Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 25, Issue 10, May 5, 2017 by Neighborhood News

Volume 25 Issue 10

Inside:

2017

Who Is The Cake Girl? In Neighborhood Magazine!

Co-Creator Of The Wesley Chapel Chamber Of Commerce’s Chairman’s Award-Winning WCNT-tv! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in Wesley Chapel (zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545), see page 50!

JD PORTER: THE BEST IS YET TO COME IN WIREGRASS RANCH!

Wiregrass Ranch Developer Updates Wesley Chapel Chamber Members & Our Assistant Editor With The Latest In The Development By John C. Cotey When you walk into the boardroom in JD Porter’s office in Wesley Chapel, one of the first things you see is a brick. It hangs in a shadow box on the wall, and is from the home that his grandfather, James “Wiregrass” Porter, once lived in on S.R. 54, currently the site of the Discount Auto Parts. It’s a reminder. This isn’t just land Porter is developing in Wiregrass Ranch. It’s home. For years, it was that reminder that kept the Porter family from selling the land it has owned and lived on since 1946 to the highest bidder. They entertained offers, met with many deep pocketed investors from New York and Chicago and similar places, and wondered what it would take. Some was sold in 1972 — to be later developed as Saddlebrook Resort — and a bit more for the communities at Williamsburg and Meadow Pointe. Over the years, the Porters have turned away millions of dollars in offers to sell it all. The current 5,100-acre Wiregrass Ranch DRI, which is being developed by the Porter family’s Locust Branch, LLC, extends from S.R. 56 north to S.R. 54, and west to east from Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. to Meadow Pointe Blvd. “We had people asking to buy it for 20 years,’’ JD says. “There were a lot of bridesmaids out there, but we never found someone that we fell in love with.” What they fell in love with was a vision to build the land out themselves. The offers, they

Also Inside This Issue: News, Business & Sports Updates Wiregrass Ranch Sports Facility Gets Key Vote; Locals Debate Connections To New Tampa; Our Updated Map Of Wiregrass Ranch; Fugitive Back In U.S.; Mario Lopez Visits Wesley Chapel; Car Pays An Unwelcome Visit To Local Photo Studio; Wesley Chapel Valedictorian Is A Star Student; Cypress Creek Starts Football; Plus, Lots Of Local Business Features!

Pages 3-38

Neighborhood Magazine

Fed Cup Delivers Fun & A U.S. Victory; Cake Girl Brings The Sweets To Your Door; & More Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes!

Pages 39-52

still keep coming. But, with the family’s name so closely tied to Wiregrass Ranch, JD says it has become a project for the family to build a community and leave behind a legacy about which everyone can feel good. “Everyone said, ‘Let’s make this something we can be proud of,’” JD says. “That’s what I grew up hearing. Let’s make it so we will be happy coming back here 20 years from now, 50 years from now and saying, ‘Man, we did a good job.’” While the brick — as well as oil paintings of turkeys in a field and “Wiregrass” Porter, in denim overalls, standing on the family’s ranch — pay homage to the family’s roots in the community and guides their business principles, another wall shows the results of their resolve, among them framed color photos of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and the Estancia and The Ridge communities. At Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club in New Tampa last week, Porter updated the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at its monthly Economic Development Council meeting. The meetings generally draw a few dozen local business leaders; a chance to hear Porter reveal what might be next in Wiregrass Ranch drew almost 100. “He is a visionary, and he sticks to his guns,’’ Chamber vice-chair of Economic Development Mercedes Hale told the audience. “He is making sure his vision, and his family’s vision, is maintained throughout. They have really put us on the map.” The cautious and patient development of

JD Porter stands in front of a map of the Wiregrass Ranch DRI, which he says he and his family has carefully and strategically developed to serve the needs of the community.

Wiregrass Ranch began in earnest around 2002, Porter says, when the family took a long hard look at the kinds of things that would make a great community. While many developers lead with homes, the Porters filled what they felt were more important needs first.

The open-air Shops at Wiregrass, which opened in 2008, is considered by many to be one of the critical anchors in Wiregrass Ranch, but Porter notes that before the mall was built, his family had already donated the land for John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch

See “Porter” on pg. 8.

Wiregrass Ranch High Boys Tennis Falls In State Championship Final

The Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) boys tennis team, arguably the most successful athletic program in Pasco County the past few seasons, fell just short of winning a third State tennis championship in five seasons. The Bulls, champions in 2014 and 2015, fell to Parkland Stoneman Douglas High 4-1 in the Class 4A championship match on April 27 in Altamonte Springs. Noah Makarome, who was undefeated in his previous two singles matches, and Destiny Okungbowa were both playing their first sets when the match was called after Douglas clinched the title with their fourth win (out of seven lines). Josh Abrams, the Bulls No. 5 singles player, pulled out the only victory for WRH in the final by defeating Jabari Cole 6-1, 2-6, 11-9, to finish 3-0 on the week. The Bulls fell behind quickly when Douglas captured both doubles matches in convincing straight sets. Wiregrass Ranch, which is 111-2 in headto-head matches since 2010, during which time it hasn’t lost a Pasco County match, had to battle hard to reach the finals. In the state quarterfinals April 26, it defeated Fleming Island 4-1, as Makarome won 6-4, 6-1, at No. 1 singles, Jared and Josh Abrams picked up wins

at Nos. 4 and 5 singles and Kanishkh Ramesh and Okungbowa won at No. 2 doubles with a 4-6, 6-4, 10-2 victory. The semifinals, played earlier on the same day as the finals, saw the Bulls defeat Tampa’s George Steinbrenner High 4-2 with the same combination of winners. Makarome, who has signed to play at the University of Pennsylvania next year, defeated Nicholas Cary 6-3, 6-1, at No. 1 singles, and the Abrams brothers The Wiregrass Ranch High tennis team poses with the state runner-up from last week’s Class 4A state championships in Altamonte Springs. both won their singles matches, with Jared winning 6-4, 6-0, at No. 4, and Josh winning 6-0, 6-0, at No. 5. Ramesh and Okungbowa won at No. 2 doubles 6-4, 6-3. The title was the first for the Douglas High tennis team. — John C Cotey.

Musings About Jameis Winston, The Rotary’s Duck Derby & WCNT-tv! An editorial by Gary Nager As I reported in a new commentary segment on WCNT-tv that you can watch now on YouTube and Facebook, I was fortunate to be invited by the University Area Community Development Center (CDC) on N. 22nd St. in the University of South Florida area of Tampa to see Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (photo, right), who literally spent the better part of an entire afternoon hanging out with the families who live near the CDC. About a month before the NFL draft, Jameis was asked by his barber, who owns the Who’s Nexxt Barber Shop on E. Fletcher Ave., to make an appearance at a family barbecue event at the Center and not only did he attend — along with his mom — he spent the better part of a warm, humid April afternoon posing for pictures and signing one autograph for literally every one of the 200-300 people who attended. In fact, he didn’t sit down to eat a burger until everyone in the crowd had 2-3 minutes of his complete attention. And, Jameis didn’t just sign and pose, he interacted with as many of the kids and their families as possible — even when more than one attendee asked him to sign a Dallas Cowboys jersey. For example, when the Bucs’ talented young QB signed a pair of cleats, he’d tell the kid wearing the cleats that they, “better get results from these. I want touchdowns or pancake blocks with these. I don’t just put my name on anything and not expect results.” His genuine smile and warmth made everyone who attended the event feel like they were his good friend. In other words, even though I (and my

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Billing Manager Stephanie Smith Advertising Sales & Office Assistant Jannah McDonald Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Staff Writer Celeste McLaughlin Correspondents Brad Stager • Andy Warrener WCNT-tv Sales & Production Assistant Gavin Olsen Graphic Designers Blake Beatty • Georgia Carmichael Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 25, Issue 12, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, May 22, 2017. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

Business (about the Palms Pharmacy in Tampa Palms) were released on April 28. With yours truly now setting the prices for WCNT-tv, it’s more affordable than ever for you to advertise in these pages, on our website and for your business to be a WCCC Featured Business on WCNT-tv! In other words, email ads@wcnt-tv. com or call 910-2575 today to get more info about our new bundle and to get your WCNT-tv segment scheduled!

That’s Just Ducky...

older son Jared) graduated from Florida and Jameis (and my younger son Jake) graduated from FSU, I am a bigger Jameis Winston fan today than I was when the Bucs took him with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. And, with the addition of former Philadelphia and Washington WR DeSean Jackson before the draft, and top picks O.J. Howard and Justin Evans in the 2017 NFL Draft (which was still ongoing at our press time), it appears that the Bucs are serious about improving the talent around their leader and I don’t blame them. Jameis is one superstar athlete who shines, even when the camera isn’t on him. I expect bigger things from him and the Bucs this season and even if that somehow doesn’t happen (which I doubt), I know it won’t be because of a lack of effort on the part of this future superstar QB.

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon, which will host its second annual Duck Derby on Sunday, May 21, beginning at 1 p.m. This year’s family-friendly Derby will kick off from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Hall at 4220 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (U.S. Hwy. 41) and will again feature food, fun and

those cute rubber duckies racing to win prizes for attendees and raise money to benefit Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco’s K-9 Association. For more info about the Duck Derby, see the ad on pg. 17, visit the Club any Wed. at noon at Quail Hollow Country Club or visit WCRotary.org/Duck-Derby.

And, Speaking Of WCNT-tv...

The big news is that not only we have modified the format for WCNT-tv — which now has had a reach of more than 600,000 people and all 21 episodes released to date have been viewed more than 200,000 times on Facebook and 100,000 times on YouTube — the show is now 100-percent owned by yours truly, which means there is even more we can do to promote your business — in these pages, on our WCNeighborhoodNews.com website and on our WCNT-tv YouTube and Facebook pages. Because we found that most of the viewers weren’t watching the full episodes when they were released as much as they were the individual segments from each episode, we decided to no longer air full episodes. Instead, our News, Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Featured Business, Neighborhood Dining News and Entertainment Calendar segments will each be released individually. For our Episode 21, the News and Entertainment segments were released on April 21, while the Dining (about Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering, see ad on pg. 50) and WCCC Featured

Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-19

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex Proceeds..............4 Three Road Connections To New Tampa Debated.....6 Check Out The Plans For Wiregrass Ranch!............9 Fugitive Brought Back To U.S. After Manhunt......10 Aldi, Audi Among New Planned Businesses.........11 Mario Lopez Stops By Wesley Chapel Nissan.........12 New Tampa Says Tearful Goodbye To Teen.........14 Car Plows Through Front Door Of Photo Studio....15 Rep. Bilirakis Opens An Office In Wesley Chapel......15 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar..........................16

Local Business Updates..............18-30

Gunter & Gunter Insurance....................................18 Devolder Law Puts Clients At Ease.........................20 Intrinsic Wellness Clinic.........................................22 Andy OnCall Ready To Tackle Your To-Do List.....24 SPOTLIGHT ON: The Moody Group..................25 Connerton Community Makes You Feel At Home......26 Roberts-Anderson A/C Keeps You Feeling Cool.........28

Local Education/Sports Updates......32-34

Wesley Chapel Valedictorian Reaches High.............32 Cypress Creek Kicks Off First Spring Practice............34

Neighborhood Magazine

U.S. Wins Fed Cup At Saddlebrook............39, 50 Cake Girl Serves Goodies On The Go....................42 ‘Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes’.........46 Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Classifieds...........48 @NTWCNews

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Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex Finally Moving Forward After BCC Vote By Andy Warrener

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved regular business item R5 that green-lit the RADDsports Wiregrass Sports Complex, and also voted to double the county’s Tourist Development (or “bed”) Tax (TDT), to help finance it. The $44-million indoor sports project, which will be built on part of a 224-acre parcel located north and east of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) that is owned by the county (it was previously donated by the Porter family), and has taken on many manifestations over the years. But, RADDsports’ proposal won over the commissioners at nearly every juncture. “I had to sit here, look (former Major League Baseball star) Gary Sheffield in the face and tell him ‘no,’” BCC chair and District 2 commissioner Mike Moore said, referring to a failed plan for a Wiregrass Ranch baseball complex at the same site in 2015. “That was a bad project,” Moore said, “but this is a good project.” The journey to build some sort of sports complex is eight years old, and the 5-0 vote by the commissioners indicated that they think they have finally found the right one. “I 100-percent support the project and the steps that went into it,” said BCC vice-chair (and District 4 commissioner) Mike Wells. The project design calls for a multipurpose sports complex that is anchored by a 98,000-sq.ft. multi-purpose building, which can host volleyball, basketball, cheerleading

and other indoor events. The sports complex also will include eight outdoor sports fields, an outdoor amphitheatre and event lawn, as well as pavilions, a playground and trails. “This complex, along with (Florida Hospital) Center Ice (FHCI), (FHWC) and Saddlebrook really put us on the map,” said Pasco strategy policy administrator Richard Gehring. Funding sources for the planned complex include $11 million previously set aside by the BCC ($8.5-million in tourist tax funds and $2.5 million in excess bond proceeds from a prior half-cent sales tax bond), a county-backed loan of $14,253,700, plus $18,750,000 in private equity and debt from Mainsail Development, which will be building a hotel on the complex site. The two-percent increase in the TDT is expected to generate $1.2 million annually, which will help by paying down the loan, along with the revenue RADDsports says the complex will generate (the company says that by year six, the gross revenue will be approximately $4.6 million). A super majority (four of the five commissioners) vote is required to officially pass the TDT increase. That vote will be held at a future meeting, following a public hearing. Despite doubling the TDT, it would still be lower than the bed taxes in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. There also was some discussion about losing hotel revenue to Hillsborough County. Commissioners cited the December lacrosse tournament hosted by Dick’s Sporting Goods at Wesley Chapel District Park and how the county lost a lot of hotel revenue with peo-

ple electing to stay at hotels in Hillsborough County, including several in New Tampa. Gehring recommended creating a list of nearby, “preferred” hotels within the county and charging a fee for not using one of the preferred hotels. The RADD sports proposal includes a Mainsail Development project which will include a $19-million, 120-room Marriottbranded Residence Inn that will be privately financed. Pasco County staffers say that the sports complex will generate roughly 27,000 room nights per year. Saddlebrook Resort owner Tom Dempsey and general manager Patrick Ciaccio were two of a handful of speakers to voice their opinions before the commissioners debated the sports complex project. The 800-room Saddlebrook Resort has nearly a quarter of all the available hotel rooms in Pasco County, and as a result, collects most of the bed taxes. “I’ve been in the sports business for 30 years (see story on page 39) and I think this

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project is questionable,’’ Dempsey said. “A tourist tax from Day 1 is a loser. I disagree with the two-percent tax increase.” Other nearby hotels in Wesley Chapel that have recently opened, are already under construction or are planned for the S.R. 56 Wesley Chapel area include a 92-room Fairfield Inn & Suites planned further south of the sports complex in Wiregrass, an 80-room Holiday Inn Express that just opened east of I-75 (next to FHCI), and a 125-room Hilton Garden Inn that is currently under construction at S.R. 56 and Silver Maple Pkwy. near I-75.

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Roadway Connections Meeting Draws A Lot Of Traffic From Meadow Pointe By John C. Cotey Based on the number of spirited debates that highlighted the first public meeting hosted by Pasco County planners on April 18 at Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC)’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, the county’s yearlong study looking at three possible connection points between Wesley Chapel and New Tampa should be an interesting one. The long-debated connection of Kinnan St. in New Tampa to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe predictably drew the most conversation. However, a crowd of more than 100 people milled about while also discussing the potential connection of Meadow Pointe Blvd. to a road in New Tampa’s K-Bar Ranch that is planned, as well as a connection between Wyndfields Blvd. and a road in K-Bar that is not yet approved by Hillsborough County but would eventually link Wesley Chapel to Morris Bridge Rd. District 2 County Commissioner Mike Moore made it clear at the outset that this was a Pasco County project, and that Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa both have nothing to do with it. Moore had met with then-Tampa District 7 City Council member Lisa Montelione last year in an attempt to get Kinnan-Mansfield connected, but the Tampa side declined to pay, or contribute to the cost, for any study, he said. That didn’t stop a good number of New Tampa residents, including Montelione’s replacement on City Council — New Tampa resident Luis Viera — from showing up to voice their opinions. Viera called the inability to connect the two roads, “government at its worst.”

More than 100 people attended a public meeting held at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on April 18 to discuss possible new roadway connections between New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

However, Pasco residents, especially those in Meadow Pointe II, appeared to be opposed to connecting Mansfield, which runs through their community, to Kinnan. While proponents of the connection say it would improve public safety by creating another north-south route connecting New Tampa to Wesley Chapel in case of emergencies, as well as benefitting businesses on both sides, opponents cited an increase in dangerous traffic on Mansfield, which is already an important and busy artery in the mornings and afternoons connecting the area to four nearby Pasco schools — Sand Pine and Wiregrass elementaries, Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High. If you add

Pride Elementary in K-Bar just beyond where the connection would be made — a point of concern for some New Tampa parents — that’s five schools. Meadow Pointe II resident Rob Signoretti also pointed out that further up Mansfield there is PHSC, the North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital and The Beach House at Wiregrass Ranch, an assisted living facility. “There’s already so much on Mansfield, which is only two lanes, to add more traffic to that won’t be good,’’ Signoretti said. Dennis Smith, the chairman of the board of the Meadow Pointe I CDD, said that he would like to see the connection made.

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“We are at loggerheads with Meadow Pointe II,’’ he said. Smith also said that Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. “is a nightmare” that most in his community would like to avoid when they are driving to eat dinner or shop in New Tampa. He says they haven’t taken an official survey, but, “everyone we talk to in Meadow Pointe I is in favor of connecting the roads.” Smith says it is ridiculous that in the vast area between Livingston Ave. and Morris Bridge Rd., there is only one road — BBD — that goes north and south between New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Even after listening to all of the debate, however, he still has little hope the connection will ever be made. “This is my fifth time through this drill,’’ says Smith, who bought his home in 1998. “I’ve been around a long time, I’ve been active a long time and I know what’s going on and I have serious doubts this ever gets done.” Moore said that of all the correspondence he has received at his office about KinnanMansfield from his Pasco constituents, 70-80 percent of it is against a connection. Moore added, however, that the proposed link between Meadow Pointe Blvd. and a planned road in K-Bar Ranch may prove to be a better option. He said it seemed to be favored by the majority of the people he talked to at the meeting. Moore said he expects the study, for which Pasco is paying engineering firm AECOM $112,000 to conduct, should take about 6-7 months. The study’s findings will be presented at another public meeting. “I think the important thing is we are now looking at all possible connections,” Moore said. “Hopefully, we can figure this all out.”

@NTWCNews

‘JD Porter’

Continued from page 1 High, both of which opened before the mall opened its doors in 2008. The Porters envisioned Mansfield Blvd. and the nearby area as an “educational corridor.” They left land for expansion, before they even knew that one day, Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) would take root in Wiregrass. Also before the mall opened, says Scott Sheridan, the Locust Branch COO, the land for what would become Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) already had been sold as well. Porter, who grew up on the land where the hospital now sits, remembers his own long trips to what was then called University Community Hospital (and is now Florida Hospital Tampa) on E. Fletcher Ave., “where we would have to go when I was an idiot as a kid and did something stupid,’’ he jokes. That’s why FHWC is special to Porter. “It filled an important need for everyone out here,’’ he says, and if you make him pick the crown jewel of his work developing Wiregrass Ranch, he does point to the hospital. He says it was given a sweetheart deal to pick up an additional 16 acres when it was trying to buy just 40, because Porter was convinced it would grow and create more jobs in the area. He was proven right, as FHWC has already expanded once and still has room to continue growing. Porter also takes pride in being right about Raymond James Financial, which was announced in 2011 and has been a long and painstaking process. After years of doubts fueled partly by T. Rowe Price scrapping plans in 2014 to expand to Pasco County, land is finally being moved at the 65-acre Raymond James site at S.R. 56 and Mansfield Blvd. Although a proponent of small busines, Porter, says Raymond James, with the potential influx of 5,000 jobs into Wesley Chapel and a huge effect on surrounding businesses and de-

velopments, is a game-changer. Some things, like the fact that Wiregrass Ranch has four power substations when Porter says most areas are lucky to have two, aren’t as heralded as a new business but are invaluable in attracting them, especially those in technology and medical. While people eagerly await the next big thing and bask in the big splashes the developer family has made, Porter thinks sometimes, major things like the North Tampa Behavioral Health (NTBH) Hospital on S.R. 56 east of Mansfield Blvd. and the Beach House at Wiregrass Ranch assisted living & memory care facility get somewhat overlooked. But, NTBH already is expanding too, as it is adding a veterans wing. “Those are home runs anywhere else,’’ Porter says. In a short time, the Porter family has delivered on its vision to provide things the community needs, even at the expense of their bank account. Schools, a mall and a hospital are things that some communities wait a lifetime for. A sports complex on land the Porters donated (see page 4) is working its way through governmental approval, luxurious homes, apartments and condos will soon fill in the DRI along with an age-restricted community, and land is set aside for two additional new elementary schools and a state-of-the-art town center is on the horizon as well. Porter and his family aren’t done yet. Not even close, really. Consider: despite all of the recent growth and expansion, Wiregrass Ranch is only 17 percent developed, a fact that drew a few gasps at the EDC meeting. “Still in its infancy stages,’’ Porter says. In the next 20 years, Porter says he’d like to make 20 more big announcements, and thinks he will. He hinted at the reveal of a big project by the end of the year, something bigger than Wiregrass Ranch has seen before. But, Porter says, we’ll just have to wait for that one. “The best is yet to come,’’ he says.

1. TRANSPORTATION Porter takes great pride in his family’s foresight. They paid $25 of $30-million to build out six lanes of S.R. 56 in front of the Shops at Wiregrass. “I give my uncles and dad a lot of credit,” Porter says. “Do it right the first time, it’s usually a lot cheaper and a lot more effective.”

And, while light rail may never become a reality, Wiregrass Ranch is ready for it. Porter says he doesn’t see it happening until the drive to Tampa takes people 2.5 hours. But, with so much traffic heading the opposite way, north from the University of South Florida area into Wiregrass Ranch, Porter has dedicated 3.5 miles of transportation right of way through the DRI, starting at FHWC, winding past the mall and Raymond James and up Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. towards the future town center. “If not light rail, then rapid bus,’’ Porter says. Another touch: although they cost an extra $300-million or so, Porter says roundabouts are being built on Wiregrass Ranch Blvd.

2. ADULT LIVING There are no over-55 active adult communities in sight — the nearest one to Wesley Chapel is still Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club on S.R. 52 in San Antonio — but Porter hopes to change that with Valencia, an 850-unit single-family residential development scheduled to begin construction later this year. In fact, he sounds downright excited to do so. “We have a young demographic, and they are going to want their parents close to them,’’ Porter says. “We want Wiregrass Ranch to be family friendly.” Porter also notes that having an A-rated adult community (and he says Wiregrass Ranch’s will be A+) has long been an integral part of his development plans.

3. OTHER RESIDENTIAL Persimmon Park will be a 340unit single-family development with villas and townhomes, and will be located within walking distance to the development’s town center. It will be located just south of Chancey Rd. and west of Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. and is currently in permitting, but Porter says he has a number of builders already lined up. And, while many developers use many builders, Porter said he likes to rely on a small group, which currently includes Lennar, CalAtlantic and GL Homes. 4. PHASE II OF THE SHOPS AT WIREGRASS MALL Not much new to report here, as Shops at Wiregrass general manager Greg Lennars says the mall is still looking for those “perfect fits.” He said that a handful of green grocers have expressed interest in being one of the anchors of the new site, and better offers roll in every week, but no decision has been made. Securing a movie theater for the project — which has yet to break ground and continues to wait on permitting — is ongoing. Altis is being built right behind it. The four-story apartment complex is a $60-million project, and is expected to open sometime in 2018, with 392 units. It is part of the Porters’ effort to begin to grow the residential area around Wiregrass Ranch as new businesses move in.

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7. MEDICAL When Sheridan and Porter look down the road, they definitely see more medical industry coming to Wiregrass Ranch. Florida Medical Clinic just north of S.R. 56 on Bruce B. Downs opened recently, and next to that construction is ongoing on the $3-million, three-story 16,000-sq.-ft. Lismark Medical Office (photo), which will be located between the Florida Medical Clinic and FHWC. And, NTBH is expanding, too.

Neighborhood News

M28

M1 M27

M4+E

Adult community

M4+A

M4+B D)

C4 (SOL

Chancey Rd

3 Persimmon Park

6 Arbors

County Park

M9 Altis

LisMark Med. Office

Town Center

M15

M22 (SOLD)

Chancey Rd

M6 Wiregrass Ranch Blvd

6. ATHLETIC COMPLEX The Porters donated 138 acres to Pasco County for a park, and then watched as the county failed to close any deals to do something with the land. “It sat there for eight years,’’ Porter says, and he has expressed frustration with the progress of that land in the past, calling it a nightmare. But RADDsports out of Sarasota (see page 4) has won the bid to build an indoor athletic complex with some outdoor fields, and while not exactly what Porter had in mind, he seems more hopeful. “I think we all feel things are moving in the right direction,” he says.

M29

Bruce B Downs Blvd

5. TOWN CENTER Porter is not fond of the town center concept as it has been developed in most places — a Publix and a few other stores — but his team has huge plans for the center he envisions and for which he has set aside 146 acres right in the middle of Wiregrass Ranch. “Bigger than downtown Winter Park, bigger than downtown Tampa, really,’’ says Scott Sheridan. “It will truly redefine what a downtown is.” Porter doesn’t see the town center as Wesley Chapel’s downtown, or even Pasco County’s downtown. What he envisions is “Northern Tampa Bay’s downtown.” He says he is content to let the area around it develop as Raymond James, Persimmon Park, Estancia and The Arbors mature. “If we did it now, it would be great, but it wouldn’t meet our standards,’’ he says. Porter adds that a performing arts center might be a good anchor, but also has seen 2-3 other proposals he likes even better. “I look at it as being what Buckhead is to Atlanta,’’ he says.

M13

Mans

field

Blvd

Forest City 56

Wiregrass Ranch High School

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Family Finds Relief; Killer Back In U.S. By John C. Cotey Wade Angel’s five-year hunt to find justice for the tragic loss of his son took another happy turn last month when William Angel’s alleged killer was finally extradited to the U.S. Christopher Ponce, who is accused of killing 20-year-old William Angel and injuring two others while driving drunk on the wrong side of I-275 in 2002, was finally turned over to American authorities by Spain on April 6. “It is now 2 a.m. on April 7th,’’ Wade wrote on his blog, FindChrisPonce.com, which he has been updating since 2014. “My wife and I had the pleasure of witnessing Christopher Ponce being escorted into the Orient Rd Jail here in Tampa this evening. We waited at the airport for 5 hours hoping to see him as the U S Marshalls escorted him off the plane. They took him by another route so we had to hurry in order to beat them to the jail and just barely did so. We were able to see him being escorted into the booking area of the jail.” He excitedly wrote “NO BOND!!!!” on the blog April 8, a day later, when Ponce made his first court appearance. “So gratifying to see him doing the inmate shuffle.” Wade, who quit working for a time while he pursued every lead he could online — up to 15 hours a day for three years — drove himself to the limit in his efforts to find his son’s alleged killer. So, Wade’s post on April 9 was surely one of the most satisfying. “For the first time in years I got a good nights sleep,’’ he wrote. “I actually woke up feeling good and refreshed. It was awesome.”

Ponce was driving the wrong way in the northbound lanes of I-275 near downtown Tampa when he hit William’s 2000 Ford Mustang, also seriously injuring passengers Jay Davis and Robert Newberry. On May 9, 2013, while awaiting trial for DUI manslaughter, Ponce slipped off an electronic monitoring bracelet he had been wearing and had been on the run ever since. In 2014, CNN’s “The Hunt,” hosted by John Walsh of “America’s Most Wanted” fame, profiled the case. That manhunt ended Aug. 9, 2016, when Ponce was captured by local police in a bus station in Almeria, Spain. At the time, Wade said he was not surprised that Ponce was captured in Spain. He said he had received a tip through the blog shortly after starting it in 2013 that Spain is where Ponce was headed. He started tracking Internet Protocol, or IP, addresses, to see if anyone was checking his site from Spain. Wade said someone definitely checked his website from Spain, once from a McDonald’s, but mostly on public wifi at bus stations. “I knew it!,’” Wade said when he heard Ponce had been found. He said Ponce and his family were too narcissistic to resist the chance to see their names in print and wonder what people were saying about them. It was one of the reasons that he started the website. Wade told the Neighborhood News in August that FindChrisPonce.com would remain up right through the trial. “The day he is sentenced, that will be my last post,’’ he says. That last post is closer now than it has ever been.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Aldi & Audi Bringing New Businesses & Excitement To Wesley Chapel By John C. Cotey Area residents eager for the long-rumored Aldi grocery store to open have been keeping their eyes on the S.R. 54 area near The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center, where rumors had it the German-based chain planned to open. As it turns out, they were just looking in the wrong place. Instead, it now appears that Aldi is headed for the Cypress Creek Town Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI), south of S.R. 56, just north and west of Costco. According to forms filed recently with Pasco County, Aldi is proposing to build a 19,054-sq.-ft. store on the south side of S.R. 56, off Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz (although the forms list Wesley Chapel as its address). Aldi filed a Development Permit Pre-Submittal Meeting request form on March 27, as well as a conceptual site plan.

A previously filed pre-app form listed the northeast corner of Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54) and Gateway Blvd. near The Grove shopping center as a proposed site for a 17,825-sq.-ft. Aldi. A trendy favorite of value-conscious shoppers, Aldi is a no-frills discount supermarket chain based in Germany, with more than 8,000 stores worldwide. Aldi is able to offer items at cheap prices (and doesn’t accept coupons) because of low overhead. Not every aisle has actual shelves, as some items are simply stacked in their boxes. Aldi shoppers bring their own shopping bags, shopping carts will cost you a quarter (which you get back when you return it, saving employees from having to track down carts in the parking lot) and the store sells random non-grocery items as well. Aldi is aggressively expanding across the U.S., and is currently in the process of remodeling many of its stores to give them a more modern look.

southeast corner of S.R. 54 and I-75, and Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce CEO Hope Allen says the new auto dealerships are definitely a coup for the area. Allen says Mercedes has only given out two franchises in the past 10 years, and one was to Wesley Chapel. As for Audi, Allen says it is

another boost for the local economy. “Any luxury brand is a very good catch, because these car sales generates sales taxes for the county,’’ Allen says. “I think it says something that our area and community are able to sustain not one, not two, but now three true luxury auto dealerships.”

More Luxury Auto Dealerships On The Way!

Coming to Wesley Chapel’s Wiregrass Ranch area is a new Audi dealership (graphic, left), adding to the already vast selection for automobile shoppers in Wesley Chapel. Over the last few years, Wesley Chapel has seen Alfa Romeo and MercedesBenz enter the market (and Chevrolet has added a new building to its existing dealership). Among the new businesses coming to Wesley Chapel are an Aldi store just north of S.R Meanwhile, Lexus of Wesley 56 (top) and the under-construction Lexus of Wesley Chapel dealership on S.R. 54. Chapel is under construction at the

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Extra’ Star Mario Lopez Attracts A Crowd Of 1,100 To Wesley Chapel Nissan!

Although I was already 30 when TV star Mario Lopez began his five-year run as AC Slater in the “Saved By the Bell” TV series, I remember that not only was I a fan of the show, but so were my sons, neither of whom had yet reached double digits when the original “Saved By the Bell” series ended in 1994. Today, Lopez is starting his tenth year as the co-host of the Emmy Award-winning daily syndicated “Extra” TV series. So, what was this Hollywood star doing in Wesley Chapel on April 22? Lopez spent the day with Wesley Chapel Nissan owner Jay Rosario, including a four-hour appearance at the dealership, which was named the first Motor Trend magazine-certified auto dealership in Florida, meaning that the dealership’s pre-owned side only sells pre-owned vehicles that have been certified (inspected, upgraded and guaranteed) by Motor Trend. “It’s a big honor,” Wesley Chapel Nissan public relations manager and Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber Ambassador Troy Stevenson. “We wanted to reach as many people as possible with the news about Motor Trend and Mario Lopez sure delivered.” In fact, a crowd estimated at 1,100 people by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office — which was on-hand in force for the event and of which Rosario, executive GM Joey Falcon and their staff have been major supporters — came to see Mario, who threw Wesley Chapel Nissan T-shirts, posed for pictures and signed autographs for dozens of excited guests the last couple of hours of the event, which included giving away more than 900 hot dogs. Some of those attendees also got to enjoy gourmet cuisine like filet mignon sliders provided by Pe-

ter Gambacorta of The Private Chef of Tampa in the VIP area inside the dealership. Rosario, a U.S. military reservist who lives in Orlando (where he owns Celebrity Nissan), was one of the first people allowed inside the Pulse Night Club following the mass shooting tragedy there in June of last year. I hope to be able to discuss both the aftermath of that horrible event with him and his support of Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco in a future episode of WCNT-tv and in these pages. — Gary Nager

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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New Tampa Bids A Heartfelt ‘Goodbye’ To 17-Year_Old Hailey Acierno By John C. Cotey I am from the snowflakes that fall from the sky and pile in heaps on the ground. I am from the loon’s eerie wails, which I loved to stay awake in bed and listen to at night. I am from the mix of the world’s best pancakes, and the batter of the world’s best fudge brownies.

Hailey Acierno wrote these words in a poem when she was 11 years old, shortly after the family had moved to Florida from Minnesota. Chris and Lisa Acierno, her parents, honored their daughter by sharing her written words with a New Tampa community that has tried to fill the holes in their hearts the past several weeks. Chris read his favorite poem haltingly at Hailey’s funeral April 12 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa. Hundreds of people attended a somber and sad goodbye to a young, 17-year-old woman her parents say had struggled for years with mental illness, and who took her own life in the woods inside Flatwoods Park, behind the Arbor Greene community where her family lived. “Losing a child and the grief that accompanies that loss is a thought that every parent considers,” Chris said. “You imagine it as the absolute worst possible scenario of loss, pain and

sorrow. Well, we can attest to the harsh reality that it is completely devastating.” The church was filled with family and friends, and even the rescue parties and their dogs who searched for her over 10 days when Hailey went missing March 28. They cried, hugged and lamented the loss of a life too soon. ••• I am from the strawberry wafers sold at the rundown cornerstore where I would always bike to. I am from “Because I Said So”, and “What’d You Say?”, and “There’s A First Time For Everything.” I am from the cheers in the bleachers at my brothers’ baseball games.

Hailey, a 17-year-old Wharton High student, left behind brothers Ryan and Josh and sister Katie, and her parents, who along with so many others in the community, remember her as a bright and imaginative girl who made so many of those around her happy. “She was brilliant, she was creative, she was always the smile in the room,’’ said Lisa. “She would go out of her way to be the happy, bouncy, silly kid willing to do anything to make someone smile.” When she was 10, a year before the family moved from Minnesota to Tampa, Hailey wrote about being in charge of the world, and how, if she was, she would ban chicken pot pies and blues music and the sport of curling. Pet Dragons would be the norm in Hailey’s world, all waterheads would be filled with fish and fudge brownies and ice cream cake would be vegetables. Chris shared that at her funeral, to let those who may not have known Hailey understand how her mind danced like children’s minds do. “It was a beautiful mind,’’ he said. She was loved by her classmates and teach-

ers, and cared for everyone. When her cell phone was stolen and later recovered, she worried about what would happen to the child who was caught with it. “It was just a mistake,’’ she told her mother. Beneath the surface, however, Hailey was plagued by dark thoughts, her mother said, thoughts she fought hard to suppress. She attended Pride Elementary in K-Bar Ranch in fifth grade, and had a perfect score on her FCAT. When she entered Benito Middle School on Cross Creek Blvd., Lisa says she started to notice the changes: Hailey became more sullen, she stopped caring about school and she couldn’t stay on task. “She was in so much pain,’’ Lisa said. “If you knew her, though, she hid it really well.” Through it all, including hospital stays and visits to therapists and an unending procession of doctors and counselors, Hailey never stopped smiling. Her artistic side continued to shine through. Her writings were deep and sometimes dark but always exceptional. She was two chapters into writing a book her mother insists would have become a best seller. When Hailey went missing March 28, hundreds of volunteers showed up to search, combing as much of the massive 5,500-acre Flatwoods Park — where she enjoyed hanging out — as they could. A vigil was held at St. Mark’s on April 4, and despite trying hard to remain optimistic, Lisa began to fear the worst. On April 6, Flatwoods Park was closed as the search was expanded. A day later, in the early morning, Tampa Police officers on offroad bikes found Hailey’s body off the main biking and hiking paths. “Hailey had a troubled mind,’’ Chris said, “and needed to find peace for herself.” •••

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

I am from a pair of ice skates that my brothers and I walked with to the outdoor skating rink every winter night, and skated across the lumpy ice. I am from the long, concealing limbs of the weeping willow, the perfect place to go for privacy and relaxing. I am from the big pond behind the neighborhood, next to the willow.

Lisa doesn’t know what she could have done differently, but it’s hard not to think about. She said she was on a neverending mission to find help for her daughter. Hailey suffered from bi-polar disorder (formerly referred to as manic depression), which causes extreme mood swings and, in many cases, suicidal thoughts. It affects nearly six million adult Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Hailey spent time in hospitals and with therapists as the family fought to find solutions. Lisa says she called at least 50 doctors searching for help. Asked if she has any advice for other families suffering with the same affliction, she grows quiet. “Because we lost,’’ she says, “I don’t know how much my advice is worth.” But after a moment, she steels herself. “Just keep fighting,’’ she says. “Don’t give up. Don’t quit.” Chris says the family can take some solace in the fact that Hailey is free from her torment. The pain never goes away, but some peace can be found. “She is now free and she can find happiness fluttering with the butterflies and soaring with the birds in the clouds, and even exploring distant galaxies in space,’’ he said. “All the things she loved.” I am in a different place now than where I’m from. A new place, completely. But really, I’ll never leave the places that I am from.

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Unexpected Visitor Drives Into Cloud 9 Photo Studio By Celeste McLaughlin

When a photo session at Cloud 9 Studios in Wesley Chapel scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 25 was cancelled, owner Jeanine McLeod took her one-year-old son, James, and went out to grab lunch. The office manager, Mary Gullett, stayed in the studio while assistant Carla Holness photographed her own three children — ages almost 1, 4, and 5 — in the back. That’s when, all of a sudden, a car came crashing through the front doors of Cloud 9’s building in the Summergate Professional Center behind Sam’s Club off S.R. 56. “I heard tires screeching and felt the building rattle,” Carla says. According to a report by the Florida Highway Patrol, 80-year-old Theresa Drummond was attempting to park her car when she pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake. That sent her 2005 while Ford Taurus over the curb, in between two pillars and halfway through the door into the building at 27340 Cashford Circle. “What’s crazy is that Jeanine is always there with James and I’m not usually there with my kids,” says Carla. “About half an hour before it happened, the kids were all running around playing, so I’m just so thankful that they were out to lunch and that my kids were in the back.” Jeanine echoed Carla’s grateful attitude. “All of us are a little shook up, but I’m just so thankful everyone is okay,’’ Jeanine said. “ My son loves to play at the windows with the curtains, and he’s always up there

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looking as the cars go by.” Both ladies are amazed that the car fit exactly through the columns on either side of the front door. “The car had to be lined up perfectly,” says Jeanine. “Any farther to the left or right and she would have hit steel columns.” According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Drummond was not transported to a medical facility. The studio was temporarily boarded up until new doors could be installed.

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Bilirakis Opens Office In Wesley Chapel U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (photo) has opened a district office in Wesley Chapel. Bilirakis represents Florida’s 12th Congressional District, which covers northern Pasco and Pinellas counties. The office is available to serve as a resource for constituents seeking assistance with a federal agency, those who have questions about federal (not State of Florida) legislation, or people who would like to meet with the Congressman and/or a member of his staff. The office is located at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., inside the same building that is home to the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC). Bilirakis’ Wesley Chapel office is open every Wednesday and by appointment the rest of the week. Constituents interested in attending office hours should call ahead to confirm a time at (727) 232-2921. “I’m proud to announce the opening of my new office space in Wesley Chapel,” Rep. Bilirakis says. “Here, my team and I will be able to better serve the people of central and east Pasco, and make sure we are accessible to all parts of Florida’s 12th District. The Wesley Chapel office is ready to assist you, and I encourage local residents to come by and say hello.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

MAY 2017 Saturday, May 6

BayChapel Food Pantry - Free food to help needy families. Open every Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., behind Christian Brothers Automotive on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., at 20300 Trout Creek Dr., New Tampa. Visit BayChapel.org.

Sunday, May 7

Meditation Group - All faiths and all levels of meditation experience are welcome at this free meeting at Sanctuary Wellness Center, 8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite 120, 10 - 11 a.m. For more info, see “The Sanctuary Wellness Center in New Tampa” on Facebook or “New Tampa Intuitive Development Center” on Meetup.

Monday, May 8

Professional Business Connections (PBC) - PBC meets Mondays at 7:45 a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For info, call Matt Archbold at (813) 782-1777. Wesley Chapel Speaks - The Wesley Chapel Toastmasters meets every Monday at 6 p.m. for networking, 6:30 pm for public speaking, at Wesley Chapel Nissan (28519 State Rd 54). For more info, call Martin at (813) 693-0969.

Tuesday, May 9

and food trucks. 9401 Oak Preserve. Info at facebook.com/LiveOakPreserve. Beauty Pageant Preview - Be the first to know all the details for the 2017 Miss Pageants with a Purpose finals to be held on Saturday, May 20. This is a free event & refreshments will be served. Special Pageant Packages available for those who attend Pageant Preview! To be held at Mid-Florida Credit Union Community Room (20401 BBD Blvd.), 9 a.m., Please R.S.V.P. to (813) 714-6513.

Monday, May 15

East Pasco Democratic Club - Meets 3rd Monday of each month at American House, 38130 Pretty Pond Rd. in Zephyrhills from 7-8:30 p.m. For more info, visit www.eastpascodems.com or call Wilson Blount at (505) 463-4210.

Tuesday, May 16

NAMI Friends & Family: Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Pasco support group for friends & family of those with mental illness. The group meets the 1st & 3rd Tues. of each month, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For info, visit NAMIPasco.com.

Friday, May 19

Watergrass Elementary Food Truck Rally - A variety of food trucks will be selling meals from 6-8 p.m. and purchases will provide funds for needed items (e.g., Accellerated Reading Program, RAZ Kids, Fastt Math, technology) in classrooms and around the school. For more info, search “Watergrass Elementary PTA Food Truck Rally” on Facebook.

Keep It Local - This seat-specific networking group emphasizes small, local Pasco Fine Arts Council Jacaranda Poetry Festival Painting Contest - Rebusinesses. Meets meets every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., at GrillSmith at The Shops at Wiregrass. For more info, call Marino Cecchi at (813) 513-9001. ception from 5-7 p.m. for the Pasco Fine Arts Council’s 2017 Jacaranda Poetry Festival Painting Contest. Paintings represent the artists’ rendition of a poem of their choice. Cash prizes will be awarded. For more information, visit Business Networking International (BNI) - BNI, a group of business pros dedipascoarts.org or call (727) 845-7322 cated to helping their member businesses grow through qualified referrals, meets every Wed., 7:30 a.m., at the Cory Lake Isles Beach Club clubhouse (10441 Cory Meadow Pointe II Spring Fling - Patriotic opening at 9:45 a.m., water park activiLake Dr.) in New Tampa. Call Bill Sullivan at (813) 994-1143. ties from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe II clubhouse. $5/child for all rides all Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (Noon) meets day, plus food for sale. Open to everyone. For info, call Diana at (813) 994-8555. Wed. at noon at Quail Hollow Country Club (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). First-time guests Flair Dance Team Auditions - Want to be part of a dance team without havattend for free. For more info, call (813) 862-8989 or (813) 391-3895. ing to pay high studio costs? Come audition for our competitive and performing Help for Veterans - Learn how Aid & Attendance can assist a Veteran or surviving dance team for ages 5-18! All levels welcome! Train for a professional dance spouse with the cost of assisted living at The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve. For career while having fun, performing and volunteering in your community. Audition information, visit LegacyatHighwoodsPreserve.com or call (813) 605-7734. styles will include Ballet, Jazz, kickline, pom dance and contemporary. Space is limited. Register by emailing info@cmsdance.com. BNI Networking Meeting - BNI, a networking organization, has a new chapter in Wesley Chapel. Business professionals are invited to attend on Thursdays, 7:30 Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel’s 2nd Annual Duck Derby - See ad on next page! a.m., at Savannah Church (3758 Maryweather Lane, behind Dunkin’ Donuts off BBD Blvd.). For info, call Vicky McShane to RSVP @ (813) 714-6513. Networking For Your Success - The Networking For Your Success group meets Wesley Chapel Lions Club - The Wesley Chapel Lions Club meets every 4th Thursdays, 8 a.m., at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club clubhouse (26133 Lexington Tues., 6 p.m. at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.). For info Oaks Blvd.). All are welcome. For more information, call (813) 994-9944. about volunteering, community efforts, meetings, helping the vision impaired RGA Network Weekly Meeting - The RGA Networking Group meets weekly for & more, visit WesleyChapelLionsClub.com or the club’s page on Facebook. networking at GrillSmith at the Shops at Wiregrass mall. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch is noon-1 p.m. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net. Celebrate Recovery - Meeting Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Bridgeway Church (30660 Wells Rd.), the purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to bring freedom from dysfunctional, compulsive & addictive behaviors through biblically-based principles. Dinner & free childcare available. For info, call (813) 907-1313.

Wednesday, May 10

Saturday, May 20

Thursday, May 11

Sunday, May 21

Tuesday, May 23

Friday, May 12

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets every Friday at 7:15 a.m. at QHCC (6225 Old Pasco Rd.). For info, call Lynne Morgan at (813) 695-6466. Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Pasco is a support group for adults in Pasco County living with mental illness or in recovery. The group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For info, visit NAMIPasco.org.

Saturday, May 13

Live Oak Preserve Farmer’s Market - Open to the public, second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Features fresh produce, a variety of vendors, 16

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Sanborn To Headline Music Fest On May 14!

The second day of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, which was cancelled by the threat of serious weather conditions back in January, was supposed to be headlined by internationally renowned saxophone superstar David Sanborn. When the entire second day of the festival got cancelled — much to the dismay of local jazz lovers — no one knew for sure if Sanborn would return to Tampa this year to grace the stage at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. Well, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc., the organizers of the event, are proud that Sanborn will indeed return. “Jazz in The Park with David Sandborn” will be held on Mother’s Day — Sunday May 14, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. — at Curtis Hixon (600 N. Ashley Dr.). Smooth jazz artist Ben Tankard will be sharing the spotlight with Sanborn to make this Mother’s Day truly a day to remember. “Jazz in the Park” will include a variety of family-friendly activities, such as an engaging Children’s Village, food vendors, other local/regional musical entertainment, giveaways and much more. For more information, visit TampaBlackHeritage.org or see the ad below. — GN

David Sanborn Photo: alfa-img

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Power of Attorney Health Care Directive Wills & Trusts

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Gunter & Gunter Insurance — Committed To The Community & To Rotary By Celeste McLaughlin Insurance is peace of mind. While you may not like to have to pay for it, when you need to use it, it is helpful that you have the right policy from the right agency. For many Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents, that means visiting Gunter & Gunter Insurance, run by familiar local faces Gary and Joyce Gunter. While still located in the Westbrook Professional Park (across from Saddlebrook Resort), near I-75 and SR 54, Gunter & Gunter now has a new office in the same professional park facing S.R. 54 at the front of the office park. “The presence right on the street is the best feature (about the new building),” Gary Gunter says. “And, the layout of this office is nice. It’s visible and convenient.” Gary and his wife Joyce moved into the office park in 2010, when the Gunters purchased three insurance agencies and combined them into their Wesley Chapel location. “With more people in the office, it’s easier to take care of all of our customers,” Gary says. ‘We’re one of the few places that will actually answer the phone.” There is always someone on staff during business hours at Gunter & Gunter. Furthermore, all of the office’s staffers are fully licensed property and casualty agents. Florida law requires that an insurance office have at least one licensed agent; Gunter & Gunter has five property and casualty and one customer service agent. “We want them all to have the highest

get homeowners insurance at great rates. “The insurance rates on new homes are fabulous,” Joyce says. “You could pay half the premium on a new home versus an older one.” Call and ask for a quote — each time someone does, Gunter & Gunter make a donation to one of several charities.

Sinkhole & Flood Specialists

Gary & Joyce Gunter of Gunter & Gunter Insurance in the Westbrook Prof. Park on S.R. 54 . level of education and provide the best level hurricane. They must prove they are able to of service,” Gary says. pay out all of their policies. Bundling is another element of Gunter Top Policies & Saving a Bundle & Gunter’s multi-tiered service. With the Gunter & Gunter specializes in home ability to write auto, home, condo, renters, and auto insurance, although they sell all motorcycle, business, life, ATV and other types of insurance, from business to life policies, savings are there for customers who insurance, and the office boasts nearly a cen- want to bundle. tury of combined insurance experience. A lot of it depends on which types of It also is an exclusive Allstate agency. insurance a customer wants to bundle toWhile Gunter & Gunter can still write poligether. Typically, Joyce says, savings from 8 cies with other companies, Allstate requires percent-20 percent can be had. For instance, that those companies be A-Rated insurance bundling renters, umbrella and life insurance companies. A-Rated insurance companies could save a customer up to 25 percent. have to prove their financial stability in the Many homes in the Wesley Chapel area face of a catastrophic incidents, such as a are new construction and new homes can

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Some disasters have insurance companies running the other way. Not the Gunters. “There aren’t as many companies writing sinkhole policies,” Gary says. “There are fewer choices now and, with the rise in premiums, a lot of people are dropping it. It’s one of our main challenges because if you have a mortgage on your home, companies require an A-rated insurance company.” Flood insurance is another area of specialization at Gunter & Gunter Insurance. “There has been an increase in flooding the last few years,” Gary says. “We want people to know that flood insurance is not that expensive.” The cheapest policy is just $171 per year. The insurance agency can write flood insurance policies for homes in low-risk areas ranging from $171 to about $550 annually. Joyce says that half of the polices run about $450, and that about 40 percent of claims happen in low-risk areas. And, the average claim is about $43,000. “If you are wondering if you need flood insurance,” Gary says, “look outside your house, and if you see water, we recommend flood insurance.”

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Gunter & Gunter’s website is a testament to great service, with a number of sterling reviews. Customers like Angela B. praise Gunter & Gunter for quickly processing her claim, Shirley R. said she is “overjoyed” with the umbrella policy purchased from the Gunters and Alissa J. wrote that she felt like “part of the family” when she called to purchase insurance.

The Rotary Connection

Gary and Joyce have a vested interest in the community, both local and global. As long-time members of The Rotary Club of New Tampa, they have worked with Feeding Tampa Bay — creating mobile food pantries across the city — and been involved in many local and international service projects. Most recently, they traveled to Honduras working on service projects with 15 other Rotarians. The trip was organized by the Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club, which goes twice a year and helps with infrastructure projects on dilapidated or geographically isolated schools. Construction projects like building a soccer field and securing fences around the school were some of the undertakings. They’ve helped found an orphanage for girls, provide clean water for small villages, meals for the poor and educational materials. “Rotary helps us be close to all parts of our community and learn much more about the people and their needs,” Joyce said. “Much more so that we would sitting behind a desk.” Joyce is the current District Governor for Rotary International’s District 6890, comprised of Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. Gary, who also

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was president of the New Tampa Rotary in 2010-11, served as the District 6890 Governor in 2014-15. The Gunters participate in weekly food distributions and help with Thanksgiving meals in collaboration with Atonement Lutheran Church on S.R. 54. They have and say they will continue to participate in the Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot at the Shops at Wiregrass. They helped with the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel on March 18, which was hosted at Florida Hospital Center Ice by their New Tampa Rotary Club that helped raise funds for Feeding America, the national arm of Feeding Tampa Bay. In January, they traveled to India for National Immunization Day and the project immunized 173 million children. The Gunters also are actively involved in Rotary’s campaign called End Polio Now. Thanks to the 100-year effort by Rotary International to inoculate everyone in every country in the world, so far this year, there have been just four reported new cases of Polio worldwide. “We are very proud to be a part of this group of wonderful people helping right here in our communities,’’ Gary says, “and around the world.” Call (813) 994-3900 or stop by Gunter & Gunter Insurance at 28969 S.R. 54 to discuss all of your insurance needs. The office is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday. Saturday appointments are available upon request. Visit GunterandGunterInsurance.com or search “GunterandGunterInsurance.AllstateAgency” on Facebook or see the ad on pg. 12.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Down To Earth Approach Makes Devolder Law Accessible & Successful By John C. Cotey

When Bryan and Elizabeth Devolder decided to re-invent themselves at the ages of 35 and 37, respectively, they could have picked something easier, like a nice sales job, or buying a successful restaurant franchise, or maybe even starting their own business. Instead, they both decided to become lawyers. “It’s crazy,” Bryan says. But it worked. At Devolder Law, located in the former Hunter’s Green Model & Visitor Center in New Tampa, Bryan and Elizabeth have found immediate success in their new profession. Since opening in August of 2016, Elizabeth says business has been brisk and is well ahead of their projections after just six months; Bryan adds that they have doubled the amount of clients they expected at this time. Through various forms, including advertising in the Neighborhood News, the internet, word of mouth and a solid reputation in the community, the Devolders are growing. The secret to their success might be the same thing that drew them into law in the first place -- a desire to seek out answers and solve problems, while meeting people’s needs in an informal manner that makes them feel at ease. “We’re not about us, were about the client,’’ says Bryan. “We recently had a consultation where we were the fifth attorney one client had visited. They decided they wanted to be with us, telling us other attorneys gave a 30-minute sales pitch on how cool the attorneys were. They told us we were the only ones who

Elizabeth and Bryan Devolder of Devolder Law took a non-traditional approach to becoming lawyers, but say they love helping clients with their family law and other legal problems. talked to them about what they wanted.” business, and his friend would teach him The Devolders are graduates of the real estate and title law. When both of their Western Michigan University-Cooley Law businesses were knocked out by the 2008 School satellite campus in Riverview, FL. housing market crash, his friend told Bryan Bryan was working as a computer en“you need to go to law school. You’re gineer for Verizon, and Elizabeth had been smarter than me and I’m a lawyer, and in sales for the Yellow Pages when they both you’d be great at it.” decided to pursue a different path. Those words stuck with him. When The seed for a change was planted the Devolders were dating, they made a list when Bryan had a mortgage company, and of 10 things they wanted to do, and taped during that time had worked almost daily them to the inside of their bathroom mediwith a title attorney friend. Bryan would cine cabinet mirror, where it remains today. teach him a little about the mortgage “Get a new car was on the list, get a

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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boat was on the list, and get a J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree was on the list,” said Elizabeth, who was on the debate team in high school and had been told she’d make a great lawyer decades ago but never really thought much of it. “We had both had enough interest in the law that when we were dating, we said that would be a fun thing to do. Before we had kids. Before anything.” “We talked about it,’’ says Bryan, “but it was more like, wouldn’t it be cool? Like, hey, wouldn’t it be cool if we went skydiving?” He married Elizabeth in 2009, and they had their first child in 2010. That put a hold on plans to become lawyers, because there are few choices for people who want to work during the day and become lawyers in their spare time. Stetson’s St. Petersburg campus was an option, but the driving backand-forth would just add too much time to an already hectic schedule. It wasn’t too long after that when WMU-Cooley Law School opened its campus in Riverview. The Devolders visited before the campus was even built, in a little office, and were convinced the school’s schedule and mission, to make the law accessible to everyone, fit theirs. They studied for three months and both passed their Law School Admission Test (LSAT) -- finishing within a point of each other, although they exercise a little lawyer-spouse privilege when asked who got the higher score. In Jan. of 2013, they both started law school, even though Elizabeth knew her journey would also include adding to her family. “I had to commit to having babies in

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law school,’’ Bryan said, laughing. The Devolders took afternoon classes, night classes, weekend classes, and they say they couldn’t have done it without family help. “We didn’t go on vacation for three years, I gained 30 pounds, I didn’t golf, no birthdays or anniversaries.” “I spent my 40th birthday in Secure Transactions Class,’’ says Elizabeth, who also served as the editor-in-chief of the WMU-Cooley Law Review. How busy was it? A pregnant Elizabeth took a law school exam one morning, and afterwards headed right for the hospital to be induced for the birth of the couple’s second child. “She got the highest grade in the class,’’ says Bryan, proudly.

Your Team Of Lawyers

They discovered they had very different study habits. Elizabeth is more detail-oriented, and Bryan is more of the big picture guy. “He would get me out of the weeds, and I would get him attending more to the details that if I hadn’t been there, maybe he would have missed,’’ she says. Elizabeth handles most of the estate planning, with Bryan taking on most of the litigation. “I like to do the writing and he is very good at thinking on his feet, the litigating part,’’ Elizabeth says. “We use our strengths to help our clients.” The Devolders have the hardware to show the extent of their success. In the spring of 2015, they competed, along with another student, at the American Bar Association’s Law Student Division Client Counseling Nationals, and beat out 66 other American Bar Association-approved law schools and 111 teams for the title, which Bryan likens to a small, unknown college winning the NCAA Final Four or College Football Playoff. “It’s a little Cinderella story in terms of law school,’’ he says. Bryan graduated in Jan. of 2016, and Elizabeth graduated in April of the same year, both finishing at the top of their class. Later in 2016, Elizabeth was among 25 future lawyers named in the National Jurist’s inaugural “Law Student of the Year” feature. In August of 2016, they opened their firm in Hunter’s Green, the same community where they also live. The Devolders say WMU-Cooley helped make the law accessible to them, and they now return the favor by making it accessible to their clients. And, while the task of meeting with an attorney can be stressful

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to many, the Devolders try to put every client at ease. “We are very down to earth people,” Elizabeth says. “We weren’t born with silver spoons in our mouths, we didn’t become Harvard lawyers at 25. We worked hard our whole lives, we understand the value of money and we understand the challenges that people have. And, we answer the phone.” Bryan turns his cellphone over and reveals a Batman sticker. “This is the Bat Phone,’’ he says. “We give this number to our clients, we are available 24/7. Ask any other attorney if they will answer their phone at 2 a.m., or if they even give that number out.” Rachel Hallford says she was blindsided when her husband asked for a divorce after 10 years and two children. “From the first phone call I had with him, I knew Bryan was the attorney for me,” Rachel says. “He is such an amazing guy who is really there for his clients. He can be reached any time no matter whether the issue is big or small. I personally had a few freak outs and I didn’t want to bother him but I called anyway and he was so nice, patient, supportive and calmed me down every time.” While many attorneys may focus solely on one aspect of the law, recommending other lawyers to handle related problems, Elizabeth says Devolder Law will take extra steps to make things easier for its clients. They have helped family law clients who have to sell their homes with lease agreements and sales contracts, reviewed various contracts and deeds and dealt with tax and bankruptcy issues. “Problems don’t happen in a bubble,’’ she says. “We solve legal problems, and related problems. The concept of sending people away to go to another attorney only benefits the attorney by keeping their job nice and small and simple.” The Devolders do not let conventional wisdom slow them down. When they set their minds to something, they say, they get it done, whether it’s going back to school to become lawyers, or guiding a client through a difficult process. Devolder Family Law is located at 8709 Hunters Green Dr., at the front of Hunter’s Green before entering the community. right before It is open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. For additional information, see the ad on page 17 of this issue, search “DevolderLaw” on Facebook, visit DevolderLaw.com or call (813) 724-3880.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Intrinsic Wellness Clinic Is More Than Just Chiropractic Care! By Celeste McLaughlin Todd Di Leo, D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) is the owner of the Intrinsic Wellness Clinic, located in the Windfair Professional Center, across Bruce B. Downs Blvd. from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC). Dr. Di Leo is a chiropractic physician and functional medicine specialist. “In conventional medicine, you have a symptom, you see the doctor, the doctor tells you what medicine to take to stop the symptom,” he explains. “But, in functional medicine, we address why the body is manifesting this symptom. We ask, ‘What is the cause?’ Then, we address that cause.” Dr. Di Leo has been in practice for 25 years. He earned his D.C. degree from the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL, in 1992. He also holds two Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees, one in Human Biology, also from the National College of Chiropractic, and one in Human Kinetics & Exercise Physiology, from the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 1989. He opened the Intrinsic Wellness Clinic nearly a year ago, saying that he’s pleased to be working in his own community. Dr. Di Leo and his wife, Cathy, who is the office manager for the practice, have lived in Seven Oaks with their two daughters for 11 years. “I typically see people who are frustrated with having to take, ‘another pill for another ill,’” he says. “They’re tired of having five minutes with a medical doctor or a nurse practitioner and leaving the office with a new prescription or another increase

in dose, which means now they’re dealing with side effects.” For example, “Maybe they’re sleeping nine or 10 hours at night , but they still feel fatigued.” He says he can help those people who are wondering, “Why am I feeling this way? What is the root cause?” Dr. Di Leo says, “My tools are different.” He explains his main tool is lifestyle management, which may mean managing a patient’s diet, stress and exercise, and the use of therapeutic foods, natural supplements and herbs to restore normal body function. He says patients are Cathy & Dr. Todd Di Leo of the Intrinsic Wellness Clinic in the often willing to make Windfair Professional Center off BBD Blvd. in Wesley Chapel changes, but they Di Leo also focuses on cancer support. need to know how. “We can give them a “We offer a state-of-the-art blood test 10-minute exercise — or maybe even a that we brought to Wesley Chapel,” he says, three-minute exercise — to help them relax, noting that there are only about 400 practibut they need to be educated to know that tioners offering this test in the entire U.S., there are tools that are that easy.” and none in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa. People with a high risk for cancer can request Cancer Support, Too In addition to functional medicine, Dr. the test, but more often, he sees patients who

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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have recently been diagnosed with cancer. “The test detects cancer cells circulating in the blood,” explains Dr. Di Leo, adding that it provides information about the number of cancer cells, and also the type of cells. “The lab does sensitivity testing to test the cancer cells against 50 chemotherapy drugs and 47 natural substances. It determines a ‘kill rate’ of how each substance kills the particular cancer cells in a patient’s blood.” He says this is great information that patients can take back to their oncology team. While some oncologists will hesitate to leverage these results, because best practices in oncology may favor a different protocol, Dr. Di Leo believes that’s temporary. “There is so much research happening in supplemental and complementary medicine, that I expect it to come to a point where this will be more mainstream,” he says. “For example, there is a ton of research supporting using mushroom extract to fight cancer.” For people looking for a more natural and alternative approach, Dr. Di Leo explains that primary care also is part of the scope of the practice at Intrinsic Wellness. He says an initial appointment with him usually takes at least 60 minutes. “We want to get a complete picture of who you are and what your body’s been through.” Tina Danielson, who lives in Watergrass, is a patient of Dr. Di Leo’s who has benefited from the doctor’s approach. Danielson explains that she’s taken medicine for hypothyroid — or an underactive thyroid — since high school. Recently,

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she had new symptoms, including blurred vision and dizziness, “and just a complete lack of energy,” she says. Her regular doctor said her new symptoms weren’t related, so that’s when she found Intrinsic Wellness. She says Dr. Di Leo first tried things that didn’t work to cure her dizziness, such as chiropractic adjustments and changes to her diet, but then, “Dr. Di Leo continued to delve into it,” she says, and showed her exercises she could do. “The exercises took care of the dizziness within a few days. I don’t need to do them now, but if the dizziness ever starts again, I can just do those exercises again.” She also says that the draw to Dr. Di Leo was knowing that he’s committed to finding the root cause of her problems. “I don’t want to take medicine for the rest of my life,” she says. “I’ve already taken it for 20 years. Now, we’re doing bloodwork and working with my diet to find the root cause of this. I want to find what I can do to get better for the long haul, not just for the next month.” Dr. Di Leo agrees, and he makes himself available to Danielson and all of his patients. “We are high touch and high availability,” he says. “I give my patients my personal cell phone number and exchange text messages with them.” Dr. Di Leo also is an active athlete who has competed in Ironman triathlons and marathon road races, including his favorites in New York City and Chicago. He also is a certified strength and conditioning coach and USA triathlon coach. In his practice, he often sees athletes, especially endurance athletes such as long-distance runners and triathletes.

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“I always tell newbies that anyone can do it,” he says. “You need proper guidance and proper nutrition, but it’s worth it because you get an amazing sense of accomplishment. It’s a very elite accomplishment, because only a small percentage of the population actually accomplishes this.” Dr. Di Leo often speaks to different audiences in settings such as “lunch and learns” and says he is available to talk about health and wellness to cancer survivors or other community groups. The Intrinsic Wellness Clinic is located at 2808 Windguard Cir., Suite 101. It is open by appointment only. To make an appointment for a free 15-minute consultation, call Intrinsic Wellness at (813) 549-3551. For more info, visit IntrinsicWellnessClinic.com or see the ad on page 30.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Local Andy On Call Franchise Is Available To Repair & Remodel Your Home! By Andy Warrener To-do lists around the house can easily pile up. When an appliance breaks down or a major repair is needed in your home, the task can be overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a place that promised to tackle your entire to-do list and give you back your weekend? Well, there is. Andy OnCall is licensed, bonded and insured and is your one-call solution for home improvements, maintenance and remodels. Sometimes, it’s just small, nagging repairs that you just can’t get around to or can’t quite find the right part for. Andy OnCall can help. Even with something as simple as hanging a picture frame, hanging some shelves or installing a pet door, a screened and certified craftsman will come to your home and leave you with a completed job and a one-year warranty on the labor. Andy OnCall craftsmen prefer to finish jobs, too. Taking into consideration large projects that take a little longer —say, a new kitchen, or extensive plumbing work — co-owner Reggie Morgan estimates that 80 percent of the jobs they take on are completed in a matter of hours, days or weeks. Andy OnCall covers the entire spectrum of home repair, even if it’s not one of their craftsmen handling the job. “We don’t physically do roofs but we have roofing contractors that work for us,” Morgan says. “If we can’t do it, we will find someone who can. Rather than you calling five different people, we can do that. We are a one-stop shop.”

All Craftsmen Are Screened

& Certified

Andy OnCall doesn’t just hire anyone. “Most guys have a minimum 10 years of experience when they come to us,” Morgan says. “That’s 10 years, verifiable, with their own truck and tools.” Craftsmen are given lighter jobs early, with Morgan or managing partner and co-owner Vince Pizzitola following up on the work. Pizzitola and Morgan bid the larger jobs and will use newer hires in on-the-job training, always making sure that “newbies” first work with a veteran craftsman. Craftsmen are given yearly background checks and have printed badges with photo identification on them. “We don’t just hire people,” Morgan says. “We want someone that fits our role and knows what we expect.” Andy OnCall carries insurance that covers the company’s employees, including their employees’ vehicles, while they are on the job, and is licensed for electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning (HVAC) work. Craftsmen split the rates set by Andy OnCall with the company. Craftsmen are paid by the job and not by the hour. And, Andy OnCall offers free estimates for jobs. “We will actually go out to the site to evaluate your needs,” Morgan says. “There’s no obligation but we don’t give estimates over the phone.” In addition to Morgan and Pizzitola, the company currently has eight craftsmen and two office workers. And, the craftsmen are spread across the tri-county service area (Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco). Craftsmen are scheduled so that they either stay close to their homes or at least end their route near their homes.

“We try to keep them working in a systematic way,” Morgan says. “We will try to steer the workers home with bids.” This makes for a shortened commute that employees appreciate. It also saves the company money, while getting someone to your home more promptly. “It makes a difference because you’re not getting the job done if you’re in your car, driving from place to place,” Pizzitola says. “We have craftsmen strategically located in areas around the Tampa Bay area and they tend to handle those areas.” Andy OnCall also will cater to the skillset of each craftsman. If a craftsman specializes in drywall, he/she will get a lot of drywall bids. If another is a skilled electrician, those craftsmen will more often get the electrical bids. Pizzitola and Morgan are there as backup, too, just in case. “We want our craftsmen to be Reggie Morgan, the co-owner of the local Andy OnCall successful,” Morgan says. “We train franchise, has professional craftsmen who can fix/rethem, but Vince and I are also available model anything in your home (photo, next page). to walk them through something on “Back in 1992, the phone book was the the phone, too.” internet,’’ Morgan says. “So, you wanted your name show up on the first pages of the yellow Craftsmen At Heart pages.” Andy OnCall was established in 1993 in By 1997, Harris’ daughter Tamara develChattanooga, TN. Founder and CEO Tom oped the computer software that culminated Harris had built a reputation as a homebuilder into the program used to run the business in the 80s and 90s and people regularly asked today. The original business in Chattanooga Harris to take care of small projects for them. became the first franchise in May of 1999. “Builders want to build, but Tom saw a need There are now 2,849 franchises nationwide. for a handyman service,” Morgan says. Pizzitola came into the Tampa franchise So, why Andy, and not, say, Tom OnCall? five years ago as a craftsman. He actually has a

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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SPOTLIGHT ON......The Moody Group!

background in chemistry and engineering and worked at rehabbing houses for 10 years. He even ran his own handyman service for a while. Pizzitola handled the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area as a craftsman and still takes jobs in that area but has transitioned into more of a managerial role. He came on as the local franchise co-owner in January of this year. “I still am the main backup or problem solver, but now I’m more of a resource,” Pizzitola says. Morgan bought the franchise located on W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa in April of last year. He comes from a nine-year career in the Navy, working in electronic warfare. He also has worked in the broadcast industry and was a Sears Home Central district manager responsible for 114 technicians before moving to Wesley Chapel 15 years ago. But, he still came from a building background. “My father was a carpenter,” Morgan says. “I grew up with all the skills from him. He could fix or build anything.”

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In Tampa, Morgan then took over as director of services for Invitation Homes in 2012. He says she saw the company grow from five employees and 500 homes to 168 employees and more than 5,000 homes — in six months. When the company downsized, Morgan knew it was time to jump ship. “Andy OnCall had name recognition, the location was 16 years old and it was a good match to my needs,” Morgan says. That unique name recognition and level of service are now taking root in Tampa Bay. If you’ve been putting off a repair or need someone to tackle your to-do list, call Andy on Call at (813) 9612600 or swing by the office at 5008 W. Linebaugh Ave., Suite 35, to set up an appointment for service or a free estimate. The office is open Mon.Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.. Visit AndyOnCallTampaBay.com or see the ad on page 49 for more information.

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Owning a home in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel can be a source of joy, but it also can be a burden when there’s a change in your employment or lifestyle. As a one-stop real estate resource, The Moody Group Real Estate Sales & Property Management — located just south of County Line Rd. at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Oak Joy Ct. (between the Walgreens and the Tire Choice auto repair shop), in the same building as Central Bank — can manage the property of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents who quickly need to move on to other places. The office also can help newcomers to our area find a place to live. The Moody Group specializes in home sales, rentals, property management and investment property services in the neighborhoods located in both of our Neighborhood News distribution areas. For Leon Moody, the basic principle guiding the organization that bears his name is one that reassures its customers. “People are our business; real estate just happens to be our product,” says Moody, who was born in Dade City and, as an outdoorsman, spent a good bit of his early life enjoying the wilderness of what is now Wesley Chapel. As a real estate professional, Moody has more than 30 years of experiences to draw upon and back up his candid assessments of situations when doing business. “The truth is the truth,” he says. “Just because you built those cabinets doesn’t make your house worth $50,000 more than the market.” That straightforward approach applies,

whether a customer needs to rent out their New Tampa estate for $3,000 a month when a far-away career opportunity arises or a family on a tight budget is starting a new life in the Sunshine State and needs to find a place costing less than $1,000 a month. For people who might consider using The Moody Group to buy a home, real estate agent Sherlyn Clark has one essential piece of advice. “First and foremost, buyers must be pre-approved,” says Clark, who adds that one of the ways The Moody Group plans on growing in 2017 is by establishing a working relationship with a mortgage company so the mortgage approval process can be handled in-house, easing that burden for potential buyers. “Customer service is our number one goal,” she adds. For more info about The Moody Group (20701 BBD), visit LeonMoody. com, search “The Moody Group” on Facebook, call (813) 994-0123 or see the ad on pg. 47. The office can communicate in English, Spanish and Creole.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Connerton In Land O’Lakes Offers Modern Living With A Natural Connection By Brad Stager Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents looking for a more pastoral lifestyle may find what they’re looking for at the Connerton community in Land O’ Lakes, located just east of U.S. 41, 7.5 miles north of S.R. 54. Developed on what was once the Conner cattle ranch, the 4,800-acre community carries a New Town Developmental of Regional Impact (DRI) designation from Pasco County, which means it is a mixed-use, master-planned community combining residential areas with commercial, office, medical and government-related space. Connerton also has earned the distinction of being named the Tampa Bay Builders Association’s Showcase Community for its 2017 Parade of Homes, which will be held on Friday, April 29. According to Connerton’s promotional materials, when the community is fully builtout, it may include up to 5,000 residences, 730,000 square feet of retail space, 1.4 million square feet of office and industrial space, as well as a government center. Even with that ambitious development potential, Connerton retains a relationship with its rural central Pasco heritage. While the community’s concept offers convenient access to shopping, employment and services, marketing coordinator Melissa Donaldson says a big attraction for prospective homebuyers is Connerton’s plan for 1,800 acres of parks and natural open spaces (see photo on next page). “I get a lot of people from New Tampa coming over here who are tired of the hustle and bustle of New Tampa,” Donaldson says.

Nope, this cool water park pool isn’t at a theme park. It’s the centerpiece at Club Connerton, in the Connerton community in Land O’Lakes, 20-30 minutes from most of New Tampa. One of Connerton’s most highly touted With Amenities Like This... features is its 1.75-mile paved Arbors Village Residents don’t have to venture beyond Nature Trail, which winds along natural, Connerton’s boundaries to enjoy first-class preserved areas, including lakes and wetlands. amenities, like a 10,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse There’s plenty of wildlife to see, such as little that provides social and recreational opporblue herons, wood storks, sand hill cranes, tunities for residents. and of course, Florida alligators. Known as Club Connerton, it features Adjacent to the north end of the comthe well-equipped Fit & Flourish Fitness munity is a 3,000-acre nature preserve under Center, complete with a wide range of exthe jurisdiction of the Southwest Florida ercise equipment, from treadmills to weight Water Management District (SWFWMD), machines. Several video monitors keep fitness giving residents access to even more trails and buffs up-to-date with sports and news, or natural settings, as well as providing a buffer otherwise entertained while burning calories. against the encroachment of other develop“If people have a gym membership ment. There also are five miles of paved side- somewhere else, they can cancel it,” says walks in Connerton for suburban strolling. Donaldson.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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The Conner Town Cafe serves “stickto-your-ribs food,” according to Donaldson, and a children’s activity space, known as the Kidz Zone Club, is available for toddlers and older children up to age 12. Other rooms provide space for fitness classes such as yoga and Pilates, as well as social activities ranging from arts & crafts classes to poker nights. The big attraction, according to Donaldson, is the outdoor pool, that’s more like a water park (photo). She says it’s often the highlight of a tour for prospective residents. “It’s the biggest ‘Wow!’ on the tour,’’ Donaldson says. “People see it and they think they’re at a resort.” There also are three tennis courts, a sand volleyball court and a basketball court, providing even more recreational options. Of course, a community is more than just a group of homes and amenities, and Donaldson says a full schedule of events involving residents helps tie it all together. “Because we do so many events, everyone gets to know each other,” she says Activities include the summertime, patriotic-themed, Nation Celebration (scheduled to avoid conflicting with other Independence Day observances), a Labor Day ice cream social, and a Winter Wonderland Celebration. Connerton even offers its own full-day summer camp to keep the younger residents busy while school is out. And, while school is in session, Connerton is able to offer families with young children a chance to avoid bus rides and car lines with Connerton Elementary, a Pasco County District school located inside the community,

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Miles of beautiful trails for biking and walking are part of the experience of living in Connerton. so that walking and riding bikes to school are safe and practical options. Other nearby public schools include Sanders Memorial Elementary, which has a Science Technology Engineering Art & Math (STEAM) program; Pine View Middle School, which is the school district’s first International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme Candidate school; and Land O’ Lakes High, an IB World school, with advanced placement, culinary arts, child care and agriculture programs. Land O’Lakes High also has an agreement with Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) allowing students to take classes through PHSC to earn college credit while still in high school.

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Great Builders, Too!

Connerton has the ambiance of smalltown, neighborly living, in part because many of the homes for sale feature front porches that promote relaxing and socializing outdoors. Four of the Tampa Bay area’s best-known builders are constructing homes in Connerton: Taylor Morrison, Homes by Westbay, Lennar and M/I Homes. According to information provided by Connerton, homes range in size from 1,504 square feet to 4,895 square feet, with a starting price range of $198,490-$502,990. Homeowners association (HOA) dues and community development district (CDD) fees vary with lot size and community. According to Donaldson, about 700 homes

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have been sold so far in Connerton. The Cornuta family bought a home and a share of the Connerton lifestyle when they relocated to Florida from upstate New York. Nikole Cornuta says it was the right choice for their move to the Sunshine State. “We love how there is always something fun to do,” Nikole This Craftsman model by Westbay Homes in Connerton is available says, “whether it’s for less than $388,000. With 3,100 sq. ft. of living area., it features 4 bedenjoying activities sponrooms, 3 baths and 3-car garage. sored by the fun-loving lies. At Connerton, Lennar Homes is prostaff members at the clubhouse, riding along viding such a home to medically-retired U.S. the vast nature trails, playing at the various Army Sgt. David Roca, who experienced playgrounds, or soaking up the sun by the life-changing injuries from an improvised super-pool, we always have a blast!” explosive device (IED) while serving in Iraq. Besides the activities, Cornuta also says Connerton residents have been active that she appreciates the welcoming attitudes in special events during the home’s conthat she and her transplanted family have struction and introducing the Rocas to the encountered. community, such as writing welcoming notes “We also feel so lucky to have met on the house’s framing before the drywall neighbors that now feel like a supportive was installed. family,” she says. “Connerton is a fantastic “People have really come together for place to raise a family.” this and want to be a part of it,” says DonOne way to describe the Connerton aldson. “It’s something that helps make this community’s personality is “heartfelt,” says a true community.” Donaldson. You can learn more about homes She cites occasions of residents coming in Connerton and the community’s together, both in celebration and in times lifestyle by visiting the Welcome Center of need. One example that illustrates both located inside Club Connerton at 21100 is Connerton’s partnership with Operation Finally Home, a national nonprofit organiza- Fountain Garden Rd., in Land O’ Lakes. You also can check out the ad on page 23 tion that networks with builders to provide of this issue, visit Connerton.com or call mortgage-free homes for wounded veterans 996-5800. as well as their surviving spouses and fami-

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Roberts & Anderson A/C Installation & Repair Will Keep You Cool! By Brad Stager The invention of air conditioning gets a lot of credit for making Florida habitable, and it’s professionals like Rafael (known to friends and customers as Ralph) Almodovar and his team at Roberts & Anderson Air Conditioning Installation & Repair who keep the cool air flowing and lots of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents comfortable. With more than thirty summers worth of experience, Almodovar knows that when an air conditioner stops cooling, getting it back online promptly is always the customer’s top priority, whatever the hour. “A common situation is someone comes home from work after five o’clock and it’s 90 degrees inside their house,” he says. To Almodovar, those “happy hour” calls are additional opportunities to make customers happy. “They’re going to get some service,” he says. “I take care of the customers.” Almodovar says that sometimes means he and his team are on the job from 7 a.m. until 8 or 9 p.m., as well as handling emergency calls on weekends. He credits this approach to growing his Land O’ Lakes-based business through referrals from satisfied customers, such as Barbara Campbell, whose 11-year old A/C system needed to be replaced. In Campbell’s case, that meant a complete overhaul, including new ductwork, along with the air conditioner. Making the job even more formidable was that the existing unit’s air handler was relocated from

the attic to the main area of the house. “He moved all of that down into the home, so now they don’t have to get up in the attic anymore where it was hard to get to, and they can service it from downstairs,” says Campbell. When the job was completed, the Campbells found a pleasant surprise on the bill’s bottom line. “Ralph gave us an initial quote for the job and the actual amount was a little bit lower because when he added up his numbers, the costs were a little bit lower than he expected.” Campbell adds that there is an ongoing financial return on their investment in a new air conditioning system. “Our electricity bill was over $300 a month but has gone down to under $200 a month in the summertime, down to about $100 a month in the wintertime,” she says. Because the work was so extensive and involved an extended disruption of home cooling, Almodovar provided a window unit to help keep the dwelling livable. Campbell says she was so pleased with the work, she recommended Roberts & Anderson A/C to her daughter when she needed air conditioning service, and enthusiastically does so to others. “Ralph did exactly what he said he would do and he did it in the amount of time he said he would do it in,” says Campbell. “They showed up on time, cleaned up after themselves and didn’t leave a mess.” Big jobs like Campbell’s generate a great sense of pride and accomplishment for Aldomovar. “I can go into a house that has

ductwork that’s in disrepair and the people complain they don’t get any airflow or certain rooms are warmer,” he says. “And, I can take out the old duct work and put it back together properly so that when I walk away, the people are very satisfied and happy.” When it comes to staying cool without interruption, prevention is the key, according to Almodovar, who also provides A/C tune-up services. “During the winter is when you really need to take care of the A/C system,” he says. “People need to take care of the system so the system can take care of them.” While earlier, rather than later, is best for preventive maintenance, the tune-up service is available Rafael “Ralph” Almodovar checks out an air conditioning unit. Almodovar is the owner of Roberts & Anderson Air Conditioning year-round and includes Installation and Repair. washing the blower wheel the thermostat, will be evaluated for coolinside the air handler, ing efficiency. bleaching the drain pan to kill any algae, The tune-up service usually costs mold, or mildew that has formed, check$139, but Almodovar says Neighborhood ing the air handler for mold, and visually News readers will receive a 50-percent inspecting the coil and electrical wiring. discount on it. The outside unit will be washed with For homeowner maintenance, Almwater, and refrigerant levels, motor bearings odovar recommends using good quality and contactor points will be checked for air filters and changing them before they wear. Finally, the entire system, including

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become blocked with airborne debris. “A 40-percent efficient filter is a very good idea to keep your dog hair, cat hair and fibers from your carpet from flowing into your air handler,” he says.

A Little Background...

Almodovar got his start in the air conditioning trade by studying appliance repair at the Technical Institute of Puerto Rico in San Juan. The trade school’s certification program included air conditioner and refrigerator repair, as well as other appliances, such as washing machines. Almodovar says a light went on in his head, which illuminated his sense of entrepreneurship. “I realized there was great potential because every house had a washer, a refrigerator, and that right there is two appliances for every home, so I decided to pursue the appliance part of it until I discovered the air conditioning side was more profitable.” He moved from Santurce, P.R., to Tampa and began studying Computer Engineering at Hillsborough Community College when the needs of his growing family (he and his wife have two daughters and a son) motivated him to start his own air conditioning business in 1982. The corporate name, Roberts & Anderson, Inc., is an homage to Almodovar’s late father’s engineering firm, Roberts, Williams & Anderson. It’s also Almodovar’s way of recognizing what the hard work of operating an in-demand, technical business is ultimately all about. “You’re investing in family,” says Almodovar. Almodovar has a Class B air condi-

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tioning contractor’s license from the State of Florida, which allows him to work on cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating systems up to 500,000 BTUs anywhere in the state. That also means he can support the cooling and heating needs of businesses, as well as homeowners. Since Almodovar’s skills and expertise includes refrigeration systems, his clients have included stores and restaurants with walk-in and reach-in refrigerators and freezers. He says he’s always ready to respond to their emergency calls. “Refrigeration doesn’t take a holiday,’’ he says. “They’ve got food in there.” He says he also has experience working on dry-cleaning heat pumps and related equipment, and that Roberts & Anderson’s territory extends throughout the Tampa Bay region, including Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Polk counties. “We have to go where the work is,” says Almodovar, who expresses an interest in working with more customers in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa areas. “Close to home is always better.” Between the onset of summer and the incoming migration of new residents, Roberts & Anderson, Inc., is looking to hire experienced air conditioning technicians. Almodovar says it is not as simple as putting out a Help Wanted sign or recruiting at a local trade school. “It’s hard work and they (have to) pay their dues,” he says. To get a quote or learn more about the services provided by Roberts & Anderson Air Conditioning Installation & Repair, visit Roberts-Anderson.com, call 966-0982 or see the ad on page 45.

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Valedictorian Is Just One Impressive Accomplishment For This WCH Senior By Celeste McLaughlin When Samantha Politano steps on to the stage to speak to Wesley Chapel High’s graduating class of 2017 on May 26, it will be the culmination of a dream she’s had since the third grade, when the letter “A” first appeared on her report card. It was at that time — when she saw not just one, but all As on that report card — that she says she became determined to always get straight As, and to become her class valedictorian. And now, she’s done it. With a weighted GPA of 4.77, she has the privilege of the title, and the responsibility of making the speech. “I’m really excited about it,” Samantha says, “I’ve been thinking about it since third grade, so I feel like it’s a lot of pressure.” At the same time she’s receiving her high school diploma, she’s also earning her Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Pasco Hernando State College, thanks to dual enrollment classes she’s been taking for the last three years. She’ll be recognized as an “honors graduate” for maintaining a 4.0 GPA in her college classes when she walks across the stage at that graduation ceremony. While she’s been busy studying, doing her homework and keeping her grades up, Samantha also has been committed to extracurricular activities as an officer in seven organizations. She’s not only student body president at WCH, she’s also vice president of the PHSC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Samantha also received the Girl Scouts Gold Award, the highest award given by that organization. When she earned it in 2016, she was the only Gold Award recipient in Pasco

County that year. She says she was an active Girl Scout for 12 years, and the project to earn the award was to make Wells Rd. — where Wesley Chapel Elementary, Weightman Middle and Wesley Chapel High schools are located — safer. Currently, Samantha is planning to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she’ll be in the Honors College. “My parents never went to college, so I’ve always dreamed of going to college,” she says. “When I started at Wesley Chapel Elementary, I thought that was college.” Samantha says her parents’ story is an inspiration to her. She looks up to her mom, who she says is, “so organized and gets everything done without getting distracted; she motivates me.” She also says that her dad’s hands are a reminder of why she works so hard to be successful. “Dad used to be a gas fitter and he had to work hard, digging deep holes,” she says. “His hands are so rough. I want to work hard mentally so my family and I don’t have to work hard with our hands.” Samantha is still on the waiting list at both Harvard and Yale, and should find out by the end of May if she’ll be accepted into either of those Ivy League universities. If she does end up at FSU, she has earned so many scholarships that she will have the cost of her education covered, and then some. She earned a prestigious schol-

Wesley Chapel High valedictorian Samantha Politano is congratulated by Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning and School Board member Cynthia Armstrong as Politano receives one of several scholarships. arship for students who have overcome signifi- years of education, “I’ll probably take my time,” cant adversity, called the Horatio Alger Scholar- she says. “Because I already have my A.A., it ship. She also was named a national semi-finalist would be too easy to just do one major.” She’s from the Elks National Foundation for a “most planning to study both English and Biology, folvaluable student” award, plus she was awarded lowing a track for marine biology, and thinks she scholarships from the Mary and Bob Sierra Fam- might study abroad. Samantha says that, to apply for law school, ily Foundation, the Florida PTA, Withlacoochee she can have any degree, so her choice to study River Electric Cooperative and from FSU. Ultimately, she says she hopes to become a marine biology is purely for fun and the expelawyer. “It’s unfair that lawyers charge so much rience of learning more about something she and that low-income families can’t afford a law- loves. “I won’t be using that as a lawyer,” she yer,” Samantha explains. “I’d like to advocate says. “I’m just passionate about it. It’s going to be really enjoyable. I think more people should for low-income families and help them.” Because her scholarships will cover four do things just because they enjoy them.”

Wiregrass Ranch High co-valedictorians Lauren Payne & Rachel Sawah will be featured in our next issue. Mailbox Date: Friday, June 2.

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Cypress Creek High Kicks Off Spring Football With A Handful Of Hopefuls By John C. Cotey There may be no harder job in high school sports than being a football coach for a brand new school. Typically, you have no senior class to lean on, you have to build entirely new offensive and defensive units from scratch and you are, almost certainly, facing a debut season in which you will be lucky to win even one game. That job will be even harder for Cypress Creek Middle/High School first-year head coach Mike Johnson. At the first practice of the school’s first spring football session — where coaches will put in their offensive and defensive formations and unearth the leaders and identity of the team for the upcoming season, which starts in August — the Coyotes attracted two players. The second day, there were five. Johnson said he wasn’t sure if anyone else would be showing up. Because there is no place to practice yet at Cypress Creek, which is still under construction and opens in the fall, the five players — Kyle Cantwell, Kiaus Collins, Tim Ford, Devin Morris and Dylan Nagore — showed up the first week to train on an open field behind Weightman Middle School. Although it may have looked more like friends working out on their own than a football team, the future Coyotes earnestly dashed between orange cones, worked on their backpedals and polished their blocking techniques in near silence under the watchful eye of Johnson and five assistant coaches. “It’s tough being in the situation we are in,’’ Johnson said, alluding to the fact that many, if not most, of his future players are currently going through spring drills just a few hundred

Ford, a skills position player for WRH the past two years, says that Cypress Creek offers a fresh start for him. “It’s a good environment so far,’’ he said. “I like the coaches, they are all real nice.” And Nagore, a guard for the WRH junior varsity last year before getting called up to varsity later in the season, is attacking the challenge. “I was mad at first,’’ said Nagore, who also happens to be the sophomore class president at Wiregrass Ranch. “It was hard at first moving from a great program to one just starting out. But, you have to be optimistic and make the best of it. It’s nice being the start of something.” Other than a few footballs Head coach Mike Johnson hands off to Tim Ford (above), while Dylan Nagore receives blocking instruction at Cypress Creek High’s second spring practice on April 25. The Coyotes will play their first season of high school football this fall. and cones and a rope ladder for running speed drills, Cypress yards away at Wesley Chapel High (WCH), current teams, rather than become a Coyote. Creek High doesn’t even have The timing for Cypress Creek football also any equipment yet. The players won’t do any and still others were at Wiregrass Ranch High couldn’t be any worse — Wesley Chapel is com- contact drills, and it will be impossible, for now, (WRH) practicing with the Bulls. ing off a 7-2 season, its best since 2004, while to put in any plays. Therein lies Johnson’s predicament. After a long, hotly-contested process that Wiregrass Ranch won a school record seven Johnson, however, hopes all that changes rezoned many of the students at WCH and games and made the playoffs for the first time when school choice comes out and his future WRH for the fall, a large number of parents and since 2010. roster arrives, and he begins a summer-long “It’s tough on a lot of people,’’ Johnson weight training program — if the new school students are unhappy about having to change schools for a number of reasons. Leaving some said. “But we are happy with what we have out can complete it in time. of the better academic and extra curricular pro- here and what we are doing.” Until then, he will continue to coach whoThat positive approach is shared by the ever shows up as he prepares for the first season. grams at their current schools is one sore spot. The same goes for football players. Many handful of Coyotes, who despite leaving suc“I still look at this optimistically,’’ Johnson now living in the Cypress Creek attendance cessful programs for one sure to take its lumps says. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for myself and zone are most likely hopefully awaiting school in the fall, are currently receiving what amounts the players coming out. And, for a lot of kids, I choice assignments in order to stay with their to 1-on-1 football training think it offers a fresh start.”

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Saddlebrook, U.S. Puts On Best Face For National Tennis Audience

When Tom Dempsey built Saddlebrook Resort off S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, he envisioned hosting big-time events, electric atmospheres and happy customers. The Fed Cup, the women’s tennis version of the World Cup, delivered all of those things the week of April 17, bringing a high school girls tennis clinic for area teams, a youth clinic for younger players and a flag ceremony that allowed Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents to walk each team to the resort’s temporary 3,500-seat tennis stadium. The event was capped over the weekend of April 22-23 with a 3-2 U.S. victory over the defending champion Czech Republic, as CoCo Vandeweghe and Bethanie MattekSands broke a tie with a dramatic doubles win. Over two days, nearly 6,000 tennis fans, and a worldwide Tennis Channel audience, watched as Wesley Chapel took its turn in the American tennis spotlight. The red, white and blue-clad crowd also had its fair share of Czech Republic support-

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ers, including one rather noisy trumpet player. “It’s actually really cool having that, because we don’t have that at any other tournament,’’ said Lauren Davis, who lost her singles match on Sunday. “I personally like it,’’ said Mattek-Sands. “You can hear the trumpet for a couple of days,’’ said Shelby Rogers. “I know,’’ said Mattek-Sands. “I’ll be dreaming about that trumpet.” Vandeweghe stole the show, winning all three of her matches. She beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead, then defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-0 on Sunday to make it 2-1 for the Americans. After Davis stumbled to even the match, Vandeweghe came back out and teamed with Mattek-Sands to beat Siniakova and Kristyna Pliskova 6-2, 6-3, to send the U.S. to the Fed Cup final for the first time since 2010, where they will visit Belarus on Nov. 11-12. For more photos, see page 50!

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The Cake Girl Can Deliver Decadent, Fresh Baked Goods Directly To You!

IF YOU’RE

By Gary Nager

like me, you probably have trouble trusting anyone who doesn’t love dessert. (Just kidding....sorta.) OK, I know...fat, calories, gluten, sugar, etc. But, while I could still stand to lose a few pounds, I know that eating a delicious dessert releases endorphins that make me feel good and I’ve never been subject to sugar crashes. In other words, although I didn’t know Kristina Lavallee when she first became The Cake Girl in 2010, I am thrilled that she now has her The Cake Girl LLC mobile bakery trailer that you may have seen parked at Florida Hospital Center Ice (FHCI), serving a delicious variety of freshly-baked cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and even real ice cream. Kristina credits her husband Kirby for finding and customizing her mobile unit last year so she could expand her budding bakery/dessert business and provide samples of her wares at festivals (like the recent Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel at FHCI) and other special events like birthday parties and even weddings. “I can literally bake and transport thousands of mini cupcakes in this mobile unit,” Kristina told me during our interview for this story. “The kitchen inside the unit is always immaculate and everywhere I bring the trailer, people get excited, especially kids.”

So, What About Those Baked Goods?

But, no matter how colorful or attractive her mobile unit may be, Kristina wouldn’t be a success today if her baked goods weren’t delicious. Although I’ve never had one of her custom birthday cakes (at least not yet), Kristina can create virtually any kind of cake your heart desires, from traditional round cakes to a cake shaped like a baseball bat or even a famous Disney character. I will say that I have really enjoyed her mini-cupcakes, which also are available in a wide variety of flavors. My favorites (not surprisingly) are all chocolate and/or peanut butter-based, but she definitely has a way of keeping the cupcakes moist and the icing creamy and delicious, no matter what flavor you choose. And, when displayed so beautifully in the window of her mobile unit, it’s even harder to decide on a cupcake variety. In addition, although I’m not usually the biggest carrot cake fan, I will say that Kristina’s is again, noticeably moister than most and her sour cream icing is pretty much second to none. When I interviewed her for this story, Kristina smartly remembered to bring me a big sample of my favorite item she makes so far. Kristina, who attended the University of Central Florida College of Hospitality Management in Orlando, offers a nice va-

The Cake Girl Trailer

Assorted Cupcakes

Brownie Sundae

riety of brownies, blondies and “brookies” (brownie-cookies), although my favorites are her chewy, double-fudge brownies. I went crazy for them during the Taste and continue to bug her for additional samples on an ongoing basis. And yes, she does also make glutenfree cupcakes and cakes, although I can’t personally vouch for them because I usually order mine with extra gluten.

ice cream, and Kristina doesn’t disappoint those of us who love a decadent brownie sundae. I’ve only sampled the cookie dough and vanilla flavors to date, but both were creamy and not overly sweet. “The ice cream is made here in Florida and there are a lot of great flavors and toppings available,” she says. “We can even make you delicious banana splits.” So, whether you want to host a great kids’ birthday party, or you simply want to order a magnificent custom cake for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, wedding or any other special occasion,

Ice Cream, Too?

Of course, it’s even harder for me to resist a delicious brownie topped with real

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Custom Birthday Cakes

Carrot Cake

you owe it to yourself to give The Cake Girl a try. And, best of all, Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News readers get 10-percent-off Kristina’s already-low prices on any order if they mention this story or the ad on page 50 of this issue. To place an order or for more info about The Cake Girl LLC, call (813) 360-0909, see the ad on page 50 of this issue or search “The Cake Gril,

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LLC” on Facebook or “TheCakeGirlLLC” on Twitter or Instagram. And yes, pickup and delivery are available.

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The Latest & Greatest News About Dining, Retail, Health Care & More In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel!

Ford’s Garage & Panda Express Open To Crowds

As we reported in Episode 21 of WCNT-tv (available now on YouTube and Facebook), Panda Express opened on April 17, on the south side of S.R. 56, between Costco and the Tampa Premium Outlets. And, as reported in Episode 20 (also available for viewing now), Ford’s Garage opened on S.R. 56 with a WCCC ribbon cutting (top right) on April 3, following a great VIP event on April 2 that featured an open bar, appetizers and some outstanding mini-burgers and fries. As I reported in my Neighborhood Dining News segments, the Ford’s Garage menu isn’t huge, but everything we’ve sampled so far — from the seared ahi tuna appetizer to the petite filet mignon — has been great and

there’s no doubt that Ford’s Garage’s Ford Motor Company-inspired décor and large bar area are already attracting big crowds. Please tell our friend and Wesley Chapel Ford’s Garage part-owner Billy Diamond (you might remember him from New Tampa’s Ruby Tuesday) and his outstanding crew that the Neighborhood News sent you! Meanwhile, I also took out from the new Panda Express (which opened Apr. 17) for our entire office and I did enjoy the Shanghai Angus steak, teriyaki chicken (left in photo above) and black pepper chicken entrées, although I still prefer my Chinese food to be made fresh while I wait.

Popeyes Also Open In The WC Also available now on WCNT-tv, although I wasn’t a huge fan of Popeyes

Louisiana Kitchen when I first sampled it as a University of Florida student 35 or so years ago, I will admit that our entire office really enjoyed our Popeyes Family Meal (photo, bottom left) when the restaurant opened on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel on April 12, a few days later than originally planned (due to a permitting issue with Pasco County). I’m partial to Popeyes mild Bonafide Chicken, although a couple of people in our office preferred the spicier version.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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Either way, although Popeyes is still attracting plenty of vehicles, the traffic tie-ups at the S.R. 54 exit off I-75 experienced on opening day haven’t repeated themselves since then, but we’ll keep you posted.

Frogury Adds Rolled Ice Cream

If you’re looking for a uniquely delicious dessert, I suggest visiting Frogury, which is located next to Five Guys Burgers & Fries in the plaza at 6431 E. County Line

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Rd. at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. I’ve mentioned many times in these pages that I don’t love frozen yogurt as much as I do ice cream, but Frogury not only has great “fro-yo” and an impressive array of toppings, it also is the first place in our area to serve the amazing new rolled ice cream. As shown in the two top right pics on this page, Frogury owner Jackie Chan (not

his real name, but the name he goes by) pours fresh cream onto a round, flat pan cooled to as low as -32ºF. He rolls it out, adds a limited variety of items (I got chocolate chips mixed into mine), flattens and chops it until it hardens. He then uses a spatula to create small rolls of the ice cream, and loads those into a cup, where you can then add toppings like Reese’s cups, Butterfingers, a variety of fresh fruits and everything from hot fudge to peanut butter. “It’s sort of between soft serve and regular ice cream,” Jackie says of the rolled ice cream. “People are going crazy for it.” Check it out for yourself and use the coupon from the ad below to save 20 percent off your purchase or visit Frogury.com.

Discovery Village In Tampa Palms Accepting Residents

Congratulations to Discovery Village in Tampa Palms, located across Commerce Park Blvd. from Liberty Middle School, which has begun accepting residents. And, after attending the Grand

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Opening of Discovery Village’s amazing dining area, theater room, pool and model resident suites, I think most of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC; visit WesleyChapelChamber.com) members in attendance would agree with Discovery Senior Living CEO Richard Hutchinson that Discovery Village is a gorgeous place to live with truly gourmet food. For more info, visit DiscoveryVillages.com or call (813) 605-2400.

Congrats To...

...My new friend Alfredo Colon, the owner of Pasco’s Masonry & Landscape Depot (see ad on page 29 and photo top left), which hosted an outstanding Greater Wesley Chapel & Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce co-ribbon-cutting event on Apr. 8. Pasco’s Masonry (10831 U.S. Hwy. 301, Dade City) served fresh-grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and BBQ items, and more than 100 people came out to see Alfredo’s amazing selection of everything you could possibly need for your home or commercial property’s landscaping (sod, mulch, plants, etc.), as well as a full variety of sidewalk and driveway pavers, outdoor fireplaces, grills, fireplaces and fire pits, plus power tools and most anything you need to create something special.

Plus, if you’re looking for a unique gift for Mother’s Day, Pasco’s Masonry & Landscape also stocks a wide variety of gorgeous orchids mom will surely love. Pasco’s Masonry is open every day except Sunday. For more info, call (352) 437-4408 or visit PascosMasonry.com. I also want to congratulate owner Ron Parks and everyone at Parks Alfa Romeo (which shares a building with Parks Fiat, next to Parks Ford) on S.R. 54, for hosting an outstanding event on Apr. 19 to unveil the new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia model (photo, bottom left), which is beautiful, powerful and definitely attracts attention. For more information, visit AlfaRomeoUSAofWesleyChapel.com. And, last but not least, congrats to Wesley Chapel resident Dr. Prematee Sarwan, D.D.S., and her family. Dr. Sarwan is opening Mystic Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry on Monday, June 5. Dr. Sarwan received her D.D.S. degree from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA.. She provides dentistry for the entire family and accepts most insurance plans. Dr. Sarwan also is pleased to offer Botox, dermal fillers, Invisalign braces and iTero digital impressions. For info, see page 2 of this issue, call (813) 291-0059 or visit MysticOaksDental.com. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel LAWN & LANDSCAPING

Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

JASMINE’S LANDSCAPING Complete lawn maintenance, Tree, palm and hedge trimming, Planting, mulching, stones, Sod replacement, Pressure washing, Gutter cleaning and more. Cited by your HOA for violations? Need to comply for: Pressure washing, Trimming, Mulching, Sod replacement, Sprinkler repair or Mailbox repair or replacements? Ask about our HOA SPECIAL & FREE ESTIMATE! For more info, call 813-420-4465.

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.

AMERICAN PRIDE LAWN CARE SERVICE, LLC Our services include weekly lawn maintenance with mulching decks on all mowers, precision edging, string trimming, hedge, shrub, palm, and tree trimming. We also offer landscaping, pruning, and sod replacement. Free estimates. Licensed and Insured. We are an Owner/Operator Company built on service and trust. References available. For more info, call 813-458-4778.

DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional and 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.

HOMETEAM LAWNCARE LLC High-Quality Professional Services: Weekly or Bi-Weekly YearRound Full-Service Lawn Care starting at $90/ month: Mow, edge, trim, blow, mulch-bed maintenance, hedge and low-tree trim. Additional Services: Sod, Mulch, & Rock Placement; Hedge Trimming, & Tree Trimming; Landscape Installation; Fall/Spring Clean-Up. Family Owned & Operated, Licensed & Insured, Background Checked, Call or Text (813) 817-9554.

POOL SERVICES 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 1 MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool. com 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 Chris today @ 813-8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com Highest quality salt and ozone generators, pumps, motors, filters. Marcite, quartz and pebble finishes. Pool cleanups and acid washes, paver and river rock sealing. Paver decks and driveways. Mention this ad for $69 pool service. Call or text 813-244-7077. See our display ad. Visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com

GREG’S PAPERHANGING For all of your wallpapering needs. Licensed and insured, clean, quick and reasonable. Call 973-2767 for a free estimate. 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 avail. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124. 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. DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999.

EDUCATION ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: It’s NEVER too early to prepare for the SAT/ACT. Through Small Group Instruction(SGI) my partner and I can help improve your Reading and Writing Scores. For a reasonable fee and a commitment of 2 hours/week, your confidence will soar while your fear of the SAT/ ACT will diminish. Call Kim at 813.480.3273 or Jason at 607.621.9018.

CLEANING SERVICES

PET SERVICES

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 14 years experience! Commercial & residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & 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

CAT SITTING Tampa Cat Lady Professional Cat-Sitting Service. Cats are happiest in their own homes surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, & smells. When you’re away, we feed, cuddle, & play with your kitties & clean & dispose of litter. Insured, bonded, & Red-Cross certified in pet first aid/CPR. Call 9949449 or submit a service inquiry at TampaCatLady.com.

D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies and more than 400 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 758-9710. R HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES To Keep Your House clean, call Marlene! Working now in Wesley Chapel and the New Tampa areas. Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. We can help: Call 562-637-5974 or email kolungaa@ hotmail.com. FREE estimates.

HELP WANTED

FUN & GAMES PLAY POOL AND WORK OUT! Must sell beautiful mahogany pool table w/new balls/five cues/light AND club quality smith machine with lat pull down/ bench/300 pound weight set/bar and accessories. Must see to appreciate quality. $850 apiece or $1,450 takes both. Call (no text) Mike in Meadow Pointe 1 at 813-857-6512 to arrange viewing.

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 PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT) An established New Tampa outpatient clinic is hiring a part-time PT to provide custom, one-on-one care. Fax resume to (813) 994-3080. LAWN TECHNICIAN NEEDED Local family-owned and operated pest control company has an immediate opening for a lawn technician. Must have at least one year experience, clean driving record, able to lift 50 lbs. and pass background check. Call VIP Pest Control at 813-234-8888 or email resume to office.manager@vippestcontrolllc.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE SERENITY SALON & SPA SUITES in Wesley Chapel. 1 suite available for rent. Call for details: 813-312-5247 or 813-997-6302. Great location!

COMPUTER/BUSINESS SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small business. A+, Certified computer tech with 20 years exp. Maintenance & repairs, upgrades & tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. 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 exp. Contact Jeffrey Blank at (813) 973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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“Since 1971”

Ronnie’s Carpets, Inc. “Our Prices Are Simply Better” WOOD - VINYL - CERAMIC TILE CARPET - LAMINATE

FREE Shop at Home Service Johnny Vandervlis Sales & Design Consultant

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Cell: 813-312-6853 johnny@ronniescarpets.com

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Fed Cup’

Continued from page 39

Scenes from the U.S. Fed Cup weekend (April 22-23) at Saddlebrook Resort included (top) fun-loving fans, as well as (above) a visit with Ace, the U.S. Fed Cup team’s eagle mascot.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 25, Issue 10 • May 5, 2017 • NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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How to Sell High: Avoid these Three Mistakes When Selling Your Wesley Chapel Home When you decide to sell your home, setting your asking price is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Depending on how a buyer is made aware of your home, price is often the first thing he or she sees, and many homes are discarded by prospective buyers as not being in the appropriate price range before they’re even given a chance of showing. Your asking price is often your home’s “first impression”, and if you want to realize the most money you can for your home, it’s imperative that you make a good first impression. This is not as easy as it sounds, and pricing strategy should not be taken lightly. Pricing too high can be as costly to a homeseller as pricing too low.

Taking a look at what homes in your neighborhood have sold for is only a small part of the process, and on it’s own is not nearly enough to help you make the best decision. A recently study, which compiles 10 years of industry research, has resulted in a new special report entitled “Homesellers: How to Get the Price You Want (and Need)”. This report will help you understand pricing strategy from three different angles. When taken together, this information will help you price your home to not only sell, but sell for the price you want. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-800-441-1783 and enter 3016. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

FREE Internet Home Search....

Buy No Money Down

-YOU can view pictures and full details of homes currently for sale -Includes Foreclosures and Distress Sales (includes virtually all homes for sale across Tampa Bay) -YOU will also receive priority email notifcations of NEW listings that match your criteria -Get info on homes as SOON as they are listed View pictures and get full info by visiting:

www.FindTampaBayHouses.com Home Sellers Find out what the home down the street sold for. Free computerized list with pics of area home sales and current listings sent to you.

Free recorded message 1-800-441-1783 ID# 3041

Free list with pics of properties with little to No Down payment. Receive a free computerized list sent to you. Free recorded message 1-800-441-1783 ID# 3043

Your Home May Be Worth More Than You Think! For a Free, Quick Online Home Evaluation Visit

www.WesleyChapelHomeValuation.com

You will receive information on what comparable homes have sold for in your neighborhood and which homes are currently listed, how long they have been for sale, and their prices. If you are thinking of selling your home, this complete Confidential Market Analysis is absolutely FREE.

Homebuyers: Free Report Reveals How to Obtain the Best Financing Rates A new report has just been released which identifies a foolproof 3-point plan which any homebuyer can use to secure the best financing rates when they buy a home. When you’re looking to buy a home, the first thing most homebuyers do is start the process of househunting. However, experience proves that this is one of the last steps you should be taking if you want to get the most home for the least amount of money. In fact, shopping for the best financing should start long before you start shopping for a home. The experience of thousands of area homebuyers has been summarized in a new report entitled “Best Financ-

ing: A 3-Point Plan”. This report outlines 3 critical steps you must take to obtain the absolute best financing rates when you buy a home. It tells you where you should go, what questions you should ask, and how to manage the process to your personal advantage. To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-800-441-1783 and enter 3020. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how to obtain the best financing rates when you buy your next home.

These reports are courtesy of Bruce Wilde, RE/MAX Premier Group Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract