Feel The Thunder At The Wesley Chapel District Park!

The latest addition to the Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Rd. in Wesley Chapel is a street hockey rink, which New Tampa resident Joe Rao drove up to try out one day recently. The rink, part of a partnership between the Tampa Bay Lighting and Pasco County, will host leagues this spring, whenever Covid-19 allows. (Photos: Charmaine George)  

The Wesley Chapel District Park (WCDP) on Boyette Rd. may not be as large as the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus a few miles to its south (see pgs. 8-10), but its own little mini-sports campus is rounding into shape nicely.

The latest addition is a new Tampa Bay Lightning-sponsored street, or ball, hockey rink, which officially opened a few days before Christmas. It was constructed just a few steps away from WCDP’s new 17,800-sq.-ft. indoor basketball facility, which broke ground in July and is expected to open by late summer 2021.

“It’s nice to see the park growing and offering more and more opportunities for kids to play different sports,” said District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, who has coached a variety of youth teams at WCDP, but the only basketball and volleyball offered at the park has previously been only outdoors.

In a public-private partnership between the Stanley Cup champion Lighting and Pasco County, two street hockey rinks were built in Pasco — one in Holiday, at the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Center, and the other at WCDP.

The virtually-held ribbon-cutting ceremony for the rinks were held in Holiday and were attended by Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Steve Griggs, former Lightning general manager and 2004 Stanley Cup Champion Jay Feaster, former Lightning defenseman Jassen Cullimore and Stanley Cup captain Dave Andreychuk.

“We are very proud to open these two rinks today as part of our pledge to build 10 ball hockey rinks across the Tampa Bay area,” said Griggs. “These two rinks that we opened will give local youth the opportunity to get outside and play the great game of hockey. The Lightning would like to thank Pasco County for their enthusiasm and support in helping us make this a reality for everyone in Pasco County.”

The other rinks the Lightning have opened in the Tampa Bay area are in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Polk counties. They are of the Lightning’s Build The Thunder 2.0 and Connect the Thunder outreach programs. In 2015, through the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) Industry Growth Fund, the Lightning announced a $6 million grass roots hockey development initiative to be delivered to young people throughout the Bay area.

The NHL club finalized its agreement to build the two rinks in Pasco County last January.

Wesley Chapel already has the popular AdventHealth Center Ice — the largest indoor ice skating/hockey facility south of New York in the United States — so Pasco County was an ideal location, says Josh Dreith, the Lightning’s community manager.

“I love Pasco County,” he said. “There is a ton of Lightning fans in Pasco, and a ton of engaged kids as well.”

The county supplied the land and built the pads the rink is built on, and the Lightning built the actual rink, which is 120 feet long by 60 feet wide, has a full dasher-board system and a scoreboard. The Lightning also is providing the equipment, and will host a series of clinics to get the program going. 

The county and Lightning will then coordinate actual league play, which could begin as early as March 2021, but will be dictated by Covid-19 conditions. The rink also will offer plenty of free play time to the public.

For more information, visit LightningMadeHockey.com.

Check Out Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market!

Whenever a new place opens in our area, most of us check it out and decide if there’s something there worth coming back for again and again.

Well, I honestly think that anyone who checks out the new Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market, which opened the day before we went to press with this issue in the brand new plaza on Post Oak Blvd. (off Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54 and Old Pasco Rd.) should be able to find a dozen or more items that will fast become some of their all-time favorites.

Owners Bill Moschella and Anthony Spadafora and their families (above photo) invite you to check out what can best be described as gourmet shop on steroids, with so many different departments that it’s hard to leave the place without buying at least something — and for folks like me, many things.

But First, The Story…

Bill and Anthony are long-time friends from the Italian north end of Boston. Anthony and his wife Gina still live in Boston, but Bill and his wife Devanie and their family moved to just outside of Wesley Chapel. Bill was in the concession business for around 35 years.

Anthonys family owned catering restaurants and Bill’s family owned a pizza and pastry shop in Boston. Since moving here, Bill and Devanie kept wondering why they had to drive to St. Pete in order to visit a real Italian market. They drew up the plans for Moschella’s on their kitchen counter.

“Even though Devanie and I are running the place,” Bill says, “Anthony and his family have contributed just as much to getting it open and for helping make sure it has everything we need.” 

And Now, The Food!

Super-thick tomahawk veal chop grilled to perfection.

Although I found the Italian and other imported and gourmet domestic cheeses (there’s also a separate grab & go cheese display), the fully stocked butcher shop (check out the photo above of my super-thick tomahawk veal chop I grilled to perfection; it was the best veal chop I’ve had since I moved to Florida in 1993), the incredible deli sandwich selection (with both a complete Boar’s Head case and a second case with just imported Italian meats and cheeses for slicing) and huge variety of fresh pastas you can make at home, it is Moschella’s displays of fresh, prepared hot and cold foods that really caught my eye.

Bill credits Chef Megan, who has worked in both catering and local restaurants, with refining every menu item idea the families had for these displays.

The hot foods display includes chicken, veal and even shrimp parmesan, plus beef, veggie and sausage lasagne, as well as prepared (but not sauced) chicken, veal and eggplant cutlets, as well as delicious braised lamb shanks and so much more than I have room to describe here.

There also are plenty of unique cold prepared salads, from house-made bruschetta, amazing broccoli rabe with sundried tomatoes, three bean salad, marinated roasted peppers, artichoke stems and tuna salad with shells, to name a few.

And, although Moschella’s hasn’t yet started selling its gourmet pizzas or arancini (rice balls), Devanie says to give it another week or two and they’ll be available. 

There also are huge display cases of “Grab & Go” prepared food items, including both refrigerated and frozen sections.

In other words, if you need a whole tray of lasagne to bring to Christmas dinner, you can buy it today (while supplies last) and bake it to perfection yourself. I didn’t show pics of the Grab & Go displays here because I didn’t have room and they’re as photogenic as the other photos.

Dessert, Too?    

Do you really need to ask? Moschella’s has an amazing display case of everything from rainbow, chocolate sandwich (see photo on next page) and lace cookies to sfogliatella (think of a super-crisp croissant loaded with a thick, cannoli-like cream) and yes, cannolis hand-piped, also with that homemade cannoli cream. And, best of all, all of these luscious, decadent desserts are made in-house.

And of course, Moschella’s has all of the pre-packaged imported items Italian families and great cooks crave — from cookies and cakes to virtually every brand of imported tomato sauces (top right photo on next page), pastas, olive oils and balsamic vinegars (including oils and vinegars bearing a Moschella’s label) and so much more.

Like my new friend Liz from Staten Island said as she walked through Moschella’s — “I feel like I’m home!”

And Yes, Fine Wines, Too!

Mario, the guy usually behind the cheese counter, is from Sardinia, where learned all he could about Italian wine, cheese and cuisine, and speaks fluent Italian. He also helped pick Moschella’s amazing assortment of truly fine wines, the largest percentage of which are from Italy.  If you love Italian reds like I do, you have to check out Moschella’s selection of Brunellos (photo, right), Barolos, Amarones, Barberas, Chiantis and Sangioveses — it’s the best variety I’ve seen since I left New York City almost 30 years ago. 

Yes, these are a little pricy, but oh so worth it. There also are other more popularly priced Italian and domestic red, white and sparkling wines, and many more. 

So, do yourself a favor and get to Moschella’s and start shopping now. This issue will hit mailboxes on Dec 21 or Dec 22, but Devanie says they are taking orders until they close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when they open early (at 7 a.m.).

Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market is open every day, 9 a.m.-6. p.m. (other than their holiday hours) at 5648 Post Oak Blvd. For more information, call (813) 973-7500 or visit Moschellas.com.

Mangia!

American Wood Flooring Offers New Looks For Old Floors

American Wood Flooring owner/CEO Andy Dunning says he has been even busier than usual this year, as many local residents have been turning to his store (located on BBD, just north of the county line) for remodeling during the pandemic. (Photos: Mike Camunas)

There’s a little tidbit about Andy Dunning that will leave you floored.

“Oh, I’ve probably worked on the floors of nearly every house right in this area,” says the owner and CEO of American Wood Flooring, a fixture on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel (just north of the county line) for more than a dozen years. 

Dunning says he has added a few more homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With more people home, either just in general because of Covid or because they’re working from home for the foreseeable future, lots of them are spending money they would use on, say, a vacation they can’t go on,” says Dunning. “They are re-doing the floors in their homes that they might have been putting off.”

It sounds like this may be a good time for an upgrade, and something many homeowners have picked up on. And, that is the silver lining of the pandemic for American Wood Flooring. “Despite all that’s happened this year,” Dunning says, “it’s been a record year for us.”

While styles change from year to year, Dunning says LVP, or Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring, has been the most popular choice in 2020: “The resiliency and different looks of LVPs have just taken over everything.”

One big reason — in a state where it rains nearly all year, this type of flooring is 100-percent waterproof.

“Kind of a necessity around here, don’t you think?,” Dunning asks.

In addition to keeping things dry, LVP is durable, in that it’s pet-proof and even also dent-proof. That’s because LVP floors may look like wood, but they aren’t. Dunning says that LVP floor panels are made from a PVC-type material and their tight lock-and-fold system is what keeps the moisture out, even from the attached padding underneath that is made from an anti-microbial melamine material.

The LVP also is made with a stone-composite material, which is what Dunning says makes it 100-percent dent-proof, adding that is a change from when LVPs first arrived on the scene and were made from a wood composite material. That material, however, was susceptible to dents, especially from heavier appliances like refrigerators or washing machines.

“They’re always coming out with newer, more innovative ways to keep the product getting better and better,” Dunning says. “The SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) is way better than the WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) and that was the knock on laminates when they first came out.”

American Wood Flooring doesn’t just sell and install LVPs, even though Dunning says that’s his best seller. They will still put down wood floors, as well as carpet, tile and laminate. In fact, Dunning says tile is making a comeback of sorts, while noting that many customers don’t know that American Wood Flooring also can install backsplashes.

“These things go in cycles, if you ask me,” Dunning says. 

Satisfied Customers!

And, whenever the cycle changes, American Wood Flooring isn’t without its repeat customers.

“We’ve probably used them 6-7 times over the years,” Wesley Chapel resident Patrick Murphy says. “They did our home and then another home that was a rental, and it had to be totally redone once (the tenant) moved out. (Andy) replaced probably 2,500 square feet of floor.”

New Tampa resident Janet Noblett agrees. She had American Wood Flooring rip out the carpet in her master bedroom and the work was so good, well, she decided to do the three other bedrooms.

“About a year after we did that, I looked at my husband and said, ‘You know this has to happen now,’ so we went right back to Andy,” Noblett says. “I was really pleased, and I’m the type of person that I usually don’t just choose one company. I had four companies come out and show me different types and pricing and procedures, and grilled them to death. I just felt he really knew his stuff and was the most professional and on time! A lot of times, people don’t show up or are late — you want to give them your money, but they don’t show up. He showed right up. I would absolutely recommend (AWF) to anyone in my neighborhood or community because I know they will do the best job.”

A full recommendation also comes from Murphy, who says he appreciates Dunning’s fair and honest approach.

“(Andy)’s just straightforward with cost and the (installers) have been respectful and helpful and solid,’’ Murphy says. “The few times we had a problem with the outcome, they fixed it quickly, so they stand by the work
I have recommended Andy several times, even to my parents.”

Dunning notes that his installers are all AWF employees and not outside contractors, “So, we make sure your job is done right!”

Despite some restrictions still put in place on stores, Dunning says that his storefront  — in the SuperTarget-anchored Northwood Plaza at the corner of BBD and County Line Rd. — continues to be busy.

“Probably even busier now, to be honest,” he says.

That’s because when it comes to purchasing flooring, customers still want to see and touch samples, not just look at them online.

“They want to see the colors and the material with their eyes and hands,” Dunning says. “This isn’t like buying a shirt that’s $20 and if you don’t like it, oh well. This is a little bit more expensive, a little bit more permanent.”

Kind of like American Wood Flooring in the Wesley Chapel community. Certainly that’s what Dunning has planned.

“We’ll be here — we’re not going anywhere and, honestly, we’re busy,” he says. “Every month this year has been a record month, so I’m sure we’ll be doing plenty more homes even next year.”

American Wood Flooring offers free in-home estimates and offers a lifetime warranty on any install. Dunning makes sure to use emerging technologies in the industry and offers first-rate service at premium pricing, while still offering a full range of traditional flooring options. 

The company also offers Bloomin’ Brands gift cards (good at Outback, Bonefish and Carrabba’s) to clients who refer friends and family.

American Wood Flooring’s Wesley Chapel showroom is located at 1285 BBD Blvd. and is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sat., and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sun. For more info, visit FlooringforFlorida.com or call (813) 991-7999.

This is how the Crumbl Cookies

As only the third location in Florida, the new location of Crumbl Cookies, next to Zukku-San Sushi, brings unique, delicious and yes, somewhat crumbly, cookies and more to the Wesley Chapel area.

This growing franchise, with 128 locations in 27 states, offers a new variety of flavors every week and so far, we’re trying hard not to become addicted to them. But, with amazing new cookie and “Crumbl Cream” ice cream flavors rotating in and out every week, I can’t be held responsible for what happens when you try them.

The first day the store opened earlier this month, we not only tried giant versions of each of the four opening-week flavors — peanut butter, churro, chocolate chip and double chocolate — we found them to be so delicious and different that we decided to also bring a variety of the store’s “Crumbl Minis” to our granddaughter Rosie’s first birthday party — and yes, they were a big hit. 

The peanut butter cookies are loaded with warm, gooey peanut butter, and the original chocolate chip cookies are packed with tons of equally melty chips. Our favorites, though, were the awesome frosted options — the double chocolate and the churro cookies (truly one of the best cookies I’ve ever tasted), and all of the Crumbls are slightly crisp outside but super-soft inside. 

In other words, I’m not sure I agree with the name of the place, but these cookies are truly decadent, no matter whether they really “crumbl’ or not. 

The day we went to press, I also got to sample our Crumbl Cookies store’s salted caramel ice cream, which also comes in a variety of delicious-sounding flavors like Buckeye brownie,  muddy buddy, raspberry cheesecake and many more.

Crumbl Cookies (25922 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz) is open every day except Sunday. For more info, call (813) 445-6552 or visit CrumblCookies.com and please tell them I sent you! — GN

Diverging Diamond Delay

The Diverging Diamond Interchange now under construction at the junction of S.R. 56 and I-75 is expected to alleviate the traffic issues at arguably Wesley Chapel’s most congested point. (Photo: Charmaine George)

Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) chairman Mike Moore has always taken great pride in his efforts to expedite the construction of the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at the busy junction of I-75 and S.R. 56.

With help from state legislators, what was originally scheduled for a 2024 completion was moved up and expected to be finished by the fall of 2021.

However, that date is now very much in question, which has riled Moore, who represents District 2, which includes most of Wesley Chapel.

“It’s very, very disappointing,” he says.

Armed with letters from constituents and his own daily experience driving through the congestion at the under-construction interchange, Moore is disappointed to hear that the project — originally expected to cost $18.5 million but now carrying a $33-million price tag — could now drag on until the spring of 2022 or even later.

Which is why, when Moore drives by the project now and sees workers, well, not working, it makes him seethe.

His frustration was on full display at a BCC meeting last month, when Moore delivered a blistering attack on the company, D.A.B. Constructors, Inc., in charge of the project.

Moore said he recently drove through the interchange and took pictures of the general malaise happening. He said he saw two workers standing next to a truck doing nothing, and a second group of construction workers standing on a hill.

“On a project of that magnitude, those are the only people I saw working on a Monday, a sunny Monday, at 1:30 in the afternoon,” Moore said. “I think that’s insane, that’s ridiculous, that’s embarrassing.”

More than 100,000 vehicles pass through the interchange on a daily basis. The eagerly-anticipated DDI is designed to create fewer conflict points at the interchange, and despite looking like a confusing, diamond-shaped jumble of roads in pictures, Florida’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange (at Exit 210 of I-75, in Sarasota) has been lauded for being safer and more efficient than your traditional junctions. 

Businesses Are Unhappy, Too

The Wesley Chapel DDI will be Florida’s second, and Moore isn’t the only one disappointed that it is so far behind schedule. 

In September, 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, sent a letter to Moore and District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey expressing concern about the progress of the interchange.

The POA, which said it has spent $25 million over the last 15 years “reconstructing and widening miles 

of highway in the State Road 54/56 corridor” to offset the additional traffic the Town Center attracts, said it reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation when it was becoming clear that the project was falling behind schedule.

It asked FDOT to accelerate the DDI during Covid-19, due to the reduction of traffic, but were told material deliveries had hindered the project and that D.A.B. Constructors “did not feel any substantial gains could be made.”

The POA wrote to Moore and Starkey that they were told the project was at least 200 days behind schedule — pushing the completion date to late summer of 2022.

“It’s very unfortunate that this is happening,” said Comm. Starkey, “but at least FDOT is doing as much as they can to push it along.”

Pasco County has no control over state road projects like the DDI, but Moore and Starkey both reached out to David Gwynn, the FDOT secretary for District 7, after receiving the letter from that group of angry businesses.

FDOT has taken efforts to remedy the situation, and could impose more penalties. Gwynn wrote back to Moore telling him if D.A.B. Constructors can’t meet the contracted end date, “liquidated damages, of $9,837 a day, will be assessed for every day that the contractor is late in completing the project.”

That means that for every month they are behind schedule, D.A.B. Constructors would incur a $300,000 fine.

Pasco’s BCC chair Mike Moore says D.A.B. Constructors “can’t handle it” when it comes to finishing the diverging diamond project on time.

The DDI construction kicked off in 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 (though not for something like Covid-19, which did cause delays for materials for many area projects).

Gwynn wrote that in roughly 20 months, D.A.B. Constructors had been granted 99 days for weather, 34 days of holiday time and 30 days for unforeseen conditions. All told, that added 163 days to the contract, changing the end date to August 26, 2021.

“Ninety-nine rain days? I don’t how that is, but okay, I guess?,” Moore said. “I guess if it sprinkles outside they don’t work?”

Moore also found 34 days off for holidays “extreme.”

Moore wants to see FDOT come down hard on D.A.B. Constructors, including fines and heavy pressure. He went as far as to suggest D.A.B. “sub out every little piece of the project going forward
cut their losses, and get out.”

He doesn’t want the company used on any more projects in Pasco County, where it is currently working on 10 other projects, including the widening of State Roads 54 and 52.

“They have so many projects going on right now they can’t handle it,” Moore says.

Starkey worried that any further delays could impact the traffic for yet another holiday season in 2021, further hurting businesses in the S.R. 56 corridor.