Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 27. Issue 22, October 18, 2019

Volume 27 Issue 22

WESLEY CHAPEL

NEWS

October 18, 2019

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THE

GOLDEN

BY JOHN C. COTEY In a tiny office tucked behind The Grove shopping center he recently bought for $62.7 million, Mark Gold is unveiling big dreams.

“Big, big, major,” he says. “This is major.”

Gold’s vision is all over the walls of the leasing office at The Grove, on blueprints and promotional materials.

There will be a family park, an amphitheatre for musical performances, a brewery (which we wrote about last issue), new restaurants, an indoor adventure facility (see pg. 14), beautiful landscaping and lighting, and what Gold says will be the biggest shipping container park — think Sparkman Wharf, but on steroids — in the world.

There also is room for 400 homes, if Gold chooses to develop the additional acreage.

While others have, for too many years, seen a big box dead end office plaza with empty buildings and overgrown and unkempt land, Gold sees the future.

“This is a diamond that no one has touched for 10 years,” he says. “No one had the money to polish the diamond. That’s just crazy.”

See “The Grove” on pages 4-5.

Inside: Your Last Chance To Win FREE Dining In Our 2019 Dining Survey & Contest!

See page 35!

Still Going Strong!

Don’t let Francesca Caravella’s age fool you, she’s got game.

Page 8

Eye See You! Costco has great deals & a great independent optometrist, too.

Pages 24-25

Las Palmas Is No. 1!

The local favorite recently was picked as the Bay area’s top Cuban eatery.

Pages 38-39

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Congrats To The North Tampa Bay Chamber & A Tip Of The Hat To Mike Moore!

An editorial by Gary Nager Big congratulations go out to the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) and its president and CEO (and, I’m proud to say, my good friend) Hope Allen for bringing home some impressive hardware from the annual Florida Association of Chamber Professionals’ annual conference.

The NTBC was named the 2019 Chamber of the Year from among the 300 Chambers of Commerce throughout the state of Florida.

“This designation is an absolute honor, as we are able to showcase our organization, its members, and the entire team as an elite chamber,” Hope said in her formal email announcement to the NTBC membership about the award.

“Among the many accomplishments our organization has had over the years, the three major initiatives that set us a part were the development of AdventHealth Center Ice, Metro Development’s Connected Cities, and the RADDSports project (aka the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County).”

Along with those accomplishments, Hope said she and her team of Chamber professionals were excited to be recognized for the acquisition of two chambers within the last five years that led to an official logo and name change. “This award is a testament to not only our staff and our Board of Directors, but to our amazing members who make up our thriving community.”

Hope also was recognized as an individual who has dedicated 15 years of service to the chamber profession.

The hard-working NTBC president showed off the Chamber of the Year hardware (left photo above) at the Chamber’s September 27 Final Friday networking event, which was held the afternoon we went to press with this issue (on Sept. 27) at Grillsmith in the Shops at Wiregrass mall. NTBC chair-elect Dr. Kevin

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

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The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 27, Issue 24, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, November 4, 2019.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously nonpublished 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.

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O’Farrell of Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch gave Hope big props for her efforts on the Chamber’s behalf and Hope actually gave yours truly and this publication some love, telling me that, “Without you and the Neighborhood News always promoting everything we do, we would never have been able to win this award.”

I’m not sure I agree, because Hope and the NTBC have been so influential and ever-present with regards to everything that is happening business- and development-wise in New Tampa and especially, Wesley Chapel, that it definitely deserved to win on its own merits — but I will definitely take it!

especially his opposition to connecting Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe (Left) NTBC president Hope Allen shows off the Florida Chamber of the to Kinnan St in New Tampa, but I don’t think year award. (Right, l.-r.) Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, Hope anyone could argue that and NTBC Board chair Karen Tillman-Gosselin at the Chamber’s Monthly Business Breakfast held Oct. 1 at PHSC’s Porter Campus. he isn’t doing a great job.

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Speaking of the NTBC, Seven Oaks resident and Pasco County Commissioner (and someone else I am proud to call my friend) Mike Moore was the featured speaker at the Chamber’s Oct 1 Monthly Business Breakfast at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch and Comm. Moore definitely rocked the packed house.

He touched on Pasco’s recent re-branding as Florida’s Sports Coast, thanks in large part to AdventHealth Center Ice (AHCI) and the Pasco County Sports Campus at Wiregrass Ranch (which will be operated by RADDSports, the company that now employs my wife Jannah) both being here in Wesley Chapel. Moore said the USA Hockey Disabled Hockey tournament at AHCI generated a Pasco record 2,000 hotel room nights and with nearly a million visitors and room nights countywide in 2018, he says that number will continue to grow.

Comm. Moore also touted the county’s many road improvements, especially those coming to the Wesley Chapel area — including the recent opening of S.R. 56 all the way to U.S. Hwy. 301 in Zephyrhills, the under-construction Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-75 and S.R. 56, the planned Overpass Rd. interchange off I-75, the in-progress widening of S.R. 54 from Curley Rd. to Morris Bridge Rd. and the widening of Wesley Chapel Blvd. north of S.R. 56.

Mike and I don’t agree on everything,

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Routine Adjustments help relieve the strain that is placed on the body

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-16

School Boundaries Workshop Draws Small Crowd.....6 She’s 93, But Can Still Hit One Past You...................8 Fall Festival Expects To Have Biggest Year Yet..........10 Moffitt Looking For Bigger Share Of Cigarette Tax...11 Business Notes: Time For Fun In Both Markets.............12 Shell Pillow A Godsend For Mastectomy Patients..........14 Pics: Quail Hollow Gets $1K, Park Breaks Ground.........15 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar.........................16

Local Business Updates..............20-28 New Tampa Designer Brings You South Tampa Look...20 New Horizons Pediatrics For Your Kids’ Health........22 Getting Your Eyes Checked...At Costco?.......................24 St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Eye Institute...................36

Education & Sports News..........30-34

Meet Cypress Creek Middle School’s First Principal.....30 WCH Volleyball Team Posts Best-Ever Season............32 Cypress Creek’s Crouse Has Olympic Dreams..............32

Neighborhood Magazine

Enter Our 2019 Dining Survey & Contest!-------37 Las Palmas Named Top Cuban Restaurant!.............38 Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes...........42 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds...........44 @NTWCNews

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3

The Grove: “If You Have A Dream, Let’s Make It Happen!” - Mark Gold FROM PAGE 1

The Grove, which opened in 2007 and whose current tenants include Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michael’s and others, as well as the Cobb 16 Movie Theater, may be an afterthought to many locals, a shopping center that once had great potential before development stopped. Gold and his Mishorim Gold Properties promise that will change.

“The message is, The Grove is coming back,” says Gold, emphatically. “It’s not owned by the bank or an insurance company anymore, it’s owned by creative developers that do this already all over the U.S.” As Gold lays out his plan, it almost sounds too good to be true. However, District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who arranged a meeting for Gold with county planners and administrators, loves the idea.

“I think he’s the real deal,” Moore says. “When he left after his presentation, there was energy and excitement in the room.”

Pasco’s uber-friendly-to-business county commission is likely to do what it can to make things happen fast.

Many of the typical hold-ups — such as proper zoning and utilities — are all already in place.

Gold, who has now owned the plaza less than a month, isn’t wasting any time starting to create a destination that he thinks could serve as a downtown Wesley Chapel one day.

“This is not only about money, it’s about vision,” he says. “Let’s bring something to Wesley Chapel that people like to come to.”

Just a few days after his purchase, he already had signed leases for 15 of the 60 containers, or micro-shops, that will populate the land between The Grove’s office “village” and Outback Steakhouse. Moore said he was

A micro-shop container park/bazaar, utilizing re-purposed shipping containers is headed to The Grove shopping center off Oakley Blvd., says developer Mark Gold. The rendering above is just a section of the 60-container park, which will be located (right) between The Grove offices (and new restaurants) and the Outback Steakhouse, which will be visible from I-75 (the roadway at the bottom of the map).

impressed to see that overgrown grass had already been moved and some of the area was already being prepped.

Gold is hoping to create a European-flavored market or bazaar, with an emphasis on locally-owned stores and boutiques, and he says that in about two months, the containers will begin showing up.

“Things are moving fast,” he says.

“This is big in places like Europe, Amsterdam...you see it all over the place.

In the U.S., it is fresh. And, it is going

to be the largest one in the world.”

Each of the container “shops,” which are former semi-truck trailers that will be outfitted with solar panels, is 40-feet long (although there are options to split the office containers into two or even three separate spaces), and here’s the big news — he is renting them out for only $1,500 a month for an entire container, with limited upfront costs for design.

“If you have a dream, let’s make it happen!,” he says. “This is your momand-pop opportunity, your dream. I care about my tenants. I want to help people come to us. Let me help you.”

A family park for children also will be one of the key components of The Grove’s transformation, as will a 36,000-sq.-ft. indoor trampoline/adventure park (see pg. 14)..

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Drew Brees is a part-owner of Surge Adventure Park, Gold says he already has Surge at four of his developments and that it is likely Brees will follow him to Wesley Chapel, too. Surge Adventure Park would be built near the Cobb 16 Movie Theater.

As we reported last issue, Double Branch Artisanal Ales, owned by Wesley Chapel residents, is expected to open in December, the first new project under Gold’s Mishorim Gold Properties.

“I think it is extraordinarily exciting for our community,” says Hope Allen, CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. “It’s a long time coming. “It was disheartening to see (The Grove) not living up to its full potential over the last couple of years. I appreciate that new ownership is going to invest in it.”

Gold says he also has signed leases with at least four restaurants — pizza, sushi, gourmet hot dogs and frozen yogurt — for the currently mostlyvacant office park that he calls “The Village,” as well as a restaurant/ duelling piano bar owned by Wesley Chapel resident Jamie Hess and his brother Joe. “I met with him and was very enthusiastic and energetic,” said Jamie Hess, who signed his lease on Oct. 10.

Mark Gold is hoping to develop a family-oriented destination at The Grove, which would include activities for children and adults, with plenty of shopping and places to eat and hang out. (Photo: Charmaine George)

“I thought he had an amazing plan. I went home and researched his other properties and after that, I was sold.

He’s going to make The Grove a huge success.” We’ll have a separate story about the piano bar in a future issue.

Gold has a reputation for investing in property that is undervalued and turning high-vacancy shopping and office centers into bustling, vibrant, family-focused entertainment destinations.

He bought the Lynnhaven North shopping center in Virginia Beach, VA, in late 2018 and quickly turned that

around, with nearly $10 million worth of renovations and upgrades.

Whether you’re talking about the Regency Court Shopping Center in Jacksonville, or the Shoppes at Hickory Hollow in Antioch, TN, the DW Center in Newport News, VA, or a handful of other similar U.S. projects, Gold has swooped in to buy a failing shopping center and invested millions into transforming them.

And, the ebullient Gold is excited about The Grove’s prospects.

He says he has been looking to purchase land in the Tampa Bay area

for years, but couldn’t find anything that suited him.

“It was like Mission Impossible,” he says.

He spent eight months negotiating to buy The Grove, when he says it usually takes him only about a month to complete similar deals.

The purchase included the 604,000 sq. ft. of existing shopping and dining space, as well as 1.3-million sq. ft. of retail and office space that he plans to build.

But, even better, The Grove is located in one of the southeast’s fastestgrowing areas.

Not only are there thousands of homes at various stages of development within a 10-mile radius of The Grove in nearby communities like Mirada, Epperson and even Quail Hollow, but Wesley Chapel also boasts an average annual household income of $92,000.

The shopping center is located just off busy I-75, and can be seen by 100,000 drivers a day.

“I am in the middle of the all the action,” Gold says. “Right where I want to be.”

And soon, he hopes, where all of Wesley Chapel will want to be.

For leasing & more information about The Grove, contact keren@ mgoldgroup.com.

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5

Less Contentious Debate Over New School Zones

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Chris Williams wasn’t quite sure what to expect on Oct. 7 at the public workshop for Pasco County’s new school boundaries expected to go into effect for the 2020-21 school year.

The director of planning services for the Pasco County School Board said that in the three weeks prior to the meeting, there had surprisingly been only 35 online inquiries about the new boundaries, so he wondered if parents were waiting to address their concerns in person.

Would the same large crowds from the contentious, lawsuit-laden 2016 rezoning meetings come streaming through the doors of the Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) gymnasium? Would an angry mob be on hand to confront county planners who were there to answer questions?

Would they be carrying pitchforks?

The answers? No, no and no.

It was, in fact, a surprisingly muted showing of roughly 50 parents over three hours, the energy muzzled by the emptiness of the high school’s large gymnasium.

“Based on some feedback, I expected more,” Williams said. “But, I didn’t expect this.”

There were 12 tables set up, with District staff manning many of them to answer questions about the new school zones, which will have the greatest effect on students living in Seven Oaks.

While current WRH juniors and John Long Middle School seventh graders will be allowed to stay next year to finish at the schools where they started, most everyone else in Seven Oaks is headed to Cypress Creek High and Cypress Creek Middle, if the boundaries are approved, as expected.

When Mica and David Rice decided to relocate from Orange County in New York to Tampa Bay, they say that the right school for their son, an incoming freshman, played the biggest role.

In the summer of 2018, after strongly considering Steinbrenner High in Lutz, the Rices made what they thought was the right decision — they chose WRH, and bought a home in Seven Oaks.

Two weeks after closing on their new home, Mica found out her son’s stay at WRH was likely to be a short one, as the Seven Oaks community would in the crosshairs of rezoning in 2019.

“I saw it on Facebook, and I was shocked,” Mica says. “We did a year’s worth of research before deciding to move here, and did not know.”

The Rices were clearly disappointed that their son will not only have to attend a new school, but one further away from home. Mika says her 7-minute ride to 6

Chris Williams, Pasco County’s Director of Planning Services for the School Board, had plenty of time to answer questions from concerned parents at the sparsely attended public workshop for the proposed school boundaries for the 2020-21 school year on Oct. 7. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

school will now be a 20-minute ride.

“We don’t want to leave (Wiregrass Ranch),” she says.

However, there is little choice. Most of the parents who visited the public workshop seemed disappointed but resigned to the fact their children — whether at WRH or Long — would be attending Cypress Creek High and/or the new Cypress Creek Middle School, which is currently under construction, next year.

“I’m getting pushback, but not a lot of it,” Williams said. “The impression is that certainly people are not happy, but they are kind of resigned to the fact. Most knew this day was coming.”

To drive that point home, Williams came armed with a newspaper article from 2016, where Pasco School Superintendent Kurt Browning specifically told the Seven Oaks community that while they were spared in the 2016 rezoning, they likely would be moving the next time around.

Cypress Creek High principal Caryn Hetzler-Nettle and new Cypress Creek Middle School principal Timothy Light (see story, pg. 30) had a table at the public forum with the hopes of assuaging any of the concerns of parents whose kids would be attending their schools next year.

Hetzler-Nettles said the process — which eliminated committees arguing over where to draw the boundaries and let the county planners handle it this time around — also seemed to do away with most of the tension from the 2016 process.

Also, the fear of the unknown has been eliminated. In 2016, students were rezoned for schools that didn’t yet exist.

“It’s night and day,” Hetzler-Nettles said. “Now that we’re established and

have a brand and a vibe out there, it’s been much easier.”

According to 2018-19 data, Wiregrass Ranch High was at 136 percent of its capacity.

By shrinking the zone and reassigning students who live in Seven Oaks, roughly 27 percent of the student body (or 600 or so students) will head off to Cypress Creek High, which today is at only 50 percent of its capacity of 2,090 students.

Long was at 116 percent of its capacity in 2018-19, but with nearly 450 students being rezoned for Cypress Creek Middle School, it could be at 90 percent next school year.

Williams said county-wide, Pasco is only at 90-percent capacity in all of its schools, but Wesley Chapel’s schools are continuously over capacity, due to the burgeoning development.

While rezoning Seven Oaks helped Williams meet his directive, he said the county also considered including North-

wood in the rezoning, but instead chose to make some minor adjustments elsewhere.

Most of the concerns Williams heard at the public forum revolved around students being able to finish at the same school at which they had started, transportation and what to do about siblings.

Williams explained that siblings of any graduating seniors will have to attend their new school, but any students currently attending Wiregrass Ranch (or Long, since it’s considered the same campus) who are siblings of a junior can likely stay but will have to apply for choice.

However, once those WRH juniors graduate in 2021, their younger siblings will have to attend the school for which they are zoned.

Also, students in any academies only offered at Wiregrass Ranch (medical, hospitality) have to apply for choice but should get to stay. Those in the business academy, however, will have to go to Cypress Creek if zoned for it, because Cypress Creek also has a business academy.

The last opportunity for the public to have its say come son Tuesday, November 5, when the School Board will host a public hearing on the proposed boundaries. The final vote is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19.

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93-LOVE Williamsburg resident Francesca Caravella is 93 years old, but that doesn’t stop her from playing tennis 3-4 days a week and whipping up on the young‘ns.

STORY & PHOTOS BY JOHN C. COTEY with contributions by Wen Henagan

8

Three times a week, and sometimes more, Francesca Caravella slings her tennis bag over her shoulder and trudges across the grass from her home just a few hundred yards away in search of competition.

She arrives at the court each morning, and effortlessly reaches down like a gymnast stretching for a routine to remove little plastic bags from her shoes, her protection against the morning dew.

Here at Williamsburg, one of Wesley Chapel’s oldest communities where she has lived since 1983, Francesca is tennis royalty.

The 93-year-old left-handed racquet-wielding spitfire also is something of a freak of nature.

“You wouldn’t know she’s that old, the way she plays,” says Glenn Dimiccio, who maintains the courts at Williamsburg and also is one of the community’s top players.

Dimiccio is warming her up on this day, and it is brutally hot and humid. And yet, Francesca is moving side-to-side, hitting backhands and forehands undaunted.

She had her left meniscus surgically repaired a few years ago, ending her singles career, and her right knee is bone-on-bone and can get quite sore, but Francesca is remarkably agile for someone her age. She still cracks a steady forehand and will liberally mix in high lobs to keep her opponents off the net.

“You gotta do what you gotta do,” she is fond of saying.

In matches, Francesca lets her partners do the work at the net. She was once smacked so hard in the face by an overhead, “I had to spend thousands of dollars on new dentures.”

Francesca definitely knows the game of tennis. She is picky about her racquets and tennis gear and she watches the game closely on the Tennis Channel.

Her friends at Williamsburg have asked her why she doesn’t get an official USTA ranking. The USTA holds national events in all age groups, including 90+, and her teammates and opponents are almost certain she is one of the best 90-year-olds in the country.

“I don’t want to travel far to play people,”

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she says. “Being number one is just not that big a deal for me.”

The daughter of immigrants who hailed from Messina, Sicily, Francesca grew up in Brooklyn, NY, where she says exercise was always a way of life.

She played handball in junior high and stickball in the streets. She says she joined a gym at 16 years old, and after meeting her husband Sal at age 18, learned to ballroom dance. After she had children, she would exercise along with Jack LaLanne on television.

It wasn’t until she moved to Florida in 1985 that she picked up a tennis racquet.

“Nobody ever gave me a lesson,” Francesca says. “Not one. I picked up things by watching players on television. I remember watching (Bjorn) Borg, (Andre) Agassi and (Pete) Sampras. I learned the basics by watching them.”

After tennis, Francesca heads back home to shower, and then it’s off to the New Tampa YMCA for some cardio and yoga. When her workout is over, she will spend many afternoons on her ¾-acre lot, tending to her gardens.

Francesca takes her tennis seriously. She keeps a journal and a log of every potential player. She plans matches at least two weeks in advance. And, if you don’t show up to play when scheduled, you will learn something else about Francesca.

“She is feisty,” Dimiccio says.

The two became fast friends, after DiMiccio moved to Williamsburg long after Francesca had already established herself as the Queen of the Courts in the tight-knit community.

Dimiccio had just started playing tennis again after putting away his racquet decades ago, and he says “she was kicking my butt.”

The two are now inseparable mixed doubles partners. Dimiccio is more advanced, with a high 4.0 USTA rating, while Francesca is more of a 3.0. He serves as her unofficial coach and protector, and they make an ideal pair.

“I promised her I’ll play with her every Friday as long as she’s around,” DiMiccio says, then jokingly adding, “but now it looks like she just might bury me.”

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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The creepy crew from San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union is happy to be the sponsor of the 2019 Trunk or Treat event at the 2019 Wesley Chapel Fall Festival at The Grove Oct. 26-27. Photo: Simply Events

Fall Festival Returns To The Grove Oct. 26-27!

Simply Events and title sponsor Suncoast Federal Credit Union will bring the 15th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival back to The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center off Oakley Blvd. next weekend — Saturday-Sunday, October 26-27 — and the organizers say it should be even bigger and better this year.

The Fall Festival is a family-fun event that actually includes five days (Oct. 2428) of carnival midway rides and games for all ages, plus your favorite fair food.

Also on Friday, Oct. 25, the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC)’s free Final Friday networking event will be held at The Grove, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., and Simply Events owner/president Sonya Bradley told the Oct 1 NTBC Business Breakfast that there will be ride wristband and other giveaways at Final Friday, which also will have free food sponsored and provided by Grillsmith in the Shops at Wiregrass.

Next up? The main event, as the 15th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival will be held Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and will feature live music, fall foods and

beverages, and will feature a local Business Expo, a great pumpkin patch, an arts & crafts area with pumpkin painting, a costumed pet parade (Sat. at 11 a.m.), the Little Miss and Mister Pumpkin Patch contest (Sun. at 11 a.m.), and a spooky Trunk or Treat event (to be held at 4 p.m.6 p.m. on Saturday) and so much more.

This year’s Trunk or Treat, where costumed characters give away candy from dressed-up vehicles manned by local residents and businesses, is sponsored this year

by San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, but as seen above, it’s not the only entertainment you’ll find at this year’s Fall Festival, including live music, and should again be blessed with comfortable weather.

Admission to the Fall Festival is free and unlimited ride wristbands cost just $30.

Visit SimplyEventsFL.com for individual ride ticket prices, and coupon savings on rides and food. Carnival hours are 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Thursday, 5 p.m.-11 pm on Friday, noon-11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon-10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more info, call (727) 674-1464.—GN

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Moffitt’s Partnership With AdventHealth WC Just The Begiining

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com The Moffitt Cancer Center, which recently forged a new partnership with Advent Health Wesley Chapel, could be making an even bigger footprint in Pasco County, with talk of a massive research center at the intersection of S.R. 52 and the Suncoast Pkwy.

But to do so, Moffitt will need money.

Jamie Wilson, the vice president of government affairs for Moffitt, spoke to local business leaders at the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC)’s Economic Development Briefing at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Sept. 26.

Wilson’s presentation is part of a more aggressive effort by Moffitt to convince the state legislature to raise the cancer center’s share of Florida’s annual cigarette tax.

“We have grown from a small cancer hospital with 409 employees in 1986 to 2019, where we now have 6,500 employees serving more than 68,000 patients a year,” Wilson said. “The demand continues to grow. We’re asking our legislature to partner with us again, and groups like this Chamber to support our (request).”

Wilson told the NTBC members in attendance that Moffitt, as the state’s only Comprehensive Cancer Center, is asking to increase its share of the cigarette tax from 4.04 percent this year to 7 percent next year and 10 percent in 2023. Each increase would produce an additional $11 million in annual revenue.

The existing Moffitt Cancer Center on

Moffitt Cancer Center VP of government affairs Jamie Wilson (right) asked Jim Engelmann & the other North Tampa Bay Chamber members in attendance at the NTBC’s Sept. 26 Economic Development Briefing for their support of Moffitt’s efforts to receive more funding the state’s cigarette tax revenue. the University of South Florida (USF)’s Tampa to expand Moffitt’s local footprint. That likely would include a new hospital on McKinley campus off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and E. Fowler Ave., is 33 years old, and Wilson said Dr. (aka N. 40th St.) in Tampa, about a mile there is no space available for growth in cancer from the existing hospital on the USF campus, research or treatment there. He said there were and potentially, a new research campus in 130,000 people diagnosed with cancer last year Pasco County, which has already approved the zoning and land-use changes for the massive in the state of Florida — and that number is proposed development near the Suncoast expected to continue to grow.

“There is more and more demand every Pkwy. that also could include homes, hotels year,” he said. “We are seeking additional asand other commercial enterprises.

Wilson said that a facility such as that sistance from the cigarette tax so we can accomwould be a huge boon for Pasco County, modate that growth by building new, state-ofas it would bring thousands of high-paythe-art treatment and research facilities.”

The additional revenue would be used ing jobs to the area as well.

“I think we all know or have been touched by someone dealing with cancer,” said District 2 County Commissioner Mike Moore. “I think something like that would be great for Pasco County, but I think the good it would do for everyone, here and around the world, would be tremendous.”

Moffitt already has a new and innovative partnership with AdventHealth, which was announced earlier this year.

Back in May, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (AHWC) and Moffitt broke ground on a new $44-million outpatient center to treat cancer patients from a new medical office building on the AHWC campus.

The three-story, 100,000-sq.-ft. medical office on the hospital’s campus will fill a pressing need for cancer treatment here. The outpatient center will offer medical and radiation oncology services and will be designed to accommodate oncologists to deliver chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy to patients. It is expected to open next fall.

Moffitt and AdventHealth also teamed up recently to bring early-phase clinical trials for patients who have run out of other treatment options to AdventHealth Celebration near Orlando.

It is that kind of forward-thinking that Wilson said proves Moffitt has been worth every penny it has received from the cigarette tax, and an increase would help it do more.

“I think the return on investment has been great,” he said, adding later, “Moffitt is doing some pretty great stuff.”

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Business Notes: Boing Boing Boing!!! Fun Is On The Way! The award-winning indoor activity center calls itself the “ultimate indoor playground for your entire family,” and says it is more than just a trampoline park, typically offers high-flying activities, such as a Sky Rider Coaster and elevated ropes course, to name a few.

Urban Air Adventure already has announced on its website that it is coming to New Tampa and, according to plans filed with the City of Tampa, the facility will be 28,000 sq. ft. and will include areas for a warrior course, spin/flip zone, slam dunk zone, family zone, wipe out area, adventure hub and private rooms for parties. as well as a full-service café.

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com After years of wishing there was more to do in the area, specifically for their kids, Wesley Chapel residents finally could be getting their wish.

Developer Mark Gold’s plans to revitalize The Grove shopping center off Oakley Blvd. (see story on pg. 1) will include what he calls “an adventure park.” And, just a few miles down the road in New Tampa, an Urban Air Adventure Park is on the way to the Market Square at Tampa Palms plaza, the shopping center anchored by BJ’s Wholesale Club on Commerce Palms Dr. off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Gold isn’t revealing any details about his adventure center just yet, but says the project includes New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (who also is a minority partner of the parent company of Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, which recently opened on S.R. 56) and will be built adjacent to the Cobb 16 movie theater on The Grove property.

Brees is a co-owner of Surge Adventure Park, and, in September of 2018, opened one of the facilities in the Regency Court Shopping Center in Jacksonville.

The Regency Court Shopping Center is a 218,646-square-foot retail project that Gold’s Mishorim Gold Jacksonville LLP

12

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is co-owner of Surge Adventure Park, which could be headed to The Grove shopping center. bought in 2017, with the idea of creating party rooms for kids and lounges for parents.

Jacksonville’s premier entertainment destiIn fact, Surge sounds an awful lot like nation — which is something Gold says he Urban Air Adventure, a Texas-based enteralso will do with The Grove. tainment center franchise with locations all Gold says his tenants, like Brees, typi- across the U.S.. cally follow him to his new projects.

The New Tampa location will be the company’s 10th in Florida. It will Surge says in its marketing materials that it features trampolines, zip lines, climb- take over for the former HH Gregg space in the Market Square Plaza. ing walls, a ninja course, a battle beam, a

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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INDIAN MARKET: While Urban Air Adventure Park will fill the former home of HH Gregg, Taza Market, an Indian supermarket and eatery, is expected to take over the former Staples location in the Market Square plaza.

Taza Market, according to plans filed with the city, will be a 16,382-sq.-ft. Indian super market with fresh food made daily and a café-like area of roughly 1,700 sq. ft. with seating for 80.

Taza in Hindi translates to “fresh.”

FILLING SPACES: Medical cannabis provider Trulieve is in permitting as it prepares to open a location in the Pinebrook Plaza at The Grove, located on the

@NTWCNews

s

north side of S.R. 54, next to Bed Pros.

Trulieve already has 31 dispensaries in Florida, opening its most recent location in Clearwater Beach in August.

Arepa Coffee House also is in permitting to fill a vacancy in the Grand Oaks Square plaza on S.R. 54, with plans to open a location between Chapel Cigars and Sweet Darling Quilts.

Glory Days Grill, to be located on S.R. 54 just west of Saddlebrook Resort, in the same plaza with the recently opened Domino’s Pizza and Max’s Pet Market & Salon (see pg. 24), is getting closer to opening. You should start seeing signs go up for Glory Days (which already has a New Tampa location on BBD near I-75) soon.

LONG WAIT: Wesley Chapel residents have waited more than three years for discount grocer Aldi to begin construction, after it was originally announced as going up on Oakley Blvd. near The Grove in 2016 before changing sites two more times.

Will New Tampa have to wait as long?

Aldi is eyeing the location previously occupied by Ruby Tuesday in Highwoods Preserve. It is asking Hillsborough County to rezone the property the vacant restaurant sits on at 17520 BBD Blvd. so it can build one of its popular stores on the site.

That hearing, however, won’t happen this year. According to the City of Tampa, the rezoning hearing is tentatively set to be heard on January 16, 2020, as long as Aldi has a certified, legal site plan by then.

Neighborhood News

Aldi been working on its 22,000-sq.ft. store on the southeast corner of S.R. 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54), in front of the Costco, as well as two others in Pasco County.

HOMES & HEALTH: Phase One of Persimmon Park has been approved to begin building 152 single family detached homes on the south side of Chancey Blvd., right across the street from Estancia at Wiregrass Ranch.

The project will include roughly 340 units in all. Plans were initially approved in 2016, with Phase One receiving approval the following year.

Ground also has been broken on the property just north of Wharton High on BBD in New Tampa for a new free-standing emergency room.

The project is being developed by Galencare, Inc., doing business as Brandon Regional Hospital. It is building a 10,870-sq.ft. facility, according to plans filed with Hillsborough County earlier this year.

Behind the new ER and stretching all the way to Trout Creek Dr., a new apartment complex is planned on 22 acres of land.

While it is expected to break ground by the end of this year, the new development — called Trout Creek Landings in plans filed with the county — will have six 3-story buildings with 176 total units, four 2-story buildings with 20 single-family townhomes, and a one-story clubhouse.

All of the units will be rentals.

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11/15/19

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Shell Pillow Aids In Recovery

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN It was one week after her wedding, when she was just 28 years old, that Shelley Archbold discovered a lump in her breast that turned out to be cancerous.

Through radiation and chemotherapy, her friend from college, Wesley Chapel graphic artist Mary Glassman (photo), sat

by Shelley’s side.

Several years later, after Shelley gave birth to a son, she underwent genetic testing and decided to have a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of having a future recurrence of the disease.

Mary wanted to give Shelley a meaningful, useful gift. Searching the internet, she found that many women use a mastectomy pillow, but she didn’t find one she thought looked very comfortable — or sanitary, for that matter.

“I’m kind of a germophobe,” says Mary, who squirmed at the thought of a pillow up against a body recovering from surgery that couldn’t be washed. “My mom taught me to sew when I was very young, so I thought I could sew her something.”

Mary says she made a quick pattern, cut it out, and fashioned the first pillow.

Since Shelley had a double mastectomy, Mary made two pillows so she would have one for each side.

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the most useful thing that I didn’t know I would need,” says Shelley. “A lot of times when you’re sick, people want to help and they don’t really know how. Mary took it to the next level trying to think of what really would be the most comforting and helpful.

She’s brilliant.”

Because Shelley liked the pillow so much, when Mary’s aunt had a mastectomy, Mary made her pillows, too. A couple of friends and neighbors asked her to make them for friends who had the procedure, too.

Mary, who lives in Seven Oaks with her husband and two kids, considered how many people could benefit from her pillows. She knew she couldn’t personally sew enough to make the pillows by hand, so she researched and found a company to manufacture the pillows.

Mary considered what to name the pillow, and ultimately settled on a tribute to her dear friend who first inspired it.

She named it, “The Shell Pillow.”

Her first production run has been completed and is currently being shipped.

Once the pillows arrive, they will be ready for sale.

Mary says The Shell Pillow is better than others on the market because it is longer, offering more comfort.

While it was designed for those recovering from a mastectomy, it can be used by

Mary Glassman considered what to name the Shell Pillow, and ultimately settled on a tribute to her dear friend who first inspired it, Shelley Archbold. (Photo courtesy of Bob Thompson) anyone recovering from breast or shoulder through it,” Mary says. “It’s difficult. If it surgery who would benefit from being able could let them rest a little easier, ultimately to rest their arms away from their body. that’s my goal, to give people comfort.”

And, of course, there’s that washable Her friend Shelley believes The Shell cover. “They have an aesthetic appeal and Pillow will make a difference. don’t look like a medical device,” Mary says.

“I was really honored that she named “You’d be comfortable having them out on it after me,” says Shelley. “I hope others the couch or on your bed.” find comfort the way I did, and know that While Mary is both excited about it came from a friend helping a friend. Her launching her business and a bit nervreason to make these came from the heart.”

The Shell Pillow currently is ous about the unknowns of undertaking available for pre-order and is expected something she’s never done before, she said to be available for purchase later this she’s mostly looking forward to making the month. For more information or recovery process more comfortable for any to purchase The Shell Pillow, visit women facing recovery from a mastectomy.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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It’s All Happening In Wesley Chapel!

On Sept. 20, members of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and representatives of Advent Health Wesley Chapel and Lennar Homes were on hand at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the inclusive playground now under construction at the Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Rd.

Great Clips, Inc., the world’s largest salon brand, donated $1,000 to Quail Hollow Elementary (QHE) on Thursday, Oct. 3. Great Clips VP of Operations Mary Chambers and local franchisee Tony Sorrentino presented the check to Andrea Altman, the assistant principal at QHE. This summer, Great Clips pledged to donate $1 in school supplies to schools across the United States and Canada for every download of the Great Clips Online Check-In app from Aug. 1-Sept. 6. Great Clips’ goal is to donate more than $400,000 to deserving schools for school supplies, renovations and enhancements.

Sorrentino, who owns the Great Clips in the Towne Centre at Wesley Chapel on S.R. 54, said QHE was chosen because of the programs it offers for underprivileged kids.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

15

OCTOBER 2019

(right) and the Nibbles & Bytes item on pg. 42.

NOVEMBER 2019

Saturday, October 19

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

Bay Chapel Food Pantry - Free food for needy families. Open every Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., behind Christian Brothers Automotive (20300 Trout Creek Dr., off BBD). For more info, visit BayChapel.com/foodpantry.

Fresh Market at Wiregrass - The 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, you can enjoy the Fresh Market at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr, Wesley Chapel), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, hand crafts, candles, sauces, fresh bread, & much more. For more info, visit tampabaymarkets.com.

FREE Shred Day - Got items to shred? Don’t want to pay to shred & don’t want to do it yourself? The Mobile Shred Truck from Shred360 will be on-site at Heritage Isles Golf Club (off Cross Creek Blvd. at 10630 Plantation Bay Dr, New Tampa) , 11 a.m.-1 p.m. You can watch your items being shredded.

Attendees are limited to 3 boxes (copy paper box or smaller) or bags (kitchen trash bag or smaller) per vehicle. This is a FREE event.

Sunday, October 20

Fall Wesley Chapel Shabby Chic Vintage Market - 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Fall Wesley Chapel Shabby Chic Vintage Market returns to The Grove at Wesley Chapel (6105 Wesley Grove Blvd) for an autumn rendition of Tampa Bay’s most unique shopping experience. Guests can shop from 120 local vendors & artisans, featuring unique finds & home furnishings. Admission & parking are always free. Dogs are more than welcome to attend, but please be aware the pavement can get hot.

Fall Festival - North Tampa Christian Academy - There will be lots of fun for the whole family! From 4 p.m.-7 p.m., enjoy inflatables galore, a dunk tank, trunk or treat maze, concessions, games, food trucks, prizes, pumpkin painting, face painting, music, and so much more! Bring the whole family for a fun-filled time! To be held at North Tampa Christian Academy (5585 E. County Line Rd., New Tampa).

Monday, October 21

Yoga On The Lawn (The Shops at Wiregrass) - This Free event is held every Monday, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Center Court (28211 Paseo Dr, Wesley Chapel) Weather Permitting. This is Relaxing Beginner to Intermediate Yoga, sponsored by Energia Wellness Studio - For more info call (813) 973-7300.

Wednesday, October 23

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon meets Wednesdays at noon at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). First time guests attend free. For more information, call (813) 391-3895.

Thursday, October 24

North Tampa Veterans Association meeting - All armed forces veterans & associates are invited to a weekly lighthearted Dutch-treat breakfast meeting to get acquainted & tell your tales, new & old. Location: Steak ‘n Shake, just off BBD Blvd. (at 17509 North Palms Village Pl.), every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Bring your spouse and your brag sheet. Open to veterans of all branches of the U.S. military.

Friday, October 25

Drive-Thru Prayer - Takes place every Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). You will find trained members of the church’s Caring Ministry Team under the portico. Share your cares & concerns in prayer while you stay seated in your car. Everyone is welcome.

Trunk-or-Treat to Celebrate The Learning Experience of Wesley Chapel Grand Opening (5440 Post Oak Blvd) - 6 p.m.-8 p.m. For more information, see the ad on page 2 of this issue!

Saturday, October 26

Pasco County Pill Drop - 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Shops at Wiregrass lower level parking garage). Unused or expired medications are often flushed down a drain or end up in the wrong hands. Help protect our environment & the health of our community. Please dispose of your medications safely at the Pasco County Pill Drop. Thank you from The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival at The Grove at Wesley Chapel — See story on pg. 10 of this issue.

Monday, October 28

River Cruise Seminar - Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel - .For more information, see the ad on pg. 17 YouTube.com/c/NeighborhoodNewsOnline Facebook.com/NeighborhoodNews NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Friday, November 1

North Tampa Bay Chamber: WOW (Women of Wesley Chapel) Meeting - This women-only exclusive group is for members & prospective members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. The WOW network meets the first Friday of every month at Beach House Assisted Living at Wiregrass (30070 S.R. 56), 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. For more Information & the fee to attend, call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534.

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

Saturday, November 2

“To the Rescue,” The First Annual Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Celebration to benefit Rescue Cats of Florida - At Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa. Featuring a superb selection of fine wines, gourmet samplings from local chefs & restaurants, a large variety of craft beers & spirits, as well as great live entertainment All proceeds will benefit Rescue Cats (yes, they help dogs & puppies, too) of Florida. This past year alone, Rescue Cats of Florida has saved over 1,500 cats and dogs. For more information, please contact Dan Berman at dan@ totherescuetampa.com.

Democratic 2020 Kickoff Summit - The East Pasco Democratic Club will hold a Kick-off To 2020 Issues Summit from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with speakers on Al Gore’s Climate Project, Mothers for Gun Control, and Education. A full brunch will be served. Cost $35 per person. Hilton Garden Inn (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy).

Reservations: mail check to EPDC, 39713 Meadowood Loop, Zephyrhills, FL 33542 by Oct. 25. For more info, call (813) 780-7178.

Tuesday, November 5

GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club - The Monthly Meeting of the GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club will be held 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., at the Lexington Oaks Clubhouse (26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). The club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Women of all ages are invited to attend and see how you can get involved in your community. For more information, call Beth Reed at (813) 380-8124.

Saturday, November 9

Faith Baptist Preschool & Academy - 3rd Annual Vendor Event - Come out and support Wesley Chapel small businesses. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Faith Baptist Preschool & Academy (6300 Oakley Blvd). This is a great venue for unique finds to start your Christmas shopping. For more info, call (813) 907-9462.

New Tampa Brew Fest - For more information, see the ad on page 34 of this issue!

Sunday, November 10

Orphan Sunday Concert with Mark Schultz - North Pointe Church - If you have a passion for foster children & adoption, join us in celebrating Orphan Sunday with platinum-selling artist Mark Schultz. Meet local foster & adoption support organizations along with other vendors. Proceeds benefit local adoptions & children in foster care. Sponsorship available. General admission & VIP tickets are offered, starting at $15. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) at North Pointe Church (19862 Amanda Park Dr., Lutz).

For ticket info, go to northpointeFL.org/orphansunday Visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net to add your upcoming events to our online calendar.

With enough advance notice, events held in our distribution areas may also appear in our print editions, as space allows.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 • October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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10/31/19

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Hyde Park Renovations Brings Custom Remodels To New Tampa

By ANDY WARRENER For more than five years, Hyde Park Renovations has been transforming homes through kitchen, bathroom, outdoor and whole-home remodels across the Tampa Bay area. With an eye on reaching the many communities in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, Hyde Park Renovations brought on interior decorator Amy Smith in January.

Smith’s connection to New Tampa has Hyde Park Renovations poised to expand in an area Smith believes is ripe for renovations.

“A lot of homes in the New Tampa area are dated now,” Smith says. “A lot of the reds and golds and jewel tones are going away and creams, whites and more neutral tones are coming back in style. We’ve already done remodels in homes that are just 16 years old.

A style that might have been popular at the time is now ready for a face lift. Whether it’s a new kitchen or master bathroom, new decor, furnishings, color selection or a wholehome renovation, we can do all of that.”

Smith’s connection to the area isn’t new. She moved to Meadow Pointe 23 years ago, then to Arbor Greene and now in Tampa Palms.

“New Tampa is a great place to raise a family,” Smith says.

She first started working for Distinction Home Decor in 2003. In 2009, the owners of Distinction Home Decor moved to California, but by then, Smith had built a large enough clientele that she

Interior decorator Amy Smith of Hyde Park Renovations is a Tampa Palms resident who has remodeled a number of homes in New Tampa. She says as the community ages, many homeowners are looking to upgrade their kitchens, bathrooms or their entire homes. (Photo: decided to continue on her own.

For the next 10 years, Smith continued to design projects in the New Tampa area and beyond. In 2015, she began using Hyde Park Renovations as her general contractor.

“They have a great showroom,” Smith says. “You can pretty much just go to the showroom and find everything you need for a kitchen remodel,” Smith says. “I also really like the people there. (Executive Vice President) Kevin Steele is great and we have a wonderful working relationship.”

The informal blossomed over four years

before Smith eventually decided to team up with Hyde Park Renovations.

“I was talking with them one day about how I was in their showroom all the time and I asked, ‘Why don’t you just bring me on staff?,’” Smith says.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Smith is now the interior decoration & design consultant for Hyde Park Renovations. She also is their link to the New Tampa area, as she’s designed dozens of projects in the area.

Smith’s calling card is her expertise in

the latest trends, as well as her attention to detail and passion for what she does.

“In my opinion, her vision and attention to detail are unmatched in interior design in the Tampa area,” says Tampa Palms resident Suzie McRae. “She worked tirelessly with all parties involved to achieve our dreams for the kitchen and patio area. Her work is nothing short of amazing.”

Smith has a knack for taking what the client tells her they want and producing what they had envisioned.

“One of Amy’s biggest strengths is listening to her clients,” Kerry Jones of Carrollwood says. “She asks lots of questions to find out exactly what you are trying to achieve with your renovation. We loved her design so much that we decided to also renovate our beach condo with her.”

Smith doesn’t just “design and dash,” either. She is there through every step of the process, oftentimes working out kinks in the project long after its initial completion.

“If there’s a curveball, she always finds a workaround for it,” Jones says.

Smith says there are often curveballs when it comes to home renovation, but the good designers find the right solutions.

“I always tell clients that a home renovation is a test in patience,” Smith says. “You bring a company into your home, you see us every day, there are going to be bumps along the way, but our ultimate goal is to make sure everyone is happy with their remodel.”

She adds, “There is so much satisfaction in turning something that people don’t love

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into something they just adore. From the fixtures, to the kitchen table, down the coffee maker, there’s a lot of satisfaction in seeing the final result.”

Smith and Hyde Park Renovations are even better as a team. Together, they combine every aspect of the remodeling process.

The first step is a call to inside sales & showroom specialist Haley Nash.

Nash sorts out some early details, like the scope of the project, the budget for the project, the time frame and such.

Next, Hyde Park Renovations will come out to your home and take measurements in order to create a 3D design drawing. The measurements are put into a program called 2020, an application that is considered to be the “industry standard,” with customizable designs.

“We already have several cabinet lines uploaded into (the program) and there are multiple options within each cabinet line,” Smith says. “Once the design is done, 2020 renders the kitchen or bathroom into three dimensions, where you can turn it to look at different angles.”

Smith says that a kitchen design usually starts with choices for cabinets, or even the range. Once those preliminary choices are made, it’s on to the next design step. After the initial design is approved, it’s into the showroom, which is located next to Anytime Fitness on W. Kennedy Blvd. between Habana and Gomez Aves. in South Tampa.

So Many Choices

Hyde Park Renovations carries four lines of cabinetry, each fitting into differing budget parameters. The Plain & Fancy line of cabinets is one of Smith’s favorites,

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Smith can help you transform any room, like the bathroom pictured above. based on the line’s wide array of options.

Hyde Park Renovations also carries both Viking and Samsung appliances. It’s likely that all of the design options can be selected right in the South Tampa showroom.

There is an entire room with tile and flooring selections, including many hardware options, like pulls and door knobs, as well as several lines of plumbing fixtures, including Danze fixtures.

“Some people say you shouldn’t mix metals,” Smith said. “I love to mix metals in a kitchen — vintage gold or bronze pulls with stainless steel appliances.”

Then, it’s on to finalizing the selections.

Smith says that there are usually some revisions in a design but then, a formal contract is drawn up and once the plumbing and electrical permits are pulled, a customer can expect a kitchen renovation to take 12-16 weeks, while a master bathroom can take 8-12 weeks.

“Amy was amazing to work with, I

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would have never been able to deal with all of the design decisions on my own,” Kim Brannen of South Tampa says. “We went room-by-room discussing specifics, the communication throughout the project was wonderful.”

Hyde Park Renovations also deploys an application called BuilderTrend. The project management application can be downloaded to a computer or smart phone and connects the home owner to Smith, to the project manager and to each step of the remodel.

“It (BuilderTrend) allows us to communicate with everyone involved in the project,” Smith says. “It also allows the homeowner to oversee the progress if they don’t live in the home yet or are out of the country.

The project manager uploads pictures of the progress daily.”

Smith and Hyde Park Renovations stay in contact with the home owner, even after the project is completed. If an appliance isn’t

working just right or if there’s any other issue, Hyde Park Renovations will be there to help provide complete customer satisfaction.

It’s no wonder that Smith feels like she’s part of several families.

“After my husband passed, I needed a place where I could feel good, a place where I was happy,” Brannen said. “Amy was as much my therapist as she was my designer and she nailed it — she captured exactly what I needed.”

For more samples of Smith and Hyde Park Renovations’ projects, visit HydeParkRenovations.com or call the office at (813) 528-3101e. The showroom is located at 2907 W. Kennedy Blvd. More before-and-after photos of Hyde Park’s work also can be found at Houzz.com.

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New Horizons Pediatrics Combines Experience With State-Of-The-Art Care There When You Need Him

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

Once a busy pediatrician in Hernando County, Ahmad Zuhdi, M.D., FAAP, moved to Tampa Palms a couple of years ago to be closer to his two sons, both of whom attend the University of South Florida (USF).

When the commute got to be too much, Dr. Zuhdi decided to start a practice just 10 minutes from home.

In July, he opened New Horizons Pediatrics in University Cove Place, a medical plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. between E. Bearss Ave. and E. Fletcher Ave., about eight miles south of the Pasco County line.

While Dr. Zuhdi is new to the neighborhood, he’s an incredibly experienced and accomplished physician.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is Board-certified in Pediatrics, where his certification and recertification exam scores ranked among the best in the country. He’s a former chairman of the pediatric department at Spring Hill Regional Hospital.

Dr. Zuhdi completed both his residency and a fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Seton Hall University in New Jersey in 1997.

With more than 22 years of experience in pediatrics, Dr. Zuhdi cares for children (and young adults) from

Dr. Ahmad Zuhdi of New Horizons Pediatrics can put on splints and casts, treat burns, lacerations and sports injuries and more in his procedure room, saving parents the time, money and hassle of being sent elsewhere for these services. (Photo: John C. Cotey) newborn until 21 years of age. carried out right in the office.

New Horizons Pediatrics also has In addition to providing wellness separate waiting rooms for well children check-ups, New Horizons Pediatrics also treats children suffering from illnesses and and sick children so that, for example, a healthy newborn is not in the same room injuries. Tests for strep, flu, monitoring as someone who has the flu. blood sugar and many others also can be

Dr. Zuhdi says one of the biggest benefits of choosing New Horizons Pediatrics is that he is personally available to his patients whenever they need him.

“I’m nearby if there’s an emergency,” says Dr. Zuhdi. He says that recently, a patient’s mom called him at 8 p.m. and said her child had fallen and cut his forehead. Dr. Zuhdi met them in the office and did the stitches there, saving a trip to the emergency room or even urgent care.

“We have a 24-hour answering service,” he explains. “If there’s any emergency, we can guide them, whether it’s to send them to the ER or help them in the office.”

New Horizons Pediatrics is not typical. For example, in its procedure room, Dr. Zuhdi puts on splints and casts, treats burns, lacerations, sports injuries, and removes foreign bodies from the nose or ear, saving parents the time, money and hassle of being sent elsewhere for these procedures.

“The patient is already in my office, so it makes no sense to pay another copay, and then have to wait in the ER,” he says. “Plus, our charges are way less than urgent care or emergency rooms.”

However, if someone needs to go the hospital, Dr. Zuhdi’s office is close to AdventHealth Tampa. He is an

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engaged physician who checks on any hospitalized patients of his daily. He also is affiliated with and has admitting privileges at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and other hospitals in the region.

Dr. Zuhdi says before opening his office this past July, he renovated it with top-notch equipment. “No other pediatricians have this,” he says.

At a typical pediatrician’s office, your child might cover one eye and read from a letter chart, but Dr. Zuhdi’s patients peer into what he calls a “fancy vision machine” that can determine if a child has a lazy eye, cataracts, or astigmatism, if a child needs glasses or is wearing the right glasses.

Dr. Zuhdi says not many insurance plans cover the exam using this technology, so he includes it as a courtesy for every child who has a well check in his office.

As another example of the office’s updated technology, Dr. Zuhdi doesn’t do finger pricks to test iron levels in his patients’ blood. Instead, a special probe goes on the outside of the finger and is clamped on, to measure whether or not a child is anemic.

From Newborns To Teens & Beyond

Before his youngest patients are even born, Dr. Zuhdi is happy to offer free prenatal consultations.

“I’ll meet with any pregnant wom-

an who has questions about preparing for her baby,” says Dr. Zuhdi. “They also can just come in and see if this is the right office for them.”

For parents who have been at the job much longer, he wants to emphasize that pediatricians are a great resource for teenagers who get overwhelmed or have a lot of conflict with their parents.

“We offer a behavioral consult,” he says. “For patients who need behavioral therapy, have problems with bad grades, attention, depression, or autism… we take care of all of that.”

Glowing Recommendations

A father of three boys, ages 11, 7, and 5, Khaled (who asked that we not use his last name) lives in Tampa Palms.

A couple years ago, his son had an unknown skin infection that his pediatrician didn’t recognize. He was sent to three different doctors, “and it didn’t seem like anyone really knew what was going on,” Khaled says.

He knew that his neighbor, Dr. Zuhdi, was a pediatrician, so he reached out to him.

“It took less than five minutes for Dr. Zuhdi to say he had a viral infection affecting his skin that could cause an eye infection,” says Khaled. “He sent me to follow up with a specialist, who confirmed his diagnosis as accurate.”

At that point, Khaled says his family had a pediatrician who was very nice,

but “didn’t seem very confident.” Prior to that, he says his family’s pediatrician was at a large office that he says “felt more like a production line.”

He says that when Dr. Zuhdi opened his office in Tampa, he and his wife were thrilled. Their children quickly became some of his first patients.

Khaled says Dr. Zuhdi has the perfect combination of expertise and a caring demeanor.

“He has a wealth of knowledge and also is very nice,” says Khaled. “He really knows a lot and takes the time to explain everything to kids and the parents as well. It’s nice that he has both qualities.”

Dr. Zuhdi also is a married father of

three sons, enjoys reading and playing tennis, and plays guitar and piano at a professional level.

He also enjoys teaching and often has students shadow him at his practice. Because of this affiliation, he has been named an assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing and International University of Health Science.

New Horizons Pediatrics is located at 14471 University Cove Pl. in Tampa. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (813) 488-4100. You also can learn more at MyNewHorizonsPediatrics.com or see the ad on page 46 of this issue.

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23

Dr. David Scamard Is Your Independent Optometrist Inside Costco!

By ANDY WARRENER Costco Wholesale is highly-regarded for its great deals and convenience. Where else can you shop for groceries, electronics and furniture, while getting your tires rotated and filling up your gas tank on the way out — all at great prices?

However, one of the local Costco store’s lesser known perks adds even more convenience.

Not only can you get your eyes examined at Costco, you can get the frames and lenses right there.

Excellence in Eye Care

Don’t let the convenience factor fool you. Independent Optometrist David Scamard, O.D., has been in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area for more than 17 years, delivering the highest level of service and an exceptional experience.

Dr. Scamard’s Excellence in Eye Care, LLC, is an A-Rated business, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), has a 5-Star rating on Google Reviews with more than 140 reviews, and even has a 5-Star rating on the practice’s Facebook page.

Dr. Scamard is a local product. He attended Hillsborough High School, did his undergraduate work at the University of South Florida and earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

He opened his first private practice in

One of the high-tech devices Dr. David Scamard of Excellence in Eye Care (located inside the Wesley Chapel Costco) uses is a RT-5100 Refractor, a digital refractor with electric motors that changes the lenses at the touch of a button. Dr. Scamard says this machine is faster, more accurate and more efficient than the old-style analog devices. (Photo: Andy Warrener) New Tampa in 2002. He sold that business in 2007 and moved into a new location off of S.R. 54 in Lutz, where he operated Eye Care Professionals of Tampa Bay until 2017.

In 2017, the Costco on S.R. 56 opened up, and Dr. Scamard brought his Excellence in Eye Care inside the store. The good news is that you do not have to be a Costco member to walk in to visit or make an appointment with Dr. Dave.

“Doctor Dave is very personable and still professional and caring,” says Michael

Mendivil, who works at the adjacent hearing aid center, also inside Costco. “He does an unbelievable job. He is thorough with his eye exams and is just an awesome practitioner. I went through three optometrists before I found him, and I feel like he finally got my prescription right.”

Dr. Scamard’s experience spans almost two decades. Many of his patients from his early years have followed him to his location inside Costco.

“The health of your eyes is very import-

ant,” Dr. Scamard says. “You’ve heard the expression, ‘The eyes are the window to the soul?’ Well, your eyes are also a window to your health.”

He notes that diseases like glaucoma can go undetected for years and says the American Optometric Association recommends an eye exam for everyone once a year, but especially diabetics should have their eyes checked every year.

“Your eyes are such sensitive organs, they can manifest signs of systemic disease,” Dr. Scamard says.

Dr. Scamard uses some of the most cutting-edge technology in the industry. For eye exams, he uses an Optos retinal camera in his office. This high-tech tool is a retinal imager that gives the optometrist a view of the internal structures of your eyes.

The old-fashioned way to see into your pupils was to dilate them.

“People don’t always have time to get their pupils dilated,” Dr. Scamard says.

“When your pupils are dilated, you are very sensitive to bright light and your near-sightedness is fuzzy — sometimes for up to five hours after dilation. It’s something that compels a lot of people to pass up their annual eye exams.”

Most peoples’ impression of an eye doctor appointment involves looking into that metal mask as the doctor manually flips through different lenses in front of your eyes to achieve the proper prescription. Dr. Dave says that is now officially “old-school.”

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and contacts, for the last several years.”

Costco carries a sizable line of contact lenses, including newer designs that allow more oxygen into the eyes, helping to prevent dryness. If the store doesn’t have them in stock, they can usually be delivered to the store in a week or less. The customer can even order them online and have them delivered to their home.

Having trouble setting an appointment? Excellence in Eye Care makes that easy as well. Dr. Convenience Scamard says that some offices The entire process from eye have up to two-week waiting lists, exam to putting the glasses on but he even accepts walk-ins. your face or contacts in your eyes Excellence in Eye Care does can be completed right there in not accept optical insurance but Costco. However, while you do does provide itemized receipts not need to be a Costco member that patients can use for reimto utilize Dr. Scamard’s services, bursement from their providers. you do need to be a member Insurance can be applied to the to get your glasses and contact lenses and frames sold at Costco, lenses from the wholesale giant.

Dr. David Scamard however.

After your exam, the next Eyeglass exams start at $79, step is, well, just steps away.

Need a prescription filled from Dr. Scamard? and contact lens exams start at $99. In the month of October, Excellence in Eye Care It can be filled right there in Costco’s pharis offering a free set of sunglasses with the macy. Want to browse glasses and contacts cutout or mention of the coupon in the lenses? There is an entire showroom right Neighborhood News on page 40. outside Dr. Scamard’s office.

Excellence in Eye Care is located in “Costco even carries some of the the Costco Wesley Chapel Warehouse at high-end lines of frames like Prada, Tiffany, 2225 Grand Cypress Dr., on the south Oakley and Mont Blanc,” he says. “A lot of side of S.R. 56, in Lutz. The office is their frames and lenses are priced at what open Tuesday and Thursday, 1 p.m.-7 my cost was when I operated out of my own p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 office. Some of my patients say that they have had savings up to 50 percent. Addition- p.m.; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, call (813) 279ally, Costco has been rated number one by consumer reports for the best value in glasses 7038 or visit ExcellenceInEyecare.net.

One of the other high-tech devices Dr. Scamard uses is a RT-5100 Refractor, a digital refractor with electric motors that change the lenses. Scamard operates the digital refractor from a console on his desk.

“The digital refractor is faster, more accurate and more efficient than the oldstyle analog devices,” he says. “Our patients appreciate that we have the latest technology available to them.”

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If You Have Cataracts, See Dr. Wipfli At St. Luke’s In Carrollwood

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN As people age, their vision often becomes clouded by cataracts.

In the Tampa Bay area, candidates for cataract surgery can take advantage of the decades of expertise by pioneers in the field at the world-renowned St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, which has six locations, including Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, The Villages, and its Tampa location in Carrollwood, which is the closest to Neighborhood News readers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

At the Carrollwood location, just north of W. Fletcher Ave. on N. Dale Mabry Hwy., patients see Jeffrey Wipfli, MD, a Board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in advanced cataract surgery.

Dr. Wipfli has completed more than 35,000 cataract surgeries over the course of his 20-year career.

He earned his M.D. degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, and graduated with Honors and Special Distinction. Dr. Wipfli then completed his residency training at the St. Louis University Eye Institute in St. Louis, MO, where he received the Rabani Award for Excellence in Patient Care. He had previously earned his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he was named Pre-Profes-

If you’re looking for an experienced cataract eye surgeon who really cares about his patients, visit Dr. Jeffrey Wipfli (left) at the St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute in Carrollwood. sional Student of the Year. Before joining St. Luke’s, Dr. Wipfli spent nine years in private practice in Oklahoma.

“There are so many reasons why St. Luke’s is the best place to have cataract surgery,” Dr. Wipfli says. “The moment you walk in the door to St. Luke’s, I think you’ll be impressed with the quality of the people that we have there because they really want to make a difference in people’s lives.”

He explains that not everyone is com-

fortable working with people’s eyes, not even all medical personnel. At St. Luke’s, however, there are many staff members who have worked at the facility for more than three decades and are extremely experienced and comfortable working with eyes.

“The staff in our operating room is easily the most experienced anywhere in Florida,” Dr. Wipfli says proudly.

Florida is something of a mecca for this type of surgery, he says. Because cataracts

tend to affect people as they age, Florida’s has a large number of residents age 60+ who need the surgery.

In fact, the National Eye Institute says that more than half of all Americans age 80+ either have cataracts or already have had surgery to remove them. Dr. Wipfli says many of his patients are in their 70s or older, but some people — especially diabetics — experience them much younger, and he helps patients of all ages when their vision becomes cloudy.

Dr. Wipfli says no matter the patient’s age, it can make an incredible difference in someone’s life to have cataracts removed.

“Performing cataract surgery is extremely gratifying,” he explains. “We get to see the outcomes that people have and how it changes their lives. They can drive. They can read.

They can see their family members. They can see a beautiful sunset. Nothing could be more gratifying than that. We are blessed to be able to do what we do.”

Excellence For 50 Years

St. Luke’s was founded in Tarpon Springs by Dr. James Gills in 1968. Gills was committed to perfecting the treatment of cataracts with the highest level of patient safety, comfort and clear vision. He created innovative techniques that have helped reduce the complications associated with cataract surgery and have defined the standard of care across the industry.

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Having performed more than 35,000 surgeries in his 20-year career, Dr. Wipfli is an experienced cataract eye surgeon who truly cares for his patients.

Dr. Gills also was (and still is) a towering figure in the community. He endowed millions of dollars to colleges, YMCAs and charities around the world, and was the catalyst in the development of what is today known as Trinity, in western Pasco County.

Today, Dr. Gills’ son, Dr. Pit Gills, leads the practice, where he also cares for patients as a Board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery.

In addition to cataract surgery, Board-certified doctors in the practice provide a full range of ophthalmic care and surgical procedures, including retinal treatment and surgery, glaucoma treatment and surgery, corneal surgery, refractive/LASIK surgery, eyelid surgery and comprehensive ophthalmology.

Dr. Wipfli has been at St. Luke’s for

the past 10 years and his primary focus is cataract surgery.

He says that in his 20 years of experience as a surgeon, “the biggest thing that’s changed (about cataract surgery) is that we’ve made it safer.”

He explains that the machines used to remove cataracts have become much more efficient over the years, balancing the fluid and suction needed for the procedures. With surgeons as experienced as Dr. Wipfli, cataract removal is even safer today than it has been in the past.

Dr. Wipfli also says that it’s not just the expertise available at St. Luke’s that makes it special. He says he and his fellow staff members are committed to “excellence with love,” which is St. Luke’s mission, and they strive to provide that to every patient

who walks through the doors.

“A couple of years ago, I went to St. Luke to have my cataracts removed,” writes Jordann Scruggs in a recent Google review.

“From the moment I entered the facility, I knew I had made the right choice. Everyone treated me with respect and kindness. Dr. Wipfli fully explained all my options and gave me expert advice. After surgery, my eyes are 20/20 and 20/15 and I have never had any problems. Dr. Wipfli personally called to check on me after surgery. I would highly recommend Dr. Wipfli for anyone considering eye surgery. He is truly a gifted and caring doctor.”

When he’s not performing cataract surgery or consulting with patients at St.

Luke’s, Dr. Wipfli can often be found at Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games.

He’s been an avid fan since he took his wife and two daughters to a couple of games after moving to Tampa. Back in Oklahoma, he says they didn’t have a local team to cheer for.

“There’s something about rooting for your local team,” he says. “It’s a bond with the place you live.”

St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute’s Tampa office is located at 13303 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood.

For more information, call (813) 333-9544,or visit StLukesEye.com for address and phone information for the other St. Luke’s locations.

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Tim Light Named Cypress Creek Middle School’s First Principal “I think it’s amazing,” says Hetzler-Nettles of Light’s new job. “He helped me open this school. He really took part Cypress Creek Middle School has its in the creation and building a foundation first principal, and he is a familiar face to of Cypress Creek. In my mind, it’s truly a many of the students who will help him perfect fit.” open the school next fall.

While she’s excited for the school’s Tim Light was most recently an assistant principal at the combined Cypress Creek growth, Hetzler-Nettles says she’ll miss the students, faculty and staff who are moving to Middle High School. His office will continthe middle school adjacent to ue to be on that campus. the high school campus.

Light’s appointment was “It’s bittersweet,” she approved at the Pasco School says. “It’s like losing an Board meeting on Oct. 1 and appendage. I really do feel became official on Oct. 2. that way.”

“I was here when the The combined school school opened and am really currently has nearly 1,000 thrilled to have the opportumiddle school students and nity to take what we started 1,250 high school students. here and branch into another Rezoning to ease crowding at building,” says Light. other local schools (see story Light has been an on pg. 6) is expected to add assistant principal with the about 600 students at each Pasco County School District school. When the middle since January 2011, serving school opens in fall 2020, for many years with principal Tim Light it should have somewhere Carin Hetzler-Nettles at both around 1,600 students.

Cypress Creek and Wesley Light says the combined school’s assisChapel High. Prior to that, he taught in tant principals who are designated as middle both Pasco and Broward counties. He holds school assistants will make the move with an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in him, along with about 45 or so teachers.

Curriculum Instruction Management and “I’m ecstatic to have this opportunity,” Administration, a Master of Science (M.S.) says Light, “continuing what we started here degree in Educational Leadership, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Second- and taking it to another level over there, where we can focus solely on middle school.” ary Education Social Studies.

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

New principal Tim Light (left) will be in charge of the state-of-the-art Cypress Creek Middle School campus when it opens on Old Pasco Rd. next August. (Photo: @CypressMiddle) The middle school campus is being built to host a fine arts program with a black box theatre. Students who enroll in the fine arts program at the middle school are expected to have a seamless transition into the fine arts program at Cypress Creek High, including the opportunity to take dual enrollment performance classes through Pasco Hernando State College,

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which is building its Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC) on a nearby piece of property that is adjacent to both the middle and high school.

Light says another exciting feature of the middle school allows students to take industry certification courses. For example, students in the digital media and multimedia academy will learn Photoshop, Illustrator

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and InDesign and, at the completion of eighth grade, will take the tests that will allow them to be certified in these programs.

“Adults pay hundreds of dollars for these certifications,” says Light, “but these kids take them for free as a 14-year-olds.”

He says the new campus will feel very much like an extension of the high school campus. The colors and mascot of Cypress Creek Middle High will be used at both the middle and high schools next year.

The transition should be seamless for Light as well, despite the fact that the last time he held a middle school job title was back in Broward County in 2007.

“Even though my job (history) has been as a high school assistant principal,” says Light, “having a combined campus, we

never looked at our staff and kids as two different levels. They are all our kids.”

District officials are confident in Light’s abilities, too.

“He is a proven leader in the area with his past experiences at Wesley Chapel High School (as assistant principal) and Wiregrass Ranch High School, as teacher, coach and leader,” says Marcy Hetzler-Nettles, assistant superintendent for middle schools.

“The vision he laid out for the future of the middle school was crystal clear, with multiple strategies to engage and ensure student success,” she continues. “Mr. Light’s enthusiasm and actions embody and elevate all aspects of our district vision and mission to prepare students for success in college, career and life.”

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31

THE SPORTS PAGE

LONG DISTANCE RACES DON’T DETER COYOTE SWIMMER FROM CHASING OLYMPIC GOLD

Cypress Creek High swimmer Quinn Crouse will go into the upcoming high school postseason hoping to remain undefeated in the 200- and 500-meter freestyle races, maybe even all the way through the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships.

But truthfully, those races are merely warm-ups for Crouse, both figuratively and literally.

Crouse is an accomplished amateur swimmer with Olympic dreams, and his specialty is a race three times longer than any he swims for the Coyotes — the 1,500-meter freestyle, which is the longest swim race at the Olympics.

Once the 16-year-old Crouse, who swims for the Pipeline Swimming Club based in Tampa Palms, finishes up trying to earn some swimming medals Cypress Creek swimmer Quinn Crouse has his sights set on the 2020 for Cypress Creek, he has his Olympic Trials in the 1,500-meter freestyle. (Photos by Andy Warrener) sights set on qualifying for the

2020 Olympic Trials next June in Omaha, NE. “I think with my mindset, it makes me like the long distances,” Crouse says. “It also helps when your coach is yelling at you to go faster.”

Crouse’s club coach is Patrick Piper, a former amateur standout. He thinks Crouse, whose personal best time in the 1,500m is 16 minutes, 34 seconds, has a chance to attain the Olympic Trials qualifying time of 15:44.

Crouse joined Pipeline Swimming when he was 11 years old. It wasn’t much later that he found himself preparing for a Florida Age Group Swimming (FLAGS) invitational coming up, but he needed to post a time in the top 10 percent of the state to qualify.

At practice one day, after Crouse had already swam 4,000 meters, his club coaches chal-

lenged him to swim a qualifying time in the 500m free. Crouse accepted the challenge and beat the time he needed by three seconds.

“He just needed to realize that he needed to believe in himself as much as we did,” Piper says. “That’s really when he turned the corner.”

Last year as a sophomore, Crouse finished 10th in the 500 free and 17th in the 200 free at the Class 2A State Championships. He is expecting better results this postseason.

Crouse has evolved into a 1,500-meter swimmer, finding it fit his workhorse demeanor perfectly.

The 1,500 meter swim — or 60 lengths in an Olympic-sized pool — takes 15-17 minutes races for an exceptionally skilled swimmer. That’s a long time to be in the water. Crouse read an article about University of Florida sophomore swimmer

Wildcats Volleyball Turns Things Around

Brittany Collison wasn’t quite sure what to expect when she took over as head coach of the Wesley Chapel High volleyball team.

She was inheriting a team that had never had a winning season, had never won more than eight games and had never been a playoff contender.

32

In her third season, however, Collison changed all of that.

Heading into District 4A-6 play last week, the Wildcats had turned in one of the top turnarounds in the county. After going 3-16 in 2018, Collison’s crew went into the District tournament with a 14-9 record, the

best in school history — by far.

“I think we had more girls this year playing club volleyball (year-round), and that’s been incredible,” Collison said.

One of the coaches at Club Steel, a club program based in Land O’Lakes, Collison has noticed a renewed commitment by her players to win.

Junior setter/hitter Jordan Danielson (No. 7, right) and her freshman sister Chloe (No. 9, left) have played key roles, as well as junior middle blocker Amiya Oliver, junior libero Carina Santiago-Sanchez and freshman setter Vanessa Campoe.

At 5-foot-11 and 6-feet, respectively, Jordan and Chloe Danielson have combined for nearly 200 kills and more than 50 blocks.

“It’s been amazing when both are in front row together,” Collison says. “Getting through their block is tough.”

Jordan leads the team in both kills and assists (with 137), which is a rarity. Oliver is third on the team

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in kills (42) and blocks (21), while Santiago-Sanchez leads the way with 111 digs.

The future is bright for the Wildcats. Co-captain and outside hitter Paige Dosal, one of the team’s top players, is the only senior.

“We had a rebuilding year last year and I didn’t think we’d quadruple our wins,” Collison says. “I was hoping to go .500 for sure. But honestly, the big goal now is to make the playoffs.” @NTWCNews

Robert Finke, who swam the fifth-fastest men’s 1,650-yard race (the non-metric equivalent of the 1,500 meters) in NCAA history back in February, where he talked about his approach to the longer races.

“He calls it ‘the void,’” Crouse says. “It’s basically blanking out and just letting your body swim from muscle memory.”

Crouse has experienced the void.

“Usually at the beginning of a race, I get a song in my head,” Crouse says. “At about the 300-meter mark, I start to enter the void. Then, at every flip turn, I come out of the void for a moment. The last 200 meters is where I come out of the void for good and then, the last 100, I can start to feel the adrenaline and make a huzzah move, give whatever I have left.”

Crouse’s formula seems to be working. He recently returned from the USA Swimming Futures National Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he swam his personal best 16:34 that put him in 36th out of 200 of the top eight percent of swimmers under the age of 18 in the country. Crouse turned 16 at the meet.

Crouse and his Pipeline teammate Michelle Morgan, who attends Freedom High in Tampa Palms, are on the radar for USA Swimming. They were both invited to a summer camp hosted by

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USA Swimming at Louisville University in Kentucky over the summer.

“They only pick 14 kids from around the country,” Piper said. “It means they know who you are.”

Crouse dedicates a large part of his life to being the best swimmer he can be, a task made tougher when school is in the mix. While the summers provide endless time, as a student at Cypress Creek it can be a real balancing act.

“It’s hard waking up at 4 a.m., going to an hour-and-a-half practice, hitting the weights at school, then evening practice after school,” Crouse says. “I still try to fit it all in. I’ve got to find the right spots just to eat.”

Crouse somehow finds time to devour 4,000 calories worth of food every day and still maintain his honor roll status. It will be a long, hard road getting to those 2020 Olympic Trials, and an even longer one to one day making the US Olympic team.

But as he proves in the pool, longer distances are hardly a deterrent.

“It’s a nearly insurmountable hurdle, because mentally, you have to have the strength to endure it,” Piper says. “You have to balance school, your social life, all the training and competitions. It’s grueling and there’s a reason only one percent actually make it. It is truly that hard.”

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL

2019 Reader Dining Survey & Contest!

Win $100 in Dining Gift Cards to the Restaurant of Your Choice!

NEWS After two issues and hundreds of responses to giving Wesley Chapel residents a chance to vote for their favorite restaurants in Wesley Chapel, here’s your chance to tell us about your favorite restaurants in New Tampa’s zip code 33647, as well as some others that border onto Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Tampa or Lutz, regardless of zip code. Please circle or select FIVE (5) of these restaurants as your favorites in New Tampa. Do not number them. No write-in votes are allowed, except in the Dessert category. Then, circle or select ONE (1) favorite for each of the additional options (Pizza, Dessert & Bar/Tavern). Then, complete the entry form with your name, address (with community — Meadow Pointe, Saddlebrook, etc.), daytime telephone number and a valid email address and mail your entry to 2019 Neighborhood News Dining Survey, 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 by Monday, November 11, 2019, to be eligible to win a $100 gift card, $60 gift card or $35 gift card to the restaurant of your choice in the Tampa Bay area! This form also is available on our website — NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net and must be COMPLETELY filled in for you to be eligible. One entry per person per household only. See pg. 3 for more details!! — GN

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

Acropolis Greek Taverna Al-Sham Palace Aroy Thai Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles GC) Bearss Tavern & Tap Burger King Burger 21 Cantina Mexican restaurant Cappy’s Pizzeria Capri Pizza-n-More Chick-fil-A Chili’s Grill & Bar China City China One China Wok Chipotle Ciccio Cali Cracker Barrel Cross Creek Deli (inside Shell) Deano’s Pizza & Pasta

Domino’s Pizza (inside Shell) Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant El Pescador Five Guys Burgers & Fries Full Circle Pizza Fushia Asian Bistro Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi Glory Days Grill Ho King Hummingbird Jerk House Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs Hunter’s Green Country Club India Gate Restaurant Jersey Mike’s Subs Jimmy John’s Juice Factory - NEW! Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Las Palmas Latin Grill Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine

You’re Not Quite Done Yet! There are still three more categories for you to respond to — but we only want you to circle or select your ONE (#1) favorite place for pizza (or flatbreads), your favorite dessert place and your favorite bar or tavern in New Tampa.

Your Favorite Place For Pizza In New Tampa

(Please circle or select only ONE (1) no more, no less!)

Cappy’s Pizzeria Capri Pizza-n-More Ciccio Cali Deano’s Pizza-n-Pasta Domino’s Pizza Full Circle Pizza Glory Days Grill

Your Favorite Dessert Place In New Tampa (Please circle or select only ONE (1) no more, no less!)

Baskin Robbins Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Cold Stone Creamery Dunkin’ Donuts Neighborhood News

Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs Marco’s Pizza Panera Bread Papa John’s Pizza Peabody’s Grill & Bar Pizza Hut Precinct Pizza Taste of New York Pizzeria TGI Fridays Westshore Pizza Woodfired Pizza (Bearss Ave.) La Berry Yogurt Cafe Mr. Penguin (NEW) Smallcakes Cupcakery Sprinkles Ice Cream (NEW) Snowrolls The Cake Shop Twistee Treat Write In -______________________ @NTWCNews

Marco’s Pizza McDonald’s Minerva Indian Restaurant Mr. Dunderbak’s Mulligan’s Irish Pub (PCGC) New China King Oakley’s Grille Olive Garden Palm Thai Panera Bread Papa John’s Pizza Peabody’s Grill & Bar Petra Mediterranean Express Pizza Hut PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Precinct Pizza Red Lobster Saffron Indian Cuisine (new location) Sake House Sushi Steak n Shake

Your Favorite Bar Or Tavern In New Tampa (Please circle or select only ONE (1) no more, no less!)

Acropolis Greek Taverna Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles GC) Bearss Tavern & Tap Chili’s Grill & Bar Glory Days Grill Hunter’s Green Country Club Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Stonewood Grill & Tavern Subway Sukhothai Sushi Avenue Sushi Cafe Tabla Indian Cuisine Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club Taste of New York Pizzeria TGI Fridays Thai Lanna & Sushi Thai Ruby The Fat Rabbit The Little Greek Tijuana Flats Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant Wendy’s Westshore Pizza Woodfired Pizza (Bearss Ave.) Xtreme Body Nutrition & Smoothies Linkster’s Tap Room Mr. Dunderbak’s Mulligan’s Irish Pub Olive Garden Peabody’s Grill & Bar PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Stonewood Grill & Tavern Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club TGI Friday’s The Fat Rabbit Vallarta’s Mexican restaurant

YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME: ________________________________________________ YOUR STREET ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________ CITY: _________________________________________ ZIP CODE: __________________ YOUR COMMUNITY: ________________________________________________________ (Epperson, Lexington Oaks, etc.)

YOUR DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER (w/area code) ____________________________ YOUR VALID EMAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________ Enter online at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or mail your COMPLETELY FILLED IN entry form, by Monday, November 11, 2019, to: 2019 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS DINING SURVEY 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

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37

Las Palmas Earns The Title Of Best Cuban Restaurant In Tampa Bay!

By GARY NAGER Ramses Garcia, the owner/chef at Las Palmas Latin Grill off County Line Rd., just south of the Pasco County line (near Five Guys Burgers & Fries), is a pretty confident guy — confident about his food and his restaurant’s entrenched position in our community — and that confidence has been boosted in recent years, as Las Palmas has won a couple of impressive titles.

After being named as the purveyor of the “World’s Best Cuban Sandwich (Tampa historic style)” at the Cuban Sandwich Festival held in Ybor City the last two years, and with the shocked reaction he received from the community when he closed his former Las Palmas location (in the Pebble Creek Collection, a little further south on Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) nearly two years ago — as well as the overjoyed reaction he and his wife Ana got when Las Palmas resurfaced in its new loca-

tion earlier this year — it’s easy to understand why he feels so strongly about what he does.

But, even the big man with the bigger personality couldn’t possibly have expected to win the title bestowed upon him recently by another well-known (even though I’d never heard of it before...just kidding) local publication — Best of the Bay Cuban Restaurant, by Creative Loafing.

Or did he?

“Hell yes, we deserve it,” Ramses says proudly. There were at least 75 other Cuban restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay area that received votes, so that’s not something you can win by accident. You and the Mrs. love my food, don’t you?”

Heck yes, we do. I’ve enjoyed so many dishes over the years at both of Ramses’ Las Palmas locations — from the ropa vieja (shredded beef) to the breaded palomillo steak to the lechon asado (roasted pork) and the crispy beef, aka vaca frita (which is marinated in garlic-lemon mojo sauce sautéed to a delicious crisp), to the deep fried pork chunks drizzled with garlic mojo (masitas).

But, the dish that hooked Jannah on Las Palmas that also has been my long-time favorite is the merluza a la Russe (whitefish with Russian sauce, made with chopped eggs, parsley and spices; left photo on next page). Well, maybe it used to be my favorite.

New Favorites?

The reason is not because

I don’t still love this flaky, white fish (also known as hake), lightly breaded, flash-fried and topped with chopped egg and delicious spices. It’s because Ramses recently added a few new menu items that are now vying for attention as my favorite.

The first is the lower left photo — Ramses’ unique take on the traditional Peruvian-style fish ceviche tapas. Not only does he marinate raw whitefish in lime juice and spices, he places chunky pieces of it into edible cups made out of plantains and tops

this tapas with onions and red and yellow peppers. Other favorite starters/tapas on the menu include yuca fries, empanadas, deviled crabs, stuffed potatoes and croquettes.

Las Palmas also has a great café salad, topped with smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, green olives and banana peppers and his creamy herb dressing is outstanding, although he also has great balsamic vinaigrette and ranch dressings, too.

Ramses also recently added thick-cut loin pork chops (costillas de puerco; center photo

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e

n

on this page) that are available breaded and deep fried or marinated and grilled (as in the picture) and are tender and super-tasty.

But, my favorite of the new menu items is the bad boy shown on the previous page — an amazing churrasco steak, topped with one of the best homemade chimichurri (green) sauces I’ve ever tasted. And, even though the churrasco is flank steak, it is amazingly tender and cooked to perfection.

“Of course it’s tender,” Ramses says proudly. “That’s prime flank steak — the best you can buy. It costs a little more, but I want people to know that when they eat here, they get top quality at great prices.”

For those looking for a quick and delicious lunch (served 11 a.m.-3 p.m., MondayFriday only), many of Las Palmas’ Cuban favorites are available with one side dish for $8.49 to no more than $9.49, including the

Still smoker friendly!

roasted pork, ropa vieja, picadillo (minced beef), fried butterfly shrimp and the chef’s selection “Tour of Havana,” a classic sampler trio of ropa vieja, roasted pork and picadillo.

Available lunch sides include black beans, boiled yuca, sweet or green fried plantains, green beans, peas, a side house salad and even French fries.

And, of course, Ramses sells a lot of his “World’s Best”Cuban sandwiches at lunch, too. He also serves a Miami-style Cuban (without salami), a roasted pork sandwich, breaded or grilled palomillo steak and a breaded basa (freshwater fish) sandwich, all served on artisanal Cuban bread.

At dinner time, you can have your choice of yellow or white rice and black or red beans, in addition to the lunch sides mentioned above. You also can substitute a cup of one of Las Palmas’ premium soups — black bean,

white bean and collared greens, garbanzo beans or black beans and rice soups — for only 45 cents additional. Other dinner entrées not mentioned earlier include chicken and yellow rice, grilled chicken breast and two shrimp dishes I sadly can’t sample — breaded, fried shrimp and shrimp in garlic sauce.

What About Dessert?

You definitely should save room for dessert at Las Palmas. The sampler pic above far right features items that are available every day in the beautiful display case at the front of the restaurant, including (l.-r.) the tres lechés (sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk, including evaporated, condensed and heavy cream), a traditional chocolate layer cake, Cuban-style flan and a light and delicious creme brulée, which has that perfectly crisp topping even though it’s not flambéed tableside. A sec-

ond display case located near the cash register offers a variety of perfect pastries, all with flaky crusts and delicious fillings like guava and (I believe) some kind of berry.

And of course, there’s amazing espresso (aka café Cubano) and some of the best café con leché in town.

Las Palmas’ catering menu is extensive but never expensive, with corporate events and large parties a specialty, and Ramses says beer and wine is definitely in the restaurant’s future.

Las Palmas Latin Grill is located at 6431 E. County Line Rd., New Tampa. It is open Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.

Reservations are never required. For more information, call (813) 803-3903, visit LasPalmasLatinGrill.com or see the ad on this issue’s back cover!

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SEVEN OAKS / WESLEY CHAPEL

Angela Mora 813-482-1452 A Beautiful, Maintenance-Free Villa with Pond Views, Boasting 1,769 SF, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Large Office/ Den and 2 Car Garage with a Spacious Floor Plan and Easy Care Ceramic Tile Floors. The Chef Inspired Kitchen Features Granite Counters, Diagonal Tile Backsplash, Gas Stove, Wood Cabinets, Pantry and Breakfast Bar. The Formal Living Room and Great Room both have Tray Ceilings. Sliders from the Great Room opens to the Screened Lanai, also with Tile flooring. Located in the Sought After The community of Devonwood with a Beautiful Pool and Social Center it’s in a Great Location with Easy Access to Major Roads, Shopping and Restaurants. Call for a private viewing today! For more information please call Angela Mora 813-482-1452

AMora@BHHSflpg.com | AngelaMoraRealEstate.com Hablo español también!

THINKING OF NEW CONSTRUCTION?

Mercy Barragan 813-494-6797 Great Value in Seven Oaks community!! 1-Story 4BR/ 3Bath 2624 SF, Light, Bright, Volume Ceilings & Open Lay Out!! Living Rm+ DR, Amazing Kitchen, Granite w/Island overlooking Huge Family Room! Triple Sliders open to the covered Lanai perfect for outdoor gathering, partially fence for privacy! Enjoy Seven Oaks Resort Style Pools w/Water Slide & Kid’s splash pad, Fitness Ctr, Café, Theater and more! Minutes to Shops, Restaurants, Malls, Hospitals & I-75/275!

Sought After location, TOP Rated Schools!! LOW HOA fee only $131/YR! MUST SEE! $327K!

Jennifer Kibiger 813-469-1481 DON'T DO IT ALONE! I have 13 Years of New Home sales experience. Let Me Represent You - AT NO COST TO YOU! I will Get you the Best Value using Different Negotiation Strategies, Show you ways to Stay Within Your Budget, Attend All Meetings and Walk-throughs, Review all Contract/Mortgage/Title Paperwork, and Ensure YOUR contractual rights are met during AND after closing. Building Your Dream Home Can Be a Great Experience! Contact me to discuss in more detail.

mercy@mercybarragan.com | www.TampaBayHomes.Net

JKibiger@BHHSflpg.com | JKibiger.BHHSFloridaProperties.com

GREAT ZEPHYRHILLS LOCATION

WESLEY CHAPEL

Mary T. “Georgia” Bickford 813-713-6492

John Morel 813-712-0260

DELIGHTFUL 2/2/1 Zephyrhills home located on a quiet street yet near shopping, restaurants, churches, medical offices and more. This beauty comes fully furnished and includes an oversized Florida room, spacious garage and a park like fenced back yard. Whether you want to enjoy part time or full time living here, this home is a wonderful buy at $177,500!

Spectacular pool home on the golf course and in the desirable community of Lexington Oaks. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 car garage, 2,534 sf, separate dining & living areas, family room with access to the screened lanai & pool. Kitchen with granite countertops & plenty of work space. Community clubhouse and more.

gbickford@bhhsflpg.com | www.GeorgiaSellsFlorida.Net

jmorel@bhhsflpg.com | JMorel.BHHSFloridaProperties.com

November 9 & 10 www.bhhsfloridaproperties.com Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 •October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

41

Nibbles&BusinessBytes The Latest & Greatest News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Teriyaki Experience Opens!

Although we had been previously told to expect some sort of fried or grilled chicken restaurant in the space previously occupied by Wok Chi in the Shops at Wiregrass, the new restaurant that opened there earlier this month is called The Teriyaki Experience, which is more of a Japanese experience, whereas Wok Chi was definitely more of a Chinese restaurant.

Even so, the two restaurants are pretty similar. But, instead of a wok, The Teriyaki Experience specializes in — you guessed it — dishes cooked on a teppanyaki grill with a teriyaki glaze (thicker than most sauces) that, to me, is more like BBQ sauce than something

you’d get at a Japanese restaurant. This fast, healthier-than-most-fast-food concept has been around since 1986 and currently includes more than 110 locations being operated worldwide by the parent company, known as Innovative Food Brands, which is based in Toronto, Canada — where The Teriyaki Experience got its start.

In addition to beef, chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu and veggie-only teriyaki options (or, you can choose two) served over a base of rice or super grains, there are yakisoba and Pan-Asian udon noodle dishes, ginger-sesame and hot & spicy options, soups, appetizers like gyoza dumplings and spring rolls and more.

The veggies are very fresh and you can customize which veggies you want, so yes, I’ll visit The Teriyaki Experience (28152 Paseo Dr.) again soon. For more information, call (813) 907-8884, search “Teriyaki Experience” on Facebook or visit TeriyakiExperience.com.

Want Info About River Cruises?

I’m not the biggest fan of cruises as a way to vacation myself, but I know many people who are crazy for it. One type of cruise I’ve never taken is a cruise down a river, whether here in the U.S. or abroad.

But, it just so happens that we have a new advertiser who has expert knowledge she would like to share about river cruising, and she is hosting a FREE seminar on the

subject at the Hyatt Place Hotel & Conference Center (26000 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz/Wesley Chapel) on Monday, October 28, at 1 p.m.

River Cruise specialist Diane Ross of Kingsbridge Travel will tell you everything you need to know about the different cruise lines and itineraries available, so if you’ve ever thought about a luxurious, relaxing cruise on the Danube in Budapest (photo, right), you owe it to yourself to check it out!

To reserve your free space at the seminar, call (813) 463-2050, or see the ad on pg. 17 of this issue — and please tell Diane and husband Arnold we sent you!

Your CBD Store Opens On S.R. 54!

Everyone knows that medical marijuana is now legal in Florida, and that the market for medical and recreational weed is already huge — with enormous money-making potential.

However, while you need a prescription to purchase medical marijuana in Florida and

l

recreational pot is still outlawed, there’s a new store in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54 (next to Bagelicious & More) that will allow you to get the medicinal benefits of the hemp plant without risking arrest.

It’s called Your CBD store (a screenshot of our Neighborhood News Online video from the store’s NTBC ribbon-cutting event on Oct. 1 is on the next page) and owner Lisa Feigel says that Your CBD Store is the largest chain of CBD stores, with nearly 500 locations nationwide and still growing. Feigel says Your CBD Store’s hemp-based products have

•We Have Reopened!

•New Menu of Chef-Created Cuisine!

•Golf Course Renovations Done!

•New Hours for lunch & dinner!

Lunch: Tuesday- Sunday I 11am to 4pm Dinner: Wednesday-Friday I 4pm to Close

CLOSED Monday

Find Out Why We're Wesley Chapel's Best-Kept Secret for Golf & Great Food!

Omari's Bar & Grill and Lexington Oaks Golf Club 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel 813-907-7270 I LexingtonOaksGolf.com 42

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 •October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

J k R

i

h

Only at the Lutz location.

Exp 11/30/19 Cannot be combined with any other coupons.

DAILY SPECIALS extremely low levels of THC (0.3% or less) and therefore will not offer a psychoactive “high” like marijuana. It’s even safe for pets!

For more information about Your CBD Store (30044 S.R. 54), call (813) 5360119 or visit CBDRx4u.com.

from Gary at Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News!

The Sake House is located at 15311 Amberly Dr., Tampa. For hours and more information, call (813) 977-3838 or visit SakeHouseAmberly.com.

Check Out The Sake House!

In our last couple of issues, we’ve been telling you about several new Indian restaurants that have or are going to open in New Tampa.

Well, add one more to the list, as the former La Berry Frozen Yogurt Café, located in the same Trout Creek Commons plaza as Burger 21 at 20304 Trout Creek Dr., off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., is now the Ice Spice Café. It is still a frozen yogurt shop that also carries Indian ice cream, milk shakes and smoothies, plus wraps, salads and Indian chaat, which is some kind of a savory snack I’ve never sampled or even heard of before.

For more information, call (813) 591-1758 or search “Ice Spice Café” on Facebook. — GN

Speaking of Japanese cuisine, the Japanese restaurant and sushi bar formerly known as both Fong’s Sushi and Sushi Raw, in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms (next to Crunch Fitness) is under new ownership and my first visit to the new Sake House also will have me going back for seconds.

I didn’t get to speak to the new owner but I did enjoy some tasty fried pork shumai dumplings, a unique chicken fried rice and some super-fresh snapper sashimi.

Hopefully, I’ll be telling you more about the Sake House in a future issue. In order to help make that happen, please call or stop in and tell them you heard about the Sake House

Monday - Lunes

La Berry Is Now Ice Spice Café!

Tuesday - Martes

Price per taco, excludes premium proteins and add-ons.

Wednesday - Miércoles

Thursday - Jueves

Limit one per full-priced entree

Friday - Viernes

Saturday - Sábado

Small bowl only.

Sunday - Domingo

** one free kids entree PER adult entree

HAWAIIAN ST YLE POKE BOWLS

Coming Soon!

E N T E R TO W I N O N E Y E A R O F

Vegan, Vegetarian, & Gluten Free Options

Taco Bus proudly delivers a healthy, fresh authentic Mexican taste experience to our Florida fans. Just one bite of a burrito, tostada or quesadilla and your taste buds will be singing traditional Mexican folk songs.

FREE POKE BOWLS! Text POKE1 to 77222 for a chance to win.

6417 E. County Line Rd., #101 | Tampa, FL 33647 813.575.8002 | Located between LA Fitness and Winn Dixie

ISL ANDFINPOKE.COM

NOW HIRING

25195 State Rd 54, Lutz, FL 33559 • 813-949-4012 (Inside the Shell gas station)

www.Taco-Bus.com

ISLAND FIN POKÉ - WESLEY CHAPEL Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 •October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

43

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

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

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional & personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts.

Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home.

Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. Call 813-215-1177.

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

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

TJ’S PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Did your HOA send you a letter ordering you to clean your driveway, house, screened enclosure, fence or even your roof? However, you’re too busy or too tired to clean it. Call or Text TJ, a current 20-year Sheriff’s Department veteran and a professional exterior home cleaning expert. You can trust me with your investment. Call or Text: 727-808-7775.

CHARLES POPPE ELECTRIC. Electric of all kinds pools, spas, service changes, new circuts, low voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, trouble shooting, GFCI performance testing, generators.

Expert in the field - over 40 years experience.

Discount for retired people 50%. Licensed and Insured Master Electrician EC 13002399 - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years Experience. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere.

Please Google us if you would like to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises.

RAYMOND PAINTING. Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124.

Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

COMPUTER/BUSINESS SERVICES

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

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

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.

CLEANING SERVICES

A-to-Z CLEANING AND ORGANIZING. Office-House Cleaning Services! Free estimates. We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. Wesley Chapel Resident. Weekly / Bi-Weekly / One-Time Cleaning / Move-In / Move-Out & DeepCleaning Services. Serving Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-462-1270.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years experience!

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

For more info, Call 813-758-9710.

HELP WANTED

HIRING PERSONAL TRAINER. Private Women’s Studio with Boot Camp & Personal Training in Wesley Chapel & Land O’ Lakes owned by Samantha Taylor.

Please no phone calls or walk ins.To apply part time: www.lolfitbodybootcamp.com/hire-pt.

BOSCO’S ITALIAN-TO-GO is hiring! Inside & Delivery positions available. Must be 18+, have a good attitude & have your own reliable transportation. Stop in at 30122 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel to fill out an application.

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

POOL SERVICES

_

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

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

Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maintenance: Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/Spring Special & FREE ESTIMATE! Licensed & insured.

Accepting new residential & commercial accounts.

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

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

TREE SERVICE FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE. 25-years of Professional Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates.

24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch.

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

NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS Wesley Chapel owned and 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.

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

FITNESS & WELL BEING

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

MISCELLANEOUS

ELITE RIDES. Private Rides in a Lexus, and Concierge Services. Airport, School, Medical Appointments, Shopping. Courteous, Reliable, Professional. New Tampa to Tampa Airport: $35.00 One-Way. 24/7. Call/Text: 813-765-2037.

Cory Lake Isles Resident.

COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE 1,850 sq.ft. Commercial/Medical Space Available to Lease. Address: 24420 State Road 54 in Lutz (in the Medi-Weightloss Building). For more info, call 813-2934377 or email: gwillett@mediweightlossclinics.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE Retired Professional Photographer (45+ years experience) in the Tampa Bay Area. Corporate Events, Personal Occasions, Portraiture, Pets, Commercial Photography & Real Estate.

Reasonable rates. Specials for the Holiday Season! Families, Children, Pets, Gatherings, Parties & more! Call/Text 813-748-3901 or Visit: russellleprephotography.com

These are the Color Classified Ads That Your Neighbors Actually READ! Call (813) 910-2575 or go to neighborhoodnewsonline.net/classified-listings/ to order yours today!

CLEANING SERVICES

Doing business in Pasco and Hillsborough County area since 1978 THE NEAT & TIDY PROFESSIONALS

24 Years of Experience „ Interior/Exterior HUNDREDS OF HAPPY CUSTOMERS

Call KT or Cole Topash (owners/painters)

813.780.2511

Topashpainting@Gmail.com 44

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 •October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Protect your children and pets with Tampa Bay’s only organic monthly fertilization and pest control • Courteous, friendly customer service • Monthly service from $40 per month • State licensed spray technicians • Organic/natural fertilizers • On-time service • Amazing results • No contracts • Special discounts on irrigation repairs and inspections

Organic Safe Lawns COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

813.393.9665

WWW.ORGANICSAFELAWNS.COM

Improve the Value of Your Home

Wesley Chapel 1285 Bruce B. Downs 813-991-7999

Trinity 8805 Mitchell Blvd

Corner of Little Rd & Mitchell Blvd

727-375-1552

Valid w/ Neighborhood News coupon only. Expires 11/30/19

Valid w/ Neighborhood News coupon only. Expires 11/30/19

Valid w/ Neighborhood News coupon only. Expires 11/30/19

Valid w/ Neighborhood News coupon only. Expires 11/30/19

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 •October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

45

New Horizons Pediatrics Your kids' health is in good hands!

We Don’t Cut Corners, We Dust Them

“Residential and Commercial’’

Family Owned Business with 20Years of Experience We are your all-purpose cleaner with: • High Quality Services • Competitive Rates • Great References • Always the Same Crew

813-488-4100

14471 University Cove Place Tampa, FL 33613

MyNewHorizonsPediatrics.com

(813) 381-1430

Ahmad Zuhdi M.D., FAAP

“I love Fit 4 Life! This is the best place. I love the staff, they are well trained and they are experts.” –Shaila G.

Personal Training & Physical Therapy, Inc. 17419 Bridge Hill Court, Tampa, FL 33647 Office: (813) 907-7879 | www.Fit4LifeTampa.com

......iaila

Aberdeen Ashley Pines Avalon Park West Belle Chase Bridgewater Brookside Chapel Pines Citrus Trace 46

Direct-Mailed to 25,000+ Homes in Zip Codes 33543, 33544 & 33545

Country Walk Estancia Epperson Fox Ridge Hamilton Park Lexington Oaks Meadow Pointe New River

Northwood Palm Cove Pinewalk Pine Ridge Quail Hollow Saddlebrook Saddleridge Estates Saddlewood Estates

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 22 •October 18, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

Seven Oaks The Ridge Watergrass Williamsburg The Lakes at Northwood Villages ofWesley Chapel Wesley Pointe Westbrook Estates @NTWCNews