The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Dipping into serenity, beauty and fun

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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

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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

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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

Two Hillsborough women to be honored

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A Valentine’s Day ceremony and luncheon is being organized by the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County to celebrate two women of distinction.

The 15th annual Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon will honor Liana Fernandez Fox, Ph.D., and the late Dena Gross Leavengood, according to a posting on the Hillsborough County website.

The event will take place on the day that coincides with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters.

Fox and Leavengood are being honored for their contributions to the local community, and to the state of Florida.

The Feb. 14 event is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Avenue, in Tampa. Lorna Taylor, president & CEO of Premier Eye Care, will serve as emcee.

Fox represents the fourth generation of her Cuban and Sicilian ancestors in Tampa.

She began her career as a statistician for Florida’s State Road Department in 1969.

She retired as full professor of mathematics, after teaching for five years at Tampa Catholic High School and 33 years for Hillsborough Community College in Ybor City, and at the University of South Florida.

She pioneered the offering of online mathematics courses for HCC.

She currently is a trustee for the Tampa Bay History Center and president of the board of directors at Champions for Children.

Fox remains active at USF, serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council of Arts & Sciences, USF’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP) and the USF Latin Community Advisory

Committee.

And, those are just a few of Fox’s accomplishments.

Leavengood, who passed away last year, was a Florida native and a marine biologist who was known for her community activism.

She graduated with a zoology degree from the University of Florida and received her Masters from USF. Her education and training launched a career that would span decades of activism and professional accomplishments. Dena was a tireless civic volunteer and was affiliated with countless organizations, including past president and board member of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, the Athena Society, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce to name but a few.

Registration for the event is available at HCLWV.org/laa.

Published January 08, 2020

Christmas tree recycling in Pasco

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Pasco County is encouraging residents to recycle their live Christmas trees.

The trees can be chipped into mulch, chopped into firewood or relocated as wildlife habitats, according to a county news release.

Be sure to remove all decorations, tinsel and metal hooks before recycling the trees, the release advises.

Trees can be dropped off daily, until Jan. 12, during normal business hours at any of these locations:

  • John S. Burks Memorial Park, 13220 Gene Nelson Blvd., Dade City
  • Sam W. Pasco Recreational Complex, 39835 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills
  • Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road, New Port Richey
  • Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Ballies Bluff Road, Holiday
  • West Pasco Class III Site, 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill
  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
  • Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel

For more information about recycling in Pasco County, visit bit.ly/2lWhIVh.

Published January 01, 2020

Get The Smile You Deserve in 2020 from Origami Orthodontics

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It’s a new year, and the perfect time to set goals that you have wanted to achieve for years!

Health goals are always a priority, including orthodontic care, which can straighten your teeth, correct problems with your bite and give you the smile you’ve always wished for.

“For many people, the only thing stopping them from scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist is concern about the cost,” said Michael Ruelf, who works with patients at his wife’s orthodontic practice in Land O’ Lakes, Origami Orthodontics. “At our practice, we work with patients of all ages and financial situations to help them find a solution that works for them.”

Dr. Lisa Brooks DDS MS, who opened her practice with her husband a year ago, adds, “We want to serve people of all needs because improving someone’s smile can be transformational. Everyone is deserving of orthodontic care, because it can impact their life all around — from boosting their confidence, to alleviating jaw pain, to improving the ability to eat and speak.”

One reason Origami Orthodontics is able to provide affordable orthodontic care is because it has an in-house lab that offers many services that other practices have to contract out. One of its most popular lab services is creating clear-aligner trays for adults that move teeth into place over a period of several months.

“Our Origami Aligners use trays that are similar to those made by Invisalign and Smile Direct, only ours have a variety of unique advantages,” explains Ruelf.

There are many medical and financial benefits to having an in-house lab, Dr. Brooks explains.

“I personally oversee the design and production of every tray created for our patients,” said Dr. Brooks. “This allows me to make adjustments throughout the process, so patients get the very best results.”

An in-house lab also means there is better quality control, and turnaround is very fast – even the same day.

“Because our clear aligners are being both digitally designed and directly fabricated by the orthodontist, our patients will correctly align their teeth and bite, all while being provided conveniences similar to online or at-home straightening companies like Smile Direct Club,” said Ruelf. “Being open on Saturdays, handling insurance claims directly for our patients, and offering tremendously fast turnaround times for clear aligners are just some of the unique conveniences that set Origami apart.”

Cost savings is another big benefit for patients at Origami Orthodontics.

“We typically save a clear aligner patient between $1,200 and $1,700 when compared to similar offerings in the industry,” said Ruelf. “This savings often makes orthodontic care possible for people who have waited years to improve their smile.”

Dr. Brooks grew up near Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where her father was a radiologist. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a physician or a dentist, and decided on dentistry because she has always liked working with her hands. She then chose orthodontics because of the positive environment and the creative nature of the planning involved in orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Brooks graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in Richmond, with a doctorate in dental surgery. From there, she went to Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Davie, Florida, where she completed her residency and received her Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and a Master of Science.

In December, Dr. Brooks passed her American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) examination, which reflects her personal and public commitment to her specialty.

It was while she was in dental school that Dr. Brooks met her future husband, Michael, who is a software developer, as well as his wife’s business partner at Origami Orthodontics.

“Lisa was a swimmer in high school and college, and fell in love with Florida, its warm water and beautiful weather. So, we decided to stay in the state after her residency, and came to the Tampa area, since I grew up in Lutz and have family here,” said Ruelf, who is a graduate of Jesuit High School.

Michael and Lisa married in 2013, and today have two young daughters — Charlotte and Virginia.

When the couple decided to open their own practice on State Road 54, they chose a unique name for their business — Origami Orthodontics — that personifies their philosophy.

“Much like the art of origami, our practice is centered in precision and elegance,” says Dr. Brooks. “We use the newest technologies in the field of orthodontics that allow us to efficiently meet the highest standards of clinical excellence.

“However, we’re not all serious business! We enjoy providing our patients with a fun and comfortable experience that’s centered around them, and we believe our name and office reflects that.”

The first appointment at Origami Orthodontics is a completely free evaluation that begins with data collection. Radiographs (X-rays), photographs and a dental history will be combined to provide Dr. Brooks with a comprehensive understanding of your case, so that all of your treatment options can be discussed with you.

Situated near the intersection of Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54 (in The Shoppes at Ballantrae), Origami Orthodontics provides convenient access for families living in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Trinity, Odessa and Wesley Chapel.

Origami Orthodontics can be reached at (813) 336-8880 or OrigamiOrthodontics.com.

Published January 1, 2020

Artists of All Kinds Live In Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is a community of over 1,500 residents that has attracted people from around the world, many with unique artistic gifts who enjoy sharing their talents with their neighbors.

Richard Terrill is such a resident. He is an accomplished contemporary painter, whose work was exhibited and sold in the museum shop at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

Richard Terrill’s paintings have been on display in the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.

Terrill’s paintings are colorful, unconventional and political – work that you would not initially expect from someone who taught high school and college English for 39 years. But, after talking with the artist for a few minutes, you quickly realize that Terrill is also a knowledgeable historian, who artistically incorporates his world view points into his paintings.

Terrill’s work draws you in with his bright colors, high contrasts and whimsical tangents. And, as you admire his visionary style, you begin to see the political and historical context most of Terrill’s paintings explore.

“I like to use bright colors because they uplift the often serious and somber content of my paintings,” said Terrill. “And, I often add whimsical scenes into my paintings that poke fun at the seriousness of the human psyche.”

A large portrait of Rumi, the celebrated Persian poet from the 13th century,  dominates the artist’s studio in his Avalon Park home. Another bold painting is one of Terrill’s newest works, which he calls “Duende” — a Spanish word for a heightened state of emotion and expression.

Unlike almost every other artist, Terrill never signs his name on his paintings.

“I believe that the signature is the painting itself,” explains Terrill. “To put a signature on a painting takes away from the painting. If a buyer insists that I sign their painting, I will sign the backside of the pressed wood that I use as my canvas.”

Most of Terrill’s collectors are other artists, scientists, engineers and psychiatrists, who tell him that they like the deep thinking and intricate detail that goes into his work.

Terrill works on his art every day. “Even if I’m not actually painting, I am always thinking about the piece I am working on,” he said.

Terrill is looking forward to exhibiting his paintings at the Avalon Park Art Gallery located at the community’s Welcome Center on State Road 54, and also at the new Arts Center being built in downtown Avalon Park, when it opens.

“My wife and I love living in Avalon Park — our home is beautiful, there is so much to do, and everyone is so friendly and helpful,” said Terrill. “That it is also such a pro-art community is a big bonus, and something that makes me very happy.”

He also hopes to teach again. His experience is exceptionally broad, and includes working at an all-girl, inner-city school in Baltimore in the 1970s, and later in his career as an English professor at a community college and university in Maryland, and also teaching inmates in medium and maximum security prisons.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel and the Pasco Fine Arts Council work together to bring arts and cultural events to East Pasco County. One of the main goals of this partnership is to introduce people to local artists like Terrill, with monthly exhibits and demonstrations.

“It is our vision that downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will be the cultural and event center for East Pasco County,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of the Avalon Park Group. “It is exciting to discover artists like Richard Terrill who already live in our community, and are willing to share their great talent with their neighbors.”

Are You An Artist?
We want to profile artists who live in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Please let us know about your talents, or those of a friend or neighbor, by emailing .

Published December 25, 2019

Professional Tile Cleaning Removes 96.5% of Allergens

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Stanley Steemer is best known for cleaning carpets, but a growing segment of its business is cleaning tile and grout.

“Many new homes have tile everywhere except the bedrooms, and tile is a popular upgrade for families remodeling their homes,” said CJ White, co-owner of the Stanley Steemer Carpet franchise on State Road 54 in Lutz. “People love the easy care and beauty of tile, but they forget that it needs regular cleaning, just like carpet.”

Stanley Steemer technicians use a high-pressure water and vacuum system to clean tile and grout.

If you don’t have your tile professionally cleaned once a year, grout can become saturated with dirt and grime, just like carpet does.

“Regular mopping of tile floors never reaches the hidden dirt that lies deep within the pores of your grout lines,” said White. “Our professional tile and grout cleaning service uses hot water extraction to clean out this grime, which removes 96.5% of allergens found in grout.”

White explains that grout is Portland cement — the same material used for driveways. And because cement is porous, it will stain just like your driveway does.

“Cement is very vulnerable to oil stains. And, since grout is made from cement, it picks up oil from your skin and cooking materials, just like your driveway does when it absorbs oil that leaks from your car,” White explains. “When you allow this stain to set into your grout, it becomes a permanent stain. We can clean the grout, but cleaning will not get out the stain — just like no amount of cleaning will get oil stains out of your driveway.”

The good news is that professional grout cleaning will remove dirt and grime from the grout, and will also restore a floor’s luster.

Stanley Steemer cleans tile and grout using a high-pressure water and vacuum system, along with a cleaning solution that doesn’t leave a residue.

“We use a water pressure of 1,200 psi, which is powerful enough to remove grime without damaging the grout. By comparison, water pressure to clean a driveway is usually 3,000 to 4,000 psi,” said White.

Stanley keeps the water temperature at 180 degrees — again, warm enough to help remove the dirt, but not too hot to damage the grout.

After pressure cleaning, Steemer’s trained technicians use an alkaline wash to remove oily substances from the tile and grout, followed up by an acid cleaner that etches clean the top level of the grout.

The final step is putting down clear grout sealant, which creates a protective barrier that protects grout lines from small spills and spots, and makes it easier to clean up spills before they soak in.

“We recommend cleaning and sealing your tile and grout once a year, which can be done the same time as your carpets,” said White. “Our technicians are fully trained on both carpet and tile cleaning, and have all the necessary equipment on their trucks to get the jobs done the same day.”

White and his father, Chet, have owned the Stanley Steemer franchise in Pasco County for five years. Last year, they opened their new Lutz headquarters, which employs 13 technicians and three customer service reps.

Stanley Steemer never uses subcontractors. All of its technicians are employees who meet the company’s high standards – including background checks, drug tests and extensive training before going out in the field. Employees wear professional uniforms and take great pride in their appearance.

“We are very cognizant that we are welcomed into someone’s home, and we make sure our employees meet the high standards we set for them,” said White.

Stanley Steemer technicians always work in teams of two.

“Most homeowners feel safer with two techs in their home, plus two techs move furniture better and get the job done twice as fast,” said White. “We also stand behind our work with a 10-Day Redo Policy, which fortunately we are seldom asked about, because we strive to get the job done right the first time.”

Start out the new year by getting your flooring professionally cleaned — especially your tile and grout.  Call now to schedule ahead, or request a same-day service. Call the Lutz Stanley Steemer at (813) 996-2436, or schedule online at StanleySteemer.com.

Tile & Grout Cleaning Tips
Always vacuum and/or sweep before mopping
Always rinse after you mop
Never use bleach — it can break down grout and sealant

Published December 25, 2019

Plaza Mexico Opens New Restaurant In Zephyrhills

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Hector Alvarez and Hector Gallardo

To see Hector Alvarez working at Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill is not unusual. Alvarez is one of the owners at Plaza Mexico, the kind of family owned restaurant where the owners lead from the front and work alongside their employees, to ensure professionalism and quality control

“Not only do the employees work here, but the owners also work here,” Alvarez said. “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.”

Plaza Mexico specializes in traditional Mexican food. There are five locations in Florida and North Carolina, all with authentic furniture and decorations from Mexico. At the Zephyrhills restaurant, the owners departed from their usual brightly colored décor, and opted for a “Day of the Dead” Mexican theme, giving the restaurant a softer and more romantic ambiance.

“One of the things we have that’s different from other Mexican restaurants is that we try to do things very professionally, like the décor and how the servers dress,” Alvarez said. “The menu is really long, so we have a lot of different choices. We have one page of just seafood. We have a lot of vegetarian dishes.”

The menu contains authentic versions of the usual Mexican favorites: tacos, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas. The 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.”

Seafood lovers have plenty of options to consider, from crab quesadillas and white shrimp enchiladas, to camarones (shrimp) Hawaiianos and cerviche.

“The cerviche is probably one of the plates that is most traditional with Latin people, like Cubans and Peruvians,” Alvarez said. “All of them have cerviche. They make it different from us, but we like to make it spicier. It can be fish or shrimp. We cook it here before we put it on the lime.  Traditionally, they just cook it with lime.”

In the mood for something different? Try the mole poblano, a seemingly incongruous combination of chicken and chocolate sauce that proves irresistible to many people.

“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 sauces. The mole ranchero is made with tomato sauce, so it is not sweet. That’s the difference.”

A popular appetizer is the guacamole made fresh tableside from a pushcart decorated with a picture of a bull and matador squaring off.

“One thing that we have different from other restaurants is our own cart that’s going around to every table to offer fresh guacamole,” Alvarez said. “We have the lunch portion and the dinner portion. It’s a really popular appetizer for large groups that come here, 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.

One of its most popular drinks at Plaza Mexico is the margarita. On Saturdays, margaritas are the special of the day, served in a 42-ounce glass that is nicknamed “the fish bowl.” According to Alvarez, Plaza Mexico has won “best margarita in town” at their Port Charlotte location the last five years. The partners and owners tightly guard the recipe, but you can enjoy it any time you feel like wasting away again in Plaza Mexico.

38361 County Road 54, Zephyrhills • 813-355-3627 • wwwPlazaMexicoBarandGrill.com

Published 11/13/19

Some gift ideas, for your favorite cook

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With holiday season in full swing, no doubt you are shopping for loved ones, friends and coworkers.

A spiralizer can either add vegetables to your regular dishes or be used to cut out pasta completely. Here, a zucchini and carrot were spiralized and turned into noodle shapes. (Courtesy of Unsplash.com)

If anyone on your list enjoys cooking, a kitchen item might make the perfect gift.

Or, perhaps you know someone who is looking to make some healthier changes as a New Year’s goal. That means eating out less and making more meals at home. So, a beginner-level kitchen item could be a supportive gift to help them get started.

There are enough kitchen items out there for anyone to enjoy, whether they are inexperienced in cooking or they’ve been making meals for years.

Here are a few gift ideas:

  • A cookbook: Tailor it to their exact likes, needs or goals, such as vegetarian; a certain ethnic food style they want to master; or, for a specific health condition, such as diabetes-friendly recipes.
  • Someone looking to lose weight might enjoy a food scale. This is a great way to determine serving sizes and practice portion control. This tool can come in handy, too, for bakers. Many bakers swear that weighing ingredients with a scale is much more accurate than measuring ingredients with a measuring cup.
  • An herb and spice kit is another great gift. Some kits can have as many as 40 herbs and spices.

For new kits, a smaller-sized basic kit would be a better starting place, so they don’t become overwhelmed by too many choices. By starting smaller, they can learn which ones are their favorites before experimenting with more exotic flavors.

  • Multi-purpose knives. Every chef needs some essential multi-purpose knives, such as the chef’s knife, paring knife and serrated bread knife. These knives will get almost any cutting task accomplished and are usually found together in a knife block set with a knife sharpener.
  • Bread maker: For those that want to “eat cleaner,” a bread maker could be a great gift idea. After all, have you seen how many ingredients are in a loaf of bread? Also, someone that wants to avoid gluten may prefer to make their own bread instead of buying the expensive gluten-free options.
  • Air fryer: This product is great for frying food without the fat/oil. Some have settings that lets you use it to bake, broil and roast, too. I personally just started using an air fryer. I’ve enjoyed using it in the hotter months when I didn’t want to turn on the oven.
  • Spiralizer: A spiralizer can turn certain vegetables into ribbon/noodle shapes. Whether someone wants to cut back on carbs or wants to sneak in more vegetables to pasta dishes, a spiralizer is a fun way to increase vegetable intake. It can’t spiralize every vegetable, but it works on zucchini, carrots, onion, cabbage and others.
  • Multi-cooker/electric pressure cooker — many think of this kitchen tool by the brand name, the Instant Pot. This has been a hit all year, likely because it is so versatile. Some are even seven-in-one or nine-in-one features. It’s a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, a rice maker, a yogurt maker, steamer, cake maker and more. For the home cook that does it all but doesn’t have one of these yet, you can feel confident that this is something they will enjoy. There are also accessories that you could give, such as a steamer basket or egg rack.
  • Panini press grill machine. Some machines make more then paninis; they can also make quesadillas and do indoor grilling. This may be especially helpful for those who live alone because it can make an easy hot meal that doesn’t create many leftovers.

When you’re out shopping, be sure to keep in mind the recipient’s kitchen space. If he or she has a small kitchen, steer clear of large, bulky items.

The gift should fit not only your budget, but also the recipient’s lifestyle and living arrangements.

There are many gadgets out there to make cooking easier and more enjoyable,  and you can help your family and friends find items that work for them.

Happy shopping, and happy holidays!

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 December 11, 2019