The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Waiting on mama

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Jia Wang is a regular reader of the Lutz News and submitted this photo he snapped in his front yard garden where he and his wife planted roses and bushes, such as bougainvillea. Wang was doing some trimming in the family’s yard when he heard birds ‘screaming,’ and discovered four baby birds nesting inside the bushes. The mother bird was watching Wang nervously from the roof of the house, as he carefully took a photo. The baby birds grew fast and left their nest about a week after Wang’s sighting.

Take Advantage of Current Pricing and Save Money On Mechanical Systems For Your Home

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If you are planning to replace your HVAC system or water heater, or you’re considering adding a home generator or water softener, Cornerstone Pros recommends you act now — before more price increases are passed on from manufacturers to local AC, electrical and plumbing companies.

“We just got notice of our fourth price increase of the year — an 8% jump coming Nov. 1, and we’re sure there will be another one at the first of the year,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “We are advising homeowners to call and schedule an appointment now, so we can get your order processed and scheduled before another rate increase.”

To help homeowners budget for these expenses, Cornerstone offers deferred-interest loans for up to 18 months. “You will save a lot of money if you have these home improvements done now, before the upcoming price increases,” said Spears.

Like manufacturing companies everywhere, plants that make home mechanical equipment are faced with parts and labor shortages, which are resulting in higher prices on most everything, including air conditioning units, refrigerants, electrical panels, hot water heaters (traditional and tankless), home generators, and parts and material for all trades.

“We’re asking people to understand that these price increases are out of our control,” said Spears. “We are doing the best we can to hold our expenses, but price increases from our manufacturers have been so significant that they impact prices for our services.”

Cornerstone Pros always recommends regular maintenance and planning ahead when it comes to taking care of your home. This will save you money, and allow you to budget for future repairs.

The only thing worse than having you’re AC go out during the holidays when you have a houseful of guests, is not being able to get it repaired right away.

“We can help to prevent an emergency from happening at your home if you schedule a preventative maintenance checkup, which will allow us to catch a problem prior to the system failing on that hot summer day,” said Spears. “This is very affordable — we’re currently offering an AC System Maintenance Program that begins at just $9.95 a month for up to two AC units.”

For homes needing a replacement system, one of the most popular AC systems Cornerstone Pros offers is the Daikin Fit series, which is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside.

“Our AC equipment product line has the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty available for purchase. We also offer great financing terms and rebates, and work with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates,” said Spears.

Generators and Surge Protectors
Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable home generators, and has deferred-interest financing. It installs Generac generators, the country’s largest manufacturer of backup generators, that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.

“Choosing the right size generator is just as important as the quality of the generator. Our technicians do a full load calculation on every home we quote, and specify a generator that best meets a family’s needs and budget,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.

The company also installs whole-home surge protection devices, which can prevent a power surge from damaging appliances and essential electronics if lightning strikes your home or nearby.

Cornerstone Pros is one of the area’s largest and most established trade contractors offering air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services. It is proud to employ over 95 local, qualified people who provide prompt service and exceptional customer service seven days a week.

Cornerstone Pros phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call 813-990-0561 anytime. For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published September 29, 2021

Stage Your Home And Sell For 20% More

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If you’re looking to sell your home, one of the easiest and most affordable things you can do is hire a professional to stage your home before taking listing photos and opening your door to prospective buyers.

Jennifer Schumacher

“Everyone likes to look at pictures, and seeing photos of your home staged beautifully grabs a buyer’s attention when looking on Zillow, Realtor.com and other on-line listing services,” said Jennifer Schumacher, owner of Sunshine Staging in New Port Richey. “If you want your home to be selected as a favorite, you better make sure your photos give an outstanding first impression.”

Research shows that homes that are staged sell faster, and typically for 20% more than homes not staged.

“People are always surprised at the tremendous return on investment staging brings,” said Schumacher, adding that both vacant or occupied homes can be staged, and the cost for a typical 2,000 square foot home is less than $2,000 for a three-month period.

“While most clients ask us to stage their master bedroom, living and dining rooms and baths, we can also do just one room or an entire house,” said Schumacher. “We are very flexible and have our own trailer to bring in furniture, accessories and artwork. Our goal is to stage a home so a potential buyer can easily imagine their family living there.”

Schumacher worked in the home staging business for 10 years before opening Sunshine Staging three years ago. You can meet her and learn more about home staging at a breakfast tour she is hosting on Oct. 8. Please see the ad below for information.

Published September 29, 2021

Shade, Stencil and Stain at Bella Home Market

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Bella Home Market in Lutz, which will soon be celebrating its second anniversary, has become known as a one-stop shop for making your home sweet home, even sweeter.

The locally owned specialty shop offers a unique selection of indoor décor and gifts in a range of styles. Around every corner there’s a one-of-a-kind, eye-catching find, from farmhouse and chic, to industrial and modern. Owner Lou Malerba also creates space in his store that features homemade goods, such as organic soaps and wall art, created by local artisans.

Bella Home Market is proud to be the only store in Lutz designated as an Elite retailer of Dixie Belle Craft Paints. Malerba and his associates offer monthly classes to demonstrate the paint’s incredible versatility, which can be used to paint furniture, jewelry, glass and canvas. Shoppers at Bella Home leave with a great new find, and also new skills to create their own treasures.

Bella Home Market also lets you browse its merchandise from home on its website and Facebook page. For anyone looking to enhance their DIY skills with Dixie Belle Paint, or browse home accents, visit BellaHomeMarket.com, or call 813-345-8038. The store is located in Tropical Village Plaza across from Walmart on U.S. 41, at 1532 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Published September 29, 2021

Infinite HD Offers Low Pricing on Tile and Vinyl Plank Flooring

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If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s flooring to the latest in design and technology, you’ll want to call Infinite HD in Odessa to get some of the lowest pricing in Tampa Bay.

The company’s warehouse special runs through October, and includes tile beginning at just $1 a square foot in porcelain, ceramic, black herringbone and porcelain wood tiles. And, for those wanting in-demand luxury vinyl plank, Infinite HD pricing begins at just $2.99 a square foot.

All flooring material is in stock, at the company’s 60,000 square foot local warehouse, with quantities large enough for one room or the whole house. A variety of colors and sizes are available.

“We are a family owned company that provides full service from warehouse to installation with a one-year guarantee, and also sell to customers who pay cash and carry,” said Rob Howard, owner of Infinite HD.

Howard has over 35 years of experience in the home repair and installation industry. Together with his two business partners, his son, Jarred Howard, and longtime colleague, David Rodriguez, the trio offers top-notch customer service and expertise.

It’s this experience that brings many local homeowners to Infinite HD. Howard focuses on estimates and customer relations, Jarred Howard handles purchases and acquisitions, and Rodriguez oversees all installations. Plus, Howard’s daughter, Janann, creates all the cabinet designs and drawings.

About a year ago, Infinite HD moved its office to Odessa to be more convenient to its customer base in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, and to accommodate the company’s growth.

Bathroom and kitchen updates are in demand, with many clients choosing luxury vinyl plank or moisture-proof laminate.

“The moisture-proof laminate looks and feels like wood, but is more durable and can handle water much better,” says Howard. “Luxury vinyl plank is much more dense, harder and almost impossible to scratch.”

Home shows, such as “Fixer Upper,” often inspire people to do their own home repairs, but Rodriguez stresses the importance of hiring a licensed professional for most home repair needs.

“We have a saying in the business — ‘Cheap labor isn’t skilled, and skilled labor isn’t cheap,’” said Rodriguez. “It truly matters who you hire.”

One of Howard’s favorite parts of the job is helping clients bring their vision to life, especially folks who have lived in the same house for many years.

“They just want a change, and it’s nice giving them something new and different,” says Howard, “We enjoy doing remodel work and fixing up homes for the next stage of our customers’ lives.”

Infinite HD continues to operate as a family business, which Rob is reminded of every time he steps into the office, because his grandchildren helped install its floor, and both his son and daughter work for him.

For more information, or to book a free home estimate with Infinite HD, call 813-309-5211.

Published September 29, 2021

Pine View Middle’s SRO wins top state honors

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Corporal Elissa Elders, from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, said she was shocked upon learning she had been selected the 2021 School Resource Officer of the Year from a pool of 900 officers in the state of Florida.

Elissa Elders, Florida’s School Resource Officer of the Year is shown here with Edward Upthegrove, program administrator for the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute. The FCPTI is part of the Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs in the Office of the Attorney General. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

“Out of all those people, I’m the one who is selected?’’ Elders said. “I’m just doing my job, but so are all the amazing people I work with. I am honored and I am humbled. Next to marrying my husband, it’s the biggest honor in my life.

“But I still can’t get over it. Me? Why me?’’

When examining Elders’ eight-year body of work at Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes and hearing from the students, administrators and parents, another question quickly emerges.

Why did it take so long for Elders to be recognized?

Cpl. Elissa Elders, who serves at Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes, is the 2021 School Resource Officer of the Year for Florida. She received the distinction during the opening of the annual convention for the Florida Association of School Resource Officers. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

“She really cares about the kids,’’ Pine View principal Jennifer Warren said. “She’s extremely relatable and they feel very comfortable in receiving her messages. She’s a huge part of our school and we’re all very excited to see this type of recognition.’’

Elders doesn’t seek recognition, though. Her rewards are seeing kids learn and develop.

“This isn’t a job, it’s her calling,’’ said retired law enforcement officer Bill Elders, Elissa’s husband of 14 years. “Whether something turns out to be frustrating or a great success, she has a tremendous way of separating the two, always keeping it in perspective, and never letting it take away from her purpose of helping the kids.

“I’ve listened to her cry when she sees kids hurting. I’ve listened to her laugh when they do outstanding things. She gets excited. She empathizes. She doesn’t punch a clock. It never stops. This is her life and her heart is completely in it.’’

Elders, who enlisted in the Army before a medical discharge, originally thought she wanted to become an arson investigator with the fire department. But after attending the police academy, she found her niche as Pine View’s SRO.

“My principal (Warren) is such a proactive person and she always encourages me to grow and train,’’ Elders said. “I appreciate working with such a strong leader, who has helped me process things and mature as a deputy.

“I wear many hats. I’m your friend, your counselor, your teacher, your go-to for advice. If you need something sewn for an outfit or a class project, I can do that. I’m here to help and I work for them, which makes them my boss. Whatever they need, I’m here. I want to take care of any needs or worries, so the families can concentrate on raising a good productive member of society.’’

School Resource Officer Cpl. Elissa Elders played the role of Keystone Cop in Pine View Middle’s production of ‘Annie.’ That’s just one example of how she gets involved with kids. (Courtesy of Pine View Middle School)

Elders’ biggest tool: Creativity
During the school’s “Pink Out Against Bullying,’’ she wore a large pink bow in her hair and pink socks.

She’s known to pop into classrooms and actively participate.

She had a role in the school’s production of “Annie Junior,’’ playing a Keystone Cop (of course). But nothing was handed to her. Elders auditioned for the role like any student.

On St. Patrick’s Day, she makes a pot of gold with prizes. At Christmas, she uses clues for a “Corporal Elders on a Shelf’’ contest with large candy bars going to the winners.

Playing the role of a seahorse, in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Cpl. Elissa Elders demonstrates her willingness to do what it takes to connect with kids. (Courtesy of Pine View Middle School)

She has a “Walking Dead Fan Club,’’ so students and parents can converse and argue about the popular television series, while using that common interest to promote fellowship and togetherness. She also has started other clubs, such as Girls on the Run and the Craft Club.

She likes to poke fun at herself. At a dance class, she displayed some cop-themed exercises, such as running after freshly baked donuts. She carries a donut-shaped water bottle in the car line. She has passed out donuts to reward students who wear their seat belts.

“Cops and donuts — classic joke, right?’’ Elders said with a laugh.

All of Elders’ out-of-the-box ideas have the same goal.

“We do have days at school where kids make poor choices,’’ Elders said. “But I want to be as involved as I can be, whether it’s doing a play, being at a basketball game, helping in the classroom, anything to share what I can and have a positive impact on students.

“When you are involved in their lives, when you can show them the right way to do it, they will be less likely to do something wrong that could result in criminal charges.’’

There are tangible signs of Elders’ state award, such as the designation on her parking spot at Pine View Middle School (“Florida SRO of the Year Parking Only’’).

Sometimes, though, Elders doesn’t see the complete results until years later. But that’s when she realizes the full impact.

“I have seen it where she runs into a former student at a restaurant or a ballgame and they are so appreciative over something she once said or did for them,’’ Bill Elders said. “She puts her heart and soul into helping kids and it’s rewarding to see them on a good road in their lives.’’

She appreciates the community’s support.

“I have gotten so many notes and messages from people congratulating me,’’ Elders said. “Some of them don’t even have a kid at our school. They are saying how proud they are. It means a lot. These kinds of well wishes really show that people are aware and how much they care about the kids, too. That’s really the mission, getting kids on the right road.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published September 29, 2021

Pasco adopts new water, stormwater rates

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Pasco County Utilities customers will see a change on their monthly water, wastewater and reclaimed water bills beginning Oct. 1, according to a Pasco County news release.

The average residential customer who uses 6,000 gallons of water will see an increase on their bill from $79 up to $81.30, an increase of $2.30.

Residential reclaimed water customers also will see small increases in the reclaimed water base charge and the Back-Flow Prevention Device fee, along with a new tiered rate for reclaimed water use in excess of 10,000 gallons, according to the release.

The base change for reclaimed water will be $11, which includes the first 10,000 gallons. There will be an additional charge of $1.10 for every additional 1,000 gallons.

The Flow Prevention Device fee will be $5.99.

A full list of the new rates, fees and charges effective 10/1/21 is available at MyPasco.net/4723/Rates-FY22.

Visit PascoCountyUtilities.com for more information about Pasco County Utilities services.

Published September 29, 2021

Pasco adopts solid waste, stormwater rates

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The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved increased solid waste fees and maintained the status quo for stormwater rates during the board’s Sept. 15 meeting.

Justin Roessler,  the county’s solid waste director, told the board that the proposed increase represents the third of a seven-year rate increase in the county’s solid waste assessment.

The adopted resolution establishes the annual solid waste disposal assessment, tipping fees, and other rates, fees and charges that fund the Solid Waste Disposal and Resource Recovery System.

The assessment generates revenue to cover operations and maintenance costs, meet debt service coverage as required by bond covenants, and supports the capital costs of the county’s solid waste disposal system.

The fiscal year 2022 single-family residential assessment will increase by $7, going from $79 to $86 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). A single-family parcel is equal to an ERU.

Tipping fees will increase from $72.08 to $78.47 per ton.

“The rate increases have been structured to address the growth that we’re seeing and the need to expand the waste energy facility, as well as to replace some of the revenue that’s being lost when the power purchasing agreement expires in 2024,” the solid waste director said.

“When you look at the residential assessment and the residential collection ceiling for Pasco County, we do see it as comparable with other municipalities that do have waste-to-energy facilities.”

The board also passed a stormwater rate resolution that keeps the residential rate per ERU at $95, the same as it is this year.

Published September 29, 2021

Tune in for tree webinar

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If you want to find out about the best trees to plant in your yard, or if you’re a Hillsborough County resident and want to apply for a tree removal permit, this upcoming webinar may be helpful to you.

The session is set for Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The webinar will cover tree removal and tree planting, and will include common questions about removing trees in Hillsborough County.

It also will go over what types of trees you can plant in its place, and how to remove a Grand Oak tree.

You can register by visiting the calendar section on HillsboroughCounty.org, and clicking on the Oct. 7 events.

Once you register, you will receive an email with a link to join the webinar.

Published September 29, 2021

Pasco employee wins statewide award

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Sam Beneck is congratulated by the Pasco County Commission and members of the county staff, for his recent recognition by the Florida Bicycle Association as professional of the year. (Courtesy of Ryan Hughes, Pasco County)

Sam Beneck, a project manager for Pasco County, has been honored as the professional of the year by the Florida Bicycle Association.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey read a resolution congratulating Benick for the accomplishment during the county board’s Sept. 15 meeting.

Beneck was recognized for his involvement as project manager on the Ridge Road extension project, which will include a multi-use path that will connect to the Suncoast Parkway Trail.

He also has been involved in other projects that are now being enjoyed by cyclists, including the Starkey Gap Trail and the Anclote Coastal Trail, according to the resolution.

Starkey, a regular trail user herself and huge proponent of creating safe ways for people to get around, said the fact that Beneck himself is a cyclist has given him insights and helped to inform his professional work.

Published September 29, 2021