Open For Business

Now that it has opened to traffic, the S.R. 56 Extension is expected to provide a boon to local businesses, as well as create a badly needed 4-lane East-West road crossing Pasco County.

WHEN PLANS were originally made to extend S.R. 56 all the way from Meadow Pointe Blvd in Wiregrass Ranch all the to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills, they included a lane in each direction.

Wesley Chapel’s growth, however, rendered those original plans moot.

“That wasn’t going to be enough,” said District 2 county commissioner Mike Moore.

So after some creative management and a wealth of cooperation between the Florida Department of Transportation, Pasco County, the City of Zephyrhills and multiple landowners along the proposed extension, the eastward expansion of S.R. 56 officially opened for traffic on July 10 as a freshly-paved, scenic, six-mile, four-lane road winding through pastures, in between trees and alongside ponds, while connecting Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills.

“It’s a beautiful road,” said FDOT District 7 secretary David Gwynn, against the backdrop of four lanes running into a horizon flanked by nature. “Not just the road, but the surrounding area as well.”

City officials from Zephyrhills, all but one of Pasco’s county commissioners, the media and a number of other local dignitaries were given a sneak preview of the road on July 9, driving it from U.S. 301, through a signalized intersection at Morris Bridge Rd. and past Meadow Pointe Blvd.

Moore said no one was more excited about the extension than he was. The day it opened to everyone (June 10), he says he drove the length of it twice — once for work, and another time to visit his mother, who lives in Zephyrhills. He said the drive cut 15-20 minutes off his typical travel time in that direction, along the two-lane S.R. 54 (which also is in the process of being widened to four lanes).

He also touted the access to Polk County and even Orlando (via I-4) that the extension will provide, allowing residents in the area an alternative route.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Moore said. “I think people are going to love it. I was on Facebook, and I saw a lot of good comments from people who are definitely happy about it.”

In fact, a Neighborhood News Online video about the opening had more than 15,000 views in less than 24 hours, with hundreds of likes and mostly positive comments about the new road on Facebook (search “Neighborhood News”).

Among those who are happy about it is Ann Marie Schumaker, who lives in Zephyrhills but works at Soriano Insurance in Wesley Chapel. “I love the 56 extension,” she says. “Now I don’t have to take the dreaded Meadow Pointe cut-through up to 54 and sit in traffic during rush hour times with all the construction going on to go into Zephyrhills….it saves me 20 minutes every morning and evening on my daily commute to work. Being a single mom and having to make pick-up times is stressful. So, any extra time I can save is great. I’m overly excited. I’ve been waiting so long for this extension to be done.”

The extension is expected to provide an economic benefit to businesses in Wesley Chapel. Residents in Zephyrhills should find visiting the Shops at Wiregrass and Tampa Premium Outlets, as well as the many surrounding businesses in the area, to be a much easier and quicker trek. 

The only option to go from Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills has been driving on one lane westbound on S.R. 54, which is roughly a 25-30 minute trip in light traffic, and even longer during morning and evening rush hours, especially when the snowbirds are in town in the winter and spring. The new extension will make those jaunts significantly shorter.

Currently, the road remains a nice trip through what District 1 commissioner and lifelong county resident Ron Oakley called “old Pasco.”

It can be enjoyed by bicyclists looking to take advantage of a generous 7-foot-wide bike lane in either direction, as well as pedestrians who can walk along a 10-foot- wide multi-use trail on the south side or a 5-foot wide sidewalk on the north side of the new 56 extension.

The completion of the project gives Pasco County it’s first 4-lane road from U.S. 19 to the west to U.S. 301 to the east, Oakley said. 

“I’ve spent my entire life in Pasco County with only two-lane roads,” he said.

How It Happened

Moore said the county was smart to look ahead and make a deal to extend S.R. 56 with four lanes. He said too many times roads are constructed, only to need widening or other work to accommodate growth 10 years later, when the costs also will be greater.

To get the extension changed from two to four lanes was monumental, Moore said, and no easy feat.  

The BOCC had to approve seven different agreements in 2016 to come up with a plan to repay a $22.7-million loan from the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB), which provides investment funds for surface transportation projects. That loan will be repaid with money from the county, the City of Zephyrhills and via mobility fee surcharges to developers of Wesley Chapel Lakes, Wyndfields, River Landing and Two Rivers Ranch, all of which will eventually have communities along the road.

Most of the $59.7-million total cost (plus another $7-8 million in interest) to build the extension came from FDOT, which contributed $35 million.

Oakley said that the beautiful terrain the extension cuts through previously has only been seen by local ranchers, and that those who are now using the road should enjoy it while they can. In 8-10 years, he said, that definitely could change, as Wesley Chapel Lakes, Wyndfields, River Landing and Two Rivers Ranch are expected to add as many as 10,000 new homes to the corridor. 

Businesses, parks and new schools also are expected as well.

But for now, the extension of S.R. 56 is a scenic convenience.

Nibbles & Bytes

New Restaurants To Open In Former Men’s Wearhouse!

New Tampa’s loss when the Men’s Wearhouse off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. closed right around the time the chain’s new location opened in Wesley Chapel, could end up being, well, New Tampa’s gain.

Paperwork has been filed with the City of Tampa to split the old Men’s Wearhouse location into space for two tenants, with both likely to be restaurants.

One restaurant is already proceeding with plans to open at the location. And, although the name of the restaurant is unclear, what it will serve isn’t — ramen noodles.

Love Ramen, LLC, has already applied for a temporary vinyl sign — “Coming Soon: Japanese Ramen Noodles” — while the former 5,005-sq.-ft. Men’s Wearhouse location is split into two “vanilla” boxes. One location will be 3,120 sq. ft., while the other will be 1,885 sq. ft.

Ramen restaurants have grown in popularity the past decade, mostly in metro areas. But fast-casual locations outside of your hip cities have surged as well, much like the poké bowl (New Tampa is getting one of those as well) craze.

While ramen is mostly familiar to Americans as an inexpensive brick of noodles with a packet of seasoning mixed in hot water that fed us all during college, Japanese ramen served in restaurants can be meticulously prepared and served in tasty broths and topped with various meats and vegetables.

Dosa Hut Coming To CC Blvd.

 A Dosa Hut Indian Restaurant is planned for the former site of Hungry Howie’s Pizza (and Westshore Pizza before that) in the Cross Creek Commons Center anchored by Publix on Morris Bridge Rd.

The 1,420-sq.-ft. space is being renovated and will offer limited seating with four tables and will likely serve primarily as a take-out restaurant. — JCC

Hundreds Attend Metro City Bank’s Grand Opening!

If you think it’s hard to get excited about a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a bank, think again. The Grand Opening celebration (photo) and North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting on June 27 for the months-old Metro City Bank, located in the former Regions Bank building next to CVS Pharmacy at BBD and Commerce Palms Dr. in Tampa Palms was attended by literally hundreds of people, many of whom were of Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese descent, although there were plenty of Chamber members on hand for the festivities, too.

The event featured a formal, white-glove ceremony and amazing food provided by a Korean catering company.

I got to sit down for a few minutes with Metro City Bank founder Nack Y. Paek, who says Metro City Bank was founded in Atlanta with $15 million in assets and now has 19 branches in seven states, with assets of more than $1 billion. 

The Tampa Palms location is the first in Florida and features two tellers who speak Korean and two who speak Chinese, although all of the tellers and branch manager Yoon Kang speak English and the bank’s outstanding services are available to anyone.

 For more info, stop in at 6202 Commerce Palms Dr., call (813) 848-0153 or visit MetroCityBank.bank.

Rain & Shine Cleaning For Move-In Or Move-Out!

I’ve told you about Rain & Shine cleaning in this space before, but now that Jannah and I have moved out of our old apartment to the brand new Tapestry at Cypress Creek apartments, I just had to say again that whether you’re looking to have your home or business cleaned, or you need a move-in or move-out thorough clean, my friend Irene Joyner of Rain & Shine is the best in the business.

Jannah and I didn’t realize how much dirt we accumulated in three+ years in the same location, but Irene got our old place so spotless that we were both speechless! Call Irene at (813) 451-3042 or visit RainandShineClean.com.— GN

Try New Tampa’s Authentic Mediterranean Cuisine At Al-Sham Palace!

Although I always loved gyro sandwiches, which are known more as Greek food anyway, and the occasional falafel when I lived in New York, I never really sampled any authentic Lebanese, Syrian or Jordanian food until I lived in the Tampa Bay area.

Here in New Tampa, a couple of Mediterranean options have hung around, while others have come and gone, but one that might just have some staying power is Al-Sham Palace, located in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Samer Aljajeh, the owner-chef, and his general manager, Hadil Simreen (one of his wife’s friends), are both from Syria, but Hadil says that most Middle Eastern food is similar, because it all traces its roots to Turkey, which at one time occupied Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine.

Wherever Al-Sham Palace’s culinary roots are from, I will tell you that I already have several favorite dishes.

First of all, the falafel is green inside, which I’d never seen before, because chick peas aren’t generally green, but Hadil says the green is parsley. The falafels are served with a savory tahini sauce made from crushed sesame seeds, garlic and lemon juice. Yum.

“Almost everything we serve is made here,” Hadil says. “A lot of people follow the Mediterranean diet these days. We have everything you need for that diet here.”

I also loved the shawarma chicken salad, especially with Samer’s lightly spiced vinaigrette dressing. 

As for entrées, my two favorites so far have been the lemon chicken and the mixed grill of beef shish kababs, shish kefta (ground beef with onions and spices) and shish tawook (chicken) pictured above. The hummus served on the side was slightly addictive and the veggies were nicely seasoned and the grilled onions served with the mixed grill are almost sweet.

Al-Sham Palace has all of your other authentic Mediterranean favorites, including fried kebbie (lamb or beef with onions and spices), gyro sandwiches, grape leaves, mtable (eggplant with tahini sauce), baba ghanouj, tabouleh, fattoush salad, as well as onion rings, fried or grilled fish (tilapia), cheeseburgers, Philly steak or chicken sandwiches and more.

There’s even Mediterranean breakfast items available, including Foul mudammas (fava beans, garlic, parsley, tomato, olive oil & spices) Qalaya (meat with tomato sauce) and Fateh (pureed chick peas, with pita, tahini sauce and lemon juice, as well as friend eggs and unique egg omelets with ground beef and spices.

 Delectable Desserts, Too!

For those who love baklava, Al-Sham Palace’s is homemade and delicious, but my favorite dessert so far has been the warbaat with walnuts and milk cream — and I don’t really like walnuts. The milk cream is like halfway between liquid and cream cheese and the triangular pastry shell is crisp, flaky and delicious. It’s like the best cheese croissant in town. Top either of those desserts (or haraseh or kunafa) with a cup of super-dark Turkish coffee (they also have American coffee and tea) and you’ll understand why I so enjoy Al-Sham Palace, even though I’m not Middle Eastern.

“About half of our customers are Americans,” Hadil says. “We are welcoming to everyone and hope everyone will come in and enjoy our authentic Mediterranean food.” 

Al-Sham Palace is located at 19651 BBD Blvd., and is open every day for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 907-8233, search for “Al-Sham Palace” on Facebook or see the ad in one of our latest issues. The ad has a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $30 or more (limit one per table). Go and check out our area’s most authentic Mediterranean cuisine and please tell Hadil and Samer I sent you!  

NTP’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ Ready To Be ‘Part Of Your World’

Before Disney chose Halle Bailey to play the role of Ariel in the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid,” Patty Smithey of Land O’Lakes (above) had already been chosen for the same role in the New Tampa Players’ production, which opens tonight.

When Disney announced recently that Halle Bailey, a teenage African-American actress, was going to play the lead role as Ariel in the live-action remake of  “The Little Mermaid,” Patty Smithey thought that was really cool.

The idea, she figured, made perfect sense. And why wouldn’t she? After all, before Disney chose Halle Bailey, the New Tampa Players chose Patty Smithey.

An African-American actress herself, Smithey has been working hard to perfect the role of Ariel, which she was selected to play in the upcoming New Tampa Players (NTP) production of the 1989 Disney animated blockbuster.

The show opens tonight at 8 p.m. at the University Area Community Development Center (CDC) at 14013 N. 22nd St. in Tampa. There are two showings on Saturday, one on Sunday, and then showings the weekend of August 2-4.

For the past month, Smithey, who lives in Land O’Lakes, has been rehearsing with the rest of the NTP, a local acting troupe, at the CDC.

An acting hopeful in middle and high school, Smithey set aside her thespian dreams when she went off to college at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Smithey earned a degree at FSU in International Affairs, studying abroad in places like Panama, Prague, Poland and Croatia, as she focused on human rights. 

The acting bug, however, never went away. And, at the age of 25, Smithey is returning to her first love.

“It’s my big comeback,” Smithey says, with a chuckle. “I definitely feel honored I was chosen for this role.”

When she auditioned in May, she considered herself a longshot for any role. “The Little Mermaid” wasn’t exactly a movie rich with non-white characters.

On the paperwork for NTP, she put down a number of roles she felt suited to play, like Ursula, or one of Ariel’s sisters, or, she jokes, “maybe a fish in the background.”

She also, on a whim, wrote down Ariel.

Nora Paine, the president of NTP, says the troupe didn’t go into the audition process looking for a white actress to play the role of Ariel. She says that is never part of the process. “We looked for the person who could best embody the character,” Paine says. “For Ariel, we were looking for that innocence, a teenage kind of spunk, for lack of a better word.”

Because the movie revolves around a mermaid’s yearning to explore a new, forbidden world, the role had to be filled by someone who embodied Ariel’s way of looking at that world with total awe. 

“Patty had the facial expression of Ariel, the innocent and the curious face,” Paine says. “She did really, really well.”

Not to mention the voice. Smithey took on the movie’s iconic ballad, “Part of Your World,” for her audition, considered one of the best Disney songs ever, and nailed it. 

The role of Ariel was filled by someone who had the complete package that director Derek Baxter, choreographer Anne Tully, musical director G. Frank Meekins and Paine were looking for all along.

“I knew I could sing,” Smithey says. “But, when I got that call, wow, it was just amazing.”

Smithey’s enthusiasm for her role, and the significance of being a black Ariel, has not been tempered by some of the backlash Disney has received in social media for also picking an African-American for the role.

There have been hurtful memes passed around, and the hashtag #NotMyAriel actually trended on Twitter.

“I saw some of that on social media, and I was shocked,” Smithey said. “I mean, where are these people coming from, that they would be that upset about this mythical creature (being played by a black woman). Some of the stuff I saw was very negative.”

Smithey hasn’t received any backlash, and instead prefers to think of it as inspired and inclusive casting by Paine and the NTP.

The controversy over Disney’s decision has been noticed by Paine as well. While she admits that NTP may have smiled a bit when Disney made the same decision NTP did while casting, she says the debate over inclusivity in theater is a good one. She said diversity was a strong theme in many of the speeches at this year’s Tony Awards as well.

“We’re really glad it can be a national conversation, and a local one as well,” Paine says.

She says the NTP has always strived for inclusivity, no matter the production, no matter the role. The troupe has hosted productions like the Penguin Project, which provided opportunities for those with special needs, and inserted a host of actors into non-traditional parts for other productions.

In 2016, NTP reached out to residents in the University Area, where most of the troupe’s productions are performed — until their new home in New Tampa is completed — and asked them what they wanted to see. Residents in the area, which has a large African-American population, told the NTP they would love for their children to come to productions that had actors that looked like they do.

In 2017, NTP heeded that advice and did a production of the “The Wiz”, which re-imagines “The Wizard of Oz” with a primarily African-American cast.

Choosing Smithey was nothing out of the ordinary for NTP.

“ I think it’s great how they are modernizing the role,” Smithey said. “Maybe other little girls and little boys can see that anyone can be a princess or a prince.”

Smithey will lead 52 other castmates in what will be one of NTP’s biggest productions yet.

NTP is bringing in a choreographer from the Shinobi School in Temple Terrace, which focuses on acrobatic performances relating to parkour (movements used in military obstacle course training), ninja warriors and the circus arts.

“It’s going to add a circus twist to Disney,” Paine says.

Long pieces of silk cloth will hang from above to provide the illusion of being underwater, with performers artfully working their way around the silky streams.

“This is new, as far as I can tell, combining a traditional Broadway musical and circus arts done by a non-professional company,” Paine says.

“The Little Mermaid” opens Friday, July 26, at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit NewTampaPlayers.org.

The USF Federal Credit Union Celebrates 60 Years Of Helping!

The freestanding New Tampa branch of the USF Federal Credit Union on BBD Blvd., just south of the Pasco County line, is a model for new branches being built in other areas.

The year 2019 already has been a year of celebration for the USF Federal Credit Union (USF FCU). It’s the organization’s 60th anniversary, marking six decades since it was founded in 1959 and its continued growth and service to its members ever since.

The credit union’s growth is evidenced by the brand-new branch that now serves New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, located at the northwest corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Imperial Oak Blvd., in the Trout Creek area in front of Winn-Dixie, just south of County Line Rd.

The New Tampa branch opened last fall, celebrating its Grand Opening on November 15. When it opened, it was the USF FCU’s first stand-alone, off-campus branch. In the next 18 months or so, the credit union will open two more branches modeled after the one in New Tampa – one on E. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa and one in Sarasota.

The credit union’s growth also is evidenced by its ever-expanding membership.

When it was founded in 1959, the USF FCU started with 16 members — all of whom were members of the academic faculty or staff at the University of South Florida — and had total assets of $505.

“Now, we have more than 60,000 members and $680 million in assets,” says Bill Steiger, brand and promotions manager for USF FCU.

While USF FCU originally served only faculty and staff, current USF students and alumni are eligible to be members, along with employees of certain companies that have business partnerships with USF, such as Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, and even Darden Restaurants, due to a merger with that company’s credit union back in 2015.

A complete list of 42 affiliated companies is available at usffcu.com/eligibility#affiliates.

“If you graduate from USF,” says Steiger, “you can bank with us your whole life.”

Many people do. In fact, Steiger says that about 2,500 members live in and around New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. To find out if you’re eligible to bank at USF FCU, visit usffcu.com/eligibility.

Typical? Hardly!

The USF FCU offers typical personal banking services — from checking and savings accounts, to money market accounts and CDs (certificates of deposit), auto loans, home loans, personal loans and more.

But, Steiger says, those services are not offered in a typical way.

“We are member-focused,” he explains. “Our members are our number one priority, and providing service to them is job one.”

Myresha Daniel is one of those members who says she appreciates the difference. Myresha says she opened her first account at USF FCU when she was a college student more than 20 years ago. She says she uses the credit union for all of her banking needs, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, a car loan, credit card, and previously had a personal loan that she paid off. 

“You hear about astronomical fees from the big banks,” she says, like her friends who have to keep a minimum balance of $500 and get charged a fee if they fall below that. “My account minimum is $5.”

She says other perks include having a free consultation with a financial advisor who helped her better understand her 401(k), and a personalized car-buying program where she not only got the lowest rate out there, but also an assigned representative to meet her at the dealership and walk her through all the paperwork. 

“They even send you a card on your birthday,” she says. “The representatives at the call center are great. I like the fact that they know my nickname, they recognize my voice, and we have built a relationship over time.”

In addition to calling the credit union, the USF FCU offers robust online and mobile banking services that allow their members to bank digitally from anywhere at any time. Plus, anyone in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel can easily access the local branch for face-to-face services.

“The branch in New Tampa is state-of-the-art,” says Steiger. “We offer all of our services there. You can walk in and talk with someone about getting a mortgage or auto loan, or anything else you need.”

Steiger says the credit union provides many auto loans for its members. Personal loans also are popular.

“When people want to consolidate their bills,” he says, “they come to us to get a low rate and achieve some savings.”

He says the rates for USF FCU loans are extremely competitive, which lowers the amount of money members pay in the long run. “I would encourage any readers who want to refinance or buy a new home, talk with us first,” he says. “We are currently offering great rates and special programs, including some loan programs that have no closing costs to close on the loan.”

Diane Dwornik is an Arbor Greene (in New Tampa) resident who became a member of the credit union when her husband Julian began working at USF in 1970.

“Our experience over the years has been phenomenal,” she says. “I’ve never had loans anywhere else.”

Although Julian has since passed away, he was a founding member of the USF medical school and went on to become dean of admissions for the school.

“When you’re a member, you’re a family member,” says Dwornik, explaining that she’s never felt like she’s just a customer of a bank.

“You get personal treatment,” she says, “I’ve always been treated so well and anyone I’ve recommended to the credit union has thanked me over and over again.”

While USF FCU offers the latest in digital banking technology, that personal touch means someone like her — who has no interest in online or mobile banking — can call and ask for help with all of her banking needs.

“At the end of the month,” Diane says, “I call them and they help me pay my mortgage and other bills.”

“We’re all treated just like family,” she adds. “That is so rare today.”

The New Tampa branch of the USF Federal Credit Union is located at 20610 BBD Blvd. The lobby is open Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.–1 p.m on Saturday. The drive-through opens at 8 a.m. weekdays. For additional information, visit USFFCU.org or call (813) 569-2000.