the bookstore reopened just a mile south down Dale Mabry Highway   Carrollwood resident Sarah Patterson checks out a Stephen King book on April 23 during the grand opening of Barnes & Noble's new store in the Palms of Carrollwood shopping plaza [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Beacon Media ]By Mike CamunasBeacon MediaPublished YesterdayCARROLLWOOD — It hits anyone who walks through the doors like a wave but it is a distinct smell always commented upon “It’s the one thing you’ll always hear a customer say,” Barnes & Noble Carrollwood manager Matt Morse said I love the smell of new books.’ There’s nothing like that feeling you’ll get from picking up a book his staff and all the local readers of hard-copy fresh-scented books have a new place to breathe in the print after spending nearly 30 years at its previous location closed for nine months and relocated just a mile south down Dale Mabry Highway It took over half the space of the shuttered Bed Dale Mabry Highway in the Palms of Carrollwood shopping plaza opened its doors to the public on April 23 — with hundreds of customers and avid readers lined up outside “I knew it was going to be (a popular event) because of the ramp-up (of followers on social media),” Morse said adding how the bookstore’s accounts had been keeping followers up to date with the progress “I didn’t think there would be that many people out there A lot of us worked at the previous location so we were just as sad as customers and residents when it closed but we were just as excited to be back in this area and we could see the buildup to the excitement to this day.” Hundreds of residents and avid readers flocked to the grand opening of Barnes & Noble's new Carrollwood store on April 23 [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Beacon Media ]Customers poured through the doors to see shelves tables and displays lined with books and more following a quick ribbon-cutting ceremony by former NFL coach Tony Dungy and his wife who then stayed to promote and sign their line of books they’ve written together Additionally, back at the Palms of Carrollwood, which also saw Sam Ash Music Center close last year, the entire plaza is getting a facade facelift, with other businesses such as Petco, Keke’s, Great Clips, Carrollwood Compounding Center and Fresh Market all opening during the work. In March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barnes & Noble announced that it would temporarily stop selling magazines and close 400 of its 620 stores. However, the company ended up reopening, relocating and reversing course, with 60 new locations in 2024 and plans to launch another 60 additional stores in 2025. “I’ve been with the company a little over 10 years,” he added, “so I’ve seen the differences from how (the stores have) been run and now they’ve given each location more local flare because it used to be that (at each location), you put the same books on the same table in the same spot in every store. “Now, at the local level, there’s a lot of flexibility with marketing.” That not only includes stocking local authors, books, materials and other media, but also bringing in local authors for signings and events. It’s an aspect that Morse — an avid reader of mystery thrillers and adult fiction — enjoys because it allows him to feel out “the vibe” brought in by customers and make his store a common ground of great books and other media. “But, I think, they’re all here for the same thing — that new book smell.” COMMUNITY PARTNER That’s So Tampa has been the most trusted local resource for discovering All Things Good in Tampa Bay Balloonies once filled Raymond James Stadium with 10,000 balloons this small mom-and-pop business did big beautiful things with a modest staff "We have changed with whatever need the community has had," says Lisa Williams who owns the business with her husband Charlie business soared thanks to their contact-less delivery system Balloonies is making its biggest move yet: opening a brick-and-mortar store in Carrollwood Balloonies will move in and fill the void," says Lisa Their new 2,500-square-foot brick-and-mortar storefront in Tampa's Carrollwood neighborhood allows them to expand business and reach doing everything from bridal showers and birthday parties to dressing up the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic For more on Balloonies, go here. and I feel like that's part of where the system failed" Henry Betsey Jr. is facing charges for marrying three Florida women in three different counties at the same time. Now saying the system that handles marriage licenses kept them in the dark Report a typo He was sitting outside his brand-new Chick-fil-A location in Lutz — a drive-thru only stop at 17911 N. Dale Mabry Highway that opened Jan. 7 — and asking someone above to help him so his other “new” location will open, on time, in a few months. After 25 years at the current Chick-fil-A Carrollwood location at 15801 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Sanchez is relocating, but just a mile and a half away, to the southwest corner of Ehrlich Road and Dale Mabry. Construction is already underway for a new Chick-fil-A — reportedly the largest in the Tampa area. It is tentatively set to open April 17 — hence Sanchez’s spiritual move. “It’s going to be a game changer,” Sanchez said. “I was thrilled to get that location, to have access from Ehrlich Road and Dale Mabry (Highway) and it is supposed to be the biggest one in the Tampa area, but it also has the potential to be the busiest. Now that he has two locations, he says he has the Carrollwood chicken corridor locked down. Chick-fil-A Carrollwood owner and operator Ricardo Sanchez, center, cuts the ribbon to officially open his new location — a drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A at 17911 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz — on Jan. 6 as the restaurant's manager, Marco Fleet, left, and Nima Doustani, right, look on. [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Beacon ]Sanchez took over the current Carrollwood location 25 years ago after coming over from Venezuela 10 years prior, leaving Fort Lauderdale and making Tampa home. “No regrets,” he said about he and his wife moving to Carrollwood. Sanchez, though, is understandably excited to get the new, larger location. At 5,300 square feet, he says it won’t have a playground inside but will have two drive-thru lanes all the way around the building, which will allow it to have 64 cars in the queue. “(Chick-fil-A) has moved from having playgrounds, especially after COVID,” he added. “We learned we weren’t getting many requests for playgrounds, and that takes away like 20 tables when you have one. Parents are being more cautious about playgrounds since COVID, but it makes (dining in) even better because they spend time with their kids, have more family time and eat more chicken.” Sanchez added he is also excited to get out of sharing a parking lot with Sam’s Club — specifically its gas pumps, which are less than 50 yards away from the building. “Everyone knows how it can get (there), especially when hurricanes are coming and everyone is lined up for gas,” Sanchez said. “(At the new location), it will just be better traffic flow and we’ll have our own (parking lot and lanes).” Sanchez said the current Carrollwood location is expected to close a few days before April 17, with that time being used to move equipment over and prep the food before opening the doors. As for the new drive-thru location in Lutz, Sanchez said it’s a franchise concept returning to Chick-fil-A, as the company went away from drive-thru-only locations prior to COVID, only to find out that people wanted that faster, no-dine-in concept back after the pandemic. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter You’re all signed up!Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started. “After COVID,” he added, “we learned that people were concerned about access and not getting out of the car, so now Chick-fil-A is going back to that (drive-thru-only) concept — go in (the drive-thru lane) and get out faster — approaching those customers that want to get in and out, bing bang, get food in a hurry. People love the convenience of that.” Though drive-thru locations aren’t for every Chick-fil-A setup, Sanchez says, having a drive-thru only at this location — specifically by the Dale Mabry exit for the Veterans Expressway — is perfectly ideal. “This design is not everywhere or perfect for anywhere,” he said. “It is designed for areas with high traffic, which is here at this part of Dale Mabry near the Expressway. This is why we did it this way because it is going to handle plenty of traffic, which it’s meant to.” AdventHealth Carrollwood’s team approach to whole-patient care and collaboration was highlighted with this honor The certification is offered in partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and it helps organizations provide consistent communication among all those involved in the care of the patient - from the pre-surgical consultation with the spine surgeon to the intraoperative hospitalization or ambulatory surgery center admission and then the follow-up visit with the surgeon organizations must implement evidence-based care and clinical practice guidelines and participate in the American Spine Registry a national quality improvement registry for spine care organizations need to collect performance measurement data on surgical site infection rates unplanned return visits to the operating room and pre-operative and post-operative patient-reported outcomes “To be the first and only hospital in Florida with this certification is something that we strive for,” said Joe Johnson president and CEO for AdventHealth Carrollwood “We are committed to providing safe and quality care to all our patients and this distinction means we are delivering on that promise to our community.” “Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Ken Grubbs executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations and chief nursing officer “We commend AdventHealth Carrollwood for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.” During the rigorous and unannounced onsite review at AdventHealth Carrollwood a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including clinical information management and delivering or facilitating clinical care Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews This certification took effect on August 1 For more information, visit The Joint Commission and Spine Care Services at AdventHealth Carrollwood. Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use Browsing our website means you accept these terms Anthony Cabrera Morales, 18, of Tampa was arrested on charges of second-degree murder with a firearm and attempted first-degree murder in the shooting Tuesday at a basketball court in the Plantation subdivision, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday. Another man, identified in court documents as Andre Malik Emmanuel Chandler, 18, was wounded. Anthony Cabrera Morales, 18, is pictured in a booking photo released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Thursday. [ Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office ]Deputies responded about 7:25 p.m. Tuesday to a call about shots fired at a basketball court in Plantation Park, near Parkcrest Drive, according to previously released information. They found two men who had been shot. An arrest affidavit and a motion filed by prosecutors to keep Morales in jail until his case is resolved provide more details about the investigation. Witnesses said Jones and Chandler got into an argument with a group of 10 to 12 people. During the argument, Morales drew a gun and fired multiple rounds at Jones, according to the affidavit. Morales “was then observed tracking (Chandler) with the firearm and shooting at him as he ran away,” the affidavit states. An autopsy found Jones was shot in the torso and that a round that perforated his heart and lungs was the lethal wound. Chandler was hit in the shoulder and back. On Wednesday, deputies saw Morales loading bags into the trunk of a vehicle “in what appeared to be an attempt to flee,” the pretrial detention motion states. Morales, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken into custody after a traffic stop. He told deputies that a gun and drugs were in the car, according to the motion. Investigators found the gun and the unspecified type of drugs in the trunk. In an interview with detectives, Morales said he shot the men “based on the argument on the court,” the motion states. He said he shot the two men from 20 to 30 feet away, even though neither man had a weapon and Chandler had his back partially turned as he was running away, according to the court documents. A hearing on the pretrial detention motion is set for Tuesday. Tony Marrero is the criminal justice and breaking news reporter. Reach him at tmarrero@tampabay.com. to a call about shots fired at a basketball court in Plantation Park near Parkcrest Drive in the Plantation subdivision according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office The sheriff’s office has not released his name Detectives learned that a fight broke out during a basketball game, which led to the shooting, Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said Tuesday night at a news conference at the park. Deputies were working to determine what led to the fight and to identify and locate a suspect in the shooting, Maurer said. He asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact the sheriff’s office at 813-247-8200. North Tampa’s Carrollwood Market is held at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on the 2nd Saturday of each month Over 70 vendors bring the best of what’s local to you with live music at this dog-friendly and family-fun event under the oaks Your Next Great Connection Starts Here in Carrollwood Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection and opportunity at the Rockstar Connect Networking Event on Wednesday from 6 PM to 8 PM at The Brass Tap: Located in Carrollwood Center this event is all about building meaningful relationships with people who get things done in Carrollwood Known for its friendly and engaging atmosphere ensuring you feel welcome from the moment you arrive Don’t miss the chance to network with the right people and create lasting connections to help advance your career Join our Facebook Group: Carrollwood Elite Networking Group Powered by Rockstar Connect Visit our landing page: https://rockstarconnect.com/carrollwood-elite/ Homepage RockstarConnect.club either living in or visiting the Greater Tampa #events #networking #businessnetworking #connection #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #business #meetup #opportunities #rockstarconnect #carrollwoodfl #tampafl #florida On Nov. 12, Agave Social, located at 14803 N. Dale Mabry Highway in the Market Place North Shopping Center, opened its doors, replacing the shuttered Miller’s Ale House that once occupied the end of the plaza for years. It features specialty fusion tacos and cocktails, brunch and dinner menus, and expansive outdoor seating. The new eatery is Pineapple Hospitality Group’s fifth restaurant in the Tampa Bay area and fourth concept. “Agave Social was really an opportunity for our founders to connect to our community, to Carrollwood,” said the group’s president, Jon Vingo. “We made the conscious decision — did we want to do another one of our concepts? Instead, we opted to do something a little different and better fit for Carrollwood, and so far, it’s been a hit.” Agave Social is a new concept restaurant in Carrollwood, offering specialty fusion tacos and cocktails. [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Beacon ]Pineapple Hospitality Group has four other restaurant locations: two Craft Street Kitchens (Trinity and Oldsmar) and a Shaker & Peel and a Zim Zari, in Oldsmar and Trinity, respectively. This is the group’s first venture in Hillsborough County, but with an entirely new concept built from the ground up. Fusion tacos, such as the Notorious P.I.G. (pulled pork), Island Jerk Chicken or Deep South Grouper, are the main dishes, along with several sharable starters and non-taco menu items, such as Bao Down! (hoisin glazed pork) and Korean Fried Chicken Wings. The craft cocktail menu includes the likes of the Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita, and weekends feature a brunch menu with a signature item of Over Baked Chilaquiles. Those are corn tortillas, roasted tomato salsa, fried eggs, avocado crema, pico de gallo with iceberg lettuce, cotija and salsa verde. Agave Social is big on shareable plates and meals, such as taco platters or the Slow Ride Brisket Nachos. [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Beacon ]“We have 65 different tequilas,” Vingo said. “So we’re certainly embracing the Mexican cuisine side, but I wouldn’t call us a classic Mexican food restaurant because we have a different flair on it.” Agave Social takes good advantage of the previous Miller’s Ale House location, whose patio is capped off the end of the plaza. It doesn’t take up the entirety of the Miller’s footprint, however, which is filled out by a FedEx storefront. “We’re on the edge of the shopping center, so it shows off those passing on Dale Mabry and that we’re looking to get that social environment,” Vingo noted. Agave Social, located at 14803 N. Dale Mabry Highway in the old Miller’s Ale House Carrollwood location, offers all-weather outdoor patio seating, as well as specialty fusion tacos and cocktails. [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Beacon ] Explore Tampa Bay’s sights and bitesSubscribe to our free Do & Dine newsletter Vingo is excited to be part of a new corridor of restaurants coming to the intersection of Dale Mabry and Bearss Avenue/Ehrlich Road where other eateries include Cooper’s Hawk and Piccolo Buco and it will probably take a little time to build the word of mouth that we’re actually open now,” Vingo said “But we have seen it steadily grow out already and we expect to be on a wait every Saturday and Sunday “Our founders (have) proven time and time again that they have a great idea of what concept works in which community When you have a concept that works already I’m blown away again and again that they try something new and it always works.” specializing in specialty fusion tacos and cocktails with brunch and dinner menus and outdoor patio seating For more information and the menus, visit eatagavesocial.com. Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music Theatre: Carrollwood Players Theatre presents Hairspray  You can't stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl's inspiring dream to dance has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen Presented with the support of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Hairspray is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI.) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI @media(max-width:450px){.score-table td{font-size:16px;padding:10px 0}}@media(max-width:450px){.score-table th{font-size:16px}}.score-table.database .winner td{background:#c7b8a1;color:#fff} Carrollwood Players Theatre is at 4333 Gunn Highway The Wolves (3/28/25-4/6/25) and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy chicken fried steak with extra white gravy chicken and dumplings (chicken and anything) Forget the health benefits of not eating such feel-good (mostly fried or smothered-in-mayonnaise) foods; this is the stuff that makes you escape from these troubled times The world may be spinning its crazy web around you but what do you care if you have a bowl of scrumptious shrimp and grits in front of you then surely there is also such a thing as a comfort show These are plays or musicals that make you feel good (and full) about life and they don’t push the boundaries too far content-wise; they play it safe for audiences to enjoy but the audience feels good about themselves for crying The shows are rewarding the same way a banana split with extra hot fudge and a cherry on top is rewarding (unless you’re lactose intolerant) then these comfort shows will be just your safe plate of red velvet armadillo-shaped groom’s cake It has everything you need for a filling (and fulfilling) night at the theatre--memorable performances strong characters with a wide array of  personalities an overall nice view of the world (even when heartache and loss set in) and an escape from the insane happenings of 2025 we hang with the women and only hear about their men (who remain offstage This works better because the title is STEEL MAGNOLIAS Playwright Robert Harling originally wrote the play (in only ten days!) to honor his sister who had died from complications of diabetes He captured the steely determination and close bonds of the women he grew up with smartly setting it in a hair salon where his characters can gather forming one of the great ensembles in theatre: The amiable the wise-cracking wealthy widow of the former mayor; Ouiser hard as nails elderly woman with a secret heart of gold; and an overprotective mother We follow these women through four key episodes in their lives: Shelby’s upcoming wedding; Christmastime where Shelby announces some big news; the day before two of the characters undergo major surgery; and (SPOILER ALERT) the gathering of these women after one of them has passed away and you’ll be shocked at how time flies out the window when you watch it It’s about two hours and ten minutes long but it feels like only minutes have passed And afterwards you’ll feel wonderfully satiated STEEL MAGNOLIAS must have fearless performers to work and the production at the Carrollwood Cultural Center certainly boasts that These are six amazing actresses who dive into their characters seemlessly; we know them because we have people like that in our own lives This is one tight production that never feels rushed and that never feels boring Your mind never wanders; these women bring on their A-game…which means if you’re in the audience As Truvy, Liz Anderson has a great look--like Mamie Van Doren if she ever did a John Waters film full of verve but also burdened by her husband’s sloth who I remember so well in Eight O’Clock Theatre’s Once Candace Del Rio captures the shyness and the naivete of Annelle and she gets to showcase her glorious vocal chops during the set changes (singing is a fantastic addition that works well in this instance because it doesn’t overplay its hand; with two numbers--“One Happy Christmas” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer”--it’s just enough) Judy Heck Lowry as the wild-eyed Clairee and Donna Petito as the frothing-at-the-mouth Ouiser make for a great comedy team.  Both performers are bold, with spot-on comic timing.  I especially appreciated Ms. Petito who doesn’t overdo the Ouiser role, which is easy to do (watch the rabid, mugging Shirley MacLaine in the movie to see what I mean) we sense the real person behind Ouiser’s gruff exterior not an over-the-top ogre that’s trying to audition to become a Tasmanian Devil Shelby is the part that resonates with so many people (I once taught a student named after Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS Ryan MacLean is full of joy and determination as the spirited Shelby; you feel her bliss when she describes her marriage or almost unwatchable in her goodness (sometimes too good to be true like Glinda without the wand or pink gown) MacLean doesn't do that; she brings her down to earth “I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special,” she says at one point and this is why most performers who play M’Lynn overdo the histrionics Paul Berg’s set, which re-creates Truvy’s cluttered but cozy salon, is a downhome winner. The sound, designed by David Valdez with Daniel Gentry as the sound mixer, works well, especially the distant noise of dogs barking and guns being fired outside. Josh Eberhart’s lighting doesn’t interfere or overwhelm the production, and Susan Haldeman’s wig designs play an extremely important role (there are a lot of hairdo changes in the show).  Director David Valdez certainly knows how to stage a play.  From the tableaux at the beginning, to the musical set changes, to each beat in the show, he has guided one hell of a production.  I compare his work to that of a chef marbling the finest steak--little to no fat, perfectly cut, ending up with a robust flavor.   It’s a lively show, often funny, but it never forsakes its humanity and its key moments of quiet.  Steel Magnolias plays at the Carrollwood Cultural Center until March 23rd. Don’t’ forget to bring your Kleenex.   Morningside is a smart, funny, and unexpectedly impactful piece, brought to vivid life by an incredible cast and direction that understands the delicate balance between laughter and truth. The play Witch Hunt illuminates how patriarchal structures have manipulated and marginalized women's voices throughout history. Through clever dialogue and powerful performances, the audience is encouraged to question societal assumptions and engage in a deeper conversation about gender and power dynamics. Jamie Allan made me believe magic is real. For two hours on a Friday night, I escaped this crazy, hectic life, left adult reality behind and stepped back into the world of childhood make believe at Amaze at Straz with magician extraordinare Jamie Allan.  function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos “AdventHealth Carrollwood is deeply committed to delivering compassionate patient-centered care that empowers individuals on their weight loss journeys,” said Dr a bariatric and general surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Surgery at AdventHealth Carrollwood “Our team works to provide personalized guidance so our patients can achieve sustainable results and live their healthiest further solidifying the high standards met by the selected facilities This award underscores AdventHealth Carrollwood’s leadership in weight loss care as the clinic offers a range of services designed to help individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve long-term health outcomes In an industry that Newsweek expects to grow by 4.3 percent each year over the next decade AdventHealth Carrollwood continues to set the standard for innovative Learn more about the weight loss services at AdventHealth Carrollwood. this Carrollwood balloon business is blowing upCharlie and Lisa Williams never cared for opening a storefront Then their main competitor went out of business recently decided to open their first storefront after 32 years of making their colorful decorative and innovative designs out of their Town ‘N’ Country home — and the shuttering of their biggest competitor: Party City specifically the location that is closing in Carrollwood has been selling off its inventory to the Williamses — at a huge price advantage to the couple [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Bay Newspapers ]By Mike CamunasTampa Bay NewspapersPublished March 23CARROLLWOOD — Charlie and Lisa Williams are in party city This longtime Town ‘N’ Country couple have been filling up orders for their decorative balloon display business — Balloonies — for 32 years They’ve done small projects and displays for people’s parties and homecomings/proms at Gaither and Sickles to massive ones like filling Raymond James Stadium with 10,000 balloons or decorating large events at Hard Rock Casino They have even decorated the Gasparilla Distance Classic finish line for more than 10 years But in all that time and through all those balloons the Williamses never cared for getting a storefront the bills were paid and they were content to be a pioneering work-from-home business with about 850 stores nationwide and in business for 40 years announced it was closing all of its stores after “failing to overcome its financial struggles and combat inflation.” fills a cheetah-shaped balloon at her storefront at 11775 N Dale Mabry Highway in the Village Square East plaza [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Bay Newspapers ]“We’ve been doing this so long,” Charlie added “and we didn’t want a storefront because we couldn’t compete with it (Party City),” which buys balloon materials like ribbon in giant volumes All that changed when Party City announced its closures and subsequent liquidation sales Goliath when they could buy how they would in bulk,” Lisa said and every other balloon company we saw open a storefront they didn’t succeed because they couldn’t compete “It really has been nothing but beneficial for us,” she said “We never thought we’d see the day (we’d have a storefront) … but it will be a good thing for us The Williamses moved into a former pharmacy which gives them a surprising amount of space but the perfect layout to construct their balloon designs the former room meant for storing and dispensing pills turned out to be perfect for the Balloonies “assembly line,” lined with every color of balloon imaginable where customers (but usually kids) can watch the couple and their few employees blow up balloons “Just like they do at Krispy Kreme!” Charlie said Balloonies can fill a balloon of any shape and color and create a special design on the store’s assembly line [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Bay Newspapers ]With Party City closing it has been extra fortuitous for Lisa and Charlie Not only are they trying to snag a former Party City employee here and there but because of the liquidation sales of Party City’s inventory they are getting balloon supplies for pennies on the dollar the Williamses’ storefront location was strategically planned it also is centrally located to fill the void of four Party City stores that closed — the Carrollwood Balloonies also delivers into neighboring counties “We won’t get every single customer,” Lisa said “but it’s still a good location to get them to come here and we’re glad to have their balloon business.” Some prominent designs that Balloonies owners Charlie and Lisa Williams have created are on display at their new storefront [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Bay Newspapers ]Business won’t be more orders came in as relatives and friends in other states would send a contactless delivery to loved ones for special occasions the foot traffic is steady in just a month of being open (there was a soft opening before Valentine’s Day) A stormtrooper balloon greets customers at Balloonies' store front in Carrollwood [ MIKE CAMUNAS | Tampa Bay Newspapers ]And now the Williamses will continue to fill (up) orders — in their very own storefront “We have always been able to do something different than Party City and that was back before they realized they could sell cars without balloons,” Charlie said with a laugh You can buy all your plates and cups and other party stuff (online) but you can’t get a personalized balloon bouquet like this For orders or more information, call or text 813-886-5000 or visit ballooniestampa.com. Many people misguidedly think of it as some frothy feel-good throwaway show with nary a bad thought in its head the scrappy title character may be a bit too cheery and optimistic for some audience members—betting her bottom dollar that the sun’ll come out tomorrow—but the musical itself is a tough-as-nails look at abused tart-tongued orphans finding a way to somehow survive in the dark almost becoming a ragamuffin superhero of sorts  that eventually saves her fellow foundlings as well as melts the heart of a blowhard billionaire and his servants and by the end inevitably rescues an entire nation mired in economic crisis loud and tough; there’s a reason one of its most iconic songs is called “Hard-Knock Life.” Based on “Little Orphan Annie,” the beloved comic strip from the 1930s, ANNIE, with music by the remarkable Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan each one having his or her own character arc The songs are memorable (sometimes too memorable leaving helpless viewers humming the score on their ride home which is not a bad thing at all); the Depression Era kids and adults are rendered with so much heart and given sensational lines of dialogue; and it’s impossible not to leave the theatre without feeling better than when you first entered it The musical earns every one of its feel-good vibes The Carrollwood Players’ current mainstage production of ANNIE has so many things going for it but it’s also very hit and miss with moments that make us soar and moments that make us cringe How lucky is it that the part of Annie is played by someone with the same name (just differently spelled): Anny DePolis She has an incredibly polished presence and sings with so much gusto and she’s an absolute joy to watch onstage  I just wish she didn’t clip the ends of several notes in some of the more famous songs that she’s belting songs where we’re actually waiting for that final note; this was probably done in order to avoid pitchiness DePolis is so strong an actress and singer that she probably can nail those notes if given the opportunity DePolis carries the entire show on her young shoulders and should be very proud of her work One of the scenes in ANNIE that we always wait for is the moment Annie finds a stray dog I have seen productions where they have a little child play Sandy (never a good idea not even in the Junior version of the show) but they use a dog with total star quality DePolis’ performance of “Tomorrow,” sitting up on her hind legs and begging for treats I have seen productions where dogs have barked their way through the song or worse (I once directed a production of it where the dog decided to relieve itself during this number much to the amusement of the audience; we had to have the dog catcher eventually clean it up) But not here: Little Sue is a total professional; I just hope stardom doesn’t go to her furry head As Miss Hannigan, Annie’s nemesis and the show’s main antagonist, Culver Casson pulls out all stops and brings out her inner Andrea Martin.  “Did I hear happiness in here?!” she screams at one point. It’s an odd performance, certainly over-the-top, reminding me of the unique synthesis of Joan Rivers and Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond Jeremy Garrett is making his Carrollwood Players debut as Oliver Warbucks comes across as a gangster rather than a billionaire industrialist He does say a line about President Roosevelt that caused audience members to laugh: “I know he’s a Democrat…but he’s a human being too!” with the best facial expressions you’ll find She has a tremendous stage presence and stands tall as one of the stronger members of the cast Liam Lencsak is an adrenalin-pumping hoot as Bert Healy Savannah Wardell and Lauren Lavery are stunning as the Boylan Sisters their vocals wonderfully accomplished and their individual personalities coming through the whole time (rolling their eyes while having to hear Annie’s plea to find her parents on a radio show); these little tidbits individual character quirks in ensemble members The hard-working ensemble also includes Teresa Castellano The orphans are an adorable lot, having the time of their lives onstage in songs like “Hard Knock Life” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.”  Juliette Desmarais, Aubrey Ford, Layla Ford, Jayde Emily Peterson, and Adina Polley are the talented ladies who bring these tots to life.  Special mention must go to Kaiya Bistany Charles as Molly, who stands out in an orphanage of standouts.    Jim Gunning proves to be one of the best in the cast as a police officer and as a very confident FDR.  Mr. Gunning shows that it doesn’t matter the size of a part to steal a show.  Annie Elise does a fine job as Lily St. Regis (she’s also responsible for the costumes, which work well here). And Donal Duffy gets my vote for the best in the entire cast as Rooster Hannigan.  When Mr. Duffy is onstage, the show automatically sparks to life, immediately jolting the proceedings from Level 5 to Level 10.  He has a confidence and exudes such joy in performing that I wish other cast members would emulate.  Sensational work, especially with the song “Easy Street.”  The set is a low-rent affair, and I expected more for a show like ANNIE.  I’ve seen past CWP sets that have blown me away, and ANNIE is the type of show that deserves this kind of care.  Here, we have some painted flats and, with the exception of a colorful NYC skyline on a back wall, just black curtains.  There was a moment during the Ed Healy radio show where the dangling ROXY sign from the song “NYC” comes crashing down over the Boylan Sisters; for a moment there, it seemed like we had ventured into The Play That Goes Wrong: Annie Edition.  I also believe that the orphans should have actual beds instead of sleeping on the floor.  First of all, beds, or even bunk beds, would look better, and secondly, people in the back of the theater would be able to actually see the performers.  As it stands, when the show opens, audience members sitting near the rear hear disembodied voices because they can’t see the younglings on the floor in these key first moments.  The Carrollwood Players’ production of ANNIE runs thru September 28th. It’s already selling out, so get your tickets now! function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos Choose the health content that’s right for you By the time some patients report symptoms of colorectal cancer to a care provider tumors have had a chance to grow or metastasize out of colon more people are aware of the lifesaving value of routine colon cancer screenings when specialists enlist smart technologies like GI Genius colon cancer screening can be more powerful and effective than ever Used to assist in polyp detection through enhanced visualization during a colonoscopy GI Genius was the first artificial intelligence system of its kind available in the U.S It offers immediate analysis of video-imaging data flagging potential problem areas so physicians can take a closer look to identify and remove precancerous polyps “It’s an intelligent endoscopy module,” says Adnan Muhammad a board-certified gastroenterologist and physician lead for AdventHealth West Florida Division Gastroenterology “AI-assisted colorectal screenings using the GI Genius give us accurate including precancerous polyps and other abnormalities It enhances our viewing and diagnostic capabilities.” the GI Genius module adds the power of AI to routine colonoscopy By instantly flagging trouble spots for the gastroenterologist to assess the GI Genius module offers an extra level of accuracy The GI Genius module has been shown to increase adenoma (precancerous lesions) detection rate by up to 14.4% “The GI Genius works in concert with our routine screening equipment,” says Dr “It examines the video feed from the endoscope as we work offering accurate identification of lesions Recent research shows that the GI Genius positively identified 99.7% of lesions It is a smart guide and a step forward in protecting patients’ health and wellness with early The GI Genius is now offered at all AdventHealth campuses in the Tampa Bay Area MD is a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist and hepatologist with over 12 years of experience and board certifications in internal medicine The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures “We are honored to receive this designation for these procedures and conditions,” said Joe Johnson President and CEO of AdventHealth Carrollwood “It’s evidence of the hard work and dedication of our clinical teams as well as reassurance to our Carrollwood community that we offer the best in high quality This High Performing rating is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings AdventHealth Carrollwood is also Tampa Bay’s only Joint Commission Certified Spine Surgery program a HeartCare Center of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology and holds the Women’s Choice Award for Bariatric Surgery News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes level of nursing care and patient experience News has been a leading resource for patients navigating their health care decisions,” said Ben Harder chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S “The ‘High Performing’ designation acknowledges hospitals that consistently deliver high-quality care for specific medical procedures and conditions This recognition highlights their expertise and commitment to patient well-being.” News evaluated each hospital’s performance on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates preventable complications and level of nursing care The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from millions of records provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services News incorporated new data on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and on care provided to outpatients nearly doubling the number of patients included in its annual data analysis The Procedures & Conditions ratings are based entirely on objective quality measures Explore more guides to help you find what you need Find Your Evacuation Zone the elderly or those without transportation may need assistance in order to stay safe during a tropical storm or hurricane Register for Special Needs Disaster Assistance Contact InformationOffice of Emergency ManagementTampa Fire Rescue808 E More Contact Info General Question? contact us With Party City closing its doors, Balloonies is stepping in with a new 2,500-square-foot store in Carrollwood The Tampa-based business hopes to help locals find everything they need for their parties What started as a small family business by Chris and Lisa Williams has grown into something special in Tampa Their new location will have all the party supplies you need while creating amazing balloon displays "When Party City goes out, Balloonies will move in and fill the void," says Lisa to abcactionnews.com They showed what they could do when they decorated Raymond James Stadium with 10,000 balloons From big events like the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic to small private parties they kept going strong while other businesses struggled This change actually helped them grow more than expected The new store will have everything from basic birthday supplies to fancy wedding decorations Their team will help customers plan parties and create custom balloon designs Lisa and Charlie Williams found success by really understanding what their community wanted. Their new Carrollwood store means more jobs for local residents They're planning a big opening celebration to show the neighborhood what they offer they'll keep supporting local charities and causes People will still be able to find all their party supplies and decorations in one place They've handled everything from small gatherings to huge events whether they're spending a little or a lot This new store shows how far this local business has come Keep an eye out for when they're opening and what deals they'll have But, as sociable as this 17-year-old Carrollwood Day School junior and Tampa Palms resident is, she sometimes doesn’t know which questions to ask or where to begin a conversation. So, while working at the Open Arms program at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, in which she helps serve food and other items to homeless and low-income individuals, Alice just listens. She’ll listen to stories filled with happiness and tragedy, with humor and sadness. Stories filled with every aspect of life — from celebration to drug use, from jubilation to prison time. “I think a lot of these people don’t have anyone else when they leave the church,” Alice said, “and I think a lot of them come here for that interaction. We serve them food and help them, but there’s so much more to it. I sit down and talk with them and leave and I have this whole new relationship with someone. “I was just listening to some people,” she added, “and I don’t even know how to put it into words (but) they had been through so much. Their experiences that they’ve had — one crossed the border and worked so hard to get here and they still need help. They’re really struggling.” And hearing of their struggles can be emotional, Alice said. “It was hard to sit down and have these conversations and leave and return to my life, because they don’t get to do that and, I don’t want to use the word sad, but it’s definitely emotional.” Those emotions led to Alice seeking an outlet — anything — to put down what she had heard and learned from those less fortunate than herself. Fortunately, she was assigned the Personal Project as part of the International Baccalaureate program at Carrollwood Day School. The project called for the students to present anything they were passionate about. For Alice, it was working with people at Open Arms. Alice ended up writing a book — one filled with nearly 20 stories of people who came into Open Arms and willing to share. Some are longer than others, some have a happy ending, others don’t or have no closure at all. But Alice’s hard work, on the book and at Open Arms, won her the Best Personal Project Award at the school. And it even led her to self-publish the book. “Alice’s project was notable (because of) her commitment and the service she did gathering stories while volunteering,” said Sabrina McCartney, who oversaw the Personal Project Fair. “She recognized members of the Tampa Bay community who are not always ‘seen’ (that paved) the way for an outstanding project — not to mention (that led her) to write this book. “I was struck by her opening words and then the stories that followed,” the teacher added. “As you can imagine, Alice is an amazing student who cares about others.” Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter Every Sunday at Open Arms at Hyde Park United Methodist, the doors open for meals, phone charging and even some medical screenings. It’s Alice who offers a kind ear or engaged conversation. “We don’t have a lot of volunteers who have conversations with the homeless people who come here like she does,” said Heidi Aspinwall, the church’s director of missions and outreach. “Alice really understands about making an effort and a connection with them. She’s a great example to others because if she can do it, anyone her age or even older can do it.” Alice has an idea where her social skills came from. “I think that comes from my mom,” she said. “She’s a psychologist, and I get the listening part of the social interaction and I’ll have convos with people here and they’ll even say, ‘You’re like a therapist. You’re such a good listener.’” “She’s got beautiful social skills,” her mother added, “and she’s very empathic, a very caring person. She comes home from (Open Arms) and she’ll worry about someone all week.” That’s because, sometimes, it might have been the last time Alice spoke with an individual. Like in the story of “Polly” from her book. Polly talked about losing a person to cancer and took the time to tell her story to Alice, but after the interview ended, that was the last Alice saw of her. “It is important to Polly for others in the same position to know that they are not alone,” Alice wrote. “Polly’s story is not over. And neither are theirs.” Danielle recognized writing down the stories became a therapeutic outlet for her daughter. “She would come home and be like, ‘Mom, I don’t know how to put this together,’” Danielle said. “Sometimes the stories are outlandish and sometimes the story, and person, sticks with her. … I just love that she sees the value in every person and every story, no matter who they are or what they’re talking about.” As Alice plans for college (“Somewhere in a city, like New York or Boston,” she said) and continues her work with Open Arms, she plans to share more stories — not for another school project or even to sell more books (she says she’s sold about 120 copies so far). “I wouldn’t have considered myself a social butterfly before I came here, but now I’m much more social,” she said. “I talk with them, and they ask me about school and my life, too. “It’s tough when you don’t see (someone) again or not for a while,” she added. “They might have talked about what’s next for them or seeing them next week … so when you don’t see them, there’s worry — you have no idea, no closure, and so many people are dying on the street and that’s the first thing I think — did they pass away? I don’t want to, but it’s the reality of it. “I thought I would finish (the book) and put it behind me, but this is something I want to continue. I hope that when I go to college, I can find a place like this to volunteer and listen,” Alice continued. “It’s going to be really hard to leave this behind.” Details: What started as a school assignment by Carrollwood Day School student Alice Sutton turned into a passion project to tell the stories of those experiencing homelessness. Those were the circumstances that led Melton, 44, to develop what was described in court as a short-lived romantic relationship with a 16-year-old girl, a student at the school where she taught. It culminated in a sexual encounter. When the girl’s parents found out, Melton was arrested. Late last month, she stood sobbing in a Tampa courtroom, having pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual battery. “I understand that my actions were wrong,” she said. “I am deeply sorry for the harm that they have caused.” Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christine Marlewski sentenced Melton on Aug. 23 to a 45 months, or a little less than four years in prison. The judge also ordered Melton to complete 10 years of sex offender probation, during which she will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor, submit to annual polygraph tests, and be restricted from living near schools, among other conditions. The sentence was significantly less than the 10 years state sentencing guidelines suggested. While not discounting the seriousness of the crime, the judge said she considered Melton’s acceptance of responsibility, expressions of genuine remorse, the positive impact she’d had in the lives of those who knew her, and the assessment of experts who said she was unlikely to commit a similar crime again. At the same time, the judge noted the chief goal of Florida’s criminal legal system was to punish. “None of those things negate the fact that you should have known better,” Marlewski told her. Melton was a high-school-level English teacher at the Carrollwood Day School when she was arrested in September 2022. She had previously worked at Bloomingdale High School. The victim was described as a family friend of Melton’s who also attended the school where she worked. Melton spoke in court of profound guilt, shame, a sense that she’d betrayed the ones who loved her, and brought shame to the profession to which she’d devoted much of her life. She also apologized for the lasting psychological harm she’d caused the victim. “The knowledge that I’ve been a catalyst for feelings of betrayal, fear and embarrassment haunts me,” she said. “I never meant to hurt anyone. It’s my fault. I was seeking comfort and connection in the wrong place.” The judge read more than 120 pages of letters from Melton’s friends, family, former students and others. Some also spoke in court about the woman they knew, a mother devoted to her two children, a coach who inspired young athletes, a teacher who instilled self-confidence in her students and from whom other educators sought guidance. Subscribe to our free News Alerts newsletter “I miss having her around my family,” said longtime friend Amber Wright. “She makes so much joy and love wherever she goes. My trust for her has not wavered.” Defense attorney Jason Mayberry asked the judge for a sentence short of incarceration. He said Melton had no prior criminal history and since her arrest had “thrown herself into treatment” to ensure the crime never happens again. Even without prison, he said, she will never shed the label that has been placed on her. “She is a sex offender as we sit here today,” Mayberry told the judge. “She is never going to shuck that scarlet letter. It is going to follow her the rest of her life.” A trio of mental health experts, hired by Melton’s defense, conveyed to the judge a complex psychological portrait of Melton, a woman plagued with worry, who lacked strong relationships and was desperate for emotional intimacy and validation. Jennifer Sager, a clinical psychologist who conducted a series of psychosexual evaluations of Melton, testified that she showed no sign of psychopathy or antisocial tendencies, but struggled with anxiety and depression, and showed some traits associated with histrionic personality disorder, a condition marked by attention-seeking behavior. Melton was not attracted to children or teens, Sager said, “but she was attracted to this particular teen.” Sager said Melton was a low risk to commit a similar crime again. Since her arrest, she has undergone extensive therapy. She has pursued a new career as a writer and life coach. She had owned the mistake she made and endured severe consequences. “She will never teach again,” Sager said. “Her whole family was destroyed. Her life was destroyed.” The state read a pair of statements from the victim’s mother and father, who asked the judge to impose the maximum penalty. “We do not fully understand the depths of the negative impact this will have on my daughter’s adulthood as she was a child when this abuse started,” her mother wrote. Assistant State Attorney Amber Turbeville said that Melton steered her relationship with the girl toward one that became emotionally intimate, violating her position of trust as an authority figure. “She was 42 years old, a mother, a wife and a teacher,” the prosecutor said. “And at any point could have fulfilled her emotional void and her sexual void with an adult, a friendship, or a professional. And she chose not to. She chose to fill that void with a vulnerable 16 year-old.” Dan Sullivan is a criminal justice reporter. Reach him at dsullivan@tampabay.com. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — The Carrollwood Cultural Center is scrambling to fill the gap after losing $58,000 in funding for next year’s budget “Art and cultural organizations across the state were cut from the approved $116 million state budget so organizations like the center will not receive any funding,” said executive director Paul Berg Carrollwood Cultural Center has been providing a creative outlet for the community since 2008 hundreds of children are participating in summer camp there Executive director Paul Berg said state dollars usually help keep the activities going Berg said he’s never seen a time when there was no funding for arts programs “This year was a complete and utter shock for all of us,” Berg said trying to figure out how do we make up those funds.” Berg reached out to supporters to share the news He’s hoping there will be more donations and sponsorships to help fill the funding void one anonymous donor has stepped up to help Berg said they are trying hard not to cut staff or programs “It’s just how do we go about this and try to make sure we’re doing what’s best for the community,” Berg said Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to governor DeSantis’ office to find out why the funding was cut A spokesperson said the governor reviewed every part of the budget and made veto decisions that were “in the best interest of the state of Florida.” CWP’s annual holiday tradition returns to its roots as we present the beloved classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas adapted for the stage by Jim Russell with all the Victorian splendor laughter and storytelling you expect from the original Dickens novella Will Ebenezer Scrooge change his ways in time for Christmas present and future successfully complete their mission in old London town this snowy Bring the whole family for a magical journey through time as we present this beautiful story that will inspire you to laugh and experience a heartwarming message about the power of love and kindness