(L.-r.) Current Clark Elementary AP Kelly Wackes, former AP Nicole Libby, former principal Gaye Holt , former principal Paulette English , current principal Dr. Delilah Rabeiro, charter principal Valerie Orihuela, former AP Mary Frances Ledo and former principal Brenda Griffin were all on hand for the 25th anniversary celebration for the third public elementary school to open in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code. (Photos by Charmaine George) Congratulations to Clark Elementary, the third elementary school (preceded by Tampa Palms and Hunter’s Green elementaries) and fifth public school overall (also ..read more

Both Azteca D’Oro in the Shops at Wiregrass (see ad below) and the two Don Julio’s locations (see ad below) will host huge celebrations — with mariachis, food & drink specials and more — for Cinco de Mayo on Saturday the 4th, and the celebrations also will continue on Sunday, the 5th, at both Don Julio’s locations.  Don Julio’sDon Julio’sDon Julio’sDon Julio’sDon Julio’sAzteca D’OroAzteca D’OroAzteca D’OroAzteca D’Oro The post Cinco de Mayo Festivities at Azteca D’Oro & at both Don Julio’s Mexican restaurant locations appeared first on Neighborhood News ..read more

We received word earlier today that two Irish pubs with Wesley Chapel addresses — Irish 31 in The Shops at Wiregrass and the Beef O’Brady’s on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in the Shoppes at New Tampa at Wesley Chapel, just south of the mall — had closed. Irish 31 posted the following notice on its Facebook page on April 29: “Thank you, Wesley Chapel, for 7 wonderful years! Sadly, our Wiregrass location has officially closed its doors, but we hope to raise a pint with you some day soon at one of our other Tampa Bay pubs.” Meanwhile, although we saw no such announcement for the Beef O’Brady’s on ..read more

Get ready for an exhilarating blend of southern charm, high-stakes excitement and philanthropic fervor as the Tampa Derby Day + Casino Night Fundraiser returns for its third annual edition.  Hosted this year at The Venetian Event Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, this Kentucky Derby-themed extravaganza promises an unforgettable experience, seamlessly blending the glamour of the races with the thrill of casino-style gambling.  Before the sun sets on May 4, guests will step into an atmosphere buzzing with excitement. This highly anticipated event has sold out each year, becom ..read more

TJF USA LLC, the parent company of Central Florida-based Tijuana Flats Tex-Mex restaurants, has been acquired by a new ownership group (Flatheads, LLC), but the company concurrently announced that it has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which has resulted in the closing of 11 of its 26 franchise locations (there also are 65 company-owned Tijuana Flats), including the one in New Tampa at 17501 Preserve Walk Ln. in the Highwoods Preserve area, which is already closed. The Wesley Chapel Tijuana Flats, located at 27709 S.R. 56, is one of the locations that is remaining open. All of the Tijuana Flats ..read more

 If you travel east on K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. (past Sundrift Dr.; see map above), a little south of the Hillsborough/Pasco county line, you’ll come to a spot where the K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. abruptly ends at five perfectly placed bright red diamond signs.  To the left are gorgeous houses being constructed by M/I Homes around a freshly paved cul-de-sac, and to the right, a beautiful set of lakes where sandhill cranes are teaching their young how to forage for food along the banks.  As the sun lowers in the sky, walkers, runners and bicyclists begin to emerge and take advantage of this 800 ..read more

Taylor Gardner grew up around gutters, learning his dad Ed’s business.  One thing he’s learned is that adding gutters is about the least expensive thing homeowners can do to protect the value of their homes, ensuring that Florida’s famous summer downpours don’t destroy their foundations or any aesthetic upgrades.  “Protecting the foundation of your home is the main purpose of gutters,” Taylor says, “but they also protect your paint and will help your grass and sod last longer. Gutters protect anything on the outside of your house to help it stay in great shape for as long as possibl ..read more

Included among the Top-21 Pizza Restaurants in Tampa in Stacker.com’s rankings, based on reviews on Yelp.com, were (above) #4-The Grill at Morris Bridge (photo by Charmaine George); (below middle) #11-Capri Pizza-N-More; (below left) #15-Cali Tampa Palms; and (below right) #21-Via Italia. Note – All of the photos, other than The Grill’s, are from each restaurant’s website or social media.  On April 21, Stacker.com, a nationwide website started in 2017, published a list of the Top-21 Pizza restaurants in Tampa, using data from Yelp. Here is how Stacker, which says that its mission is to ..read more

“Welcome to Moe’s!” was the familiar and unmistakable sound that filled the bright and airy new restaurant located at 5486 Post Oak Blvd. — the first business to open in the new retail strip center between The WingHouse and The Learning Experience, near the entrance to the Lexington Oaks community off Wesley Chapel Blvd. The second Moe’s Southwest Grill to open in Wesley Chapel (the other is in The Shops at Wiregrass) was a happening place during its Grand Opening on Apr. 19.  The lure was too good for some to pass up. To celebrate, the new Moe’s gave tickets for “Burritos On Us for a Ye ..read more

Attorney Denise Welter (left) and her paralegal Tara Ellis are happy to help you with all of your estate planning needs at the Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, located just north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)  A native Floridian and a lawyer in private practice for 22 years, Denise A. Welter, Esq., is celebrating going out on her own and the first anniversary of her Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, just north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. Denise and her trusted paralegal Tara Ellis deliver top-tier legal services i ..read more