The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Spacious Inventory Homes For Under $300s

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Avex Homes, the exclusive builder in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, has affordable inventory homes and townhomes that are ready now for families looking for a new home in time for the 2020-2021 school year.

Buyers have four completed homes to choose from. All are popular one-story plans between 1,585 square feet and 1,796 square feet, with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2-car garage. Homes have beautiful finishes and are priced between $267,000 and $296,092.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is a brand new town bringing together everything a family needs to live, learn, work and play.

For families wanting to select their single-family floor plan, finishes and colors, Avex offers eight plans in its traditional single-family home options, ranging from 1,585 square feet to 2,856 square feet, built as one- or two-story homes. Each home features a classic design with rich architectural detail and a traditional focus on the front porch. Homes start in the mid-$200s, and are available on a variety of lots, including conservation and water views.

Two-story, move-in ready townhomes also are available. These attractive homes are even more affordable, with prices beginning in the $230s. The townhome lifestyle is especially popular with young families buying their first home, and empty-nesters wanting to downsize.

The maintenance-free townhomes all feature two-car garages in the rear, with alley access. Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Each townhome has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes, and are a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a 2-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes in this price range.”

“People always comment on how spacious our townhomes feel because of their open floor plans and standard 9-foot ceilings on both the first and second floors,” she adds.
If building from scratch, Avex allows its homebuyers to upgrade home 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.

Amenities and Downtown
Few communities offer the recreational activities found at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, thoughtfully created for residents of all ages. New in 2019 was an expansive second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic area. Avalon Park families also enjoy a wide array of other amenities, including another swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with its planned downtown.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel soon 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 Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of the Avalon Park Group.

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.”

Already, 1,500 people call Avalon Park Wesley Chapel home, and over 750 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.

Published June 24, 2020

New River Library In The Heart of Avalon Park

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Having a library in the center of your community is something that residents of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel truly love and value. The New River Library, a branch of the Pasco County Libraries system, is located on State Road 54, at the west entrance to the Wesley Chapel community.

Rendering of the covered walkway being built at the New River Branch Library.

The New River Library is currently going through a complete renovation and expansion of its building and outdoor areas, and also is upgrading its technology capabilities. When completed this fall, it will be a showpiece for all of Pasco County.

When the New River Library re-opens, visitors will love its 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.

Library patrons can expect “a complete re-imagining from top to bottom,” including space for do-it-yourself activities and gardening programs hosted by master gardeners or Pasco County Extension agents, said Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for Pasco County Libraries.

The New River Library will re-open with its garden area greatly expanded from six raised beds to 26 beds. About half will be used for workshops and demonstrations, and the rest will be available to people who want to grow flowers or vegetables.

“It’s really kind of neat that the library team gave us this opportunity,” said Judy Curran, the library’s youth services provider.

Curran made the first plantings at the original New River Library in 2014, when employees were encouraged to adopt a special project. Curran’s garden idea received an enthusiastic response as soon as she posted it on the library bulletin board, and flowers and vegetables soon sprouted with help from a dozen youth and adult volunteers.

Also, new at the library is a unique children’s activity, Story Walk, which will encourage children to follow a winding path where they will stop at stations and read pages from a storybook.

“I think Story Walk is going to bring even more people when we reopen,” Curran said. “This little idea I had has really expanded.”

To encourage full use of the library’s new capabilities, a new employee is being added who will be assigned to community outreach and helping organize library events.

Funding for the renovations is from General Obligation bonds approved by voters in November 2018. For information on New River and video on renovations, visit Facebook.com/newriverlibrary.

Published June 24, 2020

PFAC Partnership Continues

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Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began a partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council last summer, with the goal of bringing art and cultural events, exhibits and educational classes to East Pasco County. In its first year, this partnership has led to the discovery of local artists, introduced art workshops to the community and given member artists the opportunity to feature their work in a new venue.

“One of the main goals of this partnership was to introduce people to local artists with monthly exhibits and demonstrations,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of the Avalon Park Group. “This partnership has allowed us to expand the arts to not only our residents, but also to the entire east side of the county.”

“It has been an overwhelming positive experience for the Pasco Fine Arts Council to expand its presence in East Pasco, thanks to the vision and generosity of the Avalon Park Group,” said Jo Baughman, director of the Council.

For Baughman, who has been involved in the Pasco Fine Arts Council for over 20 years, the invitation from Avalon Park West to work together accomplishes a long-held dream.

“This partnership has been a tremendous asset to the artist community and our patrons, and has greatly expanded our ability to bring arts to all of Pasco County,” said Baughman.

It is the vision of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for its planned downtown to be the cultural and event center of East Pasco County. The downtown’s first phase will include a dedicated Arts Gallery, which will become the permanent East Pasco home for the Pasco Fine Arts Council.

Artist Cindi Vinci
Gallery Show
July 1 – Aug. 22
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday

Reception
“Something Different”
Friday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free – Refreshments Served

East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery
Avalon Park Information Center
33613 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

Published June 24, 2020

In Just Six Weeks, A Brand New School Opens

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Few planned communities can boast of a public library AND a tuition-free charter school at the main entrances to their development. But, these bragging rights go to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, the only development in Pasco County to offer both.

First to open is Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, when students will pour through its doors on Aug. 10, the first day of the 2020-2021 school year in Pasco County. And then, a few months later, the New River Library will be re-opening in a completely remodeled building just a few blocks west of the school.

There will be over 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade at the new charter school — the first Pinecrest Academy in Tampa Bay. With 16 schools nationwide, Pinecrest Academy offers advanced programs for its students, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, and a dual English/Spanish language program.

At Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, students in all grades also will be immersed in new technologies, including robotics, and will work in fully functioning STEM labs — something most schools do not offer.

“All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction. We’ll continuously be monitoring the data so we know what each student needs, and have many different programs available to focus on the needs of the individual student,” says Principal Aimee Mielke.

There are still openings for students, and Mielke encourages interested families to explore the school’s website and complete its application as soon as possible. Information and the application form can be accessed at PinecrestWesleyChapel.com.

Mielke has hired most of the school’s 27 teachers, including classroom, art, music, Spanish, and physical education, as well as an instructional coach and office staff.

“We have a nice combination of experienced teachers from both public and charter schools,” said Mielke, who adds that over half of her teaching staff have master’s degrees.

The school, which is located on State Road 54 about three miles east of Interstate 75, will have several sections at every grade level, with kindergarten and the lower grades having the most.

The school also is offering self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth.

Everything designed and purchased for the classrooms was chosen for student engagement, Mielke explains, and technology is an essential component of the new school. Laptops are being provided for every student in grades two through six, as are iPads for first-graders and kindergartners.

Blue and green colors brilliantly burst along the hallways of the modern building that has 49 large classrooms, oversized art and music rooms, and high-tech science labs. The school is visually notable with unusual windows in the shape of half-moons, circles and squares that give students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

The New River Library and Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, along with New River Elementary, are all important elements of the goal to build a brand-new town, says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group, the developer behind the community.

“We are ecstatic to have both a brand new library and charter school in our community to give our residents the best opportunities for themselves and their children,” said Lerret.

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

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Florida’s hot and humid summer is in full force, and with it comes the dangers of thunderstorms and hurricanes. If your family is spending more time than ever at home because of COVID-19, it may be smart to consider updating or replacing you’re A/C system, and look into installing a portable or permanent all-home generator.

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

“The only thing worse than having you’re A/C go out on the hottest day of the year, is it going out during a hurricane, and not coming back on when your power is restored,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “It is always best to plan ahead before an emergency strikes, and if you call now, we can get a technician to your home within a few days.”

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

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

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

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

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

Home Generators
Many families consider a home generator to keep their family comfortable and safe in case the power goes out during a summer storm or hurricane.

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

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

“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 available to make monthly payments affordable.

Generac generators run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage

“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.”

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

“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.

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.

Silva adds that portable generators can be dangerous if not properly installed. “A new transfer switch is usually needed for a portable generator, so that a home’s electrical panel is not blown up when the utility turns the power back on,” 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 connects to during its installation.

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

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published June 24, 2020

New Manufactured Homes At Shadow Wood Village

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It’s not too late to discover the fabulous new homes at Shadow Wood Village in Hudson, located just 30 minutes from Land O’ Lakes, and less than two miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

In the three months since this manufactured home community began selling new homes priced in the mid $90s, 18 out of 20 inventory homes have been sold. There are just two homes left, and these are expected to sell quickly to those age 55 years and older.  More homes are expected in mid-July and will be ready in a few months.

The community’s new homes are spacious — up to 1,456 square feet — and boast front porches, great rooms for living and dining, two bedrooms with a den and two full baths. Floor plans are open and contemporary with the latest in home design trends. Kitchens feature lots of cabinets and a large island for bar stools and conversation, and in some models, with the kitchen sink inset in the island. Quality blinds and appliances are provided, including the refrigerator.

Every home has an inviting front porch; one of the new models coming in has a full front porch.  A covered carport with a large, secure storage area, and steps leading from the driveway to the back of the home, is convenient for unloading groceries and provides easy access to the laundry area.

There is a very exciting lease-to-purchase plan that comes with each home when you decide to rent it. These are 12-month leases with a variety of rent incentives.  If you want to buy a new home now, or rent one, Shadow Wood has the perfect home for you.

Shadow Wood Village offers residents an array of amenities, including a heated pool.

Call Community Manager Pennye Rose for more information at (877) 360-1124, or email .

Published June 24, 2020

Infinite HD — Experienced Home Remodeling

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Rob Howard got his start in the flooring business 35 years ago as a teenager, when he was working at a grocery store and his manager asked if he could finish the store’s floors when a contractor failed to show.

Rob agreed to help, discovered that he enjoyed the work, and has been in the flooring business ever since.

Experienced partners at Infinite HD, Jarred Howard (left), Rob Howard and David Rodriguez.

Over the years, Rob has expanded his skills to include painting, tile work and other skills needed for home improvements, and today works in both remodeling/restorations and new construction.

In 2014, Rob added new partners — his son, Jarred Howard, and longtime colleague, David Rodriguez. The men named their new business Infinite Home Designs, which they abbreviated to Infinite HD.

Infinite HD has grown into a full-service home repair and installation company, with a focus on bathroom and kitchen remodeling, as well as flooring.

A recent trend that Rob has observed is that many people are calling about back porch installations.

“It makes sense. People who are off for the summer, or working from home, want a relaxing spot to unwind. Plus, with it being summertime with mosquitoes and gnats running around crazy, having a back porch makes your summer experience much more enjoyable,” said Rob.

Home repair shows, such as “Fixer Upper,” often inspire people to do their own home repairs, but David Rodriguez stresses the importance of hiring a licensed professional for most home repair needs.

“We have a saying in the business — ‘Cheap labor isn’t skilled, and skilled labor isn’t cheap,’” said David. “It truly matters who you hire.”

Infinite HD has seen its share of cases where people try to do their own home repairs, or hire unqualified people, and end up having Infinite HD finish the job.

“Those clients end up spending more money, time and stress by trying to do it on their own,” said David.

Infinite HD recently moved its office to Odessa to keep up with the company’s growth. The location is convenient to its customer base in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Rob is excited to watch his company continue to grow and expand.

Infinite HD continues to operate as a family business, which Rob is reminded of every time he steps into the office, because his grandchildren helped install its floor. Having both his son, Jarred, and daughter, Janann, work for him is something Rob deeply treasures – a sentiment his son, Jarred, shares.

“It’s always nice to make those memories with my dad,” said Jarred.

For more information, or to book a free estimate with Infinite HD, call (813) 309-5211.

By Kelli Carmack

Published June 24, 2020

Community celebrates Juneteenth at gathering in Union Park

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A community Juneteenth celebration was held last week in Wesley Chapel’s Union Park. The event, held on June 19, marked that historic day in 1865, when slaves in Texas learned they were free. This year’s celebrations across the nation have taken on a particular significance, in the aftermath of the May 25 death of  George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck. The Juneteenth event at Union Park featured prayer, song, dance and mingling. Some black-owned businesses also offered items for sale, too. Organizers urged those attending to wear masks, to avoid the potential spread of COVID-19.

Carmel Friendship Church donated the signage used for the celebration. (Fred Bellet)
Alexandra Archibald, of Wesley Chapel, and others at the gathering wore Juneteenth T-shirts to mark the historic day of June 19, 1865, which was when slaves in Texas learned they were free.
Aniya Stratford of the Carmel Friendship Church sang ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,’ at the first annual Juneteenth Family Day Celebration at Union Park, a community in Wesley Chapel.

Watermelon festival offers sweet, old-fashioned fun

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Amy Guzzo, 38, of Lutz, chows down on a slice of watermelon during the adult watermelon-eating contest at the first annual Lutz Watermelon Festival. She was declared the contest winner. (Randy Underhill)

It was billed as the first annual Lutz Watermelon Festival — and, the sweet juicy melon was a big draw.

There were watermelon-eating contests for kids and adults, a watermelon-catapult contest, and a Little Miss Watermelon pageant.

Other ways to have fun included a large hay bale walk, tire swings, a rock climbing tower and a dunk tank.

Festival-goers could grab a bite to eat from a plethora of food trucks, could do some shopping from local vendors and could enjoy music, too.

The event even had free parking.

The festival was held on June 13, an overcast day, at County Line Produce, 206 Newberger Road in Lutz. It was hosted by County Line Produce Company and Intensity Academy Gourmet & Hot Sauce Company.

By Randy Underhill

Published June 24, 2020

Harper St. Clair seems to have the queen’s wave down, as she celebrates being named the winner in the age 3 to 5 category in the Little Miss Watermelon pageant. Here, she is waving to her little sister, Savanah St. Clair. (Courtesy of Amanda Short)
These giant hay bales are no match for 3-year-old Roselie Nobles. (Randy Underhill)
Three-year-old Sebastian Ellis, of Spring Hill, takes this tractor on an imaginary spin, during the watermelon festival in Lutz. (Randy Underhill)
Pat Largo, of New Port Richey, was master of ceremonies during the Little Miss Watermelon Pageant, which had several age categories. Here, he announces Nicolette Verno, age 7 months, of Rochester, New York, in the age 0 to 2-year-old group. Her mother, Marissa Verno, holds Nicolette for a pose. (Randy Underhill)
Christian Northrup, 22, of Lutz, gets ready to enjoy a Maine Lobster roll sandwich from one of the food vendors at the festival. (Randy Underhill)
Ten-year-old Kayden Bilbery, of Trinity, shows off the trophy he won for winning the children’s division of the watermelon-eating contest. (Randy Underhill)
Six-year-old Jayceon Rivera, of Lutz, checks his footing on the rock-climbing tower at the festival. (Randy Underhill)

Bringing Wall Street to Main Street

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Bill Kimbrough

By Kelli Carmack

With a career spanning over 34 years, financial advisor Bill Kimbrough knows how to help you answer the question, “Can I financially get there?”

By taking the time to learn the individual goals of each of his clients, Kimbrough builds a strategy tailored just for them. He identifies the most appropriate investments, protections and services to get clients where they want to be. Having a financial advisor like Kimbrough truly helps ease the challenges that come with making financial decisions.

“When you try to do it all on your own, you’re subject to your own emotional whim. An advisor really serves as an objective force,” says Kimbrough.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Kimbrough became a financial advisor in 1986 with E.F. Hutton, and spent the past 15 years working with Franklin Templeton Investments. But, after recognizing his true calling to serve individual investors, Kimbrough decided to join Edward Jones in the summer of 2019.

“We bring Wall Street to Main Street,” Kimbrough says, “We focus on the everyday person, which you don’t find in many other firms.”

Being in business since 1922, Edward Jones is just two years away from its 100th anniversary. With more than 14,200 branch offices in all 50 states and through its affiliate in Canada, Edward Jones has more branch offices in North America than any other brokerage firm in the country.

One of the biggest misconceptions Kimbrough hears is that once you reach a certain age, you can’t invest.

“The fact of the matter is, it’s never too late to start investing. You’d be surprised what you could save and accomplish in a matter of 10 to 15 years. You may not be a millionaire, but every bit counts,” says Kimbrough.

Some of the most important lessons Kimbrough learned throughout his career is to stay focused on the long-term, stick with high-quality investments, save as much as you can and, most importantly, treat people fairly.

“People have different lives, goals, sets of values… the more I get to know my clients, the better off I’ll be to help them,” says Kimbrough.

Kimbrough resides in Lutz with his wife Nina. When he’s not working at Edward Jones, Kimbrough gets involved in the community by being a member of The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes and The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“Getting involved in these organizations has been a wonderful experience for me. I look forward to continuing my community involvement in this extraordinary area,” says Kimbrough.

1532 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Suite G, Lutz, FL 33549 • (813) 909-1726 • EdwardJones.com

Published on May 6, 2020