The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The votes are in!

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Teddy Bear (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)
Thaddeus

Two furry friends have been named winners of Gulfside Hospice’s 2023 Virtual Pet Pageant, raising $6,737 to support the organization’s Pet Peace of Mind program.

Thaddeus, a 10-month old orange tabby cat, was awarded “Most Popular.” The community votes on the winner in this category through donations, and Thaddeus alone brought in $1,500 in votes.

Teddy Bear, a 4-year-old shih tzu, was awarded “Most Photogenic,” determined by a volunteer committee of Women for Gulfside members.

The Virtual Pet Pageant is an annual event presented by the Women for Gulfside to raise funds for the Pet Peace of Mind program that supports Gulfside Hospice patients and their pets during the end-of-life journey. This extra support helps to relieve stress and anxiety for hospice patients and improve their overall quality of life. This program relies entirely on donations.

For more information about the contest or the pet program, contact Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, at 727-845-5707, , or visit GulfsidePets.org.

Serve up something tasty for mom, on Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s really about the memories made on the day set aside for Moms.

For instance, last year, my three nephews were making my sister-in-law breakfast in bed.

Well, that was the plan anyway.

But then they started fighting in the kitchen.  

So, my sister-in-law had to get out of bed and go downstairs to break up the fight.

Once peace was restored, they instructed her to go back to bed.  

When breakfast finally was served, she was informed by the wait staff that the kitchen had run out of bacon, so they substituted some pepperoni.

Not a perfect breakfast, but what a fun story for the memory bank.

Do you need some ideas on what the kids can make this year for your Mother’s Day celebration?  

Here are some breakfast and brunch suggestions that are easy enough for even the smallest of sous chefs to assist — just make sure those little ones are supervised.

You can make this Mother’s memorable with one (or more) of these menu ideas:

  • Charcuterie board: Think of different textures and colors.

The textures can come from protein, such as bacon, sausage, sliced hard-boiled eggs, lox and a grain, such as waffle quarters, pancakes, crepes, bagels and muffins.

Add blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, grapes and other fruits for color.

Start the board by placing little bowls of fruit, jam and syrup on the board, followed by the largest food items, and then fill empty spaces with the smaller items.

Add some flowers to give the presentation more pop. (After brunch they can be placed in a vase for Mom or Grandma to enjoy later.)

If you don’t have a charcuterie board, don’t worry. Just use a wooden cutting board or a baking sheet. Or, you can buy one as a Mother’s Day gift.

  • Peanut butter board: This is similar in concept to a charcuterie board, but it has a peanut butter theme.

To make this, spread 1 cup to 1 ¼  cups of peanut butter — a brand that isn’t runny — onto the center of a marble or wooden serving platter.

Spread the peanut butter thinly and evenly with the back of a spoon, leaving space along the sides of the board for the dippers.

Top with a drizzle of honey or fruit jam, cinnamon, nuts, granola, chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips.

The dippers for this peanut butter board can be graham crackers, pretzel sticks, waffle quarters, and/or fruit slices.

  • Fruit and donut kabob: Slide kiwi, strawberry, melon, grapes, berries and other types of fruit, as well as donut holes onto skewers in your desired pattern. You can substitute waffle quarters for the donuts, or simply use fruit.
  • Watermelon fruit pizza: Cut a watermelon in half, then cut an even round slice about 1-inch thick (use remaining watermelon as you wish). Spread two tablespoons of vanilla Greek yogurt over the round slice. Place sliced fruit on top, such as strawberries, grapes, and bananas, and top with granola. Cut the watermelon into eight triangles to make slices of watermelon pizza.
  • Other simple ideas: Make a berry and banana fruit salad; a strawberry banana smoothie; or an egg salad sandwich.

Whatever you decide to make on Mother’s Day, do what you can to make your Mom happy.

It is her day, after all.

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

Egg cups can be made with scrambled or sunny-side-up eggs (shown here in a jumbo muffin pan), and can have cheese or deli meat added too, to really fill you up. You may want to try making the Tortilla Cups with Eggs, using the accompanying recipe. (Caitlyn Porter, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County)

Recipe
Tortilla cups with eggs (courtesy of the University of Illinois Extension)

Ingredients:
4 flour tortillas, 6-inch in diameter
4 eggs
1/4 cup mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup bell peppers, chopped
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Wash hands with soap and water.
Gently rub produce under cool running water.
Cut each tortilla in half and then in half again.
This will result in four equal pieces per tortilla.
Spray six muffin tin cups with non-stick cooking spray.
Overlap two to three pieces of tortilla in each muffin tin to cover completely and create a cup. Press into muffin tin. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Bake tortilla cups for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Mix eggs, mushrooms, bell peppers and black pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
Pour egg mixture equally into tortilla cups.
Cook for 20 minutes to 25 minutes until eggs are cooked through, or when internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
Optional: Top with salsa, green onions, or sour cream.
Note: One serving is two tortilla cups.

Published May 10, 2023

Target store is coming to the Grove at Wesley Chapel

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Target is planning to open a store at the Grove at Wesley Chapel, according to a news release.

The planned 148,500-square-foot building will be built on a currently vacant 16-acre lot near some big box retailers.

(Mike Camunas)

The location is just south of Cost Plus World Market, at the southeast corner of the intersection of Oakley Boulevard and Pink Flamingo Lane.

In addition to Target, the Grove, at 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., will become home to nearly 10,000 apartment dwellings within the next two years, says the news release from the Grove.

In addition to these new projects, the 250-acre property features numerous national tenants, including Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michaels, Old Navy, PetSmart, Planet Fitness, TJ Maxx and Ulta.

The property also boasts a container park made of shipping containers that offer different cuisines from all over the world and boutique retail shops — all run by small business owners.

“With all the families moving into Wesley Chapel, it just makes sense to bring in a Target,” Mark Gold, partner in Mishorim Gold, said in the release.

Mishorim Gold purchased the Grove for $64 million in September 2019.

Gold invested millions more into the renovation of the property. 

“Target is a household name and the perfect retail partner for our bustling community,” he added in the release.

Grove Mini Golf recently opened, and other future businesses coming include a Starbucks, Woodie’s Wash Shack and a national car rental chain.

Two housing developments also are taking shape around the property: 300 multifamily units just north of the B&B movie theater are under construction, and 418 units in a development called Grove West are under construction across Oakley Boulevard.

Published May 03, 2023

Simons Road extension project complete

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Simons Road in Zephyrhills completed its two-phase expansion project and now connects Eiland Boulevard to Fort King Road. (Mike Camunas)

Motorists in Zephyrhills now have an additional way to get to State Road 54, State Road 56, and Interstate 275 thanks to the recent completion of Simons Road, according to a news release from the City of Zephyrhills.

Simons Road is a 1.32-mile stretch paved continuously from Eiland Boulevard to Fort King Road. The project, funded through impact fees, was completed in two phases.

BRW Contracting Inc., completed both phases of the project.

The first phase, completed in February 2020, involved paving Simons from Eiland Boulevard to the northern boundary of The Links of Silver Oaks.

The second phase of the project encompasses a new 700-foot road section, box culverts, gravity walls, sidewalks and turn lanes from Simons to Fort King Road.

Published May 03, 2023

Tampa unveils strategy to plant 30,000 trees

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The city of Tampa has set the goal of planting 30,000 new trees by the year 2030, according to a city news release.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has launched an initiative aimed at planting 30,000 trees by the year 2030. The city is seeking help from residents, neighborhood groups and area businesses to help make the tree-planting campaign a success. (File)

“I am enlisting everyone — city government, individuals, businesses, neighborhood groups — for this crucial mission, because Tampa’s tree canopy needs help,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, said in the release. “We need to act quickly and decisively to replenish our invaluable urban forest, which has decreased over the past decade.”

The multi-part plan involves “the planting of trees on both private property and in public spaces,” Castor said.

The announcement comes as a new, thorough assessment of Tampa’s citywide tree canopy coverage dropped by 2.3% percent since 2016, the release says.

The report providing information about the size, composition, health and distribution of Tampa’s trees found canopy coverage of 30% of the city’s total land area, its lowest point in 26 years, the release adds.

Tampa has been a nationally recognized Tree City for 41 years.

Its tree ordinance requires an assessment of the tree canopy and urban forest every five years, with today’s results reflecting data collected in 2021, according to the release.

In its announcement, the city detailed Mayor Castor’s tree initiative, which includes these elements:

  • Expanding the city’s Tree-mendous Tampa program to allow people to receive up to five free trees (up from two)
  • Improving use of the city’s tree trust funds and working with the Tampa City Council to increase resources used to maintain the existing tree canopy
  • Enlisting frontline workers in stormwater, mobility, water and other city departments to identify key opportunities for trees and to make planting trees a higher priority
  • Continuing the Mayor’s Tree Giveaway, providing residents with 1,000 free trees annually
  • Aggressively enforce existing laws and maximize fines for illegal tree destruction where appropriate
  • Launching a new voucher program to encourage and help people buy trees from local nurseries
  • Supporting quarterly neighborhood-based tree planting projects
  • Implementing a Neighborhood Tree Stewardship program to educate residents on tree care and the urban forest 

The mayor said the 30,000 new trees will be a mix of shade, native and specialty trees. She also noted that maintaining and keeping healthy the existing canopy is as important as planting new trees.

For more information, visit the City of Tampa’s website at Tampa.gov/trees.

Published May 03, 2023

Pasco County names new county engineer

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed the appointment of Nick Uhren to serve as the county’s director of engineering services.

His annual salary was set at $160,000 and his starting date will be May 30.

He is a registered professional engineer, with experience in both the public and private sector, according to information in the county board’s April 18 agenda packet.

He holds a bachelor of science and master of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky, and has been a licensed professional engineer in Florida for 20 years.

He previously served as executive director of the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency and as a senior engineer for Palm Beach County.

Uhren is filling the vacancy created by the departure of Margaret Smith, who recently retired.

Published May 03, 2023

Putting a spotlight on the environment

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club provided craft materials and instruction to kids at Crews Lake Wilderness Park, in celebration of Earth Day. The youth learned the importance of monarch butterflies in the ecosystem and about tagging the butterflies to track their annual migration and life span. Visitors also could see real butterfly eggs on a milkweed flower and craft their own beaded caterpillars on leaves. Club members Karen Phillips and Helen Fornino participated and showed the learning materials and craft used to help bring awareness to the environment.

A showcase of talent, and imagination

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(Mike Camunas)

The Chalk Art Festival, held at the KRATE at the Grove in Wesley Chapel, gave about 10 artists the chance to show off their talents — and imaginations — through works of chalk art on parking spots. See more photos in story above.

Discover The Mattamy Homes Difference and Area Communities

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With every new home community, Mattamy Homes demonstrates its dedication to thoughtful details and meaningful value for its customers.  Mattamy focuses on the intrinsic value of a given area such as the Tampa Bay area — scenic beauty, natural features, nearby attractions, local culture and accessible conveniences. Then it delivers a variety of floor plans specifically designed for comfort, space, light and air — including the most sought-after features, according to satisfied customers.

So who is Mattamy Homes? Since 1978, Mattamy Homes has been building homes that break the mold with inspired designs. As the largest privately-owned homebuilder in North America, Mattamy’s commitment to excellence has been evident since the beginning, and numerous Customer Satisfaction awards and Parade of Homes wins are frequent and ongoing reminders. Visit a Mattamy community and you’ll experience the Mattamy difference with beautiful streetscapes and exterior styles. Attention to detail is evident inside and outside of each home, with open and airy layouts that include charming, versatile living spaces.

Timberdale amenities

Three New Neighborhoods at Chapel Crossings in Wesley Chapel
Mattamy has just opened two new home neighborhoods in the popular Wesley Chapel master-planned community located off State Road 54 and Curley Road. A third neighborhood, Twin Creeks, is slated to begin sales on June 1, for spacious townhomes that complement the paired villas and single-family homes that are now available.

Timberdale at Chapel Crossings brings Mattamy Homes’ award-winning paired villas to Wesley Chapel with open and airy layouts that truly live like single-family homes. Three paired villa home designs — the Largo, Oceana and Regatta — offer 2 to 3 bedrooms plus a flex room or study. These range from 1,431 square feet to 1,765 square feet and include lawn maintenance for easy living, so you have more time to do what you want. Timberdale features three exterior styles for the paired villas — Coastal, Craftsman and Modern. 

Asbury Pelican exterior

For those homebuyers looking for single-family homes, Mattamy’s offerings at Asbury at Chapel Crossings include nine single-family home designs from 1,506 square feet to 2,810 square feet and have 2 to 5 bedrooms. Asbury offers two homesite sizes — 40-foot wide homesites and 50-foot wide homesites.

Three new models are open daily for touring  — two new decorated paired villas and one single-family home model. An array of quick move-in homes is available in both neighborhoods for move-in this spring.

Twin Creeks will offer stylish townhomes, with 1,667 square feet to 2,574 square feet and 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1- to 2-car garages. These two-level townhomes are open, airy and spacious – and models of these townhomes are currently open at Mattamy’s nearby Parkview at Long Lake Ranch and Volanti. Sales for Twin Creeks will begin on June 1, and models will open in late June. Interested parties should join the VIP list by visiting MattamyHomes.com/Tampa.

“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new master-planned community — and offering three new home types to meet the needs and wants of today’s homebuyer,” says Kathleen Dec, director of marketing for Mattamy Homes’ Tampa and Southwest Florida division. “Both of these new neighborhoods share an emphasis on curb appeal, well-being and lifestyle to make everyday living a joy.”

All three Mattamy neighborhoods will have Florida Green Building Certification and offer energy-efficient green features and a smart home tech package. All homes also will receive HERS certification, which reflects the energy efficiency and cost savings of each home.

Conveniently located just a short drive from premiere Pasco County destinations, such as The Shops at Wiregrass and the Tampa Premium Outlets, Chapel Crossings offers the best of Tampa and West Central Florida living.

Mattamy residents will have access to the Chapel Crossings master-planned amenities that are now under construction and opening later this year. These will provide fun for all ages, and include a distinctive clubhouse with a fitness center, dog park (the perfect place to make your pet’s day), resort-style pool and a lazy river. These amenities will be a great place to connect with friends, family and neighbors — and give residents access to well-being, sun, shade and happiness all year-round.

“Chapel Crossings’ new amenities under construction are meticulously planned, with a relaxing, down-home feel with modern features,” Dec continued. “The lazy river and beach-entry pool are just two of the ways homeowners can spend the summer making new memories.”

Volanti

Volanti in Wesley Chapel
Located just 4 miles from Interstate 75, off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, Volanti offers stylish, low-maintenance townhomes and boasts excellent access to the best of the Wesley Chapel area. This gated-entry community is nearby premier shopping and dining destinations including the Tampa Premium Outlets, the Grove and The Shops at Wiregrass. Quick move-in townhomes are available with beautiful designer finishes.

Volanti recently was awarded the prestigious 2022 Community of The Year award by the Tampa Bay Builders Association, as well as the 2023 Grand Award for the Sebring model in the 2023 Parade of Homes.

Four home designs — the Marianna, Ormond, Sebring and Venice — currently are available for quick move-in, and offer 1,667 square feet to 2,574 square feet, with 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3 baths. All have 1- or 2-car attached garages and large lanais. There are three exterior styles available at Volanti — Craftsman, French Country and Contemporary.

The gated community will have 200 homes at build out and offers brand-new amenities including a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit. Four model homes are open for tours daily.

Parkview amenities

Parkview at Long Lake Ranch in Lutz
Perfectly situated just off State Road 54 at Sunlake Boulevard is Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, which offers single-family homes and townhomes. Parkview also has fun-filled amenities including the Parkview Pavilion — the hub of the community that features a resort-style pool, shaded breezeway, cabanas and social gathering areas. Residents of this gated community also enjoy a paw park, two tot lots and fun park areas. 

There currently is a great selection of quick move-in homes available, as well as nine stylish floor plans to choose from. There is truly something for everyone.

Six designer-decorated model homes are now open daily.

Citron Grove in Odessa
Only six townhomes remain in this Odessa enclave of 60 new townhomes just off Gunn Highway. This community, Citron Grove, offers unique Craftsman-style townhomes. Two floor plans are available — the Marianna and Ormond. Citron Grove is just 1.5 miles from the Veterans Expressway, 2 miles from Citrus Park Mall, and 12 miles from Tampa’s Westshore Business District and International Airport. It’s an easy commute to work or to all the sports, recreation and arts that Tampa offers.

Great savings and reduced pricing are available for a limited time
With Mattamy’s GO TIME National Sales Event going on now, it’s easier than ever to own a new Mattamy home. For a limited time, Mattamy currently is offering new lower pricing and additional savings on select quick move-in homes that will close by May 30. 

Homebuyers have their choice of an array of quick move-in homes that are available and attainable now in top locations throughout the area, so there is no need to wait. Mattamy invites you to contact a New Home Counselor to learn more about these special savings and  move-in homes.

About Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes is the largest, privately owned home builder in North America, with 40-plus years of history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of homeownership. In the United States, the company builds homes in Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida.

For more information about all Mattamy Homes’ local communities, go to MattamyHomes.com/tampa, email , or call 813-252-2715.

Published April 26, 2023