New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 27. Issue 17, August 9, 2019 by Neighborhood News

Volume 27 Issue 17

Inside:

Your Chance To Win In Our Annual Dining Survey!

August 9, 2019

See Page 35!

Our New Website Is NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net For Videos & Local News Daily! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of the neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in New Tampa (zip code 33647), see page 46!

Pickup Option Just A Bunch Of Garbage? By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

Hillsborough County will be entertaining waste management options that will possibly reduce garbage pickup in New Tampa’s city and county communities from two days per week to only one. That stinks, say many. “I have not talked to one person that likes this idea,” says Mike Jacobson, the president of the Pebble Creek Homeowners Association. “I can’t even believe they’re considering it.” Hillsborough County solid waste director Kim Byer says the decision isn't based on how much trash is collected or how many residents actually leave their bins out on both days of pickups, but is purely a financial one that could produce savings for the county of up to 30 percent. If those savings were significant, they could be passed on to customers, Byer says. Currently, three companies — Republic Services of Florida, Waste Connections and Waste Management — together handle a $188-million contract to collect garbage, recyclables and yard clippings in Hillsborough County. The County Commission will review new proposals this fall, and will vote on contractors for a new contract sometime before the end of November (which would go into effect in September 2020, Byer says). “We say it’s the same garbage, just being picked up one day versus two,” she says.

“While once a week

collection is definitely cheaper,” Hagan says, “I certainly do not believe it's in the best interest of our residents and our neighborhoods.” Because New Tampa is so community-oriented, with Homeowners Associations requiring that trash bins be kept from public view, meaning most likely in your garage. And, with Florida's blistering heat, the idea Opponents of changing trash pick up from twice a week to once worry of trash being stored in those conditions for about overflowing bins of smelly garbage. seven days isn’t appealing Part of the process will include to most people. the results of an online poll that ended “The concern I have is with no on August 5, which asked participants makeup day, and with the disproporwhat they wanted from their waste tionate number of (pickup) days falling management services. on Mondays which are holidays, you More than 13,000 people had taken could go 2-3 weeks between trash part in the survey at our press time. Byer pickups,” says Scott Darby, the Arbor says the majority were opposed to cutGreene HOA president. ting weekly trash pickups in half. Darby is so concerned that he says District 2 County Commissioner he has reached out to all seven comKen Hagan, who represents the New missioners, and only one response — Tampa area, says it is far more than a from Hagan — has reflected steadfast majority of residents who are opposed, opposition. He fears the decision according to the emails his office has already has been made. received. Hagan is more positive, having “It’s 98 percent, maybe 99 perbeen through this process three times. cent, in support of maintaining twice “We’ll look at various proposals,” a week pickups,” Hagan says, adding Hagan says, “and at the end of day, that he is not in favor of any options I’m confident we’ll remain with twicethat include only once-a-week pickups. a-week pickup.”

First Look Inside:

Giving Hope

A portion of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. has been renamed for former Fire Station No. 20 firefighter Stevie LaDue.

Page 10

Say Cheese!

Dr. Duga & Dr. Adams-Feeney are familiar faces for many smiling kids in New Tampa.

Pages 16-17

Castor’s First Budget Ho-Hum For New Tampa Mayor Jane Castor presented her first budget to the Tampa City Council on August 1, proposing a $1.04 billion plan that is $13 million more than last year's budget but doesn't include a tax hike. The general fund, which covers public safety and parks and recreation, is $436 million. The overall budget increase is only 1.3 percent, which Castor noted was less than previous years. There is $520,000 proposed for improvements at New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms as well as $100,000 for stormwater improvements at the New Tampa Nature Park, just south of Flatwoods Wilderness Park.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor

Otherwise, there was little else in the budget — entitled “Transforming Tampa's Tomorrow” — for New Tampa. There is no money proposed for an autism-friendly park championed by District 7 city council member Luis Viera and already in the design phase thanks to $90,000 from a previous budget, and Viera was hoping to see money allocated to repave New Tampa Blvd. Both could conceivably end up in the budget following deliberations, which are expected to be contentious with a mostly-new city council that hasn't warmed to Castor. Those will be held Sept. 3 and Sept. 17 (when the final vote is held).

Say Cheese (& Sauce)!

Whether you already love or have never tried thin-crust Chicago-style pizza, Full Circle Pizza in Pebble Creek has new owners & an upgraded menu.

Pages 38-39

An Update On Our Distribution & The Latest About NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net An editorial by Gary Nager Over the course of the past several months, we had received quite a few calls at our office from longtime, avid readers who said they’ve always received the Neighborhood News in their mailboxes in the past, but suddenly stopped receiving them. As the guy who has to write the checks to the post office to mail our publications in both of our markets to every residence and business in every postal carrier route we serve, I knew I had to investigate. But somehow, even though I first started taking a look at our recent distribution numbers when we received the first phone call, I’ll admit that other things always seemed to take precedence — e.g., I got married in March, celebrated my 25 years of Neighborhood News in April and have been redoubling my efforts to use the funding we have received from the Google News Initiative to continue to expand our video and online content. Towards that end, we also recently finally changed our website’s address — to NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net (see below) — and our primary YouTube channel is now “Neighborhood News Online,” instead of the old WCNT-tv. In other words, we’ve been busy, but not too busy for me to finally sit down with the online Every Door Direct Mail service offered through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS.com) and figure out how people who always got our publications — especially the Wesley Chapel edition — suddenly stopped receiving it. I also had another hint that something was up because our distribution number in fast-growing Wesley Chapel had actually gone down since late 2018 — even though we were still paying to mail to every home and every business in all of our carrier routes. Just as an explanation, our communities are all on what the post office calls “rural”

New Tampa Neighborhood News

Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Andy Warrener Lead Video Producer Charmaine George Photography, Videography & Video Editing Richard Nasrallah • Ricky Rodriguez • Matt Tsvetkov Graphic Designer Georgia Carmichael Advertising Sales & Billing Assistants Janet Levins • Jannah Nager 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 reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertising space reservations for Volume 27, Issue 19, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Friday, August 23, 2019. New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously nonpublished 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.

(and a few “contract”) carrier routes, where we don’t have to address each individual piece that gets mailed, as you have to do with “city” carrier routes, like in South Tampa. All of our large, master-planned communities have multiple carrier routes serving them, and we always try to make sure we distribute to all of the carrier routes serving all of the largest (and some of the smaller) communities in zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545 and all of the communities in New Tampa's zip code, 33647. The problem is that Wesley Chapel continues to grow so fast that even we — and the post office (like your GPS, right?) — have had trouble keeping up with all of that growth. What happens is that when a new community — like, says, Estancia at Wiregrass or Epperson — first starts building, the USPS simply adds those homes to an existing carrier route, usually a route that is geographically near the new development. But, once that community reaches a certain threshhold, the post office will usually create a new carrier route, with all of that new community’s homes and businesses. And no, the USPS doesn’t tell us when they take this type of action — it’s up to us to update our count every 30 to no more than 90 days. In the case of Wesley Chapel, hundreds of addresses were taken off a few existing carrier routes to create new routes. If we didn’t immediately add those new routes, not only did those new communities not receive our editions, there were even some older, more established communities (like WaterGrass) that may have been taken off one route and added to one of the new routes, to “fill them out” with more “drops” for the carriers handling those new routes. So, after I did my research, I found that in late 2018, the carrier routes we delivered to included more than 23,000 “drops” total. As of April of this year, however, those same carrier routes had closer to 22,000 total drops. I knew that there had to be new routes that absorbed some of the drops from our existing routes, but it took me a while to figure out which routes I had to add in order to serve all of the homes and businesses in all of the communities we choose to send issues to by direct mail. So, welcome back all of Epperson, all of WaterGrass, all of the homes in Wiregrass, and welcome Union Park and a couple of the newer sections of Meadow Pointe. In all, our new all-direct-mail distribution in Wesley Chapel is now 25,400+ residences and businesses (and nearly 60,000 people) — and we might still add one or two more routes to that total. As for you New Tampa folks, by adding

the one route we were missing, we are now directly mailed to every carrier route in 33647, plus one in 33559 (Lake Forest), for a total New Tampa direct-mail distribution of 27,675 mailboxes (at least 65,000 people). So, go ahead — ask any other local publisher how many homes and businesses receive their publications in the mail — and ask to see their postal receipts. I’ll gladly share mine if they share theirs with you.

NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

As I mentioned earlier, we have now officially changed over our website to NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net. If you’ve already been visiting our website to keep up on all of the latest local news of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel — with new news stories added every weekday — you can still find us at our old web address,

but now, you'll be redirected to our new site. However, if you’ve normally been accessing our website through our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page, the change to the new web address won’t affect you at all. Whether you’re trying to watch one of our ever-increasing stockpile of new videos or just want to read a story that may or may not have appeared in your print edition of the Neighborhood News, you can still click through to our new website from any of our Facebook posts. And yes, our videos continue to attract a lot of attention — and we are still adding more advertisers buying our Video & Online Subscriptions. I will update you about our impressive viewership stats next issue. For more info about Neighborhood News print and Video/Online advertising, call (813) 910-2575!

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Table of Contents

Local News Updates.....................3-11

Local 14-Year-Old Earns Spot At Olympic Trials!..........4 New Tampa Business Climate Study Kicks Off.........6 We All Scream For Ice Cream (Social)........................7 Road Sign Spreading A Message Of Hope.............10 New Tampa Community Calendar...........................12

Local Business Updates..............14-26

No. Tampa Law Group For Real Estate Law & More!...14 Dr. Duga & Dr. Feeney Keep Your Kids Smiling!..........16 Not All Montessori Schools Are The Same.......20 Nebula Lighting Can Transform Your Pool Area!........22 New Tampa Dance Theatre Celebrates 25 Years.........24

Education & Sports News..........28-32 Back To School Should Be Cooler In New Tampa.......28 Middle Schools Will Have Crossing Guards...............29 Lots Of "A" Grades For New Tampa Schools..............30 Freedom Has A New Head Football Coach.................30

Neighborhood Magazine

It's Time For Our Dining Survey & Contest.... ..35 Full Circle Pizza Gets New Owners & Entrées...............38 Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes...........42 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds...........44 @NTWCNews

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Freedom Sophomore Qualifies For Olympic Trials! freestyle at the same event in Orlando by less than half a second, swimming her race in 8:48.50; the cut is 8:48.08, a time Michelle Morgan started swimming Morgan seems poised to better. competitively when she was 7. Pipeline coach Rene Piper thinks By the time she was 8, she knew she Morgan also has a chance to make the wanted to go to the Olympics. Olympic Trials cut in the 200 IM, the Now, at the age of 14, the Freedom 400 and 1,500 freestyle and the 200 butsophomore will get her chance. terfly, although the coach admits the last Morgan, one of the top distance event is not Morgan’s favorite. swimmers in Florida and a member of Morgan could eventually have the Pipeline Swimming Club that trains some local company at the trials — at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, Piper says fellow Pipeline member Carly last month became the first swimmer in Joerin, also a sophomore at Freedom, the Tampa Bay area to qualify has an outside chance of for the 2020 U.S. Olympic posting a qualifying time beTrials, making the cut in her tween now and June 2020. marquee event, the 400-meter Setting aside the long Individual Medley. odds of making any Olympic At a meet in Orlando, the team, just making it to the triNew Tampa resident swam the als is an impressive milestone. 400 IM in 4 minutes, 51.42 There are roughly seconds, just under the Trials 400,000 swimmers regiscutoff of 4:51.79. tered with USA Swimming. “It was pretty exciting,” At the 2016 trials, there was said Morgan, who will be one an average of 120 swimmers Michelle Morgan of the youngest competitors per event. at next year’s Olympic Trials, In the 400 IM qualifying races, which will be held in June in Omaha, NE. there were 125 swimmers. Morgan's Only the top two finishers in each event at time would put her in the top 30 of the trials make the U.S. Olympic team. that group. Morgan, the top-rated mile swimmer A daunting challenge, to be sure, in the country in her age group, said she but Morgan is the complete package, expected to make the cut at some point Piper says. She’ll have her choice of colthis year, but still didn’t believe it when leges next year when coaches are allowed she touched the wall and looked up at to begin recruiting her, and her ceiling her time. Swimmers from a number of appears to be unlimited. other clubs were there to congratulate “She’s super smart academically, a her as she exited the pool. super great student, and has a high swim“When she hit the time, my wife ming IQ, too,” Piper says. “Her focus is went crazy and a whole bunch of families just incredible, and she is determined.” around us went crazy,” said Glynn MorPiper also says that Morgan’s work gan, Michelle’s father. “It was exciting ethic is unmatched, and she never misses for her. We knew at some point this was a practice. The one time she was late, coming, but it’s nice that she won’t have everyone was so surprised and worried to chase it from meet to meet frantically they couldn’t start the practice until she trying to qualify.” got there. Piper jokes that they have a She is not done yet, however. Morsaying at the club: “If Michelle isn’t at gan missed the trials cut in the 800m practice, she’s dead.” By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

Freedom sophomore Michelle Morgan is congratulated by swimmers from other clubs after posting a time that qualified her to compete at next year's Olympic Trials (Photo courtesy of Rene Piper)

Morgan, who finished third at the Florida Class 3A State championships last year as a freshman in the 200 IM and the 500 free, is currently chasing more Olympic trial cuts — particularly in the 800 free — at the 2019 Speedo Junior National Championships in Stanford, CA — her first big national meet. “I’m just trying to see how good I can do in my other events,” Morgan says. “I’m trying not to jump ahead too far.”

That could be tough, with the Olympic Trials on the schedule. While the 2024 games in Paris, when Morgan will be 19, may be a more realistic goal, the experience next year will be a big boost to the promising young swimmer. “It’s so tough to make the Olympic team,” Piper said. “But, we have already made the hotel reservations, and I am so excited for her to go and experience this. It will be great.”

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USF’s New Tampa Business Climate Study Begins With Packed Meeting! By GARY NAGER

In order to begin a study by students in Master’s degree programs at the University of South Florida as to why so many businesses have exited New Tampa the last few years, USF helped organize a unique meeting on July 16, featuring a panel of elected officials and local business owners. The meeting was Phase 1 of the USF group’s efforts to study New Tampa’s faltering business climate as the students endeavor to figure out what, if anything, can be done to stem the business red tide. A panel that consisted of the director of the USF School of Public Affairs (where the Master’s degree candidates are studying) Ron Sanders, Rotary Cub of New Tampa past president Karen Frashier, Oliver’s Cycle Sports owner Randy Myhre and three local elected officials (see below) was greeted by a packed house of spectators (who were mainly New Tampa residents; see photo on next page) at the meeting, which was held at Compton Park in Tampa Palms. Hillsborough County District 2 commissioner Ken Hagan, District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera and newly elected District 63 State Rep.

(Above) Compton Park at Tampa Palms was packed for the first “New Tampa Business Climate” meeting organized by Master’s degree candidates at USF, where (l.-r.) Hillsborough county commissioner Ken Hagan, Tampa city councilman Luis Viera & State Rep. Fentrice Driskell were among those on the panel. Photos by Andy Warrener & Ricky Rodriguez. Fentrice Driskell agreed to be on the Planning or Public Affairs, after thenpanel because all of them share concerns mayoral candidate (now Tampa Mayor) about why major companies and momJane Castor campaigned in New Tampa. and-pop businesses alike are having so Castor said many local residents much trouble surviving, much less thriv- asked her why the business climate in ing, in zip code 33647. zip code 33647 seemed so poor, espeSanders said that the study is being cially when compared with the booming conducted by USF students seeking their economy in Wesley Chapel, just to New Master of Public Administration (MPA) Tampa’s north, on Bruce B. Downs degrees in either Urban & Regional (BBD) Blvd. and S.R. 56.

One of those Castor was talking to just happened to be Sam Becker, a graduate assistant in the School of Public Affairs, and she asked Becker to look into what, if anything, USF could do to help her figure out what could be done to help New Tampa’s businesses. By the time Castor was elected in March, the wheels were already in motion. “This meeting is the kickoff to Phase 1 of the study — to meet with the community,” Sanders said at the meeting. “Phase 2 will be individual interviews with community staples — elected officials, business owners and residents — such as those in this room. In Phase 3, the students will look at the literature (facts and figures) and the (business) practices going on in the area. For example, is (New Tampa’s situation) just part of a national phenomenon or are there local factors” causing our area’s economic gloom (or both)? Although Hagan, Viera and Driskell all agreed that the meeting was important, there didn’t seem to be too much help for the USF students coming out of this first get-together. Among the factors pointed to as to why so many businesses have closed in New Tampa were the high rents, the lack of tax incentives to open major busi-

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nesses, and even some things brought up by Frashier and Myhre. Frashier, who also is the co-chair of the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel, mentioned that New Tampa doesn’t have a large enough gathering place for major events, such as the Wiregrass Wobble 5K road race her club hosts (at the Shops at Wiregrass) every year on Thanksgiving morning, or the Taste (held at AdventHealth Center Ice), “So, we have no choice but to put on these events in Wesley Chapel.” Hagan and Viera both touted the new Village at Hunter’s Lake development that will be home to a 20,000-sq.ft. New Tampa Cultural Center, as well as several unique restaurants and retailers (as we reported last issue), but that those are all coming online in 2020 or even 2021. Myhre said he thinks that bicycle paths connecting the subdivisions in New

Tampa would make getting to and from local businesses easier, without having to drive a car, but Hagan said, “Connecting communities is great, but have you seen how hard it is to get even one road connected between communities?” — an obvious jab at the whole Kinnan St.Mansfield Blvd. flap between Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Residents at the meeting also brought up how long the widening of BBD in New Tampa took, which affected local businesses, while one noted that S.R. 56, where so much of Wesley Chapel’s growth is taking place, currently has very few residences directly off of it. No one came up with any reason why this helped or how it has affected the economy in the Wesley Chapel. For New Tampa’s businesses, the hope is that more answers will come out of Phases 2 & 3 of the study.

We All Scream For Ice Cream!

District 7 City Councilperson Luis Viera (middle, green shorts) and Florida House District 63’s Fentrice Driskell (far left) were joined by roughly 50 New Tampa residents as the two local elected officials co-hosted an ice cream social July 18 at Hunter’s Green’s Capt. Nathaniel Hunter Park. Viera and Driskell have been a formidable team in recent weeks, since the state legislative session concluded. The two have held town halls together, sat on the panel for a study of New Tampa business (see story on previous page)

and been on something of a tour of their districts — hence the ice cream social — which includes the New Tampa area for both of them.. “Fentrice and I have known each other 10-12 years, through being lawyers,” Viera said. “She is a great person. I want everyone in the district to get to know her.” Viera said he and Driskell hope to team up on issues like education and transportation. “We will definitely work together on a lot of things,” Viera says. “We share most of the same goals.”—JCC

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This new sign honors the memory of former New Tampa paramedic Stevie LaDue (pictured below).

New Road Sign Has A Sad Story Behind It, But Also One Of Hope By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Megan Vila still cries when she thinks about her brother and former New Tampa firefighter Stevie LaDue, who killed himself last year, a victim of the overwhelming mental anguish his job had brought him. A drive down Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., however, sometimes helps bring Megan solace. That’s where a recently erected sign on the corner honors the memory of Stevie’s fight, as well as the one she has waged since his tragic passing. The stretch of BBD from Cypress Preserve Dr. to just past Fire Station 20 in Tampa Palms, where Stevie served as a firefighter and paramedic for his last 15 years, has been officially renamed as the Stevie LaDue Giving Hope Highway. “I am elated,” said Megan, a Lutz resident. “It’s incredible.” The idea, which Megan says she spent six months relentlessly criss-crossing the state for in 2018, is that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real thing, and must be taken seriously. LaDue’s father Stephen cited a number of calls, including one where his son saw a decapitated body and another at a rape scene where the victim turned out to be Stevie’s ex-girlfriend, as instances that scarred him mentally. “It took such a toll on my brother,” Megan says. While Stevie saw a psychiatrist, his growing anxiety made it so he could no longer go out on calls. He found out when trying to get worker’s compensation that mental trauma was not covered. He felt that the system had failed him. He began to drink. His despair deepened to the point where he felt he could no longer go on. “When he died, it became my mission to change this so any firefighter could be able to get help,” Megan says. She traveled the state to speak to any representative or senator who would listen. Armed with facts like a firefighter is three times more likely to die of suicide than in the line of duty, she enlisted the help of 10

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the state’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. She made 16 trips to Tallahassee, lobbying lawmakers to change the laws and extend the benefits to first responders. And, in 2018, Megan finally realized her goal. At the Tampa Firefighters Museum in March, then-Governor Rick Scott signed Senate Bill 376, which provided worker’s compensation benefits for first responders in Florida who are dealing with PTSD, as well as requiring mental health training for those agencies. On the last day of the legislative session in 2018, Megan and her husband, Tampa Fire Rescue Captain Ricardo Vila, watched from the floor of the legislature as the plans to honor Stevie with a stretch of BBD passed unanimously. Florida State Sen. Lauren Book, who sponsored SB 376, also suggested the sign that now graces the corner of Commerce Park Blvd. and BBD be erected in his honor. Megan said the LaDue family came up with the name — “Giving Hope Highway” — and wanted it to be near the station where Stevie spent 15 years. More than a year later, it was erected with so little fanfare even Megan didn’t know it had actually gone up until she saw a picture of it. “The fact that the City of Tampa firefighters posted it on their Facebook page was great,” Megan said, as her voice began to crack. “That’s the whole idea. We don’t want anyone who is suffering to not come forward. Now they can.”

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Wednesday, August 28

Saturday, August 10

Tampa Bay Career Fair - Employers will be offering multiple positions, including Sales, ManageFree Community Boot Camp - New Year, Same Hustle - Camp Gladiator is a fitness movement ment, Customer Service, Insurance, Education, Government, I.T., Human Resources, Engineering, with dynamic, fun & challenging workouts - This is 60-minutes of amazing at your favorite place to Clerical & more, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hyatt Place North Tampa-Wesley Chapel (26000 Sierra shop. This Free event takes place every Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., at Tampa Premium Outlets Center Blvd.). Please register by going to eventbrite.com & searching “Tampa Bay Career (2300 Grand Cypress Dr, Lutz) - Participants should bring: exercise mat, 1-2 bottles of water, sweat Fair August 28’” towel, a smile & great attitude. For more Information, email Christine Iloni at christineiloni@ North Tampa Arts League - The mission of the North Tampa Arts League is to develop, campgladiator.com. nurture, and support the arts and the artists of North Tampa by working in concert with comBay Chapel Food Pantry - Free food to help needy families. The Bay Chapel Food Pantry is munity leaders to make North Tampa a vibrant art community. All are welcome! NTAL meets open every Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., behind Christian Brothers Automotive on BBD Blvd. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of the 1st and 3rd month each quarter (except as noted) in New Tampa (20300 Trout Creek Dr). For more info, call (813) 731-4040. at: Compton Park Community Center, Tampa Palms (16101 Compton Dr.). For more info, email NTALboard@gmail.com or visit website www.northtampa-arts.com. Monday, August 12 Yoga On The Lawn (The Shops at Wiregrass) - This Free event is held every Monday, 6:30 p.m.Friday, August 30 7:30 p.m. at Center Court (The Shops at Wiregrass) Weather Permitting. This is Relaxing Beginner to North Tampa Bay Chamber: Final Friday Event - Held the last Friday of each month, Final Friday Intermediate Yoga, sponsored by Energia Wellness Studio - For more info call (813) 973-7300. allows business professionals to meet in a ‘not-too-formal’ setting. This month’s event is hosted by Top Shelf Sports Lounge at AdventHealth Center Ice (3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd, Wesley Chapel), 4 Wednesday, August 14 BNI Business Leaders (New Tampa) - Our BNI Chapter is a dynamic, committed group of business p.m.-6 p.m. There is no fee to attend. For more info, call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534. people who know how to refer business to each other. Meets every Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., at Mulligans inside Pebble Creek Golf Club (10550 Regents Park Dr.). Call Lauren Hopper @ (727) 786-2427. Rotary Club Of New Tampa Noon - The New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meets Wednesdays Monday, September 2 at Noon at Bayscape Bistro, inside Heritage Isles Golf Club off Cross Creek Blvd. Guests are HOPE Services: How-to-Seminar for Persons with Disabilities & Supporting Families – Held always welcome. For more info, search “New Tampa Noon Rotary” on Facebook. on the first Monday of each month, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., at HOPE Services’ Wesley Chapel office (2406 Great Gatsby Gala - The public is invited to attend The Great Gatsby Gala, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., at Cypress Glen Dr., Suite 102). HOPE Services’ group seminars are led by its in-house counseling team, & many Job Coaching/Training team members attend. The primary goal is to spread Discovery Village at Tampa Palms (17470 Brookside Trace Ct., Tampa) - For more informaawareness of the free services available to families. A special topic is included each session, fotion. see the ad on Page 13. cusing on bringing clients & family members together in a supportive & educational forum. HOPE Thursday, August 15 Services: We understand. We care. We help. We give HOPE. For more info, call (813) 907-1903. North Tampa Veterans Association meeting - All armed forces veterans and associTuesday, September 3 ates are invited to a weekly lighthearted Dutch-treat breakfast meeting to get acquainted and tell your tales, new and old. Location: Steak ‘n Shake just off BBD Blvd. (17509 North MGM Friends Business Connection - Leap into action Monthly with MGM (Meet & Greet Mixers) Friends Business Connection held at USF (3802 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa). First Tuesday of the Palms Village Pl) - every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Bring your spouse and your brag sheet. month, 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Build strong relationships with like-minded business professionals with RGA Network Weekly Meeting - The RGA Networking Group meets every Thursday for no fees. Open to all businesses looking to make real connections. Hosted by Shelomo Solson with networking at GrillSmith at the Shops at Wiregrass Mall. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; Leapcaller. Facilitator: Georgianna Strickland with Bizzee Bee Marketing LLC. For more info. go Lunch is served noon-1 p.m. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net. to mgmfriends.com or call (813) 477-7306. Friday, August 16 I Like Bats - Bats consume insects, pollinate plants & disperse seeds, but they are also threatened. Rotary Club of New Tampa - The Rotary Club of New Tampa meets every Friday for break- Their populations are declining, largely as a result of human activity, misconceptions & fear. Learn all fast at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.). For more about bats at this FREE UF/IFAS Pasco Extension seminar on Tuesday, September 3, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 info, including the speaker schedule, contact David Lanigan at (813) 760-6548 or dave@ p.m. at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library (2818 Collier Parkway). Please register by going to eventbrite. davidlanigan.com or visit NewTampaRotary.org. com & searching ‘9-3-19 I Like Bats’.

SEPTEMBER 2019

Saturday, August 17

Fresh Market at Wiregrass - the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, you can enjoy the Fresh Market at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr.), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, hand-crafted goods, candles, sauces, fresh bread, and so much more. For more info, visit TampaBaymarkets.com. Olympus Pools’ Lutz Showroom Grand Opening - will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 21859 S.R. 54, Lutz. This is a free Community Event with food, bounce houses and entertainment! Bring your home survey for a Free Pool Design! For more info, call (813) 983-7854 or see the ad on pg. 20! Rotary Club of WC Noon Charitable Fund Casino Night “FUN”dRaiser — benefiting a Community project for children with special needs, along with other Rotary projects. 7 p.m.-10 p.m., at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd, WC). Tickets available at the door for $20.

Visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net to add your upcoming events to our online calendar. With enough advanced notice, events that happen in our readership areas also may appear in our print editions, as space allows.

Tuesday, August 20

Things That Go Ouch In The Garden - There are many critters that can hide in the Garden. At this FREE UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension seminar, learn what to look for and what to avoid. The seminar will be held 2 p.m.-3 p.m., at New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54, WC). Please register by going to eventbrite.com & searching ‘8-20-19 Things That go Ouch in The Garden’.

Wednesday, August 21

GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of New Tampa - The club promotes and provides civic, educational and charitable activities, and is dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. The Juniors meet monthly at Arbor Greene Clubhouse (18000 Arbor Greene Dr, Tampa), 1 p.m.-2 p.m. For more info, email womansclubnewtampa@gmail.com.

Monday, August 26

New Tampa Democratic Club - The Club meets on the 4th Monday of each month, 7 p.m.8:30 p.m., at Mulligan’s Irish Pub (10550 Regents Park Dr, Pebble Creek Golf Club). Guest speakers are featured at every meeting. Come early, eat, mingle or come on time and eat 12

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North Tampa Law Group Can Help With Real Estate, Estate Planning & More! By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN

If you need legal assistance for a real estate transaction, estate planning or probate, the North Tampa Law Group has the knowledge and experience to be your go-to expert in these important legal areas. Brian Arrighi is the local attorney who is both the owner and managing partner of the firm, located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, about a mile east of the I-75 exit at S.R. 56 (behind MINI of Wesley Chapel). The firm relocated there several years ago, after Brian originally opened it in the Tampa Palms Professional Center in 2014. Brian has been practicing law for more than 14 years, since earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, and a B.S. degree in Mass Communications from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He’s a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar. He says the busiest part of his practice might be real estate transactions, as the housing market in this area remains very active. “It has been and still remains more of a seller’s market,” says Brian. “If the home is priced fairly, we frequently see homes go under contract quickly, with multiple offers. In a seller’s market, we also see an increase in calls regarding ‘For Sale By Owner’ transactions.”

Attorney Brian Arrighi (left) & title manager Taylor Oliveri of North Tampa Law Group off S.R. 56 can help you with real estate legal needs, plus estate planning & more. (Photo: A. Ricky Rodriguez) He explains that the North Tampa quires legal advice or legal documents.” He adds that hiring North Tampa Law Group offers the same title services Law Group to handle a real estate closing as a title agency, but a title agency has to does not necessarily increase the cost of refer a buyer or seller to legal counsel if a transaction without an attorney. “Our any legal issues arise. With a real estate fees are very competitive compared to a attorney already involved, Brian and his standard title agent,” Brian says. team simply go to work addressing those In most transactions, the seller is the issues, and act as your title agency. party who chooses the title agency, and “It’s a convenience,” he explains. sellers often use whoever their Realtor rec“We cover all the bases, whereas a title ommends. But, people are free to choose, agency can’t address anything that re-

so they can let their Realtor know they would like North Tampa Law Group to handle their closing and title insurance. Taylor Oliveri is the firm’s title manager, working with clients from start to finish on real estate transactions to ensure those transactions close without a problem. “Taylor is extremely responsive and very helpful,” says Brian. “Buyers and sellers are calling, they’re anxious and nervous and worried, and she’s great at bringing everybody back down to earth... calming them down.” Taylor says North Tampa Law Group will go the extra mile to make sure your closing goes smoothly. “As a smaller law firm, we have more of a boutique feel, rather than a large corporation,” she says. “We establish a good rapport with our clients and with Realtors, as well.” Many of the clients Taylor works with are those who are selling their homes without a real estate agent. “People want to save money by not hiring a Realtor,” she says, “and they still get top-notch service with us.” Seven Oaks resident Sandy Villeneuve agrees. When she was ready to sell a townhome that she owned as an investment property in The Bay at Cypress Creek (near I-75 off S.R. 56), she says she didn’t want to use a real estate agent. “Nobody knew the property better than I did, so I refused to pay a Realtor thousands of dollars to sell it for me,” she says. “But I couldn’t do the legal side

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Neighborhood News

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of it, so I needed an attorney.” Sandy says she and her husband sat down for a consultation with North Tampa Law Group and were pleasantly surprised at the low cost of hiring the firm. From the first meeting, Sandy says it was a great experience every step of the way. “Brian was absolutely wonderful,” she says. “He and Taylor were so responsive and easy to work with. They made it a very easy transaction.” People looking to sell their property “by owner” can schedule a free phone or inperson consultation with North Tampa Law Group. At that point, Brian and his team go over the steps to the transaction and provide all necessary documents, such as a real estate contract, seller disclosure form and homeowners association documents. To access some of the documents, or to find out what your title costs would be, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com. Estate Planning & Probate The North Tampa Law Group also helps people ensure that they don’t unintentionally leave behind problems for any heirs they may have, which can require a lot of time and expense to resolve. Estate planning is preparing for the management of your assets and determining how to efficiently distribute the assets to your loved ones when you pass away. People are often most familiar with a Last Will and Testament document, which directs the distribution of assets, but does not avoid a potential lengthy and expensive court process known as “probate.”

North Tampa Law Group can also discuss a “living will” and other options to avoid probate. At a consultation with North Tampa Law Group, all estate planning options are discussed to avoid or minimize any court involvement. While probate might not be the best option for everyone, Brian says there are times when it is beneficial. Besides asset distribution, Brian adds that real-life factors, such as long-term health care, guardianship and insurance coverage also are part of estate planning. “There is really a lot we can help you with,” he explains. “Many clients are relieved to find out it was not as expensive or as difficult as they thought.” Brian says that communicating effectively with clients is an important part of the firm’s success. “I think we do a great job of explaining things in simple terms and allowing the client to proceed at their own pace,” he says, adding that many people don’t like to think about estate planning. “Addressing the issues is more difficult for some people and it can take a few discussions before they determine how they want to handle their affairs, and that is perfectly fine.” For those who have recently lost someone and find themselves needing assistance in the probate process, Brian is experienced in that area as well. The North Tampa Law Group is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102. For more info, visit NorthTampaLawGroup. com, see the ad on pg. 23 or make an appointment for a free initial consultation by calling (813) 518-7411.

Spotlight On: Small World Pediatrics!

Even though my kids are grown men, as a parent, I always knew the value of playtime with my children. But, until I heard about what the physicians/owners of Small World Pediatrics here in Wesley Chapel (2527 Windguard Cir., Suite 102) have been doing, I had never heard of a pediatrician physically writing a prescription for playtime for parents and their children. But, Small World practice co-owners and physicians Nancy Silva, M.D., and José Jimenez, M.D. (photo), are doing just that — and the fact that they are prescribing playtime with LEGO bricks is even more interesting and exciting to someone like me, who probably had one of the first LEGO sets sold in the U.S. way back in 1962. As a pediatrician and a parent, I know the positive effects playtime has on kids,” says Dr. Silva. “Before, we would stress the importance of limiting screen time and the benefits of physical activity. Now, with the help of the LEGO Group, we can give parents a tool to jumpstart playing together.” Inspired by its mission to promote learning through play, the LEGO Group launched the “Prescription for Play” program to encourage parents to play with their children for at least 15 minutes a day. According to Dr. Silva, studies show this can result in a variety of developmental benefits for children, including increased creative, social and fine motor skills. “Working with the Academy of American Pediatrics, we developed this program especially for pediatricians like Dr. Silva and Dr. Jimenez, who understand the benefits of

play,” says Drew Vernon, brand manager at the LEGO Group. “Our goal is to promote parent-child play while developing cognitive and social skills among small children.” When you visit Small World Pediatrics for your child’s 18-month or 2-year-old checkup, Dr. Silva and Dr. Jimenez will write your Prescription for Play and provide you with a free sample set of LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, and an educational prescription card to get you started on your play promise. “We are thankful to the LEGO Group for creating this tool for children and families,” says Dr. Jimenez. “We like to be on the cutting edge of programs like this which help us keep our patients healthy, both physically and mentally.” For more information about Small World Pediatrics or school physicals, call (813) 907-8001, visit SmallWorldPediatric.com or see the ad on pg. 32.— GN

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Dr. Duga & Dr. Feeney Say ‘Get Your Kids’ Teeth Checked Early!’ dentist over a general dentist to meet the oral health needs of your children. “With kids, things are dynamic, always changing,” he says. Meanwhile, Dr. Adams-Feeney says that pediatric dentistry was always her professional goal and she earned her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, after receiving her DMD degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Your child’s wide and toothy smile may easily brighten a room, but ensuring that his or her teeth are healthy requires good dental hygiene at home and the kind of care that professionals like those at Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry have been providing in our area for 21 years. The colorfully decorated office in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms (located off Bruce B. Downs [BBD] Blvd. at Amberly Dr.) has more video game consoles than X-ray machines and the approach to dentistry is child-friendly as well, for a practical reason. “Dr. Feeney and I feel it is important to provide one-on-one personalized care,” says Paul Duga, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). “Kids are not little adults. They need that familiarity, so it’s not a clinic where they see a different dentist every time.” Shawna Adams-Feeney, DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry) says that part of the attraction of pediatric dentistry for her is the chance to make a difference in a young person’s life. “I like working with kids because we have the ability to help them establish good habits early,” she says. Although Dr. Duga and Dr. Adams-Feeney (who are both Board-certi-

Getting Started Early

Dr. Paul Duga (left) and Dr. Shawna Adams-Feeney have been putting the fun into trips to the dentist for local kids for more than two decades. (Photos by John C. Cotey) fied pediatric dentists) share the goal of He earned his Certificate in Pediatric providing a welcoming dental home for the Dentistry from the Louisiana State Univerchildren of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, sity School of Dentistry in New Orleans, an they reached it in different ways. experience that, he says, validated his belief After earning his DDS degree from the that children’s dental needs are best served Marquette University School of Dentistry by specialists. in Milwaukee, Dr. Duga says he worked “Every day, something came up that as a general dentist in Milwaukee for a few improved my knowledge base and skills to years before becoming interested in pediatric care for kids,” Dr. Duga says. He adds that dentistry. there’s a good reason to choose a pediatric

When it comes to pediatric dental health, Dr. Duga says that starting early means seeing a dentist by the time a child is between 12 to 18 months old, both to establish a clinical relationship and to monitor their oral development. Those early visits also are opportunities for parents to get information about caring for their child’s gums and teeth. Dr. Adams-Feeney stresses the importance of baby teeth in overall dental health. “If you lose a baby tooth early, teeth can shift and that can cause problems when permanent teeth erupt, which can cause problems with bites,” she says, adding that dental health also can play a role in a child’s school performance. “Dental issues are the number one

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This is a familiar area to anyone who has taken their kids to Drs. Duga and Adams-Feeney, providing kids a chance to relax and play before seeing the dentist.

reason children miss school,” she says. Services available at the practice include examinations, cleanings, sealant placement, tooth repair such as fillings and crowns, as well as cosmetic whitening and orthodontic alignment. Digital X-ray technology is used, which produces images with less radiation, and sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide is available if a young patient is particularly nervous about having a dental procedure. Perhaps one of the best means of easing anxiety in young patients, however, is the overall ambiance of the dental practice. The walls at the office of Drs. Duga and Adams-Feeney are decorated with an aquatic-themed mural, video games and kid-friendly reading material, while overhead video monitors allow patients to enjoy some of their favorite shows while being treated. There’s also an understanding that a pediatric appointment may require a little more flexibility on the part of the staff, says Dr. Adams-Feeney. “We work on kid time,” she says. “Sometimes, we really have to work with them to make it a positive experience.” That flexibility means being available for families when dental emergencies come up outside of normal office hours. “One of us is always on call, so if something happens on a weekend, we can still be reached,” Dr. Adams-Feeney says. Another example of the practice’s commitment to its patients is that the two doctors continue seeing their patients through their college years, ensuring continuity of dental health at a time of great personal change. “Otherwise, sometimes if they go away to college, they won’t see a dentist during those four years,” says Dr. Duga. “During winter break, we get a lot of our college kids coming back.”

A History Of Care & Caring

Dr. Duga established the practice in 1998 and has been an active resource in the New Tampa community by participating in events such as the Hunter’s Green Health & Safety Expos, supporting local schools and sports teams and working with Christina’s Smiles, a national nonprofit organization that provides dental care to children whose Neighborhood News

families have trouble affording it. “We want to be part of the community because (New Tampa is) like a small town in a big area,” says Dr. Duga, a longtime Tampa Palms resident. The practice’s business coordinator Renee Mari says that meeting the dental needs of their young patients is the mission of the staff at the office, but accommodating the expectations of their parents also is an essential element of its success. “We’ll work hard with you to determine how your insurance benefits work in our office,” says Renee, who also emphasizes the importance of first impressions. “We extend a friendly, caring approach to every patient that comes in the front door.” Sometimes, the patients come in as a group, such as when Lori Simon brings her six children, whose ages range from 6-19, in for checkups, cleanings and treatments. “I love the staff,” Simon says. “I actually moved from New Tampa to Dade City but we still go there because they’ve always been very responsive and willing to work with the kids.” New Tampa resident Rebecca Berton says her two children, ages 7 and 9, also have found a welcoming dental home with Drs. Duga and Adams-Feeney. “They’ve been coaching me about how to take care of their teeth and what kind of toothpaste is best for different stages of their lives,” Berton says. “They also come in and support what we’re trying to instill in them — to have good habits for healthy teeth — so it’s not just mom saying sugar’s not good for them.” Dr. Duga say that the goal is to achieve a positive outcome for the practice’s young patients by the time they’re ready to go out on their own. “We practice conservative dentistry and try to establish lifelong healthy habits so our patients can become adults with virtually no dental concerns,” he says. Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry is located at 15293 Amberly Dr., Tampa. You can learn more about their services by visiting DrDugaDrFeeney.com, by calling (813) 631-1100, or see the ad on pg. 18 of this issue. @NTWCNews

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Sonia Johnson Says Not All Montessori Academies Are Created Equal! By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

For nearly five decades, thousands of students at Sonia Johnson’s Tampa Bay-area Montessori Academies have learned and grown as they have spent their formative years in these hands-on, engaging environments. Johnson opened her first Montessori school in Temple Terrace in 1970 and has spent the past 50 years educating children in our area using the Montessori method. Today, students at her four Tampa-area schools (plus one in Ocala) continue to thrive. The Montessori Academy of New Tampa is located on N. Skipper Rd., just off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., south of Tampa Palms. It is an early childhood center for children as young as 12 months through pre-kindergarten (age four). Johnson’s Montessori Preparatory School, which opened on N. 53rd St. in Temple Terrace in 1998, serves children from kindergarten through the 5th grade. Many students who begin their early childhood educations in New Tampa enroll in the Montessori Preparatory School for elementary grades, as do those from the Montessori Academy of Temple Terrace, which also serves children ages 12 months to four years old. “A lot of New Tampa families come to

Pre-K students at Sonia Johnson’s four Tampa-area Montessori Academies get to enjoy many unique math and other learning opportunities using the Montessori Method. us for our elementary program in Temple Education from Northwestern University in Terrace,” says Lori Chehab, who is the assis- Chicago, IL. tant director for all of these locations. A few miles south and west of New About The Montessori Method… Tampa, the Montessori Academy of Tampa The “Montessori Method” was pioBay, which is located on W. Waters Ave. neered by Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome, in Tampa, serves children ages 12 months Italy, in 1907. Through scientific studies through the fifth grade. she conducted on how children learn, Johnson is a Montessori-certified teach- Dr. Montessori found that children learn er, who is originally from Colombia. She through their own hands-on experiences earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in and self-motivation, more than being taught

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by another person. She also found that children had a tremendous need to move as they learned, which today is called kinesthetic learning. Teachers from around the globe began learning the Montessori Method and taking it back to their respective countries. When Dr. Montessori passed away in 1952, her son Mario worked with other trained teachers to develop the Association Montessori International (AMI), an umbrella training organization for teachers who want to use the Montessori Method. Johnson’s Montessori schools are Associate Member schools of the American Montessori Society, the National Center for Montessori Education and the Montessori Institute of America. The Montessori Preparatory School site also is an “Internship School,” where new teachers work with the students under the guidance of Montessori-certified teachers. Chehab says that Johnson’s experience sets her Montessori Academies apart. Parents who bring their children to any of Johnson’s Montessori Academies will see how they benefit from her many years of teaching children and experiencing how they learn. “Mrs. Johnson has a lot of experience developing and implementing the curriculum,” explains Chehab. “She developed our individualized reading program and, a lot

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Did you know that a tomato is a fruit?, not a vegetable These young students learn many important and practical life lessons at Sonia Johnson’s Montessori Academies.

of times, if a child is in our program early, sometimes they start reading as early as three years old, (thanks to) the activities in the classroom.”

more are explored and nurtured through a program centered on each child’s innate curiosity, in order to foster their love of lifelong learning.

A Different Curriculum

Excellence In Education

From an early age, children in the local Montessori schools work at their own pace in individual and group learning environments that address their unique auditory, visual and kinesthetic learning styles. For example, when preschool children are learning their letters, they say each letter’s sound as they punch them out from paper. Students also are exposed to a diverse and multi-cultural learning environment, with teachers from North and South America, Europe and Asia. All of the teachers have many years of experience, hold Montessori certifications, Bachelor’s and even Master’s degrees. In this diverse environment, students also learn foreign languages. They learn Spanish daily and Mandarin Chinese weekly, often through songs, games and visual activities. Parents appreciate the early exposure to foreign languages. “Great school, the staff is outstanding!,” wrote Hernan Vale in a five-star review on Google of the Montessori Academy of New Tampa. “Loving and caring. My child loves going there and she is learning so much. One of my favorite aspects is the fact that she is learning English, Spanish and Mandarin from a very young age!” Even toddlers are exposed to math and other early learning skills. Chehab explains that children learn through touching and seeing. “Even at 12 months, we do sorting, matching, working on attention span, coordination, and fine motor skills.” Early geometry lessons include manipulation of large and small, long and short, thick and thin, rough and smooth. As students grow, they also learn to care for the environment and focus on practical life skills, such as pouring, washing, folding, tying, buttoning and lacing. Chehab says that these skills and Neighborhood News

Chehab says students at the elementary level at Johnson’s Montessori Academies are normally working one, two or three grade levels above the average student in most public schools and score in the upper 9th percentile nationally. The elementary school curriculum at these schools includes practical life, mathematics, language, science, history, geography, geometry, botany, social studies, foreign language, algebra, statistics, literature, music, art, creative writing, penmanship, poetry, culture and more. Students attend school from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Parents also are offered extended day care to accommodate their work schedules. Chehab also encourages parents not to wait. The sooner children start learning in one of the Montessori Academies, she says, the sooner they will benefit from its unique environment, experienced teachers and advanced academics. “When they learn at an early age, it stays with them,” Chehab says. “It’s important children make those early connections stimulating the brain.” In another five-star review of Montessori Academy of New Tampa on Google, D. Rose writes, “My daughter has gone here for over two years now! I absolutely love this school. The way the teachers take their time with each kid and spend quality time with them is amazing. She is always excited to come and learn and play with her friends.” For more information about any of Sonia Johnson’s Tampa-area Montessori Preparatory Schools & Academies, call (813) 899-2345 or see the ad on pg. 25. The Montessori Academy of New Tampa is located 4001 N. Skipper Rd. and the Montessori Preparatory School is located at 11302 N. 53rd St. in Temple Terrace. @NTWCNews

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Nebula Lighting Systems Can Transform Your Pool Area & More! By ANDY WARRENER

Have you ever wished you could do more nighttime entertaining on your patio or pool deck, but the ambiance just wasn’t right? Have you ever wanted to transform your deck into an area you and your family can enjoy not only during the day, but after the sun sets as well? Well, here’s some good news. There’s a company that is headquartered right here in Wesley Chapel that absolutely can help turn a little-used nighttime space into a relaxing oasis. Nebula Lighting Systems offers top-down, fully-integrated LED lighting systems for your pool’s screened enclosure. While based out of the New Tampa/ Wesley Chapel area, Nebula Lighting Systems serves both the Greater Tampa Bay area and most of West Central Florida. They company also has authorized dealers in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina.

Why Nebula Lighting?

Nebulas are often formed as stars are born, and provide unique lights in the universe. And, Nebula LED Lighting Systems transform your patio area into a star-filled night sky. If you are one of those who have tried to do the same yourself, only

Nebula Lighting Systems can turn an ordinary screened-in pool enclosure into a starfilled night sky, perfect for entertaining. Nebula Lighting Systems designed to end up with a dangling hodgepodge of lights susceptible to bad weather, consider its unique rail system (see top photo on this: Nebula’s systems are fully-integrated, the next page) in 2006 to match the so you might not even notice that they’re form, shape, color and profile of the metal beams that stretch across your pool. there — until you need them. The all-LED lighting circuit fits entirely “When we’re done installing the inside the rail, and the rail is designed to system, it looks like it was part of the original installation,” Nebula owner and clip right into the bottom grooves of the beams. With the fully-integrated design, president Jamie Polkosnik says. “The system is fully-integrated into the beam even the lights are recessed into the rail. “Because the lights are recessed, they and virtually seamless.”

will not infringe on your neighbors,” Polkosnik said. “As a result, Nebula Lighting Systems have been given preferential status with a majority of homeowners associations.” Nebula recently installed a lighting system in Wesley Chapel resident Randy Garrison’s two-story screen enclosure. “Ours was kind of an extensive project, being two-story, but they were able to work around it very easily,” Garrison said. “You can’t even tell the rails are there unless the lights are on.” You also can trust the skill and expertise of Nebula. Polkosnik moved to Florida from Ontario, Canada to become a Nebula LED Lighting Systems owner, partner and developer and to oversee installation of the exclusive lighting system. Now 12 years later, Nebula Lighting Systems are still the only LED Lighting System designed exclusively for screen enclosures. Nebula also is a member of the Tampa Bay Business Association (TBBA) and has a AAA rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). “When we first saw a Nebula system, we were over at a friend’s house and we knew we were going to put one in when we bought our next house,” Wesley Chapel resident Tim Neilan says. “We moved

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to Estancia at Wiregrass Ranch and it was such an easy process. The rails look just like the beams and it really opens up your pool/lanai area.” Just imagine taking your guests out onto the lanai at dusk with the remote control that operates the system concealed in your hand. As the sunlight slips away into night, you initiate a light show over your pool. While different colors are not yet available, home owners can select a number of different motions and patterns for the lights, all of which are controlled by a tiny remote. “You can have the lights dimmed or you can light it up like it’s a room in your house when you have parties or company over,” Neilan says. “The system really makes your lanai feel like an extension of your house. Everyone that comes to the house is wowed by it and we have four or five neighbors who have added a system.” Nebula Lighting Systems offers a $75 credit to any customer who refers a friend or family member that installs a new lighting system.

A Quality Product

Roughly 95 percent of the materials that go into a Nebula Lighting System are American-made. In fact, the tiny diode of the LED light is the only part of the system not domestically-made, and Polkosnik says even that is purchased from an American company. The rails are made from durable and weather-resistant PVC extrusion. If you’re worried about climbing up there to replace the lights as they burn out, don’t. Nebula will come out and do it for you.

The company offers a three-year parts and labor warranty to cover defects in parts or workmanship. “Ninety percent of our LEDs last between 10 and 12 years, and we’ve been in business for 12 years, so we have the data on that,” Polkosnik says. “We wouldn’t be able to stay in business of we had to come out every couple of years to replace the diodes.” The LEDs also are low-voltage. A whole system might only have the output of a 70 watt bulb, so it will be minimal, if not invisible, on your electric bill. “It’s also a local, family-owned business and we were able to deal with Jamie directly,” Neilan says. “We’ve had the system for three years and there have been no problems.” Nebula Lighting Systems aren’t limited to screen enclosures, either. The company also has designed a mounting rail that allows a track to be installed under virtually any surface. “We can install our systems in gazebos, soffits and awnings,” Polkosnik says. “There’s a freedom to do many other applications.” You owe it to yourself to check out Nebula’s website or find the company on Facebook, where you can find a video of Polkosnik on the “Great Day Tampa Bay” morning show on WFLA-TV News Channel 8 doing a demonstration of the system. You also can see photos of not just screen enclosure projects but also some of the other applications in which the Nebula systems have been installed. Nebula Lighting Systems offers free estimates and has a 10-percent-off special on new systems until August 31. Polkosnik says he enjoys living and working out of his home office in the fast-growing Wesley Chapel area but wants people to know that while Nebula Lighting Systems is local, the company is in every community. There is no showroom but more info is available by calling (813) 996-0001 or by visiting NebulaLighting.com. Or, check out the ad on page 34.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 17 • August 9, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

The New Tampa Dance Theatre Is Celebrating Its 25th Anniversary! By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN

It may be housed in a quiet building on a busy suburban street, but the New Tampa Dance Theatre (NTDT) offers dancers a world-class, professional experience that is unmatched in the Tampa Bay area, whether you or your child like to dance for fun or dream of a career on stage one day. Located on Cross Creek Blvd. (across from Heritage Isles) in New Tampa, the 7,500-square-foot NTDT is the largest professional dance training facility in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. Owner and artistic director Dyane Elkins IronWing is in her 25th season of creating dance memories and futures for her New Tampa- and Wesley Chapel-area students, many of whom have gone on to study dance in college and/or dance professionally. “As always, I’m so proud of our students,” says Elkins IronWing. “Our dancers become excellent college students, with their impressive time-management skills, perseverance and creative thinking.” Elkins IronWing herself says she started dancing at age 5, later trained in New York City, and performed with the Ballet Metropolitan in Columbus, OH. She moved to Tampa in 1995 to be near family and friends and immediately opened NTDT in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. In 2002, she purchased the property on Cross Creek Blvd., designed her spacious new studio herself, and moved the school to the new building in January 2006. With the bigger location, Elkins IronWing was off and running, offering smaller class sizes and larger, more varied schedules. She says she also has a larger pool of students today, with the ongoing explosive growth in Wesley Chapel. “Our name might say New Tampa; however, our location is much closer to Wesley Chapel than one might assume,” says Elkins IronWing. “We are extremely convenient to all of the current growth (there). Wesley Chapel families are shocked to discover just how close we are and excited because of how quickly they can drive to our school.”

All Ages & Experience Levels

Elkins IronWing caters to both the recreational dance lover as well as the devoted

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The community’s largest and longest-running interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” now in its 20th season for the New Tampa Dance Theatre, will be held Friday-Sunday, December 13-15, at USF Tampa’s College of the Arts Theater 1.

pre-professional, and every level in between. NTDT’s leveled curriculum offers multiple art forms for students to explore. Through personalized attention and professional expertise, the NTDT faculty provides a positive educational experience based on the studio’s core principles of respect, responsibility and teamwork. Teen/Adult classes include four eightweek sessions (from Sept.-May) of classical ballet, tap and Zumba. Children ages 3-4 can participate in the Early Childhood Program, ages 5-8 can take part in the Children’s Program, and ages 9-18 are invited to join NTDT’s Youth Program. In addition to classical ballet, the studio offers full programs in creative movement, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop. Each program has its own directors and specific syllabuses guiding students in a structured manner through their studies. Dyane’s husband, Troy IronWing, is NTDT’s director of tap, while she will instruct ballet, jazz and creative movement classes this season. Both have continued to tour internationally, now for 15 years, with the Rhythm Extreme performance troupe. The facilities at NTDT are as top notch as the instructors, and include maple flooring for the tap classes, 20-25-ft.-tall mirrored walls, student locker rooms and a large studio space that can accommodate up to 200 people. Sprung floors provide shock absorption to protect the dancers’ joints, and an on-site physical

therapist ensures the health of the dancers. NTDT also features a café offering light meals, snacks, coffee and other drinks.

The Training You Need

NTDT has developed a reputation for creating strong, professional dancers with alumni who have moved on to highly respected companies, Broadway productions and the Walt Disney Company. Because NTDT students learn to be proficient in multiple art forms, these students have an edge in the competitive world of dance and many of them have been accepted into prestigious summer intensive

programs, including the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theater in New York City, The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and the Boston Ballet. “With this milestone 25th anniversary celebration season, it’s a time for reflection with extreme gratitude and love for all the amazing people who have been a part of our dance programs and family,” says Elkins IronWing.” “I credit all of my success as a professional dancer to the foundational training I received at NTDT from age 6-18,” says Victoria DeRenzo, who today is a professional dancer

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and choreographer who has toured internationally in 28 countries on four continents, most notably with Pilobolus Dance Theatre. “I loved every second of my experience growing up at there,” she adds, “but I had no idea how spoiled I was until I graduated. Not many people receive a top-notch dance education in multiple artforms during their lifetime, let alone at the age of 6.” If a student doesn’t choose to pursue a career in dance after high school, they can still reach a level of artistry to be accepted into many college dance programs, says Elkins IronWing. “Believing in yourself, respecting the process of working toward a goal, and having a well-rounded dance education give our students the tools and confidence to continue discovering new passions throughout their lifetimes,” she says.

Great Productions, Too!

All students get to perform in the “Spring Production” and — through the studio’s nonprofit partner, the Dance Theatre of Tampa (DTT) — in the winter production of “The Nutcracker,” as well as the “Summer Concert Series,” held in June at USF. DTT provides more than 300 free tickets to NTDT’s corporate sponsors, local community supporters, alumni members and students. A small costume rental fee for productions is the only cost over the tuition that parents have to pay at any time — Elkins IronWing says there is never a requirement to buy advertising or pay performance fees. New Tampa residents Gary and Charity Hartley relocated here in 2018 from Virginia,

Neighborhood News

her “party friends.” Each year, a portion of the proceeds from the Tea is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities in South Tampa. Tickets for both the Tea and “The Nutcracker” go on sale on Monday, September 30. “It’s all about Training to be a professional dancer is hard work, but the New the children at NTDT, always has been and Tampa Dance Theatre is a lot of fun, too. always will be,” Dyane and enrolled their daughter Hope at NTDT. Every holiday season, Dyane says local says. “We are a compa“New Tampa Dance Theatre and the residents look forward to the community’s ny that enables children to succeed. The key is entire staff were the linchpins for our transition largest and longest-running interpretation of setting high expectations all while having fun into the New Tampa area,” Charity says. “The Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” and building self-confidence. With the amazwarmth of the studio, quality of instruction now in its 20th NTDT season. This year, it will ing season ahead of us, we would like to thank and wonderful students have made us feel be held Friday-Sunday, December 13-15, at all of our trusting and loyal families over the right at home. We especially love the way USF Tampa’s College of the Arts Theater 1. years and the organizations that continually NTDT manages the educational aspect of You can catch free sneak peeks of “The support our vision. Without their recognition their DTT company members, ensuring they Nutcracker” at the Shops at Wiregrass mall on and time, NTDT wouldn’t be the magical have exposure to various dance forms both in Saturday, November 23, Friday, November place it has become!” their weekly training, master classes and dance 29 and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 6-7. The New Tampa Dance Theatre offers performances they attend as a group.” NTDT’s much-awaited Sugar Plum Fairy year-round free trial classes for prospective Transferring at 14 years old, Charity says Tea fund raiser is now in its 15th season and dancers of all ages. To tour the facility or Hope was originally placed in the Youth Prowill be held Sunday, December 1, at USF’s to rent it for a meeting, party or function, gram Level 6 and has made true, long-lasting Gibbons Alumni Center. visit NTDT at 10701 Cross Creek Blvd. friendships at NTDT. This popular event features a light lunch, For more info, see the ad on pg. 30. To “The positive atmosphere, paired desserts (including a chocolate fountain), give- check out the exciting lineup of fall classes, with the super talented staff, is simply the aways, a sneak preview of “The Nutcracker,” visit NewTampaDanceTheatre.com or call best dance experience we’ve encountered and an opportunity to dance with Clara (the (813) 994-NTDT (6838).You can follow throughout our various moves as a mililead role of the young girl who receives the NTDT on Facebook and Instagram at tary family,” Charity says. beloved Nutcracker as a Christmas gift) and “New Tampa Dance Theatre.”

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 17 • August 9, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 17 • August 9, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Hey Everyone, Welcome Back To School…And Chill Out! By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

You may or may not have felt a pinch so far this year, with the new ½-cent sales tax increase to support Hillsborough County’s public schools, but the Hillsborough County School District certainly has felt the benefit. As of July 22, the district already had received $40.4 million since the tax went into effect on January 1. Of that money, officials say they have already spent $17,902,401.49, and some of that money has gone (and will continue to go) directly into New Tampa’s schools. Work is well under way at Benito Middle School, where crews are installing a new air conditioning system. The A/C project is expected to be completed before the 2019-20 school year starts on Monday, August 12. “It will be huge for the students and the faculty to not have to deal with the air going in and out,” says Sharon Hineline, who now works at the front desk at Benito and was formerly the PTSA president at the school. She says that the response from the district has typically been good when the air has not been working, and it’s usually been limited to one area or another, but the new system should mean a more reliable system throughout the entire school at all times. “It certainly will help to minimize the disruption of moving classrooms or having doors open,” Sharon says. “Not having air in Florida makes people not be able to think straight,” she continues, “and we need kids to be able to think straight.” Hillsborough County Schools spokesperson Tanya Arja says work also is under way this summer to install a new air conditioning system replacement at Clark Elementary. Wharton High’s air conditioning system also is being overhauled. “Work this summer is to install two new chillers of the school’s three, because

already has received separate new playgrounds for grades kindergarten through second, and grades 3-5. While the students saw the installation happening towards the end of the last school year, when school starts this fall, it will be the first time TPE students have gotten to play on the new equipment. Arja also says that by the end of this school year, funds from the half-penny sales tax will be used to replace 50 playgrounds, tracks and athletic courts countywide, as well as complete Workers are putting the finishing touches on the improved A/C 31 painting and carpetsystem at Benito Middle School, which should be ready by Monday. ing projects, and invest more than $1 million in the third one is only a couple of years school security improvements. old,” says principal Mike Rowan, who adds Over the next 10 years, the disthat there also has been pipework done at trict also plans to overhaul or replace air Wharton over the summer. conditioning systems at 203 schools. Each “Next summer, they will be replacing summer, school officials expect to complete a couple of other things that are needed, about 20 major school air conditioning including ductwork,” he says. “That should projects as the funds are generated by sales help a lot to balance out the air flow into across the county. the classrooms.” The air conditioning has been an issue at the school, for both teachers and students, for many years. Rowan says he hopes the improvements will eliminate those problems. Arja says Wharton will be getting a new roof, too, as will Hunter’s Green Elementary. Work on those projects is expected to start soon — construction on Hunter’s Green’s new roof is expected to begin sometime this month. • “With the roofs, they work on them • at night and on weekends,” Arja explains. • “It’s cooler for the crews that way and it doesn’t disturb activity at the schools.” • • Playgrounds, Tracks & More • Tampa Palms Elementary (TPE) • •

More than 1,700 total projects are planned over the next 10 years, including 63 aging roof replacements, $23 million in safety and security improvements, $25 million in classroom technology upgrades, and four new schools will be built to relieve overcrowding, although none are slated to be built in New Tampa. More than 1.3 billion will be invested into schools over the next 10 years, with at least $500,000 invested in each school. “This is all thanks to Hillsborough County taxpayers who supported the education referendum back in November of 2018,” Arja says.

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Parents at Benito Middle School gathered last school year to remind drivers to slow down in the mornings when driving by the school, but will have crossing guards to do so this year.

Benito & Liberty Middle Schools Will Have Crossing Guards For 2019-20 By JOHN C. COTEY

Parents have long complained that despite traffic lights and clearly marked walkways, children attending Benito Middle School faced very real dangers having to cross busy Cross Creek Blvd. every weekday morning without the aid of a crossing guard. Well, their complaints definitely have been heard. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved in April a plan to spend roughly $1 million to employ Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies as crossing guards at all 43 Hillsborough middle schools, the first county in Florida to do so. Following the BOCC approval, a study was implemented to determine the countywide needs and so far, 78 crossing guard positions have been earmarked by HCSO for 37 schools, including Benito and Liberty Middle School in Tampa Palms. According to the list released last month, Benito will have two crossing

guards stationed at the two corners of Kinnan St. and Cross Creek Blvd. Liberty will have one crossing guard stationed at Commerce Park Blvd. and New Tampa Blvd. Other middle schools stationed in high-traffic areas will have as many as six crossing guards, such as Ben Hill Middle School near Ehrlich Rd., and Adams and Farnell middle schools, which will have five crossing guards. “Those numbers were determined by a ratio of how many students are traveling to school (via walking or biking) and how much traffic is in the area,” says HCSO spokesperson Amanda Granit. The push for crossing guards at middle schools was spearheaded by parents across the county who protested the elimination of courtesy busing for students who live within a two-mile radius of their school. That left students living north of Cross Creek Blvd. who walked or biked to Benito to have to cross the very busy road to get to school in the morning.

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School Grades Are Out & It’s Good News For Most Area Schools *Every New Tampa school had the same grade for 2018-19 as it did the previous school year, with the exception of Hunter’s Green Elementary, which improved to a “B” grade after four straight years of “C” grades. *New Tampa had six schools earn “A” grades, two that earned B grades and three earned C grades. *Chiles Elementary was the only New Tampa school to score higher than 80 in English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science Achievement. *Pride Elementary earned the best score among our schools for ELA Achievement (86), while Chiles was tops in Math (85) and Science (85). School Name

ELA Achievement Math Achievement

*Chiles is now 17-for-17 in earning an A grade from the state. *However, Benito Middle School, Pride and Clark elementaries all have the longest current streak of “A” grades — 18 straight years, dating back to 2002. * Freedom and Wharton high schools were both “C” schools for the fourth straight year. * Did you know that from 2008-10, every elementary and middle school in New Tampa earned A grades?

*For more info about your child’s school, visit sdhc.k12.fl.us.

Science Achievement

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Benito Middle

Chiles Elementary

Clark Elementary

Freedom High

Heritage Elementary

Hunter's Green Elementary

Liberty Middle

Pride Elementary

Tampa Palms Elementary

Turner/Bartels K-8

Wharton High

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Short Hoping For Long Tenure By ANDY WARRENER No high school in Hillsborough County has changed head football coaches more often than Freedom High in Tampa Palms has the last 17 years. Since opening in 2002, the Patriots have had nine different football coaches, two more than any other Hillsborough County team over that span. By comparison, Wharton has had only four coaches. New Freedom High head football coach Chris Chris Short, however, hopes to Short (gray shirt) and his staff plan to turn the jam that revolving door. The assistant Patriots around this season. was promoted in July, replacing Henry Scurry, and became the Patriots’ fensive line coach. He also has coached the fourth football coach in five seasons. defensive line and has been the Patriots’ run “They are going to have to bury me in game coordinator, special teams coordinator that field,” Short says. “I’m here until I retire.” and co-offensive coordinator. Short began at Freedom in 2014, the Freedom had 24 seniors graduate from same year the football team last had a win- last year’s 4-6 team last year,. That so-so record ning record. included a 10-6 win over rival New Tampa “(Then-Freedom-coach Todd) Donohoe rival Wharton High as the Pats scored only 83 saw me break up a fight and called me into points all of last season. his office the next day to ask me if I’d played Short has put an experienced staff (football) before,” he says. together. It includes Adrian Jackson, who Short had played offensive tackle for The coached the defensive backs last year; Ben Villages Charter School in Sumter County. Faust, who will take over Short’s offensive line At Freedom, he has most recently been duties and comes over from state-power Armthe girls flag football head coach. wood; Dwayne Davis, who spent 12 years as an “I always knew I would become a coach, assistant at Wharton and will be the defensive the moment I stopped playing,” Short says. coordinator; James Purnell, who comes over “I’ve loved every minute of it.” after stints at Middleton, King and Leto and His first job with the Freedom football will assist with running backs; and quarterback team was as a junior varsity and varsity ofspecialist Octavius Day.

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL

2019 Reader Dining Survey & Contest!

Win $100 in Dining Gift Cards to the Restaurant of Your Choice! NEWS Below is a list of virtually every restaurant in New Tampa’s zip code 33647 and some others that border onto Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Tampa or Lutz, regardless of zip code. The restaurants have been divided by geographic area, starting from BBD at Bearss Ave. and heading north up BBD all the way to County Line Rd., as well as all of Cross Creek Blvd. Please circle or select FIVE (5) of these restaurants as your favorites in New Tampa. Do not number them. No write-in votes are allowed. Then, circle or select ONE (1) favorite for each of the additional options (Pizza, Dessert & Bar/Tavern). Then, complete the entry form with your name, address (with community — Tampa Palms, Pebble Creek, etc.), daytime telephone number and a valid email address and mail your entry to Neighborhood News Dining Survey, 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 by November 11, 2019, to be eligible to win a $100 gift card, $60 gift card or $35 gift card to the restaurant of your choice in the Tampa Bay area! This form also is available on our website — NeighborhoodNewsOnline.com and must be COMPLETELY filled in for you to be eligible. One entry per person per household only. Good luck! — GN

Please Circle or Select Your Five (5) Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa from the list below! Bearss Tavern & Tap Jimmy John’s Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant Woodfired Pizza (Bearss Ave.) Sushi Avenue PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Cracker Barrel Chick-fil-A Papa John’s Pizza Jersey Mike’s Subs Mr. Dunderbak’s Acropolis Greek Taverna Xtreme Body Nutrition & Smoothies Sake House Sushi Fushia Asian Bistro Thai Ruby Peabody’s Grill & Bar Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs Cappy’s Pizzeria Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant

The Fat Rabbit Subway China City Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club Ciccio Cali Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Palm Thai Olive Garden Red Lobster Stonewood Grill & Tavern McDonald’s Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine Steak n Shake Hummingbird Jerk House Oakley’s Grille Chili’s Grill & Bar Glory Days Grill Tijuana Flats Taste of New York Pizzeria Petra Mediterranean Express

You’re Not Quite Done Yet! There are still three more categories for you to respond to — but we only want you to circle or select your ONE (#1) favorite place for pizza (or flatbreads), your favorite dessert place and your favorite bar or tavern in New Tampa.

Your Favorite Place For Pizza In New Tampa

(Please circle or select only ONE (1) no more, no less!)

Cappy’s Pizzeria Capri Pizza-n-More Ciccio Cali Deano’s Pizza-n-Pasta Domino’s Pizza Full Circle Pizza

Your Favorite Dessert Place In New Tampa (Please circle or select only ONE (1) no more, no less!)

Baskin Robbins Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Cold Stone Creamery Neighborhood News

Glory Days Grill Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs Marco’s Pizza Panera Bread Papa John’s Pizza Peabody’s Grill & Bar Pizza Hut Precinct Pizza TGI Fridays Westshore Pizza

Panera Bread Sushi Cafe TGI Fridays Westshore Pizza Ho King Chipotle Sukhothai Pizza Hut The Little Greek China One Minerva Indian Restaurant El Pescador Hunter’s Green Country Club Capri Pizza-n-More Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles GC) Deano’s Pizza & Pasta Saffron Indian Cuisine (new location) New China King Precinct Pizza Cross Creek Deli (Shell)

Your Favorite Bar Or Tavern In New Tampa (Please circle or select only ONE (1) no more, no less!)

Acropolis Greek Taverna Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles GC) Bearss Tavern & Tap Chili’s Grill & Bar Glory Days Grill Hunter’s Green Country Club Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Domino’s Pizza Cantina Mexican restaurant Thai Lanna Wendy’s Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Full Circle Pizza Al-Sham Palace Mulligan’s Irish Pub (PCGC) Marco’s Pizza Tabla Indian Cuisine Burger 21 Burger King Las Palmas Latin Grill China Wok Five Guys Burgers & Fries NEW-Juice Factory Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi Aroy Thai Linkster’s Tap Room Mr. Dunderbak’s Mulligan’s Irish Pub Olive Garden Peabody’s Grill & Bar PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Stonewood Grill & Tavern Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club TGI Friday’s The Fat Rabbit Vallarta’s Mexican restaurant

YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME: ________________________________________________ YOUR STREET ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________ CITY: _________________________________________ ZIP CODE: __________________ YOUR COMMUNITY: ________________________________________________________ (Heritage Isles, West Meadows, etc.) YOUR DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER (w/area code) ____________________________ YOUR VALID EMAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________

Dunkin’ Donuts La Berry Yogurt Cafe Mr. Penguin (NEW) Smallcakes Cupcakery Enter online at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or mail your COMPLETELY Sprinkles Ice Cream (NEW) FILLED IN entry form, by Monday, November 11, 2019, to: Snowrolls 2019 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS DINING SURVEY The Cake Shop 35 @NTWCNews For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue • August 9, 2019Chapel, • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net 29157 Chapel Park Dr., 17 Suite B, Wesley FL 33543

Walk-On’s Walks Into Wesley Chapel! Not only am I a big fan of New Orleans and its Cajun and Créolestyle cuisines, I’m also a big fan of having great new sports bars to watch football and hockey games — especially when they’re within walking distance of where Jannah and I live. Therefore, the July 25 Grand Opening opening of the new Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar on S.R. 56 (between Ford’s Garage and Wesley Chapel Blvd.) was pretty exciting for me. Neighborhood News Online was on-hand for both the “Friends & Family” preview and the Grand Opening/ Ribbon-Cutting for Walk-On’s, which was attended by the parent company’s founder and CEO Brandon Landry, as well as local franchisees Paul Hollabaugh and Jared Burnett. Landry’s minority partner, Saints QB Drew Brees, has yet to visit, but we have a great Walk-On’s video that was recently released that you can view on our Neighborhood News Facebook page and on our Neighborhood News Online YouTube channel. Bottom line? So far, so good. General manager Gyorgy Tamcsu, who previously managed the Red Robin in front of the Shops at Wiregrass, promises great food, great service and yes, 90 TVs, perfect for the upcoming NFL and NHL seasons,. I enjoyed a pretty good blackened redfish (the bed of cheesy grits and

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fresh green beans are tasty, too), and Walk-On’s also has N’Awlins-style chicken “Alfredeaux,” gumbo, “Poboy” sandwiches and more. WalkOn’s Wesley Chapel is located at 25372 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. For info, call (813) 553-6500 or visit Walk-Ons.com, and please tell Gyorgy & his crew we sent you! — GN

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Full Circle Chicago Pizza’s New Owners Give The Menu An Upgrade! By GARY NAGER Anyone who has been reading my dining reviews for any number of years surely knows that I have always been and always will be a New York-style pizza guy. Therefore, it’s been hard for places like Full Circle Chicago Pizza in the Pebble Creek Collection to ever really rank among my favorite pizza places in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Whether deepdish or thin-crust, I am happy to eat Chicagostyle pizza, but it just will never be the same for me as NY-style ‘za. Even so, new Full Circle owners Julia and Freddy Nova took over a few months ago, and they called me to say I needed to try the place again, and not just for the pizza, but also for the new Italian specialties Freddy has been adding to Full Circle’s already tasty menu. And, after several amazing meals at the new Full Circle, I do believe Freddy and Julia are on to something delicious. Julia is half-Italian, but while Freddy’s family is originally from Guatemala, he has

not only cooked at three well-known country clubs for 20 years in New Jersey (including the renowned, historic Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, which has hosted the U.S. Senior Open and the Senior PGA Championship), he and Julia also owned and operated a successful “Jersey-style” pizza place known as Little Italy in Paramus for five years before they relocated to Tampa and found Full Circle for sale. Freddy’s extensive experience shows in everything he creates at Full Circle. Jannah and I agree that his chicken parmigiana (photo on next page) is the best we’ve had in New Tampa — and, although he hasn’t yet added veal to the menu, folks I’ve met inside since the Novas took over have raved about the eggplant parm. And, my side of penne in marinara sauce came out al denté without me having to order it that way. Atza nice! My new pal Freddy also turned a simple chicken and broccoli pasta dish (right) into a perfectly garlicky (is that a word?) masterpiece, and he’ll even add sautéed spinach or broccoli to it upon request (as I did). I’m not usually as big on chicken Francaise, but Julia told me it’s her favorite, so I tried it on my most recent visit and you can take the egg-dipped coating and lemon without either being overpowering.

Sandwiches...

Folks from the Windy City love their Chicago-style Italian

beef sandwiches (top right photo on next page), and Freddy kept the tasty au just the bread is basically soaking in from the original Full Circle. People also rave about his Philly cheese steaks; I enjoyed his spicy version. However, I still prefer an oven-baked parmigiana sub, with gooey mozzarella, meatballs, chicken or Italian sausage, and Freddy’s baked subs have the right “crackle” (the roof of your mouth should be both cut and burnt when the bread and sauce are perfect...and

these are) and are all lip-smacking-tasty. I also have enjoyed the fried ravioli appetizer and the garlic knots and plan to try the jumbo wings and even the pierogies, although I try not to fill up too much on appetizers when the main event is always so great.

OK, What About That Pizza?

Remember what I said earlier about me and Chicago-style pizza? Freddy says he hasn’t changed Full Circle’s already im-

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mensely popular thin-crust or deep-dish Chicago-style pizza much — although it does seem to me that he has increased the ratio of sauce to cheese on the deep dish, which makes it possible to eat with your hands, instead of a knife and fork (as I’ve always had to do with most other Chicago-style deep-dish). And yes, Full Circle offers slices of thin-crust pizza for lunch and has deep-dish pies available every day for lunch and dinner. However, I’m proud to say that Freddy has even found a loophole in my anti-Chicago-thin-crust bias. He has introduced a margherita pizza — with a zesty sauce, fresh mozzarella and even fresher basil — that is unlike any other I’ve tasted before. And, here’s the thing, when I last lived in New York, the whole coal- or wood-fired brick oven pizza craze hadn’t really yet taken off, so I had no preconceived notions of what a cracker-thin “Neapolitan”-style pizza should taste like when I moved to Florida. And, although I have always liked the Neapolitan-style pizza in our area, it’s never been as high on my list of favorites as most NY-style pizza. Until now. Freddie’s margherita pizza has a delicious garlic-infused sauce that is similar to what many places use

for their “Grandma’s pizza.” The mozzarella is fresh and the basil adds just that hint of sweetness. But, Freddy’s margherita pizza (right) also has a much crisper crust than most Neapolitan-style pizza, which usually comes out with a charred bottom, but not crispy. Bottom line? If you hate it, I’ll buy your leftovers. In fact, I went so crazy for this pizza that I just had to share it with my new friends Beth, Wayne and Don (photo at the bottom of the previous page) and all three also raved about it. Best of all, with the coupons in the ad on page 43 of this issue, you can save money (details below) on Full Circle’s ristorante-quality cuisine in clean, comfortable, casual surroundings with plenty of booth and table seating available. There’s also Yuengling on draught, Peroni and other beers in bottles and red and white wines by the glass or bottle. Full Circle also has a great family atmosphere and everything on the “Kids Corner” menu is either $4.99 or $5.99. You’ll also find an extensive catering menu with truly fair prices. As for those coupons, on Tuesday and Wednesday (only!), you can get a large thin-crust pizza with one topping for only $9.99. And, although the coupons can’t be combined, you also can save $5 off any purchase of $30 or more, or $2 off any purchase of $15 or more.

Help Wanted!

Full Circle Pizza is hiring experienced servers and pizza makers now, especially since they will be slammed once this story breaks. Please stop in to fill out an application. Full Circle Chicago Pizza is located at 19651 BBD Blvd. and is open every day for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 9943700, or visit FullCircleChicagoPizza.com.

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

The New Rice-n-Beans Is Open!

I met proprietor Cindy Cruz of Rice-nBeans restaurant at its old location, but didn’t really get to sit down and talk to her until the new Wesley Chapel location of Rice-n-Beans opened at 27405 Wesley Chapel Blvd (S.R. 54) a couple of weeks ago. First, let me say that Cindy’s place is gorgeous inside — the remnants of two previous steakhouses are long gone; it looks like how I imagine a fine dining restaurant would look like in Puerto Rico, away from the resorts. Yes, Cindy admits, there were issues she and her staff were dealing with at first — after going from a hugely successful tiny space in the same building as a gas station on S.R. 54 in

Lutz to more than 5,000 sq. ft. here. Even so, there has been an unbelievably large number of people who have been in there every day since it opened. And, the food is pretty tasty. My favorite dish I’ve sampled to date is the “Chicharron de Pollo,” which is just what the menu says — delicious bone-in, crunchy fried chicken. The red beans (with white or yellow rice) and sweet plantains are my favorites of the choice of sides that are offered...a bargain for $10. And, with already famous dishes like Mofongo and a premium, full-liquor bar, Rice-n-Beans should be a hit in Wesley Chapel, so please keep telling Cindy and her staff I said so! For more information, call (813) 8037974 or visit RicenBeans.com.

Two New Soft Serve Ice Cream Shops Now Open

We may not be getting a lot of new restaurants just yet in New Tampa, but we have recently added two new soft-serve ice cream shops — Mr. Penguin, which is located at 18089 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., between Michaels and Pure Barre in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve Plaza; and Sprinkles Ice Cream (photo, right) located in the same Mobil gas station building (see below) as the recently relocated Saffron Indian Cuisine and Deano’s Pizza & Pasta (formerly Hawkeye’s

NYS Pizza) at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd. Mr. Penguin, which also has a South Tampa location, has your basic vanilla and chocolate (or swirl both) ice cream flavors, but I’m interested to see how they combine soft-serve with any of about two dozen Italian ice flavors (including some unique ones, like sugar-free cotton candy, green tea and sour apple) in what they call “gelati” (not to be confused with “gelato”). For more information, visit MrPenguinIce.com or call (813) 252-7625. Meanwhile, Sprinkles is a tiny little, notsit-down place featuring vanilla, chocolate and swirl soft serve ice cream, plus delicious shakes (Reese’s and Nutella are among the flavors), smoothies (try the strawberry mango), slushies (watermelon, fruit punch and more), plus

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healthy additions like chia or flax seed, protein powder, carrot and spinach.

Original Saffron Owners Reopen In New Location! For those who were confused as to why the original Saffron in the Cross Creek Center

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able), plus two dozen different boosters (even echinacea) and shots (from ginger to turmeric), plus smoothies, bowls, salads, wraps and even six kinds of healthy toast, with breakfast coming soon! For more info, visit JuiceFactory.net or call (813) 345-8884.

Island Fin Poké Co. Coming Soon!

plaza became Saffron Palace (which is now closed), original Saffron Indian Cuisine owners Sunita and Nimesh Chheda say the important thing is that New Tampa’s original Indian restaurant is back in business. Try the soups and other quick, hot foods to go, from vegetable samosas to chicken tikka masala. Although there are a couple of tables inside, this is not the old sit-down-dining Saffron, but Nimesh promises me that my favorite lamb chops in New Tampa are back. For more info, call (813) 600-3315 or visit SaffronIndianCuisineTampa.com.

Check Out The Juice Factory!

Are you trying to eat and drink a little cleaner? You definitely should check out the Juice Factory, located next to Five Guys Burgers & Fries at 6431 E. County Line Rd. This unique mom-and-pop (photo on previous page) is actually owned by four brothers, and has a huge selection of healthy juices (you also can create your own — they have virtually every fruit and vegetable avail-

If you’ve been waiting to hope on the Hawaiian-and Caribbean-style poké (pronounced poe-kay) bowl craze, or you’ve already gotten excited about the poke restaurant coming to the Villages at Hunter’s Lake plaza (next to the underconstruction Sprouts Farmers Market), you won’t have to wait a year or more — because Island Fin Poké Company (photo above), which has existing locations in Worcester, MA, and in Winter Springs, FL, with more central Florida and other new locations coming soon, is expected to be open at 6417 County Line Rd. (between Winn-Dixie and Ginza, across from Juice Factory) by the end of October. Franchise owners and long-time New Tampa residents Brenda and Jeff Sproat (I coached against him in Little League between 10- 15 years ago) promise that once you’ve created your own poké bowl at Island Fin, you may never want to visit another poké place. I’m definitely looking forward to trying both the ahi and spicy ahi tuna and the chicken bowls...and to catching up with the Sproats. For more information, visit IslandFinPoke.com. — GN

LARGE THINCRUST PIZZA & ONE TOPPING

DR. RUDY & DR. FARINA Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 17 • August 9, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM Soft pressure exterior house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing and deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big or small. Experience the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning professional. Licensed and insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate or visit our website. 813-433-6015. DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional & personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. Call 813-215-1177. DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified. Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999. TJ’s Pressure Washing LLC. Driveways, Houses, Fences, Lanai’s and Screened Enclosures. Most residential 2-car driveways or vinyl fences starting at $60. House washing prices start at $100 for a 1-story home and $150 for a 2-story home. Looking for an instant quote? Just text me a picture of the job you need done. Call TJ at 727-808-7775. CHARLES POPPE ELECTRIC. Electric of all kinds pools, spas, service changes, new circuts, low voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, trouble shooting, GFCI performance testing, generators. Expert in the field - over 40 years experience. Discount for retired people 50%. Licensed and Insured Master Electrician EC 13002399 - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068. RAYMOND PAINTING. Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References avail. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124. AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years Experience. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Please Google us if you would like to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises.

Classifieds

HOME HEALTH CARE

Does your Loved One need Care at Home? Faith Compassionate Home Care provides private medical and non-medical Home Health Care Services: Nursing Services, Medication Management, Bowel Care, 24-hrs friendly Companionship, Home Health Aide services, Respite Care, Live-in....and more. Call: (813) 602-4431.

COMPUTER/BUSINESS SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small business. A+, Certified computer tech with 20 years exp. Maintenance and Repairs, Upgrades and Tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized service. Technical jargon explained. Remote assistance available. References available. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate. DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.

CLEANING SERVICES

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years experience! Commercial and Residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house and post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies and more than 400 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 813-758-9710.

HELP WANTED

HIRING PERSONAL TRAINER. Private Women’s Studio with Boot Camp & Personal Training in Wesley Chapel & Land O’ Lakes owned by Samantha Taylor. Please no phone calls or walk ins.To apply part time: www.lolfitbodybootcamp.com/hire-pt. BOSCO’S ITALIAN-TO-GO is hiring! Inside & Delivery positions available. Must be 18+, have a good attitude & have your own reliable transportation. Stop in at 30122 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel to fill out an application.

SPACE AVAILABLE

SERENITY SALON & SPA SUITES Wesley Chapel. Booth rental for Stylist available. Can be either full time or part time. Give us a call!: 813-312-5247 or 813-997-6302.

PIANO LESSONS

PIANO LESSONS. Summer is a great time to start! 30+ Years of Experience. Reasonable rates. Children or Adults. Call 813-994-7857 for a FREE interview.

CLEANING SERVICES

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maintenance: Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/Spring Special & FREE ESTIMATE! Licensed & insured. Accepting new residential & commercial accounts. We accept Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmExp. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring full-time workers. HEAVY HITTER LAWN CARE: Veteran owned and operated lawn care maintenance service, focused on lawn mowing, trimming, edging and blowing (flexible with extra services). Well maintained and professional laborer ensuring customer satisfaction and on-time cuts. Rain or shine, the quality and schedule will be kept. Licensed and Insured. Call or text 678-673-7856 for your FREE ESTIMATE.

REAL ESTATE

HOW MUCH IS YOUR HOME WORTH? Get a free, no-obligation comparative market analysis from NAR-certified Pricing Strategy Advisor & licensed real estate broker Scott Lewis. Your analysis includes your home’s sales & ownership history, neighborhood, and market price estimate. Why guess? If you’re thinking of selling, call or text Scott H. Lewis, Broker Associate, today at 813-777-2500. Global Luxury Realty.

POOL SERVICES TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS Wesley Chapel owned and operated since 1999. Weekly service. No long term contracts. Mention this AD for one-month Free service. Call 813-907-7322 for details or text Joe at 813-758-7608. AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim-safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get ONE MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE Retired Professional Photographer (45+ years experience) in the Tampa Bay Area. Corporate Events, Personal Occasions, Portraiture, Pets, Comercial Photography & Real Estate. Reasonable rates. Call/Text 813-748-3901 or Visit: russellleprephotography.com

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the Fictitious Name Statute, Chapter 865.09, Florida Statutes, will register with the Division of Corporations, Department of State, State of Florida upon receipt of this notice, the fictitious name, towit: Everett Park Enterprise under which I am engaged in business. Address that the party interested in said business enterprise is as follows: 15803 Countrybrook Street, Tampa, FL 33624. Date: 09-August-2019.

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

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 17 • August 9, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Organic Safe Lawns COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

813.393.9665

WWW.ORGANICSAFELAWNS.COM

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Gardner Gutters

~ Family Owned And Operated ~

SERVING NEW TAMPA FOR 18 YEARS

We offer much more!

• Windows • Gutters • Siding • Soffit Fascia • Screen Enclosures Licensed & Insured: SCC131150705

Call 813-486-1697 or Visit gardnergutters.com

Free Estimate

We Don’t Cut Corners, We Dust Them

Exterior Home Cleaning

“Residential and Commercial’’

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

Before

Pressure Washing, Soft Washing & Roof Cleaning, Pool Cages, Driveways, Pavers & More!

(813) 696-9568

Check us out on Facebook facebook.com/SBSoftSpray

Veteran Owned & Operated

(813) 381-1430

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AIR CONDITIONING

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PLUMBING

✓ Electrical Inspections ✓Full Service AIC, Plumbing ✓Plumbing Inspections & Electrical ✓ Electrical Panel Upgrades ✓ Stoppages, leaks, Drain ✓ AIC Emergency Service & Repair Cleaning ✓Ceiling Fan Installations ✓ AIC Tune-Up & Inspection ✓ Water Heater Repairs & ✓LED & Can lighting Replacement ✓New AJC System Installation ✓ Electrical Maintenance Plan ✓ Water Treatment & Purification ✓ Whole Home Generaors ✓Service and Repair on all brands of AIC Equipment ✓Plumbing Maintenance Plan ✓18Month NO Interest ✓Air Duct Cleaning ✓ Whole Home re-pipe Financing ✓ AIC Maintenance Plan ✓18Month NO Interest Financing "WAC ✓ 18 Month NO Interest Financing *WAC "WAC ✓New AIC System as low as $65 Monthly "WAC ,:; DAIKIN

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 17 • August 9, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

17849 Arbor Greene Dr.

JUST LISTED

5413 Burchette Rd.

20103 Oak Alley Dr.

JUST LISTED

4 Bed | 3 Bath | Office | 2,751 SF | 3 Car Garage | Engineered Hardwood Floors, Deep Crown Molding, Elegant Chandeliers, Built-In Closet Systems, Newer A/C, New Water Softener, Newer Water Heater, Newer Interior and Exterior Paint, Updated Kitchen, Quartz Counters, 42” Cabinetry w/Glass Front Uppers, Stainless Steel Appliances, Updated Bathrooms, Master Bath w/Jacuzzi Tub, Large Corner Lot, Waterfront Views, Newly Screened Lanai Offered for $389,000

4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 3,263 SF | 2 Car Garage | Newer Red Barrel Tile Roof, New Carpet, Plantation Shutters, Oversized Fireplace, Upgraded Lighting, Plant Shelves, Built-In Wet Bar, Kitchen w/Granite Countertops, Pass Through Window To Lanai, Newly Remodeled Master Bath, Over 1/2 Acre, Cul-De-Sac Lot, Oversized Pool and Heated Spa, Pavered Pool Deck Offered for $499,000

4 Bed | 5 Bath | Bonus Room | Media Room | Study | Computer Center 4,603 SF | 3 Car Garage | Courtyard Entry, All Bedrooms Down, Granite in All Baths, Crown Moldings, Tray Ceilings, Bonus Room w/Balcony, Exquisite Kitchen with Granite, Stainless Steel Appliances, Island Workstation, Under Mount Lighting, Mosaic Tile Backsplash, Walk-In Pantry, Large Covered Lanai, Brick Paver Pool Deck, Conservation Home Site Offered for $575,000

7212 Hammet Rd.

16366 Heathrow Dr.

9115 Canberley Dr.

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,988 SF | 3 Car Garage | New Roof, New Porcelain Tile Floors, Resurfaced Pool, New Granite Counters in Kitchen & Bathrooms, New Interior and Exterior Paint, Master Features Large Sitting Room with French Doors to Balcony, Gourmet Kitchen with 42” Maple Cabinetry, New Stainless Steel Appliances, Designer Perfect Backsplash, Granite Counters, Large 2- Story Screened Lanai, Pavered Deck, Pool, Spa, Stunning Water Views Offered for $389,000

4 Bed | Den | Bonus Room | 3 Bath | 4,275 SF | 3 Car Side Load Garage | High End Finishes Include Bast Hardwood Floors, Millwork and Plantation Shutters, Crown Molding, French Doors, Walk-In Closets, Water Filtration System, 2 Tankless Water Heaters, Large Kitchen w/Stained Wainscot Trim, Granite, Stainless Steel Appliances, Ice Machine, Bosch Dishwasher, Large Walk-In Pantry, Conservation, Quiet Cul-De-Sac w/Butterfly Garden Offered for $675,000

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,959 SF | 2 Car Garage | Tile Roof 2014, Soaring Ceilings, Plantation Shutters, Transom Windows, Tile & Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Leaded Glass Front Door, Elegant Fireplace, Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances, 42” Maple Cabinetry, New Quartz Counters, Subway Tile Backsplash, Island Workstation, Built-In Wet Bar, Wine Refrigerator, Pavered Lanai, Built-In Bar, Plumbed for Outdoor Kitchen, New Screened Lanai Offered for $450,000

18105 Courtney Breeze Dr.

17358 Emerald Chase Dr.

14316 Avon Farms Dr.

5 Bed | 3 Bath | Office | 3,044 SF | 3 Car Garage | Den Downstairs, All Bedrooms Up, 2-Story Ceilings in Formal Area, Leaded Glass Double Door Entry, Oversized Laundry Room with Extra Cabinetry, Upgraded Kitchen with 42” Stacked Maple Cabinetry, Granite Counters, 2 Pantries, Extra Cabinetry with Glass Front Uppers, Remodeled Master Bath with Granite Counters, Maple Cabinetry and Designer Perfect Tile on Floor and Shower, Quiet Cul-De-Sac with Large Rear Yard, Tile Roof, Private Screened Veranda Offered for $399,900

5 Bed | 3 Bath | 3,336 SF | 3 Car Garage | Oversized Lakefront Home Site Extensive Remodeling Throughout with New Bamboo Floors, New Interior and Exterior Paint, New Light Fixtures, New Ceiling Fans, Chef’s Kitchen with Maple Cabinetry, Granite Counters, Designer Tumbled Stone Backsplash, New Stainless Steel Stove and Refrigerator, New Landscaping, Custom Pool and Spa, Deep Waterfront Views, Top Selling Gated Community Offered for $529,000

5 Bed | 4 Bath | Office | Bonus Room | 4,520 SF | 3 Car Garage | Beautiful High End Finishes Include Accent Wall of Stacked Stone, Coffered Ceilings, Plantation Shutters, Designer Wall Treatments, Granite in all Bathrooms, Whitewashed Plank Laminate Wood Floors, Column Accents, Kitchen Features Oversized Quartz Center Island, Espresso Cabinetry, Travertine Backsplash, Luxurious Butler’s Pantry, Stainless Steel Appliances, Expanded Covered Lanai with Custom Outdoor Kitchen Offered for $639,000

15334 Sherwood Forest Dr.

9210 Meadow Lane Ct.

Arbor Green

SALE PENDING

SOLD

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,372 SF | 2-Car Garage | 20 ft. Ceilings | New Interior and Maintenance Free Living in Tampa Palms. Upgrades include Exterior Paint, Sweeping Staircase, Wood Flooring, 20” Italian Ceramic Tile Flooring, Built-In Wet Bar, Fireplace, Custom Built-In Shelving, French Doors, Small Upstairs Loft, Updated Kitchen with Thomasville 42” Cabinetry, Stainless Steel Appliances, Granite Countertops, Breakfast Nook, Tile Roof, Large Wood Deck, Expansive Conservation Homesite, Maintenance Free Offered for $339,000

5 Bed | 3 Bath | Office | 3,192 SF | 3 Car Garage | Two-Story Entry, Column Accents, Wall Molding, Marble Flooring in Formal Dining, Hardwood Flooring Throughout, Kitchen with New Cabinetry, Built-In Microwave Shelf, Bosch Dishwasher, Built-In Wine Rack, Stainless Steel Appliances, Samsung 5-Burner Gas Range with Cavaliere Range Hood, Granite Counters, Glass Tile Backsplash, Island Workstation, Large Fenced Yard, Pool & Spa Offered for $330,000

4 Bed | 3 Bath | Office | Hobby Room | 2,267 SF | 3 Car Garage | Remodeled Throughout, Hardwood Floors, Plantation Shutters, 42” Maple Cabinetry, SS Appliances, Granite in Kitchen and All Baths, Designer Perfect Paint, Stunning Waterfront Home Site, Cobble Stone Pavers on Pool Deck, Elevated Spa, Pavered Courtyard Entry Offered for $340,000

The Ridge at Wiregrass

Tampa Palms

West Meadows

SOLD 4 Bed | 4 Bath | Office | 2 Bonus Rooms | 4,685 SF | 3 Car Garage | Remodeled Kitchen and Baths, Quartz Counters, Glass Mosaic Tile Backsplash, Stainless Steel Appliances, Plantation Shutters, Hardwood Floors, Pavered Lanai, Heated Pool/Spa Package, Outdoor Kitchen, Conservation Views Offered for $730,000

SOLD 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,829 SF | 2 Car Garage | Maintenance Free Villa | New Roof, Granite Countertops & Ceramic Tile Backsplash in Kitchen, Laminate Wood Floors Throughout, Gas Fireplace in Living Room, Oversized Screened Lanai, Conservation Lot Offered for $225,000

17849 Arbor Greene Dr.

JUST LISTED

5413 Burchette Rd.

20103 Oak Alley Dr.

JUST LISTED

7212 Hammet Rd.

16366 Heathrow Dr.

9115 Canberley Dr.

18105 Courtney Breeze Dr.

17358 Emerald Chase Dr.

14316 Avon Farms Dr.

15334 Sherwood Forest Dr.

9210 Meadow Lane Ct.

Arbor Green

The Ridge at Wiregrass

Tampa Palms

West Meadows

4 Bed | 4 Bath | Office | 2 Bonus Rooms | 4,685 SF | 3 Car Garage | Remodeled Kitchen and Baths, Quartz Counters, Glass Mosaic Tile Backsplash, Stainless Steel Appliances, Plantation Shutters, Hardwood Floors, Pavered Lanai, Heated Pool/Spa Package, Outdoor Kitchen, Conservation Views Offered for $730,000

3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,829 SF | 2 Car Garage | Maintenance Free Villa | New Roof, Granite Countertops & Ceramic Tile Backsplash in Kitchen, Laminate Wood Floors Throughout, Gas Fireplace in Living Room, Oversized Screened Lanai, Conservation Lot Offered for $225,000

SALE PENDING

SOLD