The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Orange Blossom Garden Club has deep roots

By

Ever wonder how to attract butterflies to your garden, or unravel the mysteries of growing herbs?

Can you tell the difference between a cattleya, oncidium or phalaenopsis?

Hang out with members of the Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz for a day, and you’ll learn all those things and more.

Lee Ann Brown, president of The Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz, tries to decide which orchid to buy at Everlast Orchids & Supplies. (Karen Haymon-Long)

The club, whose history dates back to 1941, has 24 members who collectively know all sorts of interesting things about flowers and plants, gardens and pests, rooting, trimming, grafting and growing.

They learned recently at one of their monthly meetings about a smartphone app that helps identify plants. But, then, they already have Harriet Vaughan or Sara Rametta for that.

“Someone in our group always knows what a plant is,” says Lee Ann Brown, club president, while driving members to Everlast Orchids & Supplies in Spring Hill for a club field trip. Along the way, she explains how much members learn from each other and from speakers at their monthly meetings.

At State Road 52 and U.S. 41, she abruptly interrupts herself: “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe they’re taking down all those trees,” she says, wearily.

That’s a theme repeated by others on the outing. Some members – most past 60 – grew up in Florida and remember when the state was much less developed. Some even fought the widening of U.S. 41, the very road they were traveling on, on the way to Spring Hill.

Club members are drawn to a variety of plants and flowers.

Brown — who taught theater to high school students, some of whom made it to Broadway — rescues all sorts of plants from estate sales for a couple of dollars each and coaxes them back to beauty.

Eva Balogh and Darwin Brew ponder between two orchids, before Balogh spots yet a third contender.

“Usually, they just need a little attention,” she says.

Former city planner Barbara Leiby says she learned about begonias at a club meeting and now grows her own.

Another member, Eva Balogh, says, “I can’t limit myself, so I grow everything.” Her friend, Darwin Brew, takes the opposite approach. He has 600 orchids and couldn’t resist buying more at Everlast.

He meticulously labels them and spends days bringing them in from the cold. But, he doesn’t seem to mind.

“It’s fun,’’ he says.

His first orchid was a pink phalaenopsis.

Hong-Chia Lee has 200,000 orchids in his greenhouses off U.S. 41 in Spring Hill. He sells to the public and to florists, garden shops and plant brokers.

“It was 10 bucks, so I bought it, brought it home and put it on a table, and it bloomed and bloomed and bloomed.”

He was captivated.

At Everlast, he helped Eva Balogh decide between a delicate white cattleya hybrid or a yellow one, both with a splash of purple-pink.

“This one has more buds,’’ he tells her, as she spots yet a third choice.

“And, look at that one,” she says, pointing to another prize winner.

There are just so many to choose from.

Hong-Chia Lee and his wife, Andrea Macias, who own Everlast, have 200,000 orchids in greenhouses spanning an acre off U.S. 41 in Spring Hill.

They sell to the public, as well as to florists, garden shops, and to brokers who sell to Lowe’s and other chain stores.

Lee offers growing tips, as he leads 16 garden club members on a tour of his greenhouses.

“Most people do too much to orchids,” he tells the members.

“Just like your husbands, just leave them alone. We like to be left alone,’’ he said, laughing. “They’d rather be dry than wet. Water them every 8 to 10 days. Not every day.”

Since most of his orchids come from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Thailand and other warm places, they like the heat. One of the best places for them in the winter, he says, is a warm and humid bathroom.

A close-up view of a phalaenopsis.

He spends $30,000 on propane to keep his stock warm every winter, but then, he orders 9,000 plants and 1,200 bags of moss at a time, and 18-wheeler trucks deliver his fertilizer.

Asked how many orchids he has at home, he smiles and says, “Zero.’’

Of course, he doesn’t have to go far to see them.

He and his wife, and his 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, live in a house on their 9-acre nursery property, so, “If I want to see an orchid, I just come here,” he says.

Some garden club members have been to his nursery before and he donates orchids to their annual plant sale, whose proceeds fund a yearly $500 scholarship to a high school senior planning to concentrate on agriculture of some sort.

This year’s sale is March 7 from 9 a.m. to noon, at County Line Produce, at County Line Road and U.S. 41 in Lutz.

Club members also collect canned goods for a food bank and donate throws, socks and other items to a nursing home.

At lunch after their nursery tour, they talk about herbs and coffee plants (they both like shade); bromeliads (The University of South Florida’s Botanical Gardens has pretty ones); bleeding hearts (they’re wonderful, but have to be thinned sometimes); camellias (lovelier than roses); orchids (addictive); deer (bad) and snakes (good).

Their conversations have that good friends’ easy feeling, with no mention of politics, religion, sports or the state of our union.

But, then, that’s what garden clubs are for — friendship, learning and swapping stories about flowers, gardens and other natural wonders.

Garden Club
The Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz meets at 10 a.m., on the first Wednesday of the month, from September through June, in the Lutz Civic Center, 98 First Ave., N.W., in Lutz. (December’s meeting is a holiday luncheon and June’s is a scholarship luncheon). For more details, call (813) 949-1301.

Orchid shop
Everlast Orchids & Supplies is at 17019 U.S. 41, Spring Hill. Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (727) 235-1386, or visit www.EverlastOrchids.com.

By Karen Haymon-Long

Published February 19, 2020

Less Pain and Quicker Recovery With Opioid-Free Anesthesia

By

Now Available At Medical Center of Trinity

There’s a new way of doing surgery at Medical Center of Trinity that greatly reduces patient pain and recovery time, and eliminates the use of opioid medication and its addictive properties.

Dr. Dilendra Weerasinghe, a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon, recently joined the hospital’s medical staff and brought with him expertise in opioid-free anesthesia. He has worked closely with Dr. Jonathan Hisghman, who heads up the hospital’s anesthesiology department, to set up an opioid-free anesthesiology program.

Dr. Dilendra Weerasinghe

The two physicians have implemented a protocol for surgery and post-operative care that was initially developed in the United Kingdom, where Dr. Weerasinghe received his medical training.

“Instead of using opioids and traditional anesthesiology, this protocol uses multiple drugs and nerve blocks that stop the pain at the source, before neurons transmit pain from its source to the brain,” explains Dr. Weerasinghe. “For example, before you make an incision or a cut, you block the pain before it reaches the brain or the central nervous system.”

Dr. Weerasinghe came to Medical Center of Trinity last fall to launch an opioid-free weight loss and general surgery program. His team has already successfully used this protocol on more than 20 surgeries, including bariatric cases.

Opioid-free anesthesiology has many benefits, but one of its most important is not exposing the patient, his family and caregivers to opioids’ addictive risks.

“We have an opioid crisis today, and the source for many of these drugs are prescriptions written to relieve pain after surgery,” explains Dr. Hisghman. “Unfortunately, these prescriptions can sometimes be abused by the patient, or by people who have access to a patient’s drugs.”

“Treating pain with opioids has the unintended consequence of opioid addiction, and continuing to prescribe opioids today contributes to the addiction and overdose crisis impacting our communities,” adds Dr. Weerasinghe.

There are many other important advantages of opioid-free anesthesiology. This includes less pain and shorter recovery time after surgery, reduced nausea that allows patients to more quickly resume normal eating and drinking, and no constipation common with opioid drugs.

“Most importantly, patients spend less time in the hospital, and resume their regular activities much sooner,” said Dr. Weerasinghe.

For the past 20 years, there was a big push to eliminate patient pain, explains Dr. Weerasinghe, which led to the over-prescribing of opioid medication.

“Being free of pain is not necessarily a good thing, especially if it delays a person’s recovery and exposes him to potential addiction,” said Dr. Weerasinghe. “Cultural, political and pharmaceutical factors pushed for a standard of no pain, which is not always the best goal for a patient because of the risk opioids bring.”

Dr. Weerasinghe shared that research on patient discharge after surgery shows that 7% of patients are still using opioids six months after surgery, and of those, 14% are still on opioids five years later. The best way to prevent addiction from occurring is to not prescribe opioids at the time of surgery.

“The opioid crisis contributed to exploration of alternative pain relief, which led to the multi-modal approach to pain relief that we’re using with opioid-free anesthesiology,” said Dr. Weerasinghe.

“This is not an abandonment of pain relief — but a new solution to stop the pain at the source,” adds Dr. Hisghman. “After almost 20 years of practice, I did not want to be left out on this new approach to treating pain at its source, with better outcome for my patients.”

Drs. Weerasinghe and Hisghman have found that opioid-free anesthesia often provides superior post-operative pain control and lessens side effects often found with opioid pain medication.

“Opioid-free anesthesia makes surgery more pleasant, increases safety and enhances recovery,  all while providing superior pain control,” said Dr. Weerasinghe. “Our patients want this – it makes surgery less complicated and gives us better outcomes.”

Medical Center of Trinity is the only hospital in Tampa Bay currently using opioid-free anesthesiology. Its patients have ranged in age from their 30s to 80s, and all have left the hospital with minimal to almost no pain.

“I even recommended a similar opioid-sparing anesthesia model for my mother-in-law, who had great success,” said Dr. Hisghman. “She is a believer in this protocol, and so am I. This is a visionary approach for our hospital, and truly sets us apart from other medical facilities. We are very proud to be offering it to residents of our community.”

Paid Advertisement

Don’t Miss Feb. 14 Deadline for Enrollment Lottery at Union Park Charter Academy

By

The deadline is coming up fast for area families wanting to enroll their students in the 2020-2021 school year lottery for Union Park Charter Academy, an A-rated charter school in Wesley Chapel.

The deadline for online applications is Feb. 14 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Interested parents should go to UnionParkAcademy.org, and select the enrollment tab.

Union Park Charter Academy opened in 2018 for grades K-6, and last year added a seventh grade. The 2020-2021 school year will see the addition of an eighth grade, completing the school’s elementary enrollment of 765 students.

The school has received exceptionally positive reviews from parents, students and teachers, and, in its first year, received a grade of “A” from the Florida Department of Education.

“We are so proud of our students and teachers who work so hard and are so dedicated to our students’ individual success, and our school’s overall academic excellence,” said Principal Tracy Ware.

The school is conveniently located at 32775 Oldwoods Ave., across from the Union Park subdivision and east of Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

Global Citizens
Union Park Charter Academy is dedicated to preparing its students for the 21st century by teaching them skills they will need to be successful in the future.

“We believe that our students are global citizens who can play a huge part in the world, now and in the future,” explains Ware. “We believe it is critical that we begin to empower our students as future leaders to create a better world.”

The school’s curriculum has several initiatives to achieve this goal.

– Introduce students to different cultures and the impact we have on each other.

– Explore global issues we are currently facing, or will face in the future. This includes problem-solving and thinking critically about how students can make a difference.

– Students have started several charity and community programs on their own. From raising money for displaced animals to collecting pajamas for hospitalized children, every program is 100% student-created and student-driven.

– Empower students by helping them see that they are never too young to begin making a difference, and that this potential is inside each and every one of them.

Balanced Academic and Activities
Union Park Charter Academy offers programs that  include a variety of academic, performing arts, and sports programs to help students develop intellectually, emotionally and creatively.

— A curriculum that focuses on core fundamentals and empowers teachers to create motivation learning spaces, utilize research-based instructional strategies and tools, and develop each student’s ability to meet their learning goals.

–  A wide range of opportunities for students in performing arts through the school’s theater, chorus and Jr. Thespian clubs.

–  Afterschool activities, including soccer, basketball, DIY, art, cheerleading, flag football, track, cross-country, dance, cooking and community service.

– Community programs, such as IdeaLab, and Bricks4Kids, to let students explore their interest in engineering and science with robotics, science labs, drone development and other engineering programs.

Safe and Collaborative Learning
All grade-level teachers and students have the opportunity to work together every day. Students experience instructional styles of all teachers in their grade level, which aids in the development of the whole child.

– Top-of-the-line security cameras, double-locked door entrance, an on-site school guardian and ID check system for all adults entering the building.

– A policy of zero tolerance for bullying.

– Research-based programs to establish a safe and inclusive environment in which students learn healthy behaviors and skills that support engaged citizenship.

– Curriculum nights for parents to learn about standards-based instruction, the school’s grading and home learning philosophies, state assessments, and reading and math activities outside of the classroom.

– School-sponsored events and community-service projects provide parents with multiple ways to connect with students, staff, community members and other parents.

STEAM
A STEAM-focused curriculum provides one-to-one technology for all students in a digital learning environment.

– Students use iPads, laptops and SMART Boards, and are taught skills that include coding, robotics, data analysis, and traditional software knowledge.

– One-to-one technology allows students to explore and create individual works based on computational thinking to prepare them for college and career readiness.

– Technology is placed in the hands of students to support an interactive and motivating learning environment. Classrooms utilize the SMART Learning Suite, and most classrooms are equipped with SMART Interactive Flat Panels, which support teachers in designing more engaging lessons, including the ability to incorporate a gaming approach to instruction.

– Students are immersed in a highly interactive, student-centered learning environment that includes engineering, science labs and state of the art technology.

– Makerspaces for students that promote hands-on learning and everyday problem solving opportunities.

“We welcome all families interested in our unique approach to education to go to our website and enroll for the 2020-2021 enrollment lottery,” said Principal Ware. “Because we are a charter school approved by the Pasco County School Board, there is no tuition to attend our school, and we welcome families of all backgrounds to apply.”

School Enrollment Coordinator: (813) 358-7306, ext. 1008

To enroll in the 2020-2021 Lottery: csusa.schoolmint.net/welcome.

Learning about the origins of soul food

By

February is known for Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, but it’s Black History month, too.

It’s a time when events and special lessons help convey the important contributions made by black men and women in the arenas of literature, civil rights, music, inventions, science, sports, entertainment and other fields of endeavor.

And, in that context, it’s a great time to learn about how history has had an influence on the flavors of food.

Collard greens are high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A, E, K and C, and are currently in season. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Obviously, there are regional and historical influences on the flavors of food, such as Caribbean, East African and soul food.

Some may wonder what distinguishes soul food from southern food.

Soul food is a type of southern food.

The two types of food are similar, but it helps to know the history — and the sad reality of the origins of soul food.

While not called soul food initially, this type of cuisine came from the states known as the Deep South — Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

Originally, it began as the basic foods that the enslaved African-Americans were able to eat. Those typically included leftovers or less desirable cuts of meat; starch, such as cornmeal, rice, or sweet potatoes; and, leafy greens.

To make the meat more palatable, black cooks would fry the food in fat or add fat when boiling it, and then would add seasonings and flavors, such as red hot peppers and vinegar. Those flavors are now a popular combination for hot sauce, a common condiment in the South.

Black families would garden to increase their food supply, as a means of survival. These families were resourceful, growing food that came with them during the slave trade, such as okra and black-eyed peas.

While many think of soul food including meat, such as pork — initially the cuisine was mainly a plant-based diet.

During the Emancipation and Reconstruction periods, the freed slaves and their descendants still ate mainly a plant-based diet, with meat used to add flavor, or for special occasions.

Over time, as the African-American community began to prosper, meat became a more regular staple, according to soul food cookbook author Adrian Miller.

Soul food and southern food are influenced by each, with soul food originating first.

While very similar, the primary difference is flavor.

Soul food typically is spicier, sweeter or saltier.

Why do they call it soul food?
The term “soul” started during the Civil Rights movement and became a popular adjective.

Black jazz musicians faced racism trying to play at various venues, and began to play more in their churches instead, giving it a more gospel sound, where the term “soul music” started being used.

From there, “soul” was used to describe other components of black culture, and the word became common when describing the recipes.

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.

Here is a recipe, Soul Food Collard Greens, from iheartrecipes.com:

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds collard greens, cleaned and cut
  • 1 pound bacon ends, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar

Instructions
Place the bacon ends in a pot, and place the pot over medium heat.

Brown the bacon, then add in the diced onions and cook until the onions start to sweat (similar to sauté but not meant to brown, only meant to release moisture on low heat for 5 minutes to 10 minutes, or until onions have softened and turned translucent).

Add in the minced garlic, then cook for 1 minute.

Pour in the chicken broth, and turn the heat up to high and let boil for 20 minutes.

Pour in the 2 cups of water, and turn the heat down to medium.

Start adding in the collard greens into the pot.

Once all of the greens are in the pot, sprinkle in the seasoning salt and ground black pepper.

Add in the sliced jalapeno and the vinegar, and stir the ingredients.

Cover the pot, and let simmer for 1 hour and 10 minutes over medium heat. Be sure to peek in and stir periodically.

Published February 12, 2020

The results are in from this year’s Pigz in Z’Hills

By

Besides being a place where the community can gather to listen to music, enjoy some barbecue and have a good time — the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival also draws serious contenders for its barbecue competition.

Debbi Newman, of Lutz, balances several food containers, as her mother, Della, of Marshall, Missouri, looks on. The ladies purchased several food items, such as barbeque pulled pork and chicken, and sides like corn on the cob to enjoy from different vendors. (File)

This year’s 10th annual festival, which drew about 11,000 people, on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, was no exception, according to a news release from The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Fifty-six teams — including professional and backyard competitors — vied for top honors and trophies in four standard categories of chicken, pork, brisket and ribs.

Over the years, the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival has distinguished itself to be a qualifier for four prestigious championship contests: the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee; the American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City; the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational of Sanford; and, the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Besides bragging rights, professional teams competed at the event for $10,000 in prize money.

These are the overall results:

Professionals

  • GitChewSum BBQ, of Venice, under head cook Allen Ponerleau: first place, winning $2,000 overall, plus $1,475 in individual category awards
  • Pig Chicka Cow Cow, of Apopka, led by Lee Thompson: second place, winning $1,500 and $500 in individual category awards

Both professional teams won trophies, too.

Backyard teams

  • Quid Pro Q, of Tampa, under Josh Zudar: first place, winning a trophy and $200
  • Smoke Meat Everyday, of Rockledge: second place under Chris Yarborough, winning a trophy and $100

Because it was the festival’s 10th anniversary, there were some new contests added on the evening of Jan. 17.

A Steak Cookoff and Kidz Grillin’ Competition sanctioned by the SCA (Steak Cookoff Association) was sponsored by Bahr’s Propane Gas & AC.

There also was a second Cornhole Tournament, sponsored by Tampa Bay Cornhole Association, with a $500 purse.

Melanie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, shared some thoughts about the events in the chamber’s news release.

“We had a great time on Friday night with our new competitions. The Kidz Grillin’ Competition was a huge hit,” Monson said. “Local 7-year-old Aspen Bahr won the Kidz Grillin’ Competition by cooking a killer pork chop and was the youngest competitor. She was celebrated with hugs and cheers by her family and friends, and beamed receiving her trophy and medal. It is wonderful to see the impact Pigz has on our community,” Monson said, in the release.

“As always, our Pigz committee did a bang-up job organizing this event, and our 200 volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the day to make everything go smoothly,” concluded Monson.

She also expressed gratitude for the event’s sponsors.

Published February 12, 2020

New route for Pasco Fair parade

By

This annual Pasco County Fair parade will take on a few new twists and turns this year in downtown Dade City.

The parade, set for Feb. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will travel an alternate route, due to ongoing road closures and construction associated with the city’s downtown stormwater improvement project.

Country music star Billy Dean is grand marshal of the Pasco County Fair parade. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fair Association)

According to a news release from the Pasco County Fair Association, the alternate route will begin at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard and turn south on Seventh Street until Meridian Avenue. The parade will then turn east on Meridian Avenue and continue until Third Street, ending on Live Oak Avenue.

In prior years, the parade has traveled along Seventh Street from Meridian to Florida Avenue. The event represents a kickoff to the weeklong 73rd annual Pasco County Fair, which runs from Feb. 17 through Feb. 23.

Pasco County Fair chairman and board member Tracy Thompson commended the City of Dade City for accommodating the new route, in the release.

Thompson said: “Unforeseen road construction almost disrupted the parade. But, the city has worked with us to establish an alternate route. We are thankful to them. Otherwise there would be a lot of disappointed children and adults.”

This year’s parade grand marshal is Grammy Award-winning country music star Billy Dean, who also will present an acoustical concert that evening at 7 p.m., at the Clayton Way Stage, with former American Idol contestant Chloe Channell.

Dean has released 11 albums, and has been recognized with several awards and nominations during the course of his 25-plus year music career. The Quincy native also has performed and toured with some of the country music industry’s biggest stars, including The Judds, Kenny Rogers, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Wynonna Judd and others.

In addition to Dean, the parade will feature many colorful floats, and horse and buggies, and school marching bands, a tradition that dates back some 70-plus years.

Entry in the parade is free, with a Feb. 7 entry deadline. The lineup will be based on those entries, but others will be accepted until 5 p.m., Feb. 12.

Information and applications for the parade are available online at PascoCountyFair.com, or by calling the Fair office at (352) 567-6678. The fair will open at 2 pm. on Feb. 17, at the fairgrounds on State Road 52 in Dade City, and continue through Feb. 23.

Published February 05, 2020

Food, Family and Flavor

By

By Kelli Carmack, Special to The Laker / Lutz News

Cesar Heyaime and Aliana Metsey are the perfect hosts. Their charismatic personalities, hearts of gold and undeniable passion for cooking makes anyone who walks into their Lutz restaurant feel completely welcome.

The couple opened their new restaurant, Heritage: An American Bistro, three months ago in the Tropical Village shopping center on U.S. 41, across from Walmart. In many ways, their restaurant is a second home to Cesar and Aliana.

Food was always a huge factor in Cesar’s and Aliana’s lives. Aliana learned her love of food by frequently eating out while growing up in Chicago with its diverse food scene. Cesar’s passion for cooking came from watching his mother and grandmother cook for his family. By the time he was 10, Cesar had a 1-inch binder full of recipes he had made, and by age 14 was cooking dinner for his family a few nights a week.

It was food that brought Cesar and Aliana together. They met in culinary school in Miami, graduating in 2015. After graduation, they worked a variety of jobs in the food industry, including catering and meal prepping. They soon realized they wanted their own place, where they could share their passion for cooking with the world.

From authentic Cuban sandwiches, Cajun shrimp pasta, pistachio-crusted salmon to gourmet Brussel sprouts, Cesar and Aliana have created a menu with the flavor profiles of their cultures — Aliana is Mexican and Puerto Rican, and Cesar is Dominican. By combining their cultural heritage, their food offers a unique style.

“Our menu is a lot of the flavors that we love… there’s a lot of us in the menu,” says Aliana.

“We don’t add something to our menu until it is perfected.”

Heritage already has a large fan base, with guests who keep coming back for more.

“It’s so incredible that we love making food, and people are coming in to eat our food… I’m just so grateful,” says Aliana.

When asked what they want customers to take away from their dining experience at Heritage, Cesar says, “We want to craft a space where you can get a good meal and just feel like you’re at home. We want to give you a great plate of food and a place to talk,” said Cesar.

Cesar and Aliana are huge advocates of supporting other local businesses. One project they are currently working on is collaborating with local artists to hang their artwork in their restaurant, with a goal of having a whole wall full of local artwork.

Along with running a full-time business, Cesar and Aliana are parents to two beautiful girls, Analia and August. They want to show their daughters that if you work hard, you can do something you love.

If you’re looking for a restaurant with excellent food that treats you like family, head on over to Heritage: An American Bistro.

1532 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Lutz, FL 33549 • 813-803-7847    

https://www.facebook.com/heritageamericanbistro/

Published 2/5/20

Nerds to Go Comes To You

By

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

After 20 years in the Air Force managing data centers, followed up by 18 years working in corporate IT, Michael Varnadore was looking to be self-employed in a career in which he had a passion.

He found the perfect fit with Nerds to Go, a national franchise that specializes in bringing computer and cellphone repair services to a customer’s home or business. Varnadore recently opened the company’s first franchise in Tampa.

Conveniently located on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Nerds To Go offers repair in its shop, but specializes in its mobile service.

“We have a complete work center in the back of our vans,” said Varnadore. “We take a computer to our van, pull it apart and put it back together, right at the customer’s location. We also have the Nerd Lab at our store for customers who would rather bring their electronic device to us.”

Michael Varnadore

In addition to desktop and laptop hardware repair services, Nerds to Go also services cellphones, tablet repair, cracked screens and specialty managed services. Its certified network computer techs can set up a computer network (server or cloud-based, hardwired or wireless), and as a partner of Baracuda Systems, offers 24/7 network monitoring of performance and security.

Varnadore recommends that all computers have protection with an antivirus, antiphishing, ransomware detector, firewall program and a cloud-based backup system.

Most of the problems that happen to PCs are the physical failure of the hard drive, some type of corruption, phishing attack, encrypting ransomware, or a virus that’s gotten on the system, Varnadore explains.

“With a cloud backup solution, you take all of your data to the cloud, and you’re not just backing up to a local disc, which is how people typically do things. When you’re putting your data in the cloud, your files are moved to an off-site, secure location, and if something happens to your computer, all of your data is secure and can be recovered,” said Varnadore.

Though only open since August, Nerds to Go is doing very well and has received positive customer response.

“Owning a Nerds to Go franchise is a great job for me, and very rewarding. Hopefully, I’ll soon be planning my second store. At the end of the day, we’re helping people and having a good time doing it,” said Varnadore.

Varnadore’s success is also attributed to his high level of education in information systems. He has a master’s degree in information systems, and a doctorate in management with a specialization in information systems management. He also teaches college-level classes in cloud computing and computing fundamentals, and offers one-on-one group training on many IT topics, including MS Office products and cyber security education.

813-524-5353 • www.NerdsToGo.com

19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Ste C-6, Tampa • Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Published on 12/11/19

ICI Homes Has Beautiful Inventory Homes Ready Now In Asturia and Bexley

By

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s most innovative builders, has beautiful inventory homes available now at Pasco’s most desired planned communities of Asturia and Bexley.

In Asturia, this award winning builder has a Costa Mesa quick move-in home — the same floor plan as its newest model home in the community. This spacious, one-story plan backs up to a beautiful conservation view of woodlands and prairie.

“People are absolutely in love with the Costa Mesa’s huge kitchen and its extra-large island, which is a standard feature in this home,” said Ron Ferguson, division manager for ICI Homes. The home has four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage.

Costa Mesa’s huge kitchen has an extra-large island, which is a standard feature in this home.

For families wanting a two-story home with the master suite downstairs, a Santa Maria floor plan is also ready now on a deep conservation lot in one of Asturia’s most desired neighborhoods. At 2,912 square feet, this home offers four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a three-car garage.

Off the entry is a flex room that can be used as a study, office or den. The gourmet kitchen has a large island and a large dining area. The gathering room is located just past the dining room, which opens into the covered lanai to bring outdoor living inside the home.

And unlike most two-story homes, the master suite is on the first floor, offering seclusion from three upstairs bedrooms. Also upstairs is a game room, which could become a fifth bedroom.

ICI Homes’ third inventory home in Asturia is its original model, the Serena. This spacious one-story home has four bedrooms, three baths, and sits on a gorgeous conservation lot. For families wanting a turn-key home, this home can even include the model’s professionally selected furnishings.

“All of our floor plans are perfect for entertaining,” said Ferguson. “Our gathering rooms, gourmet kitchen and dining room are one expansive space, highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light.”

ICI Homes has over 30 homesites remaining in Asturia, with many backing up to conservation and water. Prices begin in the high $300s.

Asturia is an award-winning, master-planned community in Odessa, located one mile west of the Suncoast Parkway on State Road 54. Amenities in this 550-home community include a unique trails system that winds through wetlands, parks and neighborhoods, and an award-winning Amenity Center that includes a zero-entry pool, contemporary community center and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Final Homes In Bexley
This is the last chance to buy an ICI home in Bexley, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes with thousands of acres of preserved wetlands, miles of recreational trails and unique amenities, including a bike shop and café.

One of the most beautiful and functional move-in ready homes in Bexley is ICI Homes’ Costa Mesa inventory home. This four-bedroom, three-bath home includes luxury finishes, an expansive lanai, mud room with built-in bench off the garage, huge walk-in pantry, and tandem garage ideal for a compact car, golf cart or storage.

The Costa Mesa’s open floor plan flows with 2,565 square feet of living area designed perfectly for the active lifestyle Bexley extols. It sits on a 70-foot corner homesite in one of Bexley’s most prestigious neighborhoods, located close to the clubhouse and pools.

The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, (727) 432-3069. Models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

Coming Soon – Wesley Chapel
The next ICI Home community in Pasco County is Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel, located in the prestigious Wiregrass Ranch area. This new, 5,000-acre community opens in March and is located behind The Shops at Wiregrass off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

“This is our first project in Wesley Chapel, and we are very excited to be in this vibrant community” said Ferguson. “We will be introducing our first neo-traditional homes in Persimmon Park, with all-new floor plans that feature front porches, and garages at the back of the home.”

Persimmon Park is being designed as a walkable community, with a downtown park and trails that lead to shopping and dining at The Shops of Wiregrass, to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, and to neighborhood schools. ICI Homes prices will begin in the mid $200s, with larger homes selling in the $400s.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

Published January 29, 2020

Setting The Mood By Painting Outside

By

Don’t miss exhibit by Land O’ Lakes Artist Lionel Sanchez

From a distance, the watercolor paintings of Lionel Sanchez appear to be very detailed with intricate brushstrokes. But, according to the artist, his work only gives the appearance of detail because of his unique style and brushstrokes.

The end result of Sanchez’s art are stunning paintings of rural scenes from his native Colorado, old world urban settings in Germany, and natural Florida settings, including many from Tarpon Springs. Viewers find Sanchez’s artwork balanced, inviting and mesmerizing.

Tarpon Springs is the setting for this Lionel Sanchez’s painting, ‘Under Repair.’

“It is my hope that each of my pieces will elicit an emotional response and a desire to investigate the painting further,” says Sanchez. “I strive to create an emotional connection that opens a dialogue between the artist and viewer.”

In addition to painting in watercolors, Sanchez works in graphite, acrylic, pen, and ink. He prefers to paint outside, which in the art world is called en plein air and made famous by French impressionists, such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

“It is easier to accomplish the mood when you paint outside. The light is pure, there is no distortion,” said Sanchez, who sketches an image before beginning to paint, and often adds creative elements not present in the scene.

An example of this is one of his favorite paintings on display in Wesley Chapel of a large commercial fishing boat in dry dock. Titled “Under Repair,” the boat and the Anclote River are real, but the docks and foreground were painted from his imagination.

“Under Repair” is one of more than 20 of the artist’s paintings on display at an exhibition Sanchez calls, “My World Through Watercolor.” The show runs through Feb. 10 at the Avalon Park Welcome Center on State Road 54, about five miles east of I-75. The show is being co-hosted by the Pasco Fine Arts Council, and is the fourth art show the Council has sponsored in the past six months at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for East Pasco residents.

An artist reception to recognize Sanchez’s work is this Friday, Jan. 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Sanchez’s paintings are available for purchase, with prices beginning at $250.

Sanchez is 76 years old, and has loved art since an older brother entertained him as a young child by drawing him pictures.

“I was fascinated with what my brother could do with a pencil, and my fascination grew into a passion,” explains Sanchez. “My life experiences and challenges are evidenced in my paintings, and my passion for art has shaped how I view the world around us.”

Before retiring to Hudson in 2009, Sanchez worked as an industrial draftsman and project manager for 31 years. He gave up the mountains of Colorado for the prairies of Florida to be closer to his granddaughters in south Florida.

Through the years, Sanchez took many classes in painting and photography, but did not begin painting daily until he moved to Florida.

“I am a much stronger painter today than when I first retired, and continue to work on my technique almost daily,” he said.

When he first moved to Florida, Sanchez began teaching at Life Enrichment Center in Tampa, and still teaches there today. He joined the Pasco Fine Arts Council about five years ago, where he also teaches painting.

“I love to teach because it helps me reinforce and bring to the surface art techniques that I may have forgotten. I find it fun,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez and his wife, Carolyn, live off State Road 52, about a half mile from the Suncoast Parkway, where he regularly bicycles the Suncoast Trail to and from the Starkey Wilderness Park Trail. He also is a marathon runner.

The goal of the partnership between the Paso Fine Arts Council and Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is to bring arts and cultural events, exhibits and workshops to East Pasco County. This is the first time in the Council’s 40-plus year history that is has had a location in East Pasco to host its exhibits and art classes.

One of the main goals of this partnership is to introduce people to local artists like Sanchez, with monthly exhibits and demonstrations, and also to offer art classes for youngsters and adults.

Lionel Sanchez Artist Reception
“My World Through Watercolor”
Friday, Jan. 31, 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

Joye Moon Workshop: Feb. 4 at Avalon Park
Area residents have the rare opportunity to attend a free demonstration by renowned watercolorist Joye Moon on Feb. 4, at the master-planned community of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The Wisconsin-based painter’s history in art and teaching is as rich as the color and texture of her masterfully executed watercolor paintings. She has taught hundreds of watercolor workshops throughout the country, and is currently touring Florida. She also is the author of the bestselling art book, “Exploring Textures in Watercolor” (2008).

Moon’s local demonstration is Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Avalon Park’s amenity center, 5060 River Glen Blvd. Seating is limited, and advance registration is requested by calling (813) 783-1515, or sending an email with your name and phone name to .

 The demonstration is being co-hosted by the Pasco Fine Arts Council and the developer of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. These organizations also work together on the new East Pasco Gallery of the Pasco Fine Arts Center, located on State Road 54 in Avalon Park’s Welcome Center.

“It is our goal to have art classes and workshops for our community, and a place to share artwork created by students and adults,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group. “We are very excited to be hosting our first workshop with such an acclaimed artist as Joye Moon.”

Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is currently under construction and is designed to be the cultural and event center of East Pasco County. Lerret said Downtown Avalon’s first buildings are expected to open later this year.

Published January 29, 2020