pgs. 38-39!

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Check Out This New Service We Are So Proud To Offer!

3 THINGS TO KNOW

The plaque (right) preserving the Dining

By GARY NAGER Feature story about Acropolis Greek Taverna Editorial that appears on pgs. 38-39 of this issue is the

Although I have owned and been the editor of the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News for more than 27 years, about ten years ago, I started noticing that a number of businesses had plaques on their walls that displayed the Business and Dining Feature stories we’ve written about them.

Because my staff and freelance writers have always done such a great job writing these Business Feature stories, I certainly could understand why those businesses were proud to have our masthead and the stories we worked hard to create displayed on their walls.

But, yours truly? Not so much.

I just couldn’t understand why those businesses wouldn’t just ask me if I could create plaques for them, since my hyperlocal business was the one that did the interviews, took the pictures, wrote, edited, published and directly mailed those stories to tens of thousands of their neighbors — and virtually all of those stories brought those businesses in new customers and stimulated interest in their businesses that they never had before.

Instead, a big part of the reason they never thought to ask me was because there have been businesses out there — at least two that I know of (more on them below) — who (originally) would purchase a subscription to the Neighborhood News and send those businesses proofs of the stories that we sweat blood to create in order to sell them those plaques.

The more of these plaques I’ve seen in those offices, restaurants and retail establishments — and there have been hundreds of them I’ve seen personally over the years — the more my blood boiled. Plus, we made it even easier on these not-local businesses to use our work to create those plaques by posting electronic versions of every New Tampa and Wesley Chapel edition of our publications on our website.

I was at one of my advertiser’s locations when my blood boiled over. Although that advertiser admitted that she “wasn’t sure” if the person from the company that reprinted our work on the plaque at her office represented their company as being “affiliated” with us, she was under the impression they were and went ahead and spent nearly $200 to have them create the plaque that so ticked me off.

The two companies who seem to be lying in wait for us every time we publish a new issue are “That’s Great News” and “In The News” and I have had words with the local sales reps for both companies, because whether or not it’s illegal for them to use our published content without our permission (it’s not), I am tired of them using our masthead, logo and content we work so hard to publish to make money in a business that we could do ourselves. And, I’ve warned both companies that the time was coming when I would do just that.

Well, that time is now. I want all of our advertisers and readers to know that you no longer have to utilize either of these two companies to preserve our business, dining and news stories — and we will even do it for less!

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first sample of what we can and hope to do for everyone who wants to display our work.

We offer a variety of plaque and border colors and have the ability to modify the story to fit on any size plaque to fit in any space you have on your wall. And, you don’t have to be a current advertiser to have a plaque created.

We guarantee professional work direct from its source and 100% satisfaction.

To order your plaque of any story from any issue of Neighborhood News, email me at ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

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There won’t be any rides at the 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival at the Tampa Premium Outlets (see pg. 8) this year, but with more than 60 food trucks to choose from, that might be a good thing.

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The new Recreation Center at the Wesley Chapel District Park will finally open on Oct. 2. We’re not saying Commissioner Mike Moore delayed the original opening because he’s been working on his game since being challenged to a game of 21 by the Neighborhood News staff, but we’re not not saying that either.

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Saddlebrook Resorts received a federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant for $5 million, the most anyone received in Tampa Bay. Irish 31, which has a location at the Shops at Wiregrass, received $2.3 million, the second-most.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News

OUR NEW ADDRESS: 28949 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Isabella Douglas Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission.

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

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 29, Issue 22, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, October 11, 2021.

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.

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DDI Work Restarts; Completion Expected By Summer ‘22

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Construction crews, large machinery and those all-too-familiar bright orange cones have returned to the intersection of S.R. 56 and I-75, as work on the muchanticipated Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) has finally and officially resumed.

Superior Construction Company Southeast, LLC, was chosen by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and surety bond companies to replace D.A.B. Constructors, which defaulted on the project on July 1 and went out of business shortly thereafter.

D.A.B. defaulted on six other projects in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, including the S.R. 54 widening project from east of Curley Rd. to east of Morris Bridge Rd. D.A.B. told FDOT on July 28 it could not afford to complete the S.R. 54 widening, due in part to penalties incurred by missing benchmarks on the DDI project.

Superior began work to complete the $36-million DDI on Sept. 13, which included mobilization of labor, equipment and materials, erosion control, survey, jobsite cleanup of debris and office setup. Full maintenance responsibility was transferred to the new contractor on Sept. 20.

The project, originally scheduled for completion before the end of 2021, is now expected to be finished within 10 months, likely in the summer of 2022, said FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson in an email.

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Superior also currently is working on the realignment of S.R. 52 in eastern Pasco County. Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore represents District 2, where the DDI is located, and he said he was happy with the choice.

“I’ve heard great things about them,” Moore said.

“And they are actually ahead of pace on the S.R. 52 project, so that’s a good sign.”

Stepping into a new project that already was more than halfway finished is unusual but not unprecedented in the construction business, especially considering the effect that Covid-19 and staffing issues have had on the entire construction industry.

“While this process is not how a typical FDOT project is executed, there are procedures in place for replacing a contractor,” Carson said. “It will take the new contractor some time (a few weeks) to clean up items from the previous contractor in order to complete the new work items. The new contractor evaluates the remaining work items and prices the items that are left to complete. Superior has already mobilized a staff and are in the process of mobilizing crews to complete the work.”

Meanwhile, the surety company put out an advertisement for bids for completion contractors on Sept. 9 for the $42.5 million S.R. 54 widening project, and were expecting to receive bids by the end of the month.

A subcontractor, Southern Precision, has been taking care of the S.R. 54 site in the meantime, with mowing, little control and filling potholes. Last week, work began on milling driveways and side streets, as well as some paving.

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Planning Commission Says No To Rezoning Efforts

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

In a sign that developers in Pasco County may be facing a new uphill battle when it comes to rezoning property in order to build apartments, the county’s planning staff and Planning Commission rejected an effort to do just that in the Seven Oaks development, just off S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

First, the county’s planning staff recommended denying a substantial modification to the Seven Oaks MPUD Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) Master Plan, and then, by a 3-1 vote on Sept. 8, Pasco’s Planning Commission voted down the plan to rezone 86,000 square feet of retail and office space for a 320-unit apartment complex.

Chris Williams, the director of planning for the Pasco School Board, had to leave before the Planning Commission vote but did voice his support for the developer’s plans.

Roberto Saez, MBA, CGC, AIA, a 14-year Seven Oaks resident, made the motion to deny. Saez formerly served as a senior construction project manager for Pasco County, and while he noted that the project was impressive, and something needed in the county, “this is not the right location.”

The proposed apartments would be located on a 10-acre parcel, currently zoned for commercial and retail development, adjacent to the Sam’s Club on S.R. 56. Ancient Oaks Dr. serves as the western boundary of the parcel, BBD as the eastern boundary and S.R. 56 as the southern boundary.

The proposed apartment complex would include a pool, a dog park and

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County planners say the lone remaining property in the parcel above (outlined in red) should be preserved for retail and office space, not more apartments.

open space for gatherings in the southern portion of the complex.

But, opponents of the project note that there already are two apartment complexes in that area of Seven Oaks — Windsor Club at Seven Oaks to the east and Colonial Grand at Seven Oaks to the west. And, the Enclave at Wesley Chapel and Bonterra Parc apartments are both located right across the street, on the south side of S.R. 56. The residents also raised concerns about traffic issues on Ancient Oaks Blvd.

Joel Tew, the attorney for the developer DD/SR 56 LLC and Walmart, refuted each argument, and claimed the decision to recommend denying the rezoning appeared to be driven by politics, a reference to the county’s current multifamily moratorium.

Politics Or Public Benefit?

Pasco’s Board of County Commissioners, led by District 2 commissioner and Seven Oaks resident Mike Moore, issued a moratorium on accepting any new apartment applications back in May, after debating for months whether the county, and specifically most of the Wesley Chapel area, was facing too much of a glut of multi-family development.

While the Seven Oaks application was submitted prior to the moratorium going into effect, the political headwinds were still felt, Tew says.

“At the pre-app (meeting), staff told us that there was no problem with this application,” Tew said. “Staff said it was a great spot for this. It’s only now, due to a political directive, that staff at the last minute was told to oppose this

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application. That’s unfortunate.”

The county’s Planning and Development Department wrote that the project, as proposed, “is inconsistent with Comprehensive Plan Policy FLU 1.8.7, Economic Development, and Policy FLU 1.8.10, Preservation of Capacity for Employment-Generating Uses.”

Nectorios Pittos, the director of planning and development for Pasco, said an independent third-party analysis that was conducted concluded that the proposed 320-unit rental apartment development would generate $188,375 in annual county revenue over a 10year average, but the current MPUD entitlements for nearly 90,000 square feet of commercial use would generate $743,375 in annual county revenue.

The county, Pittos said, is placing a high priority on county revenue- and employment-generating land uses, which he says the current project would not do.

However, Tew, who complained he received the third-party analysis days before the hearing, disputed it by showing a chart of other similar multi-family projects and their tax bills. Extrapolating those numbers to the proposed 320 units, Tew said the proposed Seven Oaks project’s tax bill actually would generate $850,000 yearly, which, over 30 years, which would mean a $25-million windfall for the county’s coffers — and more revenue than the $22.3 million that a commercial project would generate over the same time period.

“I don’t know where they came up with those (lower) numbers,” Tew said.

Without the political overtones, Tew said, the proposed multi-family project would be a slam dunk.

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“I ask that you look past the politics,” he said. “In a normal world, if this project came in, it would be on (the) consent (agenda). You wouldn’t think twice about it. You’d be thanking the developer for building exactly the mixeduse project that this county has begged all developers to build.”

Three Seven Oaks residents spoke against the project at the meeting, which was held at the Dade City Courthouse, while two others called in, also in opposition. John Thompson, one of those residents in attendance, said the project was like “fitting a square peg in a round hole” and that the area needed more room for small businesses, not more apartments.

County planners did offer another option for committee action — a continuance to the Nov. 4 Planning Commission meeting to allow the Planning & Development Department to “develop and include conditions of approval for vertically integrated mixed use building(s) that have commercial and office entitlements on the ground floor and multi-family entitlements on the upper stories.”

Tew rejected the alternative motion, saying the developer said there was “no viability” or market for such a project.

“Ironically, when I bring new clients in to meet with staff, this is exactly the kind of project they ask my clients to build,” Tew said. “When we find a hole in the donut that has everything around it, all of a sudden it’s not acceptable.”

Moore and the rest of the county commissioners will hear Tew’s apartment proposal in the coming weeks.

The county’s six-month moratorium, which went into effect May 4, will conclude in October, unless it is extended. Part of the plan is to determine exactly how many multi-family projects already exist in the county, and study whether the county, especially in

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“I

n a normal world, if this project came in, it would be on (the) consent (agenda). You wouldn’t think twice about it. You’d be thanking the developer for building exactly the mixed-use project that this county has begged all developers to build.”

— Attorney Joel Tew areas like Wesley Chapel, has reached its saturation point.

Moore says he is not opposed to multi-family projects, just the efforts to rezone parcels approved for commercial and retail projects to build apartments.

He says that there already is plenty of land with entitlements for multi-family projects, and cited a number of projects currently in progress.

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Business Notes: The Fall Festival Moves To TPO, SideSplitters Opens & More!

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival is switching things up.

First, this year’s event, scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 30-31, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, has moved to a new location at the Tampa Premium Outlets, after spending the last 10 years at The Grove.

Second, there will not be any actual carnival rides at this year’s Festival.

And lastly, the event will feature more than 60 food trucks, and is dubbing itself the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally.

“We like to change things up every once in a while,” says Hope Kennedy, the CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, which is presenting the festival; Florida Penguin Productions is producing it.

Generation Entertainment will produce the Food Truck Rally.

But, two things that aren’t changing at this year’s Wesley Chapel Fall Festival are the Lil’ Miss & Mister Pumpkin Pageant at 11 a.m. on Oct. 31, and the popular Trunk or Treat on the same day

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from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

“That is always a favorite,” Kennedy says. “This year you can do that at the Festival, and then go regular trick-ortreating later.”

The festival will have three community stages featuring live entertainment, vendors and, of course, a pumpkin patch.

For more information, call (727) 674-1464, or search “Wesley Chapel Fall Festival” on Facebook.

HAR HAR: If you’re looking for a laugh, the new Wesley Chapel location of Side Splitters Comedy Club is now officially open.

The club, which is located inside the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment, had a soft opening the second-tolast weekend in August with comedian and TikTok star Ben Brainard. Brian Thompson, the Side Splitters owner, says both shows were sold out.

“We’ve had good crowds,” Thompson says. “They weren’t huge, but they were all there to laugh. And, we got a lot of positive feedback.”

While most of the comedians booked through the rest of the year aren’t necessarily huge names, all of the

“At our Carrollwood location, people love them,” Thompson says. “We’re pretty much booked through the end of the year for those.”

To throw your hat in the ring for open mic nights, which are generally held Fridays after the scheduled shows, email comicsnightout@gmail.com.

For more information, visit SideSplittersComedy.com.

Side Splitters has opened inside the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment.

comics booked for October — Sean Finnerty (Sept. 30-Oct. 3), Kyle Grooms (Oct. 7-10), Collin Moulton (Oct 14-17), Mike Baldwin (Oct 2124) and Rob Little (Oct 28-31) have been making audiences laugh across the country and have appeared on a variety of national TV shows and specials.

Thompson says he is eager to see how Wesley Chapel responds to its own comedy club. As people begin returning to indoor events, he expects bigger crowds. And for the local funnies, Side Splitters will also host open mic nights.

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GET FIT!: Planet Fitness, which has more than 2,000 locations across the U.S., is adding another at The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

Planet Fitness will take over the 25,000-sq.-ft. space formerly occupied

by Babies “R” Us. Back in May, The Grove’s developer Mark Gold announced that the other half of the space, which was formerly occupied by Toys “R” Us, was being leased to a combined Bealls Outlet/Home Centric store.

Billing itself as a “Judgment Free Zone,” Planet Fitness offers free fitness training, a variety of different memberships, and an array of fitness machines for members to use. Some memberships allow you to use any Planet Fitness location in the country.

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AdventHealth Care Pavilion Opens In Hunter’s Green!

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Going to the doctor may never be described as a fun experience. From the dreary waiting room to being shuffled in for the poking and prodding to the inevitable stop at the pharmacy on the way home or, even worse, a separate trip to another dreary waiting room at an imaging center or somewhere else for more tests, it’s an experience many people aren’t thrilled to go through.

However, AdventHealth Care Pavilion, which opened in New Tampa on Sept. 14, is happy to try and change some of that. Located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at Hunter’s Lake Dr. in front of Hunter’s Green, the area’s newest facility also is its most innovative. The emphasis was on taking everything that patients find most frustrating about going to see a doctor and improving it.

That means easier and more convenient registration, modern waiting rooms and, in addition to being home to eight primary care physicians, there

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The 50,000-square-foot AdventHealth Care Pavilion at Hunter’s Green is now open in the former LifePoint Church building on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at Hunter’s Lake Dr. in New Tampa.

(Drone photo by Charmaine George)

will be no need for additional trips elsewhere in most cases because the new facility boasts in-house labs, imaging for x-rays and MRIs to name a few, and even a pharmacy.

“We tried to think through some of

the little things that make it easier and more convenient and comfortable for people,” says John Johannessen, senior executive officer for non-acute services in the West Florida division of Advent Health. “That’s the mindset of what a

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care pavilion is. We make it easier, make it comfortable and add a higher level of service so it’s just simply a destination location that you want to come to for your care and to stay healthy.”

Johannessen says AdventHealth is so serious about making it a pleasant experience, a longtime Disney hospitality employee has been hired who will be specifically dedicated to the building’s consumer experience.

In fact, Johannessen doesn’t call it a reception desk that greets you upon entering, he says it’s more of a conciergelevel welcome center.

“Obviously, nobody likes registering,” he adds. “You register for the doctor and then, when you have to go to the lab, you have to register for the lab, and then, when you need to go get an image, you have to register for the imaging. It’s a nightmare. It’s easy for people to say, ‘Why don’t you already have this information? Why do I have to tell you this 10 times?’”

In addition to primary care, there will be other offerings, like subspecialties such as cardiology, gastroenterology,

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The AdventHealth Care Pavilion has created an atmosphere that is intended to be more welcoming and comfortable for patients, including an improved exam room (left), concierge-type check-in (above) and a full-bore MRI (right).

obstetrics and general surgery. By the end of the year, Johannessen expects to have a pediatrician on staff as well.

While it is not labeled as an urgent care, the pavilion also will accept walk-ins and can provide emergency care.

The facility is roomy, going more for an open-air mall type of feel than your traditional doctor’s office. A lot of thought has been put into the light, the music and even the colors, according to Johannessen, so a better mood and tone can be set.

When you are brought to your exam room, that’s where everything, even bloodwork, will happen (unless you need an X-ray, which is just a short walk away).

The focus is on connecting services for the convenience of patients.

Another convenience — a kids club for families who have children and can’t find a babysitter. The hours at the Advent Health Care Pavilion are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, so parents have flexibility and don’t have to schedule their doctor visits around childcare or work.

‘We try to make it easy,” says Johannessen, who adds that the pavilion will

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initially be closed Sundays but the goal is to add enough to make it a seven-days-aweek facility.

The pavilion also offers a café, although it wasn’t ready on day one at the New Tampa location. But, until it is ready, there is a refreshment center.

The on-site Imaging Center will offer a separate women’s suite, focused on services that are important to them, like mammograms.

Imaging also has a large-bore MRI, which is the same as a traditional MRI but has a larger bore opening that adds more comfort and less stress for those who may suffer from claustrophobia.

“We tried to think through (many) of the little things that make it easier and more convenient,” says Johannessen.

The Hunter’s Green location actually is the second Care Pavilion center opened by AdventHealth. The first one opened in Westchase in June, to great response, according to Johannessen.

But, the New Tampa location, which is roughly 50,000-sq.-ft. compared to its 20,000-sq.-ft. counterpart across the county, has more room to offer and

room for expansion as well.

AdventHealth had been looking for a site somewhere along BBD for a year, and had all but settled on one when the previous owners of the property, which was most recently home to LifePoint Church (and Winn-Dixie before that) elected to sell.

The new site was perfect — close to an intersection, linked to a large community like Hunter’s Green, and was the right size with plenty of parking. “It

checked all our boxes,” Johannessen says.

And, that is exactly what he hopes the AdventHealth Care Pavilion at Hunter’s Green will do for those looking for quality, innovative and easy-tonavigate healthcare.

The AdventHealth Care Pavilion at Hunter’s Green (8702 Hunter’s Lake Dr.) is now open. For more information, call (813) 467-4700, visit AdventHealthCarePavilion.com or see the ad on page 2 of this issue.

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K-Bar Resident Shares His Story Of Tragedy To Triumph

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

K-Bar Ranch resident Pete Radigan has a story to tell, and he’s been waiting 20 years for people to read it.

On Oct. 4, Tragedy to Triumph: The Story of Tom’s Heart will be officially released for sale by Red Penguin Books.

“Oh my God, I can’t wait,” says Radigan, who moved from New Jersey to K-Bar Ranch in 2019. “If there was ever a made-for-TV (story), this book is it.”

Decades in the making, it is the personal story of Radigan’s battle with his health, his life-saving heart transplant and Jan Mauk’s healing from the loss of her son Tom, the teen whose heart keeps Radigan alive, and the rare relationship between the parent of a donor and the donor recipient.

Radigan says he and Jan have talked about writing the book for many years.

Radigan, who had kept a journal during his long hospital stays while waiting for a transplant, had written his version of it years ago, and Jan surprised him with her version at Christmas in 2018.

A friend of Radigan’s, writer Jim

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Pete Radigan today (left) & with Jan Mauk in 1999.

McGrath, weaved it all together.

“Over the last 10 years, when was the last time you heard of a major story about organ donation?,” Radigan asks. “They are few and far between. This book talks about

what the experience is like from the view of the mother of a deceased donor — how she felt and went through the grieving process — and also about the recipient and what they go through together. It’s the first time something like this has been catalogued in a book.

I feel like it’s a healing guidebook for those on both sides of the organ donation process.”

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Born on Staten Island, NY, in 1965 and raised in East Windsor, NJ, Radigan’s story certainly is unique.

In 1987, he was first diagnosed with hypertrophic cardio myopathy, which is an enlargement of the heart. It was later discovered he was actually suffering from Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, which affects the heart.

By age 30, Radigan’s health had deteriorated to the point where he was having difficulty walking up stairs. He says he was teaching a corporate class in Orange County, CA, and couldn’t even wear shoes because his feet hurt so much. He was unknowingly already in end-stage heart failure.

“I thought, ‘When did I get in such bad shape?,’” he recalls. “I was embarrassed.”

Radigan returned to the east coast and underwent a battery of tests that made it official. He needed a heart, or, his doctors told him, he was going to die.

That led to months in the hospital.

His first transplant was canceled after Radigan, surrounded by his family, had been prepped for the surgery. The heart he was to receive, doctors said, was damaged.

A week later, at 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 4,

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1997, a new donor heart had been found, and Radigan received his heart at the New York Presbyterian Medical Center.

Just two days earlier, 16-year-old Tom Mauk was driving his motorcycle when a car struck him and sent him flying more than 150 feet.

Jan says she struggled for a day with the decision to donate Tom’s organs, but knew that was what her son would have wanted.

On Sept. 13, Radigan walked out of the hospital with a cane and a new lease on life.

Jan mourned.

That’s the tragedy. The triumph came more than a year later, when, after a few letters back and forth, Pete and Jan agreed to finally meet on Feb. 5, 1999, in Niagara Falls in Toronto.

Radigan says it was one of the most emotional moments of his life. He brought Jan flowers and asked her if she wanted to listen to her son’s heart. She leaned in and pressed her ear to his chest.

“It was not like listening to the quality, rhythm, or rate of a heartbeat or detecting arrhythmias, which I practiced as a nurse,” she wrote. “Listening to his heart brought a connection to Tom, joy to my soul, in contrast to the previous sadness, as tears formed in my eyes….

The sound of his heartbeat was a melody

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to my ear, as I wanted to permanently affix my head to (Pete’s) chest to hear it continually.

It brought comfort to me.”

Radigan says that the last third of the book details their friendship, and includes the letters and emails they wrote to each other over the years.

“When I asked Jan what made her want to write the book, her answer was pretty simple: ‘It gave me the opportunity to leave a legacy for my son, the man he was and the gifts he provided,’” says Radigan.

For Pete Radigan, it was another chance to say “thank you.”

To purchase the book or for more information on donor and tissue donation, visit TragedyToTriumph.net.

Tragedy to Triumph also is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Google Books.

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17

Ditch Your CPAP With Sleep Apnea Treatment From Dr. Jay Nelson

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

After decades of practicing dentistry, Dr. Jay Nelson, D.M.D (Doctor of Dental Medicine), has sold his dental practice in Lutz to focus exclusively on dental sleep medicine.

It’s been his passion for more than a decade, since he first took a course that he says sparked his interest.

As his knowledge, expertise and dental sleep medicine practice have grown over more than 10 years, it led Dr. Nelson to sell his dental practice, located off S.R. 54 in Lutz, in January. He had originally opened that practice in 1987, about the same time he moved to New Tampa, where he still lives.

In April of this year, he opened Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine on Foggy Creek Rd., in the Cypress Creek Professional Center off of S.R. 56 (less than a mile east of I-75) in Wesley Chapel.

The move to the new office allows him to focus fully on treating those who suffer from sleep apnea “We’re actually saving lives,” Dr. Nelson says.

Building on what he learned while

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Dr. Jay Nelson has sold his dental practice and now focuses exclusively on dental sleep medicine, and specifically, helping those who suffer from sleep apnea, at his Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine practice located off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Nelson)

earning his D.M.D. degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, Dr. Nelson has since earned advanced certifications from professional organizations such as the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD),

Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM).

Dr. Nelson says that Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine is the only facility in Florida and one of the first 20 dental offices in the

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U.S. to be accredited by the AADSM. Recently, Dr. Nelson was one of only two dentists asked to speak before the 21st annual Current Concepts in Sleep medical conference, where he taught virtually to a national audience.

His team at his new office includes Frances Cameli, who worked in his previous practice for more than 10 years and serves as the dental sleep manager in the front office, while Betsy Ramos, who also came from Dr. Nelson’s previous practice, serves as the office’s clinical assistant.

Dr. Nelson offers a free consultation to people who wonder if their snoring might be a sign they have a serious underlying condition. And often, it’s not the patient who suggests they visit Dr. Nelson, but those who have to sleep within earshot of them.

“We save marriages, too,” Dr. Nelson says, referring to those couples who sleep separately because of the disturbances from snoring.

To find out if you’re at risk for sleep apnea, Dr. Nelson suggests using Google to search for the “STOP BANG” survey questionnaire. It asks questions about

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snoring, tiredness and other risk factors. There also is a similar assessment (that requires personal information to be entered) on the Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine website: SleepBetterFlorida. com/take-our-quiz.

Sleep apnea is a condition affecting more than 200,000 people in the U.S. each year. It causes patients to stop breathing for brief periods of time during sleep, which can lead to drowsiness that increases risk for auto and other accidents, as well as an increased risk of overall mortality, strokes and cancer.

“If you have symptoms of sleep apnea,” he says, “get tested or get treated.”

Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition, so those who see Dr. Nelson will be referred for evaluation at a sleep testing center, as well as to their primary care physician for diagnosis.

The standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea has been to pump a continuous stream of air into a patient’s nose or mouth while sleeping. This method — using a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (or CPAP) system — is effective, but many people find the CPAP machine cumbersome and uncomfortable to use, Dr. Nelson says, resulting in a high failure rate, usually due to patient non-compliance.

“We know that 50% of people who

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more comfortable than the CPAP,” Dr. Nelson says, explaining that those who have been diagnosed with mild or moderate sleep apnea can begin using an oral appliance, while those who have severe sleep apnea should start with the CPAP. If they are not able to comfortably use the CPAP, they then become a candidate for an oral appliance. Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine does offer both types of appliances.

Ed Sapiega is one of Dr. Nelson’s patients, who first came to him about three years ago. Tired of the hassle of lugging his CPAP machine around while he traveled, Ed was thrilled with the appliance that Dr. Nelson made for him.

“I had lived with a CPAP machine for years,” Ed says, Frances Cameli (left) and Betsy Ramos both “The noises it made worked with Dr. Nelson at his dental practice prevented my wife in Lutz and have now joined him at his Nel- from sleeping almost son Dental Sleep Medicine office. as much as my snorstart on a CPAP give it up within a year,” ing did.” explains Dr. Nelson, “so we provide an Recently, Ed’s alternative to that.” original oral appliInstead of the unwieldy, scary-looking ance broke, and he CPAP machine, Dr. Nelson makes an FDA went back to Dr. approved oral appliance that is adjusted Nelson for a new one. However, he to position the tongue and jaw to allow found out that since he first became Dr. greater airflow to the lungs while sleeping. Nelson’s patient, an even better device “Many people find the oral appliances (above right) has become available.

“It’s quite fantastic,” he says. “It’s easy to use, and there’s no pain and no strain. I didn’t have to go through a process of learning how to sleep with it.”

He says that while he was very happy with his first device, times have changed, and his new one, while from the same company, is much better.

“Compared to the CPAP, it’s very convenient and extremely effective,” Ed says. “Dr. Nelson is very good with these devices and keeps very current. I’m extremely pleased.”

Ed adds that Dr. Nelson was able to accommodate him very quickly, and he has nothing but good things to say about him. “He’s a very pleasant dentist and professional to deal with.”

Because the treatment is for a medical condition, Dr. Nelson and his staff help patients navigate the confusing world of medical insurance and accept Care Credit, which offers payment plans for those who have out-of-pocket expenses.

Nelson Dental Sleep Medicine is located at 26907 Foggy Creek Rd., Suite 101, in the Cypress Creek Professional Park. To make an appointment or for additional information, see the ad on page 43 of this issue, visit SleepBetterFlorida.com or call (813) 733-4169.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

19

Spark Church Brings Together Families For Spiritual Fun At The Grove!

They now live in Wesley Chapel, just a few minutes from the movie theater where the church meets.

Another perk of meeting at the theater is that it already has procedures in place to ensure good air and surface sanitation, plus temperature checks at the front door. The church follows local and theater requirements to take precautions against the spread of Covid.

Garrett says there’s plenty of room to spread out and masks are not currently required, but many people do wear them.

A wristband system allows people to choose a color so others know if they want to be greeted with close contact or keep their distance.

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent When most people think of going to church, a movie theater may not be what they have in mind.

But, that’s exactly where Spark Church meets every Sunday at 10 a.m.

Pastor Garrett Hamblen says the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment (located north of S.R. 54, just west of I-75) has been the perfect location for his young church, which launched just six months ago.

“We love the movie theater,” Garrett says. “It’s newly renovated and the facility is amazing. From a tech standpoint, we have a huge screen and a nice sound system. Plus, everybody’s been there at some point, so they know what to expect.”

Garrett says movies start shortly after the service ends, and the other amenities at and coming to The Grove — such as the KRATE container park, a mini-golf course and more — make it a very desirable location for families to gather.

“I think that whole area is going to be like the center of Wesley Chapel,” Garrett says, “and we’re thankful to be in

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An “Outreach Church”

Pastor Garrett Hamblen says now that people are working from home, “They’re so isolated, so we do a lot to cultivate developing friendships with other families” at his Spark Church, which meets in a movie theater at the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment.

the middle of all that.”

On Sundays, the church takes over one wing of the theater, offering worship in a large theater, kids’ church in a smaller theater, and a nursery in a birthday party room. He describes the kids’ areas as

“locked down” for safety, in a corner of the building where no public traffic passes by.

“A typical service is very modern, with worship music and lyrics on the screen – not hymns,” Garrett explains. “It’s a time of exciting worship, with a message that’s relevant to you today. We talk about what is happening in the world today, and what the Bible says about it.”

The recently-concluded summer series included a costume contest with prizes for those who were dressed in their most summer-y outfits, including gear like bathing suit trunks and Hawaiian shirts. He says Spark Church offers a very fun atmosphere and everyone is friendly.

Garrett and his wife, Katterine, were married in March of 2020. He says they went on their honeymoon and when they returned, everything had changed. They were basically “the last wedding” before everything shut down due to Covid.

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Garrett describes Spark Church as an “outreach church.”

“The big thing is that we’re here for the community,” he says. “We’re here to see lives changed in Pasco County.”

He explains that means the church is connected to schools, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations and the government and is available to help in all of these areas in the community.

As for the church’s name, he says, the it comes from the church’s mission, which is “to spark life change throughout our communities.”

Garrett says he moved to the area several years ago, when he took a job at Loving Hands Ministries, a drug rehabilitation program in Dade City. He also recently served as young adult pastor, then executive pastor, for Calvary Assembly of God in Dade City.

He is licensed as a minister through the Assemblies of God and also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and an MBA from Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

“I’ve worked with Restored Hope,

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and in partnership with Habitat For Humanity and Meals On Wheels and most of the organizations that do good in our county,” he says. “At Spark Church, this is our focus.”

He says that problems facing the community — whether it’s something like homelessness due to a lack of a homeless shelter in Wesley Chapel, or human trafficking — “aren’t going to be fixed by one little church,” but that he hopes that Spark Church will prove to be part of the solution.

“It’s going to take all of us working together,” he says. “I believe we can do much better.”

Garrett is a member of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which he says is starting a major project to build a home for victims of human trafficking in Wesley Chapel. “Spark Church intends to be a big part of it.”

Created For Everyone

“We have a family atmosphere, and there a lot of people who just moved here,” Garrett says. “We’re all looking for friends.

Or, maybe you’re not new to the area but haven’t made friends. Especially now that people are working from home, they’re so isolated, so we do a lot to cultivate developing friendships with other families.”

He says that might be cookouts, or providing popsicles after church on a Sunday, or a fun day like a pool party. He even opens his home once a month for “Pizza with the Pastor,” just to “hang out get to know each other.”

As the church grows, Garrett says it will continue to expand. For example, life groups are launching, which he describes as, “Church in people’s homes,” and while the church focuses on families, it welcomes people in any life stage, and recently started

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a ministry for single, younger adults.

Garrett also has a vision to start a ministry school in the spring that will help people learn to develop of gifts they may have to use in church — whether it’s at Spark or somewhere else.

“Someone might want to sing, but their church is full of rock stars, so they learn how to develop that skill and then go back and use that gift in their church.”

Asia McGlinchey and her husband Brendan met Garrett at an interest meeting for the church last year.

At that time, they were living in Belize and were visiting family in Wesley Chapel who wanted to attend the meeting. They tagged along.

“We heard the vision and felt like the Lord was leading us to join them,” Asia says, “so we moved from Belize last December and have been a big part of the church since then.”

Brendan and Asia bring their three girls, ages eight, six and six months (Asia says her youngest was born just a week after the church launched) and volunteer for the church in various ways. Asia leads the kids’ ministry and the women’s ministry, and Brendan leads music as the worship leader.

“We think that church should be more than Sunday morning,” Asia says, “and that’s their vision, too. Let’s become a family, do outreach, get into the community, become a community, and learn to be a family of believers, not just people who pass by each other on Sunday morning. We love that.”

She says their experience in a tight-knit church in Belize, which served as the center of their small community, gave them a vision of what church can be like. Asia hopes they can bring that sense of connection to Wesley Chapel, too.

“People who come to Spark Church can expect to be welcomed, whatever their background or life,” she says. “We want to get to know everyone, and we want to grow together as a family.”

Spark Church meets at The Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment (6333 Wesley Grove Blvd.) every Sunday at 10 a.m. For more info, visit SparkPasco. com or see the ad on page 28.

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21

Kids Are All Smiles When They Visit Dr. Duga & Dr. Feeney

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent Deanna Crawford was enjoying dinner with her best friend Julie Simon 20 years ago when she first met Paul Duga, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). Dr. Duga, who recognized Julie as the mother of three of his patients, came over and chatted for a bit.

“This guy comes to the table, she introduces him and he was the nicest, jolliest guy I think I’ve ever met in my life,” Deanna says. “I was like, ‘Who was that?’”

“That’s the kids’ dentist,” Julie said.

“Well, he’s going to be my kids’ dentist, too,” said Deanna, even though she didn’t have any children at the time.

Guess how the story ends?

Eight years later, Deanna showed up with her son Tyler, who was 2, for his first dental appointment.

“He made a great first impression,” Deanna says, chuckling. “I don’t think I’ve ever even told him that story.”

Tyler is now 14, and about to have his braces removed. Deanna’s daughter Ella Grace, 7, is a patient as well. And, well, not that Deanna is bragging or anything, but — zero cavities!

Deanna’s choice was simple — she wanted someone who would make her kids feel at ease, maybe make them laugh or smile, and make a trip to the dentist

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something the kids would look forward to, rather than dread.

Since opening his pediatric dentistry office more than two decades ago, that’s the one philosophy that has always guided Dr. Duga.

“We provide one-on-one, private, patient-driven care,” he says.

“We provide dentistry that is safe and healthy, and also non-threatening, so kids don’t grow up with an irrational fear of dentists.”

For veterans of the office, there is nothing threatening about Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry, located in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms, off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Dr. Paul Duga has built a large, loyal following in his more than two decades in Blvd. at Amberly Dr. New Tampa, where a fun atmosphere is a hit with kids...and their parents.

Duga and his partner, Shawna While some modifications were made because Adams-Feeney, DMD (Doctor of of Covid-19 — such as adding Plexiglas barriers at Medical Dentistry), both have engaging and outgothe front desk — Dr. Duga says there were no drastic ing personalities, and mix in a fair amount of fun and changes because his office always considered most of humor to take the edge off any patient’s visit. the health and safety precautions as standard practice.

The dentists also are reassuring, important in these “As far as social distancing is concerned, our office heightened safety-first days of a pandemic. Dr. Duga aswas almost designed for it,” Dr. Duga says. “Our floor sures parents that their kids, and their teeth, are always plan allows us to keep families all separated and safe.” in good hands.

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He recognizes, however, that many people are even more anxious these days, so the staff does everything it can to counter that.

“We always try to maintain a spirit of positive-ness,” he says.

About The Doctors

While Dr. Duga established the practice in 1998, he says working with Dr. Feeney — as he has since she joined the practice in 2005 and became his partner in 2009 — gives children the option to choose the dentist with whom they feel more comfortable.

“I really appreciate having Dr. Feeney here,” he says with a smile.

“If a kid is struggling to connect with me, maybe the next visit he or she might want to go to Dr. Feeney. We do everything we can to keep the children comfortable.”

Both doctors are Board-certified pediatric dentists.

Dr. Duga earned his DDS degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, WI, and then worked as a general dentist in Milwaukee. He went on to earn his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans.

Dr. Feeney earned her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, after receiving her DMD degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

Parents like Deanna will bring their kids to a dentist at the first sign of teeth.

The doctors encourage parents of their youngest patients (they treat children from age 1 up to about age 18) to bring their kids in every six months to maintain good dental health.

Drs. Duga and Feeney provide examinations, cleanings, sealant place-

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Dr. Feeney’s happy demeanor takes the fear of sitting in the dental chair away for even the youngest children. (Photo: Charmaine George)

ment, tooth repairs (such as fillings and of patients and potential new patients crowns), as well as cosmetic whitening understand their insurance benefits. and orthodontic alignments.

“We do continuous growth evaluHappy Patients ation, bite evaluation, and provide Kids like the perks, too, such as fun guidance through early orthodontic in the lobby — including video games care,” explains Dr. Duga. The practice also offers braces and Invisalign invisible aligners for its patients, although they do also refer some patients to orthodontic offices, when needed.

For a child who has special needs or is too young to cooperate, a parent can choose sedation dentistry. An anesthesiologist comes in to safely manage the sedation, so the dentist can focus on fixing the teeth and getting them healthy.

“We do accept dental insurance, but we’re not an insurance-driven office,” says Dr. Duga. “Insurance is a contract for paying bills, not health care.”

The staff will gladly help parents

and TV screens on the ceiling and headphones in the chair, so they can watch while laying down. Plus, they get to pick the flavor for their toothpaste and receive a coin at the end of each visit, which they can exchange for a small toy.

“I’ve seen kids since they were one or two and now they’re going off to college,” says Dr. Duga. “You get to know these families. It’s been a wonderful thing.”

Deanna couldn’t agree more. She lived in Land O’Lakes when she started bringing her kids to the dentist, but now lives in Spring Hill. She jokes that she drives past “a million dentists” on the way to Dr. Duga, but when her dad asked her why she doesn’t find someone closer, the answer was simple.

“Why do I need to when I know what I’m going to get with Dr. Duga?,” she told him. “I’m happy and my kids feel safe and happy there. What else do I need?”

The pediatric dental office of Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates is located at 15293 Amberly Dr. To learn more about the practice, visit DrDugaDrFeeney.com, see the ad on page 28 or call (813) 631-1100 to schedule an appointment or to find out more about your insurance/payment options.

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23

Total Air Solutions Keeps Your A/C Cool, Clean & Running

By MIKE CAMUNAS Correspondent Floridians have to face a lot of dreadful things during the summer months.

Pesky pests. Stifling heat. Never-ending afternoon showers. Hurricanes.

But, if you really want to find a ticked-off Florida resident, find one whose air conditioning just went out on a summer afternoon.

Don’t let that person be you. Before it is, you might want to give Total Air Solutions a call.

If the last year or two has taught us anything, it’s that being stuck inside is no fun, especially in the summer. And, the heat is just one reason.

Total Air Solutions offers a number of services, and as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, has evolved to provide its customers even more. With a premium placed on clean air like never before in our homes, schools and businesses, Total Air Solutions co-owner and co-founder Bill Albert says his company has seen a tremendous demand for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) products.

As IAQ experts, Albert says Total

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Total Air Solutions’ technicians can solve just about any problem your air conditioning system may experience, and offer ways to keep it that way. (Photo: Charmaine George)

Air Solutions specializes in customizing solutions to best protect your home from these airborne pollutants.

Another side effect of the pandemic has (in many cases) been a shortage of muchneeded parts when your A/C unit does fail.

“There has been an economic failure

to meet the demand for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) products,” Albert says. “As a Carrier factory-authorized dealer, we have the first right to these units as they come out of the factory. You can count on us to deliver your repairs or new units faster than many of our competitors

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— and the last thing you want is to be stuck with no air conditioning and lacking the parts necessary for your repair.”

Total Air Solutions has been serving not only the Tampa Bay area, but areas up and down the Gulf Coast for the last 19 years. But, over most of that time, Total Air had mostly dedicated its business to commercial properties — from offices to medical clinics and more.

Three years ago, Total Air started servicing residential customers.

“We’ve been in Tampa a lot longer than people realize,” Albert says. “We hire local techs and we’re continuing to grow and very interested in growing in the Lutz, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas.”

Total Air Solutions has made strides in its quest to become the go-to service provider for air conditioning in our area, especially with people spending so much time inside these days, when compared with pre-pandemic times, as well as rising temperatures.

“Everyone needs the service much more because the air is always running,” Albert says. “And, it’s Florida. So, it’s

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been a banner year for our residential side.”

Growing The Right Way

Albert figures that Total Air, which he started in his garage with fellow co-owner/ co-founder Frank Decarlo, has nearly doubled in size over the past year or so.

Albert worked for six years as an HVAC distributor for Carrier Florida, first in Tampa and then in Orlando. Prior to that, he held positions in a solar hot water heating and installation company and at a home energy design system firm.

Decarlo previously was the VP/ general manager at a heating and cooling company in North Port, FL, for seven years, where he was initially hired as a service manager and grew that company’s annual sales fourfold. Prior to that, he was a service technician at an air conditioning firm in New York.

Now, 19 years later and having combined their efforts, Albert and Decarlo and have Total Air offices in Tampa and North Port and nearly 100 employees total.

“There are a lot of air conditioning companies out there, but there are very few qualified technicians,” Albert says.

“We’re also Carrier-certified and (have won Carrier’s) President’s Award three years in a row, but we also can fix any brand because when you call us, we send you service technicians, not salesmen.

There’s an industry term for that — an SID, or “salesman in disguise” — but that’s not what you get from Total Air. We’re not going to sell you things you don’t need. We try to find the total air solution for our customers.”

Keeping Eyes On Those Eyes

Albert says that Total Air is not only keeping homes cool and the air clean, but also is in full hurricane season mode.

While the Tampa Bay area has been fortunate so far this season, there are still two months remaining in the 2021 season.

Any storm that hits the area could require a lot more service requests.

“We’re very conscious of hurricane season because we know there can be damage or people can be without air conditioning,” Albert says. “We want to help them get it back up and running as quickly as possible.”

And, Total Air does that very well and efficiently. It’s one of the reasons the company has been able to keep customers from the very start, and the majority of its Google reviews mention Total Neighborhood News

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Air’s professionalism, responsiveness and punctuality.

“Total Air sent out Carlos, who was professional and knowledgeable about our system, even though they did not install the system,” wrote Greg MacPherson in a 5-star Google review, adding that the company that did install his system was “too busy” to help. “(Carlos) quickly found the refrigerant leak and soldered it, then tested and recharged the system. We had A/C again!”

Total Air has a number of different service plans, and recently added a premium maintenance plan called the “Safe & Healthy Neighbor Plan.” The new plan provides added benefits like a larger discount on replacement parts, high-efficiency filter upgrades and, most important, your annual dryer vent cleaning.

Many companies, according to Albert, charge over $200 for this dryer vent cleaning service alone. But, Total Air’s “Safe & Healthy Neighbor Plan” is available for $46.99 per month (for 6 months).

Total Air also has a new, informative “System Health Report” with each of your maintenance appointments. This report gives you valuable insight into the condition of your A/C unit, plus any preventive recommendations to keep your system running at optimal performance.

Albert says the maintenance of an air conditioning system, even a new unit, is vital to keeping your house cool.

“Just because it’s running doesn’t mean it’s perfect,” Albert says. “I ask (customers), ‘Don’t you change the oil in your car, too?,’” And, of course, Total Air Solutions also provides residential and commercial heating services, including installing heat pumps, as well as duct work services. You can even finance your new Carrier A/C. Total Air Solutions’ Tampa office is located at 1015 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. For more info, visit TotalAirFl.com, call (813) 247-2665 or see the ad on page 45.

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Dr. Jureyda Loves Making Patients Smile At Radiance Orthodontics

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent When Sam Jureyda, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), opened his Radiance Orthodontics more than five years ago in Tampa Palms, he often said his practice provided “modern orthodontics for all ages.”

He hardly could have imagined how much the term “modern orthodontics” would have evolved since then.

“Orthodontics is a rapidly-changing, dynamic specialty that offers kids, teens and adults more options than ever before,” Dr. Jureyda explains. “But, that also makes it confusing for patients.”

This happy orthodontist, whose job it is to straighten and align teeth and jaws, has practiced for more than 25 years.

Before moving into private practice in 2006 — and subsequently opening Radiance Orthodontics in 2016 — he taught graduate-level students at the University of Buffalo, after earning his D.M.D. degree from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and his Certificate of Specialty in Orthodontics from the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C.

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Dr. Sam Jureyda, or Dr. J as his patients call him, has been a slam dunk for those looking for the perfect smile at his Radiance Orthodontics in Tampa Palms.

(Photos: Courtesy of Radiance Orthodontics) requires a personalized and completely Dr. J, as his patients call him, says everyone who is considering their options custom treatment plan,” he says. “We can for improving the alignment of their teeth help you understand your many options and bite can benefit from the free consul- and choose the best course of treatment for yourself or your children.” tation offered at Radiance Orthodontics.

At the complimentary, no-obliga“Each patient has unique needs and

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tion consultation, Dr. J will provide a thorough examination and recommend either traditional braces or Invisalign. The choice, however, is still up to the patient, and Dr. J will help you understand the pros and cons of each type of treatment.

Even traditional braces continue to evolve and use better technologies, and are typically available in either metal or clear ceramic. Dr. J also can work with patients if they have a specific request, such as someone who recently asked for gold-plated metal brackets. Radiance Orthodontics will happily accommodate any such customized requests, if it is at all possible.

Dr. J says that Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable, comfortable aligners to straighten teeth, is a constantly improving method that is now so effective, it often works more quickly than traditional braces.

Fancy television commercials may say that “do-it-yourself” options can work just as well, but Dr. J emphasizes that having treatment in person with an orthodontist provides you with access to an expert who will check your progress every step of the way to keep you on track and watch to ensure no problems develop or worsen.

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Radiance Orthodontics uses an iTero scanner to capture images of the teeth and gums. This means no more goop in your mouth to create impressions. Instead, Dr. Jureyda or an orthodontic assistant will use a compact, hand-held wand and optical digital technology to create 3D images of a patient’s mouth. It takes just a couple of minutes, and the process can be stopped and started as many times as necessary if a patient experiences any discomfort.

Dr. J says it’s much more comfortable and easy than taking impressions the old-fashioned way, and streamlines the process of moving from diagnosis to treatment. Patients can view their “before” images immediately on the screen during the appointment, and a proposed “after” image comes via email shortly after.

In between, Dr. J takes time to carefully review exactly how the technology recommends the teeth be moved into position, using his decades of experience to be sure that each of his patients receives a treatment plan that is perfect for them.

While the technology adds some degree of automation, it doesn’t replace his careful eye and expertise throughout the process.

Dr. J’s patients say the best thing about coming to Radiance Orthodontics is the way they are treated as a friend. In

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Dr. Sam Jureyda fact, he encourages anyone interested in learning more about his practice to Google it and read the reviews.

“It warms my heart that every single review anyone has ever posted about Radiance Orthodontics has been five stars,”

says Dr. Jureyda. “I strive to treat all of my patients in a way that shows them the gratitude I have that they are entrusting me with their care.”

You will never feel rushed in Dr. Jureyda’s office. He is genuinely interested in his patients’ lives and families, and wants to ensure that treatments in his office fit each patient’s lifestyle and are comfortable and easy for them.

He takes time to answer every question, even those that come from the tiniest patients. “He made my 5-year-old comfortable and even took time to answer some of her funny questions,” a recent Google review by M. Haloua stated.

While Dr. Jureyda prefers to take a proactive approach to treatment, rather than wait until all of a young patient’s teeth come in to deal with problems, it’s because early intervention is typically simpler and smaller than a full treatment later.

The American Association of Orthodontists actually recommends that all children have an orthodontic consultation by the age of seven to identify any potential issues as early as possible and to keep an eye on them as teeth develop. Dr. J encourages parents to take advantage of his free consultation, and he will never recommend treatment that isn’t necessary.

Supporting Education

As a former educator, Dr. J’s passion is for children and their contributions to the community. He is an avid supporter of students and teachers, working in cooperation with all of New Tampa’s public schools as a business partner. For the past three years, Radiance Orthodontics has awarded a scholarship each spring to a Wharton High senior who has demonstrated a commitment to serve the community through volunteering.

He knows how difficult it can be to work orthodontic appointments into a family’s already-busy schedule, so some evening and occasional Saturday appointments are available.

Radiance Orthodontics also works with patients to determine orthodontic benefits through dental insurance and will provide affordable payment options for treatment.

To schedule a free consultation, text or call Radiance Orthodontics at (813) 972-1100 or see the ad on page 7 of this issue. For more information about the practice, located at 17427 Bridge Hill Ct., Suite A, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, search for “Radiance Orthodontics” on Facebook or visit MyRadianceBraces.com.

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Coyote’s Poekert Is Eager To Return To State

“L

ast year wasn’t that good. I didn’t run a very good race at Regionals. But it definitely motivated me on a new level . Not making it to State probably helped me. It got me more fired up for track.”

— Cypress Creek High junior Zack Poekert

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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For most cross country runners, the offseason is all about putting in the miles. However, after putting in the miles before his sophomore season, Cypress Creek’s Zack Poekert switched things up a bit for 2021.

Instead, the Coyotes junior built more “tempo” runs — longer distances at a slower pace, shorter distances at a faster pace — into his training regimen and the results are paying off this season.

After winning a preseason jamboree in Palmetto — his first-ever first-place finish in high school — Zack has reeled off three straight top-5 finishes against stiff competition and emerged as a State contender in Class 3A. Getting in the tempo work this summer, he says, has made him stronger and more confident.

“I notice the difference,” he says. “It made me a lot more confident going into these meets knowing that my training was there, and that I could compete with these (other runners) now.”

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Zack, who broke 17 minutes for the first time at the jamboree, broke 16 minutes for the first time when he ran a 15:58 to finish fifth at the Florida Horse Park Invitational in Ocala on Sept. 3.

According to Flrunners.com, as of Sept. 15, Zack is ranked No. 18 in the state, and has posted the third-best time in Class 3A (No. 1 is Tallahassee Leon’s Patrick Koon’s 15:15).

Zack says his goal this year is to run a 15:30, a steep drop from the 16:30 or so he has been averaging. But, he is motivated.

He was a freshman on the Coyotes team that made it to the State meet in 2019, and as a sophomore in 2020 helped the team win its first-ever district championship. However, the Coyotes did not qualify for a return trip to States, and Zack just missed going as an individual.

A strong track season (4:28 in the mile, 9:48 in the two-mile) has him ready for a bounce back.

Zack’s passion for running

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Zack Poekert (left), with coach John Hoffman, after his fifth-place finish at the Florida Horse Park Invitational in Ocala on Sept. 3 (Photos courtesy of the Poekerts)

started when he was younger, running with his mother Ronda, a former track and cross country standout for Plant, who helped the Panthers to the 1991 and ‘92 State cross country championships.

When Ronda got back into running after years away from the sport, Zack asked if he could join her. Together, they trained and eventually ran in a handful of 5K races, like Miles for Moffitt and Gasparilla. Eventually, Zack got to the point where he was leaving Ronda in the dust.

“I would see him at the beginning of the race, and at the end of the race,” says Ronda, laughing.

His passion for the sport, however, grew quickly during his freshman year at Cypress Creek, buoyed by his trip to the State meet.

Ronda gives credit for Zack’s success to his coaches, John Hoffman and Elsa Rehberg, and dad Bryan will occasionally go over the course with his son.

When Ronda does have a tip to lend, it’s usually about the mental aspect of racing, and strategy. Primarily, running your own race even if the rest of the field

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decides to go out either too fast or too slow, and then maintaining where your tempo needs to be during the race, is paramount to success, she says.

“It’s 100 percent,” Ronda says. “If you let that slip throughout the race, it can throw off everything.”

That’s good advice in a tough District 3A-2, which features last year’s State runner-up Sunlake High and standouts like Colby Robbins and Alex Pena. Poekert already has run against both at two meets this season, finishing behind them by roughly 10 seconds, with more head-to-head opportunities to come. That competition will make Poekert, and the rest of the Coyotes, better by season’s end.

Poekert says he is looking forward to the challenge.

“Our team is really young but you can see that they are starting to get really good,” Poekert says. “But if we don’t go as a team, I plan on getting back to States as an individual. My goal is to run that 15:30, and be All-State at the State meet.”

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33

Your 2nd Chance To Win Free Dining In Our Annual Survey & Contest!

As I told you last issue, we have continually tweaked our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest every year, but we had our best response ever (1,500+ entries!) from our readers to the 2019 contest.

In other words, the entry form on pages 35-36 (front and back of the same page if you cut/tear out the entry form and mail it in to us) asks you to name only your favorite restaurants in Wesley Chapel and the Lutz area around the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO). Wesley Chapel residents will have a chance to pick their favorite New Tampa eateries in a future issue.

On page 35 (right), we have listed what I believe is every non-fast-food restaurant located in Wesley Chapel’s three zip codes (33543, 33544 & 33545), plus those located on Wesley Chapel Blvd., S.R.s 56 & 54, within a mile of TPO. As always, in case I missed any Wesley Chapel restaurants — as I somehow did with Sonny’s BBQ in our last issue (it does appear on this issue’s list, both for Favorite Restaurant and Favorite Bar in Wesley Chapel) — or if you really prefer Chick-fil-A or Jersey Mike’s to the restaurants we’ve listed, you can write in up to five restaurants in the spaces provided, as long as your write-ins are located

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in either zip codes 33543, 33544 or 33545.

If you’re not sure if your write-in is located in the Chap, please Google search them to make sure, as some people this year have already written in restaurants located in other areas.

Then, on page 36, there are five additional categories — Favorite Pizza Place, Favorite Dessert Place, Favorite Latin and Asian Restaurants and Favorite Bar in Wesley Chapel.

In order for your entry to be considered for one of our three free dining prizes — $100, $60 and $35 gift cards to the restaurant of your choice in the Tampa Bay area — you must select or write-in five restaurants on page 35 and select or write-in one place in at least three of the five categories on page 36 or none of your votes will count!

You also must include your first and last name, complete address (including zip code and the community you live in) and valid daytime phone number and email address and mail the entry form to us no later than Monday, November 8, in order to be eligible to vote and win. You also can enter by going to NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net and completely filling out the entry form with the same info by the same date. Next issue, you’ll have a chance to vote for your New Tampa favorites. — GN

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2021 Reader Dining Survey & Contest!

Your Chance to Win $100, $60 or $35 in FREE Gift Cards to the Restaurant of Your Choice in the Tampa Bay Area!

Please Circle or Select Your Five (5) Favorite Restaurants in Wesley Chapel from the list below!

(*Note - Do not number your selections in order, just circle, select or write in your five favorites. Although we include some restaurants located in Lutz that are outside of the Wesley Chapel zip codes on the list below, ALL write-ins must be located in zip codes 33543, 33544 or 33545.

365 Café Italiano 900º New York Pizza (The Grove) 900º Woodfired Pizza (Shops at Wiregrass) Amici Pizza & Deli (Lutz) Applebee’s Grill + Bar Arepa Mia (Lutz) Arroy Thai (S.R. 54) Asian Buffet Aussie Grill (Lutz) Bagelicious & More Bahama Breeze (Lutz) Beef O’Brady’s (2 locations) Best NY Pizza BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse (Lutz) Blaze Pizza (Lutz) Bonefish Grill (Lutz) Bonsai Sushi Bosco’s Italian to Go Brooklyn Water Bagels Brunchies (Lutz) Bubba’s 33 Buffalo Wild Wings Burger Monger Cantina Laredo Capital Tacos Caprese Pizza House Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chili’s China Gourmet China Wok Chipotle Mexican Grill (Lutz)

Chuck E. Cheese Chuck Lager America’s Tavern Chuy’s Tex-Mex (Lutz) Cracker Barrel Culver’s (2 locations) Dempsey’s Too (in Saddlebrook Resort) Dickey’s BBQ Don Pan Int’l Bakery Entre Panes (Lutz) Falabella Family Bistro First Watch FJ Express Florida Ave. Brewing Co. Ford’s Garage (Lutz) Fratelli’s Pizza & Café Garden Mediterranean Grille (Lutz) Glory Days Grill Gonna China Grillsmith Grove Theater, Bistro & Ent. Happy Hangar Café (Lutz) Hibachi Express Hilton Garden Inn/Garden Grille Honeybaked Ham Ho Wok Hot Wok 88 Hyatt Place Hotel/Gallery Restaurant (Lutz) Irish 31 Keke’s Breakfast Café King of the Coop

Latin Twist Café LongHorn Steakhouse (Lutz) Main Event (Lutz) Medilish Mediterranean Grill Mellow Mushroom Pizza & Spirits (Lutz) MOD Pizza (Lutz) Moe’s Southwest Grill Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market New York New York Pizza Noble Crust O’Brien’s Irish Pub Omari’s Grill at Lexington Oaks Golf Club Omnivorous (at Double Branch Artisanal Ales) Outback Steakhouse Panda Express Panera Bread Pasta di Guy PDQ Pholicious Pinchers Crab Shack PizzaMania Poké Falls Pollo Tropical Pomodoro Pizza Raining Berries (Lutz) Red Robin Refuel Energy & Nutrition Rice-n-Beans Rock & Brews (Lutz)

Señor Tequila Shang Hai Chinese Sonny’s BBQ Sweetea Café (Lutz) Taco Bus (Lutz) Taco Son Texas Roadhouse The Hungry Greek Tijuana Flats Token Ramen Tokyo Grill & Sushi Top Shelf Sports Lounge (at AdventHealth Center Ice) Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant Umu Japanese & Thai Urban Grid Nutrition Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant Waffle House Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar WingHouse Wing Stop Wolf’s Den (closed; see pg. 42) Yamato Japanese Restaurant Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill WRITE-INS (Must be located in zip codes 33543, 33544 or 33545): ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

YOU’RE NOT DONE YET! SEE PAGE 36 TO ENTER THIS YEAR’S DINING SURVEY! Neighborhood News

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2021 Reader Dining Survey & Contest (Page 2)!

Win A FREE Gift Card to the Restaurant of Your Choice!

Your Favorite Asian/Middle Eastern Restaurant In Wesley Chapel

Your Favorite Place For Pizza In Wesley Chapel

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!)

All of the Wesley Chapel/Lutz restaurants listed below are either pizza places or have NY-, Chicago- or flatbread-style pizzas on their menus.

NY NY Pizza Hilton Garden Inn/ 900º New York Pizza O’Brien’s Irish Pub Garden Grille 900º Woodfired Pizza Papa John‘s Pizza Little Caesar’s Amici Pizza & Deli Pasta di Guy Marco‘s Pizza Best NY Pizza Pizza Hut Mellow Mushroom Pizza Blaze Pizza PizzaMania & Spirits Bosco’s Italian to Go Pomodoro Pizza MOD Pizza Caprese Pizza House Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen Moschella’s Italan Eatery & Chuck E. Cheese WRITE-IN: Market Fratelli’s Pizza & Café _____________________ Noble Crust Grillsmith

Your Favorite Latin Restaurant In Wesley Chapel

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!)

All of the Wesley Chapel/Lutz restaurants listed below specialize either in Mexican, Southwestern U.S. or Latin American cuisines Moe’s Southwest Grill Arepa Mia Pollo Tropical Cantina Laredo Rice-n-Beans Capital Tacos Señor Tequila Chili’s Taco Bus Chipotle Mexican Grill Taco Son Chuy’s Tex-Mex Tijuana Flats Don Pan International Bakery Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant Entre Panes WRITE-IN: _____________________ Latin Twist Café

Your Favorite Dessert Place In Wesley Chapel

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!)

All of the Wesley Chapel/Lutz places listed below specialize in desserts (or smoothies), they’re not just restaurants offering desserts — no matter how yummy!

Dairy Queen Smoothie King 35 Below Don Pan Int’l Bakery Snowie 365 Café Italiano Dunkin’ Donuts Starbucks (3 locations) Barnes & Noble Café Fresh Healty Café Sweet Dreamz Ice Cream Baskin Robbins Green Mango & Dessert Parlour Bianco Gelato Ice Dreammm Shop Twistee Treat Blondie’s Cookies Clean Juice Le Macaron Coffee Latitudes Menchie’s Yogurt Café WRITE-IN: Crumbl Cookie Nothing Bundt Cakes _____________________ Culver’s Raining Berries

YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME: ___________________________________________ YOUR STREET ADDRESS: ______________________________________________ YOUR CITY & ZIP CODE: _______________________________________________ YOUR COMMUNITY: ___________________________________________________ (Estancia, Lexington Oaks, etc.)

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(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!)

All of the Wesley Chapel/Lutz restaurants listed below offer Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern/Mediterrnean, Thai and/or Vietnamese Cuisine.

Arroy Thai Panda Express Asian Buffet Pholicious Bonsai Sushi Shang Hai Chinese China Gourmet Sweetea Café China Wok The Hungry Greek FJ Express Token Ramen Garden Mediterranean Grill Tokyo Grill & Sushi Gonna China Umu Japanese & Thai Hibachi Express Yamato Japanese Restaurant Ho Wok Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill Hot Wok 88 WRITE-IN: _____________________ Medilish Mediterranean Grill

Your Favorite Bar Or Tavern In Wesley Chapel

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!)

All of the Wesley Chapel/Lutz places listed below have an actual bar area (not a sushi bar) to sit at and offer beer, wine and/or hard liquor, whether they serve food or not.

Applebee’s Bahama Breeze Beef O’Brady’s BJ’s Brewhouse Bonefish Grill Bru Florida Growler Bar Buffalo Wild Wings Cantina Laredo Chapel Cigars Cheddar’s Chili’s Chuck Lager America’s Tavern Chuy’s Tex-Mex Cigars International Double Branch Artisanal Ales Florida Ave. Brewing Co. Ford’s Garage

Glory Days Grill Grillsmith Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment Hilton Garden Inn/ Garden Grille

Hyatt Place Hotel/ Gallery Restaurant Irish 31 Joe Whiskey’s Longhorn Steakhouse Main Event Mellow Mushroom Metro Lagoon Bar Noble Crust O’Brien’s Irish Pub Omari’s Grille/Lex Oaks Outback Steak House Pinchers Crab Shack

Red Robin Rice n’ Beans Rock & Brews Señor Tequila Sonny’s BBQ Texas Roadhouse The Brass Tap Top Shelf Sports Lounge Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar WingHouse Yamato Japanese Restaurant Zukku-San Sushi & Grill

WRITE-IN: _____________________

If You Write-In A Restaurant Or Bar That Isn’t Located In Wesley Chapel’s 33543, 33544 or 33545 Zip Codes, Your Write-In Vote Will Not Count! This Includes Any Place Located In New Tampa!

YOUR DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER (w/area code): __________________________________________________________________________ YOUR VALID EMAIL ADDRESS: _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

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Acropolis Greek Taverna — If It’s Been A While, Try It Again Now!

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George & Gary Nager

When Acropolis Greek Taverna opened a dozen or so years ago in the Oak Ramble Plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (just south of Tampa Palms), it became an instant hit, with its great Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and entertainment every weekend.

Neighborhood News readers and yours truly both kept Acropolis at or near the top of our respective annual surveys (see pages 3436) for “Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa,” as there were few, if any, other places in or near zip code 33647 for authentic Mediterranean food or the great vibe you felt every time you visited Acropolis.

The last few years, however, several other less expensive Mediterranean restaurants began opening in New Tampa, and while some of that competition has since closed, Acropolis had started dropping both with our readers and with a certain hungry editor.

A Fresh Approach

But, on April 1 of this year, new owners Stacy Esposito and her husband Adib (Eddie) Nasr took over the New Tampa location of what is now a five-restaurant mini-chain (with other locations in South Tampa, Ybor City, Riverview and St. Pete) and have brought new energy to what was already a great concept.

Together with new general manager (but long-time employee and manager) Jason Stiger, the New Tampa Acropolis is definitely waking up taste buds once again in our area.

Eddie, who is Lebanese, has upgraded this location’s fried kibbe appetizer and a couple of other dishes with his mother’s recipes, but he and Stacy also have improved other dishes simply by selecting the finest produce and quality meats available — and it shows.

My two favorite dishes at Acropolis always have been (and still are) the Frenched rack of lamb lollipops (top center photo), which are all-natural, antibiotic-free and no added hormones) and the Athenian fish (photo on next page), which is a lightly breaded and seasoned filet of whatever fresh fish is available each day

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and topped with a dollop of a unique fresh pesto sauce. The lamb chops are served over lemony Greek-style potatoes and the fish is served with fresh roasted seasonal veggies over Greek-style orzo rice. Both of my favorite dishes are even better now than they were when Acropolis first opened.

Another long-time favorite on the menu is the yummy saganaki cheese appetizer (top and center right photos), which is set on fire and served with perfect pita triangles.

We also loved the authentic spanakopita (spinach pie) appetizer, the calamari and photographer Charmaine George gave thumbs up to the shrimp appetizer in a creamy lemon sauce, topped with cheese and served with toast points. Those seeking more adventurous, authentic tastes should try the grilled octopus,

Ouzo mussels, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), tirosalata (a creamy blend of feta cheese and garlic topped with oregano and extra virgin olive oil), avgolemono (lemon) or lentil soups, hummus or baba ghanouj.

Among the other great dishes to try are the gyro trio (traditional lamb, pork and chicken, served on pita and with crispy fries; above right), the authentic “Yia Yia’s Recipe) mousaka (Greek-style lasagne, but with potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, ground beef and

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creamy bechamel sauce with tomato sauce and feta cheese), the whole grilled red snapper, or the pork, chicken, beef or kefta (ground beef) kabobs. Mine and Jannah’s newest favorite is the chicken Rhodes — two grilled breasts in a garlic parmesan wine sauce sautéed with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and olives, topped with crumbled feta. It’s a true taste sensation!

Do not skip dessert at Acropolis, either.

Stacy and Eddie are rightfully proud of the decadent chocolate “bombe” (filled with white and milk chocolate mousses), the outstanding

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baklava (shown topped with Haagen Dazs ice cream, right), baklava cheesecake and the addictive pineapple upside down cake (next to the baklava) that also is set on fire to give it a creme brulée-style outer crust. OMG! And yes, Acropolis still has weekend entertainment like George, the buzuki player, the incredibly talented and lovely belly dancer Gypsi and Stacy promises that the dancing servers and plate-breaking will be coming back soon.

Stacy and Eddie also are proud of the recently revamped outdoor patio, which offers a variety of your favorite hookah water pipe flavors. And, both indoor and outdoor bars offer the finest in Greek beers and wines, plus premium alcohol and so much more! Can you say “Opa?”

see the ad on pg. 43 of this issue. For more information, visit DineGreek.com or call (813) 971-1787.

(Clockwise from top left) Acropolis New Tampa owners Eddie Nasr & Stacy Esposito. New Tampa GM Jason Stiger. The flaky and delicious Athenian fish. George provides buzuki entertainment and the lovely Gypsi elevates the art form of belly dancing. Try the fired-up pineapple upside down cake, baklava cheesecake and authentic baklava with ice cream desserts.

Acropolis Greek Taverna is located at 14947 BBD Blvd. and is open Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight) and 11 a.m.-1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For great money-saving coupons,

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October Events To Attend In Wesley Chapel!

If you’re looking for things to do locally in October, Wesley Chapel always has a lot of great events that we used to include in a Community Calendar every issue. Even though we stopped including the Calendar in our print editions, we do still offer a free Community Calendar on our website — NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net — where you can submit your community events.

It just so happens that we have several advertisers who have events upcoming in October that we hope you’ll support: Sat., Oct. 2, noon-4 p.m. — Oktoberfest at Florida Ave. Brewing Co. (2029 Arrowgrass Dr) — This free-to-attend event at one of Wesley Chapel’s favorite restaurants/ bars/craft breweries will include German-style food, live German music, activities for kids, Oktoberfest costume and stein-holding contests, a cornhole competition and much more.

Now through Oct. 2 also are the last days to purchase a commemorative Florida Ave. stein for $20 and receive $2 off select drafts and $3 off select drafts on Oct. 2. For more details, see the ad on pg. 37, call (813) 452-6333 or visit bit.ly/Oktoberfest_2021.

Sun., Oct. 3, 10 a.m. — Free Jabz Boxing Exhibition Class at Florida Ave. Brewing Co. (2029 Arrowgrass Dr) — Your chance to check out a Jabz boxing-inspired circuit workout before the new facility opens in the Shops at Wiregrass. For more info, scan

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the QR Code in the Jabz ad on pg. 25.

Sat., Oct. 9, 4 p.m.-? — Krateoberfest, Wesley Chapel’s Craft Beer Festival, outside The Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment (6333 Wesley Grove Blvd.) — Billed as Wesley Chapel’s largest all-inclusive beer celebration, with more than 100 craft beers, Krateoberfest will offer unlimited samples with General Admission for $39; 3 p.m. admission with Krate Mate passes for $59; and 2 p.m. admission, T-shirt, collectible mug, one meal ticket and access to the Brewers Pavilion with six barrel-aged brews and access to A/C restrooms and a covered area with VIP passes for $89. All attendees must be age 21+.

There also will be live entertainment, cooking shows and even a wine pairing. For info, visit Krateoberfest.com or see the ad on pg. 1.

Thur., Oct. 14, consults at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. — EVOLVE Body Remodeling event at QVita Health & Wellness (2734 Windguard Cir., Suite 101) — Learn about the latest in body contouring with Peggy Demetriou, ARNP, at this exclusive event. EVOLVE can help you trim fat, tighten and tone loose skin and all attendees will be entered to win a Grand Prize of $500 off a treatment! The event also will feature one-day special pricing on packages. Reservations are required for this free-to-attend event. Call (813) 5014130, visit QVitaHealthandWellness.com or see the ad on this page. — GN

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Pick Of The Week: Balanced Foods Opens Next To Target!

WC Quick Bites

• Cluckin’ Fun To Replace Hardee’s?

A month or so ago, a new banner sign went up on the former location of Hardee’s on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (next to Goodyear Auto Service) announcing that Cluckin’ Fun, an apparent chicken restaurant, was going to replace the burger chain, but as of the day before we went to press with this issue, the sign was gone and we have no further info about Cluckin’ Fun. • Shake-A-Salad To Open At KRATE We told you last issue that Provisions Coffee & Kitchen was the first former shipping container to open at the KRATE container park at The Grove. It looks like the second crate to open, within a month or so, may be ShakeA-Salad, a new salad-and-wrap concept from fellow transplanted New Yawkas with fresh, tasty and healthy food options and homemade dressings. Visit ShakeaSaladfl.com. — GN

In case you missed it, Balanced Foods, the six-store chain which started in Woodlands, TX, is now open in the former La Prima Pizza location next to Super Target in the North Woods Plaza at 1211 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (just north of County Line Rd.).

I’ve already visited multiple times and enjoyed both lunch- and dinner-sized portions of fresh, healthy, house-made entrées like the roasted vegetable and tenderloin entrée (above) and the city grilled chicken with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans. There are different lunch and dinner entrées, and all come in small, medium and large sizes to fit your diet, taste and budget.

Balanced Foods also offers a variety of snacks, from its own freshly made chunky chicken salad dip (served with gluten-free crackers, apple and celery sticks), to packaged items like yummy ChipMonk banana chocolate chip sunflower Keto Bites and addictive ICON Meals peanut butter vanilla Protein Popcorn. For more info, visit BalancedFoods.com or call (813) 778-4874 and please tell them you read about them in the Neighborhood News. We also plan to do an update on the explosion of healthy eating locations in Wesley Chapel in a future issue. — GN

Baybreeze Dental Hosts A Chamber Ribbon Cutting!

Congratulations to Ronak Parikh, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), the owner of the new Baybreeze Dental office at 28868 S.R. 54 (call 813.377.1822), and his family and staff, for celebrating the Grand Opening of the office with an outstanding North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event Photo) on Sept. 8.

Attendees got to enjoy tours of the modern new cosmetic dentistry office, great food by Glory Days Grill (located almost next door), plus delicious desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes & Crumbl Cookie. — GN

Wolf’s Den Closes; First Watch To Open 2nd WC Location?

For those of us who prefer mom-and-pop restaurants to chains, this may not be great news for you, as Wesley Chapel recently lost the always-popular Wolf’s Den Restaurant located on S.R. 56, but will apparently soon have a second location of First Watch, The Daytime Café, on S.R. 54, about a mile east of BBD, in the same plaza as Baybreeze Dental (see story below left).

Wolf’s Den owner Tony Carbone, who had to close temporarily a couple of times earlier this year because of a lack of help in the kitchen, closed for good before the end of August. “It was time,” he told me. “It’s been a real struggle with employees this year.”

Meanwhile, First Watch, which has a Wesley Chapel location in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on BBD south of S.R. 56, as well as in the new Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza on BBD in New Tampa and on S.R. 54 in Lutz, has not yet confirmed that it will open next to Baybreeze Dental, but we’ve been told by multiple sources that the currently empty end cap in that plaza (also home to a BayCare Medical Group office) will be a First Watch. — GN

The Grill At Morris Bridge Set To Open On CC Blvd.!

Although we don’t know exactly when, New Tampa is getting yet another non-chain restaurant.

After years of being home to a Beef O’Brady’s and then, for a short time, the ill-fated Chefs of Napoli (and for about a minute, Regina Margherita), the westernmost corner location in the Cross Creek Commons plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd., will apparently be home to The Grill at Morris Bridge.

Located to the west of Great Expressions Dental Center (photo) and just two doors down from Publix, which owns the 18-year-old plaza, The Grill at Morris

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Bridge is currently under construction, a $250,000 job that, according to plans filled with the City of Tampa, will include a restaurant and bar.

We’re also not sure what kind of food the new place will be offering, but the new restaurant will be about 2,400 sq. ft. inside, and will have seating for roughly 145 customers. The Grill also will have a 240-sq.-ft. outdoor patio on the far west side parallel to Meadows Rd. (facing Heritage Elementary), as well as a bar with 16 seats.

Here’s hoping The Grill at Morris Bridge will be opening sooner than later. — JCC

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Are You Ready For Halloween? Sweet Party Is Closing & Spirit Is Open!

Very soon, New Tampa will have no party stores, as the Sweet Party store located at 20310 Trout Creek Dr., west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and south of County Line Rd. (behind Burger 21) is getting ready to close, most likely sometime immediately after Halloween (Sunday, October 31).

Owner Maher Alagal (photo) says that although Sweet Party is still making money, he is ready to retire and spend more time with his family. He also has been looking to sell the store, which became the only party store in New Tampa after the Party Scene store in the Pebble Creek Collection on BBD closed in 2017.

“People said I put Party Scene out of business when I opened, but I actually tried to buy that store from its owner before it closed,” Maher says. “I honestly believed that there was room for two party supply and costume stores in this area.”

But now, with Halloween only four weeks away as this issue arrives in your mailbox, Maher says that everything in his store must go, including his huge selection of Halloween costumes for men, women and children. And yes, at our press time, the selection of available costumes at Sweet Party was still pretty sizable, but moving fast, especially with the entire inventory of costumes available at

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up to 70% to 80% off their regular prices.

Maher says similar savings are available on party supplies, balloons and other unique merchandise — but don’t blame me if anything mentioned here is gone before you get there!

For more info, call Sweet Party at (813) 994-4900 or visit SweetPartyTampa.com.

It’s also worth mentioning that two Spirit Halloween Stores have opened in our distribution areas — one in the Shops at Wiregrass mall (in the former Forever 21 store, at 28210 Paseo Dr., Spc B190) and the other in the Market Square plaza in Tampa Palms (at 6222 Commerce Palms Blvd.), the same plaza with BJ’s Wholesale Club and Urban Air Adventures. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Is Willing To Overpay A Part-Time Office Assistant!

For details, email your resume to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com!

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.

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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 REP. 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.

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

TJ’s PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Houses, Fences, Driveways, Lanais & Screened Enclosures. Most resdt’l 2-car driveways & vinyl fences start at $75. House washing starts at $150 /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.

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Classifieds

HOME HEALTH CARE

HOME DIALYSIS PARTNER: Why travel for dialysis?

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

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

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

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

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

COMPUTER & BUSINESS SERVICES

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

PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+, Cert. computer tech w/20 years exp. Maintenance & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assistance & refs. avail. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate; see our ad on pg. 45!

MISCELLANEOUS

ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2020 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $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.

CLEANING SERVICES

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

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

A-to-Z CLEANING & ORGANIZING. Home & Ofc Cleaning & Organizing Svcs! We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. WC resident. Weekly & Bi-Weekly / Deep Cleaning/ Move-In / Move-Out. Serving WC & NT. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-4621270. Local references supplied upon request.

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

LAWN & LANDSCAPING _

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ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior. Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials.

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

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

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

CALL 813-907-LAWN (5296).

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

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

TREE SERVICE

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE. 25-yrs of Prof. Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal.

Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service.

Free Mulch. Call 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

NAME CHANGE Manoranjan Kumar is a permanent resident of H No-650, Krishnapuri Korra Sadar Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, India, currently staying at 6249 English Hollow Rd., Tampa, FL USA 33647. This is to inform you that my daughter’s name Yana (Passport number P7085913) has been changed to include my surname “Kumar.” Yana will now be known as “Yana Kumar.”

POOL SERVICES

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

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing w/outstanding customer service!

LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim-safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get ONE MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com.

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

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

FITNESS & WELL BEING

YOGA, PERSONAL TRAINING, NUTRITION & PHYSICAL THERAPY w/DR. LAUREN LEIVA, DPT! Phys Ed for everyone, including all children, w/a certified personal trainer who also is a degreed Dr. of Physical Therapy. Ask Dr. Leiva about her PE4ME sliding scale pay program! For more info, visit TheExerscienceCenter.com, call 813.464.0313 or see the ad on pg. 26 of this issue.

Neighborhood News Classified Ads Are the Ones Your Neighbors READ! To order yours, visit neighborhoodnewsonline.net/Classified Listings

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 20 • September 28, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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