Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 31, Issue 8, April 18, 2023

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How Great Are ‘Get Back,’ ‘Ted Lasso’ & ‘Shrinking?’ So Great!

By GARY NAGER Editorial

I’m old enough to remember when TV was predominantly three networks and a few independent stations showing reruns of shows that were older than I am.

Even so, I have to admit that over the last couple of years (thanks to Covid?), Jannah and I have embraced not only the great programming that has been shown for many years on pay-cable networks like HBO and Showtime (from crime dramas like “The Sopranos” and “Ray Donovan” to comedies like “Californication” and “Weeds), we have continued to add any number of streaming TV services, including Disney+ (you know I had to watch all of my Marvel Studios movies and shows), Prime Video (“Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), HBO Max (“Hacks” and some of the DC Comics content) and Netflix (“The Queen’s Gambit,” “Ozark,” etc.).

This year, after not having watched a documentary film of any kind for many years, Jannah and I started to watch “The Beatles: Get Back,” in which renowned director Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings”) re-tells the story of the recording of the final album released by the Fab Four — “Let It Be,” which was, at first, to be called “Get Back” — as all 160 hours of those sessions in 1969 were captured on film and boiled down by Jackson to three 2.5-hour segments.

But, honestly, both of us were left wanting more. “Get Back” re-tells everything about the Beatles, from their days as teenagers in Liverpool first playing together as The Quarrymen, through their unstoppable “Beatlemania” run as the most famous band in the world, through the end of the “Get Back” sessions. We see George Harrison quit and come back, the silly personalities of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr as the group’s quiet peacemaker, and even the ever-present Yoko Ono, who was blamed for breaking up the band. Please watch “Get Back!”

Several people told me how great the Jason Sudekis vehicle “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV+ was long before we binge-watched the first two seasons of how an unsuccessful U.S. college football coach becomes the manager of a British Premier League “futbol” team. Hilarious and poignant, “Ted Lasso” has won back-to-back Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Comedy, Best Actor (Sudekis) and Best Supporting Actor (Brett Goldstein as the scene-stealing Roy Kent) and 11 wins among 40 nominations in two years. If you’re not watching the third (and supposedly final) season of “Ted Lasso,” you probably just don’t love great TV.

Another Apple TV+ show that has an outside chance of dethroning “Ted Lasso” this year is the surprisingly hysterical and sweet Jason Segel (“How I Met Your Mother”) vehicle “Shrinking,” which also stars Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams (“The Daily Show”) as psychotherapists.

Segel and Brett Goldstein are co-exceutive producers of “Shrinking,” where Segel (who plays Jimmy) has just lost his wife and decides to try a new approach to helping his patients. He and Williams (who plays Gaby, the show’s most lovable character — or is it Jimmy’s best friend Brian, played by Michael Urie?) work for the curmudgeonly Ford, and the ensemble includes TV vets Christa Miller (“Scrubs”) and Ted McGinley (“Happy Days,” “Married With Children”).

Not watching these two yet? You should be!

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Our editor’s favorite streaming shows these days include (l.-r.) “The Beatles Get Back” documentary on Disney+ and two top-notch shows on Apple TV+ — “Ted Lasso” & “Shrinking,.” (All of these pics were downloaded from online photos for Disney+, Apple TV+ or TV Insider)

SHRINKiNG

Former Saddlebrook GM To Open Community Café By June 15!

By GARY NAGER

Pat Ciaccio says that before Saddlebrook Resort was sold last year to Mast Capital, it was providing a safe haven where intellectually and developmentally disabled adults could work and be accepted.

The former long-time Saddlebrook general manager says that all the years that he worked for the resort’s founder and owner Tom Dempsey, “were very good to me and my family and I knew that what I really wanted to do was give something back and do something to help people with special needs.”

Ciaccio says he was building on the good work Saddlebrook started when he came up with the idea for his new nonprofit passion project — which he calls the Community Café, located in the 3,200-sq.-ft. former Keeps Carpet Store building on S.R. 54, less than a half-mile west of Morris Bridge Rd.

“The Community Café will create welcoming spaces and provide workforce training opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Ciaccio says. “I know there are other businesses that hire the developmentally disabled, including Publix, but we want to do even more to help them. We want to train them so they can not only have a job, but actually move up to management

positions. Nearly our entire staff of 30-35 employees (when it opens) will be people with these special needs who normally find it difficult to find a job.”

Raised in New Jersey, Ciaccio says his family background spans more than five generations of leaders in the hospitality industry. He says the Community Café will be home to a gourmet coffee bar and also will sell ice cream and smoothies (see rendering, right). The Café also will feature a retail shop selling T-shirts, coffee mugs and other branded merchandise. He says he has visited several other businesses around the country with similar concepts, including Rise & Nye’s in Sarasota.

Above is a rendering created by Neighborhood News multimedia specialist Charmaine George which superimposes over the current construction site what the various areas of the Community Café will resemble. (Next page) Pat Ciaccio outlines his vision for the Community Café’s event center. (Photos and rendering by Charmaine George) the event space will be available for use by community organizations.

And finally, there is an 1,100-sq.-ft. private event space that will feature artwork (that will be for sale, with all sales proceeds going to the artists) rotating quarterly by intellectually and developmentally disabled professional artists affiliated with Art4All. He says there will be entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights featuring performers with special needs. He adds that

Best of all, each area of the Community Café will have its own “team leader” among the “Shining Stars,” which is what all of the employees will be called. Only Ciaccio himself and the Café’s top management will not have special needs.

The Shining Stars will deliver a high-quality food and beverage experience with exceptional guest service in a tranquil, family-oriented, decompressing,

“Team Greater Than Me” environment. Ciaccio says that his goal is to provide cohesive and inclusive workforce training that will offer advancement opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We truly are looking to change the current narrative about special needs adults from awareness to education,” he says. “The narrative must be changed.” Ciaccio isn’t alone in his passion to help those with special needs.

“I am in partnership with Katbrat Studios (which specializes in digital media and content creation), John Lombardo Coaching & Consulting and The Leyda Group (which specializes in leadership coaching and human resources consulting).

The Community Café also will be led and mentored by a five-person Board of Directors: Dr. Alexis Dempsey-Doyle, Jodi Gordon, Wasim Kayal, Seth Ravenna and Dr. Mohamad Saleh.

“We plan to connect the community through educational workshops and podcasts in the Café’s event center while providing an exceptional food and beverage experience,” Ciaccio says.

As though he’s not already busy enough, Ciaccio, Tom Dempsey and Erik and Seth Ravenna also are opening Johnny C’s Italian Eatery on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, in the former Precinct Pizza location.

Get More Info On Apr. 18!

Although Ciaccio says he anticipates that the Community Café will open on or around June 15, he and his leadership

team will host a News Conference that will be open to the entire local community, as well as the media. The event will be held on Tuesday April 18 (the day many of you will receive this issue in your mailbox), at 11 a.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn TampaWesley Chapel (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy.). Ciaccio says he thanks Hilton Garden Inn GM Charlie Whiteacre for graciously agreeing to host this event.

“I also would like to thank all my partners and community members who already have reached out to lend support,” Ciaccio says. “It takes a village but together, I know that we can change the narrative!”

For more information, visit CommunityCafeFL.com.

Mrs. Wesley Chapel Angela Omoike Named Mrs. Florida American!

By GARY NAGER

Congratulations to Mrs. Wesley Chapel Angela Omoike, who will next compete to succeed 2022 Mrs. American winner Trenette Norris (who was Mrs. New Jersey American) for the title of Mrs. American 2023 (at the Westgate Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on August 25), after Angela was crowned Mrs. Florida American 2023 on March 5, at the Westgate Hotel in Orlando.

Mrs. Florida American is a “sister” pageant to the Mrs. America pageant, and the winner each year advances to compete for the title of Mrs. World.

“As women, I believe we can do anything,” Angela says. “My goal is to get more women involved in philanthropy.”

She notes that although there were only 10 married women competing for the title of Mrs. Florida American this year, it was still an honor to compete for, and win, the title. She adds that there will be representatives from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, at the Mrs. American 2023 pageant this summer.

“We were all working moms, people anyone can relate to,” Angela says proudly of the Mrs. Florida event. “We all have our own ‘stressers’ we have had to deal with.”

Angela says that she’s been through a lot in her adult life, including becoming a Registered Nurse in 2011, going through a divorce and becoming a single mom in 2016 (when she moved to Florida) and suffering a hip injury (due to being born with an extra bone in her femur that caused impingement in her hip joint) that got so bad she couldn’t walk or do anything for herself, shortly after she married anesthesiologist Dr. Ehijele Omoike in 2019. It wasn’t until she had surgery in 2020 that she finally was able to take steps on her own again.

“Then, I went vegan in 2021 and lost 30 pounds,” she says. “It was hard for me not being able to walk after always being an athlete when I was younger, and I knew I needed to change.”

In fact, she was a sprinter and high hurdler on her high school track team in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, where she also played varsity volleyball and was a cheerleader.

“But, after high school, I also went through a time when I needed help to provide food for my kids (her son Riddyk is now 18 and her daughter Emma is 15).”

Today, Angela is a Registered Nurse and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing who says she always has been a philanthropist, even when she had only her time to give.

“Volunteering is in my blood,” she says, recalling her childhood in Ohio, where she grew up in a family of nurses. “I also grew up in church, including serving in children’s ministries, volunteering at food pantries and going on mission trips to places like Mexico and El Salvador.”

She adds that the spirit of giving is something she has always tried to instill in her children. “Even when I was struggling (financially) myself, I still needed my children to understand the joy of giving.”

These days, she says she is working at her “dream job” as a vascular surgery nurse, after working as a hospice nurse and health care advocate in Ohio. She also serves under the “Inspiring Hope” mission in Pasco County of Metropolitan Ministries — a Tampa-based volunteerand donor-fueled nonprofit for the homeless and those who are at risk.

“I have such a passion for helping

those in need through education and fund raising,” she says. For example, she says, “Thanks to its Inspiring Hope mission, Metropolitan Ministries (MM) made sure that 57 children in MM facilities in the Tampa Bay area, including here in Pasco County, received Easter baskets.”

Angela also is an Ambassador for the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, which focuses on drug abuse issues, as founders David and Jackie Siegel lost their daughter Victoria in 2015 to an opioid overdose in Orlando.

“If (those emergency workers) had Narcan (Naloxone) on hand,” Angela says, “Victoria might still be alive today. The Siegels started getting Narcan into the hands of emergency workers across the country and have helped save a lot of lives.” The Foundation also advocates to influence drug policy changes at national, state and local levels.

Angela believes that becoming Mrs. Florida American will give her a greater platform to inspire hope and faith, educate and support others, especially those who have been affected by substance abuse.

“I currently am setting up times to provide anti-drug campaigns in local schools on behalf of Victoria’s Voice,” she says. “I also randomly drug test my own kids — Riddyk, Emma and even Ehijele’s

12-year-old son (her stepson) Izehi. “This way, our kids can tell anyone who tries to get them to do drugs that they can’t, ‘because my mom drug tests me.’”

She encourages all women to reach for their goals no matter what obstacles they are facing. She believes it’s her heart that sets her apart as she leads with love in all aspects of her life.

“To me,” she says, “it’s not about how much you give, it’s about how much love you put into it.”

After winning the title of Mrs. Florida American 2023 in March (left), Wesley Chapel resident Angela Omoike was surrounded by her family and friends at the Westgate Hotel in Orlando. Angela will next compete for the title of Mrs. American 2023 in Las Vegas on Aug. 25. (Photos provided by Angela Omoike)

Another New Tampa Resident Is Seeking A Kidney Donor

By GARY NAGER

Despite our best efforts, we honestly have never really been able to raise much in the way of funds over the years for so many worthy causes. I am proud to say, however, that the Neighborhood News has been able to bring some of our readers together to help individuals in need.

That is especially true about people in need of a kidney donor, as, in 2021, New Tampa resident Joel Morales donated one of his two healthy kidneys to then-13year-old fellow New Tampa resident Raj Guntuku after reading about Raj’s failing kidneys in an earlier issue.

And, earlier this year, we brought two other Neighborhood News readers together to help a Land O’Lakes man find his own kidney donor.

So, here we are again, trying to help New Tampa resident Vernessa Culmer’s longtime boyfriend William (“Will”) Messina find Vernessa a kidney, as she has been receiving dialysis three days a week since February of 2022, after having received a kidney transplant almost six years ago, in May of 2017.

“The kidney Vernessa received was from someone who had just passed away and the doctors (at Tampa General Hospital) said it had a lot of cysts on it, but we were happy that Vernessa got almost five years of it working,” says Will, is the chief nurse for ambulatory care at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. “Vernessa has Type O blood, which means she is able to accept kidneys from more people than those with most other blood types.”

However, Will adds, there are other factors that also figure into whether or not an available kidney is a match for a recipient and, as of the day we sent this issue to press, Vernessa had not yet found both a matching kidney and a willing donor.

“One lady from New Jersey was a match, but I guess she changed her mind about donating her kidney,” Will says. “Yes, you can live with just one healthy kidney, but it can still be a scary proposi-

tion for people. If I or members of Vernessa’s family were a match for her, she’d already have received a new one.”

In fact, because he is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (who earned his DNP degree from the University of Miami, Will says he would even offer the couple’s home in West Meadows for any donor who is willing to step up to help Vernessa. “I would gladly take care of anyone as they recover from surgery right here,” he says. “I have plenty of vacation time I could use to help them recover. We’re just desperate to find someone.”

Will also says that he is willing to donate a kidney to someone else in need, especially if Vernessa is able to find a donor.

“I’m definitely willing to pay it forward,” he says. “I know there are a lot of other people out there in need, too.”

Vernessa says that she knows she’s physically not yet in as bad shape as some people waiting for kidneys, some of whom have to have dialysis five times a week.

“I’m not overweight and I am able to get around myself,” she says. “But she definitely has gotten worse,” Will adds.

To find out if you’re an eligible donor match for Vernessa Culmer, visit TampaGeneralLivingDonation.org and enter “Vernessa Culmer, Birthdate 5/28/1975.” For more information, call Will Messina at (813) 380-0343.

Vernessa Culmer (getting dialysis above left) and her boyfriend, Will Messina (at right in right photo, which was taken by Charmaine George) are seeking a kidney donor for Vernessa.

Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Begins Leasing

Although The Grove has a big head start staking its claim as Wesley Chapel’s “official” downtown — with the expansion of “The Village,” the addition of the KRATE Container Park and the addition of new apartments and Grove Mini Golf, plus a new SuperTarget store, a new competitor has finally joined the discussion:

The Avalon Park Group has announced today that it is partnering with Nye Commercial Advisors, LLC, to lease 23,720 square feet of commercial/retail space in the 73,067 mixed-use Building, “DT1,” located in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

DT1 is the first of three buildings planned for the first phase of the long-awaited downtown section of this master planned community. The three-story building now under construction is comprised of the 23,720 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space that will be located below 40-unit multi-family, for- rent apartment homes.

The additional components planned for Phase 1 include a 97,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use building with 21,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space below 60-unit multi-family, for-rent apartment homes, a 103-unit multi-family building and a two-acre town park, which is expected to break ground later this year.

“Our relationship with the Nye team goes back more than 30 years, when we initially purchased the property,” says Beat Kahli, the president and CEO of Avalon Park Group. “Nye’s deep roots in the Wesley Chapel community, and their commercial expertise, make them the perfect partner to bring needed commercial uses to Downtown Avalon Park and eastern Pasco County.”

Upon completion, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

will encompass more than 1,600 acres and will be home to approximately 400,000 sq. ft. of retail and 100,000 sq. ft. of office space

in its unique downtown. The initial construction in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began in 2018, with the addition of the Pinecrest Academy K-7 Charter School. Pinecrest Academy also is now building its second phase, which includes the addition of approximately 600 6th-8th grade student stations.

“Wesley Chapel continues to grow each day,” says Brent Nye, the executive director of Nye Commercial Advisors. “We welcome the opportunity to bring the businesses and services needed to Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which will serve as a downtown for the entire region.”

Nye also says that although they are primarily seeking 3-5-year leases on these first available retail spaces, “We are open to different lease terms.” He adds that no outparcels have been included in the current plan, but, “some land is available and we are open to discussion about that but since we have higher-than-typical suburban densities on our land, onestory uses may be a challenge.”

He adds that although Avalon Park Group is handling the leasing of the 40 residential apartment units separately itself, those units are being built concurrently with the retail spaces below them and are expected to open around the

(Above) These are some recent construction photos showing the progress of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. (All photos and graphics on these pages provided by Nye Commercial Advisors, LLC)

same time, which should be by sometime during the first quarter of 2024, “if everything goes according to plan.”

Please note that certain types of retail uses may not be allowed, including “adult entertainment” uses, and bars and some other retail uses may first have to be approved by Avalon Park Group.

As stated in the official Avalon Park Wesley Chapel website — AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com:

“Do you dream of living where you work and working where you play? Then bring your business home to Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The distinctive small-town flavor and the convenience of downtown living merge in downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel to create the perfect place to spend an hour or the entire day. Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will bring conveniences like dining, shopping, schools, grocery stores, and your neighborhood doctor within a short walk or bike ride of your home.

In this town, there’s room for every entrepreneur — storefronts, shops, and office bays downtown, as well as rent-by-the-day workspaces for homebased businesses. There will be schools and medical centers where neighbors work. There’s a local Marketplace

where chefs serve and musicians play; a commissary kitchen where makers create; and a General Store where artisans will share their wares. And, all of it will lie along the sidewalks of this picturesque town.

Best of all, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel also will offer complimentary advertising and marketing services for our neighborhood businesses, helping you build relationships with the residents in our neighborhood and beyond.

Whatever you need, make your business the talk of the town in one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing areas.”

For more info about Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com or call (813) 783-1515. For Phase 1 commercial leasing info, call Nye Commercial Advisors at (813) 973-0214.

The rendering above depicts what life will be like in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel when it is completed.

New Tampa Players Take First Bows At NT Performing Arts Center!

By GARY NAGER

I can remember the first-ever conversation I had with Graeme Woodbrook and Doug Wall about trying to bring a professional performing arts center to New Tampa. It was the year 2001 and Woodbrook and Wall (the founder of the New Tampa Players) were both on the original organizing committee and both of them told me they believed that one day, their shared vision would bear fruit.

Fast forward 22 years, to the evening of March 25, 2023, and even though Wall — who passed away in 2017 after battling pancreatic cancer — unfortunately didn’t live to see his Players take the stage at the sparkling new, 350-seat New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC), Woodbrook and I were both on hand to see the Players’ “Prelude & Recognition Performance” at their new home.

As new NTPAC general manager Keith Arsenault was proud to proclaim to that evening’s packed house, “Mission Accomplished!”

Arsenault, who we introduced in our last cover story about the NTPAC, said he has been involved in Tampa’s arts scene for 50 years, since his mother owned a ballet studio near the University of Tampa. He thanked Woodbrook, former Hillsborough County Commissioner (and State Senator) Victor Crist and former Tampa City Council member (and State Rep.) Shawn Harrison, as well as original Players Lydia Macias, Jennifer Barnakow and Janine Hartfield (who is still a member of the theatre troupe today), current Players producing artistic director Nora Paine (“who is everywhere and doing everything,” he said) and, of course, Wall.

Arsenault, who called the NTPAC a “state-of-the-art” theatre, also said, “We also would not be here without the continuous efforts of (current Hillsborough County Commissioner) Ken Hagan,” who he then introduced as the evening’s next speaker.

Hagan, who said he has been involved in trying to bring the PAC to New Tampa for, “at least 15 years,” also thanked many of the same people — and especially focused on Wall.

“The theatre was Doug’s heart, soul and light,” Hagan said, quoting Wall’s cousin Neil Berg, himself a Broadway composer and producer. “We wouldn’t be here tonight if not for his

Photos by Charmaine George

(Photos above, clockwise from top left) New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) GM Keith Arsenault and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan both spoke before the “Prelude & Recognition Performance” by the New Tampa Players at the NTPAC. The future plaque remembering New Tampa Players founder Doug Wall. The orchestra pit at the NTPAC. Kyle Fisher as Conrad Birdie from “Bye Bye Birdie.” The entire current cast of the Players. Graeme (one of the original PAC organizers) and Sharyn Woodbrook (front left) enjoying the festivities. (Top of next page) Original New Tampa Players cast member Janine Hartfield performs a song & dance routine with Jarrett W. Koski-Kohler to “No Time at All” from the Broadway hit “Pippin.”

efforts. We realize Doug’s dream tonight!”

Hagan also noted and displayed a photo of a plaque created in Wall’s honor and memory that wasn’t quite finished in time for the “Prelude” performance, and mentioned that until the PAC was completed, the Players were a “theatre troupe without a home.”

Also speaking before the performance was Michelle Giles, the current chair of the Players’ Board of Directors, who presented Paine with a pre-performance floral bouquet.

The “Prelude & Recognition Performance” itself included almost 30 musical performances by the 13 current Players, interwoven with explanations of how the troupe’s shows are chosen, how the audition process works (including for directors and choreographers) and other ins and outs of the community theatre business.

The performances themselves were amazing and I’m sad that I don’t have room here to

hit all of the highlights, but here are a few:

Kyle Fisher’s “One Last Kiss” from “Bye Bye Birdie,” Janine Hartfield’s “No Time at All” from “Pippin,” Bri Filippelli’s “Do Re Mi” and the title song from “The Sound of Music,” Makayla Raines singing “Little Girls” and Olivia Carr’s “Tomorrow” from “Annie,” and “We Go Together” from “Grease” by the entire company. What a great night!

Speaking of “Grease,” that will be the third show produced by the Players at the NTPAC (the second was the Penguin Project production of “Beauty & the Beast” April 14-15). “Grease” auditions will be held at the Uptown Stage at University Mall on Monday & Tuesday, April 24-25, and all performers are welcome to try out at this open audition.

For more info, to volunteer and/or donate to the New Tampa Players, visit NewTampaPlayers.org. For NTPAC questions, email ArsenaultK@HCFLGov.net.

(Above) New Tampa Players Board chair Michelle Giles (right) presents Players’ producing artistic director Nora Paine with a pre-performance floral bouquet at the performance on March 25.

Business Briefs — Celebrating Flip Flop Shops & PetSmart Vet Services

By CHARMAINE GEORGE

The Flip Flop Shop, which has been open since February 4 in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza (across from the Shops at Wiregrass) on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., south of S.R. 56, held a Grand Opening and North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) ribbon-cutting event on April 1.

Owners Traci and Kevin Taylor decided to relocate to Florida from Colorado after visiting their son for his Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) graduation from the U.S. Navy EOD School in Destin in 2018.

The artwork displayed on the walls of their Flip Flop Shop tells the story of what compelled them to make the move to Florida, after a memorable day on the beach with their son. It was during that picturesque moment sitting on the beach looking out at the water with drinks in their hands when they looked at each other and said, “Well, this doesn’t suck.”

After they made the move to Florida and Kevin retired, they searched for a franchise that would allow them to add their own personalities to their location.

That’s when they found Flip Flop Shops. And, even though they ended up moving to Riverview themselves, Traci, a long-time fan of Walt DisneyWorld in Orlando, said it was the family-driven culture in our area that solidified their choice to open their own Flip Flop Shop in Wesley Chapel.

Kevin also mentioned that their choice made sense since most people in the Sunshine State wear some form of flip flops or casual wear and, “the Flip Flop Shops

(company) is California-based (with more than 50 locations across North America, including now five in the Tampa Bay area), but it has a very Florida feel.”

During the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were urged to grab food and spin the prize wheel, which awarded guests a prize from one of the Flip Flop Shop’s manufacturers. The shop offers a wide variety of flip flops and casual wear, as well as accessories that support conservation and other causes. The Taylors were happy to walk guests around and show them some of their most popular brands, including Oofoos, Crocs, and Hey Dude. They even have a variety of Jibbitz charms for those who love to customize their Crocs.

Traci and Kevin truly embody the family culture that drove them to open their Flip Flop Shop, and it showed as they interacted with guests. “We want to treat everyone who walks in the door like family,” Kevin said.

Flip Flop Shops Wesley Chapel is located at 1752 Bruce B Downs Blvd. For more information, call (813) 994-8204 or visit FlipFlopShops.com.

PetSmart Veterinary Services

Two weeks earlier, the PetSmart at The Grove in Wesley Chapel unveiled its new Veterinary Services with a self-hosted Grand Opening and Open House on March 18.

The Grand Opening event was held on a Saturday, which meant that on your way to the back of the store where the new vet services are located, you were greeted by cats and kittens up for adoption. Rescue Cats of Florida is at PetSmart at The Grove every Saturday with cats and kittens all eager to find loving “fur-ever” homes. If you have your vet appointment on a Saturday or you’re in the area, you can stop by and see if any of the playful cats are right for you.

Veterinary partners Dr. Alejandra Navarro and Dr. Leslie Block went all out for their Grand Opening. Guests were able to meet the staff, partake in a free photo booth with their pets, eat slices of Marco’s Pizza, plus Crumbl Cookies, cupcakes and other sweets, and sign up for appointments at the Vet Services kiosk. Dr. Navarro and Dr. Block have more than 26 years of combined experience and can’t wait to meet everyone’s fur babies.

The Grove PetSmart’s Veterinary Services is a privately owned, full-service hospital offering anything from vaccines to dental work and even surgeries. They also offer walk-ins and drop-offs for those who have busy schedules, as well as a cat room where they have pheromone diffuser plug-ins and scratching posts to help make visits for your cats as easy and cat-friendly as possible.

Dr. Navarro also is bilingual, so she can help clients who feel most comfortable com-

municating in Spanish. She said that she is one of those people who knew from an early age that she wanted to be a vet.

“I like making pet care simple and accessible to clients and not overwhelming, which it sometimes can be,” she said. “I want to be there for all stages of your pet’s life, from family introductions to navigating through older age.”

You can meet Dr. Navarro, Dr. Block and their friendly staff at 6001 Wesley Grove Blvd. For more information or to book your appointment, call (813) 761-1241 or visit PetSmart.com.

Both the Flip Flop Shop in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza (left) and the PetSmart Veterinary Services location in The Grove held recent Grand Opening celebrations in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Compass Claim Solutions — When Your Insurance Co. Says ‘No!’

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

Shawn Thompson, the owner of Compass Claim Solutions, first began advertising in the Neighborhood News in 2022, as Hurricane Ian was expected to make landfall in or very close to Tampa. But, when that major hurricane devastated Ft. Myers and much of southwest Florida instead, Shawn spent a lot of time in that area, helping to make sure that the people there — who had literally lost everything — were properly compensated by their insurance companies.

The New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas were largely spared from the brunt of that storm, as well as from the wrath of Hurricane Nicole six weeks later, but what if this year’s hurricane season hits even closer to home? Who will make sure you get properly compensated when your insurance company offers only a minimal payment that won’t cover all the damage or even denies your claim outright?

A Licensed Florida Public Adjuster, Shawn is an independent expert who is ready to fight for you. He can help you file or contest property damage claims related to not only hurricanes, but also due to lightning, floods, wind, storms, fire, mold, theft, vandalism, plumbing, and more.

Shawn says it can be extra tricky to understand your hurricane coverage. Does your claim fall under the hurricane deductible? Is flooding separate? With hurricane season fast approaching, Shawn can help with questions like these and more.

“Last year, this area was spared from major hurricane damage,” says Shawn. “I was glad to be able to assist many people in and near the Ft. Myers area by giving licensed estimates of the damage they incurred, filing and adjusting claims, and negotiating with their insurance companies.”

Born and raised in Ocala, Shawn graduated from St. Leo University near Dade City in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Management. After ten years at CVS Pharmacy, including in upper management, Shawn decided to make a change.

Thankfully, he was introduced to the public adjuster industry by his brother-in-law Leonard Pisciotto, Jr., and, in 2012, began the process of getting licensed himself. This included a one-year apprenticeship with Leonard at his family business — Equitable Public Adjusters — which had more than 50 total years of experience. Shawn also worked for six months handling claims for insurance companies.

Since 2015, Shawn has been working full time as a Licensed Public Adjuster and has helped thousands of clients get fair and better settlements from their insurance carriers.

Shawn provides free insurance

claim assessments for homeowners, business owners and organizations like HOAs (homeowners associations) to evaluate for missed opportunities to increase the value of their claims, such as inadequately reported damages, uninvoked clauses in your insurance policy, or loss of business income. He is very familiar with the homes and businesses of this area, having moved to New Tampa in the mid-2000s, and to Wesley Chapel in 2010, where he is now living with his wife Lindsay, their children, Kasey and Luke and their puppy, Wrigley.

“To offer the most benefit, I always recommend contacting me first, as soon as you think you might need assistance with your insurance company or a claim,” says Shawn. “There are three main ways I can initially help with insurance companies: directly communicating with their insurance adjusters on site with required documentation, providing a licensed estimate of all damages and interpreting insurance policy language.”

But, he adds, it’s never too late to involve a public adjuster, even if your claim already has been closed.

“We can get involved at any point of the process,” he says. “Sometimes, a claim is evaluated as falling under the deductible, so the insurance company will only pay the deductible — or less — and it’s not enough to cover the loss. We can argue this as a diminished payout to recover additional funds. And, if a claim is denied outright, we can look for opportunities to

overturn that claim.”

If there is ever a reason to dispute an insurance claim, Shawn says the next step is to negotiate with the insurance company and their claims adjusters. But sometimes, talking to the insurance company can become a long, drawn-out process.

As recent client Jackie Graziano describes, “Shawn really stepped up to resolve my homeowners claim. I was struggling for two years and, in a few short months, Shawn had it done and I was financially compensated by the insurance carrier.”

Another client, Carolyn Mayer, says her only regret was that she didn’t reach out to Shawn earlier. “We had a major loss that was very tricky to navigate with the insurance company,” she says. “Shawn took a HUGE burden off our chests and took sole responsibility to help us navigate the very tricky process of insurance claims. His knowledge and persistence allowed us to recoup about three times what the insurance company initially offered. If we had called him earlier, he could have prevented the very poor clean-up done by the insurance contractor and helped to prevent further damage.”

Shawn says that negotiations are usually successful for the majority of claim disputes. But, if further actions are ever needed, such as involving an independent

If your home has ever suffered damage like this, make sure you call Shawn

Thompson of Compass Claim Solutions. He will see to it that you get paid what your claim is

really

worth, not just what your insurance company is willing to pay. (Photos provided by Shawn Thompson)

appraiser, going through mediation or, as a last resort, taking legal action, Compass Claim Solutions is prepared to do whatever is necessary keep you from leaving money on the table.

“Legally, there are only two parties that can represent a policyholder through the insurance claim dispute process — a public adjuster like me and an attorney. In all the cases I’ve been involved in, I can count on my hands the number of times litigation was required. Contacting a public adjuster to help contest a claim is always a good first step.”

So how much does it cost to hire a licensed public adjuster? With Shawn,

the answer is zero dollars up front. He will only collect if you collect.

“In Florida, a public adjuster’s fee is capped at 20% of what’s recovered. But, I always tell my clients that my fee is negotiable,” says Shawn. “My goal is to help you recover much, much more than you would have gotten before my involvement. It’s not unheard of to get 10-20 times more than what you would have gotten initially.”

Compass Claim Solutions is available 7 days a week, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, see the ad on pg. 23, call (352) 502-5928 or visit CompassClaimSolutions.com.

The Thompson family — (l.-r.) Shawn, Luke, Kasey & Lindsay (holding the family’s puppy Wrigley) — has lived in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area since the mid-2000s.

Small World Pediatrics Celebrates 20 Years Of Caring For Kids!

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Corespondent

This is a milestone year for José Jiménez, M.D., and Nancy Silva, M.D. Their practice, Small World Pediatrics, is proud to be celebrating the 20 years it’s been since Dr. Jiménez first opened the doors in 2003.

Small World Pediatrics is located in the Windguard Professional Center across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. It has been there since 2010, when the practice moved from its original location in the Northwoods plaza on BBD in Wesley Chapel, near Target.

Dr. Jiménez’s wife, Dr. Silva, joined the practice in 2014. Since then, the couple has worked together to serve their patients — consulting each other and often working as a team — while also serving the community.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the doctors were community leaders, hosting a weekly live chat on Facebook to update anyone who tuned in (or watched later) on the latest guidance from the CDC, translating complicated and confusing information to make it more understandable to the general public, and answering questions.

Dr. Silva says they ended the Facebook live video chats last September after recording nearly 90 episodes. Life seemed to move on from Covid, but Dr. Jiménez says, “It’s not behind us. Sadly, it’s not ever going to be over.” Thankfully, though, he says, “We’re not seeing it as much and not as many children who are long-haulers.”

That refers to kids who had symptoms more than a month after they first got Covid. Sometimes, for example, Dr. Jiménez would see a child who would come in for a well visit and hear gurgling in their lungs. They had Covid weeks ago, but the effects of the virus lingered.

The doctors say that with more

people being vaccinated, which helps to prevent severe symptoms, and those who have had it before, which builds immunity (although for how long that immunity lasts is still in question), along with mutations that have weakened the virus, things are looking better for the community at large.

“Of course, we can’t predict the future, and the fear is that mutation can still strengthen the virus,” he says, Not only did the pair commit their time and energy to educating the public via these weekly (later every-other-week) videos, they also jumped through hoops to bring the Covid vaccine to their practice. The Florida Department of Health was requiring a minimum order of 1,000 vaccines and the vials had to be used within hours of opening. But, Dr. Silva persisted and was able to pick up smaller quantities from a satellite location — while manually customizing software to be able to record information about the new vaccine in office records and meticulously tracking each dose — so that the vaccine could be available in their office.

“It was a major administrative hurdle,” she says, “But we intended this to be a support to the community when they needed it.”

The friendly, professional staff at Small World Pediatrics in the Windguard Professional Center off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel includes (l.-r.) Dr. José Jiménez, Dr. Nancy Silva, office manager and medical assistant Courtney White and medical receptionists Tonya Weicut and Diana Foley (Photos by Charmaine George)

Patients such as Geraldina Cuozzo, who lives in Meadow Pointe, say that support was crucial.

She was so relieved to discover Small World Pediatrics during the pandemic, and she began taking her daughter, Guillermina, who is now eight, to the practice.

“I was going to a different doctor,” she says, “but when the pandemic came through, I was really scared. I contacted them and found out they were testing in the office. I felt very safe so I immediately switched to them.”

Now, three years later, Geraldina is glad she made that choice.

“I’m very comfortable there,” she

says. “They go beyond my expectations. They answer all my questions, listen to all my concerns, and explain everything to me.”

Dr. Silva says she and her husband can relate to the families who bring their kids to Small World Pediatrics, because they are busy parents, business owners, and members of the community, too. Like many of their patients, they live in Meadow Pointe.

Their son, 17, is in marching band and Boy Scouts, while their daughter, age nine, is in dance, gym, and Girl Scouts. Dr. Silva serves as a leader in the scouting organizations and has to manage her office responsibilities and home roles, such as getting her kids everywhere they’re scheduled to be.

She says this helps her to be a more empathetic doctor.

“It’s not just me taking care of your kid,” says Dr. Silva. “I’m thinking about my kids and how they were at that age. I’m thinking about how I survived the terrible twos and the teenage years. I truly understand the struggle of work-life balance. It’s really a juggle, and I’m right there with you.”

While the office has been estab-

lished for two decades, Dr. Jiménez and Dr. Silva have lived in the community even longer.

“We like to have those connections with our patients,” Dr. Silva says. “We run into patients at schools and at the grocery store.”

The doctors are proud that they stayed open throughout Covid, were always available by phone to their patients and that they didn’t reduce their staff or let anyone go during the pandemic. The staff currently consists of the two doctors, office manager and medical assistant Courtney White and medical receptionists Tonya Weicut and Diana Foley.

Dr. Jiménez earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1992, after transferring from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He then earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine in Tampa in 1996, and completed his pediatric residency at USF in 2000.

Dr. Silva earned her M.D. degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Health Science Center in Brooklyn in 1997, after earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in an Honors B.S./M.D. program at City University of New York (CUNY) Brooklyn College in 1993. Like Dr.

Jiménez, she also completed her residency at USF in 2000. She worked for a group in Brandon until joining Small World Pediatrics.

The doctors have been established in the community for so long now, that they are beginning to see the second generation of families come to them.

“My first patient ever just had a baby and brought his child in to see us,” says Dr. Jiménez.

The practice also added telemedicine during the pandemic, and they still offer that option for their patients. They can meet the needs of families who are working and can’t come to the office, and can even see patients after hours with that virtual option. Physicals can’t be done that way, but many other types of appointments — such as a sick visit or medicine check — can.

Dr. Silva says the practice is doing promotions on Facebook and she invites everyone to participate.

“When gas prices were super high, we offered a giveaway of gas cards,” she says. “Every quarter we pick a different theme. If you like our page and the post, it gets you into the raffle. It’s a fun thing.”

Small World Pediatrics is located at 2527 Windguard Cir., Suite 102, and is open Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, see the ad on page 6, call (813) 907-8001 or visit SmallWorldPediatrics.com.

Congratulations To Wesley Chapel’s Top Of The Class Of 2023!

We wish we could congratulate every student graduating from Wesley Chapel’s three high schools, but we simply don’t have room to even list every name in these pages. Rather than just do our usual recognition of each school’s valedictorian and salutatorian, freelance correspondent Celeste McLaughlin aimed a little higher — or lower, in this case — as she actually got the top-10 students (with just a few exceptions) in the 2022-23 graduating classes of Cypress Creek, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch high schools to provide some pretty terrific information about themselves for this article and photo spread. Congrats on a job well done, Celeste, and to all of those graduating at and near the top of their respective classes! Get ready to don those caps & gowns! — GN

Cypress Creek High

1. Anastasia Bogdatova

(Co-Valedictorian/not pictured)

GPA: 4.7182

College planning to attend: University of South Florida

1. Sienna Silvest (Co-Valedictorian)

GPA: 4.7054

Clubs/Activities:

Varsity weightlifting (captain). Varsity cheer (cocaptain & team academic advisor). National Honor Society (NHS; secretary). College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned Major or Future Career: Geology & Sustainability Studies

Best thing about High School: Being involved in sports & senior activities like Powderpuff and Grad Bash.

2. Reagan Alapa (Co-Salutatorian)

GPA: 4.602

Clubs/Activities: Varsity & club softball, varsity weightlifting, National History Day Fair researcher, youth softball summer camp coach, NHS. College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Political Science

Best thing about high school: The freedom to define who you are as a person, the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them, time to figure out where my values and passions lie and opportunities to pursue those passions through a variety of extracurricular activities.

2. Sarah Nasreen Raza (Co-Salutatorian)

GPA: 4.602

Clubs/Activities: NHS, NEHS, Girl Scouts, volunteer at Moffitt Cancer Center, Radiant Hands, Feeding Tampa Bay College planning to attend: University of South Florida

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Sciences

Best thing about high school: Dedication from my teachers, always ready to answer my questions and have their doors open for tutoring when I’m dealing with a difficult topic.

4. Brian Roof

10. Nouri Clarke

GPA: 4.6019

Clubs/Activities: ASL Club, ASL Honor Society, NHS, volunteering at Wesley Chapel Elem. College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned Major: Engineering

Best thing about high school: Being able to make connections and friends that will last a lifetime and the unique ability to get involved with various clubs, communities, and activities.

6. Advika Snigda Duggudurti (not pictured)

Clubs/Activities: Piano, including musical performance exams and theory exams conducted by Trinity College London. NHS (VP of service) College planning to attend: University of South Florida

Planned major or future career: Biomedical sciences/microbiology major, planning to attend med school in the future

Best thing about high school: My best friends who helped make happy memories with me.

7. Gabriel M. Fernandez

GPA: 4.5686

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Tampa Bay United Recreational Soccer, volunteering, Phi Theta Kappa College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Nurse anesthetist

Best thing about high school: How I found myself & became independent.

8. Colin Mendoza

GPA: 4.549

Clubs/Activities: NHS College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Computer Science

Best thing about high school: Meeting new friends and talking to old ones.

9. Name: Madeleine Ward (not pictured)

GPA: 4.5313

Best thing about high school: Learned how to create decent study habits and conquer procrastination.

GPA: 4.5196

Clubs/Activities: Robotics Club College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Computer Science

Best thing about high school: Getting to make friends.

Wesley Chapel High

1. Julia (Faith) Olsen (Valedictorian)

GPA: 4.66

Clubs/Activities: NHS College planning to attend: University of South Florida

Planned major or future career: Nursing

Best thing about high school: The teachers and staff!

2. Olivia Kawalya (Salutatorian)

GPA: 4.637

Clubs/Activities: Colorguard & Winterguard, African Student Association, NHS, Spanish NHS.

College planning to attend: Georgia Institute of Technology

Planned major or future career: Computer Science

Best thing about high school: All the time I spent and friends I made through Colorguard

3. Hannah Burkhart

Planned major or future career: Major in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Master’s degree in Speech & Language Pathologist Best thing about high school: The clubs

5. Alexis Simpson

GPA: 4.57

Clubs/Activities: Clean Earth Club, National English Honor Society, NHS, Science National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Varsity Tennis, JV Cheer, Steering Class of 2023 College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major: Computer Science Best thing about high school: Making new friends and exploring interests through clubs.

6. Isabella Guzman

GPA: 4.57

Clubs/Activities: Founder of the Art & Gaming Club, NHS, NEHS, Best Buddies Club & Gay Straight Alliance.

College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: I am majoring in Biology, following the pre-med track. I’m aiming for a future career in invasive cardiology. Best thing about high school: My friends! The experiences I’ve had alongside them have always brightened my day, providing me with many memories to forever cherish.

GPA: 4.630

Clubs/Activities: Colorguard/Winterguard College planning to attend: University of Central Florida

Planned major or future career: Optical or Photonics Engineering

Best thing about high school: Spending time with friends and laughing until we felt like we couldn’t breathe.

4. Alex Leon

GPA: 4.58

Clubs/activities: NHS, NEHS, Envirothon, SNHS College planning to attend: University of Central Florida

7. Wen Yang

GPA: 4.56

Clubs/Activities: Clean Earth Club, president. Science National Honor Society, president. NHS, historian. NEHS, Spanish NHS College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Biology

Best thing about high school: All of the relationships with classmates and teachers that are formed and being able to enjoy my teenage years with friends and people who helped make it enjoyable.

8. Samantha Tejerero

GPA: 4.55

Clubs/Activities: NHS College planning to attend: University of South Florida

Planned major or future career: Nursing

Best thing about high school: Prom and Homecoming dances

9. Elizabeth Mays

GPA: 4.53

Clubs/Activities: Student Government, NHS, NEHS, tennis College planning to attend: Florida Gulf Coast University

Major: Elementary Education, Master in speech pathology

Best thing about high school: The opportunity to do dual enrollment classes!

10. Preston Hammons

GPA: 4.51

Clubs/Activities: GSA, NHS, Science NHS, writing. College planning to attend: Florida Institute of Technology

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Engineer

Best thing about high school: Progressing and developing through the years. Not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, meeting new friends, development of new passions and even learning itself.

Wiregrass Ranch High

1. Elizabeth “Ellie” Gage (Co-Valedictorian)

GPA: 4.783

Clubs/Activities:

Equestrian, independent animator, animal enthusiast College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Undergrad in Zoology, hopefully followed by a DVM and a career as an exotic animal veterinarian.

Best thing about high school: The opportunities it grants you. You get to learn so much about yourself and who you want to become.

1. Landyn Williams (Co-Valedictorian)

GPA: 4.7213

Clubs/Activities: Varsity cross country, varsity basketball, varsity track, NHS, Fellowship of Christian Athletes College planning to attend: University of Central Florida

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Sciences/Doctor

Best thing about high school: Going to the State Championships with my cross country team. Surrounding myself with people who lift me up and inspire me has made the past four years incredible.

3. Marissa Adams

GPA: 4.6967

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, Rho Kappa History Honor Society, Best Buddies, Chamber Orchestra/Principal’s Quartet, Varsity Tennis College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned Major/Future Career: Political Science

Best thing about high school: I have really enjoyed the friendships that I’ve made throughout high school. They have helped to balance out the rigor of my coursework and make high school a good experience.

4. Rebecca Rose Nieves

GPA: 4.6667

Clubs/Activities: Basketball all four years of high school, Coach’s Award. Musician at church. Phi Theta Kappa.

NHS, Legacy, National Hispanic recognition program. College planning to attend: University of South Florida

Major/career: Biology. Plan to go to Medical School and become an anesthesiologist.

Best thing about High School: Learning about myself and about who I want to be as a person. In high school you really are exposed to many different types of people and I was able to learn from them and become a better person because of it.

5. Ella Riddle

GPA: 4.6522

Clubs/Activities:

Work at Sand Pine Elem. College planning to attend: Nova Southeastern University

Planned major or future career: Marine Biology

Best thing about high school: Having the opportunity to succeed in many different ways.

6. Christian Rios

GPA: 4.6475

Clubs/Activities: Soccer, piano, science fair, chess College planning to attend: University of Florida

Major: Architecture

Best thing about High School: When I got to pet a pony in freshman year.

7. Emaan Ahmed

GPA: 4.6452

Clubs/Activities: HOSA, Key Club, NHS, SADD club, Mu Alpha Theta, volunteering at AdventHealth College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Biology/Pre-med

Best thing about high school: Lifelong friends that make the high school experience so much better.

8. Ella Rivera

GPA: 4.6316

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, CNA Program, SNHS, job as gymnastics coach College planning to attend: University of South Florida

Major: Biomedical Sciences

Best thing about high school: Finding my best friends. My best friend Rachel & I have gotten each other through high school. I don’t know what I would do without her.

9. Kate Niehoff

GPA: 4.625

Clubs/Activities: NHS (president). Earth Club (secretary). Class of 2023 Senator for 4 years, Key Club, Student Council, State Delegate for Florida Science and Engineering Fair 2023. Science NHS, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Event & Auction Manager for Uncork for a Cause.

College planning to attend: Florida State University

Planned major or future career: Double major in psychology & criminology

Best thing about high school: I’ve taken a lot of great classes that have challenged me and helped me grow into a stronger person.

10. Megan Kelly

GPA: 4.6140

Clubs/Activities: School newspaper, photo editor. NEHS, secretary. NHS, Key Club, dual enrollment AA degree with 4.0 college GPA from PHSC. College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Accounting & Data Analytics

Best thing about high school: Being so close to my friends and family, and I will definitely miss that when I go college. However, I am looking forward to growing independently in college while I pursue my academic goals, participate in clubs and volunteering, and build new relationships.

Your

CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel For Great Quality & Service

Whether you’re looking for natural products that can help relieve pain or anxiety — whether for you or your pets — Lisa Feigel, the owner of Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel, has not only the quality products you need, but also extensive knowledge of her everexpanding product line to make sure you end up with the best possible all-natural solution to your problem.

With her extensive knowledge of CBD, or Cannabidiol, as well as one of the top-rated product lines to sell, SunMed, Lisa says she can help just about anyone who walks through the door of her Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54.

“I am a big believer in CBD,” says Lisa, who opened her Wesley Chapel store in August 2019. “I believe in what it can do, and I think that most people who try it will almost always come back again.”

While CBD is derived from hemp (as is cannabis, or marijuana), it contains less than 0.3% of THC, and thus, does not produce any of the psychoactive effects of “weed.” However, CBD still retains all of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, the uses of which go back thousands of years.

Lisa’s SunMed CBD products have a wide range of effects on a wide range of maladies, from anxiety to sleep deprivation to pain management, and more. According to a recent New York Times story,

Brightfield Group (a cannabis market research firm) conducted a survey of 5,000 people, revealing that 60 percent of CBD users have taken it for anxiety, followed by chronic pain, insomnia and depression.

“I have suffered intense paranoia and anxiety for most of my adult life,” says Sam Crook, one of Lisa’s regular customers. “Lisa was very VERY informative, patient, and just overall pleasant as she walked me through the options. Taking her advice, I purchased a few products and life has never felt better for me.”

By eliminating some of the things

that had been holding him back, Crook says he has gotten a new lease on life with Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel products.

“With my anxiety and neuroses diminished, I feel more confident, more productive at my job and sleep better than I ever have,” says Crook, “Physically, I have more energy (than I’ve had) in years. These things are literal game changers.”

More and more people are experiencing the benefits of CBD. According to a story posted by Forbes.com, national CBD sales hit $4.6 billion in 2020

(just two years after hemp-derived cannabinoids were federally legalized), and some forecasters are predicting a U.S. market of roughly $20 billion by 2025.

SunMed grows its hemp in Oregon and Colorado, and is processed by a third party lab in Palmetto, FL. The company uses a CO2 extraction, which means there are no carcinogens or ethanol in its products.

SunMed’s carcinogen-free products have the USDA Organic designation, and are labeled with QR codes, so users can see exactly what they are putting into their bodies.

Updated ‘Delta’ Info

Delta 8 and Delta 9 products are for more extreme and chronic concerns.

Delta 9 can produce some psychoactive effects, but does not require a medical marijuana card. In fact, Lisa says many medical cannabis card holders have come into her store looking for a less expensive way to get the same benefits.

The difference between Delta 9 and Delta 8 is just one particular chemical bond appearing on the eighth carbon molecule instead of the ninth.

“Delta 8 was a big deal when it was introduced in 2021 and really brought more people in to check us out,” Lisa says, adding that some of her customers have told her using Delta 8 has provided them with “the best sleep of their lives.”

Lisa Feigel of Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel on S.R. 54 has the top-quality CBD products and expertise you need to help both you and your pets.

CBG, or cannabigerol, and CBN, or cannabinerol, are Broad and Full spectrum products that can provide a drowsy effect which can aid with sleeping, while CBG is touted more for its “pick me up” and potential therapeutic, anti-inflammatory effects.

CBG is known as the “super momma of cannabinoids” and Lisa says the topical pain cream version of it is one of her store’s best sellers.

Whether by cream, oil, gummy, water soluble or vape, Lisa says her store offers multiple ways to get her CBD products into your system. “Everyone has a preference,” she says, “but really, there’s no wrong way of taking CBD. It’s just a matter of getting it in you.”

For those who need a boost in losing weight, there is now TRIM!

She says SunMed’s TRIM is the only CBD weight-loss product on the market, adding that, “in a 90-day clinical study of 120 people, participants lost up to 18 pounds, six inches around the waist and eight points in their BMI (Body Mass Index).

TRIM features THC-V, which it says is a non-psychoactive compound in hemp known to naturally suppress your appetite. This product can be taken as an edible, oil, or capsule.

“There are always new products coming out all the time,” Lisa says. “TRIM has been very popular. It’s just another way that CBD can help make your life easier.”

As for your fur babies, CBD has proven to be effective in relaxing pets

For Delta 8 and Delta 9 CBD products that go Above & Beyond, visit Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel.

who have anxiety, suffer from thunderstorms and fireworks. Your CBD Store has a variety of products, including the newest ones — Chillin’ Out (for relaxation) and Movin’ Easy (for mobility and aches and pains) broad spectrum hemp chews for dogs and cats.

Stop in to Lisa’s beautiful boutique style store and try a free sample while she and her staff educate you on which CBD product is best for you!

Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel (30044 S.R. 54) is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday & by appointment only on Sunday. For more info, call (813) 536-0119, visit getsunmed. com or search “YourCBDStoreWesleyChapel” on Facebook and Instagram or see the ad on pg. 26.

Touch Nail Spas Invite You To Come Pamper Yourself

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Corespondent

As the husband-and-wife team of Timmy Pham and Tiffany Ha celebrate the sixth anniversary of the original Wesley Chapel location of their Touch Nail Spa, they have continued to grow by opening new salons, expanding their services, and remaining committed to providing the best possible customer service to keep their clients raving.

Touch Nail Spa’s Wesley Chapel location is 5,000 sq. ft. — the largest nail salon in the area — and conveniently located on S.R. 56, about a mile east of I-75, in the same plaza as Capital Tacos. That location alone employs 44 people.

In December 2020, the second Touch Nail Spa opened in The Village at Hunter’s Lake, in the same plaza with Sprouts Farmers Market off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa. It’s a convenient location with abundant parking and now has more than 30 employees.

“When we opened our first location, we had 10 people working,” Timmy says. “We’ve grown so much.”

And now, Touch Nail Spa has expanded again — as a third location has opened in Odessa at 16222 S.R. 54.

But, Timmy and Tiffany say it’s not important that they are the biggest salon

in the area. What they really strive for is to be the best.

“We try to give the best customer service we can,” says Timmy. “There are so many nail salons, and they learn from us and copycat what we’re doing.”

Touch Nail Spa offers beautiful, upscale, serene surroundings with high ceilings for better ventilation, rows of comfortable leather pedicure chairs and plenty of manicure stations to minimize the wait time.

A complimentary beverage is offered with any service, including manicures,

pedicures, eyelash extensions, waxing, facials and massages. Complimentary beverages include bottled water, soda, or a glass of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, moscato or sangria, served in a chilled glass (wine is for adults ages 21 and older with proper identification, of course).

Want To Try Something New?

As for new services, the Wesley Chapel location now offers microblading, a semipermanent treatment to fill in eyebrows, and Timmy is hoping to expand that service to

Your group can enjoy relaxing pedicures, too, at the three Touch Nail Spas, including the original location on S.R. 56.

(Photos by Charmaine George)

the New Tampa location, as well.

In addition, all three Touch locations now offer eyelash extensions with many options to fit a variety of budgets.

Whether you’re looking for a simple mani/pedi to keep your fingers and toes neat and polished, a relaxing spa experience with luxurious touches, or a skilled technician to provide the latest trends in nail shapes and designs, Touch Nail Spa can accommodate every desire.

Touch offers dipping powder, acrylic nails and all kinds of nail designs, French

manicures, gel polish (which lasts longer than regular polish) and more.

Timmy says each location has always had thousands of colors on hand, but has recently added many more, so the salon is now carrying even more colors than it had prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. He estimates Touch now boasts 3,500+ colors.

But, like so many other business owners have experienced, the pandemic left its mark on Touch Nail Spa.

“We’re so glad Covid is gone,” Timmy says. “The pandemic destroyed a lot.”

While some people still wear masks, restrictions have eased. However, the stringent cleaning protocols that were in place prior to the pandemic are still being utilized at Touch, to ensure the health and safety of clients and employees.

“It seems like people are back to normal,” he explains. “They don’t mind sitting closer now.”

Also back are private nail parties. While all three locations will accommodate groups, only Wesley Chapel can provide a private room for the exclusive use of your gathering, whether it’s for bachelorette parties, birthday parties or bridal/wedding parties. Although they didn’t require a private room, Jannah and her daughters Kristen and Lauren, daughter-in-law Caitlin and Kristen’s boyfriend Chaz each enjoyed a different manicure — from Orange Burst to Strawberries & Cream to basic — and everyone raved about their service, relaxing foot massages and nail techs.

Timmy says long-time customers have noticed that the salon had no choice but to change its prices after the pandemic. Just as costs have risen for consumers, he says they have risen slightly for Touch Nail Spa, too. He says supplies cost twice what they did prior to the pandemic.

“It gives me a headache,” he says. “I want to be fair with all of the customers and with the technicians, but everything has changed.”

Touch Nail Spa does offer a rewards program for its regular clients. Be sure to ask about it when you visit any of the salons. Customers sign in with their phone

number on one of the spa’s iPads and receive one point for every dollar spent. Points can be redeemed for a discounted pedicure, according to current terms.

Discounted prices also are available for children ages 11 and younger.

Timmy says while he works to keep prices affordable, what he wants most is to please his customers. He promises that at Touch Nail Spa, you will always be serviced by an experienced technician whose goal is to make the customer happy.

“What does the community want us to provide for them?,” he asks. “Come in and tell us what you need.”

Touch Nail Spa offers an electronic gift certificate for all occasions — including Mother’s Day — that can be used at any of its locations. E-gifts are available for purchase at TouchNailAndSpa.com.

The Wesley Chapel (27233 S.R. 56) and New Tampa (8630 Hunter’s Village Rd.) Touch Nail Spas are both open Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sun. To make an appointment with a specific nail technician or for more information about the Wesley Chapel location, call (813) 973-4111. For the New Tampa location, call (813) 536-1003. Or, see the ad on page 27.

Even though the Touch Nail Spas stay busy, they still provide an upscale, relaxing environment with top-quality nail services with nail techs who wear masks and gloves for your protection.

GEICO’s Wesley Chapel Local Office Delivers Personalized Service

By GARY NAGER & KATHERINE PATTERSON

After the devastating hurricane season of 2022, when much of Southwest Florida was blasted by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole took a similar toll on much of central and eastern Florida, more and more people across the Sunshine State are concerned about making sure their homes are properly insured.

Between the company’s entertaining television ads featuring an adorable talking gecko, and its high customer satisfaction ratings, it’s easy to see why GEICO has become one of the top insurance companies in the state of Florida.

Jaime Bryant opened the local GEICOWesley Chapel office on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwoods Plaza) with nine employees in Dec. 2020, or a little more than two years ago. Since he and his wife Shannon had been living in Wesley Chapel (and they now have a year-old son, Elliot), he decided to open a local office, after working for GEICO’s corporate office in Lakeland for 16 years.

“The Wesley Chapel area has seen a lot of growth and a lot of changes the past few years,” Bryant says. “People are moving to this area to start and raise their families. In order to establish roots here, they need to be properly insured. That’s where we come in.”

He says that as far as homeowners (and hurricane) insurance is concerned, GEICO sells policies underwritten by Homesite Insurance, but Bryant says he and his onsite agents can tailor those policies to each homeowner’s specific needs. “We sell policies for homes built in 2002 or newer,” he says. “If it’s a mobile or manufactured home, it’s 1995 or newer. If it’s a condo or townhome, in most cases, they can be any age.”

He adds that since townhomes don’t require a full homeowners policy, since those owners share some of their space and, “there is a master policy that covers the roof and the exterior, so they only need to cover the interior, which is a lot cheaper.”

He also notes that brand new homes — and there are many here in the Wesley Chapel area, in particular — “are generally less expensive to insure because they have newer roofs and are being built to higher standards” than older homes.

Homeowners policies generally cover the dwelling/home itself, but also any other structures — garages, sheds, lanais, fences, etc. — as well as the personal property inside the home, including furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, jewelry, etc.

“There’s also loss of use coverage, for if you’re ever displaced from your home by damage and have to live in a hotel,” he says. “It even includes money for dining out while you’re displaced.”

He adds that the same policy also generally includes personal liability coverage. “In other words, if anyone gets hurt in your home, it protects you from being sued. Some people do also require additional liability coverage, however.”

Hurricane insurance also is generally included with your homeowners policy, although Bryant says that it gives you a higher deductible, “usually around 2% of your home’s value.” If you have a home worth $500,000, that means you’d be liable for only the first $10,000 worth of damage from a hurricane. He says that here in Florida, all GEICO policies require hurricane coverage, although some other companies will try to get you a lower deductible — usually only $1,000-$2,500 — by not including hurricane coverage, which also covers damage caused by tropical storms, “as long as they’re also named storms. For non-named storms, those claims are usually covered under ‘wind damage.’”

As for flooding inside your home, whether caused by a hurricane, tropical storm, broken pipes, sewer backup, roof leaks, etc., Bryant says that because most of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa are not in high-threat flood zones that require flood insurance, most homeowners here choose not to get it.

“But, that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good idea to have it,” he says. “If your sewer backs up or the pond near your home overflows, it’s possible you could need a flood insurance policy, which isn’t usually too expensive to add.

Reasons To ‘Bundle’ Policies

One of the things that GEICO’s TV commercials have focused on in recent years is insurance policy “bundling.” Bryant says that bundling, for example, your home and auto policies together will qualify you for

discounts on both policies. “It doesn’t always end up costing you less than buying them separately, but it usually does,” he says. “But, when you bundle multiple policies together through GEICO,” he adds, because GEICO, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is such a large company, “you don’t have to worry about us leaving the state (as many other insurance companies have over the past few years).”

He also notes that auto and renters insurance also are often bundled, “because the renters insurance will then either be free or

cost pennies on the dollar, which is probably the biggest savings you get by bundling.”

When you own a boat, Bryant says that whether you bundle it with your homeowners policy or not, “that’s one of our most competitively priced products on the market.” Other competitively priced policies include for recreation vehicles (RVs), travel trailers and mobile/manufactured homes.

Bryant began working for GEICO in 2004, after earning his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of South Florida. He also received his

(Above) The friendly staff at the GEICO-Wesley Chapel local office (photo on next page) in the SuperTarget plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (just north of County Line Rd.) can help provide you with a wide variety of insurance products. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Florida 2-20 Resident General Lines License (which allows him to provide property, casualty, surety, marine, health and miscellaneous insurance lines, including auto, motorcycle, boats/watercraft, homes, condos, RVs, renters and even pet insurance) to ensure that his local GEICO office can provide people with virtually any type of insurance they need.

“We’re a one-stop shop for all of your insurance needs,” he says. “Come on in and talk to one of our local agents, rather than just call a 1-800 number, because we get to know you as a person and can tailor all of your policies to your specific needs. “With insurance, one size definitely doesn’t fit all.”

Although GEICO also offers a lot of information on the phone or by visiting GEICO.com, Bryant says that anyone in Wesley Chapel (or New Tampa) seeking

insurance (or information about insurance) for the first time should come into his office to talk to someone who knows the area, the community and what insurance policies will best serve your needs. while you may not need the highest level of coverage, you also shouldn’t always choose the lowest possible price for your coverage, either.

Your local GEICO office also participates in local community events, such as the recent Easter Egg Hunt event at the Tampa Premium Outlets, golf tournaments and more.

The GEICO–Wesley Chapel local office is located at 1227 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. The office is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sat. For more info, call (813) 953-4200, visit GEICO.com/Wesley-Chapel-Bryant or see the ad on this issue’s back cover.

Taylor Gardner Gutters & Exteriors Can Help Build Your Home’s Value

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

Your home’s rain gutters may not be high on your list when it comes to home improvement or maintenance. But, Florida is one of the rainiest states in the country with an average rainfall of 40-60 inches per year, so it may be more important than you think.

“If you don’t have gutters, you are risking water damage to your home’s foundation,” says Taylor Gardner, the owner of Taylor Gardner Gutters & Exteriors. “If you have gutters and neglect them, that’s actually more of a disadvantage, as you risk standing water collecting and building up right against your roof.”

Taylor Gardner Gutters & Exteriors is a family-owned business with more than 31 years of experience in installing and repairing residential and commercial gutters. The business was first started in Lutz by Taylor’s father Ed Gardner, and was officially transitioned to Taylor (a Wharton High graduate) in 2019 after Ed passed away. In 2021, the business expanded and the office was moved to U.S. Hwy 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

In addition to working on gutters, Taylor Gardner Gutters also can repair soffits and fascia, which are the supporting structures for gutters located behind the gutters and underneath the roof. The company also performs gutter cleanings and leaf guard

installations, screen room installations, and even window replacements.

Taylor Gardner Gutters can reroute underground water drainage away from a building’s foundation towards preferred locations, such as private ponds, sidewalks or sewers.

Taylor, a U.S. Marine for nine years who served in Iraq and later earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Business Administration from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, has been involved in the business since childhood. Assisting his dad in his youth, he remembers that the early days of the business consisted of “me and Dad and one truck and one trailer.” Today, Taylor is the leader of five gutter crews and three soffit and fascia crews with 15 employees and 10-15 others in partnership.

Improving water drainage around your home can have so many benefits.

“Our customers’ homes can vary from a 30-year-old house in New Tampa to a newly constructed house in Wesley Chapel to a mansion built over swamp land,” says Taylor. “Houses settle over

time, causing cracks in walls and stucco, allowing water to move underneath the house. Windows are intentional cracks in the foundation for light and ventilation, but mold and mildew can grow there too. With tiles and wooden floors, spots can pop up as water gets in. Sometimes swamps are drained, clay is put on top and homes are built on top of that, but the water table (the boundary between groundwater and dry land) is already high, and it will move up in crevices.”

He adds, “Sometimes homes already have gutters, but they are neglected and that’s actually a worse situation. Blocked

gutters keep standing water against the house, weighing the gutters down with hundreds or even thousands of pounds of water, leaves and debris easily. That can lead to cracked fascia and roof leaks.”

Taylor also says that gutters can even add unexpected aesthetic appeal. Copper gutters can last up to 100 years and add a beautiful shining element to the outside of the home. Half-round gutters were more common in older homes and can add a more traditional look. Rain guards are alternatives to gutters that use long chains to redirect rainfall. With more than 20 different colors to choose from, your gutter

The crew at Taylor Gardner Gutters & Exteriors takes the business of cleaning out and/or installing new rain gutters at your home very seriously. (Photos provided by Taylor Gardner)

Taylor Gardner

color and style can vary from subtle to bold.

While the company serves locations in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, and Polk counties, Taylor says, “Hillsborough and Pasco counties are our bread and butter.” In fact, as Hillsborough and Pasco counties continue to grow, Taylor says his business is growing right alongside them.

“We work directly with GL Homes, the builders for The Ridge and Winding Ridge communities in Wesley Chapel,” he says, “and with the new construction by the former Pebble Creek golf course, to install all of the gutters for their properties.”

Taylor recommends spring as the best time to consult a gutter professional, especially for gutter cleaning. Taylor Gardner Gutters offers free gutter estimates. In anticipation of the rainy season from May to October, the company currently is offering a special rate of 15% off leaf guard products, such as Leaf Blaster Pro and Leaf Relief, which can block leaves and debris from entering gutters and creating blockages.

“Gutters are the least expensive upgrade you can do to improve the value of your house,” says Taylor. “It generally costs less than painting your whole home, getting floors done, or getting new landscaping.”

Taylor Gardner Gutters & Exteriors is located at 6202 Land O’Lakes Blvd. The office is open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info, visit TaylorGardnerGutters.com, call (813) 515-0844, see the ad on pg. 39 or visit the company’s pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Above are some examples of the types of gutters that can be installed by Taylor Gardner Gutters.

Palms Pharmacy — New Tampa’s Neighborhood Pharmacy

By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Neighborhood News Corespondent

James Kist says he truly enjoys walking into the Palms Pharmacy in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, just south of the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. exit off I-75.

So much so, that when he was recently asked if he wanted a 30-day supply of his prescription or a 90-day supply, he says he would take the 30-day supply so he could come back more often.

“It’s such a pleasure walking in the door and being called by your first name,” Kist says.

That’s exactly what owner and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Shahida Choudhry envisioned when she opened Palms Pharmacy nearly seven years ago.

Dr. Choudhry was determined to create a place that felt different from a typical chain pharmacy, a place where she knew her customers by name and gave them specialized, concierge service — like what they would have expected from a neighborhood pharmacy decades ago.

Kist says he knows those neighborhood pharmacies better than most.

“My father had a retail drug store for 50 years, so I’m used to personalized service,” says Kist, a local CPA who has served New Tampa for the past three decades. “At Palms Pharmacy, they are professional and truly care about you.”

He remembers a time he asked a question, got an answer and left, thinking the conversation was over. An hour later, his phone rang and the pharmacist was providing additional details she had researched after he left.

As a CPA, Kist says he has wondered, “How do they make any money?

I’m surprised at how low the prices are.”

He says the service is so excellent, he would gladly pay more for his prescriptions and other products, but that’s not necessary at Palms Pharmacy.

Dr. Choudhry says that’s the kind of service her customers have come to expect. If they have a problem, she and her staff will work to find ways to solve it.

For example, in the wake of postCovid production and other supply issues (and other factors), some medications have become very hard to come by.

She says for some patients, she often can help them find medications that aren’t available at other pharmacies. For other patients who absolutely cannot get a medication they need that isn’t available anywhere on the market, she tries to find innovative solutions.

“We have really grown our section of supplements for kids and adults who suffer from ADHD,” she says, referring to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Adderall, a popular ADHD medication is completely unavailable nationwide right now. “If you can’t get your meds and want to try an alternative, or you’re just curious about what products are out there, come on in.”

She recommends that patients talk with their physicians, as well, but says they can get a lot of information to discuss with their doctors by coming in to Palms Pharmacy and learning about what’s on their shelves “We’re trying to be innovative,” she says.

National Recognition

On a national scale, Dr. Choudhry has been recognized for her innovative ways. She recently won an award for being one of the “Most Influential People in Pharmacy” by the Pharmacy Podcast Network. She came in at number five, ahead of national CEOs and others says she was impressed just to be ranked among them.

Since the award is voted on by her peers in the business, it was especially meaningful to her.

She says that it’s not so much that she appreciates the accolades, but because she’s truly trying to offer her customers something better than what they get at the big retailers.

For example, Palms Pharmacy offers on-site compounding to make your medications to custom specifications, such as low-dose Naltrexone (to manage alcohol or opioid use disorder and hormone replacement therapy.

The store also now specializes in diabetic and endocrinology supplies, including being a preferred pharmacy for the continuous glucose monitoring system, DexCom.

And, Palms Pharmacy still offers curbside pickup for anyone who would prefer to stay in their car, rather than walking into the pharmacy.

The staff has grown to 12 people and now supports a second location, called One Source Pharmacy, in Westchase. This location has a partnership with One Source Medical Group, which helps diabetic patients get needed supplies that may not be covered under a pharmacy insurance group to get those supplies through their medical insurance.

Dr. Choudhry opened Palms Pharmacy in 2016, after 10 years as the pharmacist at the Publix in Tampa Palms. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy, then went on to receive her Pharm.D. degree in 2001, both from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.

“We enjoy what we do and really appreciate our customers,” Dr. Choudhry says. “We know you can go anywhere, so if you’re willing to park your car and come through our doors, we’re going to try to do a little bit extra to make you

feel welcome.”

Covid Deadline: May 11

Dr. Choudhry says at-home Covid tests will no longer be covered by insurance after May 11.

“Make sure you have Covid tests at home,” she says. “Covid is not going away. It’s more controllable now because when people get it, they stay home, but you will still want to be able to test for it.”

Come in to Palms Pharmacy before May 11 and the staff will help you get four or eight take-home Covid tests at no cost to you, if it’s covered by your insurance. If you’re not sure if it’s covered, feel free to call or text (phone numbers below) or come in so the staff can help you.

Palms Pharmacy also stocks the anti-viral treatment Paxlovid and the antiinflammatory Medrol often prescribed by doctors with it for their Covid-positive patients.

The front of Palms Pharmacy features niche products that make fantastic gifts, including locally-sourced soaps, candles and honey, plus fun candy and snacks. A popular product called “Warmies” are soft animals stuffed with lavender. They can be heated in the microwave for 30 seconds and may help your child sleep or can be

Dr. Shahida Choudhry (front) and her friendly, professional staff at Palms Pharmacy in Tampa Palms can match or beat chain pharmacy prices and provide on-site compounding and old-time customer service. (Photos by Charmaine George)

used as a heating pad. These are just a few items that may make a nice surprise in an Easter basket, for a loved one’s birthday, on Mother’s Day, as a hostess gift, and for countless other occasions.

Palms Pharmacy is located at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa, and is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Call (813) 252-9063, text Palm Pharmacy’s secure text-only line at (727) 513-3210. For more info, see the ad on pg. 35 of this issue or visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com. Follow Palms Pharmacy on Instagram and/ or Facebook.

(Above) Dr. Choudhry and her “Most Influential People in Pharmacy” award. (Below) Whether you want bath bombs for Mother’s Day (below left) or Easter candy, Palms Pharmacy has you covered!

TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar Adds Brunch &...A Robot?

By GARY NAGER

I’ve said this before but, as much as we love live music, Jannah and I don’t visit Treble Makers Dueling Piano Restaurant & Bar in the Village at The Grove every week for the weekend dueling piano shows. Don’t get me wrong, the shows are great — as are the free solo piano shows beginning at 6 p.m. every Thursday-Saturday (see the ad on pg. 37 for the complete entertainment schedule).

But, for those who still have never enjoyed a meal at TrebleMakers, I can’t urge you strongly enough to check it out for everything from its delicious fresh fish (the coconut curry grouper is one of executive chef Kevin Maggard’s true masterpieces) and seafood (love the diver scallops and many rave about the shrimp tacos), plus excellent steaks (the filet mignon and thick-cut prime rib are my favorites), great chicken options (like my latest favorite, the bruschetta chicken shown below), delicious pastas and starters like the seared ahi tuna, the fried calamari in sweet Thai chili sauce, the potato gnocchi, crispy Brussels sprouts and their most popular appetizer, the baked Imperial crab dip.

And, even though Jannah and I have been frequent visitors for lunch at TrebleMakers from the moment it opened in Sept. 2020, we now have a new reason to visit and enjoy it — the super-yummy Sunday brunch!

When all three of Jannah’s kids came to visit recently, we got her entire family together at TrebleMakers so that yours truly could check out the different brunch items

being offered by TrebleMakers coowners Jamie and his brother Joe Hess and Lee Bevan.

One piece of good news is that if you’re not a fan of bottomless mimosas for only $15 per person (or bottomless champagne for just $20 per person) or eating eggs at lunch time, no matter what day of the week it is, most of TrebleMakers’ entire delicious menu also is available during the Sunday brunch hours — 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

And, it appears the word about the brunch has already gotten out, as our party of 13 was only the second largest the Sunday we visited and there were a number of other tables on hand, all raving not only about the food, but also the recently added robot server (photo, right, and more on that below).

About The Brunch Menu...

The brunch specialty that isn’t on the regular lunch or dinner menu at TrebleMakers that most appealed to yours truly is the “Feather & Waffles,” which features super-crispy, house-brined chicken breast, served atop a Belgian-style waffle and served with applewood-smoked bacon, two eggs served your choice of sunny side up or scrambled, and real maple syrup.

Another brunch-only option sampled at our table was the fried egg smash burger, which features sausage-infused brisket smash patties on a brioche roll, cheddar cheese, that crispy applewood-smoked bacon, with lettuce, tomato, onion and garlic aioli, topped off by an over-easy fried egg and served with TrebleMakers’ super-crispy fries.

One option we didn’t try that I look forward to sampling in the future is the Treble Classic Platter, featuring TrebleMakers’ exclusive 12-hour espresso-rubbed brisket, roasted garlic hash, with Cuban toast, two sunny-sideup or scrambled eggs, bacon and maple sausage links. Also available on the brunch menu are

Cuban avocado toast, featuring a La Segunda Bakery Cuban loaf, fresh Haas avocado smash, cherry tomato, everything bagel seasoning and local micro greens (you can even add two fried eggs to this one), brioche French toast, fried deviled crab Benny (with a honey deviled crab cake and potato hash on an English muffin) and the brisket skillet Treble hash with bell peppers, Brussels sprouts and a fried egg. All of the brunch menu items are only $13-$16 each. Kids menu items (including penne marinara, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks and a kids cheeseburger) are all just $7 each. There’s even a solo piano show every Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. TrebleMakers also served a special, “not your typical” Easter buffet brunch on Apr. 9,

Photos by Charmaine George

(Above) TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Restaurant & Bar in The Grove now offers a great Sunday brunch, with items like fried “feather” & waffles (left) and a smash burger topped by a fried egg, with crispy fries. (Below) Another recent addition is an efficient robot server (below).

You can enjoy TrebleMakers’ delicious chicken bruschetta for brunch or dinner!

with chef-inspired stations for $44.95 per person ($39.95 for those aged 65+ and $19.95 for kids ages 5-12, 4 & under free). Jamie says many of the same items will be repeated for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, so make your reservations now!

And yes, after seeing how efficient a robot server was at an Asian restaurant in New Tampa, Jamie, Joe and Lee decided to invest in a robot server for TrebleMakers.

“And, rather than replacing our servers,” Jamie says, “it’s helped them and our busboys work more efficiently, as the robot brings the food to the table, so the server only has to put the plates in front of each patron.” The robot also politely asks for people to move out of its way and even plays ‘Happy Birthday!”

TrebleMakers

is open every day for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 406-4371, visit TrebleMakersofWC.com or see the ad on pg. 37.

(6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.)

(Above) TrebleMakers’ co-owners (l.-r.) Joe Hess, Lee Bevan & Jamie Hess. (Below) The shrimp tacos are served with house-made crispy potato chips.

Taste The Unique Flavors At Desi Flavors Indian Cuisine

By GARY NAGER

Long-time readers of this publication no doubt realize that Indian food has never my favorite cuisine type. On the other hand, if more Indian restaurants served the subtly delicious flavors I’ve sampled at Desi Flavors Indian Cuisine, I might have spent more time in Indian eateries.

Owner Sree Alla, an information technology (IT) guy who worked for many years at an Indian restaurant in Atlanta, opened Desi Flavors, the first restaurant he has owned himself, in the Tampa Telecom Park off E. Fletcher Ave. in December 2020 — in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even so, Sree says he has continually built a loyal following since opening and he is hoping that his ads and this story in the Neighborhood News will help him continue to reach new customers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

The food, at least what photographer Charmaine George, her boyfriend Brendan and I sampled on a recent visit, is pretty impressive. While most Indian cuisine is currybased, Sree explains that there are so many different types and heat levels of curries that the same dishes at every Indian restaurant can taste different from every other place.

Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that Sree’s dishes from all regions of India are full of flavor, which explains the “Flavors” in the restaurant’s name. The “Desi” in the name means “country person,” or “one from our country,” and also can refer to people from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

About The Menu...

The only way to describe the two-sided menu at Desi Flavors is HUGE! The starters on the front of the menu are divided into “Veg” and “Non-Veg.” To date, we’ve only sampled the vegetable samosas (minced potato and green peas deep-fried in pastry dough), but they were crispy and had a milder, more delicate flavor than many of the samosas I’ve sampled elsewhere, and were served with two different chutneys (sauces).

Other “Veg Starters” I am looking forward to trying include the spring rolls (minced veggies wrapped in rice paper and fried), the chilli paneer (crispy paneer tossed in a spicy sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar and chili sauce) and the gobi Manchurian (cauliflower florets dipped in corn flour, deep fried and tossed in ginger, garlic, spring onion and chilis).

The “Non-Veg Starters” I look forward to trying include the non-veg samosas (with chicken or lamb), the chilli chicken (crispy chicken in the same spicy sauce as the cauliflower) and the fried fish pakora (fritters).

Charmaine, Brendan and I did try one of the “Tandoori Sizzlers” on the front side of the menu — the chicken kababs, which are boneless pieces of chicken marinated in the Tandoori spice mix and cooked in a clay oven, served with fresh onions and peppers. Yum! There also are chicken on the bone, shrimp, fish (filet or whole), paneer (cheese) and mixed grill Tandoori options.

The chicken biryani Sree had us sample also had a completely different flavor than

most others I’ve tried. The long-grain basmati rice is flavored with unique spices and the rice and bone-in chicken served on top of it are sealed in a thick pot and cooked over a slow flame. The chicken seemed spicier than the rice, but both were very tasty. I definitely plan to try the goat and lamb options in the future, but there are eleven different biryani on the Desi Flavors menu.

On the menu’s flip side, there are 20 non-vegetable entrées, but all we tried was the butter chicken, another dish I’ve not always enjoyed elsewhere. The tender pieces of boneless Tandoori chicken are cooked in a rich, creamy (and very mild) tomato sauce with butter. It is served with a side of perfect butter naan bread (one of 12 baked-to-order breads on the menu) and basmati rice with peas and carrots.

Other non-veg entrées include chicken tikka masala, kadai chicken or lamb with pan-sautéed veggies, butter lamb and Chef’s Signature lamb, goat, shrimp or fish curry

There also are 18 different vegetable entrées, from Chana (garbanzo bean) masala to palak paneer (spinach and cottage cheese seasoned with ginger, garlic and aromatic spices) and malai kofta (dumplings of fresh veggies and cheese cooked in a mild cream sauce).

Craving something different? Desi Flavors also offers Indo-Chinese options like

fried rice or hakka (similar to lo mein) noodles, both with your choice of veggies, egg, chicken, shrimp or mixed.

There also are eight South Indian options, including Idly (steamed rice and lentil patties served with chutneys), chole poori (minced veggies wrapped in rice paper and fried), upma (thick porridge made with coarse rice flour and different veggies and nuts) and eight different dosa crepes made from rice and lentils, served with sambar (lentils in tamarind & coconut), tomato and coconut chutneys.

Save room for dessert, too. We got to sample the gulab jamun (Indian-style donuts made from evaporated milk solids deep-fried and served in a light sugar syrup) and rasmali (which reminded me of rice pudding) and I particularly enjoyed the gulab. Charmaine also really raved about the mango lassi, a supercreamy drink made with mango, yogurt, milk, a little sugar and a dash of cardamom. I also felt the hot masala chai tea was super-smooth.

Desi Flavors also has a variety of specials throughout the week. On Wednesdays (5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.), the South Indian menu options are buy-one, get-one free. The same offer goes for biryanis on Thursday evenings. On the weekends (Fri.-Sun), get a family biryani pack with a free appetizer or house special dessert to go for only $29.99 (veggie) to $45.99 (shrimp).

And, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m.3:30 p.m., Desi Flavors is proud to offer its 35-item Grand Lunch Buffet for only $16.99 per person, or $11.99 per child under age 12.

Desi Flavors Indian Cuisine (13418 Telecom Dr. in zip code 33637) is open Tues.-Thur., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.9:30 p.m.; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Fri.; 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; and 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.9:30 p.m. on Sunday, For more information, call (813) 615-0004, visit DesiFlavorsTampa.com or see the ad on pg. 37 of this issue. And, please tell Sree and his staff that the Neighborhood News sent you!

Photos by Charmaine George

(Clockwise from above on this page) If you don’t already like Tandoori-style chicken, vegetable samosas, butter chicken with butter naan (bread), gulab jamun (Indian-style donuts) or chicken biryani at most Indian restaurants, our editor says you should still try all of these new favorites of his at Desi Flavors Indian Cuisine, located in the Telecom Park off E. Fletcher Ave., a couple of miles west of I-75. (All photos on this page by Charmaine George)

(Top) Look for this sign when you turn off E. Fletcher Ave onto Telecom Dr. or you could drive past Desi Flavors Indian Cuisine. (Above; photo provided by Sree Alla) The weekend Grand Lunch Buffet at Desi Flavors offers a wide variety of the restaurant’s most-requested dishes for just $16.99 per person.

‘Fast & Furious’ Actor Sung Kang Visits Zukku-San!

New KRATEs Now Open & Coming Soon, Plus Mac’s Custom Meats + Deli

Although I never actually saw it close, The Fry Room at the KRATE Container Park at The Grove was quickly replaced by Top That! Pizza & More, which serves NY-style pizza (bottom left photo), plus Buffalo wings and many of The Fry Room’s tasty fried chicken, fish and other specialties (but sadly, not the apple cider donuts). For more info, visit TopThatPizzaFL.com.

We also told you last issue that Valiart Jewelry was being replaced by Tutti Frutti Café. However, if you thought Tutti Frutti would be “just” a smoothie place, you (and I) were wrong. As it turns out, not only can you get a great smoothie there, Tutti Frutti also offers fresh organic juices and a variety of fresh fruit “sushi” and other platters. Even just the fresh fruit case (photo, middle right) will make you want to go sample it. For more info, visit Tutti-FruttiCafe.com.

Likewise, we were sad to see the Computer Emergency Room location in the KRATEs — which is owned by TrebleMakers (see pg. 32) co-owners Jamie and his brother Joe Hess — close (they replaced my cracked iPhone screen while I waited during the KRATE Grand Opening event last year).

Sung Kang, who appeared in “Fast & Furious” films (beginning with “Tokyo Drift”), was in Tampa for the 16th annual Gasparilla Film Festival to promote his directorial film debut, “Shaky Shivers.” While in town, he visited the Wesley Chapel ZukkuSan. Here (l.-r.) he poses with Zukku-San’s Kathy Nguyen & co-owner Ferdian Jap.—GN

But, when you see what Computer ER’s replacement — Paleta Mia — will have to offer when it opens sometime next month, let’s just say that it’ll surely soften the blow.

Mojo Grill (also in the KRATEs) owner Luis Ledezma says that Paleta Mia will offer truly gourmet, hand-crafted fresh fruit ice pops with a variety of toppings, but what really caught my eye were Paleta Mia’s unique waffle

pops (photo top right), many of which are chocolate-dipped, and also with a variety of toppings. So much for the diet! “We believe the price points at Paleta Mia will appeal to many people,” Luis says, “and the pops are definitely Instagrammable!” For more info, visit “PaletaMia_icepops” on Facebook.

For those seeking unique options outside of the KRATEs, we’ve also waited until we had more info about Mac’s Custom Meats + Deli, which is now open in the northern anchor spot of the Grand Oaks Plaza on Wesley Chapel Blvd., before we told you about it.

Mac’s, named for owner and former USF baseball player (and grilling fanatic) Daxter McLochlin, sells Angus steaks, plus top-quality baby back ribs and other pork and chicken options. But for me, having a new deli so close to where we live carries the most appeal.

For delicious pressed Cubans, grilled burgers and delicious deli meat and tuna & egg salad sandwiches, check out Mac’s, which opened just after we went to press. “We’ll make your lunch and provide everything you need to grill your dinner,” Daxter says. He even sells his own line of Mac’s sauces to enhance your grilling experience. For info, call (317) 509-8798 — GN

N ew T ampa & w esley C hapel

HOME IMPROVEMENT

JUNK HAULING SERVICE! We handle all types of furniture removal — bdrm sets, chairs, mattresses & box springs • Hot water heaters & hot tubs - take apart & remove • Construction material • Carpet removal • Estate, eviction, yard, garage & attic clean-outs • Ofc, home & factory • Comm’l/res’l. GorillaJunkremovalExperts.com. For appts, call/ text Nigel @ 888-346-5865.

CUSTOM INT. WINDOW COVERINGS!

Cust. fabrication of all types of window coverings — plantation & hurricane shutters, vert. blinds, roller, cellular, woven wood & Roman shades, cellular vert., panel tracks, retract. awnings, motorization experts, alum., wood & faux wood blinds & more! FREE installation on orders over $250! Call Henry @ 813-9486363, email TampaBlindsbyDesign@gmail. com or visit TampaBlindsbyDesign.com.

AMBLER ENTERPRISES Home Improvement. Call James at 813-385-6402. 30 Years of exp. Specialist in Kitchens & Bathrooms. Referrals upon request. All interior work: Drywall, Texture Paining, Doors, etc. Use us once & you won’t need to look elsewhere. Google us to see pictures: Wesley Chapel Ambler Enterprises. See our display ad on pg. 39!

WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHINGCOM

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

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

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

TREE SERVICES

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

Classifieds

LAWN, & LANDSCAPING_____

JOHN IDEAL LAWN & LANDSCAPES. We provide all normal lawn & landscaping svcs: •Mow •Edge

•Turf Trim •Air-Sweep •Right-of-Way Weed Control

•Bed Edging •Resod •Design Your Lawn •Mulch

•Shrub Trim/Shape •Hedge Trim •Yard Cleanup. “For no lawn stress, just join John’s Curb Appeal Success!” Save 12%/mo for 6 mos w/a 1-yr contract. Call Maitland John @ 813.327.1039.

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

JASMINE LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn maint, including Tree, palm & hedge trimming, planting, mulching, stones, sod replacement. Gutter cleaning, leaf removal & more. Cited by your HOA?

Ask about our HOA Compliance Special, our Fall/ Spring Special & FREE estimate! Lic’d & insured. Accepting new resid’l & comm’l accounts. Visa, MC, PayPal, Zelle, AmEx. Call or text 813-420-4465. Now hiring FT workers.

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. 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!

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.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED. Office Assistant for Accounting firm needed. Must be presentable, have knowledge of Outlook, Excel & Word. Job duties include (but are not limited to) filing, answering telephones & putting together tax returns. To apply: Email var5889@gmail.com

Neighborhood News Classified Ads are the only local Classified ads your neighbors actually R E A D !

To order yours, visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net/ClassifiedListings

REAL ESTATE

HOME SELLING GROUP OF FLORIDAElevate Brokers. Special Promotion: $500 towards closing costs when you mention this ad and promo code #GaryRules. Restrictions Apply. Call us at (813) 609-0966. Follow us on FB & IG: @homesellinggroup We are home buying & selling experts in the Central Florida region. TBBA Agent of the Year: Geri Sanchez

CLEANING SERVICES

ANA PARRA HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES. Professional House Cleaning — Best prices & quality, Licensed & Insured. We offer: • Routine clean • Deep Cleaning • Move-In/Move-Out cleanup. Serving New Tampa /Lutz/Wesley Chapel & more. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly cleaning or special needs. Avail. Mon-Sat. References avail. We supply our own cleaning products & equipmt. Call or text for free estimate: (305) 338-0981.

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

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

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

B CLEANING SERVICES: Over 18 years exp.! Comm’l & Resid’l; Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly; New house & post-construction clean-up; Window cleaning; Move-in & move-out cleanings; Pressure washing; FREE estimates.; Refs. avail. Call 813-531-0154 or e-mail: bcleanings@hotmail.com.

COMPUTER 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.

The New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is looking for additional writers!

• News Reporters

• Business Feature Writers

• Sports Reporters

• Human Interest Story Writers

All of these are paid freelance writing positions with the opportunity to advance to a full-time staff position.

To apply, email your resume (no phone calls please) & one writing sample to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com.

MISCELLANEOUS

360 BOOKKEEPING LLC - We focus on your Bookkeeping so you can focus on your Business. Established business? We will clean up your books to get you back on track. New Business? We can set up your chart of accounts to make you organized and efficient. Call now and get peace of mind — plus 20% off set-up fees — (813) 336-1363.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SVC. C&R Transporta-tion Services of Tampa Bay, LLC, is a shuttle service that provide safe & reliable transportation to and from your destinations. • New Tampa Transfer, $69 • Wesley Chapel Transfer, $79 • ZHills Transfer, $89 • Dade City Transfer, $129. Book Online @ Crtransportation.org or Call (813) 895-7413. Receive a FREE T-shirt w/every transfer. Hughes School of Music now accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory with a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also available! Contact us at 813-748-3216.

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

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