Jannah and I had both been to Las Vegas before, but never together, so when it was announced that one of our favorite live bands â The Killers â was having a residency at Caesarâs Palace in âSin City,â we knew we had to go see them again, despite the 105Âș heat.
Frontman Brandon Flowers and his crew (top photo) did not disappoint. From the Grammy-winning âMr. Brightsideâ to more recent hits like âCautionâ and âBoy,â it was a great night for us that started with dinner at Peter Lugerâs Steakhouse (bottom left photo), the Brooklyn institution best renowned for its bone-in porterhouse steaks. The reviews say that the Caesarâs Palace version is even better than the original. Maybe…but the meal was amazing.Â
We also got to see comedian Taylor Tomlinson during her two-night stop on her âHave It Allâ tour. Taylor, the host of the current TV show âAfter Midnight,â is known for her views on growing up in a church family and she recently came out as queer. Opening act Zach Noe Towers was super-funny, too.
Our first night in Vegas, we saw Kyle Martin (left), who starred in the Billy Joel musical âMovinâ Outâ on Broadway, and his show âPiano Man,â a multimedia tribute performance to both Joel and Elton John. Martin said he recently broke Elvisâ record for the most Vegas shows with more than 650. I can see why â he does an awesome job.Â
We also made a visit to the Mob Museum downtown (bottom right), where the history of the mobâs influence in both Vegas and the U.S. (including the JFK assassination), features the recreation of the actual wall where Chicagoâs âSt. Valentineâs Day Massacreâ took place. The tour ends with a visit to the museumâs 1920s-style speakeasy.Â
As for other food we enjoyed, while at the Wynn (one of the most beautiful casinos on the Strip) for Taylorâs set, we ate at a great Japanese place called Mizumi, where we scarfed down Japanese snapper tempura and a king crab hand roll. We closed out our four-day stay with yummy quiche and French toast for brunch at âMon Ami Gabiâ (below left), an authentic French bistro in the Paris Casino.Â
We didnât get to go to the Sphere (which looks truly amazing from the outside) to see its super-pricy âPostcard from Earthâ IMAX movie and I didnât win at the tables, but we had a blast! â GN
Former Tampa Bay Bucs kicker Martin GramĂĄtica posed for lots of pictures when he was met by a happy crowd of doctors, nurses and staffers at AdventHealth Tampa on Bruce B. Downs Blvd on Sep. 6 to help kick off the Bucs 2024 season two days later. (Photos by Charmaine George)
AdventHealth Tampa (3100 E. Fletcher Ave. at Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) got a special visit Friday from a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star two days before the team kicked off the 2024 NFL season.
Super Bowl winner Martin GramĂĄtica stopped by to greet hundreds of doctors, nurses, and clinicians. The former Bucs kicker took time to sign autographs, take photos and show his appreciation for the hard work front-line health care workers do every day.
AdventHealth is the exclusive hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and GramĂĄtica said he was happy â and honored â to represent the Bucs while greeting the AdventHealth Tampa team.
âIâm just here representing the Bucs to say âThank youâ to all of the men and women who sacrifice so much to take care of us when weâre not doing well.â
GramĂĄtica, who also is the VP of Business Development for Life Guard Imaging, said that it was just a âhappy coincidenceâ that he made his appearance at the hospitalâs Pepin Heart Institute. âLife Guard is just an imaging center,â he said. âThis is where you go to be taken care of when we find something wrong with you that needs to be addressed. People look up to football players, but these people are the real heroes.â
As for what he thinks about the Bucs â who open the season at this afternoon at 4:25 p.m. against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium â this year, when many so-called experts believe the team isnât playoff caliber, GramĂĄtica said, âI donât know about that. Iâm really excited about our chances. We had a really good year last year and when you bring guys like (quarterback) Baker (Mayfield) and (wide receiver) MIke (Evans) back, and add some young talent, you never know what can happen. Everyone starts the year 0-0 and every team is one injury away from not being good, so we just have to stay healthy and I think weâre gonna be good.â
Bucs cheerleaders Dante Hale (far left) and Ella Whitby (far right) were also happy to pose for pictures with the AdventHealth team.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Lauren Leiva of The ExerScience Center & the adjacent new Zen Powerhouse hot yoga studio off S.R. 54 in Lutz has been a featured speaker at multiple international conferences regarding not just physical therapy, but many other traditional and holistic medical practices. (Photos provided by Dr. Lauren Leiva)Â
The ExerScience Center, a revolutionary hub for fitness and physical rehabilitation off S.R. 54 in Lutz, has become a place of hope and transformation under the guidance of its visionary creator, Dr. Lauren Leiva, DPT.
This state-of-the-art facility has recently expanded to include Zen Powerhouse, a hot yoga and meditation studio next door. With a combined space of more than 3,000 square feet, the center offers a range of innovative therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, infrared sauna, ice plunges, vibration plates and decompression for the spine, alongside its specialized gait training programs. In addition to all of these amazing technologies, the Center has talented therapists for bodywork including cupping, Graston Technique, Dry Needling, Sound Bath, Detoxifying Lymphatic Drainage, Joint Mobilization and so much more!
Dr. Leiva (right) and her patient Molly at the Spastic Paraplegia conference.
You may know Dr. Leiva if you attended yoga classes in at the Crunch or EĆS Fitness gyms in Land OâLakes. She is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse range of qualifications and expertise in the field of health and wellness. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified personal trainer. In addition to these certifications, Lauren also is a master dry needler, fitness nutrition specialist, Graston Technique-certified practitioner, yoga instructor, sound healer, and Neubie practitioner with a focus on Muscular Sclerosis, among other accomplishments. Her extensive list of qualifications and certifications reflects her dedication to providing comprehensive care and support to her clients. Just hear what her clients have to say â and go to Google for many more!!!
Hear from her clients: âSix months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the ExerScience Center and I was blown away by the atmosphere and dedication to wellness that Dr. Lauren has created. She uses a combination of healing modalities that best suit her patientsâ needs, from traditional physical therapy to personal training, yoga, sauna, cold immersion therapy, weight training and advanced technology â she leaves no stone unturned when it comes to care. I highly recommend The ExerScience Center for anyone looking for health, wellness and healing.â â Patrick Alonso
Dr. Leiva founded The ExerScience Center in honor of her mother, who was a victim of medical malpractice.Â
Patient Patricia Sullivanâs 5-star review says, âThe ExerScience center has been life- changing. After four traumatic life events in 2022, I couldnât sleep. Dr. Lauren Leiva and Kristina are brilliant and the brain tap device helped me get back to REM sleep. They have such love, kindness and compassion. I would highly recommend this center for physical therapy, nutrition, weight loss and other natural methods to help reduce stress. So fortunate to be a part of this center!â
Founded on the belief to do no harm first after Dr. Leiva lost her own mother to medical malpractice in 2019., The ExerScience Center was established with a vision to combine the passions of exercise and science to utilized evidence-based research. Being a physical therapist and a personal trainer, Dr. Leiva has recognized how these two fields were not only similar but also held immense potential when used in combination. âWe believe that achieving oneâs best potential required a holistic approach that encompassed both the mind and body,â she says.
The name âExerScienceâ perfectly encapsulated Dr. Leivaâs philosophy. It represented the fusion of exercise and science, highlighting the importance of both in optimizing oneâs health and well-being. Her goal is not just to help people recover from injuries or get better physically, but to assist them in reaching their ultimate potential.
A Focus On Education
âAt The ExerScience Center,â Dr. Leiva says, âwe host an internship program and embrace continuing education, understanding the significance of scientific research and the need for continuous advancements in the field. While technology, such as our iPhones, constantly evolves, so do treatment options, therapeutic approaches, recovery techniques, and strengthening methods.â
Dr. Leiva works hard to stay at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring that her clients have access to the latest research and technology available.
One of those interns, Izzy D, says this about her experience working with Dr. Leiva:
Dr. Lauren Leiva & her current crew of interns at The ExerScience Center.
âI have enjoyed my time at The ExerScience Center and learning under the tutelage of Dr. Leiva. I had incredible hands-on experience and eye-opening exposure to physical therapy modalities. The clinic focuses on integrative practices to create individualized treatment (plans) and the best possible outcomes for patients. Dr. Leiva is wonderful mentor who values educational experiences. She exudes altruism, which makes her an exceptional one-of-a kind physical therapy practitioner.âÂ
Recently filmed for a documentary on Amazon Prime, Dr. Leiva has earned the nickname âThe Queen of Biohacking,â thanks to her expertise in utilizing cutting-edge techniques and technologies to optimize human performance. Called âBiohack Yourself,â the documentary is set to be released on Amazon Prime this December and will provide a platform to showcase her top Biohackers, including Robert F. Kennedy, Dave Asprey, Jim Kwik and so many in this discipline to inspire others.
âCheck out the cast on IMDB,â she says. âItâs amazing!!!â
Dr. Leiva at the IMDB Film Festival, where her documentary film âBiohack Yourselfâ was premiered.Â
Dr. Leiva has traveled the world and is now speaking at conferences to bridge the gap between traditional medicine, plant medicine and the latest technologies.
Being one of the first medical marijuana card recipients in Florida, she is paving the way through science â researching the effects of ayahuasca (the South American psychoactive typically used by indigenous cultures and folk healers in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins) and other plant medicines on brain waves.
One of the centerâs standout features is a comprehensive program that caters to individuals relearning to walk after various challenges. Whether itâs a stroke survivor, someone recovering from surgery, Parkinsonâs disease, or an individual adjusting to a new prosthetic, etc., the gait-training program at The ExerScience Center provides personalized support and guidance. By optimizing energy and movement patterns, Dr. Leiva and her staff enable individuals to regain their mobility with confidence and efficiency.
Zen Powerhouse
However, The ExerScience Center isnât limited to rehabilitation services alone.
âFrom pain to performance, we take people through their span of care,â she says, âas I believe itâs never a destination, but a lifestyle of longevity and wellness.â
Dr. Leiva invites you to experience holistic healing at her Zen Powerhouse hot yoga & meditation studio.Â
The addition of Zen Powerhouse, the Centerâs new hot yoga and meditation studio, is a testament to our commitment after rehabilitation goals are met.
âVisitors can now experience the benefits of hot yoga and meditation, both of which promote mental clarity, flexibility and inner peace. The integration of these practices complements the Centerâs rehabilitation services, creating a comprehensive approach to optimal body and mind performance.â
The expanded facility offers a range of other advanced practices designed to support spiritual recovery, physical mobility and overall wellness. The hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber provides a healing environment where individuals can experience increased oxygen levels, which helps promote tissue repair and regeneration. The Centerâs infrared sauna aids in detoxification, relaxation and pain relief, while ice plunges offer therapeutic benefits such as reducing inflammation and improving circulation. Vibration plates and decompression for the spine further contribute to the centerâs commitment to providing innovative solutions for physical well-being.
People from all walks of life are drawn to The ExerScience Centerâs unique approach.
Shameless Plug
âI also recommend stopping in to my husband Jonathanâs store â Leivaâs Jewelry on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (in the New Tampa Center shopping plaza). Let him know I sent you. He has been a part of the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel community for the past ten years and continues to provide beautiful, custom-designed jewelry, as well as jewelry repair services.â
The ExerScience Center and Zen Powerhouse Yoga & Meditation Studio are located at 24706 S.R. 54 in Lutz. For more information, visit TheExerScienceCenter.com, call (813) 803-7070.
Dr. Lauren & her husband Jonathan Leiva of Leivaâs Jewelry in New Tampa, with their sons Elijah (standing) and Alexander Joseph.Â
As anyone who has visited the Lotte Plaza Market food court can attest, Korean fried chicken places are all the rage here now. With one successful Florida location in Bradenton, one in Ybor City and the newest one in front of the Ballantrae community on S.R. 54 in Land OâLakes, Sweet Krunch Korean Fried Chicken & Boba Tea (left photo) will look to capitalize on this crunchy new craze when it opens next week in the former location of FJ Express in the Shoppes at New Tampa at 1832 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. just south of S.R. 56.Â
Featuring authentic Korean fried chicken, bibimbap bowls, Asian fusion appetizers (like pork potstickers) and boba teas, Sweet Krunch could have a future in our area. For more info, visit SweetKrunchFL.kwickmenu.com or the Ballantrae location at 17788 Aprile Dr., Land OâLakes.Â
But, itâs not completely new, as Coffee Latitudes owners James and Olga Frank are still supplying their delicious house-roasted coffee to The Bean Shack, which the new owner Ben says has a âbeachyâ vibe. We hope to update you about everything The Bean Shack has to offer in a future issue.
Congratulations, My Spice Buds!
Bindu Grandhi of My Spice Buds receives her âFulfill Your Destinyâ Business Builder Grant award (right) from Tampa Bay Markets.Â
Congratulations go out to Wesley Chapel resident Bindu Grandhi, the founder & CEO of My Spice Buds, a local family-owned venture that has been spicing up the local culinary scene with all-natural, vibrant hot sauces (Super Mirchi, Fiery Mirchi, and Tangy Mirchi), which stand out in the market for their health-conscious ingredients and exceptional flavors, drawing from cherished family recipes.
My Spice Buds was honored with a âFulfill Your Destinyâ Business Builder Grant from Tampa Bay Markets (TBM) at a recent TBM Fresh Market event at the Shops at Wiregrass. Aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs, this program provides crucial funding to take participating businesses to the next level.
Bindu says, âMy Spice Buds is more than just a business; itâs a passion project. This grant not only validates our vision, it also empowers us to continue innovating and expanding our product offerings,â including a new spice blend. For more information, visit MySpiceBuds.com. â GN
You still have a chance to win FREE dining in this yearâs Reader Dining Survey & Contest, but as youâre reading this, thereâs only a little more than six weeks left to vote for your favorite eateries in Wesley Chapel & New Tampa! Click HEREto enter!
Here are this yearâs categories again!
1) Your Five Favorite (overall) Restaurants in Wesley Chapel (WC)
2) Your Favorite American Restaurant in Wesley Chapel
3) Your Favorite Pizza Place in WC
Those same three categories also appear on the New Tampa ballot.Â
Both entry forms, however, also include lists of places that ask you to pick your Favorite in New Tampa (NT) AND Wesley Chapel, often (but not always) because there arenât enough in a certain category in just one of our distribution areas. Here are those other categories:
1) You Favorite Mexican Place in NT/ WC
2) Your Favorite Latin (but not Mexican) Restaurant in NT/WC
3) Your Favorite Chinese Place in NT/WC
4) Your Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT & WC
5) Your Favorite Thai or Korean Restaurant in NT/WC
6) Your Favorite Italian Food in NT/WC
7) Your Favorite Greek or Mediterranean Restaurant in NT/WC
8) Your Favorite Indian Place in NT/WC
9) Your Favorite Breakfast Place in NT/WC
9) Your Favorite Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt or Gelato Place in NT/WC
10) Your Favorite Bakery in NT/WC
11) Your Favorite Coffee Shop in NT/WC
Weâre providing the lists of places, although weâve left out the large national and regional chains (with more than 50-60 total locations), because you have to write (or type) the names of your favorites in the spaces provided and weâre pretty sure you know those if theyâre your favorite in a category â and yes, you can still include them (we just wish you would focus on local).
Fill out as many categories as you like, but please donât put the same name in every category, because those votes wonât be counted and if a restaurant is on our Wesley Chapel list, your vote wonât count if you write the name of that restaurant in any New Tampa-only spaces and vice-versa.
You can submit both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel ballots without being DQed â and, as always, there is still no purchase of any kind necessary to enter or win a great FREE prize! Click HERE for Wesley Chapel and click HERE for New Tampa.
This yearâs Grand Prize is now $200 in FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice anywhere in the Tampa Bay area. There also are prizes of $100 and $50, all chosen at random from among all correctly-filled-out entries received by email or on our NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net website (Note-no U.S. Mail entries will be accepted for this yearâs contest!) by Friday, October 18.