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As we enter what’s predicted to be a dynamic hurricane season, many Tampa Bay residents may have an emergency plan, but it’s just as important to make sure you are financially ready.

Here are five tips to help you financially prepare ahead of the significant impacts of a storm:

• Create a financial first-aid kit. Put copies of any important physical financial documents that might be needed immediately in a waterproof “go-bag,” such as financial statements, utility bills, credit card statements, insurance policy account numbers, health insurance cards, medical records and more. Consider switching to secure electronic delivery for bank, credit card and other financial statements to prevent misplacing hard-copy financial records.  
• Protect and preserve important documents. Store other key papers you’re likely to need in the future, such as recent tax returns, property deeds, and brokerage and retirement account information, in a safe-deposit box or home safe that can resist fire, water or structural damage. You may also consider scanning important documents and uploading them to a reliable cloud-based storage service.
• Evaluate your insurance. Your current homeowner policies may not give adequate protection around certain natural disasters such as floods. Whether you rent or own, it’s good practice to take pictures or a video of the property – inside and out. Also note the make, model, serial number and purchase date of big-ticket items such as electronics, artwork or jewelry you may have to leave behind. Lastly, be sure to upgrade your insurance whenever you update your home.    
• Establish a source of ready cash. Even with insurance, disaster-related out-of-pocket costs – including unplanned living expenses, if you’re displaced for a time – can be high. To bolster your emergency savings, consider talking with a financial advisor about potentially opening a flexible line of credit such as a home equity line of credit that you can tap in the event of an emergency. You could also consider obtaining a line of credit secured with other assets, such as your investments, or see if your bank has low-cost, short term loan programs.
• Share information with family members. In many households, one person may manage most financial activities. It’s important that other family members know what expenses or bills have to be paid, where to locate the checking and savings accounts and how to access other important documents. Having regular family financial meetings to discuss where stuff is stored, and how your filing system works can prevent potential confusion and miscommunication.  

No one wants to consider the possibility of a hurricane disrupting their life, but taking practical steps and having a solid financial plan can help you stay resilient when the next storm hits.

Michael Esposito serves as president of Bank of America Tampa Bay.

TAMPA – For more than three decades, the community has flocked to Tampa Theatre on Sunday afternoons to enjoy Summer Classics as they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with a bag of popcorn and a cold drink as a shared, communal experience.

Now in its 34th year, the Summer Classics Movie Series celebrates more than a century of extraordinary filmmaking.

The oldest offering, a collection of silent comedy shorts from the 1920s, takes Tampa Theatre back to its roots of presenting silent films with live musical accompaniment on its original Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Others, like “The Blues Brothers,” “Psycho” and “Monty Python” are celebrating milestone anniversaries. 

Most of these iconic favorites, like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Casablanca” and “The Princess Bride” have been named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for their cultural, historical or aesthetic significance.

To kick off the season, Tampa Theatre will present a special engagement of Jaws (1975) over Memorial Day weekend, offering audiences a chance to experience “the original summer blockbuster” on the big screen, May 23 to 27.

After that, the Summer Classics lineup includes:

• “The Princess Bride” (1987) – 3 p.m. June 1
• “The Blues Brothers” (1980) – 3 p.m. June 8
• “Dr. Zhivago” (1965) – 3 p.m. June 15
• “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – 3 p.m. June 22
• “Moulin Rouge!” (2001) – 3 p.m. June 29
• “Top Gun” (1986) – 3 p.m. July 6
• “Psycho” (1960) – 3 p.m. July 13
• “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975) – 3 p.m. July 20
• “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) – 3 p.m. July 27
• “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” (1966) – 3 p.m. Aug. 3
• “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) – 3 p.m. Aug. 10
• “Roman Holiday” (1953) – 3 p.m. Aug. 17
• “Casablanca” (1942) – 3 p.m. Aug. 24
• “The Silent Clowns” – 3 p.m. Aug. 31

“The Silent Clowns” shorts provide a unique opportunity to see these silent films exactly as audiences saw them back in the 1920s, presented in their original format with live accompaniment on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Tampa Theatre’s Artist in Residence Steven Ball will write and perform an original score for each of the films.

Audiences are also invited to stick around after select shows for Film Talks with some of the community’s most knowledgeable movie experts. They will examine the films’ themes, structure and cultural significance as well as answer questions from the audience. 

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Bank of America’s sponsorship of the Summer Classics Movie Series.

“At Bank of America, we are dedicated to supporting local cultural institutions that have a positive impact on our lives,” said Michael Esposito, president, Bank of America Tampa Bay. “For 10 years, we’ve supported Tampa Theater’s Summer Classics Movie Series and their goal to bring beloved classics to our community. This program has become a local tradition that brings people together each year.”

Tickets for “The Silent Clowns” event are $14.50 ($11.50 for Tampa Theatre members). The rest of the Summer Classics films are $10 ($7 for members).

With summer upon us, seasonal foods such as squash, watermelon, blackberries and peaches may come to mind.  

But another staple that is ubiquitous with summer is s’mores.  

My first s’mores experience was indoors, in Florida, roasting a marshmallow over the stove.  

But my true s’mores encounter was in upstate New York, using a firepit in a relative’s backyard one summer, surrounded by fireflies.  

I finally felt like I got to partake in a true summer tradition, as opposed to the makeshift firepit on the stove.  

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with indoor s’mores – you can make them in an air fryer, microwave, oven or even enjoyed raw (unroasted marshmallow).  

But the experience and memories of the outdoor version eclipsed the times I’ve made them indoors.  

Who can we thank for this delectable, addictive treat?  

The Girl Scouts of course – and the Industrial Revolution.

The Industrial Revolution allowed for marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers to be mass produced in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leading to chocolate and marshmallow treats, such as Mallomars and Moonpies, which are closely related to s’mores.  

Before that, marshmallows and chocolate were only for the wealthy because it took so long to make.  

With machinery, they could be cheaply made and became widely available.

But the history of the graham cracker is an interesting one.  

Their original taste and ingredients have no semblance to the version we know today, as they were actually considered a health food initially.  

They were invented by a Presbyterian minister from Connecticut, Sylvester Graham.  

He believed that one’s diet was connected to their moral purity, and therefore, encouraged people to eat cleanly to maintain a pure lifestyle.  

In the 1830s, he created an unsifted flour that used all the parts of the wheat (basically, a whole wheat flour).  

The graham cracker had this flour, bran, oil, molasses and salt.  

That was it – no honey, cinnamon, or other flavoring agents.  

He thought this bland cracker would be good for the soul.

However, they did not become popular until much later, once bakers started experimenting with other ingredients and adding cane sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.  

Essentially, the opposite of what Mr. Graham was going for.  

By the 1890s, the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco) introduced the first mass-produced graham crackers, according to Redstone Foods.    

Now we use graham crackers not just in s’mores, but in pie crust, cheesecake, topped with peanut butter, cream cheese, cookie bars, parfaits and so much more.  

I’m sure Sylvester Graham is rolling over in his grave.

As for s’mores, they came around about 30 years after the graham cracker was first mass produced.  

The original name was Some More, as described in a 1927 Girl Scout manual.  

A troop leader named Loretta Scott Crew is credited for the official recipe published in this book, and it took off from there.  

The name “s’more” was first found in the 1938 book “Recreational Programs for Summer Camps.”  

Today, there are s’mores flavored Pop Tarts, martinis, cereal, protein bars, ice cream and more.  

Clearly, Americans love their s’mores.

So the next time you’re making s’mores, whether it’s around a campfire or in your home kitchen, you have a little history lesson to share.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County, An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Woman’s club delivers Easter treats to older adults

LAND O’ LAKES – The Health and Wellness Community Service Program of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club delivered Easter treats to the residents of Angels Senior Living in North Tampa.

The gesture brought smiles and seasonal cheer to the seniors, reflecting the club’s ongoing commitment to serving the community and the well-being of the elderly residents in the area.

 

Theater presents ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

BROOKSVILLE – Live Oak Theatre is proud to announce that seats are available for Live Oak Theatre’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Twenty-eight students, ages 8 to 19, have enrolled in the Conservatory’s Youth Théâtre’s class’s production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  

The play will be performed May 15 to 18 at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. 

Seats cost $25 for adults or $10 for children 13 and younger with the purchase of an adult seat. Visit liveoaktheatre.org/current-production, email or call 352-593-0027 to reserve seating.

The classic play has been slightly abridged by Ron Dykes to ensure its compliance with the theater’s family-friendly mission. It is still considered a full-length play, with all the characters.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare is a whimsical comedy set in Athens and a nearby forest. The play follows intertwining storylines of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors and a magical fairy world.

 

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ coming to stage

NEW PORT RICHEY – Richey Suncoast Theatre presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” the cult-classic horror comedy rock musical directed by Landon Green. 

This Broadway-style production combines rock, R&B and Motown. Fans will experience a stunning visual experience, complete with immersive set design and a larger-than-life Audrey II.

Catch the show at 7 p.m. May 30, May 31, June 6 and June 7 as well as 2 p.m. June 1 and 8 at 6237 Grand Blvd. Tickets cost $25 for general admission or $160 for VIP.

 

Comedian Zachariah Porter to perform at Tampa Theatre

TAMPA – Tampa Theatre and AEG Presents welcome Zachariah Porter to the theater’s stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 for a stop on The Florida Shows Tour.

Tickets range from $25 to $55 plus applicable taxes and fees. 

With more than 5 million followers, Porter is back on the road performing a new show.

Porter is a comedic creator based in Brooklyn, New York. He enjoys experimenting with his content and

does everything from character bits to testing kitchen gadgets to offering unsolicited advice. 

In 2021, Porter was a guest on the Drew Barrymore Show, where he taught Vanessa Hudgens and Drew how to make puff snacks. 

Porter plans to launch a podcast and is working on a one man show.

 

Environmental sustainability has been a hot topic lately. You’ve likely heard of one’s carbon footprint, where our everyday activities, such as commuting, buying clothes and products and energy usage, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions entering the environment. Relatedly, we should also be cognizant of our foodprint. This is all the behind the scenes food production practices it takes for your food to get to your plate, from farming, to packaging, to transportation. This, in turn, impacts the environment – the soil, air and water. Our food choices affect not just our health, but the planet. So this Earth Day, here are some ways to reduce your foodprint:

• Bring your own mug/thermos when getting coffee, and skip the lid, straw and disposable stirrer as much as possible. Use a spoon instead.
• With delivery or takeout, decline plastic silverware, extra napkins and plastic bags.
• If you know you’ll have leftovers when dining out, consider bringing your own container and see if the restaurant will use it.
• Shop locally to reduce the “food miles” it takes for your food to travel.
• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging, such as a big family size container of yogurt instead of the individual containers, but only if you can realistically consume it before it goes bad.
• Meal plan before grocery shopping to reduce food waste, and “shop” your refrigerator and pantry first to reduce buying duplicates. You’ll save money, too.
• If you find your fresh produce goes bad before use, consider other forms: canned, frozen and dried count, too.
• Bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store, or bring the plastic bags from a previous visit for reuse.
• Compost food scraps to divert them from landfills.
• The lower you eat on the food chain, the less environmental impact. Consider going meatless a few days a week and have a plant-based protein instead, such as beans or lentils.
• Cook with the intention of having leftovers (also called planned overs). Making extra servings will reduce the energy (and time and effort) needed to make another meal. Consume within three to four days.

One point worth mentioning is meat alternative products. While we tend to think of plant-based food as healthier, many of these plant-based meats are ultra processed.  And as we know, a diet high in processed food can lead to health concerns. If you did want to cut back on meat consumption, you’re better off with natural plant-based proteins, such as nuts, beans and seeds. The products made to resemble and taste like meat are often high in fat and sodium.

Just adopting a few of these habits can add up over time and make a big difference. Want to know how large your foodprint is? Check it out on the foodprint quiz at foodprint.org: https://foodprint.org/quiz/ or on Harvard’s foodprint calculator: https://harvard-foodprint-calculator.github.io/

Along with that, you can find out what your water footprint is, too, with the FoodPrint’s water calculator: https://foodprint.org/eating-sustainably/water-footprint-calculator/

Incorporating sustainability in how you shop, cook, and dine out are easy ways to take action and support the environment. 

 

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County, An Equal Opportunity Institution.

 

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools Superintendent John Legg told members of the school board April 1 that the budget forecast for the district is “not looking favorable.”

“We’re heading into the peak legislative time of year,” Legg told the school board. “I want to say this delicately. I want to say for 48 out of the 52 weeks of the year, I don’t get wrapped up into the drama of what the legislature does.”

But Legg told school board members now is the time to pay close attention, particularly to bills that start to see action in those four specific weeks. 

“Over the next four weeks, there’s going to be a lot of action happening,” Legg said. “It will have an impact on our budget. It will have an impact on our policies. It will have an impact on our strategic planning on how we go forward on some of these initiatives.”

This budget cycle will be interesting because the district won’t have Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Funds. These federal dollars were distributed to overcome impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

District 4 representative Jessica Wright credited Legg with keeping the school board focused when it comes to legislation. She said one of her biggest frustrations is reading media coverage about issues that stress staff and families out that never make it to the governor’s desk. 

Wright and her colleagues were in Tallahassee during spring break for a conference of school board members. Being in the capital allowed them to have dialogue with Pasco County’s state legislators. 

“We were able to meet with almost everybody on our delegation and they really took the time to have authentic conversations with us and really understand the different barriers we face and what we can do to reduce some of those barriers so that our students have access to high quality education,” Wright said. 

District 5 rep Megan Harding said there were meaningful discussions on sidewalks, hazardous walkways, transportation and school safety issues in Tallahassee. 

Harding said board members have ongoing communication with the legislative delegation. She has updated state leaders on school openings during Hurricane Helene, invited them to district events and discussed issues that need fixing. 

Harding said legislators also reach out to the board to get feedback about issues that come across their desks. 

Legg also told the school board that staff is starting to look at planning for next year. Legg would like to start updating the district’s strategic plan and goals.

“This is not revamping what we already have established,” Legg said. “This is looking at updating our measurables.”

Staff will try to get feedback from school board members individually and collectively toward the end of the fourth quarter to have measurables in place by next school year, Legg said.