Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 31, Issue 18, September 5, 2023

‘Downtown’ Construction Driving Avalon Park’s

By GARY NAGER Research by Joel Provenzano

What started out as New River Township more than 20 years ago is finally getting ready to come to full fruition.

That original community from developer Beat Kahli (of Avalon Park Group) does still exist today — with about 400 single-family (SF) homes in four subdivisions — but the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) formerly known as New River Township has changed names twice since those first homes (and the adjacent New River Elementary) were built.

The new sections, with a separate entrance off S.R. 54, were at first known as “Avalon Park West,” as Kahli’s original Avalon Park development exploded on the southeast side of Orlando. Today, the local 1,800-acre DRI is being touted as “Avalon Park Wesley Chapel,” which is planned for

4,800 single- and multi-family units, part of which will be a walkable downtown area.

On Aug. 17, the Neighborhood News was included in a hardhat and virtual-reality VIP tour of the Downtown Avalon Park area, which has a single building under construction and a few retail tenants already signed to fill the twelve total available spaces on the ground floor of a multi-floor “neotraditional” building that also will feature rental apartments on its upper floors.

But honestly, as exciting as the first building in the downtown area may be, it really is only the tip of an iceberg as Avalon Park Wesley Chapel begins to add thousands of additional units, just as the widening of S.R. 54 — the primary east-west thoroughfare serving Avalon Park Wesley Chapel — nears its completion.

One pages 4-5 of this issue, you’ll see photos of what’s coming now to Avalon Park, as well as more information as to

SEVEN

7

Online Ads, Story Plaques & All-Direct-Mail Print Issues Set Us Apart

By GARY NAGER

Editorial

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Neighborhood News you’ve been receiving in your mailbox has continued to grow, despite some people still believing that “print is dead.”

Thanks in no small part to the efforts of our director of ad sales & marketing, also known as my beautiful wife Jannah, we have been adding new advertisers at a near-record rate. Just a few issues ago, we were at 40 pages per issue, but last issue and this one, we’re up to 48 pages and that momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing.

In fact, Jannah has been averaging between 3-5 new advertisers in each issue and the content I am so proud — as the publisher and editor — to present to you each issue continues to keep both readers and advertisers alike coming back for more.

Although both of our publications are growing, there is no doubt that it’s been a lot easier for our all-direct-mail circulation to keep up with the pace of growth in New Tampa than it has here in Wesley Chapel.

At the start of 2022, our mailing to zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545 was less than 29,000 total pieces and less than 80,000 total people, according to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)’s estimates of the number of people per household in each postal carrier route we serve.

A year later, at the start of 2023, our Wesley Chapel distribution had risen by more than 2,000 additional pieces — to 31,000 homes, apartments and businesses, all by direct mail. That number of pieces equalled more than 5,000 additional people (or about 85,000 total) in those same zip codes, again according to USPS.

Now, only nine months later than that, our all-direct-mail circulation has surpassed 33,000 residences and businesses and we now reach more than 90,000 people. And, my pledge is that we will continue to add the thousands of additional residential units that are planned and actively being built to our mailing every four weeks. Based on the stories about new developments we continue to run in these pages, we could surpass 35,000 direct-mail pieces and approach 95,000 total people by the end of this year or early in 2024.

Compare those numbers in Wesley Chapel “proper” with any other print publication claiming to serve our area or any portion of it and you’ll see that if you have a business located in or near either of our distribution areas, there is no other way to reach as many potential customers for that business than by advertising in the Neighborhood News. And, some of those other publications actually charge more to reach a tiny percentage of your potential customers than we do. We’re not just mailed to one community, no matter how nice it may be. We mail to ALL of them!

But Wait, There’s (Much) More!

And, in case you think we’re resting on our print laurels, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Our online presence continues to grow at an equally rapid rate, as we post individual hyperlocal news, business and dining stories on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page pretty much every day of every week. Those posts often reach thousands of people in our areas who don’t necessarily want to hold a print publication in their hands. And, those stories always link to our website in order to read the

entire text of those stories. We also recently began selling ads on our website, which registers an average of more than 30,000 “hits” per month, with some months surpassing 100,000 hits, when one of our Facebook stories attracts enough attention — such as our breaking news stories about the Target being built at The Grove, PopStroke’s opening and even the Chicken Boss’ opening at the KRATEs. Our 2024 Media Kit, which will be available shortly, will include combination rates for print and online advertising.

We also continue to have advertisers — and even some local residents — who have had stories in our publications also purchase what I call “Story Plaques” (photo) from us, rather than take what we work hard to do for them to an outside company who then makes money

off our efforts by creating plaques of stories they had nothing to do with writing. For nearly two years now, we have been able to offer equally attractive plaques for our advertisers and others to hang in their offices and homes — all at a lower cost than what those outside companies charge.

Best of all, we can even include the cost of the plaque in the cost of your ads!

So, whether we’ve done a story about your business or someone you love in these pages, email us at Ads@ NTNeighborhoodNews.com. Or, call (813) 910-2575 and Jannah will help you find out more about everything new at the Neighborhood News!

Wesley Chapel

Neighborhood News

2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Phone: (813) 910-2575

Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Publisher & Editor/Ad Sales Gary Nager

Correspondents

Celeste McLaughlin • Nidhi Jani Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Editorial Research by Joel Provenzano

Ad Sales & Marketing Director Jannah Nager

Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist

Charmaine George

Graphic Designers

Morgan Conlin • Valerie Wegener Nylah Alahmary

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

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 31, Issue 20, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

© 2023 JM2 Communications, Inc.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s Downtown Taking Center Stage

By GARY NAGER Research by Joel Provenzano

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which previously had been known as both New River Township and Avalon Park West, is stepping up the development of its downtown, and the Neighborhood News participated in the Aug. 17 VIP tour of the first “neotraditional” building under construction to the east of the existing single-family home development in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Developer Beat Kahli of Avalon Park Group/Sitex Development has modeled his Wesley Chapel development after Avalon Park Orlando, his company’s successful 1,860-acre development neighborhood located in southeast Orange County that will have 3,400 single-family and 1,431 multifamily units at buildout. Meanwhile, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel encompasses about 1,800 acres with about 2,900 single-family and 1,900 multi-family units planned.

Despite a steady rain, the VIP tour helped introduce local business leaders to Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which has its first three-story, 73,067-sq.-ft. mixed-use building well under construction. This building will include 40 multi-family apartments and 23,720 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space on the ground floor.

“This phase of construction really helps us move even closer to that vision of building a place where families can build memories and traditions together in a town they can call their own,” Kahli said in a recent news release. “And, while this may not be the most cost-effective time to begin construction, we feel like it is important to continue on to the next step in developing our vision for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.”

The downtown area also will be home to a two-acre, dog-friendly community park with an amphitheater that currently is in permitting and will begin construction later this summer. The park will host community events such as the popular “Avalon Aglow” and annual Fourth of July celebrations, as well as community partners like Jazz Under the Starz and the Wesley Chapel Theater Group, who are already hosting events and activities in the community. Construction

of both the park and the first mixed-use building are scheduled for completion by January of 2024.

“We have been working with Pasco County over the past several years to develop a program that will be a win-win for the entire Wesley Chapel community,” Kahli said. “Community partnerships are vital to our mission to change the way the world lives, learns, works and plays, by creating a place where everyone can feel like they belong.”

Upon completion, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include approximately 400,000 total sq. ft. of retail and 100,000 sq. ft. of office space in its downtown. The initial construction in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began in 2018 with the addition of the Pinecrest Academy K-9 Charter School. Pinecrest is also now under construction of its second phase, which will ad approximately 600 middle school student stations in a separate building.

Among the first tenants on the first floor of the 12-suite building include the previously announced Prime Barbershop, an unnamed Indian restaurant and an also-unnamed gym. The only other tenant announced at our press time is Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard.

We got to meet Rita’s franchise owners Antoine and Idalice Stokes, who also own the Valrico location, and they definitely seemed to be super-excited to be opening in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

With the first building in the downtown area expected to be completed only four months or so from now, we wanted to provide you with some updates on the development of Avalon park Wesley Chapel:

• A new traffic signal will be installed by the developer at Avalon Park Blvd. & S.R. 54.

• Avalon Park Blvd. will be extended diagonally through the downtown area from SR 54 to River Glen Blvd.

• The Zephyrhills Bypass right-of-way will be given to the county, but that road will not be constructed by the Avalon Park developer. When built, the Zephyrhills Bypass will eventually connect to the existing roundabout in Chapel Crossings to the

for county review (as of last month).

• The majority of the single- and multi-family homes going in the north ern section of Avalon Park have already been approved and platted.

• New River Town ship was originally 1,800 total acres, but now includes about 400 homes in the existing subdivi sions along River Glen Blvd., but the MPUD approved for Avalon Park in 2017 shows a maxi mum of 4,800 residential units total, which is still believed to be accurate and close to the actual number that eventually will be built.

• On August 3, up dated plans were submitted to show how Avalon Park Blvd. will hook around to meet up with River Glen Blvd.

News Briefs — BayCare Seeking YMCA Approval, Home Sense Opens & A 911 Event

By GARY NAGER

As reported by Kelly Gilroy on her outstanding “Pasco County Development and Growth Updates” Facebook page on Aug. 24 — after no updates since representatives from the YMCA first started attending local meetings a couple of years ago — BayCare Health Systems is having a pre-application meeting with Pasco County staff to propose 52,391-sq.-ft. YMCA and a 100,000-sq.-ft., two-story medical office building. The plan includes parking lots, a “New Drive” roadway and a curb-cut connection at the southwest corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Eagleston Blvd., next to the new BayCare Wesley

Home Sense Opens Next To Bealls

On Aug. 10, a new Homesense store opened in the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel, between the also-still-new Bealls Outlet and Flip Flop Shops stores in the plaza on BBD Blvd. south of S.R. 56. Homesense — the off-price home store featuring high-quality furniture and accessories that is the newest retail banner of The TJX Companies, Inc. — now operates 50 stores in the U.S. TJX is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The company operates nearly 5,000 total stores in nine countries, including 1,304 T.J. Maxx, 1,189 Marshalls, 901 HomeGoods, 81 Sierra, and now 50 Homesense stores.

I visited the new store the day it opened and it was packed with not only people, but as-advertised great prices on everything from couches to wall art to Halloween knickknacks (photo below). For

9/11 Remembrance In Zephyrhills

On Saturday, September 9, at 8 a.m., the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History near the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (at 39444 South Ave.) will host a 911 Memorial Remembrance Day event.

Former New York City emergency medical technician Stephen Spelman, who arrived at World Trade Center in his vehicle as the North Tower was getting ready to fall on September 11, 2001, will be bringing the piece of the Ladder 18 fire truck that he had been given to the event.

Spelman had previously loaned the ladder truck artifact to the Tampa Premium Outlets Rotary Club for the mall’s 911 exhibit, but decided to bring it to the military museum for an event that also will feature guest speakers — Lt. Col. Perry Blackburn from the movie “12 Strong,” as well as Craig Gross, a Gold Star Family member whose son, Cpl. Frank Gross was killed in Afghanistan and Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman.

“We’re also going to have a plane full of parachuters dropping in at 8:46 a.m., the time that the first plane hit the North Tower,” Spelman

says. “My son is going to ring a bell in remembrance of that time.”

Spelman received the piece of the ladder from a former fire captain friend of his who also was part of Motts Military Museum in Groveport, OH, where Spelman was scheduled to speak at a 911 event in 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit Florida, so he couldn’t make the trip.

A few weeks later, Spelman received the piece of the ladder truck in his mailbox.

“Ironically, I was about 30 yards from that (fire) truck when the North Tower collapsed,” he says. “I tried to find a place where this piece of history could properly be displayed and the Simon Premium Outlets management agreed to include it as par t of the outlet mall’s 911 display.”

For more info, visit ZMMH.org.

of Military History for its 911 Remembrance Event on Sept. 9. (Photo by Charmaine George)

fice building (top rectangle close to BBD).

Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks Library To Break Ground In Early 2024!

By GARY NAGER

It’s not happening right away, but by sometime in 2025, Wesley Chapel will be home to two Pasco County public libraries.

The recently remodeled and completely revamped New River Library reopened on S.R. 54 — to rave reviews — last year.

But, wait until you get a look at the new 14,000-sq.-ft. Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks Library, which is now under permitting review and should begin building next to Seven Oaks Elementary by early 2024.

According to Pasco County public information officer Sarah Andeara, the county is in the process of evaluating and selecting a contractor for the award of the $10-million contract later this year.

“The groundbreaking of the Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks Library is expected in early 2024 and the project will take approximately 16 months to complete,” Andeara says. “The architecture firm of Fleischman Garcia Maslowski has provided the building’s design and the $10 million budgeted by the county is expected to cover the design, construction, furniture, equipment and collection materials.”

In addition to books, audiobooks,

and DVDs, the new library will feature public computers, printers, a separate children’s area, collaborative spaces, a gallery wall in the lobby, an outdoor reading porch, a multi-purpose room for “makerspace” and other activities, a meeting room, and study rooms. Driveup services also will be available at this location.

The Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks library’s unique multipurpose maker space room, with a designated outdoor mobile makerspace area, will provide all kinds of activities from Pasco’s other library makerspaces to the Wesley Chapel community. Some examples of these activities include woodworking, music and multimedia recording, ceramics and pottery, cooking, gardening, and more.

After receiving input from the local community, it was decided that the best use of the new library’s makerspace space would be to go with a multipurpose room option.

room is for it to serve as a “launch pad” for a mobile makerspace — which is expected to be a mobile van outfitted with a wide variety of different classic makerspace activities, such as wood-

musical instruments, and recording options, as well as STEM activities. For more information about the Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks Library, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. Opens; Wesley Chapel Contract Postal Unit Should Be, Too!

By GARY NAGER

After months of moving and/or driving past barricades that seemed like they would be in place forever, Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. is now open and legal to drive on from S.R. 56 up to S.R. 54.

Drivers in Estancia and other communities in Wiregrass Ranch recognized that Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. was fully paved — even if it wasn’t fully open — from Chancey Rd. to just south of S.R. 54 (by Walmart) for many months and risked tickets and issues with their auto insurance if they had accidents on a roadway that wasn’t officially open to traffic.

Therefore, when the barricades came down from just north of Chancey and just south of Walmart, residents of Wiregrass Ranch and other nearby communities breathed a collective sigh of relief that they no longer had to be concerned about driving on that section of the north-south roadway illegally.

We did not reach JD Porter or anyone else involved with the development of Wiregrass Ranch for comment, but many residents posting on Facebook were ebullient that Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. had finally officially opened.

Contract Postal Unit Update

Although we told you in our last issue

that the new Wesley Chapel Contract Postal Unit (CPU) was expected to be open at 30124 S.R. 54 in the Freedom Plaza by the end of the first week of August, the CPU was now expected to be open by Sept. 1, or after this issue went to press.

New CPU contractors Jevon and Cindy Williams, the husband-and-wife team of Realtors based in Wesley Chapel with EXP Realty, told me that one important piece of postal equipment was holding up the opening, but that had now been received, so the CPU is ready to go.

“We even hired a former postmaster

to help us get everything in order and ready to serve the Wesley Chapel community,” Jevon told me.

Located between Bosco’s Italianto-Go and Great Hope Preschool in the former location of the 3D Wellness Pharmacy, the pharmacy’s sign was still above the door at our press time, but at least the door of the new location (photo) itself now says “Wesley Chapel Post Office Contract Unit” and notes that the new CPU has shipping supplies and also offers fax, copy and Notary Public services.

Although it wasn’t yet open, Jevon

was happy that the last piece of equipment had finally arrived and that the CPU was now ready to open for business with its planned regular business hours — Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday.

And yes, he says the plan is still to offer free coffee to the CPU’s customers. Although the Wesley Chapel CPU is located several miles from parts of Wesley Chapel, it will offer an alternative to driving to the much-further away (for most) Zephyrhills Post Office and will feature regular post office pricing.

(Above) The barricades are gone, so Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. is now open from S.R. 56 to S.R. 54. (Right) At our press time, the Wesley Chapel Contract Postal Unit still was not open to customers, but it was expected to be open on or around Sept. 1.

North Tampa Bay Chamber Wins Its Second Top-Three Award In A Row!

By GARY NAGER

Both this year and last, the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) has been named one of three finalists for Chamber of the Year in its category by the nationwide Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).

Both years, the NTBC has come up short of winning the award, but that’s not stopping this busy chamber or its leadership team. “Win or lose, it’s such an honor to be a finalist, and no other chamber in any of the four categories was named a finalist the last two years,” says NTBC President and chief executive officer Hope Kennedy. “It was hard for us to come home without the top prize again, but we’re still so proud of the work we’ve done and the successes we’ve had.”

Kennedy says the application process, which the NTBC has gone through “for each of the last ten years or so, is extensive and difficult,” as the ACCE has more than 1,800 member chambers of commerce and business organizations of all sizes and locations across the country.

Kennedy also notes that the NTBC also was again the finalist with the smallest paid staff (just two — Kennedy and membership director Jen Tussing). By comparison, the Pearland (TX) Chamber, which won this year’s award in the NTBC’s Category 1 (for chambers with less than $500,000 in annual

revenues), has a staff of six.

Neither current NTBC Board chair Justin Keeney, the VP and senior portfolio manager of Fifth Third Bank, or immediate past chair Javan Grant of Slater Grant, was able to travel to Salt Lake City for this year’s ACCE 2023 Awards Ceremony on Aug. 1, so foundation chair and 2021 Board chair Michael Berthelette of Platinum Salon made the trip with Kennedy and Tussing.

“Even some of the larger Chambers in our area — including the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce — have applied to be Chamber of the Year the last two years without even being named a finalist,” Kennedy says. “We take a lot of pride in what we do and what we have accomplished.”

How You Can Get Involved!

Although being a finalist for Chamber of the Year is a big honor and is based on a variety of factors — including membership retention, advocacy, community involvement and more — the bottom line is that the NTBC also exists to help small businesses.

The Chamber features a variety of on-

following:

• Breakfast-1st Tues. of each month

• Luncheon-2nd Tues. of each month

• Leading Ladies Network (formerly WOW)-1st Fri. of each Month

• Final Friday-Last Fri. of each month

• Coffee Social-3rd Wed. of each Month

• Member Orientation-4th Wed. of each mo.

The NTBC also offers member businesses the opportunity to host ribbon cuttings at their locations, as well as a variety of annual events, including the upcoming Wesley Chapel Fall Festival the weekend

of Oct. 28-29 (co-sponsored by Florida’s Sports Coast and Penguin Productions).

Also upcoming is the NTBC’s Celebrating Excellence in Business awards gala (on Thursday, November 16) and nominations for the Excellence in Innovation, Collaboration, Integrity, Inclusivity and the Community Hero award are now open. The Chamber also will host its third annual 5K Honor Run in February.

For more information about joining the North Tampa Bay Chamber, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.org or call (813) 994-8534.

Assn. of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Executive Committee chair Carlos Phillips (far left) and ACCE president & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly (far right) pose with (l.-r.) membership director Jen Tussing, president & CEO Hope Kennedy & foundation chair Michael Berthelette of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, at the ACCE awards event last month, where the NTBC was again a finalist for Chamber of the Year. (Photo provided by Hope Kennedy). going activities, including the

New Rental Units Now Under Construction At MP Blvd. & Beardsley Dr.

By GARY NAGER Research by Joel Provenzano

We’ve seen some recent posts online asking about what might be coming to the intersection of Meadow Pointe Blvd. at Beardsley Dr. Well, the answer is that it is no longer a “might be” question.

It appears that both empty grass lots, one on the northeast corner and the one on the northwest corner of Meadow Pointe Blvd. at Beardsley, are owned by the same property owner — Clearwater Bay Associates, Inc. — and were zoned together. In 2021, the property owner applied for and was approved to be zoned for residential rental units.

The grass lot (12.7 acres) on the northwest corner of the intersection moved forward with a developmental construction permit (applied for in June of this year) with an associated site plan.

The other grass lot (11.7 acres) on the northeast corner was issued a permit on Aug. 22, the same day that crews arrived to start work on the site, where there is now a construction trailer. Construction fencing has been erected around both sites.

For permitting purposes, the two developments have been referred to as either Meadow Pointe West or Meadow Pointe

East (depending on the side of the road), but the official name of the community is likely to change as it moves forward.

The site plans, designed by Heidt Design, show multiple rental units mixed together and laid out on each side, like rental townhomes with driveways and garages, single standalone units (individual rental houses) with driveways and garages, rental villas (duplexes) with driveways and garages, and rental townhome-style units without driveways or garages. Those units without driveways would have parking spaces like in an apartment complex, as opposed to their own garages. It appears that all of the units will have small, individual fenced-in backyards. All of the units also would be rented via the leasing office.

There will be a total of 99 units on the east side and 82 units on the west side. The clubhouse (which will be located on the west side) is expected to have a leasing office, fitness center, club room and a pool. A crosswalk is proposed to link the

two separate parcels for residents on the east side who would have to cross Meadow Pointe Blvd to get to the community’s amenities on the west side. Meadow Pointe Blvd also is proposed to be widened to include left turn lanes.

At our press time, we did not yet know the timeline for when the construction is expected to be completed.

The areas outlined in black on the two site maps on these pages are the separated sites of the two new rental communities coming to the northwest and northeast corners of Meadow Pointe Blvd. and Beardsley Dr. The graphic above shows the plan for the northwest corner, which will include a clubhouse and other amenities. On the next page are the site plan for the northeast corner (top) and the start of the construction on the east side (bottom). (Source: Pasco County)

What’s Next For Pebble Creek?

Although I never considered Pebble Creek to be its own suburb — to me, New Tampa is a Tampa suburb; Pebble Creek is a subdivision within that suburb (more on this below) — semantics aside, this community of 1,300 or so single- and multifamily residential units has been in the news quite a bit lately.

First, owner Bill Place and his Ace Golf’s attempt to rezone the shuttered Pebble Creek golf course into 251 homes was voted down 5-2 by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on July 17.

Some were surprised that Commission Chair and District 2 Commissioner Ken Hagan, who has long been considered to be pro-development, was the commissioner who proposed turning down the rezoning.

Hagan said that although there was some duplication of resident feedback received, he and the six other commissioners received more than 1,300 emails and letters about the proposed rezoning, “and more than 80% of those were telling us to not allow it. Candidly, I do not recall another rezoning request that generated so much feedback. We’ve got like three binders full of resident emails and correspondence.”

Even though some of the residents who filled the commission chamber on July 17 and another 60+ in an overflow room supported the rezoning — because proposed developer GL Homes would clean up what can only be called the blighted former golf

course and help increase the value of the existing homes — and also spoke at the July 17 meeting, Hagan said it was clear that the vast majority of Pebble Creek residents did not support the rezoning plan.

And, while the Save Pebble Creek group, organized and led by long-time Pebble Creek resident Leslie Green, cheered the commissioners’ rejection of the proposed rezoning, Hagan said that Place only has a few options going forward.

“He can come up with another developer with a different plan that might be more acceptable to the residents,” Comm. Hagan said after the July 17 meeting. “We’ve also discussed the possibility of the county purchasing the golf club to convert it to a county-owned course, but he (Place) would have to come down in price a lot for us to be interested.”

Meanwhile, Green, who is still the defendant in a suit brought by Place and his Ace Golf (that hasn’t yet seen a judge’s decision rendered) that she defamed the golf course owner, said that what happens next isn’t her primary concern. “Let’s see what he comes back with,” Green said. “Maybe he’s waiting for new commissioners to be elected (in 2024) who might vote differently.”

Two weeks after the BOCC vote, Niche. com named Pebble Creek as the second “Best Suburb to Live In” the Tampa area, 3rd “Best for Families” and #9 “Best to Buy a House,” according to Niche.com’s analysis of reviews and a number of statistics. — GN

“Grease” Cast Reunites For A Cast Party At Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar!

So, being a small part of six nearlyall-sold-out shows just wasn’t enough for me and the amazing cast of the New Tampa Players (NTP)’s production of “Grease” at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC).

To that end, on the Thursday after the production wrapped its second weekend, yours truly, my wife Jannah and the Neighborhood News hosted a fun postparty for the “Grease” cast and crew.

The event was held at Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel (see ad on pg. 36), and was attended by more than 40 members of the “Grease” cast and crew, including director & musical director G. Frank Meekins, choreographer Sarah Walston and NTP producing artistic director and “Grease” stage manager Nora Paine.

With delicious food provided by owner Pat Ciaccio (at left in photo with yours truly & Jannah Nager) and his Johnny C’s Italian Kitchen on Cross Creek Blvd. and three hours of private karaoke with Joe Whiskey’s own karaoke jock Allan Hudson Brady, the cast party was almost as much fun as the show itself. I did say “almost.”

And, despite the fact that several of the cast members had said previously they didn’t want to do any “Grease” karaoke at the party, everyone who was on hand performed the song-&dance routines from “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning” and other favorites from the show. There may have even been a “Macarena” and other dances that weren’t in “Grease.”

Truly a great time was had by all. It was just our way of thanking all of these talented people for their efforts

Nora said, “That spirit of community everyone was feeling tonight is exactly what community theatre is really all about.” Agreed! — GN

New Tampa Performing Arts Center To Host Fall Festival Sept. 8-10!

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC, 8550 Hunters Village Rd.) will host its inaugural Fall Festival the weekend of Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10. The festival will celebrate the arts by bringing Tampa Bay artists together for dance, music and theatre performances and interactive activities that all ages will enjoy.

All weekend long, artist groups will perform and host activities in the NTPAC’s 354-seat theater and spacious studios. The festival also will feature a cultural fair to connect with arts groups and learn about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities.

Please note that all Fall Festival

events are free to attend, and concession stand specials will be available.

Fall Festival 2023 Schedule

Friday, September 8 — Theater

5:30 p.m. - Freedom High Chorus

“Bravo Company” In Concert

7:15 p.m. - Jansen Dance Project Dance & Musical Theatre

8:30 p.m. - New Tampa Players present

“Fun with Broadway” Trivia

Studio 2 - 7:45 p.m. - Gianna Russo, Poet & Author

9:30 p.m. - Tampa Fringe Festival, Storytelling Open Mic (For Mature Audiences Only)

Saturday, Sept. 9 - Ongoing Activities

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - The Florida Orchestra’s “Petting Zoo” — Hands-on Musical Instrument Experience for Kids**

Lobby - Noon & 1:15 p.m. - Wharton High “Pep Band** Theater - 10:45 a.m. - Film: Disney’s “Encanto”** (Rated PG) - On the Big Screen

12:15 p.m. - Drama Kids Children’s Theatre**

1:30 p.m. - Wharton High Drama Scenes & Monologues

3 p.m. - Mad Theatre Musical Theatre

4:15 p.m. - Hillsborough Community College Music Department Showcase

5:30 p.m. - Entertainment Revue - Girl Power Song & Dance Ensemble**

7:30 p.m. - Tampa City Ballet presents “Alice In Wonderland”**

8:45 p.m. - Opera Tampa - Operatic & Musical Theatre Excerpts

Studio 2 - 2:45 p.m. - Countdown

Improv Festival - Audience suggestions turn into hilarious scenes

Sunday, Sept. 10 - Theater

1 p.m. - Rudram Dance Co. Indian Classical Dance

2:15 p.m. - Tampa Bay Theatre FestivalAward-Winning One-Act Plays & Monologues

3:30 p.m. - New Tampa Players present “Broadway Singalong”

4:45 p.m. - ATLAS Modern BalletContemporary Dance Studio 2

2 p.m. - Daisies & Axes Folk Rock Acoustic Duo

** - Particularly Kid-Friendly Events

The first-ever New Tampa Performing Arts Center Fall Festival is being brought to you by the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Dept. For more information, call (813) 829-2760 or visit HillsboroughCounty.org.

Grace Church Celebrates 101-Year-Old Former Buffalo Soldier

By GARY NAGER

When 101-year-old Grand Hampton resident Roy Caldwood was a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, also known then as the U.S. Army’s 92nd Infantry Division, they were the only all-African-American division permitted to be combat troops in World War II (WWII). The Buffalo Soldiers helped liberate Italy near the end of the war.

Today, the Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle club still honors the memory of that famous combat division. In most cases, the Buffalo Soldiers are honoring the memory of those American soldiers, but in the case of Roy Caldwood, the Tampa Chapter of the motorcycle group was on hand to honor one of the few surviving WWII Buffalo Soldiers at Grace Episcopal Church in Tampa Palms on Aug. 13.

The event, which was organized by the motorcycle club and Grace member Euri Jones, Caldwood’s daughter (and Grace member) Diane Royer and City of Tampa District 7 Councilman Luis Viera (who says he first saw Roy at the city’s Juneteenth celebration on June 19), was an amazing day for Caldwood, who looks nowhere near his centenarian age. Those of us in attendance were told that Caldwood, who says he actually can still do “somewhere between 30-40 push-ups” at once, might have been willing to do 20 push-ups at the event, which started outside of Grace in nearly 100º heat before moving indoors for a ceremony led by Viera and Grace Priest Father Benjamin Twinaamani. Roy and Diane later agreed that no pushups would be performed on that day.

Caldwood, already a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal — which is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces

for “either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone” — was honored by the Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club Tampa Chapter at the Grace event with a plaque thanking him, “for your dedication to duty and service to this great nation as Buffalo Soldiers in WWII.”

The Orlando chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers also were invited on stage to join the Tampa club during the special ceremony.

But clearly, this day was all about a man who has achieved much more than just a long life. Viera called him a “bonafide American hero in WWII. When the Axis powers were threatening democracy and freedom all over the world, young men of 18 and 19, like Roy Caldwood, raised their hands and volunteered to fight for our great country.”

Viera also noted that even though heroes like Roy Caldwood were celebrated overseas for liberating Europe, because the Buffalo Soldiers were Black, they didn’t find the same respect and admiration when they returned home.

“But, men like Roy Caldwood,” Viera said, “not only fought overseas, they came home to America to fight for that same

dignity and respect here at home.”

Viera then thanked the Buffalo Soldiers for not only honoring Roy, but also for all of the good the group does in the community.

“I don’t really know if this honor is deserved,” Roy said after being introduced by Viera. “I just did what came naturally. I just wanted to do my best to help.”

He said that his division chased the Germans for four

Members of the Tampa & Orlando chapters of the Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle club surround 101-year-old World War II veteran & Buffalo Soldier Roy Caldwood (in blue) at Grace Episcopal Church in Tampa Palms on Aug. 13. Joining them were (front, l.-r.) Euri Jones, District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera & Roy’s daughter Diane Royer. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

(Top) World War II Buffalo Soldier Roy Caldwood displays the plaque he received from the Tampa & Orlando chapters of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. (Above) Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, Roy Caldwood & Roy’s daughter Diane Royer.

months in Italy and was told, “They will kill us all. But instead, after those four months, they all came down and surrendered peacefully.”

Roy then said that even though he didn’t think he deserved to be so honored, he would accept it and thanked everyone in attendance for making it happen.

Viera then took the microphone back from Roy and noted that heroic people in the military and first responders in our cities, counties and states often say the same thing, “We’re not heroes, we’re just doing our jobs. But Roy, you truly are a hero.”

Viera then introduced the Buffalo Soldiers and their member “Duba-D,” who said that the group was so appreciative of being able to honor Roy because, “His story is our history. People who are heroes are so often also humble. They find it difficult to accept accolades for what they’ve done.”

But, Duba-D also added, “A lot of people think that the Buffalo Soldiers today are just a motorcycle club, but we’re actually much more than that. What we do is represent the original Buffalo Soldiers.”

Duba-D added that it was back in 1866 when the first African-Americans were permitted to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“And, those became the first Buffalo Soldiers,” he said, “who fought in some of the first foreign wars. Wherever they went, the Buffalo Soldiers were given the worst equipment, the worst training, the worst leadership, but they persevered and found a way to prepare. That type of grit is special.”

He also noted that Roy’s unit was the only unit of African-American soldiers to serve in Europe, “and they were responsible for the liberation of Italy. The country he went to go fight received him and his unit better than the country he left and then returned home to after.”

Duba-D also mentioned that Roy is a published author who was a New York City Department of Corrections Assistant Deputy Warden at Rikers Island when he was taken hostage (and became a hostage negotiator) during one of the prison’s infamous riots. The book is called Making the Right Moves: Rikers Island & NYC Corrections.

Following the plaque presentation, Roy thanked Euri Jones and Councilman Viera. He said that “Euri brought the matches but Councilman Viera started the fire” to make the event a reality.

Roy also noted that he had received an Honor Flight on Apr. 25 and that he, “shook

hundreds of hands that day, but I paid the price for it. The next day, I couldn’t lift any weights or do any push-ups. Shaking two or three hands is no big deal, but 200-300?”

And finally, this true American hero again thanked everyone for coming, but added, “You have built me a pedestal so high that I would need a helicopter to get me up on it.”

Roy also recalled when he first met Viera a couple of months ago. “I was getting out of the barber’s chair and there’s this guy on both knees saying how honored he was to finally meet me. I told him, ‘Get up. This isn’t church,’ but all he wanted to know was how he could get in touch with me. I told him that I would be happy to sit down with him, not just to talk, but to listen to him tell me about what the problems are in this city. I like to listen and then I like to come up with answers. I want to help you help us,” he told Viera, “and get me down off this pedestal you’ve put me on. Thank you all again!”

Viera closed the event by quoting former President Barack Obama: “There is a lot that’s right about America and it can help cure what is wrong with America.” He then turned to Roy and said, “And this man’s life is all about what’s right about America.”

The councilman then asked all of the other military veterans in attendance to rise, raise their hands and receive a round of applause. “These are the people, like Roy, who told Uncle Sam that they are willing to do whatever it takes, up to giving their lives, to protect this great country.”

(Above, left) Councilman Viera waves a flag to members of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. (Above, right) The plaque presented to Roy by the Buffalo Soldiers. (Below) Roy had no shortage of amazing stories to tell about his life prior to the event at Grace.

The New Tampa Dance Theatre Is Not Just For Future Professionals

Whether you or your child likes to dance for fun or dreams of a career on stage one day, the New Tampa Dance Theatre (NTDT) offers dancers a world-class, professional experience that is unmatched in the Tampa Bay area.

Located on Cross Creek Blvd. (across from Heritage Isles) in New Tampa, the 7,500-sq.-ft. 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 29th season of creating dance memories and futures for her students, many of whom have gone on to study dance in college and/or dance professionally.

“As always, I’m very proud of our students,” says Elkins IronWing. “Our dancers become excellent college students, with their impressive time-management skills, perseverance and creative thinking. Each season, our hearts burst with excitement creating with our beautiful students again. We plan to continue giving back to our community with the ‘Pay It Forward’ program by offering all new students $25 per month tuition for every class!”

Follow In My Footsteps?

Elkins IronWing says she started dancing at age 5, later trained in New York City and per formed with Ballet Metropolitan in Columbus, OH.

She moved to Tampa in 1995 and immediately opened NTDT in the Pebble Creek Collection. In 2002, she purchased the current NTDT property on Cross Creek Blvd, and moved her 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 NTDT also has a larger pool of students today, with the ongoing explosive growth in Wesley Chapel, as well as in New Tampa.

“Our name might say New Tampa,” she says, “but our location is much closer to Wesley Chapel than one might assume. We are extremely convenient to all the cur-

rent growth (there).

Wesley Chapel families are shocked to discover just how close we are and excited how quickly they can drive to our facility.”

Not Just For Future Pros!

NTDT caters to both the recreational dance lover (even adults, photo on next page) as well as the devoted pre-professional — and every level in between. The studio’s leveled curriculum offers multiple art forms for students to explore. Through personalized attention and professional expertise, NTDT’s professional faculty strives to provide a positive educational experience.

Children ages 3-4 can participate in the studio’s 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, NTDT 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.

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 for a break, meal, or homework.

World-Class Credentials

NTDT has developed a reputation for creating strong, professional dancers with alumni who have moved on to highly respected dance companies, Broadway productions, national tours, and Walt Disney Company.

Because NTDT students learn to be

dents 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.

“Reflecting on 28 years in our com munity, it’s beyond words the gratitude and love for the amazing people who have been a part of our dance programs and family,” says Elkins IronWing.

One local former student certainly agrees with that assessment.

“I credit all of my success as a professional dancer to the foundational training I received at NTDT from ages 6-18,” says Victoria DeRenzo, who today is a professional dancer and choreographer who has toured internationally in 28 countries on four continents, most notably with the renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre in Washington Depot, CT.

“I loved every second of my experience growing up there,” DeRenzo adds, “but I had no idea how spoiled I was until I graduated. Not many people receive a top-notch dance education in multiple

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 towards 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.

Participating In Productions

All students have the opportunity to perform in NTDT’s “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 the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.

New Tampa residents Brian and Trisha Mangan enrolled their daughters Mattie and Mikayla at any early age with NTDT.

“New Tampa Dance Theatre holds a special place in our hearts, as our daughters’ second home since the age of three, guiding them into their teenage years,” Trisha says. “What began as tentative steps has blossomed into a journey of incredible growth, thanks to the dedicated and caring instructors. NTDT has not only shaped them into skilled dancers, but into confident and determined young women embodying the values of hard work and perseverance, attributes that extend far beyond the studio.”

Every holiday season, Elkins IronWing says local residents look forward to the community’s largest and longest-running

interpretation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” w in its 24th DTT season. This year, it will be held Friday-Sunday, December 15-17, at the USF Tampa College of Arts Theater 1.

Prior to the performances at USF, DTT also will perform “The Nutcracker Suite” Saturday & Sunday, ecember 2-3, at 6, 7 & 8 p.m., at The Shops at Wiregrass.

“It’s all about the children at NTDT, always has been and always will be,” Elkins IronWing says. “We are a company that enables children to succeed. The key is setting high expectations, all while having fun and building self- confidence. With the new season ahead of us, we would like to thank all of our trusting and loyal families over the years and organizations that continually support our vision. Without their recognition and time, NTDT wouldn’t be the magical place it has become!”

The New Tampa Dance Theatre offers year-round free trial classes for prospective dancers of all ages. To tour the facility or to rent it for a meeting, party or function, visit NTDT at 10701 Cross Creek Blvd. For more information and to check out the exciting lineup of Fall 2023 classes, visit NewTampaDanceTheatre.com, call (813) 994-NTDT (6838) or see the ad on page 35. You also can follow NTDT on Facebook and Instagram at “New Tampa Dance Theatre.”

Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon Offers The Very Best For Your Pets

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Neighborhood News Correspondent

Since launching in September 2019, Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon has garnered a positive reputation — with glowing Google reviews — thanks to its exceptional customer service and expertise.

Founder Paul Spalvieri and his wife Martina live in Watergrass in Wesley Chap el with children Matthew, Martinka and Kristinka, and fur babies Max, a Bichon Frise, and Missy, a Havanese.

Paul opened the original Max’s Natu ral Pet Market & Salon to create a place where Max and other pets would have the safest, vetted holistic products, foods and grooming, an antithesis of big-box corpo rate companies. Named after Max, each of Paul’s three locations — soon to be seven in 2024 — boast experienced staff who can help pet parents find what they need for their dogs and cats.

“We found our first location in Wesley Chapel, and Max and I went into business together.”

Paul ensures he is up-to-date on the newest developments in pet technology, nutrition and retail products by attending global conventions twice a year. The core philosophy underlying Max’s is centered on functional, purpose-driven foods. Whether raw or gently cooked for pets with sensitive stomachs, with Ketogenic or

nourishment sourced from pasture-raised animals, primarily within the U.S.

Max’s offers a wide variety of other nutrition products, like probiotic goat milk and cow kefir that help with Leaky Gut Syndrome. Their dry kibble selection is USDA-endorsed for human consumption and is free from feed-grade ingredients, aligning with Paul’s dedication to quality.

Paul highlights the connection between a poor pet diet and the recent

surge in pet diseases, often traced back to non-organic kibble laden with pesticides. He cites numerous instances where dietary changes have positively improved pets’ health.

“Our staff is highly educated on holistic natural nutrition, how dogs and ts should eat, how to mitigate disease and how to prevent certain conditions from advancing. There have been cases where we have helped reverse pancreatitis, different stages of kidney failure and diabetes through nutritional interventions. We follow that science versus Western (veterinary) medicine and the way they treat illnesses. We take digestional health and nutritional health very seriously. If it’s in my store, I feed it to my own pups.”

A success story from customer Amanda Medina underscores the transformative ability of the raw food diet that Max’s advocates. Paul shares the story of Medina’s dachshund, Max. Previously overweight, bloated, inactive, and battling

severe pancreatitis, Max’s health changed through diligent efforts, trial and error and identifying a suitable raw protein. Amanda told Paul that Max’s progress was remarkable in terms of weight loss, restored energy and improved vet test results.

Fast forward to last month. Paul says, “Amanda opened the passenger side door, and out jumped Max, who came running into the store.”

Amanda confirms the transformation, “Paul ordered proteins until we found one that worked. We recently returned for his vet follow-up, and his numbers are within the normal range. I recommend Max’s. The customer service is amazing, and the people there are helpful and knowledgeable. I try to keep Max off medication, keep it natural and holistic. Paul has been great at keeping Max holistic and working in conjunction with our regular veterinarian.”

Great Grooming & More!

All of the Max’s locations also excel in pet grooming with award-winning groomers and Master Groomers, setting itself apart through cage- and kennel-free grooming environments. Whether it’s a standard bath, an OPAWZ brand pet-color-safe purple mohawk (photo on next page), a holidayinspired color-safe fur design, or a soothing TheraClean microbubble spa treatment, the salon’s professionals ensure stress-free grooming experiences.

specialized process detoxifies the skin layers, removing deeply embedded dirt, yeast and bacteria allergens. A pleasant side effect of oxygenating the skin’s capillaries is that it helps relieve arthritis and joint stiffness. Paul says some customers report senior dogs behaving like puppies after treatments. Even the groomers have benefited from having their hands in the oxygenated water.

Paul’s commitment to pet education

training program for Puppies and Begin ners, as well as private training sessions.

Paul says that since opening, many of Max’s more than 10,000 customers have asked him to expand his services into daycare and pet boarding. He has now responded by adding a Luxury Pet Hotel with in-suite services and amenities and a fun Enrichment Pet Doggy Daycare.

“They asked, ‘Why aren’t you opening

safely, where we can feel confident that they will be looked after with the same compassion and caring we see on your retail and grooming side?’ We’ve had a great esponse from the communities we serve, and it makes sense to have our business evolve this way because the community has been asking for it.”

He adds, “For those parents who work or want to travel, we’re creating a luxury pet hotel where the suites are oversized and monitored by cameras. In other places, the dog is in a kennel on their own (while you’re away). Our pet parents can dial in on the internet and see their fur babies. We have services like dinner and a movie. They’re getting brushed and played with. They have physical time with their caregiver and an interactive toy. The pets have filtered water, bedding changed daily, and we have a customized meal plan available, or pet parents can bring their own

ood, and we’ll follow their meal plan.”

And finally, he says, “They also have regular activities, so they’re not just sitting in a kennel while you’re on vacation. I don’t want that for Max, so I don’t want that for our customers’ dogs. We’re doing it differently and properly. Whether with us for a day or two weeks, they’ll be exercised and have a chance to play. They also can chill out and relax.”

Animal-friendly pets enjoying the Pet Hotel can join the Enrichment Doggie Daycare area to play and socialize with other dogs. Cats aren’t forgotten, either. They’re spoiled in their Kitty Condo Suite with a climbing tree, plenty of organic catnip toys and a filtered water fountain.

“Our main goal is for your pets’ experience to be the best it can be,” Paul says. “I want to see tails wagging coming into our doors and tails wagging when they leave. That experience is important in retail, grooming, boarding and daycare.”

Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon has three locations open daily from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. The Wesley Chapel Max’s is at 28838 S.R. 54 and can be reached at (813) 649-3939. The New Tampa store (6431 E. County Line Rd.) can be reached at (813) 591-5368 and the Mirada (30945 Mirada Blvd.) can be reached at (352) 437-6677. Max’s also has franchise opportunities available. For more info, visit MaxsPetMarketandSalon.com or see the ad on page 35 of this issue. Paul says his Fort Myers and Starkey Ranch locations will open this year.

For Top-Notch Allergy Care, Visit Drs. Lockey, Glaum, Cho & Pepper!

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Neighborhood News Correspondent

On the top floor of a busy medical office near Fletcher Ave. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Drs. Richard Lockey, Mark Glaum, Seong Cho and Amber Pepper — all of whom are Board-certified allergists and immunologists — help patients find relief at the group’s flagship practice. The doctors also have a second location in South Tampa.

In 1984, Dr. Lockey established the practice under the name Academic Associates in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Fast forward almost 40 years, and he still remains an active practitioner, joined by a dedicated team of Board-certified professionals whose shared commitment to exceptional patient care is unwavering.

Dr. Lockey earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the Temple University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, and later became a Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine. He is a past president of the World Allergy Organization and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Dr. Glaum earned his M.D. degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine (now Drexel University College of Medicine) in Philadelphia, and completed an allergy and clinical immunology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, also in Philadelphia. He focuses on understanding allergic

responses and advancing diagnostic methods, such as rhinoscopies (examinations of the nasal passages).

Dr. Cho, an otolaryngologist, received his M.D. degree from Kyung Hee University School of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. He honed his allergy and immunology expertise at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL.

Dr. Pepper earned her M.D. degree from USF in 2013 and concluded her internal medicine residency and allergy & immunology fellowship through USF’s Division of Allergy & Immunology in 2016.

These four experts are deeply involved in education, teaching residents and medical students at USF while leading a renowned program for training upcoming allergists and immunologists. The doctors all actively engage in clinical research, significantly contributing to the continuous progress in allergy and immunology. Their extensive experience spans decades, centered at the nearby USF Division of Allergy & Immunology Clinical Research Unit. They also are all active AAAAI members.

Dr. Glaum explains, “We continue to be instrumental in performing clinical research, which brings new products to the market to help individuals. Currently, we have ongoing studies in food allergies, chronic sinusitis, a condition called hereditary angioedema (recurrent attacks of severe swelling), and urticaria (hives). In the case of hereditary angioedema, there were no products on the market that were FDA-approved when I arrived here in

Most of those have come to market due to the research done here in the division, among other places.”

The practice manages a variety of disorders related to allergies, asthma and immunology, including food allergies, rhinitis (hay fever), chronic cough, sinusitis, venom hypersensitivity (insect stings), headaches, rashes, dermatitis, urticaria and immune deficiencies.

The doctors are among the pioneering doctors in Florida to use the advanced food desensitization method, known as oral immunotherapy, to assist patients dealing with severe food allergies.

immunotherapy for peanut allergies approved in the U.S. and we’re continuing to work on other projects related to food allergies,” Dr. Glaum says. “We’re one of the clinical sites that looked at ways of desensitizing children and adults who were peanut-allergic to the point where they can tolerate a few peanuts and continue to ingest them on a daily basis, decrease their risk of having accidental exposure and a severe allergic reaction.”

Dr. Glaum recommends seeking a Boardcertified immunologist for anyone undiagnosed or suspecting allergies. “Universityassociated practices are usually the ones most

up-to-date on current conditions,” he says.

Through con tinuing research and university experience, the doctors also adopt a scientific approach to patient treatment. Whether a new consul tation or follow-up ap pointment, patients will never see a physician’s assistant and always the physicians.

Dr. Glaum (photo above) references a challenging case where his research skills and immunology expertise changed a patient’s life. “I did see a person who came in primarily for hives, an itchy skin condition. But, upon further questioning, he also had a debilitating problem where his muscles would spasm and tense up to the point where he couldn’t move or function at work. (Through) investigation and laboratory studies, he ended up having a condition called Stiff Person Syndrome. This is an autoimmune problem where antibodies activate muscles inappropriately at times, causing debilitation and sometimes even a fracture of the bone if the spasm is so strong.”

In other words, Dr. Glaum adds, “He came in for one problem, and he ended up getting diagnosed with that (other) issue. We referred him to neurology, which has certain treatments they can do to alleviate that condition. Hives can be part of that syndrome, so it ’s important as a good immunologist to know the rest of medicine to be able to make those associations.”

Empowering patients to improve and

manage their allergies and immunological disorders is always the doctors’ end goal. They also are dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions through specialized options like clinical trials.

The practice’s patients can take part in paid clinical research trials, in addition to their medical treatments. For those who can’t afford medication for a condition or haven’t seen success with standard therapies, there might be a chance to access free treatment using products coming to the market for different conditions.

For patients who might be uncertain about their doctor’s Board certification within the practice, Dr. Glaum aims to provide reassurance that they are in skillful hands.

“The most common misconception is that allergists are not Board-certified doctors,” he says. “In fact, allergists have undergone training in internal medicine or pediatrics, are board-certified in that specialty, and then train in allergy and immunology. Any allergist that you see is either an internal medicine doctor or a pediatrician who’s done further specialized training.”

Once a new patient has made an initial appointment, he or she can conveniently complete the registration paperwork online at AllergyTampa.com.

Patients can schedule appointments with Drs. Lockey, Glaum, Cho, or Pepper at their North Tampa office, which is located at 13801 BBD Blvd., Ste. 502, or in the South Tampa office (1906 W. Platt St.). For more info about the practice and the services provided, call (813) 971-9743 or see page 35 of this issue.

Blue Heron Senior Living Still Offers The Best Of Four Worlds!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Correspondent

At Blue Heron Senior Living, located on Eagleston Blvd. off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Seven Oaks (near the new BayCare Wesley Chapel hospital), residents often are treated to live music. And if the day’s crooner happens to burst into “Sweet Caroline,” the residents know they’re in for a treat.

That’s when executive director Meagan Kopstad will stop what she’s doing to run to the music and start dancing.

“It’s just goofy,” she says, “but the faces light up and the crowd really comes alive. They say, ‘Meagan, they’re playing your song’ and I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do.”

What Meagan is meant to do is bring joy to the community she leads.

As executive director of the 159,000-sq.-ft. retirement residence — one of 19 family-owned senior living campuses owned and managed by TLC Management, LLC, in the company’s home state of Indiana and in Florida — she oversees four distinct lifestyle communities — including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.

Blue Heron’s community relations director Lilly Gonzalez explains, “We are the only community in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area that combines assisted living, memory care, skilled rehab and long-term care, all on one campus.”

Even beyond New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, the combination of all four of these ser vices is rare. Lilly says that Blue Heron therefore provides the most options available for local residents who want to age in place.

Blue Heron’s assisted living community includes about 100 residents in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Some apartments have balconies that overlook a courtyard and pond as well, offering beautiful views.

Jim Tabb and his wife, Janice, count the view among the many things they enjoy about living at Blue Heron.

“It’s a change from living in your own residence,” Jim admits candidly, “but the peace of mind that comes with not having to maintain a household is something we were looking forward to

— and have benefited from.”

Parkinson’s disease, and they moved in to Blue Heron to relieve the burden of Jim having to care for Janice’s medical needs. They love that all the services she needs are available at Blue Heron, including on-site doctors, outpatient therapy and all kinds of assistance with daily tasks.

Plus, the couple takes advantage of the on-site resident exercise room, community games such as BINGO and Bunko, watching movies with fellow residents in the cinema room, and using provided transportation to go to the local grocery store or doctor appointments.

“It’s very convenient to go down two floors on the elevator to the exercise room,” says Jim, “and just yesterday Janice went one floor down and had a pedicure and got her hair done.”

Janice adds that she and all of the other residents are happy to be living at Blue Heron. “A friend told me to give it three or four months to adjust, but it didn’t take that long,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed that it’s so inclusive.”

And, it’s not only the residents who love being there, according to Meagan. The Blue Heron staff is there because they truly care about the residents.

“We take care of people as if they were our own parents or grandparents,”

She says that often when people come in to any assisted living facility, they aren’t usually excited about it, but that changes quickly once they move in to Blue Heron.

“We’ve worked hard as a team to create a culture and community that is a burst of joy for our residents.”

Meagan is a Florida native who was

ida. One is in long term care administration (now called “healthcare administration”) from the School of Aging Studies and the other is in psychology.

She started with Blue Heron in December 2020, while it was still under construction, and says the highlight of her time has been watching the building come

(L.-r.) Director of admissions Melissa McDaniel, assistant executive director Jared Carter-Ring, executive director Meagan Kopstad & community relations

the facility offers a separate and secured, but intimate memory care community, which allows residents to thrive and not be overwhelmed. Offering a smaller homelike environment also ensures that these residents receive the personalized attention and programming they deserve.

The Memory Care community provides a supervised neighborhood for residents, while also still allowing them to maintain their independence.

“For those who may have a tendency to try to walk away and go look for a loved one or go look for their home and wander off, well then, the independent area in assisted living is no longer safe for them,” Meagan says. “Memory Care is a secured neighborhood and provides that safety and peace of mind.”

Skilled Nursing Expansion

An additional 35 rooms are being

S.R. 56), the need and demand for skilled nursing is more prominent than ever here in Wesley Chapel,” Meagan explains.

For those who already live at Blue Heron, if skilled nursing or long term care is needed, the transition to that care is seamless. It also allows a husband or wife to visit their spouse with just a walk down the hallway when one is in need of additional care, which helps them avoid the hassle of transportation or long hours in an unfamiliar facility.

“In the senior living community,” Meagan says, “we have the power to influence how someone feels at this stage of life. I want this to be the absolute best facility for our residents.”

Blue Heron Senior Living is located at 5071 Eagleston Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, and its hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the weekends. For more info, call (813)

Realtor® & Military Veteran Kandice Perkins: Passion, Purpose & Legacy!

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Neighborhood News Correspondent

With six years of dedicated service in the real estate industry, Kandice Perkins stands out as a licensed REALTOR® at Kel ler Williams New Tampa (located near the AMC movie theater on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy.) who is known for her military disci pline, compassion and commitment to excel lence. Kandice brings a unique perspective to her role, having spent a decade as an active duty U.S. Air Force veteran and nurse and a devoted military spouse, she focuses on help ing families navigate the real estate market in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and the entire Tampa Bay area.

Kandice says her journey into real estate was inspired by her great-grandfather, who owned properties during her childhood. She reflects, “When I came of age, I became in terested in owning property. This might have come from that seed being planted when I was younger. As cliché as it sounds, I believe this is what God told me I should do.”

She compliments the comprehensive training she has received with Keller Wil liams, emphasizing the importance of under standing the business side of real estate.

“Keller Williams truly teaches you how to operate and run a business,” Kandice says. “For me, it’s about running a real estate business versus just selling houses. Training is important. You have to

estate career in Virginia before settling in Florida. She shares her own experience while trying to find her current home online in the Watergrass community in Wesley Chapel during the pandemic. “We found the model

two days later, we drove down from Virginia to see it in person, wrote a contract on the home, sold our Virginia home and waited eleven months for our home to be completed before we relocated to Wesley Chapel.”

Kandice adds that the home-buying process is an exciting — but also challenging — time for families, and research ws that families like hers spend hours on the internet before ever meeting with a real estate professional.

Although she is active on all social media platforms, she champions old-school, traditional and personal interactions in real estate, like advertising in print publications.

Fondly recalling her upbringing in a small Texas town, she explains, “Being from Nacogdoches, I grew up reading the newspaper. Whenever I go home to Texas, I still ead the newspaper at my grandmother’s. When we relocated here, and I received the first issue of the Neighborhood News in our mailbox, it reminded me of that small-town newspaper I grew up reading. I still love traditional marketing, and when I saw the ads, I knew I wanted to run a real estate ad in this Neighborhood News.”

Understanding The Market

Kandice provides insight into the dynamics of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel real te markets, and also sheds some light on the impact of interest rates on local real estate

“It depends on whether you are buying or selling,” she says. “People are still buying and selling homes every day. With rising interest rates, you have some homes that stay on the market longer; however, this is

why your representation matters, and it’s important to choose the right Realtor® who will work with and for you and develop a customized marketing strategy specifically to meet your real estate goals.”

She adds that there is a direct correlation between interest rates and buyers’ purchasing power, and says these fluctuations definitely do affect the housing market.

“Interest rates directly affect most people’s buying power and have knocked some of those buyers who already had challenges out of the market,” Kandice says. “The higher the rate, the lower the home value many people are able to purchase. Increasing rates have created fear in some buyers, too. Some feel like they want to ‘wait until the market crashes,’ but they could potentially be waiting for something that might never happen.”

At the core of Kandice’s philosophy is her commitment to educating her clients, whether buyers or sellers. During her initial consultation with you, she will try to ensure that you understand the market.

“It’s all about educating the clients to make sure they know exactly what the home buying or selling process is about,” she says, “so they can truly make an informed decision. I can educate my clients about the market, my partners and lenders. I get to know each client. The real estate process itself is the same whether you are buying or selling a home.”

Kandice adds, however, that “What will be different will be the client’s understanding of that process. I find out the

client’s needs and expectations and tailor my services. I ensure they are informed every step of the way so they can make the right decision for themselves. It always goes back to the education piece.”

With her exemplary track record as a multi-million-dollar real estate producer, Kandice’s work ethic is an extension of the dedication she had to have during her mili tary and nursing careers. She aims to create a seamless real estate experience for clients and has cultivated a nationwide network of reli able referral partners who share her values.

And, unlike Realtors who confine them selves to rigid 9-to-5 schedules, Kandice embraces flexibility and multifaceted involve ment. She teases, “I’m a Realtor, but I’m also a counselor, a therapist and a financial advisor. I wear many hats throughout the process. I’m truly here in a support role for whatever level of support my clients need. I care about the client as a whole person, not just as a transaction.”

Still In Service To Others

Kandice’s dedication to her clients ex tends to the elderly, as she recounts helping an 83-year-old transition to a new chapter in her life — selling the family home and moving in with her child.

“I felt like I gave her the same service and care I would have if I was helping my own grandmother,” she says. “I felt proud because, especially in this day and age where you hear about elderly people getting taken advantage of, I know she had a great experience.”

And, thanks to her client-centered ap-

the most vulnerable stages of her life. I was able to provide that service for her with true care and compassion.”

As a senior Air Force veteran, empowering fellow veterans to achieve home ownership is another source of pride for Perkins.

“ To help a veteran who never thought they could own a home and build a legacy for their family,” she says, “those are really proud moments as well.”

Monique Wyche, a fellow retired Air Force vet, says she is happy to discuss the outstanding service she experienced with Kandice during the purchase of her family’s dream home in Wesley Chapel and the sale of their former residence.

“Kandice’s exceptional dedication, expertise and unwavering commitment as our family’s Realtor truly set her apart,”

Monique says. “Not only did she skillfully guide us through the process of purchasing our home, but she also orchestrated the evious house seamlessly. Her deep knowledge of the market, strategic insights, and excellent communication made every step smooth and stress-free. Kandice went above and beyond by even arranging stunning drone photos that showcased our properties in the most captivating way. Her professionalism, warmth, and genuine care for her clients make her an invaluable partner in any real estate journey…..”

In her personal life, Kandice enjoys reading, traveling, working out and spending quality time with her husband of twenty ears, Nor Bryant, their college freshman son at A&M University, and their daughter, who is a junior at Wesley Chapel High.

Kandice maintains an unshakable belief in real estate as a sound investment, rooted in her commitment to empowering clients through education.

“No matter what changes are happening, real estate is always a great investment,” ys. “People will always need somewhere to live. The most important thing I do is educate the people to make sure that they make an informed decision about the investment. This is their experience and one of the most significant purchases that most people will make in their lives. It’s about serving the people selflessly. It’s never about me. It’s all about them and their experience. It’s about integrity, doing right when no one is around. As it’s changed my life, I love changing other people’s lives through real estate.”

Realtor® Kandice Perkins is based at Keller Williams Realty New Tampa (18302 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., Suite 110). The office number is (813) 991-1044, but the best way to reach Kandice is by calling (813) 560-5104 or visiting KandicePerkins.kw/com. Or, see the ad on pg. 44 of this issue.

Name Your Favorite Sushi & Latin (NOT Mexican) Restaurants In Our Areas To Win FREE Dining!

Enter Our 2023 Neighborhood News Dining Contest!

Here’s yet another chance to win FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice! One entry per person, per question. Below, please name just your Favorite Place for Sushi in New Tampa OR Wesley Chapel! Mail your entry to “2023 Neighborhood News Dining Contest” at 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D, Wesley Chapel 33544. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or email the entry form to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. Even if you’ve already answered the previous three questions, you can enter to win again by filling out & sending in this entry! — GN

Question #4: What is your Favorite Place for Sushi in (or near) New Tampa OR Wesley Chapel?

Your First & Last Name___________________________________________________

Community You Live In (Wesley Pointe, Seven Oaks, etc.)

Your Daytime Phone Number______________________________________________

Your Email Address_______________________________________________________

In this issue, we are giving you two more chances to win our FREE dining prize of $100, $60 or $35!

Whether or not you already told us your Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa AND Wesley Chapel and/or your Favorite Pizza Place in our communities, you can still enter and win free dining by also telling us your Favorite Place for Sushi in New Tampa OR Wesley Chapel (entry form above).

Please also vote for your Favorite Place for Latin Food in our distribution areas (entry form below). Please do not vote for a Mexican or Southwest restaurant for this Survey question. The Mexican places in our areas will have their own category. In other words, whether your Favorite Latin restaurant serves Puerto Rican, Peruvian, Cuban or a mix of Latin cuisines, please name that place!

Just fill out either or both of the entry forms on this page and mail your entries to us at 2023 Neighborhood News Reader Dining Survey & Contest, 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544. Or, email your entries to us at Ads@ NTNeighborhoodNews.com. You also may enter this year’s contest by visiting our website — NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net.

Each time you answer a different Dining Survey question, you’ll receive an additional chance to win one of our FREE dining prizes — to the restaurant of your choice located anywhere in the Tampa Bay area!

All we’ve been asking you to do is to please check the zip codes of the restaurants you choose, but that has still been something of a problem for several of the people who have entered so far.

Many of the nearly 700 readers

who already have submitted entries have named restaurants in Wesley Chapel as among their favorites in New Tampa and vice-versa. We’ve also had people naming restaurants in Dade City, Zephyrhills and Land O’Lakes as their favorites in our distribution areas, which they are not.

And, this is despite the fact that we also include restaurants located in Lutz (either on Wesley Chapel Blvd., S.R. 56 or S.R. 54, within two miles of I-75) as Wesley Chapel eateries, and those located in the Palms Connection Plaza on E. Bearss Ave. and the Oak Ramble Plaza on BBD Blvd. (both are located in zip code 33613) as acceptable places to vote for in New Tampa.

We also have had some people try to enter with just their first name only, and others taking the time to send us an entry without naming any restaurants.

Despite those issues, it definitely appears (as we expected) that more of you like this year’s format — with no more than two questions for you to answer in each issue — than in the recent past, when we asked a full page of questions for you to answer in multiple issues.

Remember, whether you enter by mail, email or on our website, there is never any purchase necessary to enter and win, but we do need your first AND last name, the community you live in, your daytime telephone number and a valid email address to be eligible to win any of our FREE dining prizes. Your votes will still count, but why enter if you don’t want a chance to win? Everybody likes free dining, don’t they? See our website for the complete list of our official rules! — GN

Here’s another chance to win FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice! One entry per person, per question. Below, please name just your Favorite Place for Latin (but not Mexican) food in New Tampa OR Wesley Chapel! Mail your entry to “2023 Neighborhood News Dining Contest” at 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D, Wesley Chapel 33544. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or email the entry form to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. Even if you already answered other Survey questions, you can enter again by answering the question below! — GN

Question #5: What is your Favorite Place for Latin (but not Mexican) food located in (or near) New Tampa OR Wesley Chapel?

Zukku-San To Host Unique Bluefin “TunaKase” Dinner On Sept. 20!

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

Even though I’ve been eating and en joying different types of sushi for just about 40 years — and tuna has always been my favorite — I never took the time to find out just how many different types of sushi-grade tuna there are until I started chatting with restaurant owners and chefs as part of my nearly-30-year job as the editor and primary dining reviewer for the Neighborhood News I therefore was surprised to learn that not only does tuna have many more varieties than just “ahi,” but that even bluefin — widely regarded as the highest quality of all tuna types — has sub-varieties that can be extracted from a single fish.

Confused? I was, too, until photographer Charmaine George and I spent an afternoon late last month with co-owner and executive chef Gia Tran of Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill on S.R. 56, as Gia and his staff of skilled chefs carved up the biggest bluefin tuna I had ever seen in person in preparation for the restaurant’s upcoming “TunaKase” — or “Chef’s Choice” — dinner event on Wednesday, September 20.

“We regularly receive whole bluefin tuna at Zukku-San that we cut into the three varieties of bluefin for our customers,” Gia told me. “But, for the TunaKase event, we decided to buy the largest whole tuna we could to create a 15-course meal all centered around different dishes, all made with bluefin tuna.” The whole bluefin shown at the top of this page was 195 lbs., which Gia said would produce about a 60% yield (or about 117

bluefin tuna, which is known as not only the most delicious, but also the fattiest, type of tuna used for sushi.

“The fattier, the better,” Gia said. “The ‘belly’ portion of the bluefin is known as ‘otoro,’ and is the most wanted by bluefin lovers. You always get less otoro meat than the other two types.”

Gia notes, however, that his personal favorite part of the bluefin is what he calls “The Best of Both Worlds.” These are the portions that include both the mediumfatty “chutoro” meat sitting on top of the

explained, and even in a large bluefin, most of the meat is red. “But, a lot of people love the chutoro, too,” Gia said. “It is a delicious combination of lean and fatty meat.” There is an entire process Gia and the other chefs had to take in order to get the best possible yield from the giant bluefin. They didn’t tell me how much the fish cost, but they had to actually bid to get one of that size, and the price was surely in the thousands of dollars, so these artistic chefs definitely carved it up with precision non-stop for more than two hours.

First, Gia scaled the top layer of skin from around the bluefin’s belly. Then, he cut

around the fish’s huge head as the other chefs held and turned the man-sized fish over so the head could be removed.

“We use every part of the fish, except the scaled skin and some of the ‘guts,’” Gia said. “We make soup with the head portion.”

Next, Gia and the other chefs strategically cut the fish into large sections, making sure to keep the belly intact in two separate pieces and separating the other pieces into chutoro and akami sections. The final carving sliced each section down into thick, individual slabs of otoro, chutoro and akami.

It was an amazing process, but Charmaine and I were getting really hungry by this , so Gia gave us samples of two of the dishes he plans to make for the TunaKase event

The first was the nigiri trio on this page, with one slice each of otoro, chutoro and akami atop sticky rice. We also had a marinated akami poké tartare (near left), served with crispy

(Above left) Co-owner and executive chef Gia Tran (left) begins to cut the head off the 195-lb. bluefin tuna for the upcoming “TunaKase” dinner at Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill on S.R. 56. (Above right) Gia poses with the bluefin’s head, which will be used to make soup.

(Bottom left) The three types of bluefin tuna — akami (top), chutoro (middle) and otoro (bottom). (Bottom middle) The three types of bluefin (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

courses you’ll get to sample if you attend the TunaKase event. I can only imagine what the other courses will be, but I know this much — you won’t be able to find better bluefin tuna anywhere in our area.

Whether or not bluefin tuna is your thing, Zukku-San always serves fresh and mouth-watering sushi, as well as a unique variety of Japanese and Asian fusion fare.

For example, the main reason Jannah and I are regulars at Zukku-San is because we love the delicious appetizers like fried gyoza (pork dumplings), the veggie spring rolls, the individual orders of veggie tempura (we prefer the broccoli, zucchini, carrot and sweet potato versions) and the skewered steak yakitori. The

sakes, wine and great Japanese beers, as well as a full liquor bar with Jannah’s favorite lychee martinis and my new (and apparently, very rare) favorite Irish whiskey called Ballyhoo.

Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill is located at 25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, and is open every day at 11 a.m. for lunch and stays open until 9 p.m. on Sun., until 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thur., and until 10 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For more info, pricing and reservations for the TunaKase dinner on Sept. 20, call (813) 419-1351, visit ZukkuSushi.com or see the ad on pg. 45. You also can check out our exclusive video of the 195-lb. bluefin carving by visiting “Neighborhood News” on Facebook.

Tristans Amazing Bites — Changing How The World Sees Down Syndrome

By GARY NAGER

New Tampa has a lot of really good restaurants, but not many that specialize in breakfast and lunch and even fewer with as great a story to tell as Tristans Amazing Bites, the local food truck that is “Changing How the World See Down Syndrome, One Amazing Bite at a Time.”

Tristans Amazing Bites, which is based next to the Mobil gas station and Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 22 on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa every Tuesday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., does more than just ser ve great food. It also helps tell the story of 26-year-old Tristan Snapp, who has not let being born with Down Syndrome stop him from living his dream of being the “front man” for his own food truck.

Tristan’s father and mother, Jay and Vickie Snapp, weren’t sure he was serious when Tristan first said he wanted to own a food truck. But, while his father admittedly loves to cook and Tristan likes working with people, Jay says that if Tristan showed he was serious about it, he and Vickie would support Tristan’s dream any way they could.

Tristan told his dad, a police officer with CSX Corp. (which is a leading supplier of rail-based freight transportation in North America), that his dad could be the cook and he could handle taking the orders and the cash register and at least help with the food.

“He seasons the meat, mixes the brownies and prepares the pudding cups,” Jay says.

Tristan received some of his early training at the Pro Kitchen Hub, a shared-use commercial kitchen in South Tampa that is located next door to Guthrie’s Chicken Fingers and provides training for those interested in starting a food service business.

Following some training, Jay says Tristan started providing brownie bites and pudding cups for sale at the Bakery Box, a pop-up extension of the Pro Kitchen Hub with a service window next to Guthrie’s.

In addition to working on his baking, Jay says, “that’s where Tristan learned how to use a POS (point of sale) system. He kept bringing up the food truck idea to us and we could tell he was definitely serious about starting one of his own.”

That was back in 2020, when all Tristan had was an idea and the name Tristans Amazing Bites. He went to a crowdsource

website where people compete to design your logo and Jay says that Tristan received “about 75 entries. He picked the one he liked best, his brother Tim designed his TristansAmaz ingBites.com website and, in 2021, the new logo was put on a food truck and Tristans Amazing Bites was born.”

Jay says he had to earn his Food Manager’s certification, a four-hour class that Tristan at tended with him.

In addition t the flattop grill inside the truck, Jay says, “We got a large rectec pellet grill and both Tristan and I earned diplomas from the rectec Academy following an intensive three-day course in Augusta, GA, led by actual TV pitmasters.

“Tristan likes to brag that even though we both graduated, he got the MVP award,’ Jay says. “We’ve done prime rib, BBQ ribs and more on the rectec. We can cater pretty large events with it.”

Jay says that he and Tristan originally only brought the truck to special events because, “I have a full-time job that requires me to travel, so there was no way I could stay on a regular schedule with the truck.”

Before settling in to their current schedule on Cross Creek Blvd., Tristan and Jay brought the food truck to events like the annual fund raiser for Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center on W. Hillsborough Ave., a fund raiser at Lutz

cial needs children; Jay says, “We them”) and a school in Brandon that wanted to cater a Teacher Ap preciation luncheon.” The truck also recently provided a prime rib dinner at the Live Oak Preserve clubhouse in New Tampa.

Tristan, who also works at the Publix in Wiregrass Ranch, graduated from the two-year “Stages” program at USF, where students learn both the school at HART transit systems. His Special Olympics softball team won a bronze medal at last year’s USA Nationals.

from Tristans Amazing Bites on Cross Creek Blvd. (Above) Tony Carbone (left) with Tristan Snapp. (Left) A tasty pressed Cuban

So, How About The Food?

Jay also says that he wouldn’t have agreed to a daily schedule for the truck if he didn’t have someone else who could do the cooking every day. So, when Tony Carbone, the former owner of the Wolf’s Den diner restaurant on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel that closed shortly after things reopened after the pandemic, said he wanted to get back into cooking for people, Jay knew he had found the right guy.

“I was a customer of Wolf’s Den,” Jay says. “And Tony had done just the kind of food we wanted to do.”

And, Tristan was sold on Tony, too. “He told me that although I’m still OK at it, Tony is now the Number One cook and I’m down to his Number Two.”

For breakfast, which is served anytime the truck is open, I’ve already enjoyed the fried egg & bacon (or sau sage) Breakfast Sandwich and the breakfast burger shown on this page. I’ve yet to try the omelet breakfast platter or biscuits and gravy, but Jimmy Gouveia, the co-owner of the nearby The Grill at Morris Bridge, was picking up his order during my last visit.

“I have to get my biscuits & gravy fix at least once every week,” Jimmy said. “It’s just so good.” The home fries (a huge order for just $4) are served with savory grilled onions and peppers.

There’s also a breakfast bowl, a meat lovers or pulled pork omelet on Cuban bread, a Rocco Jersey pork roll and even a breakfast wrap sandwich.

“What’s for lunch?,” you ask? If you love BBQ pulled pork, try Tristans Amazing (and new) “Big Bite” Burger, with pulled pork and bacon on top of a delicious burger topped with sweet BBQ sauce. I also enjoyed Tristans Amazing Cheese Steak and the pressed Cuban sandwich.

Other options include regular or bacon cheeseburgers, BLTs on sub or Cuban bread, grilled chicken Philly subs and sandwiches and chicken or beef quesadillas.

And for dessert, yes, I also can vouch for Tristan’s brownie bites, although I’ve yet to try his pudding cups — but I’ve heard some of his regulars rave about them.

“The bottom line to me,” Jay says, “is recognizing that every one has their own talents and abilities, and their own passions, and I am happy to support Tristan’s. If we can make the food truck work, maybe I’ll be able to retire (from CSX) early because I’d really like to be able to do something where Tristan and I can continue to work together. That’s my main goal.”

Tristans Amazing Bites is located at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd. For more information, visit TristansAmazingBites.com or see the ad on pg. 45. Event catering also is available. The truck also is on Instagram and Facebook, so send a message if you have a special order.

(Clockwise from top left) The Breakfast Burger, Tristans Amazing Big Bite Burger and the prime rib, which is available for special events. Tristan and Jay Snapp are proud to support each other — and the community — with Tristans Amazing Bites. (All of the photos on these pages were supplied by Jay Snapp)

Slim Chickens & Shuckin’ Shack To Both Open Next Week!

Last issue, we told you that both Slim Chickens (at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) and Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension) were both expected to open soon, with Slim Chickens perhaps ready to open before this issue hit your mailbox. Both restaurants have now announced their new planned opening dates.

According to Jared, one of the franchise owners of Slim Chickens on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (just north of Old Pasco Rd.), the gas hookup the restaurant needed to open was more than 700 feet away from the building, “So we had to work out a way to get that gas to us. We’ve got it worked out now.”

Jared says that the 225+-unit home of

hand-breaded chicken tenders, sandwiches and nuggets (photo) and mason jar desserts is now expecting to open on or around day, September 14. For more informa tion, visit SlimChickens.com.

Meanwhile, according to its senior mar keting manager Karli Rae Bowling, Shuckin’ Shack ’s opening has been announced as Saturday, September 16.

“We’re just about ready to go,” Karli Rae told me at the North Tampa Bay Cham ber’s coffee event on Aug. 24. “We’re excited to ser ve the community.” The Lutz/Wesley Chapel Shuckin’ Shack will be the North Car olina-based chain’s 20th. Visit TheShuckin Shack.com for more information.—GN

Shake Shack To Open In Vacant Former Wendy’s Location On S.R. 56

Locals have been asking for a while what, if anything, is coming to the closed Wendy’s restaurant (left photo) on the north side of S.R. 56 (next to Taco Bell).

We now know that the shuttered former Wendy’s will become the second Tampa Bay-area location of Shake Shack (the other, right photo, is an already popular location in Midtown Tampa), a chain with more than 300 units in 32 U.S. states and more than 170 more everywhere from Mexico City to Singapore.

Star ted in 2004 at a hot dog cart in New York City’s Madison Square Park, Shake Shack serves Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes and

Nutrition Smart & Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli & To Host Tasty Events

If you still haven’t visited Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli at 26316 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (in the Grand Oaks Plaza; see photo), here’s a great reason for you to give this unique meat market & deli a try.

Not only does Mac’s owner Dax McLochlin and his family stock amazing steaks, ribs, chicken, pork you can bring home to throw on the grill or in your home smoker, he also serves delicious pressed Cubans, wrap and sub sandwiches, as well as a variety of delicious sauces emblazoned with the Mac’s label and even homemade jerky — all at outstanding prices.

And, on Saturday, September 9, from noon-2 p.m., Mac’s will host its second “Grill & Chill” event, featuring your choice of a freshly grilled steak or chicken fajita taco, with chips, cookie and a soft drink, all for just $10 per plate.

Jannah and I will definitely be stopping by — and Dax and his family may even be having some giveaways for those who attend.

Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli is open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call (813) 428-6573. For more info about the Grill & Chill on Sept. 9, see the ad on the next page.

Nutrition Smart’s Customer Appreciation Day!

The following Saturday — September 16 — Nutrition Smart, located at 1821 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., will host its annual “Customer Appreciation Day,” from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Planned activities for the event, as the store celebrates its 14th anniversary of providing organic produce, vitamins, supplements and healthy foods in Wesley Chapel, include raffles and giveaways, big discounts and lots of free product samples and demonstrations. From 8 a.m.-4 p.m., while supplies last, attendees who spend $200 that day can spin a prize wheel for a chance to win gift cards, shaker cups, tote bags and more.

In addition, the first 200 customers will receive a FREE goodie bag and there also will be three free seminars. The first, hosted by Scott Elbel of Procera Health, is entitled “4 Keys to Optimal Brain Health.” At 11 a.m., Kevin McCoy of BIOptimizers will host “Optimizing Your Health & Performace.” And, from 3 p.m.-4 p.m., Cathi Diaz will host “Homeopathy 101.”

For more information about Nutrition Smart Wesley Chapel, call (813) 341-4444, visit NutritionSmart.com or see the ad on page 45 of this issue. — GN

WESLEY CHAPEL

Lutz/Wesley Chapel Shake Shack will be in its own freestanding building. We had no additional information about when it

Have You Tried Kinkas Bakery & Café?

Every once in a while, a new restaurant opens that seems to attract more people than almost any other place. I happened to stop in at the new Kinkas Bakery & Café — locat ed at 24020 S.R. 54, a little bit west of Oak Grove Blvd. in Lutz— shortly after it opened a little more than a month ago and I honestly have yet to see the place be anything other than packed, no matter what time I’ve visited.

And, I’ve honestly already visited pretty often. The husband-and-wife team of Tomas de Jesus and Yenastrid Perera (although, he says, “She’s the real boss here!”) is a couple from Puerto Rico who bring their own recipes to this truly delicious place that features almost 100% house-baked pies, cakes and other decadent des serts, perfect café con leché and what I believe is the main reason it’s always so crowded — a different-each-day rotation of prepared hot foods.

To date, I have sampled the pernil (roast pork), boneless and bone-in ribs and my favorite so far, the beef stew. Please note that beef and cheese, chicken and a variety of other empanadas, as well as butter, chocolate, almond and other crois sants are available every day.

As for the desserts, I’ve only sampled a couple, but the homemade Reese’s peanut butter cheesecake is as good as any I’ve had anywhere, including New York.

Kinkas is busiest on the weekends — when the line can literally be out the front

KinkasBakery.com — and please tell Yenastrid and Tomas I sent you! — GN

Lotte Plaza Market Could Open By The End Of This Month!

The opening of the new Lotte Plaza Market in the former location of a Sweetbay supermarket (next to Home Depot) has been one of the most hotly anticipated in New Tampa. And, although we still have no official confirmation about when New Tampa’s Lotte Plaza Market is expected to open, my most recent visit to the construction site of the #1 chain of Asian and Korean supermarkets in Maryland and Virginia (with 14 total locations, including one each in New Jersey and Orlando) revealed that not only has a sign

finally gone up on the building, but also that the interior renovations to the long-vacant 49,432-sq.-ft. build ing were actually nearing completion.

Every Lotte location features fresh (and unique) produce, meat and fish departments, as well as a food court serving a variety of cuisine types. On my most recent visit, I met one such food court tenant, who told me that the building had not yet had (or passed) all of its needed inspec tions before it could open, but that he was hoping our Lotte could open “by late September or October.” — GN

Kabob Café & Grill Replaces Tessa’s Sweet Café In Highwoods

I feel bad that I didn’t know in advance that Tessa’s Sweet Café (located at 18101 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., across from the AMC movie theater), which was home to some of the most delicious Korean-style fried chicken ever, was closing.

Well, not only did Tessa’s already close, it’s already been replaced by the Kabob Café & Grill, an authentic Pakistani eatery that opened just a few days before we went to press with this issue.

Even though I lived for years in New York City, which has every type of international cuisine, I had never sampled

Pakistani food before, so I tried Kabob Café’s chicken kabobs (left photo) and a sparkly mango-peach boba tea (there are 18 varieties of boba teas) and both were tasty. The kabobs were not skewered cubes of meat, but were instead wellspiced (but not overly spicy) sausage-style tubes of ground chicken.

For those who still don’t know where the Kabob Café is located, it was best-known as the long-time home of Sukhothai before becoming Tessa’s.

Although the restaurant’s management is planning to expand the menu, the open ing menu features chicken or mutton ko

8740 and tell them I sent you! — GN

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