Rehearsals For ‘If I Cry’ Just Part Of The Tampa City Dance Center Story 

Members of the Tampa City Ballet (TCB) company rehearse for their upcoming performances of “If I Cry” (see promotional poster below), which will be performed at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa May 4-5. The rehearsal was held at the Tampa City Dance Center in the Shoppes at Amberly in Tampa Palms. (Photos by Charmaine George)

It’s been a while since we last checked in with Paula Nuñez, the founder and artistic director of what previously had been known as America’s Ballet School (located since 2002 in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms). But, not only has Paula now merged with the Tampa City Ballet, she has changed the name of her ballet school, which is still at that location, to Tampa City Ballet School (TCBS). 

In addition, in January of this year, she opened a new studio adjacent to the ballet school called the Tampa City Dance Center (TCDC), in order to offer both children and adults the opportunity to explore a variety of dance disciplines. Although TCBS still focuses on classical ballet variations, pointe, repertoire and contemporary ballet, and has its own outstanding faculty, TCDC offers classes (and private lessons) in Acrobatic Dance (or “Acro”), Contemporary, Flamenco, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Tango and even “Mommy & Me” (for kids ages 1-4, with their parent or grandparent). 

Top right, l.-r.) Jayron Perez (who choreographed some of the ballet pieces in “If I Cry”), TCB founder & artistic director Paula Nunez and musician & composer Nick Ewing. 

“It is exciting to offer a dynamic dance program designed to provide a platform to explore creativity and discover new ways to move,” Paula says. “Dance is a fantastic way to release stress, gain confidence and help with concentration and balance. This program fosters a supportive and fun environment for all ages. It definitely creates a community.” 

Paula notes that, at the Tampa City Dance Center, her long-time friend and TCDC executive director Claudia Correa and her staff, “offer a captivating selection of classes to suit all ages and interests. Paula says that Claudia was not a dancer herself, but adds, “She shares my passion for the arts.” 

Each of the dance disciplines at TCDC are taught by different professional faculty members. The pointe/ballet instructor is Vashti Walters. The contemporary and jazz dance and choreography lessons are led by Shelby Russ, who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the University of South Florida (USF). Aynsleigh Morehouse, another USF BFA graduate, teaches stretching, tap, contemporary, pointe and the “Mommy & Me” classes. John Delgado teaches salsa and contemporary dance. 

More About Paula Nuñez 

Paula, who has many years of professional experience as a dancer and choreographer, is on the dance faculty at USF. She is a former principal company member of the International Ballet of Caracas (Venezuela), Ballet Nuevo Mundo and the Cleveland Ballet, San Jose. In 1992, she co-founded the well-known “Fundación Ballet de las Americas” now in residence at the Teresa Carreno Cultural Performing Arts Center in Caracas. 

In 2008, she established a nonprofit organization with the goal to provide scholarships to talented youths and to foster discipline in others who desire to dance. Some of these students are currently national and international dancers, educators and choreographers. 

(Above, l.-r.) Aynsleigh Morehouse, Maria Fernanda Papa & Shelby Russ rehearse for “If I Cry.” Aynsleigh & Shelby also teach at the Tampa City Dance Center. 

Paula also launched a community engagement program (in 2012) called “On Your Feet,” which has offered scholarships and high-quality dance education in collaboration with well-known organizations such as the University Area Community Development Corp. and their research-based prevention and diversion program for youths ages 5-18. 

Then, in 2018, she created Tampa City Ballet (TCB), a nonprofit professional contemporary dance company with an innovative repertoire that focuses on, and is invested in, connecting communities. TCB serves the community by providing high-quality arts education, to facilitate research and to create a space for dancers seeking professional experience. It also encourages interdisciplinary collaborations, while also offering unique, immersive and engaging experiences. 

Since 2022, Paula also has been part of the collective art space at the Historic Ybor City Kress Building in the new Gas Worx District. She says her mission is to create a collaborative model that integrates intergenerational and intercultural productions, demonstrating the alchemy that occurs between disciplines, creators and performers. 

Paula has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Tampa Bay. She has received numerous awards for her teaching, choreography and contributions to the arts in our area. She also has been nominated for the City of Tampa’s prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award. 

“If I Cry” — May 4-5 

Although many recent TCB performances have been and will continue to be held at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, the ballet company recently used TCDC as a rehearsal space for its upcoming performances of “If I Cry,” which is described as “A surreal dance journey through the mind of renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo,” based on the artist’s personal diaries. Neighborhood News photographer Charmaine George attended that rehearsal, where she took the pictures on this page. 

The performances of “If I Cry” (see poster, below) will be held May 4-5, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa. Tickets are available through the Straz Center Box Office. Call (813) 229-7827 or visit StrazCenter.org for tickets and more information. 

For more information about the Tampa City Dance Center or Tampa City Ballet School (both located at 15367 Amberly Dr.), call (813) 558- 0800, visit TCDanceCenter.com or TampaCityBallet.org.

Hamilton Oaks To Extend Zephyrhills Bypass East Of Chapel Crossings 

By Gary Nager & Joel Provenzano  

A little less than a year ago (in July 2023), we gave you an update on the Chapel Crossings community, located on the north side of S.R. 54. That article, which focused on the fact that Curley Rd. somehow had two terminuses on 54, included a discussion of the Zephyrhills (Zhills) Bypass, a long-awaited connection between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills that one day will be taking traffic off of the recently widened S.R. 54. That article mentioned that the first portion of the Zhills Bypass had finally opened, with the opening of the new Story Wesley Chapel apartments, at the westernmost entrance to Chapel Crossings. 

Well now, another new development, to be located directly to the east of Chapel Crossings (but only north of the Zhills Bypass, whereas Chapel Crossings has neighborhoods under construction both north and south of the as-yet-unfinished Bypass road), may be getting ready to begin building. 

The new development will be called Hamilton Oaks, and one of the most important things about it (at least from our perspective) is that the developer of Hamilton Oaks will be responsible for building the next segment of the Zhills Bypass to the east of Chapel Crossings, although there will still be several miles of that roadway that will need to be constructed before the connection to Zephyrhills will have been completed. 

Pasco County’s comments on the conceptual site plan were sent to the applicant on Feb. 29 of this year and it appears that the county doesn’t see any major issues/problems with the new project. 

This land went through a residential rezoning as ‘Hamilton Oaks MPUD’ in 2022. It is approved for 224 single-family units on 61 acres (see site map, above). The property owner is listed with Pasco County as William D. Brown and the applicant is listed as Jeff Oligschlaeger of AMH, AMH Living, American Homes 4 Rent. We had no further information as to when Hamilton Oaks is expected to begin building or when residents may be able to begin moving in. 

The main thing, which is already shown on the site plan, is that the development will be required to convey any needed right-of-way and build the portion of the Zephyrhills Bypass roadway up to the project’s eastern property line. That road currently dead-ends at Cason Blvd in Chapel Crossings. 

Eventually, the Bypass will be extended east to connect with River Glen Blvd. (in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel), then ultimately be extended to Handcart Rd. and connected to Eiland Blvd. with a realignment that will provide vehicular traffic with an alternative direct travel route into Zephyrhills. 

The large, mostly empty parcel (labeled as Depue Ranch by the Pasco property appraiser’s office) immediately to the east of this development has not yet submitted any development or rezoning requests to the county. 

Thirty Years? That’s Nice, But How About 40 Years? — RP&G Printing! 

After hosting the party celebrating my 30 years of owning the Neighborhood News, Jannah and I were proud to celebrate an even bigger milestone at an event hosted by our friends Kent and Cindy Ross, the owners of RP&G Printing & Business Systems, Inc. 

And, while Kent and Cindy both seemed to enjoy themselves and said super-sweet things to us about my 30 years of Neighborhood News at our event, the fact is that my accomplishment pales in comparison to the fact that Kent has owned RP&G now for 40 years and Cindy joined him in 1995, or almost 30 years ago. 

Like yours truly, Kent — a long-time member and former president of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel — and Cindy, one of the most visible (at virtually every event) long-time ambassadors for the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC), have deep roots in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel communities and also have been able to evolve their printing business over the decades. 

Their celebration of Kent and RP&G’s 40 years on Mar. 21 also was a way to introduce their many friends and business associates to the company’s new location on Pet Ln., off Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz, and featured beautiful food (including some very upscale bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled dates crafted by RP&G graphic designer Stephanie Flischel), an impressive hula hoop display — did I mention the hula hoop was on fire? — by production specialist Brianna Peterson and a dancing 7+-foot-tall robot (provided by Karen’s Hora Loca) adorned with the RP&G logo and a similar number of attendees as the 150 or so who attended (including Kent and Cindy, by the way) our event. 

When you consider that the only other business that has been open continuously in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel since 1984, when Kent first opened RP&G, is Saddlebrook Resort, you can understand why RP&G’s longevity is such a major accomplishment. 

And, don’t forget that Saddlebrook was sold by founder and owner Tom Dempsey last year, so unless I’m forgetting someone, I don’t believe any business has been serving either of our distribution areas for longer than our friend Kent has. 

Here are some facts Kent sent us in a press release about RP&G’s 40th birthday: 

“We started by supplying continuous forms and checks for the burgeoning computer revolution in the 1980s. along with business cards and stationery,” he said. ”Full color printing then was so expensive only big companies could afford it, but now, we specialize in full-color marketing materials to help small businesses shine that are affordable for any size company.” 

“This dedication has established a foundation of loyalty, still servicing clients that have been with the company since its inception — a testament to their unwavering commitment to client relations and customer service.” 

Cindy added, “RP&G stands for more than just service; it signifies a promise to deliver great value and make our clients look their best.” 

Significant achievements in RP&G’s 40-year history include: 

‱ Winning the Small Business of the Year award from the NTBC in 2017 

‱ Runner-up for Small Business of the Year, Pasco Economic Development Council, in 2016 

‱ Receiving the Superior Performance in Print Shop Management award by CPrint International three times in the past five years. 

Kent reminisces with humor about the company’s early days: “People often ask me what RP&G stands for. At the start, I looked so young — many assumed I was a kid trying to run a business. By rebranding to RP&G instead of my original ‘Ross Printing and Graphics,’ and changing my title from President to Sales Representative, I saw our sales take off, as people then trusted that I had ‘adult supervision.’” 

In addition to keeping up with modern printing production technology, RP&G attributes much of its success to its dedicated staff. 

“Machines will only get you so far,” Kent says. “At the end of the day, it’s the people in your organization that will make or break you and we have been blessed with talented team players that really look after our clients!” 

These four decades also showcase a family’s legacy in the printing business. Kent’s grandmother was the founder of the Pasco Shopper and had a print shop in the 1950s. His father joined that business in the early ‘60s. 

Congrats, Kent & Cindy! We love you! And clearly, we’re not the only ones! 

For more info about RP&G, call (813) 949-5700 or visit RPandG.com. 

The New Tampa PAC’s Truly Grand Unveiling! 

Free Concert On Apr. 5 Introduced The Community To The PAC’s New Steinway “Model D” Piano In Grand Fashion! 

Classical pianists Jane West and Grigorios Zamparas play the “Hungarian Dances for Piano Four- Hands No. 2 & No. 8” by Johannes Brahms on the Steinway & Sons “Model D” during the “Concert Grand” at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Apr. 5. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

When general manager Keith Arsenault took the job running the Hillsborough County-owned New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) last year, he told members of the county’s staff that, “If this is really going to be a ‘real’ Performing Arts Center, then we need a real performing arts piano.” 

The PAC opened a little more than a year ago, but now, Arsenault finally has a truly grand piano that he believes will help fulfill the PAC’s destiny as a real performing arts center — a brand new Steinway & Sons “Model D” concert grand piano, also known as the flagship of this world-renowned and historic American brand. 

Only the Neighborhood News was on hand when the spectacular new piano was delivered and re-assembled on the NTPAC stage on Mar. 21 and we also attended the first-ever performance unveiling the new Steinway to the local community, which was held on Apr. 5 and was called the “Concert Grand” — and what a grand event it was! 

“When you’re making a substantial acquisition like this, you don’t just pick something out on eBay,” Keith said. 

So, Steinway & Sons graciously flew Keith, Steinway Tampa Bay (which has showroom locations in Clearwater and Tampa) vice president Jonathan Hunt and two “much better pianists” with them to the piano maker’s headquarters in Queens, NY. 

“We got a three-hour tour of the factory to see the amazing process of building these pianos,” Keith said. “And then, we were faced with a room with five of them — ostensibly identical Model D grand pianos — but each one with its own voice and personality.” 

They went up and down the line playing each piano and comparing them. 

“And then, finally,” Keith said, “someone sat down at the fifth one in the row and played a big fat chord and we all just kind of went, ‘Oooh, that’s the one.’ Not too long after that, the Steinway folks came out and put a ‘Selected’ tag on the piano, so that nobody else would get it.” 

He joked, “I knew I didn’t have to, but I even wrote down the serial number to make sure we got our piano.” 

Jonathan, who says he usually makes the trip to Queens “about three or four times a year,” said, “Steinway does a pre-delivery inspection, they disassemble and wrap the legs, wheels and foot pedals and pack it into a big box and deliver it to our factory. That takes about two weeks. We then have our own pre-delivery inspection and prep process. We put it back together, allow it to acclimate to the Florida weather, test the sound, and then disassemble and wrap and box it up again to get it ready for delivery.” 

Keith noted, “The whole process from Queens to final destination took a little less than the month we were told to expect it to take. And, throughout the process, we got blow-by-blow updates like, ‘The piano has left the factory,’ and so forth. It was basically like tracking it online as it made its trip. This was the first time I’ve had my hands directly involved in this process. It was very special.” 

A Truly Grand Concert Event! 
(Above, l.-r.) Pianists Grigorios Zamparas, Jane West, Svetozar Ivanov & Ghadeer Abaido, Keith Arsenault, Jonathan Hunt & pianists Simon Lasky & Pablo Arencibia after the Concert Grand performance on Apr. 5.

Speaking of special, “The Concert Grand event on Apr. 5 truly was just that. 

“We have six magnificent pianists performing tonight,” Keith said as he kicked off the Concert Grand festivities that evening, “these musicians range from classical to jazz to piano ‘four hands,’ where two of them play the piano at the same time.” 

It was a wonderful, free piano concert that filled nearly all of the 324 available seats at the NTPAC. It started with delicious, free food provided by Via Italia, the authentic Italian restaurant located in The Village at Hunter’s Lake plaza, which is in front of the PAC on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. 

The food — which included tasty meatballs and sauce, plus bite-sized pieces of tender chicken parmigiana, bruschetta, a charcuterie selection and more — was sponsored by Steinway Tampa Bay. 

Keith also noted that neither the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa, Ruth Eckerd Hall nor the Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg has its own Steinway. “So this is a pretty big deal that Hillsborough County has made this amazing investment in the performing arts for us here.” 

Jonathan added, “I also just love this facility (NTPAC). As much as the Concert Grand event is about this piano, we just want people to know that the New Tampa Performing Arts Center is here and is a great asset to this community.” 

As to how he feels about the selection his group made, Keith said, “I couldn’t be happier. As Jonathan said, ‘This piano is a rocket ship’ and, given the acoustical nature of this room, and the fact that we will likely be using this piano as much for legitimate jazz events as for classical, it’s just the perfect piano for this space.” 

He also noted that the purchase of the Model D also included two Steinway uprights manufactured in Hamburg. Germany. 

Editor’s note — It was absolutely mesmerizing to see the Model D being taken out of its special box, with each of its legs and the beautiful, easy-rolling brass wheels separately wrapped, and then rolled on a dolly to, and then laid out on, the NTPAC stage. And then, to see Jonathan and his two assistants meticulously re-attach the legs and foot pedals to the 8’, 11-3/4” long behemoth and then turning the nearly 1,100-lb. piano upright before wiping it down to allow the high-gloss, ultra-black paint to emit its perfect, reflective glow was a sight I know I will never forget. But, to hear it played by such outstanding pianists was even more incredible. Bravo, Keith and Jonathan! 

For more information about the NTPAC (8550 Hunters Village Rd.) visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org. 

Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus Turns 10! 

 The Porter Family’s Land Donation Celebrates A Decade Of Adding Skilled Workers To The Local Economy! 

Many of the people in this picture have been with the Porter Campus of Pasco Hernando State College since PHSC first opened back in January of 2014. Current Provost Dr. Davina Jones (second from left) hosted an outstanding 10th Anniversary Celebration for the Porter Campus on April 6. Holding the sign, front and center in this picture, is Sonia Rodriguez Thorn, who was the first Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Porter Campus under the campus’ first Provost Dr. Stanley Giannet. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

When Sonia Rodriguez Thorn first arrived in 2013 at the not-yet-open Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch of what was then called Pasco Hernando Community College (PHCC), her name was only Sonia Rodriguez, as she was not yet married. 

Sonia’s last name was still Rodriguez when the school’s Porter Campus opened in January 2014 as the fifth campus of the freshly renamed Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) and she served as the first Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Porter Campus, and the right hand to the Porter Campus’ first Provost, Dr. Stanley Giannet. Sonia did get married in December of that year, so both she and the school had new names to start the Porter Campus’ second year. 

“It’s an honor to come back here, after 30 years of service and especially, opening this campus,” Sonia said when she was introduced by the current Provost of the Porter Campus Dr. Davina Jones, “when my first hire Mildred (Santiago Diaz) and I couldn’t even get into the building yet. Mildred (who is one of several employees introduced by Dr. Jones as having been at the Porter Campus for all ten years of its existence) and I and all of our new hires were housed in one room, with six tables and chairs, at the West Campus in New Port Richey until this building (at seven total stories, the tallest in Pasco County) opened.” 

She added, “I’ve been involved with this institution in one form or another since 1991 and it’s been a blessing and a privilege for me to serve not only the community and our stakeholders but also the institution that helped develop me both personally and professionally and I’m very honored by that. So, to come here today is really special for me, to see all that the Porter Campus has done for the Wesley Chapel community and Pasco County. Thank you so much!” 

“Sonia gave us her best,” said Dr. Jones, who introduced her to those in attendance on Apr. 6, prior to the festivities celebrating the Porter Campus’ tenth anniversary as a PHSC campus. 

“So, of course, we invited her back to be here for this event today.” 

Next, Dr. Jones mentioned that the three previous Porter Campus Provosts — Dr. Stanley Giannet, Dr. Bonnie Clark and Dr. Kevin O’Farrell — also were immortalized in the new PHSC “Hall of Fame” with a commemorative photo framed and displayed in the Provost’s conference room. 

“We are also going to send each of them a photo of this tribute,” Dr. Jones said. ‘We just think it’s important that the Porter Campus never forget the excellence and the greatness that led this place.” 

She also related a story she had heard about Dr. Giannet: “I heard that when he pulled up to this campus, he had a car full of beautiful art he brought with him and placed it all around the “A” Building and donated it. That is the mark of excellence that he brought to this campus…So, we want to continue to celebrate and honor all of our Provosts.” 

She also gave gifts to each member of the campus’ inaugural staff and, before concluding the introduction to the day, Dr. Jones received a surprise herself. She handed off the microphone to Ann Coppola, the associate director of the library at the Porter Campus, who mentioned that Dr. Jones also was an original member of the campus’ faculty, as a public speech communication professor. 

Current PHSC Porter Campus Provost Dr. Davina Jones (left) and Somia Rodriguez Thorn pose with the special shadow box presented to Dr. Jones by her staff. Dr. Jones was named by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in 2022 as someone who inspired the replacement of a statue of a Confederate general in the U.S. Capitol statuary hall with one of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. 

“Since then, your talent for diplomacy, your love of education and students and your strong work ethic has placed you as our campus leader and we could not be more fortunate to have you as Provost. You strive for excellence unapologetically, you advise personal accountability, you advocate for staff, faculty and students with pure intentions and most importantly, you do all of this with civility and kindness…Your core team has learned so much from you… and your leadership sets the tone for this campus.” 

To that end, Ann mentioned that, at the dedication ceremony of the statue honoring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune at the U.S. Capitol in July 2022, a statue that replaced one of a Confederate general that stood at the Capitol since the Jim Crowe era, Dr. Jones’ contribution to making that statue a reality was mentioned by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. 

“Dr. Jones served as a front-line partner, as Florida and our nation prepared to receive and embrace this historic statue in the Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Dr. Jones advocated for the statue of Dr. Bethune as a far superior representative of the values and diversity of the Sunshine State.” 

Ann added, “We curated this shadow box (photos above and right) to honor the work you did and still do for education. Thank you.” Dr. Jones was clearly moved by the impressive gift. 

After that, she posed for a group photo with all of the original, former and current faculty members on hand and told everyone in attendance about the Business Expo and free food out on the school’s promenade, the tours (including virtual simulations) of the campus’ renowned nursing department and “Bomba” Afro- Latin dance lesson (see photos on next page). 

Meanwhile, Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter, whose family trust donated the 65 acres upon which the Porter Campus sits, said that he was sad he wasn’t able to attend the festivities. 

“My family couldn’t be more proud of the Porter Campus and its students, faculty and staff,” Porter said afterwards. “I believe it is the most successful of the five PHSC campuses — and for good reason. It’s a great resource, and not just for the hospitals and medical offices throughout Wiregrass Ranch, but also the local business community. If you need to update your technical training for pretty much any type of business, we have this amazing local resource right here. PHSC has room to expand the Porter Campus and I am confident that will happen sooner than later.” 

If you attended the 10th Anniversary Celebration of PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on Apr. 6, you got to check out (left) a “Bomba” Afro-Latin Dance Lesson, (middle left) tours of the PHSC Nursing Department and virtual simulation and a free business expo with a number of community-oriented businesses meeting with attendees.