New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 33, Issue 7, April 1, 2025

What Is Being Done About Morris Bridge Rd.?

Will The ‘Rural’ Road’s Flooding Following Hurricane Milton & Clear Need

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

What are some of the things New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have in common?

In addition to car washes, nail salons and self-storage facilities, both rely heavily on two “major” north-south roadways — the eight- (in New Tampa) or six-lane (in Wesley Chapel) Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and the mostly two-lane Morris Bridge (MB) Rd — as important daily travel routes.

Due to the explosive growth in both K-Bar Ranch/Easton Park in New Tampa and, especially, in the plethora of new developments in and near Wesley Chapel, dependence upon MB Rd. has continued to grow year after year.

However, traveling on the winding, twolane MB Rd. from the Fletcher Ave. exit off I-75 in Hillsborough up into Pasco County can be a white-knuckle experience for any motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian — and for more than just one reason.

Development has caused this formerly rural roadway to be plagued by flooding (resulting in closures), as well as by heavy traffic, safety concerns, poor road conditions and some other silly stuff that commuters in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have to deal with every day.

See “MB Rd.” on pg. 4

WHY WE OFFER CONTESTS!

Meet some of our recent contest prize winners & find out more about our ‘Chicken Judge’ contest. See page 3

TWO PARK UPDATES!

One new New Tampa park is open, while another heads to the design phase.

See pages 6-8

THE ‘CITY OF WESLEY CHAPEL?’

Local business leaders and the North Tampa Bay Chamber look into incorporating Wesley Chapel. See pages 10-12

MORE NEW FOOD & DRINK OPTIONS Sommimari & Paris Baguette are open; Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake is opening soon! See pages 40-45

This is Morris Bridge Rd. looking south from the entrance to Cory Lake Isles on a usual weekday morning. For those who live along this formerly rural roadway, the daily commute to Tampa can be an absolute nightmare. So, what, if anything, is being done about it? (Photo by Joel Provenzano)

Why Do We Offer Contests? Check Out These Happy Neighborhood News Contest Winners!

An Editorial by GARY NAGER

When I first bought the Neighborhood News back in Feb. 1994, I knew I wanted to get people not only reading what we put into print, but also engaging with our content.

One of the ways I decided to try to make that happen was to put contests in these pages. We started out with things like labor-intensive, Gary-created crossword puzzles and Fantasy Baseball and Football contests, trivia contests (which have now been rendered obsolete with the advent of Google) and our most popular annual contest, our Reader Dining Survey & Contest, which is still going strong some 30 years since I started it.

Over the years, I’ve added other contests, such as our “Big Game Squares,” “March Madness” and “Oscars” contests, but the timing from when either the Academy Awards nominations are announced or the teams are set for the sports contests hasn’t always worked with our every-four-week deadlines.

This year, however, we were able to make both the “Squares” and “Oscars” (the latter because of the delay in the announcement of the nominees and the televised broadcast both delayed by the California wildfires) contests work with online-only entries.

While only about 100 people total entered this year’s “Big Game” and “Oscars” contests, that doesn’t mean that folks like (l.-r. above) Eddie Mancuso of Highwoods Preserve, who won the Grand Prize of $200 (he chose Stonewood Grill & Tavern); Lianne Kowiak of Arbor Greene (with me), who won $100 (and picked Ulele); and Wharton High alum and West Meadows resident MaeLee Rich — who has been entering our contests since her teens and who won one of the two $50 prizes (to Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood) in the Squares contest — weren’t thrilled to win those Squares prizes. The fourth Squares winner, Allison Smith of Pebble Creek, hasn’t yet received her $50 gift card to Grillsmith.

We also have three winners in our “Oscars” contests. Our Grand Prize winner — one of only two contestants to correctly pick the winners in six of the seven major Academy Awards categories, chosen at random, was Meadow Pointe resident Dawn Kidle, who wins a $200 gift card to B&B Theatres at The Grove. The other tied contestant was John Bailey of Palatine, IL, who not only doesn’t live here — he says he searched “Oscars Contests” online and entered all of them! — Illinois doesn’t even have a B&B Theatre, so I mailed him a $60 gift card to AMC Theaters. There were four contestants who correctly picked five of the seven categories and that winner, drawn at random to receive the $60 B&B gift card I bought for John, is Gail Bialk of Watergrass. I just gave Dawn her prize (4th photo above) and I plan to give Gail hers soon!

We also now have about 30 local residents who have told us they want to be judges in our contest to pick the Wesley Chapel area’s favorite chicken restaurant. I’m still working out the details of how that contest will work, but I think we now have enough potential judges to make it happen! Look for details in our next issue (hopefully)!

So, why do we still have contests, with prizes we almost always pay for ourselves (we occasionally have had a restaurant agree to donate a prize, but that’s pretty rare)? Simply put, since most of us will never win the Lottery or hit it big in Vegas, it’s nice to have much better odds of winning one of our contest prizes — and my pleasure to provide them!

WE HAVE MOVED AGAIN! NEW ADDRESS: 27251 Wesley Chapel Blvd., # 426 Wesley Chapel FL 33544

OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!

Office Phone Number: (813) 910-2575

Advertising E-mail:

Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Editorial E-mail:

EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor/Ad Sales

Gary Nager

Correspondents

Celeste McLaughlin • Iris Vitelli

Joel Provenzano

Editorial Research by Joel Provenzano

Ad Sales/Marketing Director

Jannah Nager

Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist

Charmaine George

Graphic Designers

Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener

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 necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 33, Issue 9, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Thursday, April 17, 2025.

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.

New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

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With three mattresses tied to a roof, even a single Nissan Altima going 25 mph at rush hour can create havoc on MB Rd., generating a quarter-mile-long backup of angry drivers, all inching over the centerline to see if they can pass. Yes, we observed this while standing outside our vehicle and taking photos from the entrance to Cory Lake Isles!

We reached out to both Hillsborough County and City of Tampa governmental officials to find out their thoughts, and if there are any “real” projects actually moving forward to improve MB Rd. We provided them with a list of questions that did generate some responses.

We specifically asked if there were any planned capacity or safety improvement projects in the works, especially any widening plans to handle future volumes, or how the county (since MB Rd. is a county road that serves both city and county residents, as does BBD) plans to handle those traffic volumes that are expected to significantly increase over next few years, due to development on the north end — primarily the continuing expansion of K-Bar Ranch and the massive Two Rivers development, which is really just getting started building near MB Rd. both north and south of the Hillsborough-Pasco county line.

In short, much-needed flooding countermeasures have been installed (following the multi-week shutdown of MB Rd. north of Cross Creek [CC] Blvd. following Hurricane Milton last October) and both a safety project and resurfacing project are coming, but any real vehicle capacity/ modernization projects are still up in the air. District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, in his final term in his seat, at least has an idea about how to address the everyday traffic on MB Rd.

Councilman Viera’s Perspective

Although MB Rd. is entirely a county roadway, roughly 1/3 of the people living along the roadway live within Tampa’s city limits, with all of those residents (at least until the Hillsborough portion of Two Rivers begins building) living in the city-based New Tampa developments of Cory Lake Isles, Easton Park and K-Bar Ranch.

As such, we were grateful to interview Viera to get his opinion about some of the county’s responses, and what he’d like to see done as a proven champion of innovative intergovernmental (meaning city and county) collaboration.

He specifically notes that there’s a, “Need to

modernize Morris Bridge. The City has to work with the county on long- term solutions,” indicating that county officials can’t, and shouldn’t have to, try to fix MB Rd. all by themselves.

Viera believes that one of the biggest issues in the past (in regards to capacity improvements) has been the obvious environmental concerns, since MB Rd. winds past thousands of acres of multiple county parks (Flatwoods, Morris Bridge Park, etc.). He explains that, “We need to be respectful of the environment, but the environmental issues have been the biggest roadblock (to improving MB Rd.).”

Viera clearly believes that NOW is the time for a change. “You know what?,” he says. “Next week [the week of March 24, or after we went to press with this issue], I’m going to make a motion to City Council,” in regards to creating

a shared vision for MB Rd. by having the city reach out to the county.

Since the road actually winds through two counties, Viera says he also plans to reach out to District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman (who represents the portion of Wesley Chapel directly to the west and north of the county line at MB Rd.) to also try to get Pasco’s buy-in and help with that shared vision.

Since several places of worship, and multiple new businesses and communities are quickly popping up along the route, he feels the “rural nature” of the road isn’t keeping up with the times or its now more modern suburban context.

A Little History

While the original Morris “Bridge” is long gone, a bridge that was originally located just north of the Pasco County line (near where an underwhelming box culvert now sits), MB Rd. still exists as an “old” rural road abutted by suburban communities.

How old? Apparently, more than 100 years old! In fact, MB Rd. may be one of the oldest surviving (and continually used) county arterial roads in Tampa, coming from a time when maps of the county and state were more likely to show railroads than roads, because that was the primary form of transportation for those traveling long distances.

Without these primitive roads being shown on maps, their existence, location, and purpose had to be shared by word of mouth and/or in newspaper articles, especially for newer routes. What was written over a hundred years ago about Morris Bridge as a fledgling route was absolutely fascinating.

In its June 1, 1923, edition, The Dade City Banner (photo, left) had the following article:

GOOD ROUTE OPEN TO TAMPA BY WAY OF MORRIS BRIDGE

“The recent heavy rains having made the route [where S.R. 39 sits today] to Tampa by way of Crystal Springs and Plant City impassable, there has been considerable inquiry as to another route that could be used by parties who found it necessary to visit the South Florida metropolis and did not care to avail themselves of the convenient train schedules. A number of people have been making the trip lately by way of the Morris Bridge and pronounce that route not only perfectly passable but a surprisingly good one. It is about 12 miles shorter than by way of Plant City.

To follow this route one turns west at the railroad crossing at Zephyrhills, goes to Will Ry-

als farm, about a mile from town, from there to Jim Hills’ place. Here take a plain road running southwest and at all forks take the one running in that direction. This road is said to be graded the entire distance and, from the Morris Bridge at the county line to Harney has been clayen [sandclay]. From Harney a brick road leads to Tampa.”

This is funny, because to this day, Morris Bridge Rd. still becomes Harney Rd. at its very southern terminus in Temple Terrace.

Flooding Concerns

Speaking of flooding and impassable roads, our field review showed where repairs had been done when the road was flooded (and closed) multiple times last year. We asked Hillsborough County staffers if these repairs were permanent fixes that will reduce flooding and road closures in the future, or just temporary fixes to repair the damage?

Todd Pratt, who is with the Hillsborough County Media Relations Department, says that, “The repairs done after Milton were permanent fixes that consisted of replacing culverts that convey water under and across Morris Bridge Rd. These culverts had collapsed/washed out during the hurricane.”

Time, and the next major rainy season, will tell if these repairs will hold, or if new ones will be needed.

Safety Improvement Project

Regarding MB Rd. safety projects, Hillsborough senior media relations strategist Chris Wilkerson says that, “Morris Bridge Road has a planned safety improvement project (see below) slated to begin later this year. The contract for the project is planned to go before the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) in April. If approved, the project would address safety concerns on the roadway, including documented consistent high rates of speed and distracted drivers. The project is designed to address speeding and motorist lane departure crashes.”

Proposed Safety Improvements - $2.1 million:

• No Passing Zones w/Vertical Delineators

• Reflective & Profiled Lane Line Markings

• Speed Feedback Signs, Flashing Beacons for Intersection Ahead & Curve Warning & Signal Head Back Plates

• Bike Lane & Safety Enhancements at Bridge over Hillsborough River

• Bicycle Signs and Lane Markings & Wildlife Signs

Meanwhile, Viera says that, “$2.1 million is

wonderful, but we need to push that envelope!,” although he says he is really happy to see that “speed feedback signs” and “no passing” enhancements, are part of the safety project, as these would address issues his constituents have discussed with him.

Prior 1% Surtax to Fund Resurfacing

The last time MB Rd. (at least north of CC Blvd.) was resurfaced was way back in 2002. The portion south of CC Blvd. is in somewhat better shape, as it was last resurfaced in 2017.

A physical review we conducted of the corridor noted aging/deteriorating pavement with potholes, multiple patches, narrow, worn or no shoulders, no sidewalks (except self-funded ones in front of a few businesses) and very narrow lane widths at a few points (mostly north of Cory Lake Isles approaching and into Pasco County).

So, is MB Rd. on the county’s list of roadways to be resurfaced? We hadn’t previously seen or heard of MB Rd. as being on any 3R (Resurfacing, Restoration, Rehabilitation) project list.

But, Pratt told us, “The Florida Legislature has identified repaving projects to be completed in Hillsborough County using a portion of the previously collected Transportation Surtax funds (see below). One of the roads to be repaved is Morris Bridge Road. The County will need to coordinate this paving to be done in conjunction with the safety improvement project.”

Confused? You may recall that back in 2018, Hillsborough County voters had passed a one-cent sales tax to fund needed transportation projects. This tax ended up being legally challenged, and was found to be unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court in March 2021. But, by then, the county had already collected about $589 million from local taxpayers.

After the tax was eliminated, state lawmakers went ahead and made a plan to split that collected money up between county road improvement projects, a Hillsborough tax holiday, reimbursement of the county’s legal fees, and a settlement fund that would allow Hillsborough taxpayers and residents to receive refunds (up to $100 without showing any receipts).

That plan began about a year ago, when county commissioners met to start dividing up the funds. It was decided that about $256 million would go towards road projects (including road resurfacing). At the beginning of March of this year, the first $17 million of that money started being distributed, with all of the funds expected to reach the long list of target projects by 2030.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is slated to make sure the county completes these projects by the deadline. That overall plan will be up for approval at one of the upcoming BOCC meetings in April.

Capacity Concerns

At our press time, county officials had not yet responded to our most pressing question — How does the county plan to handle MB Rd. volumes that surely will significantly increase over next few years due to development on the north end of the road (from K-Bar Ranch, Two Rivers and other Pasco developments), and what those forecasted volumes (if they’ve been forecasted through traffic studies or other models) might be, compared with recent historic volumes (meaning, how much growth in percentage or number of vehicles is expected?).

Current state data shows an annual average daily traffic (or AADT) of 15,000 vehicles per

day for MB Rd.. (Note-AADT is the total number, in both directions, of vehicular trips taken on that road each day, divided by 365 days in a year.)

Based on our preliminary calculations, it would not be unreasonable to see an increase of 20% in the traffic volumes over the next few years, given the size of the future developments that will be connected to the road.

As we had written in a previous article from April of 2024, the final phase of K-Bar Ranch in Hillsborough will add hundreds more homes, and open up ALL of K-Bar to MB Rd. via an extension of K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. to the east, past Easton Park. Once that extension has been completed, this also will subsequently open all of the Union Park and Meadow Pointe developments in Wesley Chapel to MB Rd. as well, via the planned Wyndfields Blvd. extension to the south, and the existing Meadow Pointe Blvd. extension.

The 6,000-acre Two Rivers development on the edge of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa (although it actually is located in Zephyrhills in Pasco and Thonotosassa in Hillsborough) will be adding an estimated 7,500 more residences, plus commercial developments, the Peak Surf Park and schools, with its north-south traffic to be split between U.S. Hwy. 301 and MB Rd. But, as anyone living in the area might imagine, it will still have a significant impact on MB Rd.

Bridge Scouring

The current bridge over the Hillsborough River on MB Rd. was built in 1963. Since then, its piers have experienced significant base erosion, which is referred to as “scouring,” a critical problem that can affect the bridge’s structural sturdiness if not properly addressed.

Based on a fact sheet put out in January 2025,Hillsborough plans to spend roughly $864,000 to, “install an articulating concrete block revetment system as a scour countermeasure.” Revetment is just a fancy way of saying a sloping structure that is usually made of stone or concrete, used to protect the riverbed around piers from erosion caused by river currents or other forces. Otherwise, the piers can become unstable if too much of the bed is eroded, which is why this is a critical repair.

Construction of the revetment system is expected to be completed by early 2027.

So, How Can I Get Involved?

Believe it or not, your elected officials actually want — or even, make that need — to hear your traffic and safety concerns about MB Rd.

So, how can you get involved? In addition to contacting your local county representative — District 2 Commissioner Ken Hagan — Councilman Viera wants everyone to know that he has an upcoming New Tampa Community public meeting, on Tuesday, April 15, 5:45 p.m., at the Easton Park Community Pool Clubhouse (10776 Pictorial Park Dr., Tampa).

Viera says he will be on hand at that meeting to receive input, answer questions, and talk about MB Rd., as well as about crime, education, housing, the progress on the planned park in K-Bar Ranch and pretty much anything else New Tampa or even Tampa-related.

Viera will be joined by a representative of the Tampa Police Department at that Town Hallstyle event, as well as by District 6 (countywide) Hillsborough School Board member Karen Perez.

For more information about that meeting, email luis.viera@tampagov.net.

County’s Revamped Cross Creek Park Is Now Open Next To Pride Elementary!

Congratulations to Hillsborough County, which has now opened the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant outdoor playground at the new Cross Creek Recreation Center, adjacent to Pride Elementary.

Although the 16,000-sq.-ft. indoor rec center, with basketball courts, a fitness room and several multi-purpose classrooms/meeting rooms is not yet under way, the park’s new playground facilities are now open and, as you can see from the faces of the kids who came out after school at Pride ended on the day photographer Charmaine George visited, the new equipment is definitely welcome.

County officials say that up next for the outdoor portion of the new $8.7-million rec center is some much-needed shade as we head into the scorching heat of Florida’s always-early summer season.

In addition to the coverage of the playground area, Phase II of the park also will include rest rooms, a walking path, a covered pavilion and improvements to the outdoor basketball court.

At our press time, we had not heard back from the county about when the indoor rec center will begin going vertical, but the last we heard, it was expected to open this fall. — Gary Nager, photos by Charmaine George

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US

Olympus Pools Owner To Be Sentenced May 7

A jury of six people found former Olympus Pools owner and New Tampa resident James Staten guilty on 35 of 36 counts of willingly defrauding customers by accepting money from them knowing he would not fulfill the contracts to build their pools.

Staten, who opened Olympus Pools in 2013, will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Mary Handsel on May 7 and the minimum sentence he can receive is 20 years, but Judge Handsel said that, based on sentencing guidelines, she can sentence Staten to up to 285 years in prison.

Among the felony charges Staten was found guilty of are fraud, misapplication of construction funds of more than $100,000, having an organized scheme to defraud and aggravated white-collar crime. The only charge he was not convicted of was one of the grand theft charges.

Investigators said that Staten, who did take the stand in his own defense on the last of ten days of testimony in the trial, stole more than $1.5 million of his clients’ money to fund a lavish lifestyle that included multiple trips, jewelry and Super Bowl tickets.

Prosecutors Stephanie Bergen and Panagiota Papakos of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office told the jury that Staten continued to instruct his sales people to accept large down payments from customers even though he had no intention of building their pools. Dozens of those custom-

ers were left with holes in the ground on their respective properties and many had no work started at all.

The jurors were apparently unimpressed with defense attorney Dino Michaels’ argument that Staten didn’t intend to defraud his customers: “If you have a business plan, that’s just not a scheme to defraud. It’s a business plan. To sell more pools, unfortunately, is a bad business plan. And so, this company failed.” It took only four hours for the jury to reach their verdict on all 36 counts, with 35 of those coming back as “guilty” verdicts.

According to a press release dated March 17, Uthmeier previously “took civil action to shut down Olympus Pools, permanently shuttering the company. As a result of the civil action, [Olympus] is enjoined permanently from conducting business, and Staten is banned for life from operating a pool company in Florida.”

Obviously, Staten, 42, is facing a much more stringent penalty now, as he could spend the rest of his life in prison, depending upon how long Judge Handsel decides to sentence him to serve on May 7. — GN

James Staten (Source: ABC Action News)

Luis Viera Updates Provides Updates On The Plans For The K-Bar Ranch Park

By Luis Viera

District

7, Tampa City Council

New Tampa has long felt that, for a growing area, with such a large tax base, we do not get our fair share of parks. So, when I was elected, I worked to build on past successes for more park equity in New Tampa.

The first step was a nearly $3-million expansion of our New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms. That same year, I got into the city budget design funding for the New Tampa All Abilities Park – the first of its kind in Tampa funded entirely by city dollars.

Not long thereafter, we got funding for that All Abilities Park — a fully accessible park for people with sensory and physical challenges. We would then work with the Hillsborough County School District for a seven-figure expansion of (and improvements to) the basketball court at Liberty Middle School.

But, there was one promise I made to a group of New Tampa residents that I would be hard-pressed to forget about.

At one of my earliest town halls, New Tampa residents asked about the roughly 65 acres of land at K-Bar Ranch saved for a community park. Among those residents were my friends Nagesh Nayak and Prahlad Madabhushi, who asked about space for cricket — a sport which is very popular in India and with a large number of local residents.

I promised these constituents that, by the time I left office, I would get the ball rolling permanently on this project.

I like to think that I am a man of my word. In last year’s budget, I was able to secure $750,000 in the city budget for the K-Bar Ranch park design. This gets us to first base on creating this much-desired park and cricket pitch.

So, what is next for this park?

We will have a number of public meetings on park design. I already had one on August 6 of last year for initial public input. In attendance was park booster, State House Minority Leader and Dist. 67 State Rep. Fentrice Driskell — and there will be more such meetings.

It is anticipated that by Spring of this year, vendor submittals for design will begin and this will last into this summer and be completed with the execution of a contract to design the park. Once this contract is in place, the consultant will conduct the public meetings. It is during this part of the process that design elements with community input and interest will be done.

In other words, now is the time for you to think about your proposals for this park, with regard to density and lighting. Think about amenities for this park and what accommodations the community will need and will want to see included in this park, which is being funded by the Community Investment Tax (CIT).

We are now therefore in the design stage. This park is likely include a playground, trails, fields and a conservation area. Residents should begin to think of what they want in this park. The design is anticipated to include an all-purpose athletic field that is adaptable

for cricket. For many of our Indian-American friends, I know this is a remarkable passion –it is a passion I share and will fight for. A cricket space would not only be a real win for our area, but it would be an impressive symbol of New Tampa’s rich cultural diversity.

Much of the K-Bar Ranch leadership has spoken out in favor of the cricket field — a symbol of the solidarity residents have with one another and how we are all Americans. K-Bar Ranch Homeowners Association president Patrick Leduc always speaks proudly of the cultural

diversity of this community.

Every development — including parks — goes through analysis from various city departments, including Fire, Police, Mobility, Stormwater, etc. If you have concerns about any of these areas, please let us know.

If you have ideas for this park, please email me at luis.viera@tampagov.net.

And, please know that, no matter your politics, where you come from or who you are, what a real pleasure it is to be able to represent you in office.

On Mar. 3, District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (right) held the most recent of his 80+ Town Hall meetings since first taking office eight years ago. Viera currently is seeking input from New Tampa residents on the plans for the planned City of Tampa Park in K-Bar Ranch. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Introducing (Again?): The City Of Wesley Chapel?!?

Local Business Community Begins Investigating The Possibility Of Incorporation; Feasibility & Boundaries Will Be Determined By Studies

By Gary Nager

The last time we ran a map of Wesley Chapel in an issue, back in Oct. of 2023, it was pretty obvious that a lot of people didn’t know what the boundaries of the fastest-growing community in the state of Florida actually were.

And, even though a small group of local business leaders is now talking about incorporating Wesley Chapel as its own municipality again, where to draw the boundaries of the proposed new city is still a work in progress.

What is clear, however, at least according to Jamie Hess (at right in photo), the owner of the Computer Emergency Room on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, is that the time for Wesley Chapel to become a city is now.

“We already have almost everything we need here, other than maybe a true city center and a post office,” Hess told me during an exclusive interview at the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) office, along with NTBC president and chief executive officer Hope Kennedy (left in photo). Hess has been an NTBC Board member for several years and he and his fellow Board members gave Kennedy the O.K. to at least look into what an incorporated Wesley Chapel would look like, and what areas it would include. For right now, the group is using the zip codes currently called “Wesley Chapel” — 33543, 33544 and 33545 — as the boundaries, but Hess and Kennedy acknowledge that “fixing” those boundaries is a long way off.

With her Board’s directive in place, Kennedy already has a proposal from a company in Texas to conduct two studies that she says would both have to have favorable results before the subject of incorporation can gather any real momentum.

How It All Began

But speaking of momentum, Hess said that the catalyst for the NTBC Board to begin seriously considering the possibility began with a seemingly innocent comment made at an NTBC Coffee event in Oct. of 2024, where District 20 State Senator Danny Burgess, himself at one time the youngest-ever Mayor of Zephyrhills, said that the one goal he had

before he retired from government service was, “For Wesley Chapel to become its own city.”

That got the wheels turning for Hess, who was sitting in the front row (with yours truly) that day. “I kept asking myself, ‘Why not? Why can’t we?,’” Hess told me. “Wesley Chapel is basically a cash machine for Pasco County, so it would be great for us to keep our tax dollars right here.” Kennedy added, “Right after that meeting, our Board came together and said to me, ‘Make it happen.’”

The Op-Ed Piece

Right before sitting down with me, the following Op-Ed piece by Hess appeared in the Tampa Bay Business Journal on March 7:

The Time is Now: Why Wesley Chapel Must Take Control Of Its Future

Wesley Chapel is no longer just a suburb — it’s a thriving economic powerhouse. Yet, despite our rapid growth, we remain unincorporated, with no direct control over how our tax dollars are spent. We generate millions in revenue, yet much of it is allocated to projects outside our community. It’s time to consider incorporation to ensure our tax dollars are reinvested where they belong — right here in Wesley Chapel.

Once a rural town, Wesley Chapel has evolved into one of Florida’s fastest-growing areas. We have top-tier healthcare, strong schools, and a booming business community, yet we lack a local government to advocate for our needs. Currently, all decisions affecting our growth — zoning, infrastructure, business regulations — are made at the county level. Incorporation would allow us to shape policies that align with our community’s unique needs and priorities. Incorporation would allow us to establish a true city center — a place where businesses thrive, government services are easily accessible, and residents can engage with their local leaders. A true city center would create a hub for commerce, government services, and civic engagement. A dedicated city hall would bring the government closer to the people, offering a place for public meetings, business licensing, municipal planning, and other vital functions. A local post office would provide more convenient service, rather than relying on locations serving multiple communities.

Wesley Chapel is large enough to sustain these services, it’s time we took ownership of them.

For businesses, incorporation means stability and efficiency. Permitting, zoning, and economic incentives would be handled locally, reducing delays and creating a business-friendly environment. With direct control over tax revenue, we could fund infrastructure improvements, support local businesses, and attract new industries. Instead of waiting for county-wide initiatives, we could take immediate action to enhance our economic future.

Traffic congestion on S.R. 54 and I-75 is a growing issue, yet local infrastructure projects often take a backseat to county-wide priorities. As an incorporated city, we could direct funding toward much-needed road improvements and explore expanded transit options. Public safety is another pressing concern. Wesley Chapel relies on county services spread thin across a vast area. Incorporation would allow us to create a dedicated police and fire department, ensuring faster response times and better community-focused safety measures.

Before moving forward, we need a comprehensive economic impact study to assess the feasibility of incorporation. This study will provide critical data on how incorporation would affect residents, businesses, and public services. With clear financial insights, we can make informed

decisions about our community’s future.

Wesley Chapel has outgrown its unincorporated status. Our businesses and residents deserve a government that prioritizes local needs, reinvests tax dollars into our own infrastructure, and fosters economic growth. The time has come to take control of our destiny and build a Wesley Chapel that works for us.

The future is ours—let’s take the next step. — Reprinted from the Tampa Bay Business Journal

The Game Plan

Hess and Kennedy assured me that the process currently being undertaken has been a “very thoughtful one,” according to Kennedy. “It’s going to be very much data-driven.”

“We’re starting by raising money for an economic impact study,” Hess added. “That’s the first step.”

At our press time, the NTBC Board had recently unanimously ratified the decision to officially retain a neutral third party — Austin, TX-based Angelou Economics — to conduct the economic impact study, at a cost of $75,000.

“My initial conversation with [Angelou] was so extraordinary,” Kennedy said. “They said, ‘This situation (the possibility of incorporating Wesley Chapel) is incredible.”

If and when that economic impact study

Photo by Charmaine George

comes back with a positive result, as Hess and Kennedy expect, another $75,000 would be needed to fund a second study — an actual incorporation feasibility study — that also would be conducted by Angelou.

“Right now, we only need $75,000,” Hess said. “If the economic impact study doesn’t come back favorable, we’re probably not going to need that other $75,000. There would then be no need to raise money for the feasibility study. But, we’re confident that both studies are going to end up giving us the green light to move forward.”

Kennedy added, “We’re actually planning to try to raise a total of $200,000, because we estimate that we’re also going to need about $50,000 for community engagement and marketing. But, we believe that doing it incrementally is a good idea. Angelou isn’t going to require us to pay for the second study until the first one comes back positive. This way, we won’t be on the hook for the whole $200,000. Yes, we are currently raising capital, but we haven’t made an official ‘ask’ yet and we’re not ready to announce any major donors at this time.”

Hess added, however, “That a lot of people have already told us they want to help, but until enough people actually write a check, we’ll still be in fund-raising mode.” He noted that even small amounts contributing to the fund-raising campaign, as a couple of local business owners have offered, “will definitely be accepted.”

And, Kennedy told the Neighborhood News that since the vote, $5,000 of the $75,000 needed to move forward had already been raised.

“The Chamber is planning to host a small event to secure the rest,” she says.

She also noted, however, that the Chamber has its own 501(c)(3) foundation that the funds for the studies will flow through, “because it’s in our Foundation bylaws that we can use Foundation funds for ‘Studies of Community Impact.’ So, any donations to this cause would be tax deductible because you’d be helping to fund a study.”

Hess and Kennedy said they are thankful to former Florida House Speaker (and Wesley Chapel resident) Will Weatherford, who got legislation passed before he left the house in 2014 that said a community wanting to incorporate did not need to get permission from the county in which it is located. “It will be a referendum for those impacted,” Kennedy said, “and we believe that 50% + 1 vote of the registered voters who show up to the polls for the referendum from the area proposing incorporation will have to vote in favor of it for it to pass.”

Kennedy also acknowledged that this is not the first time incorporating Wesley Chapel has been considered. “But, the last time, around 2016 or so, a group of Wesley Chapel residents came to the Chamber and said, ‘We want to incorporate,’ which gave us quite a lift, but it fell apart for two main reasons — arguing over what the boundaries should be and the lack of involvement from the business community.”

Of course, there are dozens more large-scale businesses located within what could become the City of Wesley Chapel now than there were ten (or even five) years ago, and, Kennedy said, “Because we’re starting with the business community and the studies, we feel confident there will be more momentum for it this time around.”

Igniting The Spark

“Senator Danny Burgess (photo above, with Kennedy) essentially lit this idea on fire,” Kennedy said of the Oct. 2024 Chamber Coffee event. “Our Board came back to me after that meeting and said, ‘Go ahead. Make it happen.’ And, I’ve been working on this ever since.”

One of the first things Kennedy and Hess had to look into was law enforcement.

“We approached (Pasco) Sheriff Chris Nocco’s office about establishing a police presence in Wesley Chapel,” Kennedy said. “They have told us that, ‘[PCSO’s] official position is that we will support whatever the citizens of Wesley Chapel decide for their future.”

That could mean hiring additional Pasco Sheriff’s deputies just for Wesley Chapel or establishing a municipal police force (as in the cities of Dade City and Zephyrhills). Either way, police protection would be paid for by the

residents of the new City of Wesley Chapel.

“The only thing we have out here in terms of services that’s doing O.K. is fire,” Hess added. “The fire [and emergency medical] services are pretty good, but police is way behind. Plus, we can’t seem to get a post office and we have no municipal buildings of any kind.”

So, the fund raising is beginning in earnest now and Hess is quick to point out that the group is not looking for one or two sweetheart donors to fund the whole $75,000 starting cost.

“We’re looking for local business people and residents who want to donate anything from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to get the ball rolling,” he said. “We don’t want anyone thinking that because they funded most or all of it, that they have control over how we proceed.”

Kennedy also has made an initial inquiry with Pasco supervisor of elections Brian Corley, See “City of Wesley Chapel” on pg. 12

who said he would have to look into how it would work to set up an initial municipal election and how potential voters would be notified.

“Brian said, I’ve never done this before, so I will have to get back to you. But this is exciting!”

Thankfully, Hess noted, “There are a lot of examples over the last 10 years or so of communities in Florida incorporating, so at least we have some examples to study.”

The most recent such example is Westlake, which became the 411th municipality in Florida on June 22, 2016. Of course, the master-planned unit development known as Westlake only had about 900 residents when it incorporated (it’s up to about 6,000 today), vs. anywhere from about 60,000 to more than 100,000 residents of what would be the City of Wesley Chapel, depending upon whose population estimates you use and where the boundaries would be set.

“As far as places our size in Florida, there’s only a handful that aren’t incorporated,” Hess said. “We would definitely be a city — by far the largest in Pasco, because of the size, not an incorporated town or village.”

Kennedy and Hess also discussed the type of municipal government that might be set up in the City of Wesley Chapel.

The current cities in Pasco County — Dade City, Zephyrhills, San Antonio, New Port Richey and Port Richey (St. Leo is an incorporated town) — are all run by City Councils, with mayors selected from the Council members.

But, Kennedy said that because Wesley Chapel is so much bigger, the government could

be set up as a strong mayoral form of government, with City Council members representing the districts in which they live. “But, all of that needs to be figured out in the future,” she said.

They both said that if the studies come back favorable, the goal is to get the proposed city charter written in time for consideration by the 2026 State Legislative session. If approved, the governor could then select a charter mayor, and there could be municipal elections sometime during the following election cycle. As for who might be interested in serving as (or running for) the Mayor of Wesley Chapel, neither of them wanted to speculate. “It’s just so early in the process,” Hess said.

So, What About Those Boundaries?

As mentioned on page 10, for now, the “working” boundaries for the proposed city are the three Wesley Chapel zip codes (33543, 33544 & 33545 on the map, right), but that could change.

As we reported in Oct. 2023, Kennedy would prefer to use the Census Designated Places (CDP) map, which uses natural boundaries for CDP boundaries, which would move the boundary of Wesley Chapel well west of I-75, to Cypress Creek. This would allow Wesley Chapel to also include the Tampa Premium Outlets, but using the CDP map also would mean that places like Watergrass, the northern half of Epperson and other parts of the so-called “Connected City” would not be included within the city limits.

No matter which boundaries end up being used, the City of Wesley Chapel would include all three local hospitals, plus Pasco Fire Rescue Station Nos. 13 (on Old Pasco Rd.) and 26 (in Meadow Pointe) and could include No. 38 in Watergrass.

Hess said that until the economic impact

Pasco-Hillsborough County Line study comes back, there’s no reason to try to set the boundaries for the proposed city.

“The main thing for me,” he said, “is that if our taxes would have to go up significantly to make this happen, I couldn’t support it.”

That, and having an “additional layer of

government,” are the main arguments of the idea’s online opponents, who already are lining up against the concept of incorporation.

For more info about the City of Wesley Chapel, email Jamie Hess at jamie.hess@ computeremergencyroom.com.

New Tampa Players Perform ‘Into The Woods’ March 28-30 & April 4-6!

By Nora Paine

Producing Artistic Director

New Tampa Players

On Mar. 28, the New Tampa Players (NTP) theatre troupe once again took the stage at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. This time, NTP is presenting Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical “Into The Woods,” which intertwines classic fairy tales with deeper themes of human desires and consequences, is taking center stage in a new production that is sure to enchant local audiences. Nominated for ten Tony Awards (winning three) in 1988, this Sondheim masterpiece has been praised for its complex characters, beautiful score, and profound narrative.

Directed by Karissa Barber, the NTP production is showcasing the talents of local actors, a live orchestra led by musical director, G. Frank Meekins, and more than a dozen unseen costumers, designers, painters, builders and crew members, all working together to bring this timeless story to life.

Set in a fantastical world where characters from different fairy tales — such as Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel — reside in the same village and cross paths in the mysterious forest, “Into the Woods” explores themes of wish fulfillment, moral choices and the unexpected consequences

of pursuing one’s desires. The show’s rich score, which includes songs like “No One Is Alone” and “Children Will Listen,” is widely considered one of Sondheim’s greatest achievements.

The production’s leads, Richard Brown and Hope Lelekacs, are taking on the roles of the Baker and the Baker’s Wife. These two characters are central to the story, embarking on a quest to find ingredients for a potion that will lift a curse placed upon their family. Their journey through the woods is filled with challenges, but it also brings them closer together as a couple and forces them to confront the deeper questions about their lives and wishes.

“I see the Baker as someone who is stepping out of his comfort zone and putting all of his family’s burdens on his shoulders,” says Brown, who most recently was seen as Seymour in NTP’s fall production “Little Shop of Horrors.” “[The Baker] has no idea what he’s doing but he’s doing it anyway because he feels he has to. So, although he can be funny, I think the sincerity and vulnerability of someone who desperately wants a family should also be there.”

Lelekacs, a recent graduate of the University of Tampa, is excited about playing the Baker’s Wife, a dream of hers since she saw Brianna Filippelli play her on the New Tampa Players’ stage in 2016.

“The Baker’s Wife is complex and

hopeful,” Lelekacs says. “The driving force in her relationship is balancing love and longing with a contagious belief that life holds more than just routine and work. I admire how she stays practical and grounded, yet isn’t afraid to take risks.”

Theatergoers can expect a truly community-driven performance, with all of the cast members and production team hailing from Hillsborough County and surrounding areas. The show has been months in the making, with rehearsals beginning in early January and production design and staging evolving throughout February.

of your not-for-profit community theater, the New Tampa Players.

If you’re looking for a magical evening filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable music, “Into the Woods” promises to be the perfect outing. It’s a chance to experience the magic of theater while supporting local talent, and the cast and crew

“Into the Woods” will be performed Friday-Sunday, March 28-30, and April 4-6, at NTPAC (8550 Hunters Village Dr., New Tampa). For more info or to purchase tickets online, please visit NewTampaPlayers.org. Or, see the ad below.

Upcoming Events — Classical Performances, Charity Golf, ‘Dance Your Dream’ & More!

Friday, April 4, 9:00 a.m-10:30 a.m. –

North Tampa Bay Leading Ladies Network Event. At USF Credit Union (20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd.). The Leading Ladies Network is a chamber-driven meeting that aims to empower and support women in various fields. It provides a platform for women to connect, collaborate, and share their experiences and expertise. $15 to attend, online registration is required. For more info, call (813) 9948534. Or, to register, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Tuesday, April 8, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Business Breakfast. At Pasco Hernando State College, Porter Campus (2727 Mansfield Blvd. Wesley Chapel). This month’s speaker is Martin Gramatica. Tickets $25/members, $30/ non-members. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Tuesday, April 8, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Creative Arts Theatre Presents: “The Buzz.” At the New Tampa Performing Art Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). It’s time for the annual Spelling Bee at Martin B. Hive K-8! All fourth graders must take part, but how can Sabrina Carpenter Ant face her greatest fear of speaking in public?! Free to attend but you must register for tickets in advance. For more info, call (813) 8292760. To register for tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Thursday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – The Florida Orchestra Soundwaves Chamber Orchestra Series. At the New Tampa Performing Art Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). This groundbreaking work by Stravinsky tells the story of a soldier who makes a deal with the devil in disguise. Tickets $25. For more info, call (813) 8292760. To purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – Steinway Signature Series: ARConnection. At the New Tampa Performing Art Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). ARCon-

nection is a jazz band led by the exceptional pianist Pablo Arencibia and powerhouse drummer Dave Rudolph. Known for their electrifying performances, the band plays arrangements of post-bop jazz selections and original compositions that showcase the principles of interplay, interaction, and musical freedom. Tickets $20. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. To purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Saturday, April 12, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. –

Avalon Park Spring Yard Sale. At Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Community (5227 Autumn Ridge Dr.). For more info, call (813) 783-1515 or email Info@AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com.

Saturday, April 12, 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

– Radiant Wellness Spa’s 3 Year Anniversary Celebration. At Radiant Wellness Spa (Brookfield Professional Park, 33905 S.R. 54, Suite #101, Wesley Chapel). There will be free food and wine tasting, raffles and special pricing for booking services at the event. For more info, call (813) 715-2099, visit Radiant-Wellness-Spa.com or see ad on pg. xx.

Sunday, April 13, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. –New Tampa Unplugged: La Lucha. At the New Tampa Performing Art Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). The Tampa Bay area’s prominent jazz trio is consistently evolving and surprising their audiences with re-imag-

ined, genre-shifting arrangements. Theater seat $15, Table seat $20. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. To purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Tuesday, April 15, 5:45 p.m. – Easton Park/New Tampa Community Meeting with District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera. At Easton Park Community Pool (10851 Pictorial Park Dr.). Come discuss with your Tampa City Councilman what is happening in your community. Free to attend and you do not have to be an Easton Park resident to attend. For more information, email luis.viera@tampagov.net.

Wednesday, April 16, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Coffee Social. At San Antonio Federal Credit Union (28909 S.R. 54). Wake up and join the Chamber for your morning brew and network with your fellow members. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events

Saturday, April 19, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. –Absolutely Avalon: A Celebration of Culture & Community. At Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel (4424 Friendly Way). This family-friendly event has something for everyone, so gather your friends and loved ones for a magical evening. Event highlights include laser light show, kids activities, food trucks, cultural performances and Artisan, craft and

business vendors. Free to attend. For info, call (813) 783-1515, visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com or see the ad on pg. 16.

Saturday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – Pieces of Eight: A Tribute to Chicago. At the New Tampa Performing Art Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Pieces of Eight is Tampa Bay’s favorite soul & funk horn band! They’ll bring all the great hits from Chicago, Tower of Power, and others. Tickets $15-$20 depending on seat selection. For more information, call (813) 8292760. To purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. – Back the Line Charity Events 5th Annual Golf Tournament. At Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.). Proceeds from this event benefit Hillsborough County Fire Rescue worker, Christopher Wells, to help with medical expenses for his son Joshua’s cancer treatment. Sponsors, raffle donations and monetary donations are still needed. All proceeds go to the family. Tournament includes 50/50 drawings, raffles, silent auction and dinner. $600 per team to play. For more info, call Heather (813) 625-1507 or to register visit BackTheLineCharity.ticketspice.com/wells-family-charity-golf-tournament-april-26-2025.

Saturday, April 26, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. – The fourth annual “Dance your Dream.” At Wesley Chapel District Park (7727 Boyette Rd.). If you or someone you know has a disability and are age 14 or older, you are invited to attend. There will be music, dancing, raffles & silent auction. Meals and refreshments provided by Chick-fil-A. Wear your best party formal attire. Free to attend, but registration is required. For more info, and to register visit HopeGetsJobs.com/dance.

Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m. & Sunday, April 27, 2 p.m. – The Wesley Chapel Theater Group Presents: “Arsenic & Old Lace.” At Zephyrhills Lions Club (5827 Dean Dairy Rd., Zephyrhills). This classic comedy centers on two sweet but eccentric aunts who have a rather unconventional way of helping lonely

Drummer Dave Rudolph (left) & pianist Pablo Arencibia lead the jazz band called ARConnection, which performs at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on April 11. (Photo: Facebook/ARConnection)

gentlemen find peace. When their nephew, Mortimer, uncovers their secret and tries to navigate the chaos that ensues, things spiral into hilariously absurd situations. Tickets $27.38. For more info & to purchase tickets visit SimpleTix.com/e/arsenic-and-old-lacetickets-202354.

Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. –Shops at Wiregrass Auto & Truck Showcase. At the Shops at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr.). Stroll along palm tree-lined Paseo Dr. to check out the area’s best cars and trucks, while enjoying live DJ music, family activities, shopping, and over thirty eateries to choose from for a quick bite, brunch, or sitdown dining. Free to attend. For more info, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com/events.

Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. AdventHealth Meadow Pointe Emergency Room (ER) Grand Opening Community Celebration. At AdventHealth Meadow Pointe ER (5170 Chapel Commerce Dr.). This community event will have food trucks, safety education, preview of the new ER and giveaways. Free to attend. For more info, visit MeadowPointeER.com.

Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. –Spheres Bubble Show. At the New Tampa Performing Art Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Spheres Bubble Show, as seen on “America’s Got Talent,” is an immersive and interactive bubble experience that will blow audiences away! A truly unique show that’s fun for the whole family. Tickets cost $20. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. To purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Monday, April 28, 7 p.m. – New Tampa Democratic Club Monthly Meeting. At New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). Join the New Tampa Democratic Club for its monthly meeting. For more info, visit NewTampaDemocrats.com or Facebook.com/NewTampaDemocrats. Or, see the ad on this page.

Sunday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. – Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch. At Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel, Sierra Ballroom (26000 Sierra Center Blvd.). Tickets $75, children 12 and under $25. For more information and to make reservations, call (813) 803-5600.

New Tampa Democratic Club

Monthly Meeting(4th Monday of the month) Monday, April 28, 7 p.m. at New Tampa Regional Library 10001 Cross Creek Blvd. newtampademocrats.com https://www.facebook.com/NewTampaDemocrats

The Community of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Invites You to Celebrate Holy Week

Holy Week Mass Times and Services

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

April 12th Saturday Vigil Mass:

4:00 pm (Livestreamed)

April 13th Sunday:

8:30 am

10:30 am

12:30 pm (Spanish) (Livestreamed)

5:30 pm

April 14th Monday: 12:00 pm Mass

April 15th Tuesday: 8:30 am Mass

April 16th Wednesday: 8:30 am Mass

April 17th Holy Thursday:

10:00 am MORNING PRAYER

7:30 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Incense will be used) (Livestreamed)

Washing of the Feet / Procession

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows until 11:30 pm in The Venetian

April 18th Good Friday: 10:00 am MORNING PRAYER

3:00 pm GOOD FRIDAY of the Lord’s Passion (Livestreamed) Adoration of the Holy Cross

April 19th Holy Saturday: 10:00 am MORNING PRAYER

(Blessing of Easter Baskets after Morning Prayer)

8:30 p.m Easter Vigil Mass (Incense will be used) (Livestreamed)

April 20th Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord

6:45 am

8:30 am

10:30 am (Incense will be used) (Livestreamed)

10:40 am in The Venetian

12:30 pm (Spanish) (Incense will be used) (Livestreamed)

9724 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647

www.StMarkTampa.org

View Livestream Via: www.facebook.com/StMarkTampa

New Phase Of Persimmon Park At Wiregrass Ranch Taking Shape!

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

Anyone driving on Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. recently has likely noticed the huge amount of new construction occurring right next to the Wiregrass Ranch community in Wesley Chapel’s northernmost roundabout. This long, 50-acre parcel, that stretches north to south along the west side of Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. (from the first roundabout down to the third roundabout) will serve two future Wiregrass Ranch developments.

The southernmost seven acres (bottom of map, right) is currently slated for future professional medical offices — a 46,000-sq.-ft., two-story building, followed by a 72,000-sq.ft., three-story building at a later date. Plans were submitted to the county in February and construction may begin later this year.

The northernmost twelve acres (at the top of the map) will be for Persimmon Park Phase 3, which will consist of 37 two-story, single family homes and 75 two-story townhomes (or 112 total units). Construction of the land and infrastructure already has been under way for a few months.

This will leave roughly 31 acres of the 50-acre parcel for drainage ponds and undisturbed conservation wetlands.

The first two phases of Persimmon Park have had a few home builders, but Phase 3 will be exclusively David Weekley Homes, which also is currently finishing the part of

Phase 2 closest to Phase 3 by the roundabout, along Orange Berry Dr. (again see the map).

The 37 single-family homes will be similar to that part of Phase 2, with the garages in the front of the house, or what the builder calls its “Garden Series.” The lots will be 40’ x 105’ and the salespeople have told us that they expect that the new homes will be at a slightly lower price point when compared with Phase 2, by not offering as many upgrades. Current prices for the Garden Series range from $595,000-$695,000, so Phase 3 buyers should expect slightly lower prices than that.

However, the townhomes (photo below), which will be located across from the single-family units, will have their garages at the rear of the house, which will open onto an alleyway, similar to how more than half the homes in Phases 1 and 2 of Persimmon Park are laid out, and part of what gives the community its unique look and feel.

In Persimmon Park, most of these existing “Cottage” series homes’ front doors face a street with parallel parking (which makes sense), and for only one row (14 units) of the new proposed townhomes, the front doors also will face a similar road.

For all of the other proposed townhomes (61 units), the front doors will face common grass areas or the perimeter of the community, which is something of an odd design choice, because those residents may likely never enter their homes through their front doors, which will be located where one might expect a rear

patio to be, only offering a tiny (almost unusable) front porch instead.

One benefit of this layout, however, is that it allows for an oversized two-car garage, on a townhome lot that might otherwise only be able to accommodate a single-car garage, as these townhomes don’t need room next to the garage for an entry.

It’s also a good thing that all of these townhomes will have two-car garages, because none of them will have usable driveways! The driveways will only be a couple of feet from the garage doors to the edge of the rear alleyway, which means future owners will either have to park in their garages, or in one of the 32 parallel parking spaces being shared by all 112 units.

While it’s not 100% confirmed yet, we were told by David Weekley Homes’ sales staff that one of (or perhaps even the) only townhome floor plan that will be offered will be the 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, 1,751-sq.-ft. “Seawater” floor plan.

This plan features something unique, where the first floor half-bath is partially (literally two steps) up the stairs, off to the side of the stairwell directional landing (yes you heard that correctly) — not under the stairs like most are used to seeing in newer townhomes. The bathroom actually protrudes into the oversized garage to achieve this set-up, while the space under the stairs is reserved for storage. Pricing for these townhomes has not yet been determined.

There was some unexpected good news,

however, for the future residents of this upcoming new phase. According to a permit submitted last month, Persimmon Park Phase 3 will now be getting its own swimming pool, so residents of the new phase won’t have to share the existing pool serving the first two phases of Persimmon Park.

For more info about David Weekley Homes in Persimmon Park at Wiregrass Ranch, visit DavidWeekleyHomes.com.

Winn-Dixie To Become Aldi & A Hooters Update

We reported a couple of issues ago that the Winn-Dixie supermarket located at 6425 County Line Rd. had closed and was being converted to an Aldi market, since Aldi had purchased all of the remaining links in the Winn-Dixie chain.

However, Aldi sold 170 of its Winn-Dixie stores to a private consortium of investors in Feb. Even so, we now have it on good authority from another tenant in the same plaza that Aldi has, in fact, signed a long-term lease for the former New Tampa Winn-Dixie.

We did not know at our press time, however, when the conversion will be completed or when the third Aldi in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area — there is a store located off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at 18002 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., about 3.5 miles from the County Line Rd. location, and the other is at 2215 Sun Vista Dr., in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets — is expected to open.

Hooters To Begin Building This Summer

A new Hooters, which already has a location just south of New Tampa at 13606 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (north of E. Fletcher Ave.), is expected to begin building next to the Wesley Chapel Harley-Davidson dealership at 25245 Wesley Chapel Blvd. later this summer. There has been a sign posted (photo) on Wesley Chapel Blvd. for several months now, since shortly after HMC Hospitality Group

signed its lease with the Harley dealership for property adjacent to the retail motorcycle shop.

HMC, whose LinkedIn.com page says it is owned by, “the founders of the world famous Original Hooters, a renowned name in the hospitality industry, with our presence in Tampa Bay, Chicago and Las Vegas.” It is not the same company that reportedly is getting ready to declare bankruptcy and shutter some Hooters locations. That company, Hooters of America, LLC, is not involved in the Wesley Chapel Hooters plans.

HMC also owns the location on BBD.

And, although OriginalHooters.com says the Lutz/Wesley Chapel location is “Coming Summer 2025,” that is actually the expected start date for the restaurant to begin building, at least according to a spokesperson who asked to not be identified at the Harley dealership.

In other words, the new Hooters probably can’t open much before the end of 2025. — GN

‘Chamber Chatter’ — Our Editor Is Hope’s First Guest; Plus, Recent Ribbon Cuttings

If you haven’t yet been to the new North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) office — located at 28329 Paseo Dr., Suite 195, in the same space next to Dillard’s in the Shops at Wiregrass that previously was home to a Pasco Sheriff’s Office substation (and then, the off-site office for the Amberlin at Wiregrass Ranch apartments), you really should go check it out.

As NTBC president & CEO Hope Kennedy (see both pictures on this page) mentioned when I was her first guest at her new in-office studio for her “Chamber Chatter” podcast a few weeks ago, “This is the office I always wanted here at the mall. I’m so glad we finally were able to get it!”

Hope said that it was only fitting that I would be her first guest in the new studio, because of the long-standing symbiotic relationship between the Chamber and the Neighborhood News, especially since Hope first took over the reins at the former Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber 13 or so years ago.

Not only did I get to tell that story, but also a lot of the history of the only publication directly mailed to all of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for the last 31 years under the same owner and editor.

My 30+-minute chat with Hope also touched on my obsession with helping local mom-and-pop restaurants succeed in our communities, on my not understanding why we have to have so many chicken places and my decision to host a contest to find our readers’ favorite chicken restaurant.

Hope also brought up my dismay over the fact that two sisters who live in Wesley Chapel — Scarlett Spongberg and Fallon Fields — didn’t get to win one of 20 drawn-at-random free Raising Cane’s-for-a-year prizes, despite being first in line at the Raising Cane’s Grand Opening (as we reported last issue). Hope mentioned “the nice story” that local Realtors Chad & April Emory of Emorys

Rock Realty split the cost with me of providing that prize for these young women. Emorys Rock Realty also is the studio sponsor of “Chamber Chatter.” Since my episode of “Chamber Chatter,” Hope has had Regan Weiss of The Hub (photo, left), NTBC Board chair Angelique Lenox of Tampa Family Health Centers and Mike Gross of Outplay Marketing as her “Chamber Chatter” guests, with new episodes being shot and released every week. Check out all of the available “Chamber Chatter” episodes by searching “North Tampa Bay Chamber” on Youtube or Facebook. For more info about the NTBC, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com. To try to be a guest on “Chamber Chatter,” call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534.

Congrats, Peak Brain & Body & Jachimek Chiropractic & Wellness!

One of the recent NTBC ribbon-cutting events we’ve attended was for Peak Brain & Body (2404 Creel Ln, #101, Wesley Chapel; top photo on next page) on Mar. 11. Peak is the office of Family Nurse Practitioner and Chiropractic Physician Dr. Spencer Zimmerman, who moved with his family to our area from Idaho and is the only dual-licensed nurse practitioner/chiropractor using advanced neurological diagnostics, functional neurology, functional medicine and peptide therapy in Florida. For more info, call (813) 437-9630 or visit PeakBrainandBody.com.

Our photographer Charmaine George also was on hand for the ribbon cutting at Jachimek Chiropractic & Wellness (5111 Ehrlich Rd., Ste. 128, Tampa; bottom photo) on Mar. 20. Chiropractic physician Juliet Marvenko, or Dr. J, cut the Chamber ribbon. For more info, call (813) 960-2225 or visit JachimekChiro.com. — GN

PROVIDED IN OUR OFFICE:

•Wellness Dentistry for kids and teens

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Wellness Now Offers Telehealth Weight Loss, Skin Care & More (Soon)!

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

A New Tampa resident named Steve, who asked that we use only his first name, had tried several different types of weight-loss treatments but says he has finally found success with local telehealth provider Wellness Now.

“I ended up losing about 25 pounds in just a couple of months,” Steve says. “I actually feel fantastic. I have more energy to work out and I love it for the all-around benefit.”

Steve says his experience with local nurse practitioner Jennifer (she goes by “Jenn”) Sauer of Wellness Now has been “nothing but great.”

Jenn Sauer, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree from the University of Delaware in Newark in 2014. She then earned a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree from Chamberlain University in Chicago, IL, in 2019. She is licensed as both an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) in Florida.

“Our Telemed platform provides affordable service and accommodates people at their own homes,” Jenn explains. “We even provide weekday and weekend hours.”

Jenn says the process starts with a very thorough intake form that includes a comprehensive health history and labs that patients may have had with their primary care and/or a specialist physician.

Steve says he could tell right away that

Wellness Now was different from any weightloss program he had tried in the past.

“Jenn took the time to read through all the information I provided,” Steve explains. “I never felt rushed and she seemed to really care about me. I’ve used other weight-loss platforms where it feels like they’re always trying to upsell you, but Jenn seemed to want to get me on what would work for me.”

Wellness Now was launched in 2023, offering patients a way to take advantage of medications that were new on the market at that time to treat diabetes and other health conditions, which also just happened to help those patients lose weight.

Over the past couple of years, the practice has expanded to also help people with skin and scalp care, and the company’s management intends to continue to expand its available services to offer acute care for illnesses such as a sinus and urinary tract infections, with a vision to open a brick-and-mortar location one day.

your telemedicine source for weight loss and skin care medications.

that semaglutide can help you, you could possibly stock up on it before the ban takes effect. However, if you aren’t able to do that, Wellness Now can still write prescriptions for the weight-loss medications that will work best for you, and provide information as to how to obtain them in the most affordable way.

Wellness Now appointments are designed to be affordable for patients, too. An initial consultation is just $55, with follow up appointments only $45. All appointments are self-pay, however, as insurance is not accepted. Jenn counsels patients on how to make lifestyle changes along with prescribing medications that she says are an aid to a healthy lifestyle. She encourages monthly follow-up appointments for accountability and to check in on current and future goals. Jenn says patients can call or message her anytime they have questions. “We’re not a substitute for primary care,” she explains, “but we are a supplement.”

For people looking for weight loss and help with medical conditions related to weight, such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and others, Jenn currently meets patients virtually through secure software to determine if they are a good candidate for medications generically called semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Previously, if Wellness Now healthcare providers determined those medications would be helpful for a patient, they wrote prescriptions that could be made at the company’s partner Palms Pharmacy, a compounding

pharmacy that creates these full efficacy weightloss medications at a much lower cost than the brand-name versions of these drugs.

However, because of lobbying by pharmaceutical companies, by the time you’re reading this, compounding pharmacies are no longer allowed to make their own versions of tirzepatide (the generic form of the brand Zepbound). And, semaglutide (the generic form of Wegovy) will no longer be available as of April 22. Only the brand names will be available.

If you hurry, you can set an appointment with Wellness Now and, if Jenn determines

Skin Care, Too

In addition to weight loss, Wellness Now is using the telemedicine model to offer great prescription skin care medication to patients in a convenient and affordable way.

Jenn will conduct a virtual skin exam, listen to your concerns and prescribe products if they are a good fit for you.

In the next year or so, Jenn says Wellness Now is hoping to expand to a brick-and-mortar location that will bring renowned Korean and Japanese skin care products to New Tampa

(Photo provided by Wellness Now)

that are not currently available locally.

“I’ve always had an interest in dermatology,” Jenn explains. “At a young age, I dealt with acne and eczema, so skincare is something that I am particularly passionate about. Sometimes, there is information overload, especially with social media. I want to educate people and help develop treatment plans using evidencebased practices and research from medical and cosmetic dermatologists.”

Jenn is currently traveling to Japan and South Korea to check out their world-famous skin care and dermatology scene.

“K-Beauty (Korean skincare) has become known in the U.S. markets in recent years, due

to its holistic and innovative products that promote healthy and radiant skin,” Jenn explains.” Japan also is a leader in dermatology, known for cutting edge anti-aging treatments as well as treating medical skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and itching.”

She says that Wellness Now partners with Palms Pharmacy for in-house compounding of products for the face, under the eye area, and scalp using prescription strength formulations.

“Prescription-strength skincare products offer potent targeted treatment that provide faster results,” Jenn says. “These formulations are backed by clinical evidence and are formulated to meet higher standards of quality and safety. Not to mention that they are freshly compounded at the pharmacy to ensure maximum efficacy.”

She adds that these products also can help with anti-aging, hyperpigmentation and skin texture, and also address scalp health and hairloss concerns.

Whether it’s skin care, weight loss, or other services that will be available in the future, Jenn Sauer says Wellness Now is committed to affordability and accessibility for their patients.

“We want to provide quality consultations and guidance,” she says, “while providing products that are proven to be efficacious at an affordable price for patients from the comfort of their homes.”

Wellness Now is offering $10 off for any patient who refers a friend. For more info about Wellness Now or to schedule a telehealth appointment, visit WellnessNowHealth.com, email info@WellnessNowHealth.com, or see the ad on page 32.

Tampa City Ballet Brings Beautiful, New Life To ‘Don Quixote’ At NTPAC

Jannah and I were sad that we weren’t able to attend either performance of the classical ballet “Don Quixote,” as performed by the Tampa City Ballet, at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) the weekend of March 21-23.

The good news is that our photographer Charmaine George was able to attend and take all of the beautiful photos on these pages. Charmaine says that Tampa City Ballet artistic director and choreographer Paula Nuñez, Ballet Master Osmany Montano, who also portrayed Sancho Panza, the servant of protagonist Don Quixote de La Mancha (portrayed by Wilson de los Santos), Kali Bartasavich (who played Don Quixote’s “Beloved Fantasy” Dulcinea and the entire cast of “Don Quixote” all did an amazing job of bringing renowned Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century novel to life.

Charmaine also particularly raved about the costumes and sets (which also are hallmarks of all of Tampa City Ballet’s performances) and was hopeful that her pictures could do justice to the amazing spectacle she was thrilled to witness. Bravo!

For more info about the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Tampa City Ballet (TampaCityBallet.org) or the ballet company’s incredible school, the Tampa City Dance Center (15365 Amberly Dr.) — which trains dancers of all skill levels in many different dance genres — call (813) 558-0800, visit TCDanceCenter. com or see the ad below. — GN

Call Welter Law For Estate Planning Experience With Compassion

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

When Shari and Bill Daniel had small children more than two decades ago, they realized immediately that they needed a plan in case something ever happened to them.

A friend highly recommended attorney Denise A. Welter, Esq., who was practicing estate law in South Florida, so they reached out.

“She is so easy to work with,” Shari says. “It gives me such peace of mind knowing we have every legal document we need. I have this overwhelming sense of calm that my kids won’t have to worry.”

Even though Shari’s children are now grown and have never yet had to reach for that paperwork, Shari has referred a stream of rela tives and friends to Denise, who prepared them for many scenarios that can happen — from incapacity to illness to, of course, death.

“Denise helped my mother before she got sick,” Shari says. “The only non-stressful part of her illness was knowing I had everything I needed at my fingertips. I had medical power of attorney, so I could make the decisions I needed to make. Her wishes were very clear and I could follow them to a ‘T,’ thanks to Denise’s amazing planning.”

Shari says that many people think all they need is a will, but Denise showed her that there are many other options to consider. Denise provides a comprehensive binder for her clients, encouraging them to document family values, funeral preferences and account passwords.

“Just to pay my mom’s water bill, I had to have a durable power of attorney,” Shari says. “But, all I had to do was open the folder and it was there.”

When Denise’s husband of more than four decades retired, the couple moved from South Florida to New Tampa.

Two years ago, Denise opened her Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, just east of I-75 and north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, where she helps families with estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and advanced health care directives.

In addition to her legal expertise and making it easy for families to organize important legal documents, Shari says the best thing about working with Denise is her compassion.

stands the emotional aspects of the process.”

Denise had been a legal secretary for 17 years when she was let go from her position, a turning point she describes as the “best worst thing that ever happened to me.”

As a busy mom of two young boys, she then made the decision to pursue a law degree.

Over the next five years, she obtained both her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, majoring in Legal Studies, and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, both from Nova Southeastern University, which is based in Ft. Lauderdale.

A member of the Florida Bar since 2002, Denise passed the examination on her first try. After assisting in another firm’s real estate department, she found her calling in estate planning and probate.

“I found my niche, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” she says.

Emphasizing the importance of wills and trusts, Denise highlights the role of these important legal documents in providing directions to the courts regarding asset distribution.

When someone passes away with assets solely in their name and without a designated

Denise advises her clients of the benefits of trust planning, which transfers assets into a trust, creating a separate legal entity that holds and manages them, ensuring a smooth transition to the deceased’s beneficiaries.

“With a trust, because you technically don’t own the assets at your death — the trust

owns them — nothing has to go through the probate process,” she explains. “Most people do trusts to avoid probate and to protect their assets, especially for their minor children.”

She adds that trust planning serves as a preventive measure against court involvement and the necessity for guardianship in situations involving dementia or other illnesses that render individuals incapable of handling their own financial decisions.

Highlighting an often-overlooked scenario, Denise also suggests that parents of 18-year-olds should consider having health care surrogate designations, living wills and powers of attorney for these new adults to navigate potential HIPAA law challenges.

Otherwise, if their 18-year-old is hospitalized or otherwise incapacitated, medical providers are unable to give parents any information about the adult child’s condition.

Denise says that the most important skills she needs in this field are the ability to listen to what her clients’ want and expect and then put together what they need for their family dynamic. “A lot of attorneys like to do a lot of the talking, but when clients come in, they want someone to hear their story,” Denise says.

She adds that’s helpful especially when connecting with clients who face difficult and complicated family dynamics, whether it’s a blended family or adult children who are estranged from their parents.

“It’s a very sad trend I’m seeing, but one of

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our roles as an attorney is as a counselor,” Denise says. “So, I help clients analyze those is sues and give them tips to navigate those wa ters that can sometimes feel overwhelming.”

Denise also sends digital follow-ups annually to inform her clients of any law changes that could af fect them and encour ages them to review their estate plans every five years or during important life changes.

She is a member of the National As sociation of Elder Law Attorneys, Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, The Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Lawyers of Distinction and Lead Council Verified.

has already become a great asset to the firm in such a short time,” Denise says. “She has a lot of experience.”

Denise offers a free consultation to sit down and talk through a client’s needs and wants and understand what their complications might be. Then, she quotes a flat fee of the cost to prepare the needed documents.

Denise and her paralegal, Jackie Shoemaker, are committed to great client communication. Jackie joined the firm after Denise’s former paralegal moved out of the area.

When not at her law office, Denise says she can be found at the beach with Bob, her high school sweetheart, visiting her sons Chris and Eric, playing with her three grand-daughters, Abbey, Amelia and Lillian, traveling, or participating in a marriage communications weekend with United Marriage Encounters.

For more about info about the Welter Law Office (2405 Creel Lane, Suite 102, Wesley Chapel), call (850) 388-3845, visit WelterLawOffice.com or see the ad on pg. 13.

Final Touch Quality Cleaners — Amazing People & Fantastic Cleaning Services!

By Gary Nager

Reggie Wakefield and Erica Poniatowski, the owners of Final Touch Quality Cleaners, have become mine and Jannah’s friends over the course of the last two years, since they took over cleaning our previous apartment and especially, since they have been cleaning our larger, new apartment at the Silversaw Apartments.

Jannah first met both Erica and Reggie at her Business Networking International (BNI) meetings. Erica joined the group and we all hit it off instantly.

Both Erica and Reggie have cleaned our place, but Erica is more focused on her career as a Realtor® with Great Western Realty in Tampa, while Reggie...well, I’ll let him tell you.

“I was cleaning houses and apartments in New York City when I was seven or eight years old, when my mom used to take me and one of my sisters (Brittany) with her. We were both young, so we thought she was just doing favors for our neighbors, but we later found out she had made a business out of it!”

He adds, “We were both kind of chunky kids, so we loved cleaning food trucks because they would pay us with free food!,” he laughs.

And, although Reggie got into the home alarm business when he and Erica graduated from the same high school in southern New Jersey, he says, “I’ve just always loved to clean! I get a feeling of satisfaction when I leave someone’s home or business sparkling.”

So, when both he and Erica made the decision to move from New Jersey to Florida, after both of them left different alarm companies, it was Reggie who pushed for them to start their own cleaning service in the Sunshine State, especially since Brittany, the sister he used to clean with when they were kids, already

Lutz and Erica became the public face of the new Final Touch Quality Cleaners — despite Reggie’s winning smile and hard-to-resist personality — so he could focus on the cleaning side while she ran the business and handled the billing and marketing.

“Even though she’s great at it, I know that cleaning isn’t Erica’s thing,” Reggie says. “When Erica said she wanted to get her real estate license, I was happy for her to go for it.”

In the meantime, Final Touch has

Touch Quality Cleaners for everything I have! My home and my business! They do phenomenal work and their detailed approach is very reassuring. They also make our appliances look like new each time they leave and we always have a great smelling house afterwards. 10/10. Will always recommend and use.”

cial account to replace Rock & Brews.

“We have a crew and we all work the commercial accounts together to get it done — not just fast, but right!,” he says. “We’ll always make sure your office, restaurant or other place of business always looks as good as your home when we

One thing I’ve noticed when Reggie cleans our apartment is how methodical he is. We haven’t had an actual office for him to clean, but I can imagine how he would be able to expand what he does for us for a much larger space.

Speaking of larger spaces, after Erica and Reggie met Rock & Brews general manager Kareem Nelson at a BNI function at the restaurant a year ago, they immediately were hired to clean it.

“Kareem told me they had an in-house cleaning crew they weren’t happy with,” Reggie says. “I told him ‘I got you’ and we’ve been cleaning it ever since. I’m sad they’re closing it, not just because we’re losing a commercial client, but because Kareem has been so great to work with.”

So, as of now, Reggie says he and Erica are focused on finding another big commer-

(L.-r.) Reggie, Ryder, Erica & Ryleigh invite you to check out Final Touch Quality Cleaners, which will make sure every inch of your home, apartment, business or Airbnb will be sparkling when they leave. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

move-out and post-construction cleans, too.

Final Touch also is looking to hire additional cleaners after an amazing occurrence with part of their crew. “We had a couple working for us but they recently won a million dollars on a scratch-off ticket!,” Reggie says. “At first, they said they would keep on working...after all, a million dollars isn’t worth as much today as it once was... but they ended up leaving anyway.”

how much they love their little family.

“We’ve got to make it work for them,” Reggie says, “and I have no doubt we will.”

New clients who mention this story, the ad on pg. 47 or the Neighborhood News will receive 10% off their first clean with Final Touch Quality Cleaners. For more information and a free estimate, call (813) 530-5591 or email FinalTouchQC@gmail.com.

•Flexible Membership Options

•No Long-Term Commitments

•Receive Your Business Mail At Our Address

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•Convenient, New Location Near I-75 & Bruce B. Downs

•Stunning, Scenic Lakeside Views & Spacious Outdoor Patio

• Under New Management

Dr. José Matos’ BBD Dental Care — Bridging Cultures & Creating Happy Smiles

By Iris Vitelli

Neighborhood News Correspondent

General dentist José Matos, D.D.S., of BBD Dental Care, which is located at the corner of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and E. Bearss Ave. (in the Oakmont Professional Park), is making a last ing impact, not just through his dental expertise, but with his ability to connect with a diverse and growing community. As one of the few Spanishspeaking dentists in the area, Dr. Matos offers more than just dental care, he provides comfort, understanding and a sense of belonging to pa tients who might otherwise feel overlooked.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Dr. Matos’ journey to becoming a respected dentist in the U.S. is a story of resilience and determination. The dental degree process in his native country is a bit different from the U.S. Dr. Matos at tended the Carabobo College of Dentistry in Valencia, Venezuela, for five years and obtained his degree in 2004 as “Dentist” (which is equiv alent to a D.D.S., or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree) here. He then attended the same school for an additional two years to obtain his specialization in Endodontics in 2010. For seven years after graduating, he dedicated his practice to doing root canals in Venezuela.

always near Bruce B. Downs,” Dr. Matos shares. It was only fitting that Rebeca, a Realtor®, found a location right off this familiar road, inspiring the name BBD Dental. And, in Dec. 2024, BBD Dental Care officially opened its doors.

Great Tech & Greater Compassion Dr. Matos takes pride in offering advanced technology to enhance patient care. BBD Dental Care features the DEXIS CBCT imaging machine, which provides high-resolution 3D images. This cutting-edge equipment offers both conventional X-rays and detailed scans, all with reduced radiation exposure. The high-resolution X-rays and scans are seamlessly transferred into a computer system, which Dr. Matos says helps him make accurate diagnoses.

He says that transitioning to dentistry in the U.S. wasn’t easy. “Florida requires internationally trained dentists to complete a rigorous two-year residency program to receive their D.D.S. degree,” says Dr. Matos. “It was a challenge I embraced head-on.”

He secured a spot at the Orange Blossom Health Center in Orlando, which is run by Larkin Community Hospital, a highly competitive program with its main office in Miami that trains dentists in comprehensive general dentistry. After years of specializing in endodontics, he described the experience as “like riding a bike” — the skills came back naturally. After

completing his residency, Dr. Matos worked in Winter Haven for three years while living in Tampa, but says the long commute took a toll on his family. His wife Rebeca encouraged him to open his own practice closer to home.

“Bruce B. Downs holds a very special place for us because it always seemed that wherever we lived or the kids went to school, it was

“I also use dental microscopes,” he says, “which I used in my specialty of endodontics in Venezuela.” In the past, these microscopes were reserved primarily for doing root canals to help the endodontists enhance precision. Dr. Matos positions the microscope right above the patient’s mouth area (photo on next page). “This technology,” he explains, “allows me to see the smallest of things so I can perform minimally invasive treatments, reducing the need for exploratory procedures and ensuring a faster, more comfortable recovery for my patients.”

Dr. Matos is a general practitioner but has years of experience doing root canals and can perform them if a patient needs it. In the state of Florida, a general dentist can only advertise as a general dentist but can perform other

(L.-r.) Dental assistant Josemig Chavez, Dr. José Matos and front desk attendant Zoila Gonzalez are the happy faces you’ll meet when you visit the aptly-named BBD Dental Care in the Oakmont Professional Park at the corner of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. & E. Bearss Ave. (Photo by Charmaine George)

procedures if he/she is trained to do them. A dentist who is a “specialist” (endodontist, orthodontist, etc.) can only advertise that specialty and only perform that specialty.

While the technology he uses is impressive, what truly sets Dr. Matos apart is his ability to connect with his patients. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he ensures that language is never a barrier to quality care.

“For many patients, it’s not just about comfort, it’s about trust,” Dr. Matos explains. “Being able to speak their language makes them feel more understood and cared for.” He says his Spanishspeaking patients often express relief and gratitude when they realize they can communicate openly about their dental health in their native tongue.

“At many practices, you have ‘someone’ who speaks Spanish, who will translate,” he says. “But, I can speak di rectly to my (Latin) patients.”

At BBD Dental Care, your entire family is welcome. Dr. Matos is happy to see children as well as adults.

Although his practice has been open less

from page 31

In her 5-star review, patient Maria Jose Espinosa wrote: “Amazing experience! The staff is super friendly, very professional and make you feel super comfortable. They also provide assistance in Spanish. Thank you.”

Family is a cornerstone of Dr. Matos’ life. He and Rebeca have been married for nearly 20 years and have three children — Francisco, 17, Diego, 15, and Julieta, 9, as well as the family’s their beloved Goldendoodle, Coco. Weekends are often spent enjoying Florida’s natural beauty, whether boating near Tarpon Springs or camping at Hillsborough River State Park.

Dr. Matos and Rebeca met at a gym in their hometown of Valencia, when they were young. Rebeca’s family had already settled in Tampa, and she moved to the U.S. to finish her last year of high school while Dr. Matos was on his way to dental school, so they ended up breaking up. A year later, she decided to return to Venezuela, since she had been accepted to law school. They met up and rekindled their relationship, which led to them getting married. Frequent visits to Tampa to visit Rebeca’s family made it clear they wanted to build their future here.

Today, their family is deeply rooted in the New Tampa community. They’ve been parishioners at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church for more than a decade. Rebeca and Dr. Matos are a “sponsored couple” at the church, which means they can participate in the Catholic counseling process of marriage preparation called Pre-Cana. Their children attend

local schools, and Diego has even expressed interest in following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a dentist.

For Dr. Matos, New Tampa isn’t just where he works, it’s his home. His wife’s family has lived in the area for more than 25 years, and his brother also resides nearby. Opening his practice on BBD, the main artery of the community, felt like a natural extension of their life here. It’s more than just a convenient location; it’s a statement of commitment to the people and the place they love.

As he looks to the future, Dr. Matos remains dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care. Although he is trained in many areas, he also collaborates with a network of dental specialists he can recommend if needed.

“I believe in educating my patients,” he says. “Dental care should be a partnership, where patients feel informed and empowered to make decisions about their own oral health.”

Speaking of education, in her 5-star review, patient Isabela Hernandez says: “Excellent. They educate you in everything, they are patient and Dr. Jose Matos is very good. 100% recommended.

Dr. Matos’ advice to aspiring dentists, especially those from international backgrounds, is rooted in his own journey:

“Take it one day at a time,” he says. “There will be obstacles, and some doors may close. But, if you stay focused and consistent, new doors will open. The key is to never give up.”

Dr. Matos knows first-hand how challenging the road to success can be. From navigating

a new country and a new language to enduring the rigorous process of re-establishing his career.

“I hope my story inspires others to pursue their dreams,” he says, “no matter how daunting the path may seem.”

You can follow Dr. Matos of BBD Dental Care on Instagram at Instagram.com/bbdthe office at (813) 515-5995 or email info@ bbddentalcare.com. BBD Dental is located at 3232 Cove Bend Dr., Tampa, FL. The office is Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information about BBD Dental’s $49 opening promotion, see the ad on pg. 44.

Hangliter Residential — The Family Business For Your Remodeling Project

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

The Hangliter family has been in the remodeling business for four generations.

When Ken Hangliter came to Florida from the Washington, D.C./Maryland area to help his dad with a construction job at Macdill Air Force Base eight years ago, he decided he wanted to stay.

So, Ken bought a home in Wesley Chapel and officially opened Hangliter Resi dential, LLC, in the Tampa Bay area.

Ken’s not the only Hangliter who came for a visit and decided not to go back to the cold Maryland winters. His son, Jordan, came down four years ago and decided to leave his business back home to join his dad here in the Sunshine State.

“I’ve been working with my dad since I was 12 years old,” Jordan says. “As a familyowned business, we promise better quality, better customer service and a better overall experience.”

Jordan says that when you call Hangliter for a remodeling job or to repair or restore something in your home, either he or his dad will come out to your house to provide a free estimate. Then, if you choose to hire Hangliter Residential, they’ll return together to complete the work.

“We know it’s a nightmare for people to let strangers into their house,” Jordan says. “So, we are careful to treat you like we would treat our grandmother if we went to her house. We’re at a client’s home every day, all day, so we get to know each other. It’s a personal experience.”

The Hangliters are Florida-licensed contractors specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, but they do all types of residential work. They have decades of experience in home remodeling, repairs and restoration.

They have experience with “just about everything, A to Z,” says Jordan.

the Hangliters can install custom windows, doors and flooring, repair lighting, HVACs and plumbing — and much more.

Jordan emphasizes that regardless of the size of the project, it never hurts to contact Hangliter Residential. You might just hear of options — and pricing estimates — that competitors won’t offer.

“We’ve definitely heard from customers with projects in which the big companies offer expensive estimates or flat out just say no,” Jordan says. “But we are comfortable with undertaking non-conventional solutions that other companies won’t even consider.”

Jordan says that among the most popular jobs they have been busy doing are bathroom makeovers, including updating bathrooms in older homes, converting tubs and Jacuzzis into walk-in showers and installing custom bathroom tile from floor to ceiling.

Customers Are Raving!

Tim and Lynn are Land O’Lakes residents who recently hired Hangliter Residen-

guys. They were so personable and a pleasure to be around, and most important is that the

Hangliter Residential is a true family-run business that includes (l.-r.) owner Ken Hangliter, his daughter & office manager Stephanie and his son & VP Jordan. Mascot Mishi is always smiling. (Photo by Charmaine George)

by several people. He couldn’t have been more happy with his decision to hire the Hangliters.

“They are a super father-and-son duo,” Tim says. “They were knowledgeable and professional. They were very punctual and always did exactly what they said they were going to do. What more could you ask for?”

David and Debbie are another couple who hired Hangliter Residential when they needed an extensive door and window repair in their home.

“Hangliter Residential LLC saved us over $15,000,” says David. “Ken did an amazing job on the remodel and restoration of our 50+-year-old Colonial-style home! We had an estimate from another company to replace eight windows and three exterior doors for over $34,000, due to rotten wood damage from the wet Florida weather. Ken looked at all of the windows and assured me that he could REPAIR them all, and that a complete replace ment would be a huge waste of money!”

He adds, “Ken told us that his repair would preserve the original, classic look of our home. Our final cost came to less than half of our original estimate. Plus, he did three extra windows! Ken did an absolutely incredible job and the results have far ex ceeded my high expectations.”

Hangliter Residential, LLC, (FL Lic. #CRC 1332119) is offering 10% off any full kitchen or bath remodel to readers of Neighborhood News who mention this story or the ad on pg. 47 of this issue. To schedule a free estimate, call (813) 460-4548 today.

Compass Claim Solutions Can Help You Receive The Insurance Claim You Deserve!

By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent

When disaster strikes, dealing with an insurance company can be one of the most stressful and frustrating parts of your recovery. For many homeowners and business owners in Florida, navigating the complexities of insurance policies and securing a fair settlement can feel overwhelming. That’s where Compass Claim Solutions steps in — offering expertise, advocacy and a guiding hand through the often-confusing world of property insurance claims.

Founded by Shawn Thompson in Wesley Chapel, Compass Claim Solutions is a public adjusting firm dedicated to representing policyholders during — and even after — the insurance claims process. With more than a decade of experience in the industry, Shawn has built a reputation for helping clients secure the compensation they deserve after damage from storms, fires, floods and other disasters.

From Retail To Advocacy

which is when he says he found his true calling.

What Does A Public Adjuster Do?

“Our goal is to level the playing field,” Shawn explains. “Insurance companies have experts working for them — policyholders should have [an expert] on their side, too.”

Compass Claim Solutions handles a wide range of claims, including those related to hurricanes, floods, lightning, wind, fire, mold, theft and plumbing issues. The company offers free consultations, guiding clients from the initial claim filing through the final settlement.

The ‘Umpire Process’

One of the unique aspects of Compass Claim Solutions’ services is Shawn’s involvement in the insurance appraisal and what is known as the “umpire process” — a little-known but critical step when claims are disputed.

Shawn’s journey to becoming a public adjuster is an inspiring story of career transformation. A Florida native, Shawn graduated from St. Leo University near Dade City in 2003 with a degree in Business Management. He spent 10 years climbing the corporate ladder in a “Fortune 5” retail company, honing his skills in management, negotiation and customer service. However, in 2012, a family connection introduced him to the world of public adjusting,

“When I learned about public adjusting from my brother-in-law, I saw how much of a difference an advocate could make for homeowners,” Shawn says. “I knew I wanted to be part of that process — helping people when they need it most.”

After completing a year-long apprenticeship, Shawn obtained his public adjuster’s license and has since helped thousands of clients navigate their insurance claims. Today, Compass Claim Solutions serves homeowners and businesses across Florida, often traveling to communities hit hardest by hurricanes and severe storms.

Insurance policies can be complex documents, full of jargon and fine print that many policyholders struggle to understand. When property damage occurs, the insurance company sends out its own adjuster to assess the damage and estimate the payout — but that adjuster works for the insurance company, not the policyholder.

A public adjuster like Shawn, however, works exclusively on behalf of the policyholder. His job is to thoroughly evaluate the damage, prepare detailed estimates and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that the client receives a fair settlement.

If an insurance company and a policyholder cannot agree on the amount of damage or the cost of repairs, both parties may choose to enter into the appraisal process. Each side hires an independent appraiser to assess the damage. If the two appraisers cannot reach an agreement, they select a neutral third party — known as an “umpire” — who reviews the estimates and makes a final, binding decision.

As a certified insurance umpire, Shawn is often called upon to serve as that neutral third party in these disputes, bringing his extensive knowledge and fair judgment to the process.

“The umpire process helps ensure that both sides get a fair shake,” Shawn says. “It’s about finding common ground and making sure the policyholder gets what they’re owed.

Wesley Chapel resident Shawn Thompson (2nd from left) and his team at Compass Claim Solutions will work hard to make sure you receive the insurance settlement you deserve when your home or business suffers damage, whether from a storm, fire, flood or any other cause. (Photo provided by Shawn Thompson)

Going The Extra Mile

Clients of Compass Claim Solutions consistently praise Shawn’s professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail. The company’s 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google (on 50+ reviews) attest to his prompt communication and proactive approach.

“Shawn is amazing,” client Brian S. wrote in his 5-star review on Google. “He was prompt on returning calls, very thorough in his evaluation of the damage, and extremely proactive in dealing with the insurance company. He turned a stressful situation into a positive outcome.”

Client Carol G.’s 5-star review says, “I was denied by my insurance company for not taking pictures after my front doors blew open during Hurricane Ian. Shawn worked wonders for me and got me enough money to fix the important issues in my home. He was very kind and easy to work with. I highly recommend using Compass Claim if you ever need a public adjuster. I’d give him 20 stars if I could.”

It’s this commitment to going above and beyond that has earned Compass Claim Solutions a stellar reputation in the community.

Beyond his work in public adjusting, Shawn

is an active member of the Wesley Chapel business community. He serves on the Membership Committee of BNI Alliance, a local chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) of West Central Florida, where he collaborates with other professionals to foster business growth and networking opportunities. “I believe in giving back to the community that supports us,” Shawn says. “Whether it’s helping homeowners through the claims process or participating in local events, we want to make a positive impact.”

Navigating an insurance claim can feel like an uphill battle, especially in the wake of a disaster. With Compass Claim Solutions, clients gain more than just an advocate — they gain a partner dedicated to serving their best interests.

From the initial consultation to the final settlement, Shawn Thompson and his team provide the knowledge, persistence and compassion needed to help clients rebuild and move forward. With Compass Claim Solutions on your side, you don’t have to navigate the claims process alone — you have a trusted partner and guide every step of the way.

Shawn Thompson’s Compass Claim Solutions offers free consultations. For more info, visit CompassClaimSolutions.com, call (352) 502-5928 or see the ad on pg. 43.

Spotlight On: Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions

Chris Assefa (photo), the owner and insurance broker for Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions, says that although she is licensed by the State of Florida (as well as Georgia and New York) to sell health and life insurance and variable annuities, she believes her primary function is education.

“Health insurance, especially when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid, is incredibly complicated for most people,” Chris says. “At Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions, we always say that asking questions is free, so ask away! We want to make sure you understand what your options are and which plan or policy will work best for you and your family.”

Bleu Sky’s is an independent insurance agency, so Chris and her team of professionals have access to a wide variety of companies and policies and they can help you figure out how best to take care of your needs.

Chris is a specialist when it comes to Medicare — the lower-cost health insurance for those ages 65 and older and for those with disabilities. The former Wesley Chapel resident says that even though the Open Enrollment period to choose a Medicare plan for 2025 ended in December and the policies became effective in January, “there are still things you can do now that you might not know about.”

For example, if you decide after Jan. 1 that you’re not happy with your Medicare Advantage plan, there is a special Open Enrollment Period — that just closed for this year (on March 31) — for Medicare Advantage plan holders only.

“Obviously, the average person is either

unsure or not even aware about a lot of this,” Chris says.

“That’s why you need an expert in the field, like my company, to help guide you.”

She also says there are some new laws on the books for 2025 that Bleu Sky’s insurance professionals can help you understand.

“For 2025, an individual’s out-of-pocket expense for prescription drugs on their Medicare carrier’s formulary is capped at $2,000,” Chris says. “In addition, people who are dual-eligible (for both Medicare and Medicaid; the latter is the joint federal and state program which helps cover medical expenses for people with limited income and resources) are dealing with some changes as to how they can change their plans.”

She adds that there are different levels of dual eligibility, and that those different levels are affected by this year’s new rules.

“I know this can be confusing,” Chris says. “I really hope that if you have any questions about Medicare, Medicaid or the Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as the Affordable Care Act or ‘Obamacare’), we’ll be the company you’ll think to call.”

To reach Chris Assefa of Bleu Sky’s Insurance Solutions, call (813) 360-1884, visit BleuSkysInsurance.com or see the ad on this page (left). — GN

Don Julio’s Opens New Location In The Same Plaza In Time For Cinco De Mayo!

By Gary Nager

When Julio and his wife Ximena Rodriguez first opened the original Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant in the Palms Connection plaza on E. Bearss Ave. seven years ago, the restaurant was an homage to Julio’s mother Esther Rodriguez (or Doña Esther). Esther began putting her cooking talents to good use in the late 1980s and early ‘90s by selling her authentic Mexican cuisine out of her garage in West Tampa after her husband, the original Don Julio, passed away when her three children were still young. She did well enough to put all three kids through college.

As we reported last year, since then, Julio and Ximena opened a much larger restaurant, with a full-liquor bar, in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center, which has really helped

community “and brought in a lot of new customers,” Julio says.

But, just a few days before we went to press with this issue, Julio and Ximena had moved the original Don Julio’s two spaces down in the same plaza — to the much larger space previously occupied by Bearss Tavern & Tap. “It just got too packed on the weekends at the old space, Julio says.

I promised Julio that Jannah, photographer Charmaine George (who took all of these pictures), her boyfriend Brendan and I would visit the “new” location to not only check out the much larger space but also to sample some of Doña Esther’s “autentica” recipes we hadn’t tried before.

And, it just so happens that Doña Esther (center in top right photo, with Ximena and Julio) was helping out in the kitchen on the day we visited — and yes, we definitely sampled! We

(photo below) from the “Antojitos/Cravings” menu. The sampler includes crisp taquitos (we had them filled with chicken), a tamale (corn dough stuffed with pork, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed), a sope (handmade thick corn tortilla topped with refried beans, lettuce, onions, cheese and sour cream; we added ground beef to it), a tostada (similar to a sope, but flatter; we added carne asada steak to it), nachos (we added pastor and ground beef) and our new favorite, the perfectly cheesy quesadillas to which we added shredded chicken.

We each also ordered a main course. Jan nah got her usual fave (although it was her first time having it at Don Julio’s) — the ground beef enchiladas (with refried beans and a red guajillo chile sauce). Charmaine really enjoyed her taco salad (below) with tender carne asada steak. Brendan also raved about his chimichanga al pas tor (marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit; pre vious page), which also was stuffed with plenty of cheese and topped with melted cheese).

I also tried the Bistec Ranchero (below), which is round steak cooked (and covered) in an amazing combination of tomatoes, onions and serrano peppers. The steak itself was not quite as tender as the carne asada, but the flavor was truly fantastic.

The new restaurant itself is beautiful. Julio says, “It took us six months to build this out, but we’re very pleased with the result,” includ ing the authentic Mexican Talavera tile behind the bar (bottom photo). We’d have to agree.

And, speaking of the bar, the newest Don Julio’s still features an incredible selection of tequilas and mezcals, some very upscale and rare, but all at very reasonable prices. Brendan, previously a long-time bartender, said his strawberry margarita was “spot on,” Charmaine savored her tequila sunrise and Jannah raved about the white sangria. I, of course, also had no complaints about my Woodford Reserve bourbon.

Ready For Cinco?

Julio promises that both locations of Don Julio’s will be throwing “the best Cinco de Mayo party in town” the weekend of May 3-4, “and the big final blowout on Monday, the 5th.”

“We’ll have DJ music, drink specials and, at the Bearss location, we’ll be serving quick and easy tacos from our food truck outside,” he says.

tions (2802 E. Bearss Ave. and 16023 Tampa Palms Blvd.) are open Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday & Saturday. For more information, visit DonJuliosMexican.com, find them on Facebook or Instagram or in the ad on pg. 45. For reserva-

Korean Eatery Sorimmara Opens Next To Smoothie King In Highwoods

If you’ve never heard of Sorimmara, which just opened next to Smoothie King at 17501 Preserve Walk Ln., off Bruce B Downs (BBD) Blvd., you’re probably not alone.

Sorimmara is a fast-casual chain based in South Korea, where it has more than 200 locations. The only other U.S. location is in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, CA.

Despite its Korean roots, most of the menu at Sorimmara is made up of Chinese dishes that have been given a Korean twist. Confused? Just what until you visit!

Sorimmara offers a large variety of raw meats (beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc.), seafood (shrimp, clams, fish, etc.) and veggies (everything from broccoli and collared greens to Napa cabbage, baby corns, a variety of mushrooms & much more).

You wait to be seated, but you’re immediately invited to grab a bowl and fill it with as much “stuff” as you like — but you’re told you need to have at least 1 lb. of ingredients in your bowl because the restaurant charges by the pound

similarly to the popular Chinese hot pot soups, except the restaurant’s kitchen cooks it for you and brings it to your table in a metal bowl placed on top of a lit burner.

Charmaine enjoyed her malatang (top right), but we both included way too many ingredients because we didn’t know until the restaurant weighed our bowls how much “stuff” we had. There’s also creamy rose malatang available.

I also liked my tomato xiang guo (bottom right), or “stir fry dry pot,” which is like a stir-fry dish at a Korean or Chinese restaurant.

When I visit

mayo shrimp varieties. There’s also four actual Korean street food options called tteokbokki, which features tube-shaped rice cakes that are described as a blend of sweet, spicy and savory.

One piece of good news for less adventurous diners is that all of the dishes at Sorimmara

are available in five levels of spice, from mild to super-spicy. There’s also a sauce bar with pre-made options like a delicious creamy sesame sauce and make-your-own options where the restaurant provides you with the recipes! There also are Chinese standards like egg fried rice and egg rolls, as well as unique spicy

call (813) 252-6643 or visit SorimmaraTampaBay.com. — GN, photos by Charmaine George

Residents of New Tampa also will soon have another unique option for dessert, as the third Tampa-area location of Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake is expected to open by the end of this week in the same strip plaza at 19406 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. as Dan’s Fan City and Subway, across BBD from the Pebble Creek Collection.

As long as you don’t go there (as I did when photographer Charmaine George and I visited the six-month-old Temple Terrace location at 12212 N. 56th St.) expecting it to also have some kind of rolls, you probably won’t be disappointed.

The “Twisted Rolls” at Twisted Rolls Chim ney Cake are made of dough and sugar that is rolled around a stick and then baked in an oven until hot and semi-crispy. Then, the hot dough is dipped in one of a variety of glazes and then rolled in one of nine different flavors — anything from crushed Oreo cookies to pistachio nuts and from Fruity Pebbles cereal to coconut and more.

The coated “cone” is then filled with softserve vanilla, chocolate or a swirl of both flavors ice cream to create a one-of-a-kind dessert.

“It’s an Eastern European treat,” says Ahd, the owner (bottom left photo), who also has a Twisted Rolls food truck at 13742 N. 42nd St. near USF, as well a location in St. Louis, MO. “These ‘Chimney Cakes’ are called ‘Kurtoskalacs’ in Hungary, where they are super-popular.”

Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake also offers 16 flavors of hard-packed Hershey’s ice cream, but the hard-packed isn’t served in the hot cones, only in two-scoop cups (for just $4.99 on 56th St.!).

You can, however, have the hard-packed ice cream on crepes, waffles or mini-pancakes, all of which also can have a variety of toppings, from

Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake Gets Ready To Open Across BBD From Pebble Creek

and I each sampled our own Chimney Cake while visiting the Temple Terrace location, just to get a feel for what’s coming to New Tampa. She enjoyed

your mouth because clearly, the Chimney Cake isn’t decadent enough without it. Just kidding! It is! Charmaine also sampled a mixed berry smoothie, which she said was yummy, and I

about Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake,

TwistedRollsChimneyCake.com. —

all photos by Charmaine George

Paris Baguette Bakery Now Open On Bruce B. Downs Blvd. In

Paris Baguette, the new link in an upscale, French-inspired, Korean-owned bakery chain, is now open at 17515 Preserve Walk Ln. (off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., next to Coldstone Creamery), in the Highwoods Preserve area of New Tampa.

If you love authentic French pastries, both sweet and savory, this is the place for you!

Paris Baguette is elegant but casual and all of the items we’ve sampled so far have been delicately baked and delicious. And, we haven’t even tasted the gor geous cakes (next page) yet, but we surely will! It also serves top-quality LavAzza Italian coffee and coffee drinks, plus a large variety of hot and iced teas, too!

The bakery chain began in South Korea in the early 1950s and began franchising during the 1980s. Today, there are more than 4,000 locations around the world (including two in Paris, France!), with more than 100 and growing in North America.

On our first visit, Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I got to try a wide variety of Paris Baguette’s dozens of options, including (top right photo, clockwise from top) walnut cream bread, chausson aux pommes (a French apple tart), an authentic French butter croissant, a milk & cereal mochi donut, a croissant donut with Nutella; (bottom photo, also clockwise from top left) a four-cheese quiche, very berry pastry and pepperoni pizzetta. The items we tried that aren’t shown here include a unique hash brown bread, Buffalo chicken & ranch pizzetta, raspberry fruit bite and a blueberry cream pastry.

Congratulations to franchise co-owners Phillip Park and JC Hong, general manager Max Kim and assistant GM Kurtis Sinteff. The always-packed Paris Baguette is definitely a winner! Félicitations! Paris Baguette is open every day, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. For more info, call (656) 210-5553 or visit ParisBaguette.com. — GN

(Above, l.-r.) Co-franchise owner Phillip Park, GM Max Kim, Asst. GM Kurtis Sinteff & co-franchise owner JC Hong of the new Paris Baguette bakery on BBD Blvd. in New Tampa (All photos by Charmaine George)

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Seeking Housekeeper (one person, not a cleaning service) once a week. Good pay. References required, for a lovely, clean environment inside Saddlebrook. Call 941.445.0719.

FOR SALE: Brand New, Complete Boy Scout Uniforms for Sale. Boys clothes size 10-14, shoes, plus new roller skates & ice skates. Dishes & many household articles. A 10x30 shed full of flea market items, will sell all very reasonable. Cartop carrier, professional bicycles, kayak, doggie furniture, crates feeder & much more. Call 813-297-1456.