Every Day Is Cinqo De Mayo At Vallarta’s In Wesley Chapel!

By Gary Nager

Cinqo de Mayo will be held this year on Saturday, May 5, which means that popular Mexican restaurants like Vallarta’s Restaurante Mexicano in the Wesley Chapel Village Market (on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at S.R. 54) will be even more packed than usual that Saturday night.

But, why wait until May 5th to check out Wesley Chapel’s most popular and most affordable Mexican restaurant, when Vallarta’s is open and serving huge portions of great food every day (except Sunday) for lunch and every day for dinner?

My buddy Fabian Jimenez at Vallarta’s, which is celebrating its tenth Cinqo de Mayo in the middle of its eleventh year at the same location in the Village Market, knows he will be packed for that most famous of Mexican holidays, “So, we hope everyone will visit us before Cinqo de Mayo.” The place is already crowded for dinner most nights (and is getting known for being a quick, value-conscious lunch, too), but Fabian says Cinqo promises to be “crazy fun.”

Fabian’s uncle started the original Vallarta’s on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace and is a partner with Fabian in two of this Tampa-based family “chain” of seven restaurants all using the Vallarta’s name. Among the other locations are two in Lutz, U.S. Hwy. 19 in Palm Harbor, N. Dale Mabry Hwy. and Anderson Rd. in Carrollwood.

Fabian says he is proud of the number of regular customers the Wesley Chapel location has who come back multiple times each week for the atmosphere, the cuisine and the great prices.

Although I try to limit my intake of hot tortilla chips, Vallarta’s puréed tomato salsa is never overpowering (some people I know add a little hot sauce to it) and washing that down with an ice cold Dos Equis or Modelo cerveza (and/or a shot of an upscale Don Julio or Patron tequila) is definitely required for me at Vallarta’s, which boasts a premium, full-liquor bar and also serves a variety of frozen drinks.

Among the appetizers I enjoy at Vallarta’s are the huge Grande Quesadilla (stuffed with chicken and half with beef tips, plus refried beans and served with guacamole & sour cream) and the shredded pork tacos de carnita. I never order nachos myself (too filling and fattening for my taste), but one fellow patron at the bar said she always comes back with a girlfriend to share the nachos with beef and beans.

Yes, Vallarta’s has very popular enchiladas, burritos, tacos, combination meals, vegetarian entrées and child’s plates, but this meat lover keeps coming back to the great chicken and steak specialties, from combo fajitas to my current favorite dish, the “Vallarta’s Special” whole ribeye steak, which is topped with onions, tomatoes and bell peppers, and served with rice, beans and flour tortillas. I also enjoy the grilled pollo a la parilla, which is perfectly grilled and served with rice, a guac salad and tortillas, and the batter-dipped pollo empanisado, which doesn’t need its side of nacho cheese dipping sauce.

In other words, you really can make any day Cinqo de Mayo at Vallarta’s of Wesley Chapel! Enjoy the fiesta!

Vallarta’s is located at 5335 Village Market, near Beall’s Outlet. For reservations and more info, call 907-5161. Or, visit VallartasTampa.com to reach other Vallarta’s locations.

Camp IDS — Education & Fun For Your Kids All Summer Long!

Every year, hundreds of children return to Independent Day School’s “Camp IDS” summer camps because of the program’s extensive selection, highly trained teacher-counselors, safe and nurturing environment — and because everyone has a great time!

Whether you’re a parent looking for something for your adventurous middle school student to do this summer, or you’re searching for a safe and nurturing environment for your three-year-old, the Independent Day School-Corbett Campus (IDS-CC)’s Camp IDS, located at IDS-CC (less than 25 minutes from most of New Tampa on Orange Grove Dr. in the North Tampa/South Carrollwood area), has more than 70 different options from which to choose for kids ages 3-18.

Preparing your three- or four-year-old for pre-kindergarten? How about “Bookworms in the Garden” or “Fun with Numbers?” Have a budding scientist? There’s “Junior Astronomy,” “Junior Scientists” and “CSI IDS” camps. Is there a future Broadway star in your family? Check out “That’s Entertainment!” And, when it comes to sports, Camp IDS offers everything from basketball to matball.

Divided into seven weekly sessions from June 11-July 27, Camp IDS offers full- and half-day camps in a broad array of fields – academics, communications and technology, performing & visual arts, recreation, sports and travel. “Camp IDS has been providing something for everyone from pre-kindergarten through high school for many years,” says IDS-CC’s Marie Massara, who co-directs the camp with Assistant Head of School Nick Rodriguez and middle school teacher Stephen Shoe.

While many campers participate in traditional sports camps such as soccer, volleyball and archery, children looking for something new can choose from camps in disc golf, filmography, Chinese kids’ games or earth-friendly art, just to name a few.

Fine arts camps in musical theatre, drama, band, dance, photography and painting complement other creative endeavors in cooking, newspaper reporting, broadcasting and computers.

A Wilderness Extreme camp for 5th-8th graders, for example, includes hiking, mountain biking, snorkeling, canoeing and inline skating. And an Adventure Camp for grades 3-5 takes children to a variety of attractions around the Tampa Bay area.

“Campers can strengthen reading, writing or math skills in the morning and then dance on stage or shoot hoops in the afternoon,” Rodriguez says. “They can paint, perform in a Broadway musical, build and launch model rockets, learn archery, cook, bake and so much more. We offer something for everyone.”

Shoe adds, “What’s been great about Camp IDS is that the children can choose what they really want to do. The wide selection of camps exposes children to new things that they might not normally know much about, and offers them an opportunity to expand their interests in a positive and supportive environment.”

For example, middle school thrill seekers can join IDS middle school teacher Tom Bronson on the roller coaster connoisseur’s dream trip, Adrenaline Camp.

Last year, participants rode roller coasters in five parks in five days, and this year, Bronson hopes to top that record. He also is conducting a SCUBA camp, so middle schoolers can earn their NAUI certification and then head to the Florida Keys for diving.

“The majority of children who come to Camp IDS have been here before,” says Massara. “They keep coming back because they feel safe, welcome, and they have a great time.”

“Our highly trained teachers and experienced camp counselors love what they do,” adds Shoe. “And that fun and positive attitude permeates the entire camp.”

Founded in 1968, IDS-CC is a fully accredited, nonsectarian private school with more than 500 students from PreK3 through the 8th grade. At IDS-CC, all children experience the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in a highly academic and nurturing environment focused on excellence and excitement in learning. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with more than 6,500 visitors observing and learning from IDS-CC teachers.

For more information about IDS-CC (12015 Orange Grove Dr.) or its summer camps, visit IDSYes.com or call 961-3087 for a brochure or to take a personal tour.

Camp IDS — Education & Fun For Your Kids All Summer Long!

Every year, hundreds of children return to Independent Day School’s “Camp IDS” summer camps because of the program’s extensive selection, highly trained teacher-counselors, safe and nurturing environment — and because everyone has a great time!

Whether you’re a parent looking for something for your adventurous middle school student to do this summer, or you’re searching for a safe and nurturing environment for your three-year-old, the Independent Day School-Corbett Campus (IDS-CC)’s Camp IDS, located at IDS-CC (less than 25 minutes from most of New Tampa on Orange Grove Dr. in the North Tampa/South Carrollwood area), has more than 70 different options from which to choose for kids ages 3-18.

Preparing your three- or four-year-old for pre-kindergarten? How about “Bookworms in the Garden” or “Fun with Numbers?” Have a budding scientist? There’s “Junior Astronomy,” “Junior Scientists” and “CSI IDS” camps. Is there a future Broadway star in your family? Check out “That’s Entertainment!” And, when it comes to sports, Camp IDS offers everything from basketball to matball.

Divided into seven weekly sessions from June 11-July 27, Camp IDS offers full- and half-day camps in a broad array of fields – academics, communications and technology, performing & visual arts, recreation, sports and travel. “Camp IDS has been providing something for everyone from pre-kindergarten through high school for many years,” says IDS-CC’s Marie Massara, who co-directs the camp with Assistant Head of School Nick Rodriguez and middle school teacher Stephen Shoe.

While many campers participate in traditional sports camps such as soccer, volleyball and archery, children looking for something new can choose from camps in disc golf, filmography, Chinese kids’ games or earth-friendly art, just to name a few.

Fine arts camps in musical theatre, drama, band, dance, photography and painting complement other creative endeavors in cooking, newspaper reporting, broadcasting and computers.

A Wilderness Extreme camp for 5th-8th graders, for example, includes hiking, mountain biking, snorkeling, canoeing and inline skating. And an Adventure Camp for grades 3-5 takes children to a variety of attractions around the Tampa Bay area.

“Campers can strengthen reading, writing or math skills in the morning and then dance on stage or shoot hoops in the afternoon,” Rodriguez says. “They can paint, perform in a Broadway musical, build and launch model rockets, learn archery, cook, bake and so much more. We offer something for everyone.”

Shoe adds, “What’s been great about Camp IDS is that the children can choose what they really want to do. The wide selection of camps exposes children to new things that they might not normally know much about, and offers them an opportunity to expand their interests in a positive and supportive environment.”

For example, middle school thrill seekers can join IDS middle school teacher Tom Bronson on the roller coaster connoisseur’s dream trip, Adrenaline Camp.

Last year, participants rode roller coasters in five parks in five days, and this year, Bronson hopes to top that record. He also is conducting a SCUBA camp, so middle schoolers can earn their NAUI certification and then head to the Florida Keys for diving.

“The majority of children who come to Camp IDS have been here before,” says Massara. “They keep coming back because they feel safe, welcome, and they have a great time.”

“Our highly trained teachers and experienced camp counselors love what they do,” adds Shoe. “And that fun and positive attitude permeates the entire camp.”

Founded in 1968, IDS-CC is a fully accredited, nonsectarian private school with more than 500 students from PreK3 through the 8th grade. At IDS-CC, all children experience the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in a highly academic and nurturing environment focused on excellence and excitement in learning. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with more than 6,500 visitors observing and learning from IDS-CC teachers.

For more information about IDS-CC (12015 Orange Grove Dr.) or its summer camps, visit IDSYes.com or call 961-3087 for a brochure or to take a personal tour.

Golf Drives & Test Drives To Help Repave Wharton’s Track

By John McGurl

Test driving a Ford may not sound like it could possibly help New Tampa’s Paul R. Wharton High raise funds for the school’s ongoing track resurfacing project, but Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel is holding an event to do just that. Parks is teaming up with Wharton to put on the “Drive One 4 UR School” event, the Ford Motor Company ‘s initiative to raise funds for valued high school programs across the country. Since the program’s inception in 2007 it has raised more than $10 million through nearly 3,000 “Drive One” events.Continue reading