The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Live In Avalon Park West — Wesley Chapel’s New Downtown

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When families are looking for a new place to call home, they have several master-planned communities to choose from in Pasco County. But, there’s none quite like Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel.

“We are not just developers— we are building a brand new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today, and in the future.”

Artist rendering of downtown Avalon Park West. It’s first phase, with 130,000 square feet of mixed commercial, will open next summer.

Avalon Park West has been welcoming families since 2012, when this community on State Road 54, east of I-75, began building its first homes. Today, 700 homes have been completed or are underway, and 1,500 people live in the community enjoying its unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and convenient location with easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

Residents can choose floorplans from the community’s builders, Avex Homes and Beazer Homes, who offer a variety of home styles, including single-family homes and townhomes. Apartments and senior housing are planned for future phases.

“Our builders offer homes for all demographics — from young families buying their first home, to folks looking to move up to a new home in an upscale community, to empty-nesters wanting the convenience of the no-fuss, townhome lifestyle,” said Lerret. “Avalon is just like a real town — we have homes priced for everyone, from teachers to physicians.”

In addition to its desirable selection of homes ranging from the low $200s to over $400s, Avalon also offers residents places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.

Construction began last fall on the first phase of downtown Avalon Park West, which includes 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space, with 100 apartments being built above the storefronts.

“We’re building beautiful, two-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

And, unlike most subdivisions, Avalon Park West’s commercial area is not strip centers facing the busy road at the community’s entrance.

“We are building a traditional downtown, with stores located inside of our community on the boulevard road leading to our residences, parks and schools,” said Lerret. “We are creating a town that spreads out from the town center connecting to individual neighborhoods — very much like the footprints of small towns found across America.”

The first phase of downtown Avalon Park West will open next summer, at the same time that the expansion of State Road 54 is completed to become a four-lane road.

“We already have a traffic light installed at our residential entrance, and a second light has been approved for our downtown entrance. With these lights, and the widening of State Road 54, it will be easier and quicker for our residents to get to I-75 to the west, and U.S. 301 to the east,” said Lerret.

Downtown Avalon will continue to be built over the next several years, as more residential units are built. Eventually, there will be more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space, in its bustling, pedestrian-friendly downtown.

“Our community will not only be a place to live and learn, but also a place to shop and work,” said Lerret. “Joining our retail stores will be small businesses in office parks that will employ our residents, such as doctors, dentists, veterinarians, service businesses and satellite offices of larger companies.”

At the same time that the community’s downtown opens, a new charter school, Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, will open at the community’s entrance.

Students who live in Avalon Park West are zoned to excellent public schools, including New River Elementary (located inside the community), Thomas E. Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel High School.

When not in school, youngsters and families enjoy a wide array of amenities at Avalon Park West, including a community garden, swimming pools, tot lots, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with its downtown.

Opening later this summer is a second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, workout area and spa, and covered picnic area. Looking ahead, a Regional Park with soccer, football and baseball fields is planned for Avalon Park West, in conjunction with Pasco County Parks & Recreation.

Avalon Park West will continue to be developed for the next several years. At build out, this 1,650-acre master-planned community will have about 4,400 single and multi-family homes, and become home to 10,000 residents.

“We have been planning Avalon Park West for many years, and have a clear vision of its future,” said Lerret. “Our owners bought the land in the mid 1980s from the Bill Brown family – one of Wesley Chapel’s pioneer families, and have always been committed to being good stewards to this beautiful land, and making it the premier community in the area.”

Avalon Park West

Wesley Chapel
– State Road 54, 7 miles east of I-75

1,650-acre master-planned community
– Developer: Avalon Park Group, Orlando

Single-family homes and townhomes
– Today: 700 homes and 1,500 residents
– Build Out: 4,400 homes and 10,000 residents
– New homes begin in low $200s

Schools
– New River Elementary
– Weightman Middle
– Wesley Chapel High
– Pinecrest Wesley Chapel charter school opens fall 2020

New Amenity Center
– Opens fall 2019
– Zero-entry pool, splash pad, covered picnic area

Town Center
– Opens summer 2020
– First phase: 130,000 sq. ft. of mixed commercial
– Apartments above retail

Builders
– Avex Homes
– Beazer Homes
– Homes beginning in low $200s

Published July 24, 2019

New, High-Performing Charter School Coming To Avalon Park West

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Families with school-aged children who live in Avalon Park attend some of Pasco County’s best public schools located within a few miles of their homes. Soon, they will have the option of going to a brand-new charter school at the community’s entrance.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is being opened by Pinecrest Academy Inc., one of the top charter school operators in Florida. In the past few weeks, the school’s walls were erected at the entrance to Avalon Park West.

“Now that the walls are going up, our dream of offering families a top-notch charter school is finally becoming a reality,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group.

The walls are going up at Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, a new charter school being built at the entrance to Avalon Park West.

The new school will open in time for the 2020-21 school year with 650 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and plans to expand to serve up to eighth grade. The school’s opening will coincide with the completion of the widening of State Road 54, which runs in front of the school.

Pinecrest Wesley Chapel will offer a core curriculum of English/language arts, mathematics, social science, science and electives, such as performing and fine arts, and world languages. Parents who are interested in the school can go to the website (PinecrestWesleyChapel.com) to fill out an interest form.

“Our goal is to have the very best school in the entire state,” said Lerret.

Pinecrest Academy Inc., received approval of its Wesley Chapel charter application in 2017 from the Pasco County School Board.

Judith Marty, founding board chair of Pinecrest, expressed enthusiasm at the school’s Wesley Chapel groundbreaking in June.

“Thank you for being here, and thank you for believing in us,” Marty told those gathered.

Marty shared with the crowd that Pinecrest has 16 schools and is opening more. Most of its schools operate in South Florida, but it also has four charter schools in Nevada and will be opening one more in August.

“All of the schools are high-performing,” Marty said. “For example, Pinecrest Prep High School is graduating 99 percent, with a population that is predominantly Hispanic. We also are placing 97 percent of those students in college. Once we commit to a community, we’re not going to let you down.”

The Florida Department of Education recently released school grades for the 2018 school year. All Pinecrest Academy schools earned an “A,” and one of the schools was the top-performing K-8 school in Florida.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is supported by Academica. Academica is an education service and support provider for nearly 200 schools across the country. Serving fourteen National Blue Ribbon schools, Academica is one of the nation’s longest serving and most successful charter school support organizations.

Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group, spoke at the groundbreaking and told how in the mid-1980s, he invited two dozen real estate agents to ask them for recommendations of what would be good to offer people east of Orlando, at what would become Avalon Park East.

Kahli suspected they would tell him to build golf courses, or a waterpark. Instead, they told him: “We want good schools.”

From that, he learned, “If you have a good school, everything else follows.”

Now, Kahli is involved in creating Avalon Park West.

When the master-planned community is completed, Kahli said, it “will be a town, where you never have to leave if you don’t want because you will be able to satisfy all of your needs.”

“It’s great to be here in Wesley Chapel,” he said. “Let’s build this downtown. Let’s start with the most important — the school.”

Interested families can visit PinecrestWesleyChapel.com to find out more.

Editor’s note: Portions of this story were previously published in the June 19, 2019 issue of The Laker/Lutz News.

Published July 24, 2019

Enhance The Comfort Of Your Home With Energy-Efficient Systems

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Almost everyone wants their power bill to be as low as possible, especially during the summer months. But, a number of people don’t understand what impacts their electric bill the most.

“The cost to run your A/C is the biggest factor — around 50 percent. Not far behind is your hot water heater, which accounts for 20 to 30 percent of you power bill,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.

A homeowner can save hundreds of dollars a year by replacing both with energy-efficient systems, which also make their home more livable with endless hot water and cooler air with reduced humidity, said Silva.

Many homeowners decide to upgrade their hot water tank to a tankless system at the same time they upgrade their air conditioning system.

“It’s not unusual for the A/C system and hot water tank to need replacement at the same time,” said Silva. “Both have a life span of 8 to 12 years, and a homeowner can save a lot of time and money if they replace them together.”

Doing both at the same time also allows homeowners to take advantage of Cornerstone’s financing packages — securing one loan for both systems.

“We work with a third party that offers no-interest loans on systems financed for 12 months or less, and low-interest loans for up to 10 years, with no prepayment penalty,” Silva said.

Most homeowners have a general idea that their A/C system and water tank are near the end of their lives, Silva said, but often wait to call for service until the compressor or coil fails, or their tank begins to leak.

“The cost to replace broken parts can be pretty significant, and when a system is old, it will likely need more repairs down the road,” said Silva. “It’s almost always better to invest in a new system, because ultimately the old system will fail, and the money spent on repairs would be better invested in a new system that is more energy-efficient.”

All new air conditioning systems installed in homes today must have a SEER rating of 14 or higher. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is set by the Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute that all manufacturers must abide by.

“The good news is that the higher the SEER rating, the lower your power bill, which means a new system typically pays for itself in less than five years,” said Silva.

Cornerstone Pro also installs two-stage A/C systems, which in addition to cooling, maintain a home’s inside humidity to 60 percent, compared to the 80 percent humidity found outside during the summer.

“Keeping humidity down makes it feel so much cooler inside your home, plus it prevents mold spores from growing and spreading,” said Silva.

In addition to its SEER rating, the energy efficiency of a new A/C system depends on the type and amount of a home’s insulation and windows. Cornerstone’s technicians include all factors when calculating the heat load of a house, before recommending a unit that best meets a home’s cooling requirements, as well as the owner’s budget.

Tankless Hot Water Tank
A tankless hot water system offers many benefits besides cost of operation, which is typically 15 percent less than traditional water tanks.

“In less than five years, a tankless system pays for itself,” said Silva. “Plus, endless hot water is something every family wants, no matter its size.”

Silva and his team of 11 plumbers install between seven and 10 tankless water heaters a month, and that pace is accelerating with the introduction of a new tankless system powered by electricity.

“Tankless systems for homes with gas have been around for many years, but it’s only recently that the technology has become available for electric heaters,” said Silva. “We work with a manufacturer out of Arizona called trutankless, which has a fantastic system that even has an app that makes it fun and easy to keep track of your water usage.”

The trutankless system is adaptable for homes from one bathroom to four. It provides endless hot water 24 hours a day. Another benefit of a tankless water system is that it mounts directly on a garage wall, freeing up space on the floor that a traditional water tank requires.

Cornerstone phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published July 24, 2019 

Location, Beautiful Homesites And Excellent Schools at Asturia

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Over the past three years, families of all ages and sizes have chosen Asturia as a place to call home, drawn to this master-planned community for its strategic location, beautiful homesites and excellent schools.

Situated on 500 acres in Odessa along State Road 54, and located less than a mile  from the Suncoast Parkway, Asturia residents have fast and easy access to Tampa International Airport, the Westshore business district, downtown Tampa and area beaches.

Many of its homesites back up to incredible wilderness views of wetlands, cypress trees and rolling ranch land. Wildlife is everywhere, and residents enjoy community trails and boardwalks perfect for bird-watching, and to catch a glimpse of deer, gopher tortoises, racoons and other native animals, during an evening stroll or morning run.

A heron and a cormorant cool themselves by a neighborhood lake in Asturia, while children play on a Kompan structure designed to foster imagination and healthy bodies.

Outstanding schools are another top reason why families move to Asturia. Children attend some of the best schools in Pasco County, including Odessa Elementary, Seven Springs Middle School and J.W. Mitchell High School. All three schools have received a minimum A or B school grade for the last three years.

Setting Asturia apart from other master-planned communities is its manageable size of just 550 homes. It is a friendly, walkable development that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle with its many trails, walkways, parks and recreational amenities.

“We feel more like an established community of neighborhoods, than a sprawling development that will be under construction for several years,” said Lane Gardner, managing director for Hines, Asturia’s developer. “Our residents like knowing that the size of their community is set, and that our amenities have been designed to provide enjoyment without the worry of overcrowding.”

Families also enjoy living in Asturia because of the distinct sense of community that Hines has encouraged by hosting family events to make it easy for residents to get to know each another.

“Residents love our community events because it gets them together with neighbors, and lets them welcome new and prospective homeowners,” said Gardner. “We host events on a regular basis because they’re fun, and promote the friendly community culture Asturia is known for.”

Recent events include an Easter Egg Hunt, Oyster Roast, Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Hawaiian Luau. The community also celebrates the holidays with an annual Fall Festival and a Christmas Party.

Asturia’s award-winning Amenity Center has a zero-entry, resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness center and contemporary clubhouse. Neighborhood parks include a Kompan play structure, Ga-Ga Ball court, dog park and open event lawns.

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.

Award-winning builders are offering a wide selection of floor plans and prices in Asturia’s final phase, and have new model homes ready to tour. Quick move-in homes are available for families looking for a new home in time for the 2019-20 school year.

Homes in Asturia range from the $220s to $550s, and many builders are currently offering special sales incentives. David Weekley Homes, ICI Homes, Ashton Woods and Ryan Homes all build homes from the ground up, and also have available several  inventory homes.

David Weekley Homes’ new one-story Crestview model is beautifully furnished, showcasing 2,100 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, a study, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage.

The Costa Mesa is ICI Homes’ new model. This one-story home features an open floor plan that brings together the gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room in one expansive space, with lots of windows to bring in natural light and sunlight.

Located near the front of Asturia are Ryan Homes’ easy-living townhouses, with two floor plans that have designer options and rear-load, two-car garages.

Ashton Woods has just two single-family homes remaining in Asturia in its one-story Truman plan, which offers1,962 square feet with four bedrooms and two baths.

Since its 2016 grand opening, Asturia has received several prestigious awards, including Best Mixed-Use Community from the Florida Home Builders Association. The community encompasses a blend of shopping, office space, luxury apartments, single-family homes and townhomes.

International developer Hines is known for its intelligent, ecologically smart design. It manages the community’s master plan with its high standards, which makes Asturia the most sustainable, eco-friendly community in Tampa Bay.

Learn more about Asturia and its builders by visiting AsturiaFlorida.com, or call (813) 227-4148.

Published July 24, 2019

Medical clinical trials help many

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Meridien Research’s Spring Hill Location

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Meridien Research in Spring Hill recently had a patient whose dementia-related agitation dramatically subsided while participating in an Alzheimer’s clinical study it was conducting.

“When we first met this patient, he was pacing, walking up and down the halls, and kept repeating that he wanted to leave,” said Sarah Hollingshead, site director for Meridien’s Spring Hill office.

“He had participated in another clinical trial at a different site, and was not happy with his previous experience. But here, we made him feel welcome and comfortable, and he agreed to give clinical research trial another try. The patient completed one study with us and saw great results. He then completed a second and saw mixed results. Now he’s in his third study, and he’s singing in our office and joking with us. His agitation symptoms have really subsided.”

James Andersen, M.D.

While people participate in medical research studies for a variety of personal reasons, their participation also enables advances in medicine that can benefit everyone.

“Volunteers in medical research studies help with the development of medical therapies that may offer better treatments, and even cures, for life-threatening and chronic diseases,” said Hollingshead.

Meridien Research needs participants for many studies, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, endometriosis, ulcerative colitis, idiopathic constipation, and low testosterone. It also is conducting a memory study for healthy people. There is no charge to participate, and no health insurance is necessary. Some studies offer compensation for time and travel.

Patient safety always comes first at Meridien Research.

Richard Powell, M.D.

“All of our research protocols are approved by an institutional review board that oversees the safety and welfare of our participants,” said Hollingshead. “This board ensures that the benefits of study participation outweigh the risks, and sets the protocols to determine the suitability of a patient to be included in the study.”

All clinical trial activities at the Spring Hill location are overseen by Drs. James Andersen, Richard Powell, and Gigi Lefebvre.

“Whenever someone is participating in a clinical trial, they are closely monitored,” said Hollingshead. “Once a patient is on the medication, he is often seen on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis — usually more than they would be seen by their regular physician.”

Meridien Research’s Spring Hill site also offers free memory testing, and sponsors a monthly Alzheimer’s caregiver support group that includes respite care.

“We offer free memory testing as a courtesy to our community,” said Hollingshead.  “Our support group meets once a month, and caregivers can bring their loved ones to the meeting because we offer free respite care.”

Hollingshead derives great satisfaction from her work and the role that Meridien Research plays in helping people and science. She invites people to give her a call to see if they or someone they know will qualify for a clinical study at Meridien’s Spring Hill location.

 352-269-5617 • NewStudyInfo.com

“Only 20 minutes from Land O’ Lakes, just west of the Suncoast Parkway.”

Published 7/24/19

A Salon That Makes You Feel Like Family

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By William J Jacko

Special to The Laker / Lutz News

Tracy Mannino, owner Salon Tre’ Anne in Wesley Chapel, has been styling hair for 23 years.  She began her career in Boston, moved to Florida 20 years ago, and started styling hair at Beyond Hair, the previous name of her salon.

After a year, Mannio’s father bought the salon and she managed it for the next 10 years. In 2013, she took over ownership, and changed its name to Salon Tre’ Anne.

“I’ve worked really hard to get where I am today, and truly appreciate the loyalty of my staff and customers,” said Mannino. “All of our stylists are amazing — I’ve trained three stylists so far, who work and think like me, and have a lot of people who can fill my shoes.”

Salon Tre’ Anne specializes in coloring and highlighting — services that combine science and art.

“There are a lot of different colors that go into each person’s hair color,” said Mannino. “We mix for each individual to bring out or cancel their natural undertones, or enhance the features of their face and skin color.”

All of Salon Tre’ Anne stylists have years of experience, and work well together as a team.

“We’re not afraid to help each other out,” said Mannino. “The relationships we have with each other, as well as our clients, are so tight that they separate us from the rest.”

Salon Tre’ Anne is a full service salon with services for women, men and children. The salon uses Matrix products, which Mannino considers the best in the business.

“We also sell and use an excellent local brand called Healium. The owners dropped off some samples, we tried them, liked them, and placed their first order. Since then, they’ve been the only hairspray and mousse that we carry.”

Mannino’s loyalty to the Healium line is an example of her belief in supporting small, local business.

“I just feel that local businesses are the way to go,” Mannino said.  “You become a close-knit business community that feels like family, and when you’re family, you try to do the best for each other in everything that you do.”

Mannino extends that caring feeling to the community by participating in local charity events, such as golf tournaments, donating gift certificates and providing free services.

“I love my job. I love people. I love that I’ve built this community with the people that I work with, who have turned out to be my family and my friends. We wake up every day knowing our work makes people feel good about themselves,” said Mannino.

813-994-3553 • 26606 Wesley Chapel Blvd • Lutz

Published on 7/17/19

Scrubs Are Fun, Comfortable and Fashionable

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Judy Cornett, Owner, Scrubs n’ Such

By William J Jacko

Special to The Laker / Lutz News

When you visit your doctor or hospital, have you noticed that nurses and other medical staff are making fashion statements with their uniforms or scrubs?

“The scrub industry has come a long way, I can recall years ago when most scrubs were a light blue color, were big and baggy with drawstring pants, and had one-pocket shirts that slipped on over your head,” said Judy Cornett, owner of Scrubs n’ Such in Lutz. “Thankfully, scrubs now come in all different shapes and sizes, with cargo pants that fit very comfortably and colorful print tops that you would never think were medical scrubs.”

With the introduction of more attractive styles, along with new fabrics that make scrubs cooler, many professionals and technicians are wearing them, including safety personnel, veterinarians, massage therapists, hair stylists, cosmetologists, housekeepers, kitchen workers, chiropractors, pet sitters and even dog walkers.

Brenda Bell, Manager/Embroidery, Scrubs n’ Such

“Scrubs have become very trendy,” said Cornett. “We have scrubs for most sizes. Scrubs for women who want to show off their figure, and styles for those who want to cover it up. In addition to our large variety of styles, we carry scrubs in sizes from extra extra small to 5X.

“Scrubs have evolved from one-size-fits-all, smock-like protection, to everyday out-and-about street clothing. People use them as pajamas, gym clothing, or even just fun and comfortable casualwear,” said Cornett.

The décor of Cornett’s new store embraces the advances in scrubs. Scrubs n’ Such has well-arranged wall displays, racks of attractive floral clothing and trendily attired mannequins. Jazzy music plays in the background, and fitting rooms resemble guest bedrooms with welcome rugs, ornate hooks and elegant drapery.

“We want our store to be comfortable and boutiquey, but not expensive,” said Cornett. “Our décor is warm and inviting, and customers walk in and feel right at home. Our goal is to put smiles on the faces of customers, and to satisfy their needs and desires.”

In addition to scrubs, the store also carries chef apparel, maternity wear, nonslip shoes, compression socks, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, goggles, watches, pulse oximeters, Foozy Socks, lab coats, warm-up jackets, medical sleeves and medical accessories. It even offers in-house embroidery.

“If you purchase a scrub set, jacket, or just one shirt, we’ll be more than happy to do same-day embroidery,” Cornett said.  “Plus, we also embroider items not purchased in our store, something very few stores offer.

“In fact, we have several physician’s offices that use our embroidery service, and give discounts for group orders. And, if our store doesn’t have the size or color someone wants, we gladly special order.”

Cornett believes it is important to support local businesses, and works hard to make Scrubs n’ Such a one-stop shop for uniforms and accessories that is conveniently located to keep people in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel from having to travel outside the area for the latest trends.

23016 SR 54, Lutz * Willow Bend Plaza • 813-428-5551

Published 7/10/19

Ukulele Brand’s —Lakeside Setting With A Local Flavor

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This could be you at Ukulele Brand’s restaurant and bar in Land O’ Lakes.

You’re seated on a covered outdoor deck sipping a rum runner cocktail, watching the sun set over East Lake Ellis and enjoying live local music, while waiting for your gator tail and grilled grouper to emerge fresh from the kitchen of Executive Chef Chris Boemmel.

“All these things make us a local favorite,” Boemmel said. “We’re one of the only places to have live entertainment four to five nights a week, a beautiful lakeside setting, and an atmosphere that is casual and fun.”

Boemmel has been the chef at Ukulele Brand’s for the last 13 years, and naturally brings the conversation around to his food.

“Our menu covers everything —  pasta, steaks, burgers, seafood, chicken wings,” said Boemel. “We make just about everything from scratch. We bread our own clams and chicken tenders. Our burgers are delicious and huge, like all of our portion sizes. Nobody leaves here hungry.” Ukulele Brand’s has a full liquor bar and several craft beers, indoor and outdoor seating, and several large-screen televisions, to give you a unique dining experience—right down to wire sandwich baskets shaped like ukuleles.

Lunch is always busy at Ukulele’s. It has daily lunch specials, and does a good job putting food out fast so guests can enjoy their lunch break and get back to work on time.

Favorite dishes include Uke’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, Southern Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, Uke’s Famous Seafood Chowder, and a large selection of specialty burgers, including the Uke’s burger, which is topped with blue cheese, sautéed onions and mushrooms.

But by far, it’s most popular items are grouper and gator tail.

“We get fresh grouper in almost every day from the Gulf of Mexico, and go through 80 pounds of gator tail a week,” said Boemmel.

In addition to its excellent food, the chef attributes his restaurant’s success to the longevity of its staff.

“We have servers and bartenders who have been here 12 years or more,” said Boemmel. “Our customers love seeing the same servers, and even request them by name. They know what you want to drink, your family members and are genuinely happy to see you.  In addition, we have experienced chefs who have worked here for many years, who consistently put out great food.”

Being a fixture in the community since 1995 from its iconic location on U.S. 41, Ukulele Brand’s gives back in several ways, from sponsoring local sports teams and high school events to participating in poker runs.

Check the restaurant’s calendar of events on its Facebook page, or at UkuleleBrands.com, for its live band schedule and special event of the day.

4805 Land O’Lakes Blvd. • Land O’Lakes, FL. 34639

813-995-0608 • www.ukelelebrands.com

 

Published 4/24/19

Tarpon Springs Is More Than Greek

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Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Less than 45 minutes from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, Tarpon Springs is someplace new to go for  date night, or a weekend outing with the family.

“What really breathes life into our downtown is our variety of restaurants,” said Kelley Riedy, operations manager for Tarpon Arts. “There’s a pizza and pasta place, a little bistro that makes its own flavored olive oils, and American, Greek and Italian fare.”

Before or after you dine, it’s fun to explore the city’s many museums.

The Historic Train Depot Museum is right in the heart of downtown, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art has more than 6,000 exhibits of contemporary and modern art, and the Heritage Museum has a permanent Greek heritage exhibit.

Perhaps the best known museum is the Safford House, which has docent-guided tours of this 1883 Victorian home, and is the only museum on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

“Something the kids will enjoy is the Replay Amusement Museum, home to the world’s largest pinball machine, and filled with vintage video games, pinball machines and memorabilia,” Riedy said.

Tarpon Springs hosts a full calendar of special events year-round. In fact, this weekend is Night in the Islands — an after-hours festival on the Sponge Docks, on June 29.

“This is a fabulous way to enjoy our beautiful cool evenings,” said Riedy. “The streets of the Sponge Docks are blocked off, and there are two stages for live music, including Ellada, considered the premier Greek music band in Florida. We even have a dance troupe giving free, Greek dance lessons.”

“Nights in the Islands really captures the Greek heritage of the city,” said Reidy. “Several restaurants set up outside tables, so people can dine next to the music and dancing, and enjoy our beautiful waterfront.

You can also explore Tarpon Springs through rosé-colored glasses—as in glasses of rosé wine—at the next Wine Walk on July 20. In August, there is the Hippie Fest on Aug. 10, and the quarterly Arts and Crafts show on the Sponge Docks is Aug. 31. Fall events include Salsa on the Sponge Docks on Oct. 12 and the Seafood Festival from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10.

For outdoor fun, Tarpon Springs has two beaches —Fred Howard Park and Sunset Beach, which hosts the Sunset Beach Concert Series on the first Thursday of every month. Tarpon Springs also has a free Splash Park, hiking trails, playgrounds, dog parks, fishing and kayaking.

ExploreTarponSprings.com

Published 6/26/19

Extend Your A/C’s Life

By

Tyler Wood, Owner

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Your air conditioner is the most expensive appliance in your house, and when it breaks, you want to call a company that will do everything possible to prolong its life. Bay Harbor Services is that kind of company.

Bay Harbor has recently expanded into residential services, after many successful years in commercial air conditioning sales and service.

“On the commercial side, the goal is to keep a company’s equipment going as long as possible,” said Jay Civitillo, management consultant with Bay Harbor Services. “If you’re a big-box retailer, you don’t want your A/C switched out every few years, because that’s really expensive.

Bay Harbor has taken that same philosophy to residential.

“We treat our residential customers just like we treat our commercial business,” said Civitillo. “Our goal is to keep a homeowner’s equipment running as long as possible to maximize their investment.”

With a metal shop and Riverview Crane division, Bay Harbor has an unusual depth of resources that allows it to execute its service-first approach in the residential air conditioning market.

“We try to do everything in-house as much as we possibly can,” said Tyler Wood, general manager. “Because we have our own cranes and equipment, it allows us to give better quality service and often better prices. Plus, our installers and service techs are masters in the air conditioning trade.”

One of Bay Harbor’s most popular services is its filter replacement program, especially for families with allergies.

“If you have allergies, you can put in a thicker filter. However, it’s not as straightforward as you would think because, with a thicker filter, you could impede the performance of your A/C. So it helps having a company get the right filter,” said Civitillo.

Bay Harbor also has products designed to clean a home’s air.

“It’s not just about having cool air,” said Civitillo. “We have products that focus on cleaning air, including Blue-Tube UV, that use ultraviolet blue light to kill microbes.”

Bay Harbor also installs mini-split or ductless systems for home renovations and room additions, but they recommend consulting a professional whenever any major air conditioning system changes are made.

“Mini-splits arereally popular, but many people don’t realize it is important to have an expert come out and look at your usage area, because sometimes having a bigger unit can do more harm than good,” said Civitillo.

Bay Harbor recommends performing maintenance on your air conditioner twice a year and changing the filters every two months. If it’s time to replace a unit, the company carries industry-leading Trane products, as well as Trane’s more economical line, Ameristar.

(813) 740-8662

BayHarborServices.com

Financing options are available

Published 6/19/19