Don’t Miss Nutrition Smart’s Customer Appreciation Day — Saturday, October 24!

Vendor demonstrations (below right) and special deals (above left) are both part of Customer Appreciation Days at Nutrition Smart on BBD. 

Even with Whole Foods now under construction less than a half-mile further south on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., I will continue to shop at Nutrition Smart — which opened in Wesley Chapel in 2008. All of the produce is organic and not really higher priced than Publix — and definitely less expensive than Whole Foods. 


The store has great selections of healthy eggs (below left) and grass-fed beef (right), as well as bulk products like healthy pumpkin seeds & popcorn, plus coffee & much more.

i heart bees raw honey (below right), Sami’s Bakery breads (below left) & Ice Cream for Bears (Below) are just some of the healthier products at Nutrition Smart.  

There’s bulk coffee and healthy nuts, seeds, popcorn and more. There’s raw milk, grass-fed beef, top-quality eggs and a huge variety of the most popular brands of healthy dark chocolate (and thankfully for me, quality milk chocolate, too, even though I know it has none of the health benefits of dark chocolate). There’s even Ice Cream for Bears, which is made only with honey (get it?) instead of sugar. 

Sami’s Bakery breads

Throughout the store, one of only two in Florida (the other is in Pembroke Pines near Hollywood), there are items marked as “Flocal,” as in “Florida Local,” meaning the products are grown or made right here in the Sunshine State. 

Among those Flocal options is Sami’s Bakery bread, which is made in Temple Terrace and has gluten-free, high-fiber and low-carb breads that actually are delicious. There’s also i heart bees raw, unfiltered Florida honey that is grown across the state and is packaged in BPA-free pouches. 

And, store manager Fausto Soriano and health & beauty care and wellness manager Joe Geier, who took photographer Charmaine George and me on another tour of the store, are proud that Nutrition Smart has “the largest selection of vitamins and supplements in this area,” according to Joe. Both are well aware of every health trend, including the fact that so many people are taking GLP-1 medications to help with weight loss these days that they are turning to supplements like creatine to help build back muscle mass that also is lost when GLP-1s like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are taken, especially long-term. 

Also extremely popular right now are collagen peptides (like the Florida-based Healthy Living Proteins brand shown right), which help improve skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, provide joint and bone density support and also can help with muscle mass when combined with resistance training. 

“And, best of all,” Fausto says, “the people we have on the floor are all extremely knowledgeable about what we sell. If there’s something you need, they’ll ask the right questions to help you choose the best option for you.” 

Divine Leaf Vegan is A Hit! 

The popular Divine Leaf Vegan café inside Nutrition Smart make a The Beyond Patty Melt that is truly…divine.

“We used to run the juice bar in the back of the store ourselves,” Fausto says. “But, not only was our tenant the Divine Leaf Vegan Café the first vegan restaurant in Wesley Chapel, serving delicious sandwiches (like the Beyond Patty Melt on the next page), it also makes amazing healthy smoothies.” This month’s special is the Harvest Moon Smoothie, which is made with apples, mangoes, cashews, dates, blue agave nectar, house-made caramel sauce, cinnamon and Garden of Life turmeric booster. It literally tastes like a caramel apple. 

Customer Appreciation Day-Oct. 24! 

One of the best days of the year to give Nutrition Smart a try is its annual Customer Appreciation Day, which takes place this year on Saturday, October 24. It’s a full day of fun, education and savings that includes FREE goodie bags, starting at 8 a.m. — while supplies last — and FREE samples and vendor demos throughout the entire day. There also are free raffles — and you don’t have to be present to win. Raffle prize winners will be contacted via text the following Monday. There also will be a live DJ on-site from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and much more. 

“A lot of people do find us on Customer Appreciation Days,” Fausto says. “Once we get them in the store, they usually always come back.” 

And, although I first found Nutrition Smart before it opened as Wesley Chapel’s first — and for now, still the only — “green” grocery store, I also keep coming back for its excellent produce, Jannah’s favorite spearmint tea and Sami’s Bakery bread, plus two of my favorite healthy cookies (I’m partial right now to the chewy Alyssa’s Healthy Oatmeal Bites) and more. 

For more info about Nutrition Smart (1821 BBD), call (813) 341-4444 or visit NutritionSmart.com. See the ad below for a coupon that gives you 20% off purchases of $75 or more & 10% off purchases of less than $75. 

All of Nutrition Smart’s produce is organic.

‘Dad Skool’ Providing Support — And Some Fun — For Local Fathers

The Dad Skool group enjoyed a “Dads Not Working Happy Hour” at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Sept. 15. 

Jason Centeno saw a problem impacting local fathers. Under the relentless grind of work and parenting, he saw many fathers who let their mental and physical health slip, while others simply lost the time to build meaningful friendships. As a retired firefighter originally from Philadelphia and a father of six himself, Jason knew these challenges all too well. 

“Fathers work, fathers provide,” he said at the Dad Skool’s Sept. 4 get-together at the Grand Oak Clubhouse in Jason’s Live Oak Preserve neighborhood off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. “They put themselves last. They have a lot of energy, but they don’t have a lot of renewal of that energy. Dads will pull up to their houses after work and sit in their cars and wait before they go in to collect themselves because they know they’re about to go into their second jobs.” 

Jason started wondering, “What is there for dads? How do they get their batteries recharged?” 

This inspired him a few years ago to begin reaching out to his neighboring dads in Live Oak Preserve, pitching the idea of doing a big street party in his cul-de-sac the day before Father’s Day. He put up water slides and had some party games so dads could blow off steam. This started a tradition in the neighborhood that eventually materialized into a larger Father’s Day event this year — with more than 300 people attending. 

After the success of those events, Jason realized that dads needed more than just an annual party — they needed a dedicated community that would allow them to connect and share stories, swap advice and access real resources. 

Jason says that this idea had already been smoldering in his mind, but the real spark came when his friend Michael Paskas called him up one day to attend a preview screening of the movie “Nobody 2.” Michael had already been running similar gatherings with dads in other parts of the Tampa Bay area and wanted to bounce ideas off of Jason about how they could formalize a “Dad Community” that they both believed the area desperately needed. 

Jason Centeno, the New Tampa resident who founded the “Dad Skool” group, explains Hugh the crash dummy’s role to the group at the Sept. 4 Dads Next Door Club meeting at Live Oak Preserve. 

This first “bro date,” as Jason describes it, served as the catalyst to launch “Dad Skool” in April 2026. The organization that started from just a handful of guys in the Live Oak neighborhood now boasts a membership of nearly 120 dads from New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, and has hosted a number of events, including their “Dad Next Door Club” monthly meetups, a movie night for dads and their families and a Labor Day BBQ. 

“I’m gonna treat this like the (2003) movie ‘Old School’ (starring Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn),” Jason says. “That movie was kinda the inspiration for all this. I’m just going to try to do all that for dads. I look at it like, what would it look like if we had a ‘fraternity’ of fatherhood?” 

And, like any college fraternity, Jason says that while from the outside, it may look like it’s just a bunch of guys having fun and partying, he says Dad Skool is really much more than that. 

“I say it’s a party in the front, business in the back,” Jason says, adding that he views it as a critical way for dads to meet up with other dads who are dealing with the same stressors — work, finances, marriage and kids — to give them all an outlet to vent and get advice from other dads. 

This reporter had the opportunity to attend the Sept. 4 “Dad Next Door Club” event at Live Oak Preserve. 

Guys started to trickle in with their beverage of choice while Jason was stacking up pizzas on a counter. Comedian Dave Chappelle was on the TV and a poker table was set up. In a corner, sitting in a chair, was a crash test dummy named Hugh with the words “You Here” on his chest. 

“[Hugh] is the stand-in for every person who doesn’t show up to one of our events,” Jason explained. “If you missed it, it could have been you. So, Hugh is sitting there, taking these drinks in your honor.” 

As the room filled up, Jason got everyone around to ask the roughly 15 dads in attendance about their “wins” this week. One dad announced a new business he had just started. Another joked that he won $300 in Las Vegas. Another announced he was being deployed the next day, prompting a round of applause and support for his safe return home. 

Jason then gave the floor to Miguel DeLeon, the founder of the Dads Figure It Out Foundation (which we reported about last issue), to talk about his Game Day Experience program that seeks to help families facing financial or other life challenges experience a sporting event. 

Jason even congratulated me about being a new dad myself to a five-month-old. The “party in the front, business in the back” moniker was on full display as these dads joked around, highlighted their successes and gave each other actual advice regarding issues many of them are facing. 

“This is very simple,” said Jay Colley, Jason’s neighbor and one of the earliest supporters of Dad Skool. “It’s a community for dads, in a world where there aren’t enough (supportive) communities for us.” 

Jason believes that his mission to connect dads can be expanded and replicated throughout Tampa Bay. He says he’s not interested in getting any credit — he just wants to put the focus on his fellow dads and help them connect and build relationships in their respective parenting journeys. 

“I’m just putting together people with other people,” he says. “Similar to P.T. Barnum, I’m just the ringmaster and these guys are the show.” He adds that he hopes as this program grows, it can expand to reach more dads and provide additional resources, such as financial support to help uplift men who are homeless. 

If you’re a dad interested in learning more about Dad Skool, visit DadSkool.org or find the group on Instagram or Facebook @dadsoftampaskool. 

Luis Viera Column — Thank You For Ten Wonderful Years As Your City Councilman!

By Luis Viera 

District 7, Tampa City Council 

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (Photo by Charmaine George)

I always love to update my constituents on what is happening in the City of Tampa, especially in New Tampa’s District 7. 

Saying Goodbye To District 7 

Speaking of my district, I only have a few more weeks as your Tampa City Councilman. 

I began this journey in Nov. 2016 and it will end at midnight on November 2. The October 22 City Council meeting will be my last. After that, I will no longer be your Councilman. 

Words can not express my heartfelt gratitude for the welcome and the many life experiences I have gotten from District 7. 

I think of so many meaningful moments — not those on camera or on a stage, but little things. I think of the New Tampa immigrant families who are part of the American Dream – families from India, Syria, Venezuela, etc. Every time I meet one, I ask them about their journey to America and it touches me. 

I think of the pain every time I talked to a North Tampa family that got flooded after Hurricane Milton in 2024, and the little caustic details of their stories. 

I think of my first Town Hall in Tampa Palms, where I met my now good friends Tracy and Steve Falkowitz. I think of getting to know New Tampa residents like Auschwitz survivor Nat Ross, decorated combat World War II veteran and Buffalo Soldier Roy Caldwood and General Remo Butler — the first Black officer in the Special Forces to become Brigadier General. 

Perhaps the biggest part of public office is sharing from your heart and seeing people that society does not see, but that you see because of your own experience. For me, that always has been people with disabilities. No experience better defined my life growing up because of my brother Juan. I grew up going to Special Olympics and special education ministry meetings and to special needs dances where people danced to Village People songs. I also grew up seeing parents working harder than anyone should have to and feeling that they and their kids were not seen. Working in this space has meant a lot. 

So, I write to say thank you, District 7, from my heart. I also have some final updates for the people of New Tampa, where I live. 

K-Bar Ranch 

Last year, I secured about $750,000 in the City of Tampa’s budget to design the nearly-60- acre K-Bar Ranch park. This year, I secured in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) about $8 million for construction of this park, which should begin construction in 2028. 

There will be community input to help with the design of the park. Your first opportunity to share your opinions about the facilities you feel should be included in this park will be held on Thursday, October 15, during a community meeting. As of the writing of this column, we do not have a location yet for that meeting, but one will be provided soon (and I’m sure the Neighborhood News will post online about it as soon as the location and the time of that meeting are announced). Feel free to email me at luis.viera@tampagov.net for questions. 

North of Cross Creek Blvd., there are no city parks. This investment — part of almost $20 million in 33647 parks funding I helped secure since 2016 — remedies this for you. 

Remaining New Tampa Priorities 

There are things I am still working on in my final weeks on City Council that I still want. I am working on getting the funds necessary to repave the rest of Tampa Palms Blvd. in our budget. I also am working with the Rays for inclusion of funds for a New Tampa Police substation presence in the “Community Benefits & Legacy Plan” between the team, Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa. And, frustration over Morris Bridge Rd. (a county road) is something I, like you, feel and experience, although I don’t know how or when this roadway will be improved. 

Improved emergency and fire rescue times for K-Bar Ranch remains my biggest frustration. Yes, I have secured three new City of Tampa Fire Rescue Dept. (TFR) stations for New and North Tampa since I assumed office. 

But, I still want a fire station dedicated for K-Bar Ranch. Unfortunately, we currently do not have the necessary buy-in for this from downtown. But, within 45 days or so, the “cut through” from Morris Bridge Rd. into K-Bar Ranch should be opening, which will significantly reduce K-Bar and Easton Park response times from TFR Station No. 22 on Cross Creek Blvd. near Morris Bridge Rd. This is a good step for now — but a station located in K-Bar is still needed — and hopefully, inevitable. 

District 7 2027 City Council Race 

New Tampa is the Alaska of Tampa. When you represent this area on City Council, you have to fight harder, bang the podium a little harder and talk a little louder. And, New Tampa still needs a fighter. We have good people who have filed to run for this office who are already working hard — putting in the hard work. 

Although my fellow City Council members will choose someone to fill my seat for the four+ months between when I leave office in November and the City of Tampa’s Municipal Election in March of 2027, when you will help elect a replacement for me, I hope you will choose the candidate you believe is sincere and will work hard for you. Pick someone who has been putting in the hard work to earn your trust — not only the trust of other politicians. 

Thanks as always, New Tampa. 

Here’s Another Chance To Win Up To $200 In FREE Dining!

Our 2026 Reader Dining Survey & Contest continues in this issue, with FIVE more chances to win up to $200 in FREE dining at the restaurant of your choice anywhere in the Tampa Bay area! 

All we’re asking you to do in this issue to win FREE dining is the following: 

1) Tell us your FIVE (5) Favorite Restaurants located in Wesley Chapel (WC) — in zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545, plus locations on Wesley Chapel Blvd. & S.R. 54 in Lutz between WC Blvd. & Oak Grove Blvd. Please do NOT include ANY restaurants located in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code on the WC entry form HERE. 

2) For another chance to win, tell us your FIVE (5) Favorite Restaurants located in New Tampa (NT) — in zip code 33647, plus locations on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and E. Bearss Ave. from BBD west to Livingston Ave. in zip code 33613. Please do NOT include ANY restaurants located in Wesley Chapel’s three zip codes on the NT entry form HERE. 

3) For yet another chance to win, tell us your Favorite Pizza Place AND your Favorite Latin (but NOT Mexican) Restaurant in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel on the entry form HERE. 

4) And for still one more chance to win, tell us your Favorite Thai restaurant AND your Favorite Indian Restaurant in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel on the entry form HERE. 

5) And finally, tell us your Favorite Burger & Favorite Mexican Restaurant on the entry form HERE. 

You’ll receive one entry into our random drawings to win up to $200 in FREE dining at the restaurant of your choice located anywhere in the Tampa Bay area for each correctly-filled-out entry form you complete! 

HERE ARE OUR OTHER RULES! 

1) DO NOT write the name of your one favorite place in WC or NT in more than one Top-5 space on their respective entry forms. Even its first-place vote will NOT count. 

2) In order for your votes to count and help your favorite restaurants, you must include your real first AND last name, the community you live in (Cross Creek, Lake Forest, etc.), your daytime phone number where I can reach you (which I will only call if your name is selected to win a prize) and your valid email address. 

3) This year’s FREE dining prizes include the Grand Prize of $200, as well as prizes of $100, $75, $50 & $25. — GN 

Laughter Takes Center Stage With WCTG’s ‘The Odd Couple’ (Female Version)

Special to the Neighborhood News 

The cast of the Wesley Chapel Theater Group’s “The Odd Couple (Female Version) includes (seated, l.-r.) Jacob Guardado, Samantha Grahn, Allison Duque, Mackenzie Elliott, Jay Davis (standing, l.-r.) Janine Quarles Adkins, Leanne Green & Kelsey Mars. (Photos provided by Wesley Chapel Theater Group)

The familiar story of mismatched roommates gets a fresh perspective the weekend of October 17-18 when the Wesley Chapel Theater Group presents Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” (Female Version), directed by David Sparano. 

The female version of Simon’s comedy follows Florence Unger and Olive Madison, two women whose personalities and approaches to everyday life could hardly be more different. When Florence, recently separated from her husband, moves in with Olive, the contrast between the meticulous Florence and the carefree Olive quickly leads to a series of hilarious situations. 

The directors of “The Odd Couple” include assistant director Aline Huttie (left), director David Sparano (right) & stage manager Angelica Chirino (not pictured).

As their friendship is tested by the realities of sharing a home, audiences are treated to Simon’s trademark combination of sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and everyday situations that can turn into anything but ordinary. 

The local production features Samantha Grahn as Olive Madison and Allison Duque as Florence Unger, with Janine Quarles Adkins as Mickey, Kelsey Mars as Sylvie, Mackenzie Elliott as Renee, and Leanne Green as Vera. Rounding out the cast are Jacob Guardado as Manolo Costazuela and Jay Davis as Manolo’s brother Jesus Costazuela. 

While “The Odd Couple” (Female Version) is filled with laughs, the story also explores the importance of friendship and the unexpected ways people can become part of one another’s lives. The result is a comedy that remains relatable decades after Simon first introduced audiences to the world of “The Odd Couple.” 

The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, a local nonprofit community theater troupe, continues its mission of bringing live performing arts to the community through productions featuring local performers and volunteers. Each production is made possible through the combined efforts of actors, directors, backstage crews and community supporters. 

The production of “The Odd Couple” (Female Version) will take the stage at the Zephyrhills Lions Club (5827 Dean Dairy Rd., Zephyrhills 33541). Performances are scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m. 

Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors and are available online at WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org. For additional information, scan the QR code in the ad below or visit WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org.