Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 30, Issue 4, February 22, 2022 by Neighborhood News

Volume 30 Issue 4 February 22, 2022 Photo by Charmaine George

GETTING CLOSER!

The much ballyhooed KRATE Container Park is starting to take shape, ahead of its (hopeful) summer Grand Opening! See pages 32-33 & 38!

EDITORIAL

Presenting a non-political argument in favor of Covid vaccines. See page 3

TIME FOR A NEW COMMISH

District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore says he won’t run again. See page 4

TAX SEASON IS HERE

The CPA firm of Murtha & Murtha is ready to answer all your tax needs. See page 16

900º NY PIZZA

Restaurateur Steve Falabella brings more deliciousness to Wesley Chapel. See page 28

Brooklyn Water Bagel Adds Carnegie Deli Menu Items! 1

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Why I’m Glad I Took The Covid Vaccine — A Non-Political View By GARY NAGER entirely different symptoms than I had on the or fourth day after my positive test. She Editorial third started with a low-grade fever and body aches,

Before I get into my own whys and wherefores, I just want to say that even though I disagree with those who refuse to get vaccinated against Covid-19, I still defend your right not to take the “jab.” While I’m not over age 65, I am in my 60s, still somewhat overweight and I’m on daily medicine to control my blood pressure, so as soon as I became eligible to receive the vaccine, I took my chances and got my two doses of the Moderna vaccine in February and March of 2021. Eight months later (in November of 2021), I got the Moderna booster and will plan to continue to get boosted whenever the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) says I should or that it’s OK for me to do so. Why? The primary reason I chose to do so, and why Jannah did as well (also having received her two original Moderna doses and her booster a little less than a month after I did), is because we love to go out to eat, to have a few drinks, go to sing karaoke, see concerts and attend Lightning and Bucs games and we believed that being vaccinated was a safer way for us to continue to do those things than choosing not to. While we wore our masks whenever we went shopping or to local Chamber, Rotary and other public meetings, we certainly didn’t wear them when we went out to eat or to watch the Bolts at Amalie Arena. To those who say we’re crazy, that we don’t know what’s really in those shots or how they will affect us long term, for us — as older adults (although Jannah’s almost eight years younger than me) who aren’t concerned about how the vaccinations will affect our reproductive systems — the choice was easy for us and now, we’re both even happier that we made the decision we did. After still basically doing all the things we love and never having tested positive for Covid in the nearly two years since the pandemic first hit (despite taking multiple rapid and PCR tests during that time), I first got a mild cough in mid-January, and I thought it might even just be a cold or allergies because I never ran a fever and never had body aches or major fatigue. And, although my cough did get a little worse, I still didn’t think I had Covid until my son called me a couple of days into my symptoms (and a week after we had all celebrated mine and my mom’s birthdays together) to say he had tested positive and that he was having a major sore throat issue. The sore throat — which we heard was a major indicator that we had caught the Omicron variant — finally kicked in for me the following day and got so bad over the next two days that no matter how much hot tea with honey, zinc, vitamin C, Airborne, cough drops and other over-the-counter medications I took, it got so bad I couldn’t sleep for two nights. I actually went and had myself swabbed for strep at a local Urgent Care center, just to make sure I didn’t have two illnesses happening at the same time. But, I tested negative for strep and was told to increase my Ibuprofen doses and, within a day or so after, the sore throat started to subside and while I was still coughing up phlegm, it no longer hurt to do so. Two days after that, I again tested negative for Covid. Meanwhile, Jannah tested negative when I first tested positive but began experiencing Neighborhood News

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which progressed into a minor cough with a minor sore throat a couple of days later, but all of her symptoms went away within a few days and, almost exactly a week after her positive test, she also tested negative for Covid. Now, people tell me that Omicron, while apparently more contagious than previous variants, generally has less severe symptoms than Delta and other earlier variants of the disease, even for the unvaccinated. Even so, I could only imagine how much worse my symptoms could have gotten and that the possibility of being hospitalized, at least for me, seemed all too frighteningly real.

So, while I fully expect to receive the usual string of nasty emails and requests not to deliver the paper to those who are anti-vax and anti-mask, I still felt that I wanted to share my Covid story — not necessarily to change anyone’s mind, but just to say that knowing that people in my age, weight and general health categories are still dying from even the Omicron variant, I’m still glad that I weighed my options and felt that “taking the jabs” was less risky than just allowing my immune system to fight off this scourge. And, considering that I’m getting ready to have both of my knees replaced over the next few months, I’m glad that, at least for now, I can worry a little less about Covid and more about my post-surgical recovery.

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Publisher & Editor /Ad Sales Gary Nager Managing Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Rodney Page Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin Valerie Wegener Billing Assistant Jannah Nager Office/Sales Assistant MJ Martinez Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 30, Issue 6, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, March 7, 2022. 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. © 2022 JM2 Communications, Inc. For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Commissioner Moore Won’t Seek Re-Election In November By JOHN C. COTEY

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When Pasco County District 2 Commissioner Mike Moore got into politics, He figured he would serve for a while, try to affect some positive change in his community and do his best to do what’s right. Then, when the time came, he would move on. That time, apparently, is now. On Jan. 31, Moore, whose district includes most of the Wesley Chapel area, announced that he would not be running for re-election in November and instead would be retiring and returning to the private sector. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the citizens of Pasco County over the past seven years,” Moore wrote in a statement, “and I am pleased to have led a number of transformative changes to better the quality of life for the citizens of Pasco County.” Moore, 50, said in the statement that after much deliberation with his family — more than a few months worth — he would be returning to the private sector full-time as a small business owner (he owns a business consulting firm) at the conclusion of his term. Moore, who lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife Lauren and their three children, gave no further hints to what lies ahead for him. But, he says he never planned on making the County Commission a lifetime gig. “I never planned on running for the Commission and being there forever,” he says. “I guess you could say I’m of the old-school mindset. You come in and serve, and when you’re done, you go back to the private sector.” Moore has held the District 2 seat since 2014, when he defeated Democratic candidate Erika Jean Remsberg with 59 percent of the vote. He won re-election with 60 percent of the vote in 2018, defeating Democratic challenger Kelly Smith. During his two terms, Moore served as commission

chairman in 2017 and 2020, and vicechairman in 2016 and 2019. A former radio/TV major at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Moore says he got engaged in politics when, as a small business owner, he saw how government’s decisions affected peoples lives, and their livelihoods. Then-Governor Rick Scott appointed Moore to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council in 2014, and then-Speaker of the Florida House Will Weatherford also appointed Moore to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Advisory Council that same year. He sits on or chairs more than a half-dozen boards and committees, including the Pasco Economic Development Council and the county’s Tourist Development Council. Moore has served during a time of massive growth in Pasco County, and particularly in his district. Wesley Chapel is booming, and he helped speed up a number of major transportation projects, including the S.R. 56 extension to Morris Bridge Rd. and the (still not yet completed) Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-75 and S.R. 56. He spearheaded the addition of a new indoor recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park, as well as the county’s first universally inclusive playground for special needs children, which he says may be his proudest accomplishment. “Being up there that day, seeing the kids’ faces, if I had been elected just for that I would be able to say I leave feeling fulfilled,” Moore says. Moore also played a key role in the building of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, and most recently championed a six-month (now oneyear) moratorium on new apartments in the Wesley Chapel area (see story on pg. 8). In 2017, the then-Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) presented him with the Community Hero Award, honoring his efforts in helping grow Wesley Chapel. “We are sad to see Commissioner Moore leave his seat,” says Hope Ken-

Pasco County Dist. 2 Commissioner Mike Moore speaking at the recent ribbon cutting for the PHSC Instructional Performing Arts Center. (Photo: Charmaine George) nedy, the CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, which replaced the WCCC. “We applaud his continued support of pro-business initiatives and ensuring responsible growth, not only in Wesley Chapel, but for the entire region. During his tenure, we saw many great things happen, due in part to his lead-

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ership. We wish him well in his future endeavors.” Moore also added some special touches to his tenure. In addition to the hundreds of ribbon cuttings he attended during this highgrowth time, he engaged his constituents on Facebook and Twitter, and during the pandemic, he asked local businesses to send him t-shirts with their business name on them. He would wear them and post pictures of them on his social media accounts in order to promote them. Moore also launched “Reel Politics” in August 2021, a weekly talk show that can be heard on The Answer radio — WGHL-AM 860, and 93.7 FM. When he first ran, Moore did so on a platform of jobs, infrastructure and public safety. Looking back, he feels he accomplished a lot in each of those categories, and is leaving his District a better place than when he was first elected. He says that when his term ends, he will continue to fight for Wesley Chapel, as a local resident. For the moment, however, he say he is done with elected office, although he didn’t completely rule out a return one day. “I’ll never say the door is closed,” Moore says, doing his best Tom Brady impression. “But, for now, it is time for me to go back into the private sector.”

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Weightman, Stevenson Jump Into Race To Replace Moore By JOHN C. COTEY

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The election to replace retiring District 2 commissioner Mike Moore (story on pg. 4) isn’t until November, but the race has already begun. Less than 48 hours after Moore announced his retirement at the end of his current term (on Jan. 31), Seth Weightman and Troy Stevenson, both Republicans, were the first to file to run for the District 2 seat, which covers most of Wesley Chapel. Almost immediately, Weightman picked up endorsements from Moore and Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby). Simpson said in his endorsement that Weightman was “the kind of conservative leader we need on the Pasco County Commission.” Moore, who has known Weightman for 15 years, said that he “will continue to support public safety, infrastructure improvements, job creation and a better quality of life for all the citizens of Pasco County.” Those items were all were part of Moore’s platform when he first ran for the seat in 2014. Weightman was previously a legislative aide for former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, so another heavy-hitting endorsement is likely in his future. The salary for a county commissioner in fiscal year 2021-22 is $95,385. Weightman, 35, and his wife Jessica and two children do not currently live in District 2, residing in nearby Dade City. Weightman, who is a regional executive for Republic Services, a trash collection company, said they have been searching for eight months for property in Wesley Chapel to buy for their family business. Although he would serve countywide, County Commissioners must live or own property in the district they are looking to represent before taking office. Because he has deep ties to Pasco County — his great uncle Thomas is a former superintendent and namesake for Weightman

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Seth Weightman, with wife Jessica and their two children, was the first to file for the Dist. 2 Pasco County Commission seat being vacated by Mike Moore.

Middle School — Weightman, who also is on the Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, thinks he would bring a unique perspective to the role of commissioner. He says he grew up in the area when orange groves were still a common site and has watched the county’s transformation, often through the window of his car as he sits in traffic on the way to work in Tampa. “We have a very unique community,” Weightman says. “There’s a rural charm that’s still there. I think that’s part of what attracts people that come here. We have to find a way to find the balance that preserves our community’s character and our history, and still continue to manage the growth. And embrace the growth. That way, we can create something that’s lasting, and make people want to be here.” In 2020, Weightman lost his bid for Pasco’s Mosquito Control Board. Ironically, so did Moore, in 2010, before winning his Commission seat four years later. Stevenson, who lives in Land O’Lakes, hopes to avoid a repeat of that scenario. He declined comment for this article, as his campaign was still getting ready to launch when he was contacted for this article.

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Another Coup For Wesley Chapel’s AdventHealth Center Ice By JOHN C. COTEY

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You probably have already heard that last July, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated Montreal in Tampa, earning the Bolts a second straight Lord Arthur Frederick Stanley Cup. But, did you know that Lord Stanley had a daughter named Isobel, and a trophy bearing her name is handed out to the best professional women’s hockey team? It’s true, and next month in Wesley Chapel, the winner of the 2022 Isobel Cup will be decided at AdventHealth Center Ice. The six teams in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) will square off March 25-28, with preliminary round games tipping things off on Friday, the semifinals on Sunday and the final to be contested live on Monday at 9 p.m., on ESPN2. The PHF championship game will mark ESPN’s first linear broadcast of professional women’s hockey. And, although NBCSports.com reports that no current members of the powerhouse U.S. and Canadian women’s national teams have played in the PHF since 2019, a recent influx of new capital — a reported $25 million — will more than double each PHF team’s salary cap (from $300,000 to $750,000) and provide health care and maternity leave benefits for all PHF players. “We’re pumped about it. This is a

In another notable event landed by AdventHealth Center Ice, the Boston Pride will defend their Premier Hockey Federation Isobel Cup trophy in Wesley Chapel in March. The PHF playoffs will be free to attend and the final will be televised live on ESPN2. (Photo: Michelle Jay/NWHL)

pretty big deal,” said AdventHealth Center Ice CEO Gordie Zimmermann. “The women are trying to develop and move into the pro ranks and the gain the respectability that they have always been looking for. So I think this is a great platform. The hockey development here is like no other in the nation and they recognize it as great place to present their format. Girls hockey is growing in Florida as well, so this is a great thing for all the developmental programs in the area to come and watch.” Zimmermann says all the girls hockey programs will be invited to watch the

playoffs. The general public also is invited to the event. AdventHealth Center Ice seats roughly 1,000 spectators. It’s surreal and somewhat ironic that both the Stanley and Isobel cups, awarded to best teams playing the national sport of Canada, would be decided in….Florida. But, the opening of Center Ice in 2017 opened up a lot of previously unimaginable possibilities. The PHF playoffs is another coup for Zimmermann. Other than the many men’s hockey events Center Ice has hosted, some of its most noteworthy events have involved

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women’s hockey. It was the training site for the 2018 Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey team and hosted Team USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden for the 2017 Four Nations Cup. In 2019, a virtual women’s hockey museum opened inside Center Ice. Each spring, the rink complex also plays host to USA Hockey’s Women’s Nationals. “We have been a catalyst for the growing interest in hockey in Florida since our opening, and in women’s hockey in particular,” Zimmermann says. Seven of the 25 players in Center Ice’s elite Global Prospects Academy are girls, and the facility also is home to the Crunch travel program, which has 14-under and 16-under teams. The PHF was established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League before re-branding itself. The league is made up of the defending champion Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan (New Jersey) Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps and the Toronto Six. The pairings aren’t set yet because the regular season is still ongoing, although Connecticut and Toronto are currently in first and second place, respectively. For more information, visit PremierHockeyFederation.com or AHCenterIce.com.

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Commissioners Expand Apartment Moratorium Area By JOHN C. COTEY

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With its one-year moratorium on applications to build new multifamily/apartment complexes in parts of the Wesley Chapel and Land O’Lakes areas set to expire in April, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) voted unanimously to expand the area covered by the moratorium at their meeting on Feb. 7 in Dade City. The expansion includes a strip that encompasses the area around The Grove at Wesley Chapel area, as well as a wide swath south of the S.R. 56/54 corridor (see map). The Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) is excluded from the moratorium, because multifamily developments within Wiregrass Ranch are better integrated into the overall development. District 2 County Commissioner Mike Moore has spearheaded the need for a moratorium for the past few years, arguing that developers are attempting to rezone property to build more apartments and townhomes, as opposed to using the property for its original commercial purposes. Moore has stated that there are dozens of parcels in the moratorium area that already have the entitlements to build apartments, which he does not oppose. But, what he is against are applications to rezone property that he believes would be better

used for job-creating commercial spaces. The county has hired a housing market research firm to present a report to the commissioners on whether the area is indeed saturated, and whether entitlements already granted will suffice to meet future demand. That report is expected to be presented to the commission in April. Only three people who attended the Feb. 7 meeting spoke in opposition to the moratorium area being expanded: Hope Kennedy, the president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and two planners who thanked the commission for excluding Wiregrass Ranch, but expressed concerns about the county’s attractive south market and the 54-56 corridor being included in the expansion. Kennedy was blunt, telling commissioners that the moratorium, and the expansion of the boundaries, “is absolutely terrible for business.” Kennedy said the area has a workforce problem and the current housing crisis is directly related to potential residents being able to find affordable housing. Workforce housing is generally defined as being affordable housing for middle-income workers. District 3 Comm. Kathryn Starkey agreed with Kennedy that the county needs more workforce and affordable housing. “I get calls all the time, (that) people

can’t find a place to live,” Starkey said. “We’re trying to attract companies here, and…where are they going to live? Because there is no inventory out there for someone to be purchasing a house or renting an apartment.” Starkey, however, voted in favor of the expansion because the moratorium will only be in effect for two more months. Commissioner Moore, however, explained that the S.R. 54-S.R. 56 corridor is attractive to businesses and companies that may want to relocate to the county, and the

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land available to them would disappear if it was allowed to be rezoned for apartments. “We can’t lose our job-creating sites,” Moore said, “and they want to be along major corridors.” Moore pointed out that the three speakers in opposition don’t live in Pasco County, and claims that he has not spoken to a single local resident who is against the moratorium. “The people in Pasco County are for this,” Moore said, “and I represent the citizens of Pasco County.”

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Meadow Pointe Blvd. To K-Bar Ranch Connection Slated For July

After a connection at Kinnan St. and Mansfield Blvd. was blocked, a different location further east, at Meadow Pointe Blvd., will connect New Tampa’s K-Bar Ranch community to Wesley Chapel for vehicles by July of this year. (Photos: Charmaine George)

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com K-Bar Ranch is tucked away in the northeasternmost part of Hillsborough County, with pretty much only one way in and one way out. However, another option is finally on the way. This July, a road connecting K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. to Wesley Chapel’s Meadow Pointe Blvd. is expected to be completed and open to vehicular traffic. K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. is an east-west road that runs just south of the Pasco-Hillsborough county line through New Tampa’s K-Bar Ranch from Kinnan St. to, eventually, Morris Bridge Rd. City of Tampa chief traffic management engineer and head of the Smart Mobility Division Vik Bhide confirmed during a Tampa City Council workshop that construction on the final stage of the Pasco County side of the planned connector road will begin soon. “The developer (M/I Homes) has already secured permits from Pasco County for that work and will be moving forward with it,” Bhide said. “We are coordinating with Pasco County (its planning and engineering departments).” Mike Moore, the Pasco County Commissioner for District 2, which includes all of Meadow Pointe, said he hasn’t received a recent update and was looking into it, but he has received a few emails complaining about the connection being made. However, there haven’t been nearly as many complaints as those who flooded Moore’s inbox and helped prevent a connection being approved further west at Kinnan St. in New Tampa to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe. That debate, which raged for a decade, was settled following a roadways study that ended with the two roads being connected with a first responders-only

safety arm, monitored by Pasco County. The study preferred a New TampaWesley Chapel connection to Meadow Pointe Blvd., claiming it would be the better choice. K-Bar residents have been clamoring for the connection to Pasco County, which would allow easier travel north to the S.R. 56 corridor, which includes shopping, restaurants and the Shops at Wiregrass. It also will offer another way out of their community. Currently, residents of the western portion of K-Bar Ranch would have to take Kinnan St. south to Cross Creek Blvd., then west to Bruce B. Downs Blvd., then north towards Wesley Chapel. When K-Bar Ranch was planned, Bhide says, four northbound access points to Pasco County were envisioned. The connection to Meadow Pointe Blvd. will be only be the second one to actually be completed, along with the first responder connection at Kinnan St. and Mansfield Blvd. However, that Kinnan connection to Mansfield Blvd. is only available to the public via walking or biking. A third connection, further east at Wyndfields Blvd. in Pasco, and a fourth connection when K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. is completed all the way to Morris Bridge Rd., won’t be ready for at least two more years, according to Bhide. “Our recommendation, in light of the access needs in this area, is to open that up for traffic,” Bhide said. “The reason is…. we feel the more access, the better. After hearing neighborhood concerns about public access and mobility, this would be the right thing to do.” There is no question it will mean more vehicles on Meadow Pointe Blvd., which is a concern to some. “It will increase traffic,” Bhide admitted. “However, we think it will be a twoway benefit.”

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PopStroke, Co-Owned By Tiger Woods, Breaks Ground!

Photo by Charmaine George; others provided by PopStroke.

(Clockwise from above) The official groundbreaking of the local PopStroke was held Feb. 2. Players of all ages will enjoy PopStroke’s two mini-golf courses. The 10,000-sq.-ft. restaurant will offer a variety of delicious menu items. All PopStroke courses look more like real golf courses than mini-golf. of anywhere in world, really, where you Golf legend Tiger Woods may not can find a 3-, 8-. 27- and 80-year-old enattended the Feb. 2 groundbreaking of PopStroke, the tech-driven, family-oriented joying it to the same extent,” Bartoli said. mini-golf and restaurant concept he coGolfers can see their scores displayed on owns, but rest assured, he’ll have a big hand a large scoreboard, and even order drinks, in how it ends up looking. via an app, that will be delivered to them on “Tiger is involved in the whole prothe course. The mini-golf is complemented by a cess,” said Bryon Bell, the president of TGR 10,000-sq.-ft. restaurant and kid’s playDesign, which is Woods’ golf course design company. “He will look at the holes, see if ground. The restaurant, Bartoli says, will he thinks his kids would enjoy it and if he feature premium food and drinks, as well as would enjoy playing it. If he’s in town, he’ll 24 different flavors of ice cream. stop in at the site. He wants to be certain it’s “PopStroke is really about being friends enjoyable for all ages.” and families together across generations and With a few heaves of dirt, the project across socio-economic backgrounds,” Bartoli officially got under way just north and east said. “It’s affordable and it’s accessible, and of the intersection of S.R. 56 and Wesley we take great pleasure in that.” Chapel Blvd. If you can’t wait until October, Bartoli Greg Bartoli, the PopStroke founder recommends taking an hour drive to the and co-owner with Woods, says he expects nearest location in Sarasota, which is openthe Wesley Chapel/Lutz location to open ing next month next to the University Town sometime in October. Center mall. The Sarasota location will be the third The local PopStroke will feature two 18PopStroke, joining courses in Port St. hole courses — one will be harder than the Lucie and Fort Myers, and Wesley Chapel other — featuring synthetic turf greens dewill be the fourth. Additional expansion to signed to mimic putting on real golf courses. Orlando, Houston and Scottsdale (AZ) also There won’t be any windmills, rivers or other obstacles, just rolling, undulated greens is planned. For more information, visit Popdesigned to challenge golfers of all ages. “It’s one of the only concepts I know Stroke.com. — JCC

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Murtha & Murtha, LLC, Takes The Confusion Out Of Tax Season By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent It seems like taxes get more complicated every year, and the Covid-19 pandemic has caused more confusion than ever. Patrick Murtha, the managing partner of the accounting firm of Murtha & Murtha, LLC, says, “There is an abundance of changes the IRS is sending our way.” Patrick, his father Tom, and Kyle Flischel run Murtha & Murtha in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Sam’s Club) in Wesley Chapel. While Kyle has served as the firm’s long-time senior accountant, he recently became a full managing partner of the business. The trio has more than 60 years of combined experience in handling taxes on behalf of their accounting clients. One of the biggest changes parents will see on their taxes this year is in the child tax credit. In past years, people have gotten a credit on their annual taxes — and often a refund — for each child in their care, but this year, that money has already been paid to those parents in quarterly payments. “People are used to getting that refunded,” Patrick says, “but it won’t be like that this year because they already got it.” While that may cause confusion —

Kyle Flischel (left) and Patrick Murtha are part of the accounting team at Murtha & Murtha, LLC, on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photo: Charmaine George) and some people may be upset that they won’t get as large a refund as they are used to, or may end up owing money — Murtha & Murtha promises that if you have the firm prepare your taxes, you will always understand the issues and exactly why you owe what you owe. “It’s really important for us to under-

stand every single thing that goes on the tax return so we are able to make sure our clients understand it, too,” he says. “Some just say, ‘Tell me what I owe,’ but others want to know why they owe, so we make sure they understand exactly what happened and why, and what we can do to make sure future outcomes are not that way.”

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Patrick says people are still dealing with stimulus issues, too. But, whatever your situation, the accountants at Murtha & Murtha are up to date on all of the tax code changes and can help you file your taxes easily and correctly. “We’re experts, we’re prepared and we’re well-learned,” Patrick says, “so we’re able to confidently handle all of that.” Bobbie Smith is a small business owner who came to Murtha & Murtha a couple of years ago when she needed help with taxes, both business and personal. As the owner of the Wesley Chapelbased Interior Design By Bobbie, she lives in Meadow Pointe III. “They do everything for me,” she says, “I am so impressed with them, their knowledge, their expertise, and their response back to me. Every time I have a question, they are quick to reply to me.” Patrick says that’s intentional. He says communication is the top priority at Murtha & Murtha, and while mistakes can sometimes happen because of human error, not returning a client phone call in a timely manner is “unforgiveable.” And, he says, while some tax firms have a strategy where CPAs meet with clients face-to-face but hire seasonal tax preparers to actually complete the client’s tax forms, that’s not how Murtha & Murtha does it.

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“Whoever you meet with is who is going to actually be doing your tax return,” he explains. “If I meet with you and learn about your situation and tax circumstances, I’m going to remember that and it will play a role in making sure I remember to catch things. That doesn’t translate.” Tax season is Murtha & Murtha’s busiest time of year, but it’s just part of the services the firm provides. Patrick says Murtha & Murtha’s “CFO Retainer Package” continues to attract new clients. With this package, the firm helps businesses and people who are self-employed do monthly accounting and bookkeeping, but also helps with budgeting, and act when clients have questions about tax planning, mitigating tax bills, or about offering health insurance or retirement plans, for example. “It’s almost as if you hired a CFO (Chief Financial Officer), but you’re not paying a six-figure salary,” explains Patrick. “We come up with a plan as to how you’re going to grow your business and mitigate your tax bill, so that the tax return should just be a formality. Most people are just looking at their bank account, and it’s impossible to really manage a business effectively that way.” Patrick understands that most business owners are too busy worrying about their primary business to really step back and look at the big picture, so Murtha &

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Murtha provides its clients with an extra layer of financial planning and analysis for their business.

Background

Tom Murtha, CPA, earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. He has been doing mergers, acquisitions and business valuations since the 1990s. Patrick, who grew up around tax codes at his father’s business, graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009 with B.S. degrees in both Finance and Accounting. He joined his father in opening a firm in Tampa in 2010, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. Meanwhile, Kyle Flischel, CPA, is practically family, having gone to school with Patrick at USF. The Murthas merged with another accounting office in Zephyrhills a couple of years ago, and that location is now called Henson & Murtha, CPAs. It is located at 5315 8th Ave. Murtha & Murtha, LLC, is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. For more information, visit TampaTaxFirm.com or see the ad on pg. 29. To schedule a free consultation, call (813) 991-1120.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Medi-Weightloss Of Lutz Can Help You Lose Unwanted Pounds By JOHN C. COTEY

“Our patients refer their friends because we do a really a good job,” Gerri says. Tina says that when people ask her if they should do it, she doesn’t hesitate with her response. “Do it,” she says. “One hundred percent, do it!”

john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

Tina Russell was like many who have struggled with their weight their entire life. She was a yo-yo dieter, who tried the all of the usual get-skinny plans, and in the end, found herself more miserable, and heavier, than before. After adding more weight while working at home during Covid-19, she finally got serious. In February 2021, she signed up at the Lutz location of MediWeightloss weighing 236 pounds. One year later, Russell, a 36-year-old mother of two living here in Wesley Chapel, is tipping the scales at 134 pounds, a remarkable 102-pound loss. “I feel completely different,” she says. “I feel younger than I was when I was in my 20s.” While Medi-Weightloss is available for weight problems of all kinds, owners Tom & Gerri Willett say the pandemic has ultimately driven many new patients, like Tina, to the practice, which is located on S.R. 54, less than two miles west of where it meets S.R. 56 (near the Tampa Premium Outlets). Since it opened in 2006, Gerri says Medi-Weightloss of Lutz has helped patients lose nearly 141,000 pounds. It’s easy to get started, as completely free

Medically Supervised

Tina Russell lost 102 lbs. a year ago with the help of Medi-Weightloss, which is located on S.R. 54 in Lutz, less than two miles west of the Tampa Premium Outlets. passion for the past 16 years. assessments are always offered. Today, there are 91 Medi-Weightloss The success patients see when they locations nationwide. Tom & Gerri own try the Medi-Weightloss program is what the locations in both Lutz and Brandon, continues to drive people to the practice. operating the two as a local, familyA large part of their new patients come owned business, which has been their from patient referrals.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

The Medi-Weightloss program is supervised by Howard Riker, D.O., and Mandy Johnson, P.A. The program combines diet and exercise plans with supplements, managed by a doctor and a physician’s assistant to help people lose weight and keep it off. And, to accommodate those still uncomfortable due to the pandemic, “We also offer telemedicine,” says Gerri. “We do whatever you feel comfortable with, whether that’s telemedicine, or coming in to be weighed when we’re otherwise closed to patients, so you’re the only one in the office, or driving through the parking lot to pick up a prescription.” Those who take part in the MediWeightloss program have a built-in support group. Gerri says the staff is compassionate and understanding, cheering their patients on to reach their goals. “It can be very difficult for people to step foot into a weight-loss clinic because,

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a lot of times, they have already tried so many different things,” says Gerri. “People beat themselves up horribly about their weight.” Whether it’s newfound weight gain as your body changes due to age, weight that was lost in the past but has crept back on, or pounds put on during the pandemic, Gerri says, “We want people to know we’ll figure it out and we’ll get them to be successful.”

Getting It Done

During the first phase of the program — also known as the acute or weight-loss phase — clients come in once a week. After an initial consultation with weight measurements, blood work and an electrocardiogram (EKG), patients receive a binder to store educational handouts, recapping the information shared at each session. They also receive recipes for delicious, healthy meals, with ingredients that are easy to find. Patients also start a detailed journal to log their eating, drinking and sleeping data. They also receive vitamin supplements, a food scale to help with portion control and ketone sticks to detect their level of ketosis. (Note: Physiologic Ketosis is a normal response to low glucose availability, such as from low-carbohydrate diets or fasting.) Medi-Weightloss has many ways to help during the weight-loss phase, including injections of Methionine Inositol Cho-

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line (MIC Combo) to put B12 vitamins and amino acids into the bloodstream, both of which help with fat metabolism, liver function and fat excretion. Patients also can receive Vitamin B6 and B1 injections (which help reduce water retention and keep your energy up while battling food cravings), as well as B Complex and Vitamin C injections. Mandy says the goal is always to reduce medications that patients may be taking. She says one of her favorite things is getting patients off blood pressure medications, which is often the result of a significant drop in weight. After the acute phase of the program ends (once a client reaches his/her target weight), they check in less often during the maintenance and wellness phases. But, if a client should re-gain weight after completing the program, Gerri says there’s no reason to worry. “Life happens and we are here to help,” she says. “It doesn’t mean you failed. It means you had stress in your life, or something happened. Just pop back into the program! There is no restart fee.”

Caring, Helpful Staff

Medi-Weightloss of Lutz has a staff of caring professionals who truly understand what it’s like to be in their patient’s shoes. In fact, some are former patients. Erin Jones had lost her husband in 2010, and ate her way through her

depression. In 2011, she started the MediWeightloss program and lost 50 pounds. After that, she joined the team. Erin is now a full-time medical assistant and the office manager at Medi-Weightloss of Lutz and Brandon. “Patients can take comfort in knowing that we’ve been down their road before and that we can truly say we know what they’re going through,” Erin says. Medical assistant Patty Pinson has been with Medi-Weightloss for a decade and is a retired Registered Nurse (RN). Medi-Weightloss’ Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) include Karina Gonzalez, Krystal Adams, Kristina Ford and Shannon Bresnen, while Raquel Sanford manages the front office. Tina says the support may be the best thing about the program. “They are super helpful,” she says. “If you gain one week, they are like, ‘It’s okay, it’s not the end of the world, we can do this.’ I don’t think I could have done it without them.” Dr. Riker is an Osteopathic Physician, who earned his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Family Practice, and was a Medical Staff Chief for many years with the U.S. Air Force in New Jersey, South Carolina and Tampa before coming on board at Medi-Weightloss more than 14 years ago.

While the goal is to help its patients lose weight, Riker says he also is focused on preventing weight gain, which he says may be different than primary care. “The main difference is that with primary care, you’re already treating a patient’s disease,” he says. “Here, we’re working strictly with prevention.” He stresses all three legs of the weight-loss process: diet, exercise and appetite suppression. Dr. Riker and Mandy agree that you have to do all three in order to succeed. Tina said she was very strict when it came to following the plan, and never cheated. She is maintaining her weight, even though she continues to drop a pound here and there. She still goes monthly, even after proudly earning her gold star for a 100-pound weight loss. “I was depressed, which made me eat a lot, before I started this,” Tina says. “This has given me something I can stick with. The food is good, it works and it has really taught me how to enjoy food in a healthier way. It’s been great.” To schedule a free assessment at Medi-Weighloss of Lutz (24420 S.R. 54), call (813) 909-1700. The office is open five days a week: 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday and 1 p.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday. More information is available at MediWeightloss.com/locations/lutz/, or see the ad on page 15.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

NerdsToGo Is On The Move For Small Businesses By JOHN C. COTEY john@NTNeighborhoodNews.com Michael Varnadore is a nerd, and he’s proud of it. He says he’s been a nerd since the 1980s, when he first laid his eyes on an Apple IIe computer, bought his first Commodore 64 and got his first Information Technology (IT) gig in 1986, when the U.S. Air Force started using the new Zenith Z-100. What a decade that was. The computer world has changed a lot since then, and Varnadore has changed along with it. Now, he directs an entire team of nerds at NerdsToGo Computer Services, located in the Pebble Creek Collection shopping plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Varnadore’s nerds can come to you and solve your computing needs. “First and foremost, we want to be known as the guys you can trust with your IT, with your business, and with your data,” says Varnadore. “All of my nerds are certified, backgroundchecked and drug-tested. Everybody here is a professional IT specialist of one type or another.” NerdsToGo offers a slew of services, ranging from replacing a cracked screen on an iPhone to serving as an

Michael Varnadore (white shirt) and his team of nerds at NerdsToGo in the Pebble Creek Collection can solve almost any consumer or business computer problem.(Photos courtesy of NerdsToGo)

on-demand mobile IT department for your small business. “We basically do everything,” says Varnadore, who opened his NerdsToGo franchise in 2019. “Our motto is ‘We Make IT Work.’” NerdsToGo was founded in 2003 in Guilford, CT by David Colella to provide computer service for residential and small business users, long before computers were ubiquitous. The con-

cept hasn’t changed, and there are now 25 locations nationwide, mostly along the east coast but as far west as Seattle. On the consumer side, Varnadore’s franchise does hardware repair, and can even replace the back glass on an iPhone (and other phones) with its new laser machine. In many cases, they can have your cell phone or laptop with a cracked screen back to you within a few hours. And, Varnadore promises that they

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

will never put business ahead of honesty. “This was my first time visiting NerdsToGo, but definitely will not be my last,” wrote one of the customers on Google, where the New Tampa NerdsToGo franchise has a 4.9 rating. “All of the staff here were super knowledgeable and pleasant. They were upfront and honest, did not try to haggle me for business. In my case, I had numerous devices to repair and they were very honest and told me which ones were not repairable. For the items that were repairable I received same day service.” Varnadore says home networking, mostly involving setting up mesh networks to improve the WiFi range in homes, is popular, as well as options like setting up a new computer and transferring data off an old one, setting up printers, installing certain applications, removing malware and other issues with cyber security. All of these are even more important issues now, in a Covid world, than they were before, because so many more people are working from their homes. There are enough computer conundrums to keep NerdsToGo busy. One of the most common complaints from consumers? “My computer is too slow!” NerdsToGo specializes in tuning up

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your device by offering solid state drive (SSD) bundles, where they swap out an old hard disk drive (HDD) for a newer SSD, while transferring all your data to the new drive. HDDs have moving parts, like a spinning “platter,” which can be broken when dropped or bumped, while an SSD is more like a large memory chip. Varnadore says the difference in speed can be like trading in a station wagon with side paneling for a Porsche. “The slowest thing on a computer these days is the hard drive,” Varnadore says. “Data is read and written to the disk so many times, people don’t realize how much that it slows everything else down. Now, with new solid state technology, there’s no moving parts. It’s very fast. You put (an SSD) in, it turns that slow computer into something running better than the day they bought it. People are amazed at the difference in speed, and that can save them hundreds, even thousands of dollars.” NerdsToGo also is bolstering and emphasizing its local and small business offerings for those who can’t afford a full-time IT employee or don’t want to invest in expensive managed service companies to monitor their networks. Through its NerdAssure program, NerdsToGo can manage the IT services for small businesses, supporting anywhere from one to hundreds of computers.

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so it can take action. Varnadore says that NerdAssure also provides a real-time antivirus, “that not only looks for bad guys’ signatures but actually has a security operations center watching for any events that might be taking place.” One of the most valuable services is backing up your business’ data. “If you lose critical data you can be out of business,” Varnadore says. “Everything else Owner Michael Varnadore says his nerds can take care of your can be replaced. But, small business IT needs, too. your intellectual propAnd, when you do need NerdsToerty can’t. We can protect that.” Go, Varnadore says you won’t be passed NerdsToGo does most repairs in its office, NerdAssure provides hosting for a through to a call center somewhere but sometimes a trip to your home or busi- Microsoft 365 environment and takes ness is all it takes. else. The New Tampa location phone is care of email issues while offering other answered by a customer specialist, one IT administrative support as well. “From the day we opened our of the technicians or even by Varnadore And, when problems do arise, doors, we’ve always provided services himself. So, give your local nerds a call NerdsToGo can be onsite the same day to small businesses,” Varnadore says. for a free technology evaluation. to fix them. “The new NerdAssure is a new branded NerdsToGo is located at 19651 “We want to be the IT company for capability we are rolling out that can do your small business,” Varnadore says. “When Bruce B Downs Blvd., Suite C6. The stuff in the background.” store is open Monday-Friday, 9:30 you need us, we are there, and we can be The service monitors more than there onsite, so you’re only paying for the a.m.-6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on 3,000 different elements of the business’ time you need us there. When you don’t Saturday. For more information, computer hardware and software to visit NerdsToGo.com, call (813) make sure it’s running effectively, and if need us, NerdAssure is monitoring and se321-1700 or see the ad on page 24. there’s a problem, NerdAssure is alerted curing your network in the background.”

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

All Wesley Chapel High School Soccer Teams Reach Playoffs! By RODNEY PAGE Correspondent

It’s game day, and Wiregrass Ranch High boys soccer coach Dave Wilson is exactly where he wants to be. The Bulls are a few hours away from playing Manatee in the first round of the Class 6A Regional playoffs, and Wilson is lining the field for yet another postseason game. Sure, he’s the team’s head coach, the only one the school has ever had. But the field’s not going to line itself. “It gets me out of the building every once in a while, so that’s good,’’ Wilson says. Postseason soccer is nothing new to Wilson and the Bulls. They advanced to their fifth straight Regional tournament after defeating Wharton in the Class 6A, District 10 final on Jan. 31. The Bulls won their 20th game this season after beating Manatee 3-0 in the first round of the Regional tournament on Feb. 9. Over the past five seasons (not including any Regional games played after Feb. 9), Wiregrass Ranch High has won 77 games. The Bulls are the premier high school soccer program in Wesley Chapel. But this year, for the first time, all three public high schools located in Wesley Chapel have gotten in on the act, going 6-for-6 when it came to qualifying for the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs. The Wesley Chapel boys (17-6-1) and girls (13-8-1) both won Class 5A, District 6 championships, advancing to the Regional playoffs before both were eliminated. The teams they beat in the District championships, Cypress Creek High in each case, also advanced to the playoffs as runners-up. The Coyotes boys (11-6-1) and girls (11-7-1) teams also failed to advance in the playoffs, however. The Bulls teams, on the other hand, remained alive, at

Senior Colin Bailey celebrates with his Wiregrass Ranch High teammates after scoring a goal in the Bulls’ 3-0 win over Bradenton Manatee in the first round of the Class 6A Regional playoffs. (Photo: Charmaine George)

least at our press time. Both won their Class 6A, District 10 championships, and advanced past the first round of Regionals. For the WRH boys, it’s business as usual. Making the playoffs and competing for a State title, something the school has yet to win, is the rule instead of the exception. “I think what happens here is that the bar is set so high and the expectations are so high that automatically they know

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

they have to work hard,” says Wilson, who guided the Bulls to the Class 4A final four in 2015. “They can’t be the team that is down a little bit. Our system is such that we are reloading instead of rebuilding.’’ If the other boys programs can reload, Wesley Chapel also could become a prep soccer hotbed. The Wesley Chapel High boys didn’t lose a District game, and their 17-6-1 record was by far the school’s best season ever. Cypress Creek, which only started playing varsity soccer in the 2017-18 season, has advanced to the postseason three straight years, including all the way to the Regional semifinals in 2020. On the girls side, Wiregrass Ranch, like the boys, have been a playoff regular and advanced to the 2011 and 2021 Regional finals before losing. The Bulls may have their best team yet, with a 15-2-2 record thanks to a stalwart defense and goaltenders Alaina Conners and Yesenia Aiken, who have combined for 13 shutouts. The Wiregrass Ranch High girls have won five straight district championships. Meanwhile, the Wesley Chapel High girls, who were led by 30 goals from sophomore Tatum Moore this season, returned to the playoffs after having a five-year playoff streak snapped last season. Despite being the third-seed at the District tournament this season in a down year, the Wildcats managed to win their fifth District title in six years. “We peaked at the right time,” Wesley Chapel High coach Mark Leonard says. Factor in the Cypress Creek girls making the playoffs three straight seasons, and it appears that all three Wesley Chapel schools are peaking, as the area soccer programs are proving to be among the best in Tampa Bay…and maybe soon, the best in the state.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

GARY’S 2021 NEW TAMPA FAVORITES

STONEWOOD GRILL & TAVERN 17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa Palms (813) 978-0388

In our last issue, I told you about my Favorite Restaurants in Wesley Chapel for 2021. This issue, I present my favorites in New Tampa. As someone who remembers when Good Fellas, The Boston Cooker, The Ultimate Bagel and Joy-O-Wok in Tampa Palms were the only restaurant options in New Tampa — and who has sampled every new place to eat since then — I do feel qualified to provide you with my annual list of favorites in (and near) New Tampa’s zip code 33647. And, I’m excited to say that this year, Stonewood Grill & Tavern has repeated as my Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa — as did Treble Makes Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant in Wesley Chapel — which is a pretty big accomplishment, considering all of the new competition that opened in 2021 in both of our distribution areas. There is no doubt that despite the fact that all seven of my top New Tampa favorites on this page are good enough, in my opinion, to one day challenge for New Tampa’s #1 restaurant, Stonewood still has the best (and best variety of) steak, the best ahi tuna appetizer and some of the best fresh fish options, and those have always been the most important choices for yours truly. Stonewood also has delicious bruschetta, an outstanding sweet tea brined

pork chop, an excellent blackened chicken pasta, super-tasty Tuscan chicken and great new crafted bowls with ahi tuna, southwest chicken or salmon, plus an incredible “two hand” chicken club sandwich with bacon and Swiss. When you throw in the fact that Stonewood also is mine and Jannah’s favorite bar in New Tampa, with superlative service and fair drink prices, and you can understand why it has repeated as my favorite restaurant in New Tampa this year (as it has been with our readers every year but one since 2015) and has long been in my top 5. And, try to remember that, as it says above, these opinions about local restaurants are mine alone, so I don’t expect you to agree with me about everything (or anything). Feel free to let me know (see pg. 3) when you agree or disagree! I also congratulate Epperson resident Kevin Ullery (photo, right), who won a $100 gift card to Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market in Wesley Chapel. I still have three winners who have not yet told me what restaurant they choose for their gift cards — Jane Worden of Tampa Palms ($60), April Parrish of Lexington Oaks ($35) & Toni Lawrence of The Ridge ($25). If you know any of these winners, please have them email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com to claim their prizes!

2. VIA ITALIA 3. ACROPOLIS 4. FRAMMI 5. GRILL @ MORRIS BRIDGE 6. FAT RABBIT PUB 7. LIMA PERUVIAN

8. CALI 9. BAYSCAPE BISTRO 10. FRESH KITCHEN 11. LAS PALMAS 12. LIANG’S BISTRO 13. ORONZO

14. KOBE 15. CANTINA MEXICAN 16. SUSHI CAFE 17. WOODFIRED PIZZA 18. MICHI RAMEN 19. LITTLE GREEK

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20. GLORY DAYS 21. THAI RUBY 22. POKE ISLAND PLUS 23. MAHANA FRESH 24. BURGER 21 25. PEABODY’S

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GARY’S 10 FAVORITE PIZZA PLACES in NEW TAMPA

Although not all of the places listed below serve the true New York-style pizza I love most, they are all pretty decent places. For me, taste of NY is #1 because it has the best NY-style in New Tampa, but Via Italia has the best variety of pizza types, Capri, Westshore & Precinct all have good NY-style, while the sadly out-of-business Windy City & Cappy’s had/have authentic Chicago-style and Woodfired, Cali & Oronzo are all cracker-thin crust favorites. — GN 1. Taste of NY 6. Cali 2. Via Italia 7. Oronzo Honest Italian 3. Capri Pizza & Pasta 8. Cappy’s Pizza 4. Woodfired Pizza (Bearss) 9. Westshore Pizza 5. Windy City Pizza (OOB) 10. Precinct Pizza

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE ASIAN/MEDITERRANEAN

RESTAURANTS in NEW TAMPA

Although both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel still have limited numbers of Mediterranean places, I still think I will go back to not including Mediterranean/Greek/Middle Eastern places in the same category as the much more populous Chinese, Japanese, Korean & Thai options. Acropolis and Little Greek are both Greek favorites, Liang’s has my favorite Chinese appetizers, Kobé is a quality Japanese steakhouse, Sushi Café and Sake House are reliable sushi spots, Thai Ruby & Thai Lanna are quality Thai places and Michi Ramen and the new Poké Island Plus both have tasty Japanese/Vietnamese appetizers that keep them on my list. — GN 1. Acropolis Greek Taverna 6. Little Greek 2. Liang’s Bistro 7. Thai Ruby 3. Kobé Japanese Steakhouse 8. Poké Island Plus 4. Sushi Café 9. Sake House 5. Michi Ramen 10. Thai Lanna

GARY’S 4 FAVORITE LATIN RESTAURANTS in NEW TAMPA

Considering how many popular local Latin restaurants have gone out of business in our area, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I could only bring myself to vote for four local Latin eateries, but all four of these are pretty good. Las Palmas closed its restaurant location in 2021, but also opened the excellent Las Palmas food truck in the parking lot of the same plaza, but without being able to serve its full menu, I couldn’t put it ahead of the amazing Lima, with its authentic Peruvian chicken, fresh fish ceviche and multiple other outstanding dishes. Cantina definitely improved its quality to make it a solid third choice & Don Julio’s also is pretty good.— GN 1. Lima Peruvian Cuisine 2. Las Palmas

3. Cantina Real Mexican 4. Don Julio’s Authentic Mexican

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE DESSERT PLACES in NEW TAMPA

This is always a tough category for me because 1) I love dessert so much and 2) can’t enjoy it as often as I would like because I’m fat, but the top five listed here are all outstanding, while the second five are still good enough to merit attention. Bruster’s is still my favorite ice cream, but only narrowly over Ice SSScreamin’. I love Smallcakes’ cupcakes and ice cream The Cake Shop’s variety of cakes, too. Twistee Treat’s soft serve is about as good as it gets. — GN 1. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 6. Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor 2. Ice SSScreamin’ 7. Ice Spice Café 3. Smallcakes Cupcakery 8. Baskin-Robbins 4. The Cake Shop 9. Starbucks 5. Twistee Treat 10. Dunkin’ Donuts

GARY’S 10 FAVORITE BARS in NEW TAMPA

Sorry, Mr. Dunderbak’s fans, but Jannah and I are not beer drinkers, and prefer hard alcohol to wine when we go out, so places without full-liquor bars can’t crack my top ten when these are all pretty great. Stonewood has the best New Tampa “vibe,” while Fat Rabbit, the Grill at Morris Bridge and Bayscape are all close behind — and the Grill’s wine list is #1 when we want to enjoy wine with our meal. Peabody’s has pool tables, darts and always blaring music, but skews a little younger, as does Mint, because of their proximity to USF. Via Italia’s bar is small, but offers ultra-premium cocktails at very fair prices. Glory Days is up there with Peabody’s as the best place to watch all the games. PJ Dolan’s has karaoke and live music and Hunter’s Green CC ranks just ahead of Tampa Palms G&CC as a fun destination. — GN 1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 6. Via Italia 2. Fat Rabbit Pub 7. Mint Cocktail Club 3. Grill at Morris Bridge 8. Glory Days Grill 4. Bayscape Bistro 9. PJ Dolan’s 5. Peabody’s Billiards & Games 10. Hunter’s Green Country Club Neighborhood News

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

900º New York Pizza At The Grove Is A New Wesley Chapel Favorite! By GARY NAGER Photos by Charmaine George & Steve Falabella I have known Steve Falabella for more than a decade, since he first coopened 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass in 2011. Today, not only are Steve and his wife Micaela the sole owners of 900º Woodfired, they also opened (in 2021) two new restaurants, which are located next to each other in The Village at The Grove at Wesley Chapel — Falabella Family Bistro and 900º New York Pizza. We’ve been telling you about all three of these outstanding eateries, not only in Dining Feature stories but also in our annual Reader Dining Survey and Gary’s Favorites features, where Falabella Bistro finished as the #3 Favorite restaurant with me and #4 Favorite Restaurant with our readers for 2021, and both 900º Woodfired and 900º New York finished in the top-6 for Favorite Pizza with both yours truly and our readers — for good reason. But, no matter how nice a guy and well-liked Steve, his family and crew may be, if his places were all just so-so, they wouldn’t finish as high in our annual rankings. But, the fact is that this native New Yorker whose family roots (Clockwise from above) Wesley Chapel’s favorite restaurateur Steve Falabella’s Meat can be traced to Italia knows great ItalLovers and other pizzas continue to attract hungry locals at his third area restaurant ian food and he definitely has brought — 900º NY Pizza in The Grove. Check out this delicious fettuccine Alfredo with that knowledge to his Bistro and pizza grilled chicken and oven-baked calzones. places. Only quality ingredients are thicker-crust, square Sicilian-style pizza, Pizzeria in the Williamsburg section of used, and it shows, at all three local which is another long-time favorite of Brooklyn, NY. Falabella-owned restaurants. mine at both of Steve’s pizza places. “Carmine and I are friends from In fact, while I usually order fresh Brooklyn and he showed me how to OK, Let’s Start With The ‘Za round pies with pepperoni and sweet make his most famous pizza,” Steve Steve’s 900º Woodfired pizza may Italian sausage (or just plain cheese), says. “That’s why I named it The Caralso offer traditional Neapolitan-style I also am a big fan of the Meat Lovers mine. We only sell it by the slice, and it wood-burning oven pizza as well as pizza shown above. But, Steve says that takes two hours to make one pan of it. New York style, but he only offers the one of his most popular by-the-slice op- It always sells out almost right away.” NY-style at his pizzeria at The Grove. tions is what he calls his Carmine pizza, And of course, 900º NY Pizza also But, that’s just fine with yours which is a square pie with a slightly difserves a wide variety of other pizzas — truly, as I have always preferred NYferent crust than his Sicilian pizza. The from 12” and 18” pies with your choice style, which also has a thin crust, but Carmine is covered in “baby” pepperoni of toppings to Keto-style; low-carb with a little more crust on the outside and a zingier almost-Grandma’s-style options made with a cheese crust in 12” ring, made in a traditional pizza oven sauce, as the pizza made famous by or 16” sizes; gluten-free 10” personal on what is known in the biz as a pizza Carmine Gangone of Carmine & Sons pizzas made with a cauliflower crust; “stone.” I also have always enjoyed the

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

and about 20 different Specialty Pizzas, from his version of Grandma’s pizza to barbecue chicken pizza with white sauce, Calabrese (with spicy Calabrese salami, Ortolano (with cherry tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, artichokes and no sauce) and many more. There’s even “Pizza Metro” party pizzas (36” x 18”) that serve 10-12 people, make-ityourself pizza kits (which were superpopular during Covid) and of course, an always-changing variety of NY- and Sicilian-style pizzas sold by the slice.

Calzones, Appetizers & More!

But, what if you’re in the mood for something other than pizza? Steve’s

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got you covered at 900º NY Pizza, too. There are delicious salads, like the grilled chicken Caesar shown on this page, Mediterranea (with romaine, kalamata olives and feta cheese) and more. For other starters, 900º NY Pizza also has a great Caprese (with fresh mozzarella and slice tomatoes), bruschetta, mozzarella sticks, fried calamari and delicious oven-baked wings (naked or with your choice of BBQ, Buffalo Hot or garlic parmesan sauce), plus some of the best garlic knots in town. There also are deep fried calzones called panzerotto, fried cheese ravioli and traditional Italian Arancini (rice balls). I’m personally not the biggest fan of calzones (photo on previous page), but if you are, people rave about them at 900º NY Pizza. You can choose from a base calzone with shredded mozzarella, to classic (mozzarella, fresh ricotta and ham), Americano (with pepperoni and Italian sausage) and a vegetarian style “Farcito,” with spinach, black olives and tomato. And, don’t sleep on the hot subs at 900º NY Pizza, either. Both the chicken and meatball parm subs (the latter is shown far right on this page) are served on crisp crust sub rolls with mozzarella and tomato sauce. They’re also delicious.

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Pasta, Everyone?

In addition to the pizzas, my other favorite reasons to visit either of Steve’s 900º locations are the delicious pastas. From specialty baked pastas, like the lasagne, ricotta or blue crab-filled ravioli, baked ziti or the excellent chicken parm entrée (top right photo on this (Clockwise from top left) Penne with authentic pesto Genovese is one of our editor’s favorite at both of Falabella’s 900º locations. page) served with Other must-try items at 900º NY Pizza are the Caesar salad with grilled chicken, chicken parmigiana dinner, meatball parm hero a side of spaghetti and oven-baked wings. Steve Falabella says the unique Carmine pizza is one of his best-selling options by the slice. or penne in tomato For those who want an adult beverage There’s also an affordable kids menu sauce, to delicioso create-your-own pastas with everything from chicken fingers to with their meal, 900º NY Pizza has pinot with your choice of pomodoro (homemade spaghetti or penne with meatballs, meat grigio (white) or cabernet blend (red) wines tomato), alla vodka, Bolognese (meat), Alby the glass, 20-oz. Peroni Italian beer on sauce, butter or pomodoro, four pieces of fredo (cream) or Pesto (with basil, pine nuts, fried ravioli or a kids-cut pizza slice (all just draft, a variety of other domestic and imgrated parmesan and olive oil), you really ported beers, plus White Claw hard seltzers. $4.95-$5.95). can’t go wrong. 900º NY Pizza (6027 Wesley Grove And, while I don’t usually save room I’m not usually the biggest Alfredo fan, for dessert at 900º NY Pizza, a variety of de- Blvd.) opens every day at 11 a.m. and is but the fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chick- licious options is available — from pizza Nu- open until 9 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 10 p.m. on en shown on the previous page is as good tella (a 12” pizza crust covered with Nutella Sat. & 8 p.m. on Sun. Dine-in, pick-up as I’ve had in our area — super-creamy, but hazelnut spread and dusted with powdered and delivery (through Uber Eats, Door not overly heavy. sugar), which also is available topped with Dash & ezCater) are available. For info, My favorite pasta is still the pesto strawberries and bananas. There also are Nu- call (813) 406-4500 or visit 900degrees“Genovese” style shown top left on this tella knots (deep-fried dough draped with woodfirepizza.com, which also has info page, to which I add not only grilled chickNutella and topped with powdered sugar), about 900º Woodfired. For Falabella en, but also some sautéed fresh spinach. plus a variety of real Italian ice flavors. Bistro info, see the ad on pg. 33.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. Adds Authentic Carnegie Deli Menu Items! By GARY NAGER Photos by Charmaine George

When I lived in New York City in the early 1980s, the two most iconic Jewish delicatessens in Manhattan were the Stage Deli, which closed for good in 2012, and the Carnegie Deli, which permanently closed its doors at the end of 2016. The two delis, which also were bitter rivals, were located about a block from each other on 7th Ave., near Carnegie Hall, and both were known for their huge, overstuffed sandwiches, weighing in at a pound of meat each. I thought both famous eateries were gone forever; that is, until Wesley Chapel Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. franchise owner Daniel Kurland told me that all 16 or so of the locations in the Florida-based chain were replacing their existing deli lunch sandwich meats with authentic corned beef and pastrami (and a few other items shown on this page) from the wholesale distributor that has stayed in business since the Carnegie Deli closed. “Brooklyn Water Bagels even tried to get an exclusive,” Kurland says. “Our corporate entity wanted our stores to be the only places you could get these authentic Carnegie Deli items, including corned beef, pastrami, potato knishes, cheesecake, sour Kosher pickles and even mustard.” But, Kurland added, “We were told that there were delis and restaurants all over the country, many in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area, where the first Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. locations opened, which already were buying these items from the Carnegie Deli wholesale distributor. They had to be grandfathered into our agreement with Carnegie.” So, while it’s not the only place in the U.S. where you can sample these items that I loved so much when I lived in Manhattan, Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. is one of very few places on the west coast of Florida, and is certainly the only place in Wesley Chapel, where you can buy them. And, because the Carnegie Deli was famous for its 1-lb. sandwiches, Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. today offers the Manhattan Combo sandwich — with 1-lb. total of Carnegie Deli corned beef and pastrami, on authentic Jewishstyle rye bread (or your choice of bagel) with Carnegie mustard (which also is available for purchase in a squeeze bottle), or the also-

(Above) The Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. on Wesley Chapel Blvd. near I-75 has had house-made NY-style bagels from Day One, but now, owner Daniel Kurland also offers authentic Carnegie Deli corned beef and pastrami, with the Carnegie’s potato knishes, pickles and spicy brown mustard also available. popular 1000 Island dressing. No, there’s no steamer “drawers” keeping the moisture (and heat) in the meats before they are piled into your sandwich, but otherwise, they are very much the same tasty (albeit fairly fatty, yum!) deli meats I remember from New York City. There’s also The Manhattan sandwich, which offers 1-lb. of your choice of corned beef or pastrami, as well as the Half-Pounder Deli sandwich, which has just 1/2-lb. of your choice of corned beef or pastrami, for you lightweights. There’s even The Reuben, which features corned beef or pastrami with sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, with mustard or 1000 Island dressing on toasted rye. And, considering that a Jewish deli sandwich would never be complete without a Kosher sour pickle, Brooklyn Water Bagel’s Carnegie Deli sandwiches are all served with a matching Carnegie pickle.

But Wait, There’s More!

Growing up, I was never the biggest fan of potato knishes — which, at most delis, are either square or round single-serving “pies” with a dough crust, stuffed with uniquely

seasoned mashed potatoes — but for those of you who crave them, Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. also offers Carn(Top) You can get a breakfast omelet with your egie Deli’s round (only) knishes, that choice of fillings (and your choice of bagel) for are very much like the ones we got at breakfast or lunch at Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. our local deli in Woodmere, Long Is- (Above) The chicken bacon avocado wrap sandwich land. The knishes are especially delish is a delicious choice for lunch. with the Carnegie mustard, too. and also is available for sale in packages, as are And, you can even finish off your a variety of different types of cream cheese. meal with a nice-sized slab of Carnegie Deli And, just in case you’re not a cheesecake cheesecake, which is a creamy, yet dense desfan, Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. has a great sert which is offered with a cherry sauce either variety of other outstanding desserts, most poured over it or on the side. of which (not including the authentic Jewish And, don’t forget that Brooklyn Water rugelach pastries) are made in-store, using the Bagel Co. also has a delicious roast turkey, franchise’s “Brooklynized” water. bacon and avocado wrap, tuna, egg, chicken The black & white cookies are the best and even whitefish salad sandwiches (all of the in the area, the chewy chocolate chip cookies creamy salad options are available for to-go have huge chocolate chunks and the housesale in tubs) and, oh yeah, a huge variety (at baked muffins include blueberry, chocolate least dozen or more different kinds, from standard plain, sesame and everything to more chip, apple cinnamon and banana nut. And, if you love delicious coffee, Brookexotic types, like Black Russian with seeds) kettle-boiled-then-baked fresh bagels and pick- lyn Water Bagel Co. has the best hot and cold coffee in town, at least in my opinion. your-own fillings omelettes that are available Its Brooklyn Water Coffee Roasters is its for breakfast or lunch anytime you visit. The in-house micro-roaster, roasting its coffee in smoked Nova Scotia salmon is authentic, too,

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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small batches (never larger than 90 lbs. at a time), and purchases only beans that are rated 80 points or higher by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (or in the top 3% of coffee in the world). My favorite available-all-year‘round variety is the Brooklyn Infusion, with Kahlua, caramel and sweet vanilla flavors, but the seasonal Winter Wonderland blend, with white chocolate, caramel and hints of coconut also is amazing, although Kurland says it will be gone by the spring. Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. (27835 (Top) In addition to giant chocolate chip, Wesley Chapel Blvd., Suite 101) is open black & white cookies & rugelach pastries, every day, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. For more informaBWB also now has Carnegie Deli cheesecake. tion, visit BrooklynWaterBagel.com, call (813) 775-2275 or see the ad on pg. 34 to (Left) Our editor loves the smoked salmon on a fresh-baked everything bagel. receive a free bagel just for stopping by.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

The KRATE Container Park At The Grove Keeps On Growing! The KRATE Container Park, the longawaited jewel of developer Mark Gold’s redevelopment of The Grove at Wesley Chapel, is really taking shape these days. On these pages is an update on all of the new signs that have gone up at KRATE since we told you about Provisions Coffee & Kitchen and the thennew Shake-A-Salad back in November. We also showed you pictures of and/or mentioned all of the dining- and/or drinkingoriented establishments that had their signs up at that time — Café 365, La Creacion Express Puerto Rican Bakery, The Bacon Boss, Mojo Grill Latin Fusion, TJ’s Famous Hot Dogs, Tacos el Patron, Åto Sushi Burritos & Poke Bowls, Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles, Tasty Ramen, The Fry Room, Urban Sweets, Yummy Tablas, El Prince Mediterranean, Blush Wine Bar, Boba Macs Tea & Eat and The Fry Room. We also mentioned the other places with signs up that weren’t about food or drink — Center Ed Education, Reset Natural Remedies, We Rock Rocks, SmartStart Market Space, Budget Blinds, The Rebellious Hippie and All Good Things Gifts. As we went to press with this issue, the only additional KRATEs that had opened since November were The Fry Room (we sampled owners Donny & Lori’s delicious apple cider donuts; more sampling to come soon) and All Good Things, as everything from Covid to supply chain issues have not only delayed the construction, the complete shutdown of the few parking spaces around the open KRATEs have had some people thinking that none of them were open.

Although a lot more signs announcing places set to open have gone up at the KRATE Container Park, the only additional restaurant to open by our press time is The Fry Room (above). Other new eatery signs that have gone up since November include (on this page) SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream, Chamo Bites Venezuelan Cuisine, (clockwise from top left on next page) Bakery X Authentically French, Flipn’ Fries Factory, Rhythm Pon Jamaican Cuisine, Bebo’s Cheesesteaks, Sugar Pop! and Café Zorba. But, even though photographer Charmaine George and I couldn’t drive in to check out all of the new KRATE signs, we did walk the area and here are all of the additional eateries coming soon that we found: SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream, Chamo Bites Venezuelan Cuisine, Bakery X Authentically French, Flipn’ Fries Factory, Rhythm Pon Jamaican Cuisine, Bebo’s Cheesesteaks, Sugar Pop!, Brew Bar, Pisco Express Peruvian Chinese Fusion Food and Cafe Zorba. We also noticed new signs for new stores and boutiques, such as The Toy Jungle, MaeBerry Co., 2 Extreme Tattoos, Grove Cigars, Katie Beth’s Boutique, Tonella’s Handpicked Flower Shop, Valiart Jewelry, Pup Protectors and the second Wesley Chapel location of Gadgets Emergency Room. Are you excited yet? — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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To see more KRATE Container Park photos, turn to “KRATEs” on page 38 of this issue!

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

The Brunchery Set To Open In Former Wolf’s Den Location!

Carrabba’s Italian Grill Goes Vertical!

OK, based on the fact that it still got more than a dozen votes for Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel in our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest after it closed last year, we know a lot of you have been missing most recent owner Tony Carbone’s Wolf’s Den Restaurant. Well, we now have what we believe is great news: Brunchery Breakfast & Lunch, which was opened on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa by Stanley Athan in 2019 — after Athan successfully ran the second local restaurant with the “Brunchery” name since 1988 (the original “The Brunchery” was opened by Greg Elliot on S. Macdill Ave. in South Tampa in 1985 and also is still open; we know, it’s a little confusing) — was taken over by Athan’s former partner Al Marku last year. Marku has been nothing but successful since taking over New Tampa’s Brunchery last year, even bringing in Carbone as one of his top cooks. Marku believes that his success only a few miles down BBD from the former Wolf’s Den location at 27607 S.R. 56 is what made him the restaurateur selected to take over Wolf’s Den, beating out

as many as six other suitors, as he announced om the “Brunchery-New Tampa” Facebook page on Feb. 1. Known for its delicious breakfast menu, including stuffed French toast, a variety of omelettes and Benedicts and even homemade muffins, New Tampa’s Brunchery also offers a great lunch menu, with items like creamy, semi-sweet chicken salad on a fresh croissant, a great grilled chicken sandwich topped with Swiss cheese and crispy bacon — as well as outstanding service. Marku, who took me on a hard hat tour of the former Wolf’s Den location that he is completely revamping, says he hopes to be open by the end of this month. We don’t yet know if Carbone will go back to his old stomping grounds, stay in New Tampa or float between both loca-

tions, but we do know one thing for sure — we are definitely looking forward to the opening of the Wesley Chapel Brunchery. For more information, visit LoveBrunchery.com or call the New Tampa location at (813) 533-7271. — GN

Woodie’s Wash Shack Hosts A Spectacular Grand Opening! Even though we’ve previously reported (multiple times) that Carrabba’s Italian Grill would be opening between Aussie Grill and Bonefish Grill on the north side of S.R. 56, we’ve seen some recent comments on Facebook indicating that some of you still don’t know what is being built in that area. Well, now that Carrabba’s has gone vertical and posted a sign (photo), there is no need for additional speculation. The Bloomin’ Brands-owned Italian eatery, originally founded in Texas by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola, already has 220+ locations in 29 states, and is expected to open this 69th Florida location (and second with a Lutz zip code) within the next 3-6 months. — GN

If you missed the Grand Opening and official Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the new Woodie’s Wash Shack-Cypress Creek (located at 24749 S.R. 54 in Lutz, about a mile west of the Tampa Premium Outlets) on Feb. 4, you missed one of the best North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cuttings we’ve attended in years. First of all, there was free Tampa Bay Buccaneers gear being given away, appearances by a variety of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) vehicles and K-9 officers (bottom photos), delicious, free food from Bubba’s 33 and Honeybaked Ham and, perhaps best of all, free car washes for every vehicle that came to the party and unlimited top-level monthly wash memberships for just $9.99 per month for the first three months. But, the even bigger news of the day was that Woodie’s owner Don Phillips (who says he based his growing local chain of four wash shacks on the California surf era of the late 1950s and early 1960s) and local franchisee Harry Jenkins also presented a $10,000 check to Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco for his K-9 Officer program. Phillips even mentioned that the money will go, in part, to the training of a new K-9 officer, appropriately named Woodie. And, for those who have seen the sign at The Grove at Wesley Chapel that another Woodie’s location is coming soon, Jenkins says that location will likely open in the next 6-7 months. For more information, stop by or visit WoodiesWash.com. — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

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Chicken, Chicken & More Chicken? The Wesley Chapel area isn’t exactly lacking for chicken-oriented restaurants, considering the recent openings of Chick’n Fun, Zaxby’s and King of the Coop, as well as the now-under-construction Chicken Salad Chick. And, don’t forget chicken places that have been established in Wesley Chapel for years, such as PDQ, Popeye’s and Wing Stop. But, it appears that we’ll still have to make room for another. According to Pasco County permitting records, Slim Chickens met with county planners on Feb. 8 at a pre-application meeting, which generally allows prospective applicants to meet and discuss the specifics of their proposals. A “quick look plan” presented to the county shows the 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant (with 42 parking spaces) would be located on the southeast corner of Old Pasco Rd. and Wesley Chapel Blvd., west of Advance Auto Parts, and less than a 1/2-mile from Chick’n Fun. The plans also include a 1,406-sq.-ft. auto

service center, which would be in between the Slim Chickens and Advance Auto Parts. Slim Chickens is a fast-casual chain that specializes in chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, salads, wraps and chicken & waffles, as well as other items. It is headquartered in Fayetteville, AR, and has more than 100 locations in more than 30 states. The only location near Wesley Chapel is on N. Boundary Blvd. near Macdill Air Force Base in South Tampa, and there are three other locations in the Florida panhandle. For more information, visit SlimChickens.com. — JCC

Kumquat Pie Is Now Pasco’s ‘Official’ Pie! Congratulations to the little known and oft-overlooked Kumquat Pie, which was recently declared the official pie of Pasco County. The Pasco Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution to honor the pie on Feb. 8, after the Tourist Development Council for Experience Florida’s Sports Coast voted the make the pie the official pie. “Kumquat pie is an iconic dish in Pasco,” said District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, “and it’s only appropriate it’s now our official pie.” Key lime and apple have filed protests, but they never had a chance against the mighty kumquat. It may look like a misshaped baby orange, but the grape-sized fruit has found a place in Pasco County’s heart, dating back to the late 1800s. And of course, Pasco is well-known for its annual Dade City Kumquat Festival, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. — JCC

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel 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 REPAIR. 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.

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. 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. 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 large chains! Friendly, personalized svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assistance & refs. avail. Call (813) 957-8342 for free estimate or see our ad on pg. 37!

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: 813462-1270. 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

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.

ATTENTION NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS CLASSIFIED ADVERTISERS! We have allowed too many of you to continue advertising without paying, but this Feb 22 Wesley Chapel Issue #4-22 is your last freebie. If you know you have a payment due, call MJ Martinez at (813) 910-2575 Mon.-Wed, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to make a payment!

MISCELLANEOUS

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. 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.

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 & in-ground 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.

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.

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.

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, volunteer opportunities and more! For more info, visit TheExerscienceCenter.com, call 813.464.0313 or see the ad on pg. 16 of this issue.

All Neighborhood News Classified Ads appear in both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! 7 issues — $120; 13 issues — $200; or 26 issues (1 year) — $300! To order yours, visit neighborhoodnewsonline.net/Classified Listings

DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, retexturing, 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.

TREE SERVICE

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

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

KRATEs

Continued from page 33

Although All Good Things Gifts (left photo) opened for Valentine’s Day on Feb 14, that was a day or so after we went to press with this issue, so we could only shoot an exterior pic of it. The only food and drink KRATE photos we couldn’t fit on pages 32-33 are Pisco Express (center) and Brew Bar (right). The latter appears to be a beer bar, as opposed to another coffee place. We will, of course, be updating all of the KRATEs as they open and still plan to publish a complete map with the locations of every KRATE in a future issue. Please support all of these new local, non-chain businesses! — GN

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 4 • February 22, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews