We told you last issue that the Chicken Boss was being replaced at the KRATEs by Indian Street Kitchen, the faster-food concept from owners Harry and his brother Mike Patel from Persis Indian Grill, the instant hit that opened earlier this year next to Double Branch Brewing in the Village at The Grove.ย
Well, the new Indian Street Kitchen KRATE opened just in time for the hugely popular June 28 R&B Only Night and although we didnโt end up sampling the cuisine that night, the new eatery is indeed now serving โevery type of Indian street food,โ as promised by the Patels.
In addition to the sticky, spicy Masala wings shown here, Indian Street Kitchen has everything from chicken nuggets and egg and spring rolls to paneer (cheese) and chicken tikka rolls, vada pav (deep-fried potato dumpling slider sandwiches), crunch corn and even Masala calamari, to name just a few โ and nothing on the menu costs more than $11.99!
The next time you visit The Grove or the KRATEs, stop in at Indian Street Kitchen (5888 Grand Oro Ln., Suite 110, Unit 34) to check out this new fast casual restaurant. And please, tell Harry and Mike that I sent you! โ GN
New Tampa residents Nidhi Dwivedi and Arvind Gupta of Financial Vision can help you with estate planning, life insurance and more. (Photos by Charmaine George)
If youโve never visited Lavender Spa & Nails, located at the Tampa Premium Outlets (on the south side of S.R. 56), now is the time! The nail spaโs convenient location makes it the perfect spot to get a manicure and/or pedicure in between shopping and dinner.
Indulge in a luxurious spa experience as Lavender Spa & Nailโs highly skilled professional technicians customize your treatment to your needs, leaving you relaxed and rejuvenated. The spa is now under the ownership of Chris and Gaiu (who goes by โLeeโ) Alley, the same husband-and-wife team that also owns Colorful Nails on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.
Chris, who has a background in information technology (IT), takes care of the โback endโ of the business, such as managing the software at the salon and its website and marketing, while Lee oversees the day-to-day activities at the spa. The Wesley Chapel residents took over ownership of Lavender in February of this year but the previous owners and most of the staff stayed on to make for an easy transition. Most of the nail technicians have been at the spa for more than five years.
โWe werenโt really planning to open another salon, but this opportunity came along and we decided to go for it,โ says Chris. โYou sure canโt beat the location.โ
The revamped interior of Lavender Spa & Nails lets you know youโre in for a luxurious experience.
Lee has made several improvements to the spa by expanding the area for facials and adding a massage room โ massages will be available soon by appointment only. She also has updated the interior with an elegant new dรฉcor. Lee also has added new nail services, including the Hot Sweet Pedicure that incorporates hot steam into the luxurious Lavender Detox Pedicure (with the most luxurious pedicure products to reduce anxiety and stress with a fragrance you will love for total relaxation, leaving your feet and skin purified and replenished).
The machine in this picture adds invigorating steam to the Hot Spa Pedicure.
Lavender Spa & Nails also offers a wide array of other pedicures, including a paraffin spa pedicure (a high-end, eco-friendly paraffin alternative that is 100% natural, with shea butter and essential oils, that is great for dry and cracked heels), a volcano spa pedicure (with five steps of organic ingredients, including detox volcano crystals and activator, combined to create a fun, bubbling โexplosionโ) and the ultimate aloe spa pedicure (with natural aloe jelly that retains heat, soothes aching muscles and alleviates joint pain; the jelly also acts as a gentle exfoliant while the aromatic natural oils soften the skin and relax your mind and body; also includes hot stone massage and Eco-Fin wax in medicated boots in four different heavenly scents), to name a few.
Manicure services include acrylic, gel, Gel- X, and dip powder nails. Spa services offered are waxing, facials and eyelash extensions. If youโre looking to treat your little ones, there are several Princess services available for ages 11 and under.
Client Cheyenne Alderman, in her 5-star Google review (Lavender has a 4.6 overall Google rating, on nearly 600 reviews), raves about the services for younger clients.
โTook my nieces to get their nails done for their birthdays, the staff was absolutely amazing! They were very accommodating to us, had great prices and they did a wonderful job! Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a quality nail salon!โ
Lee says, โWhat sets us apart from other salons is that we treat our staff and clients like family. Customer service is our highest priority.โ With a staff of 13 highly qualified technicians, you will always be treated to high-quality services and a friendly atmosphere.
Lavenderโs nail techs can re-create pretty much any design and style of nails you want.
In her 5-star review on Google, Sydney Caplinger said, โI loved how relaxing the environment was! Everyone was so nice. Halle did my manicure and she was so nice and respectful and I showed her a picture of what I wanted for my nails and she exceeded my expectations!โ Lee says, in fact, that Lavender Spa & Nails specializes in nail art.
The spa also has a reward program โ you receive a stamp with a purchase of a service over $32 and on your 10th service you receive $10 off. Seniors age 65+ and active military and veterans receive a 5% discount and youโll receive a 10% discount on your birthday. Everyday pricing is competitive with the area, despite Lavenderโs desirable (and not inexpensive) mall location.
And finally, customer Lindsay Kendall says in her 5-star review, โThis is the best nail salon experience I have ever had! The salon is gorgeous and the owner is so nice. All of the nail techs are friendly and take their time. I felt so at home and relaxed the entire time. Dolys did my full set and Nina did my pedicure. Highly recommend these ladies!โ
The next time youโre shopping at the outlet mall, give yourself a break and get the pampering you deserve at Lavender Spa & Nails located at 2398 Grand Cypress Dr., Suite 430, Lutz. The spaโs hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and 11 a.m.โ6 p.m. on Sun. For appointments or more info, call (813) 300-3005 or visit LavenderSpaNails.com.
Lavender Spa & Nails features thousands of colors available in acrylic, Gel-X and dip powder.ย When you receive the new Hot Sweet Pedicure from Lavender nail tech Benny โ or any of Lavenderโs experience technicians โ youโll be treated to a soothing leg massage. When you visit Lavender Spa & Nails, youโll be treated like family by the experienced staff.
Although parts of the new laws may end up being challenged in the courts, many portions of them went into effect on July 1
By Iris Vitelli, Neighborhood News Correspondent & Gary Nager
Among the many bills Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in May was Florida House Bill (HB) 1203, which is now changing the way many homeowners associations do business. (Photo is from FLVoiceNews.com)
A number of the bills Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on May 31 of this year will have far-reaching effects on homeowners (HOAs) and condominium associations, licensed community association managers (LCAMs) and home and condo owners themselves.
According to PearlAntonacci.com(the website of the Pearl Antonacci Group of Compass Real Estate, based in Boca Raton), the 2024 HOA (Florida House Bill 1203) and condo (HB 1021) laws introduce stringent requirements for structural safety, financial transparency, and board governance:
โKey highlights include:
โข Reserve Studies & Funding: Condo associations are now required to conduct comprehensive reserve studies periodically. This ensures that sufficient funds are available for major repairs and replacements, providing a clear financial roadmap for future needs.
โข Increased Transparency: Associations must provide detailed financial reports to all members annually, ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for, fostering trust and clarity within the community.
โข Structural Integrity Inspections: In light of past incidents, there is a heightened focus on the physical health of buildings. Regular, mandatory inspections are to be carried out to guarantee the safety and durability of the structures.
โข Insurance Adjustments: The laws mandate that condo associations maintain robust insurance policies covering a wide range of potential damages, which might lead to increased premiums but significantly better protection against unforeseen events.
โข Enhanced Board Requirements: Board members are subject to stricter eligibility criteria and training requirements, aiming to professionalize HOA management and enhance decision-making processes.
For homeowners, these changes mean more rights and protections from potentially overreaching HOA boards. Itโs important for homeowners to be proactive, by attending HOA meetings and staying informed about their rights under the new laws.โ
But, while not all of Florida House Bill (HB) 1203 is yet in effect, many of these changes did take effect on July 1. The new law requires homeowners associations, certain community association managers and community association management firms โto post certain documents on their websites or make available such documents through an application by a date certain.โ The law also provides that an association or its agent is required to apply and enforce certain standards regarding architectural or construction improvements โreasonably and equitably.โ
Key Changes & Requirements
Several new laws address property management companies. While some HOAs and property management companies have adhered to these now-required practices for years, others were rushing to comply by July 1, when most of the requirements kick in. However, the website requirement is extended to January 1, 2025. The law states that HOA documents must be accessible via a website or mobile app, with a password-protected portal for homeowners. Required documents include:
โข Declaration of Covenants & Amendments
โข Articles of Incorporation & Amendments
โข Bylaws & Amendments
โข Current Rules
โข Contracts & Bids
โข Annual Budget
โข Financial Reports
โข Insurance Policies
โข Director Certifications
โข Agendas & Minutes
โข All Contracts, Notices & Documents related to Conflicts of Interest
โข Member Meeting Notices & Agendas
โข Board Meeting Notices & Enclosures
Although many documents will be available on the HOAโs website, homeowners can still request to view documents kept by the property management company. Requests must be made by certified mail, and appointments will be arranged. Homeowners may take pictures or request and pay for copies of the records.
Penalties & Compliance
The law now explicitly states that directors or property managers who knowingly solicit, offer, or accept kickbacks are guilty of a third-degree felony.
If a director is removed, the Board must fill the position immediately. When entering into a contract with an HOA, the contract must have a conflict of interest section. The property management company may recommend a vendor they have a stake in but must now disclose that information in the contract.
Fining Committees & Procedures
Not all HOAs already have a fining committee but under the new law, all HOAs are now required to establish such a committee. This committee will be made up of homeowner peers, and can not include any Board members or HOA employees. The committee will hear the homeownerโs explanation for not addressing the violation or contacting the property manager to make arrangements. After hearing the homeownerโs side, the committee will decide whether or not to impose the fine. The only authority the fining committee has is to approve or reject the fine; they cannot make alternate arrangements with the homeowner.
Previously, the fining committee met at a location; the new law states that a homeowner can attend these meetings via phone or other electronic means. This law also prohibits a fine or suspension from being imposed if the violation is cured before the hearing has been held.
The law also prevents associations from levying fines and suspensions for leaving garbage at the curb 24 hours before or after collection time or for leaving holiday decorations or lights on longer than allowed by governing documents, unless they are left for more than a week after the HOA gives written notice of the violation.
Expert Opinions
Attorney Jonathan Ellis, who is Board-certified in condominium and planned development law and a Partner and Community Associations Business Sector Chair at the Tampa office of Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick, and an expert in HOA law, says, โUnfortunately, year after year, more amendments complicate HOA operations. Associations will need to consult counsel more often.โ He adds that, โmany changes are beneficial but will require HOAs to spend money to accommodate them.โ
For example, he says, โOne change that could end up in front of a judge is the new law about commercial vehicles. Homeowners can now park in their driveways. The new law lacks a clear definition of what is considered a commercial vehicle. Is it the definition of the Dept. of Motor Vehicles or the minivan that has a ladder on the top? If someone challenges it, a judge will get involved.โ
Ellis also says that the cost to create, update and maintain an HOA website and for HOA directors to complete certification classes will likely be passed on to the homeowners. Previously, property managers would have new Board members sign a form stating they had read the documents and encouraged them to do so. The new law now requires that all new Board members take the Certification Course and mandates 4 additional hours of education each year for properties with 2,500 or fewer units, or 8 hours per year for larger properties.
โAlthough some changes may be open to interpretation and might end up in court, one thing is clear: Mandating directors to take the certification class and additional education is a positive development,โ Ellis says.
He adds, โThe new law says HOAs may no longer prevent a homeowner from protecting their home against hurricanes. This may mean changes to the architecture of the property.โ He advises HOAs to consult an architect to understand what this means for the HOAโs Architectural Review Committee.
The friendly professional staff at Farina Orthodontic Specialists is led by orthodontists (front row, l.-r.) Pedro Franco, D.M.D., Undine Davis, D.M.D. & Mark Farina, D.M.D. (Photos provided by Farina Orthodontic Specialists)ย
Dr. Mark Farina, D.M.D (Doctor of Dental Medicine), of Farina Orthodontic Specialists is something of an institution in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas.
Dr. Farina has been creating beautiful smiles in our communities for nearly 30 years and continues to be at the forefront of both the latest technology and the highest possible level of patient care.
After opening his first office on N. Habana Ave. in West Tampa in 1995, Dr. Farina opened his Tampa Palms office in the professional center next to what is now called the Shops at Amberly in 2000.
Since then, he estimates that he has worked on more than 25,000 smiles for children and a growing number of adults.
โThey start as little people, and I see them grow up,โ Dr. Farina says. โI have been invited to attend graduations, weddings and other functions. Itโs great to see what a difference a great smile makes.โ
Today, Farina Orthodontic Specialists has three offices โ one in South Tampa, one in Tampa Palms and the newest location in the building dubbed โThe Cubeโ on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel (between AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and the Shops at Wiregrass mall). And, two additional orthodontists who share Dr. Farinaโs passion for creating beautiful smiles have joined him to serve even more patients โ Undine Davis, D.M.D., and Pedro Franco, D.M.D.ย
The first floor of the three-story cube is now the headquarters of Farina Orthodontic Specialists and also is home to a number of other related dental and medical specialists, including dental services such as root canals (endodontics) and maxillofacial surgery (to correct issues with teeth, gums and even jaws), as well as the officeโs high-tech call center, digital lab and corporate office โ all on the second floor of the building. The third floor is home to Kids SPOT, which provides pediatric therapy services, including speech, physical, occupational and applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies for children from birth to age 21 at every stage of development.ย
Among the many technological advancements youโll find at Farina Orthodontic Specialists are low-dose digital X-rays (above) and the 3D impressionless scanner (right).
โWhen we were starting to build the new office, my son Stefano was 18 and became part of the process,โ Dr. Farina says. โI think that may have encouraged him to get involved in building projects, which he is still doing today. He looked at the cube and said, โDad, it is missing a clock. People always remember a building with a clock on it!โ Thatโs how the (traditional round) clock became part of the building.โ
All three offices are busy places, with any number of happy patients visiting every day.
โIn fact, one of Stefanoโs close friends also was a patient,โ Dr. Farina says. โMy wife (Lissette) and I overheard this friend tell my son, โI have to thank your dad. I was like a three when I first went to him. But, I got my smile fixed and now Iโm like an eight, so I am going to ask (girls name) to the prom.โ These are the types of things that make me smile. I donโt ever feel like Iโm working. I love what I do and take pride in the happiness and confidence we bring to so many.โ
Embracing Change
Although some patients still either opt to (or have to) choose traditional metal braces, Dr. Farina says the motto at the office is โEmbrace Change.โ He and his team are always looking for innovative ways to grow and one way to accomplish this goal is with new technologies, which means more than just embracing Invisalignยฎ clear aligners โ although Dr. Farina says he is the top Invisalignยฎ provider in the area, and one of just a few orthodontists nationwide who have reached Elite Status with Invisalignยฎ. In fact, he says, 60-70% of the practiceโs current patients are using Invisalignยฎ.ย
Dr. Franco works on a patient.
One such advancement in the orothodontic industry is the Dental Monitoring ScanBox Pro. This is a device and process that allows patients to take digital scans of their teeth (and entire mouths) every week with their phones. The images are sent to the office so the doctors can monitor the progress of these patients between scheduled appointments, especially if anything appears to not be progressing properly. At that point, they can be brought into the office as quickly as possible to correct any issues.
โOur office was the first in the country to have this technology and we have been using it for more than four years now with great success.โ
Other technological advances include a 3D impressionless scanner that can create a digital 3D model of your teeth in minutes. An i-CAT 3D Machine takes a 3D image of not just the patientโs teeth, but also of the bones and airways in his or her head. Best of all, the process takes all of five seconds.
An iTero 3D impressionless scanner can create a digital 3D model of your teeth in three minutes โ without the need for that traditional, dreaded goop. The 3-D printers can even produce tooth aligners and retainers on site.
Not Just For Kids Anymore
Another trend in the orthodontic industry, according to Dr. Farina, is that 40% of the orthodontic practiceโs patients are now adults, including a growing number of adult men. Some, but not all, of these adult patients are the parents of younger patients who see how effective orthodontics can be.ย
Dr. Farina shows a patient their X-rays.
โMany of the adults do go with Invisalignยฎ (clear aligners),โ Dr. Farina says.
Dr. Farina says that while Farina Orthodontic Specialists may not be the least expensive option for patients, โWeโre not the most expensive orthodontists, either.โ He adds that the practiceโs prices are competitive, and it accepts all types of insurance plans. He will also workย with patients who may need a payment plan, which he says can cost as little as $149/month.ย
โYour smile is for a lifetime,โ Dr. Farina says. โItโs one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. When you smile, you have the power to change the energy around you, as well as how you feel and how people around you feel.โ
When Dr. Farina was young, he had a bad experience with a dentist and was determined to make his office and everything about the experience friendly and inviting. Thatโs why his offices donโt look or feel like a dentistโs office.
He also says that he is very proud of his staff. Every week, he and his team have โWOW Wednesday,โ where the employees nominate one of their own to be the โWowerโ of the week.
Meet The Teamย
Dr. Farina poses with his three โTop Dentistโ awards from Tampa Magazine.ย
Dr. Farina earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from Boston College in Boston, MA. He earned his D.M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia and did his post-graduate orthodontic training at New York University (NYU) in New York City, NY.
He also has received advanced training in the integrated diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and has served on research teams at both NYU and Penn to help find new and better ways to solve orthodontic problems. Dr. Farina attends more than 80 hours of professional seminars each year and participates in giving seminars and webinars across the country.
Dr. Pedro Franco was born in Cleveland, OH, but grew up in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Mexico, and earned his D.M.D. degree (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine in San Juan. His Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics is from the Georgia School of Orthodontics, where he received the Doctor Nathaniel Glover Leadership & Professionalism Scholarship.ย
Dr. Davis works on a patient.
Dr. Undine Davis graduated from Stanford University in Stanford, CA, where she was an outstanding hurdler on the schoolโs track team. She earned her D.M.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. She also earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Dental Sciences and a Specialty Certification in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville.
All three doctors in the practice are Board-certified and Dr. Farina says that only about 25% of all dentists are Board-certified, so he is very proud of this accomplishment. He and his team also have been voted one of the Top Dentists in Tampa the last three years by Tampa Magazine. The entire practice is very active in the community and has provided mouth guards for local sports teams and sponsored numerous causes that support education, encourage leadership and save lives.
To schedule a free virtual consultation, with Farina Orthodontic Specialists, visit FarinaSmiles.com, where you also can find additional information about the practice. New patients can call (813) 652-0074 for more information. The Tampa Palms office is located at 15303 Amberly Dr., Suite E, and the Wesley Chapel office is located at 2370 Bruce B. Downs, Suite 100.ย
In case you missed it, Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant is now under new ownership, as Jordan and Jason Scott (top photo) have purchased the popular eatery and night spot from the former partnership trio of Lee Bevan and brothers Jamie and Joe Hess.ย
Jordan and Jason, the latter of whom is an accomplished pianist and musician himself who previously booked the dueling piano players that perform every Friday and Saturday (and now Thursday night, too) at Treble Makers, formally introduced themselves to their customers on June 20.
โWeโre committed to making sure the food, service and entertainment meet and exceed your expectations,โ Jason said. โWe do have some menu changes coming up but first, weโre working as hard as we can to make sure you always enjoy your visit to TrebleMakers.โ
In the meantime, the restaurantโs cool robot server (below right) will still bring you the same delicious menu items (like the baked Imperial crab dip below left) many of you already know and love. And, donโt forget to try the new $8 lunch specials!ย
For more information about Treble Makers (6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.), including the new $8 lunch menu items, call (813) 406-4371 or visit TrebleMakersofWC.com.
