The Laker/Lutz News

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Pasco’s growth fuels economy

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Apartment construction is dominating residential development along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor — a magnet for development in the midst of Pasco County’s surging growth.

As rooftops on luxury apartment homes pop up, retail is following, as evidenced by roadside signs and county permits.

Signs like these, east of Odessa, off State Road 54, are popping up on former pastureland up and down the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor. (Fred Bellet)

Former pastures along the heavily traveled road are occupied now with shops, restaurants, apartments, auto dealerships and Class A offices.

The Shops at Wiregrass, near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel, has added Athleta; go! Calendars & games; and, siKicks (a footwear and collectibles shop); Charming Charlies; and, Hickory Farms. Coming soon are Body Details; JABZ Boxing; and The Living Room.

Besides expanding its retail, Cypress Creek Town Center, a massive development west of the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange, is jumpstarting its residential plans.

County building permits indicate that Garrett Apartments are coming to Grand Cypress Drive, and Silversaw at Wesley Chapel is rising along Garden Village Way and Citron Boulevard.

Valentino’s Fine Jewelers and The Good Feet Store have opened on Sierra Center Boulevard, the town center’s prime east-west road, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill is coming.

Construction on Miller’s Ale House, meanwhile, is ongoing at the Wesley Chapel Boulevard entry into Tampa Premium Outlets, on the south side of the highway.

Zaxby’s restaurant has opened on Sun Vista Drive near Costco. New offerings at Tampa Premium Outlets will include a Frosty Cart by Wendy’s and new jewelry selections with Banter at Piercing Pagoda.

BMW of Wesley Chapel is building a six-story building on State Road 56. (Fred Bellet)

Just west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, on the north side of State Road 54, owners of El Dorado furniture store are laying groundwork for a 70,000-square-foot store.

When it opens, expected around June, shoppers will be able to stroll along a streetscape, enjoying more than 20 storefronts showcasing furniture styles from contemporary to traditional.

The Capo family, who is developing El Dorado, opened their first store in the late 1960s in Miami.

The family opened a store in St. Petersburg in late 2019, before the COVID shutdown and, despite the timing, it has fared well, according to Pedro Capo, chief operating officer at El Dorado.

Now, Capo said he expects to hire and train about 50 employees for the Pasco store, likely beginning in March or April.

Capo is optimistic about the Pasco store’s prospects, noting that the county’s residential growth bodes well for building a strong customer base.

El Dorado will join WaWa, Firestone and Burger King along State Road 54 frontage at the Brighthouse Crossings apartments.

Just west of Brighthouse, a Woodie’s Wash Shack has opened at the Shoppes at Cypress Creek. Fazoli’s Italian restaurant is another potential tenant for the new plaza.

More housing and dining options

In Land O’ Lakes, the Avidity Living apartment complex is being built off State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard. The 252-unit development is scheduled to open in 2022.

Also, coming to this location, is EOS Fitness.

Willow Bend Town Centre, at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway, recently added Ayoki Japan restaurant. Esporta Fitness is a rebranding of the former LA Fitness. And a sign near the center’s entrance off the state road suggests Pasco will get another car wash – Vortex Express Car Wash.

A new apartment community, Avidity Living, is being built at State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes. EOS Fitness will be built at the intersection. (Fred Bellet)

West of U.S. 41, vacant land at Ballantrae and Cypress Ranch is sprouting “coming soon” signs as construction begins on apartment units, new retail, and a proposed Class A office complex, known as 54 Crossings.

On the south side opposite Ballantrae, the Cypress Ranch development includes Azora, a new apartment complex, with a spring 2022 opening. Signs in front of the complex show a cornucopia of proposed shops including ALDI grocery store, Chick-Fil-A, another EOS Fitness, Honest-1 Auto Care, and The Learning Experience.

“We are happy to confirm that we will open our newest Lutz, Florida location next year, with construction scheduled to begin soon,” according to Matt Thon in a statement provided by email. Thon is the Haines City division vice president for ALDI.

No further details were provided regarding the construction schedule or opening date.

A Circle K is under construction at this location, and a Woodie’s Wash Shack, is coming.

On the north side, 54 Crossings is a proposed 60,000-square-foot Class A office building, at Aprile Drive, adjacent to Ballantrae’s row of fast-food restaurants that includes Taco Bell and Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.

East of the Suncoast Parkway, the master-planned community of Bexley at Newland is moving dirt for a major retail and business center, off State Road 54 and Bexley Village Drive. Known as the Hub at Bexley, the commercial complex is scheduled for a summer 2022 opening.

Bexley’s website describes the Hub as a “retail and business destination,” with a summer 2022 opening. Bexley residents can walk or bike along connecting trails to enjoy dining, shopping, live concerts and family events. But it also is envisioned as an attraction for Tampa Bay residents with easy interstate access.

Construction continues at The Towns of Oakstead, on the north side of State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet)

The Hub also includes a large outparcel on Bexley Village Drive, adjacent to the Springhill Suites hotel and opposite the delivery entrance into the Amazon warehouse. The site will become home to 4 & Co., with about 35,000 square feet of Class A offices and co-work spaces. Memberships and limited passes will be offered. Amenities will include a gym, yoga studio, sauna, a treatment room for acupuncture and massages, and conference rooms.

West of Suncoast Parkway, the Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard initially welcomed HotWorx and Jimmy John’s restaurant. New signs in the development indicate additional tenants will be there, including Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, PTI Solutions, Touch Nail Spa, and Shauby Dental Institute.

Another apartment complex, Avilla Suncoast, is under construction at Redstone Way and Crossings Boulevard, immediately behind the new Hooters restaurant.

Next along the route, The Preserve Marketplace, off South Branch Road, is increasing its retail and business options with Caring Paws Animal Hospital, 100% Chiropractic, PostNet, Lin China restaurant, Papa Johns restaurant, Burger Fi, Chipotle, Panera Bread, and the USF Federal Credit Union. The shopping center is anchored by the Greenwise Publix grocery store.

Starkey Ranch Town Center, at Gunn Highway and State Road 54, is expanding, too. A shell building is under construction, but the new tenants are not yet identified.

Starkey Ranch Business Park on Heart Pine Avenue recently added Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Tropical Smoothie Café has a ‘coming soon’ sign. Butcher’s Mark Fresh Meats and Marinades is another shop on its way.

Clearly, there’s a lot going on, along State Road 54/State Road 56 — and there’s no indication that the pace of activity will slow anytime soon.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

By Kathy Steele

Covid-19 concerns cancel annual Tampa Tour de Clay

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Organizers of the annual Tampa Tour de Clay have announced that the event won’t be held this year.

Last year, the annual tour used a hybrid approach, allowing visitors to meet personally with artists and to also view pottery pieces virtually.

This 8-inch by 12-inch ash and rutile blue teapot, by Jack Boyle, sells for $125. (Courtesy of Deborah Gillars)

This year, the organizers decided it would be more prudent to postpone the event until December 2022.

The organizers explained why they would not be holding the annual Tampa Bay showcase for pottery and pottery artists.

“While we are encouraged to see the Covid-19 rate of infection continue to drop, our members felt it was still too risky to host a crowded indoor event, without the ability to require face coverings, putting you, our valued patrons and your families, at risk,” the news release says.

“The pandemic has been very challenging emotionally, economically and health-wise for so many, and the artists who make up the Tampa Bay Tour de Clay are no different. If anything, we are a microcosm of the struggles artists across the nation have faced,” the release adds.

The group’s 15 core members include those who earn their income and supported their families by traveling to juried outdoor festivals, showing their work in local galleries, working as graphic designers, owning galleries and art studios, and teaching.

Some of the members show their work only at Tampa Tour de Clay, the release adds.

“All the artists have struggled to create revenue when art festivals were cancelled, and galleries were shuttered. Each navigating the constantly changing rules, all the while taking into consideration the risks to their children, grandchildren and/or elderly parents in their care,” the release adds.

The group hopes to resume the annual event next year, on the weekend of Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, 2022.

While the pandemic goes on, the artists also have continued to create their works.

These pottery artists — William Kidd, Ira Burhans, Jack Boyle, Michel Ginouves and Glenn Woods —  will have a limited number of pieces available for purchase, at San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio.

To find out more about the Tampa Tour de Clay, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Tips to help avoid holiday traffic jams near I-75/State Road 56

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Officials from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have offered a bit of a playbook to help motorists avoid holiday traffic jams near the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange.

The interchange happens to be near Cypress Creek Town Center, which includes Tampa Premium Outlets, west of the intersection on State Road 56; and The Shops at Wiregrass, east of the interchange on State Road 56.

There also are myriad shops and restaurants in the general area — making the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor a busy area.

Add the holidays and a major construction project into the mix, and traffic jams could become a real source of frustration during the holidays.

So, the folks at FDOT’s District Seven office are offering some practical suggestions that could help during the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

Their first word of advice? Avoid the area, when possible.

Instead of getting off at the State Road 56/I-75 exit, FDOT officials advise southbound motorists to get off at the State Road 54/I-75 exit. Those motorists can head west from that interchange and then take Wesley Chapel Boulevard south to State Road 56, to access the area on State Road 56, west of I-75.

At the same exit, head east over to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and then south to State Road 56, to access the areas east of I-75.

Here are some other suggestions:

  • Use other roads to travel around the highly congested area of SR 56 at I-75, and also near shopping malls, especially if your destination is not actually on the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.
  • Seek out alternate access points to shopping and dining destinations. (Remember many major shopping areas have multiple access points to and from parking areas.)
  • Shop or commute during off-peak hours, when possible. Congestion at SR 56/I-75 is at its worst between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., on weekdays, so try to avoid that area during those hours.

In addition to issuing this guidance, the FDOT “will adjust traffic signals for seasonal traffic patterns and the project team is working on other plans to help improve travel times,” according to a news release from Kris Carson, spokeswoman for FDOT’s District Seven office.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

New agreement aims to give EMS students practical experience

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a request for the Pasco County Fire Rescue Department and the School of EMS to pursue a contract to allow students to participate in patient care activities.

The agreement, approved last month, calls for students to gain experience in a prehospital setting through an established clinical program, when the students are enrolled in the paramedic program at the School of EMS.

Currently, students that are employed by Pasco County Fire Rescue and enrolled in the School of EMS program to obtain paramedic credentials are not able to practice and apply paramedic exercises toward their certification hour allotment requirement.

Firefighters hired by Pasco County Fire Rescue agree to a “Condition of Employment” to elevate their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) status to Paramedic (a medically advanced treatment designation in the emergency services field more appropriate for service delivery through a premier organization within three years of employment with Pasco County Fire Rescue).

Establishing this agreement is expected to provide students with the opportunity to apply skills mastered in the classroom within a “real-world” setting while under close supervision and mentorship from their colleagues, and substantially increase efficiency in the educational advancement path of the county’s firefighters, according to the Oct. 26 agenda materials.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

MPO advisory committee adds two members

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The board of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization has appointed Christie Zimmer and Jim Engelmann to serve on the organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

The Pasco MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County that serves unincorporated Pasco and the municipalities of Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

The board took the action at its October meeting.

The CAC advises the Pasco MPO board on various issues coming before the board.

Under state and federal laws, the Pasco County MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Pasco County. Key responsibilities are the creation of the 20-year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the five-year Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the five-year Transportation Improvement program.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Thousands of new socks and shoes collected for Pasco kids

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Here’s a look at the scores of shoes collected in the sixth annual Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive, a partnership between Pasco County. Pasco Constitutional Offices and Pasco County Schools. The annual drive provides footwear for Pasco students in need. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The sixth annual Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive yielded nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes and nearly 4,000 pairs of socks that will be given to kids in Pasco County Schools, according to a county news release.

The annual effort, which involves Pasco County government and the county’s Constitutional Offices, resulted in a bounty of new footwear that was delivered to Wendell Krinn Technical School in New Port Richey on Oct. 27.

Since 2016, the Two Good Soles Drive has collected 12,310 pairs of shoes and 34,457 pairs of socks. Social workers give the items to Pasco students, according to the release.

“This donation drive makes a huge difference for our students in Pasco,” Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson, said in the release.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

County allocates $100,000 for tourism website

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a $100,000 agreement with Madden Preprint Media LLC for a website redesign and redevelopment for the county’s destination management organization (DMO), known as Florida’s Sports Coast.

The bid was awarded as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning it was part of a vote including several items, without board discussion or public comment.

The contract is for an amount not-to-exceed $100,000 in fiscal year 2022.

It is a one-year deal, but includes three one-year options to renew, upon mutual agreement, or unless it is canceled, according to the materials in the board’s Oct. 26 agenda.

During the bid process, 266 vendors received automatic email notices, including eight from Pasco County. Eighty-five manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, three of which were from Pasco County. Four responses were received, none of which were from Pasco County.

The bids were evaluated by a committee made up of assistant county administrators Cathy Pearson and Erik Breitenbach; Adam Thomas, director of the county’s DMO; Louise Morgan, IT product manager, information technology; and Kolby Kucyk-Gayson, communications manager for the DMO.

Madden Preprint Media ranked the highest in the evaluation.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

The “Artist” at Artistic Dental Associates

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When you think of an “Artist,” you think of a professional, someone highly talented and someone who has perfected their trade.

Artistic Dental Associates has earned the right to that name. They provide a professional, friendly, and comprehensive dental service to families living in Zephyrhills and the neighboring communities of Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Plant City, Lakeland and more.

Led by Dr. Kulwant S. Bedi, affectionally called Dr. K by patients and staff, the practice has been operating for over 35 years. Dr. K actively practices in oral surgery, dental implants, prosthetics, periodontal treatments, and the entire range of dentistry. He has been a successful practitioner since 1976, when he graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. This began a long career as a medical professional, after first gaining his master’s degree in nuclear physics, in Michigan.

“When patients come here, we don’t need to refer them to other practices, because we do everything in-house,” explains Carla Dignall, who has worked for Dr. K for many years. “We offer all general dentistry services, including oral surgery, extractions, bone grafting, crowns and bridges, dentures, lab repairs, as well as root canals, dental implants, periodontal treatments, cosmetic procedures and even TMJ solutions.

“We have our own in-house lab to provide a speedy and comprehensive dental health service to our patients. We maintain chartless record-keeping and have the most modern 2D and 3D X-ray and imaging equipment to ensure the best possible solution to whatever a patient requires.”

Carla continues, “Our goal is always to restore a person’s smile, or even make it look and function better. In doing this, we see all the other benefits a patient realizes by going through this transformation—it can truly be life-changing.”

In addition to being an exceptionally versatile dentist, Carla describes Dr. K as “a most kind and caring person. He is gifted in having a warm and gentle approach, which has a calming effect on patients that puts them at ease.”

The entire staff at Artistic Dental is patient-focused. “We understand that sometimes it’s the little things that matter most,” said Carla. “We are very concerned about the future of a patient’s dental health, and plan systematically according to individual needs in approaching a patient’s treatment. We all want the care we provide today serve them for years to come.”

This philosophy and caring reputation did not develop overnight. It started with Dr. K’s foundational approach to dentistry. “Good dentistry is like building a house – you must have a solid, healthy base from which to work,” said Dr. Bedi, who performed his first dental implant procedure in 1978.

Planning for long-term solutions for a patient’s dental health is essential for someone’s overall health and quality of life.

“Being able to chew and benefit from your food is an everyday enjoyment and important to one’s overall quality of life,” said Dr. Bedi. “Everyone enjoys eating and sharing meals with family and friends, and that begins with being able to chew your food thoroughly and without pain.”

Good dental health is also a major contributor to longevity, explains Dr. Bedi.

“Studies show that heart disease and Alzheimer’s are directly related to oral health,” said Dr. Bedi. “Gum disease is the number one cause of heart disease — everything starts in our mouth, and if there’s bacteria, it can be pumped by the heart into your circulatory system.”

Everything at Artistic Dental is done for the betterment of the patient, including seeing Dr. Bedi at every visit.

“Dr. K personally sees every patient. He is very hands-on and makes all the decisions, so patients don’t have to wait,” explains Carla. “We typically see between 10-15 patients per day, which is much less than multiple-office, chain-type dental practices. Patients have commented they feel their care here is individualized, which is our goal.”

After several decades practicing dentistry, Dr. Bedi loves his profession more than ever.

“I love that I get to do different things every day. I’m a perfectionist, and so appreciative that I can share my medical knowledge and skills with patients to give them a better quality of life,” said Dr. Bedi.

Artistic Dental provides dental services to adults and children of all ages and even provides a line for 24-hour emergency. Call now to schedule an introductory visit and receive a free X-ray with your consultation.

(813) 780-1403
(813) 815-2127 (24/hour emergency cell#)
6153 Fort King Road, Zephyrhills, FL

Published November 17, 2021

It’s Thanksgiving: So, let’s talk turkey

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For some families, turkey has been the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving dinner table for generations.

But maybe this is your first attempt at preparing a turkey — or maybe it’s been awhile and you could use some reminders. Or, maybe there’s a thing or two here that you never knew.

So, let’s get you started.

You might wonder: How big of turkey should I buy?

Of course, that depends on how many people you’re serving, but the rule of thumb is one pound per person, whether buying a fresh or frozen bird.

You probably also want to know: When should I buy my turkey?

That depends.

Purchase a fresh turkey a day or two before you plan to cook it.

Of course, you can buy a frozen turkey at your convenience. Just remember to leave enough time to let it thaw.

• If thawing in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours for every 4 pounds to 5 pounds. In other words, plan for four days of thawing for a frozen 16-pound bird.

To properly thaw it, keep it in its original wrapper and place it on a tray on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

After it’s completely thawed, it can remain in the refrigerator for a day or two before cooking.

• If thawing in cold water, allow 30 minutes for every pound — in other words, eight hours for a 16-pounder.

To use this method, submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water, refreshing the water every 30 minutes.

Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

• If thawing by microwave, remove the wrapper and place the turkey on a microwave safe dish. Follow the thawing instructions in your microwave manual.

Cook the turkey as soon as it’s thawed.

Whether you’re an old pro at preparing turkey, or are cooking one for the first time, there may be a tip, or possibly a few, in this What’s Cookin’ column that may prove useful to you. (pixabay.com)

To stuff or not to stuff?
Stuffed frozen turkeys, with a USDA-inspected label, are considered safe to eat. They can go from freezer to oven, without thawing.

In general, though, if you’re preparing your own stuffing, it is safest to cook it separately from the turkey.

If you do choose to stuff your turkey, be sure the cooked internal temperature of the stuffing is at 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here’s another pointer, that may seem odd: Don’t wash or clean the turkey before cooking it. Instead of cleaning the turkey, the action of washing it can actually spread bacteria around and creates a potential of cross-contaminating other foods.

Just remember, cooking the turkey is the best way to get rid of bacteria.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to wash your hands and keep surfaces clean, using warm soap and water.

Cooking methods
Although oven-roasting is popular, there are other options for cooking a turkey. They include deep-frying, smoking and grilling.

Whatever cooking method you choose, be sure that the minimum internal cooking temperature of the turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, to ensure that it’s safe to eat.

Follow the appliance cooking manuals to be sure to produce the proper temperatures.

Also, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. The best places to probe the turkey are the thigh, the wing and the larger part of the breast.

Oven temperatures should be set at a minimum 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking times, of course, vary by the size of the turkey.

This table provides some recommended cooking times, courtesy of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services:

Size of turkey              Unstuffed                                            Stuffed
8-12 pounds                2 ¾-hours to 3 hours              3 hours to 3 ½-hours
12-14 pounds              3 hours to 3 ¾-hours              3 ½-hours to 4 hours
14-18 pounds              3 ¾-hours to 4 ¼-hours           4-hours to 4 ¼-hours
18-20 pounds              4 ¼-hours to 4 ½-hours           4 ¼-hours to 4 ¾-hours
20-24 pounds              4 ½-hours to 5 hours              4 ¾-hours to 5 ¼-hours

Steps for roasting a Thanksgiving Turkey
Here’s one way to roast a Thanksgiving turkey:

  • Be sure to read the packaging for important information.
  • Grease and salt the outside of the turkey, for a crispy skin.
  • You may want to lift up the skin and rub the meat with spices, such as thyme, garlic, rosemary and other seasonings.
  • If you’re baking a frozen turkey, don’t forget to remove the bag of giblets in the neck and body cavities, and the wire that holds the legs together.
  • Roast the turkey, uncovered, at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 335-340 degrees Fahrenheit. (That seals in the juices of the bird.)
  • Consult the chart in this column for estimated cooking times.
  • Toward the end of cooking, tent the turkey with aluminum foil to keep in the moisture.
  • Remember: Use your meat thermometer to be sure it is properly cooked. It’s not possible to tell by appearance, smell or taste alone.

Last, but not least, gather your favorite people to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast, with your turkey playing a starring role.

Food safety tips
When gathering with loved ones through the holidays, keep these food safety tips in mind:

  • Observe the 2-hour rule. When food has been left at room temperature for 2 hours or more, it should be discarded. Leaving it out for more than 2 hours can allow bacteria to grow, making the food unsafe to eat.
  • You can safely refrigerate turkey for 3-4 days; you can freeze it for 2-6 months.
  • Cold food should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County. Intern Alisa Boderick contributed to this column.

By Shari Bresin, Alisa Broderick

Published November 17, 2021