The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Artisan-Style Pizza Served Fast At Mod Pizza

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If you’re looking for artisan-style pizza served lighting fast with unlimited toppings, then you’ll want to check out MOD Pizza in Lutz, located near the Tampa Premium Outlets on State Road 56.

Scott and Ally Svenson founded MOD Pizza 10 years ago, because they love Italian street pizza and wanted to improve upon the usual pizzeria experience.  MOD stands for Made On Demand, because their customers order pizza to individual tastes and specifications, knowing the price remains the same regardless of the number of toppings they want.

“If you go to northern Italy, the pizzas aren’t necessarily perfectly round,” said Michael Mark, operations director for the company. “The crust is thinner and a little crispier on the bottom, and there is a slightly doughy texture between the underside and top part of the dough. Our crust is like this — it’s not your traditional New York or Chicago-style crust.”

MOD Pizza bakes its thin-crust, irregular-shaped pizza in 700-degree ovens, which turns out custom-made pizzas served in under four minutes. Every pizza is made-to-order at one convenient low price.

“The main thing about our pizza concept is that it’s one price for as many toppings as you’d like,” Mark said.  “We have over 30 toppings to choose from, so there is an incredible variety, including vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free cheeses.

In addition to pizza, the restaurant also serves salads, garlic strips, cinnamon strips, cheesy garlic bread, hand-blended milkshakes and house-made iced teas and lemonades. It carries draft and bottled beer, canned wines and bottled Boylan beverages made with cane sugar.

MOD Pizza is one of those rare businesses that you can actually feel good about patronizing. It encourages diversity and individuality in the workplace, and believes in giving back to the community.

“On the first day of business, we donate 100 percent of pizza proceeds to a local charity,” Mark said. “We partner with schools and different charities, and hold fundraisers where we give back 20 percent or more to the fundraising partner.”

So, feel good about yourself and discover a new way to enjoy pizza by dropping by MOD Pizza. You can also download their rewards application to earn points toward free pizzas, receive custom offers and skip long lines when picking up your pizza.

Daily – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. •(813) 777-5524

227 Sun Vista Dr. • Lutz, FL 33559 • State Road 56, in front of Tampa Premium Outlets

 

Published June 5, 2019

 

A Modern Approach to Traditional Karate

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L-R Elvis Ramic, Sabina Ramic, Benjamin Harrison

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When Shihan Wayne R. Shockness II was 7 years old, his friends dared him to sneak into a karate dojo.

“I was shocked,” Shockness said.  “I saw this guy throw a roundhouse kick directly over his head, and he literally did a split in the air, balanced on the one leg and put the other leg directly over him. I stood there and said to myself, ‘Wow—I’ve got to learn how to do that!’”

The course of his life was set that day, and soon Shockness began karate training. It has now been 50 years, and he has completed 15 world championship tournaments, placing in the top three no matter when or where he competed. Shockness’ achievements have been so significant, that in 2016 he was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame.

Today, Shockness focuses on the achievements of his students, who have also reached great success.

“My students do well,” Shockness said. “The three top instructors here are Sensei Elvis Ramic, Sensei Sabina Ramic and Sempai Benjamin Harrison. All are on the U.S.A. National Team for kumite, and all are at the top level of competitors.”

Shockness has five dojo schools throughout the country. The newest is Shockness Shotokan Karate in Lutz on State Road 54, where he teaches a traditional Japanese style of karate that also satisfies modern desires.

“We’re a traditional school with modern ideals,” Shockness said. “We believe in honor, respect, self-development, upholding certain manners and traditions. On the modern side, we like going to competitions, and we enjoy modern styles of training and exercise to develop ourselves even further.”

At Shockness Karate, students learn physical karate, such as blocking, punching and kicking. They also learn to focus their mind, develop a strong personality and persevere in overcoming obstacles.

“Karate is life to us,” Shockness said. “We’re a ‘karate-do’ school — the ‘do’ meaning way or path. We’re not just teaching how to kick and punch, we’re also teaching the path, philosophies and ideals of karate.”

Competition is very important at Shockness Karate, but not everyone competes.

“If our students win a million trophies, it doesn’t really matter if their lives are not good as well.” said Shockness. “Our students develop everything.  They are confident, polite, well-mannered, strong, honest and respectful. They’re learning to become better people, because karate changes people in a positive way. The goal is to be better than you were the day before.”

Shockness Karate offers classes six days a week, with flexible hours to accommodate busy schedules.

(813) 406-4718 •

23600 State Road 54 (just east of Livingston)• Lutz, FL 33559

Published May 22, 2019

 

A Craft Beer Delight at BJ’s

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By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If you like a delicious meal with a high-quality craft beer, then BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Wesley Chapel is the place for you.

Six BJ’s breweries supply the restaurant chain with its own line of craft beers that complement any meal perfectly. From its signature Chicago-style, deep dish pizza to its extensive menu of appetizers, burgers, slow-roasted items and enLIGHTened entrees, there’s an award-winning craft beer to match.

Since opening their first brewery restaurant in 1996, BJ’s craft beers have won more than200 awards.  The restaurant is always rotating BJ’s own seasonal beers and a wide selection of local craft beers to its menu,and has even partnered with a local Florida brewer to create a new beer.

Dustin Wiltshire

“Right now, we have a pretty successful beer called Driving Me Hazy that we collaborated on with Brew Bus, a great brewer here in Tampa,” said General Manager Dustin Wiltshire. “It’s a New England-style Hazy IPA that we brew for the entire state of Florida.”

BJ’s is a restaurant, as well as a craft brewery. It started as a California pizzeria in 1978, and has since expanded to more than 200 restaurants in 27 states.

“Deep dish pizza is a constant that’s been with us for our entire existence,” Wiltshire said. “We have 16 signature flavors of pizza, including tavern-cut, deep dish and made-to-order combinations”.

“The menu is extensive, and covers everything from prime rib, tri-tip, pasta, and handcrafted burgers to healthy low-calorie and gluten-free options, like the bison burger and Peruvian quinoa bowls.

“Our culinary team did a fantastic job creating enlightened dishes that are that are full of flavors using herbs and different vegetables that bring out a lot of flavor and keep that calorie count low,” Wiltshire said. “They even offer gluten-free pizza crust, burger buns and a gluten-free chocolate chip Pizookie®.”

No trip to BJ’s would be complete without indulging in their signature and sinful dessert, the Pizookie®— a one-of-a-kind pizza cookie served gooey-hot from the oven and topped with two scoops of creamy vanilla ice cream.

“Not only are we about great food, great beer, great cocktails and great times, but we put just as much energy and effort into building great communities through our TASC Force or Team Action to Support Communities, BJ’s Restaurants Foundation and our Cookies 4 Kids Program,” said Wiltshire.

Check out BJ’s daily and happy hour specials at BJsRestaurants.com, or better yet, drop by BJ’s on State Road 56 at Tampa Premium Outlets.

Published May 15, 2019

Father’s Day is a big day for grilling

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Father’s Day is often associated with grilling.

Grilling accessories are a popular Father’s Day gift idea, and some dads use this time of year to purchase a new grill — with businesses often offering special sales.

Father’s Day also is a time when families often go fishing — with fishing gear also being a popular gift category for dads.

If your little ones don’t like the idea of grilled fish and veggies, try fish tacos instead. (https://unsplash.com/photos/IlAPq27FxZ0)

So, why not tie those two themes together for a Father’s Day meal?

Instead of serving up the standard hamburgers and hot dogs, why not try grilling some seafood?

It’s a good way to offer variety, and a healthier option.

There’s a reason why fish is part of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). Studies consistently have  shown these diets to have positive outcomes when it comes to heart health.

After all, fish has the healthy Omega 3 fatty acids, while the hot dogs and hamburgers have too much of the unhealthy saturated fat.

Some people don’t like grilling fish. They think it sticks to the grill too easily, it’s too delicate to barbecue, or they aren’t sure about the flavor.

An easy solution: Grill it wrapped in tin foil.

This packs the flavor, makes it tender, and leaves for much easier clean up.

The grilled fish also goes great with grilling vegetables in the tin foil packet as well.

One thing to note though: Some studies have shown that putting aluminum foil on high temperatures can cause it to seep into the food, particularly with acidic and salty foods.

Our bodies know how to rid of aluminum in small amounts, but research is still being done on what overexposure can do. So when using aluminum foil on the grill, it is best to do so in moderation.

This recipe is for cod fish, but it works with all kinds of seafood.

Grilled cod fish with vegetables:

Ingredients:
4 pieces of cod fish (serves 4)

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Breadcrumbs

1 medium onion, sliced into rings

3 to 4 garlic cloves, chopped

4 to 6 bell peppers, sliced

2 carrots, thinly sliced

Any other vegetables preferred, such as asparagus, mushrooms and so on.

Directions:
Put one cod fish fillet on one large piece of tin foil.

Brush both sides of the fillet with olive oil and pepper.

Add breadcrumbs to the top, and herbs and spices to taste.

Place sliced onion and chopped garlic on top side.

Place sliced vegetables on the sides of the fish on the tin foil.

Wrap the tin foil tightly to make an enclosed cooking environment.

Grill at medium heat for 6 minutes to 7 minutes on each side. Close the lid. Make sure fish is cooked to 145 degrees.

Add salt, if desired.

You can eat it right out of the foil packet.

Now, there may be kids in the home who would prefer something else.

To make this more kid-friendly, try fish tacos.

You can still make the fish (or any white fish) as described above, but then easily break apart into bite-sized pieces to place in the heated corn or flour tortilla shells.

If you recall from last month’s column, the kids may be able to help with taco fillings, depending on their age.

Fish taco filling ideas: Diced onion, diced tomato, shredded cabbage and/or lettuce, avocado, cilantro, Pico de gallo, lime juice

For a taco sauce, mix the following (from NatahsasKitchen.com):

½ cup sour cream (can also swap for plain nonfat yogurt)
⅓ cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons lime juice from lime
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads! Whether you’re grilling, fishing, hiking, biking, or relaxing indoors with the kids, enjoy your special day.

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.

Published June 12, 2019

Broadening the battle against human trafficking

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Pasco County Public Transportation employees are learning how to identify human trafficking victims in an effort to expand the battle on human trafficking.

Pasco County Public Transportation is partnering with the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking and the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to train all bus drivers on how to properly identify and report potential cases of human trafficking, which is essentially modern slavery, according to a Pasco County news release.

The PCPT bus drivers, like Stormy Byrd, will receive training on how to identify possible cases of human trafficking. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“It’s important for all transit employees to be aware of their frontline support role in combating human trafficking,” PCPT Director Kurt Scheible said, in the release.  “Our partnership with the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking and USIAHT will provide PCPT employees with critical training to identify vulnerable victims and help prevent this in our community.”

Bus operators and customer service agents will be trained on how to identify and report suspicious behavior.

Pasco County bus drivers will receive cards outlining trafficking indicators, protocols to follow if they suspect human trafficking, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline number: (888) 373-7888.

Each bus will display an informational placard and have victim resource cards available for riders to take if they need help. This campaign is expected to reach over 60,000 people every month.

“Eradicating human trafficking is not something any one organization can do alone,” said Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking Chair Liana Dean.  “This is a problem that’s going to take all of us to solve, which is why it’s so important that collaborations like this exist.”

Human trafficking is a growing problem worldwide, with an estimated 40 million men, women and children trapped in modern slavery, according to the International Labor Organization.  Florida consistently ranks third nationally in the number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

To learn more about Pasco County Public Transportation, including bus routes, transportation news and schedules, visit the PCPT website at RidePCPT.com. To learn more about the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking, visit bit.ly/PascoHTCommission.

Published June 05, 2019

Moffitt Cancer to open Wesley Chapel treatment center

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Moffitt Cancer Center and AdventHealth have announced they are working together to open an outpatient cancer center on the campus of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, located next to the hospital on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The outpatient center is expected to open in the fall of 2020.

Rendering of Moffitt Cancer’s planned treatment facility in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

“We strive to provide world-class cancer care close to where people live and work,” said Alan F. List, MD, president and chief executive officer of Moffitt Cancer Center. “Expanding Moffitt’s brand of oncology care, treatment and research in Pasco County helps us accomplish this goal. Moffitt also is responding to the growing incidence of cancer in Florida, as the state’s population continues to grow and age.”

The new Moffitt outpatient center at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel will provide medical and radiation oncology service. It is being designed to accommodate 20 exam rooms, 22 infusion stations and two linear accelerators. Cancer screenings and survivorship programs geared toward patients who are post-treatment and in remission will also be available.

“This is just the beginning of our partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center and our joint commitment to finding new ways to bring innovative cancer care to the Pasco community,”  said Mike Schultz, president and chief executive officer of AdventHealth West Florida Division.

“Our partnership allows us to strengthen our network of care by expanding the type of health care services we can provide to our communities, and gives cancer patients greater access to the country’s leading-edge research, clinical trials and cancer treatments at Moffitt,” he said.

Moffitt Cancer Center is a Tampa-based facility and is one of only 50 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education.

AdventHealth is a faith-based, nonprofit health care system that uses leading edge technology and innovation to deliver its brand of whole-person care. Pasco facilities include AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Central Pasco ER.

Published  May 29, 2019

Meritage Homes’ Ashcroft Offers Affordable Homes In Watergrass

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Join the fun Saturday, June 8, when Meritage Homes celebrates the grand opening of its newest community in Tampa — Ashcroft at Watergrass.

Located off Curley Road in highly desired Wesley Chapel, Ashcroft is a community of 120 homesites, with move-in ready homes for families looking to get settled in before the next school year begins.

Meritage Homes’ model in Ashcroft at Watergrass is the Willow, which features the master suite conveniently located on the first floor, three bedrooms, bath and large loft on the second level.

“We have six very livable plans to choose from, all with the latest built-in trends with money-saving, energy-efficient designs,” said Steve Harding, division president of Meritage Homes.

Home pricing starts in the low $230s. Living areas range from 1,492 to 2,452 square feet.

“Our buyers are looking at monthly payments as low as $1,654, which makes Ashcroft one of the most affordable new communities in Wesley Chapel,” said Harding.

The grand opening event on June 8 is from noon to 3 p.m., and includes lunch, refreshments, and home tours of its beautifully furnished Willow model. Buyers will have the opportunity to take advantage of grand opening pricing.

“We are exciting to be launching this new community, and offering families the latest in new construction at affordable prices,” said Harding. “Ashcroft is already attracting first-time homebuyers and families that are downsizing.”

The Willow model is one of Meritage Homes’ most popular plans. This two-story home is 2,082 square feet, with its master suite conveniently located on the first floor. Its open floor plan features a kitchen with a spacious work island overlooking the great room, a distinct dining area and large covered lanai. Upstairs are three additional bedrooms and shared bath, plus a large loft perfect for youngsters to play, study or watch television.

Ashcroft currently has move-in ready homes available like the Willow plan, along with other homes that will be ready as soon as early June.

In addition to affordable housing and fabulous amenities, families are choosing Ashcroft because its youngsters are zoned to some of Pasco County’s best schools. Kids can bike to Watergrass Elementary located inside the community, and Thomas E. Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel High School are just 1 mile away.

Ashcroft is located in Watergrass’ recently opened Phase III in the eastern section of the community, which will showcase the Promenade Park amenity center with its splash park, resort-style pool, elaborate playground, and dog parks for large and small dogs. Promenade Park is currently being built and is expected to open next spring.

Ashcroft residents also can enjoy existing Watergrass amenities, including a resort pool with splash zone, Jr. Olympic pool, fitness center with adjoining children’s playroom, social gathering rooms, recreational field, covered playground, and tennis and half basketball court.

Watergrass is situated on almost 1,000 acres, of which 250 are preserved wetlands, woods, parks and playgrounds. Its location offers easy access to I-75 and downtown Tampa, and is just 10 minutes from the heart of Wesley Chapel’s dining and shopping district.

Meritage Homes is the seventh-largest public homebuilder in the U.S., with a focus on first-time and first move-up buyers. It has designed and built over 120,000 homes in its 33-year history and has a reputation for its cost-saving energy-efficient features, distinctive style, quality construction and positive customer experience.

Meritage is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding, and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award for the seventh consecutive year – for innovation and industry leadership in energy-efficient homebuilding.

For more information, please visit us online at MeritageHomes.com, or call (877) ASK-MERITAGE.

Ashcroft at Watergrass

  • 120 total lots
  • 11 move-in ready homes
  • 40’ x 120’ homesites
  • Furnished model home (Willow Plan)
  • 6 floor plans to choose from
  • Square footage 1,492 to 2,452
  • Pricing starts from the $230s
  • Zoned for excellent schools

Published May 29, 2019

ICI Homes Are Selling Fast In Asturia!

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ICI Homes is having great success selling new homes in Asturia, a much-desired, master-planned community along the popular State Road 54 corridor in Pasco County.

“Sales have been fantastic in Asturia,” said Leah Turner, Tampa sales manager for the builder. “Families love our open and spacious floor plans that feature our unique Florida-lifestyle features, including spectacular great rooms, summer kitchen patios, open balconies and tons of windows.”

And, with ICI Homes’ new model home opening soon, Turner expects sales to get even busier in Asturia.

“Our new model is just about done, and we’re planning our grand opening in early June,” said Turner. “The model is easy to find in the community, and we’re looking forward to showing it off to buyers and Realtors.”

ICI Homes’ new model, the Costa Mesa, is in Asturia’s recently-opened third phase. This one-story home is being beautifully decorated and furnished, and showcases 2,565 square feet of living area, including 4 bedrooms and 3 baths.

“This home’s open floor plan brings together the gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room in one expansive space that incorporate lots of windows to bring in natural light and sunlight,” said Turner. “It is one of our most popular floor plans, and is perfect for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children and couples who are downsizing.”

Turner adds that one-story plans are always in demand because of the natural flow from one room to the next, and the convenience of having everything on the same level.

“ICI Homes offers more one-story plans than other builders in our price range,” said Turner. “Plus, we give buyers the ability to customize their floor plans to meet their special needs and satisfy their secret desires. Most production builders do not allow for structural changes, and this is something we gladly do for our customers.”

ICI Homes has 38 homesites available in Asturia’s Phase III, and offers buyers over a dozen distinctive floor plans to choose from. The builder also has a few homesites remaining in the community’s Phase II, including three move-in ready homes and its Serena model home.

ICI Homes in Asturia’s new Phase III begin in the low $300s, and many homesites back up to conservation and water.

“A lot of families have been waiting for Asturia’s Phase III because of our pristine homesites with conservation views and affordable pricing,” said Turner. “They love Asturia’s affordability, convenient location and outstanding amenities.”

Amenities in this 550-home community include a unique trails system that winds through wetlands, parks and neighborhoods, and an award-winning Amenity Center that includes a zero-entry pool, contemporary community center and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Final Homes In Bexley
If you’re looking for a new home in Land O’ Lakes, this is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in Bexley, an award-winning development by Newland that is located just east of Asturia next to the Suncoast Parkway.

Bexley offers thousands of acres of preserved wetlands, parks and playgrounds, and miles of walking and bike trails. Other amenities include a clubhouse, pools, fitness center, bike shop and café.

ICI Homes is building its final three homes in Bexley, all on large 70-foot lots. A Costa Mesa quick move-in home is currently being built, and the slightly smaller Egret VII will soon be under construction. Both homes have very open plans with lots of windows and natural lighting.

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s most acclaimed builders, builds new homes in desirable master-planned communities that offer beautiful homes sites, excellent schools and expansive amenities that promote an active lifestyle.

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

The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 15134 Aviles Parkway in Odessa, (813) 359-0264.

Published May 22, 2019

Be Comfortable and Safe If Your Power Goes Out

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With Hurricane season officially beginning in just a week, many families are looking at installing a whole house generator to keep their family comfortable and safe in case the power goes out.

“Families of all sizes and incomes are installing generators in their homes in case their power goes out due to summer thunderstorms and hurricanes,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes. “This is especially true when a family member has medical issues that require treatments needing power.”

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.

“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.

Because generators can be costly, Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable generators, and has low-interest financing in place 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 and payment ability. Plus, we’re currently offering $150 off all generator installations.”

Modern generators are compact, quiet and able to power some or all of a home’s electrical appliances, all at the same time.

“Many people think of backup generators as giant, noisy units that can be heard all around the neighborhood. This is no longer the case,” said Silva.

A generator will prevent 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.

Plus, 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.

“Because all generators emit carbon dioxide, which is a dangerous, odorless gas that can kill, proper installation and venting is imperative for all generators,” said Silva. “Our technicians specify the safest and most economical location for a generator, and pull all necessary permits from the county to complete the install.”

Silva adds that portable generators can also be dangerous if they are not properly installed.

“A new transfer switch is usually needed for portable generators, so that a home’s electrical panel is not blown up when the utility turns the power back on,” said Silva. “And, when that happens, the homeowner has no power until the panel is replaced, plus it can be a very dangerous situation if someone is near the electrical panel when it blows.”

Cornerstone Pros pulls all the permits needed to install a generator, and the permitting process typically takes between two and five weeks.

“Because of the time permits take, people need to call now to get their generator installed before the peak storm and hurricane season,” said Silva.

For homes with natural gas, Cornerstone Pros technicians do the plumbing that ties the generator directly into the home’s natural gas line, so the homeowner never has to worry about filling a gas tank. Homes without natural gas require a propane tank, which Cornerstone Pros connect to during its installation.

“Generators provides 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. “Plus, most models today offer Wi-Fi connectivity, so no matter where you are, you can monitor the status of your power and generator’s operations from a smartphone, tablet or computer.”

Call Cornerstone Pros with your generator questions and to request a quote at (813) 990-0561.

Published May 22, 2019

Discover Asturia’s Unique Sense of Community

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Families of all ages and sizes have chosen Asturia as a place to call home because of its unique sense of community, enhanced by frequent resident events that allow neighbors to meet and families to connect.

Located in Odessa along State Road 54 just minutes from the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County, Asturia residents recently enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo celebration, Easter Egg Hunt and Oyster Roast. Next up is the fourth annual Hawaiian Luau planned for June 21.

Asturia residents enjoy meeting neighbors and creating family connections at its many special events, including its annual Hawaiian Luau, which is coming up on June 21.

After getting their fill of oysters and barbecue, several attendees at the April Oyster Roast won a $100 Visa gift card donated by Asturia’s developer, or a beautiful gift basket donated by ICI Homes. Resident winners were Anna Diaz, Savannah Aaron and Carol McCombie. Realtor winners were Jason Lombardi, Rich Lizotte and Scott Gray.

“Our residents love our free community events because it gets them together with neighbors, and lets them welcome new and prospective homeowners,” said Lane Gardner, managing director for Hines, Asturia’s developer. “We host events on a regular basis because they’re fun and continue to grow the friendly community culture Asturia is known for.”

This embracing culture is enhanced by Asturia’s manageable size of just 550 homes at build out in the next few years. Its size, regular community events and desirable amenities make it a uniquely intimate community, especially when compared to nearby master-planned developments, which have been approved for thousands of homes.

“Families choose Asturia because we are a friendly, walkable community that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Gardner. “We feel more like an established community of neighborhoods than a sprawling development that will be under construction for several years.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, Asturia has abundant green spaces, a trail network, playgrounds, and an award-wining Amenity Center with a luxurious, resort-style swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Asturia’s unique trails system winds through wetlands, parks and neighborhoods, and includes neighborhood parks, a Kompan play structure, Ga-Ga Ball court, dog park and open event lawns to play tag, fly a kite, kick a soccer ball and engage in healthy, family fun.

Residents appreciate the community’s convenient location and easy access to major transportation corridors. Families with school-aged children especially like Asturia because of the nearby A-rated schools the residents are zoned to attend.

Since it opened three years ago, Asturia has received several prestigious awards, including Best Mixed-Use Community from the Florida Home Builders Association. It has become an award-winning blend of shopping, office space, luxury apartments, single-family homes and townhomes. Commercial/retail/shopping is being developed in the front of the community, with the hopes of landing a grocery store.

Homes in Asturia range from the $250s to $550s, and many builders are currently offering special incentives. David Weekley Homes, ICI Homes, Ashton Woods Homes and Ryan Homes are all award-winning builders that offer homes you can build from the ground up, as well as quick move-in homes.

From one of the nation’s largest home builder, David Weekley Homes’ new one-story Crestview model is beautifully furnished, showcasing 2,100 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, a study, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage. Features include a lanai, gourmet kitchen, and owner’s retreat with tray ceiling and oversized walk-in closet.

ICI Homes’ new model, The Costa Mesa, opens in early June. This one-story home is 2,565 square feet with four bedrooms and three baths. Its open floor plan brings together the gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room in one expansive space with lots of windows to bring in natural light and sunlight.

Located near the front of Asturia are Ryan Homes’ elegant townhouses, which feature maintenance-free living. Its Chopin and Haydn models have open floor plans, designer options, and rear-load, two-car garages that give plenty of space to store sports equipment and vehicles.

Ashton Woods Homes has a few single-family homes remaining in inventory — buyers need to move quickly to secure one of its quick move-in homes.

Learn more about Asturia and its builders by visiting AsturiaFlorida.com, or call (813) 227-4148.

Published May 22, 2019