Author: Gary Nager

Justin Zabinski — A Working Model Known For His Model Behavior

When we first told you about model and longtime Wesley Chapel resident Justin Zabinski, it was more than a decade ago. And, while a lot has changed for the 25-year-old Wesley Chapel resident, a lot has stayed the same, too, as Justin continues to be a blessing not only for his father — well-known local resident Leo Star — but for homeless men, women and families and disabled children, among others.

“Whenever Justin flies in from a modeling shoot,” Leo says, “no matter what time he gets in, he’s up at 6 the next morning to help serve in local soup kitchens. He has thousands of fans (nearly 8,000 at our press time), but he always volunteers his time to help others.”

Leo says that Justin even helps put on events where the host charity can charge admission, and all the proceeds are donated to that charity. “He never takes anything for himself,” Leo says.

I was happy to catch up with Justin and his dad a couple of weeks ago, before he flew off to New York City and then Los Angeles for modeling shoots.

Justin, who certainly looks and acts the part of the “laid back surfer dude,” says he is still in search of “the perfect wave, although I have gotten to surf on some amazing beaches in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and California.”

Among his many modeling credits are AllAmericanGuys.com, Rugby and Polo by Ralph Lauren, APC (France), Tony Meliilo fashion show in NYC, Bruce Weber, GQ Magazine (Germany) JC Penney, Hang Ten, American Living and Levis. He also has been featured in At Large magazine, which calls itself, “The definitive magazine for contemporary culture, art entertainment and men’s style.” Justin also been featured in People magazine and he is currently working as a cover model.

“I love all of the messages I get from fans,” Justin says. “Even though there are always some haters, too. I just don’t let any of it affect me.”

As for his love life, Justin says he’s simply too busy right now to worry about finding the right girl to settle down with, although he admits he would like to find that certain someone “someday.”

In the meantime, Justin hopes to see a lot more of the world, especially more of the world’s best surfing beaches, from Fiji to Australia and anywhere else he can chase the big water. “I do like hanging here at home, too,” he says.

But, being home also means serving, cleaning up and helping out any way he can in many local soup kitchens, especially in Pinellas County, where he actually graduated from high school while splitting time between Pinellas Park and Wesley Chapel.

“I know I can’t do this type of work forever,” he says. “So, I’m just enjoying the opportunity I have now and will always take the time to give back to help others who aren’t as fortunate as I’ve been.”

For additional information about Justin Zabinski, or to book him, visit his “Official Fansite” on Facebook.com.

In Loving Memory Of Dick Strom

Somehow, even though he passed away on May 29 and friends and family were invited to be received by his family at a memorial service on June 5, I didn’t find out until June 9 that my friend and Cross Creek resident Dick Strom, 61, had lost his battle with cancer. A friend asked me if I had heard Dick had passed at an event that day and, even though I knew he wasn’t doing well following multiple rounds of chemotherapy, I felt my knees buckle when I heard the news.

Kathy, his wonderful wife of 38 years, and Dick didn’t have much time to mourn the passing of their son Patrick, who died in a single-car accident in Hunter’s Green in 2012 before Dick was first diagnosed with cancer.

The Stroms and their friends started a nonprofit organization in Patrick’s honor in 2014, called “Trick’s Kicks,” which has held two golf tournaments and other fund raisers, all with the purpose of donating “Kicks” (athletic shoes, which Patrick, who liked to be called “Trick,” loved) to children in need.

I reported about the second “Trick’s Kicks” golf event in October of last year and Dick was already battling cancer, where I first met the Stroms’ older son Michael and Michael’s future wife Dee.

“Cancer sucks,” Dick told me, “and chemo is really hard on your body. But, I’m not giving up. I have so much to live for.”

His only “complaint” or “question?”

“If you’re going to take me anyway, God, why did you have to take Patrick first?”

One of the events Dick was on hand for was Michael and Dee’s wedding, but since then, he started posting on Facebook about the toll not only the cancer but also the treatments themselves were taking on him.

Even so, it feels like yesterday that Dick and I were coaching youth basketball against each other at Benito Middle School, when both of our younger sons were playing in a Saturday youth league.

I, of course, was among the most…let’s say vocal…of all of the coaches and Dick was one of the quietest (although some of his on-court expressions while biting his tongue were priceless), but somehow, we developed a mutual respect for each other.

I didn’t really get to know him, however, until he and Kathy lost Patrick, but the love he had for his entire family (including his new daughter-in-law) was just so obvious every time we spoke.

Dick was a Project Manager for KFORCE who managed installation of EMC Hardware for federal customers for many years. He also was a faithful and devoted member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church and the consummate family man.

It’s never easy for me to say goodbye to someone, especially a true fighter and amazing man like Dick Strom, but it’s even harder to not express my feelings about it here.

Rest in peace, Dick. I know your only consolation is being reunited with Patrick.

Café Olé On CC Blvd. Is Still My Favorite Restaurant In New Tampa

Paella There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Café Olé, the continental and authentic Spanish restaurant located in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. (at Kinnan St.; behind the Shell gas station) is still the best restaurant in New Tampa, hands down.

I know, some of you still haven’t tried it because you think it’s too pricy or because you think you don’t like “Latin” food.

At owner Frank Aliaga’s Café Olé, however, you can get so much more than just delicious authentic Spanish dishes — like real seafood paella, seafood colossal or shrimp in garlic sauce tapas — none of which I can eat because of my shellfish allergy.

In fact, even though I can’t enjoy those three dishes (all of which are pictured on these pages), everything I can safely enjoy at Café Olé is much better than anything you can get anywhere else in New Tampa.

Such As, For Starters?…

Although most of my favorite tapas dishes at Café Olé are usually included on the daily tapas specials list created by the restaurant’s “Sauce Man” Chef Wilson, I love the chicken raviolis on the next page (Café Olé sometimes offers lobster and even veal raviolis, too) in a creamy tomato sauce that is a perfect dipping complement to the amazingly crispy Italian-style bread served upon request with your meal (which already is served with pre-softened butte, which is so much better than any dipping oil, in one man’s opinion).

SeaBass I’m also partial to Café Olé’s Little Neck clams tapas in garlic, white wine and onions and Galician-style grilled octopus (pulpo a la Gallega), both of which are still among the non-fish seafood I can safely eat). If you’re craving lobster, shrimp, mussels and scallops, There’s even unique bruschetta, fried calamari and traditional Spanish chorizo sausage Salteado (in herbs and a light red wine sauce) on the tapas menu.

But, there’s little doubt in my mind that Café Olé’s incredible fresh fish, steak and lamb and veal entrées are what keep me coming back for more. Whether you dine in or take out for lunch or dinner — and the only-slightly-smaller lunch portions are priced so well, it’s a perfect way to try Café Olé without breaking the bank. The lunch specials usually come with the classic Salade Olé, which comes with the best balsamic house dressing in town. The full-sized salad is more than worth splitting for dinner, too.

Whether you prefer the Chilean sea bass shown on this page without the shrimp and creamy white wine and lemon sauce, grouper, mahi, snapper, salmon or corvina, you really can’t go wrong with Café Olé’s fresh fish, which is always served with a starch (usually potatoes or rice) and sautéed, fresh julienned veggies. As for the fish on the actual menu, the pescado de la casa (fresh flounder sautéed with onions, garlic, olives, capers and finished in a fresh tomato sauce) also is outstanding.

Shrimp I’ve also never had a sub-par steak, lamb or veal shank or lamb chops and although the prices aren’t cheap, neither is the quality of the food. Although I’ve had very good lamb chops at other local restaurants, the grilled lamb chops (in some sort of red wine reduction sauce) were the best I’ve had in New Tampa this year. And, I’ve had everything from New York strip to filet mignon to bone-in cowboy ribeyes from the specials list and all were tender and tasty, with sauce or without.

Aliaga and his top-notch staff have worked hard to keep up the quality at Café Olé, even though the place has gone through so many additions and changes the last couple of years. When Aliaga opened the restaurant six years ago, it was only about 30 seats and 1,500 square feet. Today, after annexing two other adjacent spaces in the plaza, it is more than 4,500 sq. ft., with seating for nearly 200 people (book a party there and I know the food will be a major hit), with a kitchen that is at least three times the size of the original.

SeafoodColossal8ozlobtail Café Olé also hosts the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club meetings every Wed. at noon. Attend one time as a guest and you’ll love the food so much you’ll probably join.

The recently revamped bar areas is now much more spacious, and still features premium liquors, Spanish and other imported, micro-brewed and domestic beers and the best wine list in New Tampa. I recommend any of the Spanish reds (ribero del duero, tempranillo, rioja, etc.) or other equally upscale (but not overpriced) red or white wines.

And, Speaking Of Specials…

If you check out the Café Olé ad on page 40 of our current issue, you’ll see that Aliaga & Co. are making it less expensive for you to enjoy your favorite beverages Mon.-Thur. And, you can even enjoy $3 Estrella or Mahou draft or bottled beers during any of the COPA America and Euro Cup soccer games. You just have to root for Spain at the Euro.

And, coming soon is DJ entertainment on Fri. & Sat. nights and weekend brunch!

For reservations (not required, but suggested on weekends) & more info about Café Olé (10020 Cross Creek Blvd.), call 907-5242, or visit CafeOleRestaurant.com

CORRECTION

Senor T’s Does Have Free Chips and Salsa! Contrary to what it says in the advertisement on pg. 47 of the New Tampa Neighborhood News edition that arrived in mailboxes throughout the 33647 zip code today, Senor T’s Mexican Restaurant (17642 BBD Blvd., New Tampa) serves FREE chips & salsa, in both the restaurant and the bar area, all the time. The error was entirely ours and we apologize to Senor T’s for any inconvenience the mistake in our ad may cause.

Farina Rewarded For Humanitarian Efforts

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that New Tampa resident Sergio Farina has earned some recognition for more than just his academic achievements as he graduates from Tampa Jesuit High as the outgoing President of the school’s Student Body for the 2015-16 school year.

After all, Sergio is the son of my friends Lisette and local orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina, the man responsible for the beautiful smiles of thousands of New Tampa kids, including my sons, Jared and Jake.

But, Sergio is more than just a great student from a wonderful family. Also known as “DJ Svrge,” Sergio is a DJ and music producer who, through his passion for music, “adopted” a school in the Dominican Republic and provided it with a water well and electricity — two important, basic needs the school was lacking.

Sergio was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from Boston College (BC) for the Carroll School of Management Honors Program — based on his academics, leadership and service accomplishments during his years at Jesuit. This is a full merit scholarship, with summer international experience, service and internships abroad. BC’s Presidential Scholarship was awarded to only 14 students from around the world, representing only 0.2 percent of the Early Action applicants for the incoming freshman class of 2020.

Students were selected based on superior academic achievement and promise, leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to serving society. They will be prepared to be global leaders.

The school announced, “As Jesuit’s student body president, it’s fitting Sergio Farina would earn a collegiate Presidential Scholarship.” JesuitTampa.org also noted that Sergio won this year’s Charles J. Lashley Award, for outstanding characteristics of student body leadership, “the highest honor Jesuit confers upon a graduating senior.”

The former Jesuit linebacker says that in 2009, he helped co-found with some of his family members in the Dominican “A Smile for a Sole,” a nonprofit organization that grew out of the Farina family’s vacations in the Dominican Republic. Sergio visited schools, plantations, and fishing villages, to distribute clothing, toys, and supplies. But, after six years of “doing the same thing,” he decided to help the Escuela Hermanas Mirabal school in Cucama a little more.

“I had fond memories of seeing kids running around the remains of the basketball court — rims broken and nets long gone, clenching pencils, determined to learn. I decided I would provide the school with its two biggest needs: water and electricity” — at a price tag of $10,000.

After one year, “DJ Svrge” reached his goal. “When I arrived in Cucama, the entire student body, as well as their parents, embraced me, taking photos with me. I was overwhelmed by their gratitude. I was just a kid who felt a strong social responsibility to provide what many take for granted.”

He may be “just a kid,’ but Sergio is a young man who hopes to inspire others to “Piensa Grande” (“Think Big”)!

bruce b. downs blvd. New Tampa