New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 28. Issue 7, March 27, 2020

Inside: Our Editor Names His Favorite New Tampa Eateries!

See pages 32-35!

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Volume 28 Issue 7 March 27, 2020

Coronavirus Wreaking Havoc! and locally, people have been taking heed.

They also seem to preparing for the long haul -- toilet paper, milk, eggs and hand sanitizer are among the items that have flown off the shelves at Publix, WinnDixie, Wal-Mart and others, as local stores hustle to keep the shelves stocked.

To combat hoarders, Publix and the Publix Pharmacy went as far as to set aside times (Tuesday and Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-8 a.m.) where only seniors (age 65 and over) could purchase needed items, since they are the most at-risk for the virus.

By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneightborhoodnews.com The novel coronavirus death toll has reached double figures in Florida, and the number of positive cases has surpassed 500.

That was on March 20, when we went to press with this issue.

What are those numbers today, as we land in your mailboxes?

Doubled? Tripled? Quadrupled?

Or worse?

Efforts to flatten the curve and prevent the spread are creating new dilemmas.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered schools to be closed, maybe for the rest of the academic year. Small businesses and restaurants are closed, some possibly forever.

Many jobs are gone, and may not return.

“It is all happening so fast,” says Hunter’s Green resident Denise Maguire.

“Every day we learn more.”

An ABC News/Ipsos poll released March 20 revealed that 72 percent, or nearly three out of every four Americans, now say their lives have been upended in some way by Covid-19.

The previous week, that number was only 26 percent.

And, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases for the National Institutes of Health, continues to say things are go-

“Spring Break” Extended

The shelves containing toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other necessities at area stores like Publix get emptied quicker than they are re-stocked, as fears grow about the spread of the novel coronavirus.

ing to get worse before they get better.

Because testing has lagged, the full extent of the virus remains unclear. In New Tampa, BayCare Urgent Care on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. opened a drive-through site for coronavirus testing on March 18 (other sites by other providers also are open in the Tampa Bay area).

Tents are set up behind the building, although only those who meet the strict criteria — fever and cough for at least a week, recently traveled internationally, or contact with someone infected — estab-

lished by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health are being tested.

Roughly 1,500 were tested at all seven drive-through sites set up by BayCare, and just under half of those who showed up were tested while the others did not meet the criteria and were turned away.

Social distancing is currently the best defense against coronavirus, according to the experts — which is why pictures of crowded Pinellas County beaches that have now been closed horrified many —

If You’ve Been Waiting For New Food, Fun & Family Entertainment, the Krate Container Park at The Grove in Wesley Chapel is under construction & will soon be home to X 53 58 New Businesses!

Schools have taken drastic steps as well, closing until April 15, and it seems most likely they will not reopen by then, and that the 2019-20 school year will either have to be extended or completed online.

“The district is working very hard to come up with a plan providing as much support as they can,” says Hunter’s Green Elementary kindergarten teacher Roxi Coriell. “It’s been amazing to see the response from teachers across the nation.

I’m in all these Facebook groups and everyone is sharing all these resources.

We’re trying to wrap our brains around what resources are available and how to put them to use.”

See “Covid-19” on page 4.

Coronavirus News From The Grove!

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have had to cancel or postpone these events: The Grove’s Easter Egg Hunt Cancelled Monster Truck/Food Truck Rally Rescheduled for May 16-17 _______________

Still Being Held Every Saturday (until further notice)

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The Grove is hiring entertainers!

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To apply to be an entertainer, or for more event information, contact Matheus Gold Office: (813) 406-5819 Cell: (407) 534-0810 Email: matheus@mgoldgroup.com

How We Can Still Help Your Business Under The Covid-19 Cloud

And Finally...Help Us Help You! Obviously, restaurants aren’t the only ones hurting right now and, as a local business that makes most of its money from hyperlocal businesses, there’s no doubt we’re already feeling

Neighborhood News

the pinch of this pandemic, too — and have no idea yet how much worse it’s going to get.

But, after 26 years of serving only the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel communities, I have had to respond to many problems beyond my control in years past, but never anything that has me as concerned as this does right now.

My promise to the 70+ businesses that still saw fit to place an ad in this issue — and the similar number of businesses that advertise in our Wesley Chapel editions — is that we are going to try to do as much as we can to continue to support you not only in print, but on our Facebook page, our website and our YouTube channel — at no additional charge, of course.

If you already are or see fit to become a Neighborhood News advertiser at this grim hour, anytime your hours change, or you have a special offer to help keep your business as solvent

as possible, and anytime you make a Facebook post or send out an email explaining what you are doing Photo: NBC News (even if it changes more than once), we will share it on our website and social media. We want...no, make that we need... to try to help you make it through this crisis and yes, we still need the business, too.

Email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com or call our office at (813) 9102575 for more information.

Until next month, stay safe and stay healthy, both physically and fiscally. Godspeed!

INSIDE:

New Tampa Players moving into a new home in University Mall.

Page 11

Liberty 8th grader wins 4-year scholarship with Black History essay.

Page 26

Our editor announces his 25 favorite in New Tampa.

Pages 31-37

New Tampa Neighborhood News

SERVICES

An editorial by Gary Nager With the novel coronavirus pandemic cutting a swath of destruction through virtually every country on Earth, what was once the fear of the complete unknown has been replaced by the fear of not knowing how long we’re all going to have to deal with it.

And of course, the virus itself is scary, because it’s been affecting and killing more than just the elderly and the immune-compromised. Its level of contagiousness seems to be far beyond any flu during my lifetime, including the swine flu that was labeled a pandemic back in 2009 or so, even though that virus never shut down life as we know it here the way Covid-19 has already.

One of the things that has this editor additionally concerned about its effects here in the Sunshine State was that the Pinellas County beaches were allowed to remain open by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (who I voted for) — despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump and his Coronavirus Task Force (headed by VP Mike Pence), the World Health Organization and other experts across the globe saying that there should be no gatherings larger than ten people, at least until the virus leveled out.

It was hard to blame Pinellas County officials for not wanting to close the beaches at the height of the all-important Spring Break season, but how many more new cases of the virus could we have prevented going forward by closing them as soon as the social distancing recommendations for gatherings got below even 1,000 people a week or so before those Pinellas officials finally decided to take action? What effect will those potential additional cases have on our economy’s long-term attempts to crawl out from under this rock?

No one loves St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira and the other area beaches more than Jannah and I do. We try to stay there as many nights as we can because they’re 1) an hour or less away (and have much easier access than Clearwater Beach), 2) they’re beautiful, 3) have great restaurants and nightlife and 4) we can’t afford the time off work or the expense of going away for more than a few days at a time. Why go anywhere else?

The only time we didn’t consider heading that way was once this virus started to affect people here, especially once we saw — every day — how devastating the effects have been on China, Italy and other countries that didn’t act quickly enough to curtail the kind of casual contact with others we all usually take for granted.

This is particularly upsetting for the foodie in me — seeing our local restaurants (see “Gary’s Favorites in New Tampa” on pgs.

31-37) closing at least to dine-in customers or altogether — and not knowing which ones won’t be able to return, even after the spectre of Covid-19 isn’t as terrifying. I know it was unfortunate timing that we finally released my “Gary’s Faves” the week after this thing really hit us here, but most of the eateries listed were at least still doing the takeout and/or delivery-only thing at our press time. Please call the restaurants to see what they’re doing and please support them if they are still open.

@NTWCNews

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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 • Mike Camunas Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Photography & Videography Richard Nasrallah • Benjamin Hobe • Amy Stewart Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager

Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 28, Issue 9, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Monday, April 13, 2020.

New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

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3

Covid-19: Government & local businesses all working hard to get control Continued from page 1.

In an email to parents on March 19, new Hillsborough Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis announced that for the 2019-20 school year, all stateadministered assessments are canceled, school grades will not calculated and all school districts will be required to launch and successfully implement an eLearning Continuity Plan.

Davis also said the Florida Department of Education (DoE) is working with the CDC to determine graduation plans.

Wharton and Freedom seniors have been scheduled to graduate May 26 and 28, respectively.

As the illness spread nationwide, Floridians were at first encouraged to keep the size of any groups or gatherings at 1,000, then 100, then 50 and finally 10, numbers that seemingly changed every day.

People have been encouraged — but not yet forced, in all cases — to work from home, creating a whole new set of circumstances to deal with and forcing many businesses and parents to adjust.

Restaurants have suffered the brunt of social distancing locally, and while a few remained open last week as we went to deadline, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced as we were finishing this issue

Restaurants in New Tampa (& across Florida), like Las Palmas Latin Grill, had to quickly convert to takeout & delivery only to comply with Gov. Ron DeSantis order on Mar. 20. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

that restaurants can only be open for take-out and delivery.

At Glory Days Grill in New Tampa, managing partner Jorge Hernandez says he and others have been blindsided.

“It’s pretty insane how everything happened so quickly,” he said, adding that sales had been up at his location before heading into March.

According to Hernandez, in the span of a few weeks, his restaurant had lost 60-80 percent of its business. On a typical

night, he would have 10-12 servers working the floor. Before DeSantis shut down dine-in service, he was down to two, and he thinks that may be one too many now.

He had to let 70 percent of his staff go, although he hopes to rehire all of them when business returns to normal.

“We are keeping everyone on benefits, donating food to employees, trying to do these things to keep our (work) family together,” Hernandez said. “But, it’s so difficult to see my staff’s faces. It hurts.”

Life Moves..

Hernandez said that one day last week, nine of the 10 people in his restaurant were friends, neighbors or family there to support him and/or his staff.

“It made me want to cry to see their support,” he said.

Like many restaurants in New Tampa, Glory Days is hoping curbside pick-up helps blunt the blows, but Hernandez knows it won’t be enough.

A little ways up the road, The Brunchery, which had only opened a few months ago, closed its doors for what management hoped would only be for two weeks.

“But, I think it will be longer than that,” owner Stanley Athan said.

Athan says that business had been slowly declining as the coronavirus news worsened, but on March 18, it dropped off the cliff, as fewer than a dozen tables were seated and he quickly made the decision to close.

As he drives around Tampa, he sees restaurant closures everywhere. And, those that aren't already closed are only delaying the inevitable, he fears.

Athan also closed a restaurant he owns in Seattle, WA, which has been one of the coronavirus hotspots, last week.

“This is unprecedented,” he said.

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he’s not sure he will be able to re-open.

The New Tampa Regional Library has closed, and larger businesses that draw crowds, like the recently opened Urban Air Adventure Park, also have suspended their operations — at least temporarily.

The entire Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 was already shut down, and many stores at the Shops of Wiregrass also followed suit.

TJX, the parent company of HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, announced it was temporarily closing all its stores.

In accordance with social distancing, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church suspended masses, while St. James United Methodist Church livestreamed services Sunday on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, with plans to continue to do so.

Family of Christ Christian School on BBD may be closed due to the governor’s orders, but its child development center was still open to provide important daycare to children of parents who continue to work.

“Unless someone says I have to, there’s just no way I could close,” said Jill Hammon, the school’s director for the past 13 years just before we went to press.

“What I’m surprised about, though, is how many people had to pull out because they’re not getting paid…We’re just trying to keep it running the best we can,

Neighborhood News

because if we shut down too much, it will be hard to be able to open again.”

Meanwhile, the New Tampa YMCA closed on March 17, but continued its spring break camps, which were already in progress. At press time, the Y planned to stay closed until March 29, then re-evaluate when or whether to resume operations. And, on March 23, the New Tampa Y started offering all-day school-age relief care for essential workers.

On social media, dozens and dozens of people are offering their support, as well as their supplies and services. Maguire posted on NextDoor.com that she was willing to help with any grocery or supply deliveries, and was thrilled to see she wasn’t the only one offering.

“The last time I went out, I noticed there were very few people on the road and nothing in grocery store,” she said.

“It was one of the reasons I put that note out there to help. There’s plenty of people who can’t afford food, who aren’t working right now. Since I did that, I’ve seen a lot of other people put the same message out.

It’s been wonderful to see the community coming together.”

But, it will take more, she says: Listening to the experts, washing your hands and yes, social distancing.

“It’s so important that we do these things,” she said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

@NTWCNews

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5

Viera: Times Will Be Tough, But Help Is Out There The effects of Covid-19 present a catastrophic challenge. In mere days, Americans went from relative affluence to fear and insecurity.

For our families, this crisis is acute and traumatic. The good news is that Tampa residents are not alone.

For small businesses, there exists a growing number of initiatives that can Dist. 7 Tampa City help.

These initiatives Council member Luis Viera include: 1. There is the Tampa Recovery Hotline (1-800-TPA-INFO) for social service and business relief information. Updates on business resources can be received by texting TAMPABIZ to 888-777.

2. Florida has the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program (FloridaDisasterLoan. org). This interest-free loan is intended to “bridge the gap” for a catastrophe for up to $50,000.00 per eligible small business (with applications accepted through May 8, 2020, contingent upon availability).

6

The loan is short term: 0% interest the first year, 12% after that.

3. The Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey (FloridaDisaster.Biz/ businessdamageassessments) will measure the business impact of this crisis in Florida for further actions.

4. And, the federal Small Business Administration also New Tampa restaurants like Mr. Dunderbak’s are feeling the pain makes low-interest loans from the coronavirus outbreak, as well as other small businesses.

(Photo: Charmaine George) for qualified applications (SBA.gov/fundingmake resources available for constituents programs/disaster-assistance). and make calls to local businesses and Those laid off can look at StateOf- residents.

Florida.com/articles/florida-unemSo many of the stories I have heard ployment for unemployment assistance. are crushing: I spoke to a recent imFor an updated list of resources, migrant who came here with nothing, visit Tampagov.net/emergency-manfound success, began a restaurant and agement/covid-19. The City of Tampa now has had to close shop; a small busiis establishing a task force for Social ness owner digging into his savings to Services and an Economic Development allow his employees to have something Task Force to find other ways to help. to live on; and workers feeling abanAnd federal, state and local resourc- doned with no savings or health insures will continue to grow. ance after their last day on the job.

Know that as your Tampa City Houses of worship are doing much Councilman, I will continue to work to more with a lot less. And anxiety,

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depression and emotional challenges are brutally compounded.

I ask that you do your patriotic duty. Engage in best practices as recommended by medical professionals. Practice acts of compassion for the vulnerable. If you are a member of a religious congregation, support your congregation’s purpose.

People are hurting and suffering But, have no doubt, we will rebound as a people.

Americans are, at heart, fighters.

Many of us come from families that, as immigrants and refugees, fought against crushing odds just to get here and be called Americans.

We, as Americans, have, in just the last 100 years, overcome a Great Depression, defeated the Nazis, saw many of our fellow Americans beaten and sometimes murdered in fighting Jim Crow, won the Cold War and sustained the September 11th terror attacks.

We will overcome this crisis and will do so together as Americans. We have different faiths and traditions, but are all Americans who are our brother and sister’s keeper.

And, please know that you can always count on my help and friendship along the way.

@NTWCNews

Former Local Student Provides Info About Covid-19 From South Korea Ciara Cotey is a Wharton High and University of South Florida graduate and the daughter of Neighborhood News managing editor John C. Cotey. She has lived and worked in Seoul, South Korea, since 2012, and has been living through the coronavirus outbreak since January.

I first heard about covid-19 (which Koreans just call “corona”) around the end of January, when it was becoming more widespread in China. It was the weekend of the Lunar New Year, so lots of people were traveling abroad and gathering with their families.

I wasn’t too worried about it, and it didn’t stop any of my Korean friends or coworkers from taking a weekend trip to Hong Kong or Shanghai over the vacation. I took a short trip to Daegu, which would become the epicenter of the spread in Korea, and we casually chatted about how we hoped the coronavirus would stay in China.

I teach English to some of the board members of the Central Bank of Korea, and one day when I arrived, they had a thermal camera set up outside the elevators. They informed me that I couldn’t get into the building without wearing a mask. Luckily, I had a few at home to deal with the fine dust, but when I went to buy some later, I learned that masks were sold out everywhere — both in stores and online.

No one here was taking it too seriously until the last week of February, when infections quadrupled in a matter of days, due to one patient who refused a test and attended several “church” events while she was sick. This led to the entire city of Daegu shutting down, and the rapid spread of the virus north into the South Korean capital of Seoul caused people to take it more seriously.

Soon, masks and hand sanitizers were quickly bought up, and the government started the warning system.

The Korean government sends out detailed national warning messages (see picture) every time a new patient is discovered, and you can see the list of all the places they had been while infected.

If anyone receiving the messages had been near any of those places, there is a hotline phone number and the health department will tell you to self-quarantine. And, if you show symptoms, they will come to your house to test you.

Korea did a really good job of containing the virus when it was only China that had most of the cases. Daegu got pretty much shut down. After that, cases started popping up all over Seoul, but most of the cases still remain related to this “church.”

All of the registered members were tested and, after that, coronavirus testing

became mandatory for people who might have come in contact with infected people.

I’m not really scared of catching the virus, because I’m healthy and the healthcare system in Korea is excellent, so I know I would recover. The testing and treatment of covid-19 is paid for by the government, so I also didn’t have any fear of going broke if I caught it. However, I would be worried about spreading it to other people, like my adult students and their families, or my boyfriend and his parents.

Lots of working moms have had to take unpaid leave to take care of their children, as the school year continues to be postponed, currently until mid-April.

It’s surprising to me that Americans are treating this as a vacation when the health system and response to the virus has been so abysmal. On Facebook, I see my friends back home going to the beach, going to concerts and taking advantage of the cheap flights to take a trip, and I can’t imagine that happening here.

Social distancing is so important when there’s no way to even follow the trail of infections. Americans here are all glad we stayed because if we had gone home out of fear, we wouldn’t have had the same access to the health care and testing we have here.

As for the whole toilet paper thing, Koreans are literally laughing at Americans because they don’t understand why toilet paper is sold out.

The only shortages I have seen have been hand sanitizer, thermometers and face masks, which are rationed by National Health Insurance. You can get 2

masks on the designated days. On Thursdays, for example, if your birth year ends with 5 or 9, you can stand in line at the pharmacy to get your masks. Luckily, my boyfriend had the foresight to order 200 masks in January, just in case.

If anything, this pandemic has created a huge demand for ordering groceries online, and people aren’t stocking up or going to the grocery store because they can get whatever they want delivered whenever they want.

In general, people are still pretty worried, but some people are still living their lives the way they did before. My friends still go out and drink with their friends on the weekends, I still see restaurants packed with people.

But, everyone wears a mask in the subway and if you cough, all heads turn towards you. At the start of the issue, several foreigners here just up and left on the soonest flight to get away from the virus, I guess not knowing that it would eventually spread to their home countries as well. My close friends in Daegu are all confined to their homes because the situation in Daegu is much more stressful than it is here in Seoul.

“My whole family communicates by calling and video chatting now,” my friend Eunyoung Kim tells me. “None of the restaurants in the neighborhood are open except for delivery, and they just leave it outside your door after you pay electronically so there’s no physical contact. It’s hard not being able to share a meal with your family members for fear of getting sick.”

In a family-oriented culture like Korea, people are feeling very isolated compared to before.

At the moment, Korea is only showing about 75 or so new cases per day, with recovery rates surpassing the new cases, so it looks like it’s slowing down so far. People coming in from Europe are now forced into quarantine, so if this method works, Korea should have it fully contained within the next few months.

Stay safe, everyone. Hopefully, the U.S. response to the pandemic will continue to get better over time.

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7

Soon, the dirt trail at the Kinnan St./Mansfield Blvd. junction will be a paved pathway for bikes and pedestrians, with the barriers above replaced by a mechanical arm. (Photo: Khoi Cotey)

Work On Kinnan-Mansfield Under Way, Expected To Be Completed Soon

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com For New Tampa residents hoping that one day Kinnan St. in New Tampa would be connected to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe at the southern county line of Pasco County — allowing locals an alternate route to Wesley Chapel — news that work has already begun on connecting the roads for emergency vehicles only might be a bit of a letdown.

Luis Viera, however, says he will take it. The Tampa District 7 City Council member (see pg. 6) and New Tampa resident likened the final result to “a single, maybe a double” but praised the decision to move forward and provide that emergency access.

“The firefighters at Station No. 23 (on Cross Creek Blvd.) that I’ve talked to are very excited about it,” Viera says. “This is something all of New Tampa should celebrate. The Kinnan-Mansfield stalemate literally hasn’t moved even an inch forward in two decades.”

The connection was orignally expected to be completed by the end of the summer, but a finishing date is unclear, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Viera says some final meetings between the City of Tampa and Hillsborough and Pasco counties to put the finishing touches on the agreement have been postponed, and may be rescheduled via phone.

The deal calls for the developer of K-Bar Ranch to pave the connection, while Hillsborough County addresses the design and construction of the remaining infrastructure, which will include an emergency access gate and paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.

8

“We want to have control over that,” said Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, a longtime opponent of connecting the two roads to through traffic.

Moore says that while the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has voted to grant access to first responders only, it remains opposed to ever opening to local traffic and that will be codified in an agreement coming before the Pasco County Board of Commissioners in the near future, where it also will vote on the maintenance agreement for the connection.

So, say goodbye to the most infamous patch of untended, overgrown, garbage-infested grass and bushes in our area, as the agreement ends years of bitter fighting between the two counties, with Hillsborough County and Tampa seeking numerous times to connect the road and Pasco County, which at one time wanted was the entity that wanted it connected, refusing to budge in its opposition.

Have a Ball! (or, get down to business)

Tampa-Wesley Chapel

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9

New Tampa’s Samantha Lebron Is Now Ms. Wheelchair Florida

By MIKE CAMUNAS Samantha Lebron knows it’s going to be a conversation starter.

The 33-year-old, wheelchairbound New Tampa resident is, after all, wearing a crown and sash in public.

It all comes with the territory when you are the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Florida.

“A couple days after I got crowned,” Samantha says, “I was actually asked about it and they asked me to sit with them at their table in a restaurant and tell them every detail. I thought, ‘That’s what I went into this for.’”

Ms. Wheelchair Florida, Inc., hosted the 47th annual “Be the Change…

Be Empowered” Conference & Gala at the Rosen Centre in Orlando from Feb 27-March 1, and Lebron, who was born with cerebral palsy but has only been wheelchair-bound since 2018, was crowned this year’s recipient.

And, while many think Lebron’s title is more for the pageantry or because the winner scored the best with “talent” judges, nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, the mission of Ms. Wheelchair Florida, Inc., is to provide an opportunity for wheelchair-bound women to educate and advocate for all individuals with disabilities. In essence, it now gives Lebron a platform to advocate for causes near to her heart.

Lebron entered the contest with just that goal in mind. She says that when she was on stage, the words flowed out perfectly, leading to her being crowned the winner and setting off a flurry of photos and interviews.

“And, it wasn’t about the glitz and glam for me,” she says. “It’s about my message and my platform being heard.

I wanted to do this year right with my crown, and have the right ears listening to me, to really hit home what my platform will be.”

Lebron’s platform is to make

transportation safer and more reliable for disabled individuals across the state since it is not a standardized practice throughout Florida. Each area, city or county has different methods, some better than others.

“And I was living it,” Lebron says. “Like a lot of other people in this county or many other places. I wanted to be a spokesperson to make this better, sure, not only for myself, but for others, as well.”

A

v

Overcoming Obstacles

Lebron says she faced many difficulties while trying to find transportation to work.

HARTPlus Paratransit has a service that offers van transportation that will pick up and drop off people at their destinations, or takes them to an accessible bus stop. But, Samantha wasn’t within ¾ of a mile of the closest bus stop, and wasn’t eligible for the service. With the closest bus stop an 8-min car drive from her New Tampa apartment, she had to utilize Uber rides to the HART bus station on E. Fletcher Ave. That led sometimes to waits of an hour for HARTPlus, which was then another hour-long ride to her previous job on E. Hillsborough Ave. Those Uber rides were costing her $500-600 a month alone.

“There are so many opportunities out there for jobs for people in my position,” Lebron says, “but there are not enough options for transportation to those opportunities. This was something I felt very strongly about because...well, I was living it.”

As noted earlier, Lebron hasn’t always been wheelchair bound. Up until 2018, she relied on using a walker to move around, until she sustained a neck injury that was causing nerve issues. Her doctors recommended she start using a wheelchair part time, but the pain became too great. She was told one fall

w

Ms. Wheelchair Florida Samantha Lebron is a New Tampa resident who now has a unique title that can help her advocate for others with disabilities, something she has been doing since 2018 could render her a parapalegic, so she is now 100-percent chair-bound.

She does still attend physical therapy and has a healthcare provider with her most of the time. In fact, she also plans to add the importance of physical therapy to her advocacy campaign.

“People just don’t get enough of it (physical therapy),” she says.

Lebron has never let the wheelchair slow her down.

She was recently certified to be a Work Incentives Practitioner, which is a position that works with other disabled individuals, helping them get their benefits and compensation in the workforce.

She also in an ambassador and spokesperson for ABLE United, a volunteer with Best Buddies, just accepted an offer to be on the Board of Directors for Self Reliance, Inc. She also participates in wheelchair-adaptable sports like golf, tennis and kayaking.

She says that one of her goals is to be selected to the National Paralympic Table Tennis team.

Lebron also is ready to take on the duties that come with her title as Ms. Wheelchair Florida.

She has several events and speaking engagements already planned, and even if those are postponed by the coronavirus, she says she will make sure her message is heard, either by video conference, or other telecommunications or social media. “(I will use) this position, which is an honor I am humbled to have, to talk to businesses and policymakers to break the barriers that exist in the disability community,” Lebron says.

“There were and still are a lot of barriers. Yes, (the last two years) have been great for inclusion and awareness, but we still have a long way to go.”

For more info, visit www. mswheelchairfl.org.

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New Tampa Players Win Big Award, Find A New Home

actress in the lead role of Ariel, before

By JOHN C. COTEY Disney did the same. john@ntneighborhoodnews.com However, it was likely NTP’s embrace of the Penguin Project, a theatre The New Tampa Players (NTP), a program for children and young adults local community acting troupe made up with special needs, that cemented the of performers from all over the Tampa troupe’s place in the theatre community Bay area, has a new home. as diversity leaders.

Until the New Tampa Performing In April 2019, NTP produced its Arts Center (PAC) is completed in latefirst Penguin Project production “Alad2022, the NTP is setting up shop at the din Jr,” with a cast of 60, also earning University Mall on E. Fowler Ave. Paine the 2019 Outstanding CommuThe troupe was working on renonity Volunteer Award by the Mayor’s vating and rewiring what was formerly a Alliance for Persons with Disabilities.

Radio Shack and tutoring facility on the “Our entire board really has emwest end of the mall. The 2,400-sq.-ft. braced diversity in theater,” Paine says. space “will give us more flexibility,” says “When we came back to the University NTP president Nora Paine, who has area in 2015, we really started looking learned how to handle a 26-foot trailer for more ways to incorporate everyone. as she transports equipment to the theaWe learned a lot through that experience tre company’s new home.

The new location will be able to Members of the New Tampa Players Board of Directors accept the troupe’s biggest-ever award at and are planning on involving more and host large stage shows and also can be the WEDU PBS “Be More” awards show. Pictured are (l.-r.): Keith Eisenstadt, Brad Roberts, more different groups of people and making sure our programming is diverse Nora Paine, Derek Baxter and Shelley Giles. (Photo courtey of Nora Paine). used as a black box theater, a recent and keeps everyone interested.” trend in the world of theatre that allows it put on a production of “The Wiz” permanently into the 20,000-sq.-ft., Due to coronavirus and its ecofor smaller productions — seating for after University-area residents stressed $9-million New Tampa PAC. only 40-50, in this case — that don’t the importance of children being able to nomic impact on its members, NTP “We truly are gypsies,” Paine says. is looking for donations to help require a bigger space.

“We can basically take a show anywhere see someone just like them on stage.

The Players have been holding Later that year, it reached out to the complete the troupe’s move to its we have to.” performances at the University Area Despite being gypsies, NTP is flying LGBTQA community with a production new home and to buy equipment.

To donate, search “New Tampa Community Center (UACC) on N. of “Quilt: A Musical Celebration.” high after receiving its biggest reward 22nd St. since 2015 (and also did so In 2019 NTP produced “The Little Players” on Facebook or visit New ever at the recent WEDU PBS “Be TampaPlayers.org. from 2006-12 before that).

More” awards show for area nonprofits. Mermaid” with an African-American But, the UACC own’s programNTP won the “Be More Enriched” ming has been growing as well, so it award for its devotion to diversity in THE LAW OFFICES OF became difficult to give NTP the same theater and making it as accessible to as MATTHEW J. JOWANNA, P.A. amount of rehearsal time and space it many people in Tampa as possible. had provided in the past.

“I think it’s probably the biggest Paine said it was important to find a award we’ve ever gotten,” Paine says. new home in the university area.

“Everyone was super excited. Some“We really liked being in that comhow, I managed to get up from the munity,” she says. table to go receive the award. I don’t A ribbon cutting was scheduled for even remember my speech. It was pure April 29, but those plans are very tentaadrenaline.”

Personal Injury • Family Law tive due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite competing in the same But, NTP is used to a having to change group as the more famous Ruth Eckerd Wills, Trusts & Probate plans when it comes to finding a place to Hall and Straz Center for the Performperform, a long-standing challenge from ing Arts, NTP was nominated in three Offices in the time founder Doug Wall created categories.

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Since 2016, NTP has done a numChapel INTEGRITY & EXPERIENCE In 2022, the NTP is expected to move ber of inclusive performances. In 2017,

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‘Hooters Night’ Brightens Up The Lives Of Hope Lodge Residents

By ERIC VICIAN TAMPA – “Salad? With bacon or without? Do you want croutons?”

These types of questions are commonplace for Araceli Derbyshire, a server at The Original Hooters North Tampa location on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at E. Fletcher Ave. But, what’s out of place on this second Tuesday of the month — and every second Tuesday of every month — are Araceli’s uniform and her customers.

Gone are the fitted shirt and orange shorts. Instead, the 22-year old USF student has donned a pink T-shirt and jeans. And, in lieu of a beer-imbibing sports crowd are water-drinking cancer patients and their caregivers.

It’s “Hooters Night,” as some residents of the 40-suite Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge refer to it. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has more than 30 Hope Lodges located across the U.S., including the University of South Florida location right next to the Moffitt Cancer Center. The Hope Lodge provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers who live 40 or more miles away while the patients are being treated at Moffitt.

On this particular Tuesday night in Tampa, residents and their families are enjoying a buffet-style dinner complete with 350 boneless wings, 300 bone-in wings and plenty of tater tots, as well as Philly wraps — which North Tampa Hooters manager Joey Tomasina said is not on the restaurant’s menu, but can be ordered by request.

As the Relay for Life events geared up across the globe — unfortunately the New Tampa iteration at Freedom High scheduled for April 3 was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak — the monthly Hooters Night at the Hope Lodge serves as a shining example of how the ACS provides support for people bat-

tling the disease and their loved ones.

Funds raised by the Relay for Life communities during the world’s largest cancer-fighting fund-raising event go to support programs such as Tampa’s Hope Lodge, which has served more than 7,700 patients with an average age of 60 since opening its doors in 2002.

The national network of Hope Lodges helps families annually save more than $50 million in lodging expenses.

Hooters first became a partner with the New York City Hope Lodge, so naturally, since the popular eatery first opened in the Tampa Bay area, the two corporations merged forces here as well.

They first teamed up in August 2018 and have already pledged to continue collaborating into 2021.

Lesley Price, Hooters’ community liaison and a 25-year employee of the popular chain, was happy to see the most recent event take place without a hitch, despite the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everybody came, even with the concern of the virus,” Lesley said, while handing out Ziplock bags for residents to take leftovers back to their suites.

“We have a great time and we try to make it as much fun as possible.”

Following dinner, the residents played the Hooters version of Bingo, which the eatery calls “WINGO.” Hooters also hands out desserts — that tend to get eaten prior to dinner.

It’s an evening of food and fellowship for Hope Lodge residents who can temporarily suspend their worries about protocols and prescriptions.

Last year, the Tampa Hope Lodge served 458 patients, representing nearly every county in Florida (with Polk having the most), as well as from 21 other states and nine countries, including Canada, Belize, Germany, the United Kingdom and Honduras.

Mallory McLean, the senior community development manager at ACS,

Hooters server Araceli Derbyshire helps out at Hooters Night at the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge next to the Moffitt Cancer Center (Photo: Eric Vician)

said that she would love to see the number of patients who join the six-week waiting list for the Lodge to decrease because, obviously, that would mean science has made great strides in the battle against cancer.

But, while they are staying at the Hope Lodge, for an average of 28 days,

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she wants them to feel comfortable — especially on “Hooters Night.”

“These nights are putting smiles on people’s faces,” Mallory said. “This is giving (patients) comfort with a great meal when they are going through the worst time in their lives and that’s a lifelong memory.”

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Incentives Deal To Pave The Way For Wesley Chapel’s “Downtown”

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com For years, the Village at Hunter’s Lake has been heralded as potentially being a “downtown” for New Tampa, with apartments, more than two dozen new businesses, a dog park and a performing arts center.

A developer may be taking that notion a few steps further a few miles to the north and east in Wesley Chapel.

Avalon Park Group/sitEX is developing what some believe will serve as Wesley Chapel’s downtown, plans which were paved by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOC), which has unanimously and enthusiastically approved up to $33 million of incentives for the public infrastructure project.

Developer and CEO of Avalon Park Group Beat Kahli said Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which previously has been called Avalon Park West, will be a place where residents can live, work and play without ever leaving their community.

The BOC vote to approve the incentive package was 4-0.

“It’s such a great project,” said District 3 Pasco commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “This will be downtown Wesley Chapel. They don’t have a downtown… they have (malls), which some people count

A downtown area similar to this is on the horizon for Wesley Chapel after Pasco County commissioners recently approved an incentive package for the developers of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

(Photo: Pasco County)

as downtown, but this will really be the downtown of Wesley Chapel.”

The Plan...

The plan for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, whose 215 acres are located east of Curley Rd. on the north side of S.R. 54, goes well beyond your typical subdivision.

The urban mixed-use center is expected to have a 10-year buildout and will boast 2,695 residential units, 165,000 square feet of Class “A” office space and 190,400

square feet of commercial development.

The project will include four-story buildings, with neighborhood commercial on the bottom floor and the other three floors reserved for residential.

There will be multiple parking decks and four freestanding Class A office buildings, which are typically larger, and feature top-of-the-line amenities and high-income tenants, and are located in a central location, which in this case would be the new downtown Wesley Chapel.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel also will include two schools with capacity for 3,386 students — New River Elementary, which already exists, and Pinecrest Charter School, which is opening this fall.

According to David Engel, the manager of the county’s Office of Economic Growth, 50 percent of trip generation by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will remain on site, resulting in a reduction of more than 14,000 trips a day on the packed S.R. 54.

“That can solve traffic problems,” Kahli said. “Instead of building subdivisions, we have to build towns.”

The county’s commitment to the $83.3 public infrastructure investment

by Kahli will be $33 million via what is essentially a 30-year property tax rebate, provided the project hits certain benchmarks and triggers.

The county says it will benefit greatly from the deal – 1,065 permanent jobs resulting in an estimated $42-million in payroll. A tax revenue forecast conducted by Wynne & Associates, LLC, said that over a 30-year period, the project will generate more than $198 million in ad valorem property taxes alone, which is approximately $112 million more than a conventional, suburban development would bring in.

“The return on investment to the county is substantial,” Engel said.

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What’s Happening On The Wiregrass Ranch Even as developed as his family’s ranch is, if you take a peek at what is still to come, it doesn’t even feel half completed.

So, as the Wesley Chapel area surrounding Wiregrass Ranch explodes with lagoons and trendy shipping container crates, restaurants and town centers, Porter continues to bide his time and slowly build something different.

The State of The Ranch

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

JD

Porter (photo) and his family don’t look at themselves merely as developers trying to make a buck. They look at themselves as curators of a 5,000-acre family heirloom that has been in the family since 1937, when James “Wiregrass” Porter bought the sprawling ranch land and moved to Wesley Chapel.

That land now is home to elementary, middle and high schools, a state college and multiple residential subdivisions.

There is a mall and a hospital, a hotel and a high-end car dealership, and so much more already standing, with a state road that was built with six lanes long before it actually needed that many lanes slicing through it.

“We’ve done some great things,” says JD, the developer and driving force behind Wiregrass Ranch’s residential and commercial expansion.

And there’s more on the way.

“It’s good. It’s busy,” Porter says.

While nothing new has been announced recently for Wiregrass Ranch, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing new planned, or any negotiations ongoing.

In fact, there’s plenty new planned, and talks almost daily.

In poker parlance, Porter always plays his cards close to the vest, and will only reveal those cards well after the hand has been finished.

“I’m not trying to be coy,” he says matter-of-factly. “It’s just how we’ve always done business.”

While there won’t be any details announced until later this year, Wiregrass Ranch chief operating officer (COO) Scott Sheridan says it will be a busy time on the ranch.

“We’re pretty excited about 2020,” he says. “We don’t see any slowdown on the near-term horizon.”

Porter says he is content playing the long game. No flashy restaurants or activity centers or trendy grocery stores are coming anytime soon.

While others may be filling immediate needs and desires, “We are working on infrastructure” that in the end, he says, will make Wiregrass Ranch vibrant and sustainable for years, like it did building S.R. 56 as a six-lane highway long before the area was bustling.

In The Plans

Porter says a 200,000-sq.-ft.

office project will come out of the ground later this year.

“We have a unique blend of users,” he says. “It’s going to be nice.”

Porter also has submitted plans to build another retail strip on S.R. 54 at the northernmost edge of Wiregrass Ranch, next to the recently completed first retail project (which is anchored by a new Glory Days Grill) on the S.R. 54 side of Wiregrass Ranch, which runs all the way from 54 to south of S.R. 56. Another restaurant is planned for the latest budding retail project, but Porter says no leases have yet been signed.

But, later this year — Porter won’t exactly say when — you might have to buckle up for an announcement or two.

“There’s some exciting things coming down the pipeline,” Porter says. “Some of the things will be game-changers for the area that I don’t think anyone has expected.”

Who doesn’t love a little suspense?

Building The Donut?

Porter has had plans for a town center — which he has claimed will serve not only as Wesley Chapel’s downtown but a downtown for the entire North Tampa Bay area — for a while now. But, before that project sprouts to life, he says it is important to build an apparatus — revolving around residential — that will support it, which they are doing.

“I know there has been a ton of stories about town centers recently (see pg. 14),” Porter says. “We’ve talked about that for, what, 15 years?

But we’re working in a direction that surrounds that donut hole.”

Which would make that donut the residential support, Sheridan says.

“We’re getting that donut, for lack of a better word, closed in.”

The town center would be located in the heart of Wiregrass Ranch. It will be connected to all of the development by a series of trails and sidewalks — a vast spider web, if you will, with the north-south spine running through the middle of it being the under-construction Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., which should be completed from 54 to 56 by 2023.

That road will have traffic-calming roundabouts throughout, another way that Porter and Sheridan are trying to stay ahead of the game.

Meanwhile, Wiregrass Ranch’s future town center area is slowly becoming surrounded by homes.

Estancia, The Ridge and the Arbors at Wiregrass Ranch, the Altis apartments and a Fairfield Inn hotel are already in place, and Persimmon Park and the 800+ home Esplanade 55-and-older community are under construction.

And, now, S.R. 56 has been extended to U.S. 301, which will bring with it more homes and even more residents who will be flocking to the area.

Porter says he is thrilled to have Esplanade starting with Taylor Morrison Homes on board as the builder. The 55plus community, the residents of which will likely consist of many retirees, will provide much of the daytime business when the town center is built.

“It was an underserved market, and a great fit for us,” Porter says.

More people means more businesses, which leads to a need for more entertainment and neighborhood retail, leaving developers with a greater responsibility to find the right combination to make the “live here, work here, play here” model work.

In the past, Porter has talked about a performing arts center in Wiregrass Ranch, but that is no longer necessary due to the one the county is building next to Cypress Creek middle and high schools to the north.

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But, something with a similar impact will take its place as another anchor.

“We are actively working on, and looking at, some unique catalysts in our town center,” Sheridan says.

“The end of the earth used to be Meadow Pointe Blvd., but that’s not the case anymore,” Porter says. “The town center is 10 times more viable than it was 10 years ago, and it was viable then. We’ve just been extremely patient to get the right blend.”

As for the town center, well, just you wait, says Porter says. It won’t be anchored by a Publix and a laundromat, he jokes. It will be something special.

“It will be a true, mixed-use, walkable, pedestrian-focused town center,” Sheridan says.

Still Waiting...

Raymond James Financial filed plans last year to build its massive 1-million-sq.-ft. satellite campus on 65 acres at the corner of S.R. 56 and Mansfield/ Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. (see map).

When that actually will happen, though, no one knows.

“They own the property. They have the permits. Everything is ready to go,” Porter says. “They are a big company and when they decide they are ready, they are going to do it. It’s been put on a silver platter.”

Since Raymond James, which will

create thousands of new jobs when it finally builds its campus, closed on the property last year, Porter says other projects in Wiregrass Ranch have already created 2,000 jobs.

Another longanticipated project is the move of the Publix grocery store from the corner of S.R. 54 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. to a space across Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. from Walmart.

It’s still happening, says Porter, who adds that Publix may be looking to build two other stores within Wiregrass Ranch.

Wrapping It Up

Just consider some of the things that are open, under way or wrapping up in Wiregrass Ranch this year: •Esplanade and Persimmon Park: Persimmon Park, which is geared towards families and will have 340 townhome units by David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes, should have models ready to view and future homes ready to sell by April.

•The Wiregrass Ranch Sports

Campus of Pasco County will be completed in July, and will host its first event in September. The massive campus will feature a 98,000-sq.-ft. indoor sports facility, plus outdoor fields on the 80-acre parcel, and eventually a 128-room Marriott Residence Inn. The public-private partnership facility will provide an economic boon to the Ranch.

•And...AdventHealth Wesley Chapel: Built on the land where Porter was raised, is expanding, in partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center. A three-story, 100,000-square-foot medical office complex, with 28,000 square feet dedicated to a cancer outpatient center, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

• Plus...Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch of Pasco Hernando State College (which started

as a community college and has room for expansion) and Beach House at Wiregrass Ranch Adult Living & Memory Care. All of these are Wiregrass Ranch projects that have been patiently developed for years, and have come to fruition.

Flashy? No. Pillars for building a strong community that will contribute to residential and commercial growth?

Absolutely.

Developing Wiregrass Ranch is a job Porter says he takes personally. He adds that he is in it for the long haul, which makes his approach different, and more careful.

While he enjoys the competition from other developers and seeing what they are and will be building — and rooting for them, by the way, because he says he wants to see Wesley Chapel flourish — he feels he has a greater responsibility to make the right decisions.

“This land has provided a huge opportunity, not only for my family but the whole area,” he says. “We’ve been here 80 years, why wouldn’t we want to make it better for the next 80 years?

That business model doesn’t work for publicly traded companies that have to make 25 percent for investors every year. That allows us to work on filling the gaps and being sustainable.”

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19

Stark Injury Law Helps Local Residents With A Personal Touch a claim both prior to and, if necessary, after litigation,” he explains, “including investigating, documenting, evaluating and ultimately negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit.”

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN When Wesley Chapel resident Aaron Keaton was in a car accident, he knew he needed help from a lawyer.

What he didn’t expect was for the lawyer to show up in his hospital room — in person — for his initial consultation.

And, when fellow Wesley Chapel resident Ken Martinez needed an injury lawyer, too, he didn’t expect the lawyer to visit him in his home.

But, that’s the way personal injury attorney George Stark of Stark Injury Law, who has an office in the Brookside Professional Park off S.R. 54, says he likes to conduct business.

“The personal attention we give and the concern we have for people is what differentiates us from other folks,” Stark says. “We pride ourselves in being responsive to our clients’ needs, supporting their medical treatment decisions, resolving their vehicle damage claims, and providing them with the information needed to best resolve their claim.”

Both Aaron and Ken say George and his staff have become like a family to them.

“Anytime you go to the office, all of them come out and speak to you,” Ken says.

Aaron adds, “He’s so different. I met his wife, and I was there when his grandkids came in.”

Stark has built his successful personal injury law firm since 1987, when he first

20

A Little Background

Personal Injury attorney George Stark, who has an office in the Brookside Professional Park off S.R. 54, is proud to have a team of professionals helping him serve his clients, including (l.-r.) Holley Brennan, Kristin Everett & Maxine Stark. (Photos by Charmaine George)

opened his practice in downtown Tampa.

When he and his wife Maxine moved to Saddlebrook in 2007, he opened a satellite office of Stark Injury Law, which he says has grown over the past 12 years.

Now, Stark says he spends most of his time in his Wesley Chapel office and is as familiar with Pasco County courts as he is the courts in Hillsborough County.

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

defective products, medical negligence and other causes.

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

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

“A law firm is needed to assist in the various activities necessary to successfully pursue

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

He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1976 and first got started in the Tampa Bay area as an assistant public defender for Hillsborough County that same year. He was assigned to the felony division and continued to work as a public defender until 1981. He also worked in a general civil practice before opening his own firm.

Stark’s clients say they recommend him to anyone who needs a personal injury attorney. “He is very professional,” says Aaron. “He will sit down and talk with you face to face, he’ll make you feel comfortable, and tell you what might or might not happen.”

“He’s the best,” adds Ken. “He’s very knowledgeable and he has so much experience. In my other experiences with lawyers, they usually only talk with you about the law. He’s more understanding of all the things your family is going through. He’s more human in the way he explains things.

He gives you that feeling of confidence, that everything’s going to be okay.”

Stark Injury Law continues to grow

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because of word-of-mouth referrals from clients such as Aaron and Ken. “As a referral practice, I’ve been in business long enough that now I have three generations of people I’ve represented,” Stark says.

His clients appreciate that Stark is personally involved with their case. That’s a big difference in hiring him instead of one of those firms you might see advertised on TV. “Most of those folks [who hire a large firm] never see a lawyer,” says Stark, “unless their case cannot be amicably resolved by way of settlement.”

He says that nearly all of the cases he takes on — and the vast majority of those that are taken on by all other firms, too — are resolved by settlement, not through actual litigation.

“I pride myself on my ability to be successful in trial,” Stark says, “but the reality is that personal injury cases rarely go to trial.” He adds that the busiest trial lawyers, such as himself, are only in court one or two times a year.

In fact, he says, 95 percent of his cases are resolved by settlement within six to nine months, often without even filing an actual lawsuit. “That’s the norm,” he says, “and not just for my office.”

But, whether your case is being settled or going to trial, you’ll have oneon-one interactions with Stark himself throughout the process.

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

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

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

A Top-Notch Staff, Too!

Stark says he’s supported by great staff members who also help to make the process easy for his clients.

Maxine is a retired teacher who helps with administrative and bookkeeping duties for the office.

Kristin Everett and Holley Brennan are the paralegals who answer the phones and greets clients when they arrive at the office.

“Kristin’s been with me for five years,” Stark says. “She’s a people person, and she’s excellent at taking care of problems as they arise.”

Aaron says that although his case is now resolved, George, Kristin, Holley and the team remain important to him.

“I always go by and stop and say ‘hi,’” Aaron says, “because he helped us when we needed help. With all the pain and suffering you go through, it means a lot when you get the right people to help you out.”

Stark Injury Law is located at 29150 Chapel Park Dr. in the Brookside Professional Center. The practice also has a downtown Tampa office located at 400 N. Ashley Dr. Call (813) 991-6161. Or, visit StarkInjuryLaw.com.

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21

The Specialists At AllergyTampa.com Can Help Alleviate Allergy Issues

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN It’s the height of the allergy season, and even amidst the coronavirus scare, Drs. Lockey, Ledford, Glaum, Cho and Pepper continue to see patients, while following all of the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) & Prevention and taking precautions to protect both patients and staff.

“We have patients with severe asthma,” says Richard Lockey, M.D. “Without us, they would be in the hospital, where they would be at much greater risk.”

Keeping his patients healthy and out of the hospital is what medicine is all about, he adds.

The five doctors are a team of Board-certified allergists and immunologists found online at AllergyTampa. com. They all treat patients in private practice and also conduct research at the University of South Florida (USF) Division of Allergy & Immunology Clinical Research Unit (CRU). The private practice office and CRU make up the top floor of a medical building near the corner of E. Fletcher Ave. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

In addition to that main office, the practice also has offices in South Tampa (on Platt St.) and Citrus Park (on Gunn Hwy.). The physicians manage a variety

22

of disorders related to allergies, asthma and immunology, including food allergies, rhinitis (inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, often referred to as hay fever), cough, laryngitis, headaches and immune disorders. These specialists also treat allergic reactions and immune responses resulting in rashes and dermatitis.

Keeping people with asthma out of the hospital during the coronavirus scare is one thing, but Dr. Lockey emphasizes that in the many decades he has been practicing medicine, there has been a complete revolution in Dr. Richard Lockey of AllergyTampa.com, says that with the revolutinary medical advances and medicines available today, no one the way that people can should have to suffer from asthma. (Photo: Charmaine George) be treated.

In fact, he says, the medications that “Asthma is now are available today makes it so that no the most treatable of all chronic diseases known to humankind,” says Dr. Lockey. asthmatic should never have to suffer.

“That’s revolutionary in my life“If a patient today is getting appropriate time,” Dr. Lockey says. care, they should never end up in the He adds that he often sees patients ER for an asthma attack.”

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who have suffered for years because they didn’t get appropriate or adequate care and they didn’t know better.

“That’s not necessary anymore,” Dr. Lockey says. “You might need different care, you might need to see someone who specializes in asthma, or you might need a different medication.”

He adds, “Many drugs that are currently used by asthmatics, we helped develop at USF in our clinical research unit.”

For some patients, like Dr. Lockey’s patient Scott Mercer, it’s a fairly new medication that helps them finally live life normally.

While Mercer says he spent most of his life taking steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine to control his asthma, Dr. Lockey put him on a newer medication more than 10 years ago.

“For years, I was in and out of the hospital, tried every study there was,” Mercaer says. “But now, it’s like I can do just about anything anybody else does.”

Mercer says the way Dr. Lockey has treated his asthma has given him complete confidence in his physician.

“I trust him a lot,” Scott says.

“He’s the best doctor around.”

Patients Benefit From Research

What sets the practice apart from other groups is the relationship the

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doctors all have with USF. All of the doctors are not only researchers, but also USF professors who teach medical school residents and fellows. The group’s work is on the leading edge of new science in the field.

This partnership allows the doctors to provide the convenience of neighborhood medicine, combined with the experience of the academic setting.

“I love what I do,” says Dr. Lockey. “I love seeing patients and teaching and doing research — and we do all of those things.”

If a study is being conducted that could help a specific patient, the doctors can send that patient right down the hall to USF’s Clinical Research Unit to participate.

One study just recently led to FDA-approval of Palforzia. Palforzia is an oral immunotherapy that helps to mitigate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which may occur with accidental exposure to peanuts.

For someone who has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts, to be able to tolerate small amounts can relieve the constant fear of accidental contact with peanuts.

About The Doctors

Dr. Lockey founded the practice in 1984 as Academic Associates in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. He earned his

Doctor of Medicine degree from the Temple University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Lockey served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, then subsequently joined the faculty of the USF (now the Morsani) College of Medicine as a Professor of Medicine. He currently is the director of USF’s Division of Allergy & Immunology. He also volunteers at the James A. Haley Veterans (VA) Hospital, where he was previously Chief of Allergy & Immunology.

Dr. Lockey also has served as president of the World Allergy Organization and is a past president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), of which all of the practice’s specialists are members.

Roger Fox, M.D., also had been with the group since its founding, but he recently retired.

Dennis Ledford, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

Like Dr. Lockey, he also is a past president of AAAAI. Dr. Ledford is the director of the Section of Allergy & Immunology at the James A. Haley VA Hospital. His published writings focus on immunology and autoimmune disorders and he has won many awards, including being installed to the Gold Humanism Honor Society for Medicine at USF. Mark Glaum, M.D., Ph.D., earned his

medical degree at the Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He completed a fellowship in allergy and clinical immunology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, also in Philadelphia. His areas of interest include how the body responds to substances that cause allergic reactions and advancing diagnostic techniques, such as rhinoscopies (examining nasal passages with specialized instruments).

Seong Cho, M.D., received his medical degree as an otolaryngologist — an ear, nose and throat specialist — from Kyung Hee University School of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. His allergy and immunology training was completed at the

Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago, IL. Amber Pepper, M.D., joined the practice in 2018. Dr. Pepper earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from USF in 2013, then completed her residency in internal medicine in 2016 at USF, where she was in a once-weekly rotation at the practice. She then completed a fellowship at the practice through USF’s Division of Allergy & Immunology.

To learn more about Drs. Lockey, Ledford, Glaum, Cho and Pepper, visit AllergyTampa.com, call (813) 9719743, or see the ad on page 25. The main office is located at 13801 BBD Blvd., Suite 502.

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25

Love Of Writing Pays Off For Liberty’s Jaylen McCall

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Selling kids on the importance of writing gets harder and harder every year, according to Liberty Middle School language arts teacher Alycia Marcarian.

She says it’s true even when the prize is a full scholarship to any university in the state of Florida.

However, Jaylen McCall, 13, might be changing that, at least at Liberty.

The eighth-grader’s 500-word essay about former Black Seminoles leader John Horse was chosen last month as the winner of the middle school division of the Florida State Black History Month Essay Contest.

The prize: a full ride to the Florida university of his choice.

“It’s incredible,” says Jaylen’s father, Jamal. “I had to look at (the prize) a couple of times.”

It was Jamal, who does data and analytics for MetLife, who found out first that his son had won. He says he was in a midday meeting and missed a call. He didn’t recognize the area code, but called back anyway and received the good news.

He was able to keep it a secret while picking Jaylen up, bringing him home to change clothes, and dropping him off at practice for his West Florida Flames club soccer team.

From there, Jamal hustled over to Publix to buy some celebratory cupcakes, and returned to the field.

“I had to play it cool,” Jamal says.

“I ended up with a bunch of Valentine’s Day cupcakes and passed them out to a bunch of 13-year-old boys.”

The soccer celebration shocked Jaylen — “I thought it was somebody’s birthday or something” — and he says his teammates have now nicknamed him “Scholar.”

Sadly, plans for Jaylen and Jamal to attend a celebratory Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls NBA game had to be scrapped

Jaylen McCall poses with his dad and biggest supporter Jamal (left) and with his dad and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. when I was done, I was really excited other students to enter next year. He says due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Getting Jaylen, who says he enjoys about it,” Jaylen says. many of his classmates have already told writing, to enter the essay contest wasn’t Not only did Jaylen win a scholarhim that next year they will be participatthat tough a chore. He says that he tries ship for his essay, he got to visit the ing, and some sixth graders recently told to write at least five stories every sumgovernor’s mansion in Tallahassee and him they were amazed he got to go to mer about “interesting and entertaining” received his award from Florida Gov. Tallahassee and meet the governor. things, and finds the craft relaxing and a Ron DeSantis.

“It’s a really hard sell, even when the great stress reliever.

“There were a lot of other people prize is something great like this,” Alycia When Alycia told him about the there and the governor’s mansion was re- says. “A lot of kids don’t want to do the contest, he set out to write about someally cool,” Jaylen says. “They also served extra work or think they won’t win. It’s a one whose story hasn’t been widely told. food. They had some really good pineap- challenging task, but writing is something He had read about the Black Seminoles, ple. It was really good.” they have to do in college and beyond…. a group of free blacks and runaway slaves Jamal’s essay, and the significant luckily we have kids like Jaylen that work who fought alongside the Seminole Inprize that goes with it, is sure to inspire hard and do it anyway.” dians during the Seminole Wars, the year before, and that led him to John Horse.

“I wanted to do somebody that nobody has heard of, so they could be interested in it,” Jaylen says.

Once he started researching, he found himself wowed by the John Horse story — a former slave who earned his freedom and went on to help other slaves escape, while wielding a large amount of influence as one of the leaders of the Black Seminoles.

It was a difficult process fitting everything he learned into 500 words. After days of researching, writing and editing, he entertained thoughts giving up.

“But I kept working on it, and

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Congrats, Basset Creek Art Winners!

The Basset Creek Homeowners Association celebrated a Winter Arts festival on January 18th.

There were three segments to the celebration: Sidewalk Art, Performance Art, and Creative Caring Art. There was a DJ, snacks, and the opportunity for everyone to get creative. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three sidewalk artists. They were Vineesha (bottom left), Lee Berzman (top right) and Smitha (top left) and her son Advay (not pictured).

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27

Senior Seasons Destined For Early Conclusion?

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Ellis Erickson knows there are more important things in life than sports. In the grand scheme of things, the effects of the coronavirus outbreak are likely to leave such a large swath of despair and disappointment in its wake, high school athletic contests appear more meaningless and unimportant than ever.

Yet, a small part of the Freedom High senior catcher still can’t help but feel a twinge of regret that her final season as a Patriots softball player may have come to an early end — on March 12 — as she led her team to a 12-7 win over Tampa Robinson.

“Me and my friends jokingly said this could be our last game,” Erickson says. “Since then, all this has happened. It’s just mind blowing.”

The decision by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to extend the state’s closure of all schools until April 15 has pushed the end of the school year in jeopardy, both in the classroom and on the athletic field.

Softball and baseball teams at Freedom and Wharton, which have played roughly 8-10 games this season, would only have a little more than a week until the end of their schedule before their playoffs were scheduled to begin. Cross country and tennis district tournaments are right around the corner as well, but don’t rely on a full schedule to end up being played.

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) will have to decide how to proceed with the playoffs if school is back in session by April 15.

28

It is looking more and more likely that seniors like Ellis Erickson have played their final high school games.

(Photo: Charmaine George)

And that’s a big “if”.

“It’s still real real early,” says Wharton athletic director Eddie Henderson. “I haven’t heard anything. For the most part, everybody is letting it all play out. For now, no practice, no organized games, no nothing.”

Freedom coach Autum Hernandez was expecting her Patriots to make a playoff run this year, but now she is wondering if her seven seniors will get the chance.

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Some, like Erickson, will head off to college to play softball. For others, the Robinson game may be the last they will ever play.

“I’m definitely more sad for those who won’t get another chance,” Hernandez says.

Many of the seniors also may not get the annual tradition of Senior Night, where players are honored before the final home game of their careers, often escorted by their parents and showered with applause by appreciative fans.

Erickson has sat through three of them. She’s disappointed she may not get her turn.

“I always looked up to those moments,” she says.

“Senior Night has always been an emotional night for everyone, and I got excited for that night and always thought about mine. Now, I don’t know if were going to have that. It’s upsetting. I know it’s not end of the world, but it kind of breaks my heart a little bit.”

One bright note — most every New Tampa high school team that played on March 12, which may end up being the final night of the high school season, was a winner.

On the same day as Freedom’s last softball win, Wharton baseball seniors and team captains Grady Maguire, Steven Hotinski and Carson Caso were off to the best starts of their high school career, leading the Wildcats to an 8-1 start, including an 9-8 over Jefferson. Wharton’s flag football team posted a shutout and Wharton also won its softball game.

“This sucks,” says Erickson, who went 4-for-4 her last game, “but if it’s over, at least we went out a winner.”

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Every year, after we report the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always feel compelled to give you my dining favorites, including all of the restaurants that opened in (or very near) New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the previous year. Some of you love my opinions; others... not so much.

Even so, most people I meet out in our neck of the woods tell me they agree with my choices more than they do those of the readers year after year.

But, having waited until after the coronavirus outbreak hit home here in Florida to give you my list of favorites for 2019 surely didn’t help matters any, as several of the eateries listed on pages 32-37 of this issue were closing, at least temporarily, rather than be open for takeout and delivery only, per Florida Gov. Ron De Santis’ order on Mar. 20.

Sadly, there’s no doubt that some on this list may not be able to weather this storm and may close permanently. Until that happens, however, please support as many of the still-open eateries on my list as you can. I know Jannah and I will.

I’m glad I got to sit down to a perfectly seared ahi tuna appetizer, a tender medium-rare filet, and a flavorful grouper piccata at my (and our readers’) favorite restaurant in New Tampa — Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms — shortly before DeSantis gave his order.

As for the rest of my New Tampa top-25, please read on! — GN

GARY’S FAVES IN NEW TAMPA

Check out the rest of Gary’s 2019 Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa on pages 32-37!

(Photo by Charmaine George)

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1 E

STONEWOOD GRILL & TAVERN 17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa Palms (813) 978-0388

ven though it hasn’t always been my #1 favorite restaurant in New Tampa, there’s no doubt that Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms has been near the top of my list since the day it opened nearly two decades ago.

Stonewood continues to serve the best (and best variety of) steaks (like the 9-oz. filet mignon pictured below) in New Tampa and it also offers a daily “market catch” (like the fresh grouper piccata, with sauce on the side and perfectly sautéed spinach, right) and other specials (like lollipop rib lamb chops...mmm) that have kept it near the top of my list every year.

New GM Matt Passardi — who previously ran the Grillsmith in the Shops at Wiregrass — and his staff usually also keep their guests happy at New Tampa’s most-happening bar scene, but of course, covid-19 has shut down the bar and Stonewood’s elegant dine-in experience, at least for now. My suggestion? Get it to go while you can!

THE FAT RABBIT 16029 Tampa Palms Blvd.

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ACROPOLIS GREEK TAVERNA 14947 Bruce B Downs Blvd.

Oak Ramble Plaza (813) 971-1787

Although I spend a lot less time these days south of Tampa Palms on BBD, it never takes much to convince Jannah to go to (or take out from) Acropolis. Part of another successful Bay-area mini-chain, Acropolis features authentic saganaki cheese flambé and artichoke and spinach dip appetizers, a tender shish (filet) and chicken kabob duo, savory loin lamb chops and our favorite entrée — the thin, crisp, lightly fried Athenian fish pictured above. And, even though Acropolis doesn’t have a true Greek dressing, the Greek salad also is outstanding with its creamy Acropolis Greek dressing.

CICCIO CALI

T

17004 Palm Pointe Dr. Shoppes at The Pointe (813) 975-1222

he day The Fat Rabbit opened a few very short years ago, I was impressed with the look and feel of the place as a bar hangout, but I was thrilled when I sampled the food the first several times. Even though I’m not so much a wing aficionado as I am a foodie, many in our area agree that The Fat Rabbit has the best wings anywhere ­— blackened with a side of the Fat Rabbit cilantro sauce are my faves — as well as great burgers, “taters” (try the garlic sweet potato) and grown up grilled cheese. But, adding a Catch of the Week (blackened mahi-mahi above) moved the Rabbit way up on my list.

he Ciccio Restaurant Group has created one of the most successful slates of local eateries in the entire Tampa Bay area, with concepts like Green Lemon, Daily Eats, Ciccio Water and Better Byrd (look them all up), but Ciccio Cali has been the only one in our area since Lodge closed in the former Ciccio & Tony’s location in City Plaza. But, I have always credited Ciccio Cali as the first to bring “bowl culture” to New Tampa. The menu has been simplified, with multiple “bowl style” options (the “Lean & Clean” with tuna is my fave), plus crisp-crust pizza and famous wrap sandwiches (the Cali Club is my fave).

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LAS PALMAS LATIN GRILL

BAYSCAPE BISTRO

FUSHIA ASIAN BISTRO

*- Notes - Mahana Fresh & Lima both didn’t open until 2020, or they would have made this list. ** - Sukhothai, Vallarta’s (Tampa Palms), and Regina Margherita (previously called Chefs of Napoli) were all on this list before they all closed (with Regina Margherita closing the week we went to press with this issue) and El Pescador, which previously occupied Lima’s location in the New Tampa Center plaza, made my top-50 before it closed.

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3

2

6431 E. County Line Rd. (813) 803-3903

Speaking of amazing fish, owner/chef Ramses Garcia serves our area’s flakiest, tastiest merluza (like snapper) a la Rusa, as well as award-winning Cuban sandwiches and traditional specialties like ropa vieja (shredded beef), picadillo (ground beef) and arroz con pollo (chicken & yellow rice), and I really love the steaks — palomillo (in sour mojo sauce, with onions), churrasco (skirt steak with chimichurri sauce) and sautéed vaca frita (crispy beef). But, the lechon asado (tender roasted pork), masitas (pork chunks) and special pork chops (above) are my faves. You can’t go wrong with Ramses’ wife Ana’s award-winning tres leches dessert, either!

at Heritage Isles Golf Club 10630 Plantation Bay Dr. (813) 994-3445

Former Wharton High culinary teachers Eddie and Lourdes Bujarski have created an impressive restaurant inside the Heritage Isles GC clubhouse. With a more extensive menu, Bayscape would finish even higher on my list, because it’s hard to beat for breakfast, lunch and dinner,. There are great wings, burgers, salads and sandwiches, but my faves are the dinner “signatures” like country fried chicken and slowroasted, top round roast beef with brown gravy pictured above. It’s been a while since Jannah and I stopped in for dinner and Friday night karaoke, but the last time we were there during the week, the chef-made pasta bar was incredible.

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Neighborhood News

Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15317 Amberly Dr. (813) 903-6705

If you still haven’t tried Fushia, you’ve been missing one of New Tampa’s best-kept secrets. Fushia may not serve traditional New York-style Chinese food, but it features many dishes I love you won’t find anywhere else in our distribution areas. I’m partial to the pan-fried pork dumplings, but Fushia has a large menu of dim sum (served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) appetizers, plus all-you-can-eat Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ, but my faves are the yang chow fried rice, the spicy yan jian pork, dry pot chicken and the beef with Chinese broccoli shown above. @NTWCNews

p i B t c a a “ a a

-

8

THAI RUBY

Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15319 Amberly Dr. (813) 558-0570

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10

11

KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

LIANG’S BISTRO ASIAN CUISINE

FULL CIRCLE PIZZA

17515 Bruce B Downs Blvd.

(813) 978-1225

Pebble Creek Collection 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

(813) 994-3700

Pebble Creek Collection 19601 Bruce B Downs Blvd.

(813) 994-6600

As Thai restaurants go, Thai Ruby is the most beautiful Thai place in New Tampa and also has the best food, especially since Sukhothai closed a couple of months ago. The spring rolls, ginger chicken, the spicy Thai combination fried rice (with chicken, beef and pork), the Siam chicken, filet of grouper and soft shell crab are all top-notch and Thai Ruby may have the largest selection of veggie dishes you’ll find anywhere (I love the steamed broccoli with carrots, green beans and snow peas), but this is the place I go when I have a craving for crispy duck, whether its the tender roast duckling shown above or the “fancy” duck with sweet & sour sauce.

chi) table experience in our area, you won’t find a better choice than Kobe. And, even though Jannah and I usually sit at the bar rather than share a table with families with young children, you get the same great meal, just without the show. Kobe definitely has the best-quality filet mignon, sirloin steak and chicken of any Japanese restaurant in our area, and you can even get pepper-crusted tuna tataki hibachi, as well as beautiful-looking surf-&-turf combos with lobster, shrimp and scallops that I (sadly) am not able to enjoy. The sushi is really good, too.

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SUSHI CAFE

GINZA

The Walk at Highwoods Preserve 18015 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.

(813) 977-7800

For those who crave the teppanyaki (hiba-

14

6417 E County Line Rd. (813) 907-1688

When you’re looking for the best value for your money in our area, I believe that Ginza For anyone who’s asking, for my money, has to be in that conversation, especially for Sushi Café has the best sushi in New Tampa or lunch Monday-Friday, which costs only $12.95 Wesley Chapel. With a huge assortment of sushi for adults ($6.95-$8.95 for kids 4-14) for all of rolls, including some truly unique options like the sushi, appetizers and entrées you care to eat. a Pacific fusion roll with spicy tuna, crunch, cu- Even at $21.95 for adults and $8.95-$12.95 for cumber and avocado on top, plus a wide variety kids for dinner, it’s a great value, especially when of sashimi, Sushi Café also has one of the best you consider the quality of the unlimited egg spicy tuna tataki appetizers in our area (photo). I and spring rolls, pan-fried pork dumplings and also really enjoy the “hibachi from kitchen” en- dishes like the spicy Mongolian chicken shown trées, like the filet mignon and chicken options, above (the Mongolian beef also is top-notch). even though (especially because?) there are no And, while Ginza’s sushi may not be quite as teppanyaki tables. I also recommend the crispy good as Sushi Café’s, I do enjoy Ginza’s white chicken katsu and chicken and veggie tempura. meat fish sashimi, California roll and others.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Even though I prefer many of the entrées at Fushia a little more than the main dishes at Liang’s, there’s no doubt that this is a very nice, upscale Chinese (with other Asian options) restaurant with very good food. My favorite entrées are the steamed (with mixed veggies) or Liang’s crispy fish, the sizzling Shanghai steak and Sichuan chicken, but I love Liang’s for its New York-style BBQ spareribs, the teriyaki wontons and especially, the crispy egg rolls shown above.

The item Jannah and I take out most often, though, are Liang’s awesome sautéed string beans, but I order them in a spicy chili sauce, rather than the usual oyster sauce. So good.

KOIZI ENDLESS HIBACHI & SUSHI Shoppes at The Pointe 17012 Palm Pointe Dr. (813) 971-1919

Don’t get me wrong...even though I find the deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza shown above very tasty, I’ll never say I like it as much as the New York-style pizza I grew up with. And, even though I know that deep-dish and thin-crust Chicago pizza is a big reason why many locals love Full Circle, I’m actually a much bigger fan of the other delicious menu items owner/chef Freddy Nova and his wife Julia have added since taking over the place in 2017. My favorites are the chicken and broccoli in garlic and oil and the meatball and chicken parmigiana subs.

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WOODFIRED PIZZA Palms Connection 2822 E. Bearss Ave. (813) 341-2900

The first woodfired pizza place to open in (or near) either of our distribution areas is local about which endless hibachi and sushi res- known for its high-quality pizza ingredients, as taurant they prefer — Koizi or Ginza — things well as owner Peter Taylor’s unique pizza names can get a little heated. Koizi is $1 less for adults — like my favorite Pizza Raquel, which features for lunch ($11.95) and dinner ($18.95)and it house-made fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, grana actually does have teppanyaki tables (above), I padano cheese and olive oil, to which I usually just have long felt that the quality of most items, add either pepperoni, fire-roasted sausage or especially the appetizers, is better at Ginza. Even Italian-style meatballs (Peter’s “carnivore” pizza so, the hibachi filet mignon, New York strip has all three) and fresh spinach. The wood-fired steak and chicken are all pretty good and there is meatball appetizer and wings also are delicious, a great variety of sushi and sashimi available. The and I’ve yet to sample the wood oven petite (4teriyaki and black pepper chicken are also pretty oz.) filet mignon, but the classic Caesar, Greek good options . and iceberg wedge salads are excellent, too.

Anytime you get into a discussion with a

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35

GARY’S FAVORITES (Cont.)

16

LITTLE GREEK

17

SAKE HOUSE

18

19

OAKLEY’S GRILLE ISLAND FIN POKE CO.

New Tampa Center 19022 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

(813) 972-0707

Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15311 Amberly Dr. (813) 977-3838

of eatery than Acropolis, Little Greek also has really good Greek food, as evidenced by the crowds that usually are on line (but always moving; great service!) during lunchtime. In addition to the only true gyro sandwiches (photo) and platters in New Tampa, this still-growing small chain (with around 30 locations in Florida and 50 total in six states), also features excellent steak, chicken, salmon and even lamb skewers, spanakopita, falafel, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and hummus and the only true Greek salad dressing in zip code 33647.

Japanese restaurant has previously been called Fong’s Sushi and Sushi Raw, but one thing has remained consistent through all of its incarnations — really good sushi (photo) and specialties like gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) filled with your choice of pork, chicken or shrimp, tempura (shrimp, chicken, beef, scallops, salmon, veggie or even tofu), and beef and chicken teriyaki. The seared tuna tataki appetizer is outstanding, and among my favorite rolls are the tuna trio (spicy tuna inside, red and white tuna on top) and the OZ roll, with fried grouper and spicy crabmeat.

owned by anyone with the last name Oakley in a few years, current owner Luca Ammirati is a native Italian who has added a number of specialties from his homeland, starting with authentic fried meatballs served with the tomato sauce on the side. The last time I was in Oakley’s, Ammirati had not yet added penne carbonara, lasagna or penne al ragu (meat sauce), but all three are now listed on his website, so I definitely need to stop in to try them. And of course, Oakley’s still has my favorite bacon cheeseburger (photo) and crisp fries (sadly not pictured) in New Tampa.

This newcomer (see ad on pg. 39), which was opened by former New Tampa residents Brenda and Jeff Sproat in late 2019, has established itself as the first Hawaiian-style createyour-own poke bowl place in New Tampa. I love the regular and spicy ahi tuna options as my protein (I usually do two scoops of spicy and one scoop of regular), and there are unique options like spam, octopus, shrimp and tofu, plus veggie options (like regular and spicy pickled veggies, edamame and corn), but as the Sproats say, the thing that sets Island Fin apart are the sauces. I really only need the OG and Island Fire marinating sauces...and an occasional Dole whip dessert.

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Although it’s a completely different kind

THAI LANNA & SUSHI Cross Creek Center 10022 Cross Creek Blvd.

(813) 991-0108

For those of you who don’t live off of

Cross Creek Blvd., Thai Lanna is another excellent (and pretty) Thai place that also really good appetizers like the Thai spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings (bottom right in the photo) fried calamari and even fried eggplant. There are three kinds of crispy duck, with the volcano duck (with mixed veggies and sweet chili sauce) being my favorite. Try the and crab fried rice! Thai Lanna also has really fresh sushi (cooked shrimp sushi and California roll are shown above), too.

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This unassuming little sushi bar and

17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

(813) 523-5075

Even though the restaurant hasn’t been

6417 E. County Line Rd. (813) 575-8002

PETRA GLORY DAYS GRILL MR. DUNDERBAK’S MEDITERRANEAN Oak Ramble Plaza 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

(813) 977-4104

When the original Mr. Dunderbak’s was

in the University Mall, I thought it was a cool place for German food, even though I really only had roast bee and pastrami sandwiches there. The location on BBD (which has been around the last 15-20 of its 45 years in business) has a much more diverse menu, and I really enjoy German dishes like the crispy jagerschnitzel (available in veal or pork, both are great) shown above, and the kassler rippchen (pork chops).

I’m not a big beer drinker, but Mr. D’s biergarten has a huge selection and is always packed.

Great European chocolate selection, too.

17503 Preserve Walk Ln. (813) 898-8991

If you’ve ever had a hankerin’ (as I some-

times do) for authentic beef shawarma handsliced off a rotating spit (photo), Petra is the place for you. The authentic Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern menu includes a great sampler platter, which incudes fried kibbe, falafel, hummus, babaganoush and grape leaves, served with a side of tahini sauce. I also really enjoy the nabulsi fried cheese appetizer, the tabouli, fattoush and Greek salads, as well as the chicken shawarma and chicken and shish (cubed lamb) kebab sandwiches and the Petra mixed grill with shish, kufta (ground lamb) and chicken kebabs.

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Neighborhood News

17508 Doña Michelle Dr. (813) 513-7550

When this, our distribution area’s first Glory Days Grill, opened a few years ago, replacing the popular Lee Roy Selmon’s, I will say I wasn’t a big fan. However, when Jannah and I first tried the new Glory Days on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, we recognized that the menu had been greatly upgraded and we have visited both locations quite a bit since then. We love the zucchini fries appetizer shown above, as well as the steak rice bowl, the grilled and comeback chicken entrées, Boston chowda and the 1/2-lb. proprietary blend burgers. Glory Days also has two sizes (7-oz. & 10-oz.) of its tasty “1988” sirloin steak and a great sports bar atmosphere. @NTWCNews

24

THE BRUNCHERY 17507 Preserve Walk Ln. (813) 533-7271

For those of us who had been begging

for a great breakfast place in New Tampa, owner Stanley Athan’s The Brunchery filled that void.

And, even though I prefer fried eggs over easy with crispy bacon to the scrambled egg breakfast shown above, this was such a pretty picture we decided to use it instead. The Brunchery also serves a selection of “Benedict” (poached egg) breakfasts, avocado toast, a lox (smoked salmon) platter, ultimate omelettes and an incredible variety of French toast options. I’m embarrassed to say Jannah and I haven’t sampled it for lunch yet, but it offers burgers, sandwiches (including tuna and grilled chicken melts) and salads.

Neighborhood News

GARY’S NEXT 25 FAVES

25

TAMPA PALMS GOLF & CC (TPGCC) 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.

(813) 972-1991

There was a time, like when I first purchased the Neighborhood News 26 years ago, when this beautiful club, Boston Cooker and Hunter’s Green Country Club were the only “real” restaurants open for dinner in New Tampa. But of course, you usually had to be a member to dine at TPGCC, so I really only got to eat there when I attended New Tampa Rotary Club breakfast meetings on Friday mornings — and that club still meets there every week! However, I will say that the times when I’ve gotten to have dinner at TPGCC, the food has always been pretty good, like the filet shown above.

@NTWCNews

(in alphabetical order)

All of these restaurants are very good, just not good enough (in my opinion) to make my Top-25 in New Tampa. I’m even admitting to liking some “fast food” places.-GN Al-Sham Palace Juice Factory Aroy Thai Minerva Indian Restaurant Bearss Tavern & Tap Mulligans Irish Pub (at PCGC) Burger 21 Olive Garden Cantina Mexican Grill Palm Thai PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Cappy’s Pizza Deano’s Pizza & Pasta Saffron Indian Cuisine Don Julio’s Authentic Mexican Snowrolls Five Guys Burgers & Fries Steak n’ Shake Ho King Sushi Avenue Hummingbird Jerk House Taste of NY Pizza Hunter’s Green Country Club Westshore Pizza Jersey Mike’s Subs

NOW OPEN! NEW TAMPA

17512 Doña Michelle Dr. (at the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. exit of I-75) Tampa, FL 33647

20% OFF Your Food Bill!

With Neighborhood News coupon only. Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 4/30/2020.

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37

Nibbles & Business The Latest & Not-So-Great News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Coronavirus Delays Openings

As if the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic wasn’t already wreaking havoc with our lives, what with schools, restaurants, businesses and beaches closing in Florida (and entire states and countries on lockdown), here’s a little more sand being kicked in our faces: All of the businesses shown on this page are located in New Tampa and are under construction. Some were expected to open by the time this issue reached your mailbox, while others were weeks or months away, even before the coronavirus hit the U.S. But now, “Who knows when we’ll be allowed to open?,” asked Blair Johnson, a co-owner of F45 Training in the former la Pink location in Highwoods Preserve on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. “We were supposed to open today.” Michi Ramen and Oronzo Honest Italian (not shown, but as reported last issue) are new eateries hoping to open next to F45.

I will say that the completion of the Sprouts Farmers Market still seems far enough off to perhaps not have its opening put off too much by the pandemic, but the adjacent businesses in the Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza — Touch Nail Spa, The Coder School, Grain & Berry and Via Italia — also are in a holding pattern now. — GN

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Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

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39

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

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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.

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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.

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CLEANING SERVICES

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

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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).

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Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel since 1990. Call or text 813-244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay. com. Also, see our display ad below for more info.

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!

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

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.

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.

HELP WANTED

Plastic surgery practice in Wesley Chapel/New Tampa area is seeking a motivated, friendly Medical Assistant to work full time in both front office and back office capacities.

Candidate must be professional, reliable, and familiar with computer software. Please send your resume and a cover letter with your qualifications for the position to TampaPS@gmail.com.

Free Estimates

• Exterior Home Cleaning • Roof Cleaning • Paver Sealing

(813) 696-9568 Check us out on Facebook facebook.com/SBSoftSpray

Veteran Owned & Operated

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 7 • March 27, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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ELEGANCE IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT

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) 381-1430 SPRING SAVINGS - BUY MORE SAVE MORE! 1-4 UNITS SAVE 20% 5-9 UNITS

SAVE 25%

10-14 UNITS

SAVE 30%

15+

SAVE 35%

UNITS

LIMITED

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Schedule your FREE consultation today!

Tampa 813-968-5050 Brandon 813-445-7121 Offer Valid April 1st - April 28th 2020. May not be combined with any other offer. Applies to selected window treatments only. Not valid on Shutters or Lutron. Offer good at time of initial estimate only. Each franchise individually owned and operated. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds LLC 2020

19-11047 (5/19)

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

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 7 • March 27, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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We accept the majority of PPO's Dental

CARING & COMPASSIONATE DENTISTRY. ..

19007 Bruce B. Downs Blvd Tampa, FL 33647

Vijay Patel, DDS (813) 406-4947

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm

Evenings by Appointment Only

WELCOMING New Patients Dental Exam & X-rays*

Crown*

*D0150 & D0210 ONLY

*D2740 ONLY

Offers cannot be combined wch any other specials or ooup:,ns.

Offers Expre on 5/31/20

First 50 New Patients only. Ex pres 5/31/20. C omprehensive exam D0150, X-rays D0210, Cleaning D1110 required

www.pebblecreekfamilydentistry.com

�The ONLY Publication Direct-Mailed to 27,500 Homes* in Zip Code 33647!

Arbor Greene Cory Lake Isles Cross Creek Easton Park Grand Hampton/ The Hammocks 42

Heritage Isles Hunter's Green K-Bar Ranch Hunter's Key Lake Forest

Live oak Preserve Pebble Creek Richmond Place Tampa Palms West Meadows

• Including more than 3,500 i4>iib,.e.d �

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 7 • March 27, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 6 • March 13, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

43

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 7 • March 27, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews