Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 30, Issue 14, July 12, 2022 by Neighborhood News

Volume 30 Issue 14 July 12, 2022

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY TO THE ROUSH TWINS! Leukemia may have kept John Roush (far right) from school and his friends since his diagnosis in May, but it wasn’t going to spoil the drive-by 7th birthday celebration he shared with his twin brother Donald (left), as the Wesley Chapel community turned out in force out to wish the boys well from a distance. See page 20 for details. Photo by Charmaine George

EDITORIAL

Our editor recaps his magical Father’s Day weekend. See page 3

DOWNTOWN AVALON PARK! The neotraditional development will break ground July 14! See page 8

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TOPASH PAINTING

The Topash family has been painting homes in our area for 40+ years. Page 24

LIVING ROOM SET TO OPEN! Get a sneak peek at Wesley Chapel’s next dining hotspot! See page 34!

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My Father’s Day Weekend Was Definitely A Dream Come True! By GARY NAGER Editorial

Twenty years after having both of my knees arthroscoped, and after too many years of trying to deal with being bone-on-bone in both knees (and walking with an obvious limp), I finally decided to get my knees replaced. Yes, I was motivated for myself, as I wanted to improve my quality of life, but my true motivation was that I wanted to be able to dance at my 30-year-old son Jake’s wedding to Meghan Hathaway, which just happened to finally take place on the Saturday night of Father’s Day weekend. I say “finally” because Jake and Meghan had to twice put off their wedding celebration with their family and friends, due to concerns about Covid-19, even though they were married at a courthouse more than three years ago. While they were waiting for their first party in 2020, they became pregnant with my now 2-1/2-year-old grandson Jackson (Jax). The renewal of their wedding vows and reception, which were held in Miami, will forever be among the highlights of my life. Perhaps best of all, for me, was that I did accomplish my goal — only nine weeks after having my right knee replaced and 17 weeks after receiving a new left knee, I did indeed get to dance at Meghan and Jake’s big event. I was one of somewhere between 150-200 people — more than 50 of which were members of Meghan’s huge family from Boston — who were able to participate in this magical celebration of their love. One of the other highlights of the weekend was getting to spend some grandpa time with the adorable Jax — who looks almost exactly like Jake did at the same age (some people even said he looks like me, which made my heart melt). Jannah and I also were able to spend a lot of quality time over the course of the weekend with more than a half-dozen of Jake’s closest friends from Wharton High, some of whom I didn’t recognize at first because I hadn’t seen them at all since their high school days more than a decade ago. It also reminded me of how precious this life is, as neither my own father nor mother — Jack and Marilyn Nager — were able to attend the wedding, due to health concerns, although my sister Bonnie was able to make her way down from her home outside of Philadelphia to share this most joyous event. I can’t imagine a more perfect Father’s Day gift or a better weekend. I finally got to witness the celebration with this most beautiful (inside and out) couple and my older son Jared absolutely killed it with his Best Man speech at the wedding — “I never thought I had a problem making friends until I found out that Jake had more than eight groomsmen. To me, it seemed like kind of an excessive number, but it did make me question my own popularity.” J-Man made me so proud and he even gave me credit for helping him become a better writer. I also got to join in the fun, as I made a toast of my own to the happy couple at their rehearsal dinner. If there’s ever been a happier father on Father’s Day, I’d like to meet him. Congratulations to Jake, Meghan and Jax, to Meg’s mom and dad, Janice and Kevin Hathaway and this happy couple’s entire family. Neighborhood News

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(Left-right) Meghan & Jake Nager; Jax Nager; Jared, Jake & their Dad; Jack & Bonnie Nager running the New York City Marathon together (circa 1985).

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Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin Isabella Douglas Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 30, Issue 16, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, July 25, 2022. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. WesleyChapelNeighborhoodNewsreservesthe right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2022 JM2 Communications, Inc. For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Penny For Pasco Renewal On November Ballot By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com It’s officially campaign season and one of the most noteworthy items on the ballot isn’t a Democrat or a Republican. It’s the Penny for Pasco sales tax referendum. By a 5-0 vote, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOC) voted to put the referendum on the Aug. 23 Primary Election ballot, hoping for it to be renewed for another 15 years. The current Penny for Pasco tax expires in 2024. If renewed for a third time, the penny tax is expected to produce $1.9 billion from 2025 through 2039. The Penny for Pasco revenues are used for a number of quality of life improvements throughout the county — for things like fire rescue services, roads and sidewalks, new schools and parks and economic development. The money is split between the Pasco School District (45 percent), the county (45 percent) and Pasco’s municipalities, including Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and others (10 percent). Wesley Chapel’s Jennifer Seney told the Pasco BOC not to get complacent when pushing for the Penny for Pasco

renewal. Seney was one of the community leaders in 2004 who pushed to get the first referendum passed by advocating for it and rounding up support. It wasn’t easy. The referendum passed 52-48 percent but it was a hard and bitter fight. “This campaign needs a lot of money now this time around,” says Seney, who serves on a Penny political action committee that supports and Schools like Wesley Chapel (above) and Wiregrass Ranch high seeks to educate people schools are slated to receive upgrades paid for with Penny for Pason the sales tax. “Not co proceeds if the renewal of the one-cent tax passes in November. due to opposition, per se, (Photo: Charmaine George) but because there are so many new people to Pasco most 70 percent of the vote. It is expected County that have not heard about this to bring in $700 million by the time it Penny for Pasco and don’t understand it.” expires in December 2024. Seney also suggested a citizens’ overA formal Penny for Pasco project list sight committee for the Penny for Pasco is expected to be presented on July 12. projects, similar to what the school district A draft of that list includes projects that has in place. would impact Wesley Chapel residents, The first Penny for Pasco produced like new fire rescue and sheriff’s office ve$320 million in revenue. In 2012, ecohicles, school sidewalk projects at Curley nomic development was included in the Rd. affecting Wesley Chapel Elementary, revenue usage and it passed easily with al- Weightman Middle School and Wesley

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AUGUST 23 BALLOT NOTABLES:

County Commission District 2 (To replace Mike Moore) Louie Rodriguez (WRI) Troy F. Stevenson (REP) Seth Weightman (REP) Christie Zimmer (REP) County Commission District 4 * Christina Fitzpatrick (REP) Gary Bradford (REP) Shannon Witter (REP) School Board District 1 (To replace Allen Altman) Al Hernandez (NPA) Stephen Meisman (NPA) James M. Washington (NPA) School Board District 3 * Cynthia Armstrong (NPA) Matt Geiger (NPA) School Board District 5 * Megan C. Harding (NPA) Charles Touseull (NPA) * Incumbent

Chapel High, improvements on Old Pasco Rd. and others. The Pasco School Board already has its list of projected projects, and it includes school renovations at Wesley Chapel High ($35.8 million), athletic facility renovations at Wesley Chapel ($1.7 million) and Wiregrass Ranch ($1.8) high schools, cafeteria renovations at Wesley Chapel High ($2.7 million) and several other improvements.

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The road from K-Bar Ranch through Meadow Pointe III was opened for utility workers, not the general public, and has been closed again. Final work, like removing the sign above, should be completed by the end of this month. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

MP Connector To K-Bar Ranch

Closed Again After Confusion By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com It was open. Now it isn’t. However, it will be open again. That’s basically where the Meadow Pointe Blvd. connection to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. saga stands at the moment, after a few weeks of confusion for Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents. The long-awaited connector is currently closed. According to Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who represents the New Tampa area, the roadway is “technically private property until the Tampa City Council approves the plat later in July 2022.” Following that approval, the roadway will have to pass an inspection by Pasco County, which will then officially approve it. The City of Tampa has already inspected the connector. Until all of that red tape has been completed, developer M/I Homes will retain ownership of the roadway and the barricades will stay up. Viera was under the impression that the connector was completed when he noticed that the barriers had been removed and contacted the Neighborhood News on May 30. A few weeks after driving the road a few times and posting a story online about the connection finally being made, the Neighborhood News received more than a dozen inquiries on social media asking why it was suddenly closed again. After a number of social media conspiracy theories were floated, Viera says he was told by City of Tampa staff that the connector was only meant to be open to provide utility access to fully complete the work, as well as removing old signs like the dead-end sign on Meadow Pointe Blvd. However, the thirst for a connection heading north from New Tampa to 6

Wesley Chapel was bound to attract K-Bar Ranch residents, who have been clamoring for years for additional points of egress. Currently, the only way out of the western end of K-Bar Ranch is via Kinnan St., or by driving through busy neighborhoods and past Pride Elementary on Bassett Creek Dr. “This was absolutely important,” said Cindy Gustavel, a K-Bar Ranch resident since 2015. “I think some people saw this as a way to get to malls and restaurants, but most of us just saw it as a way to make living here safer.” The City of Tampa will organize a formal opening ceremony when the roadway has been completed, likely later this month or in early August. That keeps with the original schedule that City of Tampa chief traffic management engineer and head of the Smart Mobility Division Vik Bhide laid out in March. Bhide said then that the roadway would officially open in July. The Meadow Pointe Blvd. connector is one of four connection points originally planned on K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. for the K-Bar Ranch community. The first, where Kinnan St. meets Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe II, was denied by Pasco County and continues to only be open to emergency rescue vehicle and police traffic. Meadow Pointe Blvd. is the second, and the other two — at Wyndfields Blvd and Morris Bridge Rd. — are at least two years away, according to Bhide. So, while a new connection is something to be happy about, many K-Bar Ranch residents still strongly believe the Kinnan-Mansfield connection should still be opened to vehicular traffic as well. “There’s a huge appetite for that,” says Gustavel, who serves on her neighborhood’s HOA board as well as on the K-Bar Ranch CDD board. “I don’t think that will ever go away.”

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Two Nearby Projects & Nearly 10,000 Jobs, Get BOC’s Green Light By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com The Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOC) was busy in June. During meetings on June 7 and June 28, the commissioners voted unanimously, and without any debate, to approve performance-based incentive deals for two large projects expected to completely transform the one-time sleepy I-75/S.R. 52 intersection known previously for its truck stops. The first deal approved was the big one — on June 7, the BOC paved the way for a new development on 965 acres at the southeast corner of 75/52. The project, called the Pasco Town Centre, is expected to generate 5,988 jobs and will include 4 million square feet of industrial uses, 725,000 sq. ft. of office uses and 400,000 sq. ft. of retail uses, plus room for 300 hotel rooms and 3,500 homes. According to the agreement, the mixed-use project will be, “The I-75 corridor’s gateway project into Pasco County.” The county is contributing $55.8 million in incentives to project developer Columnar Holdings, $46.2 million from ad valorem tax rebates

Both the Northpoint and Pasco Town Centre projects, located just north of Wesley Chapel, have been given the green light to proceed by Pasco’s County Commissioners. (Neighborhood News map)

and $9.6 million from the Penny for Pasco fund. All of the payments will be deferred and accrued in a county escrow account for the company until 1 million square feet of industrial/office space has been built. Thanks to the Pasco Town Centre

project, the county is expected to gain more than $386 million in estimated property tax revenue through 2061 (40 years) and a total economic output of $604 million. The benefits to the county are “profound,” David Engel, Pasco’s

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director of the Office of Economic Growth, told the BOC. “This is the most productive agreement that I’ve brought forth to date to the Board,” he said. Engel said this project comes in at $9.60 per square foot, while the Rooker project, two 200,000-sq.-ft. Industrial warehouses approved for I-75 and Old Pasco Rd. in San Antonio that broke ground in 2021, was $9.80 a square foot. As part of the deal, Columnar will have to provide $70 million in infrastructure, like roadways and sewer and water lines. “When you put it all together — the road, the utilities — that’s well over $200 million before the developer can even get $1 out of the escrow account,” Engel says. “That’s a very significant gesture and a commitment to the project the developer is making.” Engel also said the new development will be a boon to the area and to companies that are looking to move to Pasco County. The county is eager to accelerate the project because, “We do not have suitable space for companies to come in to that area right now, and we have tremendous demand for that,” he said. The Pasco Town Centre is within the

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Connected City at the north end of Wesley Chapel, and Michael Wolf of Columnar Holdings said the goal is to make his project synergistic with the Connected City when it comes to local travel. “We think it’s so important to truly get that activation, to have folks be able to run, bike, golf cart, what have you,” he said. “If we don’t have those components, we won’t be able to activate that space.” The Town Centre still has to go through the rezoning process, but Phase One is expected to be completed by June 30, 2024, with the final two phases finishing up by the end of 2026 and 2028, respectively.

Northpoint Project

A second, smaller project was approved by the BOCC on June 28, with commissioners voting unanimously in favor of a $6.3-million incentive package for a project on roughly 218 acres near the northeast corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 52. Northpoint Development LLC is building a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. build-tosuit site expected to yield 2,400 jobs when completed. Build-to-suit projects are typically facilities specially constructed to meet the specifications of a particular user, who currently is unnamed. According to Clark Hobby, who represents Northpoint, the original site

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was smaller but the developer acquired an additional 56 acres to the north. With nearly $10-million in costs just for road improvements, the developer asked for $6.3 million in assistance. “This is an exciting project,” Hobby said. “It is being designed and will be constructed for a major regional distribution center that will include a significant number of jobs.” If the end-user backs out, the county won’t lose any money. But, Hobby said his client is so confident in the deal, “we’re planning on starting construction in late August, to early September.” Hobby said the building will be a half-mile wide, and Engel said the total size will be roughly equivalent to two football fields. The county’s Office of Economic Growth calculates that the Northpoint project will generate $19.1 million in ad valorem taxes over 20 years, and inject $282 million into the Gross County Product (GCP) during construction. Once completed, the county says the annual recurring benefits to the GCP will average $227 million, and the return on investment is 195:1 for every dollar the county is providing in assistance. Both 75/52 projects are in Commissioner Ron Oakley’s District. He supports both projects and called them a win-win for the area.

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Downtown Avalon Park To Host Groundbreaking By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Three major projects promising to transform Wesley Chapel have been in the works for years. One of them, the KRATE container park at the Grove, launched last month to great reviews and is, arguably, the hottest spot in Wesley Chapel at the moment. Another, the Town Center area in Wiregrass Ranch, is still more than a year off. Next up: Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Avalon Park Group/sitEX announced in June it has entered into an agreement with Lema Construction to start construction at Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. The budding community will break ground on Thursday, July 14, on the first phase of its downtown area. The groundbreaking ceremony, to be held from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., will feature refreshments as well as performances and entertainment by Jazz Under the Starz, The Wesley Chapel Theater Group and the Pasco County Fine Arts Council. The three-story, 73,067-sq.-ft. mixed-use building will include 40 multifamily apartments and 23,720 SF of commercial/retail space on the ground floor. The commercial/retail space will

The first phase of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will officially break ground on July 14. The three-story, 73,067-sq.-ft. mixed-use building (above) will include 40 multi-family apartments and 23,720 SF of commercial/retail space on the ground floor. (Rendering: APG/sitEX)

include a 12,000-sq.-ft. food hall to be called the Marketplace at Avalon Park, as well a co-working space called “The 5th Floor.” Both concepts already exist at the flagship Avalon Park Orlando. The 5th Floor in Orlando includes 22 private offices, 12 dedicated desks, unlimited virtual offices, three conference rooms, and

presentation/event, wellness, podcast and mail rooms, as well as a café. “This phase of construction really helps us move even closer to that vision of building a place where families can build memories and traditions together in a town they can call their own,” said Beat Kahli, the CEO of Avalon Park Group/ sitEX, in a press release. “And, while this

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may not be the most cost-effective time to begin construction, we feel like it is important to continue on to the next step in developing our vision for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.” Additionally, a 2-acre community park with an amphitheatre will begin construction later this summer, following permitting. Construction of both the mixed-use building and the park are scheduled for completion in late 2023. Kahli says he is investing more than $700 million in the downtown project — with a $33-million incentive package from Pasco County. Upon completion, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include more than 1,800 acres hosting roughly 400,000 square feet of retail and 100,000 square feet of office space in its downtown area. Construction of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel actually began in 2018, with the addition of the Pinecrest Academy K-8 Charter School, which is currently under construction in its second phase. With nearly 600 students already enrolled, the current construction will add approximately 600 6th-8th grade student stations. For more information about Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com.

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Home Is Where Mom’s Heart Is For Local Family By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Nazeraeh Montrond has thought about it a lot, and the first thing she says she is going to buy for her family’s new Wesley Chapel townhome is a nice wooden table, or maybe a wooden chest. On it, she will place side by side the urns of her parents — U.S. Army Sergeant Alberto Montrond, who was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan in 2006, and Christl, who died in 2021 from several health issues. “It will have to be nice,” Nazeraeh says. “It will have to be something I know she would put in her living room. My mommy had high standards.” The three-bedroom townhome in the Wesley Reserve community at Chapel Crossings, which Nazeraeh and her three siblings will move into next month, is being built and provided mortgage-free by PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® Program in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has provided 300+ homes for injured military veterans and their families since the 2001 terrorist attacks. PulteGroup’s program, launched in 2013, thanks returning military personnel who have been injured during their term of service by providing mortgage-free

homes to veterans and their families. The program has built and donated more than 70 homes across the country, including five in the Tampa Bay area since 2016. “We are honored to provide Nazeraeh and her siblings a home of their own,” said Sean Strickler, President of the West Florida Division of PulteGroup. “Their story truly touched all of us….We hope this home will not only provide comfort and make Nazeraeh Montrond (back row, center) is raising her three siblings and going life easier for the to school full-time as she tries to continue her mother’s legacy. A new home from Montrond family PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® Program and Building Homes for Heroes® but will also be the will help. (Photos courtesy of Nazeraeh Montrond) source of many joypark and stopping at Krispy Kreme along ful memories.” Nazeraeh was only six years old when the way, where he would drink his coffee black, just like she now does. Alberto was killed during his fourth tour Nazeraeh grew up fast. She helped of Afghanistan. She remembers riding Christl take care of the home, looked bikes all day long with him, going to the

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after her siblings, cooked and cleaned and became a rock for the rest of her family. “I loved it, changing diapers, and cooking and cleaning the house,” Nazeraeh says. “I just loved making my mom happy.” But, when Christl got sick in late 2020, the combination of kidney failure and Covid-19 giving her limited time left to live, Nazeraeh couldn’t help but fear for the future. “I didn’t want to believe it,” she says, “but I just knew she wouldn’t leave this earth if she didn’t think I could handle it. I just had to keep my composure, because of my siblings. I’m their only person.” She was only 21, and was trying to balance life as a full-time college student with a full-time job, and had three younger siblings — 10-year-old Bentley, 14-year-old Arabella and 18-year-old Kevyn — that would be her responsibility. And then, in March of 2021, Christl passed away. “They told us in September 2020 she had three months to live, but she lived three months longer than that because she was a fighter,” Nazeraeh says. Nazeraeh is continuing that fight. “I’m not going to lie, it’s tough,” she says. “You go from fun sister to parental mode. “I’m responsible for how they turn out as adults. They learned everything that

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my mom taught them, and now everything else is up to me. It has been tough, but it works. We all make it work, we’re a team, and we get things done as a team.” Christl had been friends with Sally Farrell of the Military Warriors Support Foundation, that has helped other military veterans and their families in the past receive homes, helped pass along the family’s story. Nazeraeh says she was encouraged by Farrell to apply for housing. Nazeraeh did so, but didn’t think much of it, knowing there were lots of other families in similar predicaments. But, while on a cruise in March with her siblings on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing, Nazeraeh received a call from Gina Cerami with Building Homes for Heroes, which works with PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program by identifying recipients. Cerami said there was some property in Wesley Chapel she wanted Nazeraeh to look at, and she took her siblings to check it out. “I told them not to get their hopes up,” Nazeraeh says. “I told them we were just window shopping for the future.” The home, just a mile from where Christl last lived, was already under construction. As they walked in between the home’s framing, they were told, “This is where a bedroom will be”...” This will be the kitchen,”....and so on. Ten minutes later, they let Nazeraeh know – “This is your home.” She and her siblings were handed sharpies to write messages on the wooden frame. Nazeraeh started crying, writing her messages while wiping away tears. “For He will order His angels to protect you where you go.” (Psalms 91:11 NLT) “Peace be to you and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.” (1 Samuel 25:6) “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.” (Psalms 73:26) Nazeraeh and her siblings also doodled some drawings of their parents. “It was really an emotional moment,” she says. “My siblings, they don’t really understand, it was just a house, ‘Why is this girl crying; what is wrong with you?’ But in reality, this alleviated a huge stress of mine, because when I graduate college next summer, my benefits from my father that helped me pay for our living right now will be cut off. I won’t have to scramble next summer thinking about where we were going to live…those tears were real, so real, my siblings laughed but I didn’t care. I just bawled my eyes out because I really didn’t know what I was going to do. This genuinely has saved me and my family.” Nazeraeh couldn’t help but think her mother had something to do with it all. Not only did she make an impact on someone who was willing to help her children, but the townhome was so close Neighborhood News

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Alberto and Christl Montrond.

to where they used to live, and in a school zone that was so important to her mother. “It’s like she brought us back to where she wanted us to be from the beginning,” Nazeraeh says. “It’s like she chose that house.” And, not that Nazeraeh needed any more convincing that her mother had a spiritual hand in the family’s good fortune, it’s very likely the move-in date will be August 25, Christl’s birthday. Nazeraeh, who graduated from Tampa Catholic High, is expecting to graduate from USF next summer with a degree in Health Sciences. She currently works in database management with Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, a nonprofit that teaches financial literacy to elementary, middle and high school students. She continues to stay focused on her siblings, while planning for the future. She is burdened by responsibilities that most 22-year-olds don’t have to deal with, and she is tackling them all head-on. Having a place to live has opened the door to a brighter future for everyone in her family. Sometimes, for fun, she and her family will visit the model home and just look around. Her siblings have picked out the colors of their rooms and can’t wait to start painting, and Nazeraeh is determined to find that perfect table to honor her parents. Moving day is coming up fast. Nazaraeh may have wondered how she was going to make it all work in the past, but now she is certain brighter days are ahead. “This really is so life changing,” she says. “This is our last home. We have moved around a lot. We’ve never been at a school for more than two years. It’s nice to know that this is permanent. I love that feeling knowing that they know this is their space and it’s not going anywhere.” For more information about Building Home For Heroes®, visit BuildingHomesForHeroes.org, and for more information about PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® Program, visit PulteGroupCares.com For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

First-Ever RADDSports Charity 5K Runs To Fund-Raising Success! By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

Fresh off last year’s successful golf fund raiser at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, the RADDSports Charity 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is now 2-for-2. The charity, which is the nonprofit arm of RADDSports, the private partner of Pasco County responsible for the sports programs at the county-owned Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, hosted more than 100 runners and their families at its firstever Charity 5K, 1K, Kids Run and Family Fun Festival. The run and festival were held at the Sports Campus on June 18. RADDSports president and Charity Board chair Richard Blalock says that he is proud that the event raised enough proceeds to provide scholarships for more kids who can’t afford RADDSports’ programs. “This is still all about changing the culture and helping young athletes, regardless of their ability to pay, participate in our programs,” Blalock said. “Plus, it was a fun day for everyone who came out to participate.” In addition to the various runs, RADDSports’ sponsors, vendors and business partners had booths at the event. Final fund-raising totals for the RADDSports Charity 5K & Festival had not yet been tabulated at our press time.

The first place female & male finishers at the first-ever RADDSports Charity 5K Run & Family Festival were Yenni Djajalaksana (left) and Ricardo Guardiola, respectively.

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Chamber Up For National Award! By JOHN C. COTEY

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CEO Hope Kennedy has had a hand in putting Wesley Chapel on the map with her stewardship of the former Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, now known as the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC). Later this month, Wesley Chapel, and its massive growth, could play a hand in putting the Chamber itself on the map. On July 26, Allen and Board member Michael Berthelette will be in Indianapolis answering questions from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) judges in a final test to see if the NTBC is named the Small Chamber of the Year for the entire country. The extensive application process got the NTBC to the finals, but the 45-minute Q-&-A session on July 26 will account for 2/3 of the NTBC’s score. The following night, at the Awards Show at ACCE’s annual convention in Indianapolis, the winners will be revealed. “When I first looked at the application I giggled,” Kennedy says, referring to how difficult it looked. “But Javan (Grant, the current Board chair) convinced me to do it. (The application) ended up being 31 pages long. It’s very comprehensive. However, the end result is that we are a Chamber of the Year finalist.” The NTBC touted two of its programs

in 2020-21 in its application — a Road Show in which Kennedy went to businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic and filmed interviews for social media, letting people know which businesses were still open, and the Chamber’s reimagined Celebration of Excellence awards program, which was held both in-person and virtual last November. The NTBC is a finalist in Category 1, the smallest category, along with the Mason City (IA) Chamber and the Zionsville (IN) Chamber. The ACCE is comprised of more than 1,600 Chambers of Commerce from across the U.S. It will name four winners in four different categories (according to size, budget and location of the chamber). “This is the Academy Awards for Chambers of Commerce, Kennedy says. “For me, this is the pinnacle of my career.” The NTBC has 570 members, many of which are from Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, although there also are member businesses located in western Pasco and north Pinellas counties. Kennedy said when she started at the Wesley Chapel Chamber 11 years ago, there were roughly 200 members. Awards are nothing new for the NTBC, which won the 2019 Small Chamber of the Year for the state of Florida from the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP).

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New Tampa Business Owners Find Success At Krate By JOHN C. COTEY

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For entrepreneurs, finding a place to start a new business in New Tampa can be tricky. Space can be limited. Prices are high. New development is scarce. At the new KRATE at The Grove container park in Wesley Chapel, however, the plan was to lure those entrepreneurs in with a flashy concept — a park filled with converted shipping containers with bright murals painted on the side — and a less expensive entry point, with some container rents beginning at roughly $1,500 a month. After a wildly successful opening day, the container park continues to boom for many of its owners, including a group of current and former New Tampa residents. Here are a few of them:

Nimesh & Felicia Desai Blush Wine Room

The Blush Wine Room has been an idea the Desais have been planning for the last five years, but finding the perfect location had been a major chore. The 14-year Live Oak Preserve residents scoured Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the hopes of finding a launching pad for their hip and trendy concept. It was a call from Bernadette Blauvelt, the owner of B Creative Painting Studio at The Village at Grove in Wesley Chapel,

(L.-r): Felicia Desai of the Blush Wine Room, Brooke Wahlquist of Higher Flour Bakery and Luis Ledezma of Mojo Grill Latin Fusion are all current or former New Tampa residents with something else in common — they recently opened new businesses at the KRATE at The Grove container park in Wesley Chapel. (All photos by Charmaine George) Chris and Brooke, who are engaged packed, as the bar’s offering of wine, wine that turned their attention to the container tastings, wine-based cocktails (many served and live in Richmond Place, came up with park. in pouches for those walking around), and a concept that combined his passion for “She said ‘You have to come take a a menu that includes homemade meatballs, holistic medicine (Delta 8 THC, in this look,’” Felicia says. case) and her baking skills to make delitruffle fries, cheese boards and a variety of So they did. Although they had cious gourmet edibles. chips and dips are in high demand. considered trying to get in a space at the However, their efforts to find a “It’s been crazy,” says Felicia, “But we The Village at Hunter’s Lake town center, landlord willing to rent out space for their love it. I have no complaints.” the day after meeting with developer Mark Higher Flour store stalled, due to the stigma Gold in late 2019, they signed a lease. Chris Ferraro & Brooke still associated with CBD, even though it’s The timing couldn’t have been better. Wahlquist, Higher Flour legal in 30 states, including Florida. Covid-19 ended up wiping out her small The tenant list at the KRATEs is filled “We were actually denied from 12 business, two cafés in office buildings. with entrepreneurs who had been lookother locations,” Chris says. “I had pretty But now, nearly three years later, the ing for a decent entry point into a physical much given up all hope of opening this Blush Wine Room is one of the KRATEs’ location to sell their dreams. awesome idea that we had.” hottest spots. The weekends are non-stop

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the weekends are a madhouse. “When you work hard and put your concept out there and deliver good flavors, people will come back,” Luis said. This is “definitely” something Luis says he could not have pulled off in New Tampa. While living in Live oak Preserve for 10 years, he saw enough small restaurants turn over to discourage him. “It would be much harder to become known without spending much more money,” he says. Sheila Haque was inspired to open her Life Essentials Refillery “I wouldn’t take that risk in an store because of her goal of leaving the world a better, cleaner expensive brick-and-mortar. This place for her daughters (l.-r.) Lilly, Ayva and Kayla. is perfect.” The very last place on his list was KRATE at the Grove which, at the time, Sheila & Osman Haque was only a concept. Chris says his initial Life Essentials Refillery inquiry was rejected, but he pleaded for Sheila’s career in the zero-waste and a meeting with Gold, who liked the idea better living business started on a boat, once Chris explained to him that it wasn’t where she and her three daughters noticed going to be a smoke shop. trash floating in the water. That inspired Since opening on June 4, Chris says her to start EmbraceLessWasteUSA. Higher Flour has been “killing it.” The success has already inspired him to consider com, a website devoted to zero-waste, American-made products. adding more locations. Haque, who lives in Cory Lake Isles, The store sells five different flavors of completed the Pasco Economic Development cookies, from the traditional chocolate chip Council (EDC) business incubator program, to Ube, which is a purple yam popular in and although she could use the EDC conFilipino deserts. Each cookie has 25 mg of tainer on occasion to sell her products, she Delta 8 THC, roughly the same as you’d wanted her own store. get in a gummy, although everyone’s mileShe put herself on the waiting list at age varies, Chris says. the KRATEs while pursuing other oppor“Thank God for Mark Gold,” says tunities. After passing on a few overpriced, Chris, whose previous business, LitFit, high-rent options, Sheila says Life Esspecialized in online sales of pashminas sentials Refillery was ready to commit to a and was successful until Covid-19 hit. He Trinity location. added that Gold’s green light “changed Luckily, KRATE called and said there the entire course of my family’s history.” was an opening. “We were getting buildLuis & Olimar Ledezma out pricing (in Trinity),” Sheila says. While Mojo Grill Latin Fusion she may be paying more per square foot Luis was the longtime general manager at the smaller KRATE, she says, “the foot at the Wendy’s on BBD, and then managed traffic is worth it.” the Inside The Box Café at Armature Works At Life Essentials Refillery, the from 2018-20 until they raised the rent and Haques sell eco-friendly, healthy and forced him to look elsewhere. locally-sourced items. In fact, Sheila says Luis says at that moment, Olimar, a everything in the store is sourced from senior manager for a car insurance comsmall American businesses. pany, “challenged me” to start something. Items like spices, herbs, teas and With his management skills, her talent as a coffee are popular, as well as less toxic chef (learned from culinary classes she took versions of things like detergent, soap and in Spain) and their experiences eating difsunblock. But, because they also have a full ferent cuisines while traveling around the kitchen, they are also able to sell food. You world, it was time to take the plunge and can bring in your own container and fill it “stop working for somebody else.” with pasta, beans and candies, and there’s a So after reading about the container concept in the Neighborhood News in 2019, gluten-free section to choose from as well. And, if you want to make your own Luis wasted little time signing up for the nut butter, Sheila can even help you do chance to run his own business. that, too. “It was a no-brainer deal,” he said. “The interest so far is better than I “The KRATE was a great concept.” expected, ” Sheila says. “We’ve met people Olimar designed the menu at Mojo that come from Sarasota and Gainesville Grill. The result has been dishes like the because there’s nothing like this close by.” Argentinian-inspired Chimichurri steak, the All of these KRATE businesses Uruguayan-inspired Choripan sandwich, have their own websites and social meCuban-inspired nachos and a variety of other dia presences, as well as their own open tasty Latin dishes. Drinks, too — Olimar hours, but for a complete listing of makes a killer homemade sangria. and more information about all of the Like almost every restaurant container KRATE businesses, visit KrateatTheat KRATE, business has been hopping. Grove.com. The container is almost never empty and Neighborhood News

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Wesley Chapel Community Celebrates Twins’ Birthday Robert Roush knew a traditional birthday party was out of the question for his twin sons Donald and John, after John was diagnosed with leukemia in May. So, Robert took to Facebook and crossed his fingers. A 26-year resident of Wesley Chapel, he hoped he could rally enough people willing to drive by his home and offer a happy seventh birthday wish for the boys from their vehicles. Wesley Chapel didn’t let him down. More than 100 vehicles drove by the Roush home in two hours in Fox Ridge, honking and hollering birthday wishes, including fire trucks, a motorcycle club and some classic cars. Many waved elaborate signs wishing the twins a happy birthday, others handed out gifts for them. “Honestly at first, we were apprehensive,” Robert said. “We’ve lived in Wesley Chapel for 26 years and I’ve seen how much it has changed with so much growth (and new people) the last two years and worried maybe it was losing that sense of community…but I was overwhelmed in a very good way. We saw that, at the core, the community is still there.” Donald and John waved back from the front lawn of their home. They posed with firefighters, who brought gifts. John got to see teachers and his classmates from Quail Hollow Elementary, who he never got to say goodbye to this school year due to his untimely diagnosis. “That was a big deal for him,” Robert said. “Missing the last weeks of school was really, really tough for him.” John will not be able to attend classes in the fall, and will be home schooled by Robert. John’s mother Laura is a teacher’s assistant at Quail Hollow and is taking classes to become a teacher. In May, John, who hadn’t been himself for months, was taken to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukemia. He spent the following 11 days in the hospital. The doctors say there is a twoyear battle ahead of the family, but Robert says people who have children with leukemia or have already been through it have

told him that two years “is a pie in the sky” prediction. “We think we’re looking at 3-4 years of chemotherapy and other treatments,” said Robert, a self-employed counselor and pastor. “We’ll just have to take it one month at a time, and pray for the best.” On the twins’ actual birthday — June 24 — John had a bone marrow draw and a spinal injection, where he had to go under anesthesia and have chemotherapy directly injected into his spine.

As a result, he was worn out 45 minutes into his birthday drive-by celebration the following day, but not before he was able to enjoy a reprieve from the loneliness of his illness. “It absolutely was good for him, not only seeing how many people were supporting him and rooting for him, but it also gave him closure for the end of school,” Robert said. “It really helped him.” — JCC

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Note - On July 1, Robert Roush

posted the following on Facebook: “After a wonderful birthday, due to the love and support of the community, John has had a few setbacks. He had to undergo an additional bone marrow draw...and his blood counts have dropped, requiring him to be admitted back into St. Joseph’s. His spirits are high, but his energy is low. Please pray for our little man and our family...God willing he may be home for the 4th (of July).” Check our Facebook page for updates.

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Three Generations Of Painters Set Topash Apart By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent

When K.T. Topash of Topash Painting is out working on a job with his son, Cole, it reminds him of when he was younger, painting the exteriors and interiors of local homes and businesses alongside his dad, Paul, before K.T. bought the company from Paul in 2009. Cole became part owner when he turned 18 and, over the past few years, has grown into a partner his dad trusts to carry on the family name with the same commitment to excellence and customer service that he and his dad built a generation ago. That’s three generations of Topash men who have been painting homes in Wesley Chapel and the surrounding areas since Paul started the company in 1978. So much has changed since then, but K.T. and Cole still hold on to the values that have helped them build a business with a stellar reputation and customers who have been loyal to them for many years. First and foremost, K.T. and Cole always do the work themselves. When you hire Topash Painting, you know exactly who will be painting your home, and it’s never going to be a subcontractor. Typically, both father and son will be on the job site together. But, even if they bring on another employee to help the business, either K.T. or Cole will always be on site with them, and you can be sure their helper will be someone who is trustworthy, reliable, safe and will do the job with excellence. “So many times in this industry, the customer hires a company, but the company subs it out to some-

who you’re hiring. It’s just K.T. and his son, so I don’t have to worry about my daughters or be concerned with day laborers or background checks.” Jason was first introduced to Topash Painting close to 10 years ago when he saw the trailer in his neighborhood. He says K.T. painted his house then, and has been his go-to painter ever since. Topash Painting has painted Jason’s home and office, both inside and out. In fact, Jason hired him to paint the exterior of his house again, even though K.T. told him his previous paint job was still holding up and he didn’t need to do it. “I like to be proactive, so I Cole (left) and K.T. Topash of Topash Painting are part of three generations of told him I wanted to get it done,” Topash men who have been painting homes in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa dating says Jason. all the way back to 1978. (Photos: Charmaine George) Jason also says that he has always found Topash Painting’s one who has no responsibility,” says K.T. “That’s not who we want to be.” pricing to be appropriate for the market. “He’s not high, That’s why Jason Christiano says he continues to he’s not low,” Jason says. “He’s fair.” hire Topash Painting for all of his painting needs at both K.T. says that he always tries to give the best possible his home in Grand Hampton in New Tampa and for his prices and that he has absorbed many of the cost increases business in Wesley Chapel. that have happened over the years. However, right now, “The work is very high quality and the pricing the cost of materials is extremely high. is fair,” says Jason. “What’s most important to me is “Our paint and materials costs have gone through

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Despite rising costs, K.T. says Topash Painting will not skimp on its always-high-quality paints just to save a buck. the roof,” K.T. says, “and we’ve seen at least a 45% increase over the last 18 months or so.” He says that he keeps costs down as much as possible, but won’t skimp on the quality of the products he puts on (or in) your home. “A lot of customers don’t know that there’s good, bad, and ugly in the painting product world,” he says. “Even Sherwin Williams offers so many lines of paint, from new construction paint that is cheap and won’t last long, to paint that currently costs $100 a gallon.” K.T. says his experience means he knows exactly how to purchase the right products and do the work in a way that will allow you to enjoy your paint job for many years to come. “We use a lifetime warranty paint,” K.T. explains. “If the painter does the prep work right, you’ll never have to worry about the warranty. It’s definitely not enough to just slap some paint on a wall.” It’s always been hard for professional, high-quality painters such as Topash Painting to distinguish themselves from the guys who just want to get paint on the wall and collect their payment. Topash Painting has always distinguished itself by being licensed, insured and bonded, so K.T. and his wife Hollie, who handles the bookkeeping for the business, were shocked when they learned that the state of Florida no longer offers painting licenses. In the past, K.T. had to take a test and pay a fee to be licensed, but now there is no licensing available. That means it’s even harder nowadays to distin-

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guish the true pros from the non-pros. Topash Painting continues to carry liability insurance to protect its customers. “As a consumer, you have to ask those questions,” K.T. says. “Most people’s biggest asset is their home, and it’s in your best interest to protect it.” So, while they feel like doing away with licensing just makes it more difficult for consumers to find the best professionals for the job, K.T. and Cole are committed to continuing their family tradition of providing quality paint jobs at the best possible prices for homes and businesses, year after year. “It’s more important than ever to do your due diligence,” K.T. says. “Check references and be sure the painters are using the materials they say they are. You don’t want to hire some weekend warrior who is just trying to make a buck.” K.T. says he loves working with Cole, who makes him very proud. “He is a huge asset to me,” says K.T. “And, it’s a lot of fun.” K.T. says Cole knows everything about the business and represents Topash Painting well. “Sometimes better than I do,” K.T. says. “You find out truly who your kid is when you’re working with him. When I see Cole talking with a customer and handling himself the way an adult does, it’s very rewarding.” For estimates or appointments, call Topash Painting at (813) 7802511 or e-mail topashpainting@gmail. com. Or, search for “Topash Painting” on Facebook or see the ad on page 38.

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Furniture Medic Can Make Kitchen Cabinets Look Like New By JOHN C. COTEY

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Furniture Medic by JFC Restorations owner Joe Rakocy says he can fix basically anything, but when it comes to wood, he is a specialist. At his Furniture Medic franchise based in Wesley Chapel, Rakocy and his team have tackled a number of big projects but repairing and restoring is the No. 1 goal. “We basically work on anything that’s wood,” Rakocy says. “We repair, restore, we build, we install, and we do a lot of furniture repairs, antique work and a lot of cabinet work.” Furniture Medic is part of a 30-yearold national franchise based out of Memphis, TN, with locations in 42 states including nine in Florida, and is part of the Service Master Group, which specializes in franchising home service businesses like Merry Maids, Two Men & a Truck and others. Furniture Medic’s specialty is, essentially, reviving your furniture. Not only does Rakocy’s franchise, which he has owned since 2014, focus on home services, it also does commercial work. He says they have spruced up the desks at the Mayor’s office in Orlando, refinished the furniture in the State

Furniture Medic can give your home an entirely new look just by upgrading and refurbishing your existing kitchen cabinets, as owner Joe Rakocy and his team did above, or even restore a variety of different cabinet doors, like you see on page 28. (Photos courtesy of Joe Rakocy)

Attorney’s office and even gone in and fixed up the chairs in Rakocy’s cardiologist’s office. Bob Wilson, a Land O’Lakes resident, says he has used Furniture Medic by JFC Restorations a number of times to fix up older Ethan Allen mahogany furniture he has in his home. Joe and his team fixed up some dog scratches, a table top damaged by an overflowing candle and about 15-17 pieces in all. One piece they took back to Rakocy’s

shop because it needed to be sanded and color-matched. “They did a beautiful job on every piece in the house,” Wilson says. Residential cabinet work, however, is an area of emphasis these days for Rakocy’s Furniture Medic. While technicians Frank and Chuck will still take the nick out of a piece of furniture or make an older, worn piece look new, cabinets have emerged as a high-priority area of expertise, due to growing demand.

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A Different Approach?

While Furniture Medic can come in and install a whole new set of kitchen cabinets for you, they specialize in what can be a much more affordable option – refreshing your look. In fact, Rakocy says sometimes people will call for a second opinion of getting a whole new kitchen, only to find they can save a lot of money with Furniture Medic by taking a different approach. See “Furniture Medic” on pg. 28.

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Furniture Medic can restore your scratched-up cabinets like no one else. Almost all repairs are done onsite, so Furniture Medic doesn’t require a Continued from pg. 26 large office — unless you count Rakocy’s 1,000-sq.-ft. shop on his property in Joe’s team can come in and tackle any Wesley Chapel where he works on other gouges or other imperfections in your cabprojects like preparing to build a small inets, give them a new face, repaint them office addition at his daughter’s home and have them looking like new again. — and those savings are passed on to his “We can basically come in and clean customers. and repair and fill nicks and gouges and stuff like that,” Rakocy says. “We can Still More Expertise bring your cabinets back to looking pretty While Furniture Medic doesn’t repair close to new for a small fraction of what it upholstery or re-upholster furniture would cost you to put in new cabinets.” made of fabric, it does repair everything It can be as simple a job as fixing else involving your furniture, like leather some drawers and/or drawer gliders to repairs (mending holes and rips, as well revitalizing doors that are falling apart. as restoration) and structural repairs like If the cabinet boxes are still good, motor mechanisms. Rakocy even has built it can just be a matter or replacing the and installed a barn door in a home at the doors. But, if more work is needed, Rarequest of a customer. kocy says his crew can custom-build new boxes as well. Rakocy says recliner work is very “Nowadays it’s actually probably popular these days, and he sometimes quicker for us to custom-build it than to jokes that the business should be called order them,” he says, referring to supply “Recliner Medic” due to all the repairs his chain issues that can make ordering the team does on the popular chairs. right cabinets a 10-week to 6-month wait Furniture that has been chewed or for the customer. scratched by a pet also is a common repair. But, Rakocy says that if the cabinet The Furniture Medic can fix bed posts boxes are still in good shape, which is many or chair legs and do a color match to times the case, Furniture Medic can do make them look like new (although deep wonders with the doors. From refacing the scratches and gouges that go across the doors or completely changing the wood to grain may not be repairable.) giving you an entirely new color — with Even chairs and tables that have high-quality, water-based paint and a hard stains, watermarks or are just showing surface topcoat for durability — “we can their age can be buffed and beautified completely refresh your kitchen.” by Furniture Medic, and antiques and Furniture Medic even offers a yearly heirlooms can get spruced up with just a program where Rakocy’s team will come little TLC. out and clean and refresh your cabinets. “It’s pretty amazing what we can “You’d be extremely impressed with do, ” he says. what we can do,” he says. And, if you call the company and Furniture Medic can do the same send them a photo, Rakocy and his techs with your kitchen or furniture set as well. can tell you whether they can fix your Another fix the team at Furniture problem or not, roughly how much it Medic can provide in your kitchen is would cost and whether or not it’s even replacing the box under your sink, a probworth the effort, like with cheaper wood lem area for some. If the shelves, walls or even faux wood. or floor have been damaged by a leak, Furniture Medic by JFC RestoraRakocy says Furniture Medic’s disaster tions is open Monday-Friday, from restoration can be a lifesaver. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, In the case of the sink, the box can be visit the Furniture Medic franchise pulled out and replaced without touching website at FurnitureMedic.com, call the rest of the kitchen, making it an easier locally at (813) 982-4192, or see their repair that doesn’t involve gutting the ad on pg. 32 of this issue. entire kitchen.

‘Furniture Medic’

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Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon Opens Third Location By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN

kind of grooming he desired for his pup. He set out to create what he was looking for, but now, he’s become passionate about helping all pets, not just his own. “When we first opened the store, it was all about Max, but our focus has changed,” says Paul. “Now, it’s all about your pet. We offer the highest-quality advice, products and grooming that you can get in the New Tampa or Wesley Chapel areas. We have your dog or cat’s best interest at heart, and they are the number one reason why we open our doors every day.”

Correspondent

When Paul Spalvieri opened the first Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon in 2019 on S.R. 54 (about a mile east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., near the entrance to Saddlebrook Resort), he brought a boutique concept in pet care and grooming that is completely different from the big box pet stores to Wesley Chapel. In just three years, Max’s has now grown to three locations, proving that people want and appreciate the premium nutrition and impeccable grooming in cage-free facilities that Max’s offers. Last December, Paul’s business partners Gregg and Gabriel Clavijo-Hopper opened a franchise location in New Tampa in the shopping plaza on the southeast corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and County Line Rd. On July 1, Paul opened a new store in Mirada, a new master planned community just north of Wesley Chapel in San Antonio, FL, that will offer a 15-acre lagoon and dog parks, which Paul believes will be a good fit for his business. “We’re following the same model of being cage-free for grooming, focused on diet and nutrition for dogs and cats, and having pets at the forefront of what we do,”

Cage-Free Grooming

Paul and Martina Spalvieri and their family (l.-r. Max, Matthew, Missy, Martinka & Kristinka) have opened the third location of Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon in the Mirada community, just north of Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Paul says. “And the grooming area at the new store is also 50-percent bigger than the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa salons.” The Mirada location provides convenient access to Max’s for customers who live in the northern portions of Wesley Chapel, such as Epperson and Watergrass, as well as nearby communities such as Tampa Bay Golf Country Club in San

Antonio and Lake Jovita in Dade City. Paul and his wife Martina live in Watergrass and are pet parents to both Max, a Bichon Frise, and Missy, a Havanese, as well as three human kids — Matthew, Martinka and Kristinka. Paul opened Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon when he couldn’t find the type of store he wanted to shop in locally with the

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At all three locations, the cage-free grooming environment means your dog will never be locked up. Appointments run strictly on time to avoid pets feeling stressed and anxious in a cage while waiting to be picked up. The new store has the same hightech features that Max’s customers have come to love at its other locations — customized for small to large dogs. Bathing tubs are oversized to accommodate very large dog breeds — even those more than 150 pounds — and are walk-in and electronically raised and lowered for comfort and safety. Those same tubs also have a sizing adaptor to be comfortable for tiny dogs, such as Chihuahuas and Yorkies.

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Groomers have the technical expertise to give breed-specific cuts, with certifications such as National Certified Master Groomer, as certified by the National Dog Groomers Association of America. The groomers are led by Misty Garcia, services director, who is responsible for both grooming and in-store dog training. Misty has 26 years of experience as a groomer, and also been training dogs for more than 20 years. She has two Australian shepherds, including one she shows competitively.

In-Store Dog Training

As a one-stop-shop for pets, the Wesley Chapel and new Mirada locations both offer pet training in the store (although the Mirada store has not yet begun its instore training). The five-week program is geared toward new puppies or beginners with no training. It lays the foundation to teach both owner and dog commands, which they practice in store. Then, the pet parent continues the training at home. “The following week we do a review and build on those skills with new skills,” explains Paul, “such as sit, stay, watch me, how to walk on a leash and avoid distractions.” Advanced training also is offered. The training schedule is on the store’s website at MaxsPetMarketAndSalon.com. Sign up online or call the store to register. The next beginner class starts July 28 in Wesley Chapel and will be held on consecutive Thursday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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Pet Nutrition

In addition to grooming and training, Max’s Natural Pet Market is focused on providing highly nutritious food and treat options, along with educated sales associates who can help customers make the best decisions for their pets’ diets. Scott Kresh discovered the original Max’s shortly after it opened. He and his wife, Lorri, have two pit bulls — 14-yearold Maya and Niko, who is 3 — and a cat named Kara. Maya had always had allergy and skin issues, and the staff at Max’s offered some ideas to help. Over time, Scott tried various diet changes suggested by Paul and his sales associates, and he says that Maya’s issues have been almost completely resolved. “It’s too bad she’s so old because this is the best she’s ever looked,” says Scott.

“In the past, she would get bumps that would ooze, but now she gets no bumps and no yeast flare ups, and I credit that to Paul’s food knowledge.” Scott says every issue he’s had with his pets — from needing a specialized harness for his strong, young Niko to trying to address spraying with his older cat — Paul has been able to address. “He’s got an answer for everything,” says Scott. “It’s amazing. I’m not exaggerating at all. I credit him with helping us so much.”

Future Growth

Paul says his business will continue to grow as he is working toward potential franchises across the state and country, including in Fort Myers, Sarasota, Jacksonville, and even as far west as Arizona. “We’re looking at future growth,”

says Paul, “and I will continue to be very involved in both our corporate and franchise stores.” Anyone interested in Max’s franchise opportunities can get more information and submit a request for details on the store’s website. Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon has three locations that are open every day from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. The original Max’s is located at 28838 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel and can be reached at (813) 649-3939. The New Tampa store is located at 6431 E. County Line Rd. and can be reached by calling (813) 591-5368. The Mirada location is at 30945 Mirada Blvd. and can be reached at (352) 437-6677. For more information, visit MaxsPetMarketAndSalon.com or see the ad on page 32.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

The Living Room Is Getting Ready To Open In Wesley Chapel! By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

On the day (July 1) photographer Charmaine George and I visited The Living Room at The Shops at Wiregrass mall, the place was still very much a construction site, so it was hard for Charmaine to get really great pictures of what the restaurant ultimately will look like inside. Even so, according to Living Room co-owner Zach Feinstein, the co-owner of The Feinstein Group, which has opened three successful restaurants in Dunedin (including the original Living Room on Main St.) since the group was established in 2014, “we should definitely be open by the end of July or the beginning of August, at the latest.” Zach and his wife Christina, who took over The Black Pearl on Main St. together when they were just dating (“My friends told me I was crazy,” says Christina. “But obviously, it’s all worked out.”), are not only the proud owners of The Living Room and The Black Pearl, but also the Sonder Social Club, located on Douglas Ave. (off Main St.), and all three restaurants are completely different. The Sonder Social Club is primarily a cocktail lounge featuring, according to Zach, “some of the best craft cocktails in the Tampa Bay area,” although it does have a few food items, including charcuterie boards and cauliflower crusted artisan pizzas. The Black Pearl, which Zach says he and Christina have “greatly upgraded” since taking it over, is the most upscale of the three, with starters like escargot en croute and white truffle lobster risotto and entrées like Hereford filet mignon, Chilean sea bass Lyonnaise and Maple Leaf Farms seared duck breast. The Black Pearl is ranked #1 of

133 restaurants in Dunedin on Tripadvisor. But, the Feinsteins say, The Living Room is the most “mainstream” of their three eateries, which Tripadvisor ranks #10 of 133 restaurants in Dunedin. “We’re perfect for a ‘Big Night Out’ or date night,” Zach says, “but our menu pricing is very fair, so we’ll also be a great place to meet your friends for a craft cocktail and some appetizers anytime throughout the week.” Zach and Christina, who got married in 2017, say they looked at South Tampa and other locations to open their fourth restaurant before they decided to bring The Living Room to Wesley Chapel. Zach and Christina Feinstein are excited to be bringing The Living Room to the Shops at Wire“With all of the growth out grass, which offers private dining areas like the one above, a huge outdoor patio (next page) with her near the mall,,” Zach live entertainment, and unique touches you won’t find anywhere else in or near Wesley Chapel. says, “we felt that Wesley Chapel was our best option.” Although Zach adds that the menu will be similar to the Dunedin location, which has starters like flash fried pork dumplings, beef tenderloin empanadas and tuna poké, shareables such as a smoked salmon flatbread and Korean BBQ lettuce wraps, and entrées like brown butter diver scallops (photo on next page), sautéed red grouper and a spicy pork chop, “our Executive Chef Joshua Rhynes will have a few new surprises on the menu, too.” The Feinsteins have easy-like room for up to 12 people that even has a private spared no expense when it comes to their newest restaurant. entrance/exit door hidden inside a bookshelf (above). When you walk in, the first thing you’ll see is a 100-year-old “There’s definitely no place like The Living Room bookcase (left) and hand-carved hostess stand that both came in Wesley Chapel,” says Zach. “No one can beat our food from a historic home in Hyde Park. The bar area, although or our craft cocktails. And, Christina has outdone herself similar in size and orientation to what used to be in Ciao! at designing the place. Welcome Home!” the mall, “is being completely redone,” says Zach, as are the The Living Room is located at 2001 Piazza Ave., spacious main dining area inside (with a huge wine selection), Unit 100. For more info, visit TheLivingRoomonthe expanded (soon to be covered) outdoor patio (with live Main.com, and stay tuned to our “Neighborhood music), and two interior private dining areas, one with seating News” Facebook page for the latest updates. for up to about 70 people and the other an almost-speak-

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Wesley Chapel Dining News! Cooper’s Hawk Is Coming & Maybe A Brazilian Steakhouse, Too? By JOHN C. COTEY

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Chicken Salad Chick To Open Although we still don’t have a specific opening date, the new Chicken Salad Chick, located on the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension south of S.R. 56 (in a new building next to Zaxby’s), is expected to open before the end of this month. The same building also will be home to a new nail salon. — GN

NY-Style Pizzeria To Replace Windy City! Shortly after this issue hits your mailbox, a new NY-style pizzeria is expected to open to replace Windy City Pizza (formerly Full Circle Pizza) in the Pebble Creek Collection ion New Tampa, with a new name we can’t announce yet, but with some familiar faces running it. Stay tuned to our social media for further updates! — GN

Hana Sushi Won’t Open

We had been telling you for a few months that the former location of Aroy Thai on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa was going to become the second location of Hana Sushi, which has an existing restaurant in Sarasota. Daniel Earles of SRE Real Estate, the agent for the strip plaza that also is home to Tire Choice and MedExpress Urgent Care, just south of County Line Rd., says that because of a partnership issue, Hana Sushi has pulled out of the 2,067-sq.-ft. location and notes that “it’s pretty much built out for a restaurant, so it would be almost a turnkey location for another restaurant owner.”For leasing info, call (813) 424-2500. — GN

The popular Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is coming to Wesley Chapel! While no official announcement has yet been made, the Neighborhood News has learned that plans are in place for a new Cooper’s Hawk to be built at the northwest corner of S.R. 56 and Lajuana Blvd. (the road that leads to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County). The new restaurant will be constructed just east of the existing Culver’s restaurant. We’ve also learned that a second upscale restaurant also is planned for that area, but that will happen sometime after Cooper’s Hawk. With Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. nearing completion from S.R. 56 north to S.R. 54, look for the Wiregrass Ranch development to continue to be busy in the coming months, with a host of new developments. Cooper’s Hawk, which offers a wide selection of wines and wine-related gifts, is highly-rated by those leaving reviews online. The upscale chain is known for its modern décor, a menu specializing in contemporary American dishes infused with flavors from around the world, all made in a scratch kitchen, and, of course, its huge variety of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. The growing chain even has its own wine club with 350,000 members strong, and a popular Napa Valley-style wine tasting room in every Cooper’s Hawk that is the highlight of the trip to the restaurant for many of its patrons. High-end decanters, wine accessories, deluxe chocolates and other gifts are for sale in its artisan market, too. Cooper’s Hawk makes its own wines — roughly 60 different kinds — and the menu offers suggestions which are intended to pair with whatever seasonal dish you order, whether it be the prime churrasco

ing in this direction is Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse with five Florida locations, including Orlando and Sarasota. Representatives of Rodizio Grill were scheduled for a pre-app meeting with Pasco County planners on July 5. According to a concept site plan filed with the county, the restaurant would be located off S.R. 56 on Sun Vista Dr., in front of the At Home store (and just south and across the road from The Cooper’s Hawk in Tampa is a popular destination for lovers of fine Costco). food paired perfectly with the right wines. According to its website, Rodizio Grill grilled steak, bourbon lacquered BBQ was the first authentic Brazilian Steakpork chops, pistachio-crusted grouper and house or “Churrascaria” in the U.S. when so many other options. it was established in 1995 by Ivan Utrera. Cooper’s Hawk is known for great The menu features rotisserie grilled food and great wines. all paired together beef, poultry and pork meats (photo beby experts. low), glazed pineapple, a gourmet salad According to its website, since it bar and authentic Brazilian side dishes, was founded in 2005 in Illinois by CEO including feijoada (Brazilian black bean Tim McEnery as that state’s first winery/ stew), couve (sauteed collared greens and restaurant, Cooper’s Hawk has received bacon) and more. more than 500 wine awards from various local, national, and international wine competitions. In 2021, it was named by USA Today as the top winery restaurant in the U.S. in a reader survey. There currently are 45 Cooper’s Hawk locations in 10 states, including more than a dozen in Florida. The nearest, and the only other Tampa-area Cooper’s Hawk, is located on Boy Scout Blvd. near the International Plaza in the Westshore Business District. A location also recently opened in Sarasota.

Rodizio, Too?

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Another restaurant possibly head-

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More KRATE Eateries Getting Ready To Open Although, as we went to press with this issue, the only restaurant to open since our last issue at the KRATE Container Park was Bebo’s Cheeseteak (photo), but several others were getting ready to open shortly after this issue hits your mailbox on or before July 12. I spoke with the owner of the Flipn’ Fries Factory, who said he will make good on the promise posted at his store that his place will open on July 13. “We’re French Fries only,” he told me. “But with your choice of great toppings.” Also close to opening is Ato at KRATE, the Japanese place from the owners of Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill on S.R. 56, who are giving away a year’s worth of poké bowls

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or sushi burritos (photo). To enter to win, visit toneden.io/big-city-events-2/post/ poke-bowl-pr-sushi-burrito-for-a-year. Other KRATE restaurants that are all getting close to opening include Bakery X Authentic French Bakery, Boba Mac’s, Café Zorba, Pisco Express and 365 Café. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

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 @ 813-948-6363, 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 at the bottom of this page! WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM 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.

Classifieds HOME IMPROVEMENT (Cont.)

TJ’s PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Houses, Fences, Driveways, Lanais & Screened Enclosures. Most resdt’l 2-car driveways & vinyl fences start at $85. House washing starts at $160 /1-story home, $209/2-story home. Need an instant quote? Text me a picture of the job you need done. Call Tj at 727-808-7775.

MISCELLANEOUS CAT SITTER POSITION: Kitten Sittin’ seeks Cat Sitter for the New Tampa area. The purrfect PT job for a retiree or career changer who enjoys caring for cats, Daily visits last 30-45 mins. Duties: feeding, cleaning litter boxes, giving meds, providing chin scratches & head bonks. Work major holidays. Must live in/near New Tampa. Call Pat O’Shea at 813-846-6717 or email pat@kittensittin.biz. AUTOS WANTED! Autos/trucks/small campers/small boats wanted! We pay top dollar! Any condition, Free Removal 24/7. For 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 resident. Call/text 813.765.2037.

COMPUTER & BUSINESS 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.

PROF’L TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+ Cert. computer tech w/20 years exp. Maint. & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than chains! Friendly, personal svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assist. & refs. avail. Call (813) 957-8342.

CLEANING SERVICES

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: 813462-1270. 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.

___ LAWN, & LANDSCAPING_____ 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.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

All Neighborhood News Classified Ads appear in both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! Here are our Classified ad rates: 7 issues — $120 13 issues — $200 26 issues (1 year) — $300! To order yours, visit neighborhoodnewsonline.net/Classified Listings ___

TREE SERVICES___

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27-yrs of Prof. Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

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 @ 813-8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE!

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

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 14 • July 12, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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