Here’s some spots to catch a party and some fireworks:
Avalon Park continues to be the best spot in Wesley Chapel to celebrate Independence Day. The annual Fourth of July Festival will be held from 5-9 p.m., and features face painters, caricature artists, a wet/dry bounce park, community performances, an apple pie bake off, vendor booths and a bike parade. The fireworks are held at 9. The celebration will be held at 5060 River Glen Blvd. Avalon Park is located 3.5 miles east of I-75 on S.R. 54.Â
The 6th Annual Zephyrhills Summerfest and Fireworks Show is just a short drive from Wesley Chapel and has a day of family-free fun planned, beginning at noon with live music, hot dog and watermelon eating contests, kids dance off, live music, vendor market, bounce house and water slides, food trucks and more. Fireworks are expected to begin around 9:30 p.m. The event will be held at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills at 38116 5th Ave.Â
Boom By The Bay is the City of Tampa’s big bash, and kicks off with a boat parade along the Tampa Riverwalk at 5 p.m. The public can take part in a number of family-friendly events, food vendors and other entertainment at six locations: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park (starting at 7 p.m.), Armature Works (5 p.m.), the Tampa Convention Center/The Sail Pavilion (5 p.m.), Sparkman Wharf (3:30 p.m.), Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (7 p.m.) and Bayshore Boulevard (7 p.m.). Fireworks will be coordinated from each location beginning around 9:15 p.m.
The 46th annual City of Temple Terrace Independence Celebration is a great option for New Tampa residents looking to put some Boom! into their celebration. A parade through Temple Terrace starts at 10 a.m., with the actual Fourth of July festivities kicking off at 6 p.m. on the first fairway of the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, with live music, children’s activities and food trucks. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. The golf course is located at 200 Inverness Ave.
Busch Gardens has been doing nightly fireworks since Thursday, but on the Fourth of July will hold an Independence Day Extended Fireworks Show. The 9:15 presentation of “Spark!” promises an “an extra patriotic finale.” Busch Gardens is located at 10165 N. McKinley Dr.
Unable to meet the milestones set forth by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), D.A.B. Constructors has been defaulted and removed from the diverging diamond intersection (DDI) at S.R. 56 and I-75.
One of the milestones needed to be met by June 28, and was not. In addition, on June 25, “DAB notified FDOT they were demobilizing from the project,” according to FDOT spokesperson Kristen Carson.
Carson said FDOT will work with the surety company, which is required to provide a replacement contractor, to complete the project.
A message left with DAB vice-president Bill Bachschmidt was not returned.
The DDI construction has been ongoing since early 2019, and had an original schedule of 800 days, resulting in a finish date of April 2021. That did account for delays due to rain and holidays, but Covid-19 made a major impact when it caused delays and shortages of materials for the project.
But last fall, Pasco County and FDOT addressed issues with DAB, when county commissioner Mike Moore, who represents District 2 where the diverging diamond is located, delivered a harsh attack on what he saw as lackluster progress.
Moore criticized the lack of urgency and number of workers he noticed when driving through the construction site, and the Cypress Creek Town Center Property Owners Association (POA) — which includes the Tampa Premium Outlets, Costco and more than 20 other businesses located west of the interchange — made their concerns known as well.
David Gwynn, the FDOT secretary for District 7, imposed penalties on D.A.B. Constructors and threatened more if the deadlines could not be met.
According to Carson, in November 2020, FDOT issued a Notice of Intent to Default (NOI) to the contractor due to concerns they were not proceeding at the pace required to meet the contractual completion date.
“DAB Constructors’ response included a recovery schedule showing a project completion date of October 2021,” Carson said. “From this schedule, (FDOT) established interim milestone dates that the contractor would need to meet in order to avoid being defaulted.”
Moore said after the public admonishment, he had seen some improvements early in 2021, but once again was noticing a lack of workers at the DDI site. The news this week was not shocking, and the project will likely not be completed until 2022, and by another company.
“I’m not surprised, I’m disappointed,” Moore says, “because they stated on multiple occasions they would be able to meet the deadlines.”
More than 100,000 vehicles pass through the interchange on a daily basis. The long-awaited DDI is designed to create fewer conflict points at the interchange, and despite looking more confusing, similar interchanges (like Florida’s first DDI at Exit 210 off I-75 in Sarasota) has been lauded for being safer and more efficient than your traditional junctions.
Carson says FDOT is empathetic to impacts any project delays may cause to motorists, residents, and businesses, and will make adjustments to traffic signals and any other traffic control devices to accommodate extra traffic volume during the upcoming holiday season.
Orthodontist Dr. Mark Farina says the core values of Farina Orthodontic Specialists separate it from other orthodontic practices and have contributed to his popularity. (Photos: Charmaine George)
Mark Farina, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) is one of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area’s best-known, most respected orthodontists. In his 26 years of creating beautiful smiles locally, Farina Orthodontic Specialists has been responsible for fixing more than 20,000 smiles.
And, not only is he not done yet, Dr. Farina is taking his practice to new heights.
While he already has three offices, including one in Tampa Palms off Amberly Dr. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (that he moved into in 2000), it is his glimmering, modern, cubed building on BBD between the Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, that has expanded his services and his vision.
The three-floor, 16,000-sq.-ft. building is certainly not your daddy’s dental office, inside or outside. It does, however, reflect the high-tech and futuristic nature of Farina’s practice.
“I wanted to create a building to reflect our thought process of moving into the next 10-20 years,” Dr. Farina says. “It’s modern, clean, and unobtrusive. And, the windows represent a radical transparency, which is something we pride ourselves on with our fees, consultations and allowing parents to come back with their children.”
Farina Orthodontic Specialists operates out of the new building’s first floor, and half of the second floor has offices handling oral maxillofacial surgery, periodontics and implant dentistry (with Dr. Matthew Waite, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Joyce and Dr. James Wilson) and endodontics (root canals) with Dr. Christian Kamaris and Dr. Frank Delgado.
The other half of the second floor will be home to a training facility and administration. The space will offer continuing education for those already working at Farina Orthodontic Specialists and even those at other offices. Dr. Farina says it will have a “Google-like” atmosphere, with an open lounge and classrooms, and should be completed by the fall.
The third floor will be the new home for Communication Corner & More, which is owned by Jill Vought, who specializes in speech and physical therapy.
“My concept was to have a multi-interdisciplinary facility where all the specialties can come together to give a treatment plan and the best possible care to our patients,” Dr. Farina says. “It’s almost like a Cleveland Clinic or Mayo Clinic of dentistry, where we have all the specialists under the same roof.”
As for the thing he is most known for, Dr. Farina continues to offer the best in orthodontic services with the most advanced technology.
Dr. Farina earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Boston College in Boston, MA. He earned his D.M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia and did his post-graduate orthodontic training at New York University in New York City, NY.
He also has received advanced training in the integrated diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and has served on research teams at both New York University and the University of Pennsylvania to help find new and better ways to solve orthodontic problems.
In fact, he has never stopped looking for the better way.
“We are always trying to polish the diamond,” Dr. Farina says.
It begins with stellar patient service from the first phone call to the consultation and explaining what will be done, taking the patient through the process step by step. A friendly waiting room offers a beverage bar and iPads, which are used for entertainment and for signing in — there is no paperwork.
“It’s about treating everyone really like family,” Dr. Farina says. “We really work hard on our culture. The goal is not to just end up with patients with straight teeth. (We believe) the experience, from start to finish, is what separates us from others.”
Who needs that dreadful goop when the 3D impressionless scanner (above) at Farina Orthodontic Specialists will create a digital 3D model of your teeth in minutes?
Patients begin in the 3D Imaging Room, where an i-CAT 3D Machine takes a 3D image of not just the patient’s teeth, but also the bones and airways in their head. The process takes all of five seconds.
The 3D Imaging can help bring clarity to a number of problems, and can help identify red flags like temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which is an irregularity with the temporomandibular joint that causes clicking, popping or just pain and discomfort in the jaw area.
Farina Orthodontic Specialists also treats sleep apnea and snoring, both of which can be the result of an obstructed airway. The imaging also can detect airway development problems in children.
The process combines digital impressions created with the 3D imaging machine and intra- and extra-oral photographs, offering a more complete picture of the patient’s overall oral health.
There’s even an iTero 3D impressionless scanner that will create a digital 3D model of your teeth.
“It avoids having that dreadful goop in your mouth,” Dr. Farina says. “In three minutes, we have a full 3D model that’s far more accurate than your typical mouth impression.”
If that’s not easy enough, the Farina Orthodontic Specialists website (FarinaSmiles.com) offers a Virtual Smile Assessment, where patients can upload a smile selfie and receive a virtual consultation from the comfort of their own homes.Â
In addition to traditional braces, Farina Orthodontic Specialists uses the Invisalign® brand of clear aligners and has been designated a “Diamond Plus,” or in the top one percent of orthodontic practices in North America with Invisalign patients.
Dr. Farina also offers his own trademarked system, called ClearTech.
“It’s for minor tooth movements and relapses, like maybe if someone didn’t wear their retainer,” he says. “It’s a less expensive option than (Invisalign) , and just as effective. And we control every step of the way.”
Farina Orthodontic Specialists also gives back to the community. Dr. Farina says they are close to launching a “Million Dollar Smiles” initiative, where $1-million worth of smiles will be donated by 2023-24. Those in need and with special circumstances would be nominated and receive free dental care. Dr. Farina already has picked up the bill for a patient who lost their father and a Vietnam vet whose dream it has always been to have a great smile.
“I’ve always been very involved in the community,” he says. “I coached locally, I lived locally and I’ve always had great support from parents. It’s in our core values to help.”
In fact, Dr. Farina speaks of his practice’s Five Core Values often. The practice’s Five Core Values are:
1.) Delivering “WOW,” through service and smiles
2.) Make it simple, get it done
3.) Be present, clear and humble
4.) Encourage and embrace change
5.) One team, one family, one vision
Those core values are a big part of the reason many of his patients keep coming back to Farina Orthodontic Specialists, like Stacey White, who has been going to see Dr. Farina for roughly 10 years.
Both of Stacy’s daughters, Kathryn (now 24) and Hanna (17), got their braces from Dr. Farina. And in fact, Stacy decided to get Invisalign as well, since her teeth had shifted since her childhood braces.
“We just love how great they are with their patients,” Stacy says. “They know their stuff, and they are truly very warm and friendly. ”
While Kathryn was a patient at Dr. Farina’s Tampa Palms office, Stacy and Hanna got to experience the new office in Wesley Chapel and loved it, especially the 3D imagining.
“They really do pride themselves on looking for the next best treatment, not just because it’s cool but because it makes the experience better, faster and easier. That’s really nice.”
For appointments and more information about the Wesley Chapel office (2370 BBD Blvd., Suite A), or any of the three locations of Farina Orthodontic Specialists, call (813) 972-2929 or visit FarinaSmiles.com.
Nitya Anne could have 2,000 volunteer hours by the time she graduates high school.
It was a Sunday tradition — pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and travel to THORN Ministries in Riverview to feed the homeless.
What started in fifth-grade for Nitya Anne sparked a lifelong goal to never see another person go hungry.
“You feel like you’re doing something in the community that has a purpose,” Nitya says. “This motivates you to become a better person.”
Nitya has accumulated more than 800 volunteer hours from fund raising, tutoring and other initiatives she started. The 17-year-old junior, who lives in West Meadows but attends King High’s IB program, made a commitment in 2019 to volunteer more than 400 hours to her community. After setting proactive goals to enrich both herself and the community, she will accept a Congressional Award Gold Medal later this year.
The Congressional Award is given to individuals who complete personally challenging goals in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. The award ceremony, which is usually held in Washington D.C., will occur either over Zoom or next year, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Nitya has spent most of her volunteering career at food pantries and hospitals, with a single goal in mind: to help people. She has raised more than $3,000 in the pursuit of providing the basic necessities for individuals.
Nitya’s mother Rajani, who took her to her first volunteering event, told her daughter she should apply for the Congressional Gold Medal.
“I’m really, really proud,” Rajani says. “I hope other kids get motivated by this and do more community service.”
“No Girl Left Behind” is an initiative Nitya created after her 2016 visit to India, where she saw a lack of educational opportunities for girls in the country. When she returned home, she started fundraising at local community events by selling Indian cuisine in exchange for donations towards education in India.
“I felt like the spreading of education is really important,” Nitya says. “I started helping two girls in India by giving funds from my fund raisers and this gave them the opportunity to go and learn.”
In high school, she is an active member of her school’s Speech and Debate Club, where she created a Speech and Debate camp for middle schoolers interested in learning key public speaking techniques and participating in mock competitions.
Nitya also started a tutoring club at her high school to help students of all ages struggling in their classes due to the pandemic.
Her advisor for the Congressional Award is Jessie Peña, who also is her homeroom and English 3 teacher.
“She’s really going above and beyond,” Peña says. “It’s just about who she is and the care that she has for the homeless and for other people who are in need.”
Nitya has gained new skills as a result of her volunteer efforts, such as better time management and project planning. Peña says she asks questions and contributes her ideas more.
“She’s been growing a lot as a result of her participation in this volunteer work,” Peña says. “She’s a great example of what can happen to yourself in terms of personal growth and development by giving to others.”
Nitya plans to continue volunteering and her advisor says she will most likely have 2,000 volunteer hours completed by the time she graduates from high school.
“I want to dedicate my time to helping the community as much as possible,” Nitya says. “I feel like it’s really important to continue to volunteer, even if it’s not for an award.”
Advisor Kyle LoJacono, back row, with six of the Blue & White seniors — middle row (l.-r.)Vlada Pitner, Taryn Bartley and Payton Kenny, and front row (l.-r.) Taylor Kaliszewski, Callie Zack and Allie Massey. (Photo courtesy of Kyle LoJacono)
Callie Zack knew this past year would be a tricky one when it came to putting out Wharton High’s school newspaper, the Blue & White.
The onset of Covid-19 practically wiped out the last quarter of 2020, where journalism students generally learn page design, so many new staff members had some catching up to do. Callie’s two associate editors, Allie Massey and Taryn Bartley, would be doing e-learning while she was at school, so teamwork was paramount. And, her ability to pull it all together, as a third of the staff would be learning from home as well, was going to test her organizational skills.
However, Callie and Co. passed the test with flying colors. In May, the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) named the Blue & White the best high school newspaper in the country.
More than 90 schools entered the Senior High School category, which is judged by journalism teachers who have entered outstanding publications in the past.
The Blue & White received 960 out of a possible 1,000 points in the contest this year, the most scored by any other newspaper, earning the Wharton publication the ASPA’s highest honor, Most Outstanding High School Newspaper for 2020-21.
“Adviser Kyle LoJacono and the entire staff of the Blue & White newspaper should be congratulated on this excellent achievement,” Dr. Richard Plass, Chairman of the ASPA, told the Neighborhood News in an email.
“It was very rewarding,” says Callie, who will attend the University of Florida in Gainesville in the fall. “It was difficult to get things done this year. Trying to connect and make deadline was very weird.”
While the year was plagued by Covid-19, it wasn’t short on providing news for the four, 16-page issues the staff put out.
Callie thinks that what separated the Blue & White from its competition was its visual appearance, a new section that focused on hot topics called “The Spotlight,” great photography, a generous use of infographics and a plethora of big national stories — Covid-19, Black Lives Matter, the election, the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, that the staff localized.
“We were a complete newspaper,” Callie says. “We had a staff with a lot of different strengths and we played to them. They didn’t try to be good at one thing, they tried to be good at a lot of things.”
Personally, Callie says she was most pleased with her Feb. center spread about the events of Jan. 6. “I loved writing that piece,” she says, adding that, at 960 words, it was the longest thing she had ever written.
Callie, whose sister Ashley (editor in chief) and brother Taylor (sports editor) are former Blue & White staffers, said she is happy to end her tenure, and high school career, being named the best in the country, especially considering the circumstances.
“There were so many things, like just getting cameras to kids who weren’t on campus,” Callie says. “So many things that we would have never even thought of before. But, to have the organization and skill to make it all happen, I’m just really proud of this group.”
