Volume 32 Issue 4 February 20, 2024
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Massive Two Rivers Development Taking Shape Is The Two Rivers Development Expanding Both Wesley Chapel & New Tampa To East Of Morris Bridge Rd.?
EDITORIAL
Tell us why you want to ‘Leap Into The Next 30 years” of Neighborhood News with Gary! See page 3
Wesley
Future Although I had heard of Two Rivers before Chapel Lennar Elem Sch DR now, I didn’t really take notice of it until I saw a billHomes S.R. 56 Homes board on S.R. 54 near mine and Jannah’s apartment Future (which has a Land O’Lakes address) that proclaimed Comm’l Two Rivers as a “New Community — Wesley Chapel.” What? Did I somehow miss that Two Rivers was actually west of Morris Bridge Rd.? Coming The answer is a resounding “No,” but the 2024 community is being marketed as basically an extension of Wesley Chapel — and who could blame the Zephyrdeveloper or the home builders? hills According to its promotional materials, Two Rivers is “near Wesley Chapel” and will “give residents a best-of-both-worlds living experience.” Pasco Two Rivers will feature more than 7,500 planned County residential homes, townhomes, apartments and villas: “Those who make their home here will enjoy access Hillsborough to clubhouses, pools, parks, trails, sports courts and TECO County shared green spaces...and plans include K-12 schools, as well as retail space, future options for dining, caComing fés, groceries and beauty services, fitness and more.” 2025 New One of the first two villages already selling Thonotosassa homes in Two Rivers is Childers by Lennar Homes, Tampa with “447 total homesites, about 100 sold and 65 closed or moved into,” according to new home consultant Brooke Politano. Homes in Childers start in the mid-$300,000s. The other village now selling is Northwater by D.R. Horton, with 360 total homes, also starting in the mid $300s, with about 30 homes already with This map of Two Rivers shows the portions that are currently under development, as well as residents. Both subdivisions are north of S.R. 56. the future plans in both Hillsborough & Pasco counties. (Two Rivers map modified by NN) See “Two Rivers” on pg. 4
U.S .H wy. 301
If you haven’t taken a ride on S.R. 56 eastbound past Morris Bridge Rd. recently, I believe you probably should do so. While Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents online complain about how every remaining shred of land in our communities is being developed, adding to our ever-increasing traffic at the expense of open space and a more pastoral way of life, it seems that others outside of any known boundary of Wesley Chapel (as I presented in our Oct. 3 issue) are now creating new communities that may ultimately finally move what even I call Wesley Chapel (and, to a lesser extent, New Tampa) well to the east, too. Before the creation of the huge 6,000-acre Two Rivers Master-Planned Unit Development (MPUD), the only community in Zephyrhills that pretty much anyone would confuse with being Wesley Chapel-like was Lake Bernadette, which has fewer than 1,000 total households with entrances on both Eiland Blvd. and S.R. 54, all in zip code 33541. But, it seems that you could fit all of Lake Bernadette inside Two Rivers, which is being developed by Eisenhower Property Group, due east of Morris Bridge Rd. in both Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In fact, Two Rivers is actually larger than the 5,000-acre Wiregrass Ranch development to its west. And, like Lake Bernadette, the zip code for the Pasco portions of Two Rivers that began being developed in December of 2023 is 33541. That means that if I decide to start mailing the Neighborhood News there, I will be expanding our all-direct-mail distribution east of Wesley Chapel for the first time.
More About Two Rivers
Mo rris Bri dge Rd.
By GARY NAGER
THEATRE BEAT!
Check out some of the recent and comingsoon shows in our area. See pages 8-10
CHECKING OUT THE NEW PUBLIX! The prototype store on Overpass Rd. has a bar, but so much more than just that, too! See page 14
LOTS TO LOVE ABOUT LIMA!
Gary’s Favorite Latin Restaurant in our area for 2023 adds some amazing new dishes! See page 40
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Señor Tequila Offers Tasty Menu Upgrades! 1
Check out the Mexican restaurant’s new & improved flavors on pg. 38!
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Tell Me Why You Want To ‘Leap Into The Next 30 Years!’ By GARY NAGER Oaks, etc.) and your daytime phone number from your valid Editorial
As I told you last issue, my 30th anniversary of owning and being the editor of the Neighborhood News is February 25 and we will be celebrating with a big, by-invitation-only party on “Leap Day” — Thursday, February 29 — at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. The event will be called “Leaping Into Gary’s Next 30 Years Of Neighborhood News” and will feature “A Taste of the Neighborhood News,” which means that several of my Favorite Restaurants from our last issue will be providing samples that will show everyone in attendance why I actually do love all of them. Another really cool thing about the upcoming anniversary party is that the 325-350 theater seats (right photo) used for performances of “Grease,” “Shrek the Musical” and “Dreamgirls” (see pg. 8) will magically disappear and be replaced with cabaret-style table seating for about 150 people (left photo), which means that seating for this event will be extremely limited, considering how many people in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel I’ve gotten to know and have come to consider to be friends over the past 30 years. And, that’s not to mention so many of my amazing advertisers who have kept — and continue to keep — me in business where too many other publications, including daily newspapers, have gone the way of the dinosaur. And, if you attended my 25th anniversary party at Bayscape Bistro at the Heritage Isles Golf Club in New Tampa five years ago, you know that there will be entertainment again for this year’s bash — and yes, that entertainment will again be karaoke, this time provided by mine and Jannah’s friend Tabitha Pollard of Luna Tunes, LLC. Tabitha not only has most, if not all of the songs that Jannah and I like to sing, she also is a bit of a Broadway buff who will surely be providing lots of opportunity for those who want to belt out a hit from anything from “Grease” to “Sweeney Todd.” The only thing that will cost anyone any money at the party is the alcohol, which will be a cash bar because of the PAC’s rules. The good news, however, is that we get to select the premium adult beverages that will be offered for sale. In other words, it’s going to be a blast!
Here’s How You Can Attend!
Despite the fact that there will be plenty of invited guests, one of the things that isn’t lost on me is that I wouldn’t still be doing what I do 30 years later if not for all of you — our loyal readers! To that end, if you’re interested in getting your name on the guest list for the “Leaping Into Gary’s Next 30 Years” party, send me an email to ads@ntneighborhoodnews. com with 50 words or less (and yes, that is a hard limit) as to why you want to or should be included, by no later than Friday, February 23. Please include your name, the community you live in (Lexington Oaks, Seven Neighborhood News
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email address. I will read all of the emails and choose as many people as I have seats left for, whether that’s two or 22, by no later than Monday, February 26. Please put “I Want To Leap!” in the subject line! And here’s the thing — you Gary haters out there are invited to send me an email, too. If I get any good hater emails, I will likely invite those folks to attend because I prefer to meet my haters in person than to allow them to remain anonymous.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News Does NOT authorize any outside company or agency to reprint any portion of the copyrighted materials in ANY of our print issues or our proprietary online content. Any unauthorized copying, whether to create a plaque, for use online, in printed copies or any other use without our express written permission will be considered to be a violation of both our copyright and the 30 years of good will we have worked very hard to achieve. 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.
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Publisher & Editor/Ad Sales Gary Nager Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Nidhi Jani Deborah Bostock-Kelley Editorial Research by Joel Provenzano Ad Sales & Marketing Director Jannah Nager Lead Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Morgan Conlin • Valerie Wegener Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisement reservations for Volume 32, Issue 6, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Thursday, March 7, 2024. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. © 2024 JM2 Communications, Inc.
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Two Rivers — Another Historic Ranch Becoming A Huge Community By GARY NAGER Research by Joel Provenzano When Wayne Thomas purchased the first portion of the Two Rivers Ranch in the 1930s, he couldn’t possibly have known that his cattle ranch would expand to more that 17,000 acres stretching from northeast Hillsborough through Pasco and even reaching to Hernando counties. A little more than 500 acres of that property was located in Crystal Springs, sort of between Thonotosassa and Zephyrhills and which today is home to Poland Springs waters, the large company now bottling and selling Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water. But, the Thomas family has been good stewards of their land since before World War II, so much so that in 2014, Two Rivers Ranch was honored as one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners. The award, which is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, is presented to farmers and ranchers “who work hard to protect America’s natural resources.” Two Rivers Ranch began as a cow/ calf operation that has now been owned and managed by Robert Thomas’ family for more than 90 years. “The Hillsborough River supplies approximately 90 percent of the city of Tampa’s
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drinking water, so it’s very important for the city,” said Wayne Thomas, Executive Vice President, Two Rivers Ranch, and himself a fourthgeneration cattle rancher. “We have a very high profile here as a result of the importance of our natural resource,” added his father Robert Thomas, who is the CEO of Two Rivers Ranch. The ranch was honored with the ESAP award for its The largest homes currently available in Two Rivers are the Trenton model from Lennar Homes (left) in the proven land management Childers community and (right) the Hayden model from D.R. Homes in the Northwater village. techniques to enhance their (Photos taken from Lennar.com & from DRHorton.com) operation. “The Thomas faming area, starting at around $489K. will include tennis, pickleball, pools, playily keeps their herd size limited Now that the first two villages are well so as not to negatively impact wetlands, water grounds, various interior and exterior gathering spaces and a bar and restaurant. There also under way, here are the plans for additional quality of the adjacent river bodies, native is a planned regional district park as well as villages and home builders that are planned to vegetation or wildlife populations,” was part shopping, dining and office spaces planned. arrive this year: of the reason the family received the award. • Tamarack Village (early 2024) – At Northwater village, D.R. Horton’s Today, as explained on this issue’s front This gated village will include homes by Park smallest home is the 3 bedroom, 2 bathpage, the Thomas family is no allowing Two Square Homes and William Ryan Homes. Rivers to be developed as another huge Mas- room Allex II model, with 1,560 sq. ft. of • Ryals Field Village (mid-2024) – living area, starting at around $344K. The ter Planned Unit Development, but which Gated village featuring Homes by WestBay. largest is the 5-bedroom, 3-bath Hayden promises to have more than 3,000 acres of • Delyle Village (mid-2024) – Offermodel with 2,605 sq. ft. of living area, startwooded landscapes, with lots of open space, ing Pulte homes. parks, walking trails, dog parks, passive parks, ing in the $424s. • Shortgrass Village (late 2024) – Meanwhile, in the Childers village, court and lawn space and more. Offering M/I Homes. Lennar’s smallest home is the 3-bedroom, • Additional villages and phases will Two Rivers Today & Tomorrow 2-bath Annapolis model, with 1,448 sq. ft. feature Casa Fresca, Meritage Homes and of living space starting at around $329K. Also expected to be part of the Pasco Taylor Morrison Homes. portion of Two Rivers is a central health, well- The largest is the Trenton model, with 6 See “Two Rivers” on pg. 6 ness and dining club for residents. This facility bedrooms, 3 baths and 3,326 sq. ft. of liv-
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Two Rivers
Continued from pg. 4 But Wait, There’s More!
As we also mentioned on pg. 1, Two Rivers also is planned to expand into Hillsborough County by sometime next year. The first new section to be built across Morris Bridge Rd. from New Tampa is Flatwoods, described in Two Rivers’ marketing materials as, “Our luxury section (that) will be home to Flatwoods Golf & Country Club. This community will feature a private country club with a spa, recreational amenities and an 18-hole golf course. The course, designed by renowned Scottish golf course architect David McLay-Kidd of DMK Golf Design, is estimated to be completed in 2025. DMK Golf has designed several very prestigious resort and private golf courses in the world, including The Castle Course at St. Andrews Links in Scotland, and Nanea Golf Club in Kailua Kona, HI.
Some Transportation Info
Although Two Rivers’ Flatwoods village will be set back quite a bit from both Morris Bridge Rd. in New Tampa and U.S. Hwy. 301 in Thonotosassa, according to plans filed with Hillsborough County, there will be another future connection from Two Rivers to Morris Bridge Rd, which will be located basically on the county line, adjacent to a TECO-owned power substation and aligned with Camerton Rd. on the west side. There currently are plans for three future traffic signals along S.R. 56, all of which the
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developer will pay for and construct (under permit) when warrants are met. The locations will be for the intersections with Two Rivers Blvd., Widewater Way, and Lodge Grass Blvd., all where the existing full median openings are currently located. A fourth signal along S.R. 56 might be considered between Lodge Grass Blvd. and U.S. 301 (also a full median opening), depending upon the amount of traffic that portion of the development, which will be commercial, might generate. In addition, there also will be a connection to U.S. 301 in Hillsborough, which also will be signalized by full build-out. Two more signals for U.S. 301, at Lodge Grass Blvd., and Morris Bridge Rd. at Colston Ave., also are planned. The right-of-way along Morris Bridge Rd. is now 80’ but the MPUD conditions for Two Rivers requires the family to convey a 44’ wide strip of its property over to the county. The River Landing development on S.R. 56 west of Morris Bridge Rd. also was required to provide a similar strip, which will allow for the potential widening of Morris Bridge Rd. to four lanes in the future. In addition to the signals, the county also will require Two Rivers to construct left and right turn lanes along Morris Bridge Rd. at Colston Ave. The only other entrance/exit along Morris Bridge Rd. for Two Rivers will be a gated emergency-only access near the southern part of the development. This will bring the grand total of traffic signals for Two Rivers to potentially eight: four on S.R. 56, two on Morris Bridge Rd. and two on U.S. 301, subject to meeting warrants and final approval by the transportation departments of the local and state governments.
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Theatre Beat — “Dreamgirls,” “Spelling Bee,” “Ember” & “Broadway!” By Gary Nager When I grew up and later lived in New York in and near Manhattan, I was fortunate to be able to see dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and although musicals may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea, I came to appreciate musical theatre, as well as stage comedies and dramas, and the incredibly talented people who performed in all of those shows. What I will admit that I never expected is that there also could possibly be so many talented people performing in local community theatre. I also have no problem admitting that I probably should have attended at least a few more local theatre performances in the years leading up to the opening last year of the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. So, Jannah and I have kind of gone on to sit in the audience of several shows since I was a bit player in the New Tampa Players (NTP)’s opening performance at NTPAC of “Grease.” We were in the audience for the fun and adorable “Shrek the Musical,” but we didn’t stop there. Here is a rundown of the other shows that we either recently saw or plan to see in the coming weeks...and I think you should, too.
“Dreamgirls”
The first stop on our post-”Shrek” theatre journey was the New Tampa Players’ production of “Dreamgirls” at the NTPAC.
(Left) Christan McLaurine stole the New Tampa Players’ production of “Dreamgirls” as James “Thunder” Early. (Above) The “Dreamgirls” were (l.-r.) Patty Smithey as Lorrell Robinson, NaTasha McKenzie as Effie White & Caron Davis as Deena Jones. (Photos by Charmaine George)
Like “Grease” and “Shrek,” this awardwinning Broadway hit that also spawned a successful movie, also ran for two weekends and six performances and the entire second weekend of the show’s run was fully sold out, while the first weekend had probably fewer than 20 total unsold tickets. And, for good reason. While NTP’s “Dreamgirls” couldn’t possibly match the Broadway talent or the voices in the film starring “American Idol” winner Jennifer
Hudson, the cast and show were nonetheless super-impressive and talented, especially for community theatre. And, although the women who portrayed the Dreams singing group — NaTasha McKenzie as Effie White, Caron Davis as Deena Jones and especially, Patty Smithey as Lorrell Robinson — were all excellent singers, dancers and actors, for our money, the dynamically talented Christan McLaurine as James “Thunder” Early stole the show. Up next for the Players are auditions for “Singin’ in the Rain,” the song-&-dance
musical based on the classic 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. The show runs July 19-28 at NTPAC. The show combines the talents of director Nora Paine, musical director G. Frank Meekins and choreographer Sarah Walston, the trio who also led the production of “Grease.” If you know any talented male or female singers and tap dancers, auditions for “Singin’ in the Rain” will be held in April. Look to these pages for additional information or visit NewTampaPlayers.org.
We are looking for a charitable donation of land or a building on a property in Wesley Chapel, FL for a non-profit to be developed with a church building and parking lot to support a local Christian congregation. Please call: Adam at 202-650-1788 Thank You!
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“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
If you were looking for a fun, hysterically funny and light-hearted musical theatre experience, I hope you got to check out MAD Theatre of Tampa’s “Spelling Bee” at the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa. This tiny playhouse was the perfect setting for this Spelling Bee, which was chock full of amazing, talented characters, including Chris Cordero and Dylan Fidler, who played the title roles in NTP’s “Shrek” and “Grease” (Danny Zuko), respectively. But, it wasn’t just the six young actors
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portraying the pubescent spellers who gave amazing performances. The entire cast, led by director Casey Vaughn, music director Megan Zeitler and choreographer Evan Lomba (who played Donkey in NTP’s “Shrek”) all deserve big kudos for a show that truly was a laugh riot. Up next for MAD Theatre, which is celebrating 25 years as a performance troupe, are performances of “Urinetown The Musical,” with performances June 14-30, also at the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center. For tickets and more information, visit MadTheatre.com. See “Theatre Beat” on pg. 10!
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‘Theatre Beat’
Continued from pg. 9 “Ember: A New Musical”
One show that I have no idea what my expectations are or should be is the World Premiere of “Ember: A New Musical,” written by Kyle Griffin Fisher, the young man who gave local audiences memorable performances as Kenickie in NTP’s “Grease” and the hysterical Lord Farquaad in NTP’s “Shrek The Musical.” According to Kyle’s Facebook page: “Discover the dark allure of desires in ‘Ember,’ a spellbinding musical that explores the boundaries between dreams and damnation. In a world where the mundane meets the magical, farm boy ‘Guy’ yearns for adventure. When the enigmatic demon ‘Sequins’ offers to fulfill his deepest desires in exchange for his soul, Guy plunges headfirst into a Faustian bargain. “‘Ember’ is a captivating journey of redemption and unexpected alliances. Can a demon, driven by ambition, rediscover forgotten compassion and love? Will Guy, armed with newfound powers and a heart full of hope, conquer the challenges laid before him? In ‘Ember,’ the stakes are high, the magic is potent, and the battle for the soul takes center stage.” In addition to Fisher, the “Ember” cast features fellow NTP performers Dylan Fidler, Makayla Raines, Heather Rich, Kristin Nelson, Zachary Smith, Tripp Peavyhouse and Zane Sarsour. Although “Ember” is not an NTP production, all performances will be at NTP’s Up-
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town Stage in University Mall. This production is recommend for audience members ages 14 and up due to adult language and situations. Performance Dates: Saturday, March 2, 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 3, 1 p.m. For tickets & more info, visit NewTampaPlayers.thundertix.com.
“Broadway Through The Decades: Contemporary Era”
The Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WCTG) presents Part 2 of its Broadway musical revue series. The show will feature songs from popular musicals of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s performed in a cabaret-style show. WCTG has teamed up with the Zephyrhills Lions Club to bring new entertainment to the Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel areas. Proceeds from the show will go to help WCTG continue to produce performing arts for our community and to the Zephyrhills Lions Club’s sight program. “Broadway Through The Decades” will be performed Sat., Mar. 9, 7 p.m., and Sun., Mar. 10, 2 p.m. The Sat. show includes dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the Sun. matinee includes coffee and dessert at intermission. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Zephyrhills Lions Club (5827 Dean Dairy Rd.) or at WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org. Also, see the ad on this page.
WesleyChapelTheaterGroup www.wesleychapeltheatergroup.org TICKET PRICE INCLUDES FOOD Tickets can be purchased on our website or at the Lions Club of Zephyrhills
LIONS CLUB OF ZEPHYRHILLS
5827 DEAN DAIRY RD • ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33541
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These Seniors At Wesley Chapel’s High Schools Were Voted As Outstanding! It’s that time of year again, when high school seniors approach the finish line, reflecting on all that they’ve accomplished in high school and getting ready for graduation. Valedictorians at each school will be named and will receive accolades for having their school’s highest grade point average. Wesley Chapel’s public high schools also each honor an overall outstanding senior, recognized for being well-rounded leaders on campus, while also maintaining excellence academics. At each school, students vote for who they think should represent their class as their school’s most outstanding senior, and then the faculty votes to choose the winner. Please note that one of Wesley Chapel’s high schools — the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation — doesn’t have a senior class this year, so no Kirkland student is featured below. Even so, we offer our congratulations to the outstanding seniors at each of the other three high schools in Wesley Chapel. — Celeste McLaughlin
Cypress Creek High Katya La Costa
Katya La Costa maintains a 4.4 GPA, is an athlete who captains the varsity volleyball team and was a track & field Regional qualifier. She also leads key events and clubs, and is her school’s go-to videographer. She started a spirit club to organize dress up days, decorates for games and even started away game buses for students, explains Cassie Adley, Cypress Creek High’s college and career specialist. Katya also started a brunch for new students, where they are invited to share a meal and make connections. “She advertises everything on social media with clever posts and phenomenal videography,” Cassie explains. “At the start of the brunch, Katya plays her video which introduces key people at the school, clubs, school spirit, online platforms and more.” Katya plans to pursue nursing and participated in a pilot internship program at the University of South Florida while still a
student at Cypress Creek. While maintaining impressive grades, extracurricular leadership, sports and an internship, she also worked part-time at Ice Dreammm Shop. “Katya is one of a kind,” says Cassie. “She is intelligent...motivated....respectful... hard-working...kind-hearted...and diligent.”
and serves as president of the school’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club and is the cofounder and co-president of the school’s first ever Asian Student Association. “We are so pleased to have Joshua represent our class,” says Kelly Faysash, Wesley Chapel High’s college and career specialist. “He is a dynamic, motivated young man Wesley Chapel High who truly recognizes the importance of Joshua Moua education. He is a model for our students Joshua Moua is an in perseverance, responsibility, initiative and Advanced Placement Capcreativity.” stone Diploma candidate, His nomination letter calls him “a which means he not only friend to everyone,” saying he “sets the took rigorous AP classes, standard” for other students to look up to but went above and beas an example of good citizenship. yond to earn the Capstone “Joshua has a very bright future ahead designation by taking of him and we are thrilled to call him a designated AP classes that develop skills in Wildcat,” adds Kelly. research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing and presenting. Wiregrass Ranch High Beyond the classroom, Joshua is Tanmay Patil president of Wesley Chapel High’s Student Tanmay Patil’s rigorous academic Government, National Spanish, National classes have included many Advanced English and National Honor Societies, and Placement courses, and despite the secretary of the school’s National Social challenge, he has maintained a perfect, Studies Honor Society. He is a graduate of unweighted 4.0 grade point average. Youth Leadership Pasco County, founded “Throughout his high school career,
he has taken honors, dual enrollment and AP level coursework,” explains Diamela Vergne, assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch High. “For this school year, Tanmay was the only student at the school who qualified as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist.” He did that by scoring an impressive 1480 on his PSAT exam, a score he later topped by earning a near-perfect 1560 on the SATs. While his academic record is impressive, Tanmay also serves as president of one of the largest clubs in the school, the service-oriented Key Club, with 115 members. He also is his school’s ambassador for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In addition, Tanmay also volunteers at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital as part of his school’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. “Tanmay embodies exemplary scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service,” says Diamela.
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Business Briefs — Updates On The New Publix & The Latest Chamber Breakfast By Gary Nager When Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I visited the new Publix supermarket at 32265 Overpass Rd. (at the corner of Curley Rd.) in a new shopping center called Innovation Springs, I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, drinking beer and wine at a supermarket isn’t anything new — I’ve had free samples at other Publixes and been able to walk around with wine at the local Sam’s Club — so I just had to go check it out and report back to you. First of all, even though there’s no hard liquor being sold (despite the fact a Publix Liquor Store is adjacent to the grocery store), this is the first time I’ve seen an actual bar inside a supermarket. And, the prices for the name label beer and wine are not only great, Publix’s policy of not allowing tipping of employees — although foreign to me at any bar — keeps the prices on everything even lower. For example, nice pours of popular Lamarca prosecco are only $6, glasses of two
different kinds of Santa Margherita pinot grigio are just $8, 16-oz. pours of Keel Farms Agrarian Strawberry-Lime Cider are only $5 and my 32-oz. growler of Florida Ave. Dead Parrot was only $9, plus $4 additional if you keep the growler. If you return it at the end of your visit (or even sometime in the future), you get the $4 back. And, there also is covered outside and even private upstairs seating so you can watch shoppers checking out everything in the store. This 55,000-sq.-ft. Publix between Epperson and Watergrass is only the third such prototype store in Florida, and it is so much more than just a beer and wine bar. It’s clear that Publix is attempting to emulate the success of Whole Foods and other usually more upscale “green” grocers with not only an olive bar and expanded deli and hot foods sections (although a large portion of the prepared hot foods section wasn’t available when we visited), but also really decent (albeit not hot when we got it) pizza by the slice, a craft-it-yourself burrito and “bowl” bar and much more. The bottom line is that the new store is very cool and the prices overall didn’t seem higher than what I pay at my now-old-hat, closer-to-home Publix stores. So, even though it’s kind of far away from where we live, Jannah and I will surely be back.
Thanks, Alexis!
After 30 years of successfully serving the communities of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, there are very few Tampa Bay-area media
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(Above) The very cool beer & wine bar at the new Publix on Overpass Rd. at Curley Rd. (Left) North Tampa Bay Chamber president & CEO Hope Kennedy, with Tampa Bay Business Journal editor-in-chief Alexis Muellner at the Chamber’s Feb. Business Breakfast. members I truly look up to in terms of their accomplishments. One of those, however, is definitely Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) editor-inchief Alexis Muellner. Now in his 25th year with American City Business Journals and 20th year in his position at the TBBJ, I have spoken with this Wesley Chapel resident on numerous occasions throughout his tenure and he is a well-respected reporter and editor whose
knowledge of the business climate throughout the Tampa Bay region is second to none. I truly enjoyed his “fireside chat” with North Tampa Bay Chamber president & CEO Hope Kennedy at the Feb. 6 NTBC Business Breakfast at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus and I was glad to be able to provide him with some additional information about Pasco County’s struggle with the state’s new Live Local Act. Great job, Alexis!
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Did Your Favorite CBD Store Close? We’re located just south of the Pasco County line on BBD!
Battling with anxiety and not quite sure what to do while driving up Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Alex Colley was looking for a sign. Little did he know that sign would quite literally be the one that David Calcador, the co-owner of Your CBD Store of New Tampa, was twirling on the side of BBD. “David was out there spinning the sign, and it said ‘Free CBD Samples, Come On In,’” Alex says. “I had seen him out there before and didn’t think anything, but I’ve had anxiety for a long time, and I literally was driving by as I was having a panic attack. And I was like, ‘I guess that’s literally, my sign to go in.’” Alex went in and David gave him a sample that immediately calmed him down, and Alex has been a regular now for four months. “David is my CBD doctor,” he says, chuckling. David is quick to point out, however, that he is not a doctor. He and his wife Debra Curler are just owners of the Your CBD Store of New Tampa, located in the Pebble Creek Collection, and are true believers in the power of CBD and its healing properties. Pick a malady, and Debra can point you towards the right remedy, with David ready to answer any questions about your choices. Having trouble sleeping? They’ve got you. Anxiety? Depressed? In a lot of pain? Just need to relax? They have answers. Looking for relief from the effects of PTSD? Cancer? Arthritis? There’s a multitude of CBD products to help with those ailments. “We love helping people,” Debra says.
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“It’s why we started doing this.” They also are true believers because they use some of the products they sell themselves. Debra had a knee replaced and finds that her store’s SunMed CBD-infused creams bring her relief, while David finds his issues with sleeping washed away with a nighttime gummy. “I like that they use the products and can tell you from first-hand experience what they do,” Alex says. “It’s not like deciding what to order at a steakhouse and finding out your waiter is a vegetarian.” While the effects aren’t guaranteed since everyone is different, Debra says many customers rave about the effects. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids that grow on cannabis, of which both hemp and marijuana are varieties. Like “weed,” CBD originates from hemp, but has less than 0.3% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the ingredient that causes the “high,” while marijuana has higher levels of THC. Most CBD products at the store are offered as “full spectrum,” which are generally stronger but still contain no more than the legal limit of 0.3% THC, and “broad spectrum,” with no THC at all.
The Delta Experience
The recent explosion of Delta 8 and Delta 9 products has pushed the limits of the THC content in CBD products, making it more important than ever that consumers know they are legitimate. Your CBD Store only sells SunMed products that the company says are vigorously tested. In fact, a QR code on the products can be
David Calcador & Debra Curler are the co-owners of Your CBD Store New Tampa. scanned for the complete independent lab reports for each SunMed product. SunMed has recently launched Above and Beyond lines, which have higher levels of THC — but still remain below the legal limit — and are the best sellers for Debra and David. “These will be gone by the end of the weekend,” Debra says, pointing to a shelf filled with SunMed’s Above and Beyond products, The new product called Above blends Delta-8 with other cannabinoids, which SunMed says delivers what is described as “gentle body feels,” as opposed to a psychoactive high. Meanwhile, Beyond products contain Delta-9 (and 400% more cannabinoids than your usual full-spectrum), and come in calming (indica) and uplifting (sativa) versions. There also is a hybrid version that blends the two together.
David also raves about his store’s CBG products. He has a special appreciation for their effectiveness, especially the full- and broad-spectrum neuro-water soluble and the CBG Citrus, which helps with inflammation. Customer Jeff Martin says he is thankful he found Dave and Debra’s location, because they have been a godsend. Once every three weeks, he places an order for CBD and CBG products for his 80-year-old mother. CBD helps with her sore joints and arthritis, while CBG, which can be more effective treating muscle soreness, is for the neuropathy in her feet. “As long as mom’s taking it, it’s like someone flipped a switch,” Jeff says. “Just being pain-free and being out of the misery of having the feeling of burning feet all the time, it’s been a wonder.” Jeff adds, “You have to be careful where you buy this stuff these days. I trust the products at David’s store.” TRIM is SunMed’s first foray into the weight loss product market and features THC-V, which blocks your appetite-stimulating CB1 receptor (THC-D9, by contrast, causes appetite stimulation). For your dog, the store offers Chillin’ Out (for relaxation) and Movin’ Easy (for mobility and aches and pains for senior dogs) broad-spectrum hemp chews. Your CBD Store New Tampa (19651 BBD Blvd., Suite B-1) is open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call (813) 994-0599 or visit CBDRX4U.com/find-us/florida/new-tampa.
For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartments Open By GARY NAGER Research by Joel Provenzano Located across Tampa Palms Blvd. from the Emerald Pointe townhome community near Lowe’s, there is a new rental apartment community that only recently had a monument sign erected announcing that the new development is called — even though it sounds more like a description than a name — New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes. New Tampa Palms, which is being developed by Tampa Palms Area 3 developer Warren Kinsler (who also developed the nearby Compton Place apartments), is a gated, resort-style rental community with a total of 402 spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment residences in 17 total buildings. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Springs” model apartments at New Tampa Palms are all 1,264 sq. ft., and currently range in price from $1,705-$1,845 per month, depending upon location. There also is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Bay” model that offers 1,333 sq. ft. of living space currently ranging in price from $1,805-$2,245 per month, as well as two different two-bedroom, two-bath apartments — the “Palm Shores” model (1,409 sq. ft.), with rents now ranging between $1,905-$2,025 per month, and the “Palm Gardens” model (1,571 sq. ft.), with rents currently between $2,205-$2,325 per month. The rents for all of these different units currently are either $1.35 or $1.40 per sq.
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ft. and every unit has a patio or balcony with extra storage space, and ceiling heights of 9-16 feet. The residences feature gourmet kitchens with rich, dark wood custom cabinetry, granite countertops, gooseneck faucets, breakfast bars and pantries, walk-in closets and laundry rooms with full-size washers and dryers in every home. The community also offers a clubhouse, resident lounge, catering kitchen and fitness center, as well as a luxurious swimming pool (top photo), sundeck, veranda, pergola, al fresco dining and outdoor lounge areas with firepits. There also is a private community lake that offers nature trails, a walking path and a spectacular centerpiece fountain. New Tampa Palms also provides convenient resident parking with EV charging stations and is pet-friendly with a dedicated dog run. The community recently began leasing and is offering tours for prospective tenants and Kinsler says that the first tenants have begun moving into the first two completed buildings. Jannah and I took the tour and will say that the apartments are both spacious and beautiful. In addition, for a limited time, New Tampa Palms is offering both one month free on a 13-month lease, plus a $1,000 move-in credit. Also remember to ask for the community’s special offer for first responders, active military, veterans and health care professionals. For leasing and more information, call (813) 513-1548 or visit RentNewTampaPalmsFL.com.
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Upcoming Events: St. Paddy’s Day At O’Brien’s, Book Signing & Book Sale! By GARY NAGER
Although we no longer have a regular Community Calendar listing in our print issues, there are a number of upcoming events that merit your consideration, so we decided to include as many of them here as possible. If you have an event upcoming that takes place after March 19, feel free to email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com and I will see about getting it included in our next New Tampa issue. Friday, February 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. p.m. — The Friends of the New Tampa Library’s Annual Giant Book Sale. The Friends of the New Tampa Library will host their annual Giant Book Sale at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). With most books being sold for just 50 cents, all proceeds will benefit the library’s Summer Reading programs for children and events and classes for all age groups. For more information, see the ad on the next page Monday, February 26, 7 p.m. — Monthly meeting of the New Tampa Democratic Club. The New Tampa Democrats are gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and local election season. For more information, see the ad on the next page. Wednesday, February 28, 6 p.m. -8 p.m. — Book Launch Performance & Book Signing for Running From Yesterday by Margarette Allyn. Margarette Allyn (photo, right) is an author, speaker and dancer who believes in the healing power of making choices guided by instinct, intuition and faith. Two unexpected episodes played pivotal roles in Margarette’s life, introducing her to the world of the performing arts. The first was watching “The Nutcracker” on TV. The second was encountering the iconic TV show “Fame,” which struck a chord with its relatable characters and stories that felt just like her own. Dance soon became Margarette’s refuge — a way to escape and express herself. Her dance aspirations took flight when she was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts — the real “Fame”
school — in New York’s Upper West Side. It was a dream that seemed beyond reach, especially for a young woman from Harlem. But, Margarette held onto the idea that the sky has no limits. However, unforeseen circumstances, ego and personal choices halted her burgeoning dance career, crushing her dreams of attending Juilliard and leaving her with a deep sense of loss. At the age of 24, Margarette embarked on a new path, joining the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Despite battling an overwhelming cloud of dread, despair and her complex relationship with alcohol, she clung fiercely to her discipline, determination, and the will to truly live. Author & performer Margarette Allyn will sign her book Running From Yesterday & dance at Supported by her loyal friends and colthe New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Feb. 28. (Photo provided by Margarette Allyn) leagues, she dedicated twenty years to her police career, retiring as a Sergeant in 2019. lowed at 8 p.m. on Sat. night by the Ryan Then, the main event at O’Brien’s will be Today, Margarette resides in New Tampa Marchand Band. held on Sun., St. Paddy’s Day itself. with her husband and two sons. Ryan’s website From 4 p.m.-7 p.m., “The Irishman” This remarkable journey serves as the says he uses “liveCapt. Kirk, will play all of your favorite Irish focal point of her inspiring memoir, Runlooping (to create) tunes. Inside, from 7 p.m.-midnight, DJ SAF ning From Yesterday, A True Story of Hope, sonic landscapes with will spin dance music inside, but outside, the Courage, and Love. Grateful for the grace and layered beat-box City of Mt. Dora pipe band will play your St. mercy bestowed upon her, Margarette finds percussion, vocal Pat’s favorites from 7:30 p.m.-8 p.m. purpose in giving back to those she mentors, is harmonies, and a Then, the Daniel Sprouse Band will play dancing once again, accepts motivational and bevy of guitar efyour favorite rock and country hits from 8 inspirational speaking engagements and looks fects to cover the forward to many more years of being on stage. frequency and timbre p.m.-midnight outside. Please note that no coupons will be spectrum. He draws Friday-Sunday, March 15-17 — accepted all weekend at O’Brien’s and there inspirations from Three-Day St. Patrick’s Day Parking will be a $10 cover charge on Sun. only. studio albums from Lot Celebration at O’Brien’s Irish Pub. For more info, call (813) 97309988 or visit Pink Floyd, The O’Brien’s (5429 Wesley Chapel Village ObriensWesleyChapel.com. Beatles and more.” Market) will again be hosting the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Wesley Chapel with an indoor-outdoor party every day of St. Paddy’s Day weekend. On Friday, MoonShine Abby will be performing from 8 p.m.-midnight. According to their website, MoonShine Abby is “the best blend of mature artistry, vigorous technique, and honed skill all wrapped up into a highenergy, party-style band. What’s a St. Pat’s Day party without bagpipes? You can come out to here pipers on Saturday and Sunday. On Sat., 25-year-old Gemma Briggs (plays the pipes from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Gemma says she is, “passionate PatriotProtectionUSA.com about providing high-quality bagpipe music, professionalism and an unforgettable touch to TEL: 813.790.8542 any occasion.” EMAIL: NicoMastroEP@gmail.com Gemma (photo above right) will be fol-
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Fields Insurance Moves To Wesley Chapel To Help With Home, Auto & More By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent As the owner of five insurance agencies in Tennessee, and with more than two decades of experience, Michael Fields knows his way around the insurance business. When their only daughter, Bethany, graduated from Ole Miss University and took a job in Tampa, Michael and his wife Nancy decided to move to the area, too. In 2021, Michael acquired a Brandon-based insurance agency and Nancy retired after 33 years as a schoolteacher to help her husband with the newest branch of the family business. Over the past two years, they have bought a home in Grand Hampton and decided to move the agency to the Medallion Corporate Park, just north of S.R. 56 and east of I-75. Now, they have set down roots, are leaning in to their new community and are excited to help their neighbors. “We treat people like they want to be treated,” says Michael. “It’s important to be a person of integrity, and a person who can be trusted.” Fields Insurance helps people with personal and commercial property and casualty insurance. That’s primarily auto, home, renter, boat and motorcycle insurance, although they also write some life insurance policies, as well. Michael says that, since coming to Florida, he’s also written a lot of policies for vacation homes, condos and mobile homes. His agency helps both individuals and businesses, including offering business property and liability insurance. One designation that sets Fields Insurance apart is being recognized as a “Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider.” Dave Ramsey is an author and radio host who offers financial advice. While he’s recognized nationwide, he’s based out of Nashville, so Michael says Ramsey is extremely popular in his home state. People
(Left) When you trust Fields Insurance to find you the right home, auto or other insurance policy, you’ll deal with the married team of Nancy & Michael Fields. Their office is located in the Medallion Corporate Park just north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)
who take Ramsey’s classes and want to be connected with a trusted partner can be directed to Fields Insurance. “It puts us in a category that says we are an agency of integrity,” says Michael. “We always try to give you the insurance you need at a price that best fits within your budget.” While Michael will always strive to get his clients the best possible insurance at the lowest possible price to fulfill their needs, he says the most important thing is that he finds them the right insurance. “We are educational in the way we approach business,” he says. “We make sure people don’t sacrifice coverage to get the lowest rate.”
Florida Peninsula, Slide, Cabrillo Coastal and more, although the companies that are writing new homeowners policies in Florida right now are definitely limited.
A Little History
Michael started out in the insurance business in 1999 in Memphis as an associate agent with Nationwide Insurance. In 2011, he went through a three-year training program as a “replacement agency executive” and became the primary agent at that location in 2014.
In 2017, Nationwide made all of its agents independent, so he no longer sells exclusively Nationwide products. Since then, Michael has opened four more agencies in Tennessee and one in Florida. Wade and Pamela Simpson, who live in Seffner, were at a loss when they inherited a family home in Dunellon that was built in 1986 and still had its original roof. “I had been with State Farm for 25-30 years and they couldn’t help me,” says Wade. “I couldn’t even get other
The Challenges Of Florida
Michael says that right now, prices across the board for auto and especially, homeowners insurance in Florida are very high, and that’s something that is out of his control. However, he says you can trust his agency to work with you and always act in your best interest. He adds that as an independent agency, Fields Insurance is able to work with a number of different top-rated companies, including Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Nationwide, Progressive, Safeco,
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companies to talk with me. I was calling everyone and someone suggested this new company in the area, Fields Insurance. So I called, and Michael answered the phone.” Wade adds that he couldn’t believe the west Tennessee dialect he was hearing — which sounded exactly like his own — and that he and Michael discovered they were born and raised in neighboring towns in Tennessee. While it was fun to discover that connection, Wade says that what really stood out was how Fields Insurance was able to get a policy for his newly inherited home when others couldn’t. “I have recommended Fields Insurance to two dozen people in the last six months,” says Wade. “I say, ‘Quit calling everybody. Call Fields!’” Wade says that his State Farm agent later told him that his policy on a home he owns in Tennessee was going to be cancelled, so he reached out to Fields Insurance again, and again, Michael was able to help. “I saved tons of money,” Wade says, so he also switched his policy on his Seffner home to Fields Insurance, as well. “What a relief!” Wade also says that, for many years, he has rented a parking lot to park cars in during the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Last year, the doctor he rents the parking lot from told Wade he needed to
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have a $1-million liability policy. “I didn’t have a clue who to talk to about that,” Wade says, “so I called Fields and they had a policy for me within a week.” And, Wade adds, “Talk about customer service! They called me again (a few weeks ago) to ask if I need another policy for this year’s Strawberry Festival” (which begins Feb. 29). Michael says he invites those who are insurance price shopping or who have questions about insurance to give him a call anytime. “Quotes are free,” he says, “and it doesn’t hurt to get a quote. We try to work with everyone the best we possibly can and make it as simple as possible.” And, Nancy adds that they love serving the communities of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. “We love the community connection here,” she says. “We’ve gotten season tickets to the Bucs and we’ve gone to Lightning games with our daughter. We love all the restaurants and how close everything is to us here.” Fields Insurance is located at 2600 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Ste. C1, in Wesley Chapel. For more information or for a quote on your home, auto, business or other property insurance needs, call (813) 651-0094, visit FieldsInsuranceAgency.com, or see the ad on page 30 of this issue.
For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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Bella Nails Is So Much More Than Your Average Nail Salon! By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
Neighborhood News Correspondent If you want to try a brand-new, affordable, upscale place to pamper yourself in Wesley Chapel, Bella Nail Lounge, a full-service nail salon that has had an original location in Lutz for 12 years, expanded to The Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., south of S.R. 56, in Wesley Chapel in January. Founder Lap “Andy” Nguyen says the new location is, “central to Wesley Chapel, and I was looking at this plaza for years, waiting for the opportunity. Wesley Chapel is a newer area, with a lot of new people moving in.” Julie Dang, Bella Nails’ assistant manager, adds, “We live here in Wesley Chapel, and it is a very high-end, close-knit, family-oriented community, and there weren’t any high-end salons here like in South Tampa. We’re bringing the South Tampa vibe to Wesley Chapel.” At Bella Nails, you will experience more than just a nail salon. This isn’t the fast-paced, traditional mom-and-pop nail salon you may be accustomed to or expecting. Instead, you will enter a luxurious nail lounge where you will receive relaxing and rejuvenating spa services. Sip on a glass of champagne or wine as you sit back in Bella’s state-of-the-art, full-body massage pedicure lounge chairs, escape the stress of your everyday life and pamper yourself with the best service and quality. The nail technicians at Bella Nails are friendly, skilled, attentive and are trained in all aspects of safety, sanitation and sterilization of all products. They use only non-toxic, toluenefree nail polish, with more than 2,000 color choices, including organic and vegan options, and the right equipment to ensure your safety and satisfaction. “People who are pregnant can choose a safe vegan option for a soft gel,” Julie explains. Bella Nails doesn’t forget the youngsters, either. For kids ages 11 and under, Bella Nails provides organic and vegan choices in Princess pedicures and manicures, gel pedicures and manicures, plus polish and gel polish changes. So, whether you want a classic French manicure, a trendy nail art design, SNS-dipping powder, gel top coat, polish change, or a spa pedicure — or virtually any other type of nail service, you can enjoy them all at Bella Nails. Beyond a regular manicure (or, for the gentlemen, a “manli-cure”), Bella Nails also offers a Voesh Mani-In-A-Box with Collagen
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(Above) The friendly, attentive staff at Bella Nail Lounge in The Shoppes at New Tampa plaza is ready to pamper you! (Below) Even the youngest clients are treated like royalty at Bella Nails. (Photos provided by Bella Nails) Gloves. This individually packaged three-step treatment is regarded as the cleanest and most hygienic spa manicure solution, with sugar scrub, mud mask and massage cream. For pedicures, the selections are vast. You may choose from a mint refresh, coffee-infused, mango-infused, charcoal, volcanic-mineral, honey and milk, mojito lime, CBD volcanic gold, CBD volcanic rose gold, Napa Valley champagne elegance anti-aging pedicure, cooling signature bliss pedicure in cucumber-mint, lemon, and mandarin scent, or Voesh Pedi-InA-Box. Each service will leave your feet feeling refreshed, revitalized and radiantly beautiful — all in a sanitary and luxurious environment. Bella Nail Lounge also offers less common services, including waxing from eyebrows and lips to back and Brazilians, facials, lash extensions and even IV vitamin injections. wives can go,” Andy says. “Many places don’t it’s a soothing manicure or a pedicure, men “We go beyond a nail salon,” Andy says. make it comfortable for the dads or husbands also can’t resist a little self-care. At Bella Nail “We’re like a spa attached to a nail salon. On to come along, but with our chairs and pediLounge, men and women can equally experithe weekends, when the wife gets a pedicure, cure facility, men love it. It’s the Rolls Royce of ence the ultimate indulgence: a pedicure in the the husband can enjoy a complimentary beer or pedicure chairs. They never want to leave.” massage chair. wine at our bar.” “We want to provide an upscale, relaxing During their pedicure or manicure, But don’t let them fool you — Julie says spot where moms and daughters, husbands and guests also can conveniently receive vitamin that men love to be pampered, too. Whether
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(Above left) Don’t want a mani or a pedi? Have a beer or wine at Bella Nails’ unique bar area. (Right) Julie Dang (in red) and Andy Nguyen of Bella Nails. (Below) The wall of color options at Bella. more natural enhancements that aren’t necesIV injections. “We do IV injections for better sarily acrylic, like natural and gel-powder dips health,” Julie says. “For people who take that strengthen your nails. Bella Nails offers all medication, and can’t absorb vitamins, we of those options.” provide our clients with vitamin treatments One of Julie’s favorite stories is about a through an IV as a spa treatment.” husband and wife. “The husband would never Julie also says that manicures and pedicome into the salon,” she says. “He finally cures aren’t just for cosmetic reasons anymore. came in, and we offered him a Mimosa. Once “People are always going to want to get he sat down in the chair, that was it. He said, manicures and pedicures,” she says, “with ‘I’m coming back without my wife.’ This is our pedicures, it’s not even just about pampering goal. We want to provide a place where you can but maintaining your health because reflexolhave an enjoyable and relaxing experience. Our ogy is in your feet. For instance, with ingrown workers can read the clients and know if they toenails, people must maintain their feet to walk comfortably and wear comfortable shoes.” do or don’t want to have a conversation. It’s a no-pressure salon.” Julie also explains how the nail salon busiBella Nails is located at 1700 Bruce B ness has evolved and will continue to do so. Downs Blvd. To book your appointment, “Before, you only had two options for visit BellaNails.com, call (813) 578-7878 or your nails — paint your natural nails or put on see the ad on pg. 29 of this issue. fake nails,” she says. “But now, you have many
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Army Vet’s O.M. Yoga & Training Teaches Mindfulness, Mobility & More diploma and certification from the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) in Tampa in 2022. The yoga and personal training certifications, along with his communication degree, made his next step feel natural. He launched an insured mobile business offering one-on-one and group yoga instruction, mobility training, traditional personal training sessions, and workout programs.
By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent Alan Torres was studying business at Cleveland State University in Ohio in 2014 when he says moving in with his uncle changed his life. Alan’s uncle talked about his days in the U.S. Army, and it inspired Alan to “be all that he could be” by enlisting, as well. “I always cared about people and I wanted to serve,” says Alan, “and I wanted to max out my own potential and give myself a challenge.” The Army gave Alan the opportunity to do just that. He served in field artillery with the Army from 2014-18. Alan was based out of Fort Bragg, NC, and was deployed for nine months to northern Syria. “It was the biggest experience of my life,” he says. But, he decided one deployment was enough for him, so he left the Army when his contract ended. Alan says that time in his life, after his service, was difficult. He didn’t have any direction, started gaining weight, didn’t want to leave the house and noticed changes in the way he was handling himself. He says he had a lot of fear and aggression and began boiling over at simple things. He realized that he was navigating the difficult experiences he had while deployed, and he wanted to change. “When I came back to yoga, it was a
Why Is It Called ‘O.M.?’
Alan Torres (center) of O.M. Yoga & Training is certified as both a personal trainer and a yoga instructor, and he is happy to come to your home or office or a park. (Photo provided by Alan Torres)
last resort trying to manage myself,” he says. “It gave me the ability to manage my emotions and thoughts, and space to heal.” Alan had been introduced to yoga back in his college days, and when he needed it most, he says yoga helped him learn to turn his reactions into response. Three years ago, he moved to Ft. Myers, FL, to live near his mom, then decided to continue his studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts B.A. degree in Communication in 2021.
“I had no plans at all post-graduation,” he says, “but somehow, it all lined up.” He realized his passion for yoga could help others like himself who wanted to be more mindful. He began taking classes and eventually was certified with a 200-hour yoga instructor certificate and then a 300-hour advanced certificate from My Vinyasa Practice in Austin, TX. He also earned a certification in Pranayama, which is ancient Indian practice that focuses on breathing techniques. Alan also earned a personal training
Alan says his business is named “O.M.” Yoga & Training for multiple reasons. One is the military term, “Oscar Mike.” When used as a call sign, “Oscar Mike” is interpreted as code for “On the Move.” “Being that we are a mobile and veteran-owned company that promotes holistic wellness through intentional body movement, staying ‘On the Move’ is a vital part of our mission,” says Alan. “Additionally, O.M. also pays tribute to the roots and history of yoga. In the yoga realm, ‘om’ is recognized as the highest vibration and purest energy that connects all things in existence. ‘Om’ symbolizes the positive experiences and meaningful connections we aim to cultivate.” He brings his classes to you, whether you want to practice in your home, office, or a nearby park. “I bring everything you need,” he says. “If you don’t have a mat, I bring the mat. I bring props, bolsters, straps, a speaker, my
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playlist, even aromatherapy. I bring a full yoga studio to your location.” He says this is especially helpful for people like him, who don’t feel they fit in at the typical yoga studio. “I want to help people who want to gain confidence and build the fundamentals,” he says, “then they can do their own thing, if they want.” Besides the mindfulness that yogis learn, the practice of yoga offers other benefits, as well. Alan says his instruction also focuses on stress reduction and the need to decompress through everyday life. Every class opens and closes with meditation, which helps yoga practitioners come into the present moment, leaving behind the chaos of work or traffic or whatever their lives have just thrown at them. He says yoga also helps with mobility. He teaches people to have better movement quality so they set themselves up to age more gracefully. He is careful to teach the correct alignment for every yoga pose so his clients don’t risk being injured. Alan says he typically first works with people once or twice to be sure he’s a good fit, then offers packages of eight classes. Most people prefer classes once or twice a week. After they’ve finished their packages with Alan, they might feel more comfortable going to a local studio or practicing yoga on their own. He also offers group lessons for anyone who has a group of friends or family members who want to learn together, but emphasizes that individual lessons go much deeper.
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“I pride myself on connecting,” Alan says, “especially when it’s one-on-one. It’s amazing to watch people change. Sometimes when I first meet them, they’re down, they’re quiet, but, in a month or two, there’s a big change. That’s so rewarding.” He says his prices are based on how far he has to travel from his home, so although he travels as far as Sarasota, clients in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area will find his fees more affordable. Although O.M. Yoga & Training is a fairly new company that doesn’t have many Google reviews yet, every single review Alan has received is five out of five stars. For example, Jessica Washington says, “Alan can change your life, whether it be in gaining strength, learning to breathe and release tension, setting intentions or simply learning mobility through his well thought out yoga classes.” Aaron Baca’s review says Alan is a “phenomenal teacher. (his) explanations during each session (are) second to none. Five stars each time he comes out and gives a class!” It’s incredibly meaningful for this Army veteran to connect with people who benefit from learning yoga. “I’m very passionate about what I do,” says Alan. “I’ve learned how to manage myself and I want to share that with people.” For more info about O.M. Yoga & Training, visit OMYogaandTraining.com or email Alan at OscarMikeYT@gmail. com. You also can call or text him at (813) 334-6336. Be sure to see his ad on page 1 of this issue, too.
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InnerVision Psychiatry — For Psychiatrist-Led Outpatient Ketamine Treatment By Nidhi Jani
Neighborhood News Correspondent Isn’t it frustrating to feel like you’re out of options or settling for an incomplete solution to a problem? Many people with treatment-resistant anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are in that boat. However, Drs. Simon Chamakalayil and Joseph Pullara of InnerVision Psychiatry, in the Summergate Professional Center behind Sam’s Club, may be able to offer these patients another treatment option — Ketamine.
What’s Exciting About Ketamine?
Ketamine was approved in 1970 by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a general anesthetic, but also has been used off-label (without formal approval yet from the FDA) for short-term pain relief and sedation, chronic pain management and migraines. In recent years, Ketamine has been increasingly studied for use in patients with psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and even suicidal ideation. The exact way that Ketamine works to help patients with psychiatric conditions is not completely understood, but it is believed to be related to the drug’s psychedelic properties, which can cause feelings of detachment or disconnectedness. Since this is a new treatment approach, it can be helpful in patients who did not receive enough relief from more traditional treatments. Unfortunately, because Ketamine has been available for more than 50 years, it is no longer protected by a patent and can be sold by any pharmaceutical company. This greatly reduces the potential profit that a pharmaceutical company can make off of Ketamine, even for a new use, and has eliminated those companies’ incentives to pursue the largescale clinical trials required to submit for and receive FDA approval for Ketamine as a psychiatric treatment. In 2019, Janssen Pharmaceuticals did successfully get FDA approval for one form of Ketamine called Esketamine, under the brand name Sparavato®. While this helped legitimize use of Ketamine for psychiatric conditions, Esketamine was only FDA approved for treatment-resistant depression and depressive symptoms in adults who have acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Also, it is only available as a nasal spray that must be given under supervision of a healthcare provider. But thankfully, barriers for pharmaceutical companies do not stop independent research. In fact, it was while reading promising findings about Ketamine in medical journals when Dr. Pullara first became interested in Ketamine. Is Ketamine safer than other anti-depressants or anti-anxiety/PTSD medications? It, like other psychiatric drugs, has side effects and potential for abuse if used in high (more than medically required) doses. Drs. Chamakalayil and Pullara are aware of this and take measures to minimize these issues. As both doctors explain in a variety of posts and videos on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms, they use only low-dose Ketamine in their clinic as that is the dosing that was mainly studied and supported by the medical community. In order to ensure
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(L.-r.) Amanda Thompson, Dr. Joseph Pullara and Dr. Simon Chamakalayil of InnerVision Psychiatry, which is located in the Summergate Professional Center behind Sam’s Club north of S.R. 56. (Photos on these pages by Charmaine George) by the body) is 3 to 4 hours or less.” outcomes, such as with “Friends” star Matpatient safety and deter potential abuse, they only give Ketamine by intravenous (IV) infu- thew Perry and locally, with Maya Kowalski. The Doctors Behind InnerVision sions in their clinic under healthcare provider Maya Kowalski did not suffer harm Dr. Pullara was born and raised in Lutz. supervision, as opposed to oral Ketamine that from Ketamine, but her healthcare team was After completing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) could be given at home.“Monitoring is imconcerned about her Ketamine use at a young degree in Biological Sciences at Florida State portant,” says Dr. Pullara. “We don’t support age, and at her mother’s insistence. However, University in Tallahassee, he attended mediat-home or oral Ketamine because it can be they initially did not know that Maya has a cal school at the American University of the risky without monitoring.” rare disease called Complex Regional Pain Caribbean in St. Maarten and received his He adds that many of the main side efSyndrome (CRPS) and Ketamine was mediDoctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in 2015. fects of Ketamine — including nausea, vomit- cally prescribed at higher doses to manage her Dr. Pullara’s dedication to researching, dizziness, drowsiness and increased heart pain. For psychiatric conditions, only lowguided treatment advances led him to rate and blood pressure — are often temdose Ketamine is recommended. co-found The Journal of Psychedelic Psychiatry porary and can be monitored and improved Maya’s mother Beata ultimately comwith some of his colleagues during his fourupon by adjusting the infusion rate. mitted suicide herself when doctors at All year psychiatry residency at the University A plus for IV Ketamine therapy for anxi- Children’s Hospital in Tampa feared she was of Kansas in Kansas City, MO, where he also ety, depression and PTSD treatments is that abusing her daughter. The Kowalski family served as chief resident. He currently serves as it does not need to be given every day. The successfully sued the hospital in the nowone of The Journal’s deputy editors. initial treatment — aka, the loading doses — famous “Take Care of Maya” case, which will After finishing residency in 2020, are usually six doses over a two-week period. reportedly be appealed to a higher court. Dr. Pullara returned to Florida and began After that, if the Ketamine is helping, the paAs for the unfortunate death of Matthew working at Lakeland Regional Hospital as a tient will continue on maintenance treatment, Perry, the doctors explain the circumstances psychiatrist, where he met Dr. Chamakalayil, which is based on managing symptoms. behind his Ketamine use. who was similarly interested in Ketamine for Dr. Chamakalayil explains on InnerVi“By now, we have all seen the headuse in his psychiatric patient population. sionPsychiatry.com that after completing lines… “Matthew Perry died of the ‘acute Dr. Chamakalayil completed a combined the initial six treatments, they recommend bi- effects of Ketamine,’” says Dr. Pullara. “The BS/MD program in 2015 at Drexel University weekly treatments for the following month. level of Ketamine found in his system was College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. AfterAfter that, the frequency depends upon each consistent with that of someone undergoing wards, he was a general psychiatry resident at patient’s need, ranging from every other week high-dose anesthesia. These high doses, comTemple University Hospital, also in Philadelor monthly, every two to three months, or bined with the sedative effects of buprenorphia, where he also served as chief resident. even every six months. phine, lorazepam and clonazepam found in Discovering a passion for helping Perhaps the best part is that patients can his system, put him at a significant risk of sechildren and adolescents, Dr. Chamakalayil experience an improvement in their sympdation and respiratory depression. This is why obtained further specialization in child and toms much faster than they can using older the autopsy listed drowning as a ‘contributing adolescent psychiatry by completing a twotreatment options. factor’ in his death.” year fellowship at MedStar Georgetown Uni“Ketamine works more quickly and He adds, “It was reported that Matthew versity Hospital in Washington, DC, where he differently than traditional anti-depressants,” was indeed undergoing IV Ketamine infuserved as clinical chief fellow, in 2021. After says Dr. Chamakalayil. “With other drugs, it completing his training, Dr. Chamakalayil resions for depression, similar to those offered usually takes at least four weeks just to see an at InnerVision Psychiatry. But his last infusion located to central Florida to work at Lakeland effect. With Ketamine, you can see a benefit Regional Hospital. was about 1.5 weeks before his death, and as within a few days to the first week.” While working at the hospital together, the autopsy report itself points out, the KetaThe Matthew & Maya Cases mine in his system ‘could not be from that in- both doctors saw difficult cases of patients There have been a few public cases in fusion therapy, since Ketamine’s half-life (time requiring hospital admission for psychiatric which Ketamine has been associated with bad required for 50% of the drug to be eliminated See “InnerVision” on pg. 28
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‘InnerVision’
Continued from pg. 26 care — and experienced exciting success when using Ketamine in these patients. Dr. Pullara, who eventually moved from Lakeland to Wesley Chapel with his wife and two children, felt strongly that patients in his hometown area shouldn’t have to travel all the way to Tampa or Clearwater for psychiatrist-led Ketamine treatment.
Looking To The Future
Together, the doctors opened InnerVision Psychiatry in Wesley Chapel in November of 2021, becoming the first clinic offering IV Ketamine infusions for anxiety, depression and PTSD in Pasco County. Converting a former Sylvan Learning Center location from the bottom up, they spared no expense in creating a tranquil, state-of-the-art facility for their patients. Working with their office manager Amanda Thompson and a team of four nurses, the clinic is open by appointment only during the weekdays to offer Ketamine infusions. All patients must complete a screening form to ensure that they are good candidates for Ketamine treatment. Importantly, InnerVision does not treat pain, so patients looking for Ketamine for pain relief are referred to pain management providers. The doctors do not believe in a quick, walk-in treatment approach. They always provide a one-hour consultation to new patients to learn their treatment and medication histories and the symptoms they are experiencing before starting Ketamine treatment.
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If necessary, they will touch base a patient’s primary care provider and psychiatrist. Then, on each appointment day, there is a pre- and post-treatment check-in to make sure patients are comfortable and feeling well before and after receiving Ketamine. Even though the office just hosted a ribbon cutting event in January, the doctors estimate that they’ve already helped about 50 patients. Even better is that they’ve already heard great feedback from several of their patients. One of Dr. Chamakalayil’s first patients at InnerVision was struggling with severe anxiety and PTSD since childhood. Like all of the clinic’s patients, this patient had already tried several different treatment options in the past and was therefore diagnosed with treatment-resistant disease. After receiving the loading dose Ketamine treatments, Dr. Chamakalayil recalls that the patient said, “This is the calmest I’ve felt in my entire life. Now I understand what calm means.” Later, after completing the loading doses, the patient provided an update. With the guidance of the patient’s psychiatrist, the patient stopped taking the two oral antidepressants that the patient was previously taking. In the patient’s own words, “Ketamine saved my life.” Right now, the doctors are focusing on Ketamine infusions. But, they believe strongly in evidence-based medicine and are keeping up with the latest research on other psychedelics. They are hopeful about offering patients new treatment options for difficult to treat psychiatric diseases in the coming years.
“There are promising clinical trials for midomafetamine or MDMA (the active ingredient in the street drug ecstasy) in PTSD treatment,” says Dr. Pullara. “It’s possible that by the end of this year, MDMA could receive FDA approval. Currently, there are only two FDA-approved treatments (for PTSD), so this would be the third. We would be interested in providing MDMA treatment to patients upon FDA approval and the release of more research data.” Dr. Chamakalayil also is looking to make a change. His family is still living in Lakeland
for now, but they hope to make the move to Wesley Chapel soon, so they can be closer to the clinic — especially since he and his wife are expecting to welcome their first child in May. InnerVision Psychiatry is located at 27774 Cashford Cir., Suite 102. The clinic is open by appointment only, Mon.- Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more info, call (813) 428-5420, visit InnerVisionPsychiatry.com or see the ad on pg. 40. The website also has links to the clinic’s social media pages, which are regularly updated with easy-tofollow, informative posts and videos.
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Life Guard Imaging — Saving Lives While Honoring Founder’s Father By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
Neighborhood News Correspondent
Imagine being a medical professional, feeling a little off and undergoing a hospital CT (computed tomography) scan of your stomach because, with your background, you know when something is wrong in your body. You receive a clean bill of health despite not feeling well, only to receive a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer 10 months later and tragically lose your battle in six short weeks. Due to gaps in the standard scan you, as a doctor, trusted, it failed to detect cancer on the backside tail of your pancreas, and it went untreated. While healthcare in the US is better than in many places, the downside is that it still is more reactive than proactive. After losing his father, surgeon Benjamin J. Maldonado, Jr., 25 years ago to this usually deadly form of cancer, Frank Maldonado was inspired to establish Life Guard Imaging with his wife Amy. The company opened in Tampa on Rocky Point Dr., off the Courtney Campbell Cswy. in Tampa in August 2021 to be easily accessible to the (predominantly) older demographic that has had their medical needs unchecked but who want to be proactive about their health. A second location of Life Guard Imaging opened in October 2023 in Phoenix, AZ, and a third location is coming to Sarasota in the summer. Unlike traditional scanners, Life Guard Imaging’s low-radiation, high-resolution 3D imaging scanners are programmed with slices
The 3D imaging scanner at Life Guard Imaging in the Rocky Point area of Tampa allows those concerned about their overall health to have a full-body scan that can help save their lives by detecting a number of diseases early. (Photos on these pages by Charmaine George) that are so thin that they can capture something patients are surviving diseases that are taking millions of lives a year. Our motto is saving lives as small as a 2 mm ball-bearing-sized shadow. through early detection.” “At that detectable size, we can monitor it to make sure it doesn’t become something Life Guard Imaging’s detailed scans dangerous or if it is something dangerous, have reveal insights well beyond what basic bloodit eradicated early enough,” says Maldonado, work can show. Much like a mammogram, who is Life Guard Imaging’s director of opera- your first scan acts as a baseline for all future tions. “With these thin slices, we see things so scans. If anything changes, your doctor can small that we can often capture them before plan a course of action. The CT scan radiation they become metastatic, hitting the lymph dosage is so low that it is safe to do annually nodes and spreading throughout the body. Our or, if necessary, even multiple times a year
“From the shoulders to the base of the pelvis, we are trying to find things at the earliest possible moment,” Maldonado says. “Even a deadly disease like cancer, if it’s found early enough, can be survivable.” The company’s vision is to bring this technology and capability to as many cities, states and potentially even other countries as possible. Maldonado and his team want to allow people to detect these once-silent killers before the first symptoms are felt. “Because, generally, that’s when it’s too late,” he explains. Life Guard Imaging offers a comprehensive scan of your vital organs. Among the services available are: • Coronary artery calcium scans that can detect and quantify calcium in the arteries of your heart, allowing you to know your risk for blockage and a potentially life-threatening heart attack. • Lung scans that can visualize nodules as small as 2 mm, detect diseases, particularly lung cancer, early, while it is early and more treatable. • Comprehensive and gentle colon examinations with Life Guard’s “virtual colonoscopy” scan that does not require any anesthesia, dyes or long probes. • CT bone density scans that use X-rays via computed tomography to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone and calculate your risk of breaking a bone. This scan can be added to a lung or full body scan. • The most comprehensive scan is the full body scan. It can uncover abnormalities and changes that occur in the vital organs of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
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New Technology
The team is excited about upcoming additions to the facility. Life Guard Imaging just got a new scanner that is significantly faster and allows for half the radiation dose of prior machines. “We also have ultrasound equipment coming and will be able to do carotid artery screenings,” says director of imaging Stephanie Martin. And, upcoming is totally AI (artificial intelligence) calcium scoring software that’s not out on the market yet, but it’s going to be coming. It’s always good to have an extra set of computer eyes. All scans are performed by registered CT techs and read by Board-certified radiology doctors. We’re really confident about (Left) Your full-body scan at Life Guard Imaging can help detect deadly diseases before they become deadly. (Right) Life Guard’s VP of Busithe results that we’re putting out.” Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker ness Development (and former Tampa Bay Bucs placekicker) Martin Gramatica joined the team because he was so impressed with the services. If anything changes, we’re going to catch it early. The sooner Tran, who says she only got scanned herself in June 2023 Martin Gramatica was so impressed by the service cancer or heart disease is caught, the higher the percentage of because her husband Vihn went for one. To their surprise, it he received he became part of the team. Gramatica, who is now survival, avoiding chemotherapy and radiation, and having a was Tuyen who ended up being diagnosed with Stage 1B lung Life Guard’s VP of Business Development, says, “We tell our good quality of life. We find many things before they become cancer, despite having never been a smoker, as well as with patients we want you to come in before your first symptom. We deadly, and that’s the goal. We’re literally saving one to three fibroid masses in her uterus, all of which have been removed. want people to know they can come in and do a preventive scan. “My pulmonologist said that it was very unusual for a Our goal is to open one to three new locations per year and keep lives per day.” Life Guard Imaging also honors current and veteran mililung malignancy to be found so early,” Tuyen says. “He said the family atmosphere. Our patients are the priority, from the tary, firefighters and police officers with discounted programs that most people don’t get checked until they have symptoms, front desk to the patient advocate to when they get their scans.” on its diagnostic imaging services. which is usually Stage 3 or 4, or too late to be helped. Instead, He adds, “When our patients come in, they will meet Maldonado adds, “This technology has existed for over now we’re just watching it every six months with my oncolowith a patient advocate who will explain other scans. The patient will be in the scanner for 5-6 minutes. It’s very fast. It’s 25 years. Tell me how it’s possible that it is not readily available gist. I just want everyone to know that it works.” Vihn adds, “I believe that Life Guard Imaging has, esan 18-inch donut; patients’ heads never go through the donut, all around the country, let alone all around the world? Our sentially, saved my wife’s life. It was well worth it (the cost). so there are no issues with claustrophobia. It will probably take goal is to help as many people as possible. The fact that people don’t know this is available in the medical world is a tragedy. Even if they find nothing, that’s OK, too. It’s good to have them longer to walk to the scanner than the actual scan.” For every life we save, hundreds of thousands are lost. We’re that peace of mind.” Though preventive scans, like those at Life Guard giving people more time on earth, more memories with their Life Guard Imaging is located at 3001 N. Rocky Imaging, are not covered by insurance, the company offers families, and more good to be done in the world. More people Point Dr., Suite 185. For more information, visit Lifeindividual scan pricing, a comprehensive, affordable Legacy need to have access to this.” GuardImaging.com, call (813) 524-1010 or see the ad on Imaging program, and also accepts Care Credit. Despite being open less than three years, Life Guard Impg. 35. You will receive a heart scan at no cost if you men“Our Legacy Imaging program is a few dollars a day, less aging has hundreds of testimonials from people who say their tion this story. This reporter made an appointment for a than a Starbucks coffee,” Gramatica says. “The first full body lives were saved with early detection. One of those is Tuyen scan after conducting this interview. scan is the baseline, and everything is compared year to year.
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Murtha & Flischel — New Name, Same Great Accounting & Tax Services! By Nidhi Jani
Neighborhood News Correspondent New year, new tax returns to file — and a new name for a trusted staple of the local community. As of Jan. 1 of this year, the well-known local Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm known as Murtha & Murtha, LLC, has been operating under the name of Murtha & Flischel, CPAs, as the firm’s long-time senior accountant Kyle Flischel is now a named managing partner with fellow managing partner and co-founder Patrick Murtha. Thomas Murtha, CPA, Patrick’s father, is still at the firm, located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56, as a cofounder and senior partner, working with his core clients and providing expertise in complex situations. Also, the firm’s second office in Zephyrhills, which was formerly known as Henson & Murtha, CPAs, also is being rebranded under the new name. The trio of Patrick, Kyle and Tom, with more than 60 years of combined experience, can handle accounting, bookkeeping, mergers and acquisitions, taxes and other related services for their clients.
Coming Full Circle
Before Murtha & Flischel, it was originally Kyle’s dad, Raymond Flischel, and Tom Murtha who started working together as Flischel, Murtha & Associates in 1997 in Englewood, FL. Ray became a CPA in 1978 and worked for more than 40 years in the profession before retiring. Tom Murtha also is a CPA and he earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. He has been doing business valuations, mergers, acquisitions and taxes since the 1990s and also taught accounting courses at Hillsborough Community College and the American Institute of Banking for more than 15 years. Patrick and Kyle may have gotten the tax and accounting “bug” from their fathers, but they became friends and colleagues all on their own. They both
The friendly, professional staff of Murtha & Flischel, LLC, is led by co-managing partner Kyle Flischel, CPA (in lighter blue jacket), Tom Murtha, CPA, and co-managing partner Patrick Murtha. (Photo provided by Captured by Arlene Photography) attended the University of South Florida “90% hobby,” becoming pilots has already personal touch and responsiveness. Patrick (USF), where Patrick received Bachelor of proven beneficial to their business, too. and Kyle insist on meeting clients “eyeball “We consult with clients statewide,” Science (B.S.) degrees in both Finance and to eyeball” and Patrick says the person who shares Patrick. “So, we were recently work- meets with you will be the same person Accounting in 2009 and 2015 and Kyle obtained a B.S. in Accounting in 2011 and ing with a client on a business acquisition who files your tax returns, and will return on the east coast of Florida and it took a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Acyour calls throughout the year. counting with a tax concentration in 2017. us only 45 minutes to fly there versus the “We believe in building long-term During 2009 and 2010, Patrick helped usual three hours or so driving on I-4.” relationships, so we can answer questions sell Tom and Ray’s Englewood firm and year-round, not just during tax season,” opened a new firm with Tom — Murtha & Complicated Tax Returns? Patrick says. “A lot of clients who come Murtha, LLC, in Tampa. Then, in 2015, Murtha & Flischel Can Help! to us from another practice say they liked the Murthas moved to Wesley Chapel, Tax season, which just began, is unwho they were working with, but that they where Kyle joined them. doubtedly the firm’s busiest time of year. didn’t return calls or answer emails. Our Since then, the business and its staff While there are many tax software and on- primary goal is to communicate well with have grown steadily over the years. The line tax services available to use at home, our clients.” Wesley Chapel office has expanded in size people with complex situations — such as Potential clients who worry that hirover time to a full building in the same needing to file in multiple states due to ing a tax professional may be too costly office park to accommodate two additional moving, working or owning properties in shouldn’t hesitate to call Murtha & Flissenior accountants as well as new bookother states, etc. — may find that doing chel. The initial consultation is always free keepers and receptionists, who help with their own taxes at home isn’t so easy. and the firm’s rates are similar to those of clients across the state, as well as day-to-day “We’re well-versed in helping clients national tax preparation companies. Plus, administrative tasks. file in multiple states, along with their they will look at your tax paperwork for the Patrick and Kyle have both taken on federal taxes, if they have income or assets current year and tax returns for the previanother challenge recently — getting their from multiple states,” says Patrick. ous three years to better understand your pilot’s licenses. Patrick has his already and What separates Murtha & Flischel financial situation — as well as look for Kyle is working on getting his soon. from TurboTax® software or nationwide See “Murtha & Flischel” on pg. 34. While Patrick admits this endeavor is firms like Jackson Hewitt is the firm’s
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‘Murtha & Flischel’ Continued from pg. 32
opportunities to submit for missed savings — and ultimately put more money back into your pocket. “Kyle is excellent and we have been using his services for over three years,” shares client David Ernst. “I only wish I had found him sooner. Kyle has helped not only with our taxes, but also with audits and making amendments to prior years.”
Business Owners — Take Note! New this year, Patrick and Kyle are
IR
E NAIL
When you work with Murtha & Flischel CPAs, you get the benefit of more than 60 years of experience with (l.-r.) Patrick Murtha, Kyle Flischel & Tom Murtha. (Photos by Captured by Arlene Photography) lished in 2024, owners will only have 90 days. It’s free and relatively simple in most cases to register BOI online through the BOI e-filing system, but the penalties for not registering or registering incorrectly are steep — “civil penalties up to $500 for each day the violation continues” and possibly “criminal liabilities of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.” If e-filing your BOI independently seems daunting, Murtha & Flischel can guide you through the e-filing process or help you determine if your business falls within the 23 exempted groups. And, while the FinCEN requirement is new, helping business owners is something the firm has been doing for a long time. A popular service Murtha & Flischel of-
B A R
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reaching out to all business owners to inform them of an important new federal requirement that went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. Under the U.S. Department of the Treasury is a group called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which is now requiring many businesses to register all beneficial ownership information (BOI) or decision makers. According to FinCEN.gov, this requirement comes as a result of bipartisan legislation called the Corporate Transparency Act, which was passed in 2021 to “make it harder for bad actors to hide or benefit from their ill-gotten gains through shell companies or other opaque ownership structures.” “This requirement can apply to limited liability corporations (LLCs), other corporations and partnerships, and even rental property owners,” says Kyle. If your business was created prior to 2024, you have until the end of the year to report BOI, but for businesses newly estab-
fers is the “CFO retainer package.” With this package, the firm helps businesses and people who are self-employed do monthly accounting and bookkeeping as well as budgeting for the future. Murtha & Flischel also offers advice for tax planning, mitigating tax bills and about health insurance or retirement plans. “Patrick Murtha did my business’ taxes from 2022 forward,” shares a client named Khaled. “Great knowledge. Very responsive to all my questions. He is beyond just a regular CPA, he is a tax strategist. I highly recommend Patrick Murtha for small business owners, particularly doctors.” Additionally, if you’re considering selling your business, Patrick says the firm can help you understand the current and potential future value of your business with the principals’
expertise in business valuations and appraisals. “If you have a publicly traded business, you can estimate your piece of the business’ worth by multiplying the number of shares you own by its current trading value, but small businesses can’t do that,” explains Patrick. “We help businesses estimate their worth by looking at their budgeting, financial statements, sales and cash flow, which can help to set realistic goals and benchmarks for growing or selling your business in the future.” The Wesley Chapel office of Murtha & Flischel, CPAs is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. The Zephyrhills office is at 5315 8th St. For a free consultation or tips on tax filings, call (813) 991-1120, see the ad on pg. 15 or visit TampaTaxFirm.com today.
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Señor Tequila — New Menu Items Add To Already Authentic Flavors By GARY NAGER
If it’s been a while since you first visited Señor Tequila — the Mexican restaurant that took over the former Bonefish Grill space in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza (on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., south of S.R. 56) in May of 2021 — you should probably give it another try. Wesley Chapel Señor Tequila owner Alvaro Mellado and his family have opened and been operating all five of the restaurant’s locations — the original of which opened in Winter Springs (in the Orlando area) ten years ago, although Mellado also owns the location on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood and opened a new one a year ago in Clearwater. Even so, the Wesley Chapel location recently got an impressive menu upgrade that likely will have it moving up in our readers’ rankings in the 2024 Dining Survey. Every restaurant these days seems to have — and many people love — Mexican street corn (“Elote” in Spanish), but photographer Charmaine George and I really enjoyed Señor Tequila’s new version, which covers corn on the cob sections on skewers with mayo, cotija cheese and queso sauce, cilantro and tajin seasoning. My favorite new appetizer, however (which should come as a surprise to no one) is the ceviché, which is a new item normally served as a trio of lime-marinated fresh fish, shrimp and octopus, but I had to get mine with fish only, since I’m allergic to the shrimp. Señor Tequila’s version of this favorite adds fresh tomatoes, red onions, avocado and tajin. The fish was tilapia, which isn’t always my favorite, but the flavor was delicate and tangy and the tomatoes and avocadoes were a nice touch, too. We also sampled the super-tasty pollo Tapatio (Tapatio is the name given to people from Guadalajara, Mexico, as well as a brand of hot sauce). The dish features grilled chicken breast sauteéd with onions, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and poblano peppers and is served with rice and the Mexican bandera salad (guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo) and your choice of tortillas. The chicken was tender and tasty, but not at all spicy, and the sautéed veggies were excellent. Although I’m still more partial to the sizzling chicken and steak fajitas at Señor Tequila, Wesley Chapel marketing rep (and sometime server and weekend bartender) Dafne Dominguez says that among the most popular dishes are the brochetas — skewered steak, chicken, bacon, onions, and bell peppers that are marinated in a special house sauce with chile guajillo (a sweet type of pepper) and is served with rice. Please note that the brochetas
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are slow-cooked for 20 minutes and since everything at Señor Tequila is made fresh to order, you will wait for it. Please also take into account that if you prefer your steak medium rare to rare, it is hard have it that way on the same skewers as chicken, which has to be cooked all the way through. But, the flavor was excellent. Other top sellers at Señor Tequila include the steak Monterrey (skirt steak with a poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp and veggies, topped with creamy habanero pesto sauce), the birria tacos and the monster super burrito with your choice of beef or chicken. Save room for dessert, because not only does Señor Tequila serve delicious lava chocolate cake and flan, but also the ever-popular fried ice cream (with vanilla ice cream rolled in corn flakes, topped with caramel), as well as mine and Charmaine’s new favorite — the Xango (pronounced “Chang-o”), which is creamy cheesecake wrapped in a pastry tortilla
and fried until golden brown, covered with cinnamon and caramel. Decadent! Señor Tequila’s full, premium liquor bar also is now featuring new bartender-created drinks, including a “True Blue” organic margarita, an Añejo old fashioned, sangritas (house frozen margarita with a sangria floater) and many more. The bar features a huge selection of tequilas and mezcals, from the usual favorites to top shelf and even many rare finds — and Happy Hour is Mon.-Fri., 3 p.m.-5 p.m.. Señor Tequila (1640 BBD Blvd.) is open every day for lunch & dinner and delivery through Doordash is available. For reservations (not required), orders or more info, call (813) 428-5411, visit TheSenorTequila.com or see the ad on pg. 41.
(Clockwise from top left) The pollo Tapatio, ceviche, Elote (Mexican street corn) and Xango (fried cheesecake) dessert are all among our editor’s favorites at Señor Tequila in The Shoppes at New Tampa Plaza on BBD Blvd. south of S.R. 56. (All photos by Charmaine George)
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Lima Peruvian Cuisine — New Specials, Same Delicious Food! By GARY NAGER Photos by Charmaine George
If you’ve somehow still never sampled Peruvian food — despite having an outstanding Peruvian restaurant right here on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — I implore you to go visit Lima Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Cuisine in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center. Lima, which is owned by Oscar Escudero, who was raised in Lima, Peru, continues to add amazing new dishes, thanks to Oscar’s passion and his happy supporting cast. The food at Lima is a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisines, since Peru is on the west coast of South America and located directly across the Pacific Ocean from China, which means that in the same place you can find several varieties of authentic Latin ceviché, you also can find wok-sautéed lo meinstyle noodle and fried rice dishes. If that sounds too good to be true to you, trust me, it’s not. And, if that combination doesn’t make your mouth water, trust me, it should. I named Lima my Favorite Latin Restaurant in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for 2023 because no other place in either of our areas offers a wider variety of uniquely spiced and tasty dishes. And, feel free to research why Peruvian food has been named as the best Latin American cuisine and among the favorite cuisines in the entire world by several trusted sources. Speaking of unique, not only does Lima offer lime-marinated ceviché options like shrimp, mussels and calamari, as well as my favorite Ceviché de Pescado (raw white meat fish), Oscar recently added — as a special only, at least for now — his own twist on the classic dish that he calls Ceviché Lima, which adds a savory golden pepper sauce to the fish and two types of corn kernels, as well as a generous helping of flash-fried calamari. The sauce is so delicious that not only does it give the ceviché itself a delightfully different flavor, with just a hint of spice, it also may be the best dipping sauce for fried calamari I’ve ever tasted. I told Oscar that I would tell my readers to ask — no, make that demand — that he add Ceviché Lima to the regular menu, so please feel free to do just that! Speaking of new specials that definitely should be added to Lima’s regular menu, Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I also got to sample Oscar’s Asado de Res con Ensalada Rusa, which is slow-cooked-toincredibly-tender beef tenderloin in a brown gravy of its own juices, with a side of Russian-
40
(Left) Please tell owner Oscar Escudero that you want his new Ceviché Lima added to his regular menu, which already features favorites like the Lima Wrap sandwich (above). (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)
inspired potato-and-beet salad. Jannah, who saw the purple color of this entrée’s side dish and immediately thought she wouldn’t like it, said the beef tenderloin was better than my mom’s brisket (pot roast) recipe, which might have started an argument between us if I didn’t kind of agree with her! And, although my wife didn’t love the beet-and-potato salad, Charmaine and I agreed it was pretty delicious, too. Feel free to also beg Oscar to add this one to the menu. Other dishes that aren’t new to the menu that we sampled for the first time on our most recent visit include the Lima Wrap sandwich, which is a tasty chicken salad wrap that adds small tomato wedges and cilantro, which gives the chicken salad an unusual zing. The fries were a perfect complement, even though I would order them extra crispy next time. But, since we had some of the Ceviché Lima sauce left over, we all dipped a lot of the fries in both that sauce and the gravy from the Asado dish until all of the fries were gone. Yum! And, although the Tallarin Saltado de Pollo (flamed diced chicken breast with sliced onions, tomatoes, scallions, julienned peppers and cilantro blended with pasta and Peruvianstyle soy sauce) is still Jannah’s favorite dish at Lima, she and Charmaine both also raved about their first sampling of the Tallarin Saltado de Mariscos, which is the same dish, but with shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams,
instead of chicken. And, although I couldn’t sample it because of my hated shellfish allergy (I could eat the calamari and clams, but not in the same dish as the shrimp and mussels), Charmaine said that all of the seafood was cooked to perfection and the flavors all blended amazingly well together. There also is a Tallarin de Carne, which replaces the chicken or seafood with tenderloin tips that I also love. Similar wok-sautéed style dishes also are available without the pasta — replaced by sides of both white rice and French fries — in Lima’s
Lomo Saltado, as well as in Oscar’s Arroz Chaufa (fried rice) with the same protein options as the Tallarin and Lomo Saltado. These also are excellent, but there’s just something about the way the pasta blends with the Peruvian soy sauce that makes it my preferred choice. And yes, Lima does feature its perfectly spiced rotisserie chicken, available as chickenonly or with side dishes that include some of the best black beans and rice in town. Other sides include pico de gallo, a zesty house salad, yuca fries and tostones (twice-fried green plantain slices). Other appetizers include Papa (boiled
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potatoes) or Yuca Huancaina (covered with cold yellow pepper cheese sauce), as well as tostones topped with chicken salad, tenderloin tips or shrimp, and choros a las Chalaca (mussels on the half shell topped with pico de gallo). There also are several soups on the menu, including Aguadito (cilantro chicken soup) and two different types of mixed seafood soups. And, there is a variety of other sandwiches, as well as a Lima Bowl (jasmine rice topped with black beans, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo and Lima chicken salad with cilantro house sauce). Save room for dessert, too, as Lima has a number of new options we hadn’t sampled before, including the refreshing and light passion fruit Cake de Maracuya and Tres Leches de Lucian, which has hints of coffee and caramel. Kids will enjoy Lima’s chicken tenders with fries and Salchipapas, which are fries topped with diced allbeef hot dogs and a choice of sauces. Domestic and imported beer (including Peruvian Cusqueña and Sierra Andina) and sangria also are available for adults. Lima Peruvian Cuisine (19062 BBD Blvd.) opens every day at 11:30 a.m. and stays open until 8 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 9 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. & 7 p.m. on Sun. For more info, call (813) 304-0205, visit LimaTampa. com, or see the ad on pg. 39 for 10% (Top) If you like pot roast, you should definitely try off any take-out or dine-in order. Lima’s Asado de Res con Ensalada Rusa. (Above) The Delivery also is available through DoorDash and Uber Eats. Cake de Maracuya is light, refreshing and delicious.
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Neighborhood Nibbles: Fazoli’s Is Coming Soon, But Barberitos Isn’t Here’s an update on two restaurants we’ve written about before. According to Jon Mott of plaza developer Paradise Ventures, the new 8,000-sq.ft. building to be called The Shoppes at Cypress Creek will still soon be home to the only Tampa-area location of Fazoli’s (since the only other Tampaarea link in the fast-casual chain on E. Busch Blvd. closed a couple of months ago) on S.R. 54 (less than a mile west of the Tampa Premium Outlets). Mott says the plaza’s first phase should be completed within the next couple of months and turned over to the tenants, who will then have to build out their respective spaces. And, while Mott also says that Fazoli’s (photo) is still among those tenants, he also noted that Barberitos, the fast-casual Mexican place that was previously announced as the threespace plaza’s other restaurant tenant — but is still listed as “Coming Soon” at
Barberitos.com — is no longer going to open in that location. Mott says that among the interested tenants to take over for Barberitos are a popular juice bar chain as well as a “well-known national taco place.” It seems unlikely that the taco place would be another Taco Bell, considering that there already is one less than a mile to the east — next to the coming-soon Shake Shack across S.R. 56 from the Outlets — and another on Collier Pkwy., or less than two miles west of this new plaza. There also already is a Taco Bus in the Shell gas station located between the S.R. 56 Taco Bell and The Shoppes at Cypress Creek. But, you never know. Mott also says that the space between Fazoli’s and whatever restaurant takes over for Barberitos in the plaza will be an orthodontic office. We’ll keep you posted when we get any additional updates. — GN
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a half-mile to the north (Chipotle is in the same outparcel building in the Walk at Highwoods Preserve as Panera Bread). “We make everything fresh and have no freezers,” franchise owner Mike Monttoppings — from tortilla strips, shredante, who also owns the Qdoba franchise ded cheese and pickled jalapeños, pico de Chicken Marsala on Falkenburg in the Brandon area• 813.388.5353 gallo, salsa roja,•chileTheGrillatMorrisBridge.com crema and more, as 0920 Cross Creek Rd. Blvd. (next to Publix) The Grill at Morris Bridge • (but not the closest location to us on E. well as both hot and mild queso sauces. Fowler Ave., next to MOSI), told me For my bowl on a recent visit to the when we met him at the North Tampa Bay Fowler Ave. Qdoba, I chose grilled steak, Chamber’s Final Friday event at Walkwhite rice, red beans, romaine lettuce, On’s Sports Bistreaux on Jan. 26. pico de gallo, chile corn salsa and the chile Chef’s Special Meatballs Qdoba allows you to craft your own crema sauce and everything was very fresh. These Dishes Are Currently Available As Everyday Specials Only! entrée — whether you want a bowl, burThe New Tampa Qdoba was still rito, grilled quesadilla, nachos, salad or hiring at our press time, but I can’t be 10920 Cross Creek Blvd. (next to Publix) three tacos. Available proteins include sure whether or not positions will still be veggie, grilled adobo chicken, ground available as you’re reading this, but you 813.388.5353 beef, Cholula® hot & sweet chicken, can text “116A” to 31063 to find out for TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com pulled pork, grilled steak or brisket birria. yourself. For more information, call (813) The Grill at Morris Bridge There also is a nice variety of salsas and 761-0005 or visit Qdoba.com. — GN
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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds Are you or isMISCELLANEOUS someone you love struggling HOME IMPROVEMENT
NEED HELP PACKING, UNPACKING & ORGANIZING? Let us help you! We LOVE putting things in their place. We specialize in helping you de-clutter, organize & purge unwanted/unused items. We can unpack & organize your new home or help you prepare & pack for your move. Call 813-523-2421 or 813-469-7935 or visit homesweettampabay.com.
JUNK HAULING SERVICE! We handle all types of furniture removal — bdrm sets, chairs, mattresses & box springs • Hot water heaters & hot tubs - take apart & remove • Construction material • Carpet removal • Estate, eviction, yard, garage & attic clean-outs • Ofc, home & factory • Comm’l/res’l. GorillaJunkremovalExperts.com. For appts, call/ text Nigel @ 888-346-5865.
WESLEYCHAPELPRESSUREWASHINGCOM. Soft pressure ext. house cleaning, screen enclosures, pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, paver sealing & deck staining. We clean everything. No job too big/small. Exp. the difference when you hire a pressure cleaning pro. Licensed & insured. Owner operated. Call for a free estimate 813-433-6015.
RAYMOND PAINTING. Ext. & Int. Svcs. Ext: Painting, pressure washing, clean & seal pavers, stucco, roofing, leaks & wood rot repair. Int: Painting, plastering, ceiling & wall repairs & tiles. Licensed & Bonded. References available. Free estimates. Your Neighborhood Arbor Greene Resident! We work 7 days. Call 813-994-5124.
DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 30+ years of exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-784-5999. Lic. #SCC131149699
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! DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.
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 813-495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.
Can’t Afford A Display Ad But Still Want To Reach 180,000 People In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel? Our Classified Ads Are A Great Deal: 7 Issues (3 mos.)-$120 13 Issues (6 mos.)-$200 26 Issues (1 yr.)-$300! Classified ads automatically run in both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! Visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or email your ad to Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com. Pay for your ad by calling 813.910.2575.
___ 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
Well-appointed Prof. Ofc Space for Rent. 600 sq. ft. in New Tampa, opposite Publix on BBD. Two separate office spaces, secretarial space, good-sized bathroom, large closet with shelving & wide hallway. Plenty of parking. Excellent location for Attorney, CPA, Chiropractor, Insurance Co., IT Consultant. For leasing details, please call 813-468-9110.
___ 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.
with math? Do you find the material difficult to understand? Well, not anymore, because I can help make math easier for you to understand. My lessons will help you learn easy methods to solve problems. Contact Tim Rajpathak at (561) 2519093 or by email: timaculus397@gmail.com CNA/HHA & Companion. Will provide private care in your home. 25+ years of experience. 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! DOES YOUR LOVED ONE NEED CARE AT HOME? Faith Compassionate Home Care Provides Medical & Non-Medical Home Health Care svcs: Nursing care, medication mgmt, case mgmt, companion care, home health aide, respite care, bowel care services, training to caregiver & more. Flexible pymt options. We accept private pay only. For info, call 813-602-4431. 360 BOOKKEEPING LLC - We focus on your Bookkeeping so you can focus on your Business. 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 now accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory with a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also available! Contact us at 813-748-3216.
Your Neighbors Read Neighborhood News Classified Ads!
CLEANING SERVICES
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.
YOUR ONE-STOP CLEANING SERVICE! Tile & Grout (color sealing avail.), Air Vents, Dryer Vents, Carpet, Area Rugs, Upholstery & Mattresses. Routine, move-in, move-out & deep cleaning. Also avail: Slip-resistant treatmt for shower floor tile & bathrm surfaces. Only 100% green cleaners used. We clean, disinfect, deodorize & protect! Call or text 813.785.3315 or visit TampaTotalCleaning.com. 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. FamilyOwned & Operated. WC resident. Weekly & Bi-Weekly/Deep Cleaning/Move-In/Move-Out. Serving WC & NT. Call today for a FREE NoObligation Quote: 813-462-1270. 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.
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.
Direct-Mailed to 33,000+ Residences & Businesses (90,000 people!) in Zip Codes 33543, 33544 & 33545
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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 32, Issue 4 • February 20, 2024 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
Neighborhood News
@NTWCNews