The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes Opens New Wesley Chapel Model in Persimmon Park

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ICI Homes, Florida’s premier family owned builder, has been so pleased with its success in Asturia in Odessa, and Bexley in Land O’ Lakes, that it has expanded its Pasco footprint with a new community in Wesley Chapel called Persimmon Park.

Located in the area’s most prestigious neighborhood — the master-planned community of Wiregrass Ranch —  Persimmon Park is Wesley Chapel’s newest new home community. ICI Homes is building 97 homes in this unique subdivision located off Bruce B. Downs and Chancey Road, directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

The Lantana is the beautifully furnished model home at Persimmon Park, with three bedrooms, two baths, an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living.

“This is our first project in Wesley Chapel, and we are very excited to have been invited by the Porter family to build our homes in this vibrant community,” said Paula Spitler, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes.

The Porter family is the owner and developer of Wiregrass Ranch, and homesteaded and lived on this land for generations. It was the Porters’ vision that brought together the unique land use plan that creates a live, work, play and learn environment with single and multi-family homes, a regional county park, large and small business centers, shopping malls and restaurants, schools and colleges, regional employers and medical facilities.

“The Porters interviewed multiple builders, and we’re very honored that they saw the value ICI Homes is bringing to Wiregrass Ranch,” says Spitler.

The result of such foresight are neighborhoods like Persimmon Park that are tucked inside Wiregrass Ranch and designed as walkable communities with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Spitler. “Plus, the communities’ amenities are everything that a family wants without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

ICI Homes is introducing its first neo-traditional homes in Persimmon Park, featuring open floor plans with front porches, and garages at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes on 40-foot homesites, and ICI is premiering five new floor plans with prices beginning at $292,900.

“Light and bright with lots of windows,” Spitler describes these floor plans as having a cottage look and feel that are open, airy, and exemplify Florida casual living inside and out.

“These homes have been designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes,” says Spitler.

The beautifully furnished model home at Persimmon Park is the Latana. At 1,793 square feet, this one-story home features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living. It’s a great home for first-time buyers, as well as empty-nesters wanting to downsize. The builder’s second one-story floor plan is the Jasmine, which is slightly smaller at 1,552 square feet, and also has three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage.

ICI Homes also is introducing three, two-story floor plans, ranging from 2,020 to 2,434 square feet. The largest home is the Primrose, which offers the master bedroom downstairs, and a game room and three additional bedrooms upstairs. The Magnolia and Orchid also are four bedroom, three bath homes, and designed specifically for Persimmon Park.

Great public schools are another reason families are choosing Persimmon Park. Students are assigned to highly rated Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High. “These are some of the best public schools in all of Pasco County,” said Spitler.

From the huge success it had in Bexley and Asturia, ICI Homes is continuing to build its legacy in Pasco County with its new community of Persimmon Park.

Since it was established in 1980, ICI Homes has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida and the Tampa area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

Persimmon Park
VIP Appointments
Pre-Opening Pricing
Feb. 28 – March 5
To schedule, call (813) 359-9818.

VIP buyers can purchase a home before open house pricing is set.

February 26, 2020

New East Pasco school gets a name

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A new high school that will focus on technology, STEM and business programs on the east side of Pasco County will be called the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

The Pasco County School Board approved that name unanimously during the board’s Feb. 18 meeting.

The school is located at Curley Road and Keifer Road in Wesley Chapel on the former Kirkland Ranch property.

Program plans for the school include academies for Business, Finance & Marketing; Digital Technology; Engineering Technology; Health Science & Human Services; Transportation Technology; and Building Technology, according to Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

The school will serve grades nine through 12 and offer industry certification in high-demand career fields with a focus on technology, STEM, and business, the Facebook page adds.

The name Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation encompasses both the area where it will operate, and in general, to the school’s mission.

Board members received about 100 suggested names for the school.

Board member Alison Crumbley said there were so many fine people on the list that she couldn’t narrow it down to just one.

Board member Cynthia Armstrong said the name — Academy of Innovation — is broad enough to cover the ever-evolving direction of career and technical education.

“As we know, CTE is changing daily,” Armstrong said.

The new school is slated to open in August 2022.

Published February 26, 2020

Customers Become Friends at Prime Time Home Team

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It’s not just about finding that dream home, or quickly selling a client’s property, for the Prime Time Home Team.  According to partners Ernest Van Glahn and Debi Bolusi, their business is also about building long lasting relationships that often evolve into friendships.

With over 22 years of combined industry experience, the two Realtors train under the Craig Proctor Coaching Program, where Ernest is also a certified coach. This past November, the pair was honored with the program’s Quantum Leap Award for exceptional gains in real estate.

“We have some really innovative consumer programs” said Debi. “For instance, if buyers don’t Love Their Home Within 18 Months After Purchase, We Will Buy it Back or Sell It For Free, and for sellers, We Will Guarantee The Sale of Their Home or We’ll Buy It (conditions apply).”

“We also provide our buyers with a free 13-month home warranty,” said Ernest. “We recently had a client who was so grateful for this warranty because his hot water heater stopped working three days after he purchased the home, and the home covered the replacement of the hot water heater, saving him hundreds of dollars.”

The Prime Time Home Team specializes in first time homebuyers and also works with current homeowners who are downsizing or need more space for their growing family. Seniors often call looking for a maintenance free villa, and they regularly work with retirees and others moving to Florida.

The Prime Time Home Team also offers programs for military (retired and active), as well as first responders.  They work with several lenders and loan options, and can assist with down payment assistance programs.

A retired New York City Police Captain, Ernest was a first responder on 9/11 and believes in the importance of assisting his brothers and sisters in arms.  Today, Prime Time Home Team donates to the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation, named after a New York City firefighter who lost his life on 9/11. This foundation pays off the mortgage of first responders and members of the military when they are killed in the line of duty.

“Both of us being from New York and having lived through the tragedy of 9/11, this foundation is very close to our hearts” said Debi and Ernest. “Our goal for 2020 is to donate $10,000 to the Stephen Siller Foundation by donating a portion of our commission on every closing.”

Call 24/7 • 813.359.0880 • PrimeTimeGuaranteedSale.com

Published 2/19/20

Take Care Of Your Trees Before Storm Season

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Alfredo Carrillo & Bobby Van Allen

By Kelli Carmack

When Hurricane Irma hit two years ago, Alfred Carrillo and his family were staying with Bobby Van Allen and his family. The catastrophe that ensued from Irma’s wrath led to a conversation between the two friends that became an idea for a new business venture.

“One thing led to another, I broke out a napkin and it all came together,” said Van Allen.

That idea was Central Florida Tree & Debris.

Based in Dade City, Central Florida Tree & Debris provides topnotch services for all tree care needs. The company offers a diverse range of services, including removal, felling, lopping, trimming, pruning, shaping, surgery, wood chipping, stump removal, land clearing and weed control.

Central Florida Tree & Debris has highly skilled, fully qualified arborists who safely remove trees of any size. Arborists also provide proper care and maintenance of trees, to insure that your trees continue to be an asset to you and your property for years to come.

In addition to working with home owners, the company also provides services for commercial property owners. Central Florida Tree & Debris also works for major developers such as Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy to perform hazardous tree removals. In order to perform this specialized line of work, Central Florida Tree & Debris has the most updated technology and all their employees are fully trained and certified in areas such as CPR, First Aid, etc. Central Florida Tree and Debris takes pride in being fully equipped to tackle any service required of them.

With competitive prices and great customer service, Central Florida Tree & Debris strives to provide 100% customer satisfaction.

“It’s a great feeling… it’s great to give back to the community I grew up in and to make it,” said Van Allen.

Chelsea Carmody, administrative director for Central Florida Tree & Debris, prides her company on its great customer service.

“We make those personal connections that matter to our customers,” said Carmody, who adds that Central Florida Tree & Debris is a company full of like-minded people who share the same values: growth, integrity, persistence and trustworthiness.

If you’re thinking of doing the job yourself, Van Allen stresses the dangers that come with tree removal. “It pays to call in an expert for your own personal safety and the safety of your property,” said Van Allen.

With hurricane season beginning in just a few months, it’s important to note that Central Florida Tree & Debris specializes in disaster recovery, offering a 24-hour rapid response to storms and other natural disasters.

Office: (352) 437-4542
Address: 15000 Citrus County Drive, Suite 324, Dade City, FL 33523

CFtreeservices.com/index.html

Published 2/19/20

This Home Lender Puts You First

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By William Jacko

When Bruce and Tasha Henry chose the name OhmStar Home Lending for their new business, they wanted something with a soothing sound that would generate positive energy.

“The meaning of ohm is the ultimate,” said Tasha Henry, who holds a doctorate in occupational therapy. “It’s been proven that saying the word ‘ohm’ brings a calming effect and healing vibration to the soul — it clears the atmosphere and brings light to situations.

“And, we wanted to bring light to our buyers. It can be a dark place if you’ve never bought a home before because you don’t know what to expect. You need light, guidance and someone to help decrease the stress. We wanted to send a good and positive vibration out to the universe.”

OhmStar opened in 2004, and with savvy leadership, survived the 2008 recession to become a mortgage lender with both state and national licensing.

“OhmStar Home Lending is a direct lender,” said Tasha. “We’re not going to shop customer loans to 50 different lending companies. We’re pretty much a one-stop shop, and customer credit will only be pulled once.”

The Henrys communicate directly with mortgage underwriters who make the final decision.

“We are able to close and fund very complex loans in less than 30 days,” said Tasha. “We’ve even had VA loans that we’ve closed and funded in two weeks, which is almost unheard of, and are very proud that our turnaround time. Our goal is to get the loan in, closed and funded in less than 30 days.”

As a mortgage lender, OhmStar offers Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, conventional and 12-month bank statement loans. They also offer first-time homebuyer programs, and can do refinances, purchases and loans for investment properties, second homes, primary residences, duplexes, apartment buildings and commercial loans.

“We cater to veterans,” said Bruce Henry, who holds a doctorate in business administration. “We can do 100% financing for veterans with FHA and VA loans, and also offer a credit enhancement program to help veterans and other clients whose credit is not the best.”

The OhmStar credit enhancement teaches financial literacy to their customers. “We offer classes designed for first-time homebuyers—just to educate people on financial literacy,” said Tasha.

While the Henrys have built a large and successful lending business, they continue to give personalized service that small businesses specialize in.

“I was born in the early 1960s, and remember going to the neighborhood food and meat markets,” said Bruce. “Those hometown services were important to me growing up because they looked after the little person. We believe in that same level of service and sense of community, and strive to offer that to our customers every day.”

813-784-1206 • www.ohmstarloans.com • 7320 E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33637

Published 2/12/20

Orange Blossom Garden Club has deep roots

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Ever wonder how to attract butterflies to your garden, or unravel the mysteries of growing herbs?

Can you tell the difference between a cattleya, oncidium or phalaenopsis?

Hang out with members of the Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz for a day, and you’ll learn all those things and more.

Lee Ann Brown, president of The Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz, tries to decide which orchid to buy at Everlast Orchids & Supplies. (Karen Haymon-Long)

The club, whose history dates back to 1941, has 24 members who collectively know all sorts of interesting things about flowers and plants, gardens and pests, rooting, trimming, grafting and growing.

They learned recently at one of their monthly meetings about a smartphone app that helps identify plants. But, then, they already have Harriet Vaughan or Sara Rametta for that.

“Someone in our group always knows what a plant is,” says Lee Ann Brown, club president, while driving members to Everlast Orchids & Supplies in Spring Hill for a club field trip. Along the way, she explains how much members learn from each other and from speakers at their monthly meetings.

At State Road 52 and U.S. 41, she abruptly interrupts herself: “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe they’re taking down all those trees,” she says, wearily.

That’s a theme repeated by others on the outing. Some members – most past 60 – grew up in Florida and remember when the state was much less developed. Some even fought the widening of U.S. 41, the very road they were traveling on, on the way to Spring Hill.

Club members are drawn to a variety of plants and flowers.

Brown — who taught theater to high school students, some of whom made it to Broadway — rescues all sorts of plants from estate sales for a couple of dollars each and coaxes them back to beauty.

Eva Balogh and Darwin Brew ponder between two orchids, before Balogh spots yet a third contender.

“Usually, they just need a little attention,” she says.

Former city planner Barbara Leiby says she learned about begonias at a club meeting and now grows her own.

Another member, Eva Balogh, says, “I can’t limit myself, so I grow everything.” Her friend, Darwin Brew, takes the opposite approach. He has 600 orchids and couldn’t resist buying more at Everlast.

He meticulously labels them and spends days bringing them in from the cold. But, he doesn’t seem to mind.

“It’s fun,’’ he says.

His first orchid was a pink phalaenopsis.

Hong-Chia Lee has 200,000 orchids in his greenhouses off U.S. 41 in Spring Hill. He sells to the public and to florists, garden shops and plant brokers.

“It was 10 bucks, so I bought it, brought it home and put it on a table, and it bloomed and bloomed and bloomed.”

He was captivated.

At Everlast, he helped Eva Balogh decide between a delicate white cattleya hybrid or a yellow one, both with a splash of purple-pink.

“This one has more buds,’’ he tells her, as she spots yet a third choice.

“And, look at that one,” she says, pointing to another prize winner.

There are just so many to choose from.

Hong-Chia Lee and his wife, Andrea Macias, who own Everlast, have 200,000 orchids in greenhouses spanning an acre off U.S. 41 in Spring Hill.

They sell to the public, as well as to florists, garden shops, and to brokers who sell to Lowe’s and other chain stores.

Lee offers growing tips, as he leads 16 garden club members on a tour of his greenhouses.

“Most people do too much to orchids,” he tells the members.

“Just like your husbands, just leave them alone. We like to be left alone,’’ he said, laughing. “They’d rather be dry than wet. Water them every 8 to 10 days. Not every day.”

Since most of his orchids come from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Thailand and other warm places, they like the heat. One of the best places for them in the winter, he says, is a warm and humid bathroom.

A close-up view of a phalaenopsis.

He spends $30,000 on propane to keep his stock warm every winter, but then, he orders 9,000 plants and 1,200 bags of moss at a time, and 18-wheeler trucks deliver his fertilizer.

Asked how many orchids he has at home, he smiles and says, “Zero.’’

Of course, he doesn’t have to go far to see them.

He and his wife, and his 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, live in a house on their 9-acre nursery property, so, “If I want to see an orchid, I just come here,” he says.

Some garden club members have been to his nursery before and he donates orchids to their annual plant sale, whose proceeds fund a yearly $500 scholarship to a high school senior planning to concentrate on agriculture of some sort.

This year’s sale is March 7 from 9 a.m. to noon, at County Line Produce, at County Line Road and U.S. 41 in Lutz.

Club members also collect canned goods for a food bank and donate throws, socks and other items to a nursing home.

At lunch after their nursery tour, they talk about herbs and coffee plants (they both like shade); bromeliads (The University of South Florida’s Botanical Gardens has pretty ones); bleeding hearts (they’re wonderful, but have to be thinned sometimes); camellias (lovelier than roses); orchids (addictive); deer (bad) and snakes (good).

Their conversations have that good friends’ easy feeling, with no mention of politics, religion, sports or the state of our union.

But, then, that’s what garden clubs are for — friendship, learning and swapping stories about flowers, gardens and other natural wonders.

Garden Club
The Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz meets at 10 a.m., on the first Wednesday of the month, from September through June, in the Lutz Civic Center, 98 First Ave., N.W., in Lutz. (December’s meeting is a holiday luncheon and June’s is a scholarship luncheon). For more details, call (813) 949-1301.

Orchid shop
Everlast Orchids & Supplies is at 17019 U.S. 41, Spring Hill. Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (727) 235-1386, or visit www.EverlastOrchids.com.

By Karen Haymon-Long

Published February 19, 2020

Less Pain and Quicker Recovery With Opioid-Free Anesthesia

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Now Available At Medical Center of Trinity

There’s a new way of doing surgery at Medical Center of Trinity that greatly reduces patient pain and recovery time, and eliminates the use of opioid medication and its addictive properties.

Dr. Dilendra Weerasinghe, a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon, recently joined the hospital’s medical staff and brought with him expertise in opioid-free anesthesia. He has worked closely with Dr. Jonathan Hisghman, who heads up the hospital’s anesthesiology department, to set up an opioid-free anesthesiology program.

Dr. Dilendra Weerasinghe

The two physicians have implemented a protocol for surgery and post-operative care that was initially developed in the United Kingdom, where Dr. Weerasinghe received his medical training.

“Instead of using opioids and traditional anesthesiology, this protocol uses multiple drugs and nerve blocks that stop the pain at the source, before neurons transmit pain from its source to the brain,” explains Dr. Weerasinghe. “For example, before you make an incision or a cut, you block the pain before it reaches the brain or the central nervous system.”

Dr. Weerasinghe came to Medical Center of Trinity last fall to launch an opioid-free weight loss and general surgery program. His team has already successfully used this protocol on more than 20 surgeries, including bariatric cases.

Opioid-free anesthesiology has many benefits, but one of its most important is not exposing the patient, his family and caregivers to opioids’ addictive risks.

“We have an opioid crisis today, and the source for many of these drugs are prescriptions written to relieve pain after surgery,” explains Dr. Hisghman. “Unfortunately, these prescriptions can sometimes be abused by the patient, or by people who have access to a patient’s drugs.”

“Treating pain with opioids has the unintended consequence of opioid addiction, and continuing to prescribe opioids today contributes to the addiction and overdose crisis impacting our communities,” adds Dr. Weerasinghe.

There are many other important advantages of opioid-free anesthesiology. This includes less pain and shorter recovery time after surgery, reduced nausea that allows patients to more quickly resume normal eating and drinking, and no constipation common with opioid drugs.

“Most importantly, patients spend less time in the hospital, and resume their regular activities much sooner,” said Dr. Weerasinghe.

For the past 20 years, there was a big push to eliminate patient pain, explains Dr. Weerasinghe, which led to the over-prescribing of opioid medication.

“Being free of pain is not necessarily a good thing, especially if it delays a person’s recovery and exposes him to potential addiction,” said Dr. Weerasinghe. “Cultural, political and pharmaceutical factors pushed for a standard of no pain, which is not always the best goal for a patient because of the risk opioids bring.”

Dr. Weerasinghe shared that research on patient discharge after surgery shows that 7% of patients are still using opioids six months after surgery, and of those, 14% are still on opioids five years later. The best way to prevent addiction from occurring is to not prescribe opioids at the time of surgery.

“The opioid crisis contributed to exploration of alternative pain relief, which led to the multi-modal approach to pain relief that we’re using with opioid-free anesthesiology,” said Dr. Weerasinghe.

“This is not an abandonment of pain relief — but a new solution to stop the pain at the source,” adds Dr. Hisghman. “After almost 20 years of practice, I did not want to be left out on this new approach to treating pain at its source, with better outcome for my patients.”

Drs. Weerasinghe and Hisghman have found that opioid-free anesthesia often provides superior post-operative pain control and lessens side effects often found with opioid pain medication.

“Opioid-free anesthesia makes surgery more pleasant, increases safety and enhances recovery,  all while providing superior pain control,” said Dr. Weerasinghe. “Our patients want this – it makes surgery less complicated and gives us better outcomes.”

Medical Center of Trinity is the only hospital in Tampa Bay currently using opioid-free anesthesiology. Its patients have ranged in age from their 30s to 80s, and all have left the hospital with minimal to almost no pain.

“I even recommended a similar opioid-sparing anesthesia model for my mother-in-law, who had great success,” said Dr. Hisghman. “She is a believer in this protocol, and so am I. This is a visionary approach for our hospital, and truly sets us apart from other medical facilities. We are very proud to be offering it to residents of our community.”

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Don’t Miss Feb. 14 Deadline for Enrollment Lottery at Union Park Charter Academy

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The deadline is coming up fast for area families wanting to enroll their students in the 2020-2021 school year lottery for Union Park Charter Academy, an A-rated charter school in Wesley Chapel.

The deadline for online applications is Feb. 14 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Interested parents should go to UnionParkAcademy.org, and select the enrollment tab.

Union Park Charter Academy opened in 2018 for grades K-6, and last year added a seventh grade. The 2020-2021 school year will see the addition of an eighth grade, completing the school’s elementary enrollment of 765 students.

The school has received exceptionally positive reviews from parents, students and teachers, and, in its first year, received a grade of “A” from the Florida Department of Education.

“We are so proud of our students and teachers who work so hard and are so dedicated to our students’ individual success, and our school’s overall academic excellence,” said Principal Tracy Ware.

The school is conveniently located at 32775 Oldwoods Ave., across from the Union Park subdivision and east of Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

Global Citizens
Union Park Charter Academy is dedicated to preparing its students for the 21st century by teaching them skills they will need to be successful in the future.

“We believe that our students are global citizens who can play a huge part in the world, now and in the future,” explains Ware. “We believe it is critical that we begin to empower our students as future leaders to create a better world.”

The school’s curriculum has several initiatives to achieve this goal.

– Introduce students to different cultures and the impact we have on each other.

– Explore global issues we are currently facing, or will face in the future. This includes problem-solving and thinking critically about how students can make a difference.

– Students have started several charity and community programs on their own. From raising money for displaced animals to collecting pajamas for hospitalized children, every program is 100% student-created and student-driven.

– Empower students by helping them see that they are never too young to begin making a difference, and that this potential is inside each and every one of them.

Balanced Academic and Activities
Union Park Charter Academy offers programs that  include a variety of academic, performing arts, and sports programs to help students develop intellectually, emotionally and creatively.

— A curriculum that focuses on core fundamentals and empowers teachers to create motivation learning spaces, utilize research-based instructional strategies and tools, and develop each student’s ability to meet their learning goals.

–  A wide range of opportunities for students in performing arts through the school’s theater, chorus and Jr. Thespian clubs.

–  Afterschool activities, including soccer, basketball, DIY, art, cheerleading, flag football, track, cross-country, dance, cooking and community service.

– Community programs, such as IdeaLab, and Bricks4Kids, to let students explore their interest in engineering and science with robotics, science labs, drone development and other engineering programs.

Safe and Collaborative Learning
All grade-level teachers and students have the opportunity to work together every day. Students experience instructional styles of all teachers in their grade level, which aids in the development of the whole child.

– Top-of-the-line security cameras, double-locked door entrance, an on-site school guardian and ID check system for all adults entering the building.

– A policy of zero tolerance for bullying.

– Research-based programs to establish a safe and inclusive environment in which students learn healthy behaviors and skills that support engaged citizenship.

– Curriculum nights for parents to learn about standards-based instruction, the school’s grading and home learning philosophies, state assessments, and reading and math activities outside of the classroom.

– School-sponsored events and community-service projects provide parents with multiple ways to connect with students, staff, community members and other parents.

STEAM
A STEAM-focused curriculum provides one-to-one technology for all students in a digital learning environment.

– Students use iPads, laptops and SMART Boards, and are taught skills that include coding, robotics, data analysis, and traditional software knowledge.

– One-to-one technology allows students to explore and create individual works based on computational thinking to prepare them for college and career readiness.

– Technology is placed in the hands of students to support an interactive and motivating learning environment. Classrooms utilize the SMART Learning Suite, and most classrooms are equipped with SMART Interactive Flat Panels, which support teachers in designing more engaging lessons, including the ability to incorporate a gaming approach to instruction.

– Students are immersed in a highly interactive, student-centered learning environment that includes engineering, science labs and state of the art technology.

– Makerspaces for students that promote hands-on learning and everyday problem solving opportunities.

“We welcome all families interested in our unique approach to education to go to our website and enroll for the 2020-2021 enrollment lottery,” said Principal Ware. “Because we are a charter school approved by the Pasco County School Board, there is no tuition to attend our school, and we welcome families of all backgrounds to apply.”

School Enrollment Coordinator: (813) 358-7306, ext. 1008

To enroll in the 2020-2021 Lottery: csusa.schoolmint.net/welcome.

Learning about the origins of soul food

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February is known for Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, but it’s Black History month, too.

It’s a time when events and special lessons help convey the important contributions made by black men and women in the arenas of literature, civil rights, music, inventions, science, sports, entertainment and other fields of endeavor.

And, in that context, it’s a great time to learn about how history has had an influence on the flavors of food.

Collard greens are high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A, E, K and C, and are currently in season. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Obviously, there are regional and historical influences on the flavors of food, such as Caribbean, East African and soul food.

Some may wonder what distinguishes soul food from southern food.

Soul food is a type of southern food.

The two types of food are similar, but it helps to know the history — and the sad reality of the origins of soul food.

While not called soul food initially, this type of cuisine came from the states known as the Deep South — Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

Originally, it began as the basic foods that the enslaved African-Americans were able to eat. Those typically included leftovers or less desirable cuts of meat; starch, such as cornmeal, rice, or sweet potatoes; and, leafy greens.

To make the meat more palatable, black cooks would fry the food in fat or add fat when boiling it, and then would add seasonings and flavors, such as red hot peppers and vinegar. Those flavors are now a popular combination for hot sauce, a common condiment in the South.

Black families would garden to increase their food supply, as a means of survival. These families were resourceful, growing food that came with them during the slave trade, such as okra and black-eyed peas.

While many think of soul food including meat, such as pork — initially the cuisine was mainly a plant-based diet.

During the Emancipation and Reconstruction periods, the freed slaves and their descendants still ate mainly a plant-based diet, with meat used to add flavor, or for special occasions.

Over time, as the African-American community began to prosper, meat became a more regular staple, according to soul food cookbook author Adrian Miller.

Soul food and southern food are influenced by each, with soul food originating first.

While very similar, the primary difference is flavor.

Soul food typically is spicier, sweeter or saltier.

Why do they call it soul food?
The term “soul” started during the Civil Rights movement and became a popular adjective.

Black jazz musicians faced racism trying to play at various venues, and began to play more in their churches instead, giving it a more gospel sound, where the term “soul music” started being used.

From there, “soul” was used to describe other components of black culture, and the word became common when describing the recipes.

By Shari Bresin

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

Here is a recipe, Soul Food Collard Greens, from iheartrecipes.com:

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds collard greens, cleaned and cut
  • 1 pound bacon ends, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar

Instructions
Place the bacon ends in a pot, and place the pot over medium heat.

Brown the bacon, then add in the diced onions and cook until the onions start to sweat (similar to sauté but not meant to brown, only meant to release moisture on low heat for 5 minutes to 10 minutes, or until onions have softened and turned translucent).

Add in the minced garlic, then cook for 1 minute.

Pour in the chicken broth, and turn the heat up to high and let boil for 20 minutes.

Pour in the 2 cups of water, and turn the heat down to medium.

Start adding in the collard greens into the pot.

Once all of the greens are in the pot, sprinkle in the seasoning salt and ground black pepper.

Add in the sliced jalapeno and the vinegar, and stir the ingredients.

Cover the pot, and let simmer for 1 hour and 10 minutes over medium heat. Be sure to peek in and stir periodically.

Published February 12, 2020

The results are in from this year’s Pigz in Z’Hills

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Besides being a place where the community can gather to listen to music, enjoy some barbecue and have a good time — the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival also draws serious contenders for its barbecue competition.

Debbi Newman, of Lutz, balances several food containers, as her mother, Della, of Marshall, Missouri, looks on. The ladies purchased several food items, such as barbeque pulled pork and chicken, and sides like corn on the cob to enjoy from different vendors. (File)

This year’s 10th annual festival, which drew about 11,000 people, on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, was no exception, according to a news release from The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Fifty-six teams — including professional and backyard competitors — vied for top honors and trophies in four standard categories of chicken, pork, brisket and ribs.

Over the years, the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival has distinguished itself to be a qualifier for four prestigious championship contests: the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee; the American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City; the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational of Sanford; and, the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Besides bragging rights, professional teams competed at the event for $10,000 in prize money.

These are the overall results:

Professionals

  • GitChewSum BBQ, of Venice, under head cook Allen Ponerleau: first place, winning $2,000 overall, plus $1,475 in individual category awards
  • Pig Chicka Cow Cow, of Apopka, led by Lee Thompson: second place, winning $1,500 and $500 in individual category awards

Both professional teams won trophies, too.

Backyard teams

  • Quid Pro Q, of Tampa, under Josh Zudar: first place, winning a trophy and $200
  • Smoke Meat Everyday, of Rockledge: second place under Chris Yarborough, winning a trophy and $100

Because it was the festival’s 10th anniversary, there were some new contests added on the evening of Jan. 17.

A Steak Cookoff and Kidz Grillin’ Competition sanctioned by the SCA (Steak Cookoff Association) was sponsored by Bahr’s Propane Gas & AC.

There also was a second Cornhole Tournament, sponsored by Tampa Bay Cornhole Association, with a $500 purse.

Melanie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, shared some thoughts about the events in the chamber’s news release.

“We had a great time on Friday night with our new competitions. The Kidz Grillin’ Competition was a huge hit,” Monson said. “Local 7-year-old Aspen Bahr won the Kidz Grillin’ Competition by cooking a killer pork chop and was the youngest competitor. She was celebrated with hugs and cheers by her family and friends, and beamed receiving her trophy and medal. It is wonderful to see the impact Pigz has on our community,” Monson said, in the release.

“As always, our Pigz committee did a bang-up job organizing this event, and our 200 volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the day to make everything go smoothly,” concluded Monson.

She also expressed gratitude for the event’s sponsors.

Published February 12, 2020