Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 33, Issue 18, September 2, 2025

Stop The Rumor Mill! Here’s What’s Coming To The Hub!

By Gary Nager

Remember how excited you were when The KRATE at The Grove container park opened? Get ready for a similar feeling, as The Hub at Lexington — which is being developed by the same group that built The Hub at Bexley off S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes — is bringing something “far beyond” the usual strip retail plaza, according to Courtney Bissett-Hayes of Center Connect Development.

“We currently have twelve tenants confirmed for The Hub at Lexington,” Bissett-Hayes says, “and we have just a couple of spaces still available.”

Nine of the confirmed tenants are restaurants and/or beverage providers, along with one golf simulation business called The Clubhouse, a barber shop called Headlines and the Lexington Nail Lab.

On this page is a collage of the logos of ten of the tweleve tenants, with two of the restaurants (both marked with an [*] in the collage) — La Creacion Bistro and Island Grill — not having logos available at our press time.

“The Hub at Lexington will be a great, upscale place for families to dine and enjoy,” Bissett-Hayes says. “With nine artificial trees providing a large shaded area.”

Logo collage designed by Charmaine George

An Editorial by GARY NAGER

For a guy whose journalism career began as a sports reporter for the student radio station WRUF-AM & FM in Gainesville, it’s hard for me to believe how long it’s been since I’ve had anyone covering local sports for us. It’s not because I fell out of love with sports, whether local or national. It’s because of the way we have to cover sports in these pages, when we have to go to press with each issue nearly two weeks before those issues reach your mailboxes.

We can’t just do “game recaps” — even when they’re big rivalry games — like a daily or even a weekly publication can because the stories are “old news” by the time our readers get to read them. And, when it’s “championship season” for each high school sports season, it’s even worse. If we write about a team that wins its District championship in a sport, whether football, volleyball, golf, etc., if that team gets eliminated from further postseason play before the issue hits mailboxes, our story proclaiming that team as District champs will look ridiculous because it won’t mention that the same team was eliminated in the first round of the Regional playoffs.

If I had the time myself, I’d do daily updates on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page and our website with the latest scores and news from every high school sport. I used to love to cover Little League and youth football, soccer and hockey when my sons used to play, but now that both of them are in their 30s, I no longer have to be at the ballpark, field or arena multiple days a week.

I just wish there was someone out in the community who was interested in covering local sports for us on a part-time/freelance basis. And, for those who might know someone who could be interested, yes, I do pay freelancers pretty well, or so I hear, anyway.

But, that again brings me back to how we have to cover sports in these pages. I’ve told previous reporters that you can’t just go to a game and write about that game. There could be two or three or more games that take place before that issue hits mailboxes.

Season previews can work, but they have to be compiled and written enough in advance for them to still be “previews,” rather than previewing a season that’s already begun.

In other words, covering local sports in a publication that only comes out every four weeks isn’t an easy proposition.

or the Rays. There is plenty of coverage of those teams out there and I won’t give up the precious little space I have in these pages for them, unless they’re human interest stories that have what I call a local “hook.” (Like if a member of the Bucs makes an appearance at a local charity event or even store opening).

2) I’m looking for sports reporting, not commentary — and the candidate has to understand the difference.

3) I really don’t want to hear from moms and dads that your son or daughter is interested. If they are truly interested, please have them contact me themselves. Our readers are primarily adults, so if they can’t communicate with me, how can I expect them to communicate in print or online with thousands of my peers?

What I’d really like is to find are multiple “stringers” who would be willing to do local game previews and/or recaps to help bolster our online content, even if those stories never get to come out on a printed page. And yes, I’d still be happy to pay for those stories.

If you or someone you know might be interested, have them email me a resume and one “clip,” even if it’s never been published, to Ads@ NTNeighborhoodNews.com that indicates the candidate has a working knowledge of the English language and can tell a story.

A few other important things, though:

1) Although the clip you send can be about a “Major League” sport, I’m not looking for people to write about the Bucs, the Lightning

The Problem With Covering Local Sports In The Neighborhood News

2025 Varsity Football Schedules — Wesley Chapel High Schools

Cypress Creek High

Sept. 5 vs. Hudson

Sept. 19 vs. Fivay

Oct.10 vs. Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel High

Sept. 19 vs. Wiregrass Ranch

Sept. 26 vs. Gaither

Oct. 3 vs. Forest

Oct. 10 @ Cypress Creek

Wiregrass Ranch High

Sept. 12 vs. South Sumter

Sept. 19 @ Wesley Chapel

Sept. 26 vs. Sunlake

Oct. 10 vs. Mitchell

I’m not only interested in high school football, but it is the sport most young people are interested in covering. If you want to do a story about any local sporting event or personality, feel free to let me know! Anyone interested should send a resume and one clip (published or not) to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. — GN

STEVEN OLIVER

‘The Hub’

Yes, the wait is finally almost over. The Hub At Lexington, which we first told you about nearly two years ago, is finally almost ready (photo) to unveil this 40,000-sq.-ft. Hub where you can “Sip, Savor & Socialize” on the southwest corner of Wesley Chapel Blvd. and Lexington Oaks Blvd., in front of the Sentosa apartments.

The brother-&-sister partners of Center Connect Development — Paul Bissett and Courtney Bissett-Hayes — expect the first of the 12 announced tenants to begin opening sometime early next year, as the six buildings are now being turned over to those tenants for build-out. Those tenants include nine local and regional restaurants in six buildings and The Clubhouse golf simulation experience and more.

“We don’t like to announce who’s coming to our developments until the tenants are all finalized,” says Bissett-Hayes. “We don’t like having premature announcements or misinformation getting out there until the tenants are committed and we like to keep it fresh in the minds of those in the area since they should be opening within the next several months.”

And, like the super-successful Hub at Bexley, Bissett-Hayes says, “There will be live music Friday and Saturday nights, pop-up markets twice a month and seasonal holiday events that will begin when tenants open for business.”

The Hub at Bexley is anchored by the popular BellaBrava Italian restaurant and will soon add BellaBrava’s sister restaurant, Stillwaters Tavern, on an outparcel of that Hub.

But, despite rumors that either BellaBrava or Stillwaters was coming to The Hub at Lexington, neither one is part of our area’s equally exciting new lineup of food & beverage providers — a couple of which are familiar names to fans of the KRATE at The Grove container park.

The first of those is La Creacion Bistro, which is a sister restaurant to La Creacion Express in the KRATEs, but Bissett-Hayes says the new restaurant will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a completely different menu than what they serve at the KRATEs..

The other locally familiar name is the Brew Bar Self Pour, which will share a space with Urban Crunch Creamery Café.

The Brew Bar/Urban Crunch combo will offer self-pour beer and wine, similar to what the Brew Bar offers at the KRATEs, plus ice cream, açai, coffee and perhaps most important of all, frozen drinks like daiquiris. “It was very important for us to hit this category and

Urban Crunch was selected over two others in this category.”

Urban Crunch has a sister location in nearby Odessa that also serves breakfast and brunch items, but the Urban Crunch at The Hub will not be serving those items.

Another exciting option, with a sister location in the River Hills Plaza in Valrico, is The Landing Bar & Grill, which is where you’ll want to watch all your favorite sports. The Landing in Valrico has a huge menu, with unique appetizer options like Aztec chowder (white bean chicken chili), traditional pierogies, Cajun fish bites and even pizza fries (a large order of fries topped with mozzarella and pepperoni, served with marinara.

Sandwiches include a meatball hoagie, Philly cheesesteak and even a California chicken sandwich. Or, sample entrées like grilled, fried or blackened grouper, salmon or jumbo shrimp dinners, a low-carb grilled chicken dinner with broccoli, plus great salads, wings, pizzas, flatbreads, pastas and much more.

Again, we haven’t seen The Landing’s Hub menu yet, but you know we’ll keep you posted!

Also coming to The Hub at Lexington is The Monk’s Indian Fusion Cuisine, which has a dozen locations in Indiana, Colorado and nine in Texas. This “Desi-Chinese” eatery combines the different flavors of India and China in one location, with a huge variety of samosas, dosas, naan breads and Indian entrées like paneer or chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, a variety of

biryanis and vindaloo options and much more.

Among the Chinese entrées are Sichuan, chilli garlic and Manchurian sauces with gobi (cauliflower), paneer, chicken or shrimp. The other Monk’s locations even have my favorite Indo-Chinese dish — wok-tossed hakka noodles and fried rice with your choice of meat or veggies.

Speaking of Asian cuisine, The Hub at Lexington’s lineup also will include Saigon Pho Wesley Chapel, which has a location called Banh Mi & Boba at The Hub at Bexley. Like Banh Mi, Saigon Pho will feature Vietnamese fare featuring pho noodle soups, grilled plates and banh mi sandwiches.

Still another interesting option is Farmer’s Milk, which is a café and bakery with a sister location in Hollywood, FL, that sells everything from whole cakes, French croissants and Russian sourdough rye breads called borodinsky, plus breakfast items, including syrniki, which are small, pan-fried pancakes made from mild tvorog (aka “Farmer’s”) cheese that are sweet enough to enjoy as a dessert. There also are eggs Benedict and other options. Farmer’s Milk’s website says its menu is “packed with wholesome dishes emphasizing healthy eating and high-quality products.”

But wait, there’s still more! You cinnamon roll fans will flip for Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls, which started in California and today has more than 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada, including one on S. Howard Ave. in South Tampa. The 100% plant-based rolls, plus brownies, cookies and more, are “all made with the highest quality ingredients” and you can custom-design your own rolls with everything from

“Old Skool” vanilla frosting to caramel apple pie frosting and one I will have to try — the “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” with peanut butter frosting, pretzels, banana slices and homemade peanut butter cups. Are you kidding me?

The final restaurant on the list is Island Grill, which is billed as a Caribbean fusion restaurant, but we don’t have any additional info or a logo to show you yet. “They are still finalizing their menu,” Bissett-Hayes says. “But, it will be very authentic because the principal is from the islands.” The hope here is that there will lots of fresh fish and seafood on that menu.

And then there’s the “golf simulation experience” known as The Clubhouse. Although there are multiple such businesses across the country by the same name — some of which are also restaurants and/or sports bars — Bissett-Hayes says this incarnation of The Clubhouse is a start-up entertainment venue unrelated to any others I found online and will not serve its own food or beverages.

“It will have six golf simulators and a putting green,” she says. “Customers will be able to order food and drink from our restaurants to be delivered or brought in while at The Clubhouse.”

The Clubhouse will have some PGA teaching pros who will be offering lessons. So far, it has commitments from local pros at courses like Lake Jovita and Hunter’s Green Country Clubs.

Bissett-Hayes says that The Clubhouse also will be sampling some small merchandise items like balls, gloves and some branded clothing items like golf polos. These are mainly just for fun and if someone needs some balls (although all of the bays will come with balls). Another possible service would be club fittings with whatever club partner they end up using. But, she says, “that

The rendering above, provided by Center Connect Development, shows what The Hub at Lexington will look like when it is completed and open for business.

probably only be once or twice a year and would be more of a partnership with the club maker and the orders would go directly to them.”

The final two tenants already signed up to join The Hub at Lexington are the Lexington Nail Lab and Headlines Barber Shop, both of which have related locations at The Hub At Bexley. Headlines also has nearby locations on County Line Rd. in New Tampa and in The Pointe at Tampa Palms.

For more info about the remaining spaces at The Hub at Lexington, call Courtney Bissett-Hayes at (813) 340-7936.

Attorney Rachel Stevens

Where Are The Villages Of Pasadena Hills & Why Should You Care?

By Gary Nager Research by Joel Provenzano

Over the past several months (and for years before that), we’ve written a lot about Pasco County’s so-called “Connected City,” a “special land use plan” established the State of Florida in 2015 that already is increasing the size of the Wesley Chapel area by thousands of residences and millions of square feet of commercial uses.

But, not only is the Connected City not alone in Pasco in having a special land use plan, there is another such plan — first established in 2008, and implemented by Pasco in 2009, or six years before the state helped Pasco create the Connected City.

This special land use plan is called The Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH), but most Wesley Chapel residents know very little (if anything) about this huge, 20,000+-acre (see top map on this page) land use plan that includes 13 planned villages designated by letters A-M (bottom map).

“Pasadena Hills” is actually its own “Census Designated Place” — with a 2010 population of more than 7,000 people — some of whom are located in Wesley Chapel.

The Wesley Chapel residents in that number live primarily currently in the 1,162 residences in the Watergrass community north and south of Overpass Rd. and east of Curley Rd., but also in the smaller Oak Creek community, which is just south of Watergrass on the Wesley Chapel (west) wide of Handcart Rd.

But, a lot of those current VOPH residents live east of Handcart Rd. in Zephyrhills, including in the communities of Stonebridge, Hidden Creek and Silverado. The northern boundary of VOPH also touches S.R. 52 and includes a portion of San Antonio and extends to south of the incorporated town of St. Leo.

The only community in VOPH that currently has homes being built is Vida’s Way, which we first told you about several months ago. This Pulte Homes community currently has its 305-home Phase 1 in development, with approximately 300 more in Phase 2, in VOPH Villages L&M (near the bottom of the bottom map, right), but there is a lot more to come.

But, Where?

Among the planned communities coming soon to VOPH are two Lennar developments in Village F, one called Twinflowers, with 129 single-family (SF) homes and 60 townhomes, and the other called Acacia Fields, with 204 SF homes. Both of these new subdivisions are located off the existing

Tyndall Rd., which is in the VOPH plan to be expanded and connected from Curley Rd. on the west side and east to Handcart Rd.

Also getting ready to build in Village F is Magnolia Island by Homes by WestBay, on the north side of Kiefer Rd., which also is planned to extend from Curley Rd. to Handcart Rd. Magnolia Island is planned to include 269 SF and 120 townhomes.

Two additional communities are getting ready to build in VOPH.

One is Chapel Manor by KB Homes, which will be 146 SF homes located east of Handcart Rd. in Village G, which will have Zephyrhills addresses.

Also to be located in unincorporated Zephyrhills will be Pasadena Ridge, by Homes by WestBay, which will build another 579 SF homes in Villages G&H.

In all, that makes 2,112 home sites to be added in VOPH in the near future and all of these new communities — except Phase 1 of Vida’s Way — were just finalized over the summer. Many more communities are being proposed and/or are going through the permitting phase in VOPH, which has entitlements for 41,987 total residential units, 2,260,000 sq. ft. of commercial entitlements and 500,000 sq. ft. of office entitlements. Among those additional developments are:

Harvest Hills South, which is located in Village H, is proposed to include around 300 homes, both SF and townhomes, near Prospect and Handcart Rds.

Depue East MPUD, located in Village L, is planned for 931 acres and could include up to 1,700 single-family homes, 300 townhomes, 300 apartments, and 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial space.

There also is an as-yet-unnamed MPUD proposed for Villages J, K, & G, involving 614 residential units, including 175 townhomes and SF homes, located between Kiefer Rd. and Overpass Rd., west of Handcart Rd.

There also was a rezoning last year in Village B, with plans for 796 dwelling units and 75,000 square feet of non-residential use to be developed on 101 acres of property, but we had no further word on when this possibly community might begin building.

We weren’t able to get confirmation of all of these planned developments from District 1 Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district includes all of VOPH, so we can’t say for sure which are only proposed and which are for certain moving forward.

All of the potential residential and commercial developments are expected to be divided up among all 13

The map above shows the outline of the 20,000+-acre Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) & the approximate, relative positions of Epperson, Mirada, Oak Creek, unincorporated Zephyrhills & more. This is a portion of the Pasco County GIS map, which was modified by NN, as we also added clearer labels for S.R. 54, Overpass Rd., Curley Rd. & Kiefer Rd. This map is also somewhat dated, however, because it doesn’t show the reconfiguration of S.R. 52, although that reconfiguration is shown in the map on pg. 8. Please also note that the locations of all markings added by NN are approximate and are not to scale.

The map below shows VOPH’s 13 distinct “Villages” (lettered A-M), as well as the area with purple lines designated as “Countryside Area.” The under-development community called Vida’s Way will encompass parts of Villages L&M near the bottom of both maps.

CurleyRd.

Overpass Rd.

VILLAGES OF PASADENA HILLS

VIDA’S WAY

EPPERSON

MIRADA

WATERGRASS OAK CREEK

Kiefer Rd.

Continued from pg. 6

total residential unit entitlements and 960,000 sq. ft. of commercial and office entitlements between them, the Type 2A villages contain all of the remaining office and much of the remaining commercial entitlements not included in the Type 1 villages.

Type 2B — Villages B,F,H,L&M — With 17,621 residential unit entitlements and 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial entitlements between them, the Type 2B villages contain most of the remaining commercial entitlements not included in the Type 1 and Type 2A villages.

Type 3 — Villages E&K — With 3,820 residential unit entitlements and 80,000 sq. ft. of commercial entitlements between them, the Type 3 villages only contain “neighborhood commercial” entitlements.

It’s also important to note that roughly 1/3 of VOPH (7,000+ acres) is to be retained and designated as a “Countryside Area,” which is land that will be required to remain rural in character, and cannot be redeveloped in any substantial way. This “Countryside” area is indicated by the purple slashes on the bottom map on pg. 6 that extend from the eastern end of Village I north to the east side of Village A, all in unincorporated Zephyrhills. But again, this is the plan. It remains to be seen if Pasco will allow the plan to be altered.

But, Can It All Work?

If you read (as I have) the entire 50-page document serving as the “blueprint” for the development of VOPH, it’s clear that the intent

of the state and county when this special land use plan was established was to create something better than the typical Pasco County community — one with multiple modes of transportation, walkability and lots of parks and green spaces, including a planned 140+-acre “Superpark” that, as it turns out (as we reported in a previous issue) probably isn’t going to end up as a major park site, due to issues with the property set aside for it.

According to that document, the goal of the Pasadena Hills Area Plan is to “Establish a long-term vision for the future of Pasco County that will enhance the livability of the Pasadena Hills area and that will integrate Future Land Use plans and policies with a master transportation network” in a manner that will provide:

• A “smart growth” approach to accommodate additional growth and new development in a sustainable form.

• Long-term mobility.

• A logical extension of urban uses that successfully transitions to existing patterns of rural development.

• The capital construction of services and facilities to serve the new land use form.

The document also talks about the “Planning Framework” that Pasco is supposed to employ “to create a planning framework and implementation strategy that will enhance the livability of Pasco County and preserve its natural, cultural, and physical resources.

Among the planning principles described in the plan are:

• Plan for the logical extension of urban development in a more sustainable form.

• Provide for a variety of land uses and

lifestyles to support residents of diverse ages, incomes, and family sizes, including housing that is affordable to residents of Pasco County.

• Reduce automobile trips and trip lengths.

• Create efficiency in planning and provision of infrastructure.

• Allocate development costs appropriately.

• Preserve and protect existing rural enclaves.

• Preserve and protect areas that exhibit existing patterns of rural development along Fort King Road.

• Preserve environmental systems and functional open spaces. That all sounds great on paper, but the fear here, as it always seems to be in Pasco County, is that the people who own the land — with many of the families of

Map source: Pasco County

2065 Future Transportation Map for VOPH

having owned their land for

— will be incentivized, whether by the county, developers or (usually) both, to abandon the very clear principles set out in the VOPH blueprint in order to maximize profitability for the property owners and tax base for the county. Considering just how rural the vast majority of the property in VOPH currently is, it’s kind of hard to imagine any type of “Urban Core” anywhere in those thousands of acres, much less one that will be served by an actual working roadway network — especially based on how overrun with traffic the roadways serving most of the existing master-planned communities throughout the county seem to be.

In the 2065 Future Transportation Map shown above, the roadways in orange — which include Curley Rd., Overpass Rd., U.S. Hwy. 301 and most of Clinton Ave./S.R. 52 are all planned to be expanded to six lanes. The roadways in blue — including New River Blvd., Kiefer Rd., what we have been calling the Zephyrhills Bypass (which currently ends at the eastern end of the Chapel Commons community), Handcart Rd. and the eastward extension of Eiland Blvd. (from east of Handcart Rd.) are all planned to be four-laned. And, all of the roadways shown in purple on this map — some of which already exist in some form while others don’t at all yet — are all planned as two-lane roadways criss-crossing VOPH.

Speaking of those improvements, final plans were recently completed by the county to extend Handcart Rd north from where it currently ends at Prospect Rd, thru Villages C & D, to connect up to SR 52. This extension will serve as a primary backbone for the proposed commu-

nity of Harvest Hills (mentioned on pg. 6).

Of course, all of these improvements are planned by 2065 — 40 years from now — and while many of the planned two-lane roadways are likely to be developer-built roads, we have no way of knowing how soon any of these improvements will be in place.

All those of you who live in Epperson, Watergrass, Bridgewater, Chapel Pines, Chapel Crossings, etc., or have kids attending any of the schools along Curley Rd. or on Wells Rd. know is that the traffic on Curley Rd. and S.R. 54 already is brutal and isn’t likely to get better anytime soon.

And, speaking of schools, while Metro Development told us for our previous story that the Kirkland Ranch K-8 School, the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation high school and the Innovation Preparatory Academy K-8 school are all located just inside the border of the Connected City, they all appear to be in VOPH, as is Watergrass Elementary (as well as the future Pasco Public Library in Watergrass.

And, although the VOPH “special land use plan” calls for as many as seven school sites within the VOPH boundaries — and we’re assuming the four previously mentioned schools are part of that total, since the pan was originally approved 16 years ago — only one additional school site has so far been proposed in VOPH.

That proposed school, which was only added to the Pasco School District’s plan in June of this year, is at the very northern tip of Village B, at S.R. 52 in San Antonio. Whether that school will be an elementary, middle or high school or a K-8 school has not yet been determined.

To be continued.

Wesley Chapel’s Sienna Romano Takes Her Platform To National American Miss Finals

By Gary Nager

Wesley Chapel resident Sienna Romano is proud to have won the title of Miss Florida in the state National American Miss (NAM) pageant on July 27, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando hotel.

Winning the state crown means that Sienna advances to the NAM National Finals, which will be held the weekend of Thanksgiving, at the same Orlando hotel. The NAM winner will receive her crown on Nov. 30. Sienna says she is hoping to win, not as much for the money (a $5,000 scholarship), the “swag” she’ll win or even the glory, but to continue to be able to help others, which has always been her focus.

“So, unlike Miss America or Miss USA, National American Miss focuses on more than just beauty or talent,” she says. “It’s got a community- service focus and I’ve been doing community service and volunteering my whole life. I believe that makes me a good role model for other girls to get into community service, too.”

In fact, 20-year-old Sienna says, “I have my own initiative called Hope on Hand, where I create and sell suicide awareness bracelets, and I’m trying to take my initiative across the state currently, and hopefully, eventually, across the nation.”

Why suicide awareness? “My best friend, Melissa, committed suicide as a teenager and I had no idea what she was going through,” Sienna says. “That’s what I’m trying to educate others about. The people who are hurting the most on the inside are often the ones who look

About The National American Miss (NAM) Pageant

First held in 2003, the National American Miss Pageant is not related to the older Miss America or Miss USA pageants. According to its website, “Our goal is to Grow Confidence and teach Real World Skills.” Check out some of these amazing things about the National American Miss (NAM) Pageant!

• NAM is a program based on the foundational principle of fostering positive self-image by enhancing natural beauty within.

• National American Miss is a program designed for today’s girl and woman. We celebrate America’s greatness and the individuality of each contestant.

• It is a program centered around helping girls and women grow and expand their ideas about who they are and what they want to achieve. We want every contestant to realize that she truly can take hold of her dreams and make them real!

• National American Miss has friendly staff members who will guide you throughout your pageant experience. Each and every team member is committed to opening doors of opportunity for girls that aren’t available anywhere else.

• Our concert-level sound and lighting is unsurpassed! You will be proud to invite your family and friends to rally around and support you on pageant weekend.

• We are a program that teaches valuable skills that will give you a competitive edge to succeed in whatever fields you may choose.

• Age Group Divisions: NAM Princess (ages 4-6), NAM Jr. Pre-Teen (7-9), NAM PreTeen (10-12), NAM Jr. Teen (13-15), NAM (16-18), NAM (19-24), NAM Elite (25-39)

the happiest on the outside. And, this is a huge problem across the country with teenagers, and it’s only gotten worse with [the growth of] social media.”

Sienna also says she started her community service efforts at a young age.

“When I was really young, me and my mom used to do care packages for the homeless, and we used to hand those out around the city,” she says. “And then, I also volunteered for Sole Hope. You collect donated jeans and you cut

out templates for the upper portions of shoes that are donated to children in need,” to provide them with much-needed protection against parasitic foot diseases. “I believe I was in second grade when I volunteered for that charity.” She also volunteered for Cat Haven Rescue, which finds loving homes for unwanted, abandoned and abused cats and kittens.

Sienna says that it took her “about three years” after Melissa committed suicide for her to create Hope on Hand, which is when she

Sienna (left) receives her NAM Miss Florida crown from the 2024 winner, Linsay Anderson. (Photos provided by Sienna Romano)

started entering pageants last year. “I connect with people and share my best friend’s story and I sell my bracelets and learn other people’s stories,” she says. “I also will be volunteering at a suicide prevention run later this month.”

She was born in North Carolina, but moved

to Wesley Chapel with her family in 2016. “I say I was raised in both North Carolina and Wesley Chapel,” she says. She attended John Long Middle School and graduated high school from Wiregrass Ranch High.

Her mom and dad, Linda and Damian, and her sisters Olivia, Ava and Liah, are all “so proud of me. They all cheered so loud when I won!”

Sienna says she will attend the University of South Florida in St. Pete and plans to major in criminology. “I want to be a criminal psychologist,” she says, “because I know a lot of criminals have mental health issues, so I really want to learn about that kind of stuff.”

She’s also hopeful to win the NAM National title, “and travel around the country, spreading the word and educating other people about suicide prevention and awareness.”

And, although the National Finals are also in Orlando, Sienna says that only her ticket to the event is paid for, so she is seeking sponsorships to pay for the other expenses associated with her trip.

If you’re interested in helping out, send Sienna a message on her pageant Instagram: @TheNAMFLMiss.

APEX Internal Medicine of Tampa

The Office of Mukesh Satodiya, M.D. A local Internal Medicine Physician with more than 15 Years of Clinical Experience Services We Provide & Conditions We Treat:

OPEN HOURS: Mon-Fri, 8 am -5 pm; EVENING Appointments available on selected days • Annual Physical Exams

Diabetes Care

High Blood Pressure

Accepting:

Now With Two Locations To Serve Your Better!

New Tampa: 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D, New Tampa, FL 33647

Wesley Chapel: 30794 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 www.ApexImt.com

To make an appointment at either office, call 813.725.4983

Teachers, Staff, Parents & Students Applaud New Electronics Policy

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

A new state law in use for the first time for the 2025-26 school year says students can’t use cell phones or any wireless devices during the school day. And so far, it looks like school administrators, teachers, parents and maybe even students in the Wesley Chapel area are glad for the change.

“I don’t want to jinx myself,” says Cypress Creek Middle School principal Tim Light, “but I haven’t gotten any pushback.”

He says students have been respectful, and it’s nice to see that they don’t have earbuds in as they’re walking around school. Teachers don’t mind that they have to use school technology, such as laptop computers, rather than students using their own phones for technology-based learning.

Next door at Cypress Creek High, principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles agrees that not having the students wearing headphones is positive for campus culture. “They’re talking to each other and talking to us adults,” Hetzler-Nettles says. “It makes them more communicative.”

Where students may have been in their own headspaces listening to music before, she explains that now they are smiling and saying “Good morning” in a friendly way.

At the high school level, students are allowed to use their phones during lunch, which Hetzler-Nettles says comes toward the end of the day, and she feels is a fair use of personal devices.

Other than at lunch time, high school stu-

“Years ago, the majority of our discipline was [dealing with] students on phones,” he says.

But now, he explains, there are no students texting each other in a way that causes problems or pulling out phones to shoot video when fights break out.

Even with the stricter rules on kindergarten through eighth grade campuses, where phones aren’t allowed at all — even during lunch — Light thinks the new policy is working well.

“They are able to focus on school and personal, face-to-face relationships,” he says. “Overall student discipline and how students are carrying themselves conduct-wise has changed dramatically for the positive.”

dents have to have their phones off or in airplane mode from the time they arrive on campus until dismissal, including passing periods.

“Parents want their kids to come here and learn,” she says, “and not have all the distractions. We’re all on the same page.”

Kelly Grills is a parent who agrees. A former Pasco County elementary teacher, she says she loved it when the Pasco School District started adding restrictions on the phones a few years ago.

“It’s a huge win for teachers,” she says.

“There were so many distractions and issues with [students on their] phones.”

Grills’ three children now attend middle and high school.

“My own children carry them in their backpacks,” she says, explaining that she uses a tracking app, especially for her youngest, who rides his bike to and from school.

Light agrees the distractions have been limited by the policies the District has enacted over the years.

Due to a new state law implemented for the start of the 2025-26 school year, students in grades K-8 can no longer be on their phones during school and high school students can only use their phones at lunch time.

(Photo is a stock image not taken at a Pasco County School District school)

‘Homes For Our Troops’ Also Hosts Its Volunteer Day For Sgt. Quincy Lopez!

Two weeks after Homes for our Troops (HFOT) held its Volunteer Day for former Marine Sgt. Christopher Lawrence (as we told you last issue), as many as 150 volunteers showed up to help lay sod and plant dozens more plants at the future home of former Army Sgt. Quincy Lopez in a different part of Wesley Chapel.

Sgt. Lopez also lost his right leg to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast while on patrol in Iraq in 2006. And, like Sgt. Lawrence, Sgt. Lopez, who is a native New Yorker, chose to live in Wesley Chapel because of the weather and the area’s proximity to the Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa.

Sgt. Lopez, his son Warren and their dog Skye (photos on this page) are excited to move into their specially-designed home by Kent Custom Homes on Country Club Rd., which

will happen on Saturday, September 6, 9 a.m., in a joint “Key Ceremony” that will begin at Sgt. Lawrence’s home on Steeplechase Rd. Although both injured home recipients already raised an HFOT flag at their homes, those will be joined by an American flag-raising ceremony on Sept. 6.

After being introduced by HFOT community engagement coordinator Krystina Goroshko, Retired Army Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, the president & CEO of HFOT, first talked about HFOT’s mission to help severely injured veterans rebuild their lives with customdesigned homes — which will approach 500 in 46 states by next year — and thanked all of the volunteers for coming out to help before turning over the mic to Sgt. Lopez.

“This gives me a lot of independence back,”

Sgt. Lopez said. “Having a home that’s adaptable allows me to cook and clean, move around and take a shower without assistance. It helps me to be a better father, a better community member and I’m so excited to be a part of this community. A lot of people say their communities are the best, but as welcoming as Wesley Chapel has been, I think you guys outrank a lot. You’ve accepted a lot of us [injured vets] into your community and you’re the reason why we sacrificed. I’m just extremely honored and thankful to all of you. I really appreciate you guys.”

Nathan Pratt, the same partner from Kent Custom Homes who spoke at Sgt. Lawrence’s Volunteer Day two weeks earlier, also gave the instructions to the volunteers doing the landscaping at this home and also thanked Sgt. Lopez for his service. To make a donation or for more info about HFOT, visit hfotusa.org or call (866) 787-6877. — GN

take a moment for a photo in front of their Kent Custom Homes/HFOT home.

You think Skye is excited about her new yard? (Next page, clockwise from top left) HFOT community engagement coordinator Krystina Goroshko & HFOT president & CEO Gen. Ton Landwermeyer both had words of praise for Sgt. Lopez. Future HFOT home recipient & injured Army SPC Adam Morris helps out by carrying a big load of mulch. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes, it takes an army of volunteers to lay sod & landscape a custom-designed home for a severely injured veteran. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

(Above, l.-r.) Skye, Sgt. Quincy Lopez & his son Warren

(Left)

Upcoming Events — Free Sports Physicals, ‘Pasco 2050,’ Music

Wednesday, September 3, 12:45 p.m.1:45 p.m. – BayCare Doctor Talk – Kidney Stones. At New Tampa YMCA (16221 Compton Dr.). Join Dr. Daniel Heidenberg for an insightful discussion on kidney stones, covering treatments, technologies and prevention strategies. Free to attend, but registration is requested. For more info and to register call 1-800-BayCare or visit BayCareEvents.org.

Wednesday, September 3, 6 p.m.-11:00 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Networking Night with the Rays. At Steinbrenner Field (1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa). Network with Chamber of Commerce members as the Rays take on the Seattle Mariners. Ticket purchase offers access to the Budweiser First Base Rooftop with complimentary food and beverages. Tuesday, September 2 at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline to purchase tickets. Tickets $50. For more info, contact Group Sales at (727) 825-3406 or GroupSales@RaysBaseball.com or to purchase tickets visit gofevo.com/event/ 2025chamberevent.

The Kumba Dancers & Drummers from Busch Gardens were among the highlights of last year’s New Tampa Arts Festival, which returns to the New Tampa Performing Arts Center Fri.-Sun., Sept. 12-14

For Kids, Theatre & More

with dozens of local organizations dedicated to helping seniors and their families in North Tampa and surrounding communities. Free health screenings. There will be refreshments, prizes and giveaways. Free to attend. For more information and to pre-register, visit SeniorExpoUSA. com/2025-north-tampa.html.

Saturday, September 6, 9 a.m. – Homes For our Troops Key Ceremonies For Sgt. Christopher Lawrence & Sgt. Quincy Lopez. At 3475 Steeplechase Rd., Wesley Chapel (Sgt. Lawrence) & at 6358 Country Club Rd., Wesley Chapel (Sgt. Lopez). These HFOT key ceremonies will be held one after the other. Come wish these injured vets well as they each receive the keys to their new homes! For more details, see the story on pg. 14.

Cutting. At Mindful Elevation (2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Ste. 102D, Wesley Chapel). Join Dr. Jacqueline Nelms for the Mindful Elevation Ribbon Cutting. Light refreshments will be served. There will be special discounts and a free gift. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com.events.

Friday, September 12, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. – Health Screening & Education with BayCare. At New River Library (34043 State Rd. 54). There will be health screenings for blood pressure, lipids, BMI and diabetes, and information and prevention education with BayCare. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 788-6375 or visit pascolibraries.libnet. info/event/14200072.

Friday, September 5, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Leading Ladies Network. At USF Credit Union (20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Conference Room). The Leading Ladies Network is a chamber-driven meeting that aims to empower and support women in various fields. This month’s presenter is Gillian Guadagnino, USF Associate Director of Development for Athletics, on the topic of Empowering Female-Student Athletes – Stampede for Women. $15 to attend. For more info or to register, call (813) 994-8534 or visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com.events.

Friday, September 5, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. –North Tampa Senior Expo. At The Venetian Event Center (9724 Cross Creek Blvd.). Connect

Monday, September 8, 7 a.m. – In Their Honor: September 11, 2001 & Operation Enduring Freedom – Never Forget. At St. Leo University Wellness Center (12338 Priory Cir., San Antonio). The event begins with a 5K run, followed by a complimentary continental breakfast. The morning culminates in a poignant September 11 Memorial Event. 5K Registration for the 5K run costs $40, but the Memorial Event is free to attend, although pre-registration is requested. For more info and to register, visit Zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/in-their-honor-september-11th-2001-operation-enduring-freedom-never-forget.

Thursday, September 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon

Friday-Sunday, September 12-14, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday & ending at 9 p.m. on Sunday — 2025 New Tampa Arts Festival. At the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Help kick off the upcoming 2025-26 season with a weekend full of free activities and performances by Tampa Bay artists across music, theater, dance comedy and more. Free to attend.

For more info, call (813) 829-2760 or visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.

Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Maker’s Market. At Oak & Honey Vintage (35720 S.R. 54). This fall maker’s market features some of the top artisans in our

(NN archive photo by Charmaine George)

local community. For more info, call (813) 701-8090.

Tuesday, September 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. –North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon Cutting. At The Performance Lab (6920 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa). The Performance Lab (TPL), a groundbreaking 25,000 sq. ft. medical and performance center dedicated to musculoskeletal and brain health, is proud to celebrate its official launch. Participate in a fireside chat with our physicians, take a facility tour and meet the team. There will be a light brunch, refreshments and a live DJ. Free to attend, but please RSVP. For more info and to RSVP, email LKing@TPLTampa.com.

Tuesday, September 16, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. – Marvel Comic Workshop. At New River Library (34043 State Rd. 54). Learn how a comic book is made from beginning to end with a live drawing demonstration and workshop for all ages from Marvel artist Jerry DeCaire. Known for illustrating Deadpool, Wolverine, Thor and other famous superheroes, Mr. DeCaire will show how a comic book is made from beginning to end with a live drawing demonstration and workshop for all ages. Free to attend but please pre-register. For more info and to register, call (813) 788-6375 or visit pascolibraries.libnet.info/event/14325622.

Wednesday, September 17, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Coffee Social. At Spinner Law Firm (2418 Cypress Glen Dr.). Wake up and join your fellow chamber members for your morning brew and networking. Free to attend. For more info, call (813)

994-8534 or visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com.events.

Wednesday, September 24, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Economic Development Briefing. At Pasco Hernando State College, Porter Campus (2727 Mansfield Blvd., Conference Center, 3rd Floor). Tampa’s Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has been providing care to the children of the greater Tampa Bay area for almost 100 years. In order to bring expert care closer to home for many children, for the first time, a brand new pediatric acute care hospital will open in Wesley Chapel. Join the Chamber for an intriguing discussion about a myriad of topics with our panel members: Justin Olsen, COO & Joseph Perno, M.D., VP of Medical Affairs - at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; Teresa Campbell, architect & principal in charge, HKS Architects; and Bryan Durkin, operations manager, Robins & Morton. The cost to attend this event is $25.

For more info or to pre-register, call (813) 994-8534 or visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com.events.

Sunday, September 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. –Auto & Truck Showcase 2025. 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 sit-down dining. Free to attend.

For more info, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com/event/the-shops-at-wiregrass-autoand-truck-showcase-2025/2145584570.

New Tampa’s Vasil Kirkov Plays At Wimbledon; Is US Open Next?

In the 31 years I’ve owned this publication, I can’t recall having actually interviewed any kid raised in New Tampa who played at Wimbledon — the oldest and most prestigious professional tennis tournament in the world.

But now, I can’t say that anymore, as Bulgaria-born Vasil Kirkov, 26, who has been raised in New Tampa since he was nine, played Men’s Doubles at Wimbledon with his partner Bart Stevens from The Netherlands.

The unseeded duo lost in straight sets (67[6-8], 4-6), in the first round in July at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London — to the #5-seeded doubles team of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. The British duo ended up winning the entire tournament — becoming the first all-English pair from the host country to win the Men’s Doubles title at Wimbledon in 89 years — and lost only one set along the way.

“We definitely gave them as tough a match as anybody,” Vasil says. “We even took them to a tiebreaker in the first set. So, even though we ended up losing, I thought we played very well.”

Very well indeed for a team that only made it into the Wimbledon draw as the third alternate and had to wait for a call that said they were going to compete there. Even with that loss, however, Vasil is now ranked a career-high #78 in the world as a doubles player (Stevens is #74) and since Wimbledon, the pair made it to the Finals of the ATP Challenger Tour tournament in Hagen, Denmark, earlier this month.

Vasil says that he started his tennis “career” on “the courts in Hunter’s Green. I can still

remember the first time I hit on Court 3 with my brother Kiril (who ended his tennis career after playing in college).”

Depending upon which surface his next tournament will be played on (clay or hard-court), Vasil continues to practice when he’s in town at the courts at either Arbor Greene or Hunter’s Green.

He also admits that his mom Tanya used to beat him “until I was 11 years old, so she definitely played her part in this.” He credits his father Stoyan as his self-taught coach, even though Stoyan was never a high-level player himself.

Now standing 6’-1” tall, Vasil says he was home-schooled beginning with the seventh grade — after attending Benito Middle School on Cross Creek Blvd. for 6th grade. “I was playing tournaments all over and traveling too much to continue to attend school,” he says. “I had a lot of success in junior tournaments.”

(Above) New Tampa-raised pro tennis player Vasil Kirkov (no hat) shakes hands with Julian Cash after Vasil & partner Brad Stevens (right) lost in two tough sets to Cash & partner Lloyd Glasspool in the 1st round at Wimbledon., who ended up winning the tournament. (Photos provided by Stoyan Kirkov)

So much success, in fact, that he says he was “always ranked in the top five of my class [nationally] when I was 18.” In fact, at the 2017 French Open on clay in Paris, France, Vasil and his then-partner Danny Thomas made it to the finals, but were defeated in straight sets (4-6, 4-6) by the team of Nicola Kuhn and Zsombor Piros.

And, even though he had offers from a number of Division I NCAA tennis programs, Vasil decided to turn pro. “That was more than eight years ago,” he says, “Looking back on that decision, it would have been nice to have that college

experience, but I’m happy with my decision.”

He started out playing both singles and doubles as a pro, but injuries kept him from ever rising above the #439 in the world singles ranking he achieved in 2021. For his career, Vasil has won 10 ATP Challenger Tour and eight ITF doubles titles. He began partnering with Stevens in Oct. 2024 and, at our press time, the pair had a decent career match record together of 244 wins and 180 losses. Kirkov’s career pro tennis earnings recently surpassed $200,000.

“We know what we have to do in order to be successful,” Vasil says. “So, that’s what we’re focused on; not just the outcome.”

On To The US Open?

Armed with his highest-ever doubles ranking and very good recent results, Vasil says he and Stevens are now hoping to get into the 64-team Men’s Doubles bracket at the 2025 US Open.

“Nothing’s guaranteed right now,” he said at our press time. “We won’t get in just based on our rankings, but we’re hopeful to have a similar situation to Wimbledon and get the call.”

If they do get into the draw, Stoyan says Vasil is seeking local sponsorships for the US Open.

If your business could benefit from having your name and/or logo seen by a world-wide TV audience, call Stoyan at (813) 841-8014 or email K1tennis@yahoo.com. — GN

Are You Being Treated for Heart Failure (HF)?

Put a whole team behind you!

Our clinical trial is looking for a better way to treat people with heart failure. Join us today. This investigational treatment option combines an investigational medication with an approved medication for HF. All participants will also continue to receive their standard-of-care treatment for HF and will have regular trial site visits to check on their health. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IF YOU:

1. are 18 years of age or older

2. have been diagnosed with chronic HF for at least 3 months

3. are already receiving treatment for your HF.

There will be no cost to you for the trial-related medications, health assessments, and medical tests. This trial has been reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Committee (EC), which protects the rights, safety, and well-being of participants.

For more information, please contact Cozy Research: Call us at: (813) 922-2115 or Email: Ryan@cozyresearch.com

Ever Wish You Could Afford to Have an IT Department for Your Business?

What if we told you that you can?!?

Imagine having a dedicated IT team, located just around the corner, at a fraction of the cost of hiring even one IT professional!

Is Your Business Ready for 2025?

Contact your neighbors at My Tampa IT & let’s discuss your Tech Support, Cybersecurity & Compliance needs!

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation. (813) 513-9849 www.mytampait.com

‘The Music Man’ Is The Latest Triumph For The New Tampa Players!

I will readily admit that among the dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals that I saw during my years of living in New York, “The Music Man” was never one of my favorites. But, I only ever saw the hit 1962 movie starring Robert Preston as the conniving Prof. Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as the lovely librarian/music teacher Marian Paroo — although I was in the show’s (barbershop) “Quartet” in my high school’s performance of the classic Tony Award-winning hit.

I thought the story of Hill, the traveling salesman/con man, and his duping of a town full of weird and often stupid characters, created by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, was just too dated and not as much fun as some others.

But honestly, to me, the New Tampa Players’ (NTP) production of “The Music Man” at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center was better than the movie. And apparently, I wasn’t alone. All of the people sitting around Jannah and me raved

about the talented cast and their beautiful singing voices, the sets, the costumes and the 15-piece orchestra — the largest ever for an NTP production — under the musical direction of the great G. Frank Meekins. I hope director Angel Borths, choreographer Tatiana Eriksen, costume designers Shelley Giles, Heather Cleveland, Travy Stemm and Dave Giles and production manager (and NTP producing artistic director) Nora Paine and the entire cast and crew are proud. This also was the first NTP show I’ve seen with sign language interpreters (middle right photo)!

The amazing Melanie Bierweiler was correctly sassy as Marian (and did a fantastic job singing “Goodnight My Someone” and “Till There Was You”) and David Groomes didn’t disappoint in the demanding role of Prof. Hill on “Ya Got Trouble,” “76 Trombones” and with Melanie on “Till There Was You.” The “Quartet” of Chase Reeder, Michael Bonassar, Jacey Squires and James Cass hit every note of every song, including on “Lida Rose.”

Neil Bleiweiss provided great comic relief as Mayor Shinn and Becky

Groomes correctly “overacted” as his zany wife Eulalie. Talented youngsters Nora Duffy as Amaryllis (who sang like a songbird in duet with Melanie on “Goodnight My Someone”) and Luke Adams as Marian’s lisping brother Winthrop (who sang to the back of the theater on “Gary, Indiana”) showed that NTP has a bright future ahead. And, Debbie Scourtes brought a lot of verve to the role of Marian’s widowed mother Mrs. Paroo, who is trying to keep her daughter from becoming an old spinster. You could just hear the audience hissing at the show’s one villain, Charlie Cowell (played to perfection by Stephon Mikell), and Jaden Figueroa and Chloe Tort were great as the young “troublemaker” Tommy Djilas and Zaneeta Shinn (“Ye

Gawd!”), respectively.

The largest cast I’ve ever seen in an NTP production also included the super-fun and funny Pick-A-Little Ladies (Lena Wigfall, Suzann Humara, Christy Adams and Chelsea Keith), plus nearly 20 “ensemble” players young and old (including the super adorable extra-young’ns Mars Wolfe Bonassar and Elliott LeFloch).

But, I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I didn’t say that Gabriel Martin White as Hill’s buddy and fellow con man Marcellus Washburn was this show’s scene stealer. He got laughs — calling Hill by his real first name (“Greg”) throughout — and he brought to mind the young Dick Van Dyke in “Mary Poppins” with his expressive face and high-flying, elastic-legged dancing. My pics did him no justice!

Great job, one & all!

Up next for NTP are another classic musical — “Oklahoma” — in October, and “The Sponge Bob Musical” (yes, really) in January. Auditions for both shows have already been held (although volunteers to help with both productions are still needed), so look for announcements about when tickets go on sale in these pages and at NewTampaPlayers.org. — GN

Cypress Glen Professional Park 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (off S.R. 56 near I-75)

CITY Furniture Begins Construction, Home2 Suites Is Planned North Of 56

We first told you back in 2023 that CITY Furniture was planning to build a 120,000-sq.-ft. showroom on a 400,000-sq.-ft. (8.92-acre) parcel valued at $3.774 million, across S.R. 56 from the Tampa Premium Outlets, near the Floor & Decor store (see map).

Well, the site work for CITY Furniture recently began (photo below; the Silversaw Apartments are in the background) and Maitland, FL-based Miller Construction Co., is doing the construction. We’ll keep you posted as CITY Furniture gets closer to completion and its opening.

To the east of the latest furniture store planned to open in the Wesley Chapel area

will be the Home2 Suites by Hilton - Wesley Chapel hotel that will be developed by Impact Properties, the same group that built and still owns the nearly adjacent Hyatt Place Tampa Wesley Chapel hotel (see story on pg. 50).

Although we don’t know when the construction of the 103-room, five-story, 66,913-sq.-ft. Home2 Suites is expected to begin, the last update we received said it was expected to open sometime in 2026.

An interesting thing about the hotel is that it will be constructed on only a two-acre site (less than 1/4 the size of the CITY Furniture site), valued at $1.112 million. — GN, with research by Joel Provenzano

Storage Facilities In & Near Zip Code 33647 (New Tampa)

Name Address (Year Opened)

Extra Space 20315 Trout Creek Dr. 33647 (2018)

Extra Space 17231 Doña Michelle Dr. 33647 (2001)

Square Footage of All Facilities 474,860

Meanwhile...In New Tampa

We told you last issue about all of the storage facilities in Wesley Chapel, but we didn’t tell you how many of these facilities our neighbors to our south in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code have.

The answer is “less.” There are “only” six storage facilities in and adjacent to zip code 33647 (see chart above) — and all but one of them were built before 2007. And, only the newest such location — the Extra Space Storage facility on Trout Creek Dr. (off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., behind the Christian Brothers Automotive Center; photo) — which was built in 2018, is more than 80,000 square feet in size.

The six New Tampa-area self-storage locations total 474,860 sq. ft. — or way less than half the total square footage located in and near Wesley Chapel — and with New Tampa’s total population of around 80,000 people, there is only about 4.5 sq. ft. of storage per capita.

However, with only the K-Bar Ranch Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) still growing in zip code 33647, whether or not any additional facilities will be built in New Tampa remains to be seen. At our press time, we did not know the occupancy rates of any of these facilities. — GN, with research by JP

News Briefs — Rep. Lee & Atty. Ron Weaver Speak!

Congresswoman Lee At 2&2

On Aug. 10, District 15 U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Brandon) made a speaking appearance at the 2&2 Restaurant (located at 33835 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel) owned by Kruth (Kurt) and his wife Suzie Sombutmai (photo below).

At the speaking engagement, which also was supported and attended by the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Congresswoman Lee made it clear that she believes the “Big Beautiful Bill” recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump, “will definitely help small businesses and seniors,” even though the law’s detractors say that it favors large corporations and billionaires and will cut funds for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Lee’s district also includes all of New Tampa and she has an office in Tampa Palms. The former Hillsborough Circuit Judge and Florida Secretary of State said that even though the Hillsborough portion of her district leans “more blue

than red,” she is able to “reach across the aisle” and work with Democrats “whenever necessary,” such as the bill she co-sponsored with Dist. 14 Rep. Kathy Castor to fight human trafficking.

Ron Weaver At Chamber Breakfast

Speaking of speaking engagements, retired land use & zoning attorney Ron Weaver (with mic in photo, right), formerly with the Tampabased firm of Stearns Weaver Miller, was the featured speaker at the Aug. 5 North Tampa Bay Chamber Business Breakfast held at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Weaver, showed off his encyclopedic knowledge of how both Hillsborough and Pasco counties developed. He began his presentation with an attention-grabbing look at some of the famous Tampa Bay-area “nudists,” because, he said, “Since 1941, we have been the nudist capital of the world.” He mentioned actress Lauren

Hutton, actor Channing Tatum and pro wrestler/ actor John Cena, all of whom have done nude scenes on film, as among our area’s nudists.

Weaver also talked about how both Hillsborough and Pasco counties were named for British citizens. For example, Wills Hill, the 1st Earl of (or “Lord”) Hillsborough, was the Secretary of State for the Colonies prior to the American Revolution. Weaver said Lord Hillsborough actually caused the Revolutionary War by ignoring the protests of the Colonists.

More than 100 years later, Samuel Pasco, who also was born in London but attended Harvard University “across the pond,” was recruited to help expand education opportunities in north Florida and ended up having a county spun off from Hernando County named for him after he served as Florida’s Speaker of the House. — GN

Michael Butash

New Tampa Palms Apartments — Luxury Living, Larger Spaces & Great Amenities

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

Now that New Tampa Palms Luxury Apart ment Homes has been open about 18 months, property manager Isabella Tamochunas says the people are moving in and hardly ever move out.

“Typically, people only move out if they buy a house,” she says.

That’s because the tenants renting these spacious apartment homes — the largest are more than 1,500 square feet — love the beautiful views, quiet lifestyle and abundant amenities.

“Our newest amenities are a playground and outdoor fitness center by our gorgeous lake, and a walking trail right next to it,” Isabella says. “We have a dog park by the lake with a pretty view, too.” The lake also has a recently-installed grill and picnic table.

Isabella says residents also love the resort-style saltwater pool with a sundeck, veranda, pergola, al fresco dining and fire pit. They take advantage of the indoor fitness center that’s open 24 hours a day, and enjoy a lounge area with coffee.

Once the community is completely built out, it will include 402 units. Four of the 17 buildings are still under construction, so some of the apartment homes will become available after those buildings have been completed, which is expected to be by the end of this year.

Resident parking includes electric vehicle charging stations next to each building.

A resident named Albilda, who asked that we only use her first name, moved in last October. Albilda says that she and her husband

had lived in Tampa Palms for 30 years and knew they wanted to downsize. But, after three decades in the same home, she says it was daunting to decide what to do next.

“I had done a lot of homework before making the decision to downsize,” says Albilda. “I found a lot of other places to be too hectic. I wanted a garden apartment, and that’s what this feels like. We’re on the corner on the first floor, and it feels very private.”

The couple signed a lease for a little more than two years to give them time to decide their next steps — like maybe purchasing a town home

— but Albilda says she’s ready to renew her lease instead. “We’re already thinking of extending it,” she says. “I love Tampa Palms and I didn’t want to leave the neighborhood, so this is ideal.”

She said she and her husband take advantage of the gym and the pool, and especially love to use the outdoor fitness center together.

And just as much as they enjoy the amenities, they really appreciate the people.

“Everyone here is wonderful,” Albilda says. “During my working career, I was in customer service, and the team here is super, including the handymen. The attention to detail is unbeliev-

able. They listen to people. If something needs to be done, it’s done immediately.”

She also enjoys the mix of residents in the community, from the retired couple she likes to talk with next door, to the busy professionals, to those who work from home.

Leases are offered for 13, 16 and 26 months and the monthly rents are priced competitively.

Homes in New Tampa Palms include the 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom “Palm Springs” model with 1,264 sq. ft. of living space, and the 2 bedroom, 1-bathroom “Palm Bay” unit with 1,333 sq. ft. These smaller units are currently fully

Assistant manager Nick Tersigni & property manager Isabella Tamochunas of New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes love seeing canine resident like Gigi having fun at the community’s dog park. (Next page) Amenities like the newly opened outdoor gym at New Tampa Palms make the spacious apartment homes (bottom) even more attractive to prospective residents. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

per month, and the 2-bedroom, 2-bath, plus den “Palm Gardens” floor plan (1,571 sq. ft.), priced from $2,425 per month.

Every unit has a spacious patio or balcony, each with a private storage space, and is equipped with a security alarm system. Ceiling heights range from 9-16 ft., and each home includes a gourmet kitchen with custom white wooden cabinetry, top-grade granite countertops, gooseneck faucets, breakfast bars and pantries. Each apartment also has a laundry room equipped with a full-size washer and dryer, a frameless shower, self-closing kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors and generous closet space.

New Tampa Palms is being built by Warren Kinsler of New Tampa, Inc. He is still developing what had been known as Tampa Palms Area 3 — from the plaza that includes BJ’s Wholesale Club south to New Tampa Inc.’s Compton Place apartments on the east side of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. He is finally getting close to completing his large portion of the Tampa Palms community.

Kinsler, whose New Tampa, Inc., is a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Garden Communities, says the company has developed — and still owns and manages — 100,000 apartment units in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida,

owned and managed by New Tampa, Inc.

He says he visits each of his properties every day, seven days a week, and sees first-hand the quality, upkeep and customer service offered to residents. He says the staff at New Tampa Palms is top-notch, including Isabella and assistant manager Nick Tersigni.

“They’re the best two I have,” says Kinsler.

The staff also includes leasing agents Kelvin Melendez and Claudia Lopez.

“We all work together to welcome prospective residents,” Isabella says, “and we like to visit with our new residents and make sure everyone is enjoying the community. We do our best to make sure our residents are well taken care of.”

There are currently two specials available for those who may want to move in.

First, preferred employees — including first responders, veterans, active military, healthcare professionals and educators — receive five percent off your rent every month. You show your employee ID in one of those fields to receive the discount.

And everyone, no matter their profession, can take advantage of the current special that gives residents two months of free rent.

The New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes community is located at 7970

sports card collector Bill Martin (no relation to the late Billy Martin, the former manager of the New York Yankees and four other Major League Baseball teams) of Bat Boy Collectibles says that he didn’t get into the sports card and collecti bles business “for the money. I do this because I’ve been collecting cards — especially baseball cards — since I was a kid and I still love it. I also realized that I have accumulated a tremendous amount of items, and I started looking at stuff that I had collected since I was six years old and I decided that I have to narrow what I want to collect and what I’m willing to part with.

He adds, “I have my personal collection, which is basically not being touched, but everything else, I figured I could share with other people. It’s a labor of love for me.”

I met Bill for the first time at the packed Tampa Bay Sports Card Show (held at the Holi day Inn Tampa Westshore the weekend of July 25-26 and it was clear that he loves his “hobby.”

“How much do you want for this Aaron Judge rookie card?,” asked a teenage boy with his father. “Can you do any better than what’s on the sticker?”

“For you?,” Bill replied. “Sure. I’ll take $50 off that price.”

There also was a guy who was only interested in football cards, specifically of different starting NFL quarterbacks. “Do you have any Roger Staubach rookie cards?” Bill ended up selling the guy five or six different cards for more than $350.

The former New York Mets bat boy — which inspired the name of his “side hustle” — says his most prized sports possessions are two of the seats that were ripped out of Shea Stadium before it was demolished and replaced as the Mets’ home field by Citi Field. Having lived in our area for 22 years, he says he’s been a Tampa Bay Rays season ticket holder the last 16 seasons.

Bill, who has owned a telecommmunications company the last 25 years, also says that he still does as much buying as he does selling.

“I go to a lot of these shows and my wife gets mad at me because anytime I sell a lot, I always end up putting it right back into the business. I’m always buying, especially peoples’ whole collections — large or small.”

He adds, “If you call the number in my ad (below), I’m always willing to take a peek at whatever ‘stuff’ you’ve got and help you price it correctly, even if you end up not selling it to me.”

And, he’s not only interested in sports cards. For example, “Lately, I’ve been collecting these history cards from the 1910s. There’s a George Washington card, a couple of Popes. They’re pretty cool.”

For additional information about Bat Boy Collectibles, call Bill Martin at (631) 220-9327 or see the ad below. — GN

Not Hearing Clearly Enough? Sound Hearing Centers’ Wesley Chapel Location Can Help!

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

Hearing specialist Don Kutik has more than three decades of experience helping people better connect with their families and their communi ties through improved hearing.

If you’re not hearing clearly, Don invites you to visit the Wesley Chapel location of Sound Hearing Centers, located on S.R. 54 in the West brook Professional Park (across from the entrance to Saddlebrook Resort), one of two locations he currently owns (the other is in Lakeland on S. Florida Ave.). The Wesley Chapel location has been open since January of this year.

“We fit all makes and all brands of hearing aids, and we match our competitors’ pricing,” Don says. “We take pride in customer service, and educating our patients to get the best out of their hearing with their hearing aids.”

He and Sandy Menchaca, also a licensed hearing aid specialist with more than 10 years of experience, offer a wide variety of hearing aids that he says includes all of the latest technology, including rechargeable, in-ear, and behind the ear models.

Sandy says helping people improve their hearing health is deeply personal to her, growing up with a mom who had a hearing deficit.

“I want to help others so they don’t have to struggle the way my mother did,” she says. “My mom has been wearing hearing aids since the 1960s,” explains Sandy. “The hearing world has innovated and made quality of life so much better since then.”

She says to understand what it feels like

(Above, l.-r.) Hearing specialist Sandy Menchaca, administrative assistant Lara Assaf and local owner/hearing specialist Don Kutik of Sound Hearing Centers, which has a location in the Westbrook Professional Park on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel. visit to the Wesley Chapel location.

to experience hearing loss, put your phone on speaker and put fingers in both of your ears, then try to listen to what the person on the line is saying. That’s what it’s like to experience knowing that someone is talking, but not being able to understand the conversation.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Sandy helps patients feel understood and supported when they visit Sound Hearing Centers. Sandy says her job changes peoples’ lives. “They’re more alive, they want to do things,” she says. “They want to be in these environments that have been suppressing them for a very long time.”

Lexington Oaks resident Rosa Pallares says she really appreciated Sandy during her recent

“I’m so happy with my experience,” says Rosa. “I don’t have the words to describe how wonderful Sandy is.”

After misplacing her hearing aids during one of last year’s hurricanes, Rosa says she finally asked her insurance company where she could go to get them replaced. She is thrilled she chose to make an appointment with Sandy, who made her feel very comfortable with her “patient, sweet” manner.

“I went to another place before, and it was fine, but I love this place,” Rosa says. “I can hear fairly well but sometimes I don’t understand everything. That happens when you get older, and the hearing aids help me a lot.”

fact, she plans to take her husband there soon, too.

A visit to Sound Hearing Centers includes a nine-point hearing exam. The patient enters a soundproof booth and the hearing specialist first checks the ear for earwax and runs tests (photo on next page), such as a speech discrimination assessment, which determines how well someone can understand spoken words at a comfortable listening level.

Don says data is then entered from the tests into a sophisticated computer that uses software from the manufacturer to program the patient’s new hearing aids to exact specifications.

Often, Don says, people already have hearing aids but they don’t wear them if they’re not programmed properly, don’t fit well, or aren’t working well enough. “We can reprogram or upgrade them,” he says.

Sound Hearing Centers even takes trade-ins if it’s time for a new hearing aid.

Increasingly, his patients are Baby Boomers who are experiencing hearing loss.

“It’s very common that people are unhappy with the quality of what they are hearing around them as they age,” he says. “We bring back their quality of life.”

Sounds Hearing Centers takes many types of insurance plans, including from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and other major insurance companies. Several hearing insurance plans — including Tru Hearing, Nations Hearing, Hearing Care Solutions and Hear.com — also are accepted. “Most of the time, no referrals are needed,” says Don. “For insurance plans that need a referral, we’ll work with the patient and their doctor to figure that out.”

While Sound Hearing Centers does occasionally sell over-the-counter hearing aids, they

recommend the prescription medical devices because of the superior quality they provide. Don says that over-the-counter devices simply amplify all sound, which includes background noise and other noises you don’t want to hear more loudly.

On the other hand, a custom-programmed hearing aid is tailored to each patient’s unique hearing profile. And, Don and Sandy promise to give honest advice and no pressure, saying they won’t try to sell hearing aids to someone who doesn’t need them or won’t benefit from them.

And, Sound Hearing Centers offer a free 30-day trial and financing is available.

Sandy says that although every device has its limits, Sound Hearing Centers can help you find the hearing aid that’s best for you. Someone who is homebound doesn’t need a top-of-the-line hearing aid with “all the bells and whistles” but someone who likes to go to the gym or restaurants where there’s a lot of background noise might get frustrated with a more basic model.

The higher models, she says, have more sophisticated digital processing chips and more microphones are inside each model, for example.

Sandy says she rejoices with her patients when they receive their new hearing aids. “I really love my job. I get giddy,” she says, because every patient reminds her of her mom. “I understand when they’re in my room crying tears of joy because they heard for the first time.”

For anyone who is homebound or lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, a Sound Hearing Center provider also can travel to you.

The Wesley Chapel location of Sound Hearing Centers is located at 28945 S.R. 54, Suite 101. For more information or to make an appointment, visit SoundHearingCenters.net, call (813) 702-4300, or see the ad on page 36.

Let Bubbles Up Bin Cleaning Bring A Breath Of Fresh Air To Your Trash Bins!

By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent

Nick and Julie Nixon say they never imagined that one of the biggest problems in their new Wesley Chapel home would come from something as ordinary as their trash bins. Like so many of their neighbors, they quickly discovered that in hot and humid Florida, garbage cans become unbearable, stinky messes in a matter of days. Since their homeowner’s association required the bins to be stored in the garage, every time they opened the door, the smell would drift into the house. They tried spraying them with everything from Lysol to garden hoses, but nothing seemed to work, and they didn’t want to dump bleach into the sewer system.

About a year ago, while doing research for the purpose of cleaning their own bins, Nick and Julie found a business model that was growing in other parts of the country but was still relatively new in the Tampa Bay area. That frustration turned into an idea. “We looked around and thought this was exactly what we needed for our bins,” Julie recalls. “And, if we needed it, our neighbors probably need it as well and [in January of this year] Bubbles Up Bin Cleaning was born.”

What makes Bubbles Up different from cleaning your trash bins yourself? Both the process and the results. The Nixons’ customized trailer system uses pressurized water heated to more than 200 degrees, which is enough to kill 99% of the germs and bacteria that cause odors and attract insects and rodents. Rotating spray heads provide 360-degree coverage inside the bin, blasting away buildup in every nook and cranny. Once the inside is sanitized, the outside is sprayed down, and the finishing touch is an eco-friendly deodorizer. Nick explains that more than 400 types of bacteria can grow inside a trash can. Every time you open the lid, that bacteria can escape into the air and even travel inside your home.

“The heat is the key,” he says. “Trash cans are porous, so germs and odors can sink in. A hose or even a pressure washer will not kill them. You need the heat to sanitize the bins.” All the water used is captured inside the trailer, filtered, and then disposed of properly. Nothing runs into the storm drains, and there is no water waste.

“The water is considered grey water,” Julie says, “much like what an RV would have, since there are no harsh chemicals in it. We dump in a few places around the Wesley Chapel area that are RV dump sites that then treat the water.”

For those interested in signing up, Nick and Julie have made the process very simple. Visit BubblesUpBinCleaning. com and answer a few quick questions, enter your payment information through a secure portal and then pick the plan that will work best for your household. The first service is always offered at half price. After that, customers can choose monthly service for $25, quarterly (every three months) for $40, bi-yearly (every six months) for $65, or a one-time cleaning for $75. Additional bins cost just $5 each. Nick and Julie say they researched rates across the state and listened closely to customer feedback before finalizing those plan tiers. The bi-yearly plan was actually added recently after a customer mentioned twice a year was more than enough for her.

Julie & Nick Nixon of Bubbles Up Bin Cleaning are happy to keep your home’s trash bins looking and smelling clean and fresh with their high-powered super-heated pressure washing & deodorizing system. (Photos

the Purple Heart foundation. “We both come from military families, and we have always loved animals,” Julie explains. “Supporting veterans and helping local animals is just part of who we are.”

The pair believes their attention to detail is what sets them apart from other similar companies. Julie calls herself the “Quality Control Inspector” and admits she is not shy about making Nick redo a bin if it’s not up to her standards.

“We ask ourselves, would I put this can back in my garage?,” she says. “If the answer is no, we keep working on it until it is.”

From stuck banana peels at the bottom of the can, to gum hardened on the side, they have seen it all, and they take the time to make sure every bin is truly clean. Children from the neighborhood often come outside to watch what they call the “magic” of the process, as steam pours out of the bins and the cans come back smelling fresh.

In just a few short months, Bubbles Up has a perfect 5.0-star rating on eleven Google reviews. Customer David Rubin wrote in his 5-star review, “Nick and Julie of Bubbles Up came by and in fifteen minutes had two cans sparkling clean. Very nice people, very cool rig to get this done without any chemicals. Just 200-degree water that is recycled. They finish up with a deodorizing spray. Very happy with the job.”

As a small, family-owned business, Bubbles Up also has made community involvement a priority from the beginning. A portion of every cleaning goes to causes close to their hearts, including the Pasco County Animal Shelter and

• Independent Broker & Medicare Expert since 2008

• Variety of companies & solutions for Medigap, Medicare Advantage & Part D

• Free, convenient phone appointments

For more info, call or email Pamela Turner 888-520-8683 or Pam@decodingmedicare.com Or visit DecodingMedicare.com Also, scan the QR code for a link to a free .pdf-format Medicare workbook!

The couple, who moved to Riverview, FL, from Georgia in 2017, built their home in Wesley Chapel in 2022.

“We have two grown daughters — the younger one is a crime scene technician in High Point, NC, and the older one works for Racetrac in the Learning & Development Dept. in Atlanta — but our parents and sisters moved down right after we did.”

She adds, “Nick’s family is in Venice and mine here in Wesley Chapel. And of course, the

other member of the family is our beautiful and loving 10-year-old Lab mix, Libby.”

Currently, Bubbles Up Bin Cleaning serves the areas of Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Dade City, San Antonio, Pasadena Hills, Zephyrhills and even Odessa. While the Nixons have no plans to expand outside the region, they do take suggestions from potential customers who may be outside of the zone. If the area doesn’t work with their schedule because of the distance, they recommend another service.

“We have been recommended by other companies who don’t come up to this area, and we have done the same,” Julie says. “We are a

by Charmaine George)

small community of companies doing this work and helping each other,.”

When asked about growth, Nick explains they look forward to growing the number of customers inside the coverage areas. Currently, the couple owns just one truck, but long-term, they hope to get more equipment, hire help, invest in new technology and continue networking with other bin cleaning companies across the country.

This is still a young industry” Nick says. “We are always learning something new from manufacturers, other owners, and sometimes, even our customers.”

When challenges arise, the couple’s commitment to customer service is clear. Equipment maintenance is done preventively on weekends to avoid weekday breakdowns, and automated alerts (usually texts, but also emails) remind customers when to put their bins out. On those rare occasions when a service does not meet a customer’s expectations, they return promptly to

address it. Julie recalls one early instance when they went back the next day, fixed the issue, and earned a glowing review.

“That’s when I gave myself the title of Quality Control Inspector,” she laughs.

At the heart of it all is the belief that no one should have to deal with maggots, flies, rodents, or the sickly smell of garbage in their garages and homes. As Nick puts it, “Most people don’t want to clean their bins themselves. It is messy, gross and without the right equipment, you can’t kill the germs.”

For families in the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa area, Bubbles Up Bin Cleaning has turned this smelly chore into a simple solution, and in doing so, Nick and Julie Nixon have found a way to give back to their neighbors while keeping our community cleaner and healthier.

To schedule your first 50% discounted cleaning, visit BubblesUpBinCleaning.com, call (813) 652-0443 or see the ad on pg. 38.

Blue Heron Senior Living’s New Wing Is Just Part Of The Community’s Appeal

By Gary Nager

Photos by Charmaine George

Although my mom isn’t suffering from any of the 180 different forms of dementia, I was happy to attend the “Virtual Dementia Tour” put on by Senior Helpers at Blue Heron Senior Living in Wesley Chapel on July 16.

I honestly believe that whether you know or think someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia, the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) will give you a new perspective on the diverse variety of problems most of us will deal with as we age, regardless of our whether or not our mental faculties ever diminish (more on this event below).

I also know that Blue Heron, owned and managed by TLC Management, is the only assisted living and memory care facility in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel that also offers skilled nursing for rehab or long-term care. Hosting events like the VDT just adds to the appeal of this 159,000-sq.-ft. residence where the opportunity to “age in place” has kept it near capacity since it first opened in 2021.

“Our current occupancy is 100% in both long-term care and memory care and 90% in rehab,” says Blue Heron’s executive director Meagan Kopstad, “but we do have a couple of rooms available right now on the assisted living side.”

Blue Heron’s skilled nursing area added a new wing last year, “with 37 additional patient beds, bringing us up to 141 total,” says community relations director Lilly Gonzalez. “Those new beds are divided between the first and sec-

left) Chris Tomko of Senior Helpers (left) explains how the Virtual Dementia Tour works to Christopher

at

in Wesley Chapel. (Right) Neighborhood News editor Gary Nager admits that he failed the VDT miserably & got a better understanding of the lives of our elderly.. (Next page, l.-r.) One of the spacious private bathrooms & the new dining area in the newly expanded skilled nursing wing at Blue Heron.

ond floor — 18 on the first floor (for rehab) and 19 on the second floor (for long-term care).”

She adds, “We couldn’t hold our planned Grand Opening of the new wing last October because of the hurricanes that hit the area. In other words, your readers have never seen the new wing in print before.”

The new wing also includes a new dining area (photo on next page), a new patient lounge and a new nurses’ station.

With the expansion, Blue Heron Wesley Chapel now has a total of 248 residential units — 95 assisted living, 22 private memory care and the 141 skilled nursing units.

About The Virtual Dementia Tour

Blue Heron brought in Senior Helpers, the nation’s leading provider of in-home senior care, with more than 400 locations across the U.S. (including a local location serving New Tampa and Wesley Chapel), to host the VDT. Senior Helpers is certified to bring the VDT to Blue Heron and other assisted living facilities and, in just a few minutes, the tour definitely gave me new insight into the lives of the elderly.

VDT participants put provided inserts in their shoes with plastic pegs that push into your feet to simulate painful neuropathies.

You also put on glasses that blur your vision, similar to how cataracts affect your eyes. You also have to put on thick, heavy work gloves that significantly reduce your manual dexterity. And finally, you put on headphones that make it a lot more difficult to hear. Anyone you know have any of these issues?

You are then led into a room and given two tasks to do that would be simple for the average person to complete, but you are only given the instructions once, all while wearing the headphones. Pretty much everyone, including yours truly, fails the VDT miserably. But in doing so, you can clearly see (once you

(Above,

Dobard

Blue Heron Senior Living

take off the glasses, that is) how difficult the most mundane tasks can become.

This five-minute test is pretty much guaranteed to help you become more empathetic to your elderly loved ones — I know it’s helped me better understand some of the things my mom is dealing with — and the VDT is just one of many free programs Blue Heron brings in for both its residents and members of the community.

Another free, community event was held on Aug. 27 and was called “Charting Your Course: Protecting Yourself, Your Loved Ones & Your Legacy.” Board-Certified Elder Law attorney Ed Spinks, a partner with Florida Elder Law & Legacy Planning, led the discussion so attendees could learn how to legally protect themselves, their families and their assets.

Blue Heron also offers amazing amenities for all of its residents, like beautiful, enclosed courtyards and gardens, lounges, family rooms and dining rooms with delicious meals, a pub, a theater, a salon/spa, computers, internet and cable TV, a private dining room for family gatherings, an art studio and a wonderful life enrichment center offering a variety of fun programs, including on evenings and weekends. There’s also personal transportation, laundry, housekeeping, maintenance service, safety checks and more.

There’s always something to do for Blue Heron residents, where your loved ones can find compassion, companionship and care.

For more information about Blue Heron Senior Living (5071 Eagleston Blvd., Wesley Chapel), call (813) 4540513, see the ad on pg. 45 or visit SeniorLivingAtBlueHeron.com.

Don’t Face Probate Alone — Let Brian Arrighi Of The North Tampa Law Group Help

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

Late last year, Tampa Palms resident Chris tine (who asked that we use only her first name) received a letter in the mail she never expected.

Her uncle, who had recently passed away, had named her his “personal representative” (of ten called an “executor” in other states) to handle his affairs, according to his will.

At a loss for what to do, Christine was grateful to find attorney Brian Arrighi, who has been helping people with the process of probate — as well as estate planning and real estate — for two decades.

Christine met with Brian at his North Tampa Law Group office, located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56 (east of I-75) in Wesley Chapel.

“Brian took care of everything,” Christine says. “He was on top of the creditors and the assets, and he kept me informed along the way. I was impressed.”

She notes that she had no idea what was going to happen or what the process would entail, but Brian took care of all of the details and made sure she always understood what was happening and what would come next.

“I’ve heard other people talk about probate and what a nightmare it is,” she says, “but it wasn’t for me. Brian did everything for me. It was a blessing.”

Brian says most of the time, people in Christine’s shoes are required to hire an attorney, so that’s where he comes in.

Brian explains. “Mainly, we are making sure the personal representative is following all the rules and timelines, ensuring that all creditors get paid, and making sure that the distributions to beneficiaries are accurate.”

He says that being a personal representative also carries some liability. For example, if a credit card bill didn’t get paid and the money from the estate is gone, the personal representative could be held responsible for paying it.

“We make sure the personal representative doesn’t get in trouble by unknowingly doing something wrong,” Brian explains.

from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, where he graduated cum laude, and before that, his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mass Communications from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He’s a member of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law section of the Florida Bar.

He relocated North Tampa Law Group to its current Wesley Chapel location 10 years ago, after originally opening it in the Tampa Palms Professional Center in 2014.

His experience dealing with distribution of property after someone’s death means that he

understands the complicated issues that can arise.

If anyone has experienced the loss of a parent, spouse, or close relative, or has been designated as a personal representative for someone who recently passed away, Brian’s expertise can help you, like he helped Christine, navigate this often complicated process.

Brian also does quite a bit of work helping his clients ensure that those they leave behind won’t have to deal with the complicated issue of

“The number one misconception is that if someone has a will, they won’t have to go to probate,” Brian explains. “But, if we’re using your will, that’s because we’re in probate.”

He explains that some people only have a will, which is an important document to explain what you want to happen to your assets after your death. But, for many people, Brian says, there definitely is a better option.

“A trust is the tool we use to avoid probate,” he says. “Your estate consists of whatever assets you own in your name upon your death. The goal of estate planning is to avoid ever needing to use your will. If everything you own is in a trust, nothing will go through probate.”

Brian says a trust also is a more expensive document, so some people prefer to just have a will and allow probate after their death. In other cases, a client may add assets, such as buying a house, and forget to update their trust. In these cases, Brian is happy to help families navigate the probate process.

Brian emphasizes that each client’s individual circumstances are unique, so he helps to

arrange documents in whatever way is best for each person’s particular situation.

Even for those who don’t know where to start with an estate plan, North Tampa Law Group can help.

“If someone isn’t sure what they want,” Brian says, “we can sit down, do a consultation, and listen to their objectives — how they want their estate distributed, and what [that distribution] will consist of. Then, we’ll go over their options and give recommendations as to what type of trust or plan would be specific to that individual.”

Other Services

In addition to estate planning and probate, Brian handles real estate law, including title closings, title insurance and organizing and overseeing real estate transactions.

Consultations for real estate, estate planning and probate can all be done in person at North Tampa Law Group’s office, although Brian also offers phone consultations for those who prefer it.

Christine says she has a will, but not a trust. After going through the experience of being her uncle’s personal representative, she plans to head back to North Tampa Law Group for a consultation with Brian about her own assets.

“I don’t want my things to go to probate,” she says, “and I don’t want my loved ones to have to go through that process. Brian does what he has to do, and does it so well. If anyone asks, I recommend him. I absolutely will go back to him, too.”

North Tampa Law Group is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102. For more info, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com, see the ad on pg. 45 or make an appointment for a free initial consultation by calling (813) 518-7411.

•Wellness Dentistry for kids and teens

•Holistic nutritional counseling for teeth and gums

•Ozone therapy for oral care

•Recommendation of non-toxic materials

•Sedation dentistry (nitrous oxide) and Sedation

•Invisalign First for children & Invisalign Teen •Digital

•Laser dentistry (release of tongue tie for infants, children and teens)

•Relaxed environment, so your children can enjoy their visit

Nurse Practitioner Cory Dowell Joins The Team At The Primary Care Of Wesley Chapel!

By Iris Vitelli

Neighborhood News Correspondent

For many people living in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, finding a primary care practice that treats them like more than just a number or doesn’t tell them the first available appointment is six months out can be a real challenge. Located two minutes from the S.R. 56 exit of I-75, off Wesley Chapel Blvd. in the Cypress Bend Profes sional Park in Lutz, The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel has quickly earned a reputation as a place where patients are truly heard, respected and cared for like family.

Lead clinician Cory Dowell, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Certified Family Nurse Practitioner), says that The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel opened last year because, “We saw how rushed and impersonal healthcare had become. We wanted to create something better, where people feel safe, understood and empowered to take control of their health.”

Led by a team of three dedicated nurse practitioners — including Cory, Scarlette Owens and Megan Dudley, all of whom have the same degree and certification — the office has been making a real impact on the lives of patients. By blending cutting-edge technology with warm, personal care, The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel has built something special.

Cory joined the practice in February of this year, after speaking with Megan, a longtime colleague. The two had worked together another primary care office for eight years,

until Megan joined Scarlette at The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel when it first opened. After learning from Megan that the practice was looking for another provider, and knowing they shared the same philosophy on how patients should be treated, Cory knew it would be a great fit for her.

Cory earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 2011 and completed her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa in 2014. She has more than 10 years of primary care experience with a diverse background in

health informatics (the use of computer and information science to improve healthcare), disease prevention, chronic care management and health education. Cory has taken on the responsibility of running the practice and working with the staff while also treating patients.

Scarlette Owens received her ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) degree from Pasco Hernando Community College (now Pasco Hernando State College) in 1994. She received her BSN degree from the University of Phoenix in 2000 and her MSN degree from The University of Tampa in 2002. Scarlette has 30 years of professional experience and has been

an Adjunct Professor/Clinical Faculty at USF for Nurse Practitioner students since 2017.

Meanwhile, Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Houghton College in Houghton, NY, her ASN degree from Jackson State Community College in Jackson, TN, in 2010, and her MSN from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, in 2017. Megan grew up in Pennsylvania and chose Wesley Chapel as her new home 10 years ago. She focuses on providing high-quality care with compassion and empathy.

Together, the trio has cultivated a space where educating the patient, giving each

(L.-r. above) Medical assistants Alexis Alban & Maggie Rodriguez, nurse practitioners Scarlette Owens & Cory Dowell, medical assistants Hannah Ploehn & Valerie McCall & nurse practitioner Megan Dudley take care of their patients like family at The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel in Lutz. (Photos by Charmaine George)

ing. Despite that growth, the clinic’s team remains committed to keeping wait times low and the quality of care high.

strengths to the practice, their shared mission is simple — to treat people the way they would want their own families to be treated.

“One of our main roles as providers is to be educators,” Cory explains. “We walk patients through their lab results, explain treatment options and help them understand what’s going on inside their bodies. That way, they leave feeling informed and confident, not confused or overwhelmed.”

And yes, the patients are noticing the difference. With a 4.9-star (out of 5) overall rating on Google (on nearly 80 reviews) and new word-of-mouth referrals pouring in every week, the practice has grown steadily since its open-

Two months ago, patient Lori Souza wrote in her 5-star review: “My husband and I are both new patients to Primary Care of Wesley Chapel and we have had nothing but a positive experience so far! Scarlette spent so much time with us on our first visit and continues to be a big support to us. She has such a kind and caring approach and makes us feel right at home. As a nurse myself coming from the clinical side, I can very much appreciate the time that she takes with us. I understand that it’s tough to spend a lot of time with a patient these days, but she makes it happen. Lastly, the staff and other practitioners are always smiling and helpful. Thank you Scarlette and Team!”

That staff includes office manager, Maggie Rodriguez, lead medical assistant Alexis Alban and medical assistants Hannah Pleon and Valerie McCall.

Available Services

The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel offers a wide range of services for patients ages 18 and older. These include annual wellness exams, sick visits, lab work, diagnostic testing, joint injections, chronic disease management and even allergy evaluations. Telehealth appointments are available for added convenience.

“With Telehealth,” says Cory, “we can see a patient who may be out of town or someone who just needs a refill. The myPrivia app is an easy-to-use online portal that allows patients to

request refills, message their provider and view test results from the comfort of their homes. It’s easy for the patients to communicate with us. We always check the messages on the portal and answer them as quickly as possible.”

But, Cory says, what really sets this clinic apart is its people-first approach. Every member of the team, from the front office staff to the clinical providers, believes that good medicine starts with good communication.

“We don’t double book or rush anyone through the door,” Cory explains. “We believe in being thorough, not just efficient. When a patient walks into our clinic, we greet them by name. We remember their stories. We know when they’re going through something difficult. That kind of connection makes all the difference.”

And, while the office uses the latest tech tools like electronic medical records, Telehealth and the myPrivia app, the team insists that technology should serve patients, but never replace human interaction. The nurse practitioners all focus on educating people about their own health so they can make informed decisions that align with their values and goals.

For people dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disorders, the practice offers long-term care that’s proactive, personalized and grounded in trust. Instead of simply managing symptoms, the providers at The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel take the time to uncover root causes and create realistic treatment plans that work.

For anything more serious, thanks to the years of experience each provider has, the office has access to a network of specialists in a variety

of medical specialties they work with and will refer patients to them when necessary.

That same attention to detail applies to patients who come in for everything from routine physicals to urgent needs like a sinus infection or a sports injury.

Cory says, “Every person who walks through the door is treated as a priority, whether it’s their first visit or their fifteenth. We have patients who tell us, ‘I’ve never had a provider sit and really listen to me like this before,’ and that’s heartbreaking,” Cory says. “But it’s also why we’re here. To do things differently.”

She adds, “We never want to become a factory-style clinic. Even as we continue to expand, our goal will always be to preserve that small, connected feel.”

Looking ahead, Cory says that the team does plan to offer additional wellness services and expand their procedural offerings to include joint injections.

“We also are exploring a pharmacy collaboration to enhance convenience for our patients,” Cory says. The group also plans to increase its community outreach efforts, including hosting and/or participating in educational events and health talks. The practitioners’ long-term vision is to remain a cornerstone of care for local residents in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and beyond, where residents know they can turn for thoughtful, expert support.

The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel is located at 2935 Pearson James Pl. in Lutz. It is open Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For appointments or more information, call (813)991-4243, visit PrimaryCareWesleyChapel.com or see the ad on pg. 53.

Louis Cerillo, DDSKim Tran-Nguyen, DMD General Dentists

Enter Our 2025 Reader Dining Survey & Contest & To Win $200 In FREE Dining!

Every year, when I tweak the format of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always think beforehand that I finally came up with the best way to find our readers’ favorite restaurants in Wesley Chapel & New Tampa.

But, as the entries start to come in, I always feel like I screwed it up again.

Undaunted, on the next page is the 2025 Reader Dining Survey & Contest entry form, which is significantly different than last year’s entry form, even though the “look” of the page is exactly the same as in 2024.

Here is what you need to know to enter this year’s Survey & Contest:

(I hope) every brick-&-mortar restaurant that serves food and is located in & near Wesley Chapel (WC) that is either a true mom & pop or part of a “chain” — whether regional, or even national —that has fewer than ten (10) total locations is listed in alphabetical order. At the top of the WC list are five spaces where I am asking you to write (or type) the names of your five favorite restaurants located in zip codes 33543, 33544 and 33545 (As well as in Lutz’s 33559 zip code that are no further west on S.R. 54 than the traffic signal at Oak Grove Blvd.).

Although the list of WC restaurants doesn’t include any chain eateries with 10 or more

five WC spaces at the top of the first column. The same goes for the five New Tampa (NT) spaces. However, if you don’t eat at or order food from any restaurants in or near NT’s 33647 zip code, don’t fill in those five spaces at all. But, if you do also enjoy at least some restaurants in NT, feel free to write up to five names in the five spaces provided. The NT list included on the page has nearly 65 names, but again, you’re not obligated to choose your five places from the list.

I also have 10 spaces this year for everything from your Favorite PIZZA to your Favorite COFFEE, but you don’t have to fill in these spaces for your votes to count or to win a prize.

HERE ARE OUR OTHER RULES!

1) DO NOT write the name of your one favorite place in more than one Top-5 space. Only its first-place vote will count. If the restaurant is in WC, only write its name in a WC space, unless it also has an NT location (or it also has your Favorite Pizza, Steak, etc.). If you’re not sure where a restaurant is located, look it up!

2) In order for your votes to count and help your favorite restaurants, you must include your real first AND last name, the community you live in (Lexington Oaks, Wiregrass Ranch, etc.), your daytime phone number where I can reach you (which I will only do if your name is selected to win a prize) and your valid email address.

3) This year’s prizes are again for FREE dining at any restaurant YOU choose anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, from the Grand Prize of $200, as well as prizes of $100, $75, $50 & $25.

4) See the Entry Form to find out how to have your votes counted & win prizes! — GN

CHAPEL

5)__________________________________

Please

2&2 Restaurant

365 Caffé Italiano

365 NY & Woodfired Pizza

3 Natives

900º New York Pizza

900º Woodfired Pizza

Amici Pizza

Arroy Thai

Asian Buffet

Ato Sushi

Azteca D’Oro

Bagelicious & More

Bakery X

Bebo’s Cheesesteaks

Best NY Pizza

Bluefin Sushi

Blush Wine Room

Boba Mac’s

Bodega Deli

Bonsai Sushi

Bosco’s Italian-to-Go

Brunchies

Burger Monger

Cafe Zorba

Caprese Pizza House

Chamo Bites

Chick’n Fun

China Gourmet

China Wok

Chuck Lager America’s Tavern

Crazy Sushi

Curry Club

Dempsey’s Too (Saddlebrook)

Dummy Crabby

EggTown Breakfast & Lunch

El Pasta & More

El Prince Mediterranean

Falabella Family Bistro

Flipn’ Fries Factory

Florida Ave. Brewing Co.

Fratelli’s Pizza & Café

Garden Mediterranean Grill

Gonna China

Green Market Café

Grillsmith

Grilltopia

Grove Mini-Golf

Happy Hangar Café

Hangry Joe’s

Hot Wok 88

Ho Wok

La Creacion Xpress

Latin Twist Café

Los Chapos Tacos

Los Perritos Factory

Los Vallartas

Macondo Coffee Roasters

Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli

Mama B’s Pizzeria

Mangomix

Mojo Grill

Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market

New York New York Pizza

Noble Crust

O’Brien’s Irish Pub

Omari’s Bar & Grill (Lex. Oaks GC)

Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles

Papichy’s

Pasta di Guy

PeppaJak

Persis Indian Grill

Pisco Express

PizzaMania

Poké Lulu

PopStroke

Provisions Coffee & Kitchen

Rhythm Pon de Grille

Rice N Beans Express

Rice N Beans Puerto Rico

Roong Aroon Thai Café

Rudraksh Indian Cuisine

Señor Tequila

Shake-A-Salad

Shang Hai

Skybox Rooftop Bar (Residence Inn)

Sweet Krunch Korean Fried Chicken

Tacos el Patron

Tallo American/Caribbean Restaurant

Tasty Ramen

The Alley

The Living Room

The Reef Café (Epperson Lagoon)

The Secret Lounge

Tokyo Grill & Sushi

Top Shelf Sports Grille (AH Center Ice)

TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar

Umu Japanese & Thai

Yamato Japanese Steak House

Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill

NEW TAMPA (NT)

My Five Favorite (Overall) Restaurants in NT (Only):

Acropolis Greek Taverna

Al-Sham Palace

Bayscape Bistro

Box of Cubans

Cali Tampa Palms

Cantina Mexican Grill

Cappy’s Pizzeria

Capri Pizza-N-More

China City

China One

Coffee Latitudes Café

Cross Creek Gourmet

Don Julio’s Authentic Mexican

Dosa Hut

Dummy Crabby

EggTown Breakfast & Lunch

Fat Rabbit Pub

Fire Up Halal Grill

Frammi American Grille & Italian Food

Gorkhali Kitchen (Nepalese)

Ha Long Bay

Ho King

Hummingbird Jamaican Cuisine

Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood

Hunter’s Green Country Club

Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café

Johnny C’s Italian Eatery

Kabob Café & Grill

Kay’s Kitchen

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery

Las Palmas Latin Grille

Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine

Lima Peruvian Cuisine

Little Greek Fresh Grill

Michi Ramen

Minerva Indian Restaurant

Mpanitas Restaurant

Mr. Dunderbak’s

Namaste Express

Nawabi Hyderabad House

New China King

NY Pizza Express (Livingston Ave.)

Palm Thai

Peabody’s Grill & Bar

Poké Island Plus

Provisions Coffee & Kitchen

Rain Bistro

Stonewood Grill & Tavern

Subs & Such (Livingston Ave.)

Sushi Avenue

Sushi Café

Sushi Masa Premium

Sushi Raw

Sushi Time

Taaza Mart Café

Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club

Taste of NY Pizza

The Bean Bar Co.

Thai Lanna & Sushi

Thai Ruby

The Grill at Morris Bridge

Via Italia

Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli Co.

My Favorite PIZZA in NT/WC

My Favorite BURGER in NT/WC

My Favorite CHICKEN in NT/WC

My Favorite STEAK in NT/WC

My Favorite ASIAN FOOD in NT/WC

My Favorite BAR in NT/WC

My Favorite BREAKFAST in NT/WC

My Favorite ICE CREAM in NT/WC

My Favorite BAKERY in NT/WC

My Favorite COFFEE in NT/WC

Valid Email Address_______________________________________________ To enter to win up to $200 in FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice, please fill out as many of the spaces on this page as you like — plus all of the information requested on the entry form below — and email a picture of the entire form to us at Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, with “Dining Contest” in the subject line of the email by Friday, November 7. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net. No purchase necessary to enter or win, but please see our website for all of the official rules.

You Live In (Epperson, Seven Oaks, etc.)

Daytime Phone Number___________________________________________

Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill Is Now Serving Weekend Brunch!

By Gary Nager

by Charmaine George

It’s no secret that Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill, located in the small strip plaza next to the Hyatt Place hotel (see story on pg. 50) across S.R. 56 from the Tampa Premium Outlets has been among my favorite restaurants in Wesley Chapel — including my #1 fave for 2024! — since the day it first opened back in late 2020.

So, what could make Zukku-San even better? How about the most unique and delicious week end brunch in “The Chap?”

Co-owner and executive chef Gia Tran was proud to introduce us to the new weekend brunch menu items on the first day brunch was offered — two weeks before we went to press with this issue. Gia and his partner Ferdian Jap now own five fastcasual Zukku Sushi places in four states (including at Tampa’s Armature Works), three Ato Burritos & Bowls (including in The KRATE at The Grove), Astro Ice Cream (also on Sierra Center Blvd.) and have another Zukku-San opening soon in Orlando.

Gia (near right) told us that he’s been “cook ing up” the ideas for almost all of the items on the opening brunch menu (which he said will be expanded) “for a couple of years,” but just couldn’t seem to pull the trigger on getting it started.

“I knew I wanted to include some ingredients that you almost never find at an Asian restaurant,” Gia told yours truly, photographer Charmaine George and Charmaine’s boyfriend Brendan. “Have you ever had fried eggs, ube waf fles or bacon at an Asian place?”

The answer was clearly “no” from all of us, and I’ll be honest that I wasn’t 100% sure I was going to love all of the new items — until I actually tried them. Of course, the only things I couldn’t try were the new “Bird’s Nest” sushi roll (top right photo on this page) and the “ZukkuSan Signature Mary” (one of the two drinks on the next page) because both included fried shrimp.

But, Charmaine and Brendan both raved about them, especially the Bird’s Nest, which combines tempura shrimp, salmon and cucumber, topped with avocado and real crab (not “krab”), plus a poached egg, scallions, masago, eel sauce, spicy mayo and sesame seeds.

Meanwhile, the Signature Mary has Haku Japanese vodka, wasabi paste, soy sauce and Bloody Mary mix, with Sichuan peppercorn bitters, garnished with a California roll, tempura shrimp, pickled ginger and celery, with a black-&white sesame seed rim. There’s also an option to

add sriracha to this Mary “for extra spice.”

But, all of us honestly went bonkers for all of the other choices. The other brunch sushi roll was a Quail Roll (middle right photo), which combined tamago, cucumber and avocado, topped with two sunny-side-up quail eggs (shockingly tasty), plus bacon (yes, bacon!), scallions, “lava aioli,” eel sauce and Japanese togarashi spice. I don’t know if I’ve ever had that last ingredient before, but the entire sushi roll was just soooo tasty.

I’ve also never really been a big fan of Eggs Benedict, so the new Crispy Rice Benedict (bot-

tom right) was something of a revelation, with its crispy rice topped with (again, real) snow crab, poached egg and a never-heard-of miso brown butter Hollandaise sauce that Gia said stays blended longer than most Hollandaise sauces because of the miso. We all agreed we had never tasted anything like it. But wait, there’s more! I know we just hosted

contest (see story on pg. 48), but there is a new contender in town, as Zukku-San’s Ube Waffle & Fried Chicken combo (top photo on next page) is

Photos

a combination of three thick slabs of the crispi est (and yet, still juicy) panko-fried chicken served with three of the only waffles I’ve ever had made from ube — also known as the vibrant purple yam (sweet potato) originally used primarily in The Philip pines. The waffles also are topped with a generous dollop of creamy ube butter and served with a sake cup of ginger maple syrup. If you’re the kind of person who tries the fried-chicken-&-waffles at every place that serves them and don’t think this is among the best you’ve ever had, feel free to let me know what you didn’t love about it.

Gia said that his pastry chef Alex Winchester (bottom left photo) went through “like ten different waffle irons” before finding the one that would give his ube waffles the proper texture and crunch.

The final brunch “entrée, which Gia called “kind of a throwaway addition because I felt we needed at least one more entrée,” is no “throwa way” to yours truly, as the “Sunrise Fried Rice” (right) is Zukku-San’s nutty & savory chicken fried rice (already among my whole family’s favorites), which has big chunks of chicken, peas, carrots, onion and garlic and tops it with a sunny-side-up (chicken) egg. Does the fried rice “need” the egg? Maybe not. But is it still a winner? You bet! What About Dessert?

We all were honestly too stuffed to want to even order dessert, but Gia insisted we try Alex’s new mango & passion fruit sponge cake (lower right), which isn’t even on the dessert menu yet, but it was excellent and the whipped tropical icing is addictive. And yes, we still found a way to polish it off — are you surprised?

Also on the brunch dessert menu — all of which I have to start sampling on my next visit — include an ube cheesecake, a ginger yuzu (citrus) creme brulée and a banana hazelnut opera cake.

I also enjoyed my lychee mimosa (at left in photo, right) enough to not need a shot of my usual Ballyhoo Irish whiskey (found only at Zukku-San locally) with my meal. Other Brunch beverages include an Asian Mary, a Sake Mimosa and a Green Tea Umeshu Martini. Try these for yourself and let me know what you think.

And yes, if these brunch items somehow don’t do it for you (but my opinion is that you’d have to be crazy, or a vegetarian, to not at least try some or all of them), Zukku-San’s full menu is still available during the weekend brunch hours — which are

Zukku-San is located at 25916 Sierra Center Blvd. It is open for lunch & dinner every day at 11 a.m. and stays open until 9 p.m. on Sun., 9:30 p.m. on Mon.-Thur., and until 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. Reservations are not required (except for larger parties), but are definitely suggested, especially on the weekends. For more information, call (813) 419-1351, visit ZukkuSushi.com or see the ad on pg. 47. And please, tell Gia and Alex and the entire crew that I sent you!

Cheesecake Factory To Open By November?

If you’ve driven by the Tampa Premium Outlets anytime recently, you probably couldn’t help but notice the significant progress on the construction of The Cheesecake Factory (photos).

In fact, not only is the building standing, you can now almost tell how the parking will actually work at the site.

No one’s saying that the traffic around the outlet mall isn’t going to get worse because of its most-anticipated restaurant ever, or that parking isn’t going to be an issue. Everyone knows that the arrival of The Cheesecake Factory is going to make things more difficult, both traffic-wise and parking-wise at the mall, especially when it first opens.

But, when is that expected to be?

Despite the amazing progress on the

building and some online posts saying that it will be as early as October, outlet mall

GM Chris Durant says that Cheesecake Factory “is shooting for a November opening.”

So, you can expect that the annual holiday shopping mess at the mall will be a little bit tougher, at least for this year. — GN

Debbie Demboski

Franchise Owner & Decorator

Congratulations to owners Moudy Shublaq and Didi Abdulnabi of the new Wondergrounds Play Café, which has been open for about a month next to Smoothie King in the small strip plaza in front of the Super Target at 1041 Bruce B.Downs Blvd. (at County Line Rd.).

“We wanted to create a secure place for kids (ages 6 & under) to play indoors where their par ents can enjoy delicious coffee and tea (and other beverages) and a comfortable place to sit and watch their kids,” Moudy says. “We’ve already had great support from the local community.”

Wondergrounds also offers a delicious vari ety of rotating, locally baked cakes and pastries, although Moudy says, “We will always have the rainbow cake (lower left in the photo below).”

The unique play area, which offers extra-wide spaces for parents who want to join their kids, also offers a colorful “village” area (right) with different small buildings and a fire truck.

Wondergrounds (open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. every day) has a party room, membership plans and single-day pricing on weekdays and weekends (please note that reservations are required for non-member weekend play) — with grip socks on sale for just $3. For more info, call (813) 575-7529 or visit WondergroundsPlayCafe.com. — GN

Member, Rotary Satellite Club of New Tampa After Hours

Above photo source: Facebook /Jazmin Rico

Papichy’s Is Now Open On WC Blvd.

I’ll admit that the first time I ever bought anything from the Pastelitos Papichy’s food truck — which has been located in the same plaza as LA Fitness and Five Guys Burgers & Fries south of County Line Rd. and west of Bruce B.Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa for about two years — was a few months ago, when I first heard that owners Ruben Caridad and his son, Ruben, Jr., were opening their first brick-&-mortar location in the Grand Oaks Plaza at 26242 Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz (photo below).

But now, I’m definitely a fan. And, considering that one of my daughters-in-law is from Venezuela, as are the Caridads, I probably should have tried Papichy’s sooner. The entire menu is a variety of fried Venezuelan items, from savory to more dessert-oriented. Open for a few weeks at our press time, the new location is the seventh Papichy’s for the Caridads, who also have their food trucks off Waters Ave. in Tampa and in Odessa (FL) and Orlando.

Since “Pastelitos” is part of the place’s full name, I first tried a guava and cheese pastelito, which was crispy and delicious, but be warned that the guava jelly is molten-hot, but worth it! A box of 25 assorted (there also are chicken, pizza, pota to-&-cheese, ground and shredded beef varieties) mini-pastelitos is shown above.

Since then, I also have sampled the mini-empanadas (available in many of the same savory varieties, as well as filled with ham & cheese, fish, black beans, bacon, seafood & more), as well as tequeños (cheese sticks) and my surprise favorite — the mandocas (cornmeal doughnuts shaped like teardrops). They’re all just so good.

I was so impressed that I brought 100 assorted Papichy’s treats to the Volunteer Day at the future home of Sgt. Quincy Lopez in Wesley Chapel (see pg. 14) and they were all quickly gobbled up. You definitely should try Papichy’s if you haven’t already!

The Search For Wesley Chapel’s Favorite Fried Chicken Tenders Is Over! Well, Sort Of!

By Gary Nager

Photos by Charmaine George

So, which is our readers’ favorite fried chicken tenders place of the twelve in the Wesley Chapel area?

The answer I have for you is certainly not definitive, although the nine judges yours truly picked from amongst nearly 50 of our readers in both of our distribution areas definitely were in agreement on their favorites...well, mostly anyway.

As I told you last issue, picking those nine judges was not an easy task. At any rate, the nine people selected were: Bill Johnston (aka Colonel Sanders himself!) and his wife Suzanne Reno of Quail Hollow, Aaron “Dion” Rocha and his wife Suzanne Rocha of New River Township, Cindy Cooley of Tampa Palms, the father-daughter duo of Joshua & Zoe Paine of Heritage Isles and the son-&-father team of Karson (the self-proclaimed & costumed “King Chicken Wing” and Jason Centeno of Live Oak Preserve.

All three rounds of judging were a blast for yours truly, the judges and even for Jannah, whose unenviable job it was to go and pick up the chicken from each of the restaurants, cut each tender into bite-sized pieces and plate them for me to bring to the judges.

I originally thought we were going to split the number of places into one group of 5 for Round 1 and one group of 6 for Round 2, but after Round 1, I realized that one Wesley Chapel chicken place (Wing Stop) had recently added tenders to its menu, so Round 2 ended up having the Mild and Spicy chicken tenders from seven places.

A few other things I have to reiterate:

1)Because we bought and had to bring the chicken from multiple places to one central location, the judges knew beforehand that none of the chicken would ever be as hot or as moist as it would be at each of the actual restaurants.

2) None of the chicken was served with sauces for fear that the judges would figure out whose chicken was whose too easily. But again, it also kept each place’s chicken from tasting its best.

3)I have to thank president & CEO

Hope Kennedy and office administrator Darlene Hill of the North Tampa Bay Chamber for allowing us to use the board room in the Chamber’s beautiful, new office in The Shops at Wiregrass for all three rounds of the contest.

4)I also have to thank our photographer/ videographer Charmaine George for not only shooting still pictures, but also videotaping all of the proceedings. Although we are announcing the winners in this issue, we also will show video highlights from all three rounds as the premiere episode of our “Neighborhood Newsmakers” podcast. Look for updates about that first podcast on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page.

5)Yours truly didn’t sample all of the chicken nor did I try to influence the judges in any way.

Here’s how the judging went for the first two rounds of the contest, as each chicken tender was judged based on its Crispness, Moistness, Seasoning (for Mild) and Heat (for Spicy), but only the Overall score given for each restaurant counted:

Round 1 (July 23)

There were five Mild but only four spicy chicken tenders in this round, because Raising Cane’s is the only one of the 12 total restaurants that doesn’t sell spicy tenders. The Mild tenders were from PDQ, Chicken Guy, Zaxby’s, Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken. The favorite of these five was Chicken Guy, with PDQ second (both of which advanced to the Finals) and Raising Cane’s third, with Zaxby’s fourth and Dave’s fifth.

and they were followed by Popeye’s, Wing Stop, Chick’n Fun, Hangry Joe’s and Sweet Krunch, in that order.

The same seven restaurants competed for Favorite Spicy (you can see a portion of the Round 2 Spicy Scoresheet, including our judges’ comments, on the next page), with Chickfil-A and Slim Chickens again finishing in the top two spots, followed (in order) by Chick’n Fun, Popeye’s, Wing Stop, Hangry Joe’s & Sweet Krunch.

Finals (Aug. 4) — The judges were never told which four Mild and which four Spicy tenders advanced to the Finals, but several recognized PDQ & Chick-fil-A from the

On the Spicy side this round, Zaxby’s was the clear-cut winner by average score, but Chicken Guy was the #1 choice of more of the judges, so both advanced to the Finals, with PDQ and Dave’s not advancing.

Round 2 (July 30) — Chick-fil-A and Slim Chickens finished solidly as #s 1 and 2 (in that order) to advance to the Mild Finals,

first two rounds and one judge identified Chicken Guy from Round 1.

For the Finals, each judge was asked to put the four Finalists in each category from their overall #1 Favorite down to #4.

For Favorite Mild Tenders, PDQ and Chick-fil-A finished in a flat-footed tie for first place, with each receiving 3 first-place, 3 second-place and 3 third-place votes. But, since five of the judges had PDQ finishing higher than Chick-fil-A, PDQ won for Favorite Mild Tenders. Chick-fil-A was second and Chicken Guy finished third (with 2 first-place votes), and Slim Chickens was fourth, with only 1 first-place vote.

Without knowing which was which, the judges agreed that the four Mild Finalists were their four favorites from the first two rounds.

For Favorite Spicy Tenders, Chickfil-A and Slim Chickens each had 3 first-place votes, but Chick-fil-A also had 4 second-place votes to Slim Chickens’ 1, so Chick-fil-A was named the Favorite Spicy Tenders winner, followed by Slim Chickens. Zaxby’s just beat out Chicken Guy to finish third.

Looking Back

The contest was certainly not scientific and I know it really doesn’t “prove” anything. I’m also quite certain that many, if not most, of our readers will disagree with the results.

But, what it did accomplish was to bring together a diverse group of our readers for a fun and interesting cause and there’s no doubt that

these nine previous strangers — two couples, two father-&-child combos and one not-partnered judge — all became friends and took their “jobs” very seriously, but not too seriously.

There were comments like, “I can’t taste the chicken,” “Dill pickle undertones,” “Only one I didn’t finish,” “Needs sauce,” “Tastes like Publix” and “Heavy vinegar flavor” — and a lot of laughs.

All nine judges also want to try judging the Best Steaks, Best Fries, Best Burgers and a couple that I might actually try to put together — Best Pizza and Best Tacos, but I probably will have to select a whole new crew of judges next time.

Look for the first episode of the “Neighborhood Newsmakers” podcast on our Facebook page, with more about the contest!

at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., just north and west of the S.R. 56 exit off I-75, Lutz) on July 31.

Sure, lots of places have had Santa Claus himself (bottom photo) on hand and available for free pictures at their events, and some may even have had some free food available, but the Hyatt Place management saw this as an opportunity to introduce the local community to the beautiful ballroom and delicious catering available at the hotel — in case you or someone you know wants to host a holiday event there.

Among the tasty treats served at the Jingle Mingle were small, plated samples of holidayinspired dishes — like grilled orange salmon on a bed of tasty rice with fresh asparagus (top), ovenroasted chicken with house-made cranberry sauce and an addictive sweet potato mash and braised short ribs with red wine sauce, accompanied by a baby carrot medley and mashed potatoes. And, all of them were actually as appealing to the palette as they were to the eyes.

But of course, for yours truly, the highlight was the full-on s’mores station (above right), complete with graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate bars and your choice of mini or huge marshmallows, plus skewers and “hot flames” to toast those marshmallows.

Absolutely decadent!

What if we could show you a way to pay off all your

— credit cards, car loans, etc., in 9 years or less… Would that be a conversation you would want to have? If so, call Bleu Sky’s! Bleu

FREE Real Estate Book!

Each adult attendee also received a ticket for a free holiday-themed cocktail (e.g., a “White Christmas Margarita,” “Tipsy Reindeer” and more), plus vendors like Florida Ave. Brewing Co. and Thirsty Buffalo gave away free beer samples. And, PopStroke, Main Event and Metro Lagoons were on hand, and there was a free photo booth, other desserts and more.

The event also helped remind attendees that the hotel also will again host a full-on Thanksgiving buffet and this year, a New Year’s Eve gala that hotel director of sales Lorna Petchey promises will not be cancelled this time, as it was last year.

For more info about the Hyatt Place, call (813)803-5600, visit Hyatt.com, see the ad on pg. 51 or email Lorna.Petchey@Hyatt.com to book your own holiday party ASAP. — GN

Rudraksh Indian Cuisine’s Grand Opening!

Although we first told you about the opening of Rudraksh Indian Cuisine at 4424 Friendly Way, Suite 115, in Downtown Avalon Park in our May 13 issue, owners (top right photo) Manashi Borush (left) and Amit Ghor pade celebrated the “official” Grand Opening of their upscale Indian restaurant on Aug. 9.

And of course, yours truly had to be there to enjoy some more unique flavors and wish the owners and their general manager Dee well.

“A lot more people have been giving us a try since Tallo (the Caribbean-American fusion restaurant next door) opened,” Dee says. “But, they keep coming back because they found out that they love the food (like the tasty Tandoori lamb seekh kabobs below) and the atmosphere here, too. We have been super-busy on the weekends and the lunch and weekday dinner business is growing, too.”

The place definitely was packed with both regulars and newcomers for the Grand Opening event, which included a complimentary glass of champagne and an incredible 30% off your bill. So of course, I had to grab a seat at the gorgeous,

lamb chops and garlic naan), and indulge in my still-favorite Rudraksh dish, the Lehsoni Gobi (crispy cauliflower with garlic sauce). For more info about Rudraksh, call (813) 355-3914 or visit RudrakshIndianCuisine.com. — GN

Worry-Free Property Management

Top-Tier Tenant Screening Maximized Rental Income

24/7 Maintenance Coordination Local Expertise – Wesley Chapel & Beyond

N ew T ampa & w esley C hapel Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SALT AIR HOME SERVICES. Drywall Repairs, Texturing, Painting, Wood Rot Repair, Insulation Blown & Spray Foam. For a free quote please call 904-333-4678

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 30+ years of exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-7845999. Lic. #SCC131149699

AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY & get 1 MONTH of quality service FREE. For more info, visit AquatecPools.org.

FLOORING- Luxury Vinyl Plank Installed! Buy anywhere, we will install it!. $1.69/sq. ft. (over 300 sq.ft.). Regular-size bedroom - $399, We will haul away carpet/tack strip & move major furniture pieces. Call for free estimate 813-417-7689. Let’s save some money!

BATHROOM & KITCHEN REMODELING. Top quality, professional, licensed, & insured contractors. Family owned & operated for over 30 years. We take the hassle out of remodeling. Call Ken of Hangliter Residential for an estimate. 813-460-4548 or see our display ad on the next page for additional info.

Flooring/Waterproof Vinyl Plank Installation! Affordable & knowledgeable service, $4.99/sq.ft, including a 20-mil Luxury vinyl plank. We’ll move appliances, heavy furniture & existing floors & haul them away as recommended. Free in-home estimates always offered. Call today: 813-804-2544.

MISCELLANEOUS

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.

PHOTOGRAPHERS & CREATIVES: Looking for a photo studio space in New Tampa? We offfer a weatherproof, luxury exp. for your clients in this 705-sq-ft creative space. Natural light, white walls & light laminate floors make the space bright & airy. Studio lighting, props, furniture, paper & cloth backdrops & more avail. Book/inquire online: Jessicabuttererphoto.com/rent-the-studio or call Jessica 914-844-2894

Were you self-employed during 2020 & 2021? If so, the IRS is giving out refunds — get your money in only 2 weeks. It takes only 10 minutes to find out how! Call 813-784-2243.

SHARPENING SERVICE. Knives, Scissors & Garden Tools. Prices/Svcs & Calendar of venues available @ mmsharpening.com. Every Friday, 9am-4pm, through March 2025. NEW LOCATION: @ Harvey’s Hardware (Case Knives), 5400 Land O’Lakes Blvd., LOL. Contact M&M SHARPENING, Mark Bertsche @ 518-260-5916.

HUGHES SCHOOL OF MUSIC is now accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory w/a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also avail.! Contact us at 813-748-3216.

CLEANING SERVICES

CLEANSWEEP CLEANING CO, LLC. Fully licensed/bonded, 8 years exp, satisfaction guarantd. Prof’l staff. On-time. We can bring our own products or use yours, if you prefer. Christian-based, family-owned company that lives in New Tampa, serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Call (813) 340-0908 for a no-obligation free quote. Ask for John. ROSE’S CLEANING SERVICE. We make sure your home will be shiny & clean. Whether you need one-time, weekly, biweekly or monthly svcs, we will customize a plan to accommodatesyour needs. Residential/offices/airBnB,etc. Call/text Roseli for a free estimate anytime: 813 400.4946. Or, email:rrduar@yahoo.com.

PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 10 years of experience. Free estimates. Call 813 790-8715 or email paty8624@proton.me.

NEXT HOME CLEANING. With 20+ years of prof’l house & ofc cleaning services available. Trustworthy, efficient & affordable. Transform your space into a spotless sanctuary. Ecofriendly products. Satisfaction guaranteed. Book now & enjoy a pristine home! FREE ESTIMATES! Contact us today at 813-860-1524 or visit nexthomecleaningservices.com. ___TREE SERVICES ___

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27 yrs of Prof. Svc. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Dead-Wood Removal. Tractor Work. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

COMPUTER SERVICES ____

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

___ REAL ESTATE & OFFICE___ __ OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE! Pebble Creek Collection plaza space for lease, approx. 500 sq.ft. Perfect for someone in Health/Wellness/Cosmetology. Contact Deborah at SunMed - Your CBD Store of New Tampa (19651 Bruce B Downs) @ 813-994-0599.

Steven Kessel, REALTOR® w/Future Home Realty, Inc., has created just for you, the most advanced, up-to-date, user-friendly propty search engine for homes for sale in the Tampa Bay & Central Fla area — & it’s FREE to use & enjoy. BuyYourDreamHome.com.

The New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Classifieds are the classified ads your neighbors actually read!

__TRANSPORTATION

_

ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2023 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $45 (one way). Cory Lake Isles resident. For more info, call or text 813.765.2037.

or call (813) 910-2575 to order or renew your Classified