$836 Million For Local Road Improvements? Plus, Our New Online Ads

By now, anyone who regularly drives the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at S.R. 56 or the new Overpass Rd. exit at I-75 has to recognize that these transportation improvements have helped relieve traffic in our area.

And, with new lanes now open eastbound and opening soon westbound on S.R. 54 between Curley Rd. and Morris Bridge Rd., it appears that Wesley Chapelโ€™s biggest traffic problems are continuing to improve.

Even so, I still hear (and see on Facebook) lots of complaints about our traffic issues and the amount of money that is or isnโ€™t being spent to do something about fixing them.

Does $836 million in state transportation improvements sound like nothing has been done?

Although not all of that amount has been spent on alleviating traffic in Wesley Chapel โ€œproper,โ€ almost $530 million of it has been spent on a wide variety of transportation capacity projects serving zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545 since 2002 โ€” and that amount doesnโ€™t include the hundreds of millions more that Pasco and the developers of Wesley Chapel-based communities have spent to improve the roads in and around all of our areaโ€™s new subdivisions.

The remaining $300+ million of that $836 million total is what has been spent improving the state-owned roadways in the Wesley Chapel-adjacent communities of New Tampa (nearly $187 million) and San Antonio ($94.5 million).  

Thanks to our new editorial research contributor (and new local Realtor with Florida Executive Realty) Joel Provenzano, who previously worked for the Florida Department of Transportation (aka FDOT), I am proud to be able to break down just the state funds that have been spent to make traffic less of a nightmare for those of us who live and/or work in and around โ€œThe Chapโ€ (see chart above).

And, while I understand that those who were here before the boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s miss all the cows, empty space and being able to have just one blinking yellow light from BBD (then C.R. 581) at S.R. 54 to one signal at BBD and I-75 in New Tampa, most of the locals who moved to this area once the development of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa started to take hold are appreciative of the improvements that have been made here since 2002.

I do realize that, with the continued explosion of new homes and businesses in our area, more money will need to be spent to keep our area from turning into another Dale Mabry Hwy. or Brandon Blvd. I, for one, however, am happy to not be sitting in traffic as often as I was before all of these improvements were made.  

Check Out Our Online Ads!

Over the past few years, as online advertising has infiltrated pretty much every part of our lives, we have had just a couple of online ads on our website โ€” NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net.

But, as the number of visits to our site has grown exponentially the last 2-3 years, I have always wanted to offer local businesses the opportunity to place ads on our site โ€” which now averages 30,000 visits every month โ€” I just wasnโ€™t sure what to charge for those ads.

Well, those rates are now set and the first of those online ads should be up on our site by no later than June 15. So, whether you want to supplement your print ads or advertise with us online only, please call (813) 910-2575 or email ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com.

Nibbles & Bites: Checking Out The Third Annual Rum & Seafood Festival!ย 

Our congratulations go out to Florida Penguin Productions for putting on a successful third-annual Rum & Seafood Festival at the Tampa Premium Outlets on June 3, despite the constant threat of bad weather that could have caused the eventโ€™s cancellation.

A steady stream of adult visitors paid $15 per person to get into the Festival, which featured live music, dozens of vendors โ€” including Siesta Key and Sailor Jerry rums, FishHawk Spirits and Jack Danielโ€™s Tennessee Whiskey โ€” and great seafood food trucks like Charm City Eats, Super Grouper, Got Lobstah? and From the Soul to the Sea. Among this yearโ€™s highlights were the Crab Races (that I unfortunately missed) and the โ€œrooftopโ€ bar. 

Theย  North Tampa Bay Chamber received a portion of the eventโ€™s proceeds.

Crazy Sushi Is Open At The Shops At Wiregrass; Azteca Dโ€™Oro To Open June 24!ย 

Crazy Sushi Is Open!

If you love sushi and all-you-can-eat Japanese-inspired cuisine and havenโ€™t yet checked out the new Crazy Sushi Wiregrass at the Shops at Wiregrass, you probably should. 

Crazy Sushi is more than just another replacement for the several restaurants that have opened and gone out of business at 28152 Paseo Dr., #150 โ€” itโ€™s a much larger (having also taken over an adjacent store), real sit-down restaurant that just happens to also offer all-you-care-to-eat lunch (for $22.95 per person; available Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) and dinner (and Sat.-Sun. lunch, for $32.95) Japanese food that, based on our first visit, is well worth the price. 

The sushi (the left photo is of a tasty sushi sampler that isnโ€™t on the menu) is really fresh, the appetizers โ€” including gyoza dumplings, tempura veggies, fried chicken karaage (right photo), etc. โ€” and lo mein are spot-on and the hibachi sirloin steak and chicken are both of a higher quality (at least, in my opinion)than what weโ€™re used to getting at Ginza or Koizi. And. the premium full-liquor bar offers full-sized drinks at lower-than-mall prices.

For more information, call (813) 991-8989 or visit CrazySushiWesleyChapel.com and please tell our friend Edgar behind the bar that we sent you!

Recapping Blush Champagne Barโ€™s Grand Opening Event!

Even though we told you that the Blush Champagne & Cocktail Bar had opened at the KRATE Container Park last issue, we didnโ€™t get to show you any of the great pictures photographer Charmaine George took at the spectacular Grand Opening party on May 19 for the second KRATE (the other is the nearly adjacent Blush Wine Room) owned by Felicia and Nimesh Desai (top left photo). The event included a DJ, a 360ยบ photo booth, the great Blush Wine Room food, a dozen frozen wine-based cocktails, a variety of sparkling wines and hundreds of happy attendees! For info about the Blush Wine Room or Champagne & Cocktail Bar, call (813) 428-6247 or visit BlushWineRoom.com.ย 

Playa Bowls To Open June 17!

When Tabatha Castro and Pablo Reid open the newest location of Playa Bowls next to the Latin Twist Cafรฉ at 2653 BBD Blvd. on or around June 17, you can expect not just the ever-popular aรงai bowls, but also coconut, banana, chia pudding, green and pitaya bowls, plus fresh fruit smoothies and juices, oatmeal & more. The beach-themed healthy eating place also known as โ€œPineappleland,โ€ started at the Jersey Store and has grown to nearly 200 locations nationwide. For more info, visit PlayaBowls.com.

Now Open At Mirada โ€” The Largest Manmade Lagoon In The U.S.!

The Metro Lagoon is Open South of S.R. 52 & Will Host a Grand Opening Celebration the Weekend of June 24-25!ย 

โ€œI made the call to make sure that Epperson got the potable water to open the first Metro Lagoons amenity in the U.S.,โ€ District 1 Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said proudly at the VIP Lagoon Ribbon Cutting event at the new Metro Lagoons amenity at Mirada on June 2. โ€œAnd, itโ€™s awesome to be here as we open the largest (Crystal Lagoonsยฎ) amenity in the country right here in Pasco!โ€

Yes, while Eppersonโ€™s 7.5-acre Metro Lagoons amenity was the first in the U.S. when it opened in Wesley Chapel in 2018, the 15-acre lagoon at Mirada, located just north of Wesley Chapel in San Antonio, is now the largest manmade lagoon amenity in the country โ€” and also is now open to the public.

Metro Development VP of Operations Kartik Goyani, Pasco Commissioners Ron Oakley & Jack Mariano, Dan Mitchell of the Pasco Economic Development Council & Metro CEO John Ryan.

There were lots of โ€œoohsโ€ and โ€œaahsโ€ as more than 100 visitors โ€” including Oakleyโ€™s fellow Pasco Commissioners Seth Weightman and Jack Mariano, a representative from State Sen. Danny Burgessโ€™ office and Board members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) โ€” joined most of the team from Metro Development Group, which now has three Metro Lagoons amenities in the Tampa Bay area (the other is at Southshore Bay in Wimauma), with a fourth opening this year in Ft. Myers, and several others planned throughout Central Florida.

Oakley added, โ€œThis amenity will be for all of our citizens and visitors and Iโ€™m very grateful to have it. Itโ€™s also part of the Connected City and I made the motion to approve that, too.โ€

Metro Lagoons managing director Eric Wahlbeck.ย 

Oakley was introduced by Metroโ€™s VP of marketing and communications Vaike Oโ€™Grady, who quickly ran down some of the stats about Mirada:

โ€œThis community is 2,000 acres and will one day have 4,500 homes from six different builders โ€” DR Horton, Lennar, Lennar Active Adult Collection, Biscayne, Maronda and West Bay Homes โ€” with prices from the high $200s to about $1 million,โ€ Oโ€™Grady said. โ€œThis lagoon amenity includes about a mile of shoreline and is filled with 33 million gallons of water, or about as much as in 2,750 swimming pools. We also brought in 17.2 million pounds of sand, or enough to build four average-sized, two-story homes entirely out of sand.โ€

Oโ€™Grady then introduced Dist. 5 Commissioner and Pasco Board chair Jack Mariano, who noted, โ€œProjects like this are what makes Pasco a premier place. We want to create quality places to live, work and play.โ€ย 

Members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, Pasco County government and the Pasco Economic Development Council were all part of the Mirada Lagoon ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Mariano was followed by Dist. 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman, who said, โ€œWhat a great and beautiful way to kick off the summer!โ€

Next, Oโ€™Grady introduced NTBC CEO Hope Kennedy, who said, โ€œThis is an absolutely wonderful day! Weโ€™re proud to have had a seat at the table on this project since, I think, 2012 or 2013, and we have been honored to stand by your side!โ€

Before multiple ribbons โ€” well, pool buoy lines โ€” were cut (by a saber-wielding pirate), Kennedy was then followed by Metro Lagoons managing director Eric Wahlbeck, who said, โ€œWe have had the first and now the largest (lagoon amenity) in the U.S. Whatโ€™s next? This is a massive project and pretty exciting stuff!โ€

On With The Festivities!

In addition to the ribbon-cutting pirate, the VIP preview event featured three mermaids, one in a life-sized martini glass (above) one who appeared to be wearing a skirt surrounded by mimosas (above) and another sitting on the side of the lagoon deck.

There also were two gymnasts (top of page) wearing body suits covered in water bubbles who struck some impressive poses while balancing themselves. It looked like the young lady on page 1 was actually swimming in the lagoon (at least to me it did).

There also was a steel drum playing island sounds, the bar was open and serving tasty tropical drinks and a delicious lunch was provided by local favorite Vesh Catering that  featured coconut shrimp, chicken satรฉs and roast pork.

A Metro staffer told me that there actually are multiple events every week planned and that the total number of planned events at the lagoon will number in the thousands.

The public Grand Opening event for the Mirada lagoon will be held the weekend of June 24-25, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., both days. It will include free carnival rides, games & tasty treats at the โ€œLagoon Shore,โ€ the Mirada Lagoon Bar will be open and there also will be food trucks, live music, activities and fun. Youโ€™ll also be able to meet the Mirada builders under the โ€œBig Topโ€ on the beach.

In other words, even if youโ€™ve already been a regular at the Epperson lagoon, you owe it to yourself and your family to check out the largest manmade Crystal Lagoonsยฎ amenity in the U.S. 

For free Mirada Lagoon Grand Opening weekend tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reserve-your-spot-tickets-574684235017 or MiradaStayCay.com.

Putting My Ad Space Where My Mouth Is For The Community Cafรฉ!

More than 30 people attended the Cafรฉโ€™s news conference on Apr. 18.

I have a cousin I love dearly who was diagnosed with cerebral anoxia, which means her brain didnโ€™t receive enough oxygen when she was born.

My cousin is now in her late 20s or maybe early 30s and has been able to work and live a reasonably normal life, even though she is definitely developmentally disabled.

But, if she and her family ever decide to make the pilgrimage from Long Island to this area, I know where I want my sweet cousin to work โ€” at the Community Cafรฉ that is being opened by former Saddlebrook Resort general manager Pat Ciaccio and a small group of dedicated folks who are creating a safe, welcoming place where adults who are developmentally and emotionally disabled can not only work, but also have the opportunity for advancement.

In a recent issue, we gave you the first-ever look inside the construction site that will soon be transformed into the Community Cafรฉ, which will have its โ€œShining Starsโ€ serving coffee, ice cream and smoothies and selling retail items inside a 3,200-sq.-ft. former carpeting store on S.R. 54. The Cafรฉ also will feature a private event space that will feature art created by disabled artists through Arts4All Florida when it opens on or around June 15.

Darlene E. Hill of The Leyda Group is a member of the team working to make the Community Cafรฉ a reality. 

When I attended the community meeting and media preview event for the Cafรฉ at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel on Apr. 18, I was so moved by what I heard that day that I told Pat I wanted to do more to help than just get the word out.

โ€œYou have no idea how much this is needed,โ€ said one mom who was hugging her 20-something son, who was too old to participate in some other programs. โ€œWeโ€™ve been turned down everywhere else weโ€™ve turned.โ€

Another mom asked, โ€œWhat are the requirements to work at the Cafรฉ?,โ€ to which Pat responded, โ€œThere are no requirements, other than filling out an application. We know we wonโ€™t be able to hire everyone who wants to work with us, but we will have at least 30-35 jobs available and all but our upper management will be developmentally disabled adults.โ€

You could feel not only the gratitude of the families who attended โ€” most of whom said they first read about the Cafรฉ and the news conference in the Neighborhood News โ€” but also the dedication of those who have joined forces with Pat to make this 501(c)(3) nonprofit a reality.

I called Pat later that day and told him that I usually just charge nonprofit organizations a lower rate than other businesses to advertise in these pages. Instead, I offered to provide him with full-page ads at no charge in every issue for at least the rest of 2023 as my way of offsetting some of the costs he has been footing all by himself until the nonprofit is able to raise money of its own, whether through private donations or by applying for grants.

โ€œWeโ€™ve never really been able to raise a lot of money for other worthy organizations in the past,โ€ I told Pat on the phone. โ€œBut, I hope things will work out different this time. I just want to help.โ€

For more info about all the ways you can help, visit CommunityCafeFL.com

Nibbles & Bites: Crazy Sushi Is Open At The Shops At Wiregrass; Azteca Dโ€™Oro To Open June 24!

As you can see in the ad on the left, Azteca dโ€™Oro is set to host its Grand Opening in the space (at 2000 Piazza Ave.) at the Shops at Wiregrass previously occupied by Cantina Laredo on Saturday, June 24, with a mariachi band, indoor and outdoor bar with cocktails and more. Azteca dโ€™Oro promises a truly authentic Mexican cuisine experience in an upscale, but still casual atmosphere. For more info, visit AztecaDOro.com.

Crazy Sushi Is Open!

Until Azteca opens, you probably should try the new Crazy Sushi Wiregrass at the Shops. Crazy Sushi is more than just another replacement for the several restaurants that have opened and gone out of business at 28152 Paseo Dr., #150 โ€” itโ€™s a much larger (having also taken over an adjacent store), real sit-down restaurant that just happens to also offer all-you-care-to-eat lunch (for $22.95 per person; available Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) and dinner (and Sat.-Sun. lunch, for $32.95) Japanese cuisine that, based on our first visit, is well worth the price. 

The sushi (the photo is of a tasty sushi sampler that isnโ€™t on the menu) is really fresh, the appetizers (including gyoza dumplings, tempura veggies, fried chicken karaage, etc.) and lo mein are spot-on and the hibachi sirloin steak and chicken are both of a higher quality than what weโ€™re used to getting at Ginza or Koizi. And. the premium full-liquor bar offers full-sized drinks at lower-than-mall prices.

For more information, call (813) 991-8989 or visit CrazySushiWesleyChapel.com and please tell our friend Edgar behind the bar that we sent you!ย 

Johnny Cโ€™s Italian Eatery Has Opened On Cross Creek Blvd.!

The new Johnny Cโ€™s Italian Eatery has been open at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite A (on Morris Bridge Rd.), in the former location of Precinct Pizza, since May 15, and the reaction to the food, the family atmosphere and the service have so far been pretty great.

Johnny Cโ€™s, named for Johnny Ciaccio, the father of former Saddlebrook Resort GM Pat Ciaccio, is a partnership between Ciaccio and former Saddlebrook owner Tom Dempsey and Erik Ravenna, a trained chef who worked for years in food and beverage (among other jobs) at the resort.

The restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner (11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.) daily, features New York-style pizza (like the Margherita pizza shown top), plus a variety of Northern Italian comfort foods, from lasagna to chicken parmigiana, Italian meatballs (left) & more.

โ€œOne thing we noticed,โ€ Ravenna told me during the Johnny Cโ€™s Friends & Family pre-opening, โ€œis that (the other Italian restaurants in) this area doesnโ€™t have a big variety of seafood options. We all do linguini with clams, but Johnny Cโ€™s also has shrimp marinara (shown being prepared above), parmigiana and scampi, as well as a spicy fra diavlo and even a frutti di mare (aka โ€˜Fruits of the Sea,โ€™ right) with shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari over linguini.โ€ (Thereโ€™s also a mussels Posillipo appetizer.)

Ciaccio added, โ€œWe want everyone who visits Johnny Cโ€™s to feel like family. My dad owned restaurants his entire adult life and we lost him a few years ago, so Johnny Cโ€™s is a tribute to him.โ€ To which Ravenna added, โ€œHe would have loved to have been the โ€˜mayorโ€™ here.โ€ For info, call (813) 278-8020, visit JohnnyCsItalianEatery.com.

Blush Champagne Bar Is Open!

The Blush Champagne & Cocktail Bar (photo above), the second establishment at the KRATE Container Park (the other is the nearly adjacent Blush Wine Room) owned by Felicia and Nimesh Desai, is an intimate, upscale champagne bar serving sparkling wine from both near and far, champagne cocktails and martinis, and a dozen frozen cocktails, with plans to serve food starting this summer. 

โ€œUntil then, you can grab food from the Blush Wine Room and drinks from either of our locations,โ€ Felicia says. โ€œAnd, just like at our original location, the Champagne & Cocktail Bar will have wines and cocktails you wonโ€™t find anywhere else.โ€ For more info about the Blush Wine Room or Champagne & Cocktail Bar, call (813) 428-6247 or visit BlushWineRoom.com.

Provisions To Add A 3rd Location?

Meanwhile, Provisions Coffee & Kitchen, which was the first tenant to open in the KRATE Container Park, has announced that it will open a second Wesley Chapel location (Provisions also has a New Tampa location at 2816 E. Bearss Ave.) in a new plaza on BBD Blvd. that is home to Abdoney Orthodontics. For more info, visit either currently open Provisions location or ProvisionsCoffeeFL.com.ย