Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 34, Issue 16, August 4, 2026

Check Out The New Pasco County Fire Rescue Station

By Gary Nager & Issac Morgan

As everyone who lives here already knows, Wesley Chapel is one of the fastest-growing communities in the entire country.

But, while not all of the ongoing explosive growth in our area makes all of the local residents happy, there are very few new buildings popping up in Wesley Chapel that are as universally appreciated as the sparkling new Pasco County Fire Rescue (PCFR) Station No. 2, located at 32134 Wesley Chapel Blvd./C.R. 54, at Fox Ridge Blvd.

The 13,476-sq.-ft. station, which sits on a 3.8-acre lot, took about 15 months to complete, at a cost of $11.8 million, according to PCFR public information officer Jessica Imbimbo.

Imbimbo says the new station, which opened on July 14, is fully stocked with an engine, an emergency rescue/transport vehicle, a ladder truck and a fire investigator. She adds that Station No. 2 also offers a lot of new technology (including a high-tech alert system), a larger kitchen than older stations, a full lounge area with comfortable, theater-style seating, 12 individual rooms for the firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), a fitness center stocked with free weights and cardio equipment, a large meeting room that also serves as an area where the firefighters train together to practice handling emergencies, and separate “Hot,” “Warm” and “Cold” zones (for more about these zones, see page 4).

Story Updates — Moffitt’s New Proton Center & A Hub Restaurant Update

An Editorial by GARY NAGER

In our Jan. 20 issue, we told you about the new Speros FL campus of the Moffitt Cancer Center, located on Wilton Way in Land O’Lakes.

At that time, I wrote, “Even though it’s located at least 20 miles from any part of Wesley Chapel, perhaps the biggest news story in Pasco County for 2026 is the opening of this sprawling new 775-acre campus.”

I knew at that time that whenever Moffitt opened its new Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Proton Center at the Speros campus, I would again be writing about it, because it’s such big news for those suffering from any number of different forms of cancer — and their families.

The Moffitt Cancer Center is already the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, and now, it is one of only a handful of proton therapy centers in Florida — and the first anywhere in the Tampa Bay region. Made possible through a transformative $15-million gift from Best Buy founder Dick Schulze and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the center was officially dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23.

About a week before the center’s Grand Opening event, photographer Charmaine George and I were part of a media tour where we got a close-up look at this massive three-story-tall machine, which had to be lowered into the Proton Center building before the roof was put on. We met the chair of the radiation oncology department Dr. Kosj Yamoah, who explained why having the Proteus® ONE is such big news for both Moffitt and cancer patients in the Tampa Bay area.

“Proton therapy is distinguished by its ability to target tumors with sub-millimeter precision,” Dr. Yamoah said. “It allows us to spare the surrounding healthy tissue and minimize side effects. It is particularly advantageous for cancers located near critical organs, offering improved quality of life for patients.”

The new proton machine offers pencil-beam scanning for targeted treatment. It features a 360º rotating gantry for delivering radiation from multiple angles and advanced imaging and patient positioning for enhanced accuracy.

“It is a much-improved therapy over traditional radiation treatments,” Dr. Yamoah said, “especially for treating brain tumors, breast cancer, head and neck cancers, lung, prostate, pancreatic and liver cancer, sarcomas and spinal tumors.”

That same day, we also got to meet the first patient to be treated with the Proteus® ONE, Alex Shaffer, 35, who has previously beaten childhood leukemia and cancer of his lymph nodes years later. Alex’s mom Cindy says her son isn’t actually being treated for cancer with the proton therapy.

“He had a rare benign brain tumor removed a few years ago and he was supposed to follow that up with radiation, but since he recently had radiation for the lymph node cancer, we chose not to do the radiation at that time. But now, we and his doctors felt this was the best option for him.”

Alex was treated at Speros on July 27. We

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The personnel at Station No. 2 work on a 24-hours-on, 72-hours-off schedule, so the firefighters, paramedics and EMTs do not have to share one of the 12 rooms when on duty.

“There’s always a minimum of ten people on duty every shift,” says Station 2’s Emergency Medical Capt. Mike Sherwin, who has been with PCFR for 21 years. “This station is much bigger, with a meeting room that doubles as a training room, and a bigger and better kitchen, than the older stations where I’ve worked before.”

The “Hot,” “Warm” & “Cold” Zones

Capt. Sherwin also explained how the “Hot,” “Warm” and “Cold” Zone system works.

The system was first implemented around the country following a foundational discussion at the 2014 Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (FIERO) Station Design Symposium, where it was officially coined the “Hot Zone Design” by architect Paul Erickson.

“These zones are designed to reduce the risk of cancer among our firefighters,” Capt. Sherwin said. The Hot Zone is the apparatus bay, which is designated that way because of the contaminants on the vehicles and equipment after fighting a fire. “We have to thoroughly wash down all of the vehicles and equipment used outside every time.”

The firefighters who were on the call then move inside to the “Warm Zone,” where their clothes are laundered and where, “The fire crews remove their gear, shower and change into clean clothes before ever entering the living quarters, or Cold Zone,” Capt. Sherwin said.

Over the past several years, National Fire Protection Association safety standards have been

No.

the new Florida Medical Clinic

updated to include these zone designs, based on the increased awareness of the impact of exposure to various carcinogens emergency services personnel face on a daily basis.

Long-term medical studies have shown that cancer is the leading cause of death among career firefighters, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Modern structural fires burn plastics, synthetics and chemicals that produce highly toxic, cancer-causing smoke.

And, the day the station opened, Rescue 2 transported Station No. 2’s first emergency patient to the new Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital on S.R. 56, which also officially opened July 14 (see story on pg. 20). The patient transported was also the first Emergency Room patient treated at the new hospital.

‘Moffitt & Hub Updates’

Continued from pg. 3

hope to be able to update how Alex is doing following his proton therapy in a future issue.

For more information about Moffitt’s Speros FL campus (16370 Wilton Way, Land O’Lakes), visit Moffitt.org.

The Hub Restaurant Updates

Thousands of you have already seen our updates about the already open La Creacion Bistro and the new Hummus Republic (see story on pg. 44) on our Facebook page, but what restaurants are expected to open next a The Hub at Lexington?

Although we haven’t yet received confirmation as to when Farmer’s Milk — the truly beautiful-looking Ukrainian-inspired bakery and breakfast café located at 27049 Halter Lp. — is expected to open, if you take a peek inside, it definitely appears to be the closest to opening of all of the other restaurants at The Hub — it may even open by the time this issue reaches you, so check our Facebook page for updates.

We honestly can’t wait to sample not only the baked goods but also the breakfast and lunch food items at Farmer’s Milk.

We did get word, however, that the monster, gourmet cinnamon buns at Cinnaholic (27145 Halter Loop) should be available at The Hub on or around Friday, August 14, but we will keep you posted online about when you’ll be able to try these 1,000-calorie

(apiece!) gorgeous-looking diet-killers.

Not nearly as close to opening, but definitely all under construction now (all on Halter Lp), are Island Grill (27085), Tampa Joe’s (previously to be called “The Landing”; 26951), The Monk’s Indian Fusion (27159) & Saigon Pho.

Michael Pultorak Challenges Randy Maggard For District 54 State House Seat

On Tuesday, August 18, local firefighter, Realtor and community activist Michael Pultorak will try to accomplish something few recent political candidates in Pasco County have been able to do — unseat a Republican incumbent.

Pultorak is running for the Republican nomination against Florida House District 54 Representative Randy Maggard.

He says he entered the race believing that his attempt to unseat Maggard would be an Open Primary, meaning that all voters in the District — regardless of party affiliation — would be eligible to cast a ballot to choose between the two Republican candidates because there was no Democrat or third-party candidate registered to run for the seat.

But, on June 12, the last day to qualify to run, Paul Bybee, who also is a registered Republican and who does not live in Dist. 54, qualified as a write-in candidate for the November 3 General Election ballot. Bybee’s name will not appear on that ballot — there will only be a space to write in his name — but his last-minute qualifying as a write-in closed the August 18 Primary Election, so that only registered Republicans in Dist. 54 will be eligible to choose between the two-term incumbent Maggard and Pultorak, the political newcomer.

And, with there being a very likely possibility (based on his history) that Bybee will drop out of the race once the results of the primary are known, that means that only Republicans will have ended up choosing the next Dist. 54 Rep.

According to the Florida Division of Elections, as of July 10, Maggard’s campaign had raised $145,000, while Pultorak’s campaign had raised only $3,900 and Bybee has not reported raising any campaign funds for his write-in campaign for House Dist. 54 this year

Bybee also ran as a write-in candidate for Pasco County Commission’s Dist. 4 in 2024 — but withdrew following the closed Republican primary that saw appointed incumbent Lisa Yeager elected to fill the last two years of the late Gary Bradford’s four-year term.

The Neighborhood News sent both Pultorak and Maggard a series of questions and both responded by email for this story. We did not reach Bybee at the phone number listed on the Florida Division of Elections website, which did not list an email address for him. Bybee’s Facebook page makes no mention of his candidacy and only shows him campaigning for Republican Sheriff Chris Nocco’s campaign to replace retiring State Senator Ed Hooper and Republican candidate for State House Dist. 53 John Carroll.

Pultorak has been endorsed by Defending Rural Florida, the Florida League of Republican Voters and the Florida Republican Liberty Caucus. The answers Pultorak and Maggard gave to our questions appear here and on page 8.

Michael Pultorak

Neighborhood News (NN): Tell me about your background — where you grew up, went to school, your work experience and your family.

Michael Pultorak (MP): We get to pick where we make and call home, but we don’t get to pick where we were born. I was born and raised in Michigan, spending almost every day playing sports or in the outdoors, and learning to be a steward of the land. I moved to Florida to attend USF in 1996, fell in love with Wesley

Chapel and decided to make this home. Most of your readers probably know me from real estate or coaching youth athletics. But, I became a firefighter well before graduating USF. This is my 30th year in the fire service and I am starting my 27th year with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and my 14th year as a Captain. With my wife Aimee being a St Leo alumna, we fell in love with the Wesley Chapel and San Antonio areas and decided this was the right place to raise our children. We have cattle, chickens, and pigs on our ranch. Our children Grace and Joshua have really connected us as coaches and mentors to the local community.

NN: How did you become — whether intentionally or not — a community activist?

MP: I appreciate that, but honestly, I don’t consider myself an activist. I am a USF alumnus from the Muma College of Business (GO BULLS!), a successful business owner and have been blessed investing in real estate. I have graduate degrees from Liberty University and the University of Phoenix. Activist? No. Problem solver? Yes. I just cannot accept the status quo that is not working, or merely hope things are going to get better. If we can make things better, let’s do it! Strong leaders fix big problems. That won’t always settle well with everyone, but it is the right thing to do. I took a pledge decades ago to build the bridge others behind you will travel. Sometimes to my own [detriment], I stand up to what is wrong or isn’t working. So many of the problems around us can be solved, it just takes good people willing to sacrifice to make things better for those that travel behind us. In turn, that means we are building a better place for our children to raise their children.

NN: What made you decide to run for public office?

MP: I never intended to run for office. But I have seen how Tallahassee is giving our tax dollars to developers to pave over Pasco pastures and turn them into parking lots. I realized that the new developments are not helping our current residents. The new developments and 4-story apartments are not utilized by our residents; they just keep moving more people into our community. The businesses that promise high-paying employment keep moving their own workforce in with them, so our residents keep getting overlooked, while the allure of additional tax revenue keeps getting them approved. The additional pressure has overwhelmed our infrastructure, and it is driving up the cost of living for all of our families.

So, I started any way possible to hold developers accountable for the roads, parks and promises they made to the community. Looking around, we need a lot of change with our elected officials. The decisions being made at the local and state levels are not benefiting our current residents. So, if we have a problem, it is time to solve it. That means it is time to engage at the next level. These issues are mainly caused by state legislation, so that is where we must focus to create change and protect Pasco.

NN: What made you choose the State House District 54 race?

MP: Our incumbent has voted repeatedly to give tax incentives to the data centers we are working to prevent. That is not OK. He protected NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) between government officials and data center developers

in this current session. That also is not OK. Since he has taken office, 31 pieces of pro-developer state legislation have been enacted, and he voted YES every time. That is not OK. He has been in office for 7 years, and all I see is Pasco County getting paved over and our cost of living skyrocketing. Our kids can’t afford to live and raise their children in our communities. That is a problem! If you see a problem, try to solve it and I am trying to solve the problem. That means it is time for a new voice to represent Pasco residents in Tallahassee.

NN: What do you feel Rep. Maggard has or hasn’t been doing enough to help the people living in the district?

MP: He has both done far too much and far too little. He has done far too much to incentivize developers to bring in data centers, apartments and new communities our residents cannot afford. At the same time, he has done far too little listening to his constituents who don’t want these things to happen to their community.

NN: What do you think about Paul Bybee entering the race as a write-in candidate? Do you believe that his entry into the race was orchestrated by the Republican Executive Committee (REC) of Pasco? And if it was, if you’re also running as a Republican, why would the REC attempt to not allow anyone other than Republicans to vote in this primary?

MP: Paul who? Oh, that guy. Well, there are a lot of games played in politics to keep power, and I would be speculating as to any details about his candidacy. But, when he is out campaigning, maybe he should start promoting himself for his race if he is a serious candidate.

NN: If elected, what are your goals as far as what you would like to accomplish in your first term in the State Legislature?

MP: First, I will prevent ANY legislation that looks anything like my opponent’s bill he tried to pass twice (2023, 2026) that would have removed local protections for our water and conservation areas. It is so crazy I can’t even make this stuff up. Second, data centers need to be up north in cooler climates that do not have a sensitive aquifer. We need a full state moratorium. Third, Senate Bill 102 that allows highdensity apartments to be constructed on ANY property zoned commercial needs to be repealed

so that we can grow employment instead of the population. Finally, House Bill 1080 from this 2026 session allowing developers to use outside consultants for rezoning must be repealed. The tax funding for home ownership programs needs to be reestablished because it is now being used for low-interest loans for developers to build apartments. That is all tied up currently in these bills I’ve identified.

NN: What do you feel are the biggest needs for the people of District 54?

MP: 1) Address the over-development of Pasco, which includes new residential, new commercial and data centers developments.

2) Address the flood risks we have in Dade City and Zephyrhills from that development

3) WE MUST TACKLE AFFORDABILITY. Our cost of living is driven by the cost of housing. Supply & demand says you keep moving in labor forces and they will add to the demand of available homes in the area.

4) We need transparency out of Tallahassee! I am tired of finding out what new laws will be thrust on us on July 1 of each year. It is time we got someone up there that will provide accountability to the residents of Florida.

5) STOP wasting our tax dollars! If the state and county would stop wasting our tax dollars, maybe our county budget and cost of living would stop going up every year.

NN: Since you’ll also have to vote about many things that have little or nothing to do with District 54, what State House committees would you like to serve on and what do think are the biggest needs for the State of Florida?

MP: The committees that interest me the most are the Budget Committee, Select Committee on Property Taxes and Health & Human Services. The biggest needs for Florida residents are to rein in spending, make sure property tax reform does not turn into a series of loopholes that punish the working class and create transparency so that we can all hold our representatives accountable for whom they are truly representing in Tallahassee.

NN: Why should the people of District 54 vote for you?

MP: We have some big problems locally that are going to need a leader with bigger solutions. I understand how the problems were legislatively created and I know how we can start solving them, but it must happen in Tallahassee. The interests of Pasco County residents drive my political aspirations and decision making. I have no interest in representing special interests. While my opponent has received 277 PAC (Political Action Committees) donations during his time as a State Rep., I have received none. While your utility bills were going up, he was taking donations from all of the providers. I will never accept campaign donations that are from public services dependent on politicians voting to raise your rates. State legislation prevented oversight of developers in our area and, not surprisingly, many residents feel they did not get the communities they were promised. It is time to get to work fixing these issues, but we need a change in the voice we are sending to represent us. Let’s send a message by changing the messenger in this Primary Election!

See “Pultorak vs. Maggard” on page 8.

Randy Maggard

State House District 54 incumbent Randy Maggard is a lifetime Pasco County native who has been married to his wife Colleen for 41 years. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.

Maggard is a member of San Antonio Community Church and also is the co-owner and vice president of Sonny’s Discount Applianc es in Dade City. He is a past chair of the Pasco County Republican Party and serves in Republi can leadership in the Florida House, including as Deputy Majority Leader since 2024.

According to his website and campaign ad materials, Rep. Maggard has been endorsed by Flor ida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis, State Senator Danny Burgess, Pasco tax collector Mike Fasano, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells and by the Florida Professional Firefighters, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

last two-year term. Cost of living for expenses such as property insurance, health care and autism support will be my main focus.

NN: What is your opinion of hyperscale, large-scale and SMR (Small Modular Reactor) data centers? Should Florida allow any of them to come into our state? Can (and/or should) the State government implement a permanent ban on them?

RM: I oppose AI data centers. Earlier this year, in conjunction with Governor DeSantis, the Legislature passed a bill to empower local governments and to protect consumers and our natural resources when it comes to AI data centers. I am proud of our bill, which is tough. Frankly, it is so tough that I doubt data centers will even want to come to Florida.

ty continuing to add registered Republican Write-In candidates to the ballot — including in your race — when the Write-In candidates 1) do not live in the districts in which they are running, 2) have literally no chance of being elected and 3) have no intention of still running once the “closed” Primary election ends?

I know it’s technically not “illegal” for such candidates to be added to the Primary Election ballot , but is it ethical? And, can the State Legislature enact a new law preventing such candidates from being added to the Primary Ballot in the future and would you support such a measure?

Although he didn’t elaborate on any of these items in our question-&-answer exchange below, his website says that he “passed major insurance reform that eliminated frivolous lawsuits that raise rates” and “sweeping property tax reform with Gov. DeSantis to bring relief to Pasco families, retirees and residents.”

On illegal immigration, Rep. Maggard says he “stood with Pres. Trump and Gov. DeSantis to pass sweeping immigration reform. He will keep illegals off our streets and stand by the rule of law!” He opposes “woke ideologies” and “strongly supports law enforcement, the rule of law and increased penalties on individuals who harm law enforcement officers.”

NN: What do you believe are your biggest accomplishments since first being elected to the Florida House?

Randy Maggard (RM): I am really so proud of so many things we have done to promote conservative governance in Florida. We are proudly called the Free State of Florida for a reason! We have made Florida more business-friendly for entrepreneurs. We are cutting property taxes. We defended life and our constitutional rights. I am particularly proud of the work we achieved with autism reform to help support the families with autistic family members.

NN: What are your main objectives, if re-elected, for the next four years? Is there any particular legislation that you’re sponsoring or that you support?

RM: Should I be reelected, my priorities will be to ensure individual rights and free market affordability, safety, education and the protection of our natural resources.

NN: What is your opinion of the Property Tax legislation headed to this year’s November ballot? What, in your opinion, can and should Pasco County do to guarantee that things like the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue/EMS and the School District don’t have to cut essential services and jobs if the legislation passes?

RM: I supported the property tax amendment measure in the Legislature. Should it be adopted by the voters, the Legislature will need to pass an implementing bill where additional details will be worked [out]. I am confident that local municipalities will do the right thing and adjust their budgets to relieve the burden of taxes on our citizens. Government needs to set priorities and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.

NN: What are the biggest needs, as you see them, of your District? How do you plan to help the people of District 54 over your next four years in office?

RM: If reelected, I will be serving my

NN: Have you publicly come out in support of any of the candidates for Florida’s next Governor? Do you plan to after the Primary Election?

RM: I have personally and publicly endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds [for Governor]. I believe he has the best vision for our state, but I know and respect several other Republicans running. I urge all Republican voters to research the candidates and make their own decision, but agree that we must unite after the primary is over on August 18th to defeat the Democrat nominee.

NN: What do you think of the Republican Executive Committee of Pasco Coun-

RM: I’m not aware of what the local parties may be doing regarding so called “Write-In” candidates. I personally believe in a primary system whereby only registered Republicans are choosing the Republican nominee. If the Democrats want to be a viable party outside of the big cities, they need to recruit and train candidates.

NN: Is there anything else you would want me to include for your constituents in this story?

RM: I’ve lived my entire life here in East Pasco County. I am a husband, father, grandfather and small businessman who knows what a special place it is that we call home. I am proud to say it’s a place where faith, family and freedom flourish. I do not take public service lightly and I would be honored to once again earn the trust and support of the voters in East Pasco County (District 54).

Five Candidates Vie For Cynthia Armstrong’s District 3 Pasco School Board Seat!

By Joshua Gabel, Jordan King & Gary Nager

After serving on the Pasco County School Board for 16 years, District 3 School Board member Cynthia Armstrong announced earlier this year that she was not seeking reelection, setting the stage for a nonpartisan primary on Tuesday, August 18, to determine who succeeds her. Five candidates have stepped forward in a race that will be closely watched, as concerns around school safety, teacher pay and other hot button issues continue to be raised by parents and teachers alike.

The field to replace Armstrong includes educator Matt Geiger, Marine Corps veteran and educator Sean O’Flannery, retired military officer and former executive Dr. Kirk Phillips, former communications professional and preschool teacher Erin Stroupe, and businesswoman and Realtor Mollyana Ward.

District 3 encompasses Holiday, Odessa, Trinity and parts of New Port Richey but registered voters of all parties in all areas of Pasco County are eligible to vote in the nonpartisan race. And, if none of the candidates receives more than 50 percent of the vote on Aug. 18, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff at the General Election on Tuesday, November 3.

The fundraising numbers cited are from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections website and were accurate as of July 25.

About Matt Geiger (MG)

Geiger has nearly 30 years of experience in education, serving in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, counselor and administrator. He also served as the school director for the Benfica Residential Academy at St. Leo, a coed soccer development academy for professional Portuguese club S.L. Benfica. He previously ran for this seat in 2022, receiving 42 percent of the vote against Armstrong. Geiger earned a Bachelor’s degree from La Roche University in McCandless, PA, a Master of Education degree from Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, PA, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the California University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest California) in California, PA. He has raised $7,520 for his campaign.

About Sean O’Flannery (SO)

O’Flannery served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve before becoming an officer in the Florida Army National Guard. He is a Hall of Fame high school volleyball coach with more than three decades of classroom experience across four school districts, where he taught civics, social studies and personal finance.

O’Flannery says his greatest accomplishment is his family. He and his wife, Erica, have four children, all of whom either attend or have graduated from the public school system. He previously ran for a seat on the Pinellas County School Board in the early 2000s. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in history from the University

of South Florida. He has raised $4,450 for his campaign.

About Dr. Kirk Phillips (KP)

Dr. Kirk “Captain” Phillips is a combat veteran and former executive with leadership experience across the U.S. military, Fortune 500 companies and government. He is recognized nationally for his contributions to innovation, organizational leadership, and public service, and is a published author. He ran for the District 56 seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 2024.

Dr. Phillips received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in College Park and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership & Organizational Innovation from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. He specializes in Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in education. He has raised $50,600 for his campaign, although $45,000 of that total are contributions from Phillips himself.

About Erin Stroupe (ES)

Erin Stroupe is a preschool teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas Early Childhood Center in New Port Richey and was a long-time communications professional before transitioning into the education field. Her communications stints include time with Yahoo, engineering firm BRPH and as a communications manager in the Executive Office of the Governor under former Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Stroupe is a double Seminole, having received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and her Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication and management from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Her campaign has raised $11,406.31.

About Mollyana Ward (MW)

Ward was a long-time Wesley Chapel resident who now lives in New Port Richey. She is a business leader who is the chief operating officer and co-founder of Icemann Development with her husband and Icemann chief executive officer Gordie Zimmermann. She is a mom and grandmother who homeschooled one of her three sons for several years, and each of them graduated from one of the three high schools in Wesley Chapel. She also served as the president of the Central Florida Association for Family Child Care for three years and is a licensed Realtor and real estate Broker. Her campaign has raised $28,015, and of the five District 3 candidates, Ward is the one who was endorsed by Pasco Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Legg.

Questions for All Candidates:

Note - Joshua Gabel interviewed four of the five candidates. I interviewed Mollyana Ward. I asked her most, but not all, of the same questions, so I have included her answers to the same questions below and will then include her answers to my other questions at the end of this article.

I also want to thank Neighborhood News freelancer and local teacher Jordan King for contributing the following questions for the candidates.

And finally, I apologize for the smallerthan usual font size and spacing for this Q-&-A session, but we wanted to make sure that all of the candidates’ answers to these questions were included in this issue. — GN

Neighborhood News (NN): What do you believe is the purpose of your role as a School Board member? What makes the difference between an effective and ineffective School Board member?

MG: My role is to ensure every child in Pasco County receives a high-quality, safe education that prepares them for success while serving as a strong advocate for parents, students and educators. The School Board sets policy, oversees the budget, hires the superintendent and holds the District accountable to deliver results — not to push agendas or expand bureaucracy.

An effective school board member prioritizes transparency, data-driven decisions, parental involvement, fiscal responsibility and measurable student outcomes (academic achievement, safety, attendance). An ineffective one rubber-stamps administration proposals, avoids tough conversations and focuses more on adult interests or national trends than on local families and classrooms.

SO: The role of a School Board member is to serve on a civilian board that helps direct policy and acts as a watchdog over the public budget. As a lifelong educator, I have seen well-intentioned School Board members struggle to understand this distinction, which can make them ineffective when they try to micromanage day-to-day matters that properly fall under the Superintendent’s purview.

My goal is to arrive prepared for meetings, maintain an open mind when citizens share their perspectives and work to reach consensus while strictly adhering to Florida’s open records laws.

KP: As a School Board member, my purpose is to represent our community’s values while setting clear policy, vision and budget priorities that keep students safe and learning at high levels. An effective Board member knows the difference between governing and managing: our job is to set goals, adopt policy, steward taxpayer dollars wisely and regularly evaluate the Superintendent’s performance against those goals.

I believe ineffective Board members get distracted by personalities, social media drama, or micromanaging day-to-day school operations, instead of focusing on student outcomes and system-level results. I will stay student-centered, data-driven and fiscally responsible, using clear measures of academic achievement, safety and stewardship to guide my decisions. Finally, I will work collaboratively with my fellow Board members. Hence, the Board speaks with one voice, even when we disagree, because stability and accountability at the table are essential for strong schools and a strong Pasco County.

ES: A School Board member’s job is to create and set policy, approve the budget and provide oversight and accountability to the District. An effective School Board member engages with and listens to the concerns and needs of the families, teachers and the community, and uses those insights to help inform decisions. In addition, a good Board member takes the time to understand all facets of every issue that crosses their desk, before making a decision that best serves the students of Pasco County.

MW: I’ve been on boards where I’ve walked away feeling like, did I accomplish anything? What

did we really get to solve here? But, I hope to be effective. I think budget transparency is a big conversation; retaining teachers is another huge one. I have not seen the budget in a deep dive kind of way, but I hope to be able to go through it and find out where money is being spent and how we can shift things. We have to be able to find the money to pay the teachers without an additional tax. Maybe I’m being naive, but I have to believe that there’s a way.

As someone who was a stay-at-home mom while raising my kids, with my late husband Rick as the only income source, we had to learn what to cut, what we didn’t need. You do it because you have to in order to survive. I have a vested interest in making sure that this is a sustainable budget.

NN: Do you plan to inform the community of the benefits of the tax referendum that helps to supplement teacher and staff salaries? If yes, how will you plan to do so?

MG: Yes. I will actively inform the community through town halls, District-wide communications, social media and targeted outreach in both eastern and western Pasco. I’ll emphasize how funds directly support competitive salaries to attract and retain quality teachers and staff, while insisting on accountability measures — such as tying increases to performance metrics, reducing administrative overhead, and ensuring transparency in spending — to guarantee taxpayers see real improvements in the classroom, not just higher costs.

SO: I support the referendum, but I also believe we must examine potential budget cuts to demonstrate to taxpayers that the Board is committed to fiscal responsibility. Currently, Pasco County is losing veteran teachers to neighboring districts. I know this firsthand because I am one of them; I reluctantly left Pasco County Schools to teach in Hillsborough County for a $20,000 salary increase. Addressing the loss of our experienced, veteran teachers will be a priority for me.

KP: When I talk about the referendum, I’ll be honest about both sides. I’ll show people, using simple charts and one-page handouts, how the money has improved pay for teachers and staff and helped us stay competitive with nearby districts. I’ll also explain what happens to classrooms and services if that funding suddenly goes away.

I’ll use town halls, civic groups, school events and social media to walk through the numbers, compare public-school pay and benefits with those of similar civilian jobs and answer questions directly rather than relying on slogans. I’ll keep reminding folks that my priority is to use our existing dollars more effectively through innovation, efficiency and smarter HR practices, so that any decision about renewing a tax is made with clear facts about both the pros and the cons, not out of fear or pressure.

ES: Yes, I have been doing this frequently by answering questions regarding the referendum, explaining the difference between the referendum and Pennies for Pasco and ensuring the community understands that the teachers are at the receiving end of this vote. I have repeatedly added my comments to public forums:

“At the end of the day, the teachers are at the receiving end of this referendum. It is a line item on their pay stubs. Regardless of how one thinks the budget should be managed, voting ‘no’ is a vote to decrease their pay, and I cannot in good conscience take that risk. Agreed, we need more state funding to adequately pay our teachers, and we need School Board members with the integrity and willingness to continue to fight for this in Tallahassee.”

MW: Right now, I’m just sharing other people’s

social media about it. All the teachers want it, the School Board wants it, so it’s just getting the messaging out. It’s already an existing tax. It really comes down to, if they take it away, the teachers, the janitors, bus drivers, they’re the ones who are going to suffer.

NN: How do you plan to remain active and visible to the individuals in the District, as many staff and students rarely interact with the individuals that make decisions for them?

MG: I will commit to regular, accessible engagement: monthly District listening sessions (rotating between east and west Pasco), school visits during different times of day, regular community forums and an open-door policy for staff, parents and students. I’ll use simple tools like a dedicated email, newsletter updates, and social media to report back on board actions. Decisions impact people directly. I refuse to be an invisible bureaucrat and will prioritize face-to-face interaction over remote administration.

SO: I am already deeply involved in our local community. I am active in my church, serve as a youth ice hockey coach at AdventHealth Center Ice, and currently serve as my community’s HOA President. As a Board member, my goal is to remain highly accessible and to help direct parents to the appropriate personnel whenever they need assistance.

KP: I plan to be a highly visible, hands-on Board member, not someone you see only at meetings or on a ballot every four years. I’m fully retired from the Air Force and now focus on civic life in Pasco and across the state, as well as educational research on generations and global innovations in education, so I have the time and flexibility to be regularly present in schools, neighborhoods, and community spaces.

I will stay active in local civic and nonprofit groups and continue advocating for excess school properties to become learning, heritage and cultural spaces rather than more traffic and dense development, as I’ve done with the 1922 Gulf High School/ Schwettman Center project in New Port Richey.

A powerful way to connect is through Rotary Interact initiatives; for example, my Seven Springs Rotary Club and Mitchell High School have a mentoring, service and scholarship relationship that provides a natural way to engage with students. My goal is for students and staff not only to know my name but to see me in their community, working alongside them on the places and issues that matter most.

ES: I firmly believe that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” I plan on making this role my full-time position, visiting schools often and holding open office hours at our local library for families to come ask questions and engage. I am a current parent of school-aged children and have spent the last year as a preschool teacher. I take community engagement very seriously, as it is the only way to truly understand the needs and successes of the district.

MW: I know there’s an open dialogue for email and I believe that parents interact through emails with School Board members, so that’s obviously one way. I also know that most School Board members visit schools in their District often, and my job allows me that flexibility. I’m going to love doing that; I look forward to it. I will do as much of that as I’m allowed.

NN: How should our funding be allocated to best serve the needs of students and educators?

MG: Funding should prioritize the classroom: teacher salaries, instructional materials, and student support first. I support auditing current spending to eliminate waste and administrative bloat, addressing east-west capacity imbalances (e.g., overcrowding in Wesley Chapel/Wiregrass vs. underutilized schools in western Pasco Gulf/Anclote), and directing resources toward proven needs like reading/math proficiency, vocational programs and special education. Every

dollar must demonstrably serve students and educators rather than non-essential programs.

SO: My priority is directing resources to the classroom to support student learning and competitive educator compensation.

KP: Our funding should be allocated in a clear hierarchy: student safety first, then strong teacher compensation packages, followed by innovative transportation and learning models, just-in-time curriculum and lesson design, and efficient, optimized support functions. Research shows that how dollars are spent matters as much as how many dollars there are, and the highest returns come when funds are tied directly to high-quality instruction and student outcomes. I see teachers like soldiers on the battlefield. Every dollar we spend should deliver a measurable “return-on-learning” clearly linked to their work in the classroom and the results students achieve. That means building budget tools that track the impact of programs and positions on student growth and redirecting money away from low-impact activities and bureaucracy into what most improves teaching, learning time and support for educators.

ES: First and foremost, student success is directly related to teacher success. We must do everything we can locally and at the state level to increase funding for teacher and staff pay. With that being said, district leadership and school board members must approach budgetary decisions with student success as the primary focus. If an expense does not directly support student achievement or the classroom experience (with data to support), only then should it be considered for reduction.

MW: One of the things I have looked into is the health insurance in the District, in part because [School Board members] get health insurance through the District, like teachers do. But, the cost of that insurance for just the [employees] is very low, but when you add a spouse and children, like a family plan, the amount it goes up is just crazy. How much money do our teachers have left after that if they insure their families through the District? That’s one thing I will definitely be looking into.

NN: What measures do you plan to take toward student and staff safety in schools?

MG: I will push for strong discipline policies, including clear codes of conduct with consistent enforcement, expanded mental health resources and collaboration with law enforcement. This includes reviewing security infrastructure (cameras, access controls), active shooter protocols and anti-bullying measures that protect all students. Staff safety is equally important — zero tolerance for violence against teachers or personnel, with swift consequences and support systems in place.

SO: I would support bringing in a qualified third-party operator to conduct an objective, honest security audit that highlights areas where we need to strengthen school security. Additionally, I would prioritize raising salaries in our IT and technology departments to recruit the talent needed to secure our network infrastructure and prevent cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks.

KP: My goal is for every student and staff member to feel physically secure, emotionally supported and confident that leadership at all levels will act quickly, fairly and consistently when safety is at stake. Student and staff safety comes first, and I see it as much bigger than locking doors. Our current Board has taken school safety seriously and addressed many key risks. However, there are still multiple layers we must continually monitor: building security, screen time, food processes, transportation and logistics, injuries on sports fields and issues such as bullying, fighting and chronic misbehavior.

I will support strong physical security and emergency planning while emphasizing emotional safety, consistent discipline and evidence-based threat assessment practices that catch problems early and respect students’ rights. I will push for clear standards and regular training in every school on how we handle bullying and fights, supervise high-risk areas like cafeterias and sports fields and monitor food, transportation and other daily operations so that safety is built into every process, not left to chance.

ES: School safety must always remain a top priority, and I believe it’s important for voters to understand the role a School Board member plays in keeping our schools secure. The Board’s responsibility is to ensure our schools have the policies, resources and accountability necessary to protect students and staff. That includes supporting investments in trained safety professionals, mental health services, secure facilities and emergency preparedness, while holding district leadership accountable for implementing and evaluating safety plans.

As a School Board member, I would take the time to fully understand the security measures, protocols and challenges that the general public is not privy to. My responsibility would be to ensure we are doing everything within state and federal guidelines to provide the safest learning environment possible. We must also communicate openly and transparently with families to build trust. Having experienced campus lockdowns with my own children, I have seen firsthand where communication and follow-through can fall short. Families deserve timely, accurate information before, during and after an incident or drill so they can feel confident that their children are safe.

MW: As a Realtor, I always look for the things sellers can do to get top dollar for their house for the lowest cost. In that case, it’s a deep cleaning. I believe the least expensive thing the School Board can do for safety is establish a culture of communication within the schools. Kids are usually the first ones to see something, so we need to make sure first that kids feel like their voices matter and they can go to the administrators, their teachers and parents and say something. That’s number one — and it doesn’t cost anything. The second thing is single-point entry. Some of our schools will have to be retrofitted to have a single point of entry, The newer ones all have it that you have to go through the admin door to get into the rest of the school. So, I did the Pasco County Schools Citizens Academy, where we got to meet all of the leaders in every department and they explained every aspect of the schools — and that’s something they’re already doing.

The other things all cost money and sure, let’s do all of it, but where’s the money going to come from? Maybe with some community partnerships?

And, there’s AI technology [for safety], too. Even for Gordie’s business, with the sports arenas, this technology can detect if you have a gun or some kind of whatever on your body, so maybe that and cameras, although not everyone likes them. But, if you drop your pet off at Pet Paradise, you can tune in on your phone any time of day, but you can’t do that with your own kids at school?

NN: What are your views on school choice, specifically when considering public, charter and private schools?

MG: I strongly support school choice, including public, charter and private options, because parents know their children best. Healthy competition drives improvement across all schools.

In Pasco, we should expand access to charters where traditional schools are underperforming or overcrowded, protect voucher/ESA programs that empower families (especially in western Pasco where enrollment has declined) and ensure public schools remain excellent by focusing on core academics

rather than losing students to alternatives. No child should be trapped in a failing school.

SO: I believe Pasco County Schools can perform at a higher level, but I fully support a parent’s right to choose the educational path that best suits their child’s needs and goals. To enhance our public offerings, I would like to implement the Fundamental Magnet program, which has been highly successful in nine Pinellas County schools. The Fundamental model is essentially a contract: parents commit to attending monthly PTA meetings and all requested parent-teacher conferences, while students understand that failing to adhere to behavioral standards may result in reassignment. Demand for this model is incredibly high; last year, 1,000 students listed Osceola Fundamental as their top choice, even though only 400 seats were available. Additionally, I would like to explore offering a four-day school week option for certain high schools, a model that has proven successful in Texas.

KP: Our nation’s future is only as bright as its students, and that’s the lens I use to evaluate school choice. I wholeheartedly support a wide range of options for families, including public, charter, private and homeschool. Still, my first responsibility as a School Board member is to make our public schools so strong that they are the best choice for most families. I believe homeschool families are important partners in our community, and I support providing optional, well-designed on-site and remote supports, such as access to certain classes, labs, extracurriculars and student services, as an extension of the public system. Whatever the setting, whether public, charter, private, or homeschool with District support, I will view school choice through one lens: does it improve student outcomes, use taxpayer dollars responsibly and keep parents clearly informed about both the opportunities and the tradeoffs?

ES: I fully support school choice to keep our schools competitive. My responsibility as a Board member would be to ensure each family has access to an excellent public school in their community by investing in strong academics, safe learning environments, exceptional teachers, and meaningful opportunities for students.

School choice can also present challenges when it comes to enrollment, staffing, budgeting and longterm planning. As a School Board member, I would work to ensure we are making data-driven decisions that responsibly manage taxpayer dollars while adapting to changing enrollment patterns.

MW: Our job title is the Pasco County School Board, not just Pasco County Public School Board. That means that every kid in our county deserves to have an education that fits them. So, I am a big proponent of school choice. If we want kids to go only to public school as the choice, let’s keep on working to make them better. I don’t fear school choice. I think it brings excellence and competition. And, I think a quality education should be accessible for every kid. I just want parents to always have a choice, but we have to figure out a way to make it competitive across the board to provide parents with that choice.

And, speaking of parents, they’re the first teachers for their children, and schools and teachers are their partners, but they don’t replace good parents. It’s not the schools’ job to discipline the kids. It’s the parents’ job. Like, Superintendent Legg came out about the potty training issue. If kids aren’t potty trained by kindergarten or even first grade, that’s not a school problem — it’s a parenting problem.

NN: What do you see as the most pressing challenges facing our District and how will you address them? Who will you consult to advise and inform your decisions?

See “School Board District 3” on pg. 12

Board District 3’

MG: Key challenges include teacher/staff shortages, enrollment imbalances (east overcrowding vs. west decline/closures), chronic absenteeism, learning gaps post-pandemic and rising behavioral/ mental health issues. I will address them through competitive pay with accountability, transparent budgeting, data-driven redistricting or facility planning and partnerships with local businesses for career pathways. I will consult parents (via PTA/ parent groups), teachers (directly, not just unions), principals, business leaders and education experts, always prioritizing evidence over ideology.

SO: An over-reliance on computer-based technology in the classroom is a major challenge. From my firsthand experience as an educator, I have seen the academic and social setbacks caused by excessive technology use, including lower reading comprehension levels. I advocate for a “Back-toBasics” approach to education, where technology is utilized as a targeted tool to enhance learning, not as a replacement for foundational teaching methods or face-to-face instruction.

KP: I see three major challenges: keeping learning relevant to today’s world, shifting decision-making closer to the local level rather than adding mandates and addressing traffic and logistics that drain time and energy. Curriculum has to be relevant to today and tomorrow, not 1994, and connect directly to real jobs, technology and community needs while giving teachers room to adapt lessons rather than simply ticking compliance boxes. We also need to push back on unnecessary state and legislative mandates so districts have more flexibility to solve local problems while remaining transparent and accountable.

Finally, the major challenge is traffic. Parents, teachers, bus drivers and students all tell me congestion around schools is a daily source of stress, lost learning time and behavior issues. I want to work with transportation staff, law enforcement and local planners to map the worst choke points, improve traffic flow and treat “time lost to traffic” as a real performance issue, not background noise.

ES: I believe the top challenges facing Pasco County Schools are issues that require long-term strategic planning and thoughtful consideration: declining enrollment and budgetary constraints. We need to tackle declining enrollment head-on by uncovering and addressing the real reasons students and families are choosing to leave our public schools. That starts with having honest conversations with families, teachers and school staff to better understand their experiences and identify meaningful solutions. This issue is directly tied to our budget, as every student who leaves the district represents approximately $9,000 in lost operating revenue. Pasco County Schools is projected to lose approximately 2,000 students this year, equating to an estimated $18 million in funding lost to private schools, homeschooling and charter schools. We will also face additional budget challenges if the referendum is not renewed.

Transparency and engagement with families, the community and all district stakeholders is imperative. Keeping them informed and actively involving them in these conversations will build trust and create greater opportunities for long-term success.

Pride comes from resilient families and the potential to become a model district through better resource equity between east and west, higher academic standards and community partnerships.

SO: Our county has experienced rapid population growth, and our district staff has done an incredible job planning and adapting to meet the needs of families as new subdivisions are built. While other districts across the state are losing enrollment, Pasco is seeing remarkable growth. The professionals managing our facilities and planning departments deserve great credit for navigating this ever-changing landscape.

KP: Our District has real strengths to be proud of, starting with the civic and nonprofit organizations that consistently step up for our students & schools. When a need arises — whether it’s mentoring, supplies, scholarships, or targeted support for a specific campus — one of these remarkable groups finds a way to fill the gap.

Pasco also has a distinctive culture, rich in heritage, family, faith and community, that genuinely values education and long-term student success, not just earning a diploma and moving on. My wife and I are both retired Air Force members and could live anywhere in the world, but we chose Pasco because this community has, since 1999, embraced what matters most to us: service, responsibility and giving back. That spirit reflects President John F. Kennedy’s call to ask what we can do for our country, and it’s exactly the mindset we want to pass on to the next generation of Pasco students.

ES: District 3 is very diverse, as we are home to some of the highest-performing schools in the county, as well as several Title 1 schools. Though they differ in many ways, each school embodies their own sense of pride, excitement and enthusiasm for the future. Additionally, as I was born and raised in District 3, I have witnessed the growth we have experienced over the last few decades and am proud of our community’s ability to adapt to this growth and the changes that have come with it.

NN: How do you plan to ensure that students & staff of all backgrounds feel welcomed in the school environment & set up for success?

MG: Focus on a safe, orderly, academically rigorous environment where every student is treated as an individual — not divided by identity. Policies should emphasize respect, anti-bullying, clear behavioral expectations and support for English language learners, students with disabilities and all families.

Success comes from high standards, targeted interventions and celebrating American values and individual achievement rather than divisive frameworks. Parental input will guide inclusive practices.

SO: Creating a welcoming environment ultimately succeeds at the school building level. I favor empowering our school principals rather than enforcing a rigid, top-down mandate. We must trust these local leaders to develop and execute a tailored vision for their specific school’s success. Furthermore, I believe principals should remain at their schools for longer tenures — ideally 5-10 years — so they can build deep roots, understand their local community and effectively serve their student body.

KP: I plan to make sure every student and staff member feels welcomed and set up for success by living out a very simple, lifelong principle: treat everyone equally and with trust.

mission comes first and everyone, regardless of race, background, or belief, stands shoulder to shoulder to get the job done. That experience breaks down a lot of barriers and bias, and it shaped how I see people.

In our schools, that means I don’t fixate on labels or backgrounds, even as I respect and value different cultures and traditions. As Board member, I will support policies, training and expectations that focus on fairness, clear standards and respect for every person. I will look hard at data on discipline, opportunity and achievement to make sure no group is being left behind, and I will back leaders and teachers who model the same “everyone is equal” standard in how they treat students and staff every day.

ES: It’s important that School Board members visit the schools in their District to build relationships and gain valuable insights into the strengths and opportunities that exist within those schools. That includes ensuring all families are welcomed, their concerns are heard and their children are met with the appropriate resources to ensure their success. This applies to teachers and staff as well — they must know their voices are heard and that they are valued members of their school family.

NN: How do you plan to address student attendance and truancy?

MG: Implement proactive early intervention — mentorship, family engagement and addressing root causes like transportation or home challenges — combined with firm enforcement of attendance policies. Partner with community organizations for support services and use data to identify patterns. Chronic absenteeism harms achievement; clear expectations and consequences, paired with help for families, are essential.

SO: I use a term called “The Hook Method.” This is when you find that item that “hooks” a student and makes them want to come to school. I believe in refocusing resources to extracurricular activities as a hook to keep students engaged. Whether it is athletics, vocational shop classes, fine arts, or Advanced Placement/AICE courses, we need to give students a compelling reason to be at school. As a Hall of Fame volleyball coach, I used my time with student-athletes to motivate them to attend class on time, follow school rules and maintain their academic standing. I recommend placing renewed emphasis on the use of extracurricular programs and coaches as mentors and motivators for our students.

KP: I would build on and strongly support the attendance and truancy approach that Superintendent [Dr. John] Legg has been advancing, as it aligns with my recommendations. While I do not have his full policy text in front of me right now, from everything I’ve seen and heard, the direction is right: clear expectations, early intervention and real partnerships with families, not just punishment.

ES: The District already has systems in place to identify attendance concerns early and work with families to address them, and I support that approach. Chronic absenteeism is often caused by a larger issue, whether it’s academic struggles, mental health challenges, transportation or circumstances at home.

As a School Board member, I want to ensure we’re using data to identify trends, learning from schools that are seeing success and giving our educators and support staff the resources they need to help students stay engaged and in the classroom.

NN: Can you describe specific strengths and reasons for pride in your district?

MG: Pasco has dedicated educators, beautiful community schools, growing vocational and career-tech programs and a commitment to Florida’s educational reforms (e.g., parental rights, reading initiatives). We have strong arts, athletics and emerging opportunities in areas like technology and trades.

In my own family, this goes back generations. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated just three years before my great-great-grandfather was born — and Lincoln’s belief in human dignity and equality was omnipresent in his youth and adult life. He passed down a core principle that I still try to embody today: treat everyone equally, without exception. My military service reinforced that. In the Air Force, the

Ultimately, our goal should be to partner with families, remove barriers whenever possible and create school environments where students want to be [in school] every day, while also upholding Florida’s attendance laws and maintaining high expectations for our students.

NN: What are your opinions about [School District] policies toward using technology in ed-

ucation, and specifically, phone and tablet usage by students in the classroom?

MG: I support restrictions on personal phone and non-instructional tablet use during class to minimize distractions and improve focus/academic outcomes. Policies should allow educational tools while limiting social media/gaming during instructional time. Evidence shows reduced screen time in class correlates with better engagement; I’ll back age-appropriate guidelines, parental notification tools and data privacy protections for students. Technology is a tool, not a replacement for teaching or human interaction. At each of the schools I have been a principal or administrator, I have had strict policies around cell phone use, from turning them in prior to school to turning them in prior to each class.

SO: As noted in my response regarding our District’s primary challenges, I believe we must move toward a “Back-to-Basics” model. Classroom technology should support learning, not replace it. We should set clear policies to minimize distractions from personal devices during instructional time so students stay focused on academic growth. I would support a total ban on any [“smart”] glasses that can record video in school settings, bathrooms, or locker rooms. These areas are not public and I can envision a serious violation of privacy for our students and staff.

KP: We live in a digital world, and I’ve built my career on using technology and innovation to improve services and reduce administrative burdens for the people on the front lines. My doctorate in Educational Leadership & Organizational Innovation focused on how schools adopt innovations like AI from the perspectives of students, teachers, support staff and administrators, so I understand both the promise and the pitfalls.

At a recent St. Leo [University]event with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and a national Chamber of Commerce leader, we heard that the number-one skill employers are looking for now is the ability to work with AI and to innovate to solve real organizational problems. This means our students must learn to use these tools well, not just avoid them. In the classroom, I support firm, consistent limits on phones and tablets during instruction to prevent disruptions to attention or behavior, while still allowing purposeful use of technology when it clearly serves a learning goal. My goal is simple: teach students to treat technology, including AI, as a disciplined tool for learning and problem-solving, and ensure our policies protect focus, safety, and teacher authority in every classroom.

ES: I firmly believe that elementary education should focus on basic principles that support on-grade-level reading by third grade. Phonological awareness, fine motor skills and critical thinking are best developed with traditional, hands-on learning, not technology. As children progress in their education, we need to ensure technology and screens are used by both students and teachers as a tool to enhance learning, not as a default or crutch. Students’ personal devices should be kept out of the classroom setting, only to be used in an emergency.

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NN: Here are the additional questions I asked Mollyana Ward during our interview:

NN: How did Superintendent Dr. John Legg end up endorsing you in this race?

MW: I was one of, like, 25 people of all aspects of life who served on his transition committee when he first took office. I honestly don’t really know why he selected me for that committee. But, that was when I first met him. He told me why he picked me — because I’m a businesswoman and he feels we need business-minded people on the School Board. Not that the other people aren’t capable, but they’re more on the teacher side and he wanted it to be ‘School

more balanced, so he was looking for business-minded people.

NN: Do you think receiving Dr. Legg’s endorsement makes you the front-runner?

MW: I don’t know. I don’t worry about things like that. With five candidates in the race, it’s obviously hard to get to 50%, but some people told me that if you are the front-runner, you’re more likely to make it to the top two if there is a runoff. I’m still just learning this whole process.

NN: Even though you would be the School Board member from District 3, you have to run countywide. How much harder does that make campaigning for you?

MW: Well, it’s not easy to be all over the place. But I do feel like one of my benefits of running over the other candidates is that I established myself on this [the east] side of the county first and now, I live on the west side.

NN: You said that you homeschooled your oldest son Ricky for several years, but did all of your kids attend school in Wesley Chapel?

MW: Yes. Ricky actually graduated from Wesley Chapel High, Nick graduated from Wiregrass Ranch and Jack was in the first graduating class at Cypress Creek Middle/High School.

NN: If you are elected, whether on August 18 or in a runoff, what is your plan for your first year in that office?

MW: I would like to see us increase our career education path and expand our partnerships with community organizations. We have such a shortage of MROs (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul), like engine repairs, elevator repairs, diesel mechanics, welders and plumbers. There’s just so many shortages across the board.

My youngest, Jack, decided to become a

plumber. He started as an apprentice and now, he’s only 25, but he was able to buy a house two years ago. I’ve seen it in real estate that there is a major shortage of quality trades people.

NN: Do you think you can find money in the District’s budget for those types of programs?

MW: Well, that’s why we need community partners. If these companies need to be hiring these kids, then they should be contributing to their education, too, right? So, I do believe there is a way to partner with them and I’ve already talked to Dr. Legg about it. I said, ‘You have enrollment down and schools closing on the west side [of the county], but it’s up on the east side. Sometimes, you have to pivot. The world changes, so why not take some of those schools that are empty, or have declining enrollment, and turn them into a Junior Achievement-type of facility where kids can get certifications and apprenticeships, so they can start making money right away, so that even if they end up going to college, they don’t have to graduate with a ton of student debt?’

NN: What do you think about AI? I know your opponent Dr. Kirk Phillips is all for it.

MW: I find that AI is right only about 60% of the time. One of the things I am running on is putting paper back in the classroom, like handwriting is actually important, because there’s a proven connection between the brain and the hand.

When you’re writing down ideas and thoughts — you own those ideas and thoughts. It’s an experiential process. The physical act of writing things down creates memories. You get the information — and you don’t get that from a keyboard. I just think that nothing can replace teacher interaction. It isn’t just the information they teach, it’s the relationship, the eye contact, the struggle of learning. I’m not saying screens and AI have no place in school, I just think kids still need teachers.

Wesley Chapel Library At Seven Oaks Celebrates Official Grand Opening!

Although we somehow missed the event, congratulations go out to Pasco County Libraries director Sean McGarvey, branch manager Julia Shepherd and everyone at the Wesley Chapel Library at Seven Oaks on the official Grand Opening of Wesley Chapel’s second library, which first opened its doors on Feb. 23 of this year.

The estimated crowd of 185 or so people in attendance at the time also got to see the 13,000-sq.-ft. Wesley Chapel Library’s Family Reading Room dedicated to former District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore and his wife Lauren. The event featured a ribbon cutting and the dedication of the Mike and Lauren Moore Family Room.

Pasco County public information officer Sarah Andeara also estimates that throughout the rest of the day’s festivities — “which included a story time event, live music, face painting, games and more, we welcomed about 700 guests.”

McGarvey opened the event by noting that the Wesley Chapel Library, located next to Seven Oaks Elementary, “is the 9th library in our system, which was founded in the 1980s, with the passing of an original bond to fund it.

“When we started building this library in 2020,” McGarvey continued, “we were approached by so many members of this community about what they wanted in this institution and what it could be for them.

“Most notably among them was John Tomsu [of the Seven Oaks CDD], who is the representative of this community. They were very active, and that was the moment I knew we had something special in this location.”

McGarvey also mentioned that Pasco County has about 650,000 residents, “and halfway through this year, our libraries have already had about 650,000 visits. That’s one more fact about why libraries are special.”

District 5 Pasco Commissioner & Board chair Jack Mariano followed McGarvey.

“What a great day for Wesley Chapel and Pasco County!,”

Comm. Mariano said. “To be right here next to Seven Oaks Elementary, it’s just such a brilliant location. This is such a great community already and Wesley Chapel is such an important part of the county.”

Mariano also offered his congratulations to Moore, who of course, was and is still a Seven Oaks resident.

“To have that room named after you and your family is quite an honor,” he said. “That’s pretty good stuff.”

Up next was Comm. Moore’s successor in Dist. 2, Comm. Seth Weightman, who got to make the announcement of the naming of the Mike and Lauren Moore Family Room.

But first, Comm. Weightman said that, “Since February, this library has already served over 32,000 visitors, had over 50,000 items checked out and issued over 3,000 library cards, so it’s crystal clear why Mike Moore pushed so hard when he was on this Board to expedite this project, which wasn’t supposed come to fruition until the 2030 time frame.

“So, he worked to capture the funding and bump this project up, but when [I] came on [my] first year, we had a budget public battle and this [library] was one of the items that was discussed if we were going to do cuts to our budget. But, this Board saw value and said, ‘No, we need to continue pushing this project forward and get the building done and how to staff it,’ and we worked together collectively to help it come to fruition.”

Comm. Weightman added, “From the number of children here, you can see it’s geared to the children of this community. There’s more than 100 children and families that come to this facility for story time every week — and it’s growing.

“The county’s just applied for a grant,” Weightman added, “to help bring outdoor activities, music and social events and I hope to match the grant, if it’s successful in capturing the funding, to activate this space, probably in the cooler months.”

He then turned to Moore and said, “One of the most exciting pieces of this facility is to dedicate the Family Room to Mike and Lauren Moore and the Moore family. Oftentimes, in

give credit where credit is due.

for

facility truly goes to Mike Moore and his family.”

Moore said, “Wow! Thank you, Comm. Weightman and Chairman Mariano, I’m a little choked up. I’m happy to have my family here — my son Aiden, my daughter Amberlee and my mom Alice. Unfortunately, Lauren is a college professor and this was her second week of work and my oldest [Aubrey] was working as well.”

He added, “I got to meet quite a few people I hadn’t met before telling me how many people have visited this library. I think someone said it’s the busiest one in the county — and it’s only in its infancy. There are so many people to thank — my former legislative aide Andy Taylor, Sean [McGarvey], the Friends of the Library. This is a place to study, a place to gather, a place for the community and will continue to be a big part of the community. Thank you very much and see you soon.”

For more info about the Wesley Chapel Library (27531 Mystic Oak Blvd.), call (352) 518-5064 or visit PascoLibraries.org. My thanks to Sarah Andeara for providing the photo & video of the event for this story. — GN

Big Changes Coming To Meadow Pointe II With Major Amenity Upgrades

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

At just under 2,000 established homes, Meadow Pointe II has long been a major part of Wesley Chapel. When it was built in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was widely considered Wesley Chapel’s eastern edge, as there was literally nothing east of it.

Many of the residents who bought homes here when the neighborhood was new have watched Wesley Chapel literally grow up around them. The area has changed just as quickly as the children who grew up on these streets — with many of those kids now raising families of their own.

The growth all around Meadow Pointe II continues, but this time the changes aren’t happening outside the community — they’re taking place inside it.

Four major improvement projects were discussed at the Meadow Pointe II Community Development District (CDD) meeting on July 15, which we attended. While each project was briefly mentioned in the community’s July newsletter, the meeting provided a much clearer look at what’s ahead for these planned improvements.

It’s uncommon to see so many major amenity projects moving forward at the same time in a neighborhood that’s more than 25 years old.

But, that’s exactly what’s happening in Meadow Pointe II, with plans ranging from a new community building and maintenance facility to a large lap pool, dog park and an updated proposal for the long-debated Wrencrest Dr. gate.

Clubhouse Expansion Finally Moving Forward

Across from the CVS pharmacy at the corner of County Line Rd. and Mansfield Blvd. (next to the existing Meadow Pointe II clubhouse), sits a vacant grassy parcel that observant residents know for one unsightly feature: a large pile of broken concrete sitting behind black silt fencing.

It may not be attractive, but community leaders say there’s a reason it’s there.

According to CDD Board discussions, the pile consists of recycled concrete from sidewalks that have been replaced throughout the community. Instead of paying to dispose of it, Meadow Pointe II has been stockpiling the material for future pond bank reconstruction projects as part of its long-term effort to combat erosion around the shorelines of the ponds.

“We’re trying to be good stewards of the community’s resources,” Board chair John Picarelli said during the meeting, while acknowledging that the current appearance isn’t ideal.

But, at least, that will soon change.

Picarelli stressed that if the county forces MPII to remove the rubble before construction begins (as has been requested by code), then that would be an added cost to all residents of the community, and they would prefer to work with the county on an interim solution, such as installing the full height and screened construction fence earlier than required.

The recycled concrete will eventually be stored in a screened storage area attached to a new maintenance building, which will be constructed alongside a new multi-purpose community building on roughly two acres of the property.

The site currently serves as overflow parking for a church that meets at the adjacent Kids

‘R’ Kids Learning Academy during off-hours.

The CDD expects to submit plans to Pasco County in the near future.

Neighborhood News readers may remember that we first reported about this project in Oct. 2024, when Meadow Pointe II announced plans to develop the long-vacant parcel. At that time, officials hoped construction would begin in 2025, but the project has experienced several delays while the design work continued.

The property itself has an interesting history. Before Meadow Pointe II purchased the land in 2018, it was the proposed site of a 7-Eleven gas station, a plan that generated significant neighborhood opposition before ultimately falling through. Instead, the convenience store was later built at Mansfield Blvd. and Hueland Pond Blvd. near Wiregrass Ranch High.

The new community building will be a significant upgrade for residents.

According to the CDD, the facility will feature an event space capable of accommodating up to 135 people that also can be divided into two smaller rooms. Plans also include internet service, a backup generator, audio-visual equipment, a kitchenette, conference room, offices and restrooms.

The adjacent maintenance building will provide indoor storage for maintenance vehicles and bulk materials such as rock, sand and dirt, allowing supplies currently stored outdoors to be kept out of sight while remaining protected from the elements.

New Zero-Entry Lap Pool Planned

Another major project would add a second swimming pool to the community.

The proposed pool (below left) would be constructed directly behind the existing clubhouse pool in the current recreation field.

According to the July Meadow Pointe II newsletter, “The MPII CDD has a contract for a design-to-build with an engineering firm and Martin Aquatics. It will be a zero-entry pool with five lanes for lap swimming.”

Based on the preliminary plans reviewed by Neighborhood News, the zero-entry section also appears to include interactive splash features designed for younger children, creating a space that serves both recreational swimmers and families with small kids while still also providing dedicated lap lanes for exercise.

Dog Park Nearing Construction

Dog owners may not have to wait much longer for a dedicated place to let their pets run.

The future Meadow Pointe II Dog Park (location & plan, above right) is planned for a vacant 0.8-acre parcel in the Iverson subdivision, just west of the intersection of Baythorn Dr. and Iverson Dr.

According to discussions during the meeting and a review of CDD documents, the dog park is the closest of the current projects to beginning construction. According to the July newsletter, “All plans have been accepted by the Pasco County permitting department and the final stages of landscaping and irrigation are underway.”

Plans call for separate fenced areas for different-sized dogs — one 2,660-square-foot area for large dogs and a 2,350-sq.-ft. area for small

Wrencrest Gate Proposal Changes

Perhaps the most discussed project remains the proposed gate on Wrencrest Dr., located where Meadow Pointe II and Meadow Pointe III meet. The issue has a long history.

A gate installed in 2020 was ultimately removed after Pasco County determined it had not been properly permitted. More recently, the proposal resurfaced in 2025, generating a packed public meeting and strong opinions from residents on both sides of the community.

At that time, the Meadow Pointe II CDD proposed an emergency-access-only gate intended to reduce cut-through traffic and speeding. While many Meadow Pointe II residents supported the idea following several serious crashes on Wrencrest, many Meadow Pointe III residents argued that traffic-calming measures such as speed tables would be a better solution than restricting access.

Now, however, the proposal has changed significantly.

MP II Board vice chair Robert Signoretti expressed frustration that approximately 60 percent of the traffic using the Meadow Pointe II

portion of Wrencrest originates from the Meadow Pointe III side, which he feels contributes to a lot of the issues. Signoretti said he believes, however, that the new proposed operation will be a compromise with safety benefits.

So, rather than functioning only as an emergency gate, the newly submitted proposal would allow residents from both Meadow Pointe II and Meadow Pointe III to continue using the road.

According to permit documents submitted to Pasco County on July 13, the gate would operate as a “soft gate” that automatically opens when a vehicle slowly approaches and closes after it passes through.

The gate’s brief delay is intended to slow vehicles and discourage cut-through traffic while

THE LAW

maintaining full roadway connectivity.

An informational sign already installed at the proposed location states that the project will “continue the current street pattern and limit access via Wrencrest Drive to residents/patrons of both CDDs and Pasco Emergency Services.”

The revised proposal represents a substantial shift from earlier plans and appears designed to address concerns previously raised during the county’s review process.

Whether Pasco County ultimately approves the revised design remains to be seen, but if all four projects move forward, Meadow Pointe II could soon undergo one of the most significant rounds of community improvements in its 25year history.

OF Paul James Monsanto, P.A.

Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital Is Open!

By Gary Nager

by Charmaine George & FMCOHWRH

And then, there were three.

Although there are many other major medical facilities already in and sprouting up all over Wesley Chapel, the Grand Opening of the new Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital (FMCOHWRH) on the north side of S.R. 56 means that Wesley Chapel now has three full-service hospitals.

In fact, even though FMCOHWRH (one of our longest abbreviations ever) is located just under three miles from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and just about four miles from the BayCare Wesley Chapel hospitals, Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter said that still more medical facilities are on the way — and are still needed.

“This isn’t a competition between the hospitals here,” Porter said at the Grand Opening. “This is about everyone raising the bar so that we can all get the best possible care available.”

Porter also praised FMCOHWRH president & CEO Joe Delatorre as a “tough negotiator who fought hard for his employees” as the hospital and Porter’s Locust Branch LLC development arm came together on an agreement that allowed the new 102-bed (expandable to 300-bed) hospital to have the footprint it does in Wiregrass Ranch.

During his opening remarks at the event, Orlando Health president & CEO David Strong focused on the hospital itself and its amazing team.

“There are a lot of things that I love about this hospital,” Strong said. “One of the key ones is that this facility was not only built in partnership with physicians but in partnership with the physicians who will practice here every day. And that matters because this hospital wasn’t designed from a distance. It was shaped by the physicians, nurses and team members who understand what great care requires.”

Delatorre, who led Florida Medical Clinic into its merger with Orlando Health, agreed.

“When you’re looking for a partner,” he said, “you have to figure out, are your missions aligned? Are your values aligned? Can you bring these two organizations together with the right culture? And we found that, and we grew that, and, on Aug. 1, 2023, Florida Medical Clinic fully aligned and merged with Orlando Health.”

See “New Hospital” on page 20.

FMCOHWRH president & CEO

Dr. Gilbert Postler (right), who heads up FMCOHWRH’s Interventional Cardiology Department, spoke after Delatorre. Dr. Postler said, “Today marks far more than the opening of a new building. It represents the beginning of a promise, a commitment to our patients, to our community, that together, Florida Medical Clinic and Orlando Health will deliver exceptional health care in this house. Great hospitals are not built from concrete and steel, or from an investment. They’re built because of collaboration, trust, innovation and a commitment to meeting the needs of every single patient that walks through these doors.”

Delatorre also echoed Strong’s comments that, “The doctors were fully involved in designing [the hospital] and this lobby was inspired by one of our doctors. The second-floor cath (heart catheterization) labs and all the technology procedure rooms were redesigned by many of our docs. We are here to not only take care of patients but really make a difference in their lives.”

As we told you in our June issue, the 350,000-sq.-ft., five-story hospital is currently licensed for 102 beds (expandable to 300), including 12 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and 90 medical-surgical (med-surg) beds. It has nine operating suites, including one hybrid suite (a highly technical operating room with a built-in CT, or computed tomography) scanner. There also are two advanced endoscopy rooms and one general endoscopy room. It has 29 treatment bays in its Emergency Department, as well as two heart cath labs, one electrophysiology (EP lab) and an IR (interventional radiology) lab.

“Everything in this building is state-of-the art,” Delatorre told us as we toured the hospital a couple of days before the Grand Opening event. “But, what really makes a hospital are the people who work here. And, what we’ve been able to do is recruit 450 super-talented people and created an environment where they all wanted to be here working together.”

That camaraderie was definitely evident as we took our tour (for example, see photo below).

“We want to make this hospital a different experience,” Delatorre said. “We want to make it personal. We want to do it different than others and we want to make sure our patients get the care they deserve.”

As part of the Grand Opening festivities, the hospital presented Metropolitan Ministries with a $10,000 donation (top right photo).

The Tour

Although we were unable to attend the Grand Opening event, we did receive a full tour of everything inside the new hospital. Here is a brief recap of what we saw during our visit:

• Every room at FMCOHWRH is a singlepatient private room.

• All of the scanning equipment is truly state-of-the-art.

• The “hybrid” and regular operating rooms are all clearly designed with the surgeons in mind.

• The waiting areas for locations like the heart catheterization lab and intensive care units are all beautiful, spacious and comfortable.

• The front entrance, check-in area and lobby all feel more like a nice hotel than a hospital.

• The cafeteria offers great-looking sandwiches, salads and even create-your-own pastas.

• The coffee shop inside the hospital is Raining Berries.

For more information about Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital (3000 Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., visit OrlandoHealth.com.

AdventHealth WC’s Wellness Marketplace Draws A Crowd To The Sports Campus!

By Gary Nager

George

Our congratulations go out to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (AHWC) and the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County (3021 Sports Coast Way) for providing free school and sports physicals for more than 500 kids at the second-ever Kickstart Wellness Marketplace event on July 11.

Kids who pre-registered received full school sports physicals, including their height and weight, had their vision tested and even received electrocardiograms (ECGs) — which are required beginning with the upcoming 2026-27 school year throughout Florida (under the state’s new Second Chance Act) for all student-athletes entering 9th grade and for first-time student-athletes in grades 10-12.

“This is just another way AdventHealth gives back to our community,” said AHWC president & CEO Ryan Quattlebaum. “Our doctors are here, donating their time all day (from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.), to provide these services. We are so proud to offer this for free. The average wait time from check-in to check-out was only 20 minutes without an ECG and less than 45 minutes with one. We’ve had amazing feedback about it from the parents and kids and definitely will plan to offer it again next year.”

The day also included a Wellness Village, with local doctors, dentists and other health- and wellness-oriented vendors and community resources, as well as chances for attendees to check out an AHWC ambulance, transport helicopter (and the helicopter’s patient-calming and loving

mini-doodle therapy dog named Skye), plus bounce houses, free snacks and water and fun for everyone.

For more information about AHWC (2600 BBD Blvd.), visit AdventHealth. com, call (813) 929-5000 or see the ad on pg. 25 of this issue.

AdventHealth Primary Care At Wesley Chapel Officially Opens On S.R. 56!

By Gary Nager

Our congratulations also go out to everyone at the beautiful, new AdventHealth Primary Care at Wesley Chapel office located at 26240 Golden Maple Loop, Unit 6, off S.R. 56 near I-75.

The office currently is home to three primary care practitioners — (l. to r. in top photo below) Dr. Grace Benmhend and nurse practitioners Brooke Schaefer and Abigail Zamora.

But, according to practice manager Emily Youells (bottom photo), who led the Neighborhood News crew on a tour of the office, “With 25 exam rooms, we have room at this location to expand to ten or eleven practitioners.”

That was echoed by Dr. Robert Rodgers, who serves as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the AdventHealth Primary Care Network.

“We plan to add two more physician and/or APP (Advanced Practice Provider) leads here this year,” Dr. Rodgers said. “It’s always great for us to open new primary care offices that have the capacity for us to grow and have a bigger presence in the community, and the ability to touch more lives and extend the healing mission of Christ.”

He added, “Our goal here is to deliver whole-person care that lets us leverage the principles that AdventHealth was started on. So, the physicians and APPs here will focus on preventive care and chronic disease management, while leveraging the medical specialists we have right

next door (at the adjacent AdventHealth Medical Group, next door in the same building).”

Dr. Rodgers (right) also joked to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (AHWC) president & CEO Ryan Quattlebaum (far right in photo above), “We want you (AHWC) to do well, but we also want to keep our patients out of the hospital.”

Jannah, Charmaine and I were honored to be the only local media on hand for the event.

For more information about (and appointments at) the new office, call (813) 467-4719 or visit AdventHealth.com.

Upcoming Events — Lots Of ‘Back To School’ Events, ‘The Business Of Cannabis’ &

Tuesday, August 4, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

– North Tampa Bay Chamber Business Breakfast. At Pasco Hernando State College, Porter Campus (2727 Mansfield Blvd, Conference Center, 3rd floor). “Pitch with a Purpose: Nonprofit Showcase.” This is a new program designed to connect our nonprofit members with the business community in a meaningful and impactful way. $25 members, $30 non-members. You must pre-register to attend. For more info and to register, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Wednesday, August 5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – Clear Aligners Event At Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine (2112 Ashley Oaks Cir.). If you’re interested in a straighter smile or better sleep, stop by for a free consultation. There will be free appetizers, drinks, raffle prizes and special exclusive pricing. Free whitening & free retainers for those making a same-day commitment. Free to attend, but please call to schedule an appointment. For more info, call (813) 907-7313 or see the ad below.

Wednesday, August 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. –North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon Cutting. At Livewell Animal Hospital (26855 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) Celebrate the Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Meet Dr. Katarina Fielding and her team and tour the hospital. There will be refreshments and pet treats. Guests who book an appointment before Aug. 5 can become a founding member and receive 10% off services for one year. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

You can meet Dr. Katarina Fielding and her adorable pup Cashew at the Grand Opening & North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event at the new Livewell Animal Hospital on Wesley Chapel Blvd. on Aug. 5. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Thursday, August 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. –Wesley Chapel Black Chamber Business Bite. At Signature Workspace, Event Space B meeting room (28210 Paseo Dr., #190). Featured speaker is Maurice Marsh, Founder & Coach, Marsh Solutions Group. He will be speaking on making confident business decisions in an uncertain world. $25 members, $35 non members, includes lunch. For more info, visit wcbcc.org/ events. Or, to register, visit paypal.com/ncp/ payment/ZBV5VXYGC4AN2

Thursday, August 6, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon Cutting. At Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy (18926 N. Dale Mabry

INTERESTED IN A STRAIGHTER SMILE OR BETTER SLEEP?

Join us for our special Clear Aligners Event! Wednesday, August 5, 8 am-5pm

• ENJOY FREE APPETIZERS, DRINKS & RAFFLE PRIZES!

• SPECIAL, EXCLUSIVE PRICING

• FREE WHITENING & FREE RETAINERS (w/same-day commitment)

• APPOINTMENTS ARE LIMITED, SO CALL TODAY!

If you’re interested in straightening your smile, if you need a second opinion or you’re struggling with poor sleep, Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine is offering FREE consultations through Wednesday, August 5!

SEVEN OAKS DENTISTRY & SLEEP MEDICINE

Dr. Lee A. Daniels

Enjoy professional & high-quality dental care in a private, locally owned office, where your needs & comfort are our top priorities. Dr. Daniels has served the Wesley Chapel area for 20+ years!

For info, email: Info@SevenOaksDental.com or call: 813-907-7313

Hours: Mon., 8am-5pm; Tues., 7am-3pm; Wed., 8am-5pm; Thur., 7am-3pm; Fri., 7am-1pm

Hwy, Ste 102, Lutz). See the new office space, meet the team, grab a sweet treat and visit the kids’ corner for some therapist-approved activities. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Friday, August 7, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Leading Ladies Network. At USF Credit Union, Conference Rom (20610 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). Featured speaker is Johanna Amarante, certified trichologist and licensed cosmetologist, Fabulously Made Salon & Hair Loss Solutions. $15 to attend. You must preregister to attend. For more info and to register, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Kia for a Cause – 4th Annual Backpack & Supply Giveaway. At Kia of Wesley Chapel (28555 S.R. 54). Help for local families getting ready for the new school year. This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, with the first 300 kids receiving a free backpack filled with school supplies while

supplies last. There will be games and activities, free frozen custard from Andy’s Frozen Custard, free Kids Meal Coupons from Texas Roadhouse and free balloons and a family photo booth courtesy of Aeva Bloonz. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 322-6052 or visit Facebook. com/events/1006601968373062.

Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. –Back-to-School Bash. At Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel (4110 Avalon Park Blvd.) Join Collide Community for a morning of fun before the new school year kicks off. Free to attend. For more info, visit CollideCommunity.com.

Saturday, August 8, noon-3 p,m. – Tampa City Ballet Open House. At Tampa City Ballet School (TCBS; 15367 Amberly Dr., Tampa Palms). Register for classes, get your schedule, shop for uniforms, meet your teachers, tour the studio & reconnect with friends at TCBS’s season kickoff event. For more info, call (813) 558-0800 or email info@tampacityballet.org or see the ad below.

Monday, August 10, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. –Resume & Cover Letter Writing. At New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). Learn how to write a resume and a cover letter before entering the workforce. Practice highlighting how your experiences have helped prepare you for the workforce. Free to attend but please pre-register. For more info, call (813) 273-3652, or to register visit attend.hcplc.org/ event/16482601.

Tuesday, August 11, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. –Wesley Chapel Black Chamber of Commerce

– Women Rising Together: Bold Voices & Vision. At LMCU New Tampa (17635 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). This is a strategic roundtable designed exclusively for women business owners. This is a safe, collaborative space to discuss real business challenges, exchange ideas, explore practical solutions, and leave with greater clarity and actionable next steps. $20 for members and $25 for non-members. For more info, call (813) 702-3743, or to register, visit paypal.com/ncp/ payment/ZBV5VXYGC4AN2

Tuesday, August 11, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. – Robotic Surgery for Women: What Every Woman Should Know. At BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, Classrooms A, B & C (4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). Join Dr. Parveen Vahora, Gynecologist at BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital for an informative discussion on robotic gynecologic surgery. Learn how minimally invasive robotic procedures can help women recover faster, reduce pain and return to their daily lives sooner. Free to attend but registration is required. For more info or to register, visit BayCareEvents.org or call 1-(800)-BayCare.

Wednesday, August 12, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

– Rise & Connect with the North Tampa Bay Chamber: The Business of Cannabis. At Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). Learn about the business of Cannabis and how people are breaking the stigma and building business understanding. $10 to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. –KRATE’s “Foam Party 2.0.” At KRATE at the

Grove container park (5817 Goldview Pkwy.). Get ready for Foam Party 2.0. Get ready for another evening of foam, music and family fun before summer comes to an end. Free to attend. For more info, visit Facebook.com/ events/2024002008277582

Monday, August 17, 6:30 p.m. – East Pasco Democrats Club Monthly Meeting. At Genesis Center (38112 15th Ave, Zephyrhills) and on Zoom. Topic is winning the midterm elections. All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome. Refreshments are provided. Come early to socialize. Free to attend. For more info, email EastPascoDems@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 18, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. –Emergency Management Hurricane Preparedness Talk. At New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54). You need to plan ahead for a safe and healthy Hurricane Season. Pasco County Emergency Management specialists will be presenting Hurricane Preparedness & Evacuation Planning. Free to attend. For more info. Call (813) 788-6375 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/ event/16726921

Wednesday, August 19, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

– Wesley Chapel Black Chamber Morning Mingle. At JW Health Solutions (20537 Amberfield Dr., Land O’ Lakes). Network with Chamber members. There will be coffee and light bites. Free to attend. For more info, visit wcbcc. org/events/

Wednesday, August 19, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. –North Tampa Bay Chamber 2026 Chamber & Networking Night with the Tampa Bay Rays. At Tropicana Field (1 Tropicana Dr., Tampa).

Watch the Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Join fellow Chamber members across the Tampa Bay area for an exciting evening of baseball, networking and fun at this annual event. Tickets in the 200 level start at $45.60. For more info & to purchase tickets, visit gofevo.com/ event/2026chamber6, call (727) 825-3406 or email groupsales@raysbaseball.com

Wednesday, August 19, 6 p.m. – Central Pasco Democrats Club Monthly Meeting. At Meadow Pointe I Clubhouse (28245 County Line Rd.) and on Zoom. Come out and meet other Democrats. All friends of the Democratic Party are invited. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 453-1663 or email CentralPascoDemocraticClub@gmail.com

Monday, August 24, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. – “Waffle Day” Celebration. At Hampton Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel (2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd.). Celebrate National Waffle Day featuring a fun waffle bar with a variety of toppings, including sprinkles, chocolate syrup, caramel whipped cream, chocolate chips and more. A cash bar will be available. Free to attend but please register. For more info or to register, call or email Lisa (813) 591-6930 or lmoore@emeraldhospitality or Bradley (813) 591-6907 or Bradley.sandler@hilton.com.

Thursday, August 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Seeds of Knowledge: Disaster & Hurricane Preparedness. At Wesley Chapel Library (27531 Mystic Oak Blvd). Pasco County Emergency Management will be presenting information and resources for disaster and hurricane preparedness. Fee to attend. For more info, call (352) 518-5064 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/ event/16836996.

Friday, August 28, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Final Friday. At the Volvo showroom at The Shops at Wiregrass (28329 Paseo Dr., Ste. 130). Connect, engage and network with Chamber members in a relaxed environment. Free to attend.

For more information, call (813) 9948534. Or, visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Saturday, August 29, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – PBS Kids Workshop: Getting Ready: Emergency Preparedness for Families. At Wesley Chapel Branch Library (27531 Mystic Oak Blvd). Parents and children ages 4-8 are invited to a special PBS KIDS Weather Hunters screening and related activities and information about weather and hurricane preparedness. Preparing for emergencies is necessary for every family with young children. Beloved characters from PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop help share this information. Free to attend. Space is limited. Please register each family member separately to ensure adequate seating for all. For more info and to register, call (352) 518-5064 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/event/16887273

Friday–Sunday, September 11-13, 11th –7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., 12th – 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. & 13th 2:15 p.m.-6:30 p.m.–”Arts Fest ’26.” At the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.).NTPAC’s annual Arts Fest will again feature music, art, dance and culture. Celebrate the upcoming 2026-27 season with a weekend full of free activities and performances by Tampa Bay artists. For more information, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org or call (813) 829-2760.

Pool Duck Sets A New Standard For Pool Service Excellence In Our Area

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

If you ask Pool Duck owner Justin Denham why he got in to the pool maintenance and repair business, he’ll say it goes back to his days at Microsoft, when he would travel to Fortune 100 companies and help them improve processes. As an early adopter of Artificial Intelligence (AI), he saw the writing on the wall that AI could one day replace his job.

So, he used AI himself to help determine what jobs might be AI-proof, and says that he learned that the service industry was the place to be.

As a serial entrepreneur and a Christian, he says he saw God at work two years ago when he was introduced to Steve Hanson, who had owned his own local pool service business since 1977 and was looking to get out of it.

“Steve had 300 customers with no logo, no website and no Facebook — all just by word of mouth,” Justin says. “But I saw the quality of his work.”

Justin and Steve actually met through their spouses in Spring 2024, when Justin’s wife Michelle and Steve’s wife Tracy were both members of the Dade City Women’s Club. Steve was frustrated with trying to find and retain great employees, so he agreed to sell to Justin and stick around to help manage the transition.

It’s now been two years since Justin purchased the company, and Hanson Pools has become Pool Duck. Recognized around town for its bright, colorful trucks, Justin already has created a franchising department and Pool Duck is now operating in both Odessa and Lakewood Ranch.

In Wesley Chapel, Pool Duck currently has seven trucks with daily routes and 13 employees, with already about 500 customers.

And, Steve has stayed on with the company as the head of field operations, bringing with him his decades of expertise in the pool business, and managing the employees who handle maintenance and repairs.

As a Christian company, Pool Duck’s staff even includes a chaplain, Pedro Sanchez. Employees, if they choose to, actively pray for their community, and business meetings are opened with a prayer.

“I once interviewed with a large Christian

organization, and the person interviewing me prayed for me before it even started,” Justin says. “Once I [saw] that, it made things clear to me. I could build my own company on my values. We’re not exclusive. We love everyone, and we serve the whole community. But, being Christian is what underpins our values.”

Justin admits that hiring the right people can be difficult, but he’s used his background at Microsoft to create some corporate-like benefits that encourage employees to both stay with Pool Duck and always do right by the company’s customers. “We hire people looking for a career,” Justin says. “We have incredibly transparent promotion criteria and give them room to be promoted.”

If an employee goes nine months with no “callbacks,” that employee is then automatically promoted.

“A callback is a broad term,” Justin explains, “but it is basically anything that requires a tech to go back to a home, such as leaving a bottle of test strips or something else behind or not cleaning properly.”

He adds that it could also include something more serious, like leaving a gate or pool fence open, but that hasn’t been an issue because his employees are trained and understand the importance of these safety concerns.

“This helps us make sure our customers are getting the best service possible,” Justin says.

Pool Duck primarily serves customers with weekly maintenance services for screened and unscreened pools, but does not clean or maintain above-ground pools.

“We send an ‘On the way’ text message 15 minutes before we arrive,” Justin explains, “and then send a detailed email with before and after chemical readings and pictures when we leave.”

This is a feature Pool Duck’s customers clearly seem to love.

“I don’t know anyone else who takes before and after pictures,” says Lorraine Romera, who lives in Pebble Creek with her husband Robert. Lorraine says she and Robert have used Pool Duck for the last year or so.

“We have an outdoor pool that’s not enclosed, so it’s a challenge,” she says. “Our old pool company kept increasing their rates and doing less, so we were ready for a change.”

Lorraine says Pool Duck has been flexible, too, coming on a different day when the grandkids want to use the pool in the summer.

“We’ve been so pleased with them,” she says. “They’re personable and professional. When you call, you always reach them or they call you right back.”

Troy Barter is a Wesley Chapel resident who says he’s used at least five different pool companies for the two pools he’s owned over the last 10 years.

“Every other one we’ve had an issue with,” Troy says, “But we have no complaints whatsoever about Pool Duck. The guys are respectful. We’re really happy with them, for sure.”

And, Guy Fawkes is a Dade City resident who says he has maintained his own pool for years, but noticed the water wasn’t quite crystal clear when he had a party coming up.

“I called Pool Duck in a pinch and they showed up quick, were super friendly, and did a good job,” Guy says.

He says that was about a month ago, and he’s thrilled to now have Pool Duck maintaining his pool from now on. “Doing it myself, it

tently looking really good.”

Pool Repairs For Anyone

Additionally, the company handles all pool equipment repairs, including salt cells, pumps, filters and automation systems. And, you don’t have to be a Pool Duck maintenance customer to call for a pool equipment repair.

Justin says there’s no license needed to clean a pool, but pool repair does require a licensed Certified Pool Contractor (CPC). An individual earns the license to certify the company they work for. He explains this also is a residential pool builder license, and while both Steve and Justin are license holders, neither has any interest in getting into the pool-building business. “We have a singular focus,” Justin says, “on cleaning and maintaining pools.”

His wife Michelle has been working as the company’s franchise development coordi-

events and in the community. The couple has three children: Camden, 27, who is starting his second year of residency as an anesthesiologist in Orlando, and Riley, 23, and Lexi, 22, have been helping with social media for Pool Duck.

“My leadership philosophy is that if I take really good care of my employees, they see that example and apply that to our customers,” Justin says. “I spend a lot of time with the employees in a positive manner to affirm and encourage them. If they make a mistake, we try to find the root of the problem and fix it. We start at the top, with no toxic culture, displaying empathy and positive, Christian values, and then, our employees display that, too.”

For more information, to request a repair, or to start weekly maintenance service with Pool Duck, visit PoolDuck.com, call (813)606-0773, or see the ad on page 1.

Budget Blinds Of Greater Tampa For Custom Motorized (& Other) Window Treatments

By Jordan King Neighborhood News Correspondent

When Mike and Adriane Wonderlin purchased Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa in 2018, they hoped to build on the company’s established reputation while expanding its reach throughout the Tampa Bay area. Nearly eight years later, the business serves much of the Tampa Bay market.

Mike, who has more than 30 years of experience in the window-covering industry, worked as a salesperson for the previous owner before he and Adriane purchased the franchise. Since then, the couple has added Lakeland in 2020, Central Tampa, Palm Harbor and Dunedin in 2025, and South Tampa earlier this year.

“South Tampa was really the last missing piece for us,” Mike says. “When we purchased the business, we knew we wanted to grow it. We’ve built a great team, expanded our service area and now serve nearly the entire Tampa Bay market from one central location.”

Operating from a showroom on W. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa, Budget Blinds offers a range of window coverings. Customers can choose from custom blinds, shades, shutters and draperies in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes. These include wood, faux wood, roller, Roman, woven wood, and solar shades, as well as plantation shutters. The company carries products from leading manufacturers, including Hunter Douglas, Norman, and other nationally recognized brands.

says. “Whether you’re looking for a simple solution for one room or a more customized look throughout the house, we can help you find options that fit your style and price point.”

More Affordable Motorization

According to Adriane, motorized window coverings have quickly moved from being considered a luxury feature to becoming a standard request for many homeowners. Budget Blinds offers motorization through its Smart Home Collection, as well as motorized systems from recognized brands such as Lutron, Somfy, and Hunter Douglas, all of which will allow you to control shades and blinds by remote control, smartphone app or even voice assistant. Additionally, the cost of motorized window treatments has decreased significantly over the last several years, putting them within reach for more budget-conscious homeowners.

Most clients begin with a complimentary in-home consultation, where Budget Blinds’ design consultants bring product samples directly to the home and help homeowners evaluate options in their own space. That process is especially valuable for homeowners who may feel overwhelmed by the number of window treatment choices available.

“Our consultants spend time learning what you want the room to accomplish,” Adriane explains. “Are you looking for privacy?

Energy efficiency? Light control? Something decorative? We help guide you through those decisions and find the right fit.” Consultants also take detailed measurements and will help you properly match the available materials and colors with your home’s existing décor.

To help you manage larger projects, Budget Blinds also partners with Service Finance Company, a subsidiary of Truist Bank, to offer a variety of financing options.

“We work with every budget,” Adriane

Today’s motorized options go far beyond simple roller shades. Homeowners can incorporate motorization into Roman shades, woven wood shades, draperies and large patio-door applications while still maintaining the “looks” currently trending in home design.

“People want the convenience, but they also want warmth and texture,” Mike says. “Now, they can have both.”

As more Florida homeowners invest in lanais, patios and exterior entertaining spaces, Budget Blinds has seen increased demand for

‘Budget Blinds’

outdoor living products. One of the company’s newer offerings is Elevista outdoor shades, designed for durability. The shades help reduce heat and glare while still preserving views and can provide additional privacy and protection for furniture, kitchens, and living spaces.

In addition to shades, Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa offers awnings, draperies and other exterior shading solutions designed to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces year-round.

Although products and technology con tinue to evolve, the company remains commit ted to delivering exceptional customer service.

“We care about our reputation because we live and work in the same communities we serve,” Adriane says. “Every business makes mistakes occasionally, but we take pride in making things right if something happens. We keep our promises and take accountability.”

That commitment continues long after installation day. Most of the products are backed by limited lifetime warranties, and Budget Blinds also offers an exclusive five-year, no-questionsasked accidental-damage warranty on many of its own products.

“It’s really the service after the sale that makes the difference,” Adriane notes. “If something happens, we’re here. We answer the phone, we stand behind our products and we take care of our customers.”

Another thing that sets Budget Blinds apart is its staff. The company employs about 25 people, including seven design consultants,

seven administrative staff members, and a 10-person installation team. Every member of that team is a Budget Blinds employee, not an independent contractor.

“You always know who is coming to your home,” Adriane says. “Our customers work with our employees from the first phone call through installation and beyond.”

Much of the company’s business comes from

repeat clients and referrals, reflecting the strong relationships it has built throughout the region.

Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa also has maintains a near-perfect 4.9-star overall Google rating on more than 1,20 reviews. Customer Megan B. said Budget Blinds was able to custom-make a single motorized roller shade for a large window after online retailers told her it couldn’t be done. She called the experience “excellent from start to finish” and praised the team’s expertise, efficient installation, and “high-quality product at a reasonable price.”

The local franchise also supports local nonprofit organizations, such as Homes For Our Troops, and partners with local schools such as Academy at the Lakes, where the Wonderlins’ 13-year-old daughter Harper attends school.

Harper also plays competitive volleyball with Florida Sports Coast Wiregrass Ranch.

“Honestly, our life revolves around volleyball right now,” shares Adriane. The family also enjoys traveling together and recently returned from a trip to Alaska.

That family-first mindset directly influences how the company operates. “When you choose our Budget Blinds franchise, you’re choosing a local family business,” says Mike. “But you’re also choosing expertise, quality and a commitment to doing the job right.”

Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa Bay is currently offering 25% off blinds, shades and shutters through September 30.

For more info, call (813) 839-1400, visit the showroom at 1208 W. Fletcher Ave. Or, visit BudgetBlinds.com, find the franchise on Facebook or Instagram or see the ad on pg. 45.

Capital Wise Investment’s Dana Lyon Can Help You Enjoy Your Retirement Sooner!

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and Charter Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) Dana Lyon says he’s passionate about helping people realize when it’s time to retire.

“Someone may live 30 years in retirement, but your health span is different than your life span,” Dana says. “You may only have 10 years left where you have your energy, vitality and health to actually really enjoy your retirement.”

Dana is the founder of Capital Wise Advisory. He is a registered investment adviser and an independent retirement planner.

Dana spent more than three decades as a financial advisor at a number of large firms, including Merrill Lynch, Charles Schwab, and American Express Financial Advisors.

Prior to that, Dana earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in finance from Florida State University in Tallahassee in 1988. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Kennesaw State University, in Kennesaw, GA, in 1999.

It was back in April of 2024 that Dana finally launched his own firm.

“I wanted to focus exclusively on retirement planning,” he says. “I left corporate America to become an independent, fee-only fiduciary, which means I’m legally required to do what’s in my client’s best interest at all times.”

He adds that he also wanted to create free, educational content online, but couldn’t do that as an employee of a big firm.

But now, you can find Dana’s videos with tips for retiring well on LinkedIn and @RetireWithDana on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

“People can learn my approach and how I think by watching that content,” he says.

Dana and his wife Silvia have three adult children and three grandchildren. Their twin daughters graduated from high school before they couple moved to Wesley Chapel, and their younger son attended John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High.

The Lyons have been in Wesley Chapel for nine years, after having lived in Atlanta for 27 years.

Dana says they moved to Wesley Chapel to pursue the Florida lifestyle they wanted to enjoy after their own retirement. They took the advice Dana often gives to clients to not waste any precious time during the prime years of your life.

“I’m passionate about getting people to retire earlier rather than later,” he says, “but do it responsibly, so they can have experiences and make memories.”

He says some people put off retiring be-

cause they don’t know how long their money will last. They assume that one more year of working and making contributions into their savings, with no withdrawals coming out, is always their best option.

“The problem with that is it comes at a big cost,” he says. “It’s not just one of your 30 years of retirement. You’re [possibly going to be] trading your very best year.”

He says that many people actually end up dying with more money than what they started with when they retired. They often regret not spending more when they were healthy enough to do so.

“The skills that get you to retirement are different than the skills that get you through retirement,” he says, “To save enough to retire, that means you’ve been frugal, deferred gratification and gotten into a good savings habit. It can be hard for those people to switch to spending.”

Forecasting Your Financial Future

Dana says he understands that many people are afraid of running out of money, so he shows them exactly what their financial future will really look like.

He will looks at all of your assets, all of your liabilities, how you want to live, and how much that is likely to cost.

Then, he takes all of your income into consideration, such as pensions or social security, and then subtracts what you spend to determine how much money you’ll need from

savings and investments. That’s the start of a customized, comprehensive retirement plan.

“We develop year-by-year cash flow projections to make sure you never run out of money and still do all the things you want to do,” he says. “For example, we build a vacation fund, looking at the retirement ‘go-go’ years, ‘slow-go’ years, and ‘no-go’ years. Yes, there’s a lot of math involved.”

But, it’s not just math, he adds. Dana will talks with you about how to optimize claiming social security, how couples can coordinate debt and which accounts to withdraw from first.

“Sequencing matters a ton,” he says. “Some people can save tens of thousands of dollars in taxes if they do that properly.”

To have Capital Wealth Advisory do all of that planning work for you, Dana will charge you a one-time fee.

“I’m only paid by my client, for my client, and I’m not selling anything,” he says. “I get paid for my advice. I’ve accumulated a lot of wisdom and judgment sitting across from thousands of people.”

Once he’s completed all of that planning, he says many clients recognize that his deep and nuanced understanding of their finances make him the best choice to execute their plan, managing their assets and making adjustments over time.

Eva Salokar recently moved to Boca Raton from Wesley Chapel. She met Dana when he was working for Merrill Lynch in the Wesley Chapel area.

“He set me on the right track,” Eva says, “I really felt like he cared about me and my invest-

ments and he was looking out for my future.”

Then he left that position, and someone else took over managing Eva’s investments. She says she wasn’t happy with that change.

Several months later, she was thrilled when Dana reached out and told her he had started his own business.

Eva is now retired, while her husband is still working and getting ready to retire.

“He’s worried about money,” she says, “but with Dana, I’m not worried anymore.”

Eva adds that she is on board with Dana’s advice to retire as soon as possible and enjoy the fruits of the labor they have worked hard all of their lives to earn.

“We have friends who waited to retire,” she says, “but then got sick and never got to enjoy it.”

She says that it’s important to have the right financial advisor.

“Dana has a gift,” she says. “He’s personable, has a wealth of experience, and knows how to advise people. He’s easy to talk to and always willing to help.”

Dana meets with locals in person or via Zoom for a 30-minute initial retirement conversation. He also is available nationally for your family or friends who live outside of Wesley Chapel or New Tampa.

For more info about Capital Wise Advisory or to schedule an appointment, email Dana@CapitalWiseAdvisory.com, call (813) 778-3856, or visit CapitalWiseAdvisory.com. You can also follow Dana Lyon on LinkedIn or on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @ RetireWithDana. Also, see the ad on page 46.

•Wellness Dentistry for kids and teens

•Holistic nutritional counseling for teeth and gums

•Ozone therapy for oral care

•Recommendation of non-toxic materials

•Sedation dentistry (nitrous oxide) and Sedation

•Invisalign First for children & Invisalign Teen

•Digital 3D scans, ITERO (no goop) and digital X-rays

•Laser dentistry (release of tongue tie for infants, children and teens)

•Relaxed environment, so your children can enjoy their visit

Pam Turner & Her Decoding Medicare Can Help Uncomplicate Medicare Decisions

By Jordan King Neighborhood News Correspondent

For many people approaching age 65, Medicare can feel less like a healthcare program and more like a maze. Between everything they receive in their mailboxes, commercials, online information and conflicting advice from friends and family, many people feel overwhelmed before they even begin. Pamela Turner (photo) of Decoding Medicare has built her business around helping people make sense of it all.

An independent Medicare broker since 2008, Pam has spent nearly two decades guiding clients through Medicare decisions and helping them avoid costly enrollment mistakes. Today, she represents 15 different Medicare plan companies, is licensed in 45 states and stays current through ongoing Medicare certifications and training. This allows her to assist clients across the country while continuing to serve the residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

“The biggest thing I do is simplify everything,” Pam says. “People come to me feeling overwhelmed, and I help them understand what applies to their unique situation and what their next step should be.”

After entering the insurance field in California in 2008, Pam says she quickly found herself drawn to Medicare education. She noticed that many people struggled to understand Medicare’s rules, deadlines and unfamiliar terminology. She wanted to do more than simply enroll people in plans — she wanted to help them understand the process.

Pam guides clients through Medicare step-by-step, explaining enrollment timelines, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage and how each option may fit a person’s unique situation.

“There isn’t one plan that’s right for everybody,” she says. “The right choice depends upon the individual.”

Pam says people who continue to work beyond age 65 often need her help. Many assume they must enroll in Medicare immediately to avoid penalties, but that’s not always the case. In fact, depending upon their employer’s health care coverage, some individuals may be able to delay portions of Medicare while continuing to work.

“That’s probably one of the biggest misconceptions I see,” Pam says. “People hear from everyone that they have to sign up at 65, and sometimes that simply isn’t true.”

She says that many of her clients are worried about making a mistake or creating a gap in coverage when they eventually do retire.

“They’re anxious because they’ve never done this before,” she says. “Once we walk through the process together, you can hear the relief in their voices.” For Pam, those moments are the most rewarding part of her job.

Pam sees herself more as a guide than as a salesperson. Because she works with multiple insurance carriers, she’s able to focus on finding options that fit each client’s needs rather than steering them toward a single product.

“I like to meet people where they’re at,” Pam says. “Some people want to have several conversations. Others want to learn on their own first. Everybody is different.”

Whether people prefer reading, watching videos, or one-on-one conversations, Pam has created a number of resources to help. Her website includes articles, videos and a free, downloadable Medicare workbook that explains the process in plain language and walks readers through Medicare enrollment step-by-step. She also manages a private Facebook community with more than 5,000 members where people can learn about Medicare topics and stay informed about changes that may affect them.

Many of the calls Pam receives today come from people who have been on Medicare

for years. She says that rising healthcare costs and premium increases have led many retirees to take a second look at their coverage. Some come to Pam assuming they have no options because they’ve been on the same plan for years.

Pam says she recently helped several longtime Medicare members find more affordable options, including clients who saved hundreds of dollars each month after reviewing their coverage choices.

“It’s exciting when you can make that kind of difference in someone’s life,” she says.

But, while saving money can be important, many clients tell Pam that they’re simply relieved to have someone to talk to they can trust when questions arise. Unlike many people who enroll through a call center and never hear from their agent again, Pam makes herself available year after year.

“I don’t limit the number of conversations we can have,” she says. “If someone needs help, I want them to feel comfortable reaching out.”

Another fact many people don’t realize is that Pam’s services are completely free to her clients. Like other Medicare brokers, Pam is compensated by the insurance companies she represents when a policy is purchased. Whether you enroll directly with a carrier or work with a broker, the price of the plan is generally the same.

This educational approach has earned Pam a 5-star overall Google rating from her clients. One reviewer, Jerry D., wrote, “She made it so easy! And it’s free to you - the insurance companies pay her. Anyone trying to navigate

the process and choices of Medicare, Medicare Advantage and the SSA application should use Pam. She explained everything simply, evaluated and presented our options based on our specific situation and helped us get fully enrolled. She really cut through the confusion and eliminated the headache. Do yourself a favor!”

One of the most important decisions many Medicare members face is choosing between a Medicare Supplement plan (also known as Medigap) and a Medicare Advantage plan. Pam explains that Medicare Supplements help cover many of the out-of-pocket costs left behind by original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans bundle Medicare benefits into a private insurance plan that may include additional benefits. Separate Medicare Part D plans help cover prescription drug costs.

“The biggest question most people have is which path is right for them,” Pam says. “There are advantages and trade-offs to each option, so it really comes down to a person’s health needs, budget and personal preferences.”

After nearly two decades in the Medicare industry, Pam says the most rewarding part of her work is helping people move from confusion to confidence. Whether someone is approaching age 65 or reviewing coverage they’ve had for years, she enjoys being the person who helps make sense of a process that often feels overwhelming. For those approaching Medicare eligibility — or those who simply want a second opinion about their current coverage — Pam recommends starting early.

“Don’t wait until the last minute,” she says. “The more time you give yourself, the easier the process becomes.”

She adds, “I often help people with dental, vision and hearing, which Medicare doesn’t cover. I also can offer ancillary products that provide much-needed protection, such as hospital indemnity, cancer, or heart attack and stroke, which helps people cover unexpected expenses that are not directly medical or medications or treatments outside the realm of what Medicare allows. But, other than those ancillary products, I do not sell health insurance for other ages or life insurance in general, unless someone is interested in final expenses, I do have access to that. My main focus is educating and enrolling into Medicare products!”

When she’s not helping clients, Pam enjoys spending time with her husband Joel, traveling in their camper, golfing and exploring the outdoors with their blended family of four adult children. Because she works remotely, she’s able to assist clients from anywhere.

In fact, during a camping trip in Tennessee, a client recognized her on a hiking trail after following her online posts, despite the two having only spoken by phone. Pretty cool!

Open Enrollment for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans runs annually from Oct. 15-Dec. 7. Pam says that people planning to retire and transition to Medicare should ideally begin the process about three months before their retirement date.

For more info or to schedule a complimentary consultation, download the free Medicare workbook, or join Pam’s private Facebook community, visit DecodingMedicare.com, call (888)520-8683, email Pam@DecodingMedicare.com, search “Decoding Medicare” on Facebook or see the ad on pg. 48.

• Talented & Skilled Technicians

• Eye-catching nail designs to match your unique

• Specializing in everything from classic manicures to the latest in nail art

• Enjoyable & relaxing spa experience

Touch Nail Spa — One Of Our Area’s First Nail Salons, Now With Three Locations!

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

In nearly 10 years, Touch Nail Spa has grown from an idea to elevate the typical nail salon customer experience in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa into three separate, thriving locations built for true indulgence.

The husband-&-wife owners Timmy Pham and Tiffany Ha opened the original location of Touch Nail Spa in Wesley Chapel, on S.R. 56 (about a mile east of I-75) in 2016. At 5,000 sq. ft., it remains the largest nail salon in the area.

The second Touch Nail Spa opened in Dec. 2020 in The Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza (next to the Sprouts Farmers Market) off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa. Timmy and Tiffany opened their third location in Odessa (at 16222 S.R. 54) in 2023.

All three Touch Nail Spa locations are committed to above-and-beyond customer service and offer products that are healthy for nails. Services include high-quality manicures, pedicures, eyelash extensions, waxing, facials and massages.

Currently, Timmy says, a special “peppermint pedicure” is now available at all three Touch locations, featuring a peppermint scrub that is perfect for relaxing tired feet with a refreshing aroma.

A hallmark of all three Touch Nail Spas is that they all feature beautiful, upscale, serene surroundings with high ceilings for better ventilation, rows of comfortable leather pedicure chairs and plenty of manicure stations to minimize wait times. All three locations also have ample parking.

A complimentary beverage is offered with any service. Because Timmy and Tiffany are always innovating and offering new options in their salons, they also are excited to launch a new option for beverages. While water, soda, or a glass of wine will still be available for their customers, they will soon offer a line of mocktails, as well.

“We expect to have organic fruit drinks and smoothies soon,” Timmy says. “Our staff will be trained to make drinks from a menu of options for our customers, and everything will be complimentary with our services.”

(Above) Kids need a little pampering, too. Why not bring them to Touch Nail Spa? (Bottom) The Wesley Chapel Touch Nail Spa is still the largest in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. (Next page, top) Both men & women enjoy the luxurious pedicure chairs and atmosphere at Touch Nail Spa. (Next page, bottom) A dazzling array of colors! (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)

sary, Timmy says it’s time for upgraded salon chairs in that location.

He says customers may not notice that the chairs need to be upgraded, because he consistently has replaced the head pillows, leather upholstery and even plumbing on a regular basis, but he says the newer chairs will be more high-tech, and he always wants what’s best for his customers.

“We’re going to get new luxury chairs that are super-relaxing and have arm massagers, too,” Timmy says. “All 40 chairs at the Wesley Chapel location will be new by sometime in 2027. To order all of the chairs takes time — about six months — but it’s an investment for our customers.”

He adds, “We’re always looking for ways to improve.”

All three Touch Nail Spa locations have large staffs, so there are plenty of technicians to accommodate walk-ins and also to attend to large parties. The Wesley Chapel Touch Nail Spa has more than 40 employees, there are 35 in New Tampa and about 20 employees at the Odessa location.

Party On!

All three locations also can accommodate groups, and the Wesley Chapel Touch Nail Spa can provide a private room for the

parties for adults and even children,” Timmy says. “In the future, we’ll have mocktails for your party, as well.”

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

The flagship Wesley Chapel location offers microblading, a semi-permanent treatment to fill in eyebrows. In addition, all three Touch Nail Spa locations also offer eyelash

MORTGAGE ADVICE

extensions with many options to fit a variety of budgets.

For your nails, Touch offers dipping powder, acrylic nails and all kinds of nail designs, French manicures, gel polish (which lasts longer than regular polish) and more.

While the dipping powder technique continues to be popular, Timmy says there are alternatives for anyone who doesn’t prefer that product. The more traditional acrylic nails are still available, and Timmy says products such as T.A.P Gel and Gel-X offer a non-chemical, organic alternative.

“We are providing the best quality we can,” he says. “We don’t cut corners with our products. We keep purchasing the best quality products so they last. A lot of nail salons buy cheaper supplies, but we don’t.”

Timmy says that his salons carry thousands of colors of nail polish, so that there are always plenty of options for regular polish, gel polish and dip colors to match exactly.

Get Rewarded!

Touch Nail Spa also offers a rewards program for its regular clients. Every time you sign in with your phone number on one of the

Closing in 30 Days or Less

spa’s iPads, you’ll receive one point for every dollar spent. Once you reach 650 points, you’ll receive $25 off any pedicure.

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

Touch also sells gift certificates for all occasions that can be used at any of its locations.

Timmy says he hopes that all the innovations he and Tiffany continue to bring to Touch Nail Spa will inspire customers to give them a try — or come back if it’s been a while since your last visit — and see how affordable and relaxing a little indulgent self-care can be.

Between the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel locations of Touch Nail Spa, there are more than 1,200 5-star Google reviews,

including customer Jayell Metz, who said in her recent 5-star review says that she highly recommends the salon, and has several friends who have made Touch their nail salon, too.

“I have been going to Touch Nails for over a year and I am never disappointed,” says Jayell. “The atmosphere here is so clean and everyone is so polite!”

While other salons may come and go, Timmy and Tiffany want to make sure Touch Nail Spa continues to offer a better experience to customers for years to come.

“We really love to work,” Timmy says. “We are friendly and we always put our customers first. We work with a passion and always do the best we can. It’s all about

making sure our customers are happy.”

The Wesley Chapel (27233 S.R. 56) and New Tampa (8630 Hunter’s Village Rd.) Touch Nail Spas are both open Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sun.

To make an appoint ment with a specific nail tech at the Wesley Chapel lo cation, call (813) 973-4111. For New Tampa, call (813) 536-1003. Or, see the ad on page 44 for more info.

Wright’s Gourmet House & Forbici Modern Italian Coming To Wiregrass?

After the Tampa Bay Business Journal

(TBBJ) posted a story on July 20, the Neighbor hood News was able to confirm that South Tampa favorite Wright’s Gourmet House is indeed coming to Wiregrass Ranch, in the open space on the north side of S.R. 56 (west of Lajuana Blvd.) between Culver’s and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Property owner/Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter says that, “At this time, Wright’s is the only other restaurant” going in that space, but he also added that “the pad the Wright’s people are buying is really big, so I’m sure it’s big enough for another concept as well.”

Porter would neither confirm nor deny, however, what was reported online in the TBBJ on June 25, which quoted Jeff Gigante of Next Level Brands, the owner of Forbici Modern Italian — which has extremely popular locations in Hyde Park Village and downtown St. Petersburg

Despite some subsequent claims online that Forbici will be located in the planned Fresh Market plaza on the south side of 56, across from Cooper’s Hawk, Porter says only that several announcements will be made over the next couple of weeks, and that, “All of them are pretty exciting.”

About Wright’s Gourmet House

For those who have never visited the original Wright’s Gourmet House, it has been a beloved Tampa mainstay,

According to WrightsGourmet.com, Wright’s, which was founded by Marjorie and Pete Wright, was sold to the couple’s grandson, Jeff Mount, in 1981. In 2024, it was sold to the Caspers Company, another family-owned business that also operates the Oxford Exchange, Predalina, Mad Dogs & Englishmen and several other Tampa favorites. Wright’s also operates a satellite café inside Tampa General Hospital.

The TBBJ story mentioned that the Caspers Company also is planning a Brandon location of Wright’s, which offers hand-crafted sandwiches (far left), soups, salads, breakfast items and baked goods, specializing in delicious cakes, including wedding cakes (near left).

Jannah and I have stopped in at the South Tampa location a few times together over the years and not only is the food great, the vibe is

(as well as many folks from much further away) seem to know how the ordering and pick-up systems work. I have no doubt that Wright’s will be a tremendous addition to the Wiregrass Ranch area of Wesley Chapel.

For more information, visit Wright’sGourmet.com or call (813) 253-3838.

About Forbici Modern Italian Forbici has been open at 1633 W. Snow Ave. in South Tampa’s Hyde Park Village since 2019 and quickly became a favorite of the fashionable Hyde Park crowd for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Jannah and I have never eaten there, but we did stop in for a drink at the Forbici at 183 2nd Ave. N. in downtown St. Pete (which opened in 2024), on our recent weekend visit, which was

Jannah that we would be back to try either (or both) of the current locations.

The newer St. Pete Forbici is absolutely gorgeous inside and it was packed and kind of noisy on Saturday night at 9 or so, but no one sitting at the bar, all of whom were eating different dishes off the great menu, seemed to mind — and the food must be the reason why.

after I had seen the packed with well-dressed people young and old and even though we had already eaten dinner at another excellent place before we got there, when I saw an order of Forbici’s “Roy & Betty’s Linguine alle Vongole” (clams; top photo), one of my favorite Italian dishes to try everywhere, I promised

The menu is packed with oh so many of mine and Jannah’s favorite Italian dishes, with a focus on Roman-style pizzas and pastas. The traditional meatballs appetizer, the square Margherita and salsicca square pizzas (the latter with sausage, broccoli rabe, Calabrian chili and mozzarella; left), the cacio e pepe, penne pesto, rigatoni alla vodka and veal or chicken parmigiana all will be must-try items for us.

There’s even a redfish picatta and a prime NY strip steak on the menu.

Hopefully, Porter will continue to bring more excellent non-chain dining options to our area — as he’s promised — but these are both home runs to get the party started!

For more information, visit EatForbici. com or call (813) 251-8001 for the Tampa location or (727) 661-1770 for St. Pete. — GN

CAVA Is Open (& Packed!) On S.R. 56, But Chick-fil-A Is Trying To Close It?

By Gary Nager

The first-ever CAVA restaurant in the Wesley Chapel area has been open in the former location of MOD Pizza at 2227 Sun Vista Dr. (on the south side of S.R. 56) for more than a month now but, as more than 165,000 of you have seen on our Facebook page since July 3, the ownership of the Chick-fil-A a couple of doors away told the Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) in a story released on June 30 that CAVA’s opening is in violation of “an easement agreement in place since 2016,” that prevents “any restaurant that serves chicken as a primary menu item from specific out parcels within the shopping center,” according to a complaint filed in Pasco Circuit Court on June 26.

The TBBJ article said, “The Cypress Creek easement agreement prohibits a restaurant with more than 25% of gross sales from chicken entrees. Per financial statements requested by Chick-fil-A, more than 60% of CAVA’s sales are from chicken, according to the complaint.”

In a statement to TBBJ, a Chick-fil-A rep resentative said the company relies on contracts like these “to protect our business operations and the livelihood of our local owner operators. We prefer to resolve business disagreements amicably and have spent considerable time attempting to reach a fair resolution outside of court. Unfortunately, those good-faith efforts were unsuccessful, leaving us with no choice but to pursue legal action to enforce the terms of our agreement. As this matter is the subject of pending litigation, we are unable to comment further.”

Unfortunately, at our press time for this issue, we had no additional information about the status of the legal dispute, but while I’m sure the easement exists, here are things about the situation I still don’t understand:

1.Why CAVA’s unnamed landlord (Note-I

What About The Food?

was told months ago that the landlord was Simon Properties, the developer and owner of the Tampa Premium Outlets, but a spokesperson for the mall told me that the plaza that includes CAVA actually has a different landlord) would allow the restaurant to even sign a lease for this space, knowing that the restriction exists?

2)Why would CAVA sign the lease if the company was aware of the easement?

3) Once CAVA began building out its space, why didn’t Chick-fil-A get an injunction then to stop CAVA from continuing to build?

4)Chick-fil-A has Culver’s next door and Zaxby’s & Chicken Salad Chick a few hundred yards away, so why is CAVA (which sells no fried chicken sandwiches or nuggets at all) a problem?

Sadly, neither side is talking on the record because of the pending litigation.

In the meantime, CAVA (a growing chain founded in 2006 with a single location in Rockville, MD, by childhood friends Ted Kenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos and Chef Dimitri Moshovitis, that today has nearly 500 locations in 29 U.S. states) was still open at our press time and serving its tasty “Featured” and build-them-yourself Mediterranean-inspired bowls (left) and pita wrap sandwiches (photo on next page), using what I like to call a Chipotle-style assembly line (far left photo).

The ingredients are clearly kept fresh, with proteins (in addition to two kinds of chicken, grilled and semi-spicy harissa honey chicken) that also include steak, spicy lamb meatballs, salmon and falafel. The available bases include saffron basmati rice, brown rice and black lentils for a “Grains” bowl, or “Super Greens,” “Power Greens,” spinach, romaine and arugula for a “Salad Bowl.”

Among the dips and spreads you can add to your bowl or wrap at CAVA include “Crazy” feta (with jalapeños, onion and olive oil), traditional and red pepper hummus, spicy, “tomato-forward” harissa, tzaziki and roasted eggplant dip.

Available toppings include fiery broccoli (my favorite so far), fire-roasted corn (Jannah’s favorite), avocado, pickled onions, salt-brined pickles, tomato & onion, tomato & cucumber, sumac cabbage slaw, Kalamata olives, Persian cucumbers, shredded romaine, crumbled feta and pita crisps.

You also can add up to two

dressings to any bowl or wrap, including balsamic date or hot harissa vinaigrette, strawberry sesame (Jannah’s favorite), yogurt dill, lemon herb tahini, a garlic dressing, skhug hot sauce and my favorite, the Greek vinaigrette.

We both loved the classic crispy and harissa BBQ pita chips as sides, and there are tasty brownies and blondies by Grey ston Bakeries, salted oat cookies as well as a variety of lemon ades, from strawberry ginger to blueberry lavender.

To place an order or for additional information, visit CAVA.com or call (813) 693-1649.

Go Check Out The New Hummus Republic In The Hub At Lexington!

If you like both Mediterranean cuisine and crafting your own Chipotle-style bowls and wraps, you now have two options in the Wesley Chapel area. We told you online a few weeks ago (but see the full story on pg. 42) that the first of two Wesley Chapel-area CAVA locations had opened in the former location of MOD Pizza on the south side of S.R. 56, but the new Hummus Republic also is now open at 26962 Halter Loop (off Wesley Chapel Blvd.), in the still-developing The Hub at Lexington plaza.

The Neighborhood News crew has now sampled nearly the entire menu at Hummus Republic, a California-based company founded in 2012 by Nir Giat which features tasty bowls, pita and wrap sandwiches, spicy crispy chicken and veggie “burgers” and more. There literally are so many base, protein, veggie and topping options that you never have to have the same meal twice!

Owners Annu (at left in top photo, with shift lead Milaika Perez) and her husband Ashish (Ash) Kumar opened their Hummus Republic franchise (now one of 50+ locations in 17 states) on July 20 and Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I have already visited it twice.

Jannah’s favorites are the bowls (right). She has gotten a mix of the available bases both times, including kale, spinach and “Farmers Mix” of different leafy veggies. You also can choose Mediterranean couscous, warm garbanzo beans (aka chick peas) and my favorite base, tasty yellow rice, to start off any bowl or sandwich.

Jannah also has tried both the lemon chicken and crispy chicken for her bowls, although you also can choose chicken shawarma or beef & lamb gyro meat, falafel (ground, fried spiced chickpeas), shitake mushroom shawarma or a “Street Mix” of fried onions, olives and jalapeños as your protein. You can choose up to two of these proteins for your bowl, pita or wrap, but I suggest getting one at a time because the portions of proteins aren’t particularly large.

You can even add up to three different types of hummus and other spreads and I will say that I have enjoyed the traditional and roasted eggplant hummus options the most, but there’s also harissa (which adds fiery and smoky chili paste to the traditional blend of mashed chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil) and Kalamata olive hummus and a “Zesty Feta” spread that Annu says has been most of her early customers’ favorite, even though it costs $1.25 extra to add it to your creation.

There are 16 available toppings and you can add an unlimited number of them. These include chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion toppings, as well as red or white cabbage, beets, corn, hot cherry peppers, artichoke hearts, fried eggplant, fried jalapeños and Jannah’s favorites — the crumbled feta and unique chickpea croutons. (Note-Some of these do come with a $0.50 upcharge). You also can add a side of two dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs & spices) for $1 more.

There also are six different dressings and you can add any two of them without an upcharge. My favorites so far are the creamy tzatziki and garlic jalapeño tahini, but there also are two different hot sauces, plus traditional tahini and a lemon & olive oil sauce.

I have tried both a pita (bottom middle photo on previous page) and a wrap and I am definitely partial to the beef & lamb gyro meat, although I did also enjoyed the delicately spiced chicken shawarma.

Charmaine’s favorite so far has been the chicken burger (bottom right on previous page), which comes with sliced tomatoes, white cabbage, Street Mix, tahini and Moroccan hot sauce.

There’s also a Greek (beef & lamb gyro) sandwich and the “Earth Burger,” which is made with a crispy falafel patty. All of these sandwiches are served with your choice of waffle-style sweet potato fries or Jannah’s favorite — the pita chips.

Hummus Republic also has specials like pita nachos, pita chips & hummus and “street style” sweet potato fries, as well as a side of up to five hummuses and spreads. Beverages include a chocolatey tahini shake blended with vanilla ice cream and almond milk, plus a variety of lemonade flavors, including pomegranate, ginger turmeric and strawberry lychee and more.

To place an order or for more info, visit TheHummusRepublic.com or call (813) 3882998 and please tell Annu and her friendly crew that Gary from the Neighborhood News sent you! — GN, all photos by Charmaine George

MON to SAT 3pm-6pm SUNDAY ALL DAY

Our D’Oro

2000 Piazza Ave Unit 170, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Hilton Garden Inn Celebrates ‘Christmas In July’ With Food, Santa & Fun!

Congratulations to Lisa Moore (to Santa’s left), Bradley Sandler and everyone at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy., off S.R. 56), for hosting a super-successful (and FREE!) “Christmas in July” event.

“The whole idea was to let the community know that we have great rooms where we can host your next business or family holiday party,” Moore said during the event, “and a large catering menu with a wide selection of delicious food that we make in-house and everything else you need to make your party special.”

The Christmas in July event had Santa Claus himself, DJ music, a premium liquor bar, lots of great raffles prizes, a charcuterie table (below), fresh fruit and hot appetizers like mini egg rolls and crab cakes, meatballs and more.

To book your next party, call Moore at (813)591-6930 or email her at lisamoore2@

Now Open At Former New Tampa Wendy’s — House Of Biryanis & Kebabs

By Gary Nager

Charmaine George

People have been asking us for years — and posting questions online — about whether any thing was ever coming to the former Wendy’s location at 19430 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Until now, we didn’t have any answers.

The replacement for Wendy’s is a local link in a small but growing chain of 35 halal Indian/South Asian restaurants called House of Biryanis & Kebabs (HBK) — and, three days after the restaurant’s ribbon-cutting event with Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera on July 6 (right), photographer Charmaine George and I were treated to a number of delicious dishes by the restaurant’s five local franchise owners, led by Satya Meka (left in photo below) and Karthik Achanta (right in same photo). And yes, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we sampled.

The three appetizers we indulged in were the most uniquely garlicky Murgh Malai Kebabs (far right),which were chunks of chicken served fajita-style on a sizzling dish, followed by a spicy Mongadu Gobi (cauliflower, right). Next was an order of Onion Samosas (bottom right), which were different than most Indian samosas I’ve had before, as the tasty onions and potatoes were wrapped in a crisp, spanakopita-style, almost-cellophane-like crust and were not spicy at all.

“We can vary the spice on any of our dishes,” Satya told us. “But, these authentic recipes

Of course, we had to try one of the restaurant’s signature biryanis — the HBK Special Chicken Biryani (top photo on next page), which combines spicy, long-grain rice, a hard-cooked egg and a side of zesty, slightly sweet red curry chicken.

Our friend Prahlad Madabushi, who introduced us to the owners and is a vegetarian himself, also had us sample a mild mixed-veggie curry that also was excellent.

Our final sample (see next page) was HBK’s traditional, thick, creamy butter chicken, which we savored with three different varieties of naan flatbreads — butter, garlic and the spicy (but not too)

“Bullet Naan” shown next to the butter chicken. The naans were all pillowy soft, with a slightly crispy edge perfect for indulging in the butter chicken. I also loved the true Masala Chai tea and Charmaine and I both gave thumbs-up to the Thums Up soda (the Indian version of

WhenYouSpend $50orMore!

Foodportiononly; drinks&taxnotincluded. Musthaveormentioncoupon. Onecouponpertableonly. Cannotbecombinedwithotheroffers. EXPIRES2/10/2022

In other words, even with its

“soft opening” menu, HBK has a lot to offer those looking for authentic (mostly South) Indian cuisine. There’s also lamb, goat, paneer

(cheese) and other dishes we will definitely return to try sometime soon. For more information about House of Biryanis & Kebabs, visit HBKTampa.com or call (813) 388-6777.

Bhimavaram Ruchulu Indian Cuisines Opens In Former Rice N’

Like many of you, I have been waiting to see what restaurant was going to replace the former Rice N’ Beans Express located at 24726 S.R. 54 in Lutz for some time.

Well, the wait is over, as owner Kumaravel (he goes by Kumar) Chinnthambi opened his second location of Bhimavaram Ruchulu (BR) Indian Cuisine in late July at that location and photographer Charmaine George and I have found it be excellent, following our first visit.

Kumar, who is from Andhra Pradesh state in southern India, opened his original location of BR at 10938 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace more than a year ago, and has now brought his sizable menu of (mostly) southern Indian cuisine to a beautifully redecorated restaurant closer to Wesley Chapel.

Charmaine and I started our meal with two appetizers, the very spicy (Kumar admits that most of his food is on the spicier side, which pretty much what South Indian cuisine is mostly known for ) Gobi 65 (Hyd, or Hyderabad style) fried cauliflower (top photo below), and the only semi-spicy (but also semi-sweet) Chicken Manchurian (right), which is coated in a thick, ginger-garlic soy gravy that we agreed was truly delicious. The chicken stayed nice and crisp, too.

We followed that up with the dish we both agreed was our favorite of the day, the creamy and delicious Paneer (Indian cheese) Tikka Masala (far right), which had only a hint of spice. We also tried both the Chili Garlic (below right) and Garlic Naan bread and we agreed that we preferred the only medium-spicy Chili Garlic version, especially dipped in the tomato-rich Tikka Masala sauce.

And, of course, we had to try the not-overly-spicy BR Special Boneless Chicken Biryani (below right), which has most of the tasty shreds of chicken hidden near the bottom of the bowl.

Spot!

We didn’t try any of BR’s Tandoor oven specialties (like the Tandoor whole white fish; bottom) seafood dishes, which according to BRIndianCuisines.com, is famous for its “Spicy coastal delights from Godavari,” including freshly caught prawns, signature crab Masalas and clay pot fish curries, “using ancestral sauces and slow-cooking techniques.”

All I can tell you is that the food is delicious, the place is really pretty inside and we will be back!

For more info about Bhimavaram Ruchulu in Lutz, call (813) 388-5972. For the Temple Terrace BR, call (813) 280-9698. Or, visit BRIndianCuisines.com. — GN; all photos (except the

Cold Stone Creamery Is The New Tampa Area’s Original Ice Cream Shop!

By Gary Nager

The people of New Tampa have now been hearing the phrase “Welcome to Cold Stone” for 20 years and even though many other ice cream shops have entered the local market (and many others have gone away), Cold Stone Creamery has been a constant source of joy for young and old alike. It features a unique selection of super-creamy, ultra-premium ice cream flavors, and a huge variety of toppings that you can have the happy Cold Stone ice creamers mix in from more than two dozen ingredients (bottom photo on next page) — from fresh bananas, straw berries and raspberries to candies and cookies like Heath bars, Twix and Reese’s Oreos and toppings like real (but not hot) fudge, marsh mallow, caramel and even pistachio cream sauce.

New Tampa store general manager Nola Da vis (above) says that this summer before the kids go back to school is a great time to try or return to Cold Stone, as there are several new flavors and new Signature Creations everyone can check out.

For example, she says, “in honor of the recently released “Supergirl” movie, Cold Stone currently has ‘Supergirl’s Cosmic Kettle Corn’ (below left), which combines kettle corn-flavored ice cream, big pieces of kettle corn (right), a caramel swirl and Supergirl-colored sprinkles.”

Another current specialty creation is the Oreo® Pretzel Perfection (below center), which Nola says, “has a sweet cream-based, Oreo® Cookie chocolate-covered pretzel ice cream, Oreo® cookies, mini-pretzels, caramel and sugar crystals (bottom right).”

There’s also a new “Cup & Cookie Chaos” (not pictured) that features Cookies ‘n’ Peanut Butter ice cream that is made with Oreo® cookies, Reese’s peanut butter cups and Oreo® Reese’s cookies.

And finally, Nola says, the big hit of the summer so far is, “Our Dubai Chocolate Creation” (top left photo on next page). “It has our chocolate ice cream with pistachio cream, kataifi (finely shredded phyllo dough) and chocolate shavings. Everyone is crazy about Dubai chocolate these days. And, people are really loving it!”

Nola even sent us home with samples of each creation, so we could all sample them. My favorite, not surprisingly, is the “Cup & Cookie Chaos,” but I can definitely finish off a serving of any of them.

She adds, “Even if you pick one of our Signature Creations,” Nola says, “You can still make it your own.”

All of these Signature and “Create Your Own” Creations can be put on your choice of a cone, cup or waffle bowl, in the usual Cold Stone sizes — Kid’s Size, “Like It®,” “Love It®” and “Gotta Have It®.”

I had for me to not take one of these entire cakes home with me and finish it all myself.

Nola also explains that although there is always a supply of ready-made cakes in the store (far right photo), including some of the “Perfect Pair” cakes, “Most of our cakes are custom-ordered, so you can always get whatever flavors of ice cream you want, toppings, everything, but please always give us at least two days to create the cake you want because someone has to build the cake and someone else will have to decorate it. Then, it has to stay in the freezer for a certain amount of time.”

So Many Specials!

The New Tampa Cold Stone Creamery also

offers different specials every Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday is “Mega Monday!,” when you get one FREE “Like-it Create” creation with one mix-in when you purchase any two “Loveit” sizes (or larger).

Tuesday is “2-for-$10 Tuesday!,” when you get any two “Like-it” creations (with one mix-in each) for only $10.

Wednesday is “Waffle Wednesday!,” when you get a FREE plain waffle bowl or cone when you buy one “Love-it” size (or larger), Thursday is “Thriving Thursday!,” when you get $2 OFF any Cookies, Cupcakes or Reese’s

And, right now, when you mention this story and present the coupon in the ad below, you’ll get a FREE scoop of ice cream!

All of these offers are valid in-store at the Cold Stone location on Preserve Walk Ln. in New Tampa ONLY. Please note that they are not available with any other offers and are limited to one special per family/per order.

We definitely agree with Nola that the summer is the best time of year to check out the New Tampa Cold Stone Creamery. Now you know why! New Tampa’s Cold Stone Creamery is located at 17519 Preserve Walk Ln., in the Highwoods Preserve area, just off I-75. It opens every day at 11 a.m. and stays open until 11 p.m. on Sunday, until 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and until midnight on Friday & Saturday. For more info, visit ColdStoneCreamery.com, call (813) 977-0024 or see the ad below.

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