New Tampa Neighborhood News, Volume 31, Issue 9, May 2, 2023

TAMPA PALMS BLVD. REPAVING IS UNDER WAY!

By GARY NAGER

The long-awaited repaving of the east side of Tampa Palms Blvd. (in red on map) is well under way and the City of Tampa expects to complete the repaving project by August or September of this year.

Much of the actual repaving has already been completed, since beginning in March 2023, but the addition of six Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs, see photo on pg. 4) will take until at least July, as the RRFBs themselves are on a 12-20-week back order.

And, once the Tampa Palms Blvd. improvements have been completed, New Tampa’s City Councilman Luis Viera says he is hopeful New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows will be next. For the full story, see pg. 4.

EDITORIAL

Our editor raves about three TV shows you should be watching.

See page 3

Neighborhood News map by Valerie Wegener

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. The Emmy-winning “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.

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-executive 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!

New Tampa Neighborhood News

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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

TP Blvd. Repaving Nears Completion; Is New Tampa Blvd. Next?

By GARY NAGER

The safety of our children and families is a high priority, not only for the residents of New Tampa, but also for our District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who always is looking for ways to make the City of Tampa — and especially, the community where he lives — safer.

To that end, Viera helped the city secure a grant to pay for not only the repaving of the circular portion of Tampa Palms Blvd. that winds its way through Tampa Palms Areas 1 & 3 (on the east side of Bruce B. Downs, or BBD, Blvd.), but also is already providing for the installation of eight traffic-slowing speed tables on Tampa Palms Blvd. from the southern intersection of BBD (near Florida Executive Realty ( ) all the way around the 2.91-mile stretch to Tampa Palms Blvd.’s northern intersection with BBD, near Lowe’s Home Improvement (see map on pg. 1).

The construction of the $4.9-million project already has begun and, when it is fully completed — which Viera and Lara Bouck, the city’s chief production engineer for mobility, believe should be by August or September of this year — the project also will add two sets of three (six total) Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (or RRFBs), which will provide rapidly flashing beacons at marked crosswalks. They believe the RRFBs definitely will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety at those intersections. There also will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant ramps installed as part of the project and Bouck says the crews from the project’s contractor — CW Roberts Contracting — currently are installing the speed tables and signs and revising the permanent pavement markings.

Unfortunately, Bouck says, there currently is a 12-20-week wait on the RRFBs. “The latest we heard is that the (RRFB) bases will be shipped to the contractor by the end of July.” However,

Bouck says that the bulk of the remaining construction of the project should be completed by May of this year.

“We got the funds for Tampa Palms Blvd. from a combination of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) and Local Option Gas Tax funds,” says Viera. “I have to thank U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (who represents Florida’s 14th Congressional district) for helping us secure the ARPA funds.”

And, although there was some discussion about narrowing the travel lanes to provide for additional traffic calming through this area, Bouck says, “Travel lanes were not narrowed as a part of this project.”

Above

Is New Tampa Blvd. Next?

Viera says that he is equally concerned about implementing speed-calming improvements on New Tampa Blvd., the main thoroughfare through the West Meadows community.

“New Tampa Blvd. is number one on my priority list for New Tampa for repaving, as I believe it’s long overdue,” Viera says. “So, it’s on the list as next and we have begun seeking some design funding for it, but nothing is concrete yet. However, while we have had (I believe) design forwarded for this for funding, most construction projects for mobility have been put on hold, if they were connected to the penny sales tax and that includes this one.”

Bouck confirms that the New Tampa Blvd. project is not currently funded in the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), but Viera says, “We continue to pursue funding (grants, etc.) to address

the resurfacing backlog throughout the city.”

Of course, voters across Hillsborough County passed a 1-cent sales tax referendum (with 57% of the voters voting for it) to fund its capital improvements in 2018, only to have the referendum shot down in court due to ballot language issues. A similar referendum on the Nov. 2022 ballot was not passed by the voters, but millions in 2018 sales tax

funds were already being collected. It is now up to the state to decide how those funds should be distributed. Once that issue is resolved, however, Viera is hopeful that the city will receive enough of the money to fund the improvements for New Tampa Blvd. We’ll keep you posted.

is an example of an RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) like the ones on back-order for the Tampa Palms Blvd. repaving project. At right is one of the eight speed tables being installed to slow traffic on the roadway.

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.

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 already was providing a safe haven where intellectually and developmentally disabled adults could work and be accepted.

The former long-time Saddlebrook general manager also 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 501(c)(3) 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 told a gathering of about 30 people, including several with disabilities and their families, at the official news conference kicking off the Community Café on Apr. 18, which was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel. “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 above). 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.

And finally, the Café has 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 physically, intellectually and developmentally disabled professional artists affiliated with Arts4All Florida. Appearing at the news conference was Sandra Sroka, the adult program coordinator of Arts4All who said that she believes the public will be impressed by the quality of the rotating artwork that will be on display at the Café.

Ciaccio said there also will be entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights featuring performers with special needs. He adds that the event space will be available for use by community organizations.

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) that will offer true advancement opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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.

One of those special needs folks — who you would never know was even on the autism spectrum — and who joined Ciaccio at the news conference — was Nova Mahoney, who admitted that without the help she has received in her life, she’d “never be able to speak in front of a large group of people.” Nova also said that what Ciaccio and those who are helping him get the Community Café kicked off are doing, “Is just so important for people like me that I knew, from when I first met Pat, that I wanted to be part of it.”

Ciaccio said 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.

He also said that his goal is to provide cohesive and inclusive workforce training

“We truly are looking to change the current narrative about special needs adults from awareness to education,” he said. “The narrative must be changed.”

Ciaccio isn’t alone in his passion to help those with special needs.

Among the others he introduced at the news conference were Nova’s mom Kat Mahoney of Katbrat Studios (which specializes in digital media and content creation),

John Lombardo of Lombardo Coaching & Consulting and Darlene Hill of 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 bever-

(Left) Pat Ciaccio & Nova Mahoney at the Apr. 18 Community Café news conference. (Right) Sandra Sroka, of Arts4All Florida, which will provide disabled artists’ artwork at the Café. (Photos provided by Kat Mahoney)

Pat Ciaccio stands outside the 3,200-sq.-ft. building on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel that will be home to the Community Café on or around June 15. age experience,” Ciaccio said.

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. Ciaccio and Seth Ravenna were planning to host a Friends & Family pre-opening the week after we went to press with this issue and be open by Monday, May 8.

Café To Open By June 15!

Ciaccio also said that he anticipates that the Community Café will open on or around June 15. He and his leadership

team thanked the Hilton Garden Inn and its GM Charlie Whiteacre for graciously agreeing to host the news conference.

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

For more information, visit CommunityCafeFL.com. The New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News also are getting on board as sponsors of the Café, as we will provide full-page ads for the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024 to help Ciaccio & Co, fulfill their vision.

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.

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus Takeover — The Rest Of The Story!

An Editorial by Gary Nager

On April 18, Pasco County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to buy out the contract of RADDSports, LLC, to manage the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus.

I called the county’s tourism office that same day — and made three additional attempts before I went to press with this issue — in an effort to get official responses to a number of my questions about the takeover plan from tourism director Adam Thomas, who did not respond to my questions.

Instead, the only response I got, from Tambrey Laine, the manager of media relations for Pasco County Government, was the press release put out jointly by the county and RADDSports, and that, “The county is declining to comment further.”

Please note that almost everything presented below is a matter of public record. The only exception is what the owners of RADDSports told me Thomas said to them prior to the Sports Campus groundbreaking in 2017; however, Anthony Homer of RADDSports assures me that what he says Thomas said at that time is true. — GN

For those who don’t understand why Pasco County has agreed to buy out the contract to take over the management of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus for what will end up being more than $6 million of taxpayer funds, you’re not alone.

Adam Thomas, the county’s director of tourism who renamed the tourism department “Experience Florida’s Sports Coast,” got the job basically the same day Pasco and the private firm RADDSports, LLC, broke ground on the Sports Campus together in 2017.

RADD’s Anthony Homer had told me back in 2020 that Thomas had told him and RADDSports president Richard Blalock prior to the groundbreaking ceremony that if it were up to him (meaning Thomas), there would be no private-public partnership between the two entities. And, it seems Thomas has been doing everything he could to end that agreement ever since.

For one thing, despite Thomas’

claims to the contrary last year, RADD has provided proof that it never did actually default on its agreement. And yet, Thomas still was able to convince the five county commissioners back in October 2022 to vote in favor of that default.

Thomas had the county hire the attorneys (with county money) who wrote up the default paperwork that the commissioners voted on in October — without the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) ever seeing any proof of the default and without even discussing it before they voted to approve it from the Board’s Consent Agenda. The commissioners at that time accepted Thomas at his word that RADD was focusing on local events, not on increasing sports tourism in the county, which was the primary portion of RADD’s mandate in that agreement.

Prior to the unanimous vote at that October BCC meeting, RADD even provided the commissioners with actual statistics from an independent study firm that proved that not only had no default taken place, but that RADD had actually outperformed all of the tourism benchmarks of its agreement.

These facts presented by RADD were confirmed by a separate $35,000 independent report — commissioned by Thomas — also using public funds.

In fact, RADD did such a great job of establishing the Sports Campus as a tourist destination for people outside of Pasco that the study showed that it was the #55 tourist draw in all of Florida last year, outperforming much more established attractions like

the Miami Seaquarium (#56) & the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (#57). The Sports Campus also won the Florida Sports Foundation’s Small Venue of the Year award for 2021 under RADD’s management.

Again, despite Thomas’ claims, it wasn’t only RADD’s local programs that were hugely successful — it hosted 112 events (there have been many weekends with more than one event) in 2021-22 and those events helped local hoteliers sell tens of thousands of room nights both years in Pasco — and bring more than 92,000 unique visitors to the county. All of this happened despite RADD first taking over the Sports Campus at the height of Covid.

In addition, Pasco received the agreedto $150,000 payment from RADD for 2021 and would have received its agreed-to $150,000 payment for 2022 had the BCC not voted to default the company. Pasco also would have received 11% of RADD’s revenue this year, and already has received millions more in sales and bed tax funds from all of the visitors the Sports Campus has brought in from all over the country and even beyond.

Instead of continuing this mutually beneficial partnership, Thomas convinced

the commissioners to spend the following:

• $250,000 in taxpayer money on legal fees to force RADD out;

• $3 million over the next five years (including $1 million this year and $500,000 each year for the next four) to buy out the agreement with RADD;

• $2.8 million to operate the Sports Campus — at a loss (for at least the first two years, according to the default notice approved by the county in October);

• $94,000 to purchase furnishings & other items from RADD; and

• $35,000 for the independent study previously mentioned.

So, is that $6,179,000 an amount of money a small, but growing, county would spend of its taxpayers’ funds to take over a supposedly defaulted contract?

“We thank the county for recognizing the value that RADDSports has brought to the Sports Campus,” says Homer of the buyout agreement.

I don’t know why Thomas has had an issue with RADD from Day One, but I felt compelled to at least provide the actual facts of this situation, as I have not seen most of the information presented here reported by any other local news media.

It seems that our editor was the only reporter who thought it odd that Pasco Tourism director Adam Thomas (right) chose to pose for this picture with former county commissioner Mike Moore — rather than with the management of RADDSports — when the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County won the Florida Sports Foundation’s award as the state’s Best Small Market Venue for 2021.

A Busy Few Weeks For Grand Opening Events In Wesley Chapel!

By CHARMAINE GEORGE & GARY NAGER

There have been no fewer than halfdozen different ribbon-cutting and grandopening events in Wesley Chapel since the middle of March and almost all of them included the super-sharp scissors provided by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC).

The events in questions include:

• PetSmart Veterinary Services at the PetSmart store at The Grove on Mar. 18 (the only one not provided by NTBC);

• Flip Slop Shops at The Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on Apr. 1;

• Dietrich Kelso Orthodontics (in the former location of Abdoney Orthodontics) on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel on Apr. 13;

• Totally Blu Pools off S.R. 54 near Morris Bridge Rd. on Apr. 20;

• Ann’s Spa & Nails Lounge off S.R. 56 (next to Chicken Salad Chick), also on Apr. 20;

• The five-year Anniversary Celebration for The Beach House at Wiregrass assisted living & memory care on S.R. 56 on Apr. 21.

Veterinary partners Dr. Alejandra Navarro and Dr. Leslie Block are the private owners of PetSmart at The Grove’s Veteri-

nary Services. It is a full-service pet hospital offering anything from vaccines to dental work and even surgeries. It also offers walk-ins and drop-offs for those who have busy schedules, as well as a cat room where there are pheromone diffuser plug-ins and scratching posts to help make visits for your cats as easy and cat-friendly as possible.

You can meet Dr. Navarro, Dr. Block and their friendly staff at For more information about PetSmart at The Grove’s vet services (at 6001 Wesley Grove Blvd.), call (813) 7611241 or visit PetSmart.com. Or, search PetSmart Vet Services Wesley Chapel.

The Wesley Chapel location of the Flip Flop Shops, which has been open since Feb. 4, is owned by Traci and Kevin Taylor, who 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.

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

The Flip Flop 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.

For more info about Flip Flop Shops Wesley Chapel (1752 BBD Blvd.), call (813) 994-8204 or visit FlipFlopShops.com.

With its main office in Lakeland and six total doctors in what is now a five-office practice (and four orthodontists working out of its Wesley Chapel office, which hosted an NTBC ribbon-cutting), the new Dietrich Kelso Orthodontics is one of the largest orthodontic practices in our area.

Led by Dr. Andrew Dietrich (in light blue short in the photo at left) and Dr. Andrew Kelso (with scissors), the office promises outstanding doctors and a friendly staff in a state-of-the-art office that offers a variety of treatments — including Invisalign, clear braces, metal braces and laser gum contouring.

For more info about Dietrich Kelso Orthodontics (2653 BBD Blvd.), call (813) 921-9211 or visit DKOSmiles.com.

Totally Blu Full Service Pools owners Sunil Mohammed and Rashmi Maharaj have owned their highly respected mobile pool service and repair company for years, but their storefront in the Publix plaza off S.R. 54 at Eiland Blvd./Morris Bridge Rd. is their first-ever brick-and-mortar location. The store has everything you need to enjoy your pool — from chemicals and equipment to toys — and they also are happy to send their mobile unit to your home to service, repair or even remodel your pool, and even offer commercial pool services, too.

The same location also doubles as the storefront for the couple’s Totally Green Lawn Services.

For more info about Totally Blu Pools (32781 Eiland Blvd.), call (813) 788-7665 or visit TotallyBluH2o.com.

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

Although people in our area often complain about the number of nail spas there are here, people who attended the salon’s ribboncutting event (middle photo on next page) who already were customers of the new Ann’s Spa & Nails Lounge definitely seem to appreciate the luxury, value and outstanding manicure and pedicure services.

Owner Annie Lam (in light blue below) invited attendees to enjoy not only great deals on her spa’s outstanding services, but also some homemade Vietnamese egg rolls, fried rice and more.

Ann’s Spa & Nails Lounge is located at 25032 Wesley Chapel Blvd, Lutz. For more info, call (813) 949-6663 or visit annspanailswesleychapel.com.

And finally, although the event also included an NTBC ribbon-cutting ceremony, it was just part of an outstanding five-year anniversary celebration for the Beach House at Wiregrass Ranch Assisted Living & Memory Care residence.

The first such facility located in Wesley Chapel, executive director Bonnie Berkman (with scissors below) invited the Beach House’s residents and guests to enjoy delicious free food and beverages and DJ music and got to check out the immaculate assisted living residence together.

To arrange a tour of your own or for more info about the Beach House at Wiregrass Ranch (30070 S.R. 56), call (813) 508-6677 or visit BeachHouseWiregrass.com.

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. 22, 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.

Patel Elementary — Creating ‘Pioneers’ For A Better & Brighter Future

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

In a few weeks, on May 25, Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary — or, as it’s commonly called, Patel Elementary — will complete its inaugural academic year.

“We’re happy to be coming to a close on a successful first year,” says Patel Elementary principal Ashley Galfond. “We maintained our teachers and had very little turnover of students. We have a large waiting list of students and we’re excited to expand to 3rd grade for the next (202324) school year.”

Patel Elementary is a Hillsborough County K-5 charter elementary. It shares the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Campus for Innovative Learning — a 32 acre campus located near the intersection of I-75 and E. Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace — with Terrace Community Middle School and Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (Patel High), two charter secondary schools.

Patel Elementary started the 2022-23 with 270 students in kindergarten, first and second grade. Next year, this year’s second graders will become its first class of third graders. Adding one grade per year, the school will incrementally grow its staff and resources over the next three years and plans to finish expanding by the 2025-26 academic year, when the plan is to reach its capacity of 652 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

“We’re a tuition-free, public charter school of choice, with teachers certified in early childhood and elementary education,” Galfond explains. “We’re sponsored by the Hillsborough School District and we are publicly funded based on our full-time equivalent (FTE) of enrolled students. We follow Florida’s statutes and guidelines like other schools, but we also have [additional structure with] a Board of Directors, which allows us to take more control and provide a more supportive learning environment.”

Galfond is well versed in the local educational system. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida (USF) and a Master of Education (M.Ed) degree in educational leadership

from Florida Atlantic University before working as a teacher and administrator for 17 years in the Hillsborough County Public Schools system.

Galfond, who previously was the assistant principal at Chiles Elementary in Tampa Palms before coming to Patel Elementary, said that while she previously had positive experiences with charter school education herself, it was really founder Dr. Kiran Patel’s mission and vision for Patel Elementary that inspired her to accept her current position.

“All three of my children went to a charter school, so my first experience with charter schools was as a parent,” says Galfond. “But, it was really reading Dr. Patel’s mission and vision for the school that persuaded me to take on this role.”

Dr. Patel & His Vision

Dr. Patel, who was a successful cardiologist before becoming a highly accomplished businessman and philanthropist, is passionate that education should be accessible to all and that rigorous education in the formative years is crucial for lifelong success. But, education is not just limited to academics.

Patel Elementary stresses that education should address the needs of the whole child, balancing “social emotional learning” equally with “rich academic instruction.” A major component of this approach is project-based learning.

“We give our learners dedicated project time,” Galfond says. “We start with a question or a problem in society to get everyone invested. Then, our teachers craft projects in different subject areas.”

(Above, left) Principal Ashley Galfond (left) and ESE curriculum coordinator Chelsea Bowen of Patel Elementary (a K-5 charter school located off I-75 in Temple Terrace) are joined by the winners of the school’s Black History Art Contest. (Above, right) In April, Patel Elementary students in each grade received “Kindnss” and “Curious” awards. (All photos provided by Patel Elementary)

The school partners with local organizations to bring awareness to societal issues and encourage involvement in the community. In November and December, the children worked with Metropolitan Ministries, collecting food and holding fund-raising activities to support the homeless during the holiday season. The kindergartners held a Candy Cane drive, in which they attached personalized greetings to candy canes for their loved ones and raised more than $1,000.

Currently, Patel Elementary students are working with members of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, to make toys for homeless pets, create and repurpose stuffed animals, run a pet supply drive, and more.

So, what’s next for Patel Elementary? Galfond says the school is applying to Cambridge Assessment International Education, the largest global community of schools, backed by the University of Cambridge (in England), to teach their Cambridge Primary international curriculum. This will help the elementary parallel Patel High, which already is a Cambridge school. In the future, Patel Elementary also plans to require parents to complete a minimum of 15 volunteer hours during the school year.

“Our job is to create a supportive

environment,” shares Galfond. “Once children feel safe, learning and behavior are enhanced. We have to give our children a safe space to feel loved and valued in the classroom and community.”

Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary is located at 10739 Raulerson Ranch Rd. in Temple Terrace. To apply online for the 2023-24 school year, visit PatelElementary. org. There is no residential requirement to attend the school and children are selected by a random lottery system. For more information, call (813) 444-0660 or see the ad on page 23.

Patel Elementary kindergartners Prachet Bollineni (left) and Ellis Edwards show off their cup skyscrapers at the school’s Science Olympics. This engineering design challenge allows students to demonstrate how to work with a partner, collect data, and create a

First graders Elias Orozco-Lopez & Landon Anderson enjoy the Patel Elementary Literacy Centers.

Congratulations To New Tampa’s Top Of The Class Of 2023!

We wish we could congratulate every student graduating from New Tampa’s two 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 both Freedom and Wharton 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

Freedom High

1. Sofia Murrin (Valedictorian)

GPA: 8.2266

Clubs/Activities: Senior Class President, Scrubs Club President, HOSA President, Book Club President, Mu Alpha Theta VP, Science National Honor Society (NHS) VP, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Key Club, swim team, AP Capstone Diploma College planning to attend: University of Notre Dame

Planned Major or Future Career: Double major in Biochemistry & Business to pursue a medical degree.

Best thing about High School: Life lessons I’ve learned along the way. I have learned countless lessons on friendship, the importance of diligence and perseverance, and the importance of good communication throughout these last four years that I believe shaped me

into the person I am today and prepared me for my journey ahead.

2. Sienna Silvest (Salutatorian)

GPA: 8.0389

Clubs/Activities:

HOSA President, Scrubs Club President, Book Club President, tutor for the nonprofit Learn To Be, volunteer volleyball coach at the YMCA, SGA College planning to attend: University of Virginia

Planned Major or Future Career: Nursing or Psychology

Best thing about High School: Mr. Tillman’s class

3. Emma Stone

GPA: 8.0268

Clubs/Activities: Lacrosse, cross country, track & field, swim, basketball, Environmental Club, French Honor Society, FBLA, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa,

Science National Honor Society (SNHS) College planning to attend: United States Naval Academy

Planned major or future career: Naval Architecture

Best thing about high school: Mr. Tillman’s class

4. Olivia Kurtz

GPA: 7.8000

Clubs/Activities: Senior Class VP, Best Buddies President, FBLA President, Science National Honor Society President, Robotics President, Softball Captain, SGA, Mu Alpha Theta Historia, Girl Scouts (CEO advisory board, service area delegate)

College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering

Best thing about high school: Mr. Tillman’s class

5. (tie) Jessica Afiat

GPA: 7.6800

Clubs/Activities:

FBLA Officer, Mu Alpha Theta Treasurer, NHS, SNHS, Tri-M orchestra liaison, orchestra principal first violinist, swim team College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned Major: Chemical Engineering

Best thing about high school: Mr. Tillman’s class.

5. (tie) Britney Pun

GPA: 7.6800

Clubs/Activities: Track, lacrosse, swim, Key Club Webmaster/ VP, FBLA VP, orchestra, Mu Alpha Theta, SNHS Historian, PTSA Board Campus Cleanup Lead College planning to attend: University of Florida

Best thing about high school: Mr. Tillman’s class.

7. Arturo Zarrate

GPA: 7.5041

Clubs/Activities: Florida State Spanish Conference, NHS, SNHS, Spanish Honor Society, French Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, track & field, HOSA, Multicultural Club, Student Advisory Committee, Environmental Club

College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Triple Major — Biochemistry, Philosophy & German

Best thing about high school: Learning how to reframe academic and social stress into new motivation to succeed.

8. Dylan Panganiban

GPA: 6.8800

Clubs/Activities: Key Club VP/President, Environmental Club, National Art Honor Society Secretary, NHS Historian/ VP, Spirit Club, Varsity volleyball, swim, tennis College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: I plan to pursue a career in computer science or PA Dermatology

Best thing about high school: Mr. Tillman’s class.

9. Alyssa De La Sala

GPA: 6.8496

Clubs/Activities: Varsity flag football

Captain, cross country Captain, track, varsity cheer, Allstar cheer, musical theater Class Senator, Key Club, Student Government Treasurer, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Best Buddies, FCA, Spirit Club President, Chess Club, SNHS, Kappa Phi Delta, Big Brothers Big Sisters,

Interact Club, International Thespian Society, TriM Music Honor Society College planning to attend: University of Florida, University of Tampa or Florida Southern College

Planned major or future career: Forensic Science

Best thing about high school: Spending time with all the people I’ve met who have helped shaped me into who I am today. I’ve loved having the opportunity to be a part of so many amazing things and creating memories that I’ll be able to share and look back on for years to come.

10. Katherine Moulton

GPA: 6.7833

Clubs/Activities: Spirit Club President, FCA, flag football, cross country Captain, track, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief College planning to attend: University of Florida

Planned major or future career: Finance

Best thing about high school: All of the laughs and strikes in Mr. Tillman’s class.

Wharton High

1. David Ascano (Valedictorian) GPA: 7.5844 College Planning to Attend: University of Florida or Florida State University

College Planning to Attend: Florida Institute of

GPA: 6.8282

College Planning to Attend: University of Florida

2. Sammy Gillespie (Salutatorian) GPA: 7.5775 College Planning to Attend: University of Florida

College Planning to Attend: Marist College

College Planning to Attend: University of Florida

GPA: 6.6766

College

College Planning to Attend: University of Florida

3. Liberty Sanford GPA: 7.5073

Technology

4. Angela Anzalone Gimenez GPA: 7.2592

5. Robert “Jackson” Raitt GPA: 6.8800

6. Alessandro Anzalone GPA: 6.8400

Planning to Attend: University of Florida

7. Matthew Schwindler

8. Suhani Rana GPA: 6.7103

9. Peter Chandler GPA: 6.6800

10. Brett Brown

We know there is a lot of additional information about the Freedom graduates than about those from Wharton. That was not our intent, but the information shown is all of the info we received from/about these Wharton students. — GN

HOSA Team Places First In The State!

Congratulations go out to Strawberry Crest High sophomores — and New Tampa residents — Elizabeth Chettipally, Aditi Nair, Anika Prasad and Netra Vijay (photo), who placed first in their category at the Health Occupations Students of America (aka HOSA-Future Health Professionals) State Leadership Conference held at Orlando Apr. 13-16.

The girls of “Project Pink” will next be representing Florida at the HOSA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta in late June.

The quartet’s project was an attempt to increase breast cancer awareness in our local community and obviously, their presentation at the Conference was effective, as they placed first in the “Community Awareness — Teamwork” category.

Strawberry Crest High, located in Dover, has an International Baccalaureate (IB) program attended by many New Tampa residents and is one of 30 Florida high schools with more than 100 HOSA members. Several other Strawberry Crest students also won awards at the State Conference, including a “Creative Problem Solving” team that also took home first place honors. I apologize that I did not have all of the other winners’ full names at our press time, or I would have mentioned them here, too. — GN

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 28, call (813) 907-8001 or visit SmallWorldPediatrics.com.

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

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)

to 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 22.

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 page 33 of this issue.

Attorney Derek Usman Is Ready To Fight For You & Your Business!

By NIDHI JANI Neighborhood News Corespondent

When you have a local and approachable attorney like Derek Usman available, calling upon a lawyer for legal help in employment and business matters gets a little less stressful.

Outside of his offices or the courtroom, you may see Derek out and about in the area. He is a proud member of the Rotary Club of New Tampa. He regularly attends Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in South Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood. You might even find him picking up kombucha or cold pressed juice at Nutrition Smart.

“People need somebody they can trust,” Derek says. “A lot of people don’t have someone in their social circles who is capable, ethical and competent to help with legal matters. The average person may only need someone like me once in a lifetime, so it’s important to always be trustworthy.”

After nearly a decade of practicing law in Chicago, Derek has been serving the Tampa Bay area since 2015, when he moved to Wesley Chapel. His Usman Law Firm, P.A., has two offices. The main office is on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, just south of Wesley Chapel and his newer office is in downtown Tampa. Derek specializes in business law (contracts, labor, company ownership structure, etc.), employment law (workplace disputes) and litigation.

Derek’s education and experience make him especially well suited to the areas

of business and employment law. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business from Indiana UniversityPurdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in 1997. He became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Illinois shortly thereafter. Then, in 2001, he earned his Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law. After law school, he joined the Comptroller’s Office at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and, while working there, was able to earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation degree, at no cost to himself, from Chicago-Kent College of Law at IIT in 2005.

His experience with accounting and taxes helps him spot financial issues in contracts and transactions. “I can check if assets are depreciated, inflated, or valued properly,” he says.

“In public companies versus private companies, ownership can be valued in different ways and I can help clients figure out which option is most advantageous for them.”

Your Litigation Specialist

What does it mean to specialize in litigation? It means Derek is capable of serving as a trial lawyer.

“As a lawyer, going to court is common,” Derek explains. “You have to go to court every time you file a motion. But, it’s unusual for business disputes to go to trial.

It’s (usually more) economical to settle. But going to trial is something I am always prepared to do for my clients.”

For example, the Usman Law Firm recently emerged victorious in a three-day federal jury trial against Ulta Beauty, Inc., in which Derek was able to win $60,000 for his client in an employment law case. He also has represented Priatek, LLC, a startup company based in St. Petersburg, and two whistleblowers who filed a lawsuit against the Salvation Army.

Derek says many people would prefer to pick a large law firm versus a smaller practice like his for business legal matters.

“The so-called ‘white shoe firms’ — the well-established, large city firms — may feel less risky, especially if money is not an issue,” he says. “But, bigger firms also can mean double or triple the cost without necessarily getting a senior lawyer. You may get the new, less-experienced guy right out of law school.

He adds, “On the other hand, when you go against large companies that have in-house legal teams, they will have their experts for all types of cases. They definitely will have their own trial expert.” Either way, I have gone up against them.”

The Usman Law Firm, P.A.’s New Tampa location is at 20701 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Suite 207, and the downtown Tampa location is at 505 E. Jackson St., Suite 305. For more information, please visit DUsmanLaw.com, call (813) 377-1197, or see the ad on page 35 of this issue.

Attorney Derek Usman (left) of the Usman Law Firm, PA., and his marketing assistant Corinne Ishler, attended the Hillsborough Bar Association’s Judicial Food Festival. (Photo provided by Derek Usman)

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

By GARY NAGER

Photos by Charmaine George

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 co-owners 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 on pg. 34).

See “TrebleMakers” pg. 34

(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!

‘TrebleMakers’

Continued from pg. 32

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 supercrispy, 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, 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 (6034 Wesley Grove

Blvd.) 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.

(Above) TrebleMakers’ co-owners (l.-r.) Joe Hess, Lee Bevan & Jamie Hess.

(Right) The shrimp tacos (top) and grilled lamb chops are both TrebleMakers favorites.

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 (photo below), 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.

Kobé’s & Zio’s Both Getting Closer To Opening

It’s been almost a year-and-a-half since the Kobé Japanese Steakhouse closed on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in the Pebble Creek Collection and fans of the dinner-anda-show teppanyaki table eatery have been waiting for it to reopen in its new location a mile or so to the south ever since.

After stopping in last week I can assure you that the inside of the new, 7,000-sq.-ft. Kobé looks nothing like any of the restaurants — Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Señor T’s and Vuelo Mexican Restaurant — that preceded it. The new Kobé will still have a nice bar area for those who don’t need to sit at the hibachi tables and the place itself looks like it will be a beautiful upgrade from the old Kobé.

But, when will it open? Kim, who was conducting staff interviews the day I visited, said “We are pushing really hard to be open by Mother’s Day (May 14).”

Meanwhile, back in the Pebble Creek Collection, another equally anticipated (at least by this and other native New Yawkas) restaurant — Zio’s New York Bagels — also is much closer to opening, as owner Jeff Cofini said that some of the bagel bakery and sandwich shop’s most important pieces of equipment had still not been delivered.

“They finally finished building the (bagel) oven,” Cofini told me. “Now, it has to be shipped from New Jersey.” He said he had no further details, but hoped to be open shortly after this issue reaches your mailbox. — GN

We’ve also told you 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 below) will make you want to go sample it. For more info, visit TuttiFruttiCafe.com.

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.

Mpanitas Opens On CC Blvd.!

For those seeking unique local options outside of the KRATEs, we also wanted to let you know that the second Tampa location of Mpanitas has opened in the oft-vacated spot in the Mobil gas station plaza at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd.

With delicious Venezuelan favorites like the excellent empanadas shown here (right), stuffed with your choice of shredded or ground beef, chicken, cheese, ham & cheese, potatoes & cheese and even fish, Mpanitas also serves arepas, mini-empanadas, mandocas, sweet tequeños and outstanding café con leché. For more info, follow “mpanitas” on Instagram.

Mac’s Custom Meats + Deli Opens On Wesley Chapel Blvd.!

Also recently opened is Mac’s Custom Meats + Deli, which is now in the northern anchor spot of the Grand Oaks Plaza at 26316 Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz.

Mac’s, named for owner (and grilling fanatic) Dax McLochlin (photo, right), sells Angus steaks (the filet mignon is so tender!), 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.

Likewise, we were sad to see the Computer Emergency Room location in the KRATEs — which is owned by TrebleMakers (see pg. 34) 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).

But, when you see what Computer ER’s replacement — Paleta Mia — will have to offer when it opens sometime this month, let’s just say that it’ll surely soften the blow. Mojo Grill (also in the KRATEs) owner

For excellent pressed Cubans (like the roast beef Cuban below), grilled burgers and other flavorful deli meat and tuna and 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,” Dax says. He even sells his own line of Mac’s sauces to enhance your grilling experience.

For info, call (317) 509-8798 GN

Wesley Chapel Harley-Davidson Has Opened!

Congratulations to vice president Gary Bang (shown, top right, banging the gong that gets tolled every time a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle is sold) and president Preston Farrior (not pictured here) and their entire staff at the beautiful, new Wesley Chapel HarleyDavidson dealership, located at 25245 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Lutz, almost directly across from Total Wine & More.

The spectacular new two-story dealership offers everything from a showroom floor packed with new and used Harleys (right), a huge service area, an equally large parts department, plus an outstanding “Motorclothes” area.

For those (like me) who have never owned a motorcycle, the new Harley dealership also offers learn-to-ride classes on-site, so you can earn your Florida motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license and your Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course card.

The new dealership even has plenty of room out behind it where those classes are taught, plus a coming-soon trail system, room for expansion and more.

“We’ve been looking to build a dealership out here since 2008,” Bang told me on Apr. 17, the first day the dealership opened. “This is definitely a dream-come-true location for us.”

The retail shop has Harley tank tops, long- and short-sleeved t-shirts, collared shirts and, of course, bike jackets. There are even kids shirts and adorable onesies with tattoo sleeves for babies.

Bang and the crew hope everyone who rides or is interested will come out for the dealership’s official Grand Opening event on Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The Grand Opening will feature food trucks, beer, live music and other entertainment, a huge vendor village and new HarleyDavidson motorcycle will be given away. For more information, call (813) 213-3145 or visit WesleyChapelHD.com. — GN

All photos by Charmaine George

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MISCELLANEOUS

DOES YOUR LOVED ONE NEED CARE AT HOME? Faith Compassionate Home Care Provides Medical & Non-Medical Home Health Care svcs: Nursing care, medication mgmt, case mgmt, companion care, home health aide, respite care, bowel care services, training to caregiver & more. Flexible pymt options. We accept private pay only. For info, call 813-602-4431. 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.

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

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.

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.

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

All Neighborhood News Classified Ads runs in both our New Tampa & Wesley Chapel print editions. Here are the rates:

7 Issues (3 Months) — $120

13 Issues (6 Months) — $200

26 Issues (1 Year) — $300

To crate & pay for your Classified ad, visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net/ClassifiedListings