New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 28. Issue 1, January 2, 2019

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Volume 28 Issue 1 January 2, 2020

THE YEAR 2019 IN REVIEW STORY & PHOTOS BY JOHN C. COTEY

Like construction site dirt through an hourglass, these were the days of our lives.

And in New Tampa in 2019, there was a lot of construction dirt.

Whether it was the New Tampa Recreation Center expanding, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center beginning or The Village at Hunter’s Lake — anchored

by Sprouts Farmers Market — taking shape, there were plenty of dump trucks to go around.

Not bad for an area that seemed to be showing its age last year. After a series of closings in previous years and months across New Tampa — HH Gregg, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ruby Tuesday, etc. — there was enough concern that a few area folks decided our ‘hood needed a good, hard look.

In June, local residents packed a room at Compton Park in Tampa Palms to voice concerns as a study by the USF School of Public Affairs kicked off.

Then, as if on cue, it was revealed that the old HH Gregg was going to be taken over by Urban Air Adventure Park, and a 16,000-sq.ft. Indian market called Taza was taking over the old Staples building in the Market Square at Tampa Palms plaza, and Aldi was interesting in the Ruby Tuesday spot, and The Brunchery was moving into the former Boston Market, and get this….are you sitting down….there is a light at the end of the long tunnel that is the vacant Sweetbay Supermarket.

LL Cool J would tell us not to call it a comeback, See “Year In Review” on pages 4-5.

Photo: Charmaine George

The Grove is Excited to Announce These New Tenants: Casa Cubana Restaurant & Rum Bar

For Leasing Information, call Keren at (407) 636-1266 or email keren@mgoldgroup.com

Many More Exciting Tenants Coming Soon!

King of The Coop

Nashville Hot Chicken

Treble Makers

Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant

F45 Team Training 45-Min. Functional Workouts!

Double Branch Artisanal Ales

Craft Brewery, Food & Entertainment

Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.

Real NY-Style Bagels, Coffee & More!

The Kilted Axe

Axe-Throwing Fun, Leagues & Beer!

• NY-Style Pizza & Ristorante • The Dessert Box • Spuntino Artisan Bistro

Upcoming Events at The Grove • Community Market (every Saturday!)

60+ vendors, music, food trucks & fun!

It’s Easy To Look Forward With Our 2020 Vision!

INSIDE:

tion areas — the Neighborhood News print An editorial by Gary Nager editions and NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net!

The year 2019 has been On A Personal Note... extremely eventful for New The year 2019 also has been very special Tampa and Wesley Chapel for yours truly. It started in January, when we (and for yours truly) and the forecast for 2020 is (drumroll, were one of only 23 U.S. media companies to receive a grant to expand out video news operaplease)...for much more of the same, especially for Wesley tions from the Google News Initiative. I then celebrated 25 years of Neighborhood News in Chapel, the fastest-growing she and her fiancé Albert Cione have been doing February (although our well-attended party was designated area in Florida.

Cross Creek Pak N Ship replaces an amazing job with their 6-lb., 3-oz. (at birth) in April), Jannah and I got married in March, Yes, a lot of new businesses and restaulittle bundle (above left). Then, on Dec. 2, my former Contract Postal Unit. rants opened between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56 in Jannah became the director of marketing for younger son Jake and his wife Meghan brought RADDSports over the summer and now, we Wesley Chapel in 2019, but there’s so much Page 8 the equally precious 7-lb., 13-oz. Jackson (Jax) have two new grandbabies who surely will make more to come.

John Nager into the world.

2020 even more special for us.

For example, while our area got its first So heck yes, Rosie & Jax’s “Grampa G” and Jannah’s daughter Lauren gave birth to green grocer — Earth Fare — this year, Rosalie (Rosie) Carolyn Cione on Nov. 7 and “Grammy J” are kind of excited about 2020!

Wesley Chapel will have a new (and perhaps even more anticipated) Aldi supermarket opening next year.

(Meanwhile, New Tampa can be excited about the 2020 opening of the new Sprouts Farmers Market at the Village at Hunter’s Lake development across from the main entrance to Hunter’s Green, see page 5, which also will have multiple new Couple still gets a thrill from restaurants for everyone to try — Via Italia Woodfired Pizza, Grain & Berry, Poké Christmas decorating.

Island Plus, Fresh Kitchen and more. And, * This coupon is valid Page 12 New Tampa’s own Aldi will hopefully at least for $5 off any purchase of $30 or more. Some receive approval to begin building in 2020.) restrictions apply. Valid News about new openings along S.R. only at issuing Uptown 56 dominated our Neighborhood News in Cheapskate store. May not be combined with 2019, but with the long-dormant The offers. Limit one per Grove shopping center just north of S.R. 54 A N Y $ 3 0 P U R C H A S E other customer. CPNNN2019 (see ad on pg. 1 & story on pg. 42) being sold to aggressive new owner Mark Gold Midsys Tue - 01/23/2018 - 3:19:31 AM 326106.24 in the last quarter of 2019, you can be sure 1 6 0 3 1 TA M PA PA L M S B LV D W | 8 1 3 2 8 7 8 6 9 6 Midsys Tue 01/23/2018 3:19:31 AM 326106.248 that the 2020 news coming out of our area Midsys Tue - 01/23/2018 - 3:19:31 AM 326106.2488 won’t only be about 56. There are new businesses — and plenty of mom-and-pop-owned Mitchell steps down as football coach restaurants — coming to The Grove, many of which we can’t announce yet, but we plan at Wharton. to continue to be the primary source of news Pages 30-31 and information about everything coming to $5 Off this suddenly revitalized commercial area.

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Editorial E-mail: Further east on (and just north of) 56, the EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com LUTZ Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales LUTZ 25700 SierraLUTZ Center Blvd County is expected to open sometime next Gary Nager 25700 Sierra CenterWesley Blvd summer, and the county’s private programLUTZ (NE Corner Chapel Blvd & 56) Managing Editor / Photographer (NE Corner Wesley Chapel Blvd &Sierra 56) Town Center only.

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Charmaine George ing events on the weekends, but also will offer Offer Expires: 3/17/18 Photography & Videography lots of great local leagues and events during Richard Nasrallah • Benjamin Hobe Find us at greatclips.com | greatclipscareers.com | greatclipsfranchise.com the week, too. And, although the adjacent 56 Graphic Designers Advertise with Valpak of Tampa Bay, (727) 483-5741 ©VPDMS, Inc. 2/2018.

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326106.24 Nothing that appears Newneighborhood Tampa Neighborhood News may And yes, New Tampa does have otherwith Valpak of Tampa Bay, (727) 483-5741 be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinnew “stuff” of its own coming in 2020, inions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. cluding a new freestanding emergency room The deadline for outside editorial submissions and adValid Valid at Cypress Creek Town only. at Cypress Creek TownCenter Center only. on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. north of vertisement reservations for Volume 28, Issue 3, of New Tampa Not valid with any other offers.

Neighborhood News is Friday, January 17, 2020.

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New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-pubcompany of Brandon Regional Hospital) Limit Limit one one coupon per customer. lished outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and coupon per customer. and a new Urban Air Adventures indoor less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to Offer Expires: 3/17/18 edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees Offer Expires: 1/31/20 play place in the former HH Gregg location regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return in the Market Square at Tampa Palms plaza. unsolicited editorial materials.

New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit And, quite honestly, that is just a taste of &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa Neighborhood News is what you can expect to see in New Tampa and not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims Wesley Chapel in 2020. And of course, you made by its advertisers. know where you’ll get most of the news first © 2019, 2020 JM2 Communications, Inc. about what’s happening in both of our distribu-

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2019: New Stuff, Smart Kids & A Whole Bunch Of Memories top basketball player for the 201819 season. He shined for one of the county’s best hoops programs. Speaking of high school athletes shining… ….Wharton’s Zach Godbold won a Class 4A State championship by throwing the javelin a whopping 171 feet and 11 inches, and Freedom swimmer Michelle Morgan (lower left photo) qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials, both Freedom tennis teams won district championships, and Freedom’s Cooper Smith went to state in golf and Wharton’s Teiley Vaughn won a gold medal with the USA Softball U-17 Women’s National Team and sorry are we rambling? We tend to suffer from logorrhea at times.

FROM PAGE 1 but we’re going to anyway.

New Tampa is back, baby!

But seriously though, it actually was a pretty good year for our distribution area, and 2020 is very likely going to be, as the kids like to say, off the chain, as most of the aforementioned places will all be opening.

So, what else happened in 2019?

How about this: Fire Rescue Station No. 23 opened, giving the New Tampa area 17 fire rescue stations! We jest, it’s actually only four fire stations, but you should feel pretty darned safe. Speaking of safe… …. Unincorporated New Tampa will once again be covered

by City of Tampa Fire rescue in 2020, thanks to the efforts of District 2 Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan and Tampa’s new Mayor Jane Castor, who are now both quite popular in New Tampa.

Speaking of popular…. …. District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera was re-elected, with a higher percentage of the vote than any of the other 23 people who ran for the six available city council seats.

The New Tampa resident received 82 percent of the vote in his home area. There is no truth to the rumor he is seeking out the 18 percent who did not vote for him, and inviting them to coffee and a chance to prove himself to each of them. And by no truth to the rumor, we mean there is totally some truth to that rumor.

Speaking of rumors…. …the sale of the Pebble Creek Golf Club never materialized, but the search is not over. But it’s still on the market. Speaking of markets… …..Sprouts is coming! Did we mention that already? It should be a slam dunk winner for green-grocerstarved New Tampa.

Speaking of slam dunks… …. Wharton’s Darin Green was named Hillsborough County’s

Now Open In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Speaking of logorrhea…. …. that was the word that Benito eight-grader Nupur Lala spelled correctly to win the Scripps Spelling Bee 20 years ago. She’s currently doing her residency at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, and is hoping to do a fellowship in neurooncology, specifically glioblastoma multiforme, which we could have never spelled if she hadn’t told us how when we interviewed her for a story in June. She was an absolute delight, and still super

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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smart. Speaking of super smart… …Tampa Palms resident Drew Falkowitz, 16, became the youngest graduate in University of South Florida history in June, earning a degree in cellular and molecular biology.

Sure, that sounds impressive, but my kids can play Fortnite until they pass out in a puddle of their own drool at 5 a.m., so who’s the better father now, Steve Falkowitz?

Speaking of fathers…. …Father David DeJulio departed St. Marks after 16 years. It was, pardon the pun, a rather dispiriting event for many of the Catholics in New Tampa.

Not to be outdone, Tirso “Junior” Cintron retired as Wharton’s head custodian after 22 years, which also broke up a surprising amount of people.

Not to be outdone, publisher Gary Nager held a party celebrating his 25 years of the Neighborhood News.

That was another sad and heartbreaking event, but enough about Gary singing karaoke.

We hope you had a great 2019, and strap yourself in because 2020 is already shaping up to produce some monumental moments.

P.S. Kinnan-Mansfield. Sorry. You knew we couldn’t do an end-of-year wrap-up without mentioning it.

What Was Hot On Our Website In 2019

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

In the newspaper business, there’s a popular saying — if it bleeds, it leads.

At the Neighborhood News, that saying has been tweaked somewhat, to something like “if it’s in permitting or approved and a place people can go have fun and eat food, or better yet swim in crystal clear water, it leads.”

Sure, it doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as the newspaper saying, but it seems to work for us, because almost every year, the top stories on our website always seem to revolve around news of what is coming to the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas.

In 2019, the top story on our website lapped the rest of the competitors. “The Lagoon Is Open To Everyone, But Not Forever” produced more than 35,000 pageviews, roughly three times as many as our next most popular story, the October scoop about developer Mark Gold and his big plans for The Grove in Wesley Chapel (we suspect this news will inspire Gold to build the world’s first-ever Grove Lagoon...Coming Soon!).

Wesley Chapel news dominated our website, taking the No. 3 spot as

well, for our coverage of the Chick-FilA opening on S.R. 54, but our fourth most-read story was all about New Tampa — and another scoop — our April story about what was coming to the new Hunter’s Lake development across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from the entrance to Hunter’s Green.

While today, New Tampa is the soft, worn leather recliner to Wesley Chapel’s neon-polka-dot-upholstered couch, there remains a lot of interest in what happens here.

The story about Sprouts Farmers Market officially coming to New Tampa — and anchoring The Village at Hunter’s Lake — (above) was our eighth most popular web read, and

our October story about the looming arrival of Urban Air Adventures to the former site of HH Gregg at the Market Square at Tampa Palms — also did great online numbers.

Other stories that scored significant pageviews included The Brunchery opening, the end of the KinnanMansfield debate, Pebble Creek Golf Club’s attempts to sell and the New Tampa Recreation Center expansion.

Remember to check out our latest news at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net, or access it through our Facebook page (it’s easy! Just search “Neighborhood News”), and make sure you follow us on Twitter @ NTWCNews.

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5

Potential Tenants Set Sights On Former Sweetbay Building

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Long before Tampa City Council member Luis Viera had his code enforcement eyes trained on the AMC movie theater at Highwoods Preserve, they were focused like a laser on the long-shuttered former Sweetbay grocery store right across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from the theater.

The Sweetbay building was filthy, and the parking lot was not only overgrown with weeds and other vegetation, but sometimes, it was virtually overflowing with tractor trailers and parked storage trucks.

Sometimes, it was a dumping ground for people’s cast-off furniture, appliances and clothes.

Efforts to clean the area were sometimes successful, but little by little, the parking lot adjacent to Home Depot would revert to its former rundown status. “What it needs,” Viera has said, “is a new tenant.”

For the first time since the Sweetbay store closed in 2013, that is actually a possibility — although it won’t be anytime too soon.

According to John Neukamm, the attorney for KNK Tampa, Ltd., the California-based owners of the building, prospective purchasers and tenants have begun reaching out to his client in advance of the property becoming available in November 2020.

There have been countless stories swirling about the reasons behind the building staying empty for the past seven years. The Sweetbay store is practically a New Tampa landmark, but not in a good way. Viera has argued that it is arguably New Tampa’s most notorious eyesore.

“That’s unfortunate,” Neukamm says. “My client didn’t want it to be that way.”

Here’s the story:

Although the sea of trucks so often seen around the long-vacant Sweetbay supermarket off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa aren’t present in this picture, the hope is that a new tenant or owner will take over one of New Tampa’s most prominent eyesores by this time next year.

In February of 1999, the property, then owned by Walter Property Investments, LLC, was leased to Kash ‘n Karry Tampa, Ltd., for a 20-year term, beginning with the completed construction of the building, which was in November of that year.

In 2001, KNK Tampa, Ltd., which has no relation to Kash ‘n Karry, bought the property, which is currently worth $1.54 million, according to Hillsborough County property tax records.

Kash ‘n Karry continued to operate under the lease until June 14, 2006, when its Belgian parent company Delhaize America Inc. converted it to a Sweetbay Supermarket, where whole pineapples and cookies were handed out to customers at its happy New Tampa grand opening.

In January of 2013, however, Publix and Walmart had each only strengthened their respective holds on the Tampa Bay grocery market, and

Delhaize announced it would be closing 22 stores in the Tampa Bay area, including its New Tampa location.

In October of 2013, Jacksonvillebased Bi-Lo Holdings, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, paid $265 million for 72 Sweetbay stores, plus the leases to 10 other underperforming Sweetbay supermarkets that had already been closed, one being the New Tampa location.

The New Tampa lease had six years remaining at the time. However, if there were attempts by either Delhaize and Bi-Lo Holdings to negotiate its way out of the lease, they failed.

Subleasing would have been another option, but with such little time remaining on Sweetbay’s lease, it was likely a tough sell considering what it would have cost to properly renovate the building.

Bi-Lo Holdings has continued to pay the rent at the New Tampa location. Those monthly lease payments will

come to an end in November.

“Because we are a year out from that day, we have started to open up dialogue with prospective purchasers and tenants,” Neukamm says. “We have been contacted already by a number of folks who are interested.”

Over the years, a number of brokers have inquired about selling the property, but Neukamm says his clients felt talks were premature because of the existing lease.

He says there will “likely” be a new owner or tenant in place by this time next year.

And, what does Viera, who says he has been asked countless questions about the old Sweetbay since being elected in 2016, think about the possible elimination of the area’s most prominent vacant store?

“It’s about time,” he says. “It’s about time.”

We’ll keep you posted.

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com The Cross Creek Contract Postal Unit (CPU) is no more.

It’s now the Cross Creek Pak N’ Ship.

After two months of deciding whether the popular and busy CPU would move to another site, or if owner Karen Seeram (photo) would be permitted to transition to a United States Postal Service (USPS)-approved shipper through pack-and-ship guidelines, the convenient Cross Creek drop-off and shipping site is back in business.

“All is well,” said a relieved Seeram, who also runs her printing business from the location. “We are back on track.”

The former CPU, located at 10861 Cross Creek Blvd. next to the Mobil gas station, went off track in October, when Seeram elected not to renew her contact with the USPS, causing a great deal of consternation for area residents who then had to drive all the way to the Tampa Palms Post Office on Tampa Palms Blvd. to drop off their mail or use USPS priority services.

When her contract expired, Seeram chose to go with UPS and DHL because it was more profitable. But, local residents could no longer drop off their mail and fulfill other postal service needs at the site.

The desk that usually accommodated the postal side of things was removed and the space was going to be used to sell gifts.

Seeram says she heard about it from most of her disappointed customers; the Neighborhood News fielded calls and emails from at least a half-dozen confused and angry residents.

Dozens of customers a day had to be turned away — sometimes as many as 50 a day — says Seeram.

“It broke my heart, it really did,” she says. “Many days I cried.”

Because she says she poured so much money into renovating the space, while also having to pay rent (which USPS does not cover), using the space primarily to serve the area’s mailing needs was untenable for her, due to small profit margins resulting from rates set by the federal government.

Seeram sought a way to return USPS service to the Cross Creek location without 8

being a contracted unit. After meeting with the management at the Tampa Palm post office, an agreement was reached.

“The post office treated me with class, management was the best, I have nothing negative to say,” Seeram says. “It was a mutual understanding that we part ways as a postal contractor.”

In early December, Seeram was back offering USPS services, through PostalMate software, and the zip code 33647 Post Office in Tampa Palms was back to picking up daily mail from her location.

She says as a retail pack-and-ship center, she can set her own rates, though she promises they will remain competitive with other shipping posts. Customers can buy stamps, drop off mail and packages, and will be able to choose between UPS, DHL and USPS. “There’s not much difference,” she says. “We can do pretty much everything we used to.”

Although currently open, Seeram says she is planning a Grand Opening sometime this month. She is hoping she can restore the confidence of local customers who went without her USPS services in October and November.

“I just want to let people know we will be providing excellent customer service as always,” Seeram says. “If there’s an emergency delivery they need to make, we have their back. Our new rates won’t be high and outrageous; I’m not here to make a million dollars. I am here to work with the community and do the best for them.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 •Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

9

Briefs: Fire Rescue Approved, New Park-N-Ride, Library Closing

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com At their Dec. 4 meeting, the members of the Hillsborough’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) made it official – Tampa Fire Rescue will be back on the job when it comes to servicing the unincorporated area of New Tampa.

The commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Tampa Fire Rescue for Fire and Emergency Response Services by a 7-0 vote.

That restores City of Tampa Fire Rescue service to the area just north of the city limits, along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. to County Line Rd., and east to Morris Bridge Rd. That area includes roughly 5,000 residents in the Pebble Creek, Cross Creek and Live Oak subdivisions, as well as Wharton High.

The agreement ends two years of unincorporated New Tampa receiving service from Pasco County, whose nearest station is located in the Meadow Pointe I community of Wesley Chapel.

County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who represents New Tampa in District 2, helped push for a restoration of service from the city almost immediately after Jane Castor was elected mayor in March.

Previous mayor Bob Buckhorn had ended service to the unincorporated areas

after demanding the county pay more than $1.1 million a year — or four times what it had been paying — for the service from Fire Rescue Stations 20 (in Tampa Palms), 21 (on Cross Creek Blvd. near BBD), 22 (on Cross Creek Blvd. near Morris Bridge Rd.) and 23, which opened last year near Grand Hampton on County Line Rd. The county will pay Tampa $600,000 a year for service from the four New Tampa fire rescue stations.

The cost for services will inConstruction has begun on a new 25-space Park-Ncrease by 5.8 percent yearly, and will Ride at the corner of Tampa Palms Blvd. & Bruce B. be paid quarterly. The agreement will Downs. It should be ready by the end January. continue in perpetuity, or until it is (Photo: Charmaine George) terminated by either party. route into Route 275XL, running from NEW BUS OPTION: A new Park- Wesley Chapel through New Tampa and N-Ride lot, which has been in Tampa on to Tampa, with more than a dozen Palms’ plans for 14 years, is currently un- stops in between. der construction at the corner of Tampa But, those hoping to park their car Palms Blvd. and BBD. and ride the bus still had to leave it in the The new Park-N-Ride is just south Lowe’s parking lot. of the old one it will be replacing at The new Park-N-Ride will be solely Lowe’s on Commerce Park Dr. for commuters, with 25 parking spots for That Park-N-Ride has been in exist- those choosing to ride the bus. Buses on ence since 2006, when it serviced the old the 275LX route are equipped with WiFi. 51X express bus route as Hillsborough There is a northbound stop just a Area Regional Transit (HART)’s only few feet from the Park-N-Ride, and a stop in New Tampa. southbound stop across BBD, just south In 2018, HART turned the 51X of Tampa Palms Blvd.

The Park-N-Ride is expected to be completed by the end of January 2020.

LIBRARY CLOSING: The New Tampa Regional Library will be closed from January 6-20 as it receives a $1-million air conditioning upgrade.

The library opened in 1997. The project will replace the library’s original air handler system with a chilled water system.

“The old one was at its end-of-life,” says library spokesperson Janet Marnatti.

“The new one is more efficient, and will be more comfortable.”

NEW LIGHT: A new traffic signal at the corner of Trout Creek Dr. and County Line Rd. has been installed and is up and running. The light will allow fire rescue vehicles to exit safely from Tampa Fire Station No. 23, which is tucked behind The Learning Experience of New Tampa (see ad on pg. 34).

While the early reviews have been somewhat mixed due to a lack of synchronizing and reports that it is causing even more congestion as a result, the light is not only expected to assist Tampa Fire Rescue but also those trying to enter and leave both The Learning Experience and The Lakes at Northwood subdivision, who are often stuck waiting to pull in or out during times of heavy traffic.

Expires March 31, 2020

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The Wades — Still Creating A Winter Wonderland After All These Years

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Tom and Ann Wade’s first Christmas tree was made of chicken wire shaped into a cone, with pinecones hanging as ornaments.

After 53 years of marriage, the Tampa Palms residents’ tree now towers over them, covered with garland and lights and ornaments designed to fill you with the Christmas spirit, but with a modern tech-twist that plays whatever Christmas song you ask it to.

The tree is the centerpiece of one of New Tampa’s most elaborate home-decorated winter wonderlands.

“The ornaments on the tree (are my favorite),” Tom says. “There are pictures of our kids when they were small, anniversary pictures…essentially the history of our family.”

Inside the Wades’ two-story, five-bedroom home is a trip to old-time Christmas, if you’re lucky enough to be a friend or relative (or nosy reporter) and get an invitation past the gateway of outside lights and garland wrapped around two Colonial columns, seasonal music and a striking nativity scene above the door of their residence in the Cambridge subdivision.

No laser lights and inflatable snowmen for the Wades. The look is traditional, and people still stop when passing by to snap a quick picture.

Christmas may be over as you’re reading this, but you might still able to get a look at the lavish outside decorations. But hurry, because after this year, Tom, who is now 76 years old, says he finally plans to scale back.

“I’m getting kind of old, and I don’t need to be getting up on the roof anymore,” he says, with a chuckle.

The Wades were co-founders of the Rotary Club of New Tampa (our area’s original, morning Rotary) — Ann is the current president, as well — but it is not a misnomer to also call them the first family of Tampa Palms Christmas decorations.

In 1988, Tampa Palms developer Ken

Good decided to hold a home-decorating contest to celebrate the Christmas season (and market New Tampa’s growing and largest master-planned community).

It was extravagant, as a huge crowd took part in a celebratory party, with horsedrawn carriages and some of the best decorations in an area not yet called New Tampa.

The Wades were chosen the winners of that contest by a panel of judges and awarded the first place prize — a 35-inch Mitsubishi television, worth roughly $3,000 at the time (or $5,258, adjusted for inflation).

“We didn’t know there even was a prize,” Ann says. “That was a pretty big TV back then.”

The Wades have gone all out for Christmas every year since then, even sponsoring the contest in 1997 with their own money when the original fizzled out.

Their Christmas collection, inside and out, has only grown bigger since they won that first contest. Ann says she recently counted 50 boxes of Christmas decorations, and the job of prepping the house for the holidays takes them four days, mostly with Ann working inside and Tom handling the outside.

“We just love Christmas,” Tom says.

Their dining room looks as if old Saint Nick himself has been invited over for dinner. The meticulously decorated room and table settings for hosting holiday parties with their fellow churchgoers, Rotary Club members and neighborhood friends.

But mostly, they keep doing it for their family. This year, like every year, they hosted their three children — Amy, Nathan and Laura — plus their 10 grandchildren and in-laws. “There’s 18 of us,” Ann says. “It can get wild.”

As usual, Santa showed up while the family slept. Gifts were exchanged, dinner was served Christmas night, and pictures were taken.

Who knows, one of those pictures might just end up hanging from the Christmas tree next year.

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13

Ready, Set, Throw! The Kilted Axe Set To Open

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com When it came to opening a new business in Wesley Chapel, Michael and Alicia Esenwein (photo) could have taken a nice, safe route.

Maybe a nice little coffee shop, a cozy family restaurant, or even a charming retail hot spot.

But no.

They chose…axe throwing?

“It’s kind of a weird story,” Mike says. “It wasn’t ever really a long-range plan…I’m not sure anyone ever plans (something like this).”

Once you talk to Seven Oaks residents Mike and Alicia, though, the story of The Kilted Axe — which will be a combination of a hip bar and hangout for axe-throwing enthusiasts when it opens on Wednesday, January 18, 5 p.m., in The Grove — actually makes perfect sense.

After all, this is a couple that three years ago sold everything they owned — except for a Christmas tree Alicia says she couldn’t get rid of — and, with three young kids in tow, traveled the world for 18 months, with stops in Indonesia, Thailand, Italy and Costa Rica.

So naturally, the Esenweins’ adventurous spirit would lead to owning an axe-throwing business.

“We were living in North Carolina temporarily, and were looking for something to do and there were like 10 locations on the east coast there that had axe throwing,” Mike says. “Most of it was in barns, or a rugged setting, but there was one place in Wilmington that was upscale and had a bar and a restaurant. We just loved it. It was a cool place to hang out.”

It wasn’t until a few years after returning from North Carolina, after running some successful Under Armour flag football leagues as well as doing a little teaching — Mike was an online computer science professor for the University of Virginia and American Public University — that Alicia became restless.

“I want to do something,” she told Mike, and soon the idea for The Kilted Axe had flowered. It had been, after all, the one thing she had been asked about most by friends when they returned from North Carolina, thanks to some of her Facebook pictures.

They passively started looking at barns and warehouses for a site, but were also looking to buy a house, so they decided to put the business idea on hold until 2020.

A trip to The Grove, however, changed everything. Remembering it as a moribund center lacking zip, they drove by when they heard developer Mark Gold had bought it.

Gold, the high-charged developer with a big vision for his property, happened to be standing outside. They chatted. And Gold, who has axe-throwing places at some of his other properties, insisted they start their business as soon as possible.

“Most people wouldn’t rent a space like this for axe throwing,” Mike says.

“They want restaurants. Mark knows, though. He loved the idea.”

After meeting some of the other business owners who had already signed leases with Gold, they were sold.

Axe throwing is a trendy, growing sport. The International Axe Throwing

Federation (IATF) says there are more than 6,000 league members in more than 100 cities and six countries. It is a staple in lumberjack competitions and has been televised on ESPN. Mike and Alicia compare it to throwing darts; it’s just a matter of getting the technique down.

The Kilted Axe will have three throwing lanes, all safely fenced in and manned by “Axeperts” there to help.

There also will be a lounge and balcony to hang out and have a few drinks

or host an event. “Kind of like an old school pool hall feel,” Mike says.

And, because you have to be wondering — yes, mixing beer, wine and axe throwing can be safe.

“If you show up intoxicated and ready to throw axes, well, guess what? It’s not going to happen,” Mike says.

There will be men’s and women’s leagues, co-ed leagues, and even events for kids. Mike and Alicia have three kids — Jason, 14; Hailey, 12, and Hannah, who is 4. They all think axe throwing is pretty cool.

Alicia says she can’t wait for The Kilted Axe to open. Any fear that they were rushing into a crazy idea dissolved when they posted the news on Facebook, which lit up with enthusiasm.

More than 3,600 people say they are interested in attending opening night.

Almost 300 say they are going for sure.

A dozen or so people have signed up for leagues, a few nights are already booked for corporate events, and it’s one of the more buzzworthy new places set to open in Wesley Chapel.

“It was a crazy response,” Alicia says.

“We’re anxious. Believe me, we’re anxious!”

For more information, visit TheKiltedAxe.com, or search for “Kilted Axe” on Facebook.

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Win A $100 Gift Card By Subscribing To Our YouTube Channel!

I am truly proud...

...of what we were able to accomplish in 2019 with a very small staff of dedicated print and video journalists who helped us put out slightly more than 100 videos in the 50 weeks of 2019 since we became one of only 23 U.S. and 86 worldwide media companies to receive funding from the Google News Initiative.

Our news videos did outstanding numbers all year on Facebook — slightly under 500,000 total views, a reach of nearly 750,000 and more than 70,000 total engagements.

Our top-10 videos of the year averaged nearly 12,000 Facebook views and a reach of nearly 20,000 each, with an average of 3,100 engagements. Our overall average for all 100 videos was 4,500 views, a reach of 8,000 and about 700 engagements per video.

However, the Google News Initiative was funding recipients in part to build a following on YouTube, which has been owned by Google for several years. And, our 2019 numbers on YouTube — where it’s much harder than it is on Facebook to grab a large audience — quite honestly, weren’t worth bragging about.

Part of the problem is that earlier this year, we switched our YouTube channel — which had more than 2,000 subscribers — from what we had been calling WCNT-tv (“Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television”) to its current “Neighborhood News Online” You-

Tube channel. And let me tell you, it’s been tough getting people who first started watching us our videos on WCNT-tv to switch to Neighborhood News Online on YouTube.

So, What About Those Gift Cards?...

EVERYONE who goes to YouTube.com/channel/UCw1RkGW1w8y-uZU1YEg5PBQ

and clicks on the “Subscribe” button near the top right of the page (see above) will be entered into a drawing where at least five people, selected at random, will win a free gift card, including at least two top prizes of $100 each to the restaurant of their choice in the Tampa Bay area. There may be some one-night hotel stays and dining gift cards to specific restaurants included in the mix of prizes, too.

And, while you’re visiting our YouTube channel anyway, we’d also really appreciate it if you viewed, liked and shared as many of our videos (you can see some of them above) as you can — even if you’ve already seen them on Facebook. Any additional subscribers, views and engagements we can grab will help us in our continuing quest to become even more entrenched as the only multimedia source of news and information for the residents and businesses of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel! — Gary Nager

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17

Samantha Taylor : This Decade Can Be Your Best Yet!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN On the brink of not just a new year — but also a new decade — Samantha Taylor encourages women to think about what they want their life to be like 10 years from now.

She’s built a business from women’s success stories, like that of her client Lynn Smith, who will turn 80 in 2020, and has been a member of Samantha Taylor Fitness for more than 10 years.

“The investment Lynn made when she was 69 years old has totally transformed her life,” says Samantha. “She’s in amazing health and physical condition, has no medical issues and takes no medication.”

Samantha says it’s hard to imagine what Lynn’s life would be like if she hadn’t made the decision a decade ago to join Samantha Taylor Fitness.

Samantha is something of a local legend — a Certified Personal Trainer who began her career 27 years ago and launched her own business 20 years ago.

Since then, she says she has trained more than 7,500 women. There are now five Tampa Bay-area Samantha Taylor Fitness studios, including Wesley Chapel and nearby Land O’Lakes, plus Carrollwood, Westchase and Palm Harbor.

The Wesley Chapel location has its

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Twice a year, the five Samantha Taylor Fitness studios host an appreciation party, celebrating the success of the studios’ members. At the last party, the women in this photo were recognized for losing a combined 597 pounds. Lora (red flannel shirt in the front row) lost 72 lbs. and reversed her Type 2 Diabetes. own standalone building off of S.R. 56, B. Downs Blvd. The new studio is bignear I-75, in the Cypress Ridge Profesger, with a larger personal training room, sional Center. specialty rubber floors, and a private, Samantha moved the studio there in first-floor entrance.

2018 from its former location on Bruce It’s a women-only environment

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where clients choose Fitness Boot Camp classes for group training or private or semi-private personal training. All workouts last just 30 minutes.

But, Samantha Taylor Fitness is not just about working out.

“The only way to make lifelong, lasting changes is to learn to eat,” explains Samantha. “It’s not about diet or starving yourself, but figuring out how to eat in a way that you really enjoy that is simple and maintainable.”

She says people can diet temporarily, but if they don’t learn to eat in a way that’s realistic and sustainable for them, they won’t stick to it.

That’s why Samantha Taylor Fitness has a full-time, licensed nutritionist on staff. “It’s huge because in the state of Florida, it’s not legal to give out custom diets unless you have a license,” she says.

So, Samantha hired Shannon Barker, R.D. (Registered Dietitian), to do just that. “We have a new menu plan every month with recipes,” says Samantha. “A lot of people like new ideas for what to eat, so we provide that.”

Shannon also works with any members who have specific dietary needs to customize the menus. For example, there are options for people who want to stick to a keto diet plan. “The keto diet is the most popular eating plan in the world

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right now,” Samantha says, “and we have easy, simple-to-follow plans for people who want to eat that way.”

Samantha says Shannon also offers webinars on nutrition topics, such as how to pre-prep food and understanding thyroid issues. She also offers weekly group nutrition coaching calls, where any member can call in and ask questions.

Members of Samantha Taylor Fitness also get monthly 3D body scans, where a machine takes measurements and analyzes body fat digitally.

“People have been loving it,” says Samantha. “It’s much better than only measuring your progress by the scale.

You want to see the inches, too, and how your body is physically changing.”

Get Off Those Meds, Ladies!

While others may notice the physical differences, Samantha says there are other important changes, too, such as reversing disease and getting off medications.

She says Lora Burns is a member of Samantha Taylor Fitness who has lost 72 pounds and completely reversed her type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. She is now off all of the medication she previously needed to fight the disease.

At Samantha Taylor Fitness, women also find a supportive community, which Samantha says makes it fun and helps women stay on track.

“We are highly focused on the

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clients’ experience and helping them to have even more accountability, more recognition, more involvement in the program and getting the most out of it,” explains Samantha.

Heather Weaver has been working out at Samantha Taylor Fitness for the past 6 months or so.

“I love that it’s a community of women,” she says. “We all respect each other and are all there for similar goals – to lose weight or gain strength.”

And, while Heather says those were her two goals, she has found so much more.

She says she’s learned to eat in a way that is much healthier, such as avoiding Linda Lack lost 32 pounds in just 6 weeks. sugar, that has become her lifestyle, so it’s not a fad. “Now family is eating good, healthy, nutritious my husband and children are on board meals together, skipping fast food and with that, too.” eating healthy snacks.

Heather adds that when she had “It becomes a habit and it’s a good previously tried other ways to lose weight, habit,” she explains. “It’s not work and she would eat different things than her it’s not weird; you’ve built that habit.” family. But with Samantha Taylor Fitness, Heather says she has gone from a she follows the menus provided by the size 16 to a size 10, but that’s almost an nutritionist, which she says are so amazing afterthought. that her family loves them, too.

“I don’t even think about that,” “I was shocked at how I could take she says. “I think about how I feel good things out of a certain meal, and like it all the time and have so much energy. I even more,” she says. Now, her whole used to want to take a nap in the middle

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of the day and the thought of that now is bizarre to me.”

She says she loves the sense of community, too.

“Samantha does seminars and webinars and events, and I’ve never gone to a gym that does that before,” says Heather, who has even brought her husband along to events, such as a food tasting.

“I like that it’s a women’s studio, but it’s nice for him to see the people I work out with and the people I cherish.”

Samantha is offering several programs for the new year, including a free webinar on Saturday, January 4, called “2020 Goal Achieving Master Class.”

There’s also a four-week New Year’s Challenge that starts mid-January, and she has some free motivational tools to help get women ready for the new year.

To learn more about these programs, visit SamanthaTaylorFitness. com/2020.

“So many people have good intentions to set goals, but statistically, most fall off within the first two weeks,” Samantha says. “A way to make 2020 different is for you is to hire a proven company with a track record of amazing success.”

The Wesley Chapel Samantha Taylor Fitness Studio is located is at 2609 Ridgebrook Dr., Wesley Chapel.

For more information, visit SamanthaTaylorFitness.com or call (813) 377-3739.

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19

Nerds To Go Can Take Care Of Your Business & Personal Tech Needs

By GARY NAGER This may not surprise you, but I am not a handy guy. I have never changed the oil in my car, I’ve never fixed broken stuff around the house and, most of all, technology and I are not friends. Three decades before there were “smartphones” or tablets, I struggled for years with an IBM Selectric typewriter, followed by an original Epson “personal computer” that cost more than $7,000 and was obsolete before I opened the box — and no, I have never even attempted to fix any of my own “tech.”

It’s a good thing that there are people in this world like Michael Varnadore — the owner of the new Nerds To Go franchise located in the Pebble Creek Collection — who are the opposite of me when it comes to those dreaded (at least for me) letters “IT,” aka “Information Technology.”

Mike also purchased his first personal computer more than 30 years ago — a Commodore 64 — but he somehow soon became the non-commissioned officer in charge of technology for his U.S. Air Force squadron because he was the only one who could figure out how to repair the squadron’s only computer — a Zenith PC. Mike followed up his stint in the Air Force by earning first a Bachelor of Science, followed by a Master of Science degree in Information Systems, both from Hawaii Pacific University. He has, many years later, followed that up with an online Doctorate of Management with an Information Systems specialization — and he’s not even the

20

“Nerd” you’ll work with if you ever bring in technology to be repaired into, or called out to fix problems you may have with WiFi or viruses at your home or office when you work with Nerds To Go. More on who you will get to work with below, but first...

Living The Dream

Even though he says he worked for many years as an IT tech — “everything from fixing computers to running support organizations for large companies” — Mike admits that it, “has always been my dream to own my own company. I did extensive research on available franchises and found Nerds To Go, which seemed like a perfect fit for me.” Today, Nerds To Go has more than 30 locations in 18 U.S. states.

He adds, “I’m OK with the fact that we’re nerdy, but we will always be professional. This isn’t some guy just opening up a tech repair place — all of our nerds are certified, our employees are all background-checked and wear uniform polo shirts, our mobile vans are professionally marked and my business model is that if we try but are unable to fix your broken tech, we won’t charge you for it.”

Mike also is proud of his current mobile nerds — Jason and Jonathan — and I can tell you first-hand how professionally things are handled at Nerds To Go, just from my first few times utilizing any of their many services.

My experience with these nerds started out innocently enough. I came in not long after Nerds To Go’s North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting on August 15. I walked into the shop and Maxine behind the desk happened to

(L.-r.) Maxine, Rick, Michael, Jason & Jonathan (not pictured) of Nerds To Go in the Pebble Creek Collection want to be your business’ IT department and take care of any problems you have with your consumer technology. notice that I had what some people (including yours truly) call the Spider-Man version of my phone. She asked me if I wanted Jason (the only nerd at the location at that time) to see if the veiny cracks in my phone were on my protective

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glass cover or in the phone’s screen itself.

Jason took off the cracked cover and hooked me up with a liquid glass cover from Cell Helmet (the exclusive provider of mobile phone accessories at Nerds To Go), even

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though he had to let me know that I wouldn’t be eligible for the $100 warranty because there was some breakage on the rims of the phone’s actual glass, but that it would likely still protect it better than just sliding another glass cover in the old one’s place. My phone has never cut my fingers and hasn’t chipped or cracked despite having been dropped at least a couple of times since then. And, Cell Helmet accessories are currently buy one, get one free at Nerds To Go! I also mentioned that I had a friend I was trying to help who had a super-old hard drive she was trying to get old pictures and videos off of but she couldn’t find the right power cord to power up the drive, much less successfully get the pics and videos off of it.

Jason (above) called me every few days to update me on the status of the drive. And, although he ended up not being able to get the data off the drive himself, he gave me the contact info for a data recovery company that could, but he warned me that it could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars and there was still no guarantee they would be able to successfully extract those pictures and videos.

‘Let Us Be Your IT Dept, Too!’

Even though managing editor John Cotey and video producer/photographer Charmaine George are both significantly more tech-savvy that I am, we do have situations pop up from time to time that require us to seek professional assistance. When our website went down for more than three days because our service provider said we were using too much cloud space for our backups and offered us little assistance to get it back up and running, I stopped in at Nerds To Go and, because Jason was already on a mobile service call, Mike worked with me the entire two hours I was on the phone with the provider until we were back up and running.

I realized that there were a few other tech service needs at our office and asked Mike to dispatch his sales guy Rick out to me to talk about a service plan for all of the computers at our office. There are several plans available but our office is small enough for us to need the lowest level plan and it does give me peace of mind knowing that Mike and his Nerds are available to help when we need it.

Jason has made two trips to our office since then and as of this writing, we are close to having our existing Neighborhood News Online video library uploaded to a continuous 24-7-365 loop. The holidays were approaching, so I hope that project can be completed by the time this issue reaches you, so you can see just what I’m bragging about.

“We know we’re going to have a lot of people walking in for mobile phone repairs and chargers, but that is not our primary focus,” Mike says. “We want to be your business’ IT department and all we ask is an opportunity to come out and perform a technology audit for your business. It’s a $179 value but we offer it for free so we can see how you do business and offer the upgrades, service contracts, virus and malware protection, managed installations and system backups you need at a reasonable price.”

Mike and his nerds also plan to continue to be visible in the community. “Thank to Maxine, we’ve brought our van and our orange tent to events where we’ve passed out tech freebies to teachers at Wharton and Freedom,” he says.

“And teachers and first responders always receive 10% off everything here at Nerds To Go.” Nerds To Go is located at 19651 BBD, Suite C6. It is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sat. It is closed on Sun. For more info, call (813) 524-5353 or visit NerdsToGo.com.

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10/2/19 12:04 PM

Real Living Casa Fina Realty Opens New Office!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN It sounds like something they might hear from one of their clients – “We’ve outgrown our current place.”

The team at Real Living Casa Fina Realty has always loved the office’s Tampa Palms neighborhood, but needed more space than at the office in the Tampa Palms Professional Center.

So, in 2020, the agents will help people in New Tampa and surrounding areas buy and sell homes from a larger, more modern workspace in The Shoppes at Amberly, located on Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms.

Nick Parrinello, the Broker/owner of Real Living Casa Fina Realty, moved his company into their new digs on Dec. 17. “As we continue to grow,” he says, “we needed more space and wanted a little more visibility.”

Casa Fina Realty began as an independent real estate brokerage in Tampa Palms in 2003. Nick came to work for the company in 2007, shortly before it became a franchise of GMAC Real Estate, which was rebranded as Real Living in 2011.

Nick bought the company in 2014. In the past few years, Nick says

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Casa Fina Realty has grown to be the third largest brokerage in New Tampa.

While the company has expanded from 15 agents, and Nick is excited to own a larger firm, he says he won’t let his Casa Fina outgrow its boutique feel.

“We have the same culture and our core values haven’t changed,” he says. “Some The real estate professionals at the new RealLiving Casa Fina Realty office in the Shoppes at Amberly in Tampa agents have been Palms want to help you buy, sell, rent or manage your home or property. with us from the “It’s a great location, in the same staff live in New Tampa or Wesley beginning.” plaza with five spots to grab lunch withChapel, and the company sees the And, while the company serves 10 out having to get in the car and drive,” Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. corridor counties, and focuses on Hillsborough, as its home and primary market. he says. “We expect it to have a lively, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, Nick While real estate agents typically vibrant atmosphere.” says the heart of Casa Fina is right here, work from anywhere — whether it’s Instead of cubicles, the new space in New Tampa. driving around neighborhoods, meeting offers agents shared private offices, “We have just one office and it’s al- clients in restaurants or coffee shops, or where they can close the door for privaways been in Tampa Palms,” says Nick. making phone calls from home — Nick cy, but have the efficiency of sharing the “We want to keep our roots here.” is optimistic that Casa Fina’s new space space with other agents.

He says many of the agents and will be a place his agents will want to be.

The new location also features a

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large conference room for company meetings, or where agents can present seminars or classes to the community.

Nick is planning to see that space used for customer appreciation parties, new homebuyer seminars and other events that bring people together, and share valuable information.

While Nick says Casa Fina Realty serves about 700 families a year, the goal is to provide the best possible customer service to each one. “We want to empower agents by ensuring they are well-trained and giving them the tools they need,” Nick says.

He describes himself as “a stickler for knowing the contract,” saying that having a license in real estate is just the bare minimum when it comes to being prepared to buy and sell homes.

“We’re not attorneys, but we are responsible for our clients,” he says.

It’s a big responsibility, especially when contracts start at 12 pages and often grow from there.

He adds, “We all started out inexperienced and there’s nothing wrong with that, but inexperienced agents need the backing and support of management if something goes wrong.”

One Satisfied Customer’s Story

Lisa Souza is a Cross Creek homeowner who worked with Casa Fina agent Seena Allen when she and her family

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moved to the Tampa area from New York this past summer.

“It was extremely challenging, because we knew nothing about the Tampa area,” Lisa explains. “She honestly helped us get our dream home, and we’re so happy. It’s even better than what we hoped.”

Lisa says Seena was professional, patient and kind, and worked hard when things got complicated.

“We made an offer on a house but then found out there was lots of work that needed to be done after the inspection,” Lisa explains. “Our house in New York was sold, the one we wanted to buy fell through, and it was an extremely stressful time. But, Seena was such a pleasure to work with that it took the stress out of it.”

Lisa says that when issues popped up, Seena would call on her colleagues if she had questions or wanted another opinion about how to handle the issues.

“They all got back with her almost instantaneously with text messages.”

Nick says his agents work hard to ensure they are able to be a network of resources for their clients, whether they are in the middle of a transaction, or they are a past client from years ago.

“We try to be the go-to person if you need something,” Nick says. “Maybe you bought a house three years ago, but now you need a plumber. We think

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of ourselves as local guides or resources.”

He says that even in the days of Google and Yelp, people still prefer a personal recommendation. No matter what you need, someone in the company has a connection and a personal experience they can share.

Another way the firm provides added value to its clients is by serving as This Wesley Chapel home is just one of the many sold by Real a full-service brokerage, Living Casa Fina Realty along the Bruce B. Downs corriwith agents who specialize dor in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel in 2019. in commercial services and tion is, Nick and the agents at Casa Fina property management. want to help you determine what’s best “If you need help finding a tenant for you and help make it happen. or you need full management of your Lisa’s experience with Casa Fina property, we fully cover New Tampa and Realty has led her to recommend the Wesley Chapel and some of the surcompany to both her mom and sister rounding areas,” Nick explains.

— both of whom she hopes will move Casa Fina Realty also can help to New Tampa — and an acquaintance anyone who may need to move but isn’t who already lives in the area. sure if they want to sell.

She says she told them, “The de“It gives us the flexibility to offer tails will be handled thoroughly, things different options,” he says. “I can’t tell you how many houses we put up for sale will be done quickly, and there will be a level of professionalism that comes from and for rent at the same time and then the heart.” see which happens first.”

Real Living Casa Fina Realty is He says sometimes people relocate located at 15343 Amberly Dr. in the and then move back, or sometimes they Shoppes at Amberly. To learn more, choose to sell after their home has been visit CasaFinaRealty.com, call (813) rented for a few years.

No matter what your personal situa- 569-6294, or see the ad on page 31.

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25

Club Pilates New Tampa Gets To The Core Of Physical Fitness stretching and flexibility — yoga is done mostly with just a mat and is more spiritual in nature.

Pilates, however, takes a more modern, scientific approach and uses a variety equipment to achieve results while emphasizing core strength.

By JOHN C. COTEY Niki Helton didn’t plan on becoming hooked on Pilates. On a whim, she decided to try the free introductory class offered by the Club Pilates studio at the Shops at Wiregrass and walked away afterward impressed.

She was so impressed, in fact, that she pre-joined the latest Club Pilates to open, in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms.

The New Tampa location, the third for owner Nathan Philyaw, will host its Grand Opening the weekend of January 11-12 but has been holding classes for a couple of months now.

Helton, who lives in Wesley Chapel but works in New Tampa as an accountant, is a regular at the newest Club Pilates location.

Initially, she had been looking for a program that didn’t stress weights or high-impact exercises, due to a shoulder problem she has struggled with for nearly two years. After a few months of classes at Club Pilates, however, taking in the low-impact, core-building programs, “My shoulder is 100 percent,” she says.

And, that’s not all, she says. Helton, who used to sit at a desk all day,

A Little History...

Pilates is a low-impact exercise that focuses on strengthening your core. Nathan & Ayesha Philyaw owns Club Pilates locations in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Carrollwood. has strengthened her core so much is almost universal among those who during her time at Club Pilates she says dedicate themselves to Pilates. she now uses a standing desk at work.

Marlana is the lead instructor for all “I feel strong and taller,” Niki says. three of Philyaw’s Club Pilates locations “I rarely have muscle soreness from — Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and Pilates. If I skip a few days, I can always Carrollwood. tell I need to get back in there.”

While often conflated with yoga, Marlana Lacivita says Niki’s deMarlana says that while there are scription of being taller and stronger similarities — such as an emphasis on

Pilates was developed by physical fitness trainer Joseph Pilates in early 20th century Germany. At the time, it was called “Contrology,” as in the practice of controlled movements. It focuses on proper breathing, aligning the body, improving balance and strengthening your core. Pilates created equipment, or his preferred term “apparatuses,” to help achieve his goals, and they are still used today.

The primary Pilates apparatus is The Reformer, which has a series of springs, pulleys and arm and leg straps to help guide the stretching and strengthening of the body.

Another popular machine is the Cadillac, which resembles a trapeze table, and there are also Wunda Chairs, Ladder Barrels and other devices to guide you in developing your core muscles.

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gevity, and it helps keep you pain-free,” Philyaw says. “It’s something you can she says. “My oldest client is 83 years do every day for the rest of your life.

And, you can come to a morning class old, and I have some in their 20s, and (for 45 minutes) and get energized and they can both do the exact same class.” go about your day.”

Marlana is certified, as are all 15 In the 1970s, Pilates was known as instructors at Philyaw’s clubs, and she a red-carpet fitness trend popular with says most of her instructors continthe Beverly Hills celebrity crowd, but it ue to learn about other programs to began to receive more widespread media incorporate into Club Pilates. The club coverage in the 1980s. Most recently, offers Reformer Flow, Center+Balance, athletes from many of the major league Suspend, Control, Restore and Cardio sports began employSculpt sessions. ing it to strengthen “You can use their cores.

Pilates in several difWhile it might ferent ways,” Marlana not be as familiar to says. “You can use it as folks as traditional your main source for cardio and weightliftworking out or use it ing exercises, Pilates as a supplement. It’s fits nicely into the all about the focus on competitive space the form and how to occupied by “stuClub Pilates co-owners Nathan and use your core to drive dio”-based exercises all your movements.”

Ayesha Philyaw. like yoga, spinning, Pilates is great for rowing and boxing. lengthening your spine, Marlana says, “We are taking a boutique exercise and she has worked with clients who and making it accessible to everyone,” have bulging discs or have had spinal Philyaw says. “We focus first and forefusions. most on the member experience, makNiki says it has changed her life, ing it similar to a hotel experience; like and when she learns the person interthe Ritz Carlton of boutique fitness.” viewing her for this story spends most That means greeting members, proof their day sitting and driving, she viding personalized and group training insists they give it a shot. and building what Philyaw hopes will “Pilates has helped me able to become a vibrant local Pilates community. stand all day, because my core is really His New Tampa location already has 150 strong, and I feel so much more commembers, while his Shops at Wiregrass fortable,” she says. “That’s why I go (300 members) and Carrollwood (370) back. You can’t make me stop.” locations also are bustling.

The New Tampa Club Pilates When Joe Pilates opened his first studio is located at 15341 Amberstudio in New York City after emigratly Dr. in Tampa Palms. It offers a ing to the United States, it initially variety of membership plans, and caught on with ballet dancers before free 30-minute introductory class. grabbing a wider audience.

The location currently is offering Marlana is a professional dancer free enrollment and 20 percent off who has been doing Pilates since she the first three months of memberwas 15. She says many college dance ship. To take part in a free class, programs, like the one she graduated or inquire about memberships and from at Slippery Rock University of schedules, call (813) 461-6010 or Pennsylvania, have Pilates equipment. visit ClubPilates.com. The Wesley Now 33 years old, Marlana says Chapel Club Pilates is located at Pilates has kept her core strengthened 28249 Paseo Dr. in the Shops of and lengthened her dance career.

Wiregrass. It can be reached at (813) “It definitely gives you extra lon607-6655.

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27

Medi-Weightloss Of Lutz Can Help You Get Results That Last!

Know Your Phases

By ANDY WARRENER Medi-Weightloss Clinics are all about results.

Shannon Terkoski says she came to the Lutz Medi-Weightloss weighing 250 pounds on Jan. 16, 2018.

She now weighs 143.2 pounds, having lost 106.8 pounds.

“Week-to-week, they were encouraging but also made real suggestions on what I could do to improve things,” Terkoski says. “Like, the way I go grocery shopping and not just pushing their own products, even though I still take some of their proprietary products. I stopped going on a weekly basis, but I continue to maintain what they have shown and taught me about making better lifestyle choices.”

Shannon still pops in to buy Medi-Weightloss supplements.

“I tried every diet and miracle pill under the sun and lost a few pounds,” says Ryan Cuddy. “This all changed at Medi-Weightloss. I have lost over 50 pounds and the weight is staying off. The staff and doctor are very knowledgeable and know what works.

I would recommend Medi Weightloss to anyone who is looking to lose weight and to get a better, healthier life!”

Jodi Sullivan is another satisfied Medi-Weightloss client.

“I was ready to lose weight and found Medi-Weightloss,” she says.

“After having a much-needed hard discussion with Dr. (Andrew) Weitzman, at Medi, it was like a switch in my brain was flipped and I was motivated to do it!”

These are just a few comments from patients at the Lutz MediWeightloss Clinic.

According to a survey done by Statista, the top three New Year’s resolutions for Americans in 2020 were: diet or eat healthier, exercise

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Jodi Sullivan says that Dr. Andrew Weitzman at the Medi-Weightloss of Lutz helped her to “flip the switch” when it came to finally doing the right things to lose weight. more, and lose weight.

S.R. 56) has, to date, helped patients An earlier survey, conducted in Dec. lose 118,877 pounds. of 2018, said that just 16 percent of respondents stuck to some of their 2018 resolutions, while 13 percent said they kept none of them. While those three resolutions are obviously intertwined, in order to make lasting changes to one’s health via weight loss and diet, one must adopt lifestyle changes.

Those changes can be easier to make and keep when you have the help of professionals.

And, since 2006, Medi-Weightloss of Lutz, one of more than 100 locations nationwide, has helped clients make lifestyle changes that stick.

To date, Medi-Weightloss of Lutz owner Gerri Willett says the office located on S.R. 54 (two miles west of

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The professionals at MediWeightloss focus on three phases.

The first is the acute phase, also known as the weight loss phase.

The initial visit is a 60-90 minute consultation. Professionals will take weight measurements, do blood work, take an electrocardiogram (EKG), present informational handouts that go into a binder and start a detailed journal where the client will log their eating, drinking and sleeping data.

During the acute phase, clients come in once a week until they hit their target weight. Medi-Weightloss has many ways to help during this difficult phase. You’ll get two injections, one called a Methionine Inositol Choline or MIC Combo injection that puts B12 vitamins and amino acids right into your bloodstream. The lipotropic substances help with fat metabolism, liver function and fat excretion.

“The MIC injections are good for everyone and we never charge for them if you’re on the program,” Willett says. “While you’re on the program, you can come in twice a week and get the MIC Combo for free.”

The second shot is a Vitamin B6

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and B1 injection that helps reduce water retention and helps keep your energy up while battling food cravings. In the first phase, clients also will have help with vitamin supplements, a good multivitamin, as well as calcium and Omega 3 supplements. You’ll also receive a food scale to help with portion control and ketone sticks to detect your level of ketosis.

“Ketosis is a state where your body burns fat faster,” Willett said. “The ketone stick will reveal what level of ketosis you are in. Some don’t get there but it’s okay if they just get close.”

Once you reach your target weight, you’ll move on to Phase 2: the maintenance phase. Clients meet with Andrew Weitzman, M.D., who is Board-certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Weitzman’s goal is always for you to be able to get off any medications you may be taking.

“One of my favorite things is getting someone off of blood pressure medications,” Dr. Weitzman says.

“You lose 20 pounds and all of a sudden, your blood pressure goes down.”

Phase 3 is the wellness phase.

During this phase, clients need only come in once a month.

And, it’s always okay to come back later. Medi-Weightloss has clients return after completing the program, sometimes 10 years later, sometimes to share their success, sometimes because they are in need of additional help.

“They can always come back,” Willett says. “If it’s 10 years or 13 years later, I want them to be able to come back in. We want success for our patients. They shouldn’t feel guilty about coming back in. Losing weight is a lifestyle change. If it was easy or just a pill you could take, no one would be overweight.”

A Staff That’s There for You

Some clients are so happy with their results, they join the MediWeightloss team, like Erin Jones.

“I lost 25 pounds in the first month-and-a-half and ended up losing

Ryan Cuddy says he has lost over 50 pounds since joining Medi-Weightloss of Lutz.

50 pounds overall,” Erin says. “I liked the program.”

Jones, who affectionately goes by “The” Erin Jones in the office, lost her husband in 2010 and then, “I ate for a year,” she says.

She started coming to MediWeightloss in late 2011. By April of 2012, not only had she met her goals but she took a job interview at the clinic after her weight loss appointment. She started off working 10 to 12 hours per week and is now a fulltime medical assistant and the office manager at Medi-Weightloss of Lutz.

“Patients can take comfort in knowing that we’ve been down their road before and that we can truly say we know what they’re going through,” Jones says.

Medical assistant Patty Pinson has been with Medi-Weightloss for a decade and is a retired Registered Nurse (RN).

“This is a good place to work,” Pinson says. “Everyone gets along, we get to know the patients and it makes us feel good when we’re able to help them — it’s a win-win all the way around.”

Medical assistant Angela Wild is the newest member of the staff, but she comes to Medi-Weightloss with 14 years of experience in the radiology

field. “This is definitely a happier field than radiology,” Wild said. “People come here because they want to be here and I don’t dread coming to work. I really enjoy it.”

Dr. Weitzman is a Board-certified Medical Doctor who earned his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, Israel, and completed his residency in Long Island, NY. He operated a primary care practice in New York for three years and ran one out of Manatee County prior to coming on board at MediWeightloss more than three years ago.

“There aren’t as many dissimilarities as you’d think (between primary care and weight loss clinics),” Dr. Weitzman says. “The main difference is with primary care, you’re already treating a patient’s disease. Here, we’re working strictly with prevention.”

He stresses the three legs to the weight-loss process: diet, exercise and appetite suppression.

“The diet we choose for you is sensible,” Weitzman said. “It’s not some newfangled diet. It should be possible for you to eat this way for the rest of your life.”

Dr. Weitzman and the staff at Medi-Weightloss also will help develop an exercise program that fits your capa-

bilities, and he has a lot of experience prescribing appetite suppressants.

“You must do all three in order to succeed,” Weitzman said. “Journaling helps a lot with diet. We also have supplements to help you.”

In the office and also in the startup bag clients receive is a menu of different supplements. From flavored powders for shakes, to snacks and vitamins, you’ll have all the tools for success at your fingertips.

While not at the Lutz location, Medi-Weightloss also employs a fulltime Registered Dietitian who works at the corporate office in Tampa.

Jeff Cervero is available for consultations and has added valuable information to the company website, like recipes, exercise tips and other information. Cervero even went through popular restaurants’ menus in the area and came up with a list of options that fit with the Medi-Weightloss program.

“We have no competition that does all of the things we do and we do them very well,” Willett says.

From the research and development coming out of the corporate office, to the experienced and welltrained staff, to the emerging technology in the field like a step counter called the Fit-Stik and the Ree Vue Metabolic Testing, all of the tools you need to finally reach your weight loss goals this year are available at MediWeightloss of Lutz.

New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents are invited to stop in at the Medi-Weightloss Clinic located at 24420 S.R. 54 in Lutz.

The office is open five days a week: 6:30 a.m.-noon on Monday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday; 1 p.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday; and 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m on Friday. For more information, call (813) 909-1700, visit MediWeightloss.com/locations/lutz/ or see the ad on page 41 of this issue.

Welcomes Dr. Jennifer Harb!

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29

Mitchell Steps Down As Wharton Football Coach

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com David Mitchell has devoted much of life to coaching football and wrestling.

Now, however, he plans on using that time for something more important – his family.

The longtime Wharton High football coach has resigned after 14 seasons, telling his team at its season-ending banquet on Dec. 5. He finishes his Wharton career with an 83-74 overall record, advancing to the Regional playoffs six times, including twice as the District champion in 2005 and ’08.

“It was hard to do,” Mitchell says, but it is impossible to handle his current responsibilities without stepping back, he adds.

He wants to spend more time with his daughters – Angela, 30, Diana, 26 and Allison, 24. He has a grandson, Alex, he says he is dedicated to spoiling.

His mother, Helen, who is suffering Long-time Wharton High football (and wrestling) coach David Mitchell has resigned his position from dementia, is now living with him. as the school’s football coach to spend more time with his family. (Photo: John C. Cotey) And his duties as a deacon at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, where breast cancer, however, which resulted in remission and rang the bell, but he he teaches Sunday school, require his in surgery last year, that has moved him wants to be there more. time as well. away from football the most.

“My wife is the glue that kept the It his wife Amanda’s fight against He was there when she was declared family together, she’s the real hero of this

whole family,” Mitchell says. ”People tell me with all the time I spent coaching, I must have a good wife. And I say no, she’s a Queen.”

While he devoted a lot of his time to coaching, it was Amanda who devoted all of her time to the kids. Now, he wants to share in that, he says.

While he will remain the school’s wrestling coach – at age 59, he is still lithe enough to get on the mat to show his wrestlers the proper moves and technique -- it is a job he says takes up far less time than being a head football coach, which is a year-round, full-time gig in many cases.

That he is putting family before football is no surprise to those who played for him, since he has spent more than two decades preaching the importance of family to kids he has coached.

Mitchell is known as an “oldschool” coach, who accepts nothing but complete effort.

“At first, I’m going to be honest, it was tough,” says Keyshaun Sarden-Pete, a wide receiver who played for Mitchell from 2016-18. “But it was worthwhile.

He is going to teach you character. If you don’t give him your best effort, he is going to let you know.”

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DAVID MITCHELL CAREER RECORD 2005 10-2* 2006 8-2 2007 5-6# 2008 9-3* 2009 2-8 2010 3-7 2011 5-6# 2012 8-2# 2013 5-6# 2014 4-6 2015 8-2

2016 2017 2018 2019

4-5 3-7 1-9 6-4

Total 83-74 * District Champion # District runner-up

A Leto High and Yankton (SD) College graduate, Mitchell has been at Wharton since the school opened in 1997. He was an assistant football coach back then, and was coaching the wide receivers and running backs when he was named coach in 2005 after Melvin Cunningham resigned.

His first season as the Wharton football coach may have been his best.

Mitchell inherited a 2-8 team and behind quarterback Chris Krcmar, running back Joel Miller and defensive standout Josh Jones, guided the ‘Cats to a 10-2 record and a spot in the Class 5A Region semifinals, where

Wharton fell 16-14 to Lake Gibson.

Mitchell might have had a better record, and more playoff success, if not for being stuck in a district with Tampa powerhouse Plant during the Panthers’ best seasons. Some of his best teams — with quarterback Chase Litton and current NFL players Vernon Hargreaves (defensive back for Houston) and wide receiver Auden Tate (Cincinnati) — had to settle for second in the district.

Although Mitchell has resigned, he is still trying to help his current seniors land a place in college.

He also still leaves the weight room open for those who are interested. And, when a new coach is named, he says he is more than willing to occasionally help out.

“I had a lot of great moments,” Mitchell says. “I may have been a little old fashioned, but I always tried to make my players into better grown men. And, I always taught them to remember that family is more important.”

Mitchell says he will always be a coach, even if most of that effort going forward will be dedicated to his 5-yearold grandson.

Mitchell pulls out a cell phone, and looks for a video of Alex fighting with a tractor tire. “Get your hip under it,” he says to the screen, and Alex does just that before flipping the tire over.

Mitchell smiles.“I showed him how to do that.”

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Happy New Year from our family to yours!

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31

Tonelli’s Wildcats Off & Running Again

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Stop us if you’ve heard this one before.

One month into the new high school basketball season, Wharton High is undefeated, playing great defense, and establishing itself as the team to beat in Class 7A-7.

If that sounds familiar, it should. After all, the Wildcats have won seven district titles in the past 10 seasons, and jumped out of the gate with starts like 9-0 (last year), 9-1 (in 2017-18), 8-1 (2016-17), 11-1 (201516), 13-0 (2014-15) and on and on.

The difference between those teams and this year’s squad? Youth. Head coach Tommy Tonelli has led his youngest team to a quick 6-0 start heading into the holiday tournament season.

The Wildcats’ closest game this season was a 61-49 win over Lennard High — the 450th win of Tonelli’s career — and four of their wins have been by more than 22 points.

“This is by far my youngest varsity team ever,” says Tonelli of a roster that includes four freshmen and four sophomores among the 12 players. “We lost six seniors, three starters, and the county’s Player of Year in Darin Green (now at UCF). That’s a big readjustment to make.”

Helping with that readjustment are the team’s only two senior starters — captains Carr Thiam and Gio Reyes, who have both emerged from Green’s wide shadow to lead the Wharton kids.

“They want to continue to sustain the traditions we

32

have and the excellence we’ve shown in past years,” Tonelli says. “They have a lot of pride. Hopefully, they get to put another district championship banner up there.”

Thiam, a versatile forward who can score from long range or create his own shots off the dribble, is averaging a team-high 23.7 points per game, along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals. Reyes, the point guard, is averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists a game.

Both players have embraced their roles as leaders and the team’s go-to players.

“We know we have a lot of new guys and we have to get them going, be more vocal, so they pick up things faster. We get on them every day,” Thiam says. “We talk about (leading) a lot.”

“It’s all we talk about,” Reyes adds, smiling.

Tonelli says the seniors aren’t just leading verbally, but by backing up their words on the court.

“They set the right example,” he says. “I always tell the guys, if you want to see how it’s done, and you want to see what playing hard is, just watch those two. If you ever have any doubts, watch those two.”

The Wildcats are coming off a 26-5 season, and the team advanced to the Class 8A Regional final last year. Thiam and Reyes don’t want to be part of any team that ends the Wharton string of 11 straight seasons of 20-plus wins, and if this season looked like a ripe time to finally catch Wharton on the downside, well, Thiam says “not this year.”

So far, the Wildcats are 3-for-3 in their all-important District 7A-7 match-ups, handily beating Alonso, Steinbrenner and Plant and letting the county know it is best Carr Thiam fires in three of his career-high 34 points in a win over Steinbrenner. (Photo courtesy of Jess Self) not to be fooled by Tonelli’s youthful roster.

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Against Steinbrenner, Thiam scored a career-high 34 points.

“I hit my first shot from deep, and I thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be a good game,’” Thiam says. “I was surprised it was 34 though. I thought I had like 25 or something.”

Wharton’s youthful roster is far from a hindrance, says Thiam, but rather a benefit. He runs off a list of teammates he think will be stars down the road, and Reyes does the same.

The team does indeed have a wealth of young talent.

Three of the freshman on the roster — guards Chandler Davis and Karmello Branch Gio Reyes leads the Wildcats in assists this year while and forward Reginald “RJ” averaging more than 17 points per game.

Bell — all started for the (Photo courtesy of Jess Self) Turner-Bartels middle school only other senior, forward Josh Barnett, team that went 8-0 and won the Hillsborough County championship who is the tallest Wildcat at just 6’-5”.

“We’ve got pretty good depth, last season. albeit inexperienced in a lot of ways,” Davis has recently moved into the Tonelli says. “But, I have a lot of constarting lineup. fidence in what those guys can do. We The Wildcats are getting contrimay be lacking for physical size, but we butions up and down the roster, from have a lot of skill, a lot of guys that can sophomore forward Trevor Dyson (8.3 put the ball in the basket…I definitely ppg, 7.7 rpg) and guard Jordan Brown like what I see in the early going.” to junior guard Elijah Barnes and the

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Inclusive Playground Is Now Available In Wesley Chapel dered from ride to ride, looking to find something they enjoyed.

“This is really cool,” said Deborah Collin, assistant principal in charge of ESE services at Long. “I keep saying to myself, where can we get some of this stuff?”

By WEN HENAGAN

Kids squealed with delight upon arriving at the brand-new inclusive playground designed for those with virtually any type of disability at the Wesley Chapel District Park. There were swings and tubes and things to sit and spin on, a soft, cushioned floor to walk on and roll over and lots of bright colors.

It was all theirs.

The glee in their faces was contagious, and it was exactly the moment Pasco County Board of County Commissioners chair Mike Moore had envisioned when he first pitched the idea to the county’s Parks and Recreation department.

The kids weren’t the only ones overwhelmed.

“I’ll be honest with you, when the kids first came out here, I was watching and I had to walk away because it was a little overwhelming,” Commissioner Moore said. “I had a couple of tears in my eyes, I really did.

This is a miracle.” *** On December 4, a large gathering of overjoyed kids, dedicated caregivers and teachers, Pasco County government dignitaries and generous donors from the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club, the Lennar Foundation and Advent

Eric Piburn tries out the swing at the new inclusive playground at the Wesley Chapel District Park. (Photo: Charmaine George) Health Wesley Chapel took a few snips in glasses, gloves, a knit cap and a at the ribbon cutting, officially opening face mask. Piburn, who needs a heart Pasco’s first-ever inclusive playground. and double lung transplant, excitedly It was a perfectly sunny day, with described his experience as he swung a slight chill in the air. But, most eve- back and forth from a disc swing (that ryone there had their hearts warmed looked like an over-sized basket), the by the excitement of the kids, most tube from his oxygen tank swaying of whom arrived on a bus from the along with him.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) “I’ve loved swings since I was litprograms from John Long Middle tle,” he exclaimed. “I never ever ever School and Wiregrass Ranch Elemen- ever ever ever want to leave. Ever.” tary, also in Wesley Chapel.

Another Long student walked “I’m having a ball,” shouted Eric around giving everyone a hug. Others Piburn, a terminally ill 13-year-old wide-eyed but trepidatiously wan-

**** For every 1,000 children in Pasco County, there are 85 who have some type of special needs. Countywide, the Pasco County School District says there are about 16,000 children with special needs. Collin says there are 55 children in the ESE program at her school, spread over three different classifications of disability, with five teachers and eight instructional aides.

While they have adaptive physical education for the students, it is confined to a room.

“It’s still not enough movement or variety,” she said.

Which is why the playground is such a gamechanger for children with disabilities.

“This is huge,” said Barbara Hayes, a physical therapist with Pasco County Schools for 22 years. “There aren’t a lot of areas for those children to access. You can see the smiles on their faces. This gives them an opportunity to play with children more at See “Playground” on pg. 36.

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Playground: Something For Everyone With Special Needs To Enjoy their own developmental level. This is a wonderful thing and very well done.”

Collin said one of her students, seventh grader Zakyla McKenzie, spends a lot of time playing with a plastic bottle. It fulfills some of her sensory needs, with its texture and the sound it makes when squeezed. But, playing with the bottle usually has been the only exercise she gets each day.

At the inclusive playground, however, Zakyla was able to find something she liked more.

“She was having such a good time on the swing, she did not want to get off,” said Nellie Reilly, a behavioral specialist at Long who seemed as overjoyed as many of the students. **** While many area parks may be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, few truly meet the standards of what proponents consider to be inclusivity.

To do so requires wider pathways and easier-to-navigate surfaces, activity panels that are at ground height, larger swings with more back support and sensory elements that include touch and music.

There are multiple swing sets on the playground, an inclusive spinner that allows kids in wheelchairs to have a merry-go-round experience with their friends, a tube to crawl through — “I like to pretend I’m a cat!,” said Eric — and four springy chairs. The surface throughout the playground is made of rubber and, combined with the spread-out rides, allows easy access for wheelchair-bound kids to move around and interact with others.

In the spring, a butterfly garden, which will be tended to by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, should be in full bloom. “I didn’t see anybody that didn’t find something that worked for them,” Collin said.

36

ject, and the club agreed to donate $50,000 for the playground.

Chris Casella, the Rotary Club’s current president, told the ribbon-cutting ceremony crowd of roughly 100 that he was motivated by his own experiences as a kid, and the times spent at the park with friends and family.

“Today,” he said, “this can be a reality for so many families from this area that are going to be able to bring children to this park and have memories that will last a lifetime.”

The Lennar Foundation, the homebuilder’s charitable arm, donated another $50,000, and Advent When Pasco County officials and representatives of the Rotary Cub of Wesley Chapel, Lennar Health Wesley Chapel chipped in Homes and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel cut the ribbon on the county’s first inclusive playground another $25,000. on Dec. 4, dozens of kids of all abilities immediately got to enjoy it. (Photo: Charmaine George) In August, Pasco’s County Commission voted 5-0 to approve The inclusive park is the first of Wiley, Pasco’s director of Parks and Recits kind in Pasco County and one that reation. Wiley had been thinking similarly roughly $215,000 in public funding to cover the rest of the project.

Moore said he hopes to replicate in — he already had been planning some Ground was broken in September. other places. It was not, however, your special needs camps for the county.

The ribbon was cut in December. typical project for the county — it was **** It was money well spent. As the introduced, funded, approved, designed To fund the project, since it kids slowly filed back to their school and built in less than five months, which wasn’t in the county’s budget, Moore bus, and the adults headed back to is light speed by traditional governturned to the 53-member Rotary work, Eric Piburn continued to rock mental standards (especially when you consider how long Tampa City Council Club of Wesley Chapel — of which he back and forth on the disc swing, still is an honorary member — which just planning to never ever ever ever ever member Luis Viera has been trying to happened to be looking for a big proever ever ever leave. Ever. get a similar City of Tampa “sensory” park built in New Tampa). **** As a volunteer coach at the District Park for a variety of sports, Comm. Moore had for many years seen kids who could run fast, jump high and were able to revel in what the park had to offer.

However, he also had seen the kids who couldn’t, those relegated to the sidelines because of a disability.

The park wasn’t for everyone, he realized, and he said the thought bothered him and prompted him to try and change that situation.

After a few months of research, Moore introduced the idea to Keith

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37

The Owners Of Island Fin Poké Co. Say Healthy Eating Is Here To Stay!

By GARY NAGER I first met Jeff and Brenda Sproat — the owners of the brand new Island Fin Poké Co. located on the New Tampa side of County Line Rd. (next to LA Fitness) — when Jeff and I both coached our sons in what used to be called the New Tampa Little League (NTLL) at what is now called the North East Sports Complex/Eber Baseball fields off Cross Creek Blvd. Jeff was generally one of the calmer, more disciplined coaching dads in the NTLL at the time. I...wasn’t.

Even so, Jeff and I pretty much always got along and Brenda was always smiling and friendly, even after a tough game for either team.

I hadn’t spoken at all with the Sproats, except for the few times we’d run into each other at a local restaurant or store, since those

38

Little League days, before Brenda called to tell me about their new business venture. She was excited that Island Fin was getting ready to open — they were maybe three months off at the time — and said she was hoping I could help them promote their new eatery to residents on both sides of the county line.

“Have you ever had a poké bowl?,” she asked me. And I answered that not only did I enjoy the still-emerging (at least in this part of Florida) “quick casual” poké bowl concept, sushi-grade tuna has, for more than two decades — and likely always will be — an important part of my life. And, the fact, as Brenda was quick to point out, that Island Fin Poké Co. is so much more than just tuna poké couldn’t possibly be a bad thing.

First, A Little History...

(L.-r.) Jason, Brenda and Jeff Sproat say that if you mention that you saw Island Fin According to IslandFinPoke Co.’s mobile ad in front of their restaurant (next to LA Fitness off County Line Rd. Poke.com, the Island Fin Poké at BBD Blvd.), you’ll receive a free Dole Whip with the purchase of any bowl. You also will Co. can trace its roots back to receive $3 off any bowl if you post a pic with the truck on their social media. when founders Mark Setterington Mark was running ten restaurants in Las Island Fin’s website also touts the fact was the GM and Paul Reas was the that the concept features the freshest, locally bar manager at the Bahama Breeze Vegas and Los Angeles, but the website says his Las Vegas kitchen became “ground zero” sourced ingredients, farm-to-fork freshness in Orlando in 2004. and some unique proteins, including octopus. for poké. They experimented with sauces, Mark moved to Las Vegas in Jeff and Brenda brought in a famil2007 to “do his own thing” while which they felt were important in order for iar face — their son Jason (a darn good Paul stayed at Bahama Breeze. The Island Fin to distinguish itself from its competitors in what was already a growing field. ballplayer, as was his brother Adam) — to two remained close friends, but “I really think the sauces are the biggest manage the location, since they no longer it wasn’t until August of 2016, thing that sets us apart,” Brenda says. “All of live in this area themselves. But, no matter after Paul quit his job at Bahama Breeze, that the two started work- the sauces are homemade — and gluten-free, who serves you when you visit, the employby the way — and each one is a little differees are all friendly, knowledgeable and most ing on a concept together. Their ent, but they’re honestly all delicious. We’ve people who dine in are in-and-out in just a objectives were to come up with a only been open for a few weeks but we have few minutes. concept with incredible food and people coming back again and again to try a “The bowls and everything we sell are remarkable service that would be new sauce or keep using the same sauce.” at a great price point,” says Jeff, ever the super easy to replicate.

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l business side of the biz. “And the food, honestly, is outstanding.”

So, How Does It Work?

As with most quick casual poké bowl places, you start at one end of a line and tell your “technician” what you want to add as you assemble your bowl.

You start with a base — white or brown rice, mixed field greens or you can combine them. You then add your well-marinated poké protein — from salmon, octopus, chicken, Spam, tofu or my favorites — ahi and spicy ahi tuna. Combos are OK, too.

Next, choose your veggie mix-ins —

edamame, corn, sweet onions and jalapeños.

Then, you add your sauce — shoyu (soy), ponzu (citrus soy), OG (with jalapeños), Island Fin Fire (with cilantro and habañero), or Wicked Wahine (sweet and hot). I haven’t yet tried them all, but Brenda says the Island Fin Fire is the hottest. I’m currently stuck on the OG sauce. It sets a great flavor base for everything else you add... ...Because wait, there’s still more! In addition to the mix-ins, there are the following toppings — chili flakes, chili oil, crispy garlic, crispy onions, green onions, furikake (a fishbased topping), fresh pineapple and mango, cucumber, pickled and spicy pickled veggies,

pineapple & mango salsa, wasabi peas, pickled ginger, seaweed salad and of course, black and white sesame seeds. For $1 more, you can add premium toppings like avocado, surimi (some call it imitation or “k”-crab), macadamia nuts or masago (salmon-family fish eggs, or roe).

One thing I will say is that even though Island Fin also has a variety of “finishing” sauces — avocado, wasabi, togarashi (hot sauce) and Jamaican cream — I don’t really need anything else on my fresh and delicious bowl, although a lot of Island Fin’s customers love them. Feel free to try them all, if you like, and let me know if you like your bowl better with or without a finishing sauce.

I’m also currently stuck on mostly spicy tuna on brown rice and field greens with edamame, corn, OG veggies, spicy and regular pickled veggies, seaweed salad and sesame seeds with OG sauce (above, center), but I will try Island Fin Fire and Wicked Wahine soon — probably before this issue reaches your mailbox. Your cost for any of these bowls? Just $11!

And, as a reward for all that healthy eating, you should finish your meal with whatever flavors of Dole Whip Island Fin is serving that day. To date, I’ve sampled the pineapple and the vanilla and although I disagreed with Jeff that the non-dairy vanilla tasted “just like frozen yogurt or soft-serve ice cream,” it doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s delicious and the cup is big enough for two to share (at least in my opinion, even though I’ve yet to share it).

“Dole Whip is the biggest thing at Disney,” Brenda says. “People have driven a long way because they heard we had it. It’s really refreshing.”

Agreed. And, although there are canned soft drinks (even La Croix sparkling water and Perrier), the only thing that could make my meal better at Island Fin is an ice cold Red Stripe or other Caribbean beer. Ah, maybe someday.

Great Catering & Current Offers Brenda says Island Fin has a great catering menu on the IslandFinPoke.com website and that the local location can accommodate anything from small gatherings to large PTA, sports team and even corporate parties, and she invites everyone to give the restaurant a call to discuss their options.

And, Island Fin currently has a number

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of great offers to get local residents to come in and try them out.

First, Brenda is challenging anyone who snaps a picture in front of the Acme On The Go mobile truck (which the Sproats are parking out in front of the restaurant from time to time) to post it on Island Fin’s social media to receive $3 off your poké bowl.

Speaking of the truck, all you have to do is mention the ad being displayed on the truck and you’ll receive a free Dole Whip (a $4 value!) with the purchase of any bowl. Of course, if the truck isn’t on site when you’re there, you could bring in or mention the coupon in the ad on page 42 of this issue.

And, if you stop in to Island Fin Poké anytime after 4 p.m., you’ll receive a poké bowl and a Dole Whip for only $13 (a $2 savings).

“We really want people to give us a try,” Brenda says. “Whether you’ve never tried poké before or you’ve tried one or more others, I think there are a lot of good poké places out there, I just think ours is the best.”

“We looked at a lot of different franchises but this is a young franchise with fewer than 20 locations in only a few (seven) states, and we liked the idea of being part of something new, that was still evolving,” Jeff adds. “Plus, we’re enjoying getting out in the community to talk about Island Fin.” Brenda adds, “We also picked Island Fin because we were given a lot of freedom in the look inside our restaurant. We picked a lot of the decorative touches (like the signposts above) ourselves and we’re proud of the way the place looks. Plus, we believe that healthy eating, with fresh food, is here to stay.”

Island Fin Poké Co. is located at 6417 E. County Line Rd., Suite 101, in New Tampa (zip code 33647), although the location’s Facebook page is “Island Fin Poke Company-Wesley Chapel.”

Brenda says, “We weren’t trying to be controversial when we picked that Facebook page. We know we’re physically in New Tampa, but we believe we’re going to be drawing customers from both sides of the county line. And now, we can’t change that Facebook page.”

Island Fin Poke Co. is open every day, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and is available on Grubhub, with other delivery services to be added in the future. For more info, call (813) 575-8002, visit IslandFinPoke.com or see the ad (and coupon) on page 43.

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41

Nibbles & Business The Latest & Greatest News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Have You Tried The Brunchery?

Whether you were somehow already a regular at co-owner Stanley Athan’s The Brunchery in Valrico or you had never heard of it before we started telling you about it a few issues ago, if you haven’t already visited New Tampa’s The Brunchery — in the former location of Boston Market off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Highwoods Preserve — you owe it to yourself to go and give it a try.

Although I’ve yet to sample The Brunchery for lunch as of the day I’m writing this column, everyone at the Neighborhood News flipped for Stanley’s breakfast items — on Dec. 9, the day that The Brunchery New Tampa opened.

From the perfect eggs over easy with extra crispy bacon (at my request) and the best grits I’ve had in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel (all in photo above) to the stuffed French toast (managing editor John Cotey, who was served the first-ever breakfast at the new location, raved about it) made famous at the original Brunchery, to the unique grilled butter rum muffins (“Our best seller,” Stanley says), The Brunchery is the real deal. Great coffee, too!

The Brunchery is located at 17507 Preserve Walk Ln. For more information, call (813) 533-7271 or search “The Brunchery New Tampa” on Facebook and please tell Stanley and his friendly staff that we sent you!

42

Coffee Speaks N’ Tea Talks Opens!

Congratulations to our friend Arlene Brooks on the opening of her long-awaited Coffee Speaks N’ Tea Talks at 19651 BBD in the Pebble Creek Collection (behind Kobe Steakhouse, in what was the original location of Las Palmas Cuban Café).

Arlene hosted a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 26, which was well attended by her friends, neighbors and fellow Chamber members, as well as members of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, of which she is a member.

I personally missed the actual ribbon cutting, but have still enjoyed some delicious Ethiopian coffee at Coffee Speaks N’ Tea Talks since then and I look forward to checking out Arlene’s live entertainment on the weekends, especially because she’s a talented entertainer herself. Arlene sings with the Wesley Chapel Rotary’s Strictly Business Band.

“The smell of good coffee reminds me of my mom,” Arlene told us when we recorded a video at her opening for Neighborhood News Online. “She was the inspiration for this place.”

For more information, call (813) 528-8863 or search “Coffee Speaks N Tea Talks” on Facebook.

Natural Pet Food Market.

Although I originally wasn’t the biggest fan of Glory Days when it first opened in New Tampa on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., the menu definitely seems to have been upgraded since then.

On my two first visits to the Wesley Chapel location I’ve sampled some crispy dry rub wings, some boneless wings in semi-spicy honey BBQ sauce, a grilled-to-perfection bacon cheeseburger, a large, tasty Cobb salad and my favorite so far, the tender pork sliders shown above right.

Best of all, since Jannah and I almost always sit at the bar, the drink prices are excellent — with $5 Jameson and Tito’s all day — and the bartenders are friendly, attentive and seem to be enjoying themselves doing their jobs.

And, considering Glory Days is about 0.2 miles from my office, I’m guessing we’ll be watching a lot of football and hockey games there.

For more info, call (813) 535-7678 or visit GloryDaysGrill.com and tell Kelsey, Cassady and Christy (just guessing on all the spellings, sorry) that Gary from the Neighborhood News sent you!

Congrats, Ben!

Congrats go out to Ben Hobe (3rd from left, with yours truly, Charmaine George and John Cotey). Ben’s a talented video editor we first were presented by Hands On Educational Services, Inc., a Tampa nonprofit that felt he would be a perfect fit for the Neighborhood News.

And, after a no-risk, 80-hour trial run, we happily hired Ben as a permanent employee For more info, visit HandsOnEducation.net. — GN

Glory Days Opens In Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel now has its own Glory Days Grill, which opened on Dec. 3 at 28812 S.R. 54, in the same new plaza between Walmart and Saddlebrook Resort as Max’s

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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HAWAIIAN ST YLE P O K E BOWLS

Now Open

FREE DOLE WHIP

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WIT H T H E PU RCH ASE O F A P O K E BOWL ISL ANDFINPOKE.COM

Welcome To The Neighborhood (News), Bubba’s 33!

Even though it’s the latest link in Wesley Chapel’s chain of chain restaurants, the new Bubba’s 33 on S.R. 56 between Ashley Furniture and the affiliated Texas Roadhouse has a few advantages the others don’t — 1) it’s the first Bubba’s 33 in the entire state of Florida; 2) it not only has crispy-crust pizzas, excellent sports bar food and reasonably-priced drinks; it also has 3) Texas Roadhouse-quality ribeye steaks, 4) amazing brunch on Saturday and Sunday and most of all — 5) owner Jeff (at right in top photo) and his wife Crista Dean and their expertlytrained staff making sure that everyone leaves Bubba’s 33 a fully satisfied & happy customer!

Please tell Jeff, Crista & Co. that you read about them in the Neighborhood News!

*Must present ad at time of purchase. Limit one per customer. Valid only at this location. May not combine with any other offer.

6417 E. County Line Rd., #101 | Tampa, FL 33647 813.575.8002 | Located between LA Fitness and Winn Dixie

NO

E NAIL B

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ISLAND FIN POKE COMPANY-WESLEY CHAPEL

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Manicures Pedicures Nail Enhancements Dipping Powder Waxing Gift Cards

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LET NOIRE NAIL BAR HOST YOUR NEXT PARTY! Neighborhood News

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813.536.0161

25682 Sierra Center Blvd.

Lutz 33559 (Near Mellow Mushroom)

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9:30am-7:30pm • Sun 11am-5pm

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

43

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM Soft pressure exterior house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing and deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big or small. Experience the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning professional.

Licensed and insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate or visit our website. 813-433-6015.

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional & personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts.

Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home.

Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. Call 813-215-1177.

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified.

Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999.

TJ’S PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Did your HOA send you a letter ordering you to clean your driveway, house, screened enclosure, fence or even your roof? However, you’re too busy or too tired to clean it. Call or Text TJ, a current 20-year Sheriff’s Department veteran and a professional exterior home cleaning expert. You can trust me with your investment. Call or Text: 727-808-7775.

Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MILLENNIUM HOME REPAIR.Professional Handyman. Cabinet Installation, dry wall repair, tile installation & repair, some plumbing, laminate flooring, light fixtures, interior painting, appliance installation, pressure washing, paneling, window repair, awning installation, carpentry, garbage disposal, fence repair, crown molding, window blinds, seal baths & showers, TV mounting & more. Call 813-400-1408 or email TYCOONUNION@YAHOO.COM.

COMPUTER/BUSINESS SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small business. A+, Certified computer tech with 20 years exp. Maintenance and Repairs, Upgrades and Tutoring. More affordable than large chains!

Friendly, personalized service. Technical jargon explained. Remote assistance available. References available. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate.

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.

CLEANING SERVICES

CHARLES POPPE ELECTRIC. Electric of all kinds pools, spas, service changes, new circuts, low voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, trouble shooting, GFCI performance testing, generators.

Expert in the field - over 40 years experience.

Discount for retired people 50%. Licensed and Insured Master Electrician EC 13002399 - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years Experience. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere.

Please Google us if you would like to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises.

RAYMOND PAINTING. Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124.

A-to-Z CLEANING AND ORGANIZING. Office-House Cleaning Services! Free estimates. We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. Wesley Chapel Resident. Weekly / Bi-Weekly / One-Time Cleaning / Move-In / Move-Out & DeepCleaning Services. Serving Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-462-1270.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years experience!

Commercial and Residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house and post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies and more than 400 clients in New Tampa!

For more info, Call 813-758-9710.

HELP WANTED

HIRING PERSONAL TRAINER. Private Women’s Studio with Boot Camp & Personal Training in Wesley Chapel & Land O’ Lakes owned by Samantha Taylor.

Please no phone calls or walk ins.To apply part time: www.lolfitbodybootcamp.com/hire-pt.

BOSCO’S ITALIAN-TO-GO is hiring! Inside & Delivery positions available. Must be 18+, have a good attitude & have your own reliable transportation. Stop in at 30122 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel to fill out an application.

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

_

A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service. Licensed and insured serving the Tampa Bay area over 20 years. Family owned and operated. Quality work at affordable prices. We provide services in gutter clean-out, screen repair, pressure washing and sprinkler repair. Landscaping and property maintenance including: sodding, trimming trees and hedges, and clean ups. Other services are available. CALL 813-907-LAWN (5296)

Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maintenance: Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/Spring Special & FREE ESTIMATE! Licensed & insured.

Accepting new residential & commercial accounts.

We accept Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmExp. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring full-time workers.

HEAVY HITTER LAWN CARE: Veteran owned and operated lawn care maintenance service, focused on lawn mowing, trimming, edging and blowing (flexible with extra services). Well maintained and professional laborer ensuring customer satisfaction and on-time cuts. Rain or shine, the quality and schedule will be kept. Licensed and Insured. Call or text 678-673-7856 for your FREE ESTIMATE.

TREE SERVICE FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE. 25-years of Professional Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates.

24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch.

Call 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE 1,850 sq.ft. Commercial/Medical Space Available to Lease. Address: 24420 State Road 54 in Lutz (in the Medi-Weightloss Building). For more info, call 813-2934377 or email: gwillett@mediweightlossclinics.com.

POOL SERVICES

ALLSTARPOOLSOFTAMPABAY.COM. Pool cleanups, & acid washing of old pool finishes. Marcite, quartz & pebble finishes from $3K. We offer cool decking, Eurocrete & paver decking options. Paver, river rock sealing, leak detection & in-ground vinyl liner replacements avail. We sell quality salt & ozone generators, pumps, motors & filters.

Mention this ad for a $79 pool service (restrctions apply).

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

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE!

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

AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim-safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get ONE MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

FITNESS & WELL BEING

Break It Down Productions. Customized Private Yoga Sessions with Susanna Jones. Develop strength and flexibility, while learning how to breathe and relax.

I specialize in working with beginners and those requiring a more gentle approach than most group Yoga classes. I explain everything, and provide variations so that you actually feel good in the stretch instead of strained. Gift certificates available. www.breakitdownproductions.com or Call (813) 802-8393.

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE Retired Professional Photographer (45+ years experience) in the Tampa Bay Area. Corporate Events, Personal Occasions, Portraiture, Pets, Commercial Photography & Real Estate.

Reasonable rates. Specials for the Holiday Season! Families, Children, Pets, Gatherings, Parties & more! Call/Text 813-748-3901 or Visit: russellleprephotography.com

MISCELLANEOUS ELITE RIDES. Private Rides in a Lexus, and Concierge Services. Airport, School, Medical Appointments, Shopping. Courteous, Reliable, Professional. New Tampa to Tampa Airport: $35.00 One-Way. 24/7. Call/Text: 813-765-2037.

Cory Lake Isles Resident.

Free Estimates

CLEANING SERVICES

• Exterior Home Cleaning • Roof Cleaning • Pressure Washing • Paver Sealing

Before

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

Veteran Owned & Operated

After 44

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Protect your children and pets with Tampa Bay’s only organic monthly fertilization and pest control • Courteous, friendly customer service • Monthly service from $40 per month • State licensed spray technicians • Organic/natural fertilizers • On-time service • Amazing results • No contracts • Special discounts on irrigation repairs and inspections

Doing business in Pasco and Hillsborough County area since 1978 THE NEAT & TIDY PROFESSIONALS

24 Years of Experience • Interior/Exterior HUNDREDS OF HAPPY CUSTOMERS

Organic Safe Lawns COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

813.393.9665

Call KT or Cole Topash (owners/painters)

813.780.2511

Topashpainting@Gmail.com

WWW.ORGANICSAFELAWNS.COM

Improve the Value of Your Home

7

Wesley Chapel 1285 Bruce B. Downs 813-991-7999

Trinity 8805 Mitchell Blvd

Corner of Little Rd & Mitchell Blvd

727-375-1552

DreamWeaver

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4

Valid w/ Neighborhood News coupon only. Expires 1/31/2020

Neighborhood News

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Waterproof Vinyl Plank Flooring

4

Starting at

Valid w/ Neighborhood News coupon only. Expires 1/31/2020

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

45

We Don’t Cut Corners, We Dust Them

“Residential and Commercial’’

Family Owned Business with 20Years of Experience We are your all-purpose cleaner with: • High Quality Services • Competitive Rates • Great References • Always the Same Crew

(813) 381-1430

High quality at a great price.

SUNSHINE CLEANERS Top Quality...Great Prices

Join our Customer Rewards Program and get a punch every time you spend $10 or more.

After your 10th punch, you’ll receive $10 off your next order of $10 or more.

$2.99 Press Only* $3.99 Drycleaning & Press* $1.99 Men’s Business Shirts * Some garments incur additional charge.

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

Arbor Greene Cory Lake Isles Cross Creek Easton Park Grand Hampton/ The Hammocks 46

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

Live oak Preserve Pebble Creek Richmond Place Tampa Palms West Meadows

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

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48

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 28, Issue 1 • January 2, 2020 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.Net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews