Presenting The Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA!
By Gary Nager
“This is much more than just the begin ning of a construction project,” said Tampa Metropolitan YMCA president & CEO Matt Mitchell. “This is a beginning of a new chapter for the YMCA, and it’s the beginning of a new commitment on behalf of our YMCA to this Wesley Chapel community, because we’re here to break ground on what soon will become an impactful community resource and a vibrant hub for health and wellness.”
Mitchell was speaking to a group of about 100 people gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the new Mary W. Sierra YMCA (more on the name below) on land provided by BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital located just south of the 86-bed hospital itself.
“This will be a place for day camps and new sports and drowning prevention programs for our children,” Mitchell continued. “There will be programs for our families that come together, and connect programs for cancer survivors, both adults and children. Programs that help prevent chronic disease. And programs for our seniors not just to exercise, but to have a place to come and socialize and be a part of an engaging community that helps them thrive. Programs like that, and much, much more, will be right here beneath our feet in the summer of 2026, and it’s gonna be something special.”
Mitchell then acknowledged that, “Wesley Chapel is already a very special community, but this YMCA will be a new place where families and neighbors come to connect and build valuable friendships, all supporting this venue where every individual who lives in this community can come and live their healthiest and most fulfilled life in Pasco County and beyond.”
As to how the Tampa YMCA came to be able to build this $35-million, 49,319-sq.-ft. YMCA on BayCare’s property, Mitchell said, “We’ve got a lot of good partners, sponsors, funders and friends. And just to name a few — BayCare made this land very available and affordable to the YMCA long term, plain and simple. Without BayCare, there is no YMCA here. Thank you so much for the partnership.”
Mitchell also thanked Fleischman Garcia
Maslowski Architects and the firm’s co-founder
Sol Fleischman, who was on-hand at the event.
tion and the great design of the great spac es for kids and families that thrive in our
(Top) Seemingly the entire Sierra family participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA next to BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital. (Above right) Tampa Metro YMCA president
Matt Mitchell
Our Return To St. Pete Beach — Still Recovering As The 2025 Hurricane Season Begins
An Editorial by GARY NAGER
St. Pete Beach has been an important part of mine and Jannah’s relationship since we first started dating ten years ago. It’s where we were married six years ago and where have spent some of the most magical times of our lives — with the most beautiful sunsets, the greatest live music and some of the most delicious meals we’ve ever enjoyed together.
But, as pretty much everyone knows, all of the Gulf beaches from Clearwater south to St. Pete were devastated by last year’s trio of major hurricanes, especially Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida on Sept. 26 of last year. That was only six weeks after Hurricane Debby brought record flooding, also to the Big Bend area, despite “only” hitting as a Cat 1, because the storm stalled along the Gulf coast of our state. Helene was followed less than two weeks later by Cat 3 Hurricane Milton, which did as much damage to inland areas as it did to the coast.
But, Helene — which hit roughly 35 weeks before the 2025 Memorial Day weekend, when Jannah and I finally returned to St. Pete Beach — did the most damage of the three storms to Pinellas County’s beloved beaches.
That means its been eight eight+ long, difficult months for the hotels, restaurants and merchants in those Gulf Coast communities, so even though we’d seen and read news reports about how difficult it’s been for those areas to fully recover, we (wrongfully) assumed things had to have gotten back almost to normal by now. Um, no. A thousand times no.
During our visit, we drove from Pass-A-Grille Beach, at the southern tip of the strip, almost to the Sand Key Bridge just south of Clearwater and, even though the weather was beautiful and there were still plenty of great places open for business, what we found saddened us to our cores.
Pass-A-Grille seemed mostly intact, but the fabled Don Cesar Hotel had only recently reopened and still was not fully restored to its former glory.
Still closed were many of our local favorite St. Pete Beach haunts like the Bellwether Beach (formerly the Plaza Grand) Hotel, home to the popular rotating Level 11 rooftop bar and Spinners restaurant. Even the Beachcomber Resort, home to our favorite live music spot Jimmy B’s, was still shuttered. Popular restaurants like The Frog Pond and further south to Caddys on the Beach (photos) also were still shut down, although the owners of Caddys at least had a tented bar, food trucks and picnic tables on-site so those enjoying the live music at Ka’Tiki across the street could come out to take in the still-breathtaking sunsets.
We continued north through Treasure Island, where the fabled Thunderbird Beach Resort, which opened in 1957 and had survived many hurricanes and tropical storms, had never reopened since Helene and was getting ready to be demolished.
We then headed to John’s Pass, which was mostly reopened, although our bartender at the Pirates Pub & Grub told us that all of the first-floor businesses on the boardwalk had 5-7 ft. of water inside them and had to be completely renovated for weeks and even months, while the second floor restaurants and shops were pretty much still OK.
Continuing north of John’s Pass, through Madeira Beach, the Redingtons, Indian Shores,
Indian Rocks and Bellaire, where it has always been less crowded, also was chilling. Those areas seemed even emptier than usual. And yes, I realize that Sand Key, Clearwater Beach and Dunedin, forming the more northern, but equally touristy, part of the Pinellas strip, are all also still suffering, even though we didn’t drive that far during this visit.
And again, our stay was the better part of a year after all of this devastation, so it was hard not to have a queasy feeling about what might be in store for our favorite beach communities this year, as the 2025 Hurricane Season began the day (June 1)that I wrote this story.
All I can say is that until we get word that our amazing beaches are again in the projected track of a storm, Jannah and I plan to return to — and pray for — St. Pete Beach as often as we can.
Do You Have Questions About Medicare? I’ve Got Answers!
• 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!
Wesley Chapel
WE HAVE MOVED OUR OFFICE AGAIN! 27251 Wesley Chapel Blvd., #426 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
Advertising & Editorial E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com
Publisher & Editor Gary Nager
Correspondents
Celeste McLaughlin • Iris Vitelli
Joel Provenzano
Editorial Research by Joel Provenzano
Ad Sales & Marketing Director Jannah Nager
Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George
Graphic Designers
Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener
Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions & advertisement reservations for Volume 33, Issue 14, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2025 JM2 Communications, Inc.
Next, Mitchell thanked Joshua Bornstein, the president and CEO of Creative Contractors, LLC, for “building this project. Josh has built [several] buildings for us and they’ve all have been tremendous, quality projects. There’s a lot of comfort knowing that Josh and his team are on this project as well.”
He also thanked project engineer Dan Bergin, and the Seven Oaks Property Owners Association. “When we do a project like this, we like to engage with our local neighbors sooner than later and just see how they’re feeling and talking to them about our project. And, the Seven Oaks POA now made our immediate neighbors very accessible to us. So, thank you for the conversation, and for engaging us. We are going to do our best to be good neighbors.”
Mitchell also thanked a few of the key donors, since, “This is a $35-million project, and a project like this does not come out of the ground unless you have some great lead donors,” including the Sierra family — “Bob and Mary, Hi and Lisa and Michael — who have all been such great friends of the YMCA,” including securing the naming rights to the Bob Sierra YMCA in Northdale.
In addition, Mitchell thanked Joanne Spurlino of the Spurlino Foundation, who won, with her late husband Cy, the Tampa YMCA’s Red Triangle Award in 2021 as the organization’s top volunteers the year before Cy passed away. Mitchell said, “You’ve shown up for us in so many different ways throughout the years on so many different projects. During Covid, Joanne, Cy and I were sitting in my truck in the middle of this field, just imagining the possibilities. And we’re here, Joanne. Thank you so much for everything. You’ve been such a great friend.”
Mitchell also gave thanks to Congresswoman Laurel Lee, “who couldn’t be here today to speak with us because she got bucked off a horse yesterday, so she’s a little sore this morning. She’ll be here for the ribbon-cutting. But, if you see her, thank
YMCA, and secured some great funding through the federal government to help build this YMCA.”
Mitchell also thanked lead donors David and Liz Kenney and the YMCA’s new bank, Valley Bank, which is providing the funding for the project.
He then turned the mic over to Larry Bevis (right) the chairman of th Board of Directors for the Tampa Metro YMCA. Bevis said, “Today is really beginning of something truly transformational. This new YMCA represents a shared vision that provides opportunities for a healthier and more connected community here in Wesley Chapel. And this project is the result of years of careful planning, true collaboration and the incredible generosity of so many of our neighbors — Bay Care Hospital, our elected officials, civic leaders and, of course, our friends from the surrounding communities, many of whom are with us here today. Your belief in this mission and your unwavering support have made this possible. From the bottom of our hearts., we thank you.”
Bevis added, “We’re obviously very excited about this new YMCA. The two, story building will encompass, nearly 50,000 sq. ft., with an additional 36,000-sq.-ft. outdoor aquatic center.” (Note-That aquatic center will be home to three pools — a covered 25-yard, 8-lane, 4,465-sq.-ft. competition pool, a 1,229 -sq.-ft. therapy pool, and a 2,625-sq.-ft. main pool with interactive water features and slide structure, pool equipment area and pool deck with shade coverings.)
“Just imagine the laughter and energy of children playing on multiple acres of sports fields,” Bevis said. It will be an epi center for families to connect and have fun. But, it’s certainly not just about square footage. It’s about the lives it will touch.”
He also mentioned that 27,000 people, “live within a twelve minute drive from here. This YMCA will become a hub for those young people — a place to learn, grow and build life long friendships. And, it’s not just for the young. Nearly 20,000 seniors also live in this area. And this Y will be a gathering place for them, offering programs and a supportive community.”
Bevis closed with, “As we turn the soil today, we’re not just starting construction. We’re turning towards the future, a future where this YMCA stands as cornerstone of strength and belonging, an opportunity for generations to come. A future where the Wesley Chapel community grows stronger together. Personally, what inspires me most about the Y is our unwavering commitment to serving all. Everyone is welcome. No one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay. That means families, children and seniors, regardless of their financial situation, will always have access to life-changing programs and support right here at this new YMCA. And, like all YMCAs, this
Next up was District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman (above), who shared his own personal connection to the Y.
“The YMCA has played an incredible role in my life, and in a whole lot of people’s lives around this county. I spent summers in my youth working through college at the East Pasco YMCA and down to the Tampa Y. And it had a tremendous impact on my life. It’s where I started to understand, at an early age, about service to others and to our youth, our community and to seniors. And, just being a part of something bigger than yourself.”
He added, “We’ve all been watching this beautiful piece of land here in Wesley Chapel for a while, wondering what might go on it. I think it was the best-kept non-secret around town. And I’ve got to say, this is truly worth the wait, because today we’re breaking ground on something that’s gonna make a real difference in our families, our kids, our entire community with this brand new YMCA. Here in Seven Oaks is a place where kids can play their first team sport and seniors can stay active and socialize.”
Comm. Weightman also gave, “a huge shout-out to BayCare. You know, without Bay Care, making this possible with such a generous land lease or I don’t think this would ever have happened. And the opportunity that BayCare has provided to the Y shows real vision for the health and care of Pasco County. This project is a win-win for us, for wellness, and for our eco nomic development, too. Over 300 new jobs will be created here at this facility. Many of our local teams will have their very first taste of working right here at this YMCA. And, I can tell you that if you’re going to go into the workforce, there is no better job than working at the YMCA.”
Weightman then read a couple of letters he received from the parents of kids when he was a camp counselor at the East Pasco YMCA in Zephyrhills.
“I guess I kept them because of the feelings I got from these at the time. It just showed the special relationships that you build and the impact and what it means to the people, to parents, especially as they’re going to work, and they’re dropping their kids off at summer camp, and here they are entrusting you with their kids.”
One of the notes from a parent said, “Mr. Seth, I just wanted to let you know that you’ve made an impact on my son Brandon this summer. He often talks about the things you tell him, and also that you have taken the extra minute when he needed you. Brandon looks up to you, and it’s been a positive experience for him all summer long. Thanks for making a difference in my child’s life.”
Weightman closed with, “I’m very passionate about this organization and just incredibly excited that they’re building right here in Pasco
I’m excited to see what the future has in store.”
The final speaker was BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital president Nanette Wilcox (above), who said, “This project has truly been a community effort. I’d especially like to recognize YMCA President Matt Mitchell for his leadership and our BayCare Wesley Chapel Board members for their continued work during this journey. BayCare and the YMCA have had a long-standing collaboration. Both organizations share a common goal of improving the health and wellness of those we serve and providing high-quality care. With a Y, that means care for the community by providing a safe wellness space for families, care that is accessible and focused on the needs of the residents. For BayCare, it’s providing safe health care options in our community and excellent services.”
See “YMCA” on pg. 6
Speaking of those services, Wilcox added, “We recently opened our BayCare Medical Group offices in this hospital (see page 12), where patients can get imaging and lab services, primary and specialty care, such as orthopedics [in one place]. With the opening of the new YMCA next door, the patients will have a new space to continue their wellness journey. This extends to our hospital team members as well, many of whom have been looking forward to taking advantage of the amenities and services offered by the new YMCA that they’ve been hearing about.”
She added, “As we all know, the Wesley Chapel area is rapidly expanding, with our population expected to grow by 40% over the next 20 years. This gives us a tremendous opportunity to reach so many people and strengthen our community through our commitment to health and wellness. I can’t think of a more reliable partner to join us in meeting the community’s needs than the YMCA.”
A Very Special Dedication
breaking ceremony, Mitchell said, “As you know, we take immense pride in our work to help strengthen our communities and really enable everybody to be the best version of themselves. But, but there’s been people along the way that have enabled us and propelled us into being the impactful organization that we are today.
“Back in 1985, we had the pleasure of opening up the Bob Sierra Family YMCA. And, that Y, for the past 40 years, has really served as a pillar for potential and promise as people pursue their health and wellness together. Over the last four decades, there’ve been hundreds of thousands of people who’ve gone in and out of the doors of that YMCA. Kids, families, seniors, all engaging with their neighbors to really pursue health and well being. Today, our Bob Sierra Family YMCA has nearly 12,000 members, and that’s not including all the kids who come there for day camp and new sports and things of that nature. Each and every year, that Y sees almost 400,000 individual visits. That YMCA has been such a gem in that Carrollwood/Lake Magdalene/Northdale area. It’s just truly amazing.
“Bob and Mary really wanted to make sure that this Wesley Chapel YMCA was a reality for this community. So, Bob and Mary have agreed to fund the naming rights for this YMCA.
ley Chapel YMCA will be known as the Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA.”
For more information about the Wesley Chapel/Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA, visit
BayCare Medical Group Opens Office Inside BayCare Hospital WC
By Joel Provenzano & Gary Nager
Congratulations to the new BayCare Medical Group (BMG), which celebrated its Grand Opening on the second floor of BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital (4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 205) with a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event on May 8.
The new BMG office currently features three medical specialties — General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery and Family Medicine. According to site manager Rjaye Lowe, who led us on a tour of the 8,600 sq. ft. of new offices, the BayCare Medical Group may expand to an additional floor and specialties in the future. Considering that the entire BayCare system has more than 1,100 providers in 54 specialties, that seems like a pretty safe bet.
“We have the space to continue to grow and expand beyond the current specialties and we are anticipating adding cardiology in the near future,” Lowe said.
He added, “Over 30 rooms are dedicated to the BayCare Medical Group General & Orthopedic Surgery and Primary Care,” Lowe said.
“The benefit to it being in the hospital is that everything is in one location, in just one
heading up one of the three BMG specialties now available inside the hospital.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ravi Vaswani can treat patients as young as 12 years old, while general surgeon Dr. Sahand Bamarni and Family Medicine Dr. Ronika N. Newbold see patients ages 18 and older. All three physicians expressed their excitement about being part of the opening of the new BMG offices inside the 86-bed hospi-
(Above, l.-r.)
tal (which also has room to grow).
The new medical offices are designed to provide integrated, patient-centered care, offering residents greater access to primary and specialty services within the BayCare network.
BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital president Nanette Wilcox said, “We’re very excited to officially open our new BMG offices. As we continue to grow our footprint here in Wesley Chapel, we’re committed to providing seamless access to high-quality care for the community, and this is a
big step in that direction.”
Of course, there already is a BMG office on S.R. 54, in the same plaza as Glory Days Grill, but according to BayCare spokesperson Cherie Miller, “The doctors at the S.R. 54 office will be unaffected. The only change is that their patients will now have the added benefit of being able to utilize the new outpatient imaging and lab services at the hospital.”
For more info about BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital and BMG, visit BayCare.org.
(Above) Dr. Ronika N. Newbold (left) and BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital president Nanette Wilcox shared the scissors while cutting the ribbon at the new BayCare Medical Group offices inside the hospital.
General surgeon Dr. Sahand Bamarni, BayCare Medical Group primary care site manager Alexa Jordan, Dr. Newbold, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ravi Vaswani and BayCare Medical Group site manager Rjaye Lowe at the Grand Opening of the BayCare Medical Group office.
(Above, l.-r.) Dr. Newbold, BayCare Medical Group director of operations for specialty care Jennifer Jusino, Dr. Vaswani and North Tampa Bay Chamber president & CEO Hope Kennedy. (Below) The X-ray room at BayCare Medical Group’s offices located inside the hospital.
What Will Compass Claim Solutions Do For You?
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Opens!
By Gary Nager
Although the Angeline community in Land O’Lakes is getting what will be the largest cancer treatment and research center in Florida — the sprawling, 775-acre “Speros FL” Moffitt Cancer Center campus with 16 million square feet of lab, office, manufacturing and clinical space, the new Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) & Research Institute building on the south side of S.R. 56 in Wiregrass Ranch gives the Wesley Chapel area two major cancer centers (the other is the 28,000 sq. ft. being occupied by the Moffitt Cancer Center at Wesley Chapel in the 100,000-sq.-ft. Healing Plaza building adjacent to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel).
But, the 45,000-sq.-ft. FCS building, located only 3.5 miles from the AdventHealth/ Moffitt center, is now the largest cancer treatment facility in Wesley Chapel.
FCS cut the ribbon (in conjunction with the North Tampa Bay Chamber, or NTBC) to officially open the new state-of-the-art treatment center on May 15, as the location’s VP of operations Samantha (Sam) Watkins introduced direc tor of patient advocacy (and Board-certified oncologist and hematologist) Richard McDonough, M.D. (hold ing scissors in the photo on this page), who introduced several of his colleagues, including medical oncologist Dr. Ayman Barakat, radiation oncologist Dr. Bradford Perez and GYN (gynecologic) oncologist Dr. Jessica Stine to the crowd of more than 100 people, many of whom were FCS doctors, staff members and administrators.
treated more than 102,000 new patients and provided more than 4.2 million clinic visits.
“One statistic that I find incredible,” Watkins said, “is that 67 percent of all Floridians live within 20 miles of an FCS center, which serves our mission of being in the community.”
And, although Moffitt is still the highestrated cancer treatment center overall in Florida, FCS also ranks among the top-performing oncology practices and offers more clinical trials than any other private oncology practice in Florida. And, according to Dr. Barakat (see more from him below), the new Wiregrass Ranch location should soon be hosting clinical trials of its own.
advanced treatments possible that are personalized to the unique needs of what they have. We try to minimize the disruption [to their lives] by making sure we are closer to where they live and that the patient can get the care with the support people and community around them, and really to be a big part of driving the best outcomes for our patients.”
services with patient assistance through our generous foundation, and, of course, access to the most advanced and promising treatment through clinical trials, which hopefully we should be planning to start in this building very shortly.”
Dr. Perez, a lifelong Tampa native, talked about the team approach to patient care at FCS.
Watkins mentioned that the new FCS clinic will include five medical oncologists and hematologists, two radiation oncologists, six advance practice nursing providers and a “dedicated group of clinicians and support staff.”
Watkins also provided a lot of the basic information about FCS in general, including that in 2024, FCS celebrated its 40th anniversary of cancer care in the Sunshine State, when FCS
Watkins noted, “More than 150 clinical trials are [being conducted] at our 29 locations across the state.... With our expanded capabilities to provide state-of-the-art genetic testing, our physicians are able to design treatment plans with the utmost precision and provide truly personalized medicine, which translates into better outcomes for our patients.”
Meanwhile, Dr. McDonough said, “My colleagues and I share a passion and dedication to a singular goal to provide our patients with the most
Dr. Barakat provided some additional statistics about the new FCS facility, and the difference between the new building and the original Wesley Chapel location that opened in 2019.
“We only had four exam rooms and seven infusion chairs,” he said. “But now, we have 32 exam rooms, 62 infu sion chairs, and offer expert treatment for all forms of cancer and blood disorders. We have an on-site lab, our own oncology pharmacy care coordinator,
“One of the things about FCS is that it does give us the opportunity to work together as part of a multidisciplinary oncology team and, as a radia tion oncologist, you know I’m really glad to have an opportu nity to work with the medical oncologists here at FCS. This location has state-of-the-art equipment, like the Varian TrueBeamTM machine, which does precise, stereotactic radiation treatments.”
Dr. Perez also noted that, “Wesley Chapel is a big growth area, so it’s great to be able to provide great care for patients, with the most advanced technology, where people are moving and living.”
Next, Dr. Stine said that when she joined FCS four years ago, “My goal was to bring GYN
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) & Research Institute building off S.R. 56 in Wiregrass Ranch on May 15 was more than just another Grand Opening. It further expanded Wesley Chapel’s reputation as a health-care hub, now with two major cancer treatment centers. (All photos by Charmaine George)
Watkins
McDonough
Although the Angeline community in Land O’Lakes is getting what will be the largest cancer treatment and research center in Florida — the sprawling, 775-acre “Speros FL” Moffitt Can cer Center campus with 16 million square feet of lab, office, manufacturing and clinical space, the new Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) & Research Institute building on the south side of S.R. 56 in Wiregrass Ranch gives the Wesley Chapel area two major cancer centers (the other is the 28,000 sq. ft. being occupied by the Moffitt Cancer Center at Wesley Chapel in the 100,000-sq.-ft. Healing Plaza
building adjacent to Adven tHealth Wesley Chapel).
But, the 45,000-sq.-ft.
FCS building, located only 3.5 miles from the Adven tHealth/Moffitt center, is now the largest cancer treatment facility in Wesley Chapel.
FCS cut the ribbon (in conjunction with the North Tampa Bay Chamber, or NTBC) to officially open the new state-of-the-art treatment center on May 15, as the location’s VP of operations Samantha (Sam) Watkins introduced director of patient advocacy (and Board-certified oncologist and hematologist) Richard McDonough, M.D.
Our hotel, located in the heart of Wesley Chapel, features 3,600 sq. ft. of Event Space, offering an elegant backdrop for your next event:
the convenience of our on-site catering, flexible layouts & room blocks for your guests. •Ballroom & Boardroom •Pre-Function Area
treatments to specifically targeted areas (below).
Pasco County Breaks Ground On Fire Rescue Station No. 2 On S.R. 54
By Gary Nager
All photos by
Charmaine George
Editor’s Note - Unfortunately, the groundbreaking for this new fire station in Wesley Chapel was held the week after we went to press with our May 13 issue, so this news is almost a month old as this issue is reaching you, but I felt it was still too important to not include it in this issue. I apologize for any inconvenience that the delay in getting this info to you may have caused. — GN
Although the Wesley Chapel area already has three Pasco Fire Rescue (PFR) stations in operation — Station No. 13 on Old Pasco Rd. in the Quail Hollow area, No. 26 on Aronwood Blvd. in Meadow Pointe and Station No. 38 on Overpass Rd. in Watergrass — there’s no doubt that the explosive growth of Wesley Chapel has created a desperate need for additional stations in and around zip codes 33543, 33544 and 33545.
Pasco County has had a sign announcing that PFR Station No. 2 is planned on a piece of property on S.R. 54 less than a mile east of the new AdventHealth Meadow Pointe Emergency Room (as we reported about last issue) for several years, but now, construction has begun on Station No. 2, and the official groundbreaking for the new, state-of-the art fire station was held at the site at 32134 S.R. 54 on May 13.
Pasco Fire Chief Ryan Guynn, who only got the job as chief six months ago but has had a 25-year career with PFR, was clearly thrilled to be able to talk about the official beginning of construction on the new station (which actually had been under construction for several weeks
before the actual groundbreaking event).
“This is something monumental, something that’s been a long time coming for the people in this area,” Guynn said before introducing Tim Sewell, the regional director for Florida of Ajax Building Company, which is doing the actual construction of the new fire station.
Ajax is excited to be part of this fire station and this is the second of the package that we have coming out that we’re constructing (for PFR Station No. 19 in New Port Richey), so having
our people tied into the community here and really working to build this facility for the county is extra special.”
Chief Guynn also thanked Fleischman Garcia Maslowski, the architectural firm that designed the new station (as well as the new Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA in Wesley Chapel; see story on pg. 1), and PFR’s own facilities team “for all of your hard work putting this together.”
Next up was District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman, since the new
station is located in his district.
Weightman said, “The hard work for this station was done back in 2019, and the credit really goes to the voters who passed the GO (general obligation) bonds back then to help fund these stations. So, it’s a tremendous honor to be on the board and see one of the last remaining GO bond projects come out of the ground.
He added, “Station 2 has been desperately needed and longed for by the residents of Wesley Chapel for many years and I’m just excited and
happy to be in office as this is coming to life.”
Comm. Weightman (below) also introduced Dist. 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano, who told a little bit about the evolution of PFR during his 21-year tenure on the Board.
“When I first started,” Mariano said, “there were a bunch of things that needed to get im proved on and I think from my inception of get ting on the Board, every board has supported the fire and EMS (emergency medical services) team that we have in this county and we appreciate the team getting these things coming out of the ground. And, the word out there on the street, is that Pasco County safest and best place to work [for fire and EMS personnel].”
Chief Guynn (right) admitted that he
ment to that [safety] and our commissioners commitment to bring that to fruition is always evident and we’re never going to forget that.”
Truly State-Of-The Art!
Following the ceremony, Chief Guynn gave more information about the new Fire Station No. 2 (the site plan for it is shown top right) itself.
“We have what we call our Hot, Warm and Cold zones, which are isolated areas inside the building, where you need to help separate some of the carcinogens from our living quarters, which helps keep our employees healthier and cancer free. That’s not a new concept and we certainly didn’t invent it, but we’re taking it to the next level, and our commissioners have gotten behind us. We take our employees’ health and
wellness very serious, so just being able to provide them with a living quarters and a fire station workout of that design, keep them healthy, is a big deal.”
Chief Guynn also noted that the new Station No. 2 will have, “our typical fire truck and ambulance package, but we’re looking at moving in some aerial apparatus as well. We have some specialized equipment that we like to keep close to the interstate. But, you know, a lot of those decisions will be made in the near future because, you know, by the time this station is built, we’ll have operational needs that are going to change as well.”
The 13,840-sq.-ft. Station 2, which is expected to be open by the winter of 2026, also will be a three-bay station, which Chief Guynn called “medium-sized, but it will give us plenty
of room to grow. We’ll be able to add additional units inside of here and we’ll, be able to house dozens of employees, especially during hurricanes and natural disasters.”
And, those additional units — and additional fire stations in the area between Morris Bridge Rd. and Meadow Pointe Blvd. (Station No. 31), and just south of the Harley Davidson dealership on Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Land O’Lakes (No. 5) — are already needed and will continue to be even more needed as more homes are built in our area and traffic continues to increase. Even so, Chief Guynn said that response times in the Wesley Chapel area, “are currently within the acceptable range,” but added that the new station will definitely improve those times, especially for the Avalon Park/New River community and Meadow Pointe Areas III & IV.
Site plan source: Pasco County
Driskell’s ‘Hindu-American Month’ Bill Passed By The Legislature!
Although the Florida Legislature was still in an extended (until June 30) regular session — trying to pass a State Budget and some related items — while I was finalizing this issue, State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) led a tribute on the House floor on May 1 recognizing the vital contributions of Hindu-Americans across the state of Florida.
Joined by several of her colleagues, Leader Driskell (who serves in State House District 67, which includes New Tampa) celebrated the adoption of her resolution — House Resolution 8053, which designates October 2025 as “Hindu-American Heritage Month.” The resolution was officially adopted by publication in the House Journal on April 17.
To mark the occasion, Rep. Driskell welcomed a group of Hindu-American leaders to the House Chamber — including New Tampa resident Sudhir Shah (who organized the Hindu leaders for the Tallahassee trip) and New Tampa-based pharmacist Rasesh Patel and his daughter Puja, where these HinduAmerican leaders were honored and presented with a framed copy of the resolution (photo).
“As a representative of a vibrant and diverse district with a significant Hindu-American population, I’m proud to introduce HR 8053,” said Leader Driskell. “This resolution acknowledges the profound contributions of Hindu-Americans to Florida’s cultural richness, educational excellence, economic vitality and
philanthropic spirit. It was a joy to celebrate this moment with constituents and Hindu-American leaders from across the state.”
Rasesh Patel is the Consultant Pharmacist and Community Relations Lead with BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan), located on E. Fowler Ave. in Thonotosassa. It is a Hindu religious organization and a denomination within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya Swaminarayan Mandir. His daughter Puja, who was the youngest attendee of the event celebrating the adoption of the resolution, is a proud USF graduate in Data Analytics.
(L.-r.) Puja Patel, State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell & Rasesh Patel were all in Tallahassee to celebrate the May 1 passage of Rep. Driskell’s resolution to declare Oct. 2025 as “Hindu American Heritage Month” in Florida. (Photo provided by Rashesh Patel)
“House Resolution 8053 is more than a symbolic gesture,” Patel said. “It is a meaningful acknowledgment of the values, contributions and cultural heritage that the Hindu-American community brings to Florida. This resolution serves as a bridge — fostering mutual understanding, respect, and celebrating the diversity that strengthens our democracy.”
He added, “For Hindu-Americans, especially our youth, this recognition sends a powerful message: your story matters, your culture is honored, and you belong. I am sincerely grateful to Representative Fentrice Driskell for championing this initiative. Her leadership paves the way for future generations to embrace both their American and Hindu identities with pride. Florida’s recognition of Hindu-American Heritage Month is a vital step toward building a more inclusive narrative — one that reflects the rich tapestry of communities that make up the American fabric.”
With Rep. Driskell’s resolution in place, Rasesh said, “Approximately ten prominent Indian organizations — each with a statewide presence in Florida and representing religious, professional, cultural, and social communities — will come together to celebrate Diwali (on Oct. 20) at the Capitol in Tallahassee. This marks yet another meaningful milestone in honoring the growing contributions of the Hindu-American community across the state.”
Patel also noted that Rep. Driskell, who has attended and actively participated in major festivals hosted by the BAPS Shri
Swaminarayan Mandi, including Diwali, one of the most significant celebrations in the Hindu faith, “not only signals solidarity with, but also demonstrates genuine interest in understanding and honoring Hindu traditions and values.”
He also said that Leader Driskell’s collaboration with BAPS Charities has further deepened this bond. In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, she personally joined volunteers in the University area to help distribute more than 1,200 sandwiches and critical daily supplies to affected families — a moment of service that reflected both compassion and leadership.
“Rep. Driskell’s support also extended to BAPS Charities’ annual Walkathon, which raises funds for local charities and civic causes,” he added. “By endorsing and participating in these initiatives, she continues to uplift efforts that benefit communities across faiths and backgrounds.”
With her history of meeting with Hindu leaders, attending cultural events, and championing inclusivity through legislative action, Patel said, “Rep. Driskell stands out as a public servant who doesn’t just represent — she connects, participates, and uplifts. Her relationship with Florida’s Hindu community is not performative; it is personal, purposeful and profoundly appreciated.” — Special to the Neighborhood News
a whole team behind you!
Are You Being Treated for Heart Failure (HF)? Put
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
all traditional
Services, including:
•Advance Health Care Directives
• Durable Powers of Attorney
Attorney
Upcoming Events — A Patriotic Concert At IPAC & 4th Of July At Avalon Park WC & More!
Thursday, June 12, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. – The Peach Truck Tour. At Tampa Premium Outlets (Grand Cypress Drive). Get orchard-fresh peaches in Florida. Reserve your box online and pick-up. For more info, visit ThePeachTruck.com.
Thursday, June 12, 6:30 p.m. - Wesley Chapel Republican Club Monthly Meeting. At Myrtle Lake Baptist Church (2017 Reigler Rd., Land O’ Lakes). Please join us for outstanding speakers, networking, coffee and dessert. The club welcomes new members and guests. This month’s speaker is Pasco County Commissioner Lisa Yeager. For more info, email Jim Cracchiolo at WesleyChapelRC@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 14, 4:30 p.m.- 6:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. – Tampa City Ballet School Presents: “Cinderella.” At the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Embark on a magical journey as Tampa City Ballet reimagines the timeless tale of Cinderella in a dazzling fusion of classical and contemporary ballet. Tickets $30-$50. For more info, call (813)829-2760. To purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.
Monday, June 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. –Third Annual Government Career Fair. At Chillura Courthouse Square (600 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa). Recent grads, even if you live
The Florida Wind Band will perform a free concert — “Red Feathered Soul, a Concert of Patriotic Music featuring American composers” — at at the Pasco Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 28. (Photo from FloridaWindBand.org.)
in Pasco County, you can find your career at Hillsborough County’s Government Career Fair. Free to attend. If you can’t attend or for more info, visit hillsclerk.com/jobs.
Wednesday, June 18, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Coffee Social. At Bubba’s 33 (26340 Silver Maple Pkwy.). 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
NorthTampaBayChamber.com/Events.
Friday, June 27, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Final Friday. At Hilton Garden Inn (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy.) Join the chamber to engage and network in a relaxed environment. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/Events.
Saturday, June 28, 3 p.m. – Florida Wind Band Concert. At Pasco-Hernando State College, Instructional Performing Arts
Center (8657 Old Pasco Rd.). See “Red Feathered Soul, a Concert of Patriotic Music Featuring American Composers.” Free to attend. For more info and to RSVP, see the ad below or visit PHSC.edu/ about/events/campus/florida-wind-band-concert.
Friday, July 4, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. – 4th of July Celebration. At Avalon Park (4424 Friendly Way). There will be an apple pie bake-off, bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors and don’t miss the fireworks show at 9 p.m. For info, (813) 7831515 or visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com/News-Events/ calendar/# or see the ad below.
Sunday, July 6, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. – Florida Jazz Express: Fourth of July Big Band Concert. At the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Florida Jazz Express is back for this special concert of patriotic songs that symbolize America, Independence Day & summer traditions in true big band style. Tickets: $15 (theater seats), $20 (table seats). For info, call (813) 829-2760. Or, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events.
WC Resident Portrays ‘Diddy’ In ‘Diddy On Trial’ Docuseries On Hulu
By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent
In a surprising twist, long-time Wesley Chapel resident, family man and entertainer Layne Harper has stepped into the spotlight by portraying Sean “Diddy” Combs on Hulu’s gripping hit new docuseries, “Diddy on Trial: As It Happened.”
Layne’s involvement in the show has garnered national attention, especially considering the sensitive and sensational nature of the content. As the trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to unfold in real life, with testimony from various witnesses, including rapper Kid Cudi and Diddy’s former longtime girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, the series provides an alternative medium for audiences to engage with the case through reenactments and on-screen analysis.
Produced by ABC News Studios, “Diddy on Trial” debuted on May 25 as the third mostwatched show on Hulu (as of May 28), behind “A Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” according to FlixPatrol, a site that provides Video on Demand (VOD) charts and streaming statistics worldwide. Hulu’s website states that the docuseries, “takes you inside the criminal trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, one of the most salacious and hotly anticipated courtroom showdowns in decades. Watch bombshell moments and heart-wrenching testimony unfold in real time through meticulous actor reenactments sourced each week from courtroom transcripts.
“Prosecutors allege the music icon and business mogul engaged in a dark underworld of sex trafficking and prostitution. Combs denies all accusations, maintaining his innocence. Join host Sunny Hostin [Senior Legal Correspondent for ABC News] as she breaks it all down with a rotating roster of legal and pop culture experts, giving you a front-row seat to this high-stakes legal battle.”
Since cameras are not allowed in the federal courtroom, the actor reenactments allow viewers to more accurately, and emotionally, connect with what’s actually happening in a more natural way than just reading about it in news articles. The series is a “must watch” for those who like courtroom dramas, as well as, of course, pop culture fans.
As of this writing, only two episodes of “Diddy on Trial” have been released: #1: “The Freak-Off” and #2: “The Assault.” New episodes are being released weekly as the trial continues.
The Man Playing The Monster Testimony in the trial so far has painted
Diddy as a violent and controlling man that people feared. So, how does someone like Layne Harper — who’s known locally to be a genuinely nice guy — get to portray one of the most allegedly vile and mocked men in America?
Layne says he is actually “really excited” about this opportunity and that one of his agents in New York City helped him land the lead role. “I’ve never been told that I resemble Diddy,” Layne says. “My agent in New York submitted me for the role because he had a strong feeling I could execute on the role as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.”
He adds, “I’m not concerned at all because I’m playing the role of ‘Diddy.’ I’m my own person. I’m a husband and father of three and I choose to protect my peace and strongly believe in not entertaining negativity. One thing that cannot be erased from the entertainment industry is that Sean Combs will always be a music mogul.”
He admits, however, that stepping into this unique role has been a wild ride for him.
“Everything is happening so fast,” Layne says. “I’m flying back to New York again tomorrow night, and will be back and forth in Tampa for the next 4-6 weeks — maybe longer, depending on the trial, [since] I’m doing the entire season.”
Assuming that Diddy is going to take the witness stand at some point, Layne says of that possibility, “I just pray. I don’t overthink it. That’s how I booked the role. I’m on the edge of my seat because no one knows if he will take the stand.”
Layne Harper, Jr., 43, was born in Memphis, TN. Raised in a military family, he spent seven years in Darmstadt and Mannheim, Germany. After graduating from Millington (TN) Central High School in 2000, Harper moved to Brooklyn, NY, to pursue a music career. He later relocated to Nashville, TN, where Layne met his wife Jennifer. The couple moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2009, and has been living in Wesley Chapel since 2010 with their three children (l.-r. in top left photo on the next page) — Jaydon, Enyal and Xavier, the latter of whom is currently serving in the U.S. Navy.
Playing Diddy is actually a bit ironic for Layne, as he is also an experienced and talented rapper/musician with an amazing voice. His songs “A Thing Called Love,” “Hell
Ride to Heaven” and “Medicine Cabinet” are his most popular originals with his message landing somewhere between faith and hope. “Hell Ride to Heaven” definitely has that New York sound. The music videos for Layne’s music can be streamed on Youtube under “Layne Harper” and his album “House of Blues” also can be streamed on Spotify.
Layne also has ventured into fashion — he has launched his inspirational and faith-based urban clothing brand called Vctry (which Layne is wearing in the photo above). The designs seem to resonate with customers who appreciate Vctry’s blend of style and functionality, offering pieces that are both fashion-forward and comfortable.
As an actor, Layne has had a few roles in small, independent films, and he’s also done a few commercials, but most recently he scored a role as a reporter/member of the press in a major film — the upcoming and hotly anticipated Apple Original racing film called “F1,” starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris (both shown in the top right photo) and Javier Bardem. The movie about Formula 1 racing is being released in theaters on Friday, June 27.
As for portraying the most ridiculed man
in the world (at least currently), Layne says, “I actually turned the role down twice and prayed that someone else would be blessed with the opportunity rather than me. However, God had other plans for me. Yes, I feel I’m out of character, but there’s a difference between natural actors and method actors and for this role, I bounce between the two.”
More Than Just A Role
As Layne takes on the role of Diddy in “Diddy on Trial,” he isn’t just stepping into a role — he’s stepping into a cultural moment, one with lots and lots of baby oil.
The show doesn’t shy away from controversy and neither does he. His performance captures the complexity of a man under intense public scrutiny, while also reflecting the broader questions regarding celebrity culture, justice and the role of the media.
As the world watches the trial, Layne’s performance reminds us that storytelling — no matter the medium — has the power to challenge, provoke and ultimately, inform. Whether or not this role also will make this Wesley Chapel family man a star in his own right remains to be seen.
From Wesley Chapel to the world stage, Layne Harper is hoping to prove he’s more than ready for the spotlight. As his diverse background and creative endeavors continue to shape his multifaceted career, faith and hope continue to shape the man himself.
New episodes of “Diddy on Trial: As It Happened” will be available for streaming on Hulu every Sunday through the conclusion of the trial.
Lexington Oaks Crossings & Patel Brothers To Start Development On WC Blvd.
Even though I haven’t yet received an update on what is coming to The Hub at Lexington retail/restaurant development — which is coming along nicely, by the way — in front of the Sentosa Lexington Oaks apartments on Wesley Chapel Blvd., I was able to speak with the property owners/developers of two adjacent parcels to the south/west of The Hub.
The sign closest to The Hub (top photo) proclaims that Patel Brothers Indian Grocery Store — the largest such chain in the U.S., with more than 50 stores in 20 U.S. states, including four in Florida (with a location at 1251 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa being the closest to us) — is coming.
The sign also says that the Patel Brothers chain — which was founded in Chicago in 1974 — is celebrating its 50th anniversary
of providing authentic Indian produce, spices, beverages, snacks and South Asian sweets, as well as prepared Indian foods for the nearly 5 million Asian-Indian diaspora living in our country (nearly a quarter of a million of which live in the Sunshine State).
I was told by a spokesperson for Patel Brothers that the store should be breaking ground “probably by the end of this year,” but wouldn’t elaborate further about the new location’s size or when it is expected to open.
Lexington Oaks Crossings
I was able to get some additional information about the sign a little further to the south/ west on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (right) from David Nekouee, the CEO of Capital Design & Engi-
neering, which is actually planning two similarlysized retail strip centers next to Patel Brothers.
The first 15,000-sq.-ft. center, which Nekouee says could break ground as early as the week this issue arrives in your mailbox, is almost fully leased but may have at least one of the six spaces shown on the sign (above) still available.
Although Nekouee didn’t officially confirm who those tenants will be, he said the right end
cap of the plaza will be a “national coffee shop.” There also will be a pizza place (believed to be a Jets Pizza), a sandwich shop (shown on the sign as a Firehouse Subs), a smoothie shop (shown on the sign as a Tropical Smoothie Café), a pet hospital and a medical or dental office.
For more information about Lexington Oaks Commons, call David Nekouee at (770) 833-4507. — GN
SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR OFFICE:
•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 3D scans, ITERO (no goop) and digital X-rays
•Laser dentistry (release of tongue tie for infants, children and teens)
•Relaxed environment, so your children can enjoy their visit
or
at info@tampahappysmiles.com Or,
Realtors® Jessica & Joel Provenzano Want To Help You Buy Or Sell Your Home
By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent
Jessica and Joel Provenzano are licensed Realtors® who work together as a team out of the Florida Executive Realty (FER) office in Tampa Palms. While they are still relatively new to real estate — Joel with only two years of experience and Jessica with a bit more — they bring a passionate, detail-oriented approach that they believe sets them apart.
“We may be new at this,” says Joel, “but we are hungry and that makes us work harder.”
Married for 20 years, the Provenzanos are high school sweethearts who moved to this area from Estero, FL. They have lived in the Meadow Pointe community with their daughters Kayla and Lily since 2009. Jessica and Joel have a natural, complementary partnership, not only as a couple but also as business partners.
“Joel and I work every transaction together,” Jessica says. “We support each other and play to our strength.” She handles communications and contracts, while Joel, with his background in engineering and research, focuses on inspections, technical issues and behind-the-scenes details. “His research background is a huge asset for our clients,” she adds.
Before real estate, Joel worked in transportation and land development engineering for both the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) and as a private consultant. That experience now provides a unique advantage for his clients.
“I can provide insight into what future construction, schools, or stores are planned nearby,”
he explains. “It’s not just about the home itself. It’s about where you’re going to live, what the area will look like in a few years, and how that impacts your investment.”
Jessica adds that location is still one of the biggest decision factors. “Many new buyers want to know what their lifestyle will look like in an area,” she says. “That’s where Joel shines. He knows the surrounding developments, the infrastructure plans and what’s coming next.”
The Provenzanos help sellers, buyers and even renters. “Sometimes, the recommendation is to rent and not to buy, depending upon the circumstance,” Joel says. “We review everything with the client because it may not be the right time to purchase. Renting may fit their monthly budget or needs better.” Unlike many agents who stick to either sales or rentals, Jessica and Joel handle both. “It keeps us in tune with the totality of the market,” he says. “The rental market affects the selling market in a large way.”
They also assist homeowners who want to rent out their properties. “We treat rental listings the same way we treat ‘For Sale’ listings,” Joel says. “We market them to what renters are looking for because we know that side of the market.”
When it comes to helping families move to New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, Jessica and Joel pride themselves on doing their research. Whether a client is concerned with nearby schools, walkability or community amenities, the Provenzanos provide answers.
“For example,” Jessica says, ““Charter schools are important in areas where there aren’t any established public schools yet. We also help clients
weigh the pros and cons of new construction versus established neighborhoods. If schools matter, that might mean leaning toward a pre-owned home near a well-established, highly rated school. If not, new construction could be a great fit.”
The couple also will share lessons from their own home-buying journey. “We bought a fairly large house, and we’ve grown into it,” Joel says. “Sometimes it’s better to buy a little more than you need, as long as it still fits in your budget, so you don’t have to move again in a few years.”
One trend they’ve noticed is the growing demand for communities that cater to ages 55+.
“Wesley Chapel now has some amazing options for active older adults,” says Jessica. “Valencia Ridge, Anand Vihar, Esplanade and Amberlin are each offering something different. Amberlin, for instance, is a rental-only 55+ community with rents ranging from $1,600 to $3,500 per month.” They recently helped a couple living in a single-family home transition from their home into a rental at Amberlin. “It had everything they were looking for,” Jessica says. “Age-targeted communities now offer floor plans and amenities geared toward that demographic. It’s not like the past, where the only options were manufactured homes. These
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, rent, upsize or downsize your next home, call Realtors® Jessica & Joel Provenzano of Florida Executive Realty for personalized service. (Photos on these pages provided by Joel Provenzano)
are beautifully thought-out and designed homes and apartments.”
GL Homes’ Valencia Ridge is one new for-sale 55+ community that has impressed them. “They have single-story homes, golf cart-friendly streets, a restaurant and even a list of designers used in their models for buyers who want that professional touch,” Joel says. “It’s about building a lifestyle.”
Their insider knowledge also comes from showing up. “Facebook is a wealth of information for us,” says Jessica. “But more important is that we go to every event, talk to builder reps and learn what each community really offers. Sometimes, we get insights that the average buyer won’t hear. That’s why it’s important to always take your Realtor with you, even on your first visit to a builder. Most builders will still pay the commission.”
Joel and Jessica agree that the market has changed. “Prices skyrocketed during Covid when demand outpaced supply and people flooded into Florida,” Joel says. “But now, there’s more new construction, and the prices have stabilized. Sellers still have equity, but they’re having to be a bit more realistic when coming up with a price. We can help with setting a market price that will get noticed.”
New construction has become more competitive, too, sometimes offering better deals than resale homes. “Some builders offer incentives, upgrades, or closing costs that pre-owned sellers
can’t match,” Jessica says. “That’s why it’s crucial to use a knowledgeable agent who knows what each community is offering.”
With rising single-family home prices, townhomes have become more attractive, too. “Some townhomes are just as big as single-family homes, but without as much maintenance,” Joel says. “They’re a great option for many buyers.”
Jessica and Joel Provenzano are more than just Realtors — they’re a team with a deep understanding of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, a tireless work ethic and a genuine desire to help people make informed decisions. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent, they bring a personal touch and the knowledge to match.
You can reach Realtors Jessica & Joel Provenzano of Florida Executive Realty (15802 Amberly Dr.) by calling or texting (813) 956-4093. Or, for a free consultation, visit JProvenzano.FloridaExecutiveRealty.com. Or, see their ad on pg. 28 of this issue.
Spotlight On: Celly De Freitas Of Clean-It!
Clean-it owner Celly de Freitas has been cleaning homes and businesses in the New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas for the last 26 years.
But, she says, that wasn’t always the plan. She was a teacher in her na tive country of Brazil and planned to continue that career when Celly and her husband, Rogério Buchner de Freitas, moved to the Tampa Bay area, “but it was very hard for me to go to college (USF) here, because I didn’t speak Eng lish as well then as I do now,” she says. “I ended up leaving USF to go to school for the skin care business.”
In order to help pay for that schooling, she started cleaning houses and, even though she did end up opening a skincare spa, “I was making a lot more money cleaning houses, so I let the spa go after about two years,” Celly (below) says.
Today, not only does this Wesley Chapel resident speak and understand English (as well as Spanish, Italian and her native Portuguese) fluently — despite still having a fairly thick accent — she has a team of twelve Brazilian women working with her, all of whom also speak and understand English, Spanish and Portuguese.
“I tell everyone who works for me that they have to be able to communicate with clients in English,” Celly says. “You have to be able to understand what the clients want and do whatever they ask when it comes to cleaning their homes.”
She says she usually uses a “team” ap-
with the teams — she’s the one coordinating the schedules and checking up on all of her employees to make sure they are getting to each location on time (and calling or texting the clients when one of “my girls” is running late). “But, when I have someone out sick or they’re stuck someplace, I will still go and help out,” she says. “And, I try to be as flexible as possible when a client needs to change their schedule, too.”
The Covid-19 pandemic definitely took a toll on Celly’s business, but says she was able to survive because she received a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan from the government, “and continued to pay all of my employees who didn’t go back to Brazil, even though they weren’t able to work for several months. Without that money, I might have lost all of my clients.” Clean-it offers (and is licensed to provide) residential and commercial (“We are licensed to do medical and dental clinics, but not hospitals,” Celly says) cleaning services, including monthly, bi-weekly and weekly services, one-time cleans and move-in and move-out cleans. “We have amazing references, too.,” she says.
Most of Clean-it’s clients are in Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz and Land O’Lakes, she says, “but we do travel a little further for some clients, especially those one-time cleaning clients.” She adds, “We really specialize in those move-in cleans. We usually end up getting the [new homeowners] as clients because we do such a great job.”
For more information about Clean-it and/or a free job quote, call (813) 505-0431 or see the ad below. — GN
Nations Roofing & Construction — A Legacy Of Excellence Since 2006!
By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent
Hurricane season is upon us again, with many homeowners in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa feeling weary after 2024’s busy season.
Since Debby, Helene and Milton all hit the Tampa Bay area last fall, Nations Roofing & Construction, LLC, has helped hundreds of families repair or replace their roofs, whether because of storm damage or fears that their roofs might not hold up if major storms strike again.
In fact, owner Jason Morphet says, “On average, we re-roof three to five houses every day, and have completed over one million square feet since last October.”
Offering both residential and commercial roof installation and repairs, Nations Roofing can provide metal, shingle, tile and flat roofs to meet any needs. In addition, the company installs gutters, soffits, fasciae and siding.
Jason says that if you haven’t had your roof inspected since last storm season and you are currently missing any shingles, Nations Roofing is available to inspect your roof and provide a thorough repair or re-roof estimate. If you are still waiting on an insurance claim, Nations can help with your inspections, tarping and repair/ replacement needs.
He warns that after a storm, homeowners need to be careful who they trust, especially if roofing companies come knocking at their door.
“Is this company licensed in Florida? Is it insured? Local? Will it be there for you after the work is completed?” Jason asks. “When doing
any kind of roofing work, from a small repair to new installation, always look for a local company with the proper licenses and insurance.”
In addition to having those prerequisites, Nations Roofing & Construction has nearly two decades of experience in the roofing industry, as the company was established in 2006.
“We are a local company that provides roofing services to customers year-round,” Jason says. “Much of our business comes from word of mouth and customer referrals, and we are proud we have been able to establish and grow our
business here in the communities where we live.”
Jason says that now is the time to get ready for this year’s storm season — which began on June 1 — by cleaning gutters and downspouts, trimming nearby trees and replacing any missing or damaged shingles, soffits or fasciae.
He also says that regular maintenance is essential to your Florida roof. Nations offers a $95 annual roof maintenance package for standard single-family residential homes, which includes gutter clean out, pipe boot and vent check and seal, flashing check, minor debris
removal, small tree trimming off roof lines and a condition report.
A Team Effort
Jason says that Nations Roofing & Construction has received the CertainTeed Certification — Master Craftsman Certified SELECT ShingleMaster.
The SELECT designation means Nations can offer homeowners a 25-year labor and material warranty backed by the manufacturer. Having this certification gives the company the ability to provide extra warranty coverage from the manufacturer to the homeowner that other companies often are not able to provide.
“Roofing contractors who earn the CertainTeed Certified SELECT ShingleMaster Installer designation are among the top 1 percent of all roofers nationwide,” Jason says.
A new shingle roof in Florida typically lasts 18-20 years, but Jason says, “the usual lifespan of a roof mainly depends on the workmanship of the installers and the materials used. Roofs mostly fail before the end of their lifespans due to poor workmanship. Tile and metal roofs can last up to 40 years or longer, provided that they are installed properly.”
His dedicated team of professionals, from crews to office staff, has a wealth of experience and deep commitment to the work, Jason says.
“Many of our employees have been with the company for years,” he says, “and of course, our team is fully licensed, giving clients peace of mind that their homes are in safe hands.”
See “Nations Roofing” on pg. 28
The Morphet family — (l.-r.) Jason, Ellis, Ayleen and Lilly — invites you to find out why Nations Roofing & Construction has been a trusted roofing & general contractor for nearly 20 years. (Photo by Charmaine George)
Spotlight On: The Middle Place Accounting
Donna Ray, the owner of The Middle Place Accounting & Consulting Services, and I have a friend in common — Paula Nuñez, the owner of the Tampa City Dance Center and the founder of the Tampa City Ballet (see ad on pg. 39).
“I used to be the executive director of the Tampa City Ballet,” Donna says, “and they are currently still one of my clients. I still handle their bookkeeping and accounting.”
Donna says she first launched The Middle Place during the pandemic, “while I was still the executive director of the ballet, because I have two children and their school was closed, so I needed to home school them and work from home. I also was taking care of my father, who has since passed away, so it just made sense to be as independent as I could be based on the needs of my family.”
She adds, “I sent out a big email blast at that time to people I’ve known around the Tampa Bay area for a very long time that my services were available and that seemed to be all that it took.”
The idea for her company didn’t just come out of nowhere, however. Donna has a total of 30 years of experience working in accounting.
“I spent a decade in Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, working in networking and IT (information technology) and then in finance,” she says, “so I just have this unique blend of experience.”
Then, when Donna came back to the U.S., “I found myself working for nonprofits for the first time. I was the director of the Women’s Business Center at the Center for Women in Hyde Park. That’s where the Tampa City Ballet found me.”
She adds that since then, she has served, “a lot of female entrepreneurs, helping them either launch or with their business. But, my focus was on finance and accounting, and that was sort of my specialty, helping people build business plans, financial statements and projections.”
A Diverse Range Of Experience
She brings all of that experience with her to The Middle Place, “and I’ve been really lucky because I have a wide variety of clients. Some are in for-profit industries, some are nonprofit. I also work with a law firm and some retail companies.”
Donna says she provides a professional level of service that goes beyond just bookkeeping.
“I focus a lot on software implementation,” she says. “One nonprofit contract [I have] right now was implementing seven different unique technology stacks for them, and implementing Quickbooks Online and payroll and basically
Wesley Chapel’s Trusted Dumpster Rental!
Dependable dumpster service for homeowners & businesses.
Fair rates & on-time deliveries & pickups. For more info, call 813.696.3385 or Book Online at EarlyBirdDumpster.com Father’s Day Special: Get $15 OFF w/Code FD15!
automating their entire organization.”
Originally from Chicago, Donna moved to Tampa when she was a teenager, and started out as a receptionist at a law firm, “when I was like 19 years old, and I was always surrounded by very talented, very wonderful people who were always willing to give me opportunities.”
She says that when she returned home from the Caymans, it was right after the financial crash of 2008, and despite her experience, “I knew I needed a degree to do the work I do here. I went to USF, but I didn’t focus on business or finance because I already knew that side. Instead, I got my A.A. degree in Women’s & Gender Studies. My goal was to focus on helping women from my own experience. A lot of women would be stuck in relationships and would end up not being able to financially afford their own livelihoods. It became an inspiration for me to work with women and I worked with a lot of really great entrepreneurs, which was a lot of fun.”
Donna grew up as an aspiring young dancer, “but I had a very practical father who said, ‘If you break your leg, you need to have a backup.’ And he was right. My trajectory was not to be a professional dancer. So, when Paula Nuñez approached me needing help for Tampa City Ballet, I thought, “This is a perfect opportunity to work in an industry I love and provide my services.”
Donna also works with Diaz Shafer, an immigration law firm in Tampa that was on Quickbooks Desktop but wanted to switch to Quickbooks Online, “so I did that for them.”
She’s also done contract work for Davis College in Rwanda, Africa, a Tibetan Buddhist Center, as wll as for the late Linton Tibbetts (the founder of Cox Lumber), and with Brian Schaefer, the owner of the Skate Park of Tampa.
“A lot of clients first come to me to handle their bookkeeping,” Donna says, “But I can offer a lot more than just bookkeeping. I do software implementation, financial projections and can help you grow your business by offering financial advice from a unique perspective.”
For more info about Donna Ray and The Middle Place, call (813) 391-6890, visit TheMiddlePlace.com or see the ad below. GN
Accounting & Consulting Services
Outsource Your Small Business Bookkeeping Needs Today! Let our QuickBooks® Online experts balance your books, Giving you piece of mind to focus on what you love — Growing Your Business! Call Donna Ray at 813.391.6980 or Email Donna@themiddleplace.com today! www.TheMiddlePlace.com
Donna Ray of The Mid dle Place (photo provided by Donna Ray)
‘Nations Roofing
The Nation Roofings staff is headed up by office manager Kristie Eager, production coordinator Renee Jackson, head of residential sales Dan Rutherford, head of the commercial roofing division Dan Bonebrake, and service department head Daryl Viens.
Jason calls his team of foremen, “the backbone of the company,” ensuring that customers have an excellent experience with Nations each and every day. The foremen include Diego, Gio, Zeb, Adan and Jimmy.
“We promise to provide a seamless and high-quality roof installation for our customers,” Jason says. The company’s attention to detail and use of premium materials guarantee that your roof that will be both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
The ‘& Construction”’ Part
While Nations Roofing & Construction specializes in roofing, its name is a reminder that the company doesn’t stop there. In addition to roof installation, Nations has a large service department that focuses on repairs, inspections, maintenance and warranties.
It also offers a range of additional construction services, such as gutter installation to protect a home’s foundation, channeling water away from the structure to prevent potential damage. Nations also does soffit and fascia work,
which both protects the roof and also enhances a home’s overall appearance.
In addition, the company can provide quality siding, will rebuild and repair chimneys, and even offers solar panel installation services.
“One thing that sets us apart is our personalized approach to each project,” Jason says. “We believe in building relationships with our clients — understanding their unique needs and providing tailored solutions.”
Keri is a local homeowner who asked friends for recommendations when she needed to replace her roof, due to its age, last fall.
“I reached out to a few companies and had them all come out and give me quotes,” Keri says. “Nations had the best pricing and we had a good interaction with Dan when he did the initial inspections, so we decided to go with them.”
And, Keri says, she’s so glad she did.
“They were very professional with how they communicate and always answered all of our questions quickly and thoroughly,” she says. “And they were so fast. They arrived when they said they would, they were efficient and we didn’t have any delays.”
And, most important of all, “We love the way it looks. We’re very happy with the end product and have had no issues.”
Together with his wife, Ayleen, a teacher in Pasco County, and their daughters, Lily and Ellis, Jason is committed to giving back to the community.
For example, the company supports Pasco County Schools, is a Gold Sponsor of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser supporting underserved children and families in the local community, and provides yard signs for parents to celebrate
their children’s “Student of the Month” awards, among other community-based initiatives.
For more information about Nations Roofing & Construction, LLC, call (813) 692-1555, see the ad on page 9 or visit NationsRoofingCompany.com.
(Before & After photos provided by Nations Roofing & Construction, LLC)
Radiant Wellness Spa For Post-Surgical Massages, Skin Care, Waxing & More
By Iris Vitelli
Neighborhood News Correspondent
When Yuhanna Alahmary first opened Radiant Wellness Spa in April 2022, she had one mission in mind: to help people feel better in their own bodies, especially those healing after surgery. With 14 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist (LMT) specializing in lymphatic drainage, Yuhanna saw a need for this kind of care in Wesley Chapel.
“This service, until recently, often required a long drive to South Tampa,” Yuhanna says.
Since opening Radiant Wellness Spa, however, Yuhanna says she also has had many clients asking for additional services, including skin care, facials, waxing and brow services, so she is now offering those services at her spa as well.
Lymphatic Drainage
“Not many people in this area are certified in lymphatic drainage,” Yuhanna says. “But, there are a lot of people who need this kind of care, whether it’s post-operative, recovering from cancer or just dealing with swelling.”
Lymphatic drainage may be a gentle technique, but Yuhanna says it can play a powerful role in recovery. It’s all about moving excess fluid, reducing inflammation and boosting immunity.
“Technically, it’s still a massage,” she explains, “but it’s a lighter touch. It helps reduce edema, promotes healing and helps eliminate waste from the body.”
Many of Radiant Wellness Spa’s clients are recovering from procedures like tummy tucks or
bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. Others are managing lymphedema (caused by lymph fluid buildup often because someone had their lymph nodes removed), lipedema (a painful chronic condition where fat builds up in the legs, hips and sometimes arms, mostly in women), or healing from breast cancer. Every session begins with a thorough intake questionnaire to find out and understand each client’s condition and goals.
“Every massage isn’t the same, because every person is different,” says Yuhanna. “That’s why we start with a consultation. It’s about what they want and what their body needs.”
Yuhanna isn’t doing this work alone. The spa is home to a team of certified, skilled and compassionate professionals who offer a wide range of healing techniques. Yuhanna and her other staff LMTs are all trained in relaxation and Swedish massage, prenatal massage, cupping, hot stone therapy and assisted stretching.
Jeannie, a neuromuscular LMT with five years of experience, focuses on pain relief and mobility. Her specialties include trigger point therapy, release of myofascial pain (caused by pressure on sensitive points in muscles), improving range of motion, stretch therapy and myoskeletal alignment therapy (to restore the balance between muscles, bones and connective tissues in the body).
Cassandra, who is certified in lymphatic drainage, offers oncology massage, which she says is a deeply personal calling for her, as her mother is a breast cancer survivor.
“Not everyone knows how to treat someone going through or recovering from cancer,”
Yuhanna says. “If they’ve had lymph nodes removed, you have to be gentle. It’s not something every LMT is trained to do.”
As for Yuhanna herself, she con tinues to offer ad vanced techniques, such as post-opera tive care, lymphatic drainage, body contouring massages and a unique blend of cupping and stretch therapy. She’s trained in both Thai stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF, a stretching technique that uses stretching and isometric contractions to improve range of motion and flexibility).
Aesthetic
fessionals who can offer lash services, permanent makeup, and/or hair treatments.
Services, Too
In addition to massage therapy, Radiant Wellness Spa also now offers skincare services. Licensed aesthetician Srishti Jaioswar provides facials, waxing and brow services. Originally from India, Srishti runs her own business out of a treatment room she rents inside the spa.
Yuhanna also is looking to expand Radiant’s offerings even further. One room is currently available for rent, and she hopes to bring in pro-
“We’re also looking for a nurse practitioner to join the team,” she adds. “We’d like to bring back Botox and weight-loss injections (which Radiant did offer previously) to complement the services we already provide.”
One of the spa’s most popular newer services is body contouring. Originally offered only to postop clients, this non-invasive massage service is now being available for anyone who wants to reduce fat, smooth cellulite or improve skin tone. “Body contouring can be very beneficial,” Yuhanna says.
The team at Radiant Wellness Spa on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel includes (l.-r.) Srishti Jaioswar (aesthetician), Yuhanna Alahmary (owner & LMT) and Jeannie Jones, LMT (Photo by Charmaine George)
“It even helps with wrinkles in some cases.”
Another unique offering is Thai massage, a stretching-based therapy that Yuhanna studied while traveling in Thailand. “It’s a full-body stretch using hands, elbows and feet,” she says. “It’s traditionally done on a mat on the floor, but we can also do it on a massage table. It’s really good for helping with flexibility and circulation.”
For clients who need deeper healing, the therapists also may incorporate Kinesio taping, CBD-infused lotion, or other supportive tools.
“We try to blend traditional techniques with modern tools,” Yuhanna says. “It’s all about what’s best for the client.”
As the spa has grown, so has its ability to serve the community. “It’s all been trial and error,” she says. “We’ve learned what our clients need and what makes sense for us to offer as a team, so we can focus on what we’re good at.”
Educated Clients & Therapists
A big part of that strength is education, both for the staff and the clients. “People think they’re going to wake up from plastic surgery looking like a model, but that’s not the reality,” Yuhanna says. “They’re bruised, swollen and in pain. We help them understand what they need — compression garments, rest, hydration, good nutrition and Epsom salt baths. Even general massage helps them stay loose while they heal.”
But, speaking of education, Yuhanna takes continuing education seriously.
“I’m a forever learner,” she says, noting that in addition to being an LMT, she also has certifications in MLD-C (manual lymphatic drainage);
CCT (certified contour therapist); CMT (certified massage therapist; this is in addition to the LMT certifica tion); and CMMP (certified medical massage practitioner, trained in massage that supports medical conditions).
“Massage therapists are required to take 24 continuing education units (CEUs) a year,” Yuhanna adds, “but I probably take 50. I just got back from a massage convention and even repeated some classes I’d taken before, just to learn something new.”
All therapists at Radiant Well ness Spa are certified in their areas of expertise. “There’s a difference between CEUs and a certification,” Yuhanna explains. “A CEU might be a one- or two-day class, but a certification takes longer and includes an exam. My lymphatic drainage certification was 90 hours, with an exam at the end.”
(Above) These are post-operative liposuction before & after lymphat ic drainage treatment photos. (Right) Before & after skin treatment photos. (Photos on this page provided by Radiant Wellness Spa)
ISI Elite Training in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.
Yuhanna also is committed to making her services accessible without the pressure of memberships. Instead, Radiant Wellness Spa offers a points program where clients earn one point for each dollar they spend. Once you reach 500 points, you’ll receive 25% off a massage or facial.
“Not everyone likes memberships,” she explains. “I don’t like them personally, and neither did my staff or our clients. The points system lets people come when they want and still get rewarded for being loyal.”
The spa also is active in the local community. Each December, Yuhanna and her staff donate to WLLD-FM (Wild 94.1)’s toy drive benefiting the Children’s Home Network. The crew also will be participating in an event with
For clients with special medical needs, the spa carefully evaluates whether services are appropriate. “If a client can’t get dressed or undressed on their own, we may have to refer them out,” Yuhanna says. “We’re massage therapists, not doctors. If something’s been bothering someone for more than two weeks and isn’t getting better, we recommend they see their physician for imaging before we work on them.”
That honest, cautious approach has earned Radiant Wellness Spa the trust of its clients. Yuhanna and her team know when to refer out and always work within their scope of practice.
“It’s not just about offering a service,” she says. “It’s about doing what’s best for each client.”
In an effort to keep improving, the spa is adding a new feedback box at the front desk so clients can leave anonymous comments or
Radiant Wellness Spa appears to be doing pretty well so far, with a perfect 5.0-star rating on Google on nearly 50 reviews, including client Vanessa I., who wrote: “I recommend this place if you’re looking for a good massage that will leave you feeling refreshed, I’ve been here twice and Yuhanna does a marvelous job targeting my areas of concern. Thank you so much and I look forward to my next Swedish massage session! Radiant Wellness Spa doesn’t accept insurance but does take FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSA (Health Savings Accounts) payments. The spa is located at 33905 S.R. 54, Suite 101. Hours are Mon. & Wed., 3:15 p.m.–8 p.m.; Thur. & Fri., 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; and 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on Sat. For more info or to book an appointment, visit Radiant-Wellness-Spa. com, call (813) 715-2099 or see the ad on pg. 44.
When I first met the team at Tallo American/Caribbean Restaurant & Bar at the Grand Opening of Downtown Avalon Park last September, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
Chef José Soto (photo, right) and owners Ramon and Kelvin served fresh, beautiful-looking mini-Cuban sandwiches and fried cod croquettes, but was the food at Tallo going to be American? Latin? Or what?
Well, now that Tallo is open, I can say with all certainty that the answer to every question is a resounding “Yes!” But, please don’t try to just fit this elegantly beautiful, sit-down, non-chain, independent, mom-&-pop restaurant into any category — especially without trying it first.
Jannah and I visited Tallo during its “soft opening,” before its triumphant “Friends & Family” (which we attended with photographer Charmaine George and her boyfriend Brendan) and Grand Opening events in mid-May and Jannah and I have now also gotten to choose from the restaurant’s full menu — and literally everything we’ve sampled so far has been outstanding.
For starters, you can’t go wrong with the Asian “pig wings,” which are deliciously ginger-glazed riblets on the bone, with sesame seeds and cilantro, that were as good as or better than most Chinese-style spare ribs. The chicken skewers are served on sourdough bread and are perfectly grilled. With Chef Soto’s mastery of veggies (see below), I would love him to add grilled onions and peppers to the skewers, but they were so flavorful anyway. We also all enjoyed the crispy short rib dumplings in shallot cream sauce with red pickled onions and microgreens
Jannah and I also tried the Tallo Caesar, which is a grilled head of bib lettuce with garlic croutons, parme san, dried cod and creamy dressing.
We also checked out the Cuatro Carnes (four meat) flatbread (middle photo on next page), which Jannah got as her entrée. It was thicker than most flatbreads, but still with a crisp crust, topped with a wonderful combo of house red sauce, mozzarella, white onions, savory sausage, crisp bacon, capicola ham, chicken, garlic aioli and cilantro. There are four other flatbreads on the menu, including the all-veggie “Farmer,” plus “Just Pepper oni” and “Prosciutto & Spinach.”
We’ve yet to sample any of the full-sized “Handhelds,” but there are great-sounding items like the “Chimi” and “813” burgers, a crispy chicken sandwich and portobello veggie burger.
Brendan loved his pan-seared salmon with mango ginger pico de gallo, white rice and crispy Brussels sprouts. Charmaine savored the unique pesto and large grilled shrimp on the Pistachio Pesto Bucatini (which I could not sample). And, Jannah and I also loved the large fillet of panseared corvina (bottom of next page), served with generous sides of roasted potatoes and broccolini.
But so far, my marinated “airline” (a tender, boneless breast with wing-on-the-bone attached) Lemon Chicken (top photo) is my favorite, served on a bed of delicately fried yuca and a side of that same garlic broccolini that I could eat with every meal (it is available as a side, too). The
rice, avocado, roasted tomatoes and tostones), a pork porterhouse, churrasco steak, charred octopus, a “Pork Cauldron” with trifongo (a trio of mashed veggies that is a cousin of mofongo, inspired by Chef Soto’s Puerto Rican roots) and a “Daily Special” (like the corvina) that I’m sure will keep me coming back for more.
Brendan and Jannah, our resident craft cocktail experts, both raved about the adult beverages from Tallo’s gorgeous bar (top photo on next page), including the Watermelon Basil Bliss, the raspberry-in-
Friendly Way, #105) opens for lunch every day at 11 a.m. & stays open until 9 p.m. on Sun.-Wed., 10 p.m. on Thur. & 11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For reservations, call (813) 355-3603. For info, visit TalloRestaurant.com — GN; photos by GN & CG
Jimmy John’s Hosts A North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon-Cutting
Although this second Wesley Chapel location (at 5478 Post Oak Blvd., off Wesley Chapel Blvd.) has been open for more than six months, Jimmy John’s hosted a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event on May 20 to introduce Chamber members to this location, the sandwich chain’s “Freaky Fast” service and, of course, new “Freaky Fresh” toasted sandwich items like the chicken bacon ranch, Ultimate Italian and roast beef & cheddar subs.
Jimmy John’s franchise owner Eric Edmonds said he was “excited to engage with the local community” at his location and he told the Chamber members in attendance that he is planning to open some additional Jimmy John’s locations, includ ing one at nearby St. Leo University.
Of course, Eric’s Jim my John’s is one of more than 2,600 nationwide (in cluding 140+ in Florida). The Jimmy John’s parent company was purchased in 2019 by Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, which also owns Arby’s, Sonic Buffalo Wild Wings.
For more info, call (813)991-7700 or visit JimmyJohns.com.
As a true New Yawka and lover of real New York pizza, I’ll be honest that I’ve never been a fan of Little Caesars Pizza, which recently opened its second Wesley Chapel location at 5482 Post Oak Blvd.,off Wesley Chapel Blvd., in the same retail strip plaza (photo below) as Jimmy John’s (see pg. 36).
To me, Little Caesars is more about conve nience and competitive pricing than it is about deliciousness, but I’ll admit that I enjoyed the new (at least to me) pepperoni “Crazy Puffs®” (bottom right photos) on the menu and I defi nitely also will try the Cookie Dough Brownie made with M&Ms® minis, which the location was out of the day we visited.
But, Little Caesars does offer specialty pizzas like the “3 Meat Treat®” shown top right on this page) for just $12.99 (it’s also available in a larger “Detroit-style deep dish” rectangular version for just $15.99).
The “Hot-N-Ready®” options are even less expensive, with the “Classic Cheese” and “Classic Pepperoni” both starting at just $7.29, and the “Ex tramostbestest®” cheese or pepperoni pizzas starting at just $8.29 each. And, “Stuffed Crazy Crust” piz zas start at just $$13.99. Also available are pretzel crust pizzas (starting at $6.99), breadsticks, Italian cheese bread and more.
Frank & James Gouveia, The Grill at Morris Bridge menu created by Executive Chef Daniel Friley.
And, with Little Caesars’ new “The Pizza Portal” (top left photo), picking up your to-go or der is as easy as grabbing an Amazon package at an apartment complex. And yes, DoorDash delivery is available, too. For more info, call (813) 923-0715 or visit LittleCaesars.com. — GN
with carefully selected bottles starting at $25 iconic wineries from around the world, cocktails, a premium full-liquor bar curated beer list. for dinner seven nights a week Wednesday through Sunday, New Tampa’s best Saturday & Sunday Brunch! outdoor seating, plus a bar menu those looking for lighter fare!
Los Chapos Tacos Opens In The Same Plaza On S.R. 54 As
Los Chapos Tacos, a small local chain of authentic fast-casual Mexican restaurants that began as a food truck business, has opened its new fourth location at 24799 W. S.R. 54 in Land O’Lakes, in the same small strip retail center as Fazoli’s
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much about the food at the new Los Chapos Tacos because the restaurant cooks all of its food on the same grills and there are a few shrimp options on the menu.
This kind of bummed me out because there are several unique options on the menu, including Guacamole de Chicharron — slowbraised pork belly finished on the grill with Asian BBQ sauce, served over hand-smashed guacamole with queso fresco, cilantro and chips. I’d also be interested in sampling the elotes appetizer, or Mexican street corn on the cob, with cotija cheese, chipotle aioli, lime and tajin.
There also are house specialties like the Torta Ahogada or “drowned sandwich,” which is a version of the signature sandwich of Guadalajara, with crunchy-outside sourdough bread filled with shredded “Birria” beef and melted cheese, with a spicy dipping sauce on the side. The same birria beef is available on tacos, and there also are “Surf ‘N’ Turf” tacos with grilled steak and shrimp, corn salsa, avocado and chipotle cream on a grilled flour tortilla.
Jannah and I just couldn’t leave without at least letting her sample something and she ended up having that birria beef on a tasty grilled quesadilla with melted cheese (top right photo). She said it was delicious, but I (heavy
sigh) simply had to take her word for it.
She also tried and enjoyed the lavender sangria (photo below), and Los Chapos Tacos would probably be a place we would frequent fairly often if I could eat the food. My Victoria Mexican beer was ice cold and unlike most fast-casual establishments, the restaurant does have a limited (and cute) full-liquor bar with several different tequilas available (bottom right photo) to make your favorite margaritas.
Considering that it has two grills in the kitchen, if they could keep one grill dedicated to non-shrimp orders, people like me could still enjoy it.
But, as one manager-in-training told me, “Even if we could do that, we’d still need both grills when we get busy.” Truly sad for me.
Los Chapos Tacos opens for lunch & dinner every day at 11 a.m., except Sun. (when it’s closed). For more info, call (813)868-3056 or visit LosChaposTa cos.com. — GN
Louis Cerillo, DDSKim Tran-Nguyen, DMD General Dentists
Wesley Chapel Nibbles — Rodizio Grill, Papichy’s, Cheesecake
Lots of new restaurants are beginning to build and/or are getting ready to open in and around the Wesley Chapel area and we have up dates on many of them in this issue. On this page alone, we’ll tell you about the delayed (but finally happening) Grand Opening of the new Grill, the first-ever brick-&-mortar location of Pastelitos Papichy’s, as well as the beginning of construction of both The Cheesecake Factory and Swig soda shop.
Rodizio Grill
Clearly, the opening of the Wesley Chapel area’s first-ever Brazilian steakhouse is big news for our community, as the announcement on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page that the opening of Rodizio Grill (2802 Grand Cypress Dr., Lutz, behind Costco and in front of by the Tampa Premium Outlets) was delayed from its originally announced opening date of May 28 to Tuesday, June 10, was viewed (at our press time) by a record-breaking (for us) 303,397 people, with more than 1,000 likes and 105 shares! We’ve had a couple of previous posts that reached more than 200,000 people, but this post — without being boosted — has far surpassed our previous record. In other words, you can expect big crowds at Rodizio Grill as this issue is reaching your mailbox. In the meantime, we have a sneak peek first look inside this beautiful, new restaurant (top right photo) on this page. We wish franchisee Charlie Haney and his crew lots of luck. For reservations & more info, call (813) 996-3880, visit Rodizio.com or search “Rodizio Grill - Wesley Chapel” on Facebook.
B.Downs Blvd. in New Tampa) a for some time, a sign recently went up at the Grand Oaks Plaza on the under-construction Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz (below) announcing that Papichy’s will be opening its first-ever brick-&-mortar location in the space previously occupied by the also-Venezuelan Arepa Mia, which sadly closed at the end of 2024.
We haven’t yet been able to speak to anyone who could tell us when the new Papichy’s is expected to open, but you can expect a similar selection of Venezuelan-style empanadas, pastelitos (similar to empanadas, but round wheat dough filled with sweet guava or savory meats and cheeses), tequeños (fried cheese) and more. For more info, call (813) 576-9970.
the story of when The Cheesecake Factory will finally open in the parking lot at the Tampa Premium Outlets, that post could double or even quadruple the traffic Rodizio Grill has generated. But, while some rumors had Cheesecake Factory opening before the end of this year, that seems pretty ambitious, considering that the area that will one day be home to the full-service restaurant chain and cheesecake bakery (which currently has more than 200 U.S. locations) has only recently been fenced off near the mall’s main entrance. There is some heavy equipment on the site, but the parking lot hasn’t yet been leveled so that the restaurant can actually go vertical.
This rapidly-growing drivethrough “dirty soda”
chain featuring seasonal favorites and concoctyour-own sodas, revivers and refreshers, as well as frozen hot chocolate, sugar cookies and pretzel bites, is starting to go vertical just east of PopStroke and west of Academy Sports + Outdoors (photo below), across from the outlet mall. Wesley Chapel/Lutz will be only the third Florida location for Swig, a Utah-based company which currently has more than 100 locations in 14 states, with agreements for 500 franchise units
Remington’s
We told you last issue that the new Remington’s Steak & Seafood was coming to the end cap space in the Palms Connection plaza at 2836 E. Bearss Ave. (west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) that had previously been occu pied by the original Remington’s Steakhouse, Cody’s Roadhouse and, most recently, by The Wexford Irish Pub
Well, not only is the new Remington’s now open, it’s also pretty delicious — and also provides the great value promised by owner Mark Birkin (who also owns the more upscale Birkin’s Steak & Sushi on N. Florida Ave. in Lutz). But no, the new Remington’s is not the same Remington’s on Bearss or the one that was on Wesley Chapel Blvd., in the space now occupied by Rice N Beans Puerto Rico
Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I have already visited the new Remington’s twice since its name (and menu) change from The Wexford and it certainly has great steaks and seafood at very fair prices — from the boneless ribeye with two sides shown upper right here (for $29.95; same price as the tender filet mignon), the 1/2 rotisserie chicken (bottom right; also $29.95, with two large-size sides) and the $11.95 shrimp cocktail (upper left). We’ve also enjoyed the bowl of creamy clam chowder ($6.95) and the sizzling chicken fajitas ($16.95; same price for beef). We also recommend the house-made cheesecake, especially if it’s the Bailey’s Irish Cream edition we shared. There also is a kids menu for ages 12 & younger. Speaking of the fajitas, Mark has brought back the BOGO fajitas on Tuesdays (only) made
For more info about Remington’s Steak & Seafood, call (813) 957-8983
Kay’s Kitchen Authentic Chicago-Style Fried Chicken
So, you think you’ve sampled enough fried chicken in our area to last you a lifetime?
Kay Lee (center photo below), the owner of the brand new Kay’s Kitchen Authentic Chicago Style Fried Chicken, located (as we told you last issue) at 2808 E. Bearss Ave. in the Palms Connection plaza, says you haven’t tried the area’s best fried chicken if you haven’t sampled her full-wing fried wings with her signature, authentic Chicago-style mild sauce (top photo).
And honestly, it’s hard to argue with her. Kay’s batter fries up extra-crispy and although the lemon pepper seasoning salt she adds to the chicken is a little salty, she says she (and her long-time cook, who goes by “DJ Cotton”; he’s an actual R&B DJ for hire, with a DJ booth Kay has set up for him upstairs) are always happy to alter the amount of the seasoning to suit your taste.
All I can tell you is that the chicken is so yummy, it doesn’t need the sauce, but Kay hopes you transplanted Midwesterners will appreciate its authentic flavor.
Photographer Charmaine George and I also loved the fried grouper (below; this photo was provided by Kay because, she said, the flaky, truly delicious grouper we
enough”), extra-crisp fries (which were still crispy somehow when I took home my leftovers an hour later), the extra-cheesy mac-&-cheese (below left) and the decadent, homemade Key lime cake (bottom right).
Kay, who has operated two supersuccessful Kay’s Kitchen food trucks in the Riverview area, says she has been looking for a brick-&-mortar location for a while now and she is so happy that “God brought me here” to introduce her outstanding, no-frills food — including fried chicken gizzards and livers, shrimp, pizza “puffs,” basa fish, hush puppies, okra and more — to a whole new community. For more
(Formerly The Wexford Irish Pub & Grille) 2836 E. Bearss
APPETIZERS:
Escargot in Butter
Filet Tip Skewers
Potato Skins (photo)
Crab Rangoon
Shrimp Cocktail
Fried Pickles
Shepherd’s Pie
Quesadilla ...and more!
SOUPS:
French Onion
Clam Chowder
Soup of the Day
BURGERS & SANDWICHES:
Philly & Chicken
Cheesesteaks (photo)
Black Angus Burgers
Homemade Reuben on Rye ...and more!
WINGS
Bone-in or Boneless
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
STEAKS:
Ribeye
Filet Mignon
Top Sirloin
NY Strip
T-Bone (photo)
Filet Medallions
Lollipop Lambchops ...and more!
SEAFOOD:
Grilled Salmon
Grilled & Fried Shrimp
Fish & Chips
OTHER ENTREES:
Chicken Fried Steak
Grilled Chicken Breast
Boneless BBQ Pork Chop
Mac n’ Cheese
KIDS MENU:
Chicken Tenders
Mac n’ Cheese
Steak Bites
DESSERTS:
Cheesecake
Key Lime Pie (photo)
Brownie w/French
Vanilla Ice Cream
N ew T ampa & w esley C hapel Classifieds
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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.
CLEANING SERVICES
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.
ROSE’S CLEANING SERVICE. We make sure your home will be shiny & clean. Whether you need one-time, weekly, bi-weekly 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.
NEXT HOME CLEANING. With 20+ years of prof’l house & office cleaning services available. Trustworthy, efficient, and affordable. Transform your space into a spotless sanctuary. Eco-friendly products. Satisfaction guaranteed. Book now & enjoy a pristine home! FREE ESTIMATES! Contact us
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.
ELECTROLYSIS - I am looking for someone who provides Galvanic (not laser) Electrolysis in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. Contact carola1243@aol.com.
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.
Our Classified Ads Are The Least Expensive Way To Reach 180,000+ People In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!
7 Issues (3 months) - $120
13 Issues (6 months) - $200 26 Issues (1 year) - $300 Call (813) 910-2575 or visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net to order or renew yours today!
___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.
If your long-running Classified ad is missing from this page, email us at Ads@ NTNeighborhoodNews.com or call us at (813) 910-2575 to renew your ad today!
Your ad in the Neighborhood News can be seen by more than 160,000 people every four weeks! Find out how!
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.
