Raising The Curtain At The IPAC

Lauren Murray, DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), couldn’t keep the smile off her face, which was obvious by the twinkle in her eyes as she showed off the new Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC) to the media.

Standing in the middle of the state-of-the-art, 444-seat theater that is the centerpiece of the 35,000-sq.-ft. project, the new executive director of the IPAC called it her dream job to help turn the IPAC, which is located in front of Cypress Creek High on Old Pasco Rd., into one of Wesley Chapel’s true jewels.

“It’s a beautiful addition to the community,” Dr. Murray says.

Murray (photo), who PHSC lured away from her position as the music chair at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, says she has two objectives — to provide a space for the community, local schools and art and performance organizations that need space to perform and have a hunger to learn, as well as to provide programs for PHSC students who are practical and viable.

No expense was spared on creating the IPAC to achieve those goals. Because the 5.85 acres to build on was donated by Pasco County Schools (PCS), PHSC provost Dr. Kevin O’Farrell said his school was able to “pour more money into what’s happening there instead of acquiring land and preparing it for building.”

The theater will have the benefit of an orchestra pit, which allows for the best acoustics. It also features a high-tech counterweight rigging system — also known as a fly system — which should make anyone playing Peter Pan or any other high-flying character happy as the IPAC serves high school and college students from all over the county. 

Murray says she hopes to lure touring companies to the IPAC to put on quality shows. At the groundbreaking in 2019, Pasco County deputy superintendent of schools Ray Gadd raved that it would be a “full-blown, professional theater.”

From the spacious lobby to the new classrooms for dance, music, drama and multimedia, the IPAC, a joint $18-million venture between PCS and PHSC, is brightened by large windows everywhere. 

Covid delayed the opening, which was originally scheduled for fall 2020. Like many construction projects, the IPAC dealt with supply issues. The rigging system came from New York, the seats from Michigan and much of the sound equipment from California — three of the hardest-hit states during the pandemic.

However, PHSC will offer limited online classes this summer and, in the fall, will hopefully welcome students back to a full complement of classes.

PHSC will offer two programs at the IPAC. The first will be an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree, within which there will be four pathways — two in music (instrumental and vocal), one in dance and another in theater.

Second will be an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, which will focus on multimedia and digital technology and include things like web and graphic design, as well as video editing and production. It includes one lab featuring Apple computers, and another with PCs.

O’Farrell calls the new IPAC a missing link, or missing piece, for area students with an interest in fine arts. 

“A lot of people will graduate high school and have to go away because there’s nothing here locally for them,” he says. “This will allow them to continue here locally and earn that A.A. degree in a fantastic, state-of-the-art facility.” 

PHSC also has found the perfect person to lead the IPAC into its future, O’Farrell says. Murray is an accomplished oboist who has performed at New York City’s renowned Carnegie Hall. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL, a Master of Music degree from Yale University in New Haven, CT, , and her DMA from the University of North Texas in Denton. She also has taught at a number of universities, including at USF.

This, however, may be her most exciting challenge yet.

“The opportunity to come into a brand new building that someone has built and create programming from the ground up is completely unheard of,” she says. “Friends of mine who I called and told about this were like, ‘What? You’re in a brand new place that they just built?’ No one could say no to this. It’s dream job, it really is.”

Total Wine & More Coming Soon, Chicken Salad Chick Later

Finally! Total Wine & More is coming to Wesley Chapel.

When it comes to surveying our readers about what they would like to see next in Wesley Chapel or New Tampa, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods always top the list, but Total Wine & More is always pretty close behind.

Well, cheers everyone — Trader Joe’s is about to lose its toughest non-grocery competition for that most anticipated title, because Total Wine & More is on its way and opening pretty soon.

While no grand opening date has been revealed, construction is ongoing to convert the failed 24,000-sq.-ft. Earth Fare store on S.R. 56 to the area’s first Total Wine & More, or America’s Wine Superstore, as it dubs itself.

Started in 1991, Total Wine & More has more than 200 stores in 26 states, and a typical store carries more than 8,000 different wines, 2,500 beers and more than 3,000 different spirits.

 It’s been more than three years since Dilip Kanji, who was building the Hyatt Place Hotel on the north side of S.R. 56, told local business leaders at a meeting that Total Wine & More was coming to Cypress Creek Town Center North.

This may not have been the exact original plan for the store, but locals will be happy that it is finally almost here.

CHICKEN AND MORE CHICKEN: While the Zaxby’s in front of Costco just south of S.R. 56 has finally gone vertical, another chicken joint is on the way right next door.

Chicken Salad Chick will soon be  under construction in the parcel right next to Zaxby’s, according to county permitting records. A 2,665-sq.-ft. restaurant is planned.

While both restaurants serve chicken and are concentrated primarily in the south, Zaxby’s focus is on chicken wings, chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches, most of which are fried.

Chicken Salad Chick specializes in chicken salad served in varieties that include chopped pecans, cranberries and Fuji apples, to name a few.

The menu has more than a dozen different kinds of chicken salad served on bread, lettuce or atop a salad. Pimiento cheese, broccoli and grape salad and other salads also are available.

Chicken Salad Chick has nearly 200 locations in 17 states, mostly across the south, including a few in Tampa. 

Stacy Brown, a stay-at-home mom in Auburn, AL, started the business by perfecting her recipes and dropping off samples door-to-door. Demand became so great, she and husband Kevin opened their first restaurant in 2008. 

ALSO COMING: Just a few doors down from the Total Wine & More, a Badcock & More Home Furniture store is currently under construction at 25665 Sierra Center Blvd.

The long-awaited Ferman Harley Davidson also is finally ready to begin construction on it’s 37,000-sq.ft. dealership on the west side of Wesley Chapel Blvd. north of S.R. 56 and the Tapestry at Cypress Creek apartments. The new Harley dealership was approved last Nov.

With a BMW dealership under construction on S.R. 56 and ready to join other luxury car dealerships like Audi, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz already with locations in Wesley Chapel, a Harley-Davidson dealership is another feather in the cap for our area. Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is not only one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, its brand is absolutely iconic.

AND, ON S.R. 54: On S.R. 54, just west of the entrance to Saddlebrook Resort, a BayCare Medical Group office has opened in a new plaza, called Clearwater Crossings. BayCare, of course, is building a new hospital expected to open on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of S.R. 54 in 2023.

Michelle Spencer, M.D., a family medicine doctor, is the first physician to be located at the new office, and she says she sees patients 2 years old and up. 

A dental office and a restaurant (which Dr. Spencer says is rumored to possibly be a breakfast chain) also are scheduled to open in the plaza, which is nearing completion. 

For more information about BayCare Medical Group (28864 S.R. 54), call (813) 998-2870 and tell Dr. Spencer and her staff that we sent you. 

And, a little west of Clearwater Crossings in the Publix-anchored Hollybrook Plaza shopping center at the corner of BBD and S.R. 54, Banfield Pet Hospital is in the midst of a $680,000 renovation job, as it takes over the 5,500-sq.-ft. space previously occupied by Mattress1One. 

Tiger Woods-backed mini-golf concept coming to Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel continues to attract new and popular concepts. (Photo: PopStroke Facebook)

PopStroke Entertainment, a mini-golf and restaurant concept owned by golfing legend Tiger Woods and entrepreneur Greg Bartoli, is coming to Wesley Chapel’s Cypress Creek Town Center on S.R. 56.

According to the PopStroke Entertainment website, and first reported by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Wesley Chapel is just part of a major PopStroke Entertainment expansion that will also include seven new locations in across three states. In Florida, new locations also include Sarasota, Orlando and Delray Beach.

Its two current locations are located in Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers.

(Photo: PopStroke Facebook)

And these aren’t your daddy’s putt-putt golf courses. There are no windmills to hit around, just specially designed holes meant to mimic real putting on a real course. Woods and TGR Design, his award-winning design team, will be building two 18-hole putting courses — at the Fort Myers PopStroke, for example, one course is called the Cub and is more for beginners, while and the other more challenging course is called Tiger.

The courses have synthetic turfs, incorporate fairways into the design, and the primary obstacles — replacing windmills and ramps — will be the same bunkers and rough you face on a real golf course. The undulation changes will bring the course to life.

“I am very excited about our expansion plans,” Woods said in the statement on PopStroke.com. “Putting is a universal part of golf that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It has been rewarding to see the broad and diverse group of guests enjoying their experience at PopStroke, and I look forward to seeing players make those long putts in locations throughout the South and Southwest. Each new location will have a different course design and layout giving players unique putting challenges as they travel across the country.”

PopStroke was founded in 2018, and uses technology to enhance the putt putt experience. A customized app will track scores on a digital scoreboard, as well as allowing customers to order food and drinks to be delivered directly to you on the course. There will be an outdoor dining area with a full menu, a variety of craft beer and wine, ice cream, outdoor games and a playground.

The Port St. Lucie location also has three golf simulators, allowing you to play more than 200 courses worldwide.

A mini-golf course is also under construction at The Grove Entertainment Complex, next to the movie theater. It is expected to be completed this year.

Family Bonds Drive Growth At Family Of Christ

When Covid-19 first hit in March of 2020, the mad scramble was on at area schools. Administrators and teachers were harried as they looked for solutions and the Hillsborough County School Board struggled to fund solutions.

That’s when New Tampa’s Sarah Combs decided the indecision was unhealthy for her soon-to-be 3rd grader, and started exploring her options.

Right before school was set to begin this past fall, she discovered Family of Christ (FoC) Christian School, located off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Tampa Palms. It was during a visit that she says she found the school environment to be warm and welcoming, not cold and confused. She liked the idea of instilling the value of the Bible and saying the pledge of allegiance, “all the things that are missing in schools today.”

Combs says it was an easy decision.

“I think it’s the best-kept secret in New Tampa,” she says. 

Combs shares the same view as many of the parents at Family of Christ, which has a monument sign showing its entrance on BBD, just south of Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 20.

“It really is a family here,” said Catherine Walton, the school’s operations director and business manager. “We’ve had almost all of the same teachers for 17 years, and they are happy. The students are happy. I think we do a really good job here.”


Family of Christ Christian School in Tampa Palms continues to grow, and will add four more classrooms next fall and a gymnasium after that. (Photos: John C. Cotey)

The roots of the Family of Christ (FoC) Christian School were planted in 1999, when Family of Christ Lutheran Church started a popular Pre-K and kindergarten class, which would later become the church’s Child Development Center (CDC). Proceeding gradually by adding one class per year, Family of Christ grew into New Tampa’s only K-8 Christian school, offering core academic subjects like math, science and language, as well as art, music and technology courses as well.

Principal Jennifer Snow says the school isn’t overly focused on test scores, like most public schools are, but in challenging students in a wide range of subjects. 

It is more important, says Snow, to nurture students, to have parents involved in the education of their kids and provide an environment that is conducive to learning.

FoC parent Joyce Hapscher says she, “just had a feeling when we walked in the place that we were meant to be here” when she visited the school for the first time.

She says the curriculum has been challenging for her 4th and 6th grade daughters. Hapscher notes that she did check out other middle schools when her daughter was old enough.

“We toured some middle schools to do a comparison and, in the end, saw that the things our daughters had been learning were more advanced than what they would get at a different school,” Hapscher says. “We decided to stay put.”

FoC is fully accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Association (NLSA) and by the district of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. The school was recently accredited, a process it undertakes every five years.

The school also complies with and, according to its website, “exceeds the Florida Sunshine State Standards as well as the Hillsborough County Benchmarks for each grade level.” All teachers hold and maintain a Professional Educator’s Certificate.

It’s important to note that despite its Lutheran Christian roots, students of all religious denominations are welcome at FoC.

Snow, who became principal in 2005, says the school now has 175 students — many of whom started out in pre-K and have stayed through middle school — but continues to have to turn many families away due to a lack of space.

But, FoC is addressing its growth. By the start of the new school year, there will be four new learning modules added behind the school, making room for 100 more students, primarily fifth and sixth graders, as the school tries to create more classroom space in the post-Covid world.

“We don’t want to have to turn anyone away,” says Walton, who adds that half the money has already been raised for the new modules.

Walton also says the school will soon begin a fund-raising campaign to build a gymnasium in the next few years, which will serve as home for FoC’s athletic teams, provide space for recitals and other performances and host the school’s annual “Night of Knights” fund raiser. Right now, FoC has to rent space for its athletic teams from the nearby New Tampa Family YMCA for its basketball and volleyball teams, which was difficult during Covid, due to the Y’s limited access.

After the gymnasium, there are plans to add 11 more classrooms and, well down the road, there are even visions of eventually building a high school on the campus, which currently is shared by the CDC, the school and the church.

“I always said no to the idea of a high school,” Snow says, “but after seeing what Covid did and seeing the number of families that would like so much more, deep down in my heart there’s a possibility. It’s a long-range goal. This is the place it can happen.”


Safety measures like the shields above have helped Family of Christ navigate the Covid-19 pandemic seamlessly, says principal Jennifer Snow. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

While Covid hurt the CDC, dropping its enrollment from more than 100 to around a dozen students, the school retained all of its students and teachers. Snow and another teacher drew up an emergency guide, and the principal says everyone simply followed the rules.

The school purchased plastic shields to put between desks, but paid a little more so they would be “framed.” Now, when the younger students look at each other from their desks, it’s like looking through a window and doesn’t scream “germ protection” like plain floppy plastic sheets.

The school also invested in air scrubbers for its AC system.

While Covid may hopefully be getting behind us, Walton says the school will continue with its Covid regimen until an all-clear is issued by the experts.

Not only has FoC returned 99 percent of the teachers and students it had before Covid, it also held its annual Night of Knights fund raiser virtually, and raised more than $100,000. 

That is a testament, Snow says, to the strength of the families and the community at her school.

“Everybody was buying in,” she says. “I think the parents see what we do for the kids, the nurturing and making them our No. 1 priority. In return, they have been supportive, kind and loyal. We love our families.”

Dealing With Growth

With the school year winding down, FoC is preparing for its popular summer camps. Last year, Covid led to extremely restrictive camps, but Walton hopes they are able to return closer to normal this summer.

There are three summer camps offered — one for students entering 1st and 2nd grade, another for students entering 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, and a camp for students entering 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

They all begin Monday, June 7, and run five days a week from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. for eight weeks through July 30 (at a cost of $195 a week), and feature cooking and movie days and field trips to places like Urban Air Adventures, Main Event and Lettuce Lake Park.

There also is a Vacation Bible School June 21-June 2, from 9 a.m.-noon each day.

You can learn more about the camps and Family of Christ Christian School by calling (813) 558-9343 to register or to arrange a tour of the school and its campus, located at 16190 BBD Blvd. For more information, visit FOC-Knights.com.

Honesty & Integrity Make Leiva’s Jewelry Sparkle Even Brighter


Jonathan (left) and Transito Leiva have made honesty and quality workmanship the cornerstones of Leiva’s Jewelry since it opened in the New Tampa Center plaza in 2012. (Photos: Charmaine George) 

There are a number of jewelry stores where Pebble Creek resident Larry Savage can bring in a watch to be repaired, or to buy a nice bracelet or ring for his girlfriend.

However, he says, there really is only one place he trusts for those things — Leiva’s Jewelry.

Located a few doors down from the Publix in the New Tampa Center plaza at the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and New Tampa Blvd., Jonathan Leiva and his father Transito have run Leiva’s Jewelry since 2012, and have developed a large base of loyal customers who enjoy the Leivas’ friendly and honest approach.

“I’ve always been a champion of him and his business,” says Savage, who refers to Jonathan as Johnny. “Ever since I started going there, I feel like I am talked to in a straight manner and with honesty. That’s a big deal to me.”

Transito, who goes mostly by just “Leiva,” has been a master jeweler for more than 40 years, often bringing Jonathan along to work and showing him the ropes. 

“That’s when I fell in love with the business,” Jonathan says.

At Leiva’s Jewelry, a wide selection of jewelry is offered, as well as a number of services for those who already own pieces, like repairing expensive watches or custom designs of family heirlooms.

Custom jewelry is a big part of Leiva’s Jewelry’s business. Jonathan and Transito can help design something for you or, if you have a design in mind, they can make it a reality. They use computer-aided design (CAD) to help create 2D or 3D models that allows customers to view their jewelry designs before they are created.

“If you have an idea to design something, we can do it,” Jonathan says.

Because jewelry, especially heirloom pieces, have such sentimental value, some customers like to have them converted into something more current or meaningful that they can wear. A gemstone in an outdated piece of jewelry also can be re-featured in a newer, more modern-looking ring, or converted into a pendant to be worn around the neck, as an example. 

Even old engagement and wedding rings can be transformed into shiny new pieces, altered and refurbished for a new look or simply resized.

“Jewelry is usually very sentimental, so whether you’re getting it repaired or making something different from it, it’s important it’s done right,” Jonathan says. “Everyone has that special necklace or special ring.”

Don’t Forget Mom!

And, if they don’t, Mother’s Day is the perfect time to pick up something special for those looking for a gift for their wife or mom. Next to Christmas, Jonathan says Mother’s Day is the biggest holiday for jewelry buying. And, while most jewelry stores seem to have one price range — expensive! — Leiva’s Jewelry offers both pricey and more affordable options, and everything in between. 

Jonathan showed some of his favorite pieces as Mother’s Day suggestions, including a custom opal and diamond pendant (top middle) and a sapphire and diamond ring (bottom left).

Each piece is set in 14 karat gold.

The Leivas just about do it all. They can check the stones on any ring to make sure they are still secure, adjust a watch, clean jewelry and they will even buy any gold and silver you might be looking to get rid of, offering cash.

Being family-owned and a small business, Leiva’s Jewelry thrives on trust. Not only do customers want honest prices and recommendations, but when they are dropping off thousands of dollars worth of items to be repaired or something special and irreplaceable, they want peace of mind. It’s not a responsibility Jonathan takes lightly.

He says the ability to deliver on that trust is why his customer base continues to grow and Leiva’s customers keep coming back. Sometimes, something as simple as changing a battery in a watch for half the price of other places can be enough to earn a customer for life. Watch repairs — new batteries, replacing links, etc. — are a big part of what the Leivas do and are often the gateway to new lifelong Leiva’s customers.

“We have a pretty loyal following,” Jonathan says. “We have people that have been coming here for a while. Sometimes, they just stop by to say hi.”

Savage is one of those regulars. He has a horror story for practically every watch repair he has taken elsewhere, including one time when he says his 1966 Rolex GMT was mined for parts by a jeweler who was supposed to be doing a repair, and another time he got the run-around on repairing the bracelet on a different watch that was still under warranty.

Since discovering Leiva’s Jewelry, Savage says he has left those annoyances behind. Not only does he get his watches repaired there, but it is now where he makes all of his jewelry purchases.

“The repairs I have done there are always done quickly and with excellent quality,” Savage says. “It’s the honesty and integrity that I care most about. When I walk in, I know I’m going to be dealt with in a respectful manner. I’m tired of the way the bigger chains do things.”

Leiva’s Jewelry is located at 19020 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the New Tampa Center. You can reach them at (813) 972-0417 or online at LeivasJewelry.com.