The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Young artists express themselves

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The results of our “Happy Earth Day” coloring contest are in! We asked local kids to color and/or decorate an Earth coloring sheet, in honor of Earth Day (April 22). Two winners — Popular Choice and Publisher’s Choice — were chosen out of 14 submissions.

Thank you to the 300 people who voted on our Facebook poll, and for all who submitted an entry for this contest.

Stay tuned for our next coloring contest!

Landen Almeida, a kindergartner in Land O’ Lakes, won Popular Choice.
Carlton Hawkins, a fourth-grader in Dade City, won Publisher’s Choice.

 

Checking out books just got quicker

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Pasco County Libraries is now offering a faster and easier way to check out books and digital materials.

Patrons can download the free cloudLibrary.app available for Android and iOS to get a virtual library card, according to a Pasco County news release.

Besides being an easier way to check out, patrons also will have access to thousands of additional e-books and e-audiobooks.

Once you have your digital library card, select your books or DVDs, then scan the items with your phone. Then complete your checkout in the app.

Once you check out, the app will generate an interactive receipt so you can easily review due dates and get renewal reminders.

For more information about Pasco County Libraries, including the library catalog, e-content, programs, events and links to all Pasco County Library branches, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Published May 05, 2021

Taking in the sights, and sounds

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(Fred Bellet)

Two-year-old Lilliana Joiner has a remedy for all of the loud gunfire during the World War II re-enactment, at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City. The little girl was visiting with her parents, Daniel and Danielle Joiner. Her 8-year-old sister, Sophia, and 6-year-old sister, Michelle, were there, as was her grandmother, Bonnie Lyke, and other friends. See more photos from the event in the full coverage story.

Stepping back in time, to World War II

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Reenactors created quite a spectacle, as they created battle scenes at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village during a living history event, in Dade City.

U.S. Army Infantry make an advance on the ground as they prepare to battle German forces during the Raid on Renault II. (Fred Bellet)

Donning military uniforms and carrying World War II-era weapons, soldiers simulated scenes from the Raid on Renault II.

Others offered living history lessons on such things as the French Resistance during the war, a German POW camp that was in Dade City, or vignettes from radio programs.

Besides watching the battle reenactment, those visiting also could get a close look at the weapons, ammunition and other artifacts from that era, and could grab a bite to eat.

Hundreds came to the two-day event, including some traveling great distances to either play an active role in the reenactments, or to watch them.

Published May 05, 2021

Looking like a politician of the day, Kirk Slater sports his straw hat, wearing early 40’s garb, the Tampa resident speaks with German soldier reenactor, Charles Smith of Ft. Myers, after the Allied forces stormed the Germans at Renault.
A variety of World War II artifacts are showcased in Keith and Frances Faulkner’s display at the living history event. The Naylor, Georgia couple had cameras, radios, machine gun rounds and a sextant. While holding one, Keith Faulkner said with a smile that ‘the sextant is the predecessor of the GPS.’
Portraying an Army Technical Sgt., Tom Oliver, of Otway, Ohio, sits with a display he and his brother, Greg Oliver, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, brought to the living history event.
Charles Smith is taken prisoner, as the Raid on Renault II ends, during a living history event at the Florida Pioneer Museum & Village, in Dade City.
Gregory Cardinal drove over to Dade City from Hudson to attend the World War II Living History Event. Cardinal served as an MP during the early days of the Vietnam War.
German soldiers make their way across the battlefield, as nearby spectators watch.
French Resistance reenactor Richard Reaume, of Brooksville, reports to the American encampment prior to the start of the Raid on Renault II.

 

Masks still required in Pasco public schools

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Pasco County Schools will require masks on its school campuses through the end of the school year, Superintendent Kurt Browning said, recently in a video.

The superintendent said he previously misspoke when he said the district’s requirement was based on the governor’s executive order. Rather, he said, as superintendent he has the authority to require masks in a time of emergency, and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an emergency.

Browning said a decision regarding masks for next school year will be made closer to that time.

Meanwhile, Browning also addressed the issue during a recent webinar hosted by the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

He said the decision to require masks through the end of the school year made some people happy and others, not.

“It’s not about making people happy, with me, it’s about making sure we have a safe environment for our students and our staff, and the visitors that come into our schools,” Browning said.

“You know, COVID has become very political, unfortunately. People are kind of polarized on two different sides. It’s either they will support vaccines, or they don’t. They support masks, or they don’t.

“We are having to make decisions of what we believe are in the best interest of our kids and our employees, based on CDC recommendations, and depending on where you are coming from — you just don’t subscribe to that, or you do subscribe to that,” Browning said.

Published May 05, 2021

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Plaza Mexico

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Unbelievable Margarita Specials!

There’s no better place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill in Zephyrhills. Patrons enjoy this spacious family restaurant with authentic Mexican food, and on May 5, are looking forward to Mexican music, dancing and drink specials under a large tent set up in its parking lot.

“Last year we were closed on Cinco de Mayo because of COVID, so this year we’re especially excited to be bringing our Mexican traditions to our friends and neighbors,” said Hector Gallardo, one of the restaurant’s owners.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage, commemorating the May 5,1862 date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. In the U.S., it is the biggest celebration honoring Mexico and its people.

You can’t have a Cinco de Mayo party without guacamole, and Plaza Mexico is known for its freshly made guacamole made tableside.

“Our cart goes around to every table to offer fresh guacamole,” Gallardo said. “It’s a really popular appetizer because it’s made fresh right in front of you.”

And when it comes to drinks, Plaza Mexico has a large selection of margaritas, including a monster margarita that is called the fishbowl. On Cinco de Mayo, margaritas specials will be available inside and under the big tent.

Families visit Plaza Mexico all year long for its great food and festive ambience.  Its unique décor has a “Day of the Dead” theme.

“We have a lot of regulars who keep coming back because our food is very good, our portions generous and prices very affordable,” said Gallardo. “We love seeing so many familiar faces as new customers come back again and again.”

Located on County Road 54, just east of U.S. 301, Plaza Mexico is in a beautifully renovated free-standing building in the heart of town, just blocks from AdventHealth Zephyrhills. The restaurant follows COVID safety guidelines.

Gallardo and his uncle, Hector Alvarez, believe in leading from the front, and work alongside their employees to ensure professionalism and quality control.

“At most places, the owner just opens the restaurant. They let the people work for them, but here the owners work in the restaurant. We have two or three owners working at a time, to make sure that everything is done very professionally,” said Alvarez.

The menu at Plaza Mexico is extensive with many different choices, including lots of vegetarian dishes. The menu has authentic versions of the usual Mexican favorites: tacos, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas. And, for seafood lovers, there are crab quesadillas, white shrimp enchiladas and ceviche.

Food is made fresh daily, and some of the recipes have existed for generations within the family. One dish — a popular house special that can be ordered for one or two persons — that Gallardo is particularly proud of is served in a molcajete.

“Let me extend a personal invitation to readers of The Laker to visit our Cinco de Mayo celebration. We would love to introduce you and your family to the best Mexican food in the area, in an environment that is safe and fun,” said Gallardo.

Margarita Specials
(Old family recipe from Jalisco, Mexico)
16 oz small – $7.75
27 oz jumbo – $9.95
40 oz monster – $14.95

Be Ready to Buy in Today’s Competitive Real Estate Market

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Anyone thinking about buying a home these days knows it’s a very robust and competitive real estate market. In Tampa Bay, single-family home sales in particular are booming as people from all over the United States move to Pasco County to pursue their dream home in a less-crowded region that boasts great weather and healthier lifestyles.

Many new homebuyers are selecting ICI Homes as their builder because they are able to customize their home and have it ready in as little as eight months — the same length it takes most national production builders to complete a home.

Here are some tips from ICI Homes to help streamline home-buying goals, especially amid so much competition from other hopeful buyers.

Build rather than buy
This is the best way to get the new custom Florida home. If you’ve begun researching existing homes for sale, you probably know it’s a seller’s market, which means there are more buyers than there is home inventory.

Don’t get trapped in bidding wars! Instead, buy a homesite and build the customized floor plan that’s right for your household, and avoid the uncertainty and hassles that come with a seller’s market.

Of course, there will be a wait while your home is being built. But that gives you more time to sell your current home, de-clutter all that stuff you’ve been putting off, and prepare and plan for the move to your new home.

Building a new home gives you control — you can choose the community, homesite and floor plan best for you, rather than settling for someone else’s tastes. Plus, every prospective ICI Homes customer can take advantage of a complimentary customization consultation with a talented floor plan designer.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage
Before you do anything else, get pre-approved for a mortgage. Unless you’re a cash buyer, this is where you should always begin.

Being pre-approved determines what priced home you can afford, so you don’t waste time with homes that aren’t a match. When you find an inventory home or homesite that’s perfect, you’ll be all set with your pre-approval to make an offer, before a cash buyer swoops in with an instant sale.

Do your research
Once you’re pre-approved, decide which community is best for your family. In Pasco County, ICI Homes has homes in three master-planned communities: Asturia in Odessa, Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel, and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. There are inventory homes and beautiful lots available in all three communities.

Start your search on the ICI Homes website, which is stocked with 3D virtual tours, photo galleries, interactive floor plans and much more. Online sales staff can answer your questions, get you the information you need and connect you with an ICI Homes community sales associates.

Much like a mortgage pre-approval, know what floor plan you want, the community you prefer, your purchase budget, and key information about the surrounding area. And then, there will be have much less hemming, hawing and debating when it’s time to move forward with a contract.

Don’t be afraid to make quick decisions
In today’s market, the home or homesite you were touring today might not be there tomorrow. You may have to decide quickly to go into contract once you find the perfect inventory home or homesite. But, if you’re prepared, it makes the decision that much easier.

Homes are selling quickly, so you should be prepared to make a quick decision when you find a move-in ready home. Fortunately, ICI Homes has inventory homes available, and is building more homes daily. So even though it is a seller’s market, your odds of finding a new home you love are much higher than finding a resale you love! And, you get the peace of mind of having a quality-built, brand new home.

Model homes in Asturia and Persimmon Park are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. All COVID-19 safety restrictions are in place. The Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and the Persimmon Park model is at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel.

Call 813-252-1108, or go to ICIHomes.com, to schedule a VIP appointment for a new homesite in the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. The sales center there at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City, and its model home will open this summer.

Published April 28, 2021

Keep Your Family Cool and Safe With A New A/C and Generator

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Florida’s hot and humid summer will soon be here, along with the threat of power outages due to thunderstorms and hurricanes. It is smart to be prepared before the heat and storms, and May is a great time to look at updating or replacing you’re A/C system, and installing a generator.

The outdoor unit of the Daikin Fit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which allows for more space for outdoor living.

“The only thing worse than having you’re A/C go out on the hottest day of the year, is it going out during a hurricane, and not coming back on when your power is restored,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes.

Many families decide to upgrade their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and costs too much to maintain, or it is so inefficient that it uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills.

A new A/C system that Cornerstone Pros offers exclusively in this area is the Daikin Fit series, which features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

“The Daikin Fit has many advantages that families value,” said Spears. “Here are the top three that our customers rave about.”

  1. Half The Size — The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patio areas. It is also great for homes with narrow lot lines.
  2. Exceptionally Quiet — It’s so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside, which means you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night.
  3. Energy Efficient — It has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER that lowers your power bill, because it takes less energy to cool your home.

The Daikin Fit series also has Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from a phone, pad and laptop. Plus, Cornerstone offers great financing terms and rebates, and works with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates. Finally, the Daikin Fit has one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.

Home Generators
Many families purchase a home generator to keep their family comfortable and safe when the power goes out.

“Families of all sizes and incomes are installing home generators, especially if a family member has medical issues that require treatments needing power,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.

Cornerstone installs Generac generators, the country’s largest and most advanced manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.

Generac generators automatically activate when there is a power outage.

“Choosing the right size generator for your home 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 Silva.

Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable generators, and has low-interest financing available to make monthly payments affordable.

“We want to encourage everyone who wants to protect their family’s health, comfort and safety to give us call,” said Silva. “We do everything possible to make a generator fit their budget.”

Today’s generators are compact, quiet and able to power some or all of a home’s electrical appliances. A generator prevents almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.

The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators because they are a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator. Plus, a portable generator can be dangerous if not properly installed.

“A new transfer switch is usually needed for a portable generator, so a home’s electrical panel is not blown up when the utility turns the power back on,” said Silva.

“Generators provide protection 24/7, whether you’re home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage,” said Silva.

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call 813-990-0561 anytime, day or night.

Published April 28, 2021

Jazz Under the Starz New Arts Series at Avalon Park

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Supporting the arts and providing a venue for local artists have always been core goals of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a master-planned community located east of I-75 on State Road 54. The latest addition to this vision is Jazz Under the Starz, which recently hosted its first concert at Avalon Park’s community center.

Arlene Brooks, a resident of San Antonio, is the founder of Jazz Under the Starz.

“There is something about music that soothes the soul and brings people together,” says Arlene Brooks, organizer of Jazz Under the Starz and owner of Coffee Speaks N Tea Talks in New Tampa. “Music doesn’t have a color to it — it brings people together and makes your soul feel good. Music is my inspiration, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching people come together to share in this joy.”

Brooks began inviting professional jazz musicians to perform at her coffee shop after it opened in November 2019. Just a few months later, COVID closed the business, and when it reopened last summer, Brooks moved the musicians to the parking lot outside her Pebble Creek location and renamed it Jazz Under the Starz.

“Because of social distancing, we could not bring back live music inside the coffee shop, so we moved it outside. People liked this so much that our weekend shows were attracting 300 to 400 people, and the crowd became too large to continue in our parking lot,” explains Brooks.

Leroy Brim played jazz guitar at the April Jazz Under the Starz.

It was this challenge that brought Brooks and Stephanie Lerret of Avalon Park together. Both are members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber President Hope Kennedy brought them together to see if they could help each other out.

“When Stephanie suggested we move Jazz Under the Starz to Avalon Park, it was the perfect solution for today and the future,” explains Brooks. “I learned that Avalon Park is building an amphitheater in its new downtown, and Stephanie wanted us to locate there when it opens. And until then, she invited us to play at Avalon Park’s community center.”

It was a beautiful evening on April 24, when the first Jazz Under the Starz was held at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, with John Patti on steel drums, and Leroy Brim and T. Foxx on guitar. Folks brought chairs to relax in under the stars, mingled with neighbors and enjoyed the soothing music.

“The event was great and the atmosphere was awesome. Jazz Under the Starz is spreading like wildfire!” said Brooks.

In addition to musicians, Jazz Under the Starz invites other artists to exhibit and perform, including Shawn Rainey of Wesley Chapel, an abstract painter who painted a canvas during the April 24 event at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Jazz Under the Starz will be brought to Avalon Park every third Saturday of the month, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Music will feature smooth jazz, including musicians on guitar, sax, clarinet, keyboard, violin and steel drum. Brooks also invites other artists to exhibit and perform alongside the musicians. This includes painters (Shawn Rainey of Wesley Chapel painted during the April event) and dancers, including the Tampa Bay Ballet.

The cover fee to attend Jazz under the Starz is just $10, and children 12 and under are free. The next Jazz Under the Starz is Saturday, May 15.

“We are so excited to bring Jazz Under the Starz to our community,” says Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for the Avalon Park Group. “We love offering things to do for our families, and especially have a passion for sharing the arts. Jazz under the Starz is exactly the type of organization we want to support, and fits perfectly with our goal of enhancing and bringing more attention to arts and culture.”

This fall, Avalon Park is breaking ground on its new downtown, which includes an amphitheater for performing arts, and the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery in conjunction with the Pasco Fine Arts Council. The community began its partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council in 2019, offering its Welcome Center as a new gallery for residents on the east side of Pasco County.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.

The first phase will include five buildings and 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.

At build out, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. This 1,650-acre master-planned community will be home to 10,000 residents.

For more information about Avalon Park and its events, call 813-783-1515, or email . Information is also available at AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, and its Facebook page at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Jazz Under the Starz
Sat., May 15
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Community Center – Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
5060 River Glen Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
$10 cover charge; children 12 and under free
Reservations at JazzUndertheStarz.com

Published April 28, 2021

Festival benefits Gulfside Hospice

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Those attending the Charity Festival of Arts could view an art competition, enjoy a talent showcase, visit a variety of vendors, and kids could make crafts, at an April 17 event at Heritage Park, in Land O’ Lakes, benefiting Gulfside Hospice.

Fourteen-year-old Allie La Russa, of Land O’ Lakes, was among the entertainers at the Charity Festival of the Arts, a benefit for Gulfside Hospice held at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet)
Gulfside Hospice volunteer Patty Killoy, of Land O’ Lakes, had her hands full when a gust of wind blew over the painted canvases of artwork entered into the competition. Killoy has been volunteering for hospice for two years.
Seven-year-old Hallynd Zipf, of Land O’ Lakes, enjoys a bowl of Lucky’s Italian Ice, at the festival. She was there with her dad, Charley, and her 5-year-old sister Landrey.
Andrew Krance, of Wesley Chapel, brought the color and plenty of it as he stands with one of his large format acrylic paintings. Krance said he’s been cranking out paintings for half a century and usually completes the work in one day. Krance said one of his specialties is transferring his artwork onto blankets and goes by the name, Blankets Des Artiste.
Jewelry-maker and gemstone specialist, Beryl Oduor, of St. Petersburg, demonstrated the art of bracelet-making, using cat’s eye and hematite beads. She was one of the vendors at the festival.
Drew Regan, left, and Alex Regan, both of New Port Richey, sing inspirational music they brought over from the Riverside Baptist Church in New Port Richey. Percussionist Matt Martin led with the beat. They were among the line-up for the local talent showcase at the Charity Festival of Arts at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes.