Kathy Steele

Out of the wings, into the spotlight

November 2, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Trevor Lloyd is full of surprises.

The 18-year-old quietly watched as his friends stepped onto stages to perform.

Sometimes he watched from the audience. Other times, from the theater’s wings.

But, friends will be friends.

Trevor Lloyd, center, is rehearsing his role as Jack, the poor farm boy of ‘Into the Woods.’ (Photos courtesy of Frank Stinehour, producer of Into the Woods) — Trevor Lloyd, center, is rehearsing his role as Jack, the poor farm boy of ‘Into the Woods.’
(Photos courtesy of Frank Stinehour, producer of Into the Woods)

They gave him a shove onto the stage — or at least inspired him to make his move.

“It was something I was always fascinated by, but lacked the courage to do it,” said Lloyd, a graduate of Sunlake High School, who lives in Land O’ Lakes.

And now, he said, “It’s my calling.”

Lloyd soon will step into the role of Jack in the New Tampa Players’ production of “Into The Woods.”

The Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical played across the country in movie theaters last year, with a cast including Meryl Streep, Emily Blount and James Corden.

In two acts, the musical intertwines fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk.

The central plot revolves around a witch’s curse and a quest by the town baker and his wife to bear a child.

Jarrett Koski does double duty as choreographer for ‘Into the Woods,’ and also as a cast member as the baker.

Alas, wishes that come true aren’t always the blessings they seem to be.

“It will be a surprising journey,” said G. Frank Meekins, the theater group’s artistic director and the musical director for “Into the Woods.”

“I think there is a newfound interest because of the movie for people who may not have known about it,” Meekens said.

Jarrett Koski, who performs as the baker, is also the show’s choreographer.

In his role as Jack, Lloyd is a poor farm boy whose mother sends him to town to sell their cow, Milky White.

Lloyd finds it easy to relate to Jack.

“I like his spontaneous spunk and his attitude especially as far as being able to put my personality into the character,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd currently is a freshman at Pasco-Hernando State College, where he hopes to earn a theater arts degree.

He has performed in musicals at Sunlake High School, and at Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz.

Among his early roles was Gaston, the villainous suitor of Belle, in “Beauty and the Beast.”

“That’s when we discovered my baritone voice,” Lloyd said.

While rehearsing for “Into the Woods,” he also was performing on weekends as the dentist in Dreamhouse’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Lloyd also sang the National Anthem in opening ceremonies for a Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball game at Tropicana Field.

Lloyd isn’t sure what his future holds, but he plans to stick with the theater — perhaps as a performer, stage manager, set designer or teacher.

“I’ll do anything related to my passion,” he said.

What: Into the Woods
When: Nov. 4, 8 p.m.; Nov. 5; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Nov. 6; 2 p.m.; Nov. 11, 8 p.m.; Nov. 12, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Nov. 13, 2 p.m.
Where: University Area Cultural Development Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa
Cost: $20 adults; $17 students/seniors; $15 presale; $15 groups of 10 or more
For information, call (813) 644-8285, or visit NewTampaPlayers.org.

Published November 2, 2016

Bringing ‘world flavors’ to The Shops at Wiregrass

November 2, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A new kind of barbecue experience is coming to The Shops at Wiregrass.

Union72 Barbecue will open on Nov. 7 with a tantalizing menu of ribs and barbecue, infused with sauces and spices from around the world.

Described as “chef-driven” and not the traditional barbecue, Union72’s dishes and sauces are the creation of the restaurant’s chef and pitmaster, Geoff Zukosky.

General Manager John Hanley, left, owner Jeff Martin, and chef Geoff Zukosky are getting ready to open Union72 Barbecue at The Shops at Wiregrass. (Courtesy of Union72 Barbecue) — General Manager John Hanley, left, owner Jeff Martin, and chef Geoff Zukosky are getting ready to open Union72 Barbecue at The Shops at Wiregrass.
(Courtesy of Union72 Barbecue)

“It’s global barbecue,” said Jeff Martin, co-owner of Union72. “Everything is made in-house and from scratch.”

Menu items include The Conquistador, a Spanish-spiced slow-smoked pork dish with chimichurri, caramelized onions and a fried egg, and The Far East, slow-smoked pork with kimchi, in-house Sticky Asian Barbecue sauce, cilantro, scallions and sesame seeds.

For more down-home tastes, The Southern Boy is barbecue topped with house cole slaw, fried jalapenos, onion straws and in-house Sweet Barbecue sauce.

And, for people tired of chain restaurants, Union72 is locally owned and operated.

Martin and Bharat Chhabria are partnering on the new restaurant, located at 2000 Piazza Ave., and conveniently situated next door to the craft beer bar – The Brass Tap.

Martin is one of the founders of The Brass Tap, which initially opened at Wiregrass, but has since expanded to more locations in the Tampa Bay area, including Brandon and Ybor City. Martin lives in Wesley Chapel.

When the spot next to The Brass Tap opened, the partners quickly signed up. Zukosky had been a regular at the beer bar, and struck up a friendship with Martin.

Foodie conversations led to the discovery of Zukosky’s passion for barbecue. He has a wood-burning smoker at his home.

“I had no idea about his barbecue skills,” Martin said.

Union72 Barbecue is next to the craft beer bar, The Brass Tap, at The Shops at Wiregrass. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Union72 Barbecue is next to the craft beer bar, The Brass Tap, at The Shops at Wiregrass.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Hype Group, based in St. Petersburg, is creating the restaurant’s design, including a mural with cartoon sketches of the pigs in charge – Sergeant Stag, Colonel Short Horn and Captain Poulet.

Matt Callahan, of Mad Made Murals, is the muralist.

The restaurant will seat about 60 diners indoors, with some patio seating outside. Guests will order and select their beverages before picking up their orders.

Union72 will serve wine and craft beers. Four beers from Florida breweries will be on tap. A selection of craft fountain sodas also will be available.

Guests at The Brass Tap (which doesn’t sell food) will be able to order from Union72’s menu and have their meals delivered.

There also will be online ordering and a “recruiters” club whose members can text “FREEMYBBQ” to 555888 for special menu deals and restaurant events.

Information on the restaurant’s opening will be on Facebook and sent by text. “Everybody on the list will get an invite,” Martin said.

Union72 will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, visit Union72.com, Facebook.com/pg/union72wiregrass, or call (813) 575-9999.

Published November 2, 2016

Bruce B. Downs widening gets underway

November 2, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Construction is underway to widen Bruce B. Downs Boulevard from four lanes to eight lanes, from Pebble Creek Boulevard to County Line Road.

It is the last of four phases of a multi-year project to ease traffic congestion on one of the county’s busiest thoroughfares.

The $24.7 million project will add travel lanes, sidewalks and bicycle lanes, along about 1.5 miles of roadway. Completion on this segment is expected in late 2018.

Area residents are hopeful that more lanes will ease traffic congestion along a corridor popping with new retail, apartments and houses.

But, concerns remain among residents who drive the packed roadway daily for shopping errands, trips to Wharton High School and commutes to jobs.

On Oct. 18, about 20 residents attended a pre-construction meeting at Wharton High to get a look at the new road design, and pose questions to Hillsborough County planners and traffic engineers.

Most expressed concerns about traffic lights, and how motorists and pedestrians will navigate a widened road with four lanes running in each direction.

Some had a historical view of a road that, for years, was mostly empty of shops and residences.

“I remember when it was the road to nowhere,” said Carlotta Bernard, who lives in the Meadow Pointe neighborhood, off Bruce B. Downs.

Now, she said her neighborhood is in the midst of development all around, from The Shops at Wiregrass in Pasco County to the University of South Florida area in Hillsborough County.

“It’s a danger zone, and a stop-and-go road,” she said.

At one intersection, parents drop off and pick up students. At another, a student parking lot sees a lot of in-and-out traffic.

“I feel bad for kids who are new drivers having to fight traffic,” Bernard said.

Cheryl Puleo also worries about school traffic. She is a bus driver delivering and picking up students at Wharton High.

There is a light at the student parking lot, but not at the drop-off site for parents.

“It really needs a light,” she said.

Some residents worry about the timing of traffic signals.

Currently the wait times last so long, it can be quicker for motorists trying to turn left, to instead make a right turn, head to another traffic signal and do a U-turn.

Traffic in and out of a Walmart Superstore at Regents Park Drive also leads to vehicles backing up to the signal at Pebble Creek.

One couple described at least one signal on Bruce B. Downs as the “5-minute” light, though a county traffic engineer said the longest wait time at a signal would be about 3.5 minutes.

Still, county officials say the road widening should improve traffic flow.

In addition to more traffic lanes, the roadway will have new sidewalks, multi-use paths, improved drainage, a 28-foot landscaped median, and upgrades to traffic signals.

In 2012, the road segment from Pebble Creek to County Line had about 44,000 cars daily, data showed. By 2032, estimates are for more than 82,000 daily vehicle trips.

The road widening is a top transportation priority for Hillsborough County.

In recent years, Bruce B. Downs from Palm Springs Boulevard to Pebble Creek was widened to eight lanes. Currently, work is underway on a segment from Bearss Avenue to Palm Springs Boulevard, with completion expected in late 2017.

Published November 2, 2016

St. Armands Circle: A day tripper’s delight

November 2, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A visit to Sarasota isn’t complete without a stroll around trendy St. Armands Circle.

Go round and round on a journey through St. Armands’ boutiques, restaurants and galleries, doled out to sidewalk strollers with all the casual charm and kitschy pleasures of Old Florida. But, with a fashion-forward zest for life.

Statues on John Ringling Boulevard showcase the seven virtues of Sarasota – music, flora, learning, sculpture, medicine, bounty and water. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Statues on John Ringling Boulevard showcase the seven virtues of Sarasota – music, flora, learning, sculpture, medicine, bounty and water.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

It’s also the right spot to soak up fun ’n the sun at Lido Beach, only a quick swirl motoring through St. Armands roundabout. Or, leave the car behind and take an easy half-mile walk from St. Armands to the beach — and back again for more shopping and dining.

Day trippers, tourists and Sarasota natives all find their way to St. Armands.

Austrians Max Sambs and Sabine Balleitner passed up Miami to spend their Florida vacation in Sarasota and St. Armands.

“It’s more relaxing, more quiet, more charming than the big city,” said Sambs, as the couple strolled past gia ventola.

The boutique sells couture dresses, a denim collection and fashionable accessories from hats and belts to one-of-a-kind jewelry. Cher, Britney Spears and Nicole Kidman are fans, according to the store’s website.

Lido Beach is within walking distance of St. Armands Circle and is a popular destination for tourists.

But, St. Armands isn’t all upscale.

Tourists who need swimwear, floats, shorts, ball caps, sundresses, sunglasses, a Florida souvenir cup, toys, games, towels, beach bags, shot glasses, a stuffed Minnie Mouse from a Disney carousel or the requisite Florida T-shirt can find that, and more, at Alvin’s Island.

In between, there is everything else.

The Columbia Restaurant — with its original location in Ybor City — brings its Latin menu and familiar elegance to the Circle.

From casual to fine dining, there are plenty of places to please the palate, including Cha Cha Coconuts, La Creperie Caffe, Lynches Pub & Grub, Crab & Fin, the Blue Dolphin Café and Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar (and retail store).

The Columbia Restaurant is a historical landmark and dining spot in Ybor City. But, it also is popular at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota.

Men’s and women’s wear can be found at Binjara Traders Inc., Cotton Club, Island Pursuit, Foxy Lady West and Lily Pulitzer.

Other shops and galleries include Green Ginger Hair Designs, FantaSea Coastal Home, Soap Stories, Flip Flop Shops, Charleston Shoe Co., Tervis, The Stadium Gallery, McCarver & Moser and Woof Gang Bakery.

Ice cream aficionados can scoop up treats from Ben & Jerry’s or from the old-fashioned ice cream parlor at Kilvin’s Chocolate & Ice Cream.

Gigi’s Cupcakes is one of the newest treat shops on the Circle, opening just months ago. One-of-a-kind gourmet cupcakes are made fresh daily by baker Caroline Kaye.

The bakery is the brainchild of Gigi Baker, who moved to Nashville for country stardom but founded a cupcake empire of more than 100 stores instead.

St. Armands Circle soon could be her busiest store in this natural outdoor mall.

Shoppers check out the colorful array of tumblers, mugs and water bottles at Tervis.

“People like to come down for a day and shop at the boutiques,” said the store’s marketing consultant, Jerry Pippins. And, to choose from such selections as Hunka Chunka Banana Love and White Midnight Magic.

St. Armands Circle has come a long way since Frenchman Charles St. Amand bought 130 acres for $20 in 1893 for his private home. The name change to St. Armand can be chalked up to a clerical misspelling.

The Circle of today belongs to the vision of circus ringmaster John Ringling who bought the island in the mid 1920s.

“St. Armands is here because of his layout and street grid,” said Diana Corrigan, executive director of the St. Armands Circle Association. “It really is a shoppers’ paradise. It’s very unique. The majority of our businesses are individually owned. They are unique boutique stores.”

The mantra of the association?

“Get out of the box. Get into the Circle.”

What: St. Armand’s Annual Fall Sidewalk Sale/28th St. Armands Circle Art Festival
When: Nov. 12 for both events; sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and art festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., St. Armands Circle businesses will celebrate Veteran’s Appreciation Day, with special discounts and offers for members who served in the military. Bring proof of military service.
Where: St. Armands Circle, 300 Madison Drive, Sarasota
Parking: Free at two parking lots within walking distance from the Circle; also, free 3-hour parking on St. Armands Circle from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Information: Contact the St. Armands Circle Association at (941) 388-1554, email , or visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.

Published November 2, 2016

Business Digest 11/02/2016

November 2, 2016 By Kathy Steele

New store
The Flip Flop Shops is open at Tampa Premium Outlets, across from American Eagle Outfitters.

Flip Flop offers the trendy, hot brands in casual footwear and sandals in the latest styles. The store’s motto is “live, work and play with toes exposed…”

Core brands include Olukai, Quiksilver and Cohian.

The International Council of Shopping Centers awarded the shop its “Hot Retailer Award.” And, for the fifth consecutive year, Inc. 500/5000 listed Flip Flop Shops as one of the fastest growing private companies, according to the Flip Flop Shops Facebook page.

Dual ribbon cuttings
The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting on Nov. 3 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., for S.G.D. Communications Inc., at 5854 Argerian Drive, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel.

Next door, in Suite 103, an open house and ribbon cutting for the expansion of Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers Wesley Chapel, also will be held Nov. 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The events are free.

For information, email , or call (813) 994-8534. For Oasis ribbon cutting, email .

Small business seminars
The Zephyrhills Public Library and SCORE are partnering to offer two free small business seminars.

The first class on “Using the Internet in Your Business” will be Nov. 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. It will explain how a website can enhance your business. Participants will be shown an eight-step process of activities on how to use technology to promote your business.

The instructor will be Jim Karam.

The second class will be on “Marketing to Grow Your Business” on Nov. 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., also at the Zephyrhills library.

The class will focus on how to grow your business by using an audit that emphasizes planning, marketing and human resources. Learn what works and doesn’t work, how to write a sales and marketing plan, what you can learn from competitors, and best advertising and promotional practices.

The instructor will be Jack Grise.

Instructional handouts and materials will be provided to seminar participants.

For information and to register, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on Nov. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive, Tampa. The meeting includes lunch and time to network.

Guest speaker will be Wendy Howard, the outreach manager at Trinity Security Allies, Inc. Her topic will be “Why is situational awareness important to you?”

The cost is $15 for members, and $18 for all guests. Please register at Women-n-charge.com.

For more information, please contact July at (813) 600-9848 or .

Breakfast meeting
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet on Nov. 8 at 7:30 a.m., at the Fresh Market Café, at 5518 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Guest speaker is Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

For information, contact Nils Lenz at (8130 782-9491 or or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149 or ">.

Membership meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a membership meeting on Nov. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Members and guests are welcome.

Guest speaker will be Brian MacNeel of Crime Prevention Consultants.

The cost is $20 if you RSVP by Nov. 3, or $25 at the door.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Network breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly networking breakfast on Nov. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Ramada Zephyrhills, 6815 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

The monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for the small business community.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided.

RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.

Recycling center plans to move

October 26, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Land O’ Lakes Recycling is in hot water with a state regulatory agency for failing to meet an Oct. 7 deadline to build a retention pond or shut down its business.

Staff members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District referred the matter to the agency’s Office of General Counsel on Oct. 18 “because corrective actions have not been taken at this site,” according to an email from the agency, known as Swiftmud.

Also, staff members observed on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 that the business was still operating despite locked gates and a sign displaying a message that Land O’ Lakes Recycling is closed.

The company has recycled paper, plastic, metal and cardboard from its site at 5710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., for decades.

Owner Greg Conaty said he plans to move his business to Brooksville, and he plans to continue providing paper-recycling services to existing customers.

He said he hasn’t decided what will happen with the Land O’ Lakes property.

“We’re looking at our options,” he said, in a phone interview with The Laker/Lutz News shortly after the sign was posted, but prior to Swiftmud’s latest action.

His sign puts the blame for the recycling center’s situation on business neighbors at Lakes Auto.

But, John and Peter Inhofer, the father and son owners of Lakes Auto, say Conaty is responsible for years of violating county codes and state environmental regulations.

The Inhofers contend that county and state regulators have failed repeatedly over the years to enforce the laws.

Recycling materials have drifted frequently from the recycling business onto Lake Autos’ property, the Inhofers said.

A 10-foot steel fence separates the properties. A two-story conveyor system that separates recyclable products stands next to the fence.

“We had a garbage dump. There would be plastic and paper flying everywhere. All the garbage dumped into the pond right behind us,” said Peter Inhofer, who lives in a house behind Lakes Auto. “It devalues my property — so basically we forced them to do the right thing.”

It has never been personal, said Peter Inhofer.

“I have nothing against the neighbors,” he said. “I don’t even know them. I maybe met them twice.”

His father, John Inhofer, said it’s a matter of fairness. “If they (codes) are uniformly applied, there is no problem,” he said.

In the past five years, Pasco County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Swiftmud have found, on different occasions, that the recycling company was not complying with code and environmental regulations.

After the county and agencies determined the business to be in compliance, their files were closed.

For instance, Pasco County sued in 2012 over code violations and failure to obtain a business license. Conaty agreed to seek a new conditional permit to supplant one issued in 1994.

A year later the state environmental agency found environmental violations including discharging stormwater directly into a wetland, excessive litter, and storing waste within 50 feet of a wetland. Officials from that agency later said the issues were resolved and the case was closed.

More than a year ago Conaty applied for an exemption from a stormwater permit, which Swiftmud granted.

The Inhofers challenged that decision.

A judge sided with them, and Swiftmud issued the permit requiring Conaty to build a retention pond.

In its email, Swiftmud outlined the timeline of its interaction with Conaty since issuing the permit.

The recycling center received the permit in May 2015 authorizing the construction of the retention pond on the approximately 3-acre site. Construction was to begin in June and be completed by Dec. 18, 2015.

In November 2015, Conaty met with Swiftmud staff members on-site and told them he had been unable to receive a permit from Pasco County to operate his business. He also said he had purchased property in Brooksville and planned to relocate Land O’ Lakes Recycling.

Telephone calls by the The Laker/Lutz News, to obtain additional information from county officials, were not returned.

In February, Swiftmud sent a letter notifying Conaty he was in violation of his permit, and had until March 25 to comply. Then, in June, Swiftmud received an email from Conaty’s attorney stating the business would close by the end of August 2016.

In September, Conaty received his last deadline of Oct. 7.

Conaty claims that his business has been unfairly targeted.

He described Land O’ Lakes Recycling as an environmentally friendly company that recycles paper, aluminum and scrap metal. And, for more than two decades, Conaty said he and his sister and business partner, Cindy Glenn, never had a problem.

In the past four years, Conaty said they have tried to meet an expanding list of regulations that seemed unfair and arbitrary.

He claims the increasing regulation stemmed from complaints by the Inhofers.

Now, according to Conaty, they are moving Land O’ Lakes Recycling operations to Brooksville, just as the company emerges from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

But, Conaty said, “Pasco County has been absolutely horrible. They give you no help. They give you no answers.”

On the issue of being frustrated by government bureaucracy, the Inhofers and Conaty are on common ground.

Peter Inhofer said he and his father have repeatedly found local and state offices unresponsive to their complaints.

Land O’ Lakes Recycling continues operations, despite the lack of a permit and the retention pond, Peter Inhofer said, and the matter remains tangled in bureaucracy.

“Nobody is taking care of the problem,” he said.

Pubished October 26, 2016

Flute gathering celebrates Native American heritage

October 26, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Dock Green Silverhawk once invited a few friends to his Plant City home for a backyard barbecue, and an afternoon of honoring a Native American tradition – a flute circle.

Flute maker Utah Farris, of Lake Wales, sounds a long flute that he carved and ornamented with bird-like creatures. He performed and sold handmade flutes at the two-day Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering at the Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — Flute maker Utah Farris, of Lake Wales, sounds a long flute that he carved and ornamented with bird-like creatures. He performed and sold handmade flutes at the two-day Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering at the Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

The annual music party soon outgrew Silverhawk’s backyard, and found a new home at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.

On Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, the 13th Annual Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering opened with its traditional Native American prayer to the Creator, and a lyrical flute performance of “Amazing Grace.”

Kathleen “Cheyenne Hummingbird” Imhoff stood beside Silverhawk signing in English and Native American languages.

Silverhawk, whose heritage is Creek and Cherokee, embraces the park’s legacy.

“At one time, there was a Creek nation here,” he said. “This is historic right here.”

Though the venue for the flute gathering may have changed, the down-home flavor and passion for the flute is the same.

“It’s very spiritual. It’s a music event,” Silverhawk said.

Vendors displayed Native American crafts and products, including handcrafted flutes, dreamcatchers, packets of sage and sweet grass, and medicine wheels.

Grill on Wheels sold Indian tacos, buffalo burgers, Indian fry bread and Indian fry dogs.

Several vendors and volunteers were members of the Wolf Heart Lodge, in Pinellas County.

Kim “Turquoise Cloud” Cox sold cookies and pastries on behalf of the lodge to benefit homeless veterans. Her husband, Charlie “Sun Walker” Cox, played the flute.

Bill Caudle of Plant City, foreground, likes the sound of flutes made from electrical conduit pipe. Vendor Allan Yanko, of Hudson, listens as Caudle plays a tune.

Lodge members try to bring awareness about Native American culture and its traditions. “We try to teach how to make medicine bags and dream catchers and also teach what that means to Native Americans,” said Kim Cox.

Susan Piper sat on a bench as Silverhawk performed. As a Pasco County employee, Piper helped Silverhawk obtain a permit for the event.

She has known him for awhile, but this was her first time at the flute gathering.

“This man is so devoted,” she said. “I love to learn, and I respect him so much.”

Shelly “Night Wolf” Berry, and her son, Robert “Little Turtle” Weisenberger, go to as many pow wows and flute gatherings as they can. They drove from Holiday for the Dade City gathering.

Berry’s mother was a member of the Miami tribe, and at age 83, still went hunting and made her own clothes from animal fur.

“She lived the old way,” Berry said. “We learned through her to live the white (man’s) way and her way.”

Charlie “Sun Walker” Cox of Pinellas Park is silhouetted against the morning sky as he performs music from his Cherokee heritage.

Utah Farris is an Oklahoma native and went to school with Creek children for whom flutes were part of their culture. But, Farris said, “I wasn’t even vaguely interested in them (flutes).”

It wasn’t until he retired 15 years ago that he began learning to play the flute. He made his first flute after finding a drawing in an old book.

No flute player would reveal “trade secrets,” Farris said.

He owns Flight Feather Flutes in Lake Wales, and sells his own handcrafted flutes. He travels to about 15 Native American events each year, and shares flute-making skills.

“I think it should be passed on,” he said. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Girl Scouts from Troop 078 in Zephyrhills spotted the sign for “free flute lessons” at the Riverwind Flute Circle’s tent.

Tom Ransom obliged with an introductory lesson, offering encouragement to the flute novices.

“You don’t need to know a whole lot to play,” he said. “But, you can learn a lot from trying to play.”

Barbara Cool Breeze, owner of Cool Breeze Creations, goes only by her Native American name. She sold sage, dreamcatchers and medicine wheels at her display table. Her heritage is Creek and Cherokee.

“This is a spiritual thing,” she said. “It’s a therapy for me.”

Published October 26, 2016

Tampa Premium Outlets goes pink

October 26, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pink is in vogue at Tampa Premium Outlets, and for good reasons.

On Oct. 29, the outlet mall will cap off a month-long More Than Pink campaign in recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

But, the day also highlights the Grand Opening Anniversary Celebration of the Tampa Premium Outlets, including opportunities to make donations to Susan G. Komen, a nonprofit that supports breast cancer research and educational awareness.

Tampa Premium Outlets is celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and its one-year anniversary. (File Photo) — Tampa Premium Outlets is celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and its one-year anniversary.
(File Photo)

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., shoppers can enjoy family activities, strolling entertainers, and live music from Mad Dog and Sacred Fire.

One year ago, the outlet mall opened its doors to more than 90 retailers, and heralded the renewal of economic development along the State Road 56 corridor.

“It’s hard to imagine that we opened one year ago,” said Sarah Rasheid, Tampa Premium Outlets’ marketing director. “We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Currently, about 105 retailers are in business at the outlet mall. Three new restaurants are set to open shortly on parcels fronting the shopping mall – BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, McDonald’s and Longhorn Steakhouse.

They are only the latest along restaurant row, and join Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick-Fil-A and Culver’s. Still to come are Panda Express, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Starbucks. Among new retailers that have opened over the year inside the outlet mall are Steve Madden, Hanna Andersson and the Flip Flop Shops.

Construction is underway on a large outparcel on Costco Wholesale, which is slated for an early 2017 opening.

As shopping and dining experiences grow at Tampa Premium Outlets, community outreach also is taking root.

The More Than Pink campaign is part of the mall’s community outreach.

Store and mall employees donned pink clothing, pink ribbons and pink accessories during October.

Donations to Komen can be made at Simon Guest Services in Market Hall.

The outlet mall’s owner, Simon Properties, donated more than $470,000 to the nonprofit in 2015, and by Sept. 30, 2018 is pledging contributions of at least $1 million for each year of the program.

A More Than Pink Hero Wall allows survivors and families to honor their victories over cancer, and the continued fight for improved treatment and a cure.

Stickers for $1 can be bought and placed on the wall, with all proceeds going to Komen. In addition, $10 discount cards can be purchased at Guest Services. The cards can be used for 25 percent off one item at participating shops at Tampa Premium Outlets. All proceeds from the sale of the cards go to Komen.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, the mall soon will begin glowing with seasonal holiday colors and lights.

On Nov. 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the public is invited to a Christmas lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus.

And, upcoming, Rasheid said, “There will some festive ways to get involved.”

The mall will host a Community Holiday Performance from Nov. 20 to Dec. 24, at select dates and times. Community groups, schools and organizations will be featured.

A Community Gift Wrap from Dec. 10 to Dec. 24, also at select dates and times, will allow organizations to provide volunteers who will provide gift wrapping the mall’s visitors in return for donations.

For information, visit tinyurl.com/jnbnq9c.

Published October 26, 2016

Business Digest 10/26/2016

October 26, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Goin’ Postal Wesley Chapel
Tom Geng is the owner of a new Goin’ Postal shop at 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 108-A, in Wesley Chapel.

Geng, and his wife Lynn, relocated from Pennsylvania to Pasco County nearly 30 years ago. He worked as a chef manager and Pasco County school employee. She worked as a registered nurse.

The Goin’ Postal shop in Wesley Chapel will offer mail and shipping services, stamps, lamination, personal and business mail boxes, copying, faxing, packaging, gifts, office supplies, passport photos and a Notary Public.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The business is closed on weekends.

For information, call (813) 973-7781, or email .

Connerton mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a chamber mixer, hosted at the master-planned community of Connerton, on Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 21100 Fountain Garden Way in Land O’ Lakes.

The event is free.

For information, email , or call (813) 909-2722.

Economic briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly economic development briefing on Oct. 27 at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.

The guest speaker will be Craig J. Richard, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Council.

The $15 cost includes a buffet lunch.

For information, email , or call (813) 994-8534.

Furniture shop
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host the ribbon cutting for Gulfside Zephyrhills Furniture Shoppe on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m., at 36504 State Road 54, in Zephyrhills.

The specialty thrift store opened in mid-October. It is in addition to five Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes that showcase furniture, art, home furnishings and appliances.

All proceeds from the new store will benefit Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care, and help support patients and their families.

Donations of furniture, home furnishings, artwork and appliances can be made during store hours, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gulfside Hospice began in Pasco County in 1988, and serves about 350 patients daily. It employs more than 250 professionals and relies on more than 500 volunteers. The new store primarily will be run by volunteers.

For information, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.

Social mixer
SMARTstart Incubator will have a 5:01 Friday Mixer on Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City.

Light refreshments will be provided. Bring your own beverage.

For information, call (352) 437-4861, or visit SMARTstartPasco.com.

Business breakfast
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on Nov. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Advisor Magazine is the sponsor.

Guest speakers will be Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

The cost is $15 for members who register by Oct. 28 and $20 thereafter. Non-members pay $20.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Next door, in Suite 103, an open house and ribbon cutting for the expansion of Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers Wesley Chapel, also will be held Nov. 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The events are free.

For information, email , or call (813) 994-8534. For Oasis ribbon cutting, email .

Pasco testing idea of cat license fees

October 19, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A catfight nearly broke out as Pasco County commissioners couldn’t quite agree on whether to mandate $5 license fees for man’s best feline friend.

The fees are among a package of changes proposed for the county’s Animal Services, which is searching for ways to boost its budgetary bottom line.

In a compromise, county commissioners agreed to approve the entire package included in an amended ordinance, with one exception.

File photo Pasco County Animal Services wants to collect funds from mandatory cat licenses to supports its low-cost spaying and neutering program.

The mandatory cat fees and licenses will be charged as part of a one-year pilot program, with quarterly updates on the number of licenses sold. Cat licenses currently are made available on a voluntary basis.

Animal Services’ officials are working out details on how to get the word out to residents and veterinarians.

The goal with the mandate is to collect about $60,000 for an Animal Services Sterilization Fund to support the county’s low-cost spaying and neutering program.

“I’m willing to give you a year but I’m expecting you to exceed the numbers,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells. “I’m not sold on it. I hope you can prove me wrong in 12 months,” Wells said.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said the fees could have unintended consequences, if cat owners balk at the costs.

“What are they going to do? Let the cats go,” he said. “It’ll get worse and worse.”

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said he thought the fees had been scratched from Animal Services’ proposal, when it was presented at a budget workshop.

County officials said they were trying to be creative in coping with an approaching depletion of funds for spaying and neutering. At the workshop, they projected the coffers will be empty within three years unless a funding source is found.

Currently, revenues from dog licenses are the only resource, essentially subsidizing the expense of spaying and neutering cats, said Michael Shumate, the county’s Animal Services director.

“That revenue source is drying up,” he said.

Pasco is one of three counties in the state that doesn’t require cat licenses, and collect fees, said Cathy Pearson, the county’s assistant county administrator for public services.

However, one exception to the fees raised questions with some commissioners.

No fees will be charged when feral cats are trapped and released after being sterilized. And, they won’t have to wear collars displaying their tags. Veterinarians identify those cats by clipping a notch in one of their ears.

The trap and release process is a sometimes controversial method of trying to reduce kitten populations among feral cat colonies.

County Administrator Michele Baker is a cat owner and lives in a neighborhood with a number of feral cats.

“They are producing kittens. They are walking on my car,” she said. “I would gladly buy a $5 tag if that would allow Pasco County to neuter and spay some of the cat colony in my neighborhood.”

Cat licenses aren’t the only change for pet owners and veterinarians.

The county will require that animals sold or adopted must by micro-chipped. Veterinarians and pet dealers must have license tags available for sale, report stolen tags and provide copies of rabies vaccination certificates.

A new fee schedule also was approved.

Costs for dog and cat adoptions are unchanged, at $70 and $40 respectively. But adopting a small breed dog and puppies under four months of age will cost $85. Kittens younger than four months will cost $50.

However, animal services often have special discounted adoption events.

Dog and cat owners also will be able to get three-year rabies tags.

Published Oct. 19, 2016