The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes Opens New Wesley Chapel Models With 2.75% Financing

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Sometimes the most difficult of times, such as the challenges presented by COVID-19, also create unexpected opportunities.

This is true for buyers of ICI Homes in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. This premium builder has 12 inventory homes available now or in the next few months, including four cottage-style homes in its first Wesley Chapel neighborhood, Persimmon Park.

The two-story Primrose model is light and bright with lots of windows and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

Not only does ICI Homes have a larger than usual inventory of unique one- and two-story homes, it is also selling homes in the high $200s for the first time in Tampa Bay.

“We are known as a premier, semi-custom builder, and typically build homes from the $400s to over $1 million. So to come into Wesley Chapel with moderately priced floor plans is very exciting for us, and more importantly for our customers who want our quality and craftsmanship in a smaller, more affordable home,” said Paula Spitler, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes.

Almost as important as the quality and pricing of its homes, ICI Homes also is offering an exceptionally low interest rate of just 2.75% on 30-year mortgages, when using the builder’s preferred lenders.

“We call this our buy-down program, because a lower interest allows our buyers to increase their spending power, and more quickly build equity in their homes,” said Spitler.

“There are only a limited number of these special loans being allocated across our 20-plus communities in Florida, so please don’t wait. It’s first-come, first-served, and once these loans are gone, they’re gone,” said Spitler.

Many families are drawn to Persimmon Park because of its desirable Wesley Chapel location, and also because its students are zoned to the area’s highest rated schools — Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High.

“One of Persimmon Park’s biggest draws is the schools our students are zoned to attend,” said Spitler. “We have families moving from nearby subdivisions, such as Seven Oaks, that were recently rezoned to other schools. Many families want to keep their children enrolled in the schools they have traditionally attended or have been assigned to attend.”

Persimmon Park is located within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch —located off Bruce B. Downs and Chancey Road, directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Wiregrass Ranch is a 5,000-acre, walkable community with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

Persimmon Park is Wiregrass Ranch’s newest new home community, with ICI Homes committed to building 97 homes in this unique subdivision.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Spitler. “Plus, our amenities are everything a family wants without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

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

“Light and bright with lots of windows,” is how Spitler describes these floor plans, having a cottage look and feel that are open, airy, and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

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

Two beautifully furnished model homes are available for tour at Persimmon Park. The one-story Lantana model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living.

The two-story Primrose model is the coastal elevation and, at 2,434 square feet, offers the master bedroom downstairs, and a game room and three additional bedrooms upstairs.

“Families love the rear-load design because it gives the home a very nice front elevation with no garage blocking the home’s curb appeal,” said Spitler. “Plus, rear garages make for easier access to the kitchen when it’s time to unload groceries, and also creates more backyard privacy with covered breezeways and summer kitchens.”

Model homes are open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model.

Families also can tour the homes virtually, via video, at icihomes.com.

“Our 3D virtual tours allow you to view and walk through our homes at your own pace, right from your couch,” said Spitler. “You can move from point to point for a complete 360° view to get a sense of the home’s space, finishes, floor plan and measurements. It’s truly the next best thing to being there.”

Published April 29, 2020

Every Townhome Has A 2-Car Garage At Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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Maintenance free townhomes with two-car garages in the rear with a private alley are now open for tour and purchase at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes, and offer buyers a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a two-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes that begin at $225,000.”

Beautiful inventory townhomes are now available at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Every home has a two-car garage, and all feature unique architectural elements, including front porches, sweeping kitchen islands, covered breezeways and grass courtyards.

Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, each with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Homes are solidly built with families in mind, and rich in architectural design with distinctive exteriors and open floor plans. Each home has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Buyers love our townhomes’ cozy feel and old-fashioned, traditional look,” said Gonzalez.

“People always comment on how spacious they feel because of our open floor plans and standard 9-foot ceilings on both the first and second floors.”

Homebuyers can upgrade their home’s finishes to their individual lifestyle and design preferences — from moving electrical outlets, to upgrading cabinets and flooring, to choosing colors that best show off their individual taste. The most popular upgrades are quartz countertops and luxury vinyl flooring.

“Folks really appreciate that they can select the finishes they want, including flooring, cabinetry, countertops and lighting,” said Gonzalez. “Unlike most townhomes in this price range, our buyers can choose the colors and finishes that are best for them. These are not cookie-cutter homes.”

Families also choose the townhome lifestyle because it offers carefree, maintenance-free living.

“Our HOA covers all exterior painting and maintenance, including the roof, and all lawn and landscaping services,” said Gonzalez. “People are busy and love not having to worry about these chores.”

The first five Avalon Park Wesley Chapel townhomes have recently been completed, and three are available now as inventory homes. A second building with six townhomes is underway, with completion and move-ins planned for the end of the year.

3 Inventory Homes:

Cambridge: 1,608 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Tile floors, two-tone expresso cabinets, private lanai, huge master suite. $233,144 (base price $224,990)

Montgomery: 1,834 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Front porch, flex room/den, large island kitchen, tile floors, grass courtyard. Two units available. $234,190 and $248,581 (base price $238,990)

The kitchen in the Bellevue boasts premium white cabinets and a large kitchen island with quartz countertops.

Bellevue Model Home: 1,820 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, end unit, master on first floor. Premium white cabinets, large kitchen island with quartz countertop, luxury vinyl flooring, private breezeway/lanai, huge master suite. Large loft upstairs with 2 bedrooms, and bath with double vanities. (base price $243,990)

Avex Homes and Beazer Homes are builders in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a 1,650-acre master-planned community located on State Road 54, three miles east of I-75. In addition to its new townhomes, Avex Homes also builds single-family homes in the development’s two neighborhoods — Cypress Village and Hawthorne Village.

“It is very rewarding to offer local residents affordable homes for first-time homebuyers, as well as luxurious, move-up homes for families wanting a larger home in a community like ours that offers great schools and so much to do,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group.

Single-family homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel start in the mid-$200s, and are built on a variety of lot styles, including conservation, corner and pond view. Avex Homes currently is selling its model home the original Cypress Village, and has four inventory homes that will be ready this summer in its new Hawthorne Village.

“There is still time to make your personal design and color selection on these inventory homes, if you move fast,” said Gonzalez.

Already, 1,500 people call Avalon Park Wesley Chapel home, and over 800 homes have been sold since it opened in 2012. The community will continue to grow over the next several years and, at build out, will be home to 10,000 residents residing in 4,400 single and multifamily homes.

Avex Homes is open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model. For more information, stop by the model center at 5216 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel, 33545. To schedule an appointment, call Todd Simon at (407) 590-3501.

Amenities And Schools
Families enjoy an array of amenities at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. This includes a recently opened second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic area. Other amenities include the original swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with the community’s downtown.

Nearing completion is a new charter school at the community’ entrance, Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, which will open for the 2020-2021 school year with 650 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Pinecrest Wesley Chapel will offer a core curriculum of English/language arts, mathematics, social science, science and electives, such as performing and fine arts, and world languages. For more information, go to the website, PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

Downtown Center
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel also will offer residents places to shop and work when its downtown center is completed. Infrastructure construction has begun on the first phase, which will include two office buildings, two mixed use retail/residential buildings and a community park.

“We will be 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.

In addition to shops and markets, the community’s downtown area will have over 500,000 square feet of commercial space.

“We are not just developers— we are building a brand new town with family events all year-long,” said Lerret. “We’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today, and in the future.”

Daytona Beach Newest Avalon Park Community
Avalon Park Group, the Orlando-based developer of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, has announced its next master-planned community will be in Daytona Beach.

Avalon Park Daytona Beach will be built on undeveloped land located west of I-95 along State Road 40. The proposed new town that will include 730,000 square feet of retail space, 270,000 square feet of office space, 5,000 multi-family units, 1,650 single-family attached units and 3,350 single-family detached units.

“Building a town of this magnitude allows us to build in a compact and contiguous manner that discourages urban sprawl and has a much lighter environmental impact than typical suburban development,” says Beat Kahli, chief executive officer of Avalon Park Group.

All communities developed by Avalon Park Group incorporate a walkable, mixed-use and interconnected community that achieves efficient use of land and infrastructure costs. Additionally, its master plans preserve large contiguous space for conservation lands and incorporate a network of streets to reduce automobile trips. Together, this creates walkable neighborhoods that are centrally located around a downtown commercial center for all ages to live, learn, work and play.

For more information, call Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations, at (407) 427-6073, or email .

Published April 29, 2020

New Daikin Fit HVAC System Offers Maximum Comfort

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With so many people working from home due to COVID-19, and the hot summer months quickly approaching, the need for a dependable and efficient air conditioning system has never been more important.

“We strongly recommend that you call now for your spring service and maintenance, and to get information and quotes if you’re considering replacing an older system,” said Gary Beurmann, air conditioning manager at Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “If you call now, we can schedule an appointment and get you prepared for the hottest months of the year.”

The trade services provided by Cornerstone Pros — air conditioning, plumbing and electrical — are all essential services that remain open during the Stay At Home order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Our crews are working, and we’ve adopted COVID-19 safety protocols to protect customers and employees,” said Dana Spears, president of Cornerstone Pros. “Because our employees wear extra safety gear, and most of our work is performed outside or in remote areas of a home, we greatly limit exposure for everyone.”

With afternoon temperatures already in the 90s, A/C services are very much in demand right now.

“Many families are upgrading their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and is costing too much to maintain, or their unit is inefficient and uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills. Plus, we have great financing terms and rebates to offer from Daikin and utility companies,” said Spears.

Most air conditioning systems need to be replaced at 10 to 12 years, while builder grade systems often need replacement after five years, when their warranty expires.

“Your air conditioning system is an appliance, just like your refrigerator, and does not last forever,” said Beurmann. “But, before we recommend that an A/C system be replaced, my team of over 20 technicians and installers give customers several options to consider, with realistic costs and expectations.”

Beurmann explains that sometimes replacement is the best solution if an A/C is out of warranty, and the cost to repair it is better spent on a new system. “In addition, an energy-efficient new unit typically saves a family hundreds of dollars a year in lower utility costs.”

Beurmann adds that his team is all paid hourly, so customers never have a 100% commission tech pressuring for sales of new or upgraded A/C systems. “Our only motive is to do what is best for our customers,” he says.

Cornerstone is an Elite Daikin Fit dealer that offers local homeowners one of the best A/C systems ever made. Available only since February, the Daikin Fit features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

“The new Daikin Fit system has so many more benefits than other systems in the market — there is nothing out there that compares,” said Beurmann. “Several of our customers were a Daikin Fit homeowner test site for the past two years, and they have been very pleased with the product and new technology the system offers. Cornerstone has never worked with a system that has so much to offer, and at a price point most people can afford.”

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance to residents of Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Trinity, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and other communities in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

Gary Beurmann

Daikin Fit Unique Advantages
Gary Beurmann, A/C service manager at Cornerstone Pros, explains the many advantages of a Daikin Fit system.

Home Feels Cooler
Your home will feel cooler and more comfortable because the system is highly effective at maintaining desired humidity levels because of its invertor/smart system technology.

Half The Size
The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patios areas, allowing more space for outdoor living. It is also great for homes with narrow lot lines.

Exceptionally Quiet
It is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside. This makes it great for sleeping for both kids and adults, because you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night. “It is so quiet, you can be standing right next to it and wonder if the unit is even running — it’s that quiet,” said Beurmann.

Energy Efficient
The Daikin Fit has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER and above, which means it consumes less energy to cool your home. SEER stands for  Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio — the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the cooling equipment is.

Affordability
Until now, A/C systems with inverter technology  where very costly. Pricing on the Daikin Fit allows homeowners to get the best invertor technology on the market at a price comparable to lower competitor two-stage systems.  Its smart system provides so much more technology than other products offer at its price points.

Tech Conveniences
The Daikin Fit has all the bells and whistles – including Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from your phone, pad and laptop. Daikin’s super-intelligent, user-friendly system controllers allow you to orchestrate and monitor mode, temperature, time, airflow volume and more across your entire system, at the touch of button.

12-Year Factory Warranty
The Daikin Fit is covered by one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.

Published April 29, 2020

Why mortgage rates have been on a roller coaster

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As a mortgage company, we receive a lot of inquiries regarding mortgage rates, refinancing and, most recently, “about that 0% mortgage the FED is offering.”

Sadly, there is no 0% mortgage, and the FED doesn’t set mortgage rates. But, people should still inquire as to whether they have an opportunity for savings.

What has happened over the last 45 days is a literal roller coaster in both mortgage rates and mortgage qualification requirements. What caused this see-saw?

Earlier this year financial markets and investors started to get concerned about the global impact of COVID-19. This caused investors to move to “safer” investments, such as U.S. Treasuries and Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS). The resulting demand for MBS created a drop in mortgage rates to “the lowest level in its nearly 50-year history,” according to Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

The seven days between Feb. 26 and Mar. 4 were the busiest days in the business for just about every mortgage professional I know. And, the weeks following the resulting massive spike in applications also saw a huge spike in mortgage rates.

In some cases, mortgage rates changed up to 2% in a single day for consumers! While the causes are complicated, the two major reasons why we saw this volatility was because lenders were unprepared for the huge spike in loan volume, and consequently had to increase rates to SLOW DOWN applications, so they could catch up.

The underlying MBS was changing rapidly, and there was a glut of product being offered, which lowered the value of the individual offerings (supply and demand). A number of lenders stopped accepting refinance applications altogether, as they focused on a more sustainable “purchase money mortgage” business model.

The concerns related to COVID-19 expanded as businesses started to close down and workers were laid off due to government mandates related to social distancing. Investors had new concerns as they worried about how mortgage payments would be made when homeowners didn’t have jobs.

Financial markets in the U.S. started to crash, and so the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) jumped in with an influx of liquidity and a couple of reductions to the federal funds rate. A second wave of refinance inquiries hit as borrowers called their loan officers again about taking advantage of this 0% FED rate being offered.

It was left to loan offices to explain that the federal funds rate is the rate at which the FED lends short-term funds to banks. Mortgage rates were actually still on the rise after those announcements, because with so many loans being refinanced, the value of servicing rights that lenders earn started to shrink drastically, and they realized they wouldn’t hit their break-even point on an increasing percentage of their holdings.

The mortgage market, as a whole, has seen a number of changes due to the impacts of the coronavirus. There has been a major tightening of requirements as secondary markets have dried up, or set significantly more restrictive requirements lending requirements.

This tightening caused many well-established lenders to stop accepting new loan applications, some other to cancel loans that were in process prior to funding them, and others to close their doors entirely. The impact was, and is wide-reaching, including some Florida-based banks and credit unions.

While the impacts of COVID-19 are still creating change in the mortgage industry, there is an opportunity for borrowers who can meet updated requirements like multiple checks to verify employment and requiring clients to certify that their income/earnings have not been impacted. Borrowers with lower credit scores also have more requirements placed on them, as lenders are adding guideline requirements to government-insured loans (FHA, VA and USDA).

In 2019, there were significant reductions to the cost of mortgage insurance, so if your loan still has mortgage insurance and your rate is in the high 3% to 4%, you might still save significantly by refinancing your mortgage. Mortgage rates are stabilizing, and while not as low as they were back in late February, there is a major opportunity for individuals to save, including some ridiculously low mortgage rates on 15-year loans.

These are the kind of rates that may not be available again. So, if you are interested in a new or refinanced mortgage, reach out to a mortgage broker who will shop the markets for you. Generally, you’ll find that an experienced mortgage broker has more options available to you than your local bank, because of their independence and desire to ensure you get the best mortgage for your situation.

By Gilbert Bennett
My Easy Mortgage, LLC
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator
Certified Military Loan Specialist

813-513-9846 (office)
504-931-7555 (cell)
MyEasyMortgage.com

NMLS # 1177528 | CO NMLS # 1268485

Published April 29, 2020

Bicycling hasn’t been shut down

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Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has closed businesses, caused churches to livestream services, shut school campuses, and closed playgrounds and most parks — but it hasn’t put an end to enjoying the great outdoors by bicycling. Here are a few cyclists getting some fresh air and some exercise.

Tom Spock leads a trio of cyclists, as they complete their ride on the Suncoast Parkway Trail, on a recent Saturday. The Land O’ Lakes man is accompanied by 55-year-old Michael Russell and 59-year-old Leslie Spock. The trio rides the trail every Saturday, and Tom typically goes riding three times a week. (Randy Underhill)
Fifty-year-old Derick Sutton, Lutz, gets ready to take a 50-mile trek on the Suncoast Parkway Trail. Sutton has been biking the trail on Saturdays for the past 15 years.
Cyclist Bob Depue, age 75, cruises through the Wilderness subdivision, in Land O’ Lakes, on a recent warm, sunny Sunday afternoon. Depue typically treks 10 miles to 15 miles each day.

Rasmussen College moving to vacant Target store

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Rasmussen College soon will bring higher education to a vacant Target Super Store — the shuttered anchor at Suncoast Crossing plaza, off State Road 54 in Odessa.

The college plans to relocate from its current 25,000-square-foot education center at State Road 54 and Sunlake Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes.

Developers are proposing to repurpose the former Target store, which closed in 2016.

Rasmussen College will be moving down the road and will soon be making a transition to Rasmussen University. (B.C. Manion)

A conceptual plan filed with Pasco County shows Rasmussen occupying more than 44,000 square feet. One and possibly two other tenants would fill the remaining shell space, separated from Rasmussen by an enclosed courtyard.

The flexible plan allows about 100,000 square feet to 115,000 square feet for a single business, or a split design with two businesses at 60,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet, respectively.

“It’s great to see something is moving in there,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “We never want to see an empty building. It seems like Rasmussen is growing. We’re definitely happy they are here. It’s a good location for them.”

The approximately 173,000-square-foot Target property is owned by 24/7 DeBary LLC, which acquired the site from Target in July 2017.

A May 11 preapplication meeting is scheduled with Pasco County planners to consider the “Suncoast Crossing 1” redevelopment proposal, according to county records.

24/7 DeBary is an affiliate of MVP Holdings Inc., a Tampa-based owner of restaurants, including PDQ and Glory Days Grill. A company representative could not be reached for comment.

The Target store – in a mall with about 30 stores – opened in 2006, as growth along State Road 54 was taking off. The Great Recession that began two years later with the real estate and housing market collapse ushered in hard times for Pasco County’s economy.

But, the closure in January 2016 caught many by surprise just as a turnaround and renewed growth was taking hold.

Target officials closed 13 stores nationwide due to what they described as poor performance. The Suncoast Crossing store was among those singled out.

This Target Super Store, which has been vacant since 2016, is expected to become the new home to Rasmussen College. Besides changing its location, the college also is expected to become a university.

More than 140 employees lost jobs, though Target officials said employees would be offered transfers.

“I was very upset when Target closed,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “I called corporate office to reconsider.”

After Target’s departure, she had hoped the site might attract new tenants that would create a retail and business complex similar to nearby Northpointe Village – at State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway. The complex in recent years attracted new businesses along Northpointe Parkway, including Mettler Toledo, a global manufacturer of precision scales and services used in research, and the packaging and production of food and pharmaceuticals; and TRU Simulation + Training,  which provides flight-training solutions, technical support and customer service for commercial and military markets.

But, she said, “I think Rasmussen will do well at that location (Suncoast Crossing). I’m heartened they are a for-profit college, so they will stay on the tax rolls.”

Rasmussen plans to make an announcement on its relocation plans in the “near future.”

“Due to key regulatory steps that still need to take place, Rasmussen College cannot yet share information regarding plans to relocate to a new campus,” according to an email from Molly Andersen, spokeswoman for Rasmussen College.

The new site, with substantially expanded space, comes as Rasmussen College is preparing for a new direction in its education model. By October, the college is expected to become Rasmussen University.

“This transition is more than a name change,” said Rasmussen President Trenda Boyum-Breen in a video message. “This is our next step toward a vibrant future. We are student-centered in our approach and future facing in our impact.”

Andersen in her email said additional details on Rasmussen’s transition to a university would be available soon.

Minneapolis-based Rasmussen College traces its beginnings to 1900, as a business school. The private college is a regionally accredited institution with more than 20 campuses nationwide. Its focus is on workforce and career-oriented education programs and degrees across several fields, including nursing, health science and business.

Of six Florida campuses, two are in Pasco — in New Port Richey and the soon-to-be closed location in Land O’ Lakes.

It’s not clear what is next for the Land O’ Lakes site.

Bayshore Properties LCC, affiliated with BayCare Health System, purchased the property in January for about $6.5 million, according to county records.

Representatives for Bayshore declined to comment at this time.

By Kathy Steele

Published April 22, 2020

Places you can turn to for help in Pasco, Hillsborough counties

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Pick up paper unemployment forms
Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties are handing out paper unemployment forms at specific libraries.

Hillsborough County
The location near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area is at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. The library’s drive-thru will be open seven days a week, from 9:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once completed, residents also can drop off the forms at either drive-through, and library staff will mail the documents for them.

Pasco County
Printed unemployment forms will be available just outside the entrance to these libraries, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

  • Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes
  • Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City

If you’re unable to visit a library in person and would like to request a blank application form by mail, please contact the library at "> or through the “Ask A Librarian” feature at PascoLibraries.org.

Once completed, residents can mail the form to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

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.

Hillsborough County emergency help
As the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) fallout continues, Hillsborough County officials are reminding residents about assistance available to help people meet their food needs.

Here is a look at some programs:

  • Hillsborough residents age 60 and older can apply for food assistance through Hillsborough County Aging services. There is no income requirement to participate in the federally funded program. To find out more, call (813) 2727-5250.
  • Feeding Tampa Bay is offering drive-thru distribution of free, pre-packaged groceries to Hillsborough County residents in need. Distribution is on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., in Tampa. Check Feeding Tampa Bay’s website before the events, to be sure there have been no changes. To find out about other food assistance programs and information, visit FeedingTampaBay.org, or call (813) 254-1190.
  • Tampa YMCA Veggie Van is distributing free pre-packaged bags of produce in several neighborhoods in Hillsborough County. No ID, paperwork or pre-screening is required to receive the food. Learn more, visit Tampa Veggie Van on Facebook.
  • SNAP recipients across the state starting April 21 will be able to use EBT cards to make eligible food purchases from Walmart and Amazon online.

Pasco Planning and development open online
Pasco County’s planning and development department is only accepting electronic submittals via its online portals. It is not accepting hard copy application packages, hard copy re-submittals or checks.

All project information must be uploaded in Accela and all payments must be made online via e-check ($1.99 fee) or credit card (2.65% fee) through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal.

To communicate with the department, reach out to a specific staff member, via email or telephone. You can email general questions to , or call (727) 847-8142.

Tips for reducing stress
Here are some suggestions from the National Alliance on Mental Illness to help reduce potential stress and anxiety, as the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic disrupts our daily lives.

Manage how you consume information
Equip yourself with information from credible, reputable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). See “Basic information” section for more links.

Be selective about how you consume news. It’s generally a good idea to stay engaged and informed. Having some limits on your news consumption can help:

  • Watching or listening to the same news constantly can increase stress. Reading can be an easier medium to control how much and what kind of information you’re absorbing.
  • Set limits on when and for how long you consume news and information, including through social media. It may help you to choose a couple of 15-minute blocks each day when you will check news/social media and limit your news consumption to that time.
  • False information spreads very easily on social media and can have serious consequences for individual and public health. Always verify sources and make sure they are reputable, especially before sharing anything.

Follow healthy daily routines as much as possible
Your daily habits and routines can help you feel more in control of your own well-being.

Even simple actions can make a difference:

  • Make your bed
  • Get dressed
  • Connect with loved ones
  • Move your body
  • Make time for breaks
  • If possible, take regular short breaks during work or between shifts. During these breaks, go outside and engage in physical activity if you can.
  • Practice good hygiene, especially by cleaning your hands
  • Get enough regular sleep, it is critical for your immune system
  • Eat nutritious food as much as possible, especially fruits and vegetables

Published April 22, 2020

Celebrating Mother Earth’s bounty

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In honor of Earth Day, let’s recognize how the Earth provides foods to keep us nourished and fed.

Gardeners tend to have an appreciation for what the Earth has to offer, but that may be especially true right now — as the world grapples with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

A microwavable silicone popcorn popper is an easy way to make popcorn. Pour enough kernels to fill the base, close the lid (this one is foldable flaps) and microwave for about 2 minutes, or until the pops are 1 second to 2 seconds apart. (Shari Bresin)

Fears have caused people to panic shop and hoard food.

People who grow their own food don’t have such worries.

So, even if you aren’t yet a gardener, perhaps the recent times we’ve been living through will serve as a motivator for you to consider taking it up.

Having a diet that consists primarily of foods that came from a plant is helpful to maintain good health.

It’s hard to get the recommended amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber if you mostly consume processed prepackaged foods. If you’re doing that, you’re likely consuming too much sodium, fat and sugar.

Food from the ground, such as herbs, spices, beans, nuts, whole grains, vegetables and fruit are full of nutrients. They’re considered nutrient-dense foods because they have a high nutrition content, with few calories.

A calorie-dense diet, on the other hand, is one that has lots of calories and little nutrition.

For instance, think of the choice between a sugary soda vs. a homemade fruit smoothie.

Your body will get lots of calories from the soda, but negligible nutrition.

A fruit smoothie, on the other hand, has much more nutrition. To make one, use a small amount of 100% juice, some plain flavored yogurt, and various fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, bananas, kale and so on.

Or consider the difference between a doughnut and a bowl of oatmeal (no sugar added), mixed with fruit.

The doughnut provides plenty of calories, sugar and fat. The oatmeal with fruit provides fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Some options are less obvious.

When choosing packaged foods, be sure to read the ingredients.

Here’s a tip: Look for packaged foods with a short list of ingredients, and ingredients that are easy to pronounce.

Also, be sure to check the nutrition content on the nutrition facts label.

Be sure to keep in mind that even when a meal starts off healthy, it can quickly become less healthy by heaping on toppings containing fat, sodium, sugar and calories.

One way to add flavor to your foods while skipping all of the extra calories is to use herbs and spices.

So, skip the sauces, gravies or dressings, and use herbs and spices to add flavor.

Here are some popular herb/spice combinations, recommended by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, for livening up common meals:

  • For beef: Try bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, sage, thyme, onion powder or pepper
  • For lamb: Try curry powder, garlic, mint or rosemary
  • For pork: Try onion powder, garlic powder, sage, pepper or oregano
  • For veal: Try bay leaf, curry powder, ginger, marjoram or oregano
  • For chicken: Try ginger, marjoram, oregano, paprika, poultry seasoning, rosemary, sage, tarragon or thyme
  • For fish: Try curry powder, dill, dry mustard, marjoram, paprika or pepper

And now, for some popular combinations for vegetables that are currently in season:

  • Carrots: Try cinnamon, cloves, dill, ginger, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
  • Corn: Try cumin, curry powder, onion, paprika, parsley
  • Potatoes: Try dill, garlic, onion, paprika, parsley, sage
  • Summer squash: Try cloves, curry powder, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
  • Tomatoes: Try basil, bay leaf, dill, marjoram, onion, oregano, parsley, pepper

Here are a couple of tips.

Herbs (the leafy part of the plant) and spices (the root, bark, stem, etc.) can be fresh or dried; just know that if a ratio calls for one and you substitute for the other, the amount will vary.

Keep in mind that 1 tablespoon of cut fresh herbs is the equivalent of one teaspoon of crumbled dried herbs and ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon of ground dried herbs.

Also, remember there really isn’t a right or wrong way to flavor your food. So, add spices and herbs, based on your personal preferences — and enjoy!

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.

Recipe
Here’s a nice healthy snack you can make for the kids (or yourself) as they do school, or you work at home.

Directions:
Pop popcorn kernels on your stove, or in a microwavable silicone popcorn popper.

Instead of the typical toppings of salt, butter or cheese — try topping the popcorn with some olive oil and dried herbs or spices.

Some possible topping flavor combinations include:

  • Rosemary and ground pepper
  • Garlic powder and onion powder
  • Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes
  • Cilantro and lime juice
  • Basil, oregano and red chili powder

Published April 22, 2020

Pandemic affects Pasco services

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Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected local government services.

Here’s a look at some of the changes. Be sure to check the Pasco County website, at PascoCountyFl.net, for updated information.

CLOSED Pasco County buildings and properties until further notice:

  • Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City
  • Guardian Ad Litem Office West
  • Guardian Ad Litem Office East
  • Elderly Nutrition East, 13853 15th St., Dade City
  • Elderly Nutrition Central, 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes
  • Elderly Nutrition West, 8600 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey
  • All Pasco County Libraries (closed until April 30)
  • All Parks are closed, along with Recreation Complexes, Community & Education Centers
  • All parks-sponsored large events and mass gatherings are cancelled, until further notice, and the following parks facilities in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are closed: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex; Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center; and Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center.
  • All Pasco County libraries are closed through April 30.
  • All Pasco County Senior Centers are closed, and all senior programs, activities, classes and meetings are cancelled until further notice. Call (727) 834-3340 for more information.
  • Pasco County Recycling closed its three community recycling drop-offs until further notice.
  • All Property Appraiser’s offices are closed to the public until further notice. Employees are working remotely, and online services are available: PascoPA.com.
  • The Pasco County Tax Collector’s five offices are closed to lobby traffic, but drive-thru services are available for certain transactions. Visit PascoTaxes.com for more information.

OPEN

  • The Animal Services shelter is open. Animal Services is restricting all field operation calls to only emergency response and priority calls. Animal Services is not accepting owner/agent surrendered animals; intakes will be scheduled for a later date. In-person pet licensing sales are suspended until further notice.
  • Pet licensing is available online: secure.pascocountyfl.net/petlicensing.
  • Select boat ramps and the Suncoast Trail will remain open. (Please follow all CDC social distancing guidelines.)
  • Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) is suspending all fares until further notice. The number of riders will be limited, and to accommodate the change, there will be more buses on the county’s busiest routes by temporarily suspending services on Routes 18, 25, 31 and 41.

For more information, visit: bit.ly/PCPTRiderAlerts.

  • Pasco County Solid Waste is limiting access to the West Pasco Resource Recovery and the East Pasco Transfer Station. Only commercial vendors and customers with bagged, household waste will be able to drop off trash.
  • The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office is encouraging the use of online and telephone resources to resolve issues, pay fines, check on public records, track court events and much more. To see a full list of services available to you remotely, visit PascoClerk.com/809/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Pandemic.

• UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County is offering online webinars, meetings and activities, and postponing all in-person events, meetings and activities through April 30. Visit its website for more information.

Published April 15, 2020

Local home store helps during crisis

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Furniture retailer Ashley HomeStore announced in a news release that it is donating 250,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay, part of the national Feeding America network, during the current crisis.

The donation aims to help Feeding Tampa Bay’s programs and ensure neighbors in need have required food and resources.

Ashley’s contribution not only will help cover people that the Feeding programs already serve daily, but it will help others at risk, too, including:

  • Children who are out of school and will have no access to school meals or after-school meals
  • High-risk seniors and others who cannot reach food
  • Families experiencing higher expenses and lower wages who would not normally need their services

Due to recent events, the size and scope of these populations are now significant and Feeding Tampa Bay’s response reflects that growing reality.

“We are in the midst of a time when more people than ever before are facing challenges in getting food and supplies they need,” said Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay.

“Ashley HomeStore is standing with Feeding Tampa Bay, giving us the ability to direct these crucial resources to our neighbors who need them most,” Mantz said.

As COVID-19 continues to impact the Tampa region, Feeding Tampa Bay has seen a 40% increase in need for their services, the release states.

“At this time, there are a lot of needs that must be met both in our communities and around the world,” said Greg Kammer, executive vice president of retail and sales operations, Ashley HomeStore.

Kammer said it’s important “for us to do our part, spread positivity and remind everyone that we are in this together.”

Published April 15, 2020