New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 30, Issue 25, December 13, 2022

Once Again Thanking You For Proving That ‘Print Isn’t Dead!’

By GARY NAGER Editorial

Almost every day, someone tells me, “Oh, I don’t read anything in print anymore. I get all of my news and information from online sources (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) only. Haven’t you heard that print is dead?”

I’ve written about this before, but after the whirlwind pre-holiday rush of new ads — and literally dozens of new requests for our advertising information — I’ve had over the past several months and, especially, the last two weeks, if print really is dead, my question is, why the seemingly neverending, and even increasing, requests for ads in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News?

Among the good news, for us, is that so many of the people opening new businesses in either of our distribution areas also live in those areas. So many of the people who have called, emailed or requested advertising info on our website recently have told me that not only do they read us, they look upon us as what I have long been calling us — the primary source of “real” news and information for and about the residents and businesses in and near New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

Others requesting our information who don’t necessarily live in one of our distribution areas have been told by their friends or business associates who do live in one of those areas that ours are the ONLY publications they receive at their homes that they actually read, and that they trust the veracity of our news and the responsible reporting we provide about our areas more than any other source — print, broadcast or online.

Speaking of online sources — I would be lying if I said that we don’t utilize local Facebook communities and other online media sources as sources of some of the stories we ultimately put in print. The difference, however, is that we don’t just look stuff up online or offer our mean-spirited opinions without actually speaking with the sources of those stories (or, in many cases, attending or watching the government meetings regarding those stories).

Managing editor John Cotey and I are not online “trolls” — we’re not looking to make obnoxious comments about anyone’s honest requests for information or to rip into a business because we see ourselves as “anonymous.” To the contrary, we’re both trained journalists with decades of combined experience who put our names on everything we write and publish, whether in print or online.

Likewise, our freelance writers, particularly correspondent Celeste McLaughlin, also have years of working with us, so they know that if they make claims on behalf of our clients in the Business Features we publish (in every issue and online) that don’t ring true or need to be clarified, that I, as the editor, will make sure those questions and concerns are answered to my satisfaction and/or clarified properly.

This completely-hands-on approach to editing isn’t easy, but it is both my responsibility and pleasure to make sure that when we tell you about the businesses who are seeking your

business, that the stories we publish about them are true, to the very best of our ability to verify that information. And, the fact that so many of our advertisers always have (for the past 29 years) and continue to tell us every day that the stories we’ve published about them have brought them in more response and more new customers than any other medium is proof that our approach continues to work.

So, if you want to continue to believe that “print is dead,” that’s your prerogative, but if you appreciate journalism that is based on facts and solid research, and opinion pieces (like this one and my dining reviews) that present viewpoints that arise out of years of knowledge and experience, as well as research,

I hope you’ll not only continue to read us but also tell your friends and neighbors about us. And, most important of all, please tell any of the dozens of businesses that spend money to advertise with us that you heard about them because, as a reader of the Neighborhood News, you know that “Print ISN’T dead!”

Speaking of new advertisers, here is a listing of the businesses in this issue who only recently began buying ads with us. We hope you’ll spend your hard-earned money with them (and our longer-term advertisers) and feel free to let us know that you did — even (or perhaps, especially) if those businesses fall short of your expectations, rather than go online to criticize them without at least giving me

(and them) the opportunity to makes things right with you, if at all possible.

Here are those new (and relatively new) advertisers who would love to hear from you that “Print isn’t dead!”

Apex Internal Medicine — pgs. 18-19, 25

Bloomin’ Blinds — pgs. 24 & 26, 29

Champa Chicken — pg. 36

Darlin Lash & Beauty Bar — pg. 5

Edward Jones Tampa Palms — pg. 5

Enviroserv Pest Management — pg. 3

Grace Episcopal Church — pg. 13

GrassWorks — pgs. 16 & 38

North Tampa Law Group — pg. 26

The Legacy Studio — pg. 12 Happy Holidays from the Neighborhood News!

New Tampa Neighborhood News

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS: 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Office Phone Number: (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

Correspondent Celeste McLaughlin

Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George

Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin Valerie Wegener

Billing Assistant Jannah Nager

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

The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 31, Issue 1, of New Tampa Neighborhood News is Thursday, December 29, 2022.

New Tampa Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. New Tampa Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. New Tampa Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials.

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

© 2022 JM2 Communications, Inc.

Hillsborough Goes Red But New Tampa Still Leans Blue

By JOHN C. COTEY john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

The expected nationwide red tsunami never showed up on Election Day on Nov. 8, but a fairly sizable red wave still swept over Hillsborough County, as Republicans washed out the Democrats on the county commission and the bigger statewide races were mostly blowouts.

Does that portend another tough cycle for Democrats like Luis Viera, who will be running for reelection to his nonpartisan District 7 seat when the City of Tampa elections are held in March?

Viera, who doesn’t have an opponent yet for his race and already has the largest campaign war chest of any City Council candidate, doesn’t think the recent election is a harbinger of the future.

Plus, Democrats who lost on Nov. 8 actually did pretty well in New Tampa.

“For New Tampa, and really all of our county, (the last election) shows we are more moderate or ‘purple’ than some experts thought we were,” Viera says. “It shows that neither party should take any area for granted. I have never believed that New Tampa is solidly Democratic. New Tampa doesn’t cling to any extreme and values reasonable-ness and people who respect our civic institutions. We are middle America: we value tolerance, we support our police, we love our country,

we want to be our brother and sister’s keeper and we reject ugly appeals to bias and prejudice. You gotta earn our vote — it’s not an entitlement for either party.”

New Tampa, which took a noticeably blue swing in recent elections, was kind to Democrats on Nov. 8, even if the rest of the county was not. Even Democrat Charlie Crist, who was blown out by reelected Republican Governor Ron DeSantis by nearly 10 percentage points in Hillsborough County, captured more votes in New Tampa’s 23 precincts (12,260-10,601) than the incumbent received.

In fact, the three Democrats who lost their bids for the county commission — Angela Birdsong, Mariella Smith and Kimberly Overman — all had more votes in New

Tampa than their Republican counterparts.

District 2 County Commissioner Ken Hagan, a Republican whose district includes New Tampa and surrounding areas, rode the red wave to re-election, after Birdsong nearly pulled off an upset in 2018, losing by less than 5 percentage points in their first contest.

In the rematch, Hagan comfortably won by 13 percentage points (70,978 votes to 54,444), even though it was thought that redistricting had created a bigger advantage for Birdsong.

Birdsong, though, still managed to win New Tampa by 450 votes and captured the most votes in 15 of the 23 precincts in zip code 33647.

Smith (countywide District 3) and

Overman (countywide District 7) each won 21 of 23 precincts in New Tampa, with Smith beating Donna Cameron Cepeda 52.4 percent to 47.6 percent, and Overman beating Joshua Wostal 53.4%-46.6%.

Overall, however, those numbers were basically reversed in the final countywide tallies.

Grand Hampton resident and Democratic candidate Alan Cohn fell short in his bid in Congressional District 15, losing by 59.9 percent to 44 percent to former Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee. Again, however, the Democrat still fared significantly better in New Tampa, as Cohn captured 55.5 percent of the vote and won 19 precincts, but it wasn’t enough to help him win the seat.

Fentrice Driskell, the state’s new Democratic House leader, was one of the few Democrats to hold serve, beating Heritage Isles’ Lt. Col. (ret.) Lisette Bonano 54%-46% for the District 67 State House seat. But, despite winning the most New Tampa votes, Driskell’s win was far closer than anyone expected.

And, New Tampa voters voted “Yes” on the All For Transportation referendum by a solid 11,313-9,707 margin (53.8%), even though the 1% transportation tax was voted down by 52 percent of the voters countywide.

(L.-r.) District 2 County Commissioner Ken Hagan easily held on to his seat representing New Tampa. Fentrice Driskell defeated Heritage Isles resident Lisette Bonano in the race for the District 67 State Rep. seat. Grand Hampton resident Alan Cohn lost his race for Congress despite winning the New Tampa vote.

Fire Station 21 Adds A New Vehicle To Its Inventory

By JOHN C. COTEY john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

While City of Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) Chief Barbara Tripp wrestles with ways to improve fire rescue response times in New Tampa, our area has received its first-ever “mini-heavy” rescue (MHR) truck.

The MHR truck, which is similar to the heavy rescue fire rescue trucks but is smaller and designed for technical rescues, will run out of TFR Fire Station No. 21, the Cross Creek Blvd. station closest to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

The new truck, part of the department’s special operations division, will work in concert with the larger fire rescue trucks and will be manned by Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) firefighters who are trained in urban search and rescue.

“That apparatus basically has more technical tools to assist with major incidents, such as a major vehicle accident that people need to be extricated from,” says TFR spokesperson Vivian Shedd. “Think of it as a giant tool box, with lots of things you don’t normally use. But, when you need it, you are glad you have it because it makes the rescue go that much faster.”

The truck is equipped with the Jaws

of Life, cutters and spreaders “and other tools for rope rescues and things of that nature” that aren’t on every fire rescue truck, Shedd adds.

Because the truck is for specialty rescues that don’t happen as often, it doesn’t specifically address the recent reports about fire rescue times in New Tampa. However, it is an important addition for Station No. 21, considering that

the area is heavily reliant on major traffic areas like I-75 and BBD that are prone to major accidents.

An accident requiring the life-saving services of an MHR truck would have to typically wait 15-20 minutes, or more (depending upon the time of day), for one to arrive from downtown Tampa.

“This is why we saw the need and brought it over to New Tampa,” Shedd

says. “People in those kind of accidents don’t have time to wait.”

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, who represents North and New Tampa in District 7, has been an advocate for more help at New Tampa’s four fire stations, and says the MHR truck is a great addition.

“This vehicle came after a lot of lobbying from me and our friends in Tampa Firefighters Local 754,” Viera says. “I appreciate them and so does New Tampa. Fire Rescue response times are a huge issue for me for New Tampa. This investment addresses this. We got this vehicle funded this past year and I got another $1,000,000 in the budget for response times this year.”

Viera says he hopes to see even more assistance in the future to help reduce rescue times in New Tampa, which rank among the worst in Tampa. Shedd says that the problem is high on Chief Tripp’s to-do list.

“One thing our fire chief has stressed that is very important to her are response times,” Shedd says. “She is deeply committed to making sure that we are able to respond to any emergency as quickly as possible…there is still more to be done, and we are looking into additional resources (to improve those times.)”

The new rescue truck at Fire Station No. 21 will help those in major motor vehicle accidents who need more assistance than a typical rescue vehicle can provide. (Photo: Tampa Fire Rescue)

Twenty Years Ago, A Team Of Destiny!

By JOHN C. COTEY john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Sometimes, when he closes his eyes, Wilbur Joseph says he can still feel the cool air drying the sweat on his forehead, his teammates lined up next to him on the Wharton Stadium goal line, their bodies facing north.

“North,” head coach Richard Wood would say. “That’s where Tallahassee is. That’s where the State Championship game is played. That’s where we’re headed.”

Twenty years later, Joseph still gets chills. “The memory is still fresh,” he says, almost breathless. “Still vivid. Oh…man.”

In 2002, in just its fifth year of existence, the Wharton High football team did what no other Wildcats football team has done since, shocking Tampa Bay with an improbable run, all the way north, to Tallahassee.

In the Class 5A championship game that year at Doak Campbell Stadium, however, the plucky, scrap-iron Wildcats lost to Pompano Beach Ely 22-10, a heart-crushing loss to end a heartwarming season that no one on that team will ever forget.

“I told them, ‘You know, there’s 67 counties in the state of Florida, and here we are, one of the only teams who have made a championship game,” says Wood, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star linebacker (1976-84) known as “Batman.” “And we’ve only been around a few years. Schools that have been here, in this state, for maybe 50, 60 years, haven’t been in this game. And, here we are. So, we can be proud. We can be proud that we (can say), ‘Hey, we did it!’”

Wood, now 69 and a defensive coach at Tampa Catholic High for the past decade, says those words probably didn’t mean as much to a team of heartbroken boys fighting back tears as they do today.

“I know it was tough,” Wood says, “because I cried my heart out, too.”

The 2002 Wildcats were, quite simply, special. They didn’t boast a bevy of Divi-

sion I talent, they weren’t loaded with highly-rated transfers, and not a single player on the roster had even made the honorable mention AllCounty team the previous season.

But, they were flush with grit and determination, finishing with a 13-2 record.

“That was our first winning season in school history,” says wide receiver Michael Coonce, now an engineer living in Tampa. “Going into the season, we didn’t have any expectations around us. So, we rallied around each other, we took pride in shutting people up. We still talk about it today.”

“I find myself thinking back to that year a lot,” he says.

to Wharton to try his hand at coaching for a few years, but it wasn’t the same.

“I find myself thinking back to that year a lot,” he says. “I don’t want to be all Al Bundy about it, but you know.”

Bundy, the iconic sitcom father from the hit Fox-TV show “Married With Children,” could never stop bragging about scoring four touchdowns in the city championship game for the Polk High Panthers. But, Corcoran would rather talk about his teammates.

Hall (1st team) ran over them and Coonce (HM) ran around them as a top wideout.

The defensive line, anchored by nose tackle Kendric Morris, cleared the way for Edwards (photo) to wreak havoc from his linebacker position, where he had 14 sacks, was named Hillsborough County’s Defensive MVP by The Tampa Tribune, and earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, where he was named All-ACC.

Senior defensive backs Chris Wilson and Chris Ellick (both 2nd team) were ballhawks in the secondary. Defensively, the Wildcats were “insane,” Corcoran says.

“That was a true family,” says thenassistant coach David Mitchell, who later served as the Wharton head coach for more than a decade before retiring in 2020.

“Coaches all say that, but this really was. There was really just a little something different about them.”

Up to that point, Wharton’s biggest victories were moral ones for not getting blown out of games. The players were even made fun of in school.

Quarterback Ross Corcoran, one of four first-team All-County players from that team, says he remembers a teacher cutting a picture out of the sports section showing a disheveled Corcoran after being sacked for the fifth time in a game, and pasting it all over his desk.

But, in 2002, everything changed.

“Once we beat Armwood and Hillsborough that year, everyone jumped on the train,” says Corcoran, adding that people would walk up to him at the Publix on Cross Creek Blvd. to congratulate him after a win. “It was like ‘Friday Night Lights.’”

Corcoran, who no lives in Oldsmar and works in the mortgage industry, returned

Tackles Joseph (1st team All-County) and Will Russell and center Jason Novisk (Honorable Mention) bulldozed defenses, while running backs Larry Edwards and Joe

Wood, who was a defensive assistant while working as the Wharton school resource officer in 1997, took over the program after Dan Acosta was fired two

Ross Corcoran, the quarterback on Wharton’s 2002 Class 5A State runners-up, shows off his scrapbook from that season.

games into the 1998 season. If there ever was a missing piece, it was Wood.

“When principal Mitch Muley offered me the job, I said, ‘Are you serious?,’” Wood recalls. “If I do it, it’s gonna be tough. I’m a Vince Lombardi guy. I was coached by John McKay (at USC). I’m old school.”

It turns out that Muley was serious, and Wood took the job and said, “Give me a few years.” The ‘Cats won two games in each of his first two seasons, then four games in 2001 before Wood was able to set his sights north.

Wood had 31 seniors in 2002, and he said it was just one of those magical combinations that come together, sometimes just once in a lifetime.

“You know, here you are, you have kids from the inner city, and then you have kids that live in the suburbs, and they treated each other like they were brothers,” Wood says. “You could see it all the time. They loved each other. And, all I wanted for them was to help them win.”

And, win they did, opening the season with a 37-6 victory over Robinson. Wharton lost just once, 10-7 to a Chamberlain team that played for the Class 5A State Championship the year before, but won their final six regular season games in dominant fashion.

“They don’t have any weaknesses,” coach Earl Garcia said at the time, prior to his Hillsborough team losing to the Wildcats 21-0 the night Wharton clinched its playoff spot.

After that game, Wood flew to Los Angeles to be inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the L.A. Coliseum. For some of his players, it was the first time they found out their coach was the only three-time All-American in the storied history of the Trojans. “Coach was a real-life superhero,” Corcoran says. “He just didn’t walk around telling everyone.”

In the Class 5A playoff opener, Wharton had to travel to Melbourne because the ‘Cats were the district runner-up behind Chamberlain. Its season nearly ended 150 miles away, but Corcoran hit wide receiver Jovan Mitchell for a 27-yard touchdown with 8 minutes remaining. A pair of defensive stands secured the 14-13 win.

The next week, Wharton beat Durant 20-14, as Hall and Edwards both went over 100 yards rushing and Edwards scored with 5 minutes left.

After beating Lakeland 27-7 before 4,300 fans at Wharton Stadium, the Wildcats hosted the State Semifinal against Daytona Beach Mainland.

The 30-3 win still remains as the

greatest game in Wharton football history.

Corcoran threw for 212 yards — 126 of those and a touchdown to Coonce — Edwards had four sacks and Hall returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown.

Wood fought back tears afterwards. He had played on television and in a Rose Bowl and NFL playoff games, but this game hit him like no other.

“This was the greatest game of our lives — the kids’ lives and my life,” he told reporters. “Truly, by far, the greatest.”

The Class 5A State Championship game was not as great. Wharton came out flat against Ely — losing two fumbles, throwing an interception and dropping a touchdown pass on its first five possessions — and fell behind 15-3 at halftime.

“I definitely don’t want to take anything away from them, they had two All American offensive linemen and an AllAmerican running back, but playing in a stadium that big and kind of being out of routine and all the extra stuff around the game took us out of sync,” Coonce says. “It took us a quarter-plus to start playing right.”

Hall capped an 86-yard drive with a TD run on Wharton’s first possession of the second half, to make it 15-10. The three bus loads full of Wharton fans grew louder.

But, despite a strong defensive effort,

Ely’s star running back, Tyrone Moss, broke free for a 55yard TD with four minutes remaining for the winning score.

Corcoran, Joseph, Coonce and probably every Wildcat on that roster insists to this day that Wharton should have won that game. Take away a few miscues and some bad luck, and Wharton would — and should — have been crowned State champions.

Mitchell remembers coming home from Tallahassee the next day, grabbing the mail and flinging it across the room once he got inside. To this day, he has not watched a replay of the game.

Time, however, heals many wounds.

“That was the highlight of my life,” Joseph says. “I think about it all the time. I still see some of the guys I played with, and we always end up talking about it — the games, the bus rides. That was an amazing feeling. You felt like it was never going to end. It was like living in a fairy tale. In the moment, you don’t realize how significant it is. But, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“

T hat was an amazing feeling. You felt like it was never going to end. It was like living in a fairy tale. In the moment, you don’t realize how significant it is. But it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

— Former Wharton OL Wilbur Joseph (right)

All Lanes Now Open At The Diverging Diamond

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently announced that, for the first time, all of the lanes at the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at S.R. 56 and Exit 275 of I-75 in Wesley Chapel are now open.

According to FDOT, a fourth westbound lane on S.R. 56 has opened, along with a third left turn lane from the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp onto westbound S.R. 56.

Work is still continuing on the interchange, as crews put the finishing touches on the $33.6-million project, so FDOT continues to urge caution for travelers making their way through the new intersection.

The project began construction in Jan. 2019, far ahead of its original schedule, and despite the first construction company being dismissed from the project (and later going out of business), the new company, Superior Construction Company Southeast, LLC, has managed to exceed expectations for finishing the job. — JCC

A fourth westbound lane on S.R. 56 and a third left turn lane on the northbound I-75 exit ramp onto S.R. 56 westbound has just about completed the Diverging Diamond Interchange at what was once arguably Wesley Chapel’s most annoying intersection.

‘Kidpreneurs’ Learning The Art Of Making Business Deals

By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

On the way to school one day just over a year ago, one of the neighborhood kids that Danielle Cannon was driving to school mentioned that she wanted to start selling some of her homemade bracelets.

Cannon’s own two kids, 7-year-old Jane and 9-year-old Adam, chimed in that they were interested in selling some stuff as well.

“So I posted online asking if anyone knew of a good place to do this little thing for the neighborhood,” Cannon says.

That little thing, however, became a much bigger thing. Within a day, more than 20 families had replied that their children wanted to be a part of it as well, and the Tampa Children’s Business Fair was born.

At the end of last month, Cannon’s army of “Kidpreneurs” set up more than 40 tables at the KRATE at The Grove container park, selling everything from artwork to tree saplings to cookies to Christmas trinkets to — you guessed it — bracelets.

“It has really grown,” says Cannon, who has poured thousands of dollars of her own money into her nonprofit fair where all the business owners are kids, ages 6-16. “Literally, the only limitation is finding places to hold it,” Cannon says.

The KRATE was generous enough to provide the space for free, although Cannon says other locations have charged as much as $1,500 to host a fair.

Cannon’s first event late last year attracted about 20 kids. The final event of this year, held at the Temple Terrace Recreation Center on Dec. 11, featured a whopping 75 tables and more than 100 Kidpreneurs.

“We would have had more but there was no more room,” Cannon says.

It was the fifth business fair of the year, and some of the young business owners — like New Tampa sisters Alghaliah (13-years-old), Layal (11) and

Nouf Rizq (6) — have sold their wares at all of them.

The sisters, who all attend TurnerBartels K-8 School, sell a variety of different necklaces and bracelets, including ones with clay beads displaying positive messages like “Kind,” “Cute,” “Love” and “Shine.”

At the KRATE fair, the trio’s Queen of Hearts business displayed an expanded product line to include pens and PopSockets (to help you hold your

cell phone) and, at the Temple Terrace fair, they unveiled jewelry boxes made of resin.

“You can add colors to them,” Alghaliah says. “It looks really cool.”

The sisters have made more than $400 at the fairs. They say they wanted to learn more about entrepreneurship and the process has helped them become more confident.

“It’s been fun,” Layal says.

Cannon says the Rizqs are some

of her best Kidpreneurs, even winning “Best Presentation” honors at one of the fairs. Typically, Cannon has local business owners help her choose the booths that have the “Best Presentation,” “Most Creative Business Idea” and “Highest Business Potential.”

The Tampa Children’s Business Fair encourages children to embrace all the tenets of entrepreneurship — developing a product and a brand, building a marketing strategy, setting prices and selling to customers.

Booths cost $25, but Cannon tries to return $5 to each business owner so they can walk around and network and buy things from their fellow Kidpreneurs.

Cannon hopes one day to not have to charge at all. She is hoping to land some sponsors to help cover some of the costs of running the quarterly fairs moving forward; those costs also include things like insurance and sometimes having to hire off-duty law enforcement officers, a requirement for some of the sites.

“I’m way over full-time hours working on this, but I know once people know about this they are going to love it,” Cannon says. “This is awesome, I love doing it, and the kids love it.”

For more information about the Tampa Children’s Business Fair and future fairs, visit TampaCBF.org.

Layal (left), Nouf (center) and Alghaliah Rizq own Queen of Hearts, which sells homemade jewelry as well as other products. They are part of a group of ‘Kidpreneurs’ that sell plants and art (bottom left) and bejewelled tumblers (bottom right).

Dr. Satodiya Of Apex Internal Medicine Is Your Neighborhood Doctor

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent

Less than five months ago, Mukesh Satodiya, M.D., made the leap from doctor in a corporate practice to business owner, now serving his neighbors in the community where he lives.

Dr. Satodiya opened Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa, located in the Cory Lake Professional Center, on Cross Creek Blvd., in July.

“I live in New Tampa so I thought I would love to work nearby,” he says. “It’s close to home and allows me to serve the community.”

Dr. Satodiya and his wife have three kids, including a 15-year-old daughter, and twins (a son and daughter) who are 10. As they are raising their family in New Tampa — enjoying some of their favorite activities, such as riding bikes through their neighborhood — Dr. Satodiya’s desire has been to work closer to home and serve his neighbors.

He is Board-certified in internal medicine and has been practicing for more than 15 years, including experience working for both corporate practices and in a hospital environment.

He grew up in India and earned a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from B. J. Medical

College in Ahmedabad in 1999. He then moved to the United States and completed his residency training in internal medicine at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, in 2007.

Apex Internal Medicine is a primary care practice, focused on meeting the needs of adults. The practice sees anyone ages 18 and older, from young adults to the elderly.

“We offer all routine primary care services,” explains Dr. Satodiya. That may include annual physicals, care for diabetes,

high blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid disease, asthma, allergies, chronic lung illnesses like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and minor infections.

Dr. Satodiya is especially experienced in meeting the needs of older people and often sees Medicare patients.

“Our office is more focused on personalized care,” he says. “I’m the only physician, so if you need anything, you see me. It’s not like a corporate clinic where, sometimes, you can’t see your own doctor because they are too busy.”

In fact, he says, for sickness or even routine care, you can often be seen the same day or the next day after you call.

“You’re not waiting for weeks to see the doctor,” he says.

Dr. Satodiya says that anyone who comes to Apex Internal Medicine will see how he and his staff take time with each of their patients, focusing on meeting the complex needs of those who may come in for one problem, but who may have underlying issues that are all related and need to be addressed.

“Older people have different needs,” he says. “Their care is sometimes more delicate because of (having) multiple medical problems.”

Dr. Satodiya understands that Medicare is complicated and, at this time of year, patients may have recently switched to a new plan, whether that’s Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

The Apex office staff can help you understand your benefits, and will explain those benefits prior to the appointment. He says that if any concerns arise, his staff can often contact your insurance company on your behalf and help work out any billing issues.

Dr. Satodiya says he and his staff also help connect patients to resources they may have available to them through their

Dr. Mukesh Satodiya opened Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa on Cross Creek Blvd. in July, and the practice sees anyone ages 18 and older, including the elderly population.

Medicare plan, or through the county in which they live.

“For example, if an elderly person doesn’t drive and needs transportation, there are resources available,” he says, “so we connect them with those resources, as much as we can.”

Bhupendra Patel and his wife moved to Arbor Greene six months, ago after living the last 50 years in Connecticut. Bhupendra was looking for a primary care doctor when he noticed the Apex office next to a pizza place he was visiting.

With its extremely convenient location, he decided to give Apex a try.

“I have had four appointments now,” he says, “and each one has been outstanding.”

He says Dr. Satodiya is careful and meticulous, answering all of his questions, and that he is always on time. He says the doctor reminds him of his brother, a recently retired surgeon.

While he considers himself more of a “fast mover,” Bhupendra says he likes that the doctor helps him to slow down and listen to his careful explanations.

“I’m very happy with his approach,” he says. “When my lab results came in, he called me personally to explain the test results and what each one meant. I would recommend him to anyone else in the area who is looking for a physician.”

For patients who have issues with transportation or an illness that prevents them from coming to the office in person, Dr. Satodiya also offers telemedicine appointments, if the patient prefers that.

And, he says, it’s important that people take advantage of the benefits they have from their insurance, as most offer an annual preventive care visit at little or no cost.

That preventive care includes lab work, cancer screening, vaccinations and helping people avoid problems before they become more serious.

“We go over every year what needs to be done,” he says, “and remind them again of screenings that maybe they missed last year, such as a mammogram or other cancer screening, or a colonoscopy.”

Over the last couple of years, because of Covid-19, Dr. Satodiya says many people unfortunately have gotten away from their routine care. That means they may not even know they have hypertension, cholesterol or diabetes.

He says he and his staff are seeing patients who have these issues, but don’t know it because they don’t feel any symptoms. But, if you wait until you have symptoms, you will likely have already suffered damage to your heart, kidneys or eyesight, for example.

However, he explains, if you happen to have pre-diabetes or borderline hypertension, you may be able to make changes to your diet or lifestyle to prevent long-term damage.

“The key is to catch it early,” he says.

That’s what Dr. Satodiya and his staff at Apex Internal Medicine will help you do if you make an appointment to join this growing practice.

Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa is located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D, in the Cory Lake Professional Center. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m.) and evening appointments are available. To make an appointment or for more information, call (813) 725-4983, visit ApexIMT.com, or see the ad on page 25 of this issue.

Armando, “Mandy” Pou (photo), the owner of GrassWorks, LLC, says he comes from, “a long line of lawn service and landscaping. My parents owned a tree nursery in Ocala. My family decided to relocate in 2008 but I stayed in Ocala and worked to build something of my own.”

After building his own thriving lawn care business (serving both residential and commercial clients) in Ocala for more than a decade, Pou and his then-fiancée Carley (who was pregnant with their first child) moved to Wesley Chapel to be closer to her family. What he found was that the areas of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa were growing and that there definitely was a need for quality lawn care services to serve all those new homes and businesses.

“Our customers in Ocala had become like family to me,” Pou says, adding that GrassWorks has retained some commercial accounts in the Ocala area. “We are working to build those same relationships here in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas.”

Whether residential or commercial, GrassWorks will mow and spray the entire property to get rid of any weeds, trim hedges and more.

“We prefer to offer lawn service first and then add landscaping services,” Pou says. “We listen to our customers’ needs and we take pride in our work, our knowledge and our customer service.”

Mandy and Carley and their 16-month-old daughter live on two acres in Wesley Chapel, where he also owns a local golf cart company.

For more information about GrassWorks, LLC, call (813) 3604400 or (352) 445-3692, visit them on Facebook @GrassworksLLC, on Instagram @grassworksocala or see the ad on pg. 38 of this issue. — GN

Gramatica Now Kicking Winners With Life Guard Imaging

By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Like most people, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Martin Gramatica worried about what, if any, future maladies might be lurking in his body. So, when he heard a commercial on the radio for Life Guard Imaging, which promises to help answer those questions with high-tech fullbody scans, he made a mental note to give them a call.

However, he never did.

Instead, it was a chance meeting — with a diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan — a few weeks later on an airplane, that put the former Buc on a path to not only get himself scanned, but to join the team at Life Guard Imaging and start helping to save other people’s lives.

That Kansas City Chiefs fan was Frankie Maldonado, the director of operations of Life Guard Imaging, which is located on Rocky Point Dr. in Tampa, off the Courtney Campbell Cswy.

As a Bucs sponsor, Maldonado was on a team-sponsored flight sitting in the row ahead of Gramatica, who does color commentary for the Bucs’ Spanish flagship radio station WTMP-FM 96.1.

Gramatica’s wife Ashlee overheard the conversation and told Martin it was the guys from the radio commercial.

“Frankie is a huge Chiefs fan and was

wearing his Chiefs shirt, so I had to say something to him,” Gramatica said. “We ended up hanging out that weekend and had a great time. We landed back in Tampa on Sunday, and I had my scan on Tuesday, and it kind of went from there. Then, Eric (Shuman, Life Guard marketing director), and Frankie asked me if I wanted to come on board.”

Gramatica is now the vice president of business development for Life Guard Imag-

ing, a company that specializes in preventive screenings in order to find heart disease, cancer and other illnesses early enough that patients and their physicians can take the proper steps to correct them.

At Life Guard Imaging, you are scanned from your shoulders to the base of your pelvis. A registered CT Technologist slides you through a low-radiation, highresolution CT scanner, creating 3D images of your internal organs, which are then ex-

amined by a team of Board-certified Doctors of Radiology who can help aid in detecting deadly diseases before it’s too late.

The scans can help detect hundreds of issues, but among the most prominent are lung cancer (which kills more men and women than any other cancer), liver disease (which accounts for 2 million deaths per year) and abnormalities in your chest, abdomen or pelvis.

Maldonado describes the first scan as your base, and although you can get just one scan, he says yearly scans can reveal any dangerous year-to-year changes. He compares it to getting a mammogram.

“The single-most diagnosed cancer in America is breast cancer,” Maldonado says. “And yet, and most people don’t know this, the single most-survived cancer in American is breast cancer. That’s not a coincidence.”

A Little History

Maldonado took a job at an independent imaging facility in Atlanta in 2017, and knew then he wanted to bring scanning services to as many people as possible.

He has seen patient scans reveal earlystage pancreatic cancer — the same cancer that killed his father, prominent Maryland surgeon Dr. Benjamin J. Maldonado, Jr. — allowing this deadly type of cancer to be caught in time. Another patient had a cardiac calcium score so high it was revealed that three of his four main arteries had

The caring, professional staff at Life Guard Imaging on Rocky Point Dr. wants to help you discover possible life-threatening illnesses early with Life Guard’s unique full-body scans.

90-percent blockage. Triple bypass surgery saved him from an inevitable heart attack.

Life Guard Imaging is one of only five places nationwide that offer this type of fullbody-scan program, and the job is extremely gratifying. Gramatica says there are plans to expand to other locations in Florida.

“I’m having so much fun with it,” Gramatica says. “Where else can you say you are saving people’s lives?”

That’s why Gramatica didn’t want to just be a spokesman for the company. He

wanted a larger role — “I wanted to be all in,” he says. “I didn’t just want to do a couple of commercials and put my face and name out there and be done with it. As VP of business development, my job is to get the word out there and let people know what we do, because what we do is important.”

For Gramatica, knowing that he’s healthy is important. He owns his own business, coaches all three of his kids — 14- and 16-year-old boys and a 10-year-old daughter — in soccer, has been doing Bucs radio with his brother (and former USF kicker) Santiago for five years and was recently named the head coach of the new Tampa Bay Strikers men’s and women’s teams that will play in the National Indoor Soccer League, which will play its home matches nearby at the USF Yuengling Center.

“When I first thought about getting scanned, my stomach had been bothering me,” Gramatica says. That checked out fine, however, and his scans have only revealed a few wear-and-tear issues from a lifetime of playing soccer and kicking field goals.

“It gave my wife and I tremendous piece of mind,” he says. “It’s extremely valuable to know that everything is fine. And, if anything does develop, we’ll catch it early.”

Life Guard Imaging is located at 3001 N. Rocky Point Dr., Suite 185. For more info, visit LifeGuardImaging. com, call (813) 524-1010 or see the ad on page 33 of this issue. If you mention this story or the ad, you will receive a heart scan and coronary calcium score absolutely free.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Martin Gramatica is now the VP of development for Life Guard Imaging.

Gadgets Emergency Room Merges With Computer Emergency Room

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent

The popular Gadgets Emergency Room has expanded to three locations and will soon add a fourth…and has a new name, too.

Brothers and co-owners Jamie Hess and Joe Hess, Jr., have owned a thriving business in upstate New York, called Computer Emergency Room, since 1991. When Jamie — who also owns Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — moved to Florida in 2018, the pair bought a local tech repair store in the Shoppes at New Tampa located just south and east of the corner of S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Now, they are merging the company’s Tampa-area locations with their New York-based business, bringing it all under one umbrella — as Computer Emergency Room.

“Along with changing our name to Computer Emergency Room, we’re expanding our business-to-business support division, doing network support, computer repair, cloud backup, remote monitoring – essentially all technical support,” Jamie says.

Jamie adds that whether a business is running high-end servers or just needs technical support for an indi-

vidual workstation, Computer Emergency Room will come out on-site and provide the fix you need.

And, while the name is changing to reflect the emphasis on business services and to merge the brothers’ businesses, Jamie says the retail locations will continue offering the services local customers have come to depend upon.

For anyone who has a laptop that’s unusually slow, a tablet that stops working, or a phone screen that shatters, Computer Emergency Room can offer a quick fix — usually within hours — at a reasonable price.

Over the past year, new locations have opened at the KRATE at The Grove container park in Wesley Chapel

and in the growing Mirada development in San Antonio. A fourth location — at the corner of Livingston Rd. and County Line Rd. in Lutz, where a new Publix just opened — is expected to open by the end of this year.

“Nothing will change at our retail locations,” Jamie explains. “All four locations will continue to offer all services.”

Additional technicians are being hired to support the expansion of the number of locations and the business services, and the company has branded vans on the road for technicians who support area businesses.

He says businesses can pay hourly, or sign up for a service contract that offers unlimited support. He says some contracts include weekly preventive maintenance, but most are on call, where businesses dial up Computer Emergency Room whenever they have a problem.

“This is something we’re currently doing,” Jamie says, “and we even go to homes to fix personal computers and connect networks.”

It’s A Family Affair

The family-owned business includes two stores managed by Joe’s sons. Joe Hess III manages the Mirada location, while Josh Hess (photo on next page)

The Computer Emergency Room team: (l.-r.) Co-owner Jamie Hess, KRATE store manager Josh Hess, co-owner Joe Hess, Bruce B. Downs store manager Alexandra Horne and Mirada store manager Joe Hess III. (Photos: Charmaine George)

manages the KRATE store. Meanwhile, the BBD location is managed by Alex Horne, who has worked there for more than 10 years. While a manager has not yet been hired for the new location on Livingston, the Hesses expect to promote from within the company.

Jamie says they expect to expand to more locations, too, and are looking at opening stores in Tampa, Trinity, and even as far south as Bradenton.

And, while the business branches out, the Hess family remains firmly connected to the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, with Jamie serving on the Board of Directors for the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and they’re excited to have a Computer ER location in the trendy KRATE container park.

“We’re getting a lot of traffic at our KRATE location,” says Jamie. “KRATE is doing a nice job with events to get people there.”

In fact, that’s how Rich Bussey was first introduced to Computer Emergency Room.

He and his wife, Jenny, own Boba Macs Tea & Eat, a shop in the KRATEs located directly across from Computer Emergency Room.

“We were in the process of opening and our internet service provider didn’t install the line running into the building correctly,” Rich says. “I spent three weeks trying to get them to fix it, argu-

ing back and forth, and going through a lot of finger pointing.”

Rich said it was a devastating blow. He and Jenny are first-time business owners, and also work full-time at other jobs, so a three-week delay was “crushing.”

Especially after Covid had pushed their dream business opening back, the Busseys were anxious to get up and running, but there was no way to open their store without a point of sale (POS) system, and that couldn’t be installed without internet.

One day in late August, Rich says

the techs “across the way” at (thenGadgets) Emergency Room offered to take a look at the wires Boba Macs’ service provider still hadn’t come out to assess.

“They immediately found the problem, fixed it, and my internet was up and running within minutes,” Rich says. “I was able to have someone come out that same day to set up my POS system that had been sitting there gathering dust for three weeks. I was mind blowing-ly impressed at how proactive they were at finding a solution and providing

phenomenal service.”

Rich says that being in the service industry, he often finds himself having casual conversations with people, and occasionally that talk works its way around to someone’s frustrations with their phone, tablet or laptop.

“I always suggest they pop in across the way and let them take a look,” he says. “Those same people usually come back and thank me, saying they previously spent hours on the phone with their tech support and got nowhere, but spent five minutes over there and they fixed it.”

Computer Emergency Room (formerly Gadgets Emergency Room) has four locations. Its original shop, at 1750 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., and newest location at 30925 Mirada Blvd. in San Antonio, are both open Mon.-Fri.,10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays. The Computer ER location at KRATE (5854 Goldview Pkwy.), is open Tues.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m., noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and noon5 p.m. on Sunday. The new store will be opening at the corner of E. County Line Rd. and Livingston Ave. later this year.

For more information about any of the stores, call (813) 939-HELP (4357), visit ComputerEmergencyRoom.com or see the ad on pg. 30.

Window Coverings & Even Repairs Are Available From Bloomin’ Blinds

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent

Erum Qureshi and her husband Raheel recently moved into a new home in Wesley Chapel. With 27 bare windows throughout the house, Erum called several companies to provide estimates for window coverings.

“I had gotten a few quotes, but didn’t feel quite right about hiring any of the companies,” she says. Then, she saw the Bloomin’ Blinds truck working at another home in her neighborhood, Persimmon Park, so she called the number on the truck.

When Michael Imses, who owns the local franchise of Bloomin’ Blinds with his wife, Mariana, responded to her call, Erum knew she had found the right company to meet their needs.

“We saw right away that he understood what we wanted, and he was generous with his time,” Erum says. “He must have sat in my house for two hours going over things, making sure we were 100-percent satisfied, which was so important because we are both very detail-orientated.”

She says that Michael is pretty meticulous, too, and she felt he would care about the final products in her home as much as she did.

Michael says that’s one thing he prides himself on — listening carefully to customers to really understand their needs and give them a great experience when purchasing window coverings.

His franchise serves homeowners in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas such as Lutz, Land O’Lakes, Tampa and South Tampa.

Bloomin’ Blinds is a 25-year-old company that started in Dallas, TX, and began franchising within the last decade. There are now about 60 locations across the nation, including several in Florida — Ft. Myers, West Palm Beach and Miami.

Michael and Mariana are both accountants who wanted to own their

own business, so they started looking into franchise opportunities.

“We found Bloomin’ Blinds, and we’ve been very happy being the owners and operators of this business for the last five years,” Michael says, adding that they purchased the franchise at about the same time their only daughter was born.

Michael says one thing that sets Bloomin’ Blinds apart from all of its competition is that no one else in the market does repairs, in addition to sales.

And, for window coverings such as roller shades, cellular shades, plantation shutters or blinds, Bloomin’ Blinds provides custom treatments direct from the factory, so the quality is much better than what you would buy off the shelf at a big box or home improvement store.

Michael says Bloomin’ Blinds sells Norman shutters, Graber window treatments, and Alta window fashions, among other brands.

The local franchise is growing, with one installer who works with Michael on larger jobs, and other installers being added to the team.

While most work is done directly with homeowners, Bloomin’ Blinds also regularly works with interior designers, too.

“Blinds” on pg. 26

(l.-r.) Mariana and Michael Imses own the Bloomin’ Blinds franchise serving the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas, and they specialize in the latest trendy designs and the kind of inhome service that makes the process a delight for customers. (Photo: Charmaine George)

How To Get Started

The first step is always to schedule an appointment for a free estimate in your home. This allows Michael to show you the available products in your own environment, so that colors and styles can be best matched to your existing décor, and you can see exactly what it all will look like in your space.

“Sometimes, people already know what they want,” says Michael, adding that it’s often his job to help people learn about all of the new products available on the market. “We bring all the samples and colors to our customers, help them pick out what would work best, and share all that we’ve learned from our experience.”

Erum Qureshi says she tells people all the time that they can trust what Michael tells them. In fact, she says, Michael made a couple of recommendations about room darkening shades that she and Raheel at first chose to ignore. But then, they called him back after the first time they had guests spend the night in their home and there was too much light.

“He was right,” she says. “What we wanted didn’t work, so he was over the next day with his book and samples.”

Another advantage of Bloomin’ Blinds always coming to you is that the business doesn’t have a lot of overhead expenses so, Michael says, “we can give our customers a better price.”

While in your home, he also will measure every window and ensure that any product you buy is custom fit to those exact specifications.

“We don’t have anything stored or any standard size,” he explains. “That way, if your windows are slightly different sizes — even off by a portion of an inch — you won’t have gaps on the sides, especially with a shade or blinds.”

He says plantation shutters currently are the most popular choice, although many clients also choose roller shades.

“Roller shades are a more modern

product,” he says, “and they are much improved now, including using a smooth, cordless system.”

Michael says that, beginning in 2023, there no longer will be any products sold with cords, to improve child safety.

Because the cordless systems are becoming more popular, the systems are continually being improved and also are becoming more affordable.

Michael says he usually can install your new window coverings just three to four weeks after you order them, although shutters may take just a little longer.

Lifetime Warranty & Repairs

While all of the products Bloomin’ Blinds sells come with a lifetime warranty, Michael can often repair the blinds, shades and shutters you already have in your home. Most companies don’t provide repairs, but if you have a window covering you love that has a broken slat or blind tilter, Bloomin’ Blinds will come out to provide a free estimate for the repair, and can often repair the problem in your home right then — or come back soon if a part needs to be ordered.

Whether he’s coming in for an initial consultation for a new installation or repair, keeping tabs on where your window coverings are at in the process from the factory, or showing up on the day of installation, “we always try to be punctual,” Michael says, “and we’re honest and loyal to our customers.”

“Eventually,” Erum Qureshi says, “we want to build our own place a little bigger than this one, so we’re looking forward to using Michael and Bloomin’ Blinds again in the future. I wouldn’t even think twice. I would just call him and ask, ‘When can you come over?’”

Bloomin’ Blinds comes to you for a free in-home estimate. You can schedule an appointment by calling (813) 444-5536, or get more information by visiting BloominBlinds. com. Or, see the ad on page 29.

The right kind of window dressings can transform the lighting and feel of any room in the house, even the kitchem.

Platinum Salon — An Outstanding Salon & Community Partner!

By Gary Nager

If you said you’ve never heard of Platinum Salon, located in the same plaza as Burger 21 off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., I’d have to say I’d be a little surprised.

Sure, the upscale, 1,600-sq.-ft. salon itself isn’t visible from BBD, but Platinum Salon’s visibility is more about its co-owners, Master Colorist/Stylist Allen Coleman and former occupational therapist Michael Berthelette, who handles the business side of the salon’s business.

Berthelette previously owned the Pure Hair salon with Coleman in Land O’Lakes, while Coleman — who opened Salon at the Walk in New Tampa in 1997 — has owned and operated five salons throughout the Tampa Bay area over the past 33 years. The partners opened Platinum Salon five years ago and merged Pure Hair with Platinum in Dec. 2018, when they closed Pure Hair.

But, while Coleman is the artist known for pushing boundaries and redefining style who is a National Leyton House (which is based in Australia) professional educator, Berthelette is the salon’s Chief Executive & Community Officer. Berthelette has been out in the community building Platinum’s pubic profile as a three-year Board member

and immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors with the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC). He also is a member of the Business Networking International (BNI) Alliance (which meets every Wednesday at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County) and recently was added to the Board of Directors of the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Foundation.

Platinum Salon has 15 employees, including 12 stylists/colorists, all of whom, Coleman says, are “highly trained professionals” who specialize in highlights, lowlights, balayage/ombre and color corrections and also offer Keratin treatments, Brazilian blowout and other smoothing treatments, as well as tape-in hair extensions.

Coleman, who has clients who have been with him for 30+ years, inspires his stylists to be fearless behind the chair and is known for always delivering cuttingedge styles, innovative color, cutting techniques and service excellence.

“Allen is constantly seeking new challenges to add depth to his artistic experience and portfolio,” Berthelette says.

“He’s driven by his unparalleled creative energy to break down barriers and leave his mark and legacy on this world.”

He adds, “Our clientele is primarily professional business women who want

(Above) The professional staff at Platinum Salon, located in the same plaza as Burger 21 off BBD Blvd. (Facing page, top left) Allen Coleman is a Master Colorist & Stylist; (Top right) The exterior of Platinum Salon; (Bottom right) Check out the great salon products & receive a free deep conditioning treatment at Platinum Salon when you drop off an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. (Bottom left) You can get a great balayage style from any of the stylists/colorists at Platinum Salon. (Photos provided by abcactionnews.com, Platinum Salon & Charmaine George)

to look and feel special. We help them do every day at Platinum Salon.”

Toys For Tots Collection

In addition to serving the community in BNI and both the hospital foundation and the NTBC, Berthelette, Coleman and Platinum Salon also participate in the U.S. Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots campaign.

“My brother-in-law Johnnie Miller

served in the Marines,” Allen says. “And it’s such a worthy cause.”

As an incentive to make a donation, Berthelette says anyone who brings in an unwrapped toy through Saturday, December 17, will receive a free deep conditioning treatment — a $45 value — with the purchase of any hair service. The same offer is made to all first-time hair service clients whether they donate a toy or not.

Platinum Salon (20304 Trout

Creek Dr.) is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday & Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more info, call (813) 9732400, search “PlatinumSalonTampa” on Facebook, “PlatinumHairSalonTampa” on Instagram or see the ad on pg. 37.

New Coach, Same Old Wildcats

By JOHN C. COTEY John@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

If you were wondering if things would be any different for the Wharton High basketball team playing under a new coach for the first time in two decades, you can stop wondering.

In this year’s first game at home under new coach Shawn Vanzant, the Wildcats used an aggressive attacking defense that produced a slew of steals that they turned into a withering onslaught of threepointers and transition buckets to open up a 28-7 lead en route to a 73-40 win over Steinbrenner High on Nov. 29.

“Not much has changed,” says junior point guard Lucean Milligan, who had three steals and 10 points in the first quarter.

The Wildcats made a winner of Vanzant, who was making his home debut as Wharton’s new head basketball coach after taking over for Tommy Tonelli, Hillsborough County’s all-time winningest coach.

In a gym where Vanzant once starred as arguably the program’s greatest player ever, it felt as if he, or even Tonelli, had never left.

“Easy transition; I think it’s the best option we could have had,” says senior forward Chandler Davis. “He played here, and he played at a high level at Butler (University in Indianapolis, IN).”

Vanzant is a great story that just keeps on getting better. The Wildcats added the latest chapter by beating the Warriors.

“I’m not gonna lie, it was a special moment,”

Vanzant said afterwards. “I played four years here, coach Tonelli was like a father figure (to me). It was like a welcome home party.”

The following night reminded Vanzant there is still lots of work to do. The Wildcats laid an egg against a good Newsome team that returns a lot of size and experience, losing 48-39.

There is no question, however, that he is the man for the job. Tonelli, it seems, had waited for this moment for a few years, the chance to hand his program off to his star pupil. He wanted someone who could coach, sure, but it was more important to find someone who could lead, which life surely has prepared Vanzant to do.

As a kid, Vanzant’s family fell apart due to a myriad of problems, including his mother’s death right before his second birthday. As a teenager, midway through his high school career, he ran out of living options until New Tampa resident Lisa Litton and her family took him in.

As a high school star, Vanzant led Wharton to a 29-2 record in 2007 and, three years later, he helped Butler get to within two points of the 2010 NCAA Championship, which they were denied 61-59 by Duke University and its legendary coach Mike Kryzewski.

After a pro career spent mostly overseas, Vanzant turned to coaching and helped turn perennial basketball loser Bloomingdale High into a playoff team.

Now, he’s back home.

“We had to win the first game for him,” Milligan said.

See “Vanzant” on pg. 32

Former Wharton High basketball star Shawn Vanzant is trying to lead the Wildcats back to the State tournament.

(Photos by Mike Bitting)

Vanzant and the Wildcats, regarded as one of the best teams in the Tampa Bay area, are expected to win many more, as they are coming off a 28-3 season and the program’s second Class 6A State Semifinal appearance.

Although Vanzant has the same distaste for polls as his predecessor — “They don’t mean anything” –—the Wildcats entered this season ranked by various online sites as one of the topthree teams in Tampa Bay.

“We have some things to work on, but if we do that, we’ll be good,” Vanzant said.

Milligan, a slick playmaker who can score in bunches, the 6’-5” Davis, last year’s top postseason scorer, and senior guard Christian Ayala are all key returners from the State Semifinal team.

Senior forward Karmello Branch is another player who played at States last season, but for Class 3A Tampa Catholic. He transferred back to New Tampa.

Sophomore guard Nick Womack played for Vanzant at Bloomingdale last year, and sophomore guard Jayson Montgomery is making the transition to varsity this season look easy after scoring 16 in the home opener.

Vanzant loves what he sees so far, especially the team camaraderie and togetherness.

“Tonelli laid the groundwork, and we have a lot of guys from last year’s Final Four team,” Vanzant says. “All I have to do is come in here and not mess it up.”

Milligan and Davis both say there is no chance of that happening, because if there’s one thing that isn’t different with the change of coaches, it’s the Wildcats’ mindset.

“State championship,” Davis said. “That’s it.”

Karmello Branch goes up for two of his 16 points in the home-opening win over Steinbrenner.

Kiran Indian Grocery — Treating New Tampa Like Family For 20 Years

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

Kiran Indian Grocery, located on Cross Creek Blvd. in the Cross Creek Center plaza, has been a mainstay at this constantly-changing plaza since 2014. Before that, owner Kiran Vanthenapalli owned a store (from 2003-06; and an Indian restaurant, too) on E. Fowler Ave. and, from 2006-10, her store was in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

That means that some of her beloved customers have known and trusted Kiran and her family and staff to provide their (predominantly) Indian and Pakistani spices, coffees and teas, frozen foods, meats, snacks, sweets and even hair care and other cosmetic products (and so much more) for almost 20 years.

And of course, Kiran is perhaps best known for her amazing selection of fresh produce, with so many Indian specialty items I’ve never tasted (or even seen) before at prices that she says she knows, “no one can beat. I do my research — and no one beats my prices on produce.”

For example, she can describe the difference between coconuts used for Indian prayers and those that are meant for eating, and of course, stocks both in the store.

But actually, saying that Kiran is best known for her produce isn’t 100-percent accurate. Kiran Indian Grocery is actually bestknown for Kiran herself, something that no other store of any kind can boast.

Not only can Kiran tell you where each and every one of her thousands of available items are located, she also can tell you the prices for each — all off the top of her head. That’s kind of amazing because she has so

many different items and many different brands of the same types of products — e.g., she has as many different “masala” seasonings and brands as most grocery stores have beers — crammed into a store that somehow seems both much bigger and much smaller than it actually is because it offers such an amazing variety of products.

“I can’t do my own inventory on a computer,” Kiran says. “My computer is right here (pointing to her head).”

But, Kiran’s staffers also are knowledgeable. It’s just pretty much impossible for anyone else to have memorized the prices, sizes and exact location within the store of so many different items — many of which aren’t even

marked with prices.

But, if Kiran tells you what the price is on any item, rest assured that when that item is rung up at the check-out counter, the exact price she quoted will pop up.

Also stored in Kiran’s computer brain are the favorite items of every one of her regular customers. She re-orders many items based on when she knows the customers who regularly purchase those items will be back in to buy them.

“I don’t like disappointing anyone,” she says with her usual sweet smile. “If I am running low on an item you always get, I’ll hold enough of that item for you,” so you can stay stocked until she gets her next shipment of it. And, “If I only have three left, and I don’t know how soon I’ll get more, I’ll tell you to buy two of them.”

And, if Kiran does somehow run out of one of your favorites, she’ll suggest an alternative that you can try that you might end up liking better.

A Love Of Animals

Kiran and her husband Sudeer have always also served not only their community, but people — and even animals — in need around the world.

She has been involved — at least since opening her store in Cross Creek — with the Tampa Bay chapter of the SPCA (the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and she has donated fresh pro-

(Clockwise on this page) Kiran Vanthenapalli of Kiran Indian Grocery on Cross Creek Blvd. explains the difference between prayer coconuts and coconuts for eating. Kiran’s son Satvik (left) is a clinical psychiatrist; her younger son Sahit is in medical school. Kiran stocks everything from frozen Indian specialties to a huge variety of teas and frozen naan breads, as well as (next page) huge varieties of produce (top) and imported chocolate bars. (Photos by Charmaine George)

duce, rice and really anything the local chapter has needed because she is such a strong believer that people need pets and that so many of the pets in shelters can and do help individuals and families who need the kind of companionship and love that only a dog or cat can provide.

“I love the SPCA,” Kiran says. “It feels good to help them because they help so many people...and animals.”

When Covid-19 hit back in March 2020 and I started going through issues with my printer, Kiran was probably the first (but thankfully, not the only) advertiser to call me and say, “What do you need? How can I help?

She thought I said that I was going out

of business. “I started crying,” she said. “I told (her husband) Sudeer, ‘We have to help our brother.’”

Even though I thankfully never got to that point and have no Indian heritage whatsoever, Kiran has been calling me her brother for years now. And, even though she seems to treat everyone who stops into the store like a member of her family, I refer to her as my sister, too. You just can’t fake her kind of genuine goodness and compassion for others.

“Gary, my brother, I’m so sorry that I’m out of your favorite chocolate bars right now,” she said to me on my most recent visit. “I also

had to order (my wife) Jannah’s favorite tea. I’ll let you know when all of that comes in.”

But, it’s a big compliment to me because Kiran does also have an amazing family of which she is equally proud. Sudeer is a software engineer and their older son Satvik graduated from medical school at USF and is now a clinical psychiatrist, while younger son Sahit currently is in med school and plans to become a psychiatrist as well.

Another case in point about how Kiran treats everyone is that, when people check out at her store, she or her cashier will put coupons from other local businesses in the customers’ shopping bags. She has helped most of the Indian restaurants (as well as the new Gorkhali Kitchen Nepalese restaurant now located next to her store)

and other businesses owned by people from India and Pakistan in our area this way and she says that she would be happy to do it for other businesses, too.

“We’re all in this together,” she says. And of course, whether you like or want to cook Indian food or not, if you’re a fan of delicious chocolate cookies or other sweet and/or salty treats, or you want the best prices in town on a most unique selection of fresh produce items, you owe it to yourself to visit my sister Kiran.

Kiran Indian Grocery is located at 10042 Cross Creek Blvd. and is open Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. For more information, call (813) 994-6202, search “Kiran Indian Grocery” on Facebook or see the ad on pg. 36.

No ‘Slim Pickins’ When It Comes To Chicken!

Chicken lovers rejoice — yet another entry into the “fast-casual” chicken tender and sandwich business is ready to start building.

Slim Chickens, a fast-casual chain that specializes in chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, salads, wraps and chicken & waffles, has now filed its plans to build a 3,065-sq.-ft. restaurant on the southeast corner of Wesley Chapel Blvd. and Old Pasco Rd.

Not only that, but Slim Chickens also has plans to build another location in the Mirada Market on S.R. 52.

Until now, it’s been slim pickins’ for Slim Chickens in the Tampa Bay area.

While the restaurant has more than 100 locations in more than 30 states, these will be just the second and third locations in the Tampa Bay area, joining the lone existing Slim Chickens near Macdill Air Force Base.

The new location will create a chickeneat-chicken world of competition along Wesley Chapel Blvd. (see map on the next page), as a Chick’n Fun restaurant is just a short walk east from Slim Chickens, which is just another short walk from King of the Coop, which is another short jaunt from Popeye’s and then Chick-Fil-A, and of course, off S.R. 56 are Zaxby’s and PDQ (not shown on map). — JCC

Slim Chickens founders Greg Smart (left) and Tom Gordon. (Photo: SlimChickens.com)

Hungry for some chicken? Before too long your choices could be (l.-r.) Slim Chickens, Chick’n Fun, King of the Coop, Popeye’s and Chick-Fil-A. (Graphic by John C. Cotey)

Congratulations to the Carrabba’s Italian Grill on S.R. 56, which celebrated its Grand Opening with a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 17. (Photo: Charmaine George)

FOR SALE

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

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.

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 @ 813-9486363, email TampaBlindsbyDesign@gmail. com or visit TampaBlindsbyDesign.com.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years of exp. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Google us to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises. See our display ad below!

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHINGCOM

Soft pressure ext. house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing & deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big/small. Exp. the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning pro. Licensed & insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate 813-433-6015.

LAWN, & LANDSCAPING_____

ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior. Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials.

JASMINE LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn maint, including Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA? Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/ Spring Special & FREE estimate! Lic’d & insured. Accepting new resid’l & comm’l accounts. Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmEx. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring FT workers.

HOME IMPROVEMENT (Cont.)

RAYMOND PAINTING. Ext. & Int. Svcs. Ext: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Int: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124.

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 26 years exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-784-5999.

TREE SERVICES

FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27-yrs of Prof. Service. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.

COMPUTER & BUSINESS SERVICES

DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.

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

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Holland Lop-Eared Dwarf Baby Bunny Rabbits! Full grown will be in the 3- or 4-pound range. Call 813-407-1990 or visit PattysPetsLLC.com or facebook. com/PattysPetsLLC

CLEANING SERVICES

Rosseler Solutions has the cleaning solution your home or company needs. We are specialists in Basic Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Move-In & Move-Out, Commercial & PostConstruction Cleaning. Please contact us for a free estimate. Call Roseli or Anne at 401.543.4638 or 407.338.8700.

A-to-Z CLEANING & ORGANIZING. Home & Ofc Cleaning & Organizing Svcs! We use our own supplies. Affordable & Reliable. FamilyOwned & Operated. WC resident. Weekly & BiWeekly / Deep Cleaning/ Move-In / Move-Out. Serving WC & NT. Call today for a FREE No-Obligation Quote: 813-462-1270. Local references supplied upon request.

MARY’S CLEANING SERVICES. We provide flexible domestic & office cleaning. “Jesus is the Lord.” Give us a call at 352-206-8809 for a free estimate or email marynovociclo@ gmail.com.

PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 6 years of exp.Free estimates. Call 813 943 6054 or email patycleaningservice@hotmail.com.

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates.; Refs. avail. Call 813531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com.

REAL ESTATE

HOME SELLING GROUP OF FLORIDAElevate Brokers. Special Promotion: $500 towards closing costs when you mention this ad and promo code #GaryRules. Restrictions Apply. Call us at (813) 609-0966. Follow us on FB & IG: @homesellinggroup WE ARE HOME BUYING & SELLING EXPERTS IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION. Agent of the Year by TBBA: Geri Sanchez

MISCELLANEOUS

Hughes School of Music now accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory with a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also available! Contact us at 813-748-3216.

TUTORING. Professional private tutoring available in home or online. Retired teacher w/over 25 years of exp. & a proven record of student success. Experienced in multiple subjects across all grade levels. Specializing in MS and HS Math, ACT/SAT prep and Social Sciences. Scheduling before- or after-school times for new clients now. Call (813) 415- 8158 or email gstutor2022@gmail.com.

AUTOS WANTED! Autos/trucks/small campers/small boats wanted! We pay top dollar! Any condition, Free Removal 24/7. For more info, call (813) 461-0062.

ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2020 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $40 (one way). Driver vaccinated w/two shots. Cory Lake Isles resident. Call/text 813.765.2037.

POOL SERVICES _

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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!

All Neighborhood News Classified Ads appear in both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! Here are our Classified ad rates: 7 issues — $120 13 issues — $200 26 issues (1 year) — $300!

To order yours, visit neighborhoodnewsonline.net/Classified Listings

POOL SERVICES (Cont.) _

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.