New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 31, Issue 11, May 30, 2023

Clark Elementary Teachers Receive A Drone

Surprise!

EDITORIAL

Our editor offers to provide ads to help the Community Café!

See pages 2 & 3!

WIREGRASS RANCH UPDATE!

Cooper’s Hawk, another hospital & so much more coming to the Porter property. See page 8

MEET THE CAST OF ‘GREASE!’

A familiar name will be on stage with more talented performers at the NTPAC.

See page 14

Clark Elementary teachers Sarah Simone (left) and Jen Kelly open a box of goodies provided to them by the DroneUp drone (inset) based at the New Tampa Walmart for Teacher Appreciation Week. For more photos and the full story, see pages 4-5.

JOHNNY C’S IS OPEN!

Mangia! A delicious newcomer adds to New Tampa’s Italian food options. See page 36.

The Grill At Morris Bridge’s Updated Menu...

For Brunch, Dinner, Happy Hour & Late Night! See pages 32-33!

Photos by Charmaine George

Putting My Ad Space Where My Mouth Is For The Community Café!

By GARY NAGER Editorial

I have a cousin I love dearly who was diagnosed with cerebral anoxia, which means her brain didn’t receive enough oxygen when she was born.

My cousin is now in her late 20s or maybe early 30s and has been able to work and live a reasonably normal life, even though she is definitely developmentally disabled.

But, if she and her family ever decide to make the pilgrimage from Long Island to this area, I know where I want my sweet cousin to work — at the Community Café that is being opened by former Saddlebrook Resort general manager Pat Ciaccio and a small group of dedicated folks who are creating a safe, welcoming place where adults who are developmentally and emotionally disabled can not only work, but also have the opportunity for advancement.

In a recent issue, we gave you the firstever look inside the construction site that will soon be transformed into the Community Café, which will have its “Shining Stars” serving coffee, ice cream and smoothies and selling retail items inside a 3,200-sq.-ft. former carpeting store on S.R. 54. The Café also will feature a private event space that will feature art created by disabled artists through Arts4All Florida when it opens on or around June 15.

When I attended the community meeting and media preview event for the Café at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel on Apr. 18, I was so moved by what I heard that day that I told Pat I wanted to do more to help than just get the word out.

“You have no idea how much this is needed,” said one mom who was hugging her 20-something son, who was too old to participate in some other programs. “We’ve been turned down everywhere else we’ve turned.”

Another mom asked, “What are the requirements to work at the Café?,” to which Pat responded, “There are no requirements, other than filling out an application. We know we won’t be able to hire everyone who wants to work with us, but we will have at least 30-35 jobs available and all but our upper management will be developmentally disabled adults.”

You could feel not only the gratitude of the families who attended — most of whom said they first read about the Café and the news conference in the Neighborhood News — but also the dedication of those who have joined forces with Pat to make this 501(c)(3) nonprofit a reality.

I called Pat later that day and told him that I usually just charge nonprofit organizations a lower rate than other businesses to advertise in these pages. Instead, I offered to provide him with full-page ads at no charge in every issue for at least the rest of 2023 as my way of offsetting some of the costs he has been footing all by himself until the nonprofit is able to raise money of its own, whether through private donations or by applying for grants.

“We’ve never really been able to raise a lot of money for other worthy organizations in the past,” I told Pat on the phone. “But, I hope things will work out different this time. I just want to help.”

For more info about all the ways you can help, visit CommunityCafeFL.com, see the ad on page 2 (left).

New Tampa Neighborhood News

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS: 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Office Phone Number: (813) 910-2575

Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor/Ad Sales Gary Nager

Correspondents

Celeste McLaughlin • Nidhi Jani

Sales & Billing Assistant Jannah Nager

Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist

Charmaine George Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin • Valerie Wegener

Nothing that appears in New Tampa Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by New Tampa Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 31, Issue 13, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Thursday, June 15, 2023.

New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. New Tampa 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.

© 2023 JM2 Communications, Inc.

(Left) Darlene E. Hill of The Leyda Group is a member of the team working to make the Community Café a reality. (Right) More than 30 people attended the Café’s news conference on Apr. 18.

Clark Teachers Receive Drone Delivery For Teacher Appreciation

By GARY NAGER

At most schools, Teacher Appreciation Week is a wonderful celebration of and thank-you for the dedicated professionals who are responsible for imparting knowledge to our children.

This year, however, two teachers at Clark Elementary in West Meadows received a unique honor, as the Walmart located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa delivered a big surprise by way of the drone aircraft provided by DroneUp (a company that currently is partnering with Walmart to provide drone deliveries for the retailer’s stores in six U.S. states) that began a little less than a year ago delivering groceries within a onemile radius of the store.

On May 12, as Clark’s entire student population was assembled on the field behind the school, New Tampa Walmart store manager Arnetta Hill was introduced by Clark principal Dr. Delilah Rabeiro and assistant principal Kelly Wackes.

“We are very excited that Clark Elementary teachers have been recognized as among the best in the county,” Dr. Rabeiro said. “All of you have just finished two weeks of testing and you all did an amazing job, but you couldn’t have done it without your teachers.”

Wackes added, “We are so thankful for all that all of our teachers have done for our students. It’s a great day to be a (Clark) Cougar!”

Hill said that although Walmart has been a long-time participant in Teacher Appreciation Week, she was “so excited” to be able to provide Clark teachers Jen Kelly (who teaches the Academically Gifted Program, or AGP, students in 2nd-5th grade at the school) and 4th and 5th grade Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher Sarah Simone with a number of gifts, all of which were delivered by the drone for the first time ever in Florida.

“We asked the school to nominate teachers to receive this honor and we selected the winners,” Hill said. “It wasn’t an

easy choice, but we felt that Ms. Kelly and Ms. Simone were both very deserving.”

Troy Wetterstrom, the DroneUp market leader for Florida, said that the Teacher Appreciation event at Clark, was the first in Florida (the New Tampa Walmart store was the first of six Walmart stores to offer drone deliveries in the Tampa Bay area; there also are three stores Drone Up serves in the Orlando area) and only the third in the country — the previous two were in Arkansas and Texas.

“We’re really excited to be a part of this,” Wetterstrom said. “We’re really grateful for all of the teachers in our community and across the nation as well.”

The selected teachers each received a $500 Walmart gift card, as well as a $98 gift card for them to purchase Walmart Plus, which gives them discounts when making purchases, whether for their classrooms or their families, “and then

we also gave them some goodies for their classrooms,” Hill said. “We think this was really awesome and we’ll definitely be doing this again and reaching out to more schools in the community.”

You could see the excitement on the faces of Ms. Kelly and Ms. Simone. Kelly called the drone delivery and the goodies themselves, “so exciting and so memorable. We’ll definitely never forget it.” Si-

mone said that the entire event was “such a surprise. We both love working here, so this really means a lot to us.”

Both said they will use their $500 gift cards to purchase needed items, such as technology, for the classroom, to help their students.

To find out if your address is eligible for a New Tampa Walmart drone delivery, visit DroneUpDelivery.com.

(Clockwise from top left) Clark Elementary assistant principal Kelly Wackes & principal Dr. Delilah Rabeiro. Walmart manager Arnetta Hill and the Walmart team with Clark teachers Jen Kelly & Sarah Simone. The students at Clark were excited to be on hand for the drone delivery. Arnetta Hill introduces and thanks the winning teachers. (All photos by Charmaine George)

Sarah Simone (left) and Jen Kelly look on as their surprises for Teacher Appreciation Week are being delivered by the DroneUp drone aircraft based at the New Tampa Walmart.

New Tampa Again Trails City In Voter Turnout At The Runoff Election

By GARY NAGER

Although the results of the Apr. 25 City of Tampa Municipal runoff elections have been known for about a month as you’re receiving this, I know that no other local media has told you how the candidates fared in New Tampa’s 22 voting precincts in the three citywide (or “at large”) City Council runoff elections.

No, there was no runoff in the race for Tampa Mayor, as Jane Castor was elected to a second term by about 81%-19% over write-in candidate (and New Tampa resident Dr. Belinda Noah in the Mar. 7 Municipal Election.

New Tampa’s local District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera also was officially reelected because he had no opponent on Mar. 7.

However, four City Council races had to be decided at the runoff election on Apr. 25, including in single-member Dist. 6, but New Tampa residents were not allowed to vote in that race.

On the other hand, New Tampa voters were asked to help decide the winners of the three citywide races — Alan Clendenin over Sonja Brookins in Dist. 1, Guido Maniscalco over Robin Lockett in Dist. 2 and Lynn Hurtak over Janet Cruz in Dist. 3 — but very few of you went to the polls.

In fact, while citywide voter turnout

for the runoff election was an abysmal 10.76%, New Tampa’s turnout was even worse, as only about 7% of the nearly 35,000 registered voters in zip code 33647’s 22 precincts cast a ballot, whether in-person, by mail, early or provisional.

Even so, there were a couple of interesting results from the runoff, as Clendenin — who beat Brookins by 64.5%-35.5% citywide — did not fare quite as well in New Tampa, where he won by a 62.1%37.9% margin in New Tampa, winning 12 of the 21 local precincts.

Meanwhile, Maniscalco — who topped New Tampa resident Robin Lockett 61.9%38.1% citywide — still beat Lockett by a 60%-40% split in her home districts, despite each candidate earning more votes in 11 of the 22 districts.

The surprise of the citywide runoffs was that the incumbent in citywide Dist. 3 Lynn Hurtak beat former State Senator Janet Cruz 60.3%-39.7%, who outraised Hurtak in campaign contributions by more than 2-to-1 ($215,000+-$106,000), so easily. The other surprise was that the trend was reversed in New Tampa, as Cruz won 16 of New Tampa’s 22 districts and by a total margin of 52.4%-47.6%.

I have nothing to attribute Cruz’s local win to, other than the fact she ran ads in this publication, while Hurtak did not (only halfkidding). Take note, future candidates!

I = Incumbent

Note - Guido Maniscalco was previously the Dist. 6 City Councilman, but ran in Dist. 2 because of term limits, so he was not the incumbent in his race

New Tampa Precincts Won: Clendenin 12/22 (1 tie); Maniscalco 11/22; Hurtak 6/22

JD Porter Provides Updates On Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. & More

By GARY NAGER

As your local community newspaper, one of the questions we get asked most often is “When will Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. (WRB) open from north of Chancey Rd. to S.R. 54 near Walmart (see map & top photo on pg. 9)?”

During a recent interview, Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter provided an answer to this question, as well as to many of the other questions people ask me most often — although not all of the answers are what I would call definitive (at least not yet).

For example, anyone who lives in the Estancia or Esplanade subdivisions in Wiregrass Ranch surely knows that WRB has been fully paved for months, but barricades situated north of Chancey Rd. and by Walmart’s Garden Center just south of 54 have prevented people from legally using it. But, Porter said, that problem should end soon.

“We’re finishing the landscaping and irrigation now,” Porter said. “I can’t guarantee an exact schedule, but it should be fully open by sometime in June.”

As for the Publix supermarket that is ready to begin building behind the Bank of America and Advance Auto Parts at the corner of WRB and 54, Porter said that dirt should begin moving within the next couple of weeks. And, he notes, as far as he knows, there still is no plan to close the existing Publix store in the Hollybrook Plaza just east of the intersection of 54 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

What About Next To The Mall?

The other question about Wiregrass Ranch that I get asked most often is about the large plot of land that has been cleared on S.R. 56, just east of the Shops at Wiregrass. Porter confirmed that although that lot was originally intended to be the second phase of the mall, the mall itself changed twice in just the last couple of years and that Porter’s development arm — Locust Branch, LLC — had purchased back the lot from Queensland Investment Corp. But sadly, although the land has been cleared, Porter said that no new development on the site was imminent.

“We’re just getting it pad-ready,” he said. “That is a potential $100-million asset and we are working to bring higher-quality, better users to that site and to make it more of a true mixed-use location.” He added

that while he couldn’t yet make any announcements about what is to come to that location,

“We have had a lot of talks with interested parties about it.”

Orlando Health Hospital Update

Also getting ready to begin moving dirt in the next couple of weeks is the Orlando Health Hospital, which will become the third hospital in Wesley Chapel when it opens in 2025. Porter said that there also will be a medical office building affiliated with the hospital that he will be able to show plans for soon. The office building will be located “on the fringe” of the planned Town Center in Wiregrass Ranch.

The Latest On Raymond James

Although Porter still couldn’t say when it will actually begin building, he said that the longawaited Raymond James Financial — with plans to build 400,000-1 million sq. ft. of a large office campus to the east of the Fairfield Inn and the Audi of Wesley Chapel dealership — “has spent a couple of million dollars on site work already and could begin actual vertical construction by as soon as June or July.”

Cooper’s Hawk & Other Eateries

Perhaps the most eagerly awaited new building in Wiregrass Ranch is the construction of the new Cooper’s Hawk Win-

The map above, by King Engineering Associates, Inc., and provided by JD Porter, has been updated by the Neighborhood News. It isn’t 100% up to date, but it does show most of what is under development and already has been built in Wiregrass Ranch.

ery & Restaurant (photo below), which is now under construction to the east of the Culver’s on S.R. 56. Porter said he hopes Cooper’s Hawk will open by the end of this year, but we’ll have to wait and see how the construction goes.

He also noted that in the same general area as Cooper’s Hawk, there is another restaurant site available and that he continues to receive “a ton of letters of interest from equal-level restaurant users” for that spot. “Think about what’s near the Cooper’s Hawk in Tampa (on Boy Scout Blvd., near International Plaza),” Porter said. “It could be like any of those restaurants.”

In that case, it could be anything from Eddie V’s or Ocean Prime to Kona Grill and Del Frisco’s, but Porter wasn’t at liberty to say anything other than, “I think the community will be pleased once we’re able to announce something.”

Amberlin Apart- ments And...

A number of people also have asked me about an age 55+ apartment community being built in our area. That community, which has recently begun vertical construction, is called Amberlin at Wiregrass Ranch.

Porter says, however, that there are other communities that also are planned in that large area, which has frontage on BBD.

And finally, Porter had no update at our press time about when the planned Town Center will begin building, but said to stay tuned for an update in the “not-too-distant” future.

Blue Heron Breaks Ground On Expansion Of Skilled Nursing Department

By GARY NAGER

Sometime next summer, TLC Management is expected to unveil its 35 new skilled nursing suites as an addition to the company’s Blue Heron Senior Living Assisted Living & Memory Care on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

“We’re excited,” said TLC CEO Ryan Ott (right) at the Apr. 26 groundbreaking ceremony for that expansion. “We didn’t expect to be at this point, where we would need to expand our skilled nursing (facility) this quickly.”

Despite Blue Heron only being open for about a year and a half, Ott said, the company saw the need to expand its skilled nursing care.

“This is a great location (Wesley

Chapel), which is becoming a health care hub (with BayCare, and AdventHealth hospitals already open and Orlando Health hospital on the way),” Ott added, “but the success of Blue Heron is because of the leadership team we have in place. We’re just trying to keep up with the demand.”

The additional skilled nursing beds also will allow Blue Heron to extend its therapy services to more patients and will allow the residence to expand the number of long-term patients it can accept.

“We currently have mostly shortterm, rehab-care-to-home patients,” he said. “But, we also have a number of assisted living residents who will eventually have need for long-term care and

this will allow more patients to transition to our facility and stay right here, where they want to be.”

Ott also introduced Blue Heron’s partners in making the expansion project a reality, including representatives of Hawkins Construction, Architectural Concepts and Heidt Design engineering. “This project was not an individual vision,” he said. “It was a lot of people coming together to make it happen.”

Ott also thanked North Tampa Bay Chamber president and CEO Hope Kennedy (left), who not only hosted the groundbreaking ceremony but also helped the Ott family find the land on which Blue Heron is built.

Blue Heron is one of 19 familyowned senior living campuses owned and managed by TLC Management, LLC, in the company’s home state of Indiana and in Florida. The 35 additional private skilled nursing suites, which are expected to open by the summer of 2024, will bring Blue Heron’s skilled nursing total up to 141, in addition to its 95 private assisted living suites, 22 of which are memory care apartments (in a separate wing) for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

For more info about Blue Heron Senior Living (5071 Eagleston Blvd.), see the ad on pg. 19, call (813) 454-0513 or visit SeniorLivingatBlueHeron.com.

New Tampa Players Announce ‘Grease’

Cast & Crew And Auditions For ‘Shrek’

Congratulations to everyone who earned a role in “Grease,” the next show to be produced by the New Tampa Players (NTP) theatre troupe at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC).

Tickets are available for the performances of “Grease” the weekends of July 21-23 and 28-30 and NTP also offers Season Tickets to “Grease,” “Shrek The Musical,” “Dreamgirls” and a fourth show to be announced. “Season ticket holders are proud supporters of community performing arts in New Tampa,” says NTP producing artistic director Nora Paine. “You help make the entire season a success! You also get to pick your seats before general ticket sales open, and you will receive a free soft drink or bottled water at every show.”

After 320 people attended NTP’s “Prelude & Recognition Performance” on Mar. 25 and 1,050 were on hand at three sold-out performances of the Penguin Project production of “Beauty & The Beast” in April, NTP is getting used to packing the house at the NTPAC, so get your tickets now! You might even see a certain newspaper editor performing in the cast of “Grease” (see list below & right).

Also, auditions for “Shrek The Musical” at the Uptown Stage at University Mall will be held July 24-25. For more info, see the ad (right) or visit NewTampaPlayers.org.

“Grease” Cast & Crew List

Direction/Musical Direction: G. Frank Meekins

Choreography: Sarah Walston

Danny: Dylan Fidler

Sandy: Olivia Carr

Kenicke: Kyle Fisher

Rizzo: Alyson Gannon

Sonny: Michael Figueroa

Marty: Heather Rich

Doody: Jake Veit

Frenchy: Ariyonna Thomas

Roger: Tripp Peavyhouse

Jan: Anna Jeffries

Eugene: Zachary Smith

Patty: Catherine Kelly

Vince Fontaine: Gary Nager

Miss Lynch: Suzanne Bainbridge

Cha-Cha/Ensemble: Makayla Raines

Johnny Casino/Ensemble: Tristan Horta

Teen Angel: Trevor Lloyd

Ensemble: Mia De Choudens

Cassidy Haberland

Dakota Henry

Michael Neary

Chelsea Orvis

Julian Rebelo

Wesley Santana

Amanda Schapiro

Zane Sarsour

The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm For Your Family Law Needs

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

Attorney Samah (“Sam”) T. Abukhodeir is a woman of many talents and interests. She’s the founder and managing partner of The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, which has its newest of six offices in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms. She’s an adjunct professor at her law school alma mater, Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, where she currently co-teaches a course on epistemology (a branch of philosophy related to the theory of knowledge).

She also is a passionate advocate for the Arab-American community, as she and her team speak in Arabic, Spanish and English at Arab-American festivals, conventions and online groups about the importance of seeking legal help to a group that may not know or feel comfortable to do so. She’s also a fashionable social media presence and networking pro who attends conferences and classes to stay up to date on legal and business practices.

Wherever Sam goes, she builds connections as strong as family. When she first founded her law firm in South Florida in 2018, it consisted of only two people — Sam and a part-time law clerk, Anwar E. Hadeed. Over time, by word of mouth and reputation, she has been able to bring 24 more people on board, including her husband, José Ignacio Leon, as another partner, and that same law clerk (Anwar) now as an associate attorney. In just five short years, she’s also expanded her

firm from one to six Florida offices.

The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm can represent you in legal matters related to family law, guardianship, probate and estate planning. Family law includes adoption, child custody, child support, divorce, domestic violence, elder law, paternity, pre- and postmarital agreements, spousal support or, as Sam simply summarized, “anything relating to family.” Guardianship refers to when an individual is granted legal authority to make decisions or manage interests for another person.

“Probate is the process in court that an individual must go through when a family member or loved one passes away intestate (without a legal will or irrevocable trust) to receive an inheritance,” explained Sam. “For example, if parents pass away, leaving behind a house, their children or loved ones will need to go through probate to get that house in their name if the home’s title is still in the name of the deceased.” Estate planning involves drafting wills, trusts, or other legal documents while an individual is still alive and of sound mind to have control over how their estate (assets and liabilities) will be divided upon death or becoming incapacitated.

A Powerhouse Probate Couple

How did Sam decide to focus on these legal areas? While she was studying at the FIU College of Law, her fellow law student and law school sweetheart José was completing a clerkship with the Honorable Maria M. Korvick, an administrative probate judge. With this experience, José developed an interest in probate and told Sam that she should get this experience for herself. After José completed his clerkship, Sam then clerked for Judge Korvick. After they both graduated with their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees from FIU in 2013, Sam returned to work for Judge Korvick as a case manager and staff attorney.

In 2016, José started his own firm — The Florida Estate Planning Law Firm — and in 2018, Sam founded The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm. While Jose still has his firm, he

is increasingly working with his now wife since 2022, by becoming a partner at Sam’s firm.

Even if you’ve never thought of following a lawyer on social media, Sam and José make it so inviting. On Facebook and Instagram, you can find either Sam, or both Sam and Jose together, sharing video clips and words of wisdom about family law and probate. In 30 seconds or less, they discuss topics like four things to know about Florida probate law, the right timing as to when to call a lawyer to write a prenuptial agreement, and more.

The couple’s recent videos about estate planning for blended families were particularly informative. Sam points out that married partners in blended families should look into estate planning, especially if they have children from previous relationships. José added that certain children can get disinherited, depending upon which partner passes away first, so it’s important that estate planning documents have all children included. In fact, in a recent consultation with Sam, that’s exactly what happened. To illustrate how important this is, a couple who remarried and each had children from previous relationships, but no children in common, sadly both passed away in an accident. Because the husband died 10 minutes after the wife, the wife’s children were disinherited completely.

Meet The Team

Brenda Shapiro, a seasoned family law attorney, is the third partner with Sam and José at the firm. Brenda obtained her J.D. degree from

The husband-&-wife team of José Ignacio Leon & Samah (“Sam”) Abukhodeir now have six offices of The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, including one on Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms. (Photos on these pages provided by the firm)

University of Miami (FL) School of Law and, after running her own practice for 25 years, she joined The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm as the chair of the family law department. Brenda has earned many accolades over the years, including receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Law & Letters degree from Pine Manor College in Boston and being a founding member of the Collaborative Family Law Institute, a nonprofit association that teaches about a family-focused alternative to litigated divorce.

Valeska Casanova-Chacon, Krizia L. Toledo, Yudislaidys “Yudy” Mallol, and Anwar E. Hadeed are the associate attorneys at The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm. In addition to bringing a variety of legal experiences to the team — including working at an immigration clinic, doing pro bono work with a special prosecutions unit and serving as victim

and witness counselors, the four associates also come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including Puerto Rican, Cuban, Caribbean and Syrian.

The firm’s diversity in work experience, ethnic and cultural backgrounds continues with the paralegals and client relations, marketing, and operations team members who come from Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, Mexico and Palestine.

“One factor that distinguishes us is that we are a diverse team of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds,” says Sam. “I am always proud to say that we can connect with anyone.”

Clients of the firm agree. “Sam and her team were extremely helpful with my estate planning case,” says client Maricarmen Calo.

“They were very responsive and made me feel comfortable. They were transparent through-

out the whole process, making me feel calm and reassured. Thank you, Sam and team, for bringing me peace of mind!”

What’s Next?

So, what made Sam and her successful team, with five offices in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale metropolitan areas, want to expand into Tampa? Not surprisingly, she says family was a motivating factor.

“I grew up in central Florida, in Lake Wales, and my parents and sister have lived in Tampa for years, so I’m quite familiar with the area,” Sam says. “I can provide dedicated time to clients in this area, as I am already making trips to Tampa every weekend to be closer to family. In addition, we’re actively expanding and looking to add team members from this area.”

Sam adds that she also is acutely aware

that you don’t see a lot of Arab-American lawyers in courtrooms these days and that’s something she’d love to help change. She and several other lawyers across the country are working to reactivate the Arab-American Bar Association. Also, maybe the most exciting challenge to date for Sam and José is parenthood, as they just became parents to a precious 3-month-old son named Jibril.

The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm’s newest office is located on 15257 Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms. To contact the firm for a free consultation, please see the ad on pg. 27, call (813) 999-3134, or visit FloridaProbateandFamilyLaw.com. Be sure to follow “The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm” on Facebook or “lawyerladyboss” on Instagram for helpful videos and legal tips.

Lillian Bischel’s Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching Is Here To Help!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Corespondent

A lifelong “Florida Cracker” and New Tampa resident for the past three decades, Lillian Bischel has spent years studying the human condition.

With Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Speech Language Therapy — all from University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa — Lillian has been a speech language pathologist for the past 14 years. Prior to that, she was a legal assistant.

She says her varied educational pursuits and work experiences have led her to find her passion – as a certified hypnotist whose practice, known as Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching, helps people to meet their goals, whether they want to improve an area of their lives or overcome a particular fear.

She also has earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Atlantic University (a distance learning university based in Virginia Beach, VA), is certified as a hypnotherapist (CHt), a master hypnotherapist (MHt), and is a member of the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists.

Here in Florida, however, the title of “therapist” is reserved for those who hold a medical degree, so although her certification is as a hypnotherapist, she is consid-

ered a “hypnotist” in our state.

Lillian explains that transpersonal psychology takes the connection of mind and body that is central to traditional psychology one important step further. Transpersonal means it incorporates an unconscious element, as well.

“When you go to a regular psychologist, they say they can fix you if you do what they say,” Lillian explains. “Transpersonal psychology is more that you have a challenge and I can help you find your own answers.”

The first session with Lillian is always an interview to allow her to get to know you and establish background informa-

tion. She coaches people to come up with their own solutions and suggestions, then uses their own words to write a completely customized hypnosis script, which is done in a separate session.

The client-centered approach means she focuses on active listening and understanding the issues, needs, and wants of her clients, and to guide them to find answers within themselves from a mind, body and soul (meaning the unconscious) perspective. However, she says, sometimes her clients find the coaching so helpful, they don’t even need the hypnosis.

But, for those who do, the hypnosis starts with a relaxation process and deepening technique, which helps tap into the client’s subconscious. Then, Lillian can do a suggestive hypnosis, where she shares ideas from the interview that will help the client reach their goals.

Her “Master” certification allows her to do age regression and past life regression, as well.

She says that many clients don’t understand the spiritual connection to their personal problems. In fact, these problems can be hard to discuss because they’re usually deeply personal topics, and often bring up ideas that might sound crazy if the clients didn’t experience them. Lillian says that, based on her experience, she believes people are eternal beings.

“When our bodies die,” she says, “our spirit, our soul, our energy, continues.”

That allows her to help people who are interested in regression to a past life — which may help them overcome fears they are presently experiencing — or simply regression to a younger age.

All coaching and hypnosis sessions are completed virtual, via teleconference, so you can participate in these sessions from the comfort of your own home.

Lillian offers a free consultation to explain the process and “see if we’re a good fit for each other.”

She says most people who find her service valuable have something going on in their lives that’s not working for them. They might not know why it’s happening or how to change, but it’s interrupting their lives in some way. It might be stress that is affecting their health, relationships, or even their ability to work.

Lillian also can help people who have set a goal for themselves, such as to be more confident, to be able to speak in front of people, to develop healthier habits, or even quit smoking.

She says she has helped any number of people with debilitating phobias to be able to face their fears.

During the training and certification process, Lillian had to do many hours of hypnosis under the supervision of her college professors. She also is required to have continuing education credits to maintain her membership in the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists.

Lillian Bischel’s Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching can help you overcome fears or help you improve your life. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Not For Entertainment Purposes!

One thing Lillian stresses is that therapy with hypnosis is not entertainment.

“I don’t do this for fun,” she says. And she further clarifies that she will never make people do anything while they are under hypnosis.

“You can’t make a person do something that goes against their morals,” she explains. “Even though we’ve reached an unconscious level, at all times your everyday mind is still there, so you’re very much aware of everything that goes on and can stop at anytime, if you want.”

Brenda Murray says she has known Lillian a long time and that her experience with hypnosis therapy was even better than she had hoped.

“I was extremely impressed with her professional nature and calmness,” explains Brenda. “She was very detailed, guiding me through with ease. I was surprised at how easy and comfortable Lillian made it.”

Brenda says she was curious about hypnosis — as she thinks many other people also may be — and she wanted to work with Lillian to gain some ambition in a certain area in her life. “It did help,”

All sessions with Lillian Bischel are virtual.

Brenda says. “I was impressed with that.” She also says she looks forward to working with Lillian again to focus on another part of her life.

“I highly recommend her,” says Brenda. “She’s a natural. I saw a different side of Lillian than I knew and I was quite impressed by her.”

Lillian Bischel’s Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching offers hypnosis and coaching via virtual sessions. For more information or to set up a free consultation, call Lillian at (813) 390-2910 or email her at clientcenteredhypnosis@ gmail.com. Or, see the ad on page 14.

Congratulations To New Tampa’s Award-Winning Seniors!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Corespondent

High school graduation is always an exciting time, and the 840 graduating seniors (combined) at New Tampa’s two high schools were celebrated as the year came to a close.

Freedom High held its annual “Red, White, and Blue” awards ceremony on April 17, where many of the school’s seniors were recognized for their academic achievements.

National Merit Scholarship Award finalists Britney Pun and Jessica Afiat were recognized, and the “Principal’s Patriot” award went to Vivian Ernst.

The Freedom PTSA also presented scholarships to Britney Pun, Lindsay Scherer, Olivia Pliska, and Kaitlyn Graulich. These scholarships are awarded to PTSA-member students who are headed to college, university, or vocational/ technical school, and who are in good standing with the school’s office of Student Affairs, and have been recommended by their teacher, counselor or employer. They are chosen, in part, based on an essay they wrote as part of the application.

The PTSA also partnered with the Daisy Turner-Browne Scholarship Fund to award a scholarship to Alejandro Espinosa. This scholarship is awarded to a civic-minded graduating student who demonstrates academic excellence and a strong desire to pursue higher education despite personal and financial challenges.

The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg honors one student as the Anne Frank Humanitarian award winner, recognizing a student for efforts to better the lives of people

around them, whether in school or out. At Freedom, this year’s Anne Frank Humanitarian Award winner was Ishitha Panguluri.

Outstanding scholar-athlete awards went to Alyssa De La Sala and John Purcell.

The Picerne Family Foundation awarded scholarships to Wen Hui Chen, Elaine Feaster, Alexandria Dominique, and Lindsey Scherer. These scholarships are awarded to graduating students who are planning to attend college full time, have demonstrated civic leadership, community service, and are true “overachievers.” They are intended for deserving students who are pursuing a dream but need this support to realize their goals.

Local orthodontist Dr. Sam Jureyda of Radiance Orthodontics (see ad on page 5) also partnered with the PTSA to provide a scholarship to a senior who demonstrated commitment to serving the community. It was the first time this scholarship was offered at Freedom.

The Radiance Orthodontics Community Service Award went to Elaine Feaster (far left in photo above), who has been featured in these pages previously, for organizing book drives that collected thousands of books for underprivileged children. Elaine logged an impressive 449 service hours during her high school career.

Meanwhile, At Wharton...

Radiance Orthodontics also presented a Community Service Award to Wharton High’s Ariana Sawyer, who is pursuing a career in nursing and spent her high school years volunteering with Metropolitan Ministries, as well as for an organization that cares for foster children, at AdventHealth Tampa hospital, and at her school. This is the fifth year the Radiance Award has been presented to a Wharton senior.

Also at Wharton, AdventHealth partnered with the school’s PTSA to present a scholarship to Aubrey Glover to support his pursuit of a career as a Physician Assistant. Aubrey’s impressive resume includes taking dual enrollment classes, serving as a volunteer and a leader in extracurricular activities, plus working as a medical assistant to prepare for a career in the healthcare field. He plans to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Wharton senior Jackson Raitt was honored for being a National Merit Scholarship Award finalist and the school’s Anne Frank Humanitarian award winner was Riley Hall.

The Wharton Athletic Boosters awarded scholarships to two students who maintained a 3.0 grade-point average while playing multiple sports. Award winners were Brett Brown, who was a varsity athlete in soccer, track and cross country, and Haleigh Self, who played basketball, softball and flag football.

The Wharton PTSA (photo of all four winners above right) awarded its top scholarship to Sunni Horton, who served on the school’s peer jury, Student Library Association, and National English Honor Society. She will attend Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, this

fall to pursue a degree in public policy.

The PTSA also awarded a scholarship to Chloe Kim, a leader in the school’s National Honor Society and student organizer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She will attend USF this fall.

Another PTSA scholarship went to William Hineline. William served as president of the senior class, is an Eagle Scout, and excelled in several sports at Wharton. He will attend the University of Florida in Gainesville.

The final PTSA scholarship was awarded to Andrea Boknevitz, who served as both a drum major for the Wharton Marching Band and as commanding officer of the Wharton National Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC). She is attending Jacksonville University to study psychology and prepare for a career as a U.S. Navy officer.

Many other students were recognized at both schools for outstanding achievements throughout their high school careers.

Freedom High’s graduation is being held on May 30, at 8:30 a.m., for its 390 graduating seniors. Wharton High’s graduation ceremonies for its 450 graduating seniors will be held Thursday, June 1, at 3:30 p.m.

Wesley Chapel Resident Jack Webster To Attend West Point!

By GARY NAGER

Speaking of congratulations, we also salute Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) graduating senior Jack Martin Webster (photo), who has been accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Jack who had applied to all three major U.S. military academies, also was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, but hadn’t yet heard back from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

In order to be accepted into West Point, Jack had to have great grades (he will graduate with a weighted GPA of “around 4.5” and got 1420 on his SATs), be involved in sports (he was on WRH’s soccer, track and cross country teams, although he was on the wrestling team this year, instead of soccer) and endure a long application process that required him to receive a nomination from at least one member of the U.S. Congress.

But, Jack went that requirement one better, as he actually was nominated by two members of our nation’s legislature — U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Sen. Rick Scott.

He also has been accepted into Florida State University in Tallahassee, the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, but hadn’t yet heard back from the University of Florida in Gainesville before deciding to attend West Point.

“I visited the West Point campus (in upstate NY) last fall (photo) and loved it,” Jack says. “It’s beautiful and will allow me to pursue a goal of mine — to specialize in Psychology Operations (aka “PsyOps”) for the Army.” He adds that he also is interested in becoming an Army aviator/helicopter pilot.

“I never wanted to have a boring desk job,” Jack says. “I even thought about becoming a firefighter for a while.”

He certainly won’t be a desk jockey while on his current path. He will have to endure six weeks of basic training, four years at West Point, five years of active duty, three years of being in the Army Reserves and Cadet Officers-in-Training grad school.

He says his parents always pushed him to not slack off in school and Jack clearly took that to heart. His father, J. Matt Webster, Ph.D., is a USF Health professor who has been affiliated with the Johnnie B. Byrd Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute, and his mother, Cela Delgado Webster, Esq., is the owner of Chapel Legal, a family law and estate planning firm in Tampa Palms.

Jack certainly is setting a great example for his younger sister Eliana, 16, and his brother Nathan, age 12, although he notes that he is not the smartest of the siblings.

“Eliana is definitely smarter than me,” he admits. “But it’s a friendly competition.”

So, congrats and Godspeed, Jack. The Neighborhood News salutes you!

Farina Orthodontic Specialists Celebrates Five Years In Wesley Chapel!

By GARY NAGER

I have known Mark Farina, D.M.D., pretty much since even before he opened his office in Tampa Palms a quarter of a century or so ago. At that time, his only office was on N. Habana Ave. in Tampa (Note-That office has now been moved to South Tampa).

Since then, not only has Dr. Farina opened his third Farina Orthodontic Specialists office on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (just north of the Shops at Wiregrass), he just celebrated his fifth anniversary in that uniquely cube-shaped building with a packed Open House and anniversary party on Apr. 26.

To me, Dr. Farina is more than just an outstanding orthodontist. He’s a most likable guy who did the braces for both of my sons (who consistently receive compliments for their dazzling smiles) and he also has always stayed on the cutting edge of dental technology.

As one example, Farina Orthodontic Specialists may have been the first dental office in our area to offer in-office gaming systems so young patients wouldn’t mind having to wait a few minutes for their appointments.

And, although both of my sons (just two of Dr. Farina’s more than 10,000 patients), who are now in their 30s, had no choice but to have metal braces, Dr. Farina also was one of the first in the New Tampa/ Wesley Chapel area to embrace Invisalign clear aligners, which have become an industry standard alternative to traditional metal braces. In fact, Dr. Farina is today one of

(Above left) The friendly staff of Farina Orthodontic Specialists. (Above right & below) If you become a patient of Dr. Farina’s, you could have access to the ScanBox digital imaging device and the remote ScanBox app. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

the top Invisalign providers in the Tampa Bay area.

And, Introducing...

At the Open House event, which featured outstanding food and beverages and more than 100 people in attendance, Dr. Farina not only introduced his two new associates — Dr. Undine Davis and Dr. Pedro Franco — he also showed off his favorite new dental “toys,” Remote Dental Monitoring through the Smile Doctors

Anywhere network of orthodontists and the full-mouthscanning device known as the ScanBox (see photo, left, and info below).

“We are really excited about the addition of our two doctors, Dr. Davis and Dr. Franco,” Dr. Farina says. “Dr. Davis comes to us from Stanford University and is a University of Florida graduate in Orthodontics, and Dr. Franco comes from a family of dentists and graduated from the Georgia School of Orthodontics. We are happy to have three doctors here to take care of our patients’ needs.”

In addition, Remote Dental Monitoring provides patients with a portal system that minimizes visits to the office, resulting in less time missed from school and work.

“This cutting-edge AI (artificial intelligence) technology connects the doctors and clinical team to the patients to help answer questions and resolve issues more quickly,” Dr. Farina says. “Patients have access to the portal 24/7 and can also manage things like payments and appointment scheduling through it.”

The ScanBox allows patients to continue their monitoring on the go, from anywhere in the world, and helps remove the “nagging parents” responsibility so kids can be involved in their own orthodontic progression. The system will even let them know if there are spots that need better brushing or flossing.

“We’re very excited about Smile Doctors Anywhere dental monitoring for our patients!,” Dr. Farina says. “It connects them to our office virtually so they’re able to ask questions and send photos, so they are always connected and can reach out to us. This also saves missed time for the parents from work and the kids from school. We are so thrilled to have this technology and to be one of the first to have it in the Tampa Bay area.”

Farina Orthodontic Specialists has three offices, including at 15303 Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms and 2370 BBD Blvd., Suite 100, in Wesley Chapel. For more information, including how to get $1,000 off your traditional braces or Invisalign aligners, see the ad on pg. 29, call (813) 972-2929 or visit FarinaSmiles.com.

As I said in the story on this and the previous page about Farina Orthodontic Specialists, I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Mark Farina for nearly 25 years.

On the other hand, I have known a few of the other gentlemen in the photo above even longer than I have known Dr. Farina. I asked my photographer, Charmaine George, to shoot this picture of the “original dentists of New Tampa” to illustrate not only how long I’ve been serving the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, but also how many of these folks also have been serving our areas.

In the photo above, I have known Dr. Tom Frankfurth of Sage Dental, Dr. Lou Cerillo of Cerillo Family Dentistry (see ad on pg. 10) and Dr. Greg Stepanski of Children’s

Dentistry, as well as local photographer/DJ Paul Gigante of Gigante Productions even longer than I have known Dr. Farina. The three dentists mentioned all began advertising in the Neighborhood News even before Dr. Farina did, and I remember when Gigante, Cerillo and Farina became the three founding members of the New Tampa Italian Club.

The only dentist in the photo that I haven’t known as long is oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Roberto (Rob) Taglione, who also has been practicing in this area for more than 20 years.

Yes, they came out to enjoy Dr. Farina’s party, but to me, it was so meaningful that all of these gentlemen came to support their friend and colleague, just as I did. — GN

(L.-r.) Dr. Pedro Franco and Dr. Undine Davis have joined Dr. Mark Farina at Farina Orthodontic Specialists.

Lissette & Dr. Mark Farina at the five-year anniversary party & Open House on Apr. 26.

Our editor has known almost everyone in this photo —(l.-r.) Dr. Tom Frankfurth, Dr. Rob Taglione, Dr. Mark Farina, Paul Gigante, Dr. Lou Cerillo & Dr. Greg Stepanski — for 25 years or more. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Excellence In Eye Care For Outstanding Eye Care & Convenience!

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

Remembering to get your family’s groceries regularly is easy. Remembering to get your eyes checked regularly — maybe not so much.

Thankfully, optometrist David F. Scamard, O.D.’s office, Excellence in Eye Care, LLC, is conveniently located inside the Costco Wholesale store on the south side of S.R. 56 in Lutz, next to the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Dr. Scamard explains that eye exams should never be an oversight (pun intended).

“Many people tell me that they can’t imagine not being able to see, but they forget to go for regular eye exams,” Dr. Scamard says. “Getting your eyes checked regularly is so important for eye health.”

Dr. Scamard has been a practicing optometrist in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area for more than 20 years. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa and received his Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale in 1999. He says that it was during his undergraduate years when he first got exposed to eye care, while working for an optometrist.

“At first, I didn’t know what area [of healthcare] to specialize in, but after working for an optometrist in college, I

realized that I enjoyed helping people to be able to see,” he says. “You can feel the instant gratification of patients when you give them new glasses or contacts and you hear them say ‘Wow!’”

Excellence in Eye Care offers comprehensive eye exams and contact lens exams (with dilation included) for patients who need prescriptions for glasses and contacts. Retinal imaging also is available as an alternative to dilation.

“For patients who don’t want or can’t handle dilation, retinal imaging is helpful because we need that view to check the health of their eyes,” says Dr. Scamard. “We offer retinal imaging at a low cost, and patients get to see the inside of their eyes — actually see what the doctor sees.”

He adds, “I recently had a patient with macular degeneration, in the early stages, and I was able to show it to him. [By the process of] autofluorescence, the images show the blood supply underneath the eye. This is not as apparent during a dilation or by the naked eye. Thankfully, we caught it early.”

If you need eye exams specifically for diabetes, glaucoma or to renew your driver’s license, need an exam for eye trauma or pink eye, or need a foreign body removed from your eyes, Excellence in Eye Care can help with that, too.

After working in New Tampa and

Lutz for several years and successfully growing his patient base in those communities, Dr. Scamard moved his office into Costco as soon as the wholesale club opened on S.R. 56 more than six years ago. He says that partnering with Costco has been advantageous for many reasons.

“Costco has a great reputation,” he says. “Costco Optical has been historically rated #1 by Consumer Reports as an optical department and offers fair prices and good value for contacts and glasses. I had a lot of established patients who followed me here, but it’s also a growing area, so I get lots of new patients here as well.”

Excellence in Eye Care and Costco operate independently. You do not need a Costco membership to receive any services at Dr. Scamard’s office. But, if you are a Costco member, Costco Optical will accept prescriptions from Excellence in Eye Care for your glasses and contact lenses.

In 2022, Dr. J. Carson Woolwine joined Excellence in Eye Care as the office’s second optometrist. Also earning his O.D. degree from NSU (in 2016), Dr. Woolwine works 2-3 days a week with Dr. Scamard, which allows the office to be open for expanded hours six days a week.

Young Kids Need Eye Exams, Too

Children may receive eye screenings at the pediatrician’s office or at school. But, what parents may not know is that children should be seen by an optometrist regularly too, ideally with the first visit in the first 6-12 months of their lives.

In an interview with Optometric Management magazine published in 2002, former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter shared some

You can find the friendly staff of Excellence in Eye Care (l.-r.) optometric tech Savannah Leder, Dr. David Scamard, Dr. J. Carson Woolwine & optometric tech Hannah Mammen inside the Costco off S.R. 56 in Lutz. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

truly eye-opening (again, pun intended) stories about two of his eleven grandchildren who needed help with their eyes at a young age. Pres. Carter’s granddaughter Margaret suffered from amblyopia, or lazy eye, which was first suspected at around age 3, but was not properly diagnosed until later when she injured her eye with a butter knife and couldn’t see properly. Early treatment with eye therapy and eye patching corrected the problem.

But, a more serious case of amblyopia occurred with Carter’s grandson Jamie, who, at 8-1/2 years old, had no obvious symptoms and had already passed several eye exams at school. When he ultimately did fail a school eye exam, an optometrist diagnosed him with advanced amblyopia. By that age, the doctor explained that it might be too late to correct Jamie’s eyesight completely, but eye therapy and

patching was leading to improvement in his overall vision.

Dr. Scamard, who has specialty experience in pediatrics, is very passionate about early childhood eye exams.

“A lot of parents think that the school is checking their children’s vision, but that’s just a screening,” he says. “Parents have come to me in tears, saying, ‘I’m a terrible parent! How did I not realize this earlier?’ Children’s eyes should be checked within the first year and on a regular basis after that. We offer free comprehensive eye exams for children ages 6-12 months through the InfantSee program, which has been supported by the American Optometric Assn. and by Johnson & Johnson Vision. We were one of the charter members of that program.”

Dr. Scamard says that there are many conditions that childhood eye exams can

catch and that catching them early is key.

“With conditions like amblyopia and strabismus (crossed eyes), children don’t realize that they aren’t seeing well,” he says. “They think that type of vision is normal and they can adapt to it. Unfortunately, after age 9, the brain loses plasticity (or the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization) and visual pathways may not form properly. There’s a better prognosis before age 9. Afterwards, therapies may not take.”

Back to school and sports physical eye exams usually keep Excellence in Eye Care busy in late summer, but appointments and walk-ins for patients of all ages are always welcome. One of the office’s four optometric technicians, Savannah, Evangelina, Fran

and Hannah, will help you schedule your eye exam. Mention Neighborhood News to get a free pair of non-prescription sunglasses (while supplies last).

Excellence in Eye Care does not accept insurance, but will provide an itemized receipt to submit for reimbursement with vision insurance companies. Costco Optical does accept insurance for glasses, contact lenses and other eyewear products.

Excellence In Eye Care is located inside Costco at 2225 Grand Cypress Dr. in Lutz. The office is open Mon., Wed. & Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; 1 p.m.–7 p.m. on Tues. & Thur.; & 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sat. For more info, see the ad on pg. 3, call (813) 279-7038, or visit ExcellenceInEyeCare.net.

Visit Pampered Peach Wesley Chapel For Your Waxing & Facial Needs

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

Between vacations, big occasions and Florida’s virtually year-round beach season, there’s always a reason that you need to look and feel your best. The Pampered Peach Wax Bar on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel (across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel) will take care of all your waxing and even your facial needs and give you a relaxing spa experience in the process.

The Pampered Peach Wax Bar is a homegrown Tampa Bay addition to the waxing industry. Jessica Kustron, the founder and CEO (chief executive officer) of The Pampered Peach, was born and raised in Tampa. After owning and running her own day-spa in Tampa for more than ten years, she saw an opportunity to create a wax-only salon to offer a more intimate approach to waxing customers.

Since launching The Pampered Peach in 2017, the business has expanded greatly, with seven locations now open or in the planning stages across four states. Today there are four locations in the Tampa Bay area (Wesley Chapel, Brandon, Temple Terrace and South Tampa), with more on the way, including planned locations in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Ybor City.

You probably won’t see co-owners Jonathan Smith, Michael Grande, and Anthony Cintron much around The Pampered Peach of Wesley Chapel, but that’s how they prefer it, as they let their talented team of “waxologists” shine while they do the behind-the-scenes management and growth of the business.

“We’re all from this area and our market research indicated that Wesley Chapel, with its massive growth over the past five years, could really use a business like this,” Jonathan says. He and his girlfriend Amanda Gonzalez, who is the manager at the Wesley Chapel location, both live in Wesley Chapel, while Michael is in Land O’ Lakes and Anthony lives in Palm Harbor.

It’s clear that this trio of owners knows the industry well, from the lingo, to the products, to even first-hand

knowledge of the services so that they can improve the experience for all their clients.

“We offer three different types of wax — hard wax, soft wax, and sugaring — which is really unique in the waxing industry,” Jonathan says. “Picking the right wax will depend upon the area and hair type being removed, and sugaring offers a purely organic option.”

He adds, “We use and sell crueltyfree, botanical-based Farmhouse Fresh products, which have won multiple awards internationally and have many magazine and celebrity endorsements.”

The services available at the salon are truly head to toe. Amanda says the most popular waxing areas are the traditional Brazilian (bikini), eyebrows, and underarms, but other areas like half or full waxing of the arms, legs and back also are available. For the face, you can have every pesky hair near your lips, sideburns, ears and nose (and more) removed, and even get a full-face waxing package.

While The Pampered Peach’s website touts that the spas offer a five-minute Brazilian — and you can definitely get it if in

a rush — if you have the time, the owners recommend consulting with the waxologists to get the best possible experience.

“Our waxologists — Amanda, Nikki, Ashley, and Katie — are all very well trained, with about 15 years of experience combined,” says Michael. “When you get services with us, especially the first few times, the waxologist will perform a consultation with you, asking about your skin type (dry versus oily), allergies, pores, acne and more. Based on your answers, they may add steam or other services if needed. They get to know you well.”

“Waxing gets easier over time,” Jonathan adds. “As the hair gets thinner, the hair removal becomes less painful and more predictable A Brazilian may take about 30 minutes the first time, but after that, the time goes down to 15 minutes or less.”

And, Amanda says that men shouldn’t feel shy. She says that while the salon mainly sees female customers, there has been an increase in male clients for services like back and chest waxing as well as arms, legs, Brazilian with a stem (aka, a “Manzilian”), and full body.

Facials & Specialty Services

The Pampered Peach Wesley Chapel is proud to have expanded into also offering facials. As one of the initial locations to add facials, the salon offers four types — brightening, soothing, acne and anti-aging — and all of them can be mini (30 minutes) or full (60 minutes). The Wesley Chapel location also has increased from three service rooms to four, with the newest one being dedicated to facials, with a spa-like environment and relaxing music.

Brow lamination and brow henna, which involve using a tint or henna coloring to fill in missing areas of the eyebrows, is another specialty. This quick and painless process leaves eyebrows looking fuller and usually lasts 3-4 weeks.

Worried about ingrown hairs? The salon offers a treatment for that as well.

“Ingrown hairs often come down to a lack of exfoliation and not enough post-care support,” says Michael, emphasizing the importance of speaking with the waxologists to get the best experience for your skin and hair type.

Even the best wax service can’t stop hair from eventually growing back, so

(Above, L.-r.): Waxologists Ashley Villela, Katie Kantor, Amanda Gonzalez (manager) & Nikki Brown of The Pampered Peach’s Wesley Chapel location on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., next to Dickey’s BBQ pit, invite you to enjoy outstanding services in a true spa environment. (Right) The Pampered Peach has added a display of some new “merch” for sale. (Photos by Charmaine George)

The Pampered Peach offers memberships monthly, annual and as package membership deals that are perfect for routine follow-ups. For periodic a la carte services, you also can get a VIP card for discounts on merchandise and future services.

If you’re not sure where to start, visit the Pampered Peach’s website to get offers on Brazilians and other bikini and brow waxes for new customers and other seasonal discounts. Pampered Peach Wesley Chapel additionally offers 20% off facials and $25 Brazilians for first-time guests. And, if you mention the Neighborhood News, you can get your second Brazilian for $25, too.

And, stay tuned — The Pampered

Peach Wesley Chapel is planning to launch a new website with a streamlined online booking process, as well as to add 16 more hours across the week, including opening on Mondays, by later this year.

The Pampered Peach Wax Bar of Wesley Chapel is located at 2653 BBD Blvd., Suite 102. The salon is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, see the ad on pg. 17, call 727-FL-PEACH (357-3224). Or, visit PamperYourPeach.com/wesley-chapelfl or find the spa on Facebook and Instagram.

Nikki provides a relaxing facial while Ashley gets the wax ready for a client’s procedure.

Budget Blinds Owners Celebrate Five Years Of Having You Covered!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Corespondent

When Tara Leblanc bought her home in Lexington Oaks, the blinds were old and outdated. She knew she wanted an upgrade, so she called “a bunch of different companies” to come to her home and give her an estimate.

After four consultations, she says it was an easy decision.

“We went with Budget Blinds,” says Tara. “They were absolutely amazing.”

She says she’s “not good with decorating” and notes that her Budget Blinds design consultant made many helpful suggestions. There was great communication throughout the process, and when the installers came out, they were friendly, didn’t make a mess and cleaned up after themselves. Tara was thrilled.

The local franchise of Budget Blinds is owned by Wesley Chapel residents Adriane and Mike Wonderlin, who are marking five years of owning the business, since they purchased it in June 2018. Their territory stretches all the way north to San Antonio and south to Palmetto and includes showrooms on W. Fletcher Ave. (near I-275, two exits south of Wesley Chapel’s S.R. 56 exit) and in Riverview, covering nearly 90 zip codes.

Budget Blinds also has an “inspiration center” at the KRATE container park at The Grove in Wesley Chapel. As people wander through the rows of converted containers to sample food and check out tiny shops, they also can pop into Budget Blinds to see how they might transform their homes with a huge variety of available blinds, shades, shutters and drapes.

A quick visit to Budget Blinds at the KRATEs will allow you to see the many possibilities, with videos of the products in motion on the TVs, consultants available to answer questions about how something functions or how it would look, and education about the different types of window treatments.

The KRATE location has been open since May of 2022, and the Wonderlins had the opportunity to celebrate their innovative shop with a one-year anniversary North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting event on May 5 (photo on next page).

As the local franchise continues to grow, the Wonderlins also are building a 7,500-square-foot warehouse and design center in Ruskin. When that opens later this year, the existing Riverview showroom will move to that new location.

But, for most people, a trip to one of the showrooms isn’t even necessary.

The Wonderlins employ a team of nearly 40 people, including design associates who come to your home with what Adriane describes as “a ton of samples” to help determine the best look and functionality for window coverings in your home.

There is a variety of styles from which to choose. Blinds come in vinyl, wood,

fabric, faux wood and aluminum. Shutters are made from real wood or composite material that will not fade or warp.

If you prefer shades, you can choose from roller, pleated, Roman, cellular, woven wood, bamboo, sheer, solar or graphic, plus a variety of panels, valances and drapes.

The trends they continue to see, Adriane says, include motorization and lots of customers adding draperies.

“The functionality of the shutter is great and the look is classic,” she says. “But now, we’re adding a soft piece of fabric, too. In the 1980s and ‘90s, draperies were everywhere, but in the 2000s, no one did drapes because it looked like ‘your mother’s house.’ But now, it’s back.”

The Appeal Of Motorization

She says that window covering motorization continues to improve, with motors that are nearly completely silent and a trend that continues to make these “smart home” features more affordable.

Adriane says that for high places you can’t reach, motorization is ideal. It’s also great for businesses to set their timers to automatically open as the business opens, or at home to automate window shades to help kids or teenagers wake up for school in the morning.

With these options, you can use a smartphone, remote, wall switch or even voice command to open or close your window coverings.

What you won’t find at Budget Blinds are outdated blinds that are raised and lowered with cords. A new law was passed to eliminate dangling cords that are known to be harmful to children, because they can get tangled in them.

“In Canada, you can’t sell your house with cords in the window,” explains Mike. “We don’t know if that’s going to follow here in the U.S. But, our sales team continues to educate customers about the laws in the U.S. and why it’s important to replace those window treatments.”

In fact, that’s one reason Tara was impressed with the Budget Blinds consultant who visited her home.

“I’m an ER nurse and I have small children,” she says. “So safety is really important to me.”

She says the consultant was knowledgeable and helpful, and that her understanding of the new law and how to keep her kids safe made Tara feel confident in choosing Budget Blinds.

For her family room, Tara chose a motorized roller shade and smart drapes, safe options that also are incredibly convenient for her. To open and close her window coverings, she just pushes a button on her phone.

Mike says that’s in line with what he and Adriane are seeing across their business. “About 70 percent of our orders have motorization now,” he says.

Tara says Budget Blinds offered

the best value of all the companies she evaluated, and her choice was easy once she heard about the company’s warranty, which includes a one-time replacement, no questions asked.

It’s been six months and she hasn’t had any problems, but she says that knowing the warranty is there if she needs it gives her peace of mind.

“I have two boys and two dogs, including a Great Dane,” Tara says, “so somebody’s

about to destroy something, I’m sure.” Budget Blinds was founded in 1992 in Orange County, CA, and today has more than 1,000 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. The Wonderlins’ North Tampa franchise, which they purchased in 2018, was awarded Budget Blinds’ national Franchise of the Year for 2020, which was the franchise’s third such honor since 2016.

To schedule a complimentary in-

Whether you’re looking for beautiful new drapes (above) or motorized shutters with drapes you can control with your smartphone (next page), the local Budget Blinds franchise has you covered. (Photos provided by Adriane & Mike Wonderlin)

home consultation, call (813) 968-5050. Visit the KRATE location on Mondays from 2 p.m.8 p.m.; noon-8 p.m. on Tuesdays-Saturdays; and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, follow @BudgetBlindsofGreaterTampa on Facebook or Instagram or visit BudgetBlinds.com/ NorthTampa or see the ad on page 16 for special summer savings.

(Above) On May 5, the Wonderlin family celebrated the one-year anniversary of the opening of their “Inspiration Center” at the KRATEs with their Budget Blinds family and members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Genesis Wellness Clinic — Providing Holistic & Integrative Medical Care

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

Genesis Wellness Clinic, formerly known as Genesis Medical Clinic (located on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace), offers a unique variety of outpatient healthcare services in one convenient location. The practice combines a focus on prevention and wellness into a traditional medical clinic to provide an integrative approach to healthcare.

After operating for over a decade as Genesis Medical Clinic, this long-standing clinic is “in the process of transitioning to this new name to reflect a shift in treating patients more holistically,” explained owner Ike Okeke. Holistic medicine refers to considering a person’s mind, whole body and environment when developing a treatment plan and can incorporate alternative medical treatments, too. When holistic medicine is combined with traditional Western medicine, it can be referred to as integrative medicine.

Ike Okeke is a pharmacist by trade. He received his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (B. Pharm) from the University of Nigeria in 1991. His pharmacy background helps him as the clinic owner to understand the work performed by the different clinic providers and to bring new treatment options to the clinic.

Ike’s wife Yvonne also is a pharmacist, having graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in 2011. She runs Temple Terrace Pharmacy, an independent community pharmacy, located

next door to the clinic, making it easy for patients who want to fill their prescriptions right after clinic appointments.

There are three physicians at Genesis Wellness Clinic, each with different specialties and medical training.

Dr. George Bino Rucker, M.D., is an integrative medicine doctor. Dr. Rucker completed medical school at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1995 and received urologic surgery training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York City.

In 2011, after a decade as a urologic cancer surgeon, Dr Rucker shifted to practicing in integrative medicine. Since then, he has developed expertise in hormone replacement therapy, IV infusions (including Ketamine, ozone, stem cells, etc.), comprehensive

weight loss programs and more.

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Mastaw, M.D., is an interventional pain management and regenerative medicine physician with more than 20 years of experience. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor in 2000 and completed residency training in anesthesia. After residency, he served as an anesthesiologist for the U.S. Navy for five years, including in Iraq and Spain. Afterwards, he went back to the University of Michigan to complete a one-year fellowship in interventional pain management.

Dr. Syed Hasan, M.D, completed medical school in 1990 at Dow Medical College in Pakistan and an internal medicine residency at New York University (NYU) Lutheran Medical Center (now known as NYU Langhorne Hospi-

tal) in Brooklyn, NY, thereafter. Dr. Hasan has been practicing in internal medicine since then, and has experience in bariatric medicine (causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity) as well.

In addition to the physicians, Genesis Wellness Clinic patients also may see Mary Rosario, a psychiatric nurse practitioner (NP) and Janelle Griffith, a physician assistant (PA).

Treatments & Services Available

Before anyone can receive treatment at Genesis Wellness Clinic, a doctor will first meet with you for consultation only to ask questions and gather medical information. Then, if you are deemed an appropriate candidate for treatment, the doctor will design a treatment protocol specific to you.

Hormone replacement therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment at the clinic. It can be uncomfortable to discuss, but patients are increasingly seeking hormone therapy with estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. “Men and women come to the clinic asking for hormone therapy because they are struggling with hot flashes, lack of sleep, mental fatigue and low sex drive,” Ike says.

The clinic also offers many interventional pain techniques to help manage chronic body and nerve pain. Available treatments include anesthetic and steroid injections in various areas of the spine, injecting lubricating hyaluronic acid near the knees, and applying radiofrequency ablation (heat from radio waves) to tissues.

If you have painful diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain) causing numbing and tingling in

A variety of unique treatment options are available at Genesis Wellness Clinic on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace. (Photo by Charmaine George)

your hands and feet, Genesis Wellness Clinic offers a drug-free approach that combines deep tissue lasers, microvascular artery pneumatic pumps and nutrition to increase blood flow to affected areas and hopefully reduce that pain.

For those suffering from urinary incontinence, the clinic has a TeslaMax™ machine that provides electric muscle stimulation to weakened pelvic floor muscles. Combining the TeslaMax™ treatments with resistance exercises taught by the clinic’s practitioners can strengthen pelvic floor muscles and nerves and improve and even potentially eliminate urinary incontinence for patients.

“The TeslaMax™ machine helps patients in a similar manner to performing Kegel exercises but via electrical stimulation,” says Ike. Ketamine is a medication with many uses. It is gaining use in pain control, depression,

and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), especially if traditional treatments have been unsuccessful. Also available are injections with ozone, platelet rich plasma (PSP), Botox, vitamins and more.

For those needing help with weight loss or physical therapy, comprehensive programs with counseling, in office therapy, home exercise, medicine and close follow up also are available. Walk-ins are always welcome. If patients have primary care providers or referring doctors, the providers at Genesis Wellness Clinic will be in communication with them as well.

Genesis Wellness Clinic is located at 9780 N. 56th St., Suite C. It is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more info or to book an appointment, call (813) 549-7465, visit mygenesiswellnessclinic. com or see the ad on pg. 8.

Check Out Everything New At The Grill At Morris Bridge!

By GARY NAGER

All photos by Charmaine

George

Anyone who has ben reading this publication since at least late 2021 knows that The Grill at Morris Bridge (located on Cross Creek Blvd. in the Publix-anchored Cross Creek Plaza) has been high on my list of favorites from the moment it opened. It’s been so great seeing the brainchild of Frank and his brother and co-owner Jimmy Gouveia continue to adapt its menu to not only the owners’ tastes, but also to suggestions from their already super-loyal customers.

And, while The Grill continues to make changes to its already-popular dinner and Late Night/Happy Hour bar menus (see below), one thing that previously had been missing was a great Sunday brunch. But, no more!

Over the last month or so, The Grill has added a huge selection of uniquely tasty items for Sunday brunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), including:

• “Brunch Plates” like the deliciously cinnamon-y Berry, Berry French toast, topped with a variety of fresh berries and served with maple syrup,

• Handhelds like a fried egg, bacon, cheese & fries egg sandwich and the F.G.T.B.L.T (fried green tomato BLT),

• Two huge new breakfast “pizzas,” including the savory Breakfast Pizza Fritatta (made with scrambled eggs, linguiça sausage, peppers, onions and spinach),

• A variety of Benedicts (including very tasty short rib, smoked salmon and crab cake “Bennys”), and

• Your basic omelette and grilled breakfast plates, plus shrimp & grits, steak & eggs and pancakes.

The Grill now also has a new Happy Hour & Late Night menu, available at the bar only. Among the tasty new items on this menu are short rib or pork tacos, stuffed, baked quahogs (pronounced “CO-hogs,” they’re giant New England clams), spicy Firecracker shrimp and tasty soft (but crispy outside) pretzel sticks,

Among the many new items on the menu at The Grill at Morris Bridge on Cross Creek Blvd. are the Berry, Berry French toast (above left), the Breakfast Pizza Fritatta (top right), bacon & parmesan-crusted grouper (right), soft pretzel sticks with beer cheese dip (below) and seafood risotto (top of next page). Although not a new item, another of our editor’s new favorites is the clams & linguine (bottom).

served with a creamy beer cheese dip. I can personally vouch for the quahogs, the short rib tacos and the breadsticks. Yum!

Although The Grill is still open for lunch Tues.-Sat., there no longer is a separate lunch menu, meaning that the full dinner menu is in effect for both meals, although there have been some new lunch-oriented additions. The “Handheld” options now include Philly and shaved ribeye steak sandwiches, a legit corned beef Reuben, an awesome-looking (haven’t

tried it yet) smash burger (made with ground brisket, short rib and chuck), fried, blackened and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, as well as a grilled Cuban (with shredded caçoila pork, salami, ham & Swiss).

As for the new favorites on the dinner menu, The Grill offers one of the best values for a melt-in-your-mouth 3436-oz. tomahawk ribeye (for two) I’ve seen (just $105, including mashed potatoes and

broccoli), a lamb shank osso buco, a Cabernet-braised short rib and the new bacon and parmesan-crusted grouper (which replaced the same dish previously made with mahi-mahi), a

seafood (shrimp & scallop) risotto and my new favorite clams linguine.

And, with the best wine list in New Tampa, a great bar vibe and superpremium cocktails, The Grill at Morris Bridge just keeps getting better!

The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open every day for lunch (or brunch) & dinner except Monday. For more info, call (813) 388-5353 see the ad on pg. 35 or visit TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com.

Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. Adds Even More Lunch Options!

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

Although Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. is a small chain of 24 locations in six states (the majority of which are located in Florida, including the original location in Delray Beach), local franchise owner Daniel Kurland takes great pride in his restaurant, the service he provides and the company’s growing menu.

Brooklyn Water Bagel has been open on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, just west of I-75 (at the front of The Grove at Wesley Chapel’s property) since 2021 and since then, Daniel says, his breakfast business has been booming. After all, Brooklyn Water Bagel’s kettleboiled-then-baked bagels (and other baked goods) are made with water that is “Brooklynized” on the premises to give them that authentic New York-bagel taste.

But, since all Brooklyn Water Bagel locations are open for both breakfast and lunch, the company has been working on expanding its lunch menu and Daniel recently invited the Neighborhood News to come sample the new options.

He says the best seller of the new menu selections has been the Little Italy bagel sandwich — made with salami, capicola and ham with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, banana peppers and vinaigrette dressing. It’s like an Italian sub but on your choice of Brooklyn Water Bagel’s dozen+ bagel varieties.

My favorite new item, however, is the new bagel dog, a premium beef hot dog (or chicken sausage) that is wrapped in bagel dough, topped with everything seeds and served with spicy mustard and sauerkraut

(which honestly, is the only way to eat a hot dog, in one reporter’s opinion). The menu doesn’t call the hot dog “Kosher” or even “Kosher style,” but at Jewish delis in my native New York, we would have called it a “special,” or oversized hot dog, and the flavor is definitely Kosher-style.

Photographer Charmaine George also enjoyed the new spicy grilled chicken sandwich (below left), which is topped with bacon, pepper jack cheese, pickle slices, lettuce, tomato and spicy mayo. It is served on a club roll or the bagel of your choice.

Charmaine and I also enjoyed the new club melt sandwich, which is served openfaced and combines warm ham, turkey and bacon with melted Swiss cheese, tomato, onion and butter on the bagel or bread of your choice.

All of these lunch sandwiches also are served with an authentic delistyle sour pickle.

And, for you salad lovers, Brooklyn Water Bagel has now added a new cobb salad, with ham, turkey, bacon, egg and shredded cheese with grape tomatoes served atop a bed of tasty greens.

Of course, there’s also still delicious corned beef, pastrami (either of which are available as Reuben sandwiches), roasted turkey and chicken, tuna, egg or whitefish salad sandwiches

(Left) The new Little Italy sandwich is the most popular new lunch item at Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, but our editor prefers the new bagel dog (above). There also is a new cobb salad (below) and a new spicy grilled chicken sandwich (bottom left) on the Brooklyn Water Bagel lunch menu. on your choice of bread or as wraps. And yes, there is even a pretty authentictasting matzo ball soup, offered as a cup with one matzo ball, as well as in combination with a variety of different sandwiches.

New Breakfast Items, Too...

The new menu options available at Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. aren’t only for lunch. First of all, the entire menu is available for break-

fast or lunch, which itself is great news.

However, for those looking for something more than the usual smoked salmon and cream cheese (it’s called The Williamsburg there) and egg, bacon (or Taylor ham) and cheese bagel sandwiches, there is now a new corned beef “hash” sandwich with a hash brown, plus corned beef, egg and American cheese, as well as pastrami, egg and cheese sandwiches. There’s even The Greenpoint sandwich with egg whites, spinach, mushroom and Swiss on a scooped bagel.

Save room for dessert, because not only does Brooklyn Water Bagel still have the most authentic (and decadent) black & white and chewy chocolate chip cookies in our area, a variety of fresh-baked muffins (including a new orange cranberry option), and flaky rugelach pastries, it also now offers a scrumptious, open-faced S’mores bagel with Nutella spread and toasted marshmallows (right).

And yes, I still love Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.’s delicious coffee blends, especially the Brooklyn Infusion blend (with vanilla, caramel and Kahlua flavors) and the new Hanna Banana blend, which is available for the spring only. If you don’t see a coffee flavor you want, you can add shots of U-Bet chocolate syrup, vanilla and a variety of other flavors. For you iced coffee lovers, check out the “Cubsta” iced coffee, available with coffee-flavored ice cubes.

You can even take out bulk bagels, largesize cream cheese spreads and pre-packaged tuna, egg, chicken and whitefish salad.

Brooklyn Water Bagel (27835 Wesley

Chapel Blvd., Suite 101 (next to King of the Coop), is open every day, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info or to place an order, call (813) 775-2275, see the ad on pg. 36 or visit BrooklynWaterBagel.com.

(Top) The new pastrami, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich was a hit with our editor.

(Above) There’s no better way to top off a great meal than with a delicious S’mores bagel and a Cubsta iced coffee drink.

Blush Champagne Bar Is Open!

Johnny C’s Italian Eatery Has Opened On Cross Creek Blvd.!

The new Johnny C’s Italian Eatery has been open at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite A (on Morris Bridge Rd.), in the former location of Precinct Pizza, since May 15, and the reaction to the food, the family atmosphere and the service have so far been pretty great.

Johnny C’s, named for Johnny Ciaccio, the father of former Saddlebrook Resort GM Pat Ciaccio, is a partnership between Ciaccio and former Saddlebrook owner Tom Dempsey and Erik Ravenna, a trained chef who worked for years in food and beverage (among other jobs) at the resort.

The Blush Champagne & Cocktail Bar (photo above), the second establishment at the KRATE Container Park (the other is the nearly adjacent Blush Wine Room) owned by Felicia and Nimesh Desai, is an intimate, upscale champagne bar serving sparkling wine from both near and far, champagne cocktails and martinis, and a dozen frozen cocktails, with plans to serve food starting this summer.

“Until then, you can grab food from the Blush Wine Room and drinks from either of our locations,” Felicia says. “And, just like at our original location, the Champagne & Cocktail Bar will have wines and cocktails you won’t find anywhere else.” For more info about the Blush Wine Room or Champagne & Cocktail Bar, call (813) 428-6247 or visit BlushWineRoom.com.

Provisions To Add A 3rd Location?

Meanwhile, Provisions Coffee & Kitchen, which was the first tenant to open in the KRATE Container Park, has announced that it will open a second Wesley Chapel location (Provisions also has a New Tampa location at 2816 E. Bearss Ave.) in a new plaza on BBD Blvd. that is home to Abdoney Orthodontics. For more info, visit either currently open Provisions location or ProvisionsCoffeeFL.com. — GN

The restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner (11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.) daily, features New York-style pizza (like the Margherita pizza shown top right), plus a variety of Northern Italian comfort foods, from lasagna to chicken parmigiana, Italian meatballs (top left) & more.

“One thing we noticed,” Ravenna told me during the Johnny C’s Friends & Family pre-opening, “is that (the other Italian restaurants in) this area doesn’t have

a big variety of seafood options. We all do linguini with clams, but Johnny C’s also has shrimp marinara (shown being prepared above), parmigiana and scampi, as well as a spicy fra diavlo and even a frutti di mare (aka ‘Fruits of the Sea,’ right) with shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari over linguini.” (There’s also a mussels Posillipo appetizer.)

Ciaccio added, “We want everyone who visits Johnny C’s to feel like family. My dad owned restaurants his entire adult life and we lost him a few years ago, so Johnny C’s is a tribute to him.” To which Ravenna added, “He would have loved to have been the ‘mayor’ here.” For info, call (813) 278-8020, visit JohnnyCsItalianEatery. com or see the ad on pg. 32. — GN

Crazy Sushi Is Open At The Shops At Wiregrass; Azteca D’Oro To Open June 24!

As you can see in the ad on the next page, Azteca d’Oro is set to host its Grand Opening in the space (at 2000 Piazza Ave.) at the Shops at Wiregrass previously occupied by Cantina Laredo on Saturday, June 24, with a mariachi band, indoor and outdoor bar with cocktails and more. Azteca d’Oro promises a truly authentic Mexican cuisine experience in an upscale, but still casual atmosphere. For more info, see the ad or visit AztecaDOro.com.

Crazy Sushi Is Open!

Until Azteca opens, you probably should try the new Crazy Sushi Wiregrass at the Shops. Crazy Sushi is more than just another replacement for the several restaurants that have opened and gone out of business at 28152 Paseo Dr., #150

— it’s a much larger (having also taken over an adjacent store), real sit-down restaurant that just happens to also offer all-you-careto-eat lunch (for $22.95 per person; available Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) and dinner (and Sat.-Sun. lunch, for $32.95) Japanese cuisine that, based on our first visit, is well worth the price.

The sushi (the photo is of a tasty sushi sampler that isn’t on the menu) is really fresh, the appetizers (including gyoza dumplings, tempura veggies, fried chicken karaage, etc.) and lo mein are spot-on and the hibachi sirloin steak and chicken are both of a higher quality than what we’re used to getting at Ginza or Koizi. And. the premium full-liquor bar offers full-sized drinks at lower-than-mall prices.

For more information, call (813) 9918989 or visit CrazySushiWesleyChapel.com and please tell our friend Edgar behind the bar that we sent you! — GN

N

ew T

ampa & w esley C hapel

Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

NEED HELP PACKING, UNPACKING & ORGANIZING? Let us help you! We LOVE putting things in their place. We specialize in helping you de-clutter, organize, & purge unwanted/ unused items. We can unpack & organize your new home or help you prepare & pack for your move. Call 813-523-2421 or 813-469-7935 or visit www.homesweettampabay.com.

JUNK HAULING SERVICE! We handle all types of furniture removal — bdrm sets, chairs, mattresses & box springs • Hot water heaters & hot tubs - take apart & remove • Construction material • Carpet removal • Estate, eviction, yard, garage & attic clean-outs • Ofc, home & factory • Comm’l/res’l. GorillaJunkremovalExperts.com. For appts, call/text Nigel @ 888-346-5865.

CUSTOM INT. WINDOW COVERINGS!

Cust. fabrication of all types of window coverings — plantation & hurricane shutters, vert. blinds, roller, cellular, woven wood & Roman shades, cellular vert., panel tracks, retract. awnings, motorization experts, alum., wood & faux wood blinds & more! FREE installation on orders over $250! Call Henry @ 813-9486363, email TampaBlindsbyDesign@gmail. com or visit TampaBlindsbyDesign.com.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years of exp. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Google us to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises. See our display ad on pg. 39!

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHINGCOM

Soft pressure ext. house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing & deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big/small. Exp. the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning pro. Licensed & insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate 813-433-6015.

RAYMOND PAINTING. Ext. & Int. Svcs. Ext:

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

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-784-5999.

___ LAWN, & LANDSCAPING_____

JOHN IDEAL LAWN & LANDSCAPES. We provide all normal lawn & landscaping svcs: •Mow •Edge

•Turf Trim •Air-Sweep •Right-of-Way Weed Control

•Bed Edging •Resod •Design Your Lawn •Mulch

•Shrub Trim/Shape •Hedge Trim •Yard Cleanup. “For no lawn stress, just join John’s Curb Appeal Success!” Save 12%/mo for 6 mos w/a 1-yr contract. Call Maitland John @ 813.327.1039.

ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior. Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials.

JASMINE LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn maint, including Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA?

Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/ Spring Special & FREE estimate! Lic’d & insured. Accepting new resid’l & comm’l accounts. Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmEx. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring FT workers.

POOL SERVICES _ ALLSTARPOOLSOFTAMPABAY.COM. Pool cleanups & acid washing of old pool finishes. Marcite, quartz & pebble finishes from $3K. We offer cool decking, Eurocrete & paver decking options. Paver, river rock sealing, leak detection & in-ground vinyl liner replacements avail. Quality salt & ozone generators, pumps, motors & filters. Serving NT & WC since 1990. Call/text 813-244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com.

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing w/outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE!

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

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED. Ofc Asst for Accounting firm needed. Must be presentable, have knowledge of Outlook, Excel & Word. Job duties include (but are not limited to) filing, answering telephones & putting together tax returns. To apply: Email var5889@gmail.com or call 415-889-2729.

MISCELLANEOUS RAYSPHOTOGRAPHS LLC! Do you have a special occasion/moment you would like to capture? Specializing in Weddings, engagements, portraits, headshots and events, allow me to capture the moments that matter most to you! Visit www.raysphotographs.com for samples. Call/text (813) 380-2655 or email ray@ raysphotographs.com. Mention this ad and receive 20% off!

Well-Appointed Professional Ofc Space for Rent. 600 sq. ft. in New Tampa (across from Publix on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., behind Chase Bank). Two offices — one w/laminate floor & another w/carpet. Plus, a carpeted secretarial area & wide hallway. Large closet with shelving, refrigerator & microwave. Fully equipped bathroom with supplies. For leasing info, please call 813-468-9110.

DOES YOUR LOVED ONE NEED CARE AT HOME? Faith Compassionate Home Care Provides Medical & Non-Medical Home Health Care svcs: Nursing care, medication mgmt, case mgmt, companion care, home health aide, respite care, bowel care services, training to caregiver & more. Flexible pymt options. We accept private pay only. For info, call 813-602-4431. 360 BOOKKEEPING LLC - We focus on your Bookkeeping so you can focus on your Business. Established business? We will clean up your books to get you back on track. New Business? We can set up your chart of accounts to make you organized and efficient. Call now and get peace of mind — plus 20% off set-up fees — (813) 336-1363.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SVC. C&R Transporta-tion Services of Tampa Bay, LLC, is a shuttle service that provide safe & reliable transportation to & from your destinations. • New Tampa Transfer, $69 • Wesley Chapel Transfer, $79 • ZHills Transfer, $89 • Dade City Transfer, $129. Book Online @ Crtransportation.org or Call (813) 895-7413. Receive a FREE T-shirt w/every transfer. Hughes School of Music now accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory with a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also available! Contact us at 813-748-3216.

AUTOS WANTED! Autos/trucks/small campers/small boats wanted! We pay top dollar! Any condition, Free Removal 24/7. For more info, call (813) 461-0062.

ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2020 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $40 (one way). Driver vaccinated w/two shots. Cory Lake Isles resident. Call/text 813.765.2037.

TREE SERVICES

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27-yrs of Prof. Svc. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

COMPUTER SERVICES

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

REAL ESTATE

HOME SELLING GROUP OF FLORIDA -

Elevate Brokers. Special Promotion: $500 towards closing costs when you mention this ad and promo code #GaryRules. Restrictions Apply. Call us at (813) 609-0966. Follow us on FB & IG: @homesellinggroup We are home buying & selling experts in the Central Florida region. TBBA Agent of the Year: Geri Sanchez CLEANING SERVICES

ANA PARRA HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES. Professional House Cleaning — Best prices & quality, Licensed & Insured. We offer: • Routine clean • Deep Cleaning • Move-In/Move-Out cleanup. Serving New Tampa /Lutz/Wesley Chapel & more. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly cleaning or special needs. Avail. Mon-Sat. References avail. We supply our own cleaning products & equipmt. Call or text for free estimate: (305) 338-0981.

A-to-Z CLEANING & ORGANIZING. Home & Ofc Cleaning & Organizing Svcs! We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. WC resident. Weekly & Bi-Weekly / Deep Cleaning/ Move-In / Move-Out. Serving WC & NT. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-462-1270. Local references supplied upon request.

MARY’S CLEANING SERVICES. We provide flexible domestic & office cleaning. “Jesus is the Lord.” Give us a call at 352-206-8809 for a free estimate or email marynovociclo@gmail.com.

PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 6 years of exp. Free estimates. Call 813 943 6054 or email patycleaningservice@hotmail.com.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates.; Refs. avail. Call 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com.

• Sports Reporters

• Human Interest Story Writers

All of these are paid freelance writing positions with the opportunity to advance to a full-time staff position.

To apply, email your resume & one writing sample to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com.