Faces of METRO Tampa Bay

The Face of Luxury, Custom Homes STEVE ROGAI MODERN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Building relationships is what we do best. Through a collaborative and forward thinking process, Modern Capital Development Group builds luxury, modern, and technologically advanced homes. We design, analyze and strategize, and then execute every detail of your dream home. It’s our customer-centric approach that sets Modern Capital apart from all other design/build companies. “We bring your vision to life,” says Rogai. “To me, it’s more than just your home, it is a piece of my legacy.”

1311 N. Westshore Blvd., STE 140 Tampa, FL 33607 1.888.663.2271 www.modcapgroup.com

FACES OF METRO Tampa Bay

The Face of Personal Injury Law TJ GRIMALDI, ESQ.

Tampa Bay’s leading Injury attorney, TJ Grimaldi, is no push over. Having handled over 5,000 cases with over $100 million+ recovered, this Partner at McIntyre Thanasides founded the Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Immigration divisions. Grimaldi’s high profile cases have been featured on several news outlets including Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, Nightline, The New York Times, and The Tampa Bay Times. Grimaldi is a proud Gator and descendent of one of the founding families of Ybor City.

McIntyre Thanasides Bringgold Elliott Grimaldi Guito & Matthews, P.A. 500 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33602 813.226.1023 www.mcintyrefirm.com

FACES OF METRO Tampa Bay

The Face of Interior Design CRESPO DESIGN GROUP

Unconventional ideas and distinctive style are what define Enrique Crespo as one of the top designers in the area. A native of South Tampa, Enrique attended the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design which has the number one interior design program in the country.

With 20 years of professional experience and projects spanning from New York City to Malibu and the Caribbean, success is evident in his continuously growing and diverse body of work.

3119 Bay to Bay Blvd. Tampa, FL 33629 813.831.0949 www.crespodesigngroup.com

FACES OF METRO Tampa Bay

The Face of Fashion JACKIE Z STYLE CO.

Trendsetter. Fashionista. Innovator. These words are used to describe Jackie Zumba, owner of Jackie Z Style Co., an upscale boutique in trendy downtown St. Petersburg. Jackie Z’s carries a wide range of unique designer clothing, shoes and accessories for women and men. Gucci sunglasses and handbags, Valentino bags, collections from Alice & Olivia, gowns by Jovani, the hottest jeans from Frame are treasures found at this well-edited store.

Accompanying the brands you love is the popular Jackie Z line of women’s clothing and men’s shirts. Jackie never fails to deliver her “Jackie Z” look: hip and stylish. A special shopping experience at Jackie Z ’s is guaranteed!

Jackie Z Style Co. Sundial St. Pete 113 2nd Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727.258.4849 IG @the.real.jackiez www.jackiezstyle.com

The Face of Criminal Defense Law J.S. LUCAS FLEMING

With over 25 years in criminal law as a former state prosecutor and now criminal defense attorney, Lucas Fleming leads the way in his profession.

His Criminal Defense practice has expanded to help those with addictions and mental health disorders find treatment by representing clients in Marchman Act and Baker Act proceedings.

He gives back to the community by starting www.LawyersForLiteracy.org 15 years ago. It continues to serve 24 schools with 170 tutors in the Tampa Bay area. The program helps 3rd graders pass the reading portion of the FSA exam and build a foundation for success, lowering the child’s risk of involvement in the juvenile criminal system.

The Fleming Law Group 2701 Fifth Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33713 727.323.4020 www.fleminglawgroup.com

The Face of Cosmetic Dentistry DR. RON O’NEAL

Become the change you seek, in both your smile and your life! Dr. Ron O’Neal has been changing lives, one smile at a time, in the Tampa Bay area for over 15 years. “I love being part of redefining a person’s smile,” says Dr. O’Neal. “A whiter, brighter smile leads to a happier, healthier looking, more confident you.” A picture is said to be worth 1,000 words, how about one with a beautiful smile?

South Tampa Chamber 2020 Small Business of the Year.

The Family Dentist Tampa: 3733 W. Neptune Street 813.253.5303 St. Petersburg: 7401 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N 727.527.7207 www.tampabayfamilydentist.com

Destination Drive Trips

By Ronda M. Parag

Travel and vacation are certainly different this year. While many resorts, restaurants and destinations have reopened across the country, many of you may feel more comfortable staying closer to home with a staycation. METRO has found three resorts that are an easy drive from Tampa and offer everything you need to relax and recharge without having to ever leave the property. From the luxury duo resorts of The Ritz-Carlton and JW Orlando, to the stunning Gulf of Mexico views of Clearwater Beach at Opal Sands and the tranquillity of nature at Streamsong Golf and Spa Resort in Bowling Green, Florida, we’ve found these properties to take all the necessar y steps to ensure that guests are safe and comfortable.

Streamsong Resort Get Back to Nature — A Natural Choice for a Staycation

While it might seems to some that Streamsong is in the middle of no where, it’s actually located just 60 miles east of Tampa. While off the beaten path, Streamsong Golf Resort and Spa offers an escape into nature and ideal for golf lovers with 54 holes of golf. While only the Black Course is currently open for golf, the Red and Blue courses will reopen in the fall, with a target date set for October 1, 2020. Nestled on 16,000 acres, the resort offers plenty of space to enjoy the fresh air in a natural setting from the topography of dunes, lakes and sand. The 216 room accommodations at the Lodge offer nice size rooms with large windows that over look the lake, with wildlife to entertain. If you must check those emails, or hop on social media, the resort offers complimentary wifi.

For dining, the P2O5 restaurant is open in the main Lodge serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as Bone Valley Tavern at the Streamsong Black clubhouse, offering good gastropub menu options. Currently, the spa remains closed. Throughout the resort, staff are required to wear masks.

“Streamsong is perfect for downtime and a much needed getaway,” said Stephanie Prenatt, Owner and Lead Designer at FH Events, who recently stayed overnight for a site visit. “As soon as we pulled up we were greeted by a friendly valet and checked in. My mind went from 90 miles an hour to a breath of fresh air just looking at the views.”

For those that don’t golf, chill poolside with a cocktail and enjoy lounging and soaking in the sun. Be sure to explore the hiking trails and other outdoor activities including target shooting at the sporting clay or archery range. “The infiniti pool near the lake was so relaxing,” said Prenatt. “We enjoyed great service, as we had appetizers and dinner in the lobby area overlooking the beautiful scenery. It is also a great place to host weddings and corporate events, since it is so convenient to have guests stay, enjoy delicious food, great service, along with entertainment.”

To book a Streamsong package for Florida residents, call 855.329.1936 or visit www.streamsongresort.com.

Streamsong Golf Resort and Spa – 216-Room Lodge Opal Sands Resort – Aerial View

Opal Sands Soothing Beachside Retreat Showcasing Nightly Sunsets

For many, including myself, there is nothing better than catching the sun go down across the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. During the pandemic, Clearwater Beach’s Opal Sands offers a bit of serenity in these crazy times. Architecturally designed on a curve, the 15-story, 230 room hotel provides each room with stunning beach views and private balconies. It’s a perfect place to sit back, read a book and listen to the soothing sounds of the waves. Upon entering the hotel area to park, the valets are friendly and all wearing masks. A ride up the escalator to the lobby requires all guests to wear masks in the public lobby spaces, elevators and inside restaurants, until seated. There is signage throughout the lobby as a reminder, as well as signs limiting the number of guests in the elevators to four, unless they are in your party. Currently, housekeeping service is limited to every three days. But, at check-in were were told if we needed anything at all to simply call housekeeping and make a request for extra towels or any needed amenities.

The pool area and sun deck offer plenty of lounge chairs and socially distanced space. Children were enjoying splashing in the zero-entry pool. We enjoyed a delicious tropical Killer Colada, with a spiced rum floater of course, while relaxing in the sun. For a casual lunch or dinner the Tiki Bar and Sandbar have a nice selection of dishes on the menu. We had blackened fish tacos, smoked fish dip and an ahi topped salad that were all tasty and satisfying. On Sunday, we were in the mood for brunch, but Sea Guini’s stops serving breakfast at 11 am and it was nearly 11:30 am. “No problem,” said our server, Steven. He promptly brought over the breakfast menu where we ordered traditional eggs benedict and the most delicious breakfast panini with eggs, fontina cheese, arugula, ham and tomato on sourdough bread with roasted garlic aioli. Of course, we enjoyed a mimosa and bloody mary’s too.

A stay at Opal Sands was the perfect escape to recharge and satisfy the soul in these crazy and uncertain times.

For reservations and special offers, call local 727.450.0380 or reservations 855.335.1087 or visit www.opalsands.com.

Streamsong – Black Clubhouse

Streamsong – Lakeview King Suite

Opal Sands Resort – Sand Bar

Streamsong – Bass Fishing

Streamsong “Bridge”

Opal Sands Resort – King Guest Room

JW Marriott Orlando – Lazy River Pool

Whisper Creek Farm – The Kitchen Terrace

The Ritz-Carlton – Vitale Spa Cafe

The Ritz-Carlton Pool

The Ritz-Carlton – Spa Deluxe Cabana

The Ritz-Carlton – Balcony View

The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes Unwind at Two Luxury Resorts Close to Home, But A World Away

Grande Lakes Orlando is truly the ideal resort destination for anyone looking for a luxury resort close to Tampa Bay, yet feels miles away. The resort sits on 500 pristine acres and has a variety of experiences available for adults and families. One of the perks at Grande Lakes Orlando is that guests at The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott have access to the amenities at both resorts.

The property has done everything possible to provide a clean and comfortable stay for guests. “It was fabulous,” said Jackie Zumba, St. Petersburg resident and owner of Jackie Z Style Co. “ Honestly, it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. They had a lot of extra precautions, so we felt safe, yet still comfortable.”

Upon arrival, guests are required to valet park and have the option of baggage assistance or personal unloading. Guests are recommended to utilize mobile technology for check-in and other requests during the stay. Daily housekeeping is provided, while guests are not in the room. All guests and staff are required to wear face coverings consisted with current CDC guidelines.

Currently, all of the pools are open with chairs spaced about 6 feet apart and limited per guest room type. For those wanting a private cabanas there is an app to make cabana reservations: https://grandelakes.ipoolside.com/. For a bit of pampering, The Spa is open Thursday through Sunday, by reservation only, offering massages, facials and mani-pedis. The golf course is open and ready for play. No need to leave the property as there are breakfast, lunch and dinner options available at each hotel. In-room dining is open at The Ritz-Carlton, but not available at JW Marriott. All of Grande Lakes Sports experiences are available including eco-tours, fishing, mountain bike trails and Falconry.

For those needing to work, the property just launched a “Work From Resort” program with a Business Butler and Grande Lakes Ranger for the kids. There are three options for families to choose. Check the website for details.

“It was the perfect, quick family staycation and our daughter, Ansley, loved floating in the lazy river,” said Zumba. M

For more specials and package information, visit www.grandelakes.com.