Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 29, Issue 22, October 26, 2021 by Neighborhood News

WESLEY CHAPEL

FLORIDA AVE. BREWING CO.

NEWS

Is it now Florida’s largest craft brewery? Co-owner Anthony Derby leads a tour of Wesley Chapel’s newest & largest microbrewery. See the story on pgs. 36-37!

Volume 29 Issue 22 October 26, 2021

EATING HEALTHY!

Amidst Wesley Chapel’s sea of chain restaurants, new, more nutritious options are popping up. See pgs. 8-9!

WC FALL FEST!

M a k e t h a t F a l l F E A S T, a s 8 0 f o o d trucks roll into town. See pg. 10!

Got A Favorite Restaurant In New Tampa? Vote for it now & win! See pgs. 32-34!

Happy 11th Anniversary, Carmel Friendship Church! See pgs. 18-19!

Falabella Family Bistro...Now, That’s Italian! Check Out Why We Love This Place & Its Owner! See pgs. 38-39! Neighborhood News

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Tom Petty Tribute At Skipper’s Smokehouse — A Fun, But Sad Night By GARY NAGER sharing our love for a true Rock & Roll Hall of Famer somewhow wasn’t there. Editorial Although Scheller & Co. were

It was back in August when I saw the announcement that Skipper’s Smokehouse — the recently reopened, venerable restaurant and music venue in North Tampa — was going to host a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute band in honor of what would have been the late rocker’s 71st birthday. I told Jannah, who is as big a fan of Petty’s music as I am, that I was buying tickets right away — after all, if we can’t ever see Gainesville’s favorite son in person anymore, we might as well go spend an evening sharing our love for him, his band and his music with a few hundred other people at the first live show we’ve attended at Skipper’s since it reopened. The show took place on Oct. 16, four days before Tom’s birthday and twelve days after the fourth anniversary of his passing from what has been ruled an accidental overdose of the prescribed painkillers he took in order to be able to keep performing for his legion of fans. When I bought our tickets online, I didn’t realize that the show, which started at 8 p.m., was actually a twin bill — prior to the Petty tribute by the Broken Hearts Band, the Stevie Nicks Experience (SNE) tribute band opened the show with a full 90+-minute set of tunes by Fleetwood Mac and from Stevie’s solo career. Considering that Nicks and Petty became close friends as part of the Los Angeles rock music scene in the mid-to-late ‘70s, the combination wan’t surprising, but it did make for a long night, especially considering that I was on deadline with this issue. Even so, both bands performed their tribute hits admirably. The SNE got the fans going by rocking out on “The Chain,” “You Make Lovin’ Fun,” “Landslide” and pretty much every recognizable song by Fleetwood Mac and Nicks herself. Although the fans were very receptive to the performance, there were only a few hardcore Nicks lovers dancing to the music and honestly, the set was probably at least 15-30 minutes too long because most everyone in attendance was there (us included) to celebrate Petty’s birthday, not Fleetwood Mac. The SNE closed their set with the PettyNicks duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” with Broken Hearts Band frontman Shawn Scheller coming out from backstage to sing Tom’s part, but his microphone seemed a little off for the song, which made me (and Jannah) a little nervous about how Scheller and his band would sound when it was their turn to take the stage. But, we were wrong. Scheller and the Broken Hearts sounded perfect, from “Jammin’ Me” to open the set to “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and, of course, “American Girl.” The crowd was much more raucous and the dance floor more packed for this second set, but there were very few people under age 50 in attendance and the Skipperdome offers very little seating for attendees, so people with bad knees (like me) were begging for more places to sit during the show. The much sadder thing for us, though, was that the magic we hoped to feel by Neighborhood News

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pretty spot-on with most of their renditions, the performance overall felt more like listening to Tom Petty Radio on Sirius XM in my car than it did a Petty concert, which is what I guess I wanted it to feel like. Yes, I got to sing along with most of my Petty favorites, but I do that whenever Jannah and I go to karaoke bars, so I left feeling a little empty. The show was a too-real reminder that while his music lives on, Tom himself is sadly gone forever

and it seems that no tribute band will ever make me feel the way Tom, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and the rest of the Heartbreakers did. But, speaking of Tom Petty Radio, yours truly will be a guest DJ on the channel’s “The Last DJ” show, where Petty fans get to pick and introduce their five favorite songs by Petty, The Traveling Wilburys, etc. Because he has such a legion of devoted fans, my “Last DJ” segment won’t air until early 2022, but I’ll give you a heads-up once that date is actually announced. RIP, Tom. We miss you.

The Broken Hearts Band performed at Skipper’s on Oct. 16.

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News OUR NEW ADDRESS: 28949 State Road 54 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 • Isabella Douglas Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 29, Issue 22, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, October 11, 2021. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.

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Apartment Moratorium Extended For Another Six Months By JOHN C. COTEY

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Apparently, 180 days was not enough time for Pasco County to determine if the Wesley Chapel area already is saturated with apartment complexes, so the Board of County Commissioners has voted to extend the current moratorium on new applications for multi-family dwellings for an additional 185 days. The initial moratorium was approved in May, retroactive to April 1, 2021. That effectively makes the current ban a oneyear moratorium on new applications, with the deadline extended to April 1, 2022. According to the resolution, the county’s Planning & Development department hired a housing market research firm to examine “the current quantity of multi-family dwelling unit entitlements, current acreage of land zoned for multi-family dwelling units, including the acreage having potential for multifamily units upon approval of a conditional use, and the potential number of multifamily dwelling units available through existing land use equivalency matrices to accurately calculate and determine the true

erty for its original commercial purposes. District 4 commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick was the only commissioner to speak at the Sept. 28 meeting during the time when the moratorium was extended. Fitzpatrick suggested 90 more days instead of 185 for the Planning & Development department’s contractor to complete the entitlement review and market analysis. Moore seemed to take exception, asking Fitzpatrick why she was concerned about the extension. “It’s my district,” Moore said, “so I’m wondering what you’re worried about.” Land is being cleared for the Sentosa Lexington Oaks Apartments, and other previously Fitzpatrick said she was only asking for approved complexes are on the way, but the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners is things to be completed in a more timely trying to cut back on further development of multi-family units. (Photo: Charmaine George) manner. “Sooner than later,” she said. potential for the oversaturation.” north and S.R. 54 to the south, as well as “We have a situation where staff is The delay was requested due to U.S. 41 to the west and Bruce B. Downs slammed with all the projects coming into procedural delays, staffing shortages and Blvd. to the east. the county right now,” Moore replied. complexities associated with accurate data Moore has long argued that the area is “So, you have a choice of pulling them off collection, the resolution stated. oversaturated with apartments. He says he projects that need to be moved forward Commissioner Mike Moore, who has no issue with developers who already now or putting all their energy into this. represents District 2, which includes most have the entitlements to build multi-family That’s your option.” of Wesley Chapel, has aggressively led complexes, but thinks a line should be After some additional crosstalk, Moore the push for the moratorium, since the drawn where developers attempt to rezone then quickly motioned to pass the 185-day moratorium area is mostly in his district — property to build more apartments and moratorium extension, which was on the the target area is between S.R. 52 to the townhomes, as opposed to using the propconsent agenda, which it did by a 5-0 vote.

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The Grove Turns Movie Theater Over To B&B Theatres By JOHN C. COTEY

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Dusted off, cleaned up and renovated by developer Mark Gold after landing on the bankruptcy heap due to coronavirus in 2020, The Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment has been turned over to B&B Theatres, which will take over operations of the 16-screen theater complex. The theater will be renamed B&B Theatres The Grove 16 at Wesley Chapel. According to a press release, the management deal will result in millions of dollars of upgrades, which will include replacing the seating in the downstairs theaters with reclining chairs similar to the ones already used upstairs. Other renovations and amenities will be announced in the future. Founded in 1924, B&B Theatres is a family-owned-and-operated theater company based in Liberty, MO. It is the fifth-largest chain of movie theaters in North America, with 517 screens at 56 locations in Kansas, Iowa, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Virginia, South Carolina,

County planners say the lone remaining property in the parcel above (outlined in red) should be preserved for retail and office space, not more apartments.

North Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Georgia. The Grove will be B&B’s fifth Florida location. SideSplitters Comedy Club will continue to offer comedy shows and Cycle Cinema, featuring spin bikes inside the theater, still plans to open. Both concepts fit in with some of those in place at other B&B Theatres. At one of its downtown Kansas City

theaters, B&B recently added a jazz bar and grill, and has hosted concerts at other locations. Despite concerns about a potential bankruptcy due to the Covid-19 pandemic, B&B Theatres has been aggressively acquiring other theaters and sites over the past year as it instead expands its business. In May, B&B Theatres took over

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its first theater in Washington state and in Minnesota (assuming operations at the Mall of America theater), and in June, the company acquired a former AMC location in Athens, GA, for its first Georgia location. It plans to have that location completely remodeled and reopened by the end of the year. The Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment has been open since February of this year. After purchasing The Grove property for $62.7 million in fall September 2019, Gold and his Mishorim Gold Properties promised a radical makeover of the entire complex. One of the first places he started was the renovation of the former Cobb 16 Movie Theater, whose parent company CMX filed for bankruptcy in April 2020. As we’ve reported in previous issues, Gold upgraded the interior and the food offerings, and transformed some of the theaters into the recently opened Side Splitters and a spin studio, which is still awaiting approval to open. For more information about B&B Theatres, visit BBTheatres.com or Facebook.com/bbtheatres

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Wesley Chapel Keeps Adding Healthy Food & Drink Choices! By JOHN C. COTEY & GARY NAGER With everyone busier than ever, eating right is an option that sometimes just requires too much time. So, instead of going home after work and cooking, a drive-through becomes the easier option after a long day. Need a quick drink? Coffee or a Coke will do the trick. Sweet tooth kicking in? There are plenty of quick, sugary options. But today, especially here in Wesley Chapel, those aren’t your only options. In fact, it seems like more and more new places are popping up in and around our area that are focusing on giving you healthier options to quench those drivetime urges. Here’s a look at a few of them: FITLIFE FOODS: While Fitlife is not new — it’s been located at 1821 Bruce B Downs for six years — it does meet all the criteria as a place that offers a quick, healthy meal or snack. In fact, you can pick up a meal to pop in the microwave at home, or even have the meals delivered to your home to save you a stop. Fitlife takes healthy eating to a new level. Each store — there are twelve in Florida that offer pick-up or delivery — also offers one-on-one health and wellness coaching as part of its Project U. So, if you’re looking to lose weight, have more energy or just eat healthier, Fitlife’s certified wellness coaches can customize a plan for you...for free. They will check your body composition and determine how and what you should eat to achieve your goal, whatever that may be. You could choose to have as many meals, which are all broken down by macros and portioned out, supplied

by Fitlife as you like. While there are many meal delivery companies out there, you have to prepare them yourself and determine the portion and macros yourself. Matthew Soboski, the Community Store Leader (or manager) at the Wesley Chapel location, says Fitlife does all that work for you. He says all 60 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) are prepared in their culinary center in Plant City, and are made with only the best ingredients. There are 39 sauces and 13 special house spice blends used in preparation. Does it taste good? With dishes like Crème Brûlée French Toast, Asparagus & Goat Cheese Torta, Butternut Coconut Curry, Jamaican Pork Tenderloin and Cuban Beef Picadillo, it certainly sounds like it. “The don’t taste healthy,” Soboski says. “But they are.” FitLife may not be a cheap option, but it is a healthy and convenient one, a combination difficult to find when you are strapped for time. For more information, call (813) 365-3255 or visit EatFitlifeFoods.com. BALANCED FOODS: The new prepackaged meal supplier on the block, Balanced Foods (as we reported last issue) is a six-store chain which started in Woodlands, TX, and is now open in the former La Prima Pizza location next to Super Target in the North Woods Plaza at 1211 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (just north of County Line Rd.), only about half a mile south of Fitlife Foods. Balanced Foods offers small, medium and large portions for lunch and dinner and the store’s in-house kitchen provides these fresh, healthy, house-made entrées like roasted vegetable and tenderloin, City Grilled chicken (right) with mashed sweet

Matthew Soboski and Andria Taylor say they haven’t gotten any complaints about the taste and customers love the convenience of FitLife Foods. (Photos: John C. Cotey)

potatoes and green beans and even a really delicious chicken salad snack with glutenfree crackers and celery. Speaking of snacks, Balanced Foods also offers a large variety, including packaged items like yummy ChipMonk banana chocolate chip sunflower Keto Bites and addictive ICON Meals peanut butter vanilla Protein Popcorn. Balanced Foods has a current promotion to get you started — spend $25 and get 20% off when you show a staff member a social media check-in. For more information, call (813) 778-4874 or visit BalancedFoods.com.

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URBAN GRID NUTRITION: Located at 26244 Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz, Urban Grid Nutrition owners Luis and Fiorella (Fio) Diou say their goal is to provide healthier fast food that tastes good. Only open since March, the quaint location has a coffee house feel — though it is currently curbside pickup only — with treats that are healthier than what you can get at other places. “We are basically like a brunch place, but with healthier alternatives,” Fio says. “Everything on our menu has protein, and it’s all very low in sugar. It’s a healthy option for people to have a treat, but still stay on track with their fitness goals.” Fiorella says most of the sweetness in their menu items comes from the fruits and sometimes, stevia is used as an alternative. They cut back on flour and will subsitute protein powder to achieve that healthier balance. Urban Grid’s hottest items are their donuts, which are popular with the local crossfit crowd. They are sweet enough plain, with 18 grams of protein, but you can get them topped with Oreos, Cocoa Pebbles and other sweets. “Instead of three Krispy Kreme donuts, which I love don’t get me wrong, if you get three of ours instead, it makes a huge difference,” says Luis. Urban Grid offers healthy shakes, energizing teas, waffles (only 300 calories, and with 35 grams of protein), oats and açai bowls that all have less sugar, more protein and still taste like a guilty pleasure. A Dulce de Leche and Cookies n’ Cream shake, for example, has 200 calories, 24 grams of protein and only 10 grams of sugar. And, you can pay for extra protien, fat reducer, fiber of probiotics if you choose.

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Healthier waffles (above) are popular at Urban Grid Nutrition on Wesley Chapel Blvd.

A skinny coffee has 100 calories and 15 grams of protein, and there are sugar-free “Refresher” teas — with flavors like Gummy Bear, Urban Mojito and Starburst — made with green tea extract that have only 15 calories. Luis and Fiorella live healthy lifestyles, and are committed to their fitness. And, their store caters to the athlete on a strict diet. But, Luis says, after eating right and exercising all week, “it’s nice to have a treat, and nice to have those healthier options.” For more information, call (813) 388-9278 or visit “UrbanGrid Nutrition” on Facebook.

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REFUEL ENERGY & NUTRITION: Another non-chain newcomer to the Wesley Chapel nutritional scene, Refuel is located at 30004 County Line Rd. in Meadow Pointe (in the small plaza next to CVS) and specializes in healthier, lower-sugar beverages which can be enhanced with fiber, protein, probiotics, “new mom” boosts and more. Co-owners Jemilla Smart and Ellie Garza are proud that their quaint little store has attracted everyone from serious athletes to post-natal moms trying to lose the baby weight. “Our shakes, smoothies, teas and refreshers are lower in calories, carbs and sugar and are higher in protein than what you’ll find at the other smoothie shops,” Jemila (photo below) says. “Here, you can enjoy sweet treats that taste like your favorite ice cream, cakes, candy, cookies and other sweet treats, without any of the guilt!” Smoothies at Refuel Energy are meal replacements with just 250 calories, only 13 carbs and 8 grams of sugar, with 24 grams of protein and 21 essential vitamins and nutrients. Refuel Energy’s low-calorie teas come in more than 50 flavors — from Airheads to white peach sangria (with no alcohol) — and they all contain caffeine to jumpstart your metabolism. You can even add “enhancers” to your tea or refresher, everything from collagen to protein and they can even be made with sparkling water. “We are focused on optimum nutrition and fitness for everyone,” Jemila says. “This isn’t a diet. It’s a way to live your best life!” For more info, call (813) 388-9122 or search “RefuelTampa” on Facebook.

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Trick Or ...Truck? Food Trucks In The Spotlight At The WC Fall Festival By JOHN C. COTEY

Organizer Recommends These Food Trucks:

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The World’s Largest Food Truck Rally 12 may not break the all-time record for largest food truck parade Halloween weekend at the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO), but it will have enough food on hand that we can heartily suggest wearing stretchy pants. The rally, according to organizer Jeremy Gomez, is expecting roughly 80 trucks for the Oct. 30-31 event, which will be held 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. That truck number was as of our press time, and is expected to grow. The World’s Largest Food Truck Rally, a traveling caravan of cuisine, set the Guinness World Record for the largest food truck parade in 2014, with 125 food trucks at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It will headline the 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, essentially taking the place of the usual carnival rides and turning the festival into a fall foodie-palooza. Drew Cecere of Florida Penguin Productions, which is organizing the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival along with the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, says the change was made to mix things up this year, as well as to alleviate the event’s competition with other area fall festivals that rely on rides. “We went in a totally different direction this year,” Cecere says. “This will help us reach a totally different demographic.”

The Wesley Chapel Fall Festival will still offer live music, kids activities like bounce houses and a host of local vendors. There will be a pumpkin patch, pet costume contest, face painting and a Miss and Mr. Pumpkin Patch pageant. On Sunday, the popular Trunk or Treat event will begin at 4 p.m., before regular trick-or-treating begins. Tickets to the event are $10, and can be purchased at eventbrite. com by searching “Wesley Chapel Fall Festival.” For more information, visit Facebook.com/ WesleychapelFallFestival. As for the food vendors, there will be a variety of local trucks along with those that travel with the rally.

We asked World’s Largest Food Truck Rally organizer Jeremy Gomez to give us a quick breakdown of some of the more unqiue, and delicious, offerings scheduled for the rally at TPO: TACOS Y SNACKS EL INDIO: One of the most authentic Mexican trucks around, and the owners are the hardest working I know. HORHAY’S MAC & CHEEZ: Absolutely amazing mac dishes. Comfort foods with a modern twist like their Ghost Pepper Mac N Cheez. RENEGADE BURGER COMPANY: Best burgers around. RED ZEPPELIN ROCKING LOBSTER: Lobster Rolls from heaven. TRES SUSPIROS HANDMADE BRAZILIAN CHOCOLATE: The absolute best chocolate around. Works of art. Brigadeiro Chocolate is a skill that CUISINE: They make amazing food. not everyone can master... and Chef Amy They follow us all over the country, has done that. These are works of art and four generations work the truck...and taste even better. they are all awesome. Their mix of HOTT MESS: Tater Tots like no Spanish/ Cuban/Puerto Rican style other! Everyone does tots now... Hott is super refined, and is hard to find at Mess has been doing them always, they other places. wrote the book. They also have some PHILLY T’S CHEESESTEAK amazing giant breaded pork sandwiches AND PO’BOYS: His sandwiches that are really hard to find this far south. (pictured above) are just amazing.. and SHEFU: Super authentic Chicago they also follow us all over the country Style Dogs and more. And, they also DAVIS ISLAND VIBES: are just amazing people. We know its Amazing tropical fruit beverages served “just” a small Chicago-style hotdog inside a pineapple. They have been a trailer, but the owners go out of their major hit every year..and its because the way to import everything from Chicago, drinks are fantastic. making it truly authentic, and hard to PAMZ PIZZA CONEZ: They find down here. take pizza and make them into these SMOKIN MOMMA LORA’S cones that you can hold... so they are BBQ: Some serious serious BBQ like cups of amazing pizza goodness... glammed out to the hilt. Her BBQ is on that you can then eat...really clever. another level. TREE DOG ROOTS: Absolutely amazing mash, veggie dishes, and everything else. The owner is so sweet and has been at this for a long time...really knows her flavors. Her specialty is mashes and root vegetables, which by itself is rare.. but what she does with them is Food trucks (like Chazito’s, Latin Cuisine, above), pumpkins (top left amazing. photo), vendors and a pageant for kids, as well as the always popular CHAZITO’S Trunk-or-Treat, will highlight this year’s revamped Wesley Chapel Fall LATIN Festival, which will be held at the Tampa Premium Outlets Oct. 30-31.

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Other Halloween Events In/Near Our Area The New Tampa Family YMCA (16221 Compton Dr., Tampa Palms) is holding “Trick or Treat around the Y!” on Friday, October 29, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. There will be candy, face painting and crafts for those participating. The event is free. The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center (6585 Simons Rd. in Zephyrhills) is hosting its first annual Halloween Dog Show (see ad, right) on Saturday, October 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It costs $20 to enter your dog, and there will be prizes for the top 3 dogs, as well as raffles, gift doggie bags, a bounce castle and more. Plus, 25% of all proceeds will be donated to Allie Cares, a nonprofit organization which offers free medical care treatment options for animals and families in need. For more information, call (813) 361-6660. The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County (see ad on pg. 30) is hosting its second annual “Halloween Hullabaloo” on Saturday, October 30, noon-4 p.m. The event will feature a 3v3 basketball tournament, a 5v5 indoor soccer tournament and a volleyball tournament. The cost is $100 to register each team. There also will be activities for kids in the lobby from 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for spectators. For more information, or to register, visit Wiregrass-Sports.com.

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Quail Hollow Girl Donates 70 Backpacks To Local Shelter By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent

Rachael Mendohlson, an 11-year-old who lives in Quail Hollow, says her life is pretty idyllic. “I’m blessed and lucky to live on a beautiful ranch with my parents and sister,” she says, where she helps care for 40 chickens, 20 cows, five cats and two rabbits. That’s why, when she heard about a kid her age in Kansas who provided gifts to children staying in a homeless shelter, she thought she could do something similar in her community. Rachael asked her dad, Lane, to help her get started. Lane sought out a family shelter in Pasco County and found out that Rachael’s timing couldn’t have been better, as the county’s very first shelter that accommodates families is opening this month in Port Richey. Rachael’s plan was to pack new backpacks with toys and activities so that kids arriving at the shelter would be greeted with a bag full of new items just for them. To fund her idea, she planned to use one dollar from every dozen eggs she and her sister sold from their egg business. That’s where Lane stepped in again, offering that his company, Vantagepoint AI, would pay for the backpacks and toys so that Rachael could have enough funds to make an impact quickly, making a donation that would pay for 70 backpacks, along with toys and activities to fill the backpacks. Rachael and her sister, 8-year-old Abby, sorted the toys by age and packed all of the bags themselves, including items such as coloring books, colored pencils, a book, fidget toys, and magnetic drawing toys for the younger kids, while choosing items such as a watch and a hat for older kids. “Being a girl and going to school, I know Pop Its fidget toys are very popular,” she said, “so I made sure to include a lot of those.”

Rachael (left) and Abby Mendelsohn

In early October, Rachael was invited to bring her donations to the new shelter and speak to invited guests at the shelter’s opening ceremony. She said that if she can do something good to bring someone else happiness, that’s what she wants to do. “I hope a kid will see the backpack and think, ‘Oh my gosh, someone really cares about me,’ and that will give a little spark to make someone happy,” Rachael says. Lane says he wants to pass on what learned from his parents to the next generation. “I want to instill those values of gratitude and giving people a hand when they need it in my own daughters,” Lane says. “It’s so important that they grow up that way.” It seems he’s doing just that, as Lane says that Abby has expressed interest in finding her own way to give back, thanks to her inspiring older sister. “Giving back is my way of saying thank you,” Rachael says, “because I’m grateful that I have such an amazing life.”

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Grand Hampton: The Movie Series By JOHN C. COTEY

them hanging,” Capers said. So, he didn’t. He shot two more episodes with his son, basing the story on A strange alien-like creature is chained an idea that has been bouncing around his to the wall. Four kids lay motionless on head for years — where a community that is the floor, marked with blood. A menacing comprised entirely of people in the witness woman in a white lab coat steps over them protection program is used to harvest the to talk to a baby girl dangling from the lungs of those who won’t be missed. ceiling. A light fog flows through the scene. With requests for more episodes, This is just a regular Wednesday or Capers started asking for Thursday night in the Grand community volunteers Hampton garage of 45-yearto play roles in the old Antony Capers, where, on production. this night, he is filming another Richard Villarino was episode of his quirky, campy, first, playing a neighbor in creepy — and even funny — Episode 3 concerned that web video series that has much children were disappearing. of his community buzzing. Another neighbor, Capers, a freelance Annette Simmons-Brown, designer who owns his own sent in a head shot and, production company, Reelistic perhaps because her bald Tales, is an accomplished head (at the time) gave her painter, graphic designer and a more minacious look, was has even written and illustrated pegged to be the evil Dr. children’s books. He also Annette, the harvester of is the creator of “Grand t’s really a labor of kids’ lungs, a few episodes Hampton: The Movie Series.” later. love for me. I’ve met He says the series, “I don’t know why he which so far has posted 16 so many of my neighbors, picked me...but I’m glad he episodes and can be viewed and it’s become a closedid,” Simmons-Brown says. on YouTube by searching for knit production of new “It’s been so much fun. “Grand Hampton Movie,” friends.”— Antony Capers If I had to rate the whole has changed his life. The experience on a scale of series has 151 subscribers, and of “Grand Hampton” 1-to-10, I’d give it a 15.” roughly 6,000 total views. Taabish Ajaney, a 15-year-old North A party was held in the Grand Hampton Tampa Christian Academy student, clubhouse for the Season 2 premiere. messaged Antony on Facebook looking for a He doesn’t get paid to do the show — a role. He landed a part, but also has extensive new episode is posted each Sunday — but editing experience and has taken on the role he says it has brought him the kind of joy of intern, helping shoot many of the scenes. that is priceless. “It’s really a labor of love Julia Rees, a 26-year-old medical school for me,” Capers says. “I’ve met so many of student, donned a red hood, black makeup my neighbors, and it’s become a close-knit streaked across her face and a 10-inch knife production of new friends.” while emerging in the Season 1 finale as a What began as a short 45-second clip mysterious hero...or perhaps a villain. morphed into a series of short episodes “He just said I’d be a bad ass,” says filmed exclusively in Grand Hampton, Rees. “I’m not sure where the character is starring only the community’s residents. going, but I’m along for the ride.” “It’s like my Hollywood playground Roughly 50 neighbors, many who gathered back here,” says Capers, a Queens, NY native. to watch the filming of the latest episode, have Which is not how it all began. His initial played roles. Kelly and Lura Mulroy and Latasha 45-second clip of his son Merric staring Scurry play television anchors, Henry Scurry out across a lake in a trance, pointing at is convincing — and arguably the best actor in something only he could see, was done for the series — as the head bad guy, and Ishban Capers’ portfolio. Howard has played multiple roles, including one But, he decided to post the clip on as the chained up alien. Grand Hampton’s community Facebook page Nicole Reber is another bad guy for fun, and the rest, as they say, is history. who made her debut recently in Season 2, “Everybody who commented asked Episode 3, and her three children — Ashton, what Merric was looking at, and not to leave john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Above: The scene that started it all for “Grand Hampton: The Movie Series,” with Antony Capers and his son Merric. Below: “Your young lungs can save my planet,” the evil Dr. Annette (played by Annette Simmons-Brown, bottom) tells baby Jahnai. (Top of next page) Julia Rees frees Jahnai.

“I

Dylan and Skyla — were all snatched by the aliens in the same episode. Others have helped build sets and set up other scenes, while Capers’ next door neighbor Chace Scurry not only played a part, but her infant daughter Jahnai was the one dangling from the ceiling while mom nervously looked on. “Can you believe she let me do that?,” Capers says, chuckling. Jordan Caviggia read about the show on Facebook, and brought his son Jaxon, 9, to the most recent shoot, where he played one of the children in the garage. “It sounded like it’s a fun time, and I thought Jaxon would enjoy it,” Jordan said. Capers thanked him for showing up, and asked the elder Caviggia if he was interested in having a part, too. Five days later, Caviggia filmed a scene playing the head of a newsroom. “This has really ended up being about bringing people together,” he says. “It’s not about the show. I mean, there’s a story there, but it’s about community. It’s weird, and it’s a weird thing that’s happening, and I love it.” Would Capers love for his show to catch the eye of a Hollywood executive? Of course. “If not, I’ll just keep filming with my friends,” he says.

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Carmel Friendship Church Celebrates Its 11th Anniversary! If you’re looking for a new church home for your family, I can’t imagine a more welcoming Christian environment than what I experienced during my first-ever visit to Carmel Friendship Church, which has been located in its own building next to the Wesley Chapel school complex on Wells Rd. since 2011 (although the church didn’t purchase the building until 2014). I visited Carmel Friendship Church for its 11th anniversary — the church started meeting at the home of Pastors Quincy (Pastor Q) and Jennifer Stratford and their children in 2010 and moved to Benito Middle School in New Tampa on Easter Sunday in 2011 — on Oct. 10 and I have to say that, as a member of the Jewish faith who has attended many Christian churches in years past, I have rarely, if ever, felt the warmth and love I felt from everyone I met at this very special place. I walked in a few minutes after the church’s music program had begun and was blown away by the talent of the dancers and choir singers, especially soloists Morgan Mackall, Curlin Beck and Chris Sampson. Many of the dancers appeared to be young teens, but the music, under the direction of Kazi Whitfield, and choreography were impeccable and beautiful to watch and hear. The inspirational message given by the

(Top, l.-r.) Carmel Friendship Church Senior Pastor Quincy Stratford; visiting Pastor Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, who gave the inspirational message; one of the many dancers accompanying the singers (below), including amazing soloist Morgan Mackall (2nd from left).

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Stratfords’ friend, visiting Pastor Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, quoted scripture from both the Old and New Testament to illustrate how the Holy Spirit is a Real, Divine and Unique person who provides comfort to all of those who believe. And, Dr. Bradley’s message fit right in with Carmel Friendship Church’s motto of “Real God. Purpose. People.” Before the blessings and closing messages given at the end of the service by Pastor Q and Pastor Jennifer, another close friend of theirs, cancer survivor Patrice Kissentaner Starks, whose health issues prevented her from being able to visit her friends for several years, told how much the support of the Stratford family and her faith have helped and meant to her. The service was followed by a free barbecue meal and a cake to celebrate the church’s anniversary. Carmel Friendship Church (30081 Wells Rd.) offers both adult and children’s services at 9 a.m. on Sundays and Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 991-1300, see the ad on pg. 41 of this issue or visit CFriendship.org. — GN

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As We Grow Counseling Helps Children & Young Adults With Special Needs By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent For 14 years, the licensed therapists at As We Grow Counseling have helped people of all ages in Wesley Chapel and the surrounding areas tackle relationships and personal growth. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Melissa Amaya started the practice in Seven Oaks in 2007, when her son, Ethan, was born. He has special needs and was often at therapy appointments five days a week, so starting her own practice gave her the flexibility to care for him. Now that he’s older, Melissa has found another way to help him and others like him meet some of their unique challenges. Game Nights hosted by As We Grow Counseling have been an effective way of improving the As We Grow Counseling is offering social well-being of of children and young adults with special needs. (Photos: Charmaine George) opportunities for kids and young adults, Work (BSW) degree from Monmouth When she couldn’t find such a ages 4-21, with ADS, ADD/ADHD, University in New Jersey, and then her program, she decided to tackle it herself, learning disabilities and other unique needs Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and began offering groups in June. to socialize and learn life and social skills. with a specialization in Family & Child “I need to do what I enjoy and what “One of my son’s disabilities is Therapy from Fordham University in comes from the heart,” Melissa explains. autism,” says Melissa, “so I was trying to New York City in 1997. And she asks, “Who better to start these find a group to help him learn social skills, When she first went to college, than someone who is a clinician and like how to start conversations with other Melissa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree competent in this area, who also is a mom kids and about unwritten social cues, and in communications and advertising. who has a child with special needs?” also life skills, like how to do laundry and However, when she went to work in Melissa earned a Bachelor of Social go grocery shopping.”

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the pharmaceutical industry, she quickly realized she wanted to do work that was more meaningful to her. She says As We Grow Counseling helps people in many ways throughout their lives. “You grow as a couple, as an adult, or even as a senior citizen, but you’re still growing and learning.” As We Grow sees people of all ages for therapy, from kids as young as age three up to adults, including couples and individuals. The practice currently has 20 clinicians who all work part time. Melissa says most are doing teletherapy, but some clinicians are beginning to return to in-person counseling sessions. They work during the day, in the evening, and on weekends, including both Saturdays and Sundays.

Groups & Special Events

While she believes that individual counseling can be effective for kids with special needs, she recognizes that they often already spend big chunks of their time at appointments such as physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, so she recognizes the benefits of the social and life skills groups. “When we do the groups, they learn so much from their peers,” she says. “It’s a

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more comfortable setting for them.” Groups are offered for children ages four to 19, broken down by age group, and kids with any disability can participate. There is one group just for girls, while other groups are mixed. “It helps them with confidence building,” Melissa explains. “A lot of kids with special needs also have anxiety, which Jeanne Harrison (left) and Melissa Amaya. prevents them from fully feeling resentful of the differences he has interacting with their noticed between himself and other kids. peers, getting a job, and even advocating “It’s a blessing to have found for themselves at school — just to ask for something in the midst of a storm,” says help if they need it. These are skills they Shonda, who also has been a therapy need everywhere in life.” patient of Melissa’s for several years. And then, to practice the skills they Ahmari started middle school this year, are learning in their groups, As We Grow which Shonda admits was a little scary, Counseling now offers Game Nights and especially since she was exhausted from the special “bonus” events. daily phone calls she was getting last school These might be cooking classes, year. But, her son’s involvement in the As pottery painting, an outing to watch a We Grow programs has been beneficial. Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game, or “I just talked with his school counselor going to Pinot’s Palette or Main Event. A and she says he’s doing great,” Shonda field trip to an Escape Room was planned says. “I haven’t gotten one call from a for October and an outing to Grand Prix teacher, and he has six teachers now! He Tampa for go-karts and miniature golf is also has outstanding grades.” planned for November. She thinks some of the growth she’s While the special events require an seen is because, at Game Nights, he’s advance RSVP, Game Nights do not. around both guys and girls of all different They are for ages 5-21 and include crafts, ages, and they are showing him maturity. dancing, a movie, indoor badminton, corn “He started off quiet and now he’s hole, pizza and even visits from therapy raising his hand and loves to sing and dogs, when they are available. dance,” she says. “It allows him to be him Melissa heads up Game Nights with in his own element without having to an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) worry about any judgement.” teacher, Jeanne Harrison, and the support Shonda adds that she really appreciates of volunteers. the hour or two she gets to herself while Upcoming Game Nights will be held Ahmari is at his skills group or Game Fridays November 5 and 19, at the Seven Nights, whether she uses it to go grocery Oaks Community Clubhouse, 6 p.m.-8 shopping or just sit in her car and enjoy the p.m. The cost is $20 per child. peace and quiet. Parents are welcome to stay but can “It’s amazing,” Shonda says. “I hope choose to drop their children off. Kids can Melissa can branch out to more parents. I come to all of the activities, or just the ones don’t know where I’d be without (As We that interest them or fit their schedule. Grow Counseling) and without her.” The social skills groups have limited As We Grow Counseling is located space and are generally paid by insurance. in Seven Oaks at 2240 Twelve Oaks As We Grow Counseling takes all major Way, Suite 101. To learn more about insurance plans except Medicaid and also the opportunities for children with accepts the Gardiner Scholarship. special needs, call Melissa on her cell “There’s a huge need,” Melissa says. phone at (813) 442-2971 or see the ad “The biggest hurdle I have is getting the on page 25 of this issue. word out to people.” To make an appointment, Shonda Brown is mom to Ahmari, an call (813) 838-4807. Or, to learn 11-year-old with high-functioning autism more about the practice, visit and ADHD. She recently noticed that he AsWeGrowCounseling.com. has struggled with some issues, such as Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Esthetics813 Helps Renew Your Mind, Body And Spirit By JOHN C. COTEY

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Kyymara Rose Scott has owned Esthetics813 for seven years and, in that time, she says she has lost count of the number of clients who have entered looking or feeling frazzled who left with a little slice of peace and happiness. Providing that transformation is exactly why Kyymara started Esthetics813, which is located at the northwest corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and County Line Rd., in front of the Super Target (a few doors down from Anytime Fitness). Kyymara says she knows all about feeling frazzled, and the need to undo that feeling. When she was in her early thirties, life threw everything it had at her. First was a divorce, followed by a job selling insurance that she hated, followed by a cancer diagnosis. “It was the most horrible, painful experience of my life,” she says. In between cancer treatments, when Kyymara needed some zen, she visited a spa for soft massages — her body was too run down from cancer treatments to tolerate a traditional massage — and facials. They helped her relax and escape, if even for only a few minutes. One day, while waiting in the lobby for her appointment, she couldn’t help but stare at the woman working there, and her big smile. “I asked her, ‘Are you always this happy, or is this just for us?,’” Kyymara recalled. “And she told me, ‘I work at a spa, everybody is happy to come here. Why wouldn’t I be happy?’” It was that moment that Kyymara says set her on a path that led her to open Esthetics 813, where she runs a spa that relishes wellness, renewal of your spirit and satisfying happy clients by offering a plethora of comforting and revitalizing services. In fact, Kyymara urges you to check it out for yourself. Esthetics813 will off complimentary consultations (a $45 value) at its Client Appreciation Event on Thursday, November 11, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. (more on this event appears below). Although she had attended the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, NY, for advertising when she was younger, Kyymara reversed course and returned to the Dominican Republic, where she spent much of her youth, and attended a skin care institute for 18 months. She then returned to the U.S. and studied Esthiology for a year at the Aveda 24

The team at Esthetics 813 (l.-r.) includes Crystal Santos, Kurt Wickiser, Hannah Mazzilli, owner Kyymara Rose Scott, Tyra Richardson and Anna Mazzei. (Photo: Charmaine George)

Institute in Clearwater before opening the original Esthetics813 in the Windfair Professional Center behind Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in 2013. As her business grew, so did the need for a larger space. In 2019, Esthetics813 moved in front of the SuperTarget. She says that unlike other “closed cabin” type designs, Esthetics813 is loft-style, like you might find in Europe, California or even the Dominican Republic, where Kyymara used to wash hair as a teenager at a spa so she could afford to get her own hair done every Saturday. Because a different location fell through, Kyymara says the current spa was built with “blood, sweat and tears in the 11th hour.” She says she couldn’t have done it without husband Kurt “The Duke” Wickiser. Lourdes Alers has been coming to Esthetics813 since the original spa opened in the Windfair Professional Center. With her husband working and her kids at a friend’s house, Lourdes decided to pop in at an Open House. “I was going to get a free swag bag and then take off, but I ended up being the first one there and the last one to leave,” she says. “I booked a facial and I haven’t looked back since. (Kyymara) works her magic and I trust her completely.” Esthetics813, however, offers more than just facials. It offers body sculpting and wraps, microneedling, waxing and

tanning, various light treatments and a variety of spa packages. Kyymara strongly believes that visiting a spa shouldn’t only be a birthday present or an occasional treat for you; it should be a regular part of your wellness and self care. And in fact, she says the majority of her clients come in once or twice a week. Clients are provided a robe and a glass of water or wine, and all of their personal items — especially their cell phones — are put away in a locker. The spa’s staff — Anna Mazzei, Tyra Richardson, Crystal Santos and Hanna Mazzilli — make it a personal experience by remembering what you like, right down to your drink preference. The most popular treatments are often seasonal and, for this time of year, “everything that has to do with stripping away the old and rejuvenations are very popular,” Kyymara says. “That includes chemical peels, micro-needling and miraculously, and to my delight, body treatments.”

The Art Of Body Sculpting

Body sculpting is the most requested spa treatment, which Kyymara thinks may be a byproduct of the Covid-19 pandemic, which trapped people inside and led to many of us putting on a few extra pounds. Body sculpting (see after-andbefore photos on the next page) involves

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eliminating cellulite and localized fat through muscle therapy and non-invasive ultrasonic cavitation, which uses vibrations to break down fat cells, which can then be expelled via lymphatic massages. Other popular body treatments are waxing and tanning. “These were all very popular in the Dominican Republic,” Kyymara says. “I tried to get people to like it here but couldn’t at first. But now I’m like, ‘Yes!’” Esthetics813 also has two nurse practitioners on staff to administer Botox and other fillers, which remain go-to treatments for many. Another offering at Esthetics813 is Red Light Therapy (RLT; see photo above), which Kyymara says was created by NASA “so it’s actually rocket science!” Kyymara says RLT helps cells bind themselves together again, which helps skin and muscle tissue re-tighten, helping to reduce wrinkles, cellulite and sagging. Blue Light Treatment (BLT) oxygenates your skin, helping with acne, and Green Light Treatment (GLT) helps reduce inflammation, Kyymara says. Kyymara thinks there are many things that differentiate her spa from others, and one she is most pleased about is that facials at Esthetics813 are oxygen-centric, as opposed to merely products with oxygen in them. “We use actual oxygen,” she says. “It’s antibacterial and we infuse it, so it penetrates the skin. It fills, plumps and gives you a nice glow. It’s a more advanced facial.” Kyymara says Esthetics813 uses Neighborhood News

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top-of-the-line effective products like HydroPeptide, PCA SKIN and FUSION. Always looking to offer the latest and the greatest, Kyymara says her spa will soon be offering a Blow Out Bar, to liven up your hair-do, If you want to look more like the photo on the left, try the body which is expected to sculpting and tanning services offered at Esthetics813. open by Nov. 1. Wesley Chapel Rotary Club and recently There are even treatments for men, organized a fashion show that raised including facials and upper and lower $1,600 for Bridging Freedom, a child and body waxing. human trafficking rescue organization. “We even have man-sized slippers She has even run a diaper drive for the and robes, so you can be comfortable and Oasis Pregnancy Care Center. not feel like you are tip-toeing around in a Esthetics813 is located at 1051 woman’s space,” Kyymara says. Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Its hours by Kurt jokes that while men may be appointment are Monday-Friday, 10 hesitant to try the spa, “Once you try it a.m.-7 p.m., and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call you won’t want to leave.” (813) 474-4486, visit esthetics813. Each service can be purchased com or see the ad on page 39. individually, and Esthetics813 also offers The Client Appreciation Event will VIP memberships. Groups and parties be held on Thursday, November 11, 4 also are welcome. p.m.-7 p.m., and will include spa demos Because the community has been and promos, free food and cocktails, so good to her, Kyymara does what as well as Botox specials. The first 50 she can to be good to it, too. She is an guests to RSVP for the event will receive Ambassador for the North Tampa Bay a free swag bag when they arrive. Chamber of Commerce, a member of the

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Cricket Available To Area Youths In Wesley Chapel and New Tampa By JOHN C. COTEY

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While many Wesley Chapel and New Tampa parents can sign their kids up for leagues in sports like baseball, basketball, football and soccer that they themselves played as kids, the same opportunity hasn’t existed for the area’s large Indian population. But now, that has changed. Nagesh Nayak and Prahlad Madabhushi, the president and managing director, respectively, of the Tampa Premier League (TPL) — which is based at Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Rd. — have begun holding youth cricket camps at New Tampa’s Community Park on Thursday nights. The hope is to take younger kids and spark interest, and provide the tools and knowledge, in a game that is near and dear to the hearts of their parents and their Indian culture. “The reason we started it was there was a great deal of interested parents, asking if there was any cricket coaching for their kids,” said Madabhushi. “There is a large Indian population in New Tampa, so there was a lot of demand.” Nayak and Madabhushi reached out to City of Tampa Council member Luis Viera for a place to hold their camps, and Viera helped secure the New Tampa location. While you can find kids learning how to play in the streets and playgrounds in India (like American children learn baseball, basketball and soccer), that is not the case for cricket in the U.S. Nor are there any leagues for younger players, like Little League baseball or Pop Warner football. Nayak says he would like to provide something close to that for interested players in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. The goal is to develop new players who could then advance to playing actual matches in local adult leagues. Roughly 40 eager players showed up on Sept. 23 for the first New Tampa camp, which has 4-6 coaches available to teach each week. The kids, who range in age from 5 to 16, are shown how to throw and hit the ball, while also learning the rules of the game. “I think everyone liked what they were experiencing,” says Nayak, an accomplished cricket player himself. “Hitting the ball, throwing the ball, catching the ball....especially hitting the ball...they enjoyed it.” Madabhushi has been pleased with the early reception to the camps. “It’s been amazing,” he says. “The 28

Young New Tampa residents are learning how to play cricket at youth cricket camps led by (below left, l.-r.) Ash Suvarna, Dhir Shah, Nagash Nayak, Prahlad Madabhushi and Srikanta Patra at the New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms.

kids are so into it, some of them don’t want to go home. And, the parents appreciate it as well.” While the first camp hosted all children of Indian parents, Nayak says the camps are open to everyone. In fact, he says, because of the similarity to baseball — both sports involve a pitcher (called a bowler in cricket) throwing to a batter whose goal is to hit the ball — he’d be interested to see current and former baseball players take a shot at cricket. “I think that would be a good transfer of talent,” he says. Nayak and other adult players in the area typically play on Saturdays and Sundays on a makeshift pitch on some extra, unused land at the Wesley Chapel District Park. Their hope is to eventually secure a regulation field, level and wellmaintained, at the same park, for future matches and tournaments. As the new players at the New Tampa camp develop and learn the game, they could graduate to games in Wesley

Chapel with the better players. “Out of the kids we had out there, 25 are between the ages of 5-12,” said Madabhushi. “But, there’s also about 8 or 10 of them who are ages 13-16, who we can take it to the next level. The first step is to move up to the adult league, and when they get familiar with that

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level, to take them to tournaments.” Weather permitting, the camps are held every Thursday from 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. and cost $70 for eight weeks of training. For more information, email tampapremierleague@gmail.com, or visit Facebook @TampaCricket.

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Local HS Standouts By JOHN C. COTEY

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With fall season winding down, here’s a look of some of the area’s top performers this month: HALEY STRAWSER: The 5’-9” sophomore outside hitter for Wiregrass Ranch High, pictured above going up for a kill against Cypress Creek on Oct. 12, may have peaked at the right time, with volleyball district playoffs beng held last week. Strawser, who helped the Bulls to an 8-9 regular season record, had a careerhigh 19 kills twice this month, in a win over Fivay and a loss to Cypress Creek. For the regular season, Strawser averaged 9.3 kills a match, but over the final five games, averaged 13 kills a match. CHLOE DANIELSON: The best volleyball player in Wesley Chapel? That’s easy, it’s Danielson, the junior outside hitter for the Wesley Chapel Wildcats, who broke her own school record for kills in a season. Danielson had 242 kills during the regular season (and an impressive 46 percent kill rate), to top her previous best of 216 kills her freshman season in 2019. In the regular season finale against Sunlake on Oct. 7, she registered 28 kills — her career -best for a single match -following a 22-kill effort in only three sets against Cypress Creek. BRYSON ROGERS: The Wiregrass Ranch junior Wide receiver is likely to go down as one of Pasco County’s best ever by the time he’s done playing high school ball. He definitely has been playing lately like a guy with offers from colleges like Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Oregon.

After a slow start to the season, Rogers (above) has turned seven of his last 13 catches into touchdowns, and has 339 receiving yards on the season. CARLIE ORTIZ: The Cypress Creek sophomore prevented a clean sweep by Osceola High at the Land O’Lakes Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 9, finishing fifth in 20 minutes. Osceola took the top four spots, but Ortiz beat out the sixth-place finisher by 1 second. Ortiz also won the River Ridge Invitational in September in 20:20, giving the Coyotes the sweep (Zack Poekert won the boys race) of both varsity races.

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Here’s Your Last Chance To Win Free Dining In Our Annual Survey & Contest!

The Switch Is On! As I mentioned last issue, in this issue, Wesley Chapel residents will get to vote for their favorite restaurants in New Tampa, after having two issues to vote for their favorites in The Chap. I know a lot of you enjoy at least some of those New Tampa eateries as much as I do, so why not give you a chance to vote for those favorites, too? The best news, for you, is that by voting for your New Tampa-area faves, you’ll have an additional chance to win free dining — and who doesn’t love that? On page 33 (right), we have listed what I believe is every non-fast-food restaurant located in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code, plus those located in the Palms Connection plaza on Bearss Ave. near Bruce B. Downs Blvd. As always, in case I missed any New Tampa restaurants — or if you really prefer Chick-fil-A or Jersey Mike’s to the restaurants we’ve listed — you can write in up to five restaurants in the spaces provided, as long as your write-ins are located in zip code 33647. If you’re not sure if your write-in favorites are located in New Tampa proper, please Google search them to make sure, as some people this year have already written in restaurants located in other areas.

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Then, on page 34, there are the same five additional categories — Favorite Pizza Place, Favorite Dessert Place, Favorite Latin and Asian Restaurants and Favorite Bar — that have appeared the last two issues in our Wesley Chapel Survey, only this time, in New Tampa. The same rules as always still apply, as in order for your entry to be considered for one of our three free dining prizes — $100, $60 and $35 gift cards to the restaurant of your choice in the Tampa Bay area — you must select or write-in five restaurants on page 33 and select or write-in one restaurant or bar in at least three of the five categories on page 34 or none of your votes will count! You also must still include your first and last name, complete address (including zip code and the community you live in) and valid daytime phone number and email address and mail the entry form to us no later than Monday, November 8, in order to be eligible to vote and win. You also can now submit entries in both markets by going to NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net and completely filling out the entry form with the same info by the same date. Have fun! — GN

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2021 Reader Dining Survey & Contest! Your Chance to Win $100, $60 or $35 in FREE Gift Cards to the Restaurant of Your Choice in the Tampa Bay Area! Please Circle or Select Your Five (5) Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa from the list below!

(*Note - Do not number your selections in order, just circle, select or write in your five favorites. All write-ins must be located in zip code 33647.)

Acropolis Greek Taverna Al-Sham Palace Aroi Thai Tsuyu (BBD) Atithi Indian Vegetarian Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles Golf Club) Bearss Tavern & Tap (Bearss Ave.) Brunchery Burger 21 Cali Tampa Palms Cantina Real Mexican Restaurant Cappy’s Pizzeria Capri Pizza-n-More Chili’s Grill & Bar China City China One China Wok Chipotle Cracker Barrel (Bearss Ave.) Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant (Bearss Ave.) DosaHut, Tampa First Watch

Fish Fiesta Seafood & Pizza Five Guys Burgers & Fries Frammi Italian & American Fresh Kitchen Full Circle Pizza Ginza Endless Sushi & Hibachi Glory Days Grill Grain & Berry Gu Wei Noodles & Grill Ho King Hummingbird Jerk House Hunter’s Green Country Club Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café India Gate Fine Indian Cuisine Island Fin Poké Co. Juice Factory Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery Las Palmas Latin Grill Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine

Lima Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Cuisine Luv Fresh Mahana Fresh Michi Ramen Minerva Indian Restaurant Moe’s Southwest Grill Mulligans Irish Pub at Pebble Creek GC (closed) Mr. Dunderbak’s New China King Olive Garden Oronzo Honest Italian Palm Thai Panera Bread Peabody’s Grill & Bar PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub (Bearss Ave.) Poké Island Plus (NEW) Precinct Pizza Raaga Indian Kitchen & Bar Red Lobster Saffron Indian Cuisine Sake House Sushi Stonewood Grill & Tavern

Sushi Avenue (Bearss Ave.) Sushi Cafe Taaza Mart Café Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club Taste of New York Pizzeria TGI Fridays Thai Lanna & Sushi Thai Ruby The Fat Rabbit The Little Greek Tijuana Flats Via Italia Wood Fired Pizza (Bearss Ave.)

WRITE-INS (Must be located in zip code 33647):

______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

YOU’RE NOT DONE YET! SEE PAGE 34 TO ENTER THIS YEAR’S DINING SURVEY! Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

2021 Reader Dining Survey & Contest (Page 2)! Win A FREE Gift Card to the Restaurant of Your Choice! Your Favorite Asian/Middle Eatern Restaurant In New Tampa

Your Favorite Place For Pizza In New Tampa

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!) All of the New Tampa restaurants listed below are either pizza places or have NY-, Chicago- or flatbread-style pizzas on their menus.

Cali Tampa Palms Cappy’s Pizzeria Capri Pizza-n-More Domino’s Pizza Fish Fiesta Seafood & Pizza Full Circle Pizza Glory Days Grill Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs Marco’s Pizza Oronzo Honest Italian Panera Bread

Papa John’s Pizza Peabody’s Grill & Bar Pizza Hut Precinct Pizza Taste of New York Pizza TGI Fridays Via Italia Westshore Pizza Woodfired Pizza (Bearss Ave.) WRITE-IN: _____________________

Your Favorite Latin Restaurant In New Tampa

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!) All of the New Tampa restaurants listed below specialize either in Mexican, Southwestern U.S. or Latin American cuisines

Cantina Real Mexican Restaurant Chili’s Grill & Bar Chipotle Cross Creek Deli (in Shell station) Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant

Las Palmas Latin Grill Lima Peruvian Cuisine Moe’s Southwest Grill Tijuana Flats WRITE-IN: _____________________

Your Favorite Dessert Place In New Tampa

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!) All of the New Tampa places listed below specialize in desserts, they’re not just restaurants offering desserts — no matter how yummy!

35 Below Rolled Ice Cream Baskin Robbins Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Coffee Speaks & Tea Talks Cold Stone Creamery Dunkin’ Donuts Grain & Berry Ice SSScreamin’

Ice Spice Café Smallcakes Cupcakery Sprinkles Ice Cream The Cake Shop Twistee Treat You Do the Dishes WRITE-IN: _____________________

YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME: ___________________________________________ YOUR STREET ADDRESS: ______________________________________________ YOUR CITY & ZIP CODE: _______________________________________________ YOUR COMMUNITY: ___________________________________________________ (Heritage Isles, West Meadows, etc.)

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!) All of the New Tampa restaurants listed below offer Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern/Mediterrnean, Thai and/or Vietnamese Cuisine.

Acropolis Greek Taverna Al-Sham Palace Aroi Thai Tsuyu Atithi Indian Vegetarian Cuisine China City China One China Wok DosaHut, Tampa Fish Fiesta Seafood & Pizza Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi Gu Wei Noodles & Grill Ho King Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café India Gate Fine Indian Cuisine Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi

Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine Luv Fresh Michi Ramen Minerva Indian Restaurant New China King Palm Thai Raaga Indian Kitchen & Bar Saffron Indian Cuisine (new location) Sake House Sushi Sushi Avenue Sushi Cafe Taaza Mart Café Thai Lanna & Sushi Thai Ruby The Little Greek WRITE-IN: _____________________

Your Favorite Bar Or Tavern In New Tampa

(Please circle, select or write in only ONE — no more, no less!) All of the New Tampa places listed below have an actual bar area (not a sushi bar) to sit at and offer beer, wine and/or hard liquor, whether they serve food or not.

Acropolis Greek Taverna Bayscape Bistro (at Heritage Isles GC) Bearss Tavern & Tap Cantina Real Mexican Restaurant Chili’s Grill & Bar Cigar Lounge (Pebble Creek) Glory Days Grill Hunter’s Green Country Club Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Linkster’s Tap Room Mr. Dunderbak’s Mynt Hookah Lounge (CC Center plaza) Olive Garden

Peabody’s Grill & Bar PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Raaga Indian Kitchen & Bar Red Lobster Stonewood Grill & Tavern Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club TGI Fridays The Fat Rabbit Truth Wine Beer & Hookah (Bearss Ave.) Via Italia WRITE-IN: _____________________

If You Write-In A Restaurant Or Bar That Isn’t Located In New Tampa’s 33647 Zip Code, Your Write-In Vote Will Not Count! This Includes Any Place Located In Wesley Chapel! YOUR DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER (w/area code): __________________________________________________________________________ YOUR VALID EMAIL ADDRESS: _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Enter online at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or mail your COMPLETELY FILLED IN entry form, by Monday, November 8, 2021, to: NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 2021 DINING SURVEY & CONTEST • 28949 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 34

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Florida Ave. Brewing Co. Opens Wesley Chapel Brewery! With its restaurant open for a year already, Florida Ave. finally opens what may be the state’s largest craft brewery! By Gary Nager

I honestly don’t know if Florida Ave. Brewing Co., located in the former location of Sports + Field on S.R. 56, is now the largest craft brewery in the state, but it’s not for lack of trying to find out on my part. The long-awaited Grand Opening and North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting of Florida Ave.’s brewery at its 34,000-sq.-ft. S.R. 56 location was held on Oct. 8, where CEO Anthony Derby and his family (and partners, including company president Joe Redner) unveiled their huge (for a microbrewery) brewing warehouse, complete with gigantic, stainless steel beer kettles — big enough, Derby says, to produce up to 50,000 barrels per year of Florida Ave.’s huge variety of beers. Pasco County District 2 Commissioner Mike Moore called it the largest family-owned brewery on the west coast of Florida. But, when I tried to do some research of my own into the largest craft breweries in the entire state of Florida, the largest I could find was the unrelated Florida Beer Co., which is based in Cape Canaveral and reportedly produced nearly 33,000 barrels of its variety of beers in 2018. I couldn’t find similar numbers for 2019 or 2020, but while Florida Ave. likely won’t get close to producing its 50,000-barrel capacity this year or

next, it certainly could challenge Florida Beer Co. for the largest craft brewery in the state sooner than later. Either way, it’s been a long and difficult, more-than-two-year journey for Anthony, his mom (and company CFO) Toni and the rest of the Derby family just to get the brewery open, even though the adjacent restaurant and its huge outdoor patio and indoor private event spaces have been open and successful for more than a year. Anthony says the Covid-19 pandemic caused a lot of the delays for the brewery, as

(L.-r.) Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore, Joe Redner, Toni & Anthony Derby of Florida Ave. Brewing Co. on S.R. 56 at Arrowgrass Dr. many of the important pieces of equipment, especially in the canning line (top left photo on next page), as the machines and parts had to come from Italy, where everything ground to a halt in 2019. Once the equipment finally made its way over here nearly two years later, Florida Ave. had to get it all put together, up and running and inspected by multiple

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agencies before the brewing process could begin — which wasn’t until May of this year. Derby says it takes at least two weeks to actually make beer, but the equipment all had to be tested again and again in order to recreate the beers that Florida Ave.’s Seminole Heights factory — which produces about 7,000 barrels per year — has been brewing for

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years and has been providing for the restaurant since it opened last year. Anthony admitted that there have been a lot of challenges but he is confident it will all end up being worth it — and he thanked both North Tampa Bay Chamber president Hope Allen and Moore for their help in getting the project to this point. Moore said that when he first heard about the project in 2019, he said, “Do you have a time machine? If not, can you get it open by tomorrow?,” and called Florida Ave. a “beautiful asset to the county.” Florida Ave. Brewing Co. currently employs more than 120 people at the S.R. 56 location alone, with about 20 other employees out in the field. And yes, now that it is officially open, you will soon be able to tour the state-of-the-art Florida Ave. brewery.

What About The Food & Beer?

Even though I haven’t been able to give you the full story about the brewery, I’m just about officially out of space to tell you about all the great beers, hard seltzers and full liquor bar, the comfy bar stools and the delicious chef-created food at Florida Ave., but some of my favorite dishes appear on this page, including the Korean bibimbap beef bowl (top middle), the Chinese-style sticky ribs (top right), the specialty burgers

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(middle right, although we special-order ours with just cheese and crispy bacon), the crab cakes (middle) and sesame-seared ahi tuna appetizers (middle right) and the perfect Florida Ave. wings (bottom right). Other menu items we’ve enjoyed include the house-made cheesesteak egg rolls, the steak Argentine flatbread (although photographer Charmaine George says the mushroom truffle flatbread also is excellent), the BBQ chicken sandwich and the 12-oz. NY strip steak. We even loved the sautéed veggies and the crispy Brissels sprouts, the hand-cut fries and the loaded fingerling potato side dishes. There’s also a great kids menu with everything from burger sliders to mac & cheese to cheese quesadillas and more. But of course, for most of you, the stars of the show at Florida Ave. Brewing Co. will be the beers. My favorites are the most basic — the lager, Dead Parrot light

lager, and the brown ale, but I also enjoy the “You’re My Boy, Blue” fruit beer, the Rollin’ Dirty Irish red ale and Jannah likes the Key lime hard cider, the tangerine splash and other fruit-flavored beers and hard seltzers at Florida Ave. Based on both the crowds we see there whenever we go for dinner or to watch a Lightning game there, as well as all of the votes it already has received in this year’s Reader Dining Survey for Favorite Restaurant and for Favorite Bar in Wesley Chapel (to vote for Florida Ave. before this year’s Nov. 8 deadline, visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net) — a lot of you already enjoy the place, too. So please, do me a favor — please visit Florida Ave. Brewing Co. and tell anyone

who works there that you read about them in the Neighborhood News! Florida Ave. Brewing Co. is located at 2029 Arrowgrass Dr. and is open every day at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. For more information, see the ad on pg. 35, call (813) 4526333 or visit FloridaAveBrewing.com. Reservations are accepted for parties of eight or more only.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Falabella Family Bistro Unveils Its Delicious New Menu! Wesley Chapel’s Favorite Restaurateur Upgrades His Bistro With A New Chef & New Menu Items! By Gary Nager

Earlier this year, as owner Steve Falabella was getting ready to open his Falabella Family Bistro in The Grove, and started telling me about some of the menu items he was planning, I was already excited about it. After all, Steve already had one of the best pizza places in Wesley Chapel (which is saying a lot because I think The Chap has a lot of really good pizza) — his 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass — and as a true Italian raised in New York, I knew he could create a great bistro experience. But, when Falabella Family Bistro did open in early June, the only thing I told Steve he could use was a little more diverse menu and maybe to add some fresh veggies. Just a few short months later, as Steve was reunited with his new Executive Chef Chance Drake (who started with Steve as a dishwasher at 900º Woodfired ten years ago but who honed his chef skills at Noble Crust and Lake Jovita Country Club), he promised me that a revamped menu was on the way — and boy has Wesley Chapel’s favorite restaurateur delivered again, in a big way! Although Chance will continue to offer a weekly special Friday-Sunday only (like the amazing rigatoni with broccoli rabe and sausage on the next page), only the most popular of Chance’s specials and other oftenrequested dishes have been added to the actual new menu at the Bistro. My favorite new pasta dishes and entrées so far are the chicken piccata (top left photo on this page), the beef short rib ragu (lower left on this page) and the crispy fried zucchini (lower center photo on this page), which is unlike any I’ve ever sampled, as the zucchini is cut into thin slices, rather than in traditional “sticks,” and the Roma tomato aioli dipping sauce also is a change from the always-popular marinara. Other new “piattini” (small plates or starters) on the menu are the garlic baguette (garlic bread with a pomodoro dip and fresh

basil), the broccoli and ricotta toast (with roasted broccoli, whipped ricotta, hot honey and fresh basil) and a ravioli flight I can’t sample because it includes lobster in the flight (along with sasuage, broccoli and five-cheese ravioli, all of which I can try). I haven’t yet tried all of the new pastas and entrées, but look forward to sampling the Bistro’s new veal Marsala (I’ve had the chicken Marsala, bottom far right on this page, which is yummy). I also can’t eat the

garlic shrimp Alfredo (I hate allergies!), but Steve says it’s been extremely popular already. And of course, among my alreadyon-the-menu favorites are the Vongole (spaghetti with clams, top right photo), the classic spaghetti with meatballs, the chicken parmesan, the lasagna (with bechamel, instead of ricotta) the gnocchi Genovese (with house-made pesto sauce) and starters like the bruschetta, burrata caprese, the Caesar and Mediterranea salads and the crispy calamari.

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Although I know a lot of Steve’s regular customers go crazy for the antipasto boards shaped like Italy and I do enjoy some of the panini sandwiches (my favorite is the pesto chicken), I honestly havem’t sampled many of either because I have so many favorites on the rest of the menu. I’m sure it’s my loss though.

Don’t Skip Dessert!

While Jannah and I are usually trying not to eat dessert, it’s hard to skip the decadent desserts available at Falabella Family Bistro, especially knowing that they are supplied by Evelyn Barreno of Seven Layers Bakery. I’m particularly partial to the chocolate mousse

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(Above, l.-r.) Steve, Giulia and Micaela Falabella. Missing from the pic is Steve and Micaela’s other daughter, Mavi. (Below, l.) The rigatoni, broccoli rabe & sasuage special. (Below, r.) The chocolate mousse cheesecake & (bottom r.) tiramisu.

cheesecake, the equally creamy tiramisu, the cannolis and the turtle and triple chocolate cheesecake options. I’ve yet to sample the affogato (vanilla ice cream “drowned” with hot espresso) or Macedonia (fresh fruit salad topped with whipped cream) desserts. I have sampled the Bistro’s outstanding cappuccino and Peroni beer on tap, and Jannah is partial to glasses of pinot grigio and prosecco. And, though his red wine list isn’t extensive, it’s also not too expensive, as the Casa Migliaccio Barolo is only $49.95 per bottle and there are two Nero d’Avolas for only $29.95 per bottle. Bottled beers, hard seltzers and wine cocktails and a reasonably priced kids menu are available. Falabella Family Bistro (6027 Wesley Grove Blvd.) is open for lunch (at 11 a.m.) & dinner (until 9 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 10 p.m.

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Fri.-Sat.) every day. For more information, see the ad on pg. 32, visit FalabellaBistro. com or call (813) 428-6957.

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Pick Of The Week 1: Blue Fin Japanese Restaurant!

It’s Chick’n, Not Cluckin’

Last issue, we told you that the former location of Hardee’s on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (next to Goodyear Auto Service) was going to be come a new chicken restaurant called Cluckin’ Fun, but we were only half-right. The banner sign that had been up came down because the building was being re-painted, but according to the leasing agent, the new nonchain fried chicken place will actually be called Chick’n Fun, and also said that it should be ready to open within the next 45 days. — GN

For those who complain about all of the chain restaurants that have opened in Wesley Chapel, one thing you should realize is that already we have quite a few excellent non-chain Japanese places — and you can add one more to that already-impressive list. Blue Fin Japanese Restaurant has finally opened at 6034 Wesley Grove Blvd., next to Treble Makers in The Grove, and offers great Japanese specialties, from a huge assortment of sushi rolls to the excellent gyoza dumplings pictured top left (and other appetizers), to large portions of chicken teriyaki with fresh veggies, hibachi (but not prepared tableside) filet mignon and many more. It is open every day for lunch and dinner and serves beer, wine and sake. For more info, call (813) 803-4709 and please tell Lawrence, the owner, that I sent you. — GN

Lüfka Refillables Hosts A Chamber Ribbon Cutting! Congratulations to co-owners Danielle Howard (right in photo) and her mom Gail Sickler (center), who hosted a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event on Sept. 23 at their new Wesley Chapel location of Lüfka Refillables Zero Waste Store at 27221 S.R. 56. Lüfka, founded by Kelly Hawaii (left) and her husband Parosh in Seminole Heights in 2019, offers eco-friendly personal care (Jannah loved the handcrafted soap I bought for her) and cleaning products, including many refillable and zero-waste items. For info, call (813) 596-9376 or visit lufka.com. — GN

Windy City Pizza Replaces Full Circle Pizza In Pebble Creek!

If you’re a fan of authentic deep-dish Chicago-style pizza but you haven’t yet tried the new Windy Cindy Pizza that opened recently in the former Pebble Creek Collection location (at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, a mile or so south of the Pasco County line) of Full Circle Pizza — what are you waiting for? I brought the large Chicago deep dish pie with pepperoni & sausage pictured above to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus & everyone raved. I’m not from Chicago, but this deep dish is legit! Tim and Matt, the owners, are both originally from Chicago (and previously owned Windy City on N. 30th St., near USF, and promise that their deep-dish and thin-crust Chicago pizza is authentic, as are the Chicago Italian beef sandwich and Windy City nuggets (fried homemade pizza dough served with pizza dipping sauce) and more. For more info, call (813) 388-5844 or visit OrderWindyCityPizza.com. — GN

Pick Of The Week 2: Green Market Cafe! Located next door to Lüfka (at 27225 S.R. 56) is the sixth location of a Tampa Bay-area chain called Green Market Cafe. Green Market definitely could have been included in this issue’s “Healthy Food & Drink” story on pages 8-9 of this issue, with its menu of salads (like the almond chicken salad in the first photo), healthy bowls, wrap and other sandwiches, house-made soups (like the excellent spinach feta soup Jannah and I sampled recently) and unique drink options like Kombucha and CBD-infused water.

Green Market Cafe makes it easy to order, whether online (with pick-up and delivery options), at the self-service kiosk inside the store or at the counter, and proudly proclaims that all locations buy their produce “directly from the source — our local farmers. We strive for balanced nutrition...and wholesome ingredients free of hormones and preservatives — all at affordable prices.” For more info, call (813) 803-4590 or visit visit GreenMarketCafe. com for the current specials. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Kobé Steakhouse To Move; Lotte Plaza Market Starts Permitting Kobé Japanese Steak House, which has been located at the corner of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and Pebble Creek Dr. since 2011, is moving down the road to the old Vuelo’s/ Señor T’s/Romano’s Macaroni Grill site in front of New Tampa’s Home Depot. According to Hien Nguyen, a spokesperson for the family-owned mini-chain, as soon as remodeling is completed on the former Vuelo’s, Kobé “will transition from our current location.” He says the new location, “will be larger to accommodate our growing team and business. We aim to transition by the end of this year.” The new site for Kobé is 7,000 square feet — giving the restaurant roughly 1,000 more square feet to accommodate a larger kitchen for it’s growing to-go business —and offers more parking. The successful and highly-rated Japanese steak house, one of 12 located in Florida, is now going to try to succeed where others have not when it moves into the former Vuelo’s Mexican Restaurant location, which was previously Señor T’s and before that Macaroni Grill, which closed in 2013. Señor T’s opened in November 2015 but was poorly received and scathingly reviewed by many. It failed to make it through even a year, closing its doors for good in July 2016. The Mexican eatery was rebranded, redesigned and opened with a new, but still Mexican-based, menu as Vuelo’s a few months later, in November. But, Vuelo’s died out just over a year later and the building has been empty since 2018. Can another restaurant succeed in that seemingly cursed location, which can be difficult to get in and out of from BBD? Probably, considering that Chili’s has had staying power right next door. Plus, Kobé has an established reputation and is popular in New Tampa (at least according to our annual Reader Surveys, which always give the restaurant high marks). And, according to 2,756 Google ratings, Kobé has a 4.7 out of 5 rating. In addition, Kobé has been the most successful/longest lasting of the restaurants to have come and gone from its location in front Neighborhood News

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of the Pebble Creek Collection. The saga began when Tampa Bay media personality Jack Harris leant his name to (and co-owned) Harris & Co., the original restaurant in Kobé’s location, which opened to rave reviews in 1997 but closed in 2000. But, Harris & Co. would just be the first of five restaurants in the building, which also has been home to Durango Steak House (200002, 2003), the Durango-owned Sammy Frogs (2004) and Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse (200611) prior to Wasabi selling its spot to Kobé.

Lotte Starts Permitting!

We told you back in February that New Tampa’s long-dormant Sweetbay Supermarket property, after eight years of being empty, was finally sold to the folks who run the popular Lotte Plaza Market Asian grocery stores, and the new owners have officially begun the permitting process. According to City of Tampa permitting records, Emerald Coast Permitting in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, applied for a zoning review in order to receive approval for a grocery store with a limited food court, which city planners deemed to be acceptable. Next up will be a construction permit prior to work beginning to overhaul the old Sweetbay into New Tampa’s largest ethnic grocery store, at approximately 55,000 square feet. Founded in 1976, Lotte is one of the premier Asian groceries in Maryland and Virginia, where it has 12 locations. It opened its first Florida location in Orlando on W. Colonial Dr. in February 2019. New Tampa will be its second Florida location. All Lotte Plaza Markets offer a wide choice of Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese food items and ingredients, an impressive selection of meats and fresh fish and a huge variety of fruits and vegetables typically not found at American grocery stores. Although there aren’t yet any detailed plans available, the Orlando Lotte, as an example, also has a hair salon, bakery and a food court featuring restaurants like Seoul Soon Tofu, Joen Korean, Izziban Katsu, Pho 54 and Taglish, a Filipino-American concept. For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Is Willing To Overpay A Part-Time Office Assistant! For details, email your resume to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com!

HOME IMPROVEMENT

CUSTOM INT. WINDOW COVERINGS! Cust. fabrication of all types of window coverings — plantation & hurricane shutters, vert. blinds, roller, cellular, woven wood & Roman shades, cellular vert., panel tracks, retract. awnings, motorization experts, alum., wood & faux wood blinds & more! FREE installation on orders over $250! Call Henry @ 813-948-6363, email TampaBlindsbyDesign@ gmail.com or visit TampaBlindsbyDesign.com. TOM JOSEPH HANDYMAN: FREE ESTIMATES! Serving residents, Realtors & property mgrs. 30+ yrs home construction exp. Move in/out setups & repairs. Repairs for sale/rent. Hang flatscreen TVs. Setup wifi & home theater. Install closet organizers. Cabinets, pullouts, shelving. Gen’l carpentry. Crown molding. Kitchen backsplash. Door install/repair & more! Call 813-751-4998 or email JosephHomesllc@outlook.com AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years of exp. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Google us to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises. See our display ad at the bottom of this page! JUNK HAULING SERVICE! • We handle all types of furniture removal — bdrm sets, chairs, mattresses & box springs • Hot water heaters & hot tubs - take apart & remove • Construction material • Carpet removal • Estate, eviction, yard, garage & attic clean-outs • Ofc, home & factory • Comm’l/res’l. GorillaJunkremovalExperts.com. For appts, call/text Nigel @ 888-346-5865. WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHING.COM Soft pressure ext. house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing & deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big/small. Exp. the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning pro. Licensed & insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate or visit our website. 813-433-6015. RAYMOND PAINTING. Ext. & Int. Svcs. Ext: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Int: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124. CHARLES POPPE ELECTRIC. Electric of all kinds: pools, spas, svc changes, new circuits, low-voltage, repairs, upgrades, changes to existing, troubleshoot’g, GFCI performance testing, generators. We are experts w/40+ years exp. Discount of 50% off labor for senior citizens! Lic’d & Insured Master Electrician (EC 13002399) - free phone estimates. Call 813-477-9068. MILLENNIUM HOME REP. Prof’ Handyman. Cabinet install, dry wall rep, tile install & rep, some plumbing, laminate flooring, light fixtures, int. painting, appliance install, pressure washing, paneling, window rep, awning install, carpentry, garbage disp, fence rep, crown molding, window blinds, seal baths & showers, TV mount & more. Call 813-400-1408 or email TycoonUnion@yahoo.com. DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-784-5999. TJ’s PRESSURE WASHING LLC. Houses, Fences, Driveways, Lanais & Screened Enclosures. Most resdt’l 2-car driveways & vinyl fences start at $75. House washing starts at $150 /1-story home, $199/2-story home. Need an instant quote? Text me a picture of the job you need done. Call Tj at 727-808-7775.

Classifieds HOME HEALTH CARE

HOME DIALYSIS PARTNER: Why travel for dialysis? Home Hemodialysis Partner LLC ‘s Cert. Home Health Aide & Phlebotomy Tech will come to you! We attend mandatory training at your clinic, assemble your machine at home, check vitals, start & finish treatment w/you, maintain contact w/an on-call nurse & safely remove you from the machine. Accepting new clients June 21! Email YourDialysisPartner@gmail.com or call 813.841.3754. CAREGIVER/HOUSEKEEPER URGENTLY NEEDED! This is a live-out position. Work Mon-Thurs, $650/ wk. Childcare & light housekeeping. Must be able to interact w/children & speak English. Non-smoker, please! MUST HAVE REFERENCES & BE RESPONSIBLE! If interested, email Linda at flowershop998@gmail.com. SENIOR OVERNIGHT COMPANION SITTERS Two kind senior sisters seeking work safeguarding your loved one during the overnight hours. We’ve been working w/the senior population for 10 years & have seen a need for local, English-speaking, backgroundchecked, Covid-tested, dependable companions w/their own transportation. Very reasonable rates. Call Diane or Elisa at 813-938-8614.

COMPUTER & BUSINESS SERVICES

DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com. PROFESSIONAL TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+, Cert. computer tech w/20 years exp. Maintenance & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assistance & refs. avail.

CLEANING SERVICES

PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 6 years of exp.Free estimates. Call 813 943 6054 or email patycleaningservice@hotmail.com. A-to-Z CLEANING & ORGANIZING. Home & Ofc Cleaning & Organizing Svcs! We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. Family-Owned & Operated. WC resident. Weekly & Bi-Weekly / Deep Cleaning/ Move-In / Move-Out. Serving WC & NT. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-4621270. Local references supplied upon request. B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & postconstruction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates.; Refs. avail. Call 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Want To Buy A Home, Starting With $1,000? I’d Like to be your Realtor & share a list of beautiful homes & loan officers who can get you approved! I’m familiar w/ Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance! Call/Text (941) 400-2833. Robert Leonard, Future Home Realty (27552 Cashford Cir., #101, WC 33544). Or, send me an email to Robert@HomeSeminar.Info. ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2020 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $40 (one way). Driver vaccinated w/two shots. Cory Lake Isles resident. Call/text 813.765.2037. GET $500 TOWARDS CLOSING COSTS... when you buy a NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME with Florida Homes with Geri at Epperson OR Mirada. Schedule a PRIVATE TOUR of both Communities by a Resident Realtor. Join @LifeAtTheLagoon with @RealtorGeri Call/Text 813-609-0966. Connect with me on Instagram & Facebook.

LAWN & LANDSCAPING _

ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior. Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials. NTLC Property Maintenance. Residential & Commercial lawn maintenance for New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Sprinkler repairs, tree trimming, mulching, landscaping & clean-ups also available. Licensed & Insured. CALL BILL @ (813) 973-3825. A.T.B. Landscaping & Lawn Service. Lic’d & insured, serving the Tampa Bay area 20+ years. Family owned & operated. Quality work, affordable rates. Gutter clean-outs, screen repairs, pressure washing & sprinkler repairs. Landscaping & property maint., including sod, tree & hedge trimming & clean ups. Other services avail. CALL 813-907-LAWN (5296). Jasmine Landscaping, Inc. Complete lawn maint.: Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/Spring Special & FREE estimate! Lic’d & insured. Accepting new resid’l & comm’l accounts. Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmEx. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring FT workers. HEAVY HITTER LAWN CARE: Veteran owned & operated lawn care maint. service, focused on lawn mowing, trimming, edging & blowing (flexible w/extra svcs.). Well maintained & professional laborer ensuring cust. satisfaction & on-time cuts. Rain or shine, quality & schedule will be kept. Lic’d & Insured. Call or text 678-673-7856 for your FREE Estimate.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News Classified Ads Are the Ones Your Neighbors READ! All Classified ads appear in both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! TREE SERVICE

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

POOL SERVICES

ALLSTARPOOLSOFTAMPABAY.COM. Pool cleanups, & acid washing of old pool finishes. Marcite, quartz & pebble finishes from $3K. We offer cool decking, Eurocrete & paver decking options. Paver, river rock sealing, leak detection & inground vinyl liner replacements avail. Quality salt & ozone generators, pumps, motors & filters. Mention this ad for a $79 pool svc. (restrictions apply). Serving NT & WC since 1990. Call/text 813-244-7077 or visit AllStarPoolsofTampaBay.com. TRANQUILITY POOL SERVICE. New Tampa owned & operated. Great Pricing w/outstanding customer service! LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED. See why we are New Tampa and Wesley Chapel’s #1 Choice!! Call or Text Chris today @ 813-857-5400 or visit TranquilityPoolService.com. New customers get ONE MONTH FREE! 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. NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS Wesley Chapel owned & operated since 1999. Weekly service. No long term contracts. Mention this AD for one-month Free service. Call 813-907-7322 for details or text Joe at 813-758-7608.

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. Ask me about “Front Porch Portraits,” taken from the safety of your front porch, FREE OF CHARGE! Great for Families, Children, Pets & more! Call or Text (813) 748-3901 or Visit: russellleprephotography.com.

FITNESS & WELL BEING

YOGA, PERSONAL TRAINING, NUTRITION & PHYSICAL THERAPY w/DR. LAUREN LEIVA, DPT! Phys Ed for everyone, including all children, w/a certified personal trainer who also is a degreed Dr. of Physical Therapy. Ask Dr. Leiva about her PE4ME sliding scale pay program! For more info, visit TheExerscienceCenter.com, call 813.464.0313 or see the ad on pg. 21 of this issue.

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 29, Issue 22 • October 26, 2021 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews