Hurricane Helene has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds of up to 120 mph. That’s the bad news, especially for Tallahassee and the rest of the Big Bend area of Florida. The good news for people living in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel — 25-30 miles or more from the nearest coastline — is that as of 4 p.m., Helene has been a non-event for us.
But, please — don’t assume that the storm is over or that our area isn’t going to suffer any effects from it. We already have had wind gusts of 40 mph or so and not only has the storm not yet come close to bypassing us, it also is HUGE!, with tropical storm-force winds extending out more than 300 miles from its center. As Helene passes our latitude 100+ miles out in the Gulf, we are definitely going to get hit with strong tropical storm winds (up to 73 mph) and periods of strong rain that likely will knock out power in at least some of our communities. Thankfully, Helene is moving quickly (at 20 mph or more), so it won’t be a huge rain event for us (like Debby was), but there will still be enough water to cause significant flooding in areas prone to pooling water. And yes, the storm’s path can still tick a little to the east, which would increase our area’s possible impacts.
You also should be aware that unless you know how deep the water is on a road if you are driving through it, you need to please proceed with extreme caution, especially if you’re in an electric vehicle — as the batteries can catch fire. If you lose power and have a portable generator, please never run that generator inside your home or garage. And of course, as with any major storm, beware of downed trees and especially power lines. We have seen this kind of damage in the past, without one of the largest hurricanes ever to hit the Gulf going by, so please continue to be mindful of possible local impacts from this storm.
Photo is a screenshot from meteorologist Denis Phillips of ABC Action News.
Stand-up comic & actor Marc Price today (below left) and (above) as “Skippy” on “Family Ties” (with Michael J. Fox). Price brings his stand-up show to Sidesplitters at The Grove in Wesley Chapel for one night only — Friday, September 27. (Photos are from IJoke.com)
One of the things I love about my job is that I have gotten to meet — and interview — a little more than my fair share of famous people — from sports celebrities like Pete Sampras, Wade Boggs and the late, great Lee Roy Selmon to entertainers like Tom Petty and actress Kathy Bates to public figures like former Vice-President Mike Pence, General Norman Schwartzkopf and yes, Saddebrook Resort founder Tom Dempsey.
But, I was surprised — and a little starstruck — to receive a phone call a few months ago from Marc Price, the actor, writer and stand-up comic who played Irwin “Skippy” Handelman on the hit NBC-TV show “Family Ties” from 1982-89. And, while Marc may not be the most famous person I’ve interviewed, his character — the best friend of star Michael J. Fox’s Alex P. Keaton — is someone with whom I felt a kindred spirit. I also was a little nerdy in high school, wore glasses until I finally got contact lenses at age 14 and my closest friends were always smarter and more adept at “getting the girl” than I was.
Our first conversation was very brief, but Marc told me then that he was coming to perform at Sidesplitters at The Grove in Wesley Chapel and would call me again to try to help promote his one-night-only show — which is scheduled for Friday, September 27, at 7 p.m.
And, he was true to his word. Marc called me a few days before we went to press with this issue and we had a great conversation, which was a stroll down memory lane for both of us — as I realized that, when compared with him, I’ve really hardly met anyone.
“My father and mother were both in show business,” Marc told me. “My dad was a ‘Borscht Belt’ comedian in the resorts of the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York from the 1930s through the early ‘80s. He performed under the name ‘Al Bernie’ and he did his stand-up routines frequently on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ ‘The Mike Douglas Show’ and ‘Merv Griffin.’ My mom was a night club singer and recording artist who went by the stage name ‘Joy Mann.’”
He adds, “My dad loved show business. My mom hated show business…and she hated my dad.”
His parents split up when Marc was going through his formative years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and he says he had to make a choice: either stay in New York and live with his mom, “who wanted me to go to Cornell, have a family and follow in the footsteps of my doctor stepfather, that sort of thing. Or, I could move to Hollywood with my dad, hang out at The Comedy Store and try to be in showbiz. So really…my mom’s plan never stood a chance.”
When they moved to California, Marc says, “My dad’s goal was to make it on a sitcom — and that wouldn’t have been absurd ten years before that because they were using people his age in the ‘60s and ‘70s. One of my dad’s best friends was Phil Foster, who played Laverne’s grumpy dad (Frank DeFazio) on ‘Laverne & Shirley.’ So, it wasn’t a crazy idea that my dad could get a part on a sitcom.”
But, he adds, “By the time I moved out there with him, there was a shift on TV sitcoms to only young people who would become big stars. ‘Family Ties’ was a great example of that — it was about a family but it was really focused on the kids. And, it was very clear early in the show that he (Fox) was the breakout superstar of the show. And I think we all appreciated it.”
Marc credits Foster for helping him land the part of Skippy.
“Uncle Phil brought me to Paramount Studios one day and asked me, “Do you want to watch how we make ‘Laverne & Shirley’ and ‘Happy Days?’ And I was watching them figuring out how to make that physical comedy work and it just blew my mind.”
He says he, “always knew I wanted to be a stand-up comedian, but here was this whole new world — acting — and he could see it in my eyes and said, ‘Hey, you wanna come back and watch this all week?’ If any of the security people gives you a hard time, you just tell them that you’re Phil Foster’s nephew.’”
But then, Marc says, “I started wandering around the studio and was on the set of ‘Bosom Buddies’ and Tom Hanks came over to juggle and do his shtick for me. And, it was only a few years later when he was on ‘Family Ties’ (as “Uncle Ned”) on the same set as me. Same thing with ‘Mork & Mindy’ and ‘Taxi.’ I got to watch them all getting made, watched the process.”
Because of that experience, he says, “I’d like to think that a couple of years later, when I was auditioning for ‘Family Ties,’ I was a lot more comfortable on set than the average 13- or 14-year-old. Sure, I was nervous, but it wasn’t like a complete freak-out. It kind of felt like home.”
Marc says that one of the best things about being on the show was watching Fox just explode as a mega-star. “Michael was always super-cool to me and to this day, he remains an inspiration,” he says. “So, we raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation at every stop on our tour because I believe that I might not even be on tour if it wasn’t for him. People can go to TeamFox.orgif they want to make a donation for a really great cause — Parkinson’s disease research.”
About His Stand-Up Show
Marc says his comedy “follows in the footsteps of my dad. I would hang out backstage at his shows when we lived in New York and I met so many famous comics and actors — including George Burns, Joey Bishop, you know, the old-school greats, I even pitched Milton Berle a joke before I was 12 that he used in his stand-up act.”
But then, when he and his dad moved to L.A., “There was a Comedy Store near where we lived. This wasn’t the famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd., because it was hard for a kid under age 14 to get into, but the one in Westwood, near UCLA, which was for those college kids, so they didn’t serve hard alcohol, just wine, beer and food, and you could get in at any age, like a restaurant.”
He also remembered that when “Family Ties” was on the air, “none of the stand-up guys who went on to become the biggest sitcom and TV stars in history even had a TV show yet — Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey, Jay Leno, Paul Reiser and the list goes on. Yes, Seinfeld and Leno were the best-known stand-up comics in the country. And yes, they were famous, but Jay didn’t host ‘The Tonight Show’ yet and Jerry didn’t have a sitcom. And I was working doing stand-up with these guys and they wanted to know about sitcoms, about my (other) world. They gravitated towards me.”
He adds, “And I got to meet and hang out with all of the comics on the circuit at that time — Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Kinison, Tim Allen, Jim Carrey. Jim was a few years older than me but he was the youngest guy working regularly at the Comedy Store. The host the first night I met Jim, my friend Freddy Asparagus, introduced us and said, “Marc, I want you to meet Jim. He’s young, too, but we expect big things from him. So, I guess he was right.”
He says that because his influences in comedy were so varied — from Milton Berle to Sam Kinison — “I don’t think you can say I’m ‘like’ any other stand-up, maybe to my own detriment. I’m not a very specific comedian, I’m kind of all over the place. There are parts of my show that I like to think are smart and parts that I think are silly. And there are parts that are crazy, wacky, jokey, and there are parts where I deal with my true life and things that are very real to me. It’s like what some people say about the weather — if you don’t like something, wait a few minutes and it’ll change.”
Marc did just a little of his act for me. “I love Florida because I live in L.A., where when you’re in your 50s, you’re a dinosaur. But then, I go to Florida and I hear, ‘Oh…spring chicken.’”
He admits he also enjoys a lot of today’s young comics, “Even though none of them know who I am.” When I mentioned that I just saw Taylor Tomlinson in Vegas, he said, “I’ve been trying to get on that show she does — ‘After Midnight’ — because they mix it up. They actually have folks from my world on it, too.”
In fact, he says, “I was actually on CBS in that exact time slot — 12:30 weeknights — but for only one week. It was when Pat Sajak was an epic failure as the big competition for Johnny Carson. So then, they tried something different called ‘The Midnight Hour,’ where they had a different host each week for eleven weeks as a summer replacement. One of those hosts was Bill Maher, and CBS should have picked him up, but they missed on him. And then, I got the eleventh — and final — week, at about age 19. When those shows aired, we were up against David Letterman. At the end of my week, the network executives asked me, ‘What do you think of this David Letterman?’ And I said, ‘Are you kidding? He’s amazing!’ So, I like to think that I got him that job.”
For tickets to see Marc Price at Sidesplitters at The Grove (6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in the B&B Theaters, Theater #7), visit SideSplittersComedy.com or call (813) 723-2170. For more info about Marc Price, visit IJoke.com.
As we reported last issue, K-Bar Ranch is getting a 60-acre City of Tampa park and one that District 7 Tampa City Council member (and New Tampa resident) Luis Viera (photo, left) has said he hopes will include a cricket pitch as one of its amenities.
At that meeting with about 50-60 residents (most, but not all of whom live in K-Bar Ranch) on Aug. 7, Viera said that he hoped and expected that the funding for the design of the park to be included in the city’s Fiscal 2025 budget.
Well, on Sept. 5, the City Council did approve the roughly $1 million needed for the park’s design upon first reading of the city’s budget and Viera is thankful not only for the item passing its first muster, but also for the support of District 67 State Representative and State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (who also attended the resident meeting on Aug. 7). Leader Driskell wrote a letter (in the far right column) to the City Council members on Sept. 3 to let them know that she is “in strong support of the FY25 budget design money for the K-Bar Ranch Park.”
Viera then went on his Facebook page to thank Driskell “for your advocacy in support” of the park design funding. “Rep. Driskell has been on the front line advocating not only for this park in the budget, but for a cricket component to this park…Thank you, Rep. Driskell for your advocacy for this budget item.”
And of course, Viera also noted in his Facebook message that, “We have about 60 acres available — with a great deal of conservation space and a park, as well as potentially a fire-station long-term,” even though Tampa Fire Rescue Fire Chief Barbara Tripp has yet to express her support for a full fire station in K-Bar, at the park site or otherwise.
At the Aug. 7 resident meeting, Brad Suder, the superintendent of the city’s planning design natural resources division, said that once the design money becomes available — most likely sometime in late November — the city will be able to hire a consultant to work with and the public participating in the design process could begin. The second reading of the budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 — or a couple of days (or so) after this issue arrives in your mailbox.
Jason & Ayleen Morphet, and their daughters Lily & Ellis of Nations Roofing & Construction — a nearly 20-year-old, family-owned business that can take care of any roofing needs you have for your home or business. (Photo above by Charmaine George; all other photos on these pages provided by Jason Morphet)
It doesn’t have to be the middle of hurricane season for you to need to call Nations Roofing & Construction LLC, which has been a beacon of quality in Central Florida’s roofing industry since its inception in 2006.
“We are not storm chasers,” says Jason Morphet, the founder of this family-owned-and-operated business that has become synonymous with top-tier roofing and construction services throughout our region. “We are a local company that provides roofing services to customers year ‘round. Much of our business comes from word of mouth and customer referrals and we are proud we have been able to establish and grow our business here in the communities where we live.”
He adds, however, that, “After a storm, homeowners always want to be careful with companies that are knocking on their doors. Is this company licensed in Florida? Are they insured? Local? Will they be there for you after the work is completed? When doing any kind of roofing work, from a small repair to new installation, always look for a local company with the proper licenses and insurance.”
In addition, he says, “We do work with homeowners who are in the insurance claim process or have already filed a claim and will work to assist them any way we can. Following a storm or damage to a roof, Nations Roofing & Construction can put tarps over damaged areas, remove downed trees on the roof, provide temporary patches and more.”
Jason’s journey didn’t begin at a construction site. He was raised on a family farm outside of Gainesville, FL, where he learned the value of hard work from his grandfather.
Jason gives a lot of credit for the success of Nations Roofing & Construction to his outstanding team of roofing professionals, as well as always having the heavy equipment needed to get the job done right
“My grandfather taught me that no job is too small and no effort too great when it comes to doing things the right way,” he says, adding that these lessons shaped his approach to business, laying the foundation for Nations Roofing & Construction. Jason has built a company grounded in the principles of quality, customer satisfaction and a strong work ethic.
Nations Roofing & Construction, with its team of dedicated employees, offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of both residential and commercial clients.
“We promise to provide a seamless and high-quality roof installation for our customers,” Jason says. The company’s attention to detail and use of premium materials guarantee that your roof that will be both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Jason explains that Nations Roofing & Construction has received the CertainTeed Certification — Master Craftsman Certified SELECT ShingleMaster.
The SELECT designation means Nations Roofing & Construction can offer homeowners a 25-year labor and material warranty backed by the manufacturer. Having this certification gives Jason’s company the ability to provide extra warranty coverage from the manufacturer to the homeowner that other companies are not able to provide.
“Roofing contractors bestowed with the CertainTeed Certified SELECT ShingleMaster Installer designation are among the top 1 percent of all roofers nationwide,” Jason says.
A new shingle roof in Florida typically lasts 18-20 years, but Jason says, “The usual lifespan of a roof mainly depends on the workmanship of the installers and the materials used,” he says. “Roofs mostly fail before the end of their lifespans due to poor workmanship. Tile and metal roofs can last up to 40 years or longer provided that they are installed properly.”
He adds that, “Nations Roofing & Construction employs 25-30 employees at any given time. We have a dedicated team of professionals, from our crews to our office staff. Many of our employees have been with the company for years. They have a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to their work. And of course, our team is fully licensed, giving clients peace of mind that their homes are in safe hands.”
The company also does a lot of work for housing authorities in all of the surrounding counties and municipalities, as well as popular food & retail chains, etc.
Other roofing services also are available from Nations Roofing & Construction, including a large service department that focuses on repairs, inspections, maintenance and warranties.
Other Services, Too
No matter how oddly shaped the roof of your home or business may be, Nations Roofing & Construction can give it a whole new look.
But, roofing is just the beginning. Nations Roofing & Construction also offers a range of additional construction services. “Proper gutter installation,” Jason says, “is crucial for protecting a home’s foundation.” He adds that his team ensures that water is effectively channeled away from the structure, preventing potential damage.
The company also specializes in soffit and fascia work, which plays a vital role in protecting the home or business. Jason explains, “In addition to protecting the roof, the soffit and fascia also enhance a home’s overall appearance.”
Nations Roofing & Construction also provides quality siding for homes. And, for homes with chimneys that need attention, the company can rebuild and repair them, ensuring that they function safely and efficiently.
And, in keeping with the growing trend towards renewable energy, Nations Roofing & Construction also is proud to offer solar panel installation services.
“One thing that sets Nations Roofing & Construction apart is our personalized approach to each project,” Jason emphasizes. “We believe in building relationships with our clients, understanding their unique needs and providing tailored solutions.” He often visits job sites himself to ensure that the work meets the company’s high standards and to address any concerns his clients might have.
Together with his wife, Ayleen, a teacher in Pasco County, and their two daughters, Lily and Ellis, Nations Roofing & Construction also is deeply involved in giving back to the community. The company sponsors and donates to Pasco County Schools, is a Gold Sponsor of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s annual fund raiser supporting underserved children and families in the local community and provides yard signs for parents to celebrate their children’s “Student of the Month” awards and more.
Whether due to storm damage or age, when your home needs a new roof, call Nations Roofing & Construction.
Jason attributes the success of Nations Roofing & Construction to the company’s outstanding staffers that help keep the operation running. Headed up by office manager Kristie Eager, production coordinator Renee Jackson, head of residential sales Dan Rutherford, and head of the commercial roofing division Dan Bonebrake.
“Not to mention the backbone of the company — the roofing foreman Dino, Diego, Alberto, Geo, Zeb, Aiden and Jimmy, who keep production moving on a daily basis,” Jason says.
Nations Roofing & Construction has a 4.8- star out of 5 overall rating on Google, with many glowing 5-star reviews. Here is just one of those:
“Nations Roofing and ALL of the personnel who worked on our new replacement roof were professional. It started with an informative and timely quote by Kristie. Communication was prevalent throughout the entire process. The work crew was very polite and attentive to the plants in and around our house. Everyone was on time as scheduled. Even though there is inflation in these times, we felt the value of paying for everything as specified reflected on the honesty and integrity of the company. There were no surprises! We are very satisfied with the new roof and the quality of the work. We highly recommend Nations Roofing.” — Joe C
For more information or to inquire about their services, readers can contact Nations Roofing & Construction LLC at (813) 692-1555 or visit NationsRoofingCompany.com. Whether it’s a roofing job or a full-scale construction project, you can trust Nations Roofing & Construction to deliver excellence, integrity, and quality every time.
First, of course, there was Chick-fil-A. Then Popeyes. And PDQ. And Chick’n Fun. And King of the Coop. And Zaxby’s. And Slim Chickens. And Chicken Boss.
But now, Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy is expected to open sometime next month on the north side of S.R. 56. Raising Cane’s has started to go vertical on the south side of 56 (next to Rock & Brews). Hangry Joe’s is getting ready to open in the failed King of the Coop location on S.R. 54 in front of The Grove.
And, for those of you who prefer Korean-style fried chicken over anything American-made, Sweet Krunch Korean Fried Chicken & Boba Tea will be open in the former location of FJ Express in the Shoppes at New Tampa at 1832 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (just south of S.R. 56) by the time this issue reaches your mailbox.
(And, for the record, Chicken Boss closed and has been replaced by Indian Street Kitchen).
Of course, when your restaurant boasts the name of the host of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” expectations are likely to be higher than for most of the other newcomers, even though the closest existing Chicken Guy location to us — in Winter Park, FL, reportedly faced eviction last year for unpaid rent and another in Michigan closed. The good news is that the fast-food joint co-founded by the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Flavortown” has several new additions to its menu, including chopped salad, Buffalo mac & cheese and hot chicken tenders.
At the end of the day, Chicken Guy, Raising Cane’s and Hangry Joe’s are all just (primarily) fried chicken chains, so although I will try them all, anyone who has a slightly different concept is much more likely than the others to get my business on an ongoing basis. That’s why I plan to be on-site when Sweet Krunch opens on Sept. 12 (which is after this issue goes to press but before it hits mailboxes). I want to see if the fourth Florida Sweet Krunch location — with its parmesan zucchini fries, Korean-style chicken, shrimp or Bulgogi beef teriyaki bowls, Korean-style fried rice and even Japchae (stir-fry Korean glass noodles) — can keep me interested. For more info, visit SweetKrunchFL.kwick-menu.com or the Ballantrae location at 17788 Aprile Dr., Land O’Lakes.
Steak N Shake Opening Delayed Again
If you’ve been hankerin’ to try the original smashed steakburgers and delicious hand-spun milk shakes at the new Steak N Shake, located at 5542 Post Oak Blvd. (on Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to The Palms Car Wash), we’re sorry to say that as of today, it still isn’t open — but should be sooner than later.
Owner Todd Webb says the long-awaited new Steak N Shake was (finally) set to open on Sept. 23 (tomorrow), then again on Sept. 30, but still had its final inspection delayed as we went to press with our Oct 1 Wesley Chapel issue. For more info, visit SteakNShake.com or stop in at The Palms Car Wash.
