The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Plaza Mexico — The Best Mexican Restaurant For Father’s Day

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Residents in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City are continuing to discover one of the area’s most charming restaurants, Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill, and keep coming back for its outstanding food and great prices.

“Families love the variety of our menu, and especially enjoy our chimichangas, taco salad and combo specials,” said Hector Alvarez, one of the restaurant’s owners. “It’s great seeing so many new faces in our restaurants every week, especially now as we re-open from the recent COVID-19 shut down.”

Hector Alvarez and Hector Gallardo

Located in Zephyrhills on County Road 54, just east of U.S. 301, Plaza Mexico opened last summer in a beautifully renovated building that features two distinctive dining rooms and a full bar that offers daily drink specials from margaritas, to homemade sangria to Mexican beer.

The Zephyrhills restaurant is one of five Plaza Mexico restaurants in the Southeast, and the only one in Tampa Bay. The small, family-owned chain specializes in traditional Mexican food and decorates with authentic Mexican furniture and colorful decorations. The décor in Zephyrhills is unique with a “Day of the Dead” Mexican theme, which gives the restaurant a softer and more romantic ambiance.

“We care about the good taste of our food, as well as providing our customers with personal, hospitable service. We are proud to be part of the Pasco community, and hope to always make your time with us enjoyable,” said Hector

It is not unusual to see Hector Gallardo and his uncle, Hector Alvarez, working at Plaza Mexico. Both men are owners, who lead from the front and work alongside their employees to ensure professionalism and quality control.

“At most places, the owner just opens the restaurant.  They let the people work for them, but here the owners work in the restaurant. That’s one of the things that people like. We have two or three owners working at a time, to make sure that everything is done very professionally,” said Alvarez.”

The menu at Plaza Mexico is extensive with many different choices, including a full page just for seafood, and lots of vegetarian dishes.”

Food is made fresh daily, and some of the recipes have existed for generations within the family. One dish — a popular house special that can be ordered for one or two persons — that Alvarez is particularly proud of is served in a molcajete.

“Molcajete is volcano stone, and we serve the food inside the stone. We put in chicken, steak, shrimp, chorizo—a Mexican sausage—and onions, jalapenos and cactus. Cactus is a traditional food in Mexico. It comes with rice and beans, and a salad. It’s a big plate.”

The menu has authentic versions of the usual Mexican favorites: tacos, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas. And for seafood lovers, there are crab quesadillas, white shrimp enchiladas and ceviche.

“The cerviche is probably one of the plates that is most traditional with Latin people, like Cubans and Peruvians,” Alvarez said. “We make our ceviche a bit spicier, and can be fish or shrimp. We also cook ours before we put in the lime.”

Plaza Mexico in Zephyrhills

In the mood for something different? Try the mole poblano.

“The mole is a tradition in Mexico,” said Alvarez. “The mole poblano is a sauce that’s made with chocolate and poblano peppers, so it’s kind of sweet, and it’s probably the only sauce that’s sweet compared to the other sauce.”

A popular appetizer is guacamole made fresh tableside from a pushcart.

“Our cart goes around to every table to offer fresh guacamole,” Alvarez said. “It’s a really popular appetizer because it’s made fresh and in front of you.”

Every other Sunday evening, a mariachi band brings a fiesta atmosphere to the restaurant. Plaza Mexico has a private room available for parties, and a full bar with happy hour Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with two-for-one drink specials.

Published June 17, 2020

Meat: It’s what’s on the menu for Father’s Day

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Father’s Day and grilling go hand-in-hand.

Dad may even get some grilling-related gifts that he’ll put to use right away to prepare the Father’s Day meal.

But, like so many other aspects of society, the pandemic has been hard on the beef industry, and meat, in general.

Traditional kabobs can make a nice Father’s Day dinner. The kids can help prepare the meal by chopping up the veggies, and the steak, depending on their ages. (Tip: Eight 12-inch bamboo skewers may be substituted for metal skewers. Soak bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes before using; drain.) (Courtesy of BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com)

So, I turned to my coworker, Laura Bennett, to ask her for some specifics.

Laura is the livestock agent for the University of Florida/Pasco County Extension, as well as the livestock agent for Sumter and Hernando counties.

I asked her what is going on with the beef shortages and prices, and this is what she told me: “Over the past weeks, many people have been concerned about our beef supply chain, and about all meats, including pork and chicken, for that matter,” Laura said.

She also pointed to an article in Feedstuffs Magazine, by Darrell Peel, a livestock marketing specialist for Oklahoma State University.

That article says the beef markets appear to be moving beyond the worst of the disruptions.

This is great news for consumers and producers of beef alike.

So, what was the problem in the first place?

When restaurants were forced to close their dining rooms in March, they experienced a swift and sharp reduction in business. At the same time, demand increased drastically at the grocery store because people were staying home to eat.

The shift created a bottleneck in the supply chain and disrupted the flow of product to retail markets.

Then, in early April, several beef processing plants had to close because of workers coming down with COVID-19 infections.

For four consecutive weeks, cattle processing was down nearly 35% compared to the same period last year.

Since then, beef processing has rebounded quite well, and for the week ending May 30, beef production coming out of the processing plants is down just 7.6% compared to the same week last year.

So, why were prices affected?

Let’s take a look at “boxed beef” to understand the impacts.

“Boxed beef” describes how 90% of beef is shipped to retail outlets.

Boxed beef refers to wholesale cuts of beef — such as beef rib, beef loin — packaged into vacuum pouches and then placed into a box for shipping.

Vacuum packaging is typically accomplished using a bag that has very low moisture and oxygen transmission rates.

The air is removed from the package via a vacuum chamber and the package is heat sealed.

With the elimination of oxygen, the growth of typical spoilage organisms is significantly reduced, thereby extending product shelf-life.

The shelf-life of vacuum-packaged, fresh beef is approximately 35 days to 45 days.

Early in 2020, boxed beef quality graded as “choice” was bringing $2.10 a pound.

In mid-May, the price more than doubled to $4.60 a pound.

Individual cuts of beef have had a wild ride of their own.

As you would imagine, the middle cuts — cuts from the loin that include our steaks — have been in lower demand because most go to food service/restaurants.

Let’s take a look at Choice wholesale beef tenderloin, which is filet mignon.

It was selling at $9.70 a pound early 2020, but dropped to a weekly low $5.33 a pound, in early April, when restaurant demand essentially stopped.

Once supply was shortened by processing plant closures, it hit a mid-May peak of $12.38 a pound.

You also may have noticed how hard it is to find hamburger in the grocery store.

That’s because many of us find hamburger easier to use and cook at home, thus raising demand for it once people significantly reduced eating out at restaurants.

The “chuck roll” is a wholesale cut that a good deal of hamburger comes from.

The price of chuck rolls had a pre-COVID-19 average near $2.66 a pound.

As you might expect, its price peaked in early May at $6.28 a pound, before dropping back to $4.66 a pound at the end of May.

Derrell Peel concluded his article this way: “hopefully beef product markets are settling back into a much more stable situation and with typical product price relationships re-established.”

That’s great news, as we enter grilling season.

For more information about the USDA Quality and Yield Grading system, contact Laura Bennett, UF/IFAS Multi-County Livestock Extension Agent at .

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.

The website, BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, has loads of recipes, including this one for kabobs.

Classic Beef Kabobs

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef Top Sirloin Boneless Steak cut 1-inch thick
  • 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 1 medium red, yellow, or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  • Cut beef Top Sirloin Boneless steak into 1-inch pieces. Combine seasoning ingredients in large bowl. Add beef, mushrooms, bell pepper pieces and onion pieces; toss to coat.
  • Alternately thread beef and vegetable pieces evenly onto eight 12-inch metal skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces.
  • Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill kabobs, covered, 8 minutes to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 9 minutes to 11 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Season kabobs with salt, as desired.

Published June 17, 2020

You Can Help Stop The Cycle Of Poverty

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Wacinque A.K. BeMende has a vision he wants to share with you — that there is an innovative way to stop the cycle of poverty — and he’s asking for your help to spread the word.

He is on a mission to help the 40% of Americans who do not have a savings or checking account, people often called the “unbanked,” to open accounts at local banks and credit unions.

Wacinque A. K. BeMende, Chief Poverty Consultant, KaizenRhino Solutions International Consultancy

“Without a banking account, you cannot take the very first step of helping yourself, which begins with saving money, even if it’s just $5 a week,” explains BeMende. “The key is investment accounts that earn dividends, while holding on to the original stock to compound interest and increase in value over the years.”

“It’s been proven that welfare does not work, and ultimately leads to generations of poverty,” continues BeMende. “We have created a system that is not an entitlement program, is politically neutral because it is not supported by taxes, and is not dependent on consumer debt.”

BeMende’s company, KaizenRhino Solutions, is working to establish an international standard of asset ownership that can be used as a tool to help solve issues surrounding poverty and income inequalities. To bring this standard to the political forefront, BeMende is asking people to sign a Change.org petition requesting that governments worldwide adopt this international standard.

“We need people like you to sign our petition to make our voice stronger, to help us implement the change needed to break the poverty cycle,” said BeMende. “The petition asks only for your name and signature. Your information will not be used for any other purpose.”

To sign the petition against poverty, and to review BeMende’s Asset Ownership Standard, go to: http://chng.it/KQczCdfyPr.

The mission of KaizenRhino Solutions is to solve the problem of multigenerational poverty by reducing the number of unbanked individuals to ZERO, and to encourage individual ownership of income-generating dividend stocks.

“The first generation that opens savings accounts and invest, breaks the cycle of poverty, and the next generation will see even bigger gains and keep families off the welfare merry-go-round,” said BeMende.

BeMende’s company educates you about self-directed Global Permanent Investment Accounts (GPIA), which is comprised of any number of dividend-paying stocks that generate income while allowing the principal to build over time.

BeMende founded KaizenRhino Solutions International and established the GPIA account in 2016 when he retired from the Armed Services after a 40-year military career, where he served in the Marines, Air Force, Army and National Guard.

When he retired, BeMende could have lived an affluent life of leisure, but instead started his business aimed at helping people get off welfare. To make the company’s name memorable, he incorporated the name of his favorite animal, the rhinoceros, which also became its mascot. BeMende even has a fun, model toy of a plastic purple rhino mounted on top of a piggy bank, but with the money slots for saving in the rhino, named GPIA Saver, not the pig.

“I knew what it was like growing up on welfare, and I wanted to help people change their course in life,” he said. “I want to teach people how finance and investing is open to everybody, and show them how they can create their own wealth,” says BeMende.

“Our country needs a solution that is sustainable, and owning dividend-paying stocks allows individuals to build principal over time, and create a source of income for generations to come.”

BeMende studied banking and finance and received his bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University. His master’s concentration was in adult education, and he was an adjunct instructor of personal finance management at Central Texas Community College.

BeMende has completed numerous continuing education programs in entrepreneurship, financial education and human resources. Most recently, he participated in the STRIVE (Startup Training Resources Inspiring Veteran Entrepreneurship) program at Hillsborough Community College.

BeMende, who grew up in Nashville’s poorest neighborhood, tells the story of a favorite high school teacher who loved the stock market almanac by Yale Hirsch, and taught his class the history of the stock market and the principles behind compounding.

“His message stuck, and I became a dividend stock investor, beginning with saving just a few dollars a week. When I pass on, my military retirement pay will end, but bequeathing allows my income from investments to put a smile on someone’s face for a very long time,” BeMende says.

KaizenRhino Solutions International Consultancy
Creator of GPIA “income for generations and generations to come”
575-650-8728

Published June 17, 2020

UPDATE: Southbound I-75 to westbound SR 56 reopened

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The southbound Interstate 75 ramp to westbound State Road 56 has been reopened.
Work on the Diverging Diamond had closed the right lane of the ramp heading west, but kept open the left lane on the ramp.
Now, motorists exiting at the ramp can head either direction on State Road 56.
The ramp was reopened because too much congestion was building up at the ramp, according to John McShaffrey, a community outreach manager for the Florida Department of Transportation.
Revised June 03, 2020

Hitting the gyms…

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As Florida reopens for business, lots of people have begun hitting the gyms and fitness facilities again. Whether it’s to take a dip, walk a treadmill, lift weights or work with ropes, gyms are beginning to see activity again. Unlike some businesses, they had been totally shut down in recent weeks, due to concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19.

Nancie Howley, 62, of Lutz, is working on her steps on the stairstep machine during a recent workout at Anytime Fitness, 1408 N. Dale Mabry in Lutz. She steps for about an hour, three times a week. (Randy Underhill)
Ron Emery, 55, of Wesley Chapel, is on the ropes — working on strength, endurance, and fat burning at Strive Athletic Club 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel. He’s been a member for 11 years and is there Monday through Saturday, as a personal trainer.

 

Mandy Johnson, 43, of Land O’ Lakes, burns calories during her 30-minute to 45-minute workout on a recent Saturday afternoon at Anytime Fitness, at 1408 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.
Twenty-three-old Gillian Sanfilippo uses the cable pulls to strengthen the abdominal area, chest and back, as she works out at Strive Athletic Club, 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

…to make up for lost time

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Seventy-year-old Carlos Sanchez takes laps at the Zephyrhills YMCA, at 37301 Chapel Hills Loop. He swims a mile daily. (Randy Underhill)
Gabe Marrero, 36, of Wesley Chapel, uses dumbbell curls to enhance the size of his biceps during a Saturday afternoon workout at Strive Athletic Club, 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. He typically works out five days a week, doing cardio and strength-training exercises.
Sixty-eight-year-old Gary DeLong, of Dade City works out at the Dade City YMCA, at 3803 Meridian Ave., on a recent Friday afternoon. He works out five days a week, doing cardio and strength training.

Announcing our Father’s Day Contest!

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Laker/Lutz News staff member Mary Eberhard dances with her father, Bob Hathaway, at her wedding in 1985. (Courtesy of Mary Eberhard)

“Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.” – Proverb

With Father’s Day just around the corner, The Laker/Lutz News wants to celebrate all the amazing dads out there by giving THREE dads the ultimate Father’s Day gift! Here’s how to enter:

The winners will receive gift certificates to local businesses in the area — the perfect gift to give your dad. Good luck!

New Daikin Fit HVAC System Offers Maximum Comfort

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With the beginning of Florida’s hot summer months, and so many people working from home these days, there has never been more of a need for a dependable and efficient air conditioning system.

The condenser on a Daikin Fit A/C system is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for patio areas.

“Many families are upgrading their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and costing too much to maintain, or their unit is so inefficient that it uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills,” said Dana Spears, president of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes.

Cornerstone Pros is proud to offer homeowners the Daikin Fit series — one of the most innovative, versatile air conditioning systems ever built for consumers. Available only since February, the Daikin Fit features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

Cornerstone Service Manager Gary Beurmann explains the many advantages of a Daikin Fit system.

  1. Home Feels Cooler

Your home feels cooler and more comfortable, because Daikin’s inverter/smart system technology is highly effective at maintaining desired humidity levels.

  1. 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 also is great for homes with narrow lot lines.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Affordability

Until now, A/C systems with inverter technology were very costly. Pricing on the Daikin Fit allows homeowners to get the best inverter technology available at a price comparable to lower competitor two-stage systems.

  1. 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. Its 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. Daikin’s smart system provides so much more technology than other products offer at this price point.

  1. 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.

  1. Great Financing

Daikin has some of the best financing terms and rebates available in the industry, plus Cornerstone Pros works with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates for installing energy efficient A/C systems.

“The new Daikin Fit system has so many more benefits than other systems —  there is nothing out there that compares,” said Beurmann. “Cornerstone has never worked with a system that has so much to offer, and at a price point most people can afford.”

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, we give customers several options to consider, with realistic costs and expectations.”

Beurmann adds that Cornerstone technicians are paid hourly, so customers never have to worry about being pressured to buy a new or upgraded A/C system. “Our only motive is to do what is best for our customers,” he says.

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 the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published May 27, 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 low $90s, 14 out of 20 inventory homes have sold. There are just six homes left, and these are expected to sell quickly to those age 55 years and older.

The community’s new homes are spacious — up to 1,456 square feet — and boast front porches, great rooms for living and dining, two or three bedrooms, 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 a refrigerator and a washer/dryer.

Every home has an inviting front porch (some as large as 10 X 12), a covered carport with a large, secure storage area, and steps leading from the driveway to the back of the home for convenient unloading of groceries and easy access to the laundry area.

Currently, two-bedroom and three-bedroom floor plans are ready now.

Shadow Wood Village offers residents an array of amenities, including a heated pool. Call Community Manager Pennye Roses for more information at (877) 360-1124, or email .

Published May 27, 2020

Why Live at Club Wildwood?

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Adults age 55-plus are discovering Club Wildwood in Hudson as a perfect community to live because of  its beautiful manufactured homes, first-class amenities (including an 85,000-gallon pool), and fabulous location just 30 minutes from Land O’ Lakes and 5 minutes from the beach.

At 478 homes, Club Wildwood is the largest retirement community in north Pasco County.  With so many residents, there is always something going on for folks to enjoy, from water aerobics in its Olympic-size swimming pool, to twice-a-week bingo and weekly happy hours. Residents are friendly and welcome newcomers to activities and clubs.

This exceptionally maintained park has re-sale homes priced from $20,000 to $85,000. New homes also are available for sale or lease, and begin in the low $90s. All homes are double-wide, and offer two or three bedrooms, two baths and an attached carport and storage area. Most existing homes have been updated with the latest design styles, and are a tremendous value for a single-family home in terms of cost, amenities and location.

Many of the community’s newest residents are moving from Land O’ Lakes and Lutz, which are just 30 minutes away, because living at Club Wildwood with all its fabulous lifestyle costs less than renting an apartment, and its location on U.S. 19 makes it easy to get to work and close to so many things to do.

Call Community Manager Sean Terris for more information at (866) 799-6707, or email .

Published May 27, 2020