Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 27. Issue 20, September 20, 2019 by Neighborhood News

Volume 27 Issue 20

WESLEY CHAPEL

NEWS

September 20, 2019

Please Visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or ‘Neighborhood News’ On Facebook! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in Wesley Chapel (zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545), see page 46!

Community Comes Together To Honor 9/11’s Heroes

(Above) Pasco commissioners Mike Moore (far left), Mike Wells and Jack Mariano (in back), retired FDNY EMT Stephen Spelman, Penelope Bastidas (with scissors), and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (far right) were among those who helped cut the ribbon on the new 9/11 Memorial (right) at the Tampa Premium Outlets on Sept. 7. (Right) WC Rotary president Chris Casella (left) and Simon Property Group operations director Dallas Stevens check out the memorial.

By ANDY WARRENER

or most Americans, the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, will live on forever. Where you were, what you were doing, who you were with and how the horrifying sight of the World Trade Center’s twin towers crumbling to earth left you feeling afterwards will likely never really go away. The memories linger, and on Sept. 7, at the dedication of Pasco County’s first permanent 9-11 memorial inside the food court area of the Tampa Premium Outlets, hundreds gathered to share their recollections and honor those who died that day. Retired New York City EMT Stephen Spelman knew many of them. Spelman says he was standing at the foot of the north tower and being ordered by his lieutenant to search for some nearby vehicles.

“What he did in that moment was actually save my life,” Spelman told the gathered crowd. As he was returning from that task, Spelman said the north tower collapsed. Because of where he was located, Spelman was able to take off running north on West St. to avoid the falling wreckage. Many of Spelman’s co-workers, including the lieutenant who gave the order, ran east on Vesey St. Their bodies were never recovered. Like so many who were at Ground Zero that fateful day, Spelman hasn’t really recovered, either. He retired from the fire department in 2009, and moved to the Wesley Chapel area in 2010. Years went by as he tried to cope with the psychological burden of losing so many of his friends and co-workers, as well as the lingering health problems associated with what he and so many other surviving first responders endured that day. In the Spring of 2017, Spelman says he got a call from the Motts Military Museum in Groveport, OH,

which asked him to come tell his story. The event was set for the 16th anniversary of 9/11, but fate and another disaster would prevent the former EMT trainer from attending. Hurricane Irma tore through central Florida on September 11, 2017, causing billions of dollars of damage and taking the lives of 129 people. Florida officials ordered 6.5 million residents to evacuate. Spelman never made that trip up to Ohio. A few weeks later, however, he got a package in the mail from the Motts Museum — a piece of the ladder from the Ladder 18 Truck from Battalion 4 in lower Manhattan, the station also known as Fort Pitt. “At first, I saw it (the piece of the ladder) as a burden, but it wound up being a real gift,” Spelman says. The ladder awakened something in him, spurring him to try to find the right home for it, where it hopefully would do some good. See “9/11” on page 4.

Inside: Another Chance To Win FREE Dining In Our 2019 Dining Survey & Contest! See page 35! New Businesses Coming Little Feet Shoes From a craft brewery to a cigar Store on S.R. 56 promises the shop, WC is staying busy. right fit for your kids’ shoes. Pages 12-13 Pages 24-25

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A Restaurant Survey & Contest Update, Dorian & The EDC Awards!

An editorial by Gary Nager Pretty much every year since I took over the Neighborhood News in 1994, we have held our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest. At one time, it was just our most popular contest for our readers but today, it is the only one we still run year after year. And honestly, it’s also a tremendous amount of work to put together (and tabulate the results of) the contest each year, as so many restaurants continue to come and go in our distribution areas, especially recently in New Tampa, where fewer newcomers have been replacing those that exit than in Wesley Chapel, where there are so many newbies, even though most of them are regional or national chains. This year, after participation in this annual contest dwindled somewhat the past two years, I tried to find a way to ask you to name fewer favorites yourselves but hopefully, still find a way to give every restaurant currently operating in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel (and those located directly adjacent to both markets) a better chance to be among our readers’ favorites. I also was trying to find a way to prevent “ballot stuffing” by local residents who only entered the contest to vote for one place. As always, entries that are not completely and/or are incorrectly filled out will not have their votes included, but it seems that the format this year is already reducing disqualifications. Also new this year is the fact that if you live in Wesley Chapel, you only got to vote last issue (and this issue) for restaurants located in Wesley Chapel (and on S.R. 56 and S.R. 54 in Lutz). Likewise, those living in New Tampa have so far only been voting for their favorites in zip code 33647 (or on Bearss Ave. near BBD in Lutz). In our October issues, New Tampa residents will get to vote for their favorites in Wesley Chapel and Wesley Chapel residents for their favorites in New Tampa, although both

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Address: 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone: (813) 910-2575 Advertising E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Editorial E-mail: EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Andy Warrener Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Photography & Videography Eric Cupps • Richard Nasrallah • Andy Warrener Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Advertising Sales, Office & Billing Assistants Janet Levins • Jannah Nager

Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 27, Issue 22, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, October 4, 2019. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously nonpublished 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.

surveys are available online now, and you can submit one entry in each market at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or by U.S. Mail. And, based on the fact that we already have nearly tripled last year’s total number of entries in just the first three (of six total) issues the contest has run so far is an indication that I may be onto something, even though the task to include every restaurant, fast food place, café and cafeteria in both of our markets has proven even more daunting than I had anticipated. In our August New Tampa issue, for example, I correctly listed all of the candidates for “Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa” by where they were located, rather than in alphabetical order, but I ended up excluding two of my favorite pizza places in New Tampa — Taste of New York in Highwoods Preserve and Woodfired Pizza on Bearss Ave. — from the “Favorite Pizza in New Tampa” list, completely by accident. You’ll note that both of them have been added to the second run of the online New Tampa survey (at neighborhoodnewsonline. net). In the Sept. New Tampa issue, I reorganized the full list of favorites alphabetically. I did even worse in Wesley Chapel, where The Brass Tap was inadvertently left off the “Favorite Bar or Tavern in Wesley Chapel” list, and my 2018 favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel — Dempsey’s Steakhouse in Saddlebrook Resort — was left off the “Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel” list, as was the Ice Dreammm Shop on S.R. 54 in Lutz for “Favorite Dessert.” But, that’s one reason why we run the contest multiple times, so we can get the listings right. The other is that we want as many local residents in both of our markets as possible to participate because, quite honestly, it helps both us and the restaurants themselves get a better handle on which places our readers truly like best in and near their neighborhoods. And yes, it also is a lot of fun for me, as one of our area’s better-known “foodies,” to oversee.

Dorian Aftermath

When I was growing up on Long Island, NY, my family spent a lot of time on Paradise Island (just off Nassau) in the Bahamas, so to watch monster Category 5 Hurricane Dorian tearing up most of the Bahamian islands for more than two days was hard, even though Nassau, Paradise Island and Eleuthera were among the islands that were spared from the worst of Dorian’s wrath. I can’t imagine what the folks on Grand Bahama and Abaco islands went through — and are going to be going through, probably for years to come. If you’re like me, and are feeling helpless in the wake of one of the most devastating storms in history, my friends in the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon (see page 1) and Rotary

District 6950 (the district that includes both of Wesley Chapel’s Rotary Clubs) are here to help. See the ad on pg. 19 of this issue to find out what you can do to help them help the Bahamas. District 6950 is sponsoring a Hurricane Dorian Relief Drive and is asking for a wide variety of much-needed items — basically everything other than clothing — and will be collecting those items through Tuesday, September 24, at AdventHealth Center Ice off S.R. 56. I know Florida almost completely dodged the Dorian bullet, but for those of us who love the Bahamas and want to help, Rotary is again doing what it should to help — and so should all of us!

Congrats, Pasco EDC!

I will admit that I gave the Pasco Economic Development Council (EDC) a hard time about last year’s EDC Awards Banquet, which was held

at Saddlebrook Resort again this year, on Sept. 6. In 2018, I was surprised to not see any Wesley Chapel-based businesses win — or even be nominated — so I was anxious to see what president and CEO Bill Cronin and his group came up with for 2019. And, not only did AdventHealth Wesley Chapel win this year’s “Special Contribution” award, Wesley Chapel resident Roberto Saez’s Design & Construction Innovations won for “Small Business of the Year,” and American Consulting Engineers (which holds the patent on the Diverging Diamond Interchange now under construction at I-75 and S.R. 56) and Metro Development Group’s Connected City also were nominated, but didn’t win. In other words, congratulations to the Pasco EDC and all of our winning and nominated locals. Look for more of the same next year!

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Table of Contents

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

Fire Station 38 Officially Cuts A Ribbon!......................6 Taylor Morrison Breaks Ground On 55+ Community...8 Wiregrass Sports Complex To Be Finished By July?......10 Seven Oaks Again In The Crosshairs For Rezoning...12 Atonement Lutheran Church Opens New Building........14 Craft Brewery Hopes To Spark Growth At The Grove......16 La-Z Boy, Cigar Shop & More Headed To S.R. 56.........17 Wesley Chapel Community Calendar.........................18

Local Business Updates..............22-29 KAP Medical Offering Direct Primary Care...............22 Little Feet Shoes For The Right Fit Every Time!.........24 Devolder Law A Neighborhood Resource & Friend.....26 Barefoot Massage Puts Best Foot Forward.................28

Education & Sports News..........32 WRH Swimmers & Football Star In The Spotlight

Neighborhood Magazine

Enter Our 2019 Dining Survey & Contest!-------35 New Tampa Performing Arts Center Has A Designer...36 OTB Café Expands Breakfast & Adds Meal Prep...........38 Neighborhood Nibbles & Business Bytes...........42 New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds...........44 @NTWCNews

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9/11: Wesley Chapel Rotary, TPO & Former FDNY EMT Join Forces To Honor Heroes

FROM PAGE 1 “I didn’t want it to be in my house,” he said. ‘’It’s an important piece of history.” Spelman began approaching different places with the idea to create some kind of memorial around the piece. It became an ongoing endeavor. After being turned down on multiple occasions, Spelman finally found some interest at the mall. “I finally got the ear of Tampa Premium Outlets and gave them a brief history about me and about the ladder,” Spelman said. “They said they’d see if they could help and gave me a list of things to do. I was looking for sponsors to create the display and it was frustrating. I didn’t think it was ever going to get done.”

Help From An Old Friend

Enter former NYPD officer and Spelman’s FDNY colleague Chris Casella. Casella was trained by and worked with Spelman and also came to Florida in 2002 after retiring from the NYPD. (Casella was already on limited duty due to injury before 9/11.) As it turns out, Casella, the current president of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon (which meets Wednesdays at noon at Omari’s Grill inside Lexington Oaks Golf Club; see ad on pg. 38), was already in talks with the outlet mall to launch a Sept. 11 Memorial Run/Walk on Sept. 7.

“It’s our responsibility to educate the kids” about 9/11, according to retired New York City EMT Stephen Spelman (not pictured), who donated the segment of FDNY Ladder Truck 18 that helped make the first 9/11 Memorial Run/Walk at the Tampa Premium Outlets on Sept. 7 a huge success.

“From there, it didn’t take much,” Spelman said. “We started the ball rolling and at first we didn’t think people would take interest.” He and Casella would both end up being pleasantly surprised. “I can’t tell you the amount of emails I got, and phone calls from people wanting to be involved in it,” Casella said. “People were coming out in droves wanting to get involved. It was

really uplifting and I believe it helped the community in a big way.” Hundreds of local residents rallied around the idea of honoring 9/11’s surviving heroes Saturday morning in the presence of dozens of first responders from both Hillsborough and Pasco Counties and beyond. The kickoff event was the one-mile Fun Run/Walk, where nearly 300 run-

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ners and walkers took a lap around the main interior road around the mall. Casella’s predecessor as Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary president, Eric Johnson, served as master of ceremonies, and Boy Scouts from Troop 149, together with Cub Scouts from Pack 149, were on hand to support the race and to hand out miniature American flags. “The Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary sponsors both our Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop and asked us to come out,” Troop 149 Scoutmaster Kevin Wiatrowski said. “We are delighted to be out here for this special occasion. Mr. Spelman and his son Mathew have been part of our pack for years.” Jeremiah Loo of Wesley Chapel was the first to cross the finish line as runners and walkers trickled in behind him. Bananas and bottled water were offered up by high schoolers from Cypress Creek Middle/High School, as walkers, runners and spectators from all over the area brought their families out for the event. Johnson drew the crowd into the food court of the outlet mall where, at exactly 8:46 a.m., the Rotary Club’s bell was rung to commemorate the first plane striking the north tower.

The Main Event

A moment of silence and a flyover by a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s

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Office helicopter preceded the bell ringing, which concluded the morning’s outdoor events. Spectators then crowded into the food court for the ribbon cutting of the new memorial. Pasco County commissioners Mike Moore, Ron Oakley and Jack Mariano all spoke at the podium, as did U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, before giving way to Spelman to tell his story about 9/11 and the heroes who did not live to tell about it. Spelman mentioned Lieutenant Mario Bastidas, who perished that day. Bastidas’ widow Penelope flew in from New York and gave a brief, but emotional address to the audience before cutting the ceremonial ribbon. From there, the hallway leading out of the food court to the soda machines and bathrooms was opened and spectators began filing past the new memorial, which incorporated Spelman’s small section of Ladder 18. “When Chris told me they were going to give me a wall by the bathroom, at first, I didn’t really think that was a great thing,” Spelman said. “But it wound up being that with these soda and gum ball machines down there,

these kids (at the mall) are going to ask mom and dad, ‘What is that?,’ and it’s our responsibility to educate them.” Throngs of local residents dressed in their commemorative red 9/11 shirts lined up to take in the memorial. The Italian Angels Brotherhood of Pasco County showed up in force to commemorate the event. “Steve (Spelman) is a good friend, I knew him when we both lived in Brooklyn,” Italian Angels of Pasco president Frank Losurdo said. Retired FDNY Lieutenant Mike Besignano, who now lives in New Tampa, was on hand to take in the memorial and the community support. “Every year it’s difficult,” Besignano said. “I’m happy to see this (memorial), I’m sad but it makes me happy at the same time and people should never forget the sacrifices that were made and are continuing to be made.”

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Fire Station 38 Opens In WaterGrass Photos by AMY S. NASRALLAH AStewartGraphics Wesley Chapel’s newest Pasco Fire Rescue station, Fire Station 38, is now protecting the resident of the northernmost portion of Wesley Chapel, after the station’s official and well-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Aug. 28. The state-of-the-art fire station, located in WaterGrass (just west of Curley Rd.), is the second station to open in Wesley Chapel in 2019. Fire Station 13, off Old Pasco Rd., opened after a renovation earlier this year. At the time, Station 13 was the second-largest fire rescue station in Pasco County. “No. 38 is now the second largest fire station in all of Pasco County,” said Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Scott Cassin at the ribbon cutting. Station 38 features four drive-through bays that can accommodate eight pieces of fire apparatus, and in December, also will be home to a paramedic ambulance. The new station also employs a state-of-the-art station-alerting system, an advanced air system to protect firefighters from exhaust fumes, and bi-fold apparatus doors.

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Taylor Morrison Breaks Ground On 55+ Community In Wiregrass Ranch By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Home builder Taylor Morrison’s Esplanade series — which provides “resort lifestyle experiences” for its residents — has already proven to be popular in a number of Tampa Bay locations. A new development planned for Wiregrass Ranch could take that popularity to another level. Last month, Taylor Morrison broke ground on Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch, which will feature more than 850 single-family and detached villa homes and will be Wesley Chapel’s first 55-and-over community since Williamsburg was originally built as an age-restricted community in the 1970s. The new community will be located in the heart of the Wiregrass Ranch DRI, between State Roads 54 and 56 and east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch will be adjacent to the under-construction Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., which will run north and south from S.R. 56 to S.R. 54. Originally, the project was called Valencia under a different builder, but when that fell through last year, Taylor Morrison was approached and jumped at the chance to take over the development.

“The location and the size of it were two of the things attractive about this opportunity,” said Doug Miller, Division President of Taylor Morrison’s operations in Tampa. “To have this lifestyle community in Wesley Chapel is really attractive for us. There are a lot of things to do there, there’s a hospital, shopping and entertainment. It really made this location key for us.” Phase One, which was approved for construction in May, will have 169 singlefamily, attached homes. Scott Himelhoch, vice president of land acquisition for Taylor Morrison, unveiled many of the plans and amenities for Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch at a North Tampa Bay Chamber Economic Development Briefing at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Aug. 29. With construction under way, the 55-over community hopes to hold a grand opening of its amenity center sometime late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2020. That was good news for some of the Realtors in attendance at Hunter’s Green, who said they are in need of more product to sell to eager buyers. Taylor Morrison’s Esplanade offerings generally offer features like tile roofs and lush landscaping as standard features. Because it will be building in an area that has ample greenspace, walking paths and nature

The Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch, which broke ground last month, will be an over-55 community with more than 800 total homes, as homebuilder Taylor Morrison continues to expand in Wesley Chapel.

will be incorporated into the layout. Although the community will be mostly restricted to residents 55-and-over (80 percent must fall in that category, with the other 20 percent required to be 45-and-over), Taylor Morrison will be building homes ranging in size from 1,7003,500 square feet, recognizing that not every older family wants to downsize and that many still want to be the central hub for holiday and family gatherings.

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Taylor Morrison has Esplanade communities either built or in the process of building out in New Tampa (350 homes just south of the Hillsborough-Pasco county line and west of Grand Hampton) and Starkey Ranch (500 homes) in Odessa. The Wiregrass Ranch community, however, is expected to be the crown jewel of the Esplanades in the Tampa market. Himelhoch touted many of the offerings that will make Esplanade at Wiregrass

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Bill Nye Realty, Inc. Homes like this one are popular Esplanade Tampa, located in New Tampa.

Ranch a popular pick for homebuyers. Because Esplanades seek to give residents a boutique resort living experience, a full-time lifestyle manager is on staff in every community, operating as part-cruise director, part-concierge. The lifestyle manager helps create wellness programs and social events. A loaded calendar offers things like dinner dances, concerts, clubs, groups and football watch parties. The concierge service is an added plus. The resort-style pool will offer towels, food and beverage service, as well the ability to make dinner reservations without ever having to leave your poolside seat. Taylor Morrison has been very active in Wesley Chapel. In the last few months, the homebuilder has completed two new communities in Wesley Chapel — Woodside Trace, a 52-townhome community located on County Line Rd. approximately two miles west of Bruce B. Downs, and

Chapel Trace, an 87-unit single-familyhome community north of S.R. 54 on Boyette Rd. The builder also is preparing to build three additional new subdivisions within WaterGrass on Curley Rd. With the new S.R. 56 extension to U.S. Hwy. 301 in Zephyrhills complete, Taylor Morrison already is planning on new developments in that corridor – it is the contract purchaser for land at the former Zephyr Egg site west of Morris Bridge Rd., and could begin construction next year. “We expect to continue to be active,” Miller says. “Wesley Chapel is one of our key submarkets in our approach to Tampa. We have a nice mix of offerings in that area, and we see a lot of runway ahead of us in Wesley Chapel.” For more information about Taylor Morrison’s new 55+ community, visit EsplanadeAtWiregrassRanch.com, where you can join the VIP Interest List, or call (866) 495-6006.

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The Latest On The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus Of Pasco County! By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com After years of staring at renderings and blue prints and imagining what the new sports complex in Wiregrass Ranch will actually look like, general manager and RADD Sports CEO Richard Blalock’s vision is now coming into focus. The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County is no longer just a large patch of cleared land, it has gone vertical, and the current schedule is looking towards a July 10, 2020, completion. After three failed efforts since 2001 to build an athletic complex on the property located northeast of the Shops at Wiregrass and two miles east of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., off S.R. 56, the 98,000-sq.ft. indoor gymnasium is on its way. Blalock, however, is not letting his excitement get the best of him. While the $45-million facility — which will share a campus with a full-service, Marriottbranded, 120-room Residence Inn hotel featuring a rooftop bar — is a big part of transforming the Wesley Chapel area — and Pasco County — into even more of a sports tourism hotbed, he intends to proceed slowly out of the gate. “We’ve got people lined up that want to sign a contract now,” says Blalock. He is proceeding, though, like a quarterback with plenty of time on the clock. It’s not that he doubts the projection. But, he’s leery of Florida’s cranky wet weather that often slows down construction, most recently during Hurricane Dorian’s trip through the Atlantic. “We had to take all of the cranes down,” says Jannah Nager, who was recently hired as RADD Sports’ director of marketing after working for more than four years as the marketing and events coordinator at the Pasco Education Foundation. She is the wife of Neighborhood News publisher Gary Nager. With more bad weather lurking, it may not be the last time the cranes and other equipment have to be removed from the site for safety reasons. “Everybody is beating us up, ‘When are you going to start booking events?,’” Blalock says. “But, I will not start booking events until after this hurricane season. Once the roof is on, or the side panels, I’ll be more comfortable.” Blalock says a new facility in North Carolina jumped the gun on its opening and, thanks to Hurricane Dorian, had to postpone that opening. “That’s the last thing we can afford to have happen here,” he says. By October of 2020, Blalock says, he hopes to have events ready to go at the new facility, which broke ground in June of 2018. He hopes to book at least 25 events in the first 12 months the sports facility is running. Nager’s job is to help spread the word in the community while marketing the facility to sponsors. “Jannah knows the community, she 10

Above is a 3D rendering of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, which shows eight basketball courts that can be divided into 16 volleyball courts. Source: RADD Sports.

knows the people, she knows the ins and out, and she knows the politicians,” said Blalock. “We need somebody that knows community and is popular in the community. That makes our job so much easier.” The primary sports at the new complex will be basketball and volleyball, and cheerleading is expected to be the third core sport at the facility, which can run eight basketball courts or 16 volleyball courts at any one time. There also is room for multiple mats for wrestling and judo tournaments, with gymnastics also a possibility. Blalock said he even has been contacted by a youth soccer team in the United Kingdom that is interested in training for a few weeks at the new facility, which will have two outdoor soccer fields and plenty of room to train inside if the weather turns bad.

ents, as well as entitled athletes. The Competitive program also will be in-house, with three days a week of practices and games — and the chance for advancement to the Academy level, Blalock says. The Developmental program will be “quasi-recreational,” according to Blalock.

Volunteer coaches will run the teams, although those coaches will have plenty of access to paid coaches on the complex’s paid sports staff to help develop more drills and gameplans. The programming also will be competitively priced with the local market, according to Blalock. For those who like sports but don’t play for whatever reason, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus will offer a Sports Administration & Hospitality program, where kids can gather data, travel with the teams and serve as managers. And, now that ground has broken on a nearby 55-over community in Wiregrass Ranch (see story on pg. 8), more programming for older residents also may be in the offing, like pickleball and Rock Steady Boxing for those with Parkinson’s disease. There may even be room for some golf cart parking spots, Blalock says. In addition to its youth and adult sports programs, the facility is able to provide space for conventions, banquets and other non-sports events. Blalock and Nager are putting together sponsorship packages now, and also are accepting resumes for positions, although Blalock stresses that the actual hiring process is likely several months away. For more information about sponsorships and more, visit RADDSports. com or email Jannah@raddsports.com.

Local Use During The Week!

Weekend sports tournaments, however, will be just part of the big picture at the new facility. Blalock says there will be plenty of sports programming for local athletes to participate in, too. He says there will be a three-tier system for each of its three core sports — Academy, Competitive and Development — which will allow opportunities for all level of athletes starting at the age of 9 and going all the way through high school The Academy will be for training elite athletes for travel teams, but will also include an educational component and require participants to maintain a certain grade-point-average. He says the sports will be programmed to not interfere with the local high school seasons. “The ultimate goal is to change the culture of how these kids are trained,” Blalock says, adding that it is well-documented that youth sports are susceptible to being overrun by overzealous coaches and par-

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Browning Hoping For Smoother Rezoning Process This Fall every question and comment. Some could lead to changes or adjustments, and once finalized, there will be a public hearing before the Pasco School Board on Tuesday, November 5. That will be the last time the public will have an opportunity to voice any opinions or concerns, as on Tuesday, November 19, the School Board will make its final decision.

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

With Cypress Creek Middle School scheduled to open separately from the existing high school in August of 2020, Pasco County is about to tackle the difficult job of drawing new school attendance boundaries again. But, Pasco Schools superintendent Kurt Browning has his fingers crossed that things won’t be nearly as tough as they were in 2016. They couldn’t be worse, right? In Wesley Chapel, the process was contentious and exhausting, as families argued over various options and how best to alleviate the overcrowding at the area’s existing schools while filling the classrooms at Cypress Creek Middle/High, which was opening the following year. On the west side of the county, it was even worse, as the boundaries for Mitchell and Anclote high schools ended up in court. Browning says this time around, things will be different. In 2016, a School Boundary Committee (SBC) made up of parents, district staff and school administrators was formed to help define the new boundaries. But this fall, the plans will be the sole responsibility of the District staff. “I’ve done away with that committee, and now it’s a

A Little Contentious History

Chris Williams (standing) looks over maps during a School Boundary Committee meetings in 2016 at Wesley Chapel High. There will be no such committees in 2019; Williams and his staff are in the process of drawing up new boundaries and will answer questions and concerns on Oct. 7 at Wiregrass Ranch High.

District-driven process,” Browning says. Gone are the community workshops from the last rezoning, which resulted in a packed gymnasium, or two, of angry parents. Instead, Browning says Chapter 120 of the Florida Statutes will be followed. “The irony is that under Chapter 120, there are no opportunities early on for community involvement in this process,” Browning says. “We got dinged because we were not following Chapter 120, so what we did is we said ‘Fine, we’ll follow Chapter 120.’” That process is more “sterile,” Browning says.

District staff, led by planning director Chris Williams, will come up with a new map of boundaries for high schools and middle schools, with data to support those maps. Chapter 120 does still allow for public comment, however. And, on Monday, October 7, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., in the Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) gymnasium, area residents will have the opportunity to view the maps and ask questions of District staff. They also will be allowed to offer opinions, either at the meeting or online. Browning says his staff will read

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In 2016, the SBC’s recommendation of Option 20, which rezoned the bulk of the students living in Seven Oaks to Cypress Creek, was rejected by Browning, setting off a long dispute. As a result of Seven Oaks being spared back then, however, Browning says it is likely that the new maps, which will soon be revealed, will rezone much of Seven Oaks. “I said last time there will come a day, sooner than later, that Seven Oaks will have to be looked at, and now is that time,” Browning says. “We have to look to get those numbers down at John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High, and the most logical place to do that is Seven Oaks.” While the idea of sending their kids to different schools further away ruffled feathers last time, Browning doesn’t see the same discord this time around.

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“I don’t think it will be as contentious as (2016),” he says. “You know, they were going into an unknown and even the students who got rezoned were going to a brand new high school that was coming up out of the ground,” Browning said. “There wasn’t any track record. Now we have two years under our belt at Cypress Creek Middle High and they’re doing wonderfully well. It’s a great administration, great kids, great teachers and the academics are solid. I think it will be easier from that perspective.” Even after redrawing the boundaries to relieve overcrowding, it is likely that some schools will remain at or

above capacity. Browning says the county doesn’t have enough money to build schools fast enough to accommodate the growth in Wesley Superintendent of Pasco Chapel. Schools Kurt Browning Based on enrollment numbers that average the first 20 days of the current school year, 11 of the 14 Wesley Chapel schools are already over capacity.

“Even when we rezone kids out of Wiregrass Ranch and John Long Middle with this rezoning, those schools are still going to be at, or near, capacity,” he says. This year, Wiregrass Ranch High is at 139 percent of capacity, and John Long Middle School is at 119 percent. Cypress Creek Middle High currently has 2,100 students, but nearly half of those will be moving to the new 1,600-seat middle school. The middle school will then be able to absorb roughly 600 additional students without exceeding capacity. And, according to Browning, Cypress Creek High, which has a capacity of

2,090 students, will be able to take 800 new students from other high schools and those graduating from local middle schools and still remain at or under capacity. More help could be on the way, too. A new magnet high school is on the horizon for 2022 at the corner of Keifer Rd. and Curley Rd. north of WaterGrasss, which Browning says will draw students from Pasco, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch high schools. Until then, while the new middle school will provide some relief, overcrowding will continue to be a way of life in this bustling area.

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Atonement Lutheran Church Cuts A Ribbon On New Fellowship Hall By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN The newly built structure in front of Atonement Lutheran Church may be somewhat nondescript, but the fact that it exists at all is something of a miracle, considering the church was once facing its last rites. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Sept. 7, to officially mark the opening of the church’s new Fellowship Hall. At about 2,800 square feet, it is triple the size of the church’s former multipurpose room, which only held about 70 people. The new room’s capacity is 200. Pastor Scott Lindner says it’s an exciting sign of growth for the small church, which has been a part of the community for 30 years, but almost closed its doors for good in the early 2000s. A ribbon was cut on Sept. 7 for Atonement Lutheran Church’s new building, which has added more Lindner says instead of giving up, space for the church’s many ministries, including a food pantry that feeds up to 250 families each week. a former pastor sold five of the church’s year anniversary of its food pantry program, but also for some ministries and outside original 13 acres to a developer to create groups to use. In fact, the New River which feeds up to 250 families each week the neighboring office park. Branch Library plans to host some of its with 15,000 pounds of food. “When I got here in 2006, they programs in the building when it closes for “Our ministries have grown so much had just burned the mortgage,” Lindner renovations this fall. in the past five years,” says Rebecca Parker, explains. The Fellowship Hall also will be used a church member who also is a volunteer As Wesley Chapel has grown, the and chair of its worship and music commit- for a weekly family service the congregants church has grown, too. Atonement Lutee. “We needed more space, so this is very call “Child of God,” which is held every theran church regularly sees about 100 Sunday at 11 a.m. exciting for us.” families in worship during the summer, and The entire family hears a message Pastor Lindner agrees: “We’ve known that number doubles in the winter when geared toward children from the pastor. for years this time would come.” the “snowbirds” return to Florida. The new building will be used for not Then, the kids break off to do a craft or The church also just celebrated the 10- only Atonement’s own full congregation, activity, while the pastor goes over what

he calls a “home blueprint” relating to the message. “It’s like children’s church, but also a parent support group,” explains Lindner. “There’s a story, questions, prayer guides and suggested activities, so you can make your house an extension of the church.” Five years ago, Atonement Lutheran held a capital campaign that raised $300,000 to fund the building. “It took us years to figure out what would work and what we could get permitted and what we could afford,” Lindner says. Over those years, prices increased, and the church will take a loan to cover the rest of the costs, which are expected to come in at about $125,000, once all of the final expenses are tallied, including permitting, landscaping and other expenses. “We’ve been able to be generous to nonprofits by allowing them to use our building at no cost, and we will continue to do that,” says Lindner. “We believe this is a special place; that’s what keeps us going.” The Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club also has announced that it will again feed hundreds of people in need at Atonement Lutheran for the club’s annual “Turkey Gobble” meal on Thanksgiving morning. Atonement Lutheran Church is located at 29617 S.R. 54. To learn more about the church, visit DiscoverALC. com or call (813) 973-2211.

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Will A New Craft Brewery Bring New Life To The Grove? By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnewscom Friends and Wesley Chapel residents Ryan Clarke and Shashank Mishra, M.D., had both dabbled in making their own home brews, so it was only natural that when the two would hang out, craft beer was often not only the drink of choice, but also the topic of conversation. One night, the conversation turned to the obvious — “Why not start our own brewery?” “We talked about it several times,” said Clarke. “We had the same thoughts and philosophy. Eventually, the talks began getting more progressive.” Those talks progressed to the point where, on June 6, 2018, the two founded Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA) and, in December, Clarke and Mishra’s first craft brewery is expected to open at The Grove at Wesley Chapel. The craft brewery will be Wesley Chapel’s first, and will operate in the “main street” area of The Grove. The 8,400-sq-ft. space will boast a 2,100-sq.ft. production brewery, a 1,900-sq-ft. tap room, a 550-sq.-ft. outdoor patio and 1,850 sq. ft. of private event space. DBAA will offer a full spectrum of beers, from lagers to stouts to sours, but

(left to right) Sam Guyer, Ryan Clarke, Cody Guyer and Shashank Mishra hope to open Wesley Chapel’s first craft brewery, Double Branch Artisanal Ales, sometime in December.

it’s first flagship beer will be called Chappie’s Lager. “This will not only be a craft brewery, but something that offers the local culture of Tampa without having to drive 30 minutes,” says Clarke. “We have a large amount of nationally-syndicated restaurant concepts out here in Wesley Chapel, but not too many locally owned places. Wesley Chapel needs these type of things.” Brew Bus Brewing, Inc., the company behind Florida Avenue Brewing

Co. and Brew Bus Brewing, purchased the old Sports + Field site on S.R. 56 in May, with plans to transform the former sports training facility into a craft brewery and restaurant set to open in 2020. Clarke and Mishra, who met at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, where Clarke is a nurse practitioner and Mishra is a Doctor of Internal Medicine, already had launched their plans. They actually announced DBAA on the brewery’s Facebook page months ago, but had to quickly take it down because The Grove

wasn’t ready for the announcement. Clarke takes pride in DBAA being Wesley Chapel’s first locally owned and operated craft brewery. He looked into the idea back in 2008, but couldn’t find the right situation. After finding the right financial backing, location and availability, he and Mishra were ready. Because Clarke wanted a place that would become part of the community’s fabric, he chose Double Branch because it, “related to the heritage of the area.” The Wesley Chapel area was historically referred to as “Double Branch” for the twin creeks that flowed through the property owned by the Boyettes, one of the area’s founding families. The Double Branch Church (now the First Baptist Church of Wesley Chapel) was the center of the community. The area also became an area known for its share of moonshine stills and homebrews in the 1920s, and Clarke says DBAA pays homage to that reputation. DBAA, which is still waiting on a permit or two but hopes to begin construction days after this issue arrived in your mailbox, could be a major player in the transformation of The Grove, which is rumored to be readying for a number of significant changes. DBAA will offer beer and wine

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on tap, a food truck-style kitchen (6-8 items), games and potentially, an outdoor beer garden. Rounding Out The Team Clarke and Mishra have hired head brewer Cody Guyer and his wife Sam, who will be the tap room manager. The couple just moved here from Iowa last week, and both also will be part owners of the endeavor. Cody Guyer started his brewing career with a home kit he received from his sister for his 26th birthday, and has since worked as an assistant brewer in Iowa for Millstream Brewing Co. (located in Amana) and Barn Town Brewing in West Des Moines. Cody says while DBAA will offer a few flagship styles, he is the experimental

type and plans of brewing an assortment of revolving “fun-type” beers. “Whatever I feel like brewing at the time,” he says. He also says that DBAA will pursue collaborations with other breweries, where ideas are exchanged via emails and implemented in a team process. While in Iowa, he says he worked on “collabs” with Mikerphone Brewing in Chicago, Wren House Brewing in Phoenix, Watermark Brewing in Stevensville, MI, and Pulpit Rock Brewing in Decorah, IA. “It’s a great way to learn what other breweries around the country are doing,” he says. As for what DBAA will be doing when it opens, Cody says just wait. “It’s going to exciting,” he says. “I can’t wait to get started.”

The S.R. 56 corridor just west of I-75 continues to be the hottest area in what we like to call Wesley Chapel. Here’s a few projects picking up steam: * On the north side of S.R. 56 between Bahama Breeze and the Hyatt Place Hotel & Conference Center, a LaZ-Boy furniture store has broken ground. Headquartered in Monroe, MI, La-ZBoy is best known for its recliners, although it offers a complete line of furniture. The Wesley Chapel store will be 13,650 sq. ft., and will soon have company, as a 15,664-sq.-ft. parcel is being developed for retail/restaurant. The nearest La-Z-Boy showroom is located on N. Dale Mabry Hwy., and there also are locations in New Port Richey, Brandon and Clearwater. La-Z-Boy will be the fifth furniture store to open in roughly a 4-mile stretch on S.R. 56, joining Rooms To Go (intersection of S.R. 56 and BBD), Ashley, Haverty’s and the 70,000-sq.ft. El Dorado Furniture, which has not yet begun construction in Brightwork Crossing (next to the new Wawa, where 54, 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd. meet). * Main Event, which will offer bowling, laser tag and a restaurant/bar, and the KISS-themed restaurant/bar Rock N’ Brews are both under construction on S.R. 56, east of the Tampa Premium Outlets. Rock ‘N Brews received approval from

county planners to begin construction on Aug. 30, while Main Event has been under construction since July. * Also potentially sharing the same space with the two eateries will be Cigars International, which filed site plans on Sept. 5 with the county to build a 9,497-sq. ft. store according to permitting records. Cigars International, according to its website, is “the King Kong of cigar companies.” It was established in 1996 in Bethlehem, PA, and deals in all things related to cigars. It has a large online presence, and a Wesley Chapel location would only be its fifth store/center, joining two others in Bethlehem, one in Hamburg, PA and one in The Colony, TX. The store would be flanked by the two roads used to get to Main Event, Rock ‘N Brews and the Saltgrass Steakhouse, which is still only in the planning stages. * Representatives from 7-Eleven were scheduled to meet with county planners on Sept. 16 to propose building a 3,500-sq.-ft. gas station/convenience store on the southeast corner of Overpass Rd. and Boyette Rd. * Aldi has begun construction just a little north and west of Costco, and it will be one of two new stores in our area. Plans have been filed with Hillsborough County to rezone the property of the old Ruby Tuesday off BBD in Highwoods Preserve to make room for a proposed Aldi in New Tampa. — JCC

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SEPTEMBER 2019 Saturday, September 21

Free Community Boot Camp - Camp Gladiator is a fitness movement with dynamic, fun & challenging workouts. This is ‘60-minutes of Amazing’ at your favorite place to shop. This Free event is held every Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., at Tampa Premium Outlets (2300 Grand Cypress Dr, Lutz). Participants should bring: exercise mat, 1-2 bottles of water, sweat towel, a smile & great attitude. For more information, email Christine Iloni at christineiloni@campgladiator.com. Bay Chapel Food Pantry - Free food for needy families. Open every Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., behind Christian Brothers Automotive (20300 Trout Creek Dr., off BBD). For more info, visit BayChapel.com/foodpantry. Fresh Market at Wiregrass - The 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, you can enjoy the Fresh Market at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr, Wesley Chapel), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, hand crafts, candles, sauces, fresh bread, & much more. For more info, visit tampabaymarkets.com.

Wednesday, September 25

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon meets Wednesdays at noon at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). First time guests attend free. For more information, call (813) 391-3895.

Thursday, September 26

North Tampa Veterans Association meeting - All armed forces veterans & associates are invited to a weekly lighthearted Dutch-treat breakfast meeting to get acquainted & tell your tales, new & old. Location: Steak ‘n Shake, just off BBD Blvd. (at 17509 North Palms Village Pl.), every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Bring your spouse and your brag sheet. Open to veterans of all branches of the U.S. military.

Friday, September 27

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise meets the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month, 7:15 a.m., at Happy Hangar Cafe (4241 Birdsong Blvd., Lutz). For more information, call Kathy Schenck at 813-956-4436. Drive-Thru Prayer - Takes place every Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). You will find trained members of the church’s Caring Ministry Team under the portico. Share your cares & concerns in prayer while you stay seated in your car. Everyone is welcome. North Tampa Bay Chamber: Final Friday Event - Held the last Friday of each month, Final Friday allows business professionals to meet in a ‘not-too-formal’ setting. This month’s event will be hosted by Grillsmith (2000 Piazza Ave, Shops at Wiregrass), 4 p.m.-6 p.m. There is no fee to attend this event. For more info, call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534. Karaoke & Dance Social for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities – at Liberty Adult Day Training Center (2600 Cypress Ridge Blvd), 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Come for the Karaoke, Stay for the Dance! Get ready to sing, dance, roll your wheelchair, jump, rock, smile, shake, clap your hands & party with an all-inclusive community. This FREE karaoke & dance social is perfect for music lovers & open to all levels. Party break areas with seating away from the music are accessible. Liberty ADT provides social activities to help individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities practice their socialization skills in real life situations to boost confidence, promote independence, & learn public speaking skills to help promote self advocacy skills. For more information, call (813) 421-4433 or visit https://libertyadt.com/rsvp

Saturday, September 28

Bay City Flyers - Radio Control Flying Club Event - The Bay City Flyers, a local Radio Control Flying Club, is offering the public a great opportunity to experience the hobby of Radio Control Flying. This event will be held at the Conner Preserve (22500 S.R. 52, Land O Lakes), 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is free. There will be actual flying of World War I & II aircraft, as well as a Free Fun Fly for Kids.

exclusive group is for members & prospective members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. The WOW network meets the first Friday of every month at Beach House Assisted Living at Wiregrass (30070 S.R. 56), 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. For more Information & the fee to attend, call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534. Blood Drive - Faith Baptist Pre-School & Academy - We will be hosting our 2nd Annual Blood Drive: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 6300 Oakley Blvd, Wesley Chapel. Please help us serve our booming community with this Great Cause. Remember: Every Drop Matters!

Saturday, October 5

Hunter’s Green Community Association Trash & Treasure Sale - It’s time once again for the Annual Trash & Treasure Sale! Hunter’s Green Community Park (9456 Highland Oak Dr., Tampa), 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Open to the Public. “One-stop shopping for all types of great bargains and unique treasures!” Cory Lake Isles - Community-Wide Rummage Sale - Don’t miss this Semi-Annual Event that ia open to the public. Time: 8 a.m.–Noon. Household goods, baby items, trinkets, treasures, plants & More. Location: Beach Club parking lot (10441 Cory Lake Dr., Tampa).

Monday, October 7

“Holes For Hope” Golf Tournament - Sunrise Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center in Pasco County is holding its annual “Holes for Hope” Golf Tournament at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club (12900 Lake Jovita Blvd, Dade City), with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. For more info, call 352-521-3358 or email events@sunrisepasco.org. HOPE Services: How-To Seminar for Persons with Disabilities & Supporting Families – Held on the first Monday of each month, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., at HOPE Services’ Wesley Chapel office (2406 Cypress Glen Dr., Suite 102). These group seminars are led by HOPE Services’ in-house counseling team & many of its Job Coaching/Training team attend. The primary goal is to spread awareness of the free services available to families. A special topic is included at each session, focusing on bringing clients & family members together in a supportive & educational forum. HOPE Services: We understand. We care. We help. We give HOPE. For more info, call (813) 907-1903.

Saturday, October 12

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - 2019 Walk - Unite. Ignite. Fight. The 2019 Walk will be hosted by the Shops At Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr, Wesley Chapel) - Survivor Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m.; Opening Ceremony at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 9 a.m. This is a Family-Friendly event and the entire Pasco/Hernando community is welcome to participate. Growing, Cooking, Preserving Herbs - We will be talking about planting & harvesting Herbs. We will discuss the use of Herbs in Cooking and how to Preserve them. Come join us for this FREE UF/IFAS Pasco Extension seminar. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at Zephyrhills Library (5347 8th St, Zephyrhills). Please register by going to eventbrite.com & searching ‘10-12-19 Growing, Cooking, Preserving Herbs’.

Wednesday, October 16

Central Pasco Democratic Club - The monthly meetings feature speakers and briefings about the Pasco County Democratic Party. Meetings are held 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe CDD office (28245 County Line Rd.). For more info, visit Facebook.com/centralpascodems or call Cindy Beres at (813) 702-4387.

Saturday, October 19

The Learning Experience of New Tampa Turns 2 - Come celebrate Bubbles’ Birthday Bash - 10 a.m.2 p.m. at The Learning Experience (20780 Trout Creek Dr., off County Line Rd., New Tampa). Join us at this Fall-themed celebration with live entertainment, food trucks, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, face painting and much more. Visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net to add your upcoming events to our online calendar. With enough advance notice, events that are held in our readership areas may also appear in print, as space allows.

OCTOBER 2019 Tuesday, October 1

GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club - The Monthly Meeting of the GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club will be held 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., at the Lexington Oaks Clubhouse (26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). The club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Women of all ages are invited to attend and see how you can get involved in your community. For more information, call Beth Reed at (813) 380-8124. Job Fair: The Shops At Wiregrass - Mall-wide Job Fair in time for the Holidays! Job seekers may visit participating stores for job opportunities from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. A list of participating stores will be available at Guest Services after 3 p.m. We respectfully request you do NOT visit the stores early in order to give stores time to prepare for applicants. For more info, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com Veggies: Fall Gardening - Grow a successful Veggie Garden by learning when to plant & what vegetables to grow this Fall. We will discuss caring for them & reaping the fruits of your efforts. Come join us at this FREE UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension seminar. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library (2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes). Please register by going to eventbrite.com & searching ‘10-1-19 Veggies: Fall Gardening’.

Friday, October 4

North Tampa Bay Chamber: WOW (Women of Wesley Chapel) Meeting - This women-only 18

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KAP Medical Group’s Direct Primary Care Approach Is A Hit With Patients ment across the country, it also is growing across our area,” she says. “We have patients coming from three counties, because it is more convenient and affordable. Some have traditional insurance, some have high deductible plans, some have no insurance and a few have Medicare.” She adds that those who already have good insurance plans choose to be KAP members because of easier access to their doctor and less hassle dealing with insurance companies. “Dealing with insurance is a pain,” she says, “and a lot of administrative cost goes into billing insurance.” To cover the costs, those doctors simply have to see more patients. “As a result,” she explains, “doctors just don’t have time.”

By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

Karina Azank Parilo, M.D., of KAP Medical Group is proud to be Wesley Chapel’s only Direct Primary Care family physician. After eight years in a local medical group, Dr. Parilo says she was frustrated with the ever-increasing number of patients she was expected to see, which she says was necessary in a medical group setting to cover the overhead costs associated with having to bill insurance companies. Although Dr. Parilo says she already had 2,700 active patients, the group expected her to take on even more new patients. “There were patients I’d had for six years who couldn’t get in to see me and couldn’t do their hospital follow-ups with me,” she says, explaining that her schedule was too full to be able to work them in, “and I was becoming increasingly frustrated.” So, in December of 2017, Dr. Parilo decided to leave the group she had been with and three months later, opened her own practice, using a newer model known as Direct Primary Care. That means her practice — located in the Windfair Professional Park behind the retail plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. that includes Dickey’s BBQ and The Hungry Greek restaurants — doesn’t bill insurance companies. “Instead, there is a membership fee for the practice,” Dr. Parilo explains, “which is generally $50-$60 for an individual, or a family with two kids is $150 per month.”

Medical assistant and office manager Michelle Diaz (left) and Dr. Karina Azank Parilo are the only two faces you’ll see when you visit KAP Medical Group off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. The practice is open to all ages, and the same whether you visit once a year or once a month, or even once a week, which Dr. monthly fee covers unlimited office visits and virtual visits via phone or video, in-office Parilo says some of her patients do to drop tests, well checks, sick visits, weight manage- in for their regular weight checks. She says her practice is an alternative ment and management of chronic medical to what’s becoming more common with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis and more. primary care physicians, where the overhead costs to have staff available to constantly For minor office procedures, such as submit and follow up on insurance claims cyst removal or laceration repair, a small becomes one of the unfortunate driving supply fee is charged. A list of most KAP forces of the practice. Medical Group membership costs is Direct primary care has proven very available at KAPMedicalGroup.com. Dr. Parilo compares direct primary care popular with Dr. Parilo’s new patients. “In addition to growing as a moveto a gym membership, where you pay the

A Little History

Dr. Parilo is originally from Tampa. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Duke University in Durham, NC, then came home and earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida in 2005. While she started training in anesthesiology, she changed her focus to primary care because she found she missed building ongoing relationships with her patients. “I like taking care of kids, women, men and the older population,” she says, “so I went into family medicine to be able to take care of everybody.” In 2008, she moved to Massachusetts and completed a residency in family med-

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the patient’s electronic medical record. “Patients love it,” she says, adding that many times, her patients don’t want to leave work to come in for an appointment. “They can just send us a picture and we can respond.” Dr. Parilo has just one person on her staff — Michelle Diaz, her medical assistant and office manager. The two have worked together since 2010.“My old patients have known her and loved her as long as they’ve known me,” Dr. Parilo says.

And Yes, It Works

icine at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester in 2010. At the time, she says she was a single mom, so she was excited to be able to bring her daughter back home to the Tampa area. Now, she and her husband, Dane, live in Seven Oaks and have a blended family of three children and three granddaughters. They met through the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon in 2012 and both have remained active in the club. “I enjoy the service aspect of Rotary and enjoy serving the community,” she says. For example, in addition to being involved with the club’s local service projects, both Dr. Parilo and her husband have been part of the Rotary Club’s trips to Honduras to provide clean drinking water and latrines

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for families and schools in the mountainous and impoverished city of Troyes. With the Direct Primary Care model, Dr. Parilo says the main advantage is the amount of time she can spend with each patient when needed, and that the time she spends with each patient is flexible to meet their needs, as well. “I have time to talk with my patients’ specialists or spend an hour catching up with them if they’ve had a lengthy hospital stay,” she explains. “I can take care of my patients however they need to be taken care of.” While that might be in person, at times, she notes that it also could mean via phone, via video conference or even via text. Dr. Parilo uses an app that maintains patient privacy and connects directly with

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Daelyn Fortney is a Seven Oaks resident who began seeing Dr. Parilo shortly after KAP Medical Group opened. Now, Daelyn’s husband, three children, son-in-law and granddaughter are all patients too. “Dr. Parilo is a good doctor and a great person,” Daelyn says. “It’s almost like a partnership with her. Plus, you walk into the office and they actually know you. That (kind of service) has been lost in recent years.” Daelyn adds that she had been frustrated trying to find the right primary care physician, and that the time she saves with KAP Medical Group is worth every penny. “We run our own business,” Daelyn says, “so our time is actually money, anytime we have to take time away from our business.” Dr. Parilo says that in some cases, Direct Primary Care may save her patients money. “People don’t realize how much they’re spending before they get anything,” she explains. “You pay premiums whether you ever see a doctor or not.”

She says most people don’t have an old, traditional insurance plan where they can see any doctor they choose and pay a simple co-pay. Most patients have a high deductible they have to pay before the insurance company even begins to pick up the tab. “At the end of the year,” she asks, “how much did you actually pay out of pocket?” KAP Medical Group Direct Primary Care & Family Medicine is located at 2615 Windguard Cir., Suite 101, across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. The practice is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. For more information or to set an appointment, visit KAPMedicalGroup. com, call (813) 536-0050 or see the ad on page 15 of this issue.

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New Owners Promise To Continue The Fitting Little Feet Tradition shoes, and helps each kid find the perfect fit. So, when the store became available for purchase, Nicole and Ramon say they jumped at the chance to buy it.

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN When Ramon Rivera and Nicole Barber bought Little Feet Shoes earlier this year, it represented more than just a new business venture for the couple. They consider it their opportunity to help others the way the store helped them. Located on S.R. 56 in front of Sam’s Club, Little Feet is a shoe store just for children, carrying brand name shoes and more with sizes that fit infants and toddlers up to boys and girls size 6, in regular, wide and extra-wide widths. For Ramon and Nicole, who are married with three children, Little Feet is a place that helped their middle daughter, Sophia, as she learned to deal with a sensory processing disorder. Back in 2012, Nicole says that Sophia never wanted to put her shoes on. Sometimes it took 30 minutes to get them on her feet to get out the door in the morning, sometimes even longer. Ramon and Nicole were tired, stressed and frustrated when Sophia began therapy and they learned that socks and shoes are a common trigger for kids like Sophia. It was a therapist who suggested they take Sophia to Little Feet, which carried sensory-friendly brands, and have a fitting with then-owner Diana

Shoes For All Children

The experienced staff (l.-r., Alexis Pratt, Robin Goniea, Nicole Barber and Esther Vidal) at Little Feet shoe store on S.R. 56 will measure your children’s feet to be sure they always get a perfect fit for proper foot development. Ciccarelli, who was known to get on the floor with the kids and help them find the perfect shoes, showing patience as they tried on endless pairs, if necessary. It was just what Sophia needed. Diana passed away last year, leaving the future of the store uncertain.

“Our daughter was devastated,” says Nicole. “She was so upset as she asked us, ‘Where am I going to get shoes?’” As an orthopaedic nurse, Nicole also knows how hard it can be for kids with orthotic braces to find shoes that fit over the braces. Little Feet carries those hard-to-find

While Little Feet can be life changing for children with special needs, Ramon and Nicole emphasize that the store carries great shoes for all children. Top-quality brands, specialty shoes and current favorite trends are all available at Little Feet. Some of the store’s most popular brands include Tsukihoshi, Pediped, Stride Rite, Mini Melissa, Livie and Luca, New Balance, Sperry, Saucony, and Plae. “We carry everything from trendy shoes to formal shoes, or something that’s fun for parties, to school shoes in specific colors and specialized shoes for kids who need them,” explains Ramon. Nicole adds that the store sells washable shoes, too, which can be a great benefit for a toddler who is potty training. Little Feet also offers Capezio dance shoes, leotards and tights, and carries socks and bows. Many customers travel long distances to get to the store, which is local to Neighborhood News readers. “We are the only kids’ shoe store in the Tampa Bay area,” explains Ramon. “We

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shoes their children needed. “The first time I came in to Little Feet, my kid was in shoes that were two sizes too small,” laughs Nicole. “I had no idea.” Ramon explains that kids can’t often articulate the problem with their shoes. They just take them off. However, he says, it’s really important for a child’s foot development to get them in the right size right away. “Their bones are very soft, so if they’re in the wrong shoe, you can actually have damage,” Ramon explains. “We provide a lot of education,” adds Nicole. She The husband-and-wife team of Ramon Rivera and Nicole says they also encourage kids Barber have owned Little Feet shoe store for a few months now, to run around the store to but they’ve been fans of the store much longer than that. try out the shoes thoroughly. Plus, the shoes they carry have have customers who come from Dunedin, more stability, promoting proper balance. Tarpon Springs and South Tampa.” Erin Guilbeault is a mom to a six-yearHe says similar stores have closed old son and nine-year-old daughter. She says because people no longer appreciate how she’s been buying her kids shoes at Little important it is to have kids’ feet sized for Feet for the past couple of years. proper growth and long-term development. “I love their selection and how patient “In other stores,” he says, “it’s up to they are when it takes a while,” she says. the parents to figure out what size shoe to “Sometimes it’s a few minutes and somebuy their children.” times it’s an hour. Everyone is always really Parents don’t always do a great job of helpful and lets them try on as many pairs as it. In fact, even Ramon and Nicole were they need to find the perfect (shoes).” once parents who didn’t know what size

Experienced Staff

Nicole is the first to admit that she has a lot to learn about running a shoe store. She gives credit to Alexis and Robin (see photo on previous page), employees of the store who have been there for about three years now, for teaching and helping her. “They kept the store going through the transition, before we bought it,” says Nicole. “If it wasn’t for them, Little Feet would have had to close its doors.” In fact, Erin says if she hadn’t heard that the previous owner had passed away, she probably wouldn’t have even known the store had been sold, because she says the transition has been seamless and the customer service has remained consistently excellent. So, Little Feet remains open and ready to be discovered by families who want high-quality, trendy and fun footwear, fit by an expert. “From a business standpoint, we’re hoping this model works,” says Ramon. “Others have given up on it, but we want to bring it back and even expand it. We hope to be able to allow people to purchase online, too, but they can still come in and get fitted for the right size.” Erin says she will continue to take advantage of all that Little Feet has to offer.

“I kind of wish I had found them sooner,” says Erin. “I go in there and there are all these adorable toddler shoes. I’m going to be sad when my kids outgrow them someday.” Sales and promotions are often announced on Facebook and Instagram, along with photos of some of the store’s in-stock shoes. Search “Little Feet Shoes” on either social media platform. Little Feet is located at 27607 S.R. 56 (next to Wolf’s Den, in front of Sam’s Club). The store is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 991-1785, see the ad on page 33 or visit LittleFeetShoes.net.

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Need Expert Legal Advice From A Friend? Ask The Devolders! By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN When life throws you a curveball, sometimes you just wish you had a friend who also happens to be a lawyer to help you sort it out. Bryan and Elizabeth Devolder of the Devolder Law Firm, located in the Hunter’s Green Professional Center off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Hunter’s Green Dr., want to be that friend. The husband-and-wife-team opened their firm in August 2016, and it has continued to grow over the last three years and now has a staff that includes a paralegal, legal assistant and case manager. The Devolder law office overlooks a beautiful and serene pond in the neighborhood where the Elizabeth and Bryan live with their two children. Both previously had successful careers in other fields and decided to go back to school to achieve their shared dream of becoming lawyers. Married since 2009, Bryan was working as a computer engineer for Verizon and Elizabeth had been in sales for the Yellow Pages. With lots of professional and life experience under their belts, they enrolled at the Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School satellite campus in Riverview, FL, in 2013. Both graduated in 2016 and opened the office together shortly after. They’re down-to-earth, hardworking people who help families through times of transition, resolve conflict, and give good

cific categories. “In every divorce, for example, one family is becoming two,” says Elizabeth. “The client usually has to sell a home, buy a home or rent one, so they often need a real estate attorney.” That’s something the Elizabeth and Bryan Devolder of Devolder Law Firm offer a variety of Devolders will legal services that can resolve problems before they become too unwieldy handle that other family and expensive. (Photo: Stephen John Photography) law attorneys advice whenever you have a question. “A core value of ours is approachabili- might not. “We had someone tell us their dity,” says Bryan. “I talk like a lawyer in court, vorce attorney wouldn’t look over their lease but with clients, it’s more like having a beer because he’s not a real estate attorney. There are all these separate attorneys you have to with a friend.” go to,” explains Elizabeth. While most attorneys specialize in one While their practice covers a variety of area, the Devolders are able to help with a areas, the Devolders do not handle crimvariety of legal issues. inal defense, personal injury or medical “We do family law, wills, trust and estate law, probate, real estate, elder law and malpractice cases. But, for many situations, especially as all the stuff in between,” explains Elizabeth. life is transitioning — such as starting a busi“Our goal is to help a family through their ness, a divorce, a child going off to college, life with all of the needs they will have.” getting ready to downsize a home or apply They say this is a benefit to families, whose problems often don’t fit neatly into spe- for Medicaid — the Devolders say it’s always

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a good idea to consult an attorney. “Most of the expensive and complex cases we’ve had to deal with were because someone didn’t get $200 worth of legal advice up front,” says Bryan.

So Many Stories…

If you think there might be a chance you could need a lawyer in the future, Bryan and Elizabeth highly recommend you consult them early on. For example, the Devolders offer a discounted rate for an estate plan for students leaving for college. Many parents don’t know that once their child turns 18, the parents are no longer legally allowed access to their medical records, even if their child has an accident. An estate plan makes arrangements for all kinds of “what ifs.” Plus, Elizabeth says, it has another benefit. “Now they have a relationship with an attorney, so if something happens and they’re scared to call their parents, they can call us,” she says. “Please don’t go to Google or your 19-year-old friend.” Bryan and Elizabeth could tell stories all day. They say their best stories are kept completely to themselves for privacy, but they do share a little. “A client tried to sell a business and wrote it on a piece of notebook paper, signed by a notary,” says Bryan. “The guy lost $100,000 and has to spend money in litigation, and his family doesn’t have an income because he didn’t have an attorney. Things can blow up.”

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The Devolders also recently had a client whose sister’s health was declining. Because she no longer used services such as her phone or car insurance, her brother tried to turn them off, but he didn’t have the authority to do it. A simple power of attorney document would have done the trick early on, but now he has to get the court to award him guardianship over his sister so he can handle her affairs. “Proactively talking to an attorney will prevent some situations from escalating,” Bryan says. Cindy Matthews is one of those clients who leans on the Devolders as legal issues arise in her life. She brought each of her parents, who are divorced, to the Devolders to handle their wills and estate plans. “Bryan and Elizabeth gave excellent advice and were so knowledgeable. They are warm and easy people to talk to,” she says. Shockingly, Cindy’s parents died within two days of each other, and she says she turned to the Devolders to walk her through a most difficult time. “Even though neither of my parents were local, they handled the probate of both estates in a seamless and professional transition,” she explains. “It was a lot of detailed paperwork. They were extremely efficient with their services and their fees were reasonable. I’ve seen other attorneys drag their feet, but they did a lot of work in the time that was billed.” During that difficult time, a conflict came up with Cindy’s ex-husband. She didn’t call the divorce attorney who handled her case years ago, she called the Devolders. “They were able to jump in and handle

it,” says Cindy. “I immediately felt my level of anxiety and stress dissipate because of the professionalism and assurance I received from them.” Cindy says the argument was swiftly and decisively resolved in her favor. “Elizabeth is the finest quality of professional,” says Cindy. “She’s such a thinker, and she has a genuineness about her. She really does care when things aren’t right.” When things aren’t right is when the Devolders want you to give them a call. With the wide range of issues they deal with, they know that bad things often happen to good people.

Judge Not, Lest Ye...

“Some people are afraid to see a lawyer because they don’t know if they’re going to be judged,” says Bryan. “We’re not judgmental if someone comes in with a story,” agrees Elizabeth. In part, that’s because they say they can relate. “We weren’t born with silver spoons in our mouths,” Elizabeth says. “We worked hard our whole lives, we understand the value of money and we understand the challenges that people have.” Plus, she adds, “We have really good coffee and a nice view.” Devolder Family Law (8709 Hunters Green Dr., at the front of Hunter’s Green before entering the community’s gates) is open Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., with weekend and evening appointments available. For additional information, search “DevolderLaw” on Facebook, visit DevolderLaw.com, call (813) 724-3880 or see the ad on page 33.

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Putting Her Best (Barefoot) Foot Forward To Deliver Pain Relief NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS STAFF Bad backs, wonky knees and tight hips beware: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) SaRee Purcell may be petite and soft spoken, but when she walks on your back, there’s not an ache or a sore muscle that can withstand her magic feet. SaRee is a practitioner of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and the owner of Barefoot Massage of New Tampa, located in the New Tampa Professional Park off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Pebble Creek, just a mile or so south of the Pasco County line. While holding onto parallel bars above the massage bed upon which a client lies, SaRee uses her feet to literally “walk” on her client’s back, exerting deft, skilled pressure to ease out kinks and stretch tightly coiled tissue. It was on a snowy Minnesota night, when SaRee was 15 years old, that she was in a serious car crash that left her with severe whiplash and chronic pain. She tried everything, from medication and physiotherapy to Reiki — a Japanese healing technique based on the principle that a therapist can activate the natural healing processes of the body through touch — but it wasn’t until her doctor prescribed a massage that she finally got a respite. That massage she got as a teen not only gave her pain relief, it also showed her that healing through massage was her calling. How did she pay it forward? By literally walking all over people. SaRee, 43, was certified in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy in 2004 and became a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in 2006. “I’m a born caretaker,” she says. “I get to treat all my patients like I’m their mother. I like helping bodies heal naturally without medicine, the way it was intended to be.” She has been practicing Ashiatsu therapy since 2004. “Ashi” means foot and “atsu” means pressure in Japanese, and SaRee began to study it while treat-

clinical massage, meaning she actually fixes ing athletes with or relieves physical problems her clients are injuries. having as opposed to simply relaxing peo“I was attracting ple, although the relaxation is, of course, deep tissue (masoften an inevitable side effect. sage) clients,” she Her treatment room has the same says. “They were soothing music, soft lighting, fragrance big men and I’m and other accoutrements regular spasmall, so eventually, I goers expect, but those details belie the started using feet. It serious nature of what she does. Many only seemed natural regular clients are referred to her by to start walking on physicians, and she has helped everyone people.” Johnny Taylor, from teenage musicians to middle-aged a Wesley Chapel athletes, and from mid-life commuters resident and owner to octogenarians who are looking for of Florida Coast Air noninvasive relief from chronic pain and Conditioning, learned conditions from plantar fasciitis to TMJ. this unexpectedly one SaRee Purcell of Barefoot Massage in the New Tampa Professional SaRee says her youngest client is 16, day when he went to Park off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Pebble Creek has been offering and her oldest is 81. Ashiatsu therapy in the area at her current location since 2015. SaRee’s house to fix her air conditioner. Knowledge + Technique = Relief! playing detective, pushing and manipuLearning that Taylor had a physically “There are so many soft tissue injuries lating tissue, searching for calcifications demanding job and plays baseball in a or scarring that she says can be caused by that can be completely healed through recreational league, SaRee offered to give massage,” she says. “People often think that tightness in the connective tissue. him a quick massage. Depending upon the client, she may a problem in a joint — whether knee, jaw, Johnny says, “She had her equipor vertebral — is local only to the joint, so also utilize sports massage, lymphatic ment set up, and said, can I show you they don’t realize how massage can help. I drainage massage, hand and foot reflexreal quick?. Then, she was walking on my ology, neuromuscular therapy, clinical want people to know that it is our muscles back and it was just heavenly. Best masmassage, maternity massage, cupping and and tendons that bring our bones and joints sage I ever had.” together and that by taking the tension out Swedish massage. A few months later, when a weekof the muscles, we can relieve the tension What sets SaRee apart from other long baseball tournament left Johnny’s being put on our joints.” licensed massage therapists in the area is knee in so much pain that he could SaRee explains that most knee probnot just her techniques, it is that she offers hardly stand, he called SaRee again. After just one session, he was able to walk out with no issues. Now, he’s a regular client. SaRee may be soft spoken and petite, but don’t let that fool you: her Your kids' health is in good hands! feet pair the strength of a linebacker with the nuanced finesse of a surgeon. She uses the parallel bars above the massage bed to balance herself as she uses her feet to knead tension and knots caused by long commutes, bad posture in front 813-488-4100 of computers and the repetitive mo14471 University Cove Place Tampa, FL 33613 tions involved in playing a sport or an instrument. She can help relieve the pain caused by many auto accidents, professional sports injuries and work injuries. Her feet don’t feel like feet either; Ahmad Zuhdi M.D., FAAP it is as though a broad pair of hands is

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lems, for example, are caused by overly tight adductor, hamstring and quadriceps muscles, and can often be eliminated by working the muscles surrounding the knee until they are pliable and supple. “The same is true of any joint in the body, including the joints in between each vertebrae of the spine,” SaRee says. “If you are suffering from slipped, bulging or herniated discs and you have the associated muscle tissue softened with massage, you will be relieving the pressure on those discs.” At times, she reaches for additional tools, such as hot stones or a bamboo stick, the latter of which she had custom made for her. SaRee uses it to roll out tightness along the side of your neck and shoulder. “It’s like brushing your teeth,” SaRee says. “You get your body worked on and iron it all out.” She adds, “We get our cars serviced and homes cleaned, but we give so little of that TLC to our bodies, even though we’re only given one. We also rarely pay attention to the influence that food and stress play on our bodies.” SaRee realized she enjoyed caring for people while working in a nursing home during high school, and as soon as she turned 18, she says she signed up to learn how to be a masseuse at Sister Rosalind’s Schools & Clinics of Massage in St. Paul, MN. After completing her professional massage certification there in 1997, she worked for a spa and fitness center in

Cottage Grove, MN, and went into private practice at the age of 25. She ran her practice, Just for You Massage, for nearly seven years, both in Minnesota and in Miami, FL, where she moved so her then-husband could attend law school. She eventually relocated to Tampa. Today, she lives in New Tampa, where her children attend Paul R. Wharton High and the Turner/Bartels K-8 school. Until her son became old enough to start school, SaRee says she had been treating patients out of her house, but after the littlest one started school, she felt ready to rent a room and open a formal practice where she could set up her equipment. She has worked out of her current office since November 2015. SaRee also has taught massage at her alma mater and at some of her former employers, including the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, where she trained masseurs and wrote protocols. She also has taught nurses in labor

and delivery wards, and in fact, an aspect of her practice that is very close to her heart is prenatal, postnatal and labor massage. SaRee has trained as a doula, a trained professional who provides women with physical and emotional support and guides them through pregnancy, labor and post partum — and is certified by Chicago-based DONA International. She loves to accompany clients to labor and delivery rooms. “One of the biggest problems women have in the labor room is feeling alone,” she says. “I’m there with them as if it’s my own labor. Our bodies know exactly what to do when fear doesn’t run away with (them).” SaRee does not accept insurance, but offers a 20-percent savings for the first treatment. You also can book online at SquareUp.com/appointments/book/ 4JTH3772CWV0X. Massages can last from 30 to 120 minutes; a 60-minute massage costs

OUR

$75. She accepts cash, checks and credit cards, but says her biggest reward comes from relieving the discomfort or pain of a client. “I love it!,” she says. “I’ve been doing it for 22 years and I still love it. It really makes me smile inside.” Barefoot Massage is located at 8903 Regents Park Dr., Suite 130, across from NAPA Auto Parts. Appointments can be made Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit BarefootMassageTampa.com or call (813) 451-2222 or see the ad on pg. 37. For info about pre- and postnatal massage, visit LoveforLabor.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 • September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

THE SPORTS PAGE FUN IN THE WATER

When the Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) and Wesley Chapel High (WCH) swimming teams squared off on Sept. 11, it counted as a regular season match. But, it felt more like a fun exhibition. The Bulls not only dwarf the Wildcats in roster size; the two programs compete in different classifications — the Bulls are Class 3A, while the Wildcats are Class 2A. And since it was also the Bulls’ senior night, the seniors got to pick whichever events they wanted to swim. “Tonight our goal was just to have fun,” Wiregrass Ranch girls coach Alisa Cimino said. The atmosphere poolside at Hunter’s Green bore that out as the regular meet, where the relaxed atmosphere made for some fun moments, as the meet — won by the Bulls boys (120-49) and girls (122-51) — concluded with some belly flops and a lot of laughter. WRH senior Doug Lankton (pictured bottom left) had a great night. He won the

200-meter Individual Medley, and on a whim chose to race the 100m breaststroke. He got locked up with WCH’s Charles Fields (pictured top center) and the two raced to a near photo finish, with Lankton winning by a mere half second. Despite the narrow loss in the breaststroke, Fields had a great meet. He won the 100m butterfly by a comfortable margin, coming within a tenth of a second of his own school record, which he set last year. “I had no idea I was near it (the school record),” Fields said. “I just got up and swam. I had no idea how close I was.” Both teams now turn the page, as the conference and district meets loom down the road. The Bulls (pictured bottom right) have their sights set on county powerhouse Land O’ Lakes. While the boys team is 3-0 and the girls are 2-1 this season, the Gators are the top program in Pasco County. That meet is set for Wednesday, September 25, at Hunter’s Green. — AW

LEADER OF THE SACK

When you line up on offense across from the Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) Bulls, there’s one player in particular you’d better keep your eye on — No. 40, senior linebacker Dylan Ridolph. Ridolph has been a menace to quarterbacks and running backs for each of his three years on varsity. Lining up all over the field, he has turned making tackles for a loss into an art form, with 66 of them. Ball carriers aren’t the only ones noticing. After a hot start to the 2019 campaign, with 10 tackles for losses and five sacks in the first three games, Ridolph just received his first scholarship offer from Jacksonville (FL) University. “I remember hearing his (Jacksonville coach Tom Simi’s) words over the phone and thinking, ‘Did he just say that?,’” Ridolph says. “It was like, finally, all the hard work had paid off and I hope it’ll bring in more offers.” 32

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 • September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

It likely will. Ridolph already has been a Defensive Player of the Year for the Pasco and Hernando counties area, and is regarded by many as one of the top 10 players in all of Tampa Bay. He is inarguably one of the top-10 most productive players. Ridolph currenty owns the Pasco County career sack record with 42 (and still counting). He nearly set the county’s single-season record last year as well, finishing with 22, just off the mark of 22.5 set by Pasco High’s Morgan Flournory in 2012. “If it (the single-season sack record) comes, it comes, but I’m not playing football to break records,” Ridolph said. “It’s a nice motivation if it does happen, but I’m playing for my team and my school and to go to college.” Fortunately for WRH and Ridolph, all of those things are coming together. The Bulls are in the midst of Neighborhood News

a three-year run of playoff appearances and started out this season with three straight wins, and every additional sack puts Ridolph’s career record further out of reach. Ridolph balances his impressive on-the-field stats with equally impressive numbers in the classroom. He has a 4.2 weighted GPA and a 1240 SAT score. He takes honors and AP classes, and already qualifies for a 75-percent Bright Futures Scholarship. He’s just 50 points off his SAT score for a 100-percent Bright Futures Scholarship. And, showing just how focused he is, Ridolph doesn’t just have the next opponent’s quarterback in sight, he also has his next SAT test in his sights as well. “Football can only take you so far,” Ridolph says. “Your grades go with you your whole life. There aren’t too many things that can take away what you learn in school.” — AW

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NEW TAMPA & WESLEY CHAPEL

2019 Reader Dining Survey & Contest!

Win $100 in Dining Gift Cards to the Restaurant of Your Choice! NEWS Below is a list of virtually every restaurant in Wesley Chapel’s three zip codes — and some others that are located on or near S.R. 54 and S.R. 56 in Lutz. Please circle or select FIVE (5) of these restaurants as your favorites in Wesley Chapel. Do not number them. No write-in votes are allowed (except in the Favorite Dessert category; see below). Then, circle or select ONE (1) favorite for each of the additional options (Pizza, Dessert & Bar/Tavern). Then, complete the entry form with your name, address (with community — Meadow Pointe, Epperson, etc.), daytime telephone number and a valid email address and mail your entry to Neighborhood News Dining Survey, 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 by November 11, 2019, to be eligible to win a $100 gift card, $60 gift card or $35 gift card to the restaurant of your choice in the Tampa Bay area! This form also is available on our website — NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net and must be COMPLETELY filled in for you to be eligible. One entry per person per household per issue only. Good luck! — GN

Please Circle or Select Your Five (5) Favorite Restaurants in Wesley Chapel from the list below! 365 Caffe Italiano Cantina Laredo 900 Woodfired Pizza Capital Tacos Amici Pizza Charley’s Cheesesteaks Applebee’s Cheddar’s Arby’s Chick-fil-A Arroy Thai Chili’s Asian Buffet China Gourmet Asian Chao China Wok Bagelicious & More Chuck E. Cheese’s Bahama Breeze Chuy’s Tex-Mex Barnes & Noble Cinebistro Batter & Dough Clean Juice Beef O’Brady’s Costco Best NY Pizza Cracker Barrel BJ’s Brewhouse Culver’s Blaze Pizza Dairy Queen Blondie’s Cookies Dempsey’s Steak House (Saddlebrook) Bonefish Grill Dickey’s BBQ Bonsai Sushi Don Pan International Bakery Bosco’s Italian to Go Dunkin’ Donuts Brunchie’s Earth Fare Buffalo Wild Wings FJ Express Burger King Firehouse Subs Burger Monger First Watch Buttermilk Provisions Ford’s Garage

Fratelli’s Fresh Healthy Cafe Gonna China Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads Green Mango Grillsmith Haagen-Dazs Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt Hardee’s Hibachi Express Hilton Garden Inn/Garden Grille Honeybaked Ham Ho Wok Hot Wok 88 Hyatt Place Hotel/Gallery Restaurant Irish 31 Jenny’s Mini Donuts Jersey Mike’s Subs Jimmy John’s Johnny Rockets La Prima Pizza Le Macaron Little Italy’s Family Restaurant Longhorn Steakhouse Marco’s Pizza

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

Your Favorite Place For Pizza In Wesley Chapel (Please circle or select only ONE (1) - no more, no less!)

900º Woodfired Pizza Amici Pizza Best NY Pizza BJ’s Brewhouse Blaze Pizza Bosco’s Italian to Go Chuck E. Cheese’s Cinebistro Costco Earth Fare Fratelli’s

Grillsmith Hilton Garden Inn/ Garden Grille Hyatt Place Hotel/ Gallery Restaurant La Prima Pizza Little Italy’s Marco’s Pizza Mellow Mushroom MOD Pizza Noble Crust

NY NY Pizza Papa John’s Pizza Pizza Hut PizzaMania Pomodoro Pizza O’Brien’s Irish Pub Sam’s Club Super Target Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen

Your Favorite Dessert Place In Wesley Chapel

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

**Note - Only places that are dessert-only or mainly dessert are shown below, so we will allow a write-in

365 Caffe Italiano Barnes & Noble Baskin Robbins Batter & Dough Blondie’s Cookies Buttermilk Provisions Culver’s

McDonald’s Menchie’s Yogurt Cafe Mellow Mushroom MOD Pizza Moe’s SW Grill Nestle Toll House Café Noble Crust Nothing Bundt Cakes NY NY Pizza O’Brien’s Omari’s Grille/Lexington Oaks OTB Cafe Outback Steak House Panda Express Panera Papa John’s Pizza PDQ Pholicious Pinchers Crab Shack Pizza Hut PizzaMania Poke Falls Pollo Tropical Pomodoro Pizza Popeye’s Chicken Publix

Red Robin Rice n’ Beans Sam’s Club Shang Hai Chinese Smoothie King Sonny’s BBQ South Philly Cheesesteaks SuperTarget Sweetea Cafe Taco Bell Taco Bus Taco Son Texas Roadhouse The Hungry Greek The Wing House Tijuana Flats Tokyo Grill & Sushi Top Shelf Sports Lounge Umu Japanese & Thai Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen Waffle House Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar Wendy’s Wing Stop Wolf’s Den Yamato Japanese Restaurant

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

Applebee’s Bahama Breeze Beef O’Brady’s BJ’s Brewhouse Bonefish Grill Buffalo Wild Wings Cantina Laredo Chapel Cigars Cheddars Chili’s Chuy’s Tex-Mex Cinebistro Ford’s Garage

Grillsmith Hilton Garden Inn/ Garden Grille

Hyatt Place Hotel/ Gallery Restaurant Irish 31 Joe Whiskey’s Longhorn Steakhouse Metro Lagoon Bar Noble Crust O’Brien’s Omari’s Grille/Lex Oaks Outback Steak House

Pinchers Crab Shack Red Robin Rice n’ Beans Sonny’s BBQ Texas Roadhouse The Basement The Brass Tap The Wing House Top Shelf Sports Lounge Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar Yamato Japanese Restaurant

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

Le Macaron Dairy Queen Menchie’s Yogurt Café Don Pan Int’l Bakery Nestle Toll House Café Dunkin’ Donuts Enter online at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or mail your COMPLETELY Nothing Bundt Cakes Haagen-Dazs FILLED IN entry form, by Monday, November 11, 2019, to: Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt Ice Dreammm Shop WRITE-IN: 2019 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS DINING SURVEY Jenny’sNews Mini Donuts @NTWCNews ______________________ Neighborhood For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 Volume 27, Issue 20 Suite •September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net 29157•Chapel Park Dr., B, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Firm Picked To Design New Tampa Performing Arts Center! By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

In one of the more significant steps in the long, sometimes-tortured history of a proposed cultural arts center in New Tampa, the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has approved the hiring of a firm to design the facility. Last month, the BOCC awarded a $598,413 contract to Fleischman Garcia Architects to draw a plan for the longawaited facility, which is now officially being called the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC), after years of being referred to as a “cultural center.” “It’s an extremely significant and critical step in the process,’’ said District 2 county commissioner Ken Hagan, who represents New Tampa and has been involved in the project in various forms since it first sprouted in 2001. “It’s an important move.” The design of the center — which will be located directly across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from the main entrance to Hunter’s Green, in the new Village at Hunter’s Lake development — is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with bidding for the construction services tentatively scheduled for May of 2020. It is hoped that the $6-million construction of the NTPAC will begin sometime by November 1, 2020, and is

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center (in red) off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. will be part of the Village at Hunter’s Lake mixed-use development. (Photo: Charmaine George) expected to open by Jan. 1, 2022. more than 2,000 square feet, and Hagan The facility — long-heralded to be said it will include an orchestra pit that he the centerpiece of the New Tampa comhelped add after meeting with the NTP munity — will be 20,000 square feet on and addressing some of their requests. its first floor, with the capability to have a The center also will host cultural/ 10,000-sq.-ft. second floor added later. arts education classes, as well as meetings, The building will include a 350-400- banquets and other events. seat theater/multi-purpose room and There will be 1,040 square feet dedistage to be used for community theater cated to NTPAC operations and education performances. It will be the home of the programs employees, including an office New Tampa Players (NTP) acting troupe, for the NTP. which currently stages its performances at The education wing will feature two the University Area Cultural Development studios with ballet and dance floors, mirCenter (UACDC) on N. 22nd St., just rors and movable walls. south of Bearss Ave. Hagan made note that the NTPAC The stage area at the NTPAC will be also will be sustainable, incorporating solar

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Neighborhood News

power and electric vehicle stations. Plans for the NTPAC date back to 2001, when a Connecticut firm was paid $27,000 by the City of Tampa for a study that determined New Tampa could support a small cultural center of its own. A nonprofit group, called the New Tampa Cultural Arts Center, was offered the six acres of land it requested for the project, but the city requested the group come up with a $10-million endowment to pay for it, which killed the effort back in 2005. Doug Wall, who was involved with those initial efforts, revived it again in 2007. But Wall, the New Tampa Players president and founding artistic director, could not secure the funding and he passed away in 2017. Former county commissioner and Tampa Palms resident Victor Crist helped keep the project alive as he worked on finding funding. In 2014, the larger Village at Hunter’s Lake project, of which the NTPAC is a central part, was approved. In a 2016 meeting at Hunter’s Green, Crist told the NTP he had secured partner-ships with the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, the Patel Conservatory and the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program to bring gravitas to the project and elevate it to a highlevel arts center.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 •September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

OTB Delights Café Now Offering Fresh, Locally Prepared Meals & More By GARY NAGER I have seen the highs and the lows over the last six years with my friend Dirson De Mesquita, the owner of OTB Delights Café, now located in Nye Commons, on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just south of S.R. 54. Dirson had started his successful, healthyeating-oriented restaurant concept in the same plaza as The Hungry Greek and Dickey’s BBQ a little further south on BBD (across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel) when he decided to find anther location in 2018. What he didn’t know was that he would be closed for several months (basically, from August until December) that year, as he agreed to leave his old space in order for the new tenant — Umu Japanese & Thai — to get started on their build-out while he began building the new OTB. Bottom line? Dirson and his wife Ana weathered the storm of several months with no OTB income and have been thriving in their new location ever since. “Our breakfast

•We Have

business has definitely picked up since we’ve been here,” Dirson says. “And our lunch crowd has been about the same.” The new location is definitely a nicer layout and even though OTB is the only restaurant in Nye Commons, which doesn’t have a particularly easy entrance to get into either, people have been finding it — and loving many of the changes to the menu.

But, What About The Food?

At its old location, when OTB only served healthier turkey bacon for breakfast, I’ll admit I didn’t go out of my way to enjoy my most important meal of the day there. But now, with the new OTB even closer to my office, Dirson has added not only real bacon, but a variety of delicious new breakfast menu items. My favorite is still the “breakfast plate” (right), with your choice of three regular or chocolate chip pancakes, two eggs any style (over easy for me, of course) and three strips of that (extra crispy) bacon — a bargain for only $9.99. And, even though it comes with pancakes, I still add OTB’s tasty marble rye to soak up my egg yolks. Just as delicious, but understandably more expensive ($12.99) is the steak and eggs breakfast, with a nice portion of thinly sliced steak and three eggs your way. Newer breakfast items include “Omelette’ing You Go,” a three-egg omelet

Among our editor’s favorites at OTB Delights Café on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. are (bottom left) the Good Morning Ciabatta, (above) the breakfast plate, with two eggs and three chocolate chip pancakes, (next page) the pulled chicken and seared tuna meal delivery meals and the steak delight rice bowl. served with your choice of side (try the fresh eggs breakfast made with real corned beef fruit) and toast. You can choose any three and sweet potato home fries; an asparagusingredients from the following list: any cheese, bacon eggs Benedict; the Yolko Ono, with grilled onions, grilled peppers, tomatoes, baby eggs, Black Forest ham, tomatoes and Havarti spinach, arugula, red onion, diced ham, diced cheese on a multi-grain ciabatta; as well as an Acai bowl (with granola, bananas, strawberies, turkey, sprouts, pepperoncini, black olives and mushrooms — and all for only $8.99. coconut flakes and organic Acai. You avocado lovers will flip for the Good And, since Dirson is from Brazil, you Morning Ciabatta (left), with two eggs your know he’s serving great coffee, too. way, tomato, avocado and provolone on a tasty seeded, multi-grain ciabatta hoagie roll. Don’t They Serve Lunch, Too? There’s also a breakfast burrito, chickenAlthough most people don’t think of quinoa eggs-travaganza and a tasty hash and a hamburger as a “healthy” option, Dir-

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e s a

son’s grass-fed artisan burger is seasoned, hand-pattied, grilled to order and delicious. There’s also tasty veggie and turkey burgers. OTB’s lunch selections also include a variety of salads, including the Asian orange ahi tuna salad, with a generous portion of seared rare tuna, Mandarin oranges, toasted almonds and sprouts; a blackened portabella Caesar as well as a chicken Caesar; a seared steak delight salad and “salmon gone wild” salad. OTB doesn’t have the biggest selection of salad dressings, but all of them are pretty tasty. I especially enjoy the sesame ginger and spicy Santa Fe dressings. Many of the salads also are available as “Rice Rice Baby” bowls. My favorites are the Shanghai chicken (with jasmine rice, sesame

seeds, toasted almonds and the sesame ginger dressing), and the steak delight rice bowl (top right on this page), with black beans, jasmine rice, tomatoes, caramelized onions and blue cheese crumbles, with balsamic.

OTB Has Meal Delivery, Too?

Busy working adults, especially those with younger kids, are turning more and more these days to meal delivery services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron, but Dirson decided to get into the meal delivery business locally because he can promise the same dependable delivery of fresh meals with advantages over those other services. “We don’t mass produce anything,” Dirson says proudly. Your meals

aren’t taken out of a fridge and put into a box, they’re made to your order. You tell us what you want, we make it fresh and deliver it when you want it (guaranteed to arrive between 4 p.m.-9 p.m. on your chosen date to ensure freshness).” The best way to get started is to call (813) 906-2229 or order online at OnlyTheBestDelivery.com. You’ll find a huge selection of options online and even though there are actual menu items, Dirson promises that “everything is customizable. If the menu calls for an item to be served with broccoli, you can substitute asparagus, add sprouts, whatever you want.” And, OTB’s portion-controlled meal delivery service has complete one-week meal

plans, keto meals (like keto pesto parmesan chicken and veggies), plant-based meals (like mushroom taco lettuce wraps), special items for kids (kids sliced steak and sweet potato mash), desserts (like vegan, gluten-free cookies) and even raw, cold juices (try the cold press juice sampler, with green, yellow, red and bunny juice) available for delivery. There’s even a full catering menu that is fully customizable to your specifications, for events large or small. Best of all, the food is delicious and guaranteed to arrive fresh, whether you like pulled chicken or ahi tuna with broccoli, quinoa or rice (two left photos on this page) or anything else on OTB’s extensive menu, Dirson’s delivery manager Jen will make sure your order is right — or she’ll make it right. After six years, I’ve come to expect nothing less from Dirson and OTB! OTB Delight Café, located at 4839 BBD Blvd., is open MondaySunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call (813) 906-2229, visit OTBDelightCafe.com or see the ad on pg. 43 of this issue.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 •September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Still smoker friendly!

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(ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHARTON H.S. IN FRONT OF LIVE OAK)

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 •September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Your Full Real Estate Solutions Providers Residential-Commercial-Property Management Title-Mortgage-Insurance-Home Warranty-Auction

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26771 State Rd 56 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 907-8200

WEST MEADOWS / THE PROMENADE

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NEW PRICE! Located in the Heart of Wesley Chapel, FL this home sits between SR 56 and SR 54, just down the road from Wiregrass Mall, Advent Health Hospital, Interstates I75/275 & Bruce B Downs Blvd. This home offers 1 ACRE of land in the community of Fox Ridge conveniently located behind the community of Meadow Pointe. There is NO HOA & NO CDD fees in this community. The home is a 3 bed, 2.5 bath home offering 1,512 sqft, covered back lanai, new well, new AC, water softener system, wood-like flooring and open floor concept that's great for entertaining. bguevara@bhhsflpg.com

This Lovely Move-In Ready Town Home is an End Unit Boasting 1,759 SF, 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, and 2 Car Garage. Located in the Promenade in West Meadows; a Gated Community with Great Amenities. Don’t miss this one, it could be the home you have been looking for, call for a private viewing today! For more information please call Angela Mora 813-482-1452 AMora@BHHSflpg.com | AngelaMoraRealEstate.com Hablo español también!

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Cynthia Filippi 813-784-1634 Awesome Opportunity to Own this Stunning Home Custom Built Log Cabin on 1 Acre Lot in Serene Setting Gorgeous Inside with Additional Apartment over Garage Perfect for Out of Town Guests or Mother-in-law Suite Wesley Chapel w/Quick access to 75, Malls and Restaurants Offered at $384.900 Please Call Today for a Private Viewing! CFilippi@BHHSflpg.com | CynthiaSellsTampaHomes.com

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Sought after Seven Oaks community! 4BR/ 3Bath 2624 SF, Light & Bright, Open Lay Out, Flex/Living Rm+ DR, Amazing Kitchen, Light Wood Cabs/Granite w/Island overlooking Huge Family Room! Triple Sliders open to the covered Lanai. w/ Privacy fence backyard perfect for your outdoor gathering! Enjoy Seven Oaks Resort Style Pools w/Water Slide & Kid’s splash pad, Fitness Ctr, Café, Theater and more! Minutes to Shops, Restaurants, Malls, Hospitals & I-75/275! Excellent location w/ Top Rated Schools, HOA fee only $131/YR! Great Price $330K! mercy@mercybarragan.com | www.MercyBarragan.com

October 12 & 13 www.bhhsfloridaproperties.com Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 •September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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

NTBC’s New Tampa Ribbon Cuttings

The North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) continues to host free ribbon-cutting events in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel seemingly every day. Below are a few of the most recent. In addition, one of our advertisers recently hosted a Greater Pasco Chamber ribbon-cutting event. NerdsToGo — For anyone walking around with the Spider-Man version of your mobile phone or tablet (no, I’m not talking about the Marvel superhero), you might want to visit the new NerdsToGo store (photo above center) in the Pebble Creek Collection (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., next to Snowrolls). Local franchise owner, U.S. Air Force vet and long-time Information Technology (IT) “nerd” Michael Varnadore (with scissors, in white shirt) says that interest in the New Tampa location has grown since hosting an NTBC ribbon-cutting event on Aug. 15. With nearly 40 locations in 20 states and growing like the

spread of new technologies, NerdsToGo offers mobile service and support for all Microsoft Windows and Apple products and more. For more info, call (813) 524-5353, visit NerdsToGo.com or see the ad on pg. 4. Morningstar Storage — The newest entry in Wesley Chapel’s self-storage wars is Morningstar Storage, which is located at 28999 Anise Dr., behind Audi Wesley Chapel off S.R. 56 in Wiregrass Ranch. Morningstar held an NTBC ribboncutting event earlier in the day on Aug. 15 than NerdsToGo, and is one of 150 self-storage facilities in more than a dozen U.S. states owned by Morningstar Properties, LLC. For more information, call (813) 5862574 or visit MorningstarStorage.com. Olympus Pools — New Tampa residents James and Alexis Staten were tired of having to drive all the way to the Westshore business

district in order to work at their old showroom, so when Olympus Pools (see ad on pg. 27) outgrew that location, the Statens and their crew began working to open a new showroom a little closer to home. The result? The new Olympus Pools showroom (21859 S.R. 54 in Lutz, between Collier Pkwy. and U.S. Hwy. 41), which is only 15-20 minutes from most of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. Olympus hosted its own NTBC ribboncutting event (photo above far left) on Aug. 17. James says the new showroom also is bigger and more modern, with technology to help you envision the perfect pool, spa or outdoor kitchen before it gets built — and the best installers around to make your dream a reality. “We’re not the number one pool builder in Wesley Chapel for nothing,” James says. “Stop in and find out why.” For more information, call (813) 9837854 or visit OlympusPoolsFL.com.

Congrats, Dr. Dave!

Even though he didn’t have the NTBC put on his ribbon cutting inside the Costco on S.R. 56, congratulations also go out to optometrist Dr. David Scamard and his office manager Eileen Popescu of Excellence in Eyecare. You can visit Dr. Dave’s two-year-old independent optometry office inside Costco — even if you’re not a member of the wholesale club — and his ribbon cutting on Aug. 14 was put on by the Greater Pasco Chamber. If you need more details, or it’s been a while since you had your eyes checked, call (813) 279-7038, visit ExcellenceinEyecare. net or see the ad on pg. 4.

Max’s Pet Market & Salon Is Open!

Congratulations also go out to Paul Spalvieri (left photo on next page), the owner of Max’s Natural Pet Market & Salon (28838 SR 54), which should be open by the

October 31, 2019

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 • September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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time this issue reaches your mailbox. Named for Paul’s Bichon Frisé, Max’s carries a unique variety of all-natural dog and cat foods and treats, plus toys and accessories, and even offers grooming and training. The place is so cool, you really should check it out ASAP — and please tell Paul and his crew I sent you! For more info, visit MaxsPetMarket. com or see the ad on page 14.

Coming Soon: Bubba’s 33!

Congrats also go out to Jeff and Crista Dean, the owners of Bubba’s 33, now going vertical between Ashley Furniture and Texas Roadhouse on S.R. 56, west of I-75. This will be the first location in Florida for Texas Roadhouse’s sports bar concept, which held an NTBC groundbreaking on Sept. 9. For more information, visit Bubbas33.com. — GN

FOR ALL YOUR COSMETIC AND MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY NEEDS.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 • September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel HOME IMPROVEMENT

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM Soft pressure exterior house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing and deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big or small. Experience the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning professional. Licensed and insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate or visit our website. 813-433-6015. DAVID BRIDGES PRESSURE CLEANING Complete exterior cleaning of your home or business with a professional & personal touch. - Pool decks and screen enclosures - All fencing/ driveways and walkways/roofs - Gutter and downspouts. Find your happiness in a fresh, bright clean home. Your neighbors will love you for it! All work guaranteed. Licensed and insured. Call 813-215-1177. DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings and walls, retexturing, popcorn removal, room additions, cracks, holes, plaster and stucco repair. 26 Years Experience. Wesley Chapel resident. State Certified. Call Ron for free estimate: 813-784-5999. TJ’S PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Did your HOA send you a letter ordering you to clean your driveway, house, screened enclosure, fence or even your roof? However, you’re too busy or too tired to clean it. Call or Text TJ, a current 20-year Sheriff’s Department veteran and a professional exterior home cleaning expert. You can trust me with your investment. Call or Text: 727-808-7775. CHARLES POPPE ELECTRIC. Electric of all kinds pools, spas, service changes, new circuts, low voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, trouble shooting, GFCI performance testing, generators. Expert in the field - over 40 years experience. Discount for retired people 50%. Licensed and Insured Master Electrician EC 13002399 - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068. AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years Experience. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Please Google us if you would like to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises. RAYMOND PAINTING. Exterior & Interior Services. Exterior: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Interior: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124.

Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MILLENNIUM HOME REPAIR.Professional Handyman. Cabinet Installation, dry wall repair, tile installation & repair, some plumbing, laminate flooring, light fixtures, interior painting, appliance installation, pressure washing, paneling, window repair, awning installation, carpentry, garbage disposal, fence repair, crown molding, window blinds, seal baths & showers, TV mounting & more. Call 813-400-1408 or email TYCOONUNION@YAHOO.COM.

COMPUTER/BUSINESS SERVICES

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

CLEANING SERVICES

A-to-Z CLEANING AND ORGANIZING. Office-House Cleaning Services! Free estimates. We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. Wesley Chapel Resident. Weekly / Bi-Weekly / One-Time Cleaning / Move-In / Move-Out & DeepCleaning Services. Serving Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-462-1270. B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years experience! Commercial and Residential; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house and post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in or move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates; References available. Call today: 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com D-ULTRA CLEANING SERVICE We have our own supplies and more than 400 clients in New Tampa! For more info, Call 813-758-9710.

HELP WANTED

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

LAWN & LANDSCAPING

POOL SERVICES

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

TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing with outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-8575400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE!

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

TREE SERVICE FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE. 25-years of Professional Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

SALON SPACE AVAILABLE

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

NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS Wesley Chapel owned and operated since 1999. Weekly service. No long term contracts. Mention this AD for one-month Free service. Call 813-907-7322 for details or text Joe at 813-758-7608. AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim-safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY and get ONE MONTH OF QUALITY SERVICE FREE. www.aquatecpool.com

MISCELLANEOUS

CORY LAKE ISLES – COMMUNITY-WIDE RUMMAGE SALE. Don’t miss this SEMI-ANNUAL EVENT on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Household goods, baby items, trinkets, treasures, plants & MORE. BEACH CLUB PARKING LOT, 10441 CORY LAKE DRIVE, TAMPA, FL 33647.

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE Retired Professional Photographer (45+ years experience) in the Tampa Bay Area. Corporate Events, Personal Occasions, Portraiture, Pets, Commercial Photography & Real Estate. Reasonable rates. Call/Text 813-748-3901 or Visit: russellleprephotography.com Our Classified Ads are the ones your neighbors in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel actually read!

COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE 1,850 sq.ft. Commercial/Medical Space Available to Lease. Address: 24420 State Road 54 in Lutz (in the Medi-Weightloss Building). For more info, call 813-2934377 or email: gwillett@mediweightlossclinics.com. CLEAN, SPACIOUS, WELL-MAINTAINED office room rental in TAMPA PALMS. Furnished with 2 large desks and conference table. $500/mo rent includes electric, water and WIFI. Please call (813) 514-6500 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PIANO LESSONS

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

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Topashpainting@Gmail.com 44

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 • September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 27, Issue 20 • September 20, 2019 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Seven Oaks The Ridge Watergrass Williamsburg The Lakes at Northwood Villages ofWesley Chapel Wesley Pointe Westbrook Estates @NTWCNews

As the premier master planned community in the Tampa area, Wiregrass Ranch is home to distinct neighborhoods, schools, leading healthcare and business institutions, parks, entertainment and more. Not to mention one of the best outdoor shopping experiences around. Inspired by the vision of the James H. Porter family, it continues to be a place where families can thrive for generations to come. Discover the heartbeat of Wesley Chapel at TheWiregrassRanch.com