Rain, Admission Fees Can’t
By GARY NAGER
For everyone on local Facebook community pages who claimed that not just the R&B Only Nights, but also the KRATE at The Grove Container Park itself, were “over,” let’s just say that, in the words of Mark Twain, “the reports of (their deaths) are greatly exaggerated.”
On June 28, neither the heavy rains that started shortly after the gates opened at 5 p.m. and continued off and on for two+ hours and kept the music from starting promptly at 7 p.m., nor the new $5 pre-sale (and $10 day-of) admission fee that was implemented for the first time for that evening could “dampen” the enthusiasm of the people who have loved the R&B event for more than a year now — nor keep them away.
While waiting for the rain to subside, the Grove’s VP of operations Vance McAllister told the Neighborhood News that there were already about 3,000 pre-sold tickets at $5 a pop when the online sales shut down at 11:59:59 on Thursday night.
“Although we really have no idea exactly how many people attended these before, since we didn’t sell tickets or control entry to the event,” McAllister said, “we heard estimates of as many as 8,000 people at the May event, so we knew something had to be done. We love this event as much as the people who have been showing up for it do, so we knew we had to do something to keep it safe for everyone.”
The Nagers Are Thankful For The Local Businesses That Helped Us Move Into Silversaw
An Editorial by
GARY NAGER
Neighborhood News deadlines are almost never easy for yours truly, but the deadline week to get this issue to the printer was surely more challenging than pretty much any since I suffered a detached retina in my left eye in September of 2023.
Jannah and I signed a lease to move into the beautiful new Silversaw Luxury Apartments (next to the Hyatt Place Hotel on the north side of S.R. 56 at I-75 a couple of months ago and we both did the best we could to try to get as much done every off-deadline week since signing that lease to make the packing and moving as painless as humanly possible.
What’s poet Robert Burns’ old saying about the “best laid plans of mice and men?”
In other words, despite all of our efforts 6-8 weeks before the move — although we moved into our incredibly spacious and comfortable new apartment on the usually quiet Monday of the deadline week for this issue — I guess we should have given ourselves at least one additional day to get moved in. It’s now clear to me that unpacking — and finding a place for everything in a new place — is infinitely harder than throwing out as much old “stuff” as possible and putting the rest in boxes and suitcases in anticipation of a move. It’s as though our entire previous apartment — located less than a mile from our new one — was one giant junk drawer and both Jannah and I were (and still are) determined to not let the same thing happen to our new digs.
The truth of the matter is that other than brief interludes during my breaks between working on both ads and stories for this issue, Jannah did most of the actual unpacking, while I covered for her as much as possible to get all of our ads done. But, getting the multiple stories I had to write to fill the space in this issue to my satisfaction was an even tougher task for me.
In fact, as I’m writing this on Sunday evening, with the paper due at the printer early on Monday, I still have three more stories to write, so this deadline isn’t as close to being done as I would like, although I am still confident this issue will still arrive in your mailbox by (or before) its cover date of July 9. But, it sure hasn’t been easy.
Thanking Those Who Made It Easier
The good news is that a number of local companies, only one of which is one of our advertisers, helped immensely with even making it possible for me to get this issue done on time.
The first is Bull Moving, located on N. Florida Ave. a little north of Fowler Ave. These guys are pros. From just one phone call with Jannah, they determined what size truck we needed and how many guys (three) it would take to get our short-distance move completed on Monday.
The crew showed up on time, worked pretty much non-stop to get everything neatly loaded onto the truck and bring it all in one trip into our new second-floor apartment. And, even though the job took longer than what was estimated, it most definitely wasn’t the fault of these three very courteous young men, who never stopped giving their all, making sure they carefully dropped off each piece of furniture and every box where we directed them to do so.
Of course, not moving very far helped keep our cost down, but I don’t really believe any company could have done a better job for less money or in less time. For more info, call Jeremy at Bull Moving at (813) 943-6043 or visit BullMoving.com.
Of course, whenever you leave an apartment, you have to leave it “broom clean” and our friends
Erica and Reggie of Final Touch Quality Cleaners, who also have provided our regular clean-ups every two weeks, specialize in “move-out” cleans. Erica handled our job herself in just a few short hours, wiping down every surface (especially those we hadn’t seen behind furniture that hadn’t really been moved in five years), packed up and threw out all of the garbage we left behind, swept and mopped every floor and vacuumed every inch of carpeting in our two bedrooms, fully cleaned our two bathrooms, our refrigerator and freezer, our oven (which we rarely used) and even our laundry room. If you’ve been looking for a new residential or commercial cleaning service, you won’t find better than Erica and Reggie of Final Touch.
For more info, call Final Touch Cleaning at (813) 530-5591 or see the ad below.
And finally, although our air conditioning works great in our new place, Jannah and I have
always had ceiling fans in our bedrooms and living room and we realized that there were none in our new place, which has a third bedroom that we are now using as our first dedicated home office space.
We bought four nice-looking ceiling fans from a local home improvement warehouse and rather than pay that company to install the fans, we hired our friend (and licensed electrician) Jorge Gonzalez of GQ Electric. The day we brought the fans home, Jorge (left in photo) and his assistant showed up to professionally install all four fans in about two hours, cleaned up after themselves and did it for less than what the home improvement store would have charged — and Jorge is just the nicest guy and super-trustworthy. For more info, call (352) 4672412 or visit gqelectricneartampa.com.
And, for more info about Silversaw Luxury Apartments, visit SilversawApts.com.
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CARSON WOOLWINE
A couple of issues ago, we mistakenly told you that the R&B Only Nights at the KRATEs were being produced by Tim Hancock’s Jazz Tyme Productions, but that was an unintentional mistake on my part.
The R&B Nights actually are being produced by Nico Brown of Nico Brown Productions and Nico called me to let me know of my mistake before the news hit that he was going to begin charging admission fees to attend his super-popular R&B Nights beginning with the June 28 event.
Since the moment he announced on Facebook that he was going to start charging admission, Nico had been dealing with a lot of backlash but even more support, especially from The Grove management and the KRATEs.
On June 28, with virtually no one yet in attendance after 6 p.m. (when previous R&B Nights were normally already packed) and with the rain coming down hard, then subsiding, then pelting him (and anyone else outside) again, Nico was still hard at work setting up the event — knowing that not only was the rain eventually supposed to end but also that he had at least 3,000 people who pre-paid the $5 admission fee by the night before to enjoy his first paid R&B Night.
When the rain did finally break for the remainder of the evening sometime after the intended 7 p.m. start time, Nico and his crew were scrambling to get the sound equipment set up for DJ Control. By sometime after 7:30, DJ Control not only got the music started, he also introduced saxophonist
Marlon Boone, who got the early attendees going right away with some jazzy R&B sounds. Later in the evening (although we weren’t still on hand to verify it), DJ Psycho and guest vocalist Rubi Mar also were expected to hit the main stage.
But, everything else that both Nico and The KRATEs promised on their respective Facebook pages would be different about this first paid R&B Night also came true: there were 22 Pasco Sheriff’s Deputies on hand and the only way to get into the event was through the gates, which had plenty of tennis-ball-green-shirted attendants on hand to either take the $5 prepaid tickets or sell $10 day-of admissions. In addition, there was a clear path set up down the center aisle between the KRATEs on both sides between the stage and the admission gate (top photo on next page) and another blocked off path behind the first sea of personal chairs brought in by those early attendees.
Did anywhere near the estimated 8,000 people who attended in May or the 3,000 who prepaid their admissions end up showing up? I can’t answer that. All I can say is that those who were there seemed to once again have a great time, enjoying the music and each other, checking out the food from the KRATEs and dancing.
In other words, it was still very much R&B Only Night at the KRATEs, so don’t miss the next one on Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.! — GN
Nico Brown
(Source: Nico Brown Productions Facebook page)
Wyndfields Blvd. — Wesley Chapel’s Major Arterial Road With (Too) Many Names?!?
By Joel Provenzano
There’s a main north/south road that’s planned to connect New Tampa directly into the middle of Pasco County. It will run from the K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. extension in Hillsborough County, all the way north to eventually intersect with Prospect Rd., near the south side of the Mirada development in San Antonio. You read that correctly.
Once completed, this one road of many names will be a little over 11 miles long (mostly in Wesley Chapel) and end up connecting 10 major existing and future developments together, becoming one of Pasco’s most important north-south thoroughfares. But, most local residents aren’t even aware of the overall plan occurring right in their own backyards. We did the research and pored through hundreds of public records to bring you the complete picture.
This road will be much bigger than many might realize. At just over 11 miles long, that would make it longer than the combined north-south stretches of Morris Bridge Rd., Eiland Blvd., and Handcart Rd. The only north-south road that might be longer in the area would be the Meadow Pointe Blvd./Curley Rd. combination, once those thoroughfares are fully connected together as one road, with the planned realignment of Curley Rd. through the Chapel Crossings community.
Parts of Wyndfields Blvd. already exist, but different segments are now being constructed at different times, in bits and pieces — and with a number of different names. It’s like a ninja road that is very stealthily being put together, with multiple names and multiple dead ends, seemingly isolated in each development. But, before you know it, it will be stitched together to become one major continuous road
The History
If you’ve been paying attention, you probably couldn’t help but notice that Wyndfields Blvd. (the southernmost portion of this road) has been getting mentioned a lot in recent Neighborhood News articles including; “Will Rezoning Provide Viera’s Safety Cut -Through in K-Bar?” a couple of issues ago.
But Wyndfields (the 1,200-acre MPUD development) has been talked about for a long time — almost 20 years — and has been mentioned in over a dozen articles in this publication since then.
It may end up with many names, but one day, it will all be connected. The photo on the left is the existing Wyndfields Blvd. in Union Park, looking north toward the future Wyndfields Blvd. extension through the South Wyndfields development. (Right) This photo is taken on the under-construction Watergrass Pkwy. extension in the Watergrass community, looking south towards the future connection to River Glen Blvd. in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. See pg. 8 to see where these pieces of the roadway connect. (Photos by
Many times, decades before they are ever built, county planners will envision where future roads will go, as areas begin to grow with new development, and new infrastructure is needed. These are know as “Vision Roads” and are often the responsibility of land developers to build in order o get their communities approved. These roads often take the names of the major DRIs (Developments of Regional Impact) or MPUDs (Master Planned Unit Developments) in which they are located. That’s why this one road will possibly end up with at least five different names when it’s all finally built.
Why Should We Care?
Wyndfields Blvd. will be one of three “local
collector” connections between Pasco and Hillsborough counties, including Meadow Pointe Blvd. (existing), and Kinnan St./Mansfield Blvd. (restricted). Of course, there also is Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (C.R. 581), which is located between the Wiregrass Ranch and Seven Oaks communities but only goes 3.5 miles from the Hillsborough line north to S.R. 54 in Pasco. But, the north-south “Vision Road” we’re calling Wyndfields Blvd. has long been a high priority for Pasco County. Many local leaders, developers and residents feel that connecting multiple developments together fosters stronger communities and helps to alleviate and spread out the traffic burden from other main roads, and reduce travel times. Some on the Pasco side have proven to be a little more cautious when
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that traffic may originate from Hillsborough. Gary Gaal, a New Home Consultant with M/I Homes in K-Bar Ranch, says that, “Every future road benefits us even more.” Gaal has been working out of K-Bar for years, has attended HOA meetings, and has heard from county representatives. He is hopeful that with each new approved connection to spread out the traffic burden, Pasco might be more amenable to opening up the longcontentious Kinnan/Mansfield connection. “Any time you have open roads it helps immensely, but I understand Pasco’s hesitancy,” he says.
When asked if he believes Pasco would open up Kinnan/Mansfield with the completed Wyndfields connection, Dist. 7 City of Tampa Councilman Luis Viera says he doesn’t believe it would be
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Joel Provenzano)
a done deal, but notes, “Having a pathway there [to get the connection open] would be great, it would be good and encouraging for all residents.”
The connections to Hillsborough were studied years ago as part of a report commissioned by Pasco County, which reviewed the potential traffic impacts. What appears to be a done deal, however, is the Wyndfields Blvd. connection between the two counties, which is part of the required development agreements on both sides of the county line.
Details Of The Road Plan
So what’s the total length of Wyndfields Blvd. from Hillsborough up through Pasco? How much is already constructed and open to traffic, how much is under construction and how much is still planned? How will it affect each of the developments it goes through? Below are the lengths of the road (and its names), from south to north, in each community. For
the full details of each, see the map on pg. 8):
K-Bar Ranch (New Tampa): (proposed as Wyndfields Blvd.) - 0.9 miles
Union Park: (existing Wyndfields Blvd.) - 1 mile
Wyndfields South: (under construction [UC] as Wyndfields Blvd.) - 0.9 miles
Two Ridges: (UC as Two Ridges Rd.) - 1.6 miles; (proposed Two Ridges Rd.) - 0.4 miles
Avalon Park WC: (existing River Glen Blvd.) - 1.5 miles; (proposed River Glen Blvd.) - 0.2 miles
Vida’s Way: (proposed Watergrass Pkwy.) - 0.5 mile; (UC Watergrass Pkwy.) - 0.5 mile
Watergrass: (existing Watergrass Pkwy.) - 0.8 mile
Kirkland Ranch: (prop. name unknown) - 1.7 mi.
Magnolia Island & Evans: (prop. name unknown) - 1.3 miles
Total Length of the Road: 11.3 miles
See ‘‘Wyndfields Blvd.” on pg. 8
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K-Bar Ranch: Huge (2,200+ acres total) K-Bar Ranch has been a long-term growing community, with new houses still being built, making it the only “unfinished” major community in New Tampa. In a previous issue from this year, we had an article talking about the newest part of K- Bar that the Eisenhower Property Group (EPG) submitted to Tampa on March 1, called “K-Bar Ranch Homestead Parcel Phase 1.” This community would have just under 500 new homes on a 400-acre site adjacent to Morris Bridge Rd. EPG is well on its way to having its rezoning approved as, a couple of weeks ago, it passed its first reading with the City Council.
The most important part of this proposed community were the two roadway extensions shown in the plans. The first was the proposal to extend K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. to the east, out to Morris Bridge Rd. The second was a proposed north-south collector road shown to connect K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. with the existing north-south road (Wyndfields Blvd.) inside of Union Park, connecting Hillsborough County to Pasco.
While it’s not known if the road’s name will still be Wyndfields Blvd. in K-Bar, at its very southern end, this collector road will align with Nature’s Spirit Dr., inside of K-Bar’s separately developed Easton Park community, where there currently is an odd intersection to nowhere. This intersection is where K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. will pass through east-west. From this intersection, the road would travel 0.9 miles north into Pasco County.
In the previous article, it was mentioned that Wyndfields Blvd. ended 540’ north of the county line, but between the article’s release and now, this missing 540’ in Union Park has now been constructed, bringing the end of pavement right up to the Hillsborough County line, making it easier for the K-Bar development to connect to it.
Union Park: Union Park is a large (580-acre) MPUD isolated back behind Meadow Pointe, where the last of its 1,800 dwelling units were just completed and sold this year by DR Horton. Until the Woodcreek development was recently built next door, the only way in and out of Union Park was via Oldwoods Ave. out to Meadow Pointe Blvd., where a traffic signal had to be installed to handle the heavy traffic. With the roads now built in Woodcreek, there is now an indirect way to get out to S.R. 56.
The existing north-south road (Wyndfields Blvd.) currently starts at the Pasco/Hillsborough county line and runs north through Union Park for about 1 mile (as a two-lane road) and it ends at Oldwoods Ave., just past the wood bridge at a T-intersection (near Union Park Charter Academy; see photo on pg. 6). Pasco owns a small tract of land on the west side of that school, where the road will be extended up into the bottom of Wyndfields South (see below) to continue north to S.R. 56. This will provide a much easier (and direct) way for residents of Union Park to get in and out of their community with good access to S.R. 56 and Morris Bridge Rd.
Wyndfields South: Wyndfields South will be a 378-acre development (mostly on
the south side of S.R. 56) being built in many phases by DR Horton in conjunction with engineering firm WRA. Current plans show that it will have a total of approximately 960 residential units (138 villas, 212 townhomes, and 610 single-family lots). It’s part of the greater Wyndfields MPUD which encompasses 1,200 acres.
In the plans, Wyndfields Blvd. is expected to be two lanes (as built by the developer from its southern property line near Union Park to run north up to S.R. 56 ), for a distance of approximately 0.9 miles, with the option for Pasco County to widen it to four lanes in the future, as was shown in the recent “Innovate Pasco 2050” Planned Wesley Chapel Area Road Improvements list.
Wyndfields South includes the recently constructed community of Woodcreek, which also will have a connection to Wyndfields Blvd. via internal roadways (Rosepine Blvd.). The Bainbridge Apartments that are currently under construction also will have a rear connection to Wyndfields Blvd. To handle all of the traffic and allow for easier lefts-out for residents, the Wyndfields developer is responsible to permit, pay for, and install a new traffic signal at the intersection with S.R. 56 when it meets warrants. Wyndfields Blvd. will widen out to a 4-lane road as it approaches the signal.
Two Ridges: Two Ridges is the area immediately north of S.R. 56 and, as you might expect, contains two ‘Ridge’ communities being built by GL Homes — Winding Ridge on the south side and the age-restricted (55+) Valencia Ridge under construction on the north side, which stretches from the north side of Winding Ridge (where the east-west Chancey Rd. extension will be built) all the way up to S.R. 54. These communities also are part of the Wyndfields MPUD.
The road (now named Two Ridges Rd.) will extend north for 2 miles as a 4-lane divided corridor, starting at S.R. 56, where it will align with Wyndfields Blvd, and ending at S.R. 54, where it will align with the existing signal at River Glen Blvd that goes into Avalon Park. Currently, the southern 1.6 miles of Two Ridges Rd. (connecting with S.R. 56) is under construction and the northern 0.4 miles (to connect with S.R. 54) will be done at a later date.
The southern part needed to be done now, as it provides the only access into Valencia Ridge. The existing community of Ashton Oaks also will be connected to this new road at Grecko Dr., giving those residents access down to S.R. 56 for the first time.
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel: Avalon Park is the massive 1,800-acre MPUD on the north side of S.R. 54 at River Glen Blvd., which includes a number of established and new communities, some of which are still under construction by home builder DR Horton. The road (River Glen Blvd.) has been around for a long time now, and currently serves as the community’s main north-south road.
The signal at the newly widened S.R. 54 was designed in such a way that the new Two Ridges Rd. will be able to easily tie in as the southern leg of that intersection, allowing motorists to continue north into Avalon Park. As you travel north, that existing portion of River Glen Blvd. is 4-lane divided, and about 1.5 miles long, ‘Wyndfields
but there is still roughly 0.2 miles left to construct on the north end to tie into the future Watergrass Pkwy. extension (see photo on pg. 6) that will be constructed in the Vida’s Way community.
Vida’s Way: Vida’s Way is a new 332-acre community that’s currently being constructed by Pulte Homes. It’s located just north of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel and just south of Watergrass. It’s part of the larger Depue Ranch MPUD, which encompasses approximately 930 acres. The road will be extended 1 mile north through here, and will eventually connect River Glen Blvd. to Watergrass Pkwy., ultimately giving Watergrass residents another way to access S.R. 54.
Currently, only the northern half (0.5 miles) of the road (the Watergrass Pkwy. extension) is under construction, as a 4-lane divided roadway, which is connecting to Watergrass Pkwy. The active construction ends at the south side, where the future east-west Wells Rd. extension also will be going through this community. The remaining 0.5 miles of the Watergrass Pkwy. extension will be south of that, and will connect with the north end of River Glen Blvd. to become one road.
Watergrass: Watergrass is an established MPUD of nearly 1,040 acres of beautiful homes. A little less than halfway through Watergrass, along Overpass Rd., you’ll run into the existing north-south Watergrass Pkwy., which serves communities like Whispering Oaks Preserve and Windchase Villas on the north end and, on the south end, Whisper Pointe, The Gardens and Cypress Bend. This existing stretch of road is about 0.8 miles long, top to bottom.
As the new part of the Watergrass Pkwy. extension is being built in Vida’s Way to the south, the developer also is widening the existing part through Watergrass from 2 lanes to 4-lane di-
northern end, Watergrass Pkwy. deadends as a two lane road at the Kirkland Ranch property line.
Kirkland Ranch: Kirkland Ranch is situated to the north of Watergrass, immediately east of Curley Rd., on just over 1,000 acres of land. It’s mostly undeveloped, except for the existing Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and the brand new Kirkland Ranch K-8 dedicated magnet school that, according to the Pasco School District’s website, will be focusing on world languages and entrepreneurship. The magnet school is planning to be open for the upcoming 2024-25 school year.
According to the Pasco Vision Road map, the Watergrass Pkwy. extension is planned to run north through Kirkland Ranch, behind both schools, for approximately 1.7 miles, until it intersects with Keifer Rd. at the north end of Kirkland’s property boundary. Currently, Kirkland has not submitted any preliminary development plans to the county, so this community is still a ways out. It’s unknown if the extension will retain the Watergrass name or be called something different.
Magnolia Island & Evans: Just north of Kirkland Ranch and Keifer Rd. are two developments listed in the Pasco development mapper, Magnolia Island MPUD (216 acres) and Evans (219 acres) which are part of the historic Villages of Pasadena MPUD. According to the map, the vision road will extend north through these two developments for approximately 1.3 miles until it intersects with Prospect Rd. at the north end. There are no current plans for either development, so it will still be a least a few years before the full 11 miles of what we collectively refer to as Wyndfields Blvd. is completed.
vided, from the southern end near the Cypress Bend community up to Overpass Rd. At the
NN map by Joel Provenzano
Tampa Police & Viera To Host A Follow-Up Public Safety Town Hall On July 30
Few answers provided, no suspects named at June 24 Town Hall, following two fatal shooting incidents in four days in New Tampa
By Gary Nager
Even though two separate fatal shooting incidents only four days apart happened in New Tampa, not Wesley Chapel, we felt the news about those incidents was still important to share (and update as much as we can) with our Wesley Chapel readers — as both incidents took place on or near Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., only two miles or so south of the Pasco County line and the victim of the first shooting was a Wesley Chapel resident.
First, to recap: On June 17, 24-year-old Kyle Prisco of Wesley Chapel was fatally shot in mid-afternoon broad daylight on BBD, in front of the Chase Bank in Pebble Creek. Prisco was found on the ground outside his white Mercedes. He was pronounced dead at the scene and, although his name was not released until a few days later, the Bean Bar Co. owner Danielle Henry organized a GoFundMe campaign “to assist Kyle’s sister, Kayla, and his mother, Lisa, with any expenses related to the funeral,” which was held at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd. on June 27.
That campaign had raised nearly $24,000 of a $30,000 goal at our press time, with nearly 300 donations made.
Although that incident alone was shocking enough in normally major crime-free New Tampa, on June 21, two people were fatally shot and a third taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries in an incident that began in front of the Portofino Apartments on New Tampa Blvd. in front of the West Meadows community, where the body of a man was found with gunshot wounds.
room
A short time later, Hillsborough Sheriff’s deputies found a vehicle near Bearss Ave. with the two other people with gunshot wounds, one of whom was pronounced dead.
To cap off that gruesome week, earlier on June 21, Tampa Police (TPD) officers found a decomposed body in a car near the Metro Self Storage adjacent to the New Tampa Nature Park on Doña Michele Dr.
Considering how much the normally quiet New Tampa community is in terms of crime, and knowing that residents were desperate for answers
a couple of days of each
(Photo by Charmaine George) about the incidents, TPD Chief Lee Bercaw and District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, himself a New Tampa resident, co-hosted a Town Hall meeting at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms on June 24.
Since no suspects had yet been arrested or even named in either of the shooting incidents and no additional details about them had yet been released, Chief Bercaw said his primary reason for hosting the meeting — which was packed with a standing-room-only crowd of about 200 people — was to try to assure the public that they are safe.
“These incidents appear to be unrelated and were not random,” Chief Bercaw said. “In the case of the shooting on New Tampa Blvd., it is believed that all of the people involved knew each other.”
He also noted that because Prisco’s body was found on BBD, which is a county road, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) was leading that investigation, “but we are working feverishly, day in and day out, and closely with the Sheriff’s Department on both of these cases.”
Even so, many in the audience of New Tampa residents were wondering why no one from HCSO
The
at the New Tampa Recreation Center was packed as Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw (third from left at dais) and District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (with microphone) update the community about the two fatal shootings within
other in New Tampa.
attended the meeting to provide any updates or at least show support for the event.
“I can’t speak from them,” Chief Bercaw said when I asked the question shortly after the meeting ended, “but I assure you that we have a great working relationship with the Sheriff’s Office and are sharing all information on these cases.”
As for the decomposed body, sometime after the June 24 Town Hall ended, it was reported that TPD had arrested and charged 29-year-old Andre Aris (photo) with the first-degree murder of the 35-year-old man who was found “in an advanced stage of decomposition” in that 2006 Dodge Charger but who has not yet been publicly identified, even though TPD says they found a Florida driver’s license to positively ID him. Aris also faces a charge of Grand Theft of a motor vehicle.
Councilman Viera, who has hosted dozens of Town Halls on a variety of subjects, some better attended than others, said that he found the crowd at the June 24 meeting encouraging. “I’m not going to say it’s a pleasure, because of why we’re all here, but it is a pleasure to see so many people here, because it obviously shows that we all want to hear from law enforcement about these incidents. It shows that the New Tampa community, which has sometimes been accused of being apathetic, will come out in force when they have major concerns about public safety.”
Chief Bercaw also asked for the community’s help, especially if they had any video or information that could help with the cases. He also said that TPD was close to making an arrest in the New Tampa Blvd. incident and that, while the lack of information coming out is troubling to the local residents who spoke at the Town Hall, “Sometimes, I want to tell but I also don’t want to compromise the case.”
The TPD Chief also said that New Tampa has three very strong Neighborhood Watch groups and “If you’re not yet a part of one of those groups or your community doesn’t yet have one, please join or help start one. See us after this and we will provide assistance for you.”
To that end, residents of the Ashington Estates community in Tampa Palms later sent Viera a notification that they were organizing a Neighborhood Watch for their community shortly before this issue hits mailboxes.
Chief Bercaw also promised that, “This is not the end, this is the beginning.” And, true to his word, TPD and Councilman Viera already have organized a follow-up community meeting on public safety that is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, 6 p.m., at the Compton Park clubhouse (16101 Compton Dr.), also in Tampa Palms.
Follow our Facebook page for future updates.
Andre Aris
Kyle Prisco & his sister Kayla (Photo source: GoFundMe)
By Iris Vitelli, Neighborhood News Correspondent & Gary Nager
A number of the bills Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on May 31 of this year will have far-reaching effects on homeowners (HOAs) and condominium associations, licensed community association managers (LCAMs) and home and condo owners themselves.
According to PearlAntonacci.com (the website of the Pearl Antonacci Group of Compass Real Estate, based in Boca Raton), the 2024 HOA (Florida House Bill 1203) and condo (HB 1021) laws introduce stringent requirements for structural safety, financial transparency, and board governance:
“Key highlights include:
• Reserve Studies & Funding: Condo associations are now required to conduct comprehensive reserve studies periodically. This ensures that sufficient funds are available for major repairs and replacements, providing a clear financial roadmap for future needs.
• Increased Transparency: Associations must provide detailed financial reports to all members annually, ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for, fostering trust and clarity within the community.
• Structural Integrity Inspections: In light of past incidents, there is a heightened focus on the physical health of buildings. Regular, mandatory inspections are to be carried out to guarantee the safety and durability of the structures.
• Insurance Adjustments: The laws mandate that condo associations maintain robust insurance
New Homeowners & Condo Association Laws Affect
policies covering a wide range of potential damages, which might lead to increased premiums but significantly better protection against unforeseen events.
• Enhanced Board Requirements: Board members are subject to stricter eligibility criteria and training requirements, aiming to professionalize HOA management and enhance decisionmaking processes.
For homeowners, these changes mean more rights and protections from potentially overreaching HOA boards. It’s important for homeowners to be proactive, by attending HOA meetings and staying informed about their rights under the new laws.”
But, while not all of Florida House Bill (HB) 1203 is yet in effect, many of these changes did take effect on July 1. The new law requires homeowners associations, certain community association managers and community association management firms “to post certain documents on their websites or make available such documents through an application by a date certain.” The law also provides that an association or its agent is required to apply and enforce certain standards regarding architectural or construction improvements “reasonably and equitably.”
Key Changes & Requirements
Several new laws address property management companies. While some HOAs and property management companies have adhered to these now-required practices for years, others were rushing to comply by July 1, when most of the requirements kick in. However, the website requirement is extended to January 1, 2025. The law states that HOA documents must be accessible via a website
or mobile app, with a password-protected portal for homeowners. Required documents include:
• Declaration of Covenants & Amendments
• Articles of Incorporation & Amendments
• Bylaws & Amendments
• Current Rules
• Contracts & Bids
• Annual Budget
• Financial Reports
• Insurance Policies
• Director Certifications
• Agendas & Minutes
• All Contracts, Notices & Documents related to Conflicts of Interest
• Member Meeting Notices & Agendas
• Board Meeting Notices & Enclosures Although many documents will be available
on the HOA’s website, homeowners can still request to view documents kept by the property management company. Requests must be made by certified mail, and appointments will be arranged. Homeowners may take pictures or request and pay for copies of the records.
Penalties & Compliance
The law now explicitly states that directors or property managers who knowingly solicit, offer, or accept kickbacks are guilty of a third-degree felony. If a director is removed, the Board must fill the position immediately. When entering into a contract with an HOA, the contract must have a conflict of interest section. The property management company may recommend a vendor they have a stake in but must now disclose that information in the contract.
Fining Committees & Procedures
Not all HOAs already have a fining committee but under the new law, all HOAs are now required to establish such a committee. This committee will be made up of homeowner peers, and can not include any Board members or HOA employees. The committee will hear the homeowner’s explanation for not addressing the violation or contacting the property manager to make arrangements. After hearing the homeowner’s side, the committee will decide whether or not to impose the fine. The only authority the fining committee has is to approve or reject the fine; they cannot make alternate arrangements with the homeowner.
Previously, the fining committee met at a location; the new law states that a homeowner can attend these meetings via phone or other electronic means. This law also prohibits a fine or suspension from being imposed if the violation is cured before the hearing has been held.
The law also prevents associations from levying fines and suspensions for leaving garbage at the curb 24 hours before or after collection time or for leaving holiday decorations or lights on longer than allowed by governing documents, unless they are left for more than a week after the HOA gives written notice of the violation.
Expert Opinions
Attorney Jonathan Ellis, who is Boardcertified in condominium and planned development law and a Partner and Community Associations Business Sector Chair at the Tampa office of Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick, and an expert in HOA law, says, “Unfortunately, year after year, more amendments complicate HOA operations. Associations will need to consult counsel more often.” He adds that, “many changes are beneficial but will require HOAs to
spend money to accommodate them.”
For example, he says, “One change that could end up in front of a judge is the new law about commercial vehicles. Homeowners can now park in their driveways. The new law lacks a clear definition of what is considered a commercial vehicle. Is it the definition of the Dept. of Motor Vehicles or the minivan that has a ladder on the top? If someone challenges it, a judge will get involved.”
Ellis also says that the cost to create, update and maintain an HOA website and for HOA directors to complete certification classes will likely be passed on to the homeowners. Previously, property managers would have new Board members sign a form stating they had read the documents and encouraged them to do so. The new law now requires that all new Board members take the Certification Course and mandates 4 additional hours of education each year for properties with 2,500 or fewer units, or 8 hours per year for larger properties.
“Although some changes may be open to interpretation and might end up in court, one thing is clear: Mandating directors to take the certification class and additional education is a positive development,” Ellis says.
He adds, “The new law says HOAs may no longer prevent a homeowner from protecting their home against hurricanes. This may mean changes to the architecture of the property.” He advises HOAs to consult an architect to understand what this means for the HOA’s Architectural Review Committee.
To read the complete bill, you can visit flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1203.
Freelance writer Iris Vitelli is the president of the Pebble Creek Homeowners Association of Hillsborough County, Inc., in New Tampa.
New Tampa Players Present ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ At The NTPAC July
By Gary Nager
As someone who previously performed a tiny part in a New Tampa Players (NTP) production, I can only tell you how much hard work it took to make community theater look and sound as good as it does when it finally hits the stage.
What I can’t tell you is how much hard work it takes to blend together more than 30 cast members — some of whom sing only, others who dance only and still others who do both — and how to make it all come together seamlessly on stage after only a few weeks of rehearsals.
But, based on my experience performing in NTP’s production of “Grease” — the first Players performance held at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. last summer — I have no doubt that director (and NTP producing artistic director) Nora Paine, musical director Frank Meekins and choreographer Sarah Walston will make it happen when NTP presents the classic musical “Singin’ in the Rain” at the NTPAC for two consecutive weekends — July 19-21 and 26-28.
Although Meekins was both director and musical director for “Grease,” Paine was the producer and stage manager for that show and Walston was the choreographer. In other words, the trio is comfortable working together, “and we all had an interest in working on ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ together,” Meekins says. “So, it all just kind of worked out. Although the tap dancing definitely makes it more challenging, we’re all very excited about this show.”
According to Wikipedia, “‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is a stage musical with story by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed and music by Nacio Herb Brown. Adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name, starring Gene Kelly (and directed and choreographed by Kelly and Stanley Donen), the stage musical’s plot closely adheres to the original film.”
Set in Hollywood in the waning days of the silent screen era, “Singin’” focuses on romantic lead Don Lockwood (played by Kyle Billington),
his sidekick Cosmo Brown (Rhett Ricardo), aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Olivia Carr, who played Sandy in “Grease”), and Lockwood’s leading lady Lina Lamont (Melanie Bierweiler), “whose less-than-dulcet vocal tones make her an unlikely candidate for stardom in talking pictures,” again, according to the “Singin’” entry in Wikipedia.
The stage show had its world premiere in 1983 at the London Palladium, where it ran for more than two years, and has spawned a Broadway production and many stagings worldwide.
It has been called, “The greatest movie musical of all time.”
According to NTP’s NewTampaPlayers. org website, “Each unforgettable scene, song and dance is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm! Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ the perfect entertainment for any fan of the golden age of movie musicals.”
See “Singin’ In The Rain” on pg. 16
Melanie Bierweiler plays Lina Lamont and Kyle Billington is Don Lockwood in the New Tampa Players’ production of “Singin’ in the Rain,” which has six performances the weekend of July 19-21 and July 2628 at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. (Photo courtesy of New Tampa Players)
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or questions,
Meekins says that in addition to the title number — “And yes, it will be raining,” he says — many of the songs are well-known, memorable and can be considered “show stoppers,” including “You Are My Lucky Star,” “Would You” and especially “Broadway Rhythm.”
“The title song is actually performed twice — once by Don Lockwood at the end of the first act and the second time by the entire cast (at the close of Act 2), all of whom who will be singing and dancing together in the rain,” Meekins says. “I know it will be amazing to see this cast come to-
gether for that finale. All of the cast members have different levels of experience, but I have no doubt that it will all come together.”
Get your tickets now for “Singin’ in the Rain” at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). The show (presented through the generous support of Hillsborough County and Florida Arts and Culture and with special arrangement through Music Theatre International) will be performed Fri.-Sat., July 19-20 and July 26-27, at 8 p.m., and at 3 p.m. on Sun., July 21 & 28. Tickets cost $21-$35 and are available at NewTampaPlayers.org.
For more information, call (813) 5436252 or see the ad at the bottom of this page.
of the photos on these pages were taken during rehearsals for the New
in the Rain,” which will have six performances at the
two weekends — July 19-21 & July 26-28. (Photos by
Tampa Players production of
New Tampa Performing Arts Center over
Charmaine George & Gary Nager)
Upcoming Events — The Chamber Cuts Ribbons & Hosts The Summer Rum & Seafood Festival!
Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — North Tampa Bay Chamber Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at FiCare.FiCare, “Healthcare’s Financial Partner,” will host a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting event at the location at 26644 Silver Maple Pkwy., on the south side of S.R. 56. There will be snacks and drinks served and vendors will be on hand. For more information, call the Chamber office at (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChabmer.com.
Wednesday, July 10, 7 p.m. — Proposed Wesley Chapel Elks Lodge Membership Drive. At Chuck Lager America’s Tavern (2001 Piazza Ave., Shops at Wiregrass).
Thursday, July 11, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. — North Tampa Bay Chamber Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at Laceleaf MedSpa. Owner Lisa Rezvan of Laceleaf MedSpa, located behind the new Moe’s Southwest Grill at 5490 Post Oak Blvd. (off S.R. 54) will be serving refreshments and providing live demos of their many available services, as well as providing attendees with great “swag bags” as she invites the community to celebrate with her and the North Tampa Bay Chamber. For more info, call (813) 705-7277 or visit LaceLeafMedSpa.com.
at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. Rating: R. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at NewTampaArtsCenter.org/Tickets.
Friday, July 12, 8 p.m. — “The Dark Side of the Moon” — A Pink Floyd Tribute Concert. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Classic Rock Legacy will bring the music of Pink Floyd to life at NTPAC. The tribute concert celebrates one of the bestselling, most influential albums of all time: The Dark Side of the Moon. The classic album has resonated with audiences across generations and examines themes like greed, conflict, time, and sanity. Tickets are $20-$25 and can be purchased at NewTampaArtsCenter.org/Tickets.
July 26-Sunday, July 28 — “Singin’ in the Rain,” presented by the New Tampa Players. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). See story & ad on pg. 16.
Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. — Fresh Market at Wiregrass. Along Paseo Dr. at the Shops at Wiregrass. More than 50 vendors selling everything from locally grown produce to a rich assortment of plants, fresh herbs, hand-crafted art & blooming flowers. For more information, visit TheShopsatWiregrass.com.
Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m. — Proposed Wesley Chapel Elks Lodge Membership Drive. At Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant (5335 Village Market, Wesley Chapel).
Thursday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. — Hollywood Hillsborough Film Series: “Live By Night.” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center
(8550 Hunters Village Rd.). The Hollywood Hillsborough film series spotlights Tampa Bay’s presence in cinema. “Live By Night” takes place in prohibition-era Ybor City and follows Joe Coughlin, son of a Boston police deputy who turns to a life of organized crime. He and his crew show up in Ybor City to stake a claim in the illegal rum-running business. The film’s setting is not its only tie to the Tampa Bay area. Dennis Lehane, the original novel’s author, was a student
Saturday, July 13, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. — The North Tampa Bay Chamber & Florida Penguin Productions present the Summer Rum & Seafood Festival. At Tampa Premium Outlets (2300 Grand Cypress Dr.), with proceeds helping to support the North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation. Early Bird Tickets cost $15, with day-of General Admission costing $20 cash at the gate, with “Rum Bucket Upgrades” with Fast Pass lines to the bars costing $35 & Gold VIP Upgrades, with private reserve seating in front of the stage, private restroom, rum bucket upgrades & 2 free drink tickets costing $75 per person. For more info, visit Facebook.com/ events/457898406700396?, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534 or see the flyer on this page.
Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 & Friday,
Friday, August 2, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. p.m. — The Market Elaine. At The Grove (6013 Wesley Grove Blvd.). Join 150 local businesses selling delicious food & baked goods, refreshing coffee & drinks, house & exotic plants, pet adoptions, live music, bounce house, caricature artists & more, with free admission & parking. For more info, visit “The Market Elaine” on Facebook.
Sunday, August 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Back To School Street Market. Located between Rock & Brews and Main Event (26000 S.R. 56 & 2839 Creek Grass Way, next to Tampa Premium Outlets) & proudly supporting the Pasco Education Foundation’s Stuff the Bus with Wise Supplies. Featuring local artisan vendors, live DJ, food & drinks, scavenger hunt & school supply drive. For more info, see the Rock & Brews ad on pg. 44 of this issue or visit PascoEducationFoundation.org.
Butash Law Group For Personal Injury, Criminal Defense & Family Law
By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent
If you need professional legal assistance with a criminal defense, personal injury or family law case, Michael Butash might be the attorney for you.
Unlike large firms that position receptionists, paralegals and junior staff members between clients and an attorney, or newer firms that are still learning the ins and outs of the legal system, Butash, a seasoned attorney with more than 20 years of experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, is both well-trained and very accessible.
Butash has worked independently as an attorney since he struck out on his own in 2002, when he founded Michael G.Butash, P.A., in Tampa. After about a decade practicing successfully on his own, he moved his practice to S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel to be closer to where he and his wife, Lisa, live.
A couple of years later, he joined with attorney Shawn Donovan to form Butash & Donovan. When Shawn moved on to his own solo practice a couple years ago, Michael formed the Butash Law Group. He currently is the only attorney in the practice, although he has a professional staff helping him every step of the way.
Mike is a Tampa Bay area native, orig-
inally from Clearwater. He graduated from Flor ida State University in Tallahassee with honors and earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in criminology. He then earned his Juris Doctor (law) degree from the Stetson University Col lege of Law in Gulfport, FL, graduating in 1997.
He met Lisa in Palm Harbor, and the couple married in 2000. They have a son, Chris, who is 23 years old and recently graduated from college himself. Chris is now working toward a Mas ter’s degree at Limestone University in Gaffney, SC, with a goal to follow in his father’s footsteps and attend law school.
Mike started his le gal career as a prosecutor, working as an Assistant State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Court in New Port Richey, han dling cases in Pinellas and Pasco counties. He then worked as an in-house counsel for
founding his private practice.
While Mike is licensed to practice
throughout the entire state of Florida, he primarily handles cases in Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties, and occasionally Pinellas.
“I enjoy helping people, and I always pride myself on doing the right thing,”
He calls himself a “straight shooter” who tells clients the truth about their case, whether or not it’s what they want to hear.
“I don’t beat around the bush,” he says. “If I can’t help someone, I’ll tell them that. If they’re in trouble, I tell them that. I’d rather tell you the truth now than overpromise and not deliver.”
Mike says his reviews speak for themselves. A Google search shows nearly 80 reviews of his practice with more than 70 of them being the highest available ranking, or five stars out of five.
“My ultimate pride is that 90 percent of our new business is from referrals,” he says. “Any business owner would want that.”
He explains that he can’t always make every client happy, but his role is to be “the GPS,” in other words, to be the person steering clients to where they want to go.
“There are multiple ways to get there, and you can change the route along the way,” he explains. “Do you want to take the best route, the fastest route or the scenic route? In other words, do you want See “Butash Law” on pg. 22
to take my advice or go a different route?”
Continuing with the analogy, if you don’t take his advice, he says you might find yourself re-routing or getting a bit lost, but it’s always up to the client on which way to go.
The Right Staff, Too
Mike also says that he usually meets his clients in a time of crisis, when they need immediate help. Maybe they just got served with divorce papers, just got arrested or got a ticket, or were in a car accident. That’s when he and his staff get to work, starting with a free consultation.
“I have a great team here,” Mike says. “My staff is fantastic.”
That staff includes Butash Law’s personal injury paralegal Elsie Valenciano, who has more than 30 years of experience. And, Mike says his family law paralegal Manar Awad, or “Mimi,” is extremely detailed and has worked for him for the past few years.
I ride a Harley Davidson,” he jokes.
zations and events, including those that help animals, veterans and other worthy causes. For example, Butash Law recently sponsored the Rough Riders’ “Cop Cup” at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’Lakes.
In an ironic coincidence, it turns out that the founder and operator of Saving His Angels just happens to be the mom of a long-time client.
Romeo Montemayor says he first met Mike more than a decade ago when he received a ticket for driving under the influence. Since then, Romeo says he has turned to Mike every time he has needed a lawyer, from getting advice on legal matters that affect his business or helping him navigate the legal trouble his wife’s son got into because of mental illness.
“Mike is very diligent,” Romeo explains. “He has been able to help me with everything I’ve hired him for.”
He says he recommends Butash Law to anyone who needs an attorney for criminal defense or other matters, and he is most appreciative of how accessible Mike always has been to him.
“If I have questions, he always calls me right back,” he says.
Romeo adds that he feels Butash Law is fairly priced. “Everything he’s charged me has been worth it,” Romeo says.
Butash Law Group is located at 23554 S.R. 54 in Lutz. Call (813) 3412232 to schedule a free consultation or visit ButashLawGroup.com or see the ad on page 30 for more information.
Lisa is the firm’s office manager. She wears many hats, taking care of things behind the scenes, managing the company’s website and marketing, while also handling billing and accounting.
Mike and Lisa are animal lovers who are passionate about rescuing pets in need. They’ve rescued not only a few dogs but also some horses. “My wife rides horses and
The Butashes currently have two adopted dogs. Butter was rescued from Pasco County Animal Services, and Mike says she’s a “true mutt.” They also had two dogs from an animal rescue based out of Spring Hill called Saving His Angels. They affectionately refer to Princess as their gimpy chihuahua, and Biscuit was their blind chihuahua. Unfortunately, they recently lost Biscuit.
Mike says the firm also takes the opportunity to support community organi-
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Lavender Spa & Nails Can Make Your Nails Look Beautiful While You Shop At The Outlets!
By Jannah Nager
If you’ve never visited Lavender Spa & Nails, located at the Tampa Premium Outlets (on the south side of S.R. 56), now is the time! The nail spa’s convenient location makes it the perfect spot to get a manicure and/or pedicure in between shopping and dinner.
Indulge in a luxurious spa experience as Lavender Spa & Nail’s highly skilled profes sional technicians customize your treatment to your needs, leaving you relaxed and rejuve nated. The spa is now under the ownership of Chris and Gaiu (who goes by “Lee”) Alley, the same husband-and-wife team that also owns Colorful Nails on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.
Chris, who has a background in informa tion technology (IT), takes care of the “back end” of the business, such as managing the software at the salon and its website and marketing, while Lee oversees the day-today activities at the spa. The Wesley Chapel residents took over ownership of Lavender in February of this year but the previous owners and most of the staff stayed on to make for an
other salon, but this opportunity came along and we decided to go for it,” says Chris. “You sure can’t beat the location.”
Lee has made several improvements to the spa by expanding the area for facials and adding a massage room — massages will be available soon by appointment only. She also has updated the interior with an elegant new décor. Lee also has added new nail services, including the Hot Sweet Pedicure that incorporates hot steam into the luxurious Lavender Detox Pedicure (with the most luxurious pedicure products to reduce anxiety and stress with a fragrance you will love for total relaxation, leaving your feet and skin purified and replenished).
Lavender Spa & Nails also offers a wide array of other pedicures, including a paraffin spa pedicure (a high-end, eco-friendly paraffin alternative that is 100% natural, with shea butter and essential oils, that is great for dry and cracked heels), a volcano spa pedicure (with five steps of organic ingredients, including detox volcano crystals and activator, combined to create a fun, bubbling “explosion”) and the ultimate aloe spa pedicure (with natural aloe jelly that retains heat, soothes aching muscles and alleviates joint pain; the jelly also acts as
Photos by Charmaine George
(Left) The revamped interior of Lavender Spa & Nails lets you know you’re in for a luxurious experience. (Center) The machine in this picture adds invigorating steam to the Hot Spa Pedicure. (Right) Lavender’s nail techs can re-create pretty much any design and style of nails you want.
‘Lavender Nails’
a gentle exfoliant while the aromatic natural oils soften the skin and relax your mind and body; also includes hot stone massage and Eco-Fin wax in medicated boots in four different heav enly scents), to name a few.
Manicure services include acrylic, gel, GelX, and dip powder nails. Spa services offered are waxing, facials and eyelash extensions. If you’re looking to treat your little ones, there are several Princess services available for ages 11 and under.
Client Cheyenne Alderman, in her 5-star Google review (Lavender has a 4.6 overall Google rating, on nearly 600 reviews), raves about the services for younger clients.
“Took my nieces to get their nails done for their birthdays, the staff was absolutely amazing! They were very accommodating to us, had great prices and they did a wonderful job! Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a quality nail salon!”
Lee says, “What sets us apart from other salons is that we treat our staff and clients like family. Customer service is our highest priority.” With a staff of 13 highly qualified technicians, you will always be treated to highquality services and a friendly atmosphere.
In her 5-star review on Google, Sydney Caplinger said, “I loved how relaxing the environment was! Everyone was so nice. Halle did my manicure and she was so nice and respectful and I showed her a picture of what I wanted for my nails and she exceeded my
The spa also has a reward program — you receive a stamp with a purchase of a ser vice over $32 and on your 10th service you receive $10 off. Seniors age 65+ and active military and veterans receive a 5% discount and you’ll receive a 10% discount on your birthday. Everyday pricing is competitive with the area, despite Lavender’s desirable (and not inexpensive) mall location.
And finally, customer Lindsay Kendall says in her 5-star review, “This is the best nail salon experience I have ever had! The salon is gorgeous and the owner is so nice. All of the nail techs are friendly and take their time. I
The next time you’re shopping at the outlet mall, give yourself a break and get the pampering you deserve at Lavender
When you receive the new Hot Sweet
you’ll be treated to a soothing leg massage.
p.m. on Sun. For appointments or more info, call (813) 300-3005, visit LavenderSpaNails.com or see the ad on pg. 50.
Or email: LLorik808@gmail.com
(Left) Lavender Spa & Nails features thousands of colors available in acrylic, Gel-X and dip powder. (Right)
Pedicure from Lavender nail tech Benny — or any of Lavender’s experience technicians —
Farina Orthodontic Specialists Combines The Latest Technology With Top Patient Care
By Iris Vitelli
Neighborhood News Correspondent
Dr. Mark Farina, D.M.D (Doctor of Dental Medicine), of Farina Orthodontic Specialists is something of an institution in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas.
Dr. Farina has been creating beautiful smiles in our communities for nearly 30 years and continues to be at the forefront of both the latest technology and the highest possible level of patient care.
After opening his first office on N. Habana Ave. in West Tampa in 1995, Dr. Farina opened his Tampa Palms office in the professional center next to what is now called the Shops at Amberly in 2000.
Since then, he estimates that he has worked on more than 25,000 smiles for children and a growing number of adults.
“They start as little people, and I see them grow up,” Dr. Farina says. “I have been invited to attend graduations, weddings and other functions. It’s great to see what a difference a great smile makes.”
Today, Farina Orthodontic Specialists has three offices — one in South Tampa, one in Tampa Palms and the newest location in the building dubbed “The Cube” on Bruce B.Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel (between AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and the Shops at Wiregrass mall). And, two additional orthodontists who share Dr. Farina’s passion for creating beautiful smiles have joined him to serve even more patients — Undine Davis, D.M.D., and Pedro Franco, D.M.D.
The first floor of the three-story cube is now the headquarters of Farina Orthodontic Specialists and also is home to a number of other related dental and medical specialists, including dental services such as root canals (endodontics) and maxillofacial surgery (to correct issues with teeth, gums and even jaws), as well as the office’s high-tech call center, digital lab and corporate office — all on the second floor of the building. The third floor is home to Kids SPOT, which provides pediatric therapy services, including speech, physical, occupational and applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies for children from birth to age 21 at every stage of development.
“When we were starting to build the new
office, my son Stefano was 18 and became part of the process,” Dr. Farina says. “I think that may have encour aged him to get involved in building projects, which he is still doing today. He looked at the cube and said, ‘Dad, it is missing a clock. People always remember a building with a clock on it!’ That’s how the (traditional round) clock became part of the building.”
All three offices are busy places, with any num ber of happy patients visiting every day.
“In fact, one of Stefano’s close friends also was a pa tient,” Dr. Farina says. “My wife (Lissette) and I overheard this friend tell my son, ‘I have to thank your dad. I was like a three when I first went to him. But, I got my smile fixed and now I’m like an eight, so I am going to ask (girls name) to the prom.’ These are the types of things that make me smile. I don’t ever feel like I’m working. I love what I do and take pride in the happiness and confidence we bring to so many.”
Embracing Change
Although some patients still either opt to (or have to) choose traditional metal braces, Dr. Farina says the motto at the office is “Embrace Change.” He and his team are always looking for innovative ways to grow and one way to accomplish this goal is with new technologies, which means more than just embracing Invisalign® clear aligners — although Dr. Farina says he is the top Invisalign® provider in the area, and one of just a few orthodontists nationwide who have reached Elite Status with Invisalign®. In fact, he says, 60-70% of the practice’s current patients are using Invisalign®.
One such advancement in the orothodontic industry is the Dental Monitoring ScanBox Pro. This is a device and process that allows patients to take digital scans of their teeth (and
entire mouths) every week with their phones. The images are sent to the office so the doc tors can monitor the progress of these patients between scheduled appointments, especially if anything appears to not be progressing properly. At that point, they can be brought into the office as quickly as possible to correct any issues.
“Our office was the first in the country to have this technology and we have been using it for more than four years now with great success.”
Other technological advances include a 3D impressionless scanner that can create a digital 3D model of your teeth in minutes. An i-CAT 3D Machine takes a 3D image of not just the patient’s teeth, but also of the bones and airways in his or her head. Best of all, the process takes all of five seconds.
An iTero 3D impressionless scanner can create a digital 3D model of your teeth in three minutes — without the need for that traditional, dreaded goop. The 3-D printers can even
produce tooth aligners and retainers on site. Not Just For Kids Anymore
Another trend in the orthodontic industry, according to Dr. Farina, is that 40% of the orthodontic practice’s patients are now adults, including a growing number of adult men. Some, but not all, of these adult patients are the parents of younger patients who see how effective orthodontics can be.
“Many of the adults do go with Invisalign® (clear aligners),” Dr. Farina says.
Dr. Farina says that while Farina Orthodontic Specialists may not be the least expensive option for patients, “We’re not the most expensive orthodontists, either.” He adds that the practice’s prices are competitive, and it accepts all types of insurance plans. He will also work
“Your smile is for a lifetime,” Dr. Farina says. “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. When you smile, you have the power to change the energy around you, as well as how you feel and how people around you feel.”
When Dr. Farina was young, he had a bad experience with a dentist and was determined to make his office and everything about the experience friendly and inviting. That’s why his offices don’t look or feel like a dentist’s office.
He also says that he is very proud of his staff. Every week, he and his team have “WOW Wednesday,” where the employees nominate one of their own to be the “Wower” of the week.
Meet The Team
Dr. Farina earned a Bachelor of Science
in Boston, MA. He earned his D.M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia and did his post-graduate orthodontic training at New York University (NYU) in New York City, NY. He also has received advanced training in the integrated diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and has served on research teams at both NYU and Penn to help find new and better ways to solve orthodontic problems. Dr. Farina attends more than 80 hours of professional seminars each year and participates in giving seminars and webinars across the country.
Dr. Pedro Franco was born in Cleveland, OH, but grew up in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Mexico, and earned his
Medicine in San Juan. His Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics is from the Georgia School of Orthodontics, where he received the Doctor Nathaniel Glover Leadership & Professionalism Scholarship.
Dr. Undine Davis graduated from Stanford University in Stanford, CA, where she was an outstanding hurdler on the school’s track team. She earned her D.M.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. She also earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Dental Sciences and a Specialty Certification in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville.
All three doctors in the practice are Boardcertified and Dr. Farina says that only about
is very proud of this accomplishment. He and his team also have been voted one of the Top Dentists in Tampa the last three years by Tampa Magazine. The entire practice is very active in the community and has provided mouth guards for local sports teams and sponsored numerous causes that support education, encourage leadership and save lives.
To schedule a free virtual consultation, with Farina Orthodontic Specialists, visit FarinaSmiles.com, where you also can find additional information about the practice. New patients can call (813) 652-0074 for more information or see the ad on pg. 35. The Tampa Palms office is located at 15303 Amberly Dr., Suite E, and the Wesley Chapel office is located at 2370 Bruce B. Downs, Suite 100.
(L.-r.) Dr. Farina shows a patient their X-rays; Dr. Davis and Dr. Franco work on patients; Dr. Farina poses with his three “Top Dentist” awards from Tampa Magazine. (All photos provided by Farina Orthodontic Specialists, except the far right photo by Charmaine George)
Budget Blinds — The Company That Brings A Full Design
By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent
As Florida summers seem to get hotter (and start sooner) every year, keeping cool in side becomes a priority for homeowners. You can crank up the air conditioning, but what you may not realize is that a more efficient and stylish solution is getting new window treatments. These not only help regulate tem perature but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, both inside and out.
When it comes to finding a company that meets all your window treatment needs, Budget Blinds of North Tampa & Land O’Lakes stands out. Owned by Wesley Chapel residents Adriane and Mike Wonder lin, the local franchise on W. Fletcher Ave. (near I-275) in Tampa offers personalized consultation services. Whether you visit their showroom or invite a Budget Blinds consult ant into your home, you can choose from the company’s huge variety to find the perfect window treatments that align with your budget and style preferences.
Adriane says, “Many people think blinds are expensive, but we offer a wide selection that can fit any budget.” Mike, with more than 30 years of experience in the business, and Adriane have expanded their service area from San Antonio to Palmetto and now Lakeland. Their showroom is a hub for exploring various styles, although in-home
consultations remain a key part of Budget Blinds’ services.
“Our consultant will come to your home and help you pick out just the right style and material,” says Adriane.
Employing a team of about 40 people, the Wonderlins are looking to expand further
by hiring additional administrative staff and installers in Tampa. Adriane encourages anyone reading this story to contact her (see contact information at the end of the story) if interested or looking for more information.
The Wonderlins just came back from the Budget Blinds Expo called “Shaping
Our Future Together in Grapevine, TX, and shared that the most recent trends in the industry have not changed.
“Motorization is still one of the most popular features with customers,” Adriane says. “One older trend that is making a comeback, are draperies. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, the trend was draperies, but for many years since then, it’s been blinds or shades. However, over the last couple of years, draperies have made a comeback. The difference is that now, shades and blinds are accompanied by draperies — all of which are motorized.”
The landscape of the window treatment industry has seen some notable changes, especially with the rising popularity of motorized blinds. For example, “In Canada,” Adriane notes, “a law mandates motorized blinds for safety, prohibiting the sale of homes with corded blinds.” While the U.S. has not adopted this regulation, Budget Blinds educates customers on the benefits of motorized blinds, anticipating potential future legislation.
Adriane and her outstanding sales team are always happy to run down the variety of blinds available, including vinyl, wood, fabric, faux wood and aluminum. Adding draperies for accent can enhance the look with a pop of color. Budget Blinds ‘ drapery specialist Cheryl Visalli, who has a degree in interior design, assists customers in choosing the perfect drapes to complement their blinds or shades.
See “Budget Blinds” on pg. 34
O’Lakes for an in-home design consultation. (All photos on these pages provided by Adriane Wonderlin)
‘Budget Blinds’
Among those who appreciate not only Budget Blinds’ selection, but the service she has received, is customer Tina Marie, who said in one of the hundreds of 5-Star Google reviews the franchise has received, “We had our beautiful blinds installed today after about 6 weeks of initial contact with this company. We could not have been more happy! Luis was our installer and made it extremely easy from beginning to end! He was very professional, (we were) impressed with how quiet he was with the installation of all rooms and cleaned up like he wasn’t even here. Also very quick on installing the entire house, our home having 13 windows. I’m very impressed and excited and I will definitely recommend this company as they are the BEST!”
The Wonderlins actively market their services through advertisements (including in the Neighborhood News), highlighting the benefits of upgrading from builder-grade window treatments. The company offers a buy-one-get-halfoff-deal, appealing to those looking to enhance efficiency and aesthetics, as well as 12-month interest-free financing.
For those who prefer shades, the many options include roller, pleated, Roman, woven wood, bamboo, sheer, solar, or graphic varieties, along with an assortment of panels, valances and drapes.
Also available are shutters, made from wood or composite materials, remain a popu-
lar choice in Florida due to their durability and innovative designs like the invisible tilt feature, which offers an unobstructed view.
Even the motorization trend has new advancements that makthese systems more affordable and quieter. “Smart Homes,” says Adriane, “benefit greatly from improved motorization features.” This technology is particularly useful for Florida homes with large or high windows, allowing homeowners to easily manage light and heat.
Businesses also benefit from motorized window treatments, which can be set on timers or controlled via smartphone, remote, wall switch, or voice command. About 70 percent of Budget Blinds’ orders now feature motorized options.
Budget Blinds, founded in 1992 in Orange County, CA, has grown to more than 1,000 franchises across the U.S. and Canada.
The Wonderlins’ North Tampa franchise, pur chased in 2018, earned Budget Blinds’ national Franchise of the Year award in 2020, marking the franchise’s third such honor since 2016.
Beyond business, Adriane and Mike are committed to community involvement. They partner with Homes for Our Troops, provid ing window treatments for homes built for permanently disabled military personnel.
To schedule a complimentary in-home Budget Blinds consultation, call (813) 968-5050. For more information, follow “BudgetBlindsofGreaterTampa” on Facebook or Instagram, visit BudgetBlinds. com/NorthTampa or see the ad on pg. 39.
Dr. Martha Tapia — Why This Former NYC Cop Should Be Your Therapist!
By Gary Nager
by Charmaine George
Martha Tapia, Ph.D., and her Community Family Counseling provides family counseling to help with a variety of mental and emotional issues for children, adults, couples and families. She also is a certified clinical hypnotherapist who can help people dealing with post-traumatic stress, anger and depression. She approaches every case she handles holding firm to her deep commitment to her Chris tian faith. She brings her own unique background and training to her job and has helped many people in the three years she has worked as a therapist, since moving to Florida from New York in 2016.
When I say unique, I’m guessing that most psychotherapists in our area probably were not working as a New York City police officer when 9/11 changed life in the United State forever. But, Martha was at Ground Zero the day after the towers fell, only two years after joining the police academy.
“I missed the last police van to go to Ground Zero that day, so they kept me patrolling on Staten Island until the next morning,” she says.
“The things I saw and smelled those days,” she says. “No one should have to see that. The body bags, the devastation. There’s no doubt that I had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after what I saw and went through because of 9/11.”
“A lot of the kids of those first responders are having health issues, too,” she says. “But that’s not something that most people talk about.”
Like so many who worked at Ground Zero, Martha developed major health issues, including severe asthma, which she was diagnosed with in 2005, only three+ years later. She was pregnant with her daughter Marlene when she had issues with the pregnancy, especially great difficulty breathing. Marlene also has been diagnosed with asthma.
“Breathing that air and eating food with white ashes that we would just wipe off, eat and keep working — we were all poisoning ourselves. Many of my fellow officers and firefighters lost their lives to the cancers and illnesses we were all dealing with.”
Martha did end up retiring from the police force, but not until 2008, while working at Precinct 50 in The Bronx, after trying to arrest a suspect and having multiple people end up on top of her, herniating two of the discs in her back. “They put me
on medication for my back, but it reacted with the asthma medication I was taking and I got more sick from it,” she says. “I went into a deep depression because I didn’t know how I would be able to take care of my kids. I just knew I had to survive for them.”
With her early retirement, Martha went on to become a leader of a Girl Scout troop and went back to church, where she became a volunteer in the women’s group. “I couldn’t just be retired,” she says. “I had to stay busy.”
Two years later, she met and married her husband John Bevilacqua, who worked for a labor union, but when he retired in 2016, they did their research
and ended up buying a house in Wesley Chapel. Martha and John have seven children and a grandson (named Zion) between them — Martha’s sons Matthew and Adam and her daughter Marlene. She also raised her niece Keren and nephew Phillip. Her other nephew Geovanny, who is a autistic, but high-functioning and in his 40s, and John’s daughter Madison also live with them.
More Trauma & A Life Change
“I understood what happened to me after 9/11,” Martha says. “What I didn’t know is how that trauma affected my older son Matthew. He was only 8 years old at the time and he had a panic attack because he was so worried about me. He was diagnosed with anxiety, so we put him in counseling, but eventually, they said he was fine.”
Unfortunately, Matthew’s anxiety resurfaced in high school and got even worse with each move the family made and worst of all when the family moved to Florida. when he was in his 20s.
“Matthew was having panic attacks all the time — he was afraid of dying —and all anyone did was put him on medication, which made him sick. I knew I had to find another way.”
That different way came in the form of Dr. Henry Castellanos, a Bible-based “Theo-Therapist” who was preaching at Martha’s Spanish-speaking church in Zephyrhills. Dr. Castellanos, an expert in what is known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) therapy, is from Puerto Rico and he teaches EMDR therapy at the Ecotheos International University Bible College & Seminary he owns in Toa Baja, PR.
“Once I learned about how EMDR therapy
See “Dr. Martha” on pg. 38.
north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, can help children, adults, couples and families with a variety of issues, from PTSD to chronic pain, with her unique combination of experience and. she says, her faith in God.
Photos
terfly hug,” which is used worldwide.
works from Dr. Castellanos and he tried it with Matthew, I saw how effective it was and I knew I needed to find out more.”
Martha asked people to hook her up with Dr. Castellanos so she could learn more about EMDR and she sat and talked about it with him at an event.
“I told him I was desperate to figure out how to help my son,” she says. “He’s about to lose it and I’m afraid he’s going to end up in a mental institution.”
Martha ended up bringing Dr. Castellanos to her house because Matthew was still in her car having a panic attack. “He said his English was not very good, so he would need someone to be the translator between him and Matthew, so of course, I agreed to be the translator.” Martha is from Ecuador, so she was fluent in Spanish and, since she had lived in New York since age 16, she also is fluent in English and her Latin accent makes everything she says in English sound better.
She says that where eight other therapists had failed, Dr. Castellanos was able to get through to Matthew with EMDR.
“We took a family cruise to Puerto Rico, so I told my husband to take the kids to the beach because I was going to take Matthew to see Dr. Castellanos again at the University. He did a few intensive sessions with him and I saw an instant change in my son. He totally healed him and Matthew has never had that type of anxiety since then.”
In 2019, she decided that since she was retired and was looking for something to do, she would enroll online at Ecotheos University to get her degree in Christian Clinical Counseling. She also attended two one-week sessions in person at the University, where she became certified in EMDR by Dr. Lucina Artigas, the creator of what is known in EMDR as the “but-
At the same time, Martha and John were opening Martha’s Grill & Bar in Dade City, but when that shut down due to Covid in 2020, she decided to fully dedicate herself to becoming a therapist. In Oct. 2021, she had earned her Ph.D. degree (graduating Summa Cum Laude Philosophy Counseling and Theo-Therapy Systemic Therapy. She also is certified with the International Reciprocity Board of Therapeutic Professionals (IRBO) Therapeutic Family Counselor II and has earned a Certificate of Completion as an EMDR Therapist for Children & Adolescents.
To enhance her skills as a therapist, she also began studying how hypnotherapy also can help patients and, in 2022, she was certified as a Hypnotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist by the Institute of Hypnotherapy in Tampa. Earlier this year, she also has added ZYTO Link scan services, which uses your smartphone to scan your face and read the biometrics and emotions that help people improve their wellness while working on their negative emotions that needs to be addressed.
“We recommend selective natural products that assist your body and lifestyle system to help your body feel healthier and have an energetic balance,” Martha says, adding that her daughter Keren Bolanos is the ZYTO Link technician, who handles the scans. She wasn’t planing to open a private practice, “but my husband convinced me that I could do it,” Martha says. “And, here I am!”
Therefore, if an outside company asks if you want a plaque made of your story — and their name isn’t Jannah or Gary Nager — please tell them “No.”
To order a plaque of your Business Feature or any other story, call (813) 910-2575 or email Jannah or Gary at ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com.
Starting with counseling only for individuals, she says that she believes that God shifted her direction, “like he wanted me to do this. I wouldn’t be where I am if not for Him.”
“I wanted to specialize in helping kids, with EMDR and Play Therapy, that’s why I got my child EMDR certification,” she says. “But somehow, my practice has evolved into nearly 80% marriage and couples therapy. The Christian base helps a lot with that, as long as both partners are still wanting to stay together. I help them find common ground.”
With all of these tools at her disposal, Martha says she is proud to be able to help people, “one family at a time. It’s OK to feel angry. It’s OK to feel sad. It’s not OK when it lingers.”
As for her foray into clinical hypnotherapy, Martha says that, “Sometimes, you have to go deeper with people, reach their subconscious mind and hypnotherapy is a relaxation technique. Especially as a Christian, hypnotherapy gets a bad rap, but I have used it to help so many people. It allows me to get to a deeper level with them.” And, never fear, you never lose consciousness and Dr. Martha won’t turn you
“Some people do get stuck with EMDR, but hypnotherapy helps me get you un-stuck,” she says. “It’s just good to have many options to help people.”
Martha also wanted me to mention that she is very committed to her new church — the new Paradise Community Church on Boyette Rd. She also occasionally posts on Facebook that she hosts Christian-based events at her home.
I can give a personal testimonial about Dr. Martha. Jannah had some PTSD of her own following the serious car accident we had in 2017. She had spoken with other therapists since then because driving on the highway since then had terrorized her.
But, two hypnosis and EMDR sessions with Dr. Martha seems to have helped her get over her panic while being a passenger in a car. Hearing how much better she’s doing made Martha very happy.
“I just love helping people,” she says.
Dr. Martha Tapia’s Community Family Counseling is located at 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., For appointments and more info, call (813) 8035968 or visit CommunityFamilyCounselor.com.
Dr. Martha can provide both hypnotherapy (left) and traditional psychotherapy to help adults, children & couples.
The Glazer Children’s Museum — A Fun Place To Go With Your Kids This Summer!
Gary Nager
So, the summer heat is in full swing and with that heat comes rain, hurricanes, lightning, bugs and other deterrents to spending all of your time with your kids outside, but where can you take them for a fun day — any day — in air-conditioned comfort?
I suggest a trip to the Glazer Children’s Museum, located in the heart of downtown Tampa’s Arts District, right near the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and the Tampa Museum of Art.
I had two reasons for wanting to visit the Glazer Museum. The first was that Jannah and I were going to be babysitting our young grandchildren — 4-1/2-year-old Rosie and her 15-month-old brother Gio — for five days and there’s only so much pool, TV/screen and dining out time this Grammie and Grampa can handle without having something to do and Gio isn’t old enough yet to sit through a movie, much less Busch Gardens or (gulp) Disney.
The second motivation was the fact that the museum was hosting a new traveling, temporary exhibit that first opened in May — the “Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit.” Even my sons, now both in their 30s, grew up being read, and then reading themselves, Carle’s most famous book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and when I saw the promotional photos for the exhibit, with giant versions of each page that kids can walk through, I thought the opportunity was too good to pass up — especially at only $18 per person.
But, while Rosie enjoyed the Carle exhibit — especially standing in front of the butterfly wings of Carle’s transformed caterpillar and tromping through the tall grass like the author’s The Very Clumsy Click Beetle — Gio was too young to appreciate it and even Rosie found almost everything else at the museum to be more interesting — and fun!
Something For Every Young’n!
While I refuse to call them “littles,” there’s no doubt that if you have children from toddler age up to at least 6-8 years old and maybe as high as age 10, there truly are many things all of them will enjoy at the Glazer Children’s Museum.
On the first floor, your journey begins
(Above) If your kids love The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other books by Eric Carle, the Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa is hosting the traveling “Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit” through September 8. (Top right) Even before you get inside, your kids will know a big, fun time awaits them! (Above right) Your kids will love tromping through the tall grass like Carle’s The Very Clumsy Click Beetle (Bottom right) Gio thinks shopping carts are just so much fun, whether they have food in them or not!
with “Tugboat Tots,” where the kids get to steer a mini tugboat, “fish” off a mini-pier and play “I Spy” with an ocean mural. There also is an open play space for kids ages 3 and under that Gio loved, especially the “tasty” blocks (photo on next page). Rosie put on a smock and played not only with gliding boats through the water, but also with light and sound on the colorful “Light Cloud” piano, which also is on the first floor.
But, the second level was probably both of the kids’ favorite. It started with a visit to
a farm, where Rosie sat on a pig statue’s back and bottle-fed it and got to “milk” a cow statue (with fairly life-like udders), while Gio gathered tomatoes and oranges in a wheelbarrow and walked around with them. From there, Gio spent a lot of time checking out the “Safety Village,” where he could put groceries at the Publix supermarket in a shopping cart (he thought the empty cart, above, was super-fun, too!), sit in a fire
Story & photos by
See “Glazer Museum” on pg. 42.
truck at the firehouse and play with stuffed animals at the “Vet Clinic.” Rosie first checked out the Eric Carle exhibit and then flew off to the two-story-tall, fully-enclosed “Water’s Journey Climber,” where she climbed way up high (tentatively at first, but she caught on fast) and then loved the journey back down even more!
Rosie also got very into the “Family Play Project” area, where she cut and pasted different paper and fabric swatches to create a unique artwork.
Both kids enjoyed the “Twinkle Stars Theater,” where Rosie tried on costumes and Gio loved banging the buttons that controlled the lights and sound on the theater’s stage.
Rosie then found the “Vet Clinic,” where she looked at pretend X-rays of some stuffed animals and then took time to properly groom them with a blow drying hose.
Rosie also felt like a big girl while sliding down the fire pole at the firehouse and watching her skeleton move along with her on “Skelevision” at the “Hospital” sponsored by St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Among her favorite exhibits on the second floor, though, were the “Pizza Place” — where she created and “cooked” a pizza of her own design in the oven that looks hot, but isn’t — and the “Ice Cream Parlour,” where she made a two-scoop cone for Grampa and a cup of ice cream with toppings for Grammie.
On To Big John!
The third level of the Glazer Children’s Museum is where you’ll find “Big John,” purported to be the “world’s largest” triceratops.
The 66-million-year-old fossilized dino, which is on loan for three years from Tampa-based businessman Siddhartha Pagidipati, is the focal point of the museum’s dinosaur exhibit. Big John was reportedly reconstructed in less than a week upon his arrival to the museum.
Gio had a blast playing with the plastic dinosaurs and popping out of a dinosaur egg, while Rosie properly matched bone shapes to a small version of Big John’s skeleton. Both kids also got a kick of weighing themselves against Big John’s 10-ton weight.
Of course, by now, the children had to visit the cute store back on the ground floor, where we bought them a mini-copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a transparent car filled with plastic dinosaurs.
The museum also has a great private room for hosting kids’ birthday parties.
Hop On The Pirate Water Taxi!
Of course, after this three-hour romp, the kids were tired and hungry and, since we parked in the lot next to the museum, we were able to walk down to the Hillsborough River at the adjacent Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and catch a ride on the Pirate Water Taxi (bottom right photo on next page) that took us upstream to Armature Works — only one stop away. Because we’re Florida residents, adults can stop at all 16 of
the Pirate Water Taxi stops all day for $26, while children ages 2-12 can ride all day for $16 (those under age 2 ride for free). Rosie thought it was so cool that she was riding a boat since her parents were on a cruise while we were watching them!
More About The Glazer Museum
The 53,000-sq.-ft. Glazer Children’s Museum opened in 2010 after a $22-million capital campaign, with construction begin-
ning in 2009. It was named in honor of the Glazer Family Foundation, which donated $5 million. The Foundation, at that time led by Edward Glazer and his brother Bryan, was founded by their father, the late Malcolm Glazer, who was the owner and president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Manchester United Football Club.
The Glazer Children’s Museum dates back to Tampa’s original Safety Village,
If you can’t tell that these kids (including the big one with the glasses) are having fun during their visit to the Glazer Children’s Museum, maybe you should have your eyes checked! Unfortunately, I coudn’t fit pictures of every exhibit on these pages, so you and your family will have to go check them all out for yourself!
located in Lowry Park, which opened in 1965. According to the museum’s website, the museum’s Mission is to “create and foster engaging, impactful PLAY experiences for children and families to learn and thrive.” Its Vision is “a community that values PLAY as the foundation for the learning and development of families across generations.”
All I can tell you is that it is a super-fun place and a great way to spend a day with your children or grandchildren.
The Glazer Children’s Museum is located at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza in downtown Tampa. A “Playmaker Membership” costs just $250 ($55 tax deductible) and includes 12 months of play for up to six members, access to members-only events and other discounts. For more information, including everything about memberships and donations, call (813) 443-3861 or visit GlazerMuseum.org. For the Pirate Water Taxi, visit PirateWaterTaxi.com.
Although our 2023 Reader Dining Survey & Contest was super successful, we’re changing up the format for this year’s contest yet again. Instead of putting up different categories every issue, we’re going back to showing you the lists of every local or small chain restaurant in a number of categories in both Wesley Chapel (see next page) and New Tampa (see pg. 47) and asking you to name your favorites in each category. One difference is that unlike previous years, you can skip as many categories as you like, but we’re grouping the lists of restaurant by type. On the next page, here are those categories:
1) Your Five Favorite (overall) Restaurants in Wesley Chapel (WC)
2) Your Favorite American Restaurant in Wesley Chapel
3) Your Favorite Pizza Place in WC
These same categories also appear on the New Tampa ballot on pg. 47. Both entry forms also include lists of places that ask you to pick your Favorite in New Tampa (NT) AND Wesley Chapel, often (but not always) because there aren’t enough in a certain category in just one of our distribution areas. Here are those other categories:
1) You Favorite Mexican Place in NT/ WC
2) Your Favorite Latin (but not Mexican) Restaurant in NT/WC
3) Your Favorite Chinese Place in NT/WC
4) Your Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT & WC
5) Your Favorite Thai or Korean Restaurant in NT/WC
6) Your Favorite Italian Food in NT/WC
7) Your Favorite Greek or Mediterranean Restaurant in NT/WC
8) Your Favorite Indian Place in NT/WC
9) Your Favorite Breakfast Place in NT/WC
9) Your Favorite Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt or Gelato Place in NT/WC
10) Your Favorite Bakery in NT/WC
11) Your Favorite Coffee Shop in NT/WC
We’re providing the list of places, although we’ve left out the large national and regional chains (with more than 50-60 total locations), because you have to write (or type) the names of your favorites in the spaces provided and we’re pretty sure you know those if they’re your favorite in a category — and yes, you can still include them (we just wish you would focus on local).
Fill out as many categories as you like, but please don’t put the same name in every category, because those votes won’t be counted and if a restaurant is on our Wesley Chapel list, your vote won’t count if you write the name of that restaurant in any New Tampa’-only spaces and vice-versa. You can submit both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel ballots without being DQed. We have upped the prizes for this year — the Grand Prize is now $200, plus prizes of $100 and $50, chosen at random from among all correctly-filled-out entries received by email or on our NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net website (Note-no U.S. Mail entries will be accepted for this year’s contest!) by Friday, October 18 Good luck! — GN
WESLEY CHAPEL
My Five Favorite (Overall) Restaurants in WC (Only):
American Restaurants (WC Only)
Bacon Boss HQ
Bagelicious & More
Bahama Breeze
Bebo’s Cheesesteaks
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Brunchies
Bubba’s 33
Burger Monger
Chick’n Fun
Chuck Lager America’s Tavern
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Dempsey’s Too (Saddlebrook)
Dummy Crabby
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Flipn’ Fries
Florida Ave. Brewing Co.
Ford’s Garage
Garden Grille (Hilton Garden Inn)
Glory Days Grill
Green Market Café
Grillsmith
Grove Mini-Golf
Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli
Main Event
Marquee Suites (B&B Theatres)
Noble Crust
O’Brien’s Irish Pub
Omari’s Bar & Grill (Lexington Oaks GC)
Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles
Pinchers Crab Shack
PopStroke
Retro Dogs
Rock & Brews
Shake-A-Salad
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
Skybox Rooftop Bar (Residence Inn)
The Living Room
The Placery (Hyatt Place Hotel)
Top Shelf Sports Grille (AH Center Ice)
TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar
Tropics (Saddlebrook)
Winghouse Bar & Grill
My Favorite American Restaurant in Wesley Chapel Is______________
Pizza Places (WC Only)
900º New York Pizza
900º Woodfired Pizza
Amici Pizza
Best NY Pizza
Blush Wine Room (flatbreads)
Bosco’s Italian-to-Go
Caprese Pizza House
Fratelli’s Pizza & Café
Mama B’s Pizzeria
Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market
New York New York Pizza
Pasta di Guy (flatbreads)
PizzaMania
My Favorite Pizza Place in Wesley Chapel Is______________
Mexican Restaurants (NT & WC)
Azteca D’Oro
Cantina Mexican Grill
Don Julio’s
Los Vallartas
Señor Tequila
Taco Bus
Taco Son
Tacos el Patron
My Favorite Mexican Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Latin (but not Mexican) Restaurants (NT & WC)
Arepa Mia
Chamo Bites
Cross Creek Gourmet
Don Pan International Bakery
Hummingbird Jamaican Cuisine
La Creacion Xpress
Las Palmas Latin Grille
Latin Twist Café
Lima Peruvian Cuisine
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Mojo Grill
Mpanitas Restaurant
Pisco Express
Rhythm Pon de Grille (Jamaican)
Rice N Beans Express
Rice N Beans Puerto Rico
My Favorite Latin (but not Mexican)
Restaurant in NT/WC is_______________
Chinese Restaurants (NT & WC)
Asian Buffet
China City
China Gourmet
China One
China Wok
Gonna China
Ho King
Hot Wok 88
Ho Wok
Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine
New China King
Rain Bistro
Shang Hai
My Favorite Chinese Restaurant in NT or WC Is_____________________
Japanese/Sushi Places (NT/WC)
Asian Buffet
Ato Sushi
Bluefin Sushi
Bonsai Sushi
Crazy Sushi
FJ Express
Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi
Ha Long Bay
Hibachi Express
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery
Michi Ramen
Poké Island Plus
Poké Lulu
Sushi Avenue
Sushi Café
Sushi Haru (Lotte Plaza Market)
Sushi Raw
Tasty Ramen
Thai Lanna
Token Ramen & Tea
Tokyo Grill & Sushi
Umu Japanese & Thai
Yamato Japanese Steak House
Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill
My Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Thai/Korean Places (NT & WC)
Arroy Thai
bb.q chicken (Lotte Plaza Market)
MyungGa Gyo-dong (Lotte Plaza Market)
Ha Long Bay
Jaws Topokki (Lotte Plaza Market)
Palm Thai
SGD Dubo (Lotte Plaza Market)
Thai Lanna
Thai Ruby
My Favorite Thai/Korean Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Italian Restaurants (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
900º New York Pizza
900º Woodfired Pizza
Amici Pizza
Best NY Pizza
Blush Wine Room
Bosco’s Italian-to-Go
Cali Tampa Palms
Caprese Pizza House
El Pasta & More
Falabella Family Bistro
Frammi American Grille & Italian Food
Fratelli’s Pizza & Café
Johnny C’s Italian Eatery
Mama B’s Pizzeria
Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market
New York New York Pizza
Pasta di Guy
PizzaMania
Taste of NY Pizza
Via Italia
Westshore Pizza
My Favorite Italian Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Greek/Mediterranean Restaurants (NT & WC)
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Al-Sham Palace
Cafe Zorba
El Prince Mediterranean
Fire Up Halal Grill
Garden Mediterranean Grill
Kabob Café & Grill
Little Greek Fresh Grill
The Hungry Greek
My Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________
Indian Restaurants (NT & WC)
Bang-Bang! Bowls
Blush Wine Room
Dosa Hut
Gorkhali Kitchen (Nepalese)
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Indian Street Kitchen
Minerva Indian Restaurant
Namaste Express
Nawabi Hyderabad House
Persis Indian Grill
Saffron Indian Cuisine
Taaza Mart Café
My Favorite Indian Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________________
Breakfast Places (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
Bayscape Bistro
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Brunchies
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Happy Hangar Café
Keke’s Breakfast Café
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
The Bean Bar Co.
Tropics (Saddlebrook)
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Breakfast Place in NT or WC Is_________________
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Gelato Shops (NT & WCWC)
35 Below Ice Cream
Astro Ice Cream
Bianco Gelato
Hello Sweetness
Ice Dreammm Shop
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Ice SSScreamin
Le Macaron French Pastries
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Paleta Mia
SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Twistee Treat
Urban Sweets
My Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Gelato Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
Bakeries (NT & WC)
Bakery X
Beirut Bakery & Meat Market
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Ice Dreammm Shop
Le Macaron French Pastries
Mediterranean Market
Mochinut Donuts
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Cake Shop
Urban Sweets
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Bakery in NT or WC Is_____________
Coffee Shops (NT & WC)
Bad Ass Coffee
Coffee Latitudes
Le Macaron French Pastries
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
Raining Berries
Sorbo Coffee
The Bean Bar Co.
My Favorite Coffee Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
To enter to win up to $200 in FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice, please fill out as many of the spaces on this page as you like, plus all of the information requested on the entry form below and email a picture of the entire form to us at Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, with “Dining Contest” in the subject line of the email. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net. No purchase necessary to enter or win, but please see our website for all of the official rules.
Valid Email
NEW TAMPA (NT)
My Five Favorite (Overall) Restaurants in NT (Only):
5)__________________________________
American Restaurants (NT Only)
Bayscape Bistro
Burger 21
Cali Tampa Palms
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Fat Rabbit Pub
Frammi American Grille & Italian Food
Fresh Kitchen
Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood
Hunter’s Green Country Club
Mr. Dunderbak’s (German & Sandwiches)
Peabody’s Grill & Bar
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
Subs & Such (Livingston Ave.)
Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club
The Bean Bar Co.
The Grill at Morris Bridge
The Wexford Irish Pub
Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli Co.
My Favorite American Restaurant in New Tampa Is______________
Pizza Places (NT Only)
Cali Tampa Palms
Cappy’s Pizzeria
Capri Pizza-N-More
Johnny C’s Italian Eatery
NY Pizza Express (Livingston Ave.)
Peabody’s Grill & Bar
Taste of NY Pizza
Via Italia
Westshore Pizza
My Favorite Pizza Place in New Tampa Is______________
Mexican Restaurants (NT & WC)
Azteca D’Oro
Cantina Mexican Grill
Don Julio’s
Los Vallartas
Señor Tequila
Taco Bus
Taco Son
Tacos el Patron
My Favorite Mexican Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Latin (but not Mexican)
Restaurants (NT & WC)
Arepa Mia
Chamo Bites
Cross Creek Gourmet
Don Pan International Bakery
Hummingbird Jamaican Cuisine
La Creacion Xpress
Las Palmas Latin Grille
Latin Twist Café
Lima Peruvian Cuisine
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Mojo Grill
Mpanitas Restaurant
Pisco Express
Rhythm Pon de Grille (Jamaican)
Rice N Beans Express
Rice N Beans Puerto Rico
My Favorite Latin (but not Mexican)
Restaurant in NT/WC is_______________
Chinese Restaurants (NT & WC)
Asian Buffet
China City
China Gourmet
China One
China Wok
Gonna China
Ho King
Hot Wok 88
Ho Wok
Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine
New China King
Rain Bistro
Shang Hai
My Favorite Chinese Restaurant in NT or WC Is_____________________
Japanese/Sushi Places (NT/WC)
Asian Buffet
Ato Sushi
Bluefin Sushi
Bonsai Sushi
Crazy Sushi
FJ Express
Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi
Ha Long Bay
Hibachi Express
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery
Michi Ramen
Poké Island Plus
Poké Lulu
Sushi Avenue
Sushi Café
Sushi Haru (Lotte Plaza Market)
Sushi Raw
Tasty Ramen
Thai Lanna & Sushi
Token Ramen & Tea
Tokyo Grill & Sushi
Umu Japanese & Thai
Yamato Japanese Steak House
Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill
My Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Thai/Korean
Places (NT & WC)
Arroy Thai
bb.q chicken (Lotte Plaza Market)
MyungGa Gyo-dong (Lotte Plaza Market)
Ha Long Bay
Jaws Topokki (Lotte Plaza Market)
Palm Thai
SGD Dubo (Lotte Plaza Market)
Thai Lanna
Thai Ruby
My Favorite Thai/Korean Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Italian Restaurants (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
900º New York Pizza
900º Woodfired Pizza
Amici Pizza
Best NY Pizza
Blush Wine Room
Bosco’s Italian-to-Go
Cali Tampa Palms
Caprese Pizza House
El Pasta & More
Falabella Family Bistro
Frammi American Grille & Italian Food
Fratelli’s Pizza & Café
Johnny C’s Italian Eatery
Mama B’s Pizzeria
Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market
New York New York Pizza
Pasta di Guy
PizzaMania
Taste of NY Pizza
Via Italia
Westshore Pizza
My Favorite Italian Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Greek/Mediterranean Restaurants (NT & WC)
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Al-Sham Palace
Cafe Zorba
El Prince Mediterranean
Fire Up Halal Grill
Garden Mediterranean Grill
Kabob Café & Grill
Little Greek Fresh Grill
The Hungry Greek
My Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________
Indian Restaurants (NT & WC)
Bang-Bang! Bowls
Blush Wine Room
Dosa Hut
Gorkhali Kitchen (Nepalese)
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Indian Street Kitchen
Minerva Indian Restaurant
Namaste Express
Nawabi Hyderabad House
Persis Indian Grill
Saffron Indian Cuisine
Taaza Mart Café
My Favorite Indian Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________________
Breakfast Places (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
Bayscape Bistro
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Brunchies
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Happy Hangar Café
Keke’s Breakfast Café
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
The Bean Bar Co.
Tropics (Saddlebrook)
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Breakfast Place in NT or WC Is_________________
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Gelato Shops (NT & WCWC)
35 Below Ice Cream
Astro Ice Cream
Bianco Gelato
Hello Sweetness
Ice Dreammm Shop
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Ice SSScreamin
Le Macaron French Pastries
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Paleta Mia
SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Twistee Treat
Urban Sweets
My Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Gelato Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
Bakeries (NT & WC)
Bakery X
Beirut Bakery & Meat Market
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Ice Dreammm Shop
Le Macaron French Pastries
Mediterranean Market
Mochinut Donuts
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Cake Shop
Urban Sweets
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Bakery in NT or WC Is_____________
Coffee Shops (NT & WC)
Bad Ass Coffee
Coffee Latitudes
Le Macaron French Pastries
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
Raining Berries
Sorbo Coffee
The Bean Bar Co.
My Favorite Coffee Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
To enter to win up to $200 in FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice, please fill out as many of the spaces on this page as you like, plus all of the information requested on the entry form below and email a picture of the entire form to us at Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, with “Dining Contest” in the subject line of the email. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net. No purchase necessary to enter or win, but please see our website for all of the official rules.
Great job, Deiah & Co.! On June 14, WFTS-TV “ABC Action News” anchor Deiah Riley brought her roving “Good Morning” show back to Wesley Chapel, as she set up on the main stage at the KRATE at The Grove Container Park from 6 a.m.-10 a.m.
There were the usual great previously re corded segments with the likes of North Tampa Bay Chamber president & CEO Hope Kennedy and members of the Boyette family (one of the original citrus farming families that settled in the Wesley Chapel area) being interviewed, as well as a discussion of whether “Downtown Wesley Chapel” will actually be located in Avalon Park or the Wiregrass Ranch community and a fea ture about the increased amenities at the Wesley Chapel District Park.
But of course, what got our attention the most were the live dining segments with Riley interviewing the owners of several of the KRATEs, and roving reporter Sean Daly (right) visiting with some of the better- and lesserknown eateries in Wesley Chapel, including (top photo) the new Retro Dogs, Garden of
Scenes from ABC Action News’ “Good Morning Wesley Chapel” segments on June 14: (Clock wise from top left) Roving reporter Sean Daly visits Pasta di Guy. Anchor Deiah Riley visits with our friends from Retro Dogs and Bakery X at the KRATE at the Grove Container Park. Co-owner Adel Youussef of the Garden of Eden Olive Oil Co. at the KRATEs was featured in a segment. Daly interviews the owners of Sorbo Wesley Chapel coffee shop.
Azteca D’Oro Celebrates Its 1st Anniversary!
Congratulations go out to co-owners Victor (at right in top photo) and Armando (not pictured) Ramos and general manager Cristina Casimiro (left in same picture) of Azteca D’Oro Mexican Restaurant, which celebrated its one-year an niversary in The Shops at Wiregrass on a rainy June 29.
The authentic Mexican res taurant celebrated with live DJ Rico Smooth (below left) and an outdoor bar in front of the restaurant at 2000 Piazza Ave, Unit 170.
“We were packed earlier to day,” Victor said, “but once the rain hit, it definitely kept away a lot of people, even though it let up.”
We tried to help out by posting on our Facebook page that the an niversary party was still going on — which reached about 5,000 people — but thankfully, Azteca is still open every day for lunch and dinner (we love the made-tableside guacamole, the chicken taquitos and fajitas) and still has mariachi and Latin DJ music every Thursday night and more DJ music every Saturday night. .
For more info, call (813) 5276033, visit Aztecadoro.com or see
In case you missed it, Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant is now under new owner ship, as Jordan and Jason Scott (top photo) have purchased the popular eatery and night spot from the former partnership trio of Lee Bevan and broth ers Jamie and Joe Hess.
Jordan and Jason, the latter of whom is an accomplished pianist and musician himself who previously booked the dueling piano players that perform every Friday and Saturday (and now Thursday night, too) at Treble Makers, formally in troduced themselves to their customers on June 20.
“We’re committed to making sure the food, service and entertainment meet and exceed your expectations,” Jason said. “We do have some menu changes coming up but first, we’re working as hard as we can to make sure you always enjoy your visit to TrebleMakers.”
In the meantime, the restaurant’s cool robot server (left) will still bring you the same delicious menu items (like the baked Imperial crab dip below) many of you already know and love. And, don’t forget to try the new $8 lunch specials!
For more information about Treble Makers (6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.), including the new $8 lunch menu items, call (813) 406-4371, visit
Indian Street Kitchen Opens In The KRATES!
We told you last issue that the Chicken Boss was being replaced at the KRATEs by Indian Street Kitchen, the faster-food concept from owners Harry and his brother Mike Patel from Persis Indian Grill, the instant hit that opened earlier this year next to Double Branch Brewing in the Village at The Grove.
Well, the new Indian KRATE opened just in time for the June 28 R&B Only Night (see story on pg. 1) and although we didn’t end up sampling the cuisine that night, the new eatery is indeed now serving “every type of Indian street food,” as promised by the Patels.
In addition to the Masala wings shown here, Indian Street Kitchen has everything from chicken nuggets to egg and spring rolls to paneer (cheese) and chicken tikka rolls to vada pav (deep-fried potato dumpling slider sandwiches), crunch corn and even Masala calamari, to name just a few — and nothing on the menu costs more than $11.99!
The next time you visit The Grove or the KRATEs, stop in at Indian Street Kitchen (5888 Grand Oro Ln., Suite 110, Unit 34) to check out this new fast
(Above) Harry (left) & Mike Patel have opened Indian Street Kitch
Woodfired & Two Others Close In Palms Connection Plaza & More
With our 2024 Reader Dining Survey & Contest beginning this issue (see pgs. 44-47), the New Tampa dining scene continues to evolve, with more closings, openings and rumors than ever.
First, for the bad news: In the Palms Connection plaza on Bearss Ave. just west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., fired Pizza & Wine Bar, Bearss Tavern & Tap and Mint Cocktail Club (the latter two both owned by Cody Jay), are all now permanently closed. Woodfired Pizza owner Peter Taylor said that his popular place closed because of a huge increase in common area maintenance charges at the plaza, which is a tremendous loss.
As for new openings, although it isn’t a restaurant at all, Bull Liquors & recently re-opened in its new space in the Acropolis Greek Taverna-anchored Oak Ramble Plaza on BBD, south of Tampa Palms. The original Bull Liquors was located in the same plaza, in a much smaller space near Papa John’s Pizza and Jersey Mike’s Subs, but the new location — which took close to a year to get open — is in the plaza’s other end cap, where the last business in there was a check-cashing place, but which also has been home to four restaurants — the first being the Louis Pappas Market Café and the last being Takara Sushi & Sake
The new Bull Liquors (at 14913 BBD) is a much larger, nicer location with a good selection of fine wines and spirits, as well as a walk-in cigar
For more info, call (813) 513-8941.
Our next stop is the Publix-anchored New
Tampa Center plaza on BBD, just north of New Tampa/Cross Creek Blvd, where a new sign recently went up announcing that Everbowl is planning to open in the plaza’s space just north of Publix. Everbowl, a California-based chain of healthy bowl eateries (think Grain & Berry) with about 90 locations in 24 states, has only one other Florida location, near the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, but its Everbowl.com website promises a wide variety of bowls featuring Açai, granola, fresh fruit, peanut butter, chia pudding, blue majik (naturally blue-colored spirulina), Coco Love coconut water, Cacao Wow and other healthy, all-natural flavors.
I was surprised to not find a “Coming Soon” on the website for the location, but a spokesperson for the UCF Everbowl said that the franchisee for that location didn’t know about or ask for a
Speaking of healthier eating, two different health-conscious concepts that recently closed in the Winn-Dixie and LA Fitness-anchored The Cypress plaza tucked in off BBD at the corner of County Line Rd. are both in the process of being replaced.
The one we know for sure is happening is that Coffee Latitudes, which currently has a popular kiosk at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, is planning to open the Coffee Latitudes Coffee & Wine Bar in the former location of Juice Factory (at 6431 E. County Line Rd., Suite 110, next to Max’s Pets).
But, all we can tell you about the other vacant space, that previously was home to Island Fin Poké Co., is that the replacement could be a popular healthy eatery at the KRATE at The Grove Container Park. Again, we’ll keep you posted. — GN
WEDNESDAY
(Dine-in or Take-Out)
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TREE SERVICES
FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27 yrs of Prof. Svc. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Stump Grinding. Dead-Wood Removal. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.
LAWN, & LANDSCAPING_____
JOHN IDEAL LAWN & LANDSCAPES. We provide all normal lawn & landscaping svcs: •Mow •Edge •Turf Trim •Air-Sweep •Right-of-Way Weed Control •Bed Edging •Resod •Design Your Lawn •Mulch •Shrub Trim/Shape •Hedge Trim •Yard Cleanup. “For no lawn stress, just join John’s Curb Appeal Success!” Save 12%/mo for 6 mos w/a 1-yr contract. Call Maitland John @ 813.327.1039.
ALL DIMENSIONS LANDSCAPE & EXTERIORS, LLC. Complete resid’l & comm’l landscape, hardscape & softscape. Mulch & decorative stone. Patios, decks, retaining walls, property maintenance & lawn care. Sod & lawn install’n, artificial turf, fencing, railings, soft & hard pressure washing, painting. We do anything exterior. Call (724) 541-2535 or (813) 485-6661 for a 25% discount on labor & materials.
J’S CUTTING EDGE LAWN SERVICE — Over 5 years of quality full lawn care and landscaping services at affordable rates, Including Mowing, Edging, Trimming, Blowing, Cleanups & more. Call or Text 813-842-7753 for your free quote today.
TRANSPORTATION _
AIRPORT SHUTTLE SVC. C&R Transporta-tion Services of Tampa Bay, LLC, is a shuttle service that provide safe & reliable transportation to & 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.
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 2023 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $45 (one way). Cory Lake Isles resident. For more info, call or text 813.765.2037.
REAL ESTATE & OFFICE
Steven Kessel, REALTOR® with Future Home Realty, Inc., has created just for you, the most advanced up-to-date, user-friendly property search engine for homes for sale in the Tampa Bay and Central Florida area. And it’s FREE for you to use and enjoy. BuyYourDreamHome.com.
For Rent — Three BR, fully furnished ground floor condominium in Anand Vihar, a beautiful independent living, gated community in the lovely Wesley Chapel area in Tampa, Florida. Beautiful Club House, with a gym, swimming pool, game room, auditorium and a dining hall. Lunch or dinner Meal plans are available If needed. Contact Dinesh @ 716-830-7260
If your long-running Classified ad is no longer listed on this page, please call (813) 910-2575 with a payment to re-start your ad. Also call if you believe your ad being pulled was an error on our part.
MISCELLANEOUS
SHARPENING SERVICE. Knives, Scissors & Garden Tools. Prices/Services & Calendar of venues available @ mmsharpening.com. Every Fri, 9am-4pm, Oct 4, 2024 - March 28, 2025. In front of: CROSS CREEK MOBIL MART (10865 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa). Contact - M&M SHARPENING - Mark Bertsche - 518-260-5916.
CNA/HHA & Companion. Will provide private care in your home. 25+ years of exp. References available upon request. Call Rhonda at 850-586-1868.
Prof’l Resume Guru & Consulting Services LLC. Ready to unlock your full career potential? At PRG, we specialize in resumes, cover letters, residency statements, editing & much more! Transform your documents into a powerful tool that gets you noticed! Contact us today @ 813-405-5065 or email resume_guru@outlook.com.
Equip yourself with the skills to stay safe! Register for 2A Rated Training for self-defense training classes. Our NRA Certified Instructors provide training to help you gain confidence & proficiency to protect yourself & loved ones responsibly. Don’t compromise your safety. Visit our website & register at 2ARatedTraining.com. Train with us. Empower yourself. Email: info@2ARatedTraining.com.
RAYSPHOTOGRAPHS LLC! Do you have a special occasion/moment you’d like to capture? Specializing in weddings, engagements, portraits, headshots & events, allow me to capture the moments that matter most to you! Visit raysphotographs.com for samples. Call/text (813) 380-2655 or email ray@raysphotographs.com. Mention this ad & receive 20% off!
360 BOOKKEEPING LLC - We focus on your Bookkeeping so you can focus on your Business. Est’d business? We’ll clean up your books to get you back on track. New Business? We can set up your chart of accounts to get you organized & efficient. Call now & get peace of mind—plus 20% off set-up fees—(813) 336-1363.
Hughes School of Music accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory w/a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also avail.! Contact us at 813-748-3216.
COMPUTER SERVICES ____
PROF’L TECH SUPPORT in your home or small biz. A+ Cert. computer tech w/25 years of exp. Maint. & Repairs, Upgrades & Tutoring. More affordable than chains! Friendly, personal svc. Tech jargon explained. Remote assistance & refs. avail. Call (813) 957-8342 for a free estimate!
CLEANING SERVICES
ROSE’S CLEANING SERVICE. We make sure your home will be shiny & clean. Whether you need onetime, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly services, we will customize a plan that accommodates your needs. Residential/offices/airBnB,etc. Call or text Roseli for a free estimate anytime: 813 400.4946. Or, email:rrduar@yahoo.com.
NEXT HOME CLEANING. With over 20 years of professional house & office cleaning services available. Trustworthy, efficient, and affordable. Transform your space into a spotless sanctuary. Eco-friendly products. Satisfaction guaranteed. Book now & enjoy a pristine home! FREE ESTIMATES! Contact us today at 813-860-1524 or visit our website nexthomecleaningservices.com.
YOU HAVE IT MAID CLEANING SERVICES. Give yourself the time that you deserve. We are reliable & have 20 years of exp., with references. Licensed. Call for an estimate — 727.900.3844.
ANA PARRA HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES. Prof’l House Cleaning — Best prices & quality,.Licensed & Insured. Routine, Deep & Move-In/Move-Out cleaning. Serving New Tampa /Lutz/Wesley Chapel & more. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or special needs. Avail. Mon-Sat. Refs avail. We supply our own cleaning products & equipmt. Call or text for free est: (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: 813462-1270. Local refs. 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 813 790-8715 or email patycleaningservice@hotmail.com.
CLEANSWEEP CLEANING COMPANY LLC, Fully licensed & bonded, 8 years of exp., satisfaction guaranteed. Professional staff. On-time. We can bring our own products or use yours, if you prefer. We are a Christian-based, family-owned company that lives in the New Tampa area, serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Call (813) 340-0908 for a no-obligation free quote. Ask for John.
SPRING SPECIAL - 10% OFF! All Tampa Total Ceanng Services, including: Tile & Grout Cleaned, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaned & Deodorized, House Cleaning - Routine, Move-out & Deep Cleaning. Plus, get a FREEbottle of our Multi-Purpose Surface Cleaner! Call or Text: 813.785.3315 - tampatotalcleaning@gmail.com. TampaTotalCleaning.com.
