The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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

Tax Refund Is A Great Way To Fund Home Improvements

By

You may already be thinking about how to best use your tax refund, which most people get in February and March, a few weeks after filing their 2019 tax returns.

Tax refunds are substantial income for many families. The IRS reports that 90 percent of American taxpayers receive a refund, with $2,725 being the average refund in 2018.

And, while it’s fun to fantasize about blowing your refund on a shopping spree or vacation, it’s much wiser and more beneficial to your family to use the money to update your home’s mechanical systems.

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

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

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

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

Silva explains that replacing your home’s mechanical systems typically pays for themselves within a few years. “Folks don’t realize that their hot water heater and A/C unit are appliances, just like their refrigerator, and all appliances have a life span. If you’re getting close to the end of their warranty periods, give us a call and be proactive, instead of waiting until you have no hot water or air conditioning on the hottest day of the year.”

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

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

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

“Nothing is worse than running out of hot water when your family is getting ready for school, work or play,” said Silva.  “After comparing the cost of replacing their old water tank, which is 100-year-old technology that is very energy inefficient, most homeowners switch to a tankless system because it costs 50 percent less to operate, plus gives them hot water on demand with absolutely no fuss.”

Cornerstone Pros was founded in 2006 as an air conditioning service company. It moved to its 4-acre site on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard in 2011 and, the following year, added plumbing services. In 2014, it expanded again with electrical services, and in 2017, with generators.

In 2018, Cornerstone Pros built a 6,000-square-foot warehouse next to its headquarters on U.S. 41, to store air conditioning units of all sizes and stock high-demand service items for its air conditioning, electrical and plumbing operations. It also stocks tankless hot water systems, and portable and permanent generators, including whole-house systems by Generac.

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

Tax Refund Specials:
FREE A/C Estimate
+ $150 off installation

$100 OFF Tankless
Water Heater Installed

FREE Nest Thermostat
With any 16 SEER A/C replacement

$50 Off LED
Lighting Upgrade

No Payments First 3 Months
With low-interest financing
up to 120 months

Published January 29, 2020

The New Year Is A Great Time To Begin Planning For Your Next Home

By

The new year is an ideal time to start planning your next home, and Asturia invites you to visit its beautifully furnished models in Odessa.

Built by some of America’s top builders, models are open for tour daily at this master-planned community, located off State Road 54, just west of the Suncoast Parkway.

David Weekley Homes, ICI Homes, Park Square Homes and Ryan Homes are Asturia’s exclusive builders. Model homes are located in the community’s third and final phase, with on-site agents to assist homebuyers.

The community’s newest model is the Margate II by Park Square Homes. It features three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage at the rear of the home. This 1,966-square-foot home has an inviting foyer with spacious flex room, an island kitchen with an abundance of cabinets, and large den off the foyer. The Margate II starts at $319,990, and a model of this floor plan has just opened.

Asturia is Park Square Homes first entry into Pasco County. It brings over 35 years of experience building quality homes in Central Florida and expanded into the Tampa Bay market in 2007 with communities in south Hillsborough County.

David Weekley Homes has been building in Asturia since the community first opened in 2016. Its newest model is the two-story Mendocino. At 2,845 square feet, this spacious home features four bedrooms, an open study, three full baths, one half-bath and a two-car garage. Designer touches include an extended lanai, oversized kitchen island, an owner’s retreat with tray ceiling and wood beam accents, a spa-like bath and oversized walk-in closet.

Priced from the $340s, the Mendocino is included in the David Weekley Homes Lake Series, with homes that range in size from 2,200 square feet to 3,200 square feet built on 55-foot homesites.

ICI Homes has been building in Asturia since 2017, and recently opened its new Costa Mesa model near the community’s entrance on a peaceful waterfront homesite with long conservation views. This one-story, four-bedroom, three-bath, three-car garage plan is 2,565 square feet, and showcases a huge kitchen with extra-large island and closet-size, walk-in pantry that is cleverly hidden behind cabinetry.

ICI Homes also has a second model on a wooded conservation lot, the Serena, that is now for sale and can include the model’s professionally decorated, high-end furnishings for families wanting a turn-key home ready now.

Asturia’s only townhomes are being built by Ryan Homes. Its three-bedroom townhomes range from 1,580 square feet to 1,770 square feet, and have two-car, rear-entry, detached garages. Townhomes feature private outdoor courtyards with paver patios and privacy fencing. Prices begin in the $220s. Ryan Homes has sold more than half of their homes and has fewer than 100 homes to go. They have no inventory of homes, which allows the builder to customize new construction townhomes for its buyers.

“The beautiful Asturia community has so much to offer with its first-class amenities, and our homes are at a perfect price that our sales have been brisk,” said Mona Cruz, one of the Ryan Homes sales team.

About Asturia
Asturia offers residents a kid-friendly, family oriented lifestyle surrounded by miles of multi-use trails, interspersed with dog parks and pocket parks. The community’s distinctive, 5,800-square-foot Amenity Center and Clubhouse includes a fully equipped fitness center, covered outdoor living rooms, a luxurious resort-style swimming pool and expansive lawn areas for recreation.

Currently in its third phase, when Asturia’s development is complete, it will likely have less than 550 single-family homes.

“What makes Asturia stand out from other new home developments is our smaller size,” said Lane Gardner, senior managing director for Hines, the developer behind Asturia. “Other communities in the area are looking at 3,000 to over 5,000 homes, and many years of construction. Our families prefer the intimate neighborhood experience that comes with Asturia’s modest community size.”

Outstanding schools are another reason why families choose Asturia. Children attend some of the best schools in Pasco County, including Odessa Elementary, Seven Springs Middle School and J.W. Mitchell High School.

A low-cost HOA and CDD are well worth the benefits of living in Asturia, with fees considerably less than other master-planned communities in Pasco County.

Asturia’s central location is just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, and also provides close proximity to U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and I-75. Its master plan incorporates retail, office, multifamily and a variety of single-family residential offerings.

More information can be obtained by visiting Asturia’s model homes, registering at the community’s website, AsturiaFlorida.com, or by calling (813) 510-3601.

Published January 29, 2020

Resolution: Making changes that stick, through 2020

By

Most of us don’t think twice about looking at our phone right when we wake up or buckling our seatbelt when we get in a car — we’ve done it so much, it’s become habitual.

So, just exactly what is a habit?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary says it is “an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary.”

In general, it’s healthier to eat fruit more frequently than chocolate. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

In other words, it’s a behavior that’s become automatic.

Studies say it typically takes an average of 66 days to form a habit and for it to feel automatic.

So, as the New Year gets underway, what health habits are you going to change this year?

Whether trying to form a new habit, or drop an old one — be sure to phrase your resolution in a way that will line you up for success.

At the beginning of the New Year, people tend to be energized about forming or dropping habits, but by mid-February, up to 80% of people have lost motivation and quit their efforts.

There are strategies that can help, however.

To avoid being part of that 80%, be sure to make specific, manageable goals.

Break down your overarching goals into smaller, realistic goals — and then keep track of your progress on a weekly or monthly basis.

By breaking it down, you can create a plan — and that applies to any area of change in your life, whether it be healthy eating, improved fitness, better budgeting and so on.

The American Psychology Association says that planning in small steps is key to making changes and building self-control.

For example, if you want to cut back on added sugar, start small.

Begin with removing or replacing one or two foods or drinks at a time.

Maybe in January, you cut out soda and replace it with water, and then in February, you stop eating sweet desserts and swap it for fruit, and so on.

(Tip: The food label has officially changed for large food companies as of Jan. 1, so you can easily see how much added sugar is in a product).

Or, if you want to cook healthy meals at home more but you’re used to eating out four times a week, go down to three times a week at first, then twice a week, and so on, as you get more comfortable with cooking at home and learning how to meal plan.

If you’ve never stepped foot in a gym and you buy a gym membership, start by going just a couple of times per week instead of saying you will go five days right off the bat.

Five days a week may be your ultimate goal, but work toward achieving that over a period of weeks, rather than making it your starting point.

Changing any habit is challenging, so make gradual changes and celebrate the small wins along the way.

Speaking of small: A healthy weight loss should be small each week, from 1/2-pound to 2 pounds per week.

Losing a large amount of weight rapidly poses health risks, including slowing your metabolic weight, losing muscle mass, forming gallstones, and quickly regaining all the weight you just lost.

Another thing to remember is not to be too hard on yourself, if you lose focus.

Change is not an all-or-nothing proposition.

You will have off-days and slips.

That’s normal and to be expected.

So, don’t abandon your goals just because of one bad day. Know from the start that you will make mistakes along the way.

Instead of becoming discouraged, use the slip-up as a learning experience to determine what went wrong and how to keep it from happening again.

Oh, and one last thing, if your goal is to eat healthier, eliminate the word “diet.”

Dieting is typically associated with something temporary — a fad diet, a crash diet — but you want your new healthy choices to become a  lifestyle — in other words, habits that will serve you, year after year.

So, here’s to a successful 2020 — adding good habits, and dropping bad ones, through manageable changes, one week at a time.

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.

Published January 22, 2020

Explore the ways of The West

By

The West isn’t nearly as far away as you think.

Spend a few hours in St. Petersburg, at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art and you’ll feel like you’ve landed in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and other western lands.

‘An Honest Day’s Work,’ by Fred Fellows, depicts a man who makes his living in the American West, where the work ethic still exists. (Courtesy of the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art)

You’ll see paintings, life-size sculptures, sketches, jewelry, photographs and etchings depicting Native Americans, cowboys – and cowgirls. You’ll see vast, sultry landscapes, stampeding horses, and life as it was, and still is, in the West.

You’ll see wildlife art, too, in a museum building that is artistic itself, with mesa-like sandstone walls inside and out evoking the western landscapes. No one would guess that the building was once a plain-Jane parking garage.

Featuring 350 artworks and 100 pieces of jewelry, the permanent collection is one of the largest of its kind on exhibit in the country – in and beyond the American West.

Museum cofounders and sole supporters, Tom and Mary James, fell in love with Western art and began collecting 50 years ago. The art in the museum is just a sampling of their 3,000 pieces.

An exterior view of the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg.

For years, some of their art was exhibited at Raymond James Financial headquarters in St. Petersburg, where Tom James, a St. Petersburg native, served as CEO for 40 years and is now chairman emeritus.

Now, the art is available for all to see in the 84,000-square-foot museum that opened in April, 2018, thanks to the James’s’ $75-million initial investment.

On the first floor, guests are greeted by larger-than-life sculptures. “Honeymoon at Crow Fair” features a newlywed Crow couple riding a horse in front of a two-story waterfall, the groom clutching a parasol. John Coleman, one of the museum’s stars, created it and other sculptures on the second floor.

Nearby, a Native American warrior sculpture by Dave McGary wears a bear headdress and a bear claw necklace, and wields a feathered shield.

A staircase leads to a second floor of more art of western peoples, landscapes, frontier life and a world of natural beauty. Visitors are lured up the stairs by a bronze sculpture called “The Wild’’ of frontiersmen Kit Carson and John Fremont riding a canoe through roiling waves.

This museum favorite, a neo-surrealistic painting by Paul Pletka, is called ‘Red Talkers.’ It depicts Cheyenne men taking part in their Bull Society Dance.

Vast galleries feature paintings by the famous Taos Society of Artists — Ernest Blumenschein and others — who painted in the New Mexico town from 1915 to 1927.

There is priceless art by Charles Russell and Frederic Remington; Native American pottery, paintings and sculptures; contemporary Western paintings, and so much more.

Wooden benches allow visitors to sit quietly to contemplate the artworks and dream of another time, another place.

A museum favorite, a neo-surrealistic painting by Paul Pletka called “Red Talkers,” depicts Cheyenne men taking part in their Bull Society Dance. Some are painted with red and white stripes, their hands way larger than normal. One man clutches an American flag, while another’s stomach transforms into a swarm of bees swirling around a honeycomb.

This Butterfly Squash Blossom necklace, by Navajo designer Ernest Benally, is among 100 pieces of jewelry on display at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg.

A glass, octagonal room called The Jewel Box features Mary James’ Native American concho belts, rings, necklaces and bracelets. Some of the pieces are old, but most were created by living artists.

Another gallery is filled with wildlife paintings and sculptures of animals from around the world.

There’s a gallery for temporary exhibits, too.

A current exhibit showcases copper plate etchings by Santa Clara Pueblo artist Helen Hardin, which will be featured through March 1; and, a coming attraction features Blake Little’s photos of the gay rodeo circuit from 1988 to 1992, which will be on display from March 28 to June 20.

The museum also has a gift shop selling books, jewelry and other items. The Canyon Cafe, dazzling with an 1880s bar from San Francisco, offers a menu featuring a Bill Cody’s club wrap, a Hatch Chile cheeseburger and Red Rock donut bread pudding, among other Western-themed items.

Admission includes free, 45-minute tours. The “Highlights of the Collection” tour is offered Tuesday through Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The “Silver & Bold: The Art of Native American Jewelry” tour is Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. To reserve a slot, get free tickets at the admission desk or gift shop on the day of your visit.

Group tours also are available, and a large events space can be rented for weddings, holiday parties, board meetings, conferences and other gatherings.

The museum also offers programs and events, such as live music, cooking classes, art talks, a book club, movies, kids’ playdates, sketch groups, art workshops — all described on the museum’s website.

A founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, Joseph Henry Sharp specialized in portraits of Indians and larger paintings of Indian life.

Museum memberships offer all sorts of special rewards, too.

The biggest reward of all, though, is being able to see some of the best of The West, slightly more than an arrow shot away from Tampa Bay.

Tips for the Trip
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is at 150 Central Ave., in downtown St. Petersburg.

Parking is on Levels 3 and 4 of the South Core Parking Garage at 101 First Ave., S. The first hour is free and the charge is $1 an hour after that.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, when the hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is $10 on Tuesdays. Other days, it is $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors over 65, military and students; and, $10 for those ages 7 to 18. Admission is free for children age 6 and younger.

Tickets can be purchased online at TheJamesMuseum.org.

To contact the museum, call (727) 892-4200, or email .

By Karen Haymon Long

Published January 15, 2020

Dipping into serenity, beauty and fun

By

Science tells us if you want to live a longer, healthier life, get out into nature.

Take a walk, watch birds fly, reduce your stress by kayaking in tranquil waters – and leave your phone at home.

For a great escape, take off in one of many waterways in a kayak. (Karen Haymon Long)

Kayaking, even more so than walking, helps you escape, takes you into watery worlds – worlds far away from highways, noise and worries.

Take a kayak trip around here and you’ll likely see majestic great blue herons, bubblegum pink roseate spoonbills, cackling kingfishers, leaping dolphins and beauty beyond anything you normally see day to day.

We’re lucky, this part of Florida has it all – the salty Gulf of Mexico, mostly shallow and calm Tampa Bay, lakes galore, sounds, marshes and bayous.

If you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent one from local outfitters. And, you can choose from one-person or tandem varieties, use paddles or your feet on the increasing popular pedal kayaks.

You can fish, race or coast. You can explore canopied mangroves. Or, you can paddle along marked trails.

No matter which way you float, you’ll be exercising and mentally decompressing – far from phones, politics, crazy drivers and information overload.

Here is a look at five local places sure to be worth a kayak trip:

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, 8737 U.S. 19 N., Port Richey
This park offers 4 miles of Gulf coastline, inlets and bayous and many springs, including Salt Springs, where you can view dolphins, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, red-tailed hawks, and all sorts of shorebirds and songbirds.

From the parking lot, a lengthy boardwalk leads to the kayak launch, so you must carry your own, which could be a hardship for some. The park does not rent kayaks.

Ranger-led tours are given the first Saturday of the month, starting at 10 a.m., at the kayak launch. You must have your own kayak and make reservations by calling (727) 816-1890.

This park also has picnic tables, restrooms, and nature trails through pine woods to springs. The trail to Salt Spring is a quarter of a mile long and is highlighted by a waterfall created by a spring that’s 351 feet deep.

Park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset daily; fee is $3 per car with up to eight people, and $2 for bikers and pedestrians.

For more information about the park, call (727) 816-1890, or email .

If you worked up an appetite kayaking or hiking and didn’t bring a picnic lunch, a variety of restaurants line U.S. 19. We like Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill, 7835 Bayview St., Port Richey, on the Pithlachascotee River, called “the Cotee” by locals. Call (727) 815-1178, or visit WhiskeyJoePortRichey.com, where you can make reservations.

Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday
This 23-acre park straddles the Anclote River and the Gulf of Mexico, so it offers lots of watery beauty. You can launch a kayak from a sandy spot next to a fishing pier that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and paddle the river and Gulf.

The park itself is open from dawn to dusk daily. On a recent visit, anglers caught mangrove snappers, a night heron stood guard next to the pier and chattering kingfishers dove into the Gulf. Two men said they had just spotted three dolphins in the Anclote.

For more information about this Pasco County Park, call (727) 942-4030, or visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Historic Tarpon Springs is close-by and offers many good places for lunch. Our favorites are Tarpon Tavern, at 21 N. Safford Ave., for pub food. Call (727) 945-1000, or visit TarponTavern.com; and Mykonos, at 628 Dodecanese Blvd., for Greek specialties. Call (727) 934-4306.

Dunedin Causeway, Pinellas County
Take Florida 586 (Curlew Road) west to Causeway Boulevard
You can drop a kayak just about anywhere into St. Joseph Sound from the causeway to see dolphins, shorebirds and manatees in the warmer months. People who fish from kayaks tend to stay on the more tranquil north side of the causeway, but others try their luck on the south side near a small bridge leading to Honeymoon Island State Park.

A woman kayaks back to shore after paddling in St. Joseph Sound.

Skilled kayakers can go farther afloat into the Gulf, or stay in the sound and paddle to Caladesi Island State Park, a barrier island in the Gulf that  has a marina and kayak trails. Kayak rentals are available for $25 for one hour to three hours, at the park’s cafe.

Sail Honeymoon on the south side of the causeway rents kayaks for $35 for two hours, $45 for four hours, or $60 all day. The outfitter also rents fishing kayaks and tandems. For details, visit SailHoneymoon.com/kayak-rentals, or call (727) 734-0392.

A word of caution: On weekends, the sound can be crowded with boats and big yachts, whose captains don’t always see kayaks, so wear bright colored lifejackets, carry a whistle, keep close watch and wave your paddle in the air if you face danger.

For good food and good vibes, eat lunch at Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill, at 466 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin. Call (727) 286-6139, or visit FrenchysOnline.com.

Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor; and, Safety Harbor City Marina Area, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor
This Pinellas County park has a boat launch and lots of grassy, low-lying spots in picnic areas where it’s easy to slip a kayak into Old Tampa Bay.

A Roseate Spoonbill stands in the shallow waters off Old Tampa Bay, at the south end of Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. The Pinellas County park is a popular place to kayak.

You can tool around the bay as far as you’d like. Much of it is shallow and safe, and within sight of land. We’ve seen beautiful birds along the shore – spoonbills, herons, egrets, pelicans and even flamingos. Once, a huge manatee scared us by popping up for breath right next to our kayak.

Park hours are 7 a.m. to dusk; admission is free.

You can also launch kayaks into the bay at the city marina and, on weekends, you can rent them from Tocobaga Tours, across the parking lot from the marina. Ken Bambery, a teacher who owns the company, charges $20 per hour, $25 for two hours, or $45 for a full day. He’s not always there, so call (727) 389-8687 for reservations.

Just across the street from the marina, Barfly Saltwater Grill, at 100 Main St., has tasty Caribbean seafood and other fare. Call (727) 400-4790, or visit BarflySafetyHarbor.com.

Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park, 8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa
This park has one of the best kayak launches in the bay area. It’s a floating dock with bars you can hold onto to glide yourself into waterways that lead to Tampa Bay. Along the way, you’ll pass dense mangroves, salt marshes, pinewoods and thick hammocks.

Marked kayak trails lead the way to all sorts of wondrous sights. We once saw a dozen dolphins frolicking in the waters between the kayak launch and bay. Another time, we counted 27 roseate spoonbills in mangroves off the bay. It’s a wonderful place to see butterflies, and mullet, snook and red drum. Best of all, the waters here aren’t usually very crowded with boats, since it’s so shallow in most places.

The park rents kayaks for $25 for up to four hours. Other amenities include picnic areas, nature trails, a fishing pier and a nature center, closed now for renovations. Park hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fee is $2 a car.

For more information about this park, call (813) 855-1765, or visit HillsboroughCounty.org.

For a tasty lunch and good craft beer, head to nearby Tampa Bay Brewing Co., at 13937 Monroes Business Park, Tampa (off Race Track Road, south of Tampa Bay Downs). Call (813) 247-1422, or visit TBBC.beer.

These suggestions are just a small sampling of places for kayaking in the Tampa Bay area. So grab a paddle, launch away, and savor the silence.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published January 08, 2020

Dade City announces road closures for stormwater project

By

The City of Dade City has announced updated road closures that will take effect after the Kumquat Festival, for when construction resumes on the city’s downtown stormwater capital improvement project.

Following the Jan. 25 festival, Seventh Street will be closed between Church Avenue and Pasco Avenue, for approximately one month to complete construction of the stormwater improvements, and provide a staging area for equipment and materials. Pasco Avenue will remain open to two-way traffic between Seventh Street and Fifth Street until the water main construction, anticipated in March.

While Seventh Street will be closed, the city has secured permission from several private property owners to be able to utilize their existing parking areas for public use.

Customers can utilize the city’s public parking areas on Eighth Street and Pasco Avenue, as well as Bank of America and the former site for San Antonio Credit Union on Church Avenue. Additionally, on-street parking will be available in surrounding blocks.

City officials are encouraging visitors traversing the downtown area to watch for construction crew members, and yield to all the construction signs and workers. Traffic patterns and detours will change in the upcoming weeks as construction continues, city officials say.

The city will be posting regular updates in the upcoming weeks on their website at DadeCityFl.com.

For more information, call (352) 523-5050.

Published January 08, 2020

Pasco announces bus Route 41 service changes

By

Pasco County Public Transportation has changed services on Route 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The changes, which took effect on Jan. 6, are based on ridership, according to a news release.

Here are the changes, in a nutshell:

  • An hourly service is being added to the Central Boulevard/Pasco Utilities complex.
  • Service is ending along Collier Parkway and along the State Road 54 corridor to Collier Parkway.
  • Saturday service has been eliminated for this route.

The news release said the Route 41 changes are being implemented relating to Collier Parkway and State Road 54 because of a lack of ridership.

Those wishing to ride the bus to businesses on Collier Parkway can connect to the Route 54 bus.

Route 41 begins at the U.S. 41 intersection with Central Boulevard. It continues south to multiple stops, including where U.S. 41 meets Gator Lane, State Road 54 and the apex where U.S. 41 and North Dale Mabry Highway branch off.

Other stops are along U.S. 41, but the route previously included a jog onto State Road 54, over to Collier Parkway, where riders could pick up the bus near the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The changes to Route 41 were approved by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board on Sept. 12. The recommendation to drop the portion of the route including State 54 and Collier Parkway was based on research by public transportation staff and public feedback.

For more information about Route 41, visit bit.ly/Route41.

For more information about PCPT services, visit RidePCPT.com.

Published January 08, 2020