Host Your Next Event At Omari’s Grille At Lexington Oaks GC!

When classically trained chef Anass El-Omari and his wife Susana Herrera purchased Lexington Oaks Golf Club about three years ago, I was excited about the prospect of having another real restaurant in Wesley Chapel.

And, although Anass at first revamped the existing golfer-oriented menu at the golf course’s restaurant, which he re-named Omari’s Grille, he ended up scaling back his everyday offerings of fresh fish, pasta and filet mignon, and has kept the menu smaller and simpler since reopening Omari’s after the Covid-19 pandemic shut it down for a few months in 2020.

But now, while Omari’s regular menu is still mainly comprised of burgers, sandwiches, wings and other fast, simple foods favored by the golfers who frequent his completely renovated golf course, Anass has brought back some of the dishes I loved on his original Omari’s menu as specials on Friday evenings.

Owner/chef Anass El-Omari of Omari’s Grille fires up his sautée pan to create (below left & above right) delicious Cajun pasta. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Anass loves both cooking and talking about cooking. So, in conjunction with this article, we recorded our second “Cooking With Anass” segment that was released a few days before this issue arrived in your mailbox, where he made an amazing Cajun pasta (above), with both Andouille sausage and top sirloin steak in a semi-spicy cream sauce that’s as good as anything you’ll find in any fine dining establishment.

“Good food is actually really simple to make,” he said as he set some hot oil on fire before sautéeing the steak and sausage together. “The key is knowing what ingredients and how much of each to use. I love sharing my secrets.”

And, I love tasting his recipes, because Anass is a true culinary artist who serves up some of the best food in our area, even if many locals still don’t know it. So, whether you want to start with authentic Colombian empanadas, crispy calamari or shrimp tempura salad, or enjoy a great grilled chicken caprese or salmon teriyaki entrée, you can’t go wrong at Omari’s. 

Great Events, Too! 

Now that things have gotten a little more normal in this Covid-crazy world, people are again looking for great places to host events like weddings, quinceañeras, baby showers, anniversary parties and even memorial gatherings and you can’t go wrong if you host your next event for 20-80 people at Lexington Oaks.

Omari’s offers a complete appetizer catering menu — featuring burger sliders, mini-croissants stuffed with chicken and tuna salad and more — as well as a sit-down dinner menu for events, so you can serve London broil with mushroom sauce, orange chicken and a variety of shrimp dishes, plus a dessert bar. Anass and his staff also can custom-design pretty much anything else you’d want to serve.

And, while the indoor space currently is limited to 80 people, Anass says he plans to extend the room out to the existing patio area, so that up to 120 people could fit in the air conditioned, indoor space. And, there is an additional covered outdoor space that can fit another 60 or so people.

“I think Wesley Chapel really needs an event space like this,” Anass says, “and the food will always be good. “Plus, we have the area down by the water (photo above) for weddings (as in the photo above) and the people love it.” 

Omari’s Grill at Lexington Oaks Golf Club (16333 Lexington Oaks Blvd.) is open Wednesday & Thursday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m., and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday. For additional information, call (813) 929-4217, visit LexingtonOaksGolf.com, or call the golf course’s main number — (813) 907-7270 — to talk to a catering specialist about scheduling, and designing a menu for, your event. 

Wiregrass Ranch High Senior Named National SADD President

Wiregrass Ranch High senior Shaina Finkel is the SADD National Student President for the 2021-22 school year.

Shaina Finkel was only four years old when she started going to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) events and campaigns with her father. 

Now 16, the Wiregrass Ranch High senior will represent all 7,500 SADD chapters as the organization’s national student president for the 2021-22 school year. 

In this position, Shaina will be expected to be a spokesperson for SADD nation, oversee the Student Leadership Council and advise the SADD national Board of Directors, which is comprised of adults.

Above all, she says she is focused on improving the mental health of students across the nation. 

“I’m just really looking forward to being able to bring my ideas and the things my chapter has worked on to a bigger stage,” Shaina says. 

Shaina is the first person ever from Florida to serve in this position, and SADD CEO Rick Birt says her passion is what made her stand out. 

“Shaina is truly the embodiment of the word passion,” Birt says. “In everything she does and in every interaction you have, you see that she is truly the embodiment of this word and we are so honored and excited to have her (serving) in this role.”

Shaina has been president of Wiregrass Ranch’s SADD club since her sophomore year. She said the club opens students’ eyes to the dangers of making destructive decisions, especially driving under the influence, and the need to maintain good mental health. 

“We have English, we have history, but we don’t have a class about how to save your life,” Shaina says. “So, the fact that we have a club for that or a chapter for that, and we as peers are able to help our own peers, that’s just honestly the most beautiful thing.” 

Shaina’s father, Gregory Finkel, is the advisor of Wiregrass Ranch’s SADD club and also the school’s driving teacher. He said he can’t wait to see where her role as national student president takes his daughter.

“I’m super excited for everybody that’s going to see her, because she’s going to make a huge difference,” Gregory Finkel says. “As long as everybody listens, they will see that she’s got a true heart.”

Finkel’s mother Jessica couldn’t stop smiling when she heard the news that her daughter would be the next SADD national student president. She says Shaina is always so excited when it comes to SADD-related topics and is constantly participating in a variety of SADD events. 

“I’m so proud of her for accepting it and taking on the challenge,” Jessica says. “I’m not concerned. I know she can do all of this. She always takes on a lot, and she’s very successful at everything she takes on.”

Shaina says that SADD is already a big part — and will continue to be a big part — of her life. She is excited to represent her community on a national level and uphold the mission and vision of what SADD stands for. 

“Not only does this position give me a voice, I think it gives Wiregrass SADD a voice,” Shaina says. “It gives Wesley Chapel a voice, and it gives Florida a voice.” 

For more information about the national Students Against Destructive Decisions organization, visit SADD.org. 

Dr. Rosh Opens Her Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute

Dr. Roshni Ranjit-Reeves (with scissors), her family and staff at the Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute in Lutz cut a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon on July 16. (Photos: Charmaine George)

With champagne flowing and a big smile as she cut a ribbon with the North Tampa Bay Chamber, Dr. Roshni Ranjit-Reeves officially opened her Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute on S.R. 54 in Lutz on July 16.

“Dr. Rosh,” as her patients call her, came home to the Tampa Bay area with her husband, Dr. Corey Reeves, and their baby daughter after completing a fellowship and practicing at Duke University in Durham, NC.

As an attending physician, she says she enjoyed interacting with residents and medical students, being in academics and mentoring in the operating room and clinic, but was looking for something more.

“For 10 years I’ve been talking about opening a private practice, and now it’s finally here,” she said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I have a vision for my own practice and I want to execute that.”

Dr. Rosh earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Biomedical Sciences from USF, too.

Then, she completed her ophthalmology residency at the USF Eye Institute and an oculofacial and reconstructive fellowship at the Duke Eye Center. She is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“I want to be part of this community for a really long time,” Dr. Rosh says. “I want patients to grow with me for 30 years. I want to be easy to call and be available to the community.”

At her Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute, which hosted its first Open House two days after the ribbon-cutting event, Dr. Rosh sees patients who want cosmetic services to improve the look of their eyes, faces, and skin.

“It’s aesthetics, but it’s also functional,” Dr. Rosh says. “I want to help people see better and feel better, too.”

Some patients receive insurance-based services, typically after being referred to Dr. Rosh by their primary care doctor or dermatologist. For example, some patients need surgery or treatment to restore the function of their eyes, for conditions such as droopy lids, eyelid malposition, thyroid eye disease, tear duct surgery or reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Others receive aesthetic treatments, such as lower lid surgery, laser skin resurfacing, ear lobe repairs, upper lip lifts, photofacials and laser peels.

Dr. Rosh says that even functional surgeries often result in patients not only being able to see better and feel better, but also have a nice aesthetic look when they are done.

“The functional and cosmetic sides blend together a lot,” says Dr. Rosh, “like if patients do upper lid surgery through their insurance but then decide they want lower lid and skin resurfacing, too.”

And, she says her cosmetic patients typically also want to look refreshed — or like a better version of themselves — but not change how they look.

“I love that, because our face is how we identify ourselves,” she says. 

Dr. Rosh believes that interest in cosmetic services has really increased because of the changes in how we interact with each other since the Covid pandemic.

(Dr. Rosh performs laser resurfacing on patient Melanie Aydt.

“With everything being virtual through Zoom and WebEx, people see themselves on a screen a lot more than before,” she says. “They come in earlier for treatments, and they don’t have the downtime that they used to.”

And, she says she’s happy to help those patients with a treatment plan that helps them recover as quickly as possible to resume normal life, and look a bit younger and refreshed, but still like themselves.

Available treatments include full-service, minimally-invasive procedures, such as photofacials, which require no downtime, and help to get rid of red and brown spots or patches on the skin, including helping patients with rosacea.

“If you only have a weekend to heal,” she says, “then we plan accordingly.”

When she does surgery, either in her office or at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, she uses a carbon dioxide laser for incisions. She refers to it as her “magic wand” and says it makes very precise incisions, which helps minimize both bleeding and recovery time.

“I love surgery,” Dr. Rosh says. “This is such a unique field, because everyone’s anatomy is a little different, so recovery is different, and their story as to why they want to get it done is different. So I get to be creative.”

Treating Every Skin Type

Dr. Rosh also emphasizes that the lasers in her office are able to treat patients of all different skin tones and types.

“Our culture is becoming more of a melting pot and, usually, laser treatments can lead to more pigmentations,” she says, “but the lasers I have get great results on patients of all different skin types.”

Three experienced staff members help Dr. Rosh keep the practice running smoothly. Jennifer is the office manager, Kara is a technician and aesthetician, and Lisa handles the front desk and insurance.

Dr. Mary Mercer was one of Dr. Rosh’s first patients when Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute opened in July.

Dr. Mercer says she knew Dr. Rosh from when the two were in residency training together.

“I was impressed with her fellowship training at Duke,” says Dr. Mercer. “When I heard she was returning, I was excited both personally and also for our community, to have such a well-trained doctor in the area.”

She says she was pleased with the entire experience, from the convenient location, to the helpful staff, and the procedure itself.

“It was a very professional environment, and I was happy that everyone is female,” says Dr. Mercer. “It’s very comfortable for female patients, very welcoming, and it’s great to support our fellow female professionals.”

Dr. Mercer says the service she received was excellent, the exam was efficient, and both Dr. Rosh’s expertise and the clinical results she has experienced have been impressive.

Speaking of impressive, at the office’s Open House on July 18, Dr. Rosh gave away a number of free services, including a Grand Prize of free Botox for a year to local resident Ravi Patel. 

Dr. Roshni Ranjit-Reeves’ Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute is located in the same building as the Medi-Weightloss Center at 24420 S.R. 54 in Lutz. For appointments and more information, including information about the office’s Grand Opening specials, call (813) 303-0123 or visit DoctorRosh.com.

Mike Moore adds radio host to media portfolio


Mike Moore chats with Chris Sprowls, the Speaker of the House of the Florida House of Representatives, on a recent episode of “Reel Politics,” Moore’s new radio show/podcast.

There are two Mike Moores.

One is the Pasco County Commissioner representing District 2, which includes most of Wesley Chapel.

The other is a regular guy who has a media itch he needs to scratch, and is the new host of “Reel Politics” show and podcast on conservative radio station WGUL-AM 860 The Answer on Saturdays at 7 a.m..

“Two different guys,” says Moore, emphasizing that his radio show has nothing to do with his role as a county commissioner because that would be not allowed. “I have to keep them separate. If I have to vote on it, we won’t talk about it.”

So, if you’re looking to hear what Moore thinks about things like Wesley Chapel’s traffic, business development and the area’s massive growth, “Reel Politics” may not be for you.

If you enjoy conservative politics and learning about conservative politicians, however, it might be worth your time.

Moore’s first show (they are pre-recorded) focused on his guest — District 38 State Representative Randy Maggard — and mostly on why Rep. Maggard got into politics and some of the bills he has worked on and sponsored. On the second show, guest Chris Sprowls, the Speaker of the House of the Florida House of Representatives, and Moore discussed school choice legislation, the HB 1 protest bill, taxes and other Republican issues.

“We’ll discuss national things — infrastructure, how to do things better, things like that,” Moore says of the one-hour show. “We’ll get some pundits and some celebrities on there talking about politics, but it won’t be people going at each other’s throats.”

Moore, a former radio/TV major at the University of Central Florida, isn’t just dabbling in radio. The precursor to “Reel Politics” was a television version by the same name, where he took his guests out on a boat and had the same kind of discussions. Three episodes were filmed before Covid-19 hit.

Moore also has the Freedom Broadcasting Network, which is available on Roku and other streaming devices, which carries conservative shows like “Diamond and Silk,” as well as some fishing shows.

Moore laughs when it’s suggested that he could someday become a media mogul, and adds that he has no plans to get out of politics.

“I’m just getting back to my roots,” he says. For more information or to listen to past shows visit TheAnswer.com/radioshow/9757.

Ready for takeoff!

Rocco Becht. (Photos: Charmaine George)

Quarterback Rocco Becht stands on the launch pad, ready to reach the stars.

He has been waiting.

He waited his turn as a freshman at Wiregrass Ranch High as the junior varsity starter, was prematurely thrown into the starting role as a sophomore and saw his junior year clipped by an inexperienced team and Covid-19. He has still managed to put up good numbers, but they have not met his expectations.

He’s a senior now. And he is ready.

“I definitely feel like I have something to prove,” he says.

Rocco is ready for liftoff.

10…9…8….

Rocco is the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Anthony Becht, although he shares few of his pop’s imposing physical attributes. Anthony was a 6-foot-6, 270-pound monster of a tight end. Rocco is a little on the smallish side — he’s now 6’-1”, 185 lbs. — and says that when he played Pop Warner football, “I’m not going to lie, I was afraid to get hit.”

However, he acquired the love for football watching dad catch passes and block defenders in the NFL. And, he could throw a football better than the other kids, so he ended up being the quarterback. He played flag football for Liberty Middle School in New Tampa, and full-pads Pop Warner football for the South Pasco Predators.

What he lacked in physical stature he made up for with hard work and smarts.

As a freshman at Wiregrass Ranch in 2018, he started for the JV. Just a month before the start of the 2019 season, varsity starter Hunter Helton bolted for Armwood. Rocco was elevated to starter, and threw for 1,985 yards, 21 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while 

leading the Bulls to the postseason and a 7-4 final record.

“He got thrown into the fire,” Anthony says. “Physically, he couldn’t develop his sophomore year because he was still young and just getting into weights. Mentally, he had to speed that process up. I didn’t know what to expect. He wasn’t very big then. I was worried about him physically…but he did a great job with it. Once his sophomore season was done…he started thinking, ‘You know, I got something here.’”

Rocco says until that season, he wasn’t sure if he hadn’t peaked, if there was a “next level” waiting for him. But, fully committed afterwards, he set his sights on being great.

7…6…5…

From the end of his sophomore season through this summer, few have dedicated themselves more to their craft than Rocco.

“I’m not sure anyone has worked harder,” says Wiregrass Ranch head coach Mark Kantor. “He’s dedicated, that’s for sure. He sets the example.”

Bryson Rodgers will be one of Rocco’s top targets this season.

Rocco went to his father after the 2019 season and told Anthony that he was all in. It was all Anthony needed to hear. It started in the garage of their Wesley Chapel home, where, as the pandemic raged, dad laid out the roadmap to success for his son, which included working out, eating right, watching film and absorbing the game.

Rocco continued honing his skills with noted quarterback coach Chip Bennett and his son C.J. in Tampa. He survived a junior slump in a Covid-19-shortened season and this past offseason attacked the recruiting camp circuit with a vengeance.

In April, he orally committed to the Big 12’s Iowa State University in Ames. Although he had received an offer — with more likely to come — from Ole Miss a week before he committed, Rocco passed on Lane Kiffin and the prestigious Southeastern Conference and stuck with the Cyclones, who offered him first, during his sophomore year.

A 4.0 student, Rocco will graduate from Wiregrass Ranch in December and enroll at Iowa State in January.

Also in April, Rocco was named the MVP at a Rivals Camp in Miami, earning an invite to the prestigious Rivals100 5-Star Challenge in Atlanta in June.

Competing against the likes of Cade Klubnik (Clemson commitment), A.J. Swann (Maryland commit) and other higher-rated quarterbacks, Rocco stunningly dominated the event and again earned MVP honors.

“I was told I was one of the last guys picked to go to the Rivals thing,” Rocco says. “I went out there and balled. That put a bunch of confidence in me. It gave me a lot of momentum for this season.”

Two weeks ago, Rocco earned another star in the Rivals rankings, making him officially a 4-Star-rated quarterback.

4…3….

This season, Rocco will lead a Bulls team that is loaded on offense and still developing on defense, and is hoping to open one of its most promising seasons Friday. The Bulls Aug. 27 opener against Hernando and the originally scheduled game Friday against Wesley Chapel were postponed. No replacement has been announced.

No matter when it officially starts, Rocco is “stoked” about the possibilities this season. Like many of his teammates, he has been working hard for this moment.

Anthony will be calling the plays at Wiregrass Ranch this season, as the team’s offensive coordinator. In the spring game, Rocco threw four TD passes to three different receivers. He and wideout Bryson Rodgers — who has offers from Alabama and Florida, to name a few — might be the best QB-WR tandem in Tampa Bay high school football.

But, they are just pieces of a puzzle, Anthony says. “Rocco wants to win,” he says. “That’s what is most important. Not how many stars you have, not how many yards you have, but can we go to the playoffs? You throw for 450 yards, tweet that out, people put likes on it, and it’s good for a week. He wants to do something with this team that lasts a lifetime.”

Rocco may have been a late bloomer, but he still has plenty of quarterback swagger. He says he believes that the Bulls can win every game this season and make a deep run in the playoffs. He has circled the Mitchell game on Sept. 10, after the Mustangs returned the opening kickoff in last year’s game against the Bulls en route to a 42-14 romp. Powerhouses like Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech await the Bulls as well.

“I feel like I’ve earned everything I’ve gotten, from hard work and dedication to the game,” Rocco says. “It’s going to pay off at the end of the day. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me.”

Yes, Rocco Becht is on the launch pad, ready to reach the stars. 

2….1….blast off!