Issuu

Volume 26

WESLEY CHAPEL

Inside:

NEWS

New Chef Makes Little Italy’s Even Better In Neighborhood Magazine!

Issue 14 June 29, 2018

Please View, Like & Share Every Episode Of WCNT-tv On YouTube & Facebook! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in Wesley Chapel (zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545), see page 42!

Trouble In The Lagoon Paradise?

What Exactly Were Epperson Residents Promised About The First Crystal Lagoons® Amenity In The U.S.? By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

After years of anticipation and months of positive press clippings, the country’s first community to be home to a Crystal Lagoons® amenity in Epperson, is facing choppy, albeit crystal clear, waters. First, summer is here and the lagoon isn’t open, thanks in part to Pasco County ordering Metro Development Group, which is building the high-profile project, to halt construction back in May when it discovered 19 buildings had been built without proper permits. While construction has resumed, even more disconcerting to Metro might be a host of current residents — and others under contract and waiting to move into Epperson — complaining publicly about what they feel are broken promises and false advertising that have led to additional fees, despite paying premium prices for homes in the community. That group, which it says numbers roughly 70 homeowners and those who have placed deposits or are under contract, hired the Kovar Law Group to represent themselves when, they say, they did not receive any answers from Metro. They took their complaints public on June 15, when the group called local media outlets for an impromptu press conference at the lagoon. That has exacerbated strained relationships, mostly through Facebook posts and comments, and residents who say they are pleased with Metro and who fear

Construction has resumed at the Crystal Lagoons® amenity in Epperson, after a delay due to permitting. The delay in opening the lagoon, combined with the cost of amenities, has riled many in the community. (Photo: Gavin Olsen) the bad publicity will bring down their property values and cast an unfair stain on the new community. Metro responded to the Neighborhood News through public relations firm Tucker/Hall with a prepared statement: “The Epperson neighborhood has been extraordinarily popular, and we are honored that so many families are moving here and enjoying the area. We want all families to enjoy the neighborhood and amenities, and we have already extended new discounts and benefits to early residents. We want to hear feedback from residents about their questions so we can work with them to make the area even better as this neighborhood grows.” Those angry with Metro, however, say they haven’t received any clear answers. They say they were promised an idyllic paradise, presented for months in beautiful renderings where one monthly

fee of $25 gets you full run of the lagoon, all packaged as “Lagoon Living.” Instead, those residents are discovering a number of things they claim Metro and Epperson did not market — additional costs for amenities, including rides down an inflatable water slide and kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as rules against bringing in your own chairs and coolers, as well as memberships for non-residents. “The people complaining are the ones who looked at stuff without asking questions,” says Epperson resident Ken Shere. “They obviously didn’t read the bylaws” which, he adds, states clearly that Metro has the right “to set and adjust pricing.” Bill Rowe, who moved into Epperson June 1 with his granddaughter, agrees, but only to a certain point. See “Lagoon” on pg. 4

Wesley Chapel’s Professional Fireworks Spectacular Returns To Avalon Park West!

By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

Not too many small towns can say they have their own Fourth of July fireworks display but, thanks to Avalon Park West (APW), Wesley Chapel can. For the fifth consecutive year, APW will host a celebration that, in past years, has drawn crowds in the thousands. And, for the third straight year, it is the only place in Wesley Chapel to catch a professional fireworks display, since the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel stopped hosting its Freedom Fest celebrations at the Shops at Wiregrass. But, it’s not just about fireworks at

Avalon Park West, a growing mixed-use community located off S.R. 54, adjacent to (and technically a separately-developed part of) New River Township. The party actually begins at 5 p.m., with a host of family-friendly activities leading into the rockets’ red glare, which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. “Our Independence Day Celebration is meant to bring all of the region together for an event they will remember,” says Stephanie Lerret, senior VP at Avalon Park Group, the developer of APW. “We take great pride in providing unique opportunities to play in Avalon Park West.” The activities include: • A pie bake-off.

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• A bike parade, with kids showcasing and decorating their bikes. • Wet & dry slides, for kids of all sizes. • Dozens of vendors featuring crafts and other goods • Food Trucks Last year’s crowd was estimated at 3,000 people, and Marielle Fernandez, APW’s marketing and events coordinator, says “we expect even more this year.” Fernandez adds that there also will be bounce houses and community performers this year. “The idea is to bring the community together,” she says. “This event is for them.” For additional information, visit AvalonParkWest.com.

WCNT-tv Celebrates Two Chair Years & NTBC Chair Resigns! After Dr. Zack Resigns

An editorial by Gary Nager together generated a reach of more than 166,000 people, plus more than 90,000 views I hope you’re continuon YouTube and Facebook and more than ing to enjoy watching our 6,500 engagements. WCNT-tv — Wesley Chapel We expect these types of short videos to & New Tampa Television— generate even more views and engagements segments on YouTube and than our WCNT-tv News Desk segments with Facebook. It at least appears Susanna and I talking, because they’re shorter that quite a few of you enjoy watching and and don’t require the viewer to actually listen sharing the segments, whether they’re “News to the video. Desks” with yours truly and my co-host Even so, our new News Desk segments Susanna Martinez or senior video editor Gavin also continue to attract thousands of views Olsen’s outstanding slide videos, which coneach and also will now include full captioning, tinue to grow in popularity. so more people can watch it without having to In fact, Gavin’s slide video from March have the volume on as they watch. Gavin and 7, about the “green” grocery store known as I believe that having the captioning of every Earth Fare breaking ground at the corner of episode will be a factor in finally getting us S.R. 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54, has over the one million total views (not reach) on been our most-viewed segment of 2018 to YouTube and Facebook I’ve been hoping for date, with a reach of nearly 30,000 people on since the show started. Facebook, nearly 17,000 views and more than Over the next couple of weeks, I also 1,100 engagements (Likes/Loves, Comments hope you’ll look for the return of WCNT-tv and Shares). business correspondent Mollyana Ward, who And, one of Gavin’s most recent (June 5) held a North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) slide videos was about the reopening of Amici of Commerce Ribbon Cutting, after the Pizza on Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz, which Chamber’s own ribbon cutting at its new generated a reach of nearly 26,000 and nearly office, for Lagoon Realty, the local real estate 15,400 views and 1,600+ engagements. company in Epperson, where the first Crystal Less than two weeks earlier, on May 24, Lagoons® amenity (see story on pg. 1) in the our “Virtual Tour: What’s Coming Soon to U.S. is located. Wiregrass Ranch & SR 56” reached nearly Also, over the next month or two, you’ll 24,000 people, with more than 16,000 views also see WCNT-tv segments updating the S.R. and 1,000 engagements. 54 and S.R. 56 areas near Wiregrass Ranch, and And, on April 16, his video “SR 56 & hopefully, a live update (with frosty beverage U.S. Hwy. 301 Connection” had a reach of in hand) from the new Bahama Breeze Island nearly 22,000 people, plus more than 12,000 Grill opening by July 16 (see pg. 38). views and nearly 1,000 engagements. I also want to thank our webcast partner, And, the list goes on and on. In fact, the the North Tampa Bay Chamber and CEO top six videos of 2018 appear in a full-page ad Hope Allen for continuing to support the on pg. 30 of this issue. Those top-six videos show and this publication, even though it’s been a little while since Mollyana has gotten Wesley Chapel to host a Chamber Featured Business segment. We plan to remedy that soon. Neighborhood News So, while we haven’t quite yet reached a Address: million total views on Facebook and YouTube, 29157 Chapel Park Dr., Suite B we have surpassed 700,000 total views and a Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 total Facebook reach of more than 1.2 million Phone: (813) 910-2575 people in a little less than two years (WCNTAdvertising E-mail: tv debuted on June 23, 2016). So yes, I’m Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com pretty proud of those accomplishments. Editorial E-mail: Please call (813) 910-2575 or email EditorialDept@NTNeighborhoodNews.com ads@WCNT-tv.com for information about Publisher & Editor promoting your business on our show Gary Nager and/or in these pages. Advertising/Marketing Rep Tom Damico Advertising Sales & Office Assistant Jannah McDonald Assistant Editor / Photographer John C. Cotey Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Brad Stager • Andy Warrener WCNT-tv Video Production Gavin Olsen • Giuliano Ferrara Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Stephanie Vokes Flischel

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 reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions and advertisements for Volume 26, Issue 16, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Monday, July 16, 2018. 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.

Local dentist Dr. Zack Kalarickal has officially resigned his position as Chairman of the Board (and from the Board itself) of the NTBC only about six months into his one-year term, citing family concerns. Immediate past president Jennifer Cofini of the Parks Auto Group, who read the Chamber’s official statement to more than 100 NTBC members at the NTBC’s Monthly Business Breakfast at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on June 5, has agreed to step in to serve the remainder of Dr. Kalarickal’s term. No additional information was available at our press time. But, for more info about the NTBC itself, including the meeting/event schedule, stop in at 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A, Lutz FL 33559, call (813) 994-8534 or

Jennifer Cofini of the Parks Auto Group has taken the gavel back from Dr. Zack Kalarickal as Board Chair of the NTBC. visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

‘Lagoon’

Continued from Page 1 “You can put into a contract that we have the right to make changes,” Rowe says. “Of course, they are going to make changes. They have to be reasonable, though.” Some don’t think Epperson’s latest email falls into the reasonable category, though. According to an email sent to residents three weeks ago, thanking them for their patience, Epperson introduced, in addition to the $25 monthly fee all residents pay, Play Passes. Bronze Level passes, which will cost $20 a month per person for the summer season (March through September), are good for unlimited slide rides, four Wibit (an inflatable water platform) sessions and four guest passes. For $40 more a month per person, Silver Level passes allow four 1-hour kayak rentals, four 1-hour paddleboard rentals and two more guest passes. A Gold Level pass is $90 per person per month, allowing for 30 Wibit sessions, 30 1-hour kayak and paddleboard rentals, eight passes and unlimited slide rides. A family of four could spend as much as $360 a month ($4,320 per year) to enjoy close to unlimited access to the lagoon amenities, or $2,160 just for the sumKen Shere says Epperson is mer. (Notethe best community he has Metro did not ever lived in. He believes respond to a that many of those com- question about plaining did not read their what happens contracts closely enough. from October through February, since it’s not mentioned in their pricing.) “I hope they come to some sort of resolution, something fair,” Rowe says. “I don’t want that every time my daughter goes down a slide I have to get out my wallet and pay a fee. I want my wife to be able to walk down to the lagoon and have a bottle of water with her without water police stopping her. I want Metro to succeed, but you have to be fair and not let it become some amusement park. It’s not what I signed up for.”

Changes In Pricing

Epperson is reducing prices for current homeowners. Residents who bought before June 25 receive a 75-percent “pioneer” discount, but just for this summer, meaning that the Play Pass tiers will be only $5, $15 and $22 a month per person. Next year, the pioneer discount will be 50 percent, then 25 percent in 2020, before being phased out completely. Kristen Alvis, who bought her home in July of 2017, and others, say those who are complaining did not read their contracts closely enough. “I signed a contract with M/I Homes and again at closing and, in both cases, it was clearly stated that the $25 monthly fee provided you access to the lagoon,” Alvis says. “There was nothing implied about (other) amenities.” And, for those who are complaining that public memberships will be available when they thought they were buying into an amen4

Some residents are disappointed that the water slide depicted in renderings used in marketing materials still on display at the pool (top left) are not what they ended up with, which Metro Development Group says was done out of caution, due to the potential for severe weather in Florida. Other residents are leery of the lack of free amenities at the lagoon. (Photos: Gavin Olsen) families. He hopes Metro will reevaluate the On May 24-25, two town hall meetings ity offered only to residents, Shere points out prices of passes in order to attract more people were held. Smith said due to some of the perwhere it clearly says in a recent community to the community. sonal attacks he has endured, he and his wife disclosure addendum that “the Lagoon will And, about that community — Lessem backed out of their contract. not be for the exclusive use of buyers within knows nerves have been frayed and enemies “I don’t want it to fail,” he says. “I just Epperson Ranch, and outside memberships made, all inflamed by Facebook. He said he think Metro should come in and say, ‘Hey will be available.” guys, we’re going to take responsibility for this is “disappointed in the maturity level” shown Shere says Epperson is the best neighby many of his neighbors on both sides of the (confusion), and moving forward we’re going borhood he has ever lived in. He said Metro issue, “but people let emotions get the best of to change our marketing material.’ If they had provided an Icee truck, tent for a grill and them when they get passionate.” said amenities not included, prices subject to other items for Epperson’s summer bash, and At the end of the day, however, he says has helped develop a tight-knight community. change, we would have been okay with that. everyone has to live together. I just feel like the way they did it was false He is disappointed in the negativity towards “The community is not the lagoon, advertising.” Metro, and thinks much of it is being fueled it’s the community,” Lessem says. “It’s your Lessem says he thinks bashing Metro by non-residents who only have deposits down neighbors. When all of this is said and done, publicly wasn’t the way to go, though he and aren’t yet as invested in the community. admits he is one of those disappointed that the you have to ask yourself, what’s more imporHe says he is convinced that 95 percent lagoon isn’t open yet. tant? You’re going to find out you missed out of residents are happy, even though many He said the pricing is no surprise to him, on, like making friends, because of whatever might be discouraged that the lagoon isn’t but he can see how it can add up for larger side you are taking in this whole debate.’’ open yet. Those on the other side say that they believe more than half of the residents are unhappy and want answers from Metro. When the group of residents and potential future residents started having town halls, Shere says he and others asked them to stop representing the community and look for other avenues to resolves their issues. When they hired an attorney, he says that started a series of back-and-forth attacks on social media. “That’s when it all got real,” said Kip Lessem, an Epperson resident since April. “The fact that the lagoon isn’t open yet, and then all this other stuff happened, it just added fuel to the fire.” But, Jonathan Smith, a one-time prospective Epperson resident, says Metro’s lack of a response to concerns about amenities, and a series of what he called “conflicting messages,” left him and others no choice. “It was marketed and advertised and sold to us as an all-inclusive exclusive amenity for residents,’” he says. “Metro has gone back and forth wavering on really what it was going to be.” Smith adds that even today, site maps at the lagoon show a two-person slide next to a tube slide in the Adventure Bay part of the lagoon; when in fact, only a large blue and white inflatable slide sits on the other side of the lagoon. The renderings have been used for months by Metro to promote and market the lagoon, although their defenders says renderings of any project are always subject to change and should not be taken literally. “If you look at the rendering and can’t take it literally, then why even post it?,” Smith asks, adding that instead of deluging Metro with emails, the group decided to hire an attorney to represent their concerns and try to get some answers.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

@NTWCNews

Roadways Study Is Extensive But Short On Answers About Kinnan-Mansfield By JOHN COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Following years of debate about connecting Kinnan St. in New Tampa to Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe, it was hoped by many that the Wesley Chapel Roadways Study, which took over a year to complete and was highly anticipated when it was finally published, would answer some questions about that possible connection, as well as others. Most of those questions, however, remain unanswered. “It was kind of anti-climactic,” said Meadow Pointe II resident Chris Dillinger, one of those who has tried to rally locals to prevent connecting Kinnan and Mansfield. The study, which looked at two other connections to New Tampa via Meadow Pointe Blvd. and Wyndfields Blvd. as well, was presented to roughly 75 area residents on May 29 at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC). The presentation condensed the 450-page report, which is filled with pages of 2040 traffic projections, traffic light statistics and road improvement suggestions, into something that those in attendance could easily digest. The condensed report did not provide definitive answers on which, if any, of the possible connections made the most sense. District 2 Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, who represents the Meadow Pointe area, said the study was never intended to provide definitive answers, but only to present statistics that could be used in the future debates about whether to connect roads leading into, and out of, Meadow Pointe’s neighborhoods. “We are not going to make a recommendation to open or not open (the connections),” said Pasco County transportation engineer Ali Atefi. “The BOC (Board of County Commissioners) has the final say.” All three proposed connections — Kinnan to Mansfield, Meadow Pointe Blvd. to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy., and Wyndfields Blvd. to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy — have been in the county’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for years, but the study focused more on safety, intersection and bicycle and pedestrian improvements of all the Pasco roads in the study area. At the first public meeting on April 18 of 2017, the actual connections were the center of the discussion. That meeting attracted 138 attendees. Amongst Pasco County residents who filled out public comment forms, 36 were in favor of connecting Mansfield to Kin-

Pasco County transportation engineer Ali Atefi (left front) answered questions from Meadow Pointe and New Tampa residents at an open house at PHSC on May 29. (Photo: John C. Cotey) nan, with 37 residents opposed. and pedestrian accommodations at KinnanBy much larger margins, they preferred Mansfield, but no connection for general connecting Meadow Pointe Blvd. (by a 40-6 public use. margin) to Wyndfields Blvd. (28-4). Other alternatives included in the study: “Now that we’ve done the study, and • Connecting Kinnan and Mansfield; people can see the numbers, the true num• Connecting Kinnan-Mansfield and bers, I have a sneaking suspicion that will K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. to Meadow Pointe; change quite a bit,” said Moore. • Connecting only K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. In fact, Moore said in the two weeks to Meadow Pointe Blvd.; and since the study presentation, most of the cor• Doing all three possible connections: respondence, if not all, that he has received Kinnan-Mansfield, K-Bar Ranch Pkwy.have been opposed to all of the connections, Meadow Pointe Blvd., and Wyndfields Blvd. especially Kinnan-Mansfield. to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. The study report listed positives — Connecting Kinnan to Mansfield — with alternate routes during accidents, economic those two streets still separated by a 30-foot benefits, convenient travel to attractions in hop-skip-and-a-jump patch of dirt and bushes Hillsborough County, and relieving the traffic — is considered an alternative, but only in of up to 7,000 vehicles per day on Bruce B. conjunction with the other connections. The Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Cross Creek Blvd. — report states that Kinnan-Mansfield was not as well as negatives, like the increased traffic evaluated as a standalone connection. with minimal congestion relief for Pasco Moore says connecting Meadow Point County roads. Blvd. to K-Bar Ranch Pkwy remains his The study did say that improving the favored option, and that he is personally oproads in Meadow Pointe – basically from BBD posed to connecting Kinnan-Mansfield. “I think some people possibly thought west to Morris Bridge Rd. and from County Line Rd. north to S.R. 56 – would cost $13.8 the study would show maybe just a couple of hundred cars a day (added to Mansfield million, without making any connections. traffic with the connection),” Comm. Moore Connections would add almost $2-million in additional improvements needed. said, “but the study shows obviously that’s The study looked at four alternatives, not the case. It’s anywhere from 500 to including a no-build option that would put 4,000 (according to traffic projections). If up a gate for emergency vehicles and bicycle anyone thinks Kinnan-Mansfield can handle

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Neighborhood News

4,000 cars a day, it’s just not reality.” Tampa’s District 7 City Council member Luis Viera, who represents New Tampa, attended the meeting and was disappointed by the lack of specificity in the study. However, he was pleased by the prospect of at least an emergency gate at Kinnan-Mansfield, considering much of the debate about connecting the roads centers on public safety. “I’m not looking at this from a political perspective,” Viera said. “If we can have a compromise for now, if a gate is built only for first responders, that’s a net positive. We obviously want to go further. That’s getting to first base, and we want a home run. But right now, that would be a net positive for both sides from a safety perspective.” The public comment period about the Roadways Study ended June 15, and AECOM, the consulting firm that did the study, isn’t scheduled to present them to the Pasco MPO until August. A final study report will be finalized following that meeting, and then Pasco County will run a public opinion poll — basically an up or down vote on each of the connectors, as well as combinations of connections — in September or October. The Pasco MPO will then meet in October to review the final study and decide what recommendations to make to Pasco’s BOC, which will have the final say. Moore said that he wasn’t sure the vote would even happen in 2018. Regardless, it won’t be in time for the City of Tampa, which met June 28 to debate a rezoning that would allow M/I Homes to proceed with building 700 new homes in K-Bar Ranch, which borders Meadow Pointe directly to the south. When it met in April, the City Council members got stuck on one major point: There aren’t enough roads in the area to allow residents to get in and out of their new neighborhood. Without connections to Pasco County, more homes would mean more residents who are essentially trapped with just one road — Kinnan St. — to get out of their neighborhoods. It was hoped that the yearlong Wesley Chapel Roadways Connection Study would have provided some answers. In other words, any decision the City of Tampa makes now about whether or not to allow additional homes to be built in K-Bar Ranch will have to be done without any promises of any connections between Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

@NTWCNews

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Long Awaited Indoor Sports Complex Finally Breaks Ground In Wiregrass Ranch! By GARY NAGER & JOHN C. COTEY Wesley Chapel has had quite a few transcendent moments the last two years — from the opening of Florida Hospital Center Ice in 2017 to the completion of the first Crystal Lagoons® amenity in the U.S. a couple of months ago (see page 1). But, there’s always room for one more big moment, right? On June 7, years of frustration and failure were finally buried by shovel-toting dignitaries, as the long-awaited and much-anticipated multiuse Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex finally broke ground. Adam Thomas, the director of Pasco’s office of tourism development, as well as the director of Visit Pasco (VisitPasco.net) — who has only been in his job seven months — was genuinely excited to be the one who got to emcee the event. Thomas said, “This project, a public-private partnership between Pasco County and RADDSPORTS, has been two years in the making, so I kind of lucked into being the guy who gets to host it.” Jonesboro-based RADDSPORTS, LLC, is developing the $44-million sports complex, which is being built on a 224-acre parcel donated by the Porter family. The complex also will include a full-service 128-room Marriottbranded Residence Inn. Other speakers at the event — all of whom raved about the partnership between the Porters, the county and RADDSPORTS — included District 2 Pasco County commissioner Mike Moore, Dist. 36 State Representative Amber Mariano, JD Porter, the owner/developer of Wiregrass Ranch, RADDSPORTS CEO and president Richard Blalock and Julianne Corlew, the VP and managing partner of Mainsail Lodging & Development, which is developing the Residence Inn. Comm. Moore told the crowd, “I think we have the right team in place to make this happen, wouldn’t you agree?,” which was greeted by thunderous applause. “This will help our local sports teams and leagues 365 days a year, with visitors not just from out of state but from all around Florida, too.” Porter agreed, “We’re on the brink of some-

(Left) Adam Thomas of Visit Pasco hosted the June 7 groundbreaking (right) of the new 98,000-sq.-ft. RADDSPORTS /Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex. More than 200 people attended the event, including four of Pasco’s five county commissioners and other local dignitaries who donned hardhats to toss some dirt. can accommodate alone.” Corlew, who was thing great here, and it’s been 15 years that we’ve started this and she’s been on board ever since.” speaking a few hundred feet north of the 92Meanwhile, Corlew said that the Residence wanted to do this. But, thanks to the county room Fairfield Inn (which is expected to open in Inn by Marriott that Mainsail is developing in commission’s leadership, we now have the ability to make it happen and bring the best competition conjunction with the complex will feature 128 July) added, “I want to learn pickleball!” here. I appreciate this public-private partnership. suite-style rooms, with hot breakfast served The Facility Itself Let’s create a great community together!” daily, with social activities, trail maps and a For many in attendance, the groundbreakrooftop bar, the mere mention of which drew Porter also was proud to trumpet the fact ing was the first time they actually got a good “ooohs” and “aaahs” from the attendees. that, “The infrastructure already is here. Our look at what the complex will look like, inside “We’re very proud to be part of this proplanned Town Center is right across that creek, and out, thanks to a number of large poster and there are 30-plus miles of trails in Wiregrass.” ject,” Corlew said. “We’re also looking forward boards (two are shown on this page) displaying to partnering with the other hotels in this area The complex will be located northeast of everything from the Residence Inn to the gym the Shops at Wiregrass, behind Florida Hospital because the kinds of tournaments that will be floors to the other facilities at the complex. Wesley Chapel, and will be accessible by Lajuana hosted here will bring in more people than we Blvd. (where Audi Wesley Chapel is located). The 98,000-sq.-ft. indoor facility is expected to be an all-purpose, state-of-the-art sports complex and one of the few of its kind in Florida. Blalock, who helped transform Newberry’s sports recreation scene as the tiny central Florida city’s recreation director, said that, “Pasco is positioning itself as a leader in sports with this complex. There are eight basketball and 16 volleyball courts, with room for other indoor and “mat” sorts, from cheerleading to soccer and even lacrosse to pickleball, one of the fastest-growing Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa ROCKS with innovative sports in the country.” techniques and technology! In fact, also on hand during New Laser Dentistry! Fixing cavities without numbing for the majority of patients! the groundbreaking event were cheerleaders from Team Cheer Lingual or maxillary frenectomies assistance and corrected with laser. New Wesley Chapel, kids from the ITERO, intraoral scanner, digital impressions, no goop for orthodontic appliances. Wesley Chapel Athletic Association Clear braces and clear aligners to straighten teeth. shooting basketball on a makeshift court and even members of the Services Provided in our office : West Pasco Futbol Club and Florida • Digital X-rays (Low dose) Premier Soccer. Blalock also noted that al• Mercury Free Restoration though all of the programming that • Nitrous Oxide, conscious sedation, will be available Monday through • Limited & Comprehensive Orthodontics Friday at the complex hasn’t been set yet, “There will be weekday pro• Myofunctional Orthodontics gramming for local youths, adults straightening teeth without braces and even seniors. And, we even plan • Custom Athletic Mouthguards to teach the business side of sports to local kids and will have meeting space for non-sports activities. My partner and I thank the county commission and the county staff for Se habla having the vision to make it happen. Español Hopefully, by this time next year, we’ll be inside the building.” He also thanked North Tampa Bay Chamber (see page 3) CEO Hope Allen. “Hope was the first community leader we met when we

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The complex is being built with $11-million ($8.5-million in tourist tax funds and $2.5 million in excess bond proceeds from a prior half-cent sales tax bond) previously set aside by Pasco’s Board of County Commissioners, a county-backed loan of $14,253,700, plus $18,750,000 from Mainsail Development. A two-percent increase in the Tourist Development Tax, which was approved last year, is expected to generate $1.2-million annually to help pay down the loan. “Our partners are extremely excited, as are we,” said Thomas. “We know what this facility is really going to bring, not just to Wesley Chapel, not just the county, but the whole region.” Thomas also said that Pasco expects the sports complex, which also will have an open-air amphitheater, sports turf field, trails and playgrounds, to generate 27,000 room nights per

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year, and that sports tourism is a $12-billion business in Florida that generates 580,000 jobs. The facility is being called the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex — any name must have Wiregrass Ranch in it, per contractual obligation -— although Blalock confesses that he prefers “Campus” to “Complex.” The indoor facility will be able to host big, national basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and gymnastics tournaments and competitions. But, it will pursue any sport that can fit under the roof. “With an indoor facility, you can go after unconventional sports, anything you can possibly do under 100,000-sq.-ft. of space,” Thomas said, including such Olympic sports such as table tennis, fencing, wrestling and karate. For more information about the complex, visit RADDSPORTS.com.

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Traffic From New Developments Revives The Idea Of Widening Old Pasco Road By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com The two Pasco County commisioners who represent the largest portions of Wesley Chapel — Ron Oakley in District 1 and Mike Moore in District 2 — have had their fair share of complaints from residents about area roads, and the traffic on them. So, as Moore, Oakley and their fellow commissioners took up the debate about a proposal clearing the way for a new business park on Old Pasco Rd., they both were in favor of taking a closer look at whether or not the two-lane road should be widened first. That is not going to happen, however, as the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) voted to approve a re-zoning request that clears the way to allow 2,250,000 sq. ft. of office and light industrial entitlements on roughly 91 acres of land on the east side of Old Pasco Rd. about 290 feet south of Overpass Rd., near the new Cypress Creek Middle High School. The BOC is hoping it attracts future businesses and brings more jobs to the county. Moore was in favor of the re-zoning request, but considering there is a widening project already in the works for Overpass Rd., near where the new business park will be located, he said he was only suggesting, no pun intended, that the BCC look further down the road. “I just asked why not do the whole (widening) thing at once instead of piecemeal,” said Moore. “It would be nice if it was widened all the way down to S.R. 54. You always want to be prepared for the future. Putting the infrastructure in place first is important to me.” Oakley agreed. The Overpass Business Park, which was formerly known as the Vibrant

Old Pasco Rd. (above) might be getting a fresh look in the near future, as a new middle and high school, new home and apartment developments and a business park threaten to add significant cars to the two-land road. A study (map to the right) will soon take a look at safety improvements for Old Pasco Rd. SUN Business Park, is in his district and was ap- Oaks residential development proved by the Board of County Commissioners at the intersection of Old Pasco vote on May 22. Rd. and Country Club Rd. Moore’s concerns about Old Pasco Rd.’s Moore said plans to widen Old Pasco Rd. ability to handle the additional traffic, especailly were at one time in the county’s Long Range from trucks, that a business park might add was Transportation Plan (LRTP) but were removed assuaged by the assumption that many of the during the 2008 economic downturn. He said trucks and additional traffic will use the future he was going to try to get the project put back Overpass Rd. interchange to get on and off I-75. into the LRTP. However, he still has concerns about He said the county is looking into applying the road, which will see increased traffic for state infrastructure grants to pay for any from the addition of middle school students potential widening project. to the Cypress Creek Middle/High School Pasco commissioners recently approved campus, a potential Performing Arts Center $89,788 for HDR Engineering, Inc. to on that campus, 400 new homes in Quail conduct a road safety audit (RSA) and study Hollow, and the 264-unit Arbours at Saddle for Old Pasco Rd. from S.R. 54 to north of

Overpass Rd., a 3.32-mile stretch. While the RSA is unrelated to the BCC’s approval of the business park, Moore said it could determine that such a need to widen Old Pasco Rd. exists. However, the study, expected to take four months, is focued more on road safety issues and safety improvements than widening. That study will take a look at the Old Pasco Rd. intersections with S.R. 54, Post Oak Blvd., Foamflower Blvd., Dayflower Blvd., Country Club Rd., Bonnie Blue Dr., Deedra Dr., Sonny Dr., Lindenhurst Dr., and Overpass Rd.

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Attendees at the June 11 meeting at the New Tampa Recreation Center look at some options and proposals for the design of a new sensory-friendly park, which will be the first in Tampa Bay.

Planned Autism Park In New Tampa Begins To Take Shape As Study Gets Under Way By ANDY WARRENER The New Tampa sensory-friendly park — which will be the first of its kind in the Tampa Bay area — is beginning to take shape, as a group of roughly 25 residents and government officials gathered with design architects at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms to share ideas and their vision for the park. The 5-acre, sensory-friendly park will be located behind the B.J.’s Wholesale Club on Commerce Palms Dr. in Tampa Palms. On June 11, David Conner, president of David Conner & Associates, showed some preliminary plans to area residents. Conner heads up the Planning, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Firm that is being paid $49,400 (of the $90,000 budgeted by the City of Tampa) to begin designing the park. “Today is about understanding what’s most important to the people most likely to use the park,” Conner said. “We’re trying to come in without preconceived ideas.” Attendees looked over a series of display boards showing examples of other sensory parks — which are created for children and adults identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and focused more on soothing and serene activities — in the U.S., with some additional ideas for the New Tampa park. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 3.5 million Americans live with ASD. Roughly one in every 68 children has been identified with ASD, and it is 4.5 times more common in boys (1 in 42) than girls (1 in 189). The prevalence of autism in U.S. children has increased by nearly 120 percent since the year 2000. Those who are on the autism spectrum can take in information from their five senses just like everyone else, but cannot process it the same way and can become overwhelmed, which makes them unable to communicate and interact because they are overwhelmed with anxiety. Sensory-friendly parks focus on incorporating easier-to-process activities and sights. They are, however, still accessible to everyone. At the public meeting earlier this month, a colored pin was placed on one map where the park will be located. Residents were asked to place pins where they lived to highlight their proximity to the park. Proponents of the park say as many as 40,000 children in and around the New Tampa area will use the park each year. Other displays showed photographs of potential amenities that could be part of the park, like slides, swings and jungle gyms. Residents 12

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were asked to place “Like” and “Love” stickers (above) on the amenities they liked the most. Representatives from David Conner & Associates distributed Community Park Design Surveys and asked residents to fill them out and leave them with staff members. The surveys asked residents some biographical questions, and to rank certain park amenities. There was room to provide additional information or concerns on the survey. “The people here want to be stakeholders in their community,” said District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera. “People in New Tampa are engaged and enthused and are building momentum for involvement — downtown has taken notice.” Viera, whose older brother Juan has autism, spearheaded the effort to get the study and design of the sensory park funded in this year’s budget. More than half of the $90,000 budgeted is being paid to David Conner & Associates for the current study. Several residents voiced their excitement and approval during a short presentation by Conner and Brad Suder, the City of Tampa’s superintendent of planning, design and natural resources. “We live in Stafford Place (in Tampa Palms), like one block away from the park,” said Jeff Chacon, who is eager to take his two-year old grandson, Finn, to the park. “I want to be able to walk down there with my grandson. We’re excited. It’s good for the neighborhood and good for the City of Tampa.”

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HART To Add More Wesley Chapel Bus Connections As Of July 1! By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com Beginning Sunday, July 1, a longoverdue, all-day, hourly bus route is being launched by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) that will transform public transportation between S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel (near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and the Shops at Wiregrass), New Tampa and beyond. The new route, called Route 275 Limited Express (275LX), will replace the existing and limited Route 51LX. The new route is funded at $1.2-million annually through fiscal year 2019 by an Urban Corridor grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. Route 275LX will run from Wesley Chapel through New Tampa, the University of South Florida area and downtown, all the way to Tampa International Airport (TIA). Multiple new stops in New Tampa will make the service more accessible for more people who need to use public transportation. “The biggest thing I look at with the new route is the ability to get down to the VA Hospital,” says Kurt Scheible, Pasco County’s public transportation director. “That’s where I really see it shining, considering the number of retirees we have in the area.” Prior to the new route, it was possible to get to the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, which is located at 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., near USF. But, it took more steps, more time and was much more complicated, Scheible says. The new route will have a stop right at the Skywalk leading into the VA. Scheible said the accessibility to and from TIA also will be a boon for local bus riders. He said he was asked just last week by a Pasco County resident if there was a way to get home from the airport. Ruthie Reyes-Burckard, the chief operating officer at HART, says it will now be possible to take a bus from Wesley Chapel — and a number of new stops in New Tampa — all the way to TIA, in less than two hours, all for the price of a $2 ticket. And yes, all of the HART buses are equipped with WiFi. “That’s a pretty good deal,” she says. More important is that the new route will offer a slew of brand new stops at New locations, as opposed to just the one (in front of the Lowe’s at the corner of Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd. and Commerce Palms Dr.) that exists now.

PCPT bus routes running from as far west as Trinity can now drop riders off at the Park-N-Ride lot at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel in Wiregrass Ranch (above), where they can catch the new 275LX route to the James Haley VA Hospital, downtown Tampa or even Tampa International Airport. (Photo: Giuliano Ferrara)

The new route promises to be a dramatic improvement for those who currently use public transportation, with the hope, Reyes-Burckard says, that the added convenience will encourage more use. The soon-to-launch Route 275LX will absorb Route 51LX to provide hourly service beginning Sunday, July 1, at 5:30 a.m., with 13 stops between the Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) Park-N-Ride (at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel in Wiregrass Ranch) and the USF area, and 28 total stops to TIA. Service will be available until 10 p.m. Scheible says a way for Pasco residents to get to and around Tampa, where many work, fulfils one of his primary goals as the county’s transportation director — making public transportation more convenient for more people. For local residents who work in New Tampa, there will be new stops at BBD and Hunter’s Lake Dr., Hunter’s Green Dr., Richmond Place Dr., Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., Commerce Palms Blvd./Lowe’s, Palm Springs Blvd., Tampa Palms Blvd., Amberly Dr. and Lake Forest Dr. HART also is working on a potential stop at the Super Target on BBD at County Line Rd. From New Tampa, the 275LX will head south, turn west on Fowler to I-275, to the Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa, to stops on Westshore Blvd. and Spruce St., before arriving at the TIA rental car facility. A route to TIA was a big selling point for Tampa residents who participated in surveys and email questionnaires distributed by HART, which also held 10 public outreach sessions, four on-board sessions and

an open house at the New Tampa Regional Library on Cross Creek Blvd. in March. HART proposed three route options. One proposal was a seven-day, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. route running from Wiregrass Ranch to the Marion Transit Center, without an airport stop. A second proposal presented a route running from Wiregrass Ranch to the airport during the week, but only going as far as the USF area on weekends. At a public hearing on March 28, a majority of the 105 attendees said they preferred the third option — Wiregrass Ranch to TIA, or the selected 275LX route. The new route was approved at the May 7 HART Board of Directors meeting. “We’ve heard many requests for more routes for years,” says Reyes-Burckard. “The (current) options for a few trips in

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the morning and afternoon doesn’t work for people who might have emergencies, or work an alternate schedule. This will provide them with much more flexibility.” The current Route 51LX is extremely limited. Riders can only catch buses heading south from the Park-N-Ride location at Wiregrass Ranch twice in the early morning, with the one New Tampa stop at Lowe’s, and there are only two return buses that arrive in the evening. The current route was one of HART’s underperforming lines. It was established in 2005, but had seen declining ridership since 2014. It was projected to serve fewer than 10,000 passengers for all of 2018 and the most recent data shows that Route 51LX has had 500 fewer passengers compared to last year at this time. Reyes-Burckard, who has been with HART for nearly 17 years after spending 10 years with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City, said the new Route 275LX is part of HART’s revamped strategy to make their system into more of a grid that offers more frequency and more connectivity. She adds that at least some of the impetus for the new route is the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa area’s recent growth and additional development still to come. “The development in that area is what is really spawning the need to include this (route with more stops and all-day buses) in our service,” Reyes-Burckard says. “This is not only an opportunity to serve the community going downtown. It also will serve businesses in that (BBD) corridor.”

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Business Notes: Nye Commons Fills Up Quickly & Still More To Come On S.R. 56

Batter & Dough is expected to open on S.R. 56 on or around July 1. By JOHN C. COTEY fles, mini pancakes and high-quality coffee, is john@ntneighborhoodnews.com expected to open on or around July 1 in Cypress View Square (which also counts Capital Tacos as a tenant; photo) on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. Local restaurant favorite OTB Delights Liege waffles are traditionally made from Café, which currently is located on Bruce B. yeast-risen dough and Belgian pearl sugar, and Downs (BBD) Blvd. across the street from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, is moving a few are smaller, lighter and crispier that regular Belgian waffles. They are served as breakfast and miles up the road. lunch snacks, with or without toppings. According to the county’s permitting Batter & Dough also will sell coffee, milkrecords, OTB— which stands for Only The shakes and fruit coolers, and have an attractive Best — is looking to move into the new Nye seating area for customers. “We are almost all Commons Plaza on the west side of BBD, just set up,” says store manager Javier Perez. “We south of S.R. 54, which is owned by Nye Comare just waiting on the final inspection.” mercial Developers. WHAT’S NEXT?: The site of failed MexiCurrently under a zoning review, OTB, can restaurant Vuelo’s — which was previously which specializes in serving hand-crafted fresh and healthy sandwiches, wraps and salads, would Señor T’s, which was previously Romano’s take over a 1,345-sq.-ft. space in the 14,000-sq.- Macaroni Grill — and which has been vacant since May 8 of last year, may soon be showing ft. plaza., which now has seven tenants, includsome signs of life. ing Nye Commercial Developers. According to Curtis Rorebeck, the manag“We are all filled up,” says Brent Nye, who ing broker at Hybridge, the site, located right says he still fields calls from prospective tenants. on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just north of Also potentially moving into the plaza is the Home Depot, has drawn the interest of a Board & Brush Creative Studios, which is handful of suitors since going dark. looking to take over a 1,302-sq.-ft. space. While stopping short of calling a deal Board & Brush is a do-it-yourself stuimminent to sell to a group that would open a dio, allowing customers to build “on-trend, new restaurant at the location, Rorebeck did say farmhouse-classic, inspirational pieces of décor for your home, office or cottage.” Although pri- there is an offer under review. “We are going marily for wood projects, the studio does have through the process,” he said. “We’ve had a other project materials, like glass, slate, canvas lot of interest on that property.” and others. Board & Brush is a franchise that Rorebeck even said that on more than has more than 150 locations across the U.S., one occasion since Vuelo’s closed, the propincluding eight currently in Florida, the closest erty was under contract, but those deals fell of which is in Clearwater. through. The current negotiations, however, Also in permitting to set up shop at the are “promising,” he says. Nye Commons is Keystone Title Agency, Inc., While the location has been blamed in which currently has a location in Port Richey. years past as not being ideal, the new eatery will Avalon Spa & Nails also is opening a second be across the street from (and a little south of) Wesley Chapel location in the plaza, and Nye the new Villages at Hunter’s Lake planned for says a veterinarian and an insurance company 2019-20, which will feature the New Tampa have leased space as well. Cultural Center, 241 apartments, a “green” BUT, ‘CHIPOTLE IS MY LIFE!’: grocer and other retail stores. Permitting has been filed with the county for a NEW TAMPA PIANO & PEDA15,664-sq.-ft. shell building that is likely to be GOGY’S NEW HOME?: New Tampa Piano a commercial strip center right off S.R. 56, in & Pedagogy Academy (NTPPA), which is front of the soon-to-open Hyatt Place Hotel & currently operating adjacent to the New Tampa Convention Center. Dance Theatre on Cross Creek Blvd., is expectThe strip center could be home to a numing to break ground on its own building near ber of coming projects that have been previthe end of the summer. ously reported, like Golf Galaxy, Walk-On Just a few steps west of its current locaBistreaux & Bar, Total Wine & More and tion, developer Abhishek Jain has filed for a Blaze Pizza. One of the rumored new restaupermit to build a 4,000-sq.-ft. building, 2,810 rants coming to that side of S.R. 56, Chipotle sq. ft. of which will be the NTPPA’s new home. Mexican Grill, won’t be located in the new Considering the new location is next to strip center, however. According to permitting a dance studio, music academy and Creative records, it will be located closer to the Earth World School, Jain would like to lease the Fare health and wellness supermarket coming to remaining 1,200 sq. ft. to a youth-oriented the corner of S.R. 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd. business, or perhaps a pediatrician. Jain’s LIEGE WAFFLE HOUSE: Batter & wife Judith is the founder and executive Dough, a coffee shop specializing in liege wafdirector of the NTPPA. Neighborhood News

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Saturday, June 30

FREE Seminar: The Truth About Cardio & Calories with Samantha Taylor Fitness - Samantha will share tips to maximize your weight loss. Reserve your spot at SamanthaTaylorSeminars.com. For more info, call (813) 377-3739 or see the ad on page 37. Tampa Bay Talent 2018 - A Moment With the Classics presents Tampa Bay Talent 2018, an event created to connect performng and visual arts profesionals with budding starlets. The event begins at 2pm at Cypress Creek Middle/High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33545. Contact Stephanie Stevens at 813322-3892 for more info. Or email amomentwiththeclassics@gmail.com or visit www.amomentwiththeclassics.com.

JULY 2018 Monday, July 2

Professional Business Connections (PBC) - PBC meets Mondays at 7:45 a.m. at The Happy Hangar Cafe (at Tampa North Aero Park, 4241 Birdsong Blvd., off S.R. 54, Lutz). For info, call Matt Archbold at (813) 782-1777. Wesley Chapel Speaks - The Wesley Chapel Toastmasters meet every Monday at 6 p.m. for networking, 6:30 pm for public speaking, at Wesley Chapel Nissan (28519 State Rd 54). For more info, call Martin at (813) 693-0969.

Tuesday, July 3

NAMI Friends & Family: Mental Health Support Group - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Pasco support group for friends & family of those with mental illness. The group meets the 1st & 3rd Tues. of each month, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church (29617 S.R. 54). For more info, visit NAMIPasco.com.

Wednesday, July 4

meets the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month, 7:15 a.m., at Happy Hangar Cafe, 4241 Birdsong Blvd. For info, call Kathy Schenck at (813) 956-4436.

Tuesday, July 10

East Pasco Networking Group - Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP, 13100 US 301, Dade City. For info, contact Nils Lenz, 813782-9491 or nilslenz@gmail.com. Open House & Q&A with Dr. Karina Parilo - Discover traditional affordable concierge-style medicine and learn about Wesley Chapel’s first direct primary care practice. 5-7 p.m. KAP Medical Group (2615 Windguard Circle, Suite 101). For more info, call (813) 536-0050 or see the ad on pg. 2 of this issue.

Saturday, July 14

One-Year Anniversary Celebration at The Learning Experience (20780 Trout Creek Dr., Tampa) - From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. enjoy games, activities, music, food, water play, face painting, fun arts & much more. This FREE event is for everyone. For more info, call (813) 575-8268 or see the ad on pg. 26 of this issue.

Monday, July 16

East Pasco Democratic Club - Meets 3rd Monday of each month at Omari’s Grill, Scotland Yards Golf Club, 9424 U.S. 301, Dade City, from 6:30-8 p.m. For more info, visit www.eastpascodems.com.

Tuesday, July 24

Wesley Chapel Lions Club - The Wesley Chapel Lions meet every 4th Tues., 6:30 p.m., at the Lexington Oaks Community Center (26304 Lex. Oaks Blvd.). For info about volunteering, community efforts, meetings, helping the vision impaired & more, visit WesleyChapelLionsClub.com or the club’s page on Facebook.

Friday, July 27

The Freedom Center present HopeFest - See the ad below left.

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel - The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (Noon) meets Wednesdays at noon at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd.). First-time guests attend free. For info, call (813) 862-8989 or (813) 391-3895.

Thursday, July 5

BNI Networking Meeting - Business professionals are invited to attend this networking organization’s meetings on Thursdays, 7:30 a.m., at Savannah Church (3758 Maryweather Lane, off BBD Blvd., behind Dunkin’ Donuts). For more info, call Kyle Flischel at (813) 815-0250. RGA Network Weekly Meeting - The RGA Networking Group meets weekly for networking at GrillSmith at the Shops at Wiregrass mall. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch is noon-1 p.m. For more info, visit RGANetwork.net. Celebrate Recovery - Meeting Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Bridgeway Church (30660 Wells Rd.), the purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to bring freedom from dysfunctional, compulsive & addictive behaviors through biblically-based principles. Dinner & free childcare available. Call (813) 907-1313.

Friday, July 6

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Local Andy OnCall Franchise Is Available To Repair & Remodel Your Home! BY ANDY WARRENER To-do lists around the house can easily pile up. When an appliance breaks down or a major repair is needed in your home, the task can be overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was someone out there who can tackle your entire to-do list and give you back your weekend? Well, there is. Andy OnCall is licensed, bonded and insured and is your one-call solution for home improvements, maintenance and remodels. Sometimes, it’s just small, nagging repairs that you just can’t get around to or can’t quite find the right part for at the local “superstore.” Andy OnCall can help. Even with something as simple as hanging picture frames, hanging some shelves or installing a pet door, a screened and certified craftsman will come to your home and leave you with a completed job and a one-year warranty on the labor. Andy OnCall craftsmen prefer to finish jobs, too. Taking into consideration large projects that take a little longer — like say, a whole new kitchen, or extensive plumbing work — co-owner Reggie Morgan estimates that 80 percent of the jobs his Andy OnCall handles on are completed in a matter of hours, days or weeks. Andy OnCall covers the entire spectrum of home repair, even if it’s not one of their craftsmen handling the job. “We don’t physically do roofs but we have roofing contractors that work for us,” Morgan says. “If we can’t do it, we will find someone who can. Rather than you calling five different people, we can do that (for you). We are a one-stop shop.”

Morgan says his employees aren’t only equipped for typical handyman tasks, but are skilled enough to allow Andy OnCall to expand into remodeling, particularly bathrooms and kitchens. “From design to installation, we can help bring your vision to life,” he says. Morgan says that remodels are important to his clients, whether it is for the self-gratification of having a more beautiful and functional bathroom or kitchen, or with an eye on increasing your home’s resale value, or even just making some tweaks as you prepare to sell your home, Andy OnCall offers a number of possibilities. “Just call us for a free consultation,” Morgan says. “We can help create your dream package.”

Craftsmen At Heart

Andy OnCall was established in 1993 in Chattanooga, TN. Founder and CEO Tom Harris had built a reputation as a homebuilder in the 1980s and ‘90s and people regularly asked Harris to take care of small projects for them. “Builders want to build, but Tom saw a need for a handyman services,” Morgan says. So, why Andy, and not, say, Tom OnCall? “Back in 1992, the phone book was the internet,’’ Morgan says. “So, you wanted your name to show up on the first pages of the Yellow Pages.” By 1997, Harris’ daughter Tamara developed the computer software that culminated into the program used to run the business today. The original business in Chattanooga became the first franchise in May of 1999. There are now 2,849 Andy OnCall franchises nationwide.

Vince Pizzitola came into the Tampa franchise five years ago as a craftsman. He actually has a background in chemistry and engineering and worked at rehabbing houses for 10 years. He even ran his own handyman service for a while. Pizzitola handled the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area as a craftsman and still takes jobs in that area but has transitioned into more of a managerial role. He came on as the local franchise co-owner in January of this year. “I still am the main backup or problem solver, but now I’m more of a resource,” Pizzitola says. Morgan bought the franchise located on W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa in April of last year. He comes from a nine-year career in the Navy, working in electronic warfare. He also has worked in the Reggie Morgan, the co-owner of the local Andy OnCall franbroadcast industry and was a chise, has professional craftsmen who can fix/remodel anything Sears Home Central district in your home (photos on next page). manager responsible for 114 technicians before moving to 2012. He says he saw the company grow from Wesley Chapel 15 years ago. But, he still came five employees and 500 homes to 168 emfrom a building background. ployees and more than 5,000 homes — in six “My father was a carpenter,” Morgan months. When the company began downsizsays. “I grew up with all the skills from him. ing, Morgan knew it was time to jump ship. He could fix or build anything.” “Andy OnCall had name recognition, the In Tampa, Morgan then took over as location was 16 years old and it was a good director of services for Invitation Homes in match to my needs,” Morgan says.

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All Craftsmen Are Screened & Certified

Andy OnCall doesn’t just hire anyone. “Most guys have a minimum 10 years of experience when they come to us,” Morgan says. “That’s 10 years, verifiable, with their own truck and tools.” Craftsmen are given lighter jobs early on, with Morgan or Pizzitola always following up on their work. Pizzitola and Morgan bid the larger jobs and will use newer hires in on-the-job training, always making sure that they first work with a veteran craftsman. Craftsmen are given yearly background checks and have printed badges with photo identification on them. “We don’t just hire people,” Morgan says. “We want someone that fits our role and knows what we expect.” Andy OnCall carries insurance that covers the company’s employees, including their

try to steer the workers home with bids.” This makes for a shortened commute that employees appreciate. It also saves the company money, while getting someone to your home more promptly. “It makes a difference because you’re not getting the job done if you’re in your car, driving from place to place,” Pizzitola says. “We have craftsmen strategically located in areas around the Tampa Bay area and they tend to handle those areas.” Andy OnCall also will cater to the skillset of each craftsman. If a craftsman specializes in dry-

employees’ vehicles, while they are on the job, and is licensed for electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning (HVAC) work. Craftsmen split the rates set by Andy OnCall with the company and are paid by the job and not by the hour. And, Andy OnCall offers free estimates for jobs. “We will actually go out to the site to evaluate your needs,” Morgan says. “There’s no obligation but we don’t give estimates over the phone.” In addition to Morgan and Pizzitola, the company currently has eight craftsmen and two office workers. And, the craftsmen are spread across the tri-county service area (Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco). Craftsmen are scheduled so that they either stay close to their homes or at least end their route near their homes. “We try to keep them working in a systematic way,” Morgan says. “We will

wall, he/she will get a lot of drywall bids. If another is a skilled electrician, those craftsmen will more often get the electrical bids. Pizzitola and Morgan are there as backup, too, just in case. “We want our craftsmen to be successful,” Morgan says. “We train them, but Vince and I also are available to walk them through something on the phone, too.” If you’ve been putting off a repair or need someone to tackle your to-do list, call Andy on Call at (813) 9612600 or swing by the office at 5008 W. Linebaugh Ave., Suite 35, to set up an appointment for service or a free estimate. The office is open Mon.Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.. Visit AndyOnCallTampaBay.com or see the ad on page 41 for more information.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Check Out The Revamped New Tampa Flagship Of Bay Breeze Car Wash! 1 oil and in the month of June and July is offering a free car wash (valued at $20) with the purchase of a full synthetic oil change.

By ANDY WARRENER

In a day full of appointments and deadlines, basic vehicle maintenance can oftentimes fall into the ”I’ll do it later” box. At the 14-year-old flagship location of Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube, located off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of I-75 (in North Palms Village), you can move that maintenance out of deferment and into the checked box. Whether it’s an express or full-service car wash, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube is going to get you in and out on the hop. “The quality of the job a customer gets and the in and out time getting it done is something that sets us apart from other car washes,” VP of operations Scott Barone says. Bay Breeze Car Wash is still expanding, too. The company plans to open a new Express Wash location in Wesley Chapel on SR 54 and Vandine Rd. by the end of this year. Just how fast is Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube? If it’s an oil change, Barone says most customers are in and out in 15 minutes once work begins on their car. Coming soon to the New Tampa flagship location, customers will be able to remain inside their vehicle when purchasing Express Car Washes, a new feature that will allow Express Wash customers to get in and out even quicker, as the location now has a much-improved Express Wash lane. Express Wash lanes are offered at all seven Bay Breeze locations across the Tampa Bay area, including at the company’s other New Tampa location off BBD, in the Trout Creek area of New Tampa,

Upgrading & Expanding

General manager Terrance Ramoutar (left) and assistant manager José Ortiz greet you at the Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube flagship location off BBD Blvd. just north of I-75 in New Tampa. just a little south of Wesley Chapel. The Express Wash aims at getting customers in and out in less than three minutes. Now, there even are payment methods in place so that the customer never has to leave his or her vehicle. “We keep the express in express and this applies to both oil changes and washes,” Barone says. “You’re not getting in and out in 15 minutes (for an oil change) if you go to the dealership.”

For vehicle maintenance, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube can do more than just oil changes, too. Most standard vehicle maintenance services are available, including: windshield wipers, air filter, transmission/coolant/engine flush, light bulb replacement and fuel injection. Check out BayBreezeCarWash.com for a full list of available services. Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube uses Mobil

The Express Wash area (photo, right) at the flagship location has reopened with a new Express Wash menu, complete with a dedicated lane and easier-to-negotiate new exit from the facility. And, while the revamped Express Wash lane will not have a free vacuum area included with each wash, the flagship location’s renovation will include a towel dry for each Express Wash purchased, something Barone says is not offered at other Bay Breeze locations. Along with the physical renovations, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube also is offering new membership options, ranging from as little as $20 per month to $50 per month. They hope to have a new Unlimited Full Service Membership available within the coming months as well. The $50 Ultimate Package includes a tire shine, application of a nano-polymer sealant and a triple foam polish. Both memberships include unlimited Express Washes. Express Washes are done using the same spinning rollers that you remember as a kid; however, instead of the coarse bristled brushes, Bay Breeze uses 2nd Generation Envirosoft brushes, which are made from foam. “It’s closed-cell foam technology where no particles get trapped,” Barone says. “It’s the best material on the market for the surface of your vehicle.”

Home-Grown Talent

New Tampa general manager Terrance

Debbie Demboski Sara McKenzie 813.982.2820

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Ramoutar and assistant manager José Ortiz have both come up through the ranks at Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube. Most Bay Breeze locations have between six and 10 employees. The flagship station in New Tampa, however, has 60. “We call this location (New Tampa) ‘Bay Breeze University’ because it’s where we identify talent,” Barone says. “Most (of our) management staff passes through this store at some point.” Ramoutar has 15 years of experience in the industry and ran the car wash at the New Tampa location prior to Bay Breeze taking it over in 2004.

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Ortiz worked in detailing at Stadium Toyota prior to coming over to Bay Breeze 17 months ago, and helped open the location on BBD in the Trout Creek area. “José stood out,” Barone says. “We look for people with a hunger and desire to grow and from the beginning, José demonstrated that he was responsible, motivated and dedicated, and he rose to become a manager.” Ortiz says he learned a lot about the company and managing it at the Trout Creek location. “Multi-tasking, workload, employee relations, accommodating customers, the experience put me in touch with some of the problems you come in contact with at express locations,” Ortiz said. “When I transitioned over to full service, you’re dealing with many more employees and you have to learn to schedule weeks ahead and forecast things.” Ramoutar was a greeter at the previous car wash and when the transition to Bay Breeze happened, he was elevated to supervisor and, eventually, to general manager. “It takes a lot of worry away, knowing these guys, knowing their history, how they work,” Barone says. “Having them in key roles is important. Otherwise, it just doesn’t work.”

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Unlike the Express Wash service at the other Bay Breeze Express Wash on BBD in the Trout Creek area (above), the New Tampa flagship’s renovations do not include a free vacuum area with that location’s revamped Express Wash services. Barone himself has worked his way up, too. He was the GM of the Brandon location (2007-13) and has been Bay Breeze corporate’s VP of operations for the last five years. All three have the same sentiments about working in a family atmosphere. “In my experience, a family-owned company with a family atmosphere treats employees and customers the same way,” Ramoutar says. “It feels like a family here. That’s why we have people that have been coming to us for 15 years.” Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube also has gift cards available. The flagship New Tampa location of

Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube is located at 17501 N. Palms Village Pl. (next to Steak & Shake) and is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call (813) 615-1333. The Trout Creek location is at 20306 Trout Creek Dr. and its car wash services are available seven days a week, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Lube services are available at this location Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call (813) 973-0033 or visit BayBreezeCarWash.com. Or, see the ad on pg. 28 for a great coupon special.

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Dr. Stan Castor Of Artisan Aesthetics Offers Cellulite Treatments & Much More! By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

Every patient who visits Artisan Aesthetics Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in Tampa Palms is seen personally by Board-certified plastic surgeon Stan Castor, M.D. That’s the philosophy Dr. Castor has continued to embrace since he first opened Artisan Aesthetics in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park Blvd. in 2007. Dr. Castor offers facial cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation, body contouring surgery, liposuction, laser treatments, dermal fillers, facial treatments and peels, “mommy makeovers” and more. “I don’t use a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner in my office,” Dr. Castor says. “I do all of the consultations and procedures myself, including minor procedures, such as Botox or a dermal filler. If you come to my office, you see me.” Dr. Castor, who is Board-certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia in 1992, after earning a B.S. degree in Biology in 1987 from Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In 1997, he completed a five-year internship and residency in General Surgery at Emory University Hospitals in Atlanta, GA, before taking on two years of intensive training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the renewed Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. He also completed a cosmetic surgery fellowship, offered to only

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stan Castor (center) and his professional staff at Artisan Aesthetics offer a variety of surgical and other cosmetic procedures in their office in Tampa Palms. two plastic surgeons each year, with world-re- is currently the longest FDA clearance for any nowned plastic surgeons Drs. Thomas J. cellulite treatment (see photos on next page). Baker and James M. Stuzin in Miami, FL. Dr. Castor explains that cellulite is caused by the connective fibrous bands woven Cellfina Cellulite Treatment throughout fat in the thighs and buttocks. These tight bands pull down the skin, which Of the many procedures available in his creates that infamous puckering on the suroffice, Dr. Castor offers “Cellfina” to get rid face of the skin. of cellulite. Cellfina is a minimally invasive A small blade — about the size of a treatment that Dr. Castor says has been clinneedle — is used to cut through the fibers. ically proven to treat the primary structural cause of cellulite for at least two years, which Similar to a rubber band under tension, once

released, the treated skin bounces back to smooth itself out. “What struck me as impressive is that the patient satisfaction rate for this procedure is 96 percent after two years,” Dr. Castor explains. “That’s unheard of.” Because it is more invasive than procedures that only temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite using treatments on the outside of the skin (including the Accent machine that has been in use at Artisan Aesthetics for some time for reducing cellulite and tightening skin), Dr. Castor says Cellfina will work better and last much longer. It does, however, also have a higher cost than those other treatments. Cellfina treatments start at $3,000. “There are probably 25 to 30 devices on the market to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but they only last about six months,” says Dr. Castor. “Once you stop doing the treatment, the cellulite returns. This is the only device out there that has approval for permanent cellulite removal. It’s much more effective than any temporary device.”

Breast Augmentation

Another popular procedure at Dr. Castor’s office is breast augmentation. Dr. Castor estimates he performs between 150-200 of these surgeries each year. He does so many that the vendor of the implants he uses says he does the third most procedures of any doctor in the Tampa Bay area. One reason many women choose to have Dr. Castor perform their surgery is that — in addition to being a Board-certified

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plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience —all of his procedures are done in Artisan’s in-office surgery suite. “It’s much more private and homey than being in a hospital,” says Dr. Castor. “At hospitals, there are sick people and infections, and your surgery could get bumped by an emergency. At my office, patients have a better environment, especially for this type of elective surgery.” He explains that he has a surgical team — including a nurse anesthetist, two surgical technicians and a recovery nurse — on his staff, so you’ll see the same people in the office and at your surgery. Dr. Castor emphasizes that there are still two primary types of implants — silicone and saline — and that they are available in different profiles to help each woman get the exact shape, size and feel she’s looking for. “We have newer implants called ‘gummy bear’ implants,” he says, explaining that the name indicates they are thicker and firmer, but still soft, like the texture of a gummy

bear. “Every couple of years, they come up with something that looks better and feels even more natural.” He says some prospective patients worry about safety, but the silicone implant leaks of the 1990s are a thing of the distant past. “Silicone implants were reapproved in 2006 and they’ve pretty much taken over the market,” he says, adding that the revised silicone implants have, “been out for 12 years, so if there was a problem we would know about it by now.” A patient of Dr. Castor’s, who lives in Lutz and asked us not to use her name, says she is particularly impressed by the doctor’s bedside manner and how much he cares about his patients. “During the consultation, he was pretty thorough,” she says. “We went over different options, as far as incisions, and he takes into account what your concerns are. Even the day of the surgery, he came in and talked with me about what to expect, when to remove my bandages, and made

sure to answer all of the questions I had.” She adds, “I absolutely love the outcome. Two days after my surgery, Dr. Castor was on vacation, (but still) called me to follow up and check up on me to see how I was doing and if I had any questions or concerns that came up. It was unexpected and really nice, and is a testament to how important his patients are to him.” Dr. Castor explains that he does all consultations himself, spending 30-45 minutes going over everything, discussing what the client is looking for — such as a natural look in a bathing suit or a look that really “shows” — and then making a recommendation for certain implants or profiles, and answering any and all questions. “A lot of patients tell me they’ve been to several doctors,” he says, “and I’ve spent more time with them than all of the other doctors combined.” For more information about breast augmentation, visit ArtisanPlasticSur-

geryCenter.net/breast-augmentation. From there, you also can visit other parts of the doctor’s website, including a section with several videos, where you can learn more about Dr. Castor and his office. Over the years, Dr. Castor has built a reputation for himself through the work he’s done with his patients, so much so that the Consumer Research Council (a Washington, DC-based research organization that provides guides to consumers about professionals in different industries) named him in its 2010 Guide to America’s Top Surgeons, and he has appeared in the Guide every year since then. Artisan Aesthetics Plastic Surgery & Laser Center is located at 5383 Primrose Lake Cir. in Tampa Palms and is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, see the ad on page 7, visit DrCastor.com or call (813) 971-2000.

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After 22 Years, Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy Is Still Thriving By GARY NAGER

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: I have not only known Travis Monday (a fellow University of Florida alum) for as long as he has been in business here in Tampa — which is 17 years (this month) of the 22 years he has owned and operated Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy — I’ve been working out at his New Tampa studio. In other words, if you think I’m out of shape, feel free to blame him. Just kidding, Travis. Imagine instead what I would look like if I hadn’t been visiting Fit 4 Life at least two days a week most every week since 2001. But, let’s start with a little history. Travis, a former UPS driver who is certified as a personal trainer by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), as well as in SuperSlow training, first opened Fit 4 Life in Wausau, WI, in 1996, at the tender age of 22. After five successful years of operating his personal training studio in his home state, Travis sold that practice and opened Fit 4 Life in Tampa Palms in 2001, although that was at a different location than where he has been for at least the last dozen or so years, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, just south of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. exit (#270) off I-75. He started adding licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) shortly after opening that first, 2,500-sq.-ft. Tampa Palms studio. He moved from that location to the former Model & Visitor Center in front of Hunter’s Green off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa before opening the current studio. In fact, Travis met his wife Fiona when he first hired her as a PT for Fit 4 Life. Today, they have two young daughters, Molly and Madison, and continue to be the driving

personal training and PT forces behind this dynamic, 4,500-sq.-ft. studio.

MedX Equipment

When Travis first opened in Wisconsin, he had only six pieces of circuit training equipment, all of which were MedX machines, which Travis says are the best out there for using the SuperSlow training method. Because Fit 4 Life is a personal training studio and not a “gym” or “health club,” every training client works oneon-one with one of Travis’ outstanding trainers every time he or she visits the studio. Instead of throwing up as much weight as you can using momentum to get through reps, your trainer will force you to move the weight in each rep of each exercise as slowly as possible, ten seconds in each direction of the exercise. Today, Fit 4 Life not only has 18 pieces of MedX equipment (you usually only use 5 or 6 of the machines each visit), one of them is a computer-driven neck and one is a lower back (lumbar extension) PT machine; both allow Fiona and her fellow licensed PTs to track your progress. If you have neck or low back pain (or both) and haven’t gotten the relief you hoped for from your previous PTs, you owe it to yourself to give these machines a try at Fit 4 Life. “There’s no doubt that since the economic downturn in our area in 2008, we’ve seen much faster growth of our physical therapy clients than we have personal training,” Travis says. “Even so, we have helped more than 6,000 training clients lose tens of thousands of pounds of fat. We’re up to 3,000 people we’ve helped with their low back and neck pain and have a 95-percent success rate, and an 88-percent success rate with surgical candidates.” He adds, “We are the only clinic in the

area that truly does one-on-one physical therapy. We don’t just get you out of pain, we are 100-percent committed to finding the underlying problem and solving it and we have expanded to help all PT needs, from shoulders, necks, hips, knees, etc. because of our high success rate. And, more than 350 doctors have sent us PT clients, but you don’t need a prescription to come here for therapy.”

Party With The Mondays!

Whether you’re already a Fit 4 Life client or patient or not, everyone who receives this publication in his or her mailbox is invited to

For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

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attend the studio’s annual Client Appreciation Martini Party on Friday, July 20, 5 p.m. until whenever folks are done enjoying the great, free food from Stonewood Grill & Tavern (also in Tampa Palms) and free martinis. For more information, to set a personal training or physical therapy appointment, or to RSVP for the Client Appreciation Martini Party, call (813) 907-7879. You also can stop in anytime the studio (located at 17419 Bridge Hill Ct.) is open and sign up for the party at the front desk. See the ad on pg. 29 of this issue for two complimentary personal training sessions, or visit Fit4LifeTampa.com to find out more.

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SPOTLIGHT ON........Rockstar Baseball & Softball! Coach Ryan Pryor and his Rockstar Baseball & Softball program are hoping to take baseball training to a new level. With a focus on developing younger players into high school starters, and then college players, and even Major League Baseball draft picks, Pryor has developed an intricate program that helps his students get the most out of their ability. “Basically, everything we do is to put kids in college, “ says Pryor (photo), a former high school standout in Georgia and a college player at Fresno State (CA) before coaching at Wiregrass Ranch and Bishop McLaughlin high schools. Pryor also coached softball at Wharton High, and his softball program at Rockstar is quickly growing. Today, he has more than 100 students in baseball and softball. Although there is outdoor training as well, Rockstar also has a new 5,000-sq.-ft. indoor training facility in San Antonio, where players learn the game from A-to-Z. Pryor’s drill-oriented and systematic instruction, developed when he was in college, stresses the mental part of the game as much as the physical. The 919 College Bound Program (for players 9 years old to 19 years old) focuses on providing the means for players to attend, and play baseball or softball, in college. The program boasts a scholarship program, where players can earn 4,000-5,000 points that later translate into college dollars. It also stresses academics, offering online tutoring for math, science and English, as well as working on SAT and ACT prep. One of the unique things about the 919 College Bound Program is a college

finder software powered by Aces Nation. Pryor helps his students build a high school resumé — including his or her stats, awards, grades, test scores, etc. — which is then uploaded into the Aces Nation software and helps match high school players with colleges and universities. “What differentiates us from others is that we focus on the total balance of the student-athlete,” Pryor says. Pryor says his program is proven. He lists Nate Pearson (the No. 28 pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017), Frank German (a fourth round pick of the New York Yankees in 2018) and Austin Drury (a 34th round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018) as his former students, as well a number of current college players. Rockstar Baseball & Softball is offering camps throughout July and August. To register or for more info, go to RockstarBall.com, call (813) 549-1305 or see the ad on pg. 41 of this issue.

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New Union Park Charter Academy Set To Open In August At Full Enrollment! By CELESTE MCLAUGHLIN

Wesley Chapel’s first charter school will open this fall. Demand for the school is clearly high, as enrollment already is full and there’s a waiting list at every grade level. Union Park Charter Academy — called “UPCA” and pronounced “UP-kuh” — has 615 students scheduled to start school in kindergarten through 6th grade when it opens for the first time on August 13. One thing you won’t find is classrooms of kids filling notebooks that transcribe lectures. In fact, the rooms at the school aren’t even called “classrooms.” “The design of the building allows us to really meet the personal needs of individual students,” says the school’s founding principal, Tracy Ware. “The design of the building is in communities. What’s exciting is that there are so many options.” Instead of tradiTracy Ware tional classrooms, each grade level meets in a common area with all of the teachers for that grade level. Students then move into one of the spaces available to them. That might be a learning lab for larger groups of students and a teacher. Or, it could be an area with flexible seating where students sit on creative furniture, such as “wobble boards” (no worries about kids leaning back and toppling over a four-legged chair), or stand at a high-top table.

There also are areas for small group projects, where students can go inside a glassed-in room and work without distraction, but still in complete view of the teacher. The school is responsible for teaching to state standards and testing using statewide standardized tests. “What sets us apart is not what we teach — it’s how,” explains Ware. “We have opportunities to use more technology and divide children up based on learning style, with four teachers teaching the same curriculum at the same time, but bringing it to children in different ways.” UPCA is the newest school by Charter Schools USA, which currently manages 84 schools in seven states, serving more than 70,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Charter schools are public schools that operate under a contract — called a charter — with the local school district. Each charter school is independently governed by its own board of directors, and employees do not work for the local school district. However, Pasco County Schools is responsible for some oversight, ensuring that the school is in compliance with its charter and local, state and federal regulations. Charter schools are required to be non-profit organizations. As a charter school, it is a tuition-free option for parents looking for an alternative to the public school to which their child is assigned. This fall, Pasco County is expected to have 5,513 students enrolled in a total of 12 charter schools, with UPCA the only one located within Wesley Chapel, although

Union Park Charter Academy is Wesley Chapel’s first charter school and is expected to open fully enrolled, with 615 students in grades K through 6. a second charter school, Pinecrest Academy, is expected to open in 2019 at a site to be determined. Ware was previously an education cluster manager responsible for leading and coaching principals and senior leadership teams using international standards she practiced while serving as a principal in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Abu Dhabi, she opened a grades K-5 school, where she promoted clear collaborative relationships between staff members with various backgrounds from all over the world. “Ms. Ware is the perfect fit for our new innovative school opening in Wesley Chap-

el,” said Charter Schools USA’s Michelle Thompson, the company’s regional director of education for Florida’s west coast. “We knew we needed someone who will approach educational solutions from an entirely new mindset as we open a brand-new school with such an open and collaborative environment.”

A Focus On Technology

In addition to the innovative building, another unique aspect of UPCA is its focus on technology. “Technology gives us more opportunities to reach students,” says Ware, explaining that smart technology will be used throughout

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every learning community, including an iPad issued to every student in grade 3 and higher. “Teachers can flip the classroom,” because of this technology, explains Ware. Instead of traditional homework — where Wade says that incorrect practices can actually hurt a student’s ability to learn something correctly — a teacher can use video or other means to introduce a lesson at home that will be experienced the next day at school. In addition, Ware says she’s excited about the level of involvement she’s already seen from the parents of the students who plan to attend. Many students can walk or bike to school, she says, and more than 90 parents signed in to the school’s first Parent Teacher Co-Op meeting (similar to a PTA). The school’s students have already voted to choose its mascot, which is the Comets. “The things that really set this school

apart are its design, our use of technology, parental support and community investment,” says Ware. “Students have an opportunity to be innovative and creative, and that’s what we’ll provide at Union Park.” Ware says that although there is a waiting list, interested parents should not be discouraged from applying, because some students who are enrolled now may not attend due to relocations or other factors. “Even if they’re on the waiting list,” Ware explains, “there’s a good chance they could be enrolled this fall.” Union Park Charter Academy is under construction at 32775 Oldwoods Ave. in Wesley Chapel. For more information, stop by its temporary office at 3830 Turman Loop, #101, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, call (813) 358-7306 or visit UnionParkAcademy.org.

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Bricks & Minifigs Brings The Joy Of Legos To The Shops At Wiregrass! By BRAD STAGER

To the uninitiated, a business called Bricks & Minifigs might suggest a shop where you can buy fine masonry and, perhaps, Ficus carica saplings, but to those in the know, the national chain’s Shops at Wiregrass lifestyle center location (across from Buckle on Paseo Dr.) is the go-to destination for serious devotees of all-things Lego. It’s a place to buy hard-to-find, gently used Lego model building kits (many of them from collectible retired lines) and original creations ready for display, as well as loose pieces such as interlocking bricks, character figures and a variety of accessories. According to the Lego company’s Wikipedia entry, about 600 billion of the bricks and related pieces have been manufactured by the Billund, Denmark-based Lego Group since 1949, and franchise owner Adam Smyk says there’s no reason any of the blocks should ever end up n a landfill. “You never want to throw Legos away,” says Smyk, who specializes in buying, selling and trading those random blocks. Over the more than six decades that Legos have been on store shelves, their crossgenerational popularity has remained strong enough that Smyk embarked upon a second career as a Bricks & Minifigs franchisee after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He says he learned firsthand that the value of these toys lies in the experiences created by diving into a pile of the primary-color plastic blocks and creating something. “When the kids were young and I’d come home from deployment, I’d use Legos as a way to re-connect with them,” he says. Smyk, who retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Electrician’s Mate, says he became acquainted with Bricks & Minifigs by shopping at a store in Hawaii while he was

Adam Smyk (above) owns the Bricks & Minifigs store at the Shops of Wiregrass, where patrons can buy, sell and trade Lego blocks and kits. Bionicle or Castle set, or manipulating bricks stationed at Pearl Harbor. “There was a store ures (including the popular “Ninjago” series into a personal creation, Legos can supply “minifigs”) selling for less than $10. there I loved taking my kids to,” he says. plenty of indoor recreation during the hot For fans with big projects on their Bricks & Minifigs stores are somesummer days ahead, as well as during power agendas and who are interested in volume thing of a rarity, with only 38 located outages that are sometimes part of the season purchases, there are tables full of blocks and throughout the U.S. Smyk has the only as well. They also can be part of life’s special parts to scoop up, as well as a design-yoursuch store in Florida. moments, like birthday parties. (Note-Bricks & Minifigs has no formal own minifig station for customizing Lego For those who want to celebrate the licensing relationship with The Lego Group.) characters. Lego way, Bricks & Minifigs offers a party Smyk is building the business partly on Merchandise sold at Bricks & Minifigs the premise that his personal experience with space and plenty of Lego pieces to do so. includes a mix of assembled and unassemThe cost is $175 for a 90-minute party. The Legos is shared by other families, a point bled, verified-to-be-complete kits representthat he says is often validated in the course of venue does not serve food, but does provide ing a cross-section of licensed themes, such plastic utensils for customers who bring their conducting daily commerce. as the “Star Wars” series. own and — most important, according to Smyk says that some of the merchandise “We had a family from Memphis, Smyk — “we take care of the cleanup.” He in his store can cost hundreds of dollars, but Tennessee, on vacation in Orlando that says that one of the biggest party attractions there’s plenty to attract customers who are came all the way over to our store because is when guests build their own Lego cars and on much stricter budgets, such as display what they like to do as a family is spread race them on the store’s Lego Derby track. cases full of assembled kits, many of them the bricks out and build something toSmyk’s enterprise involves his family, priced well under $50 (with a large selection gether,” Smyk says. under $20), and an extensive line of minifigWhether it’s rebuilding a retired Lego See “Bricks & Minifigs” on pg. 42.

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Sonic’s Pickle Juice Slush Gets A ‘C,’ For ‘Confusing’ By JOHN C. COTEY

john@ntneighborhoodnews.com

I was expecting Nikki Spirakis to take a sip, turn to her left and spit it all over Troy Quast in disgust, who would then wipe it off his face and flick it at Drew Fisher, thus creating a huge scene and giving me a great story to write about Sonic Drive-In’s new Pickle Juice Snow Cone Slush. The taste test to end all taste tests. Instead, I got a quizzical look. Then another. And yet, another. It did seem that the Pickle Slush was more of a Pickle Dud. Not only did my squad of brave taste testers take a swig of this new concoction that was sweeping the nation, but they took a second, and a third, and, well, you get the point. They all kinda liked it! Now, don’t get me wrong. Nikki, Troy and Drew said they would never order one ever again. In fact, I caught Troy staring longingly at the picture of the Green Apple Slush with NERDS, instead of focusing on the food review duties I was paying him for. But overall, not terrible. When Sonic announced the slushes in

March, I knew I had to try one. When they made their debut on June 11, I knew I had to rally the troops to be the first in line. If there was a line. But, there wasn’t. While they will show up on my expense report as $12.99 slushes, the small pickle slushies only cost $1.29, which might have been the best thing about them. “It’s a small price to pay,” said Nikki, “to be one of the cool kids.” We came, we tasted, we survived. Years from now, we will share this day with our grandkids. Truthfully, the Pickle Juice Snow Cone Slushes weren’t that bad. Brightly (and artificially) colored a Cher-

nobyl green, they looked more like they were lime-flavored, and some sips it seemed they were. They definitely didn’t taste enough like pickles for our tasters. The pickle taste was muted, and only hits your taste buds on the back end of each gulp. Too sweet, too much sugar to offset the punchy acidic taste of the brine that makes pickles so delicious. Truly, we are currently in the era of the pickle. There are pickle sports drinks, promoting the hydrating effects of the high levels of potassium and sodium in pickles. There are pickle juice vodkas and chasers and juices and even ales. It should be noted that Troy and Drew both agreed the pickle slush would be delicious with vodka.

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Naturally, the debut of Pickle Juice Snow Cone Slushes made social media go crazy. Twitter raved and YouTube reviews showed audacious overreactions — thanks, Nikki, for letting me down. Nikki and Troy dumped their slushes after a half dozen or so sips. Drew and I vowed to finish ours. We failed. On a scale of 1-10, I’d give the Pickle Juice Snow Cone Slush a 4, if only for not being terrible. Nikki gave it a 2 for being too sweet (and “not more dill pickley”). Drew gave it a 5. Troy, a statistics professor at the University of South Florida who likes to remind me of how smart he is, gave it a 3.48 (p-value = .03). I will pretend I know what that means.

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Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering Gets A New Chef!

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By GARY NAGER

how can one of my favorite local restaurants get even better when the husband-and-wife chefs who opened it — and still own it — hire a new chef? That’s what has happened recently to my friends Jessica and Carl Meyers of Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering on S.R. 54 in Lutz, less than two miles west of the Tampa Premium Outlets. Jessica and Carl have brought in an authentic Italian chef, born and raised in Napoli (not Naples, FL), who has honed his skills in not only his native country, but also in Germany, Australia, England, Tampa and, most recently, his own place, which was called Manzoni’s, even though neither the chef’s first nor last name is Manzoni. “Manzoni is-a the street-a I grew up on in-a Napoli,” says Chef Simeone (pronounced “Sih-me-oh-nay”) Chiacchio, who opened Manzoni’s in Tarpon Springs a few years ago, after working at some of the better Italian restaurants in South Tampa. “Manzoni’s was-a the first-a time I ever owned a restaurant, and I found out that I’d-a rather cook for-a someone else and not-a have-a to be the boss.” That worked out perfectly for Jessica and Carl, who brought in Chef Sam (“or Simon,” says Simeone. “Sam is just-a little easier for-a some people.”)

a little over a month ago and have enjoyed not only his “autentico” Neapolitan cuisine, but also his accent, his sense of humor and his ability to multi-task. “I told him you’re like an octopus,” says Jessica. “Carl and I really admire his skills. He can cook anything and he’s already adding amazing new specials and slowly making changes to our existing menu. We’ll be rolling out our new menu soon.” Carl, who has been to Italy many times, says he can tell Chef Simeone is authentic because, “he doesn’t let anything go to waste. He cuts up the leftover penne and spaghetti for his pasta fagioli (one of his new specials) and he saves all of the scraps of cut produce, like onions, garlic and more and makes stock to keep his chicken dishes moist.” Carl also mentioned something I forgot to write down about the beans used in Chef Sam’s pasta fagioli, but all I can tell you is that it is the best I’ve had in the Tampa Bay area. A bowl of it is so big and hearty, it’s a meal unto itself, but don’t get too full to try Sam’s outstanding faggotini pasta, which may not have an appetizing name, but it’s a flavor I’ve never tasted in Italian food before. Faggotini is a pasta “purse,” stuffed with pecorino Romano cheese and pear. Each bite of these filling purses has just a hint of sweetness from the pear, a perfect complement to the salty cheese. But, these faggotini are lightly covered with just the right amount of

Chicken Vesuvio

Pasta Fagioli

a creamy, but still light, pink tomato sauce that expertly finishes off this unique pasta dish. “Just-a don’t-a call it a ‘vodka sauce,’” Sam says. “There’s-a no vodka in it.”

New Entrée Specials, Too!

As soon as I saw the new specials board (both the pasta fagioli and faggotini are on it), I got really excited about what Sam’s bringing to the table (pun intended) at Little Italy’s, especially once Jessica and Carl also showed me Sam’s super-extensive menu from Manzoni’s. .Of the new entrées already sampled by yours truly, my surprise favorite was the chicken Vesuvio, which Sam can make for you with the chicken lightly breaded or unbreaded. The chicken surrounds ample, tender slices of eggplant and topped with fresh mozzarella and a light (but not pink), zesty tomato sauce. My second favorite dish from the specials board was the Caprese chicken over pasta (I’m ob-

Chicken Panna

viously a tomato/tomato sauce guy). Thick, tender (thanks to that homemade stock?) chicken breasts are topped with also-thick slices of delicious, fresh tomatoes, dense (but perfectly melted) slabs of fresh mozzarella in a thicker tomato sauce more reminiscent of Little Italy’s original sauce, topped with fresh basil. It was served over a helping of spaghetti that provided side dishes for two more meals for me after all that I left over during my visit. The third new entrée I sampled was the chicken panna, which is served in a thinner-thanAlfredo creamy sauce with pancetta, peas and fresh mushrooms. Jessica said it was her favorite of the new specials and she almost didn’t let me steal even a bite from her (just kidding, Jess). And of course, yes, you can still order anything from the restaurant’s existing menu, although you might want to ask your server to explain any tweaks Sam may have made to Little Italy’s locally famous lasagne, veal parmigiana (my personal favorite; more on that below), chicken

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(L.-r.) Carl & Jessica Meyers & Chef Sam

Fagottini Pasta

piccata, calzones and huge, rectangular pizzas. You might just recognize that server, by the way, as Jessica says that she is now going to sometimes work the floor as a server, especially on the weekends, because she really does want Little Italy’s thousands of loyal fans to have full explanations of every new dish and any tweaks Sam may have made to their favorite dishes when they visit. “All I can say is that the guy is doing amazing things in that kitchen,” Jessica says, “so I want to explain to our customers what goes into making these dishes.” Carl adds, “This restaurant and kitchen aren’t large enough to do true fine Italian dining. But, what we’re serving now is a step up from what we’ve been doing, without being a step up in price.” Sam told me not to order the veal parmigiana until the next time I came in because Little Italy’s just started using a new meat purveyor, “and I-a want-a you to-a taste-a the good-a vitello (veal).” He says there will be osso buco (veal shanks on the bone) on the specials board soon and maybe even a steak special.

Still smoker friendly!

Caprese Chicken Over Pasta “Oh, and-a Gary, I know you’re-a not-a the only-a one who likes-a fresh veggies,” Sam says. “We’ll-a give you a choice-a of pasta or veggies with-a your (non-pasta) entrée, too.” And of course, Sam can create just about anything you want for your next party. Catering has long been a big part of Little Italy’s success the past three years, and I don’t see that side of the business slowing down anytime soon. I guarantee you that a big tray of Little Italy’s lasagne would be the perfect addition to any 4th of July celebration. And, of course, Little Italy’s still has a “Little Goombas” menu and recently added beer and wine. So, enjoy a delicious glass (or bottle) of delicious chianti, pino grigio or Grandma’s homemade sangria, or a Peroni or domestic beer and get to know the new Little Italy’s. It’ll be “molto delizioso.” Little Italy’s (24436 S.R. 54, Lutz) is open for dinner only Tues.-Fri. and for lunch & dinner on Sat. & Sun. For info, call (813) 909-2122, visit LittleItalyFamilyRestaurant.com or see the ad on pg. 42 of this issue.

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For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 26, Issue 14 • June 29, 2018 • WCNeighborhoodNews.com

Nibbles & Business Bytes The Latest & Greatest News In Dining, Shopping & Business In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! And, Speaking Of Delicious...

Amici Pizza Reopens...And The Crowd Goes Wild!!

It took so long to open that many fans on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page of Amici Pizza — previously located in the Grand Oaks Square plaza on Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz but which has been closed for a few months— was never going re-open in its new, freestanding building located less than a mile north of its old location. Well, our Neighborhood News Facebook page and WCNT-tv — Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television — were among the first to announce, on June 4, that brothers Vincent and Rick Mannino had finally reopened at 26602 Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54, also in Lutz. The result of our announcement was one of our most popular Facebook posts and WCNT-tv videos of 2018 — with a reach of nearly 26,000 people, 15,000+ views on You-

Tube and Facebook and 1,600+ likes, loves, shares and comments (aka engagements; see pg. 3 editorial). Happy Amici patrons across the area were raving about the layout and look of the new place, the food (like the true NY-style meat pizza above; photo by Gavin Olsen) and about the return of a 16-year-old local favorite. We wish the Mannino brothers luck, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to need it. We also wish Rick’s wife Tracy much success in her also-new Salon Tré Anne hair salon which shares the building with Amici. Amici Pizza is open every day for lunch & dinner. For take out & more info, call (813) 973-9734 or visit Amici-Pizza. com and please tell ‘em the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you! For Salon Tré Anne, call (813) 994-3553 or visit the salon’s page on Facebook.

• A sign (see top photo on next page) on the building indicates that Bahama Breeze Island Grill, which is getting ready to open just east of Chuy’s Tex-Mex on the north side of S.R. 56, will open to the public on Monday, July 16. We’re trying to make sure we get an invite to the friends & family pre-opening, so look for a sneak peek on WCNT-tv before Bahama Breeze opens. Fresh seafood + live music one mile from where we live means Jannah and I will be frequenting Bahama Breeze...frequently. •Also opening in July, next to Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in the Shops at Wiregrass, is Nothing Bundt Cakes, which has been among the favorites at each of the last two Tastes of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. At our press time, those amazingly moist bundt cakes with perfectly creamy icing still seemed to be weeks from being made or sold at this location, but a spokesperson for the store said “definitely in July.” If you’ve still never tried Nothing Bundt Cakes, visit the N. Dale Mabry or another location before this store opens and have a couple of samples and please tell them the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you! You’ll be waiting with baited buttercream breath for Nothing Bundt Cakes to open here, too. •Not enough for you? Pomodoro Pizza, which is opening in the space previously occupied by Kwan Ming Bistro in the plaza on S.R. 56 that also is home to Wolf’s Den, also is

expected to open in early- to mid-July. Pomodoro is the first local pizzeria to admit that it has New Jersey-style pizza — which I’ve tried to tell quite a few New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents over the years — is similar to, but slightly different (in most cases) from New York-style. I’ll let the Pomodoro owners give you their take on the differences, but new pizza is never a bad thing for me to try. •On page 15 of this issue, assistant editor John Cotey’s Business Briefs include a lot of good info about another new eatery I’m eager to try — Batter & Dough, in the same plaza as Capital Tacos on S.R. 56, which is set to open on or around July 1. •And last, but not least, another newcomer to the same plaza as Mellow Mushroom on the north side of S.R. 56, across from the Tampa Premium Outlets, is Sweetea Café, which is still mostly a shell inside and doesn’t look like it could possibly be open before the end of July, but we’ll keep you posted. We’ll also have updates on Earth Fare (which looks ready to go vertical), Mod Pizza (in the getting-much-closer-to-completion building next to Starbucks on S.R. 56, in front of Costco) and the three hotels set to open in the corridor next issue.

Have You Tried Bayscape Bistro?

I’m sure most residents of that community have heard that the restaurant at the Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club off Cross Creek Blvd. in

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New Tampa has changed hands again, following a $1.3-million investment by the Heritage Isles Community Development District (CDD) to revamp the club house and the restaurant that rarely has been much more than a place for hungry golfers to stop and have a sandwich and a cold beer. No matter how nice the renovations may be, unless the CDD found the right operator for the restaurant — one that could attract people who don’t live in Heritage Isles to check it out — it was likely to fail again. Well, not only is the new Bayscape Bistro & Bar at Heritage Isles significantly more attractive looking than anything else that has occupied the space before, some of you may recognize the name of the guy who owns and operates it — and who has provided a much more restaurant-like menu than any of his predecessors. Edward Bujarski, who ran one of the first and most successful high school culinary arts programs in Hillsborough County at New Tampa’s Wharton High for 17 years, is genuinely excited to bring real, fresh food to Cross Creek Blvd. near Morris Bridge Rd. and to be able to hire some of his former students to work at Bayscape. I first visited Bayscape few days before we went to press with this issue, but the Bayscape chef salad I started with combines greens, roasted

chicken, mojo pork, cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, tomatoes, cucumbers and four crispy seasoned pieces of grilled toast that I assure you are better than any croutons you’ll have anywhere. Look for more about Bujarski’s new venture in a future issue, but go check it out and tell the happy crew we sent you! Bayscape Bistro & Bar (10630 Plantation Bay Dr.) is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more info, call (813) 994-3445 or visit BayscapeFlorida.com. I also spoke with Cary Anderson of Streetfront Commercial Properties, who is now leasing out the space in the Shoppes of Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms, which does have a few vacancies, including the 6,400-square-foot space previously occupied by Casa Ramos Mexican Restaurant. Anderson says he has been close to closing a deal for the space, but that he is still looking for “something special, like a sit-down Italian or seafood restaurant or even a great sandwich place for that Casa Ramos slot.” Again, we’ll keep you posted. — GN

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New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

Classifieds

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UPCOMING EVENT

Christmas Shopping in July! Lexington Oaks Comminty Center 10 am to 3 pm! Come out and support this fund raiser to benefit the Sleroderma Foundation. Educational material available! Several vendors on site: Lularue, Thirty-One, Lip Sense, Origami Owl and more! Hope to see you there!

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‘Bricks & Minifigs’

offers, Smyk says his used inventory offers great value. “It’s all good as new,” he says, “but a Continued from Page 31 cheaper cost because it’s used.” with adult son Daniel and his girlfriend Whether someone is buying, selling Jenny Fraley working there, as well as or trading a rare, limited edition set or his two younger, elementary-school-age looking for a deal on a bulk order of Lego sons, who occasionally help out when they bricks, the store’s objective is the same, aren’t in school. according to Fraley. For Fraley, providing a good cus“I like to see a smile on someone’s face tomer experience for everyone who visits when they walk out the door,” she says. is paramount. Bricks & Minifigs is located at 28210 “It’s a personal joy of mine, trying to Paseo Dr., Suite 150. You can learn more, find a piece they’re looking for,” she says. including up-to-date information about Fraley and Smyk agree that Legos have a new arrivals and special deals, by searchwide appeal, and attract customers of all ing for “Bricks and Minifigs, Tampa” on ages to the store. Facebook, or by visiting BricksandMinpa Bay area after he retired from the Navy two ifigs.com/store/tampa-florida. You also can “A lot of our adult customers enjoy years ago. When they researched where on the call (813) 994-7171. them for the relaxation,” Smyk says. “People mainland to move to from Hawaii, the answer come in and say, ‘This is my childhood.’” was clear to them. Thomas Annitto, 18, says he has found “All the magazines like Forbes and Money some merit in Smyk’s assessment of Legos as listed Tampa among their best places to live,” more than just kids’ toys. says Smyk. So, he and his family moved to the “I’ve always played with Legos since I area without having previously set foot here. was a little kid,” Annitto says. “This store is They recently moved to Tampa Palms from a the coolest place ever. It’s perfect for little community in southern Hillsborough County. kids and big kids.” Smyk opened his Shops at Wiregrass Running his shop, however, is more location in March, and it has proven than just playing around with toys for to be a regional customer magnet as a Smyk. It’s a business in a competitive shopping destination. In addition to the market and for Smyk, that entrepreneurial aforementioned family from Memphis, the lesson sank in when he was searching for a five-star Facebook testimonial by Lakeland storefront for his shop. The Goddard School uses its play-based F.L.EX. resident Harold Joe Strickland Jr. speaks Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) to A Pinellas County mall tenancy introduce STEAM concepts (science, technology, to the business’ regional appeal. abruptly ended, and a Brandon location engineering, arts and mathematics) to help children “It was over an hour drive from fell through. He says he is happy that his NOW ENROLLING develop a strong foundation for their future education Lakeland,” Strickland Jr. wrote, “but well family business has found a good home and a passion for STEAM learning. worth the drive.” among the upscale merchants at The While a lot of his customers appreciate Shops at Wiregrass. Enroll today! the distinctive products Bricks & Minifigs Smyk and his family moved to the Tam®

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BROKERS WELCOME Broker must accompany client during client’s initial visit to this community. Both the client and Broker must execute the Developer’s Registration Form on the initial visit. Broker must also execute the Developer’s Broker Participation Agreement.Prices subject to change. Please see a Sales Associate for details. The Ridge at Wiregrass is being developed and sold by Pasco County Associates II, LLLP. ©2018 9600-012 6-15-18