The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Little Free Library opens

By

(Courtesy of North Tampa Bay Chamber)

The North Tampa Bay Chamber hosted a socially distanced grand opening and ribbon-cutting for a Little Free Library Wesley Chapel at The Shops at Wiregrass on Feb. 19. The event included a book signing, balloon twisting, gifts, music and more. The Little Free Library is a nonprofit that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access for everyone, through a global network of volunteer-led little libraries. Guests were asked to bring a book and take a book from the new installation. The library is sponsored by The Wiregrass Ranch Foundation.

 

There’s No Planned Community Like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

By

When families are looking for a new place to call home, they have several master-planned communities to choose from in Pasco County. But, there’s none quite like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“We are not just developers— we are building a brand new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for the Avalon Park Group. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”

Artist rendering of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel has been welcoming families since 2012, when this community on State Road 54, about three miles east of Interstate 75, began building its first homes. Today, 1,000 homes have been completed or are underway, and residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and a convenient location with easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

Homebuyers can choose from several models from Avex Homes, and will soon have more floor plan available from DR Horton. Single family and townhomes are currently for sale, and apartments and senior housing are planned for future phases. Homes range in price from the mid $200s to over $400s.

“Our builders offer homes for everyone, from teachers to physicians to empty-nesters wanting the convenience of the no-fuss, townhome lifestyle,” said Lerret.

New K-6 Charter School
Few planned communities can boast of a tuition-free charter school at their main entrance. But, this bragging right goes to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which is proud to welcome Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel.

The school opened its doors this fall to over 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students are immersed in new technologies, including robotics, and work in fully functioning STEM labs — something most schools do not offer. The school will be adding seventh and eighth grades in coming years.

All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction. Technology is an essential component of the new school, and laptops are provided for every student in grades two through six, as are iPads for first-graders and kindergartners.

New River Library Reopening Soon
Pasco County Libraries will soon reopen its New River branch, which is located at the west entrance of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The library is being completely renovated, including expanding both the size of its building and outdoor areas. The county also is upgrading the library’s technology capabilities, and when it reopens, it will be a showpiece for all of Pasco County.

Visitors will love the library’s modern new look, covered walkway entry, much faster Internet speeds, expanded youth areas, and a makerspace that opens into a shaded classroom for outdoor activities.

Pasco Fine Arts Council Partnership
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel has a unique partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council, including hosting the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery in the community’s Welcome Center. This arts partnership began in 2019, with Avalon Park Wesley Chapel offering its Welcome Center as a new gallery for residents on the east side of Pasco County. The developer also committed to building a permanent Arts Center in its downtown in coming years.

Before COVID restrictions, there were bi-monthly art shows exhibiting the works of local artists, and several workshops for beginning and experienced artists. These shows and workshops will resume in March with an exhibit by Peter Watrous. A reception is planned for March 26.

Downtown Avalon Park
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.

“We are building a traditional downtown, with stores located inside of our community on the boulevard road leading to our residences, parks and schools,” said Lerret. “We are creating a town that spreads out from the town center connecting to individual neighborhoods — very much like the footprints of small towns found across America.”

The first phase of downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.

“We’re building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

Construction on the first phase is expected to begin later this year, at the same time that the expansion of State Road 54 is completed. Eventually, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. At build out, this 1,650-acre master-planned community will have about 4,400 single and multi-family homes, and be home to 10,000 residents.

Published February 24, 2021

Tampa Cash Buyers: The Hassle-Free Way To Sell Your Home

By

Tampa Cash Buyers specializes in being a master of flexibility. The real estate firm provides an option for sellers who want to avoid repairs, closing costs and other fees associated with a traditional property transaction.

Tampa Cash Buyers purchases homes in “As Is” condition. “You don’t have to worry about making repairs, passing inspections or appraisals,” explains Jeff Nemeth, owner of Tampa Cash Buyers.

“We also provide a great deal of flexibility throughout the process that most traditional transactions cannot provide. We will close whenever the seller is ready to close; we work on the seller’s schedule. The seller also avoids the concern of having to show their home over and over to get it sold,” says Nemeth.

Tampa Cash Buyers also does not require that the homeowner leave an empty house. “If the seller has items they just don’t want anymore, no problem, we will remove those items from the house for them,” says Nemeth.

All offers are made after a walk-through of the home and doing their own market analysis. “It doesn’t make sense to receive an offer from someone who has never seen your property,” says Nemeth.

“And, if you do get an online offer, please read their fine print for repair allowances, closing costs, sales commissions, and service fees, which can vary between 8% to 13%.”

Tampa Cash Buyers never charges sales commissions, service or repair fees and pays all the sellers closing costs. They can provide ‘certainty’ to their transactions and have helped over 500 Florida homeowners sell their home quickly at a fair price, and are eager to help you, too.

Call 813-548-5299, or visit TampaCashBuyers.com.

Homes Exclusive Builder in Latest Phase of Asturia

By

If you’re dreaming of building a new home along Pasco County’s in-demand State Road 54 corridor, look no further than the latest phase of Asturia in Odessa.

ICI Homes — one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious builders — is now taking VIP appointments on 22 over-sized homesites in this exclusive community located just minutes from the Suncoast Parkway.

“We are so excited to have these new homesites in Asturia, where we have been building beautiful homes for area families since 2017,” said Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes. “These new homesites are some of the prettiest in all of Asturia, with many backing up to conservation, and all offering privacy and quick access to State Road 54.”

This is the latest phase of construction in Asturia, and ICI Homes is proud to be chosen as the community’s exclusive builder in Phase 4.

“The interest we’ve received on this phase is incredible, and we already have VIP appointments for interested buyers set up through the first week in March,” said Jones.

Asturia is situated on 500 pristine acres in central Pasco on the north side of State Road 54. Setting it apart from other master-planned communities is Asturia’s manageable size of just 550 homes. It is a friendly, walkable development that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle with its many trails, walkways, parks and recreational amenities.

“Asturia has a stellar reputation as a fabulous place to live in a great location, and there is a huge demand for these new homesites, all of which are 65-feet wide,” said Jones. “We encourage people to call today to set their VIP appointment and secure the homesite of their dreams before they are sold out.”

The first homes in Phase 4 are expected to be completed by the end of 2021, with prices beginning in the low $400s. After these 22 homes are completed, ICI Homes will closeout in Asturia, which began development in 2016.

Many of ICI Homes will back up to incredible wilderness views of wetlands, cypress trees and rolling ranchland. Wildlife is everywhere, and residents will enjoy connecting community trails perfect for bird-watching, and to see deer, gopher tortoises, racoons and other native animals.

ICI Homes has chosen its most popular one- and two- story floor plans for Asturia, all with family friendly layouts, where cooking, dining, relaxing and entertaining happen cohesively. Homes feature an abundance of windows that bring the outside in.

Floor plans include the Costa Mesa, which also is its model home, currently open now for folks who want to stop by to get more information about Phase 4 from Rich Driver, ICI Home’s dedicated and longtime sales representative in Asturia.

The Costa Mesa is a one-story home that showcases 2,565 square feet of living area, with four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage. It is designed for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children, and empty-nesters.

“The Costa Mesa’s open floor plan is perfect for entertaining,” said Driver. “Its gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room are one expansive space highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light.”

The model is located at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and is 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, including masks and social distancing. To schedule your VIP appointment, call 813-252-1108, or go to ICIHomes.com.

Lake Jovita and Persimmon Park
ICI Homes also is accepting VIP appointments for new homesites in Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, and continues to build homes in Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel in the Wiregrass Ranch community. Both communities are tremendously successful, and are attracting families of all kinds because of their unique ICI design features and community amenities.

A new Lake Jovita Sales Center has recently opened at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., Dade City, FL 33526. The model center at Persimmon Park is located at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.

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.

Published February 24, 2021

Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

By

Older adults in central and east Pasco County are discovering the charming manufactured home community of Club Wildwood in Hudson, which boasts affordable homes, first-class amenities and a five-minute drive to the beach.

Club Wildwood is the largest retirement community in north Pasco County, with close to 500 homes. Living in a large community means there is always someone to share things with, including swimming in the resort-style heated pool, taking your pup to the friendly dog park, enjoying crafts and potluck dinners at the clubhouse, and even fishing in a well-stocked lake. Residents are friendly, and welcome newcomers to the community’s many clubs and activities.

Currently, three resale homes are available in Club Wildwood, very affordably priced from $20,000 to $32,000. Most resale homes in the community have been updated with the latest designs and flooring, and are a tremendous value for a single-family home in terms of cost, amenities and location.

For folks moving from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Wesley Chapel, living at Club Wildwood costs less than renting an apartment. The community’s monthly lot rental fee is under $650, and includes trash, landscaping and full use of all recreation facilities.

Club Wildwood’s location on U.S. 19 gives residents quick access to major roadways, shopping and dining, and area attractions. In addition to its Olympic-size heated pool, amenities include a picnic area, shuffleboard courts, a bocce ball court and horseshoe pits. A spacious clubhouse has recently been remodeled, and boasts a fully equipped kitchen and large meeting room, small library, pool tables, fitness room and card tables.

Regular activities include bingo, karaoke, potluck dinners, coffee hours, dart tournaments, happy hours, pancake breakfasts, line dancing and bridge games. During the social distancing requirements of COVID-19, some of these activities have been suspended, but all will be back when it is safe to gather together again.

Outside of the park, many Club Wildwood residents participate in special interest clubs, including bowling and golf leagues, the Red Hat Society, and volunteering at nearby Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

The 290-bed hospital, which is less than 10 minutes from Club Wildwood, is the only Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pasco County, and its renowned Heart Institute provides comprehensive cardiac care and an open-heart surgery program.

Make Club Wildwood your next home by contacting Community Manager Sean Terris for a private tour at 866-799-6707 or .

Published February 24, 2021

Tax Refund Is A Great Way To Fund Home Improvements

By

You may already be thinking about how to best use your tax refund and special COVID-19 government checks, which most people will be receiving in March and April.

Tax refunds are substantial income for many families. The IRS reports that 90% of American taxpayers receive a refund of just under $3,000 each year.

And, while it’s fun to fantasize about blowing your refund after being constrained for months because of COVID-19, it’s much wiser and more beneficial to your family to use the money to update your home’s mechanical systems.

“If your home was built in the past 20 years, it is likely overdue for a new A/C system, water heater and electrical panel,” said Miguel Silva of Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes.

“A tax refund will often cover the full cost of converting to a tankless hot water heater or replacing your electrical panel. Plus, it can be a significant down payment toward a new A/C system. If you take care of these home improvement projects now before our busy summer months, we’ll get your job done within a day or two, and are offering some great coupons to reduce your cost,” Silva added.

Replacing your aged A/C system with a high-efficiency air conditioner can lower your energy bills significantly, prevent energy waste and perhaps most importantly, give you peace of mind that you will have consistent, air-conditioning relief all yearlong.

“Many people wait until their A/C system completely fails, or end up spending too much money on repairs trying to keep it going,” said Silva. “Using your tax refund to be proactive and upgrade your home’s mechanical systems before there are problems is a gift to your family’s long-term health and comfort.”

Silva explains that replacing your home’s mechanical systems typically pays for themselves within a few years.

“Folks don’t realize that their hot water heater and A/C unit are appliances, just like their refrigerator, and all appliances have a life span. If you’re getting close to the end of their warranty periods, give us a call and be proactive, instead of waiting until you have no hot water, or air conditioning on the hottest day of the year.”

Many families are upgrading their home’s electrical panel to a 200-amp service because they want to add LED light fixtures, electrical outlets with USB ports, outdoor lighting, and power for generators, hot tubs and pools.

“Most panels in older homes are wired for just 100 or 150 amps, which is not enough wattage for today’s myriad home electronics,” said Silva. “Most tax refunds will easily cover the cost to replace your entire electrical panel with a new one.”

Cornerstone also sees many households converting to a tankless hot water heater because they want endless hot water.

“Nothing is worse than running out of hot water when your family is getting ready for school, work or play,” said Silva. “After comparing the cost of replacing their old water tank, most homeowners switch to a tankless system because it costs 50% less to operate, plus gives them hot water on demand with absolutely no fuss.”

Cornerstone Pros was founded in 2006 as an air conditioning service company, and has expanded into plumbing services, electrical services and whole-home generators.

“Every morning, our vans are fully stocked with everything our technicians need, which means on most calls, we are able to solve a customer’s problem on the first visit,” said Silva. “Please call us today to get a quote for your home improvement project, so you’re ready to go when your tax refund comes in.”

Tax Refund Specials

$200 OFF
Upgrade on higher seer A/C and
tankless water heater at the same time

$100 OFF
Tankless Water Heater Installed

FREE Nest Thermostat
With any 16 SEER A/C replacement

$50 OFF
LED Lighting Upgrade

$75 OFF Generator
And 12-Month Special Financing

Published February 24, 2021

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

By

A group of roughly 30 cadets of the Zephyrhills High School JROTC recently took part in a dignified ceremony to ‘retire’ worn American flags.

The event took part at Oakfield Cemetery in Zephyrhills.

Capt. Emily Quintana, of the Zephyrhills High School Army JROTC, joined other cadets in a dignified ceremony to retire worn American flags. The event took place at the Oakside Cemetery in Zephyrhills. (Fred Bellet)

Besides burning the flags, which is the appropriate way to dispose of them, members of the JROTC unit also scrubbed headstones of veterans buried in the cemetery.

Cadet Capt. James Laferriere, who spearheaded the ceremony, was the officer in charge.

Cadets Anesha Gonzalez and Madeline Starnes were among others taking part in the solemn occasion.

“The purpose of this event is to motivate cadets and raise their morale,” LaFerriere said. “Paying homage to veterans teaches the cadets citizenship, respect and professionalism, while helping to better the community.”

In addition to the cadets, some members of the public came to observe the ceremony.

Published February 24, 2021

Lt. Col. Cadet Autumn Bayless, left, a Zephyrhills High senior, leads in the singing of the national anthem.
JROTC Army cadets from Zephyrhills High School, with their distinctive black protective masks and their white gloves, rehearse before the scheduled event.
Zephyrhills High School JROTC cadets scrub the gravestones of veterans at Oakfield Cemetery.
Cadet Capt. James Laferriere, a junior at Zephyrhills High School, was officer in command at the flag retirement ceremony.
JROTC Army Cadet 1st Sgt. Jimmy McAuley III, 16, awaits commands during the flag retirement ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New fire truck welcomed with a ‘push-in’ ceremony

By

Fire Station 38, in Wesley Chapel, now has a ladder truck.

Its arrival was celebrated with a “push-in” ceremony — a tradition among firefighters that symbolizes the days before motorized fire trucks, when hand-drawn carts or horse-drawn wagons were used to carry the water to fight a fire, and then the apparatus was pushed back into its place.

Firefighters and dignitaries line up during a push-in ceremony held to welcome Ladder 38 to Pasco Fire Rescue Station 38, at 7541 Paramount Drive, in the Watergrass subdivision of Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco Fire Rescue)

In this case, a firefighter was in the truck — and the truck was put into reverse — to make it easier to push and to make sure everything went smoothly.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, who participated in the event, briefed commissioners on the ceremony during the board’s Feb. 9 meeting.

Ladder 38, a 100-foot E-One HR100 ladder truck, can pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute and can carry 500 gallons of water on board, according to Corey Dierdorff, a public information officer for Pasco Fire Rescue.

The truck was designed to set up in small spaces — allowing the fire department to perform fire ground operations and rescues in areas where aerial trucks won’t fit.

The truck, which cost $1 million, was purchased as part of the department’s  strategic plan.

In addition to telling his colleagues about the new ladder truck, Oakley told them about a practice that firefighters have adopted during this time of COVID-19.

When the firefighters respond to a fire, another truck goes out that is stocked with spare uniforms, Oakley said. The firefighters change into the clean uniforms before leaving the scene.

It’s an innovative idea and the fire department has been invited to talk about it at an upcoming convention, Oakley said.

Published February 24, 2021

Efforts underway to help deputy’s family

By

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has created the Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Fund, to assist the family of Deputy Magli, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 17.

This fund is open for all donations and serves as the officially recognized fund for the Magli family, according to the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office.

Those interested in donating are asked to visit any SunTrust banking location to contribute. Checks also can be sent to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Division made payable to the memorial.

The deputy, who was 30, is survived by his wife, two young children, parents and other family members, according to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who held a news conference on the day of the deputy’s death.

Gualtieri has since announced plans for a funeral service on Feb. 23, at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. Immediately after the funeral, a special ceremony is planned, including a 21-gun salute, a riderless horse, a last call and a fly-over. After that, a law enforcement procession was planned to lead Deputy Magli from the church to Trinity Memorial Gardens, at 12609 Memorial Drive in Trinity.

All of those events were set to take place after The Laker/Lutz News went to press on Feb. 22.

Gualtieri detailed the events leading up to Magli’s death, during a Feb. 17 news conference.

A call came in at 4:25 p.m., about a driver passed out in a white pickup truck at Forelock Road and East Lake Road, the sheriff said.

The man was unresponsive, so the paramedics broke the window — and the driver took off.

Initially, an attempt was made to make a traffic stop, but the driver fled, the sheriff said.

“He was swerving all over the road, weaving, driving at a high rate of speed, engaged in very, very dangerous and extremely reckless driving,” Gualtieri added.

Magli was preparing to deploy stop sticks — which are devices used to deflate tires.

The driver lost control of the pickup truck, which flipped over and violently slammed into Magli and his cruiser, the sheriff said. Magli was pinned under the cruiser and succumbed to his injuries.

Deputy Magli had been with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office since 2013 and was assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau.

The suspect, 33-year-old Robert Allen Holzaepfel, has been arrested on numerous charges, including first degree felony murder, DUI manslaughter, driving while license suspended or revoked and other charges, according to the sheriff’s office’s website.

If you would like to help
The Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Fund is the official memorial fund for the Magli family. Those interested in donating are asked to visit any SunTrust banking location or send checks to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Affairs Bureau made payable to the memorial.

Published February 24, 2021