The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Prescribed burns planned in local preserves

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A number of prescribed burns are planned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, as a preventative step to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Between now and March, the district will be conducting these prescribed burns:

  • Cypress Creek Preserve, east of Ehren Cutoff and south of State Road 52: Approximately 115 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Conner Preserve, west of Ehren Cutoff and south of State Road 52: Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Starkey Wilderness Preserve, east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52: Approximately 800 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Upper Hillsborough Preserve, south of the County Road 54 and east of Chancey Road in Zephyrhills: Approximately 320 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Weekiwachee Preserve, north of Hudson, west of U.S. Highway 19 and includes the Aripeka Sandhills tract: Approximately 25 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some trails may be temporarily closed during prescribed burn events.

Major benefits of prescribed burns include the reduction of overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires; the promotion of the growth of new, diverse plants; the maintenance of the character and condition of wildlife habitat; and, the maintenance of access for public recreation.

The water management district conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Published February 17, 2021

A relaxing meal and peaceful view at Twisted Sprocket Café

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Manager Adrianna Caruso

By Kelli Carmack

The Laker/Lutz News

The Twisted Sprocket Café, located in the Bexley community in Land O’ Lakes, is a hidden gem with cozy indoor and outdoor seating areas that are open to the public.

The café specializes in trendy breakfast and lunch items, such as acai bowls, avocado toast, quesadillas and many other items from its healthy menu. Its top-sellers include the Twisted Sprocket Salad (spring mix, chicken salad, feta, cranberries, pecans, bacon, cucumber and cherry tomatoes), the Bexley Club sandwich and a three-egg omelet that comes with four toppings.

While the Twisted Sprocket Café already has dairy-free food and drink items, café manager Adrianna Caruso is planning to add more gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options to the menu.

The café also serves beverages such as wine, beer from Big Storm Brewery in Odessa, and phenomenal coffee from Buddy Brew Coffee, a Tampa-based coffee company.

“Partnering with Buddy Brew Coffee is a great way for us to support other local businesses,” says Caruso, “Plus, its coffee is out of this world. The cafe uses Buddy Brew’s Cubano expresso roast, which has a nutty, dark spice flavor that is ideal for a full-bodied cup of coffee, and a decaf Colombia roast with notes of caramel, apple and tangerine.

Twisted Sprocket Café has an outdoor deck that overlooks a peaceful lake with cabin-like chairs and tables. During the colder months, guests can enjoy the lake view from inside the café, where they can stay warm next to community fireplaces.

Caruso encourages the public to visit the café, even if you don’t want to buy anything, and just need a new work area.

“Our café is a great place for people who work or do school from home, and need a place to study and focus,” says Caruso. “We have power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and even a conference room.”

Caruso started as a café attendant at the Twisted Sprocket Café three years ago and has worked her way up to manager. She prides herself on giving guests the best experience possible when they’re at the café.

“I want my customers to feel like they’re at home when they’re here,” says Caruso.

Caruso is looking forward to bringing back fun events this year, including happy hours, networking events and wine clubs. She’s also planning to have monthly specialty drinks, including black forest milkshakes, salted caramel milkshakes, pumpkin spiced lattes, and even mango-ritas.

The Twisted Sprocket Café is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Caruso currently is hiring part-time café attendants, with pay starting at $12/hr.

 

The Twisted Sprocket Café

16950 Vibrant Way • Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638

BexleyFlorida.com/amenities/twisted-sprocket-cafe • 813-491-4879

Published on 2/17/21

Residents Love the Resort Feel of Beach House

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The Beach House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Wiregrass Ranch sets the new standard in luxury senior living.  Its prime location in Wesley Chapel, elegant design, first-class amenities and sophisticated comfort represents a unique inspired lifestyle.  The apartments are bathed in seaside pastels for a tropical ambience and convey a sense of the sea and coastal living.

The Beach House offers 24-hour support and access to medical care.  Our healthcare services are customized to meet the specific needs of our residents with pharmacy services, regular medical checkups with our physicians who visit our community weekly, medical record maintenance and on-site nursing.  We are an age in place community where residents can remain in their home until end of life with additional services provided by Home Health and Hospice.

Life enrichment is a very important part of the Beach House lifestyle with exciting activities and regularly scheduled transportation to area events, the theatre, the Botanical gardens and many more.  Our residents enjoy live entertainment, classic movies in our theater, educational classes, painting with friends and resident inspired outings.

Dining at the Beach House is always a delicious and varied experience.  Our tantalizing menu features chef-prepared meals and our menu selections vary from day to day.  Our residents feel like they are dining in a different 5-star restaurant every day.

Our experienced, tenured management team at the Beach House is always available and accessible to residents and family members.  Our nursing and care teams are focused on resident care and well-being.  The Beach House is the ideal solution for older adults who want to live an active lifestyle, free from worries about home maintenance, cooking or cleaning. We will take care of the chores while you rediscover time and freedom to do as you like.  Leave your cares behind and come join us at the Beach House.

Call Gabriella at 813-508-6677 to schedule your lunch tour today.

Published on 2/10/21

A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

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Manik S. Bedi, MD, DDS

By Kelli Carmack

Tampa Surgical Arts offers cosmetic treatments that give patients confidence and makes them look years younger. Two of the practice’s most popular procedures are the Brazilian Butt Lift, and facelifts for the lower neck and face.

“I love being able to sculpt people’s bodies and help them achieve the curves they always wanted to have, or get rid of stubborn fat,” says medical director Dr. Manik S. Bedi, who is a triple-board-certified surgeon with cosmetic and oral/maxillofacial surgery certificates, and a doctorate of dental surgery.

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

A BBL enhances a patient’s backside by lifting, firming and correcting any physical imbalances to increase its overall size. Dr. Bedi harvests fat from the stomach and love handles, carefully injects it into the buttocks, and then sculpts the fat to create a rounder, curvier look.

“Unlike a traditional butt lift, with a BBL there’s no actual lifting,” explains Dr. Bedi. “It’s just making the waist smaller and the butt larger by injecting your own fat, which results in a more natural, but still lifted look.”

After surgery, a BBL patient typically feels sore for a week or two, and can return to work after that. Dr. Bedi says that 60% to 80% of the swelling is gone within the first eight weeks, and the patient is fully recovered within six to nine months.

“And, as long as you’re maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the results will last a lifetime,” says Dr. Bedi.

You can also have stubborn fat removed at Tampa Surgical Arts.

“Sometimes excess fat is genetic. So, no matter how much you work out and lose weight, you still might have some of that stubborn fat on your stomach or neck that you just won’t be able to lose. That’s where our procedures come in handy,” Dr. Bedi explains.

Both men and women benefit from BBL procedures.

“I had a male patient come in and his exact words were: ‘I just want to wear pants and not have them fall down.’ The result of the procedure for men is an athletic, squared look,” says Dr. Bedi.

 Lower Neck and Facelifts

Surgical lifts are ideal for someone wanting to tighten a sagging jawline, remove the “marionette” lines between their nose and the corners of their mouth, or improve a tired appearance.

This procedure involves removing any excess fat and tightening the skin by pulling it up and back. All incisions are made behind the ears, so they are easily hidden from view.

“On average, the procedure will make you look eight to 10 years younger,” says Dr. Bedi, “You will still look like yourself, just much more refreshed.” An ideal candidate for a lift is someone in their 40s through 60s.

After the surgery, patients will experience some swelling, bruising and discomfort, and should expect to spend at least a week out of work. Dr. Bedi says that 60% to 80% of swelling will be gone in six weeks, with final results in three to four months.

Special Offer

In January, all facelift patients will get free fat grafting, called a “Lift N Fill” technique. This is when Dr. Bedi will inject fat from your body into places on your face, such as below the eyes and in the cheeks, where volume has been lost.

Tampa Surgical Arts

17751 Gunn Highway, Odessa, FL 33556

813-694-7242 • TampaSurgicalArts.com

Published on 1/13/21

Pasco schools spending ‘Penny’ wisely

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The Penny for Pasco Oversight Committee has submitted its annual report regarding the school district’s spending of Penny for Pasco tax proceeds.

The one-page report, dated Feb. 2, concluded that “the promises made by the school district to the voters of Pasco County have thus far been kept.”

The oversight committee receives reports from school district leaders of construction services, finance services, maintenance services, and planning services about student and population data, budgeting, funds collected and spent, and project status updates, the report says.

It notes that the district remains ahead of schedule and is ready to meet the needs of the district’s growing population.

“In this seventh year of the second cycle, revenue remains good, in spite of all the challenges presented by COVID 19. Current collections are almost 27% above calculated projections,” the committee reports.

“We are pleased to inform you that real progress is being made with several Penny projects. Zephyrhills High School and Northwest Elementary School will complete their remodeling this summer. Marlowe Elementary has a new wing and construction is now underway at Hudson Middle School,” the report adds.

The committee also “continues to assure voters and the community that the money collected is being prudently used for the purposes intended,” the report says.

In addition to receiving the oversight committee’s report, the Pasco County School Board, in a separate action, reappointed these community members who voluntarily serve on the committee for a two-year term: Gary Evans, Hugh Townsend, Olive (Tom) Massey, Niko Tzoumas and Paul McClintock.

They will serve for the calendar years 2021 and 2022.

Published February 10, 2021

Beware of COVID-19 vaccine scammers

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Hillsborough County officials are warning people to be aware of scammers trying to prey on people’s desire to get vaccinated for the coronavirus.

Scammers often gravitate toward products and services in high demand, and COVID-19 vaccines are no exception, a county news release says.

In recent weeks, scammers have been using the phone, the internet and social media to try to obtain money or financial or personal information, offering a coveted appointment for a vaccination as bait.

Sometimes the aim is access to a Social Security or credit card number; other scams download malware if the victim clicks on a link. Sometimes, the scam is so effective the victim shows up for a vaccination appointment that doesn’t exist, the release adds.

Hillsborough County’s Office of Emergency Management reminds people that vaccinations are free and those making vaccination appointments will never ask for payment, credit card information or a Social Security number.

A COVID-19 Consumer Alert issued by the Florida Attorney General’s Office offers information and tips for people who are approached by someone seeking to take advantage of them.

See something suspicious? Report possible scams to the Florida Attorney General’s Office at 1-866-9NO-SCAM or by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.

You also can contact Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services.

Published February 10, 2021

Clowning around at the circus

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Loomis Circus clown Sammy Marchant, of Dallas, left, sees eye-to-eye with 1-year old, Octavion Brown, of Tampa. It was Octavion’s first circus experience and he was checking things out. He was at the Grove with his mom, Maya Brown, older 5-year-old sister Justice Brown and 5-year-old Empress Moore, of Tampa. See more photos in story below. (Fred Bellet)

The circus comes to town — with dazzling sights and sounds

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The Loomis Circus came to town, delighting hundreds of young and old spectators alike, under the big tent at the Grove at Wesley Chapel.

After all, it’s not a common sight to see an aerialist performing stunts high up in the air, or watch a unicorn — decked out in colorful lights — galloping around.

There were Polynesian ponies, too.

And, of course there were jugglers, a ringmaster, and clowns.

What would a circus be without them?

The circus made a three-day stop at the shopping, dining and entertainment complex, west of Interstate 75, north State Road 54.

Ringmaster Justin Loomis introduces jugglers and performers doing great feats at Loomis Circus, a three-day event that drew hundreds of spectators. (Fred Bellet)
Three-year old, Faith Kirstein, of Wesley Chapel, discovers a bouquet of balloons in front of the World Champion Karate Center’s booth, at the Grove. The center’s master instructor, Hyun, made balloon animals for awaiting kids. Faith was there with her mom, Lucy Martinez, and dad, Tommy Kingkiner.
A Unicorn makes a spectacular entrance — galloping around the center ring, decked out in colorful flashing lights.
Mexican aerialist Gloria Castillo performs stunts high above the crowd during the first night of the special event at the Grove at Wesley Chapel, off Oakley Boulevard and State Road 54.
Four-year-old Arden Beimfohr, left, 4-year-old Abel Rhule and 3-year-old Tristan Beimfohr pay rapt attention as performers delight the crowd at the Loomis Circus. Abel’s 3-year-old sister, Aria, was nearby with their moms.

Home, sweet home — and, it’s mortgage-free

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U.S. Army veteran Shanique Wright and her family recently moved into their mortgage-free home in Dade City, thanks to Wells Fargo and Operation Homefront.

Wright joined the Army National Guard in 2008, and was deployed to two different locations in Iraq between 2009 and 2010, according to a news release.

Shanique Wright and her husband, Eugene Hicks III, and their son, Eugene Hicks IV, stand near their new Dade City home. Wright is a veteran of the U.S. Army and recently moved into a mortgage-free home, thanks to Wells Fargo and Operation Homefront. (Courtesy of Operation Homefront)

She moved to Tampa in 2012 to be a caretaker for her grandmother and was medically discharged in 2014.

The veteran had been living with her husband, Eugene Hicks III, and their 5-year-old son, Eugene Hicks IV, in a small duplex, but were unable to purchase their own home.

They moved into their new home on Jan. 21. Now, they live near the Veterans Administration hospital where Eugene works and Shanique receives treatments. They also live close to outdoor recreational opportunities for their son.

Through Operation Homefront’s Permanent Homes for Veterans program, formerly known as Homes on the Homefront, Wright will work with an Operation Homefront financial counselor and a caseworker to build savings, reduce debt and to grow relationships in the community. Once she and her family successfully complete the program, they will receive the deed to the home.

To date, Operation Homefront has worked with like-minded partners, such as Wells Fargo, to provide more than 600 military families with mortgage-free homes, worth a total of $90 million in home equity.

Since 2012, Wells Fargo has donated more than 140 homes to Operation Homefront, and more than 400 homes to nonprofit organizations, valued at over $60 million, for veterans and Gold Star families across the 50 states.

Published February 10, 2021

Pasco redevelopment loan program

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Pasco County is stepping forward to help businesses that are economically affected by COVID-19.

The primary focus will be on COVID-19-required renovations in order to protect employees and customers, according to the Pasco County website. By creating a safer environment, businesses can instill trust and confidence among employees and customers who interact with your facilities.

Here are the details:

  • Loan Amounts: The maximum loan amount is determined by the project, not to exceed $120,000. For every $60,000 funded, the borrower must create or save one full-time job.
  • Loan Term: The loan term will be based on the borrower’s ability to repay, generally 60 months.
  • Promissory Note: Prior to receiving program funding, approved loan recipients must execute a Promissory Note with Pasco County.

Eligible funding uses:

  • Alterations or modifications that follow the State of Florida guidelines, CDC Safety Measures or GBAC Star Accreditation requirements
  • Repairs and modifications of existing facilities that are capital in nature
  • Provide accommodations for vulnerable populations
  • Improve blighted properties to ensure customers feel safe to support a resilient local economy
  • Create new or retain full-time employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income eligible areas negatively affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Registered businesses, nonprofit organizations and property owners with locations in Pasco County are eligible for the loans.

Eligible businesses cannot have a delinquent debt to the county, and must be current on all permits, licenses, fees and taxes.

For each loan, borrowers must make capital improvements to the property, which may include bringing site improvements up to existing code.

To find out more about application requirements, email Troy Jackson, program manager, at , or call him at 727-815-7092, ext. 2350.

Published February 10, 2021