Nibbles and Bytes

Irish31 in Hyde Park.

Irish 31 & Noble Crust Still On The Way, But…

It seems like new dining options are opening near the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) almost every day (e.g., signs for the previously announced Wendy’s and Taco Bell have recently gone up across the street from TPO), but the restaurant question the most people ask me is “Are Noble Crust and Irish 31 still coming to the Shops at Wiregrass?”

Irish31 in Hyde Park.
Irish31 in Hyde Park.

The answer is a resounding “yes,” but neither restaurant looks like it will be ready to open by the end of this month, which was the last thing I heard from Noble Crust Wesley Chapel GM Will Perez and founder TJ Theilbar a couple of weeks ago.

Even so, Irish 31, which has existing locations in Westchase, Westshore, at Amalie Arena and Hyde Park Village, all in Tampa, will open its first Pinellas County location on Clearwater Beach and its first Pasco location at Wiregrass, hopefully sometime in July.

We told you about Irish 31, which is owned by former USF football star Jay Mize, before any other news medium, back in January 2016. The Irish 31 at Wiregrass will be 2,800 sq. ft. and will feature the same great chef-inspired cuisine (like the delicious grilled chicken ploughman’s salad above left) as the other Irish 31 locations.

Visit Irish31.com for more details.

Meanwhile, Noble Crust, which had a widely viewed WCNT-tv episode following its second place People’s Choice award at the Taste of New Tampa, has a 4th St. in St. Petersburg location that continues to impress me with its array of delicious Italian cuisine with a southern twist, like the bucatini pasta with beef, lamb and pork meatballs pictured above center. Just get it open, guys!

For more info, visit Noble-Crust.com.

Taco Son Opens On 54!

Anytime you can offer big servings of good food at a fair price, you have a potential formula for success. One new restaurant that seems to have solved this equation is the third location of Taco Son, which has existing locations in St. Pete and on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace, and is now open in the Freedom Plaza (next to Grey Wolf Armory; see ad on pg. 37) at 30056 S.R. 54.

Owner Raymond Rodriguez is an extremely personable, hands-on owner and he knows how to give his customers authentic Mexican fare and very fair value for their money, like the two-taco combination plate (with rice and beans; left) for just $7.99. The place has been packed for lunch and dinner every day since it opened in May and the customers all seem very happy.

Check out Taco Son and tell Raymond and his crew that you read about them in the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! For info, call (813) 528-8892 or visit TacoSonMexicanGrill.com.

The Chamber Stays Busy

If you think the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) is going to slow its roll anytime soon, guess again.

With the frenetic pace of construction in our area, especially here in “the Chap,” even if the summer schedule is a little less full than it has been the last month for the WCCC, there will still be plenty for Chamber business members — and the community — to do during what looks to be a long, hot summer.

In May, the Chamber has held its Monthly Business Breakfast on May 2, where Pasco Hernando State College VP of Academic Affairs & College Provost Dr. Stanley Giannet was the featured speaker. Dr. Stan, who used to be the Provost at the PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, is always a dynamic speaker and he and the faculty and staff of PHSC have a lot to look forward to, including the future expansion of the Porter Campus.

The Chamber also hosted an unfortunately controversial ribbon cutting for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ new office inside the chamber office. There also was another well-attended Coffee Social at Buttermilk Provisions, the Audi Wesley Chapel groundbreaking (see page 11), ribbon-cutting ceremonies on May 24 at the new Axiom Bank inside the Walmart on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa and at the beautiful, new Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa North-Wesley Chapel (see below). There also was an outstanding Economic Development Briefing from Wiregrass Sports Complex at Pasco County developer RADDSPORTS (see story on page 6), and another fun Final Friday networking social at Glory Days Grill in New Tampa on May 26.

I also wanted to give a special shout-out to the folks at the new Holiday Inn Express, which hosted one of the best Grand Opening  events I’ve attended, with delicious food from Puff ‘n Stuff Catering and lots of great giveaways, as well as tours of this beautiful, new hotel located adjacent to Florida Hospital Center Ice.

This month, you can attend another Monthly Business Breakfast at PHSC on Tuesday, June 6, where the Chamber will debut its new “Explore Wesley Chapel New Tampa” video; a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 8, at The Joint Chiropractic in New Tampa; another free Coffee Social at Buttermilk Provisions on BBD in Wesley Chapel on Tuesday, June 20; another Economic Development Briefing at the Pebble Creek Golf Club on Thursday, June 22, featuring representatives of the under-construction Lexus of Wesley Chapel; a ribbon cutting and family field day at Pioneer Museum in Dade City on Saturday, June 24; and another Final Friday networking social, at Pinot’s Palette in the Shoppes of New Tampa at Wesley Chapel plaza (next to Office Depot), off BBD.

Please note that not all Chamber events are free, although most are open to the public. For info (including all start times for these events), call (813) 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Democracy In Action At Bilirakis’ New Office; Plus, Congrats, Bartell Family!

So, I saw democracy in action about three weeks ago and it made me smile. Unfortunately, the people who saw me smiling thought I was laughing at them, but I wasn’t, even though some of what was happening did make quite a few people who were on hand to see it laugh, even if a little uncomfortably, and others, maybe a little afraid.

I was just doing my job — covering the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Congressman Gus Bilirakis’ new office at the Chamber office in The Grove plaza in Wesley Chapel on May 9 — when an obviously organized protest with about 25 people holding signs basically blocked the Chamber’s front door.

Thankfully, it was a peaceful protest…those holding the signs and chanting certainly did not keep anyone who was there to celebrate the ribbon cutting from going in. On the other hand, several attendees mentioned that they were happy a deputy from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) was on hand to ensure that peace was maintained.

It seemed, from the signs and the chanting going on, that most of the protesters weren’t happy that Rep. Bilirakis voted for what the Congressman called the ‘first phase’ of the bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. I understood why some people were upset with that. What surprised me were the sign-holders who claimed that Bilirakis didn’t support veterans health care.

That really surprised me because, as long as I’ve known Gus (who is the senior Republican on House Committee for Veterans Affairs) veterans’ issues have always been at the top of his agenda, even though Rep. Bilirakis’ last challenger for his District 12 Congressional seat,  Democrat Robert Tager, consistently tried, unsuccessfully, to show that Bilirakis wasn’t the supporter of U.S. vets that he claims to be.

But, what shocked me the most that afternoon was that Rep. Bilirakis didn’t in any way try to insulate himself from the obviously angry crowd. To the contrary, as soon as his ribbon cutting (which was held inside the Chamber office) was over, the Congressman first stepped outside to address those who were unhappy with him. He answered several questions, with people chanting in his face, and invited the protestors inside, 5 or 6 at a time, so he could address their criticisms and concerns as individually and completely as time — and his protesting constituents themselves — would allow.

As a long-time non-politico in a too-political world whose job it has been to cover more politicians and elections than I ever thought possible, there’s no doubt I was smiling as I witnessed democracy in action months removed from any election. Whether you were on the side of those laying on the concrete, chanting and holding signs, or the U.S. Congressman who gave every one of those antagonists the opportunity to be heard by an elected official they supposedly hated, if that tableau didn’t make you proud to be an American, then you’re very different than I am.

“Rep. Bilirakis, I have disagreed with every vote you’ve made since you took office.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Were you in favor of or against the federal budget this year?”

“Against, why?’

“Because I voted against it, too. Maybe we don’t always disagree on every issue?”

“Then yes, maybe that is true.”

Ahhh, democracy. Ya gotta love it!

Congrats To The Bartells

Congratulations go out to my friend Paul Bartell, his wife Jamie and their son James, as the Sean Bartell Foundation held its second annual spaghetti dinner, held a WCCC ribbon cutting and gave away its 10th $1,000 to Wesley Chapel High grad ((and future WCNT-tv contributor) Chase Oknefski from the proceeds from the Foundation’s previous events. The dinner, donated by Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering (see ad on page 40) at the Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel Fellowship Hall on S.R. 54, attracted more than 100 people, served as the official launch of the Foundation, which is why a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held.

I’ve seen the effort the Bartell family has put into the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for many years. Now that Paul is focusing more of his “free time” on the nonprofit named for James’ brother Sean (who lost his battle with a rare skin condition in 2014), watch out!

BCC Again Pushes Back Vote On Fate Of Quail Hollow Golf Course

The red-shaded area is where new homes could replace the golf course in Quail Hollow.

Lingering concerns about whether or not the property rights of Quail Hollow residents are being considered strongly enough is giving some Pasco County commissioners fits.

At a contentious Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting on May 9 at the historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, commissioners once again failed to come to a consensus on whether to vote to approve Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club owner Andres Carollo’s request to rezone his property.

Instead of making a decision, the BCC voted 3-2 to continue the issue, until June 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Dade City.

Carollo and his Pasco Office Park LLC is seeking to change the zoning of his golf course property to MPUD, allowing him to raze the course and clubhouse and pave the way for 400 single-family homes, including 30,000-sq.-ft. of office and retail space and a 10,000-sq.-ft. daycare center.

Carollo already has a R1 zoning, which means he already can build a maximum of 306 homes on the golf course located at 6225 Old Pasco Rd if he chooses to.

“I’m not comfortable pushing this,’’ District 5 commissioner Jack Mariano told his fellow commissioners.

District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, who represents parts of Wesley Chapel, including the Quail Hollow area, and District 4 commissioner Mike Wells, voted with Mariano to continue the decision until June 6.

While acknowledging Carollo’s property rights, “I have concerns for the residents too,’’ Moore said. “It’s tough. Many of them were sold a golf course-front property, and when I met with them I saw titles that were signed by the applicant (Carollo). I saw the paperwork. It still concerns me.”

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, who is representing Pasco Office Park LLC, said her client deserved a decision, after four meetings and “countless” good faith changes to his original plan.

Wilhite argued that her client has gone back and made a number of modifications to the original plans to appease the residents and the county, but, “it is never enough.” She cited agreeing to a binding conceptual plan, traffic changes to improve safety and stormwater facilities to handle a 100-year storm (or a storm with a one-percent probability of occurring), when the county requires only 25 years.

Since the last hearing, Wilhite says Carollo has agreed to a very strict regulatory program in regards to offsite discharges, and agreed to hire an independent certified inspector to monitor stormwater erosion and sediment control both for pre-construction and during construction, at a notable cost.

“We have met conditions that far exceed your code,’’ Wilhite said.

When Mariano suggested a continuance to allow more time for Quail Hollow homeowners and Wilhite’s team to negotiate and work things out, Wilhite implored the BCC to vote. “I know what the (residents’) agenda is,’’ she said. “You heard them come here and object to conditions that anybody else that doesn’t want to stop a project would agree to. They want you to stop the project.”

Commissioners Kathryn Starkey of District 3 and Ron Oakley, whose District 1 borders Quail Hollow, voted against a continuance, saying they were on board with Wilhite’s request for a vote.

Both commissioners said they were in favor of the plan put forward by Carollo, because they are proponents of the rights of a property owner. Starkey said the adjustments made to the original plan made the current version “100 times” better.

“The fact is, these golf courses are going defunct everywhere…something has to be done with them and this gentlemen has property rights and I am definitely a property rights person,’’ Starkey said. “They have done as much as they can to negate the worst conditions.”

Dozens of Quail Hollow residents again packed the room for the meeting. A handful spoke -— including Sarasota-based attorney Maureen Jones, who is representing the Quail Hollow Neighborhood Citizens Group Inc. Those who did speak were often admonished by Moore and Pasco County attorney Jeff Steinsnyder for straying from the allowed topics — the four conditions related to pollution and run-off during construction that had been added to the development plan since the last meeting in April.

The June 6 meeting could bring to an end the long process of rezoning QHGCC, which was built in 1965 and despite closing from 2008-10, was bought for $1.7-million by Carollo and refurbished and re-opened.

In Jan. of 2016, the first rezoning request was filed by Carollo, and since then dozens of changes have been made to it.

This year alone, four meetings have been held regarding Carollo’s request to re-zone. On Jan. 12, a public hearing was held in Dade City, as the county’s Development Review Committee (DRC) heard from dozens of concerned Quail Hollow residents. The DRC continued that meeting to March, where it voted 4-1 to approve the zoning change.

That sent it to the BCC for final approval, but meetings in April and May both ended with continuances.

Mariano applauded Wilhite and her team’s efforts to get the rezoning approved. “This is the last hurdle,’’ he told her.

Infinite Edge Learning Center can boost your test scores

Korosh (left) and Ozra Jabbari invite your children to join the ever-growing roster of students they help do their best in school at the Infinite Edge Learning Center in Tampa Palms.

For college-bound high school students, SAT and ACT scores may mean the difference between attending the college of their dreams and bitter disappointment. At Infinite Edge Learning Center, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center (off Commerce Park Blvd.), owner Ozra Jabbari and her staff of educators work with New Tampa students to be sure they’re poised to do their best on these important tests.

But, preparing for college entrance exams isn’t the only studying and tutoring happening at Infinite Edge.

“We help students in every class and every subject,” says Ozra. From elementary school to challenging college-level classes, tutors who are professional teachers and even college professors are matched to students who need help catching up or want to push ahead in any and all subjects. “If a student tells me they need help in a subject, I find a qualified teacher to help them.”

Just some of the courses they have helped students with include all levels of mathematics, language development and enrichment, general science, chemistry, reading, foreign languages, and all Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

The center also accommodates many different student needs. For example, a summer enrichment program helps students who don’t have time for tutoring during the school year to get ahead for the following school year. Those whose first language is something other than English also can get help with language improvement. Infinite Edge tutors also help students who are serious athletes or musicians who can’t be in school full time. After-school care is even available to some students from Chiles and Tampa Palms elementaries. “When their parents get off work, they’ve had their snack and their homework is done,” Ozra says.

No matter why a student comes to Infinite Edge, Ozra promises that, “Our curriculum is individualized. We don’t have one curriculum for every student or every subject. For each student who comes to us, we design a program for their specific needs. We continually assess each child and help them improve to reach a higher level.”

Ozra and her late husband Sobi opened Infinite Edge Learning Center in 2007. Sobi passed away last fall after a battle with throat cancer, and Ozra is keeping his legacy alive by continuing to provide the superior services that have always been offered at Infinite Edge to the students Sobi cared so much about.

“Sobi touched so many lives,” Ozra says. “His funeral was held on a rainy day last August and there were at least 45 students who attended, from Freedom and King high schools, and former Infinite Edge students from USF, UF, and UCF.”

The family has lived in Tampa Palms for more than 20 years. Their daughter, Farush, is a sophomore at nearby Freedom High. Their son, Korosh, is currently in the USF Honors College combined B.S./M.D. program, where he will earn both a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degree in no more than seven years. He also is a full-time tutor at Infinite Edge.

Home Of The Perfect Score!

“Every time we have students take the SAT and ACT, we have at least one perfect score,” says Ozra. “We give students the materials to prepare, and they work hard.”

She says this spring, about 15 Infinite Edge students took the college entrance exams, and “everyone did well.” She says one student had a perfect score on the ACT and several students had SAT scores above 1500.

Beginning last March, the SAT now has a new format. While the old SAT offered a total of 2,400 points (800 each in math, reading and writing), the new SAT is only 1,600 points, still with 800 points available in the math portion but only 800 points available for reading and writing combined.

“The new test is more difficult,” says Korosh. “It relies less on test-taking strategies, such as elimination. Students need to deeply understand concepts from classrooms and how they apply these concepts to real- life situations.”

Students who attend Infinite Edge continue to be well prepared. Ozra says that the biggest problem she sees is that many parents wait too long to think about the SAT or ACT. She says that if students haven’t begun preparing for these tests before their junior year — which is when they need to take the test in order to apply for college — they simply run out of time.

She says a full program with Infinite Edge often takes eight months to a year, and cramming doesn’t get the same results as taking your time and going through the entire program. “We recommend one-on-one, customized test preparation,” says Ozra, “but we also offer group preparation courses.” Group courses have no more than six students (usually fewer) and are a more affordable way to prepare for the tests.

And, not only does Infinite Edge help students get into college with SAT and ACT test prep, they also help students with tests they need to get into post-graduate schools and programs, such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examination)/GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

No Contracts/Great Results

One thing that sets Infinite Edge Learning Center apart from its competition is that there are no contracts. “You come as long as you need us,” explains Ozra, “and you always get personal attention.”

Ozra says that her prices are lower than other tutoring centers in the area. “In fact, we haven’t raised our prices at all in more than seven years,” she says.

Tampa Palms resident Viola Wang says she recommends Infinite Edge. “My daughter started going several months ago, and she really enjoys learning there,” Viola says. Her daughter, Megan Zheng, is a junior at King High. “They really accommodate whatever she needs.”

Viola says Megan had taken the PSAT, then started test prep with Infinite Edge to get ready for the SAT this spring. Megan just received her results and, while she doesn’t want to share her score, Viola says Megan was, “happy and surprised she got such a great score.”

Viola says Infinite Edge also helped Megan when she needed some support in math. “She did a little bit of math (tutoring) and was able to stop when she felt like she could handle it herself,” says Viola. “Ozra is so flexible and accommodating. High school juniors have such a tough schedule and Ozra is great about adjusting to her needs.”

The success of youngsters like Megan is always great news to Ozra.

“I’m very proud of my students,” Ozra says. “When it comes to the end of the year and they’re getting good grades and high test scores, it brings me happiness.”

Infinite Edge Learning Center (17419 Bridge Hill Ct.) is open Mon.-Fri., 2 p.m.–8 p.m., and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sat. Weekday morning hours are available by appointment only for students who homeschool or do online courses. For more info, visit InfiniteEdgeLearningCenter.com or call (813) 971-6500.

Racetrac close, Culver’s coming

Buying food from a gas station used to be unthinkable. But, the days of stopping in to your local convenience store for a shriveled up hot dog or to stick a frozen burrito in a microwave are over.

You can count Racetrac, including the new one getting ready to open on the southeast corner of BBD and Cypress Preserve Dr., among the convenience stores that have been evolving over the years and making food service, good coffee and even household items a staple of its business.

The new Racetrac, which is located directly across Cypress Preserve Dr. from the Chase bank and LA Fitness in Tampa Palms, is expected to be open by mid-June. It is among those gas stations putting an emphasis on making themselves into food destinations.

Wawa, located right up the road in Wesley Chapel on S.R. 56, has perfected this experience. Many mornings, there are more people sitting at red iron tables outside eating than filling their cars with gas, and the quality food has attained a cult-like status.

Racetrac, which also has a S.R. 56 location, is spending millions remodeling its stores to have extra seating and WiFi, so customers can order food and even stop in with the kids for frozen yogurt at one of the Swirl World stations — boasting 40 or so toppings for your dessert — without having to eat it on the go.

The 5,928-sq.-ft. Tampa Palms location will have 18 gas pumps and is one of 50 the Atlanta-based company is opening in Florida (and 10th overall in Tampa), as well as remodeling others.

MORE FOOD: According to paperwork filed with Pasco County, Culver’s Restaurant, which already has a location in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets (or TPO), as well as one on Bearss Ave. near I-275, is hoping to build another near the Shops at Wiregrass.

Culver’s, which is popular in the Midwest (it started in Wisconsin) with its frozen custard and Butterburgers, submitted a pre app form to build a 110-seat, 4,476-sq.ft. restaurant with 66 parking spots immediately east of the Shops at Wiregrass.

The new Culver’s will have direct access off S.R. 56 and the under-construction Wiregrass Ranch access road.

URGENT CARE: BayCare Urgent Care is coming to the New Tampa area, taking over the space formerly occupied by Pier 1 Imports (now at The Walk at Highwoods Preserve). We’ll provide more details in a future issue.